Essential Living Foods - Roasted and Salted Keto Crunch Low Carb Trail Mix - March 8, 2021

Chocolate of the Day

Essential Living Foods

Roasted and Salted Keto Crunch Low Carb Trail Mix

Good - Good +

Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 12 oz. (340 g.) in total package

Calories: 150 calories in 1 serving

Cost: $ N/A - gift from a friend

Purchased from: N/A - gift from friend (thank you Bill!)

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and JKLM Theme Week, where chocolate items with flavors and origins starting with the letters J, K, L and/or M are being featured. Somewhat surprisingly, I found a lot of "K" entries this week.

Today's Essential Living Foods* Roasted and Salted Keto Crunch Low Carb Trail Mix was from Essential Living Foods (Torrance, CA), distributed by Terrafertil US, LLC.

I have never been on a ketogenic** diet; however, I've come to prefer less sugar over time. So I found this low carbohydrate, Keto Certified mix very appealing. It was a little sweet, a little salty, yet so different (and more satiating over a period of hours) than most highly sweetened, high-carbohydrate (often granola-based) trail mixes. 

The mix provided lots of satisfying crunchy texture with every element, toasted coconut pieces, cocoa nibs and roasted pumpkin and sunflower kernels (seeds). The cacao nibs conveyed the essence of cacao--unsweetened, slightly nutty, dark chocolate flavor.

The refreshing lack of sweetness also made it easier to taste and savor the individual elements that made up this mix. I enjoyed this as a stand-alone snack or breakfast, and even as a topping for my (non-keto) oatmeal. 

Ingredients: Organic toasted coconut chips, organic cacao nibs, organic roasted pumpkin kernels (organic pumpkin kernels, salt), organic roasted sunflower kernels (organic sunflower kernels, salt).

 

*Ecuador based snack-food company, Terrafertil Nature's Heart/Terrafertil Group, acquired the assets of Los Angeles-based Essential Living Foods (an organic, vegan, superfood brand) in 2017. In 2018, Nestle expanded their organic/plant-based offerings by acquiring a majority stake in Terrafertil (Nature's Heart and Essential Living Foods brands).

**Keto is short for ketogenic, as in a ketogenic diet that is low in carbohydrates and relatively high in fat and protein that results in the body switching to/burning more fats vs. sugars for energy. Ketogenic diets have become popular for weight loss; but when not taken to an extreme, cutting carbs/sugars in combination with eating more whole (less processed) foods can provide other benefits.

Whole Lotta - Roasted Peanut Chocolate (bar) - Nov. 27, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Whole Lotta
Roasted Peanut Chocolate (bar)
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.98 oz. (56 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.49 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's gluten free and dairy free Whole Lotta Roasted Peanut Chocolate (bar) was from Clif Bar (Emeryville, CA).

This relatively new fruit, nut, seed and spice bar contained 10 grams of plant-based protein. The "fruit" was date paste (the first ingredient listed). Dates can act as a binder, sweetener and as some added moistness for many types of compressed bars. This fruit can deliver a powerful, gooey sweetness. However, this bar was not too sweet (and there was no added sugar). Thank you!* The protein and peanuts helped balance out the sweetness.

*Some might think it's odd to be sampling hundreds of chocolates a year, and not be that fond of sugar. But, I'm more interested in tasting the nuances of chocolate and flavor inclusions, and too much sugar can preclude having this experience.

88 Acres - the seed co. - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar - Nov. 23, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

88 Acres - the seed co.
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar was from 88 Acres - the seed co. (Boston, MA).

This nut-free, gluten free and soy free bar had a satisfying nutty-seedy chew. The company uses a seed blend of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds in their bars, allowing people to satisfy their nut cravings without the nuts (which is good for people with nut allergies).

The whisper of sea salt worked nicely, adding a wee bit of flavor without overdoing it. This bar was also not too sweet (thank you!).

88 Acres - Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar - Nov. 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

88 Acres - the seed co.
Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar
Good +
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45 g.) in total bar
Calories: 200 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week.

Today's Double Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar was from 88 Acres - the seed co. (Boston, MA).

This nut-free, gluten free and soy free bar had a slightly nutty, coffee aroma. The company's seed blend of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds gave this a nice crunchy texture. The mocha flavor was subtle and balanced.

Nana Joes - Granola, Chef's Blend Series - Strawberry, Coconut and Chocolate Chip - Sept. 12, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

Nana Joes
Chef's Blend Series Granola - Strawberry, Coconut, Chocolate Chip
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) in total package
Calories: 170 calories in 1 serving
Cost: $12.00 (estimate) for 1 package
Purchased from: Nana Joe's table, CUESA's Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Nut Butter Theme Week.

Sometimes nut butters can take the place of other/more processed oils and fats, and we're all for that if it's done right. One example: Today's Chef's Blend Series Granola - Strawberry, Coconut and Chocolate Chip, from Nana Joes (San Francisco, CA), created using Hu Kitchen (New York, NY) chocolate chips*

This vegan and gluten free granola was flavorful, sweet and crunchy, and had a nutty texture and taste (almonds and almond butter + seeds).* The nuts and seeds were accented with micro flavor bursts of authentic, concentrated strawberry, raspberry and chocolate.

This was a great blend of high-quality ingredients, resulting in a great granola. And, unlike some granolas, it still felt relatively "light." Instead of added/processed vegetable oils, the fat content was provided by nuts, seeds, and almond butter.

This granola was sweetened with both organic maple syrup and organic coconut sugar, but contained no refined white or brown sugar.

*Ingredients: "Organic sliced almonds, organic shredded coconut, organic maple syrup, organic pecans, organic pumpkin seeds, organic almond butter, Hu Chocolate Gems (organic cacao, unrefined organic coconut sugar, organic fair-trade cocoa butter), seeds, hemp seed, hulled, dried strawberries, raspberry fruit powder, organic chia seeds, sea salt"

OWYN - Dark Chocolate Sea Salt bar - July 18, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Only What You Need, Inc.
OWYN Dark Chocolate Sea Salt bar
Good +
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 240 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $ missing information
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Sea Salt 10g Protein Bar was distributed by Only What You Need, Inc. (OWYN) (Fairfield, NJ)

This 100% plant-based bar contained 10 grams of protein and was made with the company's own OWYN protein blend that contained pumpkin seeds, pea protein isolate and chia seeds.

The bar had a chewy, substantial texture that was in between a not-too-sweet (thank you) brownie cookie and a conventional protein bar. A generous helping of whole pumpkin seeds provided soft crunchy texture. The chocolate taste (provided by semi-sweet chocolate chips and cocoa powder) shared the spotlight with the other ingredients. The sea salt added a delicate, uniform savory flavor that helped balance the sweetness (brown rice syrup, cane sugar).

This bar was gluten free and made in a dedicated peanut-free facility.

While the list of ingredients for this bar was short, by traditional protein bar standards, it did contain "natural flavors" and I can't help but wonder what those were and if we really needed them.

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.

thinkThin - Chocolate Coconut Almond Protein Nut Bar - Dec. 7, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

thinkThin LLC
Chocolate Coconut Almond Protein Nut Bar
Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 190 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $1.19 for 1 bar
Purchased from: missing information

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Coconut Almond Protein Nut Bar was from thinkThin LLC (Los Angeles, CA).

The bar contained 9 g. of protein (from pumpkin seeds, almonds and soy crisps) and was crunchy, nutty and and chewy—with coconut and chocolate flavor throughout.

Aloha - Chocolate Fudge Brownie bar - Aug. 8, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Aloha

Chocolate Fudge Brownie Organic Protein Bar

Good 

Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 1.9 oz. (56 g.) in 1 bar

Calories: 117 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $2.99 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Cunha's Country Store, Half Moon Bay, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate Brownie Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Fudge Brownie Organic Protein Bar was made for Aloha (New York, NY).

The plant-based bar's protein was primarily derived from a pumpkin seed and brown rice protein blend and cashew butter.  

This organic protein bar's slightly chewy fudge brownie texture and flavor was almost enough to conceal a faint protein bar flavor.

Off The Farm - Chocolate Fudge - July 17, 2018

Chocolate of the Day:

Off the Farm
Dark Chocolate Fudge
Good
Weight: 2.5 oz. (71 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 290 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.35 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Market, Pebble Beach, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Fudge bar was from Off the Farm (Palo Cedro, CA), a company created by a group of family and friends interested in producing a line of healthy bars and offerings that would be good for the planet.

This nutrition bar was packed with fruit (dates and apples), nuts (almonds and cashews), and four different kinds of seeds: sesame, pumpkin, sunflower and chia.

The dark chocolate in this gluten free, vegan and Non-GMO bar came from chocolate chunks and cocoa powder; and slightly chewy fudge bar contained 7 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber.

Map Chocolate Co. - "Favorite Flannel Shirt" Pumpkin Babka Caraway Seeds bar - April 21, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Map Chocolate Co.

Favorite Flannel Shirt pumpkin babka with caraway seeds bar

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar

Calories: 187 calories in 1/2 bar

Cost: $12.00 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Botanicals Theme Week.

Today's "Favorite Flannel Shirt" pumpkin babka with caraway seeds bar was from Map Chocolate Co. (Eugene, OR).

The bar's packaging unfolded a bit like a Russian nested doll. Underneath the brown paper outer wrapping was a beautifully illustrated, botanically-themed wrapper. And at the center, was a square chocolate bar, imprinted with an intricate, mandala-like pattern. The flip side was dusted with a tiny riot of pumpkin and caraway seeds, spices, sugar and oat particles.

This bar had a pleasant, faint intriguing aroma that was tough to pin down (dried plum, dessert, light spice with a comfortable top and bass notes). The aroma did have a comforting/comfortable quality, thus the possible connection with "Favorite Flannel Shirt" and "babka" in the name.

A babka typically might contain yeast dough/gluten, but it seemed that organic oats* were used instead to simulate the grain component here.

The base chocolate had relatively bold, dark flavor with a touch of citrus acidity, and bar had a lingering, even finish.

*Ingredients: "cacao beans, organic cane sugar, cocoa butter, organic pumpkin, organic oats, organic spices, caraway, maple syrup, olive oil, organic brown sugar"

Allergy information: Soy free; may contain nuts and/or dairy due to shared equipment.

Stone Grindz - Kale Yeah! Raw Energy Bar - Jan. 21, 2018

Chocolate of the Day: 

Stone Grindz Chocolate

Kale Yeah! Raw Energy Bar(s)

Good

Weight: 1.7 oz. (47.2 g.) / 4.99 oz. (141.5 g.) (estimate) in total container

Calories: 157 calories in 1 bar 

Cost: $5.95 for 1 container of 3 bars

Purchased from: Stone Grindz (online order)

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

You might be surprised to read that chocolate and vegetable combinations are quite edible.

Today's Kale Yeah! Raw Energy Bar was made by Stone Grindz Chocolate (Scottsdale, AZ). Their raw energy bars are quite different than most chocolate-coated candy or energy bars.

First, Stone Grindz raw energy bars (available via a Secret Store pull down option on the company's website) taste fresher and less processed than most bars. Second they have no added sugar and salt (none, thank you!).  

These organic bars are blended so that they taste and feel well balanced. The ingredients harmonize nicely; no one flavor dominates. 

While dates are the first ingredient listed, they're not overwhelming. The kale (which I venture to wager you could not identify in a blind taste test) and pumpkin seeds help balance out the date sweetness.

Cacao nibs add flavor depth, but are not the primary attraction. 

The bars have a soft chew and uniform flavor and tasting experience. You might find a stray chia seed in your mouth following the tasting experience, but the seeds were not too intrusive. 

Oberto - Trail Mix Original Beef with Semi-Sweet Chocolate - Aug. 29, 2017

Chocolate of the Day: 

Oberto
Trail Mix - Original Beef
Good +
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) total package
Calories: 135 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $3.59 for 1 package
Purchased from: CBH Travel Center (store, gas station), Belle Fourche, SD

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and the Wild West Theme Week.

Trail mix is wonderful to take camping, hiking, mountaineering or anywhere else lacking immediate access to a stove or other kitchen amenities. Trail mix can be a snack or a meal in a bag. Leave it up to folks in the wild west to beef up trail mix.

Today's Original Beef Trail Mix was from Oberto Sausage Company (Kent, WA). The company is probably best known for Oberto Beef Jerky (original and other flavors); so it made sense to include small pieces of their jerky in a trail mix.

The mix contained nuts (walnuts and pecans), fruit (dried cranberries, golden raisins), seeds (pumpkin, sunflower) and beef jerky; and it had 12 grams of protein, no artificial ingredients and was gluten free. Oh, and small squares of semi-sweet chocolate.

It was a well-balanced mix that wasn't too sweet or salty. Next time I'll try the Sweet and Spicy Beef with pieces of spicy dark chocolate, or the Teriyaki Chicken flavor with dark chocolate pieces. (All flavors carry a gluten free tag.)

Brownie Brittle - Sheila G's Thindulgent Organic Dark Chocolate Bark with almonds - Aug. 3, 2017

Chocolate of the Day:

Brownie Brittle, LLC
Sheila G's - Thindulgent Dark Chocolate Bark
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) / 16 oz. (454 g.) in total package
Calories: 230 calories in 1 serving (1/11th pkg.)
Cost: $7.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's Sheila G's Thindulgent Dark Chocolate Bark was from Brownie Brittle, LLC (West Palm Beach, FL)—a company founded by Sheila G. Mains.

This Organic dark bark had a rich, slightly earthy, fruity chocolate aroma. It contained bits of almond, dried cranberries, quinoa, and a hint of vanilla and sea salt. A generous scattering of pumpkin seeds added color and texture.

Organic, high-end trail mix enveloped in thin sheets of fair trade dark chocolate brittle. Not a bad idea for a snack.

The generously-sized, large package held enough bark pieces to satisfy more than a dozen people.

Note: This flavor may not currently be available, or may have been discontinued; it was not listed on the company website this week.

Neo Cocoa - Dark chocolate toffee brittles with seeds - Dec. 14, 2016

Chocolate(s) of the Day: 

Neo Cocoa

Spiced Pumpkin Seed Toffee Brittle
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total package
Calories: 225 calories (estimate) for 1/2 package
Cost: $N/A - gift from client/friends
Purchased from: N/A - gift



Pistachio, Anise, Orange Toffee Brittle
Good ++ - Very Good
Weight: 1 oz. (28 g.) / 3 oz. (85 g.) total package
Calories: 150 calories (estimate) for 1/3 package
Cost: $N/A - gift from friends
Purchased from: N/A - gift

Welcome to the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate and Seeds Theme Week.

Our grand finale for this week featured two items with dark chocolate and seeds: 1.) Spiced Pumpkin Seed Toffee Brittle and 2.) Pistachio, Anise and Orange Toffee Brittle, both from Neo Cocoa (Belmont, CA).

The predominant flavors from these svelte but substantial sheets of toffee came from thin layers of crunchy, buttery, almost rustic brittle made with brown sugar and butter, layered between 72% dark chocolate.

However, the different inclusions in both these toffees made them each unique. The flavors between the chocolate, toffee and seeds, nuts, spices/fruits were very well balanced, natural tasting and satisfying.