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).

Sun & Swell foods - Cacao Fruit and Nut Bites - Feb. 13, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Sun and Swell foods

Cacao Fruit and Nut Bites

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) / 1.6 oz. (45 g. ) in total package*

Calories: 133 calories in 2 bites (per label)*

Cost: $3.49 for 1 package

Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Cacao Fruit and Nut Bites were distributed by Sun and Swell foods (Santa Barbara, CA). 

These round bites with an appealing soft crunch (cacao nibs?) were made from just five ingredients: organic cashews, organic dates, organic raisins, organic cacao and organic cinnamon. They were not too sweet (thank you); and the cinnamon gave them a subtle spice kick.

Although not nut-free, these soy-free, dairy-free and gluten-free bites would be a great snack for those avoiding common allergens. 

*The label read: one 3-piece package (one serving) weighed 1.6 oz. (45 g.), and contained 200 calories. The package I purchased actually contained four pieces. I calculated weights and calories, for two pieces, based on 2/3 of one package, per label.

Mush Foods LLC - Overnight Oats with Dark Cacao - Feb. 12, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Mush Foods LLC
Overnight Oats - Dark Cacao
Good
Weight: 3 oz. (85 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total container
Calories: 105 calories in 1 container
Cost: $4.29 for 1 container
Purchased from: The Market at Edgewood, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Cacao Overnight Oats were from Mush Foods LLC (National City, CA).

Made with almond mylk, oats, dates, cacao powder, and a tiny bit of sea salt, this oat meal was satisfying and not too sweet (thank you).

Gracie Jones Gluten Free Bake Shop - Peanut Butter Cups - Feb. 11, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Gracie Jones Gluten Free Bake Shop
Peanut Butter Cups
Good - Good +
Weight: unlabeled item - no information
Calories: information not available
Cost: $7.00 (estimate) for 1 package of 6 pieces
Purchased from: Gracie Jones Gluten Free Bake Shop, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week, and Day #2 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's layered peanut butter cups were from Gracie Jones Gluten Free Bake Shop (Palo Alto, CA). This Bake Shop is a little island of Gluten Free heaven, where customers don't have to point at every item and ask if it's gluten free or not. This bakery has a small, but impressive fresh supply of sweet baked goods—and savory items as well. (Banh Mi sandwiches on fresh baked bread. Thank you!)

These cups had authentic chocolate and peanut butter flavor, and a smooth, rich melt, with a very slight coconut oil flavor note and texture.

I paired these with a whole organic date. One small date is so full of natural concentrated fruit sweetness, it can stop a sweet craving in its tracks. That and two peanut butter cups.

Clif Bar and Company - LUNA Rica Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar - Feb. 10, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Clif Bar and Company

LUNA - Rica Chocolate Peanut Butter bar

Good

Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) for 1 bar / 16.92 oz. (480 g.) in total box

Calories: 160 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 #7 of Chocolate and Peanuts Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Dates Theme Week.

Today's Luna - Rica Chocolate Peanut Butter bar from Clif Bar and Company (Emeryville, CA) was a "Peanut Butter filled Fruit and Nut Bar."

Dates (the first ingredient listed) helped give this bar a soft, chewy texture and dried fruit-flavor sweetness.