Valentine's Healthy Chocolates

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. According to medical doctor Mark Hyman, 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 tray.  Allow to freeze for about an hour. 
    Optional: top with unsweetened coconut, nuts, sea salt, etc.  

    Enjoy this REAL FOOD chocolate treat!
     
    Happy V-Day,


    Karri, FNTP

    P.S. Are you looking for more wellness resources? Get my Guide on 3 Essential Steps to Improve Your Health! Sign up HERE and you will also receive my newsletters to support you in your healthy lifestyle, delivered directly to your inbox.


    The RESTART Program begins Feb. 15th.  You were not born wanting processed food.  You were taught to want it.  You learned it.  You can unlearn it.  And that's what you will do in the RESTART Program.  Are you ready to join me in a REAL FOOD lifestyle?  This 5 week program is held in a live setting over Zoom.  More details on the RESTART Program and how it might fit into your health goals can be found     HERE.  

    If you want that 'spark' in your health and life, digging into your own mineral balance will be key.  Sign up for an HTMA to learn more about your biochemistry, including your mineral levels.  More info HERE.

    If you need to order supplements, here's the link:     FULLSCRIPT.  While my dispensary catalog is open for you to search everything offered from Fullscript, if you go to Favorites from the menu, there are categories within Favorites.  Favorites are my preferred brands - the brands that meet my quality standards.  There is also an autoship option from the main menu, in case you have certain supplements that you would like delivered at a certain frequency.

Karri Ball