Sweeten Your Day: Coffee-Chocolate Dipped Fruit

       Just because Valentine's Day was last weekend doesn't mean that the chocolates should stop being made & given with love! I definitely had fun with this one. The process was so simple & easy; I had a beautiful masterpiece within minutes of slicing my dipping fruits. First, I broke up a fair trade, organic, dark chocolate bar into a pan (that was heated by another pan full of boiling water, underneath). While it melted beautifully, I threw in some ground espresso beans. This gave a crunchy texture to the silky chocolate. When the chocolate/coffee combo was fully melted and hot, I carefully dipped sliced kiwi, banana, and mango half-way in and allowed the chocolate to cool a bit before I placed them in decoration on my serving dish. Although I used these fruits, any fruits or even pretzels and/or nuts would also work! It all depends on what your unique taste buds are craving at the time. 

       Dark chocolate's benefits are just as brilliant as its taste. It is made from the seeds of the cocoa tree and is one of the best sources of antioxidants on Earth! Antioxidants, if you didn't already know, balance out free radicals that exist in your body's bloodstream. So, not only are you enjoying an incredibly radiant snack, but you're also providing goodness to your body's overall balance and well-being! So, slice, dip, and smile - as there is so much to smile about!