Monday, June 04, 2007

Manic Monday #15: Peace

Isn't it strange that the object of war is peace? But that isn't where I'm going with this post. I don't want to get all deep and philosophical now -- not that I often am. Well, maybe sometimes after being exposed to certain stimulants of a physical or mental nature.

Like chocolate.

Everyone knows that chocolate is not only delicious, it can make you feel good. And so it got me to thinking (ignore how I try -- and fail -- to segue smoothly into Morgen's Manic Monday topic this week) about its role in history and in peace-making. Legend has it that the Aztecs bribed the great but terrible god Quetzalcoatl with indecent amounts of chocolate to leave them in peace. Chocolate as a bribe wasn't that effective apparently for them because the Spanish conquistadores still came and, well, conquered.

In more recent history, some members of the Allied Forces proferred chocolate (part of their rations) to starving prisoners in Europe at the end of World War II. It was because of this that chocolate came to symbolize peace and freedom in certain circles. Isn't that a nice idea? There are many things in this world that divide people. But it's also true that even something as simple and innocuous as chocolate has the power to bring us together. Those of us who love chocolate anyway. As chocolatier Vosges Haut-Chocolat proclaims, "we just may come one step closer to bringing peace to the world through chocolate. One Love, One Chocolate." Of course, exercise should be part of the peace-through-chocolate movement. Vigorous, calorie-burning exercise that not only feels good (wink wink) but also eliminates the guilt that can arise from eating chocolate again. And again. And yet again.


Hey, Mimi, maybe you can make chocolate Peace Globes one day. :-)



37 comments:

ShadowFalcon said...

I love chocolate! and your new look is awesome :-)

Unknown said...

Peace and chocolate - the perfect combination!

I hope everyone will get a
"Peace of chocolate" today!

LOVE&PEACE ♥
Sanni

P.S.: Love your new layout. Reminds me of chocolate, too. =)

Lizza said...

Shadowfalcon: Thanks! Hope your week is off to a good start.

Sanni: Me too! I'm glad you like it.

Anonymous said...

'One love, one chocolate'? One love, obviously, but one chocolate, I don't think so!
V.chocolatey new look, good for you and v. low in calories - can't lose.

Schmoop said...

Nice new look Lizza...However, I feel Peace would be more quickly achieved through a nice SPAM and Velveeta sandwich....Cheers!!

Lizza said...

DaddyP: Well, the people at that company aren't going to help advertise the competition. I'm happy with dark, slightly bitter chocolate. Yum! Going to visit your site in a bit.

Matt: Haha! Now those would be nice, cheerful colors. So unhealthy, but dee-lish. :-D Cheers!

Durward Discussion said...

Then there was the pilot who made little parachutes out of handkerchiefs and floated down hershey bars to the children below as he came in for his landings during the Berlin Airlift. Now that's the way to influence hearts and minds.

Mimi Lenox said...

I think I could get used to a peace movement like that. It might just fly.

Chocolate peace globes.....hmmmmm....might be worth a try. And I love this new layout. Deep, rich and lovely.

It's you.

Anonymous said...

I love chocolate!! Great post for today!! Happy MM.

the Book of Keira said...

Mmmmm.... chocoloate!

Happy MM!

Mo and The Purries said...

chocolate peace globes

Lizza, you are BRILLIANT!!!

Lizza said...

Jamie: What a nice story, thanks for sharing it. I didn't know that one.

Mimi: Thanks, Your Highness. And don't do to the chocolate what you once did to cheesecake, ok? ;-)

Tegdirb92: Chocolate ranks high up there in my book. Happy MM!

the108: Same to you! Thanks for visiting.

Lizza said...

Mo: What can I say? My tummy comes up with yummy ideas sometimes. Have a great week!

Sandee said...

Love the twist with this one. Great idea on the chocolate peace globes too. We shall see what Mimi does with this suggestion. Peace :)

Nikki Neurotic said...

Now where did I hide that chocolate?

Kiyotoe said...

is that why your blog seems to have a chocolate "feel" to it?

tastes great!

Lizza said...

comedy+: Thanks! Well, you people in North America will be the first recipients of the chocolate Peace Globes if Mimi makes some. Grrr...

silverneurotic: Out, out, damned chocolate! Out I say!

Kiyotoe: Yep. And extra push-ups for you. :-D

Odat said...

I love the concept!!! Peace, I've got, chocolate I CAN get easily, now about that exercise...hmmmm!!
Like the new look too and the new pic!!!
Peace (and chocolate) (and exercise!!!!!)

Travis Cody said...

This template is gorgeous.

Peace through chocolate? I'll have a Hershey bar please!!

And some chocolate CAKE!!

And a little chocolate ice cream on the side too.

houseband00 said...

My Dad used to tell me that the G.I.'s who liberated Manila gave away a lot of chocolate bars to children. =)

Foofa said...

Great take on the subject. Vosges is DELICIOUS!!!

Alice (in BC Canada) said...

Just one more great thing about chocolate. Very interesting post.

PEACE to you and yours!

Everyone is invited to see my Manic Monday post for PEACE... a bit late, but finally up :o) I hope you can stop in.

Michael C said...

Another great post! It makes me want to sing 'Give Peace A Chance,' at one of your Karaoke bars, perhaps? Care to join me?
;-)

Mimi Lenox said...

Got it. No eating the chocolate peace globe and then being abducted by little green aliens.
Whew. That was a close one.

H said...

A. I really really like this new blog skin. very fine and sophisticated.

B. dark bitter chocolate is good. very sexy good.

mmmmmm.

That was my orgasm for peace. Thank you for the audience.

Wishing you much peace, many times a day.

Scott from Oregon said...

Nice new look missy!

Now, about them peas...

Lizza said...

Odat: Thanks! Dancing is great exercise. ;-)

Travis: Yum. You just made me hungry.

HB: Really? Wow, what a memory. My parents were young kids in the province during the war. it didn't affect them that much there.

Natalie: I've tasted Vosges only once, and I remember it was pretty good.

Alice: Will do. Thanks for stopping in.

Michael: I'll just keep an eye on you and make sure you don't sing "My Way." :-D

Mimi: Haha! That's right. :-)

H: Hahaha! You naughty wench. But I'm glad it was good for you. ;-)

Scott: Thanks! Go wear that peas shirt! ;-)

Anonymous said...

may peace be with us always so that we may live in harmony

Marilyn said...

Chocolate for peace... I can get behind that.

Natalia said...

A peace of chocolate :)
I dig.

-N

Frank Sirianni said...

I don't believe it--I actually gained weight on this delicious-oohh-soooo-chocolatey-post---
---OOPs, I spilled some chocolate fudge on the screen---Drat! Nowwww myyyyy keyboard'sss stickkkkiiinnnggggggg.
Great post, and delicious blog template.
Hmmm! gotta get some whipped cream.

Debo Blue said...

I've never been a chocoholic or sweets eater. Sometimes I will crave chocolate but not as much as I crave Peace.

Love the new look,Lizza! Pretty kewl-looking.

Lizza said...

Marilyn: We would be replete, peaceful bloggers. :-D

Mousey: Korek ka diyan.

Natalia: Yay! I can envision a choco-chatfest with you.

Frank: Fudge, mmmmmmmm. Drool, slurp, yummmmm. Pass me the whipped cream, please.

Debo: Thanks! A craving for peace is a not-bad-at-all thing.

CS said...

I consider chocoalte one of the five food groupw, so I never feel guilty. Food of the gods, in fact.

I like this new layout, by the way.

Lizza said...

Thanks, CS! Always glad to hear about chocolate lovin'.

Photo Cache said...

ur new lay-put is yummy....chocolatey...am loving brown lately.

Photo Cache said...

i meant lay out