Passion for Chocolate

Legend has it that the God Quetzalcoatl (represented by mortals as the "feathered serpent") came down from heaven to teach wisdom to men, and brought a gift: the cocoa plant. The other Gods will not forgive him for revealing the knowledge of a divine food and therefore, seek revenge by sending him to exile from their lands by the God Tezcatlipoca.
In another version, Quetzalcoatl was a good God and had to face Tezcatlipoca, a cruel God, which beat him in an altercation thereby sentencing him to exile. Before he leaves, Quetzalcoatl vowed to return "where the sun comes out" in the year ce-acatl the Aztec calendar.

Here is the recipe for Aztec Infusion:

0.7 oz of cacao shells
4 cups of water
1 slice of fresh ginger
5 or 6 grains of Jamaica pepper
1 star anise
2 sticks of cinnamon
½ vanilla beans
1 clove
1 tsp nutmeg

Crush the shells of cacao and spices. Boil the water.
Put the water with the mix and let it infuse for 10mn.
Drain and serve hot.

This was an elite drink, reserved for governors and soldiers?

In my research I discover cacao/chocolate is very rich and a high source of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Also it is good for your heart, blood pressure, brain, muscles, brain and for weight loss (because of its high chromium and coumarin content).

The dark chocolate antioxidants, vitamins and minerals have been clinically proven to literally dissolve plaque built up in the arteries which helps in reversing heart disease and causes naturally lower blood pressure. And can also lower high cholesterol.

Studies showed, the more chocolate you eat, the more you’re potential for human longevity increases!

But there still exists some controversy if cacao/chocolate is good or is not good for your diet?  Like I said before if you eat with moderation cacao/chocolate, you should integrate in your diet. I drink a cup of hot cocoa every day (certain way I have to thank my mother for that. Because I don’t like milk, even today, so my mother added cacao to my milk so I could drink) today, I can’t see, starting my day without my hot cocoa in the morning.

All things considered, perhaps, you may want to have a cup of cocoa instead of a cup of coffee in the morning.

For chocolate lovers like me as a recipe for hot cocoa (perfect for cold days in winter)

Spanish Hot Cocoa

7 oz of dark chocolate
3.5 oz of sugar
1.40 oz of corn starch
4 cups of milk

Boil the milk with the sugar. Then add the chocolate in pieces.
Stir well to mix and bring to a boil again. Add the cornstarch diluted in a little milk. Lower the heat and stir until desired thickness.

For more information go to my webside

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

 We live in an era of Health Food, Organic Food Products, and a Healthy Nutrition Plan, you name it.  I think in this day and time people like to say they practice a healthy diet, but in reality most don’t.

I‘ve always said the problem is most of the people don’t know how to eat. And the truth is when companies started weight loss programs and delivering their own meals, they had very good results, because you have a balanced diet.

But the part I like more is when I hear people say “now I can eat everything and I don’t gain weight”. You know what? You always could eat everything. The point is you should learn how to eat just small quantities and have a Healthy Diet Food.

We should add to our healthy eating pattern products they can help us to have a good balance. For example; I started drinking coconut water on daily basis. Did you know; coconut water is one of the best drinks you can have. Full of nutrients and vitamins perfect for athletes. If you drink it on a regular basis you can prevent diseases like Urinary diseases, Kidney Stones and is good for people that want to lose weight - here is a recipe: 150ml of coconut water with a few drops of lemon juice, mix well before you drink. This recipe is good too for Fatigue, Nervousness and Constipation.

Honey is another product I use on a regular basis and more in winter time. I take 1 tsp at breakfast. But here is a recipe for colds or flu;

1 onion (media size)
1 lemon (media size)
2 cloves of garlic.
1 liter (about 4 cups) of water
honey

Wash all the ingredients very well with the peel, cut in half the lemon and onion and put in pot with the water. Let them boil until the onion is cooked. Put in cup and add honey.

Besides the healing benefits of honey for colds, sore throats and the skin, it is also good for things such as treating digestive problems like diarrhea, indigestion, stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis. Honey offers incredible antiseptic, antioxidant and cleansing properties.

For more information go to my webside