Would you believe that Christmas is not my favorite holiday?
I know its weird, but as much as I love Christmas, I really
LOVE Easter. It’s even more than the chocolate (omg chocolate), flowers,
precious bunnies, ham dinners, pretty clothes, and promise of spring. As a
lover of Jesus, Easter is a reminder that God loved me so much He wouldn’t live
eternity without me. He just wouldn’t, so He died, and then to prove His love
even more He came back to life. We will be together forever; nothing can keep
us apart.
How’s that for a love story?
So yeah, Easter is my favorite holiday, and this year I have
a lot to celebrate (new job, people to love, healthy). Comparatively, this is
not my weirdest Easter….I’m excited for a normal one. The weirdest Easter I spent
in the Dominican Republic when I was 12. The day before, the people had broken
their Lent fast, so they were partying in the streets outside of the compound
where we staying. There was so. much. alcohol. The noise was astounding with
every car radio turned all the way up, the bass rocking cars and shaking the
air. Then the police officers with machine guns showed up. The next day we had
our “Easter Egg Hunt” (really plastic eggs filled with American candy my mom
had smuggled past TSA). I had a new dress I had bought from a vendor on the
beach. Mom and Dad devised a game so the kid to find the hidden Reese’s egg
would get to pick what activity the whole family did for the day. My brother
found it, so we spent that entire day on the beach. Definitely not typical
Easter behavior, but still a sweet memory. For the two years I was away at
school in the South, Easter was spent with friends who lovingly took in the
homeless Northern girl for a weekend. Let me just say that Virginia ham is
EVERYTHING it is cracked up to be. The pickled watermelon rind, however, is
not. I have some very sweet memories of playing cornhole with friends on a
beautiful Southern Sunday, eating fried chicken and jelly beans (not together,
of course).
This year, I’m home. No machine guns, no watermelon rinds,
and definitely missing some friends in VA. I am, however, playing Martha
Stewart and making Easter breakfast tomorrow. Also, in honor of my friends in
the D.R., I am making those Reese’s eggs, but healthy style. Hold on to your
bonnets, people. These peanut buttery eggs are GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!
S.J.’s Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Eggs (vegan)
½ cup natural, creamy peanut butter
½ cup whole grain, peanut butter cereal (I used multigrain
Peanut Butter cheerios, but any other PB cereal should do).
½ tsp. vanilla
2 packets of stevia
1 (3.5oz) bar of quality chocolate (I used 72% dark
Ghiradelli because I know its vegan).
Optional: sprinkles
1) In
a plastic bag or food processor, grind the cereal until it’s is a fine powder.
The consistency should be finer than your average bread crumbs. Blend in the
stevia. In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, vanilla, and cereal mix until
it has the consistency of a soft dough.
2) Form
dough into egg shapes, and place on a wax paper-covered plate. Freeze for at
least an hour, or until eggs are firm.
3) In
the microwave or over a double-broiler, melt the chocolate. You could temper
the chocolate if you want; that will keep the eggs from melting later on. Once
melted, dip the eggs into the chocolate. The easiest way to dunk them is by
using a spoon to dunk and lifting them out with a fork. If desired, sprinkle with…well, sprinkles!
Freeze until ready to serve.
I dare Reeses to make something as cute, delicious, and
healthy as this.
HAPPY EASTER, PEEPS!!!!!!
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