By Sarah R. Parker

Why do gourmet chocolate gifts make people happy? If you think it’s all in their heads – you may be right!

Most chocoholics will tell you that they love chocolate because it makes them happy. The question is, why does it make us happy? Of course, our taste buds will confess to to the pleasures of gourmet chocolate…but is there something else going on behind the scenes – in
our heads?

1. According to BBC Science & Nature, there is. They say that chocolate contains the natural ‘love drug’, known as tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. Tryptophan is used by our brains to create serotonin.

A lack of serotonin is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. In a study from Hull York Medical School, researchers found that participants eating dark chocolate experienced less fatigue than those who ate white chocolate dyed brown. They believed that because dark chocolate is high in polyphenols, it improves the level of serotonin in the brain. High levels of serotonin diminish anxiety and can produce extreme happiness, working in a similar way to the drug ecstasy, although to a much lesser effect.

2. Chocolate also contains phenylethlamine, known as the “love chemical” which stimulates the brain’s pleasure centers – which might be why chocolate has often been identified as an aphrodisiac.

3. Anandamide is another component which create something akin to a ‘natural high’. For a flash movie to see exactly how anandamide works, check out BBC’s online science hot topics chocolate.

4. Chocolate also contains small amounts of caffeine that increase dopamine levels. Dopamine also activates the pleasure centers of the brain.

Gourmet chocolate often contains more cocoa, and more cocoa means more of the good stuff, good for your brain and your heart, with more antioxidant properties. Look for gifts for chocolate lovers that contains at least 70% cocoa solids. Also, look for gifts made with cocoa butter which is better for your heart than palm or coconut oil.

About the Author: Click here for Great Gourmet Chocolate Gift Baskets and check out these fun Gourmet Chocolate Gifts too. Sarah R. Parker is a gourmet food and wine lover who helps others find unique chocolate gifts.

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By Lee Schwuco

Gourmet and organic gift baskets offer a straightforward and elegant way to show your appreciation for an event, and are sure to leave a lasting impression for any sized group! Gourmet and organic gift baskets can add an exotic touch for that upcoming special occasion, and a variety of creative combinations are available to suit almost any personality, themed event, or special occasion. When you?re looking for something beyond a traditional gift of flowers,gift cars, gift certificates, or stationery, organic gift baskets offer a convenient choice.

Individuals have been sending gourmet and organic fruit gift baskets to honor special events, along with other assortments of exotic treats for years. Exchanging fruit and specialty foods is no longer reserved for the holiday season; today, you can send from many selections to celebrate an anniversary, a new baby, or just to cheer someone up. From corporate events to holidays, organic gift baskets are an special way to share and let the recipient enjoy from a variety of treats from around the world. Adding an exotic contact to an event is easy with a organic collection of organic treats and premium goods; any combination is sure to leave a lasting impression, and you?ll find a variety of tantalizing treats to choose from!

Baskets can be filled with the season’s best fruits and crops. Choosing a gift basket filled with apples, pears, oranges, and even exotic fruits offer a somewhat ?healthier? option to rich gourmet items such as nuts and chocolates. The fruits of the season are often hand-selected to ensure the best, and you can choose from exotic assortments of fruit, snacks, and other treats from select locations around the world. Balance out any organic fruit basket with other gourmet items such as cheese, crackers, wine, and even toys. Wine and organic food baskets may be sent along with gourmet fruit gift baskets for the perfect balance for that special occasion. They will be surprised when you deliver an organic or exotic basket filled with their favorite brands, fruits, chocolates and other specialty items for even new babies!

Selecting from a variety of top brands and organic ingredients will help you put together a truly unique assortment; gourmet and organic food gift baskets such as the Bountiful Gourmet or Amazon are filled with generous servings of specialty items including fine chocolates, gourmet nuts, exotic cheese, and savory snacks. Themed gourmet food gift baskets can easily become the centerpiece of any event or special occasion; consider sending a Guilt free selection for a group of dieter’s celebrating a recent weight loss.

From a new born baby celebration to a special party, organic gift baskets make it stress-free to send a pleasant message with a complimenting collection of food, fruit, and treats. Themed events and other special occasions may require a little creativity; gourmet food can help you save time when looking for that perfect gift, and are available in a variety of sizes to suit every budget!

About the Author: See exotic and gourmet arrangements at Best Organic Gift Baskets.

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By JoAnn Jagroop

The gourmands in your life will appreciate the delicious ways you express yourself in the kitchen. Any one of these recipes will make a lovely hostess gift or a special occasion gift.

These recipes are simple and easy to follow and have a real “WOW” presentation. Place them in a basket with colorful cloth napkins, a bottle of red wine and a fresh baguette of French bread. You can find unique glass canning jars with sealable lids at garage sales, variety stores, or thrift shops. Be sure to label or tag all gifts and include serving
suggestions, or the recipes given here.

Tomato Caper Tapenade – makes 1 cup

- ¾ cup sundried tomatoes in oil, drained
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup capers, drained
- 2 clover garlic
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves

Wash one 8-ounce glass jar and lid in hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Sterilize glass jar in boiling water for 10 minutes. Invert on a towel and keep covered until needed. Place ll ingredients in a food processor and chop until smooth, spoon into a hot sterilized jar and seal. Best made 1 day before. Store up to 6 weeks in the refrigerator.

Serve with pita crisps, lavash, and French or Italian loaves. Make a tapenade bruschetta with feta and fresh basil, slather tapenade on a hamburger bun and top with a grilled burger, or add it to aioli.

Marinated Italian Dried Peppers – makes 1 pint

- 2 red bell peppers, quartered, seeded and deveined
- 2 green bell peppers, quartered, seeded and deveined
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tsp dried tarragon
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- Olive oil to cover

Preheat oven 250° F. Sprinkle insides of peppers with sea salt. Dry peppers on a wire rack in a slow oven for 3 hours, turning every hour. Add garlic to the drying rack and continue cooking until peppers are dry but not brittle. Peppers should be rubbery. Pack dried peppers into a hot sterilized jar with garlic and herbs. Pour in enough olive oil to completely
cover the peppers, and seal jar. Best made 1 week ahead. Store up to 2 months in the refrigerator.

Serve with antipasto, a loaf of sourdough bread and a hunk of vintage cheese. Serve on a mezze plate with olives, figs, salami, marinated feta cheese or bocaccini balls, crisp fried zucchini chips, dolmas, hummus and pita.

Marinated Feta Cheese – makes 2 pints

- 1 pound block of feta cheese
- ¾ cup milk
- ¾ cup water
- 2 fresh sprigs rosemary
- 2 fresh sprigs thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 small fresh red chilies
- 1 tsp yellow mustard seeds
- 2 tsp juniper berries
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- About 1 cup olive oil

Sterilize 2 pint jars or 1 quart jar. Cut cheese into 1 inch cubes, place in a large bowl, pour over milk and water, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Drain and discard milk. Place cheese, herbs, chilies, seeds, berries, and zest in sterilized jars, cover with oil, leaving ½ inch between oil and top of jar. Add more oil if needed. Seal jar. Best made 2 days ahead.

Store jar in a cool dark place up to 2 weeks. Refrigerate up to 6 weeks, let come to room temperature before serving.

Serve on salads, melt on top of homemade pizza, include on a mezze plate or antipasto plate.

Add to frittatas and macaroni dishes. Use the marinade for toasting bruschetta slices.

Olives with Lemongrass and Chili – makes 2 cups

- 1 pound of ripe black olives with stones, drained
- 1 lime
- 1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ¼ cup chopped fresh lemongrass, white tender part only
- 1 pearl onion minced
- 2 small fresh red chilies, seeded and minced
- About 1 cup hot olive oil

Zest the lime and mix with olives, seeds, lemongrass, onion and chili in a bowl. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a small sauce pan until hot, but not smoking. Place olive mixture into sterilized jars, pour over hot olive oil, leaving ½ inch between oil and top of jar, seal immediately. Best made one week before serving. Refrigerate up to 2 months.

Serve in salads, bake into bread and pizza crust, and add to mezze plates and antipasto platters. Add ripe black olives to ‘al cacciatore, and pasta dishes. The possibilities are Aendless.

About the Author: You may find other recipes for gourmet gifts by JoAnn Jagroop at http://thisdamecooks.wordpress.com

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