Valentines Day is here again, and our thoughts are turning to gifts for our loved ones. It's always nice to romantic gifts of Valentine's Day, and there are any number of options available for lovers to choose for their partners. Dark chocolate is a romantic idea, as well as being good for your heart. Chocolate good for you? Really? Here's why.
There are high levels of flavonoids in dark chocolate, along with more antioxidants than in regular milk or white chocolate. These things are well known to help bring down blood pressure and cholesterol, and chocolate also contains tryptophan which aids the brain in the production of serotonin. See? The chocolate can be good for you. However remember that the chocolate isn't health food so do try to enjoy it in moderation.
The best way to choose the right chocolate for Valentine's Day is to try to focus on the quality of it and not the amount you're giving. Dark chocolate should be savoured, not gulped down all at once, which is a good philosophy for Valentine's Day as a whole. Chocolate truffles would be a good idea for Valentine's Day for your partner and yourself and you can savour them together for a rich and decadent Valentines experience.
Try not to get dull and lifeless chocolates, such as a sort of thing you'd find in any supermarket. There are specialist chocolatiers that can offer high quality chocolate which is perfect for this time of year. Once you are aware of the good points of the chocolate then you don't feel quite so guilty about giving the traditional box of chocolate at Valentine's Day.
Despite the fattening aspects and the sugar content, they can certainly help to view and enjoy your time together on this most special of days. There are plenty of other ideal Valentine's Day gift ideas out there, but chocolate will be one of the first that many people will think of, and is certainly one of the most effective traditional Valentine's Day gifts available.
Lucy is a hapless romantic and budding Chick Lit author with a passion for passion! You can easily find more great Valentine's day ideas for gifts and activities online!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucy_Pegg
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Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
We Love Chocolate! Healthy Chocolate That Is!
There are over 300,000 studies on the health benefits of dark chocolate, with a new study coming out every week. The problem is that most dark chocolate available for purchase by consumers has the health benefits negated because of the added sugars, milks, fats, waxes, fillers and caffeine.
MXI Corporation has patented a process called the "cold press technique" which allows them to manufacture rich Belgium dark chocolate, which they call XOCAI™ (sho-sigh), without heating or the harmful additions. The result is a chocolate food source that has amazingly high antioxidant levels and still tastes as good as the BEST chocolate you have ever had. It is even diabetic and vegan friendly, gluten free and no caffeine.
XOCAI™ qualifies for an ORAC score. ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and is a method of measuring antioxidant capacities of various foods. Antioxidants are important because they fight the effects of free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are atoms that are missing an electron and are constantly bombarding our bodies. One XOCAI™ chocolate nugget contains the antioxidant level of half pound of spinach. What would you rather eat?
Ninety percent of Americans crave chocolate-fifty percent say they cannot live without it and actually eat an average of 12 lbs per year. This is not candy, but a functional food that tastes like fine Belgium chocolate! XOCAI™ is Healthy Chocolate!
We ensure our patient's dental health through the use of the latest technology in all facets of dentistry. We love what we do, and we're devoted to making your experience with us as pleasant as possible! Each member of our staff plays an important part in your total dental care. From appointment scheduling and explanations of treatment to budgeting to teeth cleaning and helping soothe the nerves of a new patient, we promise to be here for you.
Please contact Lifetime Smiles for more information!
http://www.LTSmiles.com
760-747-1811
Rabee McDonald D.M D.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rabee_McDonald
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MXI Corporation has patented a process called the "cold press technique" which allows them to manufacture rich Belgium dark chocolate, which they call XOCAI™ (sho-sigh), without heating or the harmful additions. The result is a chocolate food source that has amazingly high antioxidant levels and still tastes as good as the BEST chocolate you have ever had. It is even diabetic and vegan friendly, gluten free and no caffeine.
XOCAI™ qualifies for an ORAC score. ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and is a method of measuring antioxidant capacities of various foods. Antioxidants are important because they fight the effects of free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are atoms that are missing an electron and are constantly bombarding our bodies. One XOCAI™ chocolate nugget contains the antioxidant level of half pound of spinach. What would you rather eat?
Ninety percent of Americans crave chocolate-fifty percent say they cannot live without it and actually eat an average of 12 lbs per year. This is not candy, but a functional food that tastes like fine Belgium chocolate! XOCAI™ is Healthy Chocolate!
- These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
- This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
- MXI/Xocai™ products are not intended to replace or substitute the daily intake of fruits or vegetables in the diet of any individual.
We ensure our patient's dental health through the use of the latest technology in all facets of dentistry. We love what we do, and we're devoted to making your experience with us as pleasant as possible! Each member of our staff plays an important part in your total dental care. From appointment scheduling and explanations of treatment to budgeting to teeth cleaning and helping soothe the nerves of a new patient, we promise to be here for you.
Please contact Lifetime Smiles for more information!
http://www.LTSmiles.com
760-747-1811
Rabee McDonald D.M D.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rabee_McDonald
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Why Do Women Love Chocolate?
"I never met a chocolate I didn't like." (Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation).
Well said. Even in the 23rd century, ladies love chocolates. They just love chocolates; no question about it. Seventy-five percent of chocolate purchases are made by women. They consume more than 2.3 billion pounds of chocolate (about 12 lb. per person) and spend nearly $12 billion dollars (twice as much as all non-chocolate candy items combined) each year in the Unite State only (people in Switzerland consume nearly twice as much). They really love chocolate, and some even say chocolate is better than sex or men!
So why do ladies love chocolate? Are there any scientific explanations for this chocolate love? Scientists have actually been working on it for a long time, and still they don't know exactly what is going on. Some scientists thought that a certain chemical which is abundant in chocolate simulates the same brain chemicals that go up when sexually aroused. This theory, however, was not true, since the chemical in the chocolates quickly disintegrates in the stomach.
Another explanation put forward by scientists is that when you are happy, you generate another type of brain chemical (or other way around; if this chemical is created, you feel happy). Unfortunately this chemical breaks down really quickly and many people cannot stay "high" for a long time. Two types of chemicals found in chocolate delay this break down, and keep people happy longer. These chemicals actually do work in a test tube, but so far no experiments of oral consumption have been rigorously done, and it may turn out not to be a real reason.
One widely accepted theory is that, since high fat and high sugar were essential for cave men's survival, given these two essential needs (which are abundant in chocolate) creates "satisfaction" in the hunger center of the brain, and make us happy. Some experiments indicate this "effect" is stronger among women, especially women with a history of binge eating.
In summary, scientists still do not know exactly what is going on in our brains (especially ladies), when we consume chocolate, even though we really observe the effect. I have, however, a totally non-scientific explanation why ladies love chocolate.
When you put a piece of chocolate in your mouth, what is the most enjoyable aspect of chocolate? I think it is how the chocolate melts in the mouth. A piece of chocolate slowly softens up on the tongue. It has a silky warm feeling like the kiss of a lover. The melting chocolate wraps around your tongue, and the fragrance of sweet cacao stimulates like that of the lovers body. Yes, it is almost like a prelude to the most sensual love affair. No wonder ladies love chocolate (more than they love men; chocolate is a perfect kisser!).
There is no doubt that chocolate is one of the best choices for Valentine's day gifts, but are all chocolates are equally good for a gift for your special someone?
According to my non-scientific theory, the melt is most important factor, then flavor. What kind of chocolates provide these qualities best? I think chocolate truffles are the best choice. They are created from cacao and fresh cream. They melt like butter. Because of the melt, the chocolate releases its flavor quick, and fragrance fills your nostrils and stimulates the entire body. It is really an ecstatic experience to taste chocolate truffles.
If you want to go further, get organic chocolate truffles, which tend to be far more flavorful as any other organic produces. In fact, once you taste organic chocolate truffles, it is difficult to go back to normal chocolates. There is no doubt that organic chocolate truffles are one of the best choice on Valentine's day.
Toshi Umekoji loves chocolate, especially organic dark chocolate truffles. He is always looking for new organic dark chocolate, and experimenting with new chocolate recipes made with raw cacao beans. You can find his favorite organic chocolate truffles at: http://www.GourmetOrganicChocolateTruffle.com. You can find many organic chocolate products suitable for Valentine's Day gifts at the site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toshi_Umekoji
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Well said. Even in the 23rd century, ladies love chocolates. They just love chocolates; no question about it. Seventy-five percent of chocolate purchases are made by women. They consume more than 2.3 billion pounds of chocolate (about 12 lb. per person) and spend nearly $12 billion dollars (twice as much as all non-chocolate candy items combined) each year in the Unite State only (people in Switzerland consume nearly twice as much). They really love chocolate, and some even say chocolate is better than sex or men!
So why do ladies love chocolate? Are there any scientific explanations for this chocolate love? Scientists have actually been working on it for a long time, and still they don't know exactly what is going on. Some scientists thought that a certain chemical which is abundant in chocolate simulates the same brain chemicals that go up when sexually aroused. This theory, however, was not true, since the chemical in the chocolates quickly disintegrates in the stomach.
Another explanation put forward by scientists is that when you are happy, you generate another type of brain chemical (or other way around; if this chemical is created, you feel happy). Unfortunately this chemical breaks down really quickly and many people cannot stay "high" for a long time. Two types of chemicals found in chocolate delay this break down, and keep people happy longer. These chemicals actually do work in a test tube, but so far no experiments of oral consumption have been rigorously done, and it may turn out not to be a real reason.
One widely accepted theory is that, since high fat and high sugar were essential for cave men's survival, given these two essential needs (which are abundant in chocolate) creates "satisfaction" in the hunger center of the brain, and make us happy. Some experiments indicate this "effect" is stronger among women, especially women with a history of binge eating.
In summary, scientists still do not know exactly what is going on in our brains (especially ladies), when we consume chocolate, even though we really observe the effect. I have, however, a totally non-scientific explanation why ladies love chocolate.
When you put a piece of chocolate in your mouth, what is the most enjoyable aspect of chocolate? I think it is how the chocolate melts in the mouth. A piece of chocolate slowly softens up on the tongue. It has a silky warm feeling like the kiss of a lover. The melting chocolate wraps around your tongue, and the fragrance of sweet cacao stimulates like that of the lovers body. Yes, it is almost like a prelude to the most sensual love affair. No wonder ladies love chocolate (more than they love men; chocolate is a perfect kisser!).
There is no doubt that chocolate is one of the best choices for Valentine's day gifts, but are all chocolates are equally good for a gift for your special someone?
According to my non-scientific theory, the melt is most important factor, then flavor. What kind of chocolates provide these qualities best? I think chocolate truffles are the best choice. They are created from cacao and fresh cream. They melt like butter. Because of the melt, the chocolate releases its flavor quick, and fragrance fills your nostrils and stimulates the entire body. It is really an ecstatic experience to taste chocolate truffles.
If you want to go further, get organic chocolate truffles, which tend to be far more flavorful as any other organic produces. In fact, once you taste organic chocolate truffles, it is difficult to go back to normal chocolates. There is no doubt that organic chocolate truffles are one of the best choice on Valentine's day.
Toshi Umekoji loves chocolate, especially organic dark chocolate truffles. He is always looking for new organic dark chocolate, and experimenting with new chocolate recipes made with raw cacao beans. You can find his favorite organic chocolate truffles at: http://www.GourmetOrganicChocolateTruffle.com. You can find many organic chocolate products suitable for Valentine's Day gifts at the site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toshi_Umekoji
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