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Top 5 Valentine's Chocolates

The act of giving chocolate to your loved one on Valentines Day is a relatively new phenomenon, the origins of which started as recently as the early 1950s. Nowadays it has developed into a majorly big industry with more than US$1 billion spent around the world ever year on chocolate gifts in the lead up to February 14th.

If you are thinking of buying chocolate for Valentines Day below is a list of my Top 5 Valentines Chocolates that you might wish to consider sharing with your someone special over a romantic meal. If you are really feeling indulgent you might even like to try all five!

5. Hershey Kisses

Not only do they look great with their teardrop shape and their iconic silver foil but they also taste great too. A popular choice of bomboniere for modern weddings Hershey Kisses make an attractive table decoration if placed in a wine glass or in a box on the side plate. They are also perfectly sized for providing a light chocolate nibble after a particularly rich or heavy meal.

4. Belgian Chocolate

A good solid gift. You really can't go too far wrong with a quality couverture box of Belgian Chocolates especially if it contains an assorted mix of milk, dark and white chocolate truffles and ganache centres. If they are heart shaped then all the better. A sure fire option that will always be well received.

3. Lindt

Everybody loves Switzerland's finest and for Valentines Day Lindt's range of luxury chocolates are a sure fire winner. Whether it be as a gift, table decoration or simply to be eaten after your meal a handful of Lindor Balls or a block of their sensational chocolate can really make your Valentines Day sweet.

2. Choc Covered Strawberries

For a truly indulgent chocolate experience this Valentines Day there is nothing quite like dipping a platter of strawberries, marshmallows or even your favourite gummy lollies into a bowl of delicious melted chocolate. Personally I prefer to use blocks of English Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate or Lindt Mint or Orange Intense, but any chocolate would suffice. Creating the platter is a lot of fun and when brought to the table after dinner looks absolutely great!

1. Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate

What could be better than cuddling up on the sofa after a nice feed with a good movie and a big bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate?

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Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day is many things to different people- a chance to start new relationships, rekindle old ones, or remind that special someone how wonderful they really are. Others feel it is just another "Hallmark" holiday where they are expected to do something for unknown reasons. Regardless of your hopes, expectations, or reservations about Valentine's Day, chocolate has long been a favorite gift for lovers.

Since the days of the Aztecs chocolate has been used as a gift. Today a box of luxurious quality chocolate says a thousand "thank you's", "good luck", or "I love you". Chocolate can be given as a way of saying "congratulations", "I am sorry" or "get well soon". On Valentine's Day chocolate clearly says "I LOVE YOU!" Chocolate is more than food, it not only fills your belly but also makes you feel soooo good. Elaine Sherman wrote "Chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, dark, sumptuous, gratifying, potent, dense, creamy, seductive, suggestive, rich, excessive, silky, smooth, luxurious, celestial. Chocolate is downfall, happiness, pleasure, love, ecstasy, fantasy ... chocolate makes us wicked, guilty, sinful, healthy, chic, happy." What more could you want to say to your lover on Valentines Day? Even the scientific name for the tree from which chocolate is derived, Theobroma cacao, translated from Greek, means "food of the gods".

Why does chocolate evoke so many feelings and emotions for us? Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is "... the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food." From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.

Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as "runners high" is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to "falling in love". One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.

Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don't know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.

Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.

Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?

David Eisen is owner of Euphoric Chocolate,

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Fun Valentines Day Gifts for Guys and the Best Valentines 2011 Ideas

Fun Valentines Day Gifts for Guys and the Best Valentines 2011 IdeasValentine's 2011 is approaching, and while some may only start shopping last-minute, planning a really special, non-cliched Valentine's Day takes a little bit of effort! This is especially the case when you're shopping for the perfect Valentines gifts for him and you're tired of being cheesy or boring, but you have to stick to a budget. If that's the case, check out these fun budget-friendly ideas to spice up your V-day!

CREATIVE VALENTINES IDEAS FOR ALL THE MEN IN YOUR LIFE

No matter what his interests are, or whether you're trying to make it a happy Valentines for your Dad, husband, or boyfriend, here are some of the best Valentines ideas to bring a smile to anybody's face and transform a holiday that can sometimes be a bit cliched from dull to delightful.

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach: Everybody loves a home-cooked meal, so it's hard to go wrong with this idea for V-Day! It's also less expensive than dining at a fancy restaurant. For a special finishing touch to the evening, get a fondue set like the Toastess Fondue Maker from Buy.com and enjoy some delicious chocolate fondue, or brew up a latte for your loved one with the funky Espressione Cafe Retro Espresso/Cappucino Machine from Sears.com.
Long-distance love: If the man you love lives in a different city or country, you can still make it a special Valentines 2011 by sending email gift cards. It's also a great way to save as there are no shipping costs on online gift cards.
Personalized presents: Incorporating your memories into a gift is always a great way to add a unique touch to your Valentines gift. For instance, if he's missing your home-cooked meals, you could put some of your favorite recipes onto an iPad for him, or put a fresh spin on the mixed tape by uploading music from fun times you've had together onto his iPod.

If you're looking instead for the perfect Valentines Day gifts for guys based on personality, check out the following gift ideas, sorted by type.

HIGH-TECH VALENTINES GIFTS FOR THE GADGET GUY

Blu Valentine: There are a lot of portable DVD players on the market, but with Blu-ray quickly becoming the standard for movie-watching, consider getting a portable Blu-ray player for the tech guy on the go - the Samsung BDC8000 Portable 3D Wi-Fi Blu-ray Player from TigerDirect is a terrific option, with a 10.3" screen and both 3D and Wi-Fi capabilities.
Kinect with him: The Microsoft Kinect motion-sensing system for Xbox 360 is one of the hottest gadgets on the shelves right now, so if your guy is a big video game buff, get him the Microsoft Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect and the Kinect Adventures game, available at Kmart.com!
Photo finish: Digital SLRs are becoming really popular as more people want to have quality photos for their blogs and for social networking, so if you're buying for a man who's a little artsy and a little high-tech, check out a camera like the Nikon D90 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR from Sears.com!

SPORTY VALENTINES DAY GIFTS FOR GUYS WITH ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

Take a hike: If your man loves the great outdoors, help him stay warm and dry during his hikes with the North Face Atlas Triclimate Jacket from Shoebuy.com! The fleece interior jacket is removable so he can use it in multiple seasons, and it has a waterproof breathable outer shell.
Camp out: A good, lightweight three-season tent makes for a great Valentines gift for the camping enthusiast - try something like the Texsport Phoenix Tent from Sears.com for your next romantic backpacking adventure together.
Stay on track: Don't get lost while venturing off the beaten path - get him a GPS navigator like the Garmin eTrex Venture HC Portable Navigator, available from Mwave.com.

THE PERFECT FIT WITH STYLISH VALENTINES GIFTS FOR THE WELL-GROOMED MAN

Off the cuff(link): Cufflinks make for elegant and classy Valentines Day gifts for guys. For a fun twist (or if you're shopping for a guy's first pair of cufflinks), try the Blue Button Mother-of-Pearl Silver Plated Cufflinks from Forzieri.com.
Watch it! Every guy can do with a nice dress watch, and you can really make a big style impact with something like the Caravelle Men's Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch with Diamond Accent from Sears.com, which is set with eight genuine diamonds.
Here comes the sun: Sunglasses are the perfect accessory for any man, especially if you choose a bestselling classic style like the Ray-Ban Aviator Outdoorsman Sunglasses, available at AC Lens!

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