All about chocolate

Recently I've struggled for ideas for blog posts. In honesty it's not because I don't have actual ideas, but more about what I actually want to write about. I've been reviewing books and films monthly and being enjoyed that, but have been struggling to come up with ideas as feel some post ideas might be too personal. I've considered writing songs to get you through a break-up, about my mother for mother's day or even more about my love for fundraising. I'm really unsure though. I've also felt a bit overwhelmed to respond to comments as I try to every time, but feel not everyone reads the replies... I was considering taking a big break but thought no - I feel if I take a substantial break I might not come back!

Anyway, this brings me to my idea for my next post. After recently the following post: 50 blog post ideas when you have writer's blog; it seemed fitting. That is why I'm discussing chocolate. It also seems fitting as I'm sort of eating chocolate as I write this...

To me, chocolate is like diamonds; it can be a girl's best friend although men love it too. Not trying to be sexist there! I feel it can be eaten during moments of sadness, happiness or even as a "F**k you" to the diet. My love with chocolate can be far too emotional. I have a tiring day, I will buy chocolate. I feel crappy, I will buy chocolate. I am due on my period, I will buy chocolate or sweets. Something great happens and I want to reward myself, I will buy chocolate.

I am not completely against eating chocolate. Who am I kidding? I love it! I don't however like the fat belly (all my weight seems to go there, to my thighs and to my hips). I also don't like the cravings and how irritable I get if I don't have it when crave it.

How about the facts of chocolate?

• Chocolate was used as money - it used to be considered worth more than gold!
• White chocolate isn't real chocolate because it uses cocoa butter, as opposed to cocpa which classifies it as chocolate. Mind blown!
• Europeans account for almost half the world's chocolate consumption
• One to put you off chocolate for a bit - on average, one chocolate bar contains 8 insect parts
• Cacao which chocolate is made from is quite good for you. It is a powerful antioxidant. Dark chocolate is seen as the most healthy as it has lots of antioxidants that help the cardiovascular system by reducing blood pressure
• Eating dark chocolate widens arteries and helps healthy blood flow to stop the build-up of plaque that block arteries
• Eating dark chocolate every day is said to reduce the risk of heart disease by 1/3
• It can help reduce the risk of diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity
• The world's largest chocolate bar weighed 5,792kg
• There are potato chips dipped in chocolate. Check out Lays wavy crisps!
• Don't give chocolate to cats or dogs as it can sicken or even kill them. That's why our dogs get their own chocolate buttons from the pet shop
• 100 pounds of chocolate is eaten every second in America
• Chocolate is more effective than codeine for coughs
• The smell can relax you because it increases theta brain waves
• Chocolate contains high doses of caffeine and sugar, and is viewed as largely to blame for ADHD in children
• Chocolate can cause headaches and this is why those who suffer from migraines shouldn't eat a lot of it

Credits: Telegraph, Facts about chocolate, Do something and Fact Slides

I feel I've learnt so much about chocolate from finding out these 16 facts and realise that it's not all bad. Eat chocolate and don't feel quite so guilty. Let me know what you think - did you know any of these?

Blogtober16 - Meaning behind my blog name

Almost half way through the Blogtober challenge, and time to tell you the story of how Planetjodie came to be!

It is a relatively short story.

I decided to write a blog about 3 months ago, after failing to find something to entertain me after being unemployed for a while. When starting up, I remembered I had set up a blog called "Planet Jodie" and only posted one thing. I deleted the post and started from fresh. It seemed perfect.

I chose not to write about a specific genre, and write ideas that came to me. An opinion I wanted to share, review, diary of travel, just anything that came to mind. My Dad always jokes that I'm different and from Planet Jodie, so I think the name sums it up there!

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow to show you the timeline of my day as part of blogtober.