Saturday, October 31, 2009

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Yes, it's finally here: Halloween! The holiday where everybody can be anybody and were candy flows like no other.

Hopefully you read my Top 10 favorite Halloween candy list and my Top 10 worse Halloween candy list and you are prepared to give kids the best Halloween of their lives. If not, you still have time to go get them.

Please be careful today if you're driving or if you're trick-or-treating. Remember the best thing about Halloween it's waking up the next day and eating all the candy. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Friday, October 30, 2009

Linda's Fudge Cake at The Cheesecake Factory

After I wrote about the Best Chocolate Cake in Boca Raton, I figured this isn't the only place that offers a wide variety of amazing chocolate cakes. For example, one chain of restaurants that is affordable and has many kinds is The Cheesecake Factory.

Everybody has a Cheesecake Factory near them, and it is a great place to take your friends and family for some drinks, fun and of course dessert.

The good thing about this restaurant is that they have many desserts to choose from, not only cheesecakes -- which by the way are amazing!

So I went one day with my journalism friends and after sharing some laughs and jokes, we got down to business:

"May I please have a Linda's Fudge Cake?," I said.

"May I please have a Warm Apple Crisp?," said my friend Stephanie.

"May I please have a Black-out Cake?," said my other friend Ana.

You could imagine our waiter's thoughts -- three girls ordering three desserts? Wow! But we couldn't help it, they are so good.

Linda's Fudge Cake is actually a mix of chocolate, with chocolate, some chocolate and sprinkled with chocolate chips. It's rich in flavor and it's not dry inside. You might want to order a glass of water just in case you get thirsty, and although it only comes with whip cream, I recommend you ask for a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

Although this should be my only portion of sweets for a whole year, that was then and today is a brand new day.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Pledge of Chocoholics Pride

Happy 1st National Chocolate Day...once again! 

As you all know, today is National Chocolate Day, or at least one of them. As a true chocoholic -- a person who is excessively fond of chocolate -- you need to take the following chocoholic pride pledge:

"I am proud to be a chocoholic, I dip my cookie with pride.

The days grow cold and the nights grow long when I don't have my bar by my side.

Whether by bar or by spoon a mouthful won't do. The cocoa craving must be satisfied.

Domestic or imported, it has been reported that by cookie, cake, bar or drink, it will keep your true love alive."


Now, dig in and enjoy your chocolate dessert that you should enjoy with love and respect! 

Happy Chocolate Day: Best Chocolate Cake in Boca Raton

HAPPY 1st DAY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY!

If you are wondering if I made a mistake in my title, you're wrong. National Chocolate Day is celebrated October 28, November 28
 and December 29. Like we need more reasons to indulge ourselves in some yummy chocolate!

Since chocolate is America's favorite flavor for ice cream, cakes and candy, it was only fair that it had three days in it's honor. I hope I don't need to tell you how to celebrate this day... you eat chocolate of course!  

May I offer some suggestions for your sweet chocolate day?
  • Breakfast: First, you can start your day by eating you favorite chocolate cereal and finish it with some chocolate doughnuts
  • Mid-morning snack: What better than a chocolate candy bar to give you a boost in the middle of your morning and hold your stomach until lunch time.
  • Lunch: A glass of chocolate milk to accompany your meal and don't forget to eat a slice of chocolate pie or chocolate pudding for dessert.
  • Mid-afternoon snack: Try some chocolate covered raisins. This way you will be combining fruits and vegetables. 
  • Dinner: If you are an adult, you could drink some chocolate liqueur or chocolate flavored coffee at the end of dinner. And for dessert, none other than a slice of chocolate cake.
  • Nighttime snack: If you don't know what's missing in this delicious menu, then we have  a problem. Chocolate ice cream with a cherry on top of course! 
Before I reveal to you the restaurant in Boca Raton that has the most amazing chocolate cake, I want to share with my fellow sweet lovers interesting facts about chocolate.

Did you know that chocolate is considered a vegetable? Yes, it derives from the Cacao trees found in the rain forest. So when mom and dad ask you if you ate your vegetables this week, you can honestly say: YES! 

And now... the moment you've all been waiting for: the time where I reveal the best chocolate cake in Boca Raton. The ones that hold the title are J. Alexander's with their "Very Best Chocolate Cake" -- a homemade chocolate cake made with Hershey's chocolate and served with vanilla ice cream. 

It is rich in flavor and spongy in the middle, while the outside is a little softer coat of chocolate. It is made with three different types of Hershey's chocolate and they bake the cakes every morning to maintain the freshness and uniqueness of this "Very Best Chocolate Cake" -- and they got the name right for sure!

If you have a chance to drive by any J. Alexander's, make sure you stop by and try their chocolate cake and share with us your experience!

Now go wild and eat all you can eat of chocolate while you can and have a Happy Chocolate Day!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Pirouette Rolled Wafers

Sometimes you are home and you get a craving but you don't know what you want, or maybe you don't have the right thing at home. Let me help you make up your mind by writing down what you need from the grocery store:

GROCERY LIST:
  1. Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Rolled Wafers
  2. Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Rolled Wafers
  3. Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Rolled Wafers
Today we are going to talk about Pirouettes... no you don't have to be a ballerina to understand because we'll talk about Pepperidge Farm Pirouette Rolled Wafers. 

These slender, delicious and long sticks are perfect to share with friends and family. You can 
bring them to a party or eat them at home by yourself. They are crisp outside and filled with a creamy filling that comes in a variety of flavors to satisfy everybody.

There are four flavors: 
  1. Chocolate Hazelnut
  2. French Vanilla
  3. Mint Chocolate
  4. Chocolate Fudge
Although all of them are good and tasty, my favorite one is the original chocolate hazelnut. And my least favorite is the french vanilla, but that's because I don't like vanilla very much. However, some people might find the chocolate ones to be too much and prefer a vanilla filling. See why I say they satisfy everybody's palate? 

As long as price range goes, Pepperidge Farm products aren't the most inexpensive products in your local grocery store, but they range around $6. But I do think it's worth every penny, after all you have to satisfy those cravings! 

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Skittles Vodka

Well, well, well... Surfing the web, I found a very interesting recipe: Skittles Vodka

Yeah, I know it sound weird, but for those who love Skittles and Vodka, this could be the ultimate drink!

According to Mix That Drink, a website that offers cocktail recipes, infusing vodka with Skittles is a very popular trend and they teach us how to do it.

Here is what you'll need:
  • One 1.75 liter bottle of vodka
  • Five 8.5 ounce flasks or bottles
  • One 1 lb bag of Skittles
  • Five empty plastic water bottles
  • A funnel
  • Bowls for separating the Skittles into flavors
  • A measuring cup
  • Coffee filters or paper towels
Follow these easy steps and you'll finally get your anxiously awaiting drink:
  1. Separate Skittles into flavors: You need about 60 of each color.
  2. Set up your infusion bottles: Fill your water bottles with six ounces of vodka. 
  3. Add the Skittles: Pour the Skittles of one flavor into one infusion bottle, then pour the next flavor Skittles into the next infusion bottle, and so on until all five bottles have a pile of Skittles soaking in the vodka.
  4. Start Shaking: Now your infusion bottles all have Skittles in the bottom. Give each bottle a good shake -- the more the better. After shaking them, set them aside for a few hours. It's a good idea to shake them again. NOTICE: You'll see a lot of white muck floating at the top, don't worry you'll take care of that in the next step.
  5. Strain: Put a funnel inside a measuring cup and put about four or five coffee filters inside the funnel. Then, pour one of the infusions into this strainer setup. At the end you'll have about eight ounces of Skittle infused vodka. Take the liquid from the measuring cup and pour it into a flask (using a clean funnel). Repeat each step for every flavor.
  6. Chill and Serve: Now you've got five flasks or bottles of Skittles infused vodka. All you have to do now is stick them in the freezer for several hours, and they are ready to be served.


CAUTION: These are very strong on their own -- nearly pure Vodka. 

For a Halloween party you could try different bottles. You can be creative and serve your neon-based colored concoctions in spooky lab flasks or potion bottles

Cheers!

Skittles: "Taste the Rainbow" with all flavors

Dear sweet lovers, as you may very well know I have an obsession with everything that has sugar in it, but when it comes to choosing my ultimate favorite candy, there is only one that has been, is and will always be my #1: SKITTLES! 

Oh yeah, since I was a little girl I developed a passion for Skittles, and 
they never fail me. They are always fresh, every store has them and they keep making new flavors to keep it cool. What else can a girl ask for?

The brand Skittles is produced by Mars, Inc. and it has been in the market since 1974 in England. However, they were first introduced in North America in 1979. 

In case you haven't tried them -- if so, get in your car and drive to your nearest grocery store and buy them -- they are a chewy flavored candy with sugar shells. The inside is mainly sugar and hydrogenated vegetable oil along with fruit juice, citric acid and natural and artificial flavors

Over the years they have experimented with different fruits, flavors and colors. Some of these varieties are only released for a limited time; others are available only in some parts of the world. But the oldest skittles product is Original Flavor Skittles.

Earlier Skittles products tended to focus on fruit flavors, more recent products have branched out to include flavors such as chocolate, mint and sours. They also come in a variety of colors, although different Skittles products often use the same colors for candies with different flavors.

Next, you'll find a list with my favorite Skittles in order of preference:  
  1. Original Flavor Skittles: Of course they are my favorite! Not only were they the first ones to come out in 1974, but they are a perfect balance of fruit flavors and colors that wakes up your senses of taste, smell and sight. The fruit flavors found in this kind are: Grape, Lemon, Lime, Orange and Strawberry. 
  2. Crazy Cores: This are the newest addition to the family of Skittles. They came out in 2008 and the interesting fact about them is that they are one flavor in the outside, and another on the inside. The fruit flavors found in this kind are: Blue Raspberry and Lemon, Cherry and Lemonade, Mango and Peach, Melon and Berries, and Strawberry and Watermelon. These weird combinations will make your head go crazy for some crazy cores!
  3. Tropical: This mix was launched in 1989, and it's my third option of Skittles. The fruit flavors in this tropical mix are: Banana Berry, Kiwi Lime, Mango Tangelo, Pineapple Passion Fruit and Strawberry Starfruit
  4. Wild Berry: Just like the Tropical mix, the Wild Berry Skittles were launched in 1989. Although some of the flavors are good, I am not a huge fan of the whole Wild Berry Skittles, which is surprising because I am a fan of berries. However, I will buy it if it's the only bag available. The fruit flavors in this mix are: Berry Punch, Melon Berry, Raspberry, Strawberry and Wild Cherry.
  5. Sour: The Sour Skittles were released in 2000 and they were the first ones to go outside the boundaries and try something completely different. The sour fruit flavors here are: Sour Blue Raspberry, Sour Green Apple, Sour Lemon, Sour Strawberry and Sour Watermelon. 
  6. Chocolate: This mix of chocolate desserts was released in 2007 and although they tried to combine the goodness of chocolate with the chewiness of the skittles, to me they fail. They had flavors such as: Chocolate Caramel, Brownie Batter, Chocolate Pudding, S'mores and Vanilla.
Skittles has also made mints and bubble gum, and they are probably as well known as the actual chewy candy. But one thing we know for sure is that Skittles will live on for many generations to come.  

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Models also have dessert: Jello

The life of a model is not easy, I tried to be one once but as soon as somebody told me I had to stop eating desserts, that's when I drew the line. Nobody had ever come between me and my sugar, besides my mom, and that instance was definitely not going to be the first time. 

I said to myself: "How can I ever stop eating sweets? They are so... sweet." But my mom told me there were other ways to satisfy that need for something sugary that didn't require 500 calories. And that's when I started looking into Jello or Gelatin

First of all, it is very easy to make, I remember making it when I was 5 years old. It is also in every supermarket and it comes in all colors and flavors. You can either buy it already made in little containers or you can make it yourself and share with friends and family. 

That wobbly and colorful dessert we were given as kids in our friend's birthday parties, is actually really good for our health and it could, some times, satisfy your hunger for something sweet. 

Here are some of the health benefits of gelatin:
  • It is beneficial to athletes for muscle growth and metabolism
  • It promotes a feeling of fullness
  • Helps maintain regularity
  • It's high collagen protein content helps keep your skin smooth and firm
  • It strengthens the hair and makes it shinier and healthier
  • It makes nails stronger
  • It's excellent for your bones because of its concentration of glycoprotein and proline amino acids.
So it's not only delicious but it also helps improve your body and we can honestly say that Jello makes both your body and mind happy, healthier, and sweeter.

There are many different desserts that can be done using Jello, check out this video and learn how to make a Classic Jello Pie. Enjoy!



Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Chocolate dipped apples at Kilwin's

"Everything tastes better dipped in Chocolate" is what the t-shirts of the workers of Kilwin's say. And I couldn't agree more -- including the green apples dipped in caramel and bathed in thin lines of chocolate that make them so popular in Delray Beach.

Just thinking about them makes me want to go back and buy about six to go, but nothing like eating them fresh at Kilwin's. It's not 
only going there and buying chocolate, it's a whole experience. Through the window you are able to see the employees make chocolate treats of all kinds. Which makes me wonder: Do they even like chocolate? I could never work there, I will die of a heart attack the first week. 

Anyways, going back to dipped apples, I went in one night to try them after hearing from all my dessert lover friends that they were awesome. Now let me tell you, when I say they were great it's because they were. However, the apple wasn't that fresh, maybe because I went in late at night, but regardless the freshness of the apple, the caramel and chocolate used by Kilwin's it's amazing.

Dipped apples are kind of simple to make and if you have no problem with trying something new at home for you and your friends, you could try making them. Here is how:

Ingredients:
  • 6 Apples -- or as many as you wish.
  • Popsicle sticks
  • 1 lb. of semisweet chocolate in chunks 
  • Optional: chopped pistachios, M&M's, shredded coconut, crushed Oreos.
Directions:

Twist off the stems from the apples and push a Popsicle stick down into the core. Put the apples in the fridge while preparing the chocolate; they'll coat better if they are cold.

Slowly melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot water or in  microwave set on high for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through the heating time to smooth it out. Remove from the heat and stir until completely melted and warm, not hot. Dunk each apple into the chocolate, allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl. Roll the apples around in the chocolate, turning with the stick, so it's coated all the way up to the top. Use a spoon to baste any hard to get spots.

Put the desired coating in a separate bowl and roll the dipped apple around so it is completely covered. Set the chocolate dipped apples on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set.  


I hope you will try to make them and share with us your experience and if you have a tip or a better recipe, your comments are always appreciated.

New Italian gelato for you and your pooch

Over the time ice cream has always been a favorite dessert for many people, but what about for dogs? I know it must be terrible to eat ice cream in front of your dog and have them look at you with their big puppy eyes. What do you do? What can you give them? And where can you get it? 

Those questions weren't answered for a long time, but finally somebody thought of those special little people that we love and cherish. About a month ago Cream opened to satisfy the palate of gelato fanatics in South Florida -- and I'm also referring to your Chihuahua, Maltese and Poodle. That's right, Cream doesn't discriminate against man's best friend.

I had to take the doggy ice cream taster with me, also known as Oreo, my 
Italian greyhound mix puppy, and sniff for ourselves. I must say, if Oreo could speak she would have said: "Thanks mom, you rock." But her face said it all.

She was a little intimidated at first, I mean it was her first time in front of such a good treat, but once she got the hang of it, she was one happy puppy. 
Her tail was wagging right and left, her tongue was going at 100 mph and her eyes were lit, as if she had reached heaven, only she was still alive and mommy was by her side. 

But she wasn't the only happy person between the two of us, I had 
to try their human gelato as well, after all I'm of Italian descent
and in my trips to Italy I have tried the best gelato. I was also 
intimidated because there has been many attempts to open an Italian gelateria that end up failing because they are not real Italian gelato. But no not this one, Cream nailed it. 

They have about 40 different flavors of ice cream, so you will find the one 
that fits your mood that day. They are rich in flavor and creamy, just like the real Italian gelatos. After trying about all of them, literally, I decided to go with the White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. It has chunks of white chocolate and it has pieces of raspberry, but none of it is ever overwhelming. 

So if you want to treat yourself, your family and your pooch, I suggest going to Cream and enjoy not only their amazing ice cream, but their wines, pastries and appetizers. As soon as I try their pastries, I will let you know how they are.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Top 10 favorite Halloween candy

HELLO, once again! I am very glad that you are reading this blog because it helps everybody give out the candy that kids will actually like and talk about for the next couple of months. You want to be remembered as the "cool" neighbor not the "let's skip this house" neighbor. If you follow my advice, you will be rocking this year's Halloween.

I present to you the Top 10 favorite Halloween candy list:
  1. Skittles: The #1 candy in the history of candy. PLEASE go to your closest supermarket and get some skittles for this year's trick-or-treaters, they will always remember and won't be able to thank you enough. I know it's a favorite for even grown ups. 
  2. Starburst: Also a very popular chewable candy among kids. I will even go as far as to say that it is #2 in the history of candy. All flavors are good, tasty, full of flavor and it is also a favorite for grown ups.
  3. Snickers: The #1 chocolate in the history of chocolate. Everybody loves snickers, so you won't go wrong buying a big bag of those and share even with your own friends. There are plenty of sizes for you to choose and it will make everybody happy.
  4. Twix: #2 in the history of chocolate. The mixture between milk chocolate, cookie and a touch of caramel, makes this delicious chocolate a favorite treat for all ages. It also comes in different sizes and it also comes in a peanut butter flavor.
  5. m&m's: Who doesn't like m&m's? Everybody does, so why not give it on Halloween and make everybody happy. There are many kinds -- original, with peanuts and peanut butter ones, to name a few. They are easy to find and come in all sizes too.
  6. MilkyWay: For those who don't like peanuts you could have MilkyWay. And sometimes even if kids like peanuts, MilkyWay is one chocolate bar that won't go wrong with most people. 
  7. Candy corn: Of course I didn't forget about candy corn. It is typical of Halloween, liked by many kids and if you find the original ones, they are made with real honey which is better than artificial sweeteners. 
  8. Gummy bears: Loved by kids of all ages, tasteful, and simply yummy are gummy bears. They also come in small packages easy to distribute and they are easy to find in any supermarket. 
  9. Sour Patch Kids: "First they are sour then they are sweet," it's what their logo says. And it is true. It is a very fun candy to give out on Halloween and very rare, so if you do, you will be remembered for the next few years. 
  10. Life Savers: They have been out for quite a while, and they are still very well liked everywhere. They are easy to eat, very flavorful and easy to find. Also, they have a variety of flavors and even come as gummies. 
Now you can have a pretty good idea of what kind of candy to get this Halloween to make it an unforgettable one for all the kids. After you get compliments or a big smile from the little ones, please share them with me.

Enjoy this Skittles' commercial!


Have a spooky but sweet Halloween!

Top 10 worse Halloween candy

Halloween is rapidly approaching and before we know it, little witches and vampires will be knocking on our door and asking for some candy. They will use the typical phrase: "Trick-or-Treat" but sometimes it is them who get tricked into icky treats. 

This blog will speak out for all of those kids, and not so kids, who trick or treat in the hopes of going home with some delicious candy.

I present to you the Top 10 worse Halloween candy list:
  1. Jawbreakers: I mean, it's already bad enough that kids don't brush their teeth for you to be given them something to break their jaw with. Besides, nobody ever finishes these massive balls.
  2. Mints: Mints are supposed to be given out in doctor's offices, restaurants or mom's purse, but never in Halloween. Kids want the latest, the coolest and the sweetest, not whatever you found in your house.
  3. Cinnamon candy: Cinnamon is supposed to go on top of coffee or hot chocolate, never in hard candy and never given out in Halloween.
  4. Black licorice: Licorice is nasty. Unless your trick-or-treaters are over 40, please don't give out any kind of licorice candy.
  5. Mike & Ike candy: I don't know how to explain this chewable candy -- they are disgusting, taste like nothing and look like pills. Kids don't like to take pills, what makes you think they will like Mike & Ike?
  6. Rock candy crystal sticks: No, no, no! It is simply sugar only colored, and it has not taste and to be honest, they hurt your palate because they are so sharp.
  7. Conversation candy hearts (Sweethearts): You know which ones I'm talking about because people give them out in Valentine's day, Halloween and birthdays. I think that the people that give those out actually have never tried them. They are very yucky but make beautiful decoration.
  8. Fruit jell slices: If kids don't eat real fruits, why would they eat a jelly that looks like, tastes like and even smells like fruits? Keep the educational part of Halloween to their mothers, you are the "cool" neighbor given out goodies. 
  9. Candy sticks and canes: Those are Christmas treats, not Halloween. Please don't try to mix Halloween and Christmas together, they are two separate reasons to eat candy.
  10. Hot Tamales candy: They should be banned from the candy world. I have not met one person that actually likes them, so please don't give them out on Halloween.
I hope you have learned your lesson, you Halloween candy giver, and for more information on the candy that you SHOULD hand out, please keep reading ahead in the blog. 

If there is one candy that you absolutely hate, please share with us we all want to know!    

Are you planning a party this Halloween? Are you desperately in need of help to figure out how to decorate and use the candy at the same time? Watch this documentary by Candy Warehouse where they show you some ideas of what to do to look "horrific" in front of all your friends. 


Homemade apple strudel

Most of us like apples, specially if they are covered in caramel or chocolate, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this fruit. For example the Apple Strudel


The apple strudel is a layered pastry with apples inside. It is associated with the Austrian cuisine because it is considered to be their national dish although their cuisine was influenced by many people: Turkish, Swiss, French, Dutch, Italian and German, to name a few.

Not only the pastry alone is delicious, but we can top it with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, custard or a type of sauce of your preference. It can be accompanied by tea, coffee or if you are feeling in the mood to celebrate, champagne.  

Boca Raton housewife and baker, Sabrina Nelson, shared with me -- therefore with you -- her homemade apple strudel recipe. 

Ingredients
  • 200 gr flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 50 gr of butter
  • 1 kg apples
  • 50 gr walnuts
  • 50 gr golden raisins
  • 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons of fine sugar
Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, eggs, butter and sugar with a 1/4 cup of water until all the ingredients are mixed together without crumbs. 

Let the mix sit for 10 minutes.

Peel and slice apples then add the sugar and cinnamon. Then in a large bowl combine the mix with the freshly sliced apples adding the raisins and the walnuts. Cook for 15 minutes. 

Roll the dough over waxing paper and cover with the cooked apples. Roll it and bake for 45 minutes.

Once you take it out of the oven, sprinkle the strudel with superfine sugar and let it sit for 10 minutes before you eat it.

Bon Appetite!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Chewing gum vs. Bubble gum

You see it in women's purses, men's pockets, kid's mouths... they pop in your ear, they pop in your face, they pop everywhere! I'm talking about gum.  

As a bubble gum machine owner, it is only fair that I researched about this "sticky" goodness. During this process I encountered a very simple question to which I had no answer: What is the difference between bubble gum and chewing gum? If you are wondering the same question, stick around to find out the answer.

The difference is very simple. Bubble gum was created out of chewing gum with a slightly different purpose: It was made to blow bubbles and to use for shorts periods of time. That's why manufacturers only put small amounts of flavor in the gum and that's why bubble gum pieces tend to be softer and smell delicious. 

Chewing gum, on the other hand, is much more stronger in order to clean your teeth. That's right, since it is so strong it pulls away the particles between your teeth and it gives you good breath. 

But chewing gum is not only for regular citizens, when it comes to the military they all say: Sir, yes gum! 

Since World War I soldiers were given chewing gum to help them concentrate and to relieve stress. Recently, US troops have been administered gum with 100 mg of caffeine to keep them alert for long periods of time. 

Chewing gum affects our health, for good and bad, here are some of the effects in our body:
  • Stomach acid: some doctors agree that eating chewing gum increases the production of stomach acid to abnormal levels over a long period of time
  • Dental health: sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol reduces cavities and plaque by starving microorganisms. However, sugary gum can degrade the enamel on teeth 
  • Swallowed gum: the old myth that swallowed gum will stay in your body for seven years is not exactly true. In most cases, swallowed gum will pass through the system like any other food as long as the mass of gum is small enough to pass out the stomach
Care to see how chewing gum is made? Check out this Discovery Channel documentary!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Chocolate Fondue at Dada in Delray Beach

Get ready to get melted with this blog, literally. In my constant search to bring you the best dessert ideas, recipes and fun facts, I found myself melted by the thought of chocolate fondue. So I wanted to share with all my dear dessert lovers my experience at Dada in Downtown Delray Beach. 

Dada is a fun place to hang out in Delray since they always have live bands, poetry nights, or chill music. It also serves the purpose of a restaurant with a nice indoor area as well as a beautiful patio with couches and lanterns that give the place a 'homey' feel.  

So before you even order your food, three of your senses are already been put to use - now what you have left is your sense of taste and smell. Don't worry, the chocolate fondue will make sure those two senses don't feel left out. 

I sat patiently for my fondue while I listened to a Reggae band and chatted with my girlfriends. But suddenly I saw the waiter approach our table - I started to smile, my heart was pounding 100 times per second and all I can do was move stuff from the table to make some room. The fondue had arrived. 

It is served warm in a cup and surrounded by six different sweet treats: 
  1. Strawberries 
  2. Blackberries 
  3. Bananas 
  4. Pound cake 
  5. Brownies 
  6. Marshmallows 
Well, you can refer to the picture I took while I was enjoying myself. 

The chocolate used in this fondue in particular is dark, so if you don't like the bitterness of the dark chocolate you might not like Dada's fondue. It is still very rich and full of flavor, but I personally prefer milk or white chocolate rather than dark. Although it is known that dark chocolate is the only healthy chocolate you can eat, since it's the least processed.  

Looking online I found some of the benefits of dark chocolate, here they follow: 
  • It has antibacterial agents that protect teeth form cavities
  • The smell of chocolate increases cerebral waves, which relax us
  • Drinking one cup of hot chocolate before eating diminishes our appetite
  • Men who eat chocolate constantly, tend to live one more year than those who don't
  • It increases the levels of antioxidants in your blood
But the consumption of excessive chocolate is not the healthiest decision either, it's all about balancing your diet. And don't worry you can still be a dessert addict and keep yourself healthy while eating your favorite treats.