Yesterday I was nibbling chocolate and reading while thinking about something I wanted to write when the idea to write about reading and chocolate came about. However, it morphed into something else and well, just because I can I decided to go with the flow.
Reading always inspires my creative flow. What I love about other people’s writing is that it takes me to another time and place and makes me think.
Reading makes us better writers – it’s a fact.
Let’s indulge ourselves because it’s Friday in chocolate and winding down for the weekend and maybe finding time to read and write.
I am sure you can think of a million ways that you could be enjoying chocolate – that is of course if you indulge.
And you may be a chocolate expert, indulging in only the finest raw chocolate delights, like my friend Dan from Elements For Life.
Many years ago I stumbled upon his Yummy Scrummy and immediately became a fan.
Following a nasty shingles episode which left me with something called postherpetic neuralgia, I can no longer eat foods high in arginine. So my darling raw chocolate has had to go.
Every once in a while and especially during the lockdown, I start to crave something sweet while reading or writing. To my horror, some deadly milk chocolate somehow finds its way to my mouth.
Of course, as a cake lover (healthy banana bread of course) I soon find myself in a battle – what should I indulge in whilst enjoying two of my favourite pastimes – writing and reading.
My mind as it does wanders off and I wondered what my friends were reading while indulging. It was with great delight I got some great replies back.
I asked my friends three questions for this blog.
- What book are you reading? What made you choose it?
- If you were to eat chocolate or cake with that book what would it be?
- How does the book you are reading inspire you? (it could be beautiful writing that transports you, there may be something you are learning, there might be a message just for today that gets you thinking about change)
“Anything is good if it’s made of chocolate.” Jo Brand
My reading and chocolate answers
A few days ago I started to read and listen to Sonia Choquette’s book Ask your guides.
I choose it because I recently joined Sonia’s group and her vibe is delightful and I want to be more inspired by her wisdom.
I’d have a big triangle of dark Toblerone and nibble it slowly. Yes I know I am not meant to eat dark chocolate, but it called my name at the hardware store.
I’ve just started reading this book and already I know that my spirit family is all around me in various guises and soon I’ll start to recognise their signature energy.
What I also know is that my spirit family can’t steal my chocolate… Though of course, now that I have said that they may hide it…
Reading and chocolate with friends
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” Charles M. Schulz
Sarah Arrow – I’m currently reading The Way of the Dragon. This book lends to tea cake and sencha. In the perfect world, it would be read with duck and pancakes. You can read what Sarah said back in 2017 here.
Dan Knowlson – I’m reading a few books at the moment.
- The 1st book in the Dwarves series a bit of light reading tickling my fantasy liking
- Earth Magic, learning about shamanic practices.
- Moonology, learning about working the moon cycles
- The Medicine Way, learning about shamanic practices
Chocolate wise, it’s either gonna be our Yummy Scrummy raw choc brownie, a divine raw choc mousse that I’ve made, or raw choc bars I’ve made. Or the scrumptious keto cheesecake I made last night. You can read what Dan said back in 2017 here
Allison Marlowe is more well behaved than all of us and commented – I’m currently rereading The Body keeps the Score, I’ve not eaten chocolate since February as part of a no-sugar month but cake which I rarely have has suddenly become a new daily favourite.
Currently devouring vegan ginger cake. I’m rereading this book as I saw a quote from the book and couldn’t recall it. So second read, picking up many bits of info that didn’t go in before.
Lianne Wright another 2017 commenter says – I’m reading “How to raise confident multicultural children” it’s the bilingual from the birth part that really interested me! I would eat all of the chocolate buttons but Libby has discovered that they are yummy.
Sarah Farrell who wrote Secret Spain Travel Guide: Visit Alicante’s Myths & Legends says she is reading Angela Carter’s Book Of Fairy Tales. I chose it because I’m falling back in love with fairy tales and these are incredible stories. When allowed out again, I want to explore fairy circles in Ireland and find out about fairies and witches in Spain.
Chocolate or cake would have to be Jaffa Cakes to nibble or my nan’s Victoria sponge cake. These are childhood treats to add to my comfort eating at the mo.
It’s a super inspiring book for the writing, the way the stories unfold and for the ‘moral’ to the tale. These fairy stories are certainly not for children! But I love revisiting children’s books for the way they tell a story simply but powerfully and for the incredible illustrations, such as Beatrix Potter books.
Hilary Stringer is another fairy tales fan shared A Treasury of Irish Fairy and Folk Tales. A birthday gift from my girls. It’s rich, deep and luscious so I will make a dense chocolate fondant cake and eat it sparingly, perhaps with a tot of Black Bush. It takes me into the land of my ancestors, bewitches me with stories of the Fee and reminds me that the human kingdom is not the only one sharing this earth.
Mel Wakeman (my partner in video crime) says – I’m reading How emotions are made, sat right now nibbling on some Cadbury’s fruit n nut. It came recommended (the book not the choc). I’m really keen to learn more about how we can learn to manage our emotions. This book is coming from an entirely different perspective. I’ll have to read more to find which way.
Here’s Mel and I talking about food and mood journals
Barbara Clarke who is enjoying her solitude says I actually just heard the narration of Neale Donald Walsh Little Soul and the Sun. So simple and so movingly inspiring. Forgiveness – it is what we all need. The Universe sends us nothing but angels – if we remember that we’re OK.
Norma Green is reading Victoria Hislop, The Thread. Would never eat anything whilst reading a book, my bedtime reading but if pushed it would be carrot cake, I don’t like chocolate. I read her book The Island and was mesmerised how such an awful situation could be portrayed in such a beautiful and positive way.
I love reading anything that involves Greek islands but I love her style of writing. You immediately feel as though you are part of the family she is writing about and although living through dreadful times, there is always a positive to cling to and I just love happy endings.
I love happy endings too…
Zhanelya Subebayeva – I’m reading Profit First by Mike Michalowicz, sipping a tea with milk and eating a chocolate brownie. The book makes me feel inspired and hopeful for the future and hints that there is a different way.
What about you what you?
“Chocolate says “I’m sorry” so much better than words.” Rachel Vincent, My Soul to Save
- What book are you reading? What made you choose it?
- If you were to eat chocolate or cake with that book what would it be?
- How does the book you are reading inspire you? (it could be beautiful writing that transports you, there may be something you are learning, there might be a message just for today that gets you thinking about change)
And finally some gluten-free chocolate cake inspiration for you – healthy of course.
Perhaps one of my journaling books could be the perfect companion to your chocolate moment?