Chocolate can be healthy.  Researchers have been touting for years that it is high in antioxidants, releases endorphins (feel good hormones), reduces stress, elicits a pain relieving effect, and may reduce the risk of heart attack and cancer.

   Unfortunately, many people divulge in chocolate that is too high in calories and laden with less desirable ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, etc. and, to top it off, most candy bars do not have enough pure cocoa to elicit such said health benefits within the body, anyways. 

   Pure cocoa will allow you to have your chocolate and all of it's health benefits when it is prepared as a nutritionally sound food.  The following soup is a nice change, it has a robust, meaty, flavor, is very high in fiber, and is a bit addictive...as chocolate tends to be.

Ingredients:

   16oz bag dried black beans
   10 cups water
   1 tsp. salt
   1 large green bell pepper, cored and halved
   1/2 cup peanut oil
   1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced
   4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
   1 small green hot pepper, halved and seeded
   3 tsp. salt
   1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
   1 1/2 tbs. cocoa powder
   1 bay leaf
   1/4 tsp. whole cumin seed
   1 tsp. splenda
   2 1/2 tbs. red wine vinegar
   1 tbs. olive oil

   Rinse the beans, add the salt and green pepper, and soak overnight.  In a large, 6 quart soup pot, bring the beans, water, salt, and pepper to a boil.  Simmer 45 minutes.  Remove from heat and discard the pepper pieces.

   Heat the peanut oil in a saucepan and sauté the onion, garlic, and green hot pepper until soft.  Remove 2 1/2 cups of bean broth from the pot and add it to the frying pan, simmering for 10 minutes.  Strain the onions, garlic, and hot pepper from the broth and discard them.  Add the seasoned broth to the soup pot along with the salt, pepper, cocoa, bay leaf, cumin, and splenda.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, or until thickened.  You may need to add water if too much boils away.  

   Add the vinegar and olive oil before serving.  Makes 8 servings.
   
   Nutrition Information - Calories - 228, Fat - 14g, Carbohydrates - 35g, Fiber - 23g, Protein - 14g