Free Radicals, ORAC, Antioxidants and Chava

!±8± Free Radicals, ORAC, Antioxidants and Chava

You will want to read every word of this article to discover why Chocolate can be a major weapon in your fight against aging! Once you read this, you will understand why!

Free Radical Damage

By now most people are aware of the importance of antioxidants. Every day we are bombarded by FREE RADICALS, these are produced by our own body processes, and come from external sources. Free radicals are formed when a cell loses one of its electrons due to contaminants or the body not functioning correctly. This results in a chain reaction as each cell steals an electron from another cell to stabilize, and is thought to be a major cause of aging and disease.

Unchecked free radical damage can mutate cells and then those bad cells replicate, spreading genetic mutations throughout the body. Dr. Denham Harman is credited with creating the theory of free radicals as crucial in aging of our bodies!

Sources Of Free Radicals.

There are two classes of free radicals, endogenous and exogenous. Endogenous free radicals come from body processes. Normally they are swallowed up by a properly working immune system, but immune function has fallen substantially over the last 30 years due to the reduction in Natural Killer cell activity. This manifests in a huge increase in diseases such as Arthritis, Cancer, and other autoimmune diseases in recent times. It appears our bodies simply aren't creating enough natural killer cells to combat the level of free radicals our bodies are producing.

Exogenous free radicals come from external sources. The most famous one is cigarette smoke, but they include heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides, and chemicals. These come from all food including fruits and vegetables, the air, water and ground, household cleaners, and the workplace. Indeed our modern life exposes us to these daily and there is some evidence that electrical radiation from computers, TVs and electrical appliances may contribute as well.

Clearly Free Radicals are not something we want running around our bodies, mutating cells and aging our bodies prematurely!

What Are Antioxidants?

These are stable cells that are able to absorb free radicals without continuing the chain reaction. They are found in many fruits and vegetables, and a vegetarian diet is a great start to increasing your immune response. Antioxidants are known as "free radical scavengers", soaking up free radicals in the body. Health authorities are well aware of this and now recommend multiple servings of fruits and vegetables for good health. In the US as Scientists discovered how deficient our food is, and how much we are under attack by free radicals, they continue to increase their recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables.

The latest recommendation is 13 servings a day! As this doesn't include French Fries, most people are not getting anywhere near enough antioxidants from their diet. The whole thing is further complicated when you purchase non organic produce which comes complete with a whole range of pesticides and herbicides to counter any good!

The Need For Supplementation

It is becoming obvious that it is now very difficult to obtain a full range of nutrients from food alone.

The answer to the aging problem is to supplement with products that boost our natural killer cells and eliminate free radicals from the body. This is why antioxidant supplements have appeared. By discovering rich sources of antioxidants, we are able to give our bodies our daily allowance now missing from food.

It is important that all supplements we take come from whole food sources, as there are complex enzyme and mineral components in food required to properly utilize nutrition in the body. Artificial vitamins do not have this and there are studies showing carrot juice reducing cancer risk, while beta carotene supplementation actually increased it!

ORAC and Antioxidants.

Given that we need antioxidants to counter our toxic world and deteriorating bodies, how do we determine which to take? Well, first and foremost, a whole food source is preferable.

There are many fruits and berries which are high in antioxidants. Here are a few. The rates quoted are per gram

Chocolate Dutch Powder 402

Acai fruit (fresh) 185

Cranberry 95

Blueberry (low bush) 93

Plums (black) 73

Plums 62

Blackberry 53

Raspberry 49

As you can see chocolate rates fairly highly, The ORAC score is based on a certain weight, in this case 100 grams.

Chava Vital Chocolate and ORAC

Given all of the information I have shown you, it is a fairly logical conclusion to get excited about Chava. Chava is 70% Dark, Organic Cacoa. It is Fair Trade which means no child slave labour like many popular brands! It is not only toxin free but includes 5 drops of Natural Cellular defense Zeolite in each piece.

Zeolites are known to soak up toxins and heavy metals. This gives us peace of mind that Chava Chocolate will not contribute to free radical production. Another brand of Organic chocolate, Dagoba, were forced to withdraw huge amounts of product from sale when it was found to contain high lead levels!

Chava has an ORAC value of 33,928 per 8 gm piece. That means a whopping 424,100 ORAC for 100 grams.

This is off the scale of the above chart!

Recommendations are for 5,000 ORAC a day, so 2 pieces of Chava provides huge protection from the ravages of aging. It is in fact, once for once, double that of any other chocolate product!

What Else Is In Chava Vital Chocolate?

Well, each piece has 663mg of Flavonoids. Research links Flavanoids to reduced risks for cancer, heart disease, and other age-related degenerative diseases, as well as antioxidant protection of body fluids such as blood.

They also may help prevent stroke, flu, tooth decay, and other ailments. As you can see, this is a good thing!

Conclusion.

It was an eye opener for me to discover how healthy properly processed chocolate is. This is not the stuff sold in supermarkets. Now that the health benefits of chocolate are being researched, we can throw away some of those pills and switch to whole food to keep us healthy and fight aging!

Free Radicals, ORAC, Antioxidants and Chava

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Should You Buy Organic Chocolate?

!±8± Should You Buy Organic Chocolate?

Most of us love our chocolate. But did you know there are significant differences between the supermarket varieties, and certified organic product. Commercial interests try to dupe us into believing their product is the real thing, when it left that blissful state long ago on the way to the Supermarket.

Fair Trade

When it comes to chocolate, most of us are aware that when Europeans first took this fruit to Africa, there was child slave labor involved in Cocoa production. These days many farmers use their children to help them take care of their farms, but unfortunately unscrupulous chocolate companies such as Nestle and Hersheys, are more interested in short term profits, than the welfare of African children!

Recently Cadbury announced that they are switching over to Fair Trade Chocolate after intense lobbying from consumer and green groups. Most organic chocolate, on the other hand, is certified free trade. Those wanting a clear conscience when eating chocolate will wish to make sure their favourite brand is fair trade certified!

Pesticides and Toxins

Chocolate in its raw form has been shown to have relatively low levels of toxins such as lead. Unfortunately, this is not the case after processing. Here is the result of one study.

"What's interesting is that cocoa beans tested had an average lead concentration of < 0.5 ng/g, "one of the lowest reported values for a natural food," the study points out. But, by contrast, "lead concentrations of manufactured cocoa and chocolate products were as high as 230 and 70 ng/g."

"In fact, a team of American and Nigerian researchers found that lead levels in raw cocoa beans were 60 times lower than lead levels observed in processed chocolate products, the Chicago Tribune reports".

Chocolate absorbs everything from its environment. That means that toxic substance used in manufacture are going to get into the chocolate! Certified Organic Chocolate comes from areas where pesticides are not used. It may still have residues, but they are generally much lower. Organic chocolate is generally not processed using chemicals, often a larger source of contamination than those in the growing environment.

Additives

When selecting an organic chocolate, make sure they are not using refined sugar in the production. Commercial chocolates have quite a few additives.

Here is the list from Cadbury dark Chocolate. Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Milk Solids, Emulsifiers (Soya lecithin, 476), Flavour. May contain traces of Nuts. Dark Chocolate contains Cocoa solids 45%.

Unfortunately, with no certified foods, including chocolate, there is no requirement to list pesticides, herbicides, lead or other heavy metals in the product. Even the ingredients listed can come from many sources, and may be very detrimental to human health. Omission is a common practice amongst food giants to avoid scrutiny!

Conclusion

When all is said and done, Organic Chocolate is a better alternate to Commercial varieties. It does cost more and Dagoba sell a 56.7 gram square for .95 a piece.

Organic chocolate has many advantages, particularly if it is cold pressed and may retain much of the antioxidant and other nutrient value of the raw cocoa bean.

Should You Buy Organic Chocolate?

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Top Chocolate Brands For Your Sweetheart on Valentine's Day

!±8± Top Chocolate Brands For Your Sweetheart on Valentine's Day

As Valentine's Day edges ever closer, department stores build larger displays of gift ideas. It isn't unusual to walk into Target or Wal-Mart and find shelves of heart-shaped boxes, all filled with a variety of truffles, nut clusters, and other bon-bons. Indeed, the days leading up to February fourteenth mark records sales of chocolate, and while mass-produced brands are enjoyable and affordable, sometimes this holiday calls for something truly special. This year, why not splurge and give your sweetheart the gift of gourmet, artisan chocolate?

Across the country, one will find a multitude of chocolatiers that specialize in unusual, yet delicious sweets. From antioxidant rich dark chocolate, enrobing juicy berries and thick nuts, or creamy caramels laced with sea salt, there is no limit to the variety of gifts available for this holiday for lovers. Some names you may have seen in area grocery stores and boutiques, while others offer ordering and shipping via the Internet. If you choose to order a gift basket or selection, be sure to research availability and delivery times to ensure your treats arrive in time. Know, too, that not all artisan chocolate is expensive, and for a special bar or collection of truffles even a little goes a long way. Here are just a few brands to consider for a unique, scrumptious Valentine.

Vosges Chocolate: This upscale New York-based chocolatier offers a selection of bars, bons bons and other delectables infused with ingredients one would normally not associate with dessert. Vosges is perhaps best known for their popular bacon and chocolate confections - bars and shaped solids that deliver a salty, smoky sweetness with each bite. For the sweetheart who loves both, why not purchase a pair of Mo's Bacon Bars, in milk and dark. Or, try a box of enrobed caramel marshmallows or exotic truffles with a hint of ginger, paprika, and other wild flavors?

Moonstruck Chocolate: Based in Orgeon, this delightful chocolate company offers up some cute as a bug truffles this Valentine's Day - "bug" being the operative word. Their Love Bugs are dark ganache truffles flavored with raspberry or strawberry, with painted on smiles that make the candies almost too sweet to eat. Almost! Be sure to visit them online for collections featuring bon bons flavored with champagne, creme brulee, and Irish cream among other taste sensations.

Organic Chocolates: If your sweetheart is thinking more "green" than red these days, you may wish to present her or him with a selection of organic and fair-trade bars. Some of the more noted brands you might find at your local grocer include Green and Black's, Endangered Species, and Dagoba Chocolate, all of which carry different varities - from milk to dark to white, plain or with nuts or berries or other yummy extras.

This year, take a break from the ordinary in chocolate and present a tasty, exotic Valentine that will disappear quickly, but remain in your loved one's memory for a long time to come.

Top Chocolate Brands For Your Sweetheart on Valentine's Day

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Brands of Healthy Chocolate - Which Ones Are Good For You?

!±8± Brands of Healthy Chocolate - Which Ones Are Good For You?

With new research on the health benefits of dark chocolate, many name brand chocolates are trying to position themselves as healthy, when they don't really offer you any health benefits whatsoever. To identify brands of truly healthy chocolate, you must know what substances in chocolate contain the health value. For example, studies have shown that flavonoids, which are found in dark chocolate, may help to lower blood pressure. But the levels of flavonoids in chocolate depend entirely on how it's processed. Often, milk chocolate, due to its greater processing, has fewer flavonoids than dark chocolate. Typically, the higher the percentage of cocoa found in the chocolate, the more flavonoids (and other healthy substances) it contains.

While healthy, organic, raw or minimally-processed chocolates are not yet the mainstream, they are becoming widely available and recognized as a delicious and responsible choice. A healthy chocolate should contain cacao content of 70% or greater. Chocolates containing less have more fillers, more fat and fewer (if any) health benefits. It's important to read the labels. Just because chocolate is dark, doesn't necessarily mean it offers any health benefits.

The following chocolate brands have been celebrated for their unique tastes, health benefits and strong ethical commitments.

Divine is a farmer-owned company with sustainable development efforts in many countries. The fair-trade Divine Dark Mini Bars are the perfect chocolate treat and contain 70% cacao.

Dagoba makes an award-winning dark chocolate bar that includes chiles, nibs and is 74% cacao. They have coined the term "Full Circle Sustainability" to describe their commitments to ethics and social responsibility.

Equal Exchange makes organic chocolate bars with up to 80% cacao that are vegan, gluten-free and contain no refined sugars. They work with fair trade cooperatives and farmers across the world.

Ignafire produces natural chocolate with no commercial processing or industrial equipment. They're vegan-friendly and low in sugar. Some are subtly flavored with cinnamon, roasted coffee beans or crushed almonds.

Theo uses green energy sources to power their factory along with sustainable packaging and printing methods. Try their fair-trade certified blend that combines chocolate from Ghana, Panama and Ecuador.

All of the above brands offer mail order as in addition to being found in health food stores and larger chains such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes.

Brands of Healthy Chocolate - Which Ones Are Good For You?

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Dagoba Organic Chocolate Hot Chocolate, Dark, Non Instant, Fair Trade, 12-Ounce (Pack of 9)

!±8±Dagoba Organic Chocolate Hot Chocolate, Dark, Non Instant, Fair Trade, 12-Ounce (Pack of 9)

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Chocolate - The Health Benefits of Chocolate

!±8± Chocolate - The Health Benefits of Chocolate

Science has confirmed with many studies and research that eating chocolate is indeed healthy. Researchers have found that dark chocolate in particular has both emotional and physical health benefits when consumed in healthy portions. Chocolate has properties that increase mental awareness as well as a multitude of health benefits for our body. Studies have also shown that people who eat two to three chocolate bars a month live longer than those that don't consume any chocolate.

Researchers have found that consuming chocolate increases the dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain indicating that this food has an antidepressant effect. Also, chocolate helps to decrease fat intake by curbing a person's appetite for fats. In addition, one of the properties of cocoa is that it has the overall effect of decreasing appetite.

The chocolate that is most beneficial to our health is dark chocolate. One of the main ingredients of dark chocolate is cacao that contains flavonoids, and these are an excellent source of antioxidants that protect our bodies from the effects of free radicals that can be very damaging.

Unfortunately, we are always being threatened by free radicals from the air that we breathe and the different foods that we consume. Eating foods that have plenty of flavonoids also helps our immune system and helps the body fight diseases such as cancer, asthma, allergies, and type2 diabetes.

The flavonoids that are found in Cocoa prevent harmful clots from forming that may cause damage to the heart and other areas of the body. These flavonoids also allow increased blood flow by aiding the blood vessels to dilate with ease. In addition, cocoa has properties that aid in the stopping the inflammatory process that can be very damaging to the body.

Dark chocolate also helps your heart by helping your vessels retain their flexibility. And, it helps with your body's blood circulation therefore improving your blood pressure levels. Also, epicatechin, a nutrient found in chocolate, helps to avoid heart attacks and strokes by relaxing and widening our blood vessels.

Cocoa is known to reduce cardiovascular problems by increasing the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. HDL is responsible for cleaning and removing the harmful fats from the body's blood vessels.

In fact, several years ago a study was conducted in Germany with over nine thousand participants, and it revealed that people who ate on an average more than seven grams of chocolate daily had lower risks of stokes and heart attacks, and they also experienced lower blood pressure levels.

Cocoa and dark chocolate are also a good source for the fiber needs of our diet. And, believe it or not chocolate hardly contains cholesterol, and if it does it is because of the milk ingredients that are added. Chocolate is a food that is derived from a plant and plants do not produce cholesterol.

Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Dark chocolate is a great source of vitamins and minerals. It is full of magnesium and iron, and it also contains vitamin B that helps to boost your energy levels. It also contains copper and potassium that are important for maintaining good health.

The magnesium levels that are found in a dark chocolate bar typically contain over 12% of the body's daily requirement. This is important preventing chronic diseases like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular health problems.

History

Chocolate first appeared in the Mayan and Aztec cultures approximately 4000 years ago. The cacao plant is thought to have originated in the Amazon region and is the main ingredient in chocolate. According to Aztec legend their god Quetzalcoatl gave the cacao tree to the Aztec people. He taught them how to prepare the seeds by roasting and grinding them to form a paste that could be mixed with water. This mixture became known to the Aztec's as chocotatl and they believed that it provided a person with knowledge and wisdom when consumed.

Chocolate was introduced to Spain by the Spanish conquistadores in the 1500s. The Spaniards added different condiments and sweeteners to enhance its flavor. Chocolate was considered a delicacy among the wealthy and became the favorite drink in Europe until it was replaced by coffee and tea in the 19th century.

In the twentieth century solid chocolate bars were introduced in Europe. At about this time the cocoa bean was discovered to have beneficial health properties, and that's when the popularity for chocolate began to surge.

Chocolate as Part of Your Diet

If you are going to include chocolate as part of your diet, then what is recommended is dark chocolate. Eat the amount that is healthy for your daily nutritional needs. Whether you like your dark chocolate with nuts or just plain, dark chocolate is the best choice. Always try to avoid any fillings in chocolate, such as nougat or caramel, these fillings just add extra calories.

The whole purpose of eating pure dark chocolate is for its health benefits aside from its delicious taste. A person should not consume more than three and a half ounces of chocolate per day. This is the recommended amount of chocolate to eat to be on the healthy side.

And, just because you are eating chocolate does not mean that you are receiving its healthy benefits. Avoid consuming dark chocolate while drinking milk because this prevents the antioxidants from being absorbed by your body. There are also several types of chocolates that are not healthy for you because they're loaded with fats and sugar.

Here is a list of top quality dark chocolate bars:

Dagoba Eclipse - 87% Cacao

Green and Black's Dark - 85% Cacao

Valrhona Noir Extra Amer - 85% Cacao

Scharffen Berger Extra Dark - 82% Cacao

Chocolove XOXOX Extra Strong Dark - 77% Cacao

Chocolate is great to eat because of its health benefits and nutritional value, but like everything else if we consume too much of a good thing it can also be bad. So, the next time that you are eating a delicious dark chocolate bar think of all of the health benefits that you are receiving, but just remember to eat with moderation.

Chocolate - The Health Benefits of Chocolate

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Dagoba Organic Chocolate Organic Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Baking Bar ( 10x6 OZ)

!±8±Dagoba Organic Chocolate Organic Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Baking Bar ( 10x6 OZ)

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A Guide to Fair Trade, Organic Chocolate Companies

!±8± A Guide to Fair Trade, Organic Chocolate Companies

Knowing Fair Trade and Certified Organic chocolate companies

Today, there are more fair trade chocolate companies and brands specializing in organic chocolate ingredients than ever. Whether you're looking for chocolate gifts for a special occasion or a quick snack for the road, your eco-shopping trip will be much less hassle today that it would have been even five years ago.

So breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that you no longer have to struggle over where to buy earth friendly chocolate products. We've collected a long list of the highest quality, most ethically-sound, and most popular chocolate companies and organic chocolate brands. Give them a gander, share them with your friends, and above all, celebrate your choice to live a greener, more socially-aware life!

Alter Eco

Using only Certified Organic and Certified Fair Trade chocolate, as well as fair trade, organic sugar, nuts, raisins, and coffee beans, Alter Eco's chocolates are also free of artificial flavors, sweeteners, chemical additives, and emulsifiers.

Dagoba Organic

Dagoba Organic Chocolate's belief in chocolate as a sacred food (dagoba means temple in Sanskrit) is made from organic cocoa beans from a variety of countries, including Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Peru.

Divine Chocolate

Organized by farmers, the Divine Chocolate company works with small cocoa producers primarily in West Africa, to stimulate ethical trade practices. The company invests in building schools, sinking wells, providing mobile clinics, and fostering women's income generation projects.

Endangered Species

Endangered Species Chocolate stresses principles such as reverence for life and ethical trade. Their wrappers increase awareness of species that are currently threatened or endangered. Ten percent of all net profits are given to support species, habitat, and humanity.

Equal Exchange

Working with three different farmer cooperatives in the Dominican Republic, Equal Exchange organic chocolate products are both organic and fair trade. The company also produces teas, snacks, and coffee.

Green & Black's

Merging the "green" of organic chocolate production principles with the "black" of a decadent life, Green & Black's is both delicious and sustainable. They choose only organic and fairly traded chocolate ingredients.

Grenada Chocolate Company

For Granada Chocolate Company, it's not enough to purchase Certified Organic cocoa beans-they must grow the beans themselves. Working with organic farmers' cooperatives, they grow the beans and then use solar-powered machines to make the chocolate.

Ithaca Fine Chocolates

At Ithaca Fine Chocolates, the aim is to produce exquisite chocolate (using Swiss chocolatier methods) that's also Fair Trade Certified. They also only purchase USDA Certified Organic ingredients. Their wrappers, art cards, and display boxes are made from recycled paper as well.

Newman's Own Organics

A company founded by Paul Newman, Newman's Own Organics carries Signature Series Chocolate which is USDA Certified Organic and made from ingredients grown on Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

Seeds of Change

Working to keep organic, open-pollinated seeds available for farmers and gardeners worldwide, Seeds of Change also produces some organic food and has recently developed a line of chocolate made from organically-grown cocoa, fruits, nuts, and spices from around the world.

Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates

Based in California, Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates are Certified Organic by the Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) organization.

Terra Nostra Organic

A Vancouver, Canada company, Terra Nostra Organic Chocolate is Certified Organic and known for its magnificent taste and luxuriant finish. The company is also a founding member of Equitable Trade which strives to encourage ethically traded and organic chocolate farming methods for their suppliers.

Vintage Plantations

With the Rainforest Alliance stamp of approval, Vintage Plantations chocolate is made from Ecuadorian cocoa so you know that it's both eco-friendly and ethically traded.

Knowing where to buy fair trade chocolate

Now that you know what fair trade chocolate brands and organic chocolate companies to look for, you may also need some help knowing where to buy organic and fair trade chocolates (some artisans and producers don't sell their wares online). To help you out, here are some tools to help you know where to buy eco-friendly and ethical chocolates:

Global Exchange carries a wide range of Fair Trade Certified products, including chocolate, coffee, tea, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and more. TransFair USA maintains a list of national cafes, restaurants, and retailers carrying their Fair Trade Certified food products. The Chocolate Room carries some fair trade and organic chocolate bars. You can find Vintage Plantations fair trade chocolates at World Wide Chocolate online.
Choose Earth Friendly Chocolate for Gift Giving

Holidays throughout the year are popular occasions for buying chocolate as gifts. But this year, as you shop the isles or search online, keep earth friendly chocolate gifts in mind, especially when you come to the events here:

Valentine's

Treat your sweetheart to a box of chocolates that are Certified Organic or that have the Fair Trade Certification seal.

Christmas/Hanukkah

Stock up with Hanukkah Gelt that's Certified Organic and look for advent calendars and stocking stuffers for Christmas that are Fair Trade Certified.

Mother's Day

Surprise your Mom with a bouquet of chocolates that are healthier for her and that ensured women around the world were treated with dignity and respect. Fair Trade is the only way to go for this occasion.

Father's Day

If your Father has a sweet tooth, give him a real treat by purchasing organic chocolates that were produced using cocoa beans raised on farms that are pesticide and fertilizer-free. These will hit the spot without hurting the farmers.

Easter

Don't let the Easter bunny bring your children chocolates that were made using child slave labor! Choose Fair Trade Certified chocolates instead.

Halloween

Send trick-or-treaters home with sweets that won't create health problems for them later. Organic chocolates that are toxin-free are a great alternative to conventional treats.

Weddings

If it's your time to plan a spectacular day to celebrate your love, do so with favors that are ethical to add a green, socially-conscious flare to your day. Look for the fair trade and organic seals for your cake, too!

A Guide to Fair Trade, Organic Chocolate Companies

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Peanut Butter Moo / Banana Mocha Frappuccino

!±8± Peanut Butter Moo / Banana Mocha Frappuccino

►Peanut Butter Moo / Banana Mocha Frappe 1.5 oz espresso 1.5 oz milk teaspoon of peanut butter (or applesauce) teaspoon of honey or honey crystals one tray of ice or enough to even out level with liquid 1/2 banana + 2 tablespoons of any combination of chocolate Honey Crystals www.mamahealthy.com Ghirardelli Chocolate Frappe Classico, Double Chocolate www.amazon.com Dagoba Organic Chocolate www.worldpantry.com Ghiradelli Recipes www.ghirardelli.com Coffee Products www.sweetmarias.com Bean Grinder - (need to brush out coffee pathway weekly when used daily) www.capresso.com Oster Drink Blender with reversing motor and 1 year warranty To muffle the sound of this blender place a fluffy towel under it. www.costco.com Vita-mix blender with 7 year warranty www.vita-mix.com Music Artist: Black Eyed Peas Album: Elephunk Song: My Style ►Daughter's channel with family & friends www.youtube.com ►Momy's channel www.youtube.com ►Twitter www.twitter.com ►Facebook www.facebook.com

Peanut Butter Moo / Banana Mocha Frappuccino

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Fair Trade Chocolate

!±8± Fair Trade Chocolate

The three brands I sample are: Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value, 3400 Phinney (www.theochocolate.com and Dagoba (www.dagobachocolate.com Read more about the ethical issues behind cocoa harvesting at www.equalexchange.coop and vision.ucsd.edu

Fair Trade Chocolate

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