submitted photo

Mugs of hot milk plus "Hot Chocolate on a Stick" yield a new twist on an old
favorite.
Hot chocolate on a stick
who knew?
It's fun, it's festive and it's a new twist on hot chocolate. Plus, it's
easy to make with kids and sure to please the "hard to shop for"
recipients on your list.
"Peppermint extract adds a holiday touch to these fudgy squares,"
said Mary Beth Harrington of the McCormick Kitchens. "I always
include a little note explaining how to enjoy the treat, like 'Swirl into
a mug of hot milk for a rich and creamy drink.'"
For the finishing touch, top each one with a marshmallow and wrap
in cellophane with colorful ribbon. Discover other flavor variations
- like mocha and orange - and more gift ideas at www.McCormick.
com, www.Facebook.com/McCormickSpice, or www.Pinterest.com/
mccormickspices.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate on a Stick
Makes 36 servings
2 pounds white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
4 drops McCormick red food coloring
optional:
18 large marshmallows, halved crosswise
36 lollipop sticks
Line 9-inch square baking pan with foil. Spray foil with no stick
cooking spray. Place chopped chocolate in large bowl. Set aside.
Bring sweetened condensed milk and cream to simmer in medium
saucepan on medium heat, stirring frequently with wire whisk.
Pour over chopped chocolate. Let stand 1 minute. Whisk until
chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in peppermint
extract. Remove 3/4 cup chocolate mixture. Tint chocolate mixture
pink with red food color.
Pour remaining (plain) chocolate mixture to prepared pan. Drop
tinted chocolate mixture by tablespoons over chocolate mixture in
pan. Swirl with knife for marble effect.
Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight until firm. Cut into 36 squares.
(May be made ahead. Store chocolate mixture, tightly covered, in
pan in refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before
cutting into squares.)
To assemble chocolate on a stick, thread a marshmallow half
and a chocolate square onto each lollipop stick. Wrap each hot
chocolate on a stick in plastic wrap or small cellophane bag. (May
be assembled up to 2 days ahead.)
To serve, stir hot chocolate on a stick into 8 ounces hot milk.
East Side Review Dec. 8, 2013 Lillie Suburban Newspapers Inc.
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Gift Ideas East Side Review December 2, 2013
From fostering a love
of science to building
vocabulary, the toys your
children play with can
have a large impact on
their interests and brain
development. So when
i t comes t o pl ayt i me,
parents are becoming more
selective.
With this in mind, smart
toymakers are aiming to
design toys that are not
only fun but also foster
learning.
For example, VTech has
assembled a team of child
development experts to
provide feedback on their
toys before they hit the
store shelves.
The members of VTechs
Panel of Expert s are
offering some helpful hints
to parents looking to get
smart about toys for
their kids:
Get involved: Toys can
create a bonding experience
be t we e n pa r e nt a nd
child. Look for toys that
emphasize this connection,
says Dr. Helen Boehm,
psychologist, author and
parenting resource expert.
For example, a tablet that
lets your kids chat safely
with you while youre on-
the-go is a great way to
bond with them while they
are having fun.
Age - a ppr opr i a t e :
Children's brains develop
at a remarkable pace, and
their toys should keep up
with their development,
says Dr. Lise Eliot, an
early childhood mental
de ve l opme nt e xpe r t .
Toys that are too young
or too old get boring or
frustrating. Make sure
youre keeping your kids
challenged with educational
toys that are just right for
their age.
Consider child-sized,
age-appropriate tablets
that have the look and feel
of adult mobile devices,
but ar e packed wi t h
educational, stage-based
learning content.
A d d i t u p :
Mathematical foundations
provide the building blocks
for future success, both
in school and for the rest
of a childs life, says Dr.
Francis (Skip) Fennell,
mat hemat i cs educat or.
Support and encourage
your chi l dren as t hey
develop these important
concepts and related skills
at a young age, with toys
that emphasize numbers,
counting and beginning
concept s wi t h whol e
number operations.
Sci ence and mat h:
You have pr obabl y
heard a l ot about t he
growing importance of
integrating the learning
of STEM sci ence,
technology, engineering
and mathematics in K-12
schools, says Dr. Carla
C. Johnson, science and
STEM expert. It is critical
to foster a love and skills
in STEM for boys and
girls alike with educational
toys that develop self-
confidence in the use and
application of technology.
Choose wisely: Dont
get carried away with the
bells and whistles. You
and your kids will quickly
look past those. Instead
look for toys that actively
engage your kids through
t echnol ogy, by deepl y
integrating games and
learning, says Dr. Eric
Klopfer, platform learning
expert.
Bui l d vocabul ar y:
Chi l dren absorb new
information like sponges.
Take advantage of their
bl os s omi ng i nt er es t s
with interactive toys that
highlight letters of the
alphabet, the sounds letters
make and vocabulary,
says Dr. Deborah Sharp
Libby, early childhood
l anguage and readi ng
expert. Above all, don't
forget the importance of
reading to and with your
children often!
Statepoint Media
Take the extra time to find toys that help learning
submitted photo
By blurring the lines of play and education, you can develop an
early love of learning, and set up your children for success.
Every chef knows a properly
outfitted kitchen is a must in order
to create culinary masterpieces.
Thi s year, make sure t he
special food lover in your life has
everything he or she needs to stir
their passion for food and drink.
Expand their culinary library
with a book that serves up helpful
food tips and original recipes. Let
them prepare their favorite recipes
with a set of ergonomic and
innovative knives. Perk up their
mornings with a coffee maker that
quickly brews a customized cup
at the touch of a button. Or, help
them serve up delightful dishes by
keeping their pantry stocked with
superior quality olive oil.
Whether you' re investing in
new technology or chef-quality
implements that will last for years
or offering some fun new tastes
and trends, kitchen-based gifts can
fit any price range.
A better brew
Create the perfect cup of coffee
every time with the Keurig K-
Cup Platinum Brewing System.
This single cup brewer allows you
to choose between five different
cup sizes to brew your favorite
coffee, tea, hot cocoa or specialty
beverage with the simple touch of
a button.
Whether it' s a to-the-touch
brewer for the office or a by-the-
quart crock pot for family get-
togethers, the newest generation
of foodie appliances is sure to
please.
Sharp gift-giving
Whether you're a master cook
or you aspire to be one, everyone
needs a good set of high-quality
kitchen knives. CUTCO Cutlery's
Kitchen Classics Set is the perfect
foundation to build on for any
home cook. The Petite Chef Knife,
Trimmer and 2 3/4-inch Paring
Knife will have you chopping,
slicing and dicing like your favorite
food celebrity.
Look in your favorite kitchen-
supply store for other suitable gifts
-- a new cutting board, an apron
that just "says" the recipient the
moment you see it. As they're used,
you'll be thought of fondly.
Snacks in
the stacks
Should you take a bath with
your strawberries or blow dry
your chicken? Clever culinary
insights are offered in small bites
in "Snacks: Adventures in Food,
Aisle by Aisle," a book by food
adventurer Marcy Smothers.
The book takes the reader on a
grocery store journey, revealing
Smothers' knowledge, quirky
fun facts, and great passion for
exploring food. It's packed with
helpful tips, original recipes and
tantalizing tidbits.
Cookbooks are great gifts,
especially for young adults who
may be setting up house on their
own. Look for the encyclopedia
type, which offers descriptions of
vegetables, herbs or fruits as well
as recipes to use them.
More established cooks may
have their interest piqued by
smaller snippets: stocking-stuffer
books with quick recipes for one
or a brief introduction to new
trends and tastes.
Ingredients matter
With so many relatives and
f r i ends "downsi zi ng" f r om
big homes to townhouses or
apartments, it can be a challenge
to think of a gift to give that
won't clutter a newly streamlined
lifestyle.
Think consumables -- in this
case, ingredients. Great dishes start
with the finest ingredients, such
as the superior quality of Olivari
olive oil. The people at Olivari
believe it's the little things that
help make great olive oil. From
harvesting olives so they never
touch the ground to staying eco-
friendly by making sure nothing
goes to waste.
Tea lovers may swoon over
the fresh aroma of loose-leaf
from a tea boutique, and vinegar
aficionados over one of the many
herb-infused varieties.
This holiday, give the thoughtful
cook in your life a gift that
embodi es care, qual i t y and
excellence.
Family Features
Look to the kitchen for wide array of gifts
Getty Images
For friends who spend most their free time in the kitchen to family who'd never
think to splurge on a new appliance for themselves, cooking ingredients and
technology may be your gift-giving answer.
Gift Ideas East Side Review December 2, 2013
Tech the halls
this holiday season
Everyone loves finding the latest technology under the wrapping
paper, whether it's a gadget to help stay connected with family or offer
favorite entertainment on the go.
From a new tablet for Grandma to headphones for Dad, everyone has
at least one cool gadget on their wish list this season that can be found
at your neighborhood RadioShack. With so many products from which
to choose, knowing the best picks for the loved ones on your list can
be a difficult task.
Here are some popular tech gift ideas to please everyone on your list
this holiday:
For the kids
What's better than an electronic gadget where you can play and
explore new worlds? Boys and girls alike will love playing with kid-
friendly tablets made especially for them. With games that educate and
engage in new, creative ways, they won't even know they're learning
- a gift for parents, as well.
Other great gadget gift ideas for children include radio controlled
cars and helicopters, DIY toy kits and video games.
For the teens
For social media, music downloads and so much more, the one gift
every teen looks forward to opening this holiday is a smartphone.
The new Samsung Galaxy S4 provides a large screen, top of the line
camera capabilities and all the necessary features to keep your teen
connected.
Other great gift ideas for teens include video gaming systems, mp3
players and cool cases for smartphones.
For the fitness fan
Look no further than the latest digital fitness product for a gift to
inspire and encourage your favorite athlete. From heart rate monitors
to activity trackers to track steps taken and calories burned, these right-
sized devices are sure to please.
Other great ideas for athletes include sweat-proof headphones and
new mp3 players to jam to while working out.
For the music guru
For the man in your life with music in his heart, think of a special gift
that combines the love of entertainment with high quality performance.
A set of quality headphones deliver great sound. Other options for
folks on your list include indoor-outdoor speaker sets, streaming media
players and satellite radio systems.
Many technology stores, including RadioShack, have ideas for those
looking for something special in gift-giving this year -- even down to
an "Idea Center" to help amplify a general idea into an enjoyed-all-
year gift.
-- Family Features
submitted photo
Every age can benefit from new takes on technology.
A "Tr i but e Tr ee, " sponsor ed by t he
Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul
and Ramsey Count y, may be t he most
thoughtful and stress-free gifts you can
give this season.
A "Tribute Tree" is given in honor of
someone and pl ant ed by park st aff i n
any Ramsey County park, as well as city
parks in Arden Hills, Blaine, Brooklyn
Park, Little Canada, Maplewood, Mendota
Heights, New Brighton, North St. Paul,
Rosevi l l e, St . Loui s Par k, St . Paul ,
Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, White Bear
Lake, White Bear Township or Woodbury.
Tr ees cost $100 each; t hr ee can be
gi ven for $250. A hand-st amped card
will be sent to your gift recipient from
the Friends to announce the honor; next
summer, after the trees are planted, the
Friends will sent a map to the recipient
showing the tree's location.
To see t he t ree speci es preferred by
each community for its parks and to find
out more about the program, go to www.
fri endsoft heparks. org or cal l 651-698-
4543.
'Tribute trees' offered
Your house serves as a safe
haven from whipping winds
during the long chill of winter.
When the days are short and
the nights are long, making
your rooms warmer and more
inviting can brighten the mood
of the whole house.
Especially during the holiday
season, it can seem home is just
a stopover destination to throw
off coats and boots during a
flurry of events.
Take a breather -- and combat
winter blues well past the
holidays -- by creating comfy
days this winter with these
tips from the experts at Sun
Products, the makers of Snuggle
fabric softener:
Breakfast in Bed: It may feel
decadent, but breakfast in bed is
the perfect way to stay cozy as
you get the day started.
Movie Night: Set aside a
night each week to snuggle up
on the couch for movie night.
Be sure your family room or
living room is decked out with
plenty of pillows and just-
washed throw blankets. And
don't forget the popcorn.
Build a Fort: Young children
like nothing better than creating
a space to their scale. Help out
by building a "fort" by draping
sheets or blankets over a big
table, then join in playing a
board game or reading a story
together.
Make soup together: Nothing
is more hearty and fulfilling
then a big bowl of soup in
winter. Make a big batch of
healthy soup at the start of the
week and serve it as a side all
week long.
Fireplace: Get the fireplace
going and have a campfire in
your living room, complete with
marshmallows and sing-alongs.
Make sure the kids have their
favorite teddy bears to cuddle
up with for when you tell scary
stories!
If you choose a night each
week to get together for a
"campfire," board games or
movies -- or even if your
schedule allows just one every
few weeks -- make sure it's set
aside just as any other "must-
make" important appointment is.
Those last-minute opportunities
to "go somewhere" may sound
appealing, but a relaxing night
in helps to catch up with one
another and tackle the rest of
your week with more energy.
Statepoint Media
Give your family
the gift of time
Cooler temperatures often
bring along the season's sniffles
and colds. With a few winter
wellness tips, you can prepare
for a happier and healthier
season, regardless of your
budget, with the following tips:
Preventive care. A nutritious
diet and plenty of rest can help
you stay strong this winter
so consider keeping juices,
vegetables and fruits in your
fridge all winter long.
You can i mpr ove your
nutritional balance and overall
wellness with vitamins and
supplements. Trusted Rexall-
branded products, available
exclusively at Dollar General,
offer vitamins and minerals
including immunity-boosting
Vitamin C and multivitamins to
combat potential illnesses. You
can also purchase these items in
bulk online to save money and
trips to the store.
Stock your medicine cabinet.
When illness strikes, the last
thing youll want to do is rush
to the store. A well-stocked
medicine cabinet can save a trip
when youre feeling your worst.
Keep over-the-counter cold and
flu relief medications on-hand
for both day and night, as well as
cough suppressant and a general
pain reliever. Parents should
ensure they have medications
suitable for children, too.
Healthy skin. Skin is prone
to dryness in winter, so apply
moisturizer as soon as you get
out of the shower. If possible,
ditch the scalding hot showers
for warm water, as heat can be
very drying. Dont forget that
the suns rays can be just as
potent in winter as in summer,
so dont neglect the sunscreen
and lip balm just because of the
cool temperatures.
Germ-free. While germs
exist year-round, your body may
be more susceptible to cold and
flu viruses in winter. Be sure to
wash your hands thoroughly and
use a hand sanitizer.
Soups on. Start all your
winter meals with a warm
bowl of soup full of protein,
vegetables and liquids. If you
dont have the time to make
soup from scratch, healthful and
delicious ready-made soup can
be a great alternative.
-- Statepoint Media
Stay healthy for
the holidays