Confessions of a Chocoholic

I am a chocoholic. I love chocolate. At times it is my best friend. Some times it is my only friend. I can eat it at any part of the day. There have been times when I have eaten an entire 16 oz. bag of chocolate, a small box of candy or a giant size bar of chocolate in one sitting. This hasn't happen in a long time. But the cravings for chocolate are always there. "My name is Sandy and I'm a chocoholic!"

When I have been dieting, I have ignored this craving and carried on. Other times I have caved in to it. I will start with a small piece of chocolate, savor it and taste the creamy rich luxurious goodness; let it melt in my mouth and close my eyes in ecstasy. Then devour the rest.

Chocolate has been the love of my life since I was a little girl. It was a family tradition. Coming home from Sunday school, we would stop at the corner store. Everyone was entitled to pick up one candy bar of choice. I would go for the Flick chocolate wafers from Ghirardelli. I remember they came in a tube with the chocolate wafers stack on top each other. I would take each wafer and let the chocolate slowly melt in my mouth. There was no better chocolate than Flick. I have not seen these in the store since I was a child. Not sure if they still make them, but I do love their chocolate. These are now my favorite from Ghirardelli. The Ghirardelli Signature Squares are quite heavenly in taste.

See what I mean!

Ghirardelli signature Squares on Amazon

My wish list is to experience chocolate from all over the world. Beside chocolate from America, I have eaten Canadian and Belgian chocolate. On my wish list is to visit all the chocolate factories in the world.

We did get a chance to visit Hershey's Chocolate World, here in America. They do not show the actual factory. But the tour/store is the closest that is offered to the public. The aroma of this Hershey’s Chocolate was everywhere.

So many more countries and chocolate factories to explore!

See what Amazon has available with Hershey's Chocolate.

Hershey’s Chocolate World on Amazon Here

Not all Chocolate is bad for you. Studies have shown the higher the carob content the healthier it is to consume, in moderation of course. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that eat up free radicals, destructive molecules that are implicated in heart disease and other ailments. Dark chocolate in unrepentant studies have shown that it can lower one's blood pressure. This type of chocolate contains natural stimulants, which enhance focus and concentration, and stimulates the production of endorphins, which helps improve mood. It is recommended that eating 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce a day to get all the benefits you need.

White Chocolate and milk chocolate will not have these benefits. Milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate.

See all of the various products with designs by Sandy Mertens when you scroll down each individual index page on 3DRose. You will see my name about 3/4s down the list with the links to get product design page. Above are some of the gift items with chocolate designs. Here are a couple of page examples.

Sandy Mertens Chocolate Quotes - Coffee Gift Basket – View Here

Sandy Mertens Chocolate Designs – Sweatshirt – View Here

Calendars on Zazzle - View Here

The first calendar showing above has photos of chocolate desserts and goodies throughout. The second calendar has a recipe for each month. Including a couple of recipes for chocolate treats.

Chocoholics Unite! Gifts - View Here

* American Chocolate Week--March 14-20

* National Chocolate Day--October 28

* National Chocolate Day--December 28

* National Chocolate Day--December 29

* National Milk Chocolate Day--July 28

* National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day--November 7

* National Chocolate Mint Day--February 19

* National Chocolate Chip Day--May 15

* National Chocolate Eclair Day--June 22

* National Chocolate Covered Anything Day--December 16

* National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day--March 24

* National Chocolate Custard Month--May 1-31

* National Chocolate Pudding Day--June 26

* National Chocolate Ice Cream Day--June 7

* National Chocolate Milkshake Day--September 12

Have I forgotten any holiday?

If so, let me know in the comment section.