Comfort Food: Kitchari

I love comfort food.  If I opened a restaurant, it would be all comfort food.  To me, comfort food is easy to make, nourishing and tasty.  Kitchari is my go-to Indian comfort food.  “Kitchari” means mixture.  Usually it’s a blend of 2 grains.  It’s meant to be easy to digest, grounding and healthful.  In Ayurveda, there are 3 main Doshas.  Long story short, a dosha is a way to describe someone’s body type/personality.  There’s vata (wind/air), pitta (fire) and kapha (earth).  I’m predominantly vata: skinny, like change, big joints.  Heavier foods tend to balance me out.

There a million different ways to make kitchari, but this is how I usually make it.  My version is not sattvic, but is vegetarian.  You can change up anything you want, but this is how I make it.  Since this is easy comfort food, there is very little measuring involved.  

Supplies:

Sprouted Mung Beans

Sprouted Brown Rice

Sweet Potato

Onion

Ghee

Ginger

Garlic

Cumin Seeds

Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Grate Turmeric and Ginger

I usually use more turmeric than I do ginger.  I probably used a thumb of ginger, so a thumb+ of turmeric.  Melt some ghee in a saucepan and add the grated roots.  Mix around, and add in some cumin seeds.  Turn the heat up so you start to hear a little sizzle.

Add Onion

I am a big onion fan.  That’s why this recipe is not sattvic.  Well, that and that this will be even better the next day (leftovers are not sattvic).  The short of it is that tamasic foods dull the mind and body while also being stimulating.  They’re only to be used as treatment for imbalances.  But it’s all about context.  Sulphury foods are heating, and probably not needed by someone who has a “fiery” flair.  That’s not me today.  I like to sautee until they’re soft and covered in curcumin.

Add Sweet Potato

I like to cube the sweet potato into bight size pieces.  Makes the eating easier.  Add them in, stir them around for 5 or so minutes.  I like them to all be shiny and covered in ghee.

Add Mixed Grains

I usually use a 50/50 split of sprouted brown rice and sprouted mung beans.  Since I’m not into measuring, I throw them in first and then cover with water.  Whenever I’m boiling water for food, either cooking rice or making a broth, I throw some kombu in.  I cooked this down for probably 30 minutes or so.  The longer the better, in my opinion.

I love miso to the moon and back, so when I serve this I like to put a dollop in.  Sea Clear is one of my top 5 favorite misos right now.  Whenever I'm using turmeric, I like to throw in some black pepper.  It will help make the turmeric more bioavailable.  

Quick Lunch/Review at Bulletproof Cafe in Santa Monica, CA (video)

An oldy but a goody!  I uploaded this a while ago, and realized I didn't post it on here!

CAP Beauty - Sun Potion/ZennBunni/Shiva Rose

Here's a quick video from an event at CAP Beauty in New York City that I attended with Sima Morrison of House of Citrine and Hilary Pearlson of Jewels of a Dreamer.

Inn of the Seventh Ray - A Video Review

My friend Sima Morrison of House of Citrine invited me to brunch at Inn of the Seventh Ray!  It was great.

Astragalus Part 2: A Western Look

“How do you do just nothing?”

— Winnie the Pooh

“Well, when grown ups ask, “what are you going to do?” and you say “nothing,” and then you go and do it.”

— Christopher Robin

Some mudra

If you haven’t read Astragalus Part 1:  A Western Look at an Eastern Perspective, please do so.  It will give a more broad perspective, and allow you to read what I think has been learned about the plant in the past few thousand years.  Here you can read what’s been learned in the past hundred years.

Flavonoids are what give astragalus its yellow color.  What’s another yellow food with flavonoids?  Quinoa, brah!  Astragalin, the prominent flavonoid in astragalus is a relative of kaempferol, a potent flavonoid in quinoa.  It’s actually patented as a supercooling agent.  They also contribute to the anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and immune boosting effects of the plant.

Astragalus contains a group of saponins known as astragalosides.  The most well studied is astragaloside iv.  Some of you may have heard of TA-65.  It’s a supplement that is designed to lengthen your telomeres.  Telomeres are repeating DNA sequences capping the ends of chromosomes.  They provide a buffer from coding DNA and also help keep different chromosomes from joining together.  Every time a chromosome goes through mitosis, producing daughter cells, telomeres are lost.  Eventually, the chromosomes will reach a point where there is too little telomere for the cell to reproduce, at which point it will die (apoptosis).  Telomere length is often used as an indicator of a persons biological age.  I have a BS in Psychology with a focus in neurochemistry from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and we were taught that there’s nothing that can be done about shortening telomeres.  They only move in one direction, the shorter direction.  This is not true.  There were many things we were told that weren’t true, but I though this one was particularly annoying.  How can they say there’s an enzyme that increases the length, but say it’s never present?  

Let me get back on track.  TA-65 has been shown to repair telomeres through the activation of telomerase.  TA-65 is very powerful, and very expensive.  I looked at trying it out once.  It was over $600 a bottle and had to be purchased through a specialist.  I did not try it.  But why am I telling you about this?  Because TA-65 is concentrated astragalus!  More specifically, astragaloside iv.  

I just want to throw in something I think is worth mentioning, before you decide to hop on the telomerase bandwagon, malignant tumors often have elevated telomerase.  I think you can understand why a cancer would want a plentiful supply of telomeres.  I think astragalus, as the whole food, is the better option.  We may want long telomeres, but only on the right chromosomes.  Astragalus root has not only astragaloside iv, but also several other immune boosting factors that could direct where the action will take place.

It also contains a heft quantity of polysaccharides referred to as APS.  Much of the research around them has been directed towards muscle growth.  This shouldn’t be a surprise, because one of Chinese Medicine’s argued benefits of astragalus is it’s ability to help grow flesh.  As a lung tonic, I think this would specifically correlate to the skin.  They also have anti-inflammatory properties, with studies showing it surpassed NF-kB.

In general, polysaccharides are immunomodulators.  These long chain sugars, to me, are more like hormones than macronutrients.  They press buttons.  They’re an active component in many tonic foods.  I came across this study that used the polysaccharides from astragalus as a food source for beneficial gut bacteria!  What an idea!  The goal was to see whether they could enhance the human benefits of the bacteria.  

Interestingly enough, I think that cows like astragalus.  Thinking about bacteria eating astragalus got me wondering.  Mmmm I’m thinking of an astragalus fed raw 5 year aged cheddar.  Don’t bother, I already patented it.   Astragalus isn’t that uncommon can be a hardy plant.  It’s native to China and Mongolia, but grows in the United States as well.  Some farmers plant it to test the quality of the soil.  However, some varieties contain swainsonine and are toxic to livestock.  Those varieties are called “locoweed.”  Guess why.

Thank you for reading!

Astragalus Part 1: A Western look at an Eastern Perspective

“Every birth is a condensation and every death is a dispersion. Birth is not a gain, death is not a loss. When condensed, the energy becomes a living being and when dispersed it is the substratum of mutations.”

— Chang Cai

Astragalus is another one of my favorite herbs.  It’s actually a legume.  I’ll stop playing favorites when I finish my top 5.  Maybe I can do a break down, astragalus is my favorite qi tonic.  It’s slowly receiving more recognition.  Many people use it in conjunction with other herbs to help treat the effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

It originates in Northern China.  Its Chinese name, Huang qi, translates to “Yellow Superior.”  I could see that, it is yellow, and works on the spleen which is also yellow (kind of).  It has a slightly sweet, warming taste.

Astragalus is a well known lung tonic.  It helps clear out pus, and was traditionally used in a blend to treat tuberculosis.  The lungs rule wei qi, which is protective qi.  It’s like your personal forcefield.  It hovers around your body, protecting you from the 6 exogenous evils.  Right now for me, that means dry summer California heat.  Cucumber aloe juice anyone?

A side note:  I’ve come across several sources that say astragalus is great for treating upper respiratory and chest infections, however, I’m under the impression that when illness sets in, tonic herbs should not be taken.

It may not immediately seem obvious, but excessive sweating can be a sign of wei qi deficiency, and in turn, a lung deficiency.  Spontaneous and excessive sweating is a form of “leaking.”  Leaking happens when excessive energy or fluids are lost, that could otherwise be stored.  

Not only does astragalus help regulate the flow of qi, but also of water.  In fact, both are directed together.  You can’t have good water regulation without good qi.  Blood flow is also regulated by qi.  Let’s make this simple, anything that flows in your body is an indicator of how your Qi is moving.

Astragalus stimulates the middle burner (above belly button, below diaphragm).  That’s the spleen and stomach.  As a spleen tonic, it helps move qi upward.  When qi is not circulating optimally, things can fall out of place.  Your organs can sag.  Prolapse can manifest.  It also helps digestion through the same mechanism of moving qi up.  When your qi is moving upward, you’ll have better, more regular bowel movements.

Posture can also be an indicator of how well, or not, qi is flowing.  Try this: sit comfortably, and do a breathing exercise for 2 minutes.  Any exercise.  Watch how your posture changes.  

I’ve heard that some people attribute some of the calming effect of cigarettes to the rhythmic breathing usually used in smoking.  I’m not sure if that’s the best way to induce good breathing techniques though, but it's an interesting thought.

This is my own understanding of the eastern understanding of some of the ways in which astragalus works.  I don’t know anything about eastern medicine, so anyone please feel free to correct me.  The next installment will be my western understanding of astragalus’ benefits.  Thank you for reading, and please comment below if I was unclear or miss-spoke(typed).

A note on Hats and the Kundalini

“I can wear a hat or take it off, but either way it’s a conversation piece.”

— Hedda Hopper

    Hats are coming back.  For some, hats never left.  A hat is one of my favorite accessories.  Aside from keeping the Kundalini in, they can also look great!  Look at the vatican, they’re all about the stylin’ hats, that probably serve a purpose.  I never left the house without a hat until I hit high school, when I couldn’t wear a hat between the hours of 8:30 and 3:30.  People used to tell me that if I continued to wear a hat as often, my hair was going to fall out.  When I was younger, my plan was to become a cowboy.  Naturally, I wore a cowboy hat,  When I let that go, I switched exclusively to baseball hats. Now I’m at the beginning of the cycle.  Although I kind of want a Panama hat too.  It’s on my vision board.  

    I make ice cream at Kippy’s.  It’s right next to RA MA Institute for Applied Yogic Science and Technology, AKA RAMA.  The short of it is, they practice Kundalini yoga.  As a result, many customers come in wearing the head wrap.  I knew it was to keep the Kundalini energy contained, but that’s it.  So I googled.  I found several sources that pretty much agreed with each other.  In addition to holding the energy in, the head wrap focuses that energy on the third eye.  What was interesting to me was they they all mentioned hair!  Hair has come up for me recently, and not just because I need a haircut.  Most people have probably seen the article that goes around about hair being an antenna or a currently unconscious sense.  According to what I read, hair is the channel for solar energy into the body.  Apparently, it’s best to let the hair grow to its natural length to optimize the quantity and quality of energy received.  From what I gather, it’s more difficult to move the Kundalini up when the hair is down.  So part of the head covering is to hold the hair up.  I’m guessing that having the hair at the highest point lets the energy flow down into the body. 

    Obviously you can make theories about a persons health based on the quality of their hair, whether it’s excessively oily, or thinning.  But I recently came across the idea of making assumptions of a persons emotional state based on the condition of their hair on a more immediate basis.  I mean whether that persons hair is having a “bad hair day” or not.  I say it’s “making assumptions” because that’s exactly what it is.  I am sort of making fun of the idea, because I don’t think it’s beneficial, or necessary to make assumptions about other people.  But at the same time, the premise is true.  All truths are half truths.

    So as you can now see, hats are more than for style or expression, which would be enough in my book.  They can also be used as an energy regulation tool.  Pretty neat if you ask me.  While not all religions wear hats as we know them today, many religions across the globe cover their heads.  That makes me think that they’re all pointing to or alluding to the same idea.  

    I also think it’s better to wear a hat than sunglasses in the sun.  A hat provides shade, while sunglasses filter the full spectrum.  With a hat, you’re eyes are getting all the different colors, just with less intensity, whereas with sunglasses provide you with less intense, incomplete light.

Quick and Easy Avocado Toast! (video)

Here's a quick vid of my friend Sima, from House of Citrine, and I making one of our favorite snacks, (besides water) avocado toast.

Tait's Toothpaste! (video)

I filmed a quick video about Tait's Toothpaste.  Here it is!

Jeans

“The clothes that I design and everything I’ve done is about life and how people live and how they want to live and how they dream they’ll live. That’s what I do.

”

— Ralph Lauren

My go-to pair these days. Saint Laurent D02 M/SK-LW

    I like noticing how people adorn themselves, because I think it’s a really interesting form of expression.  Fashion doesn’t rely on language, is used by everyone and can often tell more about a person than they realize.  There’s an interesting play between what people need from their clothing, and what people want to show by their clothing.

    Jeans are one of the most versatile pieces of clothing, in my opinion.  I wear jeans changing the oil in my car (when I do), to the opera and everywhere in between.  Denim is not necessarily a soft fabric, but almost everyone feels comfortable in jeans.  But that’s good, because if it were soft like cashmere, jeans wouldn’t serve the purpose they do.

   A lot of people think jeans originated with Levi’s.  This is not totally true, however Levi’s was one of the first jean producers and was one of the first to bring denim to the US.  The fabric denim was first manufactured in Nimes, France.  It was meant to replicate an Italian twill called serge.  The resulting product was called Serge de Nimes.  It’s been shortened today to denim.

    Jeans gained such popularity because they are so durable.  Levi’s set up shop in 1853 in San Francisco, the prime location to outfit miners with sturdy pants.  The rest is history!  Now jeans come in all different colors, cuts and intentions.  Farmers wear jeans, polo players wear jeans, I wear jeans, so that just about covers it.  Everyone wears jeans.

  These jean pictured are 6 years old.  Ralph Lauren RRL slim fit straight leg.  They were my first experience buying quality jeans.  I love them!  Top Left:  Manufactured in the US of Japanese Fabric.   Top Right:  I like to add my own flare, so I embroidered my initials.  Upside down.  Oops, had to correct it on the other leg.  Bottom Left:  People often cuff selvedge denim to show the uniqueness of the fabric.  Often times there is a stripe of red thread.  Bottom Right:  Wear and tear is great.  These jeans started out solid navy, stiff as a board.  That's what they look like now. 

    There are several things to look for when buying the perfect pair of jeans.  It’s important to keep in mind that jeans are like diets, everyone needs something different.  We all have different needs, wants and bodies.  A polo players slim fitting white jeans will not work for a miner crawling down a narrow coal mineshaft.  I’m going to share what I look for in jeans.

    Ideally indigo dyed (or another unadulterated pigment) organic cotton, but I have yet to find the perfect cut in my size made from organic cotton.  I like to go for selvedge raw Japanese denim American made jeans.  Japan is known for their high quality denim, partly because Toyota (then Toyoda) produced high quality, versatile automatic shuttle looms.  What I mean is jeans manufactured in the United States of denim produced in Japan.  I like to keep it local, but sometimes you have to outsource for the best.  The word "selvedge" comes from self-edge, indicating that the edge is clean, and will not fray.  It's the outseam of the fabric.  I usually assume if a brand is going to go through the extra trouble of using selvedge denim, they're also going to use quality materials and methods, however that is not always the case.  Selvedge denim is often distinguishable by a string of red yarn.

I love the multicolor threads used in this denim. I think they're dressy but still cool. Jill Sander straight leg cotton blend S/S 15.

    I prefer tighter, darker, high waisted jeans.  Loose jeans are automatically casual.  I think skinny jeans have more versatility.  The darker the denim, the dressier they can be worn.  I like buying dark jeans because they don't show spots.  Just because they're dark doesn't mean they can't be worn casually as well.  The high waist is just a comfort thing for me.  It usually means the pockets will be deeper too, which I like.

    A balanced outfit is a comfortable outfit.  A great outfit isn't about the clothes, it's about the confidence.  And you'll only be confident in something you feel comfortable wearing.  Just like how it's not about what you eat, but how you feel about what you eat, it's about how you feel about what you’re wearing.  By balance I mean that if I'm wearing tight jeans, I'll wear a loose shirt.  I think it would be really restrictive and uncomfortable to wear all tight clothes.  I think most people would agree, however I'm sure there are people who feel good wearing a spandex suit.

Saint Laurent D02

    I think I should mention, not everyone can pull off skinny jeans.  They almost require a twig-figure.  Other than skinny, I think classic straight leg is the way to go.  Now go!  Find yourself a favorite pair of jeans!  Wear them out, embrace every spot and tear.  That's how your jeans will tell their story.

1 Gun Ranch

“If we do not believe within ourselves this deeply rooted feeling that there is something higher than ourselves, we shall never find the strength to evolve into something higher”

— Rudolf Steiner

This picture is a clickthrough to 1gunranch.com in a new window.

1 Gun Ranch is a farm in Malibu that practices many biodynamic methods.  I’ll do a more comprehensive post on why I love biodynamic farming in the future, but for now I’ll give a quick run down.  It was developed by Rudolf Steiner and laid out in a series of lectures.  They were transcribed and are sold under “A Course in Agriculture” by Rudolf Steiner.  Essentially, it’s farming as if the entire farm were an eco system, and taking into account astrological positions.  This makes sense because a farm is an eco system.  Biodynamically grown produce tastes better, is more nutritious and lasts longer.  I love the broccoli from 1 Gun especially because it’s a little bit spicy.  That’s a good thing!  It means there’s more sulfur than the usual farmed broccoli.

Jealous!

This past Saturday(7/11), 1 Gun Ranch hosted an open house, which my friend LB and I attended.  I think that’s pretty impressive on its own, how many farms do you know that invite you on to see how everything is done?  There’s a law prohibiting undercover filming at farms for a reason, but not there!  1 Gun Ranch is located in beautiful Malibu, with a clear shot of the ocean.  It’s tucked away on this long, windy, hilly road that I would love to take a 911 Turbo on.  It’s like a hidden gem at the end of a gold necklace.  

Happier than a pig in shit.

Let me be the first to admit, I’m terrible with names.  I spent a good deal of time talking to guys about compost.  One man was Jack, an extremely knowledgable and friendly gentleman.  The other guy was the manager of the farm, whose name escapes me.  His name was “Bal” something.  When he told me his name, it made perfect sense to me to just call him “Baal,” after the Egyptian god of thunder, who rides the great white clouds.  1 Gun Baal rides a white stallion named Freddie through the hills of Malibu to the beach every morning, with all the other horses following behind.  So picturesque!  Baal and Jack get to do fun things, because they love what they do.  

What a view!

I feel even better supporting 1 Gun Ranch after talking to Baal and Jack.  There is some real integrity there.  They aren’t just employees of the farm, they are the farm.  None of it would be possible without them.  Baal and Jack took the time tell me how important the ecosystem of the farm is, how the soil is foundational and how much they enjoy the produce of their labors.  

Not into me.

I went to this open house not knowing much about the specifics of the farm.  From what I gather, Alice Bamford is the founder.  Jack told me to look for her at the open house, and that she would be easy to spot because she’s a “walking blonde haired angel.”  I did a quick google of her name, which autofilled “billionaire” at the end.  Apparently, she’s also well known for an Instagram post photobombed by Kanye at Nobu.  I love she has enough money that she could do virtually anything, and she chose to open an amazing ranch, using what I think are some of the best farming practices.  I can’t wait to go back and help out with compost preparation!

Maybe it's the hat.

Alice, if you’re reading this and thinking about opening a restaurant, email me!

Strange Invisible Perfumes

“The act of smelling something, anything, is remarkably like the act of thinking. Immediately at the moment of perception, you can feel the mind going to work, sending the odor around from place to place, setting off complex repertories through the brain, polling one center after another for signs of recognition, for old memories and old connection”

— Lewis Thomas

     I first heard of this company when I got the House of Citrine newsletter, listing Strange Invisible’s Rose with the Broken Neck perfume.  The combination of palo santo, cognac and vetiver really appealed to me, so I continued to their website.  I saw the address on Abbot Kinney and thought I’d stop in.

    The store was amazing.  So simple and so clean.  I would post pictures, but I was told not to take pictures in the store.  They are all about quality.  None of their perfumes contain any synthetic ingredients.  In fact, they use exclusive organic, biodynamic and wildcrafted botanicals.  For a carrier, they use esprit de Cognac.  I’m not familiar with it, but the woman working there assured me it was the traditional alcohol for perfumes, and that Strange Invisible locally sources the cleanest esprit de Cognac.  The whole process is environmentally friendly, including sustainably sourced paper labels milled with biofuel.  Their factory and storefront both take advantage of Green Power for a Green LA, meaning their electricity comes from aeolian, hydroelectric and other renewable sources.

    Shaun, the attendant, was extremely knowledgable and helpful.  While I wasn’t ready to drop a half a g on a bottle of perfume that’s clearly worth it, she took the time to explain the different lines, scents and products to me.  I told her what I like and she helped me chose my favorite scent, Black Rosette, “Hydro-distilled rose, black tea, leather & spearmint.”

    Along with the extraordinary perfumes, Strange Invisible carries their own body wash and lotion.  The lotions are avocado and almond oil based.  They do not come in the same fragrances as the perfume, however Shaun told me they pair nicely.  Farther back in the store, there’s a section of beauty based products that are not made by SI.  One caught my eye, May Lindstrom, because they’re in Miron Glass!

    I have never heard of that brand before, but just from reading the ingredients of what was stocked, I would definitely give it a try.  I would’ve eaten the face cleanser.  First two ingredients, clay.  Third ingredient, sea salt. Fourth and 5th: Vitamin C and Baking Soda, and from then on was all herbs, including the last ingredient Theobroma Cacao!  They also sell these very interesting beeswax candles.  They’re unscented, which in this case means they have no scent added.  The natural beeswax in these candles definitely carries it’s own unique scent, which was quite pleasing.

    Long story short, Strange Invisible is a real alchemical hidden gem.  Even if you’re not ready to buy any perfume, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Strange Invisible

1138 Abbot Kinney Blvd

Venice, CA 90291

Hyper-Gamma-Spaces (Demo) - The Alan Parsons Project

I find it interesting that not many people know who Alan Parsons is, but I'd say 95% of the world has heard his work.  He was an audio engineer on The Beatle's Abbey Road, and also Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.  There were plenty others, but I think those are probably the two most notable.  Pyramid is a very experimental studio album, featuring 15 or so different vocalists through the whole album.  He worked with Eric Woolfson to try and create a new type of album.  Their goal was to not put excessive focus on individual musicians, but to highlight the production and composition of the album.

Land Rover: Go Beyond

“80% of all Land Rovers ever built are still on the road. The other 20% managed to make it home.”

— Anonymous

    Everyone knows what a Land Rover is.  The words conjure up a box on wheels in the imagination.  How many manufacturers have offered essentially the same product for 67 years?  Not many.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  I think that phrase resonates well with Land Rover owners.  Although, that classic Land Rover will be discontinued in December.  The 2,000,000th Defender was just completed and will be auctioned off this year.  While it is sad to see the end of an icon, I'm excited to see what's next.  And I know that those 2,000,000 Land Rovers will be around for a while.

    While the original Land Rover was the ultimate no frills, go anywhere, vehicle that could be repaired in any situation with duct tape and a stick, it quickly turned into luxury brand.  Today I would argue that they make the ultimate luxury vehicles on and off road.  To me, they are some of the most beautiful vehicles.  They turn mud, sweat and gears into an art form.  

    Land Rover has always been innovative without losing sight of their roots.  How many cars in 1993 came standard with air suspension, power windows and sun roof, heated leather seats, CD changer, premium Harmon/Kardon sound system with subwoofer and full time four wheel drive with a highly sophisticated traction control system that didn’t utilize a locking differential?  I can think of 1.

    I don’t generally compromise well, and Land Rover doesn’t really either.  Most of their products come as is.  In 1990 if you wanted a Range Rover, you had two options, aside from colors.  Either you wanted a 4.2L V8 Long Wheel Base Range Rover, a 3.9L V8 Short Wheel Base Range Rover or you didn’t want a Range Rover.  Defenders imported in the early-mid nineties came as is.  Pretty much your only option was color, and that was determined by what the dealership had.  I like that take-it-or-leave-it attitude.

    I love how the brand integrates luxury with ruggedness.  The queen drives a Land Rover, and the farmer growing her food probably drives a Land Rover too.  Their impression of luxury isn’t based on money, it’s based on quality.  They offer the best utility vehicles, whether you want a bare bones Defender to run your hay bailer or a Supercharged Range Rover for towing your Hinckley.

    To this day, I think Land Rover had and has the best advertising campaign.  It's based on the idea of "Going Beyond," that their products will take you places you had previously only dreamed of going.  They are not afraid to be exactly what they are, or to make fun of themselves.  Their print-ads are priceless.  Land Rover understands it’s not just about the vehicle.  It's about adventure, luxury and going where no one has gone before.  So many people love Land Rovers for the experience they create, know as The Land Rover Experience.  I am most excited for their newest partnership with Abercrombie and Kent!  I am signing up for the Moroccan Tour behind the wheel of a Range Rover Sport.

    Especially in the health community, I hear people bitch about climate change.  Without getting in too deep, I’m going to say climate change is inevitable and it’s crazy to think that the Earth would be stagnant without our interference.  While I think the whole global warming thing is a money making racket, considering an entire industry has been created with emissions trading and carbon taxing, I do think pollution is a real problem.  That’s where I take a stand.  I don’t care so much that the ice caps are melting (like they have many times before!) when I don’t even feel clean swimming in the Pacific Ocean, or breathing LA air.  There’s a point here.  Generally, more energy is consumed in producing 1 vehicle than that vehicle will consume in its lifetime.  Don’t get me started on Priuses.  Parts are made and shipped all over the world and back before the car’s even assembled with a non recyclable battery that has a limited lifespan.  Even then, most efficiency is gained through driving habits.  I think people buy hybrids for two reasons: 1.  They’re ignorant  2.  It’s a status symbol/ego stroke.  For the second case, I think people will feel they’re actually helping the environment, and will probably make less wise decisions regarding the environment in other areas of their life, or might even drive more than they used to.  Eating less meat, and exclusively locally and ethically raised meat will help the environment significantly more than buying a new hybrid.  If you’re really into hybrids, buy a used one.  But prepare to replace the battery, which is not cheap or environmentally friendly.  Just to be clear, the batteries can be recycled, however there is very little profit to be made from reselling the materials, so it's not commonplace.  More and more manufacturers are offering to take back and "safely dispose" of the batteries.

    So long story short, Land Rovers last forever, with proper care and maintenance, and will take you anywhere you want to go.  Aubrey de Grey once said they’re the only product built to last.  And considering the lack of significant change over the years, there isn’t much incentive to buy a new one, especially when you look at resale values.  Love the environment, buy a used Land Rover and let it take you places you never thought you'd go.  Did you know you can get a roof tent for much any Land Rover?  That's so the wild animals don't get you in your sleep.  Because those are the kinds of places a Land Rover will take you.

TL;DR - Land Rovers are the best automobiles, and that’s why they make the cut for The Best of Everything.

These are pictures from my most recent trip to Martha's Vineyard.  This was one of the first cars to come standard with a GPS.  This is a 2001 4.6HSE P38 Range Rover, one of my favorites.

Instant Blueberry Coconut Ice Cream

“When I’m no longer rapping, I want to open up an ice cream parlor and call myself Scoop Dogg.”

— Snoop Dogg

    Maybe you read my previous post about quinoa cakes.  Well, something I didn’t mention was how hot it was that day.  I started making them when I woke up, when it was already nearly 80.  I boiled water for quinoa, soaked the beans and roasted the red pepper.  It got hot in here with all of that going on.  So between the baking and the frying, I was craving ice cream.  But I didn’t feel like going to Kippy’s.  I still wanted Kippy’s so here I will tell you how I tried to make counterfeit Kippy’s.  It was great, but there’s no touching Kippy’s.

400mL frozen berries (I used blueberries in this case)

~100mL coconut butter

2 Tbsp water

1 Tbsp Sun Potion Prash

1 tsp bee pollen

Pinch of sea salt

    Blend the berries, coconut butter and water on high.  You’ll want to use the tamper.  I took the container off the base and chiseled frozen coconut butter off the sides and reblended on high.  I then slowly mixed the Prash in.  I do this, because I really enjoy getting chewy-frozen Prash chunks every few spoonfuls.  Spoon into serving dish (or back into measuring cup, whatever), sprinkle with bee pollen and sea salt, and voila! 

If you're in the Venice, stop by Kippy's!

Things Can Only Get Better - Howard Jones

To me, this song is the epitome of 80s synthpop.  Especially now, after seeing the music video.  I don't exactly see how it ties into the song, maybe someone can explain that to me.  I like the music, but I like the message even more.  Below are the lyrics.  What I get form this song is:  Let things go, especially fear, we make our dreams come true regardless of anyone else's input (even you, mom), the best use of time is to be in the moment, and it's more about the journey than the destination.  And things can only get better.  Howard Jone is himself a buddhist, and uses that as a source of inspiration for lyrics.  He's also worked with a Buddhist lyricist and spiritual speaker, Bill Bryant.

“We’re not scared to lose it all
Security throw through the wall
Future dreams we have to realize
A thousand skeptic hands
Won’t keep us from the things we plan
Unless we’re clinging to the things we prize

And do you feel scared, I do
But I won’t stop and falter
And if we threw it all away
Things can only get better

Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh
(Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh)
Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh
(Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh)

Treating today as though it was
The last, the final show
Get to sixty and feel no regret
It may take a little time
A lonely path, an uphill climb
Success or failure will not alter it

And do you feel scared, I do
And I won’t stop and falter
And if we threw it all away
Things can only get better

Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh
(Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh)
Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh
(Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh)

And do you feel scared, I do
And I won’t stop and falter
And if we threw it all away
Things can only get better
Ah!

Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh
(Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh)
Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh
(Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh)

Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa oh-oh-oh-oh
(Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh)
Whoa whoa whoa-whoa oh-oh-oh
(Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh)
Whoa whoa whoa-oh-oh whoa-whoa whoa-oh-oh
”

— Howard Jones

Quinoa Cakes!

    After I made these and started typing up the recipe, I thought that these cakes didn’t sound outstandingly healthy.  They need some herbs.  I think next time I’ll add rosemary, maybe thyme as well.  I’d make an herbed ghee to mix in with the quinoa.  But then I realized, these are little powerhouses of nutrition.  They may not necessarily be medicinal, but are packed with micro and macro nutrients.

Quinoa

    Complete Protein, high in fiber, low glycemic, contains quercetin and kaempferol(link to download full text), and large amount of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc 

Beans

    Well, first of all they’re black. Black foods are jing foods.  Their color comes from primarily three anthocyanincs:  malvidin, delphinidin and petunidin.  They’re also high in protein, fiber, molybdenum and zinc.

Biodynamic Eggs

    These hens from Apricot Lane Farms free-ranged around a farm that operates as one organism.  So obviously, these eggs are the best.  Look at the deep orange yolk!  Eggs are a great source of cholesterol, tryptophan, choline, lutein and zeaxanthin.  Eggs are also great for methylation and phase 2 liver detoxification.  However, an eggs’ nutrition is heat sensitive, so you will lose some in these cakes.  In general, I cook the white and leave the yolk raw.  

Alliums

    I love alliums.  I eat garlic and onions on a pretty regular basis.  Their high sulphur content is also beneficial for phase 2 liver detox.  Allicin is what gives garlic it’s smell, slight color and extraordinary health benefits.  Allicin is garlic’s defense against pests, and works as an antiviral, fungal, bacterial and antiprotozoal   To create allicin, garlic needs to be crush and/or chopped.  Allicin is the result of alliin that’s been broken down by alliinase.

Ghee

    What is there to say.  Ghee is amazing.  Omegas 3 and 9, Vitamins A, D, E and K.  I think Bruce Lipton could market his own ghee.  I mentioned him in a post before, and his argument that the intelligence of the cell lies in the membrane.  I agree with him.  So the cell can only be as good as the membrane.  And what are cell membranes made out of? Fat!

Olive Oil

    Olive oil contains oleuropein, one of several phenols found in olive oil.  Most of olive oil’s antioxidant activity comes from the phenols and carotenoids.  The fats are good too!

A note about Parmigiano Reggiano:

    Parmigiano Reggiano is a legally defined name.  Like Champagne, Parmigiano Reggiano comes only from a specific region in Italy, and is required to be grass-fed and unpasteurized.  The only downside I find from this cheese, is that it’s not 100% whole milk.  It’s a mix of whole milk and part skim.  Something else that some might not agree with, is the use of animal derived rennet, making this cheese not technically vegetarian.  I think animal derived rennet is superior, because the milk is being digested by the enzymes it was expecting.

    If you think these cakes are something you might want to try, the recipe is below.

Quinoa Bean Cakes

Makes roughly 18 Cakes

2x 500mL distilled water

300mL (1.25c) dry sprouted quinoa

300mL Almond Flour

200mL Parmigiano Reggiano 

200mL (4/5c) dry turtle beans

5 eggs

1 yellow onion

1 red bell pepper

4 cloves garlic

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp sea salt

3 Tbsp ghee

Black pepper to taste

    This recipe takes a little bit of time to prepare, but I think it’s worth it.  I find these quinoa cakes versatile and keep well.  While they are simple, there are several steps.

1. Soak or Sprout Beans

    I would’ve preferred to use sprouted turtle beans, but I didn’t want to wait, and I didn’t think to go to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market yesterday.  It's the only place I've seen them for sale.  Instead,  I soaked 200mL (4/5c) in 500mL distilled water for about 5 hours.  Distilled water cuts down on soak time.  If that’s not fast enough, you can do a quick soak which entails covering the beans in a pot with cold water and bringing it to a boil for a minute, then turning the stove off and letting the beans sit in the warm water for about an hour.  The beans still need to be cooked after that.

2.  Make Sprouted Quinoa

    I made 300mL dry TruRoots Organic Sprouted Quinoa.  Add 2 Tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tsp sea salt and black pepper to taste.  I’m not going to go into the process of sprouting quinoa, as it’s easy enough to find sprouted quinoa for sale.

3.  Sauté Onion

    Melt a tablespoon of ghee in a pan on low-medium heat.  Add a diced onion, sautéing until translucent.  Add crushed and diced garlic.  Continue sautéing until satisfied.

4.  Roast a Red Bell Pepper

    Cut off the top and bottom.  Cut into quarters, remove innards/seeds.  Place skin up on a baking sheet under the broiler for 9-10 minutes.  When the skin is sufficiently black, take them out and place them under a glass bowl.  This will help remove the skin.  When it’s cool enough to handle, dice it.  After broiling, set the oven to 400°F.

5.  Whisk 5 Eggs

6.  Combine Everything

    In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, beans, vegetables, almond flour, cheese and remaining 1.5 Tbsp sea salt.  Mix thoroughly.  When cool, stir in whisked eggs.

7.  Bake

    This time I made then right in the tin.  Sometimes when I have paper inserts, I use those.  I filled the muffin tin to the top, and then sprinkled a little extra cheese on top.  Bake for ~25 minutes.

8.  Let Cool, Pan Fry in Ghee

    Melt the rest of the ghee, and pan fry high and quick, just until it gets a little crispy.

9.  Enjoy with a Fermented Food

    These were a little heavy, so I had fermented salsa mashed with avocado as the side.  But I ate everything before I remembered to take a picture.

Thank you for reading!

The Dopamine Bean

“I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.”

— Salvador Dalí

    I take Mucuna Pruriens on a pretty regular basis even though tolerance is acquired quickly.  The silver lining is that tolerance dissipates just as fast.  M. pruriens an amazing herb.  Commonly known as Velvet Bean, M. pruriens is native to Asia, but is also found in Africa and South America.  It has a long history of use in traditional medicine all over the world.  On top of being a great herb for human consumption, as a legume, it’s a powerful nitrogen fixer.  

    M. pruriens is interesting to me because it contains many powerful neuro-factors, most abundantly and famously, L-DOPA.  In addition, there are also trace amounts of serotonin, 5-HTP (serotonin precursor), nicotine, DMT, and norharmine.  That’s such a dynamic mix!  It contains serotonin and dopamine and both of their precursors.  It contains nicotine and DMT, which are both psychoactive.  To top it off, norharmine is an MAOI, which helps protect the aforementioned substances.  Granted, these are very small percentages and if the effects were noticeable, the plant would be “illegal.”  But it is interesting to me that all of those are found in the same plant.  And even though the dosage is small, the energetics are still there.  Since L-DOPA is found most abundantly, that’s all I’m going to cover for now.

L-DOPA

    Levodopa is the precursor to dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline.  The L indicates the chirality of the molecule.  A molecule is chiral if it is asymmetrical; if the mirror image is not the same.  The enantiomer (mirror image) of levodopa is D-DOPA, or dextrodopa.  As far as I know, D-DOPA is not biologically active in humans.  L-DOPA is also a precursor to melanin.

    Dopamine is one of the most abundant hormones in the human body and has its arms and legs in all different kinds of functions.  I prefer to take precursors, as in most cases it’s harder to overdose.  The upside of L-DOPA is that it can cross the blood brain barrier. Once in the central nervous system, it is then decarboxylated (off-carbon) to dopamine.  Inside the brain, dopamine is associated with motor control, motivation and arousal.  The Substantia Nigra contains a large amount of motor related dopaminergic neurons.  Damage here results in Parkinson’s.  “Substantia Nigra” translates (from Latin) to “dark substance,” and is known as such because of the dark pigment of the neurons.  If you’re David Wolfe, you probably already knew this.  I think one of the most interesting uses of dopamine is in the eye.  It’s released in the retina from cells that have no axons.  This only happens in daylight, and enhances visual perception.  The cones become more active, with an increased sensitivity to color and light.

    If you aren’t yet convinced that M. pruriens is a Jing herb, you will be now.  Dopamine is involved in regulating the immune system, including stimulating bone marrow and helping fight cancer through DNA protection and more efficient apoptosis.  Here’s the kicker, there are dopamine receptors inside the kidneys!  The kidneys actually produce dopamine!  Most of dopamine’s actions in the kidneys are related to sodium regulation and blood flow.

    I have been using Sun Potion’s Mucuna Pruriens Extract for a while now and am very satisfied.  Their extract is on average 15% L-DOPA.  The plant material is organically grown in India and cold processed.  To me, there’s not much in it for flavor.  A little smokey perhaps.  It goes really well with He Shou Wu, a potent MAOI-B, or Rhodiola.  Not surprisingly enough, it’s commonly paired with cacao.  Combine the neurotransmitter boosting effects of M. pruriens with theobromine, anandamide, PEA and cacao’s own MAOIs, and you're in for a real party!

Ultimate Party Tonic

400mL of liquid of choice (warm but NOT HOT gynostemma, gotu kola or other favorite tea)

1 Tbsp Cacao

1/2 Tbsp fat (coconut oil/ghee/tocos)

1/2 Tbsp Honey

1/2 tsp Mucuna Pruriens Extract

1/2 tsp He Shou Wu Estract

1/2 tsp Rhodiola Extract

1/8 tsp Sea Salt

Mix/Blend and enjoy!

Got To Be Real - Cheryl Lynn

“God had to create disco music so I could be born and be successful.”

— Donna Summer

I don't know that much about Cheryl Lynn, but I do know I'm a huge fan of this song.  While the lyrics aren't as clearly motivational as Move On Up, I think they leave more to the imagination.  My take away from this song is that what's real is what you feel and what you know.  And what you feel and what you know is ultimately love.  The instrumentals are great too!  

“What you find-ah
What you feel now
What you know-a
To be real

What you find, ah
(I think I love you, baby)
What you feel now
(I feel I need you, baby)
What you know-a
To be real

Ooh, your love’s for real now
You know that your love is my love
My love is your love
Our love is here to stay

What you find-ah
What you feel now
What you know-a
To be real

Ooh, your love’s for real now
You know that your love is my love
My love is your love
Our love is here to stay

What you find, ah
(I think I love you, baby)
What you feel now
(I feel I need you, baby)
What you know-a
To be real

What you find, ah
(I think I love you, baby)
What you feel now
(I feel I need you)
What you know-a
To be real...”

— Cheryl Lynn

Not All Water Is Created Equal

“The majority believes that everything hard to comprehend must be very profound. This is incorrect. What is hard to understand is what is immature, unclear and often false. The highest wisdom is simple and passes through the brain directly into the heart.”

— Viktor Schauberger

    I’m a water snob.  I don’t drink just anything. If Ben Franklin had access to a pristine spring, and didn’t have to make beer to get a potable liquid, he probably would’ve said, “Spring water is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy.” But he was working with what he had, which led to beer. Luckily, we’re past that and with a couple clicks of the mouse and keyboard, you can find a spring close to you, see pictures and read reviews, all in your pajamas.  Or you could distill your own water.  I used to be all about spring water, but right now I’m on distilled water and am really enjoying it.  I’m going to mention some reasons why one might want spring water, and then I’ll cover why I like distilled and what I think the best method for conditioning is.

    Why spring water? Because traditionally, it’s the best, most of the time, unless it’s raining.  Rain was essentially distilled water, pre-industrial revolution. There’s a reason so many bottled water companies market their water as “spring water.” However, it’s important to note that “spring water” is a very loosely defined term, at least in the bottled water industry.  Most bottled waters are from a municipal supply anyway. Most of these, like Poland Springs, are in plastic, so even if it were true spring water, it would still be best to avoid it.  If I'm drinking bottled water, it's got to be true spring water in glass.  My favorite is Castle Rock.

    I’m trying to be a “glass half full (of spring water)” kind of guy, so I’m going to avoid writing about hydrofluorosilicic acid, chlorine, trihalomethanes, pharmaceuticals, barium, nitrates, nitrites, perchlorates, haloacetic acids and the multitude of other contaminants in tap water.  I’d like to cover a few very basic points, that could inspire you do continue your own research.

“The upholder of the cycles which sustain all Life is water. In every drop of water dwells a deity whom indeed we all serve.”

— Viktor Schauberger

    A crystal is defined as a substance having a naturally geometric form with symmetrically arranged plane faces. A snowflake fits that description. Dr. Masaru Emoto shows that intentions can alter the crystalline structure of water, made visible when frozen. Positive, loving intentions result in more intricate and pleasing shapes while negative thoughts result in incoherent, asymmetrical structures. Different frequency vibrations (from a hum to a thought) also create different shapes and patterns. Placing sand on a plate, and introducing a specific sound results in a specific pattern. That visual pattern is a representation of information. Personally, I want my water to have positive, beneficial information. Growing up we had a well, and my dad always told me it was important to drink water where you live. He never gave a solid answer other than, “it just makes sense.” He was lucky enough to grow up with spring water flowing through the pipes of his house. I now understand why drinking your own local water is important. Water carries information about your immediate environment. It picks up the local vibes and delivers them to you!

    Water is a very unique substance, in that it’s present on Earth in 3 forms: solid, liquid and gas. It’s also very special because it gets denser, until it hits 39.2°F, at which point it expands.  It's at this point that is harnesses the most energy.  It is the product of hydrogen from our Sun meeting oxygen from our Earth.

    So let’s get one thing straight right off the bat. Water is living. The majority of your body is water. As we age, we dehydrate. An infants body is ~75% water, while an adult averages 50-60% water. From there it can be extrapolated that water is a youthening agent. Dr. Batmanghelidj, in his book, Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, argues that thirst is not the only sign of dehydration, but many common ailments are actually the result of dehydration. Dehydration can be caused by a few different factors: poor quality water, insufficient water or excessive water (ie. inadequate salt intake). The water you drink becomes your blood.

    A good friend of mine once said “all water is created equal.” I replied, “that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” On second thought, she might be right. The water is merely a medium that responds to the environment. If we pollute the environment, we get less than ideal water. That doesn’t mean a million years from now fungus won’t use the water and remove radioactive particles, the water molecules could seep back down through the ground and then get pulled back up through a spring. I don’t know if I can conclusively say that water doesn’t make decisions, but follows (flows with) patterns of nature.  It’s the ultimate intuitive, I guess.

    In California at least, the best water I see people drinking isn’t water, but pressed juice.  Juice is water with lots of other stuff in it. Water is foundational, vital. Plants use and store water. This gives it a specific, organized structure, just like a plant is deliberate and organized. Think hologram. The plant is organized on a macro level, ergo it’s organized on a micro level. Fruit and vegetable water contains within it countless compounds beneficial to us, including water!

“You’re not sick; You’re thirsty.”

— Dr. F. Batmanghelidj

    Distilled water is immature water.  It’s pure H2O, and it pulls to it whatever is around.  It hasn’t been run through silt, tumbled through rocks (crystals and polycrystals), or vortexed (or dynamized, what a great word!).  That is by no means a bad thing, but something to keep in mind.  Distilled water is a blank canvas.  Are you trying to pull stuff out of your body, or are you trying to push stuff in?  I started by pulling.  Straight distilled water.  Loved it, I could feel myself opening up, calcification leaving my body.  Within a month I had already noticed my flexibility improving.  Now I alternate between drinking immature and conditioned water.  That makes sense to me, because in the wild I would probably alternate between spring and rain water, depending on availability.  Below I will spell out how I condition my water.  The point of this is to try mimic as close to clean spring water as possible.  I use the Waterwise 7000 Automatic Distiller.  It works great.  Auto-fills, auto-shuts off. It's very easy to clean, the chamber just pops right off.

• Chill - Yourself and the water.  You don’t want to prep the best water when you’re pissy.  The water will hold information better when it’s densest.  The denser the water is, the more energy it contains.  Weird right?  Because it’s cold!
• Mineralize - I add sea salt.  At times I add Omica ActiveIonic Concentrated Fulvic & Ocean Minerals. 
• Vortex - Spin it by moving the container or stirring with a wooden spoon.  I don’t use metal with distilled water, or plastic.  
• Structure - Anything you add to the water will structure it, so be selective.  Salt and Crystal Energy will do this, as will vortexing.  Those aren’t the only ways though, put some intent in your water!  Crystal Energy will give structure to the water.  It also lowers the surface tension of the water, making it more permeable, and sudsy.  Salt does the same thing on a smaller scale.  Haven’t you ever notice how foamy the ocean is?  Because it has a low surface tension and can break easily and trap air.

“More energy is encapsulated in every drop of good spring water than an average-sized powerstation is presently able to produce.”

— Viktor Schauberger

Drink up!  I hope you enjoyed reading this!