Spokane Chocolate Cravings

We’ve probably all heard that women crave chocolate and that chocolate is good for us.  The truth, according to researchers, is that it’s not only women who crave chocolate.  97% of women and 68% of men experience food cravings - with chocolate being the  most common!

Why?

Studies show that chocolate abstinence, stress and exposure to chocolate increase one’s urge to eat chocolate.

There’s been many times when the thought of chocolate never crossed my mind until passing the candy aisle in the market checkout line!  I pass up the gum and the mints just fine;  it’s the pure chocolate bar that  lands on the conveyor belt.    The checker almost always says “would you like this left out?”   I try to act casual when I  say  “oh, no, thank you” –  as if  she doesn’t know I will open it the moment I get in the privacy of my car.

Benefits?

Are there benefits to eating chocolate?  Yes, studies show there are cardiovascular benefits of eating chocolate, particularly dark chocolate.

I’m right there with that .  Have you heard of…

Unemployment in Spokane

It’s no news that unemployment is high in Spokane.   The rate was 9.3% as of January 20, 2010, according to ABC News.   The national average for the same period was 9.7%.   Sounds like the Spokane unemployment rate is  pretty typical.    It could be worse I suppose.  Forbes recently put out its “Most Miserable Cities” list - with miserable qualities being the unemployment rate and decreasing home values.  At least Spokane wasn’t on it.  It’s looking prettty miserable to me,  but then I’m prejudiced for I am one of the 9.3%.

I’m lucky to have a husband who is still employed and making a salary that can support us.  Still, the layoff hit me right in the face.  I’ve been out of work for one long and miserable year.

I’d been at stay-at-home mom for many years before moving to Spokane.  I was just getting back into the work force when we moved.  Unpacking and getting settled kept me busy for a while and being without a job was OK.   Then I found…

My Love, Starbucks

I am a classic Starbucks junkie, and Liberty Lake Starbucks is my favorite. They all know me and my drink, they love me. Over the past 10 years I have evolved into the dream customer for Starbucks. I buy the coffee, but also the to-go cup, the ceramic home cups (one for every city I have traveled to) and the teddy bears. I’ve even bought music.  I’m a gold card member, and I get a “free” drink every 15 visits. These drinks taste the best.

Starbucks has been my comfort for so many years, the same smiling faces and the same coffee every time, even when I travel. I once had to spend three weeks away from my husband and kids in Dallas for a work training. This was probably the most emotionally heart-wrenching time of my life, and I missed my sweet little daughters so much every day. Sometimes, I stopped at the Starbucks by my hotel twice or three times a day, just to enjoy a delicious iced coffee and the comfort…