Life this week
How have you been this week?
I hope you’re OK but probably you’re like me, and feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed at what’s happening in the world at the moment.
I find chocolate helps!
I wrote a poem during the week which explained my feeling of being in a cocoon and feeling quite comfortable but leaving the cocoon is quite scary. Getting the words out of my head helped me anyway.
Are you doing things to help yourself, like staying in touch with others, writing your thoughts down, exercising, keeping a diary of these days, taking up a long forgotten craft maybe, learning a new skill, using the time to clean out cupboards….let me know how you’re managing. I’m always interested in what’s going on in your world too.
Whatever the question is, the answer is chocolate 🙂
It’s time for #Lifethisweek with Denyse and the optional prompt is Chocolate.
My favourite is probably chocolate covered Turkish Delight – so sweet!
This week I’m looking at all things chocolate related, and sharing a few stories:
Eating out when you can’t actually go out
Due to Government guidelines at the moment, local restaurants and cafes are restricted to takeaway/delivery only. And we can’t actually go out, so ordering in was a great option.
Our area was badly hit by bushfires earlier in the year. Local businesses have only just started to pick up a bit and everyone has been looking forward to the Easter holidays to bring people here – but not anymore due to COVID-19.
So to continue to support the locals we ordered takeaway from a local restaurant over the weekend and it was delivered to us. We were very impressed with our meal, especially as it included a complimentary slice of Choc Mocha Tart! As the Mathematician has a dairy intolerance he couldn’t possibly eat any of the tart could he??? I can confirm it was delicious! And what a sweet note to add to our meal, it certainly made us feel good about ordering.
Choc Mocha Tart Supporting locals
I like the way everyone is getting creative and trying to do things differently. The locals here are very supportive.
Earlier days
When my girls were little I used to make a bunny cake for Easter following on from my mother-in-law’s tradition. Now that I have grandchildren I might have to revisit this tradition. What do you think?

Easter Egg story
Years ago the Mathematician bought me an Easter Egg but I didn’t eat it. The next year he refused to buy me another egg as I hadn’t eaten the one from the year before. All I can say is that I must have had strong will power back then because there’s no way I could leave chocolate lying around for a year anymore!

What do zucchinis have in common with chocolate?
I’ve just remembered I forgot to include the fabulous Chocolate Zucchini cake I’ve made recently using up lots of zucchinis a friend gave me – so delicious and kind of healthy too! If you’re interested in the recipe leave me a message!
Are you a lover of chocolate too?
I do enjoy chocolate and usually dark chocolate is my go-to. What’s your favourite?
All I can say is at the moment Keep Calm and Eat Chocolate!
Stay safe out there my friends!
Deb xx
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Enjoyed your post, Debbie!
(Even though I don’t actually like chocolate! 😊)
LikeLiked by 3 people
That’s fine with me and I truly appreciate you leaving me a comment regardless of your dislike for chocolate 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
To be honest, I eat so much fruit, my diet is very sweet already.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Turkish delight and chocolate coated ginger are my favourites Deb. It is wonderful to see the community trying to help cafes and restaurants during this time of isolation. My daughter bought some takeaway dinner to support one of the school parents who own an Italian restaurant. It is a lovely way to show support and help those businesses who will struggle. xx
LikeLiked by 3 people
It is such an important thing to do especially within our little town so I’m happy to support local businesses. Thanks for your understanding and I’m thrilled to know we have a joint love of Turkish delight! You can eat all the ginger though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, we had a bunny cake every Easter as well. Fond memories!
And, I completely agree. Chocolate is a universal soother for mind and body.
It was lovely chatting with you today. I look forward to doing so again!
LikeLiked by 3 people
It was great to see and hear you Donna, a lovely way to stay connected during this time of isolation. You live in a beautiful part of the world and it was a fabulous way to start my day. Glad to hear you also had a bunny cake tradition! I must say I only eat healthy chocolate 😂😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love chocolate. I even had a temp job in a sweet factory on the easter egg run one year! Our son and daughter-in-law had a chocolate wedding cake, our daughter made her own wedding cake; one of the tiers was chocolate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a serious chocolate love affair! Thanks for sharing those stories 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am eating a lot of chocolate!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too! glad to hear I’m not the only one 🙂
LikeLike
That’s a sweet Easter bunny tradition you have Deb. The take-out restaurant was smart to add a dessert and a thank-you note to your order. I like chocolate but don’t crave it. Where I live all non-essential businesses are closed so it’s quiet. I stick to my daily routine with minor adjustments. I’m grateful that my family and I are all well so far. #lifethisweek
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Natalie! I thought it was very smart of the restaurant too and their note made me stop and think a bit more about the situation. I have since recommended them to other friends as a result. I’m so glad all your family are well so far and hopefully it continues that way. Take care xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
ummm of course I’m interested in the recipe lol! We’ve been doing takeaways too – it’s important to support these guys not least so they’re still open when this, as it will, passes.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes it’s so important to continue supporting local businesses isn’t it?
OK the recipe is: 1/2 cup castor sugar,
1/2 cup brown sugar,
1/2 cup neutral oil,
1 tsp vanilla extract,
2 eggs,
pinch salt,
1/2 tsp cinnamon,
1/2 cup cocoa powder,
1 cup plain flour,
1/2 tsp baking powder,
1 tsp baking soda,
1 1/2 cups firmly packed grated zucchini (4 small).
Preheat oven to 180 deg. C, line a loaf tin with baking paper. Place sugars, oil, vanilla, eggs, salt, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Whisk together until combined. Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Fold dry mixture into the wet mixture until just combined. Add the grated zucchini and stir through. Cook in oven until firm to touch about 30mins.
Yummy and moist due to zucchini 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, and I’m not a chocolate eater – a square of dark chocolate is about all I need. Hot cross buns though are a completely different proposition!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh yes hot cross buns…..
LikeLike
Deb this is a gorgeous post. I do love a family tradition, and especially your bunny cake tradition. I think you should resurrect it for the grandchildren. I would love your zucchini cake recipe. I have 10 zucchini’s one the fridge and picked 6 more today. There are many more coming. I’m planning on making zucchini relish, have frozen a couple of zucchini slices, but a zucchini chocolate cake sounds lovely #Lifethisweek Sharing
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Jennifer, so pleased you enjoyed my post! I know you’re going well on your no chocolate challenge and I applaud you! I have just put the recipe in a reply to Jo’s comment. Let me know if you can’t access it and I’ll type it out again. Thanks for sharing too 🙂
LikeLike
I’m usually a dark chocolate person – but mid dark! The dark dark is too bitter for me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes too dark is a bit bitter for me too but my husband can only eat dark so we find one we both enjoy.
LikeLike
I love chocolate and might have had a bit more than usual to ease my coronanxiety! We never usually get takeaway but we’ve had a few – it’s such a treat and it’s feels good to be able to support local businesses. I am feeling quite anxious – so much uncertainty – but I’m finding lots to be grateful for and plenty of silver linings. I’ve got a book stash, a wine stash and a chocolate stash so I know if we get locked down I’ll survive 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally understand your feelings of anxiety Sammie, it’s so stressful and the not knowing how it will end is very difficult. I’m definitely eating more chocolate but I’m also exercising more and being active so it’s balancing out a little. Take it easy and thanks for your thoughts. 🙂
LikeLike
Chocolate 😋
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes Keep calm and eat chocolate 🙂 Great motto for the moment.
LikeLike
I’m not a huge chocolate fan – although I enjoy a few squares each night with my coffee. I am a HUGE chip fan and need to keep myself on a tight rein when I’m anywhere near a fried and salted potato.
I’m actually really enjoying this staying at home business, there’s still plenty of food available, all my commitments have been put on hold, and I’m just revelling in reading, blogging, jigsawing (started doing online ones for fun) and generally chilling out – I think this is my perfect life (except for not getting to hug my kids and grandbabies).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Chippies… I love them too especially chicken chips and never have them in the house for that reason! I understand the staying at home business, it’s hard to get motivated to go out for essentials sometimes! I’m loving all the extra staying in touch with everyone and my girls are sending me daily pics of the grandchildren so I get to smile every day. Take care x
LikeLike
Yes! All the chocolate! One of my fav treats is a frozen Dove raspberry sorbet covered with dark chocolate! Do you have Dove brand frozen ice cream bars in Australia? Trust me on this! It’s irresistible, delicious, and satisfying!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh my Carol, that sounds so delicious. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for that one 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s a picture of the box… https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dove-Raspberry-Sorbet-With-Dark-Chocolate-Bars-6-Ct/112634332
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for that Carol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yum to this post Deb! Lindt, dark chocolate, Turkish delight, dark mint, cherry ripe … the list goes on. Couple it with a short black coffee or a glass of red and I’m a happy girl. Thanks for the chocolate vibes my friend. Stay well. 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yum indeed Miriam! We could sit and eat chocolate together as we both have the same taste!! Stay well xx
LikeLike
I could eat chocolate all day long! 🤣 Thanks for sharing this great and comforting post!
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure, we all need some comfort at the moment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent advice! I’m more than happy to follow those instructions!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great to hear Deb!! We all need to keep calm but it’s not easy is it?
LikeLike
YES, dark chocolate and humor…laughter is the best medicine!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
A great combination Dee! Love it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore chocolate. Weirdly I’m not necessarily a fan of chocolate flavoured things (drinks etc), it has to be the real thing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
No I much prefer my chocolate straight Deb!
LikeLike
I AM a chocolate-lover. Although now, since I am on a no added sugar diet for cholesterol, my chocolate intake is severely limited. I did sample one of the chocolate creme eggs Hubby bought for himself and it was heavenly!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am on a similar eating plan Laurie but can manage a few squares every few days and am now on low medication to help control the cholesterol issues and it’s working well!
LikeLike
Deb, I had to chuckle reading this today. I realized last night that I have no chocolate in the house! OMG. How did this happen? I usually have something stashed away, but since we were traveling back from Florida, I hadn’t picked up any “extra” stuff grocery shopping down there… and then we hit the shelter in place here. No picking up on-sale valentine’s chocolate, on-sale easter chocolate… so no chocolate in the house. I’m considering a grocery run … but then worry, is chocolate worth that? Maybe!
LikeLiked by 2 people
No chocolate in the house!! Oh no that’s dreadful Pat! Add it to your list next time you go out on a shopping run or I can post you some over 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chocolate and I have had a productive, satisfying relationship for many years. Thanks for making me smile this morning, Deb. Take care you two.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like the way you say ‘a productive, satisfying relationship’ – I know exactly what you mean!! Glad you got to smile 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Forgot to add that dark chocolate is the only one we enjoy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we’re leaning that way these days too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to make bunny cakes too Deb but I can assure you any chocolate eggs were consumed straight away! wonderful that you are supporting local businesses. Here we can get small breweries to deliver to the door. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes I heard breweries can deliver here too! Isn’t it funny how similar we all are despite which side of the world we live in?
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know if it is true for Australia, but when we moved to a new church several years ago, part of the advice we got was, “If you don’t like zucchini, lock your car doors!” We are experiencing many of the same th igns you describe, except we did not have the horror of the brush fires, but restaurants doing take out only, needing to support the local businesses. Great article, chocolate is always the answer, whatever the question. Blessings, Michele
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for joining in Michele and it’s interesting how similar we are the world over! Hope you’re keeping well. 🙂
LikeLike
Like so many people I absolutely love chocolate and it seems to really like me. Always hangs around my waistline for weeks afterwards refusing to leave! Not a massive dark chocolate fan but anything milk is in trouble if I’m around. Not sure how you managed to leave an easter egg uneaten for a year! A day would be tough for me!
LikeLiked by 2 people
No I’m amazed I managed to leave it alone for that long too! Hope all is well with you and Jo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re doing well thanks Deb. All settled into our new self contained apartment in deepest darkest Devon and getting into a lockdown routine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great too know, enjoy the coming summer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chocolate soothes me and I do have a little each day. Way back though I would eat beyond full. Not so great. At least the benefit of my mouth surgery and gut issues, a little goes a long way. Not an Easter Egg fan but our kids and grandkids are. Was thinking about how to be the Easter Bunny from this distance…then dropped the idea, too hard, too melty and I am sure the EB will find them anyway.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is 14/51 Self-Care Stories #2. 6.4.2020 and I hope to see you link up then too. Denyse.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes I’m sure the Easter bunny will manage to get through it all! I agree a little goes a long way but some days I need more….
LikeLike
Oh yum! I am on board with this!
Btw if it helps anyone with kids at this time, I have a list of 101 Homeschooling Activities on my blog http://www.homeschoolguru.org
Take care and stay safe, everyone.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Anna
LikeLike
We’ve been trying to support local cafes and restaurants too. I can only imagine what they are going through with everything happening, then needing (to whatever degree they do) to stay open when there’s a pandemic happening. It’s a lot. And to be honest, we haven’t eaten/prepared every meal at home since never, so why change that now!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly right! Hope you are coping OK. Businesses will need our support to continue for a while yet!
LikeLike
That’s for sure! We are doing okay, making it through and thankfully everyone safe and well so far.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this. And the caption 🍪
LikeLiked by 2 people
Such fun!
LikeLike
I think I will 😉 No argument here.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love chocolate! I am the keeper of the chocolate in our house, which means I get to ration it so our stash lasts until the next online grocery delivery! That tart sounds amazing and I think it’s great you can support some local businesses.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good job Kirsty, take care of that chocolate as if your life depends on it. It’s been so good to be able to continue to support local businesses here. Thanks for your visit 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a very strange relationship with chocolates. Sometimes they would lie in my fridge for days and days, and sometimes I could just eat 2 or 3 bars in a single day. This makes me worry about my sugar intake but I really can’t help it. Chocolate is a guilty pleasure, especially if you have no control over your appetite like me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you!!
LikeLike
Love chocolate 🍫
LikeLiked by 1 person