Solstice upon us, it’s end of year, the changing of seasons. Wild times! And it’s a good time for a good dose of reflection. We share some of our favorite herbs, events, moments, discoveries and inspirations from 2011.
What amazed and inspired you this year?
Amanda Noelle
I joined The Light Cellar team in October, and to say the least, it has been nothing but blessing after blissing after learning, awakening!
For me it is such a tremendous gift to be working with foods, herbs and treats that are medicine, that are truly healing for our bodies and spirits. Sharing these gifts with all those who are drawn to The Light Cellar is what makes the experience so special, everyday there are more people to connect with and support. So many of us are just begining our journey of truly connecting with what we put into our bodies, realizing that we really do become what we eat, so to foster this relationship is what brings us closer to ourselves, the Earth and each other :) Everything with intention, honor and gratitude. Deepen your experience through the journey of food! To have all of these medicines available to us, from all corners of the globe is something worth cheering about!!!
Some of my favorite allies that I have had the pleasure of exploring at The Light Cellar, so far, are:
- Reishi Mushrooms! Making tea out of these little slices of heaven really impact my over all feelings of peace, well being, stillness, connectedness. Not only are they extremely immune enhancing, detoxifying and clearing, they are one of the oldest, most revered medicines. For centuries Reishi has supported us through all the ups and downs!
- Bee products. Honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, propolis. In November we were part of an event where we showed the film Queen of the Sun, all about bees and thier journey with humans and nature. This ancient relationship has been through soo much, honoring, to exploiting, to commercializing and many are making the move back to protecting the Bees and all that they do for the cycle of life. Bee products bring you warmth, health, joy and sweetness. Bees are dedicated, selfless, they work together to serve the common unit. Connecting with the Bees offers us the energy of these virtues and it’s candy for the Soul!
- Spirulina. Yum! This blue green spiral algae is pretty much the highest source of protien you can find. It’s deep green color strengthens the heart, reduces inflamation and provides long lasting energy through out the day. It is detoxifying and it nourishes the tissues of the body, toning the cell walls and stream lining the blood. The ancient Incan peoples relied primarily on this food to sustain thier families. It is readily available, fresh and full of life. Amazing in chocolate, shakes or what ever you want, Spirulina is an essential energy.
- Cacao!!! It is hard to even know where to begin with Cacao. Cultures have revered this medicine for centuries, for the Heart, the Spirit, the ceremony. It opens the mind to higher realities, feeds the Heart with it’s earthly strength, inspires, connects and just tastes amazing! Cacao is now available to us in its pure form, beans, powder, butter, so we are now able to connect with it’s purity, instead of the crazy industry of junk foods and addictive substances. We offer classes at The Light Cellar so you can begin your own personal journey with the Magic of Chocolate, the history, benefits and creative potential this beautiful fruit offers.
So come in to The Light Cellar and we will show you the ways to the old worlds, so we can bring back the connection, protecting the Sacred, together!!
Enjoy the Journey :)
Madeline MacKinnon
1) My herb of the year that I’ve developed a great affinity with and passion for is the Schizandra berry. Taking it has enhanced my ability to see the more beauty in life. It is one of the top herbs in the 2000+ year Chinese Taoist tonic herbal tradition and is known to be one of the favorite herbs of the great sages and immoralists! It is beautifying to the skin, a potent liver cleanser, blood purifier, and a kidney, brain and sex tonic. Plus it’s astringent properties can help lock in our vital life force energy and potentate the effects of other herbs.
I’m participating in the 100 day schizandra berry challenge. It is said that consuming the berry for 100 days will literally change your life, increasing your personal power and potency in the is world as well as causing the skin to become radiantly beautiful. For those interested in trying this out in the new year The Light Cellar will be having a collective 100 day Schizandra challange. More details to come soon!
2) 2011 for me has contained a lot of magical experiences around spring water. I’ve fond memories of heading to Lussier Hot Springs with friends late at night to watch the stars and soak in the healing sulferic rich waters. My favorite cold water spring experience would be drinking from Filmore Spring in the Jasper Part. The water has the lowest TDS I’ve ever experienced and drinking it fresh out of the ground made me feel totally energized and invigorated. Hot and Cold spring hopping is the best Ever!
3) I just came back from California studying Chinese tonic herbalism with Ron Teeaguarden. Wonderful to learn the wisdom of the Chinese herbal system from Ron in person and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with the Calgary community. One of my favorite experiences there was having a “Wild Ginseng Party” at Ron’s tonic bar in LA, where we got to assist in making medicines from Wild Ginseng, one was up to 100 years old.
4) I’ve had so much fun working at the events the Light Cellar has put on – it’s had to pick just one! The Golden Bean Chocolate Festival in May was a Wild Time. Also the Daniel Vitalis event in June was so informative and I really resonated with his down to earth approach on working to connect more of our food and lifestyle choices with that of a Natural Undomesticated human!
5) I’ve really enjoyed connecting and meeting with all of the wonderful people who have come into the shop. Your enthusiasm and curiosity really enriches my life and inspires me. I’m also so grateful for the wonderful team of people who are operating this “Star Ship Light Cellar” (as Denis says) :) . Thank you Malcolm, Laura M, Denis, Casey, Amanda, Laura S and Morgan! I feel so blessed to have all of you in my life and being part of building something truly beautiful and inspiring for this community and our world.
2011 has been a great year with many, many blessings!
Denis Manzer
The year that has gone by has been one of good fortune and dreams come true! For you, here is my list of inspirational happenings from 2011, The Chinese Year of the Lucky Rabbit:
I) My very first Honey Mead fermentation! It was like precious gold to hold in your mouth. This has opened up a whole wondrous world of possibilities! I have brewed so far an Elderberry Mead, some Wild Cherry Meads and the ones I have on the go right now are a secret surprise!
II) My life has also been made rich by taking the plunge into the crafting of Sauerkraut! I invested in the 15L Kraut Pot and it has seen much action. My family has developed quite the appetite for the Kraut and I may have to acquire a second pot to keep up!
III) And of course, I would have to mention the Golden Bean Chocolate Festival we threw with David Wolfe. Was that ever a night to remember! I had the good fortune of going along with David Wolfe on his tour of Western Canada afterwards. I had a deep feeling that I was living my life to its highest purpose during this time! Oh what an honour to spread the good food to the people!
IV) Equally Magnificent was the time we spent with Daniel Vitalis! The immersion we had into what it means to be truly human has had a profound influence on me! I will remember forever that there are four elements to human nourishment: Food, Sunshine, Fresh Air and Living Water! Each are of the same importance for providing energy to our beings!
V) Since working at the Light Cellar, I have grown a tremendous love for fungi kingdom. I found great Joy when I made the discovery of some wild Morel Mushrooms!. It was a delicious experience through which I grew close to the Earth that provides for me. I would have walked right past them had it not been for being steeped in Mushroom Knowledge thanks to Malcolm and Yarrow!
Happy 2012, Year of the Chinese Dragon!
Casey Conroy
So much has been introduced to my life since joining the Light Cellar team, this list could be much longer.
Here it goes……
My herb of the year and possibly my greatest ally in my health strategy is the all mighty ASTRAGALUS. My first smell of it widened my vision and tempted me into a olfactory experience unlike any other. It is sweet and potent and fills my mouth with deep satisfaction, my biology responds and my toes curl. This is great spleen medicine and for my sweet tooth, my sometimes excessive sugar consumption, it gives strength to my over-taxed and sometimes pissed off organ.
I have shared this herb’s smell and taste with many folks who have come through the shop and have always enjoyed the response. So many of you will love this herb in your life. Very special.
The Light Cellar Open House will live on in my memory as being a perfect day of communal giving and receiving. What a great community we have and I must say a warm and heart felt THANK YOU to all who attended and to those of you who could not make it. A windy and powerful elemental day outside as we took in the offerings of many great teachers and up and coming talent.
Even with so much information being shared and so much business in the shop, I saw so many leaving with an inner smile, a spark of deeper connection within, and still energized. Thank you again for giving so much to your health and the abundance of our shop and receiving our offerings to you. You Rock!!!
We all have a song in our heart and yet, I do know I have heard more heart song from dear DENIS then any one I know – actually even from a whole bunch of us combined. If you have been to our store, you’ve heard a strong chant of melody flowing through the walls, up or down stairs, and into the space where waves of frequency convert through your ear drums into the unforgettable songs of master Denis.
Almost every bag of delicious food you buy from us is blessed with a song, the mighty GOJI berry has its’ own Mega Anthem…… and you know, when Denis lifts his voice, it is gonna be Alright, Alright, Alright, Alright. It gets contagious, and sometimes we’re all singing. The Light Cellar someday will have a theme song! Thanks to Denis the spirit of the healing song lives on and touches many. Awesome Brother, keep up the good vibes.
Since starting as an ally with Malcolm’s business, I’ve been inspired by the gentle and rhythmic growth of our depth in products and the brightening light of all of the humans you see working, and the ones behind the scenes. It is almost full in this little space with many of the best products in the world. I love it when some of you come in and say “It seems like this place is always growing and/or different when I come here”.
You who come in on a regular basis can see the steady evolution of the Light Cellar and we are growing with you on this journey. I love the openness we have to bring in what feels nourishing for you, and do our very best to keep up with the ever growing genius we all are!!!
Huge and special thanks goes to Laura S for your wonderful and deep time invested in the new computer system, we see you and I am grateful for your efforts and patience with the process. We are growing together!!!
What and amazing team!!! Malcolm, Madeline, Morgan, Denis, Amanda, Laura S and Laura M. Thank you.
And for the 2012 year to come, it will be the BEST YEAR EVER!
Malcolm Saunders
Golden Bean Chocolate Festival was definitely a highlight for events.
Studying with Ron Teeguarden in-person twice in one year was a great experience.
He Shou Wu is currently my favourite herbal extract.
Eating fresh cacao, fruit and bean, while in Costa Rice was definitely this years favourite food experience.
One new thing we added this year, which I’m excited about having done, but even more excited about moving forward into next year, is the superfood and herbal ”Elixirs and Tonics” we’re now serving up everyday at the store, and look out cause when the weather warms up again we’ll be offering fresh-made delicious superfood and herbal ice creams!
Morgan Maher
Wayusa – Blessed this year to really feel the magic of Wayusa. This is an amazingly wonderful plant, one capable of powerfully changing, intensely brightening and deeply invigorating your perspective and perceptions – of the past, present and future. Bring it your humble respect and attention, and it may be very generous.
Dragon Herbs Party – After The Longevity Now Conference, in October, Ron Teegaurden invited everyone over to the Dragon Herbs Tonic Bar in Beverly Hills. All were truly high & vibin’ from a super potent magical menu of tonic elixirs and teas, served free flowing and unlimited. Wow. Completely infused with the wise vigour of Chinese Herbalism. Left at 11:30pm, escaped from LA and drove 10 fast hours to…
Eden Hot Springs – Spring Water has become a beautiful force in my life and it was a blessing and honour to visit the seriously magical, astoundingly epic; Epic Eden Hot Springs. There is a heated, timeless, flowing eternity here; it is earthly, it is anomalous; super-liminal. Eden is a powerful and acute example of the living, flowing force that Water is, and its capability to light life alive.
The Golden Bean Chocolate Festival – I was the Elixir Bartender, serving up hundreds of cacao drinks. Of course I had to taste each batch to monitor and maintain chocolate deliciousness levels. Tough job, I know.
The Light Cellar website – We totally revamped, remixed, rewilded, renovated, upgraded, blended, whipped, swirled, poured and spiralized up a new website this year. Very exciting, lots of fun, and there’s more to come. Stay tuned & keep in touch!
:)
Throughout December we’ll be posting 2011 Reflections from the Light Cellar team.
What amazed and inspired you this year?
Share your “Best of 2011″ in the comments!