Sunday, May 6, 2012

Why I Love Once Upon A Time



I read and watched fairy tales growing up the same way every other little girl did. To be honest, I often loved the dog versions (Lady & The Tramp) more than the princess ones.  Nevertheless, I took in the concept of a fairy tale. As children, it’s acceptable to believe in fairy tales; In fact it’s often encouraged. Yet, somewhere down the road we’re expected to lose sight of fairy tales and focus on reality. However, in my mind this world might be a slightly better place if we all took the time to read a fairy tale once in awhile.

The world is a complex place and we don’t have any form of magic to turn to. On a daily basis we confront good and evil. Whether it’s from a specific individual or just the obstacles life throws at us. Yet, how often has that best friend who answers your call at 3 AM or the mom who is always there for you, feel like a fairy godmother? The term fairy tale is often used too loosely to describe a fairy tale wedding, etc. I would love a fairy tale wedding just as much as any girl and believe they happen every single day.  Does that mean I believe in “ And They Lived Happily Ever After?” The answer would be no.  A fairy tale can’t be focused on one event; it has to be focused on the moments that occur every single day.  No one is guaranteed a happily ever after. Yet, what we are guaranteed is the opportunity to live everyday striving and working for what makes us happy. There are going to be ups and downs and plenty of obstacles to achieve our happiness, but sometimes it only takes the perfect pair of shoes, a special note or the favorite song on the radio to make us realize the power of our happiness.  In my mind happiness is the true magic of a fairytale and that is something you don’t need a magic wand to find.

I try to live every day with an optimistic view. However, an optimist can also be a realist.  Being happy is not just about a state of mind; it’s about our actions.  We have to fight for our happiness because otherwise there are plenty of people or events that will gladly try and take it away from you.

I love watching Once Upon A Time, because although it’s completely fiction, it reminds me of the true meaning of a fairy tale every time I watch it and sometimes, just sometimes, it really is the little moments that make all of the difference.

In my world, sometime it just takes a cookie to transform the power of a day and you will never hear me doubt the power of a stick of butter, chocolate, sugar and a little bit of love to put a guaranteed smile on someone’s face.  So to put a smile on your face I’m sharing my current favorite cookie recipe for Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pretzel Cookies.  I dare you to tell me you didn’t smile just reading that.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pretzel Cookies

This cookie recipe takes basic chocolate chip cookie dough and swaps out the chocolate chips with pretzels and peanut butter cups.


Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups chopped peanut butter cups (I love the dark chocolate Trader Joe’s variety)
2 cups chopped pretzels

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter and sugar and cream until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla to mixture. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients. Add to the wet ingredients and blend until smooth. Add the chopped peanut butter cups and pretzels and blend in by hand.  

By rounded tablespoon size, place on a prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 -13 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and serve.