#Choctoberfest 2019 Recipees + a HUGE Giveaway

Welcome to #Choctoberfest!  I am thrilled to be part of this event and share some delicious recipes from my community of bloggers.  I know you will follow along for all the fun.  If you love chocolate, this is for YOU!  Keep this blog bookmarked, it's going to get all ooey gooey chocolatey in here.

 Check out this recipe for Simple S'mores Cake. The love of traditional s'mores made into a cake.  You're welcome!



#Choctoberfest is an annual recipe-sharing event. I'm joining other food bloggers from around the world to create delicious chocolate recipes. This year, over 70 bloggers are joining together for a week full of chocolate cakes, pies, cookies, puddings, tarts, candies, and more. You can follow along by searching for the hashtag #Choctoberfest on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. Or, simply follow any of the participating bloggers listed below. We also have some awesome sponsors, who make #Choctoberfest possible every year. Our sponsors have banded together to put together a delicious prize pack worth Here's what you get if you win! (Scroll down to enter.)

• Candy Gift Pack from blog host Triple Chocolate Kitchen, which includes 180-pack of Lindt LINDOR Chocolate Truffles (dark, milk, and white). Triple Chocolate Kitchen organizes #Choctoberfest, as well as posting chocolate recipes throughout the year.

Chocolate and Cocoa Gift Pack from Divine Chocolate, which includes a variety of high-quality fair trade chocolate bars, cocoa powder, and Divine Chocolate swag. Divine Chocolate's baking line consists of three premium quality flavors ranging from 55% to 100% cocoa for a wide variety of delicious desserts. Their chocolate products are made with 100% cocoa butter and are non-GMO and Vegan Society Certified.

$100 Nordic Ware Gift Card and 40 Pounds of Granulated Sugar from Imperial Sugar. They are currently hosting their annual Scary Scramble, featuring delicious fall-inspired recipes using Imperial Sugar's high-quality sweeteners. Imperial Sugar has been a kitchen staple for over 175 years!

Collagen Fuel™ Drink Mix Gift Pack from Primal Kitchen. The ingredients in these drink mixes help support hair, skin, and nails. Their chocolate version has organic, fair-trade cocoa and coconut milk powders, with no wheat, soy, or dairy ingredients.

Cracker Gift Pack from Mary's Gone Crackers. The lucky winner will get to try a variety of crackers, many of which pair well with chocolate (check their recipe page for ideas!). Mary's products are vegan, cruelty-free, and organic.

Fig Spread Gift Pack from Dalmatia Spreads. With flavors like sour cherry, plum, blackberry, and orange, you'll find that several of Dalmatia's fig-based spreads work well in chocolate recipes. Use as a filling for crépes, serve warm over ice cream, or spread onto toast. They even have a fig cocoa spread that uses fair trade cocoa.

Alkaline Water Pack from Perfect Hydration. Wash down all those delicious chocolate desserts with Perfect Hydration water. This 9.5+ pH alkaline water helps to effectively restore and rebalance the body to optimum pH levels. This water goes through a 9-stage filtration process, has no added sodium, chlorine, or fluoride, and is packaged in recyclable BPA-free bottles.

Kitchen Conversions Chart and Etsy Gift Card from Moonflower Mountain. Winner chooses the colors for this flower-adorned conversion chart, which makes it easy to double any recipe or convert from cups to tablespoons.

This is a prize pack worth over $400! Open worldwide, except where prohibited. Must be 18+ to enter (21+ in some locations). One lucky winner will be drawn randomly on October 20, 2019 and contacted via email. See terms and conditions for more details. Enter the giveaway now: a Rafflecopter giveaway Entries from spam or inactive accounts are invalid. #Choctoberfest bloggers, sponsors, and their immediate families/households are not eligible to win. This giveaway is not affiliated with or sponsored by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. Make sure you check out the participating bloggers to see #Choctoberfest recipes throughout the week: Triple Chocolate Kitchen • 2 Cookin Mamas • A Day in the Life on the Farm • A Labour of Life • A Little Fish in the Kitchen • A Southern Fairytale • Amy's Cooking Adventures • An Affair from the Heart • Bottom Left of the Mitten • Broken Teepee • Bunsen Burner Bakery • Champagne and Coconuts • Cindy's Recipes and Writings • Cook with Renu • Cook's Hideout • Cookaholic Wife • Crafty Cooking Mama • Daily Dish Recipes • Dixie Chik Cooks • Everyday Eileen • Fairyburger • First Timer Cook • Fix Me a Little Lunch • Frugal & Fit • Fun Happy Home • Get the Good Stuff! • Glenda Embree • Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks • How Was Your Day? • I Can Cook That • Join Us, Pull up a Chair • Karen's Kitchen Stories • Kate's Recipe Box • Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats • Life & Medicine Blog • Life on Food • Long Distance Baking • Lynchburg Mama • Makes, Bakes and Decor • Making Miracles • Mama Needs Cake • Memories In The Kitchen • Our Good Life • Our Sutton Place • Palatable Pastime • Queenslee Appétit • Reviewz & Newz • Sarah Cooks the Books • Sarah's Bake Studio • Seduction In The Kitchen • Shockingly Delicious • Simple Family Crazy Life • Simply Inspired Meals • Sneha's Recipe • Style Island • Sumptuous Spoonfuls • Sweet Coralice • Sweet Dash of Sass • Take Two Tapas • That Recipe • The Awesome Muse • The Beard and The Baker • The Delicious Spoon • The Food Hunter's Guide to Cuisine • The Freshman Cook • The Redhead Baker • The Schizo Chef • The Spiffy Cookie • The Urben Life • Trampling Rose • Turnips 2 Tangerines • Who Needs A Cape? • Wildflour's Cottage Kitchen • Zesty South Indian Kitchen

Road Trips in Virginia

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If you’re in the D.C. area you might be sick of the sight of the city and the suburbs. We have some good news for you, in case you weren’t already aware. Just a stone’s throw from you are some of the most amazing easy day trips and road adventures to be had. Let us give you some neat ideas so that next weekend you and the family can jump in your car, hit the road and see the sights.

 

1. George Washington Memorial Parkway to George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Up for a scenic drive? This national parkway makes “taking the scenic route” the best option available. Whatever piques your interest, whether it be history, heritage sites like Arlington National Cemetery or the Iwo Jima Memorial, or something more activity based like a visit to George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill. You’ll find it here.

2. Just 14 miles for the perfect small-town experience in Clifton, VA

If it’s the city you need to get away from, then Clifton is the perfect escape, with its quaint, small-town charm. Get out of the car and walk the Bull Run Occoquan Trail, or just stay in the town and check out the historical buildings. You can even sample great local wines (but never drink and drive).

3. For a longer drive, head to Richmond, VA

The state’s historic but cool capital city, Richmond, has a lot to offer the whole family. Drive for about 80 minutes south of I-95 and you’ll make it there to enjoy good food, great beer (don’t drive and drive), more history as well as fantastic family outdoor activities like kayaking in the James River. Make it an overnight by parking up and staying in one of the city’s many hotels. Stroll along the river banks, eat well, soak up the atmosphere and just enjoy.

4. For a natural experience, head west to find national parks

Load up the snacks and ready the car games for the kids because in just over three hours you’ll all be in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. To truly escape the city, one has to pursue nature at its more raw and exciting. This national forest boasts incredible views, stunning scenery and great days filled with fun in any season.

Don’t leave your car on the driveway, gas up, load up and head out! There’s a treasure trove of fun to be had right on your doorstep!

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Back in 2010, Jeep unveiled a new Grand Cherokee model to the world. Now, it’s nine years later and the country (and the world) is continuing its love affair with this iconic machine. It remains the more rugged option among crossover vehicles, which can just as easily feel at home in off-road environments as it can on-road. In this article, we’re exploring all the best features of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

 

First, let’s get the lowdown on what’s new.

Truthfully, there aren’t any major changes for 2020. The Trackhawk now comes with optional 20-inch titanium-finish wheels and a black/grey leather interior. There are also a standard sunroof, bi-xenon headlamps and LED foglamps for the Limited models, the latest addition to the lineup which just joined in 2019. The Overland has optional dark sienna and black interiors.

Next, let’s go inside

When you’re buying a bigger car, it’s often because you need the space. The 2020 Grand Cherokee certainly competes with others in its category like the Chevy Blazer or Nissan Murano, offering 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and around 68 cubic feet if you fold the second-row seats. It’s a good choice for any family looking for a week-long road trip somewhere. The Uconnect infotainment system is held within an upgraded 8.4-inch touchscreen display, and performs well with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

All Grand Cherokees get the blond-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems. The Active Safety Group package includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist and parallel and perpendicular parking assist. It possesses a strong safety recommendation of 4 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Finally, how does it go?

The standard engine comes with a 3.6L V6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a powertrain of 295hp with 260lb-ft of torque. Head up to the Limited trim, however, and you’ll get a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine as an optional upgrade, bringing it up to 360hp and 390lb-ft torque. You’ll get 14mpg city and 22mpg highway with the V8 option. The V6 offers better mileage at 18mpg city and 26mpg highway. Note that a 4WD option will reduce those ratings by about 1mpg.

Perhaps the best reason to consider the Grand Cherokee, besides its good looks, power, features and trim options, is simply to look at its strength and versatility. Whether you need it for towing, a family car, an off-road companion --- the Grand Cherokee fits the bill. Visit your dealership today to learn more.

5 Reasons to Buy A Honda

There are a lot of reasons that Honda has done so well in the United States market. No, it’s not an American brand, but it brings the American consumer the very best quality and reliability, and that’s what the US driver deserves! In this article, we want to explore all the best reasons to buy a Honda.

 

1. Made in the USA

It may be a Japanese marque, but Hondas are made right here in America. The company operates 12 facilities across the country, including its newest facility in Ohio, which opened in 2016. Now you get to have your cake and eat it too, buying a top-quality overseas brand, but made Stateside.

2. It might be the most durable car you ever drive

Whether you’re buying a Sedan, SUV or other model on offer, Hondas will surprise you with their impressive handling and quick acceleration. They put together the power of race cars with the comfort of high-end sedans. The Civic Type R for example can go from 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds. That is not a typo.

3. The keep their resale value

Everyone knows that when you buy a car it’s basically a loss, right? As soon as it’s off the lot, the value has decreased. That may be true in general, but with a Honda you’ll get the best-possible retention. High-quality individual parts mean that typical wear and tear affects the Honda less than some other brands. This means you’ll be able to pitch a higher price than you would with another car.

4. Perfect for a budget

Not only are Honda’s affordable to buy or lease, but they make you further savings on the road with their great fuel economy. The 2019 Honda Accord, for example can average up to 38mpg on the highway and 30mpg in the city. It doesn’t even stop with the smaller cars and sedans. Honda’s pickup truck, the Ridgeline, can achieve 19mpg city and 26mpg highway. Gas mileage always depends on your exact usage, but these numbers do nothing but impress.

5. Safety features

Solid safety features are practically woven into the fabric of the Honda brand. To take just one example, the Accord has long been recognized as one of the safest and most reliable cars on the road. Honda cars come with the Honda Sensing technology package as standard, which contains forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and much more.

Honda may never have leapt to mind before when you considered a new car, but why not get to your nearest dealership and test drive your first Honda today?

The 2020 Honda Odyssey – Why It’s Your Next Car

Who says that minivans can’t be cool? You may think that a minivan is the sign of “giving up” on the world of great cars, but after you’ve experienced the 2020 Honda Odyssey, you’ll know why that’s a load of bunk. In 2020, the Honda Odyssey is celebrating its 25^th birthday, and the new models come with loads of great features. Let’s explore them here and see why this great new minivan has to be your next family car.

 

First, the 10-speed automatic as standard

Whichever trim level of the Odyssey you buy, you get the 10-speed automatic transmission. The 10-speed means a more efficient transfer of power and torque, as quick shifts maintain engine power after each shift. This means a better performance and more pleasing all-round driving experience for you.

Second, it’s made for big families and big cargo

If you have a big brood, then the Odyssey is really for you. It comes with a maximum cargo volume of 144.9 cubic feet. The legroom is also generous at 40.9 inches in the front and second rows, and 38.1 inches in the third row.

Third, affordable and flexible trim options

Pricing is offered on a varied spectrum depending on trim. If you’re on a budget, you may sacrifice one or two of the more luxury features, but you still enjoy all the fundamental great things about the vehicle, and at a good price. The more luxurious trims take you to levels of style that you may previously have thought impossible in a minivan. Go for the EX which comes with the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, top safety features like active lane control, power sliding rear doors and much more.

Finally, comfort, comfort, comfort

The seats in the Odyssey are “all-day comfortable” which makes the ultimate people hauler. The above-mentioned EX model comes with other great features like three-zone climate control which is sure to stop any arguments about temperature on the journey. Speaking of the journey, your ride is made all the more comfortable by the smooth and quiet atmosphere it has while on the road. Family driving can be stressful in its own way, but at least you don’t have to add road noise to the mix!

Ask your nearest dealership about the 2020 Honda Odyssey and make it your next family car.