Dark Chocolate = Healthy Chocolate!

Recent studies say dark chocolate -- not white chocolate or milk chocolate -- is good for you! What is it about dark chocolate? Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body. Dr. Andrew Weil has dark chocolate included in his anti-inflammatory food pyramid!! How exciting is that?!

Taste the Chocolate
Chocolate is a complex food with over 300 compounds and chemicals in each bite. To really enjoy and appreciate chocolate, take the time to taste it. Professional chocolate tasters have developed a system for tasting chocolate that include assessing the appearance, smell, feel and taste of each piece.

Go for 70% Dark Chocolate
You should look for pure dark chocolate or dark chocolate with nuts, orange peel or other flavorings. Avoid anything with caramel, nougat or other fillings. These fillings are just adding sugar and fat which erase many of the benefits you get from eating the chocolate. Be sure to look for a brand that contains at least 70 percent cocoa.

Skip the Milk
It may taste good but some research shows that milk chocolate, or washing your chocolate down with a glass of milk could prevent the antioxidants being absorbed or used by your body.

But On The Negative Side...
1. Chocolate may trigger headaches in migraine sufferers. Sorry guys.

2. Chocolate is considered dangerous to animals because it contains a stimulant called theobromine, which they can't digest. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are even more dangerous because they contain higher concentrations of the substance. This applies whether chocolate is in candy bar form, or an ingredient in cake, cookies, puddings or ice cream. If a pet becomes ill after eating chocolate, take it to the vet immediately.

3. Even though it may be healthy, dark chocolate can be very caloric. Savor and enjoy a piece a day, not a bar!

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren

Decadent Organic & Fair Trade Chocolates

Chocolate...how we love thee! Unfortunately, conventional chocolate production isn't good for the earth, fueling wars in Africa, engulfing rain forests, spreading toxic pesticides and paying out meager wages (especially to child workers). But luckily for chocoholics there is a sweet story as well, with organic and fair trade chocolate becoming much more widely available.

When choosing chocolate, opt for the dark varieties that contain 65 percent or more cocoa solids. These chocolate varieties possess a richer flavor with more complex notes without the cloying sweetness of milk added to it. Plus, you will get all the health benefits of the cocoa bean because dark chocolate has had little of the nutrient-robbing mass production manufacturing process applied to it.

Expecting or shopping for chocolate for Valentine's Day? Here are a few of the best organic and fair trade chocolates out there that you can find at any health food store, Whole Foods or even your local supermarket!

Endangered Species Chocolate
Endangered Species Chocolate donates 10% of its net profits to help support at-risk species, habitat and humanity. These delicious chocolates are made with ethically traded, shade-grown cacao and are certified organic. Indulge your sweet tooth and know that your money is going toward the greater good. Plus, there are cute animals on the package. ;) The one with the toucan is my favorite one!

Dagoba Organic Chocolate
If variety is the spice of life, the Dagoba Organic Chocolate Sampler is a must. This selection is deliciously Twilight-themed, with "Eclipse" and "New Moon" bars. The fine organic chocolate bars also come in flavors like lavender and roseberry, and each bar is wrapped in 100% recycled paper, with biodegradable labels.

Green & Black's Organic Chocolate
A bar of organic chocolate and champagne for two. Sounds pretty romantic to us! Green & Black's controls every step of the chocolate-making process from "the bean to the bar," paying Belize cocoa farmers fair trade prices and supporting their cooperative. And earlier this year, they announced their commitment to move their entire line to Fair Trade Certified in the U.S.
Their dark chocolate ginger bar is straight from the heavens...it's my favorite!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Keep it fresh!
- Lauren