Or So I Tell Myself...

Taking in the Vancouver Olympics could mean taking in all the wonderful ethnic dining choices in trendy, worldclass Vancouver.

But I'm talking about a treat I've dismissed before, and now I've circled back and become an enthusiast. 

We're talking chocolate-dipped apples, and we're talking about the juiciest, freshest-tasting Granny Smith green apples, coated in milk chocolate.  Or dark chocolate.  Or first dipped in caramel.  How about chopped almonds and coconut on top of all that?  Cinnamon red hots lavishly melted all over?  Chocolate candies, jimmies, sprinkles, gummi bears.  Bite into the crunch and savor the smooth coatings.

Let's not forget the cute chocolate beavers, a Canadian symbol, with lush dense dark chocolate teeth and a cute face, or the football in white chocolate with all kinds of frosting decorations. 

All these treats come on a stick, easy to eat as you stroll along Robson Street or Granville, making your way through the crowds to the Olympic sites.  I think you could make a dipped apple at home pretty easily, and decorate it however you like.  There were gold, silver and bronze medallions on some apples, too.  Judging by the lines out the door of this particular candy shop, the apples were like gold.

All I could think is how healthy this snack is, compared to what I might have eaten.  An apple, right, and the chocolate just makes it cross over to dessert treat.  Oh, Canada...you had me at first glance, and I plan to return for more!