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.

Five Star Organics - Ocho Peanut Butter milk chocolate bars - Feb. 9, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Five Star Organics LLC
Ocho Peanut Butter milk chocolate bars

Good

Weight: 1.3 oz. (38 g.) / 3.52 oz. (100 g.) in total package

Calories: 210 calories in 3 pieces

Cost: $ missing information for 1 package of 8 mini bars

Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

Today's individually-wrapped Ocho Peanut Butter - peanut butter in milk chocolate small bars were from Five Star Organics LLC (Oakland, CA).

These organic, peanutty, miniature candy bars were covered in smooth, creamy milk chocolate and would be easy to share with others. Ocho is the Spanish word for eight. And there were eight little bars in this package.

JoJo's - Peanut Butter Delight bars - Feb. 8, 2019

Chocolate of the Day:

JoJo's Chocolate LLC

Peanut Butter Delight bars

Good - Good +

Weight: 1.2 oz. (34 g.) / 8.4 oz. (238 g.) in total package

Calories: 160 calories in 1 bar

Cost: $10.99 for 1 package of 7 bars

Purchased from: Sprouts Farmers Market, Mountain View, CA 

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

Today's package of Peanut Butter Delight bars were from JoJo's Chocolate LLC (Orem, UT).

These satisfying* bark-style, rectangular bars, with just the right amount of crunch, were made of 70 percent dark chocolate, peanuts, hemp protein, peanut flour, sea salt, and "organic peanut butter flavoring oil."

While not individually wrapped, these bars would be great on a hike. Wrap them in some dry greens, or tuck them into a tiffin or bento box or baggie. They'll fit right in with almost any snack choices, and as long as they're protected from heat and, as with any chocolate, the possibility of melting in your pocket.

*Each dark chocolate bar contained only 6 grams of sugar (and no other sweeteners). And the 6 grams of protein helped fulfill the company's tagline "kick the craving." 

DZA Brands, LLC - Peanut Butter Chocolate Gelato - Feb. 7, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

DZA Brands, LLC
taste of inspirations - Peanut Butter Chocolate Naturally Flavored Gelato
Good
Weight: 1/3 cup (53 g.) / 16 fl. oz. (1 Pint) ( 473 mL) in total container
Calories: 135 calories in 1/3 cup
Cost: $2.99 (estimate) for 1 container
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

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

This morning's "taste of inspirations" Peanut Butter Chocolate Naturally Flavored Gelato was from DZA Brands, LLC (Salisbury, NC).

It offered subtle chocolate and peanut butter flavor and a relatively creamy, uniform texture with a very slightly granular mouthfeel.