Artisana Organic Foods, Ek Chok Chocolate & a Giveaway!

The name "Artisana" makes me think of the most beautifully hand painted masterpiece, hanging in a museum somewhere. So it comes as no surprise that the folks from Artisana Organic Foods believe in the art of healthy food. They masterfully blend together nuts & seeds using a temperature controlled process that preserves fatty acids, proteins, vitamins & enzymes. The result, organic nut & seed butter blends that are not only good for you, but taste good too. Actually, they taste gourmet & gourmet is good, right?

Artisana Raw Nut & Seed Butters

Not only do they come in 8oz. jars, but Artisana also has these handy dandy 1.19oz. packets available which are the perfect single serving size.

•Cashew Butter - a good source of iron

•Almond Butter - a good source of protein

•Walnut Butter with cashews - a good source of omega-3

•Pecan Butter with cashews

•Macadamia Butter with cashews

I absolutely loved every single one of these! My favorite way to enjoy them was as a spread on homemade breads. Actually, the Pecan Butter with cashews, on my favorite roll, reminds me of a Pecan Tassie! 

They also offer Coconut Butter which is made from whole coconut flesh puree (I use it in place of regular butter on breads & pancakes), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (perfect for sauteing veggies & countless homemade beauty products) & Cacao Bliss which is raw chocolate coconut butter (amazing in steel cut oats).

Artisana Nut Butter Superfood

Anyone that knows me, knows that I've been on a superfood kick for a little while now. Superfoods are nutrient dense & calorie sparse as well as being packed with antioxidants, vitamins & minerals. Artisana just so happens to have Superfood Nut Butters.

•Goji & Milk Thistle

•Acai Berry

•Berry Antioxidant

•Blue Algae

•Phyto Plankton

All are made with cashew butter & almond oil, & are very high in antioxidants. But I was still a little standoffish about trying them. So I went for the safest option. Smoothies.

Of course when I opened the packets, I had to try just a taste for curiosity's sake. And while I wasn't necessarily a fan, I was amazed at the difference in my smoothies! My favorite by far was Goji & Milk Thistle in a coffee smoothie. It had the perfect amount of nutty sweetness to it & i didn't add anything other than coffee, milk & ice.

Ek Chok Venezuelan Cacao Criollo

I can't say that I've ever had chocolate quite like this before. Ek Chok is actually a soft chocolate paste made from 100% Venezuelan Heirloom Cacao Criollo nibs, organic roasted hazelnuts, organic coconut sugar & organic powder for a hint of flavoring.

•Cardamom

•Strawberry

 •Rose

•Licorice

•Vanilla

View this photo on Instagram!

But this isn't your average gourmet chocolate. It's also boosted with Ayurveda Herbs, which are herbs used in India's millennia-old medical tradition ("what heals, also protects"). So this is good chocolate that's good for you! At least that's what I've been telling myself since I can't seem to get enough of this. Especially Ek Chok Venezuelan Cacao Criollo with Rose. Who knew flowers & chocolate went together like that?!

All products are vegan, kosher & certified organic. Everything is made on equipment that processes tree nuts, but is free from peanuts, gluten, dairy or soy.

Want to try Ek Chok Venezuelan Cacao Criollo for yourself?

One  lucky winner will receive the new line of Ek Chok Venezuelan Cacao Criollo!

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Wednesday 12/18/13. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday 12/18/13. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to Artisana Organic Foods for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. *Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep up with the latest from Artisana Organic Foods on Facebook & Twitter. And don't forget to check out their delicious recipes. 

**Disclaimer: I received these products to try from Artisana Organic Foods/Premier Organics & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.