The Best Dessert Choices For Type 2 Diabetes And Healthy Chocolate Trifle Recipe

Diabetes is a very serious medical condition, but it can be kept in check with the right medication and a healthy diet plan. Being diabetic means you should be very mindful when it comes to watching what you eat. You need to monitor your blood sugar levels, and keep to a strict diabetic-friendly diet that is filled with healthy carbohydrates, and is low in fat and calories if weight loss is required in order to stay as healthy as possible.

Although diabetics have to be very selective when it comes to their diet, it does not mean that dessert and sweets have to be given up completely as there are many healthy ones that are also diabetes-friendly.

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the Main Health Benefit of Dark Chocolate

Indulging in chocolate does not have to be a bad thing. Once you know what the benefits are to eating dark chocolate, you will never feel guilty again. Next time you have a chocolate craving, reach for a slab of dark chocolate because you will be making a healthy choice.

Darker chocolates do have health benefits, but what is the main one? Dark chocolate has been proven to be a powerful source of antioxidants. Tests have been done on a number of different food products to decipher whether or not they are a good source for antioxidants. Cocoa beans, happen to be one of the highest scoring sources of antioxidants. Some of the antioxidants that have been found in dark chocolate are:

· Polyphenols

· Flavanols

· Catechins

Antioxidants are extremely good for you because they can protect your cells in your body from getting damaged by harmful chemicals. It is necessary to eat a diet that contains foods that have antioxidants in so that you can prevent illnesses. This is why when you want to eat chocolate you should choose to eat the darker versions. You will be able to get in some well needed antioxidants into your body, while enjoying a tasty treat.

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Send Chocolates and Entice Your Girlfriend!

As soon as you have a thought of gifting something to your girlfriend, you go in a trauma! Girlfriends are not easily wooed. She needs something extra special in which there has been put lot of efforts. It is a very common dilemma. Any special occasion coming up and thinking of gifting gift to your girlfriend is definitely a tedious task. You think about thousand ideas and nothing seem to work At some moment you think this is the best gift but on the another moment you will think that this much may be not enough or what if she don't like it! Now, keep your confusions and dilemma aside and log onto to online gift stores. Yes, buying gifts from online gifts stores is a new IN thing. They offer you wide ranges of gifting items and accessories that are unique and impressive. However, now if you want to woo your girlfriend on her special occasion than send chocolates to her! Chocolate is the only gift item which she will not deny to accept! Chocolates are of such nature - sweet, tempting, fulfilling and gives you happy feeling as soon as you eat them all.

Chocolate is also one of the most thoughtful gift through which you can express numerous emotions and feelings without any hitch. So, whether the occasion is your anniversary or valentines day, you want to tell her how special she is to you or you want to congratulate her on her recent achievements or promotion, chocolates will do all the talking for you. When you choose to send chocolates to India to your girlfriend through online gift stores than let me tell you have lot of unique options in chocolates!

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Chocolate: The Misunderstood Superfood

We've been hearing for years that chocolate is actually good for our health, yet this kind of statement is very misleading. There is a specific type of chocolate that is beneficial. And for those of us with a super-sweet tooth, it's not the especially appealing kind.

Dark Chocolate. That's right. And it has to be at least 70% cacao to be any good to you inside and especially out.

We really don't have to get into it's origins. It's pretty commonly known that chocolate comes from the cacao beans in the tropical regions of the world, like Africa, Madagascar, and South America. Just like coffee, it's much more familiar to us consumers once it's been roasted and processed much further from its natural state. But we need to understand that the less processed our chocolate, the more beneficial it is.

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How Eating MORE Chocolate Is Something You Should Be Doing

If you were to ask past girlfriends if given the chance would they have traded me in for some chocolate? Well I don't want to know the answer to that question...

Chocolate, and peoples love of chocolate, go back thousands and thousands of years. The Aztecs some 4-5000 years ago were grinding up cocoa beans and combining them with other ingredients to make drinks and porridges. Even the name of 'cocoa' comes from the ancient Nahuatl language meaning "bitter water"

Clearly the use of chocolate has evolved into the modern era but a standard drink of hot chocolate shares similar traits with those early beverages.

And just like Miley Cyrus there are good and bad versions of the same thing..

GOOD AND BAD TYPES OF CHOCOLATE

There is chocolate we want to avoid and then there is the chocolate that not only still can be considered an indulgence but also contains numerous health benefits.

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White Chocolate Covered Pretzel Recipe

Creating your own white chocolate covered pretzels at home is easier than you think. With a few store bought ingredients and a little time, you can make some designer looking treats to share with your family and friends.

Here's the recipe:

1 package of regular sized pretzel rods
1 (14 oz.) package white candy melts or wafers*
2 Cookie sheets or a counter top
Parchment paper

*Important to use candy melts or wafers since they do not require tempering like some other chocolates and are perfect for beginners to use.

Before starting to make these treats, please make sure that you have a large enough work space to spread out your dipped rods. Prepare your cookie sheets or counter top by covering them with parchment paper.

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Southwestern Bean Chowder, Garlic Poppy Seed Spirals, and Chocolate Eclair Cake

Southwestern Bean Chowder

2 cans (15oz each) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained, divided
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1 medium carrot, shredded
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
4 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 cups 2% milk
1 cup (4oz) shredded cheddar cheese
Minced fresh cilantro and additional shredded cheddar cheese, optional

In bowl, mash one can beans with a fork, set aside. In a dutch oven, saute the onion, celery and pepper in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in mashed beans, broth, corn, carrot, chilies, cumin, chili powder and remaining beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes.

Combine cornstarch and milk until smooth. Stir into bean mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Serve with cilantro and additional cheese if desired.

Garlic Poppy Seed Spirals
3 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 tube (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls

In a small bowl, combine the butter, garlic powder, onion and poppy seeds; set aside. Remove crescent dough from the tube, do not unroll. Cut dough into 10 slices; dip one side in butter mixture. Place buttered side up in an ungreased 9-in round baking pan. Brush with remaining butter mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Chocolate Eclair Cake
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
4 large eggs
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 large box (5.1 ounces) vanilla instant pudding
3 cups milk
1 8 oz. container cool whip (you won't use the whole container) or one batch of homemade whipped cream chocolate syrup or homemade chocolate sauce

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400. Lightly grease a 9″X13″ glass baking pan.
Eclair Crust: In a medium saucepan, melt butter in water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in flour. Mix in one egg at a time, mixing completely before adding another egg. Spread mixture into pan, covering the bottom and sides evenly. *If the sides of your pan are too greased you won't be able to get the mixture to stay up the sides so make sure to just lightly grease.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown (Mine only took 25 minutes.) You may want to check it occasionally-you don't want to overcook the crust, it will ruin the cake! Remove from oven and let cool (don't touch or push bubbles down).
Filling: Whip cream cheese in a medium bowl. In separate bowl make vanilla pudding. Make sure pudding is thick before mixing in with cream cheese. Slowly add pudding to cream cheese, mixing until there are no lumps. Let cool in fridge.When the crust is completely cooled, pour filling in. Top with layer of cool whip however thick you want it and serve with chocolate syrup. *If you want to make this even better use homemade whipped cream.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_A_Howard Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8005374

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Peanut Butter Drop Cookies With Oodles of Chocolate Chips

Grocery stores sell refrigerated dough, but I prefer to make cookies from scratch because I can change the recipe to suit my tastes. The original recipe for peanut butter cookies is pretty basic: PB, sugar, eggs and flour. I've made this recipe more times than I can count and, as much as I love it, I was ready for something new.

I searched the Internet and found dozens of cookie recipes, many of them similar. But I also found some unusual variations of this classic, including peanut butter cracker sandwiches dipped in chocolate, so-called "cup" cookies, no-bake cookies, and even a recipe without flour.

When you are baking cookies you need to make some key decisions. Are you going to use butter, margarine, or both? Should you use large or extra-large eggs? Will the peanut butter be extra-creamy, creamy, or chunky? Are you going to use light or dark brown sugar? Should you grease the pan?

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How To Make A Simple Chocolate Candy Bouquet

A child's birthday party can sometimes be difficult to organize. Due to the age barrier, parents often cannot meet the expectations of their children. It is not just about the delicious food or fancy decorations for their party, it also about having something that they like most that is chocolates and candies.

Children would go crazy over chocolates and candies so the ideal gift to have on a child's birthday party is to have some chocolate candy bouquet on the table. You can get them ready-made from any gift company but the only disadvantage is that it comes with a heavy price tag and having only one on the table is certainly insufficient for the child's birthday party.

Chocolate candy bouquet is easy to make from home compared to other edible arrangements. At the cost of a ready-made set from a gift company, you can actually create two or maybe even three sets from home. That's huge savings off your pocket.

You can get guide books on how to make chocolate candy bouquets from home or you can follow the recipe below to create a simple one that works for your child's birthday party. In fact it works for any occasion that you may have in mind. The items that are required for this chocolate candy bouquet would be as follows:

• A stylish glass
• Bamboo skewers
• Hershey's chocolate kisses
• One large lollipop of your preference
• Small lollipops of your preference
• Mini bars of your preference
• Narrow ribbon
• Hot glue

Step 1. Fill the stylish glass to the brim with the Hershey's chocolate kisses.
Step 2. Take a few bamboo skewers and glue them to the back of the mini candy bars then allow to dry.
Step 3. Take a few small lollipops and tie the narrow ribbon at the base of the lollipop(where the stick and the pop meets). Use a pair of scissors to curl the ends of the ribbons on both sides.
Step 4. Now take the small lollipops that you've prepared and fully insert around the rim of the stylish glass. Let half of the pop rest onto the rim of the glass and one end of the curled ribbon dangle outside the glass.

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Is Chocolate Good for You?

Good news all! So chocolate is officially a superfood. Chocolate contains high levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, theobromine, and flavanols. Chocolate's health benefits have recently been linked to;

- Lowering blood pressure
- Reduced risk of heart failure
- Reducing the potential for insulin resistance, and therefore diabetes
- Sun protection
- Stress reduction
- Boosting blood flow to the brain - potentially increasing short term performance and alertness
- Relief from diarrhea
- Easing Cough symptoms

Various University studies have been done, particularly across Europe and the United States, in to the health benefits of chocolate, many with surprisingly positive results. However, you have to question who is funding much of this research? It wouldn't be large corporations such as chocolate manufacturers by any chance? One batch of research alone was from the Hershey Centre for Health and Nutrition. In no way biased then, right?

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The Wonderful World of Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a truly decadent treat that has a nice little side benefit of making a positive impact on the health of those who indulge in it. Not to be confused with its close sibling milk chocolate, dark chocolate does not contain the milk solids that are mixed in with the lighter and sweeter version. However, even within the categories of chocolates, there are variations that offer their own unique tastes and properties. If you are a fan of dark chocolate, learn more about it what it is and where you can find it.

Dark chocolate has a rich dark brown color to it and is categorized by the amount of cocoa solids are in the chocolate. The range of the percentage of cocoa solids in a bar usually starts at 30 percent. It can be as high as over 80 percent. In the United States, it only has to be a 15 percent concentration in order to be classified as dark. The European standard is a bit higher, and the cocoa solids must be above 35 percent. People can tell the difference when they look at the color and from the way the chocolate tastes. The lower percentages are a little lighter and will have more of a sweet taste to them. As you go higher in the percentage range, the taste becomes more bittersweet and the color darker. Also, in the higher ranges, the chocolate is a lot more brittle to the touch.

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Tips For Making Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate covered strawberries are the most sought after written about chocolates to the delight of everyone.

Most people in the industry, are either associated with strawberry farms collecting strawberries for chocolate production or driving with the logistics companies to transport the strawberries to the Corporates like Hershey's or Cadbury to manufacture these strawberries into chocolate covered strawberries.

To the delight of everyone, these chocolates rank among the best chocolates in the entire country and globally including parts of the undeveloped world at subsidized prices. The United States has been the top manufacturer of chocolate coated strawberries and they sell for every occasion with the precision in their custom specific and occasion specific flavor and feature.

Whilst some are dedicated to a wedding most are dedicated to sports and other functions like birthdays. In a very important occasion like a feast or a festival like Christmas it is these chocolate covered strawberries that are distributed to the guests and even on Valentine's day these chocolate covered strawberries that are given as gifts.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter: Spread and Eat

Let's accept the fact that peanut butter is definitely the pantry staple for almost all American households. Easy to store, great to eat, the nutty, creamy and buttery spread simply makes your day! Let's no more deny Jelly sandwiches with creamy nutty spread are simply classic! (To be honest, I have not been able to outgrow a delicious PB&J.) The nutty spread when taken in moderation is also nutritious for health. Sure, your chocolate peanut butter stands tall as the natural source of dietary fiber, Vitamin E, protein and vitamin B3 (niacin). Moreover, the healthy spread also contains unsaturated far, which to a great extent helps in improving the cholesterol level.

It was way back, possibly it was in my school days I was put on a diet plan. Of course there were many 'good bad and ugly' things about the diet plan. One thing which I loved the most about that was the fact that I was allowed to eat my favorite chocolate peanut spread. To be honest, I don't really distinctly remember what I used to eat or the types of stretching I used to do in those days. However, the only thing which I still clearly remember is that, it was then I became hooked to the creamy and nutty, chocolaty and delicious spread.

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The Popularity of Chocolate Celebrated During National Chocolate Lovers Month

How apropos is it that St. Valentine's Day falls in the same month that Chocolate Lover's Month is celebrated? Does chocolate really make you feel good? Is chocolate an aphrodisiac? Are there studies identifying certain chemicals and compounds found in chocolate that makes it beneficial for your health?

Chocolate, especially during the month of February is recognized and closely associated with sentiments of love. During the month of December, this ingredient is used a lot in holiday deserts and dishes. Any other time throughout the year, chocolate will satisfy those sweet, decadent cravings. The humble beginnings of this sugary delight is birthed from the cocoa or cacao beans. Chocolate is a chocoholic's dream, while chocolatier's enjoy concocting confectionary treats from this delicate ingredient. Its topic streams across an evolution of interests and discussions among foodies, writers, historians and even those in the medical field.

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Hershey: The Marmite of Chocolate

Either love or hate their chocolate, American company Hershey is the largest chocolate manufacturer in the United States, which produces millions of chocolate bars a year. However, despite being ever-popular with Americans, the trend does not seem to have hit the British shores quite so smoothly. This may be due to Hershey's chocolate having been produced using the "Hershey process", a process used widely now by all chocolate manufacturers in America, but is uncommon in the United Kingdom. This process allows for the use of soured milk to be used in making the chocolate, rather than fresh milk, which changes the texture and taste in a way British chocolate eaters may not be used to.

Used to the creamy sweetness of Cadburys chocolate - produced in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia - Hershey's chocolate may be an acquired taste for those homegrown on mass amounts of cocoa butter and fresh milk. In 2006, Hershey lowered the amount of cocoa butter used in their chocolate products, which may have led to even more distaste towards it in Britain due to it being less chocolaty, as it were. Some Brits might find it not quite sweet enough for their palates. Despite this, it seems to be gaining popularity on this side of the Atlantic, having been adopted by more and more retailers. While it is still difficult to find it reasonably priced in physical shops and supermarkets, the internet allows for more variety to be stocked of Hershey products - Hershey's Kisses, Mr. Goodbar etc.

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The Biggest Benefits Of Eating Dark Chocolate

If you like chocolate, then you will definitely love what chocolate can do for you. There are so many health benefits to eating chocolate that it's even better for you than red wine or green tea.

You can't just eat any type of chocolate though. The key here is to eat dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has polyphenols in it. These are natural substances that act on the cardiovascular system in the body. They can make the blood vessels more flexible, making the blood flow in your body much easier. This reduces the stress on your cardiovascular system helping it to function better.

There are other benefits though. If you are looking to reduce your body fat, especially the body fat in your abdominal region, then dark chocolate is a great way to do it. Excess abdominal fat is a contributor to heart disease, as well as heart attack. By reducing the amount of abdominal fat you have, especially the deeper abdominal fat around your organs, you can reduce your risks of heart attack and cardiovascular disease.

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7 Tips On Using A Chocolate Fountain

Chocolate fountains are becoming a popular attraction in parties and other events. Kids and adults alike cannot resist the temptation of dipping different kinds of treats into an overflowing fountain of rich and creamy chocolate fondue.

However, knowing how to use this wonderful chocolate machine can make such a big difference between a mouth-watering dessert and an irritating mess in your kitchen or buffet table. Learning how to use properly also ensures that your party will never be forgotten. Here are some things that you should know about using a chocolate fountain.

1. Place the machine on a strong and steady surface. Make sure that it is placed on a surface that can carry at least 85 lbs. The machine itself is light but with the chocolate fondue, fresh fruits, plates and skewers, the entire display could be a lot heavier. In addition, a steady and level surface allows the machine to run properly and flow evenly.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Chocolate Fountain

A chocolate fountain is definitely something that would add excitement to any party you will have. It is a way of taking desserts in a more fun and creative way. Your guests will surely enjoy your party more with delicious and smooth chocolate coupled with fresh and tropical fruits.

But to make the most out of your chocolate fountain, you need to know some basic things about it. Here are some frequently asked questions about chocolate fountain:

1. How does it work?

A fountain unit is composed of two basic parts: the fountain unit which has the auger and the heater base which has the basin that holds the chocolate liquid. The heater must be preheated at about 15 minutes prior to use and the chocolate that is pre-melted is poured into the basin. Once the auger is turned on, the chocolate will start flowing. However, if you put in chocolate that is not pre-melted, it will take about 30-40 minutes before the chocolate starts flowing from the fountain.

2. How does the liquid chocolate reach the top of the fountain?

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Gourmet Chocolate: Don't Miss Out!

Isn't gourmet chocolate great? If you are anything like most other people out there then you are really into chocolate! The fact of the matter is that chocolate of the gourmet variety is popular all across the world. Better yet, with the popularity of the internet it has become really easy to get the gourmet chocolate that you need at a price that you can really afford. There are literally hundreds of websites out there that will provide you with the gourmet chocolate that you want and ship it directly to your front door. You never even have to leave your house to get that great tasting gourmet chocolate that you desire!

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Chocolate and Other Treats

This week is National Chocolate Week in the UK. The mere mention of this fact is enough to bring a smile to many people's lips, especially for the ladies amongst us. Even if we rarely eat it, the thought of chocolate is a treat, a joy, synonymous with pleasure, reward, indulgence.

Let's think of some other treats that bring a smile into our lives:

- Clean sheets are, for many people a real treat. The thought of lovely fresh bedding makes bedtime even more pleasurable. Why not add a few drops of lavender to the final rinse cycle and make the experience all the more beneficial.

- An Autumn walk in the park, wrapped up warm and cozy can bring exercise, fresh air and a sense of really being alive into the day. It's so easy to think about going for a walk - another time. Decide to do it now, possibly with family or friends and enjoy the treat of going for a lovely Autumn walk.

- Use your slow cooker or put a casserole in the oven and while the meal's cooking play board games, cards, jig-saws, handicrafts with friends and family. You've probably got a cupboard full of boxed games. Dust them off and enjoy an afternoon or evening playing games with each other, enjoying each other's company, really talking to each other again.

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