Simplicity Saturday – The Best Dark Chocolate
Decadent, Smooth, Rich and Healthful Chocolate!
This weekend is a double-love weekend, falling on both Family Day & Valentine’s Day. I recognize that chocolate is pretty much a given when it comes to weekends like this, and especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Whatever you choose, make sure it is a minimum of 60% cocoa, organic and free trade. Pure cocoa is actually the richest source of plant-based iron, and is loaded with antioxidants. This is why dark chocolate is always the way to go, as it packs more cocoa punch, without the added dairy. It also increases joy, which is good for the soul! So if you do indulge this weekend, make it a good quality choice and just lick your lips and enjoy!
Here is a breakdown of the most decadent, smooth, rich and healthful chocolate makers out there:
- Giddy YoYo – My number one favourite chocolate indulgence. Raw, Organic, Handmade, Dark, Magic – this brand makes over 10 different varieties of chocolate bars, all infused with different superfoods, ranging from chaga, ginger and maca infused, to vanilla salt and raspberry and sweet orange.
- Chocosol – This locally produced, Toronto-based chocolate making company is a contender for the best chocolate in the city, and is sustainably sourced. If you can get your hands on on some Chocosol chocolate, it comes highly recommended.
- Alter Eco – Organic, fair-trade, and sustainably sourced, this brand makes both chocolate bars and decadent truffles.
- Camino – One of Canada’s most popular brand of fair-trade and organic chocolate, this brands makes everything from chocolate bars to baking chocolate to drinking chocolate. Widely available at most health food stores, this one is a good choice. Just make sure to choose their dark chocolate varieties, as opposed to their milk chocolate.
As always, I recommend a balance! It’s supposed to be a cold one, so make sure you get your blood pumping and get moving! Go for a long family walk, go sledding, take a yoga class, or better yet, get a little frisky 😉 And try out this lip-smacking smoothie recipe for Chocolate Lovers.
The Chocolate Goddess Smoothie
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 frozen banana
- Handful of organic spinach
- 1/4 cup organic oats
- 1 Scoop Genuine Health Vegans+ Double Chocolate Protein Powder
- 1 Tbsp Cacao powder
- 2 dates
- 1-2 Tbsp Almond butter
- Tbsp Nutrasea Omega 3 Oil in chocolate flavour
- 3-5 ice cubes
Blend on high until creamy smooth (about 60-90 seconds). Pour into your glass of choice and add toppings such as coconut, cacao nibs or goji berries.
Happy Valentine’s Day & Family Day!