New year, new school — and what a week it’s been. The boys have adjusted surprisingly well to their new routine, and I can actually feel the relief settling in.
One comment that lifted my spirits came from Melissa, who wrote, “It’s hard, but before you know it, they will adjust and be just fine. Kids are so resilient! It’s probably harder on mom. :-)” She nailed it — and that smiley face brightened my day. I received many other encouraging messages as well, and they all helped more than I can say.
To celebrate surviving the first hectic week, I made a candy recipe — my favorite kind of recipe and, arguably, my favorite food group. For some of us, candy definitely counts as a food group.
Orange Chocolate Coconut Clusters
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 cup almonds, toasted then coarsely chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Instructions
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In a medium saucepan, melt the chocolate over very low heat.
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Stir in the orange extract.
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Allow the toasted nuts and coconut to cool for 10–15 minutes, then fold them into the melted chocolate.
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Drop heaping tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Let the clusters cool until set.
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If your kitchen is warm, transfer the clusters to a plate and chill them briefly in the freezer so they firm up.
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Serve and enjoy.
Equipment
These clusters work well with any type of nut, so feel free to swap in pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts. You can also replace the orange extract with fresh orange zest — add the amount to suit your taste; zest lends a brighter, more natural citrus note that pairs beautifully with the chocolate and coconut.
With October here, Halloween is on my mind and I’m searching for fun, organic, not-too-sweet treats that are individually wrapped for safe trick-or-treating. If you have favorite store-bought options that fit those criteria, please share them in the comments. I already have an idea I’ll post about soon, but I’d love to gather more suggestions before I start.