Now I've never heard of Chocomize before, yet it seems that a lot of places have. From ABC to USA Today - they've been given a lot of attention.
So what is Chocomize? They claim that this is the only US company that offers customizable chocolate bars. Somehow I found it difficult to believe, but I went to the website to see what they offer. On the site they offer visitors the chance to customize their own bars. They chose their chocolate base from the 3 standard ones and then add up to 5 toppings out of 100 to get mixed into it.
Now I checked out the "Create Your Own" area, it was creative and fun. But when it came to completing the order, well, that's when I had some problems. Cause I couldn't just get one! There were so many combinations that I knew friends and family would really love to get. Trying to just get one, it made me feel guilty...how could I just get one? Something this yummy simply shouted to be shared!
My daughter loves cookies and cream and my sons are like night and day - one's big on dark chocolate while the other likes milk chocolate. One likes nuts and the other likes coconut and the crunchy rice crispies in his chocolate. Then there's my cousin who's big on white chocolate covered pretzels and my sister that loves Macadamia nuts in her chocolate.
See what I mean? Making a delicious gift to fit the tastes of the person you're giving it too - it's so tempting to get one for everyone! The cost of the bar is perhaps a bit high, depending on the base and toppings. But it's a lot cheaper than getting a gift that they may not even use.
Drop in to Chocomize at chocomize.com and take a look for yourself and decide if this is something that you might like to try out for yourself and all your chocolate loving friends.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The Dark Secret Within the World of Chocolate
Every year we spend millions of dollars on sweets, especially chocolate. During the holidays, like Valentine's Day, Halloween and Easter. From fun size candy bars to boxes of confectionary delight, we consume a huge amount of chocolate.
But have you ever wondered where the cocoa beans come from that went into that delicious dessert you're enjoying? Most of us don't. Because we trust that the businesses will make sure it's safe, that the laws will protect and that unions and the rights of workers will be ensured. But the reality is that the world isn't a very fair, safe or nice place at times. That some are greedy and quest for higher profits with no care for safety or moral and individual rights.
The shocking truth many people don't know, is that much of the chocolate they consume, is made by child workers forced into hard labor in West Africa. It's estimated that there are about 284,000 children who are being forced to work under dangerous and strenuous conditions on cocoa farms.These children are made to work long hours harvesting cocoa beans every single day. Many are stolen from their homes and sold as servants to cocoa farmers who need labor due to high demands. Although human trafficking is alone horrible and should be stopped, the added inhumanity of children, boys mostly from 12-16, but often younger, are sold into slave labor. Cocoa farms in the Cote d'Ivoire are especially implicated in violating children's human rights in two ways: they are involved in trafficking the children, often from Mali or surrounding areas, and also as the site of forced labor.
There's about 600,000 cocoa farms in Cote d'Ivoire and it's estimated that the children forced into slave labor on these farms is as high as 15,000. These children are subjected to inhuman living conditions, little food of any nutritional value, such as corn paste, on top of being overworked. Often these children are locked up at night to prevent escape, some older ones are made to work at night as well. Often the boys are beaten, whipped and forced to do nearly impossible tasks that are beyond their strength or abilities.
This didn't happen over night either, but slowly became the normal means of business. It was in the latter part of the 1970's that cocoa supplanted coffee as the major commodity, when a cocoa boom occurred as the government encouraged cultivation by offering various price incentives. The emphasis on cocoa production became entrenched in the economy to the extent that many farmers became dependent on cocoa for their livelihood. Today, a substantial one-third of the African economy is based on cocoa exports. But this dependency on the world market prices for cocoa has not bode well for farmers. Cocoa is considered one of the most unstable commodities in terms of fluctuation for market prices. Farmers can't control the world prices and natural conditions that affect cocoa yields, like droughts, floods or insects can have an effect on the farmers profits. This causes the farmers to seek cheap labor and even resort to slave labor as ways to cut costs.
What makes it harder is the secrecy of this practice and the way the farmers seek to hide what is going on if anyone tries to come visit the farm. One method that can help is for companies to commit to only purchasing cocoa beans from free trade certified merchants and suppliers. There's also more information at the links below.
http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-forced-labor/cocoa-campaign/news/the-child-slavery-behind-your-chocolate
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/155/343/985/?z00m=20109435
But have you ever wondered where the cocoa beans come from that went into that delicious dessert you're enjoying? Most of us don't. Because we trust that the businesses will make sure it's safe, that the laws will protect and that unions and the rights of workers will be ensured. But the reality is that the world isn't a very fair, safe or nice place at times. That some are greedy and quest for higher profits with no care for safety or moral and individual rights.
The shocking truth many people don't know, is that much of the chocolate they consume, is made by child workers forced into hard labor in West Africa. It's estimated that there are about 284,000 children who are being forced to work under dangerous and strenuous conditions on cocoa farms.These children are made to work long hours harvesting cocoa beans every single day. Many are stolen from their homes and sold as servants to cocoa farmers who need labor due to high demands. Although human trafficking is alone horrible and should be stopped, the added inhumanity of children, boys mostly from 12-16, but often younger, are sold into slave labor. Cocoa farms in the Cote d'Ivoire are especially implicated in violating children's human rights in two ways: they are involved in trafficking the children, often from Mali or surrounding areas, and also as the site of forced labor.
There's about 600,000 cocoa farms in Cote d'Ivoire and it's estimated that the children forced into slave labor on these farms is as high as 15,000. These children are subjected to inhuman living conditions, little food of any nutritional value, such as corn paste, on top of being overworked. Often these children are locked up at night to prevent escape, some older ones are made to work at night as well. Often the boys are beaten, whipped and forced to do nearly impossible tasks that are beyond their strength or abilities.
This didn't happen over night either, but slowly became the normal means of business. It was in the latter part of the 1970's that cocoa supplanted coffee as the major commodity, when a cocoa boom occurred as the government encouraged cultivation by offering various price incentives. The emphasis on cocoa production became entrenched in the economy to the extent that many farmers became dependent on cocoa for their livelihood. Today, a substantial one-third of the African economy is based on cocoa exports. But this dependency on the world market prices for cocoa has not bode well for farmers. Cocoa is considered one of the most unstable commodities in terms of fluctuation for market prices. Farmers can't control the world prices and natural conditions that affect cocoa yields, like droughts, floods or insects can have an effect on the farmers profits. This causes the farmers to seek cheap labor and even resort to slave labor as ways to cut costs.
What makes it harder is the secrecy of this practice and the way the farmers seek to hide what is going on if anyone tries to come visit the farm. One method that can help is for companies to commit to only purchasing cocoa beans from free trade certified merchants and suppliers. There's also more information at the links below.
http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-forced-labor/cocoa-campaign/news/the-child-slavery-behind-your-chocolate
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/155/343/985/?z00m=20109435
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
End of the Year Events for Chocolate Lover's
Always try to get tickets early, some are cheaper before the event, while tickets often go quickly, any special VIP tickets sellout even faster. Try to plan out your chocolate travel to drop in to as many events as possible if you are able to. Make the most of your time, get to experience the tasteful creations of a wide selection of Chocolatiers.
October 15th, 2011
The 9th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival will be held at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort Hawaii.
For more information and tickets check out their website. http://www.konachocolatefestival.com/
October 15th - 16th, 2011
The 5th Annual 2011 Austin Texas Chocolate Festival will be held at the Norris Conference Center.
Tickets are available now. Check out their website for more information. http://austinchocolatefestival.com
October 16th, 2011
2ND Annual Southern New England Chocolate Show at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick, RI
This year they are teaming up with the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation, to help fight breast cancer.
For more information go to their website.
(NOTE: There's music on site, check volume of your speakers before loading.)
http://southernnewenglandchocolateshow.com/Home_Page.php
October 21th, 2011
2011 6th Annual Toronto Chocolate Ball - Cocoa Carnival on Friday at the Palais Royale Ballroom.
The event will be held in Toronto, to benefit Prostate and Breast Cancer Initiatives.
Save $25 on Early Bird tickets! This is reserved for the first 50 tickets! For ticket information go here:
https://secure.ticketpro.ca/achat_PRO21JS11.html?lang=en&aff=jco
Or check out their website at http://www.thechocolateball.com/toronto/
October 22nd - 23rd, 2011
The Northwest Chocolate Festival held at Seattle Center in the Northwest Rooms.
For ticket information: http://nwchocolate.strangertickets.com/
To get more information about the event, go to their website. http://nwchocolate.com/
November 4th - 5th, 2011
2011 O.C. Chocolate Festival at Fountain Valley Sports Park & Recreation Center, Orange County
For more information about this event and get tickets, see their website.
http://occhocolatefestival.com/home
November 5th, 2011
The 23rd Annual Chocolate, Wine & Roses Festival at The Chateau at Incline Village.
This important fundraiser raises money for two non-profits that help keep Tahoe SAFE and FED.
More information can be found at their website. http://tahoesafealliance.org/chocolate-festival/
November 5th, 2011
The 27th annual Fantasies in Chocolate in Reno NV at the Downtown Reno Ballroom.
This is a black-tie fundraiser that benefits the RGJ Foundation.
For ticket and event information check their website. (NOTE: VIP Table & Tickets are Soldout.)
http://www.fantasiesinchocolate.com/
November 10th - 13th, 2011
The 14TH Annual New York Chocolate Show will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City.
Tickets are available at http://chocolateshow2011.eventbrite.com/
Known as the chocolate hub of North America, you can get more information at their website.
http://www.chocolateshow.com/
November 12th, 2011
9TH ANNUAL CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Kailua.
Proceeds from the Chocolate Extravaganza will benefit the outreach programs of Family Promise of Hawai'i
& Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Get ticket and event information at their website. http://www.emmanuelkailua.com/#/chocolate-extravaganza
November 13th, 2011
2011 Bay Area Fall Luxury Chocolate Salon at the Fort Mason Conference Center in San Francisco.
To get ticket information about this event and more details, visit their website.
http://fallchocolatesalon.com/
November 19th - 20th, 2011
The Festival of Chocolate in West Palm Beach, FL will be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Get more information about this event and tickets at their website.
http://westpalm.festivalofchocolate.com/
FOR THOSE LIVING OUTSIDE THE U.S.
10 -16 October 2011
Chocolate Week 2011 in London, UK
http://www.chocolateweek.co.uk/
15 - 16 October 2011
Chocolate Unwrapped Show in London, UK
http://www.chocolateweek.co.uk/chocolate-unwrapped/
14 - 23 October 2011
18th Eurochocolate International Chocolate Exhibition in Perugia, Italy
http://www.eurochocolate.com/en/home.html
20 - 24 October 2011
Salon Du Chocolat Paris Expo in Porte De Versailles, Paris
http://www.salonduchocolat.fr
3 - 6 November 2011
Café & Chocolat 2011 in Bucharest, Romania
http://www.cafe-chocolat.ro/index.php?limba2=en
11 - 13 November 2011
Choco-Late Festivals in Bruges, Belgium
http://www.brugesinfo.com/bruges-chocolate-festival.php
Salon du Chocolate Vannes in Vannes, France
fr site - Go here
en translation - Go here
24 - 27 November 2011
Salon du Chocolat Cairo in Cairo, Egypt
http://www.salonduchocolategypte.com/en/
Second Tabasco Chocolate Festival in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
http://www.icco.org/about/event.aspx?Id=ouh11873
Salon du Chocolat et des Gourmandises Avignon in Avignon, France
Website
29 - 30 November 2011
Confection Expo London in London, UK
http://www.confectionexpo.co.uk/
9 - 11 December 2011
Chocolate Festival at Southbank Centre in London, UK
http://www.festivalchocolate.co.uk/festivals/london/
October 15th, 2011
The 9th Annual Kona Chocolate Festival will be held at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort Hawaii.
For more information and tickets check out their website. http://www.konachocolatefestival.com/
October 15th - 16th, 2011
The 5th Annual 2011 Austin Texas Chocolate Festival will be held at the Norris Conference Center.
Tickets are available now. Check out their website for more information. http://austinchocolatefestival.com
October 16th, 2011
2ND Annual Southern New England Chocolate Show at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick, RI
This year they are teaming up with the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation, to help fight breast cancer.
For more information go to their website.
(NOTE: There's music on site, check volume of your speakers before loading.)
http://southernnewenglandchocolateshow.com/Home_Page.php
October 21th, 2011
2011 6th Annual Toronto Chocolate Ball - Cocoa Carnival on Friday at the Palais Royale Ballroom.
The event will be held in Toronto, to benefit Prostate and Breast Cancer Initiatives.
Save $25 on Early Bird tickets! This is reserved for the first 50 tickets! For ticket information go here:
https://secure.ticketpro.ca/achat_PRO21JS11.html?lang=en&aff=jco
Or check out their website at http://www.thechocolateball.com/toronto/
October 22nd - 23rd, 2011
The Northwest Chocolate Festival held at Seattle Center in the Northwest Rooms.
For ticket information: http://nwchocolate.strangertickets.com/
To get more information about the event, go to their website. http://nwchocolate.com/
November 4th - 5th, 2011
2011 O.C. Chocolate Festival at Fountain Valley Sports Park & Recreation Center, Orange County
For more information about this event and get tickets, see their website.
http://occhocolatefestival.com/home
November 5th, 2011
The 23rd Annual Chocolate, Wine & Roses Festival at The Chateau at Incline Village.
This important fundraiser raises money for two non-profits that help keep Tahoe SAFE and FED.
More information can be found at their website. http://tahoesafealliance.org/chocolate-festival/
November 5th, 2011
The 27th annual Fantasies in Chocolate in Reno NV at the Downtown Reno Ballroom.
This is a black-tie fundraiser that benefits the RGJ Foundation.
For ticket and event information check their website. (NOTE: VIP Table & Tickets are Soldout.)
http://www.fantasiesinchocolate.com/
November 10th - 13th, 2011
The 14TH Annual New York Chocolate Show will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City.
Tickets are available at http://chocolateshow2011.eventbrite.com/
Known as the chocolate hub of North America, you can get more information at their website.
http://www.chocolateshow.com/
November 12th, 2011
9TH ANNUAL CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Kailua.
Proceeds from the Chocolate Extravaganza will benefit the outreach programs of Family Promise of Hawai'i
& Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Get ticket and event information at their website. http://www.emmanuelkailua.com/#/chocolate-extravaganza
November 13th, 2011
2011 Bay Area Fall Luxury Chocolate Salon at the Fort Mason Conference Center in San Francisco.
To get ticket information about this event and more details, visit their website.
http://fallchocolatesalon.com/
November 19th - 20th, 2011
The Festival of Chocolate in West Palm Beach, FL will be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Get more information about this event and tickets at their website.
http://westpalm.festivalofchocolate.com/
FOR THOSE LIVING OUTSIDE THE U.S.
10 -16 October 2011
Chocolate Week 2011 in London, UK
http://www.chocolateweek.co.uk/
15 - 16 October 2011
Chocolate Unwrapped Show in London, UK
http://www.chocolateweek.co.uk/chocolate-unwrapped/
14 - 23 October 2011
18th Eurochocolate International Chocolate Exhibition in Perugia, Italy
http://www.eurochocolate.com/en/home.html
20 - 24 October 2011
Salon Du Chocolat Paris Expo in Porte De Versailles, Paris
http://www.salonduchocolat.fr
3 - 6 November 2011
Café & Chocolat 2011 in Bucharest, Romania
http://www.cafe-chocolat.ro/index.php?limba2=en
11 - 13 November 2011
Choco-Late Festivals in Bruges, Belgium
http://www.brugesinfo.com/bruges-chocolate-festival.php
Salon du Chocolate Vannes in Vannes, France
fr site - Go here
en translation - Go here
24 - 27 November 2011
Salon du Chocolat Cairo in Cairo, Egypt
http://www.salonduchocolategypte.com/en/
Second Tabasco Chocolate Festival in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
http://www.icco.org/about/event.aspx?Id=ouh11873
Salon du Chocolat et des Gourmandises Avignon in Avignon, France
Website
29 - 30 November 2011
Confection Expo London in London, UK
http://www.confectionexpo.co.uk/
9 - 11 December 2011
Chocolate Festival at Southbank Centre in London, UK
http://www.festivalchocolate.co.uk/festivals/london/
Monday, October 3, 2011
Updates, Decisions & White Chocolate
Greetings, things have been very busy these last few days. I've been busy with the website, as well as helping to gather up some more recipes.
I've been trying to decide if white chocolate, the least healthy, would be included in the site. I've some friends the love it and my younger sister likes Cookies and Cream Chocolate Bars. I used to like white chocolate pretzels till I tried the carob covered ones. I prefer those now. Which made me wonder if I should include carob items.
The debate is still on on whether white chocolate is even real chocolate. According to the FDA, prior to 2002 "white chocolate" cannot legally be called chocolate because it contains no cocoa powder, a component of chocolate. Yet, because it contains cocoa butter, some argued that it is still a chocolate.
But not all white chocolates are created equally, meaning that some are worse health-wise.
A good white chocolate contains cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, vanilla, and lecithin. When buying white chocolate always check that it contains cocoa butter in the ingredients. Some inferior brands often use vegetable fat instead since it's cheaper.
Another clue when choosing White chocolate is to check the coloring. Good white chocolate made with cocoa butter is ivory-colored. If it's white-colored, then it's most likely made with vegetable fat. When in doubt, try asking. But still use your own judgement and taste it.
Remember, according to the current FDA ruling, white chocolate must contain at least 20% cocoa butter, 14% total milk solids, and 3.5% milk fat, and no more than 55% sugar or other sweeteners to officially be considered chocolate.
Unfortunately, since the cocoa liquor or cocoa solids are not recombined as with other chocolates, white chocolate does not contain the antioxidant properties. Also it doesn't contain other ingredients, such as thiamine, riboflavin, theobromine, phenylethylamine, and serotonin. So it's not "healthy" like the other chocolates.
White chocolate is rich and creamy, with a sweet and subtle flavor that complements other ingredients. That's why a triple chocolate muffin or cookie is so delicious. The blending of these three chocolates makes it so yummy. I best stop before I get hungry.
Well, the decision is still up in the air for now. I think that I will try to include white chocolate, since so many do like it. But I will also try to be sure that it's organic and true white chocolate.
Still have a lot to do and it's slow going getting the coding set up. I wish I knew some of it so I could help. My mom's great at this stuff, but I worry that she pushes herself. She's disabled & waiting to start therapy for some injuries to her back and knee. She's always overdoing stuff instead of asking for help. So I have to watch that she gets food and sleep or she'd be pushing to finish the site.
Her health comes first, so things will be done, but not at that cost. I'm sure that you'll will be happy with the results. I know that I'm really looking forward to launching the site, it's coming along great! Thanks to everyone that understands and is patiently waiting for opening day.
Stay sweet, till we meet again.
I've been trying to decide if white chocolate, the least healthy, would be included in the site. I've some friends the love it and my younger sister likes Cookies and Cream Chocolate Bars. I used to like white chocolate pretzels till I tried the carob covered ones. I prefer those now. Which made me wonder if I should include carob items.
The debate is still on on whether white chocolate is even real chocolate. According to the FDA, prior to 2002 "white chocolate" cannot legally be called chocolate because it contains no cocoa powder, a component of chocolate. Yet, because it contains cocoa butter, some argued that it is still a chocolate.
But not all white chocolates are created equally, meaning that some are worse health-wise.
A good white chocolate contains cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, vanilla, and lecithin. When buying white chocolate always check that it contains cocoa butter in the ingredients. Some inferior brands often use vegetable fat instead since it's cheaper.
Another clue when choosing White chocolate is to check the coloring. Good white chocolate made with cocoa butter is ivory-colored. If it's white-colored, then it's most likely made with vegetable fat. When in doubt, try asking. But still use your own judgement and taste it.
Remember, according to the current FDA ruling, white chocolate must contain at least 20% cocoa butter, 14% total milk solids, and 3.5% milk fat, and no more than 55% sugar or other sweeteners to officially be considered chocolate.
Unfortunately, since the cocoa liquor or cocoa solids are not recombined as with other chocolates, white chocolate does not contain the antioxidant properties. Also it doesn't contain other ingredients, such as thiamine, riboflavin, theobromine, phenylethylamine, and serotonin. So it's not "healthy" like the other chocolates.
White chocolate is rich and creamy, with a sweet and subtle flavor that complements other ingredients. That's why a triple chocolate muffin or cookie is so delicious. The blending of these three chocolates makes it so yummy. I best stop before I get hungry.
Well, the decision is still up in the air for now. I think that I will try to include white chocolate, since so many do like it. But I will also try to be sure that it's organic and true white chocolate.
Still have a lot to do and it's slow going getting the coding set up. I wish I knew some of it so I could help. My mom's great at this stuff, but I worry that she pushes herself. She's disabled & waiting to start therapy for some injuries to her back and knee. She's always overdoing stuff instead of asking for help. So I have to watch that she gets food and sleep or she'd be pushing to finish the site.
Her health comes first, so things will be done, but not at that cost. I'm sure that you'll will be happy with the results. I know that I'm really looking forward to launching the site, it's coming along great! Thanks to everyone that understands and is patiently waiting for opening day.
Stay sweet, till we meet again.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Quick Update on Things
Hey there, just wanted to drop in to give a run down on how things are going.
For just starting the other night, things are cruising along. But I've not put up a page to the domain yet. That means that there's nothing active online and there's no "site" at my homepage link yet. I was trying to get everything set up and tired together first, but I may need to put something up in the meantime.
That way I can keep working on the rest, but the link will work. Plus I'll put something up to give an idea how long till the sites live. Since I really need that piece I may have to get on it tonight or in the morning. Can't have links that don't work, right? Right. So I'll get on that first thing.
Wow, my blog's been up barely 24 hours and I'm already getting visitors! That's really incredible, I'm sorta surprised! How the heck did you find me? Well, either way, Thanks a lot for dropping by!
Now the store link works, the basic shop's already hooked in. It isn't pretty, but I'll be work on making it look better, but a bit later. I still have to finish my web site pages. That is my main piece of all these bits. So I've got to keep working on that.
For just starting the other night, things are cruising along. But I've not put up a page to the domain yet. That means that there's nothing active online and there's no "site" at my homepage link yet. I was trying to get everything set up and tired together first, but I may need to put something up in the meantime.
That way I can keep working on the rest, but the link will work. Plus I'll put something up to give an idea how long till the sites live. Since I really need that piece I may have to get on it tonight or in the morning. Can't have links that don't work, right? Right. So I'll get on that first thing.
Wow, my blog's been up barely 24 hours and I'm already getting visitors! That's really incredible, I'm sorta surprised! How the heck did you find me? Well, either way, Thanks a lot for dropping by!
Now the store link works, the basic shop's already hooked in. It isn't pretty, but I'll be work on making it look better, but a bit later. I still have to finish my web site pages. That is my main piece of all these bits. So I've got to keep working on that.
I've got a bunch of great chocolate articles. I really found out some interesting things about chocolate that I never knew before. Once I get them set up that section will be done for now. But I'm going to keep adding more articles and information as I find things out. Plus I can't wait till the winter holidays when all those really great desserts are out. I've got my sister helping to put together a bunch of great chocolate recipes. Plus I've found some good chocolate videos, not many, just a few, but I'm going to be looking for more.
That means I've got a lot of work to do, but I think it will all be worth it. This is going to be a great Chocolate Lovers site!
Boy am I'm going to be busy this weekend. But I won't disappear. I've got some important posts coming up. There are some really great Chocolate events coming up, plus some fantastic annual Chocolate Salon events for next year. Those tickets sell out fast, so I'll be getting the information on were to go so you can get it right away.
When it comes to Chocolate plans, never wait till the last minute. It's best to plan out so you can hit more than one event! There's even chocolate fashion shows too!
That means I've got a lot of work to do, but I think it will all be worth it. This is going to be a great Chocolate Lovers site!
Boy am I'm going to be busy this weekend. But I won't disappear. I've got some important posts coming up. There are some really great Chocolate events coming up, plus some fantastic annual Chocolate Salon events for next year. Those tickets sell out fast, so I'll be getting the information on were to go so you can get it right away.
When it comes to Chocolate plans, never wait till the last minute. It's best to plan out so you can hit more than one event! There's even chocolate fashion shows too!
It's going to be a sweet beginning for winter. That reminds me, I need to stock up on some hot chocolate when I hit the store next week. I'm all out of my emergency gourmet hot cocoa stash too.
So stay sweet, till we meet again.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A Little Intro and Info
Well, Hello again. I wanted to put up a really good first post about chocolate and I hope I accomplished that. I'm Magick, it's my online persona and I'm into a whole lot of different things. Chocolate's one of many things I like to get a hold of, mostly dark chocolate. My great-grandfather was a baker who was born in German. So I imagine that he must have made some really fantastic desserts. Unfortunately, my mom wasn't able to learn much from him since she was very young, and he was already pretty old. But she often said he made pastries and cookies that she was able to enjoy.
I'm just getting things together here, so bear with me while I get my homepage, store and everything all tied together. I'm really having a lot of fun putting it all together with some help. My mom's a web designer, and a really good one in my opinion. But then I'm a bit bias, but she's got a really great portfolio that my site is going to be in when everything's done. Now that's going to be really great! My family is really close and it was my mom that gave us chocolate. She's a really good cook/baker, she can whip up a great meal from almost nothing!
I've a large family and we have a lot of different tastes. My brother likes some really dark, dark chocolate. I can't eat that! I stay around the 50% and lower. My sisters like white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate. But they don't like to go over 35% with their dark chocolate. We like hot chocolate too! Which my mom's got a recipe for that's really delicious. It really hit the spot when we'd come inside after being out in the snow. I'm going to try to get her to put the recipe up on my homepage.
Well, that's about it for now. I'll try to post as I'm getting things done and update how things are going. Thanks again for dropping in and come back soon.
Stay sweet, till we meet again.
I'm just getting things together here, so bear with me while I get my homepage, store and everything all tied together. I'm really having a lot of fun putting it all together with some help. My mom's a web designer, and a really good one in my opinion. But then I'm a bit bias, but she's got a really great portfolio that my site is going to be in when everything's done. Now that's going to be really great! My family is really close and it was my mom that gave us chocolate. She's a really good cook/baker, she can whip up a great meal from almost nothing!
I've a large family and we have a lot of different tastes. My brother likes some really dark, dark chocolate. I can't eat that! I stay around the 50% and lower. My sisters like white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate. But they don't like to go over 35% with their dark chocolate. We like hot chocolate too! Which my mom's got a recipe for that's really delicious. It really hit the spot when we'd come inside after being out in the snow. I'm going to try to get her to put the recipe up on my homepage.
Well, that's about it for now. I'll try to post as I'm getting things done and update how things are going. Thanks again for dropping in and come back soon.
Stay sweet, till we meet again.
Welcome to A Chocolate Dream!
What is it about chocolate? The simple sight of this delicious treat starts our mouths watering. It's sweet taste is satisfying and soothing. From the creamy milk chocolates to the rich dark chocolate, there is something special about it. This delightful ambrosia was once upon a time, an exclusive treat of royalty. Only the wealthy could afford such a wonderful confection. Yet how chocolate tastes now and how it used to taste was very different. In fact, it began as a hot spiced chocolate beverage, mixed with cream and sweetened only after it arrived in Europe.
I prefer dark chocolate myself, even though it's not as sweet as the milk chocolate. I've discovered, that some dark chocolate mints after a good meal is the perfect finish for me. It's even better if I have a cup of coffee after dinner. I find that it's soothing, allowing me to relax and it makes me feel good too. It also keeps me from having a rich dessert after dinner too. My waist would never be able to handle too many of those in a week.
The interesting thing I found out from my doctor, was that dark chocolate was actually good for me. Now, when I was younger I wasn't allowed to eat a lot of chocolate. Yet there were times, like when something stressful or sad was happening, that my mother would give us each a small square of chocolate. I didn't know why, but it always made us feel a bit better afterwards. According to my doctor, my mother really did know best.
Chocolate has some things in it that actually make you feel good. Plus it's actually healthy, the dark chocolate has a bunch of antioxidants and it's good for high blood pressure too. My site has a lot of articles about chocolate, so if you want to know more about chocolate you can check them out. My homepage link is to the right of this post. I'm glad that you dropped by and hope that you'll visit again. I'm planning on posting about all sorts of delicious things I find out about my favorite treat. I'm definitely a Chocolate Lover!
Stay sweet, till we meet again.
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| Fancy Chocolate Truffles |
The interesting thing I found out from my doctor, was that dark chocolate was actually good for me. Now, when I was younger I wasn't allowed to eat a lot of chocolate. Yet there were times, like when something stressful or sad was happening, that my mother would give us each a small square of chocolate. I didn't know why, but it always made us feel a bit better afterwards. According to my doctor, my mother really did know best.
Chocolate has some things in it that actually make you feel good. Plus it's actually healthy, the dark chocolate has a bunch of antioxidants and it's good for high blood pressure too. My site has a lot of articles about chocolate, so if you want to know more about chocolate you can check them out. My homepage link is to the right of this post. I'm glad that you dropped by and hope that you'll visit again. I'm planning on posting about all sorts of delicious things I find out about my favorite treat. I'm definitely a Chocolate Lover!
Stay sweet, till we meet again.
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