Cacao, Conscious Living & the Medicine of Simplicity: A Conversation with Dr. Erika Siegel
In this special episode of Cacao Conversations, we sat down with Dr. Erika Siegel—naturopathic doctor, functional medicine expert, conscious mother, and author of the two-volume wellness masterpiece, Behind the Nourish Me Kitchen. Our conversation was more than an interview—it was an invitation to return to what truly nourishes us: food, presence, and connection.
🌱 Healing from the Ground Up
Dr. Erika’s approach is grounded in the foundations of naturopathic and functional medicine, where symptoms like anxiety or fatigue are seen not as problems, but signals. Together, we explored how everyday choices—like movement, hydration, breath, and sleep—can either support or strain our nervous system. She emphasized that healing isn’t about a one-size-fits-all prescription, but about listening deeply to the body's cues.
🍫 Cacao as Heart Medicine
One of the most soul-stirring parts of our dialogue centered on cacao. Erika spoke of cacao as a “plant ally,” reflecting our co-evolution with nature. Revered by the Mayans as a river of the heart, cacao offers us not only antioxidants and mood-boosting compounds like theobromine and polyphenols, but also spiritual guidance. She highlighted how our Alma Cacao provides a clean, unprocessed way to receive the sacred medicine of cacao—without the added sugars, dairy, or artificial ingredients that dilute its power.
She even shared her favorite cacao dessert: blending our Alma Cacao with avocado, coconut oil, and honey into a nourishing, heart-opening pudding. (Yes, we’re obsessed too.)
🧘♀️ Kanna, Caffeine & Emotional Balance
The conversation naturally flowed into modern stressors and the often-overlooked cost of overstimulation—especially from coffee. Erika shared how caffeine can disrupt adrenal health, deplete minerals, and mask deeper imbalances. Her advice? Respect the plant. Consider alternatives like cacao or adaptogens such as ashwagandha, rhodiola, and Kanna. She praised Kanna Feels for its powerful role in calming the nervous system and promoting emotional resilience—a critical need in our overstimulated world.
🌙 Women’s Cycles, Fasting & Intuitive Living
We also explored how wellness must be cyclical and individualized—especially for women. Erika offered insights into the menstrual cycle as four phases of shifting needs and energy. From adjusting fasting windows to choosing calming herbs during PMS, she stressed that true nourishment comes from tuning in, not tuning out.
Her advice on intermittent fasting? Great for men and for women during the first half of their cycle—but always flexible, always intuitive.
🏡 Raising Conscious Kids in a Modern World
Perhaps most touching was Erika’s glimpse into her home life. As a mother of two teenage boys, she shared how screen-free living, shared cooking, and nature immersion shaped her children into grounded, conscious beings. The heartfelt birthday note from her son, thanking her for instilling values he now deeply believes in, left us teary-eyed and inspired.
Her biggest advice to parents? Invite your kids into your world. Cook together. Eat real food. Talk. Play. And please—limit screen time.
🌍 The Medicine of Nature
Erika reminded us that healing is always available. It's in the barefoot walk on grass, the sunlight on our skin, the quiet moments by a river. Nature holds the blueprint for balance—and when we reconnect with her, we reconnect with ourselves.
🧭 Her Message to Us All:
"You’re worth the effort. Taking care of yourself will ripple into every corner of your life—and the world needs you well."
