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In This Issue:
We are sending all of our well wishes and gratitude to our friend and co-worker Ashlee Bodo. Ashlee was one of the first employees at Rebecca's, working with us since before we even opened our doors. She is now moving on to new opportunities and growing her own business. Ashlee was a huge part of making Rebecca's what it is today, she is a fabulously talented herbalist and we are sure she will thrive in every endeavor she undertakes. Thank you for everything you have shared with us Ashlee, you will be missed but we are excited for you to follow your dreams!
We are having a HUGE SALE on all of our tinctures this month!
10% - 30% off HerbPharm, Wishgarden and Whitedove tinctures for the month of February!
We are also offering 10% off our bulk Herb of the Month, Cacao Nibs and Cacao Powder, for all of February!
Alyson's Pick
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Chocolove Chocolates — Decadence, pleasure, and sin all wrapped into one delicious chocolate bar. What more could you want from your lover on Valentine's Day?
Elizabeth's Pick
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Mini Facial Delight Gift Bag — Give the gift of a decadent experience! Mini Facial Delight is the perfect gift for your sweetheart, friend, or family.
Faith's Pick
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Coconut Rose Oil — This is an amazing, heart warming oil. Great as a moisturizer or massage oil and for other fun applications in the bedroom!
Katie's Pick
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Sensuality Candle Tin — Made with pure beeswax and essential oils this lovely candle is long burning and great smelling. An awesome way to spice up your Valentine's Day evening.
Lelia's Pick
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Sweet Love Tea — A delicious combination of herbs that warms the heart and soul. Be sure to share a cup with someone you love.
Rebecca's Pick
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Seasonal Valentine's Spritzer — Great for women and men alike, this sexy, sultry spray is both floral and musky. Spray it on yourself or simply in the air to get the romantic mood started.
Below is our Winter Class Schedule. Look for more seasonal classes to come. For full class descriptions and an archive of past classes please check our website at: http://www.rebeccasherbs.com/classes/
Date: Wednesday, February 3rd, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Instructors: Ashlee Bodo, Certified Clinical Herbalist and Katie Browning, Certified Herbalist
Cost: $35
Introduction: Tuesday, February 16th, 6:30-8:30pm
Advanced: Tuesday, February 23rd, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructors: Faith Goguen, Certified Clinical Herbalist and James Rodgers
Cost: $40 per couple/per class or $75 per couple for both classes with advance sign up
Date: Tuesday, March 23rd, 6:30-8:00pm
Instructor: Faith Goguen, Certified Clinical Herbalist
Cost: $35.00
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Each month one of our staff members picks an herb that they are drawn to, and shares some experiences, thoughts, medicinal uses and a bit of traditional lore about their selected plant. As each plant is unique, each Herbalist and point of view is unique. We hope you enjoy this tradition.
Herb of the Month — February
Chocolate — A Medicinal Food
Chocolate, Cocoa, Cacao
Theobroma Cacao
By Lelia Lyon
Parts Used
Seeds from the fruit
Medicinal Properties
We all know chocolate as a yummy confection used to woo our mates during the valentine season. But the plant that chocolate treats come from (the theoboroma tree) offers much more than a happy mouth. The chocolate tree has a long history dating as far back as 2000 BCE, used as a medicinal food and revered as a gift from the Gods.
In its purest state, the seeds of the fruit from the chocolate tree are fermented and either broken into bits (cacao nibs) or ground into a fine powder (cacao powder). These products are uncooked, and boast up to 1,200 different chemical constituents. Cacao has been studied extensively as a potent antioxidant, protecting the cells from oxidative damage, and protecting the blood vessels from the body's inflammatory chemicals. Additionally cacao is bitter, marking it as a mild astringent useful as a tonic, and is also high in minerals. We may be familiar with the joy that eating chocolate can produce. It is the result of the amino acids and photochemical within the cacao that modulate our neurotransmitters; stimulating happy bliss and even encouraging the production of PEA, the "love chemical."
Preparation and Application
Rebecca's sells the organic, raw cacao nibs and powder. They can be used infused into teas, and are wonderful in foods and body care applications. We also sell cocoa butter; an edible fat and a wonderful butter to moisturize and protect the skin.
Recipes
Raw Chocolate
This is a versatile recipe that you can add a variety of ingredients to change the flavor and even add medicinal value to. Heat it on as low heat as possible to preserve the nutrients.
1/2 cup finely chopped cocoa butter
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup cacao powder
1 Tablespoons cacao nibs, crushed in a mortar and pestle
1 Tablespoon rose hips, crushed in a mortar and pestle
Pinch of sea salt
Melt the butter, oil and agave nectar in a double boiler over steaming water. Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk until smooth. Pour into flexible mold or pan that you have oiled with more coconut butter and let cool. Pop out the chocolate and cut into pieces. You may need to put the mold into warm water for a minute to loosen the chocolate.
Decadent Cacao and Rose Mask
This mask can be used on the face and neck to tone and stimulate the skin.
1 Tablespoon rhassoul clay
1 Tablespoon cacao powder
1 teaspoon crushed rose petals
1 Tablespoon glycerin or honey
1 drop roman chamomile (optional, but very nice)
Rose water
Mix the clay and herbs together, add the glycerin or honey, essential oil and enough rose water to moisten the powder into a thin paste. Apply to cleansed skin, sit back with a cup of sweet love tea and relax. When the mask is dry remove with a warm wet wash cloth and moisture your skin. We suggest a little rose hip seed oil or our precious face serum.
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