Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

 Double the Chocolate, Double the Delight: Easy Homemade Chocolate Chip Bars

Hey fellow dessert lovers! Are you craving something rich, chocolatey, and utterly irresistible? Look no further! Today, I'm sharing my go-to recipe for easy homemade double chocolate chip bars that are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. This recipe is great because it doesn't use any butter, making it budget-friendly!

These bars are the perfect combination of a fudgy, chocolatey base and an abundance of melty chocolate chips. They're quick to whip up, require minimal ingredients, and are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you're baking for a cozy night in, a potluck, or just because, these bars are a must-try.

Why You'll Love These Double Chocolate Chip Bars:

• Easy and Quick: No fuss, no complicated steps. You can have these bars ready in no time.
• Double Chocolate Goodness: A chocolate cookie base packed with even more chocolate chips. What's not to love?
• Perfect for Any Occasion: From casual snacking to special gatherings, these bars fit right in.
• Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe to your liking by adding nuts, different types of chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top.

Let's Get Baking!

Before we dive into the recipe, let's talk about a few tips to ensure your bars turn out perfectly:

• Don't Overmix: Overmixing can lead to tough bars. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Use Quality Chocolate: The better the chocolate, the better the taste!
• Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing for clean, even cuts.

Recipe: Easy Homemade Double Chocolate Chip Bars

Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Bake Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 16

Ingredients:

½ c shortening

⅓ c granulated sugar

½ c light brown sugar, packed

1 egg

½ tsp vanilla

¼ c cocoa powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

1 ⅓ c flour

1 c chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.

In a medium mixing bowl combine shortening, granulated sugar and brown sugar and mix until light and fluffy.

Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.

Add cocoa powder, flour, baking soda and baking powder and mix until combined.

Add chocolate chips and stir.

Transfer the dough to your prepared baking dish.

Bake for 22-25 minutes, the top should be set, but you want the interior to be a little gooey.

Allow to cool completely before cutting.

After the cookie bars have cooled, lift the parchment paper from the dish and cut 4 times across, and 4 times the opposite way, to make 16 fudgy cookie bars.

Variations and Add-ins:

• Nuts: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a nutty crunch.
• Different Chocolate Chips: Try using white chocolate, peanut butter, or even dark chocolate chips for a unique twist.
• Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Espresso Powder: A teaspoon of espresso powder added to the batter deepens the chocolate flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

These double chocolate chip bars are delicious on their own, but here are a few ways to elevate your dessert experience:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce.
• Enjoy with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee.

Final Thoughts:

These easy homemade double chocolate chip bars are a guaranteed hit! They're simple, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. So, grab your mixing bowls, preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in some serious chocolatey goodness.

Don't forget to share your baking adventures with me! Tag me in your photos on social media and let me know how your bars turned out. Happy baking!

Find more tasty treat recipes here:

Homemade Rice Pudding

Instant Pot Banana Rice Pudding

Nilla Wafer Bark

How to Prevent Common Sports Injuries

 Playing sports is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle and helps to give you a sense of focus. However, they all involve a degree of risk when it comes to injury and some of the more vigorous activities have a very high risk. So, you will want to do all you can in order to prevent these injuries from happening.

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Of course, there is no 100 percent guaranteed way to prevent sporting injuries, and if it was caused by something that was avoidable and not your fault then you may need to contact a n injury lawyer. Of course, prevention is always better than the cure so let’s look at exactly how you can do this.

Be in the Right Physical Condition

If you have never played a particular sport before, you should make sure that you don’t get in over your head and try to do too much, too soon. Even if you are experienced, you need to be careful about pushing yourself too hard. When you are in the heat of a sport, you can often be tempted to go too far, but always try to be aware of your limits as the warning signs are often there and given off by your body.

Wear Appropriate Protective Equipment

There is a whole host of different protective equipment out there that you should always wear as it has been specifically designed to keep you safe. Make sure that anything you are wearing is the right size for you and that it is fitted correctly so that it can do its job properly. This particularly includes impact sports like American football where you are obviously going to need the right helmet to protect yourself.

Rest In Between Sessions

You are much more likely to sustain injuries if you take part in sports on a high number of consecutive days. Remember that rest is a key component of proper training and you need it to make you stronger in the long run. Injuries relating to overuse, fatigue and poor judgement can all be tempered with an appropriate amount of rest.

Warm Up Properly Before Playing

So many people don’t warm themselves up properly before playing sports but it is something that is so important. Of course, different warm ups are required for different sports but what you are essentially trying to do is prevent muscle injury by making sure that they aren’t too tight before you actually start playing. Start off gently and build up a little more intensity during your warm up routine.

Recognise Tiredness or Pain

Tiredness and pain are two ways that your body is telling you not to overexert yourself. If you ignore these signs then you really are asking for trouble. Though it may be difficult – particularly if you really love playing your sport – you need to be the judge of exactly when it is time to say no.

By following this simple advice, you will significantly reduce your chances of sustaining an injury and you are more likely to be able to enjoy your sport injury-free.

How to Turn Mundane Moments Into Self-Care Magic

 It’s always important to remember that a lot of the joy in life can often be found in those moments that feel mundane.

Self-care is one of those essential parts of life that you should be incorporating into your routine. However, not enough people end up giving themselves the care that they need. Instead, it often ends up being given to others first.

With that in mind, it’s time to shift your perspective, not just on what it means to give yourself some self-care but to make more time for it in your life. Sometimes, the smaller moments in your life that don’t feel so important may be exactly what you need when it comes to performing some self-care magic.

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Rethinking what counts as self-care

What does it mean to provide self-care to yourself? Some people often assume that to give yourself self-care, you’re being too self-indulgent. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Rethinking self-care is going from that commercialized notion of self-care spa days to a more holistic and intentional effort made in everyday practices.

While self-indulgence is often an immediate activity and feeling, self-care often provides a proactive and long-term into your wellbeing. 

So what are some of the core components when it comes to authentic self-care? Well, true self-care is one that is all about developing a relationship of compassion with yourself. It’s about engaging with these practices in all aspects of your life. Here are a few examples:

Setting boundaries

True self-care is all about defining and protecting your personal limits. That means learning to say no more, especially when it demands your time and energy.

Physical wellbeing

Your physical needs are a cornerstone of self-care. That’s why it’s important to prioritize the basics of self-care that are often found in the mundane activities, like sleep and physical activity, for example. Your body needs a healthy amount of all of the above to feel good inside and out.

Mindfulness and connection

Cultivating an awareness of being present in the moment is helpful to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. 

These mindful practices could be as simple as pausing to focus on your breath, to social connections made with others, so that you’re keeping up with that need for connection with others and not just with yourself.

Emotional self-care

Acknowledging and managing your emotions in healthier ways rather than suppressing them will certainly make a big difference to how you feel and, therefore, how you behave in front of others.

Finding calm in your daily routines 

There’s a lot of calm that can be found in your daily routines, and here lies an opportunity for self-care, too. Let’s take a look at some key steps to giving yourself a bit of self-care every day.

Delay your phone use

Giving yourself a bit of a buffer in the morning before checking your phone is important. It’ll help you wake up without having to subject your eyes to a bright screen. Instead, start with a few breathing exercises or stretching in or out of bed.

Be mindful when brushing your teeth

It’s always helpful to find points in the day when you can be more mindful. For example, when brushing your teeth with these Amazon Finds: The $19 Gadget Everyone’s Talking About (Turning Oral-B into a wellness device).

There’s nothing better than multitasking and getting your teeth clean while practicing some mindful breathing at the same time.

Connect with nature

Taking the time to connect with nature is certainly a good thing and something to do more of when it comes to giving yourself that much-needed self-care. Try to find more time to spend the time you need outdoors.

Take focused breaks

Focused breaks are pretty much an easy thing to do, especially when you need to step away from a stressful work environment or personal situation.

Prioritize your sleeping habits

One of the main and possibly most important self-care activities you can implement is improving your sleeping habits. Prioritizing this can be a great help, especially if you’re not getting a lot of sleep currently.

A good night’s sleep is important for helping with your sleep routine and ensuring you’re getting the most out of your bedtime as possible. Try to aim for around seven to nine hours of sleep per night, where you can.

It’s also good practice to experiment with your sleep hygiene, from wearing an eyemask to bed, to having white noise playing in your room to block out outside noise.

Stay active

Staying active is good for both your physical and mental well-being. Therefore, it’s good to try and find activities that keep you physically active and that also help your mental health, whether that be reducing feelings of sadness or depression.

Everyone is different when it comes to staying active, so it’s all about finding what works best for you. Think about what exercise and activities bring you joy, and try to immerse yourself in regular fitness activities where possible to help keep your body and mind in good shape.

If you’re struggling to find something you enjoy, try doing little bits of physical activity so that you’re at least doing something. Often it’s a case of trying a bit of everything until you find what you like.

Why it’s okay to romanticize the ordinary

Romanticizing the ordinary, mundane aspects of life is both a legitimate and healthy practice worth doing. It’s useful to keep you grounded, mindful, and to proceed through life with the fullest intentions. 

It’s a conscious choice that will help you find the significance, beauty, and joy in daily life. Self-care is a wonderful practice to give to yourself, and so it’s important to provide yourself with it as much as possible. Whether it’s taking time off from work to do the things you love, to simply changing up your routine slightly to incorporate more self-care practices.

All of the above will help you experience those self-care moments that you deserve to have and enjoy. 

Things to Clean Before You Move Out (So You Don’t Lose That Deposit!)

Whether you're selling your home or ending a rental lease, cleaning before a move is a must. Not only does it leave a good impression for the next occupant, but it can also save you money—especially if a security deposit is on the line. Here’s a checklist of the often-forgotten places you’ll want to clean before you hand over the keys.

1. Inside Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers

Crumbs, spills, and dust collect quickly inside cabinets. Wipe down all shelves and drawer interiors with a mild cleaner before calling the kitchen “done.”

2. Oven and Stove

Landlords almost always check the oven. Use oven cleaner or baking soda paste to tackle baked-on messes and wipe the stovetop thoroughly.

3. Refrigerator (Inside and Out)

Don’t forget to take everything out, defrost the freezer if needed, and wipe down all surfaces. Clean under and behind it too!

4. Baseboards and Trim

A quick wipe of baseboards and door trim makes a big difference in how clean your space looks—and it’s one of the first things people notice.

5. Closets

Empty them completely, then vacuum or sweep inside and wipe down any shelves.

6. Bathroom Fixtures

Scrub the toilet, sink, tub, and mirrors. Don’t skip tile grout and caulking—they’re hotspots for grime.

7. Windows and Windowsills

Wipe windows inside (and outside if possible). Dust and clean windowsills and the tracks to remove bugs, dirt, or pet hair.

8. Walls and Doors

Spot clean scuffs and fingerprints with a magic eraser or gentle soap. Check for tape residue, stickers, or nail holes.

9. Floor Edges and Corners

Vacuum and mop all floors, but pay special attention to corners and under radiators where dirt hides.

10. Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans

Dust off light covers and fan blades. A clean overhead light makes a room sparkle.

Final Tip:

Take photos after you’re done for proof if you’re renting. A little extra effort on the cleaning now can make moving smoother and less stressful later.

Easy Ways To Have A Relaxed Winter Vacation

 It’s that time of year again when many of us start thinking about a winter getaway. Some people head somewhere warm to escape the cold, while others embrace the snow for festive fun. Wherever you’re planning to go, a little preparation can make the whole experience feel easier and more enjoyable. One of the simplest ways to reduce travel stress is to leave the car at home. Driving to the airport might seem convenient, but parking fees and the worry of leaving your car can add up. Booking a taxi ride instead means you can relax from the moment you leave your front door. Some services even track your flight so you won’t have to wait around if it’s early or delayed.

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Start your vacation at home

A lot of people think the holiday only begins once they reach their hotel or destination. That mindset can make the journey feel long and stressful. Instead, try treating your vacation as starting the moment you shut your front door. Grab a nice meal before your flight, enjoy a drink at the airport, or spend the waiting time catching up on reading or sleep. Thinking of it this way transforms the travel time into part of the holiday rather than a chore.

Use digital passes for everything

Fumbling for boarding passes or tickets is a classic source of travel stress. Switching to electronic passes keeps everything in one place and easy to access. Most airlines have apps that let you store all the documents you need, so you can leave the paper at home. Sharing access with your travel companion can make things even simpler and reduce the chance of losing anything important.

Plan activities ahead

If you like to stay busy on holiday, booking activities in advance takes a lot of pressure off. Not only does this save time when you arrive, but it can also unlock discounts and special deals. From guided tours to ski lessons, having some plans in place helps you enjoy more and stress less. If your winter getaway includes a stay at an RV park, for example, you can book fun outings nearby or reserve cosy spots in advance, making your trip feel smooth and organised.

Learn a few local phrases

Feeling unsure about communicating in a new country can make anyone anxious. Learning a few basic words or phrases goes a long way. Knowing how to say hello, thank you, please, or how to ask for the nearest hospital or shop can make you feel more confident. Even asking for a taxi or reserving a table for dinner becomes much easier when you can speak just a little of the local language.

Jetting off for a winter vacation can be stressful, but with a few thoughtful steps, you can start enjoying it from the moment you leave home. A bit of preparation goes a long way to making the holiday feel fun and completely relaxing.

Safety Tips for Boaters

 If you are an avid boater, then you will know how exciting it can be to get out there and on the open waters. At the same time, you also need to make sure that you are safe, which can be difficult if you are new to boating.

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Make Everyone Wear a Life Jacket

One thing you need to do is make sure that everyone wears a life jacket. Victims drown in roughly 80% of accidents when out on the open water. If you want to make sure that you are safe, then one of the best things you can do is wear a life jacket. If you want to help yourself, then make sure that you have a good jacket and make sure that it fits you properly. If yours doesn’t, then this is a big sign that you need to do something about this, and that you need to get one. If you can, then you will find it easier to be more confident when out on open waters. It’s also a good idea to make sure that you wear the right kind of life jacket for the situation. Boats that are over 16 feet have to have a specific life jacket or a flotation device. All boats have to have a throwable device as well and have an approval number. 

Take a Course

Another thing you can do is try and take a boating safety course. You may even be able to get a reduced insurance rate if you go on a safety course as well. If you can keep things like this in mind, then you will find it easier to make sure that you are safe when out and about, not to mention that you can also improve your knowledge of being out on open waters. If you want to help yourself, then also make sure that you make yourself aware of the boat you are on and what safety features it has. If you want to maintain your boat and make sure that everything is in order, then one thing you can do is hire the Phoenix Yacht Management service. When you do, you can then count on them to give you the help you need to make sure that your boat is always in top condition.

Put your Phone Down

Another thing you can do is put your phone down. One of the biggest factors of boating that you have to watch out for is inattention. When you are out on the highway, you wouldn’t text or go on the phone while in your car, so your boat should be no different. If you want to help yourself here, then you at least need to make sure that you have your eyes on the water. You run the risk of having a serious injury if you do, and it’s not worth the risk. Again, a boat safety course can help you to avoid risks like this while making sure that you’re not putting yourself in harm’s way.

4 Ways to Successfully Navigate Divorce

 Divorce has been declining since the 1980s, but it’s still highly common. Around 41% of first marriages end in divorce, and that figure rises for subsequent marriages.

In many cases, knowing that there are many other people going through what you’re going through can be a source of comfort. But divorce isn’t like that. Even though some 670,000 people get divorced each year, going through the process yourself can feel like a scary, isolating, and lonely experience.

It’s important to remember that you will get through this. It just might take some time. How much time, however, is within your control to a degree. In this post, we’ve put together a few handy tips that should make navigating your divorce easier to manage. 

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Focus on Emotional Regulation

Even if you know it’s for the best, it’s likely that your divorce will be an emotionally intense period. You’ll experience grief, joy, sadness, optimism, and fear, in some cases all on the same day. The intensity of your emotions will subside over time, but that fact doesn’t make them easier to manage when you’re living through them. Taking steps to regulate your emotions, such as working out, sleeping well, meditating, and simply acknowledging what you’re going through, can make things easier to manage.

Hire Professionals

As we said above, divorce can feel like a lonely, isolating experience — but it doesn’t have to feel that way. And given everything that you’ll have on your plate, it probably shouldn’t be that way. It would be difficult to figure out how you and your partner will divide your assets even if you weren’t going through an emotional period. It’s even more difficult — or perhaps impossible — when you are. Working with an experienced divorce lawyer can allow you to focus on yourself, secure in the knowledge that the practical matters are being taken care of. You might also consider working with a financial advisor or with a therapist if you find yourself struggling to move forward. 

Create — And Stick To — a Budget

Going through a divorce can wreak havoc with your finances. In some cases, you might find that you’ve lost access to some of your money or that you’re incurring additional expenses, such as staying in temporary accommodation. Creating a budget can be a good way to prevent yourself from spiralling into financial-related anxiety. Take an honest look at your incomings and outgoings, create a spreadsheet, and stick to it. 

Think Long-Term 

Many people who are going through a divorce focus on their day-to-day existence. Yet, while it’s important to take care of business, it’s also important to avoid falling into the trap of becoming overly obsessed with the short-term. This is especially common when the divorce is problematic, when some soon-to-be-divorced spend their time and energy on securing victories over their partner. Minor disputes will be forgotten about in the not-too-distant future. Focus on doing things that will have long-term impacts, such as following good habits or working to get as good a settlement as possible. 

Feeling Off Lately? Here’s How to Know if Your Hormones Are to Blame

 Hormones are complex, and when it comes to a woman’s hormones, it’s often hard to keep track of them, especially when there’s little to no education about them.

That’s why it’s important to be self-sufficient in your education on hormones, so that the next time you feel off, you can check whether your hormones are the reason you’re feeling this way. From subtle symptoms that many will overlook to how modern hormone therapy can help strike the perfect balance.

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The subtle symptoms most women overlook

Subtle hormonal symptoms are often overlooked, so it’s important to look at what cognitive issues might be present and how hormones play a role in that. Here are some of the often-overlooked but subtle symptoms that may be influenced by your hormones.

Cognitive and mood-related symptoms 

You may be well aware of brain fog or those moments where you’re forgetting things that you would have otherwise remembered. Declining estrogen levels can cause difficulties with concentration and memory, often dismissed as being due to stress or aging.

Anxiety, irritability, and depression can all be triggered by hormonal fluctuations that are misattributed to stress or PMS.

There can be digestive issues that come as a result of hormonal dips, from gas to bloating, all of which are usually blamed on diet. Persistent tiredness can be a sign of an underactive thyroid or other hormonal imbalances that haven’t been properly addressed or diagnosed.

Your skin and hair can change, too, from thinning hair to stubborn acne, all linked to hormonal shifts.

Other symptoms

Other symptoms that come from hormonal changes include low libido, sleep disturbances, and weight gain.

How modern hormone therapy helps restore balance

Modern hormone therapy is a good way of helping to restore balance within the body by replenishing hormones that are deficient. From factors that include aging to medical issues, supplementing your body with hormones can help with all of the above issues that women often experience within their bodies.

A licensed online hormone therapy provider can be helpful to address the hormone problems you’re having so that you can get the right treatment that your body needs.

Common types of hormone therapy include menopausal hormone therapy, thyroid hormone therapy, and bioidentical hormone therapy. Hormone therapy, though, is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so it's important to discuss your symptoms and explore the potential treatment options available.

Simple daily habits to support hormonal health naturally

As well as hormone therapy, there are simply daily habits that can help to support your hormonal health naturally. Such habits include:

• Get seven to nine hours of quality sleep every night

• Manage chronic stress

• Incorporate stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing or spending time in nature

• Eat a balanced, whole-food diet and focus on gut health

• Regular and moderate exercise to improve hormone sensitivity 

• Ensure you’re staying properly hydrated

If you’ve been feeling off lately, hopefully this insight into how hormones play a part in your body’s health both inside and out will help you figure out what’s going on sooner rather than later.