Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sno-Isle Co-op, Olympia Food co-op, and Go Outside!

This triad of picturesque names evocative of the mountains which surround them describes the new locations where you may now purchase Rox Chox. At the Eastside Olympia in bulk, for starters, at the Sno-Isle Co-op in Everett, and at Go Outside in La Conner.

And! Very exciting news-- the Berkeley Student Food Collective is going to discuss our chocolate with their board of directors! Yeah, I bet they want to offer a sugar-free superfood to their superpowered brainiacs.

Guess what else? This multi-tool does a screen shot as well! So here's a picture of the route from the Rox Chox Raw Lab in Portland to the Sno-Isle Co-op in Everett, Washington. A short hike, when you put it in perspective.  I like the looks of those snowy mountains in Canada- we've got some ground to cover yet, Chox! You can also see by this picture that I am up far too late playing with my new gadget. To bed, to bed!!!


Saturday, February 18, 2012

International Chocolate Lover

Hey Friends,
We have yet to figure out the whole international shipping tariff situation, so until further notice, if you would like to receive our chocolates outside of the continental United States, please email us a special request at roxchoxpdx@gmail.com and we'll find out how much the shipping will cost and get back to you.
Thanks!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

All the minerals in Cacao, explained. Wow.

Magnesium: Cacao seems to be the #1 source of magnesium of any food. Magnesium is one of the great alkaline minerals. It helps to support the heart, brain, and digestive system (it fights constipation). Magnesium is also important for building strong bones. Magnesium balances brain chemistry and has a strong influence on feelings of ease and happiness. This is likely the primary reason women crave chocolate during the monthly cycle. Magnesium is the most deficient major mineral on the Standard American Diet (SAD); over 80% of Americans are chronically deficient in Magnesium! Cacao has enough magnesium to help reverse deficiencies of this mineral.

Iron: Cacao contains 314% of the U.S. RDA of iron per 1 ounce (28 gram) serving. Iron is a critical mineral in nutrition. Iron is part of the oxygen carrying protein called hemoglobin that keeps our blood healthy.

Chromium: Chromium is an important trace mineral that helps balance blood sugar. Nearly 80% of Americans are deficient in this trace mineral. Chromium plays a significant role in detoxifying the liver from alcohols which build up during the fermentation process of sugars and starchs when we overeat or make bad food choices. It has a major influence on blood cleanse.

Anandamide: Anandamide (The Bliss Chemical) is an endorphin that the human body naturally produces after exercise. Anandamide has so far only been found in one plant — Cacao. Anandamide is known as “The Bliss Chemical” because it is released while we are feeling great. Cacao contains enzyme inhibitors that decrease our bodies’ ability to breakdown anandamide. This means that, when we eat cacao, natural anandamide and/or cacao anandamide may stick around longer, making us feel good longer.

Theobromine: Cacao usually contains about 1% theobromine. Theobromine is an effective anti-bacterial substance and kills streptococci mutans (the primary organism that causes cavities). Theobromine is a chemical relative of caffeine but is not a nervous system stimulant. Theobromine dilates the cardiovascular system making the heart’s job easier. This is one of the major reasons why cacao is an important part of a heart healthy diet.

Antioxidants: Cacao contains the highest concentration of antioxidants of any food in the world. These antioxidants include polyphenols, catechins, and epicatechins. By weight, Cacao has more antioxidants than red wine, blueberries, acai, pomegranates, and goji berries COMBINED.

Cacao Also Contains the Following Important Unique Nutrients:

Manganese: Manganese helps assist iron in the oxygenation of the blood and formation of hemoglobin. Interestingly, manganese is also concentrated in tears.

Zinc: Zinc plays a critical role in the immune system, liver, pancreas, and skin. Additionally, zinc is involved in thousands of enzymatic reactions throughout the human body.

Vitamin C: Cacao must be raw to contain vitamin C. All cooked and processed chocolate has no vitamin C. A one ounce (28 gram) serving of Cacao Beans supplies 21% of the U.S. RDA of Vitamin C. However, Cacao goes really good with fruits and greens that are high in Vitamin C and should be consumed together, there are yummy smoothies in our recipe section.

Omega 6 Fatty Acids: Cacao contains essential omega 6 fatty acids when it is RAW.

Phenethylamine (PEA): Phenylethylamine (PEA) is found in abundance in cacao. Because PEA is heat sensitive, much of the PEA in conventional cooked and processed chocolate is missing. PEA is the chemical that we produce in our bodies when we fall in love. This is likely one of the main reasons why love and chocolate have such a deep connection. PEA also plays a role in increasing focus and alertness.


Tryptophan: Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is transformed into important stress-protective neurotransmitters including serotonin and melatonin. Tryptophan is heat sensitive and therefore it is “cooked out” in many high protein foods and in conventional processed chocolate.

Serotonin: Serotonin is the primary neurotransmitter in the human body. Serotonin is similar in its chemistry to tryptophan and melatonin. Serotonin helps us build up our “stress defense shield.”

Does Cacao Contain Caffeine?
Specialists have different opinions about the subject. David Woolfe quote: ‘… Contrary to popular opinion, cacao is a poor source of caffeine. A typical sample of Cacao Beans or cacao beans will yield anywhere from zero caffeine to 1,000 parts per million of caffeine (less than 1/20th of the caffeine present in coffee)….’

Credit for the above passage goes to Supertzar from the chat section of Davidicke.com. Thank you!

Monday, February 13, 2012

The Love Show Chox Demo

Awesomeness... Had a ton of fun giving away smiles, hugs, and Chox at Launch Pad Gallery's Love Show on Friday. One person took a sample, and then said, "I already love your chocolate, but I didn't want to tell you until I had gotten another sample!" Don't even worry about it-- I am so happy to share.

Another pleased person said, "I'm going to send these to my two moms- they're both diabetic." Warm my heart, whydoncha? Smile after smile... Yes, when I see that bliss face in person it makes all the behind-the-scenes parts of running the biz totally worth it.

Fashion Disclaimer: I had forgotten a tablecloth-- hence the lovely borrowed pink and black tiger print accenting our display. Didn't seem to turn anyone away.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Labels. What do they really say?

Well, these say 22 cases and cut by hand while dancing. If I have my way, soon our labels will say 100% compostable and recycled, printed with biodegradable inks as well. No, there won't be a bird on it, but thanks for asking.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Hooray for the Internet!

Wow. Blogging, networking... I have been 'following' so many people in the wee hours of the night that I'm surprised I don't have a restraining order! Ha ha... Twitter is proving to be very fruitful and full of amazingly inspirational healthy eaters, positive thinkers, and motivating entrepreneurs. Focusing on our mission like an eagle, we are making and shipping Rox Chox to new people every day! Last night with my love and business partner River, we listened to Mozart for Wind instruments while we joyfully packed Internet orders, infusing each shipment with refined happiness!

We are thrilled with each new wholesale account as well, because that means it's much easier for a craving to be immediately and healthfully satisfied. Now the people of the lovely seaside hamlet of Manzanita will experience the sweet and salty crunch of a Rox Chox bar.

We are waiting with baited breath to hear back from the Park Slope Coop in NYC, Rainbow grocery in SF, and more Co-ops in: Moscow, Idaho, Sno-Isle in Everett WA(cool name!) Corvallis, Berkeley, Boise, Arcata, Olympia, and the independent stores Other Avenues in SF and Zerbo's in MI. Taste buds crossed!

If you have a favorite local co-op or independent grocery or chain with awesome business ethics you'd like to find your Rox Chox fix at, send us a recommendation. Last night River and I agreed that our new goal is to be available to chocolate lovers in at least one location per major city in each state before the magical year of 2012 is out. Help us help you be your healthiest self!

Lots of love from a miraculously sunny spot in Portland.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Awesome review with a video... Crunching sound included!

Wow, how rad is this? Super radtasticalitiousness! Rox Chox got a great review from Eco Vegan Gal on her blog, complete with sound effects! It is really great to hear just how much people appreciate our Chox. Thanks, Whitney!