The Chocolate Therapist [Paperback]

Julie Pech (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2007

News about dark chocolate is all over the internet and newspapers, but this is the first book to consolidate all the healthy facts into a one stop information center, a must-have resource for chocolate lovers all over the world. Both entertaining and educational, The Chocolate Therapist will help readers discover the extraordinary health benefits of chocolate. It's filled with information that every devout chocolate connoisseur should have committed to memory, yet there are plenty of important facts for the amateur chocolate lover as well. After a brief history of chocolate, you'll find guidelines on how eat chocolate properly and how to select the best chocolate for maximum health. The majority of the book is written in a "prescription style" format -- a recommended chocolate bar for your health concern, backed by current research and statistics as to why and how it can help. There's also a handy reference guide in the appendix to help you locate! the best chocolate all over the world.

The book is entertaining and certain to conjure up a few laughs, but it's also loaded with valuable statistics that will have you reaching for chocolate over chips or chicken nuggets every chance you have. By the time you've finished reading, you'll be healthier, happier, and eating chocolate absolutely guilt-free.

Editorial Reviews

Review

‘This book tells you how to indulge your passion with tips on the health benefits of chocolate.' (Healthy Magazine, September 2010). ‘An enjoyable and educational read.' (The Sunday Post, October 2010). ‘You're gearing up for Christmas, you're surrounded by chocolate. Relax, it could seriously improve your health.' (Bella, December 2010). ‘This is a whole book devoted to indulgent remedies…give it to your girlfriends- they'll love you for it!' (Prima, Jnauary 2011). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

The delicious way to stay healthy and happy

Yes, it's true. Chocolate is one of the healthiest foods you can eat?in fact, so healthy that research has shown it can be helpful for everything from allergies to vitamin deficiencies. It can even help you combat weight gain. With the knowledge and guidance you'll find in The Chocolate Therapist, you'll learn how to enjoy a little chocolate every day, guilt-free, for the benefit of your health and without gaining weight.

Chocolate expert Julie Pech fills you in on the history and production methods of chocolate, reveals its many health benefits, and guides you on how to select and consume the healthiest and tastiest brands. You'll discover how to make the most of your love of chocolate with:

• Chocolate remedies for more than sixty alphabetized ailments

• A wine & chocolate pairing section including over forty wines with three chocolate pairings each

• A brief history of chocolate and bean-to-bar production methods

• The Chocolate Bible: A unique compilation of Web sites, chocolate companies, international brands, and research sites

• "Where Do You Hide Your Chocolate?"?fun stories from closeted chocolate lovers

Complete with a comprehensive chocolate dictionary and a treasure trove of irresistible chocolate recipes, The Chocolate Therapist is the ultimate, one-stop resource for anyone who loves chocolate. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (February 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412047420
• ISBN-13: 978-1412047425
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,760,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Joy of (Dark) Chocolate, May 19, 2006

By 

Susie M. Paige - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chocolate Therapist (Paperback)

Julie Pech has compiled an informative, enjoyable and useful book on the history of dark chocolate and its medicinal purposes. Prescriptions for ailments from anemia to stress all have chocolate as their base. What a way to get well without side effects! Don't skip the sections on how to buy and eat chocolate. I was amazed at what I didn't know and what I've been missing out on. Recipes, resources and recommendations all make The Chocolate Therapist: Chocolate Remedies for a World of Ailments the perfect gift to include with each and every box of the dark delectable fruit (yes, chocolate is in the fruit family) you give from now on.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not recommended, March 17, 2009

By 

Adrenalin Streams (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chocolate Therapist (Paperback)

I'm sure that the author is genuinely enthusiastic about her subject and wants to communicate that to the public. However, I am not happy at all about the claims set out in this book. Yes, there is increasing scientific evidence to back up the suggestion that the polyphenols in chocolate may have some potential health benefits. As a result, major confectionery companies in Europe have started to make limited claims, based on this science, for some of their high cocoa solid dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids and over). These claims centre on the cell protection qualities of the polyphenols. However, solid scientific support for the wide number of claims made by the author in this book, is not, to my knowledge, there at present - you can bet that the confectionery companies would already be making any claim that they could scientifically back up. The "Supporting Evidence" section after each claim made in the book is, in my opinion, inadequate. To make such claims there should at a minimum be footnotes showing the relevant published scientific studies on which the author relies. The comments on the back of the book state that "The book is wonderful entertainment and it will certainly make you laugh". However, combining health claims with entertainment in this way is, I believe, treading on dangerous ground (particularly in Europe). A thoroughly researched and cross-referenced book on the potential health benefits of chocolate would be a fantastic addition to literary canon on the subject - but this is not that book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chocolate IS Magic!, February 25, 2006

By 

Linda Baker (Coquitlam, BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chocolate Therapist (Paperback)

I loved the information, and how easy it was to understand the science behind why good chocolate is good for us. Julie's writing style is very warm and friendly, and she has a great sense of humour and down-to-earth approach about her subject. This book plus some good quality dark chocolate makes a great, inexpensive but wickedly indulgent gift for almost anyone. Her research helped me understand why a little good chocolate every day IS good for us, and now I don't crave the sugar-filled cheap stuff.