100 Calorie Treats For Chocolate Lovers

How many of us have experienced a chocolate craving? I think that I can confidently state that each and every person has experienced a craving for this delicious treat at one time or another. Chocolate has this way of getting the best of us. Even if you happen to be on a diet, sometimes you just can’t resist the temptation. However, what many people on a diet are unaware of is that there are countless chocolaty treats out there with 100 calories or less. What this means is that you can easily incorporate one of these snacks into your daily food routine.

If you are craving real chocolate, some delicious choices include Nestle “Dark” Raisinets (one eight of a cup), Hershey’s milk chocolate kisses (4), and Hershey sticks (one at 60 calories). The Hershey’s sticks come in a variety of flavors, as do Hershey’s kisses. All of these delicious chocolaty treats can surely cure the craving and they can do so with only 90 calories or less. Now if you are craving dairy, you can always make yourself your very own chocolate milk. Simply mix two-thirds of a cup of 1% milk with four teaspoons of light Hershey’s syrup. Mix it all together and add some ice for a 100 calorie treat.

And if you are craving some chocolate on the go, there are numerous products available at your local grocery store. Some of these treats include Quaker Mini Delights (chocolate drizzle multi-grain cakes), Chips Ahoy Thin Crisps (100 calorie pack), Kellogg’s Special K Bar (chocolaty drizzle), Quaker Chewy Granola Bar (Chocolate chunk), Chocolate Honey Maid Delight Bars (100 calorie pack), and South Beach Living Snack Bars (Chocolate Raspberry). All of these treats can easily settle that chocolate craving with only 100 calories. So just because you are on a diet, it does not mean that you have to abstain yourself from the things you love.

From: articledashboard.com

Giving Chocolate Covered Gifts To Those Who Crave Them: Chocoholics

Chocolate lovers are truly their own sweetened breed, a group of individuals with a strong and rather religious following that will go to any length to get their chocolate fix. To them, satisfying their sweet tooth is no joke, it's a serious matter - one worth eating, one worth savoring. And the only sweet treat to put smiles on their sweet teeth is none other than - would you guess it? - chocolate.

And whether you consider it scary or you're willing to embrace it, these consumers of mass amounts of chocolate are literally positioned everywhere around the globe. And whether they're public about their coco addictions or are a bit shy to reveal their ties with eating sizable amounts chocolate, they are who they are; as connoisseurs, appreciators, aficionados and so forth. As such, and since these individuals are clearly all about all things chocolate, it would be appropriate to dub them as “Chocoholics.”

Who Enjoys Chocolate Treats a Few Times a Day?

Chocoholics do, of course! And what they absolutely never need is a counter-top jar, work-desk drawer or car compartment devoid of any form of a chocolate treat. What they need is a constant supply of chocolate, no matter what type, size or shape. See, what you need to understand is that having no chocolate as a chocoholic is like a standard person going through life without a beating heart. These chocolate-loving individuals live for the taste and feel that chocolate brings them. And for some, I wouldn't doubt the possibility of chocolate being within them permanently, streaming through their veins like blood.

Needless to say, it's clear that chocolate is everything to these passionate chocoholics. And it's not as if it's a negative quality to have. Rather, it's something that makes them simply who they are – chocolate-craving and coco-needing people.

Let The Chocoholics Be – They're Too Sweet To Cause Harm

And why not let these people stay that way, with all their good-natured, sweet-toothed dispositions? By eating chocolate like there's no tomorrow they're not hurting anyone in the process. Eating chocolate treat after chocolate treat, if anything, could make them a bit jittery from the surplus of sugary goodness racing through their bodies. But, that's O.K.; it's just merely them being nostalgic and feeling like a kid again. And if that's the only bad thing occurring, I don't see why these chocoholics should cease their coco love affairs or stop their chocolate-induced smiling.

Feeding The Coco Addiction Through Chocolate Covered Gifts

Feed the addiction and give that one chocoholic or two or more that you know the gift of chocolate. Not only will you be placed on their good side -not saying you aren't there already- but you will also, hopefully, be able to reap the benefits of the coco gift itself. And, as I'm sure you know, there is nothing like sharing the creamy sweetness that is chocolate with a good friend or two.

From: articledashboard.com

Swiss Alpine Trails Of Chocolate

It is late afternoon when I first see the mountains. I am in the village of Morgins, Switzerland, and the majestic Alps, both beautiful and terrifying, rise before my eyes. No words, pictures or travel brochures could have prepared me for the awesome sight.

The villagers are going about their daily tasks, shopping, gardening and chatting, seemingly oblivious to the magnificence that is literally taking my breath away.

I am part of a group arriving for a week hiking vacation in the Swiss Alps. We are transported to our chalet and welcomed with open arms by the owners. I am not sure what to expect as I am not a great walker, but I have been assured that anyone with reasonable fitness can do this, so here I am!

The next day we take a 'wanderweg' past flower-decked chalets, through gates, across bridges and meadows to an alpine village. Our entire group participates from the youngest, a 17 year old boy, to a 60 year old grandmother. The trails are switchbacks, trod for a thousand years. We stop often to fill our water bottles from the icy streams and to gaze upward.

The grandeur is astounding and even though my feet are killing me (I should have worn-in my boots before I came!) all is forgotten when in the evening I look out from the dining room and see those great mountains looming over our cozy chalet.

In the days that follow we have occasion to walk in several valleys and visit towns with their medieval churches and castles. Walking down the main street, I browse in tiny shops where they sell Swiss Army Knives, bells on embroidered ribbons, watches, cuckoo clocks, chocolate, toy dogs and music boxes shaped like chalets. I enjoy purchasing the odd memento of my travels and look forward to remembering my new-found respect for the mountains and the wonderful people of the Swiss Alps, who made me feel so welcome in their alpine paradise.

From: articledashboard.com

Healthy Dark Chocolate -- Fact Or Fiction?

For most people, the word "chocolate" certainly would not be considered synonymous with the word "healthy". Healthy infers a food source that provides nutritional benefit for our bodies.

Chocolate is a treat, a candy, an indulgence that for centuries has been enjoyed worldwide. Chocolate can quiet a crying child, impress a romantic interest, and add comfort to a relaxing moment ... but HEALTHY? Oh yea ... so it appears!

Recently, there has been much publicity about the cardiovascular benefits from antioxidants found in Red Wine and Green Tea.

A recent study conducted by scientists at Cornell University found that cocoa powder, the base from which chocolate is made, contains nearly TWICE the antioxidants of red wine, and up to three times the antioxidants found in green tea.

It is now known that raw cocoa, derived from the FRUIT of the Cacao tree, contains more than 300 chemically identifiable compounds, making it one of the most complex food sources on this planet. In addition, it has been established that raw cocoa has the highest antioxidant value of ALL natural foods in the world!

Fresh cocoa is super-rich in strong antioxidants called flavonoids (up to 10% concentration per mass of cocoa). These flavonoids help maintain healthy blood flow and blood pressure. They also help keep fatty substances in the blood from congealing together, thus decreasing the risk of oxidation and clogging of the arteries.

Flavonoids are also known to help keep the blood platelets from sticking together ... a condition that can lead to blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.

The antioxidants found in dark chocolate help to neutralize naturally occurring 'free radical' molecules in the body. Free radicals, if allowed to roam your body, can create significant damage to healthy cells and leave them susceptible to disease.

Free radicals can also alter the structure of the cell's DNA, which is the blueprint for a cell to reproduce and duplicate itself. Damaged DNA can lead to malignancy, tumors, and cancer.

Dark Chocolate as a healthy food is not merely all about antioxidants.

Cocoa is a good source of the minerals sulfur, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, potassium, manganese, plus some of the important B vitamins.

Of these minerals, magnesium is by far the most important. Proper magnesium levels in the body are essential for a healthy heart and ensure its strength and vigor.

Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure and the heartbeat. It also diminishes the risk of excessive blood coagulation leading to lower blood pressure.

A deficiency in magnesium can have far reaching health consequences, including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, joint problems, and PMT.

Just as with antioxidants, organic dark chocolate is the highest rated natural food for providing this heart healthy essential mineral.

Another important mineral found in cocoa is sulfur. Sulfur promotes healthy skin, helps build strong nails and healthy hair, helps detoxify the liver, and supports healthy functioning of the pancreas.

Organic dark chocolate also provides supplemental benefits for the brain.

Cocoa is a potent source for the amino acids which make the neurotransmitters known as serotonin and dopamine. These two agents have been proven to help alleviate depression and stimulate feelings of well being.

Phenylethylanmine (PEA) controls our ability to focus attention and stay alert. It has also been clinically proven to help maintain focus and mental alertness, and may counter the onset of dementia.

Another healthy chemical compound found in healthy dark chocolate, 2% - 3% per mass, is 'theobromine.

This health promoting compound stimulates the central nervous system, relaxing smooth muscles and dilating blood vessels. As a known diuretic, it has been clinically used to remove excess body fluids, reduce high blood pressure, and stimulate the heart.

Chocolate has been known as the "comfort" or "happy" food, and rightfully so.

Anandamide, a neurotransmitter, is found in significant quantities in cocoa. Anandamide occurs naturally in the brain, and is released when we are feeling good. The introduction of more of this 'bliss chemical' helps contribute to our feeling of having a 'natural high'.

ABC news reported in 2005 that the average American consumes 11.5 pounds of chocolate per year. This amounts to a full 1% of the American diet. These numbers are really not surprising.

There is no doubt that for centuries, humans have maintained an ongoing love affair with chocolate. Accepting organic, healthy dark chocolate as a heart and mind healthy food instead of simply a feel good snack certainly takes some getting used to.

Try to imagine a conversation at the dinner table like this ... "Billy, NO video games tonight until you finish your dark chocolate"?

Although that situation seems strange, providing yourself and your loved ones with a consistent diet rich in healthy nutrients does not, and organic dark chocolate may clearly be indicated as a wise menu addition.

However, not all "Healthy Dark Chocolate" products are created equal. The challenge now lies in determining which of these delicious, satisfying, cocoa rich products provide the most health benefits for you and your family.

From: articledashboard.com

Alternatives To Chocolate For Easter

Easter, a time of chocolate bunnies, brightly colored Easter eggs and kids hopped up on too much sugar.

Giving chocolate on Easter is a tradition, but in an age of healthy eating there are many ways you can make it a memorable Easter, without the fatty chocolate which can lead to obesity.

Stuffed Animals

Every kid loves a teddy bear and they will get much more mileage, friendship and enjoyment out of a stuffed animal over a chocolate bunny that will last a few hours at most.

Small Books

Get them reading early, or continue a reading tradition by giving a book to a child on Easter. Reading can open up new worlds for your child, taking them on adventures and through mysteries that their imagination can explore.

Eggs with toys in them

Instead of a chocolate egg, give your child an egg with a toy inside. Preferably, make it a toy they have to construct. This will put their problem-solving and creative skills to work. Plus, they will get a great deal of enjoyment out of the toy.

Silly Putty

We all have had silly putty and we all love to put it on the newspaper and make a copy of a picture. Silly putty, while it can be messy, is a great deal of fun for any child. Teach them to sculpt something out of it and you may open up a whole new creative outlet that you didn't even realize was there.

Tiny Art Sets

Do you have a little artist in the family? Nurture their artistic side with a small paint set. Get them to paint eggs or glasses instead of feeding them sugar.

Fruit

You know the saying, fruit is nature's candy, and despite their initial misgivings, every child loves bananas, grapes and watermelon. This is a cheap and healthy alternative to any chocolate bunny.

Coloring Books

Instead of giving them chocolate, sit them down with a coloring book and watch their inner painter take over.

Video Games

Games may not be the best alternative if you are going healthy, but it is a much better bet than chocolate. Try and get them a game that tests their problem-solving skills and helps them learn.

Disposable Camera

You would be surprised with the kind of pictures you can get by looking at things from a different angle. Give a disposable camera to your child and watch them photograph the world from their eyes and their level. It may open you up to a whole new world, the world of a child.

From: articledashboard.com

The Chocolate Diagnosis

Eating chocolate is one of the world's most popular passions. The typical Swiss eats more than 21 pounds of this chocolate each year. Even the average Belgian or Brit downs some 16 pounds annually. In the United States, consumption weighs in at roughly 11.5 pounds per year. The earliest record of chocolate was over fifteen hundred years ago in the Central American rain forests, where the tropical mix of high rainfall combined with high year round temperatures and humidity provide the ideal climate for cultivation of the plant from which chocolate is derived, the Cacao Tree.

The Cacao Tree was worshiped by the Mayan civilization of Central America and Southern Mexico, who believed it to be of divine origin, Cacao is actually a Mayan word meaning “God Food”, hence the tree's modern generic Latin name “Theobrama Cacao” meaning 'Food of the Gods’. Cacao was corrupted into the more familiar “Cocoa” by the early European explorers. The Maya brewed a spicy, bitter sweet drink by roasting and pounding the seeds of the Cacao tree (cocoa beans) with maize and Capsicum (Chilli) peppers and letting the mixture ferment. This drink was reserved for use in ceremonies as well as for drinking by the wealthy and religious elite, they also ate a Cacao porridge.

Chocolate is full of mood-enhancing chemicals. To start with, it is loaded with sugar, which is a carbohydrate and triggers the release of seratonin. Chocolate also contains fat, which in itself provides a feeling of satisfaction since it answers the urge for calories. Chocolate is also said to have the same mood-enhancing chemical that is found in marijuana, although in much smaller quantities. To test the theory that chocolate enhances mood, a study was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. Students who felt the urge to eat chocolate were given either milk chocolate, white chocolate (which contains no cocoa, just cocoa butter and flavoring), and pills containing stimulants found in chocolate.

Researchers say the findings were predictable. The pill didn't do the trick, but both the white and milk chocolates did satisfy the students. The results suggest that it is not some secret chemical ingredient in chocolate that provides the euphoria, but the sensory experience such as the taste, the smoothness and the aroma. While some may be using chocolate as an energy booster, a study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry has found a link between chocolate cravings and personality. Results suggest certain personality types are not only more likely to crave chocolate, but it may also improve their mood.

Researchers from the Black Dog Institute correlated results from an online survey completed by nearly 3,000 people. Of the respondents, 54 percent reported food cravings during bouts with depression, of which 45 percent specifically wanted chocolate, and 61 percent of these said chocolate improved their mood and reduce stress. It's believed substances in chocolate called endorphins and opioids, may be responsible for the mood enhancing effect. These compounds may make one feel more relaxed, thereby reducing stress and anxiety and improving mood.

Chocolates can also play a major role in a number of disorders, including bulimia, binge eating, and obesity. There's some hints that chocolate may possess natural analgesic properties. Studies indicate that eating high-fat, chocolate foods can trigger the brain's production of natural opiates. During the study, it showed that when a physician used a drug to block the brain's opiate receptors, a binge-eater's desire for sweet, fatty foods such as chocolate, dropped down. Still, there are questions left unanswered on the experiment, such as: Does the body simply desire anything sweet and fatty, or men naturally feel some special craving for chocolates?

The potential health benefit of chocolate is a popular area of study. Previous research has shown dark chocolate may be good for cardiovascular health and some scientists recommend them for reducing heart disease risk. The down-side is, of course, the calories. Chocolate is full of fat and sugar. While small amounts can be beneficial to your health, larger quantities are not so good. When using chocolate, even as medicine, moderation is the key.

Chocolate: The Body Defender and Protector

Attention all chocolate lovers! Did you ever feel bad about sneaking in your favorite chocolate into your daily diet? Or how about going a little bit overboard with the chocolate dessert? Well there’s no need for you to worry. Believe it or not, chocolate is very good for your overall heath! After years of being put down, science has finally come around to give chocolate the respect it deserves.

Chocolate has been known to contain over 300 chemicals, and has been the subject of a number of studies by universities and other scientific organizations. The following are a few of the findings in the scientific community to back up the positive health benefits of chocolate:
1. Cacao, the source of chocolate, contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. Of course, this is counteracted by the high sugar content of milk chocolate.

2. The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, resulting in relaxation.

3. Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, a mild mood elevator.

4. The cocoa butter in chocolate contains oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fat which may raise good cholesterol.

5. Drinking a cup of hot chocolate before meals may actually diminish appetite.

6. Men who eat chocolate live a year longer than those who don't.

7. The flavanoids in chocolate may help keep blood vessels elastic.

8. Chocolate increases antioxidant levels in the blood.

9. Mexican healers use chocolate to treat bronchitis and insect bites.

10. The carbohydrates in chocolate raise serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in a sense of well-being.

Another strong suite for chocolate is the amount of antioxidants that it has naturally. Most of us have heard that antioxidants are good for you, but what do antioxidants do? Basically, antioxidants get rid of the things in our bodies that attack DNA, which will in turn damage the cell membranes and our hearts making cancer and heart attacks far more likely. These attackers often called free radicals, attack our cell structure and are the cause of aging, so there really is no way of stopping them from attacking us. So in theory, the more antioxidants you eat the longer you are likely to live because they help defend your body against the attackers. Antioxidants are found in many natural plants. You can tell how rich they are in antioxidants by the color of the plant’s bearings or the plant itself. The deeper the color, the more antioxidants the food contains. For example, blackberries, blueberries and red grapes all dark in color, all rich in intense antioxidants. Now look at the color of natural chocolate, it is so dark it is almost black, making it one of the healthiest foods you can put in your mouth. Keep in mind this is natural chocolate that has not been overly processed. Researchers have found that raw and / or minimally processed cocoa contains flavonoids similar to those found in green tea. According to preliminary studies, these antioxidants have been linked to help accomplish the following in the body:
• Decrease blood pressure
• Improve circulation throughout the body
• Lower death rate from heart disease
• Improve function of endothelial cells that line the blood vessels
• Defend against destructive molecules called free radicals, which trigger cancer, heart disease and stroke
• Improve Digestion and stimulate kidneys
• Has been used to help treat patients with anemia, kidney stones and poor appetite
There are two different kinds of flavonoids called catechin and epicatechins. Catechins, which have recently been found to be abundant in cocoa and minimally processed chocolates, could also help prevent heart disease and possibly cancer, as well as boosting the immune system, according to recent studies. Dark chocolate has also recently been found to contain more than 3 times the amount of catechins as that found in tea. Chocolate is also a good source of copper and magnesium, which helps to regulate heartbeat and blood pressure.
So there it is, chocolate worth eating, but as in any food, a mass quantity can be destructive. By giving someone a basket of chocolate goodies or having some yourself, you can effectively causing an uplifting emotional but also healthy outcome. Have you had your chocolate today?

Do You Know The Differnece Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa?

There is an important difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate. These terms are often used interchangeably, but the distinction is in the nutritional properties. Hot cocoa is made from raw cocoa powder, which is pressed chocolate which removes the fat of the cocoa butter. Hot chocolate is made from chocolate bars melted into a cream or ground into a powder. Often hot chocolate has a very high sugar and fat content and low cocoa content. Cocoa can be very good for you, especially if you minimize the sugar and fat.

This ancient beverage has been around for centuries. Archaeologists discovered cocoa beans in the burial chambers of the Olmecs who thrives in 1500- 400 BC. The Oltecs might have been the first users of cacao but the Mayans soon fell in love with the drink. They called this concoction chocolatl and drank cocoa powder mixed with spices and herbs. Mainly used by the kings and upper class, the beans were prized and sometimes used as currency. Perhaps even the ancients knew that cocoa had tremendous health benefits.

Ancient Rulers tasted Magic

We think of hot cocoa as a desert drink but the original drink was a hot and spicy brew containing water, wine and peppers. The Mayan aristocracy had many variations of this beverage which they considered magic. After bringing the cocoa beans back to Europe sugar and milk were added to make a sweet after dinner beverage. Soon the general population could not get enough. Confectioners experimented with the cocoa powder and began making chocolate.

Not you can stop feeling guilty about wanting to eat chocolate. Researchers are discovering the truly healthy benefits of cocoa. Cocoa has the ability to protect circulating lipids from oxidizing and it can also help you live longer. Cocoa is lterally packed with antioxidants that prevent cancer. An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen and peroxides. Antioxidants help protect your body from the detrimental effects of free radicals.

Are you Drinking Real Cocoa or just a Flavored Substitute?

Don't settle for fake hot chocolate when you can have real delicious hot cocoa. Hot cocoa not only tastes better is is so much better for you. The best way to make sure you are getting the real deal is to start with quality cocoa powder. The best cocoa powder is dark brown and will taste bitter. You can make your won hot beverage by mixing this powder with hot water or just like when you were a kid: real milk. Milk substitutes like: soy milk, coconut milk or rice milk are great for those who are lactose intolerant or who just want to try something different. You can sweeten your drink by adding sugar, honey or agave nectar.

Researchers have labeled Cocoa "the new vitamin." Health experts are discovering that some of the chemicals in cocoa powder can have a positive effect on the heart and blood circulation.

Eating a moderate amount of sweets pays off. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that eating chocolate or other sweets several times each month live nearly one year longer than individuals who over indulge in sweets and even people who eliminate eating junk food altogether.

In a recent study by Dr. Dirk Taubert of the University of Cologne, thirteen adults with untreated mild hypertension ate one 3-ounce chocolate bar every day for two weeks. Half of the patients got white chocolate, half got dark chocolate. Participants showed that blood pressure remained mostly unchanged in the test group that ate white chocolate. white chocolate does not contain polyphenols. However after two weeks, the second test group (who ate dark chocolate) their systolic blood pressure had dropped by an average of five points. Their diastolic blood pressure, reading fell an average of nearly two points.

Even though cocoa beans have 500 times more anti-oxidants than blueberries; studies indicate that adding a diary product actually blocks the body's ability to properly absorb them. In order to get the most antioxidants, mix ground cocoa with non-dairy liquids for hot chocolate, smoothies or shakes. You can enjoy drinking cocoa if it is hot or cold but heating the cocoa triggers the release of more antioxidants.

For many years the common conception of hot cocoa was that of a commercially prepared packet mix that was basically sugared flavored chocolate turned into a sweetened instant powder and marketed to children. Now adults are finding that the drink they loved as kids is better than taking vitamins! Drink your cocoa hot and pure and enjoy the best tasting health drink available.

Health Benefits Of Chocolate From Choconet

How can chocolate benefit your health? Chocolate is, and has consistently been one of the most popular treats in the world over the past last few hundred years. The myth that surrounds chocolate is that if it tastes that good, then it must be bad for your health.
But the surprising reports from the medical community is that this decadent treat actually has a number of important health benefits, especially if you choose your chocolate intelligently.

Chocolate contains over 300 chemicals, and has been the topic of numerous studies by scientific organizations and educational institutions globally. Here is a quick overview of the results (we do not have any way to prove or disprove this information, so we present it to you for further consideration:

• Researchers indicate that cocoa improves cardiac health by actually lowering blood pressure.
• Similar studies further explain that “flavanoids” which are rich in chocolate and cocoa serve to increase blood flow so chocolate can obviously benefit through all of the positive effects of increased blood flow.
• Nitric Oxide is an important factor in increased blood flow and flavanoids are shown to increase the activity of nitric oxide.
• The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves resulting in relaxation by drinking a cup of hot chocolate before a meal you can reduce ones appetite
• The carbohydrates in chocolate raise the levels of serotonin in a person’s brain, which produce a feeling of well being.
• Mexican homeopathic healers use chocolate to treat insect bites and heal bronchitis.
• Men who eat chocolate can live several years longer than those that do not.
• Chocolate contains phenyl ethylamine, which has been shown to be a mood enhancer.
• Chocolate contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. However, it can be said that the sugar in milk chocolate does work against this benefit.
• Chocolate has not been proven to be addictive (you may get an argument or 2 from a chocoholic).
• Chocolate will not make you high. You would need to consume over 25 pounds at one sitting to see or feel any indication of “chocolate intoxication.”
• Scientific studies have shown that chocolate is not a factor in getting acne.
• Chocolate can trigger headaches in individuals who suffer from migraines.
• Because animals can not digest the stimulant theobromine, which is present in chocolate, it is dangerous and can be fatal to animals. If your pet ingests chocolate and becomes ill, take it to the veterinarian immediately!
• Dark chocolate contains more cacao and less sugar than milk chocolate hence the logical health benefit of dark chocolate over milk chocolate.

Now get your chocolate and customize it all online!

Ordering Customized Chocolate plus well over 300 different categories can easily be ordered through our website. The process is sophisticated, but easy all at the same time:

1. Click on the category e.g. Corporate Chocolate
2. Select the category e.g. Trade Show
3. Select the type of chocolate e.g. Customized Chocolate Coins or Business Card
4. Then customize the chocolate in a simple step by step process:
a. Add a logo (just upload an image) or your own text or both
b. Choose a foil wrap and the color
c. Choose a gift box if you’d like
d. Choose to hot stamp the wrap and / or the gift box if applicable
e. Choose your quantity
f. Add it to your cart
g. Choose your preferred shipping method
h. Order using your Credit Card or Debit Card and you’re done!

Other customization options online include:
1. Text – font and style
2. Packaging – gift boxes, gift bag varieties
3. Candy colors
4. Labeling
5. Custom Ribbons
6. Presentation Containers

Mike Adler, founder of Choconet … “We have the broad experience, a sophisticated and easy to use ordering process, a great product category, an ever-growing online presence and a great passion for what we do. We feel that this is a winning combination and look to the future with great optimism and enthusiasm.”

Choconet has provided “all things chocolate” to corporate clients and to individuals for special social events and gift giving for over a decade. Corporate clients customize their chocolate for promotional and event planning including conventions, new product releases, new corporate identification programs, executive gift giving, or just to say thank you. Customized Chocolate is now as easy as going to the website or picking up the phone or faxing directly.

It all comes down to a tasty game of memory: the promotional tools help people associate your company with their latest greatest culinary experience.

If you have an idea or concept that is not shown on our comprehensive website, then please feel free to contact one of our knowledgeable chocolate consultants, who are anxiously waiting to help you make your next promotion a sweet success.

Chocolate Sports Balls And Coins

Chocolate has never been a man’s favorite thing. It could be that chocolate has always been in the realm of womanhood, being sweet and soft. The idea of chocolate being attractive to men could be as alien a concept as home decorating. However, men are actually closet chocolate lovers. A poll conducted on 100 men showed that 90% of them liked chocolate.

Manufacturers are now trying to cash in on men and chocolates as not only a novel idea but also a lucrative one. Online, there are chocolate sports balls that come in a wide array of spherical design such as chocolate basketballs, chocolate footballs and even chocolate soccer balls. Men love the idea of incorporating sports into this luscious treat. Online stores have produced hundreds of these and place them in tin boxes or circular tubes perfect for Valentines Day gift for your man.

Gourmet chocolate has also been incorporated into these fun designs with nuts like almonds, cashew and walnuts placed in the center. There are also chocolate balls with toffee and nougat surprises in the middle. Chocolate sports ball are also decorated with coconut shavings and mint pieces. Plain chocolate-covered peanut sports balls also make fun gifts for little boys. They serve as party favors for little boy parties with a sports theme. Some bachelors like to give them away on Halloween for trick or treat.

Jenny, the owner of a candy store and sells chocolates online says orders for customized chocolate sports ball are increasing. On Father’s Day, her biggest bestseller was chocolate golf balls that she has fashioned out of white chocolate. She says that orders for these types of chocolate are usually made by women on their men’s birthdays or by moms on their son’s birthdays.

Another hit in Jenny’s online store are chocolate coins which are in great demand, surprisingly, by men. Apparently, they are being used for poker nights and for Las Vegas themed parties. They can come in all denominations and are personalized by stacking them in money tubes or in money bags. Even kids love chocolate coins since they are perfect for board games.

Manufacturers are still trying out ways to entice men to like chocolate. Some advertiser’s bank on the fact that in olden time chocolate was considered an aphrodisiac and was aptly called “the food of the gods”. Although chocolate shaped into miniature balls are getting the attention of men, manufacturers are still thinking up of ways on how they can turn into this coveted female food into men’s favorite food too.

A Gustatory Delight: The Wine And Chocolate Gift Basket

For many people the pairing of wine and chocolate for a gift basket is a daunting task, and one they avoid if they can. But if you remember just a couple of simple rules, you can put together a wine and chocolate gift basket that will produce the purest of pleasures and a gift experience that surpasses the extraordinary.

What Not to do

The most common mistake people make when pairing wine and chocolate is choosing the wrong wine. Dry wines, for example, do not pair well with chocolate. Some of the most common dry wines are: Semillon, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Gewurtraminer. If the wine you wish to give is dry, try coupling it with bread or cheese, or give a wine bottle gift. Light-bodied wines pair best with light, creamy chocolates. Full-bodied wines pair best with strong, dark chocolates.

Which Wines, Which Chocolates

As a general rule red wines pair most effectively with dark chocolate. Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon pair exquisitely with dark chocolate and are the stars of the red wine and chocolate gift baskets. Pinot Noir and Merlot also pair nicely with milk chocolate.

White wines, because they are drier, are tougher to pair with chocolate. The best white wine and chocolate baskets come with either Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling and milk chocolate. However, another fine choice is Chardonnay and French Vanilla chocolate.

Dessert wines are the free spirits of the wine and chocolate baskets; they follow their own rules. Any kind of chocolate (almost) will pair with Champagne and Sparkling wine, while Port pairs best with dark chocolate and Sherry with white chocolate.

Stick to the Basics

So really, putting together the perfect wine and chocolate gift basket is pretty easy. Remember the rules. Choose the wine and find the chocolate to pair it with, or choose the chocolate first and find a wine to complement it. You will be amazed at what you can come up with and gratified by how well these gifts are received and appreciated.

If this is your first plunge into wine and chocolate gift baskets, go with a dessert wine. Champagne and Sparkling wines go with all kinds of chocolate - you can't make a mistake. Or try out you new knowledge and put together a red wine and chocolate gift basket with both milk and dark chocolates. Go ahead, take the plunge. You can create a perfect wine and chocolate gift basket.

Healthy Chocolate Creating Wealth

Death by Chocolate not any more. Those who say chocolate is over rated, fatty or only for those with a sweet tooth not any more

Before eating any new product that promotes healthy or life changing experience should always be consulted with your family doctor. Xocai Healthy Chocolate has it's own natural sweeter comes from a cactus like plant which is very safe and tested called agave. It has a lo GI index and has been known to help the blood use sugar more efficiently.

Numerous studies around the World have shown Dark Chocolate being extremely good for you:

Some studies have shown in older people by eating dark healthy chocolate with in moderation actually reduced blood pressure and those who ate dark chocolate alone had the most total antioxidants in their blood. And they had higher levels of epicatechin, a particularly healthy compound found in chocolate

increase the flexibility of blood vessels in order to lower blood pressures and decrease the stress on the heart. Studies have shown Dark chocolate -- not white chocolate -- lowers high blood pressure, say Dirk Taubert, MD, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Cologne, Germany. Their report appears in the Aug. 27 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

But that's no license to go on a chocolate binge. Eating more dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure -- if you've reached a certain age and have mild high blood pressure, say the researchers. But you have to balance the extra calories by eating less of other things.