Happy Valentine’s to all, even to those who visually have no Valentine, like myself. Just because you are not in love does not mean that you need to mope around being sad and it also does not mean that you can’t feel like you are in love, you can love yourself. If you want to indulge in chocolate, you can still do this and remain healthy and be even healthier than you were before consuming chocolate. The reason why I am stating this is because there has been scientific research that states chocolate is healthy. You may ask in your mind, why is chocolate healthy? Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease.

Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body by Mark Stibich, Ph.D., About.com Guide. I have always joked around and said, imagine one day they discover that all bad foods are good for you and that your life can be extended as a result of eating them. Well, that has not happened, however, partially it has. Of all foods, chocolate, one of the best tasting, dark, rich and enticing foods has been confirmed to be good for you, who ever knew. It seems as if we have died and gone to heaven (chocolate lovers, of course).

Today, more than ever we are plagued with distorted images of how we should look and what we expect others to be. I am sure that you have heard this quote ” beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. But whose eyes are we really looking through? ours or society’s? and are we really the beholder? All of us are influenced in one way or another by society or our culture, no one lives in or under a shell. I will say in all assuredness, that adolescents, teens and those in their early to mid-twenties are truly overweight and unhealthy.

Some of the benefits of anti-oxidants are prevention of disease and the slowing down of the aging process, and that would mean anything that has to do or contains collagen. This consists of skin, tissue, cells and internal organs.

It helps build a strong immune system and it also helps to prevents certain types of cancers and reduces the risk of heart disease. This is good news because a few contributing factors to heart disease is poor diet and lack of exercise.

If you are ever in Washington, DC, and in search of a nice place to eat without the huge price tag, check out B. Smith’s at Union Station. The restaurant is named after its owner Barbara (”B.”) Smith who is a restaurant entrepreneur . She was also the TV host of “. B. Smith with Style”, which use to air on NBC stations around the country. According to media outlets, NBC carried the show into the homes of more than 90% of the population and in 40 different Countries.

HT-Vodka Pundit
Here’s how to make the perfect margarita. So simple, so good.
You’ll need:
A margarita glass with a salted rim.
One jigger of good-quality tequila.
One half jigger of Grand Marnier.
The juice of one half lime.
A large handful of ice.
Vigorously shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Pour into the glass.
Cheers.

 
by Richard Ivory
 
Finding great soul cuisines in Manhattan should be easy, right? Well, not exactly. Often times it depends on where you live. If you live in Harlem where I lived for years, soul food was practically found on every other block. Ironically the best-known soul restaurant in Harlem is owned by a Republican by the name of Sylvia. Sylvia’s is not the largest restaurant in Harlem just one of the best known.
However if you move downtown closer to the upper east and west sides you will find more African and Caribbean restaurants. Of all of them and believe me …

by Shakera Jones
When recommending a restaurant to friends or family, my first question is always “What is it that you are looking for?” Let’s be honest this is New York City, there are literally thousands of great restaurants that serve excellent food so there has to be some type of filter.
Want a meal at a world-renowned restaurant with ingredients you have never heard of and food that is almost too beautiful to eat? Visit Daniel’s, Le Cirque or Le Bernardin. But if you are looking for a great meal, with a fabulous ambiance, and great live entertainment,   you should definitely …