Victoria Larnach: Sustainable Art

Victoria is an artist and environmentalist connecting culture, craft, and sustainability with indigo dyeing. She creates work that has vision yet spontaneity, bridging cultural gaps, and influenced by the rituals and techniques of artistic history. She speaks with us about her passion for the skilled craft of indigo dyeing and how it reflects the history, living art, and sustainability she cares deeply about.

1. How did you get inspired to use indigo dye?

I was introduced to Indigo while living in Australia. It was something I had briefly seen floating around my sphere, but I hadn’t actually tuned into it yet at a level of deep comprehension. Because I come from an artist and fashion design background, I had been exposed to a lot of unsustainable practices in the industry (mainly fashion), and as my love grew towards care-taking for our earth, understanding what we will be leaving behind for the generations to come, and what is important right now to protect, somehow Indigo Dyeing made it’s way into my life by a man named Aboubakar Fofana. He is a master dyer from West Africa and has traveled the world sharing his tradition of natural and Indigo dyeing, the latter in which he revived as it was nearly lost due to industrialization. He has an incredible amount of experience, strong technique, and even stronger cultural and traditional ties to this ancient dyeing process. I was inspired immediately and ever since I have learned skills from him, it continues to inspire me daily and urges me to go deeper. There is a lot of knowledge with this craft, and switching my designs and artistry towards sustainability has become the focal point in what I’m sharing.

2. What is indigo dye exactly?

Indigo dye is actually a plant pigment. It is extracted from the Indigo Plant leaf and requires certain chemical reactions with other agents to create the beautiful blue hues you see. There are hundreds of different species of Indigo plants, all unique to their respective region, and each region has a specific way of extracting the pigment. Firstly, you will have a blue pigment that won’t bind straight away to fabric until you introduce other agents to help it become useful for dyeing. Once these agents are introduced (there are many ways to create an Indigo vat) then you have a green solution that is created by these al-chemical reactions, and so one must wonder, “How do you go from a green solution to a finished blue fabric?" Oxygen. Once the fabric is removed from the dye vats, and oxygen is introduced, the solution on the fabric begins to turn from green to blue before your eyes, and once oxidized fully, the fabric then turns into a gorgeous hue of blue. This is why they say the ‘alchemy’ of Indigo because it truly is magic.

3. Why is it so rare?

Indigo dye was once rare many generations ago, and as it became more well known and traded around the world, it was readily available, even now in present day it is somewhat easy to obtain. There are hundreds of species of the Indigo plant. However, the color BLUE is rare in nature and one that is considered a precious color because not many plants produce a type of blue the way Indigo does. Woad was once used, but it swiftly became secondary to the ‘Queen Plant’ Indigo. 

4. How is the indigo medicinal?

Indigo has natural anti-microbial properties in it, which makes it very useful for any natural fiber clothing close to the skin, to sensitive areas of the body, for babies, for workwear such as denim. It was also used as somewhat of a ‘tincture’ or a tea with certain cultures around the world. Because it has such a deep and rich history, there is quite a lot of information on the specifics of how it’s been used for other than it’s dye. I am endlessly interested to learn about its other various uses, and through my journey on this indigo road, I am beginning to find the knowledge of these traditions. I am always inspired and fascinated by humanity's relationship to the plant kingdom. Also, when we look at Indigo blue or dye with it, it is said to promote peace and intuition - for me, this is one of the most important medicinal properties it offers us.

5. Why aren’t more people using indigo dye?

Many people do use indigo dye, but because the process requires a lot of time, work, and patience, many have moved towards synthetic dyeing which is a lot quicker, producing results that are not as natural as an organic indigo dye vat. Patience is key and is so rewarding with the natural indigo dyeing process, and because we do live in a world that encourages a fast-paced way of living, our global fashion industry reflects that with synthetic or processed clothing. Many indigo traditions have been lost because of the synthetic indigo industry. Not only is the process of synthetic dyeing harsh for the environment (there are numerous chemicals used), but the results of the dye on fabric are not as lustrous as an organic dye vat, and the indigo tends to bleed or fade. That is one way of telling it is synthetic, it will not be colorfast. Indigo dyed through a natural process, done correctly, is completely colorfast and actually will ‘outlast’ the fabric - meaning the fabric can disintegrate first and the color will have actually stayed! I hope through sharing this artisan skill I can inspire and encourage people to consider switching towards sustainable textiles - it is just simply better for our planet, keeps cultures and traditions alive and intact, and empowers people to create their own pathway on how they want to leave their footprint while walking on this earth. 

6. What is your creative process?

An idea comes to mind, the first in situ of inspiration. Then it’s intention setting for guidance on creating what wants to come through. Then music. LOTS of great music. A clear space to move around in, generally a private space, outdoors, with access to sunshine and water. And then I let it FLOW. Create as I go, maintain the vision of what I would like it to look like, and many times I completely just allow it to be whatever it wants to be. That’s the beauty of design - it is not always planned and what emerges will always be a work of art. Art in motion. Everyday. Every moment.

7. Do you have a mantra or meditation process while you’re dyeing?

BREATHE. Go slow. Patience…. always. I am always reminding myself of this. 

8. Who are you inspired by?

Definitely by Aboubakar, first and foremost. Culture keepers. Frida Kahlo, and mostly any strong woman. Several of my fellow artist & musician friends. Also environmental heroes/heroines and activists - anyone that stands for the protection of our planet. The list is too long to name them all, I just deeply appreciate what people do to keep this planet alive and thriving, and I feel very passionate about this subject. I think I will always be an environmental activist in my heart, but more importantly, a CARETAKER for the Earth, in whatever form that comes out. Artwork and words are my expression for now. 

9. What are some of your rituals when you’re in your groove while dyeing?

Being with nature, breathing, listening, staying present. That’s the indigo groove for me! The whole act of Indigo dyeing is a ritual, every part matters, every part is a sacred piece for the story.

10. Is it difficult to source the indigo?

Indigo can be found through various sources from anywhere in the world. There are so many options, one easy way is to source the pigment. The leaves may be a bit more challenging to source as I know certain places can take a while to receive the leaves, but preferably you would be growing your own plants! 

11. Whats next for you Victoria? 

It’s been a big year. I feel like I have been flowing in this blue river quite serendipitously and very blessed along the way. The community keeps expanding and as I grow, I begin to connect with so many other wonderful people around the world. I will be traveling through the West Coast, north to Canada, over to the East Coast, and Hawaii to share this wonderful Indigo immersion. I also have an artist residency coming up in Oaxaca Mexico in August, and I am very excited to be learning from the master dyers there!

12. Tell us more about your artist residency in Oaxaca.

Yes - such a gift! I will be in Oaxaca for a month learning hands-on instruction from master dyers about their traditional Mesoamerican way of indigo dyeing, cochineal dyeing, and pericon dyeing (Mexican Marigold) as well as other natural dyes. I also feel so blessed to be learning from a family of traditional Zapotec weavers on their dye practices and woven art. It will be a colorful, immersive, comprehensive and incredible journey. It’s been a dream of mine to travel to Oaxaca for awhile now, and arriving in this way feels quite incredible and important for this time. We are at an interesting turning point in our history, and I truly believe that learning ancestral knowledge and sharing it with communities is a strong way to bring positive change by expanding social awareness, bringing sustainability through the arts, and bridging cultural gaps for a better understanding to shape our future. 

Attend one of Victoria's Indigo Dyeing and Shibori techniques workshops.

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Victoria's art and indigo dyeing reflect the cultural and natural landscape of the places she lives and travels.  After studying Fashion Design at the Art Institute of California,  she was introduced to the ancient Indigo Plant and its natural dyeing technique. Each piece echoes our connection to Mother Earth and the importance of sustainability. Follow Victoria on Instagram, Facebook, and find her writings at The SeaChange Collective.  Email her at vmlarnach@gmail.com.

Crystal Kingdom

Shanna Fanelli is a certified Crystal and Sound Alchemist, Faeriologist, Energy Artist and Reiki I and II practitioner. Deeply in tune with the mysteries of the ancients and a Star-child, her minimalistic lifestyle and sacred reverence for the elementals reflect her beliefs and loving relationship with the Nature. She implements Crystal Energy, Vocal Healing and Earth-essence into her daily practices and energy sessions, focusing on a holistic lifestyle that honors love and light for all life-force. Shanna has over three decades of working with faeires, nature spirits and stars. She has studied under Silkander Scott Von Heldt, Doreen Virtue, Nicole Pigaeult and Antea Rood. 

It seems like there’s a lot of seeking going on. Every-other street corner, natural foods store, metaphysical hot-spot and couch cushion is being scoured for the newest token of manifestation and spiritual awakening. It’s beautiful, it’s exciting, and it’s all the rage, which can suddenly manifest itself as soggy granola in life’s cereal bowl of irony.  Suddenly the “rage” issues a rage, and it’s no gluten-free-vegan-biodynamic-cupcake of bliss when confronted with the oodles of options spirit weavers, fortune tellers and the latest Instagram account tell us we need in order to be in “our personal power…”  We are left with a panic that our dreamcatchers don’t work, our birthdays screwed us for life, and that if we don’t have every precious gemstone there is to mine, we won’t activate our LightBody (you were thinking about all of this stuff to do that, right?).

I can’t tell you the way to enlightenment, but I can tell you that it’s ok to relax. I can’t stretch my body into sacred geometrical shapes and walk on water, but I can tell you that you should really try (and if you do this – please call me!). I can’t tell you all of the downloads and chants that can be integrated to achieve this heightened state of Divine Awareness, but I can tell you about one of the many tools and Master Teachers our amazing planet has provided to enable us to remember who we are – crystals.

I state this as fact, because I believe it to be so and because I’ve been working with the Plant and Crystal Kingdom all of my life.  You have too, if you have ever had the sudden urge to climb a tree, sit on a rock, dig your hands through the sand, or just walk barefoot across the grass. Our natural state is to be at ease with the elements, and the Crystal Kingdom presents us with tangible representations of the innate powers we possess.  Each stone resonates at a special frequency that touches us, allowing our physical bodies to begin to vibrate at that frequency. The ultimate goal is to embody all of those vibrations and continually resonate at a crystalline current. Our limitless LightBodies are already crystalline, and eagerly awaiting integration into our physical selves. The crystals, nature’s gifts, help us with this sacred union.

I often get asked about how to work with the crystals. I say play with them! The crystals are living objects of outstanding energy – they want you to be open to be able to receive their gifts!  Never doubt, feel foolish, or intimidated by the concept of bonding with a crystal. There is no wrong way to play within this world. One of the easiest things to do is to literally go to a location where there are crystals and walk around, opening yourself up to the idea that there is a new friend waiting to find you. It’s delightfully surprising to see what crystals will call out to you at different times in your life.  When you find a special stone that “feels good” (really!) hold it in your hand. You can close your eyes if it helps you to concentrate, you can gaze at it in wonder (or confusion), you can sing the theme song from The Legend of Zelda and triumphantly hold it atop your head – whatever feels good.  Notice if it heats up or cools down. See if it fits into the grooves of your palm and snuggles into the nooks where the fingers attach to the hand.  In a world of overstimulation, the art of just being, just feeling quiet and focusing on a simple act can be one of the best gifts you can give to yourself. This may not happen immediately, and that’s ok. Be gentle with yourself. Expect the best and if nothing happens at first, know that you are destined for something better, something magical! Once you find that perfect piece, you will know.

Continue to carry your crystal with you. Get used to its distinct size, shape and lovely crevices. Feel the lines, points, hollows, dips and mountains upon its surface. Does it bear any physical similarities to you? (You know what they say about humans and their pets, well, if you were a crystal…) Check out the coloring – does it have rainbows? Is it a smooth, unified shade or does it have spots and gradual fading? Is it actually quite hideous to you, but for whatever reason, you just love it?  It loves you too.

There is a never-ending plenty when it comes to crystal play. You can make mandalas with them, create special altars of intentions, grid your home, office (I used to keep a grid right on my desk when I worked in the corporate world) and make a special “blend” to keep in the car or on your bike for protection. You can do beautiful dedication ceremonies for yourself, others, or the Earth with crystals. You can take them and plant them back into the Earth with intentions. One of my favorite things to do is to charge a quartz crystal with a specific intention, and then plant it in a spot with an amethyst. To charge a crystal is to cleanse it, and then in whatever way feels best to you, to state your intention for the highest good and the highest frequency (you always want to preface an intent with some sort of prayer that acknowledges the highest of frequencies, as we want to continually raise our vibrations and all that is around us). There is no wrong way to charge a crystal. You can hold it to your third eye, you can place it on your heart chakra, you can give it a good stare or simply fold it between your hands. I like to blow my breath into them before I state an intention, as I feel it imbeds both my life force as well as my spirit.

Quartz crystals are the easiest to program with intent, and quite receptive. They work with all chakras. The wee slivers of quartz are just darling to program for use in planting and gridding – they get so excited, you can see them start to sparkle and get rainbows! I always include a small piece of amethyst or kyanite when doing this play, as these two stones vibrate at such a high frequency, they never need to be cleansed. In fact, they are so evolutionarily advanced in spiritual vibrations that they will also cleanse, charge and empower objects and space around them – that’s any stones, jewelry, rooms and you!

This leads me to the concept of cleansing your crystals.  Crystals are our master teachers in remembering who we are and connecting ourselves back to our Higher Selves, connecting us back to Source. They assist us in recognizing our power and enable us to travel this earthly plane with a spiritual air. It’s important to respect them and keep them clean and happy – they will do the same for you. One of the most common ways to cleanse a crystal is with sage or palo santo.  The Latin for sage is ‘Salvia,’ meaning ‘to heal.’  The name of the plant itself, ‘sage,’ means wise, elite, advanced. The vibrations of the plant embody its name, which is why the ancient Druids held it sacred and would burn it, and the Native Americans.

Palo Santo, (“Holy Wood”) is a magical tree from South America that has healing properties. Its delicious scent raises vibrations, which enables you to form a deeper connection to Source. Though it does not burn as long as sage, it is literally, Divine. Your crystals will sing for you when you bathe them in the smoke of the Palo Santo.

And speaking of baths, there are some crystals that just adore a good soak in some salt water or a running river. If you live near a natural body or spring of water, give those crystals that are ok with getting wet a treat.  You can dip them one-by-one, or create a special netted bag and just swish them in. Quartz is fine with water. Selenite is not. You’ll actually get a funny feeling in the pit of your stomach (and that intuition should develop even more as you continue to bond and play with your crystals!) about whether or not a crystal would like to be immersed in the water element. Trust it. One of my choice baths for my crystals is to use a special bowl or dish that I fill with good Himalayan salt and just let those critters soak in it for three days. After their soak, I like to rub them and will put them on a tree root or cover them with some flowers (awesome for rose quartz, kunzite and morganite!).

You can keep a little pot of earth or sand as well to soak your crystals in – the earth element will draw out anything that does not serve your crystal in the highest good and purify it.  For protective and super grounding stones, (like Black Tourmaline, Obsidian, Shungite, Onyx and Hematite) it’s best to cleanse regularly, as these particular crystals shield your energy field against psychic attacks and electro magnetic fields (EMF). Think of them like vacuums - you want to keep them empty so that they can continue to cleanse for you. Be careful of putting your crystals in direct sunlight for too long, as the powerful rays will bleach your crystals. This is actually an amazing way to bring back any crystals that have turned cloudy, a result of being ignored or hidden. In this case, a good sun bath is most appreciated. Full moonlight is an incredibly potent time to cleanse crystals. Put them out in a safe spot and let them bask in the silver rays of the moon overnight – they will thank you for this special energy and you, in turn, will resonate with it as well!

Talking to the crystals is a wonderful way to form a connection – they love attention! Rubbing them is not only a beautiful way to bond, but also will encourage growth. Notice how your crystal will sparkle more, create rainbows and even change colors! This is all a reflection of you and your growth.  Make sure that you are keeping your crystals on natural surfaces – no plastic! If you’re feeling crafty, perhaps you can construct a special shelf or area for them. I keep a majority of my crystals on my wooden countertop in the kitchen, as this is where I do most of my play. The crystals displayed change as my needs or focus does. Any grid-work that I am doing has its own special place where it will remain undisturbed until the intention has manifested (and this happens rather quickly, as the crystals are quite powerful!).

I have amethyst and selenite in every room, as they continually raise vibrations. I keep a white Himalayan salt lamp the size of a small child in my bedroom. Himalayan salt is one of the most holistic minerals, as it emits negative ions, which counteract the positive ions emitted from electronics and keep a clear space. Keeping the physical space, the environment, as sacred and charged will keep you in the same vibration; you will align to these high frequencies, identify with them, and resonate with them. When we allow ourselves to fall into harmony with these amazing tools of nature, we integrate our spiritual lives into the mundane with grace and ease, and begin to allow others to feel those vibrations.

There are so many wonders and initiations that the Crystal Kingdom has to offer, and it is eager to integrate itself into our lives. That is the beautiful relationship that we have with the nature, to orchestrate these highest of frequencies with us so that our spiritual essence, our LightBodies, can easily integrate into our physical selves. It’s such an exciting gift that is our birthright, to work with these Rock Stars and truly see that heaven is a place on Earth. 

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Shanna Fanelli is a certified Crystal and Sound Alchemist, Faeriologist, Energy Artist and Reiki I and II practitioner based in Santa Monica. Learn more about Shanna and her services at ShannaFanelli.com. 

HoC Brain Tonic

Waking up in the morning and drinking a tonic is a must for someone who wants to bring his or her wellness to another peak. Drinking adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms are a great gentle way to get nutrients in your diet. This particular tonic has a wide range of nourishing vitamins, minerals and fats. This drink can be made anytime of the day, but is best before 4 o’clock because the cacao can be a bit energizing.

We added raw cacao to the tonic, which is certainly very high in antioxidants, and it contains an abundance of magnesium and iron.

We also added mucuna puriens that contains a principle ingredient; L-Dopa, a naturally occurring amino acid that transforms into dopamine in the brain. It is also known to enhance brain function.

 Reishi mushroom is known as the "queen healer mushroom". This mushroom is a great immune supporter. Reishi helps with balance within the body and inner strength.

We also added a touch of Cordyceps. This potent yang tonic helps with oxygenating the body and is known to build strong endurance.

The fat from the oil (whichever you choose) helps with nutrient absorption and keeps you full longer and is great for brain health.

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ teaspoon Reishi
•  ½ teaspoon Cordyceps
• ½ teaspoon of Mucuna Pruriens
• 1 teaspoon of Raw Cacao
• 1 teaspoon of Ghee (or Grass-fed Butter, Coconut Oil)
• a pinch of Raw Vanilla Bean Powder
• a tiny pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt
• 1 cup of tea or milk (coconut milk)
• 1 tablespoon of Raw Honey or your sweetener of choice

We love using Sun Potion for our tonic ingredients. 

Enjoy!

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist and herbalism student, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body, embracing the liberty and power of mindful living. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Science in Public Health Education from California State University Northridge and studied Holistic Nutrition at The Natural Healing Institute.

Owning What Is

When I reflect on my youth, I recognize that I experienced many forms of self-destruction that I wasn’t fully aware of at the time. Patterns of deprivation, binging, bulimia, anorexia, over-exercising and even self-mutilation were formed during my teenage years, consuming much of my behavior and mandating many of my actions. Flashes of a mid-drift clad Britney Spears seduced me, patronizing perfection and obstructing my perception of reality; the attention I received for the cleavage I bared fueled me, engraining within me the idea that my value was contingent on the size of my chest; the desperation to seem attractive and desirable at the cost of our own health and happiness infiltrated the mindset of me and many of my peers, resulting in obsession over appearance. Over a decade later, I find myself living in a culture that has exacerbated this formidable epidemic.

When I was in grad school, I focused much of my studies on adolescent development, yearning to understand the complexities of the teenage psyche and how young people come to form their identity. I conducted a small group interview consisting of five adolescent girls for one of my final papers. Each of the participants revealed that she was a victim of self-destruction, and articulated that this had been evoked by the relentless quest to attain a “perfect” image. All five young women reported that they had excessively dieted and exercised, three of the five had undergone plastic surgery, three of the five had experienced anorexia, two of the five had battled binging and self-mutilation and one of the five struggled with bulimia. This revelation broke my heart; through talking with them I realized that critical conversations regarding the adversity and pressures they were confronting were lacking in their lives. 

As many of us may remember, during adolescence, individuals become egocentric, viewing the world from a single perspective.  They experience, what researcher David Elkind coined the “imaginary audience” – the belief that others are always watching them. So while many of us may not have the patience to indulge teenagers in their own drama, it’s a very real experience for them. And it can significantly impact their self-esteem.  I’ve read research articles that have indicated that for female adolescents, self-esteem consistently correlates with the way one views herself through physical appearance. And it doesn’t help that sociocultural pressures on adolescent girls enforce a thin ideal body image and perpetuate the importance of appearance in terms of one’s identity and success as a female… How can one thrive when facing this predicament?

This was my experience and it confused the hell out of me because, while I was influenced by the mixed messaging, prescribed gender roles and unrealistic portrayal of idealized and sexualized images, I also didn’t really buy into it and felt unsettled while forming my identity. I felt myself being pulled in two different directions – wanting to be received and needing to live up to the “perfect” image, while also intrinsically knowing how ridiculous the entire construct was. But I didn’t have the skills or the understanding of how to confront the dichotomy I was facing - I was fueled by achieving an unrealistic standard of beauty while also feeling completely disconnected from who I was; I wanted to be perceived as ideal and yet I was deeply insecure; I wanted to be viewed as a sexualized icon and yet I was closed off to all experiences sexual. The paradox was overwhelming for my adolescent brain – with an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex (as is the case for all teenagers) I was more impulsive in my actions and less grounded in my confidence.

Fast forward to my late twenties, only now am I learning what it means to be in my fullest expression, to be confident in myself and to honor the body that I have in this moment. The self-destructing patterns continued throughout my young adulthood, and they still have a tendency to show up – although faint, when thoughts of trying to achieve an illusory ideal become present, I have to catch myself in the self-destructive actions that immediately want to ensue.

Constant awareness of my thoughts and behaviors has been my saving grace; being mindful of my language and my internal dialogue has shifted the way that I relate to myself and others; letting go of the bullshit belief that I am supposed to fit into some box has freed me from the cage I once called home; asking for and being willing to receive support from loved ones in moments when I have fallen has helped me rise strong; and having conversations about the things that nobody wants to talk about is causing the rippling and granting others permission to inquire within and make a change.

I am now, at twenty-nine years old, navigating what it means to be a woman who is secure in her own skin; a woman who honors both her bright light and the depths of her darkness; a woman who doesn’t abide by society’s standards of beauty; a woman who is a contradiction in her softness, strength, sweetness, power, femininity, wildness, rawness and sensuality; a woman who is fucking vulnerable in her self-expression, knowing that self-love is cultivated when she is in full acceptance of all aspects that make her who she is; a woman who isn’t afraid to ask for help and receive the love that wants to find her; a woman who no longer feels the need to hide from, dim because of, compare to, and compete with other women; a woman who acknowledges the challenges that are still present as she discovers how to fully celebrate herself and own what is.

It’s a journey, a process, that I am still learning how to traverse – but I am committed to it and I refuse to allow others’ judgments, projections, limiting beliefs, desire to shame, and enforced ideals limit me. It’s time that we all take a stand, support each other and the younger generations as they discover who they are, and own what is so that we can feel our way through the muck and come out on the other side stronger and more beautiful than ever before.

Photo Credit: Laurent Levy Photography

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Jessica has a B.Sc. in Applied Psychology from New York University, M.Ed., in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard, and a M.A., (in progress) in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica. Jessica is also a columnist at Elephant Journal and has been featured with Huffington Post.

Connect with her at JessicaWinterstern.com and on Facebook.

Sean Stone: The Nonconformist

Recently, HoC had the distinct pleasure of receiving some deep insights from a man of many blessings, Sean Stone. Son of famous film director, Oliver Stone, Sean is an actor/director, producer, cinematographer, screenwriter, in his own right. And yet, if you can imagine,  there is much more to this man than his many accolades! An outside of the box thinker, with his own opinions and his own show, not conforming to any one perspective but embracing many points of view that others might shy away from, Sean lives consciously and with heart and purpose. Having experienced a Kundalini Awakening he offers responses to our questions about his life's purpose, his spiritual practices, and what brings him bliss. We are thrilled to present you with the opportunity to learn more about this enlightened thinker! 

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1. How did you discover your life’s purpose?

I think that's an evolving concept, but if I achieve my purpose, then it will be a vision that took shape in my late teenage years. Through a lucid waking dream of a past life, I recalled that I am here to help raise the consciousness on the planet through various visual media.

2. What is the driving force?

The higher power we call God, or the Good. There is an opposing polarity that sculpts our emotions for the purposes of experience and understanding through sorrow.

3. Who is the one person you’re most inspired by?

My past and future self.

4. What study or experience has had the most profound effect on your understanding of yourself and reality?

I'd say experiencing the supernatural realm directly, which inspired my film Greystone Park, as well as my sorcerer character in Paranormal Activity Security Squad.

5. What is your spiritual practice?

A basis of daily morning meditation and prayer to ground myself. Being present is the most important practice.

6. What does an ideal day look like for you?

Being in a mode of creation, whether that involves writing, stimulating conversation, enjoying delicious and healthy food & drink, giving myself enough time for play and exercise, watching movies that entertain and illuminate, or spending time with good company.

7. What moves you through fear and brings you bliss?

Trusting that a higher power has designed all of this for me.

8. Favorite quote?

One of many favorite quotes: "One must have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star." - Nietzsche

9. What is your top supplement or superfood in your holistic cabinet?

The Super Elixir from WelleCo.

10. Favorite book of all time?

I'd have to say my favorite story is Les Miserables.

Favorite meal?

Indian and Sushi.

What political state is America really in with the movement around Bernie Sanders and the madness of Donald Trump?

It's a circus. One doesn't vote at the circus.

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You can find Sean on his alternative news show Buzzsaw - visit the YouTube channel and website.  Follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

Plant Based Artist: Greg Arnold

Chef Greg Arnold puts his artistic skills into every one of his dishes to make a masterpiece. Consistency makes us swoon over his culinary techniques.  The man known to open the hottest plant based restaurants in Southern California including, Sage, Matthew Kinney's Plant Food and Wine, and most recently, the Santa Barbara gem Mesa Verde. Clearly he is keeping up with the momentum. With his new line of activated herbs and spices created in partnership with Scott Linde and Nitsa Citrine (of Sun Potion), we now take a piece of the creation home with us and create our own culinary flare. We sat down with Chef Arnold to find out more about the past, present, and future.

1. What led you to become a chef?

I grew up drawing and painting and spent most of my life making albums and touring as a guitarist...so I’ve always been an artist...so to speak. To me, my food tastes and looks exactly as my music sounds...a sort of ethereal synesthesia. I just really loved the creation of dishes, and somewhere along the line I began to love cooking more than I loved making records... I was introduced to the cuisine of Ferran Adria and Jose Andres when they were pioneering what we now know to be modern Mediterranean cuisine. I always found kitchen work to be meditative... the chaos and the pressure somehow slows my mind down, and I can function much better in the eye of that storm.

2. What inspired you to focus on plant-based cuisine?

When I began cooking plant-based food in little vegan restaurants in LA, it was still a pretty underground, sort of punk rock thing to do. Vegan food was still a haven for weirdos! For myself, I wasn’t  really eating meat and had since childhood been into the ethics of groups like CRASS and Rudimentary Peni...who were advocating for animal rights, anti-war, etc…Now, I am completely obsessed with plants. I understand the inner workings and strengths and weaknesses of all these plants on a molecular level...I understand how they will react and function to so many different cooking techniques...the reactions and the unlocking of the flavors are an endless exploration that I get to dive into and record on a daily basis.

3. What are your favorite ingredients to cook with?

Fresh spring produce is by far my favorite! The super green vibrance of spring vegetables is just amazing...and the balance between grilling them or scorching them with big fire and the contrast of all the raw fresh greens and delicate herbs is something I am currently obsessed with.

4. Favorite spices?

I just starting creating my own spice and Umami blends called Tournefortia, with Sun Potion tonic herbs mixed in. My favorite spices mostly come from the middle east: Za’atar, Saffron, Aleppo, Sumac...they are all so earthy and intoxicating. I also love the succinct simplicity of Japanese spice. As a chef I have been experimenting with dehydrating and grinding vegetables into their own spice powders...for example, seasoning a fresh cucumber in its own powder adds an especially deep level of cucumberness. Tournefortia embodies all of those concepts mixed with the superfoods...a very modern spice for a very modern kitchen.

5. Your plates are so beautiful. What inspires your artistic touch to the plating?

It all goes back to my love for the abstract expressionists...Cy Twombly is my man! Also, Anselm Kiefer, Robert Rauschenberg, and Franz Kline. I am very inspired by Japanese photographers, like Daido Moriyama and Araki...and of course the loose experimentation and exploration of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead…I’m also very into 20th century avant garde composition like Iannis Xenakis, Steve Reich, Morton Subotnick, and the kind of mechanical, synthesized precision of Tangerine Dream and Autechre. I could listen to Tangerine Dream forever.

6. What inspires your food?

EVERYTHING inspires my food! My day, my life, the vegetables, the weather, the feeling in the air that day...I have, over the years, really built my own culinary vocabulary... I am not so inspired by other people’s food, but more by whatever it is that I’m thinking and feeling on that day. It’s a rather solitary process for me...more of a reflection.

7. What is your ultimate vision?

My vision in the kitchen is still the same every day...to bring delicious, modern, organic food to our guests. There is a whole massive wave of modern culture and thinking that happens before I present the dishes on a table at dinnertime...sustainability, locality, organics, farms, farmers...as a chef, I feel like an alchemist, transforming all that passion and energy into something tangible...something that can be delicious and beautiful, and bring someone so much pleasure. 

8. What rituals keep you in a creative state?

My whole life is a ritual. From waking up everyday and making the bed and drinking my cups of Genmai Cha tea. Going to the gym, sitting zazen, taking saunas...When I get into the kitchen, I set everything up in the same way, in the same place, at the same time, everyday...I’m like a borderline OCD guy.

9. What is your favorite restaurant?

I’m not sure I have one favorite restaurant...I have my spot for ramen, I have my spot for tacos, I have my spot for tea, etc… but I will say that my guilty pleasure spot is Gjelina in Venice...FOR SURE!

10. When you’re not in the kitchen, where would we find you?

IN BED!!!

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Photo Credit: Julia Corbett

Shop for Chef Greg's next level spice and Umami blends at Tournefortia.com. Follow him on Instagram at Ofair and Tournefortia.

This is Next Level Wellness

Want to experience a shift, a transformation, a one way ticket to “next level wellness”? Holistic Nutritionist, Kristin Dahl & Health Coach, Alexa Gray have designed a program to help you create a Vibrant Holistic life.

 K & A - Together, we created a program that will show you how to slow down, simplify your life, and find balance within. Our 21 Day Online Program incorporates all essential aspects of the mind-body-spirit connection to help you lead a harmonious, healthy, and holistic life. This Spring, answer your natural call to embrace the foods & the energetic changes that are happening all around you by aligning with the season. We focus on the abundance of new energy and the commitment to nourishing and rejuvenating practices that will realign us with our natural vitality.

During the 21 days we eliminate sugar, gluten, dairy, and for those who can handle it- caffeine. Despite this, the program isn't really about deprivation. It's about implementing sustainable diet & lifestyle shifts so that you feel fully energized and renewed. The program works to reset your internal systems, blood sugar, and hormones in order to invigorate the body. It's also a fantastic way to be part of a group, feel supported & motivated, and stick to your commitments, taking full responsibility for your day-to-day wellness. 

 It's all about coming into alignment with a rhythm that's sustainable for your life. 

 PROGRAM INCLUDES:

• The Art of Wellness E-Book
• 21 Day Transformation Guide
• 21 Day Meal Plan with Vegan, Vegetarian & Paleo Options 
• Optional 3-Day Juice Cleanse
• Private Facebook Group 
• Weekly Group Conference Call
• Weekly Newsletter 
• Holistic Gift Box 
• Discount on follow up Nutrition Consultation

Join The Program >>

 Enjoy this simple and delicious recipe from the program!

Cleansing Green Juice

INGREDIENTS //

• 4 Stalks Kale
• 2 Bunches of Spinach
• Handful Parsley
• 1 Cucumber
• 4/5 Stalks Celery
• Small Knob Of Ginger
• 1⁄2 Lemon
• Optional – Add 1 Pear, 1 Small Apple
• Other Options –Add Fennel, Mint, or Lime

METHOD //

1. Wash and cut all ingredients and place produce into juicer.

2. Sip slowly and enjoy!

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Kristin Dahl is a Holistic Nutritionist at Dahl House Nutrition. For more holistic inspiration and wellness info, find her on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

Feeling Our Way Through

When it comes to self-love, I find myself both professing and internalizing the value of it in most moments; be it my writing, my coaching, my thoughts… My entire life seems to be permeated with this newfound concept. The notion of self-love has definitely infiltrated the New Age culture and many are deterred from just hearing the buzzwords that find their way into most conversations these days. Because what does self-love really entail and how does one accomplish it in the face adversity? 

“Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never harm me”… I remember this saying well; I was taught it early on as an attempt to thicken my skin and not take to heart the mean things that were said to my face or behind my back. And yet, I remember becoming physically ill and emotionally wrecked by the stress and fear these experiences caused. While sticks and stones may have broken my bones, I came to understand that names could be just as harmful as words influence the expression of ours genes and wire our brains accordingly.

Language is a huge determinant of our wellbeing. Andrew Newberg, M.D., and Mark Robert Waldman, authors of Words Can Change Your Brain talk about the importance of “compassionate communication” and speak to the research which shows that as people concentrate on positive words, functions in the parietal lobe begin to alter, changing their perception of themselves and those they interact with. What we focus on affects our brains and the vocabulary we use has an impact one our reality.

So while this may sound “woo woo” to many and yield some eye-rolls and scoffs, science supports the validity of the power of language. Quantum physics reveals that all physical reality is made up of vibrations of energy. This includes language and vibrations differ based on the words used.  In the 1990’s, Japanese scientist, Masaru Emoto looked at the effect that words have on energy. By observing the molecular structure of frozen water, he proved that positive and negative words carry different vibrations and change the physical structure of an object based on the specific energy generated.

This is critical for me to remember when I find myself overwhelmed in the face of adversity. As mentioned in my previous article, I no longer run from it no matter how hard it feels. I don’t numb it no matter how much it hurts. I don’t make it wrong no matter how much shame it brings forward. I feel it and I support myself through the feeling while being mindful of my vocabulary.

But what does feeling it mean?

Feeling does not equate to wallowing nor does it call forth self-deprecation.

When I feel, I allow myself to experience the range of emotions, regardless of how challenging they may be. And yet, I know that they do not define who I am and that they will inevitably come to pass. This awareness provides me with the space to fully process while not becoming attached to my experience.

Feeling my emotions looks like a lot of things: Sometimes, I bawl my eyes out until it seems like my tear ducts have dried up. I make it ok for me to experience the depths of my sadness and grief instead of trying to stuff it down and ignore the breaking of my heart. Sometimes, I scream into a pillow until I am blue in the face. I allow my frustration, disappointment and rage to be heard, rather than rejecting that which needs to be released. Sometimes I write out my anger, scribbling hateful, hurtful, shameful words and phrases onto a piece of paper that I end up burning. I do not hold back, I do not censor, I do not judge myself for anything that comes up in that process. Sometimes, I sit quietly in mediation and I ask the painful feeling what it has to teach me, as listen for the answer, the lesson. Sometimes, I call that friend I trust and admire, who refuses to coddle me or care-take. That friend who holds space and listens and then reminds me of who I really am.

As Brene Brown puts it in her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, “One of the greatest barriers to connection is the cultural importance we place on "going it alone." Somehow we've come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we're very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It's as if we've divided the world into "those who offer help" and "those who need help." The truth is that we are both.”

I ask for help when I need it. I don’t disconnect from my heart anymore. I don’t pretend to have it all together in every moment. I try not to judge my feelings as good or bad, and when I do, I forgive myself.  And I accept the fact that I am human and with that comes a spectrum of experiences - every shade, every texture, every color are welcomed.

I am light, I am dark, I am everything in between and I provide the space for all aspects of who I am to be present.

Self-love comes with forgiveness, acceptance, acknowledgment, and trust.

I must be willing to forgive myself for the judgments I have carried; I must be willing to accept myself in moments of despair; I myself be willing to acknowledge myself for courage and strength required to feel; I must be willing to trust the process and know that it will inevitably change.

As I embody this mindset, paying attention to my language while giving myself permission to fully feel, I can connect to my heart and experience the love that beats through it. For there is no longer a barrier separating me from feeling its magnitude.

Photo Credit: Laurent Levy Photography

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Jessica has a B.Sc. in Applied Psychology from New York University, M.Ed., in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard, and a M.A., (in progress) in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica. Jessica is also a columnist at Elephant Journal and has been featured with Huffington Post.

Connect with her at JessicaWinterstern.com and on Facebook.

5 Ways to Detox Your Home, by Beth Greer

This Spring, spring into action and make some simple changes if you want to get healthy and stay healthy. Begin by taking small steps to make your home toxin-free. It’s really pretty simple. Start by first becoming aware of what goes in you, on you, and surrounds you. Here are 5 easy steps to decrease the amount of chemical toxins you are exposed to daily. 

1. Cookware: Phase in new pots and pans.

You used to hear: Nonstick cookware is dangerous only if you heat it at a high temp without food in the pan or pot.
Now we know: The chemicals that make pots and pans nonstick are pretty terrible. They can get into food and migrate into air, water, and soil. A group of scientists published this opinion in Environmental Health Perspectives; their statement carries more than 200 scientists' signatures calling for researchers, governments, and manufacturers to limit the production and use of the water- and oil-repellent chemicals called PFASs and to develop safer alternatives.

Detox right now: Start cooking your eggs in stainless steel.
Shop smarter next time: As your nonstick cookware wears out, replace it with stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic—pieces can be found for under $30. And consider swapping anything with PFASs, including stain-resistant and waterproof clothes.

2. Food Containers: Toss your plastic

You used to hear: As long as your plastics are BPA-free, you're good.
Now we know: Just when you've finally sprung for all "BPA-free" plastics, that label isn't enough anymore. One of the chemicals that replaced BPA is BPS, and recent studies show it's potentially just as bad.
Detox right now: Avoid storing your leftover pasta sauce (or any other acidic food) in plastic. Don't microwave in plastic containers or even leave them in a hot car—the heat and acid exacerbate the leaching of BPS.
Shop smarter next time: When your plastic containers mysteriously go missing or get cracked and need to be replaced, choose glass or stainless steel (which is just as light as plastic for toting to work). And, sorry, price isn't a good excuse: A 10-piece set of glass food-storage containers (that will last forever) costs less than $20.

3. Couches & Cushions: Use Caution!

You used to hear: Fire retardants may not be the best for your health, but they're deep inside your couch, so what can you do about it?
Now we know: They're way more insidious than we thought. Studies show these chemicals get into the air and settle as dust. From there, some of them, including a class called PBDEs, can accumulate in blood and breast milk and have been associated with lower IQs and impaired motor skills in children. Research has found that about 97% of American adults have measurable levels of these chemicals in their urine. A recent study from the University of New Hampshire found that PBDEs can cause metabolic and liver problems that can lead to insulin resistance. 
Detox right now: Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter and wipe surfaces with a wet cloth or mop to reduce dust and chemical residue.
Shop smarter next time: If you live in California, you can inspect the label on furniture (like couches, upholstered chairs, futons, carpet padding) to determine if it's free of chemical flame retardants, thanks to the Center for Environmental Health's cosponsorship of a bill last year requiring manufacturers to identify products containing them. Many stores, including Ikea and Williams-Sonoma, are slowly starting to follow suit, so make sure to always ask before you buy. You can also look for furniture made of additive-free, flame-resistant materials such as wool. It may not be practical to get rid of your current sofa, so if you're planning to reupholster, consider replacing the old foam with retardant-free foam at the same time. San Francisco–based company Foamorder.com offers chemical-free foam replacement for your old cushions; prices range from $45 to $95 per cushion.

4. Shower Curtains & Home Fragrance: What’s that Smell?

You used to hear: Phthalates are found only in shower curtain liners.
Now we know: Replacing your shower curtain liners is still a good call, but now we have to worry about phthalates elsewhere. Everywhere. The key word: fragrance. There can be up to 100 different chemicals hidden in that harmless-sounding term—including phthalates. Exposure to the chemical DEP, the most common phthalate in fragrance, has been associated with lower sperm count, sperm damage, and endocrine disruption.
Detox right now: Quit with the air fresheners and skip fragrance-laden products whenever possible.
Shop smarter next time: Look for shower curtain liners made with phthalate-free alternatives to PVC like PEVA, EVA, cotton, hemp, or linen, available for under $10. Shop for detergents, fabric softeners, and other cleaning products that are fragrance-free or made with natural scents.

5. Countertop Sprays: You're breeding superbugs. Stop it!

You used to hear: Skip antibacterial soap so you don't contribute to the drug-resistant-bacteria problem, but wipes and sprays are fine.
Now we know: Surprise! You should avoid using antimicrobial wipes and sprays, too. Certain types, including those with triclosan and quaternary ammonium compounds, can, if you use them routinely, create drug-resistant bacteria that can enter your body.
Detox right now: Scrub surfaces with cleaners you make yourself with ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda.
Shop smarter next time: Seek out cleaning products displaying Green Seal or EcoLogo certification, which means they adhere to certain science-based health and environmental standards.

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Beth Greer is an award-winning journalist, green holistic health educator, healthy home expert and impassioned champion of toxin-free living. Visit her site Super Natural Mom and get her book Super Natural Home for more on living toxic free.

HOC Longevity Elixir

In honor of Spring, we’d like to share one of our favorite drinks that’s simple and fun to make as the weather starts to warm up. This iridescent tonic quenches your thirst while giving your body the proper nutrients and minerals it craves. The natural balancing and energizing ingredients make for the perfect floral mocktail, ready to activate your body to its highest health.

Photo credit: Julia Corbett

INGREDIENTS:

• 4oz of sparkling water
• 1oz of coconut kefir
• 1oz of Rosas Raw Hibiscus concentrate
• 10 drops of Ron Teagardens Goji and Schizandra tincture drops
• 1 teaspoon of raw local honey or 3 drops of Omica stevia
• ¼ lemon wedge squeezed in or added as garnish

Health Benefits:

Goji Berries (Lycium Barbarum)

• cardiovascular health
• antioxidant rich (polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenoids)
• energy/libido stimulant
• vision enhancer
• sleep aid
• anxiety reliever
• high in vitamins A, C, and E.

Schizandra

• longevity
• liver cleanser
• immune booster
• mental support
• menopausal reliever
• adaptogeni

Coconut Kefir

• immune booster
• probiotic
• eliminates sugar cravings
• aids digestion
• increases energy
• skin health

Hibiscus concentrate

• antioxidant
• liver protectant
• cholesterol/blood sugar maintenance
• respiratory health
• improves circulation
• anti-inflammatory
• vitamin C
• antibacterial
• aids digestion

Enjoy!

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist and herbalism student, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body, embracing the liberty and power of mindful living. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Science in Public Health Education from California State University Northridge and studied Holistic Nutrition at The Natural Healing Institute.

Zenbunni Chocolate Changing the Earth

In Southern California there lives a family who makes pure magic. A special kind of real life Wonkaesque chocolate-filled operation being served out of a rabbit hole...actually, make that two rabbit holes, with their newly opened shop in the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica. Zen, Bunni, and their daughter Alchemy along with a collective of independent biodynamic farmers come together to create one of a kind products that nourish you from within while giving back to the Earth. A team dedicated to sourcing from the best, their business breathes consciously, all the while producing high quality natural confectionaries that look and feel supreme. The crystal infused walls and ground create another layer of energy and Earth. One bite of their raw cacao chocolate will lead your tastebuds on a journey as your mind realizes you have finally tasted chocolate the way Mother Nature intended.

1. Would it be in humanity's best interest to forgo eating processed chocolate in exchange for raw cacao? If so, why is cacao so much better overall?
 
Yes, it would definitely benefit humanity and where we humans reside (this amazing planet!). The word "processed" already implies "excessive", and excess translates to inefficient. It equates to more time, more money, more energy, and sounds like moving in the opposite direction of "natural", "simple", and "pure". These words sound right. They feel better just to say, and resonate with our natural selves. It's an interesting thing to think that something that has been made perfectly since the beginning of time (think thousands and thousands of years ago) could be made better by some weird egoic technology that man came up with in the last few decades. 

We are in a state of crisis because of excess. The two main things "processed food" has done are make us unhealthy and cause a disconnect from the cycle of life (all living things), including food. Once you "process" something, you've begun to denature it and strip away its magical genetic composition of wonderful minerals, vitamins, and vital nutrients. People are then, unfortunately, "tricked" into thinking (or unthinking) they are eating something that's going to nurture them while it does the reverse. So yes, forgo eating processed chocolate or any food that's processed, if possible. If you slip up, well, we're all human....don't judge yourself when doing it, and just move on.

Our cacao goes through very little "process". We aren't running it through huge machines at super high speeds and heating it for long periods of time to make it taste "exactly the same" every time, which is what the larger companies try to do. You may notice that most chocolate desserts and drinks taste the exact same at restaurants and bakeries; the truth is that they are making what the established "flavor profile" of chocolate in the world is. We're not going that way. We slowly and simply stone-grind our cacao, temper it at low temperatures, and make it into our microcosmic bars. Cacao is a medicinal food, packed with so many nutrients and bioactive compounds, and so much more that they are literally still discovering every year. So we keep it simple, pure, and clean while you get much more of those amazing vital nutrients than your typical "processed" chocolate bar would provide. Plus, you helped mother nature by not buying something that polluted her, stripped her of resources, and was most likely not made consciously. 

2. How did you decide to make biodynamic cacao your main offering?

When we discovered the astonishing origins of cacao, its sacredness and power brought to light a new perspective on what we thought was just a sweet treat we were addicted to. We had no idea that this food we loved so much (but never felt good after eating) could be good for you and guilt-free. When we figured out how to make it in a holistic manner, it just seemed like the direction to go in. We made it just for ourselves, originally, but all our friends kept pestering us to sell it. When we finally did, it was very well received. That was 8 years ago...and we've been learning and evolving ever since, which led us to Biodynamic Farming. 

The method, and devotion to the earth, blew us away. We noticed that it was relatively nonexistent in chocolate, so it made sense that we were the ones to steward at this level. This led to sourcing not only biodynamic cacao, but biodynamic jaggery (a primitive, mineral rich ayurvedic sugar), as well our spices, nuts, and oils from all over the world. Many of our fans have said that they "feel" our chocolate--typically it is other senses that perceive food, but to "feel" it is something special. Our intention has always been pure: to heal the earth and each other. This, in conjunction with our ingredients being grown in such a revered manner, synergizes to create this magical offering. 

3. What is your favorite part of the biodynamic process? Do you two ever personally get your hands into the ground during the process?
 
We love the entire process and the fact that it's "such" a process. While very difficult and time-consuming, it's done so that the earth reaps the benefit and that the person eating gets to experience what food is supposed to taste and feel like. We are firm believers of major and subtle energy being a factor, which this method of farming acknowledges and puts it into practice. We want to share this method of farming and other "beyond organic" styles to the masses so we can make real change now. We feel that we can reach many more people by crafting the business, marketing, and production side of our brand rather than actually spending time farming at this point in our lives. We truly would like to do it the other way around, but if that were the case our chocolate company wouldn't exist! In the near future we hope to have our hands in nutrient-rich living soil most of the time, but for now, we want to empower the few biodynamic farmers in the world and get them more land!

4. Can you tell us more detail about your two "rabbit holes" and why you chose Venice and Santa Monica as your two locations? Congratulations on the new grand opening of your second shop, by the way!
 
Thank you!!! We've had a ZenBunni Gallery/Shop since 2007, but it wasn't just chocolate. It was filled with our art, antiques, and amazing jewelry. Only in this last iteration of retail did we decide to just do chocolate. We had an opportunity to rent a tiny, tiny space on Abbot Kinney in Venice 2 years ago and thought it would be a perfect "rabbit hole". It was so small we felt that we could pull off a wild idea of literally making it look like a rabbit hole. So we brought truckloads of clay-rich mud from our property in Topanga Canyon, then mixed it with sand, straw, and actual chocolate to create a "chocolate cobb" shop. It has become quite an attraction and has the sweetest little vibe. 

We just literally opened up our second location inside the iconic Fairmont Hotel on Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica last month, and it's a more refined version of a "rabbit hole". We still used clay infused with chocolate, but did more of a "Wonkadelic California" cabin ode with reclaimed redwood to match the hotel. We love the idea of being in hotels and would love to branch out more into this world. We get to meet people from all walks of the Earth and they get to experience our expression of California craftsmanship. The outreach graces so far with a hotel. Since most people don't know what biodynamic farming or stone-ground healthy chocolate is, we feel blessed to share that with them. 

5. What does the future hold for ZenBunni?

Hopefully lots and lots and lots of land being preserved. Also, helping as many people as possible to find their natural self again. If people could truly get that, then they wouldn't unconsciously spend their money on food and things that hurt the earth and themselves. If we can continue to wake people up with chocolate then the future is looking very bright and healthy!!!

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Visit the ZenBunni website to learn more, shop, and find their products.

Talia Migliaccio - Consciousness Through Creation

Talia Migliaccio is a rebel, fueled by a passion for pushing boundaries in pursuit of a new world, where creation is king...or, better yet, queen. Though her roots lie in Denver, Colorado, she seeks nature in her travels, working to facilitate harmony between the earth and humanity. Versed in many artistic mediums, her unique practice of tattoo poking speaks for itself as she uses ink to draw together body and spirit. At 21, this old soul knows herself, and it shows.

1. What inspires your art and creations?

The heart of my inspiration was birthed from a place of mystery - an exploration of the void - a deep love for all taboo. I am continually inspired by the world surrounding us, both seen and unseen - the macrocosm and microcosm - the as above and so below. I am constantly taking note of patterns throughout my daily experiences - listening to everything around me as though it is my direct dialogue with universal forces - from license plates to lyrics. I am fascinated with the interconnectivity of every motion - every step - the layout and design of our home planet. My fuel is truly rooted in a place of shifting consciousness through creation - in a playful manner - to show that it is possible to live differently - to think differently - that the dream is so real and so alive. But then this all breaks down into smaller patterns, for example, what inspires my tattoo practice vs. what inspires my video work, my sculptures, my photos, etc. I do believe that no matter the medium or lineage of inspiration it all continues to inform itself in a neural network-like fashion.

2. At what age did you begin doing tattoo work?

I began tattooing in March of 2013, which would have made me 18.

3. In what ways do you connect your art with your consciousness?

My creative output is a direct reflection of my consciousness, and perhaps I can even say that in some ways it is a direct reflection of the collective consciousness. 

4. Would you like to expand more on your "Flood Book" and what that is and means to you?

Ah... that term came from a post of writing about my sketchbook practice. I chose to call it a flood book because I felt it better encompassed the energy these books symbolize for me. Since 2007 or so I have very consistently kept a sketchbook, or flood book, rather - I do my best to make daily entries, but sometimes within the flux of life that gets thrown off. They are a place that I truly feel able to flood my mind onto paper - nothing to hold me back or to guide me in any one direction. They hold drawings - paintings - writing - a true release and exploration of imagination.

5. I saw on your website that you use many different mediums of art for expression. What are all of the forms you use?

I have gotten my hands into just about any and every medium that has been available to me. Drawing, painting, ceramic, beading, metalwork, video, photo, and tattoo are all ones I have pretty thoroughly explored. Tattoo and drawing are what I am most fluent in recently. I have a longing to dive back into exploring form and the creation of spaces through multidisciplinary processes, though.

6. How long have you been doing pottery work?

Ceramic has been coming in and out of my life since 2006 or so. I began by taking wheel throwing classes at a studio in Denver, which was shortly followed by my 6-year attendance at Denver School of the Arts. In those 6 years, I worked with it on and off - it has always felt like one of the most instinctually and natural mediums of use to me. Last year I reentered my relationship with it in an entirely new way and am very eager to continue that facet of work. 

7. What do you do to stay grounded?

Hmm, staying grounded… that term can have so many translations and meanings. I listen to a lot of hip-hop and dance to a lot of hip-hop, and I had a realization recently that it is hugely grounding for me - I also find it very motivating, and it ignites a lot of movement in my heart, mind, and body. Spending time alone and in silence is also deeply important for me - it allows me to listen and access my dialogue with the realms of imagination. 

8. What are some of your favorite products, and why?

So glad you asked this! I’m very passionate about conscious consumerism and holistic products. My rule of thumb in terms of what goes in and on my body is that I first and foremost read the ingredients, which is one of the most informative practices that I have picked up. In terms of self-care and beauty products, if they contain something that I wouldn’t feel comfortable eating, something synthetic, or something chemical-related, consider me uninterested. I also lean towards only using products that are handmade in small batches or by small companies, and even better if they are made by someone I know! This is from the standpoint of living out morals - if my mission is to work on shifting how we live on this planet to a more harmonious negotiation, then I feel it is simply ethical to live out this mission through every single choice I make. The toothpaste I use has been one of my greatest everyday life improvements - I swear by it as though it is a daily religious experience - it’s made by a small company based in Washington called "Uncle Harry’s", and is clay based - it’s very affordable and has amazing simple ingredients. Everything I have used from Uncle Harry’s company has been amazing - I definitely highly recommend them! In terms of body moisturizing, I am all for oils - a few that I have been using most recently and absolutely love are La Tierra Sagrada’s jojoba oil, rose body balm by Il Curator, Living Libation’s breast massage oil, and Medicine Mama’s Bee Magic. I have also been working a lot with rosemary, rose, and vetiver essential oils. 

9. What are your favorite food choices and why?

My morals with food are very similar to my product morals - read the ingredients - look into where it is coming from - who my money is supporting - was the growing and harvesting of it humane or ethical in regards to a harmonious life on this planet. I aim to get my food from farmers markets, small locally-owned natural food stores, and co-ops, as opposed to large corporate operations. I am working on growing more of my own food, also, now that I have space and availability too! I would love to reach a point where I am eating food primarily grown by myself or my surrounding community. In terms of foods I love - I am always a sucker for strawberries, especially since a good ethical organic strawberry is so hard to come by these days - or at least, it was until I moved to the LA area. Avocados, spinach, sunflower seed butter, homemade ferments, arugula, sourdough, root vegetables, and local raw honey are all some of my deep loves in the food world, and although black pepper is more in the spice realm I cannot deny my love for it. 

10. What’s next for Talia in 2016? Any new projects we should be looking for?

Well Talia just moved to Topanga in February - so that in itself feels like a massive project. Somehow in the heavenly alignments, my partner, Harrison, and I were able to move onto our friends property - we have a sweet little piece of land, a one bedroom house, and a studio, including a well-lit loft. Between coming off of 6 months of travel, setting up home, working with the land, and tattooing I have had my work cut out for me. So I’m sure as the dust begins to settle new projects will arise - for now I have a handful of small collaborations that are in process, one of which being teaming up with my dear friend Baelyn, who holds beautiful and deep tea ceremonies - we have very recently started to offer individualized tea & tattoo ceremonies for transformation and are planning to expand and extend that in some directions that I’m very excited about. Having a studio is also a huge opening for me, as I have not really had a studio for the last 3 years - I am going to dive back in to exploring imagination through ways in which I used to work, and through many different mediums.

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Learn more about Talia by visiting her website TaliaMigliaccio.com, and connect with her on her Instagram and Facebook page. 

I Thought I Was Compassionate But I Was Wrong...

I’ve gotten really good at saturating my conversations with positive talk. Loving terminology has become an essential piece of my mother tongue. I find myself actively trying to replace self-criticism with loving mantras, steering clear of limiting words/phrases so to fill my communication with powerful affirmations, and becoming apt at spotting judgments, be them my own or others’, so to recognize the opportunity for growth and healing.

A daily practice of positivity, gratitude and self-love has the power to connect me to the underlying blessings in the suffering, the beauty in the foul, and the light in the darkness. Sometimes it feels like second nature; I can find stillness within the most torrential storm and maintain that knowing that the calm will inevitability come.  

I can’t vent for the sake of it anymore; I can’t gossip without immediately realizing what I am doing and being left with an awful taste in my mouth; I can’t wallow without being aware of my own victimization. Negativity isn’t as appealing as it used to be.  It gets old really quickly. And I just don’t have any space for it.

In fact, I despise it.

And herein lies the issue and where, many of us, dupe ourselves into believing that self-compassion is surging through our veins when, really, our bloodstream thirsts for it.  

While it takes great strength and commitment to connect to the greater awareness that all is well, in moments, I hold this mentality as a way to bypass my own breaking heart.

This being human isn’t always easy; the space between becoming lost to the chaos and completely barricading the heart from feeling the impact of fragmentation is difficult to find and master. However, it is that space where deep healing happens.

My entire practice is built upon the notion that the only way out is through and the only way through is to feel, as I recognize that when we avoid facing our pain and disconnect from experiencing our emotions we perpetuate our own suffering. Similarly, I know firsthand that when we become victim to our pain and succumb to the stories we create, suffering persists. The in-between is the place we want to get to.

I have mastered the ability to hold loving space for my clients to become undone and feel safe in giving voice to all the feelings they don’t want to look at. And yet, I only allow myself so much space to go to those dark places before I demand that I get it together and find that blessing… And fast.

Kristen Neff, a researcher and professor at the University of Texas studies self-compassion  and has distinguished three key elements that are integral in mastering this concept: Self-Kindness, Common Humanity, and Mindfulness.

 Self-kindness relates to the importance of being loving towards oneself, especially in moments of disarray, failure, and disappointment; Common Humanity is all about recognizing that pain, suffering and feelings of unworthiness are a part of the shared human experience; Mindfulness speaks to finding balance when it comes to experiencing one’s emotions, so to experience them fully without over-identifying with them.

When I think about these three key factors that make up self-compassion, I see where I have been deceiving myself.

The field of self-development and the conscious community has heavily influenced me and, at some point, I became overly fixated on experiencing my divinity while forgetting my humanness.

When I fall into a hole, I make sure to feel the impact, but I refuse to stay down in that darkness for long; I criticize that victim part of me that used to run my life and now I see that is where my compassion is most needed.

Neff speaks to the research that shows that self-criticism causes the body to release cortisol, the stress hormone, and is known to be an important predictor for anxiety and depression. When we are being self-critical, we are activating our internal threat system, causing the body to go into fight or flight mode; because we are the both the attacker (attacking our self-concept) and the one being attacked, the amount of cortisol released increases exponentially. And so, when we are critical of ourselves for being critical in the first place, we are over-flooding our system with this stress hormone, causing the body to break down.

Self-compassion is the antidote, as it reduces cortisol levels by releasing oxytocin and opiates, allowing people to feel more secure, safe and loved. When we are compassionate with ourselves, especially during those moments of self-criticism, we nourish and replenish our systems and heal our pain.

Thus, we must learn to love the aspects of ourselves that make us cringe. We must bring self-kindness to those qualities that we normally shame. We must remind ourselves that we are human and we are not alone in our experiences of hardship.  We must be mindful of the fact that we can fully experience the texture of an emotion without needing to overindulge.

And in those moments when we falter, when we are overly negative, when we are cruel to ourselves, when we feel completely alone, when we become the victim to our circumstances, and the cortisol levels rise…we love ourselves even harder and call forward the power of our compassion.

Here’s to wholeheartedly embracing our humanness in all its imperfection.

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Jessica has a B.Sc. in Applied Psychology from New York University, M.Ed., in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard, and a M.A., (in progress) in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica. Jessica is also a columnist at Elephant Journal and has been featured with Huffington Post.

Connect with her at info@soulfullbyjess.com and on  Facebook.

Dr. Sarah Larsen - Medical Intuitive

A Doctor and third generation palm reader, Sarah Larsen fuses Eastern and Western medicine as a medical intuitive. Using her deeply rooted ancestral psychic training, she has spent most of her life studying love and how to apply it practically towards healing. She and her husband Greg also share their passion for the miraculous as co-hosts of their weekly podcast called Miracle Makers and transformational world tours to sacred sites.

1.What daily practices do you highlight for people seeking health and wholeness?

We are creatures of habit and I love sharing the practices and behaviors that generate health and wholeness! These highly-sought states of being both can be found in simple practices that I teach and do! 

In fact, it could be summed up in the Sanskrit proverb, "For breath is life and if you breathe well you will live long on earth." 

I have 6 main practices that create great breath, health, and wholeness:

Before Sunrise: 

1. The Vedas state that one hour and thirty-six minutes prior to sunrise is the most powerful time for intentions, prayers, and meditation. This means daily, as we wake, we have the opportunity to synchronize all of these and our breath with the earth's cycles! Wake up, breathe, and create with the sunrise!

2. I oil pull, and this allows my entire body to be cleansed! Oil pulling was practiced daily in India and simply requires moving oil between our teeth! The full practice as studied and written about can be found here.

Before Lunchtime:

3. Feel hungry!  I practice eating only when I feel hunger and limit my body from ever feeling full.  It is the number one thing that you can do to extend your life! A little growth hormone gets created every time you feel hunger! Growth hormones repair your cells, raise your metabolism, and create the conditions for your major organs to repair themselves!

4. Before lunch drink 6 to 8 large glasses of water filled with fresh cut lemon or cucumbers! Many of us have heard the saying, "Where there is water there is life," and the same is true for our bodies!  By filling our bodies with 48 ounces of fresh water before lunch, we will have flushed our system and created new living life in our body!

5. Before lunch, also set up a time to sweat daily! With this much water in our system it is easy to walk or stretch into a sweat! Sweating and heating up the body with light movement keeps disease and cancers out of our system! 

At Sunset:

6.  Gratitude is a great attitude! The origins of this word have to do with "good will"! When we have the energy of good will in our lives, then there isn't anything we can't be, do, or have! The ancient teachings have the optimal time for feeling grateful at around sunset. I recommend sitting and watching the sunset for the day!  Actively create a practice to fill our hearts with gratitude for the moments that filled our day and our hearts! What you think about comes about! Let our hearts feel the daily practice of receiving and thanking for all we took in this day!

Gratitude has been linked to health benefits and an overall sense of wellness!

2.Do you see the integration of Eastern and Western medicine becoming more mainstream? Do you anticipate that this will be an essential component in the coming years?

The integration of Eastern and Western Medicine has been occurring since the Beatles shared their love for India with the rest of the world! In one way or another, the teachings of the two global hemispheres are essential to each other. The East is seeking the research and technology found here, especially with emergency medicine! The West is seeking out the peace and wholeness medicine practiced in the East! Whole herbs, nutrition, and full-body practices are recommended by most mainstream doctors, too! Most medical centers have a component of both now! Yoga, meditation, and nutrition are household words based on the integration of the two systems. We are also validating more and more of the Eastern practices with Western measuring devices. For example, the benefits of meditation are seen in a CT scan immediately! 

3. You have a deep connection with Egypt...Who is the real Isis and what do we have to learn from this goddess/culture?

Egypt is the home to humanity and to some of the greatest mysteries on Earth! We can trace all of those living at this time back to this region! I love sharing the land of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the timeless Nile, and mystery school teachings that holds the keys to everlasting peace, harmony, and service to humanity. There are many archetypes of humanity represented there. The archetype of the goddess Isis represents the true Divine Mother that helps humanity remember who they are! She is known for taking the scattered pieces of man, gathering what was lost, and then creating potential from remembering its wholeness! Her teachings are etched in the hieroglyphs! Essential oils, herbal remedies, and healing processes we still use today are found in the hieroglyphs! The surgical tray we use today is etched with precision into the walls of the temple. You have got to see it to believe it!

There are videos for you from prior retreats to Egypt on my website, found here.

4. Can you tell us about your role as a medical intuitive?

As a medical Intuitive I have the ability to listen deeply to what each cell, organ, and system in your body is communicating. My first teachers were my grandmothers! They were the most educated women and healers in the township that my grandfathers governed. Growing up, I did not know that everyone didn't see, hear, or feel what I did about other people's bodies until I was enrolled in medical school in India. I knew that all discomfort and disease have a spiritual, emotional, and mental component before they become physical symptoms of the body! I could "feel, hear, and see" the spirit, emotions, and thoughts occurring in others! I have been so blessed to have learned, taught, and served in so many regions of the world and with many different types of healing modalities. I am grateful for all of the education as a medical doctor that allows me to use my intuitive gifts to serve those that come to me. I believe my life is to be of service, and helping you experience your body at this level heals it to its inherent wholeness! I believe your health, happiness, and wholeness serve to bring about everlasting peace!

5. What special wisdom do you have for us this year in 2016?

2016 is a year of miracles! We are going to witness medical miracles, miracles for humanity, and direct connection to the spirit being measured by science! 

I launched a new show on UBN network called Miracle Makers. This truly is a gift from my heart to yours!

I know the miracle of being connected to something greater than ourselves and I am so grateful to share this wisdom with our community!  My husband, Greg Larsen, and I host incredible experts from around the world and share how the miraculous happens! Our goal is to help you know and embody your soul's purpose!

We would love for you to have all your hearts desires!

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To gain more of Dr. Sarah Larsen's wisdom visit her website, facebook, twitter, and YouTube channel.  Listen to her live shows on UBN Radio here, as well as her show Miracle Makers. 

Golden Milk

Golden Milk is the perfect warming drink for those cooler winter mornings.  This tonic will warm and nourish you all at once, so you can take on the day feeling great.  In Ayurveda, this drink is also enjoyed in the evening; it sets you up for the perfect dream-filled, uninterrupted slumber.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups of milk of your choice (as long as it's nutrient-dense)
• 1 thumb of turmeric root
• 1/3 thumb of ginger
• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
• ¼ teaspoon of vanilla bean powder
• 1½ teaspoon of local raw honey 5 drops of Omica stevia
• ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon of cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon or less of black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon of himalayan sea salt

While the plain Golden Milk is heavenly on its own, here are a few upgrades!

Jing Replenisher

• ½ teaspoon of He She Wu
• ½ teaspoon of Cistanche

Uplifting Golden Milk

• ½ teaspoon of Reishi
• ½ teaspoon of Pearl

Libido Enhancer

• ½ teaspoon of Pine Pollen
• ½ teaspoon of Polyrachis Ant

2 Minute 2muric

Here’s the perfect Golden Milk recipe when you’re on the go.  Not only does this taste great, but in half the time it takes you to stand in line at Erewhon, you could be sipping your own handmade nourishing tonic.  We hope that you use the best quality organic ingredients.

Turmeric is an extremely well-studied root.  It’s been widely used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory to treat stomach and liver ailments.  It’s also been used topically, too, as an anti-microbial.

To make this Golden Milk:

• Add your milk of choice to your blender.
• Grate the turmeric and ginger into the blender, and add the coconut oil and honey. 
• Blend until well-combined.  If you want your drink warm, keep blending.
• Add the spices and herbs, if you’ve chosen any. 

Blend and enjoy!

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Sima Morrison, founder of House of Citrine, is a vibrant soul with a potent zest for life and the beauty in its simple pleasures. As a holistic nutritionist and herbalism student, Sima has made it her life's journey to experience, to empower, and to explore the synergy between the mind and the body, embracing the liberty and power of mindful living. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Science in Public Health Education from California State University Northridge and studied Holistic Nutrition at The Natural Healing Institute.

I Love You AND the Answer is NO!

In the past, my understanding of boundaries was limited, embedded in my naivety; I built them on an unstable foundation made of fear. 

They were usually fueled by projected anger, blame, and hatred – the kind of boundary that screams, “if you come any closer, I will tear you apart” – mostly directed towards men. Years ago, I was at some bar with friends when a man I was judging as creepy started walking towards me. Every detail of that moment is still etched into my memory – from the sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach to the instant bitchy armor I put up as I automatically altered my state from open to guarded…I was ready to fight to the death. He smiled, which made me hate him more, and before he could finish his sentence, from the depths of my rage and disgust, I venomously spit out, “fuck no!” and turned away. I realized a moment too late that he was asking for directions to the restroom. I felt like an asshole; I had come off as nasty, when in truth I was petrified. 

Fear dictated many of my choices and ended up serving as the ultimate self-fulfilling prophecy and reinforced the vicious cycle.

I have learned a lot from my past ignorance: one of the most valuable lessons has been recognizing that the content is almost insignificant compared to the underlying force that creates it. More specifically, regardless of what I say or do in a given moment, when it comes from fear, the very thing I am trying to avoid is usually actualized. The effects may not be felt right away, but anything that is fear-based eventually falls apart. 

When I first learned this lesson, I identified each painful experience I had gone through, influenced by my fears and limiting beliefs – the boundaries came from a disempowered place serving no purpose other than to perpetuate a victim mentality. 

But I am not a victim; it was just the story I was telling myself. Once I saw through my spiraling patterns, I realized the very thing that would set me free. 

Love.

In choosing to take action from love, I let down the armor and everything began to shift. I began cultivating a deep connection with my heart and the ripple effect extended far beyond. The more I opened my heart, the more I was met by love. 

Because there was so much judgment entangled with boundaries based on my past experiences, I wasn’t able to grasp how boundaries and love could coexist. And so I chose to forgo all boundaries, wanting to maintain an open heart. 

Big mistake.

This is where I have been deluding myself and have also been inauthentic in my self-expression.

As I have immersed myself in more of a New Age mentality compared to my past, I have encountered many people who have taken a firm stance on the futility of boundaries and claiming that when we are coming from love, we are not separate from each other – well, I took this belief and ran with it. 

I found myself undermining my intuition, which strongly encouraged me to go left and yet I chose to go right; I abandoned what I knew, deep down, to be true for myself because I chose to honor someone else’s truth instead; I said yes many times when I really wanted to say no; I gave my power away time and time again believing that I was doing it in the name of love. 

I thought that by being spacious, leaning into discomfort and putting others first, I was moving from love, when I was actually doing the opposite; neglecting my truth, disowning my wants and disconnecting from my voice was the furthest thing from love. 

A beautiful man in my life recently shared his heart with me. In his vulnerability, he expressed his profound love for me and wanted to claim me as his woman. As I stood in front of him, I realized that I had an opportunity to change the trajectory of my life by letting go of an expired pattern.

While we share a deep love and connection, I am not his woman, and have known this to be true from the moment I met him. My intuition has always been there, I just never listened to it. And thus, in this newfound moment, I had a choice. 

A: I could continue believing the delusional thought that love negates all boundaries and go into agreement with his want, yielding and giving my power away as I had done before with other men…

B: I could attempt to control his reaction and conjure up some inauthentic response that would give him a sense of hope as a way of avoiding having to break his heart right then and there, which I have also done in the past…

C: I could be completely honest, communicate clearly by owning my truth, and set a boundary without taking responsibility for how he chooses to receive it.

In processing the different options, I realized that love could not come with choosing another at the expense of myself (option A) nor could it be present in my assumption that he wouldn’t be able to handle the truth and that I would break his heart (option B). If anything, those two options felt like the antithesis of love, as they came from a place inside me that was completely devoid of self-worth. 

I realized that setting a boundary and saying, “no, I am not your woman!” was the most loving thing I could do because I was honoring myself in that choice. And, in doing so, I was honoring him. 

Brene Brown talks about the importance of boundaries in her book, Rising Strong. She refers to the phenomenon as “Living BIG: Boundaries, Integrity, Generosity.” She says that, “setting boundaries means getting clear on what behaviors are okay and what’s not okay. Integrity is the key to this commitment because it’s how we set those boundaries and ultimately hold ourselves and others accountable for respecting them.” And once boundaries are clear, she goes on to say, “[we can] extend the most generous possible interpretations of the intentions, words, and actions of others.” 

As options A and B felt more familiar to me, I chose to live BIG in that moment and choose option C. I set the clear boundary, I stayed in integrity in choosing courage over comfort, and I was generous in my interpretation of his loving intentions. In doing so and by saying no, space was created for our dynamic to shift and evolve into something even more beautiful. 

The limiting belief around boundaries is that they they close us up and keep people out. While this may be true for some, setting boundaries from a place of love also has the capacity to strengthen our relationships, deepen the love that exists, and cultivate an incredible amount of respect and compassion for ourselves and those in our lives. 

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Jessica has a B.Sc. in Applied Psychology from New York University, M.Ed., in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard, and a M.A., (in progress) in Spiritual Psychology from University of Santa Monica. Jessica is also a columnist at Elephant Journal and has been featured with Huffington Post.

Connect with her at info@soulfullbyjess.com and on Instagram and Facebook.

Chef Frank Giglio: Ancestral Knowledge, Modern Techniques

At age 15, Frank Giglio fell in love with the fascinating world of food. Eager and intrigued, he began apprenticing directly under some of the top chefs in the US, which instilled a deep understanding of the creative process in working with food. He became a classically trained chef at the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, VT, and years later would go on to graduate from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC.

While Giglio’s culinary offerings are based in classic technique and traditional foods preparation, he has also been immersed in using food as medicine. Wearing his chef’s hat, he focuses on sustainable cuisine, seeking the highest quality foods grown locally and harvested in season, supporting the crucial farm to table method of preparing food. He remains deeply connected to the earth in his daily life, merging herbalism and living food nutrition with wild food foraging. Frank creates innovative dishes that are wholesome, full of vitality and have a very small ecological footprint.

Giglio's adventurous culinary offerings have been showcased throughout the health community as Frank is the featured chef for NY Times Best-Selling Dr. Alejandro Junger’s Clean Eats cookbook. Frank has catered weddings, special events, and weekend workshops across the country and regularly feeds guests at Daniel Vitalis and Arthur Haines primitive skills courses. Through his many ventures and projects, Frank Giglio is helping to bring the local and sustainable food movement to communities everywhere, making it extremely accessible and incredibly delicious!  

Frank, along with his wife, Camille, runs Three Lily Farm, a culinary education and retreat center on 26 acres. Merging Frank's background in the culinary arts and inspiration from traditional diets, they are passionate about the quality of food that goes into their bodies and living sustainably with the land. For all of their cooking courses, dinners, workshops, and catering events, if the food isn't grown directly at Three Lily Farm, it's coming from a nearby organic farm.

In 2016, Three Lily Farm hopes to build first solar powered culinary education center on the land, which is abundant with fruit, herbs, gardens, and unique trees. Here House of Citrine had the opportunity for an exclusive interview with the chef from Three Lilly Farm:

1. What inspired you to become a chef?

I sort of fell into cooking at the age of 15. I wanted a car the following year so I found a job at a retirement home as a dishwasher. The food was subpar but the energy of the cook and their ability create meals really caught my attention.

After a year there I moved on to a fast-paced seafood restaurant in my hometown, where I would work during my junior and senior years of high school. It was at this restaurant where my love for cooking officially began.

In the two years working there, I made my way up from the breading room to prep cook, then eventually worked a variety of positions behind the line.

Although the work was demanding and my weekends and holidays were toast, I was drawn to the fast-paced nature of the kitchen and knew that cooking was a brewing passion I needed to pursue.

2. What inspires the creation of your dishes?

For me, the current season is what inspires me the most. On a daily basis, I look to the foods that are in season and available to me locally. This allows me to make the best use of ingredients that are at the peak of freshness.

Once I’ve selected my ingredients, I then look to their traditional uses and see how they were prepared. This knowledge usually can tell me how to potentially remove toxins, make each ingredient more digestible, and/or how to maximize the nutrition.

From there I just go with the flow. I love textures and will usually add a raw element to the dish. I will also add in a fermented food in some way or another. It may simply be a big scoop of kimchi over my roasted chicken or straining kefir and turning it into a spread.

3. What are some of your favorite ingredients to work with and why?

It really depends on the time of year. Because I eat so seasonally, I never really have the same ingredient around too long. That is, unless I preserved it in some way.

Although spring officially starts in March, we don’t really get any fresh food until late April or early May, but that’s when there is a great abundance of wild foods across the Maine landscape. During this time I’m eating tender dandelion greens, coltsfoot flowers, fresh nettles for homemade gnocchi, Japanese knotweed, and ramps (wild leek). Spring-dug parsnips add a sweet earthy taste to the fading stock in cold storage and overwintered spinach hits the markets from various local farms.

In the summer, I enjoy just about everything that comes into season. Beans for pickling, peas for pastas, greens aplenty, tomatoes, the list continues. Wild salmon is definitely one of my highlights of the summer. My time spent in Alaska created a deep appreciation for this beautiful and nutritious fish that needs a lot of love these days.

I love the addition of root vegetables in the fall, especially beets, possibly my favorite vegetable. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, from grated raw with herbs and vinegar to roasted tossed with goat cheese and toasted pecans. Acorn collections start in hopes to harvest at least 100 pounds or more to have enough to make it through the upcoming year. One of the most underutilized ingredients, acorns are a nutritious nut that have been traditionally used on most continents for thousands of years.

Winter is all about enjoying the bounty of the growing season. Fermented foods, pickles, mead, meat, frozen fruit and berries, and a variety of canned items add uniqueness to the rather monotony of winter ingredients.

4. Three Lily Farm encapsulates sustainability in its highest form. What advice would you like to share with others regarding this lifestyle?

It’s not easy! It’s completely glorifying to live close to the land, raising your own animals, and growing food, but it takes a lot of work. Living in a home that is completely off grid forces you to give up some of the daily conveniences that I used to take for granted. We can’t always shower, we don’t run a clothes dryer or keep all the lights on in the house. That being said, I don’t feel like we are being held back at all by the fact that our home is solar-powered. If anything, it puts me at an advantage over others who depend on the grid for power. When a storm comes, we don’t panic about potentially losing the power.

5. What does a typical day look like for you and your family?

I’m usually the first one out of bed in the morning, and depending on the time of year, that may be 5-6 am. I love getting up with the sun, or before it, as I find it’s the most inspiring and certainly the quietest time of the day for me. Once awake, I’ll do a little stretching, drink some coffee, and usually take the early morning to write, answer emails, or brainstorm projects.

By 8 am, I am usually out feeding the animals, which currently consist of 2 dogs, 2 pigs, 2 rabbits, and a handful of laying hens. Afterwards I’ll usually run the dogs up the road and loop back home through the woods.

Camille and Wilder are awake by now and breakfast gets going, which usually consists of smoothies for Camille and some sort of egg dish for Wilder and I.

Camille will spend the early morning working and switching back and forth with me hanging out with Wilder. Reading, painting, Lego creating, or out to the back yard are just a few of the daily activities.

During this time, I will start any lunch prep that’s needed, then head out into the garden or get to work on any new or existing projects on the land.

Around 1 pm we break for lunch, then carry on through the day as we can. With kids, the days are always changing, so I simply adapt to the day’s needs.

At some point during the afternoon Camille may break for a yoga session, I may get in a work out, or we may all take a hike to our favorite lookout point.

The remainder of the day is a bouncing back and forth between the computer and our current projects.

Dinner is usually around 6 pm, then it’s time for less lights around the house to save on our battery bank as we head into the evening. Whenever possible, I prefer to be in bed by 9 pm, although my 4 1/2 year old usually has other plans. :)

6. What are some of your favorite holistic products and why?

I gotta say, I’m a loyal fan of Living Libations. From their culinary oils to their Palo Santo Poetic Pits, every product I’ve tried has become a staple in my life. My top culinary oils are lemon, basil, and fennel, which go into my summer cocktails, smoothies, and butter mashups.

The SurThrival product line is another staple in my medicine cabinet. Thanks to good friend Daniel Vitalis, their founder, I have been a consistent chaga consumer since 2009. Their pine pollen in all its forms has been a real blessing during endurance sport training as well as daily life on the farm.

I’m also a big fan of the cod liver oil produced by Organic Pastures and Premier Research Labs D3 Serum.

7. Outside of sustainable food, Three Lily Farm seems to offer other services and products. Would you like to speak on those?

In the new year, we launched the Three Lily Farm Cookery Club. It’s a monthly membership site where we offer detailed recipes, monthly video calls, and access to my online courses. It’s a lot of fun!

During the summer months, Camille and I host an event called Back to the Land. It’s a 3-day retreat that focuses on traditional cooking and farming. It’s a sort of farm-to-table retreat where up to 16 participants spend the weekend together soaking in our spring-fed pond, sipping mead by the fire, and being inspired to cook and eat with the seasons.

We also offer catering, cooking classes, and a small product line made from ingredients purchased locally or harvested by us throughout the year. I’m currently working on a hot sauce, infused vinegars, spice blends, and a few herbal beauty products crafted by Camille.

8. What is one of your all-time favorite recipes?

It’s a simple dish, but I really love the pairing of wild blueberries and wild salmon. For about 2-3 weeks in July, I consume a lot of salmon. During this time there are 2 specific species of salmon that are available in fish markets throughout Maine. Sockeye and King salmon are both beautiful and highly nutritious fish. They are both fatty by nature which works perfectly with the sweet and slightly acidic blueberries which happen to cover the Maine landscape around this time.

Ideally, I’ll have a fire going outside, and I like this sort of primitive cooking technique where you make a plank out of wood, preferably cedar, and make a few spikes as well as slivers of wood. The spikes are pierced through the fish and into the plank. The fish is then cooked just a few feet from the hot coal bed and also takes on the flavor of the warm cedar.

The blueberries are hit with a touch of honey and apple cider vinegar, lightly mashed, and allowed to break down.

Once the salmon is about medium rare, I’ll take it to the table and spoon the blueberries right over the top. Simple, but so good!

9. What was the last meal you ate that you created?

Last night I pulled a pork butt (shoulder) from the freezer to thaw over night. It came from the pig I raised and processed myself. I placed it in a Le Creuset dutch oven along with a pint of my canned tomatoes, onions and garlic I grew, and dried crumbled kelp.

It went into a 325°F oven for about 6 hours and every so often I basted the pork with the tomato and juices until the meat flaked away. But then the tomato reduced and thickened up nicely.

I served it with roasted spaghetti squash, and buttery broccoli from the freezer. As usual, I enjoyed it with a variety of condiments from the root cellar.

10. What ingredients do you believe every person should have at their disposal?

First and foremost, Stocks and Broths are essential. These flavorful and nutritious liquids made from animal bones have so many uses and are so good for the body. Stocks and broths have been prepared for thousands of years and are essential for so many cuisines around the globe.

Making your own ensures the highest quality product without additional sweeteners, sodium, or other unnecessary ingredients that are often found in store-bought varieties.

Sea Salt

Our bodies need salt to live and food needs salt to enhance their natural flavors. From sweets to savory creations, a touch of salt really tightens the flavor of all you prepare. Unfortunately, most people cook with iodized salt, which is highly processed and absent of the other 90+ minerals that real sea salt possesses. I use solar dried sea salt from Maine.

Unpastuerized Apple Cider Vinegar

As I’ve made an effort to consume more locally-sourced products, I have done away with a lot of every day kitchen staples. Acids are an important part of cooking and balancing flavors and without access to lemons and limes, dishes would be missing that “pop”. In the past few years, I have been able to make my own apple cider vinegar as well as purchase it locally from Sewell Organic Orchard. I use it in everything from bone broth to vinaigrettes. The low pH makes it great for herbal extractions and general kitchen use.

Quality Butter

Whether added to your coffee or simmered into ghee, butter really does make everything taste better. I use butter in a variety of preparations and revere it as a sacred and nourishing food.

I stick to unsalted butter, which I source locally. Look for farms raising their cows on pasture during the summer and feeding them hay during the winter. 

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For delicious inspiration visit TheeLilyFarm.com and ChefFrankGiglio.com. Stay in touch with Frank and the Farm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Rich Roll - Plant Based Iconoclast

Rich Roll is someone that we're proud to call our friend.  He's a man that has reinvented himself several times over the course of his life - he will be the last person to declare himself "done".  Like all of us, he's a work in progress.  But Rich, he pushes himself far beyond his comfort zone just to see where he may go.  It's a process, and he does it every day.  He's not a man of routine, but when he is, you can find him putting his talents and artistry to work as a premiere health advocate in public speaking, writing, and his very successful podcast, the Rich Roll Podcast.  Rich has an outlook on life that's relatable and meaningful.  We listen closely to every word, where we quickly find laughter and honest self-deprecating passion for his truly authentic self. We caught up with Rich for a few moments to get to know him just a little bit better.

1.  You travel so often; during travel time, what are some of the foods or beverages you find for snacks or a quick meal when on the go?

It’s getting easier. Airports are improving all the time. The American Airlines terminal has a Real Food Daily so if I fly out of that terminal I don’t have to plan ahead for a long flight. Otherwise, I pack food for the plane. Typical snacks include a veggie burrito, bananas, almonds, and plenty of water. I keep it pretty simple. I also spend a little time plotting where the vegan-friendly restaurants are in new cities. The Happy Cow mobile app is handy for this. In addition, I always know where the healthy food markets are where I travel. Often I will go right to the market from the airport before even checking into my hotel to make sure I have healthy options always on hand. Hotels with kitchenettes are always preferred. That said, I don’t overthink things or get stressed out. I have traveled all over the world and, invariably, I can find something that works no matter where I am. Every place has nuts, grains, seeds, and fruit.

2.  What is an ideal day for you?

A restful night of sleep followed by some tea and 20 minutes of meditation. After that I will do some journaling and then head out for a trail run, swim, or long bike ride. Ideally, it’s warm and sunny out! A green smoothie and healthy meal will follow (preferably prepared by Julie, who is an insane cook). The afternoon might include doing a podcast, working on a video, and spending time with my kids. A family tea ceremony and meeting in the evening where we congregate to share our dreams and challenges would preface a dinner prepared and enjoyed by our whole clan of 10 (we call it the “Jai Tribe”) will follow. Bed by 10!

3.  What’s something you do that helps you and your wife Julie stay so connected?

Making our relationship a priority. We both have a lot going on, and with four kids, two dogs, plus our nephew and oldest son Tyler’s girlfriend living with us (plus our artist friend Andrew and his young daughter who live on our property in an airstream), things are hectic and it’s easy to allow our relationship to slide. We have been together almost 18 years, and one thing I have learned is that nothing is static — especially my marriage. It requires a great deal of focus, attention, and work. We always carve out at least one date night per week and monthly overnight mini-vacations together. In fact, we just returned from a brief stay up in Santa Barbara for this very purpose. We poke fun at our differences, trying to celebrate them. And it’s important to never let resentments simmer. Fighting is a healthy part of being in an honest relationship, but we try to make our fights awesome. And if we are in conflict, we don’t walk away until it is resolved. Never go to bed angry.

4.  What’s your first thought when you wake up in the morning?

My head spins a million miles an hour with all the things I have to get done the moment I gain consciousness. That’s why meditation is so crucial to my routine — otherwise, I am reactive all day. Setting myself up to go on offense rather than play defense is important.

5.  What’s your favorite music album of all time?

REM changed my life. Murmur is a perfect album. Jeff Buckley’s Grace is a close second.

6.  Who is an influencer that you admire and why?

I take different forms of inspiration from many different people for different reasons and areas of my life. I can’t say any one person checks every box for me, perhaps because I do many things — I am a writer and an athlete and a podcaster, a family man, a filmmaker, a public speaker and an advocate. I approach everything I do from a creative perspective. So in this sense, at the great risk of sounding ridiculously pretentious, I consider myself to be an artist. And to create well, it’s important to not be overly influenced by any one person other than yourself and your inner voice.

7.  What’s your guilty pleasure?

Potato chips. There - I said it.

8.  Finding Ultra was a success.  The Plantpower Way was a success - is another book planned?

Yes. I am in the early stages of putting together my next book. I don’t want to say much beyond that it will be a primer on life transformation and living your authentic life.

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Learn more about Rich Roll at richroll.com, purchase his book The Plantpower Way, and download the Rich Roll Podcast.  You can also connect with him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Kymia Arts

Avery Hopkins, Alchemist and founder of Kymia Arts is truly a man of mystery. As Frank Gorshin would say, he is a man of few words but many riddles. He is a man of depth with a love of plant medicine, mystical 13th century poetry, and Greek mythology. He creates metallic, plant, and animal essence oils using a technique found in ancient Indian Ayurveda. The products within his apothecary are meant for healing on a conscious level to reunite the mind/body in harmonious spirit. Having had the privilege to sample some of his oils such as the oil of gold, we can confidently say these are products that can be life-changing in taking you to the next level of consciousness. These truly are next-level products and we are excited to have an opportunity to interview the maker himself:

1. What is Kymia Arts?

Kymia Arts is an online branding and a platform that I created to showcase my work in the alchemical realm. It also serves as a minor storehouse of alchemical wisdom. Since much of the content I work with and speak about is essentially unheard of by the public - and if researched rather hard to dig up – I sought to create a space where many of the harder questions pertaining to alchemy could be deposited and answered.

 2. What is alchemy?

If you asked a thousand recognized experts, you would get a thousand different answers. I may not be a recognized expert, but I know my answer is the right one. Alchemy is: the understanding of the relationship between consciousness and matter.

3. What inspired you to start Kymia Arts?

Many years ago, I had the privilege of seeing and then understanding the thread that stitches together ALL of reality - the visible and invisible, the known and the unknown, the inside and the outside. I discovered that thread in alchemy. Unfortunately, when you set out to research alchemy, you come to find that the space in which alchemy is held can be a rather muddy and foggy place; many veils to say the least. 

It took me years to make sense of what it was that alchemy is and then years beyond that to duplicate for myself the practical side of the art, which is often seen and recognized through the laboratory works. After achieving success in my alchemical work, and my life at large due to this work, I began to feel the need to share what I knew so that others wouldn’t have to struggle for years in hopes of understanding this thing we call alchemy, or this thing we call reality. 

It is also worth noting that I hated working and participating in a system that was fueled by unconsciousness. On top of wanting to share my findings and understandings with the world, I wanted to liberate myself from a required or expected worldly lifestyle. Creating Kymia Arts was like building a ship. I launched that ship and set sail from the old. That vessel keeps me afloat today, and I am thankful for it.     
 
4. How is the alchemy in your products used differently than others?

I’m mostly known for my work in the Metallic realm. I choose to focus on metallic oils because it proves the alchemical philosophies flawlessly, while simultaneously slapping around the idea of “impossible” like a stupid fly too slow to dodge a backhand. 
The fact that Metallic essences are the foundation of Kymia Arts automatically sets my work apart from basically everyone on the entire planet. As far as I can tell, no one else has attempted to make this level of alchemical truth available to the public. In the past year I began pushing the alchemical philosophies to incorporate work in the animal realm as well. So now I get to also say that I specialize in extracting essences from animals. If that’s not different from others—then I wouldn’t know what is. 

5. How have these potions changed your life?

It’s funny that you choose to use the word potion. For those who don’t know, the word potion comes from the Latin ‘potio’ which means “drink.” This is also where we get our word potable, as in safe drinking water. A potion is a drink considered to have medicinal or magical powers. 

It’s safe to say that the oils and spagyric preparations I produce are imbued with a certain kind of magic. I call that thing, that magic, consciousness – because that’s what it is. The best way I can answer your question, as to how they have changed my life, is by saying that they helped me to not see what is not, and instead see what is. From that point on, it’s nothing but acceptance, enjoyment, and enthusiasm.  
 
6 What can you tell us about the benefits of your metallic oils?

The benefits of Metallic Oils are really all-encompassing. They work on the foundational archetypes of your consciousness, which coincidently (wink wink) are also the foundational archetypes for the construction of reality. Alchemical essences at large assist you in awakening to a full perception of self. When the self is known, all is known. Then all can be transmuted to exist in an immortal state. 
Anything that exists in an immortal state is self-sustaining – never lacking, never needing – forever healthy, happy, and whole. The essences I produce are catalysts to that residence of awakening. When the consciousness is awoken and known as self, the mind is liberated. With the mind liberated and illusion dispelled the body is filled with the immortal consciousness. Alchemical essences are truly conscious medicines in the most literal sense.

7. What is your spirit animal?

That’s actually a rather hard question to answer for me. I observe myself in all things, and all things know their essence as me. One of the more interesting aspects of producing alchemical medicines is that you are literally working with the consciousness of any given material when you extract its essence. The essence is expressed physically as the essential oil of the matter in question. If you were to ingest that essence, you would literally be ingesting the consciousness of another life form, whether it be rock, plant, or animal. Part of my personal journey in knowing myself and incorporating all of the myriad reflections which make up me on the whole. 
In regards to animals, if you ingest their essence, you can know what it’s like to experience this reality – consciousness - as that animal. The pattern of that animal, its soul and spirit, come to reside within you as you. I’m not sure what my spirit animal is, but I’m quite aware of the Owl, Tarantula, Mountain Lion, Bear, Coyote, Dolphin – the list goes on – that live inside of me. That topic alone is a profound topic of depth.  

 8. Your favorite place on earth?

The only one I can ever know – Here. 
 
9. Who inspires you?

Narcissus and Echo. And the stars. Saying that reminds me of a Ladinsky poem, which he attributes to Hafiz:

“Even after all this time

The sun never says to the Earth, “you owe me.”

Look what happens with

A love like that,

It lights the

Whole Sky.”

Stars are pretty inspiring.

10. What’s next for Kymia Arts?

For now Kymia Arts is still creeping into the consciousness of the masses. Since story is held in mind, for the moment this happening is limited to time. As I patiently wait for the inevitable progression of Kymia Arts, I tinker away in my lab and in nature, extracting essences from things that are rare and powerful. 

The animal alchemy of Kymia Arts is a new addition that showed up in the fall of 2015. Many new animal essences will emerge as time passes. I started in the deserts, forests, and canyons of Arizona, exploring the local flora, fauna, and history of that divine place. Much of the metals, minerals, plants, and animals that I have worked with so far have also come from that place. 

Now I am extending into the North, the Olympic range, and the oceans of the Pacific. I am excited to dive (pun intended) into oceanic works – Corals, marine mammals, fish and shellfish, cephalopods such as octopus, squid, and cuttlefish. I imagine I will find more alien life in the abyss of those waters than any paranormal stargazer.   

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To learn more about Kymia Arts and products, visit Avery's website, Kymia Arts. You can also follow Kymia Arts on Instagram and Facebook.

5 Tips from Dr. Aunna for a Better 2016

The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back as early as the Babylonian times. While the success rate of ancient resolutions is largely unknown, a large percentage of the resolutions of modern times tend to be unsuccessful. Taking on too many resolutions or setting unrealistic goals are common reasons why people do not achieve their goals.

“As a doctor, I have observed a lack of self-appreciation to be the most common reason people are unsuccessful in achieving any goal at any time of the year.”

The good news is, there are many ways to improve our lives and succeed with our New Year’s resolutions. Through my own experiences and those with patients, I have identified a few factors for successfully following through with our goals.

1. Cultivate self-appreciation

Most New Year's resolutions involve self-improvement. So why is it that we have difficulty following through with things that benefit our lives? As a doctor, I have observed a lack of self-appreciation to be the most common reason people are unsuccessful in achieving any goal at any time of the year. It’s impossible to prioritize ourselves without a foundation of self-worth. This lack of self-love is often subconscious and can sabotage our lives without us knowing it. Try to get in touch with a place deep within you in which you can feel total love for yourself. This is the place where you will find the limitless drive to improve your life.

2. Make a daily self-commitment

While it’s always exciting to start off the New Year with new goals, it’s just as easy to talk without follow-through. Whenever one of my patients tells me, “I’m waiting until after the holidays to <insert goal here>,” I always respond , “Why wait to do something that benefits your life?” Procrastination is another form of self-sabotage, and, in turn, a sign of not appreciating ourselves. We all deserve to prioritize ourselves everyday, and not just at the beginning of the year.

3. Identify your intentions

What are the reasons for your goals? Do you want to quit smoking because someone else wants you to? Are you trying to lose weight to impress someone else? Goals that involve changing for someone else never last. You may not elicit the response you had hoped from the other party, but most importantly you have neglected the most important person: you. It all goes back to self-appreciation. Set goals that involve your heartfelt decision, not someone else’s, and you will find that you will not only feel much happier but also be more successful in your endeavors.

“Life is not a list of check boxes.”

4. Intention vs. Resolutions

The word “resolution” has somewhat of a strict connotation, and often implies that there is something that needs to be fixed within a set time frame. This is why I like to set intentions. I write a list of things I intend to accomplish. I prioritize my list and try my best to achieve my goals.  I’m not trying to fix anything, because in reality, I’m not broken. I’m an imperfectly perfect human who won’t be able to accomplish everything I set out to exactly when I want to, but in time I will in wonderful ways I had never imagined.

5. Enjoy the process

Life is not a list of check boxes. It’s easy to think ahead to the results without enjoying the present moment. How often have you reached your goal and either hurt yourself in the process or felt like what you achieved wasn’t good enough? Delayed gratification allows us to relish the process, which may lead us on a different but more fulfilling path. Life isn’t about how skinny, rich, or accomplished you are. It’s the journey that occurs in each moment that is most important.

You are the most important person of your life and the positive life changes you make benefit everyone around you. The time to start your All Year's Intentions is now.

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Aunna Pourang, MD is a board-certified family physician who practices integrative medicine in Santa Monica, CA. She incorporates her knowledge of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and nutrition with conventional Western medicine to address the root causes of symptoms and to help heal the mind, body, and spirit. Dr. Pourang is also the author of Meditate don’t Medicate: A 14 Day Journey of Letting Go and Finding Yourself and blogs about health and happiness on her website www.draunna.com. 

Lotus East-West Medical Center
2222 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste 105
Santa Monica, CA 90404
T: (310) 828-8258