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Dark Chocolates and Sex Life

2007-07-15T23:08-04:00

Dark chocolates have a lot of positives. Not only do they taste delightful but they can put a smile on anyone's face when given as a gift. Additionally, dark chocolates may also play a positive role in one's sex life. Now you know that someone feeding you Hershey cherry cordials can be very erotic and be a tasty part of foreplay but this is not the only way that dark chocolates might impact your sex life. There is actually evidence to suggest that dark chocolates, even one Hershey's cherry cordial, are an aphrodisiac. We do know for a fact that when chocolate is consumed serotonin is released in the brain, which is a feel good chemical. Also, dark chocolates have phenyl-ethylamine that stimulates a dopamine release in the brain's pleasure center which frequently occurs during orgasm. So, it appears that eating dark chocolate can make you happy in more ways than one!

Dark chocolates have been considered aphrodisiacs for thousands of years, even back to the Mayan empire. Today they retain their mysterious powers to heat up one's sex life and many women who eat dark chocolates on a regular basis report a better sex life than women who do not. Of course, there is no sound evidence that shows dark chocolates have a significant correlation with increased sexual enjoyment but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. There are lots of men and women out there who eat dark chocolates on a regular basis not only because they taste good but also to rev up their sex lives.

The stimulant that may help you with your sex life is found mostly in dark chocolate and considerably less in other chocolates like semi sweet and milk. So, if you want to enjoy an erotic evening of feeding chocolates to your partner make sure they are dark chocolates, specifically made with cacao, that have the most stimulant causing chemicals. Keep in mind that dark chocolates will not act as a drug and have you feeling as if you smoked pot or took a hit of ecstasy. But, dark chocolate will help you relax, get in the mood, and even sharpen your pleasure receptors so you will be more receptive to lovemaking.

Finding quality dark chocolates used to be quite difficult and then those you did find were bitter. But, today you can go in most stores and find outstanding dark chocolate on the shelves that will help you prepare for a night of passion not to mention there are many cardiovascular benefits to dark chocolate. There are lots of good reasons to add dark chocolate to your diet. Just don't go overboard because it still is fattening!

About the Author

Caitlina Fuller writes about health and family.

How to Make a Gourmet Chocolate Gift Basket

2007-07-15T23:05-04:00

by Caitlina Fuller

Making a gourmet chocolate gift basket is easier than you think even though it will look beautiful and professional by the time you finish. The following tips will help you choose the right chocolates to use in your gift basket and help you design it in the most beautiful way.

Tip #1 The Chocolates There are lots of different chocolates out there but you want to use gourmet chocolates. There are two reasons for this. One is for the taste and the other is to give a really nice gift. Any chocolates will work, but gourmet chocolates make the basket extra special. Hershey cherry cordials are a wonderful choice to include in your gift basket. They are tasty and loved by all. It really doesn't matter what other types of chocolates you include as long as Hershey kisses cherry cordials are in the basket! Of course, a mixture of dark chocolates and milk chocolates is a good idea to give a nice variety to the gift basket.

Tip #2 The Basket Choose a beautiful basket that reflects the quality of the chocolates. You don't want nice gourmet chocolates in a dollar store basket. Instead, you want a beautiful basket that gives off that same gourmet appearance and makes the gift basket even more appealing. Consider a dark brown basket that is elegant and beautiful. Buy some straw or beautiful fabric to stuff in the bottom of the basket and then add the chocolates. A great way to give form to your basket is to place foam under the straw or fabric and then glue small sticks onto the backs of the chocolates so you can stick them in the foam and create a shape.

These are just a couple suggestions to help you create a professional and gourmet chocolate basket that will be a wonderful gift. In fact, you can have several of these made up, as long as they are stored in a cool area, and then when a special occasion arises you have the perfect gift. This is a gift that will be appreciated by anyone for practically any occasion. Weddings, showers, Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and everything in between are perfect occasions to give a gourmet chocolate gift basket. So, go ahead and start making up some gourmet chocolate baskets of your own and it won't take you very long before you can do it in no time!

About the Author

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer.

Delicious Shapes: Chocolate Molds

2007-07-15T23:01-04:00

by Terry Roberts

A chocolate mold is a cavity, usually made of plastic, used for forming chocolates in desired shapes. A chocolate mold can usually withstand up to 160 degrees F of heat so should be used with low-heat melting chocolate. Some molds are made from rubber or silicone, while other chocolate molds are made from metal.

Most chocolate molds produce one sided chocolates which are flat on one side and formed on the other. Some manufacturers provide three dimensional molds that create a fully shaped chocolate. This is usually achieved when two molds are used then joined together in a semi-hardened state. A newer solution to achieving round shaped chocolates is to use a magnetic chocolate mold. This allows the melted chocolate to be placed inside the sphere with the magnets holding the mold together until it hardens in the desired shape.

Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate can all be used in a chocolate mold. Using small pieces of chocolate is the preferred way of melting the chocolate. Larger pieces of chocolate will require higher heat to achieve the melting stage. At higher heats the chocolate may burn or melt the chocolate mold. To avoid this, using small-shaped circles of chocolate called pastilles requires a lower heat, as the pieces are relatively small and uniform in size. This allows for an even melting time and makes it easier to pour into the chocolate mold.

A chocolate mold can be used for different types of chocolate. Most stores that sell chocolate molds will indicate what chocolate is the best for each different mold option. Some molds can withstand higher heats and can be used for harder chocolate, which requires more heat to melt it. Colors and flavors can be added to the chocolate in the melted stage to enhance the finished products. White chocolate will help to achieve the most pastel look to the chocolate if a subtle color is desired. For dark and deeper colors, darker chocolate can be used to reach the richer hues.

A suggested way to measure the required amount of chocolate needed for filling a chocolate mold is to measure the cavities or places in the mold for the chocolate with water. Pouring the water into the shapes, then into a measuring cup will indicate how much chocolate is needed as water measures almost the same as chocolate.

When cleaning a chocolate mold, soap should not be used as it can alter the taste of the next batch of chocolate, since the soap can penetrate into the plastic mold. Hot water should be used to remove any excess chocolate from the mold. If the chocolate comes out cleanly form the chocolate mold, leaving the mold with the remaining cocoa butter will aid in the removal of the following batches of chocolates made in the mold. All in all, a chocolate mold is a very versatile piece of equipment and can provide chocolates made into many desired shapes for different themes or occasions.

About the Author

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about chocolate, please visit his website: Gorgeous Chocolate!

Cotton Candy....Remeber The Days

2007-07-15T22:36-04:00

by mario oreilly

A cotton candy machine is always 1 of the main points of any festival, cotton candy is a popular treat of any age be it young or old. Cotton candy is one of those thing you always looked forward to everytime you visited a fairground, a real crowd pleaser, there's always a line of people wanting that fluffy cotton candy.

The cotton candy machine is a hot item for a fund-raiser. The basic materials are quite cheap, thus expands your profit margin. Cotton candy is for lack of a better term infectous, once 1 person see that pink ball of fuzy sweetness then it spreads and evryone is then queuing up. A cotton candy machine in many intances pays for itself, making what ever is made complete profi, for your fundraiser or party. Cotton candy is more often associated with fairs, carnivals, and circus's. A cotton floss machine can bring a special feeling to any event or party, what ever the size.

Cotton candy has been around for almost 100 years. The interesting thing about a cotton candy machine is that it can take regular sugar and melt it into a liquid. The machine then spins the liquid sugar at a high speed and forces it through several tiny holes. As the liquid passes through the holes and cools it becomes a wispy, cotton like candy.

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About the Author

I started my career as a bartender many years ago in a small pub in Ireland. My great passion for the trade has given me the opportunity to travel while expanding my knowledge and experience. During my extensive travels I have worked in many different & flamboyant environments. While I gained flairing, exhibitionist and cocktail mixology skills I had the opportunity to flavour many different cultures and there differing tastes.

Chocolate And Candy Are A Great Addition To A Baby Gift Basket

2007-07-14T00:34-04:00

by Melissa Fishman

You do not have to go through the trouble of walking from one baby gift shop to another just to find that perfect baby gift. A wide variety of baby gifts is within your reach from the comfort of your own home. A great way to get a baby gift is to have a child to choose the gift. Baby Gifts are a lot of fun to not only give but to receive when you are expecting. Personalized baby gifts are unique keepsakes to commemorate your baby's birth. All he or she really needs at that point are food, love, warmth, and shelter. Remember, cool baby gifts are not just for the baby.

Friends, family and colleagues usually throw baby showers; this is to honor the couple that is expecting a new born baby into the world. The purpose of the shower is to bestow gifts upon the parents-to-be so that is generally items that are necessary for babies. It doesn't matter if your baby shower is in an elegant restaurant, or a banquet hall or a warm cozy home.

When having a new baby come into the world the parents will need the obvious supplies, diapers, soap, lotions, powder and many other products will be a necessity for the baby. There are so many different gifts to purchase that most gifts will fit any type of budget. You can purchase inexpensive items and have them personalized and this will make an exceptionally great gift. Of course the greatest gift you could give is the baby furniture, this will help the parents out with a tight budget. Personalizing these items can be arranged. Clothing and related items are always welcome gifts, and if these are personalized, are valued that much more.

Think outside the box quite literally. Pretty baskets are great to hold an assortment of gifts and many craft stores put them on clearance quite often. The gift that you give is for the mother and the baby, but the baby does not know what it wants or needs so you must make the gift suitable for both. Upscale baby gift baskets are a great choice for the uncertain shower attendee. No matter what theme you choose baby gift baskets will make a lasting impression. Everyone loves chocolate so including chocolates in the basket is a great gift. Baskets are usually divided into girl themes, and boy themes. Gift baskets can be used for many different occasions, births, baptisms, baby showers and first birthdays and even many different holidays.

New parents can never have enough. Choose one of these baby shower gifts and you will have given a gift that will become a favorite. These baby shower gifts are choices that parents will love. When getting gifts for parents make sure you get something they can use now and not have to store away, they will have enough to stock up on. You can include many different items in a gift basket; you could include chocolate, cookies, baby food and candies to name a few. As everyone knows new parents love to take pictures so adding picture frames and photo albums is a great idea and is something that can be used.

About the Author

Melissa Fishman and David Marc Fishman are the owner of Mailordermommy.com. Mailordermommy sells child party favors. Get party supplies for your birthday party

Mayan Chocolate: More Than Candy

2007-07-01T11:10-04:00

by Regina Schwartz

According to the Maya chocolate was given to the people after the Sovereign Plumed Serpent God created them from maize. Ek Chuah the God of Cocoa is honored in a festival every April with the sacrifice of a cocoa colored dog. The Spaniards noted that priests would pierce their earlobes and let the blood drip on the cocoa as a sacrifice. Also sacrificial victims were served cocoa to comfort them in the Mexica region before they were sacrificed in an annual festival.

Archeologists tell us that the Olmec, which is the parent of the Maya, were the first to use cocoa around 19000 BC to 400 BC. The Mayan word for chocolate was xocoatl. They also made a Maya Chocolate drink called chocolatl made of roasted cocoa beans, water and spice. Maya also used cocoa beans as currency. Because of the cocoa beans value they were given as gifts for special events and religious ceremonies. Mayan Merchants would trade cocoa beans for commodities such as jade, cloth and ceremonial feathers. Maya farmers would transport their cocoa beans for trade by strapping large baskets to their backs and canoeing to various markets. 100 cocoa beans could buy a slave.

Until contact with the Europeans in 1519 cocoa was reserved for adult males including priests, high government officials, military officers, distinguished warriors and sacrificial beings. Women and children were often excluded because cocoa was found intoxicating and valuable. There were archeological sites where cocoa offerings were found made to the dead.

The Ancient Maya called the cocoa tree "cacahuatquchtl" stating that was the only tree worth naming. They felt the tree was from the gods and that the cocoa pods were the god's gifts to humans. Mayan chocolate is mentioned in the hieroglyphics and were depicted with images on their and religious implements and architectural structures.

In 4 surviving texts found from the post-classical Mayan period Mayan chocolate was referred to as food to the gods. Mayan chocolate was instrumental in many of the religious and ceremonial practices. The Mayans were the originators of brewing a bitter Mayan chocolate drink with the Cacao beans. Mayan texts describe the drink made from Mayan chocolate as a luxury only afforded to the nobility and wealthy to enjoy. The ancient texts also described how the Mayan chocolate was prepared. It varied in preparation from a refined drink to porridge mixed with corn meal. Pictures on various artifacts show cocoa being poured from one vessel to another to produce froth. Spices such as chili were also added to cocoa mixtures.

Traditionally the Mayan did not use sugar and milk in their chocolate drinks. The Europeans are the ones that added that to chocolate drinking. However I did find a recipe or two entitled Mayan Hot Chocolate that I would like to share: Of course it is not traditionally Mayan but they look interesting: 2 cups boiling water 1 chile pepper cut in half, seeds removed (with gloves) 5 cups light cream or whole or nonfat milk 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate or 3 tablets Mexican chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch pieces 2 tablespoons sugar or honey, or to taste l tablespoon almonds or hazelnuts, ground extra fine Whipped cream

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add chile pepper to boiling water. Cook until liquid is reduced to 1 cup. Remove chile pepper; strain water and set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine cream or milk, vanilla bean and cinnamon stick until bubbles appear around the edge. Reduce heat to low; add chocolate and sugar or honey; whisk occasionally until chocolate is melted and sugar dissolves. Turn off heat; remove vanilla bean and cinnamon stick. Add chile-infused water, a little at a time, tasting to make sure the flavor isn't too strong. If chocolate is too thick, thin with a little more milk.

Serve in small cups and offer ground almonds or hazelnuts and whipped cream.

Hot Chocolate Mayan Style 2 ounces (squares) bitter unsweetened bakers' chocolate 1-cup hot water 3 tablespoons honey Dash salt 3 cups hot milk 4 sticks cinnamon bark

Chop the chocolate and heat it in the water until melted. Add honey, salt, and beat the hot chocolate water with a balloon wire whip as you add th warmed milk. To make it more frothy and give more food value, you can beat up an egg or two, add hot chocolate to it, then pour it into the chocolate cooking pot and continue to whip, (but this isn't authentic). Serve the hot chocolate in mugs with cinnamon-bark stick stirrers in each.( Purists will tell you cinnamon bark was not indigenous to Maya culture.)

About the Author

Regina's new site on Mayan Civilization is a must for those who want any information on that subject. With her background in cultural anthropology she clearly gives a clear and detailed re-telling of the Mayan Civilization. Definitely check this site out for your Mayan Civilization information. mayan civilization

How To Cut Down Sugar Intake

2007-04-24T23:12-04:00

by Cassandra Marx

If you're trying to lose weight or just eat a healthier diet, cutting down on sugar is a great place to start. The average American consumes about three pounds of sugar every week, about six times the maximum recommended allowance.

Here are a few ways to start getting sugar out of your food:

1. Don't add sugar to your food. Try adding berries or bananas to your cereal instead of sugar. You should try to avoid drinking tea or coffee, but if you must, drink it without sugar. Try reducing the amount of sugar slowly, until you don't need to add it at all.

2. Add protein to each meal. Protein helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. A 150 lb/68 kg person doesn't need more than 80-85g of protein per day, and one ounce of any meat contains 7g of protein. But protein doesn't necessarily mean meat: legumes, nuts, and seeds are all excellent vegetarian sources of protein.

3. Instead of soda and juice, drink water. One can of soda contains 9-10 tablespoons of sugar! Even 100% fruit juice contains a lot of sugar, without the fiber of the whole fruit. Switch to water or skim milk instead. Instead of drinking juice, eat fresh fruit.

4. Read the nutrition labels and ingredients lists. Watch out for hidden sugars. Honey, molasses, corn syrup and maple syrup all contribute sugar. Look for words ending in "ose" like fructose and dextrose - these are other forms of sugar. And many "sugar-free" products contain sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol. These contain just as many (if not more!) calories as sugar and can cause you diarrhea, too.

5. For snack and desserts, choose fresh fruit instead of sugary sweets. Sugar is important to provide fuel and energy to your body, but should be consumed in its natural form. Fruits contain fiber and nutrients that prevent the sugar from metabolizing so quickly, which keeps your blood sugar levels more stable.

Also remember to divide your carbohydrate "budget" up over the day - try to eat three meals and two to four snack. This will keep your blood sugar levels more even and provide more continuous energy.

About the Author

Cassandra Marx is a writer in the field of nutrition and wellness. She recommends using a meal replacement like Rice 'n Shine as a healthy source of low glycemic index carbohydrates.

Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans: A Fun Snack

2007-04-24T23:07-04:00

by Roland Jefferson

Most people have some form of sweet tooth, and many also like the taste and smell of a fresh cup of coffee. Though the tastes of sweets and that of coffee are very different, they make a great match, since sugar helps to offset the slightly acidic bitterness of coffee. One of the best examples of this is the great taste of chocolate covered coffee beans. If you're a coffee lover, a chocolate lover, or both, chocolate covered coffee beans make a great snack.
A Marriage of Flavors
Chocolate and coffee work well together, so much that some chocolates in Europe will have recommended servings that include serving with coffee, particularly dark chocolates. However, any kind of chocolate can make great chocolate covered coffee beans, even white chocolate. This sweet, crunchy snack gives you the mellow flavor of one of the favorite candies in the world with the tang and aroma of coffee. And even better, this is a snack with kick, since you'll get a little caffeine rush from eating chocolate covered coffee beans.
Making Your Own
Some people are serious enough about their coffee to buy their own beans and grind them. If you're serious about your coffee, then you can be just as serious about your chocolate covered coffee beans. By purchasing your own beans and chocolate, you're guaranteed a quality product.
Making this great snack food is a snap; all you need is a pot to carefully melt the chocolate in, and some sort of device, whether a fork or a strainer, to remove the beans. Once the chocolate is melted, simply place the beans in the pot to coat, and then remove with the fork. Set on wax paper to harden overnight, and you'll have a great snack that you made from scratch.
Buying Beans
The selection of coffee beans can be important in the making of chocolate covered coffee beans. You want to buy a medium or dark roast, since a light roast will simply be too acidic for chocolate covered coffee beans. This is one reason why chocolate covered espresso beans are a popular sell, since it's a very dark roast.
You can bring out interesting flavor combinations with your chocolate covered coffee beans by purchasing flavored beans. Usually considered inferior by aficionados for creating a brew, they can add an extra kick to chocolate covered coffee beans. Give making this sweet, crunchy, snack a try and you're sure to get hooked!
About the Author
Roland Jefferson is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, Calfornia. For free recipes, tips and resources covering Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans, please visit our Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans Resource

Use A Special Chocolate Candy Mold To Make Fun Treats For The Family

2007-04-24T01:03-04:00

by IPRWire Staff Writer

Having a chocolate candy mold may not seem like a big deal, but did you know that it can be the key to having an enjoyable afternoon with your kids? It's true. With our hurry up lives we often find that we do not spend as much quality time with our children as we would like. In many cases, this simply cannot be avoided. Both parents often have to work these days in order to make ends meet and for some there is only a single parent in the home and time is often a commodity that has to be spent elsewhere.

So if this is the case, why not use your chocolate candy mold and bring the whole family together for a fun-filled afternoon or evening? The making of the treats themselves is easy and requires little or no advanced training in kitchen skills. It is also safe and relatively quick to complete. And best of all, it is something the whole family can participate in, with each family member feeling as if he or she contributed to the overall project.

Children are curious by nature and they love to help out in the kitchen. This is especially true if they are making sweet treats they get to consume when finished. But they also need time with their parents. Just fun time with no pressures and no interferences from work or other daily adult worries. It's good for the grown ups, too!

Who would think that a simple chocolate candy mold could bring all of this together? Funny, but often the more simple things are the ones that have the most power to impact on our lives. This is a case of where that is especially true.

But before you plan this great time together, make sure you have everything you need to get the project started off on the right foot and completed. There is nothing more disappointing than to have to stop midway because something is missing.

For this particular family project, you will only need a few items, and all of them can be found online if you shop at a reliable vendor. You will need your chocolate candy mold, of course, and these now come in so many different shapes and sizes that you can let your imagination go wild. There is a design to fit just about any interest or event you can think of. Some of these are truly unique, such as complete chess boards and pieces made of the sweet stuff! Or how about a set of dominoes, complete with their little white dots?

You will also need the filling and you may want to consider having some colorful wrapping if you plan to give any away as gifts.

One of the best places to find all of these things and to see a huge selection of designs is at the Candy Plus website at http://www.candyplus.net. Candy Plus features everything you need to pull this off and their prices are incredibly reasonable.

About the Author

http://www.candyplus.net offers the chocolate expertise of its sister-owners, Kathryn Whitaker and Kim Velez. Candy Plus offers candy making supplies, chocolate candy molds, ice sculpture molds, hard candy molds and candy molds.

Finding The Best Candy Making Supply Company

2007-04-24T00:59-04:00

by IPRWire Staff Writer

If you are into making your own home cooked treats, you might do well to investigate into a candy making supply company that can fill all of your needs. There are a few reasons why this is important.

For starters, when you find an honest and reliable candy making supply firm you will immediately benefit by saving time. No longer will you have to search one place and then another and then another to find the components you need for your projects. This can save you literally hours of shopping time and can help you get your projects finished more quickly and more easily.

When you look for a candy making supply firm, spend some time exploring their inventory lists to see if they have the things you will need. Try to keep in mind not only the project that you may be working on at the time, but any future projects you may be involved with.

Also, as you investigate, consider the various holidays and special life events such as weddings, graduations, birthdays, and parties that you may have to provide for. Do they carry a wide selection of items to fit each of these areas? If not, you may want to go to another candy making supply retailer. As you know already, there is a lot of disappointment when you cannot find everything you need for a project. There is no need for that any longer. While it may be hard to find a one stop shop that carries everything you could need for any project, it is not impossible.

You also want to see if they have a variety of good quality ingredients for use with your projects. Do they carry the best chocolates? Do they carry the best flavoring oils?

Lastly, you want to see if they also carry the sundry items that often make a project a work of art. Things like gift boxes and gift wrappings. Accessory items such as lollipop sticks and bags should also be investigated. You want to know that they have all the items you may need so that you will not have to go hopping all over the Internet to find the components needed for your project.

A fantastic place to start is with Candy Plus at http://www.candyplus.net. Candy Plus features a huge selection of products and they offer them in many different themes, shapes, and sizes. They also carry the best ingredients to be found such a Callebaut chocolate and Lorann Oils. Their prices are very competitive and their shipping rates are more than fair. Contact them directly at www.candyplus.net to learn more!

About the Author

Hot Hot Hot Mexi-Candy

2007-04-24T00:56-04:00

by Christopher Pratt

One of the beautiful things about American culture is that at times it is a great blend of traditions of those who have immigrated to this wonderful country. This is especially seen in the various eating and cooking habits of Americans. In fact, communities with Latino populations have been introduced to the tasty treat of Mexican candy.

Candy conventions are beginning to see more Mexican candy importers, and they are not supplying typical chocolate bars; though those are available too. No, the fact is that Hispanics' often have different desires when it comes to the taste of candy.

The Latino population loves their candy, but they like it hot! hot! hot! The traditional American impression of hot candy is a strong cinnamon flavor. When considering Mexican candy, think more Jalapeno pepper hot. You may see lollipops covered in Chili or flaming, hot spicy Cheetos. Yes, the children love the unusual flavors, and seem to desire candy in flavors which offer more than one taste experience, such as mango and chili-flavored lollipops. Tamarind, a seedpod fruit grown in Asia, is a highly valued and desired flavor, and candy containing this fruit is a hot selling item. Even the gummies can be chili coated. Hum! That sounds interesting!

A new item on the Mexican candy market is Salsaghetti. Hot watermelon candy straws and Gusano tamarind sauce are packed in a simulated pasta package. This spicy candy looks like real spaghetti with marinara! Sorry, meatballs are not included.

It is quite common to find Mexican candy being sold from an ice cream truck. In larger towns the local markets and candy stores are all now carrying a variety of Mexican candies in addition to the traditional American candy. Many store owners agree that tasty Mexican candies outsell the large selection of American candy.

Stores specializing in Mexican candy offer such treats as coconut "Toothbreakers," gummy snacks, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates, and many items such as chewing gum, salty-chili-flavored powders meant to be licked or have fruit dipped into them. And let's not forget the all-time favorite lollipops. You just have to remember that some of these are going to be a bit warmer than you might have expected. Love those Habaneras lollipops!

If you desire to sample some of these over-the-border delicacies and cannot find a store in your area, try on-line stores. You can find a great variety of snacks and tidbits on-line. Many candies and treats are available to you right from your own computer. Try some different treats and give your taste buds a new sensation. If hot isn't your cup of chocolate, try the ground peanut Mazapan candy or the caramels in wafers. Just try it, you might like it!

About the Author

Christopher Pratt is President of Candy Warehouse, the leading candy shop for bulk candy discounts and specialty candy for specific occasions. Candy Warehouse has novelty candy for many special occasions such as Mexican candy store for all your special holiday needs.

Ever Heard of Polish Chocolates?

2007-04-22T01:34-04:00

by Daniel Edward

We have all heard about chocolates made in France, Belgium, Switzerland, or in the good old USA. Things haven't really changed much in the past decades and yet a country in Eastern Europe still doesn't get the credit it deserves for its flavored chocolates; we're talking about Poland.

What makes the Polish variety so special? How about sweets with shells of dark chocolate and pieces of Coconuts as a filling? Flavored Polish sweets have always had a high concentration of natural ingredients, sweets from sweet maker Solidarnosc, have at least 8% of whole pieces of Coconut, Pistachio or even 38% of whole plums or Hazelnuts. All these flavors are surrounded by a shell of dark chocolate with a high concentration of cocoa, at least 45%.

Polish companies like E.Wedel haven been selling chocolates for over 155 years. Few people know that the idea of selling chocolate bars with a fruity flavored filling actually originated with Wedel! In the 70s the company was looking at reinvigorating its line of chocolates and an employee, Franciszek Piekarek, had the idea of combining chocolates bars with fruity flavored fillings, the idea was so well received that the company still sells the same flavored chocolate bars it did 30 years ago. Flavors range from Coconut, Raspberry, Black Current, Orange, Cappuccino and many more...

The best in all this? The price! Polish sweets have long been known only to poles, and with the low cost of life in Poland these sweets can be grabbed at a bargain. There is no brand name to pay for like Ferrero Rocher or Lindt, prices really do reflect the cost of manufacturing. You can purchase 12 flavored chocolates from Solidarnosc with whole pieces of Plums at only 2.39$.

So what are you waiting for? Tired of tasting the same old chocolate makers. Discover Eastern Europe's best kept secret, discover Poland's Flavored Chocolates!

About the Author

Chocoladka.com is the only and best source for Polish Chocolates and Sweets from famous companies like Wawel, Wedel, Solidarnosc, Mieszko on the internet.

The Health Benefits Of Dark Chocolates

2007-04-22T01:30-04:00

by Charles Allen

It is rare that eating chocolate is recommended for health reasons. However, quite surprisingly, dark chocolate is said to contain antioxidants that benefit your body when eaten properly.

People often refer to dark chocolate as "bittersweet" chocolate. It contains roughly 70% cocoa solids and has less or no sugar added.

Since it has less or no sugar, dark chocolate is far less susceptible to heat than milk chocolate.

Some recent studies suggest that eating dark chocolate provides your body with essential antioxidants that could help with getting rid of free radicals that cause premature aging.

Other studies indicate that another benefit of dark chocolates is it could help with lowering bad cholesterol oxidation and reduce the risk of blood clots.

The primary reason why dark chocolate have these benefits is the flavonoids it contains. A flavonoid is a ketone that one can also find in the stems, seeds, and leaves of several plants. These flavonoids are members of a class of antioxidants called polyphenols, which are also found in red wine, tea, and certain fruits and vegetables.

It is estimated that dark chocolate contains eight times the levels of polyphenol antioxidants when compared with strawberries.

More studies have indicated that there are reduced benefits eating dark chocolate antioxidants if it were taken with milk or if milk were part of the dark chocolate mixture. It is believed that the molecules of milk adhere themselves to the epicatechins and prevent the proper assimilation of the flavonoids by the body.

Not all studies favor dark chocolates. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of dark chocolate inducing migraine attacks. However, data to fully support those concerns is still insufficient.

In addition to being a pleasure on the palate, consuming fifty grams of dark chocolate made of at least 70 percent chocolate solids could provide health benefits and supplement your diet with additional iron, potassium, and calcium.

About the Author

More chocolate informationand advice on using confectionary coating as a chocolate alternative.

Looking for a Unique Business Gift or Giveaway? Think Chocolate!

2007-04-22T01:26-04:00

by Chris Robertson

Who doesn't love chocolate? When people are surveyed, they always rank chocolate as their overall favorite flavor. And if the creaminess and rich flavor of, say, Belgian chocolate isn't enough to entice chocolate aficionados, researchers continue to discover the tasty treat's myriad health benefits.

Despite chocolate's popularity and health benefits, business owners often don't consider the ways chocolate can leave a lasting impression with clients, potential customers, and employees.

Trade Shows

If your business exhibits at trade shows, you know the challenges of coming up with a memorable giveaway for those who stop by your booth. Trade show attendees collect pens, pads, luggage tags, and the like by the bag full. What they could really use as they traipse up and down the aisles of a trade show is a little pick-me-up - something that brings a smile to their face and gives them a boost to make it through the day. At an education trade show, for example, you could hand out Belgian chocolate bars that say, "Teachers Make Learning Sweet." At a construction-related exhibit, you could distribute chocolate bars that say, "Think Safety," while at a political event, you could hand out chocolate coins that say, "Democrat" or "Republican."

Client Appreciation

Showing your clients that you appreciate their business goes far in developing goodwill and cementing relationships. A chocolate assortment with a large "Thank You" chocolate bar in the middle is a memorable token of appreciation. If you have a retail store, a chocolate "Thank You" cookie or chocolate "Thank You" coins wrapped in silver will leave customers smiling. Keeping track of and commemorating the birthday of a special client with a "Happy Birthday" chocolate assortment will communicate that you value him or her. A business gift of any kind is appreciated, but chocolate is a special treat that will be remembered.

Employee Recognition

Studies have shown that employees are happier at their jobs when they feel that their efforts are appreciated. Interestingly, it turns out that recognition doesn't have to come in the form of large bonuses or fancy events; small tokens that demonstrate you value their contributions have the same effect. For that reason, keeping a supply of Belgian chocolate bars that say, "Thanks a Million" or "You've Gone the Extra Mile" will give you an easy way to recognize employees on a regular basis.

Motivating Sales Teams

Salespeople have one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Even great salespeople need to get revved up and motivated to keep going day after day. That's why team sales meetings are so important. At your meeting, why not hand out a chocolate cookie that says, "Think Outside the Box" or "Way to Go"? If you're trying to reinforce team spirit, distribute chocolates in the shape of puzzle pieces with the word "Teamwork" emblazoned on one side?

Of course, in addition to a corporate gift or for employee recognition, custom chocolate can be used in a variety of other celebrations, holidays, and events. A chocolate party favor or wedding favor will be enjoyed and remembered, as will a Christmas food gift of chocolate. So, next time you need a gift or giveaway, think chocolate!

About the Author

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies. For tips/information, click here: Chocolate
Visit Majon's Business and Entrepreneurs directory.

Health Benefits of Dark Chocolates

2007-04-08T23:17-04:00

by Caitlina Fuller

We have known for a long time that you have to cut back on sweets if you want to lose weight, maintain a healthy heart and live as long as possible. Right? However, new evidence shows otherwise, at least where dark chocolates are concerned. It seems that high blood pressure and even heart disease may be helped by dark chocolate rather than exacerbated by it.

When reading this information don't let it go to your head too much. Yes, dark chocolates have been shown to be beneficial. But that doesn't mean you should eat too much of it or that you have free reign over white chocolate or even milk chocolate. It's dark chocolates we are talking about here.

In several studies dark chocolate has lowered high blood pressure in many participants. That is great news and while chocolate is enjoyable to eat it is also a lot healthier than prescription drugs. Remember, though, that you can't just eat all the chocolate you want. You can eat some and if you have mild high blood pressure and are of a certain age then the dark chocolate will more than likely help you. But, you must balance your caloric intake and know that if you are eating dark chocolate that you will need to cut calories elsewhere.

Believe it or not, but dark chocolate also has antioxidants. However, you must eat it alone. Don't accompany the dark chocolate with a big glass of milk or else you will eliminate the antioxidant effect. Antioxidants are great because they attack and eliminate free radicals, the culprits of many diseases including heart disease. A study with 13 individuals ages 55-64 who had mild high blood pressure took part in a study. Half were given a 100 gram dark chocolate candy bar and the other half a 100 gram white chocolate candy bar. They had to eliminate 480 other calories from their diet to make up for eating the chocolate. Over the course of the two week study the individuals who ate the dark chocolate saw a significant drop in their blood pressure. In fact, the average was five systolic points and two diastolic points. The individuals who ate white chocolate did not see the same results. Another study used the same amount of people but in the 25-35 age range. They ate 100 grams of dark chocolate one day, 100 grams of dark chocolate with a small glass of milk another day, and finally 200 grams of milk chocolate. The study found that eating dark chocolate by itself results in the most total antioxidants in the blood. Many of us prefer milk chocolate to dark chocolate because it is smoother, sweeter and not as bitter. But, it is dark chocolate that makes the health difference and it is still sweet and good. So, why is dark chocolate the answer? It's because it contains cocoa phenols, which lower blood pressure. If you want to try this remedy then cut out bad things in your diet like colas, carnival foods, and the like to make up for the 500 plus calories in a bar of chocolate. Then you can have your chocolate and enjoy the cardiovascular benefits! Remember to take good care of your teeth as well when eating all that chocolate because tooth health has a direct connection to cardiovascular health. Now, go buy you some dark chocolate.

About the Author

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. If you want to try this remedy then cut out bad things in your diet like colas, carnival foods, and the like to make up for the 500 plus calories in a bar of chocolate. Then you can have your chocolate and enjoy the cardiovascular benefits!

Winning the Candy Wars

2007-04-08T23:10-04:00

by Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller

Our children are being bombarded with candy from every direction. Chocolate bars, gum, suckers, and assorted gummy candies line the checkout lanes in grocery stores. School fundraisers sell candy bars, cookies, and brownies in the hallways during lunch hours. Every mall, skating rink, soccer complex, movie theater, and even the video store has a place to buy candy.

And then there is the holidays. Halloween trick or treat bags bulge with every kind of candy imaginable. Christmas stockings are topped with bubble gum and chocolate bars. Valentine messages are stamped on candy hearts and boxes of candy are the staple of communicating love. Easter baskets overflow with jellybeans and chocolate bunnies.

Candy is everywhere and its presence wreaking havoc on our children's teeth and waist lines. Children are visiting the dentist with serious tooth decay at younger and younger ages every year. Obesity in children is a national concern.

With candy being universally available and regularly within sight of children, what is a parent to do? How do you combat its influence on your children? How do you lessen the influence of advertisers and get candy consumption under control in your family? How can you win the candy wars?

The following suggestions can assist you in curbing your children's candy consumption. Use them to increase the health and well-being of your family.

1. Begin by being a model for your children to follow.

If you are a chocoholic and find yourself foraging through the cupboard for the last chocolate bar or eating an entire bag of M & M's once they are opened, reflect on the message you are sending your children. It will be difficult for you to curb your children's candy consumption when they see you unable to curb your own. So model the message. Eat a small portion of candy and set the rest aside for later. Talk to your children about your desire and your willingness to stay conscious and make healthy choices about your own candy consumption. The positive images you give them on how to set candy aside will help them to be more likely they are to set it aside themselves.

2. See candy as a wonderful opportunity to set limits with your children.

As parents we set limits around television, computer time, video games, bed times, friends, and a variety of other items. Setting limits with candy does not mean you make if totally off limits. It means that you provide opportunities for your children to enjoy candy within some clearly defined parameters or guidelines.

Children want guidelines. They thrive on structure. It is the structure provided by the adult that allows them, to relax into being a child. Of course they will push and test the limits. That is there job. Pushing and testing the limits does not mean that your children want them changed. It most often means that they want to see if the structure is really in place.

Set your limits early before you go to the store, before the Easter bunny arrives, before the Halloween bags are full, before you bring candy into the house. "We will be buying one treat today in the store," sets the limit. So does, "We are shopping for food today. This will be a non-candy trip."

Discuss with your children how candy consumptions will take place before they head out to gather a bag full at Halloween time. Agree on a portion to be eaten each day and a place to keep it. Do not allow candy to be taken into their bedroom. Do not leave bags of candy in the cupboard for easy access. This is part of setting limits and it is your responsibility as a conscious, committed parent to see that it is done.

Setting a limit doesn't means you have to say, "No." Sometimes saying, "Yes," with a qualifier, helps you avoid power struggles.

"Can I have a piece of candy?"

"Yes, you can have one right after supper."

Another important way to set limits and structure candy consumption in your family while reducing resistance and resentment is to offer children choices.

3. Offer your children choices when it comes to candy consumption.

"You can choose five pieces of candy out of your Halloween bag for today and set the rest aside for a different day. Let spread all your candy out and look at your choices."

"You can choose one piece of candy now or two pieces of candy for after supper. You decide."

"You can choose to have your Easter basket candy kept in the kitchen cupboard where we can keep track of it or you can choose to be done having access to your candy."

With candy, remind your children that responsibility equals opportunity. Your children have an opportunity to have some candy. If they are responsible with following the parameters you have set then the opportunity continues .If they choose not to be responsible with candy, they choose to lose the opportunity to have it available. In that instance, access to candy is removed.

This could mean you may have to remove all the candy from the house and make it unavailable to anyone. That would include you.

4. Make the eating of candy something special.

Educate your children that candy is not food. It is junk and has no nutritional value for their bodies. Candy and the opportunity to eat it is something special and are reserved for special moments. Keep candy eating rare and enjoyable. Once the line is crossed and candy becomes an everyday occurrence, specialness of it wears off and it presence is now expected..

Have different candy around at different times to bring attention to the special event that the candy may represent. Focus on the event and how different types of candy are significant at different times of the year. Talk about the cultural or family significance of what a particular type of candy may represent. Change the focus from that of mass consumption to that of significance to you and your family.

5. Don't use candy as a reward.

When you use candy to motivate your children to perform a particular task or behave in a certain way, you are positioning it as a tool of manipulation. Using candy to get children to behave is a form of bribery and produces children who perform for a substance. In this way you end up producing a "candy junky," someone who chases after the next fix of the desirable substance.

Candy should never be used as a reward by parents, teachers, or any professional working with children. This distorts the role candy should have in a young person's life and teaches children that the reward (in this case candy) is more important than the task performed..

6. Help your children create an inner authority.

You are not always going to be present when your children have access to candy. You are not going to be there to enforce a limit for your children or give them choices. You want the ability to curb candy consumption to already be inside them. This control for within will develop in children if you can start early and consistently utilize the suggestions above.

Another way to help your child build inner controls is to debrief or talk through your child's choices with him after he returns from a place where you know candy is easily available. Help him think about and talk through his decisions. Ask him to articulate what he would want to keep the same and what he would like to different next time. Help him create a plan to build on his successes.

Your child's inner authority is the only authority she will take with her wherever she goes Help her learn to trust her ability to decide and make healthy, responsible choices.

By following these six suggestions you and your children can enjoy the wonderful taste of chocolate and other candies. The holidays can be filled with pleasant moments of special candy consumptions. The "candy wars" will no longer be necessary. Instead, eating candy will move from a weight and tooth decay issue to a wonderful time when one can simply enjoy a sweet taste upon the pallet.

About the Author

Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are the authors of The 10 Commitments: Parenting with Purpose. They also publish a FREE email newsletter for parents and another for educators. Subscribe to them when you visit, www.chickmoorman.com or www.thomashaller.com. Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are two of the world's foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring, confident children. For more information about how they can help you or your grou

A Chocolate Primer

2007-04-01T00:25-04:00

by Fran Black

A trip down the baking aisle in a grocery store presents the pastry chef with more options for chocolate than the candy counter. But if you're stuck in a pinch, is it okay to substitute semi-sweet chips with a bittersweet bar? What can a glimpse at the list of ingredients tell you about a chocolate bar? Besides color, is there any real difference between white chocolate and milk chocolate? And why does European chocolate feel different in your mouth than American? After reading this article you will be able to answer these questions. However, we can't guarantee that you'll make a better chocolate mousse!

There are six basic kinds of chocolate. While all six are products of the cocoa bean, they differ immensely in flavor and purpose. Knowing how the cocoa bean is processed and used to make chocolate will explain the different kinds of chocolate, and also reveal why some brands are better quality than others.

Cocoa beans come from trees grown in the tropics of South and Central America and Africa. Pods containing the beans are harvested, and the beans together with the surrounding pulp are removed and placed in bins to ferment. After three to seven days the fermented pulp is dried quickly to avoid molding. Then the beans are roasted, graded and ground into a liquid called cocoa liquor. From the liquor, a fat called cocoa butter is extracted, leaving cocoa powder. These are the raw ingredients used to make chocolate.

Most people are surprised to learn that pure cocoa is very bitter. Cocoa must be sweetened with sugar, and sometimes vanilla and milk to produce that ever-popular chocolate flavor. The amount of cocoa in the blend determines the type of chocolate. Unsweetened or Baking Chocolate is the solid form of chocolate liquor. It is used in baking, when sugar or other sweeteners are called for in the recipe. Similarly, Bittersweet chocolate is primarily used for baking, with a minimum of 50% cocoa liquor. A third type of chocolate used in baking is Semi-Sweet, with a minimum of 35% cocoa liquor. Semi-sweet morsels are best known as the key ingredient in chocolate chip cookies.

While bittersweet has a stronger chocolate flavor than the sugary semi-sweet chocolate, these can sometimes be used interchangeably in recipes. In fact, since the amount of sugar is not regulated, what one manufacturer calls semi-sweet may be called bittersweet by another. Europeans, whose regulations are higher than Americans, tend to use more bittersweet. As a general guideline it's best to note that the higher the content of chocolate liquor, the richer and more flavorful the chocolate.

Both bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate are considered Dark Chocolate, which is any chocolate that does not contain milk or milk solids. American regulations set a minimum at 15% cocoa liquor in dark chocolate (European rules 35% minimum); however the finest dark chocolate has between 60-70%. There has been hype in recent years that the antioxidants present in dark chocolate may protect the heart; however, much of the processing destroys these healthy properties. Also, the high fat content in chocolate largely negates the benefits.

When milk solids are added to the blend, you get creamy Milk Chocolate, which has at least 10% cocoa liquor. Finally, White Chocolate, made with cocoa butter, milk, and sugar is usually made without any cocoa solids at all.

While chocolatiers have their own blends, the best quality chocolate is that made with high cocoa content. Cheaper blends may use fats other than cocoa butter, and many inferior mass-produced chocolates have less than 7% cocoa! Checking the ingredients list is a good idea if you are searching for a high-quality chocolate. Other than that, the feel of the chocolate in your mouth and the best flavor are largely a matter of personal taste. It is recommended you taste test different brands until you find the chocolate you like best--a task that will hardly be a burden to anyone!

About the Author

About the Author: Francesca Black is a gourmet and freelance writer. Writing for Gourmet Living http://www.gourmet-living.com and BBQ Shop http://www.bbq-shop.net .

Why Tea And Chocolate Are Good For You.

2007-04-01T00:21-04:00

by Audrey Coriou

Tea and chocolate... You're probably wondering if those two can really be good for you, aren't you? After all, chocolate has a lot of calories and tea has caffeine.

Allow me to explain how these two can be good for you.

A Pennsylvania State-led review (done in 2002) of the available 66 published studies, supports the view that consuming flavonoid-rich tea and/or chocolate, in moderation, can be associated with the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

Tea, without milk or sugar, does not contain any calories and contains plenty of antioxidant flavonoids. Tea can be added to your diet without increasing your weight. A chocolate cookie that also contains fruits and nuts along with the tea (remember to practice moderation) may be a heart healthy snack.

On this planet, there isn't just one food that can be absorbed singly and give us everything that our body needs. A balance has to be achieved amongst all kinds of food. Both, tea and chocolate, which are plant foods (let's not forget that one!), can be included as part of a healthy diet. But chocolate has to be eaten in moderation (because of its high-calories) along with other flavonoid-rich plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables.

It is widely known that tea contains flavonoids, however, watch out for chocolate. The amount of flavonoids in commercial chocolates will vary greatly from one kind to another. Some might not contain any flavonoids while others might contain a good amount.

Note: The research in regards to flavonoids and all of their health benefits are still in progress. Hence, the amount of flavonoids chocolate contains is rarely written on the ingredients of a chocolate bar. In order to make sure that you do get chocolate that is flavonoid-rich, I suggest that you stick with chocolates that are of high quality as high quality ingredients are usually used.

Although weight gain is a possible side-effect of eating chocolate, the increase of "bad" cholesterol is not. It has been noted that the major form of fat in chocolate is stearic acid. Stearic acid is a cholesterol-neutral when it is presented in a diet in moderate amounts. So don't worry about getting "bad" cholesterol as long as you eat good-quality chocolate in moderation!

Don't forget, this isn't a green light to go on a chocolate binge!

In conclusion, studies on tea and chocolate support the concept that the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods may be beneficial to your health.

About the Author

I am proud to say that I am a lover of tea and chocolate. Whether you prefer tea or chocolate, I am sure that you'll find what you are searching for, here!
Eat chocolate, drink tea, and be happy!!!!

Easter Candy Craze Began In Europe

2007-02-18T13:55-05:00

by Christopher Pratt

As Easter approaches we could begin to think about the solemnity of the holiday and what it means in relationship to our faith. We could think about the gatherings of family members to enjoy a feast of delectable foods and lots of laughs and games. We could think about the approaching of spring and that new life is just waiting to bud up from beneath the ground. Or, like the holiday-celebrating Americans we are, we could start thinking CANDY. That's right, in the year 2000, Americans spent 1.9 billion on Easter candy, and by now, seven years later, that amount has soared.

Easter comes in right behind Halloween for candy purchasing. We consume around 8 billion pounds of candy a year in our country, and Easter time generates a significant amount candy purchasing.

Every year the markets swell with beautiful pastel and chocolate candies displayed to tempt the heartiest of saints. Store shelves are filled with colorful Jelly Beans, chocolate bunnies, chicks, and eggs, as well as those adorable little Marshmallow Peeps. By the way, reports say that in "1957 it took 27 hours to make a Peep and today it only takes 6 minutes." M&M's now come in lovely spring pastels rather than the usual reds, greens, and browns to help us celebrate Easter.

It seems the custom of celebrating Easter with sweets may have started with Hot cross buns which were eaten for breakfast on Good Friday in England. Baked pretzels were also eaten as an Easter treat. However, it was the availability of chocolate in Europe during the 1800's that sparked the candy craze we enjoy today. The eating of lovely chocolate eggs became the popular way to celebrate Easter and, not to mention, make a buck!

The true history of Easter is apparent to those who recognize and celebrate this holiday, but now you know the origin of Easter candy. Yes, there should always be the large family gatherings, the yummy afternoon dinner, and religious recognition. But now we understand that when jelly beans and chocolate eggs start to line the shelves at the grocery it is time for a day of fun, laughter, and best of all a sugar induced celebration of one of the greatest holidays of the year.

About the Author

Christopher Pratt is President of Candy Warehouse, the leading candy store for bulk candy discounts and specialty candy for specific occasions. Candy Warehouse has novelty candy for many special occasions such as Easter candy for all your special holiday needs.

Budget Friendly Valentines Day Gifts

2007-02-11T01:25-05:00

by oliver green

Most people are still trying to recover from overspending during the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately Valentines Day is right around the corner! According to the National Retail Federation the average consumer will spend over $100 on Valentine's Day gifts this year. Consumer trends aside, this is an important holiday so we've identified some gifts ideas that will please your loved ones as well as your wallet!

This Valentines Day stop and smell the roses but avoid floral arrangements from the corner store or supermarket. Instead opt for an exotic flower from the botanical gardens near you. In fact for an exciting pre Valentines Day outing check out the Lunar New Years Celebration and Flower Market on February 10, 2007 at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (http://www.bbg.org). We love this event because it has everything: fresh exotic flowers, cuisine from the Far East as well as lively musical and dance performances. Admission into the BBG is $5.00 per person while the fresh flowers and food are available for an additional nominal cost. The Lunar New Years Celebration and Flower Market at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is a budget friendly and fun-filled pre-Valentines Day outing!

Candy is always a good idea especially if you recently started dating and want to impress your partner. This year avoid generic heart shaped candy and chocolate gift box sets available at discount retailers! Instead go for luxury and sophistication. Come on. Try a sweet treat from Vosges Haut-Chocolat, the brain child of Katrina Markoff. Markoff is a classically trained confectionary artist and graduate of Le Cordon Bleu a fine culinary institution in Paris. Markoff creates delicious treats infused with exotic spices and ingredients from around the world. There are several delicious Valentines Day gift box sets. We suggest the Gatsby Truffle Collection, which is available in two sizes and ranges in price from $27.00 to $41.00. This collection is a combination of white and dark chocolate truffles each topped with rose petals! Vosges Haut-Chocolat can be purchased at boutique stores, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman or online. Vosges Haut-Chocolat is a great elegant alternative to generic Valentines Day candy!

Clearly, if you've been dating awhile you need to come up with something unique. Not to worry this can be done on a budget as well! Check out the arts and leisure section in your local newspaper. This section is filled with interesting events. Fortunately for us, Manhattan is known for its arts and culture scene. We suggest the sexy and sultry Flamenco Festival. There are several interesting events to choose from and ticket prices are within the $30.00 to $70.00 range. Prior to selected performances, ticket holders can participate in complimentary flamenco dance classes taught by a flamenco master!

Finally if you'd done the flowers and candy year after year or can't dance, keep it simple and treat your partner to a special dinner. We suggest dining in style! Try L'ECOLE, the restaurant at the French Culinary Institute of New York City! L'ECOLE has received rave reviews in several major gourmet magazines. Patrons are treated to fine cuisine prepared by FCI students. Each course is pleasing to the pallet and presented artfully. Two patrons can enjoy a five course meal at L'ECOLE for under $100! Dining at L'ECOLE is a great way to impress your significant other and remain within a tight budget. But be forewarned, reservations are required and seating tends to go fast.

Ultimately, Valentines Day is about showing your partner the extent of your appreciation! So be creative. You don't have to break the bank to communicate how much you care this Valentines Day! A simple "I love you always" does the trick as well.

PhatGuru.com Inc. Queen of Cool PhatPeople@phatguru.com

About the Author

PhatGuru.com Inc. Queen of Cool PhatPeople@phatguru.com

Should Valentine's Day REALLY mean flowers and candy?

2007-02-11T01:22-05:00

by Andrew Kaplan

I just received an e-mail from someone who's been dating a girl for about three weeks, and with Valentine's Day fast approaching, he doesn't know whether he should take her out for a nice romantic dinner or if a couple dozen roses will do the trick. My question to him is: why do either??

We're talking about a 'relationship' (if you can even call it that just yet) that hasn't even reached a full month, and already, this guy is positioning himself as a boring, pathetic, needy punk. All because a certain day on the calendar year tells him to do so.

Valentine's Day carries with it an inherent ability to really push the "guy courts girl, and by result, must bend over backwards to satisfy her" mentality. Sadly, this concept has infiltrated virtually every corner of Americana, and there doesn't seem to be any signs of this changing anytime soon.

Less than four weeks into dating someone, many people automatically feel this tremendous obligation to act in a certain way. They're basically bullied by the socially-imposed standards of our society into extending themselves past the point of their own internal comfort. They're asked to be someone who they really aren't. And what they fail to realize is that by submitting to this false standard, they're failing a very important test in the process. They're lowering their value to unrecoverable depths and carrying themselves in a way that screams "I'm not good enough."

To set the record straight, my problem with Valentine's Day isn't the fact that women in this dynamic end up being treated well. Both parties SHOULD be treating each other well. Otherwise, what's the point of being with someone? My problem instead, is the implication that the guy in this dynamic isn't worthy of being in this relationship on his own merit. His value is so low that he must placate through the use of flowers, candy, expensive dinners, or anything else of material worth.

In effect, the guy must 'buy' his way into his position in the relationship. And as soon as he approaches things from that perspective, whether it's Valentine's Day or any normal day of the year, he weakens his status, becomes far less attractive in his mate's eyes, and usually ends up being dumped soon after.

The way I look at things, if you truly WANT to go out and spend a lot of money on Valentine's Day, then more power to you. As I say often in my CreateYourCharisma.com newsletters, the true path to being charismatic, appealing, and someone who magnetically pulls others in is to be as congruent with your own internal preferences as you possibly can. And if that includes emptying your wallet on a specific day of the calendar year... say February 14, for instance... then go right ahead.

But trust me when I say you should really make a point of refraining from such behavior if you don't think the other party has earned it just yet. It doesn't matter if it's Valentine's Day, their birthday, Christmas, or anything else. If you don't feel like the other party has taken an important enough place in your life, then don't send a mixed signal that indicates such.

Engaging in this type of desperate puppy-dog, momma's boy behavior when it isn't really a reflection of who you are is really just another way of compromising your own principles, lowering your value, and by result, forfeiting your right to be in the relationship in the first place. You need to be someone who can be respected, after all.

Now I'm not the first person to say this. And it's a pretty safe bet that I won't be the last. That fact in and of itself tells me... as it should tell you... that people just aren't paying attention. They're continuously repeating the same mistakes over and over again. They're getting dumped in the worst ways. And they're wondering why.

So this Valentine's Day, give with YOUR heart. Not society's. Not Hallmark's. Not your older sister's (who just happens to drag her husband around by a leash). If you're really worthy of someone else's company, then your company alone should be good enough for them. And that holds true whether you come bearing 4 dozen roses or just a single one. It's true whether you pay top dollar for some fancy meal or you simply spring for the next round of drinks. Nothing is worth anything if the person giving it isn't worth something themselves.

So this February 14, remember that your real gift is your time and attention. Because you really can't put a price on making someone feel good to be around you. Charismatic, worthy, attractive people know this. That's what makes them so charismatic to begin with.

About the Author

Andrew Kaplan is the founder of CreateYourCharisma.com and has authored three books, including "The Charisma Creator." Having spent the past few years personally consulting with clients for the purposes of improving their social interaction in both dating and business, Andrew is now taking what he has learned to a much broader level and offering his content in a simple, easily accessible format.

Things You May Not Know About Sugar

2007-02-06T00:25-05:00

by Ng Peng Hock

Sugar taste good and is something that people like to have but dare not because of various health issues especially for diabetics and obese. We like sweet, chocolate bar or candy since our childhood. They have been used as rewards by parents to persuade their children to behave the way they want them to.

We usually view sugar as some white crystalline stuff that usually attracts ants if we do not keep them properly. But in reality, it is more than just that; it is really a type of carbohydrate which our body will need to keep ourselves going. Glucose, a form of sugar, is actually our primary source of fuel, with the body converting other carbohydrates into it.

Sugar exists in many sources including white, brown and icing sugar, maple syrup, honey, and molasses. It is also hidden in foods like candy and soft drinks, as well as sweetened desserts. One can easily have too much sugar in the diet because sugar can be found in almost everything, even in milk and tobacco.

If you look at the food labels that are stipulated on the packages and you will surely find sugar in one form or another, like lactose, fructose and sucrose.

When "sugar free" is printed on a pack of food, it simply means that it is free from sucrose, or table sugars. However, it does not really mean that it is totally free from sugar. Those words on the food labels ending with "-ose" are indication of some forms of sugar.

Sugar is either used directly as fuel or stored for later use. It can be stored in 2 forms, namely glycogen and fat. Glycogen converts into energy very quickly and is used for high-energy activities like aerobics. However, a person's body can store only about 2,500 calories in this form; anything in excess will be stored as fat which is limitless. The extra amount of fat stored will lead to overweight or even obesity.

In addition to make us grow fat, excess sugar consumption can usually cause cavities, mineral imbalances and weight problems. Overweight or obesity can ultimately lead to many health problems including diabetes and heart disease.

People who have low calorie needs should choose a diet low in sugars. To avoid getting too much calories from sugar, one should limit the sugar intake to 6 teaspoons a day if he or she eats about 1,600 calories, 12 teaspoons at 2,200 calories, or 18 teaspoons at 2,800 calories. The figures shown intend to serve as a guideline for healthy proportions in the diet and should not be regarded as rigid prescriptions.

America's Most Trusted Doctor Reveals ... How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease - Without Drugs or Surgery. Read more about his confession at: http://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/heart-disease-prevention-dr-robert-article.html

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Bitter, Sweet or Powdered, Chocolate Equivalents and Emergency Recipe Substitutions Help Chocoholics in the Kitchen

2007-01-28T14:09-05:00

by Laura Zinkan

It is always a good time to make something with chocolate. When the mood seizes you, discovering you haven't got a crucial ingredient can ruin the mood. Knowing its "equivalent" or substitution can save the day. Today, Mom helps cooks and chocoholics with tips on chocolate and includes the world's easiest dipped strawberry recipe.

Chocolate is made from the bean of the tropical cacao tree. In its purest baking form chocolate comes powdered, is usually sold in tins and is called cocoa. There are two types of cocoa in this world; regular cocoa and Dutch cocoa. Dutch cocoa, or alkalized cocoa has reduced the natural acidity of the cocoa bean resulting in a darker, mellower, more chocolaty cocoa powder. For the most part, these can be used interchangeably. Cocoa powder is not to be confused with those packaged hot cocoa drink mixes, which don't work well in recipes.

Sugar and fat are usually added to cocoa powder for sweetening and consistency - and cake! In our kitchens, fat can be in the form of cocoa butter, margarine, butter, vegetable shortening or vegetable oil. Sugars, either powdered or granulated add sweetness and also add to consistency. Powdered sugar will be smoother. Once we understand the basics of chocolate it makes substituting ingredients much easier. Here are some more definitions and equivalents.

Cocoa: Powdered, chocolate in its most basic form (beyond the bean).

Baking Chocolate: Generally sold in bars and measured in squares of 1 ounce each. Normally has some fat but no sugar content.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Sold in chips or bars. Normally has some fat plus a small amount of sugar.

1 square (1oz) of baking chocolate = 3 tablespoons cocoa + 1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 cup (or one 6 oz package) of semisweet chocolate = 6 tbsp cocoa + 7 tablespoons granulated sugar + 1/4 cup shortening

1 cup (or one 6 oz package) of semisweet chocolate = 6 oz or (6 squares) of semi-sweet chocolate

Classic Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

This will also work with cherries or any other fruit with a skin. Use about 18 large fresh strawberries, room temperature and patted dry plus 1 pound semi sweet (or any type) chocolate pieces, coarsely chopped.

1. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Or heat the chocolate at 50% power for 30 second intervals in the microwave, carefully checking temperature until it is smooth. 2. Using the berry stem or a toothpick, dip the strawberries into the chocolate. 3. Cool the berries on wax paper, or put the toothpicks into Styrofoam (or a potato).

More Chocolate Tips: Make sure the strawberries are completely dry. Even a drop of water in the melted chocolate can cause it to "seize" and make the chocolate grainy. This recipe will produce tempered chocolate, or chocolate that dries to a hard shine. If the chocolate becomes too thick to work with, add drops of vegetable oil, small amounts of vegetable shortening or cocoa butter (butter and margarine contain water) stirring until it becomes the right consistency. For more of Mom's kitchen tips and apron humor visit her on the web at http://www.MomsRetro.com. Happy cooking!

About the Author

Laura Zinkan is a freelance writer and artist living in Los Angeles, California. She puts the Mom in MomsRetro with kitchen tips, humor and artwork on her website for busy cooks http://www.MomsRetro.com. She also cultivates a gardening website at http://www.theGardenPages.com with plant profiles, growing tips and lore about succulents and California native plants. Copyright 2007 by Laura Zinkan. This article may be reprinted as long a

My Secret Cheesecake Chocolate Recipe

2007-01-21T14:29-05:00

by Natalie Aranda

I have to keep my recipe secret for reasons that will soon be apparent. You need to start out with some very fine chocolate. The recipe calls for a cup of chocolate, and you have several choices here. Hershey chocolate makes a good semi-sweet chip that works perfectly, but other fine choices are Ghirardelli chocolate or even of the fine Lindt chocolates. You may pick your favorite, although I usually stick with the Hershey chocolate.

Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. While this is being done melt the chocolate in a double boiler with a third of a cup of heavy cream and set it aside when it is smooth. Next, take twenty four ounces of softened cream cheese, one cup of sugar, a quarter teaspoon of Grand Marnier liqueur and mix in an electric mixer until completely smooth. The Grand Marnier is the first hint why this recipe is a secret. Add four eggs and blend the whole mixture well.

Once it is blended, add the melted chocolate mix and two tablespoons of Crown Royal whiskey and blend it all again. When this is finished pour the whole prepared batter into a sprayed nine inch spring form pan. Turn the heat up on the oven to four hundred and fifty degrees and bake for fifteen minutes. Reduce the heat to three hundred and fifty degrees and bake for an additional fifteen minutes. The result is called an upside down Crown Royal Double Chocolate Cheesecake.

Ingredients:

1 cup Chocolate of your choice
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 cup of sugar
24 oz Cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
2 tablespoons Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey
1/4 teaspoon Grand Marnier liqueur

The real surprise and the secret is to not tell your guests what is giving this chocolate treat that special zing until after they have had seconds. You are going to always have some guests that are going to object to the waste of good Crown Royal in that fashion and others are going to be eager to suggest there own favorite as a substitute. I have always preferred Crown Royal, but anyway, we all know it is really that fine Hershey chocolate, or that Ghirardelli chocolate, or the fine Lindt chocolates from faraway Switzerland that are really giving it that fine taste. The whiskey is just an extra touch, and one you can keep to yourself.

About the Author

Natalie Aranda is a freelance writer.

A Chocolate Fountain For your Wedding Reception

2007-01-21T14:26-05:00

by Natalie Aranda

Everyone likes chocolate. When you are planning your wedding reception and are thinking of adding something special that will delight and please your guests, one good suggestion is a chocolate fountain. The chocolate fountain is usually a stainless steel fountain arranged in several tiers that have a decreasing diameter as they rise upward. Melted chocolate is placed in the bottom of the fountain and rises through the center of the fountain via a corkscrew type device and cascades in a solid sheet of chocolate down over the tiers.

The fountain acts as a giant fondue and a wide variety of treats can be placed along side the fountain and guests can use wooden skewers to dip the treats into the chocolate flow. The chocolate flows over and around the treat and coats the treat. Since the chocolate is kept in a melted state by an internal heater, when the food is removed from the fountain flow, the chocolate will harden slightly leaving a thin coating. Then the snack is ready to eat.

Fruits of any kind and other snacks like pretzels and marshmallows make excellent choices for the snacks. Cookies and rice crispy treats are also good suggestions. Just about anything that tastes good with chocolate is acceptable except for crumbly type cakes that will break up in the fountain flow.

Units may be rented and most rental companies provide set up and clean up service. Most do not provide the additional food as wedding caterers usually are providing this and will be glad to add fountain snacks to the food package. It may be possible that you are a lover of Hershey Chocolate or Ghiradelli Chocolate, and you may even prefer Lindt chocolates, and you can certainly add them to your wedding food array. The chocolate fountain will provide their own chocolate though, so you do not have to worry about melting down a thousand Hershey chocolate bars to fill the fountain.

The chocolate used in the fountain usually comes in twenty five pound packages which will be enough for up to four hundred guests. The chocolate is a high quality type which contains between 32-39% cocoa butter. This type provides better flow characteristics which makes it better for use in the fountain. If you are a chocolate lover, and most of us are, a chocolate fountain can be a unique and exciting centerpiece for your wedding reception table.

About the Author

Natalie Aranda writes about family.

Sweet Valentine's Day Gifts For Her

2007-01-21T14:22-05:00

by Natalie Aranda

The origins of Valentine's Day are shrouded in the mists of the past. One legend tells of a Roman priest by the name of Valentinus who lived around 270 AD in the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius. It seems Claudius got an idea that unmarried men made the best soldiers and so he forbid them to marry. Valentinus did not like to see true love being denied like this and so he performed secret marriages for young soldiers and their lovers. Of course, he got caught and imprisoned. It is said that while in prison he fell in love with the young daughter of one of the guards and sent her a love note signed "from your Valentine." This was the start of the tradition that continues today. It is thought that Valentinus was beheaded for his crime on February 14th, which was a rather gruesome start for the lover's holiday.

When you are looking for Valentine's gifts for her, the object is to be as romantic as possible. Flowers, jewelry, and even sexy lingerie could be considered as a romantic gift depending on your relationship with the object of the gift. If you are looking for a sweet gift idea, chocolate is a fairly reliable standby. The major chocolate sellers get quite excited about Valentine's Day, and special heart shaped boxes are sold in large quantities in February. Lifesavers would be a good source for a wide variety of chocolate assortments packaged in a romantic fashion.

Another major chocolate seller, Ghiradelli chocolates is another good choice for a sweet Valentine gift. Among their best sellers are large heart shaped tins with assorted chocolates. The tins are decorated with romantic themes and come in two choices. The first is the Red Classic selection, and the second is the Brown Dark selection.

If you are looking for a different and unique idea for that little girl Valentine in your family, a life saver wreath is an inexpensive, but pleasing idea. To make one you need to get some shoe string licorice and carefully cut a piece about fifteen inches long. Then get a selection of either regular or gummy life savers. You can use assorted colors, or even better select the red ones only. Sting the life savers onto the licorice string and tie the ends together to make your wreath. There are quite a few ideas for a sweet gift, and it is not necessary to spend a lot of money because in the end, it is the love that counts on this day.

About the Author

Natalie Aranda isa freelance writer.

Valentines Chocolate Gift-a Popular and Sweet Gift Idea for the Occasion

2007-01-15T23:56-05:00

by Charlene Lee

Are you looking to buy a Valentines chocolate gift? These types of gifts have been an all time favorite. Whether you are going to buy a box of chocolate truffles, a gourmet chocolate set bundled with a bouquet of flowers, or this sweat candy in a gift basket - you'll be giving a romantic gift that will warm your lovers heart.

For many years, people have been giving chocolate gifts to show their appreciation or affection. Although it could just be an affordable gift, it's an easy way to increase the emotional connection or relationship between you and somebody you care for. If you're lucky, you'll also get to share in the joy by getting a taste of this sweet treat.

Before you buy a chocolate gift, you have to consider which type of chocolate you lover loves. Does he or she like the delectable dark chocolate? You also have to think about the other 2 scrumptious types: white and milk chocolate.

Once you break it down to these three types, you'll have an easier time picking since there is such a tremendous selection in the marketplace. Besides the two chocolate giants in the world, Hershey and Nestle, you must take a browse through the finest gourmet chocolates made throughout the world. For Valentines day, some that seems unique or personalized can touch her heart. As there are a variety of decorative boxes and bags that can be a romantic gift.

So whether your lover is a him or a her, your can offer a chocolate surprise. You can look online for some great deals and to see what's available. The best thing about buying a Valentines Chocolate on the internet is that prices have been greatly discounted compared to what you can find in the shops. So instead of spending the many hours driving around and hunting down that special gift, you can spend just a few hours, order, and have it shipped directly to you.

About the Author

Charlene Lee is a contributor to http://www.RomanticOnlineGifts.com, a place you can go to if you want to find great deals on Valentines Day Chocolates.

A Look At The Legend And The Legacy of Fine Cadbury Chocolates

2007-01-15T23:46-05:00

by Gregg Hall

To chocolate connoisseurs all over the world the name of Cadbury is well known and associated with fine chocolate. You will find the delicacies from the Cadbury Company in a wide variety of specialty shops, department stores, and even grocery stores. Who hasn't heard of the famous Cadbury chocolate eggs that adorn Easter Baskets? For fans of chocolate and non fans alike, the story of the beginnings of Cadbury and how it became a household name all over the world is an entertaining one.

A far cry from its beginnings in the New World when it was a bitter drink loved by their elite, the confectionary type of chocolate that we enjoy today was first made in Bristol, England by Frye and Sons in the mid 1800s. By the early 20th century this company had joined with Cadbury which means that the chocolate we get from Cadbury today can be traced back to the original chocolate made and sold to chocolate lovers in Europe.

Although not a well known fact to many, Cadbury created the first chocolate bar and it is probably not an exaggeration to make the claim that the chocolates from Cadbury were the basic foundation for the remainder of the chocolate makers in the world. The reputation that Cadbury has to this day for fine chocolate goes all the way back to its founder, John Cadbury, who implemented rigid quality guidelines at the very beginning.

The Cadbury Company continues to be a top chocolate maker in the United Kingdom and in addition has exploded in popularity globally over the last century. In addition to the well known Cadbury eggs the company is also well known for its quality candies and chocolate bars and even chocolate drinks and powders.

Many of the chocolate creations from Cadbury have become popular as holiday candies and will no doubt continue to enjoy this popularity for many years to come. As mentioned above the delicious chocolate creme Cadbury Easter Eggs are incredibly famous and are a part of Easter Tradition and as stated by the company these little delicacies are their number one selling creation in the first quarter of every year.

If you live in the United States you may find that a great deal of the products made by the Cadbury Company aren't imported into the country. Still, you will be able to find a great assortment of their chocolate candies and chocolate bars in a wide range of candy stores and grocery stores in the U.S. You can't go wrong giving Cadbury chocolates as a gift since they are so popular.

Easter is right around the corner so why not impress your holiday visitors with a little knowledge that you learned from this article and be sure to have some fine quality chocolates from Cadbury on hand for them to experience.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as fine quality chocolate at http://www.chocolates-plus.com

Don't Forget About Belgian Chocolate

2007-01-15T23:42-05:00

by Gregg Hall

When he got lost looking for a shortcut to India in the late 1400s, Christopher Columbus found the delicious treat known as chocolate in the New World. It is commonly believed that the ancient Aztecs were to have drunk chocolate a long time before anyone else in the world even knew of its existence. In its original formulation, it was a very bitter concoction created from the roasted seeds of cocoa and mixed with spices. In the Americas it was considered to be a sacred drink that was enjoyed by the Aztecs but only the very elite of their society could afford it. The Aztecs were not ignorant of the value of the cocoa bean and began using it as part of their monetary system and to buy their gold.

The treat that got its start in the New World is the same that would become known as Belgian chocolate, which is the original recipe that was kept secret by the Spanish Aristocrats. The nobility couldn't keep the success of the drink from spreading to other European countries however, and it became widespread. The European nobles experimented with the recipe and were the first to add sugar to it, which made it much more drinkable then the previously bitter drink originated by the Aztecs. Medical practitioners even professed that it cured certain diseases because it held such a high and sacred value. When chocolate arrived in Belgium it was considered to be a magnificent gift, due to all of the history that came with it and the legends of its medicinal effect that it was told to have. The Belgian confectionary created the praline filling for the chocolate in 1912, which was packaged to give out as special gifts to others. The delicacy soon became known as Belgian chocolate because of the unique filling the Belgians created in rich milk chocolate.

To make the special chocolate it is first taken from large pods that come from the cocoa tree, and then the cocoa seeds or beans are taken from the pods. The beans are then sun dried and delivered to the chocolate makers. Once the Belgians get the beans they roast them and crush them into the cocoa powder that they make the Belgian chocolate with. They then add the cocoa butter that comes from the beans and add that to the powder, sugar, and the milk powder.

The Belgian chocolate makers are very choosy with the cocoa powder that they allow for use in the making of Belgian chocolate and will only allow the finest quality to be used. They use the same discretion when it comes to picking the ingredients they use to make their chocolate filling that is known as praline. They make this product by hand so that they can be sure to bring out only the finest possible chocolate. The pride in their product also leads them to choose the cocoa beans by hand as well so that only the best possible source product is sued in the making of Belgian Chocolate.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach Florida. Find more about this as well as fine chocolate at http://www.chocolates-plus.com

Valentine's Day Recipes

2007-01-13T16:56-05:00

by Sean Carter

If you want to let your dear ones know how much you love and care for them on Valentine's Day, why not do it with some lip-smacking and irresistible Valentine's Day recipes ? Why not strike the love mojo with a few kiss cookies or chocolate fudges ? It sure is a fetching idea. Just grab some delectably delicious Valentine's Day recipes and give your friends, family and sweetheart a toothsome treat on this very special occasion ! Top the recipes with all your love and care and watch the joy on your dear ones' faces as you serve them pink with your love-dipped Valentine's Day recipes. Pamper your sweetheart with your own hand-baked Valentine cookie pops or make him/ her some delicate Valentine muffins or may be a sweet Sweetheart Cake can do the magic. You can cook up little surprises for the young ones too. Get them some yummy heart-shaped cookies or a couple of Rosey Posey cupcakes and you're all set to wallow in their unadulterated excitement. You can prepare sweet candy hugs for mom and dad, or you can make some chocolatey kisses for your gramps. The idea behind Valentine's Day recipes and these delicacies is to sweeten up the senses of all those you hold close to your heart and make them feel on top of the world. And if you sit and think, you'll actually be surprised to see as to how much you can do to the Valentine's Day menu or how many recipe ideas strike you for the day. So prepare or get the best for your loved ones this Valentine's Day and tickle their sweet tooth with the top-notch Valentine's Day recipes that are rich in the X's and O's ! Listed below is a list of not-so-common, yet-so-yummy Valentine's Day recipes for you to romance up the day ! Valentines Cream-N-Rum Ingredients 1 tbsp vanilla 1 egg 8 oz rum 14 oz sweetened condensed milk Procedure Blend all the ingredients together for a few minutes. Remove and store in a glass bottle. Refrigerate overnight and there you are--ready with the sinfully appetizing Valentine's Day drink that will leave your folks/ beloved slobber for more. Mushy Mushrooms Ingredients 1 pound beef (minced) 1 cup white wine 2 tsp horseradish 1 tsp garlic paste 2 tsp chives About 15 mushrooms Salt and pepper to taste Procedure Mix the beef, horseradish, garlic, chives, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Fill each mushroom (the stem removed) with this mixture. Pour the wine over the stuffed mushrooms and place it all in a pre-heated oven in 350 degrees F. Bake for about 25 minutes till the meat is nicely brown. Serve these mushy mushrooms hot and steaming and set the appetites of your guest(s) on fire with this Valentine's Day recipe ! Passionate Pasta Ingredients 6 oz fettuccini pasta 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and de-veined 1 tbsp chopped shallots 3 cups fresh mushrooms (chopped and sliced) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning 1 tbsp butter 3 cup chicken broth 1/2 cup sour cream 1 tbsp cornstarch 7 oz red bell peppers (roasted) 1 tbsp drained capers Procedure Marinate the shrimp with olive oil and Cajun seasoning and set aside for fifteen minutes. Boil the pasta in salt water. Then drain and keep aside. Next, in a separate pot, sauté the mushrooms and shallots in butter until tender. Remove. Now add the shrimps in the remaining butter and cook for a few minutes till the shrimps turn pink. Remove from the pan and add 2/3 cup of chicken broth into the pan. Wait till the broth reduces to about 1/4 cup. In a separate bowl, mix the sour cream and corn starch before adding it to the boiling broth. Cook for about a minute till the sauce gets thick. Now add the shrimps, mushroom mixture, roasted red peppers, and the capers. Heat thoroughly and season to taste. Pour it over the pasta. That's it ! Now savor the flavor of this Passionate Pasta in all the Valentine's Day hoopla.

Oyster Delight Ingredients 2 cups of fresh and large oysters 2 tbsp chopped parsley 10 slices of bacon A pinch of paprika Salt and pepper to taste Procedure Sprinkle the seasoning and parsley on the fresh oysters. Wrap the oysters in the bacon and button up with toothpicks. Place them in a shallow baking dish and bake in 450 degrees F for about ten-fifteen minutes till the bacon is crisp. This is one great Valentine's Day recipe idea that would neither take you long to make, nor would it take your guests to polish off. Brownie Love Ingredients 4 bars of unsweetened chocolate 8 oz whipped cream 3/ 4 cup margarine 3 eggs 1 cup flour 2 cups sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup chopped, assorted nuts 3 cups strawberries Procedure Melt the chocolate and margarine together. Keep stirring till the chocolate melts completely. Add the sugar and mix well. Now add the flour, eggs and nuts and mix till it forms a smooth paste. Bake it in a pre-heated oven of 350 degrees F for 35 minutes. After it cools, refrigerate for 30 minutes. Take out and cut into heart shapes with the help of a cookie-cutter. Spread the brownies on a plate, place the strawberries on them and top with the whipped cream to make the dish look as yummy as any other of the day. Have a bellyful fun on Valentine's Day with all. So try these Valentine's Day recipes this February 14 along with your heart-shaped cakes and kiss cookies. Start off your Valentine's Day dinner with the Valentines Cream-N-Rum. Slowly sip the fun in and gear up for a starry-eyed time with this cool Valentine's Day drink. The Mushy Mushrooms make for great appetizers, and you'll have the perfect fill if you go for the oysters on Valentine's Day along with the Passionate Pasta ! Try the absolutely delicious brownies for dessert and wrap up a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner. But you can always keep adding to your menu and come up with more innovative Valentine's Day recipes. The day is all yours to enjoy with love, luck and laughter.

About the Author

Sean Carter writes on holidays, Valentine's Day and world events. He is a writer with special interest in ecard industry and writes for 123greetings.com. He is an active blogger at Valentines Day Blog.