In praise of Chocolate

Hello everyone

Another week and for all our American friends, it’s a short but busy one.  First celebrated in 1621 as an autumn harvest celebration, it wasn’t until 1863 (in the midst of civil war) that Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a set Thursday in November be celebrated as Thanksgiving Day.  Enjoy!

After that dose of history, let’s return to today’s topic; chocolate.  Even older than Thanksgiving, we have a great deal to thank the Aztecs for; Emperor Montezuma is long associated with this amazing product that stands the test of time and enjoys frequent innovation and reinvention.   So, in praise of chocolate, let’s start this chilly wintry week!

Some of you reading this may scratch your heads and take us aside to say, “we thought 24vend were all about health and stuff like that?”.  Indeed, you are absolutely right, but that doesn’t mean we can’t love chocolate.  The desire to be well, healthy and nutritionally positive does not negate the occasional indulgent decadence of polyphenol and flavenol rich chocolate.

Our stance is one of choice, education and responsibility (Corporate or Personal).  If we educate, inform and provide consumers with the knowledge that enables them to make good choices from the wide range of products available, then it is down to them to make a responsible decision about what they really need to consume.   I, for one, do not desire to live in a world where I’m told what to consume; we should rise to the level of responsible sellers, rather than run the risk of dumbed-down do-as-you’re-told decision-making through onerous regulation. 

No, it’s not simple, but if it were, life would be dull.  I would rather be challenged every day to be curious, learn and develop than settle for a world of monochromatic predictability.

So, can chocolate and health rub shoulders in a healthy lifestyle?  Absolutely, yes!  In the last few days, there have been a number of articles in praise of chocolate and you can read some of them here, and here!  

Nobody every said you should live on chocolate, and nobody actually makes you buy it; of course it’s marketed and advertised; if you buy into a world of consumerism (last time we looked!), then that’s business.   But, if the pre-frontal cortex drives you to a few moments of chocolate heaven, praise be!

Enjoy your week, good people of the Vending Village

Gillian and Neil

The Friendly Vending Geeks @ 24vend