The winter “Fearless Flyer” finally arrived last week at my local Trader Joe’s.  After enjoying their product anecdotes, I used the new little shopping checklist within the flyer (nice marketing tactic) to ensure I didn’t miss anything.  Today I managed to shake the husband for some relaxing aisle cruising.  It is always such madness at Trader Joe’s on the weekend that shopping with anyone else can be a nightmare.  Solo, I was able to linger, check out products, and read ingredient labels to my heart’s content!  As luck would have it, I did find a few new gems…

So we went to my grandmother’s house yesterday to help with some computer troubles (my whole family is glad I married an engineer), and she took us out for lunch to a new “Feel Good Fast Food” chain, EVOS.  This new franchise recently set-up shop in Henderson, NV (Las Vegas) and currently has a few locations in Florida.  I am guessing, more locations will begin popping up soon.

We were all intrigued with the menu of free-range burgers and sandwiches (hormone and antibiotic free), air-baked French fries, and the assortment of vegan options.  My grandma ordered the turkey and avocado wrap that was on special for the day, my husband ordered the EVOS Freerange Steakburger w/ air-baked fries and a drink, and I picked up a large Mango Guava Fruitshake and a large air-baked fries. 

No, I am not on a diet, but alas, with the current wheat-free diet my doctor has recommended, my choices on the EVOS board were a bit limited.  The sandwiches and wraps were out (the idea of eating the filling without the wrap or bun just isn’t my thing), and though the Spicy Thai Chicken Salad sounded fabulous, they bread (and of course bake) all of their chicken and fish.

The verdict?...

Whole Foods has announced that they plan to purchase rival Wild Oats Market.  It isn’t a major surprise to see the country’s largest natural food retailer gobble up their number two competitor.  Especially as their slowing growth could benefit from the positive momentum that the Wild Oat’s family of stores has been experiencing.

In fact, Whole Foods has a huge opportunity to benefit from this merger in many ways.  Though many Wild Oats and Whole Foods stores are in common cities and regions, Wild Oats seems to pursue lower rent neighborhoods, which are rarely occupied by the big block Whole Foods stores.  Strategically, it may permit them to gain a bigger piece of the pie in neighborhoods where they lack presence.  In addition, the buyout should allow Whole Foods to utilize their already existing distribution network to reduce costs across the board.  Unfortunately, it is also probable that they will reduce costs if they merge workforces and layoff any duplicate employees.  Nonetheless, reduced costs and a bigger market share will increase their staying power against the new natural food aisles popping up in traditional grocers. 

But, investor relations aside, I can’t help but wonder, how will this merger effect consumers? 

It is true, we may soon be emerging from the wishful thinking phase.  Though it has yet to hit my doctor's recommended diet list, cocoa is making significant headway into the world of ‘superfoods.’  Recent reports have pegged the flavanols in chocolate as skin protecting, heart-healthy, and now brain boosting.

A study publicized this past week demonstrated the ability of flavanol-rich cocoa to increase cerebral blood flow to gray matter.  Loosely translated, cocoa may offer potential prevention and treatment options for vascular impairment, including dementia and strokes.  Plus, the increase in brain circulation could help with daily fatigue and sleep deprivation.
 
Related studies tout the aspirin like effect of cocoa flavanols.  In promotion of heart-health, it appears that high-flavanol foods may improve overall blood flow, reduce blood clotting, and cool inflammation.
 
This good news adds to other beneficial flavanol findings from 2006.  For example, German scientists found that daily consumption of high-flavanol cocoa offered protection against several types of sun damage.  Although chocolate does not yet pose a threat to sunscreen, the possibility for smoother and healthier skin could brighten the moods of many chocoholics.
 
So what are these flavanols?  Flavanols are a type of flavonoid, or plant-based antioxidants active in the fight against free radicals.  Though not quite as indulgent as a bar of dark chocolate, green and black tea, various fruits, and some vegetables are also rich in beneficial flavanols. 
 
To keep things in perspective, most of the above noted studies were very (very) small, with less than 25 participants.  It should also be disclosed that Mars, the world’s largest chocolate company, has had a very big hand in the funding of recent cocoa flavanol studies.  However, since it is chocolate, I have no plans to publicly question the validity of their findings at this point.
 
Yet, there is one definite catch.  Flavanols add such a bitter taste to chocolate, that they are usually removed in processing.  Most of the research noted has focused on unsweetened cocoa or specially formulated high-flavanol chocolate, not the type we typically buy in the grocery store.  As chocolate moves from bean to bar, flavanols are lost within each processing step.
 
Luckily, all is not lost.  To get the most flavanol power for your money, consider the following indulgent options:

On a holiday that revolves around chocolate, dairy-free and vegan diets threaten to take away some of the romance.  Luckily, carefully selected foods and some homemade goodies can offer indulgence to your favorite special diet Valentine, even if it is you!