Chocolate “Brookies” are the ultimate marriage of chocolate cookies and dark chocolate brownies. You need these rich chocolate cookies in your life. Super easy to put together and delicious,  Chocolate Brookies are perfect for your Memorial Day Weekend menu.

Let us not forget the reason for the weekend. Memorial Day is a federal holiday for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. At this time when our democracy is under attack, I am especially thankful for their service. Freedom isn’t free.

This issue of Good and Good for You Living shares:

• Are you running on empty? This issue’s Best Life Living Tip is about Energy Management.
• This issue’s Self Care Technique helps you turn a nervous habit into nourishing behavior.
• Ideas and Inspo from a very talented Queen Bee you have got to meet.

Read on for more — and your fave new recipe for Chocolate Brookies!

Best Life Living Tip

Sometimes I feel like life is coming at me from all sides. It’s hard to keep focused. That means it’s time for energy management.

What is energy management? Think of your energy like money in your bank account. You begin the day with a certain amount to spend or save. The amount varies from person to person and is based on age, sleep, stress, medical conditions,  lifestyle, career, and more.

Activities either withdraw energy from or deposit energy into your account.

You may not always have control over activities that suck your energy, but you can work to deposit more energy into your account.

How to add to your account? Check this piece out from the Mayo Clinic. Things to consider and work on include all the things you know already… sleep, diet, exercise, and purpose.

Do you know what you may not have considered? The company you keep! Your friend circle can make a huge difference in your energy management.

• Spend time with the people you enjoy. Connecting with positive people will energize you.
• People who have negative outlooks, complain a lot and make poor life choices will drain your energy.
•  No energy vampires! It’s important to set boundaries to protect yourself and conserve your energy.

You can do it!

Self-Care Technique

Oil it up! I used to bite my nails. I no longer bite my nails, but I’ll admit to sometimes picking my cuticles when I get stressed. Ugh.

My helpful self-care technique is to have nourishing oils and creams scattered about my life — in the car, in my purse, in my toiletries kit, beside my bedside table, and at my desk. Everywhere!  Whenever I am anxious and want to pick or pull, I try to pick up a tin or a tube of oil. The action is pretty similar and gives my nervous hands something to do.

Burt’s Bee’s Lemon Cuticle Cream or Carmex are my main go-to’s.  (Yes, Carmex is not just a lip balm. I use it to lubricate my nails and as an emergency hand cream.) I am essentially replacing my nervous habit with a means of nourishment and care, not destruction.

It’s the flip of a switch — instead of picking, you can pamper.

Ideas and Inspiration

Libbie Summers is an award-winning cookbook author and uber-talented producer of imaginative food-inspired lifestyle content. She is truly one of the most creative, smart, awesome people I have ever met in my entire life — in a very full career of meeting wonderful, inspiring people!

I adore her and her incredible aesthetic.

She’s now sharing her talents as the Chief Creative Officer of the Savannah Bee Company. (Yay Libbie, yay Savannah Bee, Yay us!!) She also produces Libbie Summers Label, which she describes as “a modern nostalgic design studio making impeccably crafted utilitarian fashion and home accessories.”

Her website states, “The company spirit is rooted in impeccably made, utilitarian slow-fashion for self and home with a French meets Japanese meets All-American vibe.” You will love it.

I love my linen-gingham apron! Make sure to give her a follow on IG at  @libbiesummerslabel and @libbiesummers

Georgia Grown

Thanks so much for reading. I got so many comments and DMs about the Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake! Folks loved it. I hope you enjoy this recipe for these Chocolate Brookies, too.

I know I am going to get questions about the perfect pecan halves on top of the cookies. They are a varietal called Elliot and have long been my favorite pecan. Order them at PearsonFarm.com and while you’re there you can check out my Peach Poundcake, too!

Be well and safe this Memorial Day Weekend!

Bon Appétit Y’all!

Virginia Willis

Print Recipe

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Chocolate “Brookies”

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Course: cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American, Southern

Keyword: brownies,, cookie, Dark Chocolate

Servings: 20

Calories: 58kcal

Author: Virginia Willis

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch fine sea salt
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 large egg white
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder dissolved in 2 teaspoons hot water
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 20 pecan halves for topping

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a nonstick silicone mat or parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the sugar, egg white, egg, espresso, and vanilla. Stir to combine
• Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Top each cookie with a pecan half. Bake until just set, about 10 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool slightly then remove with a metal spatula to the rack cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 58kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.4mg