You know you’re in for a special experience when you open the packaging and discover pictures of chocolate bean pods and leaves stamped on the bar.

I only eat chocolate on days that end in ‘Y’.

Seriously though, Jem Raw Chocolate is a real gem. I’ll take it any day of the week. And apparently, so will a lot of other people. Because the shelf at my local health food store is often empty where the Jem chocolate bars should be.

Artisan quality, stone-ground chocolate bars made with pure, raw, certified organic ingredients. All their natural nutrients and antioxidants intact. No gluten, dairy, soy, or processed sugar. So you can feel good about indulging.

Jem is truly an indulgence. Rich, smooth and complex. Coconut palm sugar gives an irresistible caramel flavor, the perfect complement to raw cacao. I’ve never tasted anything like it. And I mean that in the best possible way.

The 72% cacao bar’s organic ingredients: Cacao liquor, coconut palm sugar, cacao butter, vanilla, salt, sunflower lecithin. A 1.07 ounce bar sells for $2.99.

Jem also makes a 55% cacao bar, also dairy-free thanks to the versatility of coconut, for those who prefer a milk chocolate-style bar.

Thank you for joining me on this chocolate adventure. We’ll have to do it again sometime!

The 12 Days of {gluten-free} Chocolate: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12

It happens every time. They all become blueberries. ~ Willy Wonka, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl

Remember that gum in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? The one that tasted like roast beef one minute, mashed potatoes the next, and blueberry pie after that. Besides being strange like meat-flavored gum, today’s gluten-free chocolate also has an ever changing array of flavors.

Chocolate-covered salad bar?

Amazing Grass‘s Green SuperFood Chocolate Whole Food Energy Bar is well, interesting, … and sweet.

Did I mention that it’s really sweet? That’s the first thing I noticed, the distinctively overwhelming sweetness of dates, lots of them.

The grassy course came next. The bits of actual grass were somewhat disconcerting to find in an energy bar. I like pieces of fruits and nuts in a bar, but I draw the line at blades of grass.

So far, so good. Looks just like any other chocolate energy bar.

I was relieved when the pineapple course came next, followed by some seeds, pumpkin and sunflower, as well as berries and green veggies. Finally some cashews, and to end the “meal” before turning into a blueberry like Violet Beauregarde herself, was a touch of refreshing peppermint.

And the chocolate, or maybe the agave syrup, was the glue that held it all together. Was all that sugar and agave really necessary?

It was sheer curiosity that drove me to take bite after bite to see how many of the bar’s ingredients I could detect. Entertaining, yes. Delightful, no.

Can you tell from the photo? It’s actually a very dark green inside!

I love green veggies, and eat generous servings each and every day. There’s really no need to try to hide them in my chocolate, thank you very much. And I’m not a fan of grass.

I must say though, it’s a noble idea to create a vegan, whole foods energy bar with the goodness of green veggies and raw, cold-processed, alkaline foods. I could do without the excessive sweetness and green-ness though.

Hard-core green smoothie lovers would probably love this energy bar. While I adore baby spinach in a green smoothie, that’s as far as I’ll go. All other green veggies must stay on my plate, and far away from my BlendTec.

Back to the bar. Here’s the complete ingredient list: Organic dates, organic dark chocolate coating (cane sugar, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, non-GMO soy lecithin, natural vanilla flavor), organic agave nectar, amazing grass green superfood (organic wheat grass, organic barley grass, organic alfalfa, organic Spirulina, organic spinach, organic chlorella, organic broccoli, organic acai, organic maca, organic carrot, organic beet, raspberry, organic rose hips, pineapple, green tea, organic flax lignans, L- Acidophilus, alpha and beta amylase, protease, lipase, lactase, cellulose, organic peppermint), organic cashews , organic almond butter, organic rice crisps, organic almonds, organic sunflower seeds, organic dried cranberries, organic cacao nibs, organic pumpkin seeds, organic dried coconut and organic vanilla extract.

Simplicity is a virtue, people. There are a lot of great ingredients in this bar and a few not-so-great, *cough* cane sugar, agave. You don’t need to put in everything and then the kitchen sink for good measure, too. How about a few thoughtfully chosen, complementary ingredients and leave it at that.

Amazing Grass’s energy bars are made from gluten-free, organic, dairy-free, and vegan ingredients, but manufactured in a plant that processes wheat, milk, eggs, soy, peanuts and tree nuts. They sell for $3.19 a 2.8 ounce bar. Other flavors include Berry, Chocolate-Peanut Butter, and Green.

I’m sorry that I can’t whole-heartedly recommend this energy bar, but I just had to share it. It was too interesting to let pass by. Please do return tomorrow. You will not regret it. I have truly saved the best gluten-free chocolate for last.

The 12 Days of {gluten-free} Chocolate: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12

No other factory in the world mixes its chocolate by waterfall. But it’s the only way if you want it just right. ~ Willy Wonka, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl

Happy International Chocolate Day! Does chocolate get a lot of food holidays or what? In my book chocolate is worth celebrating any day of the year.

It’s been said by some that September 13 was chosen as International Chocolate Day to celebrate Milton Hershey’s birthday, and others say it was in honor of the birthday of Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I’m going with the latter since I’m not impressed with how Hershey’s empire has turned out.

September 13 is also National Celiac Awareness Day, so today’s chocolate is not only as unique as Willy Wonka himself, it’s also certified gluten-free by the Celiac Sprue Association.

Earthsource Organics’ Righteously Raw artisan chocolate bars are simply amazing! I chose the 90% Cacao Goji Bar because 90% cacao bars are hard to come by and because I was intrigued by its ingredient list, which includes organic Turkish figs and other delectable-sounding things.

Earthsource Organics calls the filling of their bars an exotic superfood truffle. I call it died-and-gone-to-heaven delicious! No chocolate waterfall necessary.

The Goji Cacao Bar tastes like a fruity version of a Mounds bar with a thick, decadent, deep-dark-chocolatey coating. I’ve never eaten goji berries, so I can’t comment on whether or not it actually tastes like goji berry. It does, however, have a divine berry flavor.

The chocolate coating is, as one would expect, on the bitter side. Which I love. It’s a perfect complement to the sweet and fruity truffle filling.

By the way, there’s actually no coconut in the Goji Bar, but there is a marvelous selection of other premium ingredients. Here’s the complete list. Raw Ingredients: Organic Cacao Butter, Organic Cacao Powder, Organic Turkish Figs, Organic Goji Berries, Organic Golden Hunza Raisins, Organic Mesquite Pod Meal, Organic Agave Nectar, Organic Vanilla Bean, Himalayan Pink Salt. They’re certified organic, kosher, gluten-free, and vegan.

Here’s what’s not in Righteously Raw’s cacao bars: refined sugar, gluten, soy, dairy, peanuts/tree nuts, GMOs. They’re made in a dedicated nut-free, soy-free, and allergen-free facility.

In case you’re wondering about mesquite pod meal–I was–here’s the lowdown. Mesquite pod comes from the bean pods of the mesquite tree. It’s ground into a sweet, nutritious meal, rich in minerals and protein.

Righteously Raw Cacao Bars are $5.79 a 2.3 ounce bar and come in four other exotic flavors: Açai, Lucuma Caramel, Maca Chocolate, and Maqui Rose. But I’m so infatuated with the Goji Bar that I choose it every time.

The 12 Days of {gluten-free} Chocolate: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12

There’s nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate. 
~ Linda Grayson, “The Pickwick Papers”

Seeing how Day 4′s Brownie Coco-Roons were so fabulously delicious, I decided to give another gluten-free, raw, vegan chocolate cookie a try.

Freeland Foods’ Go Raw Chocolate Super Cookies

Freeland Foods’ Go Raw Chocolate Super Cookies redefine the word ‘cookie’. They’re certified gluten-free and organic. They’re also kosher and free from grains, refined sugar and agave, nuts, and GMOs.

So what is in these super cookies? Organic Coconut (Unsulphered), Sprouted Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Dates, Organic Cacao.

Sprouting the seeds and gently drying the cookies at temperatures under 105°F boosts nutrition and digestibility.

Trying the Chocolate Super Cookie on for size

And their taste? Don’t let these little cookies’ strange appearance fool you. They pack a super chocolatey-sesame punch. They’ve got a fabulous crunch and remind me of Chinese sesame brittle candy. Except without the tooth-breaking hard sugar.

Since the dates come in third place out of four ingredients, these cookies are not overly sweet. In fact they’re just right for me.

I love that besides being super healthy, super crunchy, and super delish, these cookies are also super portable. I take them with me on my long training runs and carry them in my purse when simply running errands. They’re not going to melt or easily get crushed. Because they’re packed with nutrition, they don’t just satisfy cravings or fill your stomach, they also nourish you and help you get through the day.

A 3 ounce bag of Go Raw Chocolate Super Cookies (that’s 3 generous 18-cookie servings) is $5.49. Other Super Cookie flavors include: Lemon, Masala Chai, Carrot Cake, Ginger Snaps, Spirulina, Pumpkin, and Original. There’re so many to choose from! I think I’d like to try Masala Chai next. What about you?

The 12 Days of {gluten-free} Chocolate:
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12

Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two, but can’t remember what they are. ~ Matt Lauer

Today’s chocolate is found in an unusual place. No, it’s not in marijuana. It’s in your morning (or afternoon) cuppa tea. And the reaction this tea produces in your brain is pure bliss.

Numi Tea‘s Chocolate Pu-Erh Tea combines black and rooibos teas with cocoa and spices to create a cup of contentment.

Pu-erh tea comes from 500 year-old organic wild tea trees in Yunnan, China. A special processing method gives Pu-erh tea its unique taste. Rooibos is a South African herbal tea. Both are reported to have numerous health benefits.

Numi Tea contains only real ingredients for a fresh, pure taste. No natural or artificial flavorings. Chocolate Pu-Erh Tea is gluten-free and contains: Organic Black Pu-Erh Tea, Organic Cocoa Powder, Organic Vanilla Beans, Organic Rooibos, Organic Cinnamon, Orgnic Orange Peel, Organic Nutmeg.

It’s packaged in biodegradable filter-paper tea bags, not plastic “silky” bags or GMO cornstarch bags. Did you know that tea bags could actually be made from GMO corn? Wow! GMOs can be hidden just about anywhere. Scary! Luckily, Numi Tea teas are 100% organic and 100% GMO-free.

Chocolate Pu-Erh Tea has a pleasant, nutty taste with notes of chocolate and vanilla. It’s smooth and rich enough to be a suitable replacement for a mild coffee addiction, but not for a triple-espresso habit. If you’re craving a creamy, very chocolatey hot chocolate, this is not your drink. But if you’re looking for a pleasant morning or afternoon pick-me-up without the sudden jolt and jitteriness you get fom coffee, then this subtle hint of chocolate is just your cuppa tea.

My favorite way to drink Chocolate Pu-Erh Tea is with a tablespoon of coconut cream swirled in. Vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel are sweet seasonings, so if your taste buds are accustomed to less-sweet flavor like mine are, this tea should be perfect the way it is. If you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, add a touch of your favorite sweetener.

If you brew your tea just right, it won’t be too weak or overly bitter. Here are some tips to make the perfect cuppa:

• Use 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of water per tea bag. If you fill an American-style coffee mug to the brim with hot water, your tea is going to be too weak. If you want a bigger cuppa tea, add more than one tea bag.
  

  Note the difference between the 6 ounce Japanese tea cup on the left and the 10 ounce American coffee cup on the right.

• Use filtered water for the best taste. Contaminants can and do affect the flavor of tea for the worse.
• Use the right temperature water. Water for black tea should usually be boiling. Water for green tea should be a touch cooler than boiling. If in doubt, follow the package directions.
• Steep the tea bag for the right length of time, usually 3-5 minutes, but check the package directions to be sure. Green tea sometimes requires a shorter time. But when you leave the tea bag in too long, excess tannins may be released into the water, which will make your tea taste bitter. If you want stronger tea, add an extra tea bag.

Numi Tea Chocolate Pu-Erh Tea sells for $8.99 a box of 16 tea bags. Other flavors of pu-erh tea include Basil-Mint, Cardamom, Coconut, Emperor’s, Ginger, Jasmine, Magnolia, and Mint.

The 12 Days of {gluten-free} Chocolate:
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12

Find out more about my Cuppa quilt.

Save the earth. It’s the only planet with chocolate.
~ anonymous

Thanks to Endangered Species Chocolate, we can now eat chocolate and save the earth at the same time. Endangered Species Chocolate is not only Rainforest Alliance certified, they also donate 10% of their net profits to help support species, habitat, and humanity in the rainforest. Sweet!

Endangered Species’ Organic Health dark chocolate bars have special healthy, exotic ingredients and are certified gluten-free, organic, GMO-free, vegan, and kosher. So you can indulge worry-free.

The experience begins before you even open the package. The front of the label features a photo of an at-risk rainforest species and the back contains a mini conservation newsletter telling about the featured animal, special ingredients in the chocolate bar, and conservation tips.

Nice touch for ex-breakfast cereal eaters like me, who used to like reading the back of the cereal box while munching on a bowl of granola. And in case you’re wondering …
why yes, I did enjoy a few squares this morning for breakfast.

Organic Health 70% Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs, Yacon & Açai features the red-eyed tree frog. This is a smooth and creamy, mild-tasting dark chocolate bar with hints of fruitiness from the yacon and açai, a touch of vanilla, and just the right amount of crunch from finely ground cacao nibs. If large chunks of cacao nibs are too much for you, you just might learn to appreciate cacao nibs in this bar.

The complete ingredient list includes: Organic Dark Chocolate (*Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, *Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla), Organic Cacao Nibs, Organic Yacon Syrup, Organic Freeze Dried Açai Powder. Allergens: Contains soy. Produced on equipment that also processes product containing milk, peanuts and tree nuts. *Cocoa comes from Rainforest Alliance certified farms.

Other Endangered Species Chocolate: Organic Health flavors include Goji Berry, Pecans & Maca and Golden Berry & Lucuma. They sell for $3.89 a 3-ounce bar.

Click here to learn more about my tree frog quilt

The 12 Days of {gluten-free} Chocolate:
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12

I could give up chocolate, but I’m not a quitter. ~anonymous

Sacha Inchi seeds are a Peruvian food from the Amazon rainforest. Roasted and coated in 70% cacao dark chocolate, they become Vega Cocoa Kissed Savi Seeds. They’re a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids and a complete vegan protein.

SaviSeeds taste like a cross between a peanut and a soy nut. At first, I didn’t like them at all. Maybe I was expecting Peanut M&Ms or chocolate-covered almonds. Plus, I was never a fan of soy nuts.

But I had a 5-ounce bag to finish, so several days later I tried them again. And surprise, the SaviSeeds grew on me! I was really enjoying them by the time the bag was finished. They’re not too sweet, and the melt-in-your-mouth dark chocolate contrasts nicely with the crunchy SaviSeed. Underneath the chocolate, the SaviSeed has a sweet, crunchy layer that reminds me a little of the M&Ms’ candy shell.

The ingredients for Cocoa Kissed Savi Seeds are: Sacha Inchi Seeds, Organic Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa (Cocoa Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Powder), Organic Cane Sugar. They’re made in a facility that processes wheat, soy, dairy, peanuts, and tree nuts, so beware if you need to avoid any chance of cross-contamination. SaviSeeds also come in Oh Natural and Karmalized flavors.

At $9.99 for a 5-ounce bag (5 servings), Cocoa Kissed Savi Seeds are a bit on the pricey side, but add them to some raisins, pumpkin seeds, and your favorite nuts, and you’d have a great homemade trail mix.

The 12 Days of {gluten-free} Chocolate: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12

Coraline opened the box of chocolates. The dog looked at them longingly.

“Would you like one?” she asked the little dog.

“Yes, please,” whispered the dog. “Only not toffee ones. They make me drool.”

“I thought chocolates weren’t very good for dogs,” she said, remembering something Miss Forcible had once told her.

“Maybe where you come from,” whispered the little dog. “Here, it’s all we eat.”
~ Neil Gaiman, Coraline

If you suffer from food allergies or intolerances, unfortunately chocolates can often be one of those “not very good for you” kinds of foods.

Enjoy Life foods changes all that. Eat Freely is their motto.

boom CHOCO boom Dark Chocolate Bars are certified gluten-free. Made in a dedicated nut-and gluten-free facility, they are also vegan and free from dairy, nut, and soy. With no artificial anything. Their ingredient list reads: Natural Chocolate Liquor (non-alcoholic), Evaporated Cane Juice, Non-Dairy Cocoa Butter. What’s more, I’m thrilled to tell you that Enjoy Life products are now certified GMO-free as well.

boom CHOCO boom Dark Chocolate Bar is a semi-sweet chocolate. I’d put it at right around 60% cacao. So it’s definitely sweeter than my usual. Still, a fine tasting bar of chocolate nonetheless. Makes me think of chocolate chunk macadamia nut cookies or fresh s’mores around a campfire.

You can also find boom CHOCO boom bars in Ricemilk Crunch and Ricemilk Chocolate flavors for a dairy-free milk chocolate treat. boom CHOCO boom sells for $1.99 a 1.12 ounce bar. Enjoy Life also makes Mini Chips and Mega Chunks for baking, as well as many other allergy-friendly foods. Visit the Enjoy Life website for more information, recipes, and printable coupons.

P.S. If you’ve got s’mores on the brain, here’s a recipe from Enjoy Life: Frozen S’More Cookie Sandwich. Enjoy!

The 12 Days of {gluten-free} Chocolate: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12