Cacao

If you think “hot chocolate” when you hear reference to Cacao, think again! Your typical hot chocolate is highly processed and contains multiple additives, including sugar and often, dairy. Ceremonial Cacao is completely different – it is ethically sourced, single ingredient, vegan and organic, has no additives, and maintains a deep connection to the earth, with health benefits that have earned it a place in the Super Food category.

Mayans and other indigenous people used cacao in ceremonies and considered it a gift from the Gods. There is also evidence that ancient civilizations used Cacao in trade – kind of like an ancient Bitcoin!

 

WHAT MAKES CACAO SO SPECIAL?

*Ceremonial Cacao is high in Theobromine (literally translated as “food of the gods”)- a mild stimulant. But Theobromine does not give you the jittery buzz, spike, and crash that caffeine does; rather it has a longer-lasting, heart-opening effect that makes you feel good and glowy, NOT jumpy. This versatile compound also acts as a vasodilator to help dilate the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow to the heart and may lower blood pressure! As an added bonus, Theobromine has been known to help with better sleep, improved focus, and increased overall cardiac health. Importantly, unlike caffeine, Theobromine is not addictive.

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*Cacao, in its purest form is at the top of the USDA antioxidant food scale- higher than blueberries, goji berries, and pomegranates. Antioxidants help support healthy aging and may help protect against disease.

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*Cacao is high in Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Copper, Chromium, Zinc, and even Iron.

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*Cacao promotes feelings of contentment and inner peace, as it is in mood-boosting compounds, including:

• Anandamide- aka “The Bliss Molecule”- promotes feelings of well-being and joy. Research shows that this magic molecule has been shown to inhibit certain types of cancer cells in the body.

• PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide)– enhances the production of Serotonin which helps in mood regulation and sleep, and Dopamine– boosts pleasure, satisfaction, and motivation and also has aphrodisiac qualities.

• Norepinephrine– aka “The Joy Molecule”- helps with concentration, energy, and attentiveness.

 

WHAT IS A CACAO CEREMONY?

A Cacao Ceremony is a warm and empowering community experience, joining people together to experience the healing and energetic qualities of cacao while incorporating meditation, sound, reflection, conversation, connection, and of course, Cacao! They may include a guided heart-opening meditation and sound bath journey, chanting, gentle movement, discussion, journaling, and of course, an exploration into the experience of tasting and reflecting on the Cacao itself. A unique, not-to-be-missed experience that will leave you warm and cozy both inside and out!

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Cacao has been used for centuries as a “plant medicine” due to its heart-opening qualities and wide-ranging health benefits, and when grown and consumed consciously, carries a vibrational quality that opens us up to a higher level of healing. Cacao ceremonies bring us together to share an intention, and by consuming ceremonial grade chocolate, we hope to achieve a deeper state of meditation.

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Contact Grounded Meditation to find out how to arrange for your own private Cacao Ceremony for your friends and family, or to attend one of our regular offerings. You may also purchase a variety of ceremonial Cacaos from our online store. Click here to get started on your personal journey into the magic of Ceremonial Cacao!