Good morning–predicting rain today and since they did yesterday and it didn’t I have my doubts. Yesterday I just did blog, facebook, inventory, research on items I haven’t priced yet—adventure in retail again.

Chocolate is a mixture of ground seeds from the Cocao tree with fat, sugar and often milk. This process adds calories and dilutes the beans medicinal qualities–but it’s habit forming to most of us.

According to 7 studies (114,000 people) people who ate chocolate had 37% less risk of heart disease, 29% less risk of stroke and 31% less risk of diabetes. The chocolate intake included chocolate bars, chocolate drinks, chocolate cookies, even chocolate supplements.

Other benefits of cocoa’s antioxidants:
Smokers: Antioxidants reduce harmful blood clotting

Small intestine: Inhibit secretions of enzymes that causes inflammation.

Colon: Reduces risk of cancer by preventing harmful changes in cells.

Liver: Protects against damage and disease.

Trigerminal Nerve: Soothes the nerve which is felt to be responsible for causing migraines and TMJ disorder.

Best ways to consume cocoa:

Antioxidant boast: 1 oz. dark chocolate w/70% cocoa.

Snack: Sweetened or unsweetened nibs (contents of a shelled cocoa bean) are now available

Sprinkle: Raw cocoa nibs on yogurt or bowl of berries

Refreshing Drink: Blend ice cubes, unsweetened cocoa powder, and favorite milk substitute (add a touch of stevia for sweetness).

Shave: Dark chocolate on your ice cream.

Look for: Cocoa listed as an ingredient when you buy rather than chocolate flavoring.

Choose: ‘Non-alkalized’ chocolate (Dutch cocoa is alkalized) or cocoa, as the alkalizing process destroys antioxidants.

Supplements: 400-500 mg of cocoa flavonoids daily will produce maximum benefts.
(same as 7 100 gram (3.5 oz.) milk chocolate bars or 3 100-grams dark chocolate bars!)

Topic today–is a leap—cocoa was used by ancient wise men: So it’s ancient wisdom collectibles (I know really reaching)

I don’t have anything ancient or wise (I’m only half)

Ancient wisdom Treebeard carvings (pen holder $39 and sand timer $49)

Lots of books $24 (The Gnoss or Ancient Wisdom of Christian Scriptures) and up

Post card with a Military Wisdom on it (kidding right and probably why it’s selling for just $2)

Antique Wise Owl Bookends ($425)

Favorite Bronze Athena who was the ancient Greek Goddess of wisdom ($35—There’s also an artwork on cooper of her for $200)

Weirdest an Elephant Garden Seat (the elephant is the Feng Shui ancient symbol of wisdom $99)

Another elephant has the biggie award–it’s amber ($1,492)

GO GET SOME CHOCOLATE QUICK

Let your inner child out–you never know where it will lead.