Holiday Chocolate Bark Sold at Aldi Recalled amid Warning Products May Cause ‘Serious or Life-Threatening’ Symptoms

December 18, 2025 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

BEWARE, THE PRODUCT CONTAINS NUTS

Food allergies cause 2,000 hospitalizations and 150 deaths in the U.S. annually

Holiday chocolate sold at Aldi recalled - Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark Choceur Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark

Holiday chocolate sold at Aldi stores across the U.S. have been recalled.

Silvestri Sweets Inc. announced a voluntary recall of its 5-ounce bags of Choceur-branded Holiday Barks sold at the stores, as it may contain “undeclared allergens,” according to a release from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

Silvestri Sweets Inc. said the recall was initiated after it was discovered that the Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark had been packaged in Cookie Butter Holiday Bark packages and vice versa.

A subsequent investigation by the company indicated the problem may have been caused by a “temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging process.”

Due to the mixup, the company said its Choceur-branded Cookie Butter Holiday Bark may contain undeclared pecans. This means that anyone who may be allergic to pecans could have a “serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.”

That product comes in a light blue packaging and shows a piece of the light-colored bark surrounded by holiday-inspired illustrations. At the top, the words, “Choceur Cookie Butter Holiday Bark” can be seen. The company noted that the bag had a best buy date of “05/2026,” printed on the back.

The company also noted that its Choceur-branded Pecan, Cranberry and Cinnamon Holiday Bark may contain undeclared wheat, and those who are allergic to it could also run the risk of having a “serious or life-threatening allergic reaction” if they consume the product.

Those bags are a dark red color and have the words, “Choceur Pecan, Cranberry & Cinnamon Holiday Bark,” above a piece of light brown bark decorated with pecans and cranberries. The bag is framed with holiday decoration illustrations including pieces of cranberry and twigs. These bags have a best by date of “08/2026” printed on the back.

The company said that the products were distributed nationwide through Aldi grocery stores, and noted that as of Nov. 26, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this issue.

Customers who purchased the products are urged to discard them.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/holiday-chocolate-bark-sold-at-aldi-recalled-due-to-undeclared-allergens-11870006

Children · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Internet Good/Bad · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What Every Parent Needs To Know About Only Fans!!!!!

December 16, 2025 Looking for the Light5 Comments

Only Fans has some celebrity pages but there is more hardcore pornography on the site than regular content.

I’m sure you’ve heard the news about kids being expelled from school because the parents have an Only Fans sticker on their vehicle, the sticker is so big it covers the entire back window. One woman not only had the sticker but was advertising her page.

These parents are advertising a porn site at school and they know their kid will be expelled from school. How would you feel if your child was exposed to a porn site at school? I bet you would blow a stack!

The schools have told parents with the sticker to park on the street but they refuse. The school needs to call Social Services to visit the parents, if they determine that the kid is in an unhealthy environment they will take custody of the kid. The school needs to take photos of the license plate and the sticker to show Social Services. No telling what a visit from Child Services will find.

I don’t play around when it comes to kids, I go for the throat.

The kids are innocent. Can you imagine the stress, anger, and mental health of the kids? I want to know how many kids have committed suicide after being expelled. To kids, their world has crashed down on them. That’s my homework for today.

I can’t imagine a parent more interested in making money instead of the student’s education and the stress it causes. Today alone I’ve read two stories about kids being expelled for what their parents are doing.

What is wrong here?

One kid was expelled because he was looking up people on Only Fans on a school computer. In this case, the kid made a very bad decision and knew better. The school said they would reconsider having him back but not right now. That kid should be kicked out. In this case, it was a private Christian school with strict rules and the parents signed a document saying they would comply with the rules, which includes the student’s behavior.

They will go as far as showing up to pick up their kid, the parents are warned and the next day come back with the Only Fans stickers still on there and will continue to come back and their kid gets expelled from school. What is wrong with this picture? What kind of example are they teaching their kids.

I think it’s time to punish the parents, not the kids. There are many options like banning them from entering the school campus, having off-duty police at the entrance of the campus who will keep them from entering, a restraining order, and going to the police to report pornography and advertising to underage kids. I would also look to see if they can be charged for trespassing. When the police hear pornography and kids they will be very interested. I would also look to see if the parent can be charged for trespassing.

I would also call Child Services so the parents clearly understand they could lose custody if they continue. Harsh? Hell Yes!

That’s what it is going to take. We can’t let our kids be expelled from school because their parents are self-centered. The kid’s education and mental health will suffer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPud8KhQqZU

The information in the video is on YouTube. I have not vetted the video as accurate information but that should not stop you from watching, it’s eye-opening. I had no idea who they were, I’ve seen the stickers but never went to their website until yesterday.

Even though the site says over 18, there are many ways kids are getting membership, including using their parent’s credit card or fake documents.

When I went to the site, on the first page it showed people having sex, it was hardcore pornography. They get paid based on how many people visit their page and it costs to look at their site, every time. The same goes for any page you look at. Some go as far as offering a membership to their site for a monthly fee.

I would not want my kid to be exposed to pornography until they leave home and they can make their own decisions. If they are old enough they already know about porn from their friends.

Parents who will not take the Only Fans sticker off the car or park off campus, are selfish and don’t care if their kid gets kicked out of school. What kind of logic is that? I

A letter needs to be sent to all parents saying if your vehicle has an Only Fans sticker you must park off the school campus and park on the street. The parents already know but use stronger language and tell them that if continue there are serious consequences. No exceptions. Many schools have this problem and need to punish the parent, not the kid.

I don’t know what can be done but I want to find out more. The link is to a story about a kid who committed suicide because other students were showing him photos of his mother.

My cognitive impairment is worse, today, if something doesn’t flow or half of a sentence is missing, be gentle with me.

Melinda

Repost

Celebrate Life · Cooking · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Apricot-Glazed Chicken with Spring Vegetables

December 2, 2025 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Level: Easy

Total: 35 min
Active: 35 min

Yield: 4 servings
Nutrition Info

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 4)

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces

12 ounces snow peas, trimmed (about 2 1/2 cups)

3 tablespoons apricot preserves

4 teaspoons dijon mustard

4 scallions, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Directions

Cut each chicken breast into 4 or 5 large chunks; season with salt and pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Add the chicken and cook, turning, until browned on all sides and almost cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove to a plate.

Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrots and 1/2 cup water. Cover and simmer until the carrots are crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover and increase the heat to medium high. Cook until the water evaporates, 1 minute.

Reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add the asparagus, snow peas and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet along with the apricot preserves, mustard, scallions, tarragon and lemon zest. Simmer, tossing, until the preserves are melted and the chicken and vegetables are glazed; season with salt and pepper.

Yummy!

Melinda

Reference:

Food Network

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday · Men & Womens Health

Have You Seen A Turkey Trott?

November 27, 2025 Looking for the Light9 Comments

Melinda

American Indian · Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · History · Holiday

Let’s Remember That The First Thanksgiving Was Celebrated In 1621

November 26, 2025 Looking for the Light5 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving to you. I think it’s important to look back to the first Thanksgiving to understand the Pilgrams were not the only ones celebrating the fruitful harvest. It’s interesting how our traditional Thanksgiving meal has changed over time.

The first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and Wampanoag North American Indians at Plymouth Colony in 1621.

What was served on the first Thanksgiving?

“Wildfowl was there. Corn, in grain form for bread or for porridge, was there. Venison was there,” says Kathleen Wall, a foodways culinarian at Plimoth Patuxet, a living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. “These are absolutes.”

Turkey may have been part of the holiday meal, along with venison, shellfish and corn, but pies and potatoes were decidedly not on the menu.

I pray you and your family are safe, making great memories, neighbors and not forgetting the elderly or those in need.

My ancestors were Cherokee Indians, I have 1/16 in my blood and I’m very proud. Many often forget that Native American Indians were here long before the migrants.

Melinda

Refernce:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-food-was-served-at-the-first-thanksgiving-in-1621-511554/

https://congregationallibrary.org/events/colonization-wampanoag-story

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Memories · Men & Womens Health

Today We Celebrate Our 23rd Anniversary

November 23, 2025 Looking for the Light29 Comments

David and I were close to 40 when we married and part of the reason for our success is that we talked about what traits we looked for in a lifelong partner, shared our complete backgrounds with each other, boundries and discussed possible issues we may have to face. I was completely honest about my mental illness and the challenges we would face. It was critical to put in all on the table before we were married.

Like all marriages, we’ve had tough finacial issues, medical and family issues but they never divided us. My Lyme Dieases treatment cost over $150,000 dollars none of which was covered by insurance which caused us to take a second mortgage on our house. He didn’t blink and was caring for me in the years that followed.

We had the same goals when we married and still share the same goals today. He has given me unconditional love, supported me in every way and even though he’s not one of many words, his actions always shows his love.

Marriage has ups and downs, for me it’s the downs that challenge your commitment, desire to communicate and comprimise.

Happy Anniversary Honey.

Melinda

Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness

Book Review-Hope and Learning Our Journey with Schizophrenia by Linda Snow-Griffin

November 20, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

I want to say a special thanks to Linda Snow-Griffin for providing me a copy of her book Hope and Learning, Our Journey with Schizophrenia for a review.

Published 2021

Cherish Editions

About the Author

Linda Snow-Griffin, Ph.D. is a retired psychologist. She is the mother of two, stepmother of three adult children and grandmother of sixteen. She has practiced in a variety of settings – college, university and community mental health – and spent the last 30 years in private practice in Cincinnati. Her desire is to provide hope to families coping with mental illness, especially schizophrenia.

Blurb

When her son was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Linda Snow-Griffin, a psychologist in private practice, felt devastated and overwhelmed. There were thousands of questions going through her mind: How can I help him? What does he need to get better? Will he be able to get better?

Hope and Learning narrates the 20-year journey Linda and her son embarked on, as they navigated their way towards recovery and a better understanding of what it is like to live with schizophrenia.

This book combines personal experience with schizophrenia with substantial data to create a heartwarming and informative resource.

My Thoughts

Linda shares her journey of her son’s diagnosis with Schizophrenia thru her intimate and raw writing. She discovered a journal of her son’s written in high school that set the wheels in motion that changed their life forever and in surprising ways.

I have Bipolar Disorder, which is a serious mental illness, yet I have been around only one person with Schizophrenia and it was during one of my hospital stays. Being around “John” was not scary but he was totally detached, walked the halls constantly talking to other beings who controlled his life. As you can imagine, that was my perception of Schizophrenia. A stigma/myth that Linda changes in this wonderful book.

Her son is highly functioning with medication and even attended college, it was quite difficult and presented some unique challenges when it came to writing his papers but with the understanding of his mother and love of his family, he made it thru. Linda’s book is heart-wrenching, at times it’s hard to imagine how difficult it must have been on a mother and family but what she shows us is love and understanding concurs all.

I am so glad I read her book, my stigma of what Schizophrenia looked like changed and for that I am thankful.

I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they may have or suspect a family member or a loved one has Schizophrenia, you will learn so much and walk away with answers and tools to take on your journey.

Melinda

Repost

Celebrate Life · Family · Grieving · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Military

Happy Birthday Gramps 1918-2010

November 17, 2025November 17, 2025 Looking for the Light14 Comments

I miss you every second of the day yet knowing we will see each other again brings me great joy.

In the leather box are the medals he was awarded and his wedding ring.

I love you.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Grieving · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Caregiver To Grieving In Four Days

November 8, 2025 Looking for the Light4 Comments

I’ve reposted this post several times over the years and 2010 was the original post. It’s critical to acknowledge how difficult life is for a caregiver and to think of ways to support them.

——

Each day was a roller coaster of how he felt and how exhausted I was. I learned so much being a caregiver to my grandmother and grandfather. As the population ages, many of you will take on the responsibility. One of the most difficult changes was going from granddaughter to caregiver. Even at 92 my grandfather had a strong mind and felt he didn’t need help. I pray for strength every day.

My grandfather died in 2010 at the young age of 92 years old. I spent more time with him in 2010 year than I spent at home. I cherish the time we had together, no matter how painful. They are my memories and my life changed forever with his death. His health declined so fast that for two days I did not realize that he was dying now, not in a couple of weeks. He was at home under hospice care and would not get in the hospital bed until two days before he passed. He fell out of bed that morning, he was so weak it was difficult for me to get him back in bed. I don’t think we would have been able to talk him into moving to the hospital bed if he had not fallen. For him the bed meant death and he was still fighting. My grandfather had End Stage Kidney Disease. An emergency trip to the hospital for his AFIB is how we learned he had about two months to live. We knew his kidneys were losing function but I was not ready for a timeline. His doctor had not given me that impression on a recent visit so I asked her to review the hospital records. I was not surprised but very saddened that she agreed with the prognosis. It took a couple weeks for my grandfather to believe the doctors were right. Kidney failure is a silent killer and luckily not a painful one. You start sleeping more until you sleep yourself into a coma.

I arrived on Sunday afternoon after two days of relief and he didn’t look any different. Monday morning I knew he was out of it by the things he was saying but thought it was a bad day. Tuesday I knew he was weak when he fell out of bed and felt like dead weight. It took everything in me to get him back in bed. My grandfather died on Thursday. What the doctors did not tell me is people his age die faster, the end came weeks sooner than we thought. I’m so thankful that my grandfather and I had time together to say what we wanted to say, cry about the loss and enjoy the memories. I have no regrets.

Cleaning out the house was so hard, 46 years of memories were everywhere. My grandmother left notes on everything, it was like mourning her death as I found each note. Notes on the back of photos, on little pieces of paper, and even on masking tape. I knew all the notes were there, we had looked at them many times but it was different this time. Everything was packed up this time and the house cleared out. My grandparents raised me so I’ve lost parents, they were the best you could ever pray for. The house is empty but I see my life in every room, the great memories with my grandparents are everywhere you look. I am starting a new chapter in my life. It’s a long journey ahead.

Melinda

Repost from 2010

Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Memories · Men & Womens Health

I Found His Cell Phone In The Ashtray

November 3, 2025 Looking for the Light10 Comments

I found his cell phone in the ashtray along with ten pairs of fingernail clippers, a knife, a small pair of scissors, a Corona Light bottle top, and three nickles and nine pennies.

On top is my favorite knife, the camping type with a fork and spoon, he gave to me when I was little, and a paper-towel covers them all. It’s been over eight years since I’ve stayed awhile with the memeries held in the ashtray.

The ashtray sat by my grandparent’s telephone for as long as I can remember. They didn’t believe in buying something new unless it was broken or you could no longer use it. The ashtray was very useful.

When I removed the paper towel today, the memories of my gramps came flooding back like a wave.

“If you’re going to be late to work, don’t go in.”

“If you can get out of bed, you can go to work”

“If you borrow something, give it back in better shape than when you borrowed it.”

He taught me responsibility and accountability.

He also taught me to drive. I was fourteen, we went to the river bottoms, two metal trashcans in the back of the 1969 Ambassador. He set them apart the right distance and had me practice until nightfall. I was still knocking down cans when we left. I did pass my driver’s test though.

One of the hardest memories was weeks before his death, telling him to call friends and family to let them know he was dying. Sitting in front of him, I dialed the numbers, handing him the phone and listened as he cried telling people he was no longer going to be here. It was one of the most difficult days of my life.

My gramps was the greatest man I’ve ever known, a true gentleman, a stand-up guy, God broke the mold when he made my gramps.

I found his cell phone in the ashtray……

Melinda

Repost form 2020