Today was "one of those days." Had to make a visit to the opthalmologist for a six month check up. Time for a pressure test for glaucoma - both eyes. I have been doing this for 28 years. The good news is, I am now "eligible" for a laser procedure to open the drainage passages from my eyes because the 4 medications I use just aren't keeping my pressures where they want them to be. High pressures cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Damage to the optic nerve leads to blindness. I really don't want to go there. Now, I get to fight with my insurance company to see if they will pay for the procedures. Ugh.
Since Dan and I were out and about, we had lunch at PFChang's because it's near the doctor's office. Lettuce wraps - yum! He had cashew chicken, oh and I ate his hot and sour soup because he doesn't like it. Lucky me.
You know how there is "something" you want to eat sometimes? PFChang's was good, but that wasn't it. So we drove through Starbucks and he had a mocha with whipped cream. (I could hear his arteries screaming). I had my usual Americana, one shot decaf. I know, I know. I just can't do caffeine. Getting old sucks sometimes. But, the Americana wasn't it either. That rich coffee usually does the trick. Not today.
We headed home. I tried. I really tried. I looked at the cabinet and turned away. I did a few things, but that red cabinet was calling my name like a siren's song. In that cabinet is our emergency stash. Emergency stash of what? Why chocolate of course. Yes, I needed chocolate. So I walked to the cabinet and opened the doors. There in the corner is our stash of different kinds of chocolate. Yes, different kinds. Shameful, I know. (I know chocolate has some caffeine, but not as much as coffee.)
First, I had a couple of these.
See how rumpled the sack is? It's been opened and closed several times. I played a few word games on Facebook while I ate a Godiva Gem or two. Good. Yeah. But, that wasn't it. I kept looking at the red cabinet. Should I? Shouldn't I? Okay, I'm going back in.
I put the Godiva sack back in it's special place and I stood there and stood there looking at the last package in the cabinet. The. Very. Last. Trader Joe's. Dark. Chocolate. Bar. With Caramel. And black sea salt. Best. Candy. Bar. EVER!!!!
If I ate the last one, we would not be going back across town to Trader Joe's until next week. What if there was another emergency and there was no Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate? Decisions. Decisions. You guessed it, I pulled that candy bar out of the cabinet and sat down at the table.
Oh divine bar of rich, dark chocolate with caramel in the center and that lovely black sea salt. Look, it has 70% cacao. Glorious.
I mean seriously, look at the description on the package. Exotic Hawaiian Black Sea Salt from the Pacific seawater that surrounds the Hawaiian Islands. We have never been to Hawaii (count yourself fortunate if you have), but this black sea salt of which they speak is divine. Simply divine.
Then, it is paired with that caramel and super dark chocolate - OH MY - is all I can say. I didn't even have my lei, Hawaiian shirt or grass skirt on and it still tasted outstandingly fabulous. And, look, no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives so it has to be good for you right? Another bonus? Check it out.
Mm hm. No gluten ingredients used. Bingo! All you people with gluten intolerance or allergies, this candy bar is for you!
So I opened the package up and someone has been eating on this candy bar. Goldilocks? I think not. Oh Daaaaan! Now I like chocolate on occasion and definitely in an emergency situation, but this guy is a complete chocoholic. Thank goodness he had not eaten it all or we would have been trekking back across town today.
Yup. It was him all right. At least he didn't eat it all or it could have been downright ugly. I pinched off a few pieces of that heavenly dark chocolate with the ooey, gooey caramel in the center and that was all I needed. Emergency abated. This was what I wanted to eat all along. Rich, dark chocolate. Pure comfort food.
I wrapped the remaining bar back up and put it back in the chocolate stash for another day. (That's if he doesn't get to it first). Happiness for a mere $1.79. Who could ask for more?
We will definitely have to stock up next week when we trek back across town to do our Trader Joe's shopping. If you don't have a Trader Joe's near you, make a drive to find one and get yourself some of these fabulous candy bars. Stock Up. Buy lots! Ask for some for your birthday or Christmas or just because. Give them for gifts. Everyone will thank you. You will be happy you did, because this candy bar is that good! No, it's better than good. It's amazing. It's a life saver. It's necessary. It's chocolate - dark chocolate with caramel and sea salt. You're going to thank me for this.
Hope your day was good. It could be better if you had one of these candy bars. Just sayin'.
Everyday Donna
Things to Remember:
Who was the person that decided to put sea salt with caramel and chocolate? Thank you whoever you are!
PS: Get your eye pressures checked! Glaucoma is a silent disease with no symptoms. It's worth it.
