It's that time of year again.. every healthy-eating-but-still-a-chocoholic's worst nightmare... post easter season!! That period of time where chocolate overwelms the veggies in the pantry, and there's enough of the stuff in your diet to classify it as a food group. From family, friends, classmates, students, even people you used to babysit for three years ago, chocolate comes from all directions, all at once. massive overload..
Here's what I recieved from my Sunday swim students alone:
Times this by about a million, and that's how much is currently sitting in my kitchen cupboard. While this is definitaly a chocoholic's disneyland cross lottery winnings, it does nothing good for a healthy eating agenda. Therefore, it must be illiminated!!! However, after you've stormed the kitchen with a pitchfork and some dangerous looking utensils, the sight of chocolatey goodness is more often then not enough to deter thoughts of a massacre. It's quite possibly more attractive then a topless Channing Tatum, disposing of it becomes a bit of an upsetting idea.
A completly accurate representation of my cupboard at the moment:
So instead of wasting it, here's some healthy ways to better use and finish your chocolate:
1. Be a good citizen: if it's still in its wrapping, donate your chocolate to charity, it would be greatly appreciated by those who rely on their resources.
2. Feed it to your brother: Always a quick and easy fix to eliminate excess chocolate. If you don't have a bro on hand, a father, sister, cousin, boyfriend... or anyone with a sweet tooth and a bottomless stomach will do. Use as bribe material for extra personal benefit.
3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Pass on excess chocolate to others as Easter gifts, or melt down the chocolate and create delicious chocolate presents, such as truffles, dried fruit or nut chocolate covered balls, chocolate crackles for birthday parties or even giant chocolate freckles!!
4. Trade it: When you give away chocolate as Easter gifts, use some of the money saved to treat yourself with something healthier. A bit of dark organic chocolate is actually beneficial to your health in small amounts, how about some tea from T2? Or, you can set out on a bit of retail therapy; material items don’t hurt your health goals!
5. Host a Post-Easter-Party: Gather your friends for a night of all things chocolate! Enjoy as eggs or melt into fondue for dipping, drizzled on ice-cream with nuts and berries for a sundae... possibilities are endless! They’re great for a movie snack, and the best thing is you're sharing the love! Invite chocoholic friends to guarantee you won't be left eating everything
6. Kitchen Experiments: Ever wanted to create your own chocolate combinations? Now’s the time! It could be your own individual handmade chocolates, blocks of chocolate with your own additives, that double chocolate soufflé you always wanted to make, or even something you saw on masterchef, could be anything. With plenty of chocolate to work with, it's time to get creative! With success, share it with friends or family! Chocolate bolognaise didn't exactly taste right... no worries! At least there's one less egg in the pantry
7. Trail Mix: Chop up some of that chocolate and add some seeds, dried fruit and nuts, place in a small bag and you're ready to go on a hike! Combining the tasty treat with exercise is a great way to enjoy chocolate and build up fitness at the same time
8. Chocolate Covered Fruit: Instead of dipping (which uses a lot of chocolate) melt some chocolate a drizzle over fresh strawberries, banana, peach or your favourite fruit... omnomnom
9. Muesli: Combine a small amount of chocolate with granola muesli, dried fruit and low fat yogurt for a tasty brekkie treat! Remember that in muesli, a little chocolate goes a long way, and moderation is always vital
10. Add to Muffins : place one egg in the centre of uncooked muffins then put in oven; the chocolate will go warm and gooey... mmmmm. This also works for cake, crepes and cupcakes. Don't forget to share the love! Eating a dozen muffins doesn't do any favours.
And there you have it, some ways in which to avoid an onslaught at eastertime!
MissMarie xxo
