The term “delayed gratification” can be defined as waiting in order to obtain something one wants. The idea is an example of emotional intelligence; as we mature, we're more likely to better control our impulses.
Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Members of the Red Hat Society Yvonne LoCastro, Barbara Bellerdine and Angela Vitale, had their dessert recipes published in the book “Eat Dessert First!”
Members of the Red Hat Society Yvonne LoCastro, Barbara Bellerdine and Angela Vitale, had their dessert recipes published in the book “Eat Dessert First!”
But the Red Hat Society, with the recent publishing of its “Eat Dessert First!” cookbook, is turning the principle of delayed gratification on its ear.
The society, which has nearly 40,000 chapters in all 50 states and 30 countries worldwide, playfully bills itself as an “international disorganization,” and members strive to “play by their own rules” - said rules being as tongue-in-cheek as a peanut butter brownie.
“Eat Dessert First!” is just such an example. The book contains about 200 recipes for desserts ranging from cakes, pies and cookies to a chapter filled with “A Medley of Other Sweet Pleasures,” according to the cookbook's contents.
What's more, three RHS members from Auburn have recipes published in the book. Barbara Bellerdine, Yvonne LoCastro and Angela Vitale are members of the Sophisticated Red Hat Ladies, one of several area RHS chapters.
“We published the ‘Red Hat Society Cookbook' last year, and it was such a huge success, we thought we'd do another one,” said Beth Hood, publicist for Thomas Nelson Publishing, the company that distributes RHS books, from her Nashville office. “When I found out what the book's theme would be, I thought, ‘How perfect,'” she added.
“The best part of dinner is dessert, and it usually arrives when you can't eat any more,” writes Sue Ellen Cooper, the society's Exalted Queen Mother, in the book's introduction.
“Now that we're independent adults, who can tell us that we can't occasionally reverse the principle of delayed gratification? Wouldn't that be FUN?” she exclaims in the passage.
After hearing of the society's request for recipe submissions for the cookbook, Bellerdine, who serves as her chapter's Queen, or leader, contacted other chapter members, several of whom submitted recipes.
“And believe it or not, three of us were chosen,” she said, which was quite an honor. Of the hundreds of RHS chapters in New York, only eight recipes from this state are included.
Bellerdine herself was chosen for her Apricot Squares, which are fruit-filled bars similar to brownies.
“That recipe is an old favorite that's been in my family for about 25 years,” she said from her home. “I always serve it at family gatherings during the holidays.”
Vitale, meanwhile, submitted her recipe for Double Delicious Banana Cake almost on a whim.
“I was in Florida with my daughter, and Barbara called and told me about the (recipe submissions),” Vitale, whose RHS nickname is Lady Sweet Pea Sagittaria, said in a telephone interview. “The cake recipe is the first one that came to mind.”
Vitale said she doesn't recall exactly when she first discovered the concoction, but she found the recipe in a magazine. “And though the recipe calls for sugar frosting, people can use cool whip instead, if for some reason they want to cut down on calories,” she playfully remarked.
LoCastro, also known as Lady Potatia, has her recipe for Dutch Apple Kuchen included in the book's “Pastry Delights” chapter.
Containing sliced apples and a decadent cinnamon-and-sugar topping, the recipe was passed on to her from her sister about 50 years ago, LoCastro said.
“It's not complicated, and everybody loves it,” she continued, noting that other family members often make the dessert as well.
“Erma Bombeck once said, 'Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart,'” Cooper writes. “We Red Hat Society members couldn't agree more .. and if you need it, we even give you permission to (at least occasionally) eat dessert first!”
If you read
What: “Eat Dessert First!”
Who: The Red Hat Society
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Cost: $24.99, hardcover
The society, which has nearly 40,000 chapters in all 50 states and 30 countries worldwide, playfully bills itself as an “international disorganization,” and members strive to “play by their own rules” - said rules being as tongue-in-cheek as a peanut butter brownie.
“Eat Dessert First!” is just such an example. The book contains about 200 recipes for desserts ranging from cakes, pies and cookies to a chapter filled with “A Medley of Other Sweet Pleasures,” according to the cookbook's contents.
What's more, three RHS members from Auburn have recipes published in the book. Barbara Bellerdine, Yvonne LoCastro and Angela Vitale are members of the Sophisticated Red Hat Ladies, one of several area RHS chapters.
“We published the ‘Red Hat Society Cookbook' last year, and it was such a huge success, we thought we'd do another one,” said Beth Hood, publicist for Thomas Nelson Publishing, the company that distributes RHS books, from her Nashville office. “When I found out what the book's theme would be, I thought, ‘How perfect,'” she added.
“The best part of dinner is dessert, and it usually arrives when you can't eat any more,” writes Sue Ellen Cooper, the society's Exalted Queen Mother, in the book's introduction.
“Now that we're independent adults, who can tell us that we can't occasionally reverse the principle of delayed gratification? Wouldn't that be FUN?” she exclaims in the passage.
After hearing of the society's request for recipe submissions for the cookbook, Bellerdine, who serves as her chapter's Queen, or leader, contacted other chapter members, several of whom submitted recipes.
“And believe it or not, three of us were chosen,” she said, which was quite an honor. Of the hundreds of RHS chapters in New York, only eight recipes from this state are included.
Bellerdine herself was chosen for her Apricot Squares, which are fruit-filled bars similar to brownies.
“That recipe is an old favorite that's been in my family for about 25 years,” she said from her home. “I always serve it at family gatherings during the holidays.”
Vitale, meanwhile, submitted her recipe for Double Delicious Banana Cake almost on a whim.
“I was in Florida with my daughter, and Barbara called and told me about the (recipe submissions),” Vitale, whose RHS nickname is Lady Sweet Pea Sagittaria, said in a telephone interview. “The cake recipe is the first one that came to mind.”
Vitale said she doesn't recall exactly when she first discovered the concoction, but she found the recipe in a magazine. “And though the recipe calls for sugar frosting, people can use cool whip instead, if for some reason they want to cut down on calories,” she playfully remarked.
LoCastro, also known as Lady Potatia, has her recipe for Dutch Apple Kuchen included in the book's “Pastry Delights” chapter.
Containing sliced apples and a decadent cinnamon-and-sugar topping, the recipe was passed on to her from her sister about 50 years ago, LoCastro said.
“It's not complicated, and everybody loves it,” she continued, noting that other family members often make the dessert as well.
“Erma Bombeck once said, 'Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart,'” Cooper writes. “We Red Hat Society members couldn't agree more .. and if you need it, we even give you permission to (at least occasionally) eat dessert first!”
If you read
What: “Eat Dessert First!”
Who: The Red Hat Society
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Cost: $24.99, hardcover
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.