Celebrating National Chocolate Éclair Day on Food Porn Friday

Image Credit: Maison Kayser (NYC) | DESSERT SURVEILLANCE

Today on Food Porn Friday we are celebrating National Chocolate Éclair Day. Observed annually on June 22nd we pause to indulge in this delicious oblong-shaped, cream-filled pastry that is piped with creamy vanilla or chocolate creme, and then covered in smooth chocolate.

Éclair, the French word, meaning “flash of lightning” is believed to have originated during the nineteenth century in France, and speculated by some historians to be made first by the famous French Chef, Antonin Carême. 

Image source: Gale Gand – Food Network

So pull out your eggs, sugar, cornstarch, all-purpose flour, chocolate, heavy cream, milk, vanilla beans and unsalted butter, and check out this French pastry recipe courtesy of Gale Gand from the Food Network.

This recipe takes 3 hours and 55 min to make. Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 3 hours and 45 min | Yield: 8 to 10 servings 

Click here for the ingredients and instructions for making this decadent Chocolate Éclair, as we celebrate National Chocolate Éclair Day on #Food Porn Friday!

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When Nature Calls

Image Source: Circe Denyer

Whenever I find myself in a state of anxiousness, the first chance I can get to step outside in a plot of nature and absorb myself into its quietude and melodic sounds, that’s when my spirit feels renewed. Step into the sounds of nature, even if only for a few minutes. When nature calls then that is when you start singing too.

Shadows of the Deep, a Haiku

Image Credit: JL Field

Shadows of the Deep

Where dark shadows lurk
in depths of the wilderness
light breaks the silence.

© Kym Gordon Moore

Summer Reading is a Fundamental Vacation

What a way to take a vacation anytime and anywhere, than by being transported in time through a book? This inexpensive trip through bound published pages can take you to faraway lands without ever having to leave the comfort of your home, board an airplane, train, ship or hit the road in your car or on your motorcycle.

Even if you do travel by vehicle, take along a few books with you to make your trips even more adventurous. Audiobooks will work too. What books are on your summer reading list? How many books have you read, cover to cover so far this year? Have you set up a reading goal for 2018?

If you are connected to Goodreads.com, they have a section to set up an accountability goal for the number of books you want to read for the year. You don’t have to disclose what books you want to read in your goal, you just need to commit to reading a certain number of books for the year. It’s still not too late to set your book reading goal. Enjoy your adventures!

No, I am Probably Not What You Expected Me to Be

What you think I am or who you may want me to be may not be who I am or what I want to be. But, what I am may be what you need, and who I am could reveal who you truly are. Do not overestimate yourself when trying to underestimate me.

© Kym Gordon Moore

Father’s Day Cilantro-Lime Chimichurri Grilled Steak

Image Source: Spoon Fork Bacon

For today’s food feature on Food Porn Friday, we came across a scrump-delicious lip-smacking recipe that is an ideal dish to make for Father’s Day. This recipe, by Teri Lyn Fisher and Jenny Park, is from the kitchen at Delish.

Cilantro-Lime Chimichurri Grilled Steak is an easy entrée that is made with zesty ingredients like minced cilantro, chives, garlic, lime, extra-virgin olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and a pound of skirt steak. Served with a side order of asparagus, you are sure to impress your “Father of the Day” with your artsy grilling skills. Click here for the recipe.

So for all of you dads, grandfathers, surrogate fathers, mother-fathers, and other father figures, we wish you a fun-filled day of rest, relaxation, and good eating! Wishing all of you a…

#HappyFathersDay on #FoodPornFriday!

Are we happy with the gods we trust?

Image Credit: Kai Stachowiak

Stuff! What do we worship? Is it true we have an ‘idol’ problem? Many have sold their souls for a chance to buy into that pipe dream of prominence, by exalting ‘gods’ that have been marketed through our augmented realities. Is it all about the importance of prominence that makes us truly happy? 

Image Credit: Karen Arnold

Are we so focused on the success-driven quotient that contentment and gratitude have become a non-existent theory? For the love of the more grandiose, the most expensive, the wealthiest set sail on the ocean-liner of narcissism, trapped in the vortex of sea drowning polluted spirits.

Image Credit: Kim Newberg

What has happened to the strong, solid foundation of common decency, respect, compassion, ethics, and love in humanity, when folks are rushing to the finish line of hyped up, apparent greed on an uneven playing field?

Image Credit: Ian L

Do we really trust those things seen as a sign of happiness, a true measure of success, as opposed to the evidence of unseen peace and contentment that becomes a valued testament to success? Have we idolized things under false pretenses all for the sake of satisfaction?