Sensi Magazine SoCal - February 2021

MUSH LOVE

Shrooms spice up the bedroom

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 2021

MELLOW MAGIC Infused ice cream in the heart of LA

ELEVATED ENTRÉES

Dinners for the canna-curious

SWEET RELEAF

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SENSI MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2021

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FEATURE

30

Making Mellow Magic

With grown-up gourmet flavors, a new brand introduces cannabisinfused ice cream in the heart of LA.

DEPARTMENTS

9 EDITOR’S NOTE 18 THE LIFE Contributing to your health and happiness 10 THE BUZZ MUSH LOVE Fungus News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop LOCAL SPOTLIGHT Sideyard BBQ by HottMess Woodfired Pizza PROTEIN ON THE GO Fruit pouches for grown-ups COOL AS A CAULIFLOWER

Plant-based snacks LET’S REVIEW 2021

delivers quite an eventful first week.

FIRE IT UP Get grilling with the Solo Stove.

SENSI PRESENTS The debut album from our new record label benefits the community.

adds fun to your Valentine’s Day. WRAP IT UP Valentine’s Day gift guide HOROSCOPE What the stars hold for you

38 THE SCENE Hot happenings and hip hangouts around town ELEVATED ENTRÉES

Dinners for the cannacurious CALENDAR Fill your February with these live and virtual events.

50 THE END One local gym won’t let COVID interfere with fitness.

ON THE COVER

Mellow’s infused ice cream adds an extra layer of pleasure to gourmet flavors.

PHOTO BY ROMARIO IEN, ADOBE STOCK PHOTO EDITS BY RHEYA TANNER

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EXECUTIVE

Ron Kolb Founder, CEO ron@sensimag.com Stephanie Wilson Co-Founder, Editor in Chief stephanie@sensimag.com Mike Mansbridge President mike@sensimag.com Fran Heitkamp Chief Operating Officer fran@sensimag.com Lou Ferris VP of Global Revenue lou@sensimag.com Chris Foltz Director of Global Reach chris@sensimag.com Amanda Patrizi Deputy Director of Global Reach amanda.patrizi@sensimag.com Jade Kolb Director of Project Management jade.kolb@sensimag.com Kristan Toth Head of People kristan.toth@sensimag.com EDITORIAL

Doug Schnitzspahn Executive Editor doug.schnitzspahn@sensimag.com Dawn Garcia Managing Editor dawn.garcia@sensimag.com Robyn Griggs Lawrence Editor at Large robyn.lawrence@sensimag.com Helen Olsson Copy Chief Mona Van Joseph Contributing Writer DESIGN/PRODUCTION

Jamie Ezra Mark Creative Director jamie@emagency.com Rheya Tanner Art Director Wendy Mak, Josh Clark Designers Neil Willis Production Director neil.willis@sensimag.com PUBLISHING

MEDIA PARTNERS

Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Rob Ball Market Director rob.ball@sensimag.com Angelique Kiss Market Director angelique.kiss@sensimag.com

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N

EDITOR’S NOTE

Magazine published monthly

by Sensi Media Group LLC.

© 2021 Sensi Media Group. All rights reserved.

Never Have I Ever is a game my daughter

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TWITTER Follow @sensimag for need-to-know news and views from Sensi headquarters.

I N S TAG R A M Pretty things, pretty places, pretty awesome people: find it all on @sensimagazine

and her friends play. It’s a simple comparison of things or a way to find out things you didn’t know about your friends. Adults play that game, too, but usually more as a drinking game and a secrets revealer. It seems like a simple game, but it’s one that exposes more truth than you’d expect.

Never have I ever thought I would watch domestic terrorists storm the Capitol while its entire perimeter was unprotected. Never have I ever believed I would watch a buffoon lead this nation into war with itself. Never have I ever witnessed such cowardice and disgusting displays of race inequity as when we all watched those traitors simply walk out of the Capitol building. Had they been Black Americans storming the Capitol? The body count would have been sickening. This was a blatant display of systemic racial injustice. It exhibited the crude truth that systemic racism is the root of so much that’s wrong in this nation. It has shaken the very core of democracy into action. And honestly, it took way too long for people to wake up.

We are now facing a presidency of hope, climate consciousness, global responsibility, political unity, people over profit, and health over fear. That is worth celebrating … perhaps with a gargantuan trough of nachos and the spirit or flower of your choice.

This is our Food Issue, and should you wonder why food is relevant to politics, remember that wars through history have been paused over a meal. Cultures and traditions unfold through culinary creations. Disputes are mended and conversations had while sitting down at a table, eating, and talking.

Food is, as I have always believed, the great unifier. Be open to the stories it tells, the peace it can incite, and the diversity that it reflects.

Food is, as I have always believed, the great unifier.

Be open to the stories it tells, the peace it can incite, and the diversity that it reflects.

Live intentionally,

Dawn Garcia @dawngarcia

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LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Pizza, BBQ, and Brews Sideyard BBQ by HottMess Woodfired Pizza is the latest addition to join the multi-dining-anddrinking concept located within the Fraser’s Boiler Service building in Barrio Logan. The space houses a tasting room for Thorn Brewing Co. and ReBru Spirits distillery, and HottMess Woodfired 10

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Pizza is slated to open in Spring 2021 (April if all goes well). Sideyard BBQ opened November 2020 serving Texas-style smoked barbecue, and then the shutdown happened—but once the outdoor dining bans are finally lifted? This is where you’re going to want to be. With an all-outdoor

barbecue and beer garden available, Sideyard, HottMess Woodfired Pizza, and ReBru Spirits will bring a little life back into the San Diego restaurant and bar scene. Serving pies (pizzas) imagined by chef Kenzo Inai using spent grain from the brewery in his pizza crust (hello, sustainability and

minimal waste!), HottMess will dole out Inai’s family-style fare, including Neapolitan-style pizza and unique toppings inspired by the community. EDITOR’S PICK: Smoked tri-tip, $17 $13–$18 pies / $28, 750 mL ReBru Spirits Vodka / $42, 750 mL ReBru Spirits Gin / 1735 National Ave., San Diego / thorn.beer / sdhottmess. com / rebruspirits.com

PHOTOS BY CAMILA BADARO PHOTOGRAPHY

Getting outside never tasted so good.

CONTRIBUTORS

Eli Dupin, Dawn Garcia

BY THE NUMBERS

2.2 MILLION POUCHES OF PROTEIN

These healthy fruit crushers are made for grown-ups.

Noka Superfood Smoothies are vegan smoothie pouches that may look like a toddler’s snack, but they’re actually full of antioxidants, the right fatty proteins, and killer taste combinations. “At Noka, we believe you can do more with each day when you’re fueled by the best ingredients,” say founders and friends Adam Steiner and Ryan Werner “We think eating healthy should feel good, taste good, and do good.” Noka is the solution to gross, dense protein bars that never seem to taste good (read: taste like cardboard). From superfood smoothies such as the blueberry beet and cherry acai to sweet potato goji and strawberry peanut butter, these are filling, delicious, healthy, made with the highest quality sourced ingredients, and affordable.

With eight different fruit, flax, and plant protein combinations, each pouch has everything you need and want in a grab-and-go organic superfood smoothie with minimal waste and worthy flavor.

Each pouch contains 5 to 8 grams of protein with no added sugar. EDITOR’S PICK: Blueberry beet $15–$18 per 6-pack / nokaorganics.com / @nokaorganics

Number of Georgians who voted for US Senator Raphael Warnock SOURCE: Associated Press

90K+

Number of websites that are hacked every day SOURCE: Review 42

Cool as a Cauliflower

Indulge with plant-based snacks.

In 2018, co-founders of Halen Brands, Jason Cohen and Leigh Feuerstein, launched From the Ground Up (FTGU), a plant-based snack company. Since then, the FTGU product line has continued to grow and feed the need for salty goodness—without the guilt. With a line of plant-based snacks made using cauliflower and butternut squash as the primary ingredients, its products include pretzels, tortilla chips, crackers, and stalks that come in multiple flavors. Made to be a healthy snack that still makes you feel a little indulgent, FTGU serves up some genuinely well-made creations. EDITOR’S PICK: Cauliflower nacho flavor tortilla chips + butternut squash pretzels $24 per 6-pack / fromthegroundupsnacks.com / thrivemarket.com

3 CUPS Average amount of coffee Americans consume daily SOURCE: NCAUSA, Statista

7,023

Number of births among pregnant women with COVID-19 in the US between March 29 and December 8, 2020 SOURCE: CDC

“We must cease being participants in our own oppression.”

—Stacey Abrams, American politician and voting rights activist

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THE BUZZ

VOX POPULI

JASON RIGGIO Business Owner, Riggio Insurance Agency Oxnard

___________________

Question: What food represents your passion?

NOELLE PESKETT FANARIS

JANICE JAVIER DE CASTRO

Chef, Rustic Kitchen Market & Cafe Mar Vista

Marketing and Creative Director DTLA, Manila District

Any kind of steak. There ___________________ is nothing like a steak seasoned to perfection that tastes like love.

Bone-in short ribs: rich, luscious, and braised in red wine until they’re falling off the bone.

___________________

Desserts. Particularly cakes and pastries. I love seeing the delight people have when they take that very first bite.

I AM THE ONE THING IN LIFE I CAN CONTROL. I AM INIMITABLE, I AM AN ORIGINAL.” —Aaron Burr, third vice president of the US, in the musical Hamilton

January 2021. Week One.

Sadly, we had way too many things happen the moment the new year began.

How hopeful we all were, but in the first days of 2021, here’s a look at some low and high points.

1. The COVID-19 vaccinations started being administered.

2. A bunch of idiots stormed the Capitol.

3. The world watched as every ounce of American security was dismantled in moments in a cowardly show of arrogance and stupidity incited by the sitting POTUS (read: maniac).

4. Within hours, the House of Representatives and Congress finally said f*ck you to Trump and confirmed Biden and Harris as the new president–elect and vice president–elect, thus restoring some semblance of democracy.

5. Facebook banned Trump from posting for the remainder of his term.

6. Twitter banned Trump for 12 hours (on January 8, his account was permanently suspended).

7. A study published in Technology, Mind, and Behavior discovered that spending too much time on your smartphone isn’t actually related to the downfall of your mental health.

8. That same study showed participants elevated their own anxiety by worrying they were spending too much time on their phones.

9. Georgia went blue with the runoff election confirming the senate wins of Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

10. By January 5, Los Angeles County had reported 853,000 positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.

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THE BUZZ

IT UP BILITIES AFIRE new barbecue does it all.

BY STEPHANIE WILSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF

1 AIR TIME Don’t let the “aqua” in the name of the 11th astrological sign in the zodiac fool you—Aquarius is a visionary air sign represented by the water bearer. The 10th largest constellation in the zodiac, Aquarius is also one of the oldest, first documented in the second century by a Greek astrologer.

2 FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Greek mythology links the constellation Aquarius with Ganymede, who, as the story goes, was the hottest dude like ever—so hot that Zeus, the god of thunder himself, just had to have him. The details vary depending on which ancient text you’re reading, but basically Zeus abducted Gany and brought him to Mount Olympus to serve as a cup-bearer and quench his thirst.

(The original thirst trap?) Ganymede was rewarded with eternal youth, which explains why I, an Aquarius, don’t look a day over 39 when by the end of this month I will be 28 days over it.

3 THE AGE OF AQUARIUS But who cares? Age is just a number.

Lying about your age just perpetuates the idea that whatever age you are is somehow bad, that by being that age you are worse than you were before. The Aquarian in me finds this to be bullshit. Don’t buy into the labels, don’t let anyone put you in a box, just be yourself …

With a brand messaging that states, “We design simple, ingenious outdoor products to help you create good moments that become lasting memories,” brothers Spencer and Jeff Jan have delivered one hell of a great brand. The Solo Stove product line consists of grills, camp stoves, firepits, and accompanying accessories, including juniper and oak firewood and charcoal. While we can’t attest to the entirety of its line, the Solo Stove Grill is where we spend most of our family nights. With the ability to burn charcoal, wood, and flavor-soaked wood chips, the grill acts as a smoker, mesquite grill, and whatever else you can imagine—and, if you time it right, helps make a mean s’more. As the winter months cool down, The Solo Stove is a musthave when you’re craving grilled veggies, burgers, steak, fish, or chicken. The grill is beautifully designed, safe, versatile, and earns the price tag with uncompromising quality. EDITOR’S PICK: Grill + juniper firewood Juniper Firewood, $25; Grill, $775 / solostove.com / @solostove

4 THIS END UP Oops, I got distracted. That happens to Aquarians.

We’re a bit all over the place because we’re interested in everything. But we don’t like to label ourselves as out-of-the-box thinkers, because we despise labels, we question assumptions, and we do not like being told what to do. Besides, we didn’t see the box anyway; we were lost in our thoughts, which are always flitting from one topic to another as we move through life with an aloof detachment that can come across as cold.

5 LET THE SUN SHINE IN We are cold; we’ve always been cold.

We came into this world in the middle of the winter when the planet couldn’t be farther from the sun. We’ve been chasing that sun ever since. It’s fun; you should come with.

6 DON’T CHA HEAR ME CALLIN’ TO YA? Think of your most free-spirited, eccentric friend—the person you call when you’re in the mood for an adventure but avoid when you’ve gotta be up early the next day: they’re probably an Aquarius. You should call and wish them a happy birthday.

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THE BUZZ

David Starfire

SWEET RELEAF

Sensi has always been more than just a magazine—it’s a concept and a community. And now it’s a record label, Sensi Presents. The initial offering will not just provide the soundtrack for everything from cooking at home to Zoom dance parties to ski trips, it will make a difference. Fifty percent of the proceeds for the sale of the first album, Sensi Releaf ($22, available through April at sensimag.com/presents), will go to the Last Prisoner Project (lastprisonerproject.org), a nonprofit working to reform cannabis criminal justice and fight inequity when it comes to those serving time for activities that are no longer crimes. A version of the album to be released in April will include commentary from Last Prisoner Project’s Andrew and Steve DeAngelo.

“The main goal of Last Prisoner Project in 2021 is to build on the momentum of 2020,” Andrew DeAngelo 16

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says. “We want to get more cannabis prisoners out and home. We want their records expunged. We want them re-entered into society with good paying jobs, housing, health care, etc.” Andrew is hopeful that new leadership in DC will work with the nonprofit toward that end. “LPP and many others in the cannabis social justice movement are hopeful of partnering with the Biden administration. It remains to be seen if that partnership meets our expectations, but there is optimism right now.”

All the artists on Sensi Releaf are on board with the cause. “I think the Last Prisoner Project is an amazing organization. I’m a firm believer in social justice, and I think it’s wrong to incarcerate people for drug crimes,” says California-based multi-instrumentalist and producer David Starfire, who remixed Dub FX’s track “Fire Every

Day” for this project. “I hope that with this album project that there is more awareness about this issue.”

Releaf will deliver positive vibes as soon as you press play. A wide range of cuts—from Tubby Love and Amber Lily (with Trevor Hall) channeling classic reggae beats in “Chant Up Zion” to transpersonal psychologist AshEL SeaAll SeaSunz dropping mindful funk on “Lady Justice”—keep this compilation moving.

“Sensi Releaf raises money for the cause, and that money goes to get people out of prison,” Andrew says.

“That’s the transactional benefit. The music itself also has many beneficial messages regarding justice that are done in a way that inspires and rejuvenates the soul. It’s a great album to play in the background while working.

It’s also a spectacular cannabis session album for after work.”

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID STARFIRE

The first compilation album from Sensi’s new record label drops with a mission to bring justice to those incarcerated for cannabis offenses.

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Mush Love Fungus could fun up your Valentine’s Day.

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) BY KICHIGIN19, ADOBE STOCK; ANDERSPHOTO, ADOBE STOCK

TEXT ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE

In the South Pacific, legend tells of women writhing in sexual ecstasy after eating mushrooms they found growing wild in the forest.

Normans fed grooms a dish made from a pound of mushrooms to prepare them for their wedding night, and Mataco Indians in Chiapas, Mexico, rubbed the red underside of bracket fungus on their faces to boost their sex appeal. In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church banned highly sought-after cardoncello mushrooms for the unforgiveable sin of making parishioners horny.

When it comes to sexy time, shrooms have a history.

Flesh colored and globular, they come by their reputation naturally. But not all the 14,000 species of mushrooms have the

the skirt-wearing sex and erotic and lustful memories among the beard-wearing sex,” European gastronome Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote in 1825. “This honorable parallelism comes not only from the fact that this esteemed tuber is delicious, but also because it is still believed to bring about potenTruffles cy, the exercise of which Ancient Greeks believed brings sweet pleasure.” truffles were created Also known as white when lightning impregdiamonds, truffles are nated the earth with its seed, and they’ve been one of the most coveted called the earth’s testicles. foods in the world, and They have been legendary their price tag—anysince ancient Rome, when where from $1,500 to $4,000 per pound—rePliny offered six ways to flects that. Like caviar prepare the delicacies in and fine champagne, they his compendium of aphseduce by being elusive rodisiacs. Napoleon was and expensive. A fungus said to be a fan. that lives symbiotically “Truffles. As soon with tree roots, truffles as the word is spoken, it awakens lustful and can be found in only a erotic memories among few places on earth. They power of sexual persuasion. Only a handful have stood as aphrodisiac champions down through the centuries.

Here’s a rundown of the naughty mushrooms and a little bit about how to eat them, something to chew on when planning your Valentine’s Day.

emit a chemical called androstenol, which is nearly identical to a male pig sex hormone and also found in men’s underarm sweat (there’s no accounting for what turns us humans on). While we swoon for the smell of truffles after they’ve been harvested, human noses don’t have what it takes to find them underground. Pigs and dogs can be trained to root them out for us, but that’s not cheap.

In Brillat-Savarin’s day, the upper classes showed off by stuffing hens with truffles.

That’s not the best way to enjoy them. To get the most out of truffles, serve them raw, grated or sliced with a truffle slicer (yes, there’s such a thing) over fresh pasta, sauces, soups, risotto, or scrambled eggs. You can also make truffle butter—use

MAKE YOUR OWN

TRUFFLE HONEY INGREDIENTS

½ ounce fresh black or white truffles, cleaned 8 ounces raw organic honey INSTRUCTIONS

• Using a microplane grater, grate truffle into honey. Stir until well integrated.

• Replace lid and refrigerate for 48 hours. Keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

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THE LIFE

it to sauté mushrooms for a real treat—or truffle honey, which is amazing when drizzled over gorgonzola crostini or baked brie. (You can also buy truffle butter and truffle honey in gourmet stores or online.)

PHOTO BY KATOBONSAI, ADOBE STOCK

Cordyceps In India and China, Cordyceps sinensis has been used as an aphrodisiac for centuries. Also known as “Himalayan Viagra,” it’s a rare fungus that gets inside a ghost moth caterpillar burrowed in the soil for the winter, then slowly consumes and digests it from within. In the spring, the bright yellow, wormlike fungus blossoms up and out of the ill-fated cater-

pillar’s head. Legend has it that Tibetan yak herders were the first to notice their yaks had more energy and vitality when they ate cordyceps, and now it’s being touted as an alternative to pharmaceuticals for combating sexual dysfunction. Eating powdered cordyceps supports blood flow and oxygen supply, and clinical studies have found it supports healthy blood circulation in the penis and increases sperm count and quality.

Wild cordyceps will run you $20,000 per pound and up, but you can buy much cheaper cultured Cordyceps militaris, which is vegan-grown on brown rice or soy (no caterpillars have to die). Eat them raw, cooked in food, or

made into tea. They can be sautéed or stewed with meat if you’re a carnivore.

Cordyceps powder can be blended into coffee or chai or added to stir-fries, soups, salads, or pasta.

up your Valentine’s Day, be aware that reishi can also put you to sleep.

Reishi powder and dried reishi are readily available at health food stores and online. When buying reishi powder, Reishi look for organic brands In Asia, reishi mushrooms that use hot-water exhave been known as the traction, which retains magic mushrooms of the the most nutrients. With bedroom for thousands a smoky, almost chocoof years. Reishi supports laty flavor, reishi is great the kidney and urinary in smoothies, teas, and as system, which is the seat a coffee alternative. of sexual power in traditional Chinese medicine. Shiitake Great for the brain, emo- Fleshy and juicy, shiitational well-being, and the ke mushrooms check all immune system, reishi the aphrodisiac boxes. can help the body become They’re full of zinc, which more resilient to stress— gets the blood flowing the No. 1 cock blocker— and boosts testosterone, over time. If you’re conand lentinan, which is besidering this one to spice lieved to enhance erectile

MAKE YOUR OWN

TRUFFLE BUTTER INGREDIENTS

1 pound quality unsalted butter, room temperature 1–3 teaspoons white truffle oil Sea salt, to taste INSTRUCTIONS

• Place butter in mixing bowl and add truffle oil 1 teaspoon at a time, tasting each time. Stir to combine. Add salt to taste.

• Form into a 1-inch-thick log and wrap tightly with plastic. Keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Congregating Cordyceps The “caterpillar fungus” is said to be the world’s most valuable parasite.

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PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) BY ALEXKICH, ADOBE STOCK; JAROSLAV MACHACEK, ADOBE STOCK

THE LIFE

raise children—another leap for humankind.

That’s something to think about, though it’s admittedly a little academic for Valentine’s Day. Bottom line is that many people, including famous ethnobotanists, consider psilocybin an aphrodisiac even though it doesn’t in and of itself increase libido. It does open your mind and cause your brain to pump out the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin. Your skin gets more sensitive, and touch feels more pleasurable. With the right person or persons, magic mushrooms can spark intense, intimate conversation, mind-blowing orgasms, and cosmic-level cuddling.

Good Shiitake Psilocybin mushrooms These powerful mushrooms should be heated to at have antiviral, antibacterial, least 140 degrees Fahrenand antifungal properties. heit and preferably above 200 degrees Fahrenheit function. In a study of ger. They’re great in stir- increased male potency to release their nutrivoles fed shiitake extract fries and soups (miso in and opened up worlds of ents, get rid of harmful for three weeks, males particular). possibilities, like invent- pathogens and toxins, with withering libido saw ing languages and having and soften the tissues to their sexual motivation Psilocybin group sex. “Everyone make them more digestrestored with 1.5 times If you believe ethnobotwould get loaded around ible. You can eat them more ejaculations. Donko anist Terence McKenna’s the campfire and hump fresh, dried and ground, shiitake, which have Stoned Ape theory of in an enormous writhing or made into tea. Pairing white designs on their human evolution, the psi- heap,” McKenna is quot- them with mint and lemtops, are believed to pack locybin mushroom’s aph- ed as saying. These magic on can help ward off any the most punch. rodisiac qualities were mushroom–fueled orgies early nausea they might You can find shiitakes key to humans’ survivled to genetic diversifiinduce. at your local grocer. Slice al as a species. McKencation, making humans Legality varies, so find the meaty cap and sauté na wrote that primitive more disease-resistant. out what you need to it in olive oil or duck fat. humans’ experimenAnd with no way to trace know based on where you Shiitake pair well with tation with high doses who was whose daddy, live if you’re considering onions, garlic, and ginof magic mushrooms communities formed to a Valentine’s Day trip.

MAKE YOUR OWN

VEGAN REISHI GOLDEN MILK

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

3 cups plant milk (almond, coconut, oat, cashew) 5 teaspoons maple syrup 1 teaspoon reishi powder 3 teaspoons ground turmeric ¼ teaspoon ground ginger 2 cinnamon sticks 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom Ground pepper, to taste INSTRUCTIONS

• Whisk ingredients together in a saucepan over low heat until well combined. Pour into mugs and serve.

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SPARXLABS.NET | LICENSE # C11-0000972-LIC | @SPARXLABS

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THE LIFE

Psilly Cider Recipe by Kate Avruch / Servings: 2

INGREDIENTS

PHOTO BY KICHIGIN19, ADOBE STOCK

3 grams dried psilocybin mushrooms 3 ounces unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, or enough to cover the mushrooms Raw honey, to taste (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Make sure shrooms are thoroughly dry. Chop or grind them into small pieces or powder.

• Loosely layer mushrooms into bottom of a clean half-gallon mason jar. Add the vinegar. Place a layer of parchment paper between EQ U I P M E N T the metal lid and the top of the jar so the acidic solution Coffee grinder, blender, doesn’t deteriorate the or knife metal rim of the lid. Seal the Two 32-ounce widejar, enclosing the parchment mouth glass jars paper underneath.

Wax or parchment paper • Place the jar in a warm Fine mesh strainer location (but out of direct Cheesecloth or coffee filters sunlight) and allow the Funnel vinegar to infuse for a

N OT E S

•

• • •

minimum of 7 days and a maximum of 4 weeks.

Shake the jar daily.

Line strainer with cheesecloth or coffee filter, place over funnel, and strain the liquid into the second jar.

Firmly squeeze out the mushrooms through the cheesecloth or coffee filter.

If honey is cold, place the honey jar in pot of simmering water to warm gently.

Taste vinegar mixture and add warmed honey, 1 tablespoon at a time, to taste.

Store in a glass jar in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

You can step up this infusion’s potency by changing the ratio of mushrooms to liquid.

Enjoy it as a solo shot, in a smoothie, or in your favorite tea.

Avruch also suggests adding other beneficial ingredients, including reishi mushrooms, garlic cloves, horseradish root, grated ginger, rosemary, cayenne pepper, citrus, oregano, sage, echinacea, cinnamon, black peppercorns, or rose hips.

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THE LIFE GIFT GUIDE

HEART OF STONE Love in Bloom Porcelain Heart Vase $99 / shopatmatter.com

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THE LIFE GIFT GUIDE

Spread the Love

PUT ON A HAPPY FACE Not Pot CBD Glow Oil $50 / notpot.com

Check out these fun, sexy, cool products Sensi editors really, really want you to try.

Couples that play together stay together, but after almost a year of quarantining together in the same ole space, it can be a challenge to keep your flame burning eternal. Or if you’ve been riding solo all this time, you’re no doubt ready to mix things up a bit. Sensi editors to the rescue. We’ve rounded up some fresh ideas for gifts to bestow upon yourself, your pad, or your pod-partner so you can spice things up a bit. Have fun, and stay lit.

AS YOU WISH Urban Outfitters Get Naked Rainbow Shower Curtain $39 / urbanoutfitters.com

PEES IN A POD Sam Boyce Designs “I Just Wee’d” Art Print (8” x 8”) $19 / society6.com/shitandroses SECRET’S OUT Pink Coco Chill Bath Mat $25 / victoriassecret.com

SPARK OF FUN The Adventure Challenge: Couples Edition $40 / theadventurechallenge.com

HIPPIE AT HEART Face Mask Tie-Dye Kit $38 / uncommongoods.com

BAKED WITH LOVE Wood Envy Baked with Love cutting board $63 / etsy.com/market/ woodenvydotcom

STICK IT IN Love is Love DIY Embroidery Kit $32 / uncommongoods.com

PINK SLIP Nécessaire The Sex Gel $20 / nordstrom.com

RUB A DUB DUB Vertly Soothing Floral Soak Bath Salts with CBD $55 / nordstrom.com

PERMANENTLY BONDED Handpoke Tattoo Kit $49 / etsy.com/shop/manifestoworks

PUFF PIECE Summerland Chongo Bong $195 / welcometosummer.land

ROLLING IN THE DEEP Love is Art Kit—Custom Edition $70 / us.loveisartkit.com

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THE LIFE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mona Van Joseph is a professionally licensed intuitive reader in Las Vegas since 2002.

Author, radio host, and columnist, she created the Dice Wisdom app and is available for phone and in-person sessions. mona.vegas

HOROSCOPE

FEBRUARY HOROSCOPE What do the stars hold for you?

TEXT MONA VAN JOSEPH

JAN. 20–FEB. 18

AQUARIUS

life. This will be the month where karma will reward you from all directions. Just be grateful; you’ve earned these marvelous gifts from the universe.

While you know you’ve worked diligently in the last two years, the reward and accolades are still a little bit of a surprise. There is an amazing offer coming to you APR. 20–MAY 20 in the next three months, TAURUS and it will be tempting.

Forces are conspiring for you to pay attention to yourself FEB. 19–MAR. 20 and make sure you nurture PISCES your emotions, body, and viYou are no longer tolerant of tality. An opportunity presentserving other people just be- ed at the end of the month is cause you’re “nice.” Recent worth your consideration. news is compelling you to pay attention to your emoMAY 21–JUNE 20 tional and physical health.

GEMINI Don’t sacrifice your well-be- If you would just sit still ing just to take care of some- long enough to tap into your one else’s lack of planning. creative abilities, the solution to a work issue will MAR. 21–APR. 19 present itself. Ask your highARIES er self for help. The best People have reincarnated to solution will allow you to be your co-creators in this follow your heart.

JUNE 21–JULY 22

CANCER

Avoid going down the rabbit hole and jumping to the worse possible conclusion.

There is help from all the people you’ve helped in the past. Your intuition is trying to nudge you toward a better set of circumstances.

JULY 23–AUG. 22

LEO

Acting on your ideas in the first seven days of the month will connect you with someone of like mind and energy. He or she could be a past work associate, and the reconnection may offer you a job or a worthwhile project.

AUG. 23–SEPT. 22

VIRGO

Your “old life” has proven not to be as beneficial or enjoyable. You’ve had an eye-open-

AQUARIUS, THERE IS AN AMAZING OFFER COMING TO YOU IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS, AND IT WILL BE TEMPTING.

ing event in recent weeks. has forgotten it). Act as though What you did last month has you are already a success. aided your renewed vision.

Freedom from limits and pain NOV. 22–DEC. 21 is in your vibration.

SAGITTARIUS One of the things you do really SEPT. 23–OCT. 22 well is looking for the best in all LIBRA the people around you. Publicly There’s super powerful vali- present the other things you do dation that the path you’ve well—cooking, sports, leaderchosen over the last two ship, innovation, connection, years will bring you the de- skill, and creativity. sired outcome. Your unique skill set will get the atten- DEC. 22–JAN. 19 tion it deserves.

CAPRICORN You’ve been expecting a disOCT. 23–NOV. 21 ruption for the last several SCORPIO months. It may be your spirYou’re a star—no excuses, no it doesn’t want to be manipprocrastination, and no doubts. ulated into an uncomfortJump into the spotlight and let able situation. Your peace of the pain from the past be for- mind is more important, and gotten (because everyone else you initiate change.

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MAKING MELLOW MAGIC With grown-up gourmet flavors, a new brand introduces cannabisinfused ice cream in the heart of LA. TEXT DAWN GARCIA

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF MELLOW ICE CREAM

F

ew things in this world are more wonderfully gluttonous than ice cream.

We have childhood memories of eating ice cream cones with friends, laughing away the blister of hot summer days while shoveling spoonfuls into our mouths, or enjoying the cold of winter snowfall while we shiver and devour a cup of our favorite flavor(s). Ice cream provides us all a comfort that only this frozen concoction can bring, and as we’ve matured, our love for gourmet ice cream has grown with us.

The meaning of luxury has evolved over the years, but this past year the idea of luxury has leaned less toward things and more toward unique experiences, foods, and stepping out of our comfort zones. So, when word of Mellow Ice Cream, a luxury brand of ice cream infused with THC and CBD got out? We knew something special had come to town. With a brand devotion to using and sourcing high-quality, natural ingredients and a desire to break cannabis stigmas, Mellow really is a welcome addition to the culinary cannabis marketplace. In fact, once it opens to the public and real live human interaction is granted again, we’ll be first in line.

Mellow Ice Cream is changing the way we indulge. Located in the heart of Downtown LA,

Mellow is a brand-new company you’ll want to keep on your ice cream speed dial.

When Mellow announced its opening at the end of 2020, we were dying to get a taste. The pandemic didn’t stop the four partners—Jesse Bride, Enrique Gonzalez, Chris Cornish, and Miguel Sugay—from adjusting, adapting, and creating. We reached out and, with the wave of an ice cream flavored magic wand, Cornish drove out in one of Mellow's fleet of Teslas with built-in trunk freezers and delivered two pints for us to taste. With packaging that has a coolness factor and simple messaging that isn’t lost in a sea of labels, as well as a Mellow apparel line, these gents are bringing luxe to Los Angeles.

The two Mellow flavors we tried, mint chocolate chip and Tahitian vanilla peanut butter cup,

easily stand up to gourmet brands.

While our samples weren’t infused, the ice cream itself is beautifully balanced with ingredients so fresh you can literally taste the namesake flavors. The mint chocolate chip took me back to some of my most nostalgic moments of growing up in LA. We caught up with the four partners for a collective Q&A on how Mellow came to be.

TELL US ABOUT MELLOW’S ORIGIN STORY. As four distinct entrepreneurs, we all had separate reasons for entering the cannabis space given the varying degrees at which cannabis impacted our lives. As friends, we had honest conversations regarding these personal experiences in and out of the business world.

Given the trust we shared, forming a partnership was a no-brainer. We also have families and

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friends we care about and were cautious about moving into such a stigmatized business. Our collective aim was to create something that hadn’t been done before, but more importantly, we wanted to create a product that we would be proud to stand by. From a branding standpoint, we wanted to mix luxury with ice cream shop nostalgia that was mature instead of kid-friendly. Everything from our product packaging to live event activations were designed to uphold that aesthetic.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MELLOW ICE CREAM

WHAT GOES INTO YOUR ICE CREAM? All of our ingredients are locally sourced. We vetted out the highest quality and most trusted suppliers in the dairy, confectionery, and cannabis industries. We source ingredients from the same providers who service Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. From Scott Brothers Dairy to our packaging suppliers, we put quality and safety at the forefront of our processes. The ice cream is created in-house by our confectionery team in DTLA. We run a smallbatch operation to ensure freshness and quality control.

HOW DO YOU OFFSET THE TASTE OF THC IN INFUSED ICE CREAM? Since early 2019, we have invested heavily into research and development through hiring and consulting with chemists, food scientists, chefs, and food and beverage experts. With their participation, we’ve worked tirelessly to solve the age-old problems of how edibles taste and how they feel. Our choices of infusion delivery format and source materials directly impacted taste, effect,

MELLOW IS A MENTALITY THAT AIMS TO ELICIT A SPECIFIC FEELING. FROM OUR MARQUEE PRODUCT ICE CREAM TO OUR ENTIRE SUPPORTING CAST OF PRE-ROLLS, ASHTRAYS, AND APPAREL, ALL PRODUCTS FIT SEAMLESSLY INTO THE LIFESTYLE OF OUR CUSTOMERS, HELPING THEM EFFORTLESSLY ACHIEVE LUXURY WITHOUT COMPROMISING QUALITY.

and likeability. Additionally, onset time, strength, reliability of high, and consistency of dosage were big hurdles that we set out to solve immediately.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BRAND LINE OF PRE-ROLLS, ASHTRAYS, AND APPAREL. We wanted all our products to be luxurious and of the highest quality. Mellow luxury is a mentality that we imbue into every product we make. From our marquee product ice cream to our entire supporting cast of pre-rolls, ashtrays, and apparel, all products fit seamlessly into the lifestyle of our customers, helping them effortlessly achieve luxury without compromising quality.

WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED LAUNCHING AMID A GLOBAL PANDEMIC? Mellow is a mentality that aims to elicit a specific feeling. We were looking forward to helping our customers experience that through live events and in-person activations. That is, the Coachellas and Smorgasburgs of the world. Given the global pandemic, we’ve had to get creative around rethinking marketing and distribution strategies. Launching a brand from multiple US cities with increased restrictions on travel added an elevated level of difficulty to our mission.

HOW HAVE YOU ADAPTED? Because we were unable to operate as a standard business, we developed a mindset of inspired innovation. This mindset has allowed us to move unpredictably fast through our timeline. Not knowing what to expect, due to F E B R UA RY 2021

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MORE INFO

Mellow Ice Cream mellowicecream.com @mellow_icecream

pressures from the global pandemic as well as state and federal legislation, it prompted us to stay agile in our processes while creating solutions in an ever-changing market.

WHY OPEN UP SHOP IN DTLA? It was no secret that California is the largest cannabis market for us to enter. We wanted to align with the best in the industry, and we already had boots on the ground in DTLA, namely Chris Cornish and Miguel Sugay. This allowed us to open up our office and get to work very quickly. We also knew that many of the solutions being provided to the industry are in California, and we planned to contribute to that aspect of the industry as a solutions provider ourselves.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MELLOW ICE CREAM

WHAT KEEPS YOU INSPIRED? Feedback and support from the market have been huge sources of inspiration for our team. Just being involved in a growing industry that continues to flourish—even during the pandemic—continues to instill confidence that we are making the right moves.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2021?

Having identified the level of demand for Mellow, we intend to optimize our process in 2021 to get our products to as many people in as many places as possible while operating within the confines of the law.

ANY NEW PRODUCTS COMING? We are very excited to launch many new flavors and collaborative products this year, including nondairy options, various size options, and other frozen and non-

FUN FACTS • Mellow aims to provide the best tasting and eco-friendly products with all natural and responsibly sourced ingredients.

• Cannabis flower for joints are locally sourced in California and rolled in Los Angeles.

• All ice cream is handmade in California.

• All packaging is biodegradable and recyclable.

• Mellow launched with three flavors of ice cream and brand expressions in pre-rolls and fashion.

• Focusing on natural ingredients and medicinally led manufacturing, Mellow debuted with nontraditional flavor recipes: mint chocolate chip, Tahitian vanilla peanut butter cup, and sea salt & caramel • Mellow’s ice cream base is infused with the highest quality CBD and THC. Mellow’s CBD ice cream contains 80 mg of CBD per serving. The CBD pint contains 400 mg of CBD per pint and five servings.

• Launching in Los Angeles and expanding to the major markets in California, Mellow will be doing home deliveries using ice cream trucks and a fleet of Teslas with freezers built into the trunks and is looking to host tasting parties once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

frozen treats made with natural ingredients.

discovering the value of CBD or THC in their lives.

WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL WITH MELLOW? To impact as many lives as possible as a household name in the medical and recreational spaces. Knowing that our friends and family can go to their local store and purchase our product without the stigma associated with cannabis use. Additionally, creating a brand that is a trusted onramp for customers who otherwise might not have been open to

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ALONG THE WAY? From an entrepreneurial perspective, Mellow has taught us so much. From the industry and legal challenges alone, this business has stretched us all to become more effective entrepreneurs. Not only have we grown professionally but we have been afforded the opportunity to work closely with friends on a vision we each truly believe in.

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A Bite of Canna-Curiosity

A brother and sister duo are altering cannabis cuisine throughout Southern California.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALTERED PLATES EVENTS, RACHEL BURKONS

TEXT DAWN GARCIA

The term gourmet is one that hails from France and once upon a time was associated with indulgence and winemaking. However, it became associated primarily with cuisine when Monsieur Grimod de la Reynière deemed it respectable in the 1800s.

Reynière created what appears to be the first restaurant guide, Almanach des Gourmands, which was published in Paris from 1803 to 1812.

His guide opened the door to an entirely new way of dining. The term gourmet soon distanced itself from a definition assigned by the Jesuits as one of the the seven deadly sins (gluttony).

It was no longer based on food as a source of nourishment, but rather a refined and uncontrolled love of good food as redefined in the Encyclopédie.

Fast forward to 2021, and the culinary breadth of modern chefs continues to open the door

to an art form that can transport one through a single bite. That’s where companies like Altered Plates come in. Altered Plates is a hospitality consulting group based in Los Angeles co-founded in 2016 by the brother and sister team of Chef Holden Jagger and Rachel Burkons. Altered Plates is an innovative thought leader in the on-site consumption space and its dinners, most often paired with cannabis brands as partners, are immersive, beautifully curated with cocktails infused with cannabis, and gourmet cuisine that is, as the title suggests, altered.

Jagger is a cultivator and a ganjier (an expert at matching the flavors in hemp and cannabis with the flavors in food).

With access to the plant throughout its various growth stages, Jagger views cannabis much like a vegetable, and he continues to explore innovative uses for

the nonpsychoactive aspects of the plant. In his creations for Altered Plates, Jagger utilizes his years of experience as a chef at famed restaurants like Curtis Stone’s Maude or cooking at the James Beard House in New York. Named to Zagat’s 30 Under 30 list of chefs to watch, Jagger has combined his love of food with his skills and passion for carefully fine-tuned dosing through a variety of techniques. “For many people, the biggest issue is around the mystery of dosing,” says Burkons.

“We are careful to edu-

cate all of our guests and work with them to help understand the experience. Milligrams don’t mean anything to many people, or they’ve had inconsistent, unpleasant experiences with cannabis in the past. That lays the groundwork to change their perceptions through carefully dosed curated dinners.”

Burkons has more than 10 years’ experience in the wine and spirits industry, working with mixologists and sommelier tastemakers across the country. She is the cannabis editor for The Clever Root and the VP

Brother-and-sister duo Holden Jagger and Rachel Burkons

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Fighting for freedom is Join the revolution at norml.org

THE SCENE

and associate publisher of The Tasting Panel and The SOMM Journal.

She approaches Altered Plates with a devotion to quality and the guest experience, bringing a fresh perspective as one of the leading voices in exploring the connection between food, drink, and lifestyle with cannabis.

Jagger and Burkons set out to create a culinary collection that

fuses cannabis, food, beverage, and old school, refined, quality hospitality. “We are passionate about using food as a touchstone for cannabis education and, much like the lens used in the examination of fine wine and spirits, applying that to cannabis,” Burkons says. “In the past five years, we’ve been fortunate to continue to develop these models

and extend them to our consulting work regarding on-site consumption opportunities.”

As the cannabis industry forged ahead and entered into the culinary and mixology worlds, word of cannabis-infused cocktails spread quickly and some of the best mixologists began crafting cannabis art served gleefully in a cocktail glass.

“I think what inspires my

mixology infusions comes from treating cannabis like an alcoholic ingredient, replacing the alcohol with natural nonalcoholic ingredients. I don’t recommend creating infused cocktails with alcohol, and I don’t serve them to my guests.”

Mocktails can be just as balanced and composed and, with that added element of cannabis, downright euphoric.

“Making alcohol-free beverages can be a challenge, but experimenting with unique syrups, bitters, teas, and other ingredients can help add nuance and texture to drinks,” Burkons says.

“One of my favorites is a classic and simple Mendocino Mule: a take on a Moscow Mule made with lime juice, high quality ginger beer, and CBD tincture served super cold over crushed ice. It’s a simple and easy swap— cannabis for vodka.”

At some point, most of us have indulged in a

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Want a sample of our work? You’re reading it.

Em Agency is proud to be the creative force behind Sensi’s award-winning visual style.

We build brands we believe in—the brand you believe in can be next. emagency.com

THE SCENE

pot brownie or two, but when cuisine is thoughtfully infused, cannabis can elevate the experience altogether. Inspired by seasonal availability at local farmers markets, Jagger is intentional with every single pairing. “We are inspired by the flavors in cannabis and how they translate into the dish when creating our menus,” Burkons says. “Although Holden is a very talented chef, his secret weapon are his desserts. They are out of this world.”

Cuisine can open your world in more ways than you’d expect. Each

ingredient takes you on a journey, whether it be a direct translation of the chef’s emotions or the deep-seated foundation of a distant culture sharing its traditional cuisine. We learn about the world and one another through food.

Burkons agrees. “Food is such an amazing gateway to cannabis exploration because it’s a universal experience. We all eat, and we are all familiar with that experience of sitting down to gather at a table, so introducing cannabis into that experience can feel slightly more normal for the canna-curious,” she says. “We also

use food as an educational point of reference when exploring flavors that exist within cannabis. It helps address a curious guest who might not understand what a terpene or limonene is, but they know what a lemon smells like.” Breaking it down into manageable metaphorical and literal bites is what makes the Altered Plates experience so uniquely different.

Burkons recalls the inaugural Altered Plates dinner. “Our very first dinner was special. It was an intimate group of 10 who had hired us for a five-course fine-dining

dinner paired with both cannabis and wine. We brought our sommelier to pour some gorgeous wines, served dishes bountifully topped with shaved truffles, and set a table with cannabis leafadorned florals, creating an authentic tablescape,” she says. “It was a beautiful evening. It showed me that we were on the right path with this crazy little idea.” When Jagger and Burkons curate a private dinner, they often use flower from their own garden.

“I do love the private in-home dinners,” she says. “They give you a F E B R UA RY 2021

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w

is

en

l l a w g o n m i l la love cann ab o h

CONNECT WITH YOURSELF AND OTHERS IN CITIES AROUND THE GLOBE

TOKEATIVITY.COM/CONNECT

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LEARN MORE

rachelburkons.com alteredplateshospitality.com @smokesipsavor

chance to really get to know your guests. I love that when we started, we frequently sat down with our guests at the end of the meal for a glass or a joint!”

Today, the duo rarely does private in-home dinners and works more closely with corporate clients, assisting in brand activation through dinners and large-scale events. In the wake of COVID-19, the brother-and-sister team has halted private dining and events, shifting the focus toward consulting. “We will continue to diversify our opportunities, and, if and when the time feels right to get back to events and dinners, we will be open to that.” The shift in all of our lives this past year has had its moments

when it seemed like we were in a constant state of fight or flight. But in that state of mind, innovators innovate, visionaries map out new roads, and companies such as Altered Plates adapt to ensure the longevity of their business. For Jagger and Burkons, 2021 presents new opportunities

and creative outlets with new partners.

Burkons admits there are challenges that come with intertwining business and family. “I don’t think Holden or I ever thought we’d go into business together,” she says. “But what we have found that works is to communicate with each other as clearly as

possible and to respect each other’s work, understanding that we each have a role to play in the success of our business.”

Altered Plates specializes in compliant CBD/ cannabis-related culinary education, events, content creation, brand and product development, and culinary brand activations.

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THE SCENE CALENDAR

LEFT: EVENT NAME BELOW: EVENT NAME RIGHT: EVENT NAME

Feb. 4–25, 1 p.m. $250–$300 Tickets on Eventbrite

Book Club with Margaret Atwood

The month of February is traditionally the month of love; this year, it will mark a search for serenity.

Feb. 11, 11 a.m. $8–$22 membership.theguardian.com

TEXT ELI DUPIN + DAWN GARCIA

January started off with some seriously unexpected havoc, and our hope for a peaceful, less daunting new year was challenged on day 6. Now we’re on day 32 of 2021 and in a new month. The call to restore democracy and racial equity, address climate change and gender equality, and enact a state of unity is sounding. May we all rise to the occasion and come together, celebrating justice, the arts, and the power of peace. Note: All events listed here are virtual.

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line DuBose will share strategies for transforming thinking around racial justice and equity.

In this 10-hour virtual training series from the Equity Literacy Institute, facilitators Paul Gorski and Marce-

The author of The Handmaid’s Tale series talks about the dystopian parable of Oryx and Crake (2003), the first novel in her MaddAddam trilogy.

PHOTOS (FROM TOP) BY LAURA MAGINNIS; @SVETLAYA

Cultural Calendar

Racial Equity Facilitator Training

THE SCENE CALENDAR

LEFT: CLIMATE & PEACE FORUM BELOW: BOOK CLUB WITH MARGARET ATWOOD BOTTOM RIGHT: MAKE SUSHI AT HOME: SUSHI KIT + ONLINE COURSE

Buds of Love: Sensuality and Cannabis Feb. 11, 5 p.m.

Free Tickets at Eventbrite

This online cannabis class will be led by Sarah Payan, public education officer of The Apothecarium.

Terrific Tastings: Bubbles & Bites Part I Feb. 14, 2 p.m. $15–$122 Tickets on Eventbrite

you to then enjoy live with culinary host James Sokol.

Climate & Peace Forum

Regenerative Agriculture: Join the Movement!

Feb. 18, 7 p.m. $10–$35 Tickets on Eventbrite

Feb. 16, 12:29 pm Free Tickets on Eventbrite

Listen to leaders in climate change advocacy discuss how we can increase climate action within government sectors and the corporate community.

Presented by the Ecology Center, this online event will be led by Doniga Markegard,

a regenerative rancher featured in the new Netflix documentary Kiss the Ground.

Labx: Storytelling with a Twist

Make Sushi at Home: Sushi Kit + Online Course

This online event is presented by comedian Chris Duffy and four chosen storytellers.

Feb. 20, 3 p.m. $15–$75 breakthroughsushi.com

Chef Kaz Matsune, founder of Breakthrough Sushi, teaches this virtual sushi-making course. Prior to your class, pre-order a sushi kit (complete with ingredients and fish), which can be delivered anywhere in California.

Multiple dates are available through February.

Feb. 25, 5 p.m.

Free labx.org/hidden-expert

Indigenous Food Craft with Cafe Ohlone Feb. 27, 1 p.m. $6–$8 Tickets on Eventbrite

Join the conversation with Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino of Northern California’s mak-’amham Cafe Ohlone, presented by the Museum of Craft and Design.

Open Show San Diego

SUSHI PHOTO BY ALINA BUZUNOVA

Feb. 18, 6 p.m. $3–$10 (free for members) openshow.org/en/sandiego

Amanda Dahlgreen is a San Diego– based photographic Once you’ve artist and educator, registered for this and lead producer immersive virtual at Open Show. The tasting, a specially show brings tocurated collection gether five curated of Schramsberg artists of various sparkling wine and mediums of art, bites by Chukar including film, to Cherries will be de- present a project or livered to your door work in a shared arprior to event for tistic experience.

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P R O M OT I O N A L F E AT U R E RED ROCK FERTILITY

Red Rock Fertility A caring outlook is the key to helping families grow.

I

n today’s world, modern women defy notions of the past in terms of how many children they want to have, when they want to have them, and how they will become pregnant. Gone are the days of American households having an average of five children. Today, according to ourworldindata.org the fertility rate is 2.5 children per household, halving the rate from the 1950s.

Some women are incredibly fortunate to have successful pregnancies without intervention, but there is a growing number of women who use alternative methods of fertility.

That’s where Dr. Eva Littman of Red Rock Fertility comes in. During her

first-cycle success rate. “I love taking cases that have failed, or those where other doctors have told someone they have minimal to no chance of succeeding, and making it happen for them,” Littman says.

It’s her caring nature that acts as the basis for Red Rock Fertility’s success. Additionally, Littman and Red Rock Fertility are selective in their recommendations. Rather than seeking potentially lucrative affiliate relationships, Littman says, “I advise patients of brands or products that I think are helpful, but I don’t benefit in any way from those. Putting the patient first and producing a healthy pregnancy is at the heart of Red Rock Fertility.”

Littman continues, “I have always liked the quote ‘The light on a candle is always brighter when it’s first lit.’

How we relate that here at Red Rock Fertility Center is that we strive to accomplish successful pregnancies the first time around to keep our patients’ hopes high and their stress levels low.

By having this philosophy, we have been able to create close to a thousand pregnancies on the first attempt, in turn helping families grow.”

OB-GYN residency at Duke University between 1998 to 2002, Littman fell in love with bringing life into the world.

Her least favorite aspects of her residency were the challenging hours coupled with having very little time with patients. This inspired Littman to pursue alternative avenues in the field, with maximum benefit to the patients in mind.

Littman’s staff includes physician assistant Amity Herrera, who has 10 years of experience in infertility, as well as nurses, medical assistants, and laboratory personnel, each of whom have more than 15 years of field Red Rock Fertility experience in infertility.

A personalized fertility clinic Red Rock Fertility has a very high redrockfertility.com

“I love taking cases that have failed, or those where other doctors have told someone they have minimal to no chance of succeeding, and making it happen for them.”

—Dr. Eva Littman of Red Rock Fertility

F E B R UA RY 2021

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50 Enterprise, Aliso Viejo / clubsports.com/now-open

One Orange County gym is doing everything it can to stay open.

There are jokes about how most people have gained the COVID-19 (as in weight) since gyms closed, outdoor activity has been limited, and not everyone can afford to create their own home gym. As the continuous wave of re-openCITRUS GRILL ings, closures, and outOpen for takeout only, door activity restrictions 7 days a week goes on, finding ways to keep gym members active is paramount.

Heather Stanek, vice president and general manager of Renaissance

AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS 40 outdoor classes (with and without equipment) Lap and exercise pools IV and vitamin therapy Virtual fitness classes (Classes require 6-foot distancing between members.)

50

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F E B R UA RY 2 02 1

ClubSport Aliso Viejo, located at the Renaissance Hotel and Spa, is facing the challenges head on. “It’s definitely been a challenge to completely reimagine our business and pivot in such a drastic way, from being almost entirely indoors to completely outdoors,” Stanek says. In a study done by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, researchers discovered that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for

an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26 percent.

“We are grateful that the state of California recognizes the importance of exercise for physical and emotional health, allowing fitness clubs to remain operating outdoors,” Stanek says. The gym continues to follow health and safety regulations, ensuring the health and safety of its members and associates. “We are very lucky to have so

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much outdoor space,” she says. The club has moved almost all its equipment outside, allowing members to have the best outdoor fitness experience possible during this pandemic—while getting a little more vitamin D. “We truly come together as one big community where we become a home away from home,” Stanek says. “We are the place for friends and family to form healthy habits together.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF RENAISSANCE CLUBSPORTS

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