Saturday, November 28, 2009
Personalised Boxes of Chocolate Are a Perfect Gift
1. Personalised boxes are available in many different combinations, filled with high quality, delicious chocolates. You can choose from milk white or dark chocolates and also from a large variety of flavours and fillings including praline. Many clients and customers take them to work, on picnics, or in parks etc. These items are created to meet with your client requirement.
2. These chocolates taste as good as they look and can be moulded and packaged almost any way you like. You can select from any colour, which can be used in contrast to the logo colour. You can virtually make any size, shape or image to make it into a special chocolate promotional gift.
3. Classic style personalised boxes are meant to highlight your unique selling points or products, with your seasonal message on stunning package, which can make a perfect welcome gift. Your logo can also be printed onto each of the boxes. These boxed are usually made from a high quality material, and are designed to fit many different sizes of small or larger chocolate bars.
4. A range of luxury chocolate is quite ideal for individual gift and offered in a large variety of sizes, thus enabling you to create perfect personalised gifts for your business whatever the season or event is. They can also be ideal gifts for many occasions like birthdays, exhibitions, office parties, anniversaries a product launch and are always admired by people and children of all ages.
5. These boxes are beautifully presented and can be used as seasonal gifts for Christmas, Easter and Valentine and many other occasions. You will get many different opportunities of promoting your brand name, throughout the year with the help of your company logo, brand name, or any artwork on top of these boxes.
Your client's personalised boxes can take the spotlight, setting your company apart from your competitors. They can be quite a unique and creative product and are especially designed to meet your customer's needs. This will enable you to set up a base for your company and also help in attracting more clients and customers. These items can provide one of the simplest and most effective methods of promoting your company name and product, ensuring some fantastic results for you.
For more information and suppliers of Personalised Boxes visit Promotional-Merchandise.org.uk. Here you will find more articles and tips on Promotional Items as well as a Quick Quotes form where you can conveniently submit your request in one form and get responses from multiple suppliers so that you can find the best price and product for your marketing needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Sung
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Thursday, October 15, 2009
17 Popular Quotes about Chocolate
2. "Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar in four pieces with your bare hands--and then just eating one piece" - Judith Viorst
4. "It's not that chocolates are a substitute for love. Love is a substitute for chocolate. Chocolate is, let's face it, far more reliable than a man." - Miranda Ingram
5. "Life is like a box of chocolates...You never know what you're gonna get." - Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump
6. "The superiority of chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in America which it has in Spain." - Thomas Jefferson
7. "Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate." - Sandra Boynton
8. "If one swallows a cup of chocolate only three hours after a copious lunch, everything will be perfectly digested and there will still be room for dinner." - Brillat-Savarin
9. "It has been shown as proof positive that carefully prepared chocolate is as healthful a food as it is pleasant; that it is nourishing and easily digested... that it is above all helpful to people who must do a great deal of mental work." - Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
10. "If you are not feeling well, if you have not slept, chocolate will revive you. But you have no chocolate! I think of that again and again! My dear, how will you ever manage?" - Marquise de Sévigné
11. "Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power. It is the best friend of those engaged in literary pursuits." - Baron Justus von Liebig
12. "Nine out of ten people like chocolate. The tenth person always lies." - John Q. Tullius
13. "There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love chocolate, and communists." - Leslie Moak Murray
14. "Forget love... I'd rather fall in chocolate!" - Author Unknown
15. "There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and chocolate truffles." - Author Unknown
16. "My favorite thing in the world is a box of fine European chocolates which is, for sure, better than sex." - Alicia Silverstone
17. "After about 20 years of marriage, I'm finally starting to scratch the surface of that one. And I think the answer lies somewhere between conversation and chocolate." - Mel Gibson in What Women Want.
Copyright 2005. Bridget Mwape writes for Chocolate Gift Basket website at: http://www.chocolate-gift-basket.org.uk/ which features gift ideas, chocolates and more. He also writes for http://www.sweets-and-chocolate.org.uk/ which offers a wide selection of sweets.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bridget_Mwape
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Friday, October 9, 2009
Homemade Chocolate Frosting Recipe - Basic Chocolate Frosting Recipe
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions
In a large bowl, combine butter and cocoa; beat until well mixed. Add in the milk, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until frosting is smooth and creamy. Add more milk if you want a thinner consistency.
=> Chocolate Cake Frosting Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Frosting Recipe
Here’s a good chocolate fudge icing recipe that goes great with chocolate cake.
3 squares baking chocolate
5 tablespoons butter
3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
7 tablespoons milk
Dash of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
In a saucepan, combine the chocolate and the butter; cook on low heat until both are melted. Remove from heat. In a large bowl, add the sugar and stir in the milk, salt and vanilla. Slowly stir in the chocolate mixture and beat until frosting is smooth and easy to spread.
=> Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe: Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Here’s an easy frosting recipe that spreads creamy and smooth on your homemade cake.
2-2/3 cups confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
6 tablespoons butter
5-6 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cocoa. In another small bowl, add 1/2 cup of cocoa mixture and the butter; beat well. Alternately add in the remaining cocoa mixture and the milk; beat until mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla.
=> Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe: Chocolate Chip Frosting
If you’re a chocolate chip lover, this is quick way to make some homemade chocolate frosting.
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
In a saucepan, combine butter, sugar and milk; bring to a boil. Stir in chocolate chips and the vanilla. Remove from heat. Beat frosting until cool and is a spreading consistency.
=> Easy Chocolate Frosting Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
The wonderful flavors of chocolate and peanut butter make a nice frosting to use on cupcakes.
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
2-2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup cream or evaporated milk
In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter and cocoa; stir until well blended. Stir in the sugar, salt and vanilla. Add in the cream until the desired consistency is reached.
=> German Chocolate Frosting Recipe: German Chocolate Cake Frosting Recipe
Here’s a great German chocolate frosting recipe that features coconut and pecans.
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 stick butter
1 can condensed milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 can coconut
Directions
In a saucepan, combine all ingredients and cook over low heat; stir constantly until frosting reaches a thick consistency (about 12 minutes). Stir in the pecans and coconut.
=> Chocolate Cream Frosting Recipe: Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
This makes a rich chocolate frosting that goes great on brownies and cupcakes.
4 squares unsweetened chocolate
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese (room temperature)
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
Directions
In a saucepan or double boiler, melt chocolate over low heat.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until it has a fluffy consistency. Stir in the melted chocolate; with an electric mixer, mix on medium speed until well blended. Mix in the vanilla and salt. Slowly blend in the sugar.
Increase mixer speed to medium high. Gradually add in the milk and beat until the frosting is a smooth consistency.
Brownies, Cheesecake, Fudge and more
http://www.best-brownie-recipes.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandy_Summers
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Chocolate Massage and Chocolate Body Wraps
When it is eaten it has large amounts of potassium zinc, magnesium and iron. Magnesium is known to be highly beneficial to muscles and is one vitamin that is regularly recommended by massage therapists to their clients. A deficiency in magnesium is thought to be one of the reasons why pre menstrual women crave chocolate.
Chocolate has also been shown to low cholesterol levels and the vitamin e and vitamin b are also thought to prevent memory loss.
The cacao bean and chocolate have also been noted to be mood enhancers, with the phenylethylamine in chocolate raising seratonin levels (those feel good chemicals in the brain.) Serotonin is known to reduce depression. These chemicals are also knows to reduce hunger and increase libido. It is also known to stimulate endorphins another feel good chemical.
Chocolate has also been discovered to have a relaxing effect on blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow because of the flavanoids. This type of antioxidant acts as a blood thinner and can also stimulate insulin production. Anti oxidants are also thought to reduce the incidence of free radicals in the blood stream, one of the main causes of ageing.
For the skin, it has long been thought that chocolate has beneficial qualities in nourishing the skin from the outside as well as from the inside. Some beauty therapists will use chocolate facials and chocolate body wraps in their treatments not only because of the luxurious nature of the smell and feel of chocolate but also because of these properties.
Chocolate massage is a rare style of massage, mostly found in Europe. Here the therapists warms chocolate and uses it during the massage, sometimes thinned with warmed massage oil. A chocolate massage is sometimes combined with a chocolate body wrap and chocolate facial for a complete package.
With a chocolate body wrap, the client is massage with a dark chocolate oil and then wrapped in foil or other material to allow the health properties of the chocolate to seep into the skin. Chocolate facials are also popular as they plump out the lines in the skin making it appear more youthful.
Chocolate massage couples all the benefits of using chocolate on the skin with other health benefits of massage, such as relaxation, increased blood flow, stimulation of the lymphatic system and digestive system. Using both together increases the effectiveness of the massage, as well as being a luxurious experience.
Ripple Massage is one of a handful of massage therapy businesses in Australia that offers chocolate massage as part of its massage menu. More details can be found at http://www.ripplemassage.com.au or by calling 0438 567 906.
Alison Shaw is a qualified massage therapist the owns Ripple Massage in Australia. Further information is available at http://www.ripplemassage.com.au or by phoning 0438 567 906.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_L_Shaw
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Saturday, September 19, 2009
Chocolate Soothes the Troubled Soul
Have you ever had the following experience? You get some troubling news, or have an upsetting interaction with someone, and all of a sudden every cell in your body is screaming - give me chocolate! I want some chocolate! No, wait - I need some chocolate!
Well, if you can relate to that experience, chances are you are a woman, first of all. And, if you are a woman, the the odds are very good that you know exactly what I'm talking about.
It seems that chocolate is good for more than just a tasty, sugary treat or to bring out the flavors of different wines and berries. Chocolate is also the food world's equivalent of Xanax.
Here's the thing I don't understand, though. Most ladies, when they hear the siren song of chocolate calling their names in times of trouble, try to resist the urge. I don't get that at all!
In my opinion, our bodies know what is best for us in times of crisis. This is why, when we need sleep, we absolutely can't keep our eyes open one more minute. If we need food or water, we become so thirsty or hungry it's intolerable. It's also why we can't hold our breath for more than a minute - two at the absolute outside, and with training. It's because our body knows what we need and compels us to give it to ourselves.
So that's why I say, if we feel the need for chocolate, why not just give in and have a piece of chocolate? It may not be great for the thighs - but it's amazing for the soul!
Melanie Young is an author who has been writing articles about many and varied subjects for over ten years. She is interested in learning and teaching about all aspects of the world we live in. You can check out her latest website about wholesale wedding favors at http://wholesale-wedding-favors.net.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_Young
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Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Dark Chocolate is Wonderful Medicine
Dark chocolate is a food with many health benefits. Yes, that's right, a health food. Let me explain the unique properties of dark chocolate and how it can really benefit your health! Now when I speak of dark chocolate, I mean just that, and not other chocolates which are filled with fat and calories. This is real unprocessed chocolate.
Antioxidants are part of healthy chocolate. You need antioxidants to a certain extent in your body to keep optimum health. The main antioxidant I am thinking of here is Cacao. Cacao contains a great number of antioxidants. It is very versatile in that it can lower your blood sugars, helps arthritis since it has an anti-inflammatory effect, and it is also a rich source of magnesium for the body.
The high ORAC score, known as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is what cacao contains. This is what cleans the system of what is known as free radicals. Free radicals are what creates an environment in the body for diseases of many types.
Blood pressure and heart health can also be improved for many people consuming a steady diet of dark chocolate. Your cholesterol health, with a small daily consumption of dark chocolate is likely to improve as well, all due to rich antioxidants from Cacao.
Have depression problems? Chocolate may also help this problem a great deal. How does it help? Well, serotonin release, and endorphins are a response that is triggered from consumption. Serotonin is a brain chemical which plays a big role in our emotions, sleep, and memory. Endorphins are another chemical released from the brain which is our painkiller center. They are also a type of hormonal substance.
And lastly, chocolate can help you to lose unwanted pounds. Consumption of a small amount of chocolate between meals, helps to curb the appetite, and help other food cravings you may have. Thus, overeating is avoided, and likewise your weight is reduced, and therefore, you feel better!
Jennifer Kirkman is the owner of many websites, two of the main ones are http://www.diabetesandrelatedhealthissues.com, and also http://www.dietplansandweightloss.com Visit these sites for much more information on diabetes and diabetes problems, and proper nutrition.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Kirkman
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Saturday, September 5, 2009
A Healthy Chocolate Fudge Recipe That Takes 5 Minutes to Make - You Heard Me Right, it is Healthy!
As a Certified Nutrition Specialist, I try my best to make tasty foods that you probably would not think were actually good for you. I have a real sweet tooth, but I also try to make them healthier than typical desserts, which are basically just junk food. The problem with a lot of desserts that are deemed to be "healthy" is that they simply improve the flavor by taking away fat and adding sugar (or using artificial sweeteners). Nothing healthy about that!
Today, I am going to share with you a chocolate- peanut- butter fudge recipe that is very easy to make. It fact, it will take only 5 minutes to bake! And, it adds no sugar or artificial sweeteners. Instead, it relies on fat sources which are healthy. (And if you don't like peanut butter, you can simply leave it out and just use chocolate)
* Extra dark chocolate bar (3-4 oz bar is good. Try for one with at least 70% cocoa content, which minimizes sugar)
* 4 or 5 Tbsp of any organic nut butter
* 2/3 to 3/4 cup of organic coconut milk
* 2 tbsp rice bran (good fiber source)
* 2 tbsp oat bran (again, more fiber)
* 1/2 cup raw pecans, almonds, or walnuts (these fats are healthy, have antioxidants, and lots of vitamins and minerals)
* 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (not required)
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* a little stevia to lightly sweeten (stevia is a natural sweetener that has no calories)
Put the coconut milk, nut butter, and chocolate bar in a saucepan and turn the heat to the lowest level possible. Stir all the contents together, then add everything else in. Then, spread your mixture onto some waxed paper that's in a baking dish and put it in the refrigerator. You now have fudge that is much more nutritional than any other type you will find! Enjoy, and make sure to tell your friends that your trainer Brendan Harris gave you the recipe!
And, click here to check out 5 ways to get a flat stomach with no worthless diet pills or any other weight loss scams.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brendan_Harris
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Friday, August 28, 2009
Brands of Healthy Chocolate - Which Ones Are Good For You?
With new research on the health benefits of dark chocolate, many name brand chocolates are trying to position themselves as healthy, when they don't really offer you any health benefits whatsoever. To identify brands of truly healthy chocolate, you must know what substances in chocolate contain the health value. For example, studies have shown that flavonoids, which are found in dark chocolate, may help to lower blood pressure. But the levels of flavonoids in chocolate depend entirely on how it's processed. Often, milk chocolate, due to its greater processing, has fewer flavonoids than dark chocolate. Typically, the higher the percentage of cocoa found in the chocolate, the more flavonoids (and other healthy substances) it contains.
While healthy, organic, raw or minimally-processed chocolates are not yet the mainstream, they are becoming widely available and recognized as a delicious and responsible choice. A healthy chocolate should contain cacao content of 70% or greater. Chocolates containing less have more fillers, more fat and fewer (if any) health benefits. It's important to read the labels. Just because chocolate is dark, doesn't necessarily mean it offers any health benefits.
The following chocolate brands have been celebrated for their unique tastes, health benefits and strong ethical commitments.
Divine is a farmer-owned company with sustainable development efforts in many countries. The fair-trade Divine Dark Mini Bars are the perfect chocolate treat and contain 70% cacao.
Dagoba makes an award-winning dark chocolate bar that includes chiles, nibs and is 74% cacao. They have coined the term "Full Circle Sustainability" to describe their commitments to ethics and social responsibility.
Equal Exchange makes organic chocolate bars with up to 80% cacao that are vegan, gluten-free and contain no refined sugars. They work with fair trade cooperatives and farmers across the world.
Ignafire produces natural chocolate with no commercial processing or industrial equipment. They're vegan-friendly and low in sugar. Some are subtly flavored with cinnamon, roasted coffee beans or crushed almonds.
Theo uses green energy sources to power their factory along with sustainable packaging and printing methods. Try their fair-trade certified blend that combines chocolate from Ghana, Panama and Ecuador.
All of the above brands offer mail order as in addition to being found in health food stores and larger chains such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Learn more about the health benefits of chocolate.
Read our article on the uses of different chocolates in candies, bars, cake decorating and more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarita_Haines
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Chocolatier - Chocolate Cigarillos
Cake decorating techniques remained unchanged for many, many years before the 1990's. Since that time, literally dozens of new methods have emerged, giving birth to countless modern cake designs. Some names you may have heard of that helped spawn this dawn of advanced cake decorating, are people like John Slattery. A master chocolatier who created such things as chocolate cups, shapes and cigarillos, now he has a well established and successful chocolate gift business.
Heather Sweet formally known as Heather Higgins, has been the owner of the original Sweetart Cakes company in the UK since 1994. Her radical contemporary designs originate from her inspiration gained from famous artists like H.R Giger. She has always utilised modern methods when creating and decorating her cakes. In addition to being able to create any wedding cake her client has in mind, she is also a talented sculpture artist.
Decorating a cake with cigarillos is an increasingly popular and delicious addition to most wedding and birthday cakes. These delicate chocolate curled cylinders are painstakingly made, when one bites into it, it breaks apart easily in the mouth and quickly melts.
Creating a chocolate cigarillo is a very slow process for beginners and requires a lot of practice and patience. The basic pieces of equipment needed are:
1. Begin by breaking the chocolate up into a large plastic bowl with high sides (you will see why later).
2. Beat the chocolate with a wooden spoon so the chocolate breaks up even more. Don't hold back, give it a good whacking with the spoon. If you have a mixing machine or blender you could use that to pulverise the chocolate for you. Make sure your bowl has high sides, or you will end up with more chocolate around your kitchen than in the bowl.
3. Bring a half full saucepan of water to a simmer, making sure that the plastic bowl that is going to sit on top of and inside the saucepan doesn't touch the water.
4. Put every bit of chocolate into the previously mentioned bowl.
5. Slowly and carefully stir the chocolate, getting faster and more rigorous as it becomes softer. Continuing for awhile when it has totally melted. Be sure to keep the chocolate moving to avoid any chance of overcooking.
6. Turn off the heat, take out your marble slab that has been in the freezer for a few hours, and pour a little of the chocolate onto the slab.
7. You will notice the chocolate behaves abnormally, it is soft and flexible. Now cutout a rectangular section with your plastic knife.
8. With the edge of the knife, carefully slide the knife under one side of the chocolate rectangle by about half a centimeter, and turn through 180 degrees.
9. This folds the chocolate and it begins to curl as you repeat this process as quickly but steadily as you can.
This may take several attempts, you can reuse the chocolate as many times as you want provided you don't over cook it. When you are successful you will end up with a very neat and tasty cigarillo!
Tom C W Higgins
To see pictures of cakes that make use of chocolate cigarillos, visit Cake-Photos.com or simply type "cigarillo cake" in Google's image search.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_W_Higgins
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
5 Benefits of Dark Chocolate - Facts You Need to Know Before Enjoying
Benefits of dark chocolate... Yes, the legends are true: They do exist!
But, before you go rummaging through year-old Halloween candy and stuffing your face with Snicker's and Tootsie Roll's, there's a few things you need to know.
First, and most importantly, true dark chocolate is usually considered anything at or above 65% cacao.
You're not going to find this percentage mixed in with the Skittles and Gummy Bears, and it does taste a bit different than the sugar-laden milk chocolate you're probably used to, but most convenience and grocery stores do have a few high percentage options to at least take them for a test taste.
Don't worry: Just like with wine, it's an acquired taste for some, and your palette will adjust. I remember the first time I tried 65 percent, and I had to spit it out. I've since worked my way up the cocoa tree to being able to thoroughly enjoy 80-85% (I'm working on the 99, but that's the extreme!).
The higher the percentage of cacao, the more benefits and better nutritional value the chocolate contains.
For example, an average 65% dark chocolate serving would look something like this (these are estimates, as actual numbers will vary, depending on brand, size, etc.): Total Fat 15 g, Sat. Fat 9 g, Sugars 16g, Protein 3g.
Comparatively, an average 99% dark chocolate serving would look something like this (these are estimates, as actual numbers will vary, depending on brand, size, etc.): Total Fat 22 g, Sat. Fat 14 g, Sugars 2g, Protein 5g.
As you can see, the higher up the percentage scale you go, the less sugar and more protein you're going to get.
You may also notice the high fat content, but the majority of this comes from healthy fats (yes, there is such a thing!).
5 Benefits of Dark Chocolate
- Studies have shown dark chocolate to lower blood pressure
- Studies have also shown dark chocolate to lower bad cholesterol (LDL)
- It turns women on more than a passionate kissing session (no wonder they want it for Valentine's Day!)
- Contains serotonin, a natural mood-boosting anti-depressant
- Stimulates pleasure-inducing endorphin production
Now, even though there are several benefits of dark chocolate, as with anything else, moderation is key. Make sure your chocolate delights fit into your daily caloric needs, and try to work your way up to the highest percentage dark chocolate you can enjoy. Want to learn more fun and exciting tips like the benefits of dark chocolate? Come on over to http://www.fitbuff.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_Johnsonn
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