Sometimes you just have to ask “Isn’t there an adult to take care of this?!”  Don’t you wish you could rid your mind of all those worries or at least talk to someone and hear those much desired words “Don’t you worry. I’LL take care of it.”  Oh to be a kid again!

At what point do we lose the desire to be older and start wishing we were young again? For me and as far as I can remember, the best times were in my 20’s to mid 40’s.  It was a good run. Now I’m a young 53 and I do emphasize a YOUNG 53 because, well, I don’t want to be 53, I want to be 33 so I’ll sometimes act and dress like it, but I digress. There is such a rush to grow up and have independence with professional responsibility that we forget other responsibilities.  The responsibilities for loved ones who are dealing with health issues and now need us to take care of them.  Roll reversal and it is tough. That’s when you question faith and you realize life may not be fair nor kind.

Do our experiences and choices as we go through life prepare us for what’s to come? I like to think so. In my case, I like to think that learning to push through physical discomfort makes me stronger mentally. I like to thing that training to be tough, embrace the discomfort and confront it head on without letting it defeat me will help me be strong in these challenging life events.

What about you? Have you been confronted with painful challenges which you don’t feel you have any control but have to hold on, be strong, and hope you know when it is time to make the right choice?

Let’s eat something sweet. Coconut Cacao Squares.

Tuck this recipe away for the holidays.  A delicious treat for parties and to make up a sweet tray.

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About 20 minutes to prepare with a total bake time of 45 to 50 minutes.  Makes 28 squares.

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Ingredients for the base:  Line a 9 x 13” baking pan with parchment extended up the sides.  Preheat oven to 350 F.

  • 1 yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup canola oil

Mix all the above and spread into the prepared pan.  Bake for 18 – 20 minutes.

Ingredients for filling:

  • 3 large eggs
  • 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 TBS unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup cacao nibs
  • 3 1/2 cups coconut

Reduce oven heat to 325 F and when the base is cooked, you will want to allow to cool for 5 minutes before topping with the following filling.

Mix the eggs with the milk, vanilla, flour, sugar, salt, butter.  Gently stir in the cacao nibs. Fold in 3 cups of the coconut.  Spread on the hot base then sprinkle on the 1/2 cup remaining coconut.  Bake for 30 to 35 minutes more.  Allow to cool and set before cutting into squares.

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Tender and sweet.

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Are you going to try any new holiday recipes this year or stick to the old tried and true? 

 

Coconut Cacao Squares
Recipe Type: snack
Author: Joanne
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 24
Tender and sweet. Keep this one on file for holiday treats.
Ingredients
  • 1 yellow cake mix
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • Mix all the above and spread into the prepared pan. Bake for 18 – 20 minutes.
  • Ingredients for filling:
  • 3 large eggs
  • 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 TBS unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup cacao nibs
  • 3 1/2 cups coconut
Instructions
  1. Ingredients for the base: Line a 9 x 13” baking pan with parchment extended up the sides. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Reduce oven heat to 325 F and when the base is cooked, you will want to allow to cool for 5 minutes before topping with the following filling.
  3. Mix the eggs with the milk, vanilla, flour, sugar, salt, butter. Gently stir in the cacao nibs. Fold in 3 cups of the coconut. Spread on the hot base then sprinkle on the 1/2 cup remaining coconut. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes more. Allow to cool and set before cutting into squares.

Joanne

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