San Francisco - August 17, 2005

Cocoa Power

New Tree Chocolate Bars

You’re PMSing. You’ll go to the gym. It’s Monday.

There’s always an excuse to eat chocolate. How about a reason?

That’s where NewTree chocolate comes in. The gourmet bars, imported to the U.S. from Belgium, highlight the benefits of chocolate and reinforce what ladies have always known: It just makes you feel good.

NewTree combines the natural advantages of chocolate (antioxidants, flavonoids, serotonin stimulation) with essences that take it to a whole new therapeutic level. Stressful day on the job? Try Tranquility, milk chocolate infused with lavender and lime flowers, known for their relaxing effect. Caught your BF in a compromising position? Grab Forgiveness, dark chocolate flavored with lemon and a cactus extract, which actually reduces calorie intake. The Vigor bar can provide a much-needed boost, with coffee and revitalizing guarana plant among its ingredients.

You’d think all that healthy stuff might compromise flavor. But the taste is so heavenly you can’t even tell it’s good for you.

Have your chocolate and benefit from it, too? Now you have no excuse not to eat it.

Available at Doe, 629a Haight Street, between Steiner and Pierce Streets (415-558-8588); Church Street Apothecary, 1767 Church Street, between Day and 30th Streets (415-970-9828); and online at givechocolate.com.