You Are What You Eat: Indulge those chocolate cravings

Each week, we'll be offering original recipes and unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

Well, I certainly hope for my sake that dark chocolate really is a Super Food, because I have certainly included it in my diet this week. Can you believe I have nearly eaten my way through a container of grain-sweetened dark chocolate chips in a mere few days?

But I digress . . .

Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and studies have shown that it can reduce high blood pressure and your risk for heart disease. So bring on the kisses, right?

You can look and look for excuses to eat chocolate to make yourself feel better about indulging your cravings, but the fact of the matter is, you do need to indulge responsibly.

No, you may not eat any chocolate you find in the conventional candy aisle of your supermarket. So just put it back. Really. Now.

OK, I really don't know if that is true, but I do know that generally, you'll get much better quality chocolate from organic, fair trade brands.

Indulge those chocolate cravings without all of the sugar and other additives. You'll actually eat less of it and get more antioxidants. Now that is a two-for-one special.

Get yourself some Dagoba Chocolate Nibs and:

• Add them to chili, black bean soup and chicken mole.
• Melt them into vanilla rice or almond milk for a decadent and rich hot chocolate.
• Pop 'em like candy. You won't need more than a few to curb your chocolate craving and to supply your dose of antioxidants.

Not interested in the savory side of chocolate? Dagoba also has some chocolate bars with a high percentage of pure chocolate in them -- my favorite is Eclipse -- that you really only need a square or two to feel satisfied.

How do you satisfy your chocolate cravings in a healthy way?