The cacao bean is the source of perhaps the most magical and beloved foods on Earth because it is the source of chocolate. Even the cacao tree's official name, Theobroma cacao, recognizes the long-standing love most of us have for the fruit of this tree. Theobroma comes from the Greek language for "food of the gods." And while chocolate is the most popular and favorite of these foods from the cacao bean, an even healthier choice is raw cacao powder. How Is Cacao Powder Made? To produce raw cacao powder, raw cacao beans are simply cold pressed to remove the fat, and the remaining solids are ground into a fine powder. Cacao vs. Cocoa: What's the Difference? Cacao powder contains all the beneficial nutrients and beneficial compounds of the raw cacao bean minus the fat. In contrast, cocoa powder is made from roasted cacao beans. And even if they look alike, the two are different. In making cocoa powder, up to 90% of the nutrients and beneficial compounds in raw c
As it is nearing the change of season you may be thinking about a detox programme. Detox is particularly recommended each spring because it’s the season when your body’s natural cleansing and rejuvenating mechanisms kick into gear, in tune with all of nature.
Maharishi Panchakarma (available at the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre in Skelmersdale) offers the most effective approach, but there are also some simple recommendations that you can follow at home to help with internal cleansing.
If you have any doubts, or are under your GP for any major problem, please consult your doctor before undertaking any detox programme.
I. Follow the detox diet
- Avoid foods that create ama, or toxins, in the body, such as leftovers, packaged, tinned and frozen foods, foods grown with chemicals or with chemical additives.
- Eat ama-reducing foods. Favour vegetarian foods that are light, warm and cooked. Freshly made flatbreads, soups and dhals, organic vegetables cooked with spices, and whole grains are ideal.
- Include cooked prunes, figs, apples, pears, pineapple, papaya and cooked leafy greens, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.
- Choose foods according to your body type or imbalances. This will help regulate your digestive fire.
- Drink plenty of hot water through the day to flush toxins out of the body.
II. Follow the detox routine
- You may need more sleep while detoxifying. Going to bed by 10 pm and rising by 6 am will aid the body’s natural purification processes.
- Daily exercise, such as Maharishi Yoga Asanas and walking, support detoxification by improving digestion and elimination. While following a self-detox programme, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise.
- Daily self-massage – abhyanga – loosens deeply-embedded impurities, allowing them to flow into the digestive tract from where they can be easily eliminated through the bowel. Always follow abhyanga with a warm (not hot) bath or shower.
III. Follow ama-reducing eating habits
Especially while detoxifying, it’s important to follow the guidelines for reducing ama:- Do not fast or skip meals.
- Eat at the same time every day so your digestive fire, or agni, can ‘fire up’ for the meal.
- Eat your main meal at noon and lighter meals at breakfast and dinner.
- Eat while sitting in a settled atmosphere, with attention on the food (no TV, phone calls or reading).
- Engage in pleasant conversation (no business meetings or emotional discussions).
- Eat only when the previous meal has been digested.
- For a settled digestion, sit quietly for a minute at the beginning of the meal (e.g. by saying grace) and wait for a few minutes after eating before leaving the table.
- Eat to only three-quarters of your capacity.
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