Chicks Love Chocolate

Dagoba chocolate does it again!

2010-07-09T21:09:00.004-05:00

I tried 2 of the Dagoba bars this week...the Dagoba Roseberry Bar with dark chocolate, raspberry and rosehips and the Lemon Ginger bar with lemon essence, crystalized ginger and dark chocolate. The Roseberry was good, very pleasant and touch of fruitiness to it. The Lemon Ginger had the tang of the ginger and a little citrus taste...very different!

I have to say Dagoba Organic Chocolate Bars are so affordable and accessible at our local health food store that I just want to try all of them! Yum!

I rated the Roseberry bar 4 stars and the Lemon Ginger 4 stars both! But they both get 5 stars for healthy eating!

Check out these and other flavors at:

http://www.dagobachocolate.com/

Chocolate Rocks!

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Moo chocolates for kids are great

2010-05-25T21:47:00.005-05:00

Moo chocolates are the next best thing to being in the Swiss Alps eating chocolate laden with cereal bits like they do in Switzerland! I love the concept and tried the bar with graham crackers that was being sold in Dean and Deluca in Charlotte, NC. I think the concept is great and can't wait to try the granola, the corn flake and the rice krisps laden flavors as well. The chocolate is smooth, creamy milk chocolate that makes you go Mmmm.....or Moo!

Love these!

Rate these a 4 out of 5 only because I wanted to taste more of the graham cracker in there but still a delectable treat!!!

http://www.moochocolates.com/

Remember to visit our site at:

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

See's Candy makes one of the best bars out there!

2010-04-14T20:01:00.004-05:00

I enjoyed the "Awesome Walnut Square Bars" from See's candy and they really are awesome! I really wish that See's was closer to me as they are not in South Carolina. You must try these bars if you are a lover of nuts, caramel and dark chocolate. The chocolate is so fresh and creamy, it goes fantastic with the richness of the walnuts and caramel. I am hooked!

I rate these a 5 out of 5!

Order online at See's chocolates:

http://www.sees.com/

remember to Eat Chocolate Daily!

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Vosges Mo's Dark Chocolate Bacon Bar

2010-03-21T19:23:00.002-05:00

Mo's Dark Chocolate Bacon Bar is awesome! I love the taste of the applewood smoked bacon right off the bat! Way to go Vosges! I will buy this one again for sure. The salt is also an extra bonus that was added to continue to layer the flavors even more. You have a salty, smokey, and sweet combination that is heaven. Rate it a 5 out of 5 stars!

thanks Vosges!

Visit http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/ to order.

Visit http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/ for more reviews of the excellent chocolate out there!

We will keep the reviews coming.

Eat Chocolate Daily!

Chocolate Bar review: Nirvana Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Caramel

2010-03-20T20:46:00.005-05:00

I just bought my first bar of Nirvana Belgian Chocolate -All Natural Dark Chocolate from those at http://www.nirvanachocolates.com/. It is a standard 3.5 ounce bar with hints of sea salt and caramel. I have to say that the sea salt was a super nice touch but the hints of caramel were very subtle. This is not the oozy caramel most are used to in this bar... just "caramel essence". Overall, I liked it but not sure I would buy it again. There was just something missing without the creamy caramel that I am used to!

I would rate it 3 and 1/2 stars out of a 5 star scale.

Just FYI from http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/!

Don't forget...Eat Chocolate Daily!

Best Gift for Christmas!!! A microwave smores maker!

2009-12-31T12:02:00.003-05:00

I got this gift from my husband for Christmas after putting it on my wish list. I love it! It is a microwave smores maker and it makes the best smores I have ever had. I used to make them in the microwave and they were messy and sometimes overcooked. Now I can make them without the mess and it is fun too! I gave the second smores maker to my brother whose children will love it and can't wait to see them use it.

Check out their website at :

http://www.microsmores.com/index.html

It is also available on QVC...

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Chocolate therapy.....

2009-08-30T07:21:00.004-05:00

Chocolate....it is cheaper than therapy and you don't need an appointment!!!!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Who doesn't love Boston Cream Pie?

2009-07-09T05:46:00.002-05:00

I found a great new recipe on the Hershey website for Boston Cream Pie that I would like to share. You can even use the recipe to make little mini cupcake size pies as well! Nice and light for summer!

Visit the Hershey site for the full recipe....

http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipes/detail.asp?id=8347&page=1&per=50&newRecipe=1#content_area

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Power quote of the day for women...may be that women need chocolate more often!

2009-06-30T20:42:00.004-05:00

I came across a very simple yet motivational site for women that I think you will love!
I think today's quote was referring to chocolate treats for sure!
Today's quote for June 30.2009 is ....
"One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats"- Iris Murdoch

website link:
http://www.powerlinesforwomen.com/

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Eat Chocolate Daily!

Make Dad something chocolate for Father's Day!

2009-06-11T23:34:00.003-05:00

I found a great vintage recipe blog recently that has this recipe for "Dad's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies" for Father's Day! There is another 30 or so chocolate recipes on this site as well!

Happy Father's Day!

Here is the link:

http://www.vintagevictuals.com/2009/02/dads-famous-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

Cupcakes for Mother's Day! Check out this blog!

2009-05-09T09:17:00.003-05:00

I came across the best Blog ever for cupcake fans!

It is full of cupcake bakeries all over and great pics of the cutest cupcakes you've ever seen!

Here's the link:

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/

LOOK for CHOCOLATE CANDY to WIN the Kentucky Derby tomorrow!

2009-05-01T17:09:00.003-05:00

Hey all you chocolate lovers, we have a contender at the Kentucky Derby! "Chocolate Candy" Number 11 is going to do it I think! Don't forget to check out the race tomorrow...starts at 2:30pm on ESPN.

Attention Chocolate Lovers...Chocoholic Weekend on Food Network!!

2009-02-06T12:17:00.003-05:00

Don't miss a weekend full of chocoholic recipes on the Food Network!! Starting at 7am with Everyday Italian on Saturday to late Sunday night. Record, watch and drool over your favorite chocolate treats!

Chocolate Sayings for all!!!

2009-01-09T10:16:00.003-05:00

What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate.

-Katherine Hepburn

Chocolate is, let's face it, far more reliable than a man.

-Miranda Ingram

Men, coffee, and chocolate are all better rich.

-Anonymous

There's no such thing as bad sex? Well for me, there is no such thing as bad chocolate.

-Woody Allen

At the top of the food chain sits chocolate.

-Anonymous

Hershey's Candy Corn Kisses are a Halloween fave!

2008-09-24T14:14:00.003-05:00

I bought some Hershey Candy Corn Kisses at Target and love them! They smell heavenly like vanilla and are so cute.

Here is a recipe from the Hershey website to make for Halloween:

KISSES Candy Corn Pixies

Ingredients:
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Yellow and red food colors
48 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Candy Corn Flavored Candies
Powdered sugar
Directions:

1. Beat butter, granulated sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Stir together flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended.

2. Place about 3/4 cup dough in each of three separate bowls. Add yellow food coloring to one bowl, mixing until color of dough is uniform and close to color of candy piece. Tint another bowl orange using yellow and red food coloring. Cover; refrigerate doughs about 1 hour or until firm enough to handle.

3. Heat oven to 300° F. Remove wrappers from candies. Taking a small pinch of dough from each bowl, shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.4. Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until edges are set. Cool about 2 minutes; press candy piece into center of cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies.

King Arthur Flour has all your chocolate desires!

2008-08-27T19:08:00.006-05:00

Just got done checking out some more great chocolate finds at the King Arthur Flour website! This is a premo site for all kinds of scrumptious chocolate recipes, gadgets, mixes, baking ingredients, and cocoa. If you have never used their flour, you really need to use it in all your chocolate recipes. There is no better, and their whole wheat flour makes the best chocolate chip muffins. See their site for the Golden Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe or if your in the mood for a great chocolate chip cookie, their recipe rocks!

Visit: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/

Have a great Labor Day!

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

The Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert..... SO EASY!!

2008-06-13T14:59:00.005-05:00

This is a real find and time saving dessert. All you need is a box of ice cream sandwiches, some whipped cream topping, some fudge sauce or caramel sauce and some crumbled up candy bar pieces like toffee bars or peanut butter and chocolate cups or even just simple chocolate chips!

Get a large bowl (like a trifle bowl) and layer it with ice cream sandwiches on the bottom, then add a layer of whipped topping and some sauce with a little sprinkle of the candy or chips and repeat the layers. At the top just add some more whipped cream and candy sprinkles. Top with a cherry! Freeze until ready to eat or dig in everybody!!!

Frozen Hot Chocolate from Paula Deen for summer! Stay Cool with Chocolate!

2008-06-13T14:50:00.004-05:00

Paula's Party is one of my favorite shows on the Food Network. The celebrities that Paula has on the show cook up some of their favorite recipes! I also love to see the ones who don't cook try to help Paula in the kitchen. Here is a delicious chocolate recipe that is sure to keep you cool in the heated summer months ahead! Enjoy!!!

3 ounces best-quality chocolate (or a variety of your favorites)

2 teaspoons store bought hot chocolate mix (recommended: Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate Mix)

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar 1 1/2 cups milk

3 cups ice Whipped cream, for garnish

Chocolate shavings, for garnish
Chop the chocolate into small pieces and melt in a small heavy saucepan or in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir occasionally until melted. Add the hot chocolate mix and sugar, stirring constantly until blended.
Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 cup of the milk, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
In a blender, place the remaining 1 cup of milk, the 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 cram and chocolate shavings!!! Fun!

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Did you know March was filled with lots of Chocolate Holidays?

2008-03-18T15:52:00.006-05:00

Yes it is!!! Take a look at all the chocolate holidays this month.......

March 6: National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day

March 19: National Chocolate Caramel Day

March 16-23: American Chocolate Week

March 23: Easter Sunday

March 24: National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day

March 28: National Black Forest Cake Day

Celebrate each of these days with the Chocolate Du Jour!!

Happy Chocolate Holidays!

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Chocolate Weekend on Food Network February 9 and 10th!

2008-01-31T10:14:00.000-05:00

Food Network's done it again. They have an all chocolate event right before Valentines' Day which you don't want to miss! This time it is a weekend of non-stop chocolate Food Network shows starting with Paula Deen's Sexy Southern Chocolate show at 7am on Saturday February 9 until 3am with the Chocolate Challenges! There are shows on chocolate truffles, all kinds of chocolate desserts and even about chocolate landmarks! Don't miss if your a crazy chocolate lover like me! Get your TiVo ready to record!

Happy Valentines' Day everyone!

Made in the USA Chocolate Ghiradelli

2008-01-31T10:03:00.000-05:00

I just got an email from the customer service people at Ghiradelli. They confirmed that all their chocolate is "made and manufactured in San Leandro, California" (USA). In a time when Hershey and others are starting factories overseas, it is nice to see one of the original chocolate- giant immigrants (Domenico Ghiradelli) is still loyal to the US!

One for the Girls!

2007-12-14T15:12:00.000-05:00

One for the girls

Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord my shape to keep.

Please no wrinkles,

Please no bags

And please lift my butt before it sags.

Please no age spots,

Please no gray

And as for my belly, Please take it away.

Please keep me healthy,

Please keep me young, And thank you Dear Lord, For all that you've done.

Plus:

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.

3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to You.

4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.

5. It is important that these four men don't know each other!

Great Chocolate Dessert Recipes on the Food Network!

2007-12-06T16:23:00.000-05:00

......visions of chocolate danced in their heads! For great Christmas ideas, take a look at food network's great chocolate ideas with "Chocolate 101" featuring recipes for:

Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate Souffles

Chocolate Pound Cake

Caramel/Chocolate Sauce

S'more Brownies and

Chocolate Mousse

A great place for all you us chocolate lovers to get more great chocolate recipes ideas! I can't wait to try them myself!

Here' s the link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ck_bk_chocolate

Have a great holiday season from Chicks Love Chocolate at http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/!

Neiman Marcus chocolate gift idea- a his and her chocolate portrait! A great tax write-off!

2007-12-03T15:50:00.000-05:00

This is the listing at Neiman Marcus...only $110,000. ! But all the proceeds go to charity...
"To celebrate that entertaining, exasperating, enduring thing you call love, try our His & Hers portrait by Vik Muniz. The brilliant Brazilian lives and works in New York, crafting internationally famous art out of literally anything: caviar, dirt, diamonds, toys even! Here, he will capture your likenesses in a double helping of Bosco® chocolate syrup. You come away with a framed 60" x 48" museum-quality photographic work of art, a limited edition of one, thank you. To grow the good karma you've started, Vik is donating his proceeds to Centro Espacial Rio de Janeiro, the charity he created to bring social and art projects to life for underprivileged young people in Brazil. Call 1.877.9NM.GIFT for the delicious details.
Item
His & Hers Double Portrait in Chocolate
Price
$110,000.00 *
OCBF8_NMO2791
*Art by Vik Muniz © Vik Muniz/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY"

Here is the link:

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/sitelets/christmasbook/fantasy.jhtml?cmCat=search&srcText=chocolate&numResults=0&pageNum=0&cid=OCBF8_NMO2791&cmCat=christmas&icid=NMCB

That's some expensive chocolate!

2007-11-08T10:09:00.000-05:00

A $25.000 dollar sundae! Stephen Bruce, owner of Serendipity 3, partnered with luxury jeweler Euphoria New York to create the "Frrozen Haute Chocolate," a blend of 28 cocoas, including 14 of the most expensive and exotic from around the globe.
The dessert, spelled with two Rs, is infused with 5 grams (0.2 ounces) of edible 23-karat gold and served in a goblet lined with edible gold. At the base of the goblet is an 18-karat gold bracelet with 1 carat of white diamonds.
The sundae is topped with whipped cream covered with more gold and a side of La Madeline au Truffle from Knipschildt Chocolatier, which sells for $2,600 a pound.

Worthy of only a queen!

Read more at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071107/lf_nm_life/dessert_dc

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Wanna Know How Chocolate Works?

2007-10-25T14:05:00.000-05:00

Check out this site called "how stuff works" and there is lots for great information on our favorite subject.....chocolate! They even have great pics of how chocolate is made.

Take a look:

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/chocolate.htm

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

More mood lifting abilities found for chocolate!

2007-10-02T13:07:00.000-05:00

In the British Journal of Psychiatry people craved chocolate to help reduce irritability and fear of rejection. Wow, a lot of people self-medicate with chocolate! So do we at Chicks Love Chocolate!

Also there may be some benefit for dark chocolate in fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome. Way to go dark chocolate!

Read more:

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22512991-36398,00.html

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/10/dark-chocolate-.html

Big Chocolate on Foodnetwork Saturday Sept 29

2007-09-25T15:39:00.000-05:00

The Heavyweights in the chocolate biz go head to head-Mars and Hershey companies. Find out all about this longstanding rivalry on Saturday Sept 29 on the Food Network Channel.! I will always root for Hersheys!
A Food Network Special at 9:30 eastern time.
Click on this link for more information:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_sp/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9994_53077,00.html

Enjoy!
http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Chocolate Pasta for dessert?

2007-08-29T17:35:00.000-05:00

Pasta for dessert? Oh my! Hey chicks, Fiber Gourmet has a light and chocolatey pasta available in chocolate!Pasta for dessert! Fiber Gourmet says "This pasta is made with real Hershey's Cocoa, for a unique deep chocolatey flavor. Team it up with some (low-fat) whipped-cream and chocolate syrup for a delicious and guilt-free conclusion to any meal. 'Choc' full of anti-oxidants, too! "

Awesome!!! Only 130 calories per serving! Yum!

Available at:

http://www.fibergourmet.com/Chocolate.aspx

100 Calorie Chocolate Desserts from Mrs. Smith!

2007-08-13T20:47:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Smith, the best pie baker in your freezer, has come out with some great new chocolate, lo-cal dishes! A chocolate mousse and chocolate cake!

Check out this link!

http://www.schwansfoodservice.com/Heavenly100/index.cfm

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Give Starbucks a run for its money with this recipe from Hungry Girl! Raspberry Mochachino!

2007-08-02T17:28:00.001-05:00

Swap out your Raspberry Mocha Frappuccino with this recipe from Hungry-girl.com! It is 63 calories versus 390 at Starbucks! I love Hungry-girl.com! It is full of great reviews on diet foods and great recipes! It is so cute too!

http://www.hungry-girl.com/tuesdaypreview.php?newsletterid=1168

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Need help chopping chocolate and making beautiful chocolate curls? Let the Food Network help you out!

2007-08-01T11:39:00.000-05:00

I recently came across this video when browsing the #1 cooking site, The Food Network or http://www.foodtv.com/. It is easy to follow and you can print out the instructions too!

Go to this site and click on the chocolate chopping video:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ck_dm_baking

Happy curling!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Research-New Blood Pressure Study!

2007-07-10T17:41:00.000-05:00

Now we have some further evidence of the health benefits of dark chocolate! A newly released study by the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that after 18 weeks blood pressure was lowered by eating only a few grams (30 calories) of dark chocolate! As we knew, with chocolate, less is best. The health benefits of chocolate are voided by increased weight gain. So eat chocolate daily, but in moderation as always!

for more information, go to:
http://pubs.ama-assn.org/media/2007j/0703.dtl#1

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Get help with pairing wine with chocolate by John Scharffengerger!

2007-07-02T10:47:00.000-05:00

Need help with what goes with your favorite chocolate? Check out this video to get all the information on chocolate and wine pairings. Great Shiraz, Zinfandels, Pinots and Italian wines, etc.. and how they complement chocolate. There is also other videos on cheese, liqueur and coffee pairings with chocolate too!
http://www.allchocolate.com/professionals/pairings/

http://www.chickslovechocolate.com/

Chef Melissa can help you with Chocolate Covered Strawberries

2007-06-24T10:37:00.000-05:00

All chocolate-lovin chicks need to know how to make chocolate dipped strawberries in a pinch. For some help, this was a great "you tube" with an easy way to make chocolate dipped strawberries.
I love her other helpful videos like her pork chops with smothered apples too!

Watch Chef Melissa make chocolate dipped strawberries at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7VNPBm5lOg

Have a chocolate-lovin' Fourth of July with our Chocolate Barbeque Sauce recipe

2007-06-24T10:22:00.000-05:00

Chicks Love Chocolate® Chocolate Barbeque Sauce
This one is great on pork and beef ribs or chicken. Adds a little something different to try grillside!
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup catsup
¼-½ cup Hershey’s dark chocolate syrup (depending on taste)
1/4 cup chili sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
dash of ground red pepper

Simmer all ingredients over low heat til to your desired preference of flavor.
Smother over chicken, pork or shrimp!
Happy 4th of July!

"Jog" your memory with chocolate!

2007-06-11T11:34:00.000-05:00

A recent study, conducted by the Salk Institute and Mars, Inc., suggests that chocolate may improve memory. It found that a group of mice that were fed flavonols (which are present in some chocolate products) and exercised showed better memory capacity than the other mice.
Great so we get to now eat chocolate while working out to improve our memory! Love it!
Read more at:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-05/sfn-nca052907.php

Guiltless Gourmet Brownie-liscious find!

2007-06-09T07:09:00.000-05:00

I just came across this little chocolate bit of heaven and want to pass it along to all you chocolate-lovin' chicks! Guiltless Gourmet has a product similar to Betty Crockers Dessert Bowls with half the guilt! Here's the lowdown on the Brownies in an individual bowl size to keep you on track:

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 200
Fat: 3g
Sodium: 190mg
Carbs: 42gFiber: 3gSugars: 30g
Protein: 4g*

4 Points

Not bad! We've got to get em' but if you can't find them at your grocery store, look at getting them at the net grocer:

http://guiltlessgourmet.netgrocer.com/shop.aspx?&sid=16231966&sid_guid=ab9e6fa7-99b1-4875-b72d-1f18d8236e43&strid=34947&ns=1

Hey all you artist chicks, check out how to paint with chocolate syrup!

2007-06-09T07:03:00.000-05:00

Chocolate Speed Painting with a Chocolate Spoon! This is fascinating and entertaining to watch this artist draw a very detailed work of art with only a spoon and chocolate syrup! Very cool and he does the same thing with ketchup on another video. The music is very fun too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLMpbQxqi0o

Real Men Eat Chocolate: New Study on Benefits for Men Who Eat Chocolate

2007-05-31T18:48:00.000-05:00

Who best to share your chocolate with than your man! Now there is even some research to help get him to indulge in some chocolate with you! In this study, chocolate-loving older men tend to be leaner, more educated, skinnier and suffer from diabetes less than those who eat other sweets, according to a new study reported in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Chocolate eaters also had better attitudes about their lives and were still planning for the future, the study found. For more information, the full story is available at:

www.chinadaily.com.cn/lifestyle/2007-03/09/content_823993.htm

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Great chocolate website-www.chocomap.com

2007-05-13T21:25:00.000-05:00

I found a wonderful new website all about chocolate! Check it out! You can find a chocolate shop anywhere in the world on their chocolate map finder and they do spectacular reviews of chocolatiers around the world!

www.chocomap.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Call the FDA now, they want to cheapen our chocolate!

2007-05-08T08:52:00.000-05:00

In an effort to make chocolate production cheaper, there is a move to change the definition of chocolate and allow cheaper ingredients like vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter and whey protein powder instead of dry whole milk. It's hard to predict the impact but anything that will allow cheap substitutes in my chocolate makes me an unhappy camper!
Please send a comment to the FDA on this topic. They have lengthened the deadline now to June 25. Please send to your friends too!

go to this website:

http://dontmesswithourchocolate.guittard.com/

Thanks!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Creamy Chocolate Fondue Recipe from our Pampered Chef friends!

2007-05-08T08:27:00.000-05:00

Cool & Creamy Chocolate Fondue
Ingredients:3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon rum or vanilla extract (optional)
Assorted fresh fruit dippers such as whole strawberries, apple, peach or pear wedges Directions:

1. Place chocolate morsels and half of the whipped topping in Small Batter Bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 1 minute or until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring after each 20-second interval. Fold in remaining whipped topping, cinnamon and rum extract, if desired; mix until smooth. Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
2. To serve, spoon fondue into small bowl. Serve with fruit dippers, if desired.

Yield: 2 cups (16 servings)
Nutrients per serving: (2 tablespoons fondue): Calories 80, Total Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrate 7 g, Protein 0 g, Sodium 0 mg, Fiber 0 g

www.pamperedchef.biz/ruthcornell
www.chickslovechocolate.com

More Chocolate Recipes! Cherry Chocolate Mousse Pie and Death by Chocolate Brownies

2007-04-29T14:49:00.000-05:00

I was recently at the H.E. Corley Elementary School Carnival in Irmo, SC doing a booth for Chicks Love Chocolate and met a wonderful lady who worked for Pampered Chef.

She sent me these two great chocolate recipes:

Cherry Chocolate Mousse Pie

Pampered Chef 2004

1 package refrigerated pie crust dough, softened (15oz)

1 egg white,lightly beaten

3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided

1 package cream cheese, softened (8ounces)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons milk

1 container frozen whipped topping,thawed, divided

1 can cherry pie filling (21 ounces) divided

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Unfold one crust onto lightly floured Baker's mat. Roll into a 12inch circle using a floured rolling pin. Place into a deep dish pie plate, pressing dough into bottom and up sides. Unfold remaining crust onto lightly floured surface. Cut 24 hearts using heart shaped cookie cutter. Brush edge of crust with egg white; gently press hearts onto the edge of the crust. Prick bottom and sides with a pastry tool. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Cool completely.

2. Microwave 1/2 cup of the chocolate morsels, uncovered on high for one minute. Stir at every 20 second intervals until smooth. Chop remaining chocolate. In batter bowl, combine cream cheese and powdered sugar; whisk in milk and melted chocolate until smooth. Fold in chopped chocolate and 2 1/2 cups of the whipped topping until blended.

3. Spoon half of the cherry pie filling over the bottom of the crust, spread with cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining pie filling. Pipe remaining whipped topping around the edge. For chocolate drizzle, microwave 1/4 cup of the remaining chocolate morsels with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil for 30 seconds or until melted; drizzle over pie. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Yield: 8 servings

Death by Chocolate Brownies

Make the recipe on a package of Ghiradelli brownie mix (eggs, oil, water). With your kitchen spritzer, spray oil in the bottom of the 9 x 9 square baker or for more brownies use the 9 x 13 baker and 2 boxes of Ghiradelli brownie mix. Pour half the prepared brownie mix in the bottom of the pan. Add 2 Symphony Chocolate bars (any good chocolate will do) and pour the other half of the brownie mix over the bars. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

For more information and to order from Pampered Chef:

www.pamperedchef.biz/ruthcornell

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chicks Love Chocolate will be in Irmo,SC on Friday April 27

2007-04-25T22:21:00.000-05:00

Please visit our booth at the H.E. Corley Elementary School Carnival on Friday April 27 from 5pm-8pm. There is going to be so many great vendors, rides and contests for kids! We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information. please visit the following site:

www.corleycarnival.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Hungry Girl-Developed Chocolate Muffin Tops! A Healthy Chocolate treat!

2007-04-24T03:18:00.000-05:00

Get 'em before they are gone! Vitalicious makers now make a "Vita Top" Muffin Top in Double Chocolate Dreams. It is a 2oz muffin top in rich decadent chocolate studded with white chocolate chips. 6 grams of fiber and only 100 calories. A true healthy chocolate find! For those of you who do not know what Vitalicious is.... they are vitamin-fortified baked goods available in stores and online. They also make a Deep Chocolate VitaMuffins and muffin tops and VitaBrownies!

Visit their site at:

http://store.vitalicious.com/doubledream.html

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Fest USA- Live Chocolatey Ever After!

2007-04-13T17:17:00.000-05:00

Anyone up for a great Chocolate Festival? Visit Chocolate Fest USA in Burlington, Wisconsin. May 25-28 this year! This year is the introduction of “The Chocolate Kingdom” at ChocolateFest!!! The Chocolate Kingdom is the premier tent attraction at this year’s fest, boasting air conditioning and massive square footage (double the size of previous years) in order to accommodate more chocolate vendors, more chocolate samples, more chocolate contests and more chocolate exhibits.
There is also chocolate carving contests, royal bake-offs and Chocolate Olympics!

See you there!

for more information go to:

www.chocolatefest.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Prescription Chocolate Nibs

2007-04-09T13:51:00.000-05:00

My friend from www.bonjourparis.com spotted this new trend in chocolate-

Get your fix! 20 dram vials of Chocolat Michel Cluizel's exquisite "Prescription" cocoa nibs. Roasted cacao beans, crushed and covered with our luxurious 60% cocoa dark chocolate. For concentration, energy and bliss, savor three, as needed.

$5.00 each !

www.chocolatmichelcluizel-na.com/product_details.asp?product=NIBSVIAL

www.chickslovechocolate.com

"Be a Babe" Black and White Cupcakes

2007-04-02T13:53:00.000-05:00

This recipe is from Discovery Health's food TV show using healthy cooking and great tips to reduce the fat and sugar in recipes.

For the cupcakes:

Butter-flavored cooking spray

1-1/4 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/4 cup corn starch

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/4 cups sugar

1 cup fat free milk

1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

3 egg whites

1/2 cup light corn syrup
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place 18 silicone or foil (not paper) cup cake liners into 18 cups of 2 standard, non-stick muffin tins (or you can work in batches, using only 1 tin). If using foil liners, lightly mist them with spray.
Add the flour, cocoa, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a medium mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix them until combined, being sure to break any lumps. Set it aside.
In a large mixing bowl, using a sturdy whisk, mix the sugar, milk and coffee granules, stirring continuously for 1 minute. Whisk in the egg whites and the corn syrup until blended. Add the dry ingredients and stir them until just smooth. Fill each cup about two-thirds full. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake them about 21-25 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out dry (a few crumbs are okay). Transfer the pan to a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Then remove the cupcakes from the pan and allow them to cool completely.

For the butter cream frosting:

1/2 cup light butter, room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

3-3/4 cups powdered sugar
Add the butter, vanilla and salt to a medium mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer fitted with beaters, beat it on high speed until smooth. Then add half of the powdered sugar. Beat on low speed until well combined. Beat in the remaining powdered sugar until combined. Then beat on high speed until fluffy. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap until the cupcakes are completely cooled. Then spread 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons of the icing evenly over each cupcake. Makes 18 cupcakes.

Each cupcake has: 230 calories, 2 g protein, 52 g carbohydrates, 3 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 7 mg cholesterol, less than 1 g fiber, 204 mg sodium
Traditional Black and White Cupcakes have: 384 calories, 5 g protein, 49 g carbohydrates, 21 g fat, 13 g saturated fat, 93 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 104 mg sodium

Love it when you can save some cals! Right gals!

http://health.discovery.com/fansites/devin-alexander/recipes/cupcakes.html

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Pet safe Cocoa Mulch

2007-03-30T22:29:00.000-05:00

For all you gardening chocoholics, there is a mulch for your spring garden made of the shells of the cocoa beans that is now petsafe. Vets were afraid dogs especially would be attracted the mulch and that the theobromines in the cocoa would make the dogs sick, or worse, die. There have been few reports of this and now there is a theobromine-free cocoa mulch!

Check it out and make your garden smell of the wonderful aroma of chocolate!

www.cocoamulch.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

The Rules of Chocolate from EasterHumor.com!

2007-03-30T22:18:00.000-05:00

The Rules of Chocolate

If you get melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

The problem: How to get two pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car. The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.

Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less.

A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?

If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?

If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

Money talks. Chocolate sings.

Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.

Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous? Because no one wants to quit.

Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

Chocolate is a health food. Chocolate is derived from cacao beans. Bean = vegetable. Sugar is derived either from sugar beets or cane, both vegetables. And, of course, the milk/cream is dairy. So eat more chocolate to meet the dietary requirements for daily vegetable and dairy intake.

HAPPY EASTER everyone!

www.easterhumor.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Orange Liqueur Souffle with Chocolate Sauce from Paula Deen and the Food Network

2007-03-23T22:44:00.000-05:00

We love Chocolate and Orange combined at Chicks Love Chocolate! Try this recipe from one of our favorite celebrity chefs-Paula Deen!

Chocolate Orange Liqueur Souffle with Chocolate Sauce Recipe

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, divided

1/2 cup sugar

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)

2 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, melted

3 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, melted

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

7 egg whites

Chocolate Sauce, recipe follows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat the bottom and sides of a 2 1/2 quart souffle dish with 2 tablespoons butter, sprinkle bottom and sides evenly with 1/2 cup sugar. Tap out excess sugar; reserve sugar for later use.
In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Stir in flour and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture begins to bubble. Add milk, orange liqueur, melted chocolates, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for 10 minutes. Whisk in beaten egg yolks and vanilla.
In a large bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add reserved sugar, beating until stiff. Fold whites into chocolate mixture. Gently spoon mixture into prepared souffle dish. Place souffle dish in a baking pan. Fill pan with 1-inch warm water. Bake for 55 minutes. Serve immediately with Chocolate Sauce.

Chocolate Sauce: 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 1 (1-ounce) square bittersweet chocolate 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup whipping cream 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
Melt butter and chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler. Add cocoa, sugar, cream, and salt. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla and orange liqueur.

Yum! Enjoy!

www.foodnetwork.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Decor on HGTV!

2007-03-23T22:28:00.000-05:00

The title is “Chocolate Girl’s Bedroom”

HGTV says: “Host Joan Steffend and designer Kim Wahl redesign a bedroom for a mother and daughter with conflicting tastes. Redesigner Tracy Oldefendt creates space and comfort in a crowded San Francisco game room. In Trash to Treasure, Sasha Andreev shows some interesting ways to decorate with old headboards.”
Take a look all you chocolate-lovers at this show and see if there is any interesting uses of chocolate as a design in your home!

Airs on:March 27, 2007 9:00 PM ET/PT
March 28, 2007 1:00 AM ET/PT
March 31, 2007 2:00 PM ET/PT
www.hgtv.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Easter Idea with Chocolate of course! Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bird Nests

2007-03-20T17:16:00.000-05:00

Chocolate - Peanut Butter Bird Nests
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 bag (12 oz.) milk chocolate chips
1 bag (6 or 7 oz.) thin pretzel sticks - broken into short pieces
Preparation - Melt the peanut butter and chocolate chips in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Stir in the pretzel sticks. Drop the mixture by heaping tablespoons full onto a waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Use the bottom of a tablespoon to make an indentation in the center of each one. Chill until set. After the nests are set, store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator until ready to fill. Fill with tiny jelly eggs or other small candies.

Thanks for the ideas from bellaonline. Check out their Easter recipes!
www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9150.asp

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Rachel Ray's Chocolate Macadamian Coconut Cookie Bars

2007-03-16T21:30:00.000-05:00

A great Easter Treat!

1 package dry sugar cookie mix, prepared to package directions

1 cup macadamia nuts

1 cup shredded coconut

1 cup white chocolate chips

9 by 12-inch baking dish Softened butter, to prepare baking dish

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
To cookie mix prepared to package directions, add nuts, coconut and white chocolate chips. Butter the baking dish and spread cookie dough evenly into a thin layer across the baking dish. Bake bars for about 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven, and cool slightly. Then cut into squares, remove with offset spatula and serve. So easy!

www.foodtv.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Eat Chocolate Daily!

Rich Chocolate Cake with a New York Attitude from the Food Network

2007-03-16T21:19:00.000-05:00

Looking for a great chocolate recipe for Easter! This one sounds so good, and it is enough for 3 cakes if you want to make them individually dusted with powdered sugar or stacked with fruit filling!

New York Cheesecake Swirl:
2/3 cup sugar
16 ounces cream cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 whole eggs, room temperature
16 ounces semisweet chocolate morsels
Rich Chocolate Cake: 3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups cocoa powder
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 cups sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt
6 whole eggs
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 ounces unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Make the New York Cheesecake Swirl: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla extract on high speed until well combined. Add the eggs and continue to beat on high speed. Make sure to scrape down the sides to ensure incorporation of all the ingredients. Once combined, gently fold in the chocolate morsels. Chill the mixture for approximately 1 hour.
Make the Rich Chocolate Cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans and set aside. In a large bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder together. Add the sugar and salt and stir to combine well.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and melted butter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in small increments, gently folding the mixture until well combined.
Pour the mixture into 1 of the prepared cake pans, only filling the pan halfway. Randomly place teaspoon-size dollops of the cream cheese mixture atop the chocolate cake batter. Repeat with the remaining 2 prepared cake pans. Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

www.foodtv.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Altoids, worth a try if you like Junior Mints!

2007-03-16T21:14:00.000-05:00

Take a look at Altoids Chocolate Covered Mints! If you like Junior Mints, they are covered in rich chocolate just like them. I love them because Altoids are a little strong and these add less of a bite when the chocolate is added. Check these out, available in grocery stores everywhere!

www.altoids.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Special K for chocolate lovers too!

2007-03-10T04:09:00.000-05:00

This is great! Now we have two cereals available in chocolate! Life cereal and Special K. The commercial is also great with a girl who eats her Special K as a late night snack instead of a high calorie chocolate treat! GREAT MARKETING on their part! Check out more information on this at:

http://candyaddict.com/blog/2007/01/08/special-k-and-life-cereals-go-chocolate/

and USA Today did an article on this too!
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2006-12-27-chocolate-cereals-usat_x.htm

Eat Chocolate Daily!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Fashion Bash on the Food Network

2007-03-04T21:50:00.000-05:00

"Chocolate Fashion Bash! It's New York s 8th Annual Chocolate Show, and Giada is front and center to sample some truly delectable haute couture. 22 fashion designers pair up with 22 pastry chefs and chocolatiers to create some of the most unique and delicious chocolate inspired fashion of the year for the Chocolate Show s kick-off benefit bash. Join Giada as she samples chocolate-themed hors d oeuvres and cocktails."

March 11th on the Food Network at 2:30 pm! Don't miss it!

www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_bh/episode/0,,FOOD_23756_42566,00.html

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Another chocolate breakfast idea-Chocolate Oatmeal!

2007-02-27T17:53:00.000-05:00

I found this recipe on the 3fatchicks forum!
Chocolate Oatmeal

Mix 1/2 c. oats with a scant 2 tbsps of SF/FF instant chocolate pudding mix (1/4th of the pkg), and 1 cup of FF milk. Cook in microwave until done.
__________________

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1579126

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Cereal has come to Life!

2007-02-24T23:34:00.000-05:00

Life cereal is now available in Chocolate Oat Crunch flavor with real chocolate! Life is full of surprises! It is healthy with whole grain too! There is also a great chocolate trip giveaway on this site to go to New York and visit all the wonderful chocolate shops! Visit:
www.ChocolateComesToLife.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

New Verizon Chocolate Phone in new flavor-Strawberry Pink

2007-02-22T21:23:00.000-05:00

Verizon announced for Valentine's Day a new flavor of the already top-selling chocolate phone-now strawberry pink! It is too cute for all you chocolate lovers! Take a look!

www.digitaltechnews.com/news/2007/02/lg_strawberry_c.html

www.chickslovechocolate.com

9th Annual Chocolate Fashion Show in NY-When is the 10th one anyone?

2007-02-19T12:44:00.000-05:00

I want everyone to click this link and take a look at the fashionistas wearing outfits of chocolate! It is beautiful! Models are adorned with purses made of chocolate made by chocolatiers such as Jacques Torres, etc..
Amazing! Does anyone know when the 10th one takes place?

http://www.fashionwiredaily.com/first_word/fashion/article.weml?id=724

Eat chocolate daily!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Valentines Day at the Melting Pot! Chocolate Fun!

2007-02-18T22:07:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share a great chocolate experience once again-at the Melting Pot Fondue Restaurant. We had their Valentines Day five course meal and it was so scrumptuous! I started off with an excellent chocolate martini that was rimmed with dense chocolate before the affair began then off the the meal-1st course: shrimp cocktail with a very spicy angry cocktail2nd course: tomato basil cheddar cheese fondue3rd course: chopped caesar salad4th course: lobster indulgence5th course: banana fosters white chocolate fondue
Let me tell you about the white chocolate fondue- it was served with vanilla marshmellows rolled in graham cracker crumbs and with chocolate marshmellows rolled in oreo crumbs! ECTASY! It was heavenly everyone! Try it out next year!

www.meltingpot.com
Try it next year!
www.chickslovechocolate.com

We love the Barefoot Contessa Products too

2007-02-18T22:04:00.000-05:00

Ina Garten has one of the best brownie mixes out there that has double the chocolate! Here at Chicks Love Chocolate we are always after good quality and rich chocolate taste! These brownies by the Barefoot Contessa are both! Try the mix (called the Outrageous Brownie Mix) and we melted the chocolate using the microwave method. Use the defrost setting and do it at 30 second intervals. We love how these came out, rich and scrumptuous brownies that everyone will love! They went like wild-fire at the SuperBowl Party!They are available at the following online stores:
www.stonewallkitchen.com
www.surlatable.com
www.crateandbarrel.com

Enjoy!
www.chickslovechocolate.com

How is chocolate good for you?

2007-02-18T22:02:00.000-05:00

Dr. Mike Roizen, Oprah's favorite doctor recommends our favorite substance, chocolate for your health! He says that the "flavonoids in cocoa are one of the few saturated fats that the body turns into healthy unsaturated ones"! Wow! The body likes chocolate so much, it makes it into something it likes better! Chocolate rocks! More about this at: www.oprah.com/health/soh/200702/soh_200702_heart14_114.jhtml

Eat Chocolate Daily!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocoholic recipes in this month's Oprah Magazine! You'll think you went to Chocolate Heaven!

2007-02-18T21:58:00.000-05:00

Oprah is a long time chocolate fan (ever since hitting menopause she has been known to say). I love her recipes this month! These are some great ideas for your sweetheart (or to treat yourself) during the wonderful chocolate season of Valentines Day! Pick up the February 2007 issue and find recipes for:Nibby Napoleons with Chocolate SauceSpice-Dusted Brownies ( I can't wait to try that one out!)Three Layer Chocolate Cake with Blackout Filling
You'll just double over in ectasy with these recipes!

www.oprah.com

Enjoy!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Prescription Chocolate?

2007-02-18T21:57:00.000-05:00

Maybe this is our answer to happiness in a pill but it is in the form of chocolate! There really is something new out that I came across in a few of the female magazines- "The Doctor's Chocolate". Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby, MD, PhD states that his chocolates are clinically proven to "reduce daily stress and tension, while improving your mental clarity and focus". Well doc, we don't need you to tell us that! We chocolate lovers have known this all along! What I would like to see is some data on chocolate lovers vs nonchocolate lovers and compare qualities of life! But, thanks for the medical advice and we give Dr. Keith an "A" for promoting the health benefits of chocolate. Unfortunatly, this chocolate product states it is all natural but the ingredient list is full of stuff that I can't pronounce. Now can you find a chocolate especially designed for all those women with fibromyalgia? They need some help!
www.TheDoctorsChocolate.net

Maxine from Hallmark! She's crabby but she loves chocolate!

2007-02-18T21:52:00.000-05:00

We love Maxine, the crabby character from Hallmark. She's a chocolate lover and we found this saying from her that sums up her love of chocolate!
MAXINE'S LIVING WILL: (sorry, picture not available)

I, MAXINE , being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means. Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of pinhead politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it, or lawyers / doctors interested in simply running up the bills. If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to ask for at least one of the following:
Glass of wine
chocolate
Margarita
chocolate
Martini
Cold Beer
chocolate
Chicken fried steak cream gravy
chocolate
Mexican food
chocolate
French fries
chocolate
Pizza
chocolate
ice cream
Chocolate
cup of coffee
chocolate
Sex
Chocolate
It should be presumed that I won't ever get better. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my appointed person and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes and call it a day.
funny lady!
Enjoy!
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Attention all Chocoholics! "Covered in Chocolate" Comes to the Food Network

2007-02-18T21:49:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let everyone know at 8eastern time and 7Central PM all next week (the week before Valentines) would be the Food Network's series "Covered in Chocolate"! Don't miss Emeril, Paula Deen, Rachel Ray, Giada from Everyday Italian, and the rest of the Celebrity Chefs cookin up some great chocolate treats! I can't wait!

www.foodnetwork.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

The Chocolate "Affair"

2007-02-18T21:48:00.001-05:00

I recently entered a writing contest where you could, in 150 words or less, write about chocolate and either an event related to it or some feeling you get when eating chocolate. I described my intimate relationship with this wonderful substance that stems from childhood. When I was around 7 years old, a cute yet puggy, little Italian girl living in Connecticut, I used to sneak chocolate whenever available. I was totally IN LOVE with the stuff! I would put it down my shirt and hoard it in my closet. My fave was the All-American, Hershey of course. As I have gotten older, finished multiple degrees and learned a lot more about this unique substance, my appreciation has only deepened, and my love for it only gotten stronger. Now it is like sneaking away with a romantic partner when I am contemplating indulging with my 70% dark. I just hope the affair never ends. I am sure it will last since this is one affair that my husband won't get upset about if he finds out! I didn't win the writing contest, by the way, but I great fun writing the entry! Comment on your relationship with chocolate, if you can put it in words!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolatinis for all! Happy Valentines' Day!

2007-02-18T21:45:00.000-05:00

We're getting close to our favorite holiday at Chicks Love Chocolate, Valentines' Day! Have fun with it and make some new martini recipes using our favorite ingredient, chocolate! There is this site called martiniart full of great ideas for chocolatini's. They have recipes for Lady Godiva chocolate martini, chocolate orange martini, white blizzard martini, mint patty martini, funky monkey chocolate banana martini, and out in the milky way martini! Take a look and here's the link:
www.martiniart.com/index.asp

Happy Valentines' Day, party on!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Charleston has it going on again with chocolate, now its with chocolate barbeque sauce!

2007-02-18T21:41:00.000-05:00

I ate last night at a restaurant in Charleston, SC called Tristan. I had previously visited this chic little place on the Charleston Chocolate Tour where they made the best hot chocolate I ever had. So I went back for dinner to see what other chocolate treasures they would have and I was pleasantly greeted with their newly available Chocolate Barbeque Sauce! Tristan is no road side barbecue joint, my friends, it is fine dining that stands up to all its competitors in Charleston. I had a wonderful appetizer of shortribs grilled to perfection and a side of the chocolate barbecue sauce and I was in chocolate heaven again! Not too sweet, and went great with the smoky barbecue flavor. It is will be availabel online in 1-2 weeks for anyone wanting to give it a try. Chef Duffy was there to greet all his guests and said the bottles were not quite ready to ship yet! The sauce was served to Vanna White and Pat Sajak when they were recently in Charleston taping the Wheel of Fortune and it must have been a hit! Here is the site for Tristan if anyone is interested in buying the sauce when it comes available!
www.tristandining.com

I am ordering all three!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate on the Verizon!

2007-02-18T21:39:00.000-05:00

Verizon Wireless LG Chocolate VX8500 phone comes in Chocolate, Cherry Chocolate, Mint Chocolate, and White Chocolate! It is awesome! The LG VX-8500 Chocolate is the Verizon answer to the iPod. Part MP3 player, part cell phone. Megapixel camera, Bluetooth, sleek slide design. MicroSD port for extra storage. I just wanted to share this and give some information on purchasing! I am definitely gonna get one of these too!

www.amazon.com/LG-VX8500-Chocolate-Verizon-Wireless/dp/B000H7GVA4

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Never do I pass up a good brownie recipe!

2007-02-18T21:33:00.000-05:00

In my travels to find out where I was listed on the google listings for www.chickslovechocolate.com, I came across a site called www.kitchenchick.com , a blog full of great recipes! I thought I would pass this recipe to others since everyone loves a good brownie-young and old love them! You can do so much with them too- cut them up in pieces and layer them with chocolate pudding for a great truffle, serve them with vanilla ice cream and a great hot fudge sauce, or add a nice raspberry sauce and fresh raspberries with a dollop of whipped cream or just alone with a glass of milk! So simple, yet so awesome! So check this site out and the brownie recipe!
www.kitchenchick.com/2006/11/fudgy_chocolate.html

Enjoy!
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Dipping Strawberries/Candy for Valentines' Day

2007-02-18T21:29:00.000-05:00

I was given the this link by a friend that was blogging. The link is for a fellow blogger who dipped cinnamon bears in chocolate over the holidays. I think this might be useful for anyone wanting to do chocolate dipped strawberries too especially for Valentines' Day! Take a look!
www.dubandsam.com/blog
If you want to go directly to the ghirardelli site for the recipe, go to:www.ghirardelli.com/bake/chocolate_dipping.aspx

Happy Dipping!
Chicks Love Chocolate

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Sometimes Valentine's Day is not for the weak at heart but here is a tip on how to make the best of it!

2007-02-18T21:27:00.000-05:00

I have had many a Valentines' Day that I did not have a significant other. I remember one such Valentines' Day when I was a just-graduated pharmacist living in a new town a few hours from home (where I didn't know a soul!). I was doing my laundry at the local laundromat the night of Valentines' Day, reading a novel to pass the time. Out of the blue, a man whom I had never met, brought me a red rose! He said he couldn't bear to think I was alone on Valentines' Day and immediately left. I really was stunned and it was so unexpected. He was a real angel and I remember smelling my rose the whole way home. There are some really special people in this world and it may be that God sends us an angel now and then to remind us of this. So if you are alone this Valentine's Day, think of some of the people in your life who you are grateful for and try not to dwell on what you don't have and what you do have. I am sure you can think of a special angel who came into your life at one point or the other too! Just giving everyone something to think about from Chicks Love Chocolate!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Can't get your kids to brush their teeth? They may with chocolate toothpaste!

2007-02-18T21:24:00.000-05:00

Hi Mom chicks out there. If you are looking for further bribes to get your bedtime routine going, here is one more. Chocolate flavored toothpaste! At Tanners Tastypaste, you can get toothpaste in vanilla, vanilla orange or our favorite, chocolate!! Love that idea! Parents magazine already did a story so I am gonna keep the word out on this going! I wish we could have come up with this idea at Chicks Love Chocolate-visit the site at:
www.tannerstastypaste.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Dark, Milk and White Chocolate? and What are all those percentages?

2007-02-18T21:21:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, the wold of chocolate gets a little confusing. I want to make this a simple thing for all. The reason white chocolate is white is because there is no cocoa liqueur or cocoa mass in white chocolate but there is cocoa butter which is white. When buying white chocolate, look for the whitest color! Yellow/white chocolate is usually poor quality. Got that? Moving on to milk chocolate. Milk chocolate contains milk solids and lots of sugar. The beans that milk chocolate comes from are usually less quality. Dark chocolate has been found to contain the healthiest compounds because it really is from the rawest of the substances from the cocoa bean. The higher the percentage, the higher the cocoa mass or liqueur. Do not bake with a higher percentage than 50-55% because it is usually too bitter. But if you develop your tastebuds, the higher percentages are usually better for you because they have less sugar and higher cocoa content so you get all the healthy cocoa compounds in a very potent piece of chocolate. Kinda of like extra strength! Higher than 70% is a little too bitter for most of our palettes but that is an individual preference. Here at Chicks Love Chocolate, are dark chocolates are 55% cocoa. Hope that helps!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Tour in Paris!

2007-02-18T21:17:00.000-05:00

My friend Sarah gave me an idea to look and see what was going on in the world of chocolate in Paris because she has a website packed with information for anyone who loves Paris! (www.bonjourparis.com) I looked to see what was available and one of the best authors on chocolates, David Lebovitz, has a whole website on Paris and Chocolate! There is an upcoming tour in May 2007 for a whole week visiting local chocolate shops and bakeries that is done by David himself! I love talking about tours since they are so much fun and informative. Please take a look at this tour in Paris. What a better way to enjoy chocolate!
www.davidlebovitz.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Tobacco from Belgium, who knew?

2007-02-18T20:51:00.000-05:00

I was in Charleston, South Carolina and visited two wonderful tobacco shops looking for cigars for the hubby- the Tinker Box and the Smoking Lamp. I was so amazed to see that chocolate has now entered the world of tobacco! There is cigarettes in Chocolate Mocha flavor called "Sweet Dreams" and cigars in Chocolate tobacco flavor as well. The smell is just wonderful ! So if anyone is a smoker (and I don't really condone it due to my having a medical background) and loves chocolate, these are some new twists on cigarettes and cigars. My girlfriend tried the Cherry flavor "Sweet Dreams" cigarettes and said that they would go great with some dark chocolate because they leave a sweet cherry flavored flavor in your mouth!!!
www.chickslovechocolate.com

New Heart Shaped Bath Bomb Fizzies at Chicks Love Chocolate

2007-02-18T20:49:00.000-05:00

We are proud to be coming out with a heart shaped, chocolate dipped raspberry and strawberry bath bombs for Valentines' Day! I hope all will enjoy! Just add some champagne and chocolate and your done for your Valentine's gift. We will post it on our site before Valentines' day so order early! I can't wait to see how the response is. Please comment if possible on our blog!

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Fair Trade Chocolate, Help Spread the Word

2007-02-18T20:44:00.000-05:00

Nestle and Mars have been implicated in using child labor for farming cocoa. I would like to say a liitle about this due to the fact that I am a firm believer in using freedom of speech as one of my privileges for living here in the US. Remember when Walmart and the Cathy Lee Gifford story came out? A lot of us applauded her for refusing to put her name on items where she knew children were being exploited. Well people, Nestle and their cocoa farms are doing the same thing but no celebrity rebuttle. Do we have to call Leonardo DeCaprio on this too? This is an exerpt from an article done by www.globalexchange.org on the subject:
"With an annual sales of over $65 billion, Nestle SA is not only one of the world's largest manufacturers of chocolate products but also the third largest exporter of cocoa from regions affected by forced and abusive child labor. Through its subsidiary Nestle Cote d'Ivoire, Nestle maintains distribution, administrative and sales offices throughout the Ivory Coast, even as it claims to have little idea where its cocoa comes from or what the conditions are like on the farms with which it regularly does business."

Corporate-types like Nestle seem to have a way of not knowing what is going on when confronted with their exploitive ways. I hope we all take this into consideration when purchasing one of the most consumed items in America. We should ban this like we have banned conflict-free diamonds coming into the country. Children don't have choices in what they are told to do in these countries and corporations like Nestle should be doing a better job of staying aware and make an effort to change practices that have come to their attention by the public.

To find out more, please visit these sites:

www.globalexchange.org/getInvolved/actnow/nestleslavery.html

www.lwr.org/chocolate/index.asp

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Charleston and Chocolate again! February 10, 2007

2007-02-18T20:39:00.000-05:00

Mark your calendars! This event helps out at-risk youths and families and you get to enter a silent auction while eating chocolate!!! This is what Chicks Love Chocolate is all about! Love it! We are donating a $55 dollar basket for the event. Look for us there!!! Don't forget to order tickets online before February 8. After that, tickets are no longer able to be purchased online.

For more information:

www.thechocolateaffair.net

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Hershey Hotel has it going on!

2007-02-18T20:36:00.000-05:00

Chocolate bisque with chambord and chocolate bread that was then made into a bread pudding with raspberry sauce-These are just few of my favorite surprises at their buffet. If your ever near Hershey, Pa stop in at Hershey Hotel for their Sunday brunch! Chocolate fountains, chocolate desserts and a wonderful hotel where Milton Hershey began his journey into the business of chocolate!

To learn more about the Hershey Hotel, please visit:

www.theHotelHershey.com

www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Recipes from Nigella Lawson

2007-02-18T20:34:00.000-05:00

My favorite chocolate recipes are from Nigella Lawson's cookbook on 'How to be a Domestic Goddess". Please check it out! She is amazing! Here is an example of one of my favorites:

Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake

1 cup unsalted butter
1 2/3 cups brown sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 ounces best bittersweet chocolate, melted
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons boiling water
9x5 loaf pan

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and line loaf pan with parchment. This is a very damp cake and it is what Nigella recommends also.
Mix the flour with the baking soda in a separate bowl. Cream the butter and sugar, either with a wooden spoon or with an electric hand held mixer, then add the eggs and vanilla, beating in well. Next, fold in the melted and slightly cooled chocolate, taking care to blend well but being careful not to overbeat. Gently add the flour/baking soda alternating spoon by spoon with the boiling water until you have a smooth and fairly liquid batter. Pour into the lined loaf pan, and bake for 30 minutes. Turn the oven down to 325 degrees and continue to cook for another 15 minutes. The cake will be a little moist and an inserted toothpick or skewer will not come out completely clean. Place on a rack and let it get completely cold before inverting out of the pan. This cake is dense and damp and very moist!!! It goes great with pudding or berries! Enjoy!

For more on Nigella and her recipes, please visit:
www.nigella.com
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Virginia Wines with Chocolate

2007-02-18T20:32:00.000-05:00

On our way up to the Hershey chocolate capital of the US, Hershey, Pennsylvania, we stopped to sample a few of the Virginia winerys. To my liking of course, there was a few wines always pointed out to us that they would be perfectly paired with chocolate! Of course, they were taken home with me along with a few nice sauvignon blancs. Raspberry wines, spiced wines seemed to pair best so look out for these in your travels and stop and support these wonderful and magical small wineries here in the US! It is a great way to break up a road trip!
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Mint as a Pick Me Up!

2007-02-18T20:16:00.000-05:00

I gave my web girl a little gift of chocolate mint mist spray when she came over to help me with using Front Page, the program to update my website (www.chickslovechocolate.com). Did you know a little mint with chocolate can give you the pick me up that you need in the afternoon after working long hours on your computer? Try a chocolate mint candle or chocolate mint lip balm for sure! It is the calorie-free way to go!!! Happy New Year everyone!

Wholesaling

2007-02-18T20:15:00.000-05:00

Whether you are buying wholesale or you yourself will be selling wholesale, the concept of wholesaling is one you will come across in the chocolate business. I learned from my very favorite people, the state IRS, that you need to give retail liscensing proof to other business owners before you can sell to them. I did not know some of that early on and test marketed a small sample of product with a few business owners without that knowledge. The businesses themselves did not ask though so how was I to know! Just another tip for all startups!!
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Organize! No worries!

2007-02-18T20:14:00.000-05:00

I have learned that this is key with business. I have been organizing all Chicks Love Chocolate paperwork into files and last night, I organized all my online files also. It is necessary in this world to operate quickly and have all information available at your fingertips for questions etc... I am happy to say that the once this happened, stresses went away immediately!
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Suppliers Tip, go Paypal!

2007-02-18T20:13:00.000-05:00

Recently, I had a supplier who did not fill the complete order for some soaps. I called them to ask when to expect it and was talked to very rudely by the owner. I was not happy!!! Good thing for paypal though. If you purchase items via paypal, you can dispute charges. Paypal will withdraw the money until the dispute is closed. Remember, when dealing with suppliers to use paypal if possible. It is worth it for instances such as this!!!
www.paypal.com
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Come on Girls, Get Along!

2007-02-18T20:11:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, you cannot trust all other woman to help each other out in business. I think because of woman's innate competitiveness (supposedly for reproducing purposes, I have read) with each other that there becomes a need for woman business associations to foster better female relationships. If I was to run a business center, this would be one of my top priorities because it is so unnecessary!!!! Of course, if you are in the same business, there is always going to be an essence of competition but come on, girls, there is no need for competition if you are not in the same line of work and only a win-win if you pair up!!!! I had the recent opportunity to be featured in one of our local women's business magazines called Jolie and because their editor was so helpful, she gets my vote for woman of the year!!! Thanks to her for making my Christmas so special and picking Chicks Love Chocolate as the editor's pick for the Valentines Day edition 2007
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Buying Domains for Chicks Love Chocolate

2007-02-18T20:10:00.000-05:00

I bought a few more domains today for Chicks Love Chocolate (www.chickslovechocolate.com). You should as I have been told, buy domains with .org, .net,.biz etc... so that noone else can use your name. I have actually trademarked the phrase "chicks love chocolate" so it does not really matter! So far, the best place I have found for price is godaddy.com. They have a deal right now on privatizing the name so no spam, etc... can get to you.

Cafepress

2007-02-18T20:07:00.000-05:00

If you are unfamiliar with cafepress.com, here is the scoop! This site will let you put any of your artwork on shirts, hats, mugs, etc... and sell it. It is great and easy to work! I use it for all my chocolate designs and it makes my life really easy because you markup your stuff yourself and they make the products, ship it out and send you a check!! Sooooo... easy! I have a little space that I love keeping up with. Yesterday, I changed a banner! Yes, no website experience at all! I just got the HTML code that they provide and placed it on the site where I wanted it! You need to upgrade to premium status if you want to add multiple designs to the same products but it is cheap and for as little as $5 per month! Love that!
www.cafepress.com
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Chocolate Walking Tour Charleston December 2006-February 2007

2007-02-18T20:06:00.000-05:00

I went on the Charleston Chocolate Walking Tour Friday and had the best time! I highly recommend it! It is full of information about chocolate, how it is grown, what is the difference in percentages of cocoa, how do you use it and on and on! I met two female pastry chefs in Charleston that were using chocolate in so many exciting ways! I had the best hot chocolate ever at a restaurant called Tristan on the South Market. Nicole, the chef, put cayenne pepper, chiles and cinnamon in this rich delicious concoction of chocolate! It was heaven! Then they take you to McCrady's and they make a their best selling dessert called soft chocolate. Way easy! It was rich and delicious! Then we went to Lucas, a small Belgian chocolate shoppe full of delicious goodies! I had chocolate dreams that night! The best walking tour Charleston has to offer!
Please visit the following link to learn more:www.carolinaprofoods.com
www.chickslovechocolate.com

FrontPage Tutorial

2007-02-18T20:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I learned briefly how to use Front Page from a wonderful woman from Germany who learned Microsoft Front Page on her own and now helps others build their own sites! After realizing that the front page extensions were not installed on the server Blue Host, we were in business! I can now update pages, add images and manage my own site! Front Page is supposedly going to stop being updated this year but I was assured that that was not an issue since Front Page is such a great program already! Girls, if you need to manage your own site instead of paying web developers as much as $75.oo per hour, use Front Page!!!
www.chickslovechocolate.com

Did you know? Soy candles as lotion!

2007-02-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

You can take our Chicks Love Chocolate Soy Candle, and after it burns, use the soy wax as facial or hand lotion. Soy never stops giving! We love our candles here at Chicks Love Chocolate and hope to come up with some great new fragrances combining chocolate!
www.chickslovechocolate.com