How to Reap the Sweetest Benefits from Chocolate

     1). Chocolate Omelette - Starting off our list with the Chocolate Omelette! I know I said chocolate is not typically considered to be part of a balanced breakfast, but perhaps it is?! This Omelette is packed full of protein that will keep you full all the way until lunch. You will be able to stay satiated, resist snacking, and save your appetite for later on. Protein is essential to building muscle, along with cell repair. It will keep that glossy sheen on your pet’s fur and support their bone health. Just ask Gargarox Isafuhlarg - he’s whipping these omelettes up at Grundo’s Cafe every morning. He sure didn’t build that physique by eating lettuce! Kick off your day with a Chocolate Omelette and reap all of the egg-cellent health benefits.

     2). Chocolate and Asparagus Achyfi - This robust beverage combines the rich taste of chocolate with the bitter taste of asparagus. B-b-but, aren’t energy drinks bad for you? Well, not exactly. This Achyfi will provide that pep in your step to motivate you to do everything you’ve been procrastinating. The asparagus will provide important antioxidants, dietary fiber, and cardiovascular benefits. The chocolate is an added bonus - you and your pets will be going cocoa-crazy for this drink! The energy boost will keep you dancing the night away at the Chocolate Ball.

     3). Chocolate Covered Tomato - Not to be confused with the Chokato, a Neopian delicacy and a staple in many Pets’ diets. A Chocolate Covered Tomato is going to give you the tangy taste you crave, but with the added sweetness from the chocolate layer, to perfectly balance the flavor. A tomato is actually a fruit, but this meal is definitely on the savoury side. Along with great taste, this meal will yield great benefits. Tomatoes support brain health (it’s the Brain Tree’s favourite food!) while aiding in boosting your memory (gold Kiko Match trophy, here we come!!), and helps to fight off disease - we all know that pesky NeoPox starts going around this time of the year! Not only is this a disease-fighting superfood, it is also made up of mostly water, so it will provide you with some extra hydration.

     4). Chocolate Covered Apple - You already know what they say, an apple a day keeps Nurse Glee away! Apples are nutrient-dense and delicious. The Chocolate Covered Apple is extra sweet! This snack will support bone and skin health, along with packing plenty of fiber for digestive health. Eating the skin of the apple is going to add even more nutrients to your diet. If you are like me, and not a huge fan of tough apple skin, you’ll be glad to know the chocolate coating acts as a thin, crunchy shell to distract from the chewy layer of skin. The chocolate makes it much more pleasant and palatable for picky Neopians! PSA: please don’t feed to your Kyrii and don’t dip any Apple Chias by accident.

     5). Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn - It doesn’t sound like this would be a healthy snack to consider, but hear me out. Popcorn is full of whole grains and rich in fiber. You can also opt for a gluten free version! Limit the butter and the salt content to keep your popcorn as plain as possible. When making popcorn at home, be careful to watch it closely, so it doesn’t burn. The best thing about this treat is how customizable it is. Try to experiment with adding different flavours of chocolate drizzle! Dark, white, orange, or mint chocolate would make for a fun and fresh addition! This popcorn is almost too sweet to share, but we encourage you to pop extra for your Neofriends!

     6). White Chocolate Baby Cabbage - Yeah, cabbage can be so…boring and bland. It also gets kind of smelly if you boil it. The good news? Just a delicate coating of silky white chocolate can transform this plain ol’ veggie into a chocolatey bite that packs a healthy punch. Cabbage has anti-inflammatory effects and will work wonders for your Pets’ skin, fur, and claws - Grarrls rejoice! Boiled, steamed, roasted, or any way you choose to prepare it is fine. The smooth white chocolate is what makes this dish so special and tasty. Brushing on some chocolate will also mask that smelly, cabbage-y stench that younger Neopians may find unappetizing. This trick is a great way to get little ones to eat a rather unappealing veggie.

     7). Chocolate Honey - Believe it or not, honey just got a whole lot sweeter - by swirling in some yummy milk chocolate, of course. This is the perfect time of year to harvest some farm fresh Springabee or Buzz honey. Head over to Meri Acres Farm to snag a bottle of their famous organic honey. The environment is free from chemicals, providing you with the purest honey in all the land. It’s a little-known fact that honey can be used for its antibacterial properties. A few spoonfuls will promote wound healing - perfect for your Pet if they are a Battledome fanatic, or if you enjoy spinning the Wheel of Misfortune - I hear you can pick up a handful of nasty illnesses from there. The healing properties of honey may be just what you need to keep moving forward.

     So, the next time you reach for one of these tasty treats, do it without the guilt and shame! Unwrap the many choco-tastic health benefits for you and your Pets. Have a super sweet time at the Annual Chocolate Ball - the most decadent night of the year - and enjoy every bite of the season.