Belgian Chocolate Bars Great Tasting Chocolates

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.

Dark chocolate can help you heart a lot!

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

"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

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 !

Why They Say Chocolate Has Health Benefits

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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.

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Healthy Chocolate is NOT an Oxymoron!

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.

You Might Be A Chocoholic If ...

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.)

The Synergy of Coffee with Chocolate

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!

Eating Chocolate For Breakfast !

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.

Chocolate the Aphrodisiac

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

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

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