The pleasure of cacao.

There is a reason my dearest friend is my dearest friend.  After almost 15 years of friendship, I'd like to think she knows me pretty well.  She knows the horrible state of fashion I flaunted in middle school.  She knows the reaction I had at my first taste of beer.  She knows the deep emotion I feel when I hear Ray LaMontagne and she understands the passion I have for good food - because she loves it too!

She also understands that me and chocolate, well, we have a very special thing.

Recently back from a visit to see her sister in Brooklyn, she brought me a present.  A bonafide blessing.  

It came wrapped in natural, pretty paper.  All four ingredients, handcrafted in Brooklyn.  They were unassuming.  Unpretentious. 

I slowly peel a corner.  Tenderly and gently, so as not to disturb the treasure inside.

Oh, wow! There's gold inside! I should have known!

Hello, beautiful.

Maybe if I just...yep, maybe if I just take a nibble off the corner...

I have only yet tasted the sea salt one.  Like a taste of ocean air swimming in deep, dark, rich, cacao heaven.

Carlee.  Thank you.
CARLEE.  THANK YOU.  SERIOUSLY.

Dark chocolate has antioxidants.
Dark chocolate lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure.  It's true.  I Googled it.
Dark chocolate stimulates endorphin release = happy release.
Dark chocolate contains serotonin = anti-depressant.
Dark chocolate tastes like heaven.  If heaven had a taste.

I feel like one of those characters on the Red Bull commercials - about to sprout wings and flutter around in happiness.  Birds sing.  Rainbows appear.  Glitter falls from the sky.

Until I remembered that Stuart wasn't home (when we get treats, it's an unspoken rule in our home that we wait for the other person so that heaven can be shared together).

Then I felt bad.  So I refolded the wrapper... maybe he won't know...

Do you think that he will be able to tell?  I think I did a pretty good job, I guess.

What do I always say my friends?  Simple pleasures.  Simple.  Pleasures.  Enjoy the small moments.  Enjoy the small treats.  Enjoy the blessing of the cacao bean.

For your health's sake, of course.