Chocolate by Shara Aaron and Monica Bearden

Title: Chocolate: A Healthy Passion

Author: Shara Aaron and Monica Bearden

Publisher: Prometheus Books 2008

Genre: Nonfiction -- Food

Pages: 213

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mixing It Up -- Food; Fall into Reading; Color Coded -- Brown

How I Got It: Library Loan

The world loves chocolate and chances are, with the majority of the population saying their favorite flavor is chocolate, you do too. This enjoyable book will serve to deepen, not only your love, but also your understanding of chocolate.Some may think that chocolate is simply a treat, something that satisfies a sweet tooth. After reading this truly pleasurable and educational account by two leading nutritionists, you will agree that chocolate is much more than that. You will discover it encompasses a culture, a cuisine, a treatment, and much more!

I went to the library to grab some food related book to finish my challenge.  At first I was thinking food travel memoir or a bio of a great chef, but then I spied this gem on the shelf.  A book about chocolate?  How could I resist?  While it does contain a fair amount of recipes involving chocolate, by favorite sections was all about the history and spread of chocolate.  I knew about the Aztecs and Mayans enjoying an ancient version of hot chocolate, but loved hearing more about its place in their cultures.  Although less enjoyable, I still found the detailed process of making chocolate interesting.  If I was a better and more patient cook, I would totally try these recipes.  As it is, I did enjoy a nice cup of raspberry hot chocolate while reading.

And with this book, I have now completed the Mixing It Up Reading Challenge!  Woohoo!

Life Between a Rock and a Hard Place

The last few months have been tough challenging usual excruciating.  I don't want to go into specifics, but let's just say it's getting harder and harder every day to put on a happy smile and face the challenges.  I've gained weight, lost sleep (insomnia is a great friend of mine), skin has broken out, and hair has fallen out.  Stress has definitely taken a toll on my body.  I have almost weekly migraines and more often tension headaches. Lately I've had many conflicting plans.  What's the right choice?  If I chose Option A, I have x consequences.  If I chose Option B, I have a whole other set of x consequences.  How do I weigh all the interests, consequences, and potentials outcomes (good and bad)?  All the advice I've received conflicts.  Some tell me Option A, some OptionB, and some other undetermined option.  I really don't know...  All I know is that right now I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.  And neither one are moving anytime soon.

On a slighty happy side note, last night I received a package from Amazon.  My first thought: am I buying things on Amazon and don't remember?  Nope, I haven't been shopping in my sleep. J sent me an early Valentine's Day present (at least I'm assuming, but considering he isn't all that supportive of V-Day, don't know and don't care).  It was exactly what I needed last night: chocolate.  Dark chocolate.  Dark chocolate with mint.  Dark chocolate with caramel.  Dark chocolate with raspberries.  Heaven in a heart shaped tin!