Proteins are like tiny building blocks in our bodies. They're made up of even smaller parts called amino acids. These amino acids link together to form different kinds of proteins, which do lots of important jobs in our bodies. For example, they help our muscles grow, repair our skin, and even fight off infections.
We get proteins from foods like meat, eggs, beans, and nuts. When we eat these foods, our bodies break down the proteins into amino acids, which we then use to keep ourselves healthy.
How much protein you need depends on things like how old you are, whether you're a boy or a girl, and how active you are. A general guideline is to aim for about 1 gram of protein for every kilogram you weigh. So, if you weigh 60 kilograms, you'd want to eat about 60 grams of protein each day.
If you're someone who exercises a lot or wants to build muscle, you might need a bit more protein to help your muscles recover and grow stronger.
Protein powder is a handy way to get more protein into your diet. We have a wide range of vegan protein powders. Vegan Protein Powder with Ayurveda Superfoods, a special blend to keep you healthy and strong. Each serving has 18 grams of protein, which is like food for your muscles, and it comes from organic yellow peas, making it perfect for anyone who prefers plant-based options.
We've added some special spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, ashwagandha, and black pepper to give it a tasty kick and boost your immune system. These spices have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to help people stay healthy, especially when the seasons change.
Our protein powder also has raw organic cacao powder, which is full of good stuff like antioxidants and nutrients. It's like chocolate but without the bad stuff!
We sweeten our powder lightly with monk fruit extract, which is a natural sweetener that won't spike your sugar levels. And it's great for people on keto diets or those who are vegan or plant-based.
Do not gulp down your protein!
To relish protein-rich foods without rushing, focus on savoring each bite by chewing slowly and mindfully. Experiment with different cooking methods and flavorful ingredients to enhance taste.
Pair proteins with diverse veggies, grains, and healthy fats for balanced meals. Share meals with loved ones to make dining a social and enjoyable experience.
Additionally, practice portion control to prevent overeating and allow time for digestion. These habits not only promote enjoyment but also support mindful eating and optimal nutrient absorption.
Protein helps in
Muscle Growth: Protein powder gives your muscles the building blocks they need to get bigger and stronger.
Supports Recovery: After exercising, your muscles need to repair themselves. Protein powder helps speed up this process, so you feel less sore and can get back to exercising sooner.
Keeps You Full: Protein powder can help you feel full and satisfied, which can be helpful if you're trying to eat less or lose weight.
Gut health: Protein aids in gut health and digestion by facilitating the production of digestive enzymes necessary for breaking down food. It also supports the repair and maintenance of the gut lining, ensuring a strong barrier against harmful substances.
Additionally, certain proteins act as prebiotics, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria essential for digestion and overall gut health. Overall, incorporating sufficient protein into the diet is crucial for maintaining digestive function and supporting a healthy gut microbiota.
There are lots of fun ways to use protein powder besides just mixing it with water or your fav plant based milk. You can:
Blend it into Smoothies: Mix protein powder with fruits and veggies to make tasty and nutritious smoothies.
Bake with it: Add protein powder to recipes for things like pancakes or muffins to give them an extra protein boost.
Mix it into Yogurt or Oatmeal: Stir protein powder into yogurt or oatmeal for a quick and easy protein-packed snack.
Whether you're aiming to get stronger, stay healthy, or just feel better overall, protein is key. By understanding what protein is, how much you need, and the benefits of protein powder, you'll be on your way to a healthier, happier you.
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The cocoa percentage on chocolate packaging refers to the proportion of cocoa-derived ingredients in the chocolate. It includes cocoa solids (cocoa powder) and cocoa butter. Typically ranging from 30% to 100%, the higher the percentage, the more intense and richer the chocolate flavor is likely to be.
While higher cocoa percentages generally mean more health benefits due to the presence of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds found in cocoa solids, it doesn't necessarily mean the chocolate is healthier overall. The overall healthiness of chocolate depends on various factors including the quality of ingredients, added sugars, and portion sizes.
It's important to note that with higher cocoa percentages comes a more bitter taste. The bitterness increases as the cocoa percentage rises. This is because cocoa solids contain less sugar compared to lower cocoa content chocolates. So, if you prefer sweeter chocolate, you might want to opt for lower cocoa percentages.
The cocoa percentage plays a significant role in determining the flavor profile, texture, and nutritional content of chocolate. It's a key factor to consider when choosing chocolate based on personal taste preferences and desired health benefits.
Elements offers two variations of dark chocolate: 70% and 75%. The 70% dark chocolate provides a balance of rich cocoa flavor with subtle sweetness, while the 75% dark chocolate offers a deeper, more intense cocoa experience.
Both options contain minimal sugar content, making them suitable for those seeking lower-sugar chocolate options.
Cacao/Cocoa: These words refer to the magical bean that makes chocolate possible. It's what gives us chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder.
Chocolate Liquor: This is what you get when you grind up the inside of the cocoa bean until it's smooth and liquid.
Cocoa Butter: It's the special fat found naturally in cocoa beans that makes chocolate feel smooth and creamy in your mouth.
Cocoa or Cocoa Powder: This is what you get when most of the cocoa butter is taken out of the cocoa bean, leaving behind a fine powder.
The cocoa percentage on chocolate bars is like a secret code. It gives you a hint about how much cocoa is in there, which affects the taste. But the real magic happens when you take that first delicious bite.
So, the next time you grab a chocolate bar, pay attention to those numbers. They'll guide you on a tasty adventure all your own.
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]]>Roses aren't just beautiful flowers - they're like superheroes in the world of Ayurveda, which is all about keeping our body, mind, and spirit in balance. In Ayurveda, we have something called doshas, which are like our body's energy types. There are three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. And guess what? Roses are great for balancing all three!
In Ayurveda, each dosha is associated with specific qualities, and roses have the unique ability to address imbalances associated with each dosha. For individuals with an excess of fiery pitta dosha, characterized by heat and inflammation, roses offer a cooling antidote, helping to pacify and soothe the body and mind.
Incorporating rose petals into your daily routine, whether through skincare, culinary creations, or aromatherapy, can bring lots of Ayurvedic benefits for overall well-being such as:
Soothing Skin: Rose petals are great for calming irritated skin and giving it a healthy glow. They're like a gentle hug for your skin!
Happy Belly: Rose petals can help with tummy troubles by soothing inflammation and aiding digestion. They're like a friendly helper for your gut!
Relaxing Aroma: The smell of roses is known to relax the mind and reduce stress. It's like a mini spa day for your senses!
Heart Helper: Rose petals can support a healthy heart by helping to regulate blood pressure and improve circulation. They're like a loving friend for your ticker!
Love Potion: In Ayurvedic tradition, roses are considered symbols of love and are believed to enhance intimacy and passion. They're like a romantic gesture from nature!
Eating rose petal products can help balance your metabolism, especially if you have high pitta and vata imbalances. These imbalances often come with low agni, or a low metabolic fire, in your stomach and tissues. Low agni can lead to problems like toxic build-up, weight gain, and body aches. Eating rose can calm these imbalances and help your body find its way to a happier, healthier balance.
Our Rose Cardamom chocolate and Rose Drinking Hot Chocolate Mix are made with the goodness of roses. They don't just taste great - they're also good for you! Packed with the essence of roses, these treats not only make your taste buds happy but also make you feel good inside. It's like a little dose of Ayurvedic goodness in every bite and sip.
When you enjoy our Rose Cardamom chocolate or sip on our Rose Drinking Hot Chocolate Mix, you're not just having a snack - you're taking care of yourself. These products are all about embracing natural remedies and Ayurvedic wisdom in your daily life. By making them a part of your routine, you're inviting the magic of roses into your wellness journey.
So go ahead, treat yourself to our Rose-infused goodies and experience the beauty of Ayurveda. Let the soothing power of roses lift your mood and nourish your soul. It's a little moment of happiness in every bite and sip.
Rose has been loved and cherished for ages, bringing comfort and healing to people everywhere. Its calming vibes and sweet smell make it a favorite for aromatherapy. We're excited to bring the magic of rose to you through our products, like our Rose Cardamom chocolate and Rose Drinking Hot Chocolate Mix. We hope they help you feel balanced, connect with your inner goddess, and spread more love and kindness to yourself.
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]]>Dark chocolate has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its unique taste and potential health benefits. But what exactly is dark chocolate, and what makes it different from other types of chocolate?
Dark chocolate is made from the beans of the cacao tree, which are roasted, ground, and then mixed with other ingredients such as cocoa butter and sweetener to create a chocolate bar. The main difference between dark chocolate and other types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate, is the percentage of cacao solids it contains. The higher the percentage of cacao solids, the darker and more bitter the chocolate will be.
In addition to its distinct taste, dark chocolate has gained a reputation for being a healthier alternative to other types of chocolate. This is due to the presence of antioxidants in cacao, as well as the potential benefits of the flavonoids and polyphenols found in dark chocolate. Many dark chocolate brands also use fair trade and organic cacao, supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices.
When choosing a dark chocolate bar, it's important to pay attention to the cacao percentage, as this can affect both the taste and potential health benefits. Look for bars with a cacao percentage of at least 70%, and try to avoid those with added sugars or unhealthy fats. A serving size of dark chocolate is typically one ounce or about 28 grams, which contains around 170 calories and 12 grams of fat.
Overall, dark chocolate can be a delicious and potentially healthy addition to your diet, but it's important to choose high-quality, minimally processed brands and consume in moderation. So go ahead and indulge in a piece of the best dark chocolate you can find, and savor the rich flavor and potential health benefits it has to offer.
As a dark chocolate enthusiast and a chocolate maker, I'm excited to share with you the many health benefits of this delicious treat. Contrary to popular belief, consuming dark chocolate in moderation can actually be good for your health. Chocolate gets all the bad rep, because of the sugar and added unhealthy ingredients! Let's take a closer look at how:
Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. In fact, dark chocolate has been shown to contain more antioxidants per serving than many other foods, including blueberries and acai berries. These antioxidants are also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Studies have shown that consuming dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The flavanols in dark chocolate have been shown to increase nitric oxide levels in the blood, which can help relax and dilate blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
In addition to lowering blood pressure, dark chocolate may also help improve other aspects of heart health. Studies have found that consuming dark chocolate regularly can help reduce levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and increase levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). This can help lower your risk of developing heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.
Dark chocolate contains a small amount of caffeine, which can help improve mental alertness and focus. It also contains theobromine, a compound that has been shown to have mood-boosting effects. Additionally, the flavanols in dark chocolate may help improve blood flow to the brain, which can enhance cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related mental decline.
As you can see, there are many reasons to enjoy dark chocolate in moderation as part of a healthy diet. However, it's key to look at the ingredient list. Look for high-quality healthy dark chocolate which is ethically sourced, with at least 70% cocoa content and avoid varieties that are high in added sugar or other unhealthy additives. By choosing the right type of chocolate and enjoying it in moderation, you can truly reap the many brain-boosting benefits of this delicious treat.
Chocolate is a nutrient-dense food that can provide many benefits. However, it is also high in calories, fat, and sugar. One serving of dark chocolate (about 1 oz. or 28 grams) contains approximately 170-190 calories, 12-13 grams of fat, and 8-10 grams of sugar. While these values may seem high, they are still lower than the calorie, fat, and sugar content found in many other types of sweets.
When it comes to choosing the right type of dark chocolate, it is important to look for products that contain high-quality ingredients, such as fair-trade organic cacao, adaptogens and organic clean ingredients. Reading the labels carefully is so important, as some products may contain more sugar content than cacao in addition to preservatives and artificial/natural flavors. There is nothing natural about natural flavors!
Dark chocolate bars are available in many different percentages of cacao, ranging from 50% to 100%. The higher the percentage of cacao, the lower the sugar content and the higher the antioxidant content. It is generally recommended to choose dark chocolate with a cacao content of at least 70% to maximize the nutritional benefits.
Per serving, dark chocolate is also a good source of fiber, iron, magnesium, and zinc. Raw cacao which we use in our chocolate bars is the unprocessed form of cocoa, which is even higher in antioxidants and beneficial compounds.
And while we all love those a good salty dark chocolate bar be aware of the sodium content when choosing these products. While a small amount of salt can enhance the flavor of dark chocolate, it is best to avoid products that contain excessive amounts of sodium.
In conclusion, dark chocolate can be a healthy and delicious addition to your diet when consumed in moderation. By choosing high-quality products and paying attention to the nutritional content, you can enjoy the many benefits of dark chocolate while also maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.
Dark chocolate contains naturally occurring compounds such as caffeine and theobromine, which are stimulants that can affect the nervous system.
While the levels of caffeine and theobromine in dark chocolate are relatively low compared to other sources such as coffee or tea, they can still cause negative effects in individuals who are sensitive to stimulants. These effects may include increased heart rate, restlessness, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
It's important to be aware that dark chocolate can interact with certain medications. For example, the theobromine in dark chocolate may interact with medications that are metabolized by the liver, such as some antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. This can affect the effectiveness of these medications and potentially cause adverse effects. If you are taking any medications, it's best to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if there are any potential interactions with dark chocolate.
While dark chocolate can be a healthy treat in moderation, overconsumption can lead to negative health effects. Dark chocolate is still high in calories, fat, and sugar. Eating excessive amounts of dark chocolate can contribute to weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance.
In conclusion, while dark chocolate offers many health benefits, it's important to be aware of potential risks and drawbacks associated with its consumption. Moderation is key, and it's important to consider factors such as caffeine and theobromine content, interactions with medications, and the risk of overconsumption. As with any food, it's always best to consume dark chocolate in moderation as part of a balanced diet to ensure optimal health outcomes.
If you're a chocolate lover, you may be wondering about the differences between milk and dark chocolate. While both are made from cocoa beans, they differ in terms of taste, nutrition and health benefits. Let's take a closer look at what sets them apart.
Dark chocolate is the clear winner when it comes to nutrition and health benefits. It contains a higher percentage of cocoa solids, which means it has more antioxidants, flavonoids, and minerals like iron and magnesium. These compounds provide a range of health benefits, including improving heart health, reducing inflammation, and boosting brain function.
Milk chocolate, on the other hand, contains less cocoa solids and more milk solids, which means it has a higher calorie and sugar content. It also lacks the same level of antioxidants and flavonoids as dark chocolate. In fact, many brands of milk chocolate contain added ingredients like corn syrup and saturated fats, which can increase the risk of heart disease, insulin resistance, and other health issues.
Based on their nutritional profile and health benefits, dark chocolate is considered the healthier option. However, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy your milkier chocolate in moderation. After all, taste is a personal preference, and chocolate is meant to be enjoyed.
If you're trying to incorporate more dark chocolate into your diet, start by looking for bars that contain at least 70% cacao solids typically. This will ensure that you're getting the maximum health benefits. When it comes to milk chocolate, choose high-quality brands that use organic chocolate, vegan milk alternatives and avoid too much added sugar.
In conclusion, while dark chocolate is the clear winner in terms of nutrition and healthy benefits it doesn't mean you have to give up your love for milk chocolate entirely. Just be mindful of how much you're consuming and opt for high-quality brands whenever possible.
If you're a chocolate lover looking for a healthier way to indulge, incorporating dark chocolate into your diet can be a great option. Here's what you need to know about portion sizes, frequency of consumption, and some recipe and snack ideas to keep things interesting.
While dark chocolate does offer a range of healthy benefits, it's important to keep portion sizes in mind. A standard serving of dark chocolate is around 1-1.5 ounces, or one to two small squares. It's recommended to consume dark chocolate in moderation, with a frequency of a few times a week to avoid overconsumption of calories, fat, and sugar.
Here are some ideas for incorporating dark chocolate into your diet:
Chocolatey Nut Butter Energy Balls: Mix almond butter, oats, and a melted dark chocolate bar in a bowl, form into balls, and refrigerate for a healthy snack.
Dark Chocolate and Berry Yogurt Parfait: Layer Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and chocolate bar shavings for a healthy, protein-packed breakfast or dessert.
Dark Chocolate-Dipped Fruit: Melt a couple of chocolate bars and dip fresh strawberries or banana slices for a sweet and nutritious treat.
Dark Chocolate Trail Mix: Mix nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate chips for a satisfying and energy-boosting snack.
When choosing for your recipes, look for chocolate bars with at least 70% cacao and minimal added sugars and milk solids. You can also opt for fair trade and organic ingredients for a more sustainable and ethical choice.
In conclusion, incorporating dark chocolate into your diet can be a delicious and healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Just remember to choose high-quality dark chocolate, and enjoy in moderation.
In conclusion, dark chocolate can be a delicious and healthy addition to your diet when consumed in moderation. Its high cocoa content provides a range of nutritional benefits, such as improving heart health, boosting brain function, and lowering blood pressure. However, it's important to choose the right type, which contains clean, organic ingredients, has low added sugar content and uses healthy sweeteners.
When it comes to portion sizes, it's recommended to consume no more than 1-2 ounces of dark chocolate per day, depending on your calorie needs. It's also important to balance it with other healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and to limit your consumption of other sources of added sugars and saturated fats.
There are many ways to incorporate dark chocolate into a healthy diet. You can enjoy it on its own as a snack or use it in recipes, such as dark chocolate oatmeal cookies or a chocolate banana smoothie. Just be sure to use high-quality dark chocolate and stick to the recommended portion sizes.
In contrast to dark chocolate, milk and white chocolate contain less cocoa and more added sugars and milk solids. While they may be tasty treats, they don't offer the same nutritional benefits as dark chocolate. And if often accompanied by the guilt of having indulged. It's important to keep in mind that the typical American diet is already high in added sugars and saturated fats, so it's best to limit your consumption of these types of chocolate.
Overall, the key to enjoying chocolate is to choose the best quality, consume it in moderation, and balance it with other healthy foods. By doing so, you can indulge in a sweet treat while reaping the numerous nutritional benefits that dark chocolate has to offer.
What is fair trade chocolate?
Fair trade chocolate is chocolate that has been produced under fair labor conditions, where workers are paid fairly and work in safe and healthy environments.
What is unsweetened chocolate?
Unsweetened chocolate is pure chocolate without any added sugar or sweeteners, and is often used in baking and cooking.
Is eating chocolate ok for pregnant women?
Eating dark chocolate in moderation is generally safe for pregnant women, but it is important to check with a doctor and consume it in small amounts due to its caffeine content.
How much dark chocolate can kids eat?
A small amount of a dark chocolate healthy treat is ok for kids, but it is important to monitor their intake and not exceed more than 1-2 small squares or pieces per day.
Which is the best dark chocolate?
We love all the dark chocolates by Elements Truffles. We might be a little biased here.
]]>Are you a chocolate lover like us? Nothing compares to the delicious taste of chocolate. As a kid, I used to accompany my grandpa to the local grocery store to get a bar of chocolate, and it was always the best part of my day. What made it even better was that my grandpa would let me just take a bite out of the chocolate bar without worrying about portion size or breaking it into pieces. It was such a liberating feeling to be able to sink my teeth into that chocolatey goodness and just enjoy the delicious taste of chocolate without any worries.
While traditional chocolate bars often come with predefined squares for easy portion control, we’ve seen a lot of creativity and craft in recent years in terms of how bars are designed. At Elements Chocolate, we’ve taken a unique approach by creating bars with no predefined squares, inviting you to simply take a big bite and immerse yourself in the experience. Our bars are like a metaphor for life - break the mold, let go of the limits and live fully!
“Sometimes I'm told that my job is to ruin things that people like ...” this is what Kevin Loria from ConsumerReports.org shared as he created some waves in the chocolate universe by publishing a report titled “Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate.”
Some of the most admired and popular products were flagged in this writeup.
While we were not included in the 28 bars tested for report, our phones started ringing off the hook and every third email in our inbox was asking us whether their most loved chocolate had lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in them. Rightly so! Many of our customers even asked us to publish our lab test reports on our website! After all, if you have nothing to hide, you should have no fear of being held accountable – they implied.
Hence, we decided to open the doors and let you in. All the way to the molecular level of cacao ingredients in our lovingly crafted chocolate bars!
But before we get too technical, a short summary: Our cacao is free from Lead. We also regularly test for Mercury and Arsenic. We have none of them either. There is trace Cadmium in the cacao per our periodic testing (the last report came from labs in Feb 2023) yet our end products are below the Prop 65 approved thresholds. In other words, if we were tested in the Consumer Report, we would have passed on both counts. Read on for more technical details.
Lead:
Lead gets in the food in several ways but let’s address two main contributors:
Natural sources: Lead occurs naturally in the earth's crust and can be released into the environment through erosion, weathering of rocks and minerals, and volcanic activity.
Human activities: Human activities such as industrial processes, mining, smelting, and the use of leaded gasoline and paints can release lead into the environment. Fumes from the lead content in gasoline settle on the surface of the earth and eventually get into our food. Another source of lead is from the likes of Dusty the Crophopper! Remember him from the movie Planes? These crop dusters fly too close to the earth and the contents of the exhaust fumes find a way to percolate the ground via precipitation.
Our farms are in the country where the lead content has been banned from fuel many years ago. There are no crop dusters in the air either! In short, the soil is pretty much free from lead. If you look at the lab reports, it reads:
Testing machine could not find any lead content but the reporting standards do not have a category of 0. Hence, they have to say – it’s less than 0.05mg/kg - in its lowest category.
As per the ConsumerReports.org’s report, California's maximum allowable dose level (MADL) for lead is 0.5 micrograms.
Cadmium
Cadmium is a natural element in the earth's crust. And according to CDC, it is usually found as a mineral combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, or sulfur.
You’ve probably heard of Codex Alimentarius. It is a set of international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure the safety and quality of food.
Regarding cadmium, the Codex Alimentarius Commission has established maximum levels for cadmium in certain food products. For example, the maximum level of cadmium in rice is 0.4 mg/kg, while the maximum level in cocoa beans is 0.6 mg/kg. According to Prop 65 in the US, the maximum allowable daily level (MADL) for cadmium exposure by the oral route is 4.1 microgram/day. These are California's maximum allowable dose level.
Our lab test results for Cacao mass came in as:
Bottom line: There is cadmium in our cacao but it’s below the Prop 65 standards (that the research is using) and also below the Codex Alimentarius standards.
Is the overall issue a matter of concern?
When looking at it from the point of view of global food eco-system, yes it is. But singling out cacao and writing it off as a major source of Cadmium is an uninformed knee-jerk reaction.
You see, most soil and rocks, including coal and mineral fertilizers, contain some cadmium. What we have learned over a period of time is that you can remediate and mitigate but you can NOT avoid. Just like most soils, most foods also contain Cadmium.
It is everywhere – in your spinach and bananas, cereal and rice.
We are not saying this – research is. And we have a few resources for your weekend reading (towards the end)
Research also establishes that the only way to fix this is by remediating the pH of the soil. While we remain cautious and commit to keep testing our batches periodically, we have also committed to work with farmers on cost effective ways to increase the soil pH and hence by making it more alkaline. We’ll share more details at a later point.
Mercury:
Mercury can also enter soil through both, natural and human-caused processes.
Natural sources: Mercury from earth's crust can be released into the environment through volcanic activity, erosion, and weathering of rocks and minerals containing mercury. Mercury can also be present in soils and sediments in wetlands and other areas where organic matter decomposes.
Human activities: Human activities such as coal-fired power generation, mining, smelting, and waste incineration can release mercury into the environment.
Fortunately, our farmlands are not affected by any of these and hence the mercury level is not relevant as per the reports.
Once again, the testing machine could not find any mercury content and again the reporting standards do not have a category of 0. Hence, they have to say - less than 0.005mg/kg – in its lowest category.
Arsenic:
Natural Sources: The Earth’s crust is an abundant natural source of arsenic. It is present in more than 200 different minerals. Did you know that about one-third of the arsenic in the Earth’s atmosphere is of natural origin? Volcanic action is the most important natural source.
Human Activities: Arsenic in soil also results from human activities including pesticide use, mining and ore processing operations, operating coal burning power plants, and waste disposal. Sites of former tanneries, which make leather from animal hides, have large amounts of arsenic in the soil.
While Ecuador is known for its fair share of volcanoes, our farmlands are far away from volcanic mountains and remain unaffected by the causes listed above. The arsenic level is not relevant as per the reports.
The testing machine could not find any arsenic content. Once again, the reporting standards do not have a category of 0. And so, they have to say - less than 0.04mg/kg – in its lowest category.
Conclusion:
We feel good that there is practically no lead, arsenic or mercury in our cacao. There is trace cadmium in our cacao – and we are pleased that its below accepted thresholds of California Prop 65 or Codex Alimentarius. We are not popping non-alcoholic bubbly to celebrate that. We remain cautious, testing soil conditions every so often and also working with farmers to improve the overall soil conditions as recommended by scientists. It is not just about cacao. Heavy metals are in everything we eat – more or less. But it is more awareness and practical approach that will help farmers and consumers alike.
We sleep peacefully at night while being grateful for the opportunity to be doing what we love and doing it right.
Here are our latest lab reports for anyone to look at.
If you have any questions or need more clarity, please write to us on we@elementstruffles.com
Alak & Kushal, Co-Founders, Elements
Some research and resources that you might find as useful as we did:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0261989
https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Cadmium_FactSheet.html
https://thechocolatelife.com/cadmium-in-chocolate/
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/pac-2016-0910/html
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-016-6931-7
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969717321411?via%3Dihub
https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/crnr/cadmium20madl.pdf
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So, picture this: You’re at a cafe, and you see a variety of desserts with a label that says “no added sugars.” Your eyes light up, and you think to yourself, “I can indulge without the guilt!” You order a few desserts, and to your surprise, they all taste sweet. Your curiosity gets the best of you, and you ask the staff what they used to sweeten the desserts. They proudly proclaim, “No added sugar!” But after some digging, you find out that they actually added Maltitol. Maltitol? What’s that? It’s like getting tricked into a blind date with someone who looks nothing like their profile picture.
When it comes to sweeteners that can be added to products with a “no added sugars” claim, they can fall under three categories. First, we have artificial sweeteners, which are synthetic compounds that provide sweetness without adding calories. (e.g. Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucralose.,Erythritol).
Second, we have natural sweeteners, which are derived from natural sources and generally have a lower impact on blood sugar levels. (e.g. stevia, monk fruit). And finally, we have sugar alcohols, which are chemically similar to sugar but metabolize differently in the body, resulting in fewer calories and a lower impact on blood sugar levels.(e.g. Xylitol, Sorbitol, Mannitol, Maltitol). It’s like a game of sweetener roulette!
Now, here’s where the humor comes in: A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that consuming artificial sweeteners may lead to an increase in food intake and weight gain due to their effects on the gut microbiota. It’s like these sweeteners are pulling a fast one on us, making us think we’re doing something good when really we’re just setting ourselves up for a sugar crash. And don’t get us started on sugar alcohols. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that consuming sugar alcohols led to digestive issues in healthy adults. A recent study showed that erythritol, that we often find clubbed in with stevia and monk fruit, has been linked to blood clotting, stroke, heart attack and death. Further adding that the degree of risk was not modest !!!!
It’s like those “low-fat” snacks that we used to gobble up in the 90s. We thought we were being so healthy and doing our bodies a favor by choosing the low-fat option. But in reality, those snacks were often packed with extra sugar and artificial flavors to make up for the lack of fat. It’s like we were tricked into thinking we were making a smart choice, but really we were just consuming a whole bunch of junk in disguise.
In the end, it’s important to read the ingredient label carefully and not get deceived by marketing claims. We may not be able to trust those labels, but we can trust ourselves to make informed decisions about what we put into our bodies. So, go ahead and treat yourself, but just remember to keep an eye on those sneaky sugars. Your health and well-being depend on it!
Definition and History of the “No Added Sugars” claim
The technical definition of “no added sugars” is a labeling claim that the food product does not contain any added sugars or sweeteners, including honey, syrups, and concentrated fruit or vegetable juices.
The “no added sugars” labeling claim was added by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 1, 2020 where the updated label includes a separate line for “added sugars” under the “total sugars” section to help consumers understand how much sugar in a food or beverage is naturally occurring and how much is added during processing or preparation.
]]>This decadent Rose mousse is so easy and luxurious! You have to try it.
February is the month of passion and love. What better way to celebrate your date night with this cup of aphrodisiac rich dark gooey chocolate and rose!
With an exhilarating, refreshing, purifying and sensual aroma, Rose Geranium oil is known for regenerating female energies in Ayurveda, the ancient science of wellbeing. Dark Chocolate in its purest form releases endorphins or happy hormones into your body. Elements combine these two powerful components into one delicious powder! A Rose Cacao mix. It's such a versatile & clean mix made with just 4 ingredients. Cacao powder, Cacao paste, coconut sugar and rose geranium essential oil. Have it chilled or hot, make a mocktail. Make fudgesicles. Add it to your smoothies. Bake with it. Just go ahead and unleash your creativity!
Elements makes clean, high vibe & nutrition dense Chocolates & Snacks powered by the science of Ayurveda. The products are nourishing for the mind, body & soul! Made with ethically sourced & fairtrade ingredients. Everything is free of gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugar, preservatives, GMO’s & shortcuts! Crafted by meditators in micro-batches with high vibrational music playing in the background. Every purchase contributes towards the education of underprivileged children in India where 25% of our profits are donated.
RECIPE:
PREP TIME : 4 hours 20 minutes
COOK TIME : 10 minutes
TOTAL TIME : 4 hours 30 minutes ; Servings 2
1/2 cup Elements Rose cocoa mix
3oz chopped 70% and up dark chocolate. Used Elements Seasalt bar
1 pinch sea salt
1 13.5oz can full-fat coconut milk. Used Chaokoh Coconut milk.
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
6-9 whole pitted medjool dates
2 tbsp Coconut Whipped Cream. Used Cocowhip - So Delicious
A pinch of Natural red color. Used Super Natural 100% Plant-Based Food Colors
In a small saucepan, combine Rose cocoa mix, seasalt and dark chocolate and use 2/3 of the can cup coconut milk. Start warming over medium-low heat. Whisk to mix ingredients.
Once the mixture is melted, add remaining coconut milk and whisk until fully combined. Then remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
Transfer the mix to a blender. Add dates (start with 6 and increase basis sweetness needed). Blend on until creamy and smooth.
Taste and adjust flavor by adding more Rose cacao mix for a rich rosy flavor, dates for sweetness, or sea salt for saltiness.
Transfer to a big cup or 2 small glasses and cover. Refrigerate until the mousse is set. At least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Take pinch of the red natural food color into the coconut whipped cream. Add two dollops of the cream with the red/pink swirls to create a heart on top of the mousse.
Voila ready to serve some Rosy Love.
Stays good in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Keep it covered.
Soy Lecithin! Honestly, I had never heard of it till I started looking at different chocolate bars and found it as a staple ingredient in most chocolate bars. And most people did not care about it ! At least I did not see any anyone conversations around it - talking for or against it.
I started looking and I learned it’s an Emulsifier. Next quest; what is an Emulsifier?
Emulsifiers are natural or chemical substances that consist of a “water-loving” end and an “oil-loving” end. They're commonly used in the food industry to combine ingredients that normally don't mix together, such as oil and water. In modern food production some common emulsifiers are mustard, soy and egg lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, polysorbates, carrageenan, guar gum and canola oil. In home-made recipes tomato paste, mustard powder and miso easily work as emulsifiers.
If you are a geek or someone with a scientific bent of mind, continue.. or else you can skip the next paragraph
In food manufacturing industry where emulsifiers are used extensively think of it as a ‘hand-holder’ between the oil and water mix. Chemically, an emulsifier has one end compatible with oil and the other compatible with water, so it can link with both. This makes it easier to prepare an emulsion. Some emulsifiers will also stabilize, so the emulsion doesn’t separate over time. In some foods, you’ll see stabilizers added as well in order to maintain the emulsion. Many common manufactured foods contain emulsifiers. They not only stabilize the blend but also affect the texture of our foods. In ice cream, for example, emulsifiers enhance the smooth creamy texture as well as slowing down the melting process.
Some common food products that you will find emulsifiers in are mayonnaise, salad dressings, creamy sauces, and ice cream. But why add an emulsifier to chocolate - there is no water in chocolate (or else it would seize!). So what is it doing in your chocolate?
Clearly, it is not added an emulsifier, rather its not needed. What it does, is it eliminates the friction caused between the cacao particles, sugar, milk, and other ingredients - which makes the chocolate less viscous and allows it to flow more easily. This means it easier to temper the chocolate, to pour the chocolate and for the chocolate to flow through the industrial pipes. It is also often used as a replacement for cacao butter allowing to maintain the same taste, texture and mouthfeel while reducing the cost of chocolate. Cacao butter costs > Soy Lecithin.
In summary, emulsifiers make chocolates less expensive, easier to work with, and improves profitability by increasing shelf life.
But what does it do to our body and gut? This is how soy lecithin is made (quoting what I found on my google search) :
“To make soy lecithin, soybean oil is extracted from the raw soybeans using a chemical solvent (usually hexane). Then, the crude soy oil goes through a ‘degumming’ process, wherein water is mixed thoroughly with the soy oil until the lecithin becomes hydrated and separates from the oil. Then, the lecithin is dried and occasionally bleached using hydrogen peroxide.”
It is practically industrial waste and there is nothing natural about it. Research shows that many of these dietary emulsifiers alter the structure and function of the gut microbial community, and contribute to gut inflammation.
At Elements, our philosophy is - Keep it Simple and keep it Real ! Especially when it comes to ingredients. It took us working through many trials, tears (had to keep them away from the chocolate), and prayers to come up with our first recipe - now known as our Classic collection. The unique method of combining the honey and cacao gives us the edge to create a melt in the mouth texture and yet allowing us to keep the nutritional value intact by avoiding unnecessary processing.
Our chocolates have less than seven simple and natural ingredients including ethically sourced cacao and honey but “emulsifier” or “soy-lecithin” is not one of them. Oh yes and we don’t add natural flavors either, a discussion for another time.
While some may argue that we are constantly exposed to chemical toxins and the percentage of lecithin in a bar of chocolate is really small. My question is why not avoid it when you can. And with the number of products that have these emulsifiers, our consumption of this sneaky emulsifier does add up!
So go get yourself a chocolate bar that is decadent and gut-friendly! No sugar spikes, no gut inflammation, no guilt ! Indulge joyfully with our products. If you are a purist, I would strongly recommend Sea Salt with Turmeric in our Classic collection and Black Lava Salt with Turmeric in our Rasa collection to really experience the smoothness of a truly luxurious chocolate.
]]>In Ayurveda, the word Shakti is associated with energy, power, strength and endurance.
Ayurveda Shakti Bars are plant based wholesome and delicious energy bars that are infused with Ayurveda superfoods. They taste shakti'licious and are made with clean ingredients that you can find in your kitchen pantry.
Here are the three reasons why we made them!
We were bored with the dull and bland tasting energy bars. We wanted something different.
When looking for an energy boost, eating something that has no taste isn’t necessarily at the top of our list. We want to be able to enjoy the flavor and not just eat it for the sake of boosting our energy. The taste, the texture, the mouthfeel; it all matters. No one wants to waste their calories on a bar that doesn’t make them want another bite.
We wanted something that reminded us of home, with ingredients we could recognize and trust.
There is something special about eating something that takes us back to our childhood. From growing up to the ever so familiar rose flavor in every Indian dessert, to being excited about savoring ripe mangoes on the onset of summer, to that chocolate dessert that never missed a family gathering - these bars bring back our childhood memories and allow us to create new ones.
While all the childhood memories were sweet, we’ve set out to recreate those memories with cleaner ingredients. From no added sugar to clean ingredients, every bar consists of all natural organic ingredients that you can recognize. Most importantly, these bars are for everyone!
We wanted to create an Ayurvedic energy bar to support your immunity
As we return to “normal” life, we want to ensure that we continue to prioritize our health wherever we go - whether it be back to the office, the gym or your next adventure.
It is no secret the last 17 months have been a challenge for everyone. While we start returning to all the things we have not been able to do this past year, we continue to be cautiously aware of our health and well-being. In Ayurveda, dates are considered to be one of the highest immunity building foods, which is the core ingredient of our Ayurveda Shakti Bars. While we do not know what the future brings, as we resume our daily routines and embark on our next adventures, we hope that these bars accompany you on your journeys!
Explore The Ojas Collection!
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However, this pandemic has made celebrating complicated. We haven't been able to visit friends or family over the 4th July or Labor Day. Now Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year are on the horizon and winter chills are also settling in earlier than expected but we still remain socially distanced from our loved ones.
Celebrations as we knew them have changed for now. But we are so creative with our zoom parties, virtual hugs and socially distanced gatherings. However, one thing that has remained the same is gifting, at least the intention and love behind the idea is still there. Instead of spending hours in malls or departmental stores, many of us are sprawling the internet to get something special for everyone to show our love, appreciation and gratitude.
We all have experienced a struggle to source a meaningful gift - something small or big, sweet or savory, regular stocking stuffers or a very special present. But with our customized or pre-synchronized gift boxes you and all your loved ones are taken care of.
'How?' you might ask.
So don't holdback and order your gift boxes now. If you need help with multiple recipients and transactions, connect with us and we will help you check off your gift list.
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Astringent - earth + air
This taste is the driest of them all. It has a drying effect in your mouth - like how you feel when you eat an unripe banana! The astringent taste is a combination of the earth and air elements. This taste helps support wound repairing and where there is excess fluid or swelling in the body.
Bitter - ether + air
The bitter taste receptors are at the back of the tongue. It is the combination of the light and cool, ether, and air elements. The bitter taste is often integrated into your food to balance digestion. This taste creates space in the body by draining and drying excess fluids.
When all these six tastes are included in our meal, we feel satisfied. Some say, if you follow this simple rule for your every meal, you no longer need to look at the nutrition label of what you eat. Because your body will talk to you. It will automatically gravitate towards the food that it needs at the moment for full nourishment. Isn’t that amazing?
Want an easy way to taste all six tastes together? Try any of our Ayurvedic chocolate bars. All of our chocolate bars have all the six Ayurvedic tastes.
How?
Our chocolates are sweetened just with honey. The honey contributes to the sweet taste. Honey is known as ‘Madhu’ in the Ayurvedic scriptures, meaning ‘perfection of sweet’. Honey enters directly into the bloodstream because of its dextrin content. Not only that, the latest research indicates that the pollen in honey contains all 22 amino acids, 28 minerals, 11 enzymes, 14 fatty acids, and 11 carbohydrates. Sweeeeeeet! And, yes, our honey is not heated. One of the reasons why we call our chocolates raw.
Have you looked at our ingredient list? Every single chocolate bar has the Himalayan pink salt. Salt not only contributes to the “salty” taste but also enhances the flavor profile of the cacao. You know how your loved ones say you "bring out the best in people?" Well, salt does that for sweets. For an extra punch of salt, definitely try our Sea Salt infused with Turmeric and Black Lava Salt infused with Turmeric chocolate bars.
We have all heard, fermented food is awesome for our gut! Did you know that cacao is fermented food? Fermentation is the first process the cacao beans undergo in the process of chocolate making. And that is what lends to the sour taste.
Cocoa naturally has a very strong, pungent taste, which comes from the flavanols. Flavanols are the main type of flavonoid found in cocoa and chocolate. In addition to having antioxidant qualities, research shows that flavanols have other potential influences on vascular health, such as lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow to the brain and heart, and making blood platelets less sticky and able to clot.
Tannins present in the cacao beans lends to its natural astringent taste. Tannins are naturally-occurring polyphenols, that causes the dry feeling in the mouth. This is even more prominent when you try the cacao nibs directly. The nibs themselves are very low in sugar and contain alkaloids such as theobromine which are bitter. You can definitely try our maple glazed cacao nibs, to enjoy the health benefits and bitter taste of the nibs complemented by the sweetness of maple syrup.
All our bars are infused with various Ayurveda herbs and spices. These spices are not just great flavor-enhancers but as per Ayurveda they also enhance different rasas (taste) in each chocolate bar. While all our bars have all the six tastes, if there is any specific taste that your body is gravitating towards, you can use the chart below to make your selection of the chocolate bars.
Understanding the 6 tastes helps explain why some herbs and foods have so many therapeutic effects. The more tastes one food has, the more effects it has on our body. Ayurveda is such a deep well of knowledge and the more one learns about it, the seemingly mysterious tendencies of our body and mind start making sense.
Photo Credit: Hilda @mychocolatediary
]]>1/3 cup Elements Truffles Ashwagandha Drinking Chocolate
1 cup Coconut Milk canned
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/3 cup Maple Syrup
pinch Salt
1/2 tbsp Elements Truffles Ashwagandha Hot Chocolate mix
1 fresh fruit Sapota (if using dried or frozen use ¾ cup)
1/4 cup oat milk
1 tbsp coconut palm sugar (do not substitute with liquid sweetener, mousse will be runny)
1 cup coconut cream
1 tbsp shredded coconut or almond
1. Soak up the Sapota in oat milk for 20 minutes.
2. After soaking, transfer soaked Sapota to a blender.
3. Mix in the palm sugar and Elements Truffles Ashwagandha Hot Chocolate mix.
4. Blend it until it turns into a smooth mixture.
5. Then add cream and blend again till it turns into a smooth mousse. The best way to check if the mousse is whipped enough is to take a small portion on top of a fork. The peak should stand.
6. Prepare serving portions and place them in the freezer for 10 minutes.
7. Drizzle with either shredded coconut or almond and serve cold.
Notes:
Sapota is an exotic sweet fruit. It also goes by Sapodilla or Mud-apple.
· If using fresh Sapota soak up time will be 5 minutes
· If using dried Sapota soak up time will be 20 minutes
· If using frozen Sapota soak up in warm milk and wait till it cools down completely before making the mousse
2 bars Elements Truffles Orange Quinoa chocolate bar
1/4th bar Elements Truffles Black Lava Salt chocolate bar
1 cup coconut cream
10 graham crackers
3 tbsp coconut oil
1/4 cup roasted hazelnuts (chopped)
Application – 2 times a week recommended
3 tbsp rolled oats
1 tbsp chickpea flour
3 tbsp blueberries
fresh1 tsp lavender flowers dried
2 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp yogurt
2 tbsp Elements Truffles Turmeric drinking chocolate mix
1. Grind all ingredients for a couple of minutes.
2. Refrigerate for 20 minutes so the mask coagulates.
3. Apply chilled onto face, lay down, leave it on for 15 minutes, and take in the herbal nourishment.
4. Rinse the mask off with tepid water and experience refreshed, rejuvenated skin.
Method
1. Line a cupcake tin with paper liners
2. Pour Granola Butter in the bottom half of the cup and freeze for 10 mins.
3. Chop the chocolate bar into finely chopped pieces for melting. Move the chopped chocolate to a glass bowl for melting. Glass insulates the chocolate better, preventing scorching.
4. Heat the chocolate in 30-second bursts and stir between each. For the first burst or two, stirring will feel arbitrary, but by the third, you see plainly that the edges of the bowl are melting faster than the center, and distributing their heat will melt everything more evenly and quickly.
5. Pour over the melted chocolate bar. ⠀⠀⠀⠀
6. Freeze for another 10 mins.
7. Voila the cups are ready.
Pro tip: Works with any flavor Elements Truffles chocolate bar or granola butter! You can switch up the chocolate flavor based on your preference. ⠀
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3/4 cup Almond flour
1/4 cup Whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour
1/4 cup Elements Truffles Ashwagandha Hot chocolate mix
1 cup Oat milk
1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Baking powder
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 tbsp Elements Truffles Lemon Coco Fuel
1/2 tsp Sea salt ⠀
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Definitely Netflix and of course……..EATING!!
Want to take a break from work? Head to La Cocina.
Want to move around a bit in the house? Destination El Refrigerador.
The only good thing that has come out of this eating pandemic is that many of us have become amateur Masterchefs. Just look at your photo feed and you know it :)But here is the thing. In such times of consuming and creating food, being mindful of what goes in our body becomes even more critical.
Why? Because we are what we eat! The food we eat reflects in our state of mind, our energy levels, and our emotions. Now just imagine your body looking like a mix of everything you had today. Well, you get the idea!
At Elements Truffles we live and breathe the philosophy of Ayurveda, integrating Ayurvedic superfoods into every aspect of what we eat. Ayurveda explains how different superfoods can be used to bring balance to our mind, body, and soul when integrated appropriately in our daily routine. While some of these ingredients (Turmeric!) have found a way to be seen in our modern world pantries, many still remain a mystery. Some of these ancient herbs and superfoods are Moringa, Ashwagandha, Triphala, Amla, Cumin, Tulsi, Lemon, Honey, Ghee, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Saffron, Turmeric, Cayenne, Brahmi, Satavari, Lemongrass, Cilantro and many more.
I wanted to share a couple of my favorite routines & hacks with some of these Ayurvedic superfoods. They have been very useful in the current times (and honestly are great to integrate into your life at all times!)
First up is my favorite - a super easy immunity booster shot. It is made with 5 Ayurvedic Superfoods - Ginger (ideally freshly scraped), a pinch of *Turmeric*, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, and 1 tsp of Lemon juice (again best freshly squeezed). Add this to a shot of hot water, stir and drink it first thing every morning on an empty stomach. This will do wonders for your immunity and have many other positive effects.
My night routine is having a warm cup of turmeric milk before going to bed. Yes, the super-trendy Golden milk. But I add a few extra Ayurvedic herbs to it. I add a pinch of Nutmeg powder and Cinnamon powder along with a tsp of Turmeric powder to ghee and warm it on low flame. Then add it to half a cup of warm milk or plant-based milk. It promotes good sleep and also helps clear a cold, cough, flu, or congestion amongst others.
Now let’s address a BIG one, sweet tooth cravings! Introducing the sweetest hack ever!
Ayurvedic superfoods infused delicious Elements Truffles dairy-free chocolates! Every bar has a superfood in it. There are a few with Turmeric, a Ginger with Black Pepper, one for the spicy lovers with Cayenne and Cinnamon. There is even one infused with Beets! Can you believe it? A vegetable in your chocolate! Mindbogglingly good! My personal favorite is the Lemon Coconut with Tulsi.
All this and each serving (1/2 a bar) of the chocolate bar has only 5 gms of sugar. And from my experience, you only need about 1/8th of the bar to satiate those sweet cravings.
What a great way to consume some of the Ayurvedic superfoods and have a dessert at the same time! Superfoods in your chocolate woot woot! The Elements Truffles chocolate bars have become a pantry staple for me.
Now, how’s that for a sweet, Sweet Routine?
]]>3 Ripe bananas
1 Chia eggs
1/2 cup Jaggery or Coconut sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
3 tbsp Coconut oil
3 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Sea salt
1/2 tsp ground Cinnamon
3/4 cup Oat milk
1 cup Almond flour
1/2 cup Quinoa flour
1/4 cup Elements Truffles Drinking Chocolate mix
1 cup gluten-free Oats
11. Enjoy these yummy treats. Store them in an airtight container in a refrigerator.
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1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, drinking chocolate mix, and salt.
3. Add in the sugar. Mix it with the dry ingredients.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients - oil, water/juice, orange rind, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extra. Fold it in with the dry ingredients.
5. Chop the chocolate bar into small chunks. Add it to the cake mix. You can also add some nuts if you like.
6. Pour the batter in your greased cake pan. Add a few slices of orange on top of the batter. Bake it for 20 minutes.
7. Let is cool and enjoy it!