First I want to address the video I promised you guys: by the time I finally got the take I wanted, I tried uploading it to YouTube and…fail. Seriously. The program I used won’t connect to it properly, so I have to re-shoot with the video camera. Again. Sowwie!
Moving on! Now we’re talking about chocolate 
Please Note: All promotional material in this post is entirely my opinion, and is said of my own free will. I am not being compensated for the information in this post.
Vida, a sweet friend of mine, owns and runs The Vitamin House here in Nanaimo, where she frequently hosts workshops and informative talks. {You may remember my previous post about her cheesecakes & rawkolates.} She makes the best, most high-quality dark chocolate I’ve ever tasted, and I stand firmly by that claim. When she asked me to take the photos for her raw chocolate workshop, there was no way I was turning it down!
Vida talked about the quality ingredients she uses to make her raw chocolates, including raw agave, cacao powder, and cacao butter {among others}. She also demonstrated how to make it.
She gave us a peek at how her coconut truffles are made, too. *swoon* These sweet little dreams are pretty much the best thing to ever happen to my chocolate world.
Next, Vida filled squeeze bottles full of liquid chocolate.
Molds and edible decorations were brought to the table. These included almonds, coconut, goji berries, dried cherries, bee pollen, and cacao nibs. Yes <3
Everyone had a chance to decorate their chocolates to their liking, and filled their molds with chocolate.
After the chocolates had set in the freezer, it was time to free them from their molds!
So many beautiful, perfect chocolates resulted. Nobody could resist having a taste ;)
At the end of it all, Vida saved some chocolate for me, so I could make my own. It was super simple, quick, and really fun! Thank you, Vida!
This time, I’m not letting Dallas win the chocolate war. We’re both pretty hooked on Vida’s chocolates, digging into them everyday. And I love how rich they are: I never feel like I need more than one or two. {Keep in mind, this is coming from the lady who eats half a pan of cookie dough bars in two days.}
If you want to learn more about Vida, her Rawkolates, or the workshops, please check out The Vitamin House. Thanks again, Vida! You RAWK ;) Much love <3
Char, xo
I didn’t realize there was a vitamin house in Nanaimo! Although I have heard about this lady!
Any ideas where she got the chocolate molds from? The chocolate looks amazing!!
Yep, it’s in the same plaza as Canadian Tire! Vida is an amazing lady
The plastic ones she got from Michael’s, but the better quality ones she ordered online. If you send her an email, I’m sure she can get the links of where to get the chocolate molds! I know I asked her before (I’d like some, too), but it’s slipping my mind right now.
OH WOW! Chocolate heaven! Seems like a fun workshop! We’re making raw chocolate as well in school next week. I’m salivating already!!
Yaaayy, hope you enjoy your chocolate lessons! I’m soo jealous of you right meow ;)
These chocolate look awesome! This is one workshop I’d love to go to!
Thank you, Charissa! It was definitely a great way to spend an afternoon
What a fun workshop!! I used to make chocolates with my mom as a kid, but not this kind of all natural chocolate – love it!! Feel free to ship some of those delicious treats my way. ;)
Really?! So cool! I tried making raw chocolates by myself a couple years ago…they tasted delicious, but were basically liquid. Had to eat them with a spoon
not that I’m complaining…
haha…I don’t share chocolate too well ;)
You rawk Char – loved having you at the workshop. Thanks so much for taking the photo’s
Much love & hugs.
Thank you so much, Vida!! I loved taking the photos for you! Any opportunity for me to practice is greatly appreciated
xox
How fun! I wish there were more classes like that offered in Chilliwack! Great pictures too
Also, re: your comment…I do have a blog…but haven’t blogged in months. I’m thinking it will be making a comeback…eventually.
Thank you! It was definitely a lot of fun
Sometimes it’s good to take a blogging break. I’ve gone whole semesters with only 2 or 3 posts, haha. It’s in my Google Reader, in case any new posts pop up!
Oh these look perfect! They look incredible and so love that they are all raw! I wouldn’t feel bad about eating a few of those at all!
Thank you, Chelsea! I definitely feel no guilt when nomming on these ;)
That looks like such a fun experience! Good for you for photographing it! I want one of those chocolates now, seriously! Does she sell them anywhere near Vancouver or just on the island?
Thanks, Anna! I was super excited when Vida asked me to
She will ship out her Rawkolates, so feel free to send her an email if you’re wanting to try them. They are to LIVE for! She has many different flavours of the ones she sells ;)