Chocolate Almond Butter S’mores Toast

I think the best word to describe how I am feeling the first week of the New Year is overwhelmed. I saw The Secret Life of Walter Mitty the other night and left feeling seriously overwhelmed. The movie has a great message- get out there and do what makes you happy, take risks, travel, and see the world…all things that I wholeheartedly believe in and try to live daily.

As with any new beginning, a New Year brings a chance to accomplish the things you couldn’t last year, make intentions, and (hopefully) stick to them. My list of resolutions is long, so far, and every day I feel like I am adding something new. New starts are exciting; you have so many options, but you also sometimes have too many options.

I am feeling the same way I do when I go to a farmers’ market or grocery store- I want everything and I don’t know where to begin (I hope I’m not the only one who gets this excited around food). The same thing happens when I go shopping for clothes, or to a bookstore, or a crafts store. Definitely a first-world problem. Michael Pollen calls it the Omnivore’s Dilemma… and I have it.

When it comes to New Years’ resolutions, you always read that your goals should be S.M.A.R.T.- Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound. I am working hard to keep my goals within these limits, in an attempt to keep things reigned in and not so overwhelming.

I’ve never been one for making a list of New Years’ resolutions, but this year more than I ever I want and NEED to make that list. It will help me stay focused and feel in control (although I suppose you can never really be in control of life).

So after a mini breakdown yesterday morning I did what any normal person would do. Eat. And then do yoga.

The eating part was pretty fun. I went out to brunch with my boyfriend and could barely move afterwards. Mexico has this great thing where you can get a whole meal package at a super cheap price. And even the good restaurants do this, not just fast food types of restaurants. My meal was a cup of coffee with almond milk, housemade toast with jam and butter, a bowl of fruit, and huevos rancheros (complete with black beans and roasted potatoes). You see? Lots of food! Then as an afternoon “snack” I made us this s’mores toast. I got to the yoga part later in the evening.

Now in my book, this toast could be eaten for breakfast (who doesn’t like chocolate at breakfast), a snack (almond butter on bread is totally an acceptable snack), or dessert (obvi s’mores are in the dessert category). So, I’m confidently putting it in all three categories and not judging if you do too.

Now, I’m not saying this is the most healthy treat ever, but I did try to make things a bit lighter. Whole wheat toast acts as the “graham cracker base”, light chocolate almond butter spread is the chocolate portion, and then I roasted three marshmallows per slice of toast over the stove and smushed them on top. All that’s left is to sprinkle some chopped chocolate, crushed graham crackers (or other cookie), and sea salt over it all. Done.

A few notes: I roasted my marshmallows over the stove using wooden kebab sticks. You can also use a fork or other kitchen utensil but if it is metal it will get very hot. Whatever you do, don’t lick the leftover marshmallow off the fork. I did this once and burned the inside of my lip. Not pretty. I highly prefer the wooden kebab method. Licking allowed with that one. Also, PLEASE do not skip the sprinkle of sea salt on top. It brings everything together.

Keep this recipe in your back pocket for whenever you need a pick me up!

How are you feeling going into the New Year? Do you like to make resolutions?