Friday, February 24, 2012

Chocolate for health

Chocolate for health benefits.
Can lower blood pressure in our body. Brown was efficacious to make age a person becomes longer. Prevent premature aging that can occur due to pollution or radiation. Recent research suggests there are opportunities also have benefits for treating stroke. A study from the University of California revealed that chocolate can help prevent blood clots, something that can help patients affected by stroke. Researchers say chocolate has the same effect as aspirin are known as anti-blood clotting.

Chocolate can cause effects to be happy and calm feelings.
Carbohydrates are formed by a chemical in chocolate that helps produce serotonin, the brain stimulation, so we feel relaxed and calm. Eating chocolate will not cause addiction, but for some delicious chocolate flavor that may lead to the desire to take it back (chocolate craving). It is often associated with the content of phenylethylamine in chocolate that can produce dopamine, which can give rise to feelings of pleasure. Phenylethylamine is also aphrodisiac, which elicits feelings of such people who are in love. Prevent the risk of coronary heart disease and cancer. Brown has the ability to inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increase immune function, which can prevent the risk of coronary heart disease and cancer.

Any useful substances contained in chocolate making chocolate can be beneficial for health?
Based on data obtained from the medical research world, there are some substances contained in chocolate compositions. These compositions contained in chocolate:

Polyphenols.
Chocolate also contains high levels of polyphenols, compounds found in foods of plant origin that acts as an antioxidant that may help prevent cancer. Polyphenols in amounts high enough and can function as antioxidants. Phenolik compounds may reduce the risk of heart disease by preventing oxidation and deposition of fatty compounds in the blood vessels and damage the low-density lipoprotein lipids (bad fats). Phenol is also found in red wine that is well known as the drink is good for heart health.

Phenyletylamine
Phenylethylamine is also aphrodisiac, which elicits feelings of such people who are in love .. . delicious chocolate may cause the desire to take it back (chocolate craving). It is often associated with the content of phenylethylamine in chocolate that can produce dopamine, which can give rise to feelings of pleasure.

Catechins.
Chocolate is rich in catechins. One function of antioxidants is to prevent premature aging that can occur due to pollution or radiation. Catechins are also found in tea even though the amount is not as much as the chocolate. Tea because it can make the skin radiant and youthful face. If they know that chocolate contains higher than tea catechins, maybe they would recommend a bath scrub with
Chocolate.

Linoleic acid (3%) and Oleic acid (35%). 
Third of the fat contained in chocolate is oleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid. Oleic acid is also predominantly found in olive oil. Oleic acid is also predominantly found in olive oil. University of California researchers also found that flavan-3-ols, compounds found in chocolate can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological studies in Mediterranean populations who consume lots of oleic acid from olive oil oleic concluded positive effects on heart health. A study shows that chocolate is also good for bone growth and healing process.

Palmitate acid (25%) and Stearic Acid (35%). 
Stearic acid is neutral fat that will not trigger blood cholesterol. Why? Stearate was slowly digested by our bodies and also absorbed less. Brown has the ability to inhibit oxidation of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increase immune function, which can prevent the risk of coronary heart disease and cancer. Interestingly, chocolate could cure a cough. According to experts, a chemical found in chocolate are better at curing coughs than cough medicine. It is in the underlying at a compound called theobromine which can prevent coughing. Fat in chocolate, cocoa butter is often called, is mostly composed of saturated fat (60%), especially stearate. But brown fat is vegetable fat which does not contain cholesterol. A habit that, chocolate is often used as a sign to express love, affection, or just to give more attention to certain people (Valentine Day). Besides chocolate also contains theobromine and caffeine that provide energy for the body. Both substances have been known to give effect to those who consume them awake, eating chocolate is potent enough to make us excited again. It's just chocolate to watch, especially for people who are prone to suffer from kidney stones. Therefore, healthy tips that can be recommended is drink plenty of water after eating chocolate.

Theobromine.Sugar (Sucrose).

Contradictory opinion for chocolate from a reputable medical journal with the title of the properties of chocolate is now widely "abused"Chocolate is usually used to express their affection for the couple. In addition to delicious, chocolate is known bermanfat to health. Research and many studies that prove that chocolate has health benefits. Bio-active substances in the form of anti-oxidants are believed to be beneficial in terms of medical, psychological and even chocolate can make you feel comfortable. Even so do not be deceived by the properties of these delicious sweets nan. It is better to consider it again or even be wise to choose chocolate products, because it is not impossible that you will get a loss rather than the expected benefits of these foods. Chocolate as a snack comes after a leading medical journal in its latest edition states that the benefits of chocolate is now widely "abused". For that to be considered again. Many manufacturers of cocoa flavanols is now just remove the content because it tastes bitter. As a result, many chocolate products on the market currently dominated by just a fat and sugar. Yet this is precisely these two substances is the enemy of the heart and blood vessels. Many studies have suggested that eating chocolate can reduce the risk of heart disease, lowers blood pressure and relieve fatigue. But according to an article written in the journal Lancet, chocolate can actually be deceiving.
"When companies make chocolate candy, chocolate ingredients that make a solid natural color becomes black and flavanols that tastes bitter, it is removed. Therefore, dark brown that looks can be no flavanol.
"Consumers are always too blinded by the flavanol content of chocolate because manufacturers rarely provide any information on this information in its products," wrote the Lancet. The Journal also noted that although a product of flavanols contained in cocoa, chocolate lovers must remain alert to the substance or other content.
"Contradictory of chocolate is dark chocolate contained in fat, sugar and calories contained in it. To get the properties for health, for who like to eat dark chocolate in moderate amounts should balance it by reducing the intake of other foods.
 

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Dark Chocolate & Red Berries

 
Love Crunch – Dark Chocolate & Red Berries A perfect marriage of dark chocolate chunks, organic freeze dried strawberries and
A perfect marriage of dark chocolate chunks, organic freeze dried strawberries and raspberries, with dried coconut, whole grain rolled oats and flax seeds.

A unique marriage of taste & health.
Have a love for dark chocolate chunks and tangy berries? How about a thing for premium granola that’s also packed with whole grains, ALA omega-3s and 0 grams trans fat? Well, then, this’ll be love at first bite.


$1 million of food bank love.
Arjan & Rimjhim (part of our ‘Founding Family’)
were inspired to create the original Love Crunch in preparation for their wedding, and everyone loved it, so we decided to share it (and three new flavors) with the world. And when they asked people to give back to their communities in lieu of wedding presents, we as a company were inspired to give back, too. So for every bag of Love Crunch you buy, we’ll donate an equal amount to food banks in food or cash, up to $1 million.

Certified Organic & Non-GMO.Unlike “natural” label claims, certified organic products are guaranteed to be grown without chemical herbicides or pesticides, or synthetic preservatives and additives. And the Non-GMO project verification seal assures you that the food you’re buying is made in a kitchen – not in a lab.

Product Features

Flavor: Dark Chocolate and Red Berries
  • Pack of six, 11.5-ounce bags of Love Crunch--Dark Chocolate & Red Berries Granola (total of 69 ounces)
  • Dark chocolate chunks, organic freeze dried strawberries and raspberries, with dried coconut, whole grain rolled oats, and flax seeds
  • Made from healthy whole grains, vegetarian, and contains no trans fat
  • USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO verified
  • For each bag of Love Crunch purchased, Nature's Path will donate an equivalent amount of organic food or cash to local food banks; up to 1 million dollars annually
 
 
 

Nature's Path Love Crunch Premium Organic Granola, Aloha Blend, 11.5-Ounce (Pack of 6)
List Price: $30.00
Price: $22.50 ($0.33 / oz) & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $7.50 (25%)
 

List Price: $30.00
Price: $22.50 ($0.33 / oz) & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $7.50 (25%)

 
List Price: $30.00
Price: $23.08 ($0.33 / oz) & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $6.92 (23%)
 












Monday, February 13, 2012

Chocolate Covered


Chocolate Covered Strawberries Gift Box Gourmet Food

Product Features

  • Chocolate Covered Strawberries Gift Box
  • Personal Greeting Card, Handling Instructions & Plant Food Included
  • Cut-Off Time for Next Day Delivery: 2 PM EST

Product Description

Indulge yourself with a dozen hand dipped large chocolate covered strawberries. This delectable assortment is perfect for any chocolate lover. Your strawberries come beautifully decorated and neatly packed in an attractive gift box making them a perfect gift for any occasion. Chocolate covered strawberries recipe are dipped in an assortment of white, milk and dark chocolates and arrive in a elegant gift box that is sure to please. Chocolate Covered Strawberries recipe are very perishable and must be shipped overnight to preserve freshness. Please note that some berries may be covered in nuts.(edible arrangements).chocolate covered strawberries recipe.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries



Chocolate Covered Strawberries recipe

Product Features

  • Sorry - too late for Valentine Day Delivery. FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING with deliveries on Tuesdays through Fridays. Place orders by 10:00 AM PST for delivery the Next Day. (Our cut off time is noon to allow time to dip and dry the berries for same day shipping, but Amazon holds orders for a while before we receive them.)
  • Please note that your Amazon's order confirmation may not show the correct estimated delivery. If your order is placed by 10 AM PST, we will dip and ship with Overnight deliveries on Tuesdays-Fridays.
  • Our giant Valentine California-grown strawberries are dipped in premium dark chocolate and Cupid Pink white chocolate.
  • Each berry is delicately hand dipped and decorated in our own kitchen for both culinary artistry and exquisitely decadent taste.
  • Freshness and premium quality are 100% guaranteed.
Twice as many berries to say 'I love you' - in the most scrumptious possible style. Our giant California strawberries are lavishly hand-dipped in premium dark chocolate and Cupid Pink white chocolate in our own kitchen, then decorated with extra TLC and presented with a passion for perfection! 

Ingredients for Chocolate Covered Strawberries recipe


4 Each Premium Dark Chocolate-dipped Strawberries Drizzled with Cupid Pink White Chocolate, 4 Each Premium Dark Chocolate-dipped Strawberries rolled in Valentine Heart Candies, 4 Each Premium Dark Chocolate-dipped Strawberries half dipped in Cupid Pink White Chocolate.


By 
Devin - 12 Valentine's Day Chocolate Covered Strawberries recipe
(Misc.)
The package arrived yesterday, within 24 hours of being shipped. The package is well designed to keep the product from moving during shipping and the presentation is fantastic. The taste test was hard to understand between all the mmmph's but eventually got two thumbs up from all parties. I tried one myself and I do not know how they pick the perfect berries but they were perfect. The amount of chocolate on these was a dreamy chocolate that was not dominate of the berry but a perfect blend. I do not know many presents that I or you could give for Christmas that will be remembered next year but you have my guarantee on this one.

Guys, if your in the dog house... this is a game changer!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Grand Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Basket



Grand Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Basket 

Important Information

Ingredients
-Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Mix -3 oz. Ghirardelli Luxe Milk Chocolate with Toffee Bar -3 oz. Ghirardelli Luxe Milk Chocolate with Almond Bar -5.25. oz Ghirardelli Masterpiece Truffles -5.25 oz Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Squares -5.25 oz Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Caramel Squares -1.15 oz Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate with Caramel Bar

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Beary Huggable Valentines Day Gift Basket for Kids




  • Say Happy Valentine's Day in a very special way!
  • This adorable furry white teddy bear arrives wearing a sweet, red bow and delivers a fun filled, tummy busting, gift box of goodies!
  • A great Valentine's Day gift basket for your sweetheart this year!
  • Please see description for full list of contents
  • Don't forget to add your FREE gift message at checkout!



Beary Huggable Valentines Day Gift Basket for Kids
Beary Huggable Valentine's Gift for Kids: Say Happy Valentine's Day in a very special way with our furry white teddy bear who's arrives wearing a sweet, red bow and delivers a fun filled, tummy busting, gift box of goodies! This Gift Includes: -12" Plush white teddy bear -Peeps Marshmallow Hearts -Activity coloring book -Wonka's Fun Dips -Wonka's Nerds Candies -Hershey M & M's Milk Chocolate w/Peanuts Candies -Twizzlers licorice -Necco Sweetheart Conversation Heart Candies 2 boxes -Bubbles -Festive Valentines gift box with chocolate covered pretzels -Silly String -Valentine's mini pinball game -Kids card game (Crazy 8's, Old Maid, Hearts, or Go Fish) -Candy Ring-Pop -Delivered in a Happy Valentines gift box -Topped with a sweet Valentines bow. Don't forget to add your free gift message at checkout!

Broadway Basketeers Gourmet Chocolate Gift Tower - Valentines Day

 

The Gourmet Chocolate Gift Tower opens up to reveal 5 gift boxes. Gift boxes are filled with chocolate covered nuts, assorted chocolate Ghirardelli squares, flavor-filled signature chocolate truffles, rich chocolate chip cookies, a pretzels dunked in chocolate, and a gift box of chocolate Belgian truffles. The perfect gift for the chocolate lover on your list. All gift baskets can ship with a personalized gift message on a gift card; Click on gift options during check-out to enter your unique gift message.
  • The Gourmet Chocolate Gift Tower opens up to reveal 5 gift boxes
  • Gift boxes are filled with chocolate covered nuts, assorted chocolate Ghirardelli squares, flavor-filled signature chocolate truffles, rich chocolate chip cookies, a pretzels dunked in chocolate, and a gift box of chocolate Belgian truffles
  • The perfect gift for the chocolate lover on your list
  • Gift basket dimensions: 6 inches x 6 inches x 13 inches high
  • Great holiday gift for chocolate lovers; kosher certified
 Send an irresistible message that is guaranteed to wow this holiday season--with the Gourmet Chocolate Gift Tower from Broadway Basketeers. Featuring Godiva, Ghirardelli, and Guylian chocolate, this remarkable gift consists of five individual boxes--each overflowing with goodies.
The hand-crafted tower comes tied with a bow and each box opens up to reveal an array of chocolate covered nuts, assorted Ghirardelli chocolate squares, flavor-filled signature chocolate truffles, rich chocolate chip cookies, a pair of pretzels dunked in dark and light chocolate, and Belgian chocolate truffles. All contents of the gift tower are certified kosher for worry-free giving.
The Gourmet Chocolate Tower includes:
  • Chocolate covered nuts
  • Assorted Ghirardelli squares
  • Assorted flavor-filled signature truffles
  • Chocolate chip cookies
  • Two large dark and light chocolate dunked pretzels
  • One gift box of Belgium truffles
About Broadway Basketeers Cerfied Kosher Gift Baskets:
Broadway Basketeers carries exclusively Kosher gift baskets. When a product is certified kosher, it means that the supervising agency is meticulous about the entire production process, benefitting all people with dietary restricions, whether they be kosher, lactose intolerance, or other food allergies. Broadway Basketeers Kosher Gift Baskets enable you to give a gifts of food to groups, with the confidence that they will be appreciated and understood by all.

Athletes Honey Milk Chocolate Light, 11.5-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 12)



Ingredients
Filtered lowfat milk, cocoa processed with alkali, cane sugar, honey, vanilla, lactase enzyme, sodium polyphosphate, carrageenan, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, Vitamin A Palmitate & Vitamin D3

Athletes HoneyMilk is a delicious high-protein nutritional drink made from real milk and honey. Milk has one of the richest nutrient profiles of all foods. Containing nearly all of the nutrients needed to sustain human life from cradle to grave, milk is the very best naturally occurring example of a complete food. Honey is the only natural sweetener that is a product of the hard work of a member of the animal kingdom. Created by bees, honey is a great natural source of carbohydrates and is known for being extremely effective in not only boosting the performance and endurance of athletes, but in reducing muscle fatigue as
  • Made from fresh milk and honey
  • 20 grams of high quality protein
  • Lactose free
  • No refrigeration needed
well. Honey contains the natural fruit carbohydrates glucose and fructose. Brought to you by cows and bees, Athletes HoneyMilk is a nectar of nutrients – the best possible combination in the most advantageous proportions – designed specifically for the active athlete to help him or her reach their physical potential. Dark chocolate contains several bioactive compounds like theobromine, caffeine, tyramine and the nearly impossible to pronounce phenylethylamine, which promote alertness, lessen pain and promote well-being in athletes. And did we mention chocolate? And fewer calories because it's a Light version? 'Nuff said. Honey boosts athletic performance and endurance while reducing muscle fatigue. Milk's unique ratio of whey and casein proteins builds lean muscle while its minerals and vitamins balance the body's cellular and structural systems. Never powdered and lactose-free, Athletes HoneyMilk is nature's natural energy, protein, and mineral source.  



the fuel your body needs during demanding workouts

Clif Bar Energy Bar Chocolate Chip 12 Bars Ingredients Organic Brown Rice Syrup, ClifPro (Soy Rice Crisps [Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour, Barley Malt Extract], Organic Roasted Soybeans, Organic Soy Flour), Organic Rolled Oats, Chocolate Chips (Evaporated Cane Juice, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy. 

5.0 out of 5 stars They are ENERGY Bars, not snacks, August 19, 2009 
By K. Larson (Minneapolis, MN USA) 
Clif Bars are high-density energy bars, designed to replace the fuel your body needs during demanding workouts. I use them during adventure racing, mountain climbing, and kayaking. They are excellent compared to all the other "power" type bars that are available. These are not "healthy snacks" for couch potatoes to smack on while watching TV. Do that and it'll end up on your butt! Used for the intended purpose, and when purchased fresh, these deserve the 5-star rating I've given. I buy the variety pack at my local [...], and the price is lower than Amazon's gold box special price. The other advantage of purchasing food in a brick and mortar store is that you can verify the product expiration date. Several reviewers complained about this product being stale and/or out-dated. I've purchased other food products from Amazon and have also noted they are pushing close to the expiration date, meaning that one needs to consume a case of food within a week or two before it expires. Buyer beware. 

4.0 out of 5 stars Great! I do have flavor preferences...., June 24, 2008 
By HeatherHH 
This review is from: Clif Bar Energy Bars (Health and Beauty) Some of the complaints about the Clif bars seem kind of silly to me. These aren't meant to be all that you eat during the day. They're a filling 250 calorie snack or a decent breakfast with some juice or fruit . They have 5 grams or so of fiber and 10 grams or so of protein, which is great. Um, yes they have salt and fat, but not large amounts. They are 20% fat, which is great unless you're on an extremely low-fat diet. They have 6% of your daily sodium, so if you ate 8 clif bars to get yourself 2000 calories for the day, you'd have less than half the recommended sodium maximum. They are dairy-free and wheat-free (but not gluten-free, per their own website due to oats and barley malt). They're not that expensive when you consider the size and the "special ingredients." But, if you don't need to avoid dairy and wheat, they are a bit pricey. As has been mentioned, they are on the dense side, but not exceedingly so, and they're less chewy than a granola bar. So far, I've tried 6 flavors of Clif bars. In order of preference, they are: cool mint chocolate, chocolate peanut butter crunch, oatmeal raisin walnut, black cherry almond, chocolate chip, peanut butter crunch. All of them were fine, and I could eat them, but the peanut butter crunch was a bit too sweet for my tastes. The chocolate chip was fine, but didn't impress me as much as the others. The remaining 4 I'd buy again. My favorite, the cool mint chocolate bars have a subtle mint taste, definitely there, but not overly strong. These aren't super sweet like a cookie, but do have a nice taste. The black cherry almond reminds me of a nutri-grain bar in flaor. The chocolate peanut butter crunch and oatmeal raisin almond both are not too sweet and a nice flavor. I do wish that Amazon had a real variety pack, like with 1-2 bars each of all the flavors. And, it'd be nice if Amazon sold a single 12-pack, as 24 of the same kind is A LOT. The only reason I was willing to risk getting 24 each of 2 new flavors I'd never had was that they had a special offer on energy bars at the time, so that I got extra money off. At regular price, I'd be unlikely to be willing to buy 24 of the same kind in an unknown flavor. The fact that you have to buy 24 identical bars (except for the variety pack which has 8 each of 3 similar flavors) is what made this review 4 star instead of 5 star. 


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Great Book of Chocolate





The Great book every chocophile has been waiting for, pastry chef David Lebovitz's guide is a jam-packed snapshot of the global chocolate picture. In this compact volume, he gives a succinct cacao botany lesson, explains the process of chocolate making, runs through chocolate terminology and types, presents information on health benefits, offers an evaluating and buying primer, profiles the world's top chocolate makers and chocolatiers (with a whole chapter dedicated to Paris alone!), and shares dozens of little-known factoids in sidebars throughout the book. More than 30 of his favorite chocolate recipes—from Black-Bottom Cupcakes to Homemade Rocky Road Candy, Orange and Rum Chocolate Mousse Cake to Double Chocolate Chip Espresso Cookies—are icing on the cake. His extensive resource section (with websites for international ordering) can bring the world's best chocolate to every door. A self-avowed chocoholic, Lebovitz nibbles chocolate every day—and with THE GREAT BOOK OF CHOCOLATE in hand, he figures the rest of us will too.
  • A compact connoisseur's guide, with recipes, to today's cutting-edge array of chocolates and chocolate makers from former Chez Panisse pastry chef David Lebovitz.
  • Includes more than 50 location and food photographs.
  • Chocolate‚Äîlike its predecessors coffee, wine, and bread‚Äîis the latest darling of the food scene.
  • The New York Times on Lebovitz's first book: ‚ÄúInstructions are clear and simple, and the recipes are so good that it becomes clear what a master baker he is.‚Äù

  • By 
    B. Marold "Bruce W. Marold" (Bethlehem, PA United States)
    `The Great Book of Chocolate', David Lebovitz' third book, is much, much more than a book of chocolate recipes. It is a great resource, including recipes, lore, history, sources, anecdotes, manufacture, producers, and botany of cacao and chocolate.

    Even if you have any other book on chocolate, you will find things in this book which do not appear in any others, as it has information I have not seen in about a half dozen books on chocolate and about 20 hours of Food Network shows on chocolate done by everyone from Alton Brown to Tyler Florence to Gordon Elliot.

    One of the most interesting new facts I found in this book is that like coffee, there are two different naturally occurring varieties of the cacao plant, plus a manmade hybrid. One of the varieties is much more delicate and much less common than the other, accounting for about 5% of the world's chocolate, but it is a much richer product. Very few chocolate processors deal with this criollo variety. Most use the much more common forestero variety or the hybrid trinitario.

    Like tea and coffee and olive oil, cacao is a highly complex product, much of whose more desirable and subtle properties are destroyed by too much heat during processing. Heat is also the enemy of chocolate when melting and tempering chocolate to be used for cooking. This brings up one of my very few complaints about this book in that it explains a very primitive method for heating and tempering chocolate. I would have devoted at least one page to explaining how professional chocolate tempering pots work, and in what way one could be improvised. The author gives some very brief suggestions using a heating pad, but a paragraph plus an illustration would have been dandy. Other explanations in the book would have been well served by an illustration or a caption to a picture, but these are small matters in light of the overall quality of the book.

    While Lebovitz was already a highly talented and accomplished pastry chef when he started writing this book, he has gone to the extra effort of investigating first hand the workings of premium chocolatiers in San Francisco, Paris and Brussels. He has also recently completed a course in chocolate at Callebaut College in Belgium.

    The chapters in this book, after the introduction which covers Lebovitz personal involvement with chocolate includes:

    Chocolate Explained gives the history, botany, and processing of the cacao plant, plus some stories of two important American chocolate producers, Hershey and Sharfen Berger.
    Sustainability of Cacao discusses the fragile place of cacao in jungle ecosystems and the production of organic chocolate.

    A Chocolate Primer discusses the forms of chocolate, from pure chocolate liqueur to cocoa power, plus an explanation of tempering. While he points out that there is no difference between `semisweet' and `bittersweet' chocolate, he does not discuss the availability of chocolates with sweetening graded by percent, as done by Vahlrona. It is also surprising that while so many other chocolate companies are mentioned in the book, this very important French company is not. It is not even listed in the very good list of resources in the back of the book.

    Chocolate and Wellness reveals that carefully processed chocolate has a lot more antioxidants in it than even health food stars prunes, raisins, and blueberries. Not only that, it has lots of other good stuff, including some compounds which work as an antidepressant.

    Buying Chocolate gives a brief consumers guide to sources for good chocolate, including a detailed chronicle of seven days spend working at the shop of the best chocolatier in Brussels.

    Chocolate of Paris continues the buying guide with a focus on sources in Paris that rivals Brussels as one of the leading chocolatier centers in the world.

    The 34 recipes certainly do not cover the whole world of chocolate baking and candy making, but they give you a pretty good sampling of both conventional products such as hot chocolate, truffles, fudge, and cakes; to the slightly unusual such as chocolate and cherry scones, mint and chocolate crème anglaise, and bourbon mud pie; to the really unusual such as chocolate sauerkraut cake and chocolate pizza dough.

    Lebovitz says many of the recipes are original and, as he is a much, much better baker than I will ever be, even in my dreams, I will accept these recipes for being the crème of the crop. As I said above, this book will not replace your books by Flo Braker, Nick Malgieri, or Alice Medrich or even Lebovitz' earlier books on desserts. It is much more of a supplement to resources for making the best use in recipes by all bakers and chocolatiers.

    As the book is much more valuable for its websites, addresses, and information than it is for its recipes, the awkward tall and skinny format does not annoy me as much as it may in other cookbooks. I just wish Ten Speed Press would come out with an explanation for why they are so in love with this tall, skinny format.

    Highly recommended enhancement to your enjoying chocolate.  

    Deliciously G-Free: Food So Flavorful They'll Never Believe It's Gluten-Free



    See Video

    Growing up in a family where everyone came together at the dinner table, Elizabeth Hasselbeck savored the signature meatball, lasagna, and ziti dishes of her grandmother and great-grandmother, and the pierogies of her father’s heritage. But a decade ago, the Emmy Award–winning co-host of The View, New York Times bestselling author, and mother of three was diagnosed with celiac disease, and the family recipes she grew up suddenly became strictly off-limits. Or so she thought.

    Getting rid of gluten, however, doesn’t have to mean giving up taste. Deliciously G-Free combines Hasselbeck’s knowledge for healthy living and passion for tasty food to bring you 100 delectable, easy-to-make, and family-friendly gluten-free recipes. By adding a variety of other ingredients to the fridge and pantry, she’s perfected scrumptious zero-gluten versions of old standards and new creations that would make her relatives proud, including

    Breakfasts to Remember: Egg Sandwiches, Coconut Raspberry Muffins, French Toast with Caramel Rum Banana, Biscuits, Frittata
    All-Star Appetizers: Pork Pot Stickers, Stuffed Mushrooms, Smoked Salmon on Corn Fritters, Crab Cakes with Homemade Tartar Sauce, and Hot Artichoke Dip
    Mouth-Watering Main Meals: Chicken Enchiladas, Quinoa Cornbread, Mac and Cheese, Lasagna, Pad Thai, Chimichurri Flank Steak, and Buttermilk Chicken
    Deliciously Irresistible Desserts: Chocolista Chocolate Cupcakes, Blueberry Raspberry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Tiramisu, Birthday Cakes, and Double Chocolate Brownies

    Loaded with gorgeous color photos, Deliciously G-Free also satisfies your taste buds with ideas for gourmet entertaining, kid-friendly concoctions, cool-weather comfort foods, and “Get Fit” G-Free recipes. Plus, Hasselbeck opens up about her own gluten-free journey—from getting diagnosed to getting her family on board—and shares tips for how to stock your kitchen, prevent cross-contamination, and whip up G-Free flour mixes that literally take the cake.

    Looking great and feeling good from the inside-out is just one Deliciously G-Free meal away!