Something Sweet In the United States, Americans with a sweet tooth spend over $22 billion on chocolate candy every year. Around 24% of all these sales occur around Valentine’s Day alone. Valentine’s Day is the third biggest holiday for chocolate sales, right behind Christmas and Easter. This month, we’re celebrating the love of chocolate with a few important facts about this sweet treat. 3 Delicious Facts About Chocolate
poisoning. A single Hershey kiss won’t act like a cyanide tablet if eaten by an adult Great Dane, but if a miniature Chihuahua gets into a heart-shaped box of chocolates, call your veterinarian right away. Dark Chocolate, Superfood? Countless articles have reported on various studies which found that the antioxidants in dark chocolate, called “flavonoids,” can lower blood pressure, boost memory, and even improve your overall heart health. However, most of these studies were funded by Mars Inc., a company that makes chocolate. Experts warn of a bias in this research. Quality research not funded by chocolate companies has been done but has only found so far that any health benefits from chocolate are small and short-term. If you’re craving chocolate, treat yourself! But if you want a healthy snack, stick to leafy greens.
The Fourth Flavor Tired of having only three options for chocolate? You’re in luck! In 2017, Barry Callebaut, a Belgian–Swiss cocoa company, introduced the world to ruby chocolate. Named for its naturally bright pink color, ruby chocolate is sweet like white chocolate with a fruity flavor. Made from ruby cocoa beans, this treat is the first new chocolate flavor to be created in decades. Whether you prefer dark, milk, white, or ruby chocolate, may your Valentine’s Day be sweet and your box of chocolates be full of pleasant surprises.
Dogs and Chocolate Everyone knows dogs can’t have chocolate, but do you know why? It’s because of theobromine, a compound in chocolate. While humans can digest theobromine with no problem, the compound can build up to toxic levels in dogs. Different types of chocolates have different levels of theobromine. Dark chocolate or baking chocolate will have a lot, while milk chocolate or white chocolate have far less.
It’s important to know that the size of your dog is also a factor in theobromine
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DATE TRUFFLES
Valentine’s Day is all about love … and chocolate. Enjoy these chocolate peanut butter date truffles with your date this Valentine’s Day.
Directions 1. Using a food processor, blend dates and sea salt until dough can be formed into a ball. Slowly add enough warm water to mixture to thicken dough. 2. Roll dough into tablespoon- sized balls. Freeze for 20–30 minutes. 3. In microwave, warm 1/4 cup peanut butter for 30 seconds, then drizzle peanut butter on Ingredients • 1 lb medjool dates, pitted (about 1 1/2 cups) • 1/2 tsp sea salt • Warm water
• 1/4 cup peanut butter • 1 cup bittersweet or dark chocolate, chopped • 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
top of balls. Freeze balls for another 20 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in microwave, warm chocolate with coconut oil until melted. Stir well. 5. Coat balls in chocolate and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 6. Top with additional salt and freeze for 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature.
AQUARIUS ASH CHOCOLATE CUPID DONOR
GROUNDHOG LOVE PISCES
ROSES SKIING SNOWBANK SUGAR VALENTINE
PRESIDENTS ROMANCE
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