Monthly Archives: February 2015

So Valentine’s Day is coming up and we know love is in the air! There are many people offering opinions and suggestions on how to make that day special with that special someone. But how do you spend Valentine’s Day if you’re not married, dating, or in a committed relationship? That my dear single friend is the dozen rose question? No worries. I’ve done some research and I’ve got you covered. Here are a list of three blogs/articles that think of singles on February 14. Who knows this may be your last Valentine’s Day solo :o).

6 Valentine’s Day Do’s and Don’ts! by Cheyenne Bostock
Huffingtonpost.com

The first blog I wanted to highlight is “6 Valentine’s Day Do’s and Don’ts!” by Cheyenne Bostock. In his blog Bostock encourages singles to “date themselves” and let singles know they don’t need a man to make them happy (and I’m assuming that a man doesn’t need a women to be happy either). He warns and advises people not to get caught in the Valentine’s Day trap. You know the drill: chocolate, candy, gifts. His sentiments are that you shouldn’t have to wait one day out of the year to let someone know you care about them. I agree. If you love somebody you need to show it more than once per year.

Hey, Single Ladies! 7 Ways To OWN Valentine’s Day This Year By Stephanie Castillo

My second blog highlight is “Hey, Single Ladies! 7 Ways To OWN Valentine’s Day This Year” by Stephanie Castillo. In this blog Castillo suggests that instead of feeling sorry for  themselves, single ladies and gents should get up and do something. Things like: spending time with your friends, throwing a party, or spending time showing love to someone else, or simply loving you. I love this notion of loving you for Valentine’s Day. We can get so caught up in the trap of having someone to love that we forget to love one of the most important people in our lives: ourselves. Castillo suggests doing something for you, and if you do want that special someone to come your way, then decide what you want and take steps in that direction.

Being Single on Valentine’s Day
A Survival Guide
Advice from Professor Laura S. Brown
Chiff.com

Lastly, I wanted to highlight “Being Single on Valentine’s Day A Survival Guide” posted on the website Chiff.com. In this post Dr. Laura S. Brown a professor of psychology at Argosy University/Seattle offers advice on how singles can enjoy Valentine’s Day. She reminds and encourages singles that we (yes I’m in this category) do have an identity outside of a romantic relationship. Dr.Brown reminds us that Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday and of all the money you’ll be saving yourself if you don’t buy into it –and who doesn’t love saving cash! She also says that if you are single and you enjoy being single, it is OK. If this is you nothing is wrong with you and you are not weird. Again, your relationship status does not define you.

I’m wishing you a Happy Feb 14. By the way: I think I will take Bostock’s advice and date myself this year. Who’s with me?
Signing Off,
Gelayne

Photo taken from https://www.rubylane.com

Who doesn’t love peach cobbler? This decadent dessert is a southern treat; talk about southern hospitality! I had my shot at preparing my first ever peach cobbler last Christmas Eve. How did it turn out you ask? Let’s just say my sisters and I fought each other for the last piece. Sort of, well not really. The recipe has simple and readily accessible ingredients plus a secret special ingredient! Even if peaches aren’t in season, frozen peaches will do. The recipe is not my own. I retrieved it online from Allrecipes.com and the recipe is from Aeposey. So here is what you will need:

For the Filling:
8 fresh peaches- peeled, pitted, and sliced into thin wedges – if you don’t have fresh peaches frozen will do plus it will save you the grunt work of peeling and pitting peaches
¼ cup of white sugar
¼ cup of brown sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons cornstarch

For the Crust:
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup of white sugar
¼ cup of brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
¼ cup of boiling water

Photo taken from http://www.gettyimages.es

For the Sprinkle Topping:
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Special Ingredient: Love (food always tastes better when you cook it from your heart)

Directions:
1. So the first thing you would need to do is preheat your oven to 425 degrees F or (220 degrees C).

 
2. The next step is for you to combine all of your filling ingredients in a large bowl. This is your ¼ cup of white sugar, ¼ cup of brown sugar, peaches, cinnamon, lemon juice, nutmeg, cornstarch and peaches. Make sure that the peaches are coated evenly put this in a baking dish (a 2 quart one is recommended) and bake it in the oven and your preheated temperature for 10 minutes.

3. While the peaches are baking you are going to work your crust: you are going to combine all of your crust ingredients except the water. This is your flour, baking powder, salt, ¼ cup white sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, and butter. Press in butter with your fingers until the mixture texture resembles coarse meal. Add water until combined.

4. Remove your peaches from the oven and add the topping over it with a spoon. (If you don’t have enough toppings to cover your peaches repeat step three and add the additional topping to your peaches). Sprinkle the entire cobbler with white sugar and cinnamon mixture (again if you need more sprinkles make another mixture and add it to the top). Bake until mixture is golden brown or about 30 minutes.

5. Enjoy! (or eat and repeat if you prefer).

Total Cost: Estimated at $30
Total Calories :Estimated at 318 per serving