THERESA: No wonder we feel good after working out! Exercise makes you feel as happy as a box of chocolates! This story got me to thinking, as Valentine's Day approaches, about our relationship to chocolate. I love it, but it makes me more hyper than coffee, so I go easy on the stuff. And three pieces of Russell Stover dark chocolates have 190 calories! (And let's be realistic, after you open a big heart-shaped box, who stops at three?)

There are low-carb chocolates on the market. Russell Stover markets a whole line of 'em. That company's CEO describes himself as a "low-carb person" but the calorie count on these candies is about the same as the company's standard chocolates. So those don't interest me.

What about you, Girlfriends? Do you love chocolate? If so, how do you work it into your healthy lifestyle? And are there low-calorie chocolate treats you can recommend?

YVONNE W: My problem is I not only have a relationship with chocolate, but all things "SWEET".

LAURIE: I sometimes have to have some chocolate. If I'm anxious, or around certain times of the month, even a little bit gives me a lift. I used to try to eat something else, but then I'd just eat something else AND chocolate.

Now I keep a Cadbury dark chocolate bar around the house (and at my desk, Girlfriends!), or some of those little Dove Bar chocolates, for when I need a fix. It's gotta be a chemical thing because I instantly feel better.

WENDY: Is there anyone in the whole wide world who doesn't love chocolate? (Other than people with allergies or something, which would be very rough.) There are some things that are worth the calories. (This is reminding me of our Girl Scout cookie riff!)

ELLEN: As I said yesterday, I’ve got M&Ms on my desk in a mouse-proof container. Please feel free to come by when you need that very necessary choco-lift. I’m noticing monthly patterns among our male colleagues. ;)

THERESA: Theresa: I used to eat so much chocolate when I was younger. A Butterfingers bar or a bag of peanut M&Ms or a Mr. Goodbar was a regular snack for me. I never indulge like that now (though I do munch on the M&Ms in Ellen's office from time to time!) Maybe that's why a big hit of chocolate now makes me feel kind of edgy.

JILL: I have a T-shirt in my office that say: "Hand over the chocolate and no one will get hurt." I absolutely have to have chocolate every day or life ain't worth living. I buy a couple of one-bite candies at the WaWa regularly to avoid eating huge amounts of it. Chocolate and bread are the two things I have problems controlling. I'll actually reduce my food intake to make room for chocolate calories. Sometimes, there's just no substitute.

THERESA: Jill, you'd love the cookbook my son gave me for Christmas, "1001 Chocolate Treats." (I think the boy feels chocolate-deprived.) I rewarded his generosity with a big batch of double chocolate chip cookies.

JENICE: All this chocolate talk has got me craving some!