Call me a rebel. Call me a “whole foods” hypocrite. Call me unhealthy.
Whatever you want to say or think. I don’t care. Last night, I take sole responsibility for my actions and I am not apologizing for them. It went something like this:
1. I found a recipe in Bon Appétit magazine that left me craving SWEETS!
2. I wrote down that recipe and headed to the grocer’s candy aisle (this is called being a motivated eater…something I try to counsel people NOT to do)
3. I picked out reese cups, butterfingers, and dark chocolate M&M’s…OH MY (Processed candy bars?? Yea. That’s right).
4. I came home, unloaded my loot, and I almost backed out!! I ALMOST couldn’t do it…but eventually I said, “what the hell, afterall…it is technically homemade.” (This where I would normally tell someone to fight the craving…drink some water, go for walk, etc).
5. I patiently waited as THIS hardened in the fridge, took my photos for the blog, and began to chop!! (This is the point that I tell people, NOT to bake when hungry or experiencing a craving…leads you to do things you don’t normally do).
6. Each taste was heaven, all wrapped up in a candy bark concoction! (Phew, walked away eating 2 pieces, at least I still have my natural eating skills to fall back on!)
If you are anywhere near that time of the month...THIS is the ticket to making yourself whole again. Not that I want you to feed your emotions with chocolate...but with THIS dessert...it couldn't hurt! (That is the chocolate talking at this point...)
So like I said, call me what you want. Maybe I didn’t follow my own advice. So what? All I know is I enjoyed the sweet sensations coming from this “Halloween Peanut Butter and Toffee Candy Bark,” (minus the toffee) thoroughly. I savored every teensy morsel. It was divine.
Now, some of you may be thinking…so what was all that eat and eat well stuff? Trust me, I’m not trying to lose credibility or be a hypocrite. I still believe in a whole foods diet!
I am simply trying to show you that life happens! You cannot be perfect ALL the time and processed foods WILL happen. As I have said before, it is what you do consistently over time that matters most. As long as 90% of your diet isn’t McDonald’s drive thru or the freezer section at the grocery store, small treats like this every now and then aren’t going to make you unhealthy. Just enjoy it and move on; and THAT is what moderation is all about.
Are you ready for the recipe??
Anytime Peanut Butter Candy Bark adapted from august 2010 edition of Bon Appétit Magazine
- 1/2 lb milk chocolate chips.
- 3-4 fun size butterfingers (yes this will require you to get a bag that as MORE than 3-4); chopped finely.
- 4 (0.55 oz) Reese cups (although more is always better in the PB and chocolate department); chopped.
- 1/4 c. honey roasted peanuts (TRUST ME, this is the BEST part).
- 1-2 oz white chocolate (pick a high quality variety like Lindt).
Directions:
- Get out your foil and line a baking sheet with it.
- Pour melted chocolate over foil and spread to ~ 1/4″ thickness.
- Sprinkle Reeses, Butterfingers, and nuts over chocolate, making sure that the candy is adhering to the chocolate (otherwise it won’t stick properly).
- Now go melt your white chocolate, take a spoon, dip it in the chocolate, and wave it back and forth over the bark so it looks pretty!
- Scatter the M&Ms to add a little color, pressing in to the melted chocolate so it sticks, and pop in the fridge for 30-60 minutes.
- Wait patiently.
- Remove from fridge, peel off foil, and cut bark in to irregular pieces! Serve yourself 1-2 pieces and place it back in the fridge to enjoy another day!!
Nutritional Profile: Not applicable.
QUESTION: Would you try making this recipe?
[...] I have written plenty of posts about eating well and how it is okay to include most foods in moderation; [...]
Oh my goodness this looks so good. It reminds me of this other recipe, that I can’t recall the title of, but you take rice chex, cheerios, pretzels, peanuts, m&m’s, mix it together, and then pour melted white chocolate over it. Love the savory and sweet mixed together.
Thanks for being real about this, Erin. I got a nasty blog comment just yesterday that pretty much accused me of being a shoddy excuse for a raw chef, because I posted about eating a snack that apparently contains a minute amount of autolyzed yeast extract, a form of MSG. I couldn’t believe someone had the gaul to criticize me for that, especially when I’m working so hard on eating well and exercising.
Your post makes me feel better, though, and reinforces my already-strong beliefs in dietary FLEXIBILITY and focusing on “the big picture.” So thank you for that!
Btw, I had no idea you’re doing P90X too! And how cool that we’re on the exact same schedule – today was my week 3, day 2
Thanks so much for letting me know how your results are going so far. It’s really encouraging to me. I hope some semi-invisible physiological changes are taking place with me too, and that the number on the scale will soon follow. Congrats on your progress so far!
Yum! I would try making this recipe but then I would put it in the freezer after I had my piece. Hopefully out of sight, out of mind.
Great artical, I unfortunately had some problems printing this artcle out, The print formating looks a little screwed over, something you might want to look into.
LOVE THIS! This is why I love reading your blog – yes, you’re a nutritionist and are great at keeping us all honest, giving us great advice, etc. BUT after reading this, I love ya even more. Means you are human too. I mean who could realistically avoid trying this recipe?? It is UNREAL!! Now I must try it, and try it soon…maybe I’ll wait until “that” time of the month, as you suggest. YUM!
That’s awesome!!!! Was considering making something yummy like that yesterday! didn’t have the ingredients for the monster cookies I wanted to make!!
I would totally make this—and this is one of the reasons I believe in “everything in moderation” and not putting nutritional labels (like vegan, etc) on myself!
Looks super fab!
Oh moderation-so tough when staring at something like that!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Apron Flings, Erin Coates. Erin Coates said: Peanut butter and toffee candy bark anyone? http://thehealthyapron.com/2011/01/13/this-is-what-moderation-is-all-about/ [...]
I think a “Heck Yes” answers your question.
My super long work days has definitely got me craving more sweets, but so far I’ve been good…but I maaaay just have to make this
Holy Moly! Ok, I am coming to your place for a nibble. it will my tummy, but look at these colors, the crunch, the chocolate…..omg.
Thanks for giving us all a little bit of no cal sweetness through your pics
xxoo
PS your allowed to treat yourself
Erin,
WHY are you doing this to me. A poor, unsuspecting pregnant girl. That is now drooling over the keyboard. Please, overnight some to me, lol. LOOKS AMAZING!!!
It looks good but I just ate a couple squares of dark chocolate with sea salt
It’s hard not to eat the whole bar!
Oh my god, I would eat the whole pan! Everything in moderation is fine, though. And hey, if you’re going to have sweets, this looks pretty darn good
Aaaah, even though I’m not a huge chocolate candy fan, give me anything with peanut butter or simply sweet + salty and I’m all over it. Looks fab.
Ohhhh my goodness. How could anybody resist this?!?
Yep, moderation is enjoy and moving on. And I want to try some moderation on this stuff! HOLYY YUMMMM!
You rock my socks! Awesome recipe, I’d definitely try it. When the time of the month chocolate cravings hit, there’s no turning back! It’s a good feeling to be able to step away after satisfying a craving too, if only to avoid a stomach ache.
Your title says it ALL: this is what moderation is all about! I would definitely try that recipe!
For me, one of the biggest parts of living healthy is learning how to moderate and balance your eating. Can anyone eat ONLY healthy and whole foods for the rest of their life? Maybe. But where’s the fun in that?!
<3
Yes! I love this! I love this because it looks amazing, but even more I love this because you practice what you preach! You inspire people to take care of their bodies and their spirits. I love the healthy attitude you espouse here. It brings me such encouragement. Thanks for sharing, sweet girl! Have a terrific Thursday.
Moderation is key and I don’t see a problem with indulging once in a while. I would absolutely make this recipe!
There is NOTHING wrong with a little indulgence now and then, and this sure looks like a perfect one.
Vive le moderation and boo to deprivation!!!!
Have a great day.
Looks delicious! I see nothing wrong with it…I indulge a little everyday!
I like seeing that you (and everyone else) can indulge a bit at times! I definitely would make this- love Reese’s!
This is definitely something I’d make, but I don’t know that I’d be able to walk away after 2 pieces! That is something I’d love to be able to do. Good to know that you aren’t always a “perfect” eater:-)
I am so glad that you shared this because the message really resonates with me. Its not about 100%, nothing really is. Small treats here and there are a part of life and more so, enjoying life! The bark looks delicious but if I make it I will bring it to work to share with colleagues so I can stick to the moderation part.
Ah perfection all melted together. That’s sort of the idea behind my christmas bark- just melt the candy bark and throw goodness on top. Awesome!
We all have these moments. Whatever, it happens.
I would make this in a heartbeat. And then eat it just as quickly.
This looks scrumptious! Though lately I’ve been struggling with moderation. Maybe once I realize I can enjoy this without eating the entire pan (in a mind numbing binge) I’ll make and enjoy these bars in healthy moderation!
PS I’m super glad that you haven’t quit your blog because I really appreciate everything you post about and especially your super sweet comments. I love that you post posts like this one because it helps me realize I don’t have to have an all or nothing approach to food.
heck ya I would try that recipe! I am not scared! haha!! Indulging at times is healthy for our minds!!
For some reason your email doesn’t show when I try to reply to you! Boo!
I’m a Dietitian too =) I just haven’t been able to finish the registration process for my internship b/c the USMC has moved my husband and I every 6-12 months… and are about to move us again!
You’re entirely correct, I don’t eat much during the day… I used to when I was working hectic 40-50 hour weeks, but now that i’m stuck in the middle of nowhere in NC with no kids, few friends, and a frozen vehicle, I don’t burn many calories like I used to. So my daily caloric needs are so much lower than they used to be! It trips me up all the time how i’m satisfied on coffee, fruit and yogurt for hours. Thats just one day-in-the-life though, it varies quite a bit. I keep trying to post my food diary posts on different days to show a more accurate depiction of how I eat. I just cant get over my clementine obsession =)
Thanks love,
xoXOxo
jenn
haha, yes!! I would definitely try making this recipe!! It looks AMAZING!
I love bark, especially when it’s loaded with lots of goodies. I agree that recipes like this are what moderation is all about. What’s life without a little chocolate?? 
Hahaha I LOVE this!! Like you said, there’s nothing wrong with sweets once in a while, and this sounds like a fab way to satisfy a sweet tooth! I love your perspective on moderation. I also gave you a Stylish Blogger Award on my blog today, so check it out! http://bit.ly/fAN7n6
love this post!! i’m glad you enjoyed it
That looks epic, though I probably wouldn’t make it. I’m a little scared of m&ms since binging on almost 12 ounces of them at my brother’s wedding. I did this because I was hungry because I skipped the unhealthy reception food. Real smart.
Also, I’d rather make cookies or brownies
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I have a friend that would DIE for a bite of this! She has quite the sweet tooth
I think moderation is important! I just choose nachos over sweets 