Sweet Nothings
It’s true we’re all over-committed, unless we’re not over-committed.
A few years ago, I spoke to a chocolatier about Valentine’s Day.
“I hate it and I love it,” he said. “The person I want to buy the most refined of my collections is the person who’s least likely to buy it on Valentine’s Day.” But this day is the “chocolate holiday,” and Valentine’s Day, along with Easter, is where he makes his money.
This chocolatier loves chocolate, but it’s not his favorite snack. His favorite snack is popcorn with brewer’s yeast.
He also doesn’t want people to think he’s a snob because he creates expensive chocolate. Making chocolate is expensive; great ingredients are expensive.
“Creativity is expensive if you have to make a living,” he said.
I wanted to find out what the best chocolate in America is, but that’s like finding the cutest baby.
You just can’t.
Some experts say that Dandelion Chocolate is the best company for bonbons. Dandelion even features a Japanese collection. Every year, Dandelion Chocolate’s confection chief from Japan, Chef Shota Suzuki, and his team from Tokyo are flown in to curate the Japanese Citrus Collection (this year introducing three distinctive Japanese citrus varieties: Lemon, Iyokan, and Hyuganatsu).
Éclat Chocolate, located in West Chester, PA, is one of the finest small-shop, made-on-site chocolate destinations in the United States. “Éclat” means “class.” And The Cube Collection is architecturally enthralling, although I have not (yet) tasted the confections.
Eating chocolate is good for you, says nearly everyone on the web who’s concerned with health.
It makes you feel good. I think it makes you feel good in small doses. (I added the “small doses” part on my own: an overabundance of rich chocolate might give you some not-very-sweet brain and tummy consequences.)
Chocolate works on the part of your brain that relieves stress—instantly. It triggers the release of chemicals in our brains that bring us joy. Chocolate contains hormones called endorphins.
Just one bite releases serotonin and good-for-you antioxidants. Chocolate contains tryptophan, which can make you sleepy at Thanksgiving after a turkey dinner, but it also contains a small jolt of caffeine for a little pick-me-up.
A little caffeine too, a small pick-me-up.
It’s not a cure for anything, but we could all use a brain boost from a pretty harmless source.
So grab some chocolate.
Which brings me to reading. Most discussions bring me to reading, either right away or in the fullness of time.
Studies show that reading increases happiness. It teaches empathy for the situations of people unknown to you by asking you to share in their difficulties. Reading keeps brain dysfunction at bay. It helps you sleep because (like that turkey) it increases the release of “positivity” hormones. This is why people read before bed, although the other reason is that they say it’s the only time of day they can steal 20 minutes for themselves.
It’s true we’re all over-committed, unless we’re not over-committed.
HOT READING TIP
THE BRIGHT SWORD by Lev Grossman
I’m a sucker for Arthurian legend, but this new novel has something extra—despair.
A young knight named Collum at last finds his way to fabled Camelot, only to discover that the only knights left after Arthur’s death are lazy, fat, and really, really depressed. Is he daunted? He sure is, but he sees that his mission is to rebuild Camelot and redeem the Round Table—the fabled locus of might for right. Collum has gone to Camelot many times in childhood dreams, and he is unwilling to let those dreams die. This book is lightly written, moving, and a great deal of fun.
HOT LIFE TIP:
I tend to fall into a slump or even despair at this time of year because there is so much winter left… I also tend to fall into a slump when I realize that my pasty pallor and jiggly thighs are not screaming at me, "Take me to the beach!" So I heed the best advice anyone ever gave me—from one of my daughters. Said she, "If you’re having a good time, you always look good." She’s right; a little fun is the best cosmetic.
And remember the above! It bears repeating!
Reading has no calories. Reading increases empathy, prevents brain deterioration, gives you insight, and helps you sleep by stimulating the sleep-ready areas of your brain. What’s bad here? Turn off the TV. Crack open a book. I can see you, you know.
HOT RECIPE TIP:
One-Pot Veggie Chili Mac
1 tablespoon olive oil*
1 medium yellow onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
8 ounces any kind of mushrooms, chopped
8 ounces of tempeh or tofu, crumbled
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon any kind of paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (I skip this because I don’t like it hot!)
1 ½ teaspoons salt
4 cups vegetable broth (I use Better Than Bouillon)
1 can pinto, kidney, or black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 can sweet corn, drained and rinsed (you can use frozen too)
12 ounces elbow pasta or cavatappi pasta
2-3 teaspoons brown sugar
Toppings: Onions, cilantro, sour cream, parsley, cheese… If you are tempted to use vegan cheese, don’t—it’s ick.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a big pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion for two minutes, then add garlic, mushrooms, and crumbled tempeh, and cook for five more minutes. Add the chili powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt. Stir the spices into the vegetables and cook for one minute, or until fragrant.
Pour in the vegetable broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot.
Add in the beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, corn, and pasta. Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through but not soggy. If you want it to be a bit saucier, add a splash more broth or water.
BEANS ARE THE NEW BEANS
If you aren’t a meat eater, and even if you are, learn to like beans—they are not just good but terrific for your body in every way. They’re a great source of protein and fiber, and they’re really good to eat, especially with a little tomato and some rice perhaps. Along with lentils, cottage cheese, and peanut butter (NOT all at once), the lowly bean is a terrific and inexpensive way to eat well and stay healthy.
Don’t forget - my latest novel, A Very Inconvenient Scandal is available everywhere good books are sold. You can get your own copy today. Next month’s edition of THE GASP will have a cover reveal of my upcoming book, THE BIRDWATCHER.
FINALLY, if you’d ever like to write to me, you can do so here.