Chewy Monster Granola Bars

Folgers has created a program called The Best Part to help you with little pick me ups that’ll not only help you get through the day, but give you a boost of positiveness whenever you need it. In other words, it’s an online community that’s made for sharing your random acts of kindness or words of inspiration. I’ll start out with sharing a bit of my “best part.”

Let’s be real here. There are days at work where you want to pull your hair out, days where you’d rather be anywhere but here. All it takes is one person (or in this case, one kid!) to completely change your outlook and get you out of that negative mood.

At after school day camp the other day, I was walking the kids from their school to the center when one of the boys exclaimed, “We’re almost home!!” Confused, I corrected him, “You mean, we’re almost at day camp, right?” His response just about made me melt into a puddle.

He looked up at me and said, “Oh yeah, but I love day camp here just as much as I love being home.”

I realized that camp counselors affect kids a lot more than they realize. Sure, it may be work to some, but to the kids attending the camp, it’s almost as if you’re there for them. You’re there to give kids a place to go after school where they can learn, have fun, and be safe. You’re not there for yourself. A camp counselor should never go to work for themselves because there are so many little eyes on them at all times. Your mood and your behavior affect all of the kids around you, whether you realize it or not. They’ll pick up on your bad days in a second, and they’ll make a comment that can make you laugh just as fast.

Here are just a few of my conversations with kids from work:

Kid: But why? You don’t work.
Me: What? I’m working right now! And I also work somewhere else.
Kid: Where?
Me: In the skies.
Kid: YOU WORK IN HEAVEN?! FOR GOD?!?

I walk up to two boys at work and catch the middle of their conversation..
Boy: If they mate, then…
Me: EXCUSE ME?! What are you two talking about?!
Both boys: POKEMON!

Kid 1: If you tell me a really funny joke, you’ll be my first best friend.
Kid 2: I already told you a lot of funny jokes, I don’t want to tell you any more.
Me to kid 1: What?! You’ve never had a best friend?
Kid 1: I have a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th best friend, but he’ll be my 1st best friend if he tells me.

Girl: I can’t wait til i’m 18! .. or 12.
Me: What? Why 18.. or 12?
Girl: Because that’s when I can get a dog!
Me: Why can’t you get a dog until you’re 18.. or 12?
Girl: Because that’s when my guinea pig will die. I think they live for like 8 years.

I curled my hair for the day when I usually wear it straight..
Girl: You look like a lion!!!

Did any of those make you smile just a little bit? The innocence and honesty of kids are a constant reminder for me of the optimism that still exists in the world. It is so easy to keep a positive outlook around them for me because of their carefree and easygoing personalities.

If I could read conversations like that every day, I would. In fact, I’m pretty sure I tell all my friends all the silly conversations with kids as it happens. Now, the only difference is that I can do it online in a community where others have the same kind of stories and photos to share. The Best Part is dedicated to making you smile every day. It’s a place where people can share their heart warming stories and spread happiness. We can all use a little happiness in our lives, right? There’s enough negativity in the news and online that The Best Part will be somewhere where you can escape from it all. Nothing bad, all good.

To celebrate how gosh darn cute kids are and spread even more cheer, I’m making a dessert that screams elementary school: chewy monster granola bars. They’ve got peanut butter, chocolate, and oats. It doesn’t get more elementary than that. They’re the perfect sweet surprise to hide in their lunch boxes. The M&M’s peaking out will be sure to make them smile. Pass that smile forward!

 

The Best Part is an online community that’s dedicated to brightening your day—every day. How? By spreading optimism, one share at a time. The Best Part posts inspirational stories, encouraging quotes, good news and other upbeat items on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram—and encourages fans and followers to share that optimism with their friends. Because when optimism is shared, it grows, making an even more positive impact on our world. Check out what others are sharing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.