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 tray. Allow to freeze for about an hour. Optional: top with unsweetened coconut, nuts, sea salt, etc.
Enjoy this REAL FOOD chocolate treat!
Remember, you were not born wanting fake processed food. You were taught to want it from the food industry. You learned it. You can unlearn it. And that's what you will do in my RESTART Program. Knowledge is POWER. You will have the power to decide for yourself what food is right for you and your family. You will learn how to interpret and understand food labels so you can be a confident grocery shopper. Identifying tricky marketing tactics played by the food industry so YOU can call B.S. on a packaged health claim is so powerful!
Benefits That Participants Have Experienced:
Increased Energy/less fatigue
More Restful Sleep
Mental Clarity and Focus/less brain fog
Weight Loss
Decreased Anxiety
Reduced Cravings
Emotional Stability/better moods
An appreciation for the taste of REAL FOOD!
Perfection is NOT required - practice makes progress and progress in your nutritional health journey is the goal of RESTART. Participants who commit to attending every class session, and applying the concepts learned in class will get the most benefit out of the program. Giving your body a chance to respond to REAL nutrient dense food, while taking a break from fake man-made foods for three weeks can be a life changing experience. The simple, yet powerful nutrition education in RESTART uses only REAL FOOD. There are no pills, powders, or pre-packaged foods to buy. It is not a promise of a quick fix. It is not a weight loss or “diet” plan. It is a personal journey of self-discovery with tools you can use for a lifetime.
This LIVE online class will meet at 6:30PM for five Tuesdays via Zoom starting Tuesday, Feb. 15. Reserve your spot HERE.
If you are ready to learn more about how to use food functionally to support your health, this FIVE week program is for you! Register now to receive your materials in time for the first class: REGISTER
Healthy Blessings, 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.
Other reminders: If you are looking for help to get started moving towards your current health goals, hair analysis is a great functional test to start with. Mineral balancing is way more than just seeing what your mineral levels are. It's going to help you learn how to eat for your metabolism, how to support your digestion, what specific nutrients you need to start with, how to absorb water, how to clean up your environment and so much more. It's a full lifestyle approach. Details HERE.
Escape to the country with us for a day to TAKE BACK YOUR HEALTH! Join us Saturday, April 23 at Cooper’s Ridge for the CoMo Wellness Conference. I am honored to speak and share my passion for health! Come and learn from some amazing doctors and wellness experts on how to TAKE CONTROL of your health! The tickets not only include all-day access to the conference, but also a clean, nutritious lunch from Nourish. To get tickets and view conference details: comowellnessconference.com
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.