If your diet is making you a humbug this season, there’s some good news. Turns out dark chocolate, that decadent confection, may actually be good for you!

Yes, recently conducted studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have shown that a dose of dark chocolate will heed all sorts of healthy results. And with the holidays just around the corner, this news couldn’t have come at a better time.

So just for fun, I thought I’d conduct a mini-research project of my own and get the “skinny” on our friend dark chocolate. Here’s some of the interesting “factoids” I came up with: Cocoa—the precursor to chocolate--has been around a long time. A few thousand years, in fact. It has been thought that cocoa bean Holiday Dieting: A Sweet Way To Cheat! Recipe

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Family Life or Wine for Christmas Dy

by Elen Meerovich

For your family and guests,Christmas is a day to spend time together, You expend so much energy planning for the big event that you may forget about the days before and after, when houseguests will still need to eat.

If you know what varieties of wine you and your guests enjoy, stock up on them.No matter what food you'll be serving. What kind of wine should you serve with appetizers? Choose something pleasant and interesting, and save the serious wine for a sit-down dinner.

Best of them:

Piper Heidsieck 1995 Brut Vintage Champagne, France

Dom Perignon 1996 with Gift Box Champagne, France

Ch. Ste. Michelle 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington

Simi 2001 Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvig Family Life or Wine for Christmas Dy Recipe

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Harvest A Wealth Of Apple Ideas

by News Canada

(NC)—The leaves have turned, pumpkins are ripening on the vine and most of Canada's apple growers are in the orchards harvesting this year's crop of apples for your enjoyment throughout the winter months. It is well known that apples are nutritious, as are apple-based products like pure apple juice, apple sauce and dried fruit snacks. But now more than ever, as research is showing that apples contain important anti-oxidants, apples and apple products are an important part of your family's diet. Why not take advantage of the season and introduce new, innovative ways for your family to enjoy them everyday.

Here are a few simple ways to increase your apple consumption and boost your anti-oxidant intake:

• Choose juice over pop. Apple juice cont Harvest A Wealth Of Apple Ideas Recipe

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