Supporting Balinese Farmers in COVID times
CACAMO joined a local politician event in Bali to speak up for Balinese farmers and support the farming industry by convincing the minister of the economy to increase investments for the farmers.
The FORUM KAB/KOTA KREATIF BALI (Creative Economy Bali)
It was Monday, the 7th of June when CACAMO and a bunch of farmers from West Bali were invited to the forum Bali Creative Economy, created by the government of Indonesia and Indonesia Creative Cities Network (ICCN). Additionally, important politicians like the minister of Economy for small business and the mayor of West Bali were invited to talk together about how Balinese farmers can be supported and boost the economy with farming, in this COVID-19 crisis, where still min 70% of the economy is on hold because that’s usually come from the tourism that is still missing out to closed borders.
CACAMO was invited as the only foreign guest
The community leaders of our Bali Cacao collective called Supi in the morning full of excitement that they got invited and should present themselves in front of the ministers to actually pitch for more investment money.
At the same time, they asked me to join as a testimonial and client of them to show and demonstrate that they could achieve way more with exports if they would have the right machines, equipment and licence.
An evening with the politicians of Bali
While we were waiting for more than 1 hour for the 10 politicians, who have been on a field visit around Bali before, Supi from CACAMO had the chance to get an overview of the situation of many farmers in Bali. From seaweed farmers, Coconut farmers, fruit and vegetable farmers, cacao farmers and many more. They all started during COVID-19 to work as farmers again, where they actually come from. When tourism stopped, so their world stopped, their work stopped. And after a while, they realized they need to find outer solutions. That’s what the government want to support as well, and this forum was created to come together and find the most common sense for both sides.
Cacamo as important export partner
To tell our experience and needs for Bali Cacao
CACAMO speaks about the good collaboration with the Cacao farmers
While all farmers had to speak in front of the 10 ministers and politicians, what they are doing and where they are struggling the most, Supi from CACAMO had to speak from the other side as a client, how we collaborate with the farmers, our experience with export and the Balinese collaboration and our future expectations.
More support for Balinese farmers
In the end, the ministers signed a contract to agree on more investment into the farmers in West Bali. A lot of handshakes between the politicians and Supi and the farmers, and all politicians were super surprised and happy about our product and especially the design.
An important day for us and the cacao farming industry!
Do you want to support our farmers as well? You can do it simply by investing in our delicious cacao.
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HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN SACRED CACAO CEREMONY AT HOME?
Gently opening your heart with the support of the sacred plant medicine cacao. A cacao ceremony is a beautiful way to bring your awareness inwards. With just 5 simple steps you can create your own sacred cacao ceremony at home, where you allow yourself to feel and receive exactly what you need.
STEP 1: CREATE A QUIET, SACRED SPACE FOR YOURSEF
Create a comfortable and relaxing space somewhere in your home where you won’t be disturbed. It is essential to create an environment where you feel safe. Make your space personal, choose objects that inspire you to help you get into the right setting. Find inspiration of what you love, you can have a deck of oracle cards, essential oils, crystals, your favorite music, a journal, some fresh flowers, candles, just anything that supports you to relax and feel connected to yourself. You may even like to smudge your space with a sage stick or palo santo.
STEP 2: PREPARE THE CEREMONIAL CACAO
Now it is time to prepare the cacao. You can find our recipe here. Take your time and start thinking about your intentions as you prepare it. Mindfully connect with every element of the cacao- making process. Feel the structure of the cacao and smell the cacao while you pour it into your favorite mug.
STEP 3: SET YOUR INTENTIONS
Holding your cup of ceremonial cacao in both hands, it is now time to connect to the feeling of gratitude and set your intention. Look at the cacao in your cup. Ask yourself what no longer serves you in your life and let it go. Subsequently, invite into your life a wish, a desire, a heart-longing (ask yourself; “How do I want to feel? What am I ready to call into my life?”). Intentions are a wonderful way to help you reconnect with what matters most. Trust that your intuition and the spirit of cacao is guiding you.
Connect to Yourself
Experience Joy
STEP 4: DRINK THE CACAO
Bring your cup to your heart space, perhaps you can visualize sending your intention into the cacao or whisper your intention into the cup. Smell the aroma and take your first sip. Close your eyes and taste it fully, feeling the liquid travel down your throat and through your body. Release expectations and listen to your body as energies begin to shift.
Allow for deep introspection, emotions to unravel and new ideas to come. Let your heart open and your creativity flow. Journal, meditate, listen to sacred music, dance. Do whatever feels right to you.
Take as much time as you need to mindfully drink your cacao. You can finish your cup, or not, it is totally up to you.
STEP 5: CLOSING THE CEREMONY
Once you are ready, it is time to close the ceremony. You can close the ceremony by repeating your intention one more time and sending your gratitude to the cacao and its spirit.
When creating a ceremony or ritual for yourself, trust your intuition and do what feels good for you! Don’t forget to drink some water.
We truly hope you enjoy creating your own sacred cacao ceremony at home and we would love to hear all about it.
Do you want to dive deeper into moderating a cacao ceremony? Maybe you are interested in our Cacao Facilitator Course.
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CAN CACAO REPLACE YOUR MORNING CUP OF COFFEE?
Have you ever tried to replace your cup of coffee for a cup of cacao? For all of you who are hooked on your morning lattes and afternoon espresso’s will find this an interesting read.
Research shows that cacao is a healthier alternative. So, if you love the way coffee makes you feel, you will get a similar effect from drinking cacao, but with many more health benefits.
While the caffeine in coffee is intense, strong, fast acting and can be addictive, the theobromine in cacao is gentle, mild, long lasting and non-addictive.
The theobromine in cacao is a mild stimulant that last for longer than caffeine, it gives a softer and longer sustained focus and energy. While caffeine is an alkaloid that works on the nervous system and this can result in a more nervous energy.
Not convinced yet?
Here are some additional benefits to start drinking cacao as a healthy coffee alternative:
CACAO IS RICH IN NUTRIENTS
Cacao contains a large number of minerals with high amounts of iron, copper, manganese, and zinc. It’s an excellent source of magnesium, a mineral that is essential to most of the body’s important biological processes. Cacao also contains antioxidants to keep your cells healthy and support your immune system.
Coffee vs Cacao
The energy boost in the morning
CACAO IMPROVES YOUR MOOD WHILE COFFEE TRIGGERS PHYSICAL STRESS RESPONSES
Cacao contains anandamide ((the “bliss” chemical in our bodies), serotonin (the “feel-good” chemical in our brains), and tryptophan (a natural antidepressant amino acid).
Just a small serving of raw cacao triggers the brain to release feel-good endorphins and increases blood flow to the brain. It provides you with naturally occurring mood-enhancing compounds that have been shown to improve focus, mood, and energy. In contrast to the caffeine in coffee, which increases a neurotransmitter that signals the release of the stress hormone cortisol.
CACAO IMPROVES SLEEP WHILE CAFFEINE CAN CAUSE SLEEP PROBLEMS
Despite being a stimulant, theobromine can actually help you to sleep at night as it helps to balance brain chemistry. While caffeine can make it harder to fall asleep.
WHAT DO YOU SAY, IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH TO TRY, RIGHT?
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the 7 spiritual benefits
of cacao
1) CACAO OPENS YOUR HEART
Ancient Mayan texts described cacao to be “heart opening” and even modern research shows that the active ingredient theobromine widens the blood vessels and stimulates the heart.
Cacao opens the heart and allows you to deeply connect with yourself and others in a deeper, more authentic loving way. Fear and anxiety will be replaced with love and joy.
2) CACAO BALANCE INNER MALE AND FEMALE ENERGIES
Sun and moon. Light and dark. Day and night. Inhale and exhale. There are binaries that exist in nature. They are each essential and fundamental for the existence of the other. There is no daytime without the nighttime. There is no exhalation of breath without the inhalation of breath.
Everyone has masculine and feminine energies. Cacao is known for gently balance both energies, allowing us to live life more effective, filled with complete harmony. The female energies allow you to receive inspiration and the masculine energy allows you to act on it.
3) cacao enhances meditation
Cacao enables you to connect with your inner spirit and wisdom, allowing for more profound meditation. Meditation will be easier and more beneficial, quieting the mind becomes easy and it allows you to focus more on the present moment, gives you mental clarity and it works on your body, mind and soul.
CACAO OPENS YOUR HEART
BALANCE THE ENERGY & ENHANCE MEDITATION
4) cacao brings mental clarity
Cacao can help you find mental clarity. The medicine can help you change your perspective, enabling you to recognize and let go of limiting beliefs, outdated patterns, past traumas and old habits that do not serve you any longer. You can be reminded of your talents, skills, creative ability and life purpose.
Cacao invites us to slow down and intentionally set time aside for ourselves. Stepping out of our daily hustle to connect with our higher self.
5) cacao helps you develop your creativity
When the mind calms, you will create space for healing and creativity. New inspiration and creative ideas will flow with ease. Invisible obstacles will disappear, making room for new inspiration. Getting clarity on your talents and skills and connect with your creative abilities such as; writing, painting, dancing, making music. You will be surprised at how creative you are.
6) CACAO BOOST YOUR ENERGY
The theobromine in the cacao gives you a longer and softer energy without the peak and dip that many people experience from e.g. the caffeine in coffee. The cacao gives you an energy boost and grants you the energy you need throughout the day. It will even allow you to better accomplish your daily tasks.
7) cacao enhances healing
As the cacao opens your heart (the gateway to your inner spirit and wisdom) you will experience a stronger connection with the higher self (intuition, soul, God,). This connection will guide you to follow your own path and truth. You will become aware of things that have been keeping you from living the life you love and receive strength in letting them go. Cacao can lead you to a healthier lifestyle in body and spirit.
