Yes, it’s true. I’m moving back to Providence at the end of March. Instead of buying a one-way plane ticket back, I’m taking the scenic route east. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. It could be anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on factors such as weather and how much cash is left in the wallet.

The above map is only an approximation of the route I plan to drive. If you have any tips on must-see sights, restaurants or diners let me know. Drop me a line if it looks like I’m driving through your town and perhaps we can set up a blogger gathering. Besides just eating out, It would be great to meet-up with folks and cook the specialties of your locale. I’d love to cook with a southern grandma and learn to make a proper biscuit, or perhaps you live around New Orleans and want to share your method for gumbo–in return I’d be happy to share my grandma’s method for red sauce and meatballs.

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My first taste of Cote d’Or chocolate was in 1993 when I spent a semester in Maastricht, The Netherlands.  With several candy stores in the city centre, I sampled many a candy variety during those 4 months–and gained several pounds in the process. My two favorite Cote d’Or products to this day remain the plain milk chocholate bar and the milk chocolate with hazlenuts. Being a sucker for marketing–I’m also a fan of the vintage wrapper. But how’s the chocolate? Smooth and creamy, but not overly sweet.

Not all products are available in the US, though most can be found at speciality import stores. The complete line is listed on the company web site, where you can also find suggestions for beverage/wine and chocolate pairings.

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February 14th and I have a love/hate relationship. I’m no fan of silly hearts, roses or diamonds, but I do love candy–especially chocolate. In preparation for 2/14 I’ve picked a few new items and old favorites to highlight throughout the week.

Lake Champlain Chocolates

Old World Truffles - For those looking for a spicy kick in their truffles, these dark chocolates are just the treat. The package of six contains two each of: Spiced Sumatran, Aztec and Raspberry Pink Peppercorn flavored dark chocolate ganache covered in a layer of dark chocolate.

These Peanut Butter Cups are a more mature take on the classic candy combination. A delicate, yet not overly sweet, peanut butter layer is sandwiched between two layers of smooth milk chocolate. I’ve checked with the company and the peanut butter they use to create this confection is safe and not part of the recall. These especially hit the spot during a mid-afternoon sweet craving.

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In an attempt to loosely associate the beverage with the just-passed economic stimulus/bailout plan, Diet Dr. Pepper announced it is giving away a coupon for a free beverage to the first 2 million people that register at the web site.

Seriously, lowering the price would be easier. But these promotions are not meant to provide ease to the consumer. It’s all about branding.

FYI - to the food and beverage companies issuing these releases, if you want more bloggers and online media to pick up these announcements, make it easier for us. Attach a photo to the release. Thanks!

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Sometimes a girl needs kitchen inspiration on the cheap, and that’s when a visit to Ichiban Kan is in order. No high-end pans or cutlery to be found here. Instead, the small store in San Francisco’s Japantown is stuffed full of cheap but super-cute goods for the kitchen and the rest of the house. The store is probably best known for carrying inexpensive bento boxes in a wide range of colors and sizes.

Below are just a few samples examples of little toys for the kitchen:

Boiled Egg Mold

(Read the article)

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