WHITE yoga studio, giant dream catchers & wall hangings from reclaimed wood from the forest with colorful Mexican pompoms, symbolizing rainbows and connecting the universe – white light, and peaceful music,

In the background, soft music is playing; her composure is peaceful and relaxed, the fragrant flowers in a tall vase, stand proud while she explains: “5 years ago my life was at a crossroad and I had to make a choice, and as I found Yoga, raw food  and meditation I took more time to listen to my body & my mind. If possible, one should find joy, and though it takes courage , I also encourage people to consider alternative jobs if they don’t enjoy what they are doing. Work shouldn’t feel like you are burden. Find what you love and try to make a living out of it!”

It seems nearly impossible to picture a place and time in which everyone could be fulfilled intellectually and emotionally by their daily occupation; but looking at the tranquil space around me, the bright orange mats expectantly rolled half-way as if to invite the visitor for a moment of peace, I can perceive a glimpse of it.

“I’m a Bohemian, a Gypsy! Before I found this place, I was homeless for almost a year just travelling around the world from one friends house to another.Now I’m enjoying having my own space and continuing on this journey with Bohom yoga. It’s movement from the bohemian mood.

The turmeric milk is simmering; she mixes the spices by the spoonful, intermittently whisking them into the almond liquid, the smell of spices & vanilla is overpowering the room.

“Maybe I need to taste this!”

she exclaims before adding a few more drops of Maple syrup.

Almost instantly, I understand that Jonna’s belongs to the intuitive cook tribe, she is of those adventurous people who prefer to play it by ear. She confirms: “I don’t use recipes. I use instincts even when baking. I invent my own recipes by trying flavors combinations and make it my own. You’ll never find me trying to reproduce a recipe exactly. When I cook, I use recipes for inspiration and make the dish my own. I like to think of it as a puzzle – though I’m not always sure what the picture will end up looking like!  I am always curious about everything in food and I’m not afraid to fail”

I like to think of it as a puzzle

Surely she must have a set recipe for the raw cake we are about to eat? “Actually I bought together Finnish lingonberries & orange- I’m not sure how it will work together”  she concedes serenely!  “Ultimately what matters most is that the food  is fresh and that it is an experience, and is interesting  – it must be surprising – I enjoy that the food doesn’t reveal its secret right away”

I can only admire someone who is that bold – Cooking for new people and sharing a recipe  that you will make for the first time is courageous  beyond belief! as I taste the cake, all my concerns vanish! The richness of the cake is perfectly balanced with the bitter acidity of raw lingonberries and the subtle caress of orange gently lingers as I sip on the golden milk.

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Jonna’s peace of cake for all 7 Chakras

I never liked anything sweets – but as i discovered raw food 5 years ago – I fell in love! The cakes are “guilt free” treat and you can start your day with it! Even for breakfast – The day cannot go wrong if you start it with a cake! I created this cake to balance the 7 chakras colors:

Ingredients:

• for the Crust:
  • 1 cup almonds
  • 1 cup pecans
  • 8-10 Medjool dates
  • 2 tablespoons cacao powder
• for the Filling
  • 1 cup Orange zest (make sure its organic ones)
  • 3-4 cups cashews, soaked until soft
  • 1 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 cup raw cacao butter
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice (3 oranges, or it depends how juicy they are)
  • 2/3 cup agave nectar
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp ginger

Steps:

1. Put almonds and pecans into the food processor and process until finely chopped.
2. Add dates and cacao and process until the mixture sticks together.
3. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of cake tin layered with parchment paper
4. Set 1/3 mixture aside to use as filling layer.

Prepare the filling:

1. Zest oranges and set aside.
2. Put cashews, melted coconut oil and cacao butter, orange juice and agave nectar in high speed blender.
3. Add zests and ginger and blend until mixture is silky smooth.
4. Pour half of the filling over the crust.
5. Refrigerate until the top is hard enough to set another crust layer on top.
6. Pour another half of the filling on top of the crust layer and refrigerate over night (or at least 4 hours).
7. Garnish the cake with handpicked lingonberries, edible flowers or anything your else you might enjoy

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• Root chakra is usually very red
• 2nd chakra is orange  – orange blossom cake
• 3rd chakra – solar plexus – is yellow with the flowers
• Heart chakra is green or pink as she drops a mint leaf ” i made it with all my life”
• 5th Turquoise color
• 6th chakra is is the intuition – the 3rd eye – trusting my intuition creating something new – also represented with a blue color
•  Crown chakra – is white

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Ayurvedic Golden milk

The drink – warm, sweet, spicy, peppery & honey scented, warm cinnamon; is a perfect recipe for the cold months. the black pepper boosts the health effect & flavor of the turmeric. as tempting as it may feel, do not put too much cocoa powder or it ruins the turmeric rich golden color.

• 1 cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)
• 3 tsp turmeric
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp organic vanilla
• 2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
• 1 tsp raw cacao powder
• a hint of black pepper
• use agave nectar-, maple syrup or honey to sweeten

Steps:

1. Add all ingredients in to the pot & gently stir
2. Whisk the liquid on medium heat but do not bring to a boil
3. Serve and enjoy immediately

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Taking it slow doesn’t happen overnight,

As we enjoy the soft and rich cake, continuous flavors hit, with the subtle orange touch, the sharp lingonberries in tiny explosions, the warmth of the turmeric golden milk compliments the richness of the cake! And we listen to Jonna’s advice on designing your won own sacred ritual. She encourages us to take our own time, and make an appointment with oneself by practicing Yoga, meditation or simply drinking coffee in silence. Taking it slow may not happen overnight, but with this holiday season finally here, and the glorious recipes we have been privileged to  share with you & try along the year, I am convinced we are going in the right direction!

CREDITS:

• Ceramic Dishes by NOUGAT from boulevardi 11
• Dream catchers:  Anahataeco
• Spices: As much as possible,  try to use organic. All the spices are from Ruohonjuuri in Helsinki

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We wish you joy, a family filled holiday season & a delicious new year ahead!

Galith & Ofer