Enjoy your Easter eggs!

Good news for all you chocoholics – quality chocolate has many benefits, so you can indulge in your Easter eggs with a clear conscience and the knowledge that you are doing yourself a favour!  However, moderation is key, and also, it must be good quality dark chocolate – unfortunately, you don’t get same benefits if you scoff down a whole box champagne truffles.

Minerals:
Iron, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, potassium, calcium. Chocolate even contains fluoride (so potentially it’s good for your teeth…?!).
Antioxidants:
Flavenoids, the same type as in red wine and green tea – mop up free radicals and help prevent ageing; also considered to reduce risk of cancer and heart disease.
Mood:
Stimulants caffeine and theobromine (latter not good for dogs, however). Stimulate brain and give burst of energy.

Phenyl-ethyl-amine (PEA), which relieves depression and is also associated with falling in love and indeed with orgasm, is also contained in chocolate – give me that any day!

How to savour the flavour…

 … Ok, you might think you’re enjoying your chocolate already, but are you experiencing it so that it truly indulges every one of your senses?

Sight: 
Your chocolate should be glossy, rich, uniform in colour and smooth.

Sound: 
It should make a clean snap sound and have clean break.

Smell: 
Inhale deeply and appreciate!

Taste:
Allow to melt on your tongue and fill the mouth – there should be a complex, lingering flavour. Spice, nuts, dried fruit, tobacco – are just some of the flavours.

Your experience will vary with cocoa percentage, region of origin, and of course bean used.

There is no need, by the way, to go to extreme – 100% cocoa is very much an acquired taste. 60-70% cocoa content provides marvellous flavours.

The very best chocolate stands up perfectly by itself with no need of additional flavours or fillings.

Original articles by Marian Dougan – BB’s resident chocolate expert!
Read more about Chocolate and other lovely indulgences in our Food and Drink section

Springtime house maintenance

Dilapidated house, by Frankie Roberto

With the bank holiday weekend coming up, and many of us saving the pennies by staying at home this Easter, why not tackle some of those household jobs you’ve been meaning to get on with for ages – your property will look and feel better for it, and you can reward yourself with all that chocolate on Sunday!

 

Moss & mildew:

OK, you’ve hibernated for the best part of six months. Spring is here and it’s time to get scrubbing. Invest in a wire brush from your local ironmongers and scrub off any moss or mildew from your brick and stonework.

Your property will breathe better as a result because you’re removing something that absorbs damp and keeps it right against your home. Moss may look rustic and charming but your home is better off without it.

While you’re at it, remove any moss from pathways and you won’t need to tread so carefully up to the front door again.

Kitchen:

Clean the filter in the cooker hood (a totally nasty job but one your kitchen needs). Also, check around the washing machine and dishwasher areas for leaks.

Bathroom:

When you do your spring cleaning, have a look at the seals around the side of the bath, washbasin and the floor and walls of the shower.

If you can see any gaps or discolouration around the seal, go and buy some silicon sealant from any DIY shop and reseal all edges. The last thing you want is for water to get behind your appliances and cause damage you can’t see.

 

Read rest of article: Seasonal House Maintenance on BookshelfBoyfriend.com

Original article by Madeleine Thomas