Chocolate: Health Food for the Soul - 40 Real Food Chocolate Recipes

Chocolate is the only ingredient that is its very own food group.

Well not really—but it seems as if it should be. Powerfully comforting, creamy, delicious—many people eat chocolate at least several times a week.

Which begs the question…

Is Chocolate Good for You?

The answer is both yes and no.

There are many health benefits of chocolate. Chocolate has been used for centuries to treat bronchitis, sexual malaise, fatigue, hangovers, anemia, depression, memory loss, high blood pressure, poor eyesight, and more. It also helps release that feel-good neurotransmitter—serotonin—in the brain.

And guess what, we LOVE chocolate.

But eat the wrong kind and you’ll get loads of sugar, calories, and junky ingredients.

Cacao or Cocoa?

Chocolate begins life as raw cacao (pronounced kah-kow) beans. Loaded with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and plant phenols, cacao is a powerful superfood. The more processed cacao becomes, however—think commercially produced candy bars—the fewer healthy components remain.

Cacao and Cocoa are two different things! Cacao is a nutritional powerhouse and cocoa is not. Which do you eat?

Recipe Round Up

I have put together a round up of over 40 delicious real food chocolate recipes that are perfect for Valentine's Day or anytime you just want a little chocolate kick!