Choco Passion

Chocolate designed for your Skin

2012-07-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

Dark Chocolate facial masks have been used since 30 B.C. In the last few years, there has been a resurgence of importance in its advantages.

Creamy and Dark chocolate is the most irresistible delicacies known to revitalize your skin. Dark chocolate covers are rich in natural ingredients, which not only sweeten your soul but also nourish and cleanse your skin. These facial masks leave your skin feeling compact, smooth and soft.

Dark chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which are loaded in phenols and flavonoids. Chocolate also contains essential trace elements, nutrients, minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, B1, C, D and E. In reality, cocoa powder is one of the finest natural sources of magnesium.

Advantages of facial with chocolate:

1. Potent antioxidant properties which clean the skin.

2. The cocoa butter present in it makes the skin softer.

3. Decrease wrinkles.

4. It thwarts skin damage.

5. Nourishes skin.

6. Hydrates and facilitates in removing dead skin cells.

7. Flavonoids Rich, it helps fight against sun damage.

8. Chocolate is an excellent moisturizer and it revitalizes the skin.

Chocolate Myths and Facts

2012-04-15T03:34:00.001-07:00

There has been a perception that Chocolate has many side effects which is actually only a Myth. Some of the common Myths are :-

Chocolate is high on Caffeine - Eating chocolate can perk you up, but that doesn't mean it is high on Caffeine. 1.4 ounce of chocolate bar or an 8 ounce of chocolate milk contains 6 mg of caffeine. A regular coffee contains 65-135 mg of Caffeine.
Chocolate is bad for Cholesterol as it is loaded with Saturated Fats - Many think the Cocoa butter may increase the Cholesterol level in blood as it contains Saturated Fats. Stearic Acid found in the chocolate has a unique feature as it increases the HDL (good) Cholesterol levels.
Chocolate doesn't have any nutritional values - Chocolate is rich in Magnesium, Copper, Calcium, Iron, Zinc. It has phenylethylamine (PEA) which helps in kids neurotrasmitters in brain. Flavonoids a plant based antioxidant tiggers the production of nitric oxide which stimulates the blood vessel to accept sugar thus helping in better control of sugar level.
Chocolate is responsible for tooth decay - Scientists believe that the length of food stay in your mouth and not the sugar content is responsible for tooth decay. Chocolate melts and leave our mouth relatively fast, its the cookies, dried fruits, crackers which get stuck. Infact the Flavonoids helps in slowing down the built up of plaque.
Chocolate causes Headache - Studies have suggested that there is no relationship between chocolate and headache. PEA in the chocolate causes blood vessel to expand and contract. It also is a natural mood enhancer, stress reliever and memory booster. So it may have more good than bad effects.
Chocolate causes Weight Gain - If consumed in moderation, it can be a part healthy life style. Chocolate helps you to get nutrients like A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and Pantothenic acid and minerals like magensium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese. All these thinks help in burning out the body fats.

The Making of Belgian Chocolate

2012-04-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

In the end of 15th Century, Christopher Columbus discovered the chocolate. The Aztecs drank chocolate well before everybody and they used to use Cocoa Seeds as money and a means to buy Gold.

The Chocolate Recipe was kept a secret for long by the Spanish, but the success of this was so huge that it went through the European borders. It popularity increased with the addition of Sugar, as it became more palatable. Thus each nation found its own recipe and enjoy it.

Belgian Chocolate is unque because of its quality of ingredients and an obsessive adherence to Old Manufacturing Technique even in todays world of Automation and Mass production. Though Belgian Chocolate has been popular since 18th Century, but Jean Neuhaus new process increased its popularity by ten folds. He created a special chocolate called couverteur which has a cold shell which he called pralines.Pralines could be filled with coffee, hazelnuts, fruits or more chocolate. Leonidas, Neuhaus, Godiva and Nirvana are famous for their gourmet pralines.

One technical advantage of Belgian Chocolate over other chocolates is the storage of condition of couverteur before use. Most Chocolate Companies receive chocolate in Solid form which has to be reheated inorder to use it. Belgian chocolate companies often receive their couverteur in heated tanker truck, which helps it to retain much more of the aroma than its cooled variant.

Belgian Chocolate may be expensive but worth an indulgence. Taste it to feel the difference..........

Interesting facts about Chocolate

2012-04-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Some very interesting facts about Chocolates are given below. Go through it, u will find it amazing..........

Researchers have found that chocolate was used around 2500 years ago in Central America.
Chocolate is known as 'Food of Gods', which comes from the Latin name of 'Theobrama Cacao' for Cocoa tree.
More than 70% of American prefer Milk Chocolate.
Chocolate comes from the Aztec word xocolati which means Bitter Water.
Nearly 70% of world Cocoa is produced in Africa.
Twice the number of men, women eat and carve for chocolate.
17000 people in Belgium are working in chocolate industry.
Napolean always carried chocolate with him as an energy booster.
Tryptopan in chocolate helps in creating serotonin in our body which is natural antidepressant.
Approximately 270 cocoa beans makes a pound of chocolate.
Nearly 40% of world's Almond and 20% of world's peanuts are used for making chocolate.
Chocolate's melting point is just below our body temperature so it melts in our mouth.
People spend more than $ 7 billion a year on chocolate.

Biggest chocolate weighs 12000 pounds. It contains 1200 pounds of Almonds, 5500 pounds of Sugar, 2000 pounds of Milk Powder and 1400 pounds of Chocolate Liquor.

Watch out for this space..............

2012-04-13T04:10:00.001-07:00

New recipe's of dark chocolate & truffle are to be published sooon............

Chocolate Toxic to Dogs............

2012-04-12T06:24:00.001-07:00

While we find chocolate has lot of health benefit for humans, it is toxic & sometime even fatal for animals especially dogs.

The biggest problem is the inexperienced dog owners tend to share chocolate as they share other foods. Once they had it, as most dogs have sweet tooth, they will find it out if they smell it around the house.

Symptoms of Poisoning by chocolate includes vomiting, restlessness, hyperactivity and muscle twitching. Frequent urination is also common.

Theobromine in chocolate acts as a poison in dogs as it cannot break down and excrete theobromine as efficiently as humans. This affects their Central Nervous System and heart thereby throwing their system into panic which manifests in the form of epileptic seizures.

Please be aware that............

Dark Chocolate is 10 times more toxic to animals than Milk Chocolate.

It is advisable when a dog ingest chocolate immediately call on your veterinarian.

Organic Dark Chocolate

2012-04-11T06:38:00.002-07:00

As we are becoming more aware of social and physical consequences of the food we take every day, the demand for Organic food is on the rise, chocolate being no exception.

Organic products are manufactured without the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms or radiations.

As cocoa trees are grown without the use of the above, cultivator needs to be more careful from bugs, birds and other infestation. A full grown Organic tree become more resistant to diseases thus resulting in better harvest.

The extra cost for the extra effort by the cultivator is well worth an investment for your health. Organic Dark Chocolate is made up of Organic Certified ingredients, namely, Cocoa beans, Sugar and Cocoa butter.

Many people believe that Organic Chocolate are having more richer taste than Non-Organic one. Taste yourself to feel the difference...........

Dark Chocolate helps in Kids Health too.....

2012-04-10T06:19:00.002-07:00

Chocolate is favourite snacks for both kids and adult.

Dark Chocolates most important benefit is that it is full of Antioxidant which reduces the cellular & arterial damage caused by oxidative reaction. Dark Chocolate not only have 17% less sugar than Milk Chocolate, it doesn't contain added butterfat and it is a perfect treat to boost anybody's mood. It also has many vital minerals such as Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Copper and Iron.

Dark Chocolate also contain Phenylethylamine (PEA). PEA has nutritional component that may enhance the function of neurotransmitters in brain. Even with a small amount of dark chocolate consumption, many children, especially those with ADHD, have found some health benefits, as focus and concentration are improved.

Children with Autism, even engaging in social activities is challenging. PEA in dark chocolate which helps in improving neurotransmitters health, could ultimately help in improving focus and interest in social interaction. While all children with autism doesn't respond to consumption of dark chocolate, it is worth trying if your child is stressed with therapy and needs some dietary modification. It is of utmost important to consult your child's padiatrician, if dark chocolate can be an appropriate addition to your child's diet.

Next time when you buy a chocolate for your kids, choose judiciously..........

Dark Chocolate Helps In Improving Woman's Health

2012-04-09T05:51:00.002-07:00

Magnesium is Indispensable for Woman's Health:

Research has established that Magnesium content in Chocolate is more than in any other food. Women are most Magnesium deficient during menstrual cycle. The magnesium in chocolate helps in relaxing muscles, reduces PMS and alleviates the nervous system. Magnesium also helps in strengthening the teeths and bones.

Cocoa helps to fight Cancer:

A research has shown that Cocoa reduces the rate of growth of colon cancer and breast cancer. The blood supply to the tumor effected cells are blocked by the chemicals found in the Chocolate thus helping in restricting there growth.

Chocolate helps U to Look Younger:

Acid content in cocoa helps in protecting our skin from aging. Flavonoids in the cocoa powder increases the blood flow to the skin thus safeguarding from UV Rays.

Sweet Relationship of Dark Chocolate & Diabetes

2012-04-08T10:27:00.002-07:00

Dark Chocolate has low glycemic index (measurement of food's impact on blood sugar level) compared to other candies or sweet foods. This means it will not cause your blood sugar level to spike and then crash. This creates a fluctuation of mood and energy level, thereby throwing off your natural hunger cues, making you feel hungry when you really aren't.

Flavonoids, a plant based antioxidant helps in improving blood flow and keep blood vessels healthy, as impaired circulation and unhealthy blood vessels often lead to diabetes. Flavonoids trigger the production of Nitric Oxide which stimulates the blood cells to accept sugar again and thus helping in better control of Sugar Level.

Chocolate Tips

2012-04-07T08:56:00.003-07:00

Balance of Calories:

One bar of Dark Chocolate has approx 400 calories. If you eat half a bar of chocolate a day, you should balance those 200 calories by eating less of something else. You can cut out other sweets or snacks and replace them with chocolate to keep your total calories the same.

Taste the Chocolate:

Chocolate is a complex food with over 300 compunds and chemicals in each bite you take. If you really want to enjoy and appreciate chocolate, take time to taste it. Professional Chocolate tasters have developed a system for tasting chocolate which include assessing the appearance, feel, smell and taste of each piece.

Go For Dark Chocolate:

Dark Chocolate has far more antioxidants than white and milk chocolate. Milk and White chocolates cannot make any health claims. Dark Chocolates has 65% or higher cocoa content.

Skip the Nougat:

You should look for pure Dark Chocolate / Dark Chocolate with Nuts, Orange Peel or other flavor. Avoid dark chocolate with Caramel, Nougat and other filling. These filling are just adding sugar and fat thereby erasing the benefit of eating Dark Chocolate.

Avoid Milk with Chocolate:

It may taste good but some research have claimed that washing your chocolate down with a glass of milk can prevent the antioxidants from being absorbed or used by your body.

Dark Chocolate Healthy for your Heart !!!

2012-04-06T07:33:00.003-07:00

Chocolate is made from plants. It contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from Flavonoids which acts as Antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging. Dark Chocolate contains nearly 8 times antioxidants found in strawberries. Flavonoids also help to relax Blood Pressure through the production of Nitric Acid and also balance certain hormones in the body. A small bar of Dark Chocolate can help keep your Heart and cardiovascular system running well. Two heart benefits of the Dark Chocolate are:

Lower Blood Pressure: Studies have shown, consuming a small bar of dark chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with High Blood Pressure.
Lower Cholesterol: Dark Chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL Cholesterol (the Bad Cholesterol) by upto 10%.

Chocolates Increases Efficiency of Blood Vessels

2012-04-05T12:01:00.004-07:00

Catechins are believed to protect against heart disease and cancer and so eating products that contain them could have health benefits. Dark Chocolate have 53.5mg catechins per 100g, Milk Chocolate have 15.9mg per 100g.

(Holland's National Institute of Public Health & Environment)

Eating Dark Chocolate helps Blood Vessels function more effectively, researchers have claimed. Arteries that are able to dilate more have increased blood flow and this is especially important for the heart.

(Journal of the American College of Nutrition)