Alter Eco - Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters, seeds and salt - Feb. 20, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Alter Eco
Organic Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters - seeds and salt
Good
Weight: 1.02 oz. (29 g.) / 3.2 oz. (91 g.) in total package
Calories: 160 calories in 1/4 cup
Cost: $1.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's package of Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters (with) seeds and salt was distributed by Alter Eco (San Francisco, CA).

These organic, 70% cocoa dark chocolate pieces were topped with a pleasant, authentic tasting layer of coconut. Flavors and textures were well balanced. They were not too sweet (thank you). Pumpkin and sunflower seeds added a soft crunch. And sea salt provided a hint of savory sparkle.

Luna - Rica Chocolate Coconut Almond bar - Feb. 19, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company
Luna - Rica - Chocolate Coconut Almond bar
Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 16.92 oz. (480 g.) in total box of 12 bars
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $6.99 for 1 box of 12 bars
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week, and Day #3 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Luna Rica Chocolate Coconut Almond bar was from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA). The Luna Rica filled bars are relatively new. ("Rica" means rich and delicious in Spanish.)

This almond butter filled fruit and nut bar was quite sweet. Organic date paste was the first ingredient listed on the label, followed by Organic almond butter and Organic unsweetened chocolate. It also contained dried cane syrup. Further down the ingredient list was organic coconut.

The segmented bar was, as promised, rich in flavor. (I would have preferred a less sweet bar with no sea salt myself, but others will like this.)

For those who are concerned about allergens, this organic bar was gluten free, but contained soy, peanuts, almonds, cashews and coconut.

Larabar - Coconut Kale Cacao bar - Feb. 18, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Larabar
Organic with Superfoods - Coconut Kale Cacao bar
Good
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.50 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #9 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Larabar Organic Coconut Kale Cacao bar was distributed by Small Planet Foods, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN).

This organic bar had an easy chew with rich date, chocolate and coconut flavor. Cacao nibs gave this bar a slightly crunchy texture and authentic cacao flavor. (For those with a fear of greens, the kale was well incorporated and did not impart any obvious flavor.)

*Ingredients: Organic Dates, Organic Almonds, Organic Coconut, Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Kale and Organic Cocoa Powder.

Siren Snacks - Dark Chocolate Brownie Protein Bites - Feb. 17, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Siren Snacks Inc.
Dark Chocolate Brownie Protein Bites
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total package
Calories: 100 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Brownie Protein Bites were from Siren Snacks Inc. (San Francisco, CA).

These snackable bites had the texture of a firm but soft-baked cookie, and were dairy, gluten, grain, soy and GMO free. The protein came from pea protein (#1 ingredient listed). Dates and coconut sugar provided some sweetness.

While not as chocolatey rich as actual brownies, the chocolate flavor in these small, cube-shaped protein bites was supplied by organic chocolate chips, Dutch cocoa and "Natural Chocolate Flavor."

Siren Snacks - Cookie Dough Protein Bites - Feb. 16, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Siren Snacks Inc.
Cookie Dough Protein Bites
Weight: .85 oz. (24 g.) / 1.7 oz. (48 g.) in total package
Calories: 100 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Cookie Dough Protein Bites were from Siren Snacks Inc. (San Francisco, CA).

These small, cube-shaped protein bites were dairy, gluten, grain, soy and GMO free. The texture was compressed, but relatively soft, and slightly crumbly. The protein was supplied by pea protein (#1 ingredient listed, followed by dates).

Organic chocolate chips and Dutch cocoa (#7 and #9 on ingredients list, respectively) provided subtle chocolate flavor.

Epic - Almond Butter Chocolate Performance Bar - Feb. 15, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Epic Provisions

Almond Butter Chocolate Performance Bar

Good

Weight: 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $2.49 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Almond Butter Chocolate Performance Bar from Epic Provisions (Austin, TX)* had a firm, chewy texture with date fruit flavor balanced by nuts** (ground almonds). 

Egg whites added some heft and protein. And unsweetened chocolate, sea salt and vanilla extract added very subtle flavor accents.

*Epic Provisions was purchased by General Mills.

**Some people feel the flavor of dates is too acidic. Almonds are relatively alkaline and help balance out this concentrated fruit acidity in dates and other dried fruits.

Epic - Peanut Butter Chocolate Performance Bar - Feb. 14, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Epic
Peanut Butter Chocolate Performance Bar
Good
Weight: 1.87 oz. (53 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Happy Valentines Day! And, welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Peanut Butter Chocolate Performance Bar was from Epic Provisions (Austin, TX).*

This chewy, substantial bar was made from dates, peanuts, cage-free egg whites, chocolate, peanut oil and sea salt, with no added sugar (thank you!).

Here's hoping that you're having an epic Valentines Day. And that you're enjoying your dates connecting with the outdoors (even if you're just eating this bar in front of an epic screen-saver). 

Rather than pictures of red hearts, we're focused on green today. The storms and rain this winter in California have resulted in green hills and grass in our dry Golden State. We're enjoying the cleaner, rain-washed air, and occasional patches of bright blue sky and sun.

*Epic is known for their 100 percent grass-fed animal protein bars. This bar contained egg, but no meat. General Mills bought Epic in 2014 for $820 million; and Epic operates under California-based Annie's Homegrown, the organic and natural food maker (also owned by General Mills).