Magical musings of cacao Cacao is a magical bean that has captivated the hearts and minds of people for centuries. Originating from the tropical regions of Central and South America, cacao was discovered by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs who revered it as a sacred gift from the gods. They believed that consuming cacao allowed them to connect with the spiritual realm and access higher levels of consciousness. The main idea behind cacao’s magical properties lies in its active chemical compounds, which include theobromine, caffeine, and various neurotransmitters. These compounds have been scientifically proven to have mood-enhancing effects, promoting feelings of happiness, relaxation, and even euphoria. This explains why many cultures throughout history have used cacao in religious ceremonies and rituals, as it induces a sense of spiritual connection and bliss.
This explains why many cultures throughout history have used cacao in religious ceremonies and rituals, as it induces a sense of spiritual connection and bliss. Furthermore, cacao contains anandamide, a compound known as the “bliss molecule” due to its ability to activate the same receptors in the brain as THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Anandamide is responsible for the feelings of joy and pleasure experienced when consuming cacao, making it a natural antidepressant and stress reliever.
Gundam: The Witch From Mercury - Quick Review
Gundam: The Witch From Mercury or as we'll refer to it as Gwitch has finally wrapped and I wanted to share my thoughts quickly in the quick review format [written in basically one take with just all the points I feel like bringing up]. This is a show I'd watch with my Gfs and my Metamore every single Sunday for a while now and that's given it an extra special flare. I was captured by the stunning animation, great fights and the blooming of some lesbian feelings.
This 24 episode toy commercial is among the best in the Gundam series and is probably one of my favorite anime. However, it is a flawed series that I feel was really lacking in a lot of ways likely due to executives being worried about both having a woman be the protagonist of their warm crime cartoon and to have queerness be a center of the season.
The shows 24 episode length feels too short to tell the story that was being told, while individual episodes don't ever feel like they waste time there was not enough space for things to have impact and Miorine in particular feels like she is kind of just an object for the plot whose feelings vary depending on what the writers want. She isn't given the time to cook up an arc for her so she ultimately just serves the plot as a "I don't think killing is good" character. Still her romance with Sulleta is compelling even if it's not the connection to Sulleta that is my favorite [Sulleta sapphic polycule all the way really].
The show has good background music but it is mostly the same song. The opening and EDs are all really great songs. The mech designs are mostly super cool and they are in fact, great toy commercials. While I would never put together a model kit, I would and very likely will, buy whatever video games they produce that put Sulleta in the for front. It set up an interesting world I would like to see more stories told in.
The fights are all really amazing but the end does include one fight between broths that really muddles the rest of the plot to sell one more toy and it sucks ass. Still the rest of the fights were really Immculate.
The series does kill off most it's women who can pilot a gundam which is annoying because we see men getting to live. While the show does center a Lesbian relationship the most explicit romantic desires outside of Sulleta are expressed by men about women. In general the show puts a ton of men in the spotlight and keeps them in the forefront. It feels like the show was insecure about women taking the center stage so the rest of the plot is mostly focused on men. Women do get to do plenty of things but it still feels like we could have had more women taking the stage in battles. For gundam though, it's a decent amount of women in mechs. Plus Sulleta does get to be in a mech most episodes.
The show doesn't have a kiss in it, there is no kisses between anyone but the lack of a sapphic kiss feels bad. Like you can say "yuri doesn't do kisses" but you would be old if your saying that because I do quick reviews of Yuri manga all the time here and basically everything I am reading has kisses, a lot also have explicit sapphic lust, and increasingly even using the word Lesbian. This show instead opts to say "Gay Marriage is normal" in episode 1 and then never show anyone being gay who isn't the main couple, there are ships but every single known romantic connection outside of Sulleta and Miorine is a man's feelings towards a woman or a woman's feelings towards a man. Queerness isn't even off handily mentioned by anyone else. Still it is really nice to have them be gay married at the end even if we're not seeing the wedding or a kiss we do know for sure their married, that's explicit and they have matching rings.
Still, the show does offer us a lot of really cute sapphic ships. It also offers us a really good cast of women even if I wish they got to do even more. Chuchu is maybe my favorite gundam character ever, Prospera my beloved I will stan forever my wonderful wife, Secelia is a bitchy queen, and a lot more are also bangers.
Politically the show nods to leftist politics but it doesn't really fully commit to that as it keeps giant companies around in it's time skip and it seems there has just been some kind of "balance" stuck where captalism is fine again. Even though the government is evil we don't fight it really. I'd like to see a show in this world that takes on the Space Assembly League. I guess the takeaway is buy Gundams, I mean Revenge is bad.
Overall, I really enjoyed the show Sulleta is such an endearing main character she is charming and sweet and strong and she is for sure my favorite MC of any mech anime and in general one of the best anime main characters of all time. I think the show is a great piece of art but short of a master piece. Perhaps these are the limits of a show that is a toy commercial. Regardless, I had a great time and I don't look forward to my wallet running dry on prints from fan art of Gwitch and Super Robot War games and shit.
The series does kill off most it's women who can pilot a gundam which is annoying because we see men getting to live. While the show does center a Lesbian relationship the most explicit romantic desires outside of Sulleta are expressed by men about women. In general the show puts a ton of men in the spotlight and keeps them in the forefront. It feels like the show was insecure about women taking the center stage so the rest of the plot is mostly focused on men. Women do get to do plenty of things but it still feels like we could have had more women taking the stage in battles. For gundam though, it's a decent amount of women in mechs. Plus Sulleta does get to be in a mech most episodes.
Beyond its psychological effects, cacao also boasts numerous physical health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, which help fight off free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Cacao also contains minerals such as magnesium, which plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy muscle and nerve function, as well as phosphorus and potassium, which are essential for proper cell functioning. In modern times, cacao has evolved into the beloved ingredient we know today: chocolate. However, it is important to note that not all chocolate is created equal. Commercial chocolate products often contain additives and high amounts of sugar, which can diminish the health benefits of cacao. To fully experience the magical properties of cacao, it is best to opt for high-quality dark chocolate with a high percentage of cacao. In conclusion, cacao is not just a delicious treat but a truly magical bean with numerous physical and psychological benefits. From its ability to induce feelings of happiness and spiritual connection, to its role in promoting overall health and well-being, cacao is truly a gift from the gods. So the next time you savor a piece of chocolate or enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, remember the magical musings of cacao and let it transport you to a world of joy and bliss..
Reviews for "Cacao and Mindfulness: Cultivating Presence and Awareness through Chocolate Rituals"
- Jessica Smith - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Magical Musings of Cacao" based on the description and reviews, but I have to say I was quite disappointed. The writing style was uninspiring, and the storyline lacked depth and originality. I found the characters to be underdeveloped and their interactions felt forced. Overall, the book fell flat for me and I struggled to stay engaged throughout.
- Ryan Johnson - 3/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical Musings of Cacao" as the concept sounded intriguing, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. While the descriptions of the magical world of cacao were enchanting, I found the pacing to be slow and the plot to be predictable. The main character lacked depth and their constant self-doubt became tiresome. Despite its flaws, the book still had some enjoyable moments, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.
- Emily Thompson - 2/5 stars - I really struggled to get through "Magical Musings of Cacao". The writing style was overly verbose and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged. The plot felt disjointed and lacked cohesiveness, and the author relied on too many clichés and predictable tropes. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointment and it didn't live up to the captivating premise it promised.