Chocolate

(A.K.A My favourite subject).

Chocolate - comprises a number of raw and processed foods that are produced...but who really cares? Until it was revealed I had to go on a gluten and dairy free diet, all I've ever paid attention to was whether it was dark, milk, or white.

Chocolate is one of the universally known treats that people enjoy. Most people, that is, because I have actually met someone that doesn't like the taste of any chocolate - that being said, they did have an extreme eccentric personality and taste in clothing. It has been linked to balancing serotonin levels in the brain, and scientists have claimed that eating it in moderation can lower blood pressure. Supposedly, chocolate has also been identified as an aphrodesiac, but there haven't been any studies I've found that have proved that, and thus the stimulant is supposed to have been created from the sheer pleasure of consuming chocolate.

Chocolate also comes in gluten and/or dairy free varieties (and sugar free, but I'm not brave enough to try those). One of my favourite varieties is produced by Sweet William Australia, . Unfortunately, this particular type has about the same amount (or more) kilojoules as in your regular chocolate bar. The biggest plus, I think, is the fact that they produce dairy free and soy easter eggs and rabbits.

Now, if someone could convincingly explain why we associate rabbits, eggs, and chocolate all together with Easter, please feel free to email me! I was rather astonished to find, upon arrival in France at that time of year, that there were no bunnies, and they had chickens and fish instead. One local commented, "but of course! Rabbits don't lay eggs!".
Hot cross buns I can understand, as they represent the symbology of Jesus on the cross. I had always supposed eggs and rabbits are symbols of new life (nb. anyone see the alternatives? ;) , celebrating birth and rebirth etc. But what I will never quite get, is why they call it GOOD Friday.

The only exception to this peculiar rule is Arabic and Chinese speaking countries, where they call it Sad Friday and Day of Christ's Suffering, respectively. I believe if everyone went around calling it Bad Friday then the sheer weight of the name would cause bad moods and general doom and gloom everywhere (think of Monday as everyday of the week).

Alright. Enough about Easter. Its a whole week away and I have clothes shopping to do, birthday presents to buy, selling my old cd's, and not to mention drawing the Adventures of Lexman during another torturous period of Legal Research and Writing.
Thanks for reading. And, if you didn't get anything of use or interest out of the above post, here's something I learnt today:
A Garbologist is one who studies a society or culture by examining or analyzing its refuse. So if you ever feel like looking down on the garbage man again, he's probably just as well educated as you are.