Risk Taker

on December 9, 2010
in All Posts

I took a writing break to prep the dough for my Mixed Berry Jam Thumbprint Cookies.

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I am going to my first-ever Christmas cookie exchange party today and will be bringing 4 dozen jam cookies!  I am so excited (and am mentally preparing myself to be in a sugar coma tonight).  My cookies are very simple:  use this dough and add thumbprints of jam (I’m using a yummy mixed berry jam).

 

Lots of raw dough was consumed during the prep process:

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Please don’t bother to yell at me for eating raw cookie dough.  If raw dough is wrong, I really don’t want to be right.  There are certain things worth taking calculated risks for in life, and I firmly believe raw cookie dough is one of them.

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Things that I do not think are worth taking risks for:

 

  • Not having health insurance if you can afford it (I pay through the nose for my own)
  • Bungee jumping (I backed out at the top from a bungee jump in 2001 in Prague)
  • Blindly choosing a salon to wax your eyebrows (once a random place waxed off half my left brow)
  • Not washing your hands after using the bathroom (OK, that’s more of a gross-out factor)

 

I will, however, risk going to an out-of-state college specifically for a boy (that didn’t work out), get a tattoo that I someday might regret (it’s on my hip), and eat raw cookie dough.  Life is short. 

 

Easy leftovers for lunch:

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I had leftover Napa cabbage, pecan, feta, carrots, onions, and apple salad and added some edamame for bulk + protein.

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What are you willing to take risks for?  What are you NOT willing to risk?

{ 143 comments }

 

  • joanna December 9, 2010, 12:50 pm

    i chose my school based partly on the love of my life, and i don’t regret it for a second. a lot of people doubted my decision, but what else is there to live for if not love? (:

  • grocery goddess jen December 9, 2010, 12:54 pm

    I’m willing to eat raw cookie dough. I’m willing to go the winter without a flu shot. I’m not yet willing to go off the pill and try another method. I’m willing to do things that are scary in hopes of living my dream life.

    • Jillian@ Reshape Your Life December 9, 2010, 2:09 pm

      I am also willing to go without a flu shot… I’ve never gotten one actually. And I don’t think I’ve ever gotten the flu.

      • Caitlin December 9, 2010, 2:19 pm

        Flu shot free, the way to be 🙂

      • Charise December 10, 2010, 9:29 am

        I’ve never had one either, and never had the flu. In the past I was never in a high-risk group who needed to get the shot, though, so it’s really the first year I’ve “risked” it by not getting one since they’ve expanded to universal vaccination recommendation.

  • Amy December 9, 2010, 12:56 pm

    I love raw cookie dough! It grosses my husband out that I eat it but I haven’t been sick yet…so until I do, I’ll keep eatin’ it! 🙂

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) December 9, 2010, 1:01 pm

    Oh, I will definitely take a risk for cookie dough!

  • Maura December 9, 2010, 1:09 pm

    I too got a tattoo years ago, on my lower back (well, its sorta more of a love handle now, but anyway). I don’t mind it now…but I realized, I’m gonna be 45 one day with a shamrock right above my ass. The things we do in college…

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:14 am

      Hahah whatever. I like 45 years old with shamrocks on their arses.

  • Christine December 9, 2010, 1:12 pm

    A 100% agree. I will eat raw cookie dough all day long.

    That salad looks yummy–I have cabbage at home so I might need to make one tonight!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat December 9, 2010, 1:12 pm

    There’s no shame in eating raw dough – it’s quality control!! I usually take risks in trying new foods – within reason. No chicken feet or frogs legs for me thanks!

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence December 9, 2010, 1:13 pm

    Haha cookie dough is definitely a worthy risk! I also went zip lining, and it was so worth it.

  • Lindsey December 9, 2010, 1:16 pm

    I will eat raw cookie dough. I will ding dong ditch the President’s mansion on campus. I will stand in the rain for six hours at an Alabama football game. I will CRAM and lose whole nights of sleep do to poor planning during finals week.

    I will not cross the road unless at a crosswalk. I also will not pull forward at a yield light unless I see a definite opening. Cars scare me!

    • Allison B December 9, 2010, 1:33 pm

      Cars scare me too! I get honked at all the time for not cutting into traffic or crossing over the highway in what may seem to others a resonable amount of space. I have 2 little girls I want to go home to OR I have them in the car with me. I’ve timed the wait time and it’s roughly 5 seconds (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi…) and then everyone can get into traffic or crossover safely.

      • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:21 am

        Cars scare me as well, Especially when I’m on my bike!

  • Kelly December 9, 2010, 1:16 pm

    I eat organic produce without washing it sometimes. I know. I’m bad ass.

    I drive go carts and roller skate recklessly. People get hurt. I don’t apologize.

    • Abby December 9, 2010, 3:06 pm

      Ooh, be careful! I totally used to do that and felt pretty bad ass too, but then I got e coli. Not the kind you die from (obviously lol), but it still sucked!

    • Charise December 10, 2010, 9:32 am

      I can be bad about washing produce too … when I get it from the farmers’ market, I feel like it’s OK, so I get out of the habit and I buy stuff from the grocery store that has been through who knows what kind of factory and touched by who knows how many people even if it is “organic”.

  • RhodeyGirl December 9, 2010, 1:17 pm

    Your salad looks awesome… lots of different tastes and textures YUM.

  • Nancy K @ NancysPerfect10 December 9, 2010, 1:17 pm

    Yum!!! I love thumbprint cookies.

    I don’t understand how a woman can go to the restroom and not wash her hands. I can see a man or a child doing that but grown women??!!! Happens at work all the time. eww

  • Kelly December 9, 2010, 1:17 pm

    Yummy, I love raw cookie dough, so good.

  • Jessica M December 9, 2010, 1:19 pm

    I would never ever go bungee jumpin or sky diving! But I am scared of heights.

    I think love/happiness is worth the risk most of the time. I am not a risk taker when it comes to extreme sports- but that’s just me. And I think an occasional cocktail on a week night is almost always worth it. : )

    To avoid the cookie dough risk, I use a flax egg. Plus I just don’t buy eggs often.

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations December 9, 2010, 1:19 pm

    I’m definitely willing to take the risk for cookie dough or cake batter but not for sky diving, swimming with sharks opportunities, health insurance, texting while driving, or tattoos.

    • allison @ livingoneday December 9, 2010, 1:34 pm

      if you have the chance to swim with sharks, DO IT!!!! i went great white shark cage diving in south africa and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life

      • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations December 9, 2010, 1:37 pm

        I can see that it would be amazing, but it terrifies me. We’re planning a big family vacation for summer 2012, and this is one of the activities being considered. I know I’d love it, but boy oh boy, the idea of it scares me silly. Thanks for commenting. I might have to reconsider my opinion.

        • allison @ livingoneday December 9, 2010, 1:41 pm

          honestly, i was more scared of how cold the water would be. where are you planning a vacation? i just had to do it in SA because it’s the only place in the world where they breach. i knew i couldnt do it again, so i went for it. the place i went with let you choose between a scuba or snorkel while in the cage, or just hanging out with your head above water until they spotted a shark and then u stuck your head under. we used a snorkel but i just kept my head above water. it was scary but so so so amazing, especially with great whites

    • Caitlin December 9, 2010, 1:43 pm

      My BFF did this in South Africa and said it was awesome.

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing December 9, 2010, 1:20 pm

    eat the raw cookie dough, for sure. i think risks in the name of love are typically worth it 🙂

  • Anna December 9, 2010, 1:21 pm

    I am with you 100% on the raw cookie dough as well as the health insurance. I recently had an emergency appendectomy and just got the summary of charges in the mail. Thank GOD I have insurance because the figure was 5 digits and they paid for everything. I cannot fathom paying that out of pocket out of the blue.

    I disagree with the bungee jumping though! I did it in 2006 in New Zealand and it was one of the most awesoem things I’ve ever done. How I see it, a bungee jumping company can’t afford to have any accidents. One accident (that will undoubtedly be fatal) and they’re done. So safety is of utmost importance to them.

  • kalin December 9, 2010, 1:23 pm

    cookie dough is worth it.

    also worth the risk: hugs from sneezing children, kissing your roommate (i married him!), and moving to a new city just because you want to

    • Caitlin December 9, 2010, 1:31 pm

      I wish my blog had a like button.

      • KatieTX December 9, 2010, 1:33 pm

        I say to myself so often, I wish I could “like” this comment!!

    • Allison B December 9, 2010, 1:36 pm

      I agree – cuddling with a sick baby is worth the risk. That’s when I feel most “motherly.”

    • Jacalyn December 9, 2010, 3:02 pm

      Sloppy kisses from babies are always worth the cold I immediately get afterward. Ask me – I’ve gotten three this season from my adorable 18 month old son. Thank you, Kalin, for reminding us of this worth it risk!

  • Ali December 9, 2010, 1:23 pm

    My mom always said we should never eat raw cookie dough and that convinced me I shouldn’t. But there are so many people I know that do so I’m torn 😉

    • Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good December 9, 2010, 2:43 pm

      Me too. My husband and I disagree about this. He’s all for it, but I just can’t. He lets the kids taste raw dough if he’s baking with them, and I just cringe. It’s not so bad that I jump in and stop it, but I do cringe.

    • Jacalyn December 9, 2010, 3:04 pm

      You have to at least try it and then take a stance later. You can’t die tomorrow having never tried cookie dough!

  • Amanda December 9, 2010, 1:26 pm

    OMG why didn’t you post the eyebrow thing a month ago. I went to a random place at school, lost an eyebrow and now i have the bushiest eyebrows in town because i refuse to get them done again until I go home for break!

  • Natalia - a side of simple December 9, 2010, 1:29 pm

    Eating raw dough isn’t a risk. It’s a necessity.

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine December 9, 2010, 1:30 pm

    Raw cookie dough is DEFINITELY a risk I’m willing to take, as is raw fish in sushi. Both are totally delicious! Love is another thing that is always worth getting your heart broken for. I’m such a hopeless romantic 🙂

  • allison @ livingoneday December 9, 2010, 1:33 pm

    im willing to take a risk for cookie dough. im also willing to take a risk for bungy jumping! (i did it at victoria falls in zimbabwe. its one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, i would SO regret it if i didnt!!)

  • Jes December 9, 2010, 1:36 pm

    I think if it will make you happy, It’s worth it… I agree with the insurance thing, not having it is scary! Someday if I had the chance to dive/swim with sharks, I would do it. Some people say not worth the risk, I vote yes (for me anyways).

  • Julie December 9, 2010, 1:37 pm

    Cookie dough is probably my favorite ice-cream variety!

  • Holly @ couchpotatoathlete December 9, 2010, 1:41 pm

    Cookie dough is sooooo worth it 🙂

    I would not risk doing anything that would damage my marriage in any way — Jason means too much to me.

  • Emily December 9, 2010, 1:43 pm

    I believe in taking risks for love. As in transferring colleges, “to save money”. 😉 I don’t believe in risking it on roller coasters. ~2 minutes of an adrenaline rush is NOT worth plummeting to your death.

    • ms December 9, 2010, 10:18 pm

      totally agree about the roller coaster thing

  • Liz @ Blog is the New Black December 9, 2010, 1:45 pm

    Always take risks with dough!

  • Coco December 9, 2010, 1:47 pm

    i am willing to risk a good night’s sleep to help a friend in need. (random, but recent)

  • Regina December 9, 2010, 1:48 pm

    Risks worth taking:

    1. Eating raw cookie dough. Especially chocolate chip. Omnomnom. I honestly think raw beats cooked. IMHO

    2. Purchasing last minute tickets to fly across the country (less then 12 hours before heading across the country my hubs and I purchased the tickets and planned the trip. We weren’t even discussing going prior. Talk about last minute! But it worked out really well).

    3. Sky diving–it’s on my life list. Not to be a pro sky diver but to try it once.

    4. Parasailing, scuba diving, jet skiing, sailing, water skiing–all my favorite water activities. I’ve done each at least once in other countries (outside the U.S.)

    5. Driving at 2am across three states to profess your love for your best friend all because a song came on the radio about love and rain and it was raining outside and everything just clicked–yup! Have done it! Except instead of making it all the way to my now husband, my car broke down halfway and he had to come rescue me. Luckily he still thought it was romantic and the experience just made us stronger

    6. Marrying a Marine–it’s hard sometimes. This life isn’t for everyone. There’s not a moment that goes by that I don’t worry about him, even if he’s just at a normal day of work. But the pride of being married to my hero, standing behind everything he does and watching him love the service he provides makes it all worthwhile.

    7….I could really go on forever. I’m a firm believer in: You only live once, so live it up!

    Risks NOT worth taking:

    1. The eyebrows! I’m completely and utterly with you.

    2. Same goes for haircuts. Too often I’ve experienced “new” people chop my hair to ridiculously short lengths or chop my bangs crookedly so badly so that it looks like the mouth of a jack-o-lantern!

    3. Drinking and driving. Common sense people.

    4. Drugs. Not the prescription or OTC variety. I have never and will never try drugs.

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:47 am

      Yay for love!

  • Alina @ Duty Free Foodie December 9, 2010, 1:50 pm

    That cookie dough looks delicious! I eat raw cookie dough too 🙂

  • Lauren @ Clean Eats in the Dirty South December 9, 2010, 1:53 pm

    i eat raw cookie dough, but it doesn’t have the same feeling of general badassery because it’s vegan.
    i’m willing to risk getting caught with drinkies seeing as i’m underage though. 😉

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) December 9, 2010, 1:54 pm

    I am willing to take risks for cookie dough 😉 and exercise goals! 🙂

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place December 9, 2010, 2:00 pm

    I’m not willing to risk getting a tattoo…my tastes change too much, I’d end up with something i hate in 20 years!

  • Annette December 9, 2010, 2:01 pm

    I agree on NOT taking a risk of not having health insurance. I did risk my heart (falling in love) several times, and finally found the love of my life who is now my husband 🙂

  • Deb December 9, 2010, 2:07 pm

    As someone who has been eating raw cookie dough all my life without any negative consequences, I know it’s definitely worth the “risk!”

  • Jillian@ Reshape Your Life December 9, 2010, 2:08 pm

    I am totally with you on taking a risk for cookie dough… I actually had a similar conversation with myself last night as I licked the cookie dough covered spoon clean. I don’t regret it.

    I also took a risk getting TWO tattoos that I might someday regret (not yet) and moving 2,000 miles away from my family for a boy I quickly figured out that barely knew (which didn’t work out).

    I will NOT take a risk sky diving or bungee jumping. And I truly wish I didn’t have to risk not having health insurance, but I just can’t afford it and my job(s) don’t offer it.

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday December 9, 2010, 2:11 pm

    After that whole egg-salmonella outbreak you guys had in the US, I’d be a bit more concerned about eating cookie dough.

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In December 9, 2010, 2:11 pm

    Currently I’m risking spending money on flights to see a long distance boyfriend even though it’s only been 8 months. You never know, right? Gotta try!

    I personally will not risk getting a tattoo. Or not having health insurance.

  • Trish December 9, 2010, 2:12 pm

    I went to a random salon for a cut – big mistake. More than a year later I am still waiting for the disaster on my head to grow out.

    Also not a good idea – tongue piercing. I took it out.

    And I totally do raw cookie dough. That is a risk I am all for! YUM!

  • Laurie December 9, 2010, 2:13 pm

    Great post! I love raw cookie dough! I also agree about the health insurance, you never know when you really going to need it! The hand washing thing bugs me too! I can’t stand to see women just walk out of the restroom and not wash their hands! GROSS!

  • Johanna B December 9, 2010, 2:13 pm

    I will risk going up in a hot air balloon.

    I won’t risk raw cookie dough, but for me it’s not a risk – it’s the thought of raw eggs. I HATE eggs. I know, I’m wierd.

  • Katie F December 9, 2010, 2:30 pm

    I make my roommate half a batch of raw chocolate chip cookie dough when she gets really sad. Always works. (and makes me happy too)

    and I DO NOT take risks with letting people cut my hair, no way.

  • Lauren @ RAW IS SEXY December 9, 2010, 2:30 pm

    Love is always worth the risk in my opinion.

    What isn’t worth the risk? Regret. Fear. Things people hold onto that immobilize them. Not taking a risk is the biggest risk of all.

    🙂

    • Lauren December 9, 2010, 2:43 pm

      Oooh, I like that! I agree! 🙂

  • Cathleen December 9, 2010, 2:33 pm

    What a great talking point on risk perception! I seem to find myself scarfing raw cookie dough nearly every day as the holidays approach. On the range of risky acts, eating raw egg is definitely on the low end of dangerous, right? I figure there’s very little chance I’ll get salmonella, and even if I do, there’s even less chance that anything bad will happen outside of a day or two of food poisoning misery.

    The simple act of getting in a car and driving somewhere is way, way more dangerous to my life/health than eating raw cookie dough every once in a while. Enjoy!

  • Amanda (Eating Up) December 9, 2010, 2:34 pm

    I will risk getting a tattoo (since I did get one). I will not risk getting a second tattoo. Ha.

  • Lisa Fine December 9, 2010, 2:36 pm

    I love to travel, and felt like it was a risk spending a month in India to volunteer a few years ago. Despite the homesickness, it was worth it. I learned a lot, explored a new country, and ate amazing food.

  • Amanda D December 9, 2010, 2:36 pm

    I will always,ALWAYS eat raw cookie dough. And brownie batter. I’ve been doing it since I was 4 and I turned out just fine :-).
    I also agree about the flu shot. I’ve never had one, and have never had the flu. I once read somewhere that people who are more “popular” (have a large social circle, etc)are more prone to coming down with the flu. Since I’m a homebody and prefer to stay in, I’ll take my chances 😉

  • nicole December 9, 2010, 2:39 pm

    I’m incredibly envious you’re going to a cookie exchange! Eating raw dough is always worth the risk and I usually like it more than the baked version.

  • Sara @ OurDogBuffy December 9, 2010, 2:42 pm

    I love raw cookie dough! My husband thinks it’s terrible to eat it. I’ve been known to pop store-bought dough into my mouth … and I’ve been known to eat raw cake batter. And brownie batter.

  • Lauren December 9, 2010, 2:42 pm

    Haha, is it wrong that I have never eaten any kind of raw dough before? It has just never appealed to me. The cookies on the other hand…hehe

  • Lisa December 9, 2010, 2:48 pm

    I think I agree with your list. Especially the bungee jumping!! 🙂

  • Deirdre December 9, 2010, 2:54 pm

    I think blind dates are worth the risk. My parents were a blind date so I always let people set me up. Along with your eyebrows experience I say going to a new waxer who is not worth the risk. Bikini Wax 2006 looked like I had bruises everywhere! Okay that was a TMI.

  • Sarah for Real December 9, 2010, 2:54 pm

    Ditto for not picking a random salon for waxing. Waxing of ANY sort 😉

  • Jenny December 9, 2010, 2:55 pm

    Trusting my intuition and acting on it can be very risky. Sometimes it hurts feelings or seems completely irrational, but I’ve learned it always turns out to be right.

    Also, love and skydiving. Skip the bungee jumping and go straight for the 10,000 feet jump. Best feeling ever, next to knowing that my husband was the one.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) December 9, 2010, 2:57 pm

    Always have health insurance! I am a hard core advocate of that. I will definitely take the risk on the cookie dough though! I love cookie swaps and haven’t been to one since I was little. I have always wanted to do one as an adult, but I don’t know many women who would like it like I do. Have fun!

  • Kiran December 9, 2010, 2:57 pm

    I want to risk starting my own business! Wahoo 🙂

  • Gracie (complicated day) December 9, 2010, 3:05 pm

    Don’t laugh but the math usually works out in favor of NOT having health insurance if you’re even slightly young and nominally healthy – with the additional caveat that you must be good with money and have the ability to sit on substantial savings. I’m actually in favor of NOT carrying health insurance. It’s a risk, but you’re betting on your own health. How healthy do you think you are? Remember that most accidental injuries are covered by some other form of insurance – and often, not your own. What can I say, I live life on the edge!

    • Gracie (complicated day) December 9, 2010, 3:05 pm

      Let me add that the faint of heart could consider purchasing major medical.

    • kristin December 9, 2010, 9:50 pm

      I’m not an avocate of not having health insurance, to each his own but when I first graduated undergrad with a benefit-less job and booted from my parents insurance I didn’t have health insurance for about a year and a half. Planned parenthood saved the day by covering all of my gynecological/birth control needs by using the family planning benefits. For me the gyno is the only Dr. that I go to regularly and I rarely get sick/injured (knock on wood). I’m always surprised that people don’t know more about these benefits! Saved me so much $$

      • kristin December 9, 2010, 9:51 pm

        Advocate*

  • Sarah December 9, 2010, 3:06 pm

    Definitely no bungee jumping – what if the chord snaps?

  • Whitney December 9, 2010, 3:15 pm

    I would only risk my life for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

    And my boss does not wash his hands when he uses the bathroom..yuck 🙁

  • Heather December 9, 2010, 3:17 pm

    I will take a risk and eat a bowl of my Mom’s spaghetti sauce before it’s done cooking. Nothing beats a bowl mid afternoon with a hunk of bread for a snack on spaghetti day.

    I will not risk bungee jumping or sky diving, no way, no how!

  • Anne December 9, 2010, 3:17 pm

    Totally agree on the cookie dough. I’ve been doing it for almost 30 years, and I’m still here!

    Trying out for a group/play/etc. When I didn’t make the flag corps in college, I turned around the next day and auditioned for the musical groups. AND I MADE IT! And I think I had a better time than I would have with the band.

    EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON!

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:46 am

      i agree, everything does happen for a reason and your failures might actually end up being sucesses!

  • Amber K December 9, 2010, 3:43 pm

    Raw cookie dough is definitely one of those risks I’m willing to take! Not a big fan of taking risks that could cause me any bodily harm!

  • Keri December 9, 2010, 3:43 pm

    I completely agree with your views about cookie dough. It’s a very serious subject and it’s great to see such an avid supporter for the cause!

    😛

  • Helen December 9, 2010, 3:45 pm

    OK for some odd reason, I never liked raw cookie dough. Weird I know!!

    But one thing I never risk is rollercoasters. I am an ultimate chicken so I hate that feeling of vertical drops

  • Stephanie December 9, 2010, 3:51 pm

    Love raw cookie dough and brownie batter. So delicious.
    Sky diving is totally worth it. Best decision I ever made. Tattoo- not worth it. Take it from me. A 30 year old with a heart on her ass. My ass is def passed it’s prime.

  • Katie @ peacebeme December 9, 2010, 3:51 pm

    I am totally willing to risk eating raw cookie dough! I believe that it is always good to take risks for love. Holding back will never get you anywhere, especially if you know they love you too.

    I am not willing to risk going sky-diving. Crazy story: three years ago, my boyfriend (who has been a number of times) and I had set up an appointment to go sky-diving. I was terrified. A few minutes before we were going to drive over there, the company called and said they had to cancel our appointment because of wind but would call back “sometime” to re-schedule. Read in the paper the next day that the two people who jumped out of the plane right before our scheduled time slot DIED. It was crazy. We would have met them there! And so sad. I took that as a frightening sign that I shouldn’t go EVER!

    There are also things that I am in theory totally supportive of taking risks for (that I would recommend everyone else doing) but that I am still afraid of doing myself sometimes even though I believe people SHOULD do it: naming taking out loans to go to college/grad school!

  • Jules December 9, 2010, 3:54 pm

    omg, so funny. I just today went to a new waxing place for my eyebrows. She was taking a long time and I was getting REALLY nervous she accidentally waxed off my whole eyebrow. Thankfully she didn’t and all was okay. I can’t believe something like that actually happened to you!!
    PS, your husband is awesome. I emailed him a question about acupuncture and he got right back to me 🙂 Who does that anymore? Usually (your own!) doctors don’t even call you back!

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:45 am

      Yay, Husband rules! 🙂

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg December 9, 2010, 3:59 pm

    lol…I also have a regrettable tattoo 🙂

    Cookie dough is SO worth the risk.

  • Michelle December 9, 2010, 4:01 pm

    I agree about the raw cookie dough! I don’t think its worth the risk to let someone you don’t know/trust color your hair or wax your face.

  • Katie @ Healthy Heddleston December 9, 2010, 4:15 pm

    Does the expression “I pay through the nose for my own” mean alot? I’m soooo bad with expressions!

    I don’t take the risk with health insurance either even though I really can’t afford it lol. But my mom helps me out with it which is super nice.

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:45 am

      yup! 🙂

  • Amanda December 9, 2010, 4:25 pm

    Those cookies look so good! Do you put the jam in before or after you bake them? I’ve seen recipes for both ways.

  • Sara December 9, 2010, 4:33 pm

    I moved to Alaska for a boy (it also did not work out!), have several tattoos that I might one day regret, and absolutely loved cookie dough 🙂

  • Jenna H December 9, 2010, 4:53 pm

    I’m with you on the cookie dough and eyebrow waxing. That goes for pedicures/manicures too, the horror stories in magazines about contracting staph/other infections scares the bujeezus out of me!

    Other things that are worth it: adorable babies with colds (I’m a nanny to 3 kids under 5 and love them so much!), snowboarding even though ski lifts are scary, flu shots, letting yourself fall in love, and crazy nights in college when a large amount of alcohol+maybe drugs were consumed (It helped me get my yayas out and makes me appreciate my now homebody staus so much! plus, those times make for great stories.)

    Not worth it: Texting while driving. And seatbelts. Buckle up, yo.

  • Michelle December 9, 2010, 4:59 pm

    mmnnnn cookie dough! Do you put the jam on before or after you bake? Is that a dumb question?

    • Caitlin December 9, 2010, 5:09 pm

      Before 🙂 there are no dumb questions!

  • Amy December 9, 2010, 5:26 pm

    Haha that happened to me getting my brows waxed once too. NEVER AGAIN.

  • Vera December 9, 2010, 5:32 pm

    The idea of eating raw cookie dough make me cringe, even though I don’t consider the raw dough as a risk. Maybe I was raised that way. But I am willing to take a risk go bungee jumping.

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) December 9, 2010, 5:52 pm

    I can’t resist eating raw cookie dough either. It’s just one of those things that’s worth taking the risk for. 😉

  • emily December 9, 2010, 6:38 pm

    Most of my risks are the same as yours! Raw dough and tattoos are definitely worth it, and bungee jumping defintely is not!

    Some of my other worth its include sky diving, spur of the moment hair changes, and quitting a job that’s killing you even with nothing else lined up.

  • Baking 'n' Books December 9, 2010, 6:44 pm

    Ooooh – I love this LOL! 🙂 Love all the ones you have listed…

    Now you’ve scared me though…I do NOT have health insurance…used to until I switched jobs a while ago..yikes (I’m also scared to deaths of the THOUSANDS of dollars I’m going to have to pay in taxes :(…)…maybe next summer though if I have a better idea of my finances I’ll definitely look into insurance…

  • Mindy Knows December 9, 2010, 6:59 pm

    Hey, I’ve got a solution for you! I make these cookies, too, but my recipe doesn’t call for eggs and they are SO YUMMY! 🙂 http://thebestofmindy.wordpress.com/2009/12/24/thumbprint-cookies-filled-with-jam/

  • Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) December 9, 2010, 7:07 pm

    I totally eat raw dough… I always wanted to go bungree jumping, but I think that’s only bc my parents forbid it lol.

  • Rachael December 9, 2010, 7:21 pm

    Sometimes I wish I had more of a risk-caution button….I hitchhike (all over the US, Mexico and when I was working in Africa, I hitched across three countries to save 100.00 in airplane transfers), eat out of dumpsters, have moved to the middle of nowhere twice for love, and I don’t forsee having health insurance in the near future- dental floss makes for great stitches. Maybe common sense will kick in by 30.

    • Sana December 9, 2010, 8:52 pm

      omg. I need to meet you…

      • Rachael December 9, 2010, 9:08 pm

        Sweet! Usually when I admit that stuff I get long, puzzled looks followed by the person slowly backing away 🙂

        • Annie December 9, 2010, 10:29 pm

          My boyfriend is an avid hitch freak and I want to go so badly. No joke.

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:43 am

      hahahah ohmigod please tell me you’ve actually given yourself stitches with dental floss.

      • Rachael December 10, 2010, 10:05 am

        Sadly, I have, and I’m a lot more careful around broken tiles these days :)!

  • Erin December 9, 2010, 7:30 pm

    Firstly, that salad looks pretty tasty (minus the onions because I’m allergic). I just don’t have access to edamame here 🙁

    I used to think it was worth taking risks for love, but I’ve definitely re-assessed that one this year and now I’m not sure.

    I think it’s worth taking risks for amazing experiences (like traveling to Bosnia with a bunch of people I’d just met, or hiking through a gorge with one-too-many sheer cliff faces), so long as they are measured risks, and someone always knows where you are.

    Raw dough? I didn’t know you weren’t meant to eat that. Heh.

  • Lindsay December 9, 2010, 7:32 pm

    Risks worth taking:

    Falling for a boy you just met regardless of what everyone thinks of him.

    Double dipping when no one is watching.

    Running to the mailbox in your leopard print pajama boxer shorts when you live next to a busy road.

    Not washing your hair even when it should be.

    Ordering a second dessert.

  • Lauren December 9, 2010, 7:33 pm

    WOw, what a great question. I think I am willing to take risks on the things in life that have purpose. My family, my husband, my job, my faith. I would never take a risk if I didn’t believe in it.

  • faith @ gracefulfitness December 9, 2010, 8:00 pm

    Cookie dough is SO MUCH better than the finished product!

  • Nicole December 9, 2010, 8:20 pm

    I’m with you on the cookie dough! As for other risk-I tend to have no problem talking to strangers particularly when I’m traveling. At first I didn’t think anything was wrong with this, meeting new people, sharing travel stories, etc is one of my favorite parts about traveling; but I tell others I do this and they seem to think it’s strange.

    Something I would not risk, eating a soft pretzel from a street vendor in NYC.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 9, 2010, 9:08 pm

    Bungee jumping isn’t a risk I ever want to take either. The idea of that rope breaking scares the crap out of me! 😛

  • Emily December 9, 2010, 9:09 pm

    I’m the worst risk taker everrr…such a planner and an organizer. I think I take risks with the support of people I love…and with cooking and baking 🙂 Next risk: The Ragnar Relay (12 people, 200 miles, 24 hours)…SO OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE!

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:42 am

      Oh you’ll have fun at ragnar!

  • Kim @ Kim Lives Healthy December 9, 2010, 9:10 pm

    Raw cookie dough makes life worth living!!! 🙂 And I hear ya on the eyebrow wax… once I went to a random place in a corner of the Fashion Square Mall for an eyebrow wax – huge mistake, walked out with an almost-bald face… you’re hilarious, thanks for making my day 🙂

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie December 9, 2010, 9:11 pm

    I don’t know how much of a risk taker I am…..I think the biggest risk I ever took was to get off birth control and jump into the world of parenting. It was definitely worth it!

  • Lee December 9, 2010, 9:16 pm

    I just ate an apple on the way home from the grocery store without washing it. I’m also a proponent of the 5-second rule (if the floor is pretty clean.)

  • Laura December 9, 2010, 9:20 pm

    I have no problem eating raw cookie dough (because YUM) but for some reason have a bit of a mental block when eating raw egg in something like Caesar salad (yum, but not cookie dough yum)

  • debi December 9, 2010, 9:28 pm

    what is your tattoo? 🙂

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:40 am

      the word joy 😉

  • Camille December 9, 2010, 9:54 pm

    Why would you NOT eat raw cookie dough! Disease be damned, it is the greatest thing ever!

  • Alice December 9, 2010, 10:00 pm

    I’d risk my dignity for a guy. Not in a dirty slut way – in a, ‘putting yourself out there in an embarassing way and totally getting rejected’ way.

    I’d never risk not checking a flight status. I literally got stranded in Asia once because I didn’t check (I was due to fly home – 9 hours away).

    Wtf is wrong with cookie dough??

  • Susan December 9, 2010, 10:16 pm

    I eat raw cookie dough but only when my kids (ages 4&7) are not around. Because I won’t let them eat it!

  • caitie December 9, 2010, 10:18 pm

    I had salmonella once and im pretty sure it was from cookie dough. it really sucked, but considering ive only gotten it once and eaten cookie dough, brownie batter, etc. tons of times, it was totally worth it 😀

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:39 am

      hahah I appreciate your attitude!

  • Marika December 10, 2010, 2:59 am

    Amen sister, totally with you on the cookie dough!! I also follow the five-second rule. My fiance thinks it’s gross, but I’m really healthy so I’m convinced that particles of dirt and bacteria only bake me stronger :-). One risk I’m not willing to take is riding on a motorcycle.

  • Julia @ Brides Up North December 10, 2010, 8:32 am

    Caitlin I am intrigued… what is your tattoo of?

    I’m not willing to bungee jump either!

    • Caitlin December 10, 2010, 9:38 am

      My mom’s name – Joy

  • Charise December 10, 2010, 9:26 am

    I followed my now-husband to Ohio after college graduation with no job and no idea what it was like here. Way worth it!

    I am with you on the raw cookie dough – I use fresh, local, organic, sustainably raised eggs, so I am not worried about salmonella, but even before I started doing so, the (fairly low, btw) risk was worth it!

  • Lauren December 10, 2010, 3:57 pm

    ohhhh, i wanna hear the story about the out-of-state college and the boy!

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