Jarva Cakes: Craving in a Cup

There are few things in this world that I crave from the deepest, innermost regions of my being more than a warm, fudgy brownie. I'm hesitant to disclose just how much I love brownies after sharing cookie-for-breakfast-issue in my last blog post.  But the fact is, I could eat and have eaten an entire pan.

Now before you get huffy and ask, Who put this crazy cocoa-frenzied fanatic in charge of the fresh eating column for Gourmet Weekday, anyway? I'd like to make it clear that this post is actually not about brownies at all - it deals with something so much more spectacular. Warm, gooey, dark chocolate decadence. Rich, melt-in-your-mouth center hand-crafted by a local chocolatier. Home-made. Delectable. Delightful.  Craving satisfied in a cup in less time than it takes to find that box of brownies.

Dear friends, I present to you: The Jarva Cake.

These dark chocolate Jarva cakes are made using a traditional lava cake recipe that has been simplified for you to enjoy at a moment's notice by local business owner, Michelle Shields. Each cake is crafted with the finest ingredients in small batches to achieve a melt-in-your mouth experience that will put any brownie to shame. The best part is that it's all mixed up and ready to heat - you just have to add water and pop it into the microwave for 35 - 45 seconds.

I love these cakes because I know they are made with care and without the yucky preservatives that often come in boxed foods (even my beloved brownies). They are a truly gourmet way to fix that ever-nagging chocolate craving and a lovely gift or party favor.

Order them online here: The Jarva Cake Online Shop

Create Something Colorful

The New Year is here. Most of us have long lists of resolutions which we plan to closely follow in hopes of becoming better, healthier versions of ourselves.  Want to know some of mine and how they are coming?

1.) Run a marathon: The most exercise I've completed in this new year is taking down the Christmas tree - and it tired me out.
2.) Cook and eat healthier: I just ate two chocolate chip cookies for breakfast.
3.) Go to bed early and wake up and seize the day: No amount of coffee yet has proved to help me seize the day before 9 AM.

My point is, resolutions are a great way to encourage ourselves to become healthier people.  But it's OK if we  don't master them perfectly three days into the New Year, or even within ten months of the ball dropping. We're human, and we are bound to slip up and eat a cookie or four for breakfast one morning.

Here's my suggestion for a healthy New Year's Resolution this year: Create Something Colorful. In the kitchen, I mean.  I love food. The good, the bad, and the ugly (and by ugly I mean my unfortunate cravings for Wendy's fries).  If I want to cook a healthier dinner, I make it fun by creating something colorful.  A healthy dose of kale in my zuppa tuscana, a garnish of apple over my roasted pork tenderloin, a pop of cranberries sauteed with my green bean and pecan salad.

We promise to stuff your veggies4u box with loads of fresh vegetables that will help you create something colorful each week, along with fresh herbs and fruit to compliment these creations. Contact me at deidre@freshfruitfrenzy.com or visit our website at freshfruitfrenzy.com to order your weekly box of wholesome, raw goodness to be delivered to your workplace. Skip the grocery store and join us instead - and visit us whenever you need some encouragement or advice on how to spice up your kitchen to make it a colorful, gourmet weekday, every day of the week.