Aetna Healthy Food Fight Sweepstakes

There is such a focus on eating healthier in our country yet there are still so many overweight adults and children.  It's easy to cast judgement on others for being overweight but there can be an array of reasons why a person may be overweight ranging from knowledge to money.  I've been on a quest to get healthier for myself and my children for well over a year and although it's a slow process, we are making baby steps.  Signing up with SheSpeaks who partnered with Aetna for the Healthy Food Fight was a no brainer for me.  I am the first in my family to try to encourage them to eat healthier and exercise.

You can join Aetna's Healthy Food Fight by checking out their site and entering the sweepstakes to possibly win a Circulon gourmet cooking set donated by Meyer Corporation.  When you go to the site, you will see one of my beloved chefs, Bobby Flay who will provide tips, recipes and more by clicking on the Healthy Test Kitchen.  There is more!  Starting October 1st, you can watch the regional cook-offs in Pomona, CA., Dallas, TX., Atlanta, GA., and Philadelphia, Pa with the final even occurring December 2 in New York!

Interested yet?

Submit your healthy recipe here and then get ready to get your friends and family to vote.  Up to 48 people will get to move forward to compete in person.  Voting is by region and dates of open voting vary so click here to learn more about how to vote for the healthy recipe contest.


About Aetna:

Aetna provides a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicare plans.

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When: September 15 @ 8pm EST
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Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter Review

Over 4,000 years ago, the Mayas in Central and South America used chocolate.  It was later introduced to Europe in the 1500's and was reinvented into a creamy, sweet delicacy.  It was in 1852, Domingo Ghirardelli opened his first chocolate factory and the rest is history.  Ghirardelli Chocolate ... need I say more? 

They make some of the best chocolate around and being a self-proclaimed chocoholic, you can trust me on that one if you have never had the delight.  My husband is not a chocolate lover, I have no idea how that is even possible, but even he loves Ghirardelli Chocolate.  I was more than happy to participate in the new campaign from Shespeaks.com when they offered the delicious chance to try out Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter.

Shespeaks provided a nice little gift pack of their ever classy and elegantly wrapped chocolates along with six $1.50 off coupons that I'm wanting to share with anyone who wants them (until I run out).  Interested?  Just send me an e-mail at staying_younger@yahoo.com.  I'm not a huge peanut butter chocolate fan and was going to give this to my daughter who is an avid chocolate/peanut butter lover but I succumbed to the late night cravings and noisely unwrapped one.  I was trying to be quiet but I couldn't.  I was pleasantly surprised by the typical indulgance of the creamy milk chocolate but not only was there peanut butter but a delightful surprise crunchy roasted peanuts perfected each bite.  To me, the crunchy peanut pieces was the icing on the cake that made me craving for more.  I did stop at one as I am trying to get in shape but I do not regret it. 

A nice thing about Ghirardelli Chocolate us the pieces are individually wrapped which makes it a nice snack size without overindulging. Ghirardelli lives up to the usual reputation we have grown accustomed to which is creating this incredibly tasting amazing product.  If you like or love peanut butter, you will love this!

Click HERE to shop online as it's not too late to order for Christmas!  Don't forget to sign up for the Chocomail to receive the latest on news and events, promotions, recipes and entertaining essentials.

Here is a great recipe made with Ghirardelli Chocolate compliments of their site:

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars

• 2 ounce(s) Milk Chocolate Baking Bar
• 1/2 cup(s) Sweet Ground Chocolate and Cocoa
• 2 cup(s) crushed graham crackers for crust
• 1/2 cup(s) melted butter for crust
• 2 tablespoon(s) granulated white sugar for crust
• 16 ounce(s) cream cheese, at room temperature, for cheesecake layer
• 1 cup(s) granulated white sugar for cheesecake layer
• 1/2 cup(s) creamy peanut butter for cheesecake layer
• 3 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour for cheesecake layer
• 4 large eggs for cheesecake layer
• 1/2 cup(s) whole milk for cheesecake layer
• 1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract for cheesecake layer
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) solid vegetable shortening for cheesecake layer

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. To make the crust, combine the crushed graham crackers, ground chocolate, butter, and sugar in a large bowl until well blended. Press the mixture onto the bottom of an ungreased 9 by 13-inch baking pan. Bake for 8 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack and let cool.


While the crust cools, make the cheesecake layer. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, peanut butter, and flour with an electric mixer at low speed until well blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the milk and vanilla. Pour the filling into the crust. Bake for 40 minutes, or until just set. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool completely. Melt the milk chocolate and vegetable shortening in the top of a double boiler, or in a heatproof bowl, over barely simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the cooled bars. Chill for approximately 10 minutes, just until the chocolate layer is partially set. Score the chocolate layer with a sharp knife, forming 2-inch squares (approximately), and return the pan to the refrigerator. Chill for 30 minutes, or until firm. Cut through the bars and serve. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator.



Disclaimer:  I received a sample pack of Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter from Shespeaks.  The review is based solely on my opinions and I was not financially compensated or compensated in any other way other than the free sample pack and six $1.50 coupons.