These next few weeks are going to be jam-packed chocolate-syrup packed with healthy dessert posts. The recipe creations keep piling up faster than I can write posts for ’em. So hold on–you’re in for a chocolate-y ride! 🙂
Lately I’ve just not been able to sleep well. I blame it on the blog! In the last few months, my blog’s readership has increased, and the more people who read my blog, the more I want to make it something worth reading.
My own excitement feeds off of yours: When you’re excited about a post, it makes me excited about it… and then I’m excited to think up more posts!
Like with those Cake Batter Doughnuts.
It’s an awesome feeling, putting one’s heart and soul into a blog post, then getting such energetic, positive responses to that hard work. I’m so excited about future posts—dreaming up new recipes, planning the posts in my head, taking photos–that I cannot sleep!
Falling asleep is okay, but I keep waking up so early. And even if it’s three o’clock in the morning, going back to sleep is out of the question because I’m already wide awake, wanting to run downstairs to work on a new idea.
So now you know the reason, if you saw me on twitter yesterday at 4:30 am, yammering about chocolate-chip blondies. 
I feel like the character from George of the Jungle (anyone see that movie?) after he eats an entire box of coffee grinds… or, like I’ve downed four bottles of Red Bull (I’ve actually never tried Red Bull). The weirdest part is that I do not feel tired at all.
Next week’s schedule:
(subject to change)
- Monday: They’re not Cake Pops…
- Tuesday: It involves chocolate. And cookie dough.
- Wednesday: I want to feature YOU
- Thursday: A new pancake recipe
After that, sky’s not the limit: healthy blondies, ice creams, pumpkin pie fudge… and I still want to post those “skinny” fudge babies!
How much sleep do you usually get?
And do you wake up naturally or use an alarm clock?
I’m a big believer in the idea of listening to one’s body. If my body tells me I want chocolate pie for breakfast, I’ll listen. (Please, body, can you tell me this more often?) Same thing goes for sleep: I don’t know why, but my body seems to tell me it doesn’t require eight hours of sleep. What can you do?
Like Monday’s post. Here’s a chocolate preview.
McKella says
I need 8-9 hours every night, and when I don’t work in the morning I just wake up naturally at about 7-7:30. I love it.
Gen says
I usually get from 7 to 8 hours of sleep!!!
Soo excited about all this week’s recipes!!!! 😀
Jess says
I was getting about 8 as well, but now that’s it’s light outside earlier, it typically doesn’t matter when I go to bed I’ll likely awaken between 6:30 and 7:30 am. I only need an alarm if I want to wake up before 6. Plus, I’m excited for the recipes; I made choco chip banana loaf for breakfast, and can’t wait for new things to try.
Carrie (Moves 'N Munchies) says
WOOHO! excited for these posts!!!!! i feel ya! i go in cycles… great weeks of sleep… then terrible weeks of sleeps! but dreaming about yummy vegan recipes aint such a bad thiing 😉
UMM…. LE DUH your readership has grown! you are AMAZING in SO many ways.. not just your blog and recipes, but YOU!
VeggieGirl says
Love ya Katie!
I get about 6-7 hours and wake up naturally.
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
So excited for your recipes next week!
I usually get 7.5 – 8 hrs of sleep.. and ALWAYS wake up naturally. I never ever sleep to an alarm.
Jenny says
Sooo happy to hear that you’ve been made so happy yourself, by everyone’s eagerness for your posts! They are great posts though, can you blame us?! 🙂
7 hours of sleep seems to by my magic number, when it comes to the number of hours I sleep without having an alarm clock to wake me… And nope! I always wake up naturally. I trust my body, haha. But how strange! Lately I’ve also had a lot of problems sleeping… I can fall asleep easily, but will wake up four or five hours later – so at 3a.m.-ish, yikes.
Looking forward to all of your upcoming posts! 😀
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh my gosh, that sounds exactly like me! Falling asleep easily… but I’m wide awake at 4 or 5.
Lenna says
I always wake up naturally! I used to use an alarm clock, but I always felt like a hammer fell over my head:) Now I am able to wake up by myself and it is much better. I wake up around 5 a.m. every day and I am perfectly fine with it. So I completely understand that sometimes it just feels like a waste of time to go sleep again when you´ve already woken up and there´s so much waiting for you:)
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Congratulations to you! I’m the same way about sleep – I’ll wake up crazy early at times, but I just do what my body wants. Lately I’ve decided I’m officially an “adult” because I can’t even sleep past 8a on the WEEKEND. Sad, right?!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Haha I remember those teenage years, when we’d sleep til noon on weekends… my cousin is in that stage now, and it’s so cute. But I never realized how much of life we must’ve missed out on!
Brandi says
Yum! I’m excited for you future post. Those cookie dough explanation mark looks yummy!
I usually get 8 or 7 hours asleep every night. So I get a good amount of sleep. My body wakes up at usually around the same time everyday so I rarely use an alarm.
Jennifer JCD says
Oh, those photos (doughnuts and you and your bear) are awesome! I love your blog and am excited for your success and all your posts too!
As for sleep, I try to get between 7-8 hours each night. We have an alarm only because we have to catch a bus or get to work pretty early in the morning. In the summer I usually wake up before the alarm because it’s so sunny outside at 4:30 AM and I cannot wait to go outside and enjoy the day. In the winter is a whole different story… my body doesn’t care about the alarm and just wants to sleeeeepppp…. because it’s dark and cold. I’m so happy it’s springtime!
Hannah says
Yay I’m so happy other people are coming into the world of CCK, because it & you are amazing! 🙂
I can’t wait for these new recipes! So excited.
Laura says
First, I seriously do identify with you on many levels! I know I commented yesterday, but I forgot to include the EXACT same thing happened to me in junior high when I started running XC. I was increasing mileage and loosing weight, because I was not increasing my calorie intake. Same thing, I lost a good bit of weight, unintentionally, and realized I had to focus on gaining weight in order to look, feel, and run my best. Anyways, I have been having the same sleeping troubles! I wake up at 4:00/4:30 and cannot go back to sleep! SO frustrating! Anyways, thanks again for your blog, and I cannot wait to continue reading:)
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I’m so glad I’m not the only one. Judging by these comments, a lot of us are in the same boat. Weird!
Kat @ Cupcake Kat says
So excited for all of your upcoming posts. Blogging excitement sometimes keeps me up too. Sometimes my best ideas come to me when I’m trying to sleep. I usually wake up and go to bed at the same time ecah day if I can
Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty says
IT’s because you make such tasty treats!! And you are so sweet too!!!
congrats you deserve all the love!
Katherine says
Hey 🙂
Sorry I haven’t been as active in your blog lately. I need to get back to it.
I am working on starting my own blog, unfortunately I suck at programming, and can’t seem to make it look like I want it to. I wish I had someone to do it for me.
Lilly says
I usually get 7-8, 8 seems to work best for me and I am not tired at all. I set an alarm, because the thought of oversleeping terrifies me, but I almost always wake up before it.
Every single recipe looks too good to be true, I cannot wait for all the new sweets and treats to try. And I am sure anyone who encounters your blog instantly becomes hooked because it is so amazing, and so are you girl!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Awwww hugs!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
Ahhhh yummy!!! Cake pops sound so. good.
Victoria (District Chocoholic) says
I also think about recipes (especially chocolate ones) while falling asleep, or when I wake up in the middle of the night…which is all the time. I sleep about 3-5 hours a night and only need my alarm clock 4-5 times a year. Yowzers.
lindsay says
can’t wait to see what you DON’T do with cake pops. haha. Can you make this gluten free for me please? I’d love you forever. Well I already do!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I love you right back hehe.
And I bet you could use Bob’s gluten-free mix. But this one has oat flour… I’m confused: are oats gluten-free or not?
lindsay says
depends on the brand. Bob’s oat flour is GF. Oats are naturally gluten free just depends on the cross contamination. Which is usually a very small amount. I love oat flour! Can’t wait for the recipe!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oooooooo well then yes, it’s gluten-free! So cool when I make a gluten-free recipe and don’t even realize it! 🙂
VEGirl says
Aargh your photos are consistently STELLAR girlie!
I need (and get, not matter how I try not to) 9 1/2 to 10 hours of sleep every night. It seems that no matter what time I go to bed, I wake up that many hours later! I used an alarm clock when adjusting to a new sleeping schedule, but now I leave my blinds open and let the sun wake me up every morning 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
LOL but you’re a teenager, so I guess you need more, right? 😉
Julie @ Shining From Within says
I usually get 7-8 hours of sleep! The more the better 😀 I love your blog so keep the desserts comin’! I need pancakes in my life ASAP so I can’t wait till you post them on Thursday 😉 and cookie dough!? …*drool*.
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
YAAAY I can’t WAIT for upcoming posts, as always!! They sound SO GOOD though!! And haha thinking about blondies at 4.30am?!?! Oh I love you Katie!! 🙂 Oh, I am drooling over the chocolate preview. It’s my dream-come-true on a stick!! 😀
P.S. I’m NOT at all surprised your readership’s grown so much!! You are AMAZING and such a lovely and sweet person too and we all love you so so much!! <3
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Your dream come true on a stick? Haha Emma, you have the CUTEST phrases!
Little Bookworm says
Looking forward to the upcoming posts, they all sound amazing! 🙂 Love the preview for Monday’s post as well.
Dalai Lina says
Why do people love reading you? Because you post great food ideas and you are funny! Don’t worry about the sleep 😉
Jeanie says
Katie,
You are 2 Cute!
You inspire me to want to get in the kitchen and try and create a gluten free/grain free/sugar free version on your donuts, cupcakes, pancakes, etc etc etc.
Oh, I forgot, I have to give up chocolate too. so, carob instead of choc. Yes, I;m on a special diet (due to some health issues). I don’t let it deter me from trying to create things. Much like you, dreaming about it and it effects your sleep! Thanks for sharing that!
Blessings,
Jeanie
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I need to experiment more with carob! I never think to use it!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Well congrats on the blog success! I enjoy your reading your posts every day!
Yes I know exactly what you’re talking about on George of the Jungle! That is my youngest sister’s favorite movie, and when she was 6-7 years old we’d watch it every day 🙂
I go to bed when I’m tired, which is usually 10pm or so, and then I get up most mornings at around 6, usually 7 on weekend days.
Sam says
I usually get about 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep a night. This seems to work well for me. I usually need an alarm clock to arise but more and more I am starting to wake up minutes before it actually goes off. I guess this is a good thing.
I can’t wait for all your yummy recipes!
Samantha says
Hi Katie!!
I usually get between 4 and 5–I blame that on school! If I had my way though I usually sleep about 8 hours if I don’t have to wake up to an alarm clock! 🙂
Mastering Public Health (@MasPublicHealth) says
Have been battling the same waking-up-too-early issue as you have for the last few months! It is getting better now, with spring in the air. The weird thing is that if when I do fall back asleep, I wake up again like every hour until wake-up time. Very frustrating, because 1 hr. + 1 hr. + 1 hr. does not = a straight 3 extra hours! So choppy and you wake up with a headache. :/ I really hope your sleep gets better soon. It usually has to do with being overly anxious or excited about something (as you are)!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Ugh, and you don’t fall into a deep sleep either… I get so frustrated just laying there with my eyes closed, wasting time! That’s why I usually get up, even if it’s 4am!
kris @ everyday oats says
Can I just tell you your doughnuts (and all your other recipes) look AMAZING??! Thanks for sharing and I can’t wait to try them out!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aww thank YOU for such a sweet comment! And your blog title is super-cute!
Anonymous says
Thanks!! 🙂
Albizia says
The preview looks delicious! I hope it is something I can make without special equipment because I really want to try it.
AS for the sleep, back home I needed my 8 hours of sleep but since I moved I have slept 8 hours only once and it was the first night after the flight. I haven’t used an alarm clock for ages and now I need it less than ever because I wake up between 5:30 and 6 a.m. every day.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I don’t think you need any special equipment… just hands! But actually, they are pretty special, right? 😉
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I used to love 8-9 hours of sleep but ever since I got my new job that has me up EARLY I have a hard time falling asleep early to compensate, so I’ve been getting 5-6 most nights… it caught up with me in the form of a cold last week! I’ve got to make sleep more of a priority in my life and at least try for 7! I’m glad you’re blog readership is booming… you deserve it! You put out a quality product and you have a beautiful heart! xoxo
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw Christin, you are ALWAYS so sweet to me!
Elena @ GagaForGrapefruit says
i can’t WAIT for the upcoming recipes! WOOOO! 🙂
Hela says
I can so relate to this!! I am totally the same when I am excited about something!
Good for you 🙂 Thank you so much for blogging!
I don´t really sleep that much during the week, I will be fine with about 5 hours, but on weekends, I will sleep in for sure 🙂
Oh, and before I forget, but seriously, how could anyone forget about the following??? I made your Chocolate Chip Pancakes this morning. Oh my, there are no words to describe these pancakes. Sooooo delicious and also somewhat healthy 😉 Yummi! I feel they make the perfect birthday breakfast, bc it´s like eating a treat 🙂 I used water and also only added a tsp sugar for the doubled recipe, so it makes me feel even better about them! Love them and love you!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh my gosh, I’m so excited you made them!! And now I am imagining a person standing over a plate of pancakes, with candles, blowing out the candles :). That’d be fun!
Hela says
Haha, it would be funny indeed! But it would be lovely, all the same 🙂
Livv says
Hey, if you’re not tired then who cares how much sleep you’re getting!! My dad sent me this article a few months ago, that discussed how people who really love and enjoy what they do for a job/fun etc. often thrive on less sleep then the average individual…simply because they want to work more because they truly LOVE doing it! I can’t WAIT for all your posts next week…especially the “US” feature and your not cake pops…mmmmm:)
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
That’s how I feel too! As long as I’m not tired… or grouchy. But lol if I am grouchy, it’s everyone else who will be affected ;).
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
4 to 5 hrs a night. I’ll sleep more when I’m dead 🙂 Or when my child is grown, Im not working FT, being a FT mom, running my blog, my fitness, cooking, cleaning, etc…it all takes time and I need a good 20 hrs a day to get it in. Sleep for 4. Repeat. I used to be an 8+ hr a night girl. Not anymore. I will look back on this phase of life when im 75 and will be glad I lived a really full life 🙂
Congrats on your growth…that’s awesome!!
Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free says
I like my sleep, and I usually get about 9……….
Emilia says
I try to get at least 8 hours, but it differs depending on my school and work schedule 😉
Your hair is just so darling!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Emilia! You are always so kind and wonderful! Love u!
Tessa says
I think your sleeping problem might be due to the fact that you’re underweight ! I don’t want to imply anything but I just remember, that when I was anorexic I couldn’t sleep more than 4 hours a night. I also used to wake up thinking about food, and you basically do the same. Your pictures look scary to me and I think you should put on some weight. Don’t get me wrong ! I love your blog and your recipes! I know your loyal readers propably gonna hate me for saying that you should gain some pounds and I know you not gonna do it anyway because when you’re anorexic you think that you”re fine and energetic and alive and healthy and what not even though you’re not… i’ve been there! I have had an bmi of 14 and I know how it is to be you…but whatever, like I said, I’m not asking you to change, because who would listen to some random commentor… I’m just saying this because it personally concerns me… basically I just want to voice my opinion…. I think you’re just such a sweet girl! I just dont want you to damage your health…. but whatever …. I still ove your blog !
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hi Tessa,
While I appreciate your concern, it’s not very nice to assume I have an eating disorder—and accuse me of it—when you do not personally know me. Also, I don’t wake up thinking about food and being hungry; I wake up thinking about new creations, about photo shoots, about stories to tell in posts, and about any number of other blog-related things. And finally, as I wrote in this post, I don’t normally have trouble sleeping. (And even now, I’m getting around 6 hours, not 4. Plus, a lot of other commenters have lamented having the same issue.)
Please try to remember that when you leave a comment, your assumptions (and words about “scary-looking” photos) can hurt the person on the receiving end. I don’t know if you read my two “hello from CCK” posts, but in them I talk about how I AM healthy (not just “feel healthy” but AM healthy) even though yes, I am considered underweight by chart standards. Not everyone fits onto a black-and-white chart.
Lisa says
“your loyal blog readers propably gonna hate me” You’re d*mn right we are! You are WAY out of line here in attacking Katie like this. And you have some NERVE to the sit there and say she’s a sweet girl and you love her blog after calling her anorexic and scary. That’s like saying “No offense but…” 🙁
Lisa says
And I’ve had trouble sleeping, lately, too. Does that mean I and all the other people who have commented here are anorexic too? No it does not!
Anon says
Why is it that suggesting Katie struggle with an eating disorder is an insult? I think the very fact that there’s so much defensiveness and discussion around the underweight-eating-disorder issue on this blog confirms that there’s something going on. For anyone that doesn’t have eating issues, it’s not hurtful for someone to express worry or concern at your low weight. It might provoke curiosity on your part, but that’s it.
Having an eating disorder is not something to be ashamed of Lisa. Tessa’s comment did not strike me as an accusation or insult, just a very honest and in my opinion accurate observation of how what Katie shares here on her blog is highly suggestive of disordered eating. And that’s not a BAD thing. I do look forward to the day when Katie will be at a place where she can openly and authentically share her internal process– I can only imagine how powerful she’ll be with the extensive and devoted readership (many of whom have EDs themselves) she has. It’s a vulnerable thing to do though. Empowering, but scary. Katie, I’m sure you’ll do it when you’re ready.
If you haven’t already, you might read up on the Minnesota Starvation Experiment. One of the most interesting findings from that study was that when people don’t get enough calories, they become highly pre-occupied with food: They think about it night and day, collect cookbooks/recipes, eat highly irregular food combinations, etc. http://www.possibility.com/wiki/index.php?title=EffectsOfSemiStarvation
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Too little or too much and I’m drowsy..but 8 hours seems to really hit the spot. And I definitely like waking up naturally over an alarm clock!!!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
I’m excited for you Katie- you deserve all these readers, cause you’re AWESOME!! I get about 8 hours a night, and my body always wakes me up naturally at 7. It’s annoying because I have some late nights and I feel like I can never catch up on sleep!
Meagan says
hyperthyroidism can cause trouble sleeping…. I don’t think a few days of less sleep is anything to worry about but if you start noticing it getting worse or having other symptoms like sweating, jitteriness, trouble concentrating, you might want to get checked out by a doctor
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I actually was tested a few years ago and the results were borderline. But the doctor said it was nothing to worry about, and a few years later the test results were negative. But it’s a good thing to watch out for! Thanks for the reminder!
Karolina says
I totally understand getting so excited that you can’t sleep at night. I had a night like that a few nights ago…
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Yay for growing blogs!!! You are full of ambition!
BroccoliHut says
Such enthusiasm for food blogging! Love it! I am excited to have more time to blog now that classes are over. Just one more exam, and then I’ll be a bloggin’ fool 🙂
I generally wake up naturally, but I always set an alarm, just in case.
Maris (In Good Taste) says
I never seem to get enough sleep! Probably about 6 hours a night — so not too bad but could STILL use more 🙂
Vanessa says
I get 4-5 hours. 5 if I’m lucky but I am not normal when it comes to sleep. I wish I didn’t have insomnia.
Ashley says
Since you said you feed off of excitement, I just wanted to tell you…I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT A WEEK OF ALL DESSERT POSTS!!! You have shown me that dessert can be healthy and filling!! But please get some sleep too 🙂 Keep up the amazing work!!!!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
That makes me even more excited!!! 🙂
Iris says
I know the feeling…I get that way about recipes sometimes too!
p.s. Just wanted to say that I love your photos lately. I mean, I’ve always loved them 🙂 but the bold colors are so fun and lively! I want to take photo lessons from you!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Awwwww Iris, thank you so so much!!
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy Girl" says
I totally relate to the sleep thing! The same thing happened to me so I took a little break. Sometimes sleep is just what a girl needs! I wish I could survive off less but it’s just not in the card ;-). Glad to see you’re still doing okay and look forward to next week’s schedule!
Katherine: Unemployed says
do you tag/categorize your posts? you so need a cookie dough category and a doughnut category and a for one category and a balls (giggle ;)) category (chocolate category is overlapping and not needed!)
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
LOL yes I do need a cookie-dough category!
I do tag my posts, and I have a carrot-cake one, so cookie-dough really oughta be next!
(Also, I have a fudge baby tag)
Nikita says
Congrats on your blog success, you deserve it!
I struggle with getting a full nights sleep most nights. I have trouble both falling asleep and staying asleep and I usually feel ok on 6 hours but any less and I don’t feel my best. I think if you feel good, theres no need to worry!
Fudge Baby Fan says
So excited for the skinny fudge babies recipe!
Megan@eatmybeets says
I like that you created a schedule for yourself. I’m still trying to work mine out haha And get some sleep! Even if you can’t post eeevry day it will be OK haha