February is Heart Health Month, and for once, we have some wonderful news: chocolate is good for your heart! That's not a free pass to overdose on it, but within reason, you can enjoy chocolate and not feel guilty. Now doesn't that do your heart good?

Chocolate has high levels of potassium and magnesium, as well as vitamins B1, B2, D and E. If that’s not reason enough to reach for a daily dose of chocolate, consider that it can also lower blood pressure and prevent arteries from hardening, therefore protecting the heart.

The best varieties of chocolate are more expensive and are dark or bittersweet. Good chocolate should only have a few ingredients on the contents label. Even better, you can buy organic chocolate!

Here's a recipe full of symbolism.  Heart-shaped strawberries, dipped in heart-healthy dark chocolate…what's not to love?

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Ingredients:

1 (6 oz) organic dark chocolate

3 Tbs organic half and half or light cream

2 tsp organic butter

20 organic strawberries

Directions:

In a one-quart glass bowl combine chocolate and cream. Heat in microwave oven on high 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Add butter and stir until melted.

Dip each strawberry into the chocolate mixture allowing the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. If necessary, add additional cream to the chocolate to achieve desired coating consistency. Transfer the coated strawberry to a baking sheet lined with foil or waxed paper and repeat process.

Allow the chocolate to cool and then chill the strawberries until chocolate is set, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information:

Calories Per 3-berry Serving:114,    Fat:: 7  g ( 5 g  Saturated Fat), Cholesterol: 48  mg, Sodium: 2 mg, Carbohydrates:12  g, Fiber:1  g

© 2008, Brookshire Grocery Co.  Nutrient counts are rounded to the nearest whole number.  All dietary and lifestyle changes should be supervised by a physician.

Published 02/01/08