Cal Orey

I finally got around to giving this book my attention - I was actually disappointed, as I was hoping for some real evidence to support my chocolate addiction ;) - instead I found a collection of facts and cures centered on chocolate, but really, I already knew that chocolate was good for everything and didn't need confirmation. Nothing much of substance here and the editing seemed rather haphazard, unfortunately I'll probably pass the book on to another reader. Some of the recipes looked interesting but if you've ever worked with chocolate you'll know it's a bit tricky.… (más)

This non-fiction book was an ER selection. Ms. Orey mentions several times that she used to write those "mini magazines you find at the grocery store checkout stands", and the quality of writing is the same. This reads like a mini magazine stretched out into a book, and it seems like much the same information is presented several times over. In addition, much information, such as on the health effects of chocolate on different conditions, is not referenced. For a light pop look at chocolate, a listing of where to buy quality chocolate around the world, and a sprinkling of recipes, this would be your book.… (más)

Every time the news announces some bit of science that will somehow confirm Woody Allen's fantastic future in Sleeper where all things bad for us are actually very good for us, three things happen. First, the headlines grab all sorts of attention. Second, the facts are printed and those that care to know find out the truth quickly realize that getting the benefits would involve consuming ridiculous amounts of a foodstuff on a daily basis. Thirdly, those wishing to make a buck off of the headlines will write books on how to incorporate the reformed bad food into your daily diet without caring about the scientific part of things. Alas, I thought we'd moved onto "everything in moderation" years ago and away from things being only good or bad with the need to justify everything we eat, but here we are looking for a reason to eat chocolate in moderation.

If I'm to believe this book, chocolate can cure everything that ails me - one of my favorites from the list being entries on both diarrhea and constipation. Talk about your wonder food! Don't worry, it also can be used to treat anorexia and bulimia according to the same list. But that's not all - cabin fever, flatulence, lovesickness and something known as universal emergency - all cured by chocolate! I wish I were kidding, but this is the quality of the medical advice.

The book also contains recipes. In the past, I'd normally cook a few recipes from a book as part of my review, but when reviewing a few recipes, I found some interesting ingredients. And when I say "interesting," what I mean is that these ingredients no longer exist. First there are Hershey's Raspberry chocolate chips which were discontinued nearly three years ago. Then there's the case of Watkin's Danish Pastry Extract - which was part of their special 2006 LIMITED Holiday Edition gift pack available only between September and December of that year. If that weren't bad enough, there's the inclusion of vague ingredients with no explanation. Lavender is mentioned in one recipe but no clarification is offered to point the reader to dried buds, leaves, stems or even essential oil. And then there's the random use of branding throughout - olive oils, vinegars and even some chocolates - with no explanation as to why that particular brand is the one to use. In one of the chocolate brands, an artisan Hawaiian chocolate that is mail-order only and clocks in at over $30/pound is casually tossed out (and her version isn't listed on the official web site) with no good reason to explain why I couldn't use any one of about the 30 or so other chocolates readily available at my local Whole Foods. Long story short, this lack of editing and care when writing the recipes didn't inspire me to heat up the stove to even bother with what were likely recipes submitted a few years ago by various sponsors (or copied from her prior books).

Ultimately, this reads like someone that threw together a book after realizing they were three days away from needing to make their deadline while remembering that they promised to somehow work in free advertisements for a bunch of random food companies.… (más)