From the moment chocolate was discovered it was considered a valuable, divine and decadent treat. The first chocolate candies were invented in the 1860s by Cadbury, who was also the first to market them in a heart-shaped box for Valentine’s Day that same decade.

There is no subtle way to say this. This cake screams Christmas.

When I hear the words “Holiday Spirit” I get a flood of great memories and an eagerness to continue traditions of giving. I can remember, when I was younger, the day after Thanksgiving we would start decorating for the upcoming Christmas holiday. I loved hanging the lights outside with my dad, drinking hot cocoa, watching holiday movies, trimming the tree with family and friends, shopping for that perfect present to bestow on someone.

The holiday season is upon us. Over the next few weeks, schedules will be filled with shopping, holiday parties, relatives, plenty of food and spirits and obligations. Socializing during the holidays can be stressful and challenging for some people, especially if your friends and family are not as health-conscious as you. The abundance of holiday treats and homemade goodies can be hard to resist. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to avoid holiday weight gain.

Cocoa loves attention and is happy to sit and be adored by all that stop and say hi to this petite gal. Yup, she’s a small girl weighing in at only 16 pounds. While she might fill out a pound or two she’s full grown. Cocoa is a youngster though so if you fall for her beauty you also need to be able to keep up with this active girl’s exercise needs. Cocoa will need a place to run and romp, daily walks or even better runs are a must for this leggy gal. She’d make an excellent hiking companion, too. She’s happy to explore with you on all your adventures and then settle in for some belly rubs and ear scratches — two of her favorite spots.

Most of us have plenty of ideas for using whole or chopped almonds. Eat them whole. Bake them into treats. Scatter them over salads or green beans. But what about almond butter — toasted (and sometimes salted) almonds that have been ground to a peanut butter-like consistency?

The parade of retro treats marches on. And this summer it seems the foodie hipster scene has declared shaved ice is the hot “new” old way to stay — and be — cool.

The parade of retro treats marches on. And this summer it seems the foodie hipster scene has declared shaved ice is the hot “new” old way to stay — and be — cool.

Laura Gallaher and Johnny Nguyen exchanged wedding vows in a double ring ceremony at the Phoenix Art Museum on Oct. 8, 2011.

One of the most pleasant surprises of the last couple of weeks is the cool evenings and even some cold and rainy nights. If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace, they are the kind of evenings you can curl up with a warm drink, a favorite movie in the company of good friends.

One of the most pleasant surprises of the last couple of weeks is the cool evenings and even some cold and rainy nights. If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace, they are the kind of evenings you can curl up with a warm drink, a favorite movie in the company of good friends.

The holiday season is upon us. Schedules are filled with shopping, work deadlines, holiday parties, relatives, and obligations. Socializing during the holidays can be challenging, especially if your friends and family are not as health-conscious as you. Fortunately, there's plenty you can do to avoid holiday weight gain and stay healthy, happy and fit.

The holiday season is upon us. Schedules are filled with shopping, work deadlines, holiday parties, relatives, and obligations. Socializing during the holidays can be challenging, especially if your friends and family are not as health-conscious as you. Fortunately, there's plenty you can do to avoid holiday weight gain and stay healthy, happy and fit.

Laura Gallaher and Johnny Nguyen have announced their engagement to be married. They will exchange vows Oct. 8 at the Phoenix Art Museum.

A lot of passion and personal feeling clearly went into "Rio," the 3-D animated adventure from director Carlos Saldanha, who devised this story as a love letter to his Brazilian hometown.

Have you been told that you're anemic and automatically think you need more iron? Anemia does not necessarily mean you need iron. And, what about too much iron?

Have you been told that you're anemic and automatically think you need more iron? Anemia does not necessarily mean you need iron. And, what about too much iron?

Like you, I'm spending some serious time at Target these days. It is one of my favorite stores; and we never seem to get through a trip without bumping into friends. But I don't expect to run into Christmas there.

Like you, I'm spending some serious time at Target these days. It is one of my favorite stores; and we never seem to get through a trip without bumping into friends. But I don't expect to run into Christmas there.

Ahwatukee Foothills events

Angela Gallardo has launched The Cocoa Palette, a new business based in Ahwatukee Foothills that provides artistically designed chocolates with flavor combinations. Gallardo is looking to provide a fresh chocolate alternative to the supermarket variety, using 100 percent organic chocolate and other natural ingredients.

Cocoa is a chocolate Point Siamese, approximately 2 years old. He is a gentle giant with the characteristic slightly crossed bright blue eyes.

I am grateful that no matter what the temperature is outside, chocolate is always in season. Science has obliged us - or enabled - depending on how you look at it, by reporting that it's also good for us. Of course it also depends what you pair the chocolate with. Red wine? Strawberries? Nuts?