happy international peace day!

I must have missed the memo or maybe there wasn't ever a lot going on where I was, but since 2001 September 21st has been declared International Peace Day! While there wasn't anything notable going on in my world to thoughtfully celebrate this day, organizations like peaceoneday have been on top of their game, promoting activities that "contribute towards building world peace, and development and aid" throughout the globe.

There is one particular program that they have partnered with that I think is just an awesome and really interesting idea and it's called Recipeace. Recipeace takes on the same task of promoting world peace BUT they incorporate the power of food and sharing meals with one another as one way peace can be accomplished. 

World peace...bringing people together...food...really can't go wrong, right?!

Along with promoting local restaurants, specifically in the Chicago area, they also share "Peace Stories" explaining personal and historical moments of people coming together over food AND they share some of those recipes-one of my favorite parts :) So take a look at this sweet treat and in the midst of so much violence & chaos that defines too many people's daily lives, take a minute-whether it's sharing a meal or just a walk, to be a little more kind to others and spread peace in your own little corner of the world...

German Chocolate Bombs
visit recipeace.org for the accompanying story and visuals! 

Next

Ingredients

• 1 14 oz package of caramel
• 1 package German chocolate cake mix
• 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut (optional)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use butter or cooking spray to grease and flour a 13 x 9 inch pan.

Melt caramel with 1/3 cup of the sweetened condensed milk.

Combine cake mix with melted butter and the remaining 1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk in a separate bowl. Stir until smooth.

Spread 1/2 of the cake mix mixture evenly in the pan. Bake 6-8 minutes.

Remove from oven. Cover with caramel, chocolate chips, and coconut & walnuts (if using). Add remaining cake mix on top. Bake 10 additional minutes.