Dark Chocolate Holiday Bark

Are you snowbound and looking for something to do? Why not make some easy, homemade Holiday Bark, made from antioxidant rich dark chocolate and show your family, friends, teachers, babysitters and bus drivers how much you appreciate them this season. Bark making has become an annual tradition in my house for the past ten years, mainly because it is so simple, quick and adds a nice personal touch to gift giving. Follow the recipe below to make your own holiday bark and use a pretty tin or gift bag to wrap your homemade creations, keeping some on your kitchen counter so you're prepared for reciprocating with those spontaneous, last minute gift givers!

Dark Chocolate Holiday Bark

12 ounces Hershey Special Dark Chocolate morsels

3/4 C chopped, toasted pecans

3/4 C dried cherries or craisins

Melt chocolate in microwave in large glass measuring cup for 1 minute and stir. Microwave for 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating until chips are melted and smooth when stirred. Mix in half of the pecans and half of the cherries to the melted chocolate and stir. Spread mixture onto a tray lined with wax paper, using a spatula to spread it out, careful not to make it too thin. Sprinkle remaining pecans and cherries onto chocolate, using spatula to press into the chocolate. Put tray of bark into freezer to harden for at least an hour and then peel from wax paper and break into large pieces. Enjoy!

This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays!

Boost Your Immune System With Tulsi Tea

'Tis the season - you're running around getting everything ready for the holidays, feeling stressed out, making sure you find the perfect gift for Aunt Sally, rushing to your kid's school for the Holiday sing-along, trying to do thirty more minutes on the treadmill so you can indulge at your company party tonight....the list goes on. Add to that long list to remember to grab a few extra boxes of tissues at the store as you feel like you're coming down with something.

It's a crazy time of year, but if you can find ten minutes to take a break and slow down with a nice hot cup of tea you may find that your to-do list doesn't seem that long and that cold might be going away after all. Relax with some Tulsi tea, also known as Holy Basil tea, that has been referred to as the "elixir of life" because of its amazing health benefits. Studies show that Tulsi tea improves your body's ability to fight viruses, helps your body cope with stress, aids in lowering cholesterol and helps to maintain normal bood sugar levels.

Check out Organic India's line of Tulsi tea that comes in eighteen different all natural flavors - I am partial to the Red Mango variety, myself. You can find this tea at most grocery stores, health food stores and at http://www.organicindia.com. So, take a few minutes for yourself, in the midst of the madness and sit down with some Tulsi tea - your body will thank you! Image credit to http://organicindia.com.

Love in the Kitchen Latkas

If you're longing for a latka just like Bubbie used to make, look no further than this fabulous recipe by fellow blogger, Certified Nutritionist and Holistic Lifestyle Consultant, Meghan Telpner. Meghan's "baked not fried" version uses sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes, thus amping up the health content of the traditional latka, lowering the glycemic index and increasing the fiber all in one fell swoop! Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Solstice, these super easy to make, " Love in the Kitchen Latkas" are sure to make your holiday extra special. Go to http://www.meghantelpnerblog.com/ to view the recipe. Photo credit to http://www.meghantelpnerblog.com.