Food Holidays: July 8th, 2022

Being on a diet is always hard but more so when you come across Holidays like the one happening today. Which I’m sharing in our series Food Holidays: July 8th, 2022 which is National Chocolate Covered Almonds Day. Which would be nice to have as a snack this morning. Knowing Chocolate Covered Almonds are healthy even though I’m on a diet couldn’t I have a couple? Please!!

National Chocolate with Almonds Day

Five Food Finds about Almonds:

1. The protein in Almonds is more like the proteins in human breast Milk of all the seeds and Nuts, which is why it is the choice of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine as the base for its baby formula.
2. Almonds are the most nutrient-dense Tree Nut. One ounce of Almonds which is 20-25 Almonds contains 160 calories and only 1 gram of saturated fat and no cholesterol. Almonds are also an excellent source of Vitamin E and magnesium, and a good source of protein and potassium.
3. The Jordan Almond is a large plump variety of Almond from Malaga, Spain, considered to be the finest cultivated Almond. Jordan Almonds are frequently sold with a hard colored Sugar coating, or Salted.
4. Did you know it takes 1000 pounds of Almonds to make 1 pint of Almond Oil.
5. The world’s largest Almond factory is in Sacramento, California and it processes 2 million pounds of Almonds a day.

I don’t know about you but I look forward to National Chocolate with Almonds Day when the holiday pops up on our calendar on July 8th. When we celebrate one of the world’s most popular confections. We confess, this national holiday is not just another day we circle on our calendar. We also add this holiday to our to-do list for today so we don’t miss out. I know we really don’t need a holiday on the calendar to indulge in one of our favorite guilty pleasures. But doesn’t having a day on the calendar to celebrate such a heavenly confection help abate the guilty part of a guilty pleasure?

Today, we are indulging because Chocolate and Almonds are incredibly satisfying. This makes us wonder if the reason we crave Chocolate with Almonds and find the combination satisfying is because our bodies know what is good for us. Chocolate and Almonds both are separately documented to have heart health benefits. Which makes this holiday even sweeter. Chocolate and Almonds naturally complement each other’s flavors. Chocolate and Almonds have been paired together by confectioners for close to two centuries. Adding to the taste pleasure is solid research confirming that eating Chocolate with Almonds appears to have a positive impact on heart health. If only we could say that about other guilty pleasure pairings.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY

Were not sure who first poured Chocolate over Almonds and declared the result not just good, but very good. But we do know Chocolate and Almonds each have individual histories that validate our obsession with these nutrient-rich treats.

Did you know Chocolate dates back 4,000 years to Mexico and Central America where Cocoa Plants were initially cultivated. Mayan and Aztec civilizations first consumed Chocolate as an unsweetened beverage. Which was used as a mood enhancer and aphrodisiac. It’s no wonder the Mayans happily worshipped a God of Cacao and considered Chocolate to be the “food of the Gods.” Unfortunately for the common Mayan man, woman, and child, the bitter but delicate brew was reserved for rulers, warriors, and priests during sacred ceremonies. This sheds light on our own cravings for Chocolate and comforts us to know it’s not just our imagination that eating Chocolate makes us feel good. 

Historical references to Almonds indicate that the slightly sweet, fragrant Tree Nut has had religious, ethnic, and Social significance dating back to ancient cultures. Historical references reveal that Almonds were highly valued by ancient Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Spanish Civilizations. Which was served to Kings and Pharaohs. Almonds are recorded metaphorically in the Bible, symbolizing divine approval. 

We have always suspected the pairing of Chocolate with Almonds to be of divine origin.

Maybe history is telling us we are onto something. Could it be that our insatiable human cravings for Chocolate with Almonds are written in our DNA? Even the ancients knew there was something otherworldly special about Chocolate and Almonds. Modern nutritional research confirms the special qualities of Almonds and Chocolate that make each a source of benefits linked to improved heart health.   

On National Chocolate with Almonds Day, were celebrating with abandon because it’s not just a wishful urban legend that Chocolate with Almonds is good for you, Especially heart health in moderation, of course, because too much of a good thing is never a good thing. Or is it?

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY ACTIVITIES

1. Homemade Chocolate-covered Almonds or Brownies with Almonds are simple-to-make treats that require just a few easy-to-find ingredients. While we prefer to make either of these Chocolate Almond treats from scratch, a Brownie mix and a bag of Almonds make easy work of making Brownies.
2. Why not purchase stock in a company that makes Chocolate with Almonds confections? Sweet confections that taste good and are also good for you will always be in demand, no, matter what the economy is doing. Which makes sense to invest in companies that make products you enjoy.
3. Chocolate-covered Almonds are the most well-known Chocolate Almond treats. Today is a good day to step outside your usual go-to candy box and sample different Chocolate-Almond creations. There are interesting varieties of Chocolate covered Almonds including Salted and no Salt varieties, light Chocolate or Dark Chocolates, as well as simple Chocolate with Almond Candy Bars.

FIVE PROVEN HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHOCOLATE AND ALMONDS

1. Studies confirm that Cocoa products help lower blood pressure and reduce total and LDL Cholesterol, which aids in preventing heart disease.
2. Dark chocolate which is 70–85% Cocoa content is loaded with polyphenols, flavonols, and catechins, all organic, biologically active compounds that serve as antioxidants in the human body.
3. Almonds are the most nutrient-dense tree nut. Almonds are an excellent source of protein, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin E, and have no cholesterol.
4. Reuters Health reported on a study that suggests overweight and obese people who eat Almonds and Chocolate every day may have lower Cholesterol than their counterparts who don’t eat Almonds or Chocolate.
5. Almonds have healthy fats believed to support proper brain function and aid in weight loss by curbing hunger.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL CHOCOLATE WITH ALMONDS DAY

1. Considering all the documented proof that Cocoa and Almonds together have a positive protective effect on the heart, Chocolate with Almonds may compensate for some of the less healthy foods we eat.
2. When we found out that ancient civilizations reserved Cocoa for royalty and the elite of Society, we grabbed a handful of Chocolate and Almonds to elevate our status.
3. Chocolate and Almonds together, in whatever form are paired, satisfy our cravings for sweet, crunchy, and salty desserts or snack foods. Eating a Chocolate-Almond treat makes us feel good.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates