By Kinisha O'Neill, Staff ReporterMBALA IS a musician, poet and visual artist. His simple home in Stony Hill, St. Andrew is only a few miles away from the city but still captures the serenity of rural life.
Lush vegetation nurtured with his hand surround his home's rustic exterior. Inside is a world of an avid collector of things things that are musical, art, comics and more arranged in the most unsophisticated of fashion.
He says he is 50, but unhesitatingly affixes that mentally he is no more than 14. And, after all the serious chatter, when he begins playing with his toys like the drums he made the 14-year-old self appears. He is an uncomplicated man who finds pleasure in nature and art. His slender stature is that of a man younger than his years. His worn sneakers are indicative of his carefree, casual lifestyle. His T-shirt and jeans add to the image of a man who, although is of the world, hasn't allowed the world to dictate his being. The outside is a reflection of an inside that refuses to grasp the stresses most of us naturally assume. Yet, his soft-spoken, easy, warm demeanour is not that of a man going against the grain, not that of a rebel.
Mbala is his name, not by birth, but it's the name he says that's most fitting for him. The name is a joined shortening of both his first and last names, which over the years evolved to its current state. It also happens to be the name of a place in Africa and an African word, which, depending on the pronunciation, means either yam or time. He is a naturalist, naturally so without effort.
In 1976, after becoming conscious of the way in which chickens are pumped with chemicals, he stopped eating meat. He became a vegetarian but still ate fish and dairy products. In time, his diet became vegan where he totally eliminated all animal flesh and by-products. He attests that his 'livity' has borne a sense of peace in his life.
"I think this lifestyle makes you have a certain amount of peace with yourself. We all have to strive for peace within ourselves and with everybody around us. To be peaceful and loving is not as hard as we make it out to be.
"Maybe a part of the whole vegetarian lifestyle even if it starts out to be something that is done for health - is that you realise that killing anything isn't necessary, and violence of any sort isn't necessary," said Mbala.
CARING FOR THE MIND AND SPIRIT
"I break down the spiritual thing simply. I don't prescribe to Rasta, Christianity or any religion. I am a very tolerant person. I don't business what you want to believe in. I try to cultivate a sense of being a part of the Earth. I try to care for the earth and myself. I do things like recycle and try to deal with the environment a way, because we are a part of it."
CARING FOR THE BODY
"I am vegan, meaning I don't eat animal products cheese, milk, dairy products. I don't do enough exercise. I do some, but not enough. But, I'm not a person who sits down all day. I do stuff. Every once in a while I do exercise, then I slip and eventually get back to a routine. But, I do other things like playing drums, which works you, if you play hard," the drummer admits.
"Men have been conditioned that we must be tough and hard and have a kind of 'bad man' image. A lot of times we deny other feelings because we can't come across as too soft. We have to be tough and violent. But, those things don't get us anywhere. And the media helps to portray this image. It's like, if you do good, they don't carry a story on you, but any how you do bad, they'll promote you. There are a lot of men like me out there, a lot of good people. But, it's just that we never hear about them because they don't make enough noise. The good ones are always the ones who are just humble and 'one away'. You don't even know they exist. We need to start focusing more on those types of people. That's why I am working with Media Watch to help bring out that men don't have to be violent and bring across this 'bad man' image. Being a man doesn't mean have to mean being violent and aggressive."
Mbala told Flair he agreed to have this article written as a personal first step in bringing to light men like himself who respect women, who revere the Earth, people and himself, and are living examples of the kind of sensitivity it takes to truly honour what it means to be a man.
Living on a raw food diet
A WOMAN may not find middle-aged men appealing, or may not be attracted to men who sport locks but it is highly possible that when she encounters the likes of this man, face to face, those things that usually entice her may very well be thrown to the dogs.
What does he have that is so special? Aside from the obvious, good looks (a 'strong' body, a flawless dark chocolate complexion, set off by unusual light eyes which match his mass of blondish-gray locks and shaggy white beard) , his mannerisms is... eye-catching.
Dr. Aris LaTham appears as mysterious, yet open and kind; quiet, yet willing to share his vast knowledge; reserved, yet able to embrace all; strong, but never overbearing. He has struck a balance, one which many females hope for.
At the age of 56, LaTham has lived an exceptional life. He has travelled extensively throughout the world, and has along the way acquired a PhD in Food Science. Through his journeys, he has obtained a vast knowledge of that which intrigues him the most, the impact and importance of embarking on a life that is rooted in embracing all that is natural.
Although LaTham is best known as a consumer of strictly raw foods, and an educator on the principles and preparation of such, he ascribes to living all of life in a way that is most in tune with nature. His expertise on raw food has been sought by many posh hotels and spas the world over, and his unusual life has been featured in several best-selling publications like Essence magazine.
Born in Panama to parents hailing from Barbados and Jamaica, LaTham 'came home' to Jamaica only four years ago. He currently runs a spa in St. Mary , where he offers services to assist the healing of ailments (through methods such as detoxification), and presents workshops and private sessions to those who want to learn to make raw food meals. A spa visit usually includes yoga, tai chi, meditation, massage, raw food preparation and treatments and can last for a day up to six weeks. Thus far, LaTham has welcomed many visitors from all over the world.
"I became a vegetarian 34 years ago. Before, I was living the life of my upbringing - eating and living like most people, a Caribbean/American diet, all meats and sausages. In the 1970s, when I was in college at Queensborough Community College in New York there was a 'Back to the Land Movement' which exposed me to alternative lifestyles. I was fascinated by the idea of food and seeing what the traditional lifestyle had done to people's health.
"Over the years I acquired over 9000 books on self-development through the mental, spiritual and through the food eaten. I have been eating raw food now for 28 years, and I try to make sure it is as close as possible to organic," explained the vegetarian.
"I keep my mind very positive. I studied science of the mind which is geared towards keeping the mind open and accepting as it is, instead of defining things as either positive or negative. I try to stay in a constant state of meditation - living in the present. That allows me the openness to keep being creative rather than speculating on the future. I basically honour the God within me rather than worshipping external God. I want to be really open, not subscribe to any particular religion or faith.
CHEMICAL FREE
"I try to use body care products that are chemical free. I try to avoid chemicals as much as possible whether internally or externally. I try to make sure I live in an environment that is in harmony with nature as much as possible. I like to live in a place where there is peace and serenity. About four years ago I wanted to leave the U.S. and embark on a more tropical lifestyle. I decided Jamaica was best because it's just like being home. The lifestyle here is most compatible with my nature, and it is a welcoming place for people like myself who are vegetarians because it has a very strong vegetarian base.
"For my age, the benefits of living this way are that I have been disease-free. I haven't seen a doctor in years. I've had no flu, no headaches, no colds in over 30 years. My energy is very high and I don't require much sleep - just about six hours per night. Since I've stopped eating cooked starches I haven't had any challenges with my structure, because the stiffening of muscles occurs because of the heavy starch diet," he continued.
"I am fascinated by the way people's lives change when they change their diets. They lose weight, conditions clear up. The healing power of food really fascinated me.
"I would advise men to examine their relationship with the physical body and to understand that the body is really the only thing they own. You should put it on your priority list above material things. Men tend to be negligent about caring for their health. Most men are into building their body, but you can't do it with unclean food - they're just packing their muscles with garbage waste matter. Women tend to be more healthy than men because they have a menstruation cycle to eliminate wastes.
SENSITIVE ENERGIES
"Caring for yourself requires an individual to tap into the more subtle and sensitive energies. Men don't tend to do this because they live on a more physical plane.
"Aside from the mental and physical benefits, sexual stamina becomes stronger because things that secrete uric acid into the system, like excess protein, irritate the prostate and cause premature ejaculation because the body is trying to get rid of toxins. Vegetarians tend to have longer stamina, because the bloodstream is clean and there is a stronger blood flow going to the sexual glands," concluded LaTham.
Kinisha O'Neill
In praise of nature's food
By Nordia Henry, Staff Reporter
MORALES INTERNATIONAL Health Food Store and Restaurant located on Church Street, Downtown, Kingston is widely recognised here and abroad as several persons who take their health seriously often flock the establishment, which has been open since 1976.
Originally an engineer by trade, store operator Patrick 'Morales' Scott inherited the business in 1989. Scott says he has a remedy for every sickness, even AIDS.
"I have a remedy for every sickness, I work with AIDS people all the time. AIDS victim who have excessive scratching and bumps, if they use willow bark, bird pepper, rice bitter, Lignum Vitae, nickers and St. John's wort; mix them together or they can use only three of these herbs, add one teaspoon to a cup of boiled water and use it two times each day and dem gone clear."
Morales wears many hats such as Serv-Wel refrigeration managerial consultant as well as founder and president of the Jamaica Association of Poets. Scott grew up in Red Hills Terrace in St. Andrew and trained with Serv-Wel in the manufacturing of refrigerators. He also did a short stint at the University of the West Indies in Political Science but did not complete the programme.
OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE
As a single father of three boys, ages 3, 5 and 16, Scott says raising them does not present much of a challenge as he goes through life with an optimistic attitude.
Described by those around him as having a jovial disposition the alternative medicine practitioner has written a book called Morales Herbal Book about three years ago and since then has revamped the health store.
"When I inherited this business in 1989, it was called simply called Morales but I turned it into Morales International because at first it was more primitive and more like a restaurant. Now we are more modern, into printing books and creating waves in the medical arena. We had a lot of stores but now we only have two branches, one in Spanish Town and the other in Kingston. We have something for every problem," said Morales, who also included asthma as one of the common medical problems he has treated.
"For asthmatic people I suggest a honey-based mixture with Tumanin, cinnamon, garlic, and red clover, this is also excellent for circulation problem which is most people's complaint. For persons who are anaemic, beetroot and molasses is recommended. For ladies going through menopause and those who experience hot flashes can find comfort in cucumber and melon juice. Carrots, string bean and pak choi juice unsweetened is recommended for diabetic persons," Scott advised.
"As an herbal store I use some of the products but I don't eat any fried food because it's not healthy. I eat a little chicken now and then but it's either stewed or baked."
He extols the virtues of natural products and the positive effect that they have on the upkeep of the human body.
"A lot of people don't know the wonders of molasses and honey, it's good for fibroids because what it does, is perishes the fibroids. Ladies with hormone problems, Up it Up 13, a molasses-based drink consisting of different types of herbs is ideal for you," he further noted.
