Last Sunday at the Newburyport Farmer’s Market I had many potential customers walk by my booth which was laden with amazing baked items, scones, apple cake squares, pies, chocolate cake slices (with Swiss meringue buttercream frosting mmmm) and delicious cookies. They looked admiringly and walked on by. Many of them said “Oh no, I’m trying to be good” or “I shouldn’t eat any of that”. Why Not!!??
Life is full of choices; things to do, chances to take, food to eat. Life is also short. While I will be the first to tout the benefits of eating a healthy diet, an occasional sweet is one of life’ s little rewards. My friend Mary McAlary (New Day One Life Nutrition) speaks of the 80-20 Rule whereby if you eat a healthy diet 80% of the time, you can splurge 20% of the time. And who can forget the amazing Julia Child who often said when questioned about the butter, etc in her recipes the she believed in a diet of “everything in moderation”. Who am I to argue with either of these ladies.
But it seems that folks come to the farmers markets to buy organic local carrots, spinach, rutabagas, freshly made goat cheese, beautiful mushrooms, organic wine, etc. With all of their healthy purchases in tow they fail to add a sweet ending to it all.
So next time you walk by a display of freshly baked from scratch confections, stop and enjoy a bite or two. One slice of chocolate cake with raspberry filing and chocolate buttercream frosting won’t ruin you. A raspberry scone is not too sweet. The apple cake is to die for (and full of apple chunks and walnuts). The lovely hand decorated sugar cookies are just the little treat to make the day special.