The Cacao I Source
I proudly source my cacao from Fly Kakao, a company whose values closely align with my own. Honouring plant medicines is paramount, and Fly Kakao exemplifies this ethos through their mission to honour the sacred cacao plant, its dedicated growers, and to share its gifts with those drawn to its healing properties.
As a non-profit organization, Fly Kakao goes above and beyond fair trade standards by ensuring fair compensation for farmers and maintaining direct relationships with growers. Their commitment to wild-farmed cacao, hand-processed using traditional methods, reflects a deep respect for the land and the indigenous practices that have sustained cacao cultivation for generations.
Fly Kakao prioritizes family farms over commercial operations, supporting local communities and empowering women in the process. By implementing beyond fair trade practices, they prevent exploitation and ensure that women-run farms can thrive without compromising their dignity or well-being.
The cacao sourced by Fly Kakao comes from heirloom strains, distinct from common commercial varieties. Varieties such as Chuncho from Peru and Crillo from Guatemala possess unique flavor profiles and nutritional benefits, contributing to the rich tapestry of cacao diversity.
In partnering with Fly Kakao, I am not only securing high-quality cacao but also supporting a socially and environmentally responsible organization dedicated to preserving the integrity of this sacred plant medicine.
Do You Feel Called to Work with this Beautiful Plant Medicine?
Receive a 10% Discount on Your First Cacao Order
If you have not ordered from Fly Kakao before, you can receive 10% off your first order using my special discount code KELLY at checkout at https://flykakao.ca. Please note, that Fly Kakao can see on the backend if customers use a second email address to receive a discount after placing their first order. Kindly apply the code to your first order only - thank you for your understanding.
If you are a returning customer, I'd sincerely appreciate it if you could use my affiliate link for your next purchase at https://www.flykakao.com/?ref=kelly .
About Cacao: A Beautiful Plant Medicine
Discover the Magic of Cacao
Cacao is pure heirloom chocolate and is often referred to as "food of the gods." It is revered for its numerous health benefits and its ability to open the heart and facilitate deep emotional healing. Cacao is a beautiful plant medicine to work with in meditation, dreaming, creativity, journeying, emotional healing, journalling, connection with a lover, and any other expansive activity. Packed with antioxidants, minerals, and mood-enhancing compounds, cacao is a nutritional powerhouse that offers numerous health benefits.
The Spirit of Cacao: A Plant Medicine
In indigenous and earth-based traditions, each plant has a unique Spirit - a teaching or healing intelligence. The Spirit of Cacao is a wise, feminine energy that teaches through intuition, creativity, and dreams how to get into the heart space. She does not force anyone to journey, it is a subtle yet profound process.
Cacao is a Powerful Healing Ally
During a cacao ceremony, we set sacred space, set an intention, and drink a ceremonial dose of pure cacao. The cacao I source is wild-farmed, organic, hand picked, and manually processed. The cacao has been honoured throughout its lifecycle. When we enter into ceremony that is sacred and honours the plant, we remember that we are also sacred and should be honoured. This rich elixir enhances focus, boosts creativity, and promotes a sense of inner peace. Cacao ceremonies offer a sanctuary for self-reflection, self-expression, and collective healing, creating an opportunity to tune into the present moment and cultivate a deeper connection with their own inner wisdom.
Cacao is a transformative plant medicine that allows us to attune to the depths of our hearts, open ourselves for meaningful connections, listen to our inner wisdom, and anchor ourselves in the profound practice of honouring. I incorporate cacao in many of my offerings.
Beneficial Compounds in Cacao
1. Theobromine: hence the scientific name, theobroma cacao. Theobromine is one of the finest members of an alkaloid class of compounds known as xanthines. Theobromine has been proven to lower blood pressure, increase serum HDL cholesterol (the good kind), and enhance lung functioning by opening up air vessels via smooth muscle relaxation. Theobromine also enhances cognitive function by increasing blood flow and oxygenation to the brain and doubles as an antioxidant capable of mitigating oxidative stress and reducing inflammation. For those that love to exercise, theobromine also blocks adenosine receptors, enabling a short-term increase in muscular contractility.
2. Tryptophan: An essential amino acid and the sole precursor for the neurotransmitter serotonin, commonly known as the "feel-good chemical." Serotonin is well known for its ability to combat stress and improve our mood by promoting the feelings of comfort, contentment, happiness, and relaxation. Serotonin can also improve sleep, provide relief from the symptoms of depression and anxiety, modulate pain thresholds, and increase our sense of emotional well-being.
3. Phenylethylamine (PEA): better known as "the love drug" for its association with infatuation, this is the compound your brain releases naturally when you're falling in love. PEA stimulates the central nervous system to release the body's natural opium-like compounds called endorphins. This is somewhat similar to the sensation of orgasm. PEA also signals the body to promote the sensation of alertness, focus, and mental acuity, all while elevating one's mood, speeding up metabolism, and boosting memory.
4. Anandamide: Sanskrit word meaning the "bliss molecule," Anadamide is best known for its role in producing the feeling of happiness. Anandamide is an endogenous cannabinoid found naturally in cacao and the human brain. While anandamide won't leave you in a mind-altered state, its happiness producing effect does offer some protection against stress-related psychiatric diseases including major depression, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anandamide also plays a role in memory, appetite, sleep, and pain relief.
5. Nutritional Content:
Highest antioxidant content of any food.
Rich in iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, sulphur, chromium, and available calcium.
Contains essential B vitamins and vitamin D2.
High in magnesium, beneficial for heart health and muscle cramping prevention.