It's All About the Chocolate!

 

It's All About the Chocolate!  From Chocolate Truffles to Chocolate Fashion and Decor ... Our iCafe Woman Moderne Divas Give You Their Eye-Catching Favorites.

 Miracles and Blessings!  Kiki here, today ... it's all about the Chocolate as we close in on cupid's favorite holiday,Valentine's Day. 

Chocolate Strapless and Hat (Model wears a top hat and basque made of chocolate at the Salon du Chocolat in Shanghai, China - AP Photo)

The Ultimate Woman's Fantasy

Can you believe these shoes are made of chocolate?  British Gourmet desert designer Frances Cooley of Clifton Cakes created the ultimate woman's fantasy - stiletto heels and handbags made of pure chocolate.  She launched this edible fashion line after finding a vintage chocolate shoe mold in Belgium.

Welcome to:  "It's All About the Chocolate!" text webisode.  Aloha!  Our iCafe Woman Moderne Divas can't wait to give you their favorite chocolate picks.  You saw mine in the opening scenes the Victorian boot, chocolate strapless and handbags. 

 

 Chocolate Clutch and Shoes

 

1. Kiki's Chocolate Favorite - Fashion

Sure, chocolate can mean trouble to the hips, tummy and so forth.  Just take out that rebounder you just bought, set your alarm clock for 45 minutes, grab your iPod and enjoy yourself.  Do this after each trip to chocolate land, and you'll be okay.    

A Moment Please... to Remember Haiti

 

(CNN - Photos)

But before we go any further, let's not forget Haiti.  Continue sending your financial donations, non-perishables, toiletries and clothing.  We can all make a difference in their lives.  They need our loving support.  Click on these links to donate:  Doctors Without Borders and Yele Haiti , Text Yele to 501501 to donate $5, Text Haiti to 501501 to donate $10. 
Merci 

Now Back to iCafe Woman Moderne ...

 

Next to Christmas and Easter, Valentine's Day is one of the most chocolate consumed  holidays.  It's a romantic "Barefoot in the Park" for some -- not so much for others.  Regardless of your perspective, chocolate takes you to that Candyland cloud and makes it all better.  Even a Milk Dud will do the trick.

Whether you get a box of heart-shaped imported Belgium truffles from your Amour, or wolf down a pint of Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Chocolate Chip while watching "Sleepless in Seattle," there's chocolate joy to be found ... one delicious bite at a time.  Shall we?

(Chocolate ice ccream with hot blueberry sauce)  

 

(Tweed Home)

Inside iCafe Woman Moderne ...

We find our lovely divas gathered on the sectional in the great room (as always) of our midcentury home-turned-virtual cafe. 

 

2. Charming Gidget (48)  - iCafe Woman Moderne Server/Hostess and Children's Author

Chocolate Furniture and Sampler Box

Okay, I'll start.  Mine is easy.  We're sitting on my favorite chocolate.  This light, semi-sweet chocolate sectional. Okay, it's more like a Chocolate Caramel Latte, still my favorite.  But if I was going for a traditional choice, any box of chocolates would do nicely. (Box of Chocolates)  

 

Fannie Mae Chocolates

Charming's Chocolate Favorite:  

Livingroom Sectional and Sampler Box

3. Leah (35) - Wedding/Corporate Event Planner

Artistic Cake and Cupcakes

When I have my small, intimate wedding reception for 70 next Fall ... I want to serve these cute Art Noveau Wedding Cupcakes ... a bigger portion of course.

 

(Art Nouveau Cake and Cupcakes)

Leah's Chocolate Favorite - Art Nouveau Cake and Cupcakes

4. Brianna - Fashion Model (19)

Hot Fudge Sundae and Cupcake

Hey, I'm with Leah.  I'm going retro with two hot fudge sundaes and two cupcakes, just in case somebody's with me.  I can't always eat chocolate, but when I do ... outta my way.  Mommy don't share when it comes to chocolate.  (ice cream sundaes)

  

 (Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes)

Brianna's Chocolate Favorite:  

Hot Fudge Sundaes and Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcakes

5. Lexie (23) Handbag Designer

 Chocolate Handbag 

"My choice looks like the real deal.  The zebra design is a Neiman Marcus cake.  I have to remind myself they're not real handbags." 

So I don't put anything in it but my teeth.  They look awesome!

            

(Food Network)

 

 

Zebra Cake

(Gossip Girl Fantasy Cakes)

Lexie's Chocolate Favorite:  Chocolate Handbags

6.  Sasha Rae (27) - Animator/Muralist  hands out a batch of her homemade Chocolate Cupcake Lollipops.

(Cupcake Lollipops)

Sasha:  "I decided to make up a batch of my favorite chocolate cupcake lollypops."  She bites into one.  "That's what I'm talking about.  So delicious!"

 

(Bride and Groom Favors)

 

Leah:  "Hold on ... Sasha Rae's not the only one with homemade goodies." She pulls out a tray from a nearby refrigerator.  "I made these dark and white chocolate-covered strawberry favors for one of my clients.  I can't make them fast enough.  I sell them on my website."

7. Chocolate 2010 Mini Cooper

Dara (52) - Computer Programmer

Chocolate Painted Vehicle

My favorite chocolate is the 2010 hot, chocolate Mini Cooper -- 28 mph in the city, 34 -- highway.  My kids are grown and on their own, this is going to be my "just because" gift to myself when I get it in a few days.  This chocolate I can enjoy over and over again without worrying about it going to my hips.

Dara's Favorite Chocolate:  2010 Chocolate Mini Cooper

8. Caroline (58) Fitness Trainer 

Hot Chocolate

  

(Hot Chocolate from Hungry Huy)

"Really, Dara ... Mini Cooper?"

Dara:  "You've got yours, I've got mine.  What is yours?"

Caroline:  Nothing fancy, just give me plain old Hot Chocolate, none of that instant or low fat kind.  Give me whole milk, lots of whipped cream and chocolate shavings. 

Sasha Rae:  What do you mean, "none of that low-fat stuff...," you're a fitness trainer.

Dara:  And your point being?  

Sasha Rae:

Whole milk... lots of whipped cream.  

Dara:  If I drank it everyday, I'd go 1%, a dollop and a teaspoon of chocolate shavings twice a week.  But since I don't, give it to me whole with lots of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.  I tell my clients to treat themselves in moderation.  Life is too short not to enjoy it!

Sasha Rae:  "Just keeping you on your toes.  That's the way I drink it too."

Kiki:  "Hot Chocolate can get pretty fancy.  You wouldn't believe how it was made centuries ago."

Chocolate Set photo courtesy of Judi van der Kaay 
of Cottage Grove, Oregon.

 

(Mayan Hot Chocolate) 

Dara's Chocolate Favorite:  Hot Chocolate 

Unique Twist on Hot Chocolate 

One of the original recipes for Hot Chocolate originate from Mexico and South and Central American, and contain surprising ingredients:  only water, cacao beans (from where chocolate is derived), wine and red or black peppers.   (hot chocolate below)

 More History ... 

Dating back to 1400 B.C., Chocolate grows on  40 to 60 foot Cacao fruit trees in South and Central America, Africa and part of Indonesia.  They produce a fruit the size of a small pineapple.  Inside the fruit are the tree's seeds known as cocoa beans. 

What's in a Name?  Cocoa, Chocolate or Chocolat ...

The name of the bean and the drink "chocolate" has different meanings depending on where it was grown and processed as a beverage.  The word chocolate is said to derive from the Mayan word xocoatl; cocoa from the Aztec word cacahuatl.  The Mexican Indian word chocolat comes from a combination of the terms choco ("foam") and atl ("water"); early chocolate was only consumed as a beverage.
  
Festive Hot Chocolate (Hub Pages)

Serves 6

You can substitute other flavors for the Vanilla or Almond Extract named in this recipe. Orange Extract or Mint Flavoring can be very good as well. You can also substitute Raspberry Liqueur for a chocolate-raspberry concoction.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 Tbls unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 Tbls granulated sugar A pinch of salt 2.5 Cups whole milk 2.5 Cups light cream
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract - or almond extract for a change
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Whipped cream for topping
• Grated, or cut curls, of chocolate – or chocolate sprinkles
• Orange zest

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a cooking pot, combine the cocoa, salt, and sugar.
• Next, add in the milk, stit and heat over moderate heat to dissolve – do not boil.
• Next, add in the light cream, cinnamon, and vanilla or almond extract and stir well.
• Continue to heat until the edges of the liquid just begin to show tiny bubbles.
• Remove from heat immediately.
• Mix the hot chocolate completely and pour into mugs. Pre-heat the mugs in the microwave for a minute if you like.
• Top the hot chocolate with whipped cream, chocolate, and orange zest.