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by Anita RomaniwWith Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought it timely to write about gifts of love. While some have experimented with seafood, spicy food, or ginseng to spark romance, this article focuses on the most famous and commonly available love potion--chocolate. Whether an aphrodisiac or not, chocolate has immense appeal . . . especially to women. We tend to crave it much more often than men.
Researchers say that chocolate can produce powerful effects on a person's mood. One of its major ingredients is fat, or cocoa butter. Cocoa butter melts at body temperature - making for a pleasurable, mouth-watering experience. Combine cocoa butter with sugar and our senses are delighted. The taste buds on our lips and tongue interpret chocolate's texture as one of divine smoothness, quite similar to kissing.
The sugar in chocolate helps stimulate the production of serotonin, a chemical in our brain. With more serotonin comes relaxation, calmness and feelings of pleasure and euphoria. That must be why I like it so much.
Chocolate has a chemical similar to adrenaline and a little caffeine. Together, this causes a slight raise in heart rate and blood pressure. Perhaps this is what some describe as the "mental lift" they feel after eating chocolate.
Lately, there is evidence that the stearic acid (found in cocoa butter) in chocolate can help lower low density lipoproteins (or bad cholesterol). Chocolate has also been found to have antioxidant flavanoids - thought to help prot4ect against heart disease. This does not mean we start replacing broccoli with truffles...but knowing this may help lesson any guilt.
Whether it is chocolate's smooth taste, wonderful aroma or mood-enhancing effects, it usually brings a smile to it's receiver's face. If chocolate is your thing, request a few of the best over a mound of lesser quality. If it's not your thing, here are a few other ideas to create romance with your sweetheart in days to come:
- Linger over a romantic breakfast or brunch.
- Give a stuffed animal rather than stuffing your love.
- Go smoke-free and really enjoy that kiss.
- Bundle up and hold hands while enjoying a sunset stroll.
- Have a romantic CD ready and waiting at all times.
- Frame your favourite Christmas photo to give as a gift.
- Make your own heart-shaped cookies; add your own personal touch.
- Read a couples devotional together (it's done wonders for my friends.)
- Flowers and fragrances have always been fat-free.
- Share some flavoured cocoa over a cozy fire. Try the recipe below.
Orange Scented Hot Chocolate
2 cups milk
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
3 (2" x 1") orange peel strips
1/2 tsp. instant coffee or espresso powder.
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg.
Combine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan. Stir over low hear until the chocolate melts. Increase heat and bring to boil, stirring often. Remove from heat and whisk until frothy.
Return to heat and bring to boil once more. Remove from heat and whisk until frothy. Discard orange peels. Pour into mugs and serve. Makes 2 servings.
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Now all I need to do is figure out a way to get my man to read this.
-Anita Romaniw is the Community Nutritionist for the Fraser Valley Health Region in British Columbia, Canada.
For your questions and comments email CHRISTIAN WOMEN TODAY at editor@christianwomentoday.com
