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I’m an admitted chocoholic, especially the dark rich kind. But I won’t turn my back on milk chocolate either. Though I really try not to overindulge, I almost need that little bit of chocolate every day. It makes me feel good. Satisfied in that deep hmmm way.Come to find out that chocolate is a powerful mood enhancer because it fires a chemical called phenylethylamine into your brain, the effects are a close relative of amphetamines. So eating chocolate gives you a natural high. Ok, I always knew I was addicted to chocolate. Now I know why.
Another little tidbit here. If you love the taste of smooth rich chocolate on your tongue, then it’s likely that when it hits your taste buds, the sensation will raise serotonin levels in your brain, though some scientists insists chocolate does this anyway whether you savor it or not. Bottom line, when it happens, you literally fall in love with chocolate.
Best part. It’s a feel good treat that is also good for you, at least the dark chocolate is with its increased antioxidants.
Ok, so what is the connection between chocolate and love? (Besides the, come-on, who doesn’t love chocolate?)
Scientifically speaking, true love is a chemical alteration of the brain when adrenaline-like neurochemicals surge to fuel the attraction between a couple. Let me get technical for a moment. Those chemicals are phenylethylamine (the same chemical in chocolate–yes!), dopamine (which makes you feel marvelously good), and norephinephrine (the thing that makes our hearts gallop when with are with that special someone) Sigh
Those three little chemicals have the power to suspend logic in the brain, hence the assurity that one has truly fallen head over heels in love. These babies are the infatuation chemicals, and you can blame them for getting you hooked up with Mr. Wrong in the first place. Finally a reason!
How long does this infatuation stage last? Experts say this rush of chemicals can end anywhere from six months to three years. After that you either take a look at your partner and go eck!
Or you have landed on genuine, real love.
Congratulations!!!
Scientifically, the endorphin stage comes into play if the love is real. These chemicals make you feel calm, warm and cuddly, make you covet your intimacy with your partner and your trust. And the good thing is these feelings grow the longer you live and love your mate.
So there you have it in a nutshell. What about you? Do you love chocolate, and if so what type? When did you know you’d found Mr. Right — or Mr. Wrong?
Filed in: Writers and Writing
Aug 9th
2010
7:21 am
kris Said:
I’m a fan of the milk chocolate, but in a desperate pinch any chocolate would do. Since I’ve been with the same guy since 1987, I’m going to have to say that I’ve found my Mr. Right as well.
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Aug 9th
2010
7:25 am
Laurie G Said:
I love chocolate!! I start my day with a handful of Nestle semisweet Toll House morsels! (sharp yet sweet) If I’m in the mood for a sweeter chocolate treat, I grab plain M&Ms!!
I met my future husband my senior year of college. I had dated a lot of guys before him. Something clicked. I looked forward to his calls. I wanted to hold hands with him. I asked him over for dinner. I liked his kisses! It was a mutual attraction. We recently celebrated our 33rd anniversary.
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Aug 9th
2010
8:16 am
Margo Maguire Said:
Oh yeah – love chocolate! And Mr. Right? We pretty much knew we were the ones for each other on the first date. We’ve been together since 1975,…
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Aug 9th
2010
9:01 am
Kath Said:
I guess after 36 years of marriage, I found Mr. Right or I just eat enough chocolate to keep things working right in my head, huh?
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Aug 9th
2010
9:16 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Oh, I totally love chocolate, the creamy milked-chocolate kind and though I’ve had really pricey chocolate, my absolutely favorite is actually Hershey. I just don’t think it gets any better than that. Letting a Hershey kiss melt in my mouth and oh, yeah, I get all those sensations of being in love.
As for my Mr. Right, well, I knew pretty early on because being with him made me feel like the best version of myself. He just makes me feel good, makes me happy.
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Aug 9th
2010
10:01 am
Shana Said:
I love chocolate, especially those Lindor balls. Yum! I wish I had one now, and it’s only 10 a.m. How did I know my husband was The One? I don’t know. I just KNEW. On the way home after meeting him for the first time, I told my friends I should go buy a wedding dress because I’d met The One. He hasn’t proven me wrong yet!
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Aug 9th
2010
10:34 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Oh, I love that, Shana! And y’all are so perfect together.
What a great blog topic, Jan, because what woman doesn’t like to talk about love and chocolate?!
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Aug 9th
2010
12:34 pm
Janette Kenny Said:
I agree, Kris. In a pinch any chocolate will do.
Good for you finding Mr. Right!
Laurie, I love the way you start your day! Congrats on the 33 years together. That’s awesome.
Margo, that’s wonderful you and your dh have been together that long.
Too funny, Kath. But I’d say you found the right one.
Wow, that’s touching, Robyn. And I love Hersey’s kisses too — almost all the varieties of it. Almost too much — if such a thing is possible.
Shana, that’s just beautiful!
Exactly, Robyn.
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Aug 9th
2010
12:47 pm
catslady Said:
I’m laughing at Kath’s answer – very close to mine. I met my husband in high school (he was the new kid who had traveled the world and I had never left my hometown) and we’ve been married for 41 years. I taught myself to love dark chocolate because it’s better for me lol.
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Aug 9th
2010
12:58 pm
Kristan Higgins Said:
I’m like Robyn…good old Hershey’s milk chocolate is fine with me! And like Shana, I just knew the second I laid eyes on McIrish that he was trouble.
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Aug 9th
2010
6:46 pm
Janette Kenny Said:
Congrats on those 41 years of being with your Mr. Right, catslady. That’s just awesome.
LOL, Shana.
Ok, cyber chocolate for everyone!
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Aug 10th
2010
12:47 am
Christina Hollis Said:
To nibble, I’m afraid it’s the low cocoa mass, high sugar Cadbury’s Whole Nut for me. But for baking, it’s got to be the really good dark stuff like Valrhona. I used it in Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Chocolate Brownies with Morello Cherry Sauce last night. Mmm…
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