Gluten Free. Vegan. Non-GMO. Kosher. Organic. Complete Protein. Omega 3's.
When I am in California, most of my time is spent sourcing vegan products to review for you. Healthier and tastier the better, right?!
I have been using quinoa for a few years now. I love its perky bite and its nutty flavour. So when I saw Keen-Wah I just had to try them.
The 'Decadence' bars come in 3 flavours, all are coated in chocolate:
Coconut Almond - Almond butter and coconut chunks. So coconutty. LOVE!
Cayenne Cinnamon - A gentle kick. Nice, but the other two trump it by a way.
Chocolate Chia - Loved this. Dark and slightly bitter. The flavour is well defined and satisfying.
Almonds and quinoa offer a fine crunch running through all the bars. Think like a chocolate encased firm and nutty brownie.
Calories: 198, Carbs: 17g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 13g
Unfortunately, the chocolate coating contains small amounts of soy lecithin and cane sugar. I called the company and spoke with Dan Ductor and asked if they have any plans for omitting these and swapping in with stevia or coconut sugar in the future. He said that the nature of the company is one of community. The bars themselves are the product of members (yoga community) and friends putting forward suggestions for ingredients. Perhaps as people become more conscious of glycemic levels and optimum nutrition they will naturally switch to healthier ingredients. Whilst not TOTALLY healthy as say a raw, fruit sweetened bar. That said, they are meant to combine decadence AND health, and are certainly miles better than a Snickers bar!
Daniel Cook founded the company back in 2008. An entrepreneur, he took up yoga and experienced a lightbulb moment that he wanted to start an ethical company and offer nutritionally balanced products to the market, whilst also helping the growers and producers. Keen-Wah donates 1% of its profits to Kiva in the countries, like Peru, where they source their key ingredients. Kiva is non-profit that allows people to loan money in developing countries by providing them with micro-loans.
Not sure about quinoa? Here's a quinoa fact from the folk at Keen-Wah, so you can get quinoa clever!
The Andean supercrop was domesticated in the Andean region of South America over 3,000 years ago, and is today classified as nature's highest quality source of protein. Quinoa nourishes with all nine essential amino acids, and a dense composition of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc and fiber. Endorsements by The National Academy of Science, The United Nations, and NASA highlight the nutritional density of quinoa in 2013, ‘The International Year of Quinoa.’
We source our 100% organic, heirloom quinoa responsibly from small farmers. Keen-Wah products reinvest in source countries by supporting initiatives to improve micro-loans, health care, dietary education and sustainable farming in the Andean region.
The quinoa seed features a naturally occurring spaponin shell, which protects against pests and obviates the need for pesticides. Independent, small farmers still lead most global quinoa sourcing, and the supercrop has to date resisted genetic engineering. Peru’s Congress has even recently banned all GMO crops in this Andean country for the next decade.
They bars are stocked in various Whole Food Stores and independent health/whole food stores. Currently in the USA only. However, you can order online and they ship to many international destinations.
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