ALIENS EAT CHOCOLATE!!!

Well, they don't really... BUT, now that we have your attention, it's been a while since our last post, so we thought we'd start the first one of 2012 with one that seems fitting... about our #HEALTH! Since many of us are trying to get healthier for the new year you may have made the decision to eat less chocolate, exercise more or just get healthier in general. However, since we love chocolate we decided to delve in and do a little research... should you really be cutting #chocolate out of your diet? NO! It has many benefits that will help you fight the winter blues, give you energy and ultimately keep you healthier!

Six Reasons Why you SHOULD eat more chocolate!!

1. It reduces the risk of death from heart disease by about three folds!A study found that "the Kuna people of Panama, who have among the highest cocoa consumption of any group in the world, also have very low rates of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure." 
2. Fights depression and improves moods! Chocolate has been found to increase the levels of serotonin levils in the brain!
3. Reduces stress levels!  According to"The British Journal of Nutrition found those who ate cocoa had a 20% reduction in oxidative stress but it needs to become a regular part of your diet because the effects would disappear after less than 2 days." 
4. Actually helps you to SHED weight! The "polyphenols (that's the good stuff) in chocolate actually inhibit the key enzymes required to digest carbs and fats!" They also help to boost your metabolism!! 
5. Become the next Einstein! "Chocolate enhances blood flow and memory, mental clarity and sustained focus"!
6. Boost your energy! It has been said that eating chocolate enhances your energy naturally and improves your mental and physical performance!

Of course these will very amongst different individuals and the quality and type of chocolate that you eat. It is said that the darker chocolate that you consume, the higher level of benefits it will have! Our chocolates also use fresh organic herbs (mint and thyme), fruits (blackberry and raspberry) and spices (cayenne and cinnamon) that also give you that extra health kick - mental alertness, weightloss and antioxidants to name a few!!

AND, if this isn't more of an excuse to eat chocolate, we have a special promotion when you come to our Bowen Island Shop! You can now purchase our 12oz mug of classic hot chocolate for under $5.00! If you can't make it to Bowen and you need your fix of quality chocolate, you can also order from our online store.

NOW, back to the subject of " aliens eating chocolate," check out this poll ;)

• http://www.weirdworm.com/6-strange-facts-about-chocolate/
• http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/11/chocolate-good-for-your-heart-and-your-brain/#ixzz1k4Ooui6Q
• http://trainerjosh.com/nutrition/chocolate-for-weight-loss/
• http://www.self.com/health/blogs/healthyself/2011/07/new-study-says-chocolate-is-yo.html

FLOAT REVEAL, FREE CHOCOLATE AND MORE!

Cocoa West Highlights

Cocoa West is far West of the Field.

Cocoa West tent will be stationed in the Crippen Park Field (to the left of the ferry) adjacent to Gate 3 and the Harvest Stage. We will be serving up our creamy hot chocolates and signature coffees, so come stop by and say "hi"!!

We will also be sampling The Sojourn, which is one the new hot chocolates to enter the collection – instant hot chocolate Cocoa West style.

AND, If you purchase any beverage, you will be entered to win the entire collection of personality bars (Alicia, Calder, Kelly, Joanne and Marina). The staff will be changing in the fall, so the bars are delicious, but limited edition! 

For your amusement, Carlos Vela-Martinez has volunteered to be in the dunk tank, so make sure you make it worth his while! The first person to dunk Carlos will get a free box of hot chocolate! He will be at the dunk tank at 1:15pm.

 

Here are some photos of us in last years Safari theme where we showed off our "Great White North Safari" float.

Carlos looking for moose.

Our Float

Kelly, Alicia and Carlos at the CW tent.

Kelly makes a mean hot chocolate.

Carlos, Joanne, Kelly, Marina and Alicia showing off their lumber jack pipes.

 About Bowfest

For those of you who don't know, on August 27^th from 11:30 am to 10:30 pm, Bowen Island will be having it's annual Bowfest! It's the perfect opportunity to experience the Bowen culture – there will be lots of food, drinks, music and laughter. It is an all ages event, with a parade, pony rides, slug races, face painting, boat building, a lipsyncing competition and games during the day. The evening will be live music, beer gardens and yummy snacks during the late afternoon/evening. Adam Woodall, Wasabi Fox and others will be performing, so you don't want to miss out! 

So, come and join Cocoa West, island residents, businesses and social clubs for the highly anticipated “Under the Sea” theme! All participants in the parade have been secretly working hard on their floats and will be revealing their masterpieces at the parade. The floats and businesses will be honoured for best in the following categories:

• Best Theme
• Best Community
• Best Commercial
• Best Family
• Best Individual
• Best Overall

For more information you can visit the Bowfest website

CAN'T MAKE IT TO BOWEN?

Medium Box

Since some of you can't always escape to beautiful Bowen Island everytime you need a Cocoa West fix, we will bring it to you! We are now accepting orders for our boxes of chocolates and will bring them with us to the market on North Shore Green Market days (dates are on Facebook). Boxes will be comprised of our Maitre Chocolatier's special selection of seasonal truffles.

New Package :D

Also... we will be bringing the whole collection of our super delicious hot chocolates! Come by to check out the new packaging and try the fabulous new blends! The deadline for orders is Thursday evenings and can be placed via contact@cocoawest.com or by telephone: 604.947.2996

This week we will be featuring our Bombay Truffle, if you don't remember it's a creamy milk chocolate ganache, infused with aromatic chai and black tea and then finished with our signature bombay cocoa powder. Yum!

Hope to see you there!