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A Rich History of Chocolate in North America:A fresh look at ornate 1000-year-old vases from New Mexico's canyons has unearthed a surprise: They were used as mugs to drink chocolate. The findings are the first record of the food in North America, long before its introduction in colonial times. They also reveal that chocolate was an expensive delicacy enjoyed by few during elaborate rituals.

Between the 9th and 12th centuries C.E., the Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico was buzzing with human activity. The now-deserted Pueblo Bonito was one of its most important settlements and home to about 1000 Anasazis, a Native American people. Archaeologist Patricia Crown of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, has been studying Chaco's thin cylinder vases for the past 8 years. The ceramic vases are decorated with blue-gray geometric patterns, yet archaeologists could not decipher their original function. Recently, Crown learned that the Maya people of Central America used similar-looking vases to drink chocolate during rituals and rites of passage. The drink was made from ground cacao seeds mixed with cold water, corn, and chili peppers. "I thought it was worth testing Chaco pottery for cacao," she says.

Her hunch was correct. When Crown and colleague Jeffrey Hurst analyzed three cylindrical vase fragments, dated to between 1000 and 1125 C.E., all tested positive for theobromine--the telltale chemical of cacao. That places chocolate in North America before the arrival of European colonists. The findings, reported online 2 February in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also confirm the existence of a 2000-kilometer-long trading route from New Mexico to Central America. The Anasazi imported other exotic items from Mexico, such as live scarlet macaws and copper bells, but we did not know that they were getting cacao too, says Crown.

Archaeologist Cameron McNeil, who edited a book on the cultural history of chocolate in Central America, is surprised to find cacao apparently heavily traded in the area of Pueblo Bonito. "This would have been phenomenally expensive" given the sheer length of the trading route, she says. That means that just "as fine wines and brandies advertise the lofty position of individuals in our own culture," drinking chocolate was probably a sign of status for these early Native American communities.

The Different Kinds of Chocolate Cheesecake:Chocolate cheesecake is one of the world's most decadent deserts. And it's not hard to understand why. By combining chocolate and cheesecake, you end up with a snack that is the ultimate indulgence. And, by the fact that chocolate cheesecake contains a lot of protein, you won't feel hungry after you eat it.Yet, how can a person enjoy chocolate cheesecake if they are faced with dietary restrictions? Do they have to forgo the experience, or is there an alternative that can allow them to eat chocolate cheesecake while staying healthy? Well, thanks to different recipes, cooking techniques and ingredients, chocolate cheesecake can be consumed even on the most rigid of diets. This is because there are several different versions including: sugar-free, low-carb, organic, vegetarian, lactose-free and low-fat. More details can be found in the sections below.

1. Sugar-Free Chocolate Cheesecake:Sugar-free desserts are the perfect alternative for strict dieters, or individuals with diabetes. Either way, when you consume sugar-free chocolate cheesecake, you will treat yourself to a desert that has been flavored with a sugar substitute such as Maltitol or Splenda.

2. Low-Carb Chocolate Cheesecake:Traditional cheesecake recipes already contain a lot of protein, but thanks to their sugar content and the graham crust, it's not always the best choice for the Atkins dieter. Well, with low-carb cake, little or no sugar is used, and the crust is created from almonds instead of graham.

3. Organic Chocolate Cheesecake:Organic chocolate cheesecake is the perfect desert for environmentalists. Basically, the ingredients are created from organic farming, where no pesticides are used during cultivation. Dieting concerns or vegan/animal-rights issues are not usually addressed, though there are other an alternative if this is a concern.

4. Vegetarian Chocolate Cheesecake:If you are a vegan who cannot eat any type of meat or dairy, vegetarian chocolate cheesecake is for you. Just be aware that these types of cheesecakes use soy instead of cream cheese. The look is exactly the same, while the taste will depend on your own preferences. If you are new to veganism, it will be apparent that the cheesecake is made from soy cream cheese, but with fruit and/or extra syrup, you won't know the difference.

5. Lactose-Free Chocolate Cheesecake:If you are lactose intolerant, and you don't want to consume vegetarian chocolate cheesecake.you can opt to get a cheesecake made from lactose-free cream cheese. And, like lactose-free milk, the overall taste is not lost despite the slight chemical differences.

6. Low-Fat Chocolate Cheesecake:If you are on a diet, and the alternatives above are not your thing, you could opt for low-fat chocolate cheesecake. There are even fat-free cheesecakes available, though you will still need to watch out for your calories. Either way, with these recipes, you can indulge on the more 'traditional' cheesecake without worrying about your waistline.

The Various Types of Chocolate Molds:Chocolate making at home is an ever-growing hobby among some creative foodies.Many home chocolate makers opt to do "raw" or "country style" truffles that are shaped by hand and have an indistinct, globular shape. But other people will want to have the sharper shape that can be provided by a chocolate mold.Chocolate molds can be used to make solid chocolates or chocolate truffles. To make a solid chocolate, you would simply pour melted and tempered chocolate into the open faced mold and allow it to harden, then turn the tray over and tap the chocolates out. To make a truffle, the process is somewhat more complicated. It usually involves pouring some chocolate into the chocolate mold, allowing it to harden very slightly, and then turning it over and pouring out the liquid chocolate, leaving just the outer shell of the shape behind. You would then spoon or pipe the chocolate ganache into each truffle. Finally, you would pour more liquid chocolate onto the bottom to seal the truffles, and then use a knife to smooth off the bottoms.

Because truffles are much more delicate than solid chocolates, it helps to have a flexible chocolate mold made out of a material such as silicone, so that the tray can be twisted slightly to cause the chocolates to release. These trays are set up similarly to a cupcake pan, with several individual molds per sheet.Another type of mold is the 3 dimensional mold. These molds usually have two interlocking sides that fit together and create a chamber into which the chocolate can be poured. This setup allows a taller, more ornate molded chocolate such as a tall Easter Bunny or a Thanksgiving turkey that stands up. The chocolates are released by pulling the two halves apart after the chocolate has hardened and allowing the chocolate shape to fall out. These items can be solid, but they are usually hollow, since they can be quite large, and a single item might weigh several pounds if it were solid!

Health Benefits of Chocolate:Just about everyone loves chocolate, and we all know why that is. It's sweet, rich taste is amazing! But as the old rule says, if it tastes good, then you better spit it out. Most people would think that this rule goes along for chocolate, as well. But is there a chance, that maybe, just maybe, this sweet goodness could possibly be good for us? Are there any health benefits of chocolate?

Side Effects of Chocolate Soy Milk:You may find chocolate soy milk to be a refreshing and sweet drink, as well as a healthy one. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that soy milk contains lots of protein and may have positive health benefits like reducing cholesterol levels and helping to alleviate symptoms of menopause. But chocolate soy milk can also present several health risks and negative side effects.

Gastrointestinal Distress:Some people may experience gastrointestinal discomfort or distress after drinking chocolate soy milk, especially if they drink a large quantity all at once. Soy-related gastrointestinal side effects often include diarrhea, stomach aches or cramps, and constipation, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Carbohydrate- and Calorie-Related Effects:A cup of average chocolate soy milk contains approximately 24 grams of carbohydrates, much of it sugar, and 153 calories, according to NutritionData's analysis. This may lead to weight gain if you consume more sugars and calories than you expend on a daily basis. Additionally, the high amount of sugar may influence blood sugar levels, an issue of critical importance for diabetics.

Allergic Reactions:Though rare, some people have soy allergies. If you're allergic to soy and drink chocolate soy milk, you may experience a skin rash or difficulty breathing, warns the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Cancer Risks:The University of Maryland Medical Center expresses concern regarding increased breast cancer risks due to the consumption of soy milk and other soy products. This is because soy milk contains plant-based estrogen. Though research conflicts regarding the seriousness of this issue, the center suggests that women with breast cancer should avoid drinking soy milk and eating soy products of any sort.

Gout Risks:Soy milk contains purine, a substance that may make your gout worse, according to the National Institutes of Health. They suggest avoiding soy consumption if you have gout.

Kidney Disease Risks:A cup of chocolate soy milk contains approximately 124 mg of phosphorous, or 12 percent of your recommended daily intake. The University of Maryland Medical Center says this is much higher than what's found in other food sources, like poultry and meat. This may worsen your health condition if you have kidney disease, warns the center.

 

 

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Why is the Lg Chocolate Blue mint unavailable?

Verizon doesn't show them on the website (the new chocolate) in the blue mint color (dark blue)

any help?

Probably because Verizon stopped selling that color. You could always buy from another web site though.

Deacon Blue - Chocolate Girl

Tags: blue, chocolate, chocolate blueberry, chocolate blueberry cake, chocolate blueberry muffins, chocolate blueberry smoothie, chocolate blues, design, food, recipes

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 24th, 2009 at 7:15 am and is filed under bedding. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.