News Flash! Healing Powers of Chocolate Sweetens Spring Fever in March

Intentional Chocolate

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

The first day of spring arrives next Tuesday, March 20. You may not be sick, but spring fever can make you feel under the weather. Just when you think SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is over, spring fever can spook you like a monster movie. Picture this: You're experiencing snow or rain one day, sunny skies the next, and slush or black ice is lurking outdoors morning and night. It's March, and you find yourself with unwanted body fat, irritable, and fed up with seasonal changes. Chocolate is key--and exercise--to surviving the hump month.

What Chocolate Rx to Use:  Eat a 1-to 2-ounce piece of dark chocolate (48 percent cocoa or higher content infused with your favorite fruit or spice) and get a move on. To stay clear of black ice and falls, walking or running (include your pooch) on a treadmill can do the trick. Also, swimming in an indoor pool is another great way to get a workout and feel good, too. A bonus: The chocolate will lift your mind, body, and spirit providing extra energy to go do it.

Why You'll Like It: Both exercise and quality chocolate boost feel-good endorphins (and other good for you chocolate compounds in your body, as noted in The Healing Powers of Chocolate and reprinted by the Chef Shop), so what isn't to like? No matter what the weather is like outside, you'll feel better inside or outside after you get your choco-cize fix.
[Excerpt from The Healing Powers of Chocolate published by Kensington. This book is part of the Healing Powers series, has been translated in several languages, featured by NewsMax, msn health and fitness, and purchased by book clubs including One Spirit and Good Cook.] Note: The Healing Powers of Coffee is available for pre-order and advance copies due out in the spring.