Life’s Greatest Asset.......and agreat recipe for baked chocolate tort..and a little lagniappe

World news is sharply focused on the declining value of people’s assets — home values, stock portfolios and retirement accounts.
But beyond the tangible assets stands the most precious asset of all: people. Our families. Friends. Business associates. Neighbors. And the list goes on. Through good times and rough waters, the value of our "people assets" will continue to increase if we protect and nurture our relationships.

Assets are something we want to hold on to. Liabilities we want to get rid of........
With an over scheduled lifestyle ranking as the rule vs. the exception, relationships become "inconvenient," taking a back seat to the to-do list, social pressures and non-stop activities. A child needs assistance with math homework. "Not now, "says the parent, "I’m busy." A teenager needs to discuss a personal problem that has darkened the entire school week. "I need to get this done tonight. Let’s talk about it tomorrow," comes the parent’s reply. A husband and wife need to reconnect at the end of he day and share some one-on-one time, but the Blackberry, telephone, mail and domestic responsibilities turn them off course and before you know it, the day is over.

Mealtime represents one of the most opportune times to reconnect, refocus and re energize. Just a few simple steps can put the focus back on people and the assets they represent in life.
• Turn off all the gadgets and tools of technology during mealtime. Digital recorders, voice mail, e-mail and text messaging serve a purpose, but they should not be more important to you than people and relationships.
• If you are tiptoeing back into family mealtime, keep it simple. It may take a few meals to get everyone into the swing, but consistency will allow mealtime to take on an entirely new meaning.
• Include everyone. From toddlers to teens, children can — and should — be included in meal preparation. From shopping to chopping, everyone can be part of the action in some way. Allow different members of the family to determine the menu on certain nights, although be sure the menu isn’t limited to gummy bears and ice cream! Although, upon further consideration, that combination could make a fun and interesting dessert, so keep your ears and mind open to new possibilities.
When it’s impossible to gather the family for a meal, make a point to sit down at some point during the day. If dad is working late, have everyone share dessert later in the evening. If a child has a soccer game and another has ball practice, have some family time before turning in for the evening. If spouses have crazy daytime schedules, get up slightly earlier and start the day with coffee and uninterrupted conversation.
It’s invigorating to hear from so many of you each week, and I’m humbled to share a few snip-its of your insight in creating Empty Bottle Moments.
• Charlene has committed to never feeling guilty about having her family gather at the table for mealtime, for she has experienced first-hand the value of consistent daily interaction.
• Andrew holds on to fond memories of mealtime with his immigrant family and can still smell the Sunday morning aromas that filled their home as his mother prepared a special soup or afternoon lunch.
• Carol use those precious moments after school as "transition time" for the kids to shift gears from student to child. By joining her children at the kitchen table to share a snack, swap stories about their day and finalize dinner plans, the remainder of the day starts on an up-beat note.
• And Maria, a member of the Empty Bottle Moments Facebook group, views the journey in creating Empty Bottle Moments as life-changing: "one minute, one day, one flame at a time."
Keep focusing on creating your own version of Empty Bottle Moments — those meaningful times shared with family and friends… the people assets that need and deserve your care and protection. The possibilities are endless. And remember:

The process is more important than perfection.

Baked Chocolate Tort
20 Ounces Chocolate (I use a blend of 70 and 58 % cocoa solids)
3 Sticks unsalted butter
4 Large Eggs
2/3 Cup Sugar
10 inch parchment lined cake pan
Break chocolate into pieces and melt with butter over a double boiler. Stir occasionally until smooth. Allow to cool.
Beat eggs and sugar in a bowl until they are three times their volume
Add 1/4 of the egg mixture at a time to the chocolate and fold in with a plastic spatula, mix gently and thoroughly until all the mixture is incorporated.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake at 325 for 10 minutes.
The cake will be soft to the touch, not firm.
Serve cold with a dollop of ice cream or sour cream.

or as:

Chocolateaux:

After the tort has set scrape small pieces of it off and roll into small balls Then roll each ball in a mixture of half cocoa and chocolate shavings.

Keep in refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before eating...ALways be seated when you eat these...