The Year That Was Without Chocolate

I am looking forward to waking up tomorrow. I have just spent the whole year without chocolate.

YES! You read right > the whole of 2013 I did not put one piece of chocolate into my mouth. Including anything chocolate flavoured, no cappuccino's because of the chocolate sprinkle, no chocolate cakes, chocolate chips, nothing. The closest I got was accidentally inhaling some cocoa from Aston's chocolate flavoured milk.

It was really an interesting process, I learnt a lot about my own habits of enjoying this delicious treat. Needless to say, I am super proud of my achievement. I would never say "I can't believe that I did it" because my mind was so set, there was no way that I was not going to achieve it. This is a great way to enter into 2014 knowing that once I set my mind to something, I can achieve it.

#1 habit broken. You've had a busy day, you've been working, doing the kid thing, you pop to the service station or super market, and that oh-so convenient chocolate bar rack on the way out, well I learnt that apart from chewing gum or lollipops, your only option really is chocolate, and I used to love that little treat because it was so well earned. I stopped searching for other options about 5 months in. And don't desire 'a treat' at the cash register now. I don't even look twice now at the snacks available.

Desserts and cakes, it was nice being able to say no because it was made of or with chocolate. It was nice to have a reason to reject these things. It was nice to also explore a new world of baking without chocolate. Starting my healthy living journey in June also coincided nicely with my abstinence to the lovely chocolate treat. My mum never got used to the not-eating-chocolate thing, and only offered me one just the other day. "Maybe next year mum" was my response.

I had dreams of eating chocolate and freaking out about it. Easter was interesting and I did manage to get through it (can you believe it!!) mostly without freaking out. My monthly sugar cravings were fulfilled with jelly lollies. And eventually they have subsided too. I did also learn a lot about when I was craving chocolate and why. These regular cravings have pretty much disappeared too.

The hardest part has actually been the last couple of weeks. The joy (stress) of Christmas, and the family enjoying some chocolate lately, oh my gosh, I have felt some craving for the sweet stuff. BUT I am happy to say that I have a stash ready including some super special chocolate all the way from Belgium and the Swiss alps.

This was not a new years resolution, I made a decision to fast chocolate for a year. Fasting as part of my beliefs, to give up something as a sacrifice to build my Faith.

Right now I am not confident in myself to fully resist the regular temptation of chocolate. I was a 2 blocks in my grocery shop type of girl. I am a little scared to not have the restriction on myself and I really will have to administer self control now when it does come to the chocolate decision. With all the above said, I think I can do it! Here's to a happy new year!

Marvellous Creations

My favourite indulgence are the new range of treaties from Cadbury.

They are scrumdiddlyumscious!

Yummy Cadbury choc, with jelly bits, like jelly baby bits but jellier, and cruchie bits through.

And here we have jelly, popping candy and beanies.

A nice surprise with the popping candy, beanies, like Smarties but with Cadbury chocolate, so you get the crunch of the sugar shell, with the beloved jelly bits too.

There is another flavour that they are yet to release in a bar... sneaky Cadbury!! Oh and to conclude, my favourite is definitely the top one.

Both these photos are taken in my car: nothing like driving and enjoying a treat at the same time.

Just my little indulgence. My little time out. 

Whats your indulgence? Anything scrumptious for some time out?

Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes

Anything with crushed candy canes in the batter at this time of the year is a good thing. Plus earlier this year I fell in love with mocha cupcakes. So when I saw this recipe, I just had to try it.

 

Mocha Chocolate Goodness

Candy Cane Fun

 

Ready For The Oven

Lots Of Little Goodness

Super Sweet Treats

I found the recipe here. And by no means went 'all out' as you will see if you click on the link. I did a simple butter icing with peppermint essence. Sprinkled crushed candy canes on top with a M&M to top it off.

They were lovely. I guess we are always our own worst critic. The only thing I would change is to make them in bigger paper cups. They were about a 2 to3 bite size, but not big enough to really enjoy the cake underneath the icing. I like to have the mocha flavour come through more, so next time I would use less peppermint in the icing, if any. Or a stronger coffee in the mix. 

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Brownies

Set a plate of these on the table and if you are surrounded by sweet lovers, be sure to move fast as these won't last long. 

This recipe can be found on taste.com.au, which is my go-to site for any recipe I would be searching for. When you find a good thing you stick to it. 

I can't say I am a HUGE fan of peanut butter BUT these are still a tasty treat. Well and truly for the peanut butter lovers. The base to this brownie is brilliant though. It had the right amount of crunch and goo. I think this might be a stable base for any brownie I want to attempt. I think I will try chocolate chunks with roasted hazelnuts... I want to try a Christmas brownie too; I'm thinking pistachios and dried cranberries with coconut. Would glazed cherries work? Would love any feedback...

M is for Mocha Cupcakes

I have missed baking but with a baby shower to prepare for, I was happy at home in the kitchen once more.

There is just one simple word to describe these - Y U M !

Made with melted dark chocolate and coffee powder, I was unsure how these were going to turn out. The mixture was very runny and I wondered if they were even going to rise. Sure enough within the last 15 minutes of cooking they came to form. I made them regular cupcake size.
My cupcakes were made with chocolate butter cream icing as I felt this would be better for the look I wanted.

Here is the link to this delicious recipe
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/21395/baby+mocha+cakes+with+coffee+syrup

Chocolate Brownies Round 2

It was only a few months ago that I made chocolate brownies for the 1st time. Unsuccessful and dry. This is the 2nd time I have made chocolate brownies and there is a little story to my success.

Fresh from the oven these were gooey and moreish. Chilled and served the next day the inards had a fudge like consistancy (so maybe just a little undercooked?). I added hazelnuts and used milk chocolate instead of dark. I am not 100% convinced that I have achieved the perfect brownie though.

Or am I?

There is a little story to go along with these little devines. This was a Jamie Oliver recipe. With my mixed butters* already melting, I had already committed to the recipe when I realise that I did not have all the ingrediants to complete the recipe to the 'T'. So this was a balls up and the result were uncertain, but the taste testers over the weekend were impressed; so maybe a balls up gone very well.

*The recipe required unsalted butter, which I was only able to use half unsalted, the rest regular. Caster sugar = ran out after half the quantity... so caster sugar and then topped up with white sugar. Dark chocolate - ah no, so milk chocolate this time.

Jamie Oliver Bloomin' Brilliant Brownies

Here is the link for the recipe, after reading others reviews it seems that substituting for this recipe is normal. I think I might add some cherries and chocolate chunks next time. Too much?