Expanding the Heart – Working with Ceremonial Cacao
The Course Experience-Embracing Ritual + Gratitude

The Course Experience-Embracing Intention
It is customary in Cacao circle to speak your intention, either to your self or to share with your cacao family. The beauty of sharing your unique vibration out into the world is a humbling and grounding gift. To lean deeper into what your heart has to say. I try to bring the practice of intention into all conscious moments.
It is my intention with this cup of cacao to…
LOVE MYSELF
TO ACCEPT MYSELF
TO BE HONEST
TO BE VULNERABLE
TO LET GO
The Course Experience-What I Learned
Each week of the course we touched on different topics including Cacao’s history in Meso and South America, how cacao is processed, the physiological, nutritive and medicinal value of cacao, cultural appropriation vs. cultural appreciation, medicine songs and so much more.
We met weekly for online cacao circles with Florencia and the other participants in the course which was really special to connect with people from all over with a shared passion. We would open sacred space, discuss the Mayan calendar and the energy of the day, talk about the weeks lesson and share what intentions our hearts were holding. It was a healing period of my life (I suppose this is a constant :D) and I felt like a sweet little sponge just absorbing all the energy and wisdom.
It was very humbling.
Cacao makes your heart soften especially when you share in community with others. I have since gone on to participate in weekly cacao circles with Cacao Laboratory and consider it the greatest medicine to share cacao with others who are also inquiring deep into the heart. I hope to continue sharing with others throughout this life time to help plant seeds of gratitude for ourselves, our planet and for the wisdom of Cacao.
Cacao has left a deep impression on my heart space. I have since shared it with my husband, friends and myself at least a few times a week. It keeps me grounded in a state of gratitude, intention and love…the greatest gifts we can ripple out into the world with.
Some Interesting Facts about Cacao
🍫 Etymologists trace the origin of the word “chocolate” to the Aztec word “xocoatl,” to a bitter drink brewed from cacao beans. The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means “food of the gods.” (Smithsonian)
🤎 Contains Phenylethylamine (PEA), an adrenal-related chemical that we create naturally when we’re excited. It also helps us feel focused and alert because it causes your pulse quickens, similar feeling to when we are excited or fall in love. (natural news)
♥️ Contains Anandamide, name comes from the Sanskrit word “ananda” (internal bliss) Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is produced naturally in the body after exercise. Cacao is one of the only foods that provides this type of neurotransmitter. Anandamide affects the parts of the brain that play a role in memory, movement control, mood, and higher thought process.
♥️ Theobromine, This makes up 1-2 percent of the cacao bean and is a nervous system stimulant that dilates the blood vessels, much like caffeine. This ingredient is what makes cacao and chocolate unsafe for dogs.
Valuable Vitamins + Minerals
- Magnesium, Cacao beans are one of the best dietary sources of magnesium — magnesium is crucial for more than 300 biochemical reactions. It’s essential for muscle and nerve function and keeps the heart rhythm steady.
- Iron, An ounce of raw nibs has 6 percent of your recommended daily iron intake. Iron is necessary for red blood cell production.
- Antioxidants, Antioxidants are important because they absorb the free radicals that cause damage in the body.
- Mood improver, Chocolate and cacao stimulate the brain to release neurotransmitters that can trigger emotions, including good ones like euphoria.
Sources: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/chocolate_science_history_and_fun_facts_part_2
http://www.naturalnews.com/022610_cacao_chocolate_raw.html
https://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-nutrition-of-cocoa-nibs.html
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/130/8/2057S/4686320
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-chocolate-21860917/?no-ist
To learn more check out this incredible report published by Cacao Lab
Check out Cacao Lab’s FAQ’s, or watch this beautiful documentary. I am still a vessel in learning and am excited to expand my knowledge and share with you!
For 10% off @Cacao Lab use the code JENNIFERS10 for 10% off
Here are some more posts relating to working with Ceremonial Cacao
https://cacaolaboratory.com/blogs/news/this-is-your-brain-on-cacao-the-lab-report-part-iii
Connecting with Gratitude + Ceremonial Cacao
connecting with movement w/cacao laboratory
#CacaoEveryDay, A 7 Day Wellness Experience with Cacao Lab
Making Space for Cacao
connecting to breath w/ cacao
Taking a moment to acknowledge the indigenous wisdom of Cacao, as someone who is greatly benefiting from this plant ally and teacher, if you feel inclined to help lift and support the communities that have protected and have Mayan heritage, please see this link for ways to uplift.
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