A Dark Chocolate Affair
Say ‘I love you’ with guilt-free brownies
Some people see Jesus in toast. Others see Kate Middleton in jelly beans. With chocolate, we see Cupid and then boom, we’re lovestruck forever. Our attraction to the sweet treat never wavers, and that’s especially true this close to Valentine’s Day. We share the love by giving boxes of chocolates to our parents, husbands, boyfriends, and coworkers (choosing to use chocolate syrup on some of the above – not our parents, yuck).
But how can we make sure that something so close to our hearts and tastebuds is also heart healthy? We called on nutritionist Janet Brill a.k.a Dr. Janet, the best-selling author of Cholesterol Down and Prevent a Second Heart Attack, to help us find the best chocolate this V-Day.
“Not all chocolate is created equally,” Dr. Janet said. “For maximum health benefits, consume dark chocolate or naturally unsweetened dark cocoa powder.” Dark chocolate contains more flavonoids, or antioxidants, than other varieties such as milk chocolate, white chocolate, and hot chocolate mixes. Flavonoids serve as crusaders against chronic illnesses and also help slow the aging process.
Whip up a batch of these dark chocolate brownies for guaranteed extra admirers. After all, Casanova was said to have indulged in cocoa as the ultimate aphrodisiac.
Dr. Janet’s Flourless Dark Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts
One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup packed Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 tablespoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place black beans in a mixing bowl. Add the sugar, oats, cocoa powder, olive oil, espresso powder, flaxseed, vanilla, and salt. With an electric mixer, blend the ingredients until the black beans are mushed up and the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the edges pull away from the sides of the pan and the middle of the brownie is firm. Let cool before slicing into 16 pieces.
Nutrition Information
Serving size 1 brownie; calories 140, fat 6g, saturated fat 1g, cholesterol 1mg, sodium 89mg, carbohydrate 16g, dietary fiber 2g, sugars
Recipe courtesy Janet Bond Brill, from her book Prevent a Second Heart Attack.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
P.S. Feel like eating the whole pan of brownies? Then why not work off those calories with our latest workout playlist filled with upbeat love songs sure to get you in a V-Day kind of mood!
P.P.S. Check out the hottest lingerie, sexiest dresses, and great gifts for your guy, all in our Valentine’s Day guide!
