Chocoholics need not feel guilt
FACED with a diabetic patient that refused to give up chocolate, naturopathic herbalist Grail Harlequin decided to create a range of natural, gluten and lactose-free cocoa products.
Crafted in her studio in Tyalgum, Soul Fire Cocoa Genesis, Ms Harlequin's decadent organic chocolate is like nothing you've ever seen or tasted.
And you can forget feeling guilty - without all of the nasty additives in commercial chocolate, organic cocoa is one of the richest sources of nutrition helping brain and nerve function, heart and circulation as well as containing antioxidants.
Ms Harlequin sources her cocoa from northern South America, Peru and the Caribbean, where it is grown through organic and fair trade co-operatives.
She creates protein powders, meal supplements, herbal teas and drinks, trail mix, Belgium-style truffles, cookies, florentines, panforte, mousse, fudge brownie, bread and more, all free from herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides and chemical fertilisers.
"It's definitely a labour of love," Ms Harlequin said.
"The reward is the look on people's faces when they love it."
She said many people had a rather unhealthy love hate relationship with chocolate.
"I train people about their relationship with chocolate and teach them how it can reflect their relationship to life," Ms Harlequin said.
"People have a psychology that chocolate is bad for you.
"Even if you think you're allergic to chocolate, you may just be allergic to the additives."
You can purchase Soul Fire Cocoa Genesis products at Flutterbies Cottage Cafe and Thin Green Line in Tyalgum, Luffley Cafe in Murwillumbah, Santos at Mullumbimby and Wray Organics in Palm Beach and Brisbane.
Or come out to Tyalgum on June 2 for Tuscany Day when Ms Harlequin will run a chocolate workshop from Flutterbies Cottage Cafe.
