Lightly grease a small cake ring or springform pan with 1/2 teaspoon butter and set it aside. If you are using a cake ring, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. In a large bowl, crumble the biscuits into small almond sized pieces. Use about 1 cup of biscuit crumbs and set the bowl aside. Using more or less crumbs in larger or smaller chunks will change the texture and consistency of your cake. You can experiment with this if you'd like. In a medium bowl, mix 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup sugar until combined. Stir the mixture with a large spoon or rubber spatula until your mixture is a light lemon color. You may need to let your butter come to room temperature or heat it slightly to allow it to mix with the sugar. . You can melt chocolate in a pan on the stove over low heat or pop it in the microwave in increments of 15 seconds to melt it. Only melt half of your dark chocolate. You will need the other half to frost your cake later.  Do not allow your chocolate to burn. Remove your chocolate from the heat once it has melted. Stir by hand with a large spoon or rubber spatula. Slowly pour the butter-sugar mixture into the melted chocolate. Add the egg and continue stirring. Pour in the biscuit pieces and fold them into the mixture. Continue folding in the biscuit pieces to coat them completely with chocolate. Pour or spoon the mixture into your cake ring. Lay the mixture as evenly as possible to prevent any gaps from forming at the bottom. For a denser cake, use your hands in plastic sandwich bags or use disposable plastic cooking gloves to press your mixture down into the pan.  You don't need to press very hard, just lightly pack it in. Pressing your cake down will help you achieve a smooth, even surface. Move the trap or spring-form pan into the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 3 hours. Chilling your cake is necessary to achieve a smooth thick texture that holds together when slicing. Take your cake out of the refrigerator and remove it from the ring or springform pan. Once your cake has chilled, it will be firm enough to transfer to a cooling rack. You can flip your cake upside down onto the cooling rack. This may be easier. Melt the second half of your dark chocolate (1/2 cup) and pour it over the cake, smoothing the top and sides with a butter knife or rubber spatula. Allow the icing to set at room temperature. Melt 1/4 cup of milk chocolate and drizzle it over the top of your cake for a decorative touch. Transfer your finished cake to a cake dish or platter and serve. Run a butter knife between the bottom of the cake and the cooling rack to gently pry the cake up if it has begun to stick to the rack.
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One-sentence summary -- Prepare your cake dish. Crumble the biscuits. Cream together butter and sugar. Melt the chocolate Mix everything together. Make your cake. Chill your cake. Remove your cake from the cake ring. Frost your cake. Enjoy!


Focusing on what you need to improve before you’ll allow yourself to feel confident is a losing game. Once you realize that your body is perfect, just the way it is, you’ll feel a lot better about putting on any kind of bathing suit.  It will help to remember that you’re probably the only one focussing on your perceived flaws. Other people are more aware of whether or not you’re having fun, or appear to be down in the dumps. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, force your attention onto something positive. For example, follow the negative thought, “I hate how large my thighs are,” with the positive twist, “but my collarbones are gorgeous.” The simple act of smiling communicates self-confidence and friendliness. When you smile, people are more likely to smile back at you. You’ll likely return the smile, and feel more confident.  When you’re smiling, your voice will sound friendlier and more pleasant to listen to.  Smiling releases endorphins, which bring about good feelings and greater confidence. Laughing is good for your body as well. It stretches your muscles, and helps your release tension. If your friends are always complaining about their own bodies, chances are you’ll be tempted to join in with them. This won’t do your confidence any favors. Instead, make an effort to hang out with friends who are proud of who they are. Confidence is contagious!  Remember, the more you complain about your own perceived flaws, the more you’re likely to start to believe they’re real. If your friends start criticizing their bodies, disengage. Change the subject, laugh it off, and don’t allow yourself to start the cycle of complaining. Set the timer for 5-10 minutes, and take that time to meditate on self-compassionate loving thoughts. Deciding to refrain from negative self-judgment is a discipline that needs to be actively practiced and honed over time.  An example of a positive meditation that you can focus on might be: “I am loved,” or simply the word “love”. Concentrate on the feeling of your breath. If you start to notice self-judgments entering your consciousness, let them go. Try wearing clothing that draws attention, such as animal prints, bright colors, or revealing necklines. If you pay attention to how you feel when you wear these “forbidden” clothes, you’ll build courage slowly over time.  Wearing clothing that feels revealing to you, like short skirts or low-cut tops, is a way to get used to feeling brave about your clothing choices. It may seem hard at first, but gradually you’ll come to realize that you deserve to be noticed and to be seen. If you find yourself being hyper-critical of others, chances are you’re being too hard on yourself as well. Instead, try focusing on what you admire about others in their swimsuits. Practice turning your negativity in a new, positive, direction.  Try to avoid using this as an opportunity for comparison with yourself. Your goal is to improve your overall kindness, so that you’re more likely to be kind to yourself. This is a way to realize that no 2 bodies are exactly the same: everyone’s body is differently beautiful. This includes your own!
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One-sentence summary --
Learn to love your own body. Smile. Don’t spend time with complainers. Use mindfulness to increase self-esteem. Practice vulnerability. Notice how you look at others.