Now, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is offering what it describes as an upgraded milk chocolate -- Ghirardelli Gourmet Milk -- providing chocolate lovers with three new options: Gourmet Milk Creamy Devotion with 32% cacao chocolate, Gourmet Milk Sea Salt Escape with sea salt and roasted almonds, and Gourmet Milk Coconut Rendezvous which features toasted coconut flakes.

Despite a strong desire to improve finances, 63% of women and 54% of men say they would spend more on premium chocolate when they feel like indulging, recognizing what on-air lifestyle expert and MarketWatch personal finance columnist Jeanette Pavini says is "adding while saving."

More reasons to indulge in another piece of chocolate:
--  More than half of Americans admit that chocolate lovers have a certain appeal, while frequent eaters (those who eat chocolate at least once a week) describe chocolate eaters as happy (42%).
--  Those who indulge at least once a week describe themselves as comfortable (31%) and relaxed (8%), while infrequent chocolate eaters describe themselves as stressed (23%) and worried (10%).
--  34% of frequent chocolate eaters reporting a total household income of $75k+, while only 29% of infrequent chocolate eaters can say the same.
--  Those who savor a good chunk of chocolate at least once a week are more likely to be employed full-time (41%) than those who eat chocolate less often (35%).

"It's all about making small changes that don't make you feel like you're cutting back, and then adding a small indulgence to make you feel good," said Pavini. "Whether you want to feel better about your relationships, your health or your career, focus on small changes that can turn an average experience into a sensual, enjoyable, satisfying one."

The Gourmet Milk line of products will be available in 3.5 oz bars that retail at $2.79 and 4.5-5.25 oz bags that retail at $3.99 and will go on sale at mass, grocery and specialty retailers nationwide beginning January 2012.

 From the January 5, 2011, Prepared Foods' Daily News.