Why Do Women Love Chocolate?

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"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.



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Personalised Boxes of Chocolate Are a Perfect Gift

Personalised boxes can provide a great way to spark interest in your product or service. These promotional products can be an excellent marketing tool combining your message and present into one item. These are also one of the most popular promotional products, which will really help you to promote your business by targeting your audience, thus enabling you to get even more exposure to more people. People usually get them as a normal give away, from their friends, colleagues, or from business clients. This will project the perfect positive impression of your company, enabling you to build up a very special kind of bond with your customers. You will also be able to please your customers, while conveying your marketing message in the most appropriate way imaginable.

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.

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17 Popular Quotes about Chocolate

1. "Chocolate causes certain endocrine glands to secrete hormones that affect your feelings and behavior by making you happy. Therefore, it counteracts depression, in turn reducing the stress of depression. Your stress-free life helps you maintain a youthful disposition, both physically and mentally. So, eat lots of chocolate!" - Elaine Sherman, Book of Divine Indulgences

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

How chocolate is made

3. "Self-discipline implies some unpleasant things to me, including staying away from chocolate and keeping my hands out of women's pants." - Oleg Kiselev


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.

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chocolate quotes

Homemade Chocolate Frosting Recipe - Basic Chocolate Frosting Recipe

Homemade chocolate frosting tastes so much better than that ready made kind you buy in a can, although that is good when you don’t have time, but really, it’s pretty easy to whip up some frosting of your own with this 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

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Chocolate Massage and Chocolate Body Wraps

Chocolate has many positive health benefits, both when it is eaten and also for the skin.

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.

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