The Chocoholic's Club

Nice mention of my store

2006-02-22T21:59:00.000-05:00

I found a nice mention of my store on a blog today. She is beginning as a critic of the restaurant and art scene on the East Coast (so far) and is worth a look.

Thinking of Growing Your Own?

2006-02-22T21:32:00.000-05:00

If you wanted to know more about how cacao grows and more about the "greenthumb" part of growing chocolate, check out this science project paper. If you could find the right place to grow it, perhaps an indoor, heated area, you may be eating from local chocolate before you know it!

Who would have guessed the wrappers would become collectable?

2006-01-18T20:08:00.000-05:00

It is always that way. Whatever you figure, "no one would be interested in that," then you learn that not only were they interested in it, they hadbecome devoted fans. That is the case with this gentleman's collection of chocolate wrappers. There are a lot of them, granted, and represent a wide range of tastes. But the wrappers? Who would have thought to save them? The next thing you know, somebody will start collecting those toys your kids get at McDonald's!

A chocolate wedding registry

2006-01-12T18:11:00.000-05:00

For the couple lucky enough to have friends who really care, here is a wedding registry for chocolate! You provide all your information, like your name and your favorite type of chocolate. Then tell your friends where you are registered and voila! you have given them a great idea to make their wedding gift to you something special. How simple can that be??? Of course, they have to find a chocolatier nearby to finish the deal. Don't know one? Email me and perhaps I can help.

Fair Trade Chocolate Project

2006-01-09T21:26:00.000-05:00

It has always been the "haves" versus the "have nots" in the world of big business. However, in the business of growing cocoa, major companies have been working toward ensuring cocoa workers are treated fairly. Another way that occurs is through growers combining into cooperatives to help empower themselves and their workers. This website links to the Lutheran World Relief organization's Fair Trade Chocolate Project. They are selling Fair Trade chocolate to keep one such group going. The chocolate they are selling is from England. Here is the story of how chocolate is made and you can browse their website for more details about their fair trade cooperative.

Art and chocolate do not always go together.

2005-12-22T14:44:00.000-05:00

This artist has a new take on chocolate. Not what I would do. Such a waste of even a lower grade of chocolate! There is video and pictures.

The chocolate version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

2005-12-20T11:09:00.000-05:00

Here is a little seasonal chocolate. Enjoy.

Chocolate Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas and all round my hips
Were Fannie May candies that sneaked past my lips.
Fudge brownies were stored in the freezer with care
In hopes that my thighs would forget they were there.

While Mama in her girdle and I in chin straps
Had just settled down to sugar-borne naps.
When out in the pantry there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the kitchen I flew like a flash,
Tore open the icebox then threw up the sash.
The marshmallow look of the new-fallen snow
Sent thoughts of a binge to my body below.

When what to my wandering eyes should appear
A marzipan Santa with eight chocolate reindeer!
That huge chunk of candy so luscious and slick
I knew in a second that I'd wind up sick.

The sweet-coated Santa, those sugared reindeer
I closed my eyes tightly but still I could hear;
On Pritzker, on Stillman, on weak one, on TOPS
A Weight Watcher dropout from sugar detox.

From the top of the scales to the top of the hall
Now dash away pounds now dash away all.
Dressed up in Lane Bryant from my head to nightdress
My clothes were all bulging from too much excess.

My droll little mouth and my round little belly,
They shook when I laughed like a bowl full of jelly.
I spoke not a word but went straight to my work
Ate all of the candy then turned with a jerk.

And laying a finger beside my heartburn
Gave a quick nod toward the bedroom I turned.
I eased into bed, to the heavens I cry--
If temptation's removed I'll get thin by and by.

And I mumbled again as I turned for the night
In the morning I'll starve... 'til I take that first bite!

2005-10-12T12:10:00.000-04:00

Finally a diet that includes chocolate!

Researchers have put together a new diet that includes wine, fish, fruits, vegetables, garlic, almonds, and of course dark chocolate. Stating that

"100 grams of dark chocolate consumed daily reduces systolic blood pressure by 5.1 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.8 mm Hg8; similar reductions in blood pressure correspond to a reduction in cardiovascular disease events of 21% (14% to 27%)."

WOW.

Read all about the new eating "strategy"- we call that a diet everywhere I have ever been- called The Polymeal .

2005-09-23T07:13:00.000-04:00

Did you know that a cacao tree produces five pounds of chocolate a year?

2003-09-12T15:24:00.000-04:00

Earlier, we wrote about the fun of technical riders. This week, we were asked to provide chocolate easter bunny heads- as in "could you bite the heads off some Easter bunnies- for a certain visiting musician. Needless to say, we were challenged to make the bunny heads-without biting them off! Such is the life of the traveling musician- and chocolatier!

2003-08-22T14:22:00.000-04:00

To me, this would be better than dipping my strawberries in chocolate.

2003-08-18T10:58:00.000-04:00

Two items here, one above the other. The first item tells of the sale of a 100-year old chocolate bar that sold for $686. I don't think chocolate ages like wine, so this probably will not taste better than when "fresh." ...and probably worse!

Just below, you'll see a chocolate rosary. Keep it handy if you decide to eat a 100-year-old chocolate bar!

2003-08-15T14:49:00.000-04:00

Scroll down a bit to see the TOP 10 LIST OF THINGS NOT TO DO WHILE WEARING CHOCOLATE PERFUME !
Chocolate perfume may be just the thing for women to wear, but I'd bet a chocolate cologne for men would be a better seller! Men would buy it to attract women (what woman can resist chocolate) and women would buy it for the men on their Christmas list!

2003-08-13T18:10:00.000-04:00

M-m-m-m-m. Summer Chocolate Drinks with no frills...just chocolate. ...but we at the blog just love frills!

2003-08-13T18:08:00.000-04:00

This blog is looking at chocolate drinks for the moment. Question: What would be in a luxury hot chocolate mix if it wasn't "real" chocolate???

2003-08-12T23:56:00.000-04:00
Why do we have chocolate cravings? The short answer is...just because.

2003-08-12T17:46:00.000-04:00
With such demands, you would have thought all these superstars would have asked for some good chocolate!

2003-08-12T16:03:00.000-04:00
Not to be left out, N'Sync needs chocolate poptarts.

2003-08-12T15:55:00.000-04:00
Shania Twain is a vegetarian, but her opening act and her band need an assortment of chocolates for themselves.

2003-08-12T15:37:00.000-04:00
Speaking of techincal riders, those for the touring band of the 60's, The Monkees also features those "Won't melt in your mouth" balls of chocolate. Except, they want the almond ones.

2003-08-12T15:17:00.000-04:00
One more chocolate lover succumbs to bad information! Here, it is Mrs. Paul McCartney now must give it up at her husband's urging. Seems he thinks it is causing a skin complexion problem. But it probably isn't the chocolate, is it?

Technical riders. Part II.

2003-08-12T15:02:00.000-04:00
Technical riders. Part II.
Techncial riders are part of a musician's (or other performer) performance contract. In it are specified the items that the "hosts" must provide in order for the performers to appear. For instance,the Rolling Stones ask for a large quantity of M&M chocolate with all the colors except orange.

2003-08-12T14:55:00.000-04:00
Technical riders. Part I.
Rock stars sometimes demand chocolate as part of their performance contracts. Technical director ensures university shows must go on!

2003-08-11T17:14:00.000-04:00
Did you know??? Columbus crew can't cash in on cacao currency. On August 15, 1502, on his fourth and last voyage to the Americas, Columbus and his crew encountered a large dugout canoe near an island off the coast of what is now Honduras. The canoe was filled with local goods for trade -- including cacao beans. Columbus had his crew seize the vessel and its goods.
Later, Columbus' son Ferdinand wrote about the encounter. He was struck by how much value the Native Americans placed on cacao beans, saying:
"They seemed to hold the cacao beans at a great price; for when they were brought on board they did not want to depart from their goods."
What Ferdinand and the other members of Columbus' crew didn't know at the time was that cocoa beans were the local currency. In fact, in some parts of Central America, cacao beans were used as currency as recently as the last century.

While perhaps not as priceless as currency, today's elegant gifts of chocolate are certainly well received. The elegant way to say chocolate is... SCHAKOLAD.