Why do we love chocolate? What’s not to love? Even little kids know there is nothing cooler than to receive one of those little red hearts with the 4 pieces of ooey gooey chocolate meant just for them?
Growing up with chocolate
Growing up at our house meant some sort of chocolate every day, and, we would make everything from scratch. Each night as the dinner dishes are cleaned and put away it becomes time for dessert. Mom makes a pot of fudge, cooks up a bucket of popcorn and all of us would sit and watch t.v.
If it wasn’t fudge then we would have a freshly baked chocolate cake with fudge frosting topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. At the very least we’d each get scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce.
Fine chocolates and premium cocoas
As I grow older, I am acquiring a taste for fine chocolate and premium cocoas. Research finding many health and nutrition benefits of cocoa powder makes it that much better.
Any woman alive can tell you that the gift of chocolate improves one’s mood and any symptoms of depression.
Health Benefits of Cocoa
Come to find out, cocoa powder is rich in Polyphenols. Polyphenols improve blood flow to your brain, and can improve brain function. They can help lower high blood pressure. They may even help prevent heart attacks and strokes because they improve the nitric oxide levels in the blood. (This specifically enhances the function of your blood vessels).
World Class Dessert Creations
I was pregnant when I worked on a property that has world class restaurants and I tasted all the new dessert creations being offered by the inventive chefs. At the time, someone told me that cocoa is a good source of iron. This might be the reason for my chocolate cravings.
These days you can find chocolate everything. I’d prefer not to eat chocolate covered ants, however, the recipe below will make you a believer in all things can be better with chocolate.
Brownie Batter Hummus (Dessert Dip)
- 1-15 oz can black beans or garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 TBSP coconut oil
- 3 TBSP almond butter (or your preference of any nut butter)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 TBSP water, or more depending on consistency
Combine all ingredients, with the exception of the water, in a food processor until smooth. Begin adding water as the food processor is running and blend until you reach your desired consistency.
I can’t begin to tell you how absolutely delicious this is. Don’t let the beans fool you, they just beef up the protein of an incredible dessert! Use it to dip fruits, top on ice cream, create smores…..
There you have it, you can love chocolate and keep it healthy too!
