In the movie Chocolat, a mysterious chocolatier arrives in a small French town. Walking the streets in her red heels and apron, Vivianne is a magician of sorts, reminding people that they are allowed to experience pleasure. Within days, she satisfies her customers’ desires with just the right confections.
While this only a movie, it certainly illuminates how chocolate is imbued with power and lore.
Chocolate’s first origins are traced back to the Aztecs, who believed that cacao seeds were a gift from Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom. The seeds once had so much value that they were used as a form of currency. Now, chocolate is ubiquitous, no longer just at ritual ceremonies, weddings, and funerals. You can find a candy bar at any given corner store. Which begs the question, how do we infuse sacred intention into chocolate once again?
In an attempt to answer this question, Plant Alchemy recently collaborated with Elements Truffles to create a CBD Infused Dark Chocolate Bar. Each bar contains 60 mg of full-spectrum CBD hemp extract, 70% raw cacao, and is sprinkled with sea salt.
Of all chocolate brands, why a collaboration with Elements Truffles? This small company was born at the intersection of chocolates and meditation.
In October of 2015, owner Alak Vasa was a trader on Wall Street, and, like so many of us, overwhelmed and stressed.
“Everything was going well, but a sense of purpose was missing. I was good at what I was doing, but I felt I was meant to do something else… I wanted to create a line of chocolates that are not only healthy and tasty but also integrated the beautiful science [of Aryuveda] that focuses on bringing balance and simplicity [to the people]….”
Each bar is low-glymeic, rich in flavor, and infused with intention. And, 25 percent of Vasak’s profits are donated to charities that support the education of underprivileged children.
Chocolate made with love is not only pleasurable to consume, but good for the heart (both literally and figuratively). Researchers have recently found “an association between chocolate consumption and a lowered risk for atrial fibrillation, the irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke, heart failure and other serious problems,” (New York Times).
So this Season of Love, slow down, put on Chocolat, and perhaps try a chocolate bar made with intention and purpose.
As Vivianne says, “Happiness. Simple as a glass of chocolate… Bitter. Sweet. Alive.”
