A few months ago, Martha Stewart Living magazine reported the results of a study conducted in Europe regarding chocolate. Now I can’t remember the exact findings, but the blurb read something like this: To maximize its antioxidant powers, chocolate must be consumed on a regular basis. In other words, eating an ounce of chocolate a day (it could have been two ounces a day) is more beneficial than, say, eating one large chocolate bar every Sunday evening.
In any case, what I got out of the article was this: I should eat chocolate every day. And now, I do. And this Chocolatour bar pictured above, made by Chocolove XOXOX in Boulder, CO is one of my favorite brands. When I lived in Philadelphia, I purchased these bars by the half-dozen every time I stopped by Joe Coffee Bar. I have sampled nearly every variety Joe carries including a spicy Chilies and Cherries in Dark Chocolate, but ultimately I prefer the simple, dark chocolate.
Now, I must be honest. I’m a real sucker for labels. I swear I continue to buy this one bottle of wine, Sangre de Toro, at the San Clemente Wine Shop only because a little plastic bull hangs from the cork. A small herd of bulls now greets Ben and me every morning at the breakfast table.
But seriously, have you ever seen a more beautifully wrapped bar of chocolate? The Chocolove bars even come with a romantic poem tucked inside.
I should note, too, that Chocolove bars are Fair Trade in every way but name. Just as many small farms cannot afford to pay for Certified Organic status, many chocolate, coffee, tea and nut companies cannot afford the Fair Trade licensing fees. These bars can be purchased on-line and from a number of large markets including Whole Foods and Target. Around here, I have seen them at Henry’s Market, but a number of other shops including Ralph’s and Mother’s Market are listed on the Web site as well.
Last year, in preparation for Valentine’s day, I made a slew of festive, heart-shaped desserts. Well, I guess only three, and they are all pictured below, along with some other appropriate treats for the season, if you are so inspired. 
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Two Heart Tarts for Two
Linzer Cookies
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Boozy Chocolate Truffles
Coeurs A La Creme
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Comments ( 4 )
Melanie Lytle added these pithy words on Feb 14 08 at 8:13 amOMG, that’s one of our favorite wines! We bought it the first time for the bull too, and now it’s become a regular purchase.
ali added these pithy words on Feb 14 08 at 11:52 amOh good, I’m so glad. I actually do really like the wine too, not just the bull. and it’s so reasonably priced!
RecipeGirl added these pithy words on Feb 16 08 at 10:17 amWow- too funny. I just made some brownies last week with this exact same chocolate bar!! I’ve never tasted it on its own, but I had it in my pantry so I used it up for the brownies. I think my sis put it in my stocking at Christmas. I’ll have to seek it out and taste it again!
Karen added these pithy words on Mar 01 08 at 3:05 amHi, de-lurking to say if you are ever up in Seattle, you should try Theo chocolate. They offer fair trade organic chocolates and even better, they encourage going to the factory for samples.
