Thedivine
foodie
By Jen Wead
A look at Jen Wead
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events of all sizes for over 20 years. In addition to moth-
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ing classes for Humana Community Partners and has
recently started a new endeavor in the insurance indus-
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throughout her community.
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Ban the box!
TThe stores are full of heart shaped boxes containing sweet,
machine formed candies with centers that are often a Russian
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an easy gift to pick up for a friend or love interest. Chocolate has
evolved a lot since its origins with the Ancient Mayans. I doubt
they ever imagined that people would mix milk and so many
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ans rarely even ate anything derived from the cacao bean, but instead,
they drank bitter drinks made from it. Chocolate, itself, is
made from the fruit of the cacao trees, which are native to Central
and South America. The fruit comes in pods and each pod contains
approximately 40 cacao beans, which are harvested, dried
and then roasted. The Mayans also used those beans as currency
and at one time, they were more valuable than gold.
Cacao was discovered in America when it arrived on a Spanish
ship, landing in Florida in 1641. By 1773 cacao beans were
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a major American colony import and chocolate was readily enjoyed
by all classes. It was Henri Nestle that began to mass produce
chocolate mixed with milk and various cane sugars made
into candy bars. This is the history as it relates to America, but
there is a whole Swiss and Danish chapter, in which they perfect
the texture of chocolate that we can’t ignore, as most of us are
well aware of the gift that is Swiss Chocolate.
Valentine’s Day has really lost its pizzazz. We are so desensitized
by all of the cheesy red and white decorations that have
been assaulting us since New Year’s Day that often Valentine’s
Day sneaks up on us. Men complain that it is just another holiday
for retailers to make money. Parents make sure that their
kids have the traditional little cards to pass to classmates. The
growing number of people that are choosing to stay single, means
that many people are simply ignoring the holiday altogether or
are participating in spin offs like Galentine’s Day, which is when
women honor their female friends with cards or little gifts. There
just isn’t anything too special about the day anymore.
Let’s change that. I am not suggesting that we have to buy
a foo foo card, and a cheesy box of chocolates for someone. I am
simply recommending we take the old expectations away from
this commercialized holiday. If you want to take the opportunity
to honor a friend or loved one, than by all means, please
do, but let’s put the fun back into this day. And, chocolate? If
you choose a dark chocolate, one with 60-75% cacao, it’s actually
good for you. Cacao is a high powered anti-oxidant that
is full of iron, manganese, and other minerals that are great for
your brain. Cacao can actually improve brain function and when
consumed, it increases the secretion of endorphins in your brain
which reduces pain and stress and makes you feel happier. It is
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red, heart-shaped boxes, and really, wouldn’t it mean more to
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36 • FEB/MAR 2019 813.682.9364 FLORIDA WOMEN MAGAZINE