It all starts with the selection of the finest (fill-in-the-blank) in the world’s most remote lands of origin; it continues with the creativity that produces exclusive innovative blends, to end in the laboratories where top-quality ingredients are masterfully dosed and hand-processed.

Can you guess what I’m describing?

🤎 CHOCOLATE 🤎

Yes! For the LOVE of chocolate! And just in time for Valentine’s Day. Those exact words (above) are from the philosophy page on the Amedei website. And, in case you don’t know Amedei is a Tuscany based chocolatier considered amongst conessiours to be perhaps the most renown—a limited edition Porcelana bar on Amazon will cost you $19.00 on Amazon—for a pack of ONE! I purchased an Amedei bar and it was tasty—just not $19 tasty. But hey, now I can say I have!

Episode 128 is so much chocolate goodness. I’ve got a truly random presentation of stacy-esque fascinating facts and all kinds of chocolate fancy and flirtation, concluding with my own list of current favorites.

🍫 The recipe for BYU Mint Brownies

🍫 A Brief History of Chocolate in The Smithsonian Magazine

🍫 The Ghirardelli story (just because I’ve been!)

🍫 Follow Kristy Leisure @docofchoc on Instagram

🍫 Follow Megan Giller on Instagram or pick up her book, Bean to Bar Chocolate

🍫 An example of Seth Godin interviewing authentic chocolatiers on Akimbo.

🍫 NuFlours classic gluten free brownies (for your freezer) are HERE.

🍫 Curious about the percentages in chocolate want to know more? Here you go: Thrive Market website. Thrive is also a fantastic resource for healthier chocolate.

My (current) Favorites …

🤎 Lindt, dark chocolate 85% or 90% in bulk and enjoyed with a cup of this tea.

🤎 Hu bars, but mostly Hu Hunks with cashews (sweetened with coconut sugar)

🤎 Eating Evolved chocolate chips (also with coconut sugar)

🤎 Dr. Bonner’s (most colorful) and chunky delicious bars in SIX flavors, but start with the hazelnut!

🤎 Honey Mama’s Cocoa Truffle Bars are good stuff and still quite sweet—IF that’s your preference!

🤎 Theos come in LOTS of yummy flavors, but I’m still down for the dark chocolate!

🤎 JoJos with plant-based protein, hemp and a bunch of other good things. Raspberry is my choice!

🤎 Unreal Chocolate. Start with the dark chocolate coconut bars!

Here’s the JoJo story I promised.

❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day!

🎙 Thanks for listening. And a HUGE thanks to Blythe, Kylie and Robin for their SpeakPipe messages. They will each be getting a StoryStarter kit from the Story by Stacy line with Close To My Heart!