Resolved:
Eat More Chocolate
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Against my better judgment, I made a
New Year’s Resolution. There’s a first time for everything. To me, New Year’s resolutions
are nothing more than tongues flapping empty air. No matter how much I might
say that in the coming year I’m going to run a marathon, lose a hundred pounds,
work out at the gym every day, eat no fat, count carbs, read only wholesome
literature, keep up with current events, hone my math skills, make a million
dollars, get a man-friend, sail around the world, the reality is that I’m not
going to do any of those things. I know that. And you know that.
Take a deep breath. Here goes: Eat
More Chocolate.
Life is short. If the sun rose for
me today, that signifies a good day. There are no guarantees the sun will rise
tomorrow. Maybe you think differently. I’m no longer invincible.
I have good logical and illogical
reasons for dedicating a portion of my day to the pleasures and solace of
chocolate. Any premise can be easily scientifically proven, or just as easily
disproven, by a quick search on the internet. We used to use the research
library. Books work the same way but the internet search is easier and quicker
and seldom taxes one’s cognitive faculties. Since that is so, I decided not to
bother with the research but simply to focus on personal experience. If you
want to prove any of my points right or wrong, feel free. I’m easy.
The number one good reason to eat
more chocolate is the sublime good taste. I won’t tell you how to eat
chocolate. Be a hog if you want, though I recommend savoring each mouthful with
closed eyes for maximum benefit. Sound effects are nice too, such as “mmmmm”.
Nor will I give advice as to form.
Oh, Form! Oh, Variety!
Chocolate cookies. Chocolate cake with fudge frosting. Chocolate cream pie with
whipped cream and shaved chocolate curls.
Chocolate cheesecake. Muffins, cupcakes, pudding. Candy, home-made and
commercial. Unlimited choices. Mmmmm.
In Mexico, chocolate wriggles its way into moles with
chicken, pork or beef and salsas. Or savor it in Mexican style rice pudding. More
Mmmmm.
Ice cream. Oh, lovely ice cream. Double-chocolate-fudge-chunk
ice cream. Oh, adorable ice cream. Double MmmmmMmmmm.
Chocolate drinks. Ah, drinks. Hot chocolate, mocha,
champurrado (an atole drink), Kahlua. Much prior to midnight New Year’s Eve,
Denise, Cheryl, two Karens, Ellie and I each lifted a steaming mug of our
favorite hot chocolates in celebration. I made mine with Mexican chocolate,
cinnamon bark, whole milk and vanilla. Sublime—I told you so.
Kathy reminded me that chocolate is the number one main Food
Group and is as essential to life as water. Dee Dee said, while licking
chocolate muffin crumbs from her fingers, that she is an ardent fan after
purchasing “The Cardiologist’s Wife’s Diabetic Cookbook for Chocolate Lovers.
Certainly it is a universal truth that chocolate is healing.
Feeling a bit down in the dumps? Chocolate will warm the heart and lighten the
spirit. Chocolate brings comfort to a troubled soul and perks up the brain
waves. Dark chocolate lowers blood pressure. Light chocolate sooths the nerves
and satisfies the appetite.
Chocolate enhances one’s social life. Is there any woman (or
man, admit it) not made happier by receiving a special box of chocolates from
the love of her (his) life on Valentine’s Day. Even better, even more special,
a box of chocolates makes a most wonderful gift any day, just because. No
“special” day other than it simply is a day. Note: Use social chocolate with
caution. It has been known to lead to the altar.
Melts in your mouth, melts in your hand, melts on your face.
Who cares!
Sondra
Ashton
HDN: Looking
out my back door
January 8,
2014
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