This year was going to be the year that you were going to lose some weight and get in shape.  Over the holidays you let yourself indulge in anything you wanted, knowing that the new year would be a fresh start.  So far this year, you have been really good.  You have increased your physical activity and you are eating healthier.  Good for you!

Now, only a month and a half into the year, you are faced with a challenge: Valentine’s Day.  Here comes that large box of chocolates you’ve been avoiding so far this year.

You are faced with a delicious box of chocolates that your loved one so thoughtfully gave to you.  You are sorely tempted.  They look so delicious. You tell yourself that you will only have one but, knowing yourself, you’re afraid one will lead to two and then lo and behold, the box will magically empty itself.

Ways to manage your chocolate
But, it doesn’t have to be that way.  With a little planning, you can eat Valentine’s chocolate in moderation. Here are a few tips to keep you on a healthy track this Valentine’s Day:

1. Plan how much you’ll eat: Have a food journal at hand and plan out how much chocolate you can eat.  By being accountable to writing everything down, including the chocolates, you will be less likely to overindulge.
2. Share with others: This is a great way to get excess chocolate out of your sight, so you won’t be tempted.  Bring anything over the amount of chocolate you want to eat to work or to a party.  The more you share, the less you will eat.
3. Eat slowly, savor the taste: When you chew your chocolate slowly, appreciating every last bite, you will feel more satisfied and will be less likely to plow through a whole box.

Remember, just because the chocolate is there, doesn’t mean you have to let it upset your plans.  Enjoy your chocolates, but do it in moderation.  It’s all about maximum enjoyment, not maximum consumption. A little sweetness can go along way.  Happy Valentine’s, everyone!

On a cold winter day, it feels so good to curl up on the couch and sip a hot drink.  My favorite drinks to sip in front of the fire while wrapped in my favorite blanket are hot cocoa or hot chocolate.  Not only does it warm me up, but it also delights my taste buds and provides me with an abundance of antioxidants.  Yep, you heard me right.  I sometimes drink something besides tea!

Drink for your health
Hot cocoa can actually be good for your health. Researchers at Cornell University found that cocoa was richer in antioxidants than even green tea or red wine.  This is a great finding since antioxidants are chemicals that may help prevent cancer, heart disease and other health problems.  However, that doesn’t mean you should run out to the store now and go on a chocolate binge.  Although a bar of chocolate might be rich in antioxidants, it is still high in saturated fat, which might outweigh much of the health benefits.  If you have a choice between a bar of chocolate and a cup of hot cocoa (the kind made with water), go for the hot cocoa.  It has less saturated fat than the bar of chocolate.

Ways to make it healthier
Hot cocoa can be a healthy treat if done right.  Here are a few suggestions to make it as healthy as possible:

1. Skip the whip cream: Whip cream can make a healthy drink very unhealthy.  It tends to be high in calories, saturated fat and sugar.
2. Skip prepackaged mixes: Most prepackaged mixes are high in sugar and almost always have trans fats and other additives that are not healthy for your body.  Instead, try making your own homemade mix of hot cocoa with cocoa powder.  That way you can control how much sugar you put in.  Don’t worry.  It’s not hard and the instructions are on the cocoa powder container.
3. Avoid whole milk: If you want hot chocolate, don’t use whole milk.  Try using nonfat milk, soy milk, rice milk or even almond milk instead.  These substitutes are lower in cholesterol (or have none in the case of soy, rice or almond milk) and lower in saturated fat than whole milk.

So, go ahead and enjoy a cup or two of hot cocoa this holiday season.  Or any season, for that matter.  After all, when you consume it in moderation, it’s actually good for your health!

I end the show by addressing a question by Dawn on how to eat healthier more cheaply. I go over 10 tips on how you can eat healthy on a budget. If you want to learn more ways to save money, please check out my personal finance podcast Millionaire or Bust.

If you like the show, please head on over to iTunes and give me a nice review. It’s a great way to give me some nice exposure and can help me get more listeners. Thanks for listening everyone!