Chocolate and Caffiene - Part I

Recently, I had a couple of friends say they wouldn't eat chocolate in the evening because of the caffiene in it.

I snickered and said, "But there's no caffiene in chocolate!"

"There isn't?" My friend replied. A couple more friends joined in the conversation.

"I'd always heard there was!" "Yeah, I heard that too!" They said.

I said, "Theobromine is like a precursor to caffiene, but it is not caffiene!"

If you look at the chemical make-up of a caffiene molecule and a theobromine molecule, they are very similar, and they are both classified as alkaloids which have a somewhat 'stimulating' effect on the body, but the way they do that is different.

Think of the two like a race. One, caffiene, is a sprint...it's quick, and it's over. Theobromine's effect is more like a marathon - what you need over a longer period of time.

In an article posted on About.com Chemistry, "Different types of chocolate contain different amounts of theobromine. In general, theobromine levels are higher in dark chocolate (approximately 10 g/kg) than in milk chocolates (1-5 g/kg). Higher quality chocolate tends to contain more theobromine than lower quality chocolate."

Next time...more particulars...but just remember - there is no caffiene in chocolate! So don't worry about it!

Chocolate for the Baby!!

Expectant mothers - you can know that eating chocolate while pregnant is GOOD for BABY!!

In a study completed in Finland last fall, over 300 women were given varying amounts of chocolate while expecting children. The study then followed these women after the babies were born for six months.

In an article entitled "Chocolate for a Happy Baby" published online at http://www.westender.com/, the study found that expectant mothers who ate chocolate to soothe stress were more likely to have happier babies.

Isn't that a riot!?

The article states "The babies born to women who had been eating chocolate daily during pregnancy were more active and 'positively reactive' - a measure that encompasses traits such as smiling and laughter. The babies of stressed women who had regularly consumed chocolate showed less fear of new situations than babies of stressed women who abstained."

Scientists wishing to downplay the results said "while they could not rule out other factors, they speculated that the results could be linked to chocolate consumption...chemicals in chocolate could be passed from mothers to babies in the womb."

So...expectant mothers who love chocolate - don't be afraid to nibble on some while you're expecting! Your baby could be happier, which will bring you even more happiness!

What do you think? Is this hogwash? Post a comment and let me know.

Smith Organic Chocolates is dedicated to bringing you the latest in chocolate news, products, and nutritional information.

Chocolate Sales are still climbing!

Chocolate is the main comfort "sweet" that people are purchasing as a "small indulgence."

In an Associated Press article published in our weekly Sunday paper's business section, it states that chocolate sales are climbing. We claim our share of that.

The article is entitled "Hot in recession: Running shoes, chocolate, Spam." It's tracking sales trends on what people are spending their money on. "Sales of chocolate...are up...Yet they still are willing to shell out for small indulgences and goods that make life more comfortable..." And "People are much more focused on their...immediate happiness and they're buying things they can use themselves...Lipstick and chocolate are small rewards that make you feel better."

The article goes on to state that Hershey's first quarter surged by 20% and beat predictions and expectations.

So - we claim our share of this. Smith Organic Chocolates is "the little guy" and we offer a far better quality product than Hershey's. Check us out!

We are dedicated to bringing you the best nutritional information, general product news, and trends in our chocolate world.

We're On Twitter Facebook & LinkedIN

Ok. We did it. We're on Twitter. We're on Facebook. We are not going to go to MySpace. But for those of you who are acquainted with the professional network of LinkedIN, we are also on that.

We have entered the 21st Century!

But we still make chocolates the old fashioned way - by hand!!

Organic Chocolate Has a Facebook Page all it's own

We now have our own Facebook page. You just need to access this link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Smith-Organic-Chocolates/77933627646?ref=nf#/pages/Smith-Organic-Chocolates/77933627646?v=info&viewas=1461849026

Just another way to keep in touch with you!!

Chocolate Powered Car!! I love it!

Photo credit: World First Racing
News story credit: www.foxnews.com/leisure "Chocolate-Powered 150 MPH Race Car Revealed"

Well, now they've done it! A team of British scientists have invested a part-vegetable/grain racing car that is powered by CHOCOLATE!! Can you believe it!?

As part of a biodiesel fuel, chocolate powers this prototype race car that can reach speeds of up to 15o mph.

I laughed my way through this article! I think it's terrific that scientists are experimenting with chocolate as fuel for cars! It's already known for "fueling" human beings!

What do you think? Post a comment and let us know.

Smith Organic Chocolates is dedicated to bring you the latest in chocolate and company information. There's lots more we could post, but we try to bring you the best of the best. We saw this on a news site and just had to post it for you!

Happy Mother's Day - May 10th

Mother's Day is just around the corner! Smith Organic Chocolates has some ideas to help you celebrate!

First, we have this solid chocolate Happy Mother's Day heart with a rose on it for $5.99. You can special order whatever kind of chocolate you want - milk, dark, or as pictured here, white. All our chocolates are organic!

Other suggestions can be found on our website: a 2-piece Cameo Heart totally edible chocolate box with or without extra truffles, a 2-piece Large Chocolate Rose Box however you'd like it!

We also have a heart-shaped white linen box decorated with spring flowers that holds a half pound of chocolates of your choice!

Check out our website for order information: www.smithorganicchocolates.com. Smith Organic Chocolates has ideas for every occasion, birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, Father's Day, patriotic, general continentals, kisses, bonbons, etc.

We are dedicated to bringing you the best information about organic chocolate we can. Check out any previous blog posts for additional information. Of course, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our email is: smithorganicchocolates@dejazzd.com.