Theo's fair trade bonbons are preservative-free.
By Mindy Pennybacker
To ensure you're buying bonbons that are healthy for the Earth and you too look for the labels that say they're certified organic and fairly traded -- that is, grown without fossil-fuel-derived pesticides and pesticides that harm local communities and ecosystems, and with conditions and pay that meet worker welfare standards.
Choose dark chocolate, which studies show helps lower blood pressure almost as well as medication does. That's not license to go hog wild, of course. If you enjoy 3 and 1/2 ounces of dark chocolate a day you get the blood-pressure benefit. That's 500 calories though -- so plan accordingly.
The chocolates below are certified organic and fairly traded, and can be bought and sent online. Many are also sold at Whole Foods and other stores. Give yourself a dose today, and ship or hand-deliver to a friend or birthday buddy.
Theo
These gorgeous, artisanal bonbons are preservative-free so they MUST be eaten within 2 weeks.
Sweet Earth
These chocolates come in peppermint, butterscotch and more; plus they're vegan.
Green & Black's
Get good earthly value with the solid Maya Gold bar, which has a twist of orange.
Equal Exchange
Try them with almonds or a hint of hazelnut.
Shaman Chocolates
The cocoa beans for this chocolate is grown by the small Huichol tribe in Mexico; the bars' packaging is so bright that gift wrap would be redundant (and wasteful)!
La Siembra
Sample these vegan chocolate bars in mint and espresso.
Provided by Plenty - http://www.plentymag.com
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