larabars?

[harp]

does anyoneknow about larabars? can i trust them to be truly raw?

[THX-1138]

Well, yeah they are. But cocoa isn't something that one would eat raw, so the only truly raw and truly natural ones are the ginger one and the cherry pie. Another problem is that they are not organic. Rawma bars, however, are completely raw, organic, and don't contain any ingredients that we would never eat.

[rawpriestess]

THX is correct, the ones with cocoa are not raw, and I had one, once, only once, they aren't very good.


I can make one sooooooo much better and cheaper.

[harp]

i'm glad you all hang out in these parts.

[paleogirl]

I'm going to totally contradict THX-1138 here...

Larabars ARE organic.

There are LOADS of Larabar flavours that don't contain cocoa - most of them in fact. Apple pie, banana cookie, cashew cookie, pecan pie, cherry pie, cinnamon roll, lemon, etc. etc.

Regardless of the above, if you can buy raw cocoa powder (you can), I don't see why one should assume the Larabars with cocoa in are any less raw than the ginger ones. ?? Does it say on the wrapper this particular flavour isn't raw?

Are you guys confusing them with MAYA bars, made by the same company?? MAYA bars are 90% raw, but Larabars are 100% raw. Both are organic though.

Check their site: https://www.larabar.com/secure/index_.php They're pretty serious about the raw thing. Perhaps there's some kind of hippy backlash because they are well distributed and have a well designed wrapper? ;)

And to contradict RP, who I think I have already upset once already (and I'm only about 3 posts in, lol!) - these things, IMHO, are delicious! I've tried every flavour and they all rock. I ate them before I was raw (when I was just gluten free / grain free) . I also like Organic Food Bars, the Omega-3 ones in particular. They are also raw/living. Great stuff. Re: Larabars though... Ginger is my favourite, but lemon and cinnamon roll are close... actually, hard to decide! TRY before you dismiss - taste is personal (but the 3 people I have given them to have gone and bought boxes of them for themselves), and I would hate these tasty little rawk stars to disappear from my diet! :)

That said, I've never tried a MAYA bar.

[Pailani]

They are delicious! But they're addicting, so I can't buy them very often. :rolleyes:

[rawpriestess]

paleogirl, if you email the larabar company, they will confirm that they do NOT use raw cocoa. That is the only reason I said that.

I know alot of people like them, Dragggon bought me one as a present, and although I loved that he did that, I didn't care for it, just a gooey chewy kind of dull flavor, but that was me.

I make all my own stuff, condiments etc, always have, even in my teens, when others were eating at Micky D's I made my own ketchup and sauces, LOL

always a chef, even when I was little, I used to make magick potions in my kithcen when I was very small, had to use a chair to get to the cupboards, then I'd climb up them, LOL

I loved to make stuff even then, I can still remember, this big pot I used to make stuff in, it was only about a 2 quart pot, but when I was little I couldn't even lift it. time flies.

life is grand.

[rawpriestess]

Paleogirl, just to let you know, you have not up set me in any way, I may have to moderate a post here or there, but I never take any of it personally, also, I just checked on your posts, and there is only one other one, that I responded to.

I'm sorry if you think your upset me, not in the least, hope I didn't upset you.

just giving my opion, something I do whole heartedly, and often, LOL

maybe too often.

Anway, no worries, all is cool.

PS, I DID only try one, it was a chocolate coconut thing, and It was just okay, so maybe it was the fact that it was old or something, but it was basically tasteless to me.

I'm sure they have other wonderful flavors.

and I don't care about packaging etc. seemed like a good package to me, so yes, I am a hippy and I like the natural ways, but I was also an art director, so know about marketing, heck, I market myself all the time, marketing is number 1, it can sell anything, lol, just look in the stores. LOL

[THX-1138]

I never said that the cocoa wasn't raw. I said its something we would never eat raw. In other words, its not very natural or healthy.

[codajess]

Grr.


I just ordered $200 worth of Larabars, a box of each. LoL *sigh*

[madmel]

@THX-1138

Just out of curiosity and not knowing: Why is cocoa something one wouldn't eat raw? Is it bitter, unhealthy? I have never tried it, so I just don't know.

thanks, madmel

[Brianna]

The cashew cookie is my favorite Larabar flavor and the apple pie is probably my second favorite. I don't care for the ones with chocolate.

[Im2Fruity]

I buy Larabars once in a while if I know I'm going to be out for a while and need a inconspicuous snack (nobody harasses you if you eat an organic "granola bar")...however, I'd just as soon eat a handful of nuts and some medjool dates, and it's pretty much the same thing!!
But to each his/her own, Larabars are not too bad.

[Im2Fruity]

I buy Larabars once in a while if I know I'm going to be out for a while and need a inconspicuous snack (nobody harasses you if you eat an organic "granola bar")...however, I'd just as soon eat a handful of nuts and some medjool dates, and it's pretty much the same thing!!
But to each his/her own, Larabars are not too bad.

[sevenbravo]

I take it you haven't listened to David Wolfe??


I never said that the cocoa wasn't raw. I said its something we would never eat raw. In other words, its not very natural or healthy.

[harp]

thanks to all,

i appreciate and am very grateful for everyone's comments. i love it that people care so much about each other and their diets. just 2 comments. raw priestess, you are great and i hope you continue to keep expressing your opinion. sometimes i have had questions and you have been the only one to reply. also i want to say i eat raw chocalate fudge bars, if there is a problem with this can someone please tell me. i will stop if its detrimental but they are delicous so i hope its not. i believe even alissa sells raw cocoa. maybe i'm wrong. but what's so bad about raw choco?

[THX-1138]

I take it you haven't listened to David Wolfe??

Of course I have, I just don't take him seriously.

[THX-1138]

@THX-1138

Just out of curiosity and not knowing: Why is cocoa something one wouldn't eat raw? Is it bitter, unhealthy? I have never tried it, so I just don't know.

thanks, madmel

Its just something that an animal like ourselves would never eat. Just like we would never eat grains or legumes raw. Its totally unappetizing in its natural state.

And yes, it is very unhealthy.

[Sharon in Colorado]

The Lara Bar company does not cook their bars. But we don't know if they are getting their ingredients raw.

I could go out and buy some questionably raw products such as

cashews (high heat processed to get out of shells)
dates (steamed)
cinnamon (high heat dried)
cocoa (roasted)
coconut (high heat dried)
lemon juice "concentrate"
cherries (high heat dried)

and other questionably raw ingredients, make them into a bar, wrap them and put "raw" or "uncooked" on the package and I'd be telling the truth, because *I* didn't cooked them.

They don't put "truly raw cashews" or "sun dried dates" in their labeling so I'm fairly sure the ingredients they use have been heat treated.

That is the point of it. Doesn't mean you should absolutely no eat them. Use them in transition or for an emergency situation to keep you from eating cooked junk. Just don't make a meal or everyday snack out of them. Don't chow down on them thinking you are eating some kind of fresh pure food.

codajess I wouldn't worry about that. Keep them around, in your car or purse or for a trip, you might need them in case you are ravenous and need something to stop yourself from eating something you'll really regret. I have the cashew cookie in my purse for such occasions. I know they are not truly raw and fresh, but they keep in the wrapper and I would use them if I needed to.

[sevenbravo]

Thanks for clearing that up for us.


Its just something that an animal like ourselves would never eat. Just like we would never eat grains or legumes raw. Its totally unappetizing in its natural state.

And yes, it is very unhealthy.

[codajess]

codajess I wouldn't worry about that. Keep them around, in your car or purse or for a trip, you might need them in case you are ravenous and need something to stop yourself from eating something you'll really regret. I have the cashew cookie in my purse for such occasions. I know they are not truly raw and fresh, but they keep in the wrapper and I would use them if I needed to.



Yeah, I plan on taking a bunch with me on vacation next week to have at the hotel, and on the flight. Hopefully I should be able to find fresh stuff (it IS Florida!) but for when I can't, or it'd be a hassle, I'd rather just eat a larabar.

Speaking of, I haven't been to DisneyWorld in years. Anyone have any recommendations of places i'd be able to get some decent food on the park properties? If not, i'll remember to bring the larabars there, too! :D

[Brianna]

Its just something that an animal like ourselves would never eat. Just like we would never eat grains or legumes raw. Its totally unappetizing in its natural state.

And yes, it is very unhealthy.
I agree that cocao is not healthy, but I do eat it occasionally because I enjoy the taste in raw desserts.

[Faithfullyfit]

The cashew cookie is my favorite Larabar flavor and the apple pie is probably my second favorite. I don't care for the ones with chocolate.

I agree the chocolate one is not a favorite of mine either- not real "chocolately" or really "coconutty".......My favorite is ginger snap....but I have never had a lemon or cinnamon flavor!!!!- they do not sell that one around here (bummer) They are not a staple in my diet....but are great to have when I am away from home for the day and only have short breaks from clients :) They get mushy in the Texas heat if I leave them in the car...but not as bad as my fruit and salads do ...yuck!
I emailed them a few months ago and they actually emailed back that they were 100% RAW....hmmmm????

[Sharon in Colorado]

Just for kicks I contacted the company and asked if the ingredients they use are considered truly raw or heated at low temps. So far no response but it is Sunday.

[dreamrawalwz]

I've tried a few and as RP said, they were dull and had no flavor (to me). Now, if coacoa is unhealthy you should tell the chocolate 'industry' lol...so many "heart healthy" studies shown with dark and now milk chocolate. I'm assuming they're talking about the chocolate itself and not the milk and or sugar in the candy...

[lissomllama]

Out of curiosity, why wouldn't humans eat raw cocoa from the plant naturally? Maybe the bitterness? The only unhealthy factor I can think of (other than the fact that it wouldn't be 'natural') is that it contains caffeine. Other than that I can't figure it out. There is so much condtradicting info out there in the 'raw community'. I try to stick to being 100% raw and organic while still enjoying some of the 'unnatural things' like cacao or sprouted grains that must be processed by my processor or dehydrator. It's not the perfect diet of course, but it makes me feel good and makes me feel like I can still have 'chocolate pie' as well. Perhaps in a few years I will no longer feel upset that I can't have raw concoctions that remind me of SAD foods but for now, I need to have that semblance. I agree that people should be eating the most natural diet possible and that if you cannot pick it strait from the plant and have it taste good in your mouth without being altered, then you weren't meant to eat it, but years of eating SAD and seeing how much the culinary arts mean to people in this modern age have altered me and I admit, I'm comforted by preparing raw meals. Anyway, I could go on for hours.

[Grible4]

Can anybody give me some sites about the detriments of raw chocolate? I love the raw cocoa nibs I bought a while back, and even eat them strait up sometimes...... They taste so good.

[LovingLife]

I've tried several of the Lara bars and my favorite is the Cherry Pie. If I could find some dehydrated cherries (or once cherries are in season, I can dehydrate my own), I'd try making it -- just dates, almonds and cherries.

From what I remember (haven't bought any in awhile) the wrapper has some statement that while most ingredients are raw, a few many not be, but she says she still it's healthy (way over-paraphrased there, but that was the overall message) - -it's in a little note signed by Lara, much like the man who makes the Clif bar has a little message on the back of his wrappers.

Anyone have one to put the actual quote?

[lodestar]

i thought they were just ok until i had a lemon one....wow! i'm all over the lemon.

[rawpriestess]

Here's some sites you might like to look at


http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/2791/chocolat.html
http://www.drugscope.org.uk/wip/7/PDFS/blogchocolate.pdf

[rawnpawgirl]

I am starting the 30 day challenge tomorrow! I am such a newbie to raw foods (since Jan.) and have so much to learn and am eager and excited to do so. I am obviously thinking I am 100% raw but am really not. For instance, I had NO idea cinnamon wasn't raw. So, where do I get TRULY raw cashews, raw cinnamon, raw dates?

I don't want to get discouraged cuz I am doing my best, but I just went to Whole Foods today and got what I thought were raw cashews which I soaked and am using to make Tart Sour Cream (from Raw Food, Real World). I love cashews and have been eating them every week. Does any health food store carry truly raw cashews? how about the cinnamon (something else I use constantly)? I also like Lara bars (just had the Ginger snap one today to help me after my wheatgrass shot which I ended up puking up anyway- tried 8 times and have never been able to keep one down! Arrrghh.) And...bought a bunch of Medjool dates which I thought were raw-blunder bluunder.

I am really not a huge fan of internet ordering (I am ok w/it, hubby not), so I would like to find these things in a store. I buckled and ordered Alissa's book, hemp nuts, hemp protein, some natural face and makeup stuff, raw maca, goji berries, and well, something else but can't remember.

Is it really a major health deterrent to have heat on anything? Even just to get a cashew out of its shell? Oh, and I love raw cacoa nibs. I eat a few with a piece of date or raisin or just alone. At first, hated them but they grew on me. I thought they were so great! At least David Wolfe and Shazzie say so in Naked Chocolate and don't they know EVERYTHING?! lol So many different viewpoints and opinions. God bless diversity! (add just an ever so slight hint of sarcasm but only cuz I am PMSing)

Good night! Bon Soir and all that good stuff....Must rest up for Day 1 of the 30 day 99.999999% raw challenge!

[jocelynAZ]

Hello!

I don't mean to put a damper on things, but I know of someone who was able to get in touch with the maker of larabar to confirm whether their bars were not heated above 110 degrees. What the company said was that they could only confirm that once they receive the ingredients in their plant, their process of making the bars did not allow any heating above 110 degrees. But they could not confirm that the ingredients they use for the bars were truly raw or not.

Something to think about.... I personally love their bars - especially cashew cookie. Although, lately, I've not had any cravings for them. My taste buds are changing and they don't taste as good as they did initially. But I do buy them for my 7yo son. It's a great snack for kids!


~ Jocelyn

[jocelynAZ]

Rawnpawgirl ~ Congratulations on your new raw journey and your 30-day challenge!! I can see through your writing that you are very committed and that is the best start! :)

With regards to heat, the issue with eating raw is that foods in its raw and living state contain the most nutrients to nourish our bodies. Obviously, once we cook the food, we also cook out most of the vital nutrients. Although our goal is to be as high-raw as possible (100% ideally), having a cooked dish every so often (ie: steamed veggies) is not necessarily detremental to your health. I wouldn't stress too much about that 1% of un-raw foods such as spices or cashews in your diet. It's all about balance and moderation!

Remember that our ultimate goal with regards to health is to obtain and maintain optimal health. The way we eat should not be burdensome to us that we have to count every calorie or worry about whether every spice in our dish is truly raw. In the context that we make healthy choices, our diet should be simple and enjoyable! In this fallen world that we live in, in theory, (at least in my perspective) no one can truly be 100% raw. Too many factors fall into play that we are not aware of that have an impact on how raw an ingredient is. So, we do the best that we can with what we know and what we have!

So, keep up the great work! You are doing an awesome job! Keep learning and understanding why you are doing what you are doing. That is the KEY to success and staying committed to the decision you've made for your health! BTW, since you asked about raw cashews, the only place I know of where you can get truly raw cashews is online at www.rawfood.com. But they are quite expensive. I'm not sure if anyone else on this board knows of another place. If so, I would love to know about it! :)


Blessings to you!

[Sharon in Colorado]

Rawnpawgirl

The idea of eating raw is what you are making your meals of. You are not making them out of cinnamon and goji berries and wheat grass, I'm assuming. Raw food is *fresh* fruits, greens, veggies, with nuts and seeds as a condiment.

Examples of meals of fresh foods would be:

* whole fruits such as bananas, mangoes, apples, pears, grapes etc. eaten together or single in abundance until full

* smoothies of fruits, liquid like water or juice, optional greens, etc.

* large salads made up of either greens, fruits, shredded vegetables (slaws)

* soups made of pureed fruits or vegetables

* puddings made up of your denser fruits such as bananas and mangoes

* wraps made up of different chopped or shredded veggies wrapped in large lettuce leaves

All large enough to satisfy you as any meal would.

Those are just some ideas - use the nuts, berries, spices and seasonings etc as compliments to these meals when and if needed. If you don't need them, great. If you feel like having them then by all means do.

If you focus your meals on fresh foods you will find your challenge very rewarding.

[Green Life]

I don't care for the Lara Bars.

I called the company and asked if they dehydrate their fruits to be sure they remain raw during the duration of the dehydration process. The operator claimed that they cannot monitor the dheydration process because they buy in huge quantities from a company that is a secret. She said that they dehydrate all their fruit for the Lara bars at 140. Now, to me, that sounds a little high of a temperature to still be raw. So, if the fruits are not raw, the bar most certainly isn't , as it's mainly dried fruits, anyway.

The bars aren't very good. They are sorta tart and dried out, talking about the cherry pie one,here. The apple pie one is also very tart and dry. And the chocolate ones were just horrific.

I mentioned to the operator that the bars aren't truly raw, and she said that is in the eye of the beholder, so to speak. She said that every company has a different cut of temperature to dehydrate their foods and still be legally "raw".

The best soulution in my opinion, is to make your own. That way, You know what's in them and if they are truly raw to your liking.


Green

[misslinda]

I agree Green LIfe,

I don't care for Larabars and in the past when I emailed them twice, they NEVER responded to my questions.

If you notice, the bars are very hard and dry and the last one I ate a few months ago, tasted old and lifeless. So between them buying in bulk and having it sit around to their non-raw dehydrating methods, I say "NO" to Larabars.

I adore Livingspoonfuls and Smartmonkey products if I choose to have a treat rather than make something.

:)

[JEN]

RP could you please tell me how you make your own? Raw is very new for me too and a huge challange because my family is not raw. Ive been making Alissas cinnamon raison bread but would love to try your recipe since you make everything sound so yummy! BTW your opinion is tremendous help and great inspiration for some of us, I read everything you write.

[rawpriestess]

welllllll, try my chocolate brownie recipe and see if it isn't better than anything you can buy

1 cup walnuts (unsoaked)
1 cup dates (pitted and unsoaked)
1/4 cup cocoa powder, or carob

blend together in food processor until well blended about 30 seconds,
press into a spring form pan, then refridgerate, and cut into bite size pieces or the size you like, then put in zip lock bags and keep in freezer,

can be eaten immidiately, or from the fridge or freezer.

there you go.

SOOOOOoooooooooooo much better than store bought, and you KNOW what's in them, and they are raw, or if you use cocoa powder, you at least know how MUCH of it isn't totally raw.

[JEN]

Thanks RP I will make them when I am feeling better.

[sevenbravo]

My wife made some raw Halvah last week that was simple and delicious. She mixed tahini, honey and carob (all raw of course) and it was like eating fudge! She doesn't know the proportions. If you need more sweetness, add honey. More chocolate, add more carob. Too runny, add tahini...you get the picture..

Doug