Nothing says "I Love You" like..

CHOCOLATE! Sharing the indulgences of sweet delicious chocolate lets your Valentine know just how much they are loved. Aside from its delicious taste, chocolate also provides health benefits. According to Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, writer for the "WebMD" Weight Loss Clinic, current research shows that dark chocolate and cocoa provide four possible health benefits:

1) Chocolate and cocoa may reduce one's risk for a heart attack. According to a study done by a researcher from John Hopkins's School of Medicine, "a few squares of dark chocolate can reduce the risk of death from a heart attack by almost 50% " (Magee).

2) Dark chocolate and cocoa may decrease blood pressure and increase insulin sensitivity based on a study done in Italy where fifteen healthy individuals were given both white and dark chocolate.

3) Forms of chocolate may also increase arterial blood flow based on data collected from a study where men consumed flavanol-rich cocoa, which improved the ability of their blood vessels to relax, which assists in strengthening one's cardiovascular health.

4) Chocolate and cocoa may also help individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Researchers from this study believe that forms of chocolate enhance neurotransmitters in the brain which help to regulate one's mood and their sleep. However, further investigation of this hypothesis is necessary.

Who says that healthy food doesn't taste good? Interested in reading more about the health benefits of chocolate, read Magee's entire article on "WebMD".

Come to our program scheduled at 7:00 pm on February 15 , "Chocolate! A Winter Indulgence" and reap the benefits of learning more about chocolate! To guarantee your place register at the Reader Services Desk. A non-refundable $5.00 tasting fee is due when you register.

After all, is there a better month than February to share the love?

Looking for another way to strengthen your heart? Why not use recipes from the chocolate experts themselves, "Hersey's Kitchen" to raise money through a bake sale. In addition to their recipes, "Hersey's Kitchen" provides organizational tips and a time line to ensure a successful bake sale. Use the proceeds to support a local charity of your choice. Visit the Hershey's website for more details. You may also want to check out the book The Emperors of Chocolate: inside the secret word of Hershey and Mars by Joel Glenn Brenner which tells a unique story of the history of the candy business.

Also enjoy some novels, nonfiction books and even music with chocolate in the title or as a theme:

The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carole Matthews

Chocolat by Joanne Harris

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook: recipes and history from America's premier chocolate maker 641.6374 GHI

1,001 Reasons to Love Chocolate by Barbara Albright

Music From the Chocolate Lands (songs from countries where chocolate originated)