The Power of Organized Anger

Up until today, I never believed in the power of protests. I always thought that they were excuses to get around doing the actual work of using the system that was already in place. Couldn't time yelling and screaming be better spent writing a letter to the state representatives, or drafting a proposal or, heck, actually reading into the details of what you're protesting? These arguments have always worked well for me (especially when it comes to the Legalize Marijuana ralliers that stumble out onto Library Mall once every summer. Those guys never seem to know the details of anything, let alone what rally they're even at. You gotta hand it to them for making some pretty stellar hemp bags, though.). 

But after all that's happened in Wisconsin, and after seeing the rallies at the capitol today, I truly can't continue saying that protests aren't worth it. Our government works when everyone has a chance to voice their concerns and be genuinely listened to and taken seriously. The thousands of protesters outside today are there because our own governor is refusing to listen. Two days ago our state assembly passed a bill without making a motion just to ram the bill through. A third of representatives didn't even have time to press their "vote" buttons. Our democratic representatives are AWOL because our governor has even deemed them unimportant.

I don't know if I will ever be comfortable with protesting, but I have the greatest respect for those who do protest. Whether it be large or small, it takes great amount of courage and faith to put yourself out there like that (Especially when you've smoked so much pot that you can't even remember how you got there but all you know is that you really want a Snickers right about now.).

I'm curious to hear from other people. Have you ever joined/led a protest? Will you say what it was for? And did it work?*

Posters outside the capitol. Posters with sticks were banned the second day for safety reasons.

Our governor, Scott Walker, will be on "Meet the Press" tomorrow morning.

 

The view from the 4th floor of the the Wisconsin Museum of History.

Sweet Jumpin' Chili Beans! And A Revelation.

Cooking Adventure: Black Bean & Chocolate Chili

Source: Moosewood Restaurant Celebrates*
The Bellydance Soundtrack: Lela by James Brown & Featuring Hakim

Prep Time: 20 min.

Cook Time:25-30min.

*A thank you to Carolyn over at Eat Well. Live Well. Be Well. for posting the recipe as well. I went and returned the library book before remembering to copy down the recipe. Not only that, but I had a vegetarian friend coming for dinner last weekend and was really needing the chili directions quick. Thanks, Carolyn for saving my butt twice. :)

"I am not required to write about magick."

This was my mantra this morning for a good while. For a long time now I think I've falsely led myself to believe that just because I'm Wiccan and I run a blog, I need to be jumping into magickal writing. You know. Sharing spells. Exploring the deeper meaning of tarot cards. Dream interpretation. Psychically communing with the spirits of the dinosaurs. Well, not that last one...yet. I suppose that was what Chocolate Month was an attempt to do - an attempt to find the spiritual blogger in myself. Yet, while I appreciate and admire the bloggers who do have the dedication and insight to do this, I just can't keep it up.

My spirituality has been and always will be in the things that I do. I may not bless my ingredients before I cook, or consecrate my crochet hooks. And I may not come up with spells that often. And I may have a really bad habit of forgetting the full moon every single time until one or two nights after. But damn it, I don't really care. Pagans all have their own way of worshiping (Hence why public rituals seem to run on hippie drum circle time: "You know, man. It will all just come together when people show up."). My way of worship is in my cooking, my dancing and my crafting. I don't need rhyming or correspondences to do them, I just go with my instincts. And with this recipe, my instincts told me that if chocolate tastes good, and chili tastes good, then together they must be magickally delicious! ...Okay, I'm groaning with all of you on that one.

I will finish chocolate month because my mom never let me quit anything and that behavior has been drilled into my skull for good("But Mom, I don't want to go to Jessica's party! I didn't know it would be a Mary Kay party & they're going to make me do glamor shots! I'll have to wear a dress and I'll be covered in gobs of hair spray!" Three days later I was the prettiest, most flammable 10 year-old on the block.). So for those of you who enjoy keeping up with the insanity: expect much more to come. And for those of you who do have magickal blogs: know that I love you and that I steal your ideas all the time for personal use. :)

Meanwhile, enjoy the food for the day! This is extremely easy to make and has been husband approved for your convenience. Wo0t for the power of chocolate and love apples!

Ingredients

2 T. vegetable oil
1 1/2 c. chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
1 small fresh chile, minced
1 T. ground cumin
2 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
pinch of ground cloves
1 t. ground coriander
1/2 t. ground black pepper
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 c. chopped bell peppers
3 c. cooked or canned black beans
2 c. undrained crushed canned tomatoes
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1 T. soy sauce
1 1/2 oz semi-sweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
chopped scallions

Directions:
1. In a saucepan, warm the oil on medium heat. Add the onions ad garlic and saute until the onions become translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the celery and chil, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes.e
2. Reduce the heat and stir in the spices and bell peppers. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, until the bell peppers begin to soften. Stir occasionally to keep the spices from burning. If needed, add a little juice from the canned tomatoes.
3. Add the black beans, tomatoes, lemon juice and soy sauce. Bring the chili to a simmer, cover, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the chocolate. When it is melted, adjust the salt, black pepper and lemon juice to taste.
4. Garnish with chopped scallions.

A Witch Corrupts Children... Mwa ha ha ha!

I picked up this strange little hobby a few years ago when I got a full time job and was first introduced to the concept of a "staff training". Never before had I been asked to do such insane things like picturing my personality quirks as colors. Or being ordered to "role play" (Well, not outside a bedroom setting anyway.). Or being strapped against my will into a harness to participate in team building high ropes courses. That last one probably would have been more interesting if I hadn't discovered that 6ft. above sea level is my limit when it comes to climbing.

Authoring these little pieces of morbidity is what kept me going throughout the trainings.  Yet I've found that the therapy doesn't end with mind numbing coworker therapy. It's also great for vacations and waiting for food at restaurants. Granted, the hosts look at you a bit funny when you request to children's menus and crayons when you are not accompanied by children. Note to self: Have children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign

Here's just a little bit of what's going on here in Madison, WI. I've never been one to join a protest, but if this continues over the weekend and into Monday, I'm seriously considering joining the crowd. Our governor refuses to talk with or listen to the protesters. I'm all for the rights of teachers, but what really bugs me are the disrespect and the silent treatment. If you see a protesting bellydancer, it's me. :)

Hm, or I guess I'll jump on my bike and head out there today! Here are some protest views from a short person. :)

 

 

Chocolatey Giveaway Time!

This week's giveaway comes to us from the always wonderful and sweet, Tawny of Daily Icing. Tawny makes some amazing sweets that you can view on her Etsy page, Lollipop's Sugar Shop. I just bought her Birthday Cake Apple and Cinnabun Apple for my parents' birthdays this week, and I can't wait to hear how they taste (I bet they taste like you're eating the entire village of Candyland topped with Carebear clouds.). 

So if you'd like to receive something way sweeter than coupons in your mailbox, here's what you gotta do:

Contest Ends: Thursday, February 24th

Winner Announced: Friday, February 25th

For 1 point each:

1. Comment on this post.

2. Follow me on Google

3. Follow me on Facebook

4. Blog about this giveaway on your site.

5. Comment on Daily Icing & post the link in the comments section here

6. Follow Daily Icing

7. Visit the Lollipop Sugar Shoppe, come back here, and say which goodie you like the most.

And special bonus! 

Tawny is hosting a giveaway over at her site for the most awesome cupcake kit ever in the history of cupcake making kits. ...Which I don't really know how long that history goes because... is there one? Wait? Anywho, if you comment over there and follow Daily Icing, you're earning points for this giveaway AND Tawny's! Bargain!

Truffles You Can Make Without a Pig

Cooking Adventure: Chocolate Oreo Truffles
Source: All Recipes
The Bellydance Soundtrack: Istanbul by REG Project

Prep Time:10-15min.

Freezing Time: 4-6hrs.

Oddly enough, I'm typing this at home right now in faux lunch break. There was no school today because over 65% of the teachers in the Madison school district called in sick in protest. If you're a Wisconsinite, know a Wisconsinite, or are just really good with politics, then you know it's all due to our wonderful new governor, Scott Walker. Normally, I'm not one to get into political squabbles. I'm that annoying one who sits along the sidelines and waits for things to pan out before yelling, "Hooray! It's in the past now! Whatever opinion I have can be viewed as one based on history!" However, when your governor up and declares that he's going to just get rid of collective bargaining rights for public workers' unions and that there's nothing they can do or say because he's passing the bill in a few days whether they like it or not so hah, then I get a little ornery.

In addition, today was supposed to be Literacy Day at the school. I wait all year for Literacy Day. It's the one time when kids get to wear their pj's to class, sit around on pillows and read all day. And the best part is that the staff gets to read selections of whatever book they want to the kids. I was all ready and excited to read a bit of Bill Bryson's, I'm a Stranger Here Myself, but was shocked to hear my NPR alarm telling me Madison schools were cancelled. I kid you not, the first thing I yelled this morning was, "No! I HAVE to go to work today! It's Literacy Day!" My husband suspected I was a weirdo before, but now it's officially confirmed.

This brings us back to me typing at the computer giving myself a lunch break and being glad that I will have more time to make truffles today before dance practice. The photo above is a bit misleading, as those were the truffles I bought up in Door County. Size-wise, though, the Oreo ones will turn out about the same, are cheap, really fun and easy to make, and are great for little kids to help out with (My niece helped make these when  she was 2 by sprinkling/throwing in handfuls the Oreo crumbs on top.).

Magickal Bit (involving cheese!): The Greeks seemed to have the idea of the importance of every voice being represented down. Aristaeus was a minor Greek god of bee keeping and cheese making. He was worshipped by farmers who appealed to him for his practical knowledge. Hmm... maybe I should ask him to help me find a good muffler shop this week... :)
 

Ingredients

- 1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
- 1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
- 2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter. Put them in the freezer and let sit for 4-6 hours or until frozen.

 2. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs. 

 3. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.(I've found that they have to sit a little longer than 1hour. I'd give them about 2-3 hours so they don't melt upon touching them.)

Fancy Swag for the Crafty Witch

Trips with yarn are always good trips. Even if you have to dash home before you head out so you can feed the hamsters which you forgot to ask your husband to do because you forgot to do. Even if you realize that the rumbling sound is coming from your car and the guy at the dealership tells you that your muffler has rusted right through. Even if you spend one of the nights driving around for half an hour looking for a place to eat dinner. Even if all of these things happen AND the locals put you through the dunk test and burn you at the stake for knowing how to swim... but you got yarn, it's a good trip.

Once again, Door County provided us with an absolutely fantastic weekend of relaxation. And really, the muffler thing turned out okay because it became a conversation starter.

"VROOOM!"

"Okay, we are totally the most manly Toyota Corolla in town right now."

"...Hey, when we're going uphill, it kinda sounds like our car is constantly farting."

"We are here, Sturgeon Bay! Cower in fear at the nasty rumblings of my awesome Toyota from Hell, bitches!"

We stayed at the Chanticlear Bed & Breakfast for the second year in a row in the same cabin. No noise (except the occasional rumblings of our car). No kids. A private jacuzzi. A king sized bed. And a fireplace. Not to mention Saturday morning cartoons. Hooray for pajamas until noon and a morning marathon of the Fairly Odd Parents. We traipsed up and down the peninsula where we found the only kite store open in winter that had a good selection of sport kites which will no doubt pull me through a field one day as I wrestle with the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the East ("Powers of air!Spirits of the East! Stop showing off!"). Plus, we found Spin - a yarn store without a website, but with all the more reason to visit and splurge.

I grabbed these two books the first day with grandiose plans of finally crocheting a potholder and adding a border, or crocheting an entire bouquet of flowers because I could. Well, turns out the books are not for amateurs in the world of crochet. I've found that my head may have to wrap itself around actually reading the directions before I start. Ugh. I've never been one for rule reading. But if you're not afraid of a challenge, I would say go for it. Both of these books have beautiful designs that make me want to crochet a potholder or a flower bouquet! And... wait...

This week will be severely busy, as bellydance practices are going back-to-back. However, I will have a recipe coming up tomorrow, and another giveaway coming up on Thursday. What is it? As I said to a 7th grader today when he asked me "What's for snack?": "What's for snack!? Who is it coming from? Where is it? How many can fit inside my mouth at a time? Can my fist fit inside my mouth? Who are you? What day is it? Who am I!? I'm confused!!!!" "...." "....It's food." :) 

Oh, and the yarn from top to bottom: 

1). Recycled Silk Sari Yarn, 

2). Silk Sari Ribbon 

3). Kettle Dyed Pure Merino Wool

And La Ganadora is...

Danni of the Whimsical Cottage!

Congratulations! :)

It's Cold, So I'm Going Further North

 

Oh yes. After a very long stint in the city, I'm heading up to another city! Where it is, I will say when I get back on Sunday. In the time being, behold the heavenly yarn store that I will be spending most of my vacation money at. If I could, I would secretly live in that vault in the background and make my own witch-dragon nest-hoard of yarn and gold. And my vault-cave would also be impervious to hobbits.

In the meantime, don't forget that I've still got a  giveaway going! I'll be choosing the winner of hot chocolate bling, chocolate and a beautiful gift tag on Valentine's Day. See everyone Sunday! ...ish! :)

Things That Taste Dumb

 It is really hard to eat healthy when you have a good week of failed improv cooking. I'll say it now: I'm a recipe follower. Grabbing random things and cooking them up is not my forte. Example: Last night I thought it would be a wonderful idea to cook up some basmati rice and add a spice packet...

 Okay, I have to preface this by letting you all know that the "I could make that" gene runs in my family. This is the reason none of us ever shop at the mall. Prom dress shopping was a nightmare as a high school kid because every time I pointed out something I liked, my mom would look at the price tag and exclaim, "Woah! Ninety bucks! I could make that for ten!" You have to understand though, that while we all profess to be able to construct things ourselves, we'll never actually do it.

Well, I broke tradition and remembered the spices on the back of the spice packet. Instead of just paying the $1.50, I tried combining the spices into my own mix, figuring that it should taste about the same. Yeah... somehow I undercooked the rice and overestimated the spice to rice ratio. It was crunchy and powdery. Adding cilantro did nothing. The only way I can describe the taste was dumb. 

Definition of "Tasting dumb": You know exactly what was done in the cooking process, and you know what it's supposed to taste like, but what goes in your mouth illicits the almost instantaneous reaction of, "What the heck am I going to do with all food?"
 

Past instances of tasting dumb have included this thing I have a photo of. I saw it at the store and thought, "It's huge! I wonder what it tastes like?" I still don't know what it is, but I do know that it has a pulp/skin that is very foamy and at least an inch and a half thick. I also made a Peanut Butter African Stew once. It ultimately came out to be melted peanut butter with barley and stuff. When I took it out of the fridge in the morning, it had solidified back into peanut butter... but with stuff in it. I had at least a gallon that my husband and I had to hold upside down over the sink while we jabbed at it with a spatula. It finally globbed out with a release of pressure and a giant sucking sound.

Today I tried to survive on leftover cut up pork chop, crackers, and orange and carrots. That explains why I'm totally craving gummie bears and nachos right now.

1. Does anyone know what this is and what you're supposed to do with it?
2. If anyone knows some good kitchen gods aside from Hestia, let me know. I think I need their divine help in sufficiently restocking my refrigerator.

Chocolate Quote of the Day
"You know an odd feeling? Sitting on the toilet eating a chocolate candy bar."

 - George Carlin

Books for Dinner

This is the coolest idea ever, so I'm passing it along to everyone I know. "Cook the Books" is a bimonthly blog for everyone who loves to read and cook, but never though the two would marry well (Sure, we may have occasionally thought that they'd get together for a hook up now and again, but the violent splatters that come from spaghetti sauce just seemed like a deal breaker for the witty yet very sensitive pages of our Terry Pratchett books.). 

The club picks a new book to read every two months. Once you're finished reading, you're given a deadline by which to blog about the book and cook a meal inspired by the book. I idea is great and the food photos look delicious!

The books seem a bit too girly for me (I tend to read less steamy bedroom scenes and deep conversations with girlfriends, and more comedy and comedic gore.), but it made me think what I would end up cooking... I just finished Christopher Moore's book "Bite Me" about vampire humans, cats, rats and parakeets in San Francisco. Hmmm... blood sausage? :P

Whether you're a fan of the books or not, I highly recommend checking out the site. It's definitely a way to everyone cooking and reading more.

Chocolate Quote of the Day

There are two kinds of people in the world:  those who love chocolate, and communists.  ~Leslie Moak Murray

Ooh, Look! Bling!

Chocolate Month Giveaway!

I've been showing off my own bling so much that I figure it's time to spread the love a bit. :) Heathen over at Heathen's Hobbies makes some of the most gorgeous and creative gift tags that I've ever seen, and is graciously donating two Valentine's Day themed ones for Chocolate Month. Along with a bit of lovey-dovey mug goodness and a bar of cappuccino-toffee chocolate from the Seattle Chocolate Company, this is a great way to kick back and appreciate yourself this February. 

But if none of you love yourselves I'm sad for you but also happy that I would love myself enough to wrap everything up, tie on the gift tag, sign it to myself and then hide it. Then I would reveal it to myself on Valentine's Day and I would say, "Why for me? Oh, darling you shouldn't have!" Then I would unwrap it and kiss myself, leap into a bubble bath with my hot chocolate and say to myself, "Wow... You are a jerk! ...But a happy, warm, chocolate-filled jerk!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That being said, here are das rules:

Entries must be received by Sunday, February 13th

Winner announced by random draw on Monday, February 14th

For 1 point you can:

 - Leave a comment on this post with your favorite funny quote (I like to collect them.)

 - Follow me somehow (i.e. Google, Facebook, but NOT from within the shadows down the street. That gets you negative points and a restraining order! :))

 - Visit Heathen's Hobbies, tell Heathen a joke, and leave me the link in this post's comment's section

 - Become a follower of Heathen's Hobbies

For 2 points you can:

 - Blog about this giveaway on your site

Friday Finds... On Saturday

Whatever kind of chocolate drink you're having, make sure you've got the piece and quite, and the sweet, sweet bling to with it. A while back I started a giant mug collection. The only rules: 1. It has to fit my ever changing definition of big (i.e. the mug must illicit a "WOAH!" out of me), and 2. It must come from the Good Will. Because any beverage is that much better when you know you got a great deal on the container. :)

  

Chocolate Quote of the Day

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already."
- Dave Barry

Post Workout Chocolate

Cooking Adventure: Chocolate Avocado Milkshake
Source: The Skinny Chef
The Bellydance Soundtrack: Touch the Buka by Harem IV

Prep Time: 3 min.

There I was, ellipticalling away on the elliptical (What exactly do you do on an elliptical? Step? Jog? Swing? Whatever it is you do on those things, I was doing it.). For the first time I had actually chosen a program other than "Manual". I broke from routine and was attempting the "Cross Training" option, which apparently makes you taller and shorter at random intervals by changing the ramp. It also orders you to pedal (Ooh! There! You pedal on an elliptical.G.I. JOE! Knowing is half the battle.) backwards and forwards.

I was concentrating so hard that when "Touch the Buka" jumped into action on my iPod I hardly noticed until the lyrics started. I finished up my workout trying not to spit with laughter at the chanting of, "Come feel my buka. Come touch my buka. Come play my buka." For those getting the wrong idea right now, a buka is a drum. For those still getting the wrong idea, I believe you're meant to. I swear that Harem IV must have found the guy from the "I'm Too Sexy for my Shirt". When I still had buka man in my head half an hour later, I thought to heck with it, and gave into the beat. So the above chocolate shake was made courtesy of Harem IV, and immersion blending to their creepy drum beat.

I said before that chocolate can be healthy when take in strides, and this recipe definitely fits that category. And if you're looking at this recipe and thinking, "Ew. Chocolate and avocados? In a drink? That's almost as crazy as a cop and a dog trying to pawn off cookies for breakfast!", don't. If you make sure to get fresh avocados, and you blend them up good, you'll really enjoy this. 

Magickal Bit: Avocados are a symbol of beauty and represent the feminine in nature. Mixed with the chocolate, it's an excellent way to honor your body's natural beauty and power.

Science Bit: Avocados contain high levels of potassium, which helps lower blood pressure, and  oleic acid, which lowers cholesterol. Avocados are also high in Vitamin K, which allows your blood to clot. 

Ingredients

1/2 ripe Hass avocado
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup skim milk

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend on high until smooth and serve over ice.

*It really doesn't matter what kind of cocoa mix you use for this, and it's really fun to experiment. :)

An Imbolc Bellydance Lesson, But First...

SNOOOOOW!!!

Madison got it's first all out blizzard today with 15 inches of snow. We knew it was coming yesterday. The school district even called off classes yesterday evening, so everyone knew it would be huge too. I spent the whole night dreaming that the storm completely passed us by and we never got any of the white stuff at all. When I woke up this morning the first thing I did was leap across my husband's side of the bed to the window. That's when the above exclamation came first. I repeated it all day while also thinking, "I want more!" While I've lived longer in the Midwest now than I have in the South, I will never get tired of snow. And I will never get tired of the things that come with it. Namely, icicles, and the joy I experience from the fact that the red SUV up there is not my car.

 Begrudgingly putting the topic of our winter wonderland aside, I present to you another holiday bellydance lesson. This time on hip slides. My devious plan is to come up with a small pattern/choreography for the next holiday. Stay tuned!

Chocolate Month! A Sweet Introduction

I think February is the time many of us start to think of this delectable treat because January has been the month of sweaty hard work, gut wrenching self-control, and increased intake of vegetables. At least for me it is. My husband is still wondering when he will see the end of my obsession with vegetarian meal plans. When he heard that chocolate month was coming up on DwaSW, his face lit up with a grin and his hands rose to meet his chin level with Wallace & Gromit zeal.

I think his excitement mostly comes from the idea of chocolate being classified as unhealthy. Let's face it. Cocoa is the forbidden fruit of the bean world. It comes swimming in some of the English language's most caution-bestowing vocabulary: decedent, rich, creamy. AKA? CALORIES! BATHED IN CALORIES! CALORIES EQUAL WEIGHT! WEIGHT EQUALS PAIN AND EXERCISE! RESIST! USE THE FORCE! DEFEND YOURSELF WITH A CARE BEAR STARE! ANYTHING! (My god. Can you imagine what the Care Bear stare would do to Hershey's? ...Smores?). 

Yes, chocolate is one of those things that really does need to be taken in moderation, but that's just like any other food. Heck, the abuse of carrots will turn you orange. If used wisely, it can be an extremely wonderful and beautiful part of your cooking, and of your magick. We just have to know a few things about chocolate on the physical and magickal planes to get us going:

 - Chocolate contains slight levels of the chemical compounds tryptophan and phenylethylalanine, which cause the brain to produce serotonin, giving the eater the feeling of ecstasy and relaxation.

 - Cocoa bean cultivation and use originated from the ancient Maya of Central & South America as early as 1100B.C. The Maya believed that the bean was a source of power, and a potent aphrodisiac. They often used them in offering ceremonies.

 - Dark chocolates contain the highest amount of flavonoids of any other type of chocolate. Foods containing flavonoids help open your arteries and prevent heart attacks.

 - Chocolate goes along with the element of fire (not surprising at such a low melting point). Need a power up? A way to warm your body? ...An orgasm? Chocolate is your answer.

I'm learning all manner of things today & I could really go on forever. But I have a whole month ahead of me! Tomorrow is a bit of a break already because it will be an Imbolc bellydance lesson. But more gooey goodness to come!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thakerar, Dhara. "Chocolate's Chemical Charm". Science in School. July 2006. http://www.scienceinschool.org/2006/issue2/chocchemistry

"The Sweet Science of Chocolate". Science Today! At the University of California. August 17, 2009. http://www.ucop.edu/sciencetoday/article/21617. Video & Transcript.

Dugan, Ellen. Natural Witchery: Intuitive, Personal & Practical Magick. 2007. Page 162, para 4.