Devilish, Delicious, Decadent Dark Chocolate

by Linsey Lanier

Chocolate. Life is like a box of them, right? Not always.

There have been times in my life where I’ve been really, really “good.” I mean, I’ve managed to stay off chocolate, and even all sugar for over a year. Cold turkey. But the last few months haven’t been one of those times. I blame it all on my husband. He has a terrible sweet tooth. He knows dark chocolate is my weakness. He likes to find new treats and bring them home just to see the look on my face.

So with my apologies to all those diabetics out there, here is a list of my latest indulgences.

1. Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Nuggets with Almonds

It all started with these. I had been good for weeks. Then, in a Pulitzer Prize winning fit of rationalization and self-deceit, I asked for Dark Chocolate Nuggets. Only a therapist could tell you why. But Hubby knew I had let down my guard and took advantage. The next day, there were two bags of those wicked morsels sitting on my kitchen counter. When I unwrapped that golden foil and took that first bite of dark, sweet lusciousness, I knew I was doomed.

2. Sam’s Club’s chocolate chip muffins

Then hubby discovered these at Sam’s Club and couldn’t resist bringing them home. And of course, after a hard day at the keyboard, I couldn’t resist eating one. Or two. No, I don’t do two. Not at the same time, at least.

We like to pop them into the microwave for about a minute before eating. Careful, they’re hot. But all that melted gooey richness inside, surrounded by moist chocolate cake takes me back to my mother’s kitchen. Can you say “sugar rush”?

3. QT brownies

I never should have let him get the gas alone. On a routine fill up, Hubby scoured out the best treats in the convenience store. These, also remind me of the stuff my mother used to bake. And they really help me get going again when I’m stuck in my manuscript, so I need them. Right?

I think I need to hire a personal trainer.

4. Blue Bell Nutty Chocolate ice cream

Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month? Blue Bell Creameries introduced this brand a few years ago for that occasion. Yum, yum. What’s in it? I only need to quote from their website “a rich chocolate ice cream loaded with milk chocolate coated pecans, dark chocolate coated peanuts, white chocolate coated almonds and roasted walnuts.” Oh, yeah.

I really need to make a steady date with my recumbent bike.

5. Abbott Dark Zone Perfect bars

To compensate at least a little on the side of healthier eating, I found these delicious bars. They have 12 grams of protein each plus 19 essential vitamins and minerals. My favorite flavors are Double Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Almond and Dark Chocolate Mocha.

A quote from their website by Dr. Rosemary Riley, Ph.D., LD, Nutrition Scientist for Abbott Nutrition: “Eating chocolate simply makes us feel good—just thinking about chocolate can evoke pleasurable emotions and memories. With ZonePerfect Dark Chocolate Nutrition Bars, you now don’t have to choose between what you enjoy and what is good for you.”

Works for me. You can order Dark Zone Perfect bars by the case from bodybuilding.com (yes, I see the irony there). Now where did I put my free weights?

And just in case you need more rationalization, from Hershey’s website:

“Like many other plant-based foods, cocoa and chocolate have many natural occurring ‘good for you’ components. Much of the current research has focused on compounds called ‘flavanols’ which occur naturally in cacao. Flavanols also act as antioxidants which can have beneficial effects on the body. Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize free radicals and protect your body against their destructive effects.”

Hey, it’s good for me. So I can eat all I want, right?

The bottom line of all this sweetness is that writers need chocolate. So do readers.

So what’s your favorite? Are you a dark chocolate lover? Or hater? Is milk chocolate your vice? How about white chocolate? Or are you a chocolate hater altogether? (Believe it or not, there are some of those.)

Tell me your deep, darkest chocolate desires.