Rancho La Puerta
Chocolate indigenous to Mexico is now associated with romance throughout most regions of the world. Chocolate's reputation as a stimulant for love originated in both Mayan and Aztec cultures over 1500 years ago. Mayans worshipped the cacao tree as sacred. Cacao (corrupted into cocoa by the
Europeans) means God Food in the Mayan language and the Latin name reflects this as well. Theobrom Cacao, Food of the Gods. Chocolate was called xocoatl by the Mayans and Cacahuatl by the Aztecs. The latter viewed it as an aphrodisiac which invigorated men and made women less inhibited. Aztec Emperor Monteczuma was reputed to drink fifty goblets of chocolate per day to enhance his sexual prowess. When the Spanish conquitadors introduced chocolate to Europe, its association with love continued.
Modern scientific research corroborates what native peoples knew empirically; that chocolate is good medicine. It contains a host of chemicals that enhance mood by elevating levels of serotonin and beta endorphins. It has been shown to contain more health protecting antioxidants than wine or green or black tea - from 2 to 5 times more according to scientist Chang Yong Lee and colleagues at Cornell and Seoul National. So, we can conclude, that even if chocolate doesn't stimulate romance, it will protect the heart!
Chocolate remains an important staple here in Mexico. It is used in not only in the making of a variety of confections, but is a necessary ingredient in Mole sauces. The classic Mexican beverage hot chocolate is still whipped with a ringed wooden beater called a molinillo, which was invented by the Aztecs. The recipe for authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate can be found in Chapter 9 of Laura Esquivel's novel Like Water for Chocolate.
Believe in yourself. Take all that you have used to make yourself a success in other areas, and put it to work to achieve your health and healthy weight goals.
Persist. Success is born from past failures. Everything you've done before, regardless of the outcome, brings you closer to 'getting it' the next time.if you give yourself a next time. Give up the negative, critical voice and move on.
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Nutrition
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