Before the birth of my child, I was not a great specialist in sweets, I did not eat chocolate at all. After the birth of my son, a lot has changed in my life, including my relationship with desserts: I did not get enough sleep for two years, and this, as you know, increases the body’s need for fast carbohydrates: sugar, flour. I started buying and eating pastries, chocolates and cakes.
Then the child grew older, I overcame my cravings for sweets, but he became addicted. After three years, when he escaped from my total control and got acquainted with pancakes, sweets, ice cream, my war with sweets began anew. Fortunately, he does not like all of the above, but what he loves, I learn to cook myself, reassuring myself that cooked at home is less harmful than bought in a store.
You can find some of my recipes in the appendix, but here I want to talk about how and why to make homemade chocolate.
What is chocolate good for?
Chocolate with a high cocoa content, little sugar (preferably stevia) and no artificial flavors is beneficial for a number of reasons.
- Protects the heart
Studies have shown that eating a small amount of dark chocolate two to three times a week can lower blood pressure and prevent the onset of arteriosclerosis, a chronic condition that causes the walls of blood vessels to thicken.
- Good for the brain
High-cocoa chocolate stimulates blood flow to the brain, which improves cognitive function. It reduces the risk of stroke. Dark chocolate also contains phenylethylamine (or PEA), the same chemical that the brain makes when we fall in love. PEA promotes the production of endorphins – the “hormone of joy”.
- Helps Control Blood Sugar Levels
Dark chocolate helps keep blood vessels healthy and maintain normal circulation, which protects against the development of type II diabetes. It contains flavonoids, and they help reduce insulin resistance by helping cells to function normally, and also restore the ability to efficiently use insulin produced in the body. In addition, chocolate with a lot of cocoa has a low glycemic index, meaning it does not cause a sharp rise in blood sugar levels.
- Provides an antioxidant boost
The antioxidants in dark chocolate help the body to rid itself of free radicals. But we remember that due to the oxidation of free radicals, cells are damaged and the body ages; in addition, they can be one of the causes of cancer.
- Strengthens tooth enamel
Theobromine in cocoa strengthens tooth enamel. Thus, dark chocolate, unlike all other sweets, reduces the risk of tooth decay. With proper oral care, of course.
How to make chocolate at home
Ingredients:
1/4 cup unrefined coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup raw organic cocoa powder
– 3 tablespoons of honey (or to taste).
Add vanilla extract, coconut flakes, any shredded nuts or dried fruit if desired.
Preparation
Stir the coconut oil and honey thoroughly. Gradually add cocoa powder – and stir, stir, stir until the mass becomes smooth and thick. Put nuts / coconut / dried fruits into silicone molds and fill with chocolate mass. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
It turns out wonderful chocolate for children and adults)))