Chocolate Cookies & Kisses Cheesecake

Crust:

16-20 whole chocolate cookies

5 tbsp butter

Filling:

2 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese

2 eggs

1 (14 oz can) sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Topping:
1 chocolate cookie
Chocolate kisses

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300º F.

Take about 16 to 20 whole chocolate cookies and put them in a ziplock bag to crush. Pour crushed crumbs in medium sized bowl, stir in butter. Scoop crushed cookie mixture into a 9 inch springform pan, spread evenly over bottom. Chill crust to firm, about 20 minutes.

Blend cream cheese at medium speed until fluffy. Add egg, sugar, and vanilla extract. Slowly blend in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Mix well. Pour cream cheese mixture over crust.

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cheesecake is done when golden on top or jiggles slightly in center when shaken gently. Turn off oven, leave cheesecake in oven to cool for 1 hour. Remove from oven, lightly run knife around edge and remove springform.

Take one chocolate cookie and use a cheese grater to spread cookie shavings over top of cheesecake. Place chocolate kisses in a design of your choosing over cookie shavings. Then let chill for 2 to 4 hours or overnight until ready to serve.

I absolutely enjoyed making this! I created this recipe from memory of one that I found in a cookbook - when I find it, I will post it. Here are some articles and tips from other websites that may be helpful in baking good cheesecakes:

All Recipes - Tips for Perfect Cheesecakes  http://allrecipes.com/howto/perfect-cheesecakes/
All Recipes - How to Bake Cheesecake http://allrecipes.com/howto/baking-cheesecake-step-by-step/


Enjoy & Happy Holiday's from Sweet*Tee's Kitchen!

Dog Raises Over $17,000 After Running Marathon for Cancer Research

Source: ABC News, reposted

Dog Raises Over $17,000 After Running Marathon for Cancer Research - ABC News

By MAGGY PATRICK

July 28, 2011

In 2008, when his new family adopted him, Dozer the Goldendoodle was the only pup left in the litter.
"He was the last of the bunch," said Rosana Dorsett, Dozer's owner. "He was the dog no one wanted ... but he's got a great heart."

It made Dozer kind of an underdog. But fast forward three years to the day of the Maryland Half Marathon -- a 13-mile race for cancer research -- and this pup found his way to the front of the pack.
That was the day Dozer slipped past the virtual fence surrounding his yard as the marathon runners passed by. He got quickly caught up in the current at the 5-mile mark -- and kept up the pace for the remainder of the race, with people snapping his picture all along.
When he crossed the finish line, the bewildered pup with muddy paws turned to walk the eight miles back home, where he was awarded a finisher's medal from the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center.

Facebook

Dozer, a 3-yr. old goldendoodle, has raised... View Full Size

Dozer's Big Day Watch Video

Clever Dogs Beat the Heat Watch Video

Suddenly Dozer's life story changed. A Facebook page was put together in his name to raise money for cancer research. Donations came pouring in, as did the fans. He now has 2,500 friends on the social media site and has raised more than $17,000.

To join Dozer's cause, click here
Supporters and survivors post on the page daily to thank Dozer for joining the marathon.
"As a cancer survivor, I'd just like to thank you for all you are doing to help," one follower wrote.
"You are our hero! We 'wuff' you," wrote another.

Michael Chaykowski, a disabled retiree in Florida -- saw Dozer's page and decided to donate, too, but for another reason.
"At first I laughed. I thought it was really funny ... after watching the video I started to cry, saw it was more than just a joke," he said. "He's been a great inspiration for me. I suppose, most of all, he's taught me how to believe in myself. 
"Dozer is America's dog, inspiration for us all," said Chaykowski.
While the wonder dog seems to inspire all and gives laughs to some, his run has benefited others in the best way of all.

Diane Salvatore, 55, was just diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. She is a direct beneficiary of Dozer's fundraising -- the more than $17,000 that the pup raised has already been designated to go toward research that will help her and others like her.
"I don't think he's last anymore," said Salvatore. "I think he's come in first place. Great job to be the spokesdog for this type of research that needs to be done for this kind of breast cancer."

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day which is recognized to celebrate the planet we live on! Much applause to all those who continually make efforts to protect the environment! Thank you!

If you haven't yet participated, you can help too by doing activities such as purchasing locally grown produce in your community, use environmentally safe products, donate and recycling among others. Below are some great websites that you can get tips, find and attend local events, and other great ideas to help our environment.

The Nature Conservancy http://earthday.nature.org/
The Wilderness Society http://wilderness.org/
Everyday Activist http://www.everydayactivist.com/
Earth Day 2011 blog http://earthday2011.com/
Friends of the Earth http://www.foe.org/ 
Earth Day Network http://www.earthday.org/

The Green Guide by National Geographic

Green Living http://www.green-living.com/

The National Audubon Society http://www.audubon.org/
Green Living Tips http://www.greenlivingtips.com/

Gucci Spring/Summer 2011 Women's Collection

OMG! I absolutely love a lot of these pieces from Gucci's Spring Summer 11 Women's Collection! Also, don't forget to check out the company website at http://www.gucci.com/us/home. Enjoy!!

(All information below was retrieved April 14, 2011 from  http://mechanicaldummy.com/04/14/11/gucci-ss11-womenswear-collection)

Take the colorful flavor of Spring & turn it upside down on it's head, with a pinch of metallics while adding rich jewel tones & you get the Summer/Spring 2011 Gucci Womenswear collection. Styles that are complimentary to the female form by way of layering & contrast, the Gucci SS11 collection takes a twist for the best in Spring color blocking. Inspired by 70's images shot by Guy Bourdin, David Bailey & Chris Von Wangenheim, Gucci Creative Director, Frida Giannini, took a route of opposition for the Spring; as other labels presented flowing collections of immaculate whites & soft neutrals. From tasseled belts to metallic accented heels, Giannini is a master of accessories & spares no expense when considering defining details of Gucci's collections, every season. This season is no less stunning than the last, in fact, this is one of the most popular Gucci collections- already having been seen on Jennifer Hudson at Good Morning America, as well as on Christine Teigen at the Grammys. ~by Jeremy Danté

Delicious Slurpees!

For people who know me, posting a Slurpee recipe does not comes as a surprise! I enjoy these great slushy treats sold at 7-Eleven stores.They are perfect for hot summer days, so feel free to grab this recipe for this Summer season!

You can use any flavored Kool-Aid mix, cherry extract is optional. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know how it tastes! One other thing, do you eat Slurpee's or drink them? Curious question. Enjoy!

Grape Flavor

Ingredients
	2 cups cold club soda 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon flavored unsweetened Kool-Aid mix 1/2 teaspoon cherry extract 2 1/2 cups crushed ice
Directions
	1. Pour 1 cup of the club soda into a blender. Add the sugar, Kool-Aid mix, and cherry extract. Blend this until all of the sugar is dissolved. 2. Add the crushed ice and blend on high speed until the drink is a slushy, smooth consistency, with no remaining chunks of ice. 3. Add the remaining club soda and blend briefly until mixed. You may have to stop the blender and use a long spoon to stir up the contents. 4. If necessary, put the blender into your freezer for 1/2-hour. This will help thicken it up. After 1/2-hour remove blender from freezer and, again, blend briefly to mix. Makes one 32-ounce drink (or two 16-ounce drinks). Also, check out www.7-eleven.com  This recipe is from www.topsecretrecipes.com

Community Spotlight

Volunteer Profile – Margaret L. Waller

Personality: outgoing, friendly, hardworking, and honest.

Hobbies & Interests:  enjoys knitting, singing and hanging out with her 5 sisters.

Accomplishments & Aspirations:  has received a Medical Assistant diploma and is currently working to complete a degree in Registered Nursing. She would one day like the honor to sing at Carnegie Hall.

Volunteer Work: volunteered more than 200 hours at Mary Immaculate Hospital (1995, 1996). She is currently volunteering at Gloucester-Mathews Free Clinic as well as for Every Women’s Life assisting with clerical and clinical duties. She is also looking forward to volunteer opportunities in the future working with cancer patients, both children and adults.

Why Volunteer? : “I volunteer because I enjoy helping someone else”.

Favorite Quote: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not”. – Dr. Seuss.

Professional Work Experience: Since 2006, Ms. Waller has been working at Peninsula Cancer Institute, an affiliate of Riverside Health Systems. She has previously worked at Sentara Williamsburg Hospital, Women’s Imaging Center.

Recognition: recently featured in the Winter 2010 issue of The Beehive, a quarterly publication for Gloucester County. Ms. Waller was featured for her work as a volunteer at the Gloucester-Mathews Free Clinic.

Southern Homemade Potato Salad

Hello, Readers! Here is another great recipe from MissIceTee's Kitchen series! It's called Homemade Potato Salad - but I threw in the "southern" to convey how good it tastes! I remember my sister use to make it well - so yesterday, I decided to try my hand at it and was completely happy with the results! 

There are other Potato Salad recipes out there and I'm sure they probably taste good. But this is the one that I used. You can also alter the ingredients to your liking. Enjoy and Happy Eating!

Southern Homemade Potato Salad

Ingredients:

4 large baking potatoes.
1/4 white or yellow onion (optional)
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup mayonnaise
4 oz sweet relish
paprika

Peel the potatoes and then slice into chunks. If you aim for 1 inch by 1 inch chunk you will do well.
Boil the potatoes until they are done but not overcooked I use the test here where I stick the fork in and it meets a little resistance but not too much. How long you boil them depends upon how big they are. You do want the potatoes done though since no further cooking is involve. If you overcook them, they don't really hurt the recipe since the extra potato just mixes in with the creamy portion of the mixture.

Boil the eggs over medium high heat until hard boiled.

Allow the potatoes and eggs to cool. You can run cold water over them in a strainer to speed up the process.

Peel and slice the eggs into 1/2 inch pieces.

Chop the onion into very small pieces. I made this optional because you WILL be able to smell the onion on your breath. Therefore, if a little close contact is planned anytime soon you probably want to leave the onion out.

Stir all ingredients gently except for the paprika.

After all ingredients are well mixed, pour into a bowl. Add the parika across the top. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

This recipe was retrieved on April 10, 2011 from http://www.chitterlings.com/psalad.html