Hi! My name is Stephanie Zonis, and welcome to the June, 2003 edition of “For Chocolate Lovers Only”. Each month, you’ll find recipes, tips, and recommendations on great chocolate specialties. This edition is devoted to Fathers everywhere…and strawberries! Pay special attention to both this month; if your Dad is like mine, he deserves it, and strawberry season will soon be over for another year. Happy Father’s Day!

Chocolate Recommendation of the Month: Does the combination of Central American chocolate with oils of bitter almond, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla sound appealing? I thought it might, but you don’t ingest this mixture; it’s in a soap! Pacifica makes a vegetable-oil-and-glycerin based, dye-free, neutral pH, non-allergenic line of soaps, including the aforementioned Mexican Cocoa, the delightful aroma of which is very much like that of a steaming cup of spiced cocoa. There are ten varieties of soap in all, including a beautiful Ripe Bartlett Pear and the mysterious Mountain Temple (ginger, patchouli, sweet orange, vetiver, and apricot seeds); many of the soaps are translucent, with colors that have a subtle glow. Pacifica has managed to create a line of soaps special enough for gifts but practical enough for everyday use, too.

In addition, this company offers candles in several styles; these are subdivided by scent type (Floral, Fruits, Spices, or Woods & Resins). Among the Spices, you’ll find Mexican Cocoa once again, so you can keep that fragrance with you without having to step into the shower! Other choices include French Lilac and Sandalwood; I particularly like the looks of the Nile Lily candle. Where to find Pacifica products? Natural foods stores are a good bet, but if you cannot find what you’re looking for, simply call them toll-free at 1-888-322-2466 or head over to their website, at www.pacificacandles.com. One caveat: the company advises me that theirs are body soaps, not facial soaps. Facial skin, especially in women, is very delicate, and the essential oils used in the soaps might be too aggressive for some faces. Try a new fragrance in one of these soaps or candles; it just might change your whole attitude!

Do you have a comment, question, or suggestion? You can reach me at sdziadwm@nac.net. Please specify in the subject line of your e-mail that you're writing about chocolate. Thank you!