Yoga Chocolate Pleasures

Great news - dark chocolate can be considered a healthful yogic food! Science is confirming what the ancient indigenous peoples knew all along - that chocolate is good for you. Since the time of the ancient Mayan, Olmec, and Aztec Indians who worshipped chocolate as food of the gods, chocolate has been consumed for pleasure as well as its healing properties. Over the centuries, chocolate has spread throughout the world and has been used as a remedy for conditions ranging from indigestion to depression to heart problems, as well as an aphrodisiac.

Studies show that dark chocolate has health benefits worthy of a yogic food. Along with an incomparably seductive taste and texture, chocolate possesses potent antioxidant flavonoids called proanthyocyanidins, found in fruits, vegetables, red wine, and green tea, that may contribute to heart health and boost immunity. Chocolate also contains phenylethylamine and theobromine, bioactive substances that may be natural antidepressants, stearic acid, a unique fat which may lower cholesterol, and magnesium, a mineral important in preventing hypertension and heart disease.

All chocolates are not equal, so be aware when choosing your chocolate to enjoy its health benefits. The best type of chocolate from a yogic point of view is a dark bittersweet or semisweet chocolate with at least 60 to 90% cocoa mass, and no added fillings, additives, sugar, or fats (such as butter, hydrogenated fats, or oils). The cocoa mass, also known as cocoa liquor, is the pure, unsweetened content of the cocoa bean, where the beneficial nutrients reside. Due its higher percentage of cocoa mass and therefore more healthful flavonoids, dark chocolate has significantly more antioxidant power than milk chocolate (which only has 5 to 50% cocoa mass) or white chocolate (0% cocoa mass).

So go ahead and sweeten Valentine's Day (or any day) with the following Yogi Chocolate Strawberries.

YOGI CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRIES

Succulent chocolate-dipped strawberries is a decadently delicious and healthful yogic treat to indulge in this Valentine's Day (or any day).

Ingredients

8 to 10 large (preferably long-stemmed) ripe, organic strawberries
8 ounces dark or semisweet bar chocolate with 60-70% cocoa content (such as Callebaut, Valrhona or Scharffen Berger chocolate), broken into pieces

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper.
2. Rinse the strawberries with cold water (keeping the stems and leaves intact) and pat dry thoroughly.
3. Place the chocolate pieces in a double boiler set over, but not touching, simmering water, and melt while stirring. Once the chocolate melts, remove the pot from the heat.
4. Grasp the leaves or stem of a strawberry or insert a toothpick into the stem of a strawberry. Dip the strawberry into the melted chocolate to coat the berry's lower three-quarters. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and then place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries.
5. Refrigerate the chocolate-dipped strawberries for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours before serving.

Sources

Gavalas, Elaine. Yogi in the Kitchen. Penguin Putnam Avery. elainegavalas.com .

Persson JA et al. Effects of Cocoa Extract and Dark Chocolate on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Nitric Oxide in Human Endothelial Cells and Healthy Volunteers. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2010 Oct 14. [Epub ahead of print].