I Love Chocolate & I Also Love the Earth! - Tutus Green World

I Love Chocolate & I Also Love the Earth!

February 15, 2021

Valentine’s Day is here! A day where we all show our spouses, significant others, family and friends that we love them. Now we show them love everyday, but on Valentine’s Day, we lay it on a little extra. We give flowers, plush toys, and my all time favorite, CHOCOLATE! I love chocolate! I like chocolate with nuts, with caramel, but it must be dark chocolate.

 

Chocolate can actually be very healthy. It is made from the seed of the cacao tree and is very high in antioxidants and also lowers your risk of heart disease. Let me reiterate, this is dark chocolate, not the usual Valentine’s Day chocolate that’s loaded with sugar. Dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content qualifies as quality chocolate.

 Look for this image on the packaging.
Look for this image on the packaging.

According to delish.com around 60 million pounds of chocolate are purchased and consumed around and on Valentine’s Day!  All of this yummy chocolate, unfortunately is the reason for widespread deforestation.  Most of the chocolate we consume comes from cocoa beans grown in West Africa.  Unfortunately, the practices of harvesting the cocoa are oppressive.  It’s important to look for Fair Trade Certified chocolate.  Chocolate with this label is grown without the use of mass deforestation or the use of child labor to grow, harvest and transport the cocoa beans. Cocoa farming in countries such as the Ivory Coast, have been responsible for about 70% of the country’s deforestation. The cocoa is a $100 billion dollar industry but the 5 million small cocoa farmers make a very meager living.  Supporting Fair Trade Certified chocolate, helps to establish more sustainable production practices that will benefit the Earth and also the livelihoods of those farmers. It’s a win win for us all. You can eat your chocolate sweets with a clear conscious. It’s good for you AND good for the Earth.

 

So today and every time you want a chocolate treat, let’s take the time to select the Fair Trade option.  You can find a list of Fair Trade Chocolate Brands here:  https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/fair-trade-chocolate

 IMG_1791.jpg IMG_1793.jpg



The kids and I love these two brands (Thrive, Unreal). Enjoy!




Also in TuTu's Green Stuff Blog

Deck the Halls Sustainably: Joyful Ideas for Eco-Friendly Holiday Decor
Deck the Halls Sustainably: Joyful Ideas for Eco-Friendly Holiday Decor

December 06, 2023

The holiday season is upon us, and it's time to sprinkle some festive cheer around our homes. But wait, let's jingle all the way in an eco-friendly style this year! Swapping out the usual tinsel and baubles for sustainable holiday decorations is not only kind to Mother Earth but also heaps of fun. Here are some merry and bright ideas for decking your halls sustainably!

Read More

Small Acts, Big Impacts: Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving Tips for Kids
Small Acts, Big Impacts: Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving Tips for Kids

November 08, 2023

Read More

Turning Fall Bounty into Compost Gold: What to Add to Your Compost Pile
Turning Fall Bounty into Compost Gold: What to Add to Your Compost Pile

October 05, 2023

As the leaves begin to change colors and pumpkins adorn porches, it's the perfect time to talk about composting during the fall season. Composting is not only a sustainable way to reduce waste, but it can also transform your garden soil into nutrient-rich goodness. There are various fall items you can add to your compost pile to enrich your soil and promote a healthier environment. Additionally, the delightful children's book, "Soil Magic," teaches young readers about composting and the items that can be composted.

Read More