Given a choice between flowers and chocolates, which would you pick? Hmmmm. Roses fade fast. A box of truffles can disappear overnight (and show up on your hips almost as quickly). How about this instead: Indulge your sweetie, yourself, or your favorite chocoholic with one of these chocolate-enriched, zero-calorie treats. They're original, irresistible, and long-lasting enough to make this holiday memorable.
1. Chocolate Lip Smoothie -- Talk about kissable! Give your poor winter mouth a rich makeover with Ganache for Lips balm. Made with real Scharffen Berger chocolate, each creamy tube is loaded with uber-moisturizing, all-natural ingredients: shea butter, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and more. Available in flavors that just may put a damper on truffle temptation, like Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Raspberry. About $4
2. Brownie for Your Body -- How's this for multitasking: an exfoliating "brownie mix" that banishes dead, dry skin cells while it moisturizes and scents every inch. Dark Chocolate Cocoa Bean Shea Sugar Scrub by Shea Terra Organics uses crushed cocoa beans and sugar -- the exfolliant du jour -- to smooth skin, shea butter to moisturize it, and chocolate liquor and vanilla extract to romance the senses. About $16
3. Creamy Skin Surprise -- These body-butter confections not only come packaged in a miniature chocolate box but also look and smell like real white chocolate truffles. Just don't let your sweetheart eat them. Drop one into a hot bath and watch the creamy "candy" melt into a delicious aromatherapy treat for mind and body. Bon Voyage Roman Holiday White Chocolate Gourmet Bath Truffles by Treat. About $25
4. Luscious Times Three -- This three-pack may be the perfect Valentine for members of the never-enough club. The Just Because kit by Philosophy includes Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, and White Chocolate cleansers. Each 3-in-1 formula can be used as a shampoo, body wash, and bubble bath. (Our flavor fave: Dark Chocolate. It smells so good, you won't want to rinse.) About $30
Okay, we know smelling is not the same as chewing, and sometimes there's just no substitute for the real thing. There's also no substitute in Candyland for the flavonols found in rich dark chocolate -- the kind where the label reads at least 70% cocoa.
