ChocolateBet: June 27, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

Premier Organics - Artisana Foods
Organic, Raw Cacao Bliss - Raw Chocolate Coconut Butter
Good - Good +
Weight: 2 Tbsp. (32 g.) / 8 oz. (227 g.) total jar
Calories: 177 calories in 2 Tablespoon serving
Cost: $11.59 total jar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #10 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

I enjoyed a coconut ice cream sundae, topped with today's chocolate -- a raw, organic cacao and coconut butter from Premier Organics (Oakland, CA). The texture of this spread was more like traditional butter or a nut butter than chocolate sauce, but was quite good; and it would likely smooth out and melt if heated or spread on a warm croissant or piece of toast.

ChocolateBet: June 26, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Turtle Mountain, LLC
"So Delicious" Chocolate (non-dairy) frozen dessert
Good +
Weight: 1/4 cup (42.5 g.) / 1 Pint (473 mL) total container
Calories: 75 calories in 1/4 cup
Cost: $6.99 (estimate)
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #9 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

This organic, non-dairy, soy and gluten free, frozen dessert from Turtle Mountain (Eugene, OR) was made from coconut milk. This variant on chocolate ice cream did have an authentic taste and something of the smooth texture of fresh coconut.

Note: My apologies for a delay in posting pictures this week, due to a camera replacement taking place.

ChocolateBet: June 25, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Zing Bars
Chocolate Coconut bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.76 oz. (50 g.) bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.29 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Safeway, in Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

This gluten, soy, corn and dairy free, Chocolate Coconut treat from Zing Bars (Seattle, WA) supplied energy to power a hike I took. Actually it helped get me to the hike departure point. I ate this bar for breakfast to help fight the morning commute traffic. I arrived just in time to catch the group van out to the Pacific Ocean. Thank you Nancy. It was a beautiful, sunny, clear day -- great for a walk.

ChocolateBet: June 24, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Pamela's Products, Inc.
Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut bars
Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 7.05 oz. (200 g.) total box of 5
Calories: 180 calories in 1 bar cookie
Cost: $4.99 total box of 5 bars
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

These gluten-free, non-dairy, chocolate chip coconut bar cookies from Pamela's Products (Ukiah, CA) came in a box of five bars.

These individually-wrapped "Whenever Bars" were slightly soft and chewy. Chia seeds provided some additional texture. I took two bars and made an ice cream sandwich, with coconut ice cream in the middle. For those eating wheat-free, I'd recommend these as a variation on traditional ice cream sandwich theme.

ChocolateBet: June 23, 2012

Chocolate of the Day:

SunSpire
Coconut Almond Milk Chocolate Bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 260 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.59
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week.

The sweet, slightly chewy coconut center was the dominant flavor in this bar from SunSpire (a division of inSpired Natural Foods, San Leandro, CA).

I couldn't really taste the almond bits.

ChocolateBet: June 22, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 


Turtle Mountain
"So Delicious" Minis - Coconut Almond (frozen bars)
Good+
Weight: 2.3 fl. oz. (68 mL) / 9.2 fl. oz. (272 mL) total package of 4 bars
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.99 total package of 4 bars
Purchased from: Whole Foods, in Palo Alto, CA

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

These agave sweetened, non-dairy Coconut Almond Minis from Turtle Mountain (Eugene, OR) were non-dairy, frozen dessert bars made with organic coconut milk, then coated in chocolate, and pieces of almond and toasted coconut. Perfect summer dessert item.

ChocolateBet: June 21, 2012

Chocolate of the Day: 

Grindstone Bakery
Coconut Chocolate Chips cookie
Good +
Weight: 3.5 oz. (100 g.) in 1 cookie
Calories: 498 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $2.51 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Coconut Theme Week. It was not difficult to find items for this week's theme, as coconut items, in general, have been enjoying a resurgence in popularity this year.

Grindstone Bakery (Rohnert Park, CA) makes wonderfully good gluten free, and wheat free breads and cookies. I've enjoyed all of the company's baked goods that I've tried thus far. This cookie used soaked whole grain barley and barley flakes, and was made with organic ingredients in a wheat-free facility.

While not gluten free, this Coconut Chocolate Chips cookie was filling and satisfying due to the whole grain and higher fiber content than what I've found in most gluten free items (that often incorporate rice, potato, tapioca and other "white" flours). Made with "extra virgin coconut oil," and non-dairy chocolate chips, in Sonoma, CA, this was a great (and substantial) breakfast cookie.