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#energy #cacao #rawfood #rawcacao #stimulant #natural #superfood #magnesium #cacaoceremony #healthyliving #plantbased #healthypartying #envision #festival
Have you ever been to a social event starting to feel tired and wanted more energy the natural way? Envision festival had a solution accessible to all: a vegan cacao bar. Yes, you heard me, a cacao bar. I am not talking about a hot chocolate with milk and sugar but raw cacao.
Raw cacao is Nature’s Superfood Stimulant
Raw cacao is rich in magnesium, iron, chromium, vanadium, copper, zinc, phosphorus and contains the highest concentration of antioxidants in the world. Its magnesium content supports the heart, increases brainpower, relaxes muscles, and helps build strong bones. Its iron content keeps the blood healthy and fights anemia, while its zinc content strengthens the immune system and maintains healthy nails, skin and, hair.
Cacao is a “delivery vehicle.” It dilates the cells, working to drive nutrition deep into the body, which is why it’s so great in combination with other medicinal food and herbs. It is beautifully prepared for ceremonies, below one easy recipe.
Energy Herbs without caffeine to mix
Those are my 3 favorite energy herbs to mix with cacao for a smooth, delicious drink that keeps you up for hours:
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Most people are aware of peppermint’s energizing qualities. In a drink or in aromatherapy, just being around peppermint can lift our mood and quicken our metabolism. Peppermint leaves have a decidedly settling effect on the digestive tract, so when using in a drink do it after a meal so that you don’t have to worry about your digestion shutting down on you as you do with caffeinated herbs.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Whether you are using true cinnamon or C. cassia, which is what you will find in most grocery stores, these bits of inner tree bark are a gentle stimulant that will give you a delicious lift. Steep 1-2 cinnamon sticks in a quart of water (covered). It can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and it reduces inflammation in your body, helping with painful conditions in which inflammation is present.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Ginger is a stimulant that awakens our circulation and digestion. There is a reason many teas that contain ginger are called “zing” as that is exactly what it adds to our food and our energy levels. There are so many benefits to using this rhizome either fresh or dried in our food or medicine. Chief among them is the office flu that you would like to avoid. Drinking ginger as your afternoon pick-me-up can fight off anything your office mate may be trying to pass on to you. Note: Ginger should be used sparingly if you are pregnant.
The use of chocolate had many ritualistic, spiritual and political meanings for the ancient people throughout history. cacao was savored and used in very small portions, which is very different from the abundant daily use it receives these days.
However, There are many that believe that chocolate, even in its purest form of raw cacao, is still not very good for you, perhaps even toxic to your liver and kidney. My take on it is that we should respect raw cacao’s historic usage and medicinal qualities and not go overboard with its consumption. If you show signs of sensitivity, listen to your body and avoid it completely. Otherwise, experiment with the amount and see what works best for your body and mind!
Author: Karine Allouche Salanon
This blog, its content and any linked material are presented for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or prescribing. Nothing contained in or accessible from this post should be considered to be medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or prescribing, or a promise of benefits, claim of cure, legal warranty, or guarantee of results to be achieved. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog or in any linked material. Karine Allouche Salanon is not a medical doctor. Consult with a licensed healthcare professional before altering or discontinuing any current medications, treatment or care, or starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, or if you have or suspect you might have a health condition that requires medical attention.