Why Yes I Will Have Some Chocolate

I am still on a high from Friday’s weigh-in results; however Saturday I had a major sugar craving. So I did some research and found the perfect solution, chocolate, sweet, and no processed sugar.

I was really into 4-H during the ages of 8-18. Several reasons; other than youth group at church and softball there wasn’t a lot of options, I lived on a farm and it was appropriate, I certainly didn’t go “hang-out” because my parents figured if I had nothing to do I could be working on the farm, and I was (read as still am) competitive and loved competing against other 4-Hers throughout the State and Nation. And thanks for wondering, yes, I won several National trips representing SC.  Okay back to my sweet craving; after I realized the sweet craving was not going away and needed to be fed or I was going to all into the trap of eating everything in the house and still eat something sweet, I did some Pinterest browsing. Lo and behold I saw a recipe I made in 4-H years ago and loved, No Bake Chocolate Cookies, and they were made with honey instead of the cup of white processed sugar the recipe I have calls for. I have made the original recipe several times in the last six to eight months and ate all of them which could have something to do with why I have this extra 30 pounds (excuse me 24.92 pounds), but who’s judging? I was thrilled and got to work. I mixed them up and popped them in the refrigerator to chill then headed for a 4 mile walk and added in 40 push-ups on the stadium bleachers at the middle school track. (Bonus, my arms are rebelling today so lifting a fork is another challenge I had not planned on.) This way I had a “prize” waiting for me when I finished. Success, they tasted the same and no processed sugar. HEAVEN! And thank-you I did not eat them all. There are some still left, which is amazing.

I have really learned I have a lot of options if I take some time and a do a little research. I am also starting not minding the excessive water I have been drinking. As I was perusing the world-wide web yesterday, I noticed an article titled This is What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking Soda. I only drank maybe one, two tops diet coke (32 oz) per day, but this article was enough for me to know I was on the right track. I can honestly say I haven’t even missed it the last couple of days.

No Sugar No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

These only take a few minutes to make and sit in the refrigerator.

 1 cup natural (no sugar added) peanut butter

3/4 cup honey

½ cup butter

2 tsp. vanilla

2 ½ cup quick oats

6 Tab. cocoa

Melt butter in a saucepan large enough for the oats to be stirred in. Add peanut butter and honey. Stir using a whisk until well mixed, not boiling. Add vanilla and cocoa. Mix well.

• Pour oats into mixture and stir until well mixed. Be sure to get all the oats mixed in.
• Drop by Tablespoons on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Pop in the refrigerator until set.
• Store in an air tight container. I cut the wax paper I used on the sheet to fit the container and put between layers.

Water and Metamucil.

223 days and 24.92 pounds till Disney Food & Wine.