Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a chocolate obsession. No need to be timid, especially since you’re reading this post from the comfort of your own screen! If someone told you chocolate was bad for you, run in the opposite direction! Chocolate is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids. Both of which are great for heart health, good cholesterol, lowering blood pressure and promoting a healthy overall immune response. Healthy on the inside means more glowing, beautiful skin and hair on the outside! Win-win!
the real downsides to chocolate are the amount of sugar that goes into a bar, and the pesticides used to grow cacao, the bean that chocolate comes from. I’m encouraging you to go for the “good stuff” when choosing a chocolate. Pay close attention to the cocoa content. This percentage is the amount of “cacao mass” (liquid and fats from pressed cacao beans) goes into the bar. The higher the cocoa content, the less sugar, milk and other emulsifiers the chocolate contains. The closer to 99% the better for your health, but that intensity is often too bitter a bar for most pallets. Look for 60% cocoa content or more. Fair-trade, sustainable, and organic bars, tend to not be treated with harmful chemicals or contain artificial emulsifiers. Trader Joe’s fair trade organic, chocolove’s rich dark, and moser roth’s 70% dark are great tasting, reasonably priced staples. Grab a dairy free chocolate, to make these completely vegan! Pick any one of these bars for the recipe below. These cute “medallions” are perfect for satisfying a chocolate craving and they are one of the quickest recipes to prep/execute. They are also for a party, or even a fun activity to do with kids.