cacao qualified?

reading time approx 3 mins

me having my daily cacao in bali <3

cacao — food of the gods born from the theobroma cacao tree

originating from central america where the olmec people and then the mayans realized the medicinal & magic like qualities drawn from the plant

nowadays you’ll find its many forms:

• chocolate

• cacao nibs

• cacao/cocoa powder

• cacao paste/chunks

• roasted cacao beans (what they use for chocolate)

• ceremonial cacao

what is ceremonial cacao & why is it used in ceremonies?

high grade, traditional chocolate usually consumed in a warm drink form during rituals in an effort to connect with the divine & your own inner wisdom. cacao ceremonies bring people together for occasions such as birth, death, marriage but nowadays you’ll probably see events like women’s circles or moon related cacao ceremonies

but why cacao?

it’s full of antioxidants & feel good chemicals, such as serotonin, tyrosine (the precursor to dopamine) & anandamide — a neurotransmitter that produces feelings of euphoria, reduces stress and anxiety. the only other place anandamide is found is the brain & its name comes from the sanskrit word ananda which means eternal bliss

— in higher doses cacao brings about an alertness which is great for ecstatic dance or yoga style events

— in lower doses cacao brings you into yourself, perfect for mediation or a journalling session

what are my plans for it?

ive been loving using cacao daily while im in bali as a way to come back into myself, in a contemplative & reflective state. usually before journalling, meditating or even writing this hahah!

being able to facilitate cacao ceremonies wherever i teach yoga is an added layer that can help people connect more deeply to themselves

but my most favorite learning from my facilitator course is actually that i can treat ANYTHING as ceremonial & sacred

and in fact the more i have been treating simple tasks like brushing my teeth in the morning, having a shower, feeling the sun on my skin, as sacred, the more enjoyment, euphoria & joy i am experiencing

if you’re wanting to begin your own cacao journey here’s a recipe:

• 150-250 ml of water or choice of milk

• 20-40g of ceremonial cacao paste

• optional extras: liquid sweetener to taste, spices like cinnamon, chili to taste

warm the liquid of choice in a pan gently, add in your chopped cacao paste & any other chosen ingredients. gently whisk together as the paste melts. once it’s fully melted & mixed pour into your favorite mug & enjoy

here’s a few ideas of what you can do with your cacao:

• meditate/visualise

• yoga/ecstatic dance

• journal

• ask a question/set an intention. cacao helps to connect you with your inner world, unlocking your inner wisdom. see what happens when you ask for guidance without judgement

• creative based activities e.g painting, writing

whether you are starting your cacao journey or deepening it, i’d love to hear about your experiences!

*** if you’re taking SSRI’s, anti depressants, have high blood pressure or are pregnant please speak to a doctor before consuming. if you feel like you’ve had too much take a break, sit down & drink some water