Recipe

There’s a lot of reasons to bake this spring. Whether you’re making snacks for your children’s baseball team, making dessert for Easter dinner or if you just need a delicious treat after a long day at work, these chocolate peanut butter bars are quick, easy and will hit the spot.

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BARS

CRUST 2 cups of plain graham crackers, finely crushed 11 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted 5 tablespoons of white sugar 1. Spray a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Place the graham crackers, butter and sugar in a small bowl and combine well with a large spoon. Press the crust mixture evenly into the pan with your hands or the back of the spoon and bake for 15 minutes. INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS

SECOND LAYER 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter 2 cups of powdered sugar 1 cup of whipping cream

THIRD LAYER 3.5-ounce package of instant vanilla pudding 3.9-ounce package of instant chocolate pudding 3 cups of milk

FOURTH LAYER 8-ounce container of whipped topping, thawed 1 cup of miniature peanut butter cups, chopped

3. Remove from the oven and let cool. When the crust is completely cool, start making the second layer.

4. Put the cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar and whipping cream in a medium bowl and blend with an electric mixer or whisk. Beat the mixture until smooth and creamy. Spread evenly on top of the crust.

5. In a small bowl, put in the vanilla and chocolate pudding mixes, and then add the 3 cups of milk. Whisk for 2 minutes. Spread on top of the second layer.

6. For the fourth layer, spread the entire container of whipped topping evenly and then sprinkle the chopped miniature peanut butter cups on top.

7. Chill for a minimum of 6 hours. Keep covered for up to three days in the fridge. ■

Cathy Blatnik grew up in Maryland, but has lived in Michigan for almost 17 years with her family, which includes her husband, adult stepson, adult daughter and a son in high school. She has been baking and cooking for as long as she can remember in Cathy’s “Kitchen.”

PRACTICE MINDFUL Self -Expression BY SHAHAD ALZAIDAN

In a world full of carefully curated social media images, we can easily fall into the trap of thinking everyone else has it all figured out. These images represent a skewed reality, in which the chaos of real life resides just outside of the frame. Knowing that everyone has a messy story reminds us that we, too, can be brave enough to show our true selves to the world.

Self-Expression: Beyond the Illusion Writing was my solace in a world suddenly ripped by tremendous loss and grief. When presented with the exciting opportunity to write for this column, I leapt at the chance. My heart wants to tell you that a symphony of characters naturally spilled out of me, landing on the page in perfect composition. The reality? It was a choppy mess. Feeling defeated, I succumbed to the deadline looming over me and disappointedly submitted the article I initially wrote.

The irony wasn’t lost on me that I couldn’t adequately express myself while writing about self-expression. I had placed a massive amount of expectation on this debut article, with persistent thoughts on what it should look like and how it would be received. The truth remains that when we become so wrapped up in the thoughts of others, even unintentionally, our authentic selves become lost. I could not hear my genuine voice in that first draft, so I chose to begin again. Then it happened.

The Body My shoulders dropped, my breathing became fuller, and my heart calmed, almost immediately after making the decision to start over. My body, realizing that I was now being true to myself, physically responded. This is what happens when you are in alignment with your true self. Your body will clue you in, sometimes much faster than your mind will catch on. Do you notice that? Even at this very moment, do you notice what your shoulders are doing? This awareness of the present moment, without judgment, is the practice of mindfulness. While my mind still had its hesitations, the relaxing of my physical body confirmed that starting over was the right choice to make.

The Mind What happens to a baby when you play bouncy music around them? They bounce! As adults, the firm grip of shame can make it feel near impossible to express ourselves in that childlike, unbridled manner. When expression is tied to an end result, a preconceived image or other peoples’ perceptions of us, it will manifest itself into false thoughts like: I can’t because I don’t have enough talent. I can’t because I don’t look a certain way. I can’t because people will judge me.

The Heart: A Challenge Knowing that these thoughts exist, I will challenge you to a practice of mindful self-expression. Begin by selecting a descriptive word you have difficulty believing about yourself, but which you desire to be. Then, speak the statement (fill in the blank with your chosen description) “I am ____.” Literally say it out loud. There is great power to speaking words aloud into existence. How did it feel, physically and emotionally, when you said those words? Simply notice, without judgment. Repeat the statement, again out loud. Is it feeling different? Repeat it one more time. Now, hold this intentional statement in your mind as you move into the second part of the practice.

Carve five minutes out of your day to dedicate to expressing yourself in a creative manner. No, seriously, set your timer for five minutes; you are worthy of this

gift of time devoted solely to yourself. This can be anything that your heart feels compelled to do. Turn a song you love way up in the car and sing as loud as you can possibly muster. Pull out some paper along with your favorite writing utensil (I’m partial to fine-line Sharpies) and begin doodling. My personal favorite, put on your favorite tunes and dance! Do something physical that expresses a vulnerable part of you. Now, here’s the important part. Once you have completed one of these activities, pause. Become aware. What is your heart doing? Is it beating heavily? What is your mind saying? What thoughts are coming up? How do you actually feel? Simply notice, without judgment.

The Practice of Being You The answers that come up when you partake in this simple yet profound mindfulness practice are not always easy to face, but doing the work enables you to choose actions that truly reflect the authentic you, which, in turn, allows space for others to freely express themselves. Give yourself full permission to be yourself, and notice how that changes how you show up in this world. I bet it is glorious. ■

Dedicated in loving memory to Raheeq “Kiko” Alzaidan, who always found creative ways to express her true self.

Shahad Alzaidan is an immigrant living in the heart of Grand Rapids, “Shoosh” is a practitioner of mindful living and a believer in the healing and transformative powers of love, kindness and dance.

Creativity is how I share my soul with the world.

- BRENE BROWN

4 WAYS TO GET YOUR CRAFT ON

Crafting is a wonderful way to relieve stress and express your creative side. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a master craftsman or spend a fortune on materials to have fun and enjoy the benefits. “A great way to get into crafting is by ‘upcycling’ — bringing new life into items you already have,” said Dinah Wulf, author and blogger of the website DIY Inspired. “Some of my favorite projects can be done with ordinary household items and just a dab of glue.”

Here are four easy upcycled projects to get your creative juices flowing.

A Cork Cellphone Stand? Wine-Not? Wine corks make excellent crafting material, so instead of throwing the cork away once the bottle is empty, put it to use by creating a stand for your smartphone. All that you need for this cute project are 24 corks and a sturdy, quick-drying glue like DAP RapidFuse All Purpose Adhesive.

Start by stacking the corks in a pyramid shape, applying just a thin layer of glue to where the corks meet. Press each bond together for 30 seconds to ensure a strong hold. Next, just add one extra row of corks at the bottom for the phone to rest on, and repeat with the adhesive. Allow to cure for 30 minutes. In less than five minutes, you’ve created a unique resting place for your phone that keeps it handy while you work at your desk or look up recipes in the kitchen. A Dazzling Jewelry Box for Hidden Treasures For an easy, budget-friendly crafting project, Wulf recommended scouring flea markets and garage sales for old ceramic boxes. With a little dressing up, they make the perfect jewelry box for you or a loved one. Start by spray-painting the box in your desired color. Once dry, embellish with rhinestones or old figurines — even old decorative salt or pepper shakers. Simply dab a bit of adhesive on the item, then press into the box for 30 seconds to seal.

A Bird Feeder to Tweet About One of Wulf ’s favorite projects is creating an eyecatching bird feeder made from an old saucer and teacup. It’s an excellent way to repurpose old dishes that you no longer use while also bringing a dash of whimsy to the backyard. Simply lay the cup on its side on top of the saucer, and check to see where the cup and saucer touch. Next, apply the adhesive

COURTESY OF BRANDPOINT

to these two areas to set and press together for 30 seconds. To keep the cup from rolling as it sets, place two small items on either side. After it cures for 30 minutes, fill it with bird seed and hang it from your porch or a tree.

A Mug Makeover Don’t have a favorite mug for your morning coffee? Make your own! With a basic ceramic mug as your canvas, the sky’s the limit. Apply word tiles to craft a fun message; use multisurface acrylic paint and painter’s tape to create colorful, geometric shapes (follow directions on paint label for proper application and drying); or, for a soothingly abstract effect, use the following technique: Fill a Tupperware with lukewarm water and add a few drops of fingernail polish in the color of your choice and stir with a toothpick. Dip your mug into the mixture, letting it sit for a few minutes then let dry for three hours. Voila! Your mug is now a masterpiece. Be sure to apply adhesive or paint only to the exterior, as many glues and paints are not food safe; and always be sure to hand wash your new mug. ■

MAKE IT YOUR OWN: FINDING YOUR PERSONAL DESIGN STYLE

When it comes to interior design, having a curated and well-defined aesthetic is a challenge for almost everyone. Knowing where to begin doesn’t have to be overwhelming and can make the process much more enjoyable. Infusing your personal design style into your home should be fun!

The most critical step is to decide how you want the room to feel. Your surroundings directly impact the way you feel and, in turn, the way you live in your home. The look should be more about a feeling than a design theme; don’t get trapped into a theme. For example, if you like a Mediterranean style, think about why you like it: Is it the warm earthy tones? Or do you like the vibrant blues and yellows? Do you like homes that feel cozy and warm, or are you drawn more toward moody and dramatic interiors?

So, how do you decide what you want the feel of your room to be? Collect images. Browse the internet for pictures of homes that inspire you, cut images out of magazines, visit stores and take pictures of the things you like. Once you have a good number of images collected, start looking for common themes. Does everything have a common color or texture? There might be a pattern or style that pulls you in.

Another exercise includes taking inventory of the things you have. Take a look around your home: Are there things that you like and reflect your style? Edit out the items you don’t like. If an item no longer resonates with you, it’s time to donate it. Mood boards or collages are another excellent way to hone in on common looks that you like. Use those cutouts and print your photos to mix and match images, textures and patterns in a way that is complementary and reflects the feeling that you would like to cultivate in your home.

Still stuck? Don’t worry!

Interior designers have been trained to be able to help you define your design aesthetic amongst other things and can usually help you come up with a plan for your space for a modest investment. Remember, your style is unique to you. Once you’ve been able to personalize your design style you can truly appreciate the feeling of being home. ■

• Creative Goldwork • Diamonds and Gems

MARK E. ARENDSEN G. G. (GIA)

124 W. ALLEGAN SUITE 1600 BOJI TOWER, LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933

HEALTHIER STARTS TODAY! Contact me to get your personalized plan

Whether you’re packing for a vacation to a warm destination or getting ready for spring in the city, Kellie’s Consignments has so much in stock you’ll find an outfit for every occasion. Shop Kellie’s for spring break and spring staycations!

FASHION

One-piece print jumpsuit: size M Beaded handbag Decade’s vintage travel case Puff keychains Yellow Bracelet Poppy Love flower ring by Lauren G. Adams Beaded necklace $26 $10 $49 $5 $10 $120 $35