JUSTIN'S NUT BUTTER: Chocolate Hazelnut

Every year around Valentine's Day, I talk about chocolate.  And it's often heart shaped or something that comes in pink or red packaging.  This year, it's not.  It's chocolate, and it's wonderful, but it's not in a colorful wrapper.  It's Justin's Nut Butter, in Hazelnut (which is a little bit heart shaped now that I think of it) and it's so good that's what I'm recommending this year for a Valentine's Day treat.

It comes in a jar, like other nut butters, but what I really love is that it also comes in packets.  And these packets help you to not knock off a half a jar in one sitting, and they go everywhere with you.  In the gym bag, in your backpack, in your suitcase, and even on the plane (they're under 3.4 oz and you have to count them as part of your liquid allotment, but it works great for in-flight snacking). 

It's a little bit too delicious, be warned.  That's why the packets are such a great idea, you can keep better track of how much you eat, and they are just the right amount to calm a hungry stomach, or stabilize blood sugar when you lose track of time and you need a pick me up away from your healthy kitchen.

The Hazelnut Butter is wonderful, and I thought that one would be my favorite, but I think the Almond Butter is just as good.  They both have a grainy salty sweet thing going on that is irresistible and crazy good.  The only thing that would make this better is a full on organic certification (though they do use some organic ingredients).  

This year for Valentine's Day, here's something different to try, either for gifts (would be perfect to slip inside a Valentine) or treat yourself.  If you want to dress up the label, take a red sharpie and draw a heart around the hazelnut, why not?  Find it on HERE  on Amazon, or in your local stores like REI and your co-op. 

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TAZA Organic Chocolate

Want something unique this Valentine's Day?  Check out these Mexicano Discs from TAZA.  They're cool looking and organic and taste great.  I LOVE the grainy texture of this chocolate which is stone ground chocolate.  I recommend the Salted Almond, made with organic almonds from California's Big Tree Organic Farm.  There is just something about that combination of salt and chocolate that makes me swoon.  Add some nuts and that sandy texture and I'm in heaven.  They come in different flavors and are available individually or by the case, I think they make a fabulous presentation.

TAZO incorporates eco friendly and socially responsible measures in their production.  I love their back-to-basics artisan approach to chocolate.  It's rustic and authentic and refreshing and really stands out  amongst premium chocolates.  Buy it locally (I just spotted it in my grocery store) and find it HERE.

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Strawberries for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day beautiful readers! Want a festive food you can feel good about eating today?  How about some strawberries?  They're loaded with vitamin C, phytonutrients, and antioxidants.  They contain B vitamins, manganese, omega 3's, potassium, magnesium, and folate.  Like most things in the plant kingdom, you can eat as many as you like without giving a single thought to calories and the sugar content is relatively low so they don't feed candida or play havoc with your sugar levels (obviously if you are diabetic, check with your physician).

Normally I would say get them at the Farmer's Market in the Summer when they are in season and melt in your mouth.  Although for a special occasion like today, I think frozen berries are just fine.  But don't even think about buying conventional strawberries, they must be organic.  Strawberries are heavily sprayed and if you can't find organic you are better off skipping them altogether.  But if you can find some, they're perfect for V-Day, they even look like little hearts.

Make a yummy smoothie, have them over a slice of vegan cake, make a raw strawberry cheesecake (bitt of raw is famous for her raw pies and I bet you can find a recipe or at least inspiring photos there, also rawmazing is a wonderful source for this sort of thing), eat them whole dipped in chocolate or plain.  Strawberries not only look pretty and taste great, but they smell divine.  A bowl of strawberries on the counter makes the whole room smell sweet and yummy and look at least as festive as flowers. 

Image Credit: CaptPiper

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Focus: LOVE ♥ Eye Candy for V-Day

Need a thoughtful last minute gift for Valentine's Day?  FOCUS: LOVE is perfect for anyone you'd like to surprise, not just your sweetheart.  The book is a collection of photographs featuring the heart motif in nature and unexpected places. 

It's a collaboration of international amateur photographers, but you'd never know they're amateur.  It's a very fun, creative and sweet book full of eye candy.  Kids will enjoy trying to find the hearts (they're not always obvious) and adults will find it hard not to smile.  Pop into your local bookstore and have a look, I think this book wrapped in red paper would make a wonderful gift.


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Adopt a Sea Turtle for V-Day

Here's something different:  how about gifting a sea turtle for Valentine's Day?  Sea Turtle Conservancy is offering a special package for Valentine's Day.  For $25 (tax deductable), they will send a folder containing an adoption kit which includes a magnet, sticker and a one year subscription to their membership publication.   You can visit their site to see which turtles are available for adoption and choose your favorite, they also offer Sea Turtle Adoption gift cards.

Founde. in 1959, the STC is an international non profit dedicated to preserving sea turtles through education, research and protection of natural habitats.  Find them HERE.

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♥Gluten Free Vegan VALENTINE'S DAY Cookies ♥

Need something different but exciting for your Valentine? LIZ LOVELY COOKIES make for some serious Valentine goodness.  Organic and Vegan and completely delicious, they're a treat you can feel good about enjoying.  There was a time when I had to bake my own cookies in order to insure my son and I got quality organic and vegan ingredients (forget about making gluten free cookies, that was over my head).  Now they are available pre-made from Liz Lovely, and they even have gluten free options, yaay! My new favorite cookies! 

They are Big cookies.  With a little restraint, one cookie can last for 2-4 different moments of sublime indulgence.  They're so rich and satisfying, you really don't feel that you need to eat the whole thing at all.  My favorites (for right now) are the Chocolate Fudge and the Triple Chocolate Mint.  Wow!  The texture is perfect, you would never think they were gluten free or vegan, there's nothing here but melt-in-your-mouth yumminess (so don't worry about gifting these to non-vegans).

  I strongly suggest a sampler box.  They have several different options to choose from (different quantities, gluten free or not, chocolate lovers, etc) which I think would make a fabulous gift for any occasion. Cookies are wrapped in cute packaging with a heart logo.  The box is bright and festive with a sassy pink ribbon.  How exciting to receive a pretty pink box full of cookies on V-Day!  Order soon to have yours in time (be sure to order a box for yourself too!).  Find them here on the LIZ LOVELY WEBSITE.


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Will You Be My Valentine? Box of Organic Equal Exchange Chocolate ♥ GIVEAWAY ♥

Just in time for V-Day, Equal Exchange has two new chocolate bars out--Yummy Dark Chocolate Ecuador (vegan) and Chocolate Carmel Crunch.  Organic and Fair Trade, these chocolates help to support indigenous farming communities as well as infuse your body with rich antioxidants. The Ecuador is deep and dark and satisfying.  Just one little square is all it takes for me to feel like I've had a decadent treat.  If you'd like to purchase some chocolate for your valentine, you may use coupon code chocolate5 (valid through February) to get $5 off a case of chocolate on the Equal Exchange website.

Would you like to try some chocolate bars?  Equal Exchange is giving away an assorted box of chocolates to one of my readers (yaay!)  To enter just leave a comment telling me what your favorite kind of chocolate is.  (Open to followers--if you are not yet a follower just go to the left corner of the screen and click on follow).  Winner will be chosen on Feb 6 so that you will have your chocolates by Valentine's Day.  ♥

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Zulugrass Friendship Bracelets for Valentine's Day

Here is something you can find locally in time for Valentine's Day, these are cute little zulugrass bead friendship bracelets perfect for the little girls or teenagers in your life.  The great thing about these is that a portion of the proceeds go to support women in Kenya.

Founded in 2002 by Katy and Philip Leaky (son of well known anthropologists Drs. Louis and Mary Leaky), to create business opportunities for rural Kenyan women, the Leaky Collection utilizes found natural objects to create contemporary designs for the global market place.  It's a win win--helpful for the environment, local communities, and global connection.  Learn more at their website HERE.

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