Why do we love chocolate?  Maybe it’s that sense of guilty pleasure — I’m doing something naughty, combined with that love-triggering chemical, phenylethylamine. Or, as a dark chocolate lover, it’s the hit of oxidation skin derives from bioflavonoids — (right, it must be that).  For mouthwatering, guilt-free chocolate, enjoy Fair Trade and certified organic chocolate — workers are treated fairly, and you don’t have to think about nasty toxins polluting your body or Earth.  Here are a few personal faves that fit the bill:

(above)
Lifebychocolate.com – located in Greenville, a quaint town in upstate NY.  Uniquely local, handmade and vegan: truffles, bars, organic cherry cordials and other perfectly sinful confections. Or dip into a decadent experience of another kind, the low calorie and relaxing, chocolate bath fizzies (4-pack, $7)

(above, L to R)
MoonStruckChocolate.com – LOVE Letters ($12.50);
hugs and kisses with solid X & Os in milk or dark chocolate ($10);
a perfectly elegant, valentine collection of truffles ($10)

(above)
UliMana.com – a mad, raw truffle adventure: goji cherry, hemp, peppermint and more ($15/jar)

(above)
Coco-Zen – blissful chocolate lip and body treats: chocolate salt scrub, soap, lip balm and lotion, ($4.50 – $40)

Here’s to a red hot, deliciously green valentine’s day!

Friday the 13th Update: Do you feel lucky? lifebychocolate giveaway

Oh, what a tasty bowl of corporate hypocrisy!  Kellogg has decided to drop Olympic medalist and bong boy Michael Phelps over that picture of him partaking of a little ganja from a festive, fruit-colored bong.  Let’s ignore for uno momento the fact that Kellogg has previously had no problem with Mr. Phelps publicly ingesting vast quantities of equally intoxicating and more vile, alcohol.  What about Kellogg’s own propensity for foisting sugar laden, health endangering confections such as Cheez-Its, Pop Tarts, Eggos, Fruit Loops and my personal favorite – Kellogg’s Disney Hannah Montana cereal with strawberry milkshake flavoring – on the impressionable kiddies of America?

Remember kids, we’re told unbridled marijuana use can (more…)

• The quintessential no-brainer…U.S. Urged to Save Forests to Curb Climate Change – reuters
• I wonder how Michael Phelps’ pets are doing?  Don’t Smoke, It’s Bad for Your Pet’s Health – the guardian
• What Kind of Green Jobs Will Stimulus Spawn? – npr
• (video) ‘Arctic Unicorns’ in Icey Display – bbc
• Obama Reverses Bush in Pollution Case – msnbc
• Did that tree move? Trees Migrating North Due to Warming – natgeo