Pretty Little Apron

strawberries

Salted Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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You guys. These Salted Chocolate Covered Strawberries!


Just in time for Valentine’s Day because let me tell you… your Valentine does not want one of those heart shaped things that contains crappy chocolate that not only tastes like poo but also has poo ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, artificial food dyes, and hydrogenated oils. Those hearts are the WORST.

Indeed one or two years in a row I received one of those heart shaped chocolate poo boxes from my husband and ummm… well… thanks for thinking of me I guess. Nothing says I love you like a bunch of fake tasting chocolates. Orange cream anyone? 🙂

I know, I know. Because I entered Giant yesterday and there was a huge arch of red and white balloons. There were bears, and flowers, and poo chocolates. They were so cute and tempting. Right? For a second I caught myself going “awwww” and then I remembered how gross those chocolates were, and how the companies who produce those chocolates continue to take something really simple and make it one big disastrous mess of ingredients that cover the entire back of the package.

Those companies don’t love us. Let’s not love them with our money!

A hop, skip, and a jump away from that big balloon arch sat the Strawberries. Right next to them were the chocolate “dips” for making chocolate covered strawberries. Again, a product that pops up every Valentine’s Day that is filled with poo ingredients. Of course, a product I just don’t understand in general. Why exactly does the chocolate you dip strawberries in have to have trans fats in it? And why is it necessary to buy a product that YOU STILL HAVE TO MELT YOURSELF just like regular chocolate that doesn’t contain a list of bad ingredients?

A long time ago I realized one thing about chocolate. Any product marketed as “melts” or “dips” has hydrogenated oils in it. I haven’t found one that hasn’t! It seems so senseless to me because after all, it is really just marketing. There is nothing different about how you would use the product, just the ingredients. So skip right over those products and move along to the baking isle filled with bags of chocolate chips and baking bars. We are simply going to take away the trans fats and add in a little coconut oil to get the same end result. It is that simple. Those companies could do the same thing, however they choose not to so I will not support them nor will I purchase their products when they start loosing money and change their ingredients like so many companies have done recently.

Tips for Choosing the Right Chocolate for your Salted Chocolate Covered Strawberries

So I’m just going to give it to you straight. I’ve tried multiple types of chocolate. I’ve tried the expensive chocolate in the organic isle and I’ve also tried the Hershey’s chocolate chips. Either one will do as both are 1,000 times better then anything we discussed previously. I used organic semi-sweet chocolate chips from Wegman’s because they were affordable and the ingredients checked out. Don’t beat yourself up about exactly what brand you are using or if they are organic or not. Just read the ingredient label and make sure there aren’t artificial flavors and hydrogenated oils in the product and you should be good.

Tips for Dipping the Strawberries

Some folks use the microwave to melt their chocolate/coconut oil combo and that is totally fine. I prefer to use the stove top over the microwave because I can keep my chocolate at a low, consistent temperature which is ideal for dipping. If your chocolate isn’t melted quite enough you will end up with chunky looking chocolate and wonder to yourself why the strawberries on my images look better then what you ended up with.

It is all about temperature!

I used a small sauté pan and put my chocolate and coconut oil right on the burner. Some folks use a double boiler and that works too but I like to keep things really simple. If you crank up the heat on your chocolate it will seize up and you will be left with a burnt mess. So put your chocolate on the lowest setting possible and use a spatula to continuously move the chocolate around while it is melting. Yes, it is a bit tedious but your Valentine will love you for it! <3 <3

After my chocolate was melted I turned my burner off but left the sauté pan on the burner so my chocolate stayed nice and smooth. I simply rolled each strawberry through the chocolate, using the side of the pan to wipe off the excess, and then placing the side I wiped off down onto my parchment paper.

Right after I placed each dipped strawberry onto my parchment paper I took a Pink Himalayan Salt Grinder and did one little twist and shake right over the strawberry. I also used clear India Tree sprinkles on my strawberries too which made them look really professional and nice! Then I ate like 10….. haha!

Fresh Strawberry Limeade

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With summer in full swing I am really hot and pregnant here in Pennsylvania! The humidity this week is the kind that smacks you right in the face as soon as you step outside. All of my Floridians are rolling their eyes right now but seriously… the heat!!


Dear Humidity,

You can go away any time now.

Sincerely,

The lady that looks like she is ready to pop but is only 26 weeks along. *sigh*

I guess I should start preparing myself for the “Is it twins?” question that is surely coming my way very soon. FYI men, women, and children alike…. don’t ask a pregnant lady if she’s having twins. I get it, I’m large and in charge, I don’t need a reminder. I know, you are curious. I am curious about lots of things too! Mainly why people don’t have sensors. Can you tell the heat is taking a toll on my patience? Thankfully I have a place to vent. 🙂

You could also probably refrain from asking a pregnant lady what kind of delivery she is having. Yes, a young woman asked me that this week while I was on vacation. Ummm…the kind where painful contractions start until I decided I can’t take anymore… get an epidural… then wait to push the baby out of the birth canal and get sewn back together?? Is that the answer you were looking for?? Ok, I’m done complaining about the joys of being with child.. let’s move on, shall we?

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Like I said, I need some refreshment over here in the form of something that doesn’t contain high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and a bunch of artificial colors and flavors. So naturally, I stirred up my own pitcher of Strawberry Limeade and *Ta-Da* the preggo is happy again. Indoors. With air conditioning. And no humidity. Enjoying my fresh, cool, non-alcoholic or caffeinated drinky. So much fun, so little time to create this magical concoction. 🙂

So the recipe itself is super easy! Sugar, water, berries, lime… heat… add water. Done! After enjoying this Strawberry Limeade you will be wondering why people drink that bottled stuff to begin with. You can definitely taste the difference between fresh, real berries and artificial strawberry flavorings. There is no comparison either, fresh strawberries all the way!

 

Summer Strawberry, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

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summersalad4 I have to say, I am loving strawberry season already! Nothing beats the fresh, local strawberries we get that are tiny, red, and sweet! I have been putting them in literally everything, including this awesome salad. This salad is a huge hit at summer picnics and parties because it is different and addictive. If you take this to any function this summer, don’t expect to bring any home. 🙂 The dressing of this salad is my homemade red wine vinaigrette. Click here to get that. I promise it is super simple and contains only a few ingredients. I don’t have a specific measurement for the dressing to go on the salad, but with any salad, just eyeball it and only add a little at a time. Remember, you can add more but can’t take dressing away once it is already on it.

Strawberry-Mango Oats and Yogurt

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oatsandyogurt

Making yogurt for your baby is fun and easy! All you need is a blender or food processor. I suggest staying away from the products marketed specifically for making baby food because they have a very limited use and are expensive. They do the same thing as a food processor, but are cheaply made and don’t work as well.


Oats are iron rich and a perfect addition to any baby food. I use regular rolled oats (not quick cooking or baby style) and organic whole milk plain yogurt for this recipe. I also use organic strawberries, as strawberries are part of the dirty dozen list.

This recipe is also great for older kids. I put it inside our reusable Squooshi pouches, and even freeze it for an on-the-go snack to pull out of the freezer. Be creative and mix in any fruit that you’d like!