The Ingredients
Here some nutritional facts about the ingredients we use in our desserts. We strive to be friendly to diets geared for those with Celiac's Disease, Autism, Diabetes, Vegan, Raw, Cancer, and those wishing to eat healthier and high energy foods. Keep in mind we can tailor your order based on dietary need and offer options for sweeteners, lecithin, and nut or nut-free alternatives!
Agave: We use Ultimate Super Foods "Real" Raw Agave Nectar, which is proudly produced in the town of Tequila, Mexico and is made under the same natural conditions as it has been done for centuries. It is a naturally low glycemic sweetener. The particular plant used for this agave has the highest concentrations of minerals as well as a high content of Inulin. Inulin increases calcium absorption and possibly magnesium absorption, while encouraging beneficial probiotic flora. Agave Nectar production involves removing the leaves from the Agave plant then crushing and milling the plant core called the "Pina". During this period, they capture this precious fluid and put it through a proprietary natural process to deactivate specific enzymes in order to keep it from fermenting. The result is Ultimate SuperFoods' "Real" Raw Agave Nectar. In recipes use about 25% less of this raw agave nectar than you would other sweeteners. Ultimate SuperFoods' "Real" Raw Agave Nectar is made with the highest quality 100% organic blue agave plants, aged and matured to its ideal, employing first rate organic farming and harvesting methods. Our Agave Nectar is not cooked, retains its natural consistency based on high velocity centrifugal straining of juices, and thus keeps the product in a true raw food category. Ultimate SuperFoods' "Real" Raw Agave Nectar's production processes are Organic and our cutting edge Organic recycling plan, integrates a thorough composting program putting the necessary properties back into the land from whence it came. Ultimate SuperFoods Agave Nectar's "sugars" are NOT inverted with crystallized fructose. There is a Carbon 14 isotope (test) that can be applied to determine whether it is made from 100% Blue Agave and whether or not it contains the Agave carbohydrates: Inulina- Fructose and others that set it apart. Click here for more information about Ultimate Super Foods and Really Raw Organic Agave
Almonds: Almond nuts are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous healths promoting phyto-chemicals; This kind of well balanced food offers protection against diseases and cancers. These nuts are rich source of energy and nutrients. They are especially, rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids like oleic and palmitoleic acids that help to lower LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increase HDL or "good cholesterol". The nuts are an excellent source of vitamin E; contain about 25 g per100 g (about 170% of RDA). These nuts are packed with many important B-complex group of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. These vitamins functions as co-factors for enzymes during cellular substrate metabolism. They are also rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Click here to read more about Almonds.
Brazil Nuts: Brazil nuts have about 2,500 times as much selenium as any other nut. Selenium is a powerful antioxidant which has been proven to protect against heart disease and cancers like prostate cancer. Brazil nuts high selenium content also discourages the ageing process and stimulates the immune system. In a study of patients with early Alzheimers disease, antioxidants - including selenium - boosted mood and mental performance. Like all nuts, brazil nuts are an excellent source of protein and fiber. Brazil nuts are high in minerals including zinc and magnesium, and contain useful amounts of phosphorous, copper and iron. Taken from: http://www.annecollins.com/diet_foods/brazil-nuts.htm
Cacao: We use Ultimate Superfoods raw organic cacao. It is the heirloom Ecuadorian variety named Arriba Nacional-Fino de Aroma. This variety of Cacao is considered worldwide to have the finest floral aroma and flavor profile, as well as, the highest amount of bioavailable nutrients and minerals. Their raw Cacao Beans are hand peeled, never machine processed. Cacao retains its natural qualities through a sun drying process, opposed to heating or roasting. Cacao contains: Antioxidants, because of its high polyphenol content. Theobromine, a weak but effective stimulant; Anandamide, inducing a pleasant state of mind; Phenylethylamine (PEA) is the chemical found know to inspire happiness, clear mindedness, focus, and wakefulness. Click here to read more about Raw Cacao.
Cashews: Cashews are packed with soluble dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous health promoting phyto-chemicals; that help to protect against diseases and cancers. Cashews are rich in energy and nutrients. They are rich in “heart friendly” monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic and palmitoleic acids that help to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and increase HDL or good cholesterol. Cashew nuts are very rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Eat just a handful of cashew nuts every day to avoid minerals deficiencies. Click here to read more about cashews.
Cinnamon: The active principles in the cinnamon spice are known to have anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-septic, local anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, rubefacient (warming and soothing), carminative and anti-flatulent properties. Cinnamon has highest anti-oxidant strength of all the food sources in nature. The measured ORAC (Oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value for this exotic spice is 267536 trolox equivalents (TE), which is many hundred times more than in chokeberry, apples etc. Other important essential oils in cinnamon include ethyl cinnamate, linalool, cinnamaldehyde, beta-caryophyllene, and methyl chavicol. Cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon-sticks has been found to have anti-clotting action, prevents clogging of platelets in the blood vessels and thus helps prevent stroke and coronary artery disease. The active principles in this spice may increase the motility of the intestinal tract as well as help increase the digestion power by increasing gastro-intestinal secretions. This spicy bark is an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc and magnesium. It also contains very good amounts of vitamin A, niacin, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine. The spice is also very good source of flavonoid phenolic anti-oxidants such as carotenes, zeaxanthin, lutein and cryptoxanthins. Click here for more info about cinnamon.
Coconut and Coconut Oil: Nearly 50% of the fatty acid in natural coconut oil is lauric acid, which converts to the fatty acid monolaurin in the body. Monolaurin has adverse effects on a variety of microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, fungi, and enveloped viruses. It [monolaurin] destroys the lipid membrane of such enveloped viruses as HIV, measles, Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), influenza and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Lauric acid is a main component of human breast milk and helps protect children from illness during infancy. Capric acid, which comprises another 7% of coconut oil fat content, also stimulates anti-microbial activity. In other words: not only does coconut oil not cause heart problems, it is good for you. Coconut oil is a "functional food," defined as a food that "provides a health benefit over and beyond the basic nutrients." It is an immune-system enhancer. Click here to read more about coconut and coconut oil.
Coconut Sugar: Organic Evaporated Coconut Palm Sugar is cultivated from the Indonesian island of Java. It is derived from the sweet nectar of the sugar blossoms that grow at the top of the tropical coconut palm tree (Cocos Nucifera). Traditional local farmers climb high into the canopy of swaying coconut trees and harvest this sweet nectar by gently slicing open the flower. This nectar is then converted into its traditional crystalline form in traditional sugarhouses that allow for small batch Coconut Palm Sugar production. We use Ultimate Superfoods Coconut Palm Sugar. It's naturally low on the Glycemic Index (GI), which is often important to those who are concerned about weight control and diabetes. Coconut Palm Sugar is rated as a GI 35. In comparison, most honey is GI 55 and Jose Cane Sugar is GI 68. Coconut Palm Sugar has been known to deliver a slow release of energy, which sustains the human body through your daily activities without experiencing the "highs" and "lows" so often associated with cane sugar. Coconut Palm Sugar also has a nutritional content far richer than any other commercially available sweeteners. It is particularly high in Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc and Iron. It is also a natural source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and C. Click here to read more about coconut sugar.
Dates: Wonderfully delicious, dates are one of the most popular fruits with an impressive list of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, required for normal growth, development and overall well-being. Fresh date is made of soft, easily digestible flesh with simple sugars like fructose and dextrose that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantly; thus, for these qualities, dates are being used to breakfast during Ramadan months. The fruit is rich in dietary fiber which prevents dietary LDL cholesterol absorption in the gut. The fiber content helps to protect the colon mucous membrane by decreasing exposure time and as well as binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon. Dates contain many health benefitting phytonutrients flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants known as tannins. Tannins are known to have anti-infective, anti-inflammatory and anti-hemorrhagic properties. They are a good source of Vitamin-A (contains 149 IU per 100 g), which is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. Also rich in antioxidant flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants have the ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen free radicals and are found to be protective against colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Dates are an excellent source of iron, contains 0.90 mg/100 g of fruits (about 11% of RDI). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Also, dates are rich in potassium. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that help controlling heart rate and blood pressure; thus offers protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases. They are also rich in minerals like calcium, manganese, copper and magnesium. The date fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins as well as vitamin K. It contains very good amounts of pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), niacin, pantothenic acid and riboflavin. Click here for more info on dates.
Hazelnuts: Hazelnuts are rich in energy and many health benefiting nutrients that are essential for optimum health. They are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic and essential fatty acid linoleic acid that help to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and increase HDL or good cholesterol. Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet that is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids helps to prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile. These nuts are rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals and packed with numerous healths promoting phyto-chemicals; that help to protect against diseases and cancers. The nuts are exceptionally rich in folate which is unique to nuts. Folate is an important vitamin that helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, nucleic acid synthesis, and most importantly, neural tube defects in the fetus. Good news for expectant mothers! Hazel nuts are an excellent source of vitamin E; contain about 15 g per 100 g (providing 100% of RDA). Vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen free radicals. The nuts are packed with many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), and folates. They are rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Copper and manganese are essential co-factors for anti-oxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Iron helps prevent microcytic-anemia. Magnesium and phosphorus are important components of bone metabolism. Click here to read more about Hazelnuts.
Lecithin (we use non-GMO soy based lecithin, however we have a sunflower lecithin alternative, as well!): Soy lecithin is taken from the beans of the soy plant. Soy lecithin is an extract of the soybean. It contains a substance called phosphatidylcholine (PC), which is responsible for its medicinal effects. PC is a major part of the membranes surrounding the cells. But when it is consumed, it is broken down into the nutrient choline rather than being carried directly to cell membranes. Choline is used to make acetylcholine, a nerve chemical essential for proper brain function. Soy lecithin provides the building blocks of healthy cell membranes, preventing damage especially to blood and liver cells by oxidation, free radicals and toxins. Lecithin can also be used as a fat synthesizer that helps the body process fats better. More recently, lecithin has been proposed as a remedy for various psychological and neurological diseases, including Tourrette's Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease and bipolar mood disorder (manic-depressive disorder). Click here for more info about lecithin.
Macadamia Nuts: The nuts contain many health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. 100 g of macadamia provides 8.6 g of dietary fiber and good source of phytosterols and beta-sitosterols but contains no cholesterol. The nuts are rich source of mono-unsaturated fatty like oleic acid (18:1) and palmitoleic acids (16:1). Studies suggest that monounsaturated fats in the diet help to lower total as well as LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels in the blood. The nuts are excellent source of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc. 100 g nuts provide 3.6 mcg of selenium. Selenium is cardio-protective and an important anti-oxidant cofactor for glutathione peroxidase enzyme. They are also rich in many important B-complex vitamins, vital for body functions. 100 g of nuts provide 15% of niacin, 21% of pyridoxine (vit.B-6), 100% of thiamin, and 12% of riboflavin. The nuts are also containing small amounts of vitamin-C, vitamin E. Both these fat soluble vitamins are potent anti-oxidant activities which serve to protect cell membranes and DNA from harmful oxygen free radicals. Sweet, refreshening macadamias are packed with essential minerals, vitamins and heart friendly mono-unsaturated fatty acids. Click here to read more about Macadamia Nuts.
Pecans: Pecan nuts are rich source of energy, provide 690 cal/100 g and contain many health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for wellbeing. These nuts are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and an excellent source of antioxidants. Regular intake of pistachios in the diet help to lower total as well as LDL or “bad cholesterol” and increase HDL or “good cholesterol” levels in the blood. Pecan nuts are rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that may contribute to their overall antioxidant activity, including polyphenolic antioxidant ellagic acid, vitamin E, beta-carotenes, lutein and zeaxanthin. Research studies have been suggestive of that these compounds help body remove toxic oxygen free radicals and thus, protect body from diseases, cancers as well as infections. Pecans are an excellent source of vitamin-E, especially rich in gama tocopherol; provides about 25g per100 g. Vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen free radicals. The nuts are packed with many important B-complex group of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. These vitamins functions as co-factors for enzymes during cellular substrate metabolism. The nuts are also rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Click here to read more about pecans.
Walnuts: The nuts are rich source of energy and contain many health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health. They are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (about 72%) like oleic acid and an excellent source of all important omega-3 essential fatty acids like linoleic acid, alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and arachidonic acids. Regular intake of walnuts in the diet help to lower total as well as LDL or “bad cholesterol” and increase HDL or “good cholesterol” Just about 25 g per day provides 90% of RDI of omega-3 fatty acids. Research studies have suggested that n-3 fatty acids by their virtue of anti-inflammatory action helps to lower the risk of blood pressure, coronary artery disease, strokes and breast, colon and prostate cancers. These nuts are rich source of many phyto-chemical substances that may contribute to their overall anti-oxidant activity, including melatonin, ellagic acid, vitamin E, carotenoids, and poly-phenolic compounds. These compounds have potential health effects against cancer, aging, inflammation and neurological diseases. They are an excellent source of vitamin E, especially rich in gamma-tocopherol; contain about 21g per100 g. vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen free radicals. These nuts are packed with many important B-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates. They also very are rich source of minerals like manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Click here for more information about Walnuts.