In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Unfortunately there is a history of breast cancer in my family. A few years back my Mom even got tested to see if she has an abnormal BRCA gene, which would indicate a predisposition for breast cancer. Luckily the test came back negative. That doesn't mean that she {or I} won't ever get breast cancer, but it was certainly good news to hear.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is doing their part to help the cause. Available through the end of December 2011, specially marked pink ribbon packages of Intense Dark™ Ghirardelli chocolate found at grocery and specialty retailers nationwide will carry a code inside the package redeemable for a $1 donation to National Breast Cancer Foundation (up to $100,000).

Ghirardelli is teaming up with award-winning author, television host and food and wine pairing expert, Leslie Sbrocco to come up with some intensely delicious pairings for Ghirardelli Intense Dark™ chocolates. Check out the Intense Dark Pairings website for some to-die-for recommendations for wine and chocolate combinations.

My personal favorite is the Toffee Interlude. While I didn't have any Port on hand (Leslie's recommended pairing), I did enjoy a glass of Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages - my favorite wine, while I polished off whole bar. And then I tried some of the other three. A nursing Momma's gotta get her 500 extra calories a day somewhere, right? ;)

Has anyone in your life been affected by breast cancer? Is there anything you do (donate, volunteer, etc.) to help the cause?

No compensation was received for this post. It is just a cause that is near and dear to my heart. After agreeing to post about this, Ghirardelli offered to send me some Intense Dark chocolate to taste free of charge :)