MuditaMagazineSummer2021DIGITAL

MUDITA
MAGAZINE

VOL. 1, ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2021



MUDITA
MAGAZINE
"It's not what you look at that
matters, it's what you see."
-Henry David Thoreau

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Cover Artwork copyright © 2021 by Camille Gladu-Drouin
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CONTRIBUTORS

Asia Babbington Mariana Love
Writer Writer
Melanie Manuel
Viktória Bach Writer
Photographer Grace E. Marotz
Writer
Geoff Bruce Rusty Malkemes
Writer Photographer
Tim Mossholder
Nicole Conrad Photographer
Photographer Mary Mueller
Artist
Joanna Cowart Native Roots Design
Writer Interviewee
Nō Studios
Danielle Crampsie Interviewee
Writer Cindy Poiesz
Writer & Photographer
Rida Fatima Emily Porter
Artist Writer & Photographer
Quail Springs
Hanna Flachs Interviewee & Photographer
Artist Rasa
Interviewee & Photographer
Danielle Ford Markie Schmidt
Writer Artist
Molly Sommerhalder
Lisa Geason-Bauer Writer
Writer Patty Stark
Writer
Camille Gladu-Drouin Wynter Woods
Photographer Interviewee & Photographer
Your Super
Angelina “Lina” Godinez Interviewee & Photographer
Writer

Matthias Heilig
Writer

Kai Ignetas
Artist

Joe Krubsack
Photographer
Stephanie Krubsack
Writer, Photographer
Mathilde Le Cam

Writer

Cover Artist: Camille Gladu-Drouin; Montréal, Canada
Based in Montréal, Québec, Camille is inspired by humans, their
heartbreaks and paradoxes. She works on her personal projects, between
album cover contracts and artist photos. She draws a lot of inspiration
from the musical artists she works with.

THE MUDITA TEAM

STEPHANIE KRUBSACK
Co-Founder

Favorite flower: Lilacs
Longer days create a greater opportunity to catch more
sunrises and sunsets, to become more connected to nature.
I enjoy spending time camping, kayaking, and taking road trips,
spending as much time as possible outdoors. Another favorite
pastime is supporting local organic producers at farmers markets
and creating new healthy recipes for backyard parties and dinners.

E M I LY P O R T E R
Co-Founder

Favorite flower: Passion Flower
Summer invites a kind of freedom that only warm nights and balmy
mornings can spark. During the warm summer months I love to
invite heart opening asanas more into my practice to keep an open
mind for adventures. Summer is the time to explore, travel and
create adventures that will last a lifetime.

ZOE BRAUN
Managing Partner

Favorite flower: Orchids
The warmer weather and longer days in summer bring me more
energy and motivation to get outside. On the nice sunny days, I look
forward to going to parks and beaches or backyard cookouts and
restaurant patios. But I also love the feeling of standing out in warm
rain, and the ironic peace and tranquility I find in thunderstorms.

NHI POSS
Mudita Staff Artist

GRACE MAROTZ ALI HAMZA
Administrative & Creative Intern Social Media Intern

ALLIE FRITSCH BEN LOGTERMAN
Outreach & Yoga Intern Graphic Design Intern

WELCOME

Dear Reader,
As we enter into the season of more sunshine, warmer weather, longer days,
farmers markets and gardening, we’re enjoying watching everything come
into full bloom, to decorate the landscape with beautiful colors and scents.
Summer provides opportunities to explore new avenues through travel, new
hobbies, and more opportunities to become connected with nature.
We proudly announce that this is Mudita Magazine’s fourth issue! We
want to thank each and every one of you, our readers, sponsors, stockists,
interviewees, artists, writers, and photographers for making each publication
possible! This collaborative magazine is just as much yours as it is ours.
We are now at a complete set of issues, one for each season. We feel this is a
fitting way to celebrate the experience and process of creating a community
to truly live in Mudita and where it has led us. The Summer 2021 issue may
be our best issue yet, with articles that provide you with the knowledge and
tools to live a healthier and more sustainable life. We tap into the rich culture
of cacao and yoga, stunning artwork and photography, healthy lifestyle
articles and recipes, mental health articles and resources, sound healing,
and articles on sustainable living through reducing your carbon footprint
and becoming a conscious consumer.
We plan to throw our energy into sharing this issue, to provide opportunities
for anyone that wants to save and cherish the goodness found in the
publication, and send each of you a heartfelt thank you for supporting
us during this journey.
Sending love,
The Mudita Team

Contents

2 A Ray Of Light
by Grace Marotz; photography by Viktória Bach

3 Quail Springs: Permaculture & Sustainable Living
with Sarah Brooks; photography by Quail Springs

Art & Culture

9 Nō Studios: Connecting Art & Artists & Bridging Communities
with Lisa Caesar and Matthew Bragstad; photography by Emily Porter

13 Wynter Woods: Reclaimed Art
with Ike Weins; photography by Emily Porter

18 Mayan Culture & Cacao
by Stephanie Krubsack; artwork by Markie Schmidt

21 The Healing Arts & Cacao
with Mariana Love; photography by Joe Krubsack

26 I am Ixcacau: The Story of Cacao
by Mariana Love; artwork by Kai Ignetas

32 The Story Behind Salvaged Sanctuary
by Asia Babbington

37 Summer Bookshelf

Food & Drink

40 Your Super: Nutritional Powerhouse For World Health & Hunger
with Kristel de Groot

45 Rasa: A New Coffee Alternative
with Dalia Selman

53 Recipes
Green Gazpacho Smoothie
from the kitchen of Patty Stark of Vytal Health

Buddha Bowl Basics With Carrot-Ginger Dressing
from the kitchen of Patty Stark of Vytal Health

Summer Caprese Salad With Almond Ricotta
from the kitchen of Melanie Manuel of Celesta

Superfood Citrus Elixir
from the kitchen of Stephanie Krubsack of SK Parfait

Banana Cookies
from the kitchen of Cindy Poiesz of Supernola

Physical & Mental Wellness
60 How To Create A Lifelong Yoga Practice With Bhakti Yoga

by Molly Sommerhalder, Swan in the Lotus Yoga and Wellness;
photography by Rusty Malkemes
64 Reconnecting With The Earth Meditation
by Emily Porter; artwork by Hanna Flachs
65 The Benefits Of Mindful Self-Pleasure
by Mathilde Le Cam
71 Don't Believe Everything You Think: Red Flags Anger Is Influencing
Your Thought Process
by Danielle Ford; photography by Carson Masterson
77 Downward Cow: Wellness For Every Body
by Joanna Cowart; artwork by Hanna Flachs
84 Self-Stigma And The Trap Of Feeling Bad For Feeling Bad
by Geoff Bruce; artwork by Rida Fatima
87 Soundwave Wellness: Tuning Forks For Healing
by Danielle Crampsie

Sustainable Living
97 The Positive Footprint: How Cradle to Cradle Can Change The Way We

Produce, Build & Understand Our Role As Humans On The Planet
b y Matthias Heilig; artwork by C2C NGO; photography by Nicole Conrad

103 Proactive Consumers Support Businesses That Address Systemic Inequalities
& Business Owned By Underrepresented Individuals
by Angelina “Lina” Godinez and Lisa Geason-Bauer, Evolution Marketing, LLC;
artwork by Tim Mossholder

110 Native Roots Design
with Danielle Bell

115 Sponsors
119 Appendix

1

A Ray Of Light

by Grace Marotz; photography by Viktória Bach

A ray of light through a window in the morning.
A warm summer breeze on a late night walk.
The smell of cut grass on a calm afternoon.
Jumping to catch fireflies in an old mason jar.
Taking a long shower after being in the hot sun
all day.
Watching fireworks whizz into the sky and
implode into beautiful displays.
Stopping to smell the flowers, while your family
continues walking.
These are the simple, yet wonderful pleasures we
have begun to take for granted.
This season I want to remember the simple
pleasures of life,
the ones that bring us happiness,
the ones that make us feel like kids again,
the ones that calm all the craziness of life—even
just for a moment. ▪

2

Quail Springs: Permaculture
& Sustainable Living

with Sarah Brooks; photography by Quail Springs

Nestled in the Cuyama Valley, Quail Springs is a leading
educational nonprofit, empowering the community with
knowledge, skills, and the inspiration essential to cultivating
ecological and social health. Their team is made up of
educators, farmers, ecologists, natural builders, chefs, artists,
and other volunteers. They build fire-resistant and climate-
appropriate earthen homes, grow food, protect the local
watershed, and regenerate land.
Quail Springs has been building fire-resistant material for
homes for over a decade, conducting testing with the Cal Poly
Civil Engineering Department and Verdant Structural
Engineers, and an official fire safety test with the Cob Research
Institute. They aim to create an affordable way to build earthen
homes in California. Quail Springs also offers farm tours and
workshops, teaching regenerative agriculture and how to grow
food in the desert, where temperatures are extreme and water
is scarce. The staff at Quail Springs has been advocating for and
shaping sustainable groundwater policy for the last 6 years, to
educate and encourage people to participate in this process.
Lastly, they formed the Cuyama Lamb LLC partnered with
Patagonia to trial methods for reseeding native bunchgrass on
the high desert rangeland, as well as providing holistic grazing
services for fire fuels mitigation, native ecosystem
enhancement, and carbon sequestration.
Quail Springs is Mudita Magazine’s quarterly non-profit
selection, where we donate 2% of every publication sale.
If you are interested in learning more, please visit
www.quailsprings.org. ▪

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5

Cherry Blossom

written & artwork by Mary Mueller

Cherry Blossoms, also known as Japanese Cherry & Sakura, are the
national flower of Japan. Although they do not produce a fruit, the
exquisite flower blooms from the tree during the spring and summer
months.
• First seen in bloom April 30th
• Similar to plum trees, differentiated by green leaves and divots in
petals
• Hanami (“cherry blossom viewing”):
Ancient Japanese tradition of eating, drinking, and picnicking under
the cherry blossoms while appreciating the transient nature of their
beauty
• Yozakura:
Admiring the atmosphere of cherry trees at night
• Ume:
Plum tree viewing ▪

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artwork by Kai Ignetas

8

Nō Studios: Connecting
Art & Artists & Bridging Communities

with Lisa Caesar and Matthew Bragstad; photography by Emily Porter

Known as a community center and collaborative work space, Nō
Studios is an organization that revolves around social justice and
bringing all of the arts together.
“Connecting people through art is important for any community, but
particularly in Milwaukee which is siloed and segregated. Art is a
powerful catalyst for connection and that connection between diverse
groups is the essence of wellness. The intention is to create a space
where people can come together regardless of their ethnicity, the
belief is that witnessing and practicing art brings people together,
breaks down barriers like food and sports, as a vehicle to bring people
together. In joining this together it joins the community. Maybe for a
while it’s an oasis and eventually becomes a destination,” stated Lisa
Caesar, COO of Nō Studios.
Various programming including the annual Social Justice Summit,
operates like a non-profit, with artists, panel discussions, and experts
brought in each year for the event. Artist Khari Turner was the most
recent artist in residence, showcasing his exhibit called "SOLES OF
MY PEOPLE" and created a unique painting technique using local
water from Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River, making it truly
one with the city. Khari Turner stated, “My work right now is a diary
of struggle and overcoming struggle. I’m exploring the history of black
defeat, black revolutions, and black accomplishments coalescing
through mark making, realism, and expressionism. I pull from my life
growing up in Milwaukee, WI. My ambitions are to render my
connection to blackness and to have a conversation about black issues
without creating images displaying the pain black people have gone
through or go through. This is the duality I want to put into the work.”
John Ridley, CEO of Nō Studios, is working to bring the spotlight to
Wisconsin, to showcase the best musicians, poets, comedians, artists
and authors. To expand the presence of art beyond New York City and
Los Angeles he plans to elevate artists and their endeavors by bringing
new projects to Milwaukee.

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Additional programming including the Maker’s Market focuses on
underserved groups in both virtual booths and the in-person
market. Matthew Bragstad, the Membership Manager at Nō
Studios, stated that, “The pot is starting to boil in a good way,
where everyone is starting to work together, getting more
representation, and finally getting noticed. Underrepresented
people in the community are trying to enact the change that is
long overdue. Community members are coming together, voices
that should be heard by more people are being heard, and Nō
Studios members are having deep conversations about the truth of
the matter and what needs to happen.”
Community partners such as the UCLA Black Alumni Association,
work together to produce events and teamed up for the short

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series entitled, “No Boundaries” during the events of last year.
Another exciting collaboration is the new Artist Grant Program and
fellowship for creative professionals that was recently launched. Nō
Studios is partnering with gener8tor, where a jury of creative
professionals reviews the grants and distributes up to $100,000 to
Wisconsin-based creative artists from marginalized communities.
With John Ridley as a financial ally of the program, up to a $10,00
grant for each individual can be received.
Nō Studios continues to be a driving force for good in the
community and beyond, highlighting artist talents, providing a safe
space for collaboration and creativity, and bridging communities for
a socially just future. ▪

12

Wynter Woods:
Reclaimed Art

with Ike Weins; photography by Emily Porter

For Ike Weins, sustainability is in his blood. Coming from a family who
makes a living at recycling materials that others would discard, Ike’s
materials seemed to find him. Utilizing natural textures and the color
the wood already has, Ike gives the pieces a second life through his
woodwork, and sells them in his Etsy shop (WynterWoodsCo). All
pieces are refurbished and come from pallets, fences, dressers,
cabinets, etc. that would otherwise be considered trash.
Ike is the definition of a positive individual who tries to pave the way
for inspiration through his Instagram, always sending good vibes to
his followers. You can really see this in his work as well. Starting his
wood artistry with dreamy mountainscapes, cactus, sailboats and now
bursting sunflowers, Ike has done many commissions and enjoys
working with the natural variations of the wood as well as the organic
ideas for his pieces he sketches into existence. In some cases, he
leaves the edges raw and unframed, which gives his pieces unique
shapes and flows nicely with the subject matter.
Inspiration for his art is drawn from his surroundings, from things he
sees day to day or on sailing trips and other travels, to things he
comes across online, and even in people’s tattoos! He is currently
doing a lot of work with mountainscapes, and plans to continue this
theme through October, but then wants to get even more creative and
take on some other initiatives, like nostalgic things such as 90s logos,
Ninja Turtles, MTV, and other things from his childhood, and also
making more abstract interpretive pieces that can hopefully inspire
more thought and meaningful engagement by the viewer.
In life and art, he draws inspiration from Charlie Rocket, Gary V, and
his competitive family who like to create challenges to compete
against each other. As Gary V says, “You’re gonna die, so do something
about it.” So Ike has created three pillars that he lives by: The first is to
live with perspective and optimism, with art as the avenue to express
these values. He doesn’t think people need a mission trip to realize
how good they have it, so he chooses to live a “delusionally optimistic”

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life with no complaints. He does not promote his art with high price
tags. He loves to do giveaways and just share his work with the world.
His second pillar is that you can do whatever you want in life. It is
important to love what you do and find meaning in it, as he does with
his art. And lastly, it is to promote eco-consciousness and
sustainability, again as he does with his work.

Ike hopes that others will take a fresh look at things with the art he
creates, like they do with vintage clothing. Reusing and repurposing
materials and giving them a second life has such a positive impact on
the environment. We are so quick to throw things away as soon as
they have served their initial purpose, but perhaps we can all start to
be a bit more thoughtful about how else things can be used instead. If
we cannot reuse something functionally, turning it into art is another
wonderful way to extend its use.

His work has seen a rise in interest over the last year during covid,
when he decided to turn all of his energy into creating these natural
lovely creations. Ike seems to have found his calling in life, spreading
joy and exquisite woodwork into homes, and inspiring others to
create such sustainable art themselves, and looks forward to the day
where we will see art shows that are exclusively made up of reclaimed
materials. ▪
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17

Mayan Culture & Cacao

written & photography by Stephanie Krubsack;
artwork by Markie Schmidt

What is Cacao?
The cacao tree formally known as Theobroma cacao, produces
seeds or cacao beans that were traditionally used for ceremonial
purposes in Mayan and Aztec culture. Cacao was ground into a
drink called chocolatl, which translates to “bitter water.”
Archeological evidence for its use was found in Mayan pottery
as far back as 400 BC. The word cacao also translates to “heart
blood” in the Mayan language.
To make cacao, the beans are first removed from the cacao fruit,
dried, toasted and ground into a fine powder, often by hand.
The raw cacao powder is then mixed with hot water and stirred
and whisked with a traditional wooden molinillo. Recipes for
making a cacao drink can include other ingredients like black
pepper, chile, vanilla beans, honey, cinnamon, or the bright red
annatto seed for added benefits and flavor.
Are Cacao & Cocoa The Same?
Raw cacao labeled as a superfood from a specialty shop and
cocoa powder for baking found at any local grocery store both
originate from the same cacao plant. The difference lies in the
processing of the cacao beans. Cacao remains in a more raw
form with the nutrients intact, with minimal heating or
processing. It also tends to be more bitter and less sweet than
cocoa powder. Raw cacao is dried but not heavily roasted before
being ground or pressed, where cocoa powder is roasted at
higher temperatures which enhances the chocolate flavor and
sweetness. Chocolate candy tends to be pressed cocoa with
cocoa butter and added sugar.
The Benefits of Cacao
Cacao is high in iron, magnesium, zinc and antioxidants, which

18

supports a strong immune system, improves blood flow, and helps
maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It naturally
relaxes and dilates your arteries and blood vessels to stimulate the
nervous and cardiovascular systems. One study shows that cacao
increased blood flow to the brain in participants by 10% from a two
week study. Cacao also contains flavonoids, is a natural mood
stabilizer, and provides a boost of energy when consumed. It is
even considered safe by the FDA, listed alongside everyday spices
like cinnamon and paprika.
Another important component of cacao is theobromine, which is a
natural stimulant, and is sometimes associated with caffeine,
having similar but milder effects. The amount of caffeine found in
cacao is extremely low in comparison to coffee and contains much
higher levels of theobromine. Studies show that for every mg of
cacao, there are only 2,400 parts of caffeine for every 26,000 of
theobromine. Unlike caffeine, theobromine does not disrupt sleep
patterns, and can actually improve sleep. Other studies show that
theobromine inhibits inflammation in asthma and may reduce the
growth of tumor cells and spread of disease in the body. The
epitome of a superfood, cacao seems to have endless properties for
reducing cellular oxidative stress, modifying intestinal flora just as
prebiotics and probiotics do, is antitumoral, and can bind to DNA to
potentially reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Even as a
genuine super food, cacao provides spiritual benefits as well.
Cacao Ceremonies

A cacao ceremony is a guided experience to partake in drinking
high quality cacao, ideally with a shaman or healer that leads you
through the preparation of the drink, background and history, and
potentially music and meditation. Since cacao is a gentle stimulant,
it is safe and mildly energizing. In connection with the different
chakras in your body, cacao is most beneficial for healing and
balancing your heart chakra. The phrase “heart opener” is fairly
common when explaining the connection between cacao and
matters of the heart. The ceremony facilitator will create a safe
space to allow you to go within and have time with your thoughts,
to focus on your desire for healing, and openness to give and
receive love. Some suggest that the experience enables you to

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release limiting beliefs and past traumas, and more easily connect
with your intuition or higher purpose in life. (From personal,
authentic experiences with traditional Mayan cacao in the
Yucatan, I can testify that this is absolutely true.)
If you choose to attend a ceremony please enter with an open mind
and an open heart, as the healing possibilities are endless. Regardless
of your intent for consuming cacao, one cannot deny the benefits of
partaking in this antioxidant rich, stimulating, and energizing drink! ▪

Resources:
Aleksandroff, Svetlana V. Plants Of The Mayan World: Traditional Remedies, Food & Art. 2012.
“The Sacred Power of Cacao: How An Ancient Plant-Medicine Can Open Our Hearts.” The Conscious Club,
https://theconsciousclub.com/articles/2019/10/9/the-sacred-power-of-cacao-how-an-ancient-plant-

medicine-can-open-our-hearts*
“The relevance of theobromine for the beneficial effects of cocoa consumption.” The National Center for

Biotechnology Information, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4335269/*
“Health Benefits of Methylxanthines in Cacao and Chocolate.” The National Center for Biotechnology

Information, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820066/*
“Cacao vs Cocoa: What's the Difference?” Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cacao-vs-

cocoa#nutrition*
“Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.” U.S. Food & Drug Administration,
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=182.20*

20

The Healing Arts & Cacao

with Mariana Love; photography by Joe Krubsack

Adi Rampreet is a Reiki Master Teacher and yoga instructor
who began her journey in the Healing Arts from a very young
age. At the age of 16, after a traumatic life experience she went
through a deep process of self healing and became immersed
in the study of ancient knowledge and different kinds of
mind/body and energy work.
She was first attuned to Ascension Reiki in 2006. In the years
that followed she completed her attunements and study to
become a Reiki Master Teacher in Usui Reiki Ryoho, Reiju
Reiki, Tibetan Reiki and Ascension Reiki and developed skills in
shiatsu, healing massage, aromatherapy, angel channeling,
crystal healing, NLP, mindfulness and meditation. She is
certified as a Magnified Healing practitioner, RA-C
practitioner, Akashic Records reader, and Life coach. Her main
focus is to assist
people in their own self discovery and ascension process
and to inspire them to be the best version of themselves.

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Tell us about your work as a healer, Reiki Master and performing
cacao ceremonies and how you got started.
It all started as a personal healing, self discovery and remembrance
journey. I went through a series of difficult life situations that
caused me much pain and suffering, mainly toxic abusive
relationships since a very young age and it was that search
for answers which led to my healing path.
How did you begin this journey, and what continues to make you
so passionate about it?
My journey started after a very traumatic abuse experience at the
age of 16 and it hasn’t stopped ever since. I continue to feel
passionate about it because there’s nothing I enjoy more than
being of service to my fellow humans and helping them improve
their lives in whichever way I can, so helping people achieve their
highest potential, specifically if they have been through similar
experiences as mine and think or feel there’s no way out of them. I
like to show them that there is by sharing my story and all that I
learned in the process that helped me heal.
Why are cacao ceremonies so important for overall health and
wellness?
Cacao is a magical plant. It really is great at so many levels for so
many things, that’s why it’s called the food of the gods. It’s the
medicine of the heart, the love medicine. It connects us with that
energy within us, with our inner wisdom, it’s thanks to it that my
heart healed, so I made it a mission to share it with the world.
Are there any new initiatives you are working on?
Creating some courses where I share techniques and tools that
I’ve learned during these 28 years...so that people can live a more
fulfilling and happy life and can create from their hearts to be able
to manifest a different reality more aligned with who they really
are.

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How can individuals who are interested in learning about the
benefits of cacao get started?
They can start by trying it and reading about its many benefits, or
really just contact me so that I can guide them on that journey.
How does your work directly impact the community?
Everything we do at a personal level directly impacts others at every
level because everything is connected. So when we do inner work to
become better humans there’s a butterfly effect, if you want to
change the world, start with yourself.
To contact Mariana, find her on Instagram at @marianalove7 ▪

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I am Ixcacau:
The Story of Cacao

written by Mariana Love; artwork by Kai Ignetas

I am Ixcacau and today, I am going to tell you my story and how
I got here. The Popol Vuh tells that in the beginning nothing
existed, everything was calm and silent, only heaven existed.
Nothing existed on the face of the earth. Only the calm sea.
There was nothing to make noise, and nothing to move, just
immobility and silence in the darkness of the night. Only Tepeu
and Gucumatz, the creator Gods, were in the water surrounded
by clarity, hidden under green and blue feathers. Thus existed
heaven and also the Heart of Heaven, which is the name of God.
Then the word arrived, and together Tepeu and Gucumatz, in
the darkness of the night, spoke among themselves, agreed, and
put their words and their thoughts together. Then they knew
clearly as they meditated that when the morning came the man
should appear. This is how they decided the creation and
growth of trees and the birth of life and the creation of man. It
was thus arranged in the darkness and at night by the Heart of
Heaven.
"So be it!" Let the void be filled! Let this water recede and let the
earth rise!” they said. “Let it brighten, let it dawn in heaven and
on earth! There will be no glory or greatness in our creation
until the human creature exists,” they said.
Then the earth was created by them. "Earth!" They said, and
instantly it was done, and so the mountains grew. As by magic
the valleys were formed and the trees sprouted. And so
Gucumatz was filled with joy, the water currents divided and the
streams ran freely between the hills. Thus was the creation of
the earth, formed by the Heart of Heaven and the Heart of the
Earth, which first fertilized it, when the sky was in suspense and
the earth was submerged in water.

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Among all the things that they created, the
heart of heaven and the heart of the earth
created me, from joining the four elements:
water, earth, fire and air, and destined me to be
the food of the Gods. Legend has it that one of
those Gods disobeying the orders of the
creator brought me here to hand myself over to
humans. The intentions of that God were good
but he still disobeyed and for that they had to
punish him by condemning him from spending
more time among men, having him return
home to heaven. That God brought me here
because men were a bit lost, they had forgotten
the way to their hearts, they had forgotten the
love that resided there and they were creating
chaos and destruction. There were wars, hatred
and lack of consciousness because they had
already forgotten the sacredness of creation.
I am Ixcacau, the spirit of the cacao plant. The
one that comes to help you open your heart, to
remind you of what you have forgotten, that
there is no other conscious path other than
that of love, that within your heart there is a
connection with the heart of heaven and the
heart of earth, with everything that exists, with
the entire universe. That we are one, because
we were all created from the same energy and
the same essence and by the same intelligence
and divine love that created everything that
exists.
In Lak ‘ech! ▪

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photographed by Viktória Bach

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The Story Behind
Salvaged Sanctuary

written & photography by Asia Babbington

The women in my life inspired my passion for
design at a young age. I remember thrifting and
furniture hunting with my mom and her best
friend as I’d watch them point out different
pieces, gushing about how fabulous they were and
where it could go in either of their homes. My
mom taught me that there was a story behind
every piece of furniture and how furniture has the
power to change how you feel. Most of the time
we wouldn’t even purchase anything, but I
cherished the experience of being with her and
learning from her. Today I have my own interior
design company, Salvaged Sanctuary, and I get to
tell my own story through design.
My path towards interior design was not an easy
one. Although I knew design was my passion, I
didn’t see representation of black women in the
industry and doubted that I could make a career
in design without the support of a wealthy family.
When I decided to go to college at the University
of Missouri (Mizzou), I thought design would be a
hobby while I could make a career pursuing
Speech Pathology. After two and a half years of
forcing my way through the Speech Pathology
curriculum, I had the opportunity to take an
elective and enrolled in a Ceramics course, which
became a turning point in my life. I remember
playing with clay; constructing and dreaming

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about making all of my own dishes and decor to have in my own
space. My Ceramics course quickly became my favorite class and I
couldn’t wait to get back into the studio. At the same time, I
couldn’t help but wonder if I was making a mistake by pursuing a
career that wasn’t my true passion. I had a partial scholarship and
was paying for college out of my own pocket and knew if I
changed majors to Interior Design in my third year, I would be
two years behind and taking on several thousand dollars of
additional debt. In 2012, after disconnecting from my Speech
Pathology courses so much that I began failing a class for the first
time, I decided that I had to follow my heart and formally began
my education in Interior Design.
Once I was accepted into the program, I quickly had to look for
internship opportunities and landed two in Chicago, working in
both commercial and boutique design firms. I honed my skills in
space planning, material knowledge and project organization. I
began to develop my own point of view on design and quickly
identified gaps in the market. The designers I was exposed to
were exclusively focused on high-end clientele. I knew that by
repurposing a client’s existing pieces or thrifting new items, I
could open up design for anyone regardless of socio-economic
status. I continued to see a lack of representation of black women
in design and began reaching out to other black designers to build
a network of support. I remember applying for a position under
Justina Blakeny from The Jungalow (I had just signed a lease at the
time and could not move out to LA), the first biracial designer
whom I discovered and was completely inspired by. My
connections with other black designers have been critical to my
journey because I was unfortunately exposed to racism in this
industry early on when a colleague spewed racial slurs in a car
with just the two of us. When I reported the incident, the firm just
chalked it up as “a bad day mistake”. Rather than letting that
experience push me away from design, I’ve used it as motivation
to showcase how capable women of color truly are.

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After years of working for other designers and boutiques, I
eventually mustered the courage to launch my own interior design
company, Salvaged Sanctuary, specializing in layouts, custom
furniture/upholstery and interior plant styling. To say starting my
own company was scary is an understatement! I’ve had to be smart
about how I spent my time and not do too many free “favors” for
friends who wanted my help (even though I can’t help it sometimes).
The last year with COVID made things even more challenging, but
the lockdown gave me time to fine-tune my craft and I’ve
accomplished more than I ever expected. I’ve worked with over 50
customers across the country and in March, I was featured on
ApartmentTherapy.com.
I’m currently laying out the roadmap for what the next few years will
look like for Salvaged Sanctuary. I currently have plans to expand my
business in California where I have a few projects underway. I plan
on hiring another designer to keep up with demand and hope to
continue hiring ambitious talent. What I’m most excited for is to
continue advocating for young black women who are passionate
about design and I hope that I can be the representation that I didn’t
have when I was beginning my career. ▪

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photographed by Emily Porter

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SUMMER Bookshelf

artwork by Nhi Poss

The summer season is the best
opportunity to take your reading
outdoors, to fully enjoy your book and
nature. The books that follow are some
that have been on our shelves and read
multiple times, while others are recent
finds. Stop by or order online from your
local bookshop, then make yourself a cup
of tea and join us in our summertime
reading!

In Love with the World
by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
A Tibetan monk who has been coddled his entire life,
steps out into the world to find himself and a deeper
understanding of life. Through discomfort, kindness, and
experiences he encounters a different perspective on how
to send gratitude to life. This is a book worth reading during
any transformation or life journey.

Beyond the Mat
by Julie Rosenberg
This book brings yoga beyond the mat and into everyday life
through the philosophical principles of yoga as a guide to
living a yogi lifestyle with asanas or poses that can be done
daily.

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Goodbye, Again
by Jonny Sun
This is a beautiful book of stories and essays that look into
the human experience through inspiration and observations
that open your heart and your mind. This book is a must
read.

Super Natural Simple
by Heidi Swanson
If you are looking for a vegetarian cookbook that introduces
whole foods onto the table, this is the one to add to your
shelf. Swanson brings you meals that are easy yet have all
the nutrition needed in each dish. This book has gorgeous
imagery of the recipes and is a good go-to for summer
nights.

Let Me Tell You What I Mean
by Joan Didion
One of the most iconic writers gives the world her latest
book, a collection of essays written throughout her life.
These essays from the past resonate to this day. Didion
never disappoints, and this book is no exception. ▪

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Your Super: Nutritional
Powerhouse For World
Health & Hunger

with Kristel de Groot

Tell us about your work at Your Super and how you got started.
Your Super was born out of a very personal journey. When Michael
(my co-founder and fiancé) and I received news that Michael had
cancer at age 24, health became our top priority. I studied business
in school but spent my free time learning and reading about health
and specifically how what you eat affects your health. So, to help
Michael build up his immune system and restore his strength after
chemo, I began mixing different superfoods together, making
smoothies and put him on a detox. After his energy levels
increased and he began feeling stronger, we knew we had to share
the power of superfoods with the world as 9 out of 10 people don’t
eat enough fruits and veggies every day. Superfoods are a very
convenient way of increasing your daily intake. We started working
with nutritionists to create 100% organic and sustainable sourced
superfood and plant protein mixes, and Your Super was born.
Why are superfoods so important for overall health and
wellness?
To put it simply, superfoods are nutritional powerhouses.
Superfoods are extremely high in micronutrients like vitamins,
minerals, as well as antioxidants, enzymes and healthy fats. All of
these nutrients are essential to your body so you can thrive.

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Are there any new initiatives you are working on?
At Your Super, our mission is to improve people's health with the
power of plants. We’re reaching so many people around the U.S.
and the world, and really helping change their lifestyle to be more
plant-based and healthier. We have our Superfoods Mixes, which
are very functional so you can really easily use them in your daily
diet with water, put them in your cereal, in your smoothies or
yogurt. We also just launched Ready-to-Eat bars. This is another
step to really make it so easy for people to eat healthy. And this is
our goal, to get into millions of people’s households and really make
a shift in the way they eat.

How can individuals who are
interested in superfoods get
started?
Superfoods are a quick and
easy way to nourish your body
with natural vitamins and
minerals nutrients, yet
stepping into the world of
superfoods can be intimidating
and is often met with
skepticism. But an even easier
way to consume superfoods is
in powdered form. Our
superfood powders can be
added to smoothies, oatmeal,
water, yogurt, dressings — the
possibilities are endless!

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