I
love celebrations, especially birthdays! Why? Because we eat CAKE! Let
them eat cake I say! And for me, I want chocolate cake! I actually think
that chocolate should be it's own food group!!! It is powerfully
comforting, creamy and delicious! I will admit that I have a hard time
resisting chocolate cake or chocolate almond bark! And on special
occasions (like birthday celebrations), I give in and indulge! Here's a
healthy tip (that takes some practice): Every day is a special day and a
gift! I believe in the ability to chose for yourself how you want to
live that day. And, when it comes to desserts, when everyone at the
table is eating a sweet (if it's just a casual dinner out) I will often
order fresh berries. This allows me to participate in the social ritual
of eating dessert while still being able to avoid chocolate calories!
Are you wondering if chocolate is good for you?
The answer is both yes and no!
Chocolate
has been used for centuries to treat bronchitis, sexual malise,
fatigue, hangovers, anemia, depression, memory loss and poor eyesight.
It also helps to release that feel-good neurotransmitter- serotonin- in
the brain.
So,
how do we eat chocolate "responsibly"? Chocolate begins life as raw
cacao (pronounced kah-kow) beans. Loaded with antioxidants, minerals,
vitamins and plant phenols, cacao is a powerful supergroup! But, the
more processed cacao becomes, the fewer healthy components remain. If
you eat the wrong type of chocolate (think of a store bought candy bar)
you will get loads of sugar, empty calories, and junky ingredients.
How
do we get the good chocolate fix? Don't be afraid of the dark. The
darker the chocolate, the more beneficial cacao it contains. Look for
dark chocolate that has 75-85% cacao. And you can also go for raw or as
unprocessed as possible!
Here's a dark chocolate treat:
Raw Chocolate Truffles: 
Ingredients:
1 cup raw cacao powder
1 cup cashew nuts
½ cup maple syrup
Water (to mix)
Roll-in ingredients: shredded coconut, chopped nuts, chocolate nibs, raw sugar, cocoa powder, or ginger.
Directions:
Mix cashews in a food processor until it forms a powder, adding enough water to create a thick paste.
Add maple syrup to cashews and pulse to process.
Add cacao powder. Pulse to process.
Refrigerate for four hours or overnite for best results.
Form teaspoon-sized balls of dough. Coat balls in your chosen roll-ingredients!
