“On Valentine’s Day, the tradition of giving chocolate is a timeless symbol of affection.” Says Larry Graham, President of the National Confectioners Association, or so he would like us to believe. And now that the media is continually reporting on the scientific research showing the many health benefits of eating chocolate, sales this month are sure to be high. Consumers, however; aren’t being told the whole story. So here’s the naked chocolate truth!

Chocolate comes from cacao beans which are the seeds of the cacao fruit.  Cacao in essence is raw chocolate.

Raw chocolate means that the cacao has not been heated or processed.  By not heating or processing the cacao, you retain all the nutrients that may give you some of those reported health benefits. Raw chocolate (the cacao bean) contains a large amount of minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients.

This is real CHOCOLATE and the way it was originally enjoyed by the Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs, who used raw, organic chocolate not only as a royal treat ,but as a medicine and even currency. Cacao, by the way, literally means “food of the gods”.

Most, if not all, store bought chocolate products, however, are highly processed leaving very little, if any, of the nutrients from the cacao in the product.  What’s worse is that most chocolate products are also made with refined sugar and unhealthy fats.  The result is a product that not only has virtually none of the health benefits that have been attributed to chocolate but one that also contributes to weight gain and chronic illnesses.

The good news is that there are some awesome companies out there selling real, raw chocolate that not only tastes good but is also a healthy alternative for you.

Here are couple that I feel good about recommending:

Sacred Chocolate

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Gnosis Chocolate

Both of these chocolates can be purchased here:

Sunfood Nutrition

Now you know where to get real chocolate that you can enjoy in moderation without any of the guilt !

I do want to caution you here, cacao (chocolate) like coffee and many teas, has caffeine and is a stimulant. Stimulants affect people differently and can wreck the adrenals. I do not recommend the use of cacao on a regular basis but as a real, whole food, guilt-free treat to enjoy once and a while.

If all this talk about raw, naked chocolate goodness has peaked your interest and you would like to learn more about cacao and also get some enticing, mouthwatering recipes, check out the book Naked Chocolate by best selling author and raw foodist, David Wolfe.

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All products mentioned in this article can be purchased here:
Sunfood Nutrition

What do you think about chocolate after reading this article? Are you going to try some cacao?

Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page to leave your comments and questions.

Alicia Castellano, CHHC, AADP

Alicia is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor with a passion for helping others transition into a healthy lifestyle and create extraordinary lives for themselves. She lives in Houston,Texas where she runs a private practice. Alicia loves to dance, loves music and has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and learning.

Visit Alicia and add her as a friend on TWITTER | FACEBOOK | MYSPACE

Simple Steps for a Smooth Transition to Organic Living

Part 1

Organic living has been all the buzz for some time now, but there is more than being politically correct in choosing organic products over conventional ones.  Organic means that it is produced without the use of artificial pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, colorings, preservatives and antibiotics. It also means that it is free of hormones and not genetically modified.  All of which are highly toxic to the body and can cause illness.  There are also studies that show higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids in organic produce. Some other things to feel good about are: supporting local, organic products means saving energy, provides humane treatment of animals, and funnels your dollars back into your immediate community. 

All this is great for our health and our planet, but my favorite part of eating and living organic is the pleasure of it.  Organic produce, when purchased locally, is fresher and therefore tastes better.  Anyone who has taken a bite of a ripe peach off a tree will tell you that it is an entirely different experience than tasting a conventional grown peach from the supermarket.  Keep this in mind when your kids, or your hubbie says that they don’t like to snack on fruits, or eat their veggies.  The same logic stays true for organic personal care and cleaning products.  Using pure essential oils affects you positively, on a cellular level, unlike the chemical copycats that are put in conventional products.  This shift, if done gently, can be a joyous one that will have you living a happy organic existence.  Stay tuned as we dissect some of the recent controversies surrounding organics, tackle different areas of your home and give you workable tips to help you make the shift. 

Do you have a question about organic living that you would like us to answer?

Click here, scroll down to post your comment and let us know!

 Written By: Jennifer Wisnew AND Alicia Castellano

Jennifer Wisnew, CHHC, AADP

Jennifer is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, dedicated to her clients with a unique approach to build a life that truly brings them joy! She is the owner of Life Renovated Health Counseling, located in the lower Hudson Valley region of New York. Jennifer is an animal lover who loves cooking, reading, gardening, dancing and researching.