Healthful Bites

6 Feb 2010
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Concentrating on Chocolate

Valentine’s Day falls on next Sunday. Are you ready?

Considering I’m thoroughly single, I don’t have too much preparing to do :) (Except for the Valentine’s Day movie—that looks great!) Even single, it’s fun to celebrate the holiday and all those you love, especially in the middle of the harsh winter. Flowers and kind notes brighten up any day!

Many couples celebrate with dinner reservations and something that looks a little like this:

(Image from Lolah’s Tasty Talk)

Share the traditional box of Godiva’s with your sweetheart and you’ll also split the 1,350 calories and 81 grams of fat (for 27 pieces). If you really enjoy the chocolate assortment and do so as an occasional treat, then go ahead and enjoy! But if you eat the mystery bites because they are a gift or simply because they are around, I’ve got a few ideas for how to make your holiday more healthful:

Try whipping up one of these better-for-you chocolate recipes from Eating Well magazine. Chocolate fondue and s’mores can be fun couple activities as well!
We’ve talked about the benefits of dark chocolate before on Healthful Bites. I was lucky enough to try SweetRiot chocolates, courtesy of Dr. Fitness, this summer. Note: these dark chocolate-covered cacao nibs are not for milk chocolate diehards. I can only vouch for the “Flavor 70” SweetRiots (made with 70 percent dark chocolate), but they pack a bit of bitterness. But it’s much better to get a bit of bittersweet in chocolate form than bittersweet in relationships, am I right? The chocolates come in small tins, each with 140 calories and about 11 or 12 grams of fat. SweetRiot is a tasty, antioxidant-packed choice for dessert or a snack. Cupid’s Cacao Three-Pack looks like a pretty nice Valentine’s gift to me!

Better Health magazine also has lightened-up chocolate recipes online here. The Chocolate Raspberry Brownie Bites sure look tasty! Try whipping them up for your honey and sending them off to work with a couple on Monday to make the V-day celebrations continue.
For one of the most visually appealing and produce-packed Valentine’s gifts around, order an Edible Arrangement for your loved one. The company picks fantastic fruits and dips some in chocolate for an added touch of decadence.

(Image from Deal Locker)

If you celebrate with any one of these treats, your Valentine’s Day will surely be much sweeter!

Do you have any favorite chocolate recipes or items?

10 Dec 2009

Stress: Take a Chocolate Chill Pill

Whether you’re a student with semester exams looming or someone who is feeling the full effect of the hectic holidays, stress can build up quickly this time of year (I know I’ve been feeling a bit)! Well, a few recent health findings can help to put your stress into perspective, as well as give you tips for how to alleviate some!

Makes me Want to Pull my Hair Out!

After examining hair samples of ancient Peruvians, scientists have discovered that humans have experienced significant amounts of stress for years and years—and our species lived to tell the story. Anytime we encounter a threat, our body releases cortisol all around our bodies: the bloodstream, saliva, and yes, hair. (This is the same stress hormone that has been linked to belly fat. Certain weight loss drugs even target cortisol receptors).

While a large amount of stress was detected near death, these ancient people felt rather stressed at many points during their lives. So when you’re feeling “Under Pressure,” take comfort in the fact that generation upon generation of our ancestors have experienced the same phenomenon, and we turned out OK, right? (Although I do admit, the stress was probably a bit different. I can’t imagine a Peruvian from 550 A.D. worrying about grabbing the last Nintendo Wii for their kids ;) ).

(Image from Say No to Crack)

Best that Test

College students can greatly reduce stress in a method that involves one word that we all love: “FREE!” For a simple solution, try the no-cost activity of meditation. Twenty minutes of “restful alertness” each day can ease all kinds of ailments: anxiety, depression and distress, according to Maharishi University researchers. If you can clear your mind during the practice, yoga could be a wonderful example of this. As a bonus, blood pressure decreases and stress coping ability (like during exams) increases with meditation!

Meditation: an idea for a future college course?

(Image from The Joy of Tech)

Life is Like a Box of ‘Em

Saving the best news for last (or dessert if you will), did you know that chocolate can ease feelings of stress? Eating 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate each day for two weeks lowers the levels of stress hormones coursing throughout your body. To quantify that, about nine Hershey’s dark kisses, or one Hershey’s dark chocolate bar, equal one and a half ounces.

Be sure to save room in your overall daily calorie goal or make this your main splurge for the day to avoid weight creeping in with the joy!

(Image from I Used to Have Hair)

Water cooler conversation starter: TIME magazine has compiled a list highlighting the “year that was” in health. Just in case you’re still feeling a bit stressed, check out this heartening news about smiling!