History of chocolate

 

Hello everyone, today we are looking at the history of something most people like, that is chocolate.

The word “Chocolate” is likely derived from Nahuatl words such as chocolatl or xocoatl, though scholars still debate the exact origin. The first record of the English word chocolate was in 1604.

Some say that begins with sacred rituals in ancient Mesoamerica maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t but here are some of the information I have found.

The earliest known use of cacao traces back over 5,000 years in what is now Mexico.

The earliest confirmed civilization to use cacao, likely as a ceremonial drink was by The Olmecs way back around 1500 BCE. The is archaeological evidence that shows traces of theobromine a cacao compound in ancient pottery.

Then we have the Maya who cultivated cacao and drank it regularly as a thick, frothy, often mixed with chili, honey, or water drink. It is believed that it was a daily ritual.

It was considered “the food of the gods”, sacred enough to be buried with nobles. However, it wasn’t just for elites; many households consumed it daily.

Moving on to the Aztecs who valued cacao beans so highly they used them as currency, worth more than gold.

They drank xocolatl, a bitter, spiced chocolate beverage believed to give strength and vitality. Cacao was considered a divine gift from the god Quetzalcoatl.

Around the 1500’s chocolate had found its way to Europe with Spanish conquistadors encountered cacao in 1519 and brought it to Spain.

It was initially used as medicine; but soon became a fashionable drink among European elites. It was around this time that sugar was added, transforming the bitter drink into something closer to modern hot chocolate.

Over the next three centuries, chocolate spread across Europe, sparking debates about its religious and medicinal value.

It was in 1847 that chocolate became solid when Joseph Fry discovered that mixing cocoa powder, sugar, and melted cocoa butter produced a smooth, mouldable paste, something no one had achieved before. This mixture could finally be poured into a mould and set into a bar, making it the world’s first solid eating chocolate.

It was during World War 1 that Chocolate became a global commodity, especially after World War I, when soldiers received chocolate rations.

Over time new forms emerged such as white chocolate, couverture, and countless others. Also, production skyrocketed, with major markets expanding in Asia and Africa.

By 2018, the global chocolate trade exceeded US$100 billion.

 

Week 11 of 2026

 

Good morning, I had 8.5hrsn of sleep and feel pretty damn good. It is currently 22c or 71f, we are looking at a top temp of only 25, with rain.

It has rained on and off all day and far from hot, I had a nap between 11 &12. I think I should have had another one as at 6.30pm I went into have a wash and get changed for bed, but when I took my PD band off, I became unstable and confused, I improved after eating something.

I have had a lot of pain in my left shoulder all day, even had Tim apply some Deep Heat to it.

Steps:5,073 = 2.5k’s                

Good morning, Monday, woke to rain again it’s another cool start to the day, I had 9hrs of sleep and was out of bed by 4.50am.

I have changed the sheets and the cover on Tims chair, vacuumed and swept as well as sweeping outside the front door.

I washed the sheets toss them in the dryer and folded and put them away when done.

I have had a good day.

Tasha looks like she is in a lot of pain this is due to how much lifting and carrying stuff over the weekend and the fact that her pelvis is screwed.

Steps: 8,330=4.2k’s or 2.6 miles

Hello everyone, I had a good night sleep with around 8hrs, I was up at 4.40am as I was awake. It is wet outside but not raining at the moment, the temp is 21c or 70f.

It has been a good day not hot nor cold and I have felt good all day.

Checked the mail and found four letters including one that was returned to sender saying the address was wrong, but we will see as I just sent a new letter off to that penpal. The addressed was the same as the return address on the last letter I received from this penpal.

Steps: 5,876 = 3k’s or 1.8 miles

              

Hello everyone, I had a good night slept for around 7hrs, the temp at 5am is 20c or 68f.

By 8.30am I had vacuumed, swept out the front, feed the birds washed the towels and hung them up to dry, I cleaned the filters in the washing machine and cleaned the toaster oven. The toaster oven was disgusting and took a while to get clean.

I have read around 50 blogs this morning which is about normal for me.

Timm received to parcels today and so did Jessica and they all arrived around the same time. Then a short while later a parcel came for me.

By 5pm I was starting to feel really tired and will be in bed by 7pm

Steps: 4,664 = 2.9k’s or 1.8miles

I was up early 4.40am, it is a nice cool dry morning. I slept well managed around 8hrs sleep, my BGL was 6.0 and the temp was 23c or 73f at 5am.

I have felt good this morning and productive I like feeling like I can get things done.

It has been a nice cool day there was some heat between 11 and 2 but not overly hot.

The podiatrist changed my appointment for tomorrow from 8am to 8.30am

Steps: 5,729 = 2.9k’s or 1.8miles

Hello everyone, I had a good night sleep getting around 8hrs and 30 minutes.

It is 21c or 70f and it’s only going to be around 26c today.

Sue and I had podiatrist appointments all went well, then we went to the Square to do some shopping. As we left this morning it started to rain and has rained on and off all day. Not a hot day nor a cold day just nice.

The table I ordered for Jess yesterday was delivered this morning that was a shock.

Jessica went and checked the p o box and cancelled it as she will be moving soonish.

Also, this arvo Jess bought me & Tim a pizza from Crust Pizza, just a Hawaiian pizza I really liked it don’t know about Tim.

Steps: 4,160 = 2k’s or 1.2 miles

KELLI’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 32 TODAY

After a good night sleep, I was up at 4.30am, well it was a good night once I settled down, I couldn’t settle at first and decided to try wearing the Beechband and it made a bloody great difference.

My BGL:7.1 and 19c or 66f, a dark and overcast morning, Tim decided to walk down to the shops instead of driving due to the cost of fuel.

It cost Tasha $125 to fill her car with the prize being $2.18 per litre although many places had it at $2.45 per litre.

It did warm up and Tim ended up going out the back and doing whatever.

Steps:9,451=4.8k’s or 2.9miles

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Friday

 This the last school photo I have of myself I am in 5th class and I am the last girl on the right second row of girls with red and black shoes.

New Links

 

My post with links to other posts and a few photos as well

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/03/getting-to-know-youme.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/03/share-your-world.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/03/spring-hodgepodge-in-autumn.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/03/share-my-world.html

 

 

 

 

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Eye Diseases and disorders

 

This week we are looking at eye diseases or disorders at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have some form of vision impairment or eye condition that’s about 28% of the population. This figure doesn’t include things like dry eye or conjunctivitis or any other condition that doesn’t affect sight, if it did the percentage would be more like 50% of the population.

Eye diseases include any condition that affects the cornea, lens, retina, optic nerve, eyelids, or the visual pathways in the brain. Some are mild and temporary; others can cause permanent vision loss if untreated.

Eye conditions for into one of eight categories these are the following.

Refractive Disorders (Most Common Worldwide)

These affect how light bends in the eye.

• Myopia (short‑sightedness) – distant vision blurred
• Hyperopia (long‑sightedness) – near vision blurred
• Astigmatism – uneven focus due to irregular cornea
• Presbyopia – age‑related loss of near focus (40+)

Treatment: glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Lens Disorders

Cataracts

Clouding of the lens causing blurred or dim vision.

• Extremely common with age
• Treated with cataract surgery (one of the safest surgeries worldwide
  
  
  

Retina Disorders

These affect the light‑sensitive layer at the back of the eye.

Age‑Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

• Damages central vision
• Leading cause of blindness in older adults
• Two types: dry and wet

Diabetic Retinopathy

• Caused by diabetes damaging retinal blood vessels
• Can lead to blindness if untreated

Retinal Detachment

• Retina pulls away from the back of the eye
• Medical emergency
• Symptoms: flashes, floaters, curtain over vision

Macular Hole / Macular Pucker

• Distortion or loss of central vision

Optic Nerve Disorders

Glaucoma

• Damage to the optic nerve, often due to high eye pressure
• Causes gradual, irreversible vision loss
• Requires lifelong management

Optic Neuritis

• Inflammation of the optic nerve
• Often linked to autoimmune conditions

Corneal Disorders

Keratoconus

• Cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape
• Causes distorted vision
• Treated with cross‑linking, contacts, or corneal transplant

Corneal Ulcer

• Open sore, usually from infection
• Painful and urgent to treat

Eyelid & Surface Disorders

Blepharitis

• Inflammation of eyelid margins
• Causes irritation, crusting, dryness

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

• Viral, bacterial, or allergic
• Causes redness, discharge, irritation

Dry Eye Disease

• Very common
• Caused by poor tear quality or quantity

Childhood Eye Disorders

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

• Brain favours one eye
• Treatable if caught early

Strabismus (Eye Turn)

• Eyes misaligned
• May require glasses, exercises, or surgery

Rare but Serious Conditions

·       Uveitis – inflammation inside the eye

·       Retinoblastoma – childhood eye cancer

·       Graves’ Eye Disease – autoimmune swelling behind the eyes

·       Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension – pressure on optic nerve

When it comes to our eyes people should seek immediate help if they experience any of the following

• Sudden vision loss
• Flashes or a curtain over vision
• Severe eye pain
• Sudden double vision
• Chemical injury

These can indicate emergencies like retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, or infection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snakes around the world, well some of the world

 

The post for today is about which country has the most snake species, and it is Mexico with 438 known species. This is due to the multiple climate zones from arid deserts to humid jungles; there is also two major coastlines and there are mountains.

The types of snakes include rattlesnakes, coral snakes, vipers, boas, sea snakes as well as dozens of tiny burrowing species.

Since many of my readers are in the States, I will add that there are about 100 native snake species of those 100 only 22 are venomous, these consist of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and coral snakes the only state that has no snakes is Alaska.

Moving on to the U K over there you will find only 3 native snakes and one established non-native snake. They are the Adder the UK’s only venomous snake found across England, Scotland and Wales, the Grass Snake and the Smooth Snake which is very rare and protected. The Aesculapian Snake is the non-native snake found in London and the north & south of Wales.

Lastly for those in Canada there are 25 native snakes these belong to three families the Colubridae the most common, Viperidae think rattlesnake and the Boidae rubber boa.

Because of the cold climate, snakes are concentrated in the southern parts of provinces such as: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec

The Common Garter Snake is the most widespread and can even be found near the 60th parallel in the Northwest Territories.

Australia has 215 species, but we have the highest proportion of venomous snakes in the world.

Around 60% of Australian species are venomous, compared to ~17% globally.

 

 

 

 

History of Blackbutt Reserve

 

As I stated last week this week’s post concerns the history of Blackbutt Reserve.

Blackbutt Reserve exists today because a coal mine failed, a land auction flopped, and a handful of determined Novocastrians fought for decades to protect the bushland. It is now Newcastle’s largest natural reserve at 182 hectares.

The land sat entirely within a huge Scottish‑Australian Mining Company lease. Mining began in 1863, but because operations were underground, the surface bushland remained largely intact.

As coal declined and taxes rose, the company tried to sell off small subdivisions in Lambton, New Lambton, and Kotara between 1915–1928. In June 1932, 52 lots were auctioned—only five sold due to the Great Depression. This

failure opened the door for councils to buy the land for public use.

This why the failed 1932 land auction saved the bush

Joe Richley, president of the Northern Parks and Playgrounds Movement, convinced New Lambton Council to buy 6 hectares in 1934—the first piece of what became Blackbutt Reserve.

The in 1937 more land was purchased, and by 1938, the NSW Government resumed additional parcels. In 1938 there was a council shake up and the land came under Newcastle City Council trusteeship.

By 1940, the reserve covered 144 acres, from the 1950’s to the 1970’s there was expansion damage from fire and restoration started. In 1966 Community groups successfully fought off a proposed expressway through the reserve.

From the 1970’s saw captive animal displays, picnic areas, barbecues, and walking tracks.

The old mining pit closed in 1985 and was later redeveloped.

The renovated area reopened as Richley Reserve, named after Joe Richley, 1993.

Then in 2014 construction at Carnley Avenue uncovered a 19th‑century brick‑lined mine shaft that had never appeared on any official maps—an unexpected archaeological find.

Today, Blackbutt spans 182 hectares, making it Newcastle’s largest and most ecologically significant reserve.