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Jo Chipchase

A single mother of two young boys with a slightly quirky view of life. Your author’s interests range from dyeing clothes on the terrace (a relatively harmless pursuit) to digesting the latest gossip, dining on whatever is on offer, imbibing the odd vino blanco, frequenting car boot sales, partying when child minding is available and having the occasional 'man hating rant' (I love 'em really... ahem!). Oh, yes, and I enjoy a good book and a night spent watching 'Shameless' or ‘Skins’ on the sofa when there's nothing better to do ...

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Lotus Union Boosts Bio Culture in La Alpujarra

Jo Chipchase catches up with Lorenzo Bateller, a Lanjaron-based vendor of magnesium oil and super-foods

Residents of La Alpujarra who are firmly fixated on their costa, queso and hamburguesa may be yet to notice the presence of a local business called Lotus Union (http://www.lotusunion.com) that exists to sell mineral oils and super-foods. The venture, which operates from Lanjaron, is run by husband and wife team, Lorenzo Bateller and Veronika Poola.

An unassuming Frenchman who grew up in Montpellier and first moved to Spain in 2000, Lorenzo has lived in La Alpujarra since 2004 and above Lanjaron since 2005. Lorenzo met his partner, Veronika, while spending time in a raw food community in Coin near Malaga. They decided to set up a business together, remaining with the raw food concept.

Although Lorenzo and Veronika inhabit a yurt near Caballo Blanco, which features a custom-built wooden kitchen created by Lorenzo, Lotus Union is run from a flat close to Lanjaron's Balnerio. The building benefits from a beautiful view and the sound of a small waterfall flowing from an opposite finca. Says Lorenzo: "There's no need to play peaceful music here as we have the vibration of nature."

Lotus Union started selling magnesium oil -"the mineral of life" - because Lorenzo has sciatica and it helped heal the pain in his leg. He researched the benefits of the super-saturated magnesium chloride solution and decided to distribute it to the Spanish market. It is now the bestselling product on the Lotus Union website.

He explains: "Magnesium is extremely important. It relaxes muscles and nerves and is needed for 300 different chemical reactions in the body. People require up to 1mg per day of magnesium, which is found in green leaves, almond and chocolate. However, it's not well provided by the modern diet which has become increasingly reliant on processed and fast foods and meat products. Furthermore, the soil is losing its mineral properties every year, especially magnesium, because of the use of pesticides containing phosphates and potassium. It's common for people to have a magnesium deficiency."

Magnesium oil is easily applied through the skin, where it is absorbed better than if taken orally, and Lorenzo explains that it has disinfectant and deodorant properties. It can also be used in a foot bath or normal bath as an alternative to spraying it on to the skin and rubbing it into areas that need to be relaxed.

As well as retailing magnesium oil, Lotus Union sells raw and organic super-foods from around the world, with the countries of origin including Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, India and China.

El Morreon resident, Pepe, who helps Lorenzo sell the super-foods range at markets and fairs, says: "Our bestselling super-food product is Maca from the Andes, while Cacao and Spirulina are also popular. People tend to be more familiar with Maca than Suma, which is a protein builder. Another of our products, Lucuma from Ecuador and Peru, is used as ice cream flavour and is more popular than cocoa there."

Pepe believes it is Spain's turn to follow England in having a "super-food boom". He says: "We are introducing super nutrients into Spain. Food and nutrition - alimentation - is one of the most important things for healing and having a healthy metabolism."

As for the local diet, Pepe says: "In general, the diet here in La Alpujarra is good as there's favourable water, soil and local agriculture. However, people eat a lot of fried food and too much meat. I believe it's better to eat small amounts of good, locally produced meat along with local fruit and vegetables. Although I'm vegetarian myself, I recommend reducing toxins rather than eating no meat. If you decrease your meat intake, your body wants less. In the supermarket, a large percentage of the food is processed and packed. Make your own!"

* Lotus Union will be exhibiting at the 'Bio Cultura' fair, Madrid in November 2010.

* During September and October 2010, the company will be running workshops on making raw chocolate that can be held as group sessions in homes, schools or community meeting places.

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