Chocolate News

Yesterday the BBC news site featured an article on how dark chocolate may be helpful to those who suffer from chronic fatigue. From the article there were links to multiple articles on the benefits of dark chocolate. The other articles spoke of how chocolate is useful for lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of blood clots, has "health benefits", may reduce heart disease, and how it is probably just good for you in general.

At the risk of sounding arrogant, I have to just say that any woman could have told us these simple truths. Even Heather, at the tender age of eight, can explain the benefits of a chunk. No scientist had to tell her this. She knows it instinctively, the way that a baby knows a mother's arms are a good place to be.

So thanks for confirming what we already knew, dear BBC. The women of the world appreciate the vote of confidence in our keen scientific discernment.

How to Avoid Meltdown

Ok, so here's my list of things to do to avert future meltdowns:

1. Go walking even when I don't think I have time

2. Eat some fair trade chocolate

3. Take a tray of tea out into the morning sun with Byron

4. While enjoying the morning sun, speak to God about the things we're stressed about

5. Have lunch with Lori (someone who knows about every boy I've ever kissed and every other secret from age 11-21)

6. Put on Brian Houton's 35 Summers album and take a nap to it

7. Prepare a gift for someone I love

8. Call Tanya

9. Dance with Heather

10. Ask Jesus to hold my hand and walk me through this move to Africa

tea with the chiropractor's daughter

when ali came to stay, i suddenly got very insecure about what i serve with our afternoon tea. byron has been telling me that i plainly allow our children to eat far too much sugar. he clucks his tongue and reminds me of how careful i was of what i allowed the two older boys to eat when they were in their major growth years. he tells me i allow heather to eat crisps for breakfast and chocolate for dinner. (that's a black lie from the pit, but never mind.)

well, we went to uni with ali's parents and we know what healthy people they are. they eat really well. they use soya milk and goat cheese. they use whole grains and lots of veggies. they do not sit around eating hobnobs with cup after cup of caffeinated tea!

so i got inspired and placed cut fruit, good cheese and wholesome crackers out with the afternoon tea tray. and ali enjoyed it.

several days later, though, as she followed me around the shops, she finally spoke up.

"would it be ok if i went and got some chocolate?" she asked.

within the hour we were settled on the tea porch with our bar of milk chocolate. we taught her the art of quick dipping where you plunge your strip of chocolate briefly into the hot tea so that just the very top layer softens. then you suck it off and start again. it's so fantastic!

i must admit i felt much better. our days of hypocrisy were over!