Fragrances
Confections
Candles
Gift Sets
Pets
As we approach the season of love, there’s one treat that undoubtedly reigns supreme – chocolate. From gorgeous chocolate bonbons to decadent, molten cakes, chocolate has long prided itself as the traditional gift of Valentine’s Day. But have you ever stopped and wondered why? Is it because of its sweet taste, its rich texture, or is there something more that adds to chocolate’s allure? Well, it’s time to unwrap the truth. This tale of romance intertwines itself around the concept of chocolate as an aphrodisiac!
The notion that chocolate is an aphrodisiac dates back to the ancient Mayan times, where it was served as a drink at wedding ceremonies to bless the couple’s union with fertility. The popular Latin lover, Casanova, is known to have used chocolate to ignite passion.
What’s more, modern science supports the idea of chocolate as an aphrodisiac. Chocolate contains a variety of interesting and important chemicals, including these two – phenylethylamine (PEA) and tryptophan. PEA is a stimulant that is released in the brain when we are in love and during exciting and fun activities. It elicits feelings of attraction, excitement, giddiness, and helps generate a sense of well-being and happiness. Tryptophan, on the other hand, is a building block of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in sexual arousal. Several other substances also add to chocolate’s purported effects – for example, theobromine can increase heart rate, and caffeine is well known to help you ‘wake-up’. However, some research suggests that some of these chemicals are broken down during digestion. Hence, it may instead be the pleasurable experience of eating chocolate that releases endorphins and ‘happy feelings’ more than the chemical content of the chocolate itself. Hence, chocolate’s aphrodisiac qualities may be more psychological and not physiological.
Now, you might be thinking, “That sounds great, but what types of chocolate should I choose?” The answer lies in quality over quantity. Opting for dark chocolate is wise as it has the highest concentration of PEA and flavanols (or antioxidants). Dark chocolates that are high in cacao (70-90%) are recommended. They are not only more potent in stimulating romantic feelings but also bundle the benefits of antioxidants.
However, let’s not forget the importance of aesthetics, especially on a day as special as Valentine’s Day. Imagine a beautifully wrapped box of handmade CBD chocolate bonbons. This luxurious presentation will add an extra layer of love and indulgence to your gift, making it even more appealing.
And why limit ourselves to just receiving chocolates? Making chocolate together as a couple can be an incredibly fun and intimate bonding experience. You can experiment with various flavors, shapes, or add-ins, embedding your personalized touches to these little tokens of love. The process itself can feel as sweet and savory as the end result!
So this Valentine’s Day, when you’re presenting that special someone with a box of finely crafted chocolates, take a moment to appreciate the history, the science, and the passion that is neatly tucked into each enticing piece. You’re not just gifting a sweet treat – you’re offering a taste of love, passion, and a possible aphrodisiac that could elevate the romance in your relationship.
To wrap up, let’s remember what Charles M. Schulz, the cartoonist of Peanuts, wrote: “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” This V-day – let’s have both. So here’s to love, and here’s to chocolate – the tasty aphrodisiac for your Valentine’s Day celebration!
What’s your New Year’s resolution? As we begin another new year many of us are determined to make healthier choices. Whether it’s to increase exercise, eat more dark leafy greens or reduce stress, improving personal fitness and mental health remain at the top of our lists. Over 80% of those who begin a New Year’s resolution, however, lose steam by February and abandon their goals altogether. Read on to discover how adding CBD into your daily routine might help you achieve – and keep – your New Year’s resolution.
The many benefits of CBD make it an ideal tool to support your personal physical and mental wellness goals for the upcoming year. As more research is conducted, the health benefits of CBD continue to become clear. CBD is primarily taken to help reduce anxiety but can also enhance mood, improve sleep quality, support pain, reduce inflammation, and increase concentration and focus.
By consistently using CBD every day, the beneficial effects have time to develop. Daily consumption allows the impacts to gradually build up in your system and provide sustained improvements in wellness. Most people feel the immediate effects of CBD within 20-40 minutes. When CBD is combined with other functional ingredients, like melatonin for sleep or ashwagandha for calming, you will often experience results right away as those ingredients kick in. The longer term impacts of CBD itself, however, can take time to build up in the system which is why sticking with it for at least a 21-30 days is so important.
Finding the right dose that works for you might take a while and vary greatly from someone else. Similarly, the effects of CBD can be experienced very differently too. Everyone is unique and your individual dosage will be based on several factors including your weight, diet, metabolism, and overall lifestyle.
Do you want to sleep better? Stress less? Feel at ease overall? When considering your specific wellness goals for the new year, think about how and when adding CBD could help support that goal. Here are some of the ways to make CBD a part of your new healthy routine:
Instead of reaching for another cup of coffee every morning, consider starting your day with CBD. Whether it’s through a tincture added to your smoothie or tea, starting your day with a dose of CBD can help to stimulate alertness and set a calm tone for the day ahead.
Do you get anxious with work pressures or suffer from social anxiety? Consuming CBD half an hour before stressful events can help manage anxiety levels, keeping you calm and focused. This can be done via a discreet and tasty edible confection – such as a gelée (our premium gummy), lollipop, or dark chocolate bonbon.
Instead of reaching for a caffeinated soda or a sugary snack to fight that afternoon energy slump, try CBD. The calming effects can help give you a boost without the jitters, and maintain clear-headed energy throughout the remainder of your day.
Unwind at the end of the day with a CBD bonbon or a relaxing CBD gelee to create a supportive bedtime ritual. CBD has calming effects and reduces both pain and anxiety which can help prepare your mind and body for a restful night’s sleep. Overtime, taking a nightly dose of CBD can help to regulate your circadian rhythm and create a more consistent and peaceful sleep pattern.
Small steps add up big when it comes to your personal health and wellbeing. Take your time in integrating CBD into your daily routine and pay attention to how your body and mind responds.
Studies show that joining a group can help you stay committed to a New Year’s resolution. Consider asking a trusted friend or partner to join you on your journey. There is proven strength in numbers when sticking to a goal! Better yet, your loved one also can benefit from discovering the many health benefits of CBD too.
It’s Pride Month and we’re thrilled to be partnering with The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) for the third consecutive year. We are proud to sit down with Sue Troutman, Director of Development at TLDEF, to learn more about her and the important work she does with the organization.
Hi Sue! Please tell us about your role.
I’m the Director of Development, leading fundraising efforts and managing a team of three amazing staff here at TLDEF. I’ve been with the organization for almost four years, and it’s been an incredible experience to be a part of TLDEF’s growth.
Where did you grow up? Was it a community open to LGBTQ+ people?
I’m a military brat and mostly grew up overseas. Unfortunately, during that era and in that environment, it wasn’t a very welcoming space. I have been incredibly heartened to learn, though, that so many of my former high school classmates have grown beyond our upbringing.
Could you please share TLDEF’s mission and speak to the work you do?
Since 2003, the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund has worked to advance justice and equity for transgender and non-binary communities in the United States, selecting client cases that are likely to create, strengthen, or affirm important legal precedents. TLDEF focuses much of our legal advocacy efforts in the South and Midwest, where limited to no legal and policy protections exist for trans people and where trans people are under heaviest attack.
TLDEF has long been known for its signature Name Change Project, which provides free legal name changes to low-income trans folks. Three years ago, we launched the Trans Health Project to end insurance exclusions for transition-related health care and have since negotiated expanded coverage of transition-related care with one of the five largest health insurance companies in the U.S., among several other victories. Our impact litigation team has also had several significant wins in recent years, securing a landmark victory establishing one of the strongest jail or prison policies in the country protecting the rights of transgender, non-binary, and intersex people in custody; and winning two first-of-their-kind legal rulings for transgender healthcare coverage that will impact countless transgender people living in the South.
What do you love about the work?
What I really love is that throughout our history, TLDEF has largely focused its efforts on those most pushed to the margins — including transgender women of color, transgender and non-binary youth, poor trans people, and the intersections among these populations — and has pursued litigation in traditionally conservative locations where protections are either limited or non-existent. That commitment is a testament not only to our organizational values, but also our fearlessness — and we have proven time and time again that when we fight, we win.
What’s really hard?
What’s been really difficult, unsurprisingly, is the alarming rise of anti-trans legislation. The surge of anti-trans state legislation is part of a highly coordinated and well-funded effort by anti-trans activists to pass laws and policies that limit, exclude, and deny basic protections to trans people. TLDEF is challenged by the urgent need to confront these threats that would dramatically increase the risk of life-threatening discrimination, violence, and economic insecurity for the trans community. But through the strategic expansion of our legal advocacy, public policy, and public education efforts, TLDEF is responding to these threats while also proactively advancing the movement for full legal and lived equality for transgender and non-binary people.
The rise of anti-trans sentiment and legislation is very unsettling. Could you share a recent example of how TLDEF is directly helping Trans individuals?
I mentioned above a first-of-its kind victory in the South, in which a Georgia federal district court issued a landmark ruling that an employer cannot exclude or deny coverage for gender affirming care from its employee health insurance plan. Finding in favor of our client, the court ruled in Lange v. Houston County that Houston County, Georgia, violated protections afforded under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. TLDEF filed this lawsuit in 2019 on behalf of Anna Lange, a Sheriff’s Deputy for Houston County, Georgia, who was repeatedly denied insurance coverage for medically necessary gender-affirming care. After our win, Anna Lange had this to say:
“TLDEF is an amazing organization. The majority of the time, the actions of those discriminating against transgender people go unchallenged and with little fear of any repercussions. When I was denied medically necessary transgender related healthcare by my employer in Georgia, I was devastated and left with no hope. TLDEF has returned my hope for becoming the person who I am meant to be and for that I will forever be thankful.”
That’s so encouraging, Are there any new initiatives or programs that are coming up?
TLDEF is launching a new public policy program this year to help turn the tide against anti-trans opponents and the growing surge of anti-trans legislation.The unfortunate reality is trans communities lack a forceful policy-oriented counterweight to these groups’ aggressive and multi-faceted efforts to shape anti-trans policy. TLDEF must meet this moment and confront these urgent threats, and our public policy program will help us do so.
In your estimation, are things improving for the trans community — or getting worse?
Being cisgender, I don’t think I’m in a position to gauge this. I see a lot of bad things happening, but I also see TLDEF securing wins, and I see moments of trans joy and celebration.
What’s a meaningful way, other than by donating money, for people to support the trans community at large?
Make the effort to learn about the issues and don’t make it about yourself if you’re cisgender. Too often I see allies – in various social justice spaces – center themselves, and that is the biggest no-no.
Any words of advice, or resources you could suggest for a non-Trans person who is trying to understand and support their Trans loved ones?
I think listening and being kind are words of advice that work for a lot of situations.
Always. What’s one thing about you that might surprise your colleagues – a hobby, a special skill or passion?
I don’t think it’s a surprise anymore, but I’m a big European football fan – I’ve been known to work my vacation time around important soccer games.
Thank you, Sue, for taking time to sit and share at our Communal Table! Learn more about how you can support TLDEF here.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could manage our anxiety and unplug from life’s responsibilities and stressors by checking into a dreamy spa for long stretches of time? While one can dream, that scenario is plain unrealistic. Instead, we can do our best to eat mindfully, be active, and stay connected with friends and loved ones in order to cope with anxiety. Prioritizing sleep, eliminating or reducing caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine are ways to help too. Meditation and simple walking have been proven to regulate the nervous system and help us calm down. Bodywork such as massage, reiki and acupuncture are also proven modalities to help with anxiety – calming the mind, body and spirit.
But what if those tools aren’t available to you, are too expensive, time-consuming, or just don’t work for you? CBD edibles might give you the support and relief you need.
While it takes a while for CBD edibles to take effect, between 30 minutes to two hours, the result is long-lasting relief, about 6-8 hours. In a CBD edible, the active cannabinoids are combined with other typically delicious ingredients so the CBD is released slowly over long periods of time as food is digested.
CBD may be a cannabis compound, but many are surprised to find that it does not cause a psychotropic “high.” Instead, the cannabinoid can offer a mellow mood uplift with a sense of positive, alerted energy. CBD can also lead to a sense of calm, prolonged relief from mild pains, and daily stresses. Edible confections are a great option for anyone hoping to enjoy the benefits of cannabis without a mind-altering psychoactive experience.
While vapor pens are more popular than ever, the long-term implications of inhaling hot oil are still yet to be determined. Several vape pens also contain added toxic agents, like propylene glycol (PG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and have the potential to poison you with heavy metals. CBD edibles are an excellent way to avoid inhaling altogether so you can rest, and breathe! – easy.
It can be almost impossible to know exactly how much CBD you are getting each time you inhale. Most CBD edibles come in pre-dosed servings, enabling you to control and understand how much CBD you have consumed and how much you need to consume to achieve your desired results of zen.
Boarding a plane for an extended flight? Visiting a judgmental family? Unclear how the workplace will feel about cannabis? When you need relief during a stressful event you can dial-in-your dose with a CBD gummy or two and discreetly get back on track.
CBD is considered generally well-tolerated and even high-doses of the cannabinoid produce but minimal side effects. Research has concluded that CBD was safe at a wide range of doses in both healthy and epileptic study participants. Just keep in mind that at the moment, CBD is not an approved treatment for any mental health condition and is not intended to replace the guidance of a licensed medical professional.
Ready to try a CBD edible? Click here to discover the right one for you.
Are you the type of person who thrives with a routine? Or do you give up on the idea – and yourself – before you even begin? By creating a daily routine unique to you, your personal goals, and your lifestyle you might just improve your health. Taking it up a notch by adding CBD every day will only improve those physical and mental health benefits for you.
The Benefits of Having a Routine
Routines can be grounding, fulfilling, and offer a sense of meaning. A routine also can help you manage stress more effectively, thrive throughout your day, and end it with a better night’s sleep.
A daily routine also supports cognitive function and may even free you up to be more creative. Research has shown that having regular work processes allows workers to spend less cognitive energy on recurring tasks, which can support focus and creativity for more complex, and creative thinking.
Routines to regulate your sleep schedule and bedtime habits also affect your mental sharpness, emotional well-being and energy.
Create the Right Routine for You
Not everyone requires a fully scheduled day to reap the health benefits of a routine. Make the choices that will help you be healthier and get the most out of your time. Remember the adage to take it one day at a time!
Try CBD in Your Daily Routine
It’s easy to add CBD to a daily routine. First, identify how you would like to incorporate CBD into your day. With an edible? An elixir? Orally or topically?
CBD comes in a variety of forms, but the most popular ways to consume CBD daily are tinctures and edibles. Tinctures begin to work in about 15 minutes whereas edible confections may take 30 minutes to two hours to fully kick in, but the effects last longer than other forms of CBD. Generally, the effects of CBD can be felt for 2-6 hours depending on the delivery method and dose.
Start the Day with a Dose
Not a morning person? Many people add CBD tinctures to their morning beverages to kick start their day. You can incorporate your preferred daily CBD serving of an unflavored or flavored elixir into your morning juice, coffee or tea. You can also drop CBD into your favorite breakfast bowl, yogurt or bar.
Before that Big Meeting
Is work stressing you out? Try a confection or two 30 minutes before a presentation, meeting or assignment to help get you through. You’ll be better equipped to concentrate while also enjoying the calming benefits of CBD.
3pm Pick-Me-Up
Skip the espresso! A dose of CBD can have a dual benefit of helping you stay alert without the jitters, while also producing a state of calm to carry you through the rest of the day. Try a CBD Lollipop to stay centered and on task.
Wind Down with CBD
An after work cocktail may sound like a good idea but can very well have the opposite effect of calming you down. Alcohol may even disrupt your sleep. Alternatively, CBD doesn’t have empty calories, sugar (provided you consume sugar-free edibles), and won’t cloud your mind.
Get Your Zzzzs
Are you an insomniac? Try adding CBD 30 minutes before turning in for the night. Applied topically, CBD can help alleviate inflammation, achy joints and unwanted pain to help settle both your mind and body. Taken orally, CBD can make you more comfortable and set your mind at ease so you can worry less, dream more, and experience a more restful night of sleep.
Remember: Your routine, with or without CBD, doesn’t need to be about changing the entire way you live. Change can happen with incremental steps. Building out your intentions and the changes you want to see can help you be consistent and hold yourself accountable. By incorporating healthier intentions and simple habits into how you live, you can improve the quality of life for yourself while also inspiring the people around you!
The topic of inflammation comes up frequently in wellness circles. While you may already know that inflammation is bad for you, do you know exactly what it is? What causes inflammation and how can you prevent it from taking a toll on your mind and body?
WHAT IS INFLAMMATION?
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Inflammation is part of the body’s defense mechanism. It is the process by which the immune system recognizes and removes harmful and foreign stimuli and begins the healing process. Inflammation can be either acute or chronic.”
Acute inflammation is common and isn’t typically a case for alarm as it will go away within a few hours. This type of inflammation commonly occurs as the body’s natural defense against infection or injury. For example, if you come down with a virus or cut your finger, your body triggers an inflammatory response that directs immune cells to the injury site to begin the healing process.
Chronic inflammation, on the other hand, occurs when inflammation occurs in healthy tissues or lasts too long — for months or sometimes years. This type of inflammation can lead to longer-term damage of previously healthy tissues, gradually inhibit the body’s ability to repair itself, and lead to several diseases.
Symptoms of Inflammation include:
Indeed, chronic inflammatory diseases have been recognized as the most significant cause of death in the world today, with more than 50% of all deaths being attributable to inflammation-related diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and autoimmune and neurodegenerative conditions.
CAUSES OF INFLAMMATION
Being a couch potato, drinking alcohol regularly, and eating a high trans-fat diet all contribute to inflammation. Consuming too many calories and being overweight, especially for those people carrying extra pounds around their midsection, leads to greater levels of inflammatory compounds Stress and lack of sleep don’t help either. Every day, scientists are learning more about what causes inflammation in the body and its role in disease.
FOODS THAT FIGHT INFLAMMATION
It’s no secret that food can be medicine, and eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods will help you feel and probably look better too.
An anti-inflammatory diet is mostly vegan with the exception of fatty fish like salmon. Be sure to include lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins (like beans and nuts), and fresh herbs and spices.
Fruits and veggies: Go for variety and color. Research shows that vitamin K-rich leafy greens like spinach and kale reduce inflammation, as do broccoli and cabbage. So does the substance that gives fruits like cherries, raspberries, and blackberries their color.
HOW CBD CAN HELP FIGHT INFLAMMATION
Can CBD help fight inflammation? CBD is highly effective in reducing inflammation through acting on the activity in the body’s endocannabinoid receptors. According to medical cannabis expert and double-board certified doctor Dave Gordon, M.D., “CBD has many anti-inflammatory properties and is an effective tool to help reduce inflammation throughout the body. This is important for optimal health, as too much inflammation is part of the root cause of nearly every single chronic disease.”
While there might not be a direct link suggesting CBD can cure, indeed, CBD can help reduce inflammation so you can start to heal and feel better faster.
Professor Raphael “Ralph” Mechoulam might not be a household name but in the scientific field of cannabis research he is a legend. Mechoulam, a Bulgarian-born Israeli organic chemist, was the first to isolate tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the component in cannabis responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects that get you “high.” Professor Mechoulam also was the first scientist to isolate CBD, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid we know to possess far-reaching medical and pharmacological benefits.
Mechoulam and his colleagues went on to isolate and synthesize several more cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC). He also pioneered the study of the body’s own cannabinoid system, which produces chemicals similar to THC to help regulate appetite, manage pain and help the immune system.
Ever since the 1960s, Mechoulam was a groundbreaking researcher keen on exploring the science behind cannabis. He was committed to helping destigmatize the plant whose specific medical properties were not yet known or understood. Over the decades, he became a pioneer in the emerging field whose groundbreaking discoveries about cannabis helped move it out of the counterculture and into the mainstream.
Born in Sophia, Bulgaria in 1930, Mechoulam immigrated in 1949 with his family to Jerusalem, Israel where he later studied chemistry. He received his PhD at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot and after postdoctoral studies at the Rockefeller Institute in New York he joined the scientific staff of the Weizmann Institute. Mechoulam became a full professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1972 and was named the Lionel Jacobson Professor of Medicinal Chemistry in 1975, serving as the university’s rector from 1979-1982. Most recently he was Professor Emeritus in the Department of Natural Products at the School of Pharmacy at the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 
As Mechoulam discovered more about cannabis and its efficacy in easing symptoms of cancers, epilepsy and other diseases, he questioned the strict drug laws in the United States and elsewhere that suppressed research and kept cannabis off the market. The industry and science of medicinal cannabis “has to follow medical lines of thought and development and modern medical routes,” he told The New York Times in 2017. “Israel has more [clinical trials] than the United States at the moment, which is ridiculous.”
Mechoulam kept researching and innovating in cannabis science well into his later years.
As recently as 2019, the then-88-year-old announced another cannabis creation: synthetically stable cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), fit for clinical use. He shared this finding at the well-known cannabis conference CannMed in California.
“We have taken the unstable acid molecules of the cannabis plant and synthesized them to provide a stable, consistent basis for researching new therapies across a wide range of medical needs,” Mechoulam shared. During his speech, he urged the scientific community to support more medical cannabis research. He expressed regret for valuable research time already lost as patients, particularly children, had missed out on life-altering cannabis-based treatments to help with illness and pain.
“Did we have to wait 30 years? No,” he said in 2019. “We could have helped thousands of children, and we didn’t.”
A lifelong, passionate advocate for the science of cannabis and its growing body of medicinal benefits, Mechoulam was also one of the founding members of the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines, a non-profit society dedicated to the “advancement of knowledge of cannabis and cannabinoid medicines among medical professionals.” He also co-founded the esteemed International Cannabinoid Research Society, a professional society for scientific research in all fields of cannabinoids.
Mechoulam died in Israel at age 92. His remarkable life, legacy and innumerable contributions to the science of CBD research and plant medicine will have him forever remembered, and revered, as the true Father of Cannabis.
Do you really know what’s in your dark chocolate? We’re proud to share what’s in ours. Our chef crafted bonbons are created with Noel Royale Dark Chocolate 64%, a French brand that’s milled in a several hundred year old chocolate factory in the Italian alps. Single origin, non-conflict, vegan, and considered among the best chocolates in the world by some of the best chefs in the world. Moreover, we’re proud to disclose that unlike dozens of other brands, our dark chocolate has untraceable amounts of four dangerous toxins including lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic.
A recent investigation by Consumer Reports tested dozens of well-known dark chocolate bars for heavy metals. They tested 28 dark chocolate bars from the following brands: Hershey’s, Ghirardelli, Lindt, Dove, Godiva, Trader Joe’s, Hu, Mast, Taza Chocolate, Valrhona, Beyond Good, Equal Exchange, Scharffen Berger, Alter Eco, Pascha, Tony’s, Lily’s, Chocolove, Endangered Species, Theo and Green & Black’s. They discovered that all of them contained two extremely toxic heavy metals, cadmium and lead.
Yikes.
TOXIC HEAVY METALS
A quick chemistry refresher: While cadmium may be a natural element found in soil it’s definitely not intended for human consumption. Cadmium and its compounds are highly toxic and exposure to this metal is known to cause cancer while damaging the body’s cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive, and respiratory systems.
How does cadmium get into my favorite chocolate bar? This happens because cacao plants absorb cadmium that’s in contaminated soil, which then accumulates in the beans as the trees grow, similar to how heavy metals also contaminate other crops.
Moving on to lead. While lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the earth’s crust it is never ever something you want to consume unknowingly.
Once lead enters the bloodstream, it travels to soft tissues including the liver, kidneys, lungs, brain, spleen, muscles, and heart. It’s then deposited in our bones where it can negatively impact us for the rest of our lives.
THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS
How does lead poisoning impact our health ? It’s not a short list. Lead poisoning results in muscle and joint aches, constipation and overall fatigue. It damages our brains by interfering with how brain cells send messages and communicate. It decreases fertility in both males and females, harms our kidneys and can result in hypertension later in life. Lead prevents our bodies from creating hemoglobin – the molecule that carries oxygen in our red blood cells – resulting in anemia.
But how did lead end up in my favorite chocolate bar?
Similar to cadmium, through soil contamination which, in turn, contaminates the cacao beans that are harvested for several chocolate brands. Consistent, long-term exposure to even small amounts of these heavy metals can lead to a variety of health problems. The danger is greatest for pregnant people and young children because the metals can cause developmental problems, affect brain development, and lead to lower IQ, says Tunde Akinleye, the Consumer Reports food safety researcher who led this dark chocolate testing project.
“But there are risks for people of any age,” he says. Frequent exposure to lead in adults, for example, can lead to nervous system problems, hypertension, immune system suppression, kidney damage, and reproductive issues.
While most people don’t eat chocolate every day, 15 percent do, according to the market research firm Mintel. Even if you aren’t a frequent consumer of chocolate, lead and cadmium can still be a concern. It can be found in many other healthy foods you regularly enjoy — think sweet potatoes, spinach, and carrots – and even small amounts from multiple sources can add up to dangerous levels. That’s why it’s important to limit exposure when and wherever you can.
BENEFITS OF DARK CHOCOLATE
Despite these unsettling findings, dark chocolate does have several potential health benefits too. Dark chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. These include polyphenols, flavanols and catechins, among others. Antioxidants are key to fighting harmful free radicals which stress out and damage our cells, and bodies.
According to research, the polyphenols in dark chocolate may even help lower some forms of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol when combined with other foods like almonds and cocoa. On top of all of these potential benefits, one thing is certain: Dark chocolate is delicious. Don’t worry and forego dark chocolate altogether; just be confident that your dark chocolate, like ours, is free of heavy metals.
Meet Our Impact Creators:
Our Communal Table continues to be a physical and philosophical space for gathering, listening and learning. As a brand, we endeavor to support and learn from other brands and individuals who inspire us and are also committed to paths of wellness.
In 2022, we created The Communal Table Project, a program designed to encourage unique Impact Creators to share their visions for the chance to receive a $5,000 grant in order to continue their work. At the end of 2022, we selected two unique Impact Creators who embody the spirit of the Communal Table, and are also committed to improving wellness in people’s lives.
Meet The Winners
We recently introduced you to Impact Creator Charita Dailey, whose work at Change of Omaha is helping to improve healthy and sustainable food security for underserved communities in Omaha, Nebraska. This month, we are thrilled to introduce you to another Communal Table Project winner, Impact Creator Martin Roseman, Founder of Roseman’s Remedies and Attunement.
Roseman’s Remedies is a lifestyle and wellness brand that focuses on sustainability and community involvement with proceeds from products going toward free community events and city clean ups in Atlanta, Georgia. Not only do they offer a variety of products to help people heal mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually but also they host community events that promote social wellness and allow for meaningful in-person connections.
Founder Martin Roseman grew up in New York but has called Atlanta, Georgia his home for the last 17 years. We caught up with him to learn more about his upbringing, what inspires him, and his vision for his brand moving forward.
Meet Martin
Q: Did your childhood or family inform or inspire the formation of Roseman’s Remedies?
A: I was a sensitive child, and had a sickly aunt who was in and out of the hospital with cancer. This left an imprint on me to live a healthier life and break the cycle.
Q: What led you to create Roseman’s Remedies? Was there an “aha moment” you can share?
A: They say as a healer, you are truly seeking to heal yourself. Sitting in my apartment while in massage school it dawned on me that I wanted to create a remedy that could heal not only myself but also those around me. That moment of reflection led to the birth of this concept.
Q: Were you working with herbs or botanicals before?
A: Since I discovered cannabis, I have explored the herbal world. Following my culture’s tradition of using herbs instead of pharmaceuticals coupled with the Hippocratic quote, “let food be thy medicine,” I explored the world of herbs, fruits and vegetables as healing sources.
Q: In your own words, what is Roseman’s Remedies mission?
A: To encourage our community to take sustainable actions with love, care and integrity.
Q: Tell us a little about Roseman’s Remedies newest project, Attunement?
A: Attunement is a sacred space designed to support us in attuning to ourselves, each other, and our environment through the use of sound and light frequencies, botanicals and ceremony.
Q: Spaces like these are so important but hard to access! Access to holistic healthcare and wellbeing is a nationwide, endemic problem requiring creative solutions. What’s the most creative, or unexpected solution, you have created?
A: This question is actually interesting. We find that more people have a hard time purchasing an herb that will heal them than an alcoholic beverage of the same price. So upon reflecting on that we decided we would find a creative way to make herbs and health fun. By hosting fun events in the community and by only serving herbal concoctions we have been successful with providing herbs in a consumable and fun way that reaches Gen Z and Millennials. By creating fun around health, people have become more interested.
Q: What’s the number one challenge you face?
A: Scalability is the trickiest part of the industry. To remain competitive and sustainable is a double edged sword.
Q: Please describe a recent “win” for you – a moment that felt really good!
A: Winning this grant!
Q: Please share a little more about what the idea of a Communal Table means to you both personally and for Roseman’s Remedies?
A: A communal table means that no matter where you come from, who you are, how you dress or live your life you have an equal chance of succeeding and winning. At a communal table everyone has a seat!
Q: What’s your vision for Roseman’s Remedies for 2023?
A: My vision for Roseman’s Remedies this year is to successfully create a community that is balanced, connected and supportive of one another.
Q: What’s a personal vision, or goal, you’d like to share?
A: To travel the world sharing art and wellness. I would like to visit farms and see exotic plants, herbs and foods….to meet amazing artists who are shifting culture and to learn everything I can about how the world functions.
Q: What’s something about you that surprises others to discover?
A: I have no collegiate experience.
Q: What brings you the most joy?
A: Connecting with others!
We love to connect with others too – especially when they are creating a positive impact for wellbeing in our communities. If you are an Impact Creator or you know one, we encourage you to learn more about The Communal Table Project and follow us on IG to see when applications open for 2024.
Meet Our Impact Creators.
A Communal Table might mean many things depending on who you ask. For Black Dahlia, the Communal Table isn’t only a physical space to share a great meal or conversation – it’s also a conceptual space for an open exchange of creativity, collaboration and ideas.
Our original Collective came together at the dinner table, a serendipitous gathering held at Lloyd Wright’s iconic Sowden House in the heart of Hollywood. The neo-Mayan architectural masterpiece is renowned not only for impeccable design and master artistry but also for evoking a higher spiritual calling and renewed commitment to philanthropy. Like the visionary home’s original architect, our Collective is also committed to providing space for sharing progressive ideas, creating meaningful rituals, and helping communities to thrive.
As part of our ongoing commitment, we launched The Communal Table Project, a program created to support passionate Impact Creators who are working to improve wellness in people’s lives. In 2023, we are proud to introduce Impact Creator Charita Dailey, Co-Founder of Change of Omaha. We’re thrilled to partner with her and the team as they work to eradicate food insecurity in Omaha, Nebraska through community building, collaborative clean-ups, and a growing community garden.
Meet Charita
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Omaha, NE
Q: What inspired you to create Change of Omaha?
A: Change of Omaha was formed on June 1, 2020 following the murder of James Scurlock in downtown Omaha on May 31, 2020. After George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, several days of mobilization and protest followed in Omaha. After James Scurlock was murdered on a night of continued protesting, Kyiia and I joined forces with our third co-founder and decided to begin organizing for positive change in our community.
Q: As one of the founders, was there an “aha moment?”
A: There was no “aha moment,” rather three folks under the age of 25 who decided that Omaha needed a youth movement. To begin organizing and physically mobilizing people, we decided to hold community clean-ups every Saturday during the summer of 2020 from the first weekend in June through the last weekend in September. The goals of the community clean-ups were to not only revitalize our community and beautify our neighborhoods, but to gather folks and begin discussing the different ways in which we could affect positive change in our community through both short-term and long-term commitments.
Q: Who are the other founders?
A: Kyiia Rollag, our Director of Marketing & Public Relations, is another co-founder. Our third co-founder is no longer engaged with Change of Omaha.
Q: In your own words, what is Change of Omaha’s mission?
A: Change of Omaha aims to eliminate systemic inequities and ensure the health and well being of our community by engaging in programs and initiatives dedicated to eradicating food insecurity, revitalizing our community, and combating the effects of racism through several other avenues.
Q: Food insecurity is a nationwide problem requiring creative solutions. What’s the most creative, or unexpected solution, you and the team have developed?
A: To date, our most creative solution has been our community garden. Community gardens serve several purposes, with the primary being to grow and provide fresh produce in a community where it may not be readily available. However, we are actively engaging with several other local organizations in the food insecurity space and looking to solidify plans to potentially scale our community pantry effort tenfold, including the possibility of stewarding community fridges.
Q: What’s the number one challenge for the organization?
A: The number one challenge for our organization is scaling our ideas. We have grown and accomplished a lot over these past few years, but our greatest challenge is securing the appropriate amount of funding to continuously grow our efforts and expand our impact.
Q: What was a “win”?
A: I think Kyiia, DaShawn, and I would all say that our biggest “win” to date has been our back-to-school event. On August 6, 2022, we held our first annual back-to-school supply giveaway and the turnout exceeded our expectations. We distributed over 150 backpacks full of supplies and provided a DJ, food, sno-balls (similar to a snow cone), haircuts, pressed juices, raffle prizes, and a performance by a local artist to over 250 attendees—all for free.
Q: Tell us how your team collaborates.
A: Our team collaborates by championing our given areas and convening with our completed action items quarterly, though we meet more often whenever necessary. We all provide deliverables and share one-third of the organization equally to ensure that all our bases are covered.
Q: What does a Communal Table mean to you both personally and for Change of Omaha?
A: Personally, a Communal Table means that the “social safety net” is composed of community-led organizations and resources are shared. Ideally, food insecurity would be addressed at a large-scale by urban farms, community gardens, and food collectives. Folks could confidently lean on a neighborhood farm or garden for fresh produce, and even prepared meals, whenever necessary.
For Change of Omaha, the idea of a Communal Table means that we are engaged in providing substantial amounts of produce for distribution in the northeast Omaha community among other community gardens and urban farms.
Q: What’s your vision for Change of Omaha this year?
A: This year, Change of Omaha aims to either begin collaborating or secure full partnership with other organizations working in the food insecurity space. Our goal is to strategically plan long-term, sustainable, joint efforts that more adequately address food insecurity in ways we cannot accomplish alone.
Q: What’s your personal vision, or a goal, you’d like to share?
A: I was just recently asked to be a Godmother, so my goal is to be the best, most active Godmother possible. I am already an active aunt to my 11 year old nephew and attend all his activities, so I aim to duplicate this love for my Godchild!
Q: What’s something about you that surprises others to discover?
A: I’ve always been incredibly driven, which can sometimes come off as intimidating, especially with all that I’ve accomplished at just 24 years old. In professional spaces, it often surprises people that I’m incredibly goofy and like to joke around a lot.
Q: What brings you the most joy?
A: Traveling, particularly to a beach or tropical destination.
Want to learn more about Charita and Change of Omaha? Discover how you too can support their work as they continue to cultivate food security and social justice for their community. And if you are an Impact Creator or know one, learn more about The Communal Table Project and follow us on IG to see when applications open for 2024.
As Head Chef for Black Dahlia, Greg Bernhardt draws from a variety of techniques and inspiration for what he creates in the LA-based kitchen, situated in the heart of the innovative Arts District. Ingredients are sustainably sourced whenever possible and every single confection, including chocolate CBD Bonbons, sugar-free CBD lollipops, and velvety CBD gelées are made with precision, by hand. Each confection is infused with the highest-grade CBD, grown using organic growing practices and standards without the use of herbicides or pesticides, and is fully non-GMO.
Bernhardt has been a part of the Los Angeles cooking scene for well over 15 years. He has worked alongside great chefs such as Ludovico Lefebvre, Joachim Spica & Neal Fraser (as well as moonlighted with Alain Passed, Marc Meneau and Inaki Aizpitarte). He was on the first team from California to win Iron Chef, opened a small French wine bistro called 750ml with beautiful reviews, and had a mention in the first Los Angeles Michelin Guide. Bernhardt has an intimate knowledge of the finer workings of high-end restaurants, having concepted and opened the notable establishments Church and State (L.A.’s best new restaurant 2009) and Paley in Hollywood.
Despite the many accolades and successes, Greg was burnt out by the ruthless pace and demands of high-profile kitchens. After a good friend suggested he try working in the emerging cannabis space, Greg made the leap. “I was introduced to CBD through my wife, and realized within two weeks innumerable positive benefits… better sleeping habits, increased control over my emotional responses, and help with body pains from a long career as a fine-dining chef.”
Creating novel CBD confections that deliver the benefits of CBD while also delivering exceptional taste is no small feat. CBD, as powerful and healing as it can be, is also an incredibly fickle and tricky ingredient to work with. “The natural bitter compounds present the hardest challenge,” Greg shares. “It requires an enormous amount of patience and curiosity to solve. I treat it like a puzzle that has endless correct answers waiting to be solved.”
We asked Greg some other questions about the challenges and beauty of cooking with hemp.
Q: How does working with CBD compare to working with other ingredients?
A: “CBD requires absolute concentration in a very technical way. Making food in a restaurant can allow you to work fast and loose and achieve pretty stellar results, CBD requires surgical precision & consistency at scale.”
Q: How does CBD enhance the edible experience?
A: “A bonbon is already a luxury. It’s the best quality ingredients executed with the best possible techniques and technology, so the added layer of CBD just elevates the experience to a new level.”
Q: What’s your favorite thing about working with CBD?
A: “Helping people. Period.”
Q: Without giving away state secrets, could you share a bit of the process – how you work with it? In liquid form? Do you cook the CBD first?
A: “The CBD shows up in two forms- raw crude distillate, and our nanoformulation. From there it’s liaised into each ‘recipe’ using the best possible technique available to us.”
Q: What’s your favorite CBD confection to make?
A: “Chocolate. Bonbon production has so many unique steps that require all your senses and leave no room for mistakes. It’s highly technical and feels a bit like meditation.”
Q: What should be next?
A: “Low dose CBD & psilocybin aimed at therapeutics.”
When Greg’s not innovating in the kitchen you’ll find him sampling one of Los Angeles’ many great street foods or spending time with his family at home. New flavors and formats are on the horizon for ‘23, but getting them just right with CBD can be extremely challenging.
“Flavor building with CBD is a bit like a drunk gunfighter from the old western movies- aim for the wall to hit the window. Flavor stacking isn’t always straightforward, it sometimes requires starting from nearly the opposite flavor or place you’re trying to go. I’ll start with an idea, but where it takes me isn’t always the place I set about for… “
As for his dream confection to make? According to Greg, “It hasn’t been invented yet;).”
They say all good things come in very small packages. This much is true when it comes to CBD and the exciting science of Nanotechnology.
What is Nanotechnology?
According to the National Nanotechnology Initiative, nanotechnology is “science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers.” One nanometer is a billionth of a meter. A simple sheet of newspaper is only about 100,000 nanometers thick!
How is Black Dahlia innovating with Nanotechnology?
Together with our proprietary all-natural formulations, Black Dahlia utilizes patented nanotechnology to break down vital phytocannabinoids from hemp into all-natural nano-emulsion droplets, which are then incorporated into our safe and efficient CBD products.
Black Dahlia products contain our all-natural, hemp CBD nano-emulsion product that is food-grade, non-GMO and vegan. Our patent-pending nano-emulsion helps maintain the stability of the emulsion as well as enhance the bioavailability of the lipophilic compounds. This means that the body can more fully and quickly absorb the helpful cannabinoids, whether ingested via a delicious confection, elixir or applied topically via a face or body cream.
Did you know that most off-the-shelf hemp oil products can take hours to be absorbed by the body? In fact, many of the beneficial phytocannabinoids and other compounds are not even absorbed at all. In contrast, Black Dahlia’s nano-sized, phytocannabinoid emulsion droplets can enhance the amount of CBD delivered into your system, while also enabling faster absorption time.
Black Dahlia’s chef-crafted confections and restorative elixirs are infused with this innovative nanotech formulation. A second version of our nano-emulsion is incorporated into our premium topicals in order to enable deeper penetration of the skin. It’s also utilized for our aromatherapeutic eau de parfums, enhancing better delivery of the active hemp-derived ingredients.
Nanotechnology helps the body absorb helpful cannabinoids more fully and quickly, whether ingested or applied topically, so you can feel better faster. Some other ways nanotech is infused into everyday essentials might surprise you and include the following applications.
Always running out of juice?
Nanotechnology contributes to creating compact and efficient computers that consume far less power and uses long-lasting batteries – meaning you don’t have to kick yourself for forgetting your charger while out for a latte run.
Still hooked on gas?
By building vehicle parts from nanocomposite materials that are lighter, stronger, and more chemically resistant than metal, nanotechnology helps to improve fuel efficiency and corrosion resistance. Nanofilters remove nearly all airborne particles from the air before it reaches the combustion chamber, further improving gas mileage. So until you’re ready to make the move to electric, it’s nanotechnology you can readily thank.
What’s really in your wardrobe?
Probably something made courtesy of nanotech. Nanoparticles, or nanofibers, in fabrics can enhance stain resistance, water resistance, and flame resistance—without a significant increase in the weight, thickness, or stiffness of the fabric.
Everybody deserves a drink – of clean water.
Nanotechnology is being utilized in water filters that are only 15-20 nanometers in order to remove nano-sized particles, including virtually all viruses and bacteria. These cost-efficient, portable water treatment systems are ideal for improving drinking water in emerging countries.
Thinking of upping your game? Nanotech might just help.
Carbon nanotubes have a variety of commercial uses, such as improving the design of sports equipment. For example, a tennis racket made with carbon nanotubes bends less during impact and increases the force and accuracy of the delivery. Nanoparticle-treated tennis balls can keep bouncing twice as long as standard tennis balls!
Not a fan of that all-white “ghost-look” most sunscreens leave behind on your skin? There are two types of nanoparticles already being added to sunscreen that can help with that: titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO). Additionally, when a sunscreen is made from nanoparticles it effectively absorbs light, including dangerous ultraviolet rays which can lead to sun damage or worse and spreads more easily over the skin too.
Simply put: Nanotechnology, the science of very small things, actually applies to many things that we rely on to safely improve our lives and will continue to do so for the near — and far – future.
For more information on the exciting nanoscience behind CBD, check out our Science of CBD page!
Can’t sleep or concentrate? Feeling stressed out? Interested in exploring CBD but aren’t sure what to use or why? Here’s a primer on CBD, its benefits and the ways it might just help improve your life.
The history of medical cannabis has been traced back thousands of years. More recently, the medical benefits of phytocannabinoids (phyto = plant) have been systematically studied by mainstream scientists and the medical community. CBD currently represents one of the most promising phyto-cannabinoids for wellness use due to its non-psychotropic properties, low toxicity and high tolerability both in humans and other animal species, including our pets!
CBD is found in high levels in hemp, a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant, and exerts several positive effects on the body without producing any “high,” making it a safe and effective addition to many wellness routines.
It is important to only use CBD oils that are extracted without the use of neurotoxic materials, such as butane, which may leave dangerous residues in the final product. Black Dahlia works with partners who utilize the best method for CBD oil extraction via the use of CO2, which uses low temperatures and high pressures that result in a potent and pure oil.
Here are five ways CBD may improve your well-being.
ANXIETY
Some research has shown that CBD may help with anxiety by affecting serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical in your body that plays a role in mood, sleep, digestion and behavior. Research suggests that increasing serotonin levels can help treat anxiety. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, work by regulating serotonin levels, and some studies suggest that CBD may work similarly to antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
INSOMNIA
Good sleep is essential to feeling and looking your best. CBD might be able to help with those sleepless nights because it might help reduce anxiety. For some people, less anxiety might mean better sleep. Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to fall asleep, and people with insomnia can develop anxiety simply thinking about sleep itself!
In another study published in the Permanente Journal (Shannon et al), 72 adults with anxiety and poor sleep were involved. The participants completed anxiety and sleep assessments at the start of the study and the first-month follow-up. Study participants were given 25 mg of CBD in capsule form. Those that predominantly had sleep complaints took the dose in the evening. Participants that had anxiety as their predominant complaint took CBD in the morning.
After the first month, anxiety scores decreased in 79 percent of the people. Sleep scores improved in 66 percent of the participants, which indicated less trouble sleeping. The results suggest that CBD decreased sleep difficulties in many of the participants.
INFLAMMATION
The immune system creates inflammation in the body as a defense mechanism against infection, disease, or injury. But there can be other causes too. Chronic and acute conditions, foods like sugar, refined carbohydrates, trans fats, processed meat and alcohol.
Cannabinoids, including CBD, are believed to be anti-inflammatory. Several studies in cells, rodents, and humans support the idea that CBD may be an effective anti-inflammatory, but more research is needed to determine how it works and the best applications for specific types of inflammation.
PAIN
Cannabis has been used to treat pain since as far back as 2900 B.C. More recently, scientists have discovered that certain components of cannabis, including CBD, contain pain-relieving effects.
The human body contains a specialized system called the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in regulating a variety of functions, including sleep, appetite, pain sensation, and immune system response.
The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system. Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce chronic pain by affecting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation, and interacting with neurotransmitters (4 Trusted Source) in order to block pain.
SKIN PROBLEMS
Most of the research surrounding acne and CBD is related to CBD’s power in stopping the processes known to cause acne, such as excess oil buildup. One of the most promising studies was published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. In this study, researchers found that CBD inhibited oil production and also had anti-inflammatory effects on oil-producing glands. They concluded CBD was a “promising therapeutic agent” for acne treatment. CBD topicals may be able to improve acne, burns, itchy skin, rashes and more!
These are just some of the many ways CBD might help you to look and feel better. With so many options to consider in the massive wellness space, CBD might become your new favorite path to well-being.
*Before you use a CBD product, talk with a healthcare professional to discuss appropriate dosing and any other questions you may have. If you do decide to use a CBD product, choose one that has been third-party tested for quality and purity. CBD is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding people. It’s important to check with a healthcare professional before taking any CBD.
Want to experience the many benefits of CBD for yourself? Shop Black Dahlia products here!
