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I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve spent countless hours with my fingers glued to the keyboard, but I simply can’t believe that we’re at the end of the year already.
Over the past twelve months we have put some of the best articles we’ve ever produced to the pages of The CANNAVIST and I couldn’t be prouder of the team for their hard work.
I’m especially delighted with this edition, which is packed cover to cover with an eclectic selection of international wellness and cannabis stories.
Not only has the editorial team proven why they are a part of this leading publication, but our designers have also pulled out all the stops and this issue features some of their best work as well.
Our story ‘Artificial Inspiration’ is a standout example of this, with the gallery of specially put together motivational posters being a brilliant show of the talent behind the magazine.
In this feature, we put the creativity of AI to the test and used it to produce a handful of peculiar and odd machine-generated inspirational quotes; my favourite of the group being ‘depression is not recommendable’.
Another show of the collaboration and community of the CANNAVIST was the story ‘Music makes you happy…yeah, that tracks’.
This publication and the products shown herein are intended for an 18+ audience.
The comments and opinions given by contributors to this publication are not the views of the editor or magazine, unless otherwise stated. The products featured in this magazine are not sponsored, were included at the discretion of the editor / publisher and were not seen or altered by the suppliers in any way prior to publication. While every effort is made to respect editorial and advertising standards, The CANNAVIST cannot accept liability for issues raised or comments made by those featured in this magazine. Should you have a query about the content in this publication, email the editor: editor@cannavistmag.com
This article saw the team outline the go-to ‘pick-me-up’ tracks that they call on to fend off the blues after a rough day.
Now, these two might be among my favourite features, but ahead of you waits pages upon pages of content that has been painstakingly curated and crafted by our writers for your entertainment.
So don’t let me keep you any longer; settle down in your favourite chair, brew yourself a mug of your favourite cold weather drink and enjoy this, the latest edition of The CANNAVIST.
Editor Jordan Millar Deputy Editor Oliver Smith
Head of Design Hayley Parker Head Designer Amy Harrison Design Team Coordinator Lucy Booth
Graphic Designer Michelle Piovesan Design Support Anna Difusco
Marketing Director Katie Loomes Marketing Executives Carrie Strouther Alicia Snow-Simpson Web Developer Kain Alden Marketing Admin Lauren Pilliner
Head of Finance Rochelle Warsop EVENTS
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Hollywood hunk Tom Hardy has praised Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as ‘fundamentally key’ to his wellbeing.
Director Jonah Hill introduced audiences to a ‘different kind of therapist’ in his new Netflix documentary ‘Stutz’.
The black and white film was driven by ‘candid conversations’ between Hill and his own psychiatrist Phil Stutz, giving an unorthodox look at the leading expert’s unique approach to therapy.
It used imperfect line drawings to demonstrate visualisation exercises developed by Stutz over his 40-year career and also saw Hill open up about his own mental health experiences.
Hill said he wanted to present the therapist’s ‘tools’ in a way that people can access them and use them to improve their own lives.
The star recently won a national competition in the sport, sending the internet into a frenzy after he took gold at an open championship in Milton Keynes.
Following the event, Hardy – who
represents veteran support charity REORG – said he can’t stress the impact BJJ has had on his life, or the lives of his team mates.
On Instagram, he wrote: “Simple training, as a hobby and a private love, has been fundamentally key to further develop a deeper sense of inner resilience, calm and wellbeing.”
Snoop Dogg’s blunt roller had to participate in a ‘roll off’ to get the bizarre job…and estimates she’s produced around half a million joints for the rapper.
Renegade Piranha, who originally thought the role was a ‘scam’, said she had to compete with a sound engineer and a Venezuelan cigar roller before she was hired.
But, as Piranha put it, she must have ‘smoked’ her opponents, because she’s now living the high life as a roller for the musician.
When asked why he needed a professional roller back in 2019, Snoop Dogg said he just ‘didn’t have the time’.
World champion boxer Tyson Fury has released a cover of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline in honour of men’s mental health.
The heavyweight fighter said
Rainn Wilson has ‘changed’ his name in a unique effort to raise awareness about the climate crisis.
The star introduced himself as ‘Rainnfall Heat Wave Rising Sea Levels Wilson’ across his social media in a stunt that coincided with global environmental summit COP27.
His new ‘identity’ comes as part of a wider effort from Arctic Basecamp, with Wilson encouraging others to follow suit and use the eco-group’s ‘Arctic Name Changer’ create a pseudonym for themselves.
He said: “If enough of us do this, maybe COP27 will be where our world leaders sit up, notice Arctic risks and introduce a solution.”
Researchers are launching a groundbreaking new investigation into marijuana’s effect on the mind…and good news, you could be paid for taking part.
The King’s College London ‘Cannabis and Me’ study is made up of two sections; an initial 40-minute online survey and a multi-stage face-to-face assessment.
Those who complete the questionnaire will be entered into a prize draw for a £100 Amazon voucher and, of the smaller group selected for the in-person evaluation, everyone will be awarded £50.
The researchers are looking for London-based participants aged between 18-45 who have varied experience with the drug.
all proceeds from the track –which has already hit more than 13,000 listens on Spotify – will go towards the charity Talk Club.
Tyson, otherwise known as The Gypsy King, has not been one to shy away from discussing his own struggles in the past and has spoken publicly about his experience with suicidal thoughts.
As the global population hits an eyewatering eight billion, experts say we need to remind ourselves of our responsibility to one another and the planet.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the milestone a testament to advancements in health and science, but warned our growing ‘human family’ is becoming increasingly divided.
Writing for US today, he stressed: “Billions are struggling…record numbers are seeking opportunities and relief from debt, hardship, wars and climate disasters.
“Unless we bridge the yawning chasm between the global haves and have-nots, we’re setting ourselves up for an eight-billion-strong world filled with tensions, mistrust, crisis and conflict.”
Lewis Capaldi’s heartbreak anthem ‘Someone You Loved’ has become the most streamed song in the UK, beating out Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’.
When he learned of his victory, Capaldi joked: “The Beatles, Drake, Metallica, The Eagles, Michael Jackson, don’t worry guys no hard feelings…let daddy steer the ship now.
“This is a very large accolade that I will now shoulder for the rest of my life…or until Ed releases his next album.”
To see which songs The CANNAVIST team has in high rotation, check out our story ‘Music makes you happy…yeah that tracks’ later in this issue.
SWEET CAROLINEEagle-eyed viewers were shocked and confused when they spotted Boy George – a self-proclaimed vegetarian –eating jelly babies on TV.
The Culture Club singer has long avoided consuming meat and was reportedly sticking to a vegan diet during his time on the popular ITV show ‘I’m a Celeb, Get Me Out of Here’.
But footage of the star indulging in the sugary treats – which often contain gelatine and are made using beeswax – had fans scratching their heads.
One viewer said ‘anyone gonna tell Boy George jelly babies aren’t vegetarian?’ while another asked if he had been given an animalfree alternative.
The upcoming documentary ‘I Could Never Go Vegan’ is putting arguments against the plant-based lifestyle under the microscope.
Masterminded by filmmaking brothers Thomas and James Pickering, the eye-opening movie hopes to show audiences that ‘everything they knew about the food system is not as it seems’.
It features interviews with an impressive roster of scientists, athletes, activists, chefs and doctors who dissect those alltoo-familiar objections against ditching animal products.
The film – which is due for release on December 26 - also includes horrifying personal accounts from slaughterhouse workers and highlights the ecological impact of animal agriculture.
Actor Mark Wahlberg shared his ‘dialled down’ fitness and diet routine…and just thinking about it is enough to make most people sweat.
The workout fanatic is apparently taking things easier and now starts his day as early as 3:30am – just one hour later than his previous 2:30am wake-up time.
He’s also ditched breakfast in favour of scarfing down an impressive selection of vitamins and supplements before diving into a 90 minute exercise session.
Wahlberg has even adopted an intermittent fasting schedule, meaning he only eats between midday and 6pm, and has started drinking espressos to keep his hunger at bay.
A recent experiment saw people given $10,000 in an attempt to see if money really does buy happiness.
For the study, 200 participants were treated to the hefty sum, while 100 others didn’t receive anything.
Researchers then assessed wellbeing across the two groups - who were recruited from a mixture of high and low income countries – using a series
of monthly surveys.
The experiment found those who received the cash indicated greater happiness levels than those who didn’t, even months after spending it all.
There were also more significant happiness gains amongst those who had less money before the payout.
The international cannabis market reached an eyewatering estimated value of $27.7 billion in 2022, according to some reports.
By 2027, this is projected to more than double, with the
Food packaging should show how many minutes of exercise is needed to burn off the calories, suggest scientists.
Researchers from Loughborough University found that this information could not only be more attention-grabbing, but that it may be easier to understand than traffic light systems.
Of the 2,600 adults they
surveyed, 44 percent said ‘Pace’ labels would help them avoid high calorie food, as opposed to 28 percent who preferred the current colour-coded method.
The researchers now want to test whether this system would reduce purchases of high-calorie food and drink from places such as restaurants, vending machines and cafes.
Alongside the usual slew of fast-food joints and takeaways, Uber Eats is now delivering cannabis to people in Toronto.
The move is in collaboration with virtual marijuana store and resource Leafly and means consumers over the age of 19 will be able to order pot from local licensed locations.
German policymakers have announced progressive plans to legalise cannabis for personal use.
Under the proposed law, adults would be able to buy and possess as much as 30g of marijuana and cultivate up to three plants; licensed pharmacies and retailers would be permitted to sell the drug.
Health minister Karl Lauterbach suggested the move, if passed, would be one of the ‘most liberal’ legalisation projects in Europe and would also create the ‘most regulated market’.
He said the law could come into effect by 2024, though it’s still awaiting approval from parliament and the European Commission.
US national park officials are pleading with visitors to stop licking toads in an attempt to get high.
They stressed this not only puts the animal in danger, but claimed exposure to the toxins of the Sonoran Desert toad may also harm people.
The situation has grown so concerning, that the National Park Service had to issue a warning on Facebook.
In it, the group said: “As we say with most things you come across in a national park, whether a banana slug, unfamiliar mushroom or large toad with glowing eyes in the dead of night, please refrain from licking.”
There are currently three retailers involved – including Hidden Leaf Cannabis, Minerva Cannabis and Shivaa’s Rose – with the initiative set to help tackle the illicit market.
Leafly CEO Yoko Miyashita said: “We are thrilled to work with Uber Eats to help licenced retailers bring safe, legal cannabis to people across the city.”
The CANNAVIST Awards results list is now live and, as expected, some of the best brands in the worlds of wellness and cannabis came out on top.
This year, there were 15 awards categories – including best aromatherapy, best wellbeing retailer and best health drink –with the winners decided by a public vote.
To view the full list check out our website ‘awards. cannavistmag.com’ or find them later in this issue.
In the pursuit of mental, physical and emotional health, it’s easy to forget that there’s a world of people fighting the same fight…here’s a glimpse of how they’re holding up.
In recent years, wellness has become a topic of international discussion, with millions across the globe joining the mission for improved emotional health.
In a welcome change to the ‘grin and bear it’ attitude of old, issues that would have once been met with a dismissive ‘pull yourself together’ are increasingly getting the attention they deserve.
This rings especially true for mental health, which has been thrust into the limelight and become a huge point of focus for governments, world leaders and, of course, the public.
Now more than ever, we are seeing new policies and regulations that are set to address the psychological state of the globe.
Not to mention that once overlooked conditions like ADHD, PTSD and depression are now hot button topics that dominate news headlines.
People are also adopting better diets and following stricter exercise regimes in an effort to boost their physical wellbeing, while policymakers are introducing plans to get the public moving and eating right.
But, despite gaining massive traction over the past few years, not everybody has joined the fight for wellness and there are still huge mental, physical and emotional health disparities on an international scale.
In this story we give a snapshot of the global state of wellness, highlighting the countries who are making strides… and those who are falling behind.
This Nordic paradise has recently been crowned the happiest country on the planet for the fifth year in a row by the World Happiness Report.
The United States has the biggest wellness market in the world at $1.2 trillion, according to the Global Wellness Institute… more than double China’s $682 million market in second place. Iceland
A new global report from analytics company Gallup found that 89 percent of Icelanders responded ‘yes’ when asked if they had ‘experienced enjoyment’ during the day prior to questioning.
Otherwise known as the ‘land of immortals’, this chain of Japanese islands is one of five ‘blue zones’ – places where people supposedly live the longest and healthiest lives - across the globe.
• Shockingly, one in every eight people is living with a mental health disorder, according to reports from the World Health Organization.
The WHO data sheet also revealed that ‘most people don’t have access to effective care’ saying that health systems are yet to ‘adequately respond’ to the psychological crisis.
• Almost 800,000 people ‘die by suicide’ across the globe annually, warns prevention group SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education).
include Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica and Ikaria, Greece.
Research from analytics firm Gallup revealed that Afghanistan has the lowest emotional health in the world. The organisation’s ‘Negative Experience Index’ also showed Lebanon and Iraq ranked as the second and third unhappiest nations.
The people of Lebanon are the angriest on the planet according to new data from the Global Emotions Report. The document, which was put together by US analytics firm Gallup, found that 49 percent of Lebanese responded ‘yes’ when asked if they experienced feelings of anger during the day before questioning.
The organisation highlighted that this translates to around one death every 40 seconds and stressed nearly four times more men take their own lives than women.
• Humanitarian group Action Against Hunger says that, while we have enough food to feed everyone on earth, almost one in ten people don’t have enough to eat.
It also reports that more than three billion people ‘can’t afford a healthy diet’ and that 45 percent of deaths in children under-five can be linked to ‘undernutrition’.
• Depression is a mental health disorder that affects an estimated five percent of adults…but did you know it’s also a leading cause of disability?
According to the World Health Organization, the common condition – which triggers feelings of sadness, irritability, emptiness and loss of pleasure – can also cause physical symptoms.
The group said that, while effective interventions for depression exists, more than three quarters of people in low and middle income countries receive ‘no treatment’.
So often do we talk about improving our mental health or taking our mindfulness seriously…but how much do we really know about the brain?
It’s home to more than 80 billion neurons – that’s over ten times the amount of people on the planet – and contains an estimated quadrillion synapses…wow, right?
In fact, the brain is such a complex system that neuroscientists, with all their modern technology and inherited knowledge, still don’t fully understand how it all works.
Stephen Smith Ph.D of the Allen Institute once said that ‘an electron is complicated’ but when you look at the brain ‘that simple statement acquires a whole new resonance’.
From what we do understand, it’s clear that the brain works round the clock to oversee every aspect of our physiology, even controlling when we need to breath. I think it goes without saying that, if there
was an award for ‘body part of the month’, this overworked organ would very quickly run out of room on the trophy shelf.
But all this talk about the complexities of the human brain raises a number of pressing questions, one of which being; how much does the average person know about the fleshy supercomputer that sits on their shoulders?
And while we can’t give you a university masterclass on the mind, we can introduce you to the basics.
In this story, we set out to highlight just a few key regions of the brain and give a very broad strokes look at the role they play in your day-to-day life.
The human brain is an incredibly sophisticated and intricate organ, responsible for every single one of our thoughts, actions and movements.
The frontal lobe – which includes the premotor cortex, motor cortex, prefrontal cortex and Broca’s area – is located at the front of the brain.
It is primarily responsible for things like problem solving, motor function, impulse control, as well as helping with language and speech.
The temporal lobe’s function revolves quite heavily around noise, with this region of the brain processing auditory information and understanding language.
It also helps with building visual and emotional memories and plays a role in our ability to recognise faces.
Based towards the back of the brain, the occipital lobe is responsible for processing visual sensory information.
It is key in estimating size, depth and colour and plays a role in the recognition of faces and objects.
Otherwise known as ‘little brain’, the cerebellum is key for regulating movement and coordination.
It plays a vital role in balance, posture, motor learning, walking and even eye movements.
The parietal lobe is involved in the processing of sensory information like taste, touch, body position – or proprioception –and temperature.
The brain stem is located at the base of the brain and links the organ to the spinal cord.
Not only does it relay information between the brain and the rest of the body, but the stem is also key for regulating essential functions like heartbeat and breathing.
As word spreads about its benefits, the number of devotees to the CBD cause grows by the day. Of course, with this 'Green Rush' an army of companies have followed, eager to jump on the bandwagon.
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That's why The Botanical Factory has stepped into the CBD marketplace with a real vigour. It's our aim -our mission -to reinforce the natural qualities of CBD and to ensure that we bring the true essence of CBD to our customers.
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'CBD' is short for Cannabidiol, and our farms use the plant that possesses the highest concentration of CBD, Cannabis Sativa.
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When sci-fi writers of old looked to the far off year of 2022, they would conjure images of tech so advanced it seemed almost alien.
They dreamt up a neon-soaked future of flying cars and holograms, which was to be populated by both humans and self-aware robots.
Brick-and-mortar houses would be largely extinct, likely bull-dozed to make room for sprawling mega-cities of monolithic towers and bustling sub-streets.
And while we are yet to see these visions through and reach the technological heights predicted by 80s films, one thing is for sure… this remains a VERY far off future.
Sadly, cars are still tethered to the ground and people aren’t walking the streets with bioorganic enhancements; though, that’s not to say we’ve fallen completely short.
One major development of recent history has been AI – otherwise known as Artificial Intelligence – which sees machines
increasingly able to ‘think’ for themselves. This technology allows computers to solve complex problems, communicate with humans in real time and, perhaps most impressively, create.
You’ve likely already seen the abstract and controversial art produced by AI, or read the unusual scripts and website copy penned by virtual writers…but did you know they can also be motivational speakers?
Well, sort of.
In our journey into the realm of AI creators, we stumbled across a number of websites that provided computer-generated inspirational quotes.
As you can expect, they typically didn’t make any sense and most of the results were quite frankly bizarre, but every so often we uncovered a gem.
So, naturally, we gathered a few of our favourite AI-created quotes and asked our ever accommodating designers to turn them into motivational posters.
Here are the results
Artificial Intelligence can create stunning pieces of art, original scripts and now inspirational quotes…is there anything it can’t do?
WHAT IF MEMORIES CAN BECOME A LOT OF FUN WHEN YOU LEARN TO OPEN YOUR MIND?
THE SICK THINK OF YOU AS OK.
Don’t want to get a deeper understanding of a higher power. Want to get a deeper understanding of doughnuts.
It may seem like the world is nothing but doom and gloom, but we’re here to tell you that it’s not all bad news.
Words: Jordan Millar and Oliver SmithIn this day and age, it’s pretty much impossible NOT to get bogged down from time to time…and who can blame us.
Between political turmoil, wars, poverty and a growing list of social and economic crises, it seems like the daily news cycle is almost trying to make us feel blue.
And sure, the average person doesn’t have polio, pillaging or natural predators to worry about – unlike our ancestors – but those big-time stressors have simply been replaced with modern alternatives.
Instead, we suffer through confidence killing trips to social media, rocketing prices for pretty much everything and, of course, the ever-looming threat of nuclear holocaust.
We don’t want to alarm you, but the
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has estimated that the entire global civilisation is 100 seconds away from some sort of man-made annihilation at any given moment.
This remains the closest the Doomsday Clock has been to ‘midnight’ since its creation in 1947 and is sure to take the spring out of your step.
But we’re here to tell you that it’s not all bad news; there may be plenty of joykilling problems out there, but there’s plenty to laugh about as well.
To prove it, we scoured the internet, braved treacherous Twitter threads and dived into the endless pit that is TikTok’s ‘For You’ page, to find some heartwarming stories.
Although stereotypes – and pretty much every cartoon ever - would have you believe that cats are scared of dogs…this adorable black Labrador retriever is breaking the mould.
Maverick went viral on TikTok after his owners recorded him seemingly frozen in fear by some feline-shaped Halloween decorations, with the caption explaining that he is ‘terrified’ of cats.
The unfortunate pooch literally stopped in his tracks when he wondered into a circle of the cutouts, with many commentors joking that he had been ‘paused’ or had ‘glitched’ out.
Animal experts later highlighted that Maverick wasn’t displaying the tell-tale signs of fear and was likely pointing…the video ended with him wagging his tail and moving on with the help of his owner.
There are few things that feel better than helping other people…just ask internet sensation Victor Fontanez. Better known as Vic Blends, the barber and all-round good person, has made a name for himself by offering to give strangers haircuts and listen to their stories.
Speaking of his heart-warming efforts, he said: “I found what I love to do, I pursued it and it led me to what I’m supposed to be doing here; that’s to motivate and inspire people.
“I just love to connect with people and show love to others, I just think that’s what I’m here to do.”
Vic’s TikTok – which now has more than 13 million followers - is packed with clips of him cutting hair and connecting with people and is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking to shed a happy tear.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Geese? Is it a giggle-worthy army marching its way through the streets of Denmark…didn’t think so.
But that’s exactly what happened in the Danish city of Odense, which was treated to a gaggle of Toulouse geese waddling in military fashion to the beat of a drum. Amazingly, this unusual sight is a regular occurrence, with the delightful event, also known as ‘Ganzenfanfare’, happening every year. And what’s more, the long-standing tradition has been seen across Europe, with clips of similar goose parades also emerging from Belgium and the Dutch town of Geleen.
Sure, puppies are adorable and kittens are essentially fuzzy balls of joy…but neither hold a candle to cute children chatting about whatever comes to mind. If you agree then great news! The Recess Therapy YouTube channel
So here it is, The CANNAVIST’s specially curated, six-strong list of things to put a smile on your face.
Retired teacher Celeste Coles literally couldn’t believe her luck when she earned the lifechanging sum of £3.6 million on a lastminute lottery ticket.
The mother of two adult girls said she actually thought she was being scammed when she first learned of her win and reached out to Camelot
to confirm it was true. Along with being able to tick off some choice bucket-list items, the Birmingham resident said she was happy knowing that her daughters would have a ‘more comfortable life’.
Celeste said: “I’ve always been a pretty calm person, so there was no whooping from me; but I did decide a glass of water and a sit down was in order.
“Now I think about it, I was probably in shock and still am…you never think it will really happen to you.”
A 33-year-old woman was finally connected with her long-lost biological father after a virtual detective helped put them in touch. Adrieanna Tyler of Pennsylvania recently ordered a DNA test and turned to a Facebook group dedicated to helping people find their relatives. It was there that she met an internet sleuth who helped find Tyler’s aunt and eventually her father Joseph Frank, who had ‘no idea’ she was even born. Speaking on the search, Tyler said: “This wonderful lady called Suzanne on the group helped – which is home to the viral ‘Corn Kid’ video - is pretty much dedicated to just that. It sees host Julian Shapiro-Barnum seeking guidance from a ‘playground full of untrained therapists’, posing the big questions and sharing the free advice with 406,000 subscribers.
Topics of discussion on the channel include anger, lying, growing up, the meaning of life and ‘is your mum beautiful?’.
me build my family tree and after doing another DNA test we found my aunt. She said she’d put me in touch with my dad and I was suddenly ready to puke…how do you just call someone and ask, ‘are you my dad?’.” She added: “I felt so vulnerable before, in case he wanted nothing to do with me, but when he found out about me, he was so excited… everything ended exactly how it was supposed to.”
The CANNAVIST team share the ‘pick-me-up’ songs that get them out of a slump and help cure their sadness.
There’s nothing new in saying that music has an undeniable effect on the way we feel…it’s an almost universal law at this point.
Anthems driven by roaring guitars and screeching vocals fill us with fire and rage, while gentle ballads and weeping pianos are the soundtrack of melancholy and misery.
Music has inspired movements, fuelled political advocacy and is a staple feature of pretty much every major event in a person’s life.
It’s used to advertise, celebrate, honour, insult and immortalise; in short, it’s a huge part of our collective experience and ties humans across nations, beliefs and generations.
With that in mind, I wanted to look at music as a cure, a sonic tonic if you will, to the daily woes and stresses that we all suffer through.
Nearly all of us have that one song that we turn to when things get rough; that pop hit or obscure hidden gem that helps us unwind and changes our mood for the better.
Without a doubt, mine would be ‘Show Me How’, a lucid and understated track from Canadian indie band Men I Trust which literally oozes relaxation.
Whenever I’m suffering with intense brain fog or reach my absolute breaking point – which happens far more than you might think – I can always rely on this song to bring me back to Earth.
All I need to do is lay down in a dimly lit room and soak in the liquid lyricism, echoed vocals and the lazy rhythm of the bass for my stress to melt away.
Throwing on this song feels like I’ve slept through the day and am waking up right as dusk falls and the world is settling down…fitting, considering I lose so much time just listening to Men I Trust’s music.
In a line, Show Me How sounds like five of the most laidback people in the world poured their nonchalance into one song that I get to enjoy over and over again.
Curious, I spoke to other members of The CANNAVIST team to see what their go-to de-stressing tracks were…here’s what they came back with.
NEARLY ALL OF US HAVE THAT ONE SONG THAT WE TURN TO WHEN THINGS GET ROUGH; THAT POP HIT OR OBSCURE HIDDEN GEM THAT HELPS US UNWIND AND CHANGES OUR MOOD FOR THE BETTER.
“Nothing gets me out of a sad slump faster than this song, blasted on high volume while cruising home with my car windows down.
“I don’t know if its Chris Martin’s endlessly positive vocals, the absolute singability of the lyrics or the occasional crashing of drums…something about it just makes me happy.”
“Hands down, this is the best version of this song ever…though I know that might be a bit of a hot take for all those Callum Scott fans out there.
“I don’t know how to explain why I love it so much; it just makes me want to sing, dance and forget about whatever’s got me down.
“I have a lot of love for Robyn as an artist, her energetic tracks and karaokeworthy lyrics have lifted my spirits more times than I can count.”
“I don’t think Bon Iver has ever put out a song I don’t like; Roslyn in particular is an acoustic masterpiece and virtually everything he’s done with Taylor Swift has been flawless.
“He has a mastery over storytelling and his lyricism is second to none… especially with the track re:stacks.
“In it, he draws comparisons between gambling and lost love, orchestrating a wistful musical landscape that I can’t help but get lost in.”
“It’s just the nostalgia of it…that’s what makes this a relaxing track for me.
“No matter where I am, no matter what my mood, I can just throw on this soulful classic and be instantly thrust back to my youth.
“It reminds me of old times, surrounded by friends, family and loved ones who are sadly no longer with us…and those precious memories are remedy enough to cure my daily blues.”
“I can’t lie, Dermot is my first choice of artist to listen to at pretty much anytime.
“Not only is his music chilled and powerful, but I can also sing along to it…which is a massive plus in my book.”
“This song reminds me that, even though we may be caught in the daily grind or stuck scrolling the hours away behind a screen, we are still a part of nature.
“Despite the endless commutes, the hours spent working and the stresses of life, we are all human beings who are all capable of amazing things…of changing the future.
“Pyramid of Time makes me want to get outside and surround myself in all the small wonders of the world, be that the changing colours of the leaves or the gentle drifting of the clouds.
“It reminds me of my personal purpose in life, to help others and to help make the world a kinder place for all.”
“Sinatra…what a performer! His voice, his looks, his smile and his style were all emblematic of big band jazz in a way unmatched by any other artist.
“His music was original, classic and undeniably nostalgic and when it comes to ‘world on a string’ everything about him comes together in perfect fashion.
“The orchestra and his harmony are on point and you can’t help but wear a smile when it plays.”
“I’m the kind of person who’s almost always dancing; music or not I will jump up at a moment’s notice and move like EVERYBODY is watching…and I love it.
“So it only makes sense that my pick-me-up song has the same energy and what’s better than this Cuban-infused hit from pop icon Camilla Cabello.
“Underneath the grooving instrumental and occasional dashing of brass, this song tells a beautiful and empowering story…I adore the lyric ‘it’s just life, baby’.”
“Steps has been my favourite band for as long as I can remember…I wouldn’t be surprised if I was bopping my head to the group’s dance-pop anthems before I could even walk.
“When I hit play on this track in particular, all my stress just melts away; it’s as though everything is right in the world for a brief three minutes of nineties nostalgia.
“This song always conjures up images of the group dancing around a renaissance party, with me in the background, carelessly relaxing in the comfort of a stately manor.”
“This is a track that I can connect with massively; it has literally been my most played Spotify song for four years running.
“The fact that a rapper can harmonise his voice with such skill is something that will never fail to impress me…and when the volume and the bass are cranked up high it only gets better.
“And it’s not just this song, XXXTENTACION’s entire ‘17’ album is a dark ode to trauma that’s helped me come to terms with my own hardships.”
“One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite movies of all time ‘Sleeping with the Enemy’…what’s not to love about Brown-Eyed Girl?
“There’s a relatability to the film; a woman goes through a horrible, awful ordeal, but she emerges from her struggles and is eventually free.
“As the flick fades to the credits, she finds well deserved happiness and that lifts my spirits…this song is just a reminder of that.”
“In 27 perfectly selected words, this breath-taking show of sonic mastery from M83 encapsulates sadness and longing in a way no other medium has.
“The intro is carefully guided by powerful vocals that feel as though they are being yelled into nothing and quietly whispered all at once.
“And when the ringing instrumental – not unlike an orchestra warming up – reaches its climax and the line ‘I’m on’ ushers in an emotionally-charged explosion of sound…I feel a musical transcendence that’s yet unmatched.”
…
Words: Oliver Smith and Lucy BoothIt’s getting to that time of year when a world of falling leaves and shifting temperatures becomes the playground for everyone’s least favourite winter visitor…
This season of sickness is defined by high fevers and a symphony of sniffles, as countless people
suffer at the indiscriminate and infectious hand of the cold-weather bug.
Some try to power through and drag themselves to the office, while others spend days tucked under blankets in a bid to get better.
But no matter how you choose to deal with it, there’s a couple of certainties when it comes to the flu…nobody wants to catch it and its a miserable experience for those who do.
Luckily, our home-brewed hero Lucy Booth is prepared for the worst and has devised two soothing remedies to help fight the sickness…and the best part is, they’re vegan.
The CANNAVIST’s very own Lucy Booth outlines two of her favourite winter bug remedies as we enter the colder seasons.
Peppermint leaves contain a number of essential oils that can be released when steeped in hot water.
Herbal teas made using peppermint have long been hailed for their reported health benefits, with many saying that they may help soothe headaches and even improve sleep.
You may not have heard of yarrow before, but now you have, there’s a real chance you’re going to want to get your hands on some.
It’s said that this herb is an anti-inflammatory and can improve digestion, with some looking to yarrow tea as a holistic way to alleviate symptoms of illness.
Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to stick your tastebuds in a nettle bush and suffer the stinging consequences.
This plant has actually been celebrated for its purported positive health effects, with nettles being thought to be anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-stringent and anti-inflammatory.
There are some sources that suggest nettle tea can boost the immune system and can help the body fight off infection.
I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve been told about the ‘amazing’ properties of ginger tea…but I’ll tell you something, there’s a reason it has such a good reputation.
Ginger has been used to treat ailments for thousands of years and contains compounds that are thought to be beneficial to heart and brain health.
It’s also reported that the spicy root can ease nausea, as well as relieve pain and inflammation.
· Fill a mug with freshly boiled water and add one heaped teaspoon of the immuni-tea to an infuser.
· Steep for three to four minutes.
· Enjoy.
This tea is fine to drink in the morning and in the evening, but you should consume no more than two cups per day.
Jam-packed with desirable micronutrients, these juicy sources of goodness can offer a whole host of positive effects.
By providing vitamin C they can contribute to healthy bones, blood vessels and skin and their high vitamin K content mean they can help regulate clotting.
Elderberries are rich in Vitamin C and fibre, which means they could bring with them the known benefits of these nutrients.
They also contain antioxidants and it’s thought that they might help promote improved heart health.
Health information group ‘Healthline’ once used the terms ‘vitamin superstar’ and ‘powerhouse plant’ when describing the benefits of blackcurrants.
It’s thought that they may boost the immune system and could have a positive effect on the heart, not to mention that they contain important nutrients like vitamin A, B and E.
Consume 5ml of the syrup – which should be made using the aformentioned ingredients as well as organic unrefined brown sugartwice per day.
This would ideally be in the morning and early evening, but as long as the doses are well spaced it is fine.
The syrup can also be added to hot water to make a soothing and warming drink if preferred.
The information in this story should not be viewed as medical guidance. The remedies we outline are not proven health treatments and should not be taken in place of actual medicines.
If you need guidance on easing flu symptoms, consult with and seek advice from a doctor or medical professional.
Some of the ingredients listed above may also not be appropriate for pregnant women and this should be considered before trying the recipies.
Calls to rethink the way we measure healthy weight ring on as it’s revealed some of our favourite Hollywood hunks are technically obese.
Words: Jordan Millar“It’s a measure of size , not health. ”
Between his bulging biceps and buff chest, it’s no shock that the former pro-wrestler turned silver screen goliath sets hearts racing the world over.
After all, he has played mighty demi-gods, near-indestructible supervillains, powerful warriors and, of course, loveable CIA agents…more often than not with a shirtless scene thrown in.
So would it surprise you to learn that this picture of seemingly perfect health is technically obese?
According to shocking new estimations, Dwayne Johnson – along with a host of other super fit celebs – is clinically overweight… well, at least when you look at BMI.
To be classified as healthy under the long critisised method for assessing physical wellbeing, you need a body mass index score of between 18.5 and 24.9.
But when you key in Johnson’s reported height and weight, he has a BMI of 30.7, landing him firmly in the ‘obesity’ category.
Naturally, this has sparked questions over the reliability of BMI as a means to determine healthy weight, with many warning that it doesn’t discern between muscle mass and fat.
One critic called the formula a ‘useless measure’ while others labelled it an ‘absurdly dumb metric’, highlighting that it wasn’t even devised by a doctor, but by a mathematician…in the 1830s.
This isn’t even the first time that the measurement has been challenged, with numerous experts suggesting it should be replaced with a more effective alternative.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, obesity researcher Dr Arya Sharma, stressed that BMI is a ‘measure of size, not health’.
He said: “Obesity is a medical diagnosis that should be based on the presence of health impairments resulting from excess body fat; it is not diagnosed simply by stepping on a scale.”
Sharma’s comments have been echoed by medical student Irfan Khan, who led the latest study highlighting the pitfalls of the body mass index.
Alongside a team of researchers, he set out to find the best way to predict the risk of death and disease brought on by obesity…and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it wasn’t BMI.
After comparing data from more than 50,000 deceased adults, he reported that waistto-hip ratio was a ‘stronger’ and ‘more consistent’ method.
Khan - a student at University College Cork – warned that BMI doesn’t account for fat distribution, a ‘major limitation’ that WHR addresses.
In the wake of the research, he recommended that clinicians use the WHR measure when a patient wants to know if they are at a healthy weight.
The findings of the study were presented at the latest meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes as evidence against the long relied upon BMI scale.
Khan has also said the fact that celebrities like Dwayne Johnson are technically obese under BMI, ‘captures the main point’ of his study and exemplifies the shortcomings of the historically critisised metric.
Stunned by Johnson’s mindblowing results, we decided to put the data from a handful of other Hollywood hunks through a BMI calculator to see how they fared.
When it comes to pure physical power, there are few Hollywood superstars who can out-muscle Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
He may have defeated powerful gods as Thor and survived endless gunfire in Extraction but THIS could be the biggest challenge that actor Chris Hemsworth has faced so far.
Hollywood hunk Chris Hemsworth is ‘unlocking the secrets’ to a longer, healthier life in his death defying new show, ‘Limitless’.
Produced by National Geographic, the six episode mini-series will see the star undergo a selection of ‘epic trials and extraordinary challenges’ as he tries to discover the limits of the human body.
The show, created by acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky, explores new research into how we can fight illness and aging, using Hemsworth and his superhero physique as a muscle-bound guinea pig.
In the ‘Limitless’ trailer, the actor said: “I may be in pretty decent shape and I look like an immortal Norse god…but I know the clock is already ticking.
“So I’m teaming up with the world’s leading longevity experts and am taking on six of the toughest tests of my life.
“I want to discover how we can all unlock the secrets of living a healthier, longer life…how hard can that be?”
Promotional clips for the show saw Hemsworth taking a swim in ice cold water, balancing atop a stomachturningly tall skyscraper and suspended high above a woodland terrain as he tackled a grueling 100ft rope climb.
It also revealed that he would attempt to navigate the Australian outback using ‘only his mind’ and ‘reboot his system’ by going four days without food. Throughout the teaser, Hemsworth joked that he may have lost his mind and repeatedly asked ‘why am I doing this?’ before saying death was very much a concern.
He said: “I’m outside of my comfort zone further than I’ve ever been, but what scares me is not being able to play with my grandkids, be active and do all the things I love to do.”
Alongside the more dangerous and hair-raising feats, the show also forced Hemsworth to face his own mortality.
In one episode, reportedly called ‘Acceptance’, he spends three days in a retirement home while wearing a restrictive suit that supposedly makes everything a challenge…even simply moving.
When he announced the new Disney+ original on social media, the ‘Thor’ star joked that the best way for him to live a longer and healthier life is ‘apparently to risk it many times for the purposes of entertainment’.
He then invited fans to join him on one of the most difficult physical and mental tests of his life as he explores the bounds of ‘human potential’.
Throughout the show, Hemsworth was joined by the likes of Psychologist Modupe Akinola, extreme adventurer and athlete Ross Edgley and his own brothers Liam and Luke.
Limitless was made available to stream on Disney+ on November 16.
What better way to spread the plant-based movement
the help of internet favourites like ‘Mocking SpongeBob’ or ‘Surprised Pikachu’.
Words: Jordan MillarThe vegan community is vast and diverse, populated by people from all walks of life who have gathered behind one unwavering message.
WE MUST NOT EXPLOIT ANIMALS.
Some adopt suits and suave to push this notion through political advocacy, while others coordinate petitions and protests in a more grassroots approach.
Then there are those virtual plant-based warriors, who continue to support the vegan movement using perhaps one of the greatest tools of mass communication ever devised…memes.
Whether classic templates like ‘Bad Luck Brian’ and ‘Distracted Boyfriend’ or more recent – and increasingly bizarre – formats like ‘Giga Chad’, these rib-tickling images have long dominated social platforms across the internet.
So it’s no surprise that vegan activists are using them to encourage more people to ditch animalproducts, as well as to celebrate their own crueltyfree lifestyles.
We trawled through the Twitter-sphere and other online spaces to find just a few of the funniest and most relatable meat-free memes out there.
than with
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR TOP CHOICES...
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We so often hear that minerals and an alphabetised list of vitamins are key to living a healthy life, but how many of us actually know what they do?
Like a broken record they would warn me that I needed to get my vitamins and minerals if I ever wanted to ‘grow big and strong’…and like a good son, I did as I was told.
But it’s not until recently, as I’ve started to take better care of my eating habits and personal wellbeing, that I’ve really come to understand the true value of a
balanced diet.
Finally, I have a real grasp as to why I need to hit my daily recommended dose of micronutrients and have a better understanding of what they can actually do for my body.
Eager to help others improve their wellness, I wanted to pass some of my newfound knowledge onto The CANNAVIST readers.
In this brief cheat sheet, I give an insight into five essential vitamins or minerals, outlining their potential benefits and some of the best places to source them.
This micronutrient is usually one you don’t have to worry about, as – according to the NHS – most people can absorb as much vitamin D as they need through sunlight.
However, as we encroach on the winter months, days become darker and the sky grows increasingly gloomy…this natural source of goodness is suddenly in short supply.
Vitamin D primarily helps the body regulate calcium and phosphate, meaning it’s an essential ingredient for healthy bones, teeth and muscles.
Experts warn that a vitamin D deficiency can lead to ‘bone deformities and pain’ with the government recommending taking supplements throughout winter to make up for the lack of sun.
Commonly found in spinach, nuts and wholegrains, this powerful mineral can reportedly deliver a host of benefits to the body.
Not only does it help the us convert food into energy, but sources suggest that consuming the right amount of magnesium may also have a positive impact on blood sugar, sleep, athleticism and more.
According to the NHS, adult males between 19 and 64 should take in around 300mg of magnesium per day, while women in the same age bracket need a slightly lower amount at 270mg.
However, while it’s wise to try and meet the recommended dose, experts also warn that consuming too much magnesium can be ‘harmful’ and should be avoided.
If you’re anything like me, your childhood was soundtracked by parents repeatedly telling you to eat your vegetables.
The featured star of basically any yogurt advert, calcium is famously hailed for its bone building benefits.
But this crucial mineral isn’t a one trick pony, having also been shown to help regulate muscle contractions and ensure that blood clots normally.
You would typically look to dairy products like milk and cheese as sources for calcium – which is bad news for vegans – but there are plenty of plant-based options as well.
The NHS highlights ‘green leafy vegetables’ like curly kale and okra, as well as soya drinks infused with calcium, as other choices…much better alternatives for all those meat-avoiders.
You may not know this, but zinc lends an important hand in a number of essential bodily functions including creating new cells.
According to some health groups, it can also aid the immune system and help in processing macronutrients like protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Curiously, the body doesn’t naturally produce zinc, which means you need to access this mineral through diet or supplements.
Some recommended sources of zinc include meat, shellfish and dairy, but The Vegan Society outlines foods like beans, lentils, walnuts and hemp seeds as meat-free alternatives.
I’m sure we’ve all heard the tales of pirates who would sail the seven seas, living a life of danger…only to fall ill with scurvy.
This may be because they didn’t have regular access to fruits like oranges or strawberries and so weren’t consuming enough vitamin C…after all, you can’t just pop to the grocers while in the middle of the Pacific.
This essential nutrient is important for keeping cells, blood vessels, bones and cartilage healthy.
It also reportedly plays a role in healing wounds, which would probably be useful if you spend your days dodging canon fire and cutlasses.
And while most of us aren’t living the pirate life, it’s still crucial that we get enough vitamin C, which can be found in potatoes, sprouts, citrus fruits, blackcurrants and more.
Disclaimer: The information above shouldn’t be taken as medical guidance. If you want to learn more about which vitamins and minerals you should consume and why, consult your doctor or a trusted medical resource.
Activist group PETA is taking the eco-battle to the bedroom with its controversial new plan to turn men vegan.
The non-profit said over-indulging in animal products is a climate-killing form of toxic masculinity and suggested forced celibacy as a way to get men to think twice before scarfing down sausages.
It claimed that the science ‘speaks for itself’, pointing to evidence that males are responsible for 41 percent more greenhouse emissions than women…which PETA said is primarily due to their ‘eating habits’.
In a Twitter post demanding we ‘hold men accountable’, the group said that a sex ban may be the ‘only solution to the climate catastrophe’ followed by a winking emoji.
The group further justified their reasons in a blog post, saying: “We all know them; the suburban men with beer bottles in hand, brandishing tongs while cooking sausages on their expensive gas grills.
“These barbeque masters believe they can prove their masculinity to themselves and their fellow humans through their consumption of meat.
“But now research shows their impact on the climate is disproportionately large, they should take steps to rectify that…and that’s why PETA’s proposing a strike on sex with meat-eating men.”
PETA – which reportedly also called for a 41 percent meat tax for men – warned fathers would need to swap out their grills for a vegan lifestyle if they want their kids to ‘have a future on a habitable planet’.
Unsurprisingly, the organisation’s proposed sex ban sparked major backlash, with thousands making a mockery of the controversial suggestion.
And though PETA representatives said it was less a serious idea and more a ‘tongue in cheek’ way to get people talking about the environment, critics were quick to call it a ‘sexist proposition’.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, broadcaster and self-proclaimed meat avoider Kevin O’Sullivan said: “I kind of want to congratulate PETA for this initiative.
“It’s very eye-catching, we’re discussing it and it’s been in all the papers…but of course it’s absurd.”
The Talk TV host condemned the animal charity for wrongfully painting all men as ‘blokes with big grills’ who cook up and scoff steaks while their wives ‘exist on a diet of lettuce’.
O’Sullivan said: “Why is it that men should be banned from eating meat by being banned from having sex…what about women who eat meat, why aren’t they banned from having sex as well?”
He added that the suggested ban also depicts sex as a ‘duty’ or ‘service’ that women supply to men and can withdraw to influence their actions.
O’Sullivan’s outrage was echoed across Twitter, with a stampede of furious people – including meat-eating women – hitting back at PETA’s proposal.
We trawled through the mass of comments, quote tweets and memes to bring you just a taste of what they had to say.
In an ‘absurd’ bid to save the planet, animal rights organisation PETA is proposing a sex strike against men who eat meat.
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One of the biggest names to ever step into the ring, John Cena, recently earned himself yet another title…but he didn’t have to break a chair over anyone’s back for this one.
Words: Jordan MillarYou may know him from his WWE days or as a Hollywood action hero, but for hundreds of children around the globe, John Cena is a muscle-bound fairy godfather.
In fact, the wrestling champion is so committed to making dreams come true, that he’s literally set a world record for it.
Over a two decade long collaboration with the Make-a-Wish foundation, Cena has granted the ‘wishes’ of 650 sick or terminally-ill kids…more than
anyone else in the non-profit’s 42-year history. Amazingly, he’s actually the only person to ever exceed more than 400 wishes total, meaning he’s fulfilled over 50 percent more than his closest contender.
The star’s ‘herculean’ feat of altruism was confirmed by Guinness World Records, which also gave a brief snapshot of his charitable past.
It highlighted that The Suicide Squad actor granted his first ‘wish’ way back in 2002, highlighting that he is the single ‘most requested’ celebrity.
Speaking on his work with the foundation, which strives to create ‘life-changing’ experiences for
I’VE ALWAYS SAID THAT BEING A PART OF MAKE-A-WISH AND BEING ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FOUNDATION IS SOMETHING EXTRA SPECIAL.
critically ill children, Cena once said he would ‘drop everything’ to do his part.
In a recent interview with actress Drew Barrymore, he said the reason he loves the foundation is because, out of all the things the children can choose to do, they want to ‘go kick it with John Cena and watch him wrestle’.
He said: “That is the coolest thing I’ve ever heard in my life; it means something I’m passionate about affects people…I can be a vehicle to help make a wish come true.
“These individuals are tougher than I could ever imagine, are going through a set of circumstances I just can’t believe and they get to just leave all that stuff at the door.”
The Guinness World Records official release was accompanied by a heart-warming video looking back at Cena’s first 500 wishes.
Pulled from the World Wrestling Enterprise (WWE) YouTube channel, the near two and a half minute montage showed the great lengths he has gone to lift the spirits of children over the years.
It included clips of Cena interacting with his young fans, repeating the iconic ‘you can’t see me’ catchphrase, surrounded by beaming smiles and dressed in a variety of bright outfits and branded merch.
The touching video also showed him bringing along championship belts from his successful wrestling career to meet-ups and taking children into the ring – though, it goes without saying, not to fight.
In it, Cena said: “I can’t say enough about how cool it is to see a kid happy and a family so happy…I really want to make them feel like it’s truly their day.
“I’ve always said that being a part of Make-a-Wish and being able to contribute to the foundation is something extra special.”
Speaking candidly, he added: “You were somebody’s wish…that doesn’t even sound right to say, but it certainly makes you feel good.”
Forever flexing his biggest muscle – his heart – Cena has also been the face of the ‘Be a Star’ anti-bullying campaign and regularly makes donations to various charities.
John Cena’s unmatched charitable efforts not only warmed our hearts, but also got us thinking…are there any more incredible or touching record breakers out there?
Curious, we hit the books – or rather the Guinness World Records website – to see which other feats of compassion and displays of determination were making history. Here are a few of our favourites.
A whopping plant-based burger, created by UK foodproducer Finnebrogue Artisan has been crowned the largest in the world.
Weighing in at 162.5kg the mighty meat-free culinary achievement was wrapped in an enormous bun and topped with onions, burger sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles, as well as vegan bacon and cheese.
The burger took nine hours to cook and demolished the target of 100kg, with Finnebrogue Innovation Process Manager Sean Kearney saying the team knew it wanted to exceed that weight ‘from the outset’.
In a record-setting effort led by the non-profit Sempervirens Fund, 593 people posted pictures of themselves embracing nature (literally) to Instagram over a one hour period.
The eco-organisation’s #HugATreeChallenge – in honour of Earth Day - was a monumental display of care for the planet and far exceeded the minimum target of 500 photos.
Sempervirens Fund Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Matthew Shaffer has since thanked those who ‘showed their love for trees and helped establish a Guinness World Record’.
Are you a fan of the animated classic Lady and the Tramp…because it seems that the participants of this record breaking meal might be.
Organised by housing association Upgrade Estate, the effort saw 433 pairs of people – which Guinness reports were mostly couples – sharing spaghetti in the style of Disney’s most famous doting dogs.
Under the attempt, which took place at Belgium’s Flanders Expo, the spaghetti could NOT break, which means each of the 400 plus couples had to kiss.
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Finding love is a near-universal challenge and knowing where to look can be even harder, so we’ve outlined a few places you could make a lasting connection.
For some reason, we just love watching as a dozen or so ‘sexy singles’ are jetted off to some sunkissed villa where they compete to find that special someone.
Or shamelessly tuning in week after week to check if our favourite couple will stay together or whether they’ll break up in a fiery ratings-boosting row.
And though we may look to these serialized dating experiences as a great way to meet potential partners – all while getting a tan and boosting our Instagram following in the process - this isn’t always the reality.
Barring a few exceptional circumstances, the truth is that these shows rarely spark lasting love connections…instead acting as the catalyst for a TV-ready concoction of lust, flings, fights and heartbreak.
If you’re truly looking for romance, there are plenty of options to try before resorting to bars and clubs; or worse still, signing the dotted line to appear in the next season of the hottest new dating show.
In this story, we highlight just a few of the places you can go to try and meet like-minded lonely hearts…without a camera crew filming your near-every move.
Whether it’s cooking, pottery, archery or literature, there are plenty of subjects you can choose from…you could even learn a new language and get some practice by striking up conversations with your classmates.
Even if you don’t find that special someone, this at least presents a brilliant opportunity to expand your mind and learn a new skill.
Why not combine your hunt for love with a hint of charity and look for connections at local volunteering events and groups.
This will not only give you the chance to stretch your altruistic legs, but also to explore a pool of new potential partners who believe in the same causes as you…not a bad way to break the ice.
As a nation, we can’t seem to get enough of reality dating shows.
Are you tired of the blind dates and just want to find someone who shares your ideals and interests?
One way to meet people who are interested in the same things as you is by attending local adult classes or workshops.
If you’re a major bookworm hoping to start a new chapter in your romantic life, or just want someone to share a page turner with…bookstores might be your ideal place to find a date.
Not only do they create a calm, relaxing environment – unlike the thumping music and booze-soaked floors of night clubs – but the abundance of ‘must read’ titles means you have a literal library of topics to discuss.
Plus, the chances of them being a secret stalker/serial killer with a shadowy past and devilish good looks – à la Netflix’s romantic thriller ‘You’ – are pretty low.
Struggling to hit the weights and in need of an excuse to start working out…how about if it’s to find love?
There are bootcamps up and down the country full of people who are trying to better themselves and your newest love connection may well be one of them.
Of course, this depends on if you’re in shape enough to flirt in-between sets and you must ensure you exercise the right etiquette in this or any environment – that means don’t bother people if they’re not interested.
The internet, a virtual Swiss army knife that comes complete with the tools you need to do…well pretty much anything.
Between the mountains of blogs and the endless online marketplaces, there are countless platforms designed specifically to help lonely hearts meet one another, including heavy hitters like Bumble and Tinder.
Naturally, a few of these services leave a lot to be desired, but if you do the research and find the right sites or apps, you could be arranging dates in no time.
As we approach the end of 2022, we highlight a few easy and manageable green-focused resolutions for you to consider.
Words: Jordan MillarAs the clock hits midnight and we reach the end of yet another year, a chorus of whispered (or drunkenly shouted) promises will no doubt be cast out to the universe.
Countless party-goers, empowered by the spirit of the holiday – or more likely the spirits in their glasses – will announce their hopes and ambitions for the next twelve months.
Some might say they’ll quit alcohol or learn a new language, while others may finally commit to that longavoided skydiving experience…but sadly, these resolutions will likely fall flat.
And despite stumbling and slurring their way into January 1 with a fresh optimism…by as early as the next morning, many will have resigned to life as it was before.
So why not break the annual cycle, stop undertaking impossible life changes and use your resolution for something a little different this year?
Rather than pursuing unachievable challenges and targets, you could make a small commitment to help the planet instead.
This could be as simple as using a vegan-friendly milk alternative in your much-needed morning coffee or trading in the fast fashion for a few cruelty-free choice wardrobe additions.
No matter what you choose, by swapping those quickly-abandoned staple pledges for more manageable green options, you could not only help the environment but also see your next yearly vow through to the end.
To help find a resolution that works for you, we’ve outlined a handful of planet-saving promises…take your pick.
Cutting out meat altogether can certainly seem like a daunting challenge, but what about eating vegan for just a few days every week?
New research revealed that if all UK adults went meat-free for two out of seven days, it would be the equivalent to planting almost 14 billion trees and would reduce the nation’s annual greenhouse emissions by 291 million metric tonnes.
Of course, if you do feel like taking the leap and going vegan fulltime then be our guest, but this will certainly help ease you into the lifestyle while relieving pressure on the planet.
Whether it’s moisturiser, hair serum, wrinkle treatments or odour-killing anti-perspirants, we all have those key products for our daily self-care routine.
But have you ever taken a moment to double check the environmental impact of your essentials?
One small and easy way you can pledge to protect the planet, is by swapping out any damaging or nature-harming products for sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives.
How many times have you seen an Instagram reel promoting a peaceful green-protest or a tweet highlighting the latest eco-atrocity and simply scrolled past?
Even if you don’t fancy braving the rain, wind or snow with a placard in hand, you can still support the environmental movements you believe in through the power of social media.
Under this resolution, you can make more of an effort to hit share on advocacy posts and help spread the message across your virtual network.
It might seem simple, but too many of us are still throwing our recyclables in with the general rubbish…or worse, shoving anything and everything into the dedicated recycling bin.
Not only is it easier than ever to properly dispose of waste products, but this is a really easy change to make if you want to help the environment.
By familiarising yourself with what exactly can and can’t be recycled and making an effort to stick to it, you can help save Earth one plastic bottle and tin can at a time.
Much like sharing social media posts from green advocates, signing petitions is another easy way you can push the eco-message.
It goes without saying, you should only do this for topics that you agree with, but with literally thousands of movements in need of support, there are plenty for you to choose from.
This resolution asks that you take the time to sign petitions that you truly back, instead of just giving them a cursory glance or ignoring them completely.
Plastic bottles, wasteful straws and damp mountains of paper towels are all a bane on the planet…and one that we can strive to avoid.
By pledging to move away from single-use products and incorporating reusable alternatives into your day-to-day life, you can noticably decrease your own footprint on the environment.
There are countless options for you to choose from online, but if you want to take things one step further you can buy locally and stop your orders being transported by plane and car.
We’re sure you’ve heard this one before, but by avoiding cars and taxis in favour of public transport options, you can reduce your emissions and fuel-use.
Most major cities have extensive bus, tram or tube services that can get you where you need to be at a lesser cost to the planet.
If you want to minimise your environmental impact even more, you can also strive to walk or cycle where possible.
Though it can be tempting to kit yourself out with the latest fast fashion must-haves in an endless struggle to keep up with shifting trends …this is no way to tackle environmental concerns.
By pledging to only shop second hand – or buying timeless clothing items that you can keep coming back to – you could dress more sustainably and stop supporting an industry that continues to wear down the planet.
As a bonus resolution, you could also donate your old clothes or sell them on secondhand sites instead of just throwing them away when you’re finished with them.
“AVATAR: THE WAY OF THE WATER BEGINS TO TELL THE STORY OF THE SULLY FAMILY AND THE TROUBLE THAT FOLLOWS THEM.”
The record-breaking movie Avatar is finally getting a sequel… but will it carry the same harrowing environmental message as its blockbusting predecessor.
There are few films that better encapsulate the need to protect our planet than the sci-fi smash hit Avatar. The passion project of acclaimed director James Cameron, this silver screen spectacle follows a violent conflict for control of the fictional moon Pandora.
It introduced viewers to the Na’vi; a race of towering, blue-skinned aliens who are tirelessly fighting to stop human invaders and their destructive mission to purge the world of its natural resources.
At the centre of this battle was Jake Sully, a paraplegic who, with the help of futuristic bodyswapping tech, was tasked with infiltrating the native population…and expelling them from their home. But after he spends time with the Na’vi and his eventual love interest Neytiri – played by Zoe Saldaña – he realised that humanity was a villainous force that had to be stopped.
The film culminated in an epic battle, with the Na’vi - aided by Sully and a few like-minded earthlings –sacrificing life and limb in a rebellion against their intergalactic aggressors.
It isn’t a huge leap to frame Avatar as an allegory for humanity’s mistreatment of its own planet, showing our penchant for deforestation and pollution in horrifying detail.
There’s no question that the blockbuster movie was
a raging success, demolishing previous records and becoming the undefeated highest grossing movie of all time.
Fast forward thirteen years and fans are finally being treated to the second installment of the multi-billion-dollar Avatar franchise with the highlyanticipated ‘Way of the Water’.
The question now is whether the sequel will carry on the theme of environmental conservation and continue Cameron’s unrivalled cinematic success.
If early footage and promotional materials are anything to go by, this very much looks to be the case.
Reflecting the first film, the Way of the Water trailer featured sweeping shots of an intricate and vibrant alien ecosystem.
It reintroduced us to the world of Pandora 10 years after the events of the first movie, showing us how Sully was now settled into his Na’vi body and as a member of the native community.
But between clips of hovering rock formations and Na’vi playfully exploring awe-inspiring waterscapes… the teaser made clear that not all is well on this peaceful celestial haven.
Stunning CGI shots of the alien terrain were quickly replaced with war-torn environments and weaponwielding warriors in the midst of battle.
The official synopsis for the film said: “Avatar: The Way of the Water begins to tell the story of the Sully family – Jake, Neytiri and their kids – and the trouble that follows them.”
It confirmed that the upcoming blockbuster release would catalogue the ‘tragedies’ they endure as they fight to stay alive and keep each other safe.
During the trailer, Sully can be heard saying ‘I know one thing, family is our fortress’…but a fortress against what we are yet to find out.
The Way of the Water is slated to hit cinemas on December 16 and is one of four planned upcoming sequels to the original Avatar hit.
Films and TV are rife with lovable stoner characters… here we outline just four of our favourites.
Words: Oliver SmithFrom the buff, brainless jock to the shy bookworm turned stunning prom queen, Hollywood movies are brimming with familiar personalities.
Often broad strokes representations of different niche groups, you’ve likely seen these on-screen stereotypes a thousand times before.
In fact, some filmmakers use the ever-recognisable ‘dismissive goth girl’ or glasses-clad ‘geek’ so heavily, that they will literally divide background characters into clearly separated cliques.
And while the movies buffs at The CANNAVIST are 100 percent in support of complex and unique characters, there is one stereotype that we can’t help but adore…the stoner.
For us, it’s almost impossible not to love those wide-grinned cannabis users or laugh out loud at the comical antics brought on by their penchant for pot.
So, to honour one of the chilliest group of characters to ever grace the screen, we’ve narrowed down our four favourite stoners from TV and film.
The most beloved character to come from the iconic stoner flick ‘Pineapple Express’, Saul Silver is best described as a friendly neighbourhood drug dealer/avid opera enthusiast.
His flowing hair and quintessential pot head attire paint him as one of the most laid-back people you could ever meet…that is unless he’s looping you into some high-stress manhunt led by a murderous crime boss.
But despite all the sticky situations he gets himself and those around him into, all Saul really wants to do is hang-out, smoke cross joints, kick back with his pals and take care of his grandmother (bubby).
A latecomer to Netflix’s supernatural mega-hit Stranger Things, this longhaired pizza delivery boy oozes a pure stoner spirit.
Played by Eduardo Franco, the character of Argyle quickly became a fan favourite, with his relaxed attitude making him a righteous addition to the show’s already popular main cast.
Argyle’s blood runs so thick with 4/20 energy, that he takes the time to celebrate cannabis whenever he gets the chance, even making a marijuanathemed birdbox in the early episodes of season four.
Slater is a high-school burnout who plays sidekick to Matthew McConaughey’s breakout character David Wooderson in this iconic coming of age flick.
The film follows a group of teens celebrating the last day of high school in true partying fashion and Slater, the resident pothead, is a comical addition to the ensemble cast.
His light-hearted outlook and – yet again – flowing locks are just some of the reasons that audiences see him as the epitome of the stoner archetype.
In this cult classic, actor Jeff Bridges plays a flip-flop wearing, vodka drinking pothead who accidentally gets caught up in a kidnapping case after he is mistaken for a different Lebowski. But even when facing home invasions, beatings and all the dangers that come with negotiating a hostage situation, The Dude manages to maintain his cool peaceful aura…for the most part.
When he’s not tip-toeing through the criminal underground in search of a replacement for his vandalised rug, the titular Lebowski spends his time bowling and practicing the ‘dudeism’ philosophy.
As we encroach on winter, it’s easy to get bogged down by cold and miserable weatherso we’re here to remind you of the beauty of the season.
Words: Oliver SmithIt’s around this time of year that many of us will start longing for those far away summer days.
We’ll yearningly think back to afternoons spent lounging in the sun, when we would dress down in shorts and swimwear as we enjoyed a cheeky poolside cocktail.
As the biting air leaves our noses red and the baking sun tucks behind a perpetual curtain of cold, we cross our ever numb fingers and hope that the hot weather will return once again.
For many, the festive holidays are the only respite from this season of misery…and even those can be filled with family drama and unwelcome money worries.
But is it possible that we are letting our blues blind us to the true beauty of the colder months?
By gripping those precious summer memories with figurative white knuckles, are we closing ourselves off to the wonders that winter has to offer?
To help you look beyond the blistering cold and increasingly short days, we’ve curated a gallery of images showing exactly why this time of year should be celebrated.
Over the next few pages, we highlight the things we sadly lose during winter and marvellous experiences we get to enjoy in their stead.
Vibrant greenery and sprawling flowers are traded for piles of auburn leaves
Are you still on the hunt for the perfect holiday gift but have had no luck with the usual high-street shops…don’t worry, The CANNAVIST is here to help.
The hopes of advocates around the globe were squashed once again when the World AntiDoping Agency ruled to keep cannabis on its list of banned substances.
Spurred by the requests of a ‘small number of stakeholders’, the organisation DID agree to launch a full review into the drug…but sadly this did nothing to change its stance.
With the help of a team of independent experts, WADA looked at THC – the psychoactive component of cannabis –against three main criteria. These were whether it:
· Has the potential to enhance sport performance
· Represents a health risk to the athlete and
· Violates the spirit of sport (as defined by the body’s code for inclusion)
Following the review, the group said it considered cannabis use ‘against the spirit of sport across a range of areas’ at this time. However, it also clarified that THC is only prohibited for competition and highlighted that the threshold for a positive test was increased from 15 ng/ml to 150 ng/ml in
2013.
This means the level of cannabis needed to trigger an ‘adverse analytical finding’ would be consistent with a ‘significantly impaired athlete or frequent user’, according to the anti-doping agency.
WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said: “The question of how THC should be dealt with in a sporting context is not straightforward.
“We are aware of the diversity of opinions and perceptions related to this substance… and are aware that the laws of many countries support maintaining cannabis on the list at this time.
“WADA plans to continue research in this area in relation with THC’s potential performance enhancing effect, its impact on the health of athletes and also in relation to perceptions of cannabis.”
While THC is still prohibited for competition, CBD remains a permitted substance with athletes using it for rest and recovery.
Class A; a category generally reserved for the most extreme or dangerous of all the illicit drugs.
It’s a group populated by the likes of heroin, cocaine and the star substance of the smash hit TV show Breaking Bad, crystal meth.
These drugs are considered the most ‘harmful’ by regulators and usually carry with them the heaviest punishments…so would it surprise you to learn that some want cannabis to be added to the mix.
A group of high-ranking police commissioners called for the ‘gateway drug’ to be reclassified at a recent Conservative Party Conference.
In the controversial plea, they warned that it’s time to realise it’s not just about ‘a little bit of weed’.
Amongst the group was Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset David Sidwick, who has been incredibly vocal in his belief that cannabis should be a class A substance.
He claimed that the drug is ‘driving harm’ in communities and that there’s a ‘wealth of data’ that warrants re-evaluation of its classification.
In a column for the Daily Mail, he wrote: “There is nothing soft about this drug. It’s impact can be brutal – damaging lives and promoting crime.
“Public policy should be based on that hard reality…I shudder at demands for a more liberal approach to cannabis and believe we should move in the opposite direction.”
Sidwick added: “Make no mistake…this stuff does the same harm as crack and heroin.”
Advocates have hit back at the ‘completely crazy’ proposals to reclassify cannabis, warning that the move would ‘increase crime, violence and child exploitation’.
Peter Reynolds, President of the lobbyist group CLEAR said: “The only people who want this are ignorant politicians and the people who sell illegal drugs…I’m crystal clear about that.
“The idea of doing more of the same as the past 50 years, which has quite obviously dramatically failed, is ridiculous.”
Cannabis activists can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being though, as the Home Office confirmed there are ‘no plans’ to reclassify cannabis from B to A at this time.
Health regulators in Scotland have approved the cannabis-based medicine Sativex for patients with multiple sclerosis.
The ‘lifechanging’ treatment was previously only available on the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
However, the new ruling from the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) means our neighbours to the north will be able to access the medicine more freely.
Sativex is currently the only drug in the UK that is licensed to treat muscular issues brought on by MS and is administered as a mouth spray.
And while it’s only approved to help
Morna Simpkins, the director of MS Society Scotland, welcomed the decision to approve Sativex, saying it could improve the quality of life for those living with the ‘disabling’ condition.
She said: “Sativex has been proven to relieve muscle spasms and their associated pain, leading to increased mobility and better sleep patterns.
“We will continue to work with the SMC, NHS Scotland, individual health boards and neurologists to ensure it quickly becomes available to everyone whose life could be significantly improved by taking it.”
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It seems like it’s positive reviews only for this leading European online seller and ecommerce show.
The White Label World Expo Frankfurt show played host to an international guest list of online retailers, creating a platform for networking, growth and new opportunities.
Big names and world-class companies such as adidas, Forbes, Costa Coffee and Lidl were all in attendance; their presence undoubtably energising the bustling exhibitor hall.
This reportedly caused quite a buzz and proved the two-day event was a place where brands could connect with the juggernauts of their sector.
There was also an impressive cast of speakers at the event, with ‘profound voices’ from the world of ecommerce blessing visitors through a series of must-hear talks.
This made for an educational addition to the show, providing quizzical listeners with informative insights from the likes of Gucci, Lush, Ikea and more.
The Frankfurt 2022 event was such a victory, that the team is already gearing up for next year, with the organisers promising to take the White Label World Expo onwards and upwards from here.
Just a handful of comments and testimonials are all that’s needed to paint a picture of the show and its success amongst attendees. KoKoon Design, a specialist furniture brand and
exhibitor at the expo, said: “We had a fantastic time, met a lot of people and were able to share our knowledge with them.”
This praise was echoed by CEO of Vindicta Digital Marketing James Blake, who said he couldn’t wait to share footage he took while at the show.
He said: “What a fantastic experience to be able to deliver a keynote on the same stage as the speakers from META, L’Oréal and Gucci.
“A massive thank you to all of the team at the White Label World Expo for their support and for having me as a keynote…I cannot wait for the next one!
Positive reviews have been flooding in since the event came to a close, which bodes well for the success of next year’s much-anticipated follow up.
The CBD sector is, without a doubt, one of the most vibrant and evershifting markets on the planet. It’s brimming with like-minded creatives and businessforward entrepreneurs who are all unified behind their passion for the still burgeoning industry. But amongst the countless people working tirelessly to support the market they believe in, there are a handful of shining stars who stand a few steps ahead of the rest.
These CBD champions have truly made their mark on the sector, acting with integrity and drive as they bolster the industry…and the World CBD Awards was a place to honour them.
The three-day event, which also included a B2B expo and a packed conference, recognised those who ‘go the extra mile’ and put a spotlight on their exemplary work on an international stage.
This year’s black-tie ceremony also included a tribute to the late Michael Patterson, former World CBD Awards CEO, and saw the addition of a new industry pioneer award named in his honour.
There were a total 30 awards given out at the event, with some of the big winners including;
Best European Retailer - Holland & Barrett
Best International Retailer - Just CBD
Best European Distributor - Simply Green
Best International Distributor - GenCanna Europe
Best CBD Laboratory - Triverity Labs
Best CBD White Label Taylor Mammon & Nathan Limited
Best Hemp Farmer - Greentech Holdings
Best Raw Material Supplier - GenCanna Europe
CBD Influencer - Kannavape S.R.O
Industry
Product
Best
Most Charitable - Reakiro
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best
Best CBD Sexual Wellness Product - Quanna
Best
Best CBD (SUBLINGUAL) Edible - iX Biopharma
Best CBD (INGESTIBLE) Edible - Kinloch Naturals
Best CBD (HOT) Beverage - MAXX4 Life
Best CBD (COLD) Beverage - MYND Drinks
Best CBD (ALCOHOL) Beverage - Aqua Sativa
Most loved Brand - Orange County CBD
Best Isolate Based Tincture Taylor Mammon & Nathan Limited
Best Extract Based Tincture - Reakiro
Pioneer
Industry
Every detail, elevated Snap out of it
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Of all the places to host an international CBD show, there are few more beautiful than Paris.
So when thousands flocked to the capital city for CBD Expo France, there’s no doubt their travels were marked by iconic views and dynamic architecture.
Even the event itself, which played host to more than 75 exhibitors and over 5,000 professionals, was a sight to behold.
The halls of the Paris Event Center, which also acted as the venue for the conjoined show Vapexpo Paris, were full of life and energy.
Masses of bodies worked their way through the stands to see what companies had brought to the table and exactly what the industry had to offer.
In fact, we think some might go as far as to describe the CBD Expo Paris as near enough picture perfect…and here’s some images of the event to prove it.
Preheat the oven to 180°C and drizzle two baking tins with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Peel the butternut squash and dice into small cubes, then place onto one of the baking tins, top with a drizzle of olive oil and 1tsp of smoked paprika. Place into the oven to bake.
After 15 minutes, rotate the squash on the tray, slice the onion and pepper and place onto the other baking tray with the peeled garlic, top with more olive oil and smoked paprika. Place into the oven underneath the butternut squash.
Leave the tins for another 15 minutes before turning the oven off. Then crack open the oven door to let the steam out.
Whilst the vegetables are still in the oven, place 250ml of water in a large pan and bring to boil.
Add the chicken stock to the water and mix well before adding the vegetables and stirring well.
Add the siracha and maple syrup to the mix and leave to simmer for 10 minutes.
Turn down the heat of the pan to low and in a jug add the CBD paste to the coconut milk.
Once the temperature of the soup has been brought down, add the coconut milk mixture to the pan, mixing well, and once again leave to simmer for 10 minutes.
Turn off the heat completely and leave to cool for at least 10 minutes.
Blend the contents until smooth and add salt and pepper to taste.
Place back onto the heat to serve hot, or keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- 1 medium butternut squash
- 1 red pepper
- 1 red onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp siracha
- ½ tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tbsp CBD paste or tincture of your choice
- 200 ml chicken stock
- 200ml coconut milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
To add extra heat, add an extra tbsp of siracha.
To make a hearty meal , serve with toasted sourdough or soda bread.
A crumble is a certified dessert winner.
Whether it’s winter, spring, summer or autumn, a crumble can bring comfort to any day of the year. Some even have it for breakfast!
We infused the dessert with a water soluble CBD oil. Water soluble CBD can be added to any liquid, making it a very versatile product.
And so, without further ado, here’s our recipe for our CBD Fruit Crumble.
For the CBD fruit compote
• 2 pears peeled & diced
• 1 large cooking apple, peeled & diced
• Pinch of cinnamon, for taste
• Pinch of caster sugar, for taste
• Enough good quality apple juice to cover the bottom of the pan
• 2 pipettes of water soluble CBD oil.
• 50g sunflower seeds
• 75g jumbo oats (feel free to use a glutenfree version)
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• Pinch of salt
For decoration
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar
1. Place a saucepan onto medium heat and add the diced fruit. Pour enough apple juice to cover the bottom of the pan. For taste, sprinkle in cinnamon and sugar.
2. Let the mixture simmer for around 10 minutes, or until the fruit has softened. Be sure to keep an eye on the pan so it does not boil.
3. Whilst the fruit is simmering, preheat your oven to 190°C.
4. Add your sunflower seeds to a blender and pulse for five seconds, until the seeds are lightly blitzed.
5. Add the topping ingredients to a bowl. Pour in the blitzed seeds and mix until they are all combined.
6. Once off the heat, add your CBD oil to the fruit mixture. Make sure to stir until the CBD has infused.
7. Grab your best small, ovenproof dish and spoon in the fruit compote.
8. Pour on the crumble topping and pat it down.
9. Sprinkle your coconut sugar over the top and place in the centre of your oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. When cooked, place in a safe place and let it cool for 5 – 10 minutes before serving.
11. Grab your favourite friends, a spoon and enjoy our CBD crumble!
Our scrumptious CBD Crumble is your new go-to dessert treat! Mixing two of your five a day with a sweet crumbly top.
As we edge towards the colder months, we are all looking for some delicious food to keep us warm from the inside out. The CANNAVIST’s CBD Fruit Crumble recipe is just the ticket.
What’s Christmas without mince pies? Infuse them with CBD this holiday season for a relaxing treat.
1 large jar mincemeat (about 600g)
2 satsumas, segmented
1 apple, finely chopped Zest of 1 lemon
Icing sugar for dusting
375g plain flour
260g unsalted butter, softened 125g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 large egg, plus 1 beaten egg for glazing
1 pipette of CBD Hemp Seed Oil
Place the flour and the butter in a bowl and rub together to form a crumb consistency. Add the caster sugar, CBD oil and one large beaten egg and mix. Flour a surface and pour the mixture out. Fold until the pastry comes together. Watch as to not over mix.
Wrap the pastry in cling film and place in the fridge for 10 minutes. Pour the mincemeat into a bowl and add two segmented satsumas, one chopped apple and the lemon zest.
Pre heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/Gas mark 7. Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick.
Take a round cutter, around 10cm in diameter, and cut out 16 bases, placing them into muffin trays. Place around 1½ tbsp mincemeat mixture into each. Brush the edge of each pie with beaten egg.
Roll out the remaining pastry, cut 7cm lids and press them on top to seal. Glaze with a beaten egg. Sprinkle the tops with the extra caster sugar and make a small cut in the top.
Place the mince pies in the oven, and bake for 15-20 minutes, until they are golden brown. After baking, let them cool before removing them from the muffin trays. Dust with some icing sugar and serve.
This refreshing cranberry and lime CBD sparkling drink is one cocktail you can enjoy without paying the price the following morning. It is classy, easy to make and absolutely delicious.
1 x 284g bag of frozen cranberries or 1 bag fresh cranberries 236ml water
200g granulated sugar 2 x 250ml cans of Medahuman Energy. (Sparkling cranberry, lime flavour, ginseng, caffeine and 20mg CBD.)
Optional: additional frozen
cranberries and twist of lime wedges to garnish
1. For the cranberry simple syrup, thaw your frozen cranberries. Place the cranberries in your blender and blitz until chopped.
2 . Place a medium-sized saucepan over a medium heat and add your water, sugar and chopped cranberries. Leave on the heat until the sugar has dissolved, this should take around 2 minutes.
3. Remove the syrup from the heat and strain using a cheesecloth or small strainer to remove the
cranberry chunks.
4. Pour the remaining syrup in a jar and cover with a lid. Then store in the fridge. (The syrup can last for a week, so make in advance)
5. Grab 2 highball glasses and fill with ice. If desired, add 32g of frozen cranberries to each glass.
6. Pour 2 tablespoons of your cranberry simple syrup into each glass.
7. Fill the rest of your glasses with Medahuman Energy.
8 . Garnish with twist of lime and sugared cranberries and enjoy. Sip sip hooray!
Pigs in blankets are about as seasonal as they come, but why not offer a veggie option too. But be sure to make enough because they are so tasty that everyone will want some.
Ingredients
1 aubergine
225g pack of halloumi
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 red chilli, chopped
1 tbsp maple syrup
Cooking spray
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2 . Slice your aubergine using a mandoline.
3. Place a large griddle pan with oil and heat over a medium-high heat. Cook the slices of aubergine until charred.
4. Cut the halloumi into small sausage shapes.
5. Zest half the lemon. Place the halloumi into a bowl and add the lemon zest, 2 tbsp of your chopped fresh basil and the chopped red chilli. Toss in the bowl to coat the halloumi.
6. Roll each halloumi sausage up in one slice of the aubergine and place on a baking tray, seam sidedown.
7. Spray with cooking spray and brush with maple syrup.
8. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Once cooked, drizzle with lemon juice, sprinkle with chopped fresh basil and serve immediately.
A cranberry and nut chocolate chip cookie with added CBD should be a very popular choice indeed for anyone with a sweet tooth.
96g plain flour
96g wholemeal flour
96g rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
32g dried cranberries
2 x 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped
walnuts
25g dark chocolate chips
96g packed brown sugar
71g butter, softened
2 tablespoons honey
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg white
4 pipettes CBD oil, we will be using
Treed CBD Balance 500mg CBD Oil
Cooking oil spray
1. In a large mixing bowl, pour in the flours, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cranberries,
walnuts and chocolate chips and combine.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar and butter, beat the two with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. To the bowl, add the honey, vanilla, egg, egg white and CBD oil and beat well.
3. Pour in the flour mixture and beat once more on a low speed until well blended. Cover and place in the fridge to chill for 8 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 180°C.
5. Grease your baking tray with your cooking oil spray. Place a tablespoon worth of dough onto the baking tray until you have none left.
6. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Once baked, leave them to cool on the tray for 2 minutes and then transfer them over to wire racks to cool completely. Make yourself a cup of your favourite hot drink and enjoy!
When it comes to choosing Christmas vegetables, parsnip is always high on the list but why not change things up a bit with this twist on the seasonal favourite?
400g parsnip, peeled and cut into chunks
600g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
60ml olive oil, plus a drizzle to serve 3 unpeeled garlic cloves
1 tsp ground nutmeg (around 1 clove)
100g ‘00’ flour
2 tbsp nutritional yeast ½ small pack thyme, leaves picked, to serve 30g walnuts, toasted and chopped, to serve
1. Heat your oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Toss the parsnips and potatoes in 2 tbsp of the olive oil and place into a roasting tin along with the garlic cloves. Roast for 40 mins or until the veg is completely soft. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for a short while. Squeeze the garlic from their skins, then discard the skins. Pour all your ingredients into your food processor, season well and then pulse until well combined and holding together as a dough.
2. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Flour your work surface and place the dough. Cut into four chunks and roll each into a sausage about 35cm long and 2.5cm wide. Use the back of a table knife to cut each sausage into small pillowshaped gnocchi, each around 2cm long. Cook the gnocchi in batches
for 1 min or until they float to the surface. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
3. In a frying pan, heat the rest of the oil over a medium heat until shimmering. Add half the gnocchi and fry until lightly golden on each side, around 3-4 mins. Transfer them to a tray using a slotted spoon while you cook the second batch. When all the gnocchi are golden, return them all to the pan to warm through before plating up. Sprinkle over some black pepper, then top with the thyme leaves, toasted walnuts and a drizzle of olive oil, if you like and enjoy!
Believe me when I tell you, I’ve never been more excited to write a review for The CANNAVIST in the history of the magazine.
Many of the products we look at are of a high standard and come from innovative brands, but every so often we receive something truly special…and this is one of those times.
The G Pen Connect, Elite II and Hyer represent the upper echelon of cannabis devices, demonstrating the highest levels of concentrate and vapourising technology.
They likely feature on the must-try wish lists of cannabis enthusiasts around the world and if they don’t… they should.
I found this concentrate vaping system to be the
magnet. The Connect featured three heat settings – Blue (375°F), Green (400°F) and Red (428°F) - which could be locked in by double tapping the clicker on the battery pack.
After setting my preferred option, the device took about 10-15 seconds to heat up and then I was ready to go; simply needing inhale through my chosen glass rig to enjoy a temperature perfect dab.
My experience with the Connect was nothing but a delight and the hassle-free clean-up was a huge bonus…a great start for these review products so far.
Of the three G Pen products in this review, the Hyer was without a doubt the one I was most eager to try.
Amazingly, this device was compatible with just about every glass-on-glass water piece in my collection and delivered a sense of ease not always found in other lower end products.
The Hyer included a mammoth 1,500mAh battery and its interchangeable tanks meant I could easily set myself up whether I was using concentrates or flower.
As with the other G Pen offerings, this device allows users to choose between a number of temperature settings, including Blue (482°F), Turquoise (572°F), Green (662°F), Yellow (752°F) and Red (842°F).
I found heating could take anywhere from 15 to 75 seconds for concentrates and three to five minutes for flower.
Historically, my biggest issue with e-rigs has always been the abundant and complicated assortment of parts, as well as long clean-up times.
But I’m happy to report that the Hyer addressed this issue, with its compact and efficient design making it easier and less of a chore to use.
Like many, I’m cursed by sensitive skin, with so much as a cold breeze or bite of pizza being all it takes to trigger an unwanted breakout.
Consequently, skincare is massively important to me and I’m constantly hunting for products that can clear my face without exposing it to an unpronounceable concoction of harsh chemicals.
Enter Ethica CBD’s cannabinoidpowered face scrub; an all-natural godsend for blemish battlers like myself.
This vegan-friendly and organic skin solution proved a great way for me to fend off the wear and tear of daily life, meaning I didn’t have to spend every waking moment panicking about blackheads and blocked pores.
Not to mention the delightful scent, which made this scrub an
From oils and tinctures to gummies and topicals, I have tried just about every way there is to access CBD.
So it came as a big surprise when I discovered a product that I hadn’t encountered before...Elevar's CBD Oral Strips.
For this review I tried the starter pack, which consisted of three flavour options; Fresh Mint, Lavender and Berry Mint.
Each of the trio of choices came in an individual pack of five strips. To start off with, I tried the Fresh
Mint flavour, which quickly delivered a wave of sweet peppermint. There was no weird aftertaste or feeling in the mouth like some might expect and the flavour was so moreish that I couldn’t wait to try another.
If I’m being honest, the Lavender was my least favourite of the three. For me, the flavouring was just too overwhelming...though I can see how the herbal taste could be appealing to others.
To round off this review, I tried the ‘Berry Mint’, which met and exceeded my expectations as a flavour.
absolute pleasure to apply during my selfcare routine.
It goes without saying that this isn’t some sort of miracle cream that melts away imperfections on first touch, but it was a great way for me to fight against breakouts. In fact, I was so happy with this offering from Ethica, that I actually recommended my wife give it a try as well.
And while she wasn’t quite as impressed with the results as me, she did acknowledge how much it had helped to cleanse my face.
Luckily, I still have a good amount of this scrub to use but when my supplies finally run dry, you can be sure I’ll consider putting an order in for more.
I was greeted with a succulent burst of fruit that was topped off with a subtle, underlying touch of mint.
As a vaper, this reminded me of the menthol fruit flavours that I so often look for in e-liquids.
All in all, this is certainly one of the more unusual methods I’ve used to access CBD, but I can certainly see its merits and would happily incorporate Elevar Oral Strips into my regular cannabinoid rotation.
about getting bored.
I most enjoyed the bears as an after-work indulgence, with the gummies helping me settle when I was feeling overwhelmed following a taxing day in the office.
With that in mind, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that we had a selection of products from the popular brand for review.
The pack I received included a bottle of full spectrum CBD oil, two bags of CBD gummy bears and a pack of CBD gummy cubes.
It’s fair to say I was excited to give the selection a go, so why don’t we get stuck in?
I have to admit, when I saw the flavour of this oil was labelled as ‘Natural’, I was a little hesitant.
From my experience, this taste profile can be very hit and miss...but when the first drop of this oil hit my tongue, I knew it was a winner.
The natural flavour was great tasting and it didn’t leave a sourness in my mouth like other, lower quality alternatives do.
Each pipette from the 30ml bottle contained 16.6mg of CBD, making this a great way to get your daily dose of cannabinoids.
Being able to try one pack of these gummy bears was a treat in itself...so trying two was an absolute delight.
There was a great variety of flavour in these packs which meant there was no worry
This was the product I was most looking forward to trying out, as I had never tried a cubed CBD gummy before.
The first thing to note was that they were more ‘fun-sized’ than bears and I had to exercise a little more self-control in ensuring I didn’t eat too many.
It was also nice to see a CBD brand venture outside of the traditional gummy sweet types and go for something a little different.
Though I’ve never had the pleasure of trying Orange County's products before, I’ve heard nothing but good things.