New Research on Dark Chocolate

- Consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa may not boost heart health, and could actually increase pulse rates, according to new research.
The research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, examined the short terms effects of dark chocolate and cocoa on variables associated with neuropsychological functioning and cardiovascular health in healthy older adults.

The researchers noted that in recent years there has been an increased interest in the potential health-related benefits of antioxidant and phytochemical-rich dark chocolate and cocoa.

The health benefits of antioxidant-rich chocolate have received much recognition in recent years, with positive findings from a number of studies impacting on consumer awareness. Chocolate manufacturers are using high cocoa content (over 70 per cent) as a means of differentiation, and cocoa has also received attention for its potential in functional food applications.

Consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa was "associated with significantly higher pulse rates at three and six week treatment assessments," stated the researchers from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Neuropsychology Associates, and the Free Clinic of Central Virginia.

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Kraft Fudge Nut Brownies

2 squares BAKER'S Unsweetened Baking Chocolate
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup creamy rice hot cereal, uncooked
1 tsp. CALUMET Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Line 8-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; grease foil.

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add sugar; mix well. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add cereal, baking powder and salt; mix well. Stir in walnuts. Spread into prepared pan.

BAKE 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool in pan on wire rack. Lift brownie from pan onto cutting board, using foil handles. Cut into 16 squares to serve
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Soy: A chocolicious milk to toast

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Chocolate Seder in Tme for Passover

PJStar is reporting;

PEORIA — Jewish Passover doesn’t begin until next Saturday, but several area women’s groups hosted a chocolate seder for families and children Sunday afternoon in Peoria.

“You can’t eat a lot of this food on Passover,” organizer and Jewish Sisterhood president Lynn Seitzman said. “When do you get to eat this much chocolate unabashedly”

The chocolate seder substituted the sweets for the traditional foods eaten during Passover seder, held during the first weekend of Passover. Throughout the meal, the dozen participants read blessings and sang songs while eating candy bars, dipping matzo into chocolate syrup and eating chocolate covered strawberries.

Passover seder is a ritual feast, in which specific foods are eaten that symbolize the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt.

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Kraft No-Bake Chocolate Cookie Squares

Take 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and mix & match your recipe from these options...

	BAKER'S Chocolate options	cookie choices	PLANTERS Nut possibilities
	1 pkg. (8 squares) Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate	OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies	chopped Pecans
	2 pkg. (4 oz. each) GERMAN'S Sweet Chocolate	CHIPS AHOY! Real Chocolate Chip Cookies	toasted Slivered Almonds
	1 pkg. (8 squares) Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate	NUTTER BUTTER Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies	chopped COCKTAIL Peanuts
	1-1/3 pkg. (8 squares) Premium White Baking Chocolate	OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies	chopped Macadamias

Then follow our 3 simple steps:

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MICROWAVE BAKER'S Chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

ADD 1 cup each broken cookies and PLANTERS Nuts; mix well. Spread into greased foil-lined 8-inch square pan.

REFRIGERATE 3 hours or until firm. Cut into 16 squares to serve. Store leftover cookie squares in the refrigerator.

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