Things to do the day after a tough Orgo exam:
1. Come home and listen to Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger.” Dance around your apartment a little. Repeat. 8 times.
2. Tweet with JL and Evan about it.
3. Set you alarm for 20 whole minutes later than usual. Spend those minutes lounging in bed in these.
4. Read this beautiful tribute to the great John Leonard. Feel pangs of nostalgia for your old life.
5. Spend a little time with people who deserve some Valentine’s Day company. Kids make the best Valentines of all!
6. Come home again from four hours at the library, looking forward to a hot date with the new remake of Jane Eyre.
6. Be instantly reminded that you are a post-bacc student, and cannot watch movies on weeknights. Or, um, ever. Compromise instead by allowing yourself to re-read a few passages of the book as you dig into a nutrient dense salad for dinner. Remember the way you held your breath the first time you ever read these lines:
“I am not an angel,’ I asserted; ‘and I will not be one till I die: I will be myself. Mr. Rochester, you must neither expect nor exact anything celestial of me – for you will not get it, any more than I shall get it of you: which I do not at all anticipate.”
7. Take a minute to thank all of your smart, compassionate, and tough-minded reader’s for making yesterday’s discussion so damn good. You guys rock.
8. At some point between 7 hours of labs, 4 hours of pediatrics, an hour of gym, a few hours of blog work, and bedtime, take a mere 10 minutes to make these little guys.
Because in the great words of L’Oreal: You’re worth it.
10 Minute, Raw Vegan Chocolate Covered Strawberries (raw, vegan, gluten free, soy free)
Makes 12 Large Strawberries
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
6 tbsp raw cacao powder
1/4 cup agave syrup
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp sea salt
12 large strawberries
NB: If your coconut oil needs melting, melt it gently for this recipe. You do not want to heat overheat it, or the chocolate sauce won’t be smooth. Melt it over a very low flame, and only until melted, or store in a warm place so that it melts naturally!
1) Whisk together oil, agave, and vanilla. Add them to cacao and salt, and whisk together until smooth.
2) Dip strawberries in mixture till well coated, and lay on a foil lined sheet.
3) Refridgerate for at least 30 minutes before serving (so OK, maybe these aren’t a 10 minute dessert, but they only take 10 minutes to make!).
4) Try not to finish them. Or don’t try.
In a way, these are “cheater’s” chocolates, because true raw chocolate making usually involves cacao butter. But to be honest? They’re no less delicious than they would be if you made them some fancier way. And oh-so-easy. Usually, on the day after an Orgo exam, easy sounds just about right.
9. Make a reservation for yoga in the morning. Because your hips and back are worth it, too.
10. Wish all of your lovely readers a sweet, sweet Valentine’s Day.
xo
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Your chocolate recipe made a very nice treat on our strawberries tonight. Was equally delicious on slices of sweet pears. My husband thanks you, too, for this excellent recipe!
Raw chocolate covered strawberries-I am in love with this recipe Gena!
Happy belated Valentine’s Day! I heard the Jane Eyre remake is amazing. I hope both of us find time to watch it soon!
Must. See. Jane. Eyre. And eat these strawberries while watching.
PS My breath caught too. ๐
Very cute post! Very much enjoyed it! ๐
Congrats on finishing the exam, and yes, you are so worth it! Keep on taking great care of that superstar you.
love
Ela
comment got eaten like a berry there… anyhow love coconut oil chocolate! I don’t consider that cheating at all, only carob would be a cheat if you called it chocolate.
Glad you found a way to celebrate and love yourself, an important thing for all of us to do.
You are awesome, lovely Gena! Really loved this post ๐ Take care xx
This is SUCH a cute post. And those strawberries look divine. ๐
Loved this post, Gena!! Glad you got 20 extra minutes of sleep time. ๐ The strawberries look outstanding. I was literally just thinking if you could make a chocolate sauce that would set, without melting chocolate chips. I figured it could be done and then sat down and saw this! xo
Ooh yummy! I totally had this in mind for V day with my sweetie but because I was traveling to get to him it didn’t happen. I’ll enjoy your pics instead lol.
oh my. i am worth this haha! i can’t believe it only takes a few mins! tempering chocolate is kind of a chore and so sensitive so i’ll have to try the coconut oil shell trick!
Great post, I’m digging list posts lately. ๐ The strawberries look amazing, must try soon!
Love this post. Happy Valentine’s Day!
I ordered coconut butter for the first time (had to online because, seriously, Durham Whole Foods does not carry any!!!!!!! – just the oil) because I am worth it ๐
Happy belated Valentine’s Day! Love this post! PS. I have those same exact PJ’S!!! I got them from GAP I think nearly 10+ years ago… they are so durable… love them. ๐
WOMAN, you are my long-lost friend. I completely and totally recommend rocking out to Kelly Clarkson post-ridiculous Orgo exam. I did the same after my Medical Nutrition Therapy exam. Unfortunately, my dancing did not bring me luck.
10 minute chocolate covered strawberries? SIGN ME UP. ๐
Happy Valentine’s Day lovely! Hope you’re on the up. Enjoy a few minutes to yourself to recover, eat those delectable strawberries and rub your temples from all that thinking! ๐
Hey Gena,
I’m a postbacc student true avid to live a healthy lifestyle through it. Do you manage to get a workout in every day?
I’d like to fit in a good workout 5 times a week, but it seems sometime like it’s undoable with all the studying that needs to be done and classes to go to.
What do you find works?
Hi Veronique!
First, congrats on trying to balance post-bacc life with health. It’s not an easy task!
I do workout every day — my vinyasa practice 3x weekly, and the gym the other four (cardio, body weight based strength training). I’m not a maniac about duration or intensity, and I don’t train for any races or such, but I do make sure to get there every day unless I’m sick or traveling. I find that it keeps me focused, healthy, and balanced throughout the stress of school.
My trick is simply to treat it like it’s not an option. I act as though it’s brushing my teeth, going to class, or getting dressed — simply an essential part of the day. Sometimes all I can do is 30 minutes, and that’s absolutely fine — I make the 30 minutes count. It’s not about every workout being stellar, but rather, establishing consistency.
I find that going first thing when I wake up is the easiest way to get it done. This means that sometimes I sacrifice a little bit of sleep, but the tradeoff is worth it!
G
I love this post! (and that song!) You remind us that there are so many simple, everyday pleasures that are joyful! I want those strawberries and I MUST see that movie — Jane Eyre remains a favorite book of all time for me! xo
mhmm made chocolate covered strawberries too last night. my vegan version was made from dark couverture plus a pinch of chili powder. what a GREAT match. turned out to be a bit too spicy after the 4th strawberry though..
I’m three degrees of separation from Johnny Depp because my friend sat next to Mia in a class once (she’s from Canberra, same as me). So I’m pretty much Johnny Depp’s mistress.
It’s awesome.
Isn’t it incredible when a few lines take your breath away? I once, on my blog, wrote the following (from A Love Letter To A Stray Moon) because it hit me deeply, scythingly (that’s a word in my head), and was amazed at how many other people it resonated with:
“The moon will not be patrolled and she shines free and fearless and there is no sin in anything that shines that fucking much.”
World doesn’t know anything better than these chocolate covered strawberries! Hurray for the vegan kind!
Love the berries and chocolate. Actually, I love just about anything with chocolate.
Enjoy yoga in the morning and happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy day of Love G! I hope you feel all the love from all your faithful readers. You are a gem. <3
Happy Valentine’s Day, friend. I enjoyed this little glimpse at the rest of your life. I too am a closet Kelly Clarkson fan. Girl can sing! Oh, and you also can’t watch movies when your book manuscript is due in 13 days. Shoot.
Happy V Day, Darlin’. Good luck with that deadline, you superhero!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
These strawberries look amazing. I’d love to try it with cherries too – those used to be my favorite!
Oh boy…if I remember correctly, I spent the entire day on the couch watching movies the day after my orgo final last spring. The day after my inorganic final this semester will probably look the same…expect that it will definitely include some of these strawberries!
If you invited me over, I could have helped you finish them AND we could have blasted Stronger together.
“What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter; footsteps even lighter. Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m aloooone”
Didn’t think that I’d come back / I come back swinging!
This song plays on the radio in my dorm bathroom like every day! Hahaha. Really enjoyed this sweet post ๐