How Sweet It Is {Cara from My Fork & Beans}

Today I could not be more thrilled to be sharing my space with Cara from My Fork and Beans.
She is gluten free & vegan, sugar lover too!!!!!!

I can't even tell you how happy I was to find her blog.
Seriously. It's so fabulous. Please check it out!
But wait. Not yet. First read her wonderful story about the love of her life... and Greg.
Ha! I kid. But honestly, I bet those Baby Ruth bars are a close second ;) Yuuuuuuum!

I ended up meeting the love of my life online five years ago. When I saw Greg's profile, I thought he was a good looking dude but quickly passed him over when I read that he was gym rat who worked out everyday at 4am {that seemed so self-absorbed to me} and was about an inch shorter than I am {yes, I know, how shallow of me}. I compared notes with his profile and the list that I created in my mind--you know, the list that identifies all the attributes you would want in a partner--and quickly decided that this guy simply did not meet up to my requirements. I easily dismissed the poor guy without a blink of an eye. Next! But as fate would have it, he ended up contacting me after viewing my profile and asked me out for the following weekend. I accepted but went into the date without thinking much about it. I didn't have those nervous butterflies going into it; I approached the date lightly and thought if anything, it's always nice to meet new people {and if I'm honest, get a free meal}.

Greg and I are somewhat opposites--I'm boisterous, outgoing, loud at times, and social. Greg, on the other hand, is quiet; an observer, keeps more to himself and is in his head. I was so used to attracting and dating guys who were similar to my personality that when we met, I had to learn how to pull myself back in order to communicate. We ended up having a good conversation over our food but I wasn't used to dating someone so low key and since that special "umpf" wasn't there {you know, that "love at first sight" sort of jargon} I decided to move on. That is until he asked me out for date #2 {which literally was the best decision in my life when I said yes!} During our second date, Greg leaned in for the kiss and {SPARK}: my eyes were opened to the man in front of me. It was a magical moment, truly. From that point on, he and I have become attached to the hip. At that moment, I had no idea how much my life would change all because of this man's presence in my life. I have grown to love Greg more than any other human I know. He is my buddy, my baby, my best friend.

So what better way to say "I love you" to my baby than with a Baby Ruth?

Baby Ruth Candy Bar Recipe

For the caramel:

• 1 c. hemp milk (or non-dairy milk of choice; coconut works great too!)
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. Earth Balance
• 1/4 c. light corn syrup
• 1/4 c. agave
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

You’ll also need:

• 1 c. dry roasted peanuts (lightly salted)
• vegan chocolate chips (to be melted)

1. Throw all the ingredients for the caramel (EXCEPT the vanilla extract) into a saucepan and melt on medium heat. Stir continuously. Once mixture begins to boil, add candy thermometer. Leave alone without stirring until it reaches between 270-290* F (beginning of hard ball phase).
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
3. Pour onto parchment paper-lined 8×8 pan (or your choice) ***Read note if you are not using a candy mold before you even do this!
4. Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Chill in fridge 30-ish minutes or until set.

ASSEMBLING CANDY BAR:

1. If using the candy mold, coat the melted chocolate with a thin layer, making sure it completely covers the inside.
2. Add 1 tsp peanuts first. Add the second layer of caramel (use kitchen scissors to cut a rectangle that will fit with the mold).
3. Coat the rest with melted chocolate to fill in the rest of the cracks.

***Note: IF YOU ARE NOT USING A MOLD: Melt your chocolate and place a thin layer on the bottom of the 8×8 pan. Freeze for 20 minutes. Once the caramel is ready,allow to cool a minute and then pour it on top of the frozen chocolate (instead of allowing it to set alone). Place peanuts over the caramel for the 3rd layer. Coat the top layer with melted chocolate. Freeze again for 15-20 minutes. Cut into rectangles and serve.

Sometimes it's not about finding someone who meets every requirement on your list that you have convinced yourself that you need. If that is so, than I should have never accepted the first date with a guy who is an inch shorter than I am. And then I would have missed out on the man of my dreams. No, it's more about attaining the ability to truly see the person in front of you. And when you give someone a second chance, who knows? Maybe you just met the love of your life...