Gimme Some Mo' Cocoa

As promised, today I present you with a few product reviews. I've noticed that the new products I've been trying over the past few weeks have a common ingredient...cocoa! There's just something about that intense bittersweet flavor that keeps me comin' back for mo'. Most recently, I've been satisfying the craving with Jocolat bars, Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips, and Living Harvest Chocolate Chili Hemp Protein.

Jocolat
Put simply, the people at the Larabar HQ are geniuses. Every product I have tried has been truly delectable, and the chocolate Jocalat bar was no exception. The flavor was nothing but deep, rich, (dare I say it?) fudginess.

I am reluctant to use such phrasing because I find it hard to believe given the list of ingredients. Larabar has created a name for itself on the fact that its products feature short but sweet ingredients lists, usually consisting of no more than dried fruit and nuts. The Jocolat varieties include a few more ingredients to get that brownie-like taste, but the list is still impressively simple. The chocolate bar that I tried included dates for that luscious sweetness, plus organic almonds, walnuts, cocoa powder, cocoa mass, and cashews.

While many choose Larabars for convenient on-the-go or on-the-job snacks, I enjoyed mine within the comfort of my own home and washed it down with a glass of chilled almond milk. Perhaps eating the Jocolat bar this way enhanced its brownie-ness; I siezed the opportunity to relax with a healthy indulgence.
Healthy indulgence? Isn't that an oxymoron? Not this time. The chocolate Jocolat bar contains 190 kcalories and 10 grams of fat, only 2 of which are saturated. The fats in this bar are derived from all those heart-healthy nuts in the ingredients--there is no need to feel guilty about the fat content on this bar. Additionally, there are 5 grams of protein and a whopping 5 grams of fiber, a combination that will assuredly keep you satisfied for a while. The 18 grams of sugar present in the bar is a bit high, but the sugar content comes not from added sugars but from a natural and whole ingredient: dates.

Other nutritional benefits include 10% RDA for iron, 8% RDA for magnesium, plus 3 grams of Omega-6 fatty acids, and each bar counts as one fruit serving. I can't wait to try some of the other flavors!!
Other flavors currently available include chocolate orange, chocolate cherry, chocolate mint, chocolate coffee, and chocolate hazelnut. What are your favorites?

Warning: Jocolate bars can be pricey--at Whole Foods they cost upwards of $1.79.

Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips
In case you haven't noticed, I like to make shakes...a lot. A few weeks ago I was in search of the perfect Choco-nana shake topper when I stumbled upon these chocolate chips. As the package proudly proclaims, they are dairy, soy, and gluten free, making them perfect for allergy sufferers and vegans alike.
I was immediately struck by the short ingredients list: evaporated cane juice, chocolate liquor, and non-dairy cocoa butter. Sounds like a good combination to me. These chips are actually miniature chocolate chips, and each tiny piece packs intense cocoa flavor. They have made a great addition to my evening shake indulgences, but you could also include them in your favorite chocolate chip cookies or mix them into a trail mix.

Each serving contains 75 kcalories, 5 grams of fat (3 gram saturated), and 7 grams of sugar. The saturated fat is a bit high, but the likelihood of my eating multiple servings in one sitting is low, so I think it's alright to live a little:)
Each 10 oz. bag costs just $1.99 at Whole Foods, much lower than other brands that charge as much $4.39.

Living Harvest Chocolate Chili Hemp Protein
Thanks to a recommendation from a certain VeggieGirl, I have a new recent obsession: Living Harvest Hemp Protein. I use this powder in my blender concoctions almost every night. Its taste and nutritional profile are nearly impossible to match.

It wasn't until recently that I got a chance to try the chocolate chili flavor; I had formerly been a devoted vanilla spice fan. All it took was one rendezvous with a frozen banana, and I was hooked on this flavor too. The chili flavor is almost indetectable except for a slight kick in the background; the most prominent component of the taste is cocoa by far.

Yet another pleasantly brief ingredients list for this product: Hemp Protein (100% Organic Hemp Seed), Organic Unrefined Whole Cane Sugar, Organic Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Pure Ground Vanilla Bean and Organic Chilies.

A generous 4 tablespoon serving provides 130 kcalories, 3.5 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein, and a surprising 9 grams of dietary fiber. The sugar content remains low at 6 grams, despite the fact that there are no artificial sweeteners present. Love it!

You can purchase Living Harvest products online at their website or other e-retailers, such as iHerb.com. Some Whole Foods may also carry canisters of the chocolate chili powder.

I hope you enjoyed this second round of product reviews. Happy Sunday!