Note to self:

If you're craving seven-layer bars, do not go to the grocery store. Just think of how much work it takes to schlep all three kids to the store, buy all of the ingredients, crush the crackers, melt the butter and make the bars. Think of how guilty you'll feel when you eat 1/3 of the pan in one sitting. Think of the stomach ache you'll have. Think of how you'll put the rest of the pan in the freezer and spend the next two days furtively chiseling off rock-hard chunks. Think of how you always forget and cook them too long, so the whole pan is over-brown and chewy. You'll try to talk yourself into it, say that you're allowed to make them every six months or so, rationalize that you'll just eat cereal for the rest of the week to make up for your overindulgence. I'm begging you, turn a deaf ear.

Instead, hop in the car, drive to Starbucks, and pay $2.99 for a 2x2 square of seven-layer deliciousness. Don't cringe at the price. In fact, if the craving is really bad, buy two. Gorging yourself on two Starbucks seven-layer bars (at a cost of $6.70) is still better than spending $12 on making a whole pan and spending the rest of the weekend feeling bloated and sugared-up.

--originally published 1/16/06