My Chocolate Fantasy

As human beings, we all feel the need to nibble from time to time.  It is part of our human nature.  There is nothing wrong with snacking, sometimes, it is even recommended.  As a Type II diabetic, I was surprised when it was recommended that I eat small amounts 5 times a day.  Yes, that means snacking.  It’s what you nibble on that counts.  Here are twenty-five ideas for snacks that won’t leave you feeling guilty and come in at under 100 calories.  Since some of the resources that publish these articles do not allow for keywords to be repeated, the word “calories” cannot be repeated after the number listed below.  However, you will note that is what the number means.  And remember different brand names and sizes, such as the mini carrots, can make a small calorie count difference.  But the numbers given are the general accepted numbers for these items.1.   1-ounce or 3 tablespoons of raisins = 85 2.   1 string cheese stick = 72 3.   1/3 cup sliced apple with 1-oz reduced fat Swiss cheese = 92 4.   4 Hershey’s chocolate kisses = 98 5.   1/3 cup frozen lowfat vanilla yogurt drizzled with 1 tsp warm honey = 91 6.   20 jelly beans = 81 7.   10 baked tortilla chips with 1/4 cup salsa = 95 8.   1 cup sliced cucumber with 1/4 cup lowfat plain yogurt for dipping = 58 9.   1 pretzel rod wrapped with 1 thin slice of lean turkey or ham = 73 10.  1/2 cup fat-free butterscotch pudding with 1 vanilla wafer = 87 11.  3/4 cup nonfat chocolate milk = 96 12.  8 mini carrots = 40 13.  50 thin pretzel sticks = 96 14.  3/4 cup seedless grapes = 86 15.  10 dried apricot halves = 83  16.  10 bakes tortilla chips = 85 17.  12 cherry tomatoes = 4318.  1/2 cup miniature marshmallows = 7319.  1 mini bagel, toasted, with 1 tbsp lowfat ricotta cheese = 8820.  1/4 cup chocolate sorbet with 1/4 cup sliced banana and 1 tsp chocolate syrup = 9321.  1/2 reduced fat chocolate graham cracker with a half cup nonfat milk22.  5 bite sized tootsie rolls = 9023.  1/2 cup Cracker Jack = 85 calories24.  6 plain mini rice cakes = 4625.  2 tablespoons dry-roasted sunflower seeds =93Enjoy!

Most people love eating sweets. This is why chocolates are a booming biz and have continued its prominence through time. If you know your way into making chocolate, you might as well earn from the process. It is easy to market such treat because you will find people who love it anywhere you go. All you need to remember now is how you will be able to market your products the right way and the most beneficial towards your end. The Four Ps of Marketing Consider this strategy when you are on the planning stage of your sweets biz. If you are just starting out and just want to make extra income through the product that you will also enjoy, here’s a brief explanation of this concept. Product The first P is the product. You have to know your product well, in this instance, your chocolates. To be able to tell people good things about what you are selling, you must know first and foremost everything about it. Yes, it is a good idea if you will take time to research about the scientific background of this treat. But you can also just focus on what you want to sell. You may want to focus on chocolate cakes. Or how about chocolates in gift baskets? There are many options that you can try for such reason. Place Where are you located? Who lives in your neighborhood? And how often do you think they will buy? You have to think about those things to be able to plan out accordingly what will be a big hit for these people. You must give them what they are looking for. You must present them with new ideas that you are very sure that they will like. It is a good thing that you are from the area. You no longer have to resort on hiring people to do a market analysis to know who these people are. Just spread your wings and increase your public relations. This will also increase the probability that these people are going to buy from you. Price You must offer your products at rates that your target market can afford. To decide easily about this matter, you must study your direct competitors. You no longer have to hire someone to do this. All you need is to buy their products to know about their pricing. You must not be too far away from their strategies. People are looking for quality products at rates they can afford. So the best thing that you can do is to give them what they are looking for. Promotion Your biz, however small it is, will not survive without venturing into promotions. As a startup of a small business, you can start the buzz about you through word of mouth. To achieve this, you must first come with a very good product. Give those out to people the first few days. If you are confident with what you are selling, for sure, people will also like it. They will be your good source of free advertising. Turn your hobby of making chocolate into a fun-filled and profit generating venture. Consider the abovementioned in starting up your biz. Create a noise for yourself and establish your name in the industry. In time, you will find your niche. You never know, your hobby can turn into one money-making road to your own success.

Does your child just love vegetables?

Honestly?

Or do you find yourself looking for creative ways to hide vegetables in their meals, like pureeing and mixing spinach into brownies?

Did you know that if your child eats dark chocolate on a daily basis that they can actually experience many of the health benefits associated with eating 10 servings of vegetables?

That’s right!

Your children can eat dark chocolate any day of the week with their breakfast, lunch and dinner and feel great.

And you will feel great knowing that the dark chocolate is helping your child with these seven health benefits:

1. Improved Mood

2. Increased Energy

3. Consuming Multiple Nutrients and Minerals

4. Memory and Concentration

5. Replacing Bad Treats with Good Treats

6. Adding More Fiber to Their Diet

7. Promoting Good Dental Health

Who wouldn’t want their child to feel happier while also being able to focus on school and their studies more effectively?

While the health benefits outlined above may be found in some of the dark chocolate products available in the supermarket, the dark chocolate I am writing about is known as Healthy Chocolate.

Healthy Chocolate contains a premium blend of cacao, acai berry and blueberry. These ingredients deliver many of the nutrients that your child requires on a daily basis, including omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, flavanols, and other antioxidants.

Instead of supplementing your child’s diet with vitamin pills or pureed spinach, you can have fun adding dark chocolate to your child’s daily diet by replacing some of the chocolate that they already eat, with healthy chocolate.

Some yummy suggestions are:

 

Certainly dark chocolate may not be the miracle cure to all of our ailments. However it is definitely a tasty way to be proactive in regards to our health and our family’s health.

For that reason, when it comes to your child’s health, be proactive and lead by example. Show your children how to choose food that is good for them, both in your home and at restaurants.

Have a simplified and fun discussion about the health benefits listed above and begin to help your children understand how their decisions about food and the habits they create now will affect their health as they grow older. It will be one of the most important talks you ever have.