From  Desserts in Jars 50 Sweet Treats that Shine by Shaina Olmonson

Have you noticed that prices for cocoa powder and chocolate have gone up recently?  One of the members of the Baker’s Dozen, San Francisco group was shocked when he priced a 4-1/2 pound pail of cacao recently.

Sticker shock should be no surprise.  There’s a horrendous political standoff in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) that began with elections in November, but that doesn’t appear to be getting any closer to resolution.  Electricity and water were cut off to half the country recently and food shortages loom.

An article posted by Jaelith Judy in Care2.com explains part of

My last three blogs addressed some of the current concerns and dangers in our food supply as well as about Vandana Shiva, who is actively pushing back against genetically modified seed crops in India.  Important information, but given that it’s the last day of November I think it’s time to celebrate the upcoming holiday season, so let’s talk once more about chocolate.

Anyone know where I can buy or barter extra hours?  Working at both New Leaf and The Vanilla Company has left me short on time. For the past three weeks I’ve been dreaming about writing about chocolate but actually doing it has been a challenge.

I may be the  Queen of vanilla, but chocolate rules my life.  Whether dreaming of it, cooking with it, or allowing it to slowly melt on my tongue, savoring the sensations as it moves dreamily from one set of taste buds to the next, I’m surprised when a day passes and I haven’t eaten or drunk something chocolate.  (Okay, I only use chocolate with real vanilla in it.  Better?)