I'm Dreaming of a Chocolate Xmas

by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

While everyone else is planning their holiday parties, decorating the tree, and wrapping packages, my mind is focused on one flavor. Chocolate.

It goes well with white snow, creamy eggnog and mistletoe and all the other seasonal specialties. Here are just a few reasons why I look forward to the holidays:

SEASONAL FAVORITES FROM ETHEL'S CHOCOLATES

I love Ethels Chocolate's any time of the year--but for the holidays they come out with special flavors. The Seasonal Favorites Holiday Collection (the specially boxed Holiday Collection is $30 for 24 pieces and can be customiz

able to the tastes and delights of the recipient) Some of the holiday flavors include: Eggnog, Gingerbread, Peppermint, Pumpkin Pie, Cranberry. Who needs dinner with offerings like this. Ethel's is all handmade, artisan chocolate that is additive and preservative free.

If turkey is a favorite with your family, their turkey centerpiece will wow everyone. Actually, I brought it to Thanksgiving at a friends house and darling Jada adopted it as her own.

For more info, visit www.ethelschocolates.com

CHOCOLATE IS A HEALTHY FOOD GROUP

Sometimes a little dark chocolate and a delectable fruit is all need to make a special occasion even more special. Emily makes blueberry, cranberry, cherry or strawberry covered in delicious dark chocolate. Feeling guilty about stuffing yourself? Berries and dark chocolate are super sources of anti-oxidants. It’s a dessert that’s actually good for you.

www.emilyschocolates.com

YOU SHOULD HAVE NO RESERVATIONS ABOUT THIS GIFT

Cacao Reserve by Hershey's Holiday Collection Gift Bags – Cacao Reserve by Hershey's Holiday Collection features two new seasonal delights – 35% Cacao Holiday Spice Milk Chocolate Truffles and 65% Cacao Mint Dark Chocolate tasting squares. Each bag features assorted individually wrapped truffles or tasting squares that reflect the good cheer of the season. The new holiday flavors are packaged together with Cacao Reserve by Hershey's signature 35% Cacao Premium Milk Chocolate and 65% Cacao Premium Dark Chocolate flavors and come in a variety of bag sizes. (Suggested retail price: $3.49 - $5.99).

www.cacaoreserve.com

EVERY CHOCOLATE LOVER WILL LOVE THIS

The new Joseph Schmidt™ Confections 2007 Holiday Truffle Collection offers something for everyone on your gift list this holiday season. The indulgent truffles feature exotic new flavors including: Sea Salt Caramel, Mexican Chocolate, Mandarin Zest, Vanilla Cognac, Meyer Lemon and Pomegranate. The truffles are boldly decorated and come in beautiful handcrafted packaging that will impress even the pickiest ones on your list.

“Whimsical and delicious, my truffles inspire joy and treat the senses,” said Master Chocolatier Joseph Schmidt. “Featuring exotic new flavors, the 2007 Holiday Collection invites you to explore and share exciting new flavor combinations with family and friends.”

Joseph Schmidt’s signature dome-shaped truffles are beautifully decorated with artistic swirls and simple lines of color and are housed in hand-painted gift boxes. The 2007 flavors include:

Sea Salt Caramel. Premium milk chocolate and organic caramel are contrasted with a hint of sea salt to create a sumptuous balance of flavors.
Mexican Chocolate. The perfect marriage of Joseph Schmidt’s rich dark chocolate ganache with Mexican cinnamon, allspice and a hint of habanero.
Mandarin Zest. A bittersweet combination of sweet and tart tangerine zest and intense dark chocolate.
Vanilla Cognac. Real vanilla and cognac combine to create a smooth and decadent dark chocolate center surrounded by a milk chocolate shell.
Meyer Lemon. A dark chocolate ganache is paired with the sweet citrus flavor of Meyer lemon and surrounded in premium dark chocolate.

Pomegranate. The refreshingly tart flavor of pomegranate blends with a dark chocolate ganache and a rich dark chocolate shell.

Joseph Schmidt Confections specialty holiday products are available nationwide at Joseph Schmidt boutiques, specialty grocers, fine department stores and online at www.jsc.com.

THIS ENGLISH TOFFEE SHOULD HAVE A WARNING LABEL

I can't believe I decided to sample this all natural, bit-size tofee and finished the whole 8 oz. box. It said they were bite size, so I thought I would be able to eat only a bite. Wrong. Cary's English Toffee is made from a unique soft crunch recipe. This satisfying English Toffee is made from a closely guarded family recipe that has been lovingly perfected over the years. My favorite flavor was milk chocolate almond.

Nestled in the beautiful Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon, Cary's blends a rich bold taste with a soft crunch texture that creates a melt in your mouth experience that is unsurpassed. (except by one of their other flavors)

WARNING: DO NOT GIVE THIS TO ANYONE WHO IS ON A DIET.
www.carysoforegon.com

CHOCOLATES THAT ARE NAUGHTY AND NICE

Recapture the childhood delight of the holidays with grown-up versions of favorite yuletide flavors as only Love can create. Savor the sensuous, intense, all-natural sensation of Norman Love chocolates made especially for festive holiday celebrations.

Created by world-renowned chocolatier Norman Love, the 2007 holiday chocolates include favorites such as S’more, Chocolate Dipped Cherry, Candy Cane, Hot Cocoa, Eggnog, Gingerbread, Christmas Cookie and Cocomint.

Love and his talented culinary team create chocolates and truffles preservatives. the chocolates are guaranteed to make any celebration a memorable one.

“The holiday season is ideal for letting family, friends and business associates know how much they are appreciated,” says Love. “Our chocolates, with their pure, lush flavors that harken back to favorite tastes of childhood, are sure to deliver that message.”

The holiday chocolates are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from two to 36 pieces. They come in milk, dark or white chocolate.. Each box will contain a selection of holiday themed chocolates, as well as a variety of Norman Love Confections’ freshest creations.

toll free 866-515-2121, or visit www.normanloveconfections.com online.

WHAT WOULD SANTA LIKE FOR CHRISTMAS?

After delivering all the goodies, he sure deserves something special for himself. If Santa doesn't have a stocking, give him a Santa boot: a milk chocolate Santa boot filled with 14 milk chocolate foiled balls from Ethels Chocolates. You wouldn't expect him to eat chocolate raindeer, would you?
www.ethelschocolates.com