New Research Finds Shocking Health Benefits of Chocolate

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! 

Photo credit: Judy van der Velden

The sweet, delicious treat isn't as evil as you've been told. In fact, the numerous and proven health benefits of indulging in a regular dose of chocolate are guaranteed to blow your mind.

Energy + Aphrodisiac Chocolate

A life-saving stash of chocolatey energy.

Like 8 million percent of Americans, I have a "sweet-tooth." Most of the time, when said tooth strikes, the only thing that really satisfies the craving is chocolate. I absolutely love chocolate.

Oh, and I also love a good energy boost. Chemical Evolution has a knack for carrying products that have a combination of things I love most packed into one package. In this case, it's chocolate + energy.

First energy chocolate I tried in my most recent stash was the Buzz Bites Energy Chocolate Chews.

What surprised me was how much I loved the taste of these! Oh, but you thought I said I loved chocolate, so why would that surprise me?

Because, I never said I loved Tootsie Rolls.

Tootsie Rolls are one of the only chocolate-ish (I suspect they aren't real chocolate, don't you?)  candy I've never adored. I don't hate them, and don't think I would go so far as to turn down a Tootsie Roll. But they're just not the type of candy to grab me by the taste buds.

The Buzz Bites, though? They do. They grab a hold of my taste buds and don't let A blissful experience, I assure you.

actually taste chocolately whereas a Tootsie Roll taste like almost-chocolate flavored plastic. Plastic!

You know why else that surprises me? Because, while they are pretty tasty, you can actually taste that vitamin-y taste that energy products have. The vitamin-y energy taste, in some strange, crazy way that makes no sense to me, is easily tolerable.

Turbo Truffles, over there photo bombed Buzz Bites' photo! I'll talk about those in a minute.

 If your eyeballs are working, and you looked at the photo above, you probably got the impression that 1 Buzz Bite = 1 cup of coffee. That's true. Your eyeballs ain't playin' no tricks on ya. Actually, the statement about the Buzz Bites says that they contain 25% more caffeine than the leading energy drink, and more energy ingredients.

One Buzz Bite contains 100 milligrams of caffeine -- as much caffeine as 1.25 cans of a leading energy drink, as much caffeine as 2 cups of tea, 3 cans of "leading cola," or "1 other caffeinated mints..."

Each serving (1 bite) has 25 calories, 1 gram total fat, 0.5 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 4 grams total carbs, 3 grams sugars.

The Buzz Bites come with two per pack. I assumed I'd be eating both in one day, but it turns out, when I needed my energy boost, I ate one, enjoyed the hell out of it, and decided I'd wait to devour the other one.  Turns out, I never did even eat the other one that day because  I felt mighty fine, so I figured why not save the last one?  

You know, for times like when my sorry-as-crap internet provider has some glitch in the middle of my very long blog post and screws everything up. And then I have to re-type the entire thing. Buzz Bites are very handy for situations like that.

Both Energy Bites come individually wrapped, so you have the luxury of saving one for later, like I did. And since all that lovely energy and deliciousness is packed into a small little chew, they're convenient and easy to eat anywhere. It's handy since you don't have to scour for coffee or some other drink. I like the quickness of it! The energy is instant.  Buzz Bites energy, for me, last about as long as a cup of coffee -- 1 hour - 2 1/2 hours, sometimes more depending on my exhaustion levels.

What's in Em'?

Ginseng. Taurine. 5 Vitamin B's, Caffeine -- all in a proprietary blend.

These ingredients are all known for their energy-inducing effects. It's no joke, folks. Buzz Bites will kick your behind.

The Buzz Bites stimulate metabolism, improve alertness and energy, of course.

Full list of Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Skim Milk, Sugar, Part Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Unsweetened Chocolate, Water, Caffeine, Cocoa Powder, Proprietary Synergistic Energy Blend (Taurine, Ginseng, Vitamins: Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin Mononitrate, Cyanocobalamin), Whey with Calcium Caseinate, Salt, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Mono & Diglycerides, Sucralose, Acesufame-K & Soy Lecithin.

10% Thiamin

10% Niacin

10% Pantothenic Acid

20% Vitamin B6

75% Vitamin B12

Turbo Truffles! These are some of the best tasting energy candy I've ever eaten. They come in 8 different flavors -- Coffee Craze, Cosmic Coconut, Hot Rod Hazelnut, Chocolate Mint Madness, Outrageous Orange, Peanut Butter Blast, and Toffee Tornado.  

Turbo Truffles on right.

The Coffee Craze flavor was good, but not as amazingly delicious as the others, especially the Chocolate Mint Madness -- fabulous.  Chocolate Mint Madness taste like a gourmet mint chocolate dessert. A bit like those Andes chocolates. If you're an Andes and York's Peppermint Patty lover like myself, the Mint Madness will be a hit.

Each of them have a rich, dark chocolate taste, and surprisingly enough, most of them don't have a majorly noticeable energy or vitamin taste to them.

All of the Turbo Truffles have a smooth, velvety smooth texture unlike the faux chocolate that other energy chocolates try fooling us choco-holics with.

Coffee Craze has what tastes and feels like tiny shreds of coffee beans in there.

The  Peanut Butter Blast taste mostly like chocolate and the tiniest hint of peanut butter nougat in the middle -- not as peanut buttery as a Reese Cup.

Hot Rod Hazelnut also tastes mostly of chocolate and some type of nougat. I really didn't notice any hazelnut flavor. Still tasty, though and definitely great for satisfying both a chocolate and energy craving.

And they're low in calories -- 45 calories per serving -- so those of you who count those things will appreciate a delicious chocolate that isn't regrettable.

I love the description Chemical Evolution has for the Turbo Truffles: "better than duct taping your eyes open!" 

Each Turbo Truffle contains approximately 150 milligrams of caffeine which is about 50 milligrams more than an average cup of coffee.

 I can't say this is my go-to when I need a super intense energy boost. They're great for late nights when I need a mini boost, but don't want to be kept awake for  hours. 

I'm really not all that sure why these don't give me a much bigger boost than they do, but I think it might be due to the "active" ingredients being caffeine only. I might be a little too used to using the energy products that also contain guarana, taurine and or other energy boosting ingredients. 

They're ideal for that, or for someone who's sensitive to caffeine and therefore only needs a small amount to suffice. They're great quality energy chocolates. I just prefer them for the times when I only need a small boost. . . And chocolate fix!

As with a lot of the energy products available from Chemical Evolution, Turbo Truffles are fairly convenient and travel-able. I wouldn't stash one in my pocket for a lengthy car ride on a hot summer day, though! Melty. But, they're individually wrapped, so they easily tag along with you, and that is something I like. 

Ingredients in Turbo Truffles:

 Sugar, Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Chocolate Processed with Alkali, Lecithin, Butter Oil, Vanilla), Invert Sugar, Corn Syrup, Butter (Cream, Salt), Vegetable Oil (Coconut and/or Palm Oil), Caffeine, Cocoa Powder, Lecithin, Invertase, and Natural Flavors.

 I am very impressed that the Turbo Truffles contain decent ingredients and natural flavors! Yea baby. That's my kind of chocolate. The ingredients label doesn't list terribly harmful chemicals or artifical crap,  a big plus.

 Each Turbo Truffle contains 2 grams total fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, o milligrams of cholesterol, 15 milligrams of  sodium, 8 grams of total carbohydrates, 7 grams of sugars.

 Across the back, it says "please remember to treat you lover with respect and kindness always!"

The outside is milk chocolate and the inside is a white colored, velvety creme-like filling with an amaretto type of flavor. Similar to a chocolate covered cherry, but without the cherry.

As for the herbal ingredients (there's several of them in these), and no funky vitamin or herby taste. They're well masked by the rich flavored candy.

The energy provided from Sex Chocolate is also comparable to that of the Turbo Truffles, slightly more energy, in my opinion -- minimal energy to someone like me. I notice a nice increase, but not over the top. It won't keep me up late, but it'll wake me up real good.

The ingredients are:

Ginseng, Guarana, Damiana, Saw Palmetto, Yohimbine, Fenugreek, Kola nut, Valerian, Licorice, Sarsaparilla, Fo-Ti-Tieng, Gotu Kola, Ginger, Betel nut, Dong Quai, Passion Flower, Avena Sativa and Horny Goat Weed.

Note: a lot of these herbal ingredients have been used widely for years in Chinese Medicine, something I take great interest and appreciation in.

Guarana and damiana: are used to help with appetite control or weight loss. 

Valerian: is used to treat anxiety

Ginseng: Obviously, it's an herb that acts as a stimulant, gives you energy. It isn't noted what type of Ginseng is used in the chocolate, but American Ginseng is used to help decrease symptoms of colds. One study shows that Ginseng can help with concentration. It's also used as a mood-booster, for helping treat health problems like heart disease, cancer, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure and more.

Guarana: Another herb known for increasing energy/reducing fatigue. Helps promote concentration, improves immune system, increases performance and energy (from the caffeine content in the Guarana berries), and boosts brain, quickens perceptions. When combined with other herbs such as maca or tribulus, it acts as an aphrodisiac.

Damiana: One of Damiana's popular uses by the male and female Mayan Indians is as an aphrodisiac (the leaves). It promotes oxygen flow.
 It's used to boost mood, increase energy and impotence. It's also used to help with health conditions such as menstrual problems, asthma, depression, anxiety, and as a general tonic to improve wellness, etc.

Saw Palmetto: This herb has been used to treat many health conditions. Some of those include testicular and urinary tract inflammation, coughs, respiratory congestion, etc. It supports prostate function and promotes prostate health. It also helps with digestion, can help induce sleep (it has sedative properties.)

Yohimbine: A general stimulant and very popular herb amongst the body-building and fat-burning folks. It works as a fat-loss herb, and while it's a bit confusing, it's said to "prevent fat-loss from stopping rather than starting fat-loss like ephedrine." It increases adrenaline. And more importantly, it's a known aphrodisiac and helps with erectile dysfunction.

Fenugreek: Fenugreek also has antioxidant properties, and even helps with problems such as PMS and helps with the mind by aiding in the thinking process. It's been used to promote lactation, help treat coughs, fever, sore throat, bronchitis, skin irritation.

Kola Nut: A stimulant used for its energy-giving properties as it's very high in caffeine. Increases stamina and performance. It's also used to treat many problems including coughs. Heightens feelings of pleasure by creating a euphoric feelings, but is said to be non-addictive.

Valerian: Used as a sedative and mild hypnotic. Anti-anxiety and anti-depressant properties. Also used for its anti-spasmodic properties to reduce digestive pains and stomach cramps.

Licorice: Used in Chinese Medicine  as a stimulant and to increase endurance, among millions of other things. An anti-inflammatory. Used to treat tons of health problems. Licorice helps fight fatigue, depression, PMS flu, fungal infections, prostate enlargement, yeast infections, tons of other infections, stomach problems etc. Licorice can work as a mild laxative.

Sarsaparilla: Helps immensely with impotence, lack of desire, weakness, pains, colds, skin problems, etc.

Fo-Ti-Tieng: A Chinese herb, often called the "rejuvenation herb," used widely among men for improving longevity. Fo-Ti-Tieng is promotes energy, too.

Gotu Kola: Helps fight stress, increase mental alertness, and energy levels.

Ginger: Ginger is an anti-spasmodic, often used for nausea, upset stomach, cramps, bloating, indigestion, flatulence (guess it'd be useful in the Sex Chocolate to prevent that during a romantic encounter.)  Ginger is an anti-inflammatory and anti-viral, among about a hundred other great things.

 Betel nut: Contains an active stimulant, which is said to be similar to that of nicotine.  Betel Nut is used as a psychoactive drug in some parts of Asia. Its benefits include stress reduction, heightened awareness feelings of well-being. It's a stimulant that produces similar responses that caffeine does. It's said to produce "cocaine-like effects." It promotes feelings of euphoria and happiness.

Dong Quai: The most popular use for this Chinese herb is for "female problems." Dong Quai strengthens the heart, liver, spleen, etc.

Passion Flower: Used as a powerful relaxant, anti-anxiety, anti-insomnia. Used with Licorice or Sarsaparilla it makes a powerful stimulant.

Avena Sativa: An aphrodisiac said to be help greatly with erectile dysfunction, mild depression, etc.

Weight loss - It's Slimple

My lovely, lovelies,

A few weeks ago I tried Slimple for the first time. Slimple is a pill that stops hunger and cravings that come from things like stress, tension, etc. I do want to go ahead and add that no matter what kind of weight loss diet you take, you should never stop eating altogether and you should always make sure you are getting the proper nutrients for your body.

I took my first Slimple capsule and remembered how badly my stomach problems were in the past when I had taken that slim quick crap. I started worrying a little that Slimple would affect me the same way.

Thank you Jesus! Slimple has never given me any stomach upsets, flare up, or discomfort at all! Finally, I've found one that doesn't cause those nasty side effects.

Anyways, I took the Slimple and didn't give it much thought other than the worrying of stomach upsets until I realized it was way past my normal eating time & I food was the very last thing I wanted! I thought surely something else is happening because I'd never experienced this with other products. I was absolutely not hungry and had no usualy sweet cravings which I have every night & usually eat a Kit Kat, and the regular chiken bites from Krystal's. I didn't even touch the chicken or the Kit Kat until several hours later and still, I was only able to eat half of my chicken bites!

I was so surprised that there were no side effects at all. I am super sensitive to any kind of weight loss, stuff. Even healthy pills can severely upset my stomach. I've been taking Slimple for weeks and have never had problems. I don't even think of food.

I didn't change my diet at all. I didn't excercise which I haven't done in a few months. I am unsure if I've lost more than 3-4 pounds yet, but I skipped a week during the tornadoes last week so that could be why. I do feel so much lighter and comfortable. It's perfect for people like me that are sensitive to most weight loss products or don't do well with shaky hands and fast heart beat.

I felt great while taking them. I didn't feel drained after they wore off. I only take one a day. I usually only eat once a day so I still make sure I eat and get enough of vitamins and such, but I usually can't even think of food until a few hours after takin Slimple. After a few hours, I'll eat a little something, but I don't have any cravings. I haven't craved my daily chocolate at all! That's just not me! It's definitely the only weight loss product I've ever used that has really surpressed my apetite.

Slimple is perfect for those times when we cannot resist food like around holidays or stressful times. There's no overeating while using Slimple. It will absolutely take away cravings. I actually seem to crave the healthier options when the Slimple has worn off after a few hours and I do eat. The healthier foods are more appealing to me for some reason.

 A lot of people take one capsule before breakfast and one before dinner. I've only needed to take one daily.

  After taking one capsule, I immediately feel content with no hunger or cravings. When it wears off & I do start getting a tiny bit hungry, I only eat a very small amount before feeling totally satisfied! I really like that, especially because a lot of times, I don't get time to eat. I seriously live off of crackers and kit kats sometimes and Slimple is great for me because I can take it & still eat what I need and want without over doing it & without worrying about not having enough vitamins and such from not eating.

  From what I've read, Slimple is the only weight loss pill that contains Macoca. Macoca is an appetite supressant.

  I really am impressed with Slimple and have passed it on to my family members. My sister just got a bottle and started taking them as well. I will have to keep a check of her results as well so I can post them. I'm not going for major weight loss, but Slimple is perfect for smaller women too who want to quickly shed a little or a lot of pounds. If you are looking to lose a lot of weight, then I would absolutely recommend Slimple. If you want quicker/better results you can simply add a little extra exercise or a slight change in your diet, but it's not necessary as Slimple will cut your eating portions down drastically.

  You can also take 2 capsules daily for better results. I've noticed a few pounds were gone in the first 6 days. I didn't have a scale to weigh myself, but I will be weighing myself next month as I continue taking them to see how it goes.

  With Slimple, you can control what you lose, how much you lose, and how quickly. There's no strict diet as with most. There aren't any surprise catches like with slim quick. I purchased slim quick years ago & thought it was going to be amazing. When I read the papers inside, I learned that you have to eat outrageous things just to get results and you'll more than likely spend a few days on the toilet! Not fun! Slimple has never caused any of those effects on me and I'm sure I would be the person to have side effects if there were any as I have an extremely sensitive stomach.

  Overall, I'd give Slimple a 10/10 rating! It has certainly changed my thinking on diet pills. I think they're beyond worth the price and I like them because they are safe and effective. I like that the Slimple company seems to care about your health and well being and most dietary products do not! I am very happy with the product and will recommend it. I used to be pretty against diet pills, but these are great for people who want to lose a little weight and gain control of their health. So many women and men suffer from health problems due to being overweight and society isn't usually very forgiving in that area. Slimple allows you to shed the pounds you need and for those who are looking to lose and gain control of their health, Slimple is great. You can take them without changing your lifestyle and when you start seeing the results you need, then you can start by gradually increasing your health by doing simple things like walking, etc. It's a wonderful option for those who need a little help to get there.

*Have any of you tried Slimple? If so, I would LOVE to hear your results. Also, to those of you who decide try Slimple, be sure to let me know how it works for you.*

Much love,
Kendra