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

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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!

Cakes, Pies and Tarts

: Red Velvet Cake from Life By Jeanie

: Raw, Vegan Chocolate Tarts from Good Girl Gone Green

: Chocolate Cream Pie from Cheeseslave

: Chocolately Zucchini Brownies from Veggie Converter

Grain Free Cakes and Cookies

: Chocolate Coconut-y Fudge from Mix Wellness

: Nutty Chocolate Coconut Bars from the Healthy Honeys

: Fudgy Black Bean Brownies from Mix Wellness

: Strawberry Ice Cream Chocolate Roll from Primally Inspired

: Primal Chocolate Zucchini Brownies from Cheerfully Imperfect

: Devilish Mini Angel Food Cakes

: Chocolate Espresso Cake from And Here We Are

: Flourless Chocolate Brownies from Oh Lardy

: Double Trouble Chocolate Cookies from Gutsy by Nature

: Banana Brownie Cupcakes from Popular Paleo

: Mom's Texas Brownies from Beauty and the Foodie

Drinks and Smoothies

: One Minute Mint Hot Chocolate from Green Thickies

: Chocolate Mint Smoothie from Good Girl Gone Green

: Chocolate Covered Marzipan Smoothie from Green Thickies

: Nourishing Hot Chocolate from Oh Lardy!

Candy

: Homemade Chocolate from Be Food Savvy

: Coconut Oil Chocolate Bar from The Coconut Mama

: Green Chocolates to Beat Sugar Cravings from Green Thickies

: Chocolate Covered Pomegranate from Whole Lifestyle Nutrition

: Chocolate Caramel Cup from Coconut Mama

: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups from Mix Wellness

: Chocolate Coconut Amaze-Balls from Cheerfully Imperect

: Almond Butter Sandwich Cups from Cheerfully Imperfect

: Easy Homemade Chocolate Bar from Mary Vance, NC

: Homemade Fudge from Cheeseslave

: Dark Chocolate Maple Cream Truffles from Our Heritage of Health

: Chocolate Almond Date Balls from Anya's Eats

Pudding and Mousse

: Dark Chocolate Superfood Mousse from Mix Wellness

: Hot Chocolate and Choco Jel Pudding from Cheerfully Imperfect

: Chocolate and Orange Pudding from Green Thickies

: Peppermint Chocolate Mousse from Nummy For My Tummy

: Paleo Death by Chocolate from The Darling Bakers

: Easy Chocolate Pudding from Life By Jeanie

Sauce and Ice Cream

: Chocolate Chia Dairy Free Ice Cream from Green Thickies

: Perfect Chocolate Sauce from The Savory Lotus

: Chocolate Superfood Frosting from Our Heritage of Health

Skin Care

: Chocolate Grapefruit Rejuvenating Face Mask from Holistic Saffron

: Red Wine and Cocoa Facial Mask from Holistic Saffron

: Natural Chocolate Face Mask from LA Healthy Living

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