It’s a tradition that most of us make resolutions at this time of year usually involving big changes, sometimes even difficult ones.
If your resolution is to eat healthier, we can help – after all, dark chocolate is one of the healthiest foods for you. No kidding, dark chocolate has almost 10 times the amount of antioxidants found in blueberries! Flavonoids and antioxidants can help to protect you from heart disease. Think of it this way… cocoa beans are plants, which means they have many of the same health benefits that you get when you eat vegetables.
Of course, we believe that everything should be eaten in moderation – even the healthy stuff – which is why we’re so well known for our two totally delish bacon bars: a Westcoast Breakfast one with bacon and espresso in dark chocolate, the other with a kiss of chili for a subtle wake-up call. Health benefits of bacon? Not many. Serious pleasure? You betcha.
So there you go, a new year’s resolution you can look forward to keeping. Paraphrasing author Michael Pollan: Eat chocolate. Not too much. Mostly dark.
Here’s to a happy and healthy new year!
XOXO,
Xoxolat
P.S. Chocolate news, reviews, musings and more… all on Twitter!
| 5 easy steps to hot chocolate bliss! | |
There are some significant differences in the ingredients between drinking chocolates – mainly emulsifiers. It’s one of those good news/bad news things. The good news is that when emulsifiers and the like are added, it makes it easier to mix the chocolate with milk or water. The bad news is you’re getting things other than what you need. Our drinking chocolate is just chocolate, which is why it has to be melted so it will blend well. Here are 5 easy steps to hot chocolate bliss: 1. Use only premium dark chocolate. (one to three ounces/person) 2. Melt slowly in a pan on the stove. We’re talking really low temperature. If chocolate melts at body temperature, then the heat from a stove on low is going to work just fine. Keep in mind that chocolate burns at 125˚F. 3. Add the water or milk. Don’t overheat it, and never boil it. For water (yes, you can use water), we recommend no more than a 1.5:1 ratio to the chocolate. Use milk if you prefer it to be less thick. 4. Pour into a cup or mug. Add a shot of your favourite flavour or liquor if you wish, and/or a dollop of whip cream. 5. Sit back and savour the chocolate. Share it with a friend. Make it part of your daily routine – it’s great for breakfast! We did our best to take beautiful photos of how to make the perfect drinking chocolate, but after our test kitchen volunteer melted enough chocolate to send her entire family into a chocolate coma without being able to get a good photo, we decided to post the stock photo (see above) featuring mouthwatering drinking chocolate for breakfast. Here are the actual photos – they sure aren’t stock ones!
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| CHOCOLATE 101 – know what you’re eating! | |
| Emulsifiers, antioxidants, flavonoids… and more.
Find out what’s really in chocolate – and what shouldn’t be. Join us for a Chocolate 101 session on the healthy benefits of chocolate, sample award-winning bars from around the world, and then indugle in unique pairings of gourmet fare (in chocolate, of course!). Upcoming Chocolate 101 classes: Thursday, January 21st and Thursday, February 18th. Class size is limited to 12 people and advance reservations are required. To reserve a space, or for more information, please email xoxo@xoxolat.com ($15 per person) |
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| Feature Truffles Special (while quantities last!) |
| We’ve got some packages of truffles that we’re almost giving away – 16 truffles for just $15. When we run out, we’re out so hurry on in.
And, we’re putting Santa on sale, along with the snowmen and the other holiday chocolate items. But you’d better not shout (quantities are limited), you’d better not cry (when they’re gone, they’re gone), you’d better not pout (why would you when premium chocolate is on sale?), we’re telling you why (yup, 35% off!)…. Share this coupon – email it to your friends so they can enjoy the savings, too! To do what we can to save a few trees, the coupon isn’t required for the discount. Just tell us you saw it in our newsletter! |
2391 Burrard Street (at 8th)
Vancouver, BC
604 733 2462
