The island of Jamaica is ranked 16 of the world’s most sought-after vacation spots. It is a place that people come for wellness, healing and rejuvenation. The description of sun, sand and sea are no longer enough to describe this destination. Travelers are seeking to engage with their host countries to learn about how people live and share their culture.
Boomers are living longer and along with Millennials are leading the wellness revolution. They are seeking destinations with vibrant spa offerings, healthy foods and wellness programs to transform their lives.
In walks Dr. Aris Latham, and he pushes the proverbial envelope wide open. From his vantage point, being well will never be looked at as a challenge, but as fun. Latham is not going to accept mediocrity when the central life force on the planet is readily available, the SUN.
Dr. Aris Latham, Panamanian by birth, is a food scientist, linguist and educator. The 2012 Second Edition of Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America acclaims: “…the raw food movement owes much to Dr. Aris Latham, a native of Panama, he is considered to be the father of gourmet ethical raw foods cuisine in America. He debuted his raw food creations in 1979, when he started Sunfired Foods, a live food company in Harlem, New York. In the years since, he has trained thousands of raw food chefs and added innumerable recipes to his repertoire.”
SELBY MAKING JAMAICAN BIGGAS
Latham returns to Jamaica, the land of his ancestors, to fulfill a wellness consultancy at Half Moon Spa. He is infusing ethical Raw Food into their menu. While on the island, he is available for Sunfired Foods training, certification and speaking engagements.
Richard Russell, owner, Russell Villas, and host of the “Organic Healthy Lifestyle Fun Brunch” said: “We have been searching for months to find the right formula for what we are trying to achieve in our Wellness and Healthy lifestyle programs at the villas. Dr. Aris helped put the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle; he put the missing pieces in place.” In just a short time after teaming up with Latham, eating Sunfired ethical raw food, organic fruits and juicing, Russell who is now in his seventies, said “his energy level went through the roof!”
Dr. Latham linked up with Coach Selby, a Mindset Mastery Coach who functioned as his Co-host at the Organic Healthy Lifestyle Fun Brunch held September 23, 2018 at Russell Villas. Coach Selby’s description of his role as a coach shows his keen focus on wellness “as a co-creator; my role is to assure that everyone is clear, focused and on point with what they have available for improving their health and lifestyle.”
Together, Selby and Latham unveiled a delicious and impressive menu which consisted of tantalizing Appetizers, Root Shots of ginger, turmeric and beet, followed by Tamarind, Sorrel & Jaboticaba coolers, Garden House (Russell’s brand) Kale chips, and Quinoa & Flax Seed crackers served with Hummus. Beverages included: Red, Green & Gold juices; Beet & Melon juices; Turmeric & ginger juice; and leaf juice. Here, Russell Villas Garden was on parade with salad, fresh veggies served with dressings, and sides: Ackee, Avocado, Plantain, Quinoa & Seed Cheese. (Note the probiotic properties of Avocado, Quinoa, Ginger & Turmeric, which are superfoods.)
The Main Course included: le “pièce de résistance,” the Jamaican Bigga, served with Ackee cheese. Participants were given an up-close demonstration of its preparation. It was a huge favorite. The burger was made out of nuts and seeds and stacked with ackee cheese, and vegetables. Can you guess what was for dessert? Hint – what is Dr. Latham’s trademark? And what is Mutabaruka’s favorite Sunfired entrée? Well if you give up, I will tell you, Paradise Pie with an all-natural pie crust made with raisins and nuts and filled with fresh mangoes and a guava jam that glues it together. The entrée was served with Lemon Grass or Black Mint tea.
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