26 Mar Best Health Food Ever! (Plus a FREE Printable)
Who would have guessed the latest and greatest health food would be chocolate? Yes! Hooray!
I’ve been researching the world of chocolate because it plays a small role in our Austria Pack-n-Go Girls Adventures. I love what I’ve learned. It’s now my new health food. Forget a baby aspirin a day, chocolate lowers blood pressure and the chance of heart disease. It’s better for a cough than codeine. Chocolate is a powerful antioxidant, which is believed to prevent cancer. Even just the smell of chocolate increases brain waves that trigger relaxation. It’s the sugar that’s not good for you. In fact, the darker the chocolate, the better it is for you.
See what I mean? It just makes you want to grab a bar, smell it, and savor the silky rich flavor as it melts in your mouth.
Which country eats the most chocolate per capita? Think you know? If you guessed Switzerland, you’re right. It’s first place in the world in chocolate consumption, with over twenty-three and a half pounds of chocolate per person per year. Makes you think about moving there, doesn’t it? Austria is a close second at twenty-one and a half pounds. In spite of my own personal contributions to tilt the US numbers, we’re far down the list, with under twelve pounds per person per year. We’re even behind Australia. Australia! Friends, we need to step up our game. We won’t regret it.
Want some more chocolate fun? We’ve included a printable with more chocolate questions—and answers! We’ve already given you the answers to a few of the questions. You’re on your own for the rest. ~Janelle
Don’t miss our Austrian Pack-n-Go Girls Adventures
Mystery of the Ballerina Ghost
Nine-year-old Brooke Mason has lived all her life on a ranch in the Colorado Rockies. Now she’s headed to Austria with her mom. Brooke can’t wait! They even get to stay in Schloss Mueller, an ancient Austrian castle. Even better? There’s a girl Brooke’s age to play with! Eva, the girl who lives in Schloss Mueller is thrilled to meet Brooke. Unfortunately, the castle’s ghost isn’t quite so happy.
Mystery of the Secret Room
It’s raining so Brooke and Eva have nothing to do but play hide and seek in the castle’s attic. It’s just an ordinary game on an ordinary rainy afternoon. But then Brooke stumbles into a room everyone has forgotten for decades. A beautiful porcelain doll sits at a table set for tea for two. It’s as if she’s been waiting for Brooke and Eva to arrive.
Mystery at the Christmas Market
What could be more perfect than Christmas in Kitzbuhel? Brooke’s family arrives just in time for some great Austrian skiing during the day and the magical Christmas market in the evening. And it would be perfect except for the two mysterious strangers who have a dangerous plan for Brooke and Eva.