Chocolate and Snow ... Need I Say More?

(Snow Storm)

 (Child with Whipped Cream Moustache)

Let's face it, chocolate and snow go hand-in-hand.  The more it snows, the more chocolate I want.  Is it just me, or are you riding downhill on the same sled?

Just a week passed, and snow pays us another visit, slowing down our hectic roll.  Some welcome our Winter blast, many can't stop flipping the calendar to March as if that will magically fast forward us to Cherry Blossoms in bloom.  

Miracles and Blessings ... Kiki here ... we had a quiet night here at iCafe Woman Moderne, not the usual Tuesday night crowd.  Most waited for the threat of snow to show itself.  It's showing off right now with the local weather people predicting eight to ten inches.  It doesn't worry us because we're here 24-7 whether it's warm and balmy or snowy and brisk outside.  

I don't know about you, but when the snow falls and temperatures drop ... heated chocolate and milk comes to mind.  Actually, I crave all kinds of chocolate not just the beverage kind.  Since we're all on our eating right programs so we can feel and look amazing this Spring -- chocolate cravings often come uninvited.  

 (Kraftmaid.com)

With that said, yes ... I will be indulging in a cup of hot chocolate, hold the whip ... soon.   If I didn't, a box of post-Christmas 75% off chocolate-covered pretzels would be in my grubby hands and belly in a matter of seconds.

Grant Writing Success

 

I live by the belief that some things in moderation is fine.  Chocolate is on the top of my "things in moderation" list. 

(pretzel from Scott's Cakes)

I've got a confession.  I indulged in one delicious white chocolate pretzel with jimmies and surprisingly one satisfied me.  (and it was not a miniature)  That was several hours ago and it doesn't mean that I'm not having my hot chocolate because I am.  (with low fat milk, of course) How can you not ... it's snowing outside.  It's time to snuggle up and get cozy.  Since this Winter thing is in full swing, we might as well hibernate when we can.  

Here's Something Fun To Do While You're Hibernating...

While hopping around cyberspace the other day, a popular blogger, Mariuca, briefly mentioned the "Chocolate Test."  Intrigued?  So was I.   I didn't find it on her site, so I searched it out.  Apparently, it's a test that tells you what your favorite chocolate says about you.

Take the Chocolate Bar Test and see what your favorite chocolate bar says about your personality.  My first choice was Baby Ruth, my second ... Snickers.

(Baby Ruth)

Pass the chocolate bar test to your friends and families:

Chocolate Bar Test

If you were buying candy and you had your choice of the following, which would you choose?

• Clark Bar
• Three Musketeers
• Butterfinger
• Snickers
• Hershey's
• Almond Joy
• Baby Ruth
• Good 'n' Plenty
• Energy Bar
• Chocolate Coated Raisins

OK - Now that you've made your choice, this is what research says about you!
NO . . . you can't change your mind once you scroll down so think carefully what your choice will be!

NOW . . . scroll down!

• Baby Ruth
  Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm fuzzy items. A little nutty. Sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of the day.
• Three Musketeers
  You are adventurous, love new ideas, are a champion of underdogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up, you whip out your saber.
• Butterfinger
  Smooth & articulate, you are an excellent after-dinner speaker and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time.
• Snickers
  Fun-loving, sassy, humorous. Everyone enjoys being around you, but you are a practical joker. Others should be cautious in shaking hands!
• Hershey
  Romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people and can be counted on in a pinch. You tend to melt.
• Almond Joy
  Very energetic, and likes to get the most out of life. The opposite sex is always attracted to you.
• Clark Bar
  You like sports, whether baseball, football, basketball, or soccer. If you could, you would like to participate, but enjoy watching sports. You don't like to give up the remote control.
• Good 'n' Plenty
  You are a very fun loving person, who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with. People like to hang out with you. You are a very warm hearted person.
• Energy Bar
  Life is passing you by. Get a life! Go eat a plum.
• Chocolate Coated Raisins
  You go to the bathroom often.

 

 

Got the Winter Blues?

 (Crying Child - Flickr)

Get Rid of the Winter Blues?   

Yes, you can!

Even if you’re seconds away from decking the next person who wishes you a Happy New Year, iCafe Woman Moderne, a virtual cafe for inter-generational women, has a cure for you. 

You had a wonderful Christmas and Hanukkah and welcomed 2011 with open arms.  So why aren’t you happy?  

No worries ... we’ll have you smiling in no time. 

(Miracle Moms)

Social Networking: The 21st Century Way to Find New Clients

 
Miracles and Blessings, Kiki here ... now don't deck me ... Happy New Year!  I wish you all a Blessed New Year.  Okay, so let's bring the "happy" and "blessing" back to your new year.  It's yours ... claim it!   

"Listen to me!  You can pray for anything and if you believe you have it's yours!  But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too." (Mark 11:24-25)  

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Let’s first look at the symptoms of your 
Winter doldrums, shall we?
 

Symptom One:  You can’t walk past a calendar without flipping to the March page and landing on March 20, the first day of Spring.  We’re only a week into 2011 and you’re already counting the days until Spring … 70 to be exact, but who’s counting?  YOU ARE! 

  

You silence the voice in your head asking … "Now what?"

 

Symptom Two:  You vacuumed the last gift bag confetti, tossed the tree on the curb, ate the last cookie from your Christmas Cookie Swap, finished up the Egg Nog and swore off chocolates until Valentine’s Day … all on January 1.  On January 2, you gazed into the mirror, your glum face staring back at you and sighed  …  "Really, now what?"

Symptom Three:  This past week you showed your Resolutions who’s boss.  You ate more veggies, fruit and salads and even drank smoothies that taste like grass.   

 

Urban Rebounder Folding Trampoline Workout System 

You rebounded your way on your soft bounce rebounder through your favorite sitcoms three days and Zumba to the Latin beat for two with your Zumba exercise video or Wii. 

   

Zumba Fitness 

On the seventh day, you peeked at your new digital scale, thinking you’re already down a size.  Not exactly.  You flew off wishing you never peeked.  “I lost one pound… that’s it … one pound!  What about the four pounds of water weight you're suppose to lose first,” you rant and rave, sighing … "Now what?"

Symptom Four:   You bought new organizers for your closet and office, but they’re still in the Target shopping bags unopened and where you last dumped them.   Dare I say it?  You added more clutter to your clutter. 

Symptom Five:  You wrote and bolded your New Year’s Resolutions on New Year’s Eve, now it’s balled up in the dilapidated trash can you haven’t replaced yet.  "Now what"?

(Photo - Life Magazine)

Symptom Six:   You can’t understand why the world suddenly turned gray this week.  The trees are barren along with your mood.  A few snowfalls and more to come have turned your surroundings into a winter gray, not exactly a Norman Rockwell Winter Wonderland.    

And those of you in the tropical regions, you can’t stop singing a familiar childhood tune on a daily basis:  “Rain Rain go away …,” wondering if the rain will ever stop.

More than a few of our iCafe Woman Moderne divas came in today flustered and showing these symptoms, right before drowning their blues in our “Hot Beverage of the Day.” 

Here’s your diagnosis:  you have a bad case of the winter blues, sister.   It’s highly treatable and your prognosis … excellent.
 

Take these six tips, add them to a daily dose of laughter and smiles and you’ll get rid of your “Winter Blues” in no time.  

The Pro Resume Writer Program

Beating the Winter Blues

Tip One:  Pamper Yourself. 

First feed your spirit with inspirational food 
from Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes  just to name a few.  

 

Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year 


Never Give Up!: Relentless Determination to Overcome Life's Challenges

Promises From God For Single Women

  
Help Me, I ve Fallen and I Can t Get Up 

Next, surround yourself with your favorite scented candles, potpourri and satchels.  Vanilla and lavender are great at relaxing the anxious soul.  Now that you have calmed your spirit and indulged your sense of smell, treat your sense of sight to a beautiful orchid with a bunch of bulbs (you deserve it) and take out a library book on caring for your new orchid.  You can buy orchids online. 

Your orchid will look great on your nightstand.  You can see it when you wake up and before you drift off to sleep.

 

Since we're mentioning the bedroom, get your new cotton pajamas out of that gift box and wear them tonight.  That's an order!  Well, if you don't have new ones, then take advantage of the after-Christmas and January sales and get them for a song. 

 

 Carole Hochman Womens Cherry Hill Blossoms Pajama, Cherry Hill Blossoms, Medium

Give yourself a spa night or make it a spa girls night at home.  You supply the snacks and homemade facials from the kitchen, another friend brings the polish, another brings a book on reflexology and you've got a spa party, my friend.  

While you’re at the library or bookstore, pick up a book on making delicious and healthy smoothies … no more grass-tasting smoothies. Promise?  Test out your low fat smoothie recipes at your spa night.

 
The Ultimate Smoothie Book: 130 Delicious Recipes for Blender Drinks, Frozen Desserts, Shakes, and More! 

 

(Fashionsing.com)

Tip Two:  Sneak a Glimpse into 
Spring Fashions and Accessories 

Window shop the old fashion way or online at the new Spring collections already in the stores and cyberspace.  But don’t buy yet.  Make a list of the items you like that are in abundance and keep an eye on them.  Mark my words the prices will come down. 

 

(Canopy Bedl)

Tip Three:  Get Enough Sleep

Get an Ocean or Nature Sounds CD that will drift you off to sleepy town.  But make sure you don't oversleep, which can make you lethargic and blue.

Tip Four:  Organize in Steps

Tackle Your "2011 To Do List" or New Year's Resolutions, one a week and make sure you scratch it off.  For organization goals, organize your desk one week, your closet the next. 

Break it down into sections.  You can organize your shirts and blouses one day/week, and pants another day/week. That way, you won't be overwhelmed by a daunting task and you can begin to get organized now.

Tip Five:  Re-visit Something You Once Enjoyed

You haven't knitted since you were a teen.  Get some yarn and knitting needles and get to knitting.  Make it even more fun by visiting a knitting cafe or store that has a group.  Join it and start the New Year rekindling an old hobby with new friends.

Tip Six:  Stay Warm and Cozy

Treat Yourself to a cup of hot chocolate or Chai and a Good Book.  Make sure you make it with milk instead of water.  Snuggle up at night with a warm afghan and hot chocolate with whipped cream (you can use a reduced or low fat version) or Chai.

A final word, the best way to get out of the winter blues is to be good to yourself and be a blessing to someone in need.

Keep Smiling!