Let's face it: the two c's don't exactly have the best reputation. Chocolate is shunned by any Atkin's, South Beach Diet, or low fat/high protein diet follower. Both chocolate and coffee tend to fall under people's lists of "vices," "cravings," or "weaknesses."
4 ounces cubed lite silken tofu
1 cup frozen organic strawberries
½ cup brewed filtered coffee (at room temperature or chilled)
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder---look for Scharfennberger, which is not Dutched.
2 small scoops (1/8 teaspoon total) stevia powder
GIVE ME A BREAK!
Of course, moderation plays a very important role here, just as it does in most areas of a diet. But let us look at some of the great effects that both of these "vices" can have on our body so that when we do consume our fair share, we don't have to feel so badly about it.
COFFEE: Coffee can reduce muscle pain by stimulating the necessary hormones and endorphins. It can ease asthma symptoms. By keeping dopamine levels high, certain diseases become less likely, such as Parkinson's. This also helps our concentration and mood, which can increase rapidly after consumption. It can prevent memory loss, as shown in a two studies done with elderly participants. It can prevent Type 2 diabetes and help to treat breast cancer (David Grotto, 101 Foods That Can Save Your Life). Of course, coffee has some less-than-friendly effects as well. It can cause hypertension, stress, "the jitters", and adrenal exhaustion just to name a few. Consumed in moderation, maybe about a single cup a day, will keep the negative side effects to a minimum while still reaping the benefits. As always, be sure to listen to your body- if you get the jitters, and find yourself facing serious mood swings, it is probably not right for you to be consuming coffee. There are also better times to be having that much caffeine in one sitting either. Take the time, your body, your mind, and your intention into account, and then apply the decision that is right for you. if the decision is to consume a cup of coffee, know that it does not have to be a weakness, and that you are helping your body in many ways!
CHOCOLATE: Chocolate has been working up the reputation latter over the past few years, as the benefits of dark chocolate are becoming more well known. A couple of strong points when eating chocolate include healthier skin (this goes against a common belief, but the flavonols in chocolate can actually benefit and hydrate the skin), treatment of diarrhea, a cough suppressant, and even improved cognitive function, specifically in the verbal and visual memory. Chocolate has also been referred to as an aphrodisiac. Of course, too much chocolate is not good because of its high calorie and saturated fat content. There are many chocolate flavored foods that you may want to steer away from as well, because those will include a myriad of other ingredients that are not going to allow for these benefits to influence the body, such as high-fructose corn syrup. The type of chocolate you consume determines how good or bad it is for you as well; white chocolate and milk chocolate are not the ones that I encourage. Try sticking to the chocolate bars with high cacao content, which have the highest antioxidant levels.
Great Chocolate blogs and sites: www.intentionalchocolate.com
Dark Chocolate, Dark Coffee Strawberry Breakfast Smoothie
From John La Puma, Chef M.D. (http://www.chefmd.com)
Ingredients
1 cup low fat strawberry kefir4 ounces cubed lite silken tofu
1 cup frozen organic strawberries
½ cup brewed filtered coffee (at room temperature or chilled)
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder---look for Scharfennberger, which is not Dutched.
2 small scoops (1/8 teaspoon total) stevia powder
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