1/28/10

Chocolate

As February rolls around, we turn our thoughts to chocolate. This confectionery delight can take shape in many forms. Candy, cakes, cookies, drinks, etc. It can come wrapped around nougat, caramel, nuts, or a mixture of all three. We love it with coconut, marshmallow, graham crackers. We are a world that loves it's chocolate....in any form. If I was ever going to build a statue to anyone, it would probably be Milton Hershey. But chocolate dates back much further than that. According to historians, cocoa was discovered in 2000 B.C. in the Amazons. Throughout history, it has taken on many faces and been used for many purposes. It has been used as currency in Spain, as a dowry for royal marriages, as a drink for rulers; the list goes on and on. But chocolate as we know it today, is a comfort food. Many believe it should be one of the main food groups. We love receiving it as a gift. Fill a small candy dish with M&M's or Hershey's kisses and give it as a gift and you have a friend for life. I am convinced that chocolate is an acceptable breakfast food. As with anything, it is good for you as long as you do it in moderation. There is nothing like a bite of chocolate to renew your energy, uncloud your mind and give you a shot of "pep" to keep going. So unwrap that candy bar, take a bite and relax. A little chocolate once in a while is good for you.