Dearest Friends,

I feel I have more to share with you this month than any other in Gnosis' history. Personally, I've discovered the beauty of physical exercise, and it has lead to an immense increase in my energy productivity. I was blessed to receive the gift of a week at the Hippocrates Health Institute and now find my life completely changed. I'll be blogging about this soon! I am also leading Gnosis through a round of re-designs which I will ask you to participate in when I send out our survey!

Over the past few months, we have had the honor of sponsored dozens of events, health retreats, and fundraisers with our chocolate. We'll be adding more photos and news to our Updates page - including the event at Urban Zen here in NYC where Dr. Oz' mentioned our Aphrodisia Bar to the New York Times!  

 But what I'd like to ask you to do now is take a moment and read about my upcoming volunteerism trip to Grenada next week, and to join me!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and from all of Team Gnosis - for your continued support, kind words in our guestbook, and for voting for a shift in the marketplace by consciously supporting only high-integrity companies! 

Love,

Vanessa aka Chocolate Girl 

Scroll down for 10% off SALE, Limited Edition Bars, and New Products!

In December '10, I visited my friend Mott Green in Grenada as part of my Raw Integrity Project. Of course I truly enjoyed learning so much from Mott and personally harvested cacao for the first time - which you can see here . But I also saw the children affected by the 70% unemployment rate, the lack of agricultural initiatives (besides Mott's organic cacao farm cooperative's expansion), and the degradation of buildings still lingering after the 2004 hurricane. I was moved to donate $250 out of pocket to a friend of Mott's who was helping children at an orphanage. I met a child who, abandoned by his parents, was used as a sex slave. Shortly after my return, my friend Clay Gordon introduced me to Neo Moreton of REACH Grenada and since then, my heart has yearned to reach out and help them on their mission!

Founded in 2008, REACH Grenada's mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of Grenada's most vulnerable children. REACH Grenada primarily works with children residing in Grenada's institutional homes where many were previously victims of physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse, neglect and abandonment. Their multi-dimensional programs include therapeutic services, mentoring, caregiver training and support, and yoga and meditation.   

REACH Grenada has generously invited me to assist in their upcoming and help to spread the word about their work. I leave next Saturday and will head to the Grenadian Emergency Shelter Center.  

My schedule for the upcoming days with REACH starts at 7a and includes a day of manual labor, and a lot of sweat:
Project 1: Repair and Paint the Main Hall - prime & paint walls, clean up cracks in tiles, apply & smooth the grout.
Project 2: Create a Hopscotch Court - clear away debris, lay concrete, tape down & spray stencil for design.  

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to reach out and help this center. But beyond the work I'll do while in Grenada, I am excited about the work I'll continue upon my return. I believe the best way to help a country in need is through organic agriculture. I am in support of outsourcing work - but only if that work honors the culture of the people we are working with! Outsourcing technology does not support heritage, while organic agriculture is a powerful way to promote independence, economic health, and pride for their soil, their labor, the product of their soil. 

Won't you help me REACH Grenada?  

How can you help? The easiest & most delicious way to support Grenada is to buy this bar because we donate 15% of the bar's price to REACH Grenada! Partake in the beauty of giving and of Grenada's land, beaches & people by joining us on a volunteerism trip!  

 The REACH Grenada Bar: The Grenada Chocolate Company's bars are described to have notes of espresso, cream, and vanilla - and these are the same beans we use for our REACH Grenada Bar! They lend beautifully to the nutmeg I've added to honor The Spice Island!  

 Cacao Beans & Nibs (Grenada)*, Palm* & Agave Nectars*, Nutmeg*, Blue-Green Algae*, Vanilla*, Love. *organic         info     1oz (28g) $6

Mayan Heat: Named to honor Earth's first chocolatiers, this bar packs a punch! Cacao Beans*, Pecans*, Black Currants*, Cranberries*, Agave Nectar*, Vanilla*, Blue-Green Algae*, Cayenne Pepper*, Chili Pepper Flakes*, Love. *organic                info2oz (56g) normally $9.25, now $8.33!

Cashew Goji Berry:Sweet goji berries and sweet cashews nestled happily in between.Cacao Beans*, Cashews*, Goji Berries*, Black Currants*, Agave Nectar*, Blue-Green Algae*, Vanilla Bean*, Love.  *organic                                                                        info  2oz (56g) normally $9.25, now $8.33!

What are the Flavors of Summer? I think of lemonade, cherries, and of course - chocolate!!! Lemon Berry Rose combines the floral aroma of roses with a tangy sweetness offered by cherries, cranberries, and immune-enhancing goji berries. The sensual flavor essence of these fruits is grounded by the dark luster of raw cacao, creating a taste which is bright, refreshing, and satisfying beyond compare.

Do you take time to stop and Smell the Roses? Have you noticed how, the moment summer's air blows on our hair and sun kisses our skin - everyone is just simply in a better mood!? Of course this is in part due to increased time outdoors and therefore increased Vitamin D production, but I believe there is also a sense of freedom, youth, and enjoyment of the moment that comes with warm weather and the flora it brings. Let's take time each and every day to stop to smell - and taste! - the roses! 

Lemon Berry Rose: Cacao Beans*, Goji Berries*, Black Currants*, Cherries*, Almonds*, Cashews*, Agave Nectar*, Rose Hips*, Rose Petals*, Camu Camu Berry*, Passion Flower*, Lemon Zest*, Vanilla Bean*, Blue-Green Algae*, Lemon Essential Oil*, Rose Essential Oil*, Love. *organic          info    2oz (56g) $10.25

I'm honored to have been introduced to Elwin Robinson - Taoist Herbalist & founder of Lion Heart Herbs - by Philip McCluskey, a longtime friend and founder of Loving Raw. Elwin's purpose is one I truly resonate with, which is why I am so excited to bring you the products he has created out of wisdom and integrity. Our mission is to help people restore their health, regain energy and love for life so that they have the energy and drive necessary to live their true purpose and ultimate potential. Rock on!  

These teas are Delicious, Potent, and so Easy to Make! I like making a big batch and keeping it on ice with some lemon... enjoy the flavor and immediate effect! 

Rejuvenate: Rest and Relax, Recuperate and Recover, Replenish and Rejoice! Ingredients: Schizandra, Polygonum, Prepared Rehmannia, Ligustrum, Dioscorea, Glehnia, Achyranthes, Horsetail, Licorice.               info    .5lb (250g) $25