Make mine hot chocolate

CAMPFIRE S’MORES HOT CHOCOLATE

Here’s a twist on hot chocolate that will remind you of roasting marshmallows for your favorite camping treat. INGREDIENTS: 4 cups milk (1 cup per serving) 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract FOR S’MORES HOT

CHOCOLATE: 8-12 large marshmallows 2-3 graham crackers, crushed Chocolate syrup INSTRUCTIONS:

Add milk, cocoa powder and sugar to small saucepan and heat on medium-low, whisking frequently, until warm but not boiling. Add chocolate chips and whisk constantly until the chocolate chips melt into the milk. Whisk in vanilla extract. Break open one marshmallow and rub rim of mug, then dip in graham cracker crumbs until coated. Heat oven to broil. Place marshmallows on baking sheet lined with foil. Broil until brown and toasted. Pour hot chocolate into mugs and top with toasted marshmallows. Finish with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and sprinkle with more graham cracker crumbs. A warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening feels so indulgent, but did you know that hot chocolate can be good for you? Cocoa powder has several health benefits, and many studies have show that it has beneficial effects on insulin levels, memory, heart health and more. Below are a few ways in which cocoa can be good for you.

WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE

Not everyone is a milk or dark chocolate fan. If you are looking for a delicious hot drink, try this white hot chocolate.

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup milk 2 oz. (about 1/3 cup) good-quality white chocolate, chopped OPTIONAL TOPPINGS Whipped cream Marshmallows Whole or crushed candy cane INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat milk in small saucepan until steaming. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. You can also heat milk in the microwave. If you are using the microwave to heat the milk, make sure to chop with white chocolate finely so that it will melt more easily.

INGREDIENTS: 3.5 oz. chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder, unsweetened 2 Tbsp. caster (superfine) sugar 2 cups milk plus 2 Tbsp. 4 tsp. corn starch 1 small pinch smoked or regular salt INSTRUCTIONS:

Add milk to a saucepan and add chopped chocolate, cocoa powder and sugar. Heat mixture, stirring occasionally until all chocolate and sugar has melted.

Mix the corn starch with 2 tablespoon of cold milk and add it to chocolate milk. Stir until thick and smooth. Add a small pinch of salt and serve.

Cocoa powder is a good source of fiber and iron, according to the USDA. Dark chocolate (70-85 percent cacao solids) contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin K.

According to the American Heart Association, cocoa can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Cocoa is rich in antioxidants known as flavonoids, twice the amount found in a glass of red wine and three times as many as in green tea. A study published in the journal Neurology found a connection between drinking hot chocolate and improved memory.

Italian Hot Chocolate

Creamier and thicker than its American counterpart, Italian hot chocolate is much richer as well.

Gift wrapping tips

Once you’ve finished buying all your Christmas presents, it’s time to start wrapping them. Here are some tips and ideas to make your holiday gift-wrapping a success.

CHOOSE COMPLEMENTARY PAPERS

If you buy new wrapping paper each year, select three or four rolls that coordinate. This will make it easier to mix and match as you wrap.

VARY YOUR RIBBON

There are so many options for ribbon, so select some varieties that will complement your wrapping paper. Include different sizes and materials, such as metallic and sheer.

BAKER’S TWINE

Baker’s twine makes an excellent ribbon, especially if you like to wrap using natural materials. Try wrapping the twine around the gift several times to give your package some punch.

CARD STOCK TAGS

Another great option is to make your own tags from card stock. There are an abundance of colors and you can cut any shape you desire.

LAYER PAPER

What do you do with all those ends and small pieces of wrapping paper that are always left over? Try layering them in strips around your gift.

BIG PACKAGE, BIG RIBBON

If your package is on the larger side, use a ribbon that’s big enough to complement it. There are always big rolls of satin at craft stores so you can create your own.

ORNAMENTS

Each year, when I wrap my gifts, I add an ornament that either coordinates with my paper, or one that is significant to the person that the gift will go to.

ADD PINE CONES AND GREENERY

I have several pine trees in my yard, so I always have an abundance of pine cones and greenery to add to gifts. You can also use faux greenery if you don’t want to take a chance on the real thing.

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CROSSWORD

WINTER SCENES WORD SEARCH

ANORAK ARCTIC BALACLAVA BITING BITTER BLIZZARD BLUSTERY CHILLS CHIMNEY COLD DECEMBER DRAFTY DREARY DUVET EARMUFFS EVERGREEN FIREWOOD FLANNEL FLEECE FLURRIES GALE GLOVES HOCKEY ICICLE

CLUES ACROSS

1. Polish city 6. Very eager 10. Identifies a specific person or thing 14. Tennis great Naomi 15. One concerned by professional advancement 17. PGA Championship reward 19. A fashionable hotel 20. Norse mythology afterlife location 21. Stood up 22. Car mechanics group 23. Weather forecasters use it (abbr.) 24. Broken branch 26. Astronomy unit 29. East Asian nursemaid 31. ‘Airplane!’ actor 32. Exclamation that denotes disgust 34. ‘Batman’ villain 35. Downfalls 37. Philippine province 38. Once-vital TV part 39. Valley 40. Tax 41. Classic Scorcese film 43. Subway dwellers 45. Book part 46. Taxi 47. Pancakes made from buckwheat flour 49. Swiss river 50. Founder of Babism 53. Have surgery 57. Withdrawal from a larger entity 58. Lot’s father 59. Greek war god 60. 2,000 lbs. 61. Lemur

CLUES DOWN

1. Quarrels 2. Right away 3. Comedian Carvey 4. Egyptian unit of weight 5. A Brit’s mother 6. Tropical tree 7. One who speaks Gaelic 8. NHL legend Bobby 9. Vacation spots 10. Military personnel 11. Shakira’s don’t lie 12. Wimbledon champ 13. Teletypewriter 16. Mistakes 18. Whale ship captain 22. Thus 23. From end to end 24. Kids love him 25. One and only 27. Fencing swords 28. Taxis 29. Basics 30. Refuse of grapes 31. Go quickly 33. French ballet dynasty 35. Most open 36. Popular soap ingredient 37. US time zone (abbr.) 39. Items of food 42. Backbones 43. Infrequent 44. Blood type 46. ‘Let It Snow!’ songwriter 47. Dutch colonist 48. Pike 49. Egyptian sun god 50. A cardinal is one 51. From a distance 52. Bolivian river 53. N. American student organization (abbr.) 54. River (Spanish) 55. Chinese life force 56. Chinese surname

SUDOKU