3 Healthy Ways to Enjoy Chocolate - Really!

If my observations at coffee shops, airports, and checkout counters are accurate, many of us are wild about the flavor of chocolate. And yes, I'm one of them. If you are too, I have great news: You do not--do not!--have to swear off your favorite treat to remain committed to healthful eating.

But not all chocolate is equal. Milk chocolate, the basis of most candy bars, offers little or no benefit. Typical candy-bar chocolate tends to be overprocessed, which destroys many nutrients, and loaded with added fat, sugar, and preservatives that negate its good qualities. Milk chocolate might satisfy your sweet tooth, but it's not something that should be a regular part of your diet.

Fortunately, your choices don't end there. Read on for three of my favorite ways to enjoy the rich flavor of chocolate--and get disease-prevention and energy benefits as well.

1) Raw Organic Cacao Powder

Anything that even remotely relates to chocolate has my vote, but the original cacao bean can't be beat. As the source of all chocolate and cocoa products, there's no more pure chocolate than this.

Cacao is a time-tested beneficial food. South American cultures have enjoyed its healthful and invigorating properties for thousands of years. Modern science tells us why: Cacao is naturally rich with antioxidants, magnesium, and fiber.

The only trick to getting your best boost from natural chocolate is to be sure you get the raw, organic product. I recommend buying raw organic cacao in a powdered form because it's so easy to incorporate into all kinds of food. I add cacao powder to smoothies, desserts, and sauces when I want a chocolate flavor. (And when don't I? So, every day!)

2) Natural Chocolate Flavored Drink Powder

Yes, getting fresh fruits and vegetables is always best, but consider adding a whopping extra 5 to 9 daily servings of fruits and veggies right into your breakfast using a nutritional drink powder. These convenient formulas can be mixed into fruit and yogurt smoothies or added directly to almond milk or water.

When you compare brands, look for a formula with an alkaline to optimize your body's pH level. Also look for enzymes and probiotics that aid digestion and absorption. Remember it's always best to choose products that are raw, organic, and sugar-free. And, of course, choose a flavor that suits your taste. Chocolate, anyone?

Energy and nutrition drink powders are available in most health food stores, but you may find it more convenient to comparison-shop for these products online. Just type "chocolate flavor natural drink powder" into your favorite search engine to get started.

3) Chocolate-Covered Cacao Nibs

Bursting with real chocolate flavor, just a few of these tiny morsels are enough to quell a chocolate craving fast. Even better: They are packed with healthful antioxidants.

When you shop for these treats, look for a brand made of 100% dark cacao nibs, covered in dark chocolate--that is, a chocolate with 70% or more pure cacao content.

Is your mouth watering? Mine is! See, maintaining wellness through a balanced diet doesn't have to mean cutting out everything you crave. Commit to adding one of these beneficial and tasty choices to your menu this week, and give yourself a health boost...enjoyably!

Ready to take the next step? It's simple! Through my Virtual Wellness Coaching program, you can get completely individualized, focused-on-you coaching calls with an experienced healthcare professional who really "gets it." Now's the time to step up and claim your best health and wellness. Call me at 212-686-0939, or visit Virtual Wellness Coaching to reserve your spot.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roberta_Mittman

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Enjoy These Delicious Chocolate Recipes: Cookie Bars, Turtle Pie, Pinto Bean Fudge

For all you chocoholics, here are some yummy chocolate recipes. From Double Chocolate Cookie Bars made with an Oreo cookie crust to Chocolate Turtle Pie to Chocolate Fudge with a surprise ingredient of pinto beans, you will love these chocolate treats.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE COOKIE BARS
2 cups Oreo-type cookies, finely crushed*
1/2 stick butter, melted
2 cups (12-oz pkg) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter until well mixed. Press onto the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt 1 cup of the chocolate chips with the sweetened condensed milk. Stir in the vanilla. Pour this chocolate mixture evenly over the crust in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining cup of chocolate chips and the chopped pecans over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until set. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into 24 large bars or 36 smaller bars.

These bars are good at room temperature or chilled.

CHOCOLATE TURTLE PIE
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1 prepared graham cracker crust
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 pkgs (4-serving size)chocolate cook and serve pudding & pie filling
3 cups milk
whipped cream, for garnish

Spread the caramel topping over the bottom of the crust. Sprinkle the pecans over the caramel. Refrigerate.

In a saucepan, stir the pudding mix into the milk. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a full boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir twice during cooling. Pour into the crust and place plastic wrap on the surface of the filling. Refrigerate about 3 hours or until set. Before serving garnish with whipped cream, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings

PINTO BEAN CHOCOLATE FUDGE
1 can (15-oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 tbsp vanilla extract
7 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts

Place the beans in a microwave-safe dish and mash with a fork until smooth. Cover the dish and heat in microwave 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Remove dish from microwave. Add the cocoa powder, butter, and vanilla. This will make a thick mixture. Slowly stir in the confectioners' sugar. Stir in the nuts. Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate until firm.

Yield: 3 1/2 pounds

Note: The pinto beans replace some of the butter normally used to make fudge. This fudge is creamy and the walnuts add crunch. No one will believe you made this fudge with beans!

Enjoy!

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Chocolate - Enjoy In Moderation

Even the name of chocolate's source expresses an appreciation for its delectable wonders. The cocoa bean comes from the South American tree Theobroma, a Latin word meaning "food of the gods." But chocolate may do more than provide a heavenly combination of smooth sensation and rich, creamy taste. Research shows it may be good for the mind, maybe even the body--in moderation.

There's no doubt chocolate is a popular food. The average American eats 11 pounds of it per year. It won't be mistaken for a health food because of its high fat content, but it does offer certain benefits. Cocoa contains flavonoids, antioxidants substances that prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, inhibit blood clot formation, and protect against cancer and heart disease. The British Medical Journal has reported that eating moderate amounts of chocolate may increase longevity, possibly because it contains copper, which may reduce pain; chromium, which helps regulate blood insulin levels; iron, which carries oxygen in blood; and magnesium, which helps regulate blood pressure. Research has found that dark chocolate contains high levels of antioxidant polyphenols as well.

This ultimate comfort food is a proven mood-enhancer, although not necessarily for the most healthful reasons. Consuming the fat in chocolate stimulates the release of endorphins, chemicals that produce a pleasurable, analgesic effect in the brain. Researchers have determined that chocolate contains anandamide, a neurotransmitter that produces a sense of euphoria. Chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, or PEA, a compound that mildly stimulates the nervous system--the same chemical released by the brain when we fall in love, which helps explain chocolate's long-standing renown as an aphrodisiac. It also contains theobromine, a caffeine-like substance that provides a mood lift.

To give your chocolate fix a low-fat spin, try baking your favorite chocolate cake or cookies with cocoa instead of baking chocolate. Choose low-fat, calcium-rich chocolate pudding instead of high-calorie mousse and ice cream. Swirl reduced-fat chocolate syrup over low-fat ice cream or yogurt, or use it as a dip for fruit. Eat quality chocolate in small servings, such as kisses or nuggets.

Food for thought--Is there really such a thing as a "chocoholic"? While chocolate boosts levels of endorphins, which lab studies have shown to be addicting to rats, research in humans is inconclusive. It may simply be that the taste of chocolate induces blissful sensory overload. Food researchers have found that chocolate is a bend of more than 500 flavors, more than in any other food analyzed.

Respectfully submitted by Idaline Hall. For more information you might find interesting in the areas of natural and alternative healing, visit: http://healthquicktips.com/

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