"chocoalte" news and stories

If you don't hesitate to regift a bottle of champagne or a fruitcake, you shouldn't hesitate to rewrap some ordinary snack foods into sweet holiday treats. All you really need is chocolate - white and dark/semisweet - and some sprinkles to liven things up. Joe, from Culinary in the Desert Country, made the batch of White Chocolate Dipped Mini Peanut Butter Ritz Bits sandwiches that is pictured above, which have a wonderful combination of sweet and salty to them that makes for great snacking. WellFed also has a few suggestions for chocolate-coated goodies. Their selection also includes chocolate-covered peanut butter sandwich crackers, although they opted for what appears to be a semisweet chocolate rather than Joe's white chocolate, chocolate covered graham crackers and chocolate dipped pretzel sticks.

Marshmallows, Oreo cookies, shortbread cookies and (if you happen to come across any) strawberries also make fantastic candidates for chocolate-dipping.

Earlier this year, we saw our own lists of both the worst foods you can eat and the best foods you can eat, and now Forbes is taking a turn with their list of surprisingly healthy foods. Their list is based on the theory that most people still associate healthy foods with things that don't taste good, and while it is true that eating a giant bowl of undressed, unseasoned lettuce is boring, that doesn't mean that there are no foods that both taste good and can be good for you. If you're already into healthy eating, this might not be a complete news flash, but a reminder to keep us on track - especially with the holidays coming up - never hurts. Don't go overboard on any of these, but don't feel guilty for enjoying them, either:

• Chocolate - both milk and dark chocolates have been shown to have health benefits when eaten in moderation.
• Vegetable oil - low in saturated fats and high in vitamin E, which is good for the skin and can help protect against heart disease. The recommended maximum is only a few teaspoons each day.
• Potatoes - they are versatile and one of the foods richest in antioxidants. Frying can cancel out some of the benefits, so try baking them.
• Nuts and nut butters - high in monounsaturated fat and protein. They are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and are very filling.
• Coffee - it may help the liver, increase brain function and has been linked to a decrease in the risk of type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Use skim milk , rather than cream.
• Bruschetta - tomatoes, onions, garlic and olive oil, often with a touch of Parmesan, it is a snack that has the benefits of oil (see above) and a lot of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease.
• Spices - in large amounts, some have been shown to have healthy benefits, but in general it is hard to argue with anything that makes food taste better without adding fat or calories.
• Tea - both green and black tea can have healthy benefits as long as you aren't loading them up with sugar.
• Soups - vegetable and broth-based soups can pack a lot of nutrients into one serving with relatively few calories. Avoid cream soups, though, as they can be very high in fat and calories.

Source

Taking school lunch reform what might be a bit too far, preschool teachers in New South Wales, Australia have begun to implement lunchbox inspections. The teachers have banned foods including chocolates, candies, cakes and fruit rollups, taking them away from the children and sending the items home uneaten if they are found. The ban on foods deemed to be unhealthy extends to birthday cakes as well, where a plain, homemade vanilla cupcake - no icing or ice cream - is the most appropriate treat.

One teacher said "It is just as much about educating parents as it is the children." Even though the teachers say that this is a good way to encourage healthy eating habits, it is sending a message to the parents to prepare the lunches, not the children who receive them.

It is noted by some experts that the teachers are not following an official direction to inspect lunches, but that they have taken it upon themselves. How long it will continue before parents protest - or conform - remains to be seen.

Source

I haven't watched much of the winter olympics yet, and to be quite honest, I don't feel all that bad, as I find them slightly...boring. I can't really get into the competitive spirit watching ice dancing the way I do watching, oh, I don't know, football, maybe?

But still, to support the US teams, I'll be switching to the Olympics a few times today with a plate of fudge truffle cookies topped with sugary snow in honor of the all those snow-based sports. They're dark, rich with chocolate, and not too sweet.