Chocoholics Anonymous

If there’s one thing my mother can’t live without, it’s sweets.  Chocolate, to be specific.  I’m a big fan myself, but my enthusiasm for decadent treats pales in comparison to Mom’s.

And she isn’t alone.  Most people respond so well to chocolate because it triggers the production of opioids in the brain (and yes, that’s directly related to the word Opium. Same idea).  For chocolate lovers—lovingly dubbed here as “chocoholics”—the idea that chocolate enhances one’s state of well-being comes as no surprise. Indeed it’s probably what has us hooked in the first place.  For this reason I’ve learned not to get between my mom and a piece of chocolate cake.

I poked around the internet, brushing up on my chocolate history and couldn’t resist sharing some fun facts. I have to admit, the ancient Mayans and Aztecs knew what was up: they hoarded cacao beans and used them as currency!  Grinding the coveted bean into hot water produced a drink similar to our hot chocolate of today, but with one small exception: they put chillies in it.  Bitter and spicy, milk chocolate lovers of today probably wouldn’t get the same satisfaction out of the drink as did the ancient cultures of the Americas.  But we covet cacao and chocolate all the same!

Nowhere is our obsession with chocolate and sweets better evidenced than with commercial holidays.  Valentine’s Day is an obvious one, but Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and it’s no coincidence that chocolates and candies will be practically flying off the shelves.  If you want to treat Mom right, head over to Thorntons and you’ll be able to spoil her rotten in two seconds flat.  Use WantACode’s coupon codes to save between 15-25% off any order.  Add in some seriously decadent sales and free shipping and you’ll be in business.

If your mom happens to be someone who—heaven forbid—doesn’t like chocolate, there’s always Jelly Belly.  Check out WantACode’s Jelly Belly page to get promo codes like $10 off any order plus an additional 15% savings on those yummy essentials.

If at the end of your shopping spree your mom doesn’t thank you, I suspect you’ll end up thanking yourself!