Avocados!

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Avocados provide nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. They also help absorption of fat-soluble nutrients in other foods eaten with the fruit.

Eggs!

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REALLY TRULY FRESH eggs are absolutely the best. And I'm not just talking flavor! Or the fact that it's harder to accidentally break their yolk when you're trying to flip them (they're firmer). Of course, it is hard to find studies on nutrient value of fresh eggs because there is no money for studies in anything but the big commercial producers.
But Mother Earth News did a study on eggs they picked up from 14 different farms who have eggs from pastured chickens. They tested the eggs for Vit. A, Vit. E, Beta Carotene, Omega 3's, Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. Here are the results compared to the USDAs results for commercial eggs:
Fresh eggs from pastured chickens have:
  • 1/3 less cholesterol
  • 1/4 less saturated fat
  • 2/3 more vitamin A
  • 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
  • 3 times more vitamin E
  • 7 times more beta carotene
Check http://www.localharvest.org/ to find egg farmers near you! Chickens, although messy, are fairly easy to keep and are great for your backyard/garden economy. You CAN raise your own (check with city ordinances). They will not only give you fresh eggs, but they are excellent insect and weed control. They also fertilize for free! Here is a great site on raising your own backyard chickens. www.backyardchickens.com
And in case you were wondering about the study... http://www.motherearthnews.com/uploadedFiles/Eggs%20chart.pdf


Chocolate! (Cacao beans)

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Chocolate IS good for you! Provided you're getting the right kind - darker is better. Darker chocolate contains less added sugar and is less processed, therefore more nutrient dense. Cocoa beans contain:
  • Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid.
  • Essential minerals, including magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese.
  • Phenylethylamine - similar to the body's own dopamine and adrenaline.
  • Polyphenols (similar to those found in wine) with antioxidant properties. These compounds are called flavonoids and include catechins, epicatechins, and procyandins.
  • Approximately 50% fat. It is primarily comprised of two saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) and one mono-unsaturated acid (oleic acid).
  • Theobromine -  WARNING: Theobromine can be toxic to animals like dogs, cats, parrots and horses.
Health Benefits of Chocolate - Not just good for your body, but for your sanity as well!
  • The flavinoids reduce the blood's ability to clot and thus reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks. Flavonol-rich cocoa and chocolate act similarly to low-dose aspirin in promoting healthy blood flow.
  • Nitric oxide (a free radical) plays an important role in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure and, in turn, cardiovascular health.
  • Cocoa butter and chocolate do not raise blood cholesterol. (However, milk chocolate or lower grade chocolate where a part of the total fat content comes from milk fat or various other types of fat, the cholesterol level might be adversely affected.)
  • Phenylethylamine, Theobromine, Seratonine, and Caffiene - mild stimulants and anti-depressants.
  • An Italian study has shown that consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate can significantly reduce levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (stuff that's bad for your heart).
  • Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, lessens anxiety by producing the neurotransmitter serotonin; endorphins, the body's natural opiates, reduce sensitivity to pain.
  • Anandamide acts like a cannabinoid to promote relaxation.
  • Chocolate is a natural analgesic, and high-fat, chocolate foods trigger the brain's production of natural opiates.
So, let's sum this all up. Chocolate gives you an energy boost, less anxiety, less pain, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk of heart disease-who wouldn't want to eat something that did all that and could still be SO delicious?