Perhaps you haven’t heard, but enjoying a small piece of chocolate in the morning is a great (and beneficial) way to start your day. Chocolate’s addictive power is linked to the theobromine in it that activates our brain’s reward center, which triggers the production of serotonin, the feel-good chemical within us. Serotonin levels are naturally their highest early in the morning, so chocolate’s addictive quality is quelled. So don’t wait!
The Mayan people didn’t wait. They drank hot chocolate throughout their day. However, their hot chocolate was a far cry from what we now know it to be. It was called “hot” not because it was warm, but because it was flavored with hot peppers, and there was nothing sweet about it.
Only have unsweetened cocoa powder on hand, and craving a steaming cup of hot chocolate? Don’t wait for a trip to the grocery store! Simply sweeten a cup of milk and a tablespoon of cocoa powder by adding spices like cinnamon, and a small amount of sugar or honey to cut the bitterness. To keep clumping to a minimum, warm the milk first, then mix in the powdered cocoa and sweeteners.
Holiday time is coming up, but don’t wait for it to enjoy hot chocolate. It’s now known that this sweet treat lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol, elevates good (HDL) cholesterol, and improves both cognitive function and memory. A 2012 European Food Safety Authority (similar to our FDA) issued a scientific opinion that stated 200 mg of cocoa flavonoids daily contributes to healthy blood flow.
For centuries, chocolate has been recognized and used as a medicine in many cultures. In recent years, scientific evidence indicates that the nutrients, phytonutrients and fatty acids found naturally in cocoa may be linked to lower incidences of cardiovascular disease. Studies further indicate that chocolate and other cocoa products contribute to feelings of well-being and happiness. Nudge open that selection of fudge, and be healthy and happy starting right now!
** MAY WE HAVE A WORD WITH YOU? ** IF, BY CHANCE, YOU DON’T EAT ALL YOUR FUDGE SOON AFTER DELIVERY, PLEASE REFRIGERATE IT! FRESH FUDGE MAY MOLD AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AFTER 3 WEEKS TIME!
This Month’s Heavenly Selection from Your Favorite Chocolate of the Month Club: “OH FUDGE!” (and we mean that in A GOOD WAY!!)
Outer pieces are MILK & DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED CASHEW/CRANBERRY CLUSTERS
Center pieces are MILK & DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED CHOCOLATE FUDGE (See important note regarding storage)
