WAHINE TOA – A womens strength

by Phoebe Preuss | Jul 4, 2023 | Events

Saturday 19 Aug, 10am – more info and tickets here

‘WAHINE TOA’ is a womxn’s** day retreat, reconnecting with self, and sisterhood supported by Pasifika and Maori indigenous knowledge and plant medicine.

After moving slowly through the winter months ‘WAHINE TOA’ brings us together to help clear out the stagnation of winter.

Nga wai purea (the sacred waters) the life source within all of us this retreat is created to replenish ourselves and re-ignited our inner fires in a safe and nurturing space.

Our traditional tongan kava ceremony will introduce our wahine sisters to the grounded elevation of our Pasifika Indigenous practises. “Kava Kuo Heka”: the Tongan plant medicine Kava and “Koko Samoa” Samoan cacao plant medicine will be a featured peace elixir for our wahine. Brought forward in ceremony with collective movement and chant. We bring forth the awareness of our movement of energies to help prepare our circle to deep connection to self with Aro-ha (love).

ARO (Attention too)

HA (the breath) with deep meditation.A full day event to ignite your inner strength.

(Together we will honour and respect the land, each other and ourselves with Tongan Kava & Ceremony Pasifika Movement, Breathwork and meditation, Delicious vegan food and Our favourite Koko (Cacao)

**womxn is a gender and non binary inclusive event activated to support and guide those that connect with feminine energy.

More info and tickets here

CACAO + KAVA + ORMUS CEREMONY

by Phoebe Preuss | Jul 4, 2023 | Events

JULY 22 – Northcote – 1pm – tickets and info here

MATARIKI – The eyes of our chiefs

Matariki – Māori

Mata’ali’i – Samoa

Mataliki – Tonga

Join us on a journey home to the heart as we celebrate our Pāsifika (Pacific island) medicines under the sacred star alignment MATARIKI. Through ceremony we share knowledge, wisdom and traditional plant medicines that have opened the hearts and minds of our indigenous brothers and sisters since the beginning of time.

This alignment of astrological significance and sacred medicines will create a potent portal for the expansion of self. The ceremony will give space for growth, learning and understanding of our cultures and medicines.

This safe space will be supported with, breath, play, Pāsifika movement and meditation then move into dance and connection. Facilitated by our Pāsifika collective.

Matariki (The Eyes of our Chiefs) sends us messages about natural resources on earth and reminds us of the interconnectedness of all things, from cosmos to aiga (family) and the importance of our community. Matariki occurs at the rise of the pleiades star cluster (the seven sisters). This traditionally marks the start of the new year in Māori culture and is also a time of great travel through the Pacific Islands. It is a time for reflecting on the past year and setting intentions for the future, with a focus on personal growth and community wellbeing. This is also a time for honouring ancestors and cultural practices.

This year our Matariki celebration also aligns with the opening energies of the lions gate portal, this is when Orion’s belt and the star constellation Sirius aligns with the pyramids of giza bringing forth a time of great spiritual rising, a time to receive wisdom and knowledge.

(Please note this is an all genders and non-binary peoples inclusive event, and all participants must be 16years and over to part take)

Medicinal Offerings: “Kava Kuo Heka” the Tongan plant medicine Kava and “Samoan Koko (Cacao)” the Samoan Cacao medicine will be the featured elixir at MATARIKI.

Kava, known for its relaxing remedy, is a potent medicinal plant that grounds our energy into our bodies. Participants will be apart of a traditional Kava ceremony, a community circle that has been practised in the Pacific for thousands of years and still practised today.

Ormus (Monoatomic Gold)In ancient Egypt an elixir was made to make one immortal, this elixir was only for the high priests and it was the drink of the gods.

Alchemised under full moons and imprinted with the highest of frequencies this Ormus is here to guide you home.This unique mineral supplement Ormus elevates consciousness and is said to repair DNA and decalcify the pineal gland bringing about heightened states of awareness.

Facilitators: FIPE – (SAMOA) – CO FOUNDER OF LIVING KOKO – Community Cultural Development Practitioner, Polynesian Dancer, Fire Performer, Ceremony & Space Holder and Koko creative with family deep rooted connections to Samoan cacao. The cacao used for this ceremony has been cultivated on her ancestral custodial lands.

AUDREY – (TONGAN) – FOUNDER OF DANIELS DAUGHTERS – Community Leader, Tou’a, Kava Mover & Shaker. Activates intentional spaces of melino (calmness) with high vibrations. Kava runs in the blood of her family, of her ancestors. The kava to be used in ceremony has been cultivated on her ancestral custodial lands. Malo ho’o fie kaunga ‘ofa mo laumalie ‘i he Kava Thank you for partaking in the love and spirit of Kava

DENNIS – (MAORI) – FOUNDER OF AWAKENED WARRIOR – Space Holder, Reiki Master, Past/After life Regression facilitator and a yoga, breathwork facilitator, kriya (kundalini) and meditation instructor. Dennis creates the medicine used in this ceremony Dragon Omus._________

What you need to know: *Arrive early as ceremony will begin at 1pm sharp. *Bring a yoga mat (seats are also provided). * Please wear comfortable clothing * Please bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated * Abstain from food and liquids 1 hours prior if possible *

This is a powerful ceremony and will not align if you are affected by the following: -Pregnancy -Heart conditions -Medication for mental health –

Photos and video will be taken on the day, please advise if you do not wish to participate. -Please contact us if you have any questions.

LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE - INVITATION HERE

The Importance of Self Care

by Phoebe Preuss | Jun 30, 2023 | Cacao Body Scrub Products, Drinking Cacao Shop

Far from being an indulgence, self-care is essential for each of us to be able to function properly day-to-day, particularly when we’re faced with stressful situations or are caring for other people.

A self-care practice is different for each individual, and it’s about more than having a nice bubble bath and a glass of wine. Genuine and nurturing self-care is holistic and is about taking the time to reflect within and listen to what your body, mind and soul needs to calm, centre and reenergise.

It doesn’t have to be complicated or onerous, it can be made up of little activities that help us replenish our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energy. Here are just a few ideas that can help unwind and recharge, so we can show up as our best selves in our daily lives.

Start your day right with a simple morning ritual. Rise half an hour earlier than usual and pick a couple of things to spend some mindful time with. Brew yourself a cup of something delicious whether it be tea, coffee…or of course our favourite, koko! Use your favourite cup or mug and take a few moments to inhale the scent of the brew, feel the warmth in the cup and the sensation of the liquid in your body. Take some deep cleansing breaths and set some intentions for your day, or even do some journaling.
Nourish your body. While cooking dinner every night can be calming and fun for some, if it’s not your idea of self-care then make it easy for yourself. Meal-prep some healthy meals for the week when you have some time, or order some meal kits. Focus on eating whole foods high in nutrition, without denying yourself your favourite treats. Eating high quality dark chocolate is a perfect example – savour every bite and know that you’re getting the health benefits of antioxidants, iron and magnesium, all in one delicious package!
Slow your brain down throughout the day. Meditation can be a challenge and it’s not for everyone, but taking a few moments to sit quietly and focus on one calming thing can be so energising. Focus on your breath, a mantra or calming phrase, or silently give thanks and appreciation to your body, the earth and the mana – the spirit of life and energy. The ancient practice of giving gratitude combined with deep breathing and quieting your mind has played a central role in many cultures for eons for good reason – it works.
Turn your bathroom into your own private day spa…even if it’s just for a short time. Whether you have an hour or just a few minutes, you can make the simple process of having a shower a more relaxing task to reset your body and mind. Light a candle or scent diffuser, grab your favourite body products and make your shower a mindful and present experience. Notice the different scents, textures and sensations and use the time to ground yourself and reset. Packed with organic, natural ingredients, our Koko Smooth range of body and face scrubs, masks and serums are the ideal way to give yourself a mini escape from the outside world, while giving your skin some alofa – love.

Incorporating restorative self-care practices into our daily routines can have a significant impact on our overall well-being, and these are just a few easy ideas. So, take some time for yourself and try out these practices, or gently suggest (or gift!) some of them to someone in your life who might need some nurturing.

Self care Living Koko Chocolate Dark Chocolate

Clean + Conscious 2023 Awards Finalist

by Phoebe Preuss | Jun 15, 2023 | Drinking Chocolate

Clean + Conscious 2023 Awards Finalist

We are feeling the love and blessings as we announce that our Head and Heart drinking cacao has been nominated as a finalist for the Clean and Conscious Awards 2023.

Made with 100% Samoan Cacao in a zero waste manufacturing space powered by solar and the mana and skills of some incredible global indigenous women then packaged with alofa (love) in home compostable packaging.
Our creations are good for you, good for our cacao farming communities and good for our planet. 💪🏽💪🏽❤️❤️

We are honoured to be among the finalists of the Clean + Conscious Awards 2023!

Alongside some incredible cacao creatives: Chocolate on Purpose, Deva Cacao & Sacred Earth Medicine we wait to hear who has won Gold, Silver or Bronze. All the best to these amazing businesses who are creating real change and leading with their heart.

This marks a huge year for Clean + Conscious as they celebrate their 5th anniversary with their biggest Awards yet— a record-breaking 480 finalists across 96 categories.

In a world clouded by greenwashing, these Awards provide a trusted platform for those seeking products that truly align with their values. This year, Clean + Conscious present you with more categories than ever— spanning Skincare, Haircare, and Makeup to Body, Baby, Home, Fashion, Fitness, Food, Nutrition, and Zero Waste.

Little Food Festival – Making healthy food fun

by Phoebe Preuss | Apr 25, 2023 | Events

20.04.23 Little Food Festival combines education, exploration, creativity and fun to help kids re-imagine what the future could look like for them, their families and communities, and the planet. An opportunity to plant seedlings, learn about bush food, get crafty and prepare nutritious meals. The festival is held yearly at Fed Square and produced by Foot Print events group.

Living Koko was invited to share about cacao (of course lol), so we created a show that acknowledged all the elements a farmer needs to be aware of to support the growth of their cacao. Our team Alana Togiatomai, Audrey Moala and myself came together to share our love of our Pacific Island culture and the importance of knowing the gafa (geneology) of our foods.

We started with our acknowledgement of country sung in Samoan. An easy sing-a-long song performed on the uke and with a chorus of young people singing along. This warmed us all up, including Alana and I on stage. Lets just say Fed square stage feels bigger when you’re on it facing a huge audience. ekkk!

We then questioned the kids and together found the natural elements that would support the growth of our cacao seed. We recognised the importance of the stars and cosmos, the sun and her rays, the water provided by the rain and lastly the fanua, the land and her nutrients. Adding a motion to each element together we created a Pasifika inspired dance that ended with the growth of our cacao tree.

The kids danced along showing us how they would represent the sun and the rain. Its was really special.

We feel these spaces are important especially as our young are growing up disconnected to the land that grows their food. At Living Koko we believe the deeper your connection to how your food is grown the deeper your connection to how your food grows you. 🙂

The Little Food Festival is held every year and there is rumour it maybe a 3 day event next year – keep an eye out for it and spend some time with your kids reconnecting to yourself through good food practises.

Big thank you to @sandrodemaiofoundation @fed.square, @monash_education, @cityofmelbourne and @aiavitalityaus.