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Dark chocolate is made from the nutrition-rich cacao plant.  Among its many health benefits such as antioxidants, cacao contains both magnesium and sulfur, both of which are essential to the body’s proper functioning.  It also naturally contains enzymes that preserve anandamide. This chemical promotes happiness, good mood and loving feelings often attributed to chocolate.

Unfortunately, once the chocolate from the cacao plant goes through the standard roasting process, the majority of its nutrients dissipate.  In some cases, roasting increases the negative efffects of some substances such as caffeine.  While raw chocolate naturally promotes alertness, the caffeine present in roasted chocolate causes insomnia, irritability and anxiety.

In order to get the maximum benefits from chocolate consumption, we recommend eating raw,organic chocolate. Available in a variety of forms, raw chocolate is minimally processed and free of fillers.  It is also available unsweetened or with the addition of unrefined sweeteners. Here are two examples of how you can enjoy raw chocolate in your diet.

Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder is the least processed form of cocoa, making it the highest in flavanols, which research suggests may help protect the body from illnesses.  For a deep, rich chocolate flavor, add cocoa powder to drinks, shakes or ice cream.  Keep in mind that combining cocoa powder with dairy products may minimize its effectiveness, so use soy or rice milks in your recipes if possible.

Cacao Nibs

Another convenient, enjoyable way to eat raw chocolate is cacao nibs.  These resemble chocolate chips and the two can sometimes be used interchangeably.  For example, you may add cacao nibs to a granola or trail mix for a great snack. You’ll find cacao nibs have a deeper, more natural chocolate-y flavor than the chips you’re accustomed to.

While the majority of the world’s chocolate is roasted, processed and contains unwanted sweeteners and fillers, you’ll have plenty of options to incorporate raw, organic chocolate into your diet.  Both cocoa powder and cacao nibs are available from online nutrition shops as well as many grocers and health food stores.  Even some unsweetened or bittersweet chocolate bars, while containing roasted chocolate, still maintain some nutritional value.  However, neither milk chocolate nor white chocolate offer any types of health benefits.

Learn more about raw, organic chocolate. For more information on the health benefits of chocolate, visit Chocolate Is Healthy.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/chocolate-articles/what-is-raw-chocolate-and-why-eat-it-985217.html

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Promotional chocolates are believed to be the great and cost-effective way of emphasizing your brand and delivering your message. Without any doubt, promotional chocolates are cost effective and highly trendy way of spreading brand awareness of the company among customers and own employees. Put simply, these types of promotional products may be the prominent players in the game of advertising. These are the promotional items that carry imprinted logo of your company with right business message that changes a view and opinion about your company as well as its services in the customer’s mind that can be a business push up for your production system.

When it comes to offer promotional chocolates, they can be offered as business gifts to suppliers and customers, seasonal gifts, valentine and Christmas day gift. Manufacturers of these chocolates offer highly delicious and less expensive chocolates to build brand awareness of your company among the existing and potential customers and own employees as well. Promotional products, for instance chocolates can add so much depth to a marketing operation when used as a thank you program. They put your company in good standing with your target audience because these chocolates show that you not only are thankful for their business, but also you care for them.

It is said that a few types of good quality chocolates also help to lower blood pressure and numerous other diseases. Therefore, by offering promotional chocolates, you not only promote your business and products but also helping your customers and employees to keep them away from diseases. In fact, for any kind of occasion, you can get an outstanding range of chocolates through a selected online promotional gift store.

Redbows Promotional Gifts Store is providing the best Promotional Chocolates of UK. Here you can also find Promotional Sweets and a huge range of other confectionery items.

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As grownups it’s our turn to thank that special person with the best that we can. Many people love to get great gifts for their fathers. A well chosen father’s day gift basket is sure to bring a smile to any father’s face. Luxury items are always popular items in a father’s day gift basket. Gourmet items such as rare cheeses, fresh and dipped fruits and imported chocolates are sure to make a big hit. A fathers day gift baskets, containing upscale fruit flower, dipped fruit, and chocolate covered strawberries are popular choices. If father is a gardener a father’s day gift basket full of gardening tools and hand lotions is sure to be appreciated. Sending father’s day fresh fruit has become something standard and it is only normal to send the fathers in the family a little keepsake so that they know you appreciate them. Every father likes to feel special when their child treats with a gift at father’s day.

Unique gift baskets come in many varieties, shapes and sizes – but fruit gift baskets are far superior the ordinary and expected. Full-to-brimming with hand-selected fruit delights with a refined flair, these unique ensembles are ideal for special men who have flair for finery, and for those who simply deserve some flavorful pampering! The fruit flower bouquets are popular gifts that take you a notch up. The recipient will be thrilled by your innovative gift. On father’s day an edible fruit basket can be a good substitute for every artificial. If you give an edible fruit basket to your father as a gift on father’s day the recipient will appreciate this idea. The edible father’s day fruit baskets,are ideal gifts on the occasions like Thanksgiving, Father’s day, Mother’s day, Easter and Christmas. Fresh fruit baskets are works of art. Think of the fruits, edible greenery that is used as filler, the basket and its liner, the cellophane used for wrapping, the skewers, and all these things add to its beauty. Father’s day is a day where we all express our love and appreciation for our fathers. A father day gift baskets, is a great way of saying ‘thank you’ for all the things Dad has done in our lives.

Delicious father day gift baskets and strawberries bouquets are Edible Arrangementsesembles bouquets of flowers in blossom. These tasty father day fruit baskets inspired fruit bouquets are a treat for father on your gift list.

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The swine flu outbreak has scared a lot of people these past few weeks. Many regularly watch television or tune in to the radio to get some updates regarding swine flu and learn how it started, when and where it first broke out, how this disease can infect us and what we can do to prevent it.

Lack of understanding has caused some to panic. Face masks are out of stock because we know that the swine flu virus can spread through the air. Some health agencies have also recommended vaccines as a means to avoid infection.

But do face masks really help? Do we need to be vaccinated against this disease?

When I first heard about the swine flu pandemic, I quickly did some research to find out how to prevent this disease. I found out that the flu vaccine is not affordable and not safe. I continued my research until I found Dr. Mercola’s article, “The Swine Flu Pandemic – Fact or Fiction?” I found it very helpful because it gave me some useful, natural and safe tips on how to avoid swine flu.

One of the most important things to do is to optimize your vitamin D levels. It is one of the best strategies to avoid disease. Dr. Mercola believes that vitamin d deficiency is the likely reason why we go down with the flu, not the flu virus itself.

The flu shot has been found to be ineffective and dangerous. During the swine flu outbreak in the 70s, many of those vaccinated suddenly suffered paralysis due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

There are many ways to safely boost your body’s natural defense against diseases. Avoiding sugar will help enhance our immune system because sugar decreases its ability to function. Avoid eating processed food because most have hidden sugar.

Rest well to strengthen your body’s ability to fight the flu and other diseases. Stress can also affect your immune system so it will be useful to find stress-relieving methods like EFT.

Exercise is always a big help and is good for your health. Good exercise helps circulate your immune system’s components and increases the chances of finding infections before it spreads to your body.

Taking animal-based omega-3 fats will help you maintain good health and avoid damage to your immune response caused by trans fat and processed foods.

Proper hand washing is the simplest way of preventing communicable diseases, including the flu. Using a chemical-free soap is advisable rather than an antibacterial soap.

Regular consumption of garlic can help because garlic works like an antibiotic and helps fight bacteria, viruses and protozoa in your body. However, this may probably not work for people who are allergic to garlic.

If it is not an emergency, better stay at home rather than go to the hospital. Hospitals might be the breeding ground of infections.

These are Dr. Mercola’s simple tips to avoid swine flu, the regular flu and other diseases. I hope these tips will help lessen your worries. It’s not that difficult to prevent illness; all you need is to be more aware and do the necessary research.

A person who is conscious about health and my inspiration is Dr. Joseph Mercola. For more concerns about health, Mercola provides newsletter on his website. For other resources you can try reading my health care articles post on my blog.

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When you are planning a party or event, much of the concentration is on what foods you will serve to your guests. There are thousands of different appetizer possibilities to serve, ranging from gourmet shrimp skewers to classic dips and crackers. Something many overlook however is making appetizers out of chocolate, a treat that is sure to be a hit!

Chocolate fountains have become quite a favorite at many parties and events over the past few years. Many caterers now offer them as part of their services, or they can be purchased inexpensively at most retailers or party suppy stores. Basically they work by melting chocolate for guests to dip their favorite foods into, much like fondue but with a more appealing display.

If you’re considering having one of these at your next party, here are some ideas for you to use for different foods to serve with it:

Fresh Strawberries: Strawberries and chocolate have long been a great pair and compliment one another well. Choose medium sized berries and wash them thoroughly before serving.

Pineapple: Not all guests will like the taste of pineapple, but it can be a nice variety and something unusual to include.

Marshmallows: Chocolate dipped marshmallows are another popular choice and often get eaten up rather quickly!

Pretzels: You can choose to use pretzel sticks or traditional shaped pretzels, though the pretzel sticks may create less of a mess.

Banana Slices: Another popular choice, banana slices are also a delicious favorite.

Cookies: Whether chocolate chip or sugar cookies, these can also be a great accompanianment to your fountain.

Thick Potato Chips: This one may sound strange, but for those who love a crunchy, sweet, and salty combination it can be quite good!

Cereal Bars: There are many cereal bars available that offer great flavor and variety. Some are peanut butter flavored, others may have dried fruits such as cranberries in them. Cut them into small little cubes for dipping and serving.

When serving a chocolate fountain, you will also want to also make sure that you have plenty of necessary supplies on hand. You will need an ample amount of skewers or long toothpicks, as well as plenty of napkins since the fountain can get a bit messy at times!

Don’t be afraid to be creative and try other foods as well. Sweet pickles, pound cake, candies, and others are all just a few of the endless possibilities of things you can serve. It’s a great and unusual treat that you and your guests will be sure to enjoy at your next party or event.

For more great appetizer ideas, visit the author’s website AppetizerSnacks.com.

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