Spirit Food – Cacao

ORIGIN

Cacao dates back to at least 3000 years to the time of the Olmec civilisation that lived in now south-central Mexico.
The Mayans followed the Olmecs, who focused their lives around this special plant. They used cacao in ceremonies and used it as a way to communicate with their Gods.  The baptism ritual for boys and girls involved cacao.

The Mayans were the first major civilisation to use cacao beans as currency. The word cacao comes from its original name kakaw. It was often consumed in liquid form.

When the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes landed in 1519, it is likely that the sacred plant captivated his heart and it is through him that it has travelled the world.

The last Aztec Emperor, Montezuma was recorded by Spanish chroniclers to consume up to 50 cups of a cacao drink from gold vessels at feasts.

CHAKRA – THIRD EYE

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

Cacao is one of the richest sources of polyphenols. It’s especially abundant in flavanols, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It has an amazing ORAC score of 98,000 per 100g which makes it 40 times higher in antioxidants than blueberries. This reduces tissue damage and the prevention of cancer.

Cacao is the highest plant-based source of iron and also one of the highest plant-based sources of magnesium. Magnesium is important for a healthy heart and helps turn glucose into energy enabling your brain to work with laser-sharp clarity and focus.

Another mineral highly present in cacao is calcium, it has more calcium than cows milk which will ensure healthy teeth and bones.

Cacao is great for the brain and mind, it is a source of four scientifically proven bliss chemicals – serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylethylamine. These neurotransmitters are associated with cosy feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and can even alleviate depression.

SPIRITUAL BENEFITS

Cacao opens the heart and allows you to connect to a deeper, authentic love based connection with yourself and all other beings throughout this world.

Connecting with cacao can create major shifts in your life. Cacao can show you false beliefs and blockages in your life that are stopping you from living your best life.

By allowing you to delve into your pain you can shift and heal these traumas to clear space for more joy and love.

Use cacao when you need to go deep in meditation, to enable you to connect with your spiritual nature, accessing the wisdom within. You will notice that meditation is easier and more beneficial with cacao as a facilitator. By strengthening your connection with the higher self you will be better able to get clarity on your life-giving you greater power and connection to your own divine truth.

Cacao is a feminine plant but it has the power to balance both male and female energies. It relaxes the left brain of mind chatter and allows you to delve more into that ‘no mind’ space of bliss. This helps to create space to receive inspiration. The male energy is balanced and allows you to take action upon the inspirations.

CONNECT WITH CACAO

Take raw cacao in a ceremonial dose and meditate with your desired intentions.

Add cacao to smoothies.

Make a healthy cacao hot chocolate with raw cacao and nut milk, sweeten it with agave or sweetener of your choice.

Add it to your favourite bean chilli.

Give your skin an extra magnesium treat by mixing powdered cacao with honey and apply it like a face mask to your face.