tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64070773317124760022012-02-20T12:42:50.541-08:00The Van Otis Blog includes ramblings by various authors about anything to do with chocolate.Van Otis Chocolateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13776268381300281749noreply@blogger.comBlogger501100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-74667971699336731782012-02-13T07:57:00.000-08:002012-02-13T07:57:20.997-08:00

I’ve embraced texting as a mode of communication. I appreciate that it’s a really quick way to convey information without a lengthy conversation. But what I struggle with is text language – abbreviations, codes, and total disregard for grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. I’m a product of my English teachers. I fear the red pen. Maybe I’d be more apt to embrace text abbreviations if I’d

Julee Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-6620541966765461922012-01-30T07:37:00.000-08:002012-02-02T12:36:58.312-08:00

I am one of those crazy New England Patriots fans. During football season, my husband and I spend all week planning our Sunday menu. It’s the most important family meal of the week, served on paper plates and TV trays, without any eye contact whatsoever.Sometimes we invite friends over to justify the quantity of food. These friends have gone through a secretive, but highly scrutinized, screening

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-18565421418486432052011-12-15T07:58:00.000-08:002011-12-15T10:49:54.674-08:00

Years ago we invested in an artificial Christmas tree. Yes, we’re those people. We did it as a matter of principle. One year Christmas trees cost an average of $16, and the following year they were $40. Maybe it didn’t happen that quickly, but that’s what it felt like.Last year we were digging out the Christmas decorations and could not find the base for our tree. How does something like that go

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-64853360669028425162011-12-11T09:47:00.000-08:002011-12-12T07:12:48.100-08:00

I’m sitting here enjoying a little treat of Van Otis Milk Chocolate Covered Almonds. These crunchy almonds are coated with a sugar-glazed crunch and surrounded by handmade milk chocolate. Each chocolate-covered almond is hidden by a layer of powdered sugar, making them look like tiny snowballs in a bag. This reminded me of the snowball fights that we’d have in my childhood neighborhood.

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-19201636456709038772011-11-17T15:30:00.000-08:002011-11-18T11:40:57.860-08:00

Our family loves the holiday season. We’re rooted in our traditions but also seem to be competitively searching for the next sure thing. For example, Aunt Stacey’s sweet potato casserole is now a Thanksgiving staple, replacing traditional squash and sweet potatoes. Conversely, Papa’s stuffing with bacon bits made only one unpopular appearance.In my search for a namesake tradition, I look to Van

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-37820183639250506722011-11-02T09:03:00.000-07:002011-11-22T08:28:48.416-08:00

Here’s an easy recipe for a fall-inspired dip that’s great served with apples, Bosc pears, a spoon, or your index finger.Cream cheese spread is recommended for easier dipping. Caramel dip can typically be found in the produce section, especially during apple harvest season.Van Otis Almond Butter Crunch is toffee candy dipped in gourmet milk chocolate and rolled in almond bits. The candy comes in

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-63413601519560648402011-11-02T07:16:00.000-07:002011-11-03T07:20:26.055-07:00

Leaf colors aren’t the only things changing this fall. Van Otis announced some exciting new changes to their team and website that don’t require a rake or a plastic bag. Change is good.In September, Van Otis Chocolates welcomed Chocolatier Jack Michael Pisciotta to the Van Otis family. Jack Michael comes to Van Otis with nine years of classical training and experience as a Swiss chocolatier at

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-85423063622176014232011-03-25T06:09:00.000-07:002011-05-16T07:59:12.683-07:00

I love my morning cup of coffee. I love the taste, smell, warmth, and boost of energy it supplies. But no matter how much advertisers try to convince me that coffee consumption is an all-day affair, I’m a morning drinker. In a previous blog, “Resolve”, I talked about my goal of better health in 2011, which includes finding foods that are reasonable and satisfying. I think I’ve found my new

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-50533153058533105802011-03-25T06:06:00.000-07:002011-04-11T12:47:31.164-07:00

The signs of spring in New England surround us. Sights like robins flying in a snow squall make it an exciting, albeit confusing, time of year.Van Otis seems to be following the trend of things that make you go hmmmm. In anticipation of Easter, Van Otis is offering Petite Eggs, which are deceivingly named as a small chocolate packing HUGE flavor. These eggs come in a variety of flavors

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-60869901208897399182011-03-16T13:06:00.000-07:002011-03-16T10:06:22.154-07:00

As new pet owners, we had very little knowledge about life with a dog. We knew the basics: feed, groom, excrete, and talk to her every once in a while. Little did we know how much she would change our lives.After a week with our rescue-adopted, 2-year-old toy poodle, we acknowledged a communication barrier. Our dog is actually quite intelligent, but we were inexperienced on picking up her

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-1388359843858132282011-01-03T13:08:00.000-08:002011-01-24T10:07:19.187-08:00

My 2011 New Year’s resolution is to eat more of Van Otis’s milk or dark chocolate coconut, espresso, maple walnut, and raspberry creams, milk chocolate peanut butter truffles, Swiss fudge, hard candies, and gummie bears. I know you’ve come to expect witty humor at the beginning of my blogs, but this is no joke. My 13-year old and I were discussing New Year’s resolutions. He asked why people make

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-90841270440852246542011-01-03T12:12:00.000-08:002011-01-18T08:34:50.121-08:00

A week ago, I actually caught myself strategically thinking, “If I eat this entire tin of Christmas cookies now, they’ll no longer be a temptation.” I’m one smart cookie. Pun intended.Many of us go from overeating during the holidays to extreme dieting beginning in early January. During the month of December, you couldn’t find an empty spot in the workplace refrigerator without shoving aside a

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-28837498935431591352010-12-22T06:59:00.000-08:002011-01-04T10:26:05.468-08:00

Sometimes the strangest food combinations are surprisingly the best. I love the pairing of sweet and salt, but when I first saw saltine crackers in a dessert recipe, I was skeptical. This is super easy to make, and you can store the ingredients for entertaining emergencies - that is if you can refrain from eating the Van Otis chocolate in advance.IngredientsSalted-top saltine crackers -

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-47288814351160010002010-12-08T06:30:00.000-08:002010-12-15T14:42:10.890-08:00

There were so many notable conflicts during the 1970s and 1980s including the Vietnam War, bombings in Beirut, and who could forget the collision of chocolate and peanut butter. It wasn’t uncommon to hear, “You got your chocolate in my peanut butter!” and vice versa. I think we might have averted the chocolate/peanut butter argument if someone had thought to combine chocolate and liquor instead.

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-45316623891247334622010-11-10T09:28:00.000-08:002011-01-13T07:22:23.845-08:00

Nearly a year ago my husband and I decided to surprise our kids with a bombshell - a dog. Three out of four of us have extreme pet allergies, so the kids had resigned themselves to a dogless childhood. When my husband and I discovered that the poodle breed was an option, we began our covert search for the perfect pet.Based on friends’ and family’s success with rescue adoption, we decided this

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-41931989938714683392010-11-10T07:27:00.000-08:002010-11-16T13:19:33.762-08:00

Unfortunately, mealtime etiquette is a fairly low priority for our family. With our hectic schedules we take pride in actually having eaten rather than accomplishing that task with polish and grace. Seriously, it’s not easy enforcing manners while eating a nugget on the car ride from practice to rehearsal. Holidays are our opportunity for a slowdown. I look forward to a festive table and even

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-22308412870682603782010-10-05T12:58:00.000-07:002010-10-13T13:02:12.250-07:00

I had two important goals as a young girl. I was going to be either one of Charlie’s Angels or Bewitched’s Samantha Stephens. I spent hours working on my silhouetted angels’ pose and my nose twitch. I’m still pretty good at both, if I do say so myself.Imagine being Samantha Stephens. Your housework, cooking, and childcare all done at the expense of a little nasal irritation. Sure, your mother and

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-49208892765551802862010-10-05T12:54:00.000-07:002010-10-25T14:23:42.705-07:00

Having been raised in a household of creatively-minded people, Halloween has always been a holiday of expression, from the pumpkin carving to the costumes. My sister and I had some enviable and memorable costumes over the years. Our mother, the seamstress, put all store-bought, nylon and plastic apparel to shame. My love of a good disguise has been passed down to my daughter. She and her close

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-57392107748077362912010-10-05T06:55:00.000-07:002010-10-07T06:27:40.032-07:00

I have never understood the concept of lying about your age by decreasing the number. At age 40, I’m no stranger to sun damage, body by child birth, and the occasional gray hair. (Yes, I did lie about occasional.) No one is going to look at me without thinking I’ve had a rough 20 years. I have been known to lie about my age by adding 10 to 20 years. Think about it. Not only are seniors revered

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-56843509403955616732010-09-10T08:38:00.000-07:002010-09-13T08:54:39.328-07:00

The role of grandparent is coveted by most people I know who carry the title. I’ve come to the realization that the joy lies in being able to dote and not worry about long-term consequences. For example, I’ve heard my own mother say things like, “Oh, chocolate ice cream at midnight won’t hurt them this one time.” I can attest that this was never a statement I heard as a child in her household.

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-60098900194944416972010-09-10T07:34:00.000-07:002010-09-21T10:37:26.975-07:00

Um, yes there is.Educators use this phrase to encourage questions and class participation. I’m guilty of having said it once or twice during years of corporate training. I really meant that I’d like people to interact with me to avoid a four-hour monologue. And like any good educator, I waited until class had ended before privately giggling at the stupid questions.We all know a stupid question

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-61544238910100188692010-09-10T06:45:00.000-07:002010-09-10T13:13:27.199-07:00

A 75-year commitment to anything is quite a feat, especially a long-term relationship. It’s no wonder that the traditional U.S. wedding anniversary gift list suggests diamonds for anniversaries 60th through 75th. I’m a little confused by the 80th and 90th suggestions of oak and granite, but I wasn’t consulted when they made the list.I scanned the list for chocolate and candy but didn’t find

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-7141198153474734232010-09-04T09:55:00.000-07:002010-09-07T07:36:11.332-07:00

Van Otis Chocolates originated in 1935 and for 75 years, devoted patrons have frequented the shop for familiar favorites and contemporary creations.The shop proudly embraces its roots which trace back to Evangeline Hasiotis, the daughter of a Greek-immigrant pastry chef. Seventy-five years ago, Evangeline introduced her chocolates in the family’s pastry shop and later opened her own shop in the

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-52857218157638774812010-06-09T05:48:00.000-07:002010-06-21T08:30:15.621-07:00

A luau is a Hawaiian feast featuring lots of food and typically, musical entertainment. Many of us in New England have attempted our version of this island celebration with plastic leis, inflatable palm trees, and faux-bamboo tiki torches. I mentioned we’re in New England, right?We may be short of Pacific breezes, but we do know how to feast. No luau would be complete without the flavors of

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-24749298802030776682010-04-14T07:42:00.000-07:002010-04-26T12:35:49.006-07:00

A head’s up to all my faithful blog readers, which had better include my children; Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9. I want three things this year: an outdoor lounge chair, Bailey’s Irish Cream Truffles from Van Otis Chocolates, and an uninterrupted hour to enjoy hereto mentioned chair and truffles. The last wish will likely go unnoticed. There are just too many stories that my 12-year-old son and

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-23499141546906622182010-04-14T05:16:00.000-07:002010-06-02T10:56:46.846-07:00

Webster’s Dictionary has 35 entries for the adjective “free”. All of the definitions have positive connotations, and three of those definitions directly reference enjoyment. Personal liberation, inhibition, and lack of self-restraint are all associated terms. To feel this way when making a sugar-free purchase, I turn to Van Otis Chocolates.With many products, sugar-free equates lack of choice. I

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-40021757765274164662010-04-14T05:08:00.000-07:002010-05-17T11:27:56.375-07:00

Most of us know that vitamin E is good for healthy skin and vitamin D promotes bone health. We also might be able to identify some of the foods possessing high doses of essential vitamins and nutrients, while admitting to our limited daily intake. Today, vitamin supplements are as common as the utensils sidling our plate.What about vitamin DC or "dark chocolate"?A study published on March 30,

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-1353262757949332622010-03-19T14:22:00.001-07:002010-03-22T11:36:32.321-07:00

As chief assistant to all of our mystical, holiday visitors, I’m challenged by the late shift. Why can’t Santa Claus, Cupid, and the Easter Bunny come during normal business hours? I’ve had to make several excuses on behalf of the Tooth Fairy, who hasn’t always fulfilled her duty. It’s simply embarrassing - for her.Having admitted to my need for sleep, I also have to admit that I love surprises.

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-22507363719301933542009-12-29T06:17:00.001-08:002009-12-29T09:36:41.074-08:00

We’ve accepted a New Year’s Eve party invitation from our creative hosts, mentioned previously in the blog “Warning: This Article May Contain Traces of Nuts.” I politely responded to the invitation with, “Yes, and what can we bring?” At this phase of the holiday celebration marathon, what I really mean is, “Would you like me to bring paper plates?” Instead I elicited the response, “A dessert.”I’m

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-61688979971624804612009-12-17T12:40:00.000-08:002009-12-22T11:26:20.187-08:00

So often I hear people make disparaging remarks about gift cards. The most common is that they aren’t thoughtful enough to be a proper gift. Bah Humbug. I truly can’t think of anything more thoughtful than the gift of choice. Gift cards also say you cared enough about the recipient to keep them out of the return lines, and you were considerate enough to not guess their current size.At a holiday

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-31706799896747080782009-11-20T05:26:00.000-08:002009-11-24T10:57:25.093-08:00

We need your help! Van Otis Chocolates currently offers milk, dark, and white chocolate bark, along with their seasonal peppermint bark. Think of chocolate as your blank canvas and let those salivary, creative juices flow. What else would make for a great bark topping? Chocolate bark is such a great concept. Broken pieces of chocolate reinforce the mindset of eating just a little bit, i.e. I only

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-21764405905969111592009-10-29T06:53:00.001-07:002009-10-29T11:07:15.994-07:00

In one of my former corporate roles, I was responsible for employee recognition programs. This might sound like a very fulfilling job function. Honestly, all it did was add another layer of cynical to my already well-developed attribute of cynicism.Think about how difficult it is to find the right gift for someone. Then, imagine what it’s like to find a gift for 200 to 2,000 people that not

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-77227049680148420722009-10-13T06:55:00.000-07:002009-10-13T07:13:46.554-07:00

Van Otis retail patrons can finally have the question answered, “How DO they do it?” The Sweet Spot, adjacent to the Manchester, NH candy shop, is now open to complete the sensory experience at Van Otis Chocolates.The former Van Otis Café space located at 341 Elm Street has been transformed to share a glimpse into our handmade candy making process. See the fresh ingredients that go into every Van

Van Otis Chocolateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13776268381300281749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-40018432912894924612009-09-22T09:11:00.000-07:002009-10-20T10:24:54.811-07:00

Most New Englanders choose to endure tough winters because they love the very in-your-face change of seasons. Fall is truly my favorite. I love the vibrant colors, a slight evening chill, football games, and pumpkin-infused everything.I can’t get enough of the flavors and aromas created by the combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. It’s in my coffee, candles, ice cream, and body

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-68862953352868907462009-08-20T07:16:00.000-07:002009-09-30T12:20:33.884-07:00

I remember thinking that the term “retro” meant things from the past that are now cool again. You know, it was the return of avocado green appliances, bell bottoms, and frosty-blue eye shadow. I felt like I’d been gagged with a spoon the first time I realized that those things defining my generation - music, clothing styles, slang terms - are now what constitute “retro”. The first time I became

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-8414058116205213422009-08-11T07:25:00.000-07:002009-09-09T13:57:49.979-07:00

According to the American Diabetes Association, a total of 23.6 million Americans had diabetes in 2007. That’s 8.0% of our total population. Even more concerning is the statistic that 57 million people were diagnosed at that time with “pre-diabetes”. It’s pretty clear that without health improvements gained by diet, exercise, and/or medicinal intervention, this population is going to give that

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-47263371849761146212009-06-29T08:44:00.000-07:002009-08-11T08:52:21.926-07:00

Elongate the vowel sounds, add a little whine, and there you have it – my kids’ summer theme song. I typically respond with a dramatic eye roll, but who can blame them? If you live in New England, your child is longing for outdoor activity during what has been a very dreary, rainy start of summer.In an effort to prove that boredom can spawn creativity and imagination, we’re making a list of “

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-56884937671328169622009-05-28T07:17:00.000-07:002010-06-09T10:07:43.651-07:00

Hopefully you’re not living the Mama Mia experience, and you read that as a rhetorical question - but I digress.I honorably scoured the internet for statistics to support the following assumption – finding a meaningful Father’s Day gift is a pain in the caboose for most of us. No such research exists so I’m proclaiming my statement as fact.Most men are hobbyists. Whether they fish, golf, hunt,

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-76413187907114305922009-05-28T06:26:00.000-07:002009-07-01T08:18:22.153-07:00

Our party hosts decided to make this past New Year’s celebration more interesting by having a wine tasting competition. Each guest was instructed to bring a covered bottle of wine from a specific country. The wine was to be accompanied by a food item and guests judged the best red, best white, and best wine/food combo. Wine-themed prizes, such as bottle openers and wine glass tags, were awarded

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-30608541261131472932009-05-20T06:14:00.001-07:002009-06-23T09:30:49.116-07:00

That old saying, “Life is like a box of chocolates - You never know what you’re going to get,” may not be 100% true!While touring the Van Otis kitchen for the first time, I found stringing to be one of those “Oh, cool!” moments. I had never really looked closely at the chocolates I ate; they usually just go from box to mouth and don’t spend much time in between. What I learned was that as the

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-17442428646985339722009-05-20T06:13:00.001-07:002009-06-09T14:21:44.443-07:00

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…The rebel army ate foods cultivated from their back fields and raised in their barns...I mean…spaceships. These foods provided vitamin and nutrient weaponry essential to good health and the war against disease. Mechanical production lines began to generate vacuum-packed, on-the-go options allowing the invasion of free radicals.Clearly, I am no George

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-88642253795977284742009-05-13T06:26:00.000-07:002009-05-27T09:29:22.573-07:00

In 1930, bakery manager James Dewar invented the Twinkie when he decided to make thrifty use of pans that were used for shortcake production only during strawberry season. Twinkies have been a popular lunch box item ever since with sales approximating 500 million each year.It’s difficult to feel grown-up purchasing a snack marketed by a ridin’, ropin’, cream-filled cowboy, even with the 100

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-50382080394342079532009-04-20T07:18:00.000-07:002009-04-20T08:41:19.769-07:00

Here's a nifty little test for you to calculate your age using chocolate math. 1. First, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10) 2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)3. Add 54. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator 5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1759 ...If you haven't, add

Van Otis Chocolateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13776268381300281749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-55204948212844109432009-04-13T09:04:00.000-07:002009-05-05T12:05:54.186-07:00

Scanning our pantry needs, I noticed a dust-covered jar of nonpareil capers. My first reaction was of disgust. It wasn’t the little nodules floating in murky liquid that turned me off. I happen to really like capers. It probably should have been the amount of dust collecting in my pantry, but that wasn’t it either. The leading “nonpareil” made me immediately think of chocolate. Chocolate

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-11957279822823828862009-04-06T07:35:00.001-07:002009-04-29T10:15:54.831-07:00

Do walnuts in a chocolate chip cookie ruin or complete it?The marriage of chocolate and nuts would cause some people to yell, “I object!” I recall debating the union at a very early age with my grandmother. Walnuts were a staple item in all of her homemade desserts. I thought they tasted terribly bitter. If I had a nickel for every time she said, “Eat around them…”Dr. Mehmet Oz, professor of

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-68698704504127162712009-04-06T07:33:00.001-07:002009-04-07T14:32:11.309-07:00

In a previous blog I mentioned that I’m the amazing mother who arrives at events with a chocolate fountain rather than boxed cake. That’s not exactly how I described myself; however, I do secretly think that I’m deserving of tights and a cape.The game of identifying a different and exceptional dipping item is played at every fountain event. We have found that strawberries, crispy rice cereal

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-60955684524959208762009-03-16T07:47:00.000-07:002009-03-16T12:30:23.071-07:00

Every year businesses try to beat the competition by offering seasonal items earlier and earlier. Any New Englander who has ever tried finding a swimsuit in July can attest to this fact as they maneuvered through the Halloween costumes to the summer clearance rack.We’ve been eating Easter candy since early January. We’re a marketer’s dream being sucked into the vortex of brightly colored

Julee S. Grassnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-13368796818959314062009-02-16T11:02:00.001-08:002009-03-02T11:46:30.434-08:00

About two years ago, our family purchased a residential-sized chocolate fountain. It seemed a bit indulgent at the time but has become a big hit at friend and family events. It’s not unusual for invitations to request our attendance, as well as our “fifth family member”, the fountain.At the fountain’s début, I set it up at the kids’ table and prepared a more “sophisticated” dessert for the adults

Julesnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-38089902325382809872009-02-16T11:00:00.000-08:002009-02-17T12:24:19.049-08:00

My dear friend Jane is very health conscious. She probably hovers around 105 pounds after a Pina Colada and getting caught in the rain. I won’t debate the “nature vs. nurture” causal factors of her peak condition, but I will share that she considers broccoli a main course and running, an adrenaline cocktail.Jane’s one daily indulgence is a piece of chocolate. I’m not talking just any chocolate.

Julesnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6407077331712476002.post-69204805307824773972009-02-16T10:59:00.000-08:002009-02-17T11:30:34.837-08:00

Quick…What’s the first thing you think of when you smell bread baking?Extensive scientific research regarding the connectivity between smells and tastes to memories is available at the click of a mouse. You could dissect articles about olfactory neurons, odorant receptors, and neurosciences…snore… The fact is, smells and tastes evoke memories, and generally those memories evoke an emotion.In this

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