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.