Everyday Alchemy: My Simple Morning Cacao Ceremony with The Food Whisperer

Hello, I’m Lisa Alban—award-winning Interior Designer, Feng Shui Master, holistic entrepreneur and founder of Cloud 9 Feng Shui. Today I’m thrilled to share not only my everyday cacao ceremony but also the story of how my friend, Chef Adrienne Falcone Godsell and I joined forces on All Things Food Related to bring this heart-opening ritual to life.

Cacao pods hanging in the Costa Rica jungle

How Adrienne and I Came Together

Adrienne and I first connected about a year and a half ago through Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship and our mutual love of energetic living and “everyday alchemy.” Though our schedules kept us apart, we finally carved out time to record together—and let me tell you, once those cameras rolled, it felt like two kindred spirits chatting over a cup of tea.

On that taping day, Adrienne—ever the food whisperer—welcomed me into her kitchen studio. We bonded over our shared intention: to demystify cacao ceremony and make it accessible for busy souls (especially women, in all of our phases). As the lights came on, we laughed about our verbal acrobatics (thanks, perimenopause brain fog!) and dove into the delicious world of cacao. Our collaboration wasn’t just about filming a segment; it became a beautiful exchange of wisdom, energy and laughter.

Cacao prepared at Sumitra, Gulfport, FL

My Cacao Journey: From Fertility Support to Jungle Ceremonies

My first taste of ceremonial cacao came nearly nine years ago, when I was trying to conceive my daughter—and discovered I carry the MTHFR gene variant. I needed a coffee alternative that nourished rather than taxed my system, so cacao’s antioxidants, gentle lift and heart-opening energy felt like medicine.

Since then, I’ve had many cacao adventures, including a transformative trip to Costa Rica. I’ll never forget sitting beneath towering ceiba trees, howler monkeys echoing through the canopy, as we honored cacao’s spirit.

That wasn’t my very first sip—but it was one of my most magical.

Adrienne and Lisa at Sumitra, Gulfport, FL

Why Adrienne and I Swapped Coffee for Cacao

During our kitchen demo, Adrienne confessed she’d spent over 20 years living on espresso. Together, we discovered cacao offers:

• Smoother energy—no jitters, acid reflux or harsh crash.

• Heart-opening medicine—grounding the heart center, enlivening intuition.

• Nutrient boost—flavanols, vitamin C and trace minerals to support mood and vitality.

Adrienne loved how cacao’s bitter-sweet depth echoed her beloved coffee ritual, while I reveled in its balancing properties. Our shared “aha” moment: this ritual could be both practical and sacred.

Our Simple, Everyday Cacao Ceremony

Ingredients (per 8 oz cup)

• 1 Tbsp ceremonial cacao powder

• ¼ tsp Ceylon cinnamon

• Pinch of turmeric (anti-inflammatory)

• Pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt (minerals + hydration)

• 2–3 drops iodine tincture* (thyroid support)

• 1 tsp collagen peptides* (protein boost)

• Hot water or milk (dairy, plant-based or leftover protein carton (Floridian hurricane survivor friends know, we have many of those left from FEMA 2024!))

  
  

*Optional—adjust to your body’s needs.

Method

1. Warm your cup: Swirl hot water, then discard—preserves temperature and flavor.

2. Build the paste: Combine cacao, spices, salt, iodine and collagen in the warmed cup.

3. Whisk: Pour in 2–3 oz hot water or milk. My go-to is a handheld frother; Adrienne sometimes reaches for an immersion blender (just let it cool slightly first!).

4. Top off & savor: Fill the rest with milk or water. Dust with extra cinnamon if you like.

   
   

During our demo, Adrienne filled two cups at once—because who says a sacred ritual can’t be shared?

Ritual Tweaks We Love

• Sunrise pause: Before screens, step outside for 5 minutes of sky-watching and a brief prayer.

• Intention candle: Light a candle as you sip—our affirmation: “I invite confidence and clarity.”

• Grounding movement: Pair your cacao with a short walk, Qi Gong or tree-hug to settle the nervous system.

  

  Podcast cover for The Conscious Collaboration: “Reclaiming Your Inner Wisdom, One Bite at a Time wit

  

  Chef Adrienne Falcone Godsell’s “The Food Whisperer” YouTube channel, featuring her cacao tutorials

  

  Sneak peek of our Cacao Collaboration—Chef Adrienne Falcone and I crafting our simple morning cacao

Continuing the Collaboration

Since our episode aired, Adrienne and I have stayed connected through her “Conscious Collaboration” podcast and our Facebook collective.

I invite you to join us:

• Watch our episode on Adrienne's YouTube channel, The Food Whisperer

• Listen to Adrienne on Spotify at The Conscious Collaboration—you’ll hear more of our other heart-centered conversations.

• Join the Conscious Collaboration Collective on Facebook—ask questions, swap recipes and share your ritual photos.

• Follow me on Instagram [@cloud9fengshui] for daily Feng Shui tips, holistic design practices, and an occasional cacao inspiration.

  
  

Try our cacao ceremony tomorrow morning—alone or with a friend—and feel free to tag us in your experience. There’s magic in sharing ritual, and Adrienne and I can’t wait to see how cacao alchemizes your day.

With warmth, laughter and aligned energy,

Lisa

Every journey needs a wingspan—mine found me in Costa Rica’s Parque Morazán.