"He's My Jayce Alexander, Always Gets RayDo Into Trouble"

Go ahead and call me a psychotic sociopath, but I have been spending soooo much time lately in Salt Lake City. Drew is appalled that I know about all the happenings and how I know where everything is. Hello! It’s called being aware of your surroundings and reading the newspaper! I will NEVER admit that I like that place, but I will say that I tolerate it now. I mean, I can’t flat out say I hate it if I know everything about it and sometimes enjoy going to various music events and coffee shops in that hipster-infested valley. Speaking of which, Drew and I visited Diva's Cupcakes & Coffee my most favorite coffee shop in Salt Lake. There’s nothing super special about the cupcake paradise, but it just brings back the memories of going since I was a wee high school girl. Nikkole Martin and I would always go before a concert at Kilby Court and sit in the green bubble or back patio and dream about adventure. I make new memories every time I go, and this time was no exception. After Diva’s, we headed downtown; Damato played a free concert at The Galivan's Center on the 23^rd, and The Raydo show would not miss. The band was so happy to see a familiar face, and they embraced Drew with the same affections as me. I really appreciated that, and secretly Drew did too. We both find Jayce Alexander to be a teenage heart-throb! Before the show, all I

wanted was some Chinese food in that god-forsaken city. A columnist/reporter/blogger for Salt Lake Tribune that we met on the tracks suggested Cindy Lee Cafe for a cheap Americanized Asian experience.  Ah! My nuts were busted, I was starving to death and Cindy’s food was so damn good. Woowee! I went with the Beef LoMein, a classic. I didn’t regret it or have gastrointestinal issues or anything. I will absolutely go there again.As for Ogden news: the first Raptor's Baseball game of the season was on Wednesday the 22^nd, and although we lost by one, the fireworks made it a spectacular finish. Pioneer Days have commenced, and I look forward to the Whoopie Girl, (I love how she has stayed apart of Ogden’s history for over 70 years or so now.) the demolition derby, the painted horses that speckle the city sidewalks, and of course the fire works! Not to mention the sales that the local grocery stores will have, Rancho Market hooked me up with some produce for hella cheap! Speaking of those damned fireworks, my neighbors must think it’s the 4^th of July or something. They’re shooting them off like tomorrow is the end of the world! (It’s actually in October.) I keep thinking Orchard Avenue has turned into a shooting range, each pop and bang sounds like a gun is being fired.

 When I return from wedding season in Idaho, this next week will be booked to the max with summer happenings. Monday night is of course the movie in the park at the Ogden Amphitheater. Tuesday I will be house sitting and hanging out with old neighborhood friends at the parents’ house, (sshh! Don’t tell;})Wednesday is an adventure with Caitlin and maybe Sam... GIRRRRRLZ NIGHT! Thursday is the long-awaited Twilight Concert Series with one of my favorite bands, Explosions In The Sky …and yes, I liked them long before I even knew they were coming. I wish Ogden could host such events; it would certainly place this paradise of the map. Friday night will most definitely be spent at Mojosor Borrowed Earth Emporium with Drucifer and the gang. Saturday is the only night I work. But party all the same. I LOVE SUMMER NIGHTS IN OGDEN!!

To Chocolate Avenue!

By request, this entire post is about chocolate. Not that waxy-poopy Hershey stuff, actual healthy and dark RAW chocolate. My recipe for raw chocolate is simple, delicious, and gizmo-free. You can make variations with the amount of the ingredients you use. For example:  use more oil for a liquid-like chocolate, and add more cacao or maca for a saucy chocolate dip. I suggest going wild and adding cinnamon, sea salt, bee pollen, goji berries, nuts, or mint leaves/oil to make the chocolate exciting and more beneficial.

¼ CUP Cacao Powder/Nibs- Chocolate in its raw form is the CACAO BEAN which is ground into nibs, or ground even further into a powder. For my kitchen, I prefer the prepackaged-powdered variety because I don’t have all the appliances, and I fancy the silky texture. Using a processor or bean grinder is an excellent way to get small nibs and powder if you want to do it yourself. Cacao is naturally rich in antioxidants, magnesium, and flavanols. For thousands of years, cultures of South America have regarded cacao to be a precious even sacred source of vitality.

1½ TBS Coconut Oil- Coconut oil has been used for everything from baking to a tasty body lotion. Not only is it also a natural energy source, but has zero Trans and hydrogenated fats. Coconut oil is a good addition to exercise and weight-loss programs. To make chocolate, warm up the oil so it’s a liquid. This can be done by placing the jar in warm water, or leaving in the car while you run errands!

1 TBS (to taste) Honey- local honey is always the best to use. I use honey as opposed to sugar and agave in my recipe because it can be acquired raw, and sets nicely. Agave is a lovely alternative if you need something vegan or low-glycemic, but the benefits of honey far outweigh the other sweeteners. It’s a low calorie food, a perfect protein, and delicious.

¼ TSP Maca Powder – Maca Powder is perhaps the most well-known of all the super foods, and one of the easiest to include in everything. The maca root has been used in ancient Peru for thousands of years. Although not necessary in making chocolate, maca adds to the richness, gives the chocolate an earthy flavor, and, like cacao, is also an aphrodisiac.

This particular combination yields one small bowl, prefect for dipping strawberries or spooning it in bite by bite. For solid chocolate, put in the fridge and let it set for 10-20 minutes. If you’re using a mold, place in the freezer. My recipe makes a thicker pudding-like texture, but I’m no chocolatier so experiment! Chocolate is meant to be enjoyed by the masses. I didn’t include any nutritional values or the calories, or carbs, so shut up and eat!