Teens Only | I'll Take Extra Chocolate With That, Please

I enjoy being able to point out unusual trivia to you, my dear readers. So it is with pleasure that I announce today -- June 22 -- is National Chocolate Eclair Day. And I'm letting you know that I will be celebrating this "holiday" by enjoying one of those wonderful delicacies today. 

And it's fitting to celebrate something chocolate during the summer reading program, the theme of which is "Reading Is So Delicious." It is delicious, wouldn't you agree?

If you're reading this, then surely you know the benefits of reading. Reading informs us, entertains us, and just helps us succeed in life! 

But chocolate. Could there be benefits of chocolate?

I did a little reading and found out that yes, indeed, there are benefits to eating chocolate.

Allow me to share.

Regular chocolate eaters welcome a host of benefits for their hearts, including lower blood pressure, lower "bad" LDL cholesterol, and a  lower risk of heart disease. 

The type of antioxidants called flavonoids found in dark chocolate offer some protection from UV damage from the sun. So in addition to packing that all-important sunscreen, put a little dark chocolate in your bag before you hit the beach!

I don't how scientific the next one is, but I'm going to go with it: Chocolate eaters also report feeling less stressed. 

That boost of blood flow to the brain created by cocoa's flavanols seems to make people feel more awake and alert, and, in a small British study, perform better on counting tasks.

Hello chocolate eclair! Hello chocolate anything.

By the way, I found this information in an article on the Huffington Post. You can read the full article here. 

And if you're feeling inspired to do a little baking with chocolate, I've found a great book in the SSJCPL collection that will give you a ton of recipes to indulge your sweet tooth. Check out Magnus Johansson's Cooking With Chocolate: The Best Recipes and Tips from a Master Pastry Chef.This book is a must-see because it gives really great instructions on the various techniques for working with chocolate. If you can't find it at the library branch near you, ask a staff member to help you place a request on it!

So celebration National Chocolate Eclair Day....and remember to pick up a reading log so you can be part of SSJCPL's 2013 Summer Reading program! 

Happy reading....and eating!