Celebrate National Milk Chocolate Day on July 28, 2010. Grab a piece of milk chocolate and savor it as it melts in your mouth. Now, you've done your part!

Enjoy these fun chocolate facts -

- Milk Chocolate was invented by the Swiss. In 1875, Milk Chocolate was introduced when condensed milk was added to cocoa powder

- Americans consume 50% of chocolate each year

- 65% of American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate

Who created National Milk Chocolate Day? Who knows. Most likely, this sweet day was created by chocolate confectioners.

For smooth and creamy milk chocolate and other fine products, visit http://www.DOVE-Chocolate-Discoveries.com/AimeeWilson.

Savor life's best,

Aimee　

Sources: www.CandyUSA.com and  ChocolateSmarts - www.smartsco.com

I am discovering the sweetest sound to people truly is their name. When I am in a store or obtaining customer service on the telephone, I use the person's name at the beginning and the end of the telephone call, if they provided it. A quick glance at their name badge, when in person, or kindly asking their name before you start receiving service goes a long way to the type of customer service you receive. In fact, in an unscientific way, I found that the quality of customer service goes up significantly when on the telephone. Perhaps it warms the interaction.

I did not make this up. I am simply taking a page from Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People, Chapter 6, to be precise. Try it. Let the other person hear the sweetest sound!

Savor life's best,

Aimee

My favorite part of Next Food Network Star is the dual approach to discover who will have their own show on the Food Network - camera presence along with versatile culinary expertise.  While some contestants are offering smooth presentations that make you crave more from them, there are still contestants who baffle you because they have difficulty explaining their own creation.

For the Star Challenges, I would love to meet the creative minds who develop those concepts.  Having the remaining contestants work together to execute a supper club experience was genius.  Not only did I learn from that aspect of the show, I also enjoyed the commentary from the various foodies who attended.  The professionals who participate in the Star Challenges as critics have that slice of time to critique the contestants without prior experience with the contestants.  I think their opinions, based on a live, brief food presentation, adds credibility  because of the limited experience with the contestants combined with their culinary expertise.  It makes their impressions rise to a higher level.  While viewers at home determine within moments whether they will continue to watch a show, food or cooking shows must pique your interest with that X factor, which typically is the personable host whose personality catches your eye and draws you in.

Now, it finally happened this episode.  This week's eliminated contestant was allowed to flounder for sometime in hopes of seeing a dynamic presentation match her magnetic personality while experiencing sophisticated food worthy of the Next Food Network Star.  Like one of the other contestants mentioned on this week's episode, the eliminated contestant created too many pasta dishes.  As discovered on a wrap-up show called NFNS After Party on Cooking Channel, the eliminated contestant had a fabulous dish that could have been the difference maker.  In case you just learned about this after party like I did, NFNS After Party gives a "Monday Morning Quarterback" perspective from hosts who include two past season contestants.  At the end of the after party show, the hosts gave their predictions on who would eliminated next.  I disagree with the prediction for the next eliminated contestant.  While one of the contestants whose name starts with "A" is soaring to the top, the other contestant whose name starts with "A", in my opinion, will be eliminated next week.  We will have to wait to see who is correct.

Savor life's best,
Aimee

Like most people these days, I filled multiple roles.  Sometimes, I fill multiple roles at one time like:

- Mother

- Daughter

- Sister

- Friend

- Employee

- Entrepreneur

- Client

- Social Networker

You get the point.

These days, when I am confronted with competing responsibilities or a situation where I am not immediately sure how to handle it, I take the modern day deep breath.  I separate myself from the situation either physically (e.g., moving away from the situation) or figuratively (e.g., becoming "invisible" so I can gather information or compose myself).

For example, if someone on a social networking site reaches out to you in a way that surprises you (this could include lots of positive or negative instances), I put it on ice until I can gather my thoughts to respond in the best possible way. Every now and then, I may remember to breath.  A deep breath might occur on that rare occasion.  Typically, I just take a modern day deep breath and get back to the person within a reasonably responsible and professional amount of time so I can fashion an appropriate response.

I have found some relationships strengthened and other relationships calmly reconfigured or severed.  I highly recommend it - that when the next pleasant surprise or unexpected disappointment occurs, take a Modern Day Deep Breath.

Savor life's best,

Aimee

It seems everyone likes something new or do they?  Recently, Sonic, the drive-in fast food restaurant has opened here in suburban Philadelphia and the lunch scene was insane.  For some reason, I thought, "I'll hit the Sonic and head home to finish my work for the day".  Most of the drive-in booths were taken.  They had to have people directing traffic there.

My first exposure to Sonic was last Fall while visiting my 94 year old grandmother in rural East Texas.  I wonder if the draw here is the novelty - Sonic could be drawing people because it has been open for a very short while.    Plus, we do not get restaurants with so many milkshake options.  Let me say I recommend the Peanut Butter Fudge shake.  One of my Facebook friends recommended the Peanut Butter shake and I took it a bit further with the Fudge.  As a DOVE Chocolate Discoveries' Chocolatier, I had to do my research, you know.

I did savor my lunch. I was amazed at how busy the seating area, the drive-in parking booths, and the drive-through were.  I am quite pleased with how I spent my lunch hour today.

Now, go try something new today!

Savor life's best,

Aimee