Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Chocolate Decadence Completes Romance for Valentines Day

By Art Barron

If you've seen the movie Chocolat, you know that chocolate has the capability to turn an entire village around. Chocolate can initiate a potentially steamy hook-up; it can rekindle passion in a relationship that has fallen into routine. And yes, apparently it can even make your uptight grandmamma smile, so make sure you indulge only with caution!

Armed with chocolate, you can literally make your partner melt in your arms, if you know what you're doing. That's why chocolate is the perfect Valentine's Day gift.

But have you ever wondered why? What does chocolate have that causes it to become so sought-after and so special?

Chocolate has always been symbolic for romance. Chocolate communicates attraction, appreciation and sincere affection. In fact, ancient cultures like the Aztecs considered chocolates as a love potion, and this is a belief that even us in this day and age subscribe to, with but few variations. This is evidenced by the way chocolate remained part of many courting rituals; even across borders and across the decades.

Traditionally, chocolate represents the effort of a suitor to distill something worthy of the gods from a humble cacao seed. To give your partner chocolate, therefore, speaks of the lengths you are willing to go to gain a person's favor and how highly you think of him or her. And while we get ours now conveniently from the store, the chivalrous thought and valuing remains the same.

Chocolate seduces. Let's get off the pretenses here, and talk the nitty-gritty! Valentine's Day is perfect for that "special" time with your mate, and chocolate is said to be the best aphrodisiac.

Chocolate is so tempting and delicious. It's something you know you shouldn't indulge in, but can't help it. The rich taste, the sweet explosion on your tongue, and that little guilty feeling of indulgence is the perfect mood-setter for any couple who really wants to get into the spirit of the occasion.

Like the theory about sex and chocolates, the latter also produces the same "feel good" chemical that is present during sex. If you're going to enjoy one, might as well enjoy the other. Chocolate can definitely put you in the mood.

Chocolate is meant to be shared by lovers. Valentines Day is also about making an emotional connection; it would be a shame if you don't take advantage of the opportunities chocolate provides to bond with your partner.

Bond over time spent in choosing which chocolates you get to bring home. Get to know your partner better by knowing what her preferences are, and even how her personality type fits her selections.

Why not feed each other little, bite-sized pieces of chocolate? To make your selection extra special, you can request a specific chocolate recipe. Chocolates can get messy, so use your imagination!

Chocolate is good for you. Since the overall message of Valentine's is love, then chocolate is the best messenger for this particular message!

Don't think that chocolates are just sugar and empty calories. Cocoa, the main component of chocolates, is rich in antioxidants. Research shows that antioxidants aids in preventing heart diseases and surprisingly helps in managing blood pressure. Here's a tip: go for dark chocolates. The darker the chocolate, the higher the antioxidant content to lessen bad cholesterol. If you're going to have a healthy relationship, why not have a healthy heart while you're at it?

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