Uncategorized | Righteously Raw™

Twenty Percent of Early Deaths Linked to Junk, Processed Foods

Studies show that a staggering 1 in 5 early deaths can be attributed to toxic food ingredients found in processed and junk foods. Seventy two percent of early deaths from diseases have links to poor dietary choices of the diseased. The top diseases that kill are cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and Type-2 diabetes. Metabolic issues such as a high BMI, high systolic blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, and high total cholesterol can be traced back to poor diet. In an ongoing study of early death by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, they also seek to find out why despite the increase in life expectancy, people are only living extra years of misery. The question remains: Are people living longer? Or are they just dying longer? What factors contribute to this extended misery? Five papers already published in the Lancet Medical Journal show how the decisions people make affect the quality of life. It indicated the following statistics: 12.5 percent is attributed to tobacco; 6 percent is attributed to drugs and alcohol; 20 percent is attributed to an unhealthy diet of junk food and other processed foods; 5 percent is attributed to lack [...]

October 28th, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Three Factors Driving Growth Of Dark Chocolate Market

Immense growth is in the forecast for the dark chocolate market in the US. It is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of more than 8 percent until 2021. What’s driving the growth are new product launches, specifically in the organic and inorganic segments. Inorganic dark chocolate alone accounted for close to 98 percent of the market in 2016. Research firms conclude the three driving factors behind market growth: the health benefits of dark chocolate; an increase in product launches; and the growing demand for dark chocolates as gift items. While the purported health benefits drive sales, product development, improved taste and versatility, as well as high levels of market support are also factors that will drive the increase in demand for chocolates in the US in the next 5 years. Another major growth driver is the branding of seasonal and premium dark chocolates as gifts, primarily attracting consumers who are influenced by the price, packaging, ingredients, authenticity or product, and the buying experience. There are many factors behind the continuous growth of the dark chocolate market, which is good news to those in the industry, as well as its consumers. Here at Righteously Raw Chocolate, we [...]

October 28th, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments

The History and Nutritional Value of Dark Chocolate

Dating back over 4,000 years, dark chocolate was first enjoyed as a bitter beverage mixed with spices or wine by the Maya. Today, rows of dark chocolate are bought in stores worldwide and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures and flavors. Theobroma Cacao, the scientific name for dark chocolate, translates to “food of the gods,” making it a source of energy and nutritional value for all. At Righteously Raw, we provide a variety of healthy chocolate made with superfood ingredients, including dark cacao, goji berries, maca, açai and much more. To browse our raw chocolate bars, please visit here. The Making of Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate begins as a cocoa pod. The cocoa seeds from the pod are extracted, fermented, dried and roasted. After being roasted, the cocoa seeds become cocoa beans. The shells of the cocoa beans are then separated from the cocoa meat or cocoa nibs. Next, the cocoa nibs are liquified, which becomes chocolate liquor and then separated from the fats called cocoa butter. Lastly, the liquor is refined and produces the dark chocolate that we consume. Dark chocolate contains anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of cocoa solids, whereas milk chocolate contains only 10 [...]

July 21st, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Is Soy Lecithin Unhealthy For You?

If you read food labels often while shopping for groceries, you’ve probably come across the ingredient, soy lecithin, in a large variety of processed and artificial foods. Even products that are non-GMO and 100% organic can contain the additive soy lecithin. Soy is one of the most common allergens in the United States, along with tree nuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, fish, peanuts, and of course, wheat. Allergic reactions to soy foods range from mild to severe; however, most children allergic to soy grow out of it by age 10. If you don’t have an allergy to soy, you should still be cautious when shopping and consuming foods regularly. At Righteously Raw, we use healthy, allergen-free products in our raw chocolates to accommodate each and every one of our customers. Below is all the information we collected on soy lecithin, from its link to hormonal imbalances and soy allergies, and its presence in our grocery stores worldwide. There have been a number of research studies indicating that an unfermented soy diet is linked to negative hormonal imbalances and stomach problems. But, what about soy lecithin? Lecithin is a natural substance most often found in chickpeas, cabbage, nuts and seeds. It’s [...]

March 20th, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Everything You Need to Know About Tree Nut Allergies

From the well-known almonds and cashews to the lesser-known pine nuts and Brazil nuts, the list of tree nuts is extensive. Tree nuts come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and forms, and they just so happen to be one of the top allergens affecting thousands of children and adults. Tree nut allergies can last a lifetime – only less than 10 percent of individuals will grow out of this allergy. Many people often confuse tree nuts with peanuts; peanuts are not nuts, they’re legumes. Whether you’re allergic to tree nuts or not, it’s important to be educated on tree nut allergy symptoms, causes and management options for your friends or family members who might be. What are Tree Nut Allergy Symptoms? Stomach cramping and pain Trouble swallowing Diarrhea Itching of the eyes, mouth, skin or any other area Runny nose Shortness of breath Anaphylaxis, which is a life threatening reaction that disrupts breathing What are Tree Nut Allergy Causes? Tree nut consumption Any tree nut products, such as nut oils and butters Are There Any Treatment Options? Avoid tree nuts and read ingredients on products carefully If symptoms develop, administer epinephrine (adrenaline) as quickly as possible How To [...]

March 20th, 2018|Uncategorized|0 Comments

What The Holidays Really Mean To Me

From the Founder of Righteously Raw Chocolate As I sit here with my warm gloves on, my feet on a heating mat and a hot cup of delicious Righteously Raw Rawcholatl, I reflect on the year 2017. I am thankful for my family, friends, employees and for the company that I started ten years ago. Righteously Raw Chocolate was a vision with a desire to help people fall in love with healthy, dark chocolate. After going through breast cancer in 2003 and subsequent multiple surgeries and treatment my only wish at that time was to keep the cancer from coming back. I did a lot of research about raw foods, organic vs non-organic, vegan vs non-vegan and most of all about the myriad of health benefits from consuming dark chocolate every day. I am so grateful and thankful that I took a huge risk and jumped into making Righteously Raw Chocolate and as soon as we launched our Caramel Bar won Best Chocolate Bar by Natural News Magazine. Most important of all is that I am deeply grateful for all the incredible and amazing Righteously Raw customers who continue to love our chocolate and share it with friends and [...]

December 10th, 2017|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Owner Audrey Darrow’s Morning Smoothie Recipe Using Righteously Raw Chocolate Maca Bar

Organic frozen blueberries Organic green apples Organic raw red beet Organic fresh cilantro Organic unsweetened frozen Acai Organic spirulina powder Organic turmeric powder Organic frozen mangos One column from a Righteously Raw Maca Bar Organic fresh ginger filtered water One whole ripe avocado Small handful of raw, bitter apricot seeds I make this to last me for three days so fill up the Vitamix to the top. I have not had a recurrence in my breast cancer for the last fourteen years because this smoothie is packed full of high anti-oxidant ingredients. You can use as little or as much of each of the ingredients but the Vitamix fills up fast. Great way to start the day!!! Enjoy from me to you, Audrey Darrow

November 21st, 2017|Uncategorized|2 Comments

Ten Great Reasons to Give Chocolate as a Gift

When someone you care about needs encouragement. When someone you care about loses their family pet. When you want to show appreciation to anyone When YOU need to feel better it is always helpful to make someone else feel better. When someone you care about is sick. When someone you care about has just been through surgery. When someone you care about has been through something traumatic. When someone you care about has just lost their home in a huge fire or hurricane. When someone you care about has just become an “empty nester’ or has one less in the nest because they are going off to college or got their first job in another city. When someone you care about has a spouse who has fallen in love with a younger woman and has moved on.

November 21st, 2017|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Ten Fun Facts About Chocolate

I will bet you didn’t know this about chocolate! 10 fun facts about the world’s favorite treat. Chocolate comes from a fruit tree; it’s made from a seed. It takes 400 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate. Each cacao tree produces approximately 2,500 beans. Cacao beans were so valuable to early Mesoamericans that they were used as currency. “Cacao” is how you say “cocoa” in Spanish. A farmer must wait four to five years for a cacao tree to produce its first beans. Spanish royalty gave cakes of cacao in their dowries. Theobroma Cacaois the tree that produces cocoa beans, and it means “food of the gods.” Carolus Linnaeus, the father of plant taxonomy, named it. Chocolate has over 600 flavor compounds while red wine has just 200. Chocolate milk is an effective post work-out recovery drink

November 21st, 2017|Uncategorized|0 Comments

The Top 5 Health Benefits of Acai Berries

Although acai is a Brazilian “superfood” and native to the Amazon region, it has gained much popularity in the United States and is known for being essential to health and well-being. This powerful purple fruit is loaded with antioxidants, nutrients, and energy-boosting minerals, as well as has tremendous health benefits. At Righteously Raw, we offer healthy dark chocolate packed with acai berries to improve your immune system, diet, and well-being. Let’s take a look at these top 5 health benefits of the “superfruit,” acai berries. 1. Acai is Packed with Nutrients and Plant Compounds Acai berries contain several minerals, including zinc, iron, potassium, and copper; acai berries, however, contain the most powerful health benefits from the plant ingredients. Anthocyanin, which give acai berries its purple color, act as antioxidants and improve the body’s immune system. In addition, acai berries are nutrient-dense and highly low in sugar. For example, 100 grams of acai’s fruit pulp contains only 70 calories, 2 grams of sugar, 4 grams of carbs, and over 15% of Vitamin A, B6, B12, and C. Acai’s low sugar content make it a nutritious alternative to other high-sugary fruits. 2. Acai Berries Promote Skin Health The oil in acai [...]

November 15th, 2017|Uncategorized|0 Comments