InSanity~Normalize, Don't Stigmatize Mentall Illness.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Belgian Chocolate and Vanessa ~ The Real Thing!

Paychecks for this blogging gig aren't very impressive, or so I assume. I've never actually seen one, though. Thankfully, we glean other rewards and sweet surprises along the way.

Out of the goodness of her heart and for no other reason except that she suspected I like chocolate, Vanessa Morgan sent me BELGIAN CHOCOLATE! I'd never tried it before...

Let me first tell you about Vanessa. She's a very talented, multilingual novelist, screenwriter, and film critic, who lives in Belgium and travels the world. Despite her seemingly high-powered and glamorous lifestyle, Vanessa is the real thing: humble and kindhearted. Check out her blog. She befriends crocodiles in The Gambia.

Vanessa's gorgeous too. I noticed a number of marriage proposals and/or proposals of other things on her profile page. (It's probably for the best that they're written in another language).

With the big smile you see below, I tasted her sweet gift: NewTree Speculoos Chocolate. I would like to say that I'll never eat American chocolate again. But we all know me too well. Yet no chocolate produced on this side of the Atlantic compares to Belgian chocolate.
It's Fair Trade, "72% de cacao," and incredible. I'd describe it as the best of dark chocolate's slightly bitter but authentic cocoa taste blended with the best of the soft, creamy, sweet goodness of milk chocolate. But that doesn't cut it. You'll have to try for yourself. Have you tried European or -specifically- Belgian chocolate? Suffice it to say, I give this chocolate bar a 15 on a scale of 1-10.

THANK YOU, Vanessa! That was extremely sweet of you!

To all: May your week bring you sweet surprises.

36 comments:

  1. I envy you that Belgian chocolate! Did you know that Chocolate is fated to become the new caviar, going for $11 a bar -- more for dark chocolate!

    I wrote a post on it: http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-new-caviar-chocolate.html

    Ouch! I thought of you when I wrote of the coming chocolate shortage. Have a great new week!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have friends who live in Belgium and Switzerland and when they visit they bring chocolate!! You're right - it's hard to eat US choc after tasting those awesome ones. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh ...yes...I have had that chocolate created by the gods. It's better than sex. Yup I said it! Very delectable. Very nice of your friend to send this to you-enjoy and savour!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a perfect and loving gift.
    And yes, Belgian chocolate is Good. And that G is definitely a capital.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've had Belgian Chocolate, and you're right, it's deeelicious. Heading over to say hi to your friend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a sweet gift! Welcome to the yummy world of European chocolates... except Russian chocolate. Avoid it like the plague!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've had more Swiss Lindt chocolate than I'll ever need. All for free.

    ReplyDelete
  8. So many kind words. My head is spinning. Thanks, Robyn :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. My dad visited Belgium on business many years ago, and he always brought back the best presents, and most delicious chocolates! He also raved about how friendly and welcoming the people were. Though I don't know Vanessa well, this seems to describe her through and through! Glad you enjoyed your well-deserved gift, Robyn!

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  10. That was really awesome of her to send it to you! She is really cool.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Robyn! American chocolate cannot compare to European chocolate. When I was in Germany I was smitten by all of the chocolate! I hope you have a terrific Tuesday:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am intensely jealous. But hey, people should be showering you with gifts. If people want to send me gifts, please send them to:
    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
    Washington, DC 20500

    I may have said too much and given away my identity.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a great surprise and how nice of Vanessa to send that to you!!! Does she live in the USA or overseas?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, isn't that something? What a wonderful gift, and how thoughtful. She befriends crocodiles, you say? I will have to visit her blog!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have had Belgian chocolate and it is very nice but it doesn't hold a candle to the hand made chocolates produced by our local Candies of Merritt.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sounds like the best around, how will you ever go back to American now lol

    ReplyDelete
  17. Roland, say it isn't so! I'll start hoarding it now.

    Lexa, I'm glad you have friends like that. They're welcome to stop by and visit me any time.

    Birgit. It IS better than sex. I said it too.

    EC it only we could add bold face font to the comments. GOOD it is.

    Mail4Rosey, she's worth a visit. Thanks.

    Jacqueline, haha. Will to say nyet (Does that mean "no"? I think it does) to all Russian chocolate.

    Michael, I thought of your kind offer too. This is way better than Lindt even.

    Vanessa, of course. I'm still smiling.

    Julie, one nice thing about traveling is realizing how warm and humble much of the world is. I wonder if their higher quality chocolate plays a role. It can't hurt.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Alex, she really is. Thanks, and thanks for digging in (whenever you're able) to something else that's very important to me.

    Keith, and to think you get to live amidst it all!

    Pickleope, oh no..Obama and the NSA might not appreciate the outpouring of jarred pickle-juice and other liquids they're about to screen!

    JoJo, she lives overseas - in Belgium itself, I believe.

    Martha, I'm certain you'll get along splendidly.

    Delores, candies of Merritt, you say? Must get my hands on...

    Pat, going back is a sobering thought.

    Keep a smile and sweet thoughts, plus a stash of something sweet, all,
    xoRobyn

    ReplyDelete
  19. And Vanessa loves cats too! Enjoy the chocolate! Belgian chocolate is said to rival Swiss chocolate in quality and that's saying a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  20. That was very sweet of Vanessa! I've never tried Belgium Chocolate either. One day... :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. such a lovely treat. The smile says it all. As a blanket statement, the European chocolates just have an extra creamy factor, in my opinion. I wish you more sweet surprises for the week - it's only Tuesday!

    ReplyDelete
  22. How awesome was that???? You inspire kindness and generosity. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Vanessa is all sorts of amazing. How great to be that well traveled? Me, I make it across the state line and I'm doing well. (You look gorgeous too, btw...that chocolate makes you glow!)

    I hear the European stuff is better because they are still big on natural ingredients. We're so worried about making everything fake to make it quick to eat, calorie-less, and long lasting on the shelf.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Try Swiss chocolate, Lindt is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Mmm, yes. Some like it black and I'm one of them!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I can't recall the last time anyone gave me chocolate, or a marriage proposal. Maybe I need to up my game.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wonderful gift, blogger buddy and photo. Happy Eating.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lucky you! I had Belgian Chocolate once. I remember how good it was :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I have had some and I loved it. It has been a long time though. Time for more!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Man, I am super jealous of your chocolate! One of my husband's co-workers brought him some Belgian chocolate last year, and I swear, it was better than sex. Best chocolate ever!

    ReplyDelete
  31. It sounds wonderful! What a sweet and thoughtful gift! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  32. The Belgians - great with chocolate AND beer. What can't they do? :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ah. Now this looks like a really good find.

    ReplyDelete
  34. That photo of you is a sweet and wonderful surprise. You make me smile! (And I swear it has nothing to do with the thought of good Belgian chocolate... Really... I swear.)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh man, do I ever miss eating chocolate . When you find a good chocolate sweetened with Stevia let me know.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Whilst I'm not a huge fan of dark chocolate, there's nothing better than European chocolate. I am definitely jealous.

    ReplyDelete