Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Part 2: A Chocolate a Day...
























Keeps the doctor and therapist away?   

Now don't cancel your regular doctor visits, but research has shown that eating chocolate can help your mind, body and even the spirit.    Russell Stover  Chocolate Heart  


  But first, let's take a moment to remember Haiti.

 
Please Send Financial Donations to: (Click Link Below)
1-888-256-1900

Now Back to iCafe Woman Moderne

Kiki, here ... did you think iCafe Woman Moderne was done with chocolate?  Not yet.  Check out these facts:    Did You Know?

Chocolate came from plants?

Chocolate has the same benefits to the body as vegetables because of plant pigments known as flavonoids that act as antioxidants and help reduce damage to your body.   

Flavonoids are found in many vegetables and fruits, especially ones with dark colors.  

I'm happy to say, chocolate has health benefits for all ages.

 Smiling Girl




(above - flickr.com)
(smiling woman)













(smiling boys)

Did You Know that Dark Chocolate 
Does a Body Very Good?



You can have that small dark chocolate bar everyday.  It keeps your heart and cardiovascular system working well.



1. Lowers Blood Pressure:  Studies have shown that consuming a small bar of dark chocolate everyday can reduce blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure. 

2. Lowers Cholesterol:  Dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent.

More benefits of dark chocolate:
1. It stimulates endorphin production, which gives a feeling of pleasure. 
2. Contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant.
3. Contains theobromine, caffeine and other substances which are stimulants.


Happy on the Brain
Chocolate can affect the brain by causing the release of certain neurotransmitters.  

Neurotransmitters are the molecules that transmit signals between neurons. 

Happy neurotransmitters such as endorphins can help to reduce stress and lead to feelings of euphoria. 

Doesn't Chocolate Have a lot of Fat?

Good News!  Some of the fats in chocolate do not impact your cholesterol. The fats in chocolate are 1/3 oleic acid, 1/3 stearic acid and 1/3 palmitic acid:
  • Oleic Acid is a healthy monounsaturated fat that is also found in olive oil.
  • Stearic Acid is a saturated fat but one which research is shows has a neutral effect on cholesterol.
  • Palmitic Acid is also a saturated fat, one which raises cholesterol and heart disease risk.
That means only 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is bad for you. 

Hallelujah!  But like everything else, eat in moderation please.

Here's one more Did You Know?

Did You Know?

 

Big Island Coastline
That the Big Island of Hawaii is the only place in the U.S. where chocolate is grown.  In fact, the Big Island of Hawaii is the only place in the world where the raw ingredients for all three major infusion beverages are grown - coffee, tea and cacao.

From About.Com

Big Island of Hawaii visitors can stop by many of the companies which grow and/or produce such products as cocoa/chocolate, coffee, macadamia nuts, tea, tropical fruits, and vanilla.  Most will ship their products anywhere in the world.









Big Island Candies
585 Hinano Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 - 

1-800-935-5510 (U.S. & Canada)
1-808-935-8890 (Outside U.S.)
website: www.bigislandcandies.com
Big Island Candies provides chocolates, brownies, cookies and other products, including sugar-free varieties. 

Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate (cacao fruit)










Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate
1050 Bishop Street, Suite 162, Honolulu, HI 96813 - Their products are available for purchase directly though their website:  www.hawaiianchocolate.com/catalog









Kailua Candy Company
74-5563 Kaiwi Street, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii - This company sells manufactures and sells products made from imported cocoa as well as several selections made with 100% Hawaiian chocolate. 

























Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory*
 78-6772 Makenawai Street

Kailua-Kona, HI  96740
website:  www. ohcf.us, email: info@ohcf.us
888 447-2626, 808 322-2626

*The only producer to grow, harvest, process and package all-Hawaiian chocolate. Their products are available at numerous locations in the islands and by mail order.

 Credit to Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate, the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory and How Stuff Works for this About.com info.

 



(Sweethearts in Paradise Gift Basket - right)

No comments: