chocolate makes the world go round

Someday I’m going to learn to bite my tongue – hard.

It seemed like a perfectly acceptable thing to tell the Husband this morning that I was starting to go a little “stir crazy” with Cabin Fever.

Someone should have stopped me because this snow day was anything BUT low key.

Today was one of those days where if I was a drinker, I’d have pulled out the wine by 11 AM and not looked back. Thankfully, I’m not a drinker because I had some driving to do today.

My day started innocently enough – my niece and nephew came over to keep me on my toes company while my sister went off to a doctor’s appointment. Between my already pounding head and no patience whatsoever, it didn’t really make for the best babysitting time. I probably could have won the Worst Aunt of the Year Award in no time.

Clearly they are not phased and love me anyways, but still – I stunk today.

 
Then at about 11 AM, for the third morning in a row, Charlie threw up his breakfast. All of his breakfast. My goofball pup also threw up two socks yesterday. Did I forget to mention that?

Needless to say, I got scared. Does everyone remember my history with sock lovin’ doggies?

Meet Duffy Jr.

After an hour in the vet, three x-rays, and $200 later, it is determined that Charlie’s intestines look “suspicious”.

SDLKFSEDKJWEOIRUEWR (frustration inserted there)

What is suspicious exactly? Suspicious means Charlie will most likely have to have surgery tomorrow morning because of an intestinal blockage.

Stupid sock lovin’ pup. Goodbye dreams of a vacation in 2011 – doggie surgery doesn’t come cheap.

As mad as I am that Charlie thinks my casual socks are treats, I’m also really sad. He won’t eat, looks pathetic, and is curled up on the couch next to me sleeping with a fever. I feel like a bad mom.

Thankfully, I have the cure to the “my dog ate my socks and now has to have surgery” sadness. It comes in the form of chocolate – because everyone needs a little chocolate, right?

Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cookies (inspired by Eat, Drink, and Be Vegan)

• 1 cup oats
• 1/3 cup sweet sorghum flour
• 1/3 cup GF all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 banana, smashed
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 – 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

Directions: Begin by gathering your dry ingredients. You might want to place them on a cutting board and slowly walk to your guest room where light is good and take a pretty picture before getting started. Pray you don’t drop it on the floor.

Combine your dry ingredients in a large bowl and lightly whisk together.

Today’s recipe included another great gluten free flour I have never used before – sorghum flour! Swanson Health Products also sent me this flour to try out and review as well.  Of course, I have to tell you what a steal it is to buy this flour from Swanson – $2.91 for the 22 oz. bag of flour! I’ve bought many gluten free products in my day, and this is a great deal.

After your dry ingredients are mixed together, add your banana, applesauce, vanilla, and maple syrup. Begin by adding 1/4 cup applesauce and gradually increase the amount if needed. The batter should be a little thicker than muffins – it has a much different consistency than regular cookies.

Using a large spoon, divide the batter into 16 equal cookie and place on a nonstick baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-13 minutes and let sit for 3-5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

I loved the addition of the sorghum flour in these cookies – it was a successful first time using it!

If you have no self control like me when it comes to chocolate, you might burn off half of your taste buds eating one of these straight from the oven.

That’s okay – just remember the day you’ve had.

Sometimes a girl just needs some chocolate to forget her troubles – Worst Aunt of the Year? You mean BEST aunt of the year, right?

My dog is going to get cut open tomorrow to get foreign objects taken out of him?

It’s a good thing you can’t get drunk off of chocolate.

I’d be wasted by now.

Question: What is your go to comfort food?

Disclaimer: The product which Swanson Health Products sent to me was complimentary in exchange for a review. All ideas and opinions towards the company and product are purely my own.

Tagged as: bad day, baking, bob's red mill, chocolate, dog surgery, product review, review, special diet, Swanson Health Products, sweet sorghum flour