Not all chocolate is created equal!

Seems improbable that something so deliciously bad for your waistline could benefit your health.  As a self professed chocoholic, I was thrilled when I first learned that chocolate actually had health benefits.  Alas, something that tastes good, that I crave, that I don't have to feel completely guilty about consuming.  So...I can eat a 1.6oz piece of DARK chocolate every day and it may reduce my blood pressure, lower cholestrol, help reduce the risk of heart disease, increase brain blood flow and give me better skin?  Ummm...sign me up! 

Here's the skinny...Dark chocolate (with high-cocoa content) is loaded with something called epicatechin. Epicatechin is a particularly active member of a group of compounds called plant flavoniods. Flavoniods keep cholesterol from gathering in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots, and slow down the immune responses that lead to clogged arteries. Dark chocolate contains a lot more cocoa than other forms of chocolate and it's the cocoa that makes chocolate healthy...you get where I'm going here...the higher the cocoa content, the better.  And don't forget that the manufacturing process, like with most processed foods, destroys the original makeup of the food, in this case the cocoa -- so up to half of the flavoniods. But chocolate companies have now learned to make dark chocolate that keeps up to 95% of its flavoniods.  Hats off to the smart guys!

Here's the problem....the experts won't tell us for sure who's making the healthiest chocolate, but they've got some advice for us: "Remember that chocolate is a plant food, so choose the most natural, least processed chocolate you can find. That means avoiding chocolate with milk solids, emulsifiers, and heaps of added sugar. Also, skip chocolates with any mention of alkali or "Dutching," which are known to reduce nutrients".

My advice is buy your chocolate from Whole Foods...and Skinny Bitch says to get these brands; Chocolove Belgian Dark Chocolate, Endangered Species dark chocolate bars and Tropical Source rice crisp dark chocolate. 

So there you have it.  What's the lesson learned here?  Eat more chocolate...just make sure it's DARK and remember the higher the cocoa content the better.

Why a blog?

Welcome to my new Blog! TWO MONTHS!! Kevin and I have been husband and wife for a little over two months! Married life is amazing...for many reasons! It still seems surreal that I have a husband...the one I've waited for my entire life. Kevin is everything I ever could have imagined and more. God really knew what he was doing when he brought Kevin and I together. And this is just the beginning! Hence, the name of the blog...Training Wheel Wife. Before, I was a W.I.T-- Wife In Training. Now that I am a wife I'm learning to juggle that role, along with being a full time employee, new business owner, sister, daughter, friend, auntie and someday a mommy. Life is about BALANCE. Someday my training wheels might come off but that's not likely...life is a journey...the key is to enjoy every minute of it and make sure we're all taking care of our own head, heart, body, soul and spirit in the process!


Ok...enough of the mushy stuff...why a blog? Well, I have a lot to say..so much useless knowledge about new recipes, beauty products, exercise, nutrition, fashion, budgets, the world and of course all my personal views--which might irritate you at times. So glad we live in a free country and have the right of free speech! The second reason for my new blog is because of a sweet little new business called Sweet Simplicity Candy & Dessert Bars. These candy and dessert bars have become the new rage for weddings, showers, parties, corporate events, etc. The first time I enjoyed a candy buffet was at our dear friends, The Mickey's, wedding. Lots of yummy stuff to munch on, a wonderful display that tied in with the couple's wedding theme. It was then and there that I was inspired. People LOVED it, there was a need. I could work with women helping facilitate their dreams at their wedding, adding those special touches that make a couple unique. Not to mention there is just one other company in San Diego doing this (North county) and I know I can do it better! I always used to ask my mom, "when is God going to give me my bright idea?" She would tell me "Just use someone else's idea and make it better". Okay, I can do that!

My first candy bar is February 6th and it's for our dear friend's baby shower. She and her husband are having a baby boy (LUKE--we can't wait to meet you!) and the shower is co-ed. How much fun is this going to be? Lots of yummy BLUE candy and sweet treats. Stay tuned for pictures!

Too bad I won't be doing a Charger's bar for Super Bowl Sunday! Still sad about the game last week. "Next year"...San Diegans are used to saying that, aren't we?