Loco for Cocoa

I have this love affair with dark chocolate (and natural peanut butter).  I can’t get enough of it.  In fact, I am so addicted, that I eat a small piece of 70% Dark Chocolate every afternoon (my favorite brand right now is Endangered Species).  I usually sit down and have this piece of chocolate with a cup of a Good Earth spice tea.  It meets my insane, “need to be controlled” cravings.  Though, I have “taken it up a notch” with unsweetened cocoa powder…

In the last few years, dark chocolate has had a positive buzz.  The cacao bean itself is known for having antioxidants that help your circulatory system, skin, heart, brain… to name a few*.  I challenge you to incorporate chocolate (or unsweetened cocoa) into your recipes.  Yesterday, I had a smoothie with a cup of cherries, almond milk, ½ teaspoon of vanilla, 1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa, and a tablespoon of almond butter—delish!  Don’t stop there—add a tablespoon or 2 to chili recipes or bean soup recipes (along with your ¼ cup of ground flax to meet the ALA Omega 3's for the day)!  I even added a tablespoon to my homemade tomato sauce when making pizza last night for my family—they didn’t even notice. J

*Check out the February issue of Delicious Living at your local health food store!

I love food-photo captured by my husband laughing at me b/c I am so focused. :)