Archive for the ‘Food And Drink’ Category

Chocolate – Should This Hidden Superfood Be a Part of Your Daily Diet?

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Yes, chocolate is a high calorie food when it is in the form of a candy bar, especially when it is mixed with milk. Chocolate mixed with milk products is bad for your health because it will actually bind the amazing good qualities of the cocoa bean in the chocolate. The Internet is flooded with information about the new ‘Superfood’ called the Acai berry which contains plenty of flavonoids which are group that are referred to as antioxidants. Other foods that are no classified as Superfoods are flaxseeds, colostrums, blue-green Algae, Chlorella supplements, ginger, Royal jelly, Gobi berries, and Salmon roe.

Why should dark chocolate be added to this list? Cocoa and dark chocolate naturally contain ingredients that are essential for maintaining good health like magnesium, potassium and copper. The average bar of chocolate can provide twelve percent of the daily magnesium requirement which is the mineral that helps prevent cardiovascular disease, hypertension and type ‘2′ diabetes. Cocoa and dark chocolate actually have a higher antioxidant amount than cranberries or blueberries. The antioxidants are in a concentrated form in the dark chocolate and cocoa making them a real life Superfood. The cocoa bean possesses a high concentration of stearic acid which actually changes the bad fats in the blood into good fats so that the body can metabolize them.

Because chocolate made from the cocoa bean is a plant-based food it does not have bad cholesterol. It is loaded with antioxidants that help the body by promoting a better flow of blood which eases the strain on the heart when pumping blood. It also helps to reduce plaque from being built-up in the arteries.

ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity) is the measurement for antibiotic ingredients in foods. The latest statistics show that raisins, almonds, and red grapes have around 1500 ORAC levels while cranberries and strawberries have around 5000 ORAC levels. Blueberries have 8708 ORAC and natural cocoa has 8260 ORAC. Dark chocolate has 9080 ORAC while black plums have 10,350 ORAC levels. As you can see, dark chocolate is right up there with the best of them.

Adding three squares of a large dark chocolate bar to your daily intake will add a few extra calories but it will also add antioxidants and vital minerals that your body desperately needs. One serving or three squares of a large 6.8 oz. dark chocolate bar is 36 g. and 170 calories. There is no bad cholesterol plus 8 percent daily fiber and 10 percent iron. As in all things in life, the key here is moderation. Chocolate may not be officially considered a Superfood but looking at the statistics it is a mystery why it is considered a ‘no no’ to most people.

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Learn about Healing Foods and how they make your body healthier. Detailed information on the nutritional value and how each food can fight off diseases.

Chocolate Milk

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Milk chocolate, the predecessor of chocolate milk, was a candy bar invented by Daniel Peter in the early Eighteen Hundreds in Vevey, Switzerland. Mr. Peter, after having invented his milk chocolate, went to work for the Nestle Company, bringing his newly invented product with him. He worked for the company until 1919. He died at the age of ninety. Swiss chocolate is still considered to be the best on the market. It was not until the Nineteen Hundreds that the marriage of milk and chocolate in the liquid form became popular.

There are many forms of chocolate milk. One of which is hot cocoa which is a cocoa powder mixed with milk and sugar and heated until hot and smooth. This mixture is used to warm people up when the weather is cold and also to help one sleep. Many people like hot cocoa before bedtime to help them sleep as it is a form of comfort food. There are other forms of chocolate milk that can be heated and have been used for years such as: Ovaltine which was used as a children’s drink presumably to help them grow strong. Nesquick is also a powder form of chocolate for hot chocolate

Today chocolate milk comes in all forms; liquid milk products, powdered milk products, granule and chocolate bars. You can drink it hot or cold and for any and all reasons. People have a connection with chocolate as being romantic, satisfying, secure, and mood changing. Every man, woman and child has some love of or connection to chocolate either through pleasant memories or the need to feel less depressed on a bad day. Chocolate and the milk products made from it have been around for years and will continue to stay with us for many more years to come. For generations the milk form of chocolate has even been used as a cocktail on cold nights by adding rum to the hot milk with chocolate. There is no end to what this smooth drink of milk and sweet chocolate can do to make a dull day bright.

Do you love chocolate?

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Valentine Chocolates – A Timeless Valentine Gift

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Fads may come and fads may go, but Valentine chocolates are a timeless Valentine gift that has endured throughout the years. Almost everyone loves the sweet smooth delicious taste. And when they come packaged in a fancy package suitable for gift giving, it seems even more special.

Whether your Valentine’s tastes lean toward chocolate covered Oreo cookies or exquisite, rich chocolate truffles, you can never go wrong when you purchase his or her favorite chocolate confection as a gift for this lover’s holiday. Chocolate covered Turtles, graham crackers, pretzels, fortune cookies, as well as a chocolate caramel apple, and chocolate non-pareils are all beautiful gift ideas that will satisfy a sweet tooth, as well.

Valentine chocolates always come with something extra special. Often a plush toy or stuffed animal accompanies a gift of chocolates. Perhaps it is a fuzzy teddy bear or a whimsical monkey with a big fuzzy heart.

Or perhaps you will choose to accompany your gift with fresh flowers. Roses are always a popular option, whether you opt for an entire bouquet or a single blossom. Likewise, a rose dipped in 24kt gold is also a classy touch.

Chocolates themselves are often decorated for this holiday. This might be with elegant, rich swirls or even red and white or pink and white sprinkles. Tiny candy hearts may also adorn chocolate treats.

Valentine chocolates come in beautiful boxes. Heart-shaped boxes are the most common and may be made of fabric, velvet, or printed and decorated with the picture of a romantic couple or to look like a tuxedo. There are even edible chocolate heart-shaped boxes filled with more chocolates.

Chocolates for Valentine’s Day come presented in many other beautiful ways, as well. They may be presented on a silver tray, in a basket, in a decorative tin, or in a decorative bag or gift box. You can deliver a classic gift like this in person, have it delivered with a special Valentine’s Day card, or even send it in the hands of a vocalist who will deliver a singing Valentine to your special somebody.

Solid chocolate hearts, white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, cordials, or truffles… chocolates come in so many delicious forms guaranteed to please. Whatever you choose, fine chocolates by renowned chocolatiers like Ghirardelli, Knipschildt, David Bradley, or Rose City make an impressive gift. But don’t forget-the real appeal of Valentine chocolates is about more than just the candy. It’s all about you and your special connection with that special someone. So this year, present Valentine chocolates to your loved one, but remember that the most important part of the gift comes straight from your heart.

If you’re looking for a fabulous selection of fine chocolates and Valentine chocolates for gift giving, be sure to browse the array of items available through Indulge In Chocolate at www.indulgeinchocolate.com. Gift ideas there start at less than $10. Indulge in Chocolate also offers 24kt gold dipped roses in pink or cream/pink.

Ryan Wilson

If you would like to see our Valentine’s Day gifts check out our website, http://www.indulgeinchocolate.com/valentinechocolategifts.html

How to Make Chocolate at Home

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Think making your own chocolate… Well, the excellent news is that you can but be advised; it can be a confused trade and you’re doubtful to be bunch producing big bars of Dairy Milk the initial time you attempt. However, I’m confident you’ll have huge excitement eating all the misshapes.

Take a tablespoon of that sour powdered baking cocoa things, put it in a cup. Create it your beloved cup if it’s an actually ‘grumpy’ type of craving (female).

Now take 3 more tablespoons of powdered sugar and blend it in. You now have chocolate you can blend in milk. If you do not desire it this way, hold on because you can do further new things with this.

Are you in the frame of mind for a yummy smooth cocoa frosting? Just gradually and watchfully crease this combination into little amounts of butter or margarine. You desire to do this until you have an ideal reliability. This is superior on cupcakes, or birthday cakes.

Put it in the freezer for around 5-6 hours. Take your chocolate out of the tray and serve it.

Think making your own chocolate… Well, the excellent news is that you can but be advised; it can be a confused trade and you’re doubtful to be bunch producing big bars of Dairy Milk the initial time you attempt. However, I’m confident you’ll have huge excitement eating all the misshapes.

Think making your own chocolate… Well, the excellent news is that you can but be advised; it can be a confused trade and you’re doubtful to be bunch producing big bars of Dairy Milk the initial time you attempt. However, I’m confident you’ll have huge excitement eating all the misshapes.

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Think Valentines Day and You Think Chocolate!

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Chocolate is considered one of the most popular sweet treats and is always in demand world wide! The history of chocolate goes back to the 1500’s and the rainforest regions of Central America. The Spanish took the secret of this bean back to Spain. When Europe got a hold of this delicious tasty item it rapidly spread throughout Europe. France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands latched onto this sweet thing in no time flat.

The first chocolate factory opened in America dates back to 1765. This was just the first of many to quickly follow. Chocolate is now a standard gift item presented as gifts to friends and family for special events. You have to admit you can’t think of Valentines Day without picturing a big red foil heart shaped box stuff full of different gooey rich chocolates.

As time passes, things change. The face of Valentines chocolates has advanced in leaps and bounds. We have gone away from the traditional look of the heart shaped box and now have a unique collection of Valentines Gift baskets to present as gifts. Moving from the ordinary to the extraordinary these collections are humorous, fun and very clever and creative.

Chocolates made up in the shape of a cake or bouquet of flowers or perhaps a variety presented in festive containers complete with an adorable cuddly teddy bear. Not only are you giving an attractive gift but there are certainly benefits to chocolate. This sweet little substance can offer instant energy, boosts your heart rate, it has a chemical component that can relieve pain, boost brain activity and the serotonin will enhance you mood. It also tastes awesome in pretty much any form it’s delivered!

For a friend, a family member or a loved one presenting them with one of the many valentines gift baskets packed with this wonderful gourmet treat you will have made someone very happy. Each and every morsel they nibble on will make them happier and happier and they will have you to thank. With any luck they may share so you get to sample the gift.

When you think Valentine’s Day you think Chocolate! There is no better why to spoil a loved one than with a Chocolate Gift Basket this Valentine.

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