I was recently given a chance to sample some tasty chocolate (dark chocolate even--my favorite) from a company called, "
Intentional Chocolate." First let me say that it is some of the best chocolate that I have ever had as it tastes like each piece is homemade by some cook's ancient family recipe. One of the reasons that I think I enjoyed this chocolate so much was because I knew that it was made with loving, caring, compassionate people. From the I.C. website:
Proven through scientific research to heighten well-being, Intentional Chocolate is the first intention-enhanced food on the market. The good intentions are infused into the chocolate from advanced meditators -- some who have trained with the Dalai Lama -- and is delivered with love to those who eat it.
All the products from Intentional Chocolate include this intention: “Whoever consumes this chocolate will manifest optimal health and functioning at physical, emotional and mental levels, and in particular will enjoy an increased sense of energy, vigor and well-being for the benefit of all beings.”
Intentional Chocolate™ donates 50 percent of its net profits to organizations committed to the benefit of humankind, and it assists non-profit organizations in their fundraising efforts by offering them low cost, customized packaging and product development for resale.
While the subtle and powerful relationship between mind and matter has been the subject of scientific inquiry for centuries, only recently have scientists studied the effects of positive thoughts on food. Intentional Chocolate™ and its research partner, the HESA Institute (www.hesainstitute.com) are leaders in the revolutionary new field of intentional nutrition proving that intention embedded into food can positively affect those who consume it.
Research shows that Intentional Chocolate™ significantly decreases stress, increases calmness, and lessens fatigue in those who eat it.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that was published in the scientific peer-reviewed journal, Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing (October 2007) it was found that one ounce of Intentional Chocolate™ per day for three days increased subjects’ well-being, vigor and energy by an average of 67 percent and, in some cases, up to 1,000 percent, when compared to a control group.
Read more about their research. I'm not sure if I believe the idea that meditating over food can make it better for a person but I do know that chocolate (especially chocolate made with pure and concentrated ingredients like Intentional Chocolate) can help relax the body and stimulate the pleasure zones in the brain. It can also energize due to the sugar and small doses of caffeine. I believe though that it does make a difference knowing that someone made the chocolate just for you with joy. Just as like they say on their website that soup made by your mother tastes better than any other!!
In the end, while I remain open to the intentional thoughts making the chocolate more beneficial the main thing is that I highly recommend this chocolate. One taste and you'll understand why I ate all of mine in about two days!! A gift package would be a great gift right before Halloween and the holiday season in general. Now I'm hungry. That chocolate just melts in your mouth and brings a smile to your face. Order some and find out what all the buzz is about!!
~Peace to all beings~