Basking In The Awesome Chocolate
November 8, 2013
Below are the reasons why you should always save some space for chocolate on your plate.
- Chocolate is good for your heart.
Daily consumption of chocolate may cut down one’s risk of suffering from a heart attack and even stroke.
- Chocolate can help you shed some unwanted pounds.
People have this notion that chocolate makes you fat. It’s not always the case. Research has shown that a person who gets his chocolate fix on a regular basis is more likely to be slim than one who doesn’t. Turns out, a person who eats chocolate five times per week or more has a lower BMI (Body Mass Index) than those who eat chocolate less frequently.
Halloween Candy Lava Cake
November 6, 2013
After Halloween, we realize that we are left with loads of tiny candies and chocolate bars. We can either keep them for a while in their fun size wrappers and munch on them for weeks on end, or we could be a little more creative and turn them into dessert! Case in point: Halloween Candy Lava Cakes.
Chocolate lava cakes, a.k.a. molten center chocolate cakes, have a gooey chocolate center that oozes out of the cake. They can be so rich you'll keep asking for more. Often, a chocolate truffle is put at the center of cake before baking. For its Halloween counterpart, you can use Halloween candies for a substitute. Think mini Snickers, Milky Way, Twix… You get the picture. This cake has diverse fillings inside it that it gets so decadent.
Dark Chocolate – The Dessert of the Modern Age
November 1, 2013
Want something to balance the savory taste of your meal? Choose dark chocolate. Even a little can do the trick, that’s why it’s the go-to dessert of a lot of people leaning towards a healthy lifestyle.
Here are a few ways you can savor dark chocolate:
1. Make it you workday treat!
In the middle of a particularly demanding day, take a break, and much on some dark chocolate. It will melt away stress as it melts in your mouth.
2. Make it a staple in your relaxing ritual.
"Me time" is not complete without your heartwarming comfort food. Cap off the experience with some dark chocolate in hand.
Chocolate is America’s Halloween Candy Preference
October 25, 2013
The most loved among Halloween goodies include: candy corn, gummy candy, chewy candy, hard candy, lollipops, licorice, and gum and mints.
But, according to a recent survey, chocolate remains the most liked treat for this coming Halloween. The survey also revealed that adults plan on getting a mix of both chocolate and candy for the ghosts and goblins who darken their doorsteps on Halloween evening.
“Individual buying and consumption habits aside, there’s no denying the role that candy of all kinds plays in this All-American holiday tradition – and that’s something even the grumpiest gremlin can celebrate.”, said NCA Vice President of Communications Susan Whiteside.
Chocolate Pecan Caramel Shortbread
October 23, 2013
We often coast through life putting up with the mundane things. We've got mouths to feed and bills to pay, and sometimes that's all we can think about.
An opportunity to bask in some fun knocks on your door, and all you do is scream at the top of your lungs "Go away!" You don't even know why you're screaming in the first place, perhaps to intimidate that little voice in your head that says "I want to have some fun." Time and again, the bigger voice in your head wins, one which incessantly blurts out "Responsibilities first!"
Fun need not be extravagant. Heck, you can have fun with just the mere use of your mind! If you just can’t find the resources to have the kind of fun you've always been passing on but always been dying to experience, just enjoy the little pleasures in life for now. Until then, opt for chocolate. Chocolate can always give you that, always.
Chocolate To Support Breast Cancer Funding
October 18, 2013
The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation will receive 20 cents from every block of Milk Strawberry chocolate that will be sold until the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). It aims to financially support breast cancer medical training.
This makes the established rapport between Whittaker's and the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation even stronger. Last year, they introduced White Raspberry chocolate, which raised over $70,000, nearly three times the amount expected. And in accordance with such a hit, Whittaker’s has become a Pink Ribbon Platinum Partner, meaning it is committed to donating at least $75,000 this year.
Whittaker’s Brand Manager, Holly Whittaker says, "We are delighted to continue our involvement with The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, given their important role in helping New Zealanders beat breast cancer. This year, we are focusing our support on their scholarship program and continuous medical education for breast cancer medical professionals."
Chocolate as Cough Medication?
October 11, 2013
Around 300 participants that suffered from a persistent cough took part in a clinical trial at 13 National Health Service hospitals in the UK. They were given theobromine, the naturally occurring chemical found in chocolate, twice a day for 14 days. 60% of the participants reported some sort of relief.
Research has it that a daily dose of dark chocolate may come with sufficient amounts of active compound to treat a chronic cough, emphasis on the word ‘treat’. It did not cure the cough, considering symptoms did return once treatment was ended.
White Chocolate Fruit and Nut Squares
October 9, 2013
If you’re one of those parents juggling work and family, and you happen to be having a hard time catching up with your kids, doing activities together at your few and far between downtimes can work magic.
Whip up this recipe, it’s like a Rice Krispies square only much better. You can also use milk or dark chocolate.
Reducing Liver Enzymes in HIV/HCV Patients
October 4, 2013
A recent study has shown that patients diagnosed with HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) and HCV (Hepatitis C virus) who ate chocolate on a daily basis, and downed at least 3 cups of coffee each day, were found to have lower levels of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) as compared to patients who had fewer foods that had polyphenol in them.
Scientists came up with these results from 990 adult patients coinfected with HCV and HIV. They tried tossing in moderate red wine consumption into the analysis, but it did not make a significant change to the results. Also, tobacco use had no impact on either outcome. A combination indicator for polyphenol-rich food intake including both coffee and chocolate consumption was remarkably linked to risk reductions for high ALT and AST.