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CHOCOLATE ONLY ROUTE THROUGH ROCKY MOUNTAINS

9/26/2012

 
Would you believe Americans eat 100 pounds of this silky confection every year? The Swiss gobble twice that and then some. Of course you know that’s an average.  I’ll just put it right out there for the world to know. My portion may be slightly more than 100 pounds given what I know about my predilection for sweets.

Every sweet morsel is music to my mouth, a symphony of exquisite taste with concerto written all over it. 
 
Whether dark decadence or white wonder, I’m obviously not alone in saying chocolate is my go to confection, right behind, of course, my love for Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. But that’s another story, another sweet spot in our whirlwind tour of the Denver area, one you can read about here if you’re so inclined.  
 
It stands to reason, given Jim and I have been all over Colorado’s Rocky Mountains in recent weeks, (another good story with a link for your viewing pleasure) our itinerary had to include a visit to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (RMCF).  After all, RMCF's President and CEO Frank Crail hails from Durango, Colorado via Southern California, where this ex-CIA systems analyst started the company more than 30 years ago.  There's no question this guy has the goods on chocolate.
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RMCF produces 2 million pounds of chocolate in hundreds of franchises worldwide. My work is cut out for me.
Logically speaking, chocolate really, really  does a body good.  I like that it kicks those endorphins into overdrive without necessitating 30 minutes of exercise.  How handy is that?!  The fact RMCF's chocolate won the coveted 3-heart rating in a blind taste test beating out See's Candies, Perugina, Teuscher, Godiva and Fanny May for the "richest chocolate, with intense natural flavor" was another reason I was here.  I told you this guy has the goods when it comes to chocolate.

My mood picked up just thinking about the cornucopia of chocolate confections (300 no less) awaiting my selection as Jim and I entered the premises in Estes Park, Colorado.  The noise was almost deafening as a chorus of excitement rang out from the chocolate clusters, the caramels, the creams, the meltaways, the truffles and the fudge.

“Pick me! Pick me!”
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I think the chocolate "bark" was making the most noise.
Like puppies at the pound, each little confection jumped with joy at the sight of yet another customer, each eager to please the most discerning of connoisseurs.  They were all so adorable, so beautiful, so yummy! 

I mean, come on!  Look at these puppies! They were all beseeching me with their big brown eyes, one after the other as my dilemma grew. 
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Eenie, meanie, minie, moe.
Nope!  Caramel apples wouldn't fit the bill.  I wanted chocolate only.  Apples would simply dilute the healthy benefits of the chocolate. My blood pressure was poised to drop, along with my cholesterol (the LDL kind too, the bad boy of lipids legend) and my BMI. No wonder I was giddy with anticipation.

Don’t ask me how A leads to B leads to C.  That will lead to nothing but ZZZ’s, although if you’re really into exploring the alphabet before reaping the benefits of a diet rich in chocolate, this link will get you there. On a need to know basis, I just needed to know my healthy choice came without tree nuts otherwise I was looking at death by chocolate.  I could think of worse ways to go!

“What you gonna get?”  Jim prompted, following me like a lost puppy himself.  
 
“Look at those cute lollipops!” I replied above the din of indecision.  “Maybe I  should get one for each of the grandkids.”
Picture
I love bouquets, especially when they're edible.
“You could do that.”

“What are you getting?” I asked, hoping for some direction.

“I’m not getting anything,” Jim replied.

Girlfriends, would you agree, men really don’t get it when it comes to chocolate? There’s a lot they don’t get, but I’m hardly qualified to speak to that issue.  Most days I barely understand my own motives. On the other hand, I do know what we have together works quite well.  I have no intention of messing with what works. The only rocky I need is the kind that comes with a rich layer of chocolate.

I took my time deciding on the M&M Bar.  Some things can't be rushed.  It was a mountainous chunk of chocolate (a company tradition) big enough for two people.
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Chocolate always speaks to me. This chunck has mmm/delicious written all over it.
I knew full well by the time we made it back to the car, there was still a good chance I’d be sharing this puppy with my loveable, huggable teddy bear anyway.  
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I need that T-shirt! "Gimme your chocolate and noboby gets hurt."
I called it, although we did make it back to our hotel for the evening before Jimmy caved. 
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You owe me big time Jimmy. I have something even sweeter in mind.
Diane
9/29/2012 04:37:03 pm

I had to copy this blog for Aland send it due to his past and on going relationship with the chocolate industry. BTW I ate 4 pieces of chocolate just now, because of you....Thanks Sherry!

Sherry
9/29/2012 05:38:36 pm

Do you ever really need an excuse to eat chocolate!? I know you must feel much better. Your heart thanks you too.


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