Chocolate always first…

…Well, almost always!

I was listeining to KTU this morning..well every morning, but that’s besides the point… and Carolina (whom I LOVE… PS if reading, Cubby, I love you too!!) was talking about eating some dessert before feasting into Thanksgiving dinner.  She was talking about in a joking way, but to me I took it serious, because there was some seriousness to her entertaining on air about how we all do sometimes over eat on Thanksgiving.  If we eat something sweet first, it may take away some of the craving for food later on, is along the lines of what she said.  I automatically texted in saying that she was semi- correct!  Because, she was!!

I won’t go as far as to say “go ahead, eat all the pies and cakes you see on the dessert table, but I will say, if some dark chocolate catches your eye- go for that!  Dark chocolate has waistline benefits- as it will not add to weight gain, and can even help with weight loss! Now, this is NOT the new go to fad diet, nor will it actually make you lose your goal weight of say 5-10 pounds.  But it can help stop you from over eating.

Dark chocolate is loaded with fiber, which will help you feel fuller longer.  Having a bite of a good quality, high percentage, dark chocolate  before hitting the table for dinner will help you stop over eating because you will feel fuller faster with a smaller amount of food because of the fiber in the piece of chocolate.  It also helps reduce stress, which many people face during the holidays.  Eating a small piece of the dark chocolate will help reduce the stress and help those who do happen to stress eat not eat as much as they may have.

Other benefits of dark chocolate include anti inflammatory properties, due to the flavanols found cocoa.  It can help repair cellular damage and prevent future cellular damge to those who suffer from inflammatory diseases. The flavanols can also help lower blood pressure.  It can also boost blood circulation to the brain to help you stay more focused as well as leave you with healthier, smoother skin.

If these aren’t reasons enough, it is also DELISH!!  But remember- look for the ORGANIC DARK chocolate, that is at least 70% dark.

Here are two of my favorite dark chocolates… I would love to hear about your favorites!!

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My favorite, and 10% of proceeds help endangered wildlife.

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Another go-to if I see it.  SO tasy and satisfying.

And remember to always eat for your body, it will thank you.

Have a very happy and thankful Thanksgiving!!  Cheers to the holiday season!

Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

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I had a lot of Zucchini from out CSA this past week, and after shredding it earlier this week to make quesadillas with it, I decided to use the rest for zucchini muffins.  I wanted something that was sweet enough to eat for dessert, because that is something I do tend to eat every night, yet healthy enough to have for breakfast- or my mid morning snack.  These are what I came up with!

Ingredients-

 

1 cup whole wheat flour- or flour of choice if trying to keep gluten free

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

dash of salt

1/2 cup unsweetened 100% raw cocoa powder

2 eggs

1/2 cup honey, although I used a little less due to the chocolate

1.5 cups shredded zucchini

1/2 cup coconut oil in liquid form

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup chocolate chips- I used Enjoy Life Mini Chips which are non dairy, non nuts, non soy

Directions-

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter muffin tin, or use muffin wrappers.

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In large bowl mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.  Add chocolate chips and mix until everything is combined.

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In another large bow whisk eggs, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla until all mixed.  Add zucchini and continue mixing until all zucchini is covered.

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Add the powder mixture and stir until all powder is covered in liquid mixture.  Do not over mix.

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Fill up muffin tins- 1/4-1/2 depending on the size you want.  Put in oven and bake for 18 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out smooth.

**These are pretty chocolate-ly- if you do not want too much chocolate, I would skip out on the extra chocolate chips.

When you take the time to make your own foods, you know exactly what is being put into your body- and for that, your body will thank you!  Remember to always eat for your body!

~Enjoy