We Heart It: Chocolate Hazelnut Dipped Blood Oranges

Our whole team here at The Chalkboard is just the coolest. From our nutrition editor's constant arrival with new supplements to try to our fitness pro's own ass-kicking spin class, we're always learning from each other and discovering new things. So it was no surprise to us when our own site designer, Kate Harmer of Hum Creative (see her studio here,) introduced us to her pal Jane Yuan and her new line of gorgeous, gluten-free "crisps". Simple & Crisp is Jane's stunningly gorgeous line of cracker-alternatives made only from sustainably grown, dried fruit - every healthy home entertainer's dream. With a touch of organic sugar and nothing else, each crisp is simply a wheel of fruit - pear, orange, apple - dried thin and crispy and ready to fill in for crackers on any and every occasion. These little wonders open up a whole new realm of possibilities when it comes to healthy party food: think dried pear crisps topped with blue cheese and walnuts, apple crisps with caramel sauce and crisps of all kinds for cheese plates and wine tastings. We especially loved Jane's blood orange crisps and asked her to whip up something special for Valentine's Day. A pairing from heaven, Jane dipped the Simple & Crisp blood oranges in Rawmio's chocolate hazelnut butter as a sweet surprise for her own Valentine. Simple as spreading a little nut butter on each crisp, this little snack is instantly beautiful and delicious. Try a plateful with a bottle of sustainable champagne and you've got instant romance swagger! Here are a few of the health benefits packed into this healthy treat. Check out what you're getting out of each little bite...

Blood Oranges: If you think the only difference between blood oranges and conventional oranges is their color, think again. Blood oranges contain vitamin C in more concentrated amounts than their conventional counterpart, with as much as two times more vitamin C per cup! Blood oranges also contain the flavonoid, anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are the antioxidant that give these oranges their deep red color, and have shown in research to be neuro-protective and to reduce inflammation levels in the body.

Hazelnuts: While hazelnuts are not the typical nut you reach for when looking to boost your nutrition for the day, they are worth incorporating. Hazelnuts are rich in monounsaturated fats, which help to normalize cholesterol levels, and protect from heart disease. They are also particularly rich in the B vitamin folate, making them a perfect snack for expecting mothers and those dealing with folate-dependent anemia.

Chocolate: Chocolate is a health food in its own right - as long as we are talking about the unrefined version known as cacao. Cacao is one of the highest natural sources of magnesium, which is vital for muscle relaxation and maintaining a calm mood. Containing theobromine, cacao enhances mood and brain function, which is why we so often reach for it after a long, hard days work. Cacao also contains PEA, also known as the "love" chemical, as well as anandamide, a neurotransmitter that creates the feeling of bliss.

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