Saturday, February 19, 2011

For The Love of Chocolate

A chocolate lover's dream











Who doesn't love chocolate? I know I do, and even though I am trying very hard to be very good and not partake of much of it, I think everyone should enjoy and celebrate life, and if that includes a piece of chocolate, then so be it!


I have been interested lately in finding some chocolate recipes that include honey, and while most of them are entirely too decadent to put in my blog, I found one that can be made very healthy actually.


I found this recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups over at www.divinehealthfromtheinsideout.com and wanted to also reprint blogger Lydia's thoughts on chocolate as she adapts it from Nina Planck's book:
In Nina Planck’s book, ‘Real Food, What to Eat and Why’, she shares some of the good news about the benefit of chocolate. First off, the saturated and monounsaturated fats in cocoa butter are good for cholesterol: cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants and contains mild antidepressants. Cocoa powder contains large amounts of calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium, and more iron than any vegetable. It is very rich in polyphenols, particularly a group called flavonoids, which account for the rich pigment in red wine, cherries and tea. These antioxidants promote vascular health, prevent LDL oxidation, lower blood pressure, reduce blood clots, and fight cancer. A one-and-a-half-ounce (40 gram) bar of milk chocolate contains as many antioxidants as a five ounce (150ml) glass of red wine. Polyphenols in chocolate may prevent obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure – all risk factors for heart disease.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
2 cups organic dark chocolate (or milk chocolate if you prefer)
2 T coconut oil
1/2 c butter
1/2 c organic natural peanut butter 
1 T honey


Melt chocolate and oil in small saucepan over low heat.  In second saucepan, melt butter, peanut butter and honey.


Line a mini muffin tin with paper cup liners.  Once the chocolate is melted, add a small spoonful of it to the liner, and tilt muffin tin until it is coated with chocolate.  Repeat until all cups are filled and place in freezer for 5 minutes.


Remove from freezer, and put in dollop of peanut mixture.  Place back in freezer for 5 minutes.


Remove from freezer and top each with remaining chocolate.  Freeze again for 5 minutes.  Then place in frig.  These chocolates will need to be kept refrigerated.


Woohoo! Chocolate the healthy and heavenly way!



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