Lúcuma 10

SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS OF ATLANTIS

#10

What on Earth is Kirlian an ethical vitamin?

PHOTOGRAPHY

Vegan

S E E I N G

Vienna 4

A GUIDE TO VIENNA’S, RAW FOOD AND VEGAN DELIGHTS!

58

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CACAO CEREMONY

20

DISCOVER THE SENSUOUS, SHAMANIC SIDE TO CHOCOLATE

Q&A

Mirabai Devi SPIRITUAL TEACHER, LIGHTWORKER AND AUTHOR

27

T H E

CY

CMY

K

I N V I S I B L E

Viridian is the leadingKIRLIAN brand ofIMAGES ethical BY NATASHA & DAVID PIRIS vitamins, but what does this mean?

Viridian was named as Best Buy in Ethical Consumer magazine and in The Good Shopping Guide.These publications commended us for our commitment to pure Viridian ingredients, environmental has been awareness and charity Top Rated donation programme. in every issue of

The Good Shopping Guide

capsules, liquids and powders as pure and simple as possible, avoiding all the nasties, we have shown that it is possible to make a range of nutritional supplements acceptable for the majority of people.

ur o y n i s ’ t a Wh From the seed to theitchen? recyclingK bank

Check the labels of other brands in your store and on supermarket shelves and you will be shocked at how many additives you will find in both tablets and capsules.

Though hidden in the small print, this ‘additives’ issue offers a big differential Ethics in nutritional supplements starts at between your store and mainstream FIND–OUT FOOD the ownership of the company dig aWHAT bit WILD outlets for supplements.

CAFE FOUNDERS JOEL & deeper into the company behind your GAZDAR HAVEThe IN avoidance THEIR of all additives at daily vitamins and you mightAISTE well find a KITCHEN giant pharmaceutical company or a manufacturing such as magnesium mass-market mail order company. stearate and titanium oxide which are Viridian Nutrition is UK-based and commonly used in food supplements, family-owned and managed. ensures a clean and pure ingredients list.

64

No added sugars, no colourings or artificial flavourings making our products Did you know that up to 50% of a tablet as clean and pure as they can be. can be glues, known as binders, to hold Be reassured that although we are the tablet together? For most people this absolutely against the use of animal is just an irritating fact, but for people testing and do not test any products or who are hyper allergic, this can be a real ingredients on animals, the ingredients we OUT WHATstearate, MAKES AN choose all have a tradition of safe use in issue.Would you FIND add magnesium VITAMIN’ titanium dioxide, ‘ETHICAL stearic acid, shellac, talc humans. We guarantee non-GMO, or colourings to your meal, in the way non-irradiated and 100% active you might sprinkle salt or pepper? ingredients with no nasty additives Neither would we, and by making our whatsoever.

Purity matters

VIRIDIAN

72

PROOF

BEYOND B E YO N D 28

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM

My Passion for

PASSION FLOWERS

76

MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES AND REVELATIONS FROM THIS MAGICAL PLANT

Namaste 36

RECIPES + A MINI BIOGRAPHY OF ONE OF THE WORLDS BEST RAW FOOD RESTAURANTS

BonPom 48 2

# 10

GETTING TO KNOW ONE OF THE BEST RAW FOOD BRANDS + RECIPES

T H E

84

R E T U R N

INCREDIBLE ‘SPIRITUAL ROLLER COASTER RIDE’ TECHNOLOGY

RECIPES 94

VEGAN & RAW RECIPES

HIGH Welcome to the first PRINTED edition of Lúcuma Magazine!

If you are new to us, Lúcuma is a cutting edge, trendsetting publication about vegan & raw

food, conscious living,

visionary art and higher states of consciousness. Our previous 9 issues were online virtual magazines but for me as founder and editor the way forward is sometimes backwards!

It’s all too much Quite simply the internet has reached saturation point, it takes up way too much of our precious time sifting through various social media profiles, then there is the endless mediocre blogs, websites and videos. How many times have you book-marked a web page intending to ‘read that’, or ‘watch that video later’, never to visit it again? All of this leaves people feeling unsatisfied, distracted and worst of all promotes superficiality.

We never seem to enjoy the moment fully with this approach, instead it’s like a thirst that is never quenched. Perhaps worst of all, is that it’s more uncomfortable to read and digest information from a screen. As nice as tablets and smart phones are, people can’t embrace them the way they can a printed book. I personally can’t even hold a tablet for long or stare at a screen, without feeling ‘energetically’ irritated by it. I want Lúcuma to be a beautiful and sensuous experience - something that exists in the physical world, something that is worthy enough to be printed and treasured. With this magazine you can enjoy it in your own time at your own pace.

Steven Nicolaides Founder of Lúcuma Magazine 7.04 .2015

# 10

3

4

# 10

Vegan

Vienna Palaces - Galleries - Raw Food Michelin Star Vegan Fine Dining A Dancing Shiva and its Superfoods Crystals - Art - Ahh Vienna!

by

Steven Nicolaides

IMPERIAL PALACE, Michaelertrakt at Michaelerplatz ©WienTourismus / Lois Lammerhuber

# 10

5

VEGAN VIENNA

It’s all about the

Neubaugasse!

IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE DAY IN VIENNA TO EXPLORE ITS VEGAN SCENE THEN THE FIRST PLACE YOU SHOULD GO IS NEUBAUGASSE. IN THIS ONE LONG ROAD YOU COULD GRAB A TASTY JUICE AT RAUCH, ENJOY A SNACK OR HEARTY LUNCH AT A CUTE HEALTH FOOD STORE, PERUSE THE MANY SHOPS SELLING CRYSTALS, ALTERATIVE ETHNIC CLOTHING & ARTIFACTS OR ETHICAL FASHION THEN EXPERIENCE A RAW ORGANIC VEGAN FEAST AT DANCING SHIVA SUPERFOODS! IF YOU WALK ITS LENGTH YOU WILL SEE THAT THE NAME NEUBAUGASSE - WHICH TRANSLATES TO ‘NEW LANE’ IS QUITE A FITTING MATCH, WITH SO MANY NEW WORLD CONCEPTS FINDING THEIR HOME HERE.

Rauch Juice Bar

Only in Vienna would you get a Juice bar with an exterior that looks like a jewelry shop! The inside is modern, funky, gorgeous and spacious and the menu is just a thing of beauty!

There is plenty of choice of juices. The smoothies contain dairy however but there is a vegan meal amongst the lunch options.

Neubaugasse 13 | 1070 Wien www.rauch.cc/at/juice-bar

nna s in Vilelery r a b e c i Ju like Jewe look s! shop

6

# 10

Reformhaus Buchmüller

A cute health food store with home made desserts, treats and hearty vegan food for eat in or takeaway.

Neubaugasse 17-19 | 1070 Wien www.reformhaus-buchmueller.at OPENING HOURS: Mon - Fri: 09:00 – 18:30 Sat: 09:00 – 17:00

ver seen I’ve ne s like gn toilet si re! efo these b

VEGAN VIENNA

Veganista

Five minutes walk away from Neubaugasse is a vegan ice cream lovers dream come true. A 100% vegan ice cream parlour! All their flavours are made freshly in house and on any given day there will up to 18 different flavours available - some of them quite unusual like ‘Matcha’, ‘Orange Saffron & Olive’ or ‘Basil’. Many of the ice creams are made with soya but there are also rice, coconut and oat based versions as well as sorbets! According to co-founder Cecilia (who founded Veganista with her sister Susanna) The most popular flavours are cookies, basil, brownies, and poppy seed. “In summer our top flavour is fig”. “People go crazy when we make it, we buy the figs from an organic fig farm close to Vienna, totally fresh and so good!” And yes they have tried making a lúcuma flavoured ice cream before!

Neustiftgasse 23/3 | 1070 Wien www.veganista.at OPENING HOURS: Mon: 08:00 – 23:00 Fri: 08:00 – 01:00 Sat: 09:00 – 01:00 Sun: 09:00 – 15:00

and e cream t c i n a g e v Grab a the magnificen o expl re re of Vienna! tu architec # 10

7

VEGAN VIENNA

OAD RICK R afe/bar/ B D E R tc r W THE he fron FOLLO ay that links t pace at the rea s hw The pat with the dining a e shop ar

Dancing Shiva Superfoods Dancing Shiva Superfoods is full of surprises - as soon as you encounter one delight you find another!

As I open the door from the street I am greeted by a thick bright red curtain. When I part the fabric there’s a subtle fragrance of Indian incense mixed with that ‘sparkly’ green smell all juice bars seem to have. The first surprise is an inviting space clad in golden coloured wood. The left side is a cafe style seating area for food and drinks and on the right side a superfood health store. Directly ahead is the counter and fridges for takeaway smoothies, juices, desserts and raw lunches. The space is dominated by a grand hand carved and built staircase. I love the energy at Dancing Shiva superfoods. It has that new age hippy thread that reminds me of the early grass roots raw

8

# 10

food restaurants and cafes had but woven into a more tidy and luxurious garment! Speaking of clothing if you ascend the gorgeous wooden staircase of Dancing Shiva you will find an ethical clothes shop! Dancing Shiva’s first incarnation was actually as an Indian clothes and artifacts shop before in true Shiva fashion they recreated themselves as a raw food restaurant.

The stairway and walls of the restaurant are adorned with the etherial artwork of one of the visionary art worlds brightest stars - Amanda Sage. In fact it was seeing a photograph of Amanda Sage posing on the staircase next to her paintings that inspired me to make this Vegan Vienna article. It was one of those ‘you see it, you want it’ moments.

VEGAN VIENNA

▲▲ Tart Flambé (Raw Pizza)

azy n you cr o e in h nd ‘S lace Rain’ a got to love a p e l p r u ‘P ’ve ve! its slea d’. You diamon s it’s heart on ar that we

“

“

SHIVA

meaning ‘The Auspicious One’, is a popular Hindu deity.

Shiva is regarded as one of the primary forms of God and also represents the destruction and transformation of things

# 10

9

VEGAN VIENNA

carved Hand- to an e staircas othing cl ethical irs! sta shop up

g Shiva Dancin s od Superfo iki giving R founder detoxing n a talk o

of llection raw o c e v i s and rehen A comp s, supplements section op od superfo sold in the sh e r a snacks As if all of this wasn’t enough Dancing Shiva has even more magical surprises! Walk to the back of the shop and you will find a stone pathway lined with lush plant foliage and candle lights. When you reach the end of that corridor you will find yourself in the restaurant section! Here the Indian influence is more obvious with sculptures of Ganesh and of course Shiva placed around the room. The food however is not Indian themed. It’s more of a global fusion with flavours from every continent with even some raw versions of Austrian dishes. The food is made with organic ingredients, and is tasty, delicious and most importantly for me - lovingly created. There is a bewildering choice on the extensive menu which changes throughout the day (breakfast, lunch and dinner), so my recommendation is the excellent ‘All you can eat Brunch buffet’ on weekends. One doesn’t often associate all you can eat buffets with raw food, but it seems to work, especially if you pace yourself! One of the highlights (apart from seeing all that gorgeous organic raw food spread out on the table) was the raspberry chia jam on raw crackers... yes a raw version of jam on toast! They even have creamy dips like ‘hemp seed butter’ so you could add those as a butter replacement.

Neubaugasse 58 | 1070 Wien www.dancingshiva.at

10

# 10

OPENING HOURS: Mon: 09:00 – 19:30 Tue- Sat: 09:00 – 22:00 (Kitchen closed 15:00 – 18:00) SAT BRUNCH 10:00 - 15:00 SUN BRUNCH 11:00 - 16:00 Shop Mon – Fri: 10:00 – 19:30 Sat: 10:00 – 18:00

ALL YOU CAN EAT BRUNCH BUFFET €29 per person - including welcome smoothie and a hot drink of your choice (The choices are: Various herbal teas, Mocha Classic / Oriental / Extended, Cacao Pur, Cacao Masala or Macao Classic)

SAT BRUNCH 10:00am - 15:00pm SUN BRUNCH 11:00am - 16:00pm

a v i h S g n i c n a The D

h c n u r B Raw et f f u B

CEREAL & PUDDING Mona’s Granola with sprouted spelt, chia pudding with fresh fruit, fruit salad with hemp seeds...

DIPS & SPREADS Zucchini hummus hemp, Pepper spread with walnuts, guacamole, raspberry chia jam, hemp seed butter...

BREADS & CRACKERS Essene hemp bread with sprouted spelt, sauerkraut bread with sprouted buckwheat, almond cinnamon bread...

SALADS Creamy coleslaw with cashew dill mayonnaise, curry carrot salad with green raisins...

SOUPS, CURRIES & STEWS Creamy vegetable soup, chili con Cacao with veggie and cacao nibs, ginger and coconut curry DESSERTS cakes, creams, mousse and more

# 10

11

vegan Vienna

STATE HALL, NATIONAL LIBRARY Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Wien www.onb.ac.at

VIENNA M U ST S E E S

Vienna is extremely accessible. Most major attractions are within walking distance and there are also trams and the underground U-bahn system.

12

# 10

ST. STEPHANS CATHEDRAL (STEPHANSDOM) One of Vienna’s most iconic landmarks.

Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Wien www.stephansdom.at

vegan vienna

HUNDERTWASSER HOUSE A building designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It is built according to his ideals of curved edges, individuality and incorporating natural elements (there are more than 200 trees and shrubs on the balconies and roof terraces!) Also the Kunst Haus, 5 minutes walk away, is worth a visit.

Kegelgasse 34-38, 1030 Wien www.hundertwasser-haus.info/en

“

Paradises can only be made with our own hands, with our own creativity, in harmony with the free creativity of nature.

# 10

“

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (NATURHISTORISCHES MUSEUM) This museum houses one of the worlds most impressive mineral collections Burgring 7, 1010 Wien, Austria www.nhm-wien.ac.at/en

VOTIVE CHURCH For the breathtakingly beautiful and intricate architecture Rooseveltplatz, 1090 Wien, www.votivkirche.at

Friedensreich Hundertwasser

VEGAN VIENNA

Simply Raw Bakery Europe is famous for its baked dessert traditions. If you walk the streets of Vienna you will find some beautiful looking pastries and cakes, but none of them are raw and probably all are made with refined white sugar. ‘Simply Raw’ is what happens when someone takes that fine artisan approach to desserts but using raw food culinary techniques. Here you have the feel of a classical cake shop but the treats on offer are much healthier and of course raw. There are beautiful looking raw muffins with swirls of frosting, small sweet bites like ‘Hello Dolly’, ‘Sicillian pistachio nougatine’ (my favourite), cute little ‘cake pops’ chocolate cake and a changing daily cake special. Simply Raw bakery are showing that there can be so much more to raw desserts than

14

# 10

simple ‘energy balls’ and ‘cheesecakes’ which is where so many others seem to stop. There is also a light raw lunch and breakfast menu as well as smoothies, juices and teas. This is the kind of place you can sit ant chat with friends over a nice sweet treat and drink by the fireplace.

DOUBLE CACAO FAIRY CAKE

Simply Raw Bakery also run regular classes which are always busy and they regularly receive customers to the shop from all over the world.

Drahtgasse 2 | Am Hof, Wien 1 www.simplyrawbakery.at OPENING HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 18:00 Mon, Fri, Sun: closed

HIO N PISTAC SICILLIA NE NOUGATIbest raw One of the ve ever had! desserts I’

VEGAN VIENNA

APRICOT JAM AND RAW BANANA BREAD BREAKFAST The banana bread was nice and soft and not too heavy.

BA NA NA

CA CA OC AK E # 10

15

VEGAN VIENNA

Tian - Experience Taste When you eat here you will realise two things. Firstly where the tagline ‘Experience Taste’ comes from and secondly why Tian has been awarded a Michelin Star. A vegetarian restaurant with a Michelin star in its possession is a rare thing so a meal here is something to treasure. As I enter Tian I sense this is going to be a different dining experience. My coat and scarf is taken by the entrance attendant and I am escorted to my seat.

The decor is a classical and luxurious with nice natural touches like chandeliers made from bamboo and instead of flowers on the table a zen looking bowl of sprouts with surrounded by pebbles!

Tian always carries two menus and between them you will find enough vegan options. They encourage guests to try 4, 6 or 8 courses from across the menus, this is after all a fine dining experience! I went for three courses ‘a la carte’, The ‘Parsnip / amaranth - cacao - yuzo’ to start with which involved parsnips (whole and pureed and coated with amaranth) with flower petals and leaves. The whole thing is drizzled in a delicious cacao sauce that the waiter pours over the dish in front of you as he describes the different elements of the dish. As he leaves he says ‘Please enjoy it”. I loved that! And I did enjoy it.

The next dish was ‘Cry me a river’ - a beautiful looking soup, but before the waiter poured the liquid to make it

16

# 10

a soup there was a cute arrangement of different purees on the plate and two whole filled baby onions all of which looked like stalagmites at the bottom of a lake! The ‘river bank’’ so to speak was a fluffy collection of micro greens.

The dish is described as onion & hay essence and the depth of flavour was incredible, Yes it really does contain Hay, which gives the dish a pleasant earthy quality.

My dessert was probably the most impressive. Vegan Chocolate Mousse / passion fruit & Ceylon cinnamon.

This again involved more droplets of something but in this case cinnamon spiced chocolate and passion fruit.

Then there was an egg shaped chocolate ice cream with a chocolate stick perfectly balanced on top. But this wasn’t the most amazing thing on the plate. For that I had to inspect the chocolate bar covered in domes and a dusting of chocolate. Each one of those little domes had a different filling! From jellies, to different chocolate ganache flavours!

Yes Tian may be on the comparatively expensive side but it is an experience you will remember and you do get some extra surprises like a little pot of something delicious from the kitchen and another pot of guacamole and freshly baked bread. Also consider the excellent service and you will be happy. This is a must visit destination restaurant for any traveller to Vienna.

VEGAN VIENNA

SE / E MOUS NNAMON T A L O C N CI CHO VEGAN RUIT - CEYLO e is a ap NF PASSIO essert. The egg sh surprise is eD real A Sublim ., but the ted spheres is m a e r c e ic us chocolate ach of the cacao d to chocolate s, ee that insid lling - from jellie fi t a differen d other surprises an s ganache

Tian - Experience Taste Himmelpfortgasse 23 | 1010 Wien www.taste-tian.com OPENING HOURS: Tue - Sat 12 am - 12 pm Winebar 5 pm - 12 pm

‘Erdbeerknödel’ (dumplings with strawberry filling)

Tian - Bistro Kunsthaus Wien

Tian also have a bistro branch at the Kunsthaus museum which is a few minutes walk from the Huntterwasser house. Both are built according to the principles of the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser of avoiding straight lines or flat floors, using natural materials and incorporating as many plants as possible (on the inside and out!) The bistro is gorgeous with a lovely outdoor courtyard seating area.

Weißgerberlände 14 | 1030 Wien www.taste-tian.com/bistro/at/kunsthaus-wien OPENING HOURS: Mon - Sun: 10:00 – 19:00 Winter: 10:00 – 18:00

# 10

17

VEGAN VIENNA

Yamm!

This was the surprise hit for me. If you like the ‘Tibits’ chain of vegetarian restaurants in London and Switzerland you will feel at home here as it is very similar. Yamm! is a buffet with a wide choice of hot and cold vegan dishes and similarly to Tibits you pay by weight. Yamm! is excellent value for money and the food is delicious. I also love the fact the restaurant itself is huge, plenty of seating over two floors. It is also open for breakfast so you can fill yourself up before a long days sightseeing in Vienna Universitätsring 10 | 1010 Wien www.yamm.at OPENING HOURS: Mon: 08:00 – 23:00 Fri: 08:00 – 01:00 Sat: 09:00 – 01:00 Sun: 09:00 – 15:00

Food Shopping

Veganz is a German vegan supermarket chain with seven outlets in Germany alone (with an eighth on the way). As Austria is a German speaking country it’s understandable that they should have one here too.

Veganz carries a wide range of products from mock meats and cheeses to more healthy raw food products. Some brands may be familiar to visitors from the UK and some not so familiar. Many of the brands are German but its not too difficult to make out what they are.

Plus the staff are on hand to help out. Veganz also stocks vegan branded T-shirts & bags and beauty products. As a long term vegan I was just so pleased to be in a shop where everything was vegan!

Also worth checking out is Maran Vegan - an Austrian vegan supermarket brand.

Veganz Margaretenstraße 44 1040 Wien www.veganz.de

18

# 10

Maran Vegan Stumpergasse 57 A-1060 Wien www.maranvegan.at

Shopping

VEGAN VIENNA

Om sweet Om Indian clothes, jewelry and artifacts Neubaugasse 41, 1070 Wien www.colourful-india.net

Photo Credit: Peter WĂźrmli

Freitag Bags Bags, phone covers, wallets and more made out of up-cycled truck tarps.

Neubaugasse 26, 1070 Wien

Mineralien Atelier Crystals and jewelry Neubaugasse 16, 1070 Wien www.mineralien-atelier.at

www.freitag.ch

Getting Around

The city centre of Vienna is easily accessible by foot, but there is also an excellent public transport system with the U-Bahn (subway), buses, S-Bahn (local train) and tram system. Tickets are valid on all forms of transport, at the start of your journey you must validate the ticket by putting it in the blue box at the entrance of the station which stamps it with the date. Tickets are available at ticket machines below the airport and most underground stations. In addition to single fares, passes are available for 24 hours, 72 hours, weekly or monthly.

Accommodation I stayed at the Wombats City Hostel - The Naschmarkt, (Rechte Wienzeile 35, 1040 Wien), which provides nice spacious, modern and clean single/twin en suite rooms in addition to dorms, at a reasonable price. It has an excellent location being a minutes walk from the vegan supermarket Veganz and quite close to the city centre. www.wombats-hostels.com/vienna/the-naschmarkt

# 10

19

CACAO CEREMONY by

Steven Nicolaides

ITS SOUNDS ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. TO FEEL OVERWHELMING FEELINGS OF BLISS AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, DISCOVER MORE ABOUT YOURSELF, EXPERIENCE VISIONS, RECEIVE LIFE GUIDANCE, RESOLVE PAST ISSUES, FEEL INVIGORATED AND ALIVE - AND ALL WITH THE AID OF ONE OF THE MOST DELICIOUS THINGS IN THE WORLD… CHOCOLATE!

20

# 10

# 10

21

Cacao CEREMONY

T

his is no ordinary chocolate though, this is ceremonial grade unroasted raw chocolate from wild cacao trees growing in the Guatemalan Rainforest (most of the organic raw chocolate sold in health stores are from trees grown on plantations). The individual beans are then peeled by hand and then cold pressed into a paste. We also take a very large dose of this pure cacao, 42.5 grams to be exact. The cacao is melted and mixed with some water to form a thick drink. Participants only need to drink as much as they want. When taken in a group ritualistically, chocolate suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.

Cacao has always been considered sacred but these new wave of Cacao Ceremonies began after Keith Wilson ‘The Chocolate Shaman’ made contact with the Cacao spirit whilst traveling in Guatemala.

The cacao spirit is “the energy behind the form we know as Chocolate”, as the Cacao Shaman puts it. After experimenting and working with it, and exploring its uses as a spiritual healing application, he eventually started using it ceremonially in groups.

My first cacao ceremony experience was led

by Lisa Fearon who had trained under ‘The Cacao shaman’ and his ‘Cacao Tribe’ in Guatemala. I found the whole ceremony and even the day leading up to the ceremony quite magical. I too felt the Cacao spirit working with me that whole day, even on my journey to the venue! Faces and places

22

# 10

seemed different, as if I was connecting to other lifetimes and long forgotten experiences. It felt as if I was becoming multidimensional. Within minutes of meeting one of the fellow participants at the ceremony I ‘knew’ she was my wife from another lifetime!

Soon after actually drinking the ceremonial cacao mixture I felt an incredible rush of bliss energy flowing up my body. ‘Cacao orgasm coming in three, two, one.....’ I laid back onto the floor soaking up the ‘Cacao high’. I have enjoyed chocolate my whole life and previously felt great highs from raw cacao which has given me much creative inspiration, but taken in this large amount under ceremonial conditions with fellow participates makes for a much more potent experience.

My second cacao ceremony was a much deeper experience. I knew I was to be creating this article so I was paying closer attention to the energy within me and the group. This ceremony was led

by Ananja Isis, founder of Sacred Cacao Healing Ceremonies. She was inspired to hold these groups after her experience with Keith ‘The Chocolate Shaman’ and his tribe at one of their events in London. She experienced the profound shifts of the Cacao spirit in her life and wanted to continue working with the Cacao spirit energies as well as facilitate it for others.

Once again the whole day was already shaping up to be something wonderful with lots of

Cacao CEREMONY

“

Then things got mildly psychedelic for me, the individual bricks of the arch had eyes looking on

“

on e p i p This eiling the c hed morp a into m!

Wor

# 10

23

Cacao CEREMONY

synchronicities and strange events. The venue was well chosen for such an intimate gathering - a converted old railway archway. The light on the cleaned up brickwork created glowing warm colours and the arched roof made us feel even more welcome and relaxed. We were being taken straight into the Cacao Goddesses bosom tonight!

Ananja prepared the ceremonial cacao and added some herbs and spices to the mix.

There was also coconut sugar or honey for those who wanted it sweeter - also cayenne pepper which acts synergistically with cacao to make its effects more powerful. Underneath each mug of cacao Ananja had placed an individual affirmation for us. The mug I chose had the message, “It is safe for me to be vulnerable� under it. Ananja placed a cute candle sculpture in the centre of our circle as well as crystals and incense. As we sat in the circle and introduced ourselves there was a sense of anticipation in the air. Every ten minutes or so there was a rumbling above us in the roof from the trains passing overhead which only helped to build the excitement.

The cacao this time was more gentle in its

inner embrace of me. Like a snake working its way around my body, gradually building the experience. By ten minutes into the experience we were all laying flat on the ground in cacao slumbers. Soon those rumbling vibrations from the passing trains overhead felt like the distant rumbles of thunder! The subtle feedback noise coming from the venue sound system started to sound like the songs of the crickets - I was transported to a rainforest! Then things got mildly psychedelic for me, the individual bricks of the arch had eyes looking on. Then looking up at the metallic air conditioning attached to the arched roof, I felt like I was in a spaceship.

The contrast of the new polished metal against the old brickwork possibly triggering my imagination. That is one of the things cacao can do, and great for a creative person like me. I looked more closely at the tube on the ceiling and the individual segments reminded me of a worm. The whole thing morphed into a silvery giant worm in my imagination! From then on the experience was more emotional and felt like sheer unconditional love. What a magnificent, sacred plant cacao is. It gives so much love and pleasure to us, and all I can do is be in awe

S S I L B e h t Feeling

24

# 10

Cacao CEREMONY

of this, gratefully receive, and joyously give. As I have received unconditional love, I too in its spirit, give it.

In my mind I saw my pineal gland (third eye) filled with light. When I closed my eyes I did not see darkness I saw golden bright light filling my brain and shining outwards. I had an incredible amount of energy (which lasted at least 24 hours), probably due to the kind of caffeine in cacao. I felt I could go out running.

Later in the evening we all shared our experiences in the closing circle. If you’ve done much group or shamanic work in the past you will of course know that everybody in the room will have a part of the puzzle, a story or piece of advice that is relevant to someone else in the room. Interestingly the feeling being in a rainforest and later a space ship was echoed by others in the group. Others felt a bit less energised than I, or more emotional, but I feel we all got something of value and enjoyed the experience.

LESS IS MORE Taking such a large dose of pure cacao made me realise just how powerful it is. We’ve all grown up eating chocolatey things - chocolate bars, chocolate ice creams, chocolate milkshakes and cakes. Even in the raw food world its quite common for us to eat incredible amounts of cacao. Yes it’s raw, unroasted and it has its positive health qualities but it does exert a powerful effect on the body and mind. Perhaps with so much of it in our diets we have lost sight of that and to some extent become desensitised to its effects. One only needs to go without cacao for a week and then compare to see how much it can affect you.

A CACAO CEREMONY GROUP IN LONDON: www.meetup.com/Sacred-Cacao-Healing-Ceremonies

# 10

25

WARNING!

Cacao CEREMONY

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON

CACAO CACAO CAN MAKE YOU EXPERIENCE FEELINGS OF

B L I S S & LOV E

ACTIVATE YOUR 3rd EYE CONNECT YOU TO THE COSMOS GIVE YOU THE

26

ENERGY COME TRUE TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS

# 10

Mirabai Devi Q&A SPIRITUAL TEACHER, LIGHTWORKER AND AUTHOR

What does your work as a new paradigm spiritual teacher involve?

choices that have been made readily available. These are to move away from suffering, pain, and separation, and to choose Divine Love, Unity, and Oneness.

My teachings emphasize the importance of spiritual practice for For the Earth to awaken, the Divine Feminine needs to be restored. self-realization, combined with a commitment to personal growth. I Restoration of the Divine Feminine is crucial at this time, as it is about recognize the importance of people working through their patterns and opening our hearts and allowing our human self to receive Her Divine issues by means of self-reflection with the aim of becoming impeccable. guidance. It is not a luxury, but an urgent necessity that She is honored, My approach is receptive and inclusive, rather than dogmatic. And I favor and that Her qualities are developed in both men and women to help interaction, rather than hierarchy. bring about global peace and balance.

Many prominent spiritual teachers and indigenous tribal elders Divine qualities within include, nurturing, unconditional love, emphasise the importance of the 2012 shift into a new era. Can you kindness, compassion, supportiveness, self-love, generosity, creativity, explain what this means?

Divine Grace, manifestation power, protection for all of her children, According to the ancient Maya, the creation of the Universe is affected Divine Love, and an all transforming Shakti power. Of these qualities, by nine energetic waves. With each wave in the Mayan Calendar, a shift the one that is at the forefront is Divine Love. Without Divine Love and in consciousness occurs. March of 2011 marked the beginning of the compassion, we would all cease to exist.

9th wave, which initiated Unity Consciousness and the beginning of the So, during this time of Global change on the planet, it is necessary ascension of Mother Earth. to awaken into this sacred energy so that it can balance the strong This shift from the “old world” cycle to the “new world” cycle marked Patriarchal energy that has dominated our planet for centuries, which a new era of hope, a new era of opportunity, a new era filled with Light. has caused imbalance, destruction, and extinction of many of our most This is the time when human evolution speeds up and makes a jump precious species. In order to heal ourselves and heal the Earth, we must into a new level of awareness. establish our connection with the Divine Feminine. This is essential so December of 2012 was a threshold point - a doorway that took us into a that we may be in harmony with our planet, and deepen our connection new cycle of being. We entered into the new Bhaktun a 10,500 year cycle with ourselves and with the Divine. of Age Of The New Sun. The more people who are conscious and aware of this date as a marker of a “new world” cycle, the more aligned we can Are there ways people can tap into be in our intentions and actions to serve, inspire, and fortify each other in this for themselves? our new frequency.

Yes, being a Lightworker is a way to tap into these new energies.

As we adapt to this new frequency, a shift occurs from a self-centered Lightworkers are spiritual seekers or healers who are called to be of perspective to one of participation in the greater good of all humanity. service. They are trained in various spiritual practices, which allow them It will be a perspective where we will be asking ourselves, “what can we to hold the Divine Light in their local communities. They are trained to be do to serve in the Divine Plan?” A complete shift in our way of being and a beacon in all circumstances in the changing new world paradigm. interaction will result as we begin to manifest unity consciousness.

Mirabai Devi’s Lightworker Training delves into the mysteries of the The “new world” cycle is about co-creating on the planet with Mother subtle laws of co-creation, healing and transformation of both the Earth and with each other. This is what we have been waiting for - seeing individual and collective human consciousness. Lightworkers learn Unity in all things! This shift in Unity Consciousness will stop the mastery of the energies of thought, feeling, and word, and how to work destruction of our precious Mother Earth. As we begin to experience through individual and collective fear through the principal of Divine unity in all things, we will then understand on a deeper level that we are Grace. all part of Creation and we The first part of the training is to cleanse the self on all levels: physical, need to live in harmony emotional, mental, spiritual, etheric, and causal. This is the most Be Inspired, Feel Empowered with it. challenging part of the work; one must face the issues, blocks and fears The Road to Health Can you explain what the created throughout our life. It is doing your own Lightworker spiritual Divine Feminine means Exclusive One-Day Event practice that integrates and maintains the new vibratory level that has and why it is so important Saturday 20th June been accessed. at this time?

Lightworkers learn to purify themselves on all levels. They move into The Earth is undergoing peace, love, joy and positivity and become of greater service to the a giant change. As a Divine Light, to humanity, and to the planet at large.

Divine Mother, she is I offer a LIghtworker Traning program as a way to tap into these bringing her children – new energies, and to support individuals to tap into this through a humanity – along with With Brian Clement & Mirabai Devi designated spiritual practice. her through this change.

Join us and learn a truly holistic approach to health, happiness and creating a disease-free future Humanity has the choice What is your vision for humanity?

A passionate proponent of “Food is Medicine”, and a leading expert on living foods, optimum nutrition and now to awaken into Unity For humanity (all of us) to awaken and collectively work together and holistic health, Brian Clement will share the culmination of more than 30 years of personal observation – findings that have provided the basis for Hippocrates’ progressive and cutting-edge approach for health Consciousness with the maintenance and recovery - the Life Transformation Programme. join our efforts to help heal the Earth.

Come join Mirabai Devi on this rare UK visit as she leads us through a transformational life-changing journey powerful frequencies We need to raise the global consciousness of humanity so that we can into healing, awakening of consciousness, and opening the heart into Divine Love. Release feelings of powerlessness. Mirabai will lead us through spiritual teachings, peace-making and forgiveness practices, Divine that are coming into the Mother guided meditation, heart-opening exercises, and a special Healing Divine Light Transmission. see a golden age of peace being ushered in here on Earth during this At the stunning Regents Park University, Inner Circle, Regents Park, London. planet.

Age Of The New Sun. What this looks like is us loving one another and Since March of 2011, we creating and implementing positive new paradigm solutions instead of have been offered new destroying ourselves and our planet.

Proudly sponsored by

Brian Clement Naturopath, nutritionist, author, international speaker and director of the Hippocrates Health Institute.

Mirabai Devi An international spiritual teacher, facilitator for healing, author, and the founder of the Mirabai Devi Foundation.

Lunch boxes supplied by

London’s leading artisan raw food restaurant

Hosted by

Tickets are expected to sell fast, so book now:

www.AntidoteHealth.co.uk

0800 731 8294 / + 44 20 8299 9983 / info@antidotehealth.co.uk

# 10

27

PROOF

BEYOND B E YO N D

T

Photographs of the Spiritual Realm by

Paris Ackrill

he predominant theme underlying my artwork is sharing modalities for personal and collective healing using nature as a focal point. We have so much to learn from the natural world and there is an increasing need to connect with it more.

Sometimes I find myself frustrated with current environmental issues and how to act. However, I realise the work that needs to be done for collective peace starts within. My path is to share my spiritual journey with others through my work in the hope of planting seeds in other minds.

This series differs slightly from my usual organic, earthy portfolio due to its uniqueness. I have been extremely excited about this collection and am so happy to share it. To me this series is proof that there is more going on than meets the regular eye. Almost everyone has a story - whether it is of ghosts, angels or strange things happening that are too meaningful and frequent to be insignificant. Nonetheless, the mind has incredible powers of repression. At the age of nine I saw an angel and a ghost yet completely repressed these memories.

During my late teens I became almost unconvinced that there was any higher power at all. Children are much more open, being closer to our natural state and less influenced by society. We can learn a huge amount from them. Questioning why we are here is the most important conversation we can hold. However, society bumbles along with its forefront currently seeking primarily ego satisfaction for short-term happiness, for example using financial gain as an identification of self-worth.

28

# 10

Minaret Energy Yeni Cami Mosque (New Mosque) Istanbul, Turkey

These were the first photographs taken in which the spiritual world appeared in my work. Being drawn in to capture various scenes around the mosques, I thought the photographs were simply documenting the hustle and bustle of this busy bridge. I was astonished when pillars of light energy appeared after they were developed.

# 10

29

proof beyond

30

# 10

proof beyond

“

Analogue film is my medium, so it can prove that these photographs have not been manipulated.

”

Paris Ackrill - Photographer

Serpent

For me this is the most unique photograph.

Notice the snake like ectoplasm extending from my shoulder down to the ground - it looks like it could be an arm, but it isn’t. Neither is it a piece of clothing as I am totally nude. It is quite grainy as it was getting dark in the forest and I did not have a tripod. I was exploring low down on the moss covered earth feeling quite creaturelike when this self-portrait was taken. A snake is one of my Shamanic power animals, I do not know if it is that, my inherent serpent energy or something else!

During the moments in which these spiritual photographs were captured I was in what you might call a creative trance. It is a feeling of complete connection; you are totally in and with the moment. Anything of the mind melts away and you become one with what you are doing. It is a surreal state in which you feel like you are carried by a greater energy, flowing with feeling. My body, vision and equipment all move with sublime ease, graciousness and speed. It is the rush of peak creative joy and feels wonderful.

The only times in which I have captured esoteric, ectoplasmic phenomena have been relatively long periods where I have been in this described state. Perhaps because I am connected to source or a greater energy movement, things show up where they would not normally. I cannot really explain how or why it happens but this is the only commentary I can share on how the images were captured. It is worth noting that I only started photographing this kind of phenomena since my full spiritual journey and awakening really began.

The energies do not appear to my naked eye, I am simply strongly drawn to take a particular picture. Even mundane things like the young man sitting on the pavement. He is just looking at his phone and then what is perceived to be an angel or spirit appears in the developed negative.

Being guided and drawn in by feeling, it happens more quickly than one can think about it; thought does not come into the process.

# 10

31

proof beyond

Analogue film is my medium so it can prove that these photographs have not been manipulated (as the anomalies are present on the negative). And, having only used film for over eight years now I know that these are not chemical distortions or abrasions on the film being accustomed to the regular abnormalities of working with this process. It is interesting that the phenomena mostly show up on such grainy negatives, normally my images are much clearer. For one reason or another, either low lighting or the type of film creates a lot of grain and the spirit world seems to like that.

I have seen many photographs of orbs before but the spiritual apparitions in this series seem fairly unique. If you have captured anything similar or would like to discuss any of this work, please get in touch with me through my website. I would love to discuss it with you.Â

32

# 10

Blue Orb Trancoso, Brazil

A spiritualist who lives in the town says she often sees lights in the trees there. I was stunned by the beauty of this tree and stood in front of it appreciating it for a short while before taking the shot. This orb was different from any I had seen before, being blue and having a geometric diamond shape inside. It initially made me think of fairies, however there are many energies and devas at work in nature.

proof beyond

Angel This photograph was taken outside the central station in Copenhagen. Mark my words, this is not a bird!Â

# 10

33

proof beyond

Orb Marrakech, Morocco

This was taken in a back street in Marrakech, a classic spiritual shot the simple yet profound orb. I like the movement and darkness contrasted against the bright and obvious orb. Orbs are intriguing. Once I was shown an orb in a digital photograph with a clear face in. I like to think when orbs are white like this they are spirits yet what do I know?!

34

# 10

proof beyond

WWW.PARISACKRILL.COM Paris is a working artist based in London.

She is next exhibiting with The Other Art Fair at Victoria House, Bloomsbury Place, London WC1B 4DA, 23-26th April 2015.

Minaret Energy Yeni Cami Mosque (New Mosque) Istanbul, Turkey

The same subject was shot from multiple angels and the light above the minarets is visible in all.

# 10

35

Namaste by

Steven Nicolaides

EVERYONE SEEMS TO LOVE NAMA, FROM HARD-CORE RAW FOODERS TO WORLD FAMOUS CELEBRITIES. IT’S TIME WE GOT TO KNOW OUR FRIENDS AT NAMA A BIT BETTER, AS I SHARE MY INSIGHTS INTO THEIR ORIGINS. PLUS WE HAVE A MINI ‘GREATEST HITS’ OF THE MANY RECIPES THEY HAVE SHARED WITH US. 36

# 10

Thai Coconut Curry Cauliflower, courgette, red pepper & leek marinated in a sweet chilli sauce, served with a coconut curry, kohlrabi rice and pickled fennel

# 10

37

Namaste Nama

I

n keeping with their mystical sounding name, Nama, in an almost miraculous fashion seem to have appeared as a world class eatery overnight. But they did actually grow (and still are growing)! From something smaller. Since their materialisation on planet Earth in January 2013, they have been showing the world just how beautiful and delicious raw food can be.

If you are a fan of Nama or their edible works of art on a slate then enjoy this article charting their evolution so far.

How did it all begin?

It seems fitting that I should write this article about Nama since I’ve known its inspirational founders Rich Havardi and Irene Arango since before Nama opened. I first met Rich on a gloriously hot and sunny day on Hampstead Heath in July 2011. The occasion was a picnic event he organised with Maria Love You. Around that time Rich and Maria were regularly organising various ‘conscious’ gatherings and events, blending wellbeing, healing, raw food, new age spirituality and of course socialising! Above all the unifying them was love, and the name of the group was ‘The Love Generation’. It turned out to be a magical day in the natural oasis of Hampstead Heath, and many friendships and professional relationships grew from it. We talked, made music, did yoga, foraged for blackberries and played games until sunset. My abiding memory is Rich managing to get beetroot juice all over his white T-shirt! Rich also brought some raw food ‘truffles’ with him, which he shared with the group. Everyone new to raw food always seems to start with energy balls - which are usually just a blend of dates and nuts, and then given fancy titles like ‘Truffles’.

However Rich’s were slightly more interesting than the bog standard raw truffles. Even then I noticed there was a lot more care about the choice of ingredients as well as a nice balance of flavours, and easily the best I’d had at the time. “Hmmm the force is strong with this one…”, I thought, but I had no idea he had

38

# 10

Irene & Rich Outside the first Nama in Lonsdale Road, Queens Park - 2013

Mini Lemon curd raw muffins Filled with a raspberry sauce.

Namaste Nama

Falafel wrap Pumpkin seed & sun-dried tomato falafel, ‘roasted’ Mediterranean vegetables, courgette & cashew nut hummus, rolled in a dehydrated veggie wrap

¿¿ The original Nama Lonsdale Road, Queens Park - 2013

aspirations of being a raw food chef or would even open a world class raw food restaurant a few years later. On the 13th January 2012 Rich and Maria started a regular event called ‘Love Fridays’ hosted at Alchemy which was a yoga studio in Camden Stables Market.

Rich was serving raw gourmet food, desserts, smoothies and juices from Alchemy’s cafe and there was also live music. It was hugely popular. The first night was free entry but even the addition of an entrance fee the next week didn’t reduce the numbers. Sadly, for whatever reason it didn’t last long, and Love Fridays at Alchemy ceased. Alchemy too a year later would close which was a shame as it was a gorgeous venue - a converted old warehouse. They were also quite cutting edge with gong baths, and other spiritual classes to go with a wide range of yoga classes.

Rich then moved on to a head chef role at ‘Down to Earth’ - a vegetarian cafe in High Street Kensington bringing in some raw food dishes to their menu, the stand out being a yummy ‘chocolate ganache’. There was also a rather tasty raw lasagne which was similar to its current incarnation at Nama. He was also teaching raw food workshops at the time and collaborating with Irene Arango for various events.

Irene had a raw food delivery business called ‘Bliss Bites & Detox’ and I knew her first though Facebook. We met in person in September 2012 at a ‘World Raw Food series workshop - Italian’ she was running with Rich. There was a demonstration by Rich and Irene (with a little help from some volunteers in the audience) of various raw versions of Italian dishes like beetroot ravioli, courgette spaghetti, lasagne, pesto and

tiramisu cake! Afterwards we got to eat all the food which everybody loved. Irene and I got on straight away. She’s a passionate, strong, loving person and incredibly driven. I told Rich and Irene of my plans to launch Lúcuma magazine soon and asked if they would like to contribute some recipes. “Sure! And I love Lúcuma, it’s one of my favourite ingredients”, Irene replied enthusiastically. This was a real confidence boost for me, to have some really talented people supporting my project in its early stages. In fact there’s been a recipe from them in every issue of this magazine since.

Towards the end of that year I visited Irene at her flat. She had just come back from a holiday to Peru with her husband Eric so they were buzzing with energy. Irene was in the kitchen busy making some raw chocolate bars filled with coconut, in addition to preparing other treats for her delivery business, and having a meeting with me!

Irene is definitely a great multi-tasker. She offered me a herbal tea and one of the freshly made raw chocolate bars. “I have some very exciting news, but you have to keep it a secret for now”, she said. “Rich and I are going to open our own restaurant!” “Wow, where, how, when?”, I asked. The location was at CC’s cake shop in Queens Park where they had given the ‘World Raw Food series’ workshop.

They were going to rent half the space of the shop for use as their own cafe area. Over a cup of Peruvian tea - Irene, Eric and I spoke enthusiastically well into the evening about energetic portals, ayahuasca, architecture, and the prophesied energetic shift of December the 21st 2012, which was looming.

# 10

39

Namaste Nama

The White tables of Nama

Nama

Namah

Japanese for raw (or unpasteurised)

‘Adoration’ in sanskrit and is often used in Hindu mantras such as ‘Om Namah Shivaya’

What’s in a Name?

Nama Shoyu

In Japanese, nama means raw (or unpasteurised) and shoyu means soy sauce.

Namaste

An ancient sanskrit word used as a greeting. Namaha means ‘bow’, ‘reverential salutation’ or ‘adoration’ and ‘te’ means ‘to you’

Parallel universes, holograms and synchronicites - the night before the opening On the 16th January 2013, the night before the original Nama opened I was keen to go and pay them a visit.

I’d invited one of the early writers for Lúcuma - Adriana Wigderowitz (now Sky Acamesis) to come along too. Sky is a very gifted young shamaness or in new age language - ‘light worker’. Astral travel, taking to the dead, lucid dreaming and ancestral time lines are all easy peasy to her, it was the day to day stuff that presented more of the challenge for her back then! As a vegan I thought she would be interested in getting a behind the scenes look at a new raw food restaurant as well as hopefully be inspired by its founders. We met up at ‘The Alice House’ bar before walking to Nama. This location turned out to be quite synchronistic as days previously Adriana led a group on a synchronicity walk through Covent Garden with an ‘Alice and wonderland’ theme in which she was actually dressed like Alice in the

40

# 10

middle of winter! As I was waiting for Adriana to arrive I got out the book I was reading at the time, ‘The Holographic Universe’ - by American author Michael Talbot. This is a staggering piece of work where Michael puts across the theory that reality as we know it is a projection of our own creation - like a hologram. He uses established quantum physics and cutting edge science woven together with historical accounts and psychic experiments to put this new paradigm across to the reader in such a way that they feel inspired and open to the idea that reality is as flexible as play-dough.

The original Nama was in Lonsdale Road - a private road which is a bit like those cute and desirable mews in central and West London. Lonsdale Road has a skilled artisan workshop energy with various studios, offices, restaurants, cafes and a yoga studio, there is even a car mechanic! In the summer it felt very continental as there was no traffic passing by and plenty of space for outdoor seating for the restaurants, including Nama. The inside of the original Nama was really a testament to their ingenuity. They made

Made a by local upcycling workshop initiative called Goldfinger.

These specially commissioned tables are a homage to a big communal wooden table at the original Nama, which was painted white. The white paint was flaking off due to age and it created a great backdrop to dishes in photo shoots!

Nama also reused the wood cladding of the old bar on the new kitchen bar cladding of the basement.

maximum use of the space, hiding the blenders, fridge and dehydrators behind a screen at the back They also custom built, by themselves (with a little help from their friends), mobile counters, which acted as bar seating around the kitchen, and on the kitchen side storage space. They also had use of a big wooden table with white flaky paint that would later be quite influential in the branding ‘look’ of Nama. The whole place felt very rustic, and a little Japanese (well at least on Nama’s side). In Japan it’s quiet common for restaurants to have seating around the kitchen, and I actually think it’s quite charming. The whole room was divided equally in two. On the left the raw food world of Nama on the right the traditional world of baked cakes of the cake shop. In many ways it was old verses new and one of the cake shop staff members actually ‘defected’ from the old into the new and eventually became the first front of house manager when they moved to the new Nama in Notting Hill!

I introduced Adriana to Irene and Rich who were calmly preparing for the

Namaste Nama

Blueberry cheesecake

Made with fermented nut ‘cheese’ for a true tart and creamy cheesecake flavour was different. It was one of the first occasions that I felt ‘the shift’ of moving from one reality to the next. We all do it constantly but we don’t often feel it.

When we do so, it’s usually when a big change has occurred. But as we attune to it, detox or bodies, eat more naturally

Na ma

!

DE-SEED YOUR TOMATOES!

T

ip

first day of opening. Adriana did her shamanic thing and gave Nama and the building a cleansing. There was still a lot of food prep to do so Adriana and I offered to help. We had a great time that night chopping the mushrooms, de-seeding tomatoes, and tearing the kale leaves from the stalks. In the background we had the ‘Gayatri Mantra’ playing which made the night seem even more dream like. Rich asked us what we thought of the Nama logo that his brother Dan, who’s an illustrator by profession, had just emailed over.

We all gathered round the computer to have a look. It was gorgeous, and suited the Nama vibe perfectly. The whole thing was so exciting for me and I felt privileged to be present at the birth of such a wonderful project as Nama. I was certain that Irene and Rich’s creation would go on to great things… But I didn’t know how quickly that would happen. When it got late Adriana and I left as we had to make sure we didn’t get stranded in Queens park in the freezing cold. The road was sparkling like diamonds from the cold frost and as we were walking to the tube station I suddenly felt as if everything

When making sauces using tomatoes it’s a good idea to scoop out the gelatinous centre & seeds. They make for a better smoother texture and flavour

and become more sensitive it starts to become more noticeable. This was exactly the topic I was reading about in ‘Holographic Universe’ earlier, only now it felt like the practical rather than the theory.

Up until Nama, raw food restaurants

in London didn’t last long. There were raw food restaurants here as early as 2008 but by the time of Nama opening on the 17th of January 2013 the only 100% raw place left was the Danish chain 420 RAW (which I loved) - tucked away in the Royal Academy of Arts building - however their choice of mains was quite small. All the other surviving eateries that served raw food, though excellent, also offered cooked food.

So Nama’s opening was a big deal in the food scene of London. Nama was effectively the only 100% raw vegan restaurant at the time in London, plus they also used organic ingredients.

Nama were successful pretty much straight away. Surprisingly the majority of their custom came from people who lived or worked locally and were just looking for a tasty lunch. The small ‘easy to digest’ menu with familiar dishes like pizza, sushi and lasagne really helped too. So although the concept of raw food may have been new to many it was presented in a beautiful, familiar form, and because it tasted good they came back. Hard core raw fooders, healthy vegans & vegetarians and those looking for a healthy meal option or juice were

# 10

41

Namaste Nama

Aspiring raw Chef Workshop Irene teaching the class about green smoothies

p!

Na ma T i POWDER YOUR SUGAR

Nama uses granular sweeteners like coconut sugar rather than liquid for raw chocolate bars.

Powder the coconut sugar first in a blender and store it in an air tight container. Use in chocolate recipes for a much better texture

Raw Chocolate Easter egg

also satisfied. Nama had (and still does) have visitors from all over the country and aboard after word got out on the raw food grape vine. Nama also grasped the concept of social media, and the regular food photo posts on Facebook and Twitter had people salivating. They also put a lot of focus on delivery and bespoke catering which really helped expand their audience.

Celebrities too started ordering especially those from the USA who were visiting and already aware of the concept of raw food.

Raw food cuisine is far less forgiving than the world of cooked food. Raw food dishes can easily go wrong if the ingredients are not balanced or combined well enough. There is no heat element to disguise things. Here it’s left to the chefs skill and expertise to create a balanced dish. Anyone who has been in the raw food world long enough will know there are many ‘OK’ dishes out there but few manage to knock you out straight away.

Even from launch day every dish was a star. There was not one weak item on the menu from starters to mains to cold pressed juices and smoothies, all had to be, and was perfect.

Nama of Notting Hill By the summer of 2013 it already felt like Nama had been around for years yet it had only been 6 months - perhaps it was more holographic space and time bending! It had become clear that Nama should really have their own space and towards the end of the year they were looking for somewhere to move. A mutual friend suggested Notting Hill, which is a perfect match for Nama - clean, luxurious and a bustling creative side. They found their current location at 110 Talbot Road, but the premises needed a bit of building work done before they would be ready to move in. Luckily Irene’s husband, Eric, is an architect and he drew up the plans and managed the project.

42

# 10

¿¿ Dainius and Rich having fun in the Kitchen

Namaste Nama

Synchronous Nama Those of you who have an eye for synchronicity may have spotted something… Their new address was to be on Talbot Road, and the author of the book I was reading the time of the Nama opening was ‘The Holographic Universe’

by Michael Talbot! Even stranger, the name of the road two roads down is Lonsdale Road, which is the name of the road they were originally located at in Queens Park. But there’s more… The road in-between Talbot Road and Lonsdale Road in Notting Hill is Colville Terrace and the middle name of Michael Talbot just happened to be… Coleman.

In April 2014 Nama opened at their new home at 110 Talbot Road, Notting Hill. They were absolutely swamped!

Clearly three dehydrators wasn’t going to be enough. Nor was four, then five. What about six dehydrators? They had never anticipated they would be this busy since moving. By now main-stream press was starting to cover more stories about raw food diets and restaurants - especially Nama, and popular instagramers would post gorgeous photos of Nama’s food, increasing their fan base even more.

Zucchini Pasta Spiralised zucchini noodles served with pomodoro sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, caramelised onions and olives

▲▲Nama at 110 Talbot Road, Notting Hill

# 10

43

Namaste Nama

▲▲Kohlrabi Ravioli with Nut ‘Cheese’

So what does the future hold Nama?

Certainly they would like to open at more locations. Also to run more in-depth classes in addition to the ones they currently do.

Perhaps even more exciting is that they are busy planning their own recipe book and range of raw food products. The first foray into this being a raw chocolate Easter egg.

It seems everyone wants a ‘piece’ of Nama, and perhaps this way, everyone can. Namaste!

Rich & Irene Founders of Nama 44

# 10

Namaste Nama

The idea for this recipe came as a result of being stuck in a cinema queue. There were three people in front of me all ordering Pistachio ice cream. “Right!” I thought, “I’m going to ask my friends at Nama to come up with a healthy raw vegan version!”, Which they did, and here it is... (First published in Lúcuma 03.

INGREDIENTS - Makes 4 servings 3 cups frozen bananas, in pieces.

1 avocado 1 cup almond milk * ½ cup pistachio butter** ¼ teaspoon chlorella powder (for colouring) Alternatively you can use barley or wheat grass 1 teaspoon slippery elm (optional - makes the texture more creamy) 3 tablespoons agave (or other liquid sweetener) Pinch of Himalayan salt ¼ cup crushed pistachios (for garnish) METHOD In a high speed blender, put the frozen bananas and all the other ingredients except the crushed pistachios.

Blend until you get a smooth mix. Keep it in the freezer and take out ½ hour before serving. *To make almond milk blend 1 cup almond soaked for 8 hours with 4 cups water, ½ teaspoon vanilla powder and strain through a nut milk bag. Or you can purchase ready made almond milk. **to make raw pistachio butter put 1 cup pistachios into your food processor and operate until it becomes a smooth butter. You can also purchase it already made in health food stores.

PISTACHIO ICE CREAM by

Nama # 10

45

Namaste Nama

First published in Lúcuma 04, this is similar to the ‘Luscious Lúcuma’ smoothie served at Nama. When the front of house manager learned this recipe, “He lived on it for 2 weeks!”

INGREDIENTS - serves 2 2 cups almond milk 1/2 tsp vanilla powder 3 tbsp lúcuma powder 1 tbsp hulled hemp seeds 1 tbsp maple syrup

LUSCIOUS LÚCUMA SMOOTHIE by

Nama 46

# 10

1 tbsp chia seeds, powdered 1 tbsp coconut sugar, ground 1 tbsp melted coconut oil Pinch Himalayan salt METHOD Blend until smooth. Add 1 tbsp melted coconut oil and blend until well incorporated. Try not to drink it too fast!

Namaste Nama

CHOCOLATE & VANILLA CREAM COOKIES by

Alessandra Felice & Nama

These cookies are chocolate rich and filled with a delicate vanilla cream.

They are very satisfying and remind us of Oreos, and yes, you can separate the tops and bottoms and eat the filling first!

For the filling

INGREDIENTS - serves 2

½ cup xylitol, powdered

For the bases and tops

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

2 cups almond flour

Pinch of Himalayan salt

1 cup cacao powder

¼ cup water

1 cup maple syrup

METHOD

Pinch of Himalayan salt

To assemble the cookies place some of the vanilla cream on one of chocolate rounds and press with another one to extend the filling through all the surface.

That’s it! They keep in the fridge for at least 1 week - that is, if you don’t eat them all straight away!

2 tsp vanilla powder Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until you have a paste. Extend the paste in between teflex sheets using a rolling pin to the desired thickness. With a cookie cutter, cut the rounds for the tops and bottoms of the cookies. Remember to make even numbers of rounds!

Dehydrate them for 8 hours or overnight until dry.

TIP - If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can still make these - just place the rounds in the freezer. They will be softer, but the flavours will remain the same.

1 cup cashews ¼ cup cacao butter + 1 tbps ¼ cup coconut oil

TIP- The excess of filling can be used as topping or frosting on raw cupcakes or cakes or just double the amount of chocolate rounds to make lots of cookies in one go.

# 10

47

48

# 10

The Name’s Pom...

BONPOM HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD TO US AT LÚCUMA, SUPPORTING US FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, SO IT’S ABOUT TIME WE GOT TO KNOW THEM A LOT BETTER AND DISCOVER SOME OF THEIR AMAZING RECIPES!

LICENSED TO BLEND # 10

49

BONPOm

T

HEY ARE ONE OF THE FUNKIEST AND PASSIONATE OF SUPERFOOD & HEALTHY SNACK SUPPLIERS AROUND. BUT BONPOM ARE NOT JUST ABOUT PRODUCTS, THEY ALSO PROVIDE FREE EBOOKS, RECIPES, NUTRITIONAL ADVICE, INFORMATION AND FREQUENTLY DO DEMONSTRATIONS AND SAMPLINGS IN HEALTH FOOD STORES. FOUNDED BY ALAN MARTIN AND ROB STEIDLE IN 2009, THEY WANTED TO BRING A BIT OF FUN AND LIGHT HEARTEDNESS TO THE HEALTH FOOD WORLD, IN ADDITION TO GREAT QUALITY PRODUCTS AND MAKING SUPERFOODS MORE ACCESSIBLE.

What does BonPom mean and how did you choose the name?

BonPom comes from, bonne pomme, the French for ‘good apple’. BonPom.com has a memorable ring to it and, of course, a good apple keeps the doctor away.

What’s with all the psychedelic imagery?

This is an influence of the 1960s and 1970s, we love the colours and energy of those times and wanted to bring that back to our time. There is also the ‘feel good’ and ‘natural highs’ elements associated with healthy living and superfoods, so we are quite happy to express a psychedelic theme.

You have both been in the health food business for a long time, how has it changed since you were first introduced to it?

Technology has helped change the health food business.

Consumers are much more knowledgeable, they are more likely to know what they want and it is probable that they have done some research on line before coming into the store. Does that make our job easier?

Far from it, a little knowledge….as the saying goes….is a dangerous thing. It is more important than ever that we have qualified staff in-store to deal with customer’s requirements, to listen and provide customers with the advice we can give. We need to sift through what customers are telling us, and sort out some of the misinformation they may have picked up on line or from friends It works all the way through the chain to suppliers too, who in the main, are increasingly well placed to support store staff with qualified professionals on hand, that can offer advice.

Another change is in product innovation.

Everyone thought endless EU directives and legislation would spell disaster for the Health Food Business, but I believe it has become more professional, innovative and better placed

50

# 10

to serve a modern health conscious population. Eighty percent of products on sale today in Health Food Stores just weren’t around 10 years ago and that is fantastic news for customers looking for new products.

Tell us about the making of the ‘Quantum ice’ video, and is it true people actually tried to place orders?

The ‘Quantum ice’ idea was actually inspired by a comment from a customer during an in-store demo day. We were making a raw vegan lúcuma ice cream in our Vitamix and a customer asked if the ice we were using was made from filtered water, tap water or something else!

We started thinking about the possibilities of what ‘something else’ could be and it kind of ran away with itself at that point. Before we knew it were on a quantum roll and had started planning a video. We thought, actually this is too funny an idea to do straight away, so we decided we would save it for April Fool’s day.

We wanted a nice pseudo-science appeal so we imagined that the ice had been discovered during the search for the Higgs Boson. We hired a couple of actors to play the part but I couldn’t resist playing the role of the store owner stocking the shelves with Quantum Ice. After the video was released we started getting people asking about it and if they could buy some.

Sadly, Quantum Ice is not available, Yet! But if it does you will hear about it first from BonPom!

What is the concept behind the ‘Let’s Create Amazing Things!’ campaign?

‘Let’s Create Amazing Things’ is less of a campaign and more about who we are at BonPom. It’s getting a message out there about what is possible when it comes to working with superfoods. We are creating whole new recipes, ideas and concepts and showing how it can be fun. After all we are powered by superfoods at BonPom!

What have you got planned for the rest of the year?

At BonPom we are constantly innovating and researching in order to bring new ideas, concepts and amazing things to market. One area that really interests us, is Sports Nutrition, but from a raw vegan perspective. Sports Performance products are becoming more common place.

We currently have products such as Pumpkin seed, chia seed and Hemp seed protein powders, alongside chia seeds, whole hemp seeds and shelled hemp seeds. We are currently testing 3 protein super blends and getting some amazing results.

The new look BonPom is attracting a lot of attention!

om

om.c bonp

# 10

51

BONPOm

Raw Vegan Superfood Tabbouleh What you need 1 medium to large head of crisp fresh cauliflower 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped

n lphi ff’s o d et tu Forg , this s y! ndly friendl e i r f A om TUN rs BonP e Che

½ cup packed fresh mint leaves, chopped 3 spring onions, thinly sliced ¼ cup soaked BonPom goji Berries ¼ cup soaked BonPom Inca Berries 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered or halved (depending on size) 1 cup (1/2) cucumber, peeled and chopped ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped 3 small cloves of garlic, minced / chopped ¼ cup fresh lemon juice

Vegan NO-Tuna Pate

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or BonPom Coconut oil 1 teaspoon fresh grated turmeric (or ½ teaspoon ground turmeric) ½ - 1 teaspoon BonPom Himalayan pink salt* ¼ teaspoon black pepper What you do Cut the cauliflower to remove the stem and then chop into pieces small enough to fit into your food processor. Alternatively you can use a hand grater Place the cauliflower in food processor and pulse until the cauliflower pieces turn into “cauliflower rice”. You may have to do this in batches, depending on how large your processor is.

Add parsley, mint, spring onion and garlic into food processor to chop more finely, if desired.

Place cauliflower rice, parsley, mint, spring onion and garlic into a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and toss to mix. Taste and add more seasoning if necessary. *If you are following a Paleo diet, leave out the salt.

Serve chilled or at room temperature. Store covered in the fridge for up to one week.

Raw Vegan Superfood Tabbouleh

This tasty vegan pate is a fantastic healthy alternative to canned tuna. I wanted to try and replicate the pate my mum used to make when we were kids, only now I wanted to create a healthy vegan alternative.

I remember the creamy crunch of a tuna sandwich in my school lunch box. These days it’s vegan but I certainly don’t sacrifice any of the crisp texture and the taste is still amazing!

It’s the perfect accompaniment to your favourite bread, crackers, lettuce wraps or a tasty jacket potato filling!

What you need - Serves 4 1 cup almonds soaked overnight (or at least for 4 hours), rinse and drain 1/2 cup walnuts, soaked overnight (or at least 4 hours), rinse and drain 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon BonPom Himalayan pink salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons red pepper finely chopped or minced 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder 1 teaspoon dulse flakes 1 teaspoon of dried dill 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped or minced 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped or minced 1/4 cup cucumber, finely chopped or minced 1/4 cup vegan mayo What you do Place the almonds and walnuts, lemon juice, black pepper, mustard powder, and salt in a Vitamix or food processor using the S blade, and process chunky or smooth, depending on your preference.

When you have the desired consistency, transfer to a mixing bowl. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the processor jug.

Add the celery, red pepper, onion, cucumber, dulse, dill, Italian seasoning and vegan mayo. Mix well by hand.

Store in a sealed container in the fridge, will keep for up to 5 days.

52

# 10

BONPOm

Vegan ‘Meatballs’, Courgette & Carrot Noodles with Roasted Pepper & Tomato Sauce & ‘Parmesan’ Cheese

Christine Bailey spiralising courgette

Recipe by Christine Bailey A delicious protein rich dish, low in carbs but packed with nutrients to keep the body energised. Using the pumpkin seed protein powder increases the protein and nutritional content of the meatballs. The meatballs can be dehydrated or cooked gently in the oven.

Serves 2 Noodles 2 courgettes 1 carrot Pinch of sea salt Handful of basil leaves chopped ‘Meatballs’ 70g Portobello mushrooms chopped 50g walnuts 2 tbsp Bon Pom Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder 2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes 3 soft pitted dates 2 sundried tomatoes, in oil drained 1tbsp apple cider vinegar 1tsp ground cumin Handful of parsley 1tbsp tamari or coconut aminos 1 garlic clove ½ tsp sea salt To coat – 30g sesame seeds or ground almonds Roasted Pepper & Tomato Sauce 70g pine nuts 2 roasted red peppers 4 sundried tomatoes 1 tablespoon lemon juice Pinch of garlic powder 2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes 1 tbsp tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos 1 tbsp coconut syrup or yacon syrup ‘Parmesan’ cheese 60g macadamia nuts 1 tbsp nutritional yeast 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.

Use a spiraliser to create long noodles with the courgette and carrot. Place in a large bowl and season with a little salt.

Make the red pepper sauce – simply place all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. You may need to add a splash of water. Season with salt and pepper To make the ‘parmesan’ cheese simply grate the nuts on a microplane then mix in the yeast and salt.

To make the meatballs place the mushrooms and walnuts in a food processor and pulse to chop up finely. Add the remaining ingredients and process to form a soft dough. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up slightly.

Falafels – with a twist!

What you need 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 small red onion, finely chopped 2 cloves of garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon cumin 1 carrot, grated 2 cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed 3 tablespoons tahini ½ cup of BonPom pumpkin seed protein powder ½ teaspoon BonPom Pink salt Bunch of flat parsley, roughly chopped What you do Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and cook until soft.

Add the garlic and cumin and cook for a couple more minutes.

Put the onion mixture into a Vitamix or food processor along with all the other ingredients. Pulse until the ingredients are combined. Stop intermittently to scrape down the sides of the food processor.

If the mixture is too wet add more pumpkin powder. If it is too dry add a dash of olive oil or lemon juice.

Once you have a thick mixture that holds together well. form it into small patties about 4cm across and 2cm deep. Place them onto a lined baking tray and brush with olive oil.

Bake in the oven on gas mark 5/190C for 15 minutes.

Turn the patties over, return to the oven and bake for a further 10 minutes or until both sides are lightly browned.

Alternatively fry the patties in oil until just beginning to brown.

Serve in pitta breads with green salad and salsa sauce.

Take walnut size pieces of the meatball mixture, roll into balls then dust or roll into sesame seeds or ground almonds.

Place on a teflex sheet and dehydrate for 2-3 hours to firm up.

Alternatively place in the oven at 180C, gas mark 4 to dry out slightly for 15 minutes.

Toss the noodles in the red pepper sauce (reserve a little sauce) and place on plates. Top with the meatballs and basil leaves.

Drizzle over the remaining sauce. Scatter with ‘parmesan’ cheese or serve with nut cheese.

# 10

53

BONPOm

These cute yellow faces are not Aliens, they are in fact quite close to what a Lúcuma fruit cut in half looks like!

Lúcuma CACAO Latte Lúcuma has been described as tasting like a cross between sweet potato and caramel! We love it, and it makes for delicious yummy hot drinks that won’t spin you out like coffee can! It tends to have a nice relaxing and comforting effect on me so I recommend this as a nice evening drink.

This is very easy to make especially if you are using shop bought milks such as almond, coconut or hemp. If you want a more wholesome version, it tastes even better if you make your own nut milk.

Method: *just use a kitchen teaspoon for this no need for a measuring teaspoon Warm the required amount of milk to fill your mug in a saucepan Then add 2-3 teaspoons of Lúcuma Powder 1 teaspoon of Cacao Powder Half a teaspoon of Coconut oil and sweetener of choice to your mug Pour the milk into your mug full of those wonderful ingredients and stir well.

54

# 10

ida ’ la v !

Lúca

Livin

BONPOm

Chocolate Caramel Slices Recipe by Christine Bailey A deliciously sweet treat, rich and indulgent. You can cut into slices and freeze to make an iced bar.

Base 30g raw cacao powder 125g almonds 80g soft dates 3-4 tbsp melted coconut butter 1 tbsp vanilla extract Pinch of sea salt Caramel filling 170g soft dates, soaked for 15 minutes then drained 60g coconut syrup or yacon syrup 2 heaped tbsp almond nut butter 3 tbsp cacao butter melted 1 tbsp lĂşcuma powder Topping 250g dairy free chocolate chips 2 tsp coconut oil First make the base. Grind up the almonds until fine. Place in a food processor with the remaining ingredients and blend until combined. It should come together to form a dough.

Press into the base of a 20cm x 20cm baking tin lined with nonstick baking paper. Refrigerate until set.

To make the caramel, place dates, nut butter, coconut syrup, lĂşcuma and cacao butter in a food processor and process for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.

Spread the filling over the base and chill to firm.

Place the chocolate topping ingredients in a pan and warm very gently until the chocolate has melted. Pour over the filling then place in the fridge for 2 hours to set. Freeze for 30 minutes then cut into slices and serve.

Mm hav m, can e on I e? # 10

55

SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS OF ATLANTIS BONPOm

CA

GO

CA

DD

O

ES

Cr Nat eated for ural the & exh Organi BonPo ibit ion c Prod m stan u at L d ond cts Eu at the rope on’s EXC 2 EL. 015

56

# 10

S

SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS OF ATLANTIS BONPOm

Chick-O-Choc Balls What you need - Makes approx. 10 balls 1 cup pitted dates 1 cup cooked or canned chickpeas (rinse and pat dry with kitchen towel) 1-2 tablespoons BonPom Raw Cacao powder Optional ingredients: vanilla, cinnamon, BonPom Cacao nibs Extra cacao powder for rolling. You could also use desiccated coconut or BonPom Shelled Hemp Seeds.

What you do Place chickpeas and dates in a Vitamix or high speed blender and process until well combined into a sticky dough consistency.

Add the cacao powder. Also add the vanilla or cinnamon at this point If you want some extra crunch to the balls then add some cacao nibs (as little or as much as you like).

Press the dough into balls with your hands, then roll in cacao (coconut or shelled hemp seeds) to make trufflelooking balls.

Put in the freezer for around an hour and they’ll be ready to serve! Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Will keep for up to a week, but I somehow think they will be gone long before then!

www.bonpom.com # 10

57

KIRLIAN PHOTOGraphy

S E E I N G

T H E

I N V I S I B L E

Kirlian PHOTOGRAPHY Photography by

Natasha Piris

E

lectrography techniques to capture the corona discharge of objects existed as far back as the late 1800s but the technique we use today was developed by Russian electrical engineer Semyon Kirlian and his wife Valentina in 1939. Like his contemporary Nikolai Tesla, Semyon Kirlian had a fascination and talent for working with electricity. After witnessing a high-frequency d’Arsonval electrotherapy device demonstration he noticed a flash of light between the machines electrodes and patients skin. He then set about trying to capture and investigate this phenomena photographically. The Kirlians discovered that if an object on a photographic plate is connected to a high-voltage source, an image is produced on the photographic plate of the objects coronal discharge.

By the 1960s Kirlian images started to filter their way into the public mainstream and in 1973 musician George Harrison helped publicise the technique further by featuring a Kirlian image of his hand on the front cover of his album ‘Living in the material world’.

In these series of images taken by Natasha & David Piris we are focusing on the sheer glory of Kirlian photography, and the wondrous ‘halo’ (coronal discharge).

We were already impressed with the first set of images Natasha sent through but at the end there is a real surprise that amazed all of us including Natasha in how it came to be, and is in fact a world first in the field of Kirlian photography.

58

# 10

KIRLIAN PHOTOGraphy

LEMON SLICE # 10

59

kirlian photography

CINNAMON BARK

ALOE VERA SLICE

ROSEMARY

60

# 10

kirlian photography

APPLE HALVES GARLIC BULB

ASPARAGUS

# 10

61

kirlian photography

BAT

A recently deceased bat. The bat died of natural causes due to a broken wing. If you look closely at the right wing you will see no coronal discharges. The bat died outside of Natasha’s home in Spain as if it knew that it wanted its body to be immortalised as a kirlian photograph.

This is the worlds first Kirlian image of a Bat!

62

# 10

kirlian photography

# 10

63

r u o y n i s ’ t a Wh ? n e h c t i K LET’S EXPLORE THE KITCHEN OF JOEL & AISTE GAZDAR, FOUNDERS OF THE WILD FOOD CAFE IN COVENT GARDEN LONDON. THEY ‘SPILL THE HE MP SEEDS’ ON THEIR HOME CULINARY HABITS. WE WILL FIND OUT HOW THEY LIKE TO EAT DAY TO DAY AND GET THEM TO SHARE SOME OF THEIR TIPS. by

Steven Nicolaides

Green S

alad

64

# 10

Roasted otato P t ee w S

ice, Wild R e , pin er d n a i cor with d a l a s t nu ive ol d n a lemon ing oil dress

Lettuce, Chinese greens, pink oli ves, pumpki n seed Dressed s. with pumpki n seed oi l and lem on

n spiced a c i x e M ream c w e h s ca

# 10

65

What’s IN YOUR KITCHEN?

I

66

he om t n r f view Kitche The

t is the hottest day of the year (so far) and I am meeting husband & wife team Joel & Aiste at their country cottage for a Saturday lunch. The early spring energies are in the air and the clean country air is filling my lungs. As I enter the kitchen conservatory and look out over the garden and surrounding valley full of cute cottages bathed in sunshine I am in awe.

“Wow, it’s like the Goonies”, I blurt out. Joel laughs in agreement. “What’s the Goonies?”, Aiste asks. “Oh it’s just a kids movie we grew up with in the 1980s”, Joel replies. It seems ‘The Goonies’ wasn’t as big a hit in Aiste’s native Lithuania as it was in the UK. The scenes I’m thinking of are early on in the movie where we see beautiful wooden homes perched on the hills of Astoria, Oregon. Except the houses overlooking the kitchen here are English cottages in Tunbridge Wells in the south of England.

Over the stove Aiste is heating some purple kidney beans in a spicy Mexican chill sauce which smell delicious, “It smells like Aiste’s curry house”, Joel jokes. On the large wooden dining table other dishes are already prepared - a mixture of raw and cooked food. Joel: “In the winter we eat more cooked foods and the summer more raw “. The food looks too good to wait. After a quick tour of the house and a hello to the two cats Jet and Champion we sit down to eat. For some reason I thought Joel would of prepared all the food as I am so used to associating him with cooking.

He is after all executive chef at the Wild Food Cafe.

But on this occasion it’s Aiste’s spread! “I’m the chef, behind the chef”, Aiste announces proudly with a smile. “When people come over I like to have lots of dishes and people can help themselves to whatever they like”. Well she’s not going to get any arguments from me! It all looks very appetising. There is a Wild rice, coconut oil, pine nut, coriander salad. A cashew, garlic and Mexican chilli cream sauce. A green salad.

Purple kidney beans in spicy Mexican tomato sauce.

Plain roasted sweet potato slices and another salad dish of lettuce, Chinese greens, pumpkin seeds and pink olives dressed in pumpkin oil. As I am about to dive in the cutlery catches my attention as they are made of bamboo. “The only reason we don’t use wooden cutlery in the cafe is that metal is a bit more

# 10

Aiste & Joel

ca

an exic ip M y Spic ream d c shew

What’s IN YOUR KITCHEN?

raw

ed The spic hygienic”, Joel explains. “For years I never ate with metal cutlery”. We all agree that metal cutlery can impart a metallic sensation especially with hot food like soups.

Well into our lunch I wonder what the Gazdars would eat when they come home from a long busy day.

“What are your quick food fixes?”

I ask. “Olives!” Aiste replies “and chocolate” Joel quips, although not both together I’m assuming. Aiste points to a large bucket size tub of black cured Peruvian olives on the counter but they also have other varieties including the pink olives they use at the Wild Food Cafe. Another quick meal can be a smoothie or juice. One of Joel’s tips for a quick healthy snack is a nut such a walnut or almond wrapped in a large piece of dried Dulse seaweed. It doesn’t sound very exciting but I assure you it’s very tasty and satisfying. For normal meals at home they would typically eat a cooked dish with a salad or raw side dish. “What do you guys eat for breakfast?” I ask.

For Aiste it’s just green tea, as she doesn’t eat breakfast. She eats her first meal at 10 or 11am “In the summer I like to have a smoothie”.

Joel feels its changeable depending on the weather and mood. Joel: “Sometimes I like to brew 5 litres of strong super herb tea that I can keep re-brewing”. “If I manage it well I can keep re-brewing it for weeks on end by replacing the water and some of the herbs”. “Doesn’t it ferment?”

I wonder. “No, because all the ingredients are anti fungal, and anti bacterial, also there is no sweetener in there, I add the sweetener to the final drink”. “Sometimes I use this superfood brew as a base for a

“People have got to make friends with their bodies!”

- Joel Gazdar

smoothie or hot drink in the winter”.

It’s clear from talking to Joel and Aiste that they don’t do the typical three meals a day. Aiste: “I think people are so attached to three meals a day and a regimented food intake. Everyone has a natural internal understanding of when they should or shouldn’t eat, sometimes it’s once

a day sometimes its five times a day.”

Joel: “People have got to make friends with their bodies!”. With this improvised approach to food does one need a great knowledge of ingredients and what works together?

“That comes with a lot of playing and experimenting”, Joel answers.

Aiste: “Often I don’t know what I’m making when I start cooking and it tends to come together at the end”. “For example today I had the ingredients of wild rice and kidney beans and I used that as a starting point for the dishes”. I agree that knowing your ingredients is key for anyone to really understand preparing food and creating nice healthy dishes on the spur of the moment. Speaking of ingredients it may surprise people that Joel and Aiste don’t use supermarkets. “We have a great biodynamic farm half an hour up the road where we can get amazing produce”, Joel explains.

“We use farm shops, farmers markets and occasionally health food stores”.

“And we try to keep as much of our ingredients as Organic as possible”.

There is one slice of organic sweet potato left on the table and as no one else wants it, I go for it.

# 10

67

What’s IN YOUR KITCHEN?

MS!

OO MUSHR

EPS

CORDYC

E M AITAK

OLIVES N A I V U R PE avourite f a e r a Olives zdars. a G e h t snack of

RESHI SLICES

E

SHIITAK

CHAGA Incredibly we ate all that food between the three of us. With our stomachs satisfied we decide we should enjoy this wonderful Saturday afternoon and go for a walk. But first a tour of the kitchen. Joel opens the doors of a very large two metres high cupboard to reveal his super food collection! Its like something out of Batman’s bat cave packed full of jars and packets of super foods, nuts, seeds, dried berries and fruits, herbal ingredients and different varieties of olive oil. Most of the them like ho she wu, chaga, maca, baobab, lúcuma, goji berries I can recognise and will be familiar to many of our readers, but then there are more obscure things like Ecommia - a tree bark that can stretch like elastic!

In one of the jars Joel is making a superfood vodka. It’s black in colour like thick tar and as he takes the lid off for me to smell, it has a lovely aroma.

68

# 10

This will eventually be strained to produce a finer liquid. Next they show me the seaweed draw. They are both big fans of sea vegetables and they probably have all popular varieties in there. Another draw is devoted to nut and seed butters. Some of them come from the Wild Food Cafe where they have a stone grinder.

Then there is also another draw full of spices being stored in glass jars. Joel is especially proud of his mushroom draw where there are large pieces of reishi mushroom and a large chunk of chaga mushroom that they foraged themselves in Lithuania. Over on the other side of the kitchen they have many varieties of honey all looking and smelling different. One that stuck in my mind was the Oak honey for its rich scent. As for plant based sweeteners they both like maple and coconut sugar. So what about water? Well Joel and Aiste are in the lucky position to be able to collect water straight from the springs nearby. They fill large water bottles and put them on a water dispenser. On the water dispenser is a hologram microchip that contains frequencies of wellbeing and harmony and imparts those frequencies to the water.

Joel on

ty

dish du

Cat Jet the t o ge wants t ot in sh

ater Spring w ed ollect that is c arby e from a n ing spr

What’s IN YOUR KITCHEN?

s ’ l e Jo

d o fo

S

r e up set clo

l A specia d superfoo lend herbal b in soaked Vodka Eucommia is a tree native to China.

It’s one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in Chinese herbology, where it is considered a Yang Jing tonic. It is used to help strengthen the bones, ligaments and tendons.

k The bar es like stretch astic! an el

# 10

69

What’s IN YOUR KITCHEN?

ight L n i d e h t Ba

A Wild day out...

’... e M y b d ‘Stan ine h s s y a r t Ligh way l i a r d l o on an line...

Croc

70

I LOVE ‘YEW’ The roots of an old Yew tree wrapped around the rocks

Rocks’ The ‘High ne formations sto cient sand i version of n a e s e h T us of a min reminded t R ushmore!

Moun

s r e w o fl us

# 10

’ s k c o R h g The ‘Hi

What’s IN YOUR KITCHEN?

Wild Garlic!

ic became This Wild Garl dinner Joel & Aiste’s that night.

Wild Garlic Pesto (Serves two) 1 bunch of wild garlic 30g of pine nuts 20g extra virgin olive

oil

1 TBLS of lemon juice Pinch of salt 20g of soft sun-drie

d tomatoes

Wild Garlic Pesto

10g of fresh basil (op

tional)

(Extra garlic optiona

l)

Call us crazy, but for this particular recipe we choose not to use any metal utensils to preserve the delicate structure and vibration of wild garlic. It kind of makes the pro cess of making this dish extra special and we enjoy the rit ual. We use a ceramic knife, grind pinenuts in a wooden mo rtar and pestle and love mixin g it all together with bamb oo cutlery.

But it is totally up to you. It will taste as delicious if you use a conventional food pro cessor: just add all ingredien ts, give it a quick whiz and it is all done!

e y e o t e ey

# 10

71

As Viridian Nutrition celebrate 15 years of being the leading brand of ethical vitamins, Lucuma ask...

What on Earth is an ethical vitamin?

Viridian is the leading brand of ethical vitamins, but what does this mean?

Viridian was named as Best Buy in Ethical Consumer magazine and in The Good Shopping Guide.These publications commended us for our commitment to pure Viridian ingredients, environmental has been awareness and charity Top Rated donation programme. in every issue of

The Good Shopping Guide

From the seed to the recycling bank

Ethics in nutritional supplements starts at the ownership of the company – dig a bit deeper into the company behind your daily vitamins and you might well find a giant pharmaceutical company or a mass-market mail order company.

Viridian Nutrition is UK-based and family-owned and managed.

Purity matters

72

Did you know that up to 50% of a tablet can be glues, known as binders, to hold the tablet together? For most people this is just an irritating fact, but for people who are hyper allergic, this can be a real issue.Would you add magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, stearic acid, shellac, talc or colourings to your meal, in the way you might sprinkle salt or pepper?

Neither would we, and by making our

# 10

capsules, liquids and powders as pure and simple as possible, avoiding all the nasties, we have shown that it is possible to make a range of nutritional supplements acceptable for the majority of people.

Check the labels of other brands in your store and on supermarket shelves and you will be shocked at how many additives you will find in both tablets and capsules.

Though hidden in the small print, this ‘additives’ issue offers a big differential between your store and mainstream outlets for supplements.

The avoidance of all additives at manufacturing such as magnesium stearate and titanium oxide which are commonly used in food supplements, ensures a clean and pure ingredients list.

No added sugars, no colourings or artificial flavourings making our products as clean and pure as they can be.

Be reassured that although we are absolutely against the use of animal testing and do not test any products or ingredients on animals, the ingredients we choose all have a tradition of safe use in humans. We guarantee non-GMO, non-irradiated and 100% active ingredients with no nasty additives whatsoever.

It‘s been 15 years since the brown glass bottles with blue dots appeared on the shelves of 100 specialist health stores overnight in December 1999.

“I fell in love with the natural products movement aged 21 when working in a health food store in Hertfordshire. ” says Viridian Nutrition founder, Cheryl Thallon.

“British-made and family-run,Viridian Nutrition launched with just 24 products, but the range now comprises more than 190 lines, 40% of which are Soil Association certified organic. 96% of the Viridian range is also vegan and Kosher certified.”

“The founding ethical principles of Viridian Nutrition continue, with the three pillars of Purity, Charity and Environment.”

Cheryl Thallon

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Green Business Practices

We Health Food Stores Choosing the right supplement programme for your personal needs can be confusing. Allow us to take you through the vitamin maze at a health store near you, where trained and knowledgeable advisors are on hand to develop the ideal programme of nutritional supplements just for you.

The Viridian range is available from carefully selected health food stores and specialist health counters worldwide. Health food stores offer expertise, range and caring.Where else would someone take you by the hand, offer a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a knowledgeable mind and kind heart?

If you have a particular health condition or concern, please first visit a health professional (a GP or a qualified practitioner) to ensure you have the correct diagnosis. Often with chronic health conditions, the health food store will give excellent advice for dietary and lifestyle modifications, a supplement programme and possibly assistance from topical products.

Viridian Nutrition is committed to green business practices, valuing the importance of a minimum footprint on the earth. More than 40% of the range is certified organic by the Soil Association, guaranteeing the provenance and eco-friendliness of the ingredients.

At Viridian, we believe the health of the planet and the health of the individual are inextricably linked. Growing organically, avoiding the use of potentially harmful pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals – and having the 100% non-GMO guarantee – offers the best chance of long-term good health to people and to the planet.

The vitamin company with an organic heart

the highest possible ethical standards and to generate significant funds for children’s and environmental charities.

So far, the Viridian Nutrition Charity Donation programme has donated £200,000 to charities including Friends of the Earth, NSPCC,Woodland Trust, Jack and Jill Foundation, Comic Relief, RSPB, Terrence Higgins Trust, Shelter, the Woodland Trust, Save the Children and more. By choosing Viridian Nutrition as your preferred vitamins, you are not only benefiting your own health, but also helping benefit the lives of others.

How does Viridian decide which charities to donate to? Simply,Viridian doesn’t decide, we leave that to our stockists.

Each year, we send a voting form to all our health store stockists and ask them to nominate and vote for their favourite charities. Of course, all charities must be properly registered, and we check they have no involvement in animal research.

More than 40% of the Viridian Nutrition range is certified organic by the Soil Association, guaranteeing the provenance and eco-friendliness of the ingredients.

All the Viridian fresh organic tinctures and balms are grown and traditionally made in Herefordshire, reducing the environmental impact of transporting ingredients around the world. Our capsules and organic nutritional oils are manufactured in the UK, creating local jobs.

Care for others as you care for yourself

Chances are, like millions of others, you take vitamins already. By choosing from the Viridian Nutrition range, you’ll be making your life better - knowing that you are helping disadvantaged children and the environment at the same time.

Viridian is a big-hearted company, committed to creating a nutritional supplement range with integrity, quality and innovation.The company was founded on two fundamental principles; to develop a range of supplements with

Satisfaction guaranteed

To ensure complete customer satisfaction, Viridian Nutrition offer a 100% money back guarantee. If you are not totally satisfied with your purchase, simply return it to the place of purchase for a full no-quibble refund.

# 10

73

What’s in a supplement?

Here’s a selection of popular supplements we picked up in a supermarket.

We’ve checked the small print...

Gelatin, Sorbitol Syrup, Palm Oil, Beeswax.

Magnesium Stearate, Talc, Titanium Dioxide, Sucrose.

Maltitol, Sucralose, Bovine Gelatine, Carmine, Carnuba Wax. Dicalcium Phosphate, Titanium Dioxide, Purified Talc, Sugar, Sucrose, Mannitol, Magnesium Stearate.

Sorbitol, Anti Foaming Agent (Polysorbate 60), Aspartame, Acesulphate K, Mannitol.

Magnesium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide.

Gelatin, Glucose Syrup, Sucrose, Insoluble Polyvinylpyrrolidon, Magnesium Stearate, Polysorbate.

Gelatin, Shellac, Titanium Dioxide, Talc.

Di Calcium Phosphate, Tartaric Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Glucose, Sucrose, Talc, Brilliant Blue, Fractionated Vegetable Oil, Glucose Syrup.

Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Glyceril Tristearate, Magnesium Stearate, Cross-linked Cellulose Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Sucrose.

Glucose Syrup, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Sucrose.

74

# 10

Viridian Nutrition vegan capsules, available at specialist health stores.

No binders, fillers or excipients.

Purity Matters

at Viridian Nutrition Did you know that up to 50% of a tablet is made up of binders, necessary to hold the tablet together?

For most people this is just an irritating fact, but for people who are hyper allergenic, this can be a real issue. Would you add magnesium stearate, stearic acid, shellac, talc or colourings to your meal, in the way you’d sprinkle over salt or pepper? Neither would we. By making our capsules, liquids and powders as pure and simple as possible, avoiding all the nasties, we have shown that it is possible to make a range of nutritional supplements acceptable for the majority of people.

Guaranteed passion

We are passionate about: • 100% active ingredients • No nasty additives • UK manufacture • Green business practices • Supporting the community • Organics • Non-GM • Non-irradiated

Find out more or find your nearest health food stockist at www.viridian-nutrition.com

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

OPEN

f indahealthstore.co.uk If you've ever examined a food label, worried about the chemicals in your face cream or questioned the environmental impact of your washing up liquid - then, chances are, you will find plenty to interest you in a specialist health store.

Health stores are more than places to buy your bran and vitamins, they have a wealth of knowledge on all things natural, ethical and environmental.

Discover the difference between, and considerable benefits of, shopping in independent health stores rather than mass-market outlets.

With thousands of different natural products to choose from, health stores

are a one-stop shop for everything natural, ethical and environmental: wholefoods, organics, raw foods, allergy-free foods, vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, sports nutrition, essential fatty acids, cruelty-free bodycare, environmental-friendly household cleaners, recycled paper products - some even stock eco-paints, organic clothing and vegetarian pet foods.

Health stores have staff who are qualified and/or experienced in helping with a wide range of health conditions including Acne, Allergies, Children's Health, Digestion, Energy, Fatigue, Hair, Skin & Nails, Heart Health, Joint Mobility, Mood, Menopause, Men's Health, Mouth

Ulcers, PMS, Sleep Disorders, Sports Performance, Urinary Health,Weight Control,Women's Health & much more. Don't be embarrassed to talk about any health concern, they've heard it all before - and helped!

Health food stores come in all shapes and sizes – that’s the beauty of independent shops, they are quirky, passionate and individual.

A huge improvement on the clone high street chains.

There are more than 1000 independent health stores across the UK, to find your nearest, visit our stockist locator at findahealthstore.co.uk # 10

75

My Passion for

PASSION FLOWERS by

Steven Nicolaides

THEY LOOK STUNNING, SMELL DIVINE AND EVEN CREATE DELICIOUS FRUIT. BUT WHAT IF PASSION FLOWERS HAVE SOMETHING EVEN MORE TO OFFER?

76

# 10

# 10

77

My passion for passion flowers

I 78

# 10

’ve always loved Passion flowers (Passiflora). The intricacy & precision, the lush colours, and its psychedelic look have all attracted me like a bee looking for nectar. I’ve also felt a calling from the flower itself. Walking down the street I would get a feeling to look round and there to my surprise a Passion flower would be growing over a railing, fence, or in some ones front garden.

In the mid noughties I had a photography phase, I would frequently go out and take photos of nature and flowers. I carried my digital camera with me (this is before the days of smart phone cameras, Facebook and Instagram), so that when I came across an interesting flower I could capture them.

I was overjoyed when I came across a passion flower, I felt like a miner who has struck gold and I would take photos from

different angles and treasure them as if they were gold! In fact some of those images are in this article…

At a David Wolfe conference in London 2011, he mentioned that ‘John of God’ (the famous Brazilian psychic surgeon) recommends passion flower tea. This was confirmed to me by a friend who stayed at John of Gods retreat centre in Brazil.

Hmmm this got me thinking. “I wonder what it does?”, I thought.

Where Passion flowers are native in the Americas the native peoples have used them traditionally for a variety of things such as a relaxant and sleep aid. It also has a reputation as a mild psychedelic.

In modern day herbalism passion flower tinctures and dried leaves which can be taken as a tea are used as a de-stresser, but it is by no means as popular as something like camomile.

My passion for passion flowers

The Passion Flowers of Notting Hill Latter that year whilst wandering around Notting Hill with a friend we came across a blue passion flower (Passiflora cerulean). It was climbing on a fence in a small children’s park behind Portobelo Road. I told my friend about why I was so excited to find one and I took a leaf. I carefully placed it in my pocket and hoped it would retain all of its beneficial qualities by the time I got home.

I’ve since discovered passion flowers are quite common in Notting Hill. Perhaps the residents thought the handsome flowers would be a match for the grand and classic architecture of the area. Most of these beautiful buildings are painted in a brilliant white so the blue of the passion flower looks stunning when it climbs over the facade of a house or wrapped around the blackness of the railings between the street and property. There is certainly a synergy between the flamboyance of the passion flower and the alternative creative side to Notting Hill. Many famous musicians have lived, performed, hung-out or recorded in the area. One of my most telling passion flower finds was actually a few doors away from where the legendary musician Jimi Hendrix died, and as you will see later on in this article when I tell you what Passion Flowers represent it will make some sense.

Passion Fruit from the Passiflora edulis species

Passion Flower Tea That night before taking the passion flower leaf I did some internet research on its safety. I had often wondered in my life how our ancestors knew so much about the merits and dangers of certain substances. How did they know which plants are the antidote to certain conditions? Even as a biology student at university I thought there must be a way to know this without going down the scientific road.

Much of modern science comes from a place of disconnection from nature - the very thing it is trying to understand! The frustration of this disconnection is expressed as cold, narrow minded, unimaginative and often cruel attempts to understand things, and to find solutions to problems. Personally I want to be able to see within my own cells,

I want to see the strands of the double helix DNA myself, I want to really understand what makes up living organisms on Earth and the living organism of the greater Cosmos. I didn’t know it then but of course our ancestors thought in a similar way. By living closer to nature, having more balanced peaceful minds, and having an incredible lineage of knowledge from their own ancestral lineage they figured it out.

And most importantly of all they were capable of direct communion with the natural world. This is something I was about to discover for myself…

It turns out passion flower leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides (which liberate hydrogen cyanide when activated by enzymes).

Cyanide can be deadly to humans.

However boiling the leaves breaks down the cyanide. It’s a good thing I did look this up as I was so immersed in the ‘raw food movement’ at the time, I could well of tried the leaf raw. This is one example where heating an ingredient can be beneficial. So where does my non-

# 10

79

My passion for passion flowers

...I saw a vast, black, pebbly beach, that was being combed by an invisible rake, as if it was a Japanese zen garden. As the millions of pebbles were being ordered, I felt as if the same was happening to me,...

scientific ideal hold on this topic of safety? Even if one didn’t know the leaves contain cyanide and tried a tiny amount they would instinctively not want any more. Even after boiling it and drinking as a tea its flavour is not something you would want to drink lots of (this is not a substitute for green tea!) It is a case of being connected to your inner and higher guidance that activates a ‘state of knowingness’, which by even looking at a particular plant would be enough to ‘hear’ its voice as a feeling. By engaging with nature and truly feeling the plant there is a dialogue of communication - a transference of energy. This is something I’ve felt many times and found my instincts proven correct time after time and even when I later checked them

80

# 10

against scientific findings.

As I was about to drink the tea I could already feel the calming presence of my spirit guides. Even so I only took a few sips to start to make sure I was OK with it. It didn’t take long for me to feel sleepy and I didn’t even have a quarter of a cup!

I laid my head down to fall asleep.

Waves of relaxation came over me and after many months of not getting a proper deep and restful sleep this was most welcome. In my minds eye I started to see things. Wonderful visions of ornate palaces and furniture, beautifully carved artefacts and sculptures and stunning golden baroque style mirror frames. It was as if I was going on a floating tour of the palace of Versailles and exploring its treasures. Intuitively I felt this was a healing and rebalancing of my

third eye - or Pineal gland to give its biological term. As an artist and creative, the visionary capability and third eye is vital to me. To perceive a dream or vision and make that a reality is the artists way. I also felt the veil between the waking world most people perceive and the so called ‘spiritual world’ lift slightly. I saw shadowy figures around me as if I had night vision. They were like spiritual nurses and doctors who are invoked by the frequency of the passion flower. I saw them touch certain energy points and meridians on my body. One positioned itself at the base of my bed and pressed down on the nails on both big toes.

That felt soooo good! It was of course touching my astral body but I could actually feel the aligning of that subtle energy body and how it filtered to my ‘physical’ body.

Meanwhile in my minds eye the

My passion for passion flowers

...Wandering through the realms of my souls story...

...Wandering through the realms of my souls story...

visions continued. Now I saw a vast black pebbly beach that was being combed by and invisible rake, as if it was a Japanese zen garden. As the millions of pebbles were being ordered I felt as if the same was happening to me, beyond a cellular, beyond a molecular, beyond an atomic, and even beyond a particle level, in the very essence of the fabric of reality. This was my other revelation of passion flower - which should of been oh so obvious.

Passion flower contains the frequency of order, it is the embodiment of it. Take a look at the flower and the precise arrangement of its spokes like the minute marks on a clock face and how it builds its floral elements on top in layers like the hands of a clock.

No wonder it is considered good for stress which is surely another word for disorder.

If passion flowers contain the frequency of order then it follows that they contains the frequency of time. What is time if not the ordering of one moment after another. When we get out of synchronisation through worry, over thinking, bad diet, negative beliefs, bad choices, stressful environments, stressful situations we have the basis for a whole host of common ailments that have plagued mankind. The essence of illness is a disrupted disordered state. In my opinion passion flower is almost a panacea due to its ability to reorder and reorganise. It is of course more complex that because people have to be willing to change and let go of the things which are not serving them. One cannot simply assume their problems will be taken away with a ‘cure’ and still repeat the same patterns which caused the problem in the first place. That’s like a porter

asking to take your baggage and you not handing over the bag! I should also add that I am more sensitive than most, even basic foods can trigger colours, ideas and frequencies.

I’ve also done a lot of detoxing and clean eating in my time so my body is more able to absorb the beneficial chemicals. I am also open spiritually and familiar with spiritual experiences, so the kind of things I witnessed are not a shock to me.

Some friends of mine who have taken passion flower may of experienced the relaxing effect of passion flower but none of the psychedelic spiritual elements I did. Also fresh passion flower leaves are far more potent in a tea than the readily available dried leaves, although I have experienced beneficial effects from dried passion flower leaves also.

# 10

81

My passion for passion flowers

The Jimi Hendrix Passion Flower epitaph As I mentioned at the start of the article, I found a passion flower vine growing doors away from where musician Jimi Hendrix passed over and I felt this was significant. Hendrix died on September 18th, 1970 from the inhalation of vomit in his sleep due to barbiturate intoxication. Jimi Hendrix was no doubt an exceptionally talented musician and to be that good, must of understood the qualities of balance and order. However he and many of his contemporaries in the 1960s didn’t always apply that sense of balance and order to their lives. The excess of Hendrix and other artists of the 1960s is legendary, through drugs and alcohol, partying, chaotic emotional lives, the constant pressures and demands of fame and strenuous touring schedules it all became too much. Perhaps the passion flower growing nearby is the answer to the problem. I’ve often compared my own generation with that of the 1960s. Though we both have a lot in common and are interested in social change, our ways are more

The Clock Flower Could it be that we are attracted to beautifully made watches because of the order they represent?

Because they capture time, and the wearer of the watch wields time itself?

To truly be on time is to live in time with our own innate nature and therefore our natural rhythms.

Inside us there are cycles upon cycles, one cycle feeding another in harmony and every moment valid and important. Contrast this with modern life which is built on disruption of cycles of nature, the destruction and plundering of resources. Is it any wonder we are in discord, in a sate of dis-order?

82

# 10

refined and holistic. We understand everything in life needs to be upgraded, from the inside out. There is a time for peace as well as a time for wild creativity.

We place great importance on our health for without health there is no life at all. Our path to success is to live more through the energy of grace and flow, something which passion flowers know all about.

One final point of interest and clue is in the very last lyrics Hendrix wrote, hours before his death, entitled ‘The Story Of Life’. The theme of the poem is about Christ and his life is referenced throughout the poem. There is also a reference to “the rising sun” and in the last verse “time”. All of those things can be substituted by grace, balance and order and are embodied in the passion flower. And in fact the name passion flower comes from Spanish christian missionaries to South America, who when they encountered the plant in the 15th century were struck by the many correlations of the physical structures on the flower with the ‘Christ story’.

My passion for passion flowers Passion Flowers were named by Christian missionaries who traveled to South America who when they encountered the plant in the 15th century saw many correlations with the Christ story with the physical elements of the plant.

The 3 stigmas represent the 3 nails and the 5 anthers below them the 5 wounds (four by the nails and one by the lance). 3 also represents the ‘Holy Trinity’ The chalice-shaped ovary with its receptacle represents the Holy Grail

The Christ connection and what is Christ anyway?

Radial filaments represent the Crown of thorns

The tendrils represent the whips used in the flagellation of Christ.

The pointed tips of the leaves were taken to represent the Holy Lance

Putting aside religious dogma. Christ is more easily understood as an energy.

Long before there was a religion called Christianity the ancient Egyptians were using Christ energy, and their deities of Osiris and Horus have many similarities to Christ.

From a purely energetic point of view, Christ energy is the product of the union between primal masculine and feminine energy, (giving and receiving), which creates the child, hence the term son of God. It is the union between the two that makes three. That is in fact the true holy trinity - divine feminine (mother), divine masculine (father) and sun (son). From this centre point life ‘springs’ forth. If you are interested in knowing more about this topic see my article ‘Presence’ from Lúcuma issue 05.

# 10

83

84

# 10

T H E

RET URN by

Steven Nicolaides

WE’VE TITLED THIS ARTICLE LIKE A SCI-FI MOVIE SEQUEL BECAUSE THAT’S QUITE CLOSE TO WHAT THIS IS! OUR ORIGINAL ARTICLE ON THE AQUAVIBE MACHINE IN SUMMER 2013 WAS ONE OF OUR MOST INTRIGUING AND POPULAR. AQUAVIBE IS SUCH A NEW, UNIQUE AND IMPRESSIVE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY THAT THE ONLY THING I COULD COMPARE IT TO WERE SCIENCE FICTION MOVIES LIKE CONTACT, TOTAL RECALL, INNER SPACE AND THE MATRIX. THIS TIME WE ARE BACK TO EXPLORE SOME OF THE NEW PROGRAMMES OF THE AQUAVIBE AND THIS TIME I BROUGHT LOTS OF BACKUP!

# 10

85

Aquavibe - the return

S

o what is AquaVibe and how does it work? AquaVibe is a revolutionary immersive sensory experience that allows you to explore various altered states of consciousness.

FEEL - As you float on a bed of water containing tiny crystals, sound vibrations are created beneath you which stimulate the body and chakras (spiritual energy centres).

SEE - Pulsating flashes of light are emitted from the glasses - stimulating the pineal gland (third eye) which can create wonderful visuals such as sacred geometry, fractals and colours.

SOUND - Binaural beats which are designed to alter your brain wave patterns to reach altered states of consciousness are embedded into specially composed music.

All of this is synchronised to take you on a journey through your subconscious!

A year had passed since my last visit to AquaVibe, which was a special open day organised with Lúcuma Magazine.

In that time they had taken two of the three AquaVibe machines on tour. Yes there are only three in the whole world… At the moment! One was taken to Ibiza and the other to Dubai, two completely different audiences but both getting positive feedback as the AquaVibe has so much versatility - from stress relief to self-development mind programmes and even spiritual ascension like experiences.

Some famous names had tried the AquaVibe also. Actor Idris Elba (star of HBO TV series ‘The Wire’, and movies ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’, Thor and Prometheus) said “This was amazing! I slept, dreamt, floated, fell, listened and thought. A good ride and much needed sleep”.

AquaVibe can help show people who are perhaps not so familiar with altered states of consciousness that there is so much to explore within our own minds and also outside of us. One client who had recently become a father saw himself guiding his child through life from baby to adult, which he found very moving. Everybody’s AquaVibe experience is different, even if two people select the same programme they can have completely different experiences. It is for me further proof that we ourselves create our own realities. I personally had some extraordinary experiences on the AquaVibe, I saw incredible vivid colours, angels, galaxies, sacred geometry, communicated with the consciousness of

86

# 10

Aquavibe - the return

During one of my AquaVibe experiences I saw a spiraling galaxy floating above my head. There was a ring of angels looking like something Michaelangelo would of carved out of white marble staring back down at me.

Spiral Galaxy M81 Image by: NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)

¿¿ Juice Tonic founder Marco Proietti on the AquaVibe

¿¿ The AquaVibe

millions of bacteria that live inside my body and more. I feel those who are already spiritual open or have some experience in self development would really enjoy AquaVibe and get some deeper insights to aid in their spiritual journeys. So for this article I asked the guys at Soho’s Juice Tonic, who are no strangers to self development, vitality and healthy living to come along for an ‘AquaVibe surf’, to see what they made of it!

First up was Timothy Mitchell and his partner Ananja Isis. Both have had mystical and spiritual experiences before and exploring their own inner and outer universes is something they are excited about. We had all recently seen the movie ‘Interstellar’ and were all impressed with the fifth dimensional element of its ending, and for us travelling to AquaVibe in Canary Wharf this felt like our own Interstellar adventure beginning.

We arrived at the AquaVibe centre and were greeted by Alexia - one of the AquaVibe practitioners. She made us feel welcome and talked us through the process and the various new programmes that have been created since last year. The different programmes on the AquaVibe can vary greatly in both their experience and effect. They can make use of different frequencies, rhythms, simulate different areas of the body and spiritual chakras as well as having a different sound track.

Tim was first up to go for his ‘surf’ and went for the ‘Journey’ program: Tim thought the experience was astonishing. He came off looking very sleepy and as if he really did go on long journey to somewhere! After ten minutes integrating back into the room, he couldn’t stop talking about what he experienced. He saw many sacred geometry images & fractals and bright vivid colours. He didn’t want it to end and felt he would love another go straight away.

Then it was Ananja’s turn. She too opted for ‘Journey’ after her 30 minutes were up, she was left speechless. This is what she had to say days later: “I’m still high! I’ve reached this level of consciousness before but this is the first time it’s been a sustained experience. Very blissed out, seeing other dimensions still, super psychic. Feel very at peace and trusting that all is perfect. Love it! AquaVibe is aaaaawesome!”

I was last and I went for a new programme called ‘Deep Space’. With space being on my mind I just had to didn’t I? Before I went in Adrian the manager of AquaVibe said “oh, you’re really going to like that one!” Apparently the feedback from Ibiza was that men really love ‘Deep Space’ but women don’t seem that keen on it which I found really intriguing. ‘Deep Space’ felt like my waking consciousness was being taken right to the back of my mind into the subconscious, only the bizarre thing is, at

# 10

87

AquaVibe - the return Both Alex and myself saw a pyramid with an ‘eye’ at the top. From geometrical point of view the top triangle can be thought of as the head of a human being with the light rays representing the light from the third eye. The lower part of the pyramid represents the human body. Ancient cultures were certainly aware of this and the true use of many ancient pyramids was as a spiritual and energetic amplifier both for a person inside and also for the surrounding space to channel and hold energy.

¿¿ Me on the AquaVibe! the time I didn’t perceive the journey. It’s a bit like boarding a train to go somewhere and then the doors open straight away and you’ve arrived! It feels different to how it would happen in meditation because on the AquaVibe there is so much stimulation of ones waking state at the same time as your subconscious is stimulated. They could of just as well called the ‘Deep Space’ programme ‘Lucid dream training’ because that’s exactly what you want when training your mind to be able to ‘wake-up’ within a dream, yet here it’s happening effortlessly. In fact that night I had the most vivid and stable lucid dream I’ve ever had, as much stability as the waking world. I was able to just stop and stare at the view I was gazing at and take it all in, something which is quite challenging in lucid dreaming because everything is so flexible and fast paced, with landscapes and characters morphing as you engage with them. The deep space programme also gave me a valuable insight into what the Ego is, where it resides and how it integrates with the other portions of the human mind. The two poles of my psyche were quite surprised to meet each other in such a fast and clear way!

Daniel - another team member of Juice Tonic (who is also a videographer) got some answers to creative questions he had on his mind and was keen to go home and get them down after his AquaVibe experience.

Alex Fraysse (therootedsoul.com) was a real trooper having two AquaVibe programmes in one day and after a Kambo session! (Kambo is one of the most powerful spiritual shamanic experiences that comes from the poison of the giant leaf frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor, from the Amazon rainforest). Heres what he thought; “My aquaVibe experience was an interesting one as I had just had a Kambo healing session a couple of hours prior. I spoke with Alexia, who kindly went through all the options with me, and helped me filter through to ones that I wanted to experience. I ended up choosing ‘Journey’ and ‘Exploration’.

88

# 10

The ‘Journey’ selection was quite exciting! It felt as if I was in an interstellar time warp tube flying through dimensions, getting off where I needed to in order to take in what was required before moving on into the tube. It looked like a vortex that was freely dragging me through to planes I would have trouble accessing otherwise. The ‘Journey’ was quite a roller coaster ride and the perfect set up for ‘Exploration’.

During ‘Exploration’, I encountered visions of sacred geometrical patterns in different colours, rotating, showing the flow of energy within it, and also pyramids with the all seeing eye, again in different colours and sizes. It was one of those ‘it does what it says on the tin’ moments as it truly was an exploration of my subconscious mind. I felt as if I could stay in this state for an extended amount of time, but sadly this was not allowed! “ I also took Juice Tonic founder Marco Proietti with me one day. We both felt as if we were in a surreal altered reality after the AquaVibe surf, with almost dreamlike synchronicites. That night he had some insightful and vivid dreams.

An AquaVibe experience is not just the time you are on it, it continues for hours sometimes days afterwards as you attune and integrate the high frequency stimulation.

The time actually on the AquaVibe (and the first few hours afterwards) are like a space shuttle taking off - it’s fast and powerful in order to break free from Earths gravity but then once out of the atmosphere and the rockets are jettisoned it is now in outer space where there are different rules and a completely different environment. In a sense it is like a technological and vibrational way to reach a higher state of consciousness - but with differences from the ones we could attain from chanting or any other spiritual practice.

AquaVibe is like a spiritual roller coaster ride that together with your higher self and spirit guides always shows you something new and interesting.

AquaVibe - the return

# 10

89

AquaVibe - the return

SRI YANTRA I saw this vision during the ‘REBALANCE’ programme.

The Sri Yantra is an ancient Hindu symbol that represents the union of Masculine and Feminine Divine.

90

# 10

AquaVibe - the return

IMAGES OF LIGHT During the AquaVibe Experience the LED lights inside the glasses flash either a red or white light. It is amazing how the third eye and mind starts to use that light that you only see through your eyelids (your eyes must remain closed) to generate, patterns, geometry, visions and movement as a painter would use paint to create a painting. My advice is to go with that stream when the flow of visions start as that is a direct communion with your third eye.

r eyes mus u t Yo

re m

ain

d close

T YOUR HIRD EYE T OP E N !

BU

PURPLE TUNNEL This is the last image my Third eye presented to me on the ‘Deep Space’ programme. It represented the journey I made to the back of my subconsciousness.

# 10

91

AquaVibe - the return

A REVOLUTIONARY IMMERSIVE SENSORY EXPERIENCE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO EXPLORE VARIOUS ALTERED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS. FEEL - As you float on a bed of water sound vibrations are created beneath you which stimulate the body and chakras (spiritual energy centres).

SEE - Flashes of light are emitted from the glasses which stimulates the pineal gland (third eye) which can create wonderful visuals such as sacred geometry, fractals and colours.

All of this is synchronised to take you on a journey through your subconscious!

NEAREST STATION South Quay (DLR) PRICES 30 minutes AQUAVIBE EXPERIENCE - £25 1 hour AQUAVIBE EXPERIENCE - £45

“

Like a spiritual roller coaster ride!

Steven Nicolaides - Editor, Lúcuma Magazine

“

LOCATION 17-18 Skylines Village Limeharbour London, E14 9TS

SOUND - Binaural beats which are designed to alter your brain wave patterns to reach altered states of consciousness are embedded into specially composed music.

TO BOOK T 0207 520 9359 E info@aquavibe.co.uk

“

This was amazing!

I slept, dreamt, floated, fell, listened and thought. A good ride and much needed sleep.

“

Idris Elba - Actor

AquaVibe

OPEN DAY

25th APRIL 10am - 6pm 2015 With Organic Cold Pressed Juices & Smoothies by

JUICE TONIC 92

# 10

AquaVibe - the return

W H AT W I L L Y O U EXPERIENCE? Choose your Programme

MUSIC LED

Brainwave synchronization using light and sound helps induce alpha and theta brainwaves that are important to achieving the Level of mind known as ‘trance’.

The Journey Revitalize Exploration Deep Space Infinity Inspiration Rebalance

VOICE LED

These self-development mind programmes induce relaxation and deliver powerful change messages to the brain allowing you to rehearse and experience on a subconscious level the skills and positive feelings desired.

Ease Away Stress Letting Go Living Now Relax Easily Reinvent Yourself Sleep Well Self Confidence Booster Think Yourself Slim

aquavibexperience aquavibe_1 aquavibe_experience

T 0207 520 9359 E info@aquavibe.co.uk www.aquavibe.co.uk # 10

93

Recipes

SERVES 4 The fresh taste and vibrant colours of this raw chili are the perfect recipe for the Spring and Summer months. As the spices in this recipe are not cooked out, you can use much less than you would for a cooked chili, but if you like a kick to your meals, feel free to add more! This dish tastes best when it has been left to marinate for a couple of hours, giving the flavours a chance to develop.

FOR THE CHILI SAUCE 3 large tomatoes 1 clove of garlic Juice of 1 lime 5 sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil ¾ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp ground paprika ½ tsp dried oregano ¾ tsp cacao powder ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp cayenne pepper FOR THE CHILI 1 small red onion 1 jalapeño, diced 1 large tomato 1 small red bell pepper 1 small yellow bell pepper 1 celery stalk 1 avocado, diced 1 corn on the cob Handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped In a food processor, blitz the chili sauce ingredients together until smooth. This rich tomato sauce is what makes the dish more like a hearty cooked chili and less like a salsa!

Pour the sauce into a large mixing bowl and set aside while you prepare the rest of the vegetables.

Finely dice the red onion and jalapeño and add to the sauce. Next dice the tomato, peppers, celery and avocado and add them too, mixing evenly. With a knife, carefully remove the corn kernels from the cob and add the kernels to the chili mix, stirring well. Finish with the fresh chopped coriander and serve alongside the cauliflower rice.

CAULIFLOWER RICE - SERVES 4 1 cauliflower Large pinch of sea salt Juice of quarter of a lemon Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil Wash the cauliflower, remove the stem and break apart the florets. Add them to a food processor with a good pinch of sea salt and pulse until it makes a crumb which resembles rice. Turn the cauliflower out into a bowl and mix with the lemon juice and olive oil.

94

# 10

Recipes

RAW CHILI WITH CAULIFLOWER RICE by

Elena Bedford Author of ‘How to Eat a Rainbow’

Photo by Emma Lou Cowell.

# 10

95

Recipes

Photo by Sam Miller Gott

Preparation Time: 30 minutes Serves: 2 30g cashews 50g macadamia nuts 30g tarragon Handful of dill 1 lemon 1 tbsp olive oil 100ml water Salt and pepper 450g butternut squash Add the cashew and macadamia nuts to a food processor. Strip the tarragon leaves off the woody stalk and discard the stalk, add the leaves to the food processor. Peel the rind off the lemon and add to the food processor along with the juice of the lemon, olive oil and water. Season with salt and pepper. Process the ingredients until you have a smooth sauce.

Chop off the end of the butternut squash and use the end without seeds. Peel the butternut squash and cut into quarters. With a spirilizer make the butternut squash into spaghetti.

Put the butternut squash spaghetti into a bowl with the sauce and toss together.

Tip: Serve with lemon stuffed olives, chopped red pepper on a bed of fresh green leaves.

96

# 10

BUTTERNUT SQUASH “SPAGHETTI” WITH LEMON & TARRAGON DRESSING by

Dr Claire Maguire co-founder of ‘www.rawhorizons.co.uk

Recipes

RAW APPLE PIE by

Lorena Loriato

EQUIPMENT Food processor Blender Dehydrator Mandolin or sharp knife Loose base tart tin INGREDIENTS To dehydrate 2 apples 1 Tbsp agave nectar (or other liquid sweetener) 1 tsp cinnamon powder 1 pinch clove powder 1 Tbsp lemon juice The base 1 Cup almonds 1 Cup medjool dates 1 Tablespoon coconut oil zest of 1 lemon tiny pinch of salt

Photo by Clarence Gorton

The filling 1 Cup cashews soaked for 4 hours 1 apple peeled and deseeded 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder Juice of 1 lemon 1/2 Cup coconut oil 1/4 Teaspoon vanilla essence Pinch of salt Add last 2 Tablespoon soaked raisins

DIRECTIONS 4 hours before making the cake soak the cashew nuts.

2 hours before making the cake soak the raisins.

2 hours before making the cake, peel 2 apples, quarter and de seed them and slice them thinly. Mix the slices with the cinnamon powder, the clove powder, the agave nectar and the lemon juice until they are evenly coated.

Put them on the tray of the dehydrator and dehydrate at 42° for at least 2 hours.

- if you do not have a dehydrator, try in the oven at lowest temperature.

The base Pop all ingredients into the food processor and mix until you reach a sticky mixture. Press it into a 16 cm (6 inches) non-stick loose base tart tin. Line your tin with cling film if you have a normal one.

Leave the tin in the fridge to set.

The filling Take 1/3 of the dehydrated apple slices and blend them with all ingredients of the filling (except for the raisins). Once you have obtained a smooth custard, transfer it into a mixing bowl and add in the soaked raisins without the water.

ASSEMBLY Take your base out of the fridge, fill it evenly with the apple custard and decorate it with the remaining dehydrated slices of apple.

Leave to set in the fridge for at least a couple of hours before serving.

# 10

97

Recipes

‘RIO’ CACAO SMOOTHIE by

Timothy Michell INGREDIENTS Almond milk 1/8 tsp Vanilla Powder 2 tbsp Almond butter 1 tbsp Cacao powder 3 Dates 1 tsp Coconut oil 1 Banana 1 tbsp Cashew butter 1/8 tbsp Maca Powder Method Blend all ingredients until smooth

98

# 10

of Juice Tonic & Sacred Smoothies

Recipes

MATCHA WHITE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES by

Lisa Muller

INGREDIENTS - Makes about 20 small truffles.

1 cup coconut milk 1/3 cup (or more) raw cane sugar* 5 drops Stevia extract 1/2 cup raw cacao butter, grated or finely chopped ½ tsp vanilla extract or 1 vanilla pod 1 Tbsp ceremonial grade matcha powder (I used www.teatoxshop.com)

pinch of Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt *(Sweeten to your liking; don’t use any dark sweeteners like coconut sugar, its will be too overpowering for the matcha, substitute with xylitol if you wish) Method Bring the coconut milk with the sugar (and the scraped vanilla bean + pod if using) to a boil. Take it off the heat.

Meanwhile mix the matcha powder with a few Tbsp of hot (80°C) water until it forms a thick paste.

Add the cacao butter, stevia extract, vanilla extract if using, matcha paste and sea salt to the coconut milk and stir to combine.

Transfer mixture to the fridge or freezer to firm up for a couple of hours.

Using a melon baller or ice cream scoop, form small balls and roll in your favourite toppings (I used powdered raw sugar, coconut flakes and matcha powder) Chill until ready to serve.

These will keep in the fridge for about a month.

# 10

99

Recipes

I was so happy making and enjoying this swirl cake! It’s a great one for leaning new techniques – like yoghurt-making and swirling cakes.

This is a beautifully balanced raw cake, both light and creamy. The warm hint of cinnamon goes so beautifully with the warmth of the apricot to balance out the cooling tangy yoghurt.

If you have never made truly raw fermented coconut yoghurt before, now is the time!

EQUIPMENT Food processor & high powered blender, 7.5 inch spring-form cake pan, or a smaller - 6 inch pan would allow you to use fewer coconuts and so reduce the cost of the cake.

INGREDIENTS Base 100g sprouted buckwheat (rawecstasy buckwheaties) 150g coconut flour (homemade is best) 75g coconut sugar 50ml of water (or to the right consistency, always use your discretion!) good pinch of sea salt (to taste) Apricot puree 250g dried apricots – soaked for at least 1 hour squeeze of lemon 80g fresh physalis (Inca) berries (optional) pinch of sea salt just enough water until mixture can be poured but is still thick Coconut yoghurt 450g of young coconut flesh (approx 4 young coconuts), 200+ml of coconut water or until runny/ just pourable, 2 caps or tsp of probiotics (optional), pinch of sea salt Filling 1 Just under half of the coconut yoghurt 125ml maple syrup or other sweetener half of the apricot puree 3tsp cinnamon 100ml coconut oil – melted Filling 2 Just over half of the yoghurt 45ml maple syrup or other sweetener half a lemon juiced pinch of sea salt 100ml coconut oil – melted

100

# 10

METHOD In a high powered blender blend all the yoghurt ingredients until silky smooth, adding the probiotics at the end. Place in a bowl at room temperature overnight, or alternatively place the bowl for 3 hours or more in a dehydrator on a low setting which will speed up the process. The yoghurt is ready when it tastes naturally tangy (like regular yoghurts).

You can make this without probiotics as coconut naturally contains its own, but adding them helps the process along and make this even healthier and more easily digestible.

In a food processor process all of the base ingredients together leaving a bit of crunch from the buckwheat.

Press the base into a spring form cake dish using your hands initially and then aided by a spoon to even out the base and edges.

In a high powered blender or food processor blend all of the apricot puree ingredients together. Set aside.

Take just under half the coconut yoghurt and blend with the other ‘filling 1’ ingredients until creamy Take the remaining yoghurt and do the same for ‘filling 2’.

Now have each filling ready in a separate bowl with its own separate large tablespoon. Plop 2-3 tablespoons of each mixture one at a time side by side, like a checkerboard, over your base. Once you have covered one layer of your cake start again but checkering alternating layers each time. Once you have run out of fillings plop small tablespoons of apricot puree (make sure it’s runny enough, otherwise add water) over different areas of the top of your cake, again a bit like a checkerboard.

With the other end the spoon (or any thin stick) marble the top of your cake by dragging through part of the puree merging it with other layers. It’s really easy, (if in doubt you can look up videos of how to do this) Set the cake in the fridge or freezer (a tip; its always easier to cleanly remove the spring form pan if the cake is frozen, if you don’t want to freeze your cake this is not necessary just easier)

Recipes

APRICOT CINNAMON YOGHURT CAKE by

prem Hobden & Charlot Conway of Raw Ecstasy

# 10

101

Editor Steven Nicolaides

Design Steven Nicolaides

Contributors BonPom www.bonpom.com

Raw Ecstasy www.rawecstasy.co.uk

Nama Foods www.namafoods.com

Wild Food Cafe www.wildfoodcafe.com Lisa Müller www.rawfreestyle.com

Timothy Michell

www.facebook.com/sacredsmoothies

Lorena Loriato www.lorenaloriato.co.uk Juice Tonic www.juicetonic.com Dr Claire Maguire www.rawhorizons.co.uk

Elena Bedford www.facebook.com/howtoeatarainbow Natasha Piris Paris Ackrill

www.parisackrill.com Christine Bailey www.christinebailey.co.uk Elizabeth Montgomery www.holisticnutrition.co.uk

Front cover ‘Cacao Goddess’ by Steven Nicolaides

Advertising papillon@lucuma.co.uk

Submissions creamy@lucuma.co.uk

www.lúcuma.co.uk © Lúcuma No part of this magazine can be reproduced without our permission Information in Lúcuma is for information only and no part of it is a substitute for health diagnosis, care or treatment. Lúcuma and its contributors, editors and related parties are not responsible in any way for the actions or results taken by any person, organisation or any party on basis of reading information, stories contributions or advertisements in this publication, website or related product.

102

# 10

# 10

103

#10

£9.99