The Leper Priest

Father Damien was known as The Apostle of the Lepers. In 1873, he administered to those who had succumbed to the dreadful disease of leprosy on the island of Molokai, a government-sanctioned medical facility off the coast of Maui. While serving the needy, he too contracted the disease and died at 49 years.  He was dearly loved by his people and later canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009. Some descendants of those families still live on the island of Molokai to this day.

Chocolate Lover's Delight

I highly recommend this chocolate - absolutely delicious!

From the back of the box...

Our single origin chocolate is made in Colorado using traditional, European methods with ethically-sourced cacao from around the world. We welcome you to take the time to taste the unique and balanced flavor of our chocolate, just as we have taken the time to create it.

Costa Rica 2009 Harvest

Made with organic, Costa Rican cacao from one of the world’s best cacao farms. The richness of this chocolate makes it a favorite among dark chocolate lovers, yet its complexity attracts the true connoisseurs. The bold, earthy peaks and hints of blackberry and walnut found in this chocolate are a result of the volcanic-rich soil of Costa Rica and careful drying methods of the cacao.

Belize 2012 Harvest

The organic cacao is grown by a network of Mayan farmers in the Toledo district of Belize. This area has a rich genetic history that is a blend of indigenous heirloom and Trinitario cacao. The result is a balanced chocolate with notes of dried fig, cherry and a hint of tobacco.  

For more information please go to: www.ritualchocolate.com

The Mile High City

Excerpt: The History Press

When prospectors set up camp on Cherry Creek in 1858, Denver emerged as a lightning rod for the extraordinary. Time has washed away so many unusual stories from the nineteenth century Law and Order League, lynches, suffragettes and the touching plight of the gypsies…Elizabeth Wallace knocks the dust off these details and introduces readers to characters like world heavyweight boxing Champion Charles L. “Sonny” Liston, hit man turned rodeo promoter Leland Varain, aka “Diamond Jack,” and the city’s daring wall dogs, whose hand-painted building advertisements are facing reminders of a bygone Denver.

Fireweed or Bomb Weed

 

The fireweed plant is prolific in Colorado, USA, and throughout the world. The Native American tribes used the stems (peeled and eaten raw) as a good source of vitamin C. The Dena’ina used it for medicinal purposes to treat boils or deep cuts by placing a raw stem over the afflicted area. This supposedly drew out the pus, and stopped the wound from healing over too quickly.

The people of Russia use the plant to make tea. The Austrians have used it for disorders of the prostrate, kidneys and urinary tract infections. In England, the plant was nicknamed “Bomb Weed” because it grew so readily in the bomb craters after WWII.

The Paintbrush Plant and Rheumatism

The paintbrush plant was a favorite of the Native American Ojibwe tribe who used it as a treatment for rheumatism. These plants have a tendency to absorb and retain high levels of selenium which is believed to help the painful conditions associated with rheumatism. The flowers of the paintbrush are edible, but can be extremely toxic if not used in moderation. The plant has also been used by the Nevada American tribes to enhance the immune system to help fight sexually transmitted diseases.

There are approximately 200 species of the paintbrush plant worldwide. The colors of the flower range from light yellow to deep red depending on soil and location.