Have a look see at what I got for Christmas. A shiny new bag of chocolate. And my favorote kind - dark. Not to mention a pretty new camera that actually allows me to take decent photos that I can use for this blog.
The good news is not necessarily my bag 'o chocolate or camera, of course. It's the fact that food merchants are starting to cater more to specific preferences. Chocolate merchants, specifically, are doing this. One need not visit NYC or Paris to enjoy such top shelf manna.
Granted, Ghirardelli isn't necessarily the creme de la creme, but it still gets me salivating. And now I don't have to feel as guilty about eating lots of it, because I can eat it in tiny, individually packaged increments. Each dark chocolate square contains only about 55 calories. So you can get a fix every now and then without the hassle of having to re-wrap part of the bar for later, or without having to summon the willpower to not actually eat the whole bar. Next time I might have to try the mint squares.
This company isn't the only one with this great marketing sheme to keep us all hooked. Just about every women's magazine these days has ads or "gift ideas" along the same lines. Take Oprah, for instance. Girlfriend has gained weight again and is pledging to get back on track. But the February issue of her mag has chocolate listed twice in her "a few things we think are just great" list, including milk chocolate bites from Kohler Original Recipe Chocolates, with flavors like chai tea and passion fruit. Those are $25 for 10 pieces and can be ordered at www.kohlerchocolates.com. She also gives Kshocolat a plug, which sells Belgian chocolate pieces, in flavors like orange and cardamom, to melt in hot milk. Peruse www.kschocolat.com if you dare. And you should dare, because February means Valentine's Day, which will all knows is more about candy than love anyway.
Congrats on the wonderful gifts! I'm with you...I too believe that Valentines Day is more about candy than love. After all, I love the HUBS as much or more than I did the day we married...but chocolate....ahhh..
I have grown into quite the chocolate "snob". Gone are the days when a Mr. Goodbar or Hershey with almonds could cure the cravings. I've graduated on to things like Lindt Truffles and such. Not to mention Dietsch's chocolate covered cashews. OH MY GOSH! I personally prefer the milk chocolate but have heard that Dark Chocolate has some real health benefits so there you go! If nothing else...I say, do it for your health!
Posted by: Paula Gossman | January 11, 2009 at 09:01 PM
Great excuse, Paula! Dark chocolate is definitely my favorite. Godiva got me hooked and I've kind of taken off with it from there. Last year Hershey's had some pretty good dark truffles that came in a tin, but I haven't seen those in a while. Luckily there are tons of other options for us.
Posted by: Joy Brown | January 12, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Dark rules. And there's no reason to ruin good chocolate by adding mint. Stick with the tried and true!
Posted by: anon e. mouse | January 14, 2009 at 12:58 AM