I’ve been waiting for the right time to say this. In fact, this has been years in the making. YEARS, but I was always waiting for the right time to do so, only to find out that it never was. I would always convince myself to keep doing what I was doing and push off what inevitably needed to be done. But what better day to this than now (because today is all we have!) and what better way to do it than with these Chocolate Banana Moose Pops to celebrate? It’s winter and Christmas season after all. There is much to be happy about!
The thing about winter (like, an actual winter, not the kind of winter Californians call winter…wink), you learn a lot about death and life through the seasons. You visibly see it happen before your own eyes and how winter, which is like death, brings about this desperate longing for spring, the season of birth. Everything turns a bit bleak while the trees have lost all their leaves and everything and everyone goes into hibernation mode. And once spring comes around the corner, it’s amazing to see what has sprung up from its slumber. It’s given me so much to think about and how in our own lives we go through constant death and birth on so many different levels. The disservice we do to ourselves and to others, however, is when we don’t accept that truth and stifle the cycles. There is always something dying and being reborn in us and we get stuck when we don’t allow it to flow the way it needs to. Enter what I need to say:
I’ve changed.
It’s been 6 years of blogging and I’ve experienced some major deaths and rebirths during that time. The problem is that I’ve been stuck for a few years now because I haven’t accepted the fact that change is good and that we need to let go of certain things in order for new things to grow. I’m not the best at accepting change in my life. I find that sometimes I hold onto to what I know for dear life because I fear change so much. But I’m trying to change that these days. Ever since my mother’s death, I’ve been trying real hard to do things differently…
Chocolate Banana Moose Pops
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Chocolate Banana Moose Pops (and Farewell)
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 Chocolate Banana Moose Pops 1x
Ingredients
- 2 banans, cut in half
- 1/2 c. melted chocolate
- 8 mini pretzels
- 8 homemade googly eyes
- 4 mini cookies
- 4 red colored chocolate candies
- 4 popsicle sticks
Instructions
- Carefully place a popsicles stick into the cut part of each banana slice.
- Dip the bananas into the melted chocolate and place on a baking sheet covered with a piece of parchment paper.
- Add the pretzel antlers, mini cookie, eyes, and nose on the banana.
- Freeze until set.
And because I’ve been trying to face what I fear, here it what I need to tell you:
I will no longer be creating recipes that are gluten free, vegan, or even allergen friendly over here.
They are labels that have stuck with me for a very long time now (whether on purpose or accidental), and at which were relevant at one point, but no longer. What you WILL find over here from now on are:
- Fun kid food (still).
- No dietary limits.
- Me being more personal over here again (like I used to).
- Whatever I damn well want.
I will completely understand if you stop reading about my world over here and no longer want to see my recipes. I just ask that you be respectful when you leave, please.
As time passes along, I will tell you more about how I got here, but until then, I made us Chocolate Banana Moose Pops to celebrate the season and celebrate this new self that is emerging from the depths of me. A self that values authenticity and openness more than anything else. And let me tell you, it feels so damn good.
I just found your website today, through a link for your fried jicama. I have some of the issues you mentioned on your “about” page: ibs symptoms of bloating and reflux, plus I have recently been diagnosed with Menieres’ Disease, which means switching to a low sodium diet in order to help control (as much as possible” future episodes. I plan on checking out your recipes for those with dietary restrictions, hopefully some of your new recipes will also work with modifications.
This is wonderful! I am so glad you are taking charge and choosing the right path for you. Will your GF, vegan recipes still be on this blog? Or will you be removing them? I will want to save as many as I can if you are!!!
I’ve been a fan of yours via IG for a long time now and honestly never knew you had a blog but honestly, I don’t ever really subscribe to them but I am terrible at checking my emails. I will subscribe now and truly appreciate your “reinvention”. You are awesome and I’m so excited for you!!!! Blessings always!
That is just beyond kind!! I feel so honored, Jenny, really <3
I so appreciate your honesty and sharing in your journey. I experienced the loss of my mother about a year before your mom became ill. Your blog posts helped me deal with a deep loss threat came at the same time as the birth of our child. Talk about experiencing loss and new life!
Thank you for being real. I look forward to reading what you wish to share on your journey.
Wow Barbara, sounds like our lives crossed similar paths with the loss of our mothers and birth of children. How blessed we are to experience the death/life cycle in a profound way. I hope you are continuing to find healing and peace. I know it’s been hard for me but I am fighting for it every day. Sending you so much love <3
Oh Cara, I’m so happy you will be writing what YOU want to write! Sometimes it’s hard to make that leap, but I’m so glad you are ! xo
I feel incredibly FREE, thank you! And I so appreciate your support and love, dear friend.
It’s really refreshing to see a blogger be true to herself and share more personally relevant content. I love your posts now but I’m sure with this change they will get even better! Thanks for being YOU!
I can’t express how much I appreciate this, Natalie. Thank you for the encouragement.
YAY!! I am so excited that you are giving yourself the gift of creative freedom here. You’re so talented and your work brings so many people so much happiness (myself included!). I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.
Also, can I come over and eat all your moose pops? Kthxseeyousoon.
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You can have all the moose pops in the world, lady! So grateful for your friendship…
first: WHEW.
I was all ready to tell you how much I’d miss your blogging (I wouldn’t miss YOU, because the wonderful gift of blogging is that I know you in real life and we are friends…)
second: YOU GO, GIRL! XO
Nope, not going anywhere 😉 But so grateful for you, for meeting you through blogging, and for all the love!!
Love this post, Cara! Also, we love you for more than recipes, although those are pretty awesome! You have to follow your heart and share what’s real! I can’t wait to see the new you emerging! Oh, and Moose Banana Pops? OMG, YAS! 😍
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Thank you for always supporting me, sweet friend. You have been such a cheerleader for me in making this decision <3