It’s almost Valentine’s Day and we all know what that means… chocolate, wine and other delicious treats! First off, it is a national holiday, so enjoy yourself. Secondly, don’t try to double your fitness classes or salad intake to help eliminate the guilt! These holiday favorites actually have some great health benefits. Here are a few items that you should definitely indulge in this Valentine’s Day – guilt free I might add!
Red Wine
“A glass of red wine a day…”
Okay – so you may have heard that a glass of red wine daily can be very beneficial to your body, and it’s true! Studies have found that red wine is filled with antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and decrease the effects of aging. These antioxidants also prevent damage responsible for many health conditions including Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It also raises your “good” HDL cholesterol, which works to bring old cholesterol to the liver. This HDL cholesterol also prevents the formation of blood clots and helps to lower blood pressure. Although there are many health benefits to red wine, like my mom always said, “Drink and eat everything in moderation.” So crack open that bottle of red wine with a few girlfriends this Valentine’s Day and know that you are not only having a great time, but also benefiting your body!
Dark Chocolate
Many studies have shown that if you are choosing between chocolates in those adorable heart shaped boxes, you should pick the dark chocolate options! Not only is dark chocolate lower in sugars and fat, but it also is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants work to remove free radicals from your body, which cause damage to your cells. By eating dark chocolate you can protect yourself from several types of cancer and slow down signs of aging. Dark chocolate also increases blood flow to your brain and your heart, as well as keeps blood vessels healthy, in effect controlling blood sugar. Lastly, dark chocolate contains many vitamins and minerals as well as theobromine which has been shown to harden tooth enamel. Unlike other candies that rot your teeth, dark chocolate actually works to protect your pearly whites!
Red wine and dark chocolate are truly the perfect combination! Here are a couple of my favorites of each that you should consider pairing this Valentine’s Day.
For a red wine that is light on calories try a bottle of Skinny Girl. Each bottle is only 100 calories! Plus it tastes delicious! Skinny Girl offers two red options, a Cabernet Sauvignon and California Red Blend. If you are looking for some interesting recipes in the future, Skinny Girl has lots of different combinations that are certainly worth trying.
To pair with these tasty choices are some delicious dark chocolate options. My personal favorite is the Dove Dark Chocolate Hearts. They are festive and each wrapper contains an inspirational quote. If you are looking for something more than just candy, consider making a dark chocolate cake! Martha Stewart has a Dark Chocolate Cake with Ganache Frosting recipe that is the definition of death by chocolate, in the best way possible! The cake is only 280 calories per serving and takes about an hour and a half to make. So for those of us looking to do a little baking this holiday, this option is right up your alley.
For this Valentine’s Day, just remember…it is okay to indulge! Pick up a bottle of red wine and your favorite dark chocolate, or whip up a cake for a fun night in with friends.
Dark Chocolate Cake with Ganache Frosting Recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
- 1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa (spooned and leveled), plus more for pans
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
- 2 large eggs plus 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
- Dark Chocolate Ganache
Directions
- Step 1
Preheat oven to 350. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans; dust with cocoa, tapping out excess. Line bottom of each pan with a round of parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- Step 2
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in chocolate and vanilla. With mixer on low, alternately add flour mixture in three parts and buttermilk in two, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
- Step 3
Divide batter between prepared pans; smooth tops. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in pans 15 minutes; run a knife around edge of each pan, and invert cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 4
Set a rimmed baking sheet upside down on a work surface. Place one cake on sheet, and spread top with 1/3 of ganache. Place second cake on top, and spread remaining ganache over top and sides of cake. Using two wide metal spatulas, carefully transfer frosted cake to a serving platter.
To read more on chocolate, wine, and your health, check out these links!
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/4-health-benefits-of-red-wine.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030827/dark-chocolate-is-healthy-chocolate