Go crazy for cocoa -- but not hot chocolate

I'm a huge fan of cocoa -- and I don't mean the pre-packaged "hot chocolate" mixes you find in most grocery stores. Pure cocoa tastes a little odd (kind of like ground cinnamon), but it's great for your body when eaten in pure, unadulterated form.

What's not good for your body are the "hot chocolate" mixes that are sometime labeled as "hot cocoa" incorrectly. These products, by and large, have partially-hydrogenated oils and refined sugars in them, which make them taste good at the same time they are being very bad for your health.

Ever try straight Hershey's Cocoa on your breakfast cereal? It may taste odd at first if eaten straight or mixed with other natural herbs, but in terms of being good for you, acclimating to the taste of raw cocoa is worth it if you ask me.