Saturday, September 19, 2009

Chocolate Soothes the Troubled Soul

Have you ever had the following experience? You get some troubling news, or have an upsetting interaction with someone, and all of a sudden every cell in your body is screaming - give me chocolate! I want some chocolate! No, wait - I need some chocolate!

Well, if you can relate to that experience, chances are you are a woman, first of all. And, if you are a woman, the the odds are very good that you know exactly what I'm talking about.

It seems that chocolate is good for more than just a tasty, sugary treat or to bring out the flavors of different wines and berries. Chocolate is also the food world's equivalent of Xanax.

Here's the thing I don't understand, though. Most ladies, when they hear the siren song of chocolate calling their names in times of trouble, try to resist the urge. I don't get that at all!

In my opinion, our bodies know what is best for us in times of crisis. This is why, when we need sleep, we absolutely can't keep our eyes open one more minute. If we need food or water, we become so thirsty or hungry it's intolerable. It's also why we can't hold our breath for more than a minute - two at the absolute outside, and with training. It's because our body knows what we need and compels us to give it to ourselves.

So that's why I say, if we feel the need for chocolate, why not just give in and have a piece of chocolate? It may not be great for the thighs - but it's amazing for the soul!

Melanie Young is an author who has been writing articles about many and varied subjects for over ten years. She is interested in learning and teaching about all aspects of the world we live in. You can check out her latest website about wholesale wedding favors at http://wholesale-wedding-favors.net.

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


love chocolate

raw chocolate bar recipes raw chocolate health benefits of chocolate raw chocolate dark chocolate hot chocolate chocolate cheesecake recipe hot chocolate healthy dark chocolate


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Dark Chocolate is Wonderful Medicine

Dark chocolate is a food with many health benefits. Yes, that's right, a health food. Let me explain the unique properties of dark chocolate and how it can really benefit your health! Now when I speak of dark chocolate, I mean just that, and not other chocolates which are filled with fat and calories. This is real unprocessed chocolate.

Antioxidants are part of healthy chocolate. You need antioxidants to a certain extent in your body to keep optimum health. The main antioxidant I am thinking of here is Cacao. Cacao contains a great number of antioxidants. It is very versatile in that it can lower your blood sugars, helps arthritis since it has an anti-inflammatory effect, and it is also a rich source of magnesium for the body.

The high ORAC score, known as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, is what cacao contains. This is what cleans the system of what is known as free radicals. Free radicals are what creates an environment in the body for diseases of many types.

Blood pressure and heart health can also be improved for many people consuming a steady diet of dark chocolate. Your cholesterol health, with a small daily consumption of dark chocolate is likely to improve as well, all due to rich antioxidants from Cacao.

Have depression problems? Chocolate may also help this problem a great deal. How does it help? Well, serotonin release, and endorphins are a response that is triggered from consumption. Serotonin is a brain chemical which plays a big role in our emotions, sleep, and memory. Endorphins are another chemical released from the brain which is our painkiller center. They are also a type of hormonal substance.

And lastly, chocolate can help you to lose unwanted pounds. Consumption of a small amount of chocolate between meals, helps to curb the appetite, and help other food cravings you may have. Thus, overeating is avoided, and likewise your weight is reduced, and therefore, you feel better!

Jennifer Kirkman is the owner of many websites, two of the main ones are http://www.diabetesandrelatedhealthissues.com, and also http://www.dietplansandweightloss.com Visit these sites for much more information on diabetes and diabetes problems, and proper nutrition.

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


love chocolate

raw chocolate bar recipes raw chocolate health benefits of chocolate raw chocolate dark chocolate hot chocolate chocolate cheesecake recipe hot chocolate healthy dark chocolate


Saturday, September 5, 2009

A Healthy Chocolate Fudge Recipe That Takes 5 Minutes to Make - You Heard Me Right, it is Healthy!

As a Certified Nutrition Specialist, I try my best to make tasty foods that you probably would not think were actually good for you. I have a real sweet tooth, but I also try to make them healthier than typical desserts, which are basically just junk food. The problem with a lot of desserts that are deemed to be "healthy" is that they simply improve the flavor by taking away fat and adding sugar (or using artificial sweeteners). Nothing healthy about that!

Today, I am going to share with you a chocolate- peanut- butter fudge recipe that is very easy to make. It fact, it will take only 5 minutes to bake! And, it adds no sugar or artificial sweeteners. Instead, it relies on fat sources which are healthy. (And if you don't like peanut butter, you can simply leave it out and just use chocolate)

* Extra dark chocolate bar (3-4 oz bar is good. Try for one with at least 70% cocoa content, which minimizes sugar)
* 4 or 5 Tbsp of any organic nut butter
* 2/3 to 3/4 cup of organic coconut milk
* 2 tbsp rice bran (good fiber source)
* 2 tbsp oat bran (again, more fiber)
* 1/2 cup raw pecans, almonds, or walnuts (these fats are healthy, have antioxidants, and lots of vitamins and minerals)
* 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (not required)
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* a little stevia to lightly sweeten (stevia is a natural sweetener that has no calories)

Put the coconut milk, nut butter, and chocolate bar in a saucepan and turn the heat to the lowest level possible. Stir all the contents together, then add everything else in. Then, spread your mixture onto some waxed paper that's in a baking dish and put it in the refrigerator. You now have fudge that is much more nutritional than any other type you will find! Enjoy, and make sure to tell your friends that your trainer Brendan Harris gave you the recipe!

And, click here to check out 5 ways to get a flat stomach with no worthless diet pills or any other weight loss scams.

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


love chocolate

raw chocolate bar recipes raw chocolate health benefits of chocolate raw chocolate dark chocolate hot chocolate chocolate cheesecake recipe hot chocolate healthy dark chocolate

acai berry select free trial offer