Irresistable Chocolates

Chocolate Facts 101

2010-06-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

When you are in the market for chocolate, you will wind up doing a lot of research through consumer magazines, products reviews and the Internet in order to get the best information and chocolate facts. Knowing what to look for in the highest quality will make your choice a lot easier.

Dark chocolates are made without milk as an additive. Milk chocolate is made with milk powder or condensed milk added. White chocolates are a confection based on cocoa butter without the cocoa solids. Unsweetened is pure chocolate liquor, also known as bitter or baking chocolate. Couverture is a term used for chocolates rich in cocoa butter. Bittersweet is chocolate liquor to which some sugar, more cocoa butter, vanilla and sometimes lecithin has been added. It has less sugar and more liquor than semisweet chocolate. Compound chocolate is the technical term for a confection combining cocoa with vegetable fat, usually tropical fats and/or hydrogenated fats, as a replacement for cocoa butter.

Cocoa powder. There are two types of unsweetened baking cocoa available: natural cocoa and Dutch-process cocoa. Both are made by pulverizing partially de-fatted chocolate liquor and removing nearly all the cocoa butter. Natural cocoa is commonly used in recipes while Dutch-process cocoa is frequently used for drinks. Chocolate is a product based on cocoa solid and/or cocoa fat.

Chocolates contain phenylethylamine which is a mild mood elevator and anti-depressant. It happens to be the same chemical that produces the love or happiness feeling in our brains. It also contains a very small amount of caffeine. It is also considered an aphrodisiac. Very much like red wines, fruits, teas and vegetables, cocoa seeds contain important antioxidants called flavonoids, and has been linked to cardiovascular health. Dark chocolates contain about twice as many antioxidants as the milk chocolates do. Not everything that tastes good is bad for you and chocolates is definitely one of them. While chocolates and cocoa butter contain both saturated and unsaturated fat, but unlike many saturated fats the stearic acid in chocolates is a neutral fat and does not raise your bad cholesterol levels.

Proper storage and care is important and here is a short but very important list to ensure you will be enjoying every last bite. Store in a cool, dry place at approximately 65-70 degrees F. It can and will absorb aromas and odors of other foods stored around it and should be kept in mind when storing. For the most part the shelf life is around 1 year if stored properly. Do not store in the refrigerator, the moisture from the refrigerator will effect both the appearance and texture. The same is true with storing in high heat, this will cause a "bloom" effect which will not affect the taste but it definitely affects the appearance.

So, there you have it. Now that you have been given at least the basic information, the next step is up to you. Take these chocolate facts and make use of them, if your a chocoholic or know one these tips will benefit you for a lifetime.

Sophie Beck writes for Chocolate-Gourmet.com. We have additional chocolate facts complete information and excellent resources for finding and enjoying some of the best chocolates from around the world. Stop by and take a view through chocolate colored glasses!

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Belgian Chocolate Bars Great Tasting Chocolates

2010-04-07T20:06:00.000-07:00

Chocolates have been around for quite a long time now and many people are still devoted to eating chocolate. Besides, you can never deny the fact that chocolates are very delicious treats that everybody loves. Perhaps even your sister going on a "strict" diet is hiding some in her bedroom to conceal her guilt for loving chocolate.

In fact, in the past, chocolates were considered to be a sacred drink in the Americas where only the elite society can afford. The Aztecs even made the cocoa bean as part of their monetary system in order to buy their gold. As you can see, chocolates have indeed been cherished by society and up until today, chocolates are still considered to be the best candy in the world.

A lot of countries have their own chocolates that they can be proud of. Today, the original recipe of the Spanish aristocrats has been kept for a secret for centuries and which is now called today as the Belgian chocolate. Belgian chocolates were originally in a fluid form where people drank it. Today, there are available Belgian chocolate bars and other kinds of Belgian chocolates. Some are even fruits and biscuits coated with Belgian chocolate.

Indeed, Belgian chocolates are considered to be high quality and expensive chocolates that everyone should taste. Some Belgian chocolates contains liqueur for additional taste.

The sweetness and the creaminess of Belgian chocolates are one of a kind and people from all over the world crave for Belgian chocolates. Although it is on the expensive side, Belgian chocolates are still brought because of its taste and creaminess. It is not too sweet and it is also very creamy that it will provide great sensation when you let it melt in your mouth.

Many people, especially chocolate lovers have testified that Belgian chocolates are meticulously crafted that it makes them want to eat more. One kind of Belgian chocolates is called Godiva and is considered to be one of the best chocolates in the world. Famous people were even reported to go to Belgium just to get a hold of one of the world famous chocolates.

Chocolates can also be considered to be a great gift idea to your loved one. So, if you are planning to give your wife a gift, and you know that she loves chocolates, you should consider purchasing one of the world's finest chocolates produced in Belgium. You can be sure that this gift idea will be greatly appreciated and, another great thing about chocolates is that it has been found to be an aphrodisiac.

Although Belgian chocolates are very pricey, you can be sure that once you tasted one, you will say that it's worth every penny. Today, there are available Belgian chocolate bars in the market. It is also recommended that you should shop for Belgian chocolates online as you can get great discounts on their promos. Belgian chocolates are now being sold in the internet. So, if you can't find a Belgian chocolate in your area, you should try going online and with just a click of the mouse, you will find yourself with different choices of Belgian chocolates.

Another great thing about shopping for chocolates online is that you can avail of their buy one and get one free promos and big discounts.

A Year In The Life Of A Chocolate Bearing Cocao Tree

2010-04-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

First, To over-look them during the first fifteen Days; that is to say, to plant new Kernels in the room of those that do not come up, or whose Shoots have been destroyed by Insects, which very often make dreadful Havock among these Plants, even when one would think they are out of danger. Some Inhabitants make Nurseries a-part, and transplant them to the Places where they are wanting: but as they do not all grow, especially when they are a little too big, or the Season not favourable, and because the greatest part of those that do grow languish a long time, it always seemed to me more proper to set fresh Kernels; and I am persuaded, if the Consequences are duly weighed, it will be practised for the future.

Secondly, Not to let any Weeds grow in the Nursery, but to cleanse it carefully from one end to the other, and taking care, above all things, not to let any Herb or Weed grow up to Seed; for if it should happen so but once, it will be very difficult thenceforwards to root those troublesome Guests out, and to keep the Nursery clean, because the Cold in this Country never interrupts Vegetation.

This Weeding should be continued till the Trees are become large, and their Branches spreading, cast such a Shade as to hinder the Weeds from coming up; and afterwards, the Leaves falling from the Trees, and covering the Earth, will contribute to stifle them intirely. When this troublesome Business of Weeding is ended, it will be sufficient to overlook them once a Month, and pluck up here and there those few Weeds that remain, and to carry them far into the Woods for fear of Seeds.

When the Cocao-Trees are nine Months old, the Manioc should then begin to be plucked up; and it should be managed so, that in three Months time there should be none left. There may be a Row or two replanted in each Alley, and Cucumbers, Citruls, and [x]Giraumonts may be sowed in the void Spaces, or Caribean Coleworts; because these Plants having great spreading Leaves, are very proper to keep the Earth cool and moist, and to stifle the noisome Weeds. When the Cocao-Trees come to shade the Ground entirely, then it will be necessary to pluck up every thing, for nothing then will grow beneath 'em.

The Cocao-Trees of one Year old have commonly a Trunk of four Feet high, and begin to spread, by sending out five Branches at the top, all at a time, which forms that which they call the Crown of a Cocao-Tree. It seldom happens that any of these five Branches are wanting, and if by any Accident, or contrary to the Order of Nature, it has but three or four, the Tree never comes to good, and it will be better to cut it off, and wait for a new Crown, which will not be long before it is formed.

If at the end of the Year the Manioc is not plucked up, they will make the Trees be more slow in bearing; and their Trunks running up too high, will be weak, slender, and more exposed to the Winds. If they should be crowned, their Crowns will be too close; and the chief Branches not opening themselves enough, the Trees will never be sufficiently disengaged, and will not spread so much as they ought to do.

When all the Trunks are crowned, they choose the finest Shoots, and cut up the supernumerary ones without mercy; for if this is not done out of hand, it will be difficult to persuade one's self afterwards: tho it is not possible but that Trees placed so near each other, should be hurtful to each other in the end.

The Trees are no sooner crowned, but they send forth, from time to time, an Inch or two above the Crown, new Shoots, which they call Suckers: If Nature was permitted to play her part, these Suckers would soon produce a second Crown, that again new Suckers, which will produce a third. Thus the Cocao-Trees proceed, that are wild and uncultivated, which are found in the Woods of Cape-Sterre in Martinico. But seeing all these Crowns do but hinder the Growth of the first, and almost bring it to nothing, tho it is the principal; and that the Tree, if left to itself, runs up too high, and becomes too slender; they should take care every Month when they go to weed it, or gather the Fruit, to prune it; that is to say, to cut or lop off all the Suckers.

~*~ Research Provided By Teresa Thomas Bohannon

A Brief Look At The Past Of Making Chocolate

2010-04-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Everything has its origin. Did you know that even the process of making chocolate has a history? This may be your favorite thing to do now on your pastime. Or you may be even addicted to the taste of such treat. But this piece will not add up to that craving as it tries to give you a better view as to how it all started.

The Theobroma Cacao or the food from the Gods is what you all know as the cocoa tree. Its origin can be traced on America's rainforests, specifically in Central America. But historians are still debating about certain facts about this tree.

Xocolat, Anyone?

There are arguments that the Mayans first grew such tree in 300 AD. And the Aztecs had their turn in cultivating such in 1100 AD. The chocolate that you all know now used to be called Xocolat. This was a special beverage that was made out of chilies, anise seed, vanilla, cornmeal and some more spices. Only royalties get to be treated with such delight at the time. It was served using golden cups that were to be used only once.

Save the Chocolates

Image via Wikipedia

The cocoa tree is sensitive to its surroundings. It will most likely grow in the shades of the canopy of the rainforest. For this reason, chocolate lovers must unite in the goal of saving the environment, especially in saving the rainforests where the cacaos will most likely survive.

This tree is unique in the sense that its fruits grow on its branches and trunk. The reason for this is because of midges. These are the tiny insects that cause the pollination process during nighttime.

Did you know that the cacao tree can have approximately 10,000 blossoms but only about 10 to 50 of those will mature into fruits or the pod? This is because like an intelligent human being, the tree of cacao can regulate its blossoms to the amount that it can handle and grow.

The cacao tree self regulates in this process to be able to sustain its good health. It knows what it can contain and handle. It knows just how many is enough and too much. The tree does this to preserve its internal systems and to prevent its branches from breaking or falling apart.

The cocoa beans come from the fruit or the pod from the intelligent tree. Harvesters wait for the pod to ripen. They will handpick the trees and crack up the pods until they see white pulpy elements that surround the seeds. The pulps are then trashed while the seeds are kept because those are your cocoa beans, the source of your chocolate treats.

These seeds are actually bitter during such time. For this reason, these will go through the fermentation process for about three to seven days. This method will cause the seeds to go through some chemical as well as physical changes. The result of this will then be used for the royalties' treat, the Xocolat.

The beans need to go through several procedures after which before it can be used for the traditional making chocolate purposes. Now that you know where it came from, you'll never look at your favorite chocolate the same way ever again. Or probably not. Whatever it has been through, chocolates will remain a favorite among children and child at heart.

Dark chocolate can help you heart a lot!

2010-04-06T08:36:00.000-07:00

A small bar of it every day can help your cardiovascular system and heart running smoothly.

Two main benefits of the dark chocolate health food are...

Dark Chocolate can lower blood pressure:

Dark chocolate health study studies have shown us that eating a small amount of dark chocolate each day can help reduce blood pressure in people who have high blood pressure.

Dark Chocolate can lower your cholesterol level:

Dark chocolate health study studies have also shown that dark chocolate and help reduce your LDL cholesterol by 10 percent.

More health benefits to dark chocolate

--> Dark chocolate tastes good!
--> Stimulates endorphins which makes us feel better
--> Dark chocolate also contains serotonin, which works like an anti-depressant

Dark chocolate has many health benefits but be careful!

Dark chocolate has many health benefits and good fats in it but it is also high in calories so you must be careful not to eat too much and if you do eat dark chocolate make sure you cut calories some where else to make up for it.

Another option to consider if you want to be able to eat dark chocolate and still burn fat is to include a safe & natural fat burning pill into your diet. A diet pill such as Proactol would help block fat as it enters your body so you could still be benefiting from dark chocolate but not have the worry about the fat calories in dark chocolate.

The Battle Of Chocolates Needs Chocolate Lovers' Vote

2010-04-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

"Chocolat", the comedy released in 2000 based on the novel by Joanne Harris was crystal clear when he said that each person has a different chocolate match. Chocolate lovers all over the world would agree to this. Love and passion for chocolates is relative. One's interest for a chocolate may vary from another person's. See love for chocolates is dependent on a person's taste and his taste alone!

Even though the true measure of a chocolate lover is that they would eat anything that is chocolaty, there is more than a hundred percent chance that they have a preferred brand or type. So, with all the chocolates in the world and countries claiming to be the best in producing them, who really takes the hat?

Where it Began

The history of the chocolate goes back to the times of the Aztecs when they discovered that the beads inside the pods of the cocoa tree can be squashed and processed to produce a dark, bitter liquid which they mixed with spices. The resulting frothy mixture allegedly gave power to their gods and leaders. Even then, they knew the cocoa tree to be of some substance they could use in the future. If only they could find better means to process xocolat, the word they used to call the drink.

Only the Aztec leaders were allowed to drink and because the beans were revered so much, it became a currency. When the Spanish conquerors went back to Spain, they tried to introduce the beans to the majesties. Unfortunately, they couldn't find much use for them just yet. But after some major trials and errors, they realized that when mixed with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg and some sugar, the sweet result is even more tantalizing. From then on, it grew popularity and for a while, it became Spain's best kept secret. It took about a hundred years before the rest of Europe found about the secret and when it did, it spread like wildfire amongst the nobilities because they are the only ones who can afford the expensive beans. Soon, European countries started their own ways of improving chocolate production.

A Triple Treat

The battle for finding the perfect chocolaty formula has seeped into the European countries. Spain, surprisingly, took a step back and watched while France, Belgium and Switzerland took turns in making chocolate history. Even the Americas joined the clamor after the industrial revolution and the consecutive wars. However, the fact remains that chocolate lovers know France, Belgium and Switzerland to be creators of the finest chocolates in the world!

The French are known for their liberal yet art-loving lives, their sense of fashion, culinary prowess and a distinct way of life. French chocolates however, are surprisingly not generally known to be one of their expertise. French morsels are often embellished with edible ornaments, hand-painted and carved painstakingly, almost like a work of art and what's nice is it is as delicious as it looks! The dark chocolates are subtle in taste and it's neither as sweet nor bitter as any other kind. The taste simply lingers in the mouth.

When it comes to developing what we now know as mass produced chocolates, the Swiss takes the front row seats. Chocolate was introduced to Switzerland when Zurich mayor, Heinrich Escher, imported cocoa beans and consumed it in banquets. It was banned thereafter due to its alleged aphrodisiac benefits. But no one can stop the Swiss from becoming the makers of chocolate as we recognize them today.

So, what's your vote?

A Chocolate Lovers Party

2009-12-23T08:57:00.000-08:00

Your Very Own Chocolate Festival

Salon Du Chocolat, Chocolate Lovers' Festival, Eurochocolate, Chocolate Rush, Garfield Park Chocolate Show, Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival, these are just some of the best chocolate festivals celebrated all over the world. And they are usually attended by hundreds of thousands of chocolate lovers like me. They flock to these events to view and taste fantastic creations from world-renowned chocolatiers and take pleasure in chocolate inspired activities.

The joy and fun you will experience is doubled when you attend this festival of merriment in the company of your chocolate loving friends. You will surely get crazy eating loads of chocolates of different kinds and sizes. Now, you do not necessarily have to spend a lot of money to go to these festivals why not think of having a chocolate party in your place? You can be an expert party planner to make this happen, all you need is a little help and some flickers of ingenuity!

Start with the Menu

Don't force a sit down, four course meal. Do it just like you would on a regular barbecue Sunday. Serve grilled chicken, pork chops, pasta, and mashed potatoes, anything you are familiar with! Now, the simple chicken pieces and pork chops can be made magical by adding chocolate inspired sauces like mole, a Mexican, chili-chocolate essential. Round it up with chocolate deserts such as chocolate cakes, pastries and don't forget to serve a pile of different kinds of chocolates. Make sure to have tons of them because you will be using them on games and other activities, anyway! You don't need to buy those expensive gourmet chocolates, just grab the regular ones, your favorite brands - unless the gourmet chocolates are really what you're going for.

If you want to serve fondue, then prepare fondue matches like marshmallows, pretzels and fruits. Research on wines that would go well with chocolates and keep the idea for the party! And last of all, max out on a variety of drinks that could help clean your guests' palates.

Stage the Grandeur

Take out your best linens. If you have chocolate designed-linens, that would be great! You can line two or three tables with them. One table will be for eating and the other for chocolate and wine tasting. It can also be a place where you can display desserts that fellow choco lovers may want to indulge in anytime they want to while in the party.

Decorate your party area by incorporating chocolate brown colors in your design. Set the sound system and make sure you have great happy music to match the ambiance. And finally, make sure that your programme is ready along with the materials that you would need in games or activities.

Make the Chocolate Party Fun

Here's a list of things that you can do at your chocolate party aside from chocolate and wine tasting. You may choose one or few of them, at least whatever is possible and could easily be done without having to spend so much.

1. Game - Who Can Eat The Most Chocolates?

2. Chocolate Painting – where you use chocolates and your hands to draw pictures

3. Stage an exhibit on the history of chocolates, print pictures and put them on display so everyone could have a look and learn while having fun

4. Chocó Poker – Use chocolate pieces as chips. Your guest may take home whatever chocolates they can win.

5. Bake-off Challenge – Who Can Make The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie?

6. Special cooking demonstration – learn a new chocolate recipe and share it with friends

It's so simple, right? You don't have to wait for a special occasion to throw a chocolate party! Being a chocolate lover is reason enough. But if you want to make your birthday, Thanksgiving, reunion or any get together fancier let the chocolate lover in you come out and let your loved ones experience a feast that was originally made for gods and kings!

Merry Christmas !

Chocolate Recipes Made into Drops of Cookie Heaven

2009-12-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

It was pure serendipity when Ruth Wakefield, the one who discovered baking of chocolate chip cookies, when she had to think fast when she unexpectedly ran out of ingredients while baking cookies for some guests. She was using another type of chocolate in one of her famous

Image by toadstool ring via Flickr

chocolate-related recipes at a small inn she was operating when she thought of using semi-sweet Nestle chocolates. And surprisingly, instead of melting, she found the chocolate chips just turning soft. And the result? A truly delightful treat of crunchy but chewy-on-the-inside cookies, now popularly known as the 'chocolate chip cookies' loved anywhere in the world!

Boundless Possibilities of Reinventing Choco Chip Cookies

And since the discovery of these all-time favorite chocolate chip cookies, hundreds of recipes have already evolved, each recreating the recipe and trying to improve the cookies to even greater perfection! There are just so many varieties of the recipe of the chocolate chip cookies we all love.

Try going on a chocolate chip cookie operation, and search for the best chocolate chip cookie recipe you can try at home and for sure, another addition of this recipe to your collection will bring delight to your loved ones' faces!

Search for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes

Just a few days ago, I started on my chocolate chip cookie operation scouting for the best and unique recipes for these delightful cookies. Yes, there are so many quick-baking chocolate chip cookies available in the grocery stores, but I need to find the best recipes. I have tried those from the local grocery stores, and after baking the goodies, they do not look too good to me. And I thought to myself," Mission Failed"!

Still On the Look-Out for the Best Choco Chip Cookie Recipes

I keep trying out different kinds of recipes but still the cookies turned out either too thin for my liking, the other chocolate chip cookies I tried baking ended up appearing too cakey or spongy. You might have a good chocolate chip cookie recipe you might like to share. If you do have a unique recipe for these all-time favourite cookies, please post it online. And I am sure, you will make not just a single soul happy, but countless of us!

You see, I've got a long list of choco chip cookie recipes that I have tried and I am trying my best to find the one that will exceed my standards in baking them. With my repeated baking of such goodies, there's one thing I learned though. Changing the amount of sugar in the recipe can really bring about tremendous changes in the cookies!

Maybe I should try one or both of the recipes or even the original Nestle Toll House recipe that we find at the back of the semi-sweet chocolate packages. Some comment that these cookies are unbelievable! They say you only have to bake it at a lower temperature than in the ordinary recipes, and you will get that very texture, crispness and thickness you so desire! I might just try them really soon! And who knows it might be the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I have long been looking for!

But I should remember that the best tasting chocolate chip cookies will always remain dependent on the taste buds of the chocolate lover eating them. So, if you feel like baking up a set of this chocolate-related recipe, you may as well try some variations and who knows, perhaps you'll be the lucky one to find the world's next best chocolate chip cookie!

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Chocolate-Related Recipes for Kids

2009-12-15T08:38:00.000-08:00

It is necessary that parents spend time with their children. Several bonding activities can be thought of to make the experience as memorable as possible. Among others, cooking and baking are good activities to engage in because they tap on all senses of your kid especially if it involves recipes which they can enjoy afterwards. Now, who said kids don't love chocolate recipes, especially if they are chocolate-related recipes?

Chocolates, aside from the health benefits it can bring such as regulating blood pressure and cholesterol, are nothing but an delectable concoction enjoyed most especially by children. Aside from these physiological benefits, it can also do wonders in your emotional relationship and bond with your kids.

Chocolate Lollipops is a child-friendly chocolate recipe that can give your kids a happy and enjoyable learning experience with you. You will need very simple ingredients and equipm

Image via Wikipedia

ent to make these adorable lollipops. The creative ideas of your kids will be needed in designing and decorating the lollipops. While preparing this, it will be nice to tell tales about chocolate to your children—where it originated, how is chocolate done, what it can do to you and other facts that can make your kids love chocolate more.

Ingredients:
1. Blocks of semi-sweet or white chocolate
2. Butter
3. Food color for fun painting
4. Chocolate candies, crispies or sprinkles for decorations

Equipment and Materials:
1. Lollipop mold
2. Straws to be used as lollipop handles
3. Paint brushes for the food coloring
4. Ribbons to be tied in the lollipop handle
5. Cabbage where the kids can stick their lollipops

All the cooking that you need to do is melt the chocolate block and the butter in a heated pan. Once smooth and free of lumps, you may now pour the melted chocolate in the lollipop molds. It would be nice to use children-friendly mold designs such as animal faces, letters or numbers. Have your kids stick the straw at the lower part of the chocolate. Set aside and let it solidify. If already in a semi-solid state, you may ask the children to put candies, sprinkles or crispies for added design. You may put it in the refrigerator afterwards for faster solidification. For sure, those little angels will be too excited to wait for the chocolate to harden.

Once the chocolate has hardened, carefully pull each one off the molds. Now the children will have their part. Allow them to paint the chocolate lollipops with food color. Make them design the straws with ribbons. Ask them to give names to their lollipops and before they eat up all those lollipops, invite your children to wash the dishes and wipe the tables used as well. Yes, they need to take part of this process so that they see the entire process of cooking. Ask them nicely and make them see the beauty of the task. This will teach them to be responsible.

Cooking or baking chocolate-related recipes is not only fun for your kids. It is a hands-on training and exposure for them that can teach them a wide array of values while providing the most fun experience for them. It is a great bonding idea with their friends as well so next time you make another batch lollipops or other chocolate recipes such as cupcakes, muffins, chocolate drink or chocolate chip cookies, make room for more kiddies who would want to join your baking session.

For more delicious Chocolate recipes, click HERE

Why They Say Chocolate Has Health Benefits

2009-12-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

Does chocolate have health benefits at all? Few studies and researches made not too long ago suggested it has. In fact, a lot of chemicals containing chocolate were found to be beneficial to the people's health. So, it does contradict the old myth and half-truths surrounding the saying that anything that looks and tastes good is bad.

The health benefits are particularly true to cocoa, dark chocolate, and minimally-processed chocolate foods. Aside from the copper and magnesium, which aids in regulating blood pressure and heartbeat, they contain flavonoids, the ones that you also found in high-antioxidant green tea. As you probably know it already, antioxidants are good for the health as they accomplish a number of health benefits, such as the following:

- Improve circulation
- Lower blood pressure
- Stimulate kidneys, improve digestion
- Can help patients with poor appetite, kidney stones, and anemia
- Improve endothelial functions
- Guard against free radicals and other destructive molecules, which are known to trigger stroke and heart disease.
- Lower heart disease-related deaths

Flavonoids have two different kinds, the epicatechins and catechin. The catechin has been found to be rich in minimally processed chocolate foods and cocoa. This is known to aid in preventing heart disease illnesses and possibly cancer problems. It is also aid to boosting an individual's immune system, this one also was recently discovered by the experts. Catechins can be found triple in amount in chocolates as compared to those found in teas.

But despite the discovered health benefits of chocolate, you have to be cautious at what type and amount of chocolate food you consume. As anything excessive can be bad to health, and that applies to chocolate too. Eating high quantities of chocolate can still cause weight and eventually trigger illness especially if you consume the less healthy type of chocolate.

In order to avoid the unpleasant consequences, you have to choose the right type of chocolate when consuming as not all kinds are good. For example, highly-processed chocolate food kind such as those in candy and bar forms have high calories, sugar, and fat contents, therefore, must be avoided at all cost. Healthy kinds are dark chocolate, cocoa, and any other minimally-processed chocolate food.

This is in relation to studies demonstrating possible effects by eating chocolates done by the experts to groups of participants. In a particular study, half of the group ate dark chocolate while the other white chocolate. One ones who ate white chocolate, showed no change in blood pressure, while the other who ate dark chocolate, significantly lowered their systolic blood pressure.

At another conducted Pennsylvania State University study,a different group of participants received low fat diet, except that the half got high-carb snack and the other consumed low fat chocolate bar for a certain length of time. The two split groups didn't show difference in levels of bad or LDL cholesterol afterwards. However, those that ate chocolate bars did show increase in triglycerides, a type of heart-risk blood fat, and good or HDL cholesterols.

From these studies, it showed how chocolate can actually be a good diet food. However, note that the participants were only fed in minimal quantities of chocolates, therefore it is still not advised to consume this sweet treat more than what is required for you to take. Also, remember to avoid chocolate foods that are high in artificial flavorings, with dairy products, and sugars. Remember this: the less that it is processed, the more that health benefits you will get from chocolate.

Insights and Facts for being Chocoholics and its Advantages

2009-12-05T08:24:00.000-08:00

Chocolates are really a kind of food that most people say as irresistibly sweet and delicious. Well, a huge part of chocolate aroma depends on its taste a rich and delicious chocolate which satisfies our desire and craving. But beyond that feeling, we don't know that chemical reactions are also working for the benefit of creating a good and satisfying taste. For example, we can feel a feeling of satisfaction and pleasurable sensation like the feeling of being satisfied after a long run or jogging n the field for several minutes.

Facts about chocolate are really much unreachable to produce a final statistic or data. Chocolate contains a so called neurotransmitter and a kind of substance known as serotonin. These compounds have an action similar to that of a Theobromine and Phenyethylamine that stimulates and works as an anti depressant. But the mere fact is still unknown for scientist to explain what and how these 300 compounds and substances can stimulate our body and gives a positive result in making us feel better and satisfied.

One thing that we are always concerned is a bad effect or being worried if there are any harmful substances that we may get from eating chocolate or for being one of the millions of chocoholics. A person who really loves chocolate is a lot worry to eat so much of it as to mention their need to lose weight and satisfying their craving would only lead to. Other worries would include rotting teeth to acne. However, through some good intentions of our scientist to prove something, their group and other group of researchers are beginning to unproved these theory and myths regarding this danger for loving and eating so much chocolate. For example it is not a fact that consuming chocolate is a threat to a healthy good teeth nor it is a false thought that eating this chocolate will only cause acne or even make it worse.

Even though both chocolate and cocoa contain sugar, they have a kind of antagonizing substance that tends to produce a kind of oral bacteria that will finally lead to a fear of having dental decay and any other dental problems associated to decays. According to a group of Researchers from the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York, they have concluded based on their studies that milk chocolate can contribute a component that fights against any form of tooth decay. Through its composition of a substance known as Phosphate and other minerals that fight and prevent tooth decays.

Chocolates are said not to be the consumed as this is not a healthy snack. Nevertheless, its components are essentially high in magnesium and potassium. Chocolate also gives several vitamins such as Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E. And if we mention about the calorie contents, a Nutritionist or even a Scientist can never claim that chocolate is a kind of diet food. But then, in a bar of chocolate, the average calorie is approximately 250 calories which far enough beyond level of a person on diet to suppress their craving. Some chocoholics wash the chocolate down with a glass of milk which really tastes good but researchers and scientists have studied that this could only prevent the antioxidants being absorbed or consumed by the body. It is advised that chocoholics must look for chocolates with nuts and/or orange peel, etc. But not with caramel, nougat or other fillings since these flavored fillings are just adding fat and sugar that is not essential to the body anymore and these fillings only throws a lot of the benefits than can be obtain in chocolate eating.

There's a Reason Why Chocolate is Good for You

2009-12-01T08:01:00.000-08:00

Rumors have been constantly circulating around the assumption that chocolate is not healthy and that it does not benefit people eating it much. According to some of these rumors, chocolate has high calories which result to excessive body fats that could clog the arteries.

However, all of these are still up to now, rumors. Nothing conclusive has definitely been said that nails down every bit of chocolate on earth as unhealthy. For chocolate lovers out there who cannot survive going for days without their favorite, you have to know that eating chocolate in moderation brings about a lot of health benefits. In addition, constant research has generated facts that there is a variety of reasons that it is good for you.

Since chocolate is often regarded as a sinful, decadent delight because of its delicious taste and texture, it may be quite hard to hold on to the idea that it has health benefits. Nevertheless, here are some of the things behind the delicious chocolate, which sufficiently concludes it as beneficial for everyone:

1. Chocolate has vitamins that are important for our bodies to function properly. It has been discovered that it has components of Vitamins A, B1, C, D E

2. Even with its enthralling velvety texture, chocolate contains minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron.

3. It can also be a great help in reducing the risk of getting heart diseases because high blood pressure is significantly lessened due to the flavonoids in cocoa, a basic ingredient of chocolate. The flavonoids help in significantly keeping body fats from blocking the arteries.

4. These flavonoids also contain antioxidants that have been known to reduce the risk of cancer.

5. Chocolate has nitric oxide that helps in blood pressure maintenance and heart sustenance.

6. There have been findings that chocolate brings about blood thinning, similar to the effects of a small dosage of aspirin. This is a factor in keeping the free flow of blood in the system and lessens the development of clotting. However, one must not consider substituting aspirin with chocolate.

7. Aside from being beneficial to the heart and blood, many have observed that consuming chocolate brightens up their mood and keep them on a positive mindset throughout the day.

Increased happiness and alertness is generally seen, as well as the capacity to reduce pain. Chocolate has caffeine, Theobromine, tyramine and phenylethylamine that contributes to decrease of fatigue. These also give an extra boost of energy needed to get through the day. Cannabinoids are also found in chocolate, which gives off a happy and safe feeling.

These are but five of the concrete healthy aspects that are seen in chocolate. Still, a lot of research is ongoing to find out more about why chocolate is not only sinfully delicious but also beneficial for people's well-being.

Of all the findings though, the antioxidant findings is the best one yet. Even if this would be the only good thing about chocolate, it still would bring about the fact that consuming chocolate in moderation is not a sin but a healthy habit. As we are all aware of now, antioxidants aids in stopping the negative effects of free radicals in the body. Eating fruits and vegetables is very advisable to get sufficient antioxidants and reduce the risks of cancer. Now, eating chocolate can be advised as well!

History Of Chocolate Cocktails

2009-11-28T07:53:00.000-08:00

High-class parties have to have two things to be called such: alcohol & chocolate. There is nothing better than a sip of cocktail to calm your nerves when you need them, especially after a long week of hard and exhausting work. Then ultimately concluding it off with a delightful bite of your most loved and favorite chocolates that have made a name throughout the entire chocolate history. But first, it would be even more delightful to find out how chocolate cocktails really started in the first place!

Chocolates, a Commodity Exclusive to Nobility

As we know, chocolates started as a commodity restricted to the noblest of people. Chocolates in the earlier times were used as presents to give away during formal and serious engagements, especially when there are royalty figures participating in the event. Chocolates, on another angle, were considered an element that would promote love, passion and romance. And for a reason, chocolate drinks were made available to the mediocre as well. Restrictions and exclusivity of chocolates to nobility gas been lifted and therefore, stores opening up everywhere to offer the enjoyably luscious chocolate drink we love today!

Chocolate Drink's Journey to Spain

The chocolate or cocktail drink continued to develop in Spain. More than a few other flavor ingredients such as vanilla or cinnamon were eventually added to the chocolate beverage to improve its flavor. And because of the popularity of the chocolate drink, it motivated the Spaniards to plant several more of their cocoa trees and even kept the recipe a sweet hush-hush for a long time. However, as any excellent food, the recipe reached the other parts of the world including Europe and became a well-loved favorite satisfying drink!

The Magical Blend of Chocolates and Alcohol

For many people, eating chocolates has an effect of calming their spirits and you will notice how energized you will feel for next week or the rest of the week. Can you ever imagine how delicious a drink it will be to combine these two ingredients, alcohol and chocolates, to make a great cocktail drink? There are countless chocolate cocktail recipes you will surely love once you taste them, and for sure they are cocktails you will undoubtedly be proud of to serve on your party tables!

The Beginning of a Chocolate Cocktail Party

Now that we know how the early peoples of civilization started concocting mouth-watering chocolate cocktails, it is high-time we discover where and how chocolate cocktail parties all began! Etiquette says that party hosts should always keep a cocktail party brief and sweetie. It should only be about two hour tete-a-tete to catch up with peers, reconnect and celebrate with. Always go for the classic cocktail party when you are planning of setting up one. And you better make sure that you will never ever be oblivious to the best cocktail Martini, what with its sophisticated taste on the palates.

Partying on a Martini Night

You may even call it a "Martini Night" and set up your own Martini Bar serving chocolates, canapés, black olives, and some cheese bits. While others get too concerned about finding costumes for a chocolate cocktail party, others are too pre-occupied with concocting up cocktail drinks on their own in the cocktail mini bars and mixing up vodka with vanilla and chocolate. Hmm, how I wish I could get a shot of the Russian Vodka I loved in my younger years, the Stolichnaya, and mixing it up with vanilla and chocolate. I bet it is going to be even much better than Bailey's. Really, chocolate's history will never be complete without a chocolate cocktail party! Anyone giving out a chocolate cocktail party tonight?

Chocolate is better than sex (3)

2009-10-14T04:15:00.000-07:00

1. Chocolates can get away any weekend.

2. With a chocolate, you can get a single room ... and you won't have to check in as "MRS Chocolate"

3. A chocolate will always respect you in the morning.

4. You can go to the movie with a chocolate ... and see the movie.

5. You can have as many chocolates as you can handle.

6. Chocolates stay hard for a week !

7. You only eat chocolates when you feel like it.

8. Chocolates won't write your name and number on the men's room wall.

9. Chocolates won't ask : Am I the best ? How was it ?

10. Chocolates won't ask about your last chocolate... or speculate about your next one ! Hahaha

Chocolate is better than sex (2)

2009-10-08T04:09:00.000-07:00

1. You can ask a stranger for chocolate without getting your face slapped !

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

2. You don't get hairs in your mouth with chocolate.

3.With chocolate, there's no need to fake it.

4. Chocolate doesn't make you pregnant.

5. Good chocolate is easy to find.

6. You can have as many kinds of chocolate as you can handle.

7. You are never too young or too old for chocolate.

8. When you have chocolate, it does not keep your neighbours awake.

9. With chocolate, size does not matter; its always good!

10. You can fondle chocolates in a supermarket ... and you know how firm it is before you take it home ... LOL !

Chocolate Gift Baskets Can Be A Wonderful Idea

2009-10-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

With the love that majority of people have for coffee, it becomes very difficult to find anyone who doesn't love coffee.

That deliciously sweet, creamy and rich treat that is great for all occasions is now the love of so many people. These days there are now an endless collection of chocolate products out there that you can choose from.

For those who desire fudge brownies, they can get what they want. For those who desire decadent cakes or even grande mocha latte, they can get what they want out of chocolate. This wonderful treat called chocolate is now a delight all over the world.

It is now one of the best gifts to give at anytime of the year. And for those that want to give gifts of such, they absolutely need chocolate gift baskets.

They are now incredibly very important if you want to give that present of chocolate. The fact that there are several chocolate gift baskets to choose from, this is a real delight.

For those who are looking for the ideal chocolate gift baskets, they should go online. There are now variety of chocolate gift baskets online to choose from. I don't know about you, but one of my favorite brands of chocolate is the Godiva. Of course you might think it is a bit pricy, but I am not in total agreement with that idea.

You see, I spent just 50 bucks on a pound at one time and enjoyed it. If you are searching for the best selection of lovely chocolates, Godiva is it. Take your time and check out their store or visit them online. They take their time with packing their chocolate.

It is as if each chocolate is specially packed with a divine flavor. What better thing to give away to someone special as a gift than chocolate from Godiva.

What I like particularly about chocolates is the variety. For the chocolate gift baskets, there are lots of varieties to choose from. If you want the solely dark chocolate, you will get it. You can also get chocolate gift baskets that have only milk or white chocolate too.

Fact is - no matter the kind of chocolate you want; you can get it, especially online. Forget about those security fears you have about sending gifts and whether the receiver will love them or not.

With chocolate gift baskets, you are assured they will. If you are still in doubt of the particular website to visit for the chocolate gift baskets of your choice, go online and search using Google. Simply enter the keyword of your choice and conduct your search.

You will be presented with an avalanche of sites and chocolate gift baskets to choose from. I hope you don't end up needing all that you find. If you do, your pocket will be the victim.

Chocolate's better than sex (1)

2009-09-30T03:59:00.000-07:00

1. You can GET chocolate.

Image via Wikipedia

2. "If you love me, you'll swallow that" has real meaning with chocolate.

3. Chocolate satisfies even when it has gone soft.

4. You can safely have chocolate while you are driving.

5. You can make chocolate even in front of your mother !

6. If you bite the nuts too hard the chocolate won't mind.

7. Two people of the same sex can have chocolate without being called nasty names.

8. You can make chocolate last as long as you want it to.

9. The word "commitment" doesn't scare off chocolate.

10. You can have chocolate on top of your workbench/desk during working hours without upsetting your co-workers !

Chocolate Is My Favorite Health Food

2009-09-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

Finally, the medical world has caught up with what the rest of us have known all the time, namely, chocolate is good for us. And I for one think it is about time.

According to recent medical research, chocolate has marvelous benefits for the human body. Who in their right mind did not know this? As a subscriber to the Old England Journal of Homemade Cures and Potions, I have known for a very long time that the consumpt

Image via Wikipedia

ion of chocolate carries with it healthy advantages. For years, this journal carried many delicious articles touting the benefits of chocolate. And I have eaten it all up not to mention several boxes of chocolate.

This introduces me to a disturbing thought. I’m grateful for the advancement of modern medicine and science but what I want to know is simply this: if the medical world was mistaken about chocolate, what else are they mistaken about? Could it be that my long-time suspicions about broccoli are right? Has the medical world, which boasted for years about the dietary benefit of broccoli, been wrong all these years?

With recent discoveries, I think this is a real possibility.

I have been saying for years that broccoli was bad for you and chocolate was good for you. It seems I have been half right and I suspect another few years will prove I am 100 percent right on both subjects.

Because I have been right about chocolate, I’m not going to take the chance I’m wrong about broccoli. I propose to eat as much chocolate as possible and avoid broccoli in any and every form.

In light of these recent discoveries concerning chocolate, I thought I would lend my expertise on the subject of how to eat chocolate. Because many people have for so long been under the delusion that chocolate was not healthy, most people do not know how to eat chocolate.

I offer myself as an expert on the art of eating chocolate and I have the empty boxes to support my boast.

Before giving my tips on eating chocolate, let me just say that the chocolate chip cookie is the basic host for chocolate for the novice chocolate eater. Each chocolate chip cookie carries the proper amount of chocolate for the person denied chocolate all these years.

So, start out with a chocolate chip cookie to make sure you’re on the safe side of this issue. To know the proper amount of cookies, take your weight divided by your height (in inches) and multiplied by your age. This formula never fails.

Because chocolate is rather a new food category for most people, let me offer a few tips as you begin the marvelous discovery of the chocolate world.

1. When you begin eating chocolate, make sure you do it one bite at a time. This is important. Do not succumb to the temptation of taking double or triple bites as you begin. Down the road as you become more adapt at eating chocolate you might grow into this facet of chocolate eating.

2. If you have a wrapped chocolate bar, remember, it must be unwrapped and allowed to breathe like a fine wine. Many people yield to the temptation of ripping open a candy bar and immediately taking a bite. This is wrong. Chocolate is delicate and must be nurtured carefully in order to enjoy its flavor to its fullest for the longest period of time.

3. When it comes to chewing chocolate, a person must be very careful. Each bite of chocolate must be chewed no less than 12 times out of respect for the cacao seed that sacrificed itself for your toothsome treat.

Eating chocolate is a slow, reverent and loving experience. Perhaps the reason so many thought chocolate was not good for a person is that they ate it too fast.

I once tried chewing a chocolate bar only 11 times and choked. I learned my lesson the hard way and I now wholly respect the delicate nature of chocolate.

4. One final tip I feel is quite important. Chocolate should always be eaten when you are alone for a very important reason. When a person is eating chocolate, his full concentration should be on the process of eating and enjoying the rich chocolaty flavor. Any distractions, even the presence of a loved one, diverts from the whole experience.

When you stop to think about this whole chocolate business, it is almost like a religious experience.

As religious experiences go, the only genuine experience centers on knowing God, as he desires to be known. When it comes to religion, most people rush through without giving it much thought. And of course, they really never get to experience the full benefit of their religious experience.

David understood this concept when he wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalms 46:10 KJV.)

In this rat race of a world, it is almost impossible to find the time or the place to get still enough to really experience the presence of God. We have time for everything but this.

Perhaps God gets a bad rap from people for the same reason chocolate for many years was given a bad rap. To really know chocolate is to love chocolate.

I honestly believe the same can be said for God. For the person who takes the time to get to know God he begins to understand God and consequently loves God.

Enjoy delicious healthy Cocoa Mojo . Order this healthy hot chocolate HERE.

For more Chocolate Recipes, click HERE.

Healthy Chocolate is NOT an Oxymoron!

2009-09-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

Healthy chocolate? How can that be? After all, we've been trained to think of chocolate as a guilty indulgence at best, and as a health disaster at worst. Yet there is a large body of scientific evidence that supports the notion that chocolate is not only harmless, but that it can actually contribute to health and longevity.

There's Chocolate and Then There's Chocolate

That's not to say that all chocolate is created equal. If you think that those sugary confections you find in candy stores and on grocery store shelves are nothing but empty calories, you're not far off the mark. Chocolate candies are often full of the refined sugars, milk fats, and hydrogenated oils that are important to avoid.

But those unhealthy ingredients are masking a dark healthy chocolate that is filled with antioxidants, flavonoids, and amino acids that can contribute to health and well being. Unprocessed cocoa has antioxidants that can slow the aging process and cellular decay, as well as flavonoids that have been shown to be beneficial to cardiovascular health. These cardiovascular benefits include improving blood flow, lowering LDL cholesterol, and reducing blood pressure. Dark chocolate also has essential amino acids like tryptophan, as well as alkaloids like theobromine and phenethylamine, all of which can help elevate and regulate moods.

Latest Trends in Healthy Chocolate

As the concept of healthy chocolate gains momentum, products are being brought to market that combine the best qualities of chocolate with those of other ingredients. The mixture produces a high-powered blast of benefits with all of the intrinsic satisfaction that eating chocolate brings.

What makes healthy chocolate different from the kind you find within candy bar wrappers? First, there are no sugars, milk fats, or hydrogenated oils. Second, it has not been subjected to what is called the Dutch process, whereby an alkali is introduced that all but destroys the antioxidants. Rather, it is cold pressed to preserve the antioxidants and nutrients. Third, it is often combined with Acai berries and blueberries to further boost its antioxidant properties - so much so that some products give you the equivalent of a half-pound of spinach or three-quarters of a pound of broccoli in one small nugget. Fourth, the dark chocolate has no trans fat, no wax, and no fillers.

Healthy Chocolate as a Weight Loss Tool

Unarguably, it's counterintuitive to think of chocolate as being a central component of a weight loss plan. But healthy chocolate - without the additives, sugar, and milk fat - can, indeed, help you lose weight. Eating a nugget with a glass of water about a half our before a meal can quell hunger and satisfy chocolate cravings. You'll eat less at meals and get a boost of nutrients in the process. Similarly, eating a nugget as a snack is a healthy alternative to more calorie-laden fare.

The bottom line is that you can incorporate healthy chocolate into your diet without even a twinge of guilt. What a relief and a blessing!

Enjoy delicious healthy Cocoa Mojo . Order this healthy hot chocolate HERE.

Is Coffee Better Than Tea?

2009-09-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Would you like to have tea or coffee? Just what are the specific coffee benefits? You must have heard this offer of choice a thousand times. Be it guests at your house or while visiting someone or from the airhostess in the flight.

The general idea in many countries continues to be that tea and coffee are two beverages which have equal importance. However, this is not 100% true. There is a huge divided lobby on this opinion. Many people opine that tea is definitely more popular than coffee as it has medicinal properties and is good for health. Coffee on the other hand is more popular in the workplace. The debate continues on which is more popular.

There are however, some distinct pros and cons of both beverages. Let’s talk about the benefit of tea. As we all know tea was discovered by the Chinese and scientific research has proven than it has very good medicinal properties which can help fight fatigue. Tea is more popular in Asia and Europe where tea drinking is considered to be a proper social function.

Coffee on the other hand gives an instant ’fix’ and helps people be alert and ward off sleepiness when at work thanks to the caffeine content in the drink. The health conscience coffee drinker tends to opt for decaffeinated coffee and thus gets the flavour without the caffeine. Coffee is very popular in the United States and is also an international drink which is appreciated the world over. These are the coffee benefits present in every cup!

It is very difficult to determine which beverage garners more votes with a global audience since each drink has its own fiercely loyal fan following.

Can Coffee Reduce The Risk Of Diabetes?

2009-09-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

Coffee reduces risk of diabetes

Research suggests that people who drink coffee are less likely to get type 2 diabetes. It isn't known whether the caffeine or some other ingredient in coffee is responsible for its protective effects.

The researchers wanted to see whether there is a link between diabetes and drinking coffee and green, black, and oolong tea. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire about their health, lifestyle habits, and how much coffee and tea they drank. The questionnaire was repeated at the end of the 5-year follow-up period.

When other factors were accounted for, researchers found that the more green tea and coffee participants drank, the less likely they were to get diabetes. People who drank six cups or more of green tea or three or more cups of coffee each day were about one-third less likely to get diabetes. The link was stronger in women than in men. No pattern was seen with black or oolong tea. (see Diabetes Symptoms)

Vitamin D and Calcium May Lower the Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in Women
A lack of vitamin D and calcium may be linked to getting type 2 diabetes. More than 80,000 women who took part in the Nurses' Health Study. Over the course of 20 years, over 4,800 women developed type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that a combined intake of over 1,200 milligrams of calcium and over 800 units of vitamin D was linked with a 33% lower risk for type 2 diabetes (as compared to women who took much smaller amounts of calcium and vitamin D). The results show that consuming higher amounts of vitamin D and calcium help lower the risk for type 2 diabetes in women.

Diabetes is a disorder characterized by hyperglycemia or elevated blood glucose (blood sugar). Our bodies function best at a certain level of sugar in the bloodstream. If the amount of sugar in our blood runs too high or too low, then we typically feel bad. Diabetes is the name of the condition where the blood sugar level consistently runs too high. Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder.

Chocolate ice cream, tips and a scrumptious recipe

2009-09-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

The best way to obtain a smooth, evenly textured ice cream is to whisk the mixture carefully and freeze quickly.

The main thing you want to avoid is ice crystals forming in the mixture this can be achieved by adding air into the mix, you can do this by taking the mixture out of the freezer after 20 minutes and giving it a further whisk.

Tips

Chill all ingredients and utensils before you use them
Be accurate with the quantity of sugar, to much will prevent the mixture from freezing and to little will cause the mixture to freeze hard and rocky
Do not put warm mixtures into the finished container allow to cool
Do not fill the container because freezing will increase the size of the contents
Put freezer on coldest setting

Ingredients (serves 3-4)

200ml of milk
1 egg
40g of fine sugar

120g of Lindt 99% excellence chocolate
70ml of water
140ml of cream
7ml of vanilla essence

Whisk the egg and sugar and add the warm milk whilst whisking.
Add the mix to a bowl and heat without boiling for about five minutes
Strain this mix then leave to cool

Break the chocolate into pieces and place into another bowl add the water, dissolve this slowly over a low heat.
Add the melted chocolate to the previous mix and stir.
Important you now need to cool this mix.
Once cooled add the half whipped cream and vanilla and gently whisk for 1 minute.
Place this in your freezer remove after 20 minutes and whisk (churn) for a couple of minutes then return to freezer

Scrumptious home made chocolate ice cream!

For more Chocolate Recipes, click HERE

Nothing perks up a lazy morning like coffee

2009-09-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

What is this dark-colored substance made of and why can’t some people survive a day without having even just one sip of this stimulant?

Coffee, normally taken hot, is made from the coffee plant’s roasted seeds, called coffee beans. Considered the second-most traded commodity in the world, next to petroleum, it is hailed as modern man’s chief source of caffeine for that extra burst of energy. The perceived benefits and hazards of this potent drink remain the subject of debate among coffee drinkers worldwide.

How did the word “coffee” come into being? The term “coffee” is known by many names among various peoples of the world. It came to England in 1598, via the Italian “caffe.” The Turkish term for it is “kahveh,” while the Arabic word for it is “qahwa.” Its origin is still unknown, although some believe that the drink possibly came from the Kaffa region in Ethopia, where the plant originally named “bunna,” the precursor of coffee, came from.

Did you know that coffee drinking was outlawed in Mecca in 1511, and in Cairo in 1532? Due to coffee’s immense popularity, the law was made obsolete soon after. From then on, owing to the pioneering efforts of the British and Dutch East India companies, coffee found its way to Europe in the sixteenth century.

One of the two main species of the coffee plant is “Coffea Arabica,” its name implying that its origin was the Arabian Peninsula, but it is indigenous in Ethiopia. Although Arabica is more prone to disease, coffee lovers consider it to be more flavorful than “coffea canephora” (robusta), which holds twice as much caffeine. However, the later is proven to be a natural insecticide and stimulant, growing in places where the former cannot grow. Thus, it is used as an inexpensive substitute for Arabica in commercial coffee blends and in almost all instant coffee products.

Compared to Arabica, robusta is more bitter, with a burnt-rubber smell and taste. Robusta of finer quality are used in espresso blends for a foamy effect and for better affordability. In fact, Italian espresso blends are made from dark-roasted Robusta.

Some blend varieties are so popular and in demand that they command a higher price, examples of which are the Jamaican Blue Mountain and the Hawaiian Kona coffees. Often, these beans are mixed with other, less-expensive varieties and the term blend is added to the label, such as “Blue Mountain Blend” or “Kona Blend”.

So beat those morning blues with an adrenaline-pumping sip of this favorite drink among caffeine addicts worldwide.

Chocolate Rasperry Cake

2009-09-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

This is a moist chocolate cake recipe, it is a 3 layer cake with 2 layers of raspberry cream filling and topped with a chocolate raspberry butter cream icing. Are you salivating yet?

To make this cake use your favorite chocolate cake recipe or for the inexperienced baker just use 2 dark chocolate cake mixes.

Mix with :

8 medium eggs

2 cups cold water

2/3 cup oil

Mix on medium speed until well blended, scrape bowl, mix for 1 more minute.

Pour in equal portions into 3 (10x2 inch baking pans).

Bake at 350 degree preheated oven for approximately 30 to 40 minutes or until done. Cool on rack, remove from pans, level cakes by cutting off rounded tops.

Purchase a good fruitful raspberry pastry filling (H&H) is the best, place about 1 pound of filling in a bowl and add whip cream to it (whip the cream first) now fold them together until you reach the desired flavor and thickness (don't make it too thin).

Use any chocolate butter cream recipe that you like and add to the icing (black raspberry extract) until you reach the desired flavor (if you make the icing too thin just add some more 10x sugar).

Assemble the cake :

On the bottom layer put a dam of icing around the edge and your filling in the center and smooth to level, repeat for 2nd and 3rd layer, decorate as in picture, use shaved chocolate or chocolate jimmies in center of the top.

For more Chocolate Recipes, click HERE

You Might Be A Chocoholic If ...

2009-09-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

Are you a chocoholic? Answer these questions to help find out.

chocoholic (def): a person who has or claims to have an addiction to chocolate.
If you have more than 2 secret stashes of chocolate candy, you might be a chocoholic. (Be honest.) :-)

* If your top 3 favorite candies all have chocolate in them, you might be a chocoholic.

* If you have more than 4 books at home on chocolate, you might be a chocoholic.

* If your favorite dessert is chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate ice-cream on the side, then you might be a chocoholic.

* If you name chocolate as one of the seven wonders of the world, you might be a chocoholic.

* If you bookmark more than 2 websites on the health benefits of chocolate, then you might be a chocoholic.

* If your favorite movie is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you might be a chocoholic.

* If you own more than one chocolate-related T-Shirt, you might be a chocoholic. (If you actually wear that chocolate T-Shirt in public, just admit it. You are a chocoholic.)

* If you name your first-born child after your favorite chocolate candy - then you are a definite, full fledged chocoholic.

* If you are a chocoholic, there you may want to try one of two possible cures:

CURE #1: Chocolate Overdose

In several cases a chocolate overdose will effectively kill your chocolate bug for a period of time. At some point, too much chocolate in a given month will cure your addiction - for at least a week. Your personal chocolate overdose limit will depend on your level of addiction. (We sell a variety of chocolates to help you do this in style.)

CURE #2: Chocolate Substitution

Chocolate substitution is another option, if the chocolate overdose doesn't work. It involves starving your chocolate bug by offering it wholesome candy substitutes. The concept is that your body will gradually forget its craving for chocolate. (We sell a variety of delicious candies to help you do this in style.)

If one of these cures doesn't work, well, at least you would enjoy the attempt . . .

By the way, here are some great links on the health benefits of chocolate. You may want to bookmark them in case someone tries to convince you that chocolate is not good for you.

* Healthy Chocolate Beverages
* Aphrodite-Chocolates
* Healthy Chocolate Recipes

Well, of course it makes sense that chocolate really is healthy. Chocolate is made from a bean - and so, wouldn't that be like eating a vegetable? (Try explaining that to your mom.)

Chocolate Candy Bar

2009-08-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Making your very own chocolate candy bar can be a fulfilling achievement since many appreciate the taste of chocolate. Most of the ingredients needed to make your very own chocolate product can be found in the grocery store or specialty stores. A chocolate candy bar which is produced by finer confectioners or chocolatiers have very specific ingredients which make the finished product absolutely delicious and unique.

There are several kinds of chocolate that can be used to make a chocolate candy bar. Dark chocolate is sometimes called bitter chocolate since there are usually no sweeteners added to this kind of chocolate. Milk chocolate has the added ingredient of milk solids. Most of the time, milk chocolate is sweet and can be creamy to taste as opposed to the stronger taste of the dark chocolate. White chocolate does not contain any form of cocoa solids whatsoever, only cocoa butter combined with milk solids and sweeteners. This kind of chocolate is sweeter than all the other chocolates.

Ideas For Chocolate Making

The basic ingredient to making a chocolate candy bar is dark chocolate. From this basic ingredient, you can add other ingredients to produce a chocolate candy bar specifically suited to your taste. If you want to make a chocolate candy bar from white chocolate, you will need to buy white chocolate since you can not produce white chocolate from dark chocolate.

The usual kinds of ingredients found in supermarkets to make chocolate candy bars have lesser amounts of cocoa butter, or none at all, compared to those in commercially produced fine chocolates. The reason for this reduction is to make tempering easier than what is usually done in chocolate factories. Tempering is the process of subjecting the chocolate to extremely high heat for it to be able to cool normally without being too brittle once cooled.

Most of the chocolate candy bar recipes recommend adding nuts, pieces of dried fruit or vanilla into the mixture to make the product more interesting. Vanilla flavoring is also another common ingredient to make chocolate as well as sugar and milk. One can even make a chocolate chip bar consisting of chips integrated to a bar made from crushed cookies. One can be very creative when it comes to making a chocolate candy bar since you can add a lot of things which is dependent on the preferences of the individual.

Making your very own chocolate candy bar can be fun, especially for children. Most recipes for this do not require intensive cooking or mixing just melting the compound chocolate and then adding nuts, fruits and other ingredients. The chocolate is then left to cool.

For more Chocolate Recipes, click HERE

Cocoa can help reduce cholesterol !

2009-08-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

A Penn State-led study has found that a diet high in flavonoid-rich cocoa powder and dark chocolate had favorable effects on LDL. ("bad" cholesterol) Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, of Penn State noted in a recent study that

"The incorporation of dark chocolate and cocoa powder into the diet is one means of effectively increasing antioxidant intake.Furthermore, the inclusion of dark chocolate and cocoa powder in a diet that is rich in other food sources of antioxidants, such as fruit, vegetables, tea and wine, results in a high antioxidant intake and may consequently reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease."

Cocoa Mojo is also Brain food !

Eating chocolate could help to sharpen up the mind and give a short-term boost to cognitive skills. A study led by Professor Ian Macdonald, professor of metabolic physiology at The University of Nottingham, found that consumption of a cocoa drink rich in flavanols -a key ingredient of dark chocolate- boosts blood flow to key areas of the brain for two to three hours. The results of his MRI studies also suggests that the flavanols found in cocoa could be useful in boosting brain function for people fighting fatigue, sleep deprivation and even the effects of ageing.

Enjoy delicious healthy Cocoa Mojo . Order this healthy hot chocolate HERE.

For more Chocolate Recipes, click HERE.

Drink Hot Chocolate to fight off colds and flu

2009-08-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

Cordyceps has a long history of use in treating chronic respiratory disorders like asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic fatigue, chronic renal failure, decreased libido, diabetes, emphysema, heart disease, hepatitis B and other respiratory symptoms. Chinese Olympic athletes use cordyceps to help increase their stamina and endurance. Cordyceps enhances athletic performance because it increases blood flow and oxygen supplies throughout the body.

Ganoderma helps cleanse the body from toxins and strengthens the immune system. It also enhances liver detoxification, thus improving liver function and stimulating the regeneration of liver cells. Ganoderma has been shown to regulate the immune and endocrine system, prevent tumors, improving the circulation and eliminate harmful free radicals.

Here at EnerHealthBotanicals we strive to make the foods you love - tastier and healthier! We know you love chocolate so we made it EXTRA healthy and delicious. That is why we added cordyceps and ganoderma to our Nutricafe gourmet organic coffee too. If you haven't tried it yet - you are missing out on a spectacular cup of joe!

Just like Starbucks - only better for you and the planet!

2009-08-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

NutriCafe is a unique blend of 100% organic coffee bought from fair trade areas of Mexico. Using only the finest Arabica shade grown coffee beans, we roast them to a Vienna roast, a deep milk chocolate color of incredible taste and aroma.

Arabica beans naturally contain about 1/2 the caffeine found in commercially available coffees. Our Infusion process creates a gourmet tasting coffee with lower acid, less caffeine and virtually no stomach burn.

More Antioxidants than Green Tea!

You may not be aware but coffee, according to a study conducted in Switzerland by the Nestle Research Center, has four times the antioxidant content of green tea. (and tastes significantly better!) Green coffee beans contain about 1,000 antioxidants and the brewing process adds 300 more.

Add to this to the fact that NutriCafe has our unique herbal infusion and your morning pick-me-up just got a whole lot healthier!

Chocolate Coffee delight

2009-08-26T07:41:00.000-07:00

1 cup Nutricafé coffee
1/4 cup sugar
1 dash salt
1 oz Cocoa Mojo
1 cup water
3 cups milk

Whip cream in saucepan. Combine coffee, sugar, salt, chocolate and water; stir over low heat until chocolate has melted. Simmer 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until heated. When piping hot, remove from heat and beat with rotary beater until mixture is frothy. Pour into cups and sail a dollop of whipped cream on the surface of each. Makes 6 servings.

"GanoCafe is America's Healthy Coffee Choice"

2009-08-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

Coffee is consumed by more than half of the American population. The United States is also one of the many countries where health problems are rising and obesity is almost inevitable. We do love our coffee, but does traditional coffee love us?

Traditional coffee can come with a lot of different side effects. Caffeine is one of the most serious. Too much caffeine in our system, either from coffee, soft drinks or even caffeine pills can do some serious damage to our health.

Some of the problems caffeine can cause are increased heart rates, association to heart disease and anxiety. Restless sleep, for one, is one we all have suffered if we drink a cup of coffee too late in the day. Caffeine also is directly related to the causes of ulcers, acid-reflux, and heartburn and stomach pains.

Coffee beans contain germs, pesticides and chemicals. Although some of the bigger and better coffee brands out there swear their beans are pure, they cannot get around the fact that their crops are always being dusted and looking to grow more, not better!

Now we see that coffee does not love us, there is a coffee product that does treat us well.

There is such thing as a "healthy coffee". It is called Ganoderma Coffee.

Ganoderma Coffee is a great tasting and healthy hot beverage that is made from Ganoderma extract. The Ganoderma extract is from a red mushroom called Ganoderma Lucidum that dates back to over 4,000 years ago! Some people who have known about this rare and special herb have also called this herb "The Miraculous King of Herbs". Others have also said Ganoderma Lucidum is stronger than Ginseng!

Ganoderma can help us in many ways. For starters, when you wake up in the morning and have that first cup of hot coffee, by drinking Ganoderma Coffee, you know you are only putting the best into your body.

Ganoderma can provide more vigor and energy, while reducing fatigue. Caffeine may give us the boost we need, but there is also the crash afterwards when the caffeine leaves our system. With the little amount of caffeine in each cup of Gano Café, you can be sure to sleep well knowing caffeine will not keep you up.

With over 200 different herbs combined together, Ganoderma will also increase brain activity and mental stimulus, along with the feeling of being balanced and alert.

Ganoderma Coffee is a combination of the finest Brazilian coffee beans and Ganoderma extract. No one knows exactly how they are able to extract the herb mainly to the secret of their success. There are some other companies out there that try to replicate Ganoderma Coffee. They crush, grind, and mash up the valued red mushrooms, compromising the look and taste of the product. Without using the correct way to extract the nutrients, these other companies could never give the results that can be found in Ganoderma Coffee.

Since the opening of Ganoderma Coffee in the mid 1990's, they have come up with some healthy and delicious hot drinks. There is Gano Classic, resembling black coffee. One of the most popular is the 4-in-1Blend, consisting of the coffee, a non dairy creamer and a sweetener. There is a mocha which tastes as good as any coffee shop can give you. There is also a hot chocolate product, a tea product and much more.

Coffee not only can taste great, but now you know you are helping your body by drinking Ganoderma Coffee. Remember there is no substitute for their success and any other imitation product will not be the same.

Ingredients: Coffee, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract.

Steven Johnson is interested in maintaining a vital, active, and healthy lifestyle. For more information or to obtain Ganoderma Coffee and other Ganoderma products, as well as other life-enhancing nutrients, please visit his website Alternative Health Supplements.

Satisfy your chocolate cravings without a shred of guilt!

2009-08-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

Are you one of the millions of people who crave chocolate? That is OK because cocoa is actually very good for you. Hot Cocoa made with pure cocoa powder contains more antioxidants than green tea or wine. Now there are all organic hot cocoa products that are naturally healthy with the addition of herbal infusions that boost immune response and physical performance.

Several health focused companies have added the immune boosting properties of Cordyceps and Ganoderma to their hot cocoa products. These Chinese herbs have long been known to boost physical performance and immune system response. People are clamoring for this healthy hot chocolate alternative.

Now drinking hot chocolate can help you fight off colds and flu. Now you can enjoy a chocolate hot cocoa that is healthy as it possibly can be. When cocoa is infused with these medicinal herbs you are getting a rich chocolate drink that releases these extra health benefits when you heat the chocolate. Best of all, all you taste is rich creamy delicious gourmet hot cocoa.

Cordyceps has been used for treating many disorders including: chronic respiratory disorders like asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic fatigue, chronic renal failure, decreased libido, diabetes, emphysema, heart disease, hepatitis B and respiratory symptoms. Some folks remember how the Chinese olympic athletes of 1999 used cordyceps to help them win many metals. Cordyceps has been proven to enhance athletic performance because it helps increase blood flow and oxygen supplies throughout the body. This includes blood flow to your brain as well.

The herb ganoderma will assit in helping your body cleanse itself from a variety of toxins as it naturally strengthens your immune system. It helps with liver detoxification, and also improves liver function by stimulating the regeneration of liver cells. Ganoderma has been proven to regulate the immune and endocrine systems, prevent tumors, improve circulation and eliminate harmful free radicals. These miraculous herbs are now infused with pure cocoa for a hot cocoa beverage that tastes rich and creamy while it enhances your immune system.

It is official! Chocolate is now a health food!

Good cocoa bean chocolate is a highly complex food that is really very good for you. Chocolate has gotten a bad reputation because people over eat poor quality chocolate products that are filled with sugar and cheap saturated fats. The myth that cocoa, leads to obesity, tooth decay and skin problems simply is not true.

Recently, new studies have proven that cocoa is higher in antioxidants than green tea or wine and can be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels, boosting blood flow as well as reducing hypertension. Unsweetened pure cocoa powder is also rich in minerals. When it is sweetened naturally with something like rapedura, a natural sugar cane sweetener, it becomes a powerful nutritional resource.

Do your vitamins taste like chocolate?

A recent study by Norman Hollenberg, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School indicated cearly that natural cocoa has very high levels of epicatechin. The health benefits of epicatechin, a compound found in cocoa, are so powerful that it may rival penicillin and anesthesia in terms of importance to public health. Dr. Hollenberg stated that epicatechin is so important that it should be considered a vitamin.

Many commercial chocolates go through a process called dutching. This involves soaking the nib or the cocoa mass in potassium or sodium carbonate. Commercial chocolate companies also remove the flavanols like epicatechin from their cocoa because of their bitter taste. Next they add loads of processed sugars, preservatives and other fillers often reducing the actual cocoa content to less than 15 per cent per cocoa drink mix.

Are you drinking hot sugar water?

This means when you purchase those handy hot chocolate packets you are really drinking mostly hot sugar with artificial chocolate flavor. No wonder chocolate has gotten such a bad reputation for being unhealthy. It is not the cocoa that is unhealthy; it is the added chemicals, milk solids and sugar that has made chocolate a bad food. In reality, naturally sweetened, pure organic cocoa is a great addition to your daily diet. Look for a hot cocoa that uses a high percentage of cocoa powder and also adds cordyceps and ganoderma for boosting your immune system.

Enjoy delicious healthy Cocoa Mojo . Order this healthy hot chocolate HERE.

The Synergy of Coffee with Chocolate

2009-08-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

Why do we finish off a dinner party or a meal at home or in a restaurant with Coffee and Chocolate?

The obvious synergy of Coffee and Chocolate with human social gatherings is more complex than you might think, smell and taste obviously play a part but it goes deeper than that. Take the dinner party scenario, it's late, we are feeling the effects of the food and wine, the natural tendency of our bodies is to wind down while we digest our food, we feel relaxed, lethargic and drowsy. But, along come the coffee and chocolates and in a very short time people become more alert and animated, but still relaxed, almost euphoric in fact. The reasons for this seemingly contradictory change in behaviour lie in the natural chemical compositions of both coffee and chocolate.

Coffee is easy to explain, most people know Coffee contains substantial amounts of caffeine which is a natural stimulant, harsh in it's effects so, you would expect it to wake you up. But keep you relaxed and euphoric at the same time?

Chocolate on the other hand has some real surprises up it's sleeve. It's a very complex food which besides a miniscule amount of Caffeine, contains mood changing substances called Phenylethylamine and Seratonin, both of which are also found in the human brain. Phenylethylamine and Seratonin are released into the system by the brain when feelings of physical attraction such as love, lust or passion are present, causing a rise in blood pressure and increased heart rate, inducing that feeling of euphoria and well being so familiar to lovers. Eating Chocolate has the same effect because it also releases Phenylethylamine and Seratonin into the system, actually inducing those same 'lovers' feelings of well being, euphoria and of passion or being in love!

So you see, chocolate and coffee really do have a complimentary effect on us, Caffeine in the Coffee livens us up making us more alert and attentive while Chocolate mellows the harsher effects of the Coffee with feelings of well being and euphoria, actually mimicking the experience of physical attraction and love.

This probably explains all that flirting that goes on over the coffee and chocolates, well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

Easy Chocolate Dippers - Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans, Raisins, or Nuts

2009-08-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

I love these simple dippers almost as much as I love truffles. Never underestimate the power of 'easy'!

Ingredients :

1 cup coffee beans (I like using espresso beans), raisins and/or nuts
1 1/2 cup chocolate chunks, bits or pieces
3 tbsp cocoa powder (optional)

Melt chocolate in a bowl or pan over another pan with boiling water in it.

Place 1/3 of the coffee beans, fruit or nuts in the melted chocolate. Stir around until coated. Remove your coated items from the chocolate with a fork and place on wax paper. Do not allow them to touch each other. Continue coating your items until all are finished.

If desired, roll your chocolate covered confections in cocoa powder or powdered sugar before they harden completely.

Let your chocolate covered items harden overnight. If you are in a hurry, put them in the freezer for half an hour. I highly recommend hardening at room temperature.

Kathryn Beach has made homemade candy for over 30 years. Visit her website for more easy chocolate candy recipes, as well as for the more complicated but elegant truffles recipes.

Eating Chocolate For Breakfast !

2009-08-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

Several years ago I travelled through Europe, riding trains, heaving a backpack around, and staying at hole-in-the-wall hotels with slanting floors and 40 watt lightbulbs hanging from cords out of the ceilings. I ate arrowroot cookies and apples from corner grocers and whatever was cheapest on the menu at small cafes.

One morning in France in a town whose name and location I have long forgotten, I stopped for breakfast at a tiny bakery with a few wooden tables scattered about on a tiled floor. The morning sunlight streamed through the windowpanes and as I pushed open the door the aroma of fresh warm bread and the sweet smell of baking sugar nearly made me swoon. I chose a miniscule table near the window in a blazing sunbeam and plunked my pack on the floor as I scraped the legs of a wooden chair across the floor and sat down.

A round woman with in a floury apron appeared from somewhere behind a glass counter filled with the days offerings, edible jewels in buttery pastry poised to tempt even the most devoutly determined dieter. She offered a miniature cup of espresso and pain au chocolat. Similar to a croissant but with layers of rich dark chocolate rolled into the swirls of buttery puff pastry, pain au chocolat (pronounced pan oh shocotah) for breakfast is like starting the day with a little bit of heaven. I accepted with alacrity and something akin, I admit, to avarice.

The French are famous for their joie de vivre, which translates, joy of life, but you don't have to be French or even live in France to indulge in and enjoy those kinds of special treats. Living with lusciousness means choosing to include such delights for the senses as often as you can, in fact, it is vital to take the time to embrace those small things that make life more pleasant.

You can apply this delicious concept to anything that gives you a morsel of delight in your day. Try having your morning coffee in your favourite cup before anyone else in the house is up so you can savour the silence at the start of a new day. Take a solitary walk in the afternoon and feel the sun on your face. Buy yourself flowers. Go to the beach and collect shells or just watch the waves. God means for us to enjoy the abundance he has provided.

Treating yourself with kindness means paying attention to the small details that lift your spirit. If you are a chocolate lover like me, try going to a chocolate boutique and buying yourself some fabulous truffles, one or two for each day of the coming week. Or rather than waiting until Christmas, treat yourself now to a box of chocolates. If you can make them last all week, you can savour the pleasure that much longer. If you can't or don't want to, oh well.

Think about the things that you really enjoy, those little things that you love to do, that may have become lost in the rush of life. Do you love quiet time to read? Decide on a time to include a reading break in your day. Are you getting enough sleep? Try going to bed earlier. Think of it as a retreat from the rest of the world. If you enjoy beautiful music, put some on while you drive or work.

We must continually treat ourselves to luscious moments, morsels and delights. These self-loving gifts are the stuff of everyday lusciousness.

Wendy Dewar Hughes is an inspirational writer, artist, and the creator of the Art of Life, Love and Lusciousness. Visit http://www.wendydewarhughes.com for my FREE E-Book, Five Big Ways to Make Your Life Easier Now.

Easy Creamy Chocolate Caramel Candy

2009-08-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

For us real chocolate lovers, dip the completely hardened caramels in melted chocolate and set on buttered cookie sheets or platters to harden again.

Variations : sprinkle on crushed peppermint candies or ground pecans or other nuts.

Ingredients :

1cup of sugar
1 cup of molasses
1 cup of thick cream
1 generous Tablespoon of butter
4 ounces premium dark chocolate
extra chocolate for dipping (optional)

Mix together in a cast iron frying pan sugar, molasses, cream, butter, and dark chocolate. Place on the stove and stir until the mixture boils.

Cook at a continuous boil, stirring frequently, until a few drops of it will harden if dropped into ice-water; then pour into well-buttered pans, having the mixture about three-fourths of an inch deep. When nearly cold, mark into squares.

It will take less than half an hour to cook if cooked in an iron frying pan, at least twice as long if cooked in any other kind of pan. The caramels must be placed in the refrigerator or freezer to harden.

Kathryn Beach has made homemade candy for over 30 years. Visit her website for more easy chocolate candy recipes, as well as for the more complicated but elegant truffles recipes.

Her Chocolate Recipes turn into gold !

2009-08-19T01:56:00.000-07:00

As a stay at home mum, Sylvia used to collect chocolate recipes and cook chocolate cakes for her friends to earn some extra much needed money.

After collecting and re-writing more than 100 Chocolate recipes and adding a touch of her own flavor, she converted it into a pdf document and sent it to a few of friends. Her friends encouraged her to sell it online to make extra money and that's how this recipes turn from Chocolate to Gold !

Now, you can also make money simply by telling people about this incredible recipe book which cost only $5 $9.95 (The price will increase further due to strong demand) !!

Imagine 100 recipes for just $5 $9.95 , now that alone is a great deal but you may be even more amazed at what else this little book can cook up. When you download the 100 chocolate recipe book, you'll be so impressed by what you find inside that you'll want to tell some of your friends. And that's simply how our whole program started.

The best part is that when you buy the book for $5 $9.95 , you'll be paid a royalty for every one that sells 4 times over. That means you get a $1 royalty for people you refer directly; $0.50 for people they refer, $0.25 for people they sell the book to and $0.25 (now $1 until September 2009 as a trial) for people they refer ! (The royalty per people referred has increased!)

Based on a simple formula, when you refer 10 people and them referring 10 people who refer 10 people who refer 10 people, you would make $10,310 and there is no limit to how many people you can refer ! Isn't it awesome ?

What are you waiting for ? Download this book now for $5 $9.95 before the price increase higher and start building a lucrative passive but DELICIOUS income at home. Click HERE.

Cook like a Chef, even if you've never cooked a dessert before !

2009-08-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

Do you think cooking school is just too expensive?

Would you like to cook delicious, exciting chocolate desserts for your family in record time, and save money too?

Would you like to impress your friends or make some extra money by selling your desserts?

Are you ready to throw the most fun and delicious chocolate dessert party ever?

Click here to learn more about Dessert University.

If you're like me, you're always open to learning faster ways to prepare delicious meals; this course takes care of the desserts. Now you can make chocolate desserts in minutes that look like you spent hours!

Kristy Leigh will teach you her own unique powerhouse system for dessert cooking, in record time and with less expense, showing you with downloadable recipes and video instructions exactly how she does it, every recipe, every time.

You can use her instructions to make healthier, more delicious desserts in less time that will have your family crying out for more, and the good news is, they can indulge in chocolate guilt-free.

Or, learn how to use these recipes to impress your friends or even start your own business. Whatever level you want to take this to, Kristy can accommodate you.

Use Kristy's Four Techniques to make 5-Star recipes the first time, every time. You can learn these four techniques in just minutes and use them right away, so you don't have to worry about studying for weeks to get to the "meat" of the course.

Looking for desserts with an International flair? Kristy doesn't leave out a single culture with her system.

Cakes, candies, cookies, you'll find them all.

With Dessert University You Get :

The complete downloadable course, a 50-page ecourse, 1500 video tutorials, hundreds of recipes, and membership in a forum where you can receive direct support from Kristy herself, as well as unlimited updates.

How much does Dessert University cost?

If you've ever considered cooking school, you probably realize that this much information and instruction can cost thousands of dollars in person. This digital system is regularly $97 but is available for a limited time for only $19.95

Click HERE to learn more about Dessert University and get immediate access to the whole system. So much chocolate, so little time - don't wait!

Chocolate the Aphrodisiac

2009-08-16T20:27:00.000-07:00

Chocolate's reputation as an Aphrodisiac originated in South America over one thousand five hundred years ago, where it is known that it was thought to have mystical and aphrodisiac qualities by both the Mayan and Aztec cultures - the Aztec emperor, Monteczuma drank fifty golden goblets of chocolate a day to enhance his sexual prowess -. So when chocolate was discovered by the Spanish Conquistadors and introduced to Europe by Cortez, it was natural that the Spanish, and eventually, the rest of the world, continued to associate it with love. The reasons for this can be seen in the observed affects of chocolate on human behaviour.

Chocolate is a very complex food source, so complex in fact that scientists are only now beginning to unlock it's secrets. Among it's many other constituents, chocolate has been found to contain substances called Phenylethylamine and Serotonin, both of which (put simply), are mood lifting agents. Both occur naturally in the human brain and are released by the brain into the nervous system when we are happy and also when we are experiencing feelings of love, passion and/or (dare I say it?) lust. This causes a rapid mood change, a rise in blood pressure, increasing the heart rate and inducing those feelings of well being, bordering on euphoria usually associated with being in love (or lust).

Eating chocolate also releases Phenylethylamine and Serotonin into the system, producing those same euphoric effects. This phenomenon has been scientifically observed, so it's not unreasonable to assume that it's probably these effects which gave rise to chocolates reputation as an aphrodisiac. Both these substances can also be mildly addictive, explaining why chocoholics are chocoholics. Plus eating Chocolate gives an immediate and substantial energy boost thus increasing stamina.

Recent research suggests that women are more susceptible to the effects of Phenylethylamine and Serotonin than men but although the famous lover, Casanova is said to have consumed chocolate for it's aphrodesiac qualities before frolicking with his conquests, he obviously didn't know this as there's no mention of him giving chocolate gifts to, or sharing it with, the ladies, maybe he thought his charms alone were enough to guarantee success.

So there you have it, calling Chocolate an aphrodisiac may be stretching it a bit, but eating chocolate does make you feel good and can actually induce or 'mimic' the feelings of being in love... So, aphrodisiac or not, if you want to ensure a loved one’s everlasting devotion, a gift of chocolate is the way to do it and you can’t do better than a gift of Janet's chocolates, handmade, specially for you!

Fancy doing a bit of scientific research?

Click HERE to order a chocolate delivery, a gift of chocolates will certainly earn a few 'brownie points' with your other half and, you will have a great time trying it out to see if it works, so you really can't go wrong. It's a 'Win Win' situation!

Rich History of Chocolate

2009-08-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

Originally chocolate was a bitter beverage, created by the ancient people of Mesocamerica. They used it in their religious and social lives. This was back in 250-900 AD, known as the Classic Period.

The Mayan people used to harvest the bean from the rainforest that grew around their city. They called the cocoa tree "Cacahuaquchtl" and the chocolate "xocoatl", translated it means "bitter water". They used to ferment and roast the beans. From this they create a paste. By adding water, chilli peppers, cornmeal and other substances, they created a spicy chocolate drink.

The Aztecs then adopted the cocao when they started to dominate Mesoamerica. They used the beans as a type of currency. Soon chocolate became an integrated part of the Aztecs lives as well. The drink became reserved for mostly royalty and the likes for the Mayan people, while the Aztecs kept it for their rulers, priests, honoured merchants and decorated soldiers.

The Aztecs believed that power and wisdom came from eating the fruit or beans. They were the first to believe that cocoa beans had aphrodisiac qualities. In 1492, Columbus returned from America with cocoa beans in hand, although they didn't attract any attention at this point. Westerners recognised that the beans could be used as currency when more frequent quests went to America.

By this stage, the Aztecs had changed the old Maya name "xocoatl" into their name "chocolatl", translated "warm liquid." In 1519, Hernando Cortex Begin created the first plantation of cocoa trees. He created the plantation in the name of Spain. In 1528 the Spanish King, Charles V, had his first drink of the spicy chocolate. Soon it became a delicacy. This was enhanced when Hernando started experimenting by blending the beans with sugar. Soon nutmeg, vanilla, cloves and cinnamon, become part of the variations.

However only Spanish nobility were allowed to indulge in the drink. They did not share their knowledge with people from other countries. It was the Spanish monks, who were cultivating the beans that informed the rest of the world. Soon afterwards, chocolate spread throughout Europe. The beans were still used for currency is some parts.

Since then chocolate has slowly spread throughout the decades and centuries, to become the delicacy it is day. Although the original sacred brew does not hold the same status as it once did as a religious drink or for royalty only, it has over time improved in taste.

It is still debatable whether chocolate is an aphrodisiac, however recent research does prove that the dark cocoa does have good qualities which are healthy for the body.

Celeste writes for The Post House which is a chocolaterie in Greyton South Africa.

Chocolate An Historic Luxury Confection

2009-08-16T12:03:00.001-07:00

They choose Cocao-Nuts that are half ripe, and take out the Kernels one by one, for fear of spoiling them; they then lay them to soak for some Days in Spring Water, which they take care to change Morning and Evening: afterwards, having taken them out and wiped them, they lard them with little Bits of Citron-Bark and Cinnamon, almost as they make the Nuts of Roüen.

In the mean time, they prepare a Syrup of the finest Sugar, but very clear; that is to say, wherein there is but little Sugar: and after it has been clarified and purified, they take it boiling-hot off the Fire, and put in the Cocao-Kernels, and let them lie 24 Hours. They repeat this Operation six or seven times, encreasing every time the Quantity of Sugar, without putting it on the Fire, or doing any thing else to it: last of all, they boil another Syrup to the Consistence of Sugar, and pour it on the Kernels well wiped and put in a clean earthen Pot; and when the Syrup is almost cold, they mix with it some Drops of the Essence of Amber.

When they would have these in a dry Form, they take them out of the Syrup; and after it is well drained from them, they put them into a Bason full of a very strong clarifyed Syrup, then they immediately put it in a Stove, or Hot-House, where they candy it.

This Confection, which nearly resembles the Nuts of Roüen, is excellent to strengthen the Stomach without heating it too much; for this reason, they may safely be given to those who are ill of a Fever.

~*~ Research Provided By Teresa Thomas Bohannon

Tips For Making Chocolate

2009-08-16T11:09:00.000-07:00

Making chocolate is challenging. To help you along the way, here are some tips you should know.

First, water is the enemy of chocolate so make sure that the two do not come into contact with one another otherwise, your chocolate will become grainy.

If you are using white colored chocolate and want to add coloring to it, never use regular food color or food color paste since this too contains water. You should only use powdered or gel varieties.

When you are adding color to chocolate, add this in small quantities and stir before adding more. This is because putting in might change the color of your chocolate making it too bright. If this happens, this can be remedied by diluting the shade using some more white chocolate.

Apart from powdered or gel varieties of color, you can also use artist brushes to paint designs into your mold. Another option is to use lollipop sticks or even toothpicks so you will have better control in making the finished product.

When you are done using the chocolate mold, never wash this with soap as this removes its stickiness. Just use water and after rinsing, dry this properly to prevent spots from appearing that will also make it difficult to release the chocolate from the mold.

But if it is already difficult to remove, the next time you use the mold, apply a light coating of vegetable oil as this always does the trick.

Should there be some chocolate on the edges of the mold, remove it using a butter knife. Remember this can be reused by simply melting it again and then pouring this to the next batch of whatever you are making.

If your melted chocolate is too thick to paint, add some parafinflakes until you get the right mixture. If you donТt have this, you can also use vegetable shortening or cocoa butter.

Chocolate when melted and poured into the mold was immediately be placed inside the freezer for several minutes. To remove it, you simply have to turn this over onto a tray. If it does not come out on its own, you can tap it gently or pour some hot water in the back.

Some people paint the chocolate after it has been taken out of the freezer. To do this, you must hold the mold over you head so you can see it from the right side. If there are any air bubbles, tap the area where they are using your fingers until it pops.

If you happen to make a mistake while painting, donТt worry. You should just put the mold back into the freezer so it will be easy to remove when it hardens and you can easily correct it. The rule of thumb when it comes to painting is to finish one color first before moving on to the others.

If you are not good painting all the details, do what many people do and that is to simply use just one solid color.

By following these chocolate making tips, you will be able to make chocolate for any occasion all year round. You can give this away as gifts or serve this as part of your dessert which will make you feel proud knowing that you made this yourself instead of buying this from the store.

Making Chocolate

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Ever wonder how chocolate is made? The short story is that these are made from bitter cacao beans and then molded into chocolate bars. If you were a chocolate company like HersheyТs, you would need a lot of them and to give you an idea how it is made, here is a guide in the production process.

The first thing that needs to be done is to harvest the cacao beans. Large companies buy these from farmers or buy the farm and harvest these themselves. They then put these in an oven at a temperature between 120 to 163 degrees Celsius that is about 250 to 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 35 minutes.

Naturally, you will gradually lower the temperature and stop roasting them when the beans start to crack.

There are two reasons why cacao beans stay in an oven at varying times.

First is to prevent them from burning. Naturally, you will gradually lower the temperature and stop roasting them when the beans start to crack. Naturally, you will gradually lower the temperature and stop roasting them when the beans start to crack.

Second, the cooking time of cacao beans varies depending on the type of bean that is being used.

Since companies produce chocolates in vast quantities, the cacao beans are stored in drums and then rotated over a gas grill. After they are roasted, the beans must be cracked into small bits better known as nibs while those that canТt are removed.

The next step is to grind the nibs into a cacao liqueur. For that, you will need a machine to liquefy this and at the same time separate the remaining husks that were not removed after roasting.

You then conch and refine the chocolate so you are able to give the chocolate its distinct taste. This is what makes HersheyТs chocolates different than for example M&M which can be achieved by using a powerful wet grinder.

You first have to melt the chocolate and the cocoa butter in the over at about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You should then mix non fat dry milk powder, sugar, lecithin and a vanilla pod for about an hour. This mixture is then poured into a grinder together with some heat to keep the chocolate in liquid form. This should be refined for at least 10 hours but not more than 36 hours.

When it is ready, you then temper the chocolate so it looks shiny and soft enough to easily melt in your hand.

The second to the last part in making chocolate is to mold this into whatever shape or form that you would like. To produce these in vast quantities, chocolate companies but custom made molds. The chocolate is then poured there and after this is cooled, this is then packaged and ready for delivery to stores.

Some companies even sell these in the form of blocks so people can buy them, melt it and mold this to whatever shape they desire.

Making chocolate is easy as long as you have the equipment and all the ingredients needed. It doesnТt matter if this is produced in large volumes or in small quantities because the principle behind it is the same. If you want to learn more about making chocolate, sign up for some classes.

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