If the endless chocolates, truffles, and candies that surround us on Valentine’s Day leave you craving a treat, but wishing there was a healthier option for your chocolate fix, I’ve got you covered.
58 million pounds of chocolate are purchased during the week of Valentine’s Day, but unfortunately those heart-shaped boxes are commonly made with ingredients such as:
High Fructose Corn Syrup: a sweet syrup made from processed cornstarch that has been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even dementia. The process of manufacturing high fructose corn syrup is less expensive than table sugar, which is why it is so prevalently used as a sweetener. High fructose corn syrup is also capable of damaging the intestinal lining, leading to inflammation and leaky gut.
Artificial colors: linked to allergies, hyperactivity, and other related behavioral problems. Also, be aware of “caramel coloring” which sounds more natural than it is. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, this artificial brown coloring is made by reacting sugar with ammonia and sulfites under high pressure and temperatures, resulting in the formation of compounds which were shown to cause lung, liver, or thyroid cancer, as well as leukemia, in laboratory mice during government-conducted studies.
Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ): a food additive used to preserve processed foods and keep them tasting fresh. In a government study, TBHQ increased the incidence of tumors in rats and according to the National Library of Medicine, this compound has been found to cause liver enlargement, paralysis, convulsions, and neurotoxic effects.
Not exactly the kinds of ingredients that say, “I love you.”
The good news is, there are plenty of healthier options available, including this incredibly simple and delicious chocolate made with raw cacao.
In contrast to the disheartening list above, raw, organic cacao is a rich source of antioxidants called polyphenols, which help your body to:
Reduce inflammation – chronic inflammation is a key risk factor in a large number of common major diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
Improve cognitive function – a French study showed that people over 65 years of age who consumed a diet rich in polyphenols had less cognitive decline over a 10-year period.
Help your heart – increased consumption of polyphenols has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
So pull out your food processor and whip up this delicious CHOCOLATE treat:
Ingredients: 1/2 cup raw honey 1/2 cup raw cacao powder 1 cup melted coconut oil 4 Tbsp almond butter *optional* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Small pinch sea salt
Directions: Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into ice cube trays or any fun type of food mold. Optional: top with unsweetened coconut, nuts, sea salt, etc. Allow to freeze for about an hour.
Enjoy this REAL FOOD chocolate treat!
In Your Corner,
Karri
Other reminders: If you are curious about what functional nutritional therapy is, and how it can help you with your current health goals, check out this recent story by COMO Magazine.
If you are looking for customized guidance to restore your health, let's chat! Click HERE to schedule a Discovery Call so we can discuss your specific health concerns.
A BET
If the endless chocolates, truffles, and candies that surround us on Valentine’s Day leave you craving a treat, but wishing there was a healthier option for your chocolate fix, I’ve got you covered.
58 million pounds of chocolate are purchased during the week of Valentine’s Day, but unfortunately those heart-shaped boxes are commonly made with ingredients such as:
High Fructose Corn Syrup: a sweet syrup made from processed cornstarch that has been linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even dementia. The process of manufacturing high fructose corn syrup is less expensive than table sugar, which is why it is so prevalently used as a sweetener. High fructose corn syrup is also capable of damaging the intestinal lining, leading to inflammation and leaky gut.
Artificial colors: linked to allergies, hyperactivity, and other related behavioral problems. Also, be aware of “caramel coloring” which sounds more natural than it is. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, this artificial brown coloring is made by reacting sugar with ammonia and sulfites under high pressure and temperatures, resulting in the formation of compounds which were shown to cause lung, liver, or thyroid cancer, as well as leukemia, in laboratory mice during government-conducted studies.
Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ): a food additive used to preserve processed foods and keep them tasting fresh. In a government study, TBHQ increased the incidence of tumors in rats and according to the National Library of Medicine, this compound has been found to cause liver enlargement, paralysis, convulsions, and neurotoxic effects.
Not exactly the kinds of ingredients that say, “I love you.”
The good news is, there are plenty of healthier options available, including this incredibly simple and delicious chocolate made with raw cacao.
In contrast to the disheartening list above, raw, organic cacao is a rich source of antioxidants called polyphenols, which help your body to:
Reduce inflammation – chronic inflammation is a key risk factor in a large number of common major diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
Improve cognitive function – a French study showed that people over 65 years of age who consumed a diet rich in polyphenols had less cognitive decline over a 10-year period.
Help your heart – increased consumption of polyphenols has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
So pull out your food processor and whip up this delicious CHOCOLATE treat:
Ingredients: 1/2 cup raw honey 1/2 cup raw cacao powder 1 cup melted coconut oil 4 Tbsp almond butter *optional* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Small pinch sea salt
Directions: Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into ice cube trays or any fun type of food mold. Optional: top with unsweetened coconut, nuts, sea salt, etc. Allow to freeze for about an hour.
Enjoy this REAL FOOD chocolate treat!
In Your Corner,
Karri
Other reminders: If you are curious about what functional nutritional therapy is, and how it can help you with your current health goals, check out this recent story by COMO Magazine.
If you are looking for customized guidance to restore your health, let's chat! Click HERE to schedule a Discovery Call so we can discuss your specific health concerns.
A BETTER WAY! Join us Saturday, April 22 at for the CoMo Wellness Conference. Tickets and conference details: comowellnessconference.com
If you need to order supplements, here's the link to my dispensary: FULLSCRIPT. While my dispensary catalog is open for you to search everything offered from Fullscript, if you go to Catalog, then Karri Ball's Dispensary Favorites, there are categories within Favorites. Favorites are my preferred brands - the brands that meet my quality standards. TER WAY! Join us Saturday, April 22 at for the CoMo Wellness Conference. Tickets and conference details: comowellnessconference.com
If you need to order supplements, here's the link to my dispensary: FULLSCRIPT. While my dispensary catalog is open for you to search everything offered from Fullscript, if you go to Catalog, then Karri Ball's Dispensary Favorites, there are categories within Favorites. Favorites are my preferred brands - the brands that meet my quality standards.
