In this ForzaFit™️ Blog post we introduce:

— A scrumptious, spur-of-the-moment Casa de Forza culinary creation: The Organic Tank 100% Dark Chocolate Blueberry Apple Crunch Blizzard Delight (pictured above as story’s featured image). Because I at least attempt to have a sense of humor, and wanted to make history, I summoned the most Orwellian, bureaucratic name I could think of for this dessert and trust you have a good memory to remember it. The heart healthy nutrition profile and super-easy-to-make recipe are below.

Also included in this blog:

— PRO-CHOCOLATE research and fascinating insights cited and written about by HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL’s “Harvard Health Blog” and ‘Food Be Thy Medicine’ icon DR. JOSEPH MERCOLA;

— For those who yearn to go deeper down the chocolate Rabbit Hole, discerning WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN CHOCOLATE for peak nutrition and health benefits — the hierarchy of chocolate, you would — I highly recommend reading the Dr. Mercola article offered in the story link below;

I. A FORZAFIT ORIGINAL — How to make The Organic Tank’s 100% Dark Chocolate Blueberry Apple Crunch Blizzard Delight 

A super-healthy concoction in 5 mins or less:

Nutrition profile (estimates): 370 cals, 23g fat, 23g (real fruit sugar), 12g fiber

Note: My extensive research and experimentation, gathered over the past 31 years, accidentally led me to the healthiest and most optimal nutrition program of my life — a quasi-Ketogenic diet where at least 60 percent or more of your calories consist of organic healthy fats (something I will detail more thoroughly when my book is released within the next two months).

In the meantime, behold the 23 grams of fat in this fabulously fatty dessert — which myself and a growing number of experts regard as healthy fat and “real” food. The more I learn, the more I’m convinced: Fat is something to be celebrated not shunned.

Trust me — the Future is Fat, Folks. If you don’t know, you will someday.

Recipe for The Organic Tank’s 100% Dark Chocolate Blueberry Apple Crunch Blizzard Delight 

Slice up one medium-sized organic apple (known to be packed with 500-plus nutrients);

1/4 cup organic blueberries (regarded by some as an anti-aging superfood);

1 teaspoon organic coconut shreds;

7 or so organic walnuts (great for brain health);

half a handful of organic almonds (heart healthy);

.75 ounces of 100% Cacao or Dark Chocolate (certified organic — the brand I used in this instance is called Pure 7 Chocolate”);

1/2 teaspoon raw organic honey drizzled on top (anti-oxidants galore but don’t overdue it);

Whip that tasty delicacy up in five minutes or less and enjoy.

I usually eat it an hour or so after dinner or anytime really.

PRE-WORKOUT: For some reason I have developed the habit of eating dark chocolate and nuts an hour or less before I go to workout to hold me over since I like to eat every few hours or so. As far as my body goes, this meal is easy to digest, very gentle on my stomach, and since my metabolism is so quick my body digests the meal no problem and offers plenty of energy for my workout.

II. So WHAT’S THE SCOOP ON CHOCOLATE? Is it good for your health?

From Mercola.com:

“One 2012 meta-analysis7 found that eating chocolate could slash your risk of cardiovascular disease by 37 percent and your stroke risk by 29 percent.”

”Another meta-analysis8 published that same year found that cocoa/chocolate lowered insulin resistance, reduced blood pressure, increased blood vessel elasticity, and slightly reduced LDL.”

In Mercola’s view, and I generally find him right on point on most nutrition matters, real raw dark chocolate is an incredible cardiovascular-boosting food that has been consumed for perhaps the past 4,000 years plus and is packed with heart-healthy antioxidants, resveratrol and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s important to learn how to distinguish between chocolates — as with all things there is a hierarchy — and the sugar-drenched milk chocolate that dominates store shelves should of course be avoided.

Mercola recommends dark chocolate 70% plus; I prefer at least 85% or more and usually go with 100%. Yes, it’s more bitter, but healthier and that way I can add a touch of raw honey and control the added natural sugar rather than be a captive audience to a company’s inferior sugar.

Generally speaking, Cacao — two ‘A’s in the word — is far superior to Cocoa. Raw cacao nibs are generally preferred. In my mind, organic is ALWAYS the safer bet. I aspire to be many things; Science’s guinea pig isn’t one of them.

Sugar: I’m shooting for 1g or less per ounce in my dark chocolate.

Daily consumption: Mercola recommends up to one ounce per day. I’m probably taking in between a half-ounce and one ounce of organic dark chocolate four or five times per week.

Worth the read:

Dr. Mercola’s Excellent Guide to Chocolate

III. Additional PRO-CHOCOLATE AMMO AND INSIGHTS FROM HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL’S health blog:

“Most of the previous studies on the chocolate-heart connection found that only dark chocolate offered any cardiovascular protection. In the Norfolk study, any type of chocolate, including milk chocolate, seemed to have the same beneficial effect.

“Scientists aren’t sure what it is about chocolate that seems to boost heart health. It may be related to flavonoids, a type of antioxidant produced by plants. Flavonoids are found in tea, red wine, blueberries, apples, pears, cherries, and nuts.

“Flavonoids are particularly abundant in cacao beans—the seeds of the cacao tree. Fermenting, drying, and roasting cacao beans yields cocoa powder, which is used to make chocolate.

Flavonoids in cocoa have been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the brain and heart, prevent blood clots, and fight cell damage. They’ve also been shown to help thinking skills.”

To read more about Dark Chocolate’s role in Heart Health, I recommend checking out Harvard’s health blog https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/

IV. IMPORTANT DISTINCTION: Cacao > Cocoa. CACAO is the super-healthy stuff; for peak health, I recommend you leave cocoa-related foods alone.

By the way, for those wondering what the inside of a cacao bean looks like … glad you asked …

Here is a neat-looking glimpse of the inner world of a cacao bean from self-professed award-winning “Shredded Chocolatier” and innovator @williewonkafit:

 

 

One of these I may have to interview Elena from WillieWonkaFit especially since one of her chocolate concoctions recently won a national award at “Best Sweet Snacks 2017,” which sounds like a big deal.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed my improvisational recipe and the blog. I would love to hear and learn from you as well as it’s important to note that we are all different and you must find the right nutritional program and choices that works for your daily needs, body type and genetics.

My website: www.frankieforza.com will be live and up and running in a few days. Please visit for more Foodjitsu content, conversations with extraordinary people and insights for peak physical and mental performance and Age Defiance.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Frankie “The Organic Tank” Forza is the Founder/CEO of ForzaFit™️ global training systems, a mission and passion emanating from his distinguished career as a world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, widely published writer, inventor, peak performance coach and elite Healthy Living strategist.

The University of Maryland-trained philosopher, TEDx speaker and 3x IBJJF Masters World Champion is a passionate Ambassador of Age Defiance, Organic Lifestyle, Authenticity, Mind > Matter, Mindfulness and the “MindJitsu™️“ habits of thought and championship-caliber Inner Dialogue that unleash Peak Performance.

CONTACT FRANKIE for corporate speaking events, one-on-one Skype appointments or to hire him as a Healthy Living consultant or to architect a Next Level Nutrition Program that fits your individual needs, body type and palate:

Email: frankieforza555@gmail.com

Website: www.frankieforza.com

Instagram: forzafit_global

Skype: @frankiecurreri

Facebook: @foodjitsu or ForzaFit Global

Phone: 702-237-9386