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| Magical-the nearly three foot high Celestial Chocolate Tree with 36 hand cut milk and dark chocolate stars topped with a saller star dusted in 22-carat edible gold. $1000 available in boutiques only. |
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| The Christmas Star Coffret-3 sizes-dark & spicy, Dark&sparkling, light&sweet, dark&sweetly tart, and dark&fruity selections ($78-$125-$260)... |
http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com
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| all size confections-including pralines. |
For the athlete...pre -race nutrition can be a very personal 'experience'---but when we got gifted a basket full of energy gels, energy shots and protein bars (for post race)...yeah-not very romantic---but more appreciated and def. more used than any piece of jewelry we ever got .
Our fav, the chocolate cherry flavor--made with organic brown rice syrup, organic dried cane sugar, organic brown rice syrup solids, and organic cocoa power-as the main ingredients---gives enough of an energy kick without the crash and burn of sugar products.
Plus, this flavor-has 50mg of caffeine/per pack---about one third a cup of coffee's worth- in it from Organic Green tea extracts...for an added kick-as does 2 other flavors (Cherry, Tropical Punch) .
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| Blueberry Hemp Superfood |
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| Citrus Chia Super Food Snack |
For our hiking buddies-who we appreciate so much -the nutritious and healthy snacks for a holiday treat-would be the best gesture ever...as well as some after hike beverage options.
USDA Organic-vegan, raw, gluten-free and sustainably harvested-Navitas Naturals products-practically major in sourcing exotic foods from far flung locales that can be turned into yummy treats... that are essentially multi-taskers-loaded with vitamins, plant-based proteins, minerals, and anti-oxidants from super-foods.
PLUS: the company's Organic Raw Power snack treats (chewable-with a gel/gummi bear texture)...are as tasty (and addictive) as any of the junk food that often passes for "natural' and are just empty calories without a purpose.
We have tried all three---and all are FANTASTIC-and forewarning-can quickly disappear. Not too sweet...yet savory with the ideal balance of fruitiness (date paste) and nuttiness- for the Blueberry Hemp flavor. The Citrus Chia has subtle added crunchiness from chia, cashew, and sesame seeds. And the Cacao Goji has the added kick of chocolate flavor (cacao powder)- and crunchiness- courtesy of sesame and sunflower seeds---something even the kids would appreciate. (8oz/$8.99).
Ice Cream-yup-we scream too---can often mean sugary worthless junk food that leaves a less than filling feeling-often coupled with a headache. Yet, some nutritional needs can be better met with a lot of newer brand's offerings we demo-ed-at the most recent Natural Expo East-that really surprised us.
San Fran. based, Double Rainbow Gourmet Ice Creams are creamy authentic tasting ice creams made from hormone free cows milk/cream-we tried the French Vanilla flavor-that has 4grams of protein and 15% of daily calcium needs-per half cup serving. Retail-seven flavors (16oz) are available---but the sheer number of options available in bulk 2.5 half gallon tubs including Espresso Bean and Hazelnut Truffle Latte-makes us want to order commercially. Widely available out west...and Hawaii.
Active D'Lites ice cream bars---are the first, all natural, GMO-free, daily low calorie (120!!!) probiotic line -well that we thought are great. The company makes chocolate bars too.
And crunch wise...both the organic Late July multi-grain tortilla chips-like Dude Ranch- and the fun Hippie Chips are zero cholesterol, non-GMO, Gluten Free, No Trans Fat AND satisfying, waaayyyy better tasting to the conglomerate owned, mass merchandized alternatives.
We are not big tea drinkers- but the Now Real Teas we tasted...the Better Off Red (organic red rooibus with a vanilla blush)...was so delicious...that we actually went out and bought ourselves some after the show. It's sweet already-as BetterStivia™organic stivia extract (leaf) is in the ingredients. Yum!
-J. Ecochard
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| Cacao Goji Superfood |
PLUS: the company's Organic Raw Power snack treats (chewable-with a gel/gummi bear texture)...are as tasty (and addictive) as any of the junk food that often passes for "natural' and are just empty calories without a purpose.
We have tried all three---and all are FANTASTIC-and forewarning-can quickly disappear. Not too sweet...yet savory with the ideal balance of fruitiness (date paste) and nuttiness- for the Blueberry Hemp flavor. The Citrus Chia has subtle added crunchiness from chia, cashew, and sesame seeds. And the Cacao Goji has the added kick of chocolate flavor (cacao powder)- and crunchiness- courtesy of sesame and sunflower seeds---something even the kids would appreciate. (8oz/$8.99).
Ice Cream-yup-we scream too---can often mean sugary worthless junk food that leaves a less than filling feeling-often coupled with a headache. Yet, some nutritional needs can be better met with a lot of newer brand's offerings we demo-ed-at the most recent Natural Expo East-that really surprised us.
San Fran. based, Double Rainbow Gourmet Ice Creams are creamy authentic tasting ice creams made from hormone free cows milk/cream-we tried the French Vanilla flavor-that has 4grams of protein and 15% of daily calcium needs-per half cup serving. Retail-seven flavors (16oz) are available---but the sheer number of options available in bulk 2.5 half gallon tubs including Espresso Bean and Hazelnut Truffle Latte-makes us want to order commercially. Widely available out west...and Hawaii.
Active D'Lites ice cream bars---are the first, all natural, GMO-free, daily low calorie (120!!!) probiotic line -well that we thought are great. The company makes chocolate bars too.
And crunch wise...both the organic Late July multi-grain tortilla chips-like Dude Ranch- and the fun Hippie Chips are zero cholesterol, non-GMO, Gluten Free, No Trans Fat AND satisfying, waaayyyy better tasting to the conglomerate owned, mass merchandized alternatives.
We are not big tea drinkers- but the Now Real Teas we tasted...the Better Off Red (organic red rooibus with a vanilla blush)...was so delicious...that we actually went out and bought ourselves some after the show. It's sweet already-as BetterStivia™organic stivia extract (leaf) is in the ingredients. Yum!
-J. Ecochard