chocolate

How to Make Chocolate Recipes Better

2012-01-22T15:09:00.001+07:00

When you're wanting to learn how to make chocolate recipes better there are a few things you need to remember.

1. Follow the recipe before you make changes to it.
2. Use good quality, fresh ingredients only.
3. Make sure your measurements are right e.g. tsp is teaspoons, tbsp is tablespoons, gram to cup conversions vary depending upon the ingredient/s.

The main item I would like to focus on here to help us all make better chocolate recipes is the Star ingredient - Chocolate.

Chocolate would have to be one of the best ingredients ever! I thank God for the Theobroma Cacao tree from which chocolate is made. The scientific name Theobroma actually means "food of the gods".

If we stop long enough and just think about chocolate all by itself we would quickly realize what a magnificent food it really is. Here is a food type that will cheer up anyone who is feeling sad. It says "I love you" better than any other food type. When we think of Valentine's Day chocolate, flowers and jewelry usually come to mind.

It also makes an excellent gift for birthdays, Easter, Christmas, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, is a great way to say sorry, makes a good excuse to get together, is delicious with practically any beverage, it markets and sells well generally and for charity drives, has featured in so many movies e.g. Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Like Water for Chocolate, Chocolat, In Search of the Heart of Chocolate and so many more.

Then we start to think of chocolate as an ingredient. Possibly the best place to begin is by thinking about chocolate bars. Brand names like Cadbury, Hershey's, Nestle have made very successful businesses by adding fruits, nuts and flavors to it. Change the shape and sell it again e.g chocolate chips, blocks of chocolate, little chocolate bars, milk or dairy, dark and white chocolate etc.

Put chocolate in biscuits, cakes, drinks - both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, mousse, brownies, pies, icing, desserts and the list goes on.

Chocolate really is superb!

If are wanting to know how to make a chocolate chip cookie recipe you would find a cookbook, website or blog that is dedicated to chocolate. You want to make sure that the author of the recipe/s really knows the ingredients they promote.

Also, remember the guidelines mentioned above - follow the recipe, fresh ingredients and correct measures.

Recently I decided to make chocolate brownies. A friend suggested I double the ingredients, which I did. I poured all of the brownie mix into a deep baking dish and baked it for the suggested time. Because of this the brownie recipe was a flop however, the chocolate lava cake was a huge success - thankfully. My mistake here was I should have stuck to the recipe and poured the mix into two shallow baking dishes just like it said.

Once you are confident, then experiment to your heart's desires. Have a go at using additional ingredients. For example where the chocolate chip cookie recipe calls for rolled oats, try a natural muesli. The addition of fruit, nuts and bran to these cookies is outstanding.

Finally, when most people think of chocolate they think of fun times. Chocolate and cooking are both fun, so relax and enjoy working with different recipes. This alone can improve the quality of your hard work and time in the kitchen.

Hello. My name is Geoff

I am the author, owner and photographer of http://www.chocolate-recipes-galore.com

I have enjoyed eating chocolate as a child and have worked with chocolate in many different recipes for many years.

My passion for chocolate is seen in the recipes located at the above website. All of the recipes listed on this site are actually made and photographed by me.

I hope you are or become as passionate about chocolate as I am and that you too would share these chocolate tips and recipes with your friends and family.

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

2011-12-24T20:30:00.001+07:00

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

2011-12-14T04:51:00.000+07:00

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.

The History of Mexican Chocolate

2011-11-25T21:30:00.000+07:00

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!

2011-09-20T00:44:00.000+07:00

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

2011-08-07T01:36:00.001+07:00

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

2011-07-22T05:27:00.000+07:00

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

2011-06-17T05:55:00.000+07:00

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

2011-06-06T05:11:00.000+07:00

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

2011-05-29T20:43:00.001+07:00

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

2011-05-11T20:59:00.001+07:00

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.

The Right Kind of Dark Chocolate Makes Our Brain Secrete Endorphins

2011-05-08T05:47:00.000+07:00

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

2011-04-24T11:43:00.000+07:00

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!

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

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Buy a pack of chocolate

2011-04-02T08:41:00.002+07:00

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?

2011-03-20T19:05:00.001+07:00

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/

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

Premium Chocolate - Treat Yourself to Good Health

2011-02-15T20:58:00.000+07:00

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

Tips for Serving Chocolate and Wine

2011-02-02T15:33:00.000+07:00

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!

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

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2011-01-15T07:26:00.000+07:00

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.

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

Chocolate: The Perfect Christmas Gift

2010-12-28T22:27:00.000+07:00

Christmas is a time for giving and if you know someone with a sweet tooth then giving a chocolate - a common enough gift anyway - is fantastic choice. We're not talking a car of normal milk chocolate here. You can be creative and you can budget to be cost effective or extravagant.

There are many different kinds of chocolate you could give at Christmas, from traditional bars of chocolate through chocolate liqueurs to specialist chocolates and loads in between.

You should also consider the person you're buying for - what TYPE of chocolate do they like? Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate? Do they like fondant centres, alcohol, solid bars? Where are they from? Would they appreciate a gift from home, such as Belgian or American chocolate? Getting this right will determine the gift you choose to buy.

For those on a tight budget, choosing a selection of chocolate bars or treats is perfectly fine. For example, if you're recipient is an American living in the UK they may well appreciate a taste of home. You could consider buying the likes of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey Caramel Kisses, Milk Duds, Baby Ruth's and Tootsie Rolls. There are several UK online retailers of American chocolates and sweets that you can order from for the real deal too.

If you have a bigger budget you could think about the luxury end of the chocolate market. Don't be put off by the word 'luxury' - at Christmas time many of the luxury chocolate retailers provide gift sets of various kinds at very reasonable prices.

These will include themed items such as a milk chocolate and nut wreath or a Christmas cracker shaped box filled with individual treats, party hats and jokes or proper gift sets containing handmade dark chocolates, white chocolates, liqueurs and other, similar types.

For those with no budget or price limit there are some truly amazing, handmade, exclusive chocolates out there to give as a gift. These have mind blowing prices but are deemed worth every penny by chocolate connoisseurs.

Here are five examples of some of the world's most expensive chocolates.

The Chocopologie from Knipschildt in America is a dark chocolate truffle, made using a French black truffle and is surrounded by a creamy ganache made using pure Italian truffle oil and 70% Valhrona cacao. It is worth $2,600 a POUND!

The Vintage Collection from Noca is a selection of dark chocolates sourced from plantations in Venezuela, Côte d'Ivoire, Trinidad and Ecuador and is made from 75% pure, single-origin cacao. The price? $854 a pound...

Delafee from Delfee in Switzerland is made from gold. Well, not entirely, but this praline has hand-applied 24 carat gold flakes and is worth $504 per pound. One for the ladies, this one!

Made from Criollo cocoa from Venezuela, chocolate from Richart in Lyon, France is worth $120 a pound and features the best varieties of almonds, raspberries, strawberries and other exotic ingredients in its various forms.

Finally we have the Godiva 'G' Collection from New York, though its roots are in Belgium. The collection comprises various flavours and ingredients including Palet d'Or, Tasmanian honey and Mexican Hot Chocolate and is worth an impressive $117 a pound.

Go on...give some chocolate this Christmas and put a smile on the face of a sweet tooth!

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of American Soda, UK online retailer of American Chocolates.

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

Three Simple Steps to Making the Perfect Hot Chocolate

2010-09-21T20:27:00.000+07:00

Hot chocolate is a drink that is known throughout the world as a drink that is wonderful. It has a rich taste, its warm and makes you feel great. Best of all the drink tastes amazing and will keep you feeling great for a long time after you have finished drinking it. People all over the world are now used to making the drink, but of course with any drink that is popular there are methods to make sure that you make the perfect cup every single time. There is nothing worse than sitting down after you have made what you thought was the perfect cup of hot chocolate only to realise that it tastes disgusting.

That is not something that you want to experience and of course if you do experience it then you may find that you will not try to make another cup again.

But rest assured, that after years of making this seemingly lovely drink have perfected the way that it should be made, and will reveal all today so that you too can join me and make the perfect cup of hot chocolate that both you and your friends can come to enjoy again and again and again.

The first step to making the perfect hot chocolate is to make sure that you have purchased the perfect and most tasteful hot chocolate available to you. I would recommend that you pick a brand that is known for producing high quality products. This may be a little more expensive but you need to understand that the quality of the chocolate must be outstanding if you want to be able to make best cup of hot chocolate. So go for the best brand, you will not regret it.

Next step is to make sure that you use four teaspoons of hot chocolate for each cup that you make. You want to make one cup at a time, and give each cup that you make your full attention. There is nothing worse than trying to make three cups at the same time, and all the three cups are of crap quality. So just focus on the one cup, and use four teaspoons of your high quality chocolate.

The third steps is to make sure that you boil milk and pour it over the hot chocolate nice and slowly. You really want the chocolate granules to melt and dissolve into the milk with ease. Do not rush this step. Once you have filled the cup to the top with milk let it stand for about 30 seconds and then mix with a teaspoon. Then voila you have your perfect cup of hot chocolate. Enjoy.

Leroy has been writing articles for nearly 3 years. Come visit his latest website over at Cosco Car Seats which helps people find the best Cosco Car Seat.

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

Chocolate Favors

2010-08-22T20:24:00.000+07:00

What would your wedding be without your friends and family present to share in your happiness? Favors are your opportunity to express your gratitude to them for participating in the celebration, and chocolate is a perfect way to do that. Traditionally connected with love and romance, chocolate is an edible gift that will provide your guests with a sweet memory.

Chocolate favor options encompass a wider range than you'd think. Four-piece boxes provide guests with a variety of flavors without being overwhelming. Find boxes and ribbon to compliment your wedding colors, add a personalized tag, and you have a gourmet treat specially suited to your Big Day.

Looking for something outside the box, literally and figuratively? Chocolate comes in all shapes, not just Easter bunnies. Couples looking to add some whimsy to their reception can opt for a molded chocolate that reflects their unique wedding theme, symbolizes their relationship, or simply something that will be a conversation piece for their guests.

Chocolate can also be a compliment to another favor. Many couples these days opt to donate to a charity in their guests' names. Give them a piece of molded chocolate that symbolizes your charity and make your act of generosity more memorable. For instance, a pink ribbon made of chocolate can be paired with a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, or a chocolate dog can represent a donation to the Humane Society.

Many guests travel long distances to be present for your special day. Why not make their journey a little more comfortable with an amenity basket or bag? Ours feature chocolate covered pretzels, nonpareils, drinks, fresh fruit, and a granola bar to snack on. Filling your amenity bags with unique products from local stores is a great way to welcome guests both to your wedding and to the town they'll be staying in.

As you would with your reception menu, it's wise to keep guests' allergies and dietary restrictions in mind when choosing chocolate favors. Keep the lines of communication clear, both with your guests and your chocolatier. Many people are concerned about choosing milk chocolate versus dark. Dark chocolate is becoming more popular due to being rich in heart-healthy antioxidants, but bear in mind not everyone has a taste for bittersweet: children by and large prefer milk chocolate over dark.

Memories are created by our senses, what we see, hear, touch, taste, and smell. Why not have the memory of your wedding linked to the sweetness of gourmet chocolate?

Wendy Taffet is the owner of Enjou Chocolat, named New Jersey's Best Chocolate Store in 2009 by readers of New Jersey Life Magazine. Enjou has been creating gourmet wedding favors since 1983, which have been featured on WeTV's My Fair Wedding with David Tutera and Food Nation with Bobby Flay. Contact Enjou's wedding favor consultants today at 973-993-9090. Wendy also relies on The Favour Shoppe for great gift ideas and current event favor trends.

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

Combine Dark Chocolate With Fruit and Nuts For a Healthier Treat

2010-07-21T21:12:00.000+07:00

What is it about chocolate that make it so irresistible? We eat for any reason; as a treat to reward ourselves, to lift us when we are down or in our favourite desserts. It ticks all the boxes, but we also know that we shouldn't eat the amount that we do, unless it was healthy chocolate of course.

And the good new is that there is a healthy chocolate out there. There are many good things in chocolate such as vitamins and minerals, so what is it that makes it generally so unhealthy?

It's all the stuff that we put into chocolate that makes it fattening and unhealthy. These are things such as milk solids, sugar and cocoa butter. These help to make milk chocolate taste so good, but are really bad for us. A dark chocolate and especially a low sugar bitter variety doesn't have all these additives.

Chocolate isn't actually food as far as our bodies are concerned, they will merely store away all the bad stuff and ignore the good bits. This makes our guilty treat even worse for us than we thought!

The trick is to eat chocolate with other foods as well, nuts and fruits are perfect. Eating them together ensures that your body treats the chocolate as food and you get all the goodness from it.

The ideal accompaniment to chocolate is fruit rich in vitamin C, as it works to form a nutritional balance to make sure that the iron from the chocolate gets absorbed and not dispelled. What you end up with is probably the tastiest multi-vitamin supplement you'll ever have!

I used to work as a chocolatier, so you can imagine how much chocolate I used to eat! As I ate dark chocolate complimented with strawberries, blueberries, nuts etc I never put any weight on. A blood test also proved that I had the optimum level of minerals and vitamins in my system.

There is now no excuse for filling up on cheap and nasty milk chocolate which will just add pounds. A healthier bar of dark chocolate which has fruit and nuts in it will do the same job but without any weight gain.

Like everything else, if you eat too much chocolate it becomes unhealthy, so watch your consumption.

Michael knows a good deal about chocolate, and even more about the many orange rug buying possibilities on the market. See for yourself at http://orangerug.org.

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

Chocolate Cravings and the World Cup

2010-07-15T21:10:00.000+07:00

How to stop Chocolate Cravings during the World Cup ( or at any other time!)

1. Being prepared prevents chocolate cravings during the World Cup ( or at any other time!)

Before a match check how you are feeling about it and also what you have to eat in the house. I'm serious. Whatever happens with your team, or the team you have adopted, in a match, you might celebrate or commiserate with chocolate so you need to be prepared do you not? So, I suggest you make a list of at least three things that you could do instead; things that will really light you up.

For example: it could be any of the following: time with your partner, time with your family, time shopping, whatever it is that will light you up, pick you up and make you feel good basically.

2. Getting in touch with your inner cravings.

Designate a special notebook or journal and look a little deeper into why you might be craving chocolate so much. For example, it is not just that your team are out of the World Cup, it is something deeper. So, I invite you to imagine you are with your best friend, having a chat with them, about how you are really feeling about something and all that 'dirt' comes up, the stuff you only admit to them as you really trust them with your life so write that down for yourself.

As you write you will gain clarity on your true inner-reasons why you crave chocolate so much which could be anything from having low self-esteem, to fearing having your heart broken, be it for the first time, or again to lack of intimacy or sexual expression, to sheer overwhelm in your life, to finding it hard to express yourself confidently, to huge amounts of stress, to loneliness, to lack of life direction or purpose, to even feeling lovable. Whatever it is there is no right or wrong with what you write down but write you must for you and only you to get really in touch with your deep, inner cravings.

3. How would you feel if you won your own 'World Cup,' when you have stopped your chocolate cravings?

Get your journal out again and write down the following question and answer it in as much detail as you can as it is vitally important to have a vision of where you desire to go, so that you will be much more likely to keep going when it gets rather tough, which it tends to do as you let go of what no longer serves you.

When you have a deeper understanding about why you crave chocolate so much, and you know what you are truly desiring, then your desires stand a much bigger chance of manifesting.

For example: when you have stopped your chocolate cravings will you feel happier, more emotionally balanced and centred? Would you be more focused on feeling good about yourself and your life, and planning the life of your dreams.

Would you be feeling so much more at ease with yourself, therefore more fun to be around, more open-hearted, and more able to deal with issues that arise in your life instead of ducking out and procrastinating with oodles of chocolate?

Whatever your feelings are about winning your own 'World Cup,' when you have stopped your chocolate cravings, look to draw upon them, and leverage them as often as possible to help you to achieve you goal, therefore place them in the prominent position where you might see your vision often be it on a family notice board, in your diary, in your purse or by your bedside.

For free mini Chocolate Rehab from Carrie Eddins just go to http://www.chocolaterehab.com and sign up!

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

Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate

2010-06-13T00:58:00.001+07:00

So why are the antioxidants in dark chocolate so good for you? Firstly they have a good quantity of antioxidants on the same level as blueberries or red wine which are often being promoted as being good for us. In fact two tablespoons of natural cocoa contain the same amount of antioxidants as four cups of green tea, 1 cup of blueberries and one and a half glasses of red wine.

The antioxidants have been found to have many health benefits which is why they are something that is often talked about at the moment. Many people are consuming foods with high levels of antioxidants in order to improve their health and many of the talked about super foods have high concentrations of them. The health benefits of antioxidants are vast including helping to reduce the risk of many diseases and illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. They have also been found to help heart health by enhancing blood flow, improving cholesterol levels and sometimes reducing blood pressure.

Antioxidants protect the cells in the body from free radicals which are unstable oxygen molecules that can change the structure in cells. Our body does produce its own antioxidants to help to neutralise these free radicals before they do any damage. This damage is thought to cause diseases such as cancer and heart disease. These free radicals do occur naturally in the body but as we get older our body produces less antioxidants itself to fight them off and so getting extra from the diet can be very beneficial especially as we age.

As chocolate contains higher concentrations of antioxidants than other foods then it is recognised as a good source and that is why there is so much encouragement to eat antioxidants in dark chocolate rather than from other sources.

Want to find out more, about how healthy dark chocolate can not only make you healthy, but can help you make a secondary income stream from home. Click on Healthy Chocolate Business to learn more.

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

Dark Chocolate Health Benefits Are Many

2010-06-01T00:56:00.000+07:00

When people started saying the chocolate was healthy I did not think that it was true. I merely thought that it was people using it as an excuse to eat something which tasted good that was thought of as being unhealthy and had no idea about the dark chocolate health benefits. People often are looking for a good excuse to eat something that they like but have been told is not good for them. However, it seems that there are some health benefits to eating dark chocolate. It contains similar health benefits as dark vegetables because it contains flavonoids which act as antioxidants in the body. The flavonoids also help to decrease blood pressure because they produce nitric oxide which helps to balance some of the hormones in the body responsible for blood pressure.

There has also been evidence to show that it can reduce bad cholesterol levels due to it containing one third oleic acid which is a healthy fat found in olive oil. There are also benefits to mental health with the endorphins and serotonin that is produced when it is eaten. These both give feelings of happiness which is great for anyone that tends to get depressed or just for overall well being.

They could reduce stress which can be the cause of some nasty illnesses and lowers the immune system. Although chocolate should not be used as a replacement for advice from a doctor or any sort of medication, there is evidence to show that it does have some health benefits.

It is important to make sure that it is dark chocolate that is consumed as not in massive amounts as it is still calorifically high and will therefore increase weight if eaten in excess. Also make sure that it is eaten as part of a healthy balanced diet in order to see the maximum dark chocolate health benefits.

Want to find out how healthy dark chocolate can not only make you healthy, but can help you have a secondary income stream from home. Click on Healthy Chocolate Business to learn more.

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

The Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate - It Removes Stress

2010-04-16T06:38:00.000+07:00

We all know that stress can have terribly destructive effects on both our physical and emotional health. Sometimes prolonged stress can be responsible for some pretty serious health problems as well.

A new study by scientists at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne Switzerland has found more about the health benefits of dark chocolate and that enjoying this type of chocolate might not just be a tasty indulgence, but it also appears to lower levels of stress hormones in those who are feeling stressed out.

Add this to the growing number of potential benefits to your heart that come from dark chocolate and all those good-for-you flavonoids inside that tasty package, and you'll be choosing this delicious confectionary over any other kind.

Enjoying one dark chocolate candy bar daily for two weeks was found in this latest study to actually reduce levels of cortisol as well as the "fight or flight" hormones known as catecholamines in highly stressed people.

So, if you're dealing with constant stress, a small amount of 70% cocoa chocolate or higher each day might be just the thing to help you cope.

In the study, the team examined the effects on 30 healthy adults of eating 1.4 ounces (40 grams, the size of an average candy bar) of rich and yummy dark chocolate every day for a two-week period on measures of stress.

Half the candy bar was eaten mid-morning, the other half mid-afternoon. The anxiety levels of the subjects were determined at the start of the study using validated psychological questionnaires, allowing the team to classify subjects as low or high anxiety.

Body fluids (blood and urine) were also collected and analyzed at the beginning and end of the research period.

The result was that those with lots of anxiety who ate dark chocolate daily cut stress hormone levels. It also seems to have a beneficial effect on the metabolism and microbial action of the digestive system.

"Consuming dark chocolate daily can positively impact the metabolism of people that report having high-stress levels," explains Sunil Kochhar, a Nestle researcher leading the study. "These results strongly support our ongoing metabonomics research efforts to ascertain the impact of certain foods on human metabolism through the adaptation of gut microbial activities."

The study appears in the Journal of Proteome Research and was conducted by a team of experts at the Nestle Research Center located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

It makes sense that chocolate, which comes from plants, should have some of the same natural, good-for-you substances found in dark veggies.

Flavonoids in this kind of chocolate are nearly 8 times what you find in strawberries, and act as antioxidants that protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

They also help relax blood pressure by producing nitric oxide, as well as balancing some hormones in the body.

And while chocolate of any kind does contain fats, only 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is bad for you. That doesn't mean indulge all you like... keep your dark chocolate intake to no more than 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) a day to get the benefits without suffering because of the added calories.

Remember too, that the calories you take in from chocolate must be balanced to get the best health benefits of dark chocolate, by lessening the amount you take in someplace else so you won't be packing on the pounds while you're coping with an especially stressful time.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from Daily Health Bulletin and click the link now to discover other benefits of dark chocolate.

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

Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day?

2010-02-07T21:49:00.000+07:00

Valentine’s Day is many things to different people- a chance to start new relationships, rekindle old ones, or remind that special someone how wonderful they really are. Others feel it is just another “Hallmark” holiday where they are expected to do something for unknown reasons. Regardless of your hopes, expectations, or reservations about Valentine’s Day, chocolate has long been a favorite gift for lovers.

Since the days of the Aztecs chocolate has been used as a gift. Today a box of luxurious quality chocolate says a thousand “thank you’s”, “good luck”, or “I love you”. Chocolate can be given as a way of saying “congratulations”, “I am sorry” or “get well soon”. On Valentine’s Day chocolate clearly says “I LOVE YOU!” Chocolate is more than food, it not only fills your belly but also makes you feel soooo good. Elaine Sherman wrote “Chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, dark, sumptuous, gratifying, potent, dense, creamy, seductive, suggestive, rich, excessive, silky, smooth, luxurious, celestial. Chocolate is downfall, happiness, pleasure, love, ecstasy, fantasy … chocolate makes us wicked, guilty, sinful, healthy, chic, happy.” What more could you want to say to your lover on Valentines Day? Even the scientific name for the tree from which chocolate is derived, Theobroma cacao, translated from Greek, means “food of the gods”.

Why does chocolate evoke so many feelings and emotions for us? Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is “… the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food.” From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.

Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as “runners high” is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to “falling in love”. One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.

Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don’t know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.

Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.

Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?

David Eisen is owner of Euphoric Chocolate, come visit us at [http://www.euphoricchocolate.com] Our large variety of novelty chocolates, chocolate truffles, and elegant gift boxes are the perfect touch to add to any occasion. We can help you creat the perfict wedding favor, bridal shower favor or baby shower favor for your special event.

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

Antioxidants Found in Chocolate

2010-02-05T21:51:00.000+07:00

For the past decades, many proven scientific studies have shown that chocolate antioxidants are beneficial to our health and body. It has been known for a fact that the antioxidants present in chocolates, particularly dark chocolates, are potent source of antioxidants that destroys free radicals in our system. Chocolate antioxidants are primarily responsible for fighting these highly unstable and destructive molecules thereby maintaining a balance in our system to prevent occurrence of deadly diseases such as cancer, heart disease and hypertension, to name a few. Generally, chocolate antioxidants are rich in flavorous that arrest oxidation processes in our system and therefore preventing damage in our body.

Another classic benefit that these antioxidants bring in our health is that it effectively strengthens our immune system thus enabling our body to defend itself from potentially harmful viral and bacterial infections. Our immune system is our defence system tasked to eliminate destructive molecules and other abnormalities found in our body to keep us to function normally everyday. It is also an established fact that chocolate antioxidants and any other form of antioxidants found in fruits, green tea and red wines for instance, slows down the aging process. Antioxidant is key to longevity as it allows you to stay longer and younger in the pink of health.

A study conducted by the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome suggests a proper way of taking in chocolate antioxidants in order to maximize the absorption of antioxidants in our body. The result of the study indicates that eating chocolates, especially dark chocolates, should be eaten not in conjunction with any type of milk or its derivatives as the milk interferes with the body's absorption of chocolate antioxidants. The subjects who ate pure dark chocolates have shown substantial drop in their blood pressure compared to those who mixed it with milk. Thus, if you are a chocolate lover it is time to change gear and switch to pure dark chocolate for optimum acquisition of chocolate antioxidants.

The best source of chocolate antioxidants comes from cocoa powder as it contains the highest amount of antioxidant capacity. The basic is rule is that the darker the chocolate, the more potent source of chocolate antioxidants it is. The suggested daily intake of dark chocolate based on the study made is 3.5 ounces to get the optimum chocolate antioxidants. Milk chocolates in particular have the least antioxidant properties and this claim was backed by the study mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Further, dark chocolates are known for having less sugar content and good source of cholesterol compared to milk chocolates. For the more health conscious individuals they always ensure that they have the regular source of rich antioxidant supplements. We should also be warned from eating excessive chocolates because they are rich in calories which may lead to obesity if consumption with gusto is not properly observed. To successfully attain a healthy, disease free body, the secret, however, is moderation and balance our diet by eating nutrition-rich vegetables, cereals and fruits.

John Ulonka can often be found sipping a hot cup of espresso at the local beanery. Besides savoring the latest blends, John has a site with reviews of straight blade razor, as well as a review of vintage straight razors.

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

What Does Ecommerce Really Mean and How Does It Work

2010-02-02T03:11:00.002+07:00

Ecommerce or electronic commerce has enabled financial transactions on the internet that provide a variety of services which include sales, insurance, marketing, online advertisements and the like. With the current estimated value of ecommerce being $591 billion, there are various large-scale and small-scale companies that want a share of these financial transactions to promote their business. However, there have been innovations in the area of electronic commerce as home-based businesses have greatly profited form online marketing. Ecommerce continues to grow as a major economic sector.

What is E-commerce?

In general terms e-commerce is the market place of the Internet where buying, selling and distributing of goods and services takes place through an electronic medium. It is a virtual environment where the buyers and the sellers decide upon financial services. Therefore, any economic transaction that is enabled over an electronic medium i.e. Internet it is termed as E-commerce.

Since the advent of the Internet, Ecommerce has grown steadily enabling optimization of businesses. The following figures elaborate the growth of Ecommerce:-

• Online population in the U.S. has increased by 50% from 141.5 million in 2001 to 210.8 million in 2006.

• Online U.S. retail sales have grown from $47.8 billion which was estimated in 2001 to $130.8 billion in 2006.

• The total number of small companies in the U.S. is 2.3million out of which only 60% of them are based on the Internet. 16% of these companies specialize in retail trade.

• The annual expenditure of the buyers has increased from $457 which was in 2001 to $784 in 2006.

However, there are various large and small companies that offer products and services in order to meet the overall customer requirements. Companies such as Ebay, Amazon, and CoinStar Inc are just some of the top 50 online retailing sites. These companies are able to sell their goods and services to consumers through credit card transactions online. This enables a real time commercial transaction as these transactions are done with a click of a mouse. At these speeds of conducting business, online retail companies have managed to optimize their commercial transactions. By selling online these companies have profited greatly which has offered tremendous growth potential.

What is the scope of small companies in E-commerce?

E-commerce has provided small companies especially self-employed businesses to gain the advantage of marketing which they can carry out from their offices in order to spread the awareness of the products and services.

Unlike large companies, small companies cannot afford expensive advertisements. In order to increase the awareness of the products and services, online marketing provides them a solution to enable potential consumers’ access to their goods and services. In fact there are only 2.3 million small companies in U.S. out of which 60% are providing retail services on the Internet. These small scale companies have enabled to expand their base by having virtual customers on the internet that increase their profits.

The advantages that small-scale companies can gain from Ecommerce can be seen as follows:

• Larger pool of customers: Small companies are able to gain greater access to customers through emails and advertisements.

• Increased marketing: Through web commerce small companies are able to market their products and services through online advertisements and able to target the potential customers through their profiles.

• Optimization of business: Small businesses don’t have the expertise to research and conduct market analysis. By linking their websites with other similar websites in their category they can find potential customers. Internet technology enables small businesses to keep a track of the customers that are visiting their website.

• Increase in profits: Internet commerce has increased market access and optimized businesses, small companies can earn better profits thus allowing them a better growth potential.

With over 3 billion customers having Internet access it becomes convenient for the companies to reach them through the Internet and provide information about their products and services in an interactive way. In fact, with the introduction of shopping cart users can select various books, furniture, clothing and technology gizmos. As an audience the virtual customer has the best benefit of knowledge as information flows to them in terms of the latest news regarding plane fares, cinema tickets, holiday tours and other news that will enable them to exercise their choice as a customer.

Therefore Ecommerce continues to grow as a lucrative option for many businesses as it bridges the gap between the seller and the buyer and provides an opportunity to gain the advantages of globalization.

Nick Hurd is the CEO of 1CartPlus a hosted shopping cart that is easy to set up for beginners and provides all the tools that a professional online marketer needs to compete effectively in todays competitive online world. Fulfill all your ecommerce needs at 1cartplus.com [http://www.1cartplus.com/Ecommerce] copyright 2007 1cartplus.com

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

How to Make Diabetic-Friendly Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles

2009-12-04T06:19:00.000+07:00

Being diabetic doesn't mean we have to give up candy while everyone else enjoys it this holiday season. We diabetics just have to be more particular when choosing our special candy treats. Today's new article is a recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles suitable for diabetics. Yummy! According to my calculations, 4 of these little treats contain 220 calories and a third as much protein as carbs--a good combination for us diabetics.

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

1/2 cup reduced-fat chunky peanut butter
3 tbsps Splenda granular
1 cup rice crisp cereal
1/4 cup sugar-free chocolate chips
3 tbsps unsweetened baking cocoa powder

In a small microwavable bowl, microwave the peanut butter for 10 seconds on high. Add the Splenda and using a wooden spoon mix together until smooth. Stir in the cereal and mix very well to coat all the cereal. Using your hands, which you have sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, shape the mixture into 1-inch firm balls. Place the balls on a waxed paper lined tray and put in freezer for at least 15 minutes but up to 1 hour.

When ready to remove candy balls from the freezer, spread the cocoa powder on a plate and roll the balls in the cocoa then place them back on the wax paper lined tray; set aside.

Place the chocolate chips in a small resealable freezer plastic bag. Microwave on high for 10 to 15 seconds. Knead the bag to smooth the chocolate. Return to the microwave for another 10 seconds, if necessary, until the mixture kneads totally smooth and melted.

Smooth the melted chocolate away from one of the bottom corners of the bag and snip about an eighth of an inch from that corner. Drizzle the chocolate over the candy balls. Let the chocolate set up firm before serving.

Note: May be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Yield: 20 truffles

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's recipes and diabetic information go to http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com For other "sweets" recipes visit her blog at http://ladybugssweettreats.blogspot.com.

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

Tips and Tricks to Making Chocolate Covered Fruits

2009-12-04T06:17:00.000+07:00

Nowadays, fruit desserts are not limited to fruit salads and fruit platters. There is now what you call a chocolate covered fruit which may actually be considered as a special fruit. Fruits dipped in chocolate like strawberries and cherries have become popular treats not only for children, but also for adults. This may be because of the fact that almost everyone loves chocolate, and, when it is combined with your favorite fruits, can surely produce a delicious taste in the mouth.

Chocolate covered gourmet fruits are actually a breeze to make. For this reason, a lot of caterers now include this special fruit dessert in their menu, so guests can really look forward to the dessert part of the party. Serving chocolate covered fruits in an event also helps make the festivity more elegant. Perhaps the easiest method of making the said dessert is to melt some chocolate chips or chocolate bars, place them in a big bowl where gourmet fruits on sticks may be dipped. Of course, it is up to you whether or not to use the white chocolate variety or the brown one as your dip.
There are also some tips to remember when preparing chocolate covered fruits. First and foremost, you have to make it a point that all your fruits are dry prior to the dipping process. After washing your fruits, wipe it thoroughly with paper towels, while making sure that the pressure from your fingers does not cause the fruits to bruise. It is also advisable for you to mix and match gourmet fruits and not merely stick to one fruit. The variety of fruits to dip is actually one of the top reasons why covering fruits in chocolate is viewed as a special fruit dessert.

Recommended fruits that you can mix and match include apples and strawberries, pears and pineapples, peaches and bananas, and a lot more. You may also mix marshmallows with the fruits as marshmallows also taste heavenly when dipped in chocolate. Chocolate covered gourmet fruits can also be used as a way to make other desserts more tempting. For instance, you may place chocolate dipped maraschino cherries on top of ice cream sundaes or milk shakes which in turn may also make those desserts more appealing.

A special fruit dessert such as a chocolate covered fruit also enables you to use your creativity when preparing it. For example, as soon as you have dipped the fruit in chocolate, try sprinkling some nuts or some rice crisps on it and you are sure to amaze your guests with such a sweet and unique dessert. For better presentation purposes, you may also dip some of the gourmet fruits in dark chocolate, while some of them in white chocolate, then arrange them alternately on a platter. There are truly so many things that you can do with a fruit and chocolate combination so you should never be afraid to experiment and have fun in making, and, of course, eating fruits dipped in chocolate!

Whatever be the occasion, the Orchard has a wide collection of gourmet fruits, fruit baskets and special fruit that is not just appetizingly inviting, but is also visually and economically alluring!

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

Industry Pushes Chocolate Milk in Schools

2009-11-10T20:51:00.001+07:00

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The creators of the ''Got Milk?'' campaign are getting ready to make a big push to keep chocolate milk on kids' minds and on school lunch menus, a plan that has some educators and obesity activists none too pleased.

The new ad campaign from the dairy industry, set to launch Monday, emphasizes that sugary flavorings are ways to get kids to drink milk. Without them, some youngsters won't drink regular milk and won't get its nutrients, the ads say.

The ''Raise your hand for chocolate milk'' campaign starts Monday with an ad in USA Today featuring chocolatey brown colors and the launch of a Web site that asks people to sign a petition declaring their support for chocolate milk in school.

But some educators and obesity experts say kids get enough calcium -- essential for bone growth -- and will drink white milk if it's the only milk offered. They say kids get too much sugar, which is heightening America's obesity problem, and schools shouldn't serve chocolate milk at all.

The idea behind the campaign is to draw a distinction between chocolate milk and the soda and candy that have come under attack in schools, said Vivien Godfrey, CEO of the Milk Processor Education Program, the industry marketing group that developed the campaign with the National Dairy Council. Godfrey said the effort will cost between $500,000 and $1 million.

She said most kids choose chocolate milk, but without it they drink juice, soda or water, which don't have the same nutrients. The facts -- that chocolate milk does have nutrients -- are getting lost in the debate over school lunches, she said.

''If there's even a chance chocolate milk might get taken out of schools, that really can do more harm than good,'' she said.

It's not clear how many schools have chocolate milk or are pulling it. But parents and school districts are becoming increasingly concerned and asking for more information, said Margie Saidel, a vice president with Chartwells School Dining Services, which manages food programs in 600 districts and supports chocolate milk.

But experts like Marlene Schwartz, deputy directory of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, want chocolate milk tossed. She said kids have too much sugar already and chocolate milk has no place in schools.

Dairy products are a common source of added sugar in children's diets, so that's why parents and educators consider removing them, she said. But the research does not point to any calcium shortages when chocolate milk is removed in schools.

''I don't believe children are going to go on a thirst strike and refuse to drink anything,'' she said.

Kids happily drink white milk -- now the only offering at the Boulder Valley School District in Boulder, Colo., said Ann Cooper, the school's director of nutrition services, who calls herself the ''renegade lunch lady'' for her efforts to promote more nutrition in school lunches.

She estimates that the extra calories from chocolate milk -- as much as 40 or 60 calories on top of a typical 110 calorie 8-ounce serving of white milk -- could add up to 5 pounds of weight gain over the 180-day school year. That's why the district no longer offers chocolate milk.

Chocolate milk does have its defenders, even among nutritionists.

''It's better to get the milk in with a little bit of sugary flavoring than have them pick almost any alternative,'' said Connie Weaver, head of the department of Food and Nutrition at Purdue University and a spokeswoman for the American Society for Nutrition. She has received research funding over the years from the dairy industry, but not on chocolate milk, she said.

A student petition got a Barrington, Ill., distrcit to compromise on its chocolate milk ban.

A soon-to-be fifth-grader, 10-year-old Haley Morris drafted her own petition in support of flavored milk and got about 70 signatures.

Superintendent Tom Leonard decided on a compromise: ''Flavored milk Fridays'' where the district offers chocolate or strawberry milk one day a week. The district is testing the program through January to see if kids drink more milk the days flavors are offered.

''All of my friends and I, we just wanted chocolate milk back to drink because we like chocolate milk better than white,'' Morris said. and this information from here

Healthy Chocolate Cookie

2009-10-10T23:25:00.000+07:00

It seems too good to be true that there is the option of reaching out for a healthy chocolate cookie when one feels like a snack. In fact, it is difficult to associate the decadence of chocolate with something that claims to be healthy. And yet, there is a huge variety of healthy chocolate cookies available in the market today.

Each of us go through that time of day when we crave a snack. Market research shows that children and adults alike reach out for unhealthy snacks most of the time because they are unaware of the healthier options.

Almost everyone loves chocolates but we feel guilty each time we eat even a small piece because of the fat and calorie content. Not anymore. Healthy chocolate cookies are made from various ingredients that increase the health value of the cookies and yet preserve the delicious chocolaty flavor. There are cookies made of whole grains, whole wheat, bran flakes, oats, low fat, etc. The main thing to check is whether these cookies are able to maintain a rich taste of chocolate as well.

Research has shown that the cacao bean, from which chocolate is made, is not only rich in fiber but also has antioxidant properties. If correctly prepared, chocolate cookies can provide an individual's daily requirement of antioxidants and flavonoids. The use of natural sweeteners and fiber rich options adds to the health quotient of these cookies. The best part is that despite all these healthy changes, the cookie still is as satisfying and delicious as it was during childhood. After all, chocolate cookies are a childhood favorite for most of us and bring back fond memories of a time when we did not need to count calories.

The leading manufacturer of the healthy chocolate cookie is Xoçai. The XoçaiTM Powerhouse Cookie retains the decadent taste of rich chocolate while offering a healthy snack option that is full of the natural goodness of acai berry, natural sweeteners and whole wheat flour, whole cacao beans and cocoa butter. The XoçaiTM Powerhouse Cookie offers enough antioxidants to cover an individual's daily requirement. Visit http://ilovehealthychocolate.com for more information on the healthy chocolate cookie.

Looking for healthy chocolate cookies? Then look no further than Ilovehealthychocolate.com. Check us out online!

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

Dark Chocolate is Wonderful Medicine

2009-10-10T23:22:00.000+07:00

Dark chocolate is a food with many health benefits. Yes, that's right, a health food. Let me explain the unique properties of dark chocolate and how it can really benefit your health! Now when I speak of dark chocolate, I mean just that, and not other chocolates which are filled with fat and calories. This is real unprocessed chocolate.

Antioxidants are part of healthy chocolate. You need antioxidants to a certain extent in your body to keep optimum health. The main antioxidant I am thinking of here is Cacao. Cacao contains a great number of antioxidants. It is very versatile in that it can lower your blood sugars, helps arthritis since it has an anti-inflammatory effect, and it is also a rich source of magnesium for the body.

The high ORAC score, known as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is what cacao contains.This is what cleans the system of what is known as free radicals.Free radicals are what creates an environment in the body for diseases of many types.

Blood pressure and heart health can also be improved for many people consuming a steady diet of dark chocolate. Your cholesterol health, with a small daily consumption of dark chocolate is likely to improve as well, all due to rich antioxidants from Cacao.

Have depression problems? Chocolate may also help this problem a great deal. How does it help? Well, serotonin release, and endorphins are a response that is triggered from consumption. Serotonin is a brain chemical which plays a big role in our emotions,sleep, and memory. Endorphins are another chemical released from the brain which is our painkiller center. They are also a type of hormonal substance.

And lastly, chocolate can help you to lose unwanted pounds. Consumption of a small amount of chocolate between meals, helps to curb the appetite, and help other food cravings you may have. Thus, overeating is avoided, and likewise your weight is reduced, and therefore, you feel better!

Jennifer Kirkman is the owner of many websites, two of the main ones are http://www.diabetesandrelatedhealthissues.com, and also http://www.dietplansandweightloss.com Visit these sites for much more information on diabetes and diabetes problems, and proper nutrition.

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

Amish Cake Recipe - Chocolate Chip Sheet Cake

2009-07-20T01:32:00.002+07:00

I was born and raised in Indiana where there are still many old order Amish in the area. In fact my father hired the Amish to build our family home and my sister-in-law sells Amish furniture in her store. I came to love and respect them and especially their cooking. They sure can produce some good meals on those old fashion wood burning stoves! Here is a cake recipe that I got from the late Mrs. Coblentz who was an excellent Amish cook; so good, in fact, she wrote a syndicated column about her life sharing recipes from her kitchen. Chocolate Chip Cake is a sheet cake topped with chocolate chips and nuts.

CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE

1 3/4 cups sifted flour
2 tbsps cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup shortening
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
6-oz chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped hickory nuts (or pecans)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 x2-inch baking pan; set aside.

Sift together flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla to the sugar mixture and beat thoroughly. Add the flour mixture and the water alternately mixing batter and beating smooth after each addition. Spoon into the prepared pan and spread batter evenly. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and the nuts over the top of the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

NOTE: There is no need to frost this cake; it is delicious as it is. You can, however, use your favorite frosting if desired. It is also good with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's old fashion recipe collection, visit her blog at http://grandmasvintagerecipes.blogspot.com
For her diabetic recipes and information go to http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com

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

Chocolate Wedding Favors - Choosing the Right Kind For Your Guests

2009-07-20T01:32:00.001+07:00

Candy wedding favors are always a popular choice, and as far as edible wedding favors go chocolate is a pretty safe bet! However, choosing the right kind to suit you can sometimes be hard, so use this as a guide.

Molded Chocolate Favors

The way your guests feel at your wedding is important, and the small touches can have a huge impact. Choosing the right shape for your chocolate favors is important, and there is a huge range available. Hearts are the obvious choice, but there's no reason why another shape wouldn't go perfectly with your style of wedding.

Wrapped Chocolate Wedding Favors

Wrapped coins and hearts are just two ideas when it comes to popular wrapped favors. You have almost complete control when it comes to the design and type of wrapping that you want to use.

Personalized Wedding Candy

What's becoming more and more popular nowadays is personalized wedding candy. This is an extra special version of classic edible wedding favors! You can customize the wrapping that you use, and a popular option is to include either the names of the bride and groom or of the guests. You could have the mold personalized. Just remember that this could cost you a little extra.

Finding Chocolate Favors to Suit Your Wedding

The cost of your wedding will influence, to some extent, the candy wedding favors you use as well as the containers you present them in - certain items costing more than others.

The number of guests you have will ultimately have an impact on the way you present your favors. Presentation is important, though choosing either a crystal glass or a plastic one can still look great - it all depends on the wedding style and budget!

To help you choose the perfect wedding candy for your big day you can make use of some of the numerous online catalogs. Many brands offer well-presented favors, including luxury chocolates at bargain prices. Just start looking around and you'll soon find a design that suits the style of your wedding.

Candy is a great way to thank your guests for coming, and also the perfect way to please the kids. Visit my site, Candy Wedding Favors, for unique wedding candy ideas. You will be able to see our selection of personalized chocolate bars : the perfect personal touch to any wedding day.

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

How to Enjoy Chocolate? With Chocolate Chess Pie and Hoosier's German Chocolate Pie

2009-07-20T01:30:00.000+07:00

Bring on the chocolate! And bring on the pies; Chocolate pies that is! The Hoosier's German Chocolate Pie combines three of my favorite ingredients; chocolate,coconut,sweetened condensed milk. The Chocolate Chess Pie is a rich wonderful chocolate pie, especially when topped with whipped cream.

HOOSIER'S GERMAN CHOCOLATE PIE
This is from an old Indiana Rural Electric Co-op Newsletter.

4-oz pkg German sweet chocolate
1/4 cup butter
14-oz can condensed milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 deep dish unbaked 9-inch pie shell
1 1/3 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cups pecans

Melt chocolate with butter over low heat; stir until blended. Remove from the heat and gradually blend in milk. Mix sugar, cornstarch, salt, eggs, and vanilla together. Gradually blend in chocolate mixture. Pour into pie shell. Mix coconut and pecans and sprinkle over filling. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until top is puffed. Filling will be soft but will set while cooling. Cool at least 3 hours before cutting. If top starts to brown too quickly during cooking, cover loosely with foil for last 15 minutes of baking.

CHOCOLATE CHESS PIE

1 baked 9-inch pie shell
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 tsps vanilla
Whipped cream for garnish

Place oven rack in the lowest position then preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together sugar, cocoa, and flour until it is lump-free. Stir in the melted butter. Mix the eggs, one at a time, into the sugar mixture and mix until smooth. Stir in the milk and vanilla. Pour the mixture into the baked and cooled pie shell. Bake on lowest rack in the 350 degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Serve garnished with whipped cream.

Enjoy!

For more dessert recipes check out http://ladybugssweettreats.blogspot.com
For Linda's diabetic recipes and information go to http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com

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

The World's Best Chocolate Cake Recipe, Bake This and They Will Love You Forever

2009-07-02T04:52:00.001+07:00

Ingredients

(This is to make a large birthday cake, you can scale down for an ordinary cake)
200 grams of stork or other baking margarine
200 grams of caster sugar
4 medium / large eggs
3 tbs of cocoa powder
Approx 75 grams of cornflour
100 grams of self raising flour
1 tbs baking powder
Vanilla essence
For the Icing
75 grams of margarine
Icing sugar to make a stiff mix
Water
Vanilla essence

Step 1

Using a mixer or food processor, cream together the sugar and margarine until it is light and fluffy. Add 1 tsp of vanilla essence and mix thoroughly.

Step 2

Add the 4 eggs, 1 at a time, mixing thoroughly until each egg is fully blended in. Leave mixer on for around 5 minutes.

Step 3

Into a weighing scale, put 3 heaped tablespoons of cocoa powder. Add cornflour to make up to 100 grams, then add 100grams of self raising flour. Finally add 1 tablespoon of baking powder.

Step 4

Sieve the flour mix into your mix. Fold in, then mix with mixer until fully incorporated.

Step 5

Split mix between 2 lightly greased non stick 8 inch baking tins. Bake in over at 175 degrees centigrade for around 20 minutes. Test by lightly shaking the tin to see if it wobbles like a jelly. (if it does give it 5 more minutes.) If its firm, slide in a skewer to check the mix is cooked. It should not have any cake mix on, but will have steam from the mix. As long as there is no mix on the skewer, remove from oven to cool.

Step 6

While the cake is cooling, mix the margarine for the icing with 1 tsp of vanilla essence and enough icing sugar to make a stiff mix. Add 1 tsp of water at a time and mix in, the mix will let down and become creamy and smooth. Set aside until the cake is cold. DO NOT attempt to ice the cake when warm, the icing will go runny.

Tip - when icing, do not spread the icing, as this cake is so light it will break under the pressure. Just add spoonfuls of icing around the bottom layer, then put the top on and rotate slightly to spread the filling.

Step 7

Decorate the top of the cake with sieved icing sugar or cocoa powder. Get a cup of coffee, then eat a huge slice!

To make a celebration cake you can ice the outside of the cake and decorate it with chocolate curls, or ice and fill with whipped cream, or make a chocolate fudge icing mix, or use cream and cherries for a black forest gateaux. What ever floats your boat really.

Variations

You can also make this recipe into a victoria sponge, just take out the cocoa and substitute with more cornflour. Then ice with vanilla icing and jam. Or, use lemon essence and lemon icing for a tangy variation.

Magpie Jewellery is a great website with a huge range of beads findings and jewellery, and we like cake too! We import all our stock direct from the manufacturers to get you the best prices. Magpie Jewellery is a great resource site for jewellery designers, beaders, hobbyists and beginners, with free beading patterns, great beading articles and loads of great products.

Visit us now at http://www.magpiejewellery.net

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

Healthy Chocolate - The Most Unlikely Nutritional Supplement

2009-07-02T04:51:00.000+07:00

Hands up who's a chocoholic?

Come on, come on, don't be shy - it's not really your fault.

The chances are that you have been eating chocolate all of your life. Who hasn't got a photo in an old album somewhere, of themselves as a baby, with chocolate spread ALL over their face?

It is so deeply ingrained into the psyche and culture of the modern world that nine out of ten people admit to craving chocolate and five out of ten say that they can't live without it!

We have it on celebratory occasions when we are happy and with friends, but also when we are unhappy and by ourselves. That wouldn't be so bad if we didn't know that chocolate is really NOT that good for us. But it wasn't always that way.

From as far back as 1500BC, the cocoa bean has been known to the Aztec's, Mayan's and other ancient civilisations, for its nutritional and medicinal properties. It was taken for a wide variety of ailments and conditions and also as an energy enhancing drink.

It turns out that raw, unprocessed cocoa is one of the most highly potent natural supplements on the planet! The cocoa, or cacao plant as it is properly known, is a very complex plant with over 300 individually recognisable vitamin, mineral, nutrient and high value antioxidant properties.

It was only around 350 years ago, when seafaring explorers started to bring cocoa back from their travels, that the European's started to process it to make it more palatable for everyday consumption.

As the years went by, more "improvements" were made which cancelled out most of the remarkable nutritional value of this complex food source. Milk, sugar, waxes and other unappealing fillers were added to make a product far removed from its core ingredient.

But now this has been reversed by one manufacturer, who has produced a pure, unadulterated chocolate that maintains more of cacao's highly potent antioxidants and nutrient values, than ever before.

Yes, it is now possible to eat a chocolate that is not only not "BAD" for you as we understand regular chocolate to be, BUT can actually be very "GOOD" for you. It is an all natural, nutritious source of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, vitamins and minerals which can works wonders in your body.

Recent trials have shown that the potential benefits of eating pure cacao products include; healthier cardiovascular function, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, reduced insulin dependency, improved respiratory function, better joint flexibility, better dental health, suppression of cravings and promoting weight loss.

Healthy Chocolate is not like the confectionery or the candy that we have come to know and love (for all the wrong reasons) but a fully functional food. But better still, it tastes absolutely delicious.

Everyday, more and more people are coming to realise, that our bodies need some kind of nutritional supplement if we are to remain healthy and active. A plethora of recent studies have shown that 'a new twist on an old friend', is showing remarkable results. Healthy Chocolate has been rediscovered as one of the most naturally nutritional food sources on the planet.

Alan Rogers left the corporate world behind in 2007 with belief that everybody has the ability, and the right, to be responsible for their own destiny. Through http://www.freshstartmlm.com he is now helping and working with others, who also believe that having a Home Based Business is the only way that you can truly "start living the life that you want to live".

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

Chocolate Snacks

2009-05-25T23:13:00.000+07:00

Chocolate Desires

There is an old joke about a man who found a lamp on the beach. As you might imagine, when he rubbed it a genie comes out and allows him one wish. The man says that he wishes to be irresistible to women. So the genie turns him into a box of chocolates.

You might almost say that chocolate is addictive - some would leave out the 'almost'. In fact, chocolate is one of the most popular flavor on the planet. Hershey alone makes over 39 products based on chocolate like Hershey's Milk Chocolate and Cadbury Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bar and Skor - a literal chocolate fest. Let's face it, it's a chocolate world.

Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get, your life however is like a box of active grenades! Stewie Griffin, Family Guy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When you are looking for chocolate, you can look in every country of the world. Companies like Amano Artisan Chocolate in the U.S. and Ferrero SpA in Italy and J. S. Fry & Sons in the UK and Caffarel in Italy and Soma Chocolatemaker in Canada make us a chocolate world. And you can find lots of chocolate for sale on the internet at places like these: Alethea's Chocolates - Assorted handmade chocolates, online and phone orders. Morgen Chocolate - All natural, handmade, European style, truffles and molded chocolates in seasonal designs. The Chicago Chocolate Company - Carrying a selection of chocolates in forms ranging from truffles to bars, to roses. J.Emanuel Chocolatier - European-style chocolates available from stores in Morristown and Chester in Morris County. Truffles, crunch, dipped fruits, and other chocolates can also be ordered by telephone. Ultimate Confections - Hand dipped homemade specialty chocolates. Gift boxes, baskets and bags for any occasion. Located in !

Burbank, California. Hauser Chocolatier - European style fresh cream chocolates and dessert sauces. Pack-A-Box feature allows customized selections. Norman Love Confections - Purveyors of chocolates and truffles, infused with cinnamon, ginger, lime, pumpkin, pistachio, and brandy. Includes wedding favors, gift baskets, and a chocolate club. Browne's Chocolates - UK manufacturer of chocolate truffles, violet and rose creams, after-dinner mints, and thin chocolates. Tobermory Chocolate - Scottish handmade chocolates, worldwide shipping. Includes information on trade enquiries and tourism in the town of Tobermory. Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate Co. - Manufacturer of and offering vintage chocolate in resealable packaging. Includes recipes,information on stock price, and cocoa history and facts..

And if you are wanting chocolate in any unusual shape, you can try chocolate skate. And check out the chocolate warehouse for chocolate quiche, chocolate skittles and chocolate velvet.

You are not alone in your addiction. People have been loving chocolate for at least 3000 years. And now, you have more choices than ever to enjoy your cravings.

My Discount Stuff: Your online source of informational ebooks on a wide variety of topics. http://www.freewebstore.org/MyDiscountStuff by: Tara Benton

Fresh Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate

2009-05-25T23:10:00.000+07:00

Strawberries dipped in chocolate are the perfect gift for your family, friend, and special someone. Hand dipped in gourmet chocolate, these strawberries are the most demanding and wonderful gift for anyone around. Occasions, events and celebrations are part of our busy lives, but now traditional gifts like purchasing an expensive jewelry, selecting a tie, or choosing a book; are no longer practiced. An innovation in gifts is brought to you by some creative people in form of dipped strawberries”. Before this wonderful idea people were using strawberries to decorate desserts, making juices and shakes, adding in cakes and eating as a fruit. Chocolate covered strawberries are now liked and admired by anyone as a gift or as a wonderful dessert.

Imagine the pleasure of tasting a juicy, big sized strawberry dipped in White, dark or milk chocolate! Decorate them with sprinkles of different colors and arrange them to give as a gift for any occasion. These are ideal to give on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Best wishes, Get well soon, new born baby, get together, graduation, thank giving or many more daily events.

Chocolate covered strawberries are healthy desserts, since strawberries have no fat, cholesterol or salt, they are high in vitamin C and a good source of potassium and fiber. They are low in calorie. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries are fun to make and more entertaining to eat. Dip strawberries according to occasions and celebrations. Wish someone a chocolaty strawberry birthday with colorful sprinkles over them. Garnish each strawberry with drizzle and candies in festive party colors. Definite to be a perfect for all ages!

Dip the berries in the melted semisweet chocolate and drizzle with the melted white baking chips. Incredible, mouthwatering dipped strawberry gifts are simply divine! Each luscious strawberry is hand-dipped and covered with nuts, coconut or sprinkles. The end result is a blissful combination of flavors. Even though they are sugar free, they are sweet and delicious.

Cover the fresh, red and ripen strawberries in unforgettable taste of gourmet dark chocolate and cover them with white chocolate to decorate and make designs over them. The end result of these double dipped fruity strawberries is a heavenly combination of colors and flavors.

Another innovation in dipped strawberries is by sinking them in rich white yogurt and decorating with a hint of orange, strawberry and lemon flavored swizzles, and creating a taste that is simply unbelievable. This can be presented as a formal business gift, and a superb gift for a good friend and colleague.

Peanut butter lovers have another new dessert for their night meals and parties. Double-dipped and decorated with swizzles or peanuts, hand-dipped strawberries convey a combination of flavors, and will tempt the recipient. Arrange and place this gift carefully in a beautifully and decently decorated handmade box of dozen strawberries and deliver to your loved one. Sure to please them and perfect to remain long in memories.
by: Sandla Sandi

How to Make Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies From Scratch

2009-05-13T02:44:00.000+07:00

Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite among many people. This is because they are so delicious and simple. Fortunately, they are simple to make as well. Here we will tell you how to make delicious chocolate chip cookies.

First, you will need to cream together 2 sticks of butter with 3/4 cups sugar and 3/4 cups brown sugar. You can use shortening instead or part shortening and part butter if you don't have enough butter.

Next, add in 2 eggs and a teaspoon of vanilla. Mix it together very well, but you don't need to beat it for any length of time. You can use an electric mixer, stand or hand, if you have one and want to make it easier.

Now, in a separate bowl, add 2 1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix it together thoroughly. Make sure there are no lumps.

Gradually add the flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time, to the wet ingredients. If you are using an electric mixture, use the dough hook to mix in the flour because it will start to get tougher and the paddle won't work as well.

After the flour is mixed in, stir in 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips. This is equal to 1 12 oz. bag. Stir it in and then put the dough in the refrigerator to chill. Chill it until the dough is harder, at least 2 hours. This will allow for cookies that hold their shape better.

When the dough is chilled, roll it in to 1 to 2 inch balls and place them two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size. Make sure the cookie sheets are cooled before you put the next batch on so that they don't melt flat on the pan before they get in the oven.

Remove them from the oven and let the pan cool for about 3 minutes. Use a spatula to remove them from the cookie sheet and then place them on a wire rack to cool. Serve them warm with milk or let them cool completely and store them in a cookie jar for later.

If you want to know more about how to make chocolate chip cookies or you want to know chocolate chip cookies, check out our site for more information and tips.

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

Organic Dark Chocolate - What it Actually Means

2009-05-13T02:43:00.000+07:00

Chocolate is made from the cocoa bean. This cocoa bean comes from a plant and is certainly organic in nature when it is first gotten. However, through various processes and by adding certain ingredients, it may not be any longer considered this. But, there are some companies that stick to this regime and create some very delicious organic dark chocolate in the process. Lets explore some of these companies that offer this and discuss the organic aspect with each. However, before we do, lets first discuss what organic actually is or means.

Organic primarily means that the plant or ingredients are free from human compounds such as pesticides and fertilizers. There are no additives or preservatives and it is completely one hundred percent natural. In order to be considered to be organic, the company must be subjected to very rigorous certifications and the products are constantly being tested to conform to the organic standards. There are many companies that create organic dark chocolate and due to space limitations, only a few can be discussed here.

VitaChoice is probably the largest organic based company that is out there and their credentials are impeccable. They have various versions of dark chocolate that are considered to be extra dark brands and some incorporate both nuts as well as berries. All are two ounce in size and are eighty percent dark chocolate. They use specific hazelnuts in one version and wild blueberries in another and even offer both the nuts and the berries in one single bar. They are all certified Kosher-Dairy and are as organic as organic gets.

Intemperantia primarily aims and directs their products to the wedding genre. These are shipped directly from Switzerland and are a culmination of a few different regions throughout Europe which includes France, Germany, Italy, and of course, Switzerland. They use no artificial ingredients which includes colors as well as flavorings and this provides some of the finest chocolates that the world has to offer.

Then there is Dagoba. Recipient of the EPA Green Power Leadership Award for the "Best Dark Chocolate." They provide both single bars ready for eating as well as baking bars for your very own confections. There are an extreme amount of variations in the specific chocolate quantity and many are infused with various all natural flavors. This is probably the best place to find organic dark chocolate considering that these are created directly at the source. Coincidentally, they have also won other awards too. And they always pertain to the organic genre.

Therefore, if organic dark chocolate is what you are seeking, these three companies will certainly fill the bill and are probably considered to be the top three organic dark chocolate makers in the world. Find out more tips about organic dark chocolate at http://darkchocolate.bestreferenceguide.com

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

Give the Gift of Chocolate and Good Health

2009-04-27T22:19:00.001+07:00

CHOCOLATE! Even the sound of chocolate is comforting. Even better, it is now good for you. What better way to let people know you are thinking about them than with a gift of chocolate. It is relatively inexpensive, easily customized with a company logo or text, and the pleasant memory will last long after the chocolate has disappeared.

Chocolate contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and steric acid which contribute to our health. An increase in brain activity, improved circulation by reducing blood pressure, and helping with digestion by inhibiting diarrhea are some of the common benefits. More information is available Wikipedia.

Corporate accounts often use our custom wrappers to advertise and promote their business. It is a very nice reward for their employees, as well. Nothing says Thank You like chocolate.

All kinds of shapes and themes can be made of chocolate, from Casino (poker chips, cigars), to Transportation (trucks, airplanes, etc.), to Sports (footballs, basketballs, tennis balls, soccer balls, etc.) to Champaign Bottles! It's an exciting trip to visit our web site to see all the types of chocolates we offer.

You can keep the coins or small chocolate balls on hand for your daily fix as well! They come in all kinds of flavors and the cigars even come in bubblegum (blue for boys, pink for girls).

Create Chocolate Gift Packages, Promotional and Business Chocolates, Chocolate Cigars for Fun or Baby, Poker Chips, Coins, Sports Foils, Medallion and Coin Chocolates! Delight your Tastebuds, Promote your Business, Throw a Great Party, Gifts for your Friends for All Occasions! If you can imagine it, WE CAN MAKE IT!

George Abbe
Chocolate Expressions, LLC
http://www.chocolateexpressions.us
423 Oak Hill Dr
Lake St Louis, MO 63367
(636) 561-5151

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

Dark Chocolate - Good For You?

2009-04-27T22:18:00.000+07:00

How many people do you know who don't like chocolate? It's safe to say not many, right? Dark chocolate is especially yummy and as it turns out it has health benefits as well. This is especially so with dark pure coco chocolate. It almost seems too good to be true. Most people probably know that chocolate like coffee begins with a bean. Cocoa beans from cocoa trees were first manufactured into chocolate over three millennia ago in tropical South America. It has since become the most popular of all sweets on Earth. With its many varieties and different tastes chocolate is the go to of all candy ever manufactured.

Although darker chocolate is an acquired taste it remains the most popular amongst true cocoa lovers. The production of chocolate is almost synonymous with that of wine. The cocoa is harvested from the cocoa trees and then beat into a pulp. The pulp is then put into containers where it is fermented, much like the grapes used in making wine. After they are fermented the beans are laid out in the sun to dry, usually for 5-7 days. Once dried they are then shipped to a processing plant where the beans are cleaned of impurities and blended with other ingredients depending on what kind of chocolate is to be made.

Different chocolate types go through slightly different processes. Milk chocolate goes through a different process than dark chocolate for instance. Then once the desired taste has been achieved, the chocolate is stored and shipped to its final destination. Darkest chocolate as mentioned before is not only a tasty treat it can be beneficial to different body systems. It has been suggested in medical studies that pure chocolate is particularly good for circulatory health. There have been modest reductions in blood pressure reported by people who regularly ingest dark chocolate products. It has also been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and prevent heart attacks.

One thing to keep in mind if you are interested in the health benefits of dark chocolate is to get the right kind of chocolate. You need to be sure that it is manufactured with no harmful additives that take away from the health benefits. But once you find the right chocolate you will be happy that there is also another great benefit to this type of chocolate. It has been known to be an aphrodisiac! Dessert that is healthy and sexy!

Adeaze was born in China in 1962 but grew up in America where she attended College and University. Since 1999 she has been a nutritionist teaching in England. http://www.worldbusynews.com

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

Dark Chocolate - A Healthy Snack Option

2009-04-27T22:17:00.000+07:00

Chocolate....12 billion people eat chocolate every day. It is considered a treat, a dessert, even a guilty pleasure. But is it really that bad for you? The evidence is coming in daily that disputes that thought. Many studies are finding that dark chocolate can actually be very good for you. That's right, eating the right kind of dark chocolate can have many beneficial effects on your body. The reason for this is because dark chocolate contains a high amount of antioxidants in it. Here are just a few of the health benefits:

- Helps in lowering your blood pressure
- Protects the body from the effects of free radicals
- Contains serotonin which acts as an antidepressant
- Helps in lowering your cholesterol by reducing the amount of LDL cholesterol

There are a few things to keep in mind though when selecting a "healthy" chocolate. Chocolate that is highly processed and alkalinized may contain:

- High amounts of sugar
- High amounts of fat and fillers
- Low amounts of antioxidants

Therefore, knowing what is in the dark chocolate you are eating, and how it is processed is a must, if you want to eat it for the health benefits. It has been shown that heating the chocolate during the processing actually destroys the antioxidants. Hence, you will want to eat chocolate that is cold-pressed when processed. This type of chocolate will retain the highest amounts of antioxidants and be the most beneficial to your body. One such chocolate is Xocai, manufactured by MXI Corp. They disclose that they use a cold-pressed, non-alkalinized process in creating their chocolate. They have also stated that this chocolate is low in fat and made with a complex sugar, rather than highly processed and refined white sugar. Another important thing to consider.

All in all, it is clear that dark chocolate does have health benefits that make it a worthy dessert. Moderation is also the key. Just as in anything you eat, too much of it can outweigh the health benefits so use your best judgment.

To learn about other benefits from the New Healthy Chocolate, visit John's Xocai website or blog.

Author: John Lovell is an avid sportsman and advocate for healthy living.

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

History of Chocolate and Strawberries

2009-04-20T21:37:00.000+07:00

The history of chocolate is as delicious, as suspicious and as mysterious as the chocolate itself. Though, no one knows the exact date but researchers believe that chocolate was enjoyed by ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations in Central America. It is believed that in the tropical rainforests of the Americas cacao beans were discovered around 2,000 years ago. A few sources claim that the first recorded use of cocoa beans in written form go back to 1100BC to a settlement of pre-Mayan origins. Some people say cocoa beans were discovered as early as 4000 years back.

However, it is also true that it wasn't used as it is being used nowadays but chocolate beans were used to make several types of spicy and frothy drink or beverage from cacao beans. It is strongly believed that the way we eat chocolate now was evolved after many years. Sources say that it was only an English doctor called Sir Hans Sloane who traveled extensively South America who later focused on cocoa beans as food values and added milk in cocoa beans to develop the chocolate bar. Over the period of time, centuries after centuries, years after years, different types of drinks, cookies and bars were evolved made out of chocolate.

One thing was same-the cocoa beans were considered to be pricey and valuable so they were given as gifts on many special occasions, such as child birth, religious ceremonies and even social rituals. Even in the old barter system, cocoa beans were exchanged for other commodities, such as clothes, ornaments, jade and other ceremonial as well as day to day items/commodities. Even as of today, cocoa beans are one of the most sought after food items that are being used to prepare several food items around the world. There is hardly any country where chocolate is not present in some form or other. That shows the popularity of chocolate amongst young and older, women and men, kids and adults.

Another most sought after food item is strawberry. Let's see a brief introduction about the history of strawberries. Researchers believe that the history of strawberries dates back to around 2200 years back, and they are known to be grown as a wild fruit in Italy around 234 B.C. It is also believed that strawberries were first discovered by Europeans in Virginia when their ships were landed there in 1588. Other undocumentary sources claim that strawberries were enjoyed by early settlers in Massachusetts grown by local American Indians who cultivated this amazing fruit as early as 1643 or even former.

No matter, where this juicy, aromatic and tasty fruit was grown first, but in today's' world you can find strawberry in many different varieties around the world. National agricultural stats show that in the modern America over 25,000 acres of strawberries are planted each year in California. Not only this, but California is the only state that produces the major part of strawberries (over 80%) and supplies not only other states in America but many parts.

Sturat is article marketer and enjoys writing and sharing articles on topics like history of chocolate and history of strawberries. For more information you can visit us.

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

Quality Chocolate

2009-04-19T21:35:00.000+07:00

Chocolate is made from cocoa pods grown on the Theobroma cacao tree, a small evergreen native to the tropical regions of South America. It was so highly prized it was called ? God?s food? The secret to the best quality chocolate is in its amount of cocoa solids (a mixture of cocoa mass and cocoa butter).

The cocoa bean develops its aroma during fermentation and gives the beans their familiar chocolate taste. The fruit pulp containing the cocoa beans is poured into a fermenting tub or placed between banana leaves. Fermentation begins at 100 -120°F.

After harvesting the cacao pods (which contain the cacao beans) the pods are crushed and left to ferment and dry for about six days. Then the beans are removed from the pods and left to further dry. Quality chocolate demands this slow drying process.

Some chocolate manufacturers prefer to buy beans; others opt for chocolate mass. The beans are heated to 70 C and pressed to extract the cocoa butter (48-51 percent), which is clarified, becoming yellow and clear. At this stage, lecithin is added to make the mass malleable.

After blending, the cocoa beans are roasted. It is the process of roasting the cocoa beans that brings out the chocolate flavor and aroma (I can tell you from personal experience that this process also produces one of the most lovely aromas my nose has ever smelled).

Next the cocoa beans are shelled, and the pieces of seeds (called nibs) are then ground until a chocolate liquor is produced. Extra cocoa butter is then added (when producing cocoa or sweet ground chocolate it is removed). he extra cocoa butter increases the delicacy of the chocolate, and is largely responsible for its flavor.

First you will discover the differences in colour as different beans produce finished chocolate with varying colours from rich reds and coppers to dark browns. This is not a sign of quality and a common myth that the darker chocolate is somehow a better chocolate is certainly not the case.

A premuim quality 62% cocoa chocolate is crafted from the finest Ghanaian cocoa beans to produce a medium bittersweet chocolate. The largest suppliers are African countries, although the best (Criollo) cocoa beans originate in Ecuador. Forastero beans are flat and mostly used for chocolate drinks, violet-coloured Amelonado is bitter and of superior taste.

Some chocolate is best for eating, and some for cooking. Some types, like couverture chocolate, can be used for baking, eating or coating candies. This is usually considered the highest quality chocolate, and it has a high percentage of cocoa butter, making it smooth and easily tempered.

Flavanol antioxidants occur naturally in some plant-based foods, such as tea, grapes, blueberries, cranberries and cocoa beans. Cocoa beans are the basic ingredient of all chocolate products. Interestingly, it is one of the most concentrated natural sources of flavanol.

Semisweet or Bittersweet - Here, the chocolate liquor has been combined with sweetener, cocoa butter, and often vanilla. This is often known as dark chocolate and contains at least 35% chocolate liquor (or "cocoa"). Most good quality chocolate has around 50-60%.

Couverture is a special kind of chocolate. Couverture chocolate has more cocoa butter than normal chocolate, anywhere from 34% to 39% for a really good brand. This type of high quality chocolate is used as a coating for things like chocolate truffles.

Strictly speaking, chocolate is any product 100% based on cocoa solid and/or cocoa fat. Because it is used in a vast number of by-products, any change in the cost of making it has a huge impact on the industry. Adding ingredients is an aspect of the taste.

please visit our website http://gifts-chocolate.net for further information about chocolate guide and tips

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

Chocolate Candy Gift Basket - A Great Gift For the Chocolate Lover

2009-04-19T21:32:00.000+07:00

There's no better gift for the chocolate lover in your life than a chocolate candy gift basket. It makes a great present for just about any occasion ... a birthday, Valentine's Day, an anniversary, Easter, even Christmas.

So what do you look for in a chocolate candy gift basket?

If the gift is for a close friend or a spouse or a family member and you know the person's tastes ... go with what you know. Even chocolate lovers can have their own personal preferences. So if you know she enjoys a particular type or a particular brand, seek out a collection that you know will satisfy her.

If she enjoys variety, consider chocolate truffles, butter creams and soft centers, dipped fruits, caramels, and gourmet chocolates. These can all be prepared in milk, dark, or white chocolate combinations that are simply irresistible. And if she enjoys a variety of brands, these can include everything from Belcolade to Callebaut, from Ghiradelli to Lindt, from Rocky Mountain to Lake Champlain, from Romanicos to Recchiuti Confections.

You can even find gift baskets for the vegan. Or the sugar free variety for the diabetic.

For a more personal touch ... make your own chocolate candy gift basket. You can pick up a beautiful basket at your local crafts shop for less than a few dollars. Line it with a colorful cloth napkin or two, fill it with a few gourmet chocolates (for instance. Godiva or Lindt or Ghiradelli are all popular brands), add some candy bars, perhaps some mint truffle hot cocoa, Hershey's Kisses, and wrap it all up with a beautiful ribbon and bow. That's all it takes. A few minutes of preparation and your thoughtfulness will be appreciated for a long time to come.

On the professional side, gift baskets are also great for business promotions or to express appreciation to company team members or even the whole office. While a wonderful selection of different chocolates that suit a variety of tastes should be your first and foremost concern, you can even do more. For example, why not take advantage of modern technology and customize some of the chocolates with your business emblem or name? What a powerful way to brand a business while expressing appreciation to those who help build and run the business!

Whether your budget is large or small, your choices are gourmet or everyday and available at your local grocery store, a chocolate candy gift basket is sure to bring a smile to your favorite chocolate lover. In fact, it's hard to go wrong.

Find out more about the chocolate candy gift basket, and more about all your chocolate options at: Chocolate Euphoria

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

Chocolate Cakes and Muffin Tips

2009-04-12T22:33:00.001+07:00

Chocolate cakes
Chocolate is a very popular confectionery thought the world. It has been my favorite food since young. I like to use chocolate as ingredients since I started baking. As chocolate cakes are among the most demanding and tempting pastries available, it is necessary for me to highlight several points when making chocolate cakes. Use only covertures chocolate if possible, because it emits a rich flavor and aroma. The price is much higher than normal cooking chocolate due to the cocoa's fat content.

Chocolate is normally stored in a cool, dry area, but not in the refrigerator. When chocolate is stored in the refrigerator, it absorbs moisture and makes it difficult to melt during baking.There are several ways to melt chocolate. One way is to use a microwave oven. Simply place it in a microwave bowl and let it melt for a few seconds, stirring to melt it evenly. The other way is to place chocolate into a bowl and boil over simmering water. Continue stirring it to dissolve the chocolate.

Keep a close eye on the chocolate cake during baking. As the cake may be dark in color, prick it with a skewer to check whether it is properly baked. If same cake crumbs stick to the skewer, it means the cake is baked. Ultimately, we want the cake to be moist and not dry. Remove the cake from the oven. Leave it in the tin to cool for 5 minute at room temperature before placing it on a wire rack. Decorate the cake after it has completely cooled.

Muffins
Muffins are mostly leavened by baking powder; therefore I suggest using double action baking powder. The muffins will rise higher and have a lighter texture. Muffins usually have a rough texture compared to cakes. Mixing must be done carefully to avoid over-mixing the better. A wooden spatula or hand whisk is recommended for mixing the better.

Baking muffins require high temperature and must be immediately baked. The oven must be preheated for about 15 minutes before baking the muffins or other baked products. Muffins are usually served fresh from the oven and can only be kept for about two to three days. They can be decorated with cream to present an attractive look, especially for children's parties.

For more about free dessert recipe information visit: http://www.freedessertrecipe.com/blog

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

Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate - What Ingredient Contributes?

2009-04-12T22:30:00.001+07:00

Recently, there have been some substantial discussions that pertain to the health benefits of dark chocolate. There have been numerous studies that have been done while studying this somewhat bitter and less popular type of chocolate and these have made people sit up and take notice. For centuries, there have been many who would rave about the benefits of chocolate in it and this has constantly and consistently been the case throughout the history of chocolate. What is it about dark chocolate that creates these health benefits and why does milk chocolate not appreciate the very same benefits nor the same respect with regards to this matter? Lets explore this and discuss and detail these supposedly health benefits.

With respect to the main differences between milk and dark chocolate, milk chocolate contains milk or milk type products and dark chocolate does not. Milk chocolate is loaded with mainly fats and less amounts of the active ingredient that is widely promoted in dark chocolate. Dark chocolate, on the other hand, does certainly contain much more cocoa than a milk chocolate bar does and therefore, will have more flavonoids in it. It is these flavonoids that are considered to be the beneficial part of the dark chocolate bar. But, what are flavonoids?

Flavonoids have an active ingredient that is referred to as epicatechin and it is this specific ingredient that is especially good for the heart. Fore, it has been proven that it will decrease the ability of cholesterol to from gathering within many blood vessels. This in turn reduces blood clots from forming within the free flowing blood and therefore blood clots are less likely to form. It is those very same blood clots that harbor and creates the inability of blood to make its way to the heart and subsequently causing a heart attack.

However, more is not necessarily better in this case and by simply eating more dark chocolate does not mean that one is obtaining more of these flavonoids. Therefore, the maximum recommended daily intake of dark chocolate to have and or benefit from these health assurances is one point four ounces. As with anything, more will probably have adverse effects considering that it is laced with many calories and plenty of sugars.

But, by simply eating dark chocolate will not guarantee that one will not have health problems. Fore, one must also eat healthy as well as exercise daily too for this to have any benefits at all. And, considering that chocolate is a plant, this seems to be a good start on the fruits and vegetables that should be consumed daily.

Yes, the health benefits of dark chocolate have been documented quite well and can have some assistance in the benefits of a healthy heart when other measures are also contributed to the cause. Find out more health benefits about dark chocolate at http://darkchocolate.bestreferenceguide.com

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

Gourmet Foods For Chocolate and Tea lovers

2009-04-06T23:47:00.000+07:00

by: Richard Walker

Chocolate and tea lovers know a good quality chocolate or tea when they taste it. Gourmet treats are always a welcome change from the regular varieties found in your average grocery store or worse, convenience store. When you really have sophisticated tastes you need to explore the world of gourmet food.

What is Gourmet Food?

Categorizing what is and what is not a gourmet food is a challenge for some people. Generally speaking, gourmet food is food that is a cut above your average food items. Gourmet food is often considered a special treat, not only because it tends to be more costly, but because it is made to extremely fine standards using the best ingredients. Gourmet food is definitely for those who crave more distinguished tastes. Another feature is that they often take a much longer preparation time than other foods. A lot of care and perfection goes into creating gourmet foods.

Gourmet chocolate and tea are both much higher quality than your average chocolate bar or cup of tea. With chocolate the finest cocoa beans are used. There is a careful measuring of ingredients and most are 100% handmade. Gourmet chocolates can be milk, dark or white chocolate. They may have flavors or fillings that are unique flavors.

Gourmet teas are made with carefully grown and harvested tea leaves. Every step of the process is done with extreme care. Gourmet teas come from all over the world. Where the tea comes from it not what makes it gourmet. They usually have exotic flavors and are much purer than average tea. Gourmet tea can be green, black, oolong or herbal.

Type of Gourmet Foods

Even if you are not particularly into chocolate or tea, there are many gourmet foods that you can try. Gourmet food is just more special than your everyday, ordinary fare. Here are some treats to try if your taste buds ache for something more.

If you want something different to drink then you can try gourmet coffee. Blends of gourmet coffee come from the highest quality of beans from all over the world.

If fish is your thing then try gourmet seafood. They are prepared with special methods. Only the highest quality fish are used. Almost any wish can be gourmet when it is handled and prepared the right way.

There are also gourmet meats. Gourmet meat is becoming quite popular. High quality cuts are used and many styles are available. Gourmet meat can include dried and cured cuts, too.

Get great Foods

Gourmet foods are not as difficult to find as you may think. The internet provides the perfect opportunity to order gourmet food. Shipping techniques used today make it possible to ship any food item without losing quality. You can get food fast that maintains its gourmet quality.

Whether you are into chocolate and tea or you want to try out other gourmet foods, you are in for an amazing treat. Your taste buds will be very grateful to you for providing them with mature and mind blowing tastes that you get from gourmet food.

Copyright (c) 2009 Richard Walker

Adolescent and Brown

2009-04-05T22:21:00.000+07:00

Topic: Biology, Blogroll, General Knowledge, Body We

Many of the brother-sister avoid the chocolate. I can be sure that. Perhaps he will cause brown blotch and obesity. Really so?

Approximately correct if so, why do I? Because there are certain materials that cause brown is not it? So, go ahead we kihat womb chocolate! :)

academia-barilla-gourmet-chocolate-brown mousse.jpgStudi about this has been raised. 1950, the experts to study the skin to compare the results from young people who were given a candy-like brown, with the teenagers who were given chocolate beneran. The result? Photographer can show differences in growth whelk tuh:) Indeed, it says that some doctors who jerawatnya arise after eating a certain food, you should avoid the food in question. Because of the possibility of food allergies are caused. But experts said that chocolate allergy rarely the cause of the allergic food.

If we see from the abortion, some may believe in the results of research by experts who found that chocolate can lower high blood pressure, melt flow of blood, and make healthy heart. How can? A compound derived from the cacao bean to be able to help the body process the nitrate oxide (NO), a compound that the body is needed to maintain health of blood flow and blood pressure.

Research also indicates that the flavonoid in chocolate is able to prevent a substance meyerupai fat in the blood flow to the oxidation that causes vessel constriction and preventing the flow of arterial blood. Flavonoid compound itself is in the plants that have potential as antioxidants, the chemical compound that can reduce the oxidation reaction in a substrate-specific.

Clear Skin with Chocolate Diathermy

2009-02-12T05:38:00.003+07:00

WANT to attract your partner on Valentines Day? Watch your attitude and appearance. If you do not rileks, special days that can not berbekas. If your skin is dry and dull, a beautiful day it can be less meaningful. Therefore, prepare themselves with chocolate diathermy.

Chocolate contains polyphenol, substances of high quality antioxidants. In addition to reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease, this substance can also delay penuaan early. Polyphenol addition, chocolate also contains catechine (antioxidants), minerals, vitamins B and E, and protein. Oxygen-reducing effect of these substances penuaan early, clean up free radicals, giving kelembapan natural for skin, and facilitate the circulation of blood.

Because that is the womb, showing a body treatment technique is new. Chocolate body diathermy is a useful treatment to reduce and even eliminate the earthquake-rheumatic joint (arthritis) with cocoa powder extract, accelerate blood circulation and flow limfatik, which can reduce the swelling or inflamation
make innovation diathermy with chocolate brown and technology combine beauty diathermy. Beauty itself is diathermy treatment technique with radio frequency current (0,45-0,6 MHz) that can move the ion-ion body, so that increase body temperature to reach 41-42 degrees Celsius. Function, blood circulation and expedite system limfatik, leave the circulation and oxygen metabolism network, decrease the production of acid and carbonic acid content in the network, the network expansion, improving Sintesa collagen, improving cell regeneration and improve the immune system (Immune).

Natural Ingredients and No Pain Management

Patients are asked to sleep telengkup ago back with water and cleaned waslap. Scrub and then rubbed some dibalurkan time. After a cleared scrub, cream glucosamine be smeared on the body that feels stiff or earthquake. This cream contains glucosamine glucose and protein produced by the body, important in the establishment and improvement of the network, such as cartilage and joint fluid. Then added that pure coconut oil is useful as a lubricant when the beauty and natural diathermy for skin rejuvenation. This treatment takes 45 minutes.

Ten minutes later, added chocolate massage and mask to be smeared evenly treatment area for 20 minutes. So that for the most cases, this treatment should be done once sunday 1. For routine maintenance can be done 1-4 weeks. In the case of light with 1-time treatment, the results can be directly perceived
Chocolate diathermy can also overcome the interference in the stiff-stiff muscles, joint pain in the elbow, knee, wrist and feet, reducing aches and stiff on the feet because shoes wear sandals or high-heeled or hard sole and a rigid, stand too long, doing the work a heavy, out of joint, or when the woman entered the period of menopause (premenopause) and in people with arthritis (joint inflammation).

This treatment is very safe and does not cause pain because it uses natural ingredients. Result, the muscle-tense the muscles become more rileks, so that patients will feel more healthy, fresh, and feel light, and moist skin looks natural and bright. Also create a more comfortable sleep
This treatment can be by anyone, men or women who are over 15 years. However, pregnant mothers, patients in the body is embedded metal objects such as pen and bone ring heart, and patients who have open wounds or are currently experiencing irritation in the feet and hands, is not recommended for treatment because this treatment is to use radio frequency

give brown or smell

2009-02-12T05:34:00.000+07:00

enter the correct day valentine many people will give something beautiful for people who are in love. Whatever it is a sign of affection beautiful.
For you are still single chalky confusion will give gifts, that many hold to give a brown, but if the smell can also warm. Caution is in need in a love with one another. Why do not give chocolate and a kiss is unforgettable? Certainly more fun

Chocolate taste.

2009-01-05T13:32:00.000+07:00

Price of commodity goods is a decreasing trend in the same earth with the results of the other. But Brown is a different matter, because all people will always need. Good to be eaten, decorations and gifts.

What to eat with a lot of chocolate can lead to increased obese ... or many diseases? all of that depends on the settings do you eat.

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-05T13:18:00.000+07:00

Happy New Year 2009. enjoy the new year with the holiday and bring chocolate ... Just like the ad .... Hopefully this year in the years to become a blessing and always get increased benefits

Enjoy dark chocolate

2008-12-09T13:06:00.006+07:00

Maybe all the people already know how to eat chocolate taste! But they do not necessarily know all the dark chocolate taste that I feel this. Very good impression and feeling more than any other chocolate. Is this with dark chocolate or other ways to manage it better?
Dark chocolate is derived from the seeds of high-quality cocoa. Company management is very dark brown responsible. With the result that high quality chocolate products and is recognized as a

fair trade chocolate so comfortable in our consumption by the family.Moreover, if we use Dark Chocolate Gift Box gifts for relatives, children, lovers or anyone .... surely they will be delighted. Decide now to choose dark chocolate with a good to be comfortable with it.

King Crab for You

2008-08-07T23:40:00.002+07:00

has many people knows rest of we how to have the character of circumspect healthyness that, more than any is contemplative faculties. Does you not wish to try ……… when your food, better of that your are brains? And that from health of courses from body which more enough. Many crabs sells big crab but you would difficult to encounter. You can order direct in Alaskan big crab

If you wish to buy Alaskan big crab directly from source ( without medium), pleasant felt free for we only big crab of ship squeezed very big from Alaska.He really is to get crab . Not easy to to be more from any king sized. Always what which be us that we earn at least tries and possibly will always its to ask would again; returns.

provides big crab for you that you would no longer difficult to soon feels it family and or gathering from kin. Of course you can order in Alaskan big crabs with ordering various.

Various Chocolate Taste

2008-07-21T22:05:00.003+07:00

Do you like chocolate? Everybody seems like to eat it. Chocolate becomes the most favorite thing to be eaten all the time, even for younger or the older one. The most well know for the kind of chocolates is dark chocolate
. The function of it can be anything, for examples for the addition of ingredients of coffee, other beverages, and etc. to make it such kind of chocolate gifts is so interesting too. You can give it to people who you love. But the problem is how you can get the best chocolate? It is now easy actually and you can get it as you like.
This is a site for you who are looking for the best of it. You can get the chocolate here and the taste is so delightful due to this the only place for one kind of chocolate. It is also fair trade chocolate that is held to satisfy the consumers and to inform them how the site available the most delicious chocolate of the world. But it seems not enough or a site to provide one kind of chocolate that is dark chocolate. It must be other choices so the customers can make such kind of new tastes of eating chocolates.

2008-07-18T13:42:00.001+07:00

wo years ago, my wife and I traveled to the Amazon. On one of our expeditions, our guide pointed out a cacao tree growing wild in the jungle. I had never seen one before.Peeling the cacao fruit.

Looking strangely alien, dozens of yellow-green pods hung from the trunk and stems of the tree. Our guide picked one of the hand-sized fruits, stripped off the rippled outer layer with his knife, and handed us chunks of the fibrous white pulp inside -- the fruit of the cacao tree. Two local children who had followed us into the forest waited impatiently for their own turn. With practiced hands, a girl of about six borrowed the guide's knife, hacked off the covering from another pod, and shared a big chunk of pulp with her brother.

Few people get to sample the fruit of the cacao tree. It was mild tasting, with a subtle, bittersweet chocolate flavor. Embedded in the pulp were dark, purple-colored seeds that, after being dried and processed, chocolate lovers like myself have come to recognize as "chocolate beans."

this information from here

Benefit Chocolate

2008-04-24T07:07:00.003+07:00

Brown and its the benefit. Between it:

* Brown has flavonoid compound which according to research can avoid stricture of vein which can cause heart attack and stroke. this flavonoid also there is in green tea, apple , and orange.

* Increasingly brown dark, increasingly bitter high rasanya..semakin of its(the flavonoid rate. But this fact doesn't make we may eat chocolate as delicious as his(its and without bound, with a purpose to health, because we don't know which chocolate is sold marketing having high flavonoid rate.

* Some chocolates is having brand instead eliminates flavonoid rate found on process of cacao becomes chocolate peppermint that is ordinary we are its(the konsumsiHasil is instead lessens health benefit for our body.

* Brown of course contains fat, but, body we can change stearic acid in unsatiated made fat chocolate which good to our heart and doesn't add LDL ( bad cholesterol) on the contrary, can increase HDL ( cholesterol either). So fat in chocolate at all g makes pimply us.

* Brown always felt is delicious and makes balmy us? Simply strong combination from fat, other sugar and chemistry matter in chocolate can increase condition of physical and bounces us, causing can increase mood so that felt pleases when we to eat chocolate.

* Sweet taste at chocolate discharges endorphin that is compound consisted of by amino acid having effect like morphin. our nervous system also gets reaction from teobromin, caffeine and feniletilamin found on chocolate which is compound assisting we to feel the same thing like we are being in a state of falling in love.

this information from here

Chocolate peppermint

2008-03-11T23:18:00.002+07:00

After doing penance , finally mnemukan contents of chocolate... Chocolate peppermint. taken a fancy to by all men.. and surely for children... although at risk to breakdown tooth.

Superior Selection, Valentine's 12 Box (Classic)

2008-01-31T17:33:00.000+07:00

An extra fine, milk and dark assortment of very special chocolates from our Superior Selection range. Presented in our stylish, Valentine's Classic box, finished with scarlet satin ribbon. Suitable for both male and female.

More information ?!?

Valentine Sweet

2008-01-31T17:20:00.000+07:00

Explore hard to find sweet favourites you remember as a kid, or make new discoveries from the most popular confectionery on the market today.

We stock all the favourite Brands providing our customers with that unique taste we all deeply miss. Bring back memories send a gift from our Gift Pack section.

Please Click here for more information

Brown Pudding

2008-01-10T09:39:00.000+07:00

Material :

1 Powder jelly bale ( white colour or chocolate)
20 gr powder chocolate
1 brown beloved heavy cream can
750 ml water
¼ sdt salt
Material Saus:
250 ml liquid milk
1½ sdm flour maizena
1 egg yolk
50 gr sand sugar
1 sdm rhum, at your convenience

Way of making:

1. Scrambled sweet heavy cream and water.
2. Adds that, powder chocolate, and salt. Scrambled until chocolate dissolves. Braises be swirled until boiling. Lifted. Decanted into printing;mould then makes cool.
3. Saus : swirled all material saus except egg yolk then ripe be swirled [by] until meletup-letup.
4. Takes 1 dough vegetable spoon saus, decants to egg yolk be swirled. Enters the egg mixture into decoction saus swirled to be finite of meletup-letup. Lifts and makes cool.
5. After cool saus, enters rhum ( at your convenience). Scrambled.
6. Presents brown pudding with siraman saus milk.

this information from here

chocolate bath ritual

2007-11-12T20:56:00.000+07:00

This woman has just finished indulging in her own chocolate bath ritual, and it looks to us like she's having a pretty good time. Here's how you can join in the fun:

Fill up your bathtub with chocolate. Considering the average bathtub could hold about 36 gallons of chocolate syrup, that would cost you $515 if you bought 288 16-ounce cans of Hershey's chocolate syrup for about $1.79 per can. But wait. Buy a no-name brand in bulk for around $40 for a case of ten 96-ounce cans—you'd need 48 of those—so about five cases would do the trick. That would cost you $200. Hint: Warm up the chocolate before hopping in.

You want more... please click here

Jakarta Chocolate EXPO 2007

2007-11-01T22:26:00.000+07:00

If you want free a fluid chocolate you can visit Jakarta Chocolate EXPO 2007

The Embassy of Chocolate, TULIP, proudly present you the most prestigous event of the Chocolate World 'Jakarta Chocolate Expo 2007' performing on 1-3 November 2007 at Semanggi Expo - Jakarta. With the sense of success of the previous JAKARTA CHOCOLATE EXPO, and the high necessitate of peoples of chocolate world, convinced the Embassy of Chocolate, TULIP to carry out this bi-annual expo for bigger, more attractive, modern, educative, creative and innovative handling by professionals.

Dark Chocolate Is Healthy Chocolate

2007-10-27T22:26:00.000+07:00

Dark Chocolate Has Health Benefits Not Seen in Other Varieties

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Medical News

Aug. 27, 2003 -- Got high blood pressure? Try a truffle. Worried about heart disease? Buy a bon-bon.

It's the best medical news in ages. Studies in two prestigious scientific journals say dark chocolate -- but not white chocolate or milk chocolate -- is good for you.

Dark Chocolate Lowers Blood Pressure

Dark chocolate -- not white chocolate -- lowers high blood pressure, say Dirk Taubert, MD, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Cologne, Germany. Their report appears in the Aug. 27 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

But that's no license to go on a chocolate binge. Eating more dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure -- if you've reached a certain age and have mild high blood pressure, say the researchers. But you have to balance the extra calories by eating less of other things.

Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate -- but not milk chocolate or dark chocolate eaten with milk -- is a potent antioxidant, report Mauro Serafini, PhD, of Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome, and colleagues. Their report appears in the Aug. 28 issue of Nature. Antioxidants gobble up free radicals, destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments.

"Our findings indicate that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate ... and may therefore negate the potential health benefits that can be derived from eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate."

Translation: Say "Dark, please," when ordering at the chocolate counter. Don't even think of washing it down with milk. And if health is your excuse for eating chocolate, remember the word "moderate" as you nibble.

YOU WANT DETAILS..?!? CLICK HERE

2007-10-19T07:21:00.000+07:00

Common name: Chocolate tree, Cacao
Botanical name: Theobroma cacao
Origin: Tropical America
Avg. Height X Width: 15' X 15'
Varieties: Red and Yellow
Season: October-January
Damage temp: 32 F Comments: This beautiful tree has large dark green leaves that shade the fruit pods which grow directly from the trunk and branches. The flesh is eaten as a dessert, and the seeds are the raw material of commercial chocolate. Hot chocolate can be made by drying the seeds, roasting, grinding, and adding milk. Chocolate "beans" were used as money by the Maya Indians of Central America. The red pods are typically larger and have more abundant flesh.
from Here
Image: Noel Ramos

2007-10-19T06:36:00.000+07:00

Delicious, dark chocolate sauce with the piquant flavors of orange and Caribbean spices. Made with 70 % dark chocolate, Certified Organic, ...
Click here

Chocolate bean on tree

2007-10-18T02:05:00.000+07:00