Chocolate Cough Medicine?

Theobromine is a predominant chemical found in chocolate and is often the subject of research studies looking into its affect on the body.

One such study has proclaimed that theobromine can be used as a treatment for the hard-to-get-rid-of cough.

Results from this study are promising.  Persistent coughing, one that stays around for at least two weeks, is quieted when test subjects consumed chocolate-based cough remedies.
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Chocolate Egg Nog

In my experience, either you love egg nog or you don’t.  There aren’t too many people who are on the fence about it, but maybe chocolate egg nog could push you over to the lovin’ it side for good!

Easy Chocolate Egg Nog

• 4 cups dairy eggnog, chilled
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1/3 cup favorite chocolate syrup
• Dash of ground nutmeg 
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Mars Company Receives Award

The maker of the Snickers bar, Mars, supports the Sustainable Tree Crops Program in Africa.

The program is based on a partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Cocoa Foundation.  The organizations invest in cacao research and distribute cacao tree seedlings to farmers in order to grow more disease resistant and higher crop-yielding trees.
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Chocolate Dipped Spoons

If you are creative and crafty (as in talented in making crafts, not as in clever with intent to do evil) this may be the project for you.  Spoons dipped in chocolate can make an impressive gift!

Before I get into the project, I would like to define some terminology for you.

couverture coating -  this is a professional-quality chocolate coating that contains a high percentage of cocoa butter, allowing the chocolate to form a thinner coating shell than other chocolate.
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Chocolate in the Freezer?

A question I hear somewhat frequently is, "Should I store chocolate in the freezer?"

A friend once told me that the best place to store chocolate is in your mouth.  🙂

Now for a more serious answer, the best place to store chocolate is in an odor-free, air-tight container surrounded by a 65 to 68 F air temperature with no more than 50% relative humidity.  How’s that for precise?
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Chocolate to Clear Your Head

'Tis the season – to be tired! 

I know the holidays can be stressful and exhausting.  Even if you aren’t in charge of preparing for the parties and family gatherings, you may find yourself having to do something unexpected that requires a tremendous amount of your time and energy.

One of two things usually happens to me in times of stress as it pertains to food; overeat or forget to eat.   Neither extreme is healthy, and neither condition will do anything to keep a body going.
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Dirty Snowball Cookies

Stay warm and enjoy some fun in the kitchen with a baking buddy.  This is a great recipe to make with your kids.

Dirty Snowball Cookies

• 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup powdered sugar for dusting
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Think, and Eat Less Chocolate?

Do you ever crave a chocolate bar and then resign yourself to only dream about it, knowing that if you act upon your desires it will just add extra calories to your already holiday-cookie saturated diet?

If you are like me (and answered YES, YES, YES!) then there may be some good news in your future.  Close your eyes and imagine that you are eating that chocolate bar, and you will devour less of it!

There is a new study released from Carnegie Mellon University that suggests thinking about forbidden food could make you eat smaller portions of it.  Forming a mental picture before we eat causes us to reduce the amount we would eat of that particular food later.
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Ritter Sport Chocolates

The Ritter-Sport chocolate company is located in Waldenbuch, Germany.  The company began in 1912 by founding members Alfred and Clara Ritter. 

The now famous Ritter Square was born in 1932.  It was launched after the idea came to Clara to produce a square chocolate bar so that it “…fits into the pocket of every sports jacket, doesn’t break, and still weighs the same as a normal long bar of chocolate.”

In the U.S., you can buy the Ritter Sport in 100g bars or mini chocolates, which in my opinion, is the perfect size for tasting the different varieties.
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Chocolate Pecan Pie

Pecan pie is one of those desserts that I always wonder if it's worth the calories because there is no chocolate.

Today's recipe is the solution.  Add chocolate to pecan pie and now it's the best of both worlds with a great nut and chocolate combination!

Chocolate Pecan Pie

• 9-inch deep pie shell
• 2 tbsp butter
• ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup light karo syrup
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1½ cups pecan halves
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