Puddin' Cups

So your craving chocolate, and to make it even worse your grocery shopping!  This is like a horror movie!  All eyes are on your basket, “what will she put in her basket” (I told you people watched what you put in there!)  You’re trying not to look at the candy bars, the chocolate syrup, the hot chocolate, the chocolaty cereal, and the COOKIEEEEEEESSSSSSS.  Let’s face it, we all have an inner cookie monster in us, and if you deny it, you’re lying.  But wait, you still haven’t gotten past the ice cream isle!  You’re not in the clear yet!  So my mom asked me, “Nikky, what can I eat that is chocolate that won’t be terribly bad for me?”  My first thought...well all the experts agree chocolate is good for you!  I mean right?!  Yea, Okay, I HEAR YOU RED!  In proper portions, doesn’t Red get on your nerves?  So I bit my cheek and I said, “Pudding cups.”  Here’s my reason, they are pre-packed, so you can eat one and get the desire out of your system, plus, when your done, there isn’t a gazillion other cookies or a whole pan of brownies still staring you down, “eat me eat me eat me!”  Your liking how I think right?

So MY battle of the grocery store will start tonight while I’m trying to decide on meals, and budgets, and then the shopping.  The problem I face EVERY WEEK is that all the junky crap is 1. Easier   2. Cheaper. Why would anyone in their right mind want to buy all the healthy stuff when it’s not as convenient and its more expensive!  Tsk Tsk.   I do of course know the answer, it’s better for you silly!  And truth be told, it does make you feel better too!  Just like exercising (yuck) releases endorphins that make you feel good when you’re done, I think salad does something like that too.  I have found that if I have a salad instead of a burger for example, I am more likely going to feel like going for a walk, weird?   

I have found that home-made croutons make eating salad more enjoyable!  Save your bread crusts and any rolls or breads, I store mine in the freezer, then when you’re ready take them out and let them thaw, cube them, put them in a large bowl and drizzle lightly with olive oil.  Mix it up well so they are nice and coated, then sprinkle on your favorite spices, anything goes!  Mix well. Spread out on baking sheet, and bake at 350 for maybe 20 minutes!  Store in gallon bags, and serve on top of any salad!  Also fun to munch on for a snack!

Tonight I’m going to raise my spoon to pudding cups and croutons!  Hold the salad please!  J