Sunday, September 29, 2013

Organic Chocolate Chia bar - Sept. 29, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

YogaEarth
Keen-Wah decadence - Organic Chocolate Chia bar
Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 1.5 oz. (42 g.) in 2/3 bar
Calories: 129 calories (estimate) in 2/3 bar
Cost: $2.50 in 1 bar
Purchased from: Whole Foods Market, Los Altos, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Quinoa Theme Week.

This raw cacao protein bar from YogaEarth (Venice, CA) had a slightly fermented taste. I couldn't make up my mind whether I liked this taste or not. Some bites of this bar had more of a chocolate covered quinoa crunch. Other bites contained hints of dried fruit/almond butter and/or chia seeds.

YogaEarth is one of a handful of similar companies that have created products with natural ingredients: nuts, seeds, cacao, dried fruit (often gluten free and vegan) -- designed to "optimize health," promote sustainable living and to give back to a designated cause or audience. According to the label on today's bar, "one percent of sales supports Kiva."

Healthy is good; and I've always liked chocolate, nuts and seeds. A bar like this, combined with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, may even help compensate for the rare burger I might eat.


Quinoa Agave Crunch bar - Sept. 28, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Bissinger's
Quinoa Agave Crunch bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) in 1 oz. (28.3 g.) serving
Cost: $ 4.99 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Sigona's Farmers Market, Palo Alto, CA

I enjoyed this "puffed quinoa splashed in agave" dark chocolate bar from Bissinger's (St. Louis, MO). It lacked the faintly bitter* taste present in some quinoa offerings; and it was a perfect blend of dark, sweet flavors and crunchy texture.

This bar also paired well with a variety of snacks and a cocktail - St. George Spirits Qi orange and white tea liqueur over ice with a lemon peel. (This afternoon was brought to you by the letter Q.)

*Quinoa (seeds) are naturally coated with saponin, a bitter substance that helps deter insect pests. This coating is generally removed with light processing.


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