In the weeks and hours leading up to the romantic benchmark of Valentine’s Day, chocolate buying and consumption skyrockets. Chocolate can be either a form of junk food or an ambrosia worthy of our divine nature, depending on what is combined with the bittersweet base. Not all chocolate is created equally and many of the familiar forms that I know were a part of my early years are not necessarily sanctioned for our health and well-being (think high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, waxes, artificial flavorings and other additives.) Yet in its purer nature, our tendencies to crave this food relate to its inherent healing potential, as described in Cal Orey’s book The Healing Powers of Chocolate.
Chocolate is high in iron, magnesium and other minerals, as well as long list (in the hundreds) of antioxidant and health-promoting phytochemicals such as catechins and epicatechins, resveratrol and many flavonoids. Some of these flavonoids have been shown to increase blood flow in the body, which is where the purported aphrodisiac effects of chocolate may arise. Chocolate naturally contains the amino acid tryptophan, which is why it can help to induce a feeling of well-being and even sound sleep.
We’ve chosen a few vegan chocolates made by conscious lovers of the bean to highlight in anticipation of Valentine’s Day.
Chakra Chocolates
You can find everything else in the colors and flavors designed to enhance our relationship with our chakras – why not chocolate? Chocoveda founder Julia Lungin developed a line of truffles utilizing the principles and philosophy of Ayurveda to combine with the smooth taste of premium confections to concoct healing creations. The chocolates are infused with combinations of herbs and spices and are even imprinted with the symbol connected to the chakra (for example, a delicate lotus is atop the chocolate for the seventh chakra). Some of the herbs Lungin uses include the Ayurvedic rejuvenative ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an important tonic for the nervous system and adrenal glands. We all knew chocolate could be good for us, but this takes it to another level. For more information, visit: chocoveda.com.
Flavors include
First chakra: chai
(Muladhara – earth element)
Second chakra: tangerine
(Swadhisthana – water element)
Third chakra: ginger lemongrass
(Manipura – fire element)
Fourth chakra: green tea
(Anahata/heart chakra – air element)
Fifth chakra: peppermint
(Vishudda/throat chakra – air/ether elements)
Sixth chakra: pomegranate
(Ajna/third eye – ether element)
Seventh chakra: honey vanilla
(Sahasrara – the crown chakra)
Chocolate as Art
There is the famous saying attributed to the ninth century master Lin Chi, “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.” Chi was not necessarily referring to eating Buddha-shaped chocolates, rather, he was cautioning against our tendency to idolize a person rather than a path. But Buddhist or not, we can receive a special joy from eating gorgeous Buddha head-shaped raw chocolates, made with love, dusted with edible gold. And if you’re interested in art of the more erotic variety to surprise your Valentine, chocolate artist Liz Marx can deliver, along with tamer romantic images such as flowers and birds in the form of edible, healing chocolate. For more information, visit: sweetnuit.com.
The Kids are Alright
Q.Bel founders wanted to create a chocolate bar without all the unpronounceable and secret ingredients that make chocolate a junk food to avoid so that they could have an option they were happy to feed to their children. Q.Bel bars have none of the following: artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. Their bars and wafers include flavors like crispy rice dark chocolate and peanut butter that allows people to indulge in nostalgia for crispy treats. Their milk chocolate does have dairy, but their dark chocolate is vegan and appropriate for those making that dietary commitment. Q.Bel is found at Whole Foods, Erewhon, Co-Opportunity and many other markets. For more information, visit: qbelfoods.com.
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.