Show Your Valentine Love with Organic Chocolate!
February 10, 2011 by Guest Blogger
Guest blog by Adriane Little of AspireTrue Communications.
Valentine’s Day is synonymous with chocolate. Whether served in truffles, chocolate cake, brownies, cookies, or the traditional chocolate bar, sharing the sweet treat has been a way to ‘sh
ow your love,’ throughout time. What’s great about this tradition, is that dark, organic chocolate , while not only delicious, has been shown to offer a multitude of health benefits (not to mention that organic cocoa agricultural practices and more sustainable for the environment than conventional cocoa growing).
What qualifies chocolate as “organic?” To wear an organic certified label, cocoa must have been grown sustainably, without the use of toxic chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides in a way that promotes biodiversity and plant health. Cocoa plants must not be genetically modified in any way, and must be managed in a way that restores, maintains and enhances soil health and ecosystem integrity. Ideally, cocoa will be sourced using fair trade practices, which ensures that cocoa growers are paid a fair price for their crops, and high social and environmental standards are upheld.
When eaten in moderation, organic dark chocolate can contribute to heart health, suppress chronic cough, add much-needed magnesium to the diet and help control blood sugar. Some say that organic dark chocolate is a “superfood,” as it has been shown to regulate blood pressure, reduce stress levels, improve blood circulation, lower cholesterol, boost immunity, provide a host of powerful antioxidants, act as an anti-depressant, and provide endorphins, which results in the feeling of pleasure and happiness. Who knew?!
There are a multitude of ways to enjoy organic chocolate, and get your dose of the powerful health benefits this “superfood” offers. While eating a high percentage dark chocolate bar may be one of the easiest ways to enjoy organic chocolate, it can also be melted and drizzled on desserts, used in baking, coated on nuts or dried fruit, or mixed in your favorite trail mix. Other ways to savor delicious organic chocolate include in ice cream or shakes, chocolate chips or even in raw form. The opportunities are endless!
No matter how you eat it, the benefits are clear – organic dark chocolate is a nutritional powerhouse that is not only good for your soul, but an environmentally sustainable way to show someone special you care. This Valentine’s Day, choose organic!
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Guest Blogger
Jamie Kelly
Sara Snow
Annie Brown
Show Your Valentine Love with Organic Chocolate!
February 10, 2011 by Guest Blogger
Guest blog by Adriane Little of AspireTrue Communications.
Valentine’s Day is synonymous with chocolate. Whether served in truffles, chocolate cake, brownies, cookies, or the traditional chocolate bar, sharing the sweet treat has been a way to ‘sh
ow your love,’ throughout time. What’s great about this tradition, is that dark, organic chocolate , while not only delicious, has been shown to offer a multitude of health benefits (not to mention that organic cocoa agricultural practices and more sustainable for the environment than conventional cocoa growing).
What qualifies chocolate as “organic?” To wear an organic certified label, cocoa must have been grown sustainably, without the use of toxic chemicals, fertilizers or pesticides in a way that promotes biodiversity and plant health. Cocoa plants must not be genetically modified in any way, and must be managed in a way that restores, maintains and enhances soil health and ecosystem integrity. Ideally, cocoa will be sourced using fair trade practices, which ensures that cocoa growers are paid a fair price for their crops, and high social and environmental standards are upheld.
When eaten in moderation, organic dark chocolate can contribute to heart health, suppress chronic cough, add much-needed magnesium to the diet and help control blood sugar. Some say that organic dark chocolate is a “superfood,” as it has been shown to regulate blood pressure, reduce stress levels, improve blood circulation, lower cholesterol, boost immunity, provide a host of powerful antioxidants, act as an anti-depressant, and provide endorphins, which results in the feeling of pleasure and happiness. Who knew?!
There are a multitude of ways to enjoy organic chocolate, and get your dose of the powerful health benefits this “superfood” offers. While eating a high percentage dark chocolate bar may be one of the easiest ways to enjoy organic chocolate, it can also be melted and drizzled on desserts, used in baking, coated on nuts or dried fruit, or mixed in your favorite trail mix. Other ways to savor delicious organic chocolate include in ice cream or shakes, chocolate chips or even in raw form. The opportunities are endless!
No matter how you eat it, the benefits are clear – organic dark chocolate is a nutritional powerhouse that is not only good for your soul, but an environmentally sustainable way to show someone special you care. This Valentine’s Day, choose organic!
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