Well folks, it’s only been a mere 6 weeks since the last of the Christmas cookies were bagged up and lying on the kitchen counter, still begging us to eat the last of the crumbs. We said we had our fill of pecan pies, eggnog, snowballs, and grandma’s caramel fudge. We vowed to make our resolution to lose the extra 10 pounds we gained over the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. We joined Curves, enlisted in Weight Watchers, and paid big money for a membership at the gym. We were off to a rocky start, but after a few relapses we finally got into the grove. Many of us, myself included, decided to just count calories and head to the gym at least three days a week.
Things were going pretty good, and I even noticed shedding a half of a pound. Then all of a sudden, the smell of chocolate was in the air; the Valentine Cupid hit the planet. This actually happened the other evening when my husband, Bill, decided to take me to the nearby Bob Evans after a hard day at work. He picked me up at the hospital where I work as a nurse and said, “How about dinner out tonight?” Since I had been eating salads for a week straight, a little something different really sounded good. I had every intention to pick a low-calorie entrée and shun the rolls. My mind was made up!
There was only one problem, as soon as we entered the restaurant the most heavenly aroma was coming off the walls, up through the floor boards, and it hung in the air like a rain-filled cloud ready to burst. We were quickly seated, and the first thing I asked the waitress was, “Is that chocolate we smell?” “Oh, yes,” she said, “the kitchen is baking up a fresh batch of our new chocolate bread pudding. Be sure to get some after your meal.” My first thought was to call the manager and complain, but before I could muster up the courage, my senses were delirious and saliva was welling up in my mouth. I noticed that most everyone around us was putting in their order for fear there would not be enough to go around.
The dinner was good, and we both chose our favorite; baked turkey and dressing with green beans. It was not the low fat entrée, but with a vow to take some home, we could do this. The side dish of fresh cranberries would be our usual dessert, and we would normally be on our way. But the conspiracy did not let up, and the chocolate aroma was even more intense as this heavenly dessert came out of the oven. “It’s only a very small serving,” the waitress told us, “and there is still enough for a serving or two.” When Bill mentioned that we should at least taste it in the event that I ever wanted to replicate it for my cookbook, the reasoning surpassed the reality. The decision was made, and before I knew it, this chocolate soaked cake with the warm cream cheese topping was slithering down my throat. Oh, man was it good! I think I even had the taste in my mouth the next morning.
I am still thinking of the warm soaked chocolate cake, and how wonderful it made me feel. No wonder Valentine’s Day and chocolate go hand in hand. They are both lovers of the soul. Okay, back to the salads; but does chocolate count anyway? Check out one of my favorites….Chocolate Cream Cheesecake.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Rosalie
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