so a very official book came across my desk when i worked at the library. it’s called “The PMDD Phenomenon” – about PMS and PMDD – written by Diana L. Dell, M.D., FACOG (certified in OB-GYN and Psychiatry).
so i flipped through this book to see what women might be able to do to relieve some of those nasty PMS symptoms, and i was SO excited to find this:
…chocolate contains compounds that can increase levels of neurotransmitters, including the all-important serotonin. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (which improves mood), methylxanthines (which act like stimulants), and N-acylethanolamines (which can chemically alter the functioning of serotonin and other neurochemicals, and help to create a sense of well-being). Further, it has been suggested that chocolate increases serotonin production in the brain. Even the American Dietetic Association acknowledges that chocolate cravings are common, and that rather than deny this powerful force, women can find ways to incorporate chocolate in moderation into their healthful diet.
finally, someone official telling me i’m NOT crazy! i KNEW it!
having any cravings today??
Chocolate in moderation… is that possible for the chocoholic?
I am craving sweet potato fries
I’m craving that I need exercise after my ” week” of chocolate:)
The CRITCALLY important words above are…”in MODERATION into their HEATH-FUL diet”.
And to be specifically pedantic – NO-ONE said you were not Crazy, Lady
You’re friends (and me) KNOW you better than that!!
As for Trace – she has a fair point!? I pray her fries are not dipped in melted chocolate – not good! – SO not good
<B
Traciejean: Did you say sweet potato fries??? I have never heard of that..
Chocolate is medicinal……. period.
My craving this morning, a good plate of biscuits and gravy, it’s 5:28 in the a.m. so chocolate doesn’t sound so good.
or maybe
A warmed cinnamon roll
Thanks Mandy… Now I am hungry
Sweet Potato Fries are BIG up here.
hhhmmmm….. i think i’m gonna have a chocolate donut for breakfast (sorry, Love!)
The only time I really want chocolate is during my time of the month. Any other time I could take it or leave it. I knew there had to be something to all those cravings people talk about all the time!
“having any cravings today”
Now I’m having a craving for chocolate! Thanks for the support of the my habit!
I am one of the crazy people who does not crave chocolate. SO Love: no fries dipped in chocolate for me. I like sweet potato fries dipped in blue cheese. And Heidi: they are so delicious, they sell them in the grocery stores now.
@ng: isn’t it great to know we’re not crazy?
Well, I suddenly have a craving to visit another blog…
You are asking a pregnant woman if she has cravings ….. um never! Ok lightening just hit my computer … I have cravings ALL.THE.TIME!!!!
My great grandmother ate a little bit of chocolate everyday and she lived to be 102 so it can’t be all that bad for yeou! We loved to go visit her when we were kids so we could get into her chocolate stash. I ate a whole bag of Peanut M&Ms on my way to Atlanta yesterday so i am good on chocolate for awhile.
MMMMMMM peanut butter M&Ms..
It’s also an aphrodisiac.
Thanks, Total! I guess somebody had to say it.
I always crave greasy food. It’s bad. Real bad.
Like, fried potatoes…oh my. It’s bad.
Oh, and mexican food. I could eat mexican food everyday for the rest of my life and I’m ALWAYS wanting it.
And yeah, chocolate is a weakness. If it’s in the house, it doesn’t have long to live.
“having any cravings today??” I wasn’t until I read this!!!!
I’m craving some fried pickles and sweet tea….only one restraunt we’ve found here serves them….sigh….just not the south around here! 
Oh, Mandy! My cravings didn’t start until I read biscuits and gravy and warm cinammon rolls!!!
Thanks, thanks a LOT.
Fried potatoes and Mexican food!!!
Why, Brandy, why??
Maybe I need to eat lunch, it will probably be Tex-Mex!
peanut butter. just peanut butter. straight out of the jar. or with a banana.
what does that do for my seratonin?
YES, YES, YES! This is a startling descovery and I’m having a party in my cube right now with my snicker’s bar!
And I just had vanilla and orange sherbert popsicles…Not exactly chocolate, but come on it is HOT here…:)We craved some crabs, caught one, and gave it away thinking, oh yea, we will catch much more.
“Thanks, Total! I guess somebody had to say it.”
And I guess I had to be the one.
hey y’all!
to those of you who are “thanking” me:
you’re welcome!
hehehe!!!!
ok. so i just had two ~ yes TWO ~ chocolate chip cookies… mmm… and a big lemonade. from the lemonade stand the kids have on campus.
it’s for a good cause, y’all.
to ease your conscience, you COULD just eat Girl Scout Cookies. it’s like eating for charity!!! i think that’s biblical somehow.
…well, maybe not.
Cookies for charity have no calories, I learned that in my nutrition classes,
Mom always said that when you break the cookie in half all the calories fall out. Works for me!
so oreos ARE good for me.
YESSSS!!!!
Just remember you can have chocolate as part of your main course for dinner. I found this recipe that looks interesting, Just make sure the sauce is “goopy” and to add some “greenish stuff”.
Chocolate Chicken:
2 chicken breasts
1 teaspoon semisweet or unsweetened cococa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 dash of cayenne pepper or dried red chili pepper (a dash? Right! – I am thinking more like some habanero peppers)
enough lemon juice to make it “goopy”. (goopy must be some southern word.)
1 tablespoon cilantro or basil, or other “greenish stuff”. (I unfortunately do have some greenish stuff in the fridge. Don’t think I care to try eating it.
Directions;
1. Put everything but the chicken in a cereal bowl and mix it up. (Now were taking about having some fun. This step would be real fun if you have kids. Some of the sauce might even get in the bowl.
2. Wash the chicken, coat it with the mix, cook the chicken, (Just fire up the old barbie to about 1,000 degrees and fry those suckers.)
I went to the Tim the Tool Man Taylor school of cooking.
The favorite of all my friends seems to to be toffee and from what I hear, it’s also less fattening… My favorite: http://www.marketstreettoffee.com