Sunday, November 3, 2002
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Sunday, November 3, 2002 |
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All about chocolate By MARY JANE
HOLT
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon. I was trying to think of something I would like to eat. Something I would thoroughly enjoy. Cheez-its came to mind. Cheez-its was what I decided I needed. I always want Cheez-its, but on this particular day I felt that I needed them. Then the fantasy began. With a tall glass of sweet iced tea at my side and an open box of Cheez-its in my lap, I began to wonder what food I would want if I were stuck on some deserted island all alone. I told myself I would be allowed only one food and one beverage so I had to choose well. Sweet iced tea was a no-brainer. Then I thought about bananas, apples, salmon, breads (all kinds of breads). I tried to think of healthy foods, foods that would sustain me well for a long period of time. I told myself I would pick from my list of healthful foods. Then I began to think about chocolate. I remembered something I read in "Peace, Love and Chocolate: Spiritual Humor and other Stuff" by Benny Aabamadamabaa (an obvious pseudonym). The author (a Denver attorney (male!) - go figure...) listed ten top questions one might ask of a spiritual guide who could enlighten us concerning the hereafter. The number one question was, "Is there chocolate on the other side?" I don't know about the other side, so I began to imagine what it would be like to have a chocolate party here and now. As I munched on my Cheez-its, I tried to picture the kinds of chocolates and chocolate lovers I would have at my party. Should it be elegant and sophisticated with tiny, bite-sized treats and dainty delights? Should I go totally casual and completely relaxed with whoever and whatever? Would I like an all-fudge party, or a variety of chocolate chip cookies (dozens of unique recipes). Perhaps it should be just brownies. Maybe I would tell each guest to surprise me and bring their favorite chocolate creation. Would we have a judge on hand to pick the best chocolate concoction? Perhaps I could be the judge. Why such a fixation on chocolate? Do you know there are thousands of books about chocolate? Most are recipe books with awesome photographs that will, in and of themselves, add pounds if you look at them long enough. And I have lost count of the books with a spiritual or inspirational focus that spin off our devotion to chocolate. Consider "Chocolate for a Woman's Soul" and "Chocolate for a Woman's Blessings," both by Kay Allenbaugh. As my fantasy expanded I went to the computer and performed a few word searches. I discovered the ultimate Web site for chocolate lovers: www.chocolocate.com. The Chocolate Lovers' Page may be the ultimate guide to chocolate on the web! Their database currently lists over 920 chocolate web sites around the world. Whether you're looking for chocolate retailers, gift baskets containing chocolate, chocolate recipes, information about chocolate, chocolate manufacturers and suppliers, chocolate for fundraising, chocolate industry and trade associations, chocolate fan sites, or books about chocolate, www.chocolocate.com is an excellent place to start. But I wasn't actually looking for any of those things. In the end I decided I'd have to carry along my Cheez-its and sweet iced tea if that island ever called my name. There's no telling what healthy fruits might already be growing on the island and I could always fantasize about my chocolate. In case you are wondering how I decided... When I reached the bottom of the box of Cheez-its that was nestled in my lap, I gently pulled the paper liner from the box, carefully held it just so, and lifted the paper to my mouth. I couldn't think of any other box or bowl or plate of anything that I would not ever leave a crumb in or on. AND NOW, on a more serious note. No deserted island is calling my name or yours. We are right here in the good ole USA and there's more than chocolate and Cheez-its to think about. Please vote your convictions in the upcoming election. Let yourself try to imagine for a moment what it would be like to have no choice. Then think long and hard about the choices you are blessed to have. Know who and what those choices are. Decide who and what you think would be best for your country, your state, your county and city. Then vote your convictions.
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