chocolates de cielo

2010-01-22T02:24:00.001-08:00

Chocolate: Food of the gods

Chocolate has the reputation of being a “forbidden food” that's divinely delicious, especially around Valentine's Day. In fact, the ancient Mayans referred to chocolate as the food of the gods. Today, research has shown that chocolate has some beneficial health effects and is not necessarily a food taboo.

A different saturated fat
Chocolate contains cocoa butter, which is high in saturated fat, yet one-third of chocolate's fat comes from stearic acid. Although it's a saturated fat, stearic acid does not raise LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) as do most other saturated fats. Stearic acid is converted in the liver to oleic acid, a heart-healthy, monounsaturated fat.

Another one-third of chocolate's total fat comes from oleic acid itself. In a recent study, volunteers followed a diet with the majority of their fat calories coming from either chocolate or from butter. The volunteers who consumed chocolate fat did not show an increase in their cholesterol levels, but those who ate butterfat developed elevated LDL cholesterol levels¹.

Chocolate contains antioxidants
Over 300 naturally occurring chemicals are found in chocolate. In a study conducted by Andrew Waterhouse, chocolate was found to have potent antioxidants called phenols. These antioxidants are the same types found in red wine². Cocoa phenols were found to prevent the bad cholesterol from causing plaque buildup in the arteries. In another study cocoa inhibited LDL oxidation two hours after consumption³.

Waterhouse also found that the darker the chocolate, the more phenols it contains. Darker and finer chocolates contain 70 percent cocoa butter, which provides the stearic acid. Most commercial candy bars contain only 20 percent cocoa butter. The conclusion is the purer and darker chocolates may provide the most health benefits.

Less caffeine than you might think
Other more commonly known nutrients and substances are found in chocolate. Chocolate is a rich source of magnesium and phosphorus. Also, contrary to popular belief, chocolate contains only a limited amount of caffeine. An average chocolate contains about 10 mg of caffeine, while one cup of coffee contains 100 mg.

Craving chocolate
Some substances in chocolate are predicted to make us crave it. A substance called phenylethylamine is found in chocolate and seems to trigger feelings similar to “falling in love.” There is also a compound in chocolate called anadamide that stimulates brain receptors in a manner similar to that of other addictive substances. Chocolate cravings may also be triggered when the taste buds tingle with the taste of chocolate. This sensation occurs because chocolate's melting point is 97 degrees, just below body temperature. When the taste buds are excited, endorphins are released from the brain. These endorphins are the body's “feel good” chemical. There is also a link between hormonal fluctuations in women and chocolate cravings. Scientists cannot pinpoint what exactly causes us to crave chocolate, but many of these ideas propose that chocolate cravings are real.

Chocolate's drawbacks
Despite the recent positive press, chocolate has its drawbacks. In some people, chocolate has been associated with kidney stones, headaches, acne, allergies, dental cavities and premenstrual syndrome. However, most of the scientific evidence linking these problems to chocolate is weak. Yet for some people, chocolate really does have a negative effect.

As in everything…moderation
Chocolate, this Mayan food of the gods, has both its positive and negative health benefits. Rather than replace your daily dose of fruits and vegetables with a hunk of solid chocolate, the best way to go about eating chocolate is in moderation.

An occasional chocolate bar during the week is acceptable within the context of a balanced diet. If you do decide to add chocolate to your diet, it's also important to make “trade-offs” with other high calorie foods so chocolate can fit into your diet without gaining weight.

Promotes Blood Flow

2010-01-08T03:38:00.000-08:00

The other study compared how blood platelets responded to a flavonol-rich cocoa drink with 25 grams of semi-sweet chocolate pieces and a blood-thinning, 81-milligram aspirin dose. The research found similar reactions to the two from a group of 20- to 40-year-olds: both the drink and the aspirin prevented platelets from sticking together or clotting, which can impede blood flow.(5)

In other words, flavonol-rich cocoa and chocolate act similarly to low-dose aspirin in promoting healthy blood flow. Reducing the blood's ability to clot also reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Lead study author Dr. Carl Keen cautioned that his team isn't suggesting that people eat a couple of candy bars instead of taking their daily dose of aspirin.

"We're not advocating that people consume flavonol-rich foods in place of aspirin," stressed Keen, who is also the University of California-Davis nutrition department chairman. For people who cannot take aspirin, however, he said eating flavonol-rich foods "may be a useful approach."

He noted one important difference between aspirin and flavonol-rich foods: "The effects you see in aspirin are longer-lasting than the effects you see in flavonols," he said.

Although the trial involved just 40 people, Keen called the results "remarkably robust" and said the platelet effect may be related to the nitric oxide benefits found by Hollenberg's study.

Keen's team currently has an article under review in which they show a direct comparison to low-dose aspirin using the same study group.

"The next thing on our agenda is to look at chronic effects," said Keen. "What happens when a person has a high flavonol intake for two weeks? Do you still see the same effects? Many times...the body adapts or adjusts and you don't necessarily see the same thing after two or three weeks."

chocolate new year blast

2010-01-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

The Studies

Taubert's team signed up six men and seven women aged 55-64. All had just been diagnosed with mild high blood pressure -- on average, systolic blood pressure (the top number) of 153 and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) of 84.

Every day for two weeks, they ate a 100-gram candy bar and were asked to balance its 480 calories by not eating other foods similar in nutrients and calories. Half the patients got dark chocolate and half got white chocolate.

Those who ate dark chocolate had a significant drop in blood pressure (by an average of 5 points for systolic and an average of 2 points for diastolic blood pressure). Those who ate white chocolate did not.

In the second study, Serafini's team signed up seven healthy women and five healthy men aged 25-35. On different days they each ate 100 grams of dark chocolate by itself, 100 grams of dark chocolate with a small glass of whole milk, or 200 grams of milk chocolate.

An hour later, those who ate dark chocolate alone had the most total antioxidants in their blood. And they had higher levels of epicatechin, a particularly healthy compound found in chocolate. The milk chocolate eaters had the lowest epicatechin levels of all.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030827/dark-chocolate-is-healthy-chocolate

lechon vs dark chocolates

2009-12-26T05:14:00.000-08:00

The holidays made me feel excited but at the same time slowed me down on my blog.

I got busy contemplating on how time flies so fast. It was some months ago when I was pulling the days so I finish the year 2o09. I just thought this year was kind of difficult that I want to be the first to get to 2010 (lol). I might just have a great one next year.

Again, Filipinos were so awfully hungry even with those tons and tons of food served. And I was not wrong, Lechon was forever the darling of the show!

It is funny that whenever I sell my chocolates de cielo (my pure dark chocolates), there are some who could comment about keeping away from chocolates because of its calories and its effect to their blood pressure.

So I really want to post the calories we normally get from a lechon and compare it to the dark chocolates. And see which is better for our body:

LECHON
Roast pork dishes contain more than 50 percent of fat which is almost 200 calories for a serving of 85-90 grams; lechon kawali contains twice the calories. So just imagine the total calories in one meal if you binge on pork dishes.

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/wellness/wellness/view/20091201-239423/Set-calorie-rules-to-avoid-weight--gain-during-holidays

DARK CHOCOLATES

Popular Serving Sizes of Dark Chocolate	Fat(g)	Carbs(g)	Prot(g)	Calories
1 square	1.84	3.21	0.21	27
1 block	4.54	8.32	0.78	74
1 small bar	5.51	10.10	0.94	90
1 medium bar (1.45 oz)	13.28	24.36	2.27	218
1 large bar (2.6 oz)	23.65	43.37	4.04	388

http://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/food/dark-chocolate

2009-12-22T06:07:00.000-08:00

"A divine drink which build - up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious chocolate permits a man to walk a day without food. "

keep your pants size down

2009-12-21T03:49:00.000-08:00

Did you know that besides doing wonders for your health, a certain nutrient group might also help keep your pants size down?

It's true. Flavonoids -- those antioxidant-like compounds found in fruits, veggies, chocolate, tea, and wine -- seemed to help ward off belly fat in a 14-year study.

Multitasking Flavonoids
Specifically, catechins, flavonols, and flavones -- types of flavonoids -- may help curb belly bulge by improving the body's metabolic profile, the researchers noted. So where can you get your fair share?

The study participants got most of theirs from pears, apples, tea, chocolate, broad beans, onions, leeks, and sweet peppers. Pretty tasty choices.

choco Buddha

2009-12-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

Buddha said:

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.

chocolate is better than Sex

2009-12-14T01:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.lookinggood123.com/2008/October/Top-Twenty-Reasons-Why-Chocolate-is-Better-Than-Sex.htm

You can GET chocolate.

"If you love me you'll swallow that" has real meaning with chocolate.

Chocolate satisfies even when it has gone soft.

You can safely have chocolate while you are driving.

You can make chocolate last as long as you want it to.

You can have chocolate even in front of your mother.

If you bite the nuts too hard the chocolate won't mind.

Two people of the same sex can have chocolate without being called nasty names.

The word "commitment" doesn't scare off chocolate.

You can have chocolate on top of your workbench/desk during working hours without upsetting your co-workers.

You can ask a stranger for chocolate without getting your face slapped.

You don't get hairs in your mouth with chocolate.

With chocolate there's no need to fake it.

Chocolate doesn't make you pregnant.

You can have chocolate at any time of the month.

Good chocolate is easy to find.

You can have as many kinds of chocolate as you can handle.

You are never too young or too old for chocolate.

When you have chocolate it does not keep your neighbors awake.

With chocolate size doesn't matter.

Chocolate is better than kissing!

2009-12-12T01:19:00.001-08:00

Chocolate 'better than kissing'

When it comes to tongues, melting chocolate is better than a passionate kiss, scientists have found.

Couples in their 20s had their heart rates and brains monitored whilst they first melted chocolate in their mouths and then kissed.

Chocolate caused a more intense and longer lasting "buzz" than kissing, and doubled volunteers' heart rates.

The research was carried out by Dr David Lewis, formerly of the University of Sussex, and now of the Mind Lab.

“ Chocolate beats kissing hands down when it comes to providing a long-lasting body and brain buzz ”
Dr David Lewis

Experts, concerned at growing levels of obesity throughout the developed world, warn that chocolate should only be consumed in moderation.

Dr Lewis said: "There is no doubt that chocolate beats kissing hands down when it comes to providing a long-lasting body and brain buzz.

"A buzz that, in many cases, lasted four times as long as the most passionate kiss."

He said substances in chocolate were already known to have a psychoactive effect, but that allowing it to melt on your tongue could be the secret to maximising the buzz.

The volunteers, all aged in their 20s, had electrodes attached to their scalps and wore heart monitors during the two tests.

The researchers compared their resting heart rates with those during the chocolate and kissing tests.

Longer lasting effects

Although kissing set the heart pounding, the effect did not last as long as that seen with the chocolate, which increased heart rates from a resting rate of about 60 beats per minute to 140.

The study also found that as the chocolate started melting, all regions of the brain received a boost far more intense and longer lasting than the excitement seen with kissing.

Although women are generally thought to be bigger fans of chocolate than men, the research found the same reactions to chocolate in both sexes.

Dr Lewis said: "These results really surprised and intrigued us.

"While we fully expected chocolate- especially dark chocolate - to increase heart rates due to the fact it contains some highly stimulating substances, both the length of this increase together with the powerful effects it had on the mind were something none of us had anticipated."

“ You'd think people would be shy about kissing in a laboratory, but that wasn't the case at all ”
Cadbury spokeswoman

Psychologist Sue Wright said: "Chocolate contains phenylethylamine which can raise levels of endorphins, the pleasure-giving substances, in the brain.

"It also contains caffeine which has a stimulatory effect on the brain.

"This would explain why chocolate can give people a buzz, and why people can become addicted to it."

The research used a new 60% cocoa dark chocolate from Cadbury, and a spokeswoman for the chocolate makers said: "You'd think people would be shy about kissing in a laboratory, but that wasn't the case at all. We're not talking about a quick peck here."

The Mind Lab is funded by members of the food industry, although no firm can be linked to any individual study.

Your comments

The tests are not the accurate really because if i had the choice of kissing my partner or chocolate, I am sure the chocolate would win but if you gave me Al Pacino to kiss the results would be very different.
Sue Hedges, Bristol

In my opinion these scientists have underrated the effects...I'd say chocolate is probably at least 10 times better than any other known form of stimulation in existence. And the only thing better than a bar of chocolate is two bars of chocolate!
Katharine Arnold, London

Of course chocolate is better than kissing! It is guranteed to taste better every time - which, in my experience, is more than can be said for some passionate kisses!
Deborah Carrel, Bridgwater Somerset

I can only draw 2 conclusions from that! They¿re not kissing the right person¿..OR...I SO want some of that chocolate if it¿s really true!
Chad, London

From my experience kissing allways beats the chocolate bar, maybe Im choosing the wrong chocolate!
Kelly Gara, Cheshire

Obviously none of them had kissed my gorgeous wife.
Kev, Stoke

Chocolates kinda makes me fat though - but kissing seems to help me lose weight.
Calvin, New York, USA

You will always remember your first kiss not your first chocolate.
Musah Haruna, Slough

I don't know, a passionate kiss, vs. lovely dark chocolate . . . It depends who I"m kissing. There are kisses I can still remember, but I can't remember a single bar of chocolate, and I'm a choc-oholic!
Kathryn Leeson-Kight, Ex Pat British Living in USA

Well I am a girl and therefore a huge chocolate fan however recently I have found that I get a much bigger buzz from kissing my boyfriend, however this is a new relationship so that may be the reason why, after a few months I might have to resort back to chocolate!
Natalie Stewart, Lincoln, UK

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/6558775.stm

Published: 2007/04/16 12:36:10 GMT

© BBC MMIX

2009-12-11T05:09:00.000-08:00

Check this out: http://www.realage.com/tips/3-new-health-benefits-of-eating-chocolate

Chocolate makes you smarter.

Chocolate weakens heart attacks.

Chocolate has a cavity-fighting compound.

fun, fun fun

2009-12-10T01:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2009 will be for teens! I am also seriously thinking of how I spend Christmas with you! Hope you could come to Davao. Maybe someday.

Duuhhhhhhhh! I want this to be simple and happy Christmas for them and I still do not know what to do on that day.

I am thinking of a contest. Some performances. Some serious talking. Some games.

If you got some ideas, please write. Remember, just simple activities and without much expenses.

My mother will also be around. The first Christmas without my father.

less spent, great returns

2009-12-10T01:03:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

It feels so good to see people hustle and bustle in every corner. Rushing to buy here and there. Food everywhere. Parties and drinks. When did I stop this craze?

Let me think.

It has been 2 or 3 Christmases wherein the family celebrated it with the least of expenses! I thought of teaching my children to learn the art of "delaying". It is the time of the year when it seems that "one has to buy" a new shirt, pants, shoes etc. as if there will be no other days to come.

It is a special season. But spending scares me so much.

We spent less for the past 3 years and I realized we ended up with the same amount of happiness for the season. For less amount in our pockets.

I do not want to be pressured this time and for the rest of my life. Happy Christmas memories is not just about the gifts. It is being together. And when one is alone. It is about making oneself complete.

I am glad my children learned to adjust with the worst of our financial condition.

Chocolate President

2009-12-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

I was looking for something new about chocolate and while getting some respite from serious writing like peace and justice, I found this material from Youtube.

Well, I like political satires and how people react to their jokes. I am more interested with how we react. Comedians and hosts sometimes just go on and on without much considerations on political leanings or emotional attachments of sorts. But the audience have lots of it.

Chocolate Jesus or Chocolate President are remarks that could be inappropriate but where does jokes put on a limit? Where does the audience contextualize it? Hmmmm kind of serious matter.

I loved the conversation. I loved the topics. Serious stuff like eating chocolates. Please watch!

chocolate sandwich

2009-12-06T03:07:00.000-08:00

I got a recipe here for a grilled chocolate sandwich! There are some chocolate spread in the market that I love. My children and I would even eat it without the bread but when I was making my own chocolates, the pure dark chocolates, I started "not liking" the taste of processed chocolate.

Lets make this sandwich together!

Ingredients

1/4 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
3 ounce(s) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoon(s) butter, softened
8 slice(s) thin whole-wheat or white sandwich bread
3 tablespoon(s) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoon(s) chopped toasted hazelnuts, (optional)

Heat evaporated milk just until boiling. Add chocolate, let stand for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Divide the chocolate mixture on the unbuttered side of 4 slices, leaving a little border. Press chocolate chips and nuts, if using, into the chocolate. Cover with the remaining slices of bread, buttered-side up, and press lightly.
Cook the sandwiches in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn over, press with a spatula, and cook until nicely browned and the chocolate is barely melted, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Serve warm.

give me my chocolates

2009-12-03T21:36:00.000-08:00

I miss blogging! I have been off for two days but I am still writing. For some few bucks! Yahoooooooo!

God, how I wish someone gives me a box of chocolates!

Davao Convention Fair

2009-11-28T23:15:00.000-08:00

The other night I was so excited because it was the opening of the Davao Convention Fair. My niece together with her friends rented a booth and she asked if I can display some of my "chocolates de cielo" (chocolates from heaven). I was excited of course but because the notice was so short I got only limited packs to display.

Today my niece said, there was a buyer who has a coffee shop. They also serve chocolate drinks and they were looking for a local and pure dark chocolate that they would want to try. Of course I am hoping that they will like it.

I have been really busy with the chocolates. It eats up a lot of time but I love doing it. What makes me feel good about it even if it is tedious is the way it gives me an opportunity to create something. I get to produce something and even if I have not materialized some of my marketing plans, I am keen on getting serious with this one.

If you are in Davao City, I have my "chocolates de cielo" displayed at Booth #60 at the Davao Convention Center. Each of the chocolate there is a product of careful and hygienic home-made process. Taste it!

wedding cakes

2009-11-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

Isn't that a lovely wedding chocolate cake?

I am thinking of buying one maybe on one special occasion. When I got enough money too. I have gone to a couple lots of weddings but rarely do I get the chance to eat the cake.

I also did not have a wedding that is so traditional so I did not go through it. Totally!

I have also emceed the program of my friends' weddings but I really do not know how it feels to be the bride with the gown, walking in the aisle, flowers all over and slicing that cake etc. etc.

Sometimes I think, it was not meant for me. Really?

Or maybe I am not for that kind of stuff. I am 45 now. And I am married.

I don't know.

I might just buy a wedding cake. And eat it with my children and friends.

which direction are we going?

2009-11-24T16:38:00.000-08:00

The news sometimes makes me feel hungry! And makes you feel lost at which direction we are all going. And make you realize we all need some enlightenment.

I was not able to blog for such a long time and I was craving to. But I do not know why I also get some kind of "lost".

The other night I was watching the news because I wanted to see the winning of our Efren Penaflorida as the CNN Hero for this year. I really think that young man just deserves the award. It is the kind of news I want to hear because it lifts up the spirit of the Filipino people.

But gosh I was alarmed and got angry because of the news that was shown first - the gruesome massacre killing right here in Mindanao. Well I am a bit far from where it happened but those prominent families mentioned happened to have such big investments and properties in Davao City. I actually just detest the way they come to the city in those big black vehicles in convoy AND SO DISRUPTIVE and threatening. I do not mind at all if it was the President or the Pope or a funeral but ...warlords? OMG!

I hope they could just disappear. I hope parents teach their children what is really wrong with inflicting pain. Killings. Threatening. It is not just so civil in this civilized world.

sister's keeper

2009-11-24T16:35:00.000-08:00

Sisters are not suppose to live together
Coz when they do
they wreck each other' s space
pull each other' s hairs
and bite one another, too.

But that was so long ago...

Sisters are still not suppose to live together
Coz if I do lived with her
I will throw pillows at her husband if I see him wreck my sister's heart.
I will pull her husband's hair from the bedroom towards the garage for bastardizing my sister's space.
And I will probably bite his arms until it bleeds
for every blow to her being.

Boy, I am glad I was far from my sister during that period
for if I was, I will be in jail now.

But that was a long time ago too...

In Toronto, my sister and I had all those things in the past went down the drain.

In Toronto, we were once again kids who made up for those times when she was always away with her friends. I thought she does not want me around.

In Toronto, we were also adults who accepted each one's craziness. So very unlike when we were young, when we could have left each other' s presence.

In Toronto, we shared secrets like friends. I thought we could not be friends because she is far too perfect and I am not.

In Toronto, she made me feel special. Something I did not feel from her for such a long time because I thought she never liked me.

But now, I am whole again.
It is great to have a sister. One who is happier now. One who is tougher.
A sister who gave us Achie and Shoti.
But still far away.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRIS!

birthday choco cake

2009-11-21T17:31:00.000-08:00

Oh, I am glad it still is my birthday in some other parts of the world.

I celebrated my birthday almost in solitude. I thought birthdays are supposed to be spent reflecting on what was done and where one is going. When I was alone, I thought of how wonderful this life is when one do not really look too far.

I thought I will be alone, but there are people who cares. Who loves.

I just cannot be alone.

I created another blog last night. It is called "I am your thought writer".

well done!

2009-11-20T05:42:00.000-08:00

Well done!

The plate just said it.

I did something today that I think I am proud of. It is unusual for me to join a beauty contest. Well, its not the regular beauty contest we see on TV but exclusive to our group at Ceragem-Davao. Today at the center, there was a crowd. It was fiesta-like and there were lots of food too. But because the contestants were in front, it was one of those days when you just wished "I shouldn't have joined this". Just kidding!

I did not finish the program though because I have to rush home but I am glad I did join it. It is something to affix to my life story.

Did you have some chocolates today?

acoustic and choco song

2009-11-18T22:42:00.000-08:00

Oh I like the beat and the music of this original chocolate song. Hope you like it!!!!!!

Here it is:

choco cake among other else

2009-11-18T01:58:00.000-08:00

I would probably choose a chocolate cake among this selection! I was in a cake house when I took this picture. Only because I wanted to perk up a friend's mood. He is so far away so I sent this picture.

That simple gesture was appreciated. But of course, it would have been better if it were the real ones that I have sent. That was months ago.

When I feel so mean and irritable, I know I am ovulating. Men sometimes just could not understand this. And most of the time they would think " hmmmm getting crazy" again! It just happens that women just have a different operation systems than men. And when women are in this period, gosh you will never believe the amount of food one could gorge over!

I think this is one reason why women often becomes heavy in size. What I do is make myself busier by doing just anything for me to perspire.

I love chocolates and I do drink one or 2 cups of dark chocolate drink everyday. I am sharing to you some more facts about Chocolates so you would not worry about getting fat.

"Here is some more good news -- some of the fats in chocolate do not impact your cholesterol. The fats in chocolate are 1/3 oleic acid, 1/3 stearic acid and 1/3 palmitic acid:

Oleic Acid is a healthy monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive oil.
Stearic Acid is a saturated fat but one which research is shows has a neutral effect on cholesterol.
Palmitic Acid is also a saturated fat, one which raises cholesterol and heart disease risk.

That means only 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is bad for you."

metamorphosis and chocolate processing

2009-11-16T04:34:00.000-08:00

When I decided to write a blog for my chocolate thoughts, I was keen on establishing links for my "chocolates de cielo" to anything that fancies me. I have gathered some materials of the health benefits of dark chocolates and I think it will be helpful to couple it up with some other beautiful creations I could think of.

When I started selling my chocolate molds, I was surprised that many people here in Davao still believes that it is bad for their health. Some said it will shoot up their blood pressure. Some says they cannot have it because they are diabetics. And so on and so forth.

But because of these myths people are actually closing their doors to one hell of a healthy drink. I think people have the processed chocolate products in the market in mind. But anyhow, these products still got chocolate contents which also support the fact that it is indeed a healthy food. I believe, people just have to eat in moderation to avoid the mentioned health risks.

I am in Davao. A tropical city. And not so "chocolate-drinking" city. I have noticed it in the grocery stores because of the "not so significant" number of displays. Really, quite challenging but there are still who buys it because they actually felt good and relaxed with a cup of a hot chocolate drink.

Just to share some facts about dark chocolates here are two:
a) Chocolate is made from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. These seeds, also known as cocoa beans, are exceptionally rich in flavonoids, which are natural antioxidants thought to help protect against cardiovascular disease. b) Reduced blood pressure: In a recent study involving men and women with high blood pressure, those who ate 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate every day for 15 days experienced a drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results were similar in another study of people who were between the ages of 55 and 64 and had hypertension. The study participants who supplemented their diets with a daily dose of dark chocolate for 2 weeks experienced a significant reduction in blood pressure. But after only 2 days without chocolate, their blood pressure readings returned to previous levels.

And why am I sharing a picture of a gorgeous chocolate butterfly? That is for everyone to appreciate how a butterfly come into being. From a complete metamorphosis. Change and challenges in every step of the way from being an egg, larvae, pupa and into such a gorgeous being. So natural.

The same way as the chocolates are. They are processed so several times before one gets hold of that chocolates you drink. From the trees, the beans are scraped from the fruits then washed, fermented, dried, roasted, grounded, molded, packaged and etc. Such a grueling process but will surely give you that ultimate heavenly and healthy pleasure.

Drink some for health!

choco owl

2009-11-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

My net was off last night so I thought of reading a book. Yesterday was just another almost perfect day too except for one event. I went to a friend because she was devastated with a family problem. Now I can just hope that I was able to give her some comfort. Anyway, while reading last night I came across a poem and a choco picture of an owl. I thought of bringing both materials together and let me see the result:

Tiny thrush, precious pet of my beloved,

Whether nestled between her breasts

Or at her fingertip pecking

When it pleases her to play

Her sorrow to allay,

tiny comforter of her hunt,

If only you could be my playmate too

And lift the care from my heart.

by Catullus