 Founder of WellFest & Ceremonial Master Chocolatier In this interview, Creezy Courtoy will introduce you Angelina Padron, the visionary founder of WellFest and a master in the art of ceremonial chocolate. Angelina's journey into health and wellness has been nothing short of transformative, as she beautifully weaves her knowledge of somatic psychology and cacao ceremonies into her community-driven initiatives. Join us as we explore her passion for promoting wellness, her journey to founding WellFest, its workshops and the unique healing power of chocolate rituals.  What led you to create WellFest? When did you start? WellFest started in July 2023 as a simple yet powerful idea—to bring people together in a meaningful way to explore health, wellness, and community. It all began as a small meetup group with three gatherings to connect with like-minded individuals passionate about raising the vibration of wellness in our lives and beyond. At the very first meetup, I asked the group, “What if we did a practitioners fair?” The excitement was contagious, and that idea became the spark that led to WellFest. Before diving in, I organized two smaller festivals to learn the ropes and get some practice under my belt. What truly made this vision come to life was building relationships with the cities we were serving. We wanted to feel like neighbors in their backyard. When I pitched the idea to the city of Rancho Mirage, they embraced it wholeheartedly and even sponsored the event—and that’s how WellFest came to life! It’s been a journey of connection, collaboration, and, most importantly, community. Can you tell us more about your background? My journey into health and wellness began about 15 years ago. After moving from Chicago to Palm Springs 8 years ago, I continued working in wellness through the spa industry—until the pandemic changed everything. Like many, I took that time to reinvent myself. I went back to school to study somatic psychology, which deepened my understanding of the mind-body connection. Around that time, I also traveled to Tulum, Mexico, to study cacao. What started as a fun experiment quickly became something much deeper—cacao turned into a powerful medicine that I began incorporating into my work. I started using cacao in my personal sessions to ground people, pairing it with meditation, and eventually hosting retreats to spread the word about healing modalities and self-love. Alongside this, I launched a wellness community network that grew into a full-scale festival, now serving five cities across the Coachella Valley. Today, I wear a few hats. I run a chocolate and cacao business, work one-on-one with clients using somatic therapy and mindset coaching, and serve as a bioenergetics practitioner at Best Pain Management under Dr. Scherger, where I use innovative techniques to help clients manage pain with energy. And, of course, I lead WellFest, where I help promote and manage over 50 wellness businesses. It’s been an incredible, ever-evolving journey, and I love every part of it! During the dinner, you are also doing a Chocolate Ceremony. Can you explain the origin of this ceremony? Absolutely! The Chocolate Ceremony has its roots in ancient Mesoamerican cultures, where cacao was revered as a sacred plant. It was used in rituals to connect with the divine, foster healing, and open the heart. Fast forward to today, and the ceremony has evolved into a beautiful way to honor those traditions while creating a sacred space for self-connection and intention-setting. Here’s where it gets fun—we take pure ceremonial cacao and infuse it with herbs and flowers that align with astrology and the plants of the season. It’s not just about sipping chocolate; it’s about experiencing it as a grounding, heart-opening medicine. During the ceremony, we pair the cacao with embodiment meditations inspired by Ayurvedic healing to help participants fully connect with their mind, body, and soul. It’s a delicious and deeply meaningful way to embrace the moment! What are the purposes of these ceremonies? It’s all about creating a vibe—a moment of stillness, connection, and just pure magic. Chocolate Ceremonies are designed to crack open your heart, give you that "ah-ha" moment of clarity, and encourage some real-deal self-reflection. Think of it as hitting the pause button on life to soak in the present, set some juicy intentions, and leave feeling grounded and full of gratitude. It’s like a reset for your soul, with a little chocolate love to sweeten the deal! You quoted: “These brews are served in beautiful tea-style or soki cups, creating an experience of sipping cacao as medicine and healing. The practice is designed to engage the senses, allowing participants to embody and cherish the moment with intention.” Can you elaborate on this? Sipping cacao from beautifully crafted cups turns something as simple as drinking into a sacred ritual. It’s an experience that engages all the senses—the warmth of the cup in your hands, the rich aroma wafting up, the silky texture as it coats your mouth, and the way it lands in your body, stirring something deep and grounding. It’s more than just chocolate; it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and remember. The richness of the cacao often stirs up a twist of memory or emotion, connecting you to something bigger. It’s all about savoring every sensation and making space for self-care and meaningful connection—not just with the cacao, but with yourself and the present moment. It’s a little indulgence with a whole lot of intention! What is the medicinal and healing power of chocolate? Cacao isn’t just delicious—it’s a powerhouse of medicinal and healing benefits. Known as a heart-opening plant medicine, cacao contains theobromine, a natural stimulant that gently boosts heart function, increases blood flow, and promotes feelings of clarity and calm euphoria. It’s also packed with antioxidants, which help combat inflammation, support cardiovascular health, and even boost your immune system. On a deeper level, cacao triggers the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, helping to lift mood, ease stress, and enhance overall emotional well-being. Cacao is also rich in magnesium, which helps relax muscles, improve sleep, and calm the nervous system—making it a fantastic choice for grounding and restoring balance. On an emotional level, it’s a powerful tool for releasing negative energy, fostering creativity, and inviting feelings of joy and gratitude. Think of cacao as both a medicine for the body and a balm for the soul—a true healing elixir that nurtures from the inside out! Can you tell us more about a couple of cacao brews you will provide for our evening event? For this special evening, I’ll be serving two exquisite cacao brews, each crafted with intention and inspired by the healing traditions of ceremonial cacao:  Classic Ceremonial Cacao: This rich and earthy brew features pure, unprocessed firewood cacao sourced from Guatemala. Lightly sweetened with organic honey and infused with the warming spices of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, this blend is designed to energize, ground, and nourish the body and soul.  Floral-Infused Cacao: A heart-centered creation blending ceremonial cacao with the delicate essence of rose petals. The roses are infused in 11.5 pH water, brewed into a fragrant rose water, and then perfectly paired with the cacao to create an uplifting and soothing experience. Each sip is a journey—an invitation to connect with the richness of cacao, the energy of the plants, and the intention of the moment. These brews are more than drinks; they’re experiences designed to awaken the senses and nourish the spirit. Join us on January 11 for the Scent of Healing workshop Register for the Free Natural Perfumery Workshop Register for the Dinner and the Chocolate Ceremony with Angelina Padron 
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 By Terry Johnson, Business and Marketing Teacher Another year has passed, and another has begun. Last year is now history and time to reflect on what we have learned from the previous year that can be passed on by proper planning to those (including ourselves) who will benefit from that additional knowledge and experience gained in traveling on our own personal Perfume Roads.
Here are a few tips on planning this year’s Perfume Road journey: Step 1: Thoroughly review last year’s goals, achievements, and setbacks and develop an overall evaluation of how the market may have changed during the year that might impact the coming year. What modifications to this year’s planning should you make due to achievements or setbacks you might have experienced last year? Set aside enough time to give your undivided attention to the project. The best way to ensure you’re dedicating the right amount of time is to schedule a time slot for every day over the course of the week. Step 2: Review your Purpose/Vision, Mission Statement and Value Propositions which are your blueprints to stay on course traveling your Perfume Road. Did you stay on course to fulfil your Mission and Purpose for the year? Is it time to get back on track? Step 3: Incorporate your past years’ history and experience as well as the history of perfumes into your marketing strategies going forward. Friends and relatives from outside the natural essence community ask me why it is so important to educate consumers about the history and culture of natural perfumes and essences. Besides the fact that perfume history is important human history, understanding our perfume past helps us properly shape the future through effective planning, successful marketing, and giving more meaning to consumers about how important natural perfumes and essences are in their personal lives. Creezy Courtoy’s beautiful book The Perfume Roads and her excellent IPF Teacher’s Academy course World Perfume History Course teach us about the importance and value of the culture and heritage of natural perfumery. What those ancient Perfume Roads created historically has a direct and important link to what we did last year and what we will be doing this year and beyond. This is because we are still on those Perfume Roads that will lead us to a better world for futures generations, and your business success will benefit from the efforts you make today in planning your Perfume Road journey going forward. To find out more about world perfume history, visit this link.  Copyright photo Angelina Padron By Creezy Courtoy, Perfume Historian and Anthropologist If you love perfumes, you probably also love food, pastries and chocolates as the sense of taste is 85% olfactive.
Chocolate's origins trace back to ancient civilizations like the Maya and Aztecs, who revered cacao not only as a food but as a sacred substance. They prepared a frothy beverage infused with spices, often enjoyed during ceremonial rituals and social gatherings, highlighting the deep connection between chocolate and the human experience. In South American countries, particularly in places like Peru and Ecuador, chocolate is deeply embedded in cultural traditions. Cacao ceremonies have been practiced for centuries, where the preparation and sharing of chocolate are seen as sacred rituals that foster connection and community. During these ceremonies, raw cacao is often blended with natural sweeteners and spices, creating a rich beverage that is consumed in a communal setting. Participants are encouraged to express gratitude and intentions, making the experience both spiritual and sensory. The act of drinking chocolate becomes a means to enhance emotional well-being, promote mindfulness, and connect with the earth’s gifts. These ceremonies serve not only as a celebration of cacao but also as a reminder of the importance of community and connection in our lives. They highlight the transformative power of chocolate, especially when paired with aromatic scents that engage the senses and promote a feeling of harmony If tea, coffee and chocolate appear for the first time at the Court at the time of the marriage of Louis XIV with Marie Thérèse d'Autriche, it is only at the time of Louis XV that hot chocolate arrived at the French Court promoted by the well known Marquise de Pompadour. In recent years, the art of infusing chocolate with various scents has gained popularity, not only for culinary innovation but also for enhancing well-being. The practice of combining chocolate with aromatic spices and fruits creates a multisensory experience that can uplift the spirit and promote relaxation. The fusion of chocolate with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and chili has roots in traditional recipes where these ingredients were believed to have health benefits. The Wellness Benefits of Scented Chocolate The infusion of scents into chocolate not only elevates its flavor but also enhances its benefits. Aromatherapy principles suggest that certain scents can influence mood and well-being. When combined with the natural properties of chocolate, this can create a powerful experience for both body and mind. The act of savoring chocolate infused with delightful fragrances can stimulate the release of endorphins, enhancing feelings of happiness and relaxation. Moreover, the antioxidants found in dark chocolate, paired with the health benefits of various scents, create a delicious avenue towards wellness. Cinnamon, for instance, adds warmth and sweetness while being known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Chili brings a hint of heat, which can boost metabolism and enhance mood. Basil and Yuzu: This intriguing combination brings a fresh, herbal note to chocolate. Basil, often associated with tranquility and balance, pairs beautifully with the zesty brightness of yuzu, a citrus fruit. The result is a unique flavor profile that invigorates the senses and promotes a sense of well-being Chai Infusion: The comforting blend of chai spices—cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper—infused in chocolate can evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia. This combination not only delights the palate but also offers antioxidant benefits, thanks to the spices, making it a perfect treat for relaxation and rejuvenation Therefore, if you are perfumer, don't hesitate to associate chocolate and scents and, to everyone, don't feel guilty anymore, eating chocolate as it is good for you! |
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