Just when you thought you’d survived the temptations of the holidays, in comes a new one: Girl Scout cookies.

Sales started right after New Year’s and run through March 26, although you might not see any booths in public places until late February.

In the meantime, order from the Scout nearest you. Don’t have one in your immediate orbit? Go to gshawaii.org and click on “Cookies +” for guidance.

New this year are S’Mores, graham cracker sandwich cookies with a chocolate and marshmallow filling.

Back are these familiar flavors: Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalogs, Trefoils, Do-si-dos, Savannah Smiles and Toffee Tastic (gluten free). Cost is $5 per box, except for Toffee Tastic and S’Mores flavors, which are $6.

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Betty Shimabukuro, Star-Advertiser

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Cake in a mug makes a warm, welcome afternoon snack

Dr. Oetker to the rescue.

The good doctor has created an affordable Mug Cake for the holidays that delivers a single-serve cake that’s big on flavor with minimal measuring. Just add 3 tablespoons of milk to the doc’s 2.6-ounce packet of instant cake mix, stir and microwave for just over a minute. A sweet, warm snack will emerge.

This is a great go-to item for afternoons at work, as the box, the size of an instant soup packet, can easily be stored in a desk drawer. Forgot someone’s birthday? Just pop a candle onto a Mug Cake and start singing.

A couple of notes: The directions say to grease the mug, but I skipped that step since I don’t keep any oil at work. Nor do I keep milk at work, so I substituted 3 tablespoons of tap water. While a little crumbly, the cakes were still moist and satisfying.

I found Dr. Oetker’s mixes in chocolate, and vanilla with dark chocolate bits at Pali Safeway for around $3, but the item is half off in the clearance area, while supplies, last.

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Michelle Ramos, Star-Advertiser