CHOCOLATE LOVERS’ GIFT GUIDE

Chocolate is a favorite treat throughout the year, but the month of February makes us crave it a little more. With so many decadent recipes and creative ideas, it’s a great Valentine’s Day gift for the ones we love. Plus, everything tastes better with a little chocolate.

1. CHOCOLATE SUGAR LIP SCRUB

A little scrub goes a long way, so why not throw in two of our favorite ingredients, chocolate and sugar? The lifestyle blog Live Laugh Rowe shows us how chocolate is not only delicious to eat but is also full of antioxidants and will rid you of those dry lips during cold weather.

2. CHOCOLATE-COVERED BACON

Although it is hard to make bacon any better, the food blog Around My Family Table takes it to the next level by dipping it in semisweet chocolate for the perfect sweet and smoky treat.

3. CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT SPREAD

A rich addition to fruit, crackers or toast, this spread is a perfect gift to share. A combination of chocolate, hazelnuts, sugar, butter and cream featured on the website Epicurious, the treat can also be spooned over ice cream or swirled into brownies.

4. HOT CHOCOLATE SPOONS

With only three simple ingredients — sugar, cocoa powder and chocolate chips — these handmade chocolate molds from the Adventures of Cake Girl blog will keep you warm all winter long.

5.CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARK

Chocolate bark is one of the easiest and prettiest gifts you can make. There are no rules and really no recipe required. Bon Appetit has a recipe for a salty, sweet bark, but feel free to sprinkle in your choice of nuts, dried fruit or candy pieces.

6.CHOCOLATE CREAM SHOOTERS

Whether you need a cocktail or a mocktail, chocolate cream shooters will win your heart. Food Network shares one of their favorite chocolate drinks filled with rich chocolate syrup, half and half and a shot of seltzer water to make it foam.

7. CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER PRETZEL BALLS

Two pantry staples, peanut butter and pretzels, make it easy to whip these up for a Valentine’s Day celebration. This bite-size candy was created with the perfect amount of salty, sweet and crunch. It will be hard to have just one.

8. CHOCOLATE CARAMELS

These little gems fall somewhere between the chewiest caramels and decadent dark chocolate fudge. If you are a lover, play around with the different intensities and choose your favorite brand to make these bite-size confections your very own.

FIND THE FULL RECIPES at inkfoods.com or advocatemag.com

Kristen Massad writes a monthly column about sweets and neighborhood petting zoo. Upon entering, customers are greeted by any number of friendly animals — Daisy, the imperial shih tzu, who posts up on the front counter; Halo, the Bichon mix rescued from a puppy mill; one of four guinea pigs, seen in the guinea pig “mansion”; and you might catch a glimpse of Popeye, the resident pot-bellied pig.

The pets vastly outnumber the humans (there are just three employees) at this mom-and-pop grooming and boarding facility — the winner of our reader’s choice contest for best pet service in the neighborhood.

“We like that small kind of feel,” says owner Rebecca Shelton of Preston Hollow. “I know every dog and every per- sonality that walks through the door.”

The shop has operated in Midway Village, across from the Episcopal School of Dallas, since 1985, and originally it was owned by Iris Kendall. Clip ’N Dip almost had to close, until Shelton took over after the second owner in February of last year.

“We’re actually bringing it back from the dead,” she says.

Clip ’N Dip offers grooming, daycare and boarding. They use biodegradable products, mostly made in Texas. The staff’s philosophy is centered on “humanity over vanity,” and they treat every dog or cat like they would their own.

Because the groomers take time to get to know every animal, they often know when something’s wrong. They felt a lump on the throat of one client’s dog, and it turned out to be cancer. The early detection may have saved the dog’s life.

The shop regularly supports local rescue groups. It recently collected donations for Santa Paws and A Different Breed. This month, the $15 cost of teeth brushing will go toward providing the same service for pets in need.

Runner up: Animalhouse

Third place: Hollywood Feed

NEXT UP FOR ADVOCATE’S 2015 BEST OF CONTEST: Best date night. Vote for your favorite at prestonhollow.advocatemag.com/bestof