LaVie Chocolat- French for The Chocolat life
Why do you use the ingredients you use?
We begin with raw, organic cacao powder. This means the chocolate from the cacao bean, which is actually a seed not a nut, has not been heated or processed in any way. It comes straight from the cacao bean using a pestal and mortar. This way the chocolate retains all of its nutrients and no chemicals have been used at any point. Cacao beans contain an incredible amount of antioxidants, minerals, neurotransmitters and simulators, and so many other things that it is one of the most nutritious foods in the world for both your body and your brain. That's why it's been called a SuperFood. By adding specific medicinal herbs, nuts, and other superfoods the nutritional properities are enhanced - increasing the health benefits for you.
Explain why unprocessed chocolate is healthy for me?
Antioxidants: Cacao has more antioxidant flavonoids than any food tested to date - including blueberries, red wine, and green tea (up to four times as much). The health benefits of antioxidants can be seen in how they:
Promote cardiovascular health - Antioxidants assist in heartbeat and blood pressure regulation, dilating blood vessels, improving circulation, lowering LDL cholesterol, and reducing blood clotting. As a result, the risk for stroke and heart attacks is reduced.
Protect from environmental and metabolic toxins - Antioxidants help protect one from free-radical damage. They also help repair damage caused by free radicals which may reduce risk of certain cancers.
Brain Food/Nutrition: Cacao contains a variety of B vitamins which are associated with brain health. Cacao also contains serotonin, dopamine, and PEA - three very well-studied neurotransmitters which elevate one's mood, alleviate depression, and give one a feeling of well-being and a positive perspective.
- Serotonin - Cacao raises the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin acts a stress-defense shield and as an anti-depressant. It also helps to reduce PMS systems and promote a sense of well-being.
- Tryptophan - Cacao contains this essential amino acid which is considered to be "a powerful mood-enhancing nutrient." Its presence is essential for serotonin production.
- Phenylethylamine (PEA) - PEA is found in abundance in the brains of happy people. PEA increases the activity of neurotransmitters - the chemicals in parts of our brain that control one's ability to focus, be positive, and stay alert.
- Anandamide - Anandamide is commonly referred to as the “bliss chemical” because it delivers happy, "blissful" feelings. When released in the brain, anandamide assists with the feelings of optimism and creativity and child-like joy. Additionally, Cacao contains both N-acylethanolamines and this is why it is believed to also slow the breakdown of anandamide allowing one to feel great even longer as well as cope better with prolonged stress and pain.
- MAOI (monoamine oxidose inhibitor)?? - Research is leading some to suspect cacao has MAOI properties which allows it to act as an anti-depressant, an appetite suppressant, and a youthening agent. MAOIs are known to active parts of the brain which are dormant, allowing one access to parts of the brain not normally used.
Essential Minerals: Cacao beans are rich in vitamin C (one ounce serving supplies over 20% of the USDA) as well as Omega 6 and many essential minerals. These include magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron (iron helps carry oxygen in our blood and keep it healthy), zinc (plays a very crucial part in the immune system, live, and pancreas), copper, potassium (this is good for I hate bananas!!) and chromium (helps balance blood sugar levels).
- Magnesium - Cacao seems to be the #1 source of magnesium of any food. Magnesium also helps the heart by assisting in heartbeat regulation and blood pressure. Magnesium increases brainpower, relaxes muscles, increases flexibility, helps build strong bones, and increase alkalinity. A deficiency in magnesium (common in 80% of Americans) is associated with hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and joint problems.
- Sulfur - Cacao is high in the beauty mineral sulfur. Sulfur builds strong nails and hair, promotes beautiful skin, detoxifies the liver as well as the heavy metal mercury, and supports healthy pancreas functioning
Adapted from David Wolfe's books, Naked Chocolate and Superfoods
What fat do you use and is it bad for me?
The fat in the chocolat is pure cacao butter. Since it's a "nut" fat - it's a good fat - a fat that is essential to your health and to your heart. While there is a misperception that chocolate is fattening, the truth is the fats in cacao contains oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, that may raise good cholesterol. Also, substances found in cacao are known to help reduce appetite so you most likely will find you will lose weight. There is actually no scientific evidence that connects obesity with raw chocolate. In fact, the reserve is seeming to be the case due to the fact it diminishes one's appetite.
What is Agave Nectar?
Organic Agave Nectar is a low-glycemic, mineral-rich sweetener that is much like honey. It is taken from the agave plant, which is a cactus-type plant, and has a delightful, fruity taste. The agave plant is considered to be the "Mexican Tree of Life and Abundance" and has been used by Native Americans for hundreds of years. "Of the 136 species of agave in Mexico, the blue agave—Agave tequilana weber azul—is considered the finest in the world."
This is the agave from which our La Vie Chocolat is made. Blue agave nectar is an excellent sweetener for children, diabetics, and hypoglycemics (my son and I are living proof). This is due to the fact blue agave has a glycemic index of 10-11. It absorbs slowly into the bloodstream without raising blood sugar levels and because it is raw it also contains vitamins and minerals.
Are Agave and Palm Nectar safe for diabetics?
Simply put, Yes! Both are very safe for diabetics, hypoglycemics or anyone in need of watching their blood sugar levels. My son with Type I diabetes can eat 3 or 4 pieces of chocolate without seeing an elevation in his bgls (blood sugar levels). This is INCREDIBLE! He can actually eat something other than raw carrots and celery without having to give himself an injection of insulin! After many years, he can finally act just like any other kids and stuff his face with chocolate with a smile on his face - and mine! And the mixes provide foods which do not create blood sugar swings as they are created using a protein flour instead of carbohydrates or grain.
Is it safe for those with various food allergies?
La Vie Chocolats and GF Baking Mixes are safe for those with dairy, gluten, grain, soy, casein, and peanut allergies or intolerances. In our household we have all of the above so none of these products are used in any of our recipes and this is our commitment to you - always.
What is Hydrilla verticilata and why is it a basic ingredient?
Once we saw the comparison profile between hydrilla verticilata and blue green algae, we were convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that not only was this plant's nutritional benefits superb, they were ones my family and I needed one a daily basis to achieve our maximum health potential. "The specific phytonutrient composite of this plant contains vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-12, carotenoids, essential fatty acids, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, cobalt, selenium, molybdenum, sodium, phosphorus, chlorophyll, superoxide dismutase (SOD), RNA, DNA, GLA, and the compatible digestive enzymes for enhanced absorption and use in cellular metabolism." Additionally, "some studies suggest that the nutrients from this plant may have direct application for free radical scavenging, anti-arthritic effect, stress management, remediating aging disorders, promoting healthy skin, and energy recovery." Adapated from Endurance News by Hammer Nutrition
My teenagers, just like many Americans, tend to eat foods which are lacking in essential nutrients and refuse to eat their broccoli (or greens). By secretly including hydrilla in the chocolates, my entire family receives the benefits of "eating their green veggies" and doing so with a smile on their faces!!! Now that puts a smile on this Mom's face!
Why do you use vanilla bean in chocolate?
Vanilla is often used as a fragrance because of its fragrant qualities. However, for centuries it has been used medicinally. Vanilla is used a treatment for hysteria and nervousness. And the fragrance has now been shown to reduce anxiety, act as a calming agent to settle nausea, and even as a way to reduce cravings for sweet foods.
What flavoring do you use?
If a recipe calls for a flavoring agent, we use Young Living Essential Oils. They are pure, organic and therapeutic grade - meaning they, too, possess medicinal and nutritional components.
All La Vie Chocolats are unprocessed, handmade, pure, organic, gluten free, dairy free, and diabetic friendly. It's simply REAL chocolate and REAL nutrition. La Vie chocolat is much like the Mayan chocolate - which was used as medicine -and our mixes are so full of delicious nutrition that Katie calls them "yummy goodness." At La Vie, your health is our top priority.
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