Do you save the indulgent chocolate and wine experience for infrequent special occasions? Up until the birth of my 11-month old son, I did. Then for some unexplainable reason, the day we left the hospital, the heady decadent combination of dark chocolate and rich red wine was all I wanted to eat. As our son slept his first night at home, my husband and I were on the back patio watching the sun set as I slowly and savoringly let pieces of dark chocolate melt in my mouth in between sips of a delicious merlot. Now I enjoy chocolate and wine occasions whenever the craving arises.

Chocolate and wine are partners in health

You are no doubt aware that dark chocolate is good for your heart - the high level of flavonoids act as antioxidants that thwart the free radicals that can lead to heart disease. Even more impressive, besides having nearly ten times the level of antioxidants as strawberries, dark chocolate can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, boost endorphins and increase the body’s natural anti-depressant serotonin. Dark chocolate can help you live longer and more pleasurably.

Wine, also high in antioxidants, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, increase good cholesterol, prevent blood clots from forming and reduce the blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits. It can also increase the satisfaction of a meal and even be enjoyed as dessert (read Dessert wines to drink after dinner).

That being said, excessive consumption of either chocolate or wine can be unhealthy. Just because they are good for you (in moderation) doesn’t mean you can eat them with abandon. One ounce of chocolate and a five-ounce glass of wine pair in at around 250 calories - consume too much and you may also end up piling on the pounds.

The best way to incorporate chocolate and wine into your diet

The good news about chocolate is that you don’t have to eat a lot of it to realize its health benefits. In fact, recent research shows that even a single 30-calorie piece of chocolate is enough to deliver heart-healthfulness. As for wine, studies suggest that one glass per day is all you need for heart-health. Given that, if you slowly savor a small piece of chocolate and sip a glass of wine, you will cut over 100 calories off your indulgence and still revel in the fact that it is good for you. And if you buy high-quality dark chocolate, you will find that it is far more satisfying than lower quality types and well worth the higher price.

Cocoa Vinoso: Pairing gourmet dark chocolate and red wine just got easier

Just as there are certain wines that go better with certain foods, there are chocolate and wine pairings that best bring out the rich - and nuanced - flavors of each other. The San Francisco Chocolate Factory just introduced their newest premium dark chocolates with six different cocoa percentages to specifically pair with a different complementary red wine.

Best yet, these melt-in-your-mouth chocolates come in small disks of deliciousness packaged in unique and elegant wine-themed tins. The more intense the wine, the less intense the chocolate. For example, the port wine chocolates are made of 54 percent cocoa solids, while the zinfandel chocolates are made of 72 percent cocoa solids. And if your favorite red wines happen to be cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, merlot or syrah, there are premium dark chocolates specially made for those, too.

The next time the need for a quiet hour arises (and every mom deserves at least that!), enjoy it with a decadent, impeccably matched piece of chocolate and your favorite relaxing red wine.

PointsandPrizes.com Keyword: ENDORPHINS worth 50 points good through 08/17/08.
Not a member? Join Points and Prizes now for more free stuff!