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Chocolate Nirvana By Jennifer Graham |
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The cacao tree grows a large bean whose powdery contents makes what we have come to know as chocolate, but raw chocolate has long been used in many cultures for medicinal purposes. Cacao, whose scientific name is Theobroma, means “food of the gods.” It was ingested as drink reserved for royalty and used in ritual for the indigenous peoples of many South American cultures.
Cacao helped fuel the Brazilian slave trade—Africans much of the labor to harvest the precious powder. Taking the power of the cacao from bean to bar is required (and still does) a slow stirring and fermentation process in low beds draped in the leaves of the sweet papaya. Now much of the powder is exported as halel, kosher, organic, and fair trade. On a more personal note, those who know me well know all things romantic and loving resonate within me and out of me. While I consider myself to be a romantic, I have never been one wooed by a suitor carrying a box of chocolates. Enough bites into those mysterious nuggets have turned up all wrong for me. I had all but given up on chocolate. Bearers of those cardboard hearts usually got their expedited walking papers from yours truly.
The experience was one of pleasurable flavors, but sparked in me a quest for greater health and more energy. I began to research and I learned of the medicinal and energy-giving properties of cacao from some of the online raw food gurus like David Wolf and Shazzie. I had my first sip of a raw chocolate libation from the Daily Juice, a raw food cafe in Austin, TX. Owner Shawn Carroll explained that raw chocolate is known to produce a euphoric feeling and does wonders for your brainpower. I describe this as a Chocolate Nirvana. There is an almost immediate infusion of love and a simultaneous experience of clarity, focus, and energy.
I found the energy I had been searching for in a familiar bean from the rainforest, now rising to royalty on the raw food trend. Now, not a day goes by when someone doesn’t ask what I am doing to get all that energy or quip cleverly ‘I’ll have what she’s having!’ My response: I found my bliss!
Open Hearts Foods is a local family owned business that makes rich raw cacao candies that support a living foods, healthy lifestyle. Visit www.rawBella.com. |
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The connection of chocolate to the heart
has long been known. Cacao was injected to save the lives of heart
attack victims in early part of the last century. Cacao has more
antioxidants than green tea, acai, or even red wine. Raw cacao is
said to be the most nutrient rich foods on the planet, a high source
of magnesium, chromium, and iron. David Wolf, online entrepreneur of
Sacred Chocolate fame, trumpets raw chocolate as the best method to
administer any and all herbs and minerals, “healing yourself while
having a good time.”
Then I tasted the Pecan Pleasure, the
creative focus of Wendy Green, self-proclaimed Chocolate Priestess
of Open Heart Foods, a family owned business in Austin that
makes rich raw cacao candies that support a living foods, healthy
lifestyle. Upon tasting and experiencing her chocolate, I
realized, this is the chocolate amorous valentines should be
presenting to their intendeds.
While sipping, my mind furiously, albeit
clearly, begin brainstorming uses for this elixir. Forget RedBull
and Vodka, forget baby making music. Nightclubs should be keeping
vats of this libation on tap—a stimulant that gives you focus,
clarity, energy, and makes you loving. Too good to be true? Can it
be given intravenously? I fantasize that the Daily Juices’ raw
chocolate milk could be placed on tap at libraries, universities,
clubs, Congress, the U.N. Could this be the answer to world peace?
Jennifer Graham, based
in Austin TX, is a raw and living foods enthusiast and educator. A
teacher, mother, lawyer, and singer, Jennifer
lost more than 70 pounds by adopting a raw food lifestyle. She
began her journey by video blogging her experiences with detox,
weight training, and weight loss. She continues to help others
access information about the raw food movement through www
rawBella.com.