Thursday, February 9, 2012

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...

42 comments:

  1. YAY! That's me and my buddy :) Thanks for hosting this!! xo

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  2. such an adorable story <3 i love love stories <3

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    Replies
    1. Now we are just waiting for you and Dayv's!

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  3. what a sweet story! Cara is awesome!

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  4. aww... so sweet! thanks for sharing your love story cara! xo

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    1. Not too crazy of a story really huh? But then again, we met online so yes, yes it is crazy! :) Thanks Jess. xo

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  5. This is lovely; the story AND the candy ;-) I've always wondered the story behind the man--thanks for sharing!

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    1. I guess it was time to share how we came to be right? So happy Ashley asked me to do this--fun to stroll down memory lane :) And YOU are lovely, Jenn.

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  6. I've wondered for a while about this Greg fellow. :) Happy to be introduced to him, and to read your origin story. :)

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    1. The mystery is solved! He is not just my imagination :)

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  7. ♥ u know how we indians are about love stories.. we just love love them.. 99% of indian movies are love stories! i love the comment from lizzie.. i was wondering about this greg fellow:)

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    1. Now if only there was some music and dancing, it would be THE perfect lovestory :) haha! Glad to finally ease all of those questions.

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  8. happy valentines day to cara and graig. . the most fabulous couple on the planet <3

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    1. Haha! I knew who this was even before I saw "Graig." That is kinda scary actually :)

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  9. such a great post. very sweet. and baby ruth bars are simply delicious!!!
    xo TJ

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    1. Thank you TJ! I think these are my favorite thing to make (and eat) :)

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  10. I couldn't believe those chocolate bars were actually homemade when I saw that first picture! Also, I loved reading your story about how you two met. I've dabbled in the online dating thing but nothing great ever came out of it...so your story is actually just the thing I need to hear for inspiration that it can work out if you give people a chance!

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    1. Don't they look SO fabulous!!? Thanks for coming by Genevieve :)

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    2. Yes! Give it a shot--there are great people out there online. You just have to weed out a lot of terrible ones :) It {online dating} starts to become a hobby but you eventually find a "keeper" so it's worth it. Love to you, Genevieve. xo

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  11. Great story, Cara. And from what I've been able to tell from his work adventure, Greg seems like a tremendous guy. So glad that two cool people found each other. Here's the important question, though: Does he like your Baby Ruth candy bars?

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    1. It's nice to "meet" you Monica! Thanks for stopping by :)

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    2. He really IS a tremendous guy, Monica. Absolutely! He inspires me everyday, and every day, I am in awe of things that he is doing no only for himself but for this country. He is quickly getting the title "The Steve Jobs of Shoes" haha.

      He actually hates candy but when I made these and forced him to try it, he finished all of it, ate another one, and starting formulating a business plan for me to start making/selling my own candy :) *shaking my head*

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  12. Isn't romance grand? This is such a great love story! Cara's totally right. Sometimes you have to open up to the person standing in front of you. Three cheers for short men! (My husband is an inch shorter than me too.)

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    1. See! I knew I liked you for a reason! {well, there are many reasons really, but this one especially} Yay for short men, indeed :)

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  13. These look delicious!! Thank you so much for your comment, I am now following! xoxo

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    1. Nicole, you should make these Baby Ruths. They are seriously sooo good :)

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  14. I heart this story!! My husband and I are different in that way as well but we have similiar interests. My mom met her fiance online and they are very happy after 3 years now! Anyhow, I wish this candy looks scrumptuous!

    loomslidslayers.blogspot.com

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    1. Isn't it funny how opposites really *can* attract? But you have a good point when you say that you and your husband have similar interests. Most times, Greg and I finish each others' sentences and we know what the other is thinking before anyone speaks. Weird huh? I guess that is love though :) Thanks for the comment, Rhonda! And congrats to your mom--see? Online dating gets a bad rap at times...but doesn't need to :)

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  15. These look amazing!
    -Heather
    @ www.made-famous-by.com

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  16. What a sweet story. It reminds me SO much of my husband & I. Thank goodness for friends who pushed me to keep seeing him.
    And that recipe? YUM, it looks delish. I bet my hubby would love it too. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I love that your friends knew what was good for you, Alyson! Thank God too, right? Can you imagine if you didn't listen to them?... xo, Cara

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  17. aww! dear Cara, I already knew some of this story, sort of... and since I just LOVE you, can I be your other bff? I need and want someone to make me candy bars... ;)

    and hello there *looks around* I have a fun new blog to get to know! :)

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    1. Hi Kristina! I'm so glad to have you :) I hope you'll be back!

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    2. If the only reason you want to be my bff is for the candy, well, then...I will take it! :) ha.

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  18. I can't wait to make these-- but I'm a little worried the batch might disappear in a day or so! Love your love story! :)

    xo,
    Ashley
    http://www.mistergandmecrafts.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm a little worried about that too ;) I might have to give half away!

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    2. Girls, accept the fact that they will so there is no more worrying :) ha. Actually, I ended up freezing my leftovers and I think I was able to spread them out over a week of eating. Not bad right? But yes, if you give them away, you will find new friends waiting at your door. It's amamzing how that works out :)

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  19. Such a lovely story. Dale says that the people we chose for ourselves are the people we learn about ourselves with. When they can not offer us the chance to rub against our raw spots and challenge us, we get bored and move on. I think this is why it's the opposites that attract. I'm glad you found yours!

    On another note, I like that my peanut allergy means that my baby ruths will have cashews.

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    1. I used to think that finding a "soul mate" was supposed to butterflies and romance. I am now learning as I get older {and hopefully a little wiser} that you'll know when you find your soul mate when that person is like a mirror for you; constantly showing you {in gentleness} your goodness, your faults, and always whispering for you to keep growing. I love what Dale has to say, Meg. That is a wonderful was of seeing it!

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