So many people are health-conscious, so many people are
obese, so many people eat terrible food - greasy, fatty,
over-processed, and so many people don't get enough
exercise. Why even think about eating chocolate for
dessert? Because there's nothing like the "mouth-feel" of
chocolate; because it's the additives, not the chocolate
itself, that are fattening or that can cause allergic
reactions; and because, after a long hard day of "being
good", eating something that "feels" decadent can be very
very satisfying.
How wonderful then if what feels decadent is actually good
for you! We're talking dark chocolate here, at least 70%
cocoa. This delectable treat contains theobromine - a known
mood elevator; and antioxidant flavonoids - boost good HDL
cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure and reduce bad
cholesterol. Mmm chocolate - maybe a chocolate fountain is
the real Fountain of Youth?
Scientists have found that eating dark chocolate appears to
improve circulation and make blood vessels more flexible,
helping to prevent hardening of the arteries. The Kuna
Indians of the San Blas islands off the coast of Panama
drink multiple cups of cocoa every day and have little
incidence of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Cocoa is also rich in a number of essential minerals,
including magnesium, copper, potassium and manganese.
Indeed, chocolate is thought to be one of the largest
single contributors of copper to the diet in the United
States.
For all-round health, eat like the French do. I don't mean
eat French foods necessarily, although that can be nice,
but eat AS the French do; make a meal an event in itself.
Turn off the tv and computer, don't even read while you
eat. Savor and chew each bite.
Eating consciously like this will make you more in tune
with your appetite. You won't overeat, and you'll enjoy
your food so much more. Take your time - make fast food a
thing of the past.
End your meal with the perfect dessert - a bit of dark
chocolate. Break off a small piece and place it in your
mouth. Let it melt slowly, enjoying the texture and
savoring the taste. Then another bite.
Fine dark chocolates have subtle flavors reminiscent of
fruits, nuts, coffee, herbs, and much more. Just as wine
connoisseurs clean their palate before tasting wines, you
can drink a little warm water to clear your tastebuds
before eating chocolate. Bitter flavors will make the
chocolate taste sweeter, and sweet tastes will make you
insensitive to the sweetness of the chocolate, so start
with a "neutral palate".
Chewing and swallowing chocolate will not allow you to
taste all the flavors so just allow chocolate to melt in
your mouth.
You can substitute a chocolate candy made with the purest
of ingredients. Additional cream, sugar, etc. is what adds
the calories, if that concerns you, eat less. Eat the best
chocolate available - this isn't necessarily the most
expensive chocolate. Try many varieties and choose the one
most delicious to YOU!
Always, eat what you enjoy, and enjoy what you eat. And for
me, this is chocolate!
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Chocolate candy recipes and even an ecourse to learn how to
make gourmet chocolate desserts fast, easy and
inexpensively, can be found at
http://candychocolicio.us/data/html/chocolate-desserts/29.cg
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