The Alchemy of Our Chocolate

Cacao is the world’s top plant medicine.

It offers so many health benefits, from heart health to mood enhancement. It has been the “food of the gods” for centuries.

Dark chocolate can help with pain (improves blood flow), anxiety (lifts mood levels), insomnia (relaxes vessels), depression (elevates mood), stress (relaxation), inflammation, heart health (antioxidant flavanols - all about blood flow), cortisol levels (polyphenols lower this stress hormone), cell damage related to aging, blood pressure, brain health, immunity, sleep (magnesium), and skin damage (anti-o2 and high flavanols protect against UV rays).

When a plant has so many health benefits, you want people to incorporate it into a daily routine.

Use cacao as a preventative medicine so you can maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating dark chocolate.

Fun Fact: Cacao and black truffles are the only two known plants in the world that have Anandamide (the blissful hormone that all mammals produce naturally) in their biological makeup.

Dates have been used as a sweet treat for centuries.

They have a low glycemic index, which means you won’t get the sugar spikes typical in refined/ultra-processed sugars.

Dates are also full of fiber and flavour.

The marriage of our bean-to-bar chocolates and the natural sweetness of dates unleashes a symphony of flavor complexity that is simply irresistible.

The caramel-like sweetness of dates beautifully complements our high-quality cocoa beans' deep, fruity, flowery, and earthy undertones. This harmonious combination dances on your palate and takes your chocolate experience to new heights.

Dates are also a renewable resource, and their production requires fewer resources compared to traditional sweeteners.

With our chocolates, you can savor a guilt-free pleasure that satisfies your cravings while nourishing your body and caring for the planet.

This natural sugar also has a low glycemic index.

It’s also high in nutrients your body needs, such as potassium, zinc, iron, and vitamins B1, B3, B6, and C.

It also contains amino acids, the building blocks of protein that your body needs.

Coconut sugar is also more environmentally friendly as it doesn’t damage the trees in the cultivation process.

This amazing sweetener is packed with benefits. It can help burn fat and build muscle due to the abundance of essential amino acids.

It can increase energy levels, produce serotonin, store energy as healthy fat, and has been found to lower cholesterol.

Cane sugar may be used to treat: anemia, fatigue, febrile disorders, fever, inflammatory diseases, intestinal issues, and ulcers.

It also strengthens immune system response and supplies antioxidants to the body.

We’re big fans of monk fruit!

Not only does it provide a sweet flavor without affecting blood sugar (making it safe for diabetics), but it also contains compounds that have antioxidant characteristics, which protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

The damage is a primary source of inflammation, meaning that monk fruit also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Monk fruit may also have anticancer properties.

While the above sweeteners will not create blood sugar spikes, an added benefit of monk fruit is that it may promote weight loss.

Because monk fruit contains no calories, carbohydrates, or fat, people who want to lose weight may find monk fruit a useful addition to their diet.

Cocoa butter is a decent source of vitamin E, which benefits your body in many ways.

Vitamin E supports vision, reproduction, and the health of your brain, skin, and blood.

Cocoa butter is also rich in potassium, which helps lower blood pressure; phosphorus, which supports bone health; copper, which supports brain health; iron, which supports red blood cell activity; zinc, which supports immune health; and magnesium, which supports muscle and nerve health

Cocoa butter is also high in vitamin D2, a precursor to the active form of vitamin D in the body.

Mint leaves have been used for centuries in both culinary and medicinal applications.

The addition of mint leaves to chocolates sweetened with dates not only gives the mint taste but also provides several health benefits, such as being a digestive aid and breath freshener.

It’s antioxidant-rich and improves brain function (rosmarinic acid), provides relief from respiratory symptoms, and is great for stress relief.

These citrus powders are rich in nutrients for your well-being; nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium.

They also contain potent antioxidant properties, protect and reduce inflammation, boost digestive health via fiber, and promote the health of beneficial gut bacteria.

Oranges and lemons tend to be mood-enhancing because of their aromatic compounds.

The scent of oranges and lemons has been shown to have a calming effect, potentially reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.

I love using the Mexican vanilla bean, and my students from Mexico send them to me, so I feel connected to them when I put the vanilla into my chocolate.

Mexican vanilla beans are highly prized for their rich and creamy flavor and are considered one of the finest and most sought-after vanilla varieties in the world.

The beans come from the Vanilla planifolia orchid, which is native to Mexico.

The region’s unique climate and soil conditions contribute to the distinct flavor profile of Mexican vanilla.

Mexican vanilla beans have a smooth, sweet, and slightly spicy taste with floral undertones.

They are known for their warm and inviting aroma, often described as creamy, woody, and caramel-like, and are incredibly versatile in culinary applications.

Mexican vanilla beans are particularly prized by chocolatiers for their exceptional quality and depth of flavor, making them a favorite choice for those seeking an authentic and premium vanilla experience.

Basil is good for more than just flavoring your dinner. It’s a powerful adaptogenic herb that helps counter the symptoms of stress, including headaches, stomach disorders, insomnia, and lethargy.

Sweet basil is also used medically in China, mainly to promote good blood circulation after birth and to treat kidney problems and stomach cramps.

It has been used traditionally to alleviate and treat flatulence, abdominal cramps, colic, constipation, and indigestion.

It can also be used to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Basil has a mild soothing and sedative effect that could make it useful in the treatment of nervous irritability, depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties.

Sweet basil has antispasmodic, antiseptic, expectorant, and antibacterial properties, making it useful for treating epilepsy, migraines, and fever associated with colds and flu.

Additionally, the herb has a slight diuretic effect and has sometimes been used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, and urinary problems.

Parsley is rich in minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus.

It also contains high levels of folic acid and vitamins A, B, C, and K.

Vitamin K helps with heart health, is vital in bone formation, protects against osteoporosis, and is very beneficial for the circulatory and nervous system.

Parsley increases the secretion of digestive fluids, which may lead to better digestion, improved nutrient uptake, and less intestinal gas production.

It may also be used as a remedy for flatulence, constipation, and other digestive problems.

Parsley is best known for its effects on the urinary system.

The leaves and roots are used as a diuretic and have been used for a variety of ailments in which increased urination is beneficial, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, cystitis, and edema.

Parsley root is also considered nourishing and blood-building, which can be an important part of supporting a healthy menstrual cycle.

Traditionally, rosemary was rubbed into meats to prevent them from spoiling by inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

Like other culinary herbs in the aromatic mint family, rosemary made into tea can ease slow digestion that is causing gas, nausea, cramping, or bloating.

It’s often paired with fatty meats for its ability to support the liver and help digest fats.

Rosemary has had a long-lived reputation for enhancing mental function and memory, and its stimulant action raises blood pressure and increases circulation.

Rosemary oil is sometimes used to treat muscle pain, arthritis, and bruises.

Extracts and volatile oils have been used to promote menstrual flow.

Rosemary can help ease cold and flu symptoms and help with congestion in the sinuses and lungs.

A warming rosemary tea can bring relief to a sore throat and help during the first stages of a fever.

Sage has long been used to flavour meals and aid digestion.

It eases painful gas, bloating, and intestinal cramping and helps those who cannot digest fats well.

It’s been used to tighten and tone tissues. This important action is used when tissues have become lax, lost their tone, or become swollen.

Sage is a common ingredient in many toothpowder and mouthwash recipes.

It can be used to relieve pain and help with mouth ulcers, canker sores, bleeding, and spongy gums.

Herbalists have long used sage to soothe a sore throat.

The astringent properties can bring relief to swollen tissues, and the antimicrobial properties can address the infection.

A warm sage tea acts as a mild stimulating diaphoretic, making it a good choice for fevers when the person feels cold and is shivering.

Sage helps reduce excessive perspiration, which may be helpful in treating the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and night sweats.

Sage has been known to enhance mental function and memory and help get the blood moving for those with poor circulation.

Echinacea stimulates immune system function and promotes the flow of lymph nodes to address swollen glands, and it even stimulates saliva.

It’s energetically cooling and is used for signs of heat, most notably with infections.

Echinacea is known as an "alternative" herb.

Alterative herbs support systems of detoxification (e.g., lungs, skin, lymph) to assist the body in removing metabolic waste.

While Echinacea is most popular today for its ability to help with colds and the flu, where Echinacea really shines is in its ability to help the body fight off infections.

Echinacea is used for people with recurring boils, acne, or other types of skin abscesses.

The herb is used both internally and externally.

Echinacea has been used for many other types of infections, including syphilis, chronic leg ulcers, gonorrhea, and septicemia.

Goldenrod is both astringent and antiseptic and is well-suited for bladder and urinary tract infections.

It’s been used for alleviating red, itchy eyes, runny nose, and excessive sneezing symptoms associated with seasonal allergies and has many actions that are beneficial during a cold or flu.

It supports you during a fever, can soothe a swollen and sore throat, and can break up stuck mucus in the lungs.

Goldenrod has gained popularity for relieving many different aches and pains, from chronic arthritis to acute injuries, and has higher antioxidant levels than green tea.

Goldenrod is considered to increase capillary strength and support healthy circulation throughout the cardiovascular system.

The plant contains saponins that are anti-fungal and act specifically against the Candida fungus (the cause of vaginal and oral thrush). It can be swished in the mouth (in the case of oral thrush) or used as a sitz bath for vaginal infections.

To top it off, Goldenrod is also a delicious edible. The flowers can be fried up as fritters and the more mild tasting leaves can be cooked and eaten as well.

Stinging Nettle is nutrient-dense.

It’s a notable source of calcium, manganese, magnesium, vitamin K, carotenoids, and protein.

Because of its mineral content, nettle is a favorite for building a strong integumentary system strengthening bones, hair, nails, and teeth.

It’s also known to help decrease inflammation associated with arthritis.

Nettle leaves and seeds can support and restore healthy energy levels, and nettle infusions are a reliable way to boost iron levels.

Regular ingestion of nettle infusions can restore mineral reserves and relieve menstrual cramps or leg cramps associated with nutrient deficiencies.

Nettle is a mild to moderate diuretic. This action can help to drain simple edema or other congested fluids in the body.

For those who are a good match for nettle's actions, it can have a tonifying and strengthening effect on the urinary system. It has helped with urinary tract infections and is literally a food for the kidneys.

Finally, nettle seeds are adaptogenic; they help with the general stress response, strengthen the adrenals, and are loaded with minerals and trace elements.

Ashwagandha is an especially alluring powerhouse of a plant!

Taken over time, ashwagandha can build up emaciated tissues, decrease a negative response to stress and increase energy levels.

Rather than being overtly stimulating, ashwagandha is sedative and when taken over time, it can restore nervous system health and healthy sleep cycles.

It’s good for people with anxiety as well as people with debilitating exhaustion who don't need stimulants but instead need deep rest.

Ashwagandha is also famously used to support both sexual desire and fertility in men and women.

As if that weren’t enough, Ashwagandha is an immunomodulating herb that can support the health of the immune system, making it a good choice for people who have immune system disorders such as HIV or chronic infections as well as for those who tend to get every upper respiratory virus that comes their way.

Ashwagandha is used for a variety of degenerative, wasting, and chronic diseases, including arthritis, TB, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, because it builds tissue and supports overall health, it can help people regain their strength.

Nature's smartest shroom is linked to improved cognitive function, enhanced focus, and mental clarity.

It may stimulate nerve growth, contributing to better neurological health.

Chaga is revered for its immune-boosting properties, helping your body fend off potential threats.

Rich in antioxidants, it protects your cells from oxidative stress.

Popular among athletes, Cordyceps is known to increase endurance, physical stamina, and energy levels.

It supports respiratory function and may improve lung capacity.

Turkey Tail is your immune system's trusty sidekick, reinforcing your body's defenses.

It positively influences gut microbiota, promoting digestive well-being.

Known as the "Mushroom of Immortality," Reishi promotes inner calm, reduces stress, and supports the immune system.

It enhances sleep quality for restful nights.