Week 15—Part I: There Was No Baking—Really, NO Baking

Nut Goodie Bars ☆☆☆☆ [pg 133 HFC]
Stress creates a desire for chocolate for me and my husband. The day of the cupcake fiasco, we had received news that a close family member had suffered a severe heart attack and was not doing well. There was a strong desire for chocolate at our house. After the trifle was gone, I desired some other type of chocolate. I checked my list of April recipes to try, and it included Nut Goodie Bars, which only used the microwave—SCORE! No baking in that recipe.

I did some measuring, a bit of melting and mixing, but no baking. It should be noted that someone had gotten into my stash of baking peanuts, so my nut goodie bars had peanuts and some sliver almonds. Then I had to wait for the bars to harden. The next day I had my first nut goodie bar. They are yummy and easy, as stated near the recipe name in our family cookbook. Peanuts are definitely the nut of choice for these bars, but the almonds worked well too. I wisely made 1/2 a batch and I am pretty sure I ate my half of the 1/2 a batch; more than enough.

Monday, we will celebrate a few birthdays at our house, so I will need to break the No Baking vow I had made to myself. It is very hard for me to Not Bake. Baking relieves stress, as does eating. It is a very dangerous combination. Moderation is the key and that seems to go out the window when I am under stress. It is a vicious cycle and I have to find a way out. My next efforts to control the stress will be focused on more walks with my puppy Zoey Lyn. She will be so happy!