This is an introduction to cacao, along with how you can create a meditation practice using it.
If you are only interested in doing the guided meditation you can skip ahead to 2:15 where it begins.
Cacao vs. Cocoa
Ceremonial grade cacao is raw cacao. The beans undergo a fermentation process necessary for cultivating their flavor profile and activating certain natural compounds. The beans are then roasted at low temperatures, cracked, and stone grounded by traditional means. Ceremonial cacao is NEVER tempered. When you see cacao on a label, it means that it has been minimally processed and does not contain additives.
Cocoa is made from beans that have been roasted. This is a processed chocolate product and is found in chocolate bars and cocoa powder. To learn more click here.
It is our recommendation to focus on consuming ceremonial grade cacao and to limit processed cocoa in your diet for the following reasons:
Limiting processed foods in your diet is going to have an overall beneficial impact on your health.
Have you heard that when someone prepares your food with love, it tastes better?
Ceremonial grade cacao is produced and manufactured by companies that are health- and wellness-based. Although this may sound a little "out there" for some people, studies have proven that when good intentions or prayer are involved in the making of food, you will receive health benefits when you consume it.
Before intentions or prayer are even included in the making of ceremonial grade cacao, raw cacao has the following nutritional components:
Our recommended brand, Ceremonial Cacao, has no sugar, 4g of protein per 10 wafers, is a healthy fat, and contains fiber which keeps you feeling full. Cacao is rich in many minerals, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, and copper. Magnesium is a mineral needed for over 300 different enzyme reactions in your body but lacks in many people’s diets. "Magnesium is essential for energy production in cells and is considered to be the fourth most important mineral in the body," says Registered Dietitian and Wellness Coach, Jenna Appel.
The benefits of consuming ceremonial grade cacao comes from the intentions put into the process of making the cacao - from how it is collected to how it is manufactured. There are only a few companies that sell ceremonial grade cacao. Some companies sell the cacao in block form, while others sell it in wafer form. Each company has their own rituals from collecting the cacao to manufacturing it. They all have the same mission; i.e., to heal and create good energy with a holistic focus and the connection to the spirit of the cacao tree.
Our favorite ceremonial grade cacao brand for our Aging Masters is Ceremonial Cacao for the following reasons:
It is in the form of cacao discs, which allow for easy measuring and easy blending into heated water to make smooth, drinking chocolate.
It comes from native seeds from local heirloom nurseries.
It is organically grown in agroforestry projects, primarily on family farms averaging two acres in size.
It is grown in a cooperative model, paying an average of 40-220% above the commodity price to provide a better livelihood for the farmers and communities.
Beans are purchased directly, and then handcrafted into chocolate at a small studio in northern California.
It is blessed throughout the entire making process with love with the intention for healing.
It is lightly roasted, maintaining the healthy beneficial compounds of the cacao beans. This allows one to access expanded states of consciousness and increased vitality levels by connecting with the beneficial compounds of high quality cacao.
It is consumed intentionally with ritual, often to connect more deeply with yourself and others.
If you would like to purchase ceremonial grade cacao from our favorite brand, Ceremonial Cacao, you can use this link here to receive 5% off of your first purchase by entering code: LIVINGLIFE. Make sure when your cacao arrives that you take some time to focus on this special food. Set some time to make the chocolate drink, and then listen to the guided meditation. Enjoy!
Cacao Drink Recipe:
1 serving
Blend 7 Pure Cacao Discs (0.8 oz) with 4 oz Hot Liquid (we recommend water)
