Recipes
The Sweetest Traditions: Unveiling Heart-Shaped Delights for Valentine’s Day
2025-02-13
Valentine's Day has transformed into a celebration of love and appreciation, with numerous food chains embracing the spirit by offering heart-shaped treats. From gourmet pizzas to indulgent desserts, discover where you can find these festive offerings and how they add a special touch to your celebrations.

Elevate Your Celebrations with Heartfelt Goodies This Valentine’s Day

A Culinary Love Story: Heart-Shaped Pizzas

The allure of heart-shaped pizzas is undeniable, combining romance with culinary delight. California Pizza Kitchen presents its "Sweet Deal for Two," available from February 10 to 16. For just $55, diners can enjoy a starter, two entrées including a heart-shaped pizza, and a dessert. Meanwhile, Mountain Mike’s offers heart-shaped pizzas starting at $26.99, complemented by a Sweetheart Cherry Pie Dessert Pizza for an additional $5.99. Papa John’s also joins the fray, providing heart-shaped pizzas until February 16 for $11.99. Peter Piper Pizza contributes by donating $1 to local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for every heart-shaped pizza sold. DiGiorno adds a unique twist with its "Heartichoke Pizza," available online for $2.14 on February 13 while supplies last.

From Farm to Table: Heart-Shaped Pasta

Pasta enthusiasts have their own way of celebrating. Bellita Pasta introduces "Valentino," a gluten-free, beet-infused heart-shaped pasta available online for $10.95. Barilla’s "Love" pasta, another heart-shaped variety, can be found online or in select retailers. These pastas are not only visually appealing but also offer a delightful texture and flavor that enhance any meal. At Nordstrom Restaurant Group locations throughout February, patrons can savor Barilla’s Love pasta as part of their dining experience.

Sandwiches with a Twist: Heart-Shaped Breads and Biscuits

Chick-fil-A delights customers with heart-shaped trays featuring options like 30-count nuggets, 10-count Chick-n-Minis, 12 fudge brownie halves, or six chocolate chunk cookies. Hardee’s transforms all biscuits into heart shapes through February 16, offering a BOGO deal for loyalty members. Panera Bread celebrates with a BOGO Asiago Bagel Stack sandwich deal using code BAEGEL on February 13-14. In New York City, select cafes will distribute free heart-shaped Cinnamon Crunch BAEgels. Goldbergs Fine Foods provides a Lovers Dozen, consisting of heart-shaped bagels and cream cheese for $24.99, ready for pickup on Valentine’s Day.

Desserts That Melt Hearts: Indulgent Treats

Dessert lovers have plenty to look forward to. Baskin-Robbins unveils a heart-shaped "Crazy for You Cake" priced at $21.99, adorned with fudge accents and Oreo rosettes. The limited-edition Love Potion #31 ice cream combines white chocolate and raspberry flavors. Dairy Queen’s Red Velvet Cake Blizzard Treat and Cupid Cake feature layers of vanilla soft serve topped with red velvet cake pieces and cream cheese icing. Dunkin’ offers specialty donuts such as the "Cupid’s Choice" and "Brownie Batter," along with classic heart-shaped doughnuts and the seasonal Pink Velvet Macchiato. Insomnia Cookies introduces Red Velvet, Red Velvet Cheesecake Filled Classic, and Cupid’s Cookies ‘N Cream, alongside Heart Cookie Cakes. Krispy Kreme’s "Hearts In Bloom" collection features four new heart-shaped doughnuts, each uniquely decorated. La Madeleine’s menu includes individual cheesecakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, Linzer Heart cookies, and sugar cookies. Paris Baguette showcases Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Heart Cake and Double Chocolate Frasier Cake, with loyalty members earning double points on Valentine’s Day purchases. Portillo’s heart-shaped chocolate cake and chocolate strawberry shake provide further indulgence. Tous les Jours presents a “Fall in Love with Chocolate” collection, including Heart Chocolate Cake and Red Velvet Bliss. Yogurtland rounds off the list with Salted Caramel Cheesecake and Chocolate Strawberry Swirl frozen yogurt flavors, along with Gummy Diamond Hearts toppings and collectible spoons.
Winter Relief: Gospel Mission Food Pantry Supports Community with Essential Supplies
2025-02-13

In the heart of Marietta, Ohio, the Gospel Mission Food Pantry has been working tirelessly to provide essential support during the winter months. Co-founders Candy and Jeff Waite have observed an increased demand for food and warmth-related items as colder temperatures set in. The pantry offers not only groceries but also warm clothing and heating aids to those in need. Meat products, particularly canned options, are among the most sought-after items due to their high cost and nutritional value. Without this vital resource, many individuals would face severe hardships. The community's generous contributions play a crucial role in keeping the pantry well-stocked, highlighting the importance of collective effort in times of need.

The Gospel Mission Food Pantry experiences heightened activity during winter, providing more than just sustenance to its visitors. Candy Waite, one of the co-founders, emphasized that the cold season brings unique challenges. Many people seek refuge at the pantry for essentials beyond food, such as gloves, hats, hand warmers, and toe warmers—items critical for survival when temperatures plummet. This comprehensive approach ensures that vulnerable members of the community receive the necessary resources to stay safe and warm.

Jeff Waite, the other co-founder, noted that meat is consistently the most requested item at the pantry. He explained that meats like tuna, spam, and canned goods are expensive and hard to obtain for many families. To meet this demand, the pantry relies on donations from hunters who contribute processed deer and others who provide packaged ground beef. These contributions are invaluable, as they help maintain a steady supply of protein-rich foods that are quickly depleted. The Waites expressed deep gratitude for the community’s unwavering support, which keeps the pantry operational without any financial assistance.

Dana Poraun, a regular beneficiary of the pantry, underscored its significance. She highlighted that without the Gospel Mission, many individuals would struggle to find enough food and shelter. The pantry serves as a lifeline for those facing economic challenges, offering them a reliable source of nutrition and warmth. The community's generosity ensures that no one is left behind during the harsh winter months. Together, these efforts create a safety net that strengthens the fabric of the local community.

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Fast Food Restaurant Shooting Sends One to Hospital in Columbus
2025-02-12

An incident at a quick-service eatery in Columbus resulted in an individual being transported to a medical facility following a reported shooting. Authorities were alerted in the early evening, leading to a prompt response from law enforcement who discovered a person with a firearm-related injury. The victim was stabilized and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

On Wednesday, an unexpected emergency unfolded around dinnertime at a well-known fast-food establishment located on the west side of Columbus. Law enforcement received notification just after four o'clock that shots had been fired at this location. Police units swiftly arrived on scene where they encountered one person suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. Immediate action was taken to secure the area while emergency medical services attended to the injured party.

The McDonald's restaurant, situated on West Broad Street, became the focal point of this sudden crisis. Upon arrival, officers conducted a thorough investigation to gather evidence and piece together the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. Witnesses were interviewed, and the premises were carefully examined for any clues that might shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Following initial treatment at the scene, the affected individual was transported to Grant Medical Center. Medical professionals there confirmed that the patient's condition was stable upon arrival. Authorities continue to investigate the matter, seeking further details about the event and those involved.

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