The last two posts have been about the helping others with what they might be dealing with, whether that be alcohol/drug recovery or suicidal thoughts.
So how do you do that?
These are pretty difficult things to talk about with someone, especially suicide.
Some of you may even be asking how do you make an excuse to go over to someone’s house when you know they aren’t really feeling like having visitors.
My solution: Chocolate Chip Cookies.
You can do this one of a few ways.
First, take all the ingredients over to your friend’s house and prepare them together. The act of doing something small, especially when using your hands, helps conversations flow and get a small task accomplished (which can also help someone who may be depressed). Second, prepare the dough and take that over to their house and bake them there – more of a chance to get a little more time out of the conversation, if it feels forced or scary. Third, completely prepare the cookies (this could be a sly way of stopping by saying you baked too many cookies and wanted to share) and take them over to your friend’s house.
Not too sure what to say when you actually get there? I suggest this app (there is literally an app for everything!).
It has so many options and a really great interface. The app even has a “get help now” button and the link to a help line available 24/7.
If you don’t have a smart phone, asking them out right “if they feel like killing/hurting themselves?” is not something that will make them angry or contemplate suicide if they have not already had those thoughts. They will most likely be relieved that someone asked and the conversation could take off from that.
Now I know every recipe says that it is the perfect chocolate chip cookie, but this recipe has been tinkered with over a couple of years and just got the final touch in the past 6 months or so – by “accident” of course. My boyfriend went out to pick up some chocolate chips so that I could make a few cookies for us. He says he meant to pick up the mini chocolate chips, and I will admit I was very a little upset when he brought the mini ones back. But OMG did it complete my recipe I have been working on for years – and is now completely essential to my recipe and what I think absolutely makes my recipe – so kudos to him for his intentional mistake.
What makes this the perfect addition? There is literally chocolate gooeyness in EVERY SINGLE BITE!
I like my cookies a little under-baked in the middle – a nice crunchy outer edge and almost oozy dough in the middle – absolute chocolate chip cookie perfection!
Yep I forgot to take a picture before I couldn’t resist ripping a piece off.
Just to be clear, I do not believe that suicide can be prevented by chocolate chip cookies. My intention is getting you to talk. Talk to someone who you think has been feeling a little down lately and could be at risk for suicidal thoughts, talk to others about suicide prevention, just talk about suicide. This is the only way to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide.
Chocolate Chip Cookie, Perfected
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 (12 ounce) package mini semi sweet chocolate chips (I use Nestle Real Semi Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels)
To make cookies:
Beat butter and sugars at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating until blended.
Combine flour, soda, and salt in a small bowl; gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Mix the two tablespoons of flour into the chocolate chips (I do this by pouring it in the bag and gently shaking it around to disperse – no need to mess up another bowl). Stir in floured mini chocolate chips.
Refrigerate dough for one hour and up to 24 hours.
Scoop dough with an ice cream disher (you can use any size, I prefer a bigger one) onto prepared baking sheets (either use parchment paper or silpat).
Bake at 350 F for 8 to 14 minutes, depending on how done you want them. Enjoy (and get talking)!
Diagnosably Delicious 