Stop Cravings

Like most Women we have had our fair share of cravings especially around the time of the month if you know what we mean!!

That need for a sugar hit to get through the 3 pm slump.

The desire for salty foods the next day after a few glasses the night before.

The things about cravings is they feel kinda urgent. Like, get me that cup of coffee now and then the rest of the day will be okay.

Whilst they can help in the moment, it can feel dis-empowering over time when it feels like cravings control us and when we want to say no but somethings feels like it takes over.

When we started to study Naturoapthic and Ayurvedic nutrition, we found out the reasons for the cravings usually means your body is trying to get attention and force you to eat certain foods that contain a compound you are deficient in.

 

Ask better questions about your cravings.

Is there an imbalance of certain minerals that the body is crying out for?

Is there an imbalance in a macro nutrient in the diet ie fat, carbs or protein?

Is there an imbalance in one of the 5 flavours?  For example if you crave coffee, perhaps it's most likely your body is guiding you towards bitter foods (that are good for the heart) and this is the only food it is really familiar with which is bitter.

We found it interesting to look through the lens of  'our body is amazing and holds it's own wisdom what is the message?'

Is it stress?

Another common reason to reach for these foods and drinks is due to the fact that they are a REALLY good short term fix to manage stress.  Especially if you don't have enough healthy tools at your finger tips.

Glass of wine anyone, when you feel stressed out with the Kids?  It works a treat doesn't it but may leave you on a sugar crash the next day among other side effects.

So without getting into complicated testing or trying to abstain with will power alone, which let's face it is normally short lived.  We like to find easy swaps.  How can you still have the guilty pleasure but upgrade it?

Easy swaps.

Let's take our favourite sweet treat - the good ole trusty chocolate bar.

If you are craving chocolate, it maybe down to the macro nutrient that it's full of.....fat.

It maybe down to the mineral that it's full of magnesium (great for PMS and cramps)

It maybe down to the sugar and the dopamine hit it gives you!

Quite a few benefits that are going to be hard to give up on just will power alone.

Upgrade your food choice

When trying to control cravings, we like to go with replacement therapy.

It means you don't have to give up your go to treat. Go with the most nutrition dense, cleanest and healthiest version you can find.

Ceremonial grade cacao is chocolate, but before it's been processed and denatured with sugar or dairy.

It's ceremonial as it is grown with the intention of healing the body and emotions. Grown by conscious farmers or tribes with love and care.

Other chocolate products like cacao powder and even cocoa powder has had the fat removed (usually sold on to make other products such as skincare.)

Commercial chocolate also has the fat removed and milk added back in for creaminess, along with a ton of sugar.  Turning this naturally healthy superfood, into a unhealthy money making machine that's highly addictive. 

The science bit

So let's reclaim chocolate for what it really is and what we are really craving.

Good fats...naturally curb cravings because you feel satisfied.  You always knew that butter tasted better than margarine right?!

Magnesium - the mineral that helps us release tension, helps energy levels and sleep better.

Neurochemicals such as theobromine that lifts our mood, PEA that gives us that loved up feeling and anandamide that helps to produce a blissful state.

This is just a few of the amazing things about ceremonial grade cacao.

Ceremonial Grade Cacao

It's called Ceremonial Grade, not just any old cacao because the cacao is sourced from original not hybridised plants (like commercial chocolate is made from because it's more disease resistant but lacking in true chocolate flavour.)

It's processed to an absolute minimum with nothing added meaning it holds it's original compounds, health benefits and even spiritual connection.

It's selected with intention to be used in ceremony meaning only the best.

A daily practice

We have found that a (mostly) daily practice with our cacao has really transformed our cravings.

We aren't missing out or relying on will power, we simply upgraded to something that is better for our health.

Cacao Club - subscribe and save

To help you make a daily practice out of your cacao ritual, we designed cacao club. A no commitment subscription which gives you the biggest saving and free postage with ceremonial cacao arriving to your door at the start of each month.

Read more about cacao club.

Cacao Ceremony - a journey through the seasons

To support you to live seasonally and create more meaning in your life, we connect and celebrate The 8 Fold Wheel of the Year by sending you a guided ceremony and workbook to make the most of the season.

The Wheel of the Year is an ancient framework that celebrates the cyclical nature of the seasons through eight festivals, marking solstices, equinoxes, and key turning points in nature. Rooted in pagan traditions, it offers a way to reconnect with the rhythms of the earth and our own inner cycles.

Why Celebrate It:

• Fosters Mindfulness: Observing the seasonal shifts encourages you to live in the present and align your energy with nature’s flow.
• Boosts Emotional Resilience: Rituals and celebrations provide moments of reflection and joy, helping you process emotions and set intentions.
• Encourages Balance: Tuning into the Wheel of the Year reminds us of the importance of rest, renewal, and growth at different times.