Lotions Made From a Chocolate

Are you addicted to chocolates? Ever dream of having to put chocolate on your body? What do you think are the benefits of chocolate lotion in your skin? Is it possible to do it even at home? These are just some of the things that might keep you wondering. However, it might be surprising to know about the presence of chocolate lotions. Some lotions made from chocolate are already available in the market. You might be wondering about the uses or significance of it.

A chocolate lotion is a body lotion used for moisturizing. It nourishes the skin by providing certain vitamins such as Vitamin A which removes dead skin cells. It also has an anti-aging property and protects the skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Another component is Vitamin E, an antioxidant, which fights off free radicals such as pollutants; Vitamin B which can help even your skin tone and prevents acne. Chocolate lotion also acts as a tanning lotion because of its skin-darkening properties. Having an antioxidant properties, chocolates thus prevents cellular damage that can lead to cancer, aging, and other diseases.

There are two kinds of chocolate lotions already present in the market. Among such are Cocoa Butter Lotions and Chocolate Massage Lotions.

Cocoa Butter Lotion 

A cocoa bean utilized in chocolates is used as a lotion due to its antioxidant properties. It is also favorable because of its pleasant aroma. So what do you think are the benefits of using this type of chocolate lotion?

Cocoa Butter Lotions are beneficial in providing moisturizing effects as well as in providing relief in different skin conditions such as rashes, skin irritations, inflammations, and psoriasis, an autoimmune skin disease characterized by red, dry flakes and scaly skin. It is also beneficial for the prevention and improvement of stretch marks. It reduces their appearance and gives moisture in order to develop collagen, a substance to increase skin elasticity, and prevents dryness of the skin.

Chocolate Massage Lotion 

Chocolate massage lotions are used as an aromatherapy which gives a pleasant chocolate smell and acts primarily to lubricate the skin while enjoying a great massage. Cocoa butter is also added as an ingredient accompanied by almond oil to enhance the lubrication. You can do this even at your home by using the double boiler method. Heat the cocoa butter, add the almond oil, and then lastly, add your chosen flavored essential oils. The main importance of this kind is giving moisture to the skin and relaxation of the body.

Whether for aesthetic purpose or relaxation, chocolate lotions are very essential for the skin. It gives nourishment and tone which is a big factor in choosing your own lotion. It is very amazing that chocolates, especially the main ingredient cocoa, are not only for eating but also have many uses and even gives nutrition for the body.

Callebaut Chocolate - What You Should Know

Callebaut Chocolate is a Belgian company that got their start in 1850. The plant was originally opened as a brewery in Wieze. By 1911, the family had decided to try its hand at making chocolate, which actually turned out rather well. These bars were a hit around the world, and for good reason. Of course, the company didn't gain fame and notoriety for their chocolate making abilities until 1925 when they got involved in gourmet chocolate. Today, they are among the best of the best in bulk chocolate supply for companies around the world.

One of the leading products that this company is known for is its carob chips. These chips have been made popular because they taste similar to chocolate but they have many more health benefits and fewer sugars than traditional confections. Carob chip products are becoming a leading seller for Callebaut Chocolate as more people are looking for health-conscious solutions to curb their sweet tooth. Carob is also popular for pets, specifically dogs, because dogs cannot have chocolate but they can have carob treats, which allows them to enjoy the sweet sinfulness of chocolate without the health risks or dangers. For a healthier solution, carob is the way to go. This naturally occurring ingredient gives so many people the chance to enjoy the flavor of chocolate without the refined sugars and other added ingredients.

When most people think of chocolate, they think of countries like Switzerland and France, but Belgium is actually home to some of the best chocolate that you can buy, thanks to Callebaut Chocolate. This bulk supplier has received rave reviews, and although they are just one of many suppliers in the world today, they have a wide selection of products and a large customer base that shows just how popular they are. Whether you are looking for carob chips or traditional chocolate, this company has something to offer for just about everyone.

You should make sure that you read reviews about Callebaut Chocolate and see what they have to offer. Get to know their products and find out if they can help you get the supplies that you need for your business or baking needs. From traditional chocolates to carob chips, this company makes all kinds of bulk chocolate and confections for people around the world. They have been in business for over a century, and although their chocolate wasn't the intention in the beginning, it is what they are known for today.

Like Dark Chocolate?

Dark chocolate is a great substitute for other sweet treats that are full of sugar and contain little in terms of nutritional benefit. This type of chocolate is actually good for you and can compete with super food vegetables such as broccoli. Hard to believe isn't it? But it is true and science backs it up.

Studies have shown that it is high in antioxidants and we know that these are the fighters that prevent free radicals from wreaking havoc on our bodies. It has also shown an effect on the brain and memory. There are studies that have clearly found a correlation between eating this sweet treat and improved retention of information. Just think of it as a great snack before you write that exam you have been cramming for!

The benefits are many, but also keep in mind that it still is a high calorie food, so moderation is key here. You should eat at a maximum one small bar per day to reap all the benefits of this flavourful chocolate. Many large companies such as Nestle are now producing dark chocolate versions of their most popular milk chocolate bars.

The dark chocolate of days gone by was rather brittle and sour and was mainly used in cooking and baking recipes. Now it can stands alone as a healthy snack and is becoming readily available as a popular choice in chocolate bars. So next time you get that craving for something sweet reach for the dark version of your favourite chocolate and enjoy it guilt free!

Halloween Recipe - Kooky Kakeball Spiders

Halloween, my favorite holiday, is going to be here in a couple of weeks. Every year I make up a few recipes to celebrate this fun night and bake with my kids. This year I came up with several Halloween treats using cakeball mixture. Cakeballs are easy to make and so are my "Kooky Kakeball Spiders".

Making Halloween "Kooky Kakeball Spiders" is also a fun way to help your children learn how to read and follow step-by-step directions. The ability to read sequential directions is required in nearly every aspect of our children's lives.

Here's What You'll Need:

Ingredients: 

1 -Chocolate Cake Mix 

1 -Tub of Pre-made Chocolate Frosting 

1 -36 ounces of. Chocolate Chips 

1 -Jar of Decorative Chocolate Sprinkles 

1 -Small Bag of Black Licorice 

1- Small Bag of Red-Hot Candy 

1 - Small Box of Toothpicks

Additional Supplies: 

A Double Boiler 

Wax Paper 

Cookie Sheets

Step-by-Step Directions

Making the Spider's Body

1. Prepare and bake cake according to baking directions in any size baking pan you choose. 

2. Cool chocolate cake then drop it into a large mixing bowl. 

3. Crumble cake apart into bite- size pieces, with a fork, 

4. Open tub of pre-made chocolate frosting. Whip it with a spatula to make it creamy. 

5. Fold creamy chocolate frosting into crumbled cake until mixed well. 

6. Place cakeball mixture into the refrigerator to cool for about thirty minutes. 

7. After cooling, take cooled cakeball mixture and mold into balls with your hands. This mixture will make approximately 18 medium size cakeballs. 

8. Place cakeballs on cookies sheets lined with waxed paper. 

9. Place cakeballs in freezer and freeze till firm, about two hours. 

10.While cakeballs are freezing slowly melt the 36oz. of chocolate chips over a double boiler. Stir occasionally.

Making the Spider's Legs

1. Open the bag of black licorice and separate the licorice sticks. Cut each licorice stick lengthwise with kitchen scissors. 

2. Next, cut each licorice piece in half. You will need 108 legs for eighteen spiders 

3. To secure the licorice legs to each spider pierce a toothpick into each one end of each licorice leg. 

4. Snip the toothpicks off about 2" with a pair of wire-cutters. This keeps the long toothpick from sticking out the other side of the cakeball spider, when inserted. 

5. Poor bag of red-hot candies into a bowl. Ready for decorating the cakeball spiders. One bag should be enough for eighteen spiders, if the kids don't eat them.

Putting the Spiders Together

1. Line three cookie sheets with wax paper. 

2. Remove cakeballs from freezer, Freezing the helps the melted chocolate grab onto cakeballs. 

3. Take a fork and pierce a cakeball of the cookie sheet, 

4. Immerse the cakeball into the melted chocolate. Let excess drip off. 

5. Take decorative chocolate sprinkles and sprinkle on top of cakeball. 

6. Insert six licorice spider legs on each side of the 

7. Pop on two red-hot candies for the spider's eyes, and you've made a "Kooky Kakeball Spider".

"Kooky Kakeball Spiders" are fairly big treats. You'll need to make room in your kitchen to assemble each spider, and allow them to dry. Also, each spider needs to be made one at a time so the chocolate sprinkles, eyes and legs can be attached, while the chocolate is still warm. To see a picture of this Halloween dessert stop by my website.

How to Turn Any Recipe Into the Best Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

Can you remember the last time you sank your teeth into a great cocoa cupcake that left you feeling like you tasted a piece of heaven, and you wished to find the best chocolate cupcake recipe so you could relive that experience whenever you wanted?

Well the first step would be to look for the best chocolate cupcake recipe, and that make take some searching and testing before you find the best one. But did you know that a great cocoa cupcake can be made just by taking a basic recipe and tweaking it such that you get the best chocolate cupcake recipe?

Yes, it's possible indeed, and I can bear testament to that.

While I can't reveal my secret recipe to you, I sure can give the pointers on how to get the best chocolate cupcake recipe.

Of course, my tips won't work for everyone since different people will have different definitions of the best chocolate cupcake recipe.

In any case, use these tips to achieve that. Use what you want, and drop those you don't want.

Tip 1 - Swap Fine or Caster Sugar For Dark Brown Sugar

Dark brown sugar contains molasses, and that make the sugar moist and nice. And you'll notice its moist property when you feel it with your bare hands. It melts and has a wet touch to it.

So if you swap sugar or caster sugar for dark brown sugar, you'll get chocolate cupcakes that are moist, nice and more fragrant than usual.

Tip 2 - Swap Milk for Buttermilk

For those who don't know what buttermilk is, it's like watery yogurt, and it has great properties for baking cakes and cupcakes alike. You should be able to find it at major supermarkets in the chilled section.

Or if you could only find the powdered version, follow the instructions on the label on how to use buttermilk powder to turn into a buttermilk substitute.

Milk in cupcake recipes only adds flavour to the cupcakes, but buttermilk will make the cupcakes really moist and soft. And that's the property of a great cocoa cupcake.

Tip 3 - Bake In A Steam Oven

With steaming included, the cupcakes don't dry out, and your cupcakes will become moist in the process.

And in case you don't have a steam oven, you can always bake your cupcakes in a water bath. That's as good as having a steam oven.

Tip 4 - Add Chocolate Chips on the Top

Chocolate chips will melt under the heat of the oven, and that will help to enhance the melt in the mouth feeling you get from the best chocolate cupcake recipe.

And know this. Not all chocolate chips are made equal, and you'll want to find the best one that will give you this effect.

Tip 5 - Pipe Chocolate Ganache into the Cupcake Centers

Do this only after your cupcakes have cooled down.

By using a piping bag with a piping tip, poke it right to the centre of your cooled cupcakes and pipe in chocolate ganache.

And that's how the great cocoa cupcakes give you the nice melted feeling in your mouth.

Also, note that you don't have to pipe too much. Piping a little will already achieve that effect.

As you can see, all these tips for the best chocolate cupcake recipe are recipe independent, and will work to enhance any recipes out there. Give them a try to believe it.

Chocolates - The Extraordinary Delight for Your Taste Buds!

What are the types of Chocolates?

There are different types of chocolates that we may not even know. Common types are dark, milk and white chocolates. Other varieties are semisweet, bittersweet and couverture chocolates. Each of these chocolates is made from different ingredients.

What are they made from?

The main ingredient of chocolate is cocoa beans. These cocoa beans contain cocoa pods - a fruit filled sweet, white pulp that helps in making chocolate. Other ingredients include cocoa butter, milk, sugar and flavoring agents. All these ingredients are cooked together and they undergo some production stages to deliver rich, smooth and creamy chocoalte bars.

What are the other ingredients added to them?

For enhanced taste, sometimes flavors like vanilla, mint, coffee, orange, cherry, cinnamon and more are added to chocolates. Now-a-days, most of the chocolate bars contain nuts, dried fruits, peanuts, caramel and crisped rice. These ingredients not only delight your taste buds, but also add to the nutritional value.

What are the interesting facts about chocolates?

Did you know? Swiss has the world's largest consumers of chocolate. Each person consumes 22 pounds of chocolate per year. Other European countries including Austria, Germany, Ireland and Norway have the highest chocolate consumers. Approximately, more than 7 billion chocolate chips are consumed annually. Chocolate manufacturers use 20 percent of the world's peanut resources and 40 percent of the world's almond resources. In 2000, the biggest bar of chocolate was created in Turin - a city in Italy. It weighed 5,026 pounds. The shelf life of a chocolate bar is one year, if you keep it refrigerated. Chocolates contain heart protective antioxidants called phenolics that help prevent bad cholesterol. Specifically, dark chocolates are rich in antioxidants and possess anti-cancer properties.

What you can do with chocolates, chocolate chips, sprinkles and flakes?

Chocolate chips are used in biscuits, cookies, pancakes, waffles, cakes, pudding, muffins, pies and other types of pastries for added flavor and taste. You can use sprinkles or vermicelli to decorate desserts such as ice cream, cupcakes, puddings, doughnuts and more. Flakes are also used for decorative purposes and they add perfect texture and look to your finished products. To make an occasion very special, you can make different recipes using chocolates. Most famous recipes include chocolate cake, brownies, icing, frosting, mousse, truffle bars and much more.

The Common Sugar Substitute - Xylitol Products

Xylitol is a natural alcohol which is extracted from fibers of many vegetables & fruits including birch, mushrooms, oats, corn husks, berries and sugarcane bagasse along with many others. There are various products that are made using Xylitol such as chewing gum, jams, chocolates along with many other sweeteners & desserts. These products are considered to be good for dental health unlike other sweeteners and desserts. It has also been observed in various surveys and studies that these products prevent the accumulation of bacteria in teeth like sugar. There are many such products that are ideal for diabetics as long as they are not real sugar binding which has very little effect on blood sugar level.

Xylitol is widely used as common sugar substitute by peoples including diabetic patients. There are varieties of products available and people can use them as per their specific needs and requirements that too within their financial budget. Due to immense popularity of these products, you can buy it on many online shops or physical shops but you should always try to buy it on prominent online shops which have made well reputation in the market over the time. These reputed shops always try to provide authentic and quality products to consumers under any circumstances. Buying these products from untrusted sources may be harmful for your health. Many peoples want to buy these products from the shops who sell it very cheaply by compromising with their quality. You should never buy it from these shops.

You can also save your hard earned money if you purchase Xylitol products from online shops. These shops provide fabulous offers and discounts for all such products according to your specific needs and requirements. These kinds of offer are provided by online shops occasionally for the new as well as old customers. You can't get such amazing offers from physical stores. This is one of the main reasons for the people to choose online stores for buying Xylitol products. If you want to purchase these products without having any idea, you can get detailed information about Xylitol through online resources.

There are numerous websites available over Internet where you can get detailed information about Xylitol along with reviews of various Xylitol products. This will help you to buy the best products that are ideal for you within your financial budget. Thus, people who have been restricted to eat pure & natural sugar products due to any reason can eat Xylitol products conveniently without any harm.

A Complete Guide to Buying Hot Chocolate Dispensers

Now who can say no to aromatic and flavourful hot chocolate? A cup of chocolate can bring serenity and calmness to even the most stressed individuals. It can lighten up even the darkest days. It brings hope during hopeless times and is a real treat for your sweet tooth. But as delicious as they can be, hot chocolate can also be costly, particularly if bought from five-star cafes and coffee shops.

This shouldn't stop you from making your own hot chocolate at home. With technology advancing further and revolutionizing how people live today, you will find a range of chocolate dispensers that can create cups of beverages including hot chocolate without the sizable costs. If you have recently decided to buy a hot chocolate dispenser for your kitchen countertop, here is a guide to find and choose the best one out there.

Purchasing chocolate dispensers have become overwhelmingly difficult with the hundreds of available models and brands out on the market. Getting a poor quality dispenser that does not meet your needs and demands will lead to inadequate volume of beverages produced, less tasty and savory chocolate, and a cheaply built dispenser that won't even last the year. Finding the right one that is well-suited for you ensures there's always a fresh brew of delicious hot chocolate whenever you want it.

One thing to look for is quality. The dispenser's build will tell a lot about its quality. Customers with a real keen eye for detail can spot materials that are robust in high grade and materials that are cheap plastic. Quality may also be gauged from the brand of the product. Look for brands that have good reputation and credibility.

Check reviews and feedback for the product you are planning to purchase. A dispenser with positive feedback and customer reviews will likely be a legit choice. Avoid reviews that are biased towards the product as the content may be an indirect marketing attempt. Remember, a product having the highest positive reviews does not necessarily mean they are the best. The product may be the only option throughout the local market, which limits what consumers can purchase.

A good hot chocolate dispenser should also have the features you need. If you plan on making coffee or orange juice with it, the dispenser should also feature these capabilities otherwise it can be costly to cough up money for separate machines to perform separate functions.

How easy is it to maintain? A user with little to no time at all to periodically clean their dispenser should buy hot chocolate dispensers that can be easily maintained. These designs include simple detachments of parts to clean, wipe, and then assemble again to make another round of hot cocoa.

7 Tips On Using A Chocolate Fountain

Chocolate fountains are becoming a popular attraction in parties and other events. Kids and adults alike cannot resist the temptation of dipping different kinds of treats into an overflowing fountain of rich and creamy chocolate fondue.

However, knowing how to use this wonderful chocolate machine can make such a big difference between a mouth-watering dessert and an irritating mess in your kitchen or buffet table. Learning how to use properly also ensures that your party will never be forgotten. Here are some things that you should know about using a chocolate fountain.

1. Place the machine on a strong and steady surface. Make sure that it is placed on a surface that can carry at least 85 lbs. The machine itself is light but with the chocolate fondue, fresh fruits, plates and skewers, the entire display could be a lot heavier. In addition, a steady and level surface allows the machine to run properly and flow evenly.

2. Plug the machine using its own circuit. Avoid using an extension cord. If this is not possible make sure that no one will trip over the extension cord by properly taping it to the floor.

3. Provide proper ventilation. Typically, there are vent holes found on the underside of the machine. Avoid blocking these areas with linen or other materials to prevent over-heating.

4. Assemble the fountain according to the user's manual. But first, remember to wash all the components before putting everything together. Before pouring chocolate fondue in the main bowl, test the machine first without the chocolate to ensure that it is in working condition.

5. Melt the chocolate. There are three ways to do this, in the microwave, on the stove top and in the basin or reservoir. When melting chocolate on a stove top, use a double boiler and place it over a low heat. Constantly stir the chocolate to avoid burning.

If you choose to melt the chocolate in a microwave, do not let it running for too long. Set the microwave on low heat, and then place the chocolate in a 'microwaveable' bowl. Run the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl, stir and repeat the process until you get the desired consistency.

On the other hand, when melting chocolate in the machine's basin, you need to stir the chocolate constantly every three to five minutes. Note that basin melting usually takes up to one hour to fully melt the chocolate depending on the amount of chocolate used and the size of the machine.

6. Closely monitor the chocolate. Both basin-melted and pre-melted chocolate requires careful monitoring on the first time that they are poured into fountain. Frequently stir the chocolate and spoon it towards the auger or the center to start the machine flowing with liquid chocolate.

7. Prepare the dippers. You can use pound cake, marshmallows, cookies dried apricot, meringue, strawberries, banana pieces and more. When using fresh fruits, wash and then dry them up so that the chocolate will stick to them. You also need to make sure that the dippers are cut into bite size pieces so they can be individually skewered.

Xylitol Sugar Free Candy And Chocolates

If you have diabetic problems and like sweeteners very much, Xylitol sweeteners would be one of the best options. These products are considered to be healthy for diabetic patients. Xylitol is also used to make sugar free candy which is used as one of the most effective sugar substitutes that duplicate the effects of sugar in taste normally with less food energy. Some sugar alternatives are natural while some are synthetic. Natural alternatives should be preferred as they have many healthful benefits. These are also recommended by medical doctors and health professionals from health's perspectives.

You can buy Xylitol products offline from physical shops near your locality. During offline shopping, reputed stores should be preferred by you for shopping as prominent store always sell quality products at reasonable prices according to customers' custom needs and requirements. The other important option for buying them is online resources. In this Internet Era, there are large numbers of online stores where you can buy sugar free candy along with many other Xylitol products as per your specific needs and requirements. You can buy it at affordable prices from online stores. Most of online stores provide fabulous offers and discounts to their consumers whether they are new (first timer) or old. These offers are applicable for both of them.

These kinds of amazing offers and discounts can't be availed through offline shopping for buying Xylitol sweeteners or sugar free candies. Hence, you can save your hard earned money if you choose online shopping. In this competitive era, it's not an easy or convenient task for anybody to choose one of the best stores where they could buy their desired products. If you are going to buy sugar free candy, mints or chocolates online for the first time, you must enquire reputation of online shops. You should always choose prominent shops that have made well reputation in the market over the time.

You can also find various reviews websites over the Internet where you can get detailed information about prominent shops along with their contact information including their addresses as well as official websites. Experts use to write reviews on these sites about online shops and they also give ratings to them on the basis of their services. This will help you in choosing a reputed store where you can buy sugar free candy along many other Xylitol products according to your special needs and requirements that too within your financial budget. In this way, you can get quality products.

Food and Drink: Chocolate Article

Food and Drink: Chocolate Article