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A true chocolate lover finds ways to accommodate his passion and make it work with his lifestyle. One key, not just to keeping weight down and staying guilt-free, but also to keeping taste buds sharp (essential for the professionals who evaluate new products as well as judge recipes), is being discriminating.
- Julie Davis, Los Angeles Times
Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands-and then eat just one of the pieces.
-Judith Viorst
Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don't need an appointment.
-Anonymous
Happy Valentine's!
Savor Some Dark Chocolate for Your Heart & Soul
by Peggy Fisher
C h o c o l a t e!
Kisses and nuts, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, fudge, brownies, Hershey Bars, Samplers, chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies.
The lure of chocolate in all its wonderful manifestations is irresistible.
Like a secret lover, it woos us alluringly into its sweet embrace.
The smell, the silken feel on the tongue, the rich taste, and most of all, how it makes us feel, cannot be denied.
The wonderful Valentine news for this season of hearts, flowers, lovers and, yes, chocolate, is that you don't have to resist anymore. Your chocolate-covered, gold-wrapped Valentine's Day gift is exciting discoveries from science.
We were right all along: chocolate is good for us. It not only soothes our hearts and souls, eases depression and enhances triumphs, but it's also heart-healthy, and may even help us live longer.
This is the next best thing to a Valentino Lover for your 2006 Valentine's.
Heavenly Prescription for Life Extension
The British Medical Journal reports eating regular, moderate amounts of chocolate can extend your life by as much as a year. What a heavenly prescription for every chocolate fancier and chocoholic!
Harvard School of Public Health researchers found people who eat one to three candy bars a month have a 36 percent lower risk of dying than those who don't eat chocolate. Antioxidant phenols, also found in red wine, protect against heart disease and cancer, reduce free radicals, which damage cells, DNA and cause illness. Chocolate-and cocoa from which it is derived-may also restrict cholesterol formation that damages the heart, lower blood pressure and keep blood flowing freely.
Researchers reported: "Mortality was lowest among those consuming candy 1-3 times a month and highest among those indulging 3 or more times a week. Non-consumers of candy, however, had the highest mortality overall. As with most things in life, moderation seems to be paramount."
Chocolate contains essential trace elements and nutrients such as iron, calcium and potassium, and vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E. Cocoa is also the highest natural source for magnesium. Magnesium deficiency is linked with hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and joint problems. The high-magnesium content is beneficial for the cardiovascular system and hypertension. The fat in high-quality plain chocolate can be considered cholesterol free as it does not clog arteries or contribute to high cholesterol levels.
Rich Dark Chocolate Best
Scottish and Italians researchers report that dark chocolate has much better antioxidant properties, than milk or white chocolate. It can more effectively protect your heart and arteries from oxidative damage, similar to rust that develops on metal over time.
Glasgow University and Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research scientists conducted tests using both varieties. Volunteers had to consume twice as much milk chocolate as dark chocolate to obtain the same antioxidant benefits. The benefits were also negated when volunteers drank milk with dark chocolate.
Professor Alan Crozier of Glasgow University told BBC News: "Proteins in milk bind with antioxidants in chocolate. As a consequence, they are not being absorbed to the same extent as they would be with dark chocolate. Any potential protective effects are lost."
This raises the possibility that dairy products may interfere with the healthy properties of other antioxidant foods, such as fruits, tea and red wine.
Professor Crozier warned against over indulging: "Milk and dark chocolate contains high levels of saturated fats, which get into the blood stream…increasing the risks of heart disease. I would advise moderate consumption, maybe a small bar of chocolate a day."
Go Nuts!
Want more heart-healthy benefits and satiation faster? Add healthy monosaturated-fatty nuts to your dark chocolate. Almonds, cashews, walnuts or macadamia nuts wrapped in luscious dark chocolate create a delicious, satisfying snack or dessert which will quickly sate your body's and soul's lust for chocolate.
Have a healthy, Happy Valentine's and enjoy every delicious, guilt-free bite.
*Peggy Fisher is a syndicated columnist who features safety, fitness and environmental stewardship. She has had work published in newspapers, magazines and websites in over 100 countries. She offers free weekly Seaside Scoop email with Word for the Week and fitness, conservation tips and inspiration from the sea at: writingbyfisher@bellsouth.net.
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