Monday, October 18, 2021

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE BORING

Don't know about you but I like a little something sweet after a meal. I don't want a big dessert, just a little taste should do.  However I have found that often that little taste leads to more and lately I have been trying to keep my weight up--I know--I am not getting much sympathy here.   Since I lost 50 pounds when I was first diagnosed with heart disease, I have found that the foods that are good for you just aren't fattening and I kept steadily losing weight. More than I needed to.    

I guess if you eat enough apples, carrots and turkey breasts, you will gain but I get bored long before poundage stayed stable. So for a while, I have resorted to my all time favorite candy, Peppermint Patties, to keep my weight steady and they worked quite well.  Not the normal sized ones mind you but the miniatures. They are just a little bigger that a three stack of quarters.  But, I found them to be potato chip deadly. I couldn't eat just one. 

Then I remembered an Oprah show from years ago where a guest taught her how to eat chocolate.  He had her take a small bite of a bite of chocolate and just hold it in her mouth---not to chew. He then told her to press it into the roof of her mouth and just slide her tongue over it. She marveled at the taste flooding her mouth and remarked that normally by now she would have all ready consumed three more pieces and she was no where near finished with the first bite. 

I tried it that day and did think it really gave one a greater sensation with chocolate. It was almost sensual.  The experience however didn't stick with me and I went back to chewing.  Recently I have been told to limit my caffeine and never having been a coffee hound, I switched to herbal teas with little stress. 

But then I though, chocolate also has caffeine so I wondered how I could get past the sweet craving after a meal and I remembered Oprah. Perhaps I could reduce my consumption by almost 70% by just having one Peppermint mini instead of the three I had been enjoying. So I started savoring one rather than inhaling three. 

I really went to the extreme and actually made one mini last 20 minutes.  Somewhere half ways  through I actually got bored with the delightful candy. It was becoming a chore but I persisted. Phew. Tell you what though, it works.  I was totally done after just 1/2 of one. This was doable.

Of course I could switch to white chocolate which is caffeine free but then I would be getting a lot of cholesterol, not good either. So for now, I am down to half a mini and am actually quite satisfied.

If like me you can't eat just one peice of chocolate, give it the Oprah treatment and slowly let it dissolve in your mouth. Going VERY slow is the secret. 

Good luck.

Hum, wonder if that would work with chips? Naw, they would just get soggy.

56 comments :

  1. Ha! Love this post. Chocolate is my favorite food. I've always been on the slender side; no worries about weight. I tend to eat pretty healthy, but chocolate is my one indulgence. I must have a least a little every day! Quite a while ago I had discovered the practice of letting the (dark only please) chocolate slowly melt in my mouth in order to get the optimal flavor benefit. I also discovered that it helps to have a cup of tea to warm the pallet, which then enhances the flavor of the chocolate. As you can see, I'm a real dark chocolate aficionado. One of life's greatest pleasures! And heart healthy too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carole,
      Is there any other kind but dark?? So glad you all ready know. Kind of makes one feel sorry for the chocolate chewers:) I do often have it with a cup of hot tea and you are right, that really sets it off.

      Delete
    2. I used to do it with hot coffee, so a melting piece of chocolate got that mocha taste.

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    3. River,
      I use to do that too. Ummm good.

      Delete
  2. Dark chocolate is the only way to go. It satisfies my craving and doesn't throw me into a chocolate frenzy. Forget chips...no way can I eat just one.

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    Replies
    1. Annie,
      Me too on dark. The patties are covered in dark chocolate. Maybe I will try some Dove dark.

      Delete
  3. Since quitting smoking in 2008, then quitting vaping last year, I've been feeling "short-changed" everyday after dinner and having cookies or ice cream, which are making me toooo chubby. Patti, I like this idea very much and I'm adding mini-Arkansas Patties to my weekly shopping list! :^)

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    Replies
    1. Doug,
      Know the feeling and chocolate really hits the spot. Eat it very slow and savor and I think you will feel sated and happy. Let me know how it works.

      Delete
  4. I think of myself as a choco-holic. I love dark chocolate. I'm pretty strict about how much I eat of it though. Roger and I split one delicious piece after lunch, and then we have one whole piece each after dinner. That's it. But we savor every delicious sweet chocolate-y moment. It's interesting that chocolate comes in bars that are easily breakable pieces. We delight in the ease of it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. robin,
      Like I told Carole, is there any other kind but dark?? You and roger have it just right--one piece savored. It really finishes a meal doesn't it?

      Delete
  5. Hahaha. Man, you are hilarious! I don't have heart disease, but it is interesting how you deal with it and the chocolate you like to consume.

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    Replies
    1. gigi,
      So glad you enjoyed. That was my point. Some things in life need to be savored and not rushed. Well actually most things in life:)

      Delete
  6. I've eat more sweets since this pandemic began than ever before. Since I was busy this summer I didn't have an issue with my weight, but as I'm slowing down this fall the scale is going in the wrong direction. I'll have to try your/Oprah's method.

    But chips, those are my weakness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eileen,
      Hope this works for you. It is a painless and satisfying method.

      Delete
  7. I don't even crave chocolate and cola any more!! But, I still need my sweet fix...usually peppermint candy kisses (I buy a year's worth when the stock them for Christmas - no chocolate) and once in a while pecan pralines (those too have no chocolate)!! For cholesterol, I'm on stations so, I need to keep my cholesterol count UP or it gets way below the normal LDL

    You go girl!! And you are the only one I know who needs to eat more to maintain weight! High 5

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anni,
      Ha ha, it is a first for me and people usually give me the thumbs down when I tell them I eat candy to keep my weight normal;) Thanks for the kudos.

      Delete
  8. I'm Rian... and I'm a chocoholic! (dark chocolate) And I've never been taught how to eat chocolate.. but somehow have always known. We buy a bar of Lindt's dark chocolate with sea salt every week and break off little squares each night after supper. The bar lasts all week... and it does stop your chocolate craving. The having it with something hot (tea or black coffee) also enhances the chocolate high. Just my 2 cents worth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rian,
      Ha ha, I don't think you are alone. I agree dark chocolate is the way to go. The Patties are covered in the good stuff. I do like it with a hot beverage also, they mix so well but I have to stick with herbal tea or decaf. Such a treat.

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    2. Had to say this as I've been told to forego the caffeine in coffee and tea also... and I do for the most part as the consequences are dire... BUT I've come to realize that I can have a few tablespoons of coffee (about 1/4 cup once a week and about the same of black tea once every afternoon without any consequences (so far anyway). Rest of the time I have to stick to herbal tea also. (This way I don't feel totally deprived)

      Delete
    3. Rian,
      Fortunately I have adjusted to decaf coffee but still go easy on that for it also has caffeine just not as much.

      Delete
  9. I love chocolate but it has to be top quality which saves me from eating too much. So much of what passes for "chocolate" is waxy or tasteless dreck. But give me a package of Lindt truffles and I am sunk. (milk chocolate is my favorite, dark chocolate next) I don't like white chocolate at all-too mild and vanilla sweet. I would have a tough time giving up coffee; I admire you for doing so!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret,
      I do miss the coffee especially on mornings I could use a boost. Haven't tried white chocolate yet but may give it a go just so say I have.

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. Jean,
      Let me know how it goes. Think you will be surprised.

      Delete
  11. well we have the same favorite candy. I used to say that 4 of those mini's is just one candy bar. That was my justification. I'd buy minis so I wouldn't eat much but then I'd say, Oh just 1 more, 2 isn't going to hurt me. Finally I had to stop kidding myself and don't bring them home. When I walk by the candy aisle, I hear them calling my name. They miss me. Nothing better than a frozen peppermint patty! And I have done that with chocolate forever. Especially with wine after you let it sit on the roof of your mouth. Mmmm....
    But I can't do it every time. Sinbad the comedian said when he went to Nutra System years ago they told him to eat only 2 chips. He said if he could do that he wouldn't be at Nutra System. I understood him. I don't care for chips but chocolate is my kyrptonight. Last night I made hot cocoa with real dutch cocoa, peppermint flavor because out of schnapps and a bit of stevia for sweetener. It's a warm peppermint patty to die for while watching TV. You could treat yourself. :-) I'm an enabler you see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peg,
      I have always put the patties in the fridge but you have me curious so I just plopped one in the freezer. It would slow the eating and melting time. Thanks.
      Would do cocoa but it is high in caffeine also --darn.

      Delete
  12. I love any kind of chocolate but limit myself to dark, since it's better for me and much more satisfying. I've been trying to lose weight and was successful. But then trying to get back to a normal diet, I'm back to gaining. I'll try your trick since it makes perfect sense. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Djan,
      Do let me know it you like the trick and if it works for you. I actually like the taste of dark better.

      Delete
  13. Like you, Patti, I'm underweight so eat all I want of the healthy stuff. For my chocolate fix, I sip on hot chocolate made with unsweetened soy milk and cocoa powder. My fave after dinner sweet is a sliced and microwaved apple with a pinch of cinnamon and a few pecans.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Florence,
      I do have to stay away from cocoa powder for it is high in caffeine. Smiled at your dessert, that is often part of my actual dinner along with sliced banana, cantaloupe, sting cheese and a granola bar.

      Delete
  14. I LOVE Peppermint Patties! I guess it’s because I love chocolate and I love mint. If you put them together, AWESOME! However, I can’t have it anymore because I’m diabetic. But now you’ve got me wondering. Maybe I could just get those minis. :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay,
      I just checked and York does make a sugar free Peppermint Patti. Can't vouch for the taste though but worth a shot. CVS pharmacy carries them.

      Delete
    2. And I just got a 30% off coupon!!! Woo hoo!

      Delete
  15. I eat chocolate chips. I'm good as long as I slowly bite into each one in my mouth and let the chocolate spread over my tongue, but then sometimes I just load one after another without thinking. I will have to try harder. Making chocolate boring might not work for me though.:-/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda,
      Ha ha, maybe not boring but slowing down really improves the taste. It was dragging it out for 20 minutes that made it boring for me:)

      Delete
  16. Peppermint Patties are by far my favorite. I recently discovered York Peppermint Thins and find that two of these cut in half & allowed to melt in my mouth after my evening meal satisfies my chocolate craving. I too keep them in the fridge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown,
      Thanks for stopping by and sharing your love for those tasty Patties. Please leave you name at the bottom of the comment next time so I will recognize you. Thanks.

      Delete
  17. My goodness, your posts never disappoint!💖

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    Replies
    1. Susan,
      Delighted you think so and thank you. I try but sometimes just fall flat.

      Delete
  18. I remember those mini peppermint patties, I loved them and would buy a whole bunch every day. But I haven't even seen any since about 2003. The nearest thing is after dinner mints and they are too expensive. I do that melt in the mouth thing with chocolate sometimes. But it has to be good quality chocolate, otherwise it's just melt in the mouth goo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River,
      These are made by York here and are plentiful. Sorry they have disappeared from down under. Not fair.

      Delete
  19. Oh my! I'll have to try that. I am like you, need a tad of sweet after I eat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Latane,
      I know, it finishes off a meal just right. I feel there is something missing when I don't get that bite.

      Delete
  20. If I buy a chocolate bar that's, say, 80% chocolate, I only want one square. Works for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda,
      Ah ha, I'll bet you can only eat one chip also. You go girl.

      Delete
  21. I definitely have a hard time resisting chocolate but I'll give this a try. It is the chocolate version of the Squid Game. Have you seen it on Netflix? Very strange.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara,
      Hope it works for you. I don't have Netflix but I hear that game is all the rage.

      Delete
  22. Replies
    1. Mage,
      Thank you so much. I hope I gave you a smile for you sure gave me one.

      Delete
  23. Wow! As someone who needs to lose a pound or three but really loves their food, I'm going to give this a go. If it works, your post will be the most useful one I have read EVER! Going to try it with all food, not just sweet stuff.
    Around My Kitchen Table

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AMKT,
      Sure hope it works for you. They say just eating slowly will make us feel full quicker. Worth a try.

      Delete
  24. Patti, It's almost 12 years since my heart attack, and I've never been told to avoid caffeine. However, I stopped drinking caffeinated coffee long ago. I still have a cup of black tea every morning for my little jolt! I know decaffeinated coffee has caffeine too, but I'll have to ask my Doc about it. As for chocolate, I buy Ghirardelli mini dark chocolate squares and take mini bites. Now I think I'll try hitting a square to break it up and try your melt method. If I have too much dark chocolate at night in impairs my sleep.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barb,
      They say dark chocolate is good for the heart. My problem is I have AFIB (rapid, irregular heartbeat) and caffeine acts as a stimulant, actually causing the irregular beat. Since it can cause a stroke, I have to be hyper careful. Hope your doc gives you the go ahead.

      Delete
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    ReplyDelete

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