Valentines: Box of 9 and other goodies from Max's Restaurant

I will sleep really well tonight because of this! My partner came home bearing sweets from Max's Restaurant and so far, I've indulged in the heart-shaped chocolate ganache with cherry. I heard it's just P199 and it is such a beauty! :)

The pastry bites look so great I asked if we're celebrating V day so early (and that will be such a bummer!). But then again, it was just a really special pasalubong from Max's - not only for me but our 1 y.o. boy who played with the heart-shaped cookies and broke them!

Check out other Valentines goodies here

Guylian Chocolate Shop at the Opera House

Are you familiar with these yummy chocolate seashells?


If you are a fan of Guylian chocolates like me, you're heart will surely skip a beat when you see this:


A Guylian Chocolate Cafe/Shop at the Sydney Circular Quay.

I made it a point to dine and experience the cafe. Not only do they offer chocolate drinks and desserts, they also have salads and some meals. We tried the Opera Cake, since we are in the Sydney Opera House :)



Their hot chocolate which tastes like the traditional cocoa in Manila. What's interesting is they provide you with a chocolate square on your cup. You pour the hot cocoa on it and let the chocolate melt. Yummy!



Then, you'll also get extra chocolate squares for you to enjoy. Drop them on your cup of hot cocoa or enjoy them as is.



My niece Anya enjoyed delicious and crispy belgian waffles. It came with chocolate syrup and a scoop of ice cream. It was nice but the waffle was very light for me, more carbs please :)

Beauty Notes of a Chocoholic

At the Chocolate Appreciation Workshop, chocolatier Benjamin Pedro revealed surprising facts about chocolates. The Heavenly Chocolates Shop was filled with ohhh's and ahhh's by the chocoholic participants, as if they found the path to enlightenment.

Here's what your mama didn't tell you about chocolates:

1. Chocolates are high in anti-oxidants that fight free radicals responsible for looking old and ugly (e.g. skin impurities, wrinkles, cell damage)

2. A bar of chocolate has less sugar than a can of coke.

3. Cocoa butter does not contribute to high levels of cholesterol.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP....

Be beautiful like the gods who enjoyed "cocoa", meaning food of the gods.

4. Chocolate has less caffeine than chocolates (high levels of caffeine triggers acne for some people).

5. The higher the cocoa content, the less sugar there is in your chocolate.

6. White chocolate is NOT CHOCOLATE, it is made of just cocoa butter. Darker chocolates have real beneficial cocoa.

Chocolate can be enjoyed as a drink or in solid state like chocolate bars or chips. Real chocolate is made of cocoa mass and cocoa butter. There are chocolates on the market that contain vegetable fat to replace cocoa butter, avoid that or you'll reap the fattening effects of vegetable FAT.

After the workshop, I recommend Swiss chocolate as the best for their traditional and intricate process of chocolate making.

To reap the beauty benefits of chocolate, discern well if the bar you are holding is made of REAL chocolate, opt for chocolates with single origins. This type has at least 64% cocoa packed with all the chocolate-y benefits.

Heavenly Chocolates is the home of single origin chocolates like Peru, Ghana, Madagascar (my favorite), Ivory Coast, etc. Learn more and experience beauty by chocolates, visit Heavenly Chocolates at Roces Centre, 127 Roces Avenue, Quezon City.

Chocolate Appreciation 101 - Mark the Date!

Workshops are a great way to unwind and relax while learning new things, not to mention a good time to bond with your beau or friends!

Heavenly Chocolates is giving everyone the chance to learn more about Chocolates and amp up our appreciation levels like a chocolatier.

Heavenly Chocolates is also the home of Japanese Nama Chocolates - Sachi Nama. Don't forget to grab one when you visit the place.

Chocolate Appreciation 101 Schedule:

January 24 at 6pm

This is a free chocolate workshop but you have to email chocolatier Mr. Benjamin Pedro for reservations at benjaminvpedro[AT]yahoo.com

Style and Relax will continue giving you information on great workshops that you can mark your social calendars with! So do visit often :)