Decadence and moderation

Let’s talk about moderation friends (this talk will be followed by a decadent recipe, so hang in there! ).

I’m a big fan of moderation.  I believe that’s what makes a healthy diet and a healthy life!  I can’t even imagine how sad my life would be if I said “sugar is evil and I will never ever eat it again!”  I love love love to bake (and eat said baked goods)!  Never eat a cupcake, brownie, cookie again?  No way!  That makes me sad just thinking about it!!

Decadence can be a part of a healthy lifestyle.  It’s okay to indulge your sweet tooth(or your salty tooth if you don’t like sweets- I have to say though, I don’t trust anyone who says they don’t like sweets or desserts! (kidding!) )  Let’s NOT think of this as “cheating” or “being bad”!  Food is not the enemy and it’s not healthy to think of it as being such.  We’re not just talking about dietary health here, but mental health as well.  When we start demonizing food we’re playing a dangerous mental game!

On a daily basis I like to minimize added oils and sugars because that’s what makes me feel my best and healthiest (plus added fats tend to wreck my stomach if I don’t moderate them!).  But when I want to indulge, I indulge!  If there’s a decadent cake or cookie recipe I am dying to try I go for it!  Denying yourself the things you love is another one of those dangerous mental games!  I don’t do this on a daily basis so indulging in a treat occasionally is even more amazing because it becomes something special- I savor it and enjoy it!

Enough lecturing, let’s talk about this recipe!  Chocolate + peanut butter= true love forever!  The combination has never done me wrong and this recipe is no exception!  This is absolutely decadent and one of those things that you want to just sit and savor every single bite!  And this recipe freezes well, so it’s easy to portion these out and wrap them individually and put them in the freezer!  Let’s get to it, shall we?

Peanut Butter Chocolate Graham Bars
(Print this recipe!)

Ingredients:
for the bars:
1 1/2 cups organic peanut butter
2 cups graham crackers, crushed
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup earth balance, melted
1 tsp vanilla

for the frosting:
1 cup chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons coconut oil (or use earth balance if you don’t have coconut oil)

Directions:
Grease an 8 x 8 pan or line with parchment paper.

Combine grahams, melted butter, and peanut butter.

Stir in powdered sugar (slowly so you don’t get covered in it!) and vanilla.

Press mixture into pan.

Place in refrigerator while you’re making your frosting.

Prepare your frosting by melting together in microwave or double boiler the chocolate chips and coconut oil.

Spread frosting over the top of the PB mixture and place back in fridge until chocolate is firm.

Slice into small squares and enjoy!  P.S. be careful taking them out of the pan- they can be a little crumbly.

Don’t forget to savor every last bite!