For nearly 6 months at the Santa Monica farmers Market, I would sample a bread or cake by a mysterious fairy at one of my favorite stalls Kandarian Farms. I kept asking who this creature was making these treats with no agenda rather than to bring goodness in the world. One day as life would have it I caught the elfin beauty as she was dropping one of the breads. I was thrilled and asked if we could share this recipe on my site. My daughters and I are struggling with some gut issues (who isn’t with all the glyphosate and vaccines in our bloodstreams), so for us to be able to eat something delicious made of grains is a blessing. Olivia Campana agreed to come over and here we are. And as it turns out, my photographer Morgan had just heard about this girl-wonder-branding- sensation who had just moved to la from nyc. Yep … It was our sweet fairy Olivia who turns out to be an incredible woman in her field. This is the age we live in, where women can be this vibrant and healthy in their lives so that they can do kind gestures for the community around them. Olivia has a passion for permaculture and organic foods and so she uses her passion to help out Kandarian farms. They have the most beautiful organic, ancient grains, beans, and spices.

1. What makes your heart sing?
A perfectly procured ingredient, a hug from a loved one, grocery stores that let me use my own containers, my yoga practice and my blonde chihuahua chickpea

2. Why do you use Kandarian goods?
So many reasons – I met Larry (Kandarian) at the Santa Monica Farmers Market, his farm is a few hours north of LA, and of all the markets he has more variety than any other stand i have ever seen. He has everything from quinoa, chia seeds, flax seeds to chickpeas, black beans, lentils etc. Plus a huge variety of ancient grains, beans and spices that he introduced me to like… Einkorn, the oldest grain known as ‘man’s first wheat’ which can be used as a flour or grain form and is a suitable alternative for people with gluten sensitivity (not intolerance) or Fennel Pollen a potent seasoning that packs both a flavorful and medicinal punch. I could go on and on. But really it’s also Larry the person, his raw passion for the resurgence of these lost ingredients is both admirable and inspiring. He has taught me so much and is definitely worth the google.

3. In a brief paragraph, tell us what led you to your healing journey?
I was living in New York City, overworked, not taking care of myself, not eating right and I got sick and burned out. So I came to LA with a suitcase thinking I would re-set for a 2 months and 2 months has since become 2 years with a lot of ups and downs and new discoveries. For me my healing has always been centered around food and body. When I came to LA, not only was I neglecting my primal needs but I also discovered a host of GI issues I was struggling with from food allergies to SIBO, Colitis, Gastroparesis etc. My stomach was a mess. I needed to once again relearn what my body could handle, what was digestible, in what doses at what time etc. I am still very much on this journey but feel so grateful for the things I’ve learned and the people it has led me to.

4. What are three things we can have in our pantry to create a delicious meal?
A grain, bean/lentil and spices. Essentially with those three things you can make endless combinations. Plus its a complete protein. Just add a little fat (and hopefully some veggies from the fridge

Some of my pantry essentials are…
Grains (quinoa, millet, basmati rice), Beans/Lentils (adzuki, peruviana, black, split mung dal, ayocote, black lentils, red lentils), Spices (turmeric, ground ginger, fennel seeds/pollen, fenugreek, pink salt, iodine based salt, black pepper, cayenne)

5. Are you a mermaid or a forest fairy?
I may be more of a garden gnome

6. What is your favorite beauty product?
Egyptian Magic – it heals everything

7. Where do you see yourself in a decade?
I have no idea! I could see myself doing so many things.
Hopefully just happy, healthy and close to friends and family

8. Will we see more of your amazing recipes someday?
Always

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Loaf Recipe

1 1/4 cup einkorn flour (or spelt, oat, wheat etc)
1 cup pumpkin (or sweet potato, banana etc.)
2 flax eggs* (or regular eggs)
1/2 cup millet
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup coconut oil (or butter, ghee etc.)
1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup, brown sugar etc.)
1/2 cup fresh raspberries (or any berry)
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MEDICINAL ADDS
3tbsp turmeric / 1 tsp black pepper (to activate)
3tbsp maca
2tsp ashwaganda
1tbsp rose water

For the top
fennel pollen
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup dried rose petals
*feel free to top with whatever you like! Chia seeds, cocoa nibs, nuts etc.

Steps
Pre-heat the oven to 350*

Use standard loaf tin (30-45min)
or muffin tray (20min)

1. Mix together flour, baking soda, millet, MEDICINAL ADDS in a bowl

2. In another large bowl, mix pumpkin, coconut oil (heat if needed to make liquid), honey, flax eggs*

3. Combine dry ingredients slowly into wet, only adding till thoroughly blended. Once blended mix in raspberries.

4. Pour into coconut oil greased pan

5. Scatter the top w. generous amount of hemp seeds, fennel pollen and dried rose petals (if rose petals are bought whole, crack them and use the outer most dried petals that are still pink, save center for tea)

6. Once topping is placed bake for standard loaf tin (30-45min) or muffin tray (20min). Check periodically and test center w. toothpick

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*FLAX EGGS
1 tbsp flax seeds + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg
Steps
1. Grind flax seeds into a fine powder using a coffee or spice grinder.
2. Simply whisk in the water (i use a little warm) until it becomes gelatinous.