Indulgence ...

So, this infernal construction is proceeding at a snail's pace. We're two weeks into the sidewalk replacement hell and not a lick of concrete has been poured. The noise is a nightmare, the dust is endless and, worse than that, the crew has set up shop right outside my office window. They eat there, they change there, they listen to crazy music there. Is there no end to my suffering?

Clearly I need an infusion of chocolate ... stat! And not just any chocolate either - a funky, fun, new chocolate that I've just discovered. Its dark, rich, and slightly crisp; a deliciously decadent, grown-up version of a crunch bar - and its my new favorite indulgence.

The sweetriot unBAR is all-natural, gluten-free, dairy-free and made from responsibly sourced fair-trade cacao. The bar itself contains a host of yummy, delicious cacao nibs that add wonderful texture, crunch and flavor - and the chocolate itself is magnificent. It comes in two "strengths" - 70% dark chocolate or 65% dark chocolate ... and, oddly enough, I prefer the 65%. I tasted both and find the 65 less sweet.

Were you to possess the kind of self-control necessary to eat only one square ... the calorie count is fairly low: 48 calories per square. You can do the rest of the math, but this much I'll tell you - one square is perfectly satisfying and two are enough. The bar is so rich, you simply do not need to eat the whole thing to enjoy it.

I came across the unBAR while shopping in Zabar's one day and happily for me, they were giving free samples. Trust me, it was love at first bite! In addition to the bars, sweetriot also offers both raw and chocolate covered cacao beans for your snacking pleasure. I can't wait to try them, cacao nibs are one of my most favorite things. Let the antioxidant-rich snacking begin!

As for price, well, the bars aren't cheap - $2.79 per bar, though keep in mind that's a Zabar's price. That said, the indulgence is well worth the splurge. This is a quality product and I'm happy to pay for responsibly sourced ingredients. The company is committed to fair-trade, uses recycled materials for packaging and is dedicated to making the world a better place. Take a spin around their site and you'll see what I mean.

Be sure to tune in for Thirsty Thursdays tomorrow ... heaven knows I'll be needing a drink! Till then, don't mind me ... I'll be over here in the corner, wearing my earplugs and crunching on an unBAR.

Bon appetite!