One of the cruelest things about Valentine’s Day can be the chocolate. Just when you’ve started your New Year’s resolution diet, you get a big heart shaped box of chocolates that you end up eating in one sitting. And those five holiday pounds you were so proud that you finally lost, are sitting once again right on that muffin top you’ve been working so hard to get rid of at the gym. But even though you hate what it does to your diet and your will-power, you love the way it tastes and the way it makes you feel.
If you’re thinking of getting your Valentine the same old heart-shaped box of chocolates from See’s or Godiva this year, think again. I sampled (sacrificing many work-outs doing so, thank you very much) some extremely tasty and healthy alternatives that I think you will absolutely love.
Chocolate (with a healthy twist) for the chocolate traditionalist:
- Xan Confections - Xan Confections, a new chocolate company based in Orange County, CA are quite possibly some of the best chocolates I have ever tasted. After having sampled almost every flavor in the 12 piece box, I was thinking I must have just eaten like 2,000 calories worth of chocolate. Then, I went to their website and realized that these chocolate delights are not only deliciously indulgent, but they’re also healthy (not that I recommend eating the whole box in one sitting!). My two favorite flavors were the Saintly Sins raspberry filled chocolates and the Ancho Chili. The Saintl
y Sins raspberry chocolates (they also come in strawberry and pineapple) are made with 100% organic blue agave nectar and encased in dark chocolate. They are also non-dairy, vegan, low-glycemic and gluten-free and the best part, only 29 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 5 grams of carbs. The Anco Chili flavored Wholly Cacao Caramels (which also come in espresso almond, raspberry, coconut pecan, chocolate, butterscotch, and bananas foster) have this amazing chocolate meets spice taste that is almost a snickerdoodle meets Chai and contain only 61 calories, 3 grams of fat and 8 grams of carbs. I know, I’m raving. But seriously, these are amazing. They’re not only delicious and healthy but they’re absolutely beautiful and intricately designed - from flowers, to almonds and sparkly dome shapes, these chocolates are sure to impress. If you want to order some for your Valentine, visit www.XanConfections.com or call (949) 833-2929. - Choclatique - For those who need to limit their intake of sugar but still have a sweet tooth, try Choclatique’s Sweet Deceit line of sugar-free chocolates. Absolutely delicious!
- Rapunzel Organic Dark Chocolate - Rapunzel’s Organic Dark Chocolate Bar is by far the most amazing chocolate bar I’ve ever tasted - a little square of this paired with a glass of Harvest Moon Late Harvest Zinfandel is all you need to sweep your Valentine off their feet this year. Rapunzel is 100% organic swiss chocolate and has a rich and creamy taste unlike any other.
Chocolate for the yoga loving zen master in your life:
- Intentional Chocolate - For the spiritual Valentine, give the gift of good intentions with Intentional Chocolate’s Love Box. Intentional Chocolate, which originates from vintage Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate is infused with good intentions from advanced meditators (seriously) and is supposed to not only place energy into your food but they also taste delicious. My favorite were the simple dark chocolate pistoles. Nothing better than a little spirituality with your chocolate.
- Navitas Naturals Cacao Nibs - To most people, chocolate is heavenly and that’s
because cacao is a food of the gods. Navitas Naturals Cacao Nibs, my absolute favorite of the bunch are partially ground cacao beans (which is the source of all chocolate products) rolled into raw cacao liquor and lightly mixed with 100% sugar cane juice. The result - crunchy, sweet, and all-natural delicious little snacks. These cacao bibs are the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert for the Lululemon wearing yogi in your life - just pick out her favorite ice cream and sprinkle these on top for a truly delicious treat. - XoBiotic Squares - If you want a side of antioxidants with your Valentine’s Day chocolates, try XoCai XoBiotic Squares. These tasty little treats contain acai berries to give you a double dose of antioxidants. They also contain two probiotics and flavonoids. And the best part is, it is recommended that you eat three of them daily. All I can say is sign me up! You don’t have to ask me twice to eat chocolate daily.
