Dark chocolate smoothies taste like dessert for breakfast! Add dark chocolate cocoa powder to your healthy smoothie recipe in the morning for an unbelievable burst of rich chocolate yummy flavor. This is the ultimate in that decadent -you won't believe it's sooo good for you flavor! Dark chocolate cocoa powder is so healthy because it's high in polyphenol content, which means it has antioxidant power! It's also high in vitamins. This chocolate is a bit bitter, so the base of the smoothie should be either vanilla flavored yogurt and vanilla almond milk with some agave syrup or honey. Adjust the sweetener according to your desired level.
Chocolate comes from the cacao bean. This bean contains antibacterial agents that fight against tooth decay and help boost your immune system. These agents are diminished once sugar and milk are added to the chocolate to create milk chocolate. Cocao also contains phenyl ethylamine which enhances endorphins and gives you that happy feeling. Researchers have found that the mere smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves inducing relaxation. People who eat dark chocolate are also said to live a year longer -perhaps because of the antioxidant effects or maybe just because they are happier!
Smoothies are a great way to sneak in protein and extra vitamins and minerals into your kid's breakfast or snack. Great additions for smoothies are protein powder, bee pollen, lecithin granules and brewers yeast. Go easy on the brewer's yeast because it has a bitter taste the kids will taste!
For the past decades, many proven scientific studies have shown that chocolate antioxidants are beneficial to our health and body. It has been known for a fact that the antioxidants present in chocolates, particularly dark chocolates, are potent source of antioxidants that destroys free radicals in our system. Chocolate antioxidants are primarily responsible for fighting these highly unstable and destructive molecules thereby maintaining a balance in our system to prevent occurrence of deadly diseases such as cancer, heart disease and hypertension, to name a few. Generally, chocolate antioxidants are rich in flavorous that arrest oxidation processes in our system and therefore preventing damage in our body.
Another classic benefit that these antioxidants bring in our health is that it effectively strengthens our immune system thus enabling our body to defend itself from potentially harmful viral and bacterial infections. Our immune system is our defence system tasked to eliminate destructive molecules and other abnormalities found in our body to keep us to function normally everyday. It is also an established fact that chocolate antioxidants and any other form of antioxidants found in fruits, green tea and red wines for instance, slows down the aging process. Antioxidant is key to longevity as it allows you to stay longer and younger in the pink of health.
A study conducted by the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome suggests a proper way of taking in chocolate antioxidants in order to maximize the absorption of antioxidants in our body. The result of the study indicates that eating chocolates, especially dark chocolates, should be eaten not in conjunction with any type of milk or its derivatives as the milk interferes with the body's absorption of chocolate
antioxidants. The subjects who ate pure dark chocolates have shown substantial drop in their blood pressure compared to those who mixed it with milk. Thus, if you are a chocolate lover it is time to change gear and switch to pure dark chocolate for optimum acquisition of chocolate antioxidants.
The best source of chocolate antioxidants comes from cocoa powder as it contains the highest amount of antioxidant capacity. The basic is rule is that the darker the chocolate, the more potent source of chocolate antioxidants it is. The suggested daily intake of dark chocolate based on the study made is 3.5 ounces to get the optimum chocolate antioxidants. Milk chocolates in particular have the least antioxidant properties and this claim was backed by the study mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Further, dark chocolates are known for having less sugar content and good source of cholesterol compared to milk chocolates. For the more health conscious individuals they always ensure that they have the regular source of rich antioxidant supplements. We should also be warned from eating excessive chocolates because they are rich in calories which may lead to obesity if consumption with gusto is not properly observed. To successfully attain a healthy, disease free body, the secret, however, is moderation and balance our diet by eating nutrition-rich vegetables, cereals and fruits.
John Ulonka can often be found sipping a hot cup of espresso at the local beanery. Besides savoring the latest blends, John has a site with reviews of straight blade razor, as well as a review of vintage straight razors.
Valentines Day is here again, and our thoughts are turning to gifts for our loved ones. It's always nice to romantic gifts of Valentine's Day, and there are any number of options available for lovers to choose for their partners. Dark chocolate is a romantic idea, as well as being good for your heart. Chocolate good for you? Really? Here's why.
There are high levels of flavonoids in dark chocolate, along with more antioxidants than in regular milk or white chocolate. These things are well known to help bring down blood pressure and cholesterol, and chocolate also contains tryptophan which aids the brain in the production of serotonin. See? The chocolate can be good for you. However remember that the chocolate isn't health food so do try to enjoy it in moderation.
The best way to choose the right chocolate for Valentine's Day is to try to focus on the quality of it and not the amount you're giving. Dark chocolate should be savoured, not gulped down all at once, which is a good philosophy for Valentine's Day as a whole. Chocolate truffles would be a good idea for Valentine's Day for your partner and yourself and you can savour them together for a rich and decadent Valentines experience.
Try not to get dull and lifeless chocolates, such as a sort of thing you'd find in any supermarket. There are specialist chocolatiers that can offer high quality chocolate which is perfect for this time of year. Once you are aware of the good points of the chocolate then you don't feel quite so guilty about giving the traditional box of chocolate at Valentine's Day.
Despite the fattening aspects and the sugar content, they can certainly help to view and enjoy your time together on this most special of days. There are plenty of other ideal Valentine's Day gift ideas out there, but chocolate will be one of the first that many people will think of, and is certainly one of the most effective traditional Valentine's Day gifts available.
Lucy is a hapless romantic and budding Chick Lit author with a passion for passion! You can easily find more great Valentine's day ideas for gifts and activities online!
There are over 300,000 studies on the health benefits of dark chocolate, with a new study coming out every week. The problem is that most dark chocolate available for purchase by consumers has the health benefits negated because of the added sugars, milks, fats, waxes, fillers and caffeine.
MXI Corporation has patented a process called the "cold press technique" which allows them to manufacture rich Belgium dark chocolate, which they call XOCAI™ (sho-sigh), without heating or the harmful additions. The result is a chocolate food source that has amazingly high antioxidant levels and still tastes as good as the BEST chocolate you have ever had. It is even diabetic and vegan friendly, gluten free and no caffeine.
XOCAI™ qualifies for an ORAC score. ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and is a method of measuring antioxidant capacities of various foods. Antioxidants are important because they fight the effects of free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are atoms that are missing an electron and are constantly bombarding our bodies. One XOCAI™ chocolate nugget contains the antioxidant level of half pound of spinach. What would you rather eat?
Ninety percent of Americans crave chocolate-fifty percent say they cannot live without it and actually eat an average of 12 lbs per year. This is not candy, but a functional food that tastes like fine Belgium chocolate! XOCAI™ is Healthy Chocolate!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
MXI/Xocai™ products are not intended to replace or substitute the daily intake of fruits or vegetables in the diet of any individual.
We ensure our patient's dental health through the use of the latest technology in all facets of dentistry. We love what we do, and we're devoted to making your experience with us as pleasant as possible! Each member of our staff plays an important part in your total dental care. From appointment scheduling and explanations of treatment to budgeting to teeth cleaning and helping soothe the nerves of a new patient, we promise to be here for you.
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"I never met a chocolate I didn't like." (Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation).
Well said. Even in the 23rd century, ladies love chocolates. They just love chocolates; no question about it. Seventy-five percent of chocolate purchases are made by women. They consume more than 2.3 billion pounds of chocolate (about 12 lb. per person) and spend nearly $12 billion dollars (twice as much as all non-chocolate candy items combined) each year in the Unite State only (people in Switzerland consume nearly twice as much). They really love chocolate, and some even say chocolate is better than sex or men!
So why do ladies love chocolate? Are there any scientific explanations for this chocolate love? Scientists have actually been working on it for a long time, and still they don't know exactly what is going on. Some scientists thought that a certain chemical which is abundant in chocolate simulates the same brain chemicals that go up when sexually aroused. This theory, however, was not true, since the chemical in the chocolates quickly disintegrates in the stomach.
Another explanation put forward by scientists is that when you are happy, you generate another type of brain chemical (or other way around; if this chemical is created, you feel happy). Unfortunately this chemical breaks down really quickly and many people cannot stay "high" for a long time. Two types of chemicals found in chocolate delay this break down, and keep people happy longer. These chemicals actually do work in a test tube, but so far no experiments of oral consumption have been rigorously done, and it may turn out not to be a real reason.
One widely accepted theory is that, since high fat and high sugar were essential for cave men's survival, given these two essential needs (which are abundant in chocolate) creates "satisfaction" in the hunger center of the brain, and make us happy. Some experiments indicate this "effect" is stronger among women, especially women with a history of binge eating.
In summary, scientists still do not know exactly what is going on in our brains (especially ladies), when we consume chocolate, even though we really observe the effect. I have, however, a totally non-scientific explanation why ladies love chocolate.
When you put a piece of chocolate in your mouth, what is the most enjoyable aspect of chocolate? I think it is how the chocolate melts in the mouth. A piece of chocolate slowly softens up on the tongue. It has a silky warm feeling like the kiss of a lover. The melting chocolate wraps around your tongue, and the fragrance of sweet cacao stimulates like that of the lovers body. Yes, it is almost like a prelude to the most sensual love affair. No wonder ladies love chocolate (more than they love men; chocolate is a perfect kisser!).
There is no doubt that chocolate is one of the best choices for Valentine's day gifts, but are all chocolates are equally good for a gift for your special someone?
According to my non-scientific theory, the melt is most important factor, then flavor. What kind of chocolates provide these qualities best? I think chocolate truffles are the best choice. They are created from cacao and fresh cream. They melt like butter. Because of the melt, the chocolate releases its flavor quick, and fragrance fills your nostrils and stimulates the entire body. It is really an ecstatic experience to taste chocolate truffles.
If you want to go further, get organic chocolate truffles, which tend to be far more flavorful as any other organic produces. In fact, once you taste organic chocolate truffles, it is difficult to go back to normal chocolates. There is no doubt that organic chocolate truffles are one of the best choice on Valentine's day.
Toshi Umekoji loves chocolate, especially organic dark chocolate truffles. He is always looking for new organic dark chocolate, and experimenting with new chocolate recipes made with raw cacao beans. You can find his favorite organic chocolate truffles at: http://www.GourmetOrganicChocolateTruffle.com. You can find many organic chocolate products suitable for Valentine's Day gifts at the site.
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