Yes, Ladies, Chocolate is Good For You!

Fans of the hit TV show “The Closer” are familiar with Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson’s penchant for chocolate. And we women already know that chocolate is the remedy for anything that ails us. Now there is evidence that supports what we ladies already knew intuitively – that chocolate is good for you!
 
Cathy Bouchard, founder and owner of the popular downtown Naperville shop Le Chocolat du Bouchard (or Le Chocolat Bar as it is known by many), embarked on a personal search for anything that would relieve the chronic pain associated with her fibromyalgia. For almost a decade, Cathy suffered from pain so severe that she no longer enjoyed living. Thus began her personal quest for a remedy and she engaged upon extensive research. Cathy stumbled on European literature from the 16th and 17th century about the health benefits of chocolate and was used as an elixir for royalty.
 
To her amazement, her research revealed that chocolate – in its pure form Theo-Broma-Cacao – contains 512 complex compounds (such as vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that your body needs daily), more than any other food known to man! After having had high cacao content chocolate daily for several weeks, one day Cathy suddenly realized that she was pain free:  not only was she doing laundry and going grocery shopping, she was also engaging in all kinds of activities that she had not been able to perform in years. The sudden realization that the elimination of her pain was due to the cacao caused her to be ecstatic!
 
Cathy’s research also uncovered that cacao contains natural antioxidants that, among numerous health benefits,  can contribute to reducing blood pressure, eliminating chronic pain, reducing LDL cholesterol, increasing stamina and energy, and can even contribute to weight loss!
 
Since her discovery, Cathy has become an advocate of spreading the benefits of chocolate. Cathy emphasizes that she is referring to “pure chocolate” – not American candy bars or other products that sometimes contain only 7-8% cacao combined with mounds of sugar and hydrogenated oil (“bad” transfats). Cathy stresses that pure chocolate is something quite different and is actually quite difficult to find in the U.S.  –  there are only a very few shops in the entire country where pure chocolate can be purchased. LeChocolat du Bouchard in Naperville is one of them.
 
Among the tidbits Cathy uncovered was that natural cacao is the only known food that does not decay. This discovery was made by archeologists who, exploring ancient Mayan ruins several centuries old came upon some chocolate which had been buried in a royal tomb. The chocolate had no mold on it and still tasted like chocolate - despite having been buried for over 800 hundreds years! Cacao was considered a sacred drink so it’s no surprise that the translation of the term “Theo-Broma-Cacao” is “the Food of the Gods”.
 
Cathy also emphasizes that many people mistake dark chocolate as pure chocolate. While pure chocolate is darker in color than the milk chocolate we are used to, pure chocolate contains none of the bitterness usually associated with dark chocolate. In America, most dark chocolate is not real chocolate because it contains milk and milk fat, components that block the healthy anti-oxidants of cacao. Because it is both filling and nutritious, many people have been able to lose weight by simply being on a chocolate diet!
 
Cathy’s discovery motivated her to open a chocolate shop and dessert café where only the finest chocolate from her travels as well as pure chocolate can be purchased.  Her chocolate shop was so popular that Cathy had to move to larger quarters (over 4,000 square feet) on Washington Street in the heart of downtown Naperville.
 
From the first step into LeChocolat’s foyer, you will think you’ve entered chocolate heaven! Experience a grand assortment of chocolates from around the world and sense that you are truly surrounded by the “Food of the Gods” . Your senses will be stimulated not only by the aromas coming from the in-house bakery, but also from the visual beauty of a wide assortment of daily desserts, cakes, pastries, cookies and dessert bars.
 
The current location even includes a “chocolate bar” complete with beverages such as chocolate “martinis”, espressos and the largest selection of decadent hot chocolates you’ll ever see!
 
The shop also has a private party room which can accommodate up to 45 people. The staff has fun with themed events such as “Death by Chocolate”, Wine/Chocolate Tastings, Fondue Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Ladies Night Out and more. The party room can also accommodate corporate luncheons or functions, seminars or other special events. From intimate Bridal and Baby Showers to Financial Seminars, Book Club Meetings and Bunco Nights – the elegant glass top tables amid soft caramel and rich chocolate tones lends itself to most any event! Let a LeChocolat Event Coordinator assist you in planning your delightfully decadent event!
 
In addition to operating the shop, Cathy is also a frequent lecturer on the health benefits of “real” chocolate and is available for presentations.
 
For more information, visit www.LeChocolatBar.com or contact them at 630-355-5720 or via email LeChocolatBar@sbcglobal.net.