We have a wound classification system in Nursing that allows us to say that some wounds are UNSTAGEABLE. This is because they are covered in a dry black crust called eschar that results from trauma, chemical excoriation, infection or pressure. If left on, this eschar offers some level of protection to the wound, but also hides it from view: God only know's what's under there!
Today the eschar of the collective wound of humanity has been ripped off. No more hiding, we can see how far the fabric of our society has deteriorated. How deeply the wound tracts, how much pus and infection is present. Perhaps electing another official would only delay this clear vision that we now have. 
Embrace your fears, tears, anger, and shock. Let it in and see how much you are willing to feel. How much are you willing to really look at this wound and see each and every one of our parts. This is not easy, take a deep breath and 
As you invite your own feelings into your body, be interested in what is happening in your stomach, your chest, perhaps your back, your head. Where are you feeling strong sensations? How far have you been shaken by what you are witnessing? Can we continue to feel deeper into everything that comes up and bring even more breath? Can we be a circle of breath that is large enough to hold space for all that you are feeling, even if just in this moment?


Remembering this is not the end of anything but a dream or illusion. It is time to feel and heal more deeply as individuals, in families, in communities, societies, as keepers of this pachamama who shares so much bounty. 
What do you see when you look outside right now? Out my window right now is sun, birds are flying ducks are swimming in the canal, people are tending to there daily life. I can feel the breeze on my skin thru my open window. I hear cars and motorcycles, children and seagulls. What do you see, feel, hear. Are you having a meal or a drink. How is that taste? 
We are being called to look even deeper at our shadows and find the place where the light gets in. We are here to LOVE Ourselves and Each Other even when we don't want to. We are the keepers of this Earth, who is endlessly suppling us with her bounty. Be Powerful in your decisions about not brining division into your path. You are on the right path, just keep walking, and gathering in tribes and sewing and singing and dancing and sharing food and music, holding hands and shedding tears and laughter. We are the protectors. We are UNBROKEN.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”  
― Hippocrates

Being a critical care registered nurse for 27 years I have developed a strong scientific background as well as a true love for the nature in medicine, lets call it The Roots. While I can clearly see the benefit of our American medical model, I also have clearly and devastatingly witnessed a decline in practice of the art and science of medicine and a shift in the paradigm to the industry and capital generating machine for the pharmaceutical corporations.

Resourcing our selves and our bodies back to nature, we can develop a true homeostasis in the stressful environments we are in.  When we are in balance inside ourselves and in sync with the natural world, existing becomes authentic living and when we live authentically, we are thriving.  We are alive to thrive!

Ceremonial grade cacao has it's active constituents intact if treated minimally and conscientiously to avoid degradation of these properties.  Some gentle processing with precise temperature control seems to release these properties as well as some subtle energies that have been dormant inside the bean.

Let's talk here for a moment about each:   (This is a informational article only, not meant to diagnose or treat and by no means comprehensive)

Antioxidants ~ It's a super-antioxidant food, with antioxidant levels that can be:
20 x higher than red wine
30 x higher than green tea
50 x higher than blueberries
5 x higher than average goji

Magnesium ~ Cacao may be the highest sour of this precious mineral that is needed in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It has been documented that  80% of Americans are chronically deficient in Magnesium.  Our soils are deplete, our bodies are suffering the effects of this on many levels.
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in our human body and is partially responsible for countless aspects of good, sound health.
Magnesium fights acid build up, it neutralizes toxins, calms sensitivity to pain, quiets nerves, keeps our heart beating rhythmically, supports a healthy immune system, builds strong matrix in our bones and teeth, regulates our internal clock (sleeping and waking cycles), hormone release, body temperature. It  has an enormous impact on our metabolism in protein synthesis and regulating insulin.

Phenylethylamine (PEA) ~ is found in abundance in cacao beans. Because PEA is heat sensitive, much of the PEA in conventional cooked and processed chocolate is missing. PEA is the adrenal-related chemical that we produce in our bodies when we fall in love. This is likely one of the main reasons why love and chocolate have such a deep connection. PEA also plays a role in increasing focus and alertness.  

Chromium ~  We are also deeply deficient in this important trace mineral.  Chromium helps to balance the blood sugar and increase sensitivity to insulin.  It has a significant responsibility to detoxify the liver from alcohols which build up during the fermentation process of sugars and starches.  Chromium lowers bad cholesterol, raising the good cholesterol. It's been known to improve athletic performance, reduce fatigue and depression and decrease age related mental decline. 

Cacao seems to diminish appetite, probably due to its monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) ~  these are different from digestive enzyme inhibitors found in most nuts and seeds.  An enzyme called monoamine oxidase is involved in removing the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine from the brain. MAOIs (cacao) prevent this from happening, which makes more of these brain chemicals available. This is thought to boost mood by improving brain cell communication.  

Tryptophan ~ Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is transformed into important stress-protective neurotransmitters including serotonin and melatonin. Tryptophan is heat sensitive and therefore it is “cooked out” in many high protein foods and in conventional processed chocolate. 


******************IMPORTANT TO NOTE ABOUT MAOI & TRYPTOPHAN*******************


Most antidepressants including St. John's Wort do not combine well with MAO inhibitors such as cacao.  Please google your medication's interactions.
MAOIs can cause dangerous interactions with certain foods and beverages. You'll need to avoid foods containing high levels of tyramine — an amino acid that regulates blood pressure — such as aged cheeses, sauerkraut, cured meats, draft beer and fermented soy products, such as soy sauce, miso or tofu. You may have limited amounts of wine and bottled or canned beer, but it is better to wait until after the ceremony to receive the full benefits of the cacao.

Caffeine and Theobromine: What's the deal with cacao and caffeine?  Contrary to popular opinion, cacao is a poor source of caffeine. A typical sample of cacao nibs or cacao beans will yield anywhere from zero caffeine  to an amount which is similar to decaffeinated coffee.  It would seem that this rumor is based primarily on a confusion between two similar alkaloids: caffeine and theobromine.
Theobromine is the active ingredient in chocolate and it occurs only in cacao. The two stimulants are related and have a similar structures, but are very different chemicals with different properties, effects and origins. There are of course, some chocolate products that have added caffeine, but it does not occur naturally.
Theobromine has a direct action on blood vessels causing dilation, thus it is able to reduce blood pressure and relieve strain on the circulatory system by reducing edema and relieving angina. This dilation effect on the kidneys acts as a diuretic.  In the brain, the effect is increased mental focus and alertness.  The vasodilation in combination with smooth muscle relaxant effect in the lungs produce opening of restricted airways and is effective in treating asthma. It also has an antitussive effect (cough suppressant).

Anandamide (The Bliss Chemical) ~ A neurotransmitter called anandamide, has been isolated in cacao. Anandamide is also produced naturally in the brain. It is known as "The Bliss Chemical" because it is released while we are feeling great. Cacao contains enzyme inhibitors that decrease our bodies' ability to breakdown anandamide. This means that natural anandamide and/or cacao anandamide may stick around longer, making us feel good longer, when we eat cacao.

From a well researched medical standpoint, cacao has many benefits to our physical and emotional bodies.  More research is happening right now linking it to reducing dementia and as a protection from certain cancers.

When we sit in Ceremony with this powerful Medicine, also accessing the Spirit of the Plant, we increase it's bioavailability by our open awareness and her invitation.  Keith, the Cacao Shaman has said:  
"Chocolate brings the door but doesn’t push you through it."

In other words Cacao is a gentle guide and facilitator. If you really want to stay safe in your rational mind and have a gently arousing, heart opening experience with yourself or others, Cacao is the perfect companion.   The literal translation of 'xocoatl' (pronounced shoco-latle)  
​the conquistador era indigenous Aztec word for drinkable chocolate was ‘heart blood’.  
I like to think of it as LIQUID LOVE.  ENJOY!


















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