DISCLOSURE: AS AN EARTH ECHO AMBASSADOR AND ORA CACAO AFFILIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. PLEASE SEE OUR TERMS OF SERVICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Have you been trying to quit coffee? I actually didn’t drink coffee most of my life. My first job was at a gaming hall with different slot machines. There was no alcohol allowed so our customers drank coffee ALL DAY LONG. The coffee was pretty terrible. It tasted bitter and smelled burned. I didn’t understand how anybody could drink this awful stuff.
Fast forward to about six years ago. My mom went to a rehabilitation facility for cancer survivors for a few weeks. My brother and I decided to visit her there and while she was busy with her healing sessions during the day, my brother and I spent the time hiking and then warming up in one of the coffee shops in town. They served cappuccinos with chocolate and I was hooked. As soon as we walked into the coffee shop we were greeted with the yummy scent of coffee and chocolate. The cappuccino was made to perfection with just the right amount of froth on top. I went from not drinking coffee at all to 2-3 cups daily after that. I could never find an equivalent to the magical chocolate cappuccino from that coffee shop but I did learn that... if made correctly... coffee does taste delicious. All that deliciousness does come with a pretty big price tag along with headaches, insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, nausea, dehydration, heartburn and an increased heart rate.
Two years ago I decided to partake in a 3-day water fast. I had heard about the health benefits and wanted to see if I could actually do it. In preparation for the fast we had to stop drinking coffee about a week prior. The withdrawal symptoms were rough. The headaches were the worst. I was definitely not a fun person to be around during that time. After the fast was over I started drinking coffee again but I realized how much better my body was functioning without it. It was so hard to give up the creamy goodness though.
One of the people who facilitated the water fast suggested drinking cacao instead (in case you are wondering, cacao is made from raw cacao beans while cocoa is made from roasted cacao beans. Cacao is much healthier since it is minimally processed with no additives). I bought cacao at my local health food store, mixed it with some warm water and tried drinking it. It was pretty awful. Raw cacao is not sweet at all and is definitely an acquired taste. After some more research I found out that the quality of the cacao matters and so my search for the perfect cacao started.
What I found out is that cacao is considered medicine and has been used in ceremonies for centuries. According to the World Cocoa Foundation “Cocoa was first developed as a crop in many ancient South American cultures, with the Aztecs and Mayans being the most well-known of these indigenous populations. Researchers have found evidence of cocoa-based food dating back several thousand years. The modern word “chocolate” stems from two words in Nahuatl, the language spoken by many native groups: chocolatl, which translated literally means “hot water,” and cacahuatl, which referred to a bitter beverage made with cocoa that was shared during religious ceremonies. The cacao bean was so significant to the local cultures that it was used as a currency in trade, given to warriors as a post-battle reward, and served at royal feasts.”
So what are the health benefits of cacao? WebMD says:
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Helps lower blood pressure
- Improves blood flow to the brain and heart
- Aids in preventing blood clots
- May help increase insulin sensitivity
- Can help reduce inflammation throughout your body (reduced inflammation may lessen your risk of some cancers, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and Alzheimer’s disease).
Cacao powder provides more nutrition than cocoa powder and can be a healthier substitute in recipes. Cacao powder is also an excellent source of: Iron, Protein, Magnesium, Potassium and Fiber.”
Please bear in mind that cacao does contain a small amount of caffeine. According to Wikipedia, one tablespoon of cacao solids contains about 12 mg of caffeine. It was a little harder to find the same information for ground coffee. According to Elijah Coffee one tablespoon of ground coffee contains 60 to 110 mg of caffeine depending on the type of coffee used.
Cacao has helped improve my digestion greatly. I am also a lot more focused and alert after I drink it. What I love most about cacao though is how it makes me feel. Scientifically speaking cacao helps stimulate chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins in our bodies that make us feel good. This is why cacao is often called a “heart opening medicine”. I just feel happy and content when I drink it. It is best to drink cacao by setting an intention and just enjoying the moment without any distractions. Make sure to always buy ceremonial grade cacao which means it is high quality and minimally processed cacao. It really does make a difference.
Below are my 3 favorite cacao brands. All three companies make ceremonial grade cacao and are very unique in their own way.
1.Cacao Bliss by Earth Echo
This raw cacao also includes turmeric, black pepper, MCT powder, cinnamon, monk fruit, coconut nectar, lucuma, mesquite and Himalayan salt. It is naturally sweet and tastes absolutely delicious.
Best for: new cacao lovers
Taste: very sweet & delicious
Consistency: Powder
Offerings: 8.34 oz bag (30 servings) & Travel Pack Kit (15 x 0.28 oz single servings)
Additional Products: Golden Superfood Bliss, Island Bliss, Chai Bliss, Collagen Peptides
**Subscriptions available for big savings & free shipping
Please use code LENAE10 to get 10% off your entire purchase.
DISCLAIMER: AS AN EARTH ECHO AMBASSADOR I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. PLEASE SEE OUR TERMS OF SERVICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
2. Signature Blend by KAKAO
This raw cacao also contains panela, chili powder and vanilla bean. Panela is an unrefined sugar from small farms in Peru. It is high in minerals and known for its healing properties. This cacao blend is slightly sweet with warm and spicy undertones.
Best for: intermediate cacao lovers
Taste: slightly sweet
Consistency: Powder
Offerings: 40 g Sachet (1 serving), 1 lb (11 servings), 5 lb bulk (55 servings)
Additional Products: Pure (raw cacao with no other ingredients)
**No subscriptions available
3. Pure & Enhanced 100% Cacao by Ora Cacao
This company makes 8 different types of cacao. There are 4 pure 100% cacao varieties that are sourced from 4 different countries and 4 enhanced 100% cacao varieties. What is so special about this cacao is that it comes in discs instead of powder. I really enjoy just eating a few discs by themselves when I have a chocolate craving. They do melt perfectly and make a very creamy and delicious cacao.
Best for: advanced cacao lovers
Taste: pure cacao taste
Consistency: cacao discs
Offerings: ½ lbs bag (10 servings), 1 lbs bag (20 servings) & 5 lbs bag (100 servings). There is also an option to buy two different ceremony kits with either 6 or 10 individual serving sachets.
Additional Products: Mystic Mushrooms
**Subscriptions available
Please use code LENA25327 to get 10% off your entire purchase.
The main reason I decided to be an ambassador for Earth Echo is because their cacao is perfect for people that are new to the cacao journey. The cacao can be added to coffee to slowly transition to cacao only. It is so delicious that even my picky teenage son loves it. Earth Echo has a Cacao Lover’s Cookbook with a ton of recipes on how to use Cacao Bliss in any recipe that requires chocolate and make a much healthier version. My absolute favorite is the Chocolate Mug Cake. Another reason why I chose to be an ambassador for Earth Echo is that they offer other superfoods like Collagen Peptides, Golden Superfood Bliss (Tumeric & Superfood Elixir Blend) and Island Bliss (Green Superfood Elixir Blend). It’s really a one-stop-shop for your dietary supplement needs. Earth Echo is an amazing company with a great story on how Danette and her family started their journey. They make your shopping experience very fun by often adding surprise gifts to your order. My favorite add on item are the Cacao Bliss Travel packs. They make great gifts for friends and family and are wonderful for traveling so you never have to miss out on your Cacao Bliss experience.
I currently have monthly cacao subscriptions to both Earth Echo Foods and Ora Cacao. As much as I love Cacao Bliss I prefer unsweetened drinks. I use the Ora Cacao discs to make my cacao and then add a little cacao bliss to it. My son on the other hand loves his cacao extra sweet and chocolaty so I use two scoops of cacao bliss and add honey to make it even sweeter. Below are my favorite recipes that are based on “The Cacao Lover’s Cookbook” by Earth Echo.
Ingredients:
- 14 oz of hot water
- 1/4 cup of almond milk (optional)
- 1/2 scoop of Earth Echo Collagen Peptides (optional)
- 15 to 20 Ora Cacao discs of your choice
- 1 scoop of Earth Echo Cacao Bliss (optional)
- Boil about 16 oz of water and then let it cool off for a few minutes. You can also use an electric kettle that allows you to heat water to a specific temperature. The preferred temperature for cacao is 170 F.
- In the meantime, add almond milk, Collagen Peptides, Cacao discs and Cacao Bliss to a blender*.
- Once the hot water has cooled off, add it to the blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
Enjoy the creamiest, most delicious cacao you have ever tasted! I like to drink my cacao outside before a 10 minute meditation or while writing in my journal. Cacao will make you feel so peaceful, content and full of love.
*Instead of a blender you can also use a handheld electric frother. It works very well too. Earth Echo sells a mini frother that is perfect to take with you on trips.
- 10 oz of hot water
- 2 tbsp of almond milk
- 2 scoops of Earth Echo Cacao Bliss
- 1-2 tsp of raw honey to taste
- Ice cubes for cold chocolate drink (optional)
Instructions:
- Boil about 10 oz of water and let it cool off for a few minutes. You can also use an electric kettle that allows you to heat water to a specific temperature. The preferred temperature for cacao is 170 F.
- In the meantime, add almond milk, Cacao Bliss and honey to a blender*.
- Once the hot water has cooled off, add it to the blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- If you prefer the drink cold, add ice cubes and blend again.
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp of almond meal or flour
- 3 scoops of Earth Echo Cacao Bliss
- 1 tbsp of raw honey
- 1 free range egg
- A few dashes of cinnamon
Instructions:
-
Mix all ingredients together in your favorite microwave safe mug and cook in the microwave in 30-second increments until the cake is done to your liking.
Enjoy this oh so good for you mug cake as a special dessert whenever you have a chocolate craving!
I hope you give cacao a try and will love it as much as I do. If you do, make sure to also gift it to your friends and family. I have been keeping a box of the Cacao Bliss Travel Packs and some of their Chocolate Bliss Bites on hand for last minute gift ideas. It is always fun to add a packet to a Birthday card or a mini gift basket. All you would need is fun mug or frother and a few Cacao Bliss packets and/or Bites.
Please use the following discount codes to get 10% OFF:
Earth Echo: LENAE10
Ora Cacao: LENA25327
P.S. Our store currently features a few mugs that would make your cacao experience even more delicious.
As always, wishing you health, wealth & most of all . . . happiness!
Love,
DISCLOSURE: AS AN EARTH ECHO AMBASSADOR & ORA CACAO AFFILIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. PLEASE SEE OUR TERMS OF SERVICE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
