Good Cacao - Coconut Omega-3 bar - Aug. 22, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Good Superfood LLC
Good Cacao - Coconut Omega-3 Superfood Chocolate bar
Good + - Very Good
Weight: 1.16 oz. (33.3 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 189 calories in 2/3 bar
Cost: $ N/A - free evaluation bar
Purchased from: N/A sent from Good Superfood, Garden City, ID

Today was Day #8 of Chocolate, Coconut and Vanilla Theme Week, and Day #1 of Chocolate and Ecuador Theme Week.

The Coconut Omega-3 Superfood 72% dark chocolate bar from Good Superfood LLC ( was crafted with several interesting ingredients, including Organic, Rainforest Certified, Heirloom Ecuadorian cacao, Peruvian Lucuma and Maca, Brazilian Cupuacu (a relative of cacao), African Boabab and Madagascar vanilla oil as well as organic vanilla beans.

The coconut flavor was present but much more subtle than the macaroons and pressed health bars with shredded coconut featured earlier this week. I must admit, it was wonderful to taste good Ecuadorian chocolate again. And it's not really fair to compare this chocolate-forward bar with other snack/health bar offerings containing cacao powder.

This Good Cacao Coconut bar (part of a line-up of similar bars) also contained evidence-based and patented nutraceuticals" such as FloraGlo Lutein, Fuji AstroREAL, DSM life'sDHA, Biothera Wellmune, Nutrogenesis WellTrim and Ganeden BC30 Probiotic.

I'm not a biologist, so I can't elaborate on the pros of these nutraceuticals; however, if you're interested, more information about these compounds is available on the company's website. The result was a great-tasting "health" bar with complex, single origin chocolate flavor, and what the company called "socially responsible, functional chocolate."

Raw Energy And Life - Superfood Macaroons - Aug. 21, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Raw Energy And Life

1.) Superfood Chocolate Macaroon
Good
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) total package
Calories: 320 calories in 1 package
Cost: $3.59 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

2.) Superfood Blonde Macaroon
Good
Weight: 2 oz. (56 g.) total package
Calories: 320 calories in 1 package
Cost: $3.59 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

These two Superfood Macaroons from Raw Energy and Life were made from unsweetened coconut, agave nectar, cacao, vanilla extract, goji berries and a touch of sea salt.

The Superfood Blonde Macaroon contained ground almonds, cacao nibs, and mesquite pod powder which gave it a smoother, almost smoky flavor. It seemed less acidic and sweet than its Chocolate sibling -- that contained a bit more cocoa powder (and no almonds).

Yes, both raw, vegan pressed rounds were fun to try; however, the Blonde Macaroon with almonds and cacao nibs was my favorite of the two.

Today was Day #7 of Chocolate, Coconut and Vanilla Theme Week.

Wonderfully Raw Cacao Nib Coco-Roons - Aug. 20, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Wonderfully Raw
Cacao Nib Coco-Roons
Good
Weight: 1.8 oz. (51 g.) / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total package
Calories: 261 calories in 3 pieces
Cost: $3.49 for 1 package of 8 pieces
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate, Coconut and Vanilla Theme Week, and an opportunity to try a few Cacao Nib Coco-Roons from Wonderfully Raw (Watsonville, CA).

Wonderfully Raw offers several flavors of Coco-Roons. (I sampled these Cacao Nib Coco-Roons with Vanilla Maple and Brownie Coco-Roons.) The company uses maple syrup in all their Coco-Roons instead of agave, believing that maple syrup has more health benefits.

Coconut is a strong flavor that does well when either served fresh off the tree (by itself) -- or balanced by other elements (in this case, cacao nibs, nuts and vanilla). I liked the fact that these Cacao Nib Coco-Roons were not too sweet, and the crunchiness from a generous helping of cacao nibs inside this gluten- and dairy-free cookie further balanced the coconut sweet flavor and chewy texture. Almond flour also helped balance the coconut; and the organic vanilla extract added a nice well-rounded, mellow touch of flavor as well.

Blue Mountain Organics - Coco Joy - August 19, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Blue Mountain Organics
Coco Joy
Good - Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in 1 package
Calories: 240 calories in 1 package
Cost: $6.59 for 1 package
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

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

This Coco Joy organic, raw, sprouted superfood bar from Blue Mountain Organics (Floyd, VA) was Non-GMO, Kosher and Vegan. Also, while not nut free (cashew butter was the first ingredient listed), this bar was produced in a peanut free facility.

In addition to the cashew butter, this candy bar alternative contained dates, agave, coconut, cacao, golden flax and, last but not least, vanilla. (I'm rooting for you vanilla; don't get lost in the shuffle.)

The bar was satisfying without being too sweet -- a combination I always appreciate. Flavors were well balanced. The coconut was the dominant flavor, with the outer cacao layer taking a close second. The cashew butter and dates helped keep the bar integrated, moist and chewy. The addition of nuts to coconut and chocolate also seems to mellow coconut flavor -- in a good way.

Eating Right - Chocolate Vanilla cookies - Aug. 18, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Lucerne Foods (Safeway)
Eating Right (for gluten free)
Chocolate Vanilla Flavored Creme Sandwich
Good - Good+
Weight: 1.06 oz. (30 g.) 10.6 oz. (300 g.) in total package
Calories: 140 calories in 2 cookies
Cost: (lost information)
Purchased from: Safeway, Palo Alto, CA

I've been writing about a range of chocolate items with coconut and vanilla this week. When these three flavors are combined, chocolate or coconut flavors generally dominate. Very rarely, the vanilla speaks up loudly enough to be heard -- but more often this orchid derivative acts as a soothing peacemaker, bringing some harmony to/between the two stronger flavors, as in today's case.

Today's Eating Right brand Chocolate Vanilla creme sandwich cookies were a gluten-free twist on the traditional chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookie. Happily these gluten-free cookies (made in Germany for Lucerne Foods, part of Safeway) contained natural bourbon vanilla flavor and natural vanilla flavor, and not artificial flavoring.

The vanilla centers were soft and light, and the outside chocolate cookies tasted fresh and crunchy. All in all, the best chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookie I remember tasting.

I enjoyed a non-traditional "milk" with my cookies, made with a blend of iced coconut milk and vanilla yogurt instead. And, while refreshing, the coconut did dominate the vanilla in this blend, despite my best efforts.

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate, Coconut and Vanilla Theme Week.

Baba Joon's - Coconut Chocolate Chewies - Aug. 17, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Baba Joon's Chocolate Chewies
Coconut
Good
Weight: .53 oz. (14.9 g.) (estimate) in 1 piece / 7.5 oz. (212 g.) in total package
Calories: 60 calories in 1 piece
Cost: $6.50 for 1 package
Purchased from: Baba Joon's Chocolate Chewies website

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate, Coconut and Vanilla Theme Week.

These small, gluten- and dairy- free, Coconut cookies from Baba Joon's* Chocolate Chewies (Morgan Hill, CA) were bursting with fresh and chewy chocolate and coconut flavor. They were sweet, without being overly so.

Made with a short list of ingredients, including cane sugar, organic unsweetened coconut, egg whites, cocoa, pure, gluten-free vanilla, and salt -- these "little chocolate miracles" also came in 19 other flavors. (I'd previously tried the Coconut and Almond flavor earlier this year.)

I paired a Coconut Chocolate Chewie with a dish of all natural, strained vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit.

*And yes, there really is a Baba Joon (Dear Father in Farsi) behind this family business.

GoodOnYa - Superhero bar - August 16, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

GoodOnYa
Superhero bar
Good ++
Weight: 2 oz. (57 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 283 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $4.39 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Country Sun Natural Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate, Coconut and Vanilla Theme Week.

There are many bars now made with raw, organic, gluten free and other natural ingredients. Coconut oil/butter, and shredded or toasted coconut*; cacao nibs or dark chocolate; and vanilla, are popular inclusions.

It's hard to put a name to this growing category of all natural bars that has encompassed energy bars, health or healthy snack bars, protein bars and granola bars in the past. The newest generation of bars often offer more nutrient dense ingredients (often raw or less processed, with no/fewer preservatives) and gluten-free formulations that also taste good. (All welcome trends for someone like me who wants to eat whole foods and can't tolerate gluten.)

I'm thankful for bars like today's Superhero bar from GoodOnYa (Encinitas, CA); it seemed very satisfying to me. Made with raw ingredients, this gluten-, dairy- and soy-free, Non-GMO bar contained cashew butter, honey, coconut flakes, chia seeds, goji berries, and lucuma, as well as ground vanilla pods and maca. (Yes, whole vanilla pods in the mix!) It was the kind of bar I'd feel confident eating during a long hike on a hot (or cold) day.

And speaking of "kind," I paired this GoodOnYa bar with an Almond and Coconut bar from Kind LLC (New York). While this bar packed a sweeter, coconut crunch, this Non-GMO, gluten and dairy free bar was made with whole, identifiable ingredients (I didn't need a label; I could see the ingredients); and it was marketed as very low sodium, and low-glycemic. Again, not your father's candy bar. (Note: There was no chocolate in this fruit and nut bar; but dipping pieces of this bar into chocolate fondue is not out of the question.)

*Note: In fact, this is third coconut-related theme week this year (2014) on ChocolateBanquet.com