Good news chocolate lovers! Preliminary evidence shows that cocoa and other chocolates may help you keep high blood pressure down, your heart healthy and you blood flowing strong.  But when all you crave is a good chocolate fix… who cares about all that! Now you can take that chocoholic status one step further – the chocolate pedicure.

Popular at many high-end salons, the chocolate pedicure wraps you in the warm smell of cocoa from the moment you begin. Depending on your location, expect to pay at least $50 for a full chocolate spa treatment, or you can create your own at-home chocolate pedicure for a fraction of the price. Add a mocha, some truffles or even M&M’s and you might get your sweetie to join you!

Start things off with a warm soak in a basin or foot spa. Add unscented foaming bath gel while filling with very warm water and sprinkle with pure cocoa. Relax and let your skin soften as long as the water stays warm. (Hint: have a carafe of hot water beside you so you can maintain the water temperature.) Follow with a chocolate scented scrub from heel to toe and a pumice stone on any dry patches. Next comes the wonderful paraffin wrap. You can purchase chocolate paraffin or add the same cocoa or chocolate oil to regular paraffin for the same effect. Allow paraffin to heat until melted then add the powder or oil and blend well. If you don’t have access to paraffin wraps, strips of paper towel will work nicely. Heat your paraffin (those mini crock pots work well) and dip your strips. It works best to glide the strips gently over the surface. Allow excess to drip and wrap strips from ankle to toes covering all your skin. Sit back and enjoy until the strips have cooled. Starting at the ankle, slide the strips off and rinse your feet. Follow with a rich cocoa butter cream massage. Here is where it pays to do this with the one you love, after all, Harvard studies show that men who ate three chocolate bars a month lived longer than the ones who didn’t. Be sure to hit those pressure points and don’t neglect the toes. If you’re enjoying your pedicure during blissfully quiet “alone time,” try a massage ball or roller. Finish with a coat of your favorite nail polish and, what the heck, another piece of chocolate.

Not only was your pedicure relaxing, the antioxidants found naturally in chocolate help protect the skin from free-radicals, pollution and sun damage, so don’t be afraid to limit chocolate treatments to your feet. The same treatment on your hands and even whole body soaks in chocolate oils found at many beauty supply stores or high-end shops are good and good for you.

Important note! Cocoa may stain containers and dry skin. Be prepared with a loofah or pumice stone.

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