The following blog post is an excerpt from my book, Circuit Train Your Brain, in honor of National Chocolate Day.
Fernando Pessoa was on to something.
Scientifically proven to elevate your mood, chocolate is a fantastic treat that boosts your brain power and may protect your heart health. I am not talking about milk chocolate or white chocolate (which, as any pedant—like me—can tell you, technically isn’t chocolate).
While I will have a square of milk chocolate occasionally, the true benefits of chocolate don’t occur until you’re eating high-octane dark chocolate. I actually refer to this as ‘medicinal grade’ chocolate only half in jest and have weaned myself to 85% dark.
At this level, the antioxidants in this magical bean can contribute to elevated mood, are a boon to your heart and carry many other physiological benefits. Chocolate packs a dense nutritional punch, which includes groovy goodness like this:
• Iron
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• Phosphorus
• Flavanols (which sounds like a 50’s doo-wop band)
I keep two of the Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate bars in my pantry at all times (the one with the neon green package), and have a square or two every night. Once in awhile, I’ll pair it with a glass of red wine (because antioxidants—better living through science, right?).
The secret here is to learn how to focus on quality and not quantity.
How much dime store chocolate are you consuming? How many empty, artificially-flavored, waxy calories are flowing through your bloodstream? Are you even tasting what you’re eating? Do you savor chocolate, or mindlessly inhale it while rushing through your day? Pay attention. Choose wisely and with intention.
By paring down to the essential aspects of what is truly beneficial, you’ll begin to lose your appetite for fillers (both literal and figurative), and you’ll begin to gravitate toward what really feeds you. Watch how your life changes once you bring intention to seemingly small choices like this.
And all because of a magical brown bean. Pretty neat, huh?
Say aloud to yourself: “I am worthy of good things.”
P.S. You can buy my book here.
P.P.S. Every Sunday, I publish a free weekly newsletter called the 3 Minute Reset, which includes life lessons, life hacks and treats. To subscribe, click here.
