A Farm in our Kitchen!

What you see in the picture to the right, is a view into Vanessa’s very own laboratory (her home kitchen)! But more specifically, you are looking at a melanger, or stone grinder. Late into the wee hours of the night (when creativity flows, new ideas are born, and deeper connections are forged to the food she creates), Chocolate Girl excitedly tinkers in and out of the “lab,” experimenting with various nut butter concoctions and even creating cocoa paste from the raw cocoa bean! You’ve already tasted the fruit of some of this labor if you’ve tried our Pumpkin Spice Truffle, the pumpkin seed butter was ground by Vanessa in this very grinder.

Gnosis Chocolate honors the value of doing things from scratch. As much as possible, our chocolate is infused with love and intention. Of course, it is not realistic to have a farm in a kitchen in Long Island City, NY; but we are coming as close as we possibly can to making our chocolates from the ground up =)

Don't Stress!

New Evidence That Dark Chocolate Helps Ease Emotional Stress

ScienceDaily (Nov. 11, 2009) — The "chocolate cure" for emotional stress is getting new support from a clinical trial published online in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research. It found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed. Everyone's favorite treat also partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances.

Sunil Kochhar and colleagues note growing scientific evidence that antioxidants and other beneficial substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. Studies also suggest that chocolate may ease emotional stress. Until now, however, there was little evidence from research in humans on exactly how chocolate might have those stress-busting effects.

In the study, scientists identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks. "The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers," the scientists say.

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Journal reference:

1. Martin et al. Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects. Journal of Proteome Research, 2009; 091007113151065 DOI: 10.1021/pr900607v

Adapted from materials provided by American Chemical Society.

Gnosis Chocolate in the News!

Check out our luscious soaps on The Early Show!

http://bit.ly/3BygLr 

Get Your Boost Now!

It’s autumn, and along with the beautiful leaves and brisk temperatures come worries about catching cold or flu. At Gnosis Chocolate, we believe that with the right mix of superfoods in your diet, you can stave off (or at least lessen) seasonal illnesses that arise when your body becomes stressed. That’s why we are now unveiling Immune Boost, the newest must-taste flavor churning out of our dear New York City kitchen!

So what is inside this one bar to make it so immune-boosting? We took a three-point approach in creating this bar: warming spices, seasonal flavors, and herbs known to boost the immune system. The breakdown is below:

Be warmed by flavorful spices; Cardamom, Ginger (circulation, digestion, anti-inflammation), Cinnamon (glucose metabolism, circulation, cognitive fuction & memory), Vanilla (aphrodisiac, hormone-balancing), and Fennel Pollen (one of the only foods on the planet containing vitamin D!)

Be comforted by flavors of the season: Persimmons (vitamin A & C, fiber), Pecans (oleic acid, beta-sitosterol - a natural cholesterol-lowering compound) , Pumpkin seeds (zinc, magnesium, l-tryptophan for depression), Cranberries (vitamin C, probiotic, proanthocyanidins for urinary tract), Black Currants (vitamin C, gamma-linoleic acid rare essential fatty acid, anthocyanins to reduce inflammation) and Blood Orange Essential Oil (aromatherapy: brightly antidepressant)

Strengthen your immune system with traditional herbs; Echinacea (Native American Herbalism: flavonoids, polysaccharides, phenols, alkylamides activate white blood cells for immunity), Ginseng (Traditional Chinese Medicine: ginsenosides for endurance, stamina, endurance, stress reduction), Elderberry (Native American Herbalism: anthocyanins enhance immune function by boosting the production of cytokines, dry cough soothing), Pau D'Arco (South American Shamanism: crystalline oxygen infused in it's inner bark gives antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal action), Cat's Claw (South American Shamanism: oxindole alkaloids, tannins, and other phytochemicals for anti-viral & gastrointestinal support); and more!!

As you can see, this is the power bar to keep you well in the coming months. Enjoy!

A Spicy Autumn to You

Get into autumn with Gnosis Chocolate's awesome limited edition Pumpkin Spice truffles!

For the first time, we’re offering you raw truffles, direct from Gnosis Chocolate HQ! These treats, filled with pumpkin seed, cardamom, and ginger are yours for just a few days more. For your health, pumpkin seeds have been found to promote prostate health, improve bladder function, treat depression, and prevent osteoporosis among other benefits! But even more than being a healthy indulgence, these truffles are works of art. Purchase one for yourself, and one as a gift; these sweets will definitely be appreciated!