MY SECRET LOVE…CHOCOLATE
MY SECRET LOVE...CHOCOLATE
Chocolate has long been a part of my existence. When I was a small child my auntie, Josie Selzer would take me to the German store on the corner and buy me milk chocolate bars with a picturesque wrapper of Snow white and the seven dwarfs on the front. I would quickly unwrap the bar, bite into it and savor the creamy richness in my mouth. During the Christmas holiday I would indulge in the tiny foil wrapped packages of European chocolate hanging from her Christbaum (Christ Tree),christmas tree. Her home was filled with European chocolates, buttery raspberry Linzer cookies, and other delectable pastries. The recipes had been handed down through generations from her Oma (grandmother) to showcase her own heritage.
Entrepreneurship has been gifted to me, not chosen. As a small child I melted down large amounts of chocolate and molded it into magical works of art. Every holiday I pull out my chocolate molds and revel in Theobroma. Theo is an Erotically, Intoxicating, sensual, mood enhancing, mind altering drug of sorts. When I crafted these treasures my artwork was then sold and some gifted.
I could see myself in a past life as the "Queen of Chocolate" sitting on a throne indulging in sinfully delicious bon bons night and day. Or maybe that was this lifetime. One holiday my pastry shoppe was lined up with customers out the front door and down the street. I walked from the back of the store to the front to make sure all of the customers were taken care of and things were running smoothly. I gazed into the long line and amongst the low murmur of voices I heard two gentlemen talking. One said, " I bet the guy that owns this place is sitting in an office in the back eating bon bons and counting his stacks of money". After sleeping maybe three hours a night? during the last week… I turned to them and replied with a very firm tone. " The woman that owns this place hasn't slept in weeks, so her customers can have beautiful products to share with their families on this holiday. I turned quickly and walked away. The following week I took my daughter to the allergist. The doctor sauntered into the room, looked at me and said, “You sure put those men in their place on Christmas Eve! I applaud You! I was so embarrassed. I explained that I was sleep deprived at the time. Maybe? just maybe? I would have handled the situation more appropriately at the time if I had not been so tired.
Since my childhood, I would fashion roses out of my chewing gum. Sounds disgusting but at five years old I thought they were beautiful. I continued making roses, roses out of marzipan (a pliable sweetened almond paste). Roses fashioned out of chocolate. White chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate. I adorned my delicious creations with them and used chocolate dipped strawberries as the center of some of my roses. When I reached 38 years young. I began to meditate quite frequently. In my mind's eye I would realize one single rose with a stem on it and leaves. A rose is total perfection. To me it is a symbol of Divine Providence, God’s hand in our lives. A rose is a perfect example of Sacred Geometry at its finest.
Actually chocolate was handed down from the Ancient Olmecs to the Mayans. It was used as a ceremonial drink made with cacao, honey, chili pepper and water. I attended a Chocolate event at the Detroit Institute of Arts with one of my closest friends. We were given a choice of drinking a chocolate beverage two different ways. One recipe was a favorite of the King of France at Versailles. The recipe contained egg yolk, frothed egg white, chocolate liquor, honey
and water. Chocolate was prizedback then for its aphrodisiac abilities.The other choice was the Mayan recipe. A few years back I received a copy of the movie "Chocolat" from my oldest daughter. Which was a perfect gift for me. The movie is centered on the Intoxicating effects of chocolate. Theobroma has healing properties for your brain and cardiovascular system.
Antidepressant? Chocolate helps stimulate the secretion of several endorphins beneficial for well-being including tryptophan, an amino acid that creates mood-enhancing effects. It also contains phenylethylamine which causes the body to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter known for its relaxation effects. Chocolate also has healing benefits for Immune deficiency, Arthritis, memory loss, heart disease, stress, asthma, cancer, dementia, anemia, and high blood pressure. I suggest if you are going to indulge frequently find a good quality dark chocolate low in sugar, or one that is made with coconut sugar.
Chocolates grown and harvested in different parts of the world have different subtle nuances of taste and scent. Just like a fine wine. It depends on the soil it is grown in and the climate. Some are fruit forward, others have deep earthy flavors. I like to use ethically sourced chocolates. When chocolate is produced under ethical standards and cacao farmers and laborers receive fair and sustainable wages.
Article on Chacolet
https://collation.folger.edu/2016/01/chacolet/