Several years ago, I had the pleasure of leading a retreat into the Yucatan and working with an 85-year-old Mayan Plant Shaman. This man was one of the humblest that I had ever met. He spent most of his time communing with the trees and the sacred plant medicine of the jungles, and even when he had down time from our group, I snapped a picture of him leaning against a large tree and staring up at it in awe.

This wonderful man, nicknamed Abuelito, taught us many things during our time in the Yucatan. However, there was one interesting factoid he brought forward that will never leave me:

During a ceremony on the grounds of the magnificent Chichen Itza, Abuelito held up a roasted cacao bean and said “if you eat three of these beans each day, it will change your life”. I looked curiously at the roasted cacao bean, vaguely understanding its characteristics of grounding and nutrient density, and of course its part in Cacao Ceremonies, but I wanted to dig a little deeper.

What I found is that cacao is considered a sacred medicine of the heart. It brings us to center, bridging any disconnect between the mind and body, balancing our emotional and physical realms. This beautiful little bean is said to be “gifted to use by creator, giving us a tool to reconnect with the divine”. It is the food of the Gods.

On top of all the glorious energetic benefits of cacao, there are also physical benefits. These little suckers are filled with B Vitamins, antioxidants, theobromine, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, zinc and potassium.

From my time in the Yucatan, I now keep my pantry stocked with roasted cacao beans and cacao tea. These yummy little nuggets are great for snacking and keep me grounded and energized throughout the day. If you would like to begin your journey into a daily cacao ritual, I recommend buying a bag of “raw, organic cacao beans” then roasting them yourself. You can find several brands on Amazon.

Blessings and cheers on your journey!