FoodDrink Chocolate

Is there a particular time of year when people simply give in to their obsessive sugar cravings? Some might argue yes.

The Easter sweets season is certainly in the running for being a popular excuse time to allow your natural food cravings take over your life. In fact, next to Halloween, Easter ranks as the second biggest candy-eating day of the year, followed by Christmas and Valentine's Day.

In the United States, consumers forked over 1.9 billion on Easter candy in 2000, just a little less than the $2 billion spent on Halloween.

(On a related note, when polled, 76% of adults admit to eating the ears of the Easter chocolate bunny first. Some 5% nibble on the feet first, while 4% go straight for the tail.)

Cadbury's Creme Eggs Break Records Year after Year One of the most popular sugar cravings is chocolate. In the UK alone, consumers gobble more than 1,500 African elephants worth of Cadbury's Creme Eggs annually.

And that record amount is growing, with more than 75% of UK women admitting to having a chronic food craving, with chocolate the biggest culprit. As to their favourite chocolate, adults prefer milk chocolate (65%) to dark chocolate (27%).

These findings bring attention to the dilemma faced by many weight-conscious people, especially around the traditional Easter chocolate feeding frenzy. How do you wean yourself off this insatiable craving?

Perhaps, like any addiction, the first step is recognizing and admitting you have a problem. So here's a short list of questions to ask yourself to see where you stand to see if you suffer from sugar craving syndrome.

Do food cravings have a hold over you? Look at the following questions and answer Yes or No.

· Are you embarrassed about how much chocolate and sweet biscuits you consume?

· Do you graze on chocolate, sweets, biscuits or similar foods throughout the day?

· Do you make impulse purchases of junk food even when you resolved not to?

· Do you keep a stash of comfort food at home?

· Do you routinely eat sweet food after meals or in the evening?

· Have you eaten the children's chocolate?

· Have you bought chocolate as a gift and eaten it yourself?

· If you didn't have chocolate at home, would you go out to buy some?

· Did you eat more than three chocolate bars last week?

· Do you have more than 3 soft drinks a week?

· Do you regularly consume ice cream?

· Do you take sugar in your tea or coffee?

· Do you prefer chocolate to sex?

If you answered "Yes" to three or more questions, you likely need to take some action. Five ticks means things are pretty much out of your control and six or more gets you the label of Chocoholic!

But there is a solution, so don't panic. If you want to control your cravings, learn to regulate your blood sugar levels. Bottom line: you'll feel and perform better when your blood glucose levels are stable.

So think twice about the 2-pound chocolate Easter bunny with the oversized ears.

Feeling trapped by your food cravings? Learn to live an active life with healthy foods that won't leave you feeling weak-willed. Maryon Stewart will discuss ways to overcome sugar cravings during a FREE live teleseminar helpline delivered April 8. To sign up, visit http://www.HelpMeLoseWeightForGood.com

About the Author
Maryon Stewart is well known in both the UK and Australia as a pioneer in the field on non-drug medicine. She is the author of 25 best selling self-help books and founder of the Natural Health Advisory Service, an advisory clinic created to help people deal with health, nutrition and aging issues naturally. Her formal training has included preventive dentistry, nutrition, counselling and health promotion and she regularly lectures to both the public and the medical profession.

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

Read More...

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

Read More...

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

Read More...

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

Read More...

Do you think you might have a chocolate addiction? Join the club. When I see, smell, hear about or think about chocolate I begin to salivate. I LOVE it! I would eat the stuff morning noon and night if I could. In fact I went bit nuts in my early twenties when I first started earning my own money. The revelation that I could actually have a whole block to myself (Hell....I could have 10 blocks if I wanted!) sent me a bit gaga. This did nothing for the state of my skin. But is there actually such a thing as a chocolate addiction, or are we pandering to the buzz-words of the Y-Generation? Where was chocolate addiction 20 years ago? Along with mobile phones, internet and political correctness, it hadn't been invented.

My client 'Danielle' was a self-confessed 'chocoholic'. A chronic hypoglycemic who habitually 'got high on sugar' (her words), her direct response to any distressing or unpleasant event or circumstance in her life was to load up on chocolate. When we scratched below the surface, we discovered something she had ling ago suspected; her addiction was anxiety based. Some people smoke, others drink.....'Danielle' stuffed her face to avoid facing her demons. As a child, she had been conditioned to repress her negative emotions. Her highly critical mother either punished or rewarded her using food as currency. In fact 'Danielle' was forced to hop on the scales before each mealtime. If she had been 'good', she was allowed to eat. If not....well you get the picture.

This continuous physical and emotional abuse caused 'Danielle' to resort to bingeing and purging in adulthood. Her self-esteem was non-existent and food became her master. Together we did a lot of work to release the emotional triggers that preceded her chocolate cravings. After some time she was able to recognize her cravings as a response to something deeper, and to address those issues in a logical and self-nurturing manner.

Where do you fit in? If you believe you are addicted to chocolate then this may be more than just a surface habSome people seek hypnotherapy to remove a negative habit. This works great if it is simply a habit and nothing more. But if you respond to anger, sadness, resentment or fear by craving sugar, alcohol, cigarettes or anything else, then you have an addiction and you need to address this accordingly.

'Jason' was very unhappy in his relationship. He and his partner were simply co-existing and had not been intimate in over 5 years. Initially he came to see me because he believed he was addicted to sugar, and in particular, to chocolate. He had heard that hypnotherapy could help, but when I suggested that his problem may be an addiction rather than a habit, he was reluctant to continue his sessions. He said 'Sonia, do we really have to talk about this?' I explained to him that no, we certainly didn't need to discuss the root cause of the problem; but that it was very likely he would continue his current behavior if he continued to sweep his problems under the carpet.

'Jason' was unable to deal with his life at that point in time and I respected that. The role of a therapist is to offer feedback and strategies, but never to push a person into addressing something if he is not ready. He admitted to me that he was very unhappy, but that at this point in his life he jus wanted to 'stop eating chocolate' and leave it at that. 'Jason' may well have stopped eating chocolate. However, he probably would have picked up another negative habit to compensate.

If your chocolate addiction is a response to emotional turmoil, then even if you have therapy to remove your cravings, you will inevitably find some other vice to replace the chocolate. Your subconscious mind is great at finding loopholes. That's why so many people who quit smoking turn to food and subsequently put on weight. Whether your goal is losing weight, increasing your self esteem or just feeling better in general, you must take action to treat the cause of your problem as well as the symptom. Addressing your chocolate addiction will certainly assist with weight loss; but you want to maintain a healthy weight long-term, it's vital that you learn to recognize your emotional triggers and deal with those at the same time.

Sonia Devine is one of Australia's leading experts in weight loss hypnotherapy. Want to learn more about chocolate addiction and weight loss? Claim your FREE Weight Loss E-book here =>
http://loveyourselfslim.com.au/free_stuff

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

Read More...

Cocoa beans have been gaining popularity worldwide, and not simply because they are used to make chocolate! Recent medical studies have proven that consuming these beans can be extremely beneficial to your health. This ingredient is now considered one of the "superfoods" by American medical experts, associating cocoa with spirulina, goji berries, and acai berries. A very popular study confirmed that red wine contains antioxidants, and suggested that drinking red wine on a regular basis can help prolong your life. However, recent research has discovered that this ingredient has 200% of the antioxidant content of red wine!

Cocoa beans have also been proven to have three times the antioxidants of green tea. This an amazing breakthrough, since these beans has historically been categorized as an unhealthy food.The high antioxidant content of this ingredient is extremely effective at eliminating free radicals in the body. These beans contain the powerful antioxidant Epicatechin, which has been proven to help reduce the effects of cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Cocoa also contains Pentameric Proccyanidin, which is a natural compound that may prevent cancer cells from dividing. Aside from being a wonderful source of antioxidants, the beans have many other health benefits.

Consuming this ingredient has been proven to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Ingestion of the beans has also been associated with higher levels of endorphins, which causes reduced stress and an overall feeling of well-being.The beans also contain an extremely high level of flavonoids, which may have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. It's been suggested that it can reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as certain cancers. This is due to the fact that consuming it improves the overall blood flow throughout the circulatory and cardiovascular systems. Improved blood flow also suggests that these beans may have positive effects on certain brain functions, such as learning and memory.

To get the maximum amount of antioxidants from this ingredient, it is best to only consume chocolate products with a 60% or higher cocoa content. Also, milk chocolate products are not recommended, due to their high saturated fat content (which can offset the potential heart benefits). If you wish to get the highest possible concentration of antioxidants, pure beans, or cocoa supplements can be purchased for an affordable price.

Marabel Cocoa Farms - cocoa beans
Sanchez and Hispaniola cocoa beans producer and importer from the Dominican Republic.

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

Read More...

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

Read More...

From time immemorial, chocolatiers of Belgium have been recognized as the producers of the world's finest chocolate and Belgian chocolates have consistently won the hearts of the critics as well as the chocolaphile.

Now, the attention of the vast international network of chocolate-lovers appears to have shifted westwardly to a country that is more noted for its cuisine, coffee and fashion. Yes, now Italia has been acclaimed for its chocolate and has been crowned "the Chocolate Capital of the World"

Following in the style of its prized caffe, the Italian treatment of this legendary favorite is thicker, creamier and more darkly decadent than it's EU cousin. Interestingly, when prepared as a hot beverage, it is virtually a pudding or mousse. Moreover, in Spain, where much of the hot cocoa served there is from Italy, the Spaniards take it a step further and add cornstarch to make the hot drink even more densely viscous and needs to be spooned rather than sipped.

But it is in the form of the truffle and other various chocolate candies that the Italian flair for creating a Piece de Resistance is readily apparent and can be tasted as well as viewed and admired.

In 2005 at Caffe D'Amore Incorporated, the company presented a lusciously rich beverage they called Bellagio Sipping Chocolate. It would be one of the first American versions of the Northern Italian approach to chocolate beverages and was dedicated to family grandmother, Madelena Cavanna, proprietress of Italy's Ristorante Varese, located in the Lake region of Bellagio.

Madelena had introduced the first Caffe D'Amore ( Coffee of Love) in 1895 when she added dark chocolate and two liqueurs to her house specialty coffee. The Caffe D'Amore Bellagio Sipping Chocolate was awarded winner of the Best New Product Award at the 2005 Specialty Coffee Association of America show in Seattle. This chocolate, along with the company's newest BELLAGIO BARISTA LINE has become a delightful chocolate companion to specialty coffee beverages served by hotels and prestigious white table cloth customers of the company.

From Italy - where chocolate and coffee is AN AFFAIR OF LOVE.

Research done by interview with formulators at Caffe D'Amore and information gathered on trips to Italy.

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

Read More...

I just love chocolate. I always have and will love chocolate forever! Just recently I discovered dark chocolate. It has totally changed my taste for chocolate and it has brought in monies into my bank account too. I can confirm that it is very good. Firstly, it has improved my health. Secondly, I get paid for eating chocolate so it can't be bad.

You can eat dark healthy chocolate three times a day. Its taste is heavenly. The chocolate I eat is pure unadulterated cacao. Dark chocolate comprises of 70% pure cacao, whereas milk chocolate sometimes has only 2%. This is due to all the processing that goes into making milk chocolate.

Everybody is talking about the health benefits of dark chocolate. It's all over the news, and I am sure that you have seen the stories and read the articles. Lots of research has been carried out under laboratory conditions to confirm its health properties.

Research has found that its antioxidant components and natural chemicals help our bodies keep a strong immune system. A strong immune system means that our bodies will fight the free radicals, which if unchecked, bring in illness and disease. Three pieces of the dark chocolate I eat has found to have the equivalent of 10 -12 servings of fruit and vegetables.

Its just so amazing that chocolate can be so good for you. It's something that 9 out of 10 people like to eat. Its market potential is enormous.

So with this dark chocolate I can maintain my health. It has been said "we are what we eat". Even today on the television news in the U.K. fast food shops are having to list the calories in their burgers and pizzas. Soon they will have to list, what salts and other unhealthy ingredients that compose these fast foods. Not so with this dark healthy chocolate. The objective of this chocolate is to create the most powerful antioxidant rich products that help us look good and be healthy. The population now wants to know more about food contents.

That is why this dark healthy chocolate is so good to eat and good for health. It is a natural appetite suppressant and is anti-inflammatory. Who knew chocolate could be so good for you. So, with new scientific studies confirming that dark chocolate is good for stabilizing blood sugar, it only makes sense that the right kind of chocolate can help those looking to lose weight.

You will not lose weight with fast-foods. And that's just the beginning of what research is beginning to say about the health benefits of dark chocolate.

So if you like chocolate and want to get it free, then take immediate action. The consumers are questioning food contents and vitamin values. They like tasty foods. Chocolate has and always will be tasty. Milk chocolate has all the wrong ingredients. This dark healthy chocolate tastes heavenly and is good for your health. In fact it has 20+ health values. So do not delay. 9 out of 10 people eat chocolate. All that is needed is for more people to eat dark healthy chocolate. Then tell family, friends and the people that they meet every day. So eat dark healthy chocolate and get paid for it. Visit http://www.firsthealthychoc.com, for further information.

Sam Brook & Paul Waters have been experienced in health & wellness for many years, helping people in all different area's. In area's, such as mental health, food & diets and general health & wellbeing. We have helped people to succeed in achieving the best health, possible. Come and see how we can help you by visiting http://firsthealthychoc.com

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

Read More...

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

Read More...

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

Read More...

Yes, dark chocolate is more than just a pain killer. It's every woman's refuge after a massive breakup. Aside from its tremendous power to control human emotions, chocolate is one of the main ingredients of natural skin care products and current body treatments.

While many chocolate lovers hinder themselves from eating this sinful treat, there are other ways to maintain the use of chocolate as part of their lifestyle. Other than eating it, one can find chocolate in skin care products such as shampoo, massage oil, body butter, lip balm, and bubble bath.

So how does this passion for dark chocolate skin care come about?

Currently, the myth still prevails that eating chocolate can cause cellulite, added fats, or even bad acne. That can be true, especially if people do not know how to control their guilt pleasure for chocolate consumption. And because having this food for the gods is still an addiction, many companies and skin treatment centers use it for beautifying the skin.

Chocolate originates from cocoa beans which produce natural oil, giving moisture to a person's hair and skin in moderate amounts. In South America, chocolate is used in medical treatments which people still use because of its health benefits. And even in the US, despite the expensive chocolate scrub, many people still would like to experience dark chocolate skin care, simply because it's something contemporary and lavish. You'll feel like royalty for once in your life.

A natural antioxidant preventing cell and skin damage from the sun's harmful substance, you can trust that chocolate's natural skin care elements will supply your delight for a luscious skin treat.

I am Lane Solis, a ghost writer for Dermystique

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

Read More...

The chocolate we get in America is different than the other places in the world. Did you know that some of this delicious food is good for you? Well there are many reasons why these bars are good for you and you will get the answers in the article below. The chocolate that women crave is finally proven as a useful tool to helping them. To a certain extent.

When you eat chocolate that's real, you will know it's a major stress reliever. Stress is something that all people tend to have in this day and age, which won't go away. When you come across the real thing you will find it tastes much different and the amount of calories to be less, which means you, will have a new diet.

It is good for your heart and will strengthen the heart. The type you eat every day that's from candy bars can be the wrong type to eat, which means you should find some of those healthy bars that they sell in a grocery stores.

As you know, they say it is a junk food that can cause weight gain from calories, but eating the right version is the key to have healthy chocolate. The good form can give you the type of cholesterol you need for your body to be healthy.

The body needs to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, but did you know you still need some type of sweets? Eating the good chocolate is something that goes good with any natural food balance. The sweets you need gives your body sugar it needs to turn into insulin. This can help you when you have headaches as well, which means your lacking sugar in the blood. The reasons why it is good for you is it's a good treat that can be a low calorie snack anyone can enjoy.

If you're addicted to chocolate you can get help here.

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

Read More...

Do you know what a fondue fountain is? It's basically an overflowing fountain, just like you would see in the front of someone's yard, or at a park that flows water up and then down like a circular waterfall, but it flows chocolate instead of water.

They are usually seen at special events such as weddings, nice office parties, graduation parties or any other event that calls for elegance and style beyond what you would find at a normal work party, or simply event.

There are different styles but the basic form stays the same. Many are made of stainless steel which make them a lot easier to clean up and maintain, but some of the more classic styles can be metal.

You can either rent one for your occasion which most people do, or if you are perhaps a party coordinator or have your own catering business, you could spend the money upfront to buy one if you know you will get the use out of it.

You can decide what kind of chocolate you want to use in it, by either buying dark chocolate, Belgium chocolate or even combine and make your own. Normally people go with normal flavors because there will be so much of it, if you choose the wrong taste or find one that people do not particularly enjoy, you might waste an awful lot of chocolate.

Because it is an overflowing fountain of chocolate, you need a way to get the chocolate out, so you can eat it, and that is where the dipping materials come in. You can virtually item you can think of, with strawberries being the most common.

When you decide that you do want to get a Chocolate Fondue Fountain you can find all your needs online or by finding a local store that rents and sells them.

Find out more about Chocolate Fondue Fountains by visiting our site.

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

Read More...

If you are wondering what to get for your valentine this year, don't worry. As I am sure you know, candy is one of the most popular Valentine's Day gifts you can get. A box of candy says "I love you" in a rich, sweet, and unassuming way that you would be hard pressed to match in any other fashion! But still, the fact remains that everyone else is buying candy too! So, how do you stand out? Well, by doing your research, and discovering what the 5 most popular Valentine's Day candies are! By finding out what all the Valentine's Day shoppers are after, you can find out what the best thing is to get for your special someone this February 14th!

So, without further adieu, here is your list. It features the top five most scrumptious, delectable, and delightful candies available. You can be sure that any of the candies on this list will never fail to impress, flatter, and woo the heart of your valentine this year!

1) Galaxy Minstrels: The hard crust and rich soft insides make these candies utterly irresistible!

2) Flakes: Flakes are a very common, very popular style of chocolate that consist of chocolate flakes that literally melt in your mouth!

3) Milka Chocolate: That's right, Milka Chocolate. This brand comes from Austria, and is especially delightful.

4) Lindor's Milk Chocolate Truffles: These chocolates have a liquid chocolate center, making them absolutely to die for.

5) Mars Bars: A simple Mars bar says "I love you" in the sweetest of ways!

This Valentine's Day, get your special partner something that will not only satisfy their sweet tooth, but that will show them how much you care. And any of the popular candies above will be sure to accomplish these both with no problems!

Thor runs a Valentine's website. Here you can find not only valentine's chocolates but other great valentine's day ideas for your special someone.

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

Read More...