The ‘Emotional’ Benefits of Chocolate
September 6, 2012
Many experts have advertised that it takes only a spoonful of chocolate to send a person into a sense of bliss and ecstasy. This may sound like it's a bit of an exaggeration, but recent research shows that certain foods can affect people's mood similarly to prescription medications.
Naturally occurring chemicals in foods can be considered as a smart and safe choice rather than having to take pills for mood enhancement. I personally believe that it is just wise and healthy to go 'green' and natural in the food we consume. Aside from the many benefits it brings, it also assures us of no harmful synthetic chemicals entering our bodies.
The Torrey Pines Institute of Molecular Studies located in California conducted a study of the effects of more than 1,700 commonly occurring substances that are present in everyday foods. The fact that chocolate is known to have a 'positive' boosting effect on people's mood made it a good candidate for further scrutiny in the study.
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Bourbon Fudge
September 5, 2012
Bourbon Fudge is described as a luscious dessert which is composed of Bourbon whiskey, almonds, and of course, chocolate.
Bourbon refers to a type of American whiskey. It's a barrel-aged distilled spirit that is made mainly out of corn. The history of the name of the spirit can be traced back to an area called Old Bourbon. It has been around since 1800. You may come across it anywhere in America, but it's strongly linked to the American South in general, and Kentucky in particular.
Go ahead and whip this up as soon as you hit the kitchen and you just might make a treat which will make you the talk of the town (or household)!
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Rare Chocolate Bars
August 31, 2012
For the most part, we tend to lean towards fitting in. But some people still love the idea of uniqueness, the kind where you almost always stand out, rare, to be exact. And yes, even chocolates have their own take, as the rarest chocolate in the world is readily available on the shelves of one small store in Wichita, Kansas.
Cocoa Dolce, located in the Bradley Fair shopping center, has claimed to be in possession of a chocolate that has been considered to be already extinct. Most cocoa beans are purple in color, whereas these are white. But more than anything else, its taste has confounded chocolatiers and chocoholics around the world. "We're really excited because we're the exclusive retailer in the state of Kansas for the rarest chocolate in the world," said owner Beth Tully.
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Is Your Chocolate Ethical?
August 30, 2012
That's an interesting question, isn't it? Perhaps not something you've considered. In our chocolate classes, two important lessons include "Responsible Cacao Farming" and "Preventing Exploitation in the Chocolate Industry."
But answering that single question may be even more complex that what most of us may think. Chocolates are undeniably tied to many cultures, many holidays, and many more celebrations.
There are chocolate birthday cakes, chocolate eggs for Easter, chocolates for Valentine's Day, and even chocolate bars for Halloween. These are just a sampling of the occasions that utilize these sweet and luscious treats.
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Jello® Pudding Fudge
August 29, 2012
Don't you just love treats that have all of your favorites combined into one? Now this one is certainly for you!
Jell-O refers to a brand name that belongs to to U.S.-based Kraft Foods for an array of gelatin desserts, which includes fruit gels, puddings and no-bake cream pies. And because the brand has gained so much popularity, it has become the generic term for gelatin desserts in America and even Canada.
Try this recipe on for size! It gives a new twist to an otherwise old and plain treat.
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Theo Chocolate Is Expanding
August 28, 2012
Theo Chocolate is a prominent organic chocolate manufacturer based in the Fremont area of Seattle. They have recently been able to raise some funds in order to upgrade their equipment and expand factories. This is in an effort to increase production to cope up with the ever increasing demands from loyal clients and customers.
Theo boasts chocolates that are dubbed "amazing, delicious, mind-bendingly wonderful." But it transcends more than just chocolate to include multitudes of people, lands, dedication, as well as the interrelated relationships.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has openly stated that Theo Chocolate has so far been able to gather up to $500,000 out of its $2 million targeted amount.
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Chocolate for an Ageless Mind
August 24, 2012
People have that bad habit of denying the fact that they are getting older. But sorry to burst your bubble... A quick reality check suggests that you are not getting younger anymore.
Well, you the consolation that no one else on this planet is getting younger either. We all go through the same process. No one gets a VIP pass or a special treatment. That is just the way it rolls.
As much as you want to remain at your current number, no one ages backwards for Pete’s sake. To not reveal your real age may come off as a routine position, but at the end of the day, the joke is still on you.
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More Chocolate In Maya History
August 23, 2012
Anything you serve me, as long as it has a touch of chocolate in it, will one hundred percent put a glow on my face. It has that strong effect on me being I am a sucker for it and all...
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Peachy Chocolate Mousse Parfaits
August 22, 2012
Parfait is described as a frozen dessert made out of base ingredients such as cream, egg, and sugar syrup. A parfait is basically composed of fat, sugar, alcohol and/or, to a lesser extent, air so as to let it be made through stirring occasionally while freezing. That said, you can whip it up in the comfort of your own home.
Try to do this yummy parfait recipe to celebrate National Peach Month this August. A promise is a promise, and I promised I'd give a peach-related recipe for this week on our Facebook page. Not a fan yet? Check our Facebook fan page and you know what to do!
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Health Buffs, This Chocolate Is For You
August 21, 2012
Since day one of my life, well pretty much the day when I started to care about life in general, I have never managed to drag myself into being body-conscious.
I’m not sure if that is totally bad, but I know it is not the best trait to brag about. I guess the closest thing I have had to physically demanding activity were the physical education classes back in school (which I had no way out of because my grades were at stake), the different dances I joined in (for the sake of social programs), and a number of jogging mornings with friends (just for the reward of doing breakfast afterwards).
This may sound awful, but as embarrassing as it may sound, I just didn’t consider it as a priority. For this I am thankful for this body my Momma gave me. Haha. I just had to insert that.
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