Vol. I Issue III

Vol. I : Issue Vol. I :IIIssue III

LENT Tonya Gonzalez tells us why resolutions mean nothing without a high sense of self

The Fasting Diet Craze is a Mockery to Religion & Spirituality

Why you should take a 't-break' feat. Dr. Rebakkah Johnson

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CONTENTS L E T T E R

F R O M

E D I T O R ,

T H E H E R B

P . 6

N O T

S O

F A S T ,

O F

T H E

P . 1 2

Fasting may be the latest diet craze, but theres more to it than denying yourself food. It's a spiritual experience.

M O N T H ,

P . 8

T - B R E A K

FEATURING DR. REBAKKAH JOHNSONÂ P.14

If you regularly consume marijuana, Dr. Johnson explains why you inevitably have to take a tolerance break; whats happening to your body during a tolerance break; and tips to help you get through it!

T H E

P O W E R

O F

T R U E

S E L F - A W A R E N E S S

IF WE DON'T KNOW OUR INNER-SELF, WE CAN'T TRUST OUR INNER-SELF, P.18

International bestselling author, Tonya Gonzalez, explains why seeing your goals through is directly related to how well you know and understand yourself.

L E N T

COVER STORY, P.22

Stylist and image consultant Colby Elliott, and photographer John Scott reimagine what religious art looks like in a more modern world, where spirituality reigns supreme; sex sells; and not all drugs are bad.

I

t never ceases to amaze me how persistence can bring a mere idea to life. I

remember thinking that I wanted the theme for this Issue to be Lent - not knowing exactly what that looked like, or how it would translate. But the idea wouldn't leave me, so I stuck with it.

Although I am not Catholic, nor do I consider myself a religious person (I'm all about the spiritual), I use Lent as an excuse to fast. The first time I committed to fasting, I suddenly got the urge to give up alcohol, and it was life-changing. I was in college and at a point in my life where I had to be drunk in oder to attend social functions - and I knew it wasn't right. I knew I had to make a change and was up for the challenge. Of course I was tempted, but I was more determined to show myself that I didn't need to be drunk at every party.

After 40 days and 40 nights, I didn't necessarily feel like a new person, but I had a new outlook on that aspect of my life, and it was the first time I made the decision to make such a drastic change in my life. And after Lent, I celebrated my success with Lime-a-Rita's (don't judge, I was in college).

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

This Issue is less about Lent as a tradition, and more about the spiritual transformation that happens when you look within and make changes accordingly. As Tonya Gonzalez says in The Power of True Self-Awareness (p. 18), "each of us has an inner-enemy and an inner-healer."

This Issue is dedicated to finding, and nurturing your inner-healer.

Inside we explore the inevitable t-break with Dr. Rebakkah Johnson, in which she explains why taking a break from marijuana is necessary from time to time. We also get into science and religion at it's finest; Intermittent fasting.

Because Lent is such a traditional subject matter we needed a fresh perspective. So, to help bring our vision full circle, we worked with creative duo, Colby Elliott and John Scott. And as it turns out, Elliott's eclectic styling technique combined with Scott's classic eye was exactly what we needed.

On the day of our shoot it was blistering cold, but Elliott still managed to take the most amazing photos in almost little to no clothes and complained not once. She is a professional if I ever met one. But beyond the amazing photographs, I am thankful for their dedication to this project.

[Opposite page] John Scott, myself, and Colby Elliott.

Photographed by Calvin Tigre.

[This page] Colby, photographed

by Calvin Tigre.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

HERB OF THE MONTH Lavender

LAVANDULA

ANGUSTIFOLIA

Lavender is well-known for it’s aromatic bliss, medicinal effects, cosmetic properties, and so much more! According to the Ebers Papyrus, the oldest known medical / herbal text, Africans used lavender as early as 1500 B.C. to help with a number of ailments from insomnia to insanity. They also used the plant for spiritual ceremonies, perfume, and incense.

Native to northern Africa, Lavender is a part of the mint family Lamiaceae and the genus Lavender. It is a versatile plant that is very easy to grow, basically requiring full sun and good drainage. The majority prefer to grow in rocky soil with a high pH and preferably in drought-like conditions once established. Lavender is great for learning to cultivate, as it is relatively low maintenance and can even tolerate neglect. Each species within this family are flowering shrub that produce rich aromas and many healing properties that vary greatly depending on location and variety grown.

Lavender is a magical and therapeutic herb with a long history of uses. Today, lavender is used around the world for various reasons.

Some of the most common ways include aromatherapy, [topical] cosmetic and medical oil, cooking oil, and our personal favorite; tea.

Lavender Bliss E n j o y

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DIRECTIONS 2 . P u t b a l l

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f a v o r i t e 1 0

h o t i n

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t r y o f

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b r e a k f a s t ; a n x i o u s ;

t o

a d d i t i o n a l

b e d

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h e a l t h

a d d i n g

a p p l e

v i n e g a r . w a t e r

m i n u t e s .

4 . A d d

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s a c h e t .

3 . P l a c e

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f e e l i n g

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b o i l . b a l m

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w a k e

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n i g h t .

1 . B r i n g

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m o r n i n g , w h e n

3 . L e m o n

L a v e n d e r

w h e n

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c i d e r

PHILAN

Jpmarie.com

THROPY

St. Louis, MO · Atlanta, GA

Not so Fast: What you need to know about 'intermittent fasting' before embarking on the journey

Without modern inventions such as

will result in losing weight, and

a mockery to everything that is

agriculture, markets, taverns,

many other potential health

spiritual and religious!

restaurants, vending machines, or

benefits. However, fasting also

Postmates - just to name a few - our

instills discipline and other forms

Okay... so, maybe it's not that deep.

ancestors did not have nearly as

of self-control, as it is (or at least it

But having a comprehensive

much access to food as we do today.

should be) accompanied by

understanding of something as

Not only this, but they typically had

introspection.

meaningful as fasting is important.

Photograph by Robert Nelson

to work harder to even get their

It’s amazing that fasting has reached a

food. Once upon a time, and even

This is why intermittent fasting is

wider audience. However, before

still today in certain parts of the

such a success and has become so

starving yourself in vain, remember

world, people hunt their food; kill it;

popular.

that intention is key to achieving

clean / butcher it; and then prepare it, all by themselves.

This alone would make many of us think twice about the things we ate, and how often we ate them.

Your diet is arguably the single most important thing to your

desired results.

"The idea is to become a more holistic, and better version of yourself"

physical existence; it’s how you fuel

In our interview with Tonya Gonzalez (page 18), she mentions that we tend to focus on the outer experience, while neglecting our inner experience - especially when it comes to the discipline and intentional thinking it takes to accomplish goals. Many “experts” and companies that sell

your body. Therefore, it is only

weight loss as the major benefit of

natural to know and understand

Through this experience,

intermittent fasting are nurturing this

your diet in terms of spirituality.

individuals are not only losing

problematic thinking. In fact, a recent

weight, they are giving their bodies

article published by Harvard’s School

Fasting, or intermittent fasting as

a chance to purge toxins - in more

of Public Health concluded that

culture vultures would say, has long

ways than one. Additionally,

research does not consistently show

been apart of human existence.

purging yourself of toxins (or

that intermittent fasting is superior to

Fasting is the act of abstaining from

fasting) isn’t only about food. You

continuous low calorie diets for

certain foods (or food all together)

can also fast from social media,

weight loss efficiency. Furthermore,

for an extended period of time, and

sex, drugs, etc. The idea is to

many nutritionist argue that fasting

is usually associated with religious

become a more holistic, and better

isn’t necessarily good for losing

practices of self-discovery and / or

version of yourself. So the fact that

weight, as losing weight is only a

penitence. Of course reducing the

fasting has been simplified to just

result of fasting, not the ultimate goal.

amount of calories you consume

another diet craze is insulting, and

ART

Jpmarie.com

St.

Louis,

MO

·

Atlanta,

GA

Why you should take a

T-BREAK with Dr. Rebakkah Johnson

“The truth is that the human body actually becomes tolerant of cannabis very quickly.”

I

f you frequently consume marijuana, you’re all too aware of the need to take a tolerance break, also known as a ‘t-break’.

For some of us, taking a t-break can mean lowering our normal dosage. While for others, it means stopping consumption all together for a period of time. Although you may subscribe to t-breaks, are you cognizant of what's actually happening to your body during this process?

We were curious about the science behind t-breaks, why they are necessary, and how tolerance works in general, so we asked Dr. Rebakkah J. Johnson to break it down for us:

“First, let’s understand what marijuana tolerance is. Marijuana tolerance is the human brain’s adaptation to the constant presence of cannabinoids, in which higher doses of marijuana are needed to obtain the effect of the first dose,” she explains. “Therefore, a tolerance break is refraining from marijuana for an extended period of time to allow your body and mind to recalibrate.”

Dr. Johnson goes on to say that [marijuana] tolerance develops when you over-sensitize your body’s natural cannabinoid (or CB) receptors with THC, which as a result reduce in numbers. Therefore, if you notice you need increasingly more weed to get high, it may be time to take a tolerance break.

“Tolerance largely depends on frequency and volume of use, and happens because of a neurological phenomenon called downregulation.”

Dr. Johnson explains downregulation as it relates to marijuana by stating that, “when you expose THC to your system, not only are the receptors gradually desensitized to it, the number of receptors in the brain that react to THC decreases over time via a process called internalization, because your body strives to maintain balance and prevent overload. As soon as these processes of downregulation, desensitization, and internalization start, you need more of a substance - in this case THC - to achieve the same effects.”

“Tolerance builds up with many substances, not just with cannabis. Caffeine is another common example.

Other substances may include narcotic pain medications (Percocet, Norco, etc.), benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, etc.), stimulant medications (cocaine, Ritalin, Adderall, etc.), and sedatives or hypnotics (Ambien, Lunesta, etc.).”

“Two reasons for the development of

very quickly,” says Dr. Johnson.

rebuild your receptors. The easiest

tolerance are function tolerance, and

“Both the consumption method and

way to do so is to abstain from

metabolic tolerance,” she continues.

the amount consumed play a major

cannabis for 1-2 weeks. The more you

“Function tolerance is the result of

role in developing tolerance, as do

abstain, the better your results will be,

changes in the synaptic receptors for a

some physiological factors like the

but a week should be the absolute

given drug by either alteration or

body mass index for example.”

minimum.”

tolerance is when the liver has adapted

“[But in general] it takes just one

Stopping cold turkey may not be

to repeated use and therefore speeds

week of frequent cannabis use to

ideal, or even doable for certified

up the production of enzymes (which

build enough tolerance to start

stoners. But thats okay! Dr. Johnson

aid in breaking down THC and

needing an increased amount for the

has a few tips.

releasing it as a waste).”

same effects. The situation gets even

reduction of binding sites. Metabolic

worse when you realize that using

“Although humans are addicted to

While many may argue that just about

high THC products leads to

routines, switching it all up from time

anything can be addictive, it is

developing tolerance faster.”

to time can be very beneficial. Your

important to note that the development

preferred route of marijuana-intake

of tolerance is not addiction.

This is important, because in recent

are stimulating your receptors in the

Although, according to Dr. Johnson,

years, the amount of THC found in

same times and capacity. Your body

many drugs that produce tolerance

marijuana has increased

will eventually get used to those

also have addictive potential.

significantly, and little research has

cannabinoids at the same exact time

been done on the long-term effects of

and capacity, and that aids in boosting

“Tolerance to drugs can be produced

frequently consuming high amounts

your tolerance. However, by

by several different mechanisms, but

of THC. Nonetheless, as far as

introducing a few changes in your

in the case of morphine, heroin, or

tolerance is concerned, the damage is

daily routine, you’re shocking your

marijuana for example, tolerance

reversible.

body and you’re not letting it get used

develops at the level of cellular

to cannabis. To start, try consuming

targets,” she explains. “This is a state

“One very recent study of male

weed at different times than usual.

in which an organism no longer

participants aged between 18 and 35,

That can actually trick your brain into

responds to a drug in the way the

confirmed that regular, but moderate,

thinking you are doing something

person initially responded, i.e., a

daily cannabis users had 20% less

new.”

higher dose is required to achieve the

CB1 receptors than the participants

same effect.

from the control group who did not

For a more psychological approach,

use cannabis. In a separate study

Dr. Johnson suggests putting away all

“Drug addiction, on the other hand, is

conducted by the National Institute

of your smoke gear for a while;

a state in which an organism functions

of Mental Health (NIMH), it was

getting rid of your marijuana;

normally only in the presence of a

found that the effect is time and

surrounding yourself with people you

drug. The physical disturbance that

dose-dependent, and because it is

love; or attending social

manifests when the drug is removed is

reversible, appears to be

events...basically anything that makes

what we call withdrawal.”

cannabinoid-receptor mediated. The

you happy and fulfilled, except

result of this study has implications

smoking marijuana.

So even though you may have some

for the consequences of chronic high

difficulty initiating or sticking to a t-

levels of drug use in humans,

The benefits of taking a t-break are

break, unless you’re experiencing

suggesting diminishing effects with

bountiful and vary from person to

irritability, sleeplessness, decreased

greater levels of consumption.”

person. But the main reasons include

appetite, or anxiety as a result of

more noticeable psychoactive effects,

decreasing or halting consumption,

In layman's, the results of these

and an overall mentally and

don’t worry, you’re not addicted.

studies basically conclude that It’s

physically healthier you!

You’re just a certified stoner.

not a matter of if you should take a tbreak, but when you should take one.

However, for some, marijuana does pose a substantial risk of addiction

“T-breaks are definitely necessary if

[marijuana use disorder], which

you are a frequent marijuana user,”

requires medical treatment.

Dr. Johnson suggests. “When you reach the point where almost no

"The truth is that the human body

cannabis can produce a desired

actually becomes tolerant of cannabis

effect, it’s time to take a break and

CLICK HERE For Dr. Johnson's Tips on Getting Through A T-Break!

M A H N A L

THE

POWER OF

TRUE

SELFAWARENESS

A

t the beginning of each year, it has almost become normal to joke about how long our

New Year's resolutions will last. For instance, we laugh at how crowded the gym is in January, knowing that by February it’ll be empty again. Or we bet against ourselves in a battle to spend less time on social media.

But when you really think about it, it isn't very funny after all. Why is it that some people can’t commit to their fitness goals? Or others to their financial goals? Where does the disconnect happen, and how can we prevent it from happening?

Setting goals is just as easy as it sounds, its seeing them through that we often find challenging.

It takes vision, discipline, and concrete ideas. But beyond these things, we’ve learned from international bestselling author and tarot expert, Tonya Gonzalez, that seeing your goals through is directly related to how well you know and trust yourself.

“Each of us has an inner-enemy, and an inner healer,” says Gonzalez. “But we’ve been conditioned [by society] to listen to our inner enemy, who tells us we’re not right. And pretty much everything of this world tells us we’re not right - especially if you are a black or brown girl. You’re either too black or not black enough; too thick or too thin; too tall or too short; too smart or too sexy,” she continued.

“As a result, most people lack self-confidence and self-trust, as there is an emotional and sensory disconnect from our bodies.”

“So when someone talks about losing weight or going to the gym, they think of it as an outerbody experience. When in actuality there are so many steps you take before you realize the physical manifestation [of what it is your asking for]. And we have to get to a place where we make these steps just as important.” Gonzalez goes on to explain that instead of focusing solely on the body, one must also focus on what needs to happen mentally, and even spiritually for these changes to take place.

“If we don’t know our inner-self, we cannot trust this inner-self to see things through,” she says. So no matter how much society interferes with our self-confidence, not being able to adhere to your goals is 100% an internal issue. One that society has perfected the art of manipulating and exploiting over millennia.

Which is why, again, women especially have a hard time connecting to their inner-self in such a man-pleasing society, Gonzalez suggests.

In order to combat this inner enemy and effectively create change, you have to find balance between your inner enemy and your inner healer. Essentially, to know yourself is to find strength in yourself, and according to Gonzalez, the key to unlocking your greatest potential.

“We [women] have to be tough and strong in this society. And if we’re beautiful, we have to make sure we’re brilliant! Where are young women taught this delicate balance if they don’t have a mother who loves them? Or a father who gave them that experience? We learn from what has happened before. We learn from our ancestors. And it’s up to us to carry [wisdom] forward - or we can continue to create the past. So that’s why seeing it through is about selftrust and self-understanding.”

“This whole experience is about you,” she says of life. “The greatest teachers - Buddha and Jesus - were just on a quest to know themselves!”

Even if you don’t subscribe to religion, one thing we can all learn from both Buddha and Jesus, is their ability to make sense of themselves in such a complex world. And while Gonzalez makes it very clear that being aligned with yourself is imperative to seeing your goals through, she doesn’t fail to mention that the experience of spirituality is also about union.

We learn from what has happened before.

"

We learn from our ancestors. And it’s up to us to carry forward - or we can continue to create the past.

"

“In truth, we need each other. That’s why

doesn’t have to be your family, it just has to

we seek a relationship with our divine

be people that speak your language, and that

(significant) other, because we know that a

want to see your growth. People that

better sense of ourselves comes in joining

support your dreams and, encourage you.”

with another,” she explains. “Even yoga is about union; it is the union of the spiritual

“All of this is spiritual. In the end, it’s not

self and the physical self. A relationship, a

so much about losing weight as it is about

spiritual connection, a love connection -

true self awareness.”

are all the same [type] of experience.”

“Churches, for instance, were first created so that we could come together and commune. And not long ago, this was very important in Black and Latino communities, as churches were wherever you were. It is where we were speaking knowledge and wisdom into each other,” she says. “Of course [over the years] we’ve been conditioned to only find solace in the church, but we actually find solace in each other.”

Gonzalez goes on to explain that when we witness someone else’s growth and / or are inspired by their journey, we’re not simply inspired by their goals per se, but we’re inspired by their story; their struggle; their stride.

“Most people think that prosperity is getting what you want. But it’s not. It’s the experience that is prosperous,” she says about goals. “You’re either doing it, or you’re not. There is no trying. You can keep reading books about it, but until you apply it in your daily life it is all just talk.”

“My number one piece of advice for anyone who struggles with commitment to themselves, would be to find your tribe. It

Tonya Gonzalez

Lisa Raye x Najii Person Click to Play

TTOCS .J YB DEHPARGOTOHP

LENT S o m e o f t h e m o s t b e a u t i f u l a r t , a r c h i t e c t u r e , a n d e v e n fa sh i o n i s i n s p i r e d b y r e l i g i o n . C a t h o l i c i s m i n p a r t i c u la r h a s lo n g b e e n a fo ca l point within the fine art community, inspiring great works like Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper, Raphael's fresco murals inside the A p o s t o l i c P a l a c e , a n d e v e n G u o P e i ' s H a u t e C o u t u r e S S 2 0 1 7 co l l e cti o n .

F o r t h i s i s s u e , w e t e a m e d u p w i t h c r e a t i v e d u o , C o lb y E llio tt & J o h n S c o t t ( w h o a l s o h a p p e n t o b e t h e c u t e s t c o u p le ) t o r e i m a g i n e w h a t r e l i g i o u s a r t lo o k s li k e i n a m o r e m o d e r n w o r l d , w h e r e s p i r i t u a l i t y r e i g n s s u p r e m e ; s e x s e lls ; a n d n o t all drugs are bad.

Colby Elliott modeling a headpiece by Brandee Walker, dress by Alison Nosila.

Calvin Tigre opposite Elliott.

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Credits Cover

Photographed by John Scott

Herb of the Month

Photograph by Ylanite Koppens (p. 8) Photograph by Olenka Sergienko (p. 9)

Not so Fast

Artwork: Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness (Jésus tenté dans le désert),

by James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum (circa 1890)

T-break

Written / photographed

by Rachel Nevels Edited by Eulonda Nevels

The Power of True

Self-Awareness

Written / edited by Rachel Nevels Photograph by Samuel Austin (p. 18)

Lent

Photographed by John Scott Styled by Colby Elliott Models: Colby Elliott and Calvin Tigre

Special thanks to all who made Issue III possible

C & S Artistry Nashville, TN, USA

@CANDSARTISTRY