Healthy Dark Chocolate Reviews Steve McCardell of The Biophysics Center
"When my wife first saw Gnosis chocolate featured in Spirituality and Health magazine, I imagined it would be another so-called healthy chocolate -- possibly even organic -- that was still loaded with sugar. But I was wrong.
Not only was I wrong, but this chocolate is one of the most unique on the market, and possibly the healthiest. We immediately decided to make this the first and only chocolate that we retail in our health center.
To give you an immediate sense of how special this chocolate is, every bar is hand-made and hand-designed by the founder of Gnosis Chocolate, Vanessa Barg.
Although this may test the beliefs / patience of some readers, there is scientific research underway about how our thoughts and intentions actually affect water and food. Definite, repeatable results have shown on a microscopic level how cellular relationships change based on the input of intention. So if you can grasp this forward-thinking concept, it says a LOT that Vanessa invests herself in every bar. She explicitly says that she puts a loving intention into every bar she makes.
Of course this doesn't mean as much if she's using low-quality ingredients, but she uses the best. The cacao content is organic, and rather than using sugar, she uses natural agave nectar, which is very low on the glycemic index, so that it never spikes a person's blood sugar (good news for diabetics and those trying to lose weight).
Even better, I believe that all of her chocolate bars include "crystal manna," which is a form of blue/green algae -- a nutrient-dense, green superfood. Other Gnosis Chocolate bars include a variety of healthy ingredients, from various fruits to spices, herbs, and more.
By the way ... it appears that she does NOT use soy lecithin as an emulsifier in her chocolate. Most chocolate uses this as a shortcut for producing the right texture. It is NOT an ideal ingredient, and the best chocolates do not include it. But it takes longer to make chocolate in this way." [more...]
Spirituality & Health Magazine
"Enlightened Diet: A Truly Ceremonial Chocolate" by Farrah Sarafa
"If you would like to experience raw chocolate without having to visit an indigenous tribe, consider Gnosis Chocolate. Founder Vanessa A. Barg hand-makes her chocolates without refine sugar, dairy, or caffeine (a whole bar contains less caffeine than a cup of decaf coffee), producing a variety of delectable, flavorful truffles and bars. She consiers it "a return to the essence of chocolate." Not only can you enjoy eating healthier chocolate but you can also feel good about buying it, because Barg donates 10 percent [...] to Wolfe's Fruit Tree Planting Foundation..."
Kris Carr of Crazy Sexy Life
Gnosis Chocolate donates to Crazy Sexy Cancer
The posse gathering was down right magical. We met, ate DIVINE raw chow, hugged, shared massive knowledge, chatted about where we're going in the future with our wonderful company, introduced our AMAZING and ever growing team (Beth Villandry, Director of Development and Corinne Bowen, Program and Development Manager - look out, these revolution mamas are going to ROCK YOUR WORLD). We gave away awesome prezzies (thank you sexy Sarma for the fantastic Pure Food & Wine goodie bag, and a deep bow to the angel folks at Nutiva, E3 Live, Gnosis Chocolate and Vanessa Barg, Get fresh Magazine, and, of course Breville - we gave away a juicer!
Gnosis Chocolate donates to Ashram Retreat
Wendi Dee of Pure Jeevan
We’re happy to announce that some raw food snack companies have offered to donate some of their products for the gift baskets that will be given to those attending the retreat! Gnosis Chocolate has generously offered to supply us with samples. Keep an eye on the retreat page to see other companies that will be sharing delicious raw food snacks with those attending the retreat!
We hope you’ll take some time to check out what these three generous companies have to offer. You won’t be disappointed—raw food snacks are so much better than cooked ones! Thanks so much!
Amazing Treat: Gnosis Chocolate
Marianne Merritt Talbot of Modern Venus
health ailments. Now I've discovered an AMAZING chocolate product that is like eating a decadent truffle, but is actually GOOD FOR YOU. The product is Gnosis Chocolate ("gnosis" means "knowledge of the heart, experiential knowledge and intuitive knowledge, FYI). It is completely raw, handmade, organic, unprocessed, and totally delish. It comes in lots of amazing flavors, including Vanilla Hazelnut, Cool Peppermint, Mayan Heat (with cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes, I gave that one to my husband!) and Greeentea. The company also makes custom flavors if you want them to whip up something special and lovely for you. Check them out and satisfy your chocolate cravings without any guilt whatsoever!
April 2008
Deciphering Your Cravings Emrys Tetu of Gala Darling's Icing
You really don’t want to eat more salad, you want to eat more chocolate.
Chocolate is the number one food source of magnesium, a mineral in which most people are deficient. Magnesium is crucial for brain, heart, and reproductive health. It helps strengthen bones and relieve muscle cramping. Chocolate is also an excellent source of antioxidants (again, highest natural food source), and many chemicals that react with the brain to improve mood, including theobromine, seratonin and dopamine. So it may be that your chocolate cravings are about a need to re-balance any of the above. (Chocolate quality varies wildly; any inclusion of refined sugar or dairy dramatically reduces its health benefits… my absolute favorite recommendation for highest quality, amazingly delicious, fully healthful chocolate that does not create insulin spikes and crashes is Gnosis Chocolate.)
Raw Food Bulletin: Introducing Gnosis Chocolate!
Sunfood Nutrition carries Gnosis Chocolate!
David Wolfe's Sunfood Nutrition
- The Gnosis Simplicity Bar combines a minimum number of ingredients for the maximum taste and benefits ofraw cacao. This is raw cacao, as simple and delicious as can be. Read More...
- The smooth texture of cashews and the sweet, tart taste of cherries come together in the Gnosis Cashew Goji Cherry Bar. The healing potential of goji berries make this a perfect complement to the rich foundation of raw cacao. Read More...
- For those who like their chocolate to deliver on all levels, the Gnosis SuperChoc Bar is a powerful superfood bar with the unmistakable taste and feel of raw chocolate. This bar captures the ultimate in superfood potential an possibility! Read More...
- For those who prefer their chocolate cool… The Gnosis Cool Peppermint Bar combines the fresh, clear taste of peppermint with the rich taste of raw, dark chocolate Read more...
- The Gnosis Honey Ginger Bar combines the superfood powers of raw honey with the warming properties of ginger, all wrapped in the rich flavor of raw dark chocolate. Read more...
- The Gnosis Almond Fig Spice Bar offers a touch of spice and the sweet, rich taste of darkly-colored fruits, perfectly complementing the flavor and texture of raw, dark chocolate. Read more...
- The Gnosis Coconut Almond Bar brings together the smooth taste and texture of coconut with the deep, rich flavor and aroma of raw, organic cacao Read more...
- The Gnosis Vanilla Hazelnut Bar combines the unforgettable flavor of hazelnuts with the luscious feel of vanilla and rich, raw dark chocolate. Read more...
- For those who like their chocolate HOT, the Gnosis Mayan Heat Bar pulls no punches. A traditional preparation in an entirely new form. Enjoy the ride! Read more...
Superfoodist: Chocolate Girl
Superfood City 
Occupation: Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Raw Chocolatier, and Live-r of the Best Life Ever!
Rotations Around The Sun: 23 in this life
Favorite Superfoods: All foods made with Love and positive intention, wildcrafted foods that you or me or we have picked, medicinal herbs, cacao, durian, reishi mushroom, goji berries, crystal manna, noni.
ss inner fire! I find I need very little sleep and the hours I sleep are very profound and dream filled. My waking hours are spent eating delicious foods that nourish me on every level. Eating Superfoods is not only done with my digestive system - I listen to my intuition and eat the highest quality foods I can find. Giving myself the best foods available is a manifestation of my respect for this body, and for the messages I would like to bring forth in my life. Superfoods are facilitating the fulfilling of my potential - I am more able to do my life's work. I highly recommend Superfoods to all of my clients.
Who are your personal heroes? David Wolfe, The Mad Cowboy, Neal Barnard, Eric Schlosser, Joshua Rosenthal, Philip McCluskey, Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, Leonaro DaVinci, Marie Curie, George Lucas, Michelangelo, Alex Grey, Naftali Honig, my Mother, anyone who lives with integrity and humility, and who stands for their beliefs and takes care of their bodies, communities, and the planet.
Where are your favorite places to acquire Superfoods? Anywhere in nature - the woods, city parks (I live in NYC and we can find a plethora of superfoods including burdock, dandelion, and gingko biloba growing free!!!)
Favorite Websites:
Chocolate Girl's websites:
Giveittomeraw.com/profile/VanessaBarg
Favorite Quotes: I am a professed Quote Lover so please forgive my lack of ability to choose one...
~Eric Blaire (George Orwell)
Mind Petals NYC Gathering Vanessa Barg, Certified Holistic Health Counselor and Raw Chocolatier, spoke about the awesome benefits of consuming raw chocolate as well as the power of incorporating raw foods into your diet. Vanessa is not only an amazing health consultant and coach, she’s a ball of joy, positivity, and love. I urge you all to find out more about Vanessa.
David Askaripour of Mind Petals
February 2008
Chocolate Lovers Only
Philip McCluskey of LovingRaw
I have done a few chocolate reviews in the past but Gnosis Chocolate really is a new favorite. Vanessa Barg, owner of Gnosis Chocolate and Certified Holistic Health Counselor is a chocolate alchemist, and has really done an amazing job with combining a love for chocolate with potent superfoods and medicinal herbs. Besides the delicious taste, and the love for cacao, some of her clients and customers are even experiencing physical healing from the ingredients contained within her bars.
And if that weren't enough, she also makes CustoMade, or custom bars designed to your liking. This is great for those that want to pack in certain nutrients and herbs all in a yummy package.
I find her chocolate to be the freshest, most nutrient dense, high integrity raw organic bars on the market today.
Chocolate: Do Not Settle for anything less than the best! Anna Marie Nelson
| Chocolate: Do not settle for anything less than the best! | |
 It's true that chocolate is good for you, but you must be selective about which chocolate you choose if you wish to reap its many health benefits. Be sure to choose dark chocolate (the darker, the healthier). The first ingredient should be cocoa, not sugar. Avoid products with milk (it's a common allergen and negates the effect of antioxidants) and artificial flavors/sweeteners (they're toxic). It's also important to go organic with chocolate, as pesticides are used heavily in conventional crops. The tastiest, healthiest, and most environmentally friendly chocolate is available at www.gnosischocolate.com. This raw, organic chocolate is made with love by fellow health counselor Vanessa Barg and is by far and away the best chocolate I have ever tasted. | |
Love Your Friends: Share Gnosis Chocolate Heather Holistic
I've sampled a lot of "healthy" chocolate over the last few years. While most of it was good, when I tried Vanessa Barg's Gnosis Chocolate at a party recently, I was blown away. Yum-mmy!
High in antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals, enjoying raw, dairy-free and sugar-free chocolate can be a tasty way to protect the body from major health issues, including stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes.
You must get your hands on some of this delicious, healthful, unique chocolate (my favorite was Orange Blossom). Visit Gnosis Chocolate to take advantage of their Valentine's Day offer!
Raw Vegan Chocolate for Valentine's Day!
Erin Dame of VeganDoneLight
"I want to introduce you all to a really nice lady, Vanessa Barg, aka “Chocolate Girl.” She makes homemade, raw, vegan chocolates and sells them on-line at GnosisChocolate.com.
We had a lovely chat on the phone the other day about veganism and raw food, and of course, cacao. She was actually making a batch while we were talking. Her passion for the healthy treats she’s bringing to the public was obvious, and I do hope you’ll check it out."
November 2007
Chocolate Demo with Vanessa of Gnosis Chocolate
Bob Dagger of High Vibe
Vanessa Barg of Gnosis Chocolate taught a chocolate-making class last night here at High Vibe. Again the house was full! Vanessa brought plenty of samples, which we passed around as she started with a short history of how she got into raw chocolate and the beginnings of Gnosis Chocolate.
Vanessa has been interested in health and healing for several years, and trained to be a holistic health counselor at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She used to make chocolate for friends, many of whom encouraged her to go into business. Last November, Vanessa started offering her chocolates for sale, and just a year later Gnosis is available in 12 stores in New York City as well as online!
Vanessa then demonstrated the creation of her Simplicity bar, explaining the ingredients, equipment and techniques used (recipe below). We talked about the amazing cacao bean, its history of use dating back to 1100 B.C. and the properties that make it a superfood, including its antioxidant properties and benefits as a source of magnesium. Vanessa explained how to moderate the proportions of low-temperature melted cacao butter to cacao powder to create a darker, richer bar (more powder) or a smoother, more melting bar (more butter). She then added the vanilla, demonstrating how to scrape out vanilla beans (keeping the pods for tea) and sharing the exciting, glittery effect of crystal manna, an amazing superfood in its own right! Then she added some agave nectar and asked a few students sample the mixture to help decide how sweet to make it. Then it was time to pour the chocolates into the molds and chill while we had a question and answer session, and more chocolate samples.
There was a lot of discussion about the effects and benefits of cacao; we also talked about the use of carob, which can be used with or instead of cacao, and is rich in calcium (which interacts synergistically with magnesium). Vanessa talked about the pros and cons and different effects of different sweeteners, explaining that her choice of agave was a combination of flavor and texture preference over yacon syrup, although yacon is another good option, as well as a healthier and more sustainable choice than corn syrup (which is rarely raw and organic anyway).
Vanessa also chooses to use honey but is always conscious of her choice of honey supplier, ensuring that the bees are treated well - which goes for all her ingredients. She emphasized the importance of ascertaining the purity and ethics of all her sources, a philosophy that we follow at High Vibe as well. Finally, and also in accordance with High Vibe's mission, she talked about the importance of the love that goes into the chocolate and how the desire to bring something beautiful, delightful and healthful into the world using wildcrafted ingredients is fundamental to the creation of Gnosis Chocolate.
It was a fun, fascinating, helpful, inspiring, and empowering evening! Thanks so much to Vanessa for sharing her love and expertise with us!
Making Chocolate!
Erika Rier
My friend Vanessa is the owner of the amazing raw chocolate company Gnosis Chocolate. Her company is growing at an astounding and well deserved speed. Isadora and I have been assisting her in her chocolate making!
We had such a great time making chocolate, making labels, packaging chocolate and chatting. Not to mention the chocolate sampling! I've experienced Gnosis Chocolate before but immediately fell for the Super Choc, never giving the myriad other flavors a try. All I can say is wow.
Isadora had a great time too, decorating the chocolates and one of Vanessa's storage container's. It was so amazing to see the whole process and the care Vanessa takes in making her product. I'm excited to help her again...and to eat some more chocolate!
September 2007
Cheryl Sandberg of An Occasional Chocolate
"Raw organic chocolate company owner Vanessa Barg of Gnosis Chocolate talks about raw organic chocolate and what it means to you!..."
