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Researchers have found that consuming chocolate increases the dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain indicating that this food has an antidepressant effect. Also, chocolate helps to decrease fat intake by curbing a person’s appetite for fats. In addition, one of the properties of cocoa is that it has the overall effect of decreasing appetite.

The chocolate that is most beneficial to our health is dark chocolate. One of the main ingredients of dark chocolate is cacao that contains flavonoids, and these are an excellent source of antioxidants that protect our bodies from the effects of free radicals that can be very damaging.

Unfortunately, we are always being threatened by free radicals from the air that we breathe and the different foods that we consume. Eating foods that have plenty of flavonoids also helps our immune system and helps the body fight diseases such as cancer, asthma, allergies, and type2 diabetes.

The flavonoids that are found in Cocoa prevent harmful clots from forming that may cause damage to the heart and other areas of the body. These flavonoids also allow increased blood flow by aiding the blood vessels to dilate with ease. In addition, cocoa has properties that aid in the stopping the inflammatory process that can be very damaging to the body.

Dark chocolate also helps your heart by helping your vessels retain their flexibility. And, it helps with your body’s blood circulation therefore improving your blood pressure levels. Also, epicatechin, a nutrient found in chocolate, helps to avoid heart attacks and strokes by relaxing and widening our blood vessels.

Cocoa is known to reduce cardiovascular problems by increasing the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. HDL is responsible for cleaning and removing the harmful fats from the body’s blood vessels.

In fact, several years ago a study was conducted in Germany with over nine thousand participants, and it revealed that people who ate on an average more than seven grams of chocolate daily had lower risks of stokes and heart attacks, and they also experienced lower blood pressure levels.

Cocoa and dark chocolate are also a good source for the fiber needs of our diet. And, believe it or not chocolate hardly contains cholesterol, and if it does it is because of the milk ingredients that are added. Chocolate is a food that is derived from a plant and plants do not produce cholesterol.

Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Dark chocolate is a great source of vitamins and minerals. It is full of magnesium and iron, and it also contains vitamin B that helps to boost your energy levels. It also contains copper and potassium that are important for maintaining good health.

The magnesium levels that are found in a dark chocolate bar typically contain over 12% of the body’s daily requirement. This is important preventing chronic diseases like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular health problems.

History

Chocolate first appeared in the Mayan and Aztec cultures approximately 4000 years ago. The cacao plant is thought to have originated in the Amazon region and is the main ingredient in chocolate. According to Aztec legend their god Quetzalcoatl gave the cacao tree to the Aztec people. He taught them how to prepare the seeds by roasting and grinding them to form a paste that could be mixed with water. This mixture became known to the Aztec’s as chocotatl and they believed that it provided a person with knowledge and wisdom when consumed.

Chocolate was introduced to Spain by the Spanish conquistadores in the 1500s. The Spaniards added different condiments and sweeteners to enhance its flavor. Chocolate was considered a delicacy among the wealthy and became the favorite drink in Europe until it was replaced by coffee and tea in the 19th century.

In the twentieth century solid chocolate bars were introduced in Europe. At about this time the cocoa bean was discovered to have beneficial health properties, and that’s when the popularity for chocolate began to surge.

Chocolate as Part of Your Diet

If you are going to include chocolate as part of your diet, then what is recommended is dark chocolate. Eat the amount that is healthy for your daily nutritional needs. Whether you like your dark chocolate with nuts or just plain, dark chocolate is the best choice. Always try to avoid any fillings in chocolate, such as nougat or caramel, these fillings just add extra calories.

The whole purpose of eating pure dark chocolate is for its health benefits aside from its delicious taste. A person should not consume more than three and a half ounces of chocolate per day. This is the recommended amount of chocolate to eat to be on the healthy side.

And, just because you are eating chocolate does not mean that you are receiving its healthy benefits. Avoid consuming dark chocolate while drinking milk because this prevents the antioxidants from being absorbed by your body. There are also several types of chocolates that are not healthy for you because they’re loaded with fats and sugar.

Here is a list of top quality dark chocolate bars:

Dagoba Eclipse – 87% Cacao

Green and Black’s Dark – 85% Cacao

Valrhona Noir Extra Amer – 85% Cacao

Scharffen Berger Extra Dark – 82% Cacao

Chocolove XOXOX Extra Strong Dark – 77% Cacao

Chocolate is great to eat because of its health benefits and nutritional value, but like everything else if we consume too much of a good thing it can also be bad. So, the next time that you are eating a delicious dark chocolate bar think of all of the health benefits that you are receiving, but just remember to eat with moderation.

By Martin Gandhi at Cooking for Americas

1. AmazingMoms.com

Separates ideas for boys and girls, cakes and cupcakes, and different party games.

2. BirthdayPartyIdeas.com

Gives lots of ideas for different types of themes. Whatever interest your kid enjoys, you’ll be able to find ideas for that theme.

3. SimpleMoms.com

Low cost and frugal ideas to still have a fabulous and fun party for your kid and their friends.

4. ActivitiesForKids.com

Has a complete list of different activities for kids of all ages.

5. MarthaStewart.com

Birthday themes for indoors or outdoors, there are plenty of ideas for kids that just want to have fun!

There are plenty of ideas listed in these websites that will make your kids birthday party a blast and unforgettable! You could also take ideas from a couple of these websites and create your own unique and creative idea that you kid and their friends will enjoy!

What do you want?

1. Size and style: Do you want a small intimate wedding with only close friends and family present to witness your marriage? Or would you prefer a grand occasion with hundreds of guests? Neither option is better than other; it’s all about personal preference. It is important to decide this early on as it will help you with the rest of your planning, not least when you come to work out your budget.
2. Location: Maybe the reason you have chosen an outdoor wedding is that you already have the perfect location in mind. If so, then that’s one big decision you don’t have to worry about! Otherwise, there are many options you could consider. Some people enjoy the intimacy of a wedding at home with family, others seek spectacular locations overlooking a harbor or the ocean. A tranquil garden can provide the perfect backdrop to your celebration. All of these are great ideas; you just need to establish what is most important to you and find a place that reflects that.
3. Time of year: When planning a wedding outdoors it is important to factor in the weather. What are the weather conditions likely to be in your area at various times of year? The spring and summer months are a beautiful time to get married outdoors.

How can you get it?

When you have worked out where and when to hold your wedding, and what kind of wedding it will be, you are in a position to start planning how to make it all happen. Employing an event hire company is a great idea; they can help you with every little detail of your big day. You will be glad of their assistance, as there is a lot to organize.

1. The Marquee: Choosing the right one is important. Not only must it be the right size for all your guests but also it should be in keeping with the overall style of your wedding.
2. Tables and chairs: The tables and chairs you choose will have a huge impact on the overall visual effect of your wedding. They should be practical, but also visually appealing and they should match your marquee and the overall style of your wedding.
3. Catering: As well as planning a menu you will need to organize catering equipment and staff.
4. Flowers: No wedding is complete without flowers and an outdoor celebration is no different.
5. Favors: Wedding favors are a great way to thank the people for your special event.

By Tom Carlton at Party Hire and Event Hire.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE COOKIE BARS
2 cups Oreo-type cookies, finely crushed*
1/2 stick butter, melted
2 cups (12-oz pkg) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter until well mixed. Press onto the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt 1 cup of the chocolate chips with the sweetened condensed milk. Stir in the vanilla. Pour this chocolate mixture evenly over the crust in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining cup of chocolate chips and the chopped pecans over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until set. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into 24 large bars or 36 smaller bars.

These bars are good at room temperature or chilled.

CHOCOLATE TURTLE PIE
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1 prepared graham cracker crust
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 pkgs (4-serving size)chocolate cook and serve pudding & pie filling
3 cups milk
whipped cream, for garnish

Spread the caramel topping over the bottom of the crust. Sprinkle the pecans over the caramel. Refrigerate.

In a saucepan, stir the pudding mix into the milk. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a full boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir twice during cooling. Pour into the crust and place plastic wrap on the surface of the filling. Refrigerate about 3 hours or until set. Before serving garnish with whipped cream, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings

PINTO BEAN CHOCOLATE FUDGE
1 can (15-oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 tbsp vanilla extract
7 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts

Place the beans in a microwave-safe dish and mash with a fork until smooth. Cover the dish and heat in microwave 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Remove dish from microwave. Add the cocoa powder, butter, and vanilla. This will make a thick mixture. Slowly stir in the confectioners’ sugar. Stir in the nuts. Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate until firm.

Yield: 3 1/2 pounds

Note: The pinto beans replace some of the butter normally used to make fudge. This fudge is creamy and the walnuts add crunch. No one will believe you made this fudge with beans!

Enjoy!

For more of Linda’s recipes visit her dessert recipes blog and her diabetic dessert recipes blog

Personalized Candy for Birthdays

Here are some additional pictures from Logan’s birthday that really show how well you can personalize our candies. You can also order multiple colors, with different pictures and different messages on each one to add to the variety of choices and flavors for your guest.

Besides birthdays, you can have personalized candies made for weddings, corporate events, holidays, or any other type of celebration! The ideas are endless!

These are perfect for birthdays, weddings, or any other type of event!

You can learn more and order online at PrintCandies.com!!

As a dessert lover myself, I always try to make sure that the dessert I make will at least result in some words of praise from my guests. One of the best things about having great dessert is not just that it gives you that wonderful feeling, but it also makes you happy when you see how much your guests or family members are enjoying it. But how do you do that if you are new and find dessert-making difficult, or if you’re constantly busy and making dessert is too time-consuming?

This article gives you some simple tips for making life simpler by choosing the right easy dessert recipes, and some advice for making almost any dessert recipe easier.

1. Recipe Size

Often we overlook the fact that the dessert recipes we make can be downsized to fit our needs. This can be as simple as taking a normal dessert recipe and dividing all the ingredient portions in half or in quarter, but not every recipe may be so appropriately scaled down. When searching for easy dessert recipes, be on the look out for the serving sizes listed for each recipe. Some recipes are specially designed for a small number of guests and these will save you a lot of hassle and worry.

Small dessert recipes are easier to make and they bake faster too. This is especially so if your kitchen isn’t as big as you want it to be, or you don’t have enough large bowls. Also, keep in mind that desserts are normally eaten after a large, full meal, and smaller easy dessert recipes will go well with the guests. If you have any guests who are trying to keep control of their weight, they will thank you for this too.

2. Ingredients Required

The best easy dessert recipes to choose are preferably those with convenient ingredients that you can easily find in your local store. If you are in a rush, then you might want to opt for an easy dessert recipe that can be made with the ingredients you already have on hand in your pantry or refrigerator. Recipes that require fewer ingredients will generally be easier to make. Try searching for recipes with three to five ingredients for maximum easiness in making.

3. Component Substitution

Many long-winding recipes can be made easier to some extent by simple component substitution. If certain components of a particular easy dessert recipe can be store-bought, it will save you a lot of time and effort. For example, when making a tiramisu, instead of having to make the ladyfingers and cheesecake filling from scratch according to the recipe, it would also be possible for you to buy pre-made packages of ladyfingers from the store, and ready-to-eat cheesecake filling too. Then just add coffee syrup or other flavoring according to your tastes, and assemble it for a quick tiramisu dessert.

Some people may frown upon this saying that those ready-made components do not make a dessert that tastes as good as the ones you make yourself. Well for me, I feel that this in itself is an art. It takes a certain amount of knowledge and experience to know which brand of ingredients is of the best quality and go well together. Of course easy dessert recipes that are made from scratch will often taste better, if done right, due to the effort and thought put into them. But the difference is not always that large, and there are times when we don’t always get things done right. If you’re just a beginner who is just starting out, then this is a good place to start too.

Try these three simple tips for making easy dessert recipes even easier, and they will save you a lot of effort. You will even find that you have more time to enjoy yourself in the kitchen.

By Art Young at Easy Dessert Recipes