TAKE ME TO THAT CHOCOLATE RIVER

Did you know that July 7 was World Chocolate Day? Yup, we chocaholics keep track of these things. I looked up a few funky chocolate facts for you:

In Mayan times the coca bean was used as currency (worth more than gold dust).

The chocolate chip cookie was an accident. I was an accident too, so just saying, some accidents are good things.

You can die if you eat too much chocolate. Apparently it has a powerful stimulant called "theobromine" which can cause heart failure, seizures, acute kidney damage and dehydration. Death by Chocolate!

There really was a chocolate river in the original 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory movie. It was made with 15,000 gallons of water mixed with chocolate and cream. 

My good friend Tom, calls it "Ovarian Nutrition." I promised Tom I would give him props for that one. Good one Tom!

Now my personal chocolate history is a long and winding one. All my life my old chocolate friend/lover has been by my side, through good times and bad. In fact, on July 7 a mere 27 years ago, I spent the entire day in labour. Coincidence? I think not.

I've danced with a number of chocolate bars in my day but the first one I remember hitting the #1 spot on my chocolate list was Crispy Crunch when I was about 9. I would beg for one if we went to the movies, which was hardly ever as that one not something in our family budget.

At the age of 11, Mars bar had taken over. At 12, it was Smarties. My girlfriend and I would have "Smartie Parties" which involved separating all the colours, keeping the deformed ones for like, ever, and always eating the red ones last. These two held the top of the chart for quite a while until I was about 15 and Mr. Big showed up and stole my heart. To be honest it really hit the spot when I had the munchies, if you get my drift.
Between 15 and 18 Snickers sniggered in. Then I moved onto Kit Kat and Twix. I think I was digging a cookie crunch/chocolate mix thing. Still do. 

I'm also a nibbler so I nibble off the top and bottom end of a chocolate bar, then nibble down the sides, one at a time and finally finish the job. Exasperating to watch, I'm sure. 

I'm all grown up now and have moved on to dark chocolate though I would not turn down Smarties or a KitKat if handed to me. I'm no chocolate snob!

I have a chocolate drawer at work to help provide ovarian nutrition to all those in need. 

So, here's to Chocolate and World Chocolate day! I love the stuff. I really do. In fact I may need to be rebaptized. Take me to that Chocolate River!