The Health Benefits of Chocolate

Written by Susie Cortright


Withrepparttar New Year come and gone, many of us are making good on a resolution to eat healthier. So what’s a chocolate lover to do?

Good news. Research says you can have your cake and eat it, too. As long as that cake is chocolate.

For centuries, chocolate has been used to treat diseases and maladies such as depression. Civilizations from Mexico to Europe have hailed chocolate as an aphrodisiac. The U.S. government officially recognized its virtues in World War II, makingrepparttar 111250 chocolate candy bar standard issue forrepparttar 111251 military.

Chocolate’s scientific name, theobroma cacao, is literally translated as "food ofrepparttar 111252 gods," and we chocolate cravers don’t need any studies to tell usrepparttar 111253 power of chocolate in mood alteration. Its feel good chemicals have long been associated with feelings of love, safety, and comfort. Maybe that’s why Americans eat an average of 12 pounds of chocolate per year.

Chocolate contains vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E, as well as potassium, sodium, iron, and fluorine. Now, researchers say those creamy chocolate confections may actually help us live longer, too.

A Meaningful Activity for You & Your Animal Companion

Written by Susan Dunn, MA, The EQ Coach™


Whether “you” means you-on-your-own, you and your partner, you and your friend, or you andrepparttar kids,repparttar 111249 increasing understanding ofrepparttar 111250 healing power of dogs (and other animal companions) offers a unique opportunity for an enriching activity.

While I’ll use dogs here, other animal companions have participated in these Visiting and Therapy Programs, such as cats, guinea pigs, birds and rabbits.

Known by various terms, taking your animal companion to a hospial, prison, nursing home, children’s shelter, oncology or pediatric ward can be a rewarding experience for everyone.

It gives you and your loved ones a bonding and learning experience, gives your people-loving dog an adventure, and brings great joy and comfort torepparttar 111251 people visited.

Visiting a nursing home means givingrepparttar 111252 residents something to look forward to, and it’s easy to make friends around a dog. There’s a natural topic of conversation asrepparttar 111253 dog is busy doing its thing. Whereas simply visiting a rehab center or children’s shelter might be a bit awkward, bring your animal companion and everyone feels at home right away.

It’s a relief from boring routines torepparttar 111254 residents, and a distraction from pain, illness, depression, and homesickness. Caregivers report that residents become more active when a dog comes visiting, and talk about it long afterward. It’s a big event to them, and only requires time from you.

A dog can sometimes reach someone who’s withdrawn fromrepparttar 111255 world, as letters to pet therapy sites attest. They also have been shown to reducerepparttar 111256 blood pressure of people in many different circumstances (apparently always) - healthy college students, a child reading a book alone in a room, and hospitalized elderly. Touching and massaging have been shown to help bothrepparttar 111257 recipient andrepparttar 111258 giver, as does petting an animal.

Sounds like a wonderful idea doesn’t it, for a winter Sunday afternoon? So how do you proceed?

1.Consider your dog’s personality.

You already have a good idea how your dog interacts with other animals and people. Good visiting dogs enjoy meeting strangers, actively approaching but in a calm, friendly manner. A fearful or aggressive dog is not a good candidate. An overly enthusiastic greeter can be trained.

2.Consider your dog’s reactions.

He must be able to tolerate strange people, noises and surroundings, commotions, and alsorepparttar 111259 other animals that might be visiting as well. He must be able to calm quickly and reliably.

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