Wow 'Em With This Chocolate Coconut Cake and Its Wonderful Cream Cheese Frosting

If you want to hear the ooohs and aaaahs when you bring out the dessert, you owe it to yourself to make this wonderful Chocolate Coconut Cake with its Wonderful Creme Cheese Frosting. Not only is this cake very tasty (my two favorite ingredients, chocolate and coconut), it makes a beautiful presentation! Maybe I am prejudiced because of my love of chocolate and of coconut, but I believe this cake will become a favorite in your baking repetoire.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Coat 2 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a bowl whisk the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt together; set aside.

In a large mixer bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the brown sugar and beat until blended. Beat in the eggs one at a time then beat in vanilla. On low speed, alternately beat in the flour mixture and the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Spread the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.

Bake cakes at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool in the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Invert the pans onto the wire racks to remove cakes. Allow to cool completely.

While your cakes cool, make the following frosting:

1 box (1-lb) powdered sugar
1/4 cup boiling water
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut up
4-oz reduced-fat cream cheese, cut up
1/4 tsp coconut extract
3 cups sweetened flake coconut
Fresh raspberries for garnish, if desired
Fresh mint leaves for garnish, if desired

In a large mixing bowl, pour the powdered sugar. Beat the boiling water into the powdered sugar. Add the butter and cream cheese, beating well on medium speed after each addition. Beat in the coconut extract. Refrigerate until consistency starts to firm up. This should take 30 to 60 minutes.

Place 1st cake layer on cake plate. Spread 1 cup of the frosting over the top and sprinkle with 1/2 cup coconut. Add the second cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Press the remaining coconut gently into the frosting.

Garnish cake with fresh raspberries and mint leaves, if desired.

Yield: 16 servings
Per serving: 499 calories, 24 g (16 g sat)fat, 5 g protein, 70 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 257 mg sodium, 77 mg cholesterol

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's dessert recipes visit her blog at http://ladybugssweettreats.blogspot.com
For her diabetic dessert recipes visit her at http://diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com

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Get the Adorable Spy Sunglasses

When you have some favorite things or as usual you called as hobbies, it is definitely that you think about the right way to make your performance looks greater during the games time, and just do not hesitate to confess about this one because that is so reasonable for all people like us who need some compensation to play the games in the middle of your busy activity, and that is good if you can use the opportunity to play the games with the best way. In other words you should win the games to get the best result and the way to win the game is increase your confidence and add your ability so you can be sure the best way to increase your confidence that is with wear some accessories that will complete your performance as good as possible, we always want to get the best games right.

So when you win the games you can make sure that is make your spirit well so that’s all the things that we need if we want to run our activity smoother. Sometimes we really cannot hide to play our hobbies and play it for a long time and if you feel like that just keep to wear your accessories like Spy tron, it is like a sunglasses that just make yourself looks so cool and we will mention some choice start form matter grey with layered leans, checkers with grey and silver and also there are many choice that will make you confused to choose it, so just do not make yourself confuse with take as your favorite colors and patterns and when you have the choice hopefully you will great about the your own sunglasses that ready accompany you to win the games as soon as possible.

If you want to know other alternative just do not worry because also you can take spy hielo and actually it is not too different with any classy sunglasses, like shiny black with green lens, mettle black with spectra lens that amaze all people who see it and in point of fact no matter your choice just take one that make your performance greater, because we know that people feel great to have great performance and you can see the choice directly if you see in Zephyrsports.com, because all sunglasses that we offer to you of course have classy looks that is so match with your lifestyle.

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The History of Mexican Chocolate

The cacao tree, which chocolate comes from, originated in Mesoamerica. Native Peoples used the cacao tree to produce a potent drink that is a far cry from the modern sweet incarnations of chocolate today. Historians disagree over where exactly in Mesoamerica the trees first appeared, but what they do agree on is that people first began to prepare cacao for human enjoyment in Mexico. Native Peoples used cacao beans to make drinks, as religious offerings, and they were even used as a from of currency. Nowadays, when people think of Mexican chocolate, they picture the cinnamon-scented variety commonly used in many Mexican style dishes and beverages.

The chocolate prepared in Mexico in pre-European Mexico possessed a strong, sour taste different from modern chocolate. It is well-known that Native Peoples prized this chocolate and used it in a variety of dishes and drinks. The first known large-scale "farmer" and consumers of chocolate were the Mayans, who inhabited Central Mexico.

The Aztecs, who rose to dominance after the Mayans, inherited the Mayan affinity for chocolate, which became even more culturally significant for them than it had for the Mayan people. Chocolate was a symbol of power and authority to the Aztecs, and people even used cacao beans as currency. The cacao beans were so valuable, that counterfeiting by filling cacao shells with clay was not uncommon.

The most popular use of the cacao bean in pre-European Mexico was to produce a chocolate drink. To make the drink, producers fermented, toasted, and ground the cacao bean into a powder which provided the drink's base. Often, people used different spices such as chiles, anise seed, allspice, and vanilla to add flavor. While this drink was a favorite among the rich, it was also religiously significant. The Aztecs gave the drink to human sacrifices to purify them. The Spanish also quickly developed a taste for chocolate not long after their arrival in Mexico. They then introduced it to Europe where a hot chocolate like drink became very popular.

Modern Mexican chocolate still retains many qualities of its predecessor. Makers still use some of the same spices as the Aztecs, as well as cinnamon and sugar to produce a chocolate with a unique flavor, texture, and aroma. It provides the base for hot chocolate beverages and serves as a key ingredient to several Mexican dishes such as Mole. Mexican chocolate is best recognized when sold in the form of small solid discs. The Spanish began the practice of storing chocolate in the shape of discs in the 1500s, and it continues to today. The modern world owes thanks to Mexico's long history with chocolate for providing one of the world's favorite treats.

For more history and to get some traditional recipes, visit http://www.mexicanhotchocolaterecipe.com

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Chocolate Can Help You!

In a dieter's perfect world, all diets would include chocolate. For years researchers have been trying to convince us that chocolate is beneficial to our health. Many chocoholics ran with this idea and started eating chocolate like crazy; that didn't turn out very well for some. Researchers have recently found out that chocolate is actually incredibly beneficial to many areas of the body including the heart and the brain. This does not mean that we can run to the nearest grocery store and buy five candy bars; the key to chocolate being beneficial is to eat it in moderation and to eat chocolate in the purest, darkest forms possible.

The most recent research studies have shown that by regularly eating chocolate you can reduce the risk of both high blood pressure and diabetes. High blood pressure and diabetes are both leading risk factors for heart attack, stroke and heart disease. Chocolate contains polyphenols which are antioxidants that help produce nitric oxide. An increase of nitric oxide could help with circulation and blood flow in general which would then lower blood pressure. Chocolate is also rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants have been found to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Chocolate has also been proven to help cure emotional stress. The consumption of an ounce and a half of dark chocolate for two weeks straight has shown to lower stress levels tremendously.

If you are planning are adding chocolate to your diet for beneficial reasons always remember; the more cocoa present in whatever chocolate treat you are enjoying, the better. The majority of fat found in chocolate is coco butter. Coco butter is composed of oleic and stearic acids, having a diet containing foods that have these two acids in them have been known to lower cholesterol. Some people might question the sugar found in chocolate. Sugar is definitely going to be present, but what some do not understand is that there is approximately ten to fifteen grams of sugar per serving of dark chocolate. Most fruit juices contain three times that amount of sugar in one eight ounce glass.

At the end of the day, chocolate is still chocolate. It has been proven to do great things but if you go off the deep end you could end up doing more harm than good. As stated before, if you do decide to add chocolate to your diet, make sure you are choosing the healthiest forms of the tasty treat.

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Tasty Chocolate Recipes: Candy Clusters, Moist Brownies, and Pound Cake

You can make delicious chocolate treats without being an expert cook, candy maker, or baker. The recipes in this article are easy and will produce yummy results. Raisin Walnut Clusters makes great chocolate cluster candies using only 4 ingredients. The Chocolate Syrup Brownies are frosted by sprinkling chocolate chips over the brownies while hot from the oven, and Yummy Chocolate Pound Cake is easy and delicious.

RAISIN WALNUT CLUSTERS
8 oz chocolate candy coating
2 tbsp butter or shortening
1 1/2 cup broken walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.

In a double boiler, melt the chocolate candy coating with the butter or shortening, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat, when totally melted. Add the walnuts and raisins mixing well to coat. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least a half hour or until set.

Yield: about 2 dozen candy clusters

CHOCOLATE SYRUP BROWNIES
1 stick butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 can (16-oz) chocolate syrup
4 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 of a small pkg chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Remove from the microwave and add the sugar and chocolate syrup; beat well.

Beat the eggs using an electric mixer; add to the chocolate mixture.

Sift the flour and salt together and into the chocolate mixture. Add the walnuts and stir in well. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top. Cover the pan with foil and let set for 5 minutes. Remove the foil and spread the melted chips over the brownies. Cool before cutting into squares.

YUMMY CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE
1 cup boiling water
2 squares (1-oz each)unsweetened chocolate, cut up
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 3/4 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
powdered sugar for garnish

In a small bowl, pour the boiling water over the chocolate and let stand for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease well and flour a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan; set aside.

Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together into a small bowl.

In a large mixing bowl, let butter stand at room temperature until softened. With mixer on high speed, beat butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and beat in the flour mixture by fourths, with the sour cream by thirds, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat in the cooled chocolate mixture just until combined. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake at 325 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Transfer from the pan to the rack and cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar for garnish.

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's dessert recipes visit her blog at http://ladybugssweettreats.blogspot.com
For her diabetic dessert recipes and information visit her at http://diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com

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The Chocolate Connection

Elixir Of The Gods

I'm connected.

Chocolate has been enjoyed for 1000s of years. The first records in history are found from the Olmec people of of southeast Mexico. They lived around 1000 BC. Their word, "kakawa," gave us our word "cacao." Unfortunately, that's all That is know. We don't know how, or even if, the Olmec people actually used chocolate.

The Maya and Aztecs enjoyed it. Prepared as a drink, and possibly alcoholic, They also used it as money. Wouldn't be nice to be able to eat your money. If you had enough of it.

The conquering heroes from Europe took it back to the old world were it was still was sipped as a drink and only royalty and the rich could afford it.

It's some what of a process turning the raw bean into an enjoyable treat we know today. The bean is bitter and has to be fermented, dried and roasted. There are two components, The solids and cocoa butter.

It took some time for chocolate to evolve into what we enjoy today. The first chocolate house opened in England in 1657. A milk chocolate drink was created in 1689 and this became the Cadburry Co. We all love them at Easter, Yes.

Finally a Dutchman came up with a recipe in 1847 that became the chocolate bar we have to day. Oh thank you Mr.Fry.

Do You Like Cranberries?
My Grandmother made this for me when I was small. I have enjoyed it ever since. It's one of my favorite combinations. Cranberry juice and chocolate ice cream. Just scoop the ice cream into a large glass of juice. It's wonderful. Hope you try it!

I indulge in all kind of the stuff. I have my favorite candy bars. Chocolate covered every thing. I really like those jellies. A Bridge mix bag turns me into a magician. It will disappear with no problem.

We have so many choices. Swiss, Dutch, Belgium. Dark, Milk, and White. Variety is the spice of life. I do believe we Americans have some really great chocolate too. There are hundreds of small chocolate companies across the country. These chocolate chiefs have created wonderful candies.

White Chocolate
Did you know White Chocolate isn't chocolate at all? The chocolate solids are missing. Just cocoa butter and sugar. No wonder it never eased my craving.

Chocolate Is Love
The chemists can't quite figure why chocolate releases the same chemical's in the brain as falling in love. The components of chocolate is quite a long list. I have known a few people that are allergic to it and they have my greatest sympathy. Diabetics and gluten sensitive people can have a problem. Thank goodness there are chocolates made just for them.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate
No It's chocolate and peanut butter.

A gentleman in Canada came up with the peanut butter cup the sold the recipe to the American Chocolate Barron. I like the miniature ones. I keep the in the fridge. There great cold and I have little trouble eating the entire bag.

OK, I have to go. I hear some chocolate calling me! Enjoy your chocolate!

Robert Dickens
Owner Find Shop And Buy Here Com Ltd. An Online shopping Mall.
Home base is Mishawaka, In.

We can be reached by e mail at contact@findshopandbuyhere.com

Great chocolates from small chocolate chefs around the world. http://www.findshopandbuyhere.com/chocolate.html

Premium Belgian Chocolate. Known to be one the finest Chocolates in the world. http://www.findshopandbuyhere.com/premiumbelgianchocolate.html

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There Is Much More to Chocolate

I often hear that sweets are bad for me. Sometime a guilty feeling washes over me as I reach for more and more delicious chocolates. As it turns out chocolate is an exception in the world of sweets. Not only is it not bad for health it is great food source with many developing health benefits. It is amazing that the cacao plant can yield such a wonderful healthy delicacy like chocolate. It is a profound illustration of how nature can make something really beautiful from what seems to be nothing. The good news for all chocolate lovers is that chocolate can help keep you healthy. Dark chocolates contain complex chemical nutrients that go way beyond micro nutrients like vitamin C and D. The antioxidants and flavonoids in dark chocolates provide great benefit to the heart. Have you ever wondered why chocolates have the power to calm nerves when you are feeling depressed, angry, frustrated, hopeless, sad, confused and nothing makes sense? Well here is the answer. Dark chocolates are antidepressants. They have been proven to relax people. So the next time you feel depressed reach for a bar of delicious dark chocolate. It is a natural healthy alternative to other chemical anti depressants. Research has shown that chocolate lowers blood pressure and reduces cholesterol levels up to 10%. How can you beat that?

Chocolate can also be considered a stimulant in some applications. This must be one of the reasons why people always say "chocolate is for lovers". It has long been known as the food of love. I have my own proof of this point. Whenever I eat chocolate I always fall in love and feel like I can take on the world. When I feel lazy and laid back I use chocolate to kick start my day. If am feeling tired at work or need some extra energy to help finish an extra task I will always find help in a delicious bar of chocolate. I owe it to myself since chocolate has so many health benefits. The saying "too much of a good thing is bad for you" does not apply to chocolate. We should stop using chocolate to explain our weight problems by saying things like "I am not overweight. I am just chocolate enriched". Chocolate is healthy and it is a fact. Chocolate influences our life in many ways and I am sure there are many other we have yet to explore. For science or pleasure chocolate is always a treasure. It can be used for birthday's graduations and even corporate gift. Chocolate will go with everything. It will bring endless deep delicious healthy delights to anyone that seeks it. There is no question that the future holds more amazing chocolate inventions for humanity. I feel luck to be living in a time when chocolate has become so important to life on earth. There is much more to chocolate than anyone can imagine.

For more chocolate information visit Sharon Karen at Chocolatefly.com

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The Effects Of Chocolate On The Emotions

It is common perception that chocolate is a mood elevator although some people believe that it causes headaches and migraine. Though it is widely accepted that chocolate affects our moods, the research on this is still in a fluid state. Every contention is fiercely debated. We will discuss various ways that chocolate affects our moods and emotions, according to the present set of beliefs.

Chocolate affects us both negatively and positively. Some people, when they are sad or depressed, experience a craving for chocolate. On eating chocolate they report that their mood is elevated and they feel better. This elevation in mood is temporary though and when this effect wears off, they again revert to their previous state of mind.

There are many health benefits that are attributed to chocolates. It is good for the heart. It increases the responsiveness of blood vessels which is useful for preventing heart disease. It also increases glucose tolerance. Chocolate also contains some substances which have an anti oxidant effect. This is helpful in preventing cancer.

Chocolate is reported to cause headache, obesity, rectal itching, heart burn and emotional problems like irritability, confusion, anger and depression.

Chocolate is rich in carbohydrates, which increase the rate with which tryptophan enters the brain. This increases the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates moods, creating a good feeling.

The addictive property of chocolate is also well documented. This is evidenced by the fact that some people, when trying to give up alcohol, depend on chocolate to satisfy their cravings. This drug-like property is attributed to caffeine, anandamines, phenylethylamine and magnesium that are present in chocolate. The presence of caffeine and magnesium can contribute to a feeling of craving for chocolate. Ananadmides affect the brain in a similar way to marijuana, though research in this field is still debated.

There are more than 350 chemicals in chocolate. Some of these are believed to cause allergic reactions. Some scientists believe that phenylethylamine and theobromine could cause changes in moods. Phenylethylamine causes blood pressure and blood sugar to rise. It generates a feeling of alertness and contentment thus creating a feeling of well being. But, a short period of emotional high is followed by a period of emotional low. Theobromine is found naturally in cocoa and acts as an anti-depressant, but has been known to be toxic to animals.

Eating chocolate can also give rise to a feeling of anxiety. Phenylethylamine is said to cause dilation of blood vessels in brain causing headaches. Though it is still debatable whether phenylethylamine reaches the brain.

One ounce of chocolate contains 20 mg of caffeine. Researches on the effects of caffeine have reported that caffeine can cause problems in sleep, restlessness, irritability, heartburn and anxiety. Withdrawal from caffeine causes fatigue and headaches.

Tyramine is another amino acid present in chocolate. Though it is not certain whether any significant amount of tyramine reaches the brain, yet it is known that it causes blood vessels to expand and contract causing dull headaches.

Women appear to crave chocolate more than men, including diabetics. Some amongst these women reported that only chocolate and nothing else could satisfy their craving. The presence of magnesium in chocolate can account for the fact that during PMS (Post Menstrual Syndrome) craving for chocolate increases in women, as during this period a deficiency of magnesium may arise.

With all this contradictory information on the effects of chocolate on mood, one has to observe from one's experiences and decide whether chocolate is right for one. But, certainly, large amounts of chocolate will effect us physically or emotionally one way or another.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Chocolates [http://chocolates-guide.com/]

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10 Amazing Facts About Chocolate

Chocolate is made from beans derived from the cacao tree. These beans are very bitter, so the cocoa solids and the cocoa butter has sugar added to it, along with some other ingredients in order to make the chocolate that is available to the general public.

Chocolate is particularly popular at certain times of the year, such as Easter, Valentines Day and Christmas. As such, chocolate shaped gifts are popular. Hearts for Valentines day and cute bunnies at Easter are two high up on the gift selection list. Here are 10 interesting facts about chocolate:

1. Chocolate is lower in caffeine than tea, coffee and coca cola. A one ounce bar of chocolate contains about 6mg of caffeine, whereas a five ounce cup of regular coffee contains over 40mg.

2. Chocolate was regarded as an aphrodisiac by Aztec Indians.

3. Chocolate contains antioxidants which may help prevent cancer and heart disease.

4. Chocolate is the favourite flavour in the United States Of America.

5. The shelf life of a bar of chocolate is approximately one year.

6. In 1842 Cadbury's in England created the worlds first chocolate bar.

7. The Swiss eat the most chocolate. The average person eats 19lbs a year.

8. Chocolate contain theobromine, which is a mild relative of caffeine and magnesium. This chemical is found in some tranquilisers. Because coffee also contains caffeine, it both picks you up and calms you down.

9. It is widely believed that chocolate consumption releases a chemical into your body very similar to what is produced when you are in love.

10. Chocolate manufacturers use 20% of the worlds peanuts and 40% of the worlds almonds.

Chocolate is mildly addictive, but a bar now and again is not going to hurt. With all those great antioxidants it contains, it may even help you live longer. After all, as the saying goes, "A little of what you fancy does you good".

Article by Richard Davies of http://www.chocolateorg.com covering a wide variety of information on chocolate.

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Trade Center

The development of business is fast. Today you will able to sell all products to world market. When you are businessman and you want to promote your products or services to the world market, you must know about some criteria. You products must be unique. What is the meaning of unique? You must have new products and specific. If you sell same products with other company please make sure that your products have specialties. You will able to get world market response if you have different products with other company. You also need to enter Premcrest Fair Trade wholesale. Please open Premcrest.co.uk and you will get information about the trade wholesale.



Premcrest Fair Trade will be followed by lots of companies with various products and services. You must follow it to promote your products and services. The other aspects that will give big influence for your business are your price and your quality. Price will really give big influence to the consumers’ response. You will get big consumers if you offer affordable price for your products and services. You will able to enter world market of you have long experience in selling and trading. Today people look for company that has good track record in world market. They must be reliable and trusted by lots of people.

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The Right Kind of Dark Chocolate Makes Our Brain Secrete Endorphins

Chocolate is made from plants, cacao to be precise, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease.

Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help release blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body. Now, hormonal balance is crucial to good health because if we overproduce hormones we over burden our liver as well as our bowels and those "used" hormones won't be discharged from our bodies causing several health issues.
Favonoids are compounds found in fruits, vegetables that have diverse beneficial biochemical and antioxidant effects. Plus Dark chocolate is the only food that makes our brain produce endorphins.

Chocolate boosts serotonin - our brain's antidepressant - Chocolate also stimulates the secretion of endorphins, producing a pleasurable sensation Endorphins naturally flood the brain during physical exertion, creating "runners high."

Endorphins are among the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which function to transmit electrical signals within the nervous system. At least 20 types of endorphins have been demonstrated in humans. Endorphins can be found in the pituitary gland, in other parts of the brain, or distributed throughout the nervous system. In addition to decreased feelings of pain, secretion of endorphins leads to feelings of euphoria, modulation of appetite, release of sex hormones, and enhancement of the immune response. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress.

Go figure, you get from chocolate some of the benefits you can only get from drugs, but......... chocolate is legal, healthy and non addictive. Imagine that decadent creamy delicious dark chocolate (packed with antioxidants) melting in your mouth while you get all the health benefits dark veggies give you, only it's a lot more good, fun and very much easier to make your kids eat it.

But, beware! Not all chocolate is created equal:

To obtain all the benefits chocolate has to offer we need the right kind, it has to be at least 70% cold pressed cocoa made with un processed, unalkalized cacao, and natural un processed sweeteners (we want the benefits, not the fat and calories).

So, forget about milk chocolate and never ever eat white chocolate, it is actually not even chocolate, it is just butter with sugars and artificial flavors.

http://www.chocolate-genie.com

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Five Tips For Including Chocolate In Your Daily Diet

When it comes to dark chocolate, sometimes we just can't get more than enough!

It's perfectly fine to add a daily part of chocolate for your diet, and perhaps recommended for health benefits, however there are some things you have to look at just before splurging.

Tip #1: Be Careful With Calories

Dark chocolate is very full of fat and full of calories. It's not recommended to eat a pound of chocolate a day, even though it can feel hard to not overload.

Along with a well-balanced diet, you ought to be looking to add no more than 100 grams (or 3.5 ounces) of dark chocolate per day to maximize the advantages.

One bar of chocolate will normally have around 400 calories. So, if you choose to eat 1 / 2 of that bar, that equates to around 200 calories. Therefore, you need to do something to balance out those 200 extra calories, whether it's giving up something you'd eat, or increasing your physical activity levels to burn off those extra calories.

Tip #2: Don't Inhale It!

With regards to dessert (especially chocolate), I've been known to inhale my way through sight.

Don't do this! Instead, concentrate on tasting the chocolate.

Since chocolate is really an intricate food with over 300 compounds and chemicals hiding in each bite, you need to really slow down and concentrate on enjoying and appreciating the unique flavour.

Professional chocolate tasters (wow, I want that job!) have actually developed a system for tasting chocolate, which include a variety of quality assessments which range from appearance, smell, feel, and taste of each and every delicious piece.

Tip #3: Skip The Milk

I understand that milk chocolate is more creamy and sugary than perhaps 70% cocao chocolate, but trust me, once you dark, you won't want to go back!

Chocolates has so many more antioxidants compared to milk or white chocolate, both of which do not provide any real health benefits. Select a nice chocolates that has 65% of higher cocoa content. My personal favourite is 70 - 75% cocoa. Yum!

Tip #4: Avoid Fillers

Whether it's a nougat, caramel, or nutty centre that's hiding inside your bar of chocolate, you won't exactly be getting the entire many benefits from it when it's been full of plenty of sugary, chemically, trans fat stuff!

Instead, search for pure chocolates with nuts, orange peel, or other flavours. By doing this, you are able to still obtain the pleasure in tasting different flavours if you're not the largest fan of plain, dark chocolate.

However, be sure to avoid anything with caramel, nougat, or other sugary fillers.

Tip #5: Avoid Drinking Milk Together with your Chocolate

Sounds strange, doesn't it? This is a hard one for me.

Although washing your tasty chocolate treats down with a nice, cold glass of milk afterward seems like a good idea, some scientific study has learned that this may actually prevent certain antioxidants from being absorbed because of your body.

Should you really should quench your thirst, try substituting it for any glass of water instead.

Elise is a chocolate lover of all types, looking to educate people on dark chocolate health benefits. If you want to find out more about dark chocolate health benefits, please visit her website and be sure to pick up her free dark chocolate health guide!

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Buy a pack of chocolate

Buying wholesale candy is not something that most people think of when looking to save money on the household budget. In some respects it's probably the last thing you would think of. If you are considering buying household items in bulk it's typically dry goods and cleaning products as these tend to have a long enough self life to merit a wholesale purchase.

But candy has a longer shelf life that you would normally think. Most people buy and consume candy and chocolate pretty quickly. Lets face it who wants to wait a month before tucking in to a bar of your favorite candy. So you might be surprised to learn then, that candy can store for, on average, 6 months and more. Some types his can be even longer, up to a year or more.

Another factor is the concept that candy and chocolate are a 'one off' purchase, a treat every now and again. However think again, next time you're at the grocery or convenience store think about how many times you pick up a candy bar, box of chocolates or even a pack of gum. You will find it is more often that you realize.

If you have a family then this is another area to consider. Just think of the number of parties, holidays & events that take place during the year where a supply of candy and chocolate is required. If you are a normal parent, what generally happens is, a few days before the event you go rushing around in a mad panic getting everything organized.

Here's the thing, making a rushed purchase just to get it done is seldom the most economic way to go about things.

Now if you were to add up all these purchases over a year and get an average for a month you may be very surprised at what you spend. You might think about how much you would save by buying wholesale candy, considering that buying wholesale can save you as much as 50%.

Think about it for a moment and do the math. When you buy a pack of candy, say for $2, buying a case of 12 at a wholesale price you can get the same candy for $1. This is a big 50% saving. Similarly with chocolate, if you pay $10 for a box of chocolates a bulk purchase of 6 can again save you 30% - 40%.

You can get even more saving you go for unwrapped candy and chocolate and these are great for parties and events. The best thing is almost any type of confection you can think of can be purchased in bulk. Better yet it's delivered right to your door. Another great benefit of course, is that you have a supply of your favorite candy ready and waiting for any social event you might be having, very handy during the hectic holiday seasons.

So it makes sense to buy wholesale candy. You could literally save yourself a mint! Why not pay a visit to thelittlesweetshop.com ...now where did I put those chocolate almond truffles...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Giles_Baker

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Dark Chocolate and Acne - Is There a Connection Or Not?

Why some people experience acne breakouts after eating chocolate, and why some aren't? In this article you will find the answer regarding the most frequently asked question about chocolate: "Is there a connection between dark chocolate and acne?"

The most frequently asked question

Acne sufferers often ask whether dark chocolate can cause acne or not. This is, however, the question that needs to be addressed seriously. Many people will try to answer this question based on their sides, which is often subjective. So, is there an answer that is objective enough to shed the light?

The answer: "It depends"

Really, the answer should be "it depends". Yes, that's true. It depends on how bad you go with your diet. It depends on how much chocolate you eat. It depends on how sensitive is your skin. Because of this, many people will have different experience with dark chocolate.

You may experience instant breakouts after you eat your chocolate, but other people may not experience this. Sometimes, the combination of bad dietary habit and skin sensitivity can cause instant reaction in your skin. But, well, it is not exactly the case for every person.

Dark chocolate alone can hardly cause acne

There are many other factors that can trigger dark chocolate to apparently cause you to have acne. But, I can safely say that dark chocolate alone can't easily cause acne breakouts. Various studies have been conducted about chocolate, and they prove that there's no real connection between chocolate and acne.

However, I will not neglect the experience of certain people that may have instant reaction after they eat some dark chocolate. I said it earlier that dark chocolate may cause the bad breakouts experience, depending on various factors.

Vague connection

Although several studies say that there is no connection between dark chocolate and acne, there might still a vague connection exist that is experienced by some people. However, I can say that generally, chocolate will not cause acne in any way.

For those experiencing some "side effects" after eating chocolate, you may examine the diet you currently have. You may have some kind of sensitivity or allergic reaction toward chocolate, and this cannot be denied. If you experience the sudden breakouts symptom in a short time after you eat some dark chocolate, you might have it. Therefore, it is advisable for you to refrain from eating your chocolate until you really have a stable skin condition.

Some suggestions

Eating chocolate might be a pleasure for some people. Therefore I can give you some suggestion regarding this matter.

If you are really sure that chocolate doesn't create anything negative for your skin, and after careful observation, you find that chocolate is harmless for your skin, you may enjoy it whenever you want. But, if you find that chocolate is harmful for your skin, after careful examination, you should refrain from it for a while.

However side you are in, don't consume chocolate too much. As with any dietary habit, you should keep the balance of nutrition inside your body in order to preserve a healthy skin condition.

Next, you can visit http://acne-element.blogspot.com/ to discover critical elements about acne that will lead you to a permanent solution:

- Why severe acne exists and persists

- The 9 elements of severe acne

- Severe acne problem solver

- And more.

Remember, severe acne can be cured.

Presented by Jake Tama

Please visit me at http://acne-element.blogspot.com/

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Premium Chocolate - Treat Yourself to Good Health

When most people think of health food they don't automatically think of chocolate. But the proof is in the pudding, or the souffle or cake - depending on your preference. Chocolate, no matter what it's form, can actually be considered a health food. Indulging in your favorite premium chocolate treat can bring a variety of unexpected health benefits.

Premium Chocolate for Health - Make the Right Selection

There are a wide variety of wonderful cocoa products for sale out there but if you want to get all of the health benefits, you need to make your selection wisely. While all chocolate has health benefits, dark chocolate is the most beneficial type. Dark chocolate has many more health benefits than milk chocolate and other common types of chocolate. Seek out dark chocolate treats to insure that you're getting the most health-wise.

Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate can be great for your heart! Since chocolate derives from plants, it has a lot of the same benefits as a dark vegetables. Flavonoids are important antioxidants that are in many foods, including chocolate! Flavonoids can help curb free radicals, which are harmful chemicals that can increase your likelihood for heart disease. When you eat dark chocolate, you can help reduce the amount of free radicals floating around in your body - which can prevent heart problems down the road.

In addition studies have shown that eating a small amount of dark premium chocolate each day can reduce blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, you can significantly reduce your blood pressure with this simple habit each day.

If that weren't enough, premium chocolate can also offer you lower cholesterol. Dark chocolate specifically has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 10 percent. LDL cholesterol is the "bad" type of cholesterol that can significantly impair your health. Reducing it should be your top priority - so that means that chocolate should be on your menu.

The Mood Boosting Benefits of Premium Chocolate

Chocolate is not only heart healthy and great for cholesterol levels but it also has some interesting mood boosting benefits as well.

• Chocolate increases endorphin production, which increases your feelings of pleasure.

• Chocolate contains serotonin, which can act as a natural anti-depressant.

• Theobromine, caffeine and other substances act as stimulants which can have a natural uplifting effect.

So the next time you want to boost your health, reach for a piece of premium chocolate. Healthy eating doesn't get any tastier than this!

Lyle Freemerman

If you're looking for some more information and an opportunity to purchase some wonderfully well-priced premium chocolate of your own from some of today's most popular companies then please visit us at:

http://premium-chocolates.com

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Tips for Serving Chocolate and Wine

Adding chocolate to the traditional post dinner cheese plate is the perfect way to give the 'sweet tooths' out there something to enjoy alongside the savoury goodies you've prepared. While this may go against the traditional idea of what you should include, there is no reason that this can't make a great compromise between sweet and savoury if you plan it well. Using a dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa is often the best way to serve up chocolate and wine when putting together a cheese plate. Other options include using fruit cheeses and dried fruit and nuts or selecting a sweet desert wine to compliment the sweet taste of regular chocolate.

Wine with chocolate characteristics

There are endless ways that wine flavours are described and chocolate is also used to describe certain characteristics and flavours in different wines. Looking for wine that has this characteristic may be another way in which you can narrow down the choice of wine that will be suitable to serve with chocolate. Adding a wine to compliment a chocolate desert or to drink alongside of chocolate may work best if that wine holds these characteristics which will reflect and enhance the flavour of the actual chocolate.

Matching different types of wine with chocolate

If you're not familiar with chocolate and wine served together, then the first thing you might look at is how to choose a wine that will most appropriately accompany the chocolate you have bought. Red wines are particularly well suited as an accompaniment to dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa, as the bittersweet taste of this type of chocolate fits well with the taste of the wine. If you are going to prepare a cheese platter and include something sweet, then the addition of chocolate is an alternative to the more usual style of after dinner chocolate. Picking cheeses with fruits such as apricot or figs will also introduce other sweeter options that will accompany the chocolate well. When served with a glass of wine this is a great way to enjoy these two indulgences at once. Nibbles such as nuts, dried cranberries or apricots and so on are also great accompaniments to chocolate and wine.

Different types of wine will suit chocolate better than others. If you have a sweet chocolate or a chocolate dessert, then desert wine that has a greater concentration of sugar will work well. This includes ice wine, raisin wine or botrytis. Fortified wine such as a Muscat which is very similar to desert wine is another option and it is ideal for those colder months. Traditional full bodied red wine can work well with a dark chocolate that is generally less sweet than its milk chocolate counterparts. Ultimately, the best way to make the perfect match is to try different options and you'll find over time that you develop a clear favourite that suits your taste.

Find more ideas on serving Chocolate and Wine and great online prices Here!

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Chocolate making recipes that add something special to your designer chocolates is a prospect worth looking into. Anyone can melt chocolate and pour into molds but the taste will set you apart in your candy making endeavor when you use chocolate making recipes to die for. For the beginner, finding chocolate making recipes can be simple by using the Internet as a guide. This recipe for peanut butter cups will deliver better than store-bought plus you can use different sizes and shapes for more appeal. Found at Wilton Enterprises, a premiere food crafting company in the industry, they offer recipes, classes, candy-making supplies and ideas for anyone in the field of superior candy making.

Peanut Butter Cups

Premium Milk Chocolate Candy Melts
½ cup chunky style peanut butter
1 ½ tablespoons softened butter
¾ cup sifted confectioners' sugar

Prepare your peanut butter filling ahead of time by heating the softened butter in a saucepan over low heat.

Stir-in the peanut butter until smooth and remove from heat. Blend in the confectioners' sugar and blend well.

Add a little more confectioners' sugar if needed to make a mold-able piece of dough.

Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for one hour.

Melt your candy melts over low heat and fill your mold cavity only 1/3 full.

Allow the chocolate to harden. Form a small piece of the peanut butter dough and place on top of the chocolate.

Fill to the top with more of your chocolate candy making mixture.

Chocolate recipes that use cocoa powder instead of chocolate candy melts will add a special homemade flavor to your candy-making creations and leave customers wondering how such an incredible taste was created. Bonbons are a favorite of many people and by using natural ingredients and interesting types of coatings; your chocolate candy making will be a success.

This recipe for Bonbons was suggested to a student for making the perfect type of candy where simple step-by-step instructions were necessary. You can read more on Angie's Cocoa Powder Chocolate Candy Recipe at http://www.chocolate-candy-mall.com/angies-cocoa-powder-chocolate-candy-recipe-enquiries.html where recipes, questions and problems with candy making are discussed.

Cocoa Powder Chocolate Bonbons

1 lb. of dark chocolate
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup of cocoa powder

Prepare your chocolate ahead of time by cutting it into small pieces and set aside.

Scald the whipping cream in a heavy saucepan then immediately remove from heat and pour over the chocolate pieces.

Let the liquid sit for approximately 5 minutes before stirring into a smooth paste, known as a ganache.

Allow this mixture to cool and become firm.

Form into balls and roll the chocolate balls in cocoa powder.

Experiment with different coatings like confectioner's sugar, crushed nuts, flaked coconut, or mixing a variety of ingredients with the standard cocoa powder.

Chocolate making recipes can be found in hundreds of places but make sure that the source has experience in making candy. Tested products can save you lots of time and money when trying new recipes.

Sasha Simon is an accomplished candy maker. For more great information on Chocolate Making Recipes and to get Sasha's FREE candy making Mini-Course and eBook, visit CandyMakingCourse.com.

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