by Victoria Laine | Dec 18, 2013 | BLOG: Victoria's Health Secrets, BOOK: Health by Chocolate
Chris Zdeb, CanWest News Service, National Post, Thursday, November 22, 2007
Chocolate has come to be demonized as the key ingredient in sinful desserts such as devil’s food cake. But for 95% of its 3,000 year history, chocolate was considered a health food.
In fact, it is very good for you and there’s a growing body of research to back that up, says holistic nutrition practitioner Victoria Laine.
Laine, who teaches an extension course on healthy food preparation at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, has written the book Health By Chocolate, which shows how to get the benefits of raw cacao — or raw chocolate — and the benefits of whole food ingredients, which are foods closest to their natural state.
She discovered the benefits of the dark side after depriving herself of chocolate for several years when she was in her twenties, and chocolate was thought to be triggering some of her health problems, including allergies and food sensitivity.
Studies have found that chocolate contains flavonols, compounds that reduce the stickiness of platelets, cells that play an important role in blood clotting. Chocolate also contains polyphenols, antioxidants similar to compounds found in fruit, vegetables, red wine and green tea, that help eradicate free radicals in the body thought to lead to heart disease, cancer and premature aging. In fact, it has a higher concentration of antioxidants than spinach, blueberries or green tea.
According to the University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter, one study of the benefits of exercise found that men who eat chocolate in moderation live longer than those who eat none. Tannins in chocolate help prevent cavities, making chocolate better for teeth than other sweets.
Chocolate has the mood-elevating chemicals phenethylamine and anandamide, which activate receptors in the brain that cause feelings of excitement and well-being.
“It also boosts serotonin levels in the brain. Women typically have lower serotonin levels during PMS and menstruation, which may be why we typically experience craving for chocolate at that time,” Laine explains.
And contrary to popular belief chocolate does not cause acne, allergies, migraines or hyperactivity. It actually has much less caffeine than most people think, Laine says.
But all chocolate is not created equal.
For any health benefits, chocolate has to be at least 70% dark, Laine says. The higher the percentage of dark chocolate, the better. Chocolate’s bad rap comes from the highly refined sugars and poor-quality fats with which it’s partnered to make tasty confections such as commercial chocolate bars.
Laine is trying to improve chocolate’s street cred by mixing it up with natural healthful sweeteners like dried fruit — dates, prunes, apricots and avocados — that provide vitamins, minerals and fibre, a little maple syrup or honey, whole grain flours, nuts and seeds. But after adding all of these decidedly non-decadent items, it still tastes good? “Ooh, yes!”
“We can certainly put on pounds with healthful chocolate as well, if we overindulge,” Laine cautions. “But the chances of overindulging is less because we feel satiated by the fibre-filled whole foods mixed in with it.” – PURCHASE – Health by Chocolate: radical new recipes & nutritional know-how!
NOT-SO-SINFUL SWEETS
Mmm, you love Turtles! But those tasty little creatures are packed with sugars and fats. Here’s Laine’s gooey alternative that offers the same satisfaction. Healthy Turtle Bon Bon Recipe
by Victoria Laine | Nov 23, 2013 | BLOG: Victoria's Health Secrets, Veggies
RUTABAGA BENEFITS
Rutabaga is part of the turnip family, and a disease-fighting cruciferous vegetable.
It’s rich in Vitamin C.
USING RUTABAGA
Rutabaga is an under-utilized food of the vegetable world. Most people boil it, peeling the skin and cubing it. Rutabaga however, is delicious raw, cut into slices or french fry shapes, it is slightly sweet.
When I partner rutabaga with my Maple Cranapple Baked Beans, I either boil and mash, or turn them into roasted wedges. Rutabaga is also delicious in a medley, roasted with other root veggies.
It can be used in soups, stews, stirfries, or grated raw into salad. Rutabaga is also delicious as a fermented vegetable.
by Victoria Laine | Dec 12, 2012 | Beverages, BLOG: Victoria's Health Secrets, BOOK: Real-Life Vegan, RECIPES: Whole-food Nutrition Kitchen
When I assist clients who are having health challenges, be it digestive distress, allergies, or weight regulation, I recommend they avoid or minimize their alcohol intake to allow their livers and pancreas the ability to be free of having to metabolize alcohol. This allows their organs an opportunity to do the other important functions that help them to overcome their issues.
p.166, Real-Life Vegan (www.RealLifeVegan.com)
Most hosts today will ensure there are non-alcoholic beverages but in so many cases those choices are sugar-ladened soda pop, or punches laced with soda pop. Not a healthy choice and possibly no less damaging to our liver and pancreas. So what to do? If you are a health conscious host, here are some delicious, easy ideas for your guests.
There are several beverage ideas and recipes in Real-Life Vegan (my second book available at eStore) including: Mint Mojito Mocktails, Juice Spritzers, Coconut Chia Water, Maple Lemonade, and Iced Herbal Teas.
WARM SPICED WINTER BEVERAGE RECIPE!
As we’re heading into the winter holiday however, I want to arm you with a healthy version of an easy, popular, warm, non-alcoholic beverage for entertaining. I’ve served this up for many parties and even taken it in a thermos for after-tobogganing or skating get-togethers.
For parties I either use a large pot on the back burner of the stove if space allows, or I plug-in a large slow cooker / crock pot in an area where everyone can help themselves.
This is so simple, yet so wonderfully festive! It’s only two ingredients…pure organic non-clarified apple juice (sometimes also labelled “apple cider”) or pear juice or a combination of both…simmered with tea bags that contain spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, and cloves…for example this one that is easily found in most grocery stores > http://www.celestialseasonings.com/products/herbal-teas/bengal-spice
Now…be sure not to wimp out on the spices! This is where people go wrong when making herbal teas, and you don’t want to make the same mistake with spiced cider. You’ll want to use at least one tea bag for every 3-4 cups of juice. So if you’re making a large pot (I’ve used my canning pot for large crowds) you’ll likely be adding an entire 20 bag box of tea bags. A large slow cooker maybe 8-10 tea bags.
Be sure to allow time for simmering the spiced cider so it can activate the spices and develop the rich flavors that are so delightful. Once your juice is simmering, let it continue to simmer for at least 20-30 minutes. If you make it in advance you can turn off the heat and then rewarm when the party begins. Your house (or office staff room, or party room) will fill with a holiday fragrance that even the alcohol drinkers will be commenting on!
Warm Spiced Cider (no sugar added)
HEALTH BENEFITS of SPICES!
That’s it…2 ingredients, juice and tea bags! No refined sugar…no artificial ingredients…no regrets! There are healthful benefits thanks to the power of spices. Even though pure, organic apple juice is a much healthier choice than soda pop and other sugary beverages it still contains a high concentration of natural sugar (carbohydrate.) Cinnamon has been shown in numerous studies to assist the metabolism of carbohydrates. Ginger root is an anti-inflammatory spice. Cloves and cardamon have immune supporting properties. So by adding spices to this delicious beverage you are getting health benefits. People with diabetes may even be able to handle a moderate size mug, especially if sipped along with a whole-food, plant-strong diet. (www.RealLifeVegan.com)
I hope you enjoyed this blog. I would love to hear your comments, and receive your feedback on suggestions future blog ideas! Thanks for “tuning in!”
To your health and happiness, Victoria
by Victoria Laine | Jan 25, 2011 | BLOG: Victoria's Health Secrets, BOOK: Health by Chocolate, Desserts & Chocolate, RECIPES: Whole-food Nutrition Kitchen
I’ve demoed this 3-ingredient recipe numerous times since my first book Health By Chocolate was released. It’s such a quick recipe, with no baking required that it has become one of the first I reach for when I need a quick birthday or anniversary cake. In fact I’ve molded it into a “5” and a “0” for a dear friends 50th…no cake pan required. Recipe below…
3 ingredient no-bake Valentine cake
Raw Chocolate Pecan Valentine Cake
In a food processor add 2 cups raw pecans with 2 cups pitted dates. Process until it reaches a dough-like consistancy, usually about 2 minutes. Dust a serving plate with a sprinkle of quick oats or coconut flakes to prevent cake from sticking to the plate. Sprinkle a bit more on a clean counter and with clean hands mold the dough into a heart shape (or any other). Melt about 3/4 cup dark 70% (or higher cocoa content) chocolate and spread over cake. You can leave as is or garnish with pecans halves, strawberries, candied ginger, edible flowers…Let chocolate set (fridge or freezer if in a hurry). Enjoy!
Buy Health By Chocolate now in the eStore!
