My Healthy Life Now

Ladies and gents its the Sunday night of a great week. We've all made healthy food choices we're proud of, worked out, and kept up our motivated and positive attitudes when we had a slip or felt down. With that being said we all not only deserve a pat on the back, but to treat ourselves to something indulgent and delectable. It is important to indulge your cravings, in moderation of course. In fact, feeling deprived can actually trigger overeating and often when foods feel off limits you just want them more - eeek.

So have some dark chocolate! Something with 60% cocoa is healthiest, but I must say my favorite little indulgence is Jell-O Dark Chocolate Mousse Temptations at only 60 calories a piece.

And just to reassure that you're making the right decisions here are the health benefits of dark chocolate:

1. Reduces cholesterol 
2. Lowers blood pressure
3. Improves blood flow
4. Reduces stress
5. Elevates serotonin levels - they make you happy
6. Strengthens the immune system
7. Lowers diabetes risks
8. Contains those magical antioxidants
9. Linked to improved cognitive functioning
10. Fights aging

Drinking milk with dark chocolate negates its health benefits by interfering the absorption of antioxidants (AHHH) so avoid combining the two.

And just remember that dark chocolate can still be high in calories and fat so moderation is KEY.