Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Healthy Decadence!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Valentine’s Day, a time to show your love to that special someone! Flowers, candy, maybe even jewelry, are common tokens. But there’s one popular Valentine gift that says “LOVE” like no other: Chocolate Covered Strawberries!” This juicy, red, heart shaped fruit are a delectable treat on their own, but dip them and creamy, smooth melted chocolate and it’s the most decadent, indulgence ever!

And there’s good news! Recent studies have shown that both dark chocolate and strawberries are good for you! Researchers find that dark chocolate and aspirin have similar effects on the blood. They thin out the blood so it flows more easily, even through partially-blocked arteries, and that could reduce the possibility of a heart attack. For chocolate lovers everywhere, the health benefits are even better than that. According to Voice of America (http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Study-Chocolate-Strawberries-Help-Blood-Pressure-139149509.html)

"Research shows that we get flavinoids in dark chocolate," said nutritionist Tammy Roberts. Flavinoids are nutrients found in many different kinds of plants. They help protect plants against disease and insects. When we eat food with high levels of flavinoids, these nutrients trigger our immune systems to produce enzymes - proteins - that reduce the risk of some kinds of cancer, heart disease and some other diseases that come with age.
In fact, 21 scientific studies involving more than 2,600 participants examined the effects of dark chocolate on the heart. The studies showed that eating dark chocolate lowered blood pressure and improved the ability of insulin to regulate blood sugar.
Tammy Roberts says flavinoids are also found in something that tastes great when covered with dark chocolate, strawberries. "The health benefits of chocolate-covered strawberries are that both chocolate and strawberries contain antioxidants, and antioxidants are important for immune function and preventing infection," Roberts added.

If you plan to make your own chocolate covered strawberries, here are a few hints:

1.     Choose ripe, firm, red berries and wash and pat dry.

2.     Leave on the leaves. They look pretty and give you something to hold on to when dipping.

3.     Use melted butter with your melted chocolate. It makes the dip smoother.

4.     Use or make a double boiler to keep chocolate from crystallizing. Keep the water beneath at a low simmer.

5.     Dip the strawberry and swirl a bit to make sure all of it is covered.

6.     Allow it to drip when pulling it out and before placing on sheet.

7.     Place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Chill in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes until chocolate sets.

8.     When solid, store in airtight container. Make when you’re planning to serve within a few hours. Chocolate can get white and chalky if kept in the refrigerator too long.
 

 Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

8 ounces dark chocolate chips
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
1 pound strawberries

Using a double boiler or bowl over hot water, melt your chocolate chips with the butter. Stir together until smooth.

One at a time, take each strawberry by the stem and leaves, dip into the chocolate as far as you can, shake, tip upside-down, and then set on your drying sheet.

When you have a sheet filled, place it in the refrigerator to dry the berries for 15-30 minutes. Test by tasting a berry. (This is the fun part!)

When chocolate is completely solid, put berries in an airtight container and store in a cool place away from a heat source.

*Can be made with milk chocolate or white chocolate, but this loses some of the healthy benefits.

PARANORMAL PUB: Valentine From the Grave

 Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Marilyn was missing her husband, Jonas, having lost him only four months earlier. He was a romantic and had always made Valentine’s Day special for her. Each year he made her a special card with a loving verse he wrote himself. Since Valentine’s Day was only a week away, she was feeling very melancholy.

The next morning, the phone rang rather early. It was her favorite niece, Katherine, who was away at art school.

“Aunt Mari”, she said, “ You’re going to be getting a package from me.”

Her voice was shaky and high pitched.

“Honey, are you OK?” Marilyn asked.

“Yes, Aunt Mari, but there’s something I have to tell you. The package isn’t exactly from me.”

“What do you mean” Marilyn asked.

“Last night, something suddenly woke me up. When I sat up, Uncle Jonas was there. He took 4 Valentines out of his pocket and lay them out on my bed. He opened each one and showed me what they said. After he was sure I had read each one and saw the design, he picked them up and put them back in his pocket. He pointed at me and smiled. Then he disappeared. I knew what he wanted. I sketched each one out and wrote down the words. I put each one in a separate envelope and sent them in a package to you. I think he wants you to open one each year.

And that’s exactly what Marilyn did for the next four Valentine’s Days.

On the fifth one, she died in her sleep.

PARANORMALPUB: A PARANORMAL VALENTINE

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Think Valentine's Day is just for candies, flowers, and champagne? Think again. Paranormal author Dani Harper shares five Valentine's ghost stories of love gone tragically wrong!

http://waypastnormal.blogspot.com/2012/02/paranormal-valentine-5-ghost-stories.html

Dani Harper is a newspaper editor turned paranormal author. There isn't anything she likes better than exploring the supernatural -- unless it's writing sizzling and suspenseful romance. Of course, all of her stories have at least one foot in the netherworld.

A Canadian who spent many years in northern Alberta, Dani now lives on an island in southeast Alaska! She and her husband operate a commercial fishing boat, and her stories are written on land or at sea, with the help of her executive secretary, Fiona the Pug.

Dani currently has a hot new shapeshifter series published by Kensington Brava. Look for Changeling Moon, Changeling Dream and Changeling Dawn wherever books are sold.

To find out more, please visit Dani's website at www.daniharper.com

LET'S SAVE MONEY AND NOT GET ANYTHING FOR EACH OTHER!

TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE? That Question shakes things up in some relationships...

M.Radeboldt

Have you heard this line ladies? Anniversaries, Christmas, and now, the sacred holiday of LOVE, Valentine's Day. What cheap son of a bitch cares so little about you that he can't even buy a romantic card and a freaking flower? Don't let him get away with it girls! If he values and cherishes you, it wouldn't matter how poor he is, he'd find a way to get you something to show his love. If he's too lazy and cheap, I say DUMP HIM! There are plenty of fish in the sea, and you deserve a cool, caring dolphin inststead of a lazy baracuda or cheap shark!
Valentine's Day is the day to give a visable sign of your love and devotion to another. I think it's important for the lady to remember her lover as well. Get him something that says "I think you're a stud", or "Noone else holds my heart".
Men don't "get it" sometimes with sentimental cards, but they do understand baked goods. Bake his favorite, buy some candy he goes crazy over, make a dinner he can't resist. The time, love and energy you put in will let him know he's #1. (And if he doesn't show up, or shows up empty handed - DUMP HIM!)

Remember ladies - You're only worth what you think you are. If you let him take advantage of your good nature, dislike of conflict, unselfish spirit, then odds are, he will. I know there are exceptions to this rule,like Tony from DRL for example, but there are far too many "slackers" of the male sex when it comes to treating a lady the way she deserves , especially on the few special days of the year that tradition mandates are for her!

Here's hoping your man shows his love and appreciation of you this year. Happy Valentine's Day!