Tasty Pineapple Cake and Other Sugar-free Cakes--great Cakes With No-sugar-added

For diabetics or others watching their sugar-intake, here are three great cake ideas. And the best part is that non-diabetics will also enjoy these tasty treats. No need to make a diabetic cake and a regular cake when you serve these recipes. These cakes are great for children who are diabetic or are on sugar-restricted diets,too. Try our Tasty Pineapple Cake, Banana Split Cake or Peach Cake today and give your family and friends a no-sugar-added treat.

TASTY PINEAPPLE CAKE

1/2 cup salt-free butter

2 1/4 cups Equal Sugar-Lite, divided

2 eggs or 1/2 cup egg substitute

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup fat-free milk

4 slices unsweetened canned pineapple, drained on a paper towel

non-stick vegetable cooking spray

1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 6-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and 2 tablespoons Equal until light and fluffy. Add remaining Equal, except for 1 tablespoon. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well at medium speed of an electric mixer. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat at low speed after each addition. Cut pineapple into 1/2-inch pieces and gently fold into the batter. Spoon batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Tap down to remove air bubbles. Bake 45-50 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

While cake is baking, combine pineapple juice and the reserved 1 tablespoon Equal. Stir well to be sure Equal is dissolved. When cake is removed from the oven, immediately pour mixture over the cake. Let cake stand in pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

12 servings. Each serving equals about 130 calories, 17 g carbs and 3 g protein

BANANA SPLIT CAKE

Crust: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Filling: 3 small pkgs sugar-free vanilla pudding mix

3 cans fat-free evaporated milk

Topping: 2 medium bananas, sliced

1 large can crushed pineapple in its own juice

1 carton sugar-free whipped topping

3 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans

3 tbsp sugar-free chocolate syrup (I recommend Russel Stover brand)

Mix pudding and milk together until thickened. Chill in the refrigerator while making the crust. To make crust, mix graham crackers and butter together and press onto the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan. Remove filling from refrigerator and spread over top of crust. Add topping ingredients one at a time in the order listed. Refrigerate until serving time.

PEACH CAKE

1 box sugar-free white cake mix

1 1/4 cups water

1/3 cup canola oil

3/4 cup egg substitute

1 small box sugar-free peach gelatin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with non-stick vegetable spray. In a large mixing bowl, beat together cake mix, water, oil, egg substitute and dry gelatin with electric mixer, on low speed, about 30 seconds until blended. Increase speed to medium and beat two minutes longer. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35-40 minutes until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool until barely warm. Lay a fancy paper doily on top of cake and sprinkle with sugar-free powdered sugar to decorate.

To make sugar-free powdered sugar:

Put 3/4 cup of Splenda Granular and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a blender and blend until it is a very fine powder. 0 grams of sugar and only 4 carbs per tablespoon.

Enjoy!

7 Terrific Valentine Chocolate Gift Ideas for Her

Nothing melts a chocolate lover's heart like a valentines chocolate gift. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to create your own unique gift that will show her how much you love her on Valentine's Day. Here are valentine chocolate gift ideas for the chocolate lover in your life. Chocolate KissesYou really should give her more than the old standby, but if you insist, at least be creative on how you give them to her. There are many different ways you can use kisses without coming across cheap. You can create your own red or pink gift box and pack the inside with kisses with a love letter. Another thing you can do is make a path of chocolate kisses that leads to another gift like a bouquet of red roses. Chocolate Heart BoxEither create your own heart-shaped box or look for a nice fancy one and fill it with gourmet chocolates and truffles. You can buy candy boxes in the shape of a heart but leave the candy out and replace it with gourmet chocolates. You could even put chocolate kisses inside. Valentines Chocolate CardVisit a specialty candy shop, or confectionery store, and have them create a card made entirely out of chocolate. This is a unique valentines chocolate gift she'll be sure to remember.Bouquet of Chocolate RosesSure red roses are nice, but why not try something totally different? Why not give her a bouquet of chocolate roses instead? Better yet, combine the two and create a bouquet of real roses mixed with chocolate roses. Chocolate BasketCreate a gift basket that is filled with her favorite chocolates, or surprise her and include chocolates she's never tried before. You can also include chocolate covered pretzels or strawberries and top it off with an arrangement of chocolate roses. A romantic music cd and a bottle of wine is a nice touch. The possibilities are endless. Be creative! Chocolate FountainPut the fondue maker back in the closet and instead bring out the latest chocolate craze - the chocolate fountain. Imagine her coming home to a flowing fountain of chocolate with red roses surrounding it with romantic music playing in the background. Chocolate TourTake her to a local chocolate factory or if you want to go all out, take her on a weekend getaway to Hershey, Pennsylvania! That would be the ultimate valentine chocolate gift!Valentine's Day doesn't always have to be about roses and jewelry. She'll appreciate a heart-felt gift you created for her more than anything. These valentine chocolate gift ideas should help you get your creative juices flowing so that you can create a romantic gift for her that she'll never forget!

LG Chocolate mobile phones: Having latest sophisticated designs

LG Electronics, a worldwide technology leader in mobile communications launched the sleek and stylish LG Chocolate mobile phone. The fantastic looks and feel of the LG chocolate phone has made it a runaway success. The chocolate LG mobile phone cleverly blends modern styling with useful features. If you are looking for stand out style without compromising on usability, you'll appreciate LG chocolate phones. These chocolate phones combine style with functionality and have also gained two prestigious design awards. LG chocolate phones are for those for whom stunning design and desirability combined with great technology are lifestyle expressions. 'The coloured LG Chocolate handsets appeal to consumers who want their mobile phone to say something about their personality. The forthcoming premium handsets with unique design variations promise to be even more desirable. The sleek LG Chocolate phones remain completely black until the touch-keypad is gently brushed. The LG KG 800 is the first chocolate mobile phone to feature a touch keypad which glows red when used. This touch-sensitive navigation phone features 128 in-built memory, a quality video camera and Bluetooth. There's a standard keypad along with a wealth of useful functions including an alarm clock, photo editor, calendar, calculator and games. The LG KG800 is also features a MP3 player, with 128MB of memory providing plenty of storage space. Additionally, the back of the phone contains a 1.3 megapixel camera for photos and videos.The LG chocolate 800 is popular for its distinctive style and aesthetic user interface. The signature design feature once activated; its glowing red icons bring a hidden full-color screen. The LG chocolate 800 has received extremely favourable reviews and comments from international consumer technology, design and lifestyle media, and is set to become the big hit handset of 2006. No doubt, LG chocolate phone will become the number one best seller.

Cocoa Farmers Go Straight to Chocolate Manufacturers

The chocolate industry is ever improving and developing. If before, middlemen are involved whenever a big chocolate company has to order tons of raw cocoa beans from farmers, now things are different.
The middlemen can now be eliminated from the equation and cocoa farmers could go straight to chocolate manufacturers and strike an agreement with them. And this development is actually a good thing - because the interests of both the parties involved are best served.
When chocolate manufacturers can confer directly to the farmers, they can provide the farmers with definite instructions as to how they want their cocoa beans produced. Cocoa beans are especially cultivated and fermented to meet the manufacturer's exacting standards. With the presence of a middleman, getting the right quality and aroma of beans can be a very difficult feat. Middlemen rarely know anything about cocoa or any other product they carry. This is another reason why direct communication with farmers is essential.
Cocoa farmers are doubly benefited if they have the means to negotiate straight with a chocolate manufacturer. This is because they can get premium prices for their products. Most cocoa bean farmers depend on their produce to earn a decent living. So when middlemen are eliminated from the equation, their products get the best possible rate in the market.
And when cocoa bean farmers and chocolate manufacturers bargain on a price, the result will always be a discount for the chocolate makers and a mark up for the cocoa bean farmers. This is the advantage best obtained when no middlemen are involved, as both industries are given premium rates for the products they need or provide.
However, rarely do cocoa bean farmers get the chance to discuss sales matters directly with the actual people who require their products. This is primarily due to topographical difference and language barriers. The finest cocoa beans in the world come from the Dominican Republic. However, the biggest market for such beans is the U.S. It is also in the U.S. where world-renowned chocolate makers are holding business.
The need for business expansion is very important to be able to link cocoa farmers and chocolate makers to one another. It is either the chocolate manufacturers open up an office in the Dominican Republic or the Dominican Republic farm owners send representatives to permanently work in U.S. soil.
It's a good thing that there are indeed several cocoa bean farms that had invested in opening up offices in the key cities of the U.S. to facilitate cocoa bean sales and distribution. Dealing with these types of companies is strongly advised because they can deliver exactly what you need. Furthermore, they also follow U.S. business codes and ethics, which is very important in the exportation business. By going straight to the U.S. office of your preferred Dominican Republic cocoa bean farm, then it is almost a guarantee that you'll get exactly what you paid for. And if in rare case you weren't pleased, their office is just within the city. You can always call them whenever you've got problems with the shipment.
Marabel Cocoa Farms - raw cocoa beans producer and importer from the Dominican Republic.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cristian_Stan

Spread good wishes with chocolate gifts

Whether you want to wish your friend on his birthday or give him good wishes for his exams chocolate gifts can be a perfect choice. Chocolate is extremely popular with people of all ages. So a chocolate gift for your loved one can probably be the best option if you don't have any.
Chocolates are available in different shapes and sizes it's up to you to decide which can serve your friends wishes better.
Unsweetened chocolate: Unsweetened chocolate are also called as baking chocolate. They are bitter to taste and are made up of pure chocolate liquor. You can find unsweetened chocolates as base of cakes, brownies, confections and cookies.
Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate is best known as plain chocolate. It is called so as it is made without milk as an additive.
Semisweet chocolate: Semisweet chocolates are often used for cooking purposes. They are dark chocolate with high sugar content.
Milk Chocolate: Milk chocolate is quite popular among kids and teens. Milk chocolate is made up of milk powder or condensed milk.
Bitter sweet chocolate: Bitter sweet chocolates are made up of pure liquor with added sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin and vanilla. They are quite similar to semisweet chocolates the only difference being that they have less sugar and more liquor.
White Chocolate: White chocolate is a confection based on cocoa butter without the cocoa solids.
Gifts make a person feel special and so it is important that you select the right type of gift. Chocolate gift can make a perfect choice for any occasion be it your friend's birthday party, victory celebration party, get well soon wishes, good wishes and so on.
Now days you can also find different types of chocolate gift basket. Chocolate gift basket is prepared with ample amount of chocolate for all the well wishes. They are designed to give a feeling of personal touch.
Isabella Rodrigues writes for candlegiftbasket.info, offering the latest information on gift baskets, visit them today for more best buy gift baskets.
Visit today: http://www.candlegiftbasket.info

Making Chocolate Covered Strawberries at Home!

People live very fast paced life today. Everyone is busy with their respective goals and jobs. To keep healthy you need to cultivate good habits. Exercise should be a part of daily routine. A person who does not have sufficient time for exercise during the weekdays must try to make up during the weekends.
Eating healthy food is important for keeping fit. Various kinds of diet programs are followed by people and stress is laid on healthy eating. Avoiding high calorie food and junk food all the time makes you crave for unhealthy food. What to do in this type of situation? Well, the answer lies in balancing your diet with different types of food items.
Eating fruits and vegetables helps a lot in maintaining our health. There are loads of delicious fruits like apples, orange, pear, melon, litchi, and strawberry which can be included in the daily diet. Similarly eating fresh vegetables regularly helps a lot in keeping healthy. Managing the diet with a judicious mix of fruits, vegetables and high fiber foods go a long way in keeping a person fit.
It is better to make your daily food interesting by varying it to make it appealing and tasty. You can make chocolate covered strawberries at home using simple ingredients. It is very easy to make them. You need to have the white chocolate, normal dark chocolate and some strawberries with their stems intact. Melt both the chocolates in separate bowls by placing them in hot water. You can melt them in a microwave oven too. Ensure that the syrup is smooth by mixing it well. Dip the strawberries in the syrup by holding it from the stem, shake to remove excess syrup and put it on a parchment paper to dry. Repeat this process with all the strawberries. Dip a fork in the white chocolate syrup and apply a little of it to the chocolate dipped strawberries.
There are various other methods of making chocolate covered strawberries. You can make it bi-color with equal portions of white and brown chocolate or make it totally white. There are many options available and you can make it according to your liking. Covering the strawberries with chocolate makes them tastier and they get used up pretty soon. If you do not wish to make them at home, then you can buy then readymade from the many stores which stock them.
Chocolate covered strawberries make an excellent gift which can be given to all. This is a suitable gift for all from kids to the elderly. They can also be included in wine baskets. Many wine baskets contain gourmet chocolates. If you wish to make an unique basket for your friends or relatives, you can select suitable brands of wine and put these chocolate dipped strawberries with them. Your friends will truly love and relish them.
This type of strawberries can be used even at small gatherings at your place or during festivals when the extended family gets together. You can serve them during your kid's birthday party too and all your little guests will savor them. This can serve as a healthy snack between meals and you can rest assured that your kids are eating healthy fruits.
You cannot go wrong with chocolate covered strawberries because chocoloate is generally loved by everyone. You can also pair your strawberries with wine gift baskets, as unique gifts for the upcoming holiday season. GiftbasketSearch.net and TheBasketSpot.com provides beautiful and visually appealing gifts, that your everyone loves.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toni_Young

Belgian Chocolates are the Best

Belgian Chocolates are the best, and please dare to say that they are the best in the whole world.What better present then a box of chocolates to buy when visiting Belgian. Brussels and Antwerp has many little chocolate gift shops and it is hard not to walk in.These days you can go online to order your box of chocolates, from producer to your front door, in 40 different countries, even in Belgium, although it is more charming to get them at a chocolate shop or at the bakery, the offer in pralines is as variable as the cakes, bread and sandwiches you can buy.Jean Neuhaus arrived from Switzerland in 1857 and he settled himself together with his brother in law who was a pharmacist in Brussels at the Konningine galerij (Queens gallery), a very well known gallery at the centre of Brussels, in fact he first covered gallery in Europe. They opened a pharmaceutical bakery, initially it was the intention to give a sweet flavour to medicines that had an awful taste, it was a fantastic idea and it leaded to the revolution of the bonbons. The little chocolate factory was a fact, in 1912 Jean (the grandchild of Jean Neuhaus) baptised the bonbons into ‘praline' , chocolate creams.A few years later, Balottine, Jean's wife discovered the best way to represent the praline, she putted them into a little box that gave the bonbons a real luxurious appearance.Neuhaus, Leonidas, Callebaut, Meurris, Cote d'Or, Guylian, Godiva are all well known chocolate brands and they all have been in hands of Belgian producers, put that was a long time ago, for example Godiva is now in hands of the American producers of Campbell, the soup. Callebaut is the producer of chocolate to big companies, it has been in hands of the Callebaut family, in 1987 Swiz company Suchard is the owner now. Leonidas isn't the most expensive chocolate and it exists from 1970, when a Greek-Turkish family came over to Belgium, they settled in Genth where they opened a candy store, and although Jean was a female doctor she found her amusement in chocolate and eventually Leonidas came on the market.
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The True Gourmet Chocolate Experience

Gourmet, from the word itself, stands in relation to food and means "of high-quality". This is also known to be sophisticated, rare, meticulously prepared and sometimes expensive. With this definition, gourmet chocolates are regarded fine chocolate confectioneries.Chocolate is made from both raw as well as processed foods from the cacao seeds. This seed is known to be cultivated in Central America almost 3,000 years ago. Cacao seeds are usually used in make chocolate beverages in those times.To make chocolate, the cacao seeds must be fermented. After that, the seeds are dried and roasted. This is with the shell being taken out. This produces cacao nibs. These nibs are grounded until they turn into liquid, which subsequently becomes pure liquid chocolate. This is known as chocolate liquor. Thus, Cocoa solids and butter are created when this cocoa liquor is processed.There are different kinds of chocolates. Unsweetened pure chocolates only have Cocoa solids and butter in it. Milk chocolates are the sweet type due to the fact that it contains condensed milk or milk powder. As for white chocolate, they do not have cocoa solids but they contain cocoa butter, milk and sugar.Most people all over the world have become chocolate lovers whether it is in the form of food or beverage. With the advancement of technology, the production of mass chocolate candies is now made easier to make and sell. In addition, some chefs make use of chocolates as a part of their food delicacies, such as in specialty dishes, desserts as well as beverages.At present, a popular type of chocolate has come out. This is known as gourmet chocolates. What does gourmet chocolate mean? Gourmet, from the word itself, stands in relation to food and means "of high-quality". This is also known to be sophisticated, rare, meticulously prepared and sometimes expensive. With this definition, gourmet chocolates are regarded fine chocolate confectioneries. However, there are no regulations in terms of the standards of chocolate being classified as gourmet.With this, how can one know if he or she is buying a gourmet kind of chocolate? From the definition in itself, you need to assess the total package of the chocolate being bought. To start with, the ingredients of the chocolate should be made from its purest form. The usage of pure cocoa butter as well as solids will make the gourmet chocolate delicately flavorful instead of having the usual vegetable fat flavouring. Moreover, these ingredients should be placed early on the list of other ingredients. In addition, if one is planning to buy truffle chocolates, one must look for unique as well as fresh ingredients. There must be no preservatives.Furthermore, the presentation is also the key for making gourmet chocolates. Being an art in itself, the packaging and presentation would show how the maker carefully and intricately designed his craft. To serve at its best, gourmet chocolates should be made with a big heart and passion for chocolates. With taste and quality masterfully interwoven together, this makes gourmet chocolates the most expensive and delectable treat.Listed below are the top five gourmet chocolate makers:1. Christopher Norman ChocolatesChristopher Norman chocolates are beautifully crafted chocolates that were created with utmost perfection. Each piece has been hand made, thus creating a sensual luscious treat with extraordinary provoking taste. One of the finest in New York City!2. MarieBelle New YorkCreated by Maribel Lieberman, her fine chocolates are a combination of art and electic ingredients. A taste would bring you poignant emotions of delight and contentment. Just like the beautiful gems delicately placed in their stylish Italian boxes, MarieBelle New York gourmet chocolate is sure worth the treasure hunt!3. Lake Champlain ChocolateNative delicacies such as these bring traditions to ultimate experience. Especially made from Vermont, this craftsmanship has been passed from generation to generation, bringing with them the classical flavours of the original Vermont pride. It sure makes you feel like home.4. Romanicos ChocolatesOwned by Alejandra Bigai, her mastery would account to her presentation of the chocolate, according to its own nature: luxurious, sultry, and most of all mouth wateringly delicious. Hand rolled to its perfection, these gourmet chocolates exude delectable flavours such as passion caramel, and holy berry, heavenly vanilla, wild coconut, and a whole lot more! The Piccolo Art Collection also showcases chocolates that are hand painted wand are filled with nuts like hazelnuts, almonds, as well as pistachios. These are even beautifully and wonderfully packaged! You will never go wrong with Romanicos Chocolates.5. L.A. Burdick Handmade ChocolatesThis company makes gourmet chocolates at its most natural! This is aside from being fresh, delicious and original. This is due to the fact that each chocolate being made is uniquely designed. They are handmade can be ordered beforehand. This is what L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates are known for.Aside from this, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, you will find the home of Hershey's chocolate itself. It is also regarded as the sweetest place in the globe. Aside from the Hershey Park, it also has the Chocolate Spa and the Hershey's Chocolate World. This area is definitely a chocolate lover's paradise. Aside from experiencing their Chocolate Tour, they also have the Kitkat Cafe and the Hershey's Factory Works among others. Not only will you be able to view the entire Hershey's Chocolate Factory, you can also take part in an interactive chocolate making project. You will have the chance to design your own chocolate cupcake and chocolate flavoured ice cream. Thus, Every July is the anniversary of Hershey Kisses.

Chocolate Candy Molds - An Indispensable Cooking Tool

So, You love candy and you love chocolate. You are also open minded to trying your hand at a few different recipes, and you consider yourself ready to make a batch of chocolate candy for your family and friends. In order to recreate the chocolates you might learn about at your local speciality shop or bakery, you will need to buy some chocolate candy molds. Here are some of the ideal brands to use, in addition to the most affordable places to shop.
Getting Started
First, you will want to select the shape of the molds you wish to use. Depending on the season, you can find chocolate candy molds shaped similar to Christmas trees, ornaments, or even Thanksgiving turkeys. Easter chocolate candies are also popular, so you could create a few treats for your Easter dinner or for an Easter egg hunt.
The molds can be found on various online destinations or you can take a look at the candy molds that auction sites have to offer. You will be able to get molds as well as other candy making equipment on the sites that will save you money.
You can select from 3-D molds that will give your candy an well-rounded design, or you can select molds that are shaped much like muffin pans--the design you have chosen will form on one side of the candy.
Once you create your chocolate candy, you will need to pour the mixture into the molds and give it the chance to set. You can do this by putting the molds in the refrigerator (depending on the ingredients you used), or by leaving your candies in a cool dry place.
Final Preparation
Once your candies have taken the shape of the mold, you can wrap them in decorative paper and make them part of a holiday gift basket, or you can use them as garnish when you are serving your favorite desserts. A homemade chocolate candy makes a great accessory to a simple dessert of vanilla ice cream and fresh fruit, and goes very well with fruit sorbets as well.
There are various places online that you can go to that provide chocolate candy molds so that you can begin creating your own treats. There are sites such as Foodtv, where you will find excellent recipe ideas, as well as links to company sites that sell the chocolate candy molds you want.
Sites that have name brand molds such a Marthastewart to find excellent deals on candy molds, and to get ideas for different methods to enhance your candies and store them for further gatherings. Being an expert candy maker is easier than you think--you might even come up with a tasty batch of chocolates on your first try. Good luck!
Listen to Korbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of fine foods. If you would like to learn more go to Gourmet Chocolate advice and at Chocolate Fondue Recipe tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Korbin_Newlyn

Sweet Gourmet: Baking Chocolate Guide

Several types of chocolate may be used when baking cookies, pies, cakes, bars, and other sweet treats. The amount of cocoa butter and sugar can affect the texture and taste of chocolate—from bitter to very sweet. Below is a quick guide to the most popular kinds of chocolate used in baked goods.
** UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE – Unsweetened chocolate contains nothing but pure chocolate and cocoa butter. There’s no sugar added. This chocolate is dark in color and has a strong flavor.
** UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER – Unsweetened cocoa powder is pure chocolate that’s had a majority of the cocoa butter removed.
** SEMISWEET AND BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE – Semisweet and Bittersweet chocolate contains at least 35% pure chocolate. Cocoa butter and sugar have been added. This type of chocolate is often used in cookies and can be used interchangeably.
** MILK CHOCOLATE – Milk chocolate contains at least 15% of pure chocolate, and is mixed with cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids. It has a creamy texture and is often used to make chocolate candy.
** WHITE CHOCOLATE – White chocolate is unique in that it contains no pure chocolate. However, it does have cocoa butter. Other ingredients are sugar and milk solids. When buying white chocolate for baking, be sure to check the label first to avoid confusing it with other similar looking white baking products.
** SWEET CHOCOLATE – Sweet chocolate contains at least 15% pure chocolate. Other ingredients are sugar and cocoa butter. Use sweet baking chocolate when you want your baked goods to have a rich chocolate flavor, without the bitterness of other types of chocolate.
© Donna Monday
Brownies, Cheesecake, Fudge and more . . . http://www.best-brownie-recipes.com
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How to Make a Gourmet Chocolate Gift Basket

Making a gourmet chocolate gift basket is easier than you think even though it will look beautiful and professional by the time you finish. The following tips will help you choose the right chocolates to use in your gift basket and help you design it in the most beautiful way.
Tip #1 The Chocolates There are lots of different chocolates out there but you want to use gourmet chocolates. There are two reasons for this. One is for the taste and the other is to give a really nice gift. Any chocolates will work, but gourmet chocolates make the basket extra special. Hershey cherry cordials are a wonderful choice to include in your gift basket. They are tasty and loved by all. It really doesn’t matter what other types of chocolates you include as long as Hershey kisses cherry cordials are in the basket! Of course, a mixture of dark chocolates and milk chocolates is a good idea to give a nice variety to the gift basket.
Tip #2 The Basket Choose a beautiful basket that reflects the quality of the chocolates. You don’t want nice gourmet chocolates in a dollar store basket. Instead, you want a beautiful basket that gives off that same gourmet appearance and makes the gift basket even more appealing. Consider a dark brown basket that is elegant and beautiful. Buy some straw or beautiful fabric to stuff in the bottom of the basket and then add the chocolates. A great way to give form to your basket is to place foam under the straw or fabric and then glue small sticks onto the backs of the chocolates so you can stick them in the foam and create a shape.
These are just a couple suggestions to help you create a professional and gourmet chocolate basket that will be a wonderful gift. In fact, you can have several of these made up, as long as they are stored in a cool area, and then when a special occasion arises you have the perfect gift. This is a gift that will be appreciated by anyone for practically any occasion. Weddings, showers, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and everything in between are perfect occasions to give a gourmet chocolate gift basket. So, go ahead and start making up some gourmet chocolate baskets of your own and it won’t take you very long before you can do it in no time!
Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Any chocolates will work, but gourmet chocolates make the basket extra special. Hershey cherry cordials are a wonderful choice to include in your gift basket. They are tasty and loved by all. It really doesn’t matter what other types of chocolates you include as long as Hershey kisses cherry cordials are in the basket! Of course, a mixture of dark chocolates and milk chocolates is a good idea to give a nice variety to the gift basket.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caitlina_Fuller

The Tasty Experience Of Belgian Chocolate Truffles

Belgian chocolate truffles are very famous worldwide. They mean you care for someone, when you make a gift. They mean you get style. They mean you prefer gourmet chocolate. A Belgian chocolate truffle is a collection of chocolate sweets. This mouth watering confection suggests pure pleasure and is usually made with a round ganache of chocolate core covered with a powdered cocoa or chocolate. It's actually named after the truffle fungus because of their physical similarities.
A ganache is a French term which refers to the concoction of heavy cream and chocolate. It's usually produced from cream of heavy consistency which is boiled and then dispensing it on top of chopped up chocolate. This concoction is mixed until it's perfectly smooth. The ratio and proportion of the ganache will vary depending on the kind of chocolate the chocolatier wants. For Belgian chocolate truffles, the usual ratio is two parts of chocolates to one part of cream.This is the secret of Belgian chocolatiers.
There are basically four kinds of chocolate truffles that have been circulating the chocolate world. These are the Belgian truffle, European truffle, American Truffle, and the Swiss truffle. The Belgian truffle is a produced from Belgian chocolate and ganache. The ganache may be mixed with certain liquors and essences. Mixtures of truffles are formed into long strands or balls, covered with powdered cocoa, dipped with icing. The Belgian chocolate truffles, compared to its Swiss counterpart, are richer in chocolate and are less sweet. It' s considered as the best type of chocolate truffle in the world of chocolates.
European truffles is created from a base made from powdered cocoa, powdered milk, and fats as well as syrup which then results to a palatable truffle which has oil-in-water essence.
American truffles are shaped like half an egg which is covered with chocolate. It is a combination of milk or dark chocolates with coconut oil that is hardened and butterfat.
The Canadians also has their own version which includes the additional ingredients of peanut butter and graham crumbs.
Finally, the Swiss truffle is produced from the combination of chocolate and a boiling concoction of butter and dairy cream. This mixture is then gradually transferred into casts for setting. Eventually cocoa powder is sprinkled unto the chocolate casts. The Swiss truffle should be eaten up within days of production since it has a short shelf-life.
Belgian truffles are easy to make even for neophyte chocolatiers. You only need the following ingredients to start with: cooking chocolate, sifted instant coffee, egg yolk, sifted sugar icing, and unsalted butter.
How to make your own Belgian chocolate truffles
To make the truffles, break down the chocolate into small pieces and melt it in a pot. The pot should be heated by a bigger pot filled with boiling water. This is called the au-bain-Marie method. Then add up the butter and mix it until it melts. Next, do away with the chocolate and butter combination pot then mix in the egg yolk, icing sugar, coffee and then let this mixture chill down. Check the mixture from time to time to ensure that it will not become very hard.
Then, when the chocolate seems a little solid, scoop a teaspoonful and shape it into balls. You can roll it in your hands to get that rounded effect.
As for the covering, combine the powdered cocoa and the sugar icing in a mixing bowl. Then sprinkle it unto the balls of chocolate you have made.The result will be irresistible!
The truffles should be then stored in the fridge for a longer shelf life. Don't worry-their sweetness remains the same!
So, you can either make your own truffle or travel to Belgium to buy the famed Belgian chocolate truffles yourself.There are thousands of shops in Belgium, where you can do that. Plus, you even go on a sight seeing adventure while munching on the truffles as you travel.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cris_Chan

A Chocolate Gift Basket For Mother's Day

Mother’s day is coming up and whether you’re a son or daughter or a loving husband, perfect Mother’s Day gifts are always hard to find. This year, why not go for the classic and simple gift of chocolate. A woman, especially a mother, can never get enough of the sweet, creamy, and delicious treat and you’re sure to put a smile on her face. It’s also a great item to set next to a beautiful piece of jewelry as well. She will love it.
Now, the second problem you might face is what kind of chocolate to buy to fill your basket. Sun Maid Milk Chocolate Covered Raisins are a perfect item to add to your list of chocolaty gifts. They are healthier than most chocolates and are also lower in fat. Thirty pieces are only one hundred and seventy calories. These treats are also fairly affordable at around fourteen dollars per 51 ounce jug.
Of course, just one item isn’t enough, so you might also want to pick up some of the classic “sign of love” chocolates, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kisses. These little candies will melt in her heart, not in her hand, and they’ll put a smile on her face every time. You can even go to their website and personalize the tag that comes out of the top that says “I love you” or “kiss me.” Plus, there are so many flavors to choose from, including the regular milk chocolate, the special dark, the caramel filled, the peanut butter filled, and the hugs spirals. These kisses come in servings of nine and are only 270 calories per serving and are even more affordable than the chocolate covered raisins.
The thing that will put this basket over the top is a large box of Dove Organic Chocolates that are healthy and delicious. This chocolate box has an assortment of amazing different types including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and a new citrus spice flavor that has a kick to it. Dove has a great reputation of making delicious gourmet chocolates at an affordable price. They use only the best organically grown cocoa beans for their chocolates. At around $8.50 per box of 48 pieces, it fits smoothly into your budget as well.
A chocolate basket filled with all these creamy treats will definitely make it a memorable Mother’s Day and she will feel special every time she bites into a piece.
Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Of course, just one item isn’t enough, so you might also want to pick up some of the classic “sign of love” chocolates, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kisses These little candies will melt in her heart, not in her hand, and they’ll put a smile on her face every time. The thing that will put this basket over the top is a large box of Dove Organic Chocolates that are healthy and delicious.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caitlina_Fuller

Some Recommendations When Using Chocolate For Dessert Preparation

Chocolate, like most ingredients used to prepare food has to be of good quality. So, do not hesitate to buy good or even very good chocolate when shopping. Of course, price will be higher but certainly this is the price of quality. The quality of a cake, a chocolate mousse or any cream or other chocolate preparation will reflect the chocolates quality exactly. Make no mistake; in this case the price plays an important part in the selection of the product.
It is preferable to buy dark chocolate for the preparation of desserts unless the recipe you are preparing specifically says to use a light one. The reason is that light chocolate contains a larger quantity of sugar and/or milk and other vegetable fats; and sometimes animal fats. Pure chocolate (cocoa) represents a small percentage of the final product, the one you buy, the one you pay for.
On the other hand dark chocolate contains more pure chocolate and a very small quantity of sugar, sometime even 0%. Milk as well, and some unexpected fats are seldom used here. This, of course makes the dark chocolate a strong purveyor of tastes. Only with dark and high quality chocolate will you obtain the best results with your desserts.
Without doubt I can tell you that the best chocolates you can find are made in Switzerland, Belgium and France.
Chocolate should be stored in a cool, dry place as chocolate starts to melt at body temperature. It is not recommended to keep chocolate in a refrigerator except if you are staying in a very warm country with no air conditioning. Chocolate kept in a cold place, like in a refrigerator will lose its dark colour for un-aesthetic white stripes. If you use such a chocolate to cover a cake for instance, you will get a bad result, with a poor colour.
When preparing a recipe, if you have to melt chocolate, don't do it directly on the stove. There is a high risk of burning the chocolate and when burnt, chocolate must be thrown away, the taste being awful. It is preferable to melt the chocolate using a double boiler or a micro wave on medium or slow heat.
Don’t hesitate to add spices to the chocolate while it is melting. Doing so with the original recipe you may well create a new one. Try cinnamon, ginger, even a Tandoori mixture may work. Chocolate mixes well with spices! Be adventurous, discover new tastes and sensations.
Next time you are preparing a chocolate dessert, ask your children to help you; they will be more than happy (me too if you call me) to clean the mixing bowl!
Jean-Louis Vosgien is a food consultant. He creates recipes for restaurant chains and individual restaurants in different countries.
http://www.photos-and-recipes.com
Jean-Louis Vosgien is a culinary consulting chef. He was the first chef in France to introduce in the 1980's fusion food, which at the time was unknown, and is considered an expert in that field by press people. He created two cookery schools, one in Saint-Tropez and the second in Lorgues, near Saint-Tropez He created a cake, famous in France, “Le Canelou de Provence”, sold today in the three major supermarket chains in France.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean-Louis_Vosgien

History of Chocolate Truffles

The invention of the cocoa press in 1828 made possible separating the natural fat in cocoa beans, called cocoa butter, from the bean solids. This not only improved the consistency and taste of the remaining cocoa powder but made possible the development of solid chocolate. Eating chocolate or solid chocolate, as opposed to drinking chocolate, was first produced in 1847 in Fry’s chocolate factory in Bristol, England. Solid chocolate is a combination of cocoa powder, sugar, cocoa butter and often flavorings like vanilla. In 1879 Swiss Henri Nestle and Daniel Peter developed milk chocolate by combining solid chocolate with milk powder. Experimentation in France and Switzerland led to the development of ganache.
Ganache is the center component of a truffle. Ganache is a velvety smooth combination of solid semisweet chocolate and cream. Cooked at just the right temperature it cools to form a rich and firm paste with intense chocolate flavor. A truffle is a confection made of a round ganache center, often flavored, covered with a shell of milk, dark or white chocolate. Truffles are often covered in cocoa powder, sugar or finely chopped nuts.
Perhaps originating in France, the truffle is named for its visual similarity to the French mushroom-like fungus of the same name. Like the original truffle, chocolate truffles have become synonymous with luxury and a sumptuous taste experience. Truffles are made in a wide variety of tastes. In many chocolate houses the Chocolatier’s finest ingredients are reserved for the truffle.
Want to learn more about the fascinating history of chocolate? Visit us at http://www.chocolate-gourmet-gifts.com
George Murray is the President of Centric Promotions, Inc. Learn more about the history of chocolate and view an assortment of luxury chocolates presented in beautiful gift boxes by visiting us at: http://www.chocolate-gourmet-gifts.com
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Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate

Serendipity frozen hot chocolate is a signature dish at the Serendipity 3, nestled in the heart of the upper east side of New York. The place is a general store and restaurant combined with a coffeehouse and soda fountain and serves the most famous dessert in New York.
Serendipity New York was founded by Stephen Bruce and his two partners, Calvin Holt and Preston “Patch” Caradine in 1954. Since that time Stephen Bruce has been asked constantly to divulge his secret about his Serendipity frozen hot chocolate recipe. Jackie Kennedy even wanted to serve the dessert at a White House event and he would not give his secret away.
Serendipity frozen hot chocolate is an icy-chocolate type of dessert served in a fishbowl-shaped goblet, topped with whipped cream, shaved chocolate and served with a spoon and two straws. This frosty creation is made with more than 14 kinds of chocolate and exotic cocoas blended into a rich slush.
One taste of this frozen concoction and Oprah wants to “dance on the chandeliers!” The Queen of Daytime TV has named this one of her “Favorite Things.” This Serendipity frozen hot chocolate secret recipe has finally been revealed after 50 years. The Serendipity 3 restaurant in New York City has actually given out the recipe so you can make this unbelievable drink at home. It’s very simple.
Serendipity frozen hot chocolate recipe created by Serendipity 3 Restaurant.
INGREDIENTS
6 half-ounce pieces of a variety of your favorite chocolates
2 teaspoons of store-bought hot chocolate mix
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
3 cups of cups of ice
Whipped cream
Chocolate shavings
Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Place it in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted. Add the hot chocolate mix and sugar. Stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and slowly add ½ cup of milk until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
In a blender, place the remaining cup of milk, the room-temperature chocolate mixture and the ice. Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a giant goblet and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
To make this even more simple you can buy a Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate gift box on line. It comes in a whimsical box that includes two pouches (four servings) of the chocolate-cocoa blend mix, one signature goblet, a souvenir spoon and colorful straws. Just add milk, the chocolate mix, lots of ice and blend. It makes a perfect gift for any chocolate lover or splurge and buy one for yourself. You're worth it.
Copyright © 2005 Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com. All Rights Reserved.
This article is supplied by Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com where you can easily shop and compare coffee makers so you can purchase exactly what you’re looking for at great values.
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Food & Drink Paradise - Chocolate Candy Stocks

Week-end is coming, what about creating your own brand of candy? Are you interested to know how to make chocolate candy? Keeping some delicious candy stocks at home?
You are now standing in front of a famous chocolate candy shop in town. Wondering what should you be getting for your coming birthday party?
Madam, are you looking for a new candy? What about trying anew chocolate candy?
Chocolate Caramels
Ingredients A 750g sugar 250g butter 250 ml milk 1 tablespoon glucose 250g molasses 125g chocolate
Preparationa. Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and boil. b. Stirring all the time till it forms a hard ball when tested in cold water.
Ingredients B1 teaspoon chocolate extract 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Actiona. Add extracts into the A mixture and pour into buttered tins on a buttered slab. b. When cool, cut into pieces with buttered scissors.
Marshmallow Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients125g marshmallows (break each into 3 pieces) 500g sugar 250g cream 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 teaspoons grated chocolate or cocoa
Actiona. In a saucepan, boil the sugar, cream, and chocolate. b. When boiling, add the butter, and boil until when tried in the cold water it forms a soft ball. c. Remove from fire, add the vanilla extract and the marshmallows. d. Beat until thick, and pour into a buttered pan. e. Cut into squares when cool.
Yummy...
Honey Bonbons
Ingredients5 tablespoons strained honey 5 tablespoons cream 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon rose extract Chopped marshmallows Crystallized cherries (cut in halves) Candied citron (shredded)
Actiona. In a saucepan, combine the honey and the cream. Cook for 8 minutes. b. After the mixture begins to boil, stirring all the time. c. Remove from fire, and when slightly cool, add the salt and the rose extract. d. Sprinkle marshmallows on buttered tins, and pour the mixture over them. e. Ornament the top with cherries, and candied citron.
Now you have plenty of chocolate candy stocks at home!
Food & Drink Paradise e-zine is a wonderful gateway to meet all food lovers over the world.
Extraordinary recipes and cooking tips will be given to all my subscribers.
I shall show you how to create wonderful recipes for all occasions, including weddings, birthdays, parties, and many more.
Please feel free to explore my work at http://www.allcookmakeeasy.com
Thank you very much, and I love to see you soon again.
Joan Chang
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Female Chocolate Lab Names

Female chocolate Lab names can be comical, sweet (as in chocolate), or dignified. There are many choices, and many ways to make those choices. Below are some names and their meanings. You may find the exact name you want, or you may see a name that gives you an idea for your chocolate Lab name.

Whatever you call your female chocolate Lab, chances are good that she will grow into it, and it will soon be as normal as though no other name existed.

Female Chocolate Lab Names Chosen for Meaning

One way to name your female chocolate Lab is to think of names that have an appropriate meaning. The name may focus on your chocolate Lab's color. It may call attention to the Lab temperament. And, if your chocolate Lab is a gun dog, the name's meaning may hint at hunting. Here are 37 examples drawn from countries around the world.

1. Female Chocolate Lab Names Linked to the "Chocolate" Color:

When focusing a name on the chocolate Lab's color, you can go with the brown hue or the sweetness of chocolate.

* Anoush – sweet, sweetness
* Blanda – sweet and friendly
* Brownie – brown
* Brune – brown
* Candy – sweet
* Carob – chocolaty-tasting carob tree pod
* Ceinlys – beautiful, sweet
* Chocolata – chocolate
* Cocoa – cocoa
* Dulciana – sweet
* Kamea – sweet darling
* Mandisa – sweet
* Sisel – sweet
* Truffles – as in chocolate truffles

2. Female Chocolate Lab Names Linked to the Lab Temperament

The chocolate Lab, although soft and delicious in appearance, has a boisterous, fun-loving temperament. When you consider female chocolate Lab names, you may want to focus on your chocolate Lab's energetic, amusing personality.

* Babianne – fun-loving
* Buffy – clown
* Chaka – energy
* Cuckoo – silly
* Energizer – keeps going
* Escapade – adventure
* Eshe – energy
* Funny Girl – from the play
* Mahira – energy
* Quirky – fun-loving
* Reah – water-lover
* Ria – water-lover
* Umi – energy
* Venita – loving
* Venus – loving
* Wacky – crazy
* Zula – one that loves the country

3. Female Chocolate Lab Names Linked to Hunting

* Gunnerette – female gunner
* Huntress – female that hunts
* Kainda – hunter's daughter
* Quicksilver – winged retriever
* Synergy – working together
* Winda –hunter

Miscellaneous Female Chocolate Lab Names

Female chocolate Lab names that are not linked to the dog's color, temperament, or gun-dog abilities may still be the best for your puppy. At Next Day Pets, you can learn what dog names are currently in the top twenty. You can also do an alphabetical search there, looking at dog names that begin with a particular letter of the alphabet.

An Australian website, Bowwow is another good place to look for female chocolate Lab names. Bowwow lets you search in various ways, and gives you information about the name if you do a meaning search. For example, a search on "Fido" produced results showing that this name means faithful and loyal. Bowwow also showed that one US President owned a dog named Fido, and that this is a perfect name for a faithful companion.

Tips in Choosing Chocolate Lab Names

You will use the name you choose for your chocolate Lab many times every day. You will use it in a praising voice and in a scolding voice. Be sure you like the way it sounds. Be sure you like the shortened version, too, because nicknames will inevitably happen.

Your chocolate Lab will respond better to a name with only one or two syllables. Such a name will be easier for you to call, too. Steer clear of names that may sound like the commands you will be using with your chocolate Lab. "Fay" is too close to "Stay" for regular use. Your puppy may have trouble distinguishing between its name and the command.

Whatever name you give your chocolate Lab puppy, help her learn it by using it often and in a friendly tone of voice.

World’s Most Expensive Chocolates

Ludicrous as it may seem, here’s some truly fascinating facts for you to savor as you reward yourself with your next bar of chocolate…

World’s most expensive chocolates

Chocolate may be an aprodisiac, but it is also a $$$moneymaker!
(according to Forbes Magazine)

You might enjoy knowing what Forbes Magazine considers to be the world’s most expensive and most likely, least affordable chocolates. Forbes featured a fascinating article on the poshest brands...ones that likely sprinkle gold dust into their cocoa…well, lots of it! So before you think of purchasing you might better find your gold so that you can afford to pursue a pound, or merely a trifle…(or should I say truffle)!

To find out more about truly decadent chocolate bling for your sweetheart click here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11281256/

Knipschilt Chocolates certainly leads the bunch, when it comes to price. Featured top of the list by Forbes Magazine, it’s the CROWN JEWEL CONFECTION of the world: a striking $2600 per pound!

Obviously, this is the one special Truffle truly fit for Royalty...

Fritz Knipschildt, from Denmark, and Maitre Chocolatier, of Knipschildt Chocolatier (founded in 1999 and awarded top honors as one of 3 best chocolatiers in the world by Gourmet Magazine) created the 42-gram (1.5 ounce) gem of a confection. This ultra sweet indulgence is handcrafted using a dark, classic ganache.

The ganache is made using French Valrhona Chocolate blended with fresh cream that has been infused for 24 hours with the flavor of vanilla pods and pure Italian truffle oil.

The ganache is then shaped around a French Perigord Truffle, known also as French black truffle (this truffle alone costs up to $1,000 per pound-454 grams). Next it is dipped in a 70% cocao-rich French Valrhona dark chocolate, and is finally dusted in cocoa powder.

What really makes the "Madeleine" Truffle so exquisite is the time and energy that goes into it. The ganache, for example, must be whipped repeatedly to make it as soft and silky as possible, and then it must be chilled so that it’s easier to work with. It's a long and painstaking process, and for all its intensive labor…undoubtedly a labor of love…is revealed a flavor that is so ultimately tantalizing, each savory moment upon the palate, is worthy of every dime.

Each delicate truffle is ultimately packaged as if it were a jewel, placed within a silver jewelry box. Before which, the truffle is placed inside of a pouch similar to the ones diamonds are transported in. This pouch is, set inside its silver home, nestled comfortably within red satin, tied in edible sugar pearls, and adorned with a ribbon.

Added to each exquisite gift: a personal note from Fritz himself, that includes a number to let the buyer know that he is the proud owner of a limited edition jewel of a chocolate truffle.

Madeleine truffles are very, very special and cannot be ordered over the counter. To order one of these extravagant confections they must be special ordered about 2 weeks ahead of time.

Moving right along…

For a much less decadent, but still mightily expensive option (and also on Forbes most expensive list), the very upscale cacao beans used by fine chocolate artisan Chuao Chocolatier would still take a hefty bank roll to purchase.

The Cost: $79.00 per pound

Chuao Chocolatier, named after the cacao-producing region of Chuao, Venezuela, uses European techniques to make their Venezuelan chocolate. Only fresh ingredients are used, and absolutely no preservatives are allowed in these handmade chocolates. These chocolates are single origin in nature, in that they reflect the specific and very delicate nuances of the region where the bean is grown. This is because no beans from any other region are blended in to homogenize the flavor.

Despite the over-the-top prices for these specialty (special order) truffles within the Forbes featured lines, any of these high quality brands also feature unbelievable collections of tasteful, sophisticated and mighty succulent chocolates to give the one you care for… affordably.

Why Chocolates Are Great Luxury Corporate Gifts

One of the best ways of showing a client or company that you have worked with that you are grateful of their efforts is to present them with a luxury corporate gift. These gifts can be a great option as a way of showing your appreciation for a job well done and they can help solidify a business relationship.

If utilised well these types of gifts can be an excellent way of demonstrating the positive benefits of working with your company and the memory of these gifts can live on with the recipient. They can personalise a business dealing so that it does not become part of the cut and thrust drudgery of business life but more so a memorable and enjoyable experience. We are all aware of how important it is to build relationships with people in order to develop a successful business and corporate gifts can be a good way of achieving this without the associated cynicism. Chocolates are probably the most universally enjoyed of all gifts and are a great option for a corporate occasion.

Chocolates are a universal gift. There are few people that don't like chocolates and if the person that you give chocolates to does not like chocolate then they are always able to find someone that does. This is particularly good in a workplace as a box of chocolates is likely to be shared around the office and a well placed gift is likely to trickle throughout the workplace. This means the people that you give the chocolates to will all benefit and no doubt be grateful of your gift. The best way of reinforcing this positive image is to make the most of branded chocolates. These promotional chocolates can be branded with your company logo and that will surely have a positive effect on the image of your company.

Chocolates that have been branded with your corporate image can be a great way of promoting your business. Alternatively they could be used to raise brand awareness for a new product or service. Gift boxes can be developed to include the new brand image and can be filled with luxury corporate chocolates as a way of increasing awareness in your market. Most companies that create corporate chocolates provide a service that enables you to customise the packaging that they come in -so make sure that you request this before you purchase something that you don't want. It is often as simple as emailing a copy of the image that you want to use and they will be able to include it on the packaging.

Corporate chocolate boxes can be made on a smaller individual scale and in this form can work as a great way of showing your gratitude to your staff. You could arrange to have a box of chocolates made for each member of your workplace and each of these boxes could include your company image. This might be a particularly great option for a Christmas gift or to hand out after a big company sit down meal. The box is likely to reinforce to your team that they are part of something and the fact that your brand will spend some time in your home will have a positive effect.

Can Eating Chocolate Reduce The Risk For Heart Disease?

If your family history includes coronary heart disease, you are wise to look at ways to reduce your risk for heart disease. Coronary heart disease although affected by genetic makeup, is also related to your lifestyle.

Think of the more common risk factors for coronary heart disease:

* Cigarette smoking - a lifestyle choice

* Elevated cholesterol - in part, a lifestyle choice

* High blood pressure - affected by life choices

* Obesity - resulting from lifestyle choices

* Prolonged periods of inactivity - a lifestyle choice

You probably know that changes to your lifestyle can readily reduce the risk for heart disease. Such changes do not require a physician's help, although you will want to seek your physician's advice. Nor do actions to reduce the risks of heart disease require participation in a program.

A report in the "American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine" for March/April 2007; 1(2): 79-90 called for practical steps doctors could take to help you change your lifestyle. That report states that most individuals who change lifestyle do it without any program, and gives these examples:

* "...more than 90% of individuals who have stopped smoking have done this without a formal smoking cessation program."

* "The majority of individuals who lose weight also do this on their own."

You can make lifestyle changes that will reduce heart disease risks.

Reduce Heart Disease Risks with These Steps

You can reduce the risk for heart disease by making a few changes in your current lifestyle.

1. Chocolate First

Can eating chocolate reduce the risk for heart disease? You have heard reports of it on television. You may have heard it discussed at the office. Is it true?

In 1996, University of California-Davis researcher Andrew Waterhouse found that chocolate contains phenols, chemicals that might reduce heart disease risks. Waterhouse wrote about his findings in the British medical journal Lancet, telling how he had used laboratory experiments to measure the amount of phenols in such products as baker's chocolate, cocoa powder, and milk chocolate. He found that it took less than 2 ounces of milk chocolate to provide the same amount of phenols as a 5-ounce glass of red wine, which was already known for reducing heart disease risks. He reasoned that not only can eating chocolate reduce the risk for heart disease, but that more research would show that it actually does.

In 2003, Dirk Taubert, MD, PhD, and his colleagues at the University of Cologne, Germany published a further report on chocolate in the Aug. 27 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. Dark chocolate, they found, lowers high blood pressure and reduces that risk associated with heart disease. They had done clinical research to show the effects in humans. Milk chocolate and white chocolate did not have this effect. Milk, whether blended into the chocolate or used to wash down the chocolate, diluted the effect.

Why dark chocolate? The answer is the phenols that Waterhouse discovered in chocolate back in 1996. Cocoa phenols are known to lower blood pressure.

In addition, phenols lower the risk of heart disease by keeping fat-like substances from oxidizing in the bloodstream and clogging the arteries.

So can eating chocolate reduce the risk for heart disease?

It can reduce some risks - if it is dark chocolate - the darker the better - and is not washed down with milk. European made chocolates appear to be better than American made, since they contain more cocoa phenols.

2. Smoking

Another lifestyle change that can reduce the risk of heart disease is to stop smoking. Those who say they can't stop smoking have not been determined or committed enough. As quoted above from the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, " more than 90% of individuals who have stopped smoking have done this without a formal smoking cessation program."

If you are serious about reducing heart disease risks, stop smoking.

3. Obesity

Overweight sounds nicer than obesity, but whichever way you look at it in the mirror, it is a lifestyle change you can make to reduce heart disease risks. You don't need to join one of the many programs advertised on television, or ask your doctor for prescription medication. You need to change your way of eating and get exercise.

4. Exercise

While the industrial age, followed by the information age, brought us many benefits, they also took away the benefits of farm work. A great number of us have developed a sedentary lifestyle that increases heart disease risks. To reverse that, and reduce the risks of heart disease, we need to follow a regular exercise program.

5. Cholesterol

Your genetic makeup may predispose you to higher levels of cholesterol. To reduce this risk of heart disease, you can change your diet to one of the many that reduce cholesterol intake.

Conclusion

There are other risks for heart disease, but these are examples of those that can be reduced by making simple changes in the way you live. Can they be eradicated without medication? Sometimes they can. Can they become less of a risk for heart disease without medication? Yes. It certainly is worth making the necessary changes.

CAUTION: The author is not a medical professional, and offers the information in this article for educational purposes only. Please discuss it with your health care provider before relying on it in any way.

Have your Chocolate and Eat It Too!

Have Your Chocolate, and Eat It Too!

If you are trying to comply with a diabetic or low carb diet and believe that you have to give up taste to do it, you will be surprised at the tempting chocolates available at ChocoholicsHeaven.com. Our satisfying, savory chocolates are ideal for people with diabetes, dieters or just people that would like to restrict their intake of sugar without losing the wonderful taste we all expect from gourmet chocolates and truffles. Chocolate cravings can be satisfied without sacrificing tastes or health.

Whether you're craving milk chocolate or dark chocolate, our fabulous sugar free chocolate truffles are perfect. In an assortment of mouthwatering flavors like Cherry Nut, Hazelnut, Mint and Coconut, everybody's craving for the very best gourmet chocolate candies can be satisfied.

At http://www.chocoholicsheaven.com, we feature chocolate confections that is so mouth watering, we guarantee you won't be able to tell it is sugar free or you'll get your money back. Our extraordinary candy's secret is maltitol, a lower calorie sweetener, and the very best European chocolate you will ever taste. If you are in the market for tasty, sugar free chocolate bars, you may be amazed at both the assortment available, and how luscious and amazing each of them taste. With different flavors such as Orange, Mint, Mocha Coconut and Nutty Peanut, they are sure to satisfy even the choosiest of chocolate tastes.

Whether you're a diabetic, on a diet, have other health problems or just don't want the extra sugar in your diet, sugar free gourmet chocolates could be just what the doctor ordered so that you can keep both your cravings and your diet under control.

Can I Lose Weight and Eat Chocolate Too?

Have you always thought that chocolate was bad for you? Or, perhaps you've always thought that you can't lose weight if you dare to eat chocolate in the same process. If you have, this will be music to your ears. Especially as it's the result of scientific research not an advertisement or similar.

There have been two studies conducted recently which concluded that there are health giving benefits in chocolate. Some of the findings were:

* hot chocolate contains more than 5 times the levels of natural antioxidants as those found in black tea.

* cocoa, or hot chocolate, also has more than twice the levels of antioxidants contained in green tea or red wine.

* chocolate is naturally rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and natural antioxidants.

* fat cells from lab mice produced significantly less triglycerides and fat releasing hormones when exposed to phenolic acids and flavonoids.

* Flavonoids, antioxidants and phenolic acids are higher in hot chocolate/cocoa tha the common chocolate bar or candy.

* chocolate does contain fat burning properties, but consume too much chocolate and the fat grams and calories will undo any weight loss campaign.

Health benefits of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are being shown to have increasing health benefits. Natural antioxidants are important for good heart health, repairing damaged cells, turning back the hands of time, reducing the risk of some cancers, and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

In addition, metabolic syndrome risks are minimized, triglycerides are reduced, fat hormone manufacturing is reduced and obesity is also reigned in. Researchers have noted that those who consume a well balanced diet high in natural antioxidants seem to have a reduced chance of suffering from weight related health problems.

Of course there are other foods high in antioxidants including vegetables (they are higher usually in the more colorful), red wine, green tea, berries of course and spme seeds and nuts.

Healthy Weight Loss.

This doesn't discount that your diet must be well balanced and exercise is a must but you don't have to kill yourself. Consuming chocolate alone would not be helpful in losing pounds, and there would be many other important nutrients that would be lacking. This includes foods from all groups and some lean protein.

For those looking to lose weight a little chocolate is not going to sabotage your weight loss efforts. When doing your daily calculations, make sure you include fat grams, carbohydrates and calories for consideration. Chocolate has many health benefits, but a little goes a long way.

You can have your chocolate cake and lose weight too, just make sure it is a small slice.

How to Buy and Use Chocolate Candy Molds

Chocolate candy molds can lend your homemade confections a festive, distinctive, unique and professional air, so why not try them? They're also inexpensive and easy to use, if you follow a few tips.

You may not be aware of the great variety of molds available. There are molds for:

Special events: birthday, graduation, wedding, anniversary, babies, bazaars, etc.

Holidays: New Year's, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, etc.

Themes: movies, animals, flowers and fruit, jobs (business cards!), letters and numbers, organizations, patriotism, nautical, seasonal, sports, religious, zodiac, greeting cards, international, landmarks, music, military, transportation, western, etc.

Tips for buying molds:

Look for strong plastic with deep intricate designs, you'll be surprised at the difference in results from more detailed molds. If you buy molds for hard candy, they'll be strong enough for anything. Dishwasher-proof is not necessary, you'll read why later.

Tips for using molds:

Fill each mold slowly with a squeeze bottle, spoon, or by pouring chocolate from a measuring cup. Paintbrushes can be used for candies with layers of different colors, just let each layer chill and firm before applying the next.

Use a palate knife or spatula to scrape off any excess chocolate into a clean bowl. This chocolate can be gently warmed and reused.

To remove bubbles from the molded candy, you can hold both sides of the chocolate candy mold firmly in two hands and tap it gently on your table or counter.

To remove the candy from the mold, turn it upside down over a cloth or sheet of waxed paper and either gently tap it on the table or kitchen counter, or invert the entire mold and twist it very gently to release the chocolates.

Chocolates can be quick chilled, in order to remove them quickly from the mold and make way for more candy production. To do this, place them in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes, until there is condensation or frost evenly on the bottom of your mold. Then you can take them out of the freezer, remove them from the mold as above, and let them finish cooling at room temperature.

Tips for cleaning molds:

The molds should never be washed because it is easy to leave soap residue that affects the flavor of the chocolates. Once the remnants of chocolate in the mold have completely cooled, the chocolate will flake off by wiping with a soft, dry cotton cloth (polyester will leave tiny fibers on the plastic). A light film of cocoa butter will remain which is polished with the cotton cloth, making your next batch of chocolates even shinier than the previous batch.