Aloka closes the doors to its Brighton address to allow for future expansions in the near future.

After three successful years trading in the city, the team behind the award winning* Aloka Quality of Life Centre on East Street in Brighton announce the business is to close on Sunday 9th September 2012.

Aloka Closure: Sunday 9th September at 5.30pm

Mike Booth, Chairman of Aura Soma, the company behind Aloka comments; "We would like to thank all of our staff and loyal customers for a truly rewarding and enjoyable three years. We look forward to paving the way of our future for the Aloka Spa concept and will be sure to keep you updated as the plans progress."

He continues "As we watch the leaves turn from green to yellow and slowly make their way to the ground, we can't help but feel a little synchronous here at Aloka. Just as Autumn is a lovely annual ritual that nature adheres to, to allow for more vibrant, strong and healthy leaves to grow the following year, it is time for Aloka to close one door of her Brighton home to allow for another door to open in the near future."

For all enquiries and any outstanding business with Aloka please contact Alex Davison or Heather Davison on 01273 823178 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Notes:

• Aloka began trading in Brighton in May 2009.
• The awards won by the business include:
  • Winner - Best Eating Out – Best of the Rest, Vegetarian Society Awards 2010
  • Winner - Best Vegan Friendly Commercial Caterer, Vegan Society Awards 2011.
  • Fourth - VegFest Awards 2012, Europe's biggest Vegan Event
  • Nominated - Best Ethical Restaurant at the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2012.

From Shire Farm to Aloka - and now Infinity Foods too...

We have blogged before about how our own Shire Farm lovingly grows biodynamic spelt in Licolnshire and turns it into flour and oils that we use in our recipes and products here at Aloka.  But we now have some great news to share.

Brighton's famous organic and natural food co-operative - Infinity Foods have started to use our flour in their bakery department - making wonderful tasty Spelt Loaves for you to enjoy at home - or even here at Aloka as we offer it alongside the buffet and our soup of the day....everyday.

(It tastes great with the celeriac dip the chefs have made today - Ed).

Spelt is an ancient relative to modern wheat that has a nutty, slightly sweeter flavour and a higher protein/nutritional content than regular wheat. Its lower gluten levels make it ideal for individuals with a wheat intolerance. Our Biodynamic farm is Demeter certified and follows a whole farm approach that seeks to manage the soils and crops in a holistic fashion.

We still use the flour in various dishes including Mikey's infamous Chocolate Brownies and you can buy bags of flour from Aloka to take home and use yourself but if you just want to enjoy a great loaf made fresh for you (by Ian, pictured on the right) head to Infinity foods where  you can pick up a loaf for £2.45...

Looking forward to harvest times in the cafe and restaurant @ Aloka...

This year the weather has been a little bit all over the place to say the least. We had a hot spell early on, then lots of rain and what could be considered summer finally arrived a little late and is predicted to run on into September. Hopefully we might get to enjoy a wonderful Indian summer.

With our commitment to using the best local, seasonal and organic produce we can gather our Head Chef, Arnaud, is looking forward to an extended harvest time giving us summer vegetables right through to October (hopefully).

At the moment we are enjoying a good supply of broccoli, and cauliflower from Worthing, carrots from Kent and Fennel from Fletching courtesy of Fin and Farm.

Our runner beans are coming in from Henfield and we are also using local rocket, plums, apples and peas, as well as bunch carrots and parsnip.

When Autumn final comes Arnaud is looking forward to cooking up a storm with wild mushrooms, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, marrows, peppers, pumpkins, radishes, rocket, salsify, samphire, shallots, sorrel, spinach, spring onions, squashes, swedes, summer squash and tomatoes which he expects to be available for a while.

Come to Aloka and and see how Arnaud is using natures bounty on the buffet every lunchtime and on our Summer and very soon our Autumn menu in the evenings. You will find a selection of globally inspired vegan cuisine prepared in many ways - both raw and cooked.

Unwind Your Mind and Feel Uplifted...

Find a little time this month to relax and unwind with an Indian Head Massage in our Day Spa.

Our Spa Special for September is 20% discount on Indian Head Massage. This 30 minute treatment is based on the ancient ayruvedic healing system from India.

It is a massage that works from the middle of the back up and over the head working on pressure points and 'nadis' (energy channels) to release bloackages and stress leaving you feeling uplifted and blissed out.

Indian head massage is especially good for relieving stress, tension, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, migraine and sinusitis

To claim this offer come in or give reception a call on 01273 823 178 to book.

Offer for month of September 2012 only. Not available in conjuction with any other offer.

Workshops: Dancing Warrior 1008 &

Saheja Flow Yoga Trance Dance.

September 8 & 9th with Delamay Devi

Delamay Devi is looking forward to teaching again at Aloka. About her Saturday Yoga Workshop she says. "Dancing Warrior 1008 is one of my favorite Prana Flow sequences created by my Maha teacher Shiva Rea.  A beautiful fusion of core stabilisation, arm strengthening, shoulder opening, balance and total embodied empowerment." For more information please see the flyer or click here for the workshop page.

The Sunday Workshop is an experience of Yoga Trance Dance ~ It is an exploration of the eternal flow of natural movement through Yoga. Yoga Trance Dance is a meeting of two great rivers, Yoga and dance, which come from and are united at the source.

Delamay say, "We explore a full spectrum of sequences and opening to many dimensions of Yoga with pulsing, rhythmic and body Vinyasas to draw upon the qualities of Sahaja. Then we step into the mat-less universe of Yoga Trance Dance to go deeper into the sacred movement meditation of Shiva's damaru drum." Click here for more information.

Exchange: £20 for one workshop or come for both for only £35. Payment and registration before 15th August. Spaces are limited. More info: www.yogarhythms.net please contact Delamay to book on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Come and try our new line of organic make up...

Here at Aloka we are excited about the new release from AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare). They have just launched a completely natural organic make-up range formulated with the highest quality natural, organic and biodynamic ingredients!

Each product contains biodynamic spelt oil which is grown and harvested on the Aura-Soma Demeter certified biodynamic farm in Lincolnshire. Spelt is bursting with vitamins and proteins, is rich in natural Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, with excellent antioxidant, moisturising and regenerative properties!

The make up is for anyone who wants to achieve a flawless and natural look. These fantastic products work in harmony with the AEOS 3 phase skincare range to support and promote a healthy glowing skin. Here at the Day Spa we use these products in our 3 signature organic Facials: Get up and Go, Regeneration or Heaven on Earth.

The make-up range includes an illuminator, concealer, pressed and liquid foundations, loose powders, crème to powder blush, vibrant mineral eye colours, eye liner, mascara, lip tint, lip gloss and lip balm.

"Prices for the AEOS makeup are between £10.00 and £20.99 which makes it very affordable for the conscious market"

Our in house beauty therapist, Krystyna says 'I am very passionate about organic skincare and make up and believe that this is the way forward to help support our own health, beauty and also the environment'.

If you would like advice choosing the right colour for your skin tone or simply want to test these new product we invite you to come and try...

Love and Light
Krystyna
Beauty Therapist

You are the colours you choose...and these reflect your beings needs

If you have ever been to Aloka and wondered what all of the little coloured bottles are, this month could be the perfect time to find out a little more.

The bottles that we have are called 'Equilibrium' Bottles and they are part of the Aura-Soma^® product range. If you spend a few moments to look at the range and then pick the 4 bottles that appeal to you or that you are drawn to most, our trained Aura-Soma practitioners can interpret the colour combinations in your selection to help give you an insight into your life's journey, your strengths, weaknesses, blocks and gifts.

This month our Spa Special is 20% discount on an Aura-Soma Consultation. To claim this offer come in or give reception a call on 01273 823 178 to book with Krystyna.

For more information about the Aura-Soma system and Colour you could also spend an afternoon at Heather's Introduction to Colour Workshop on 11th August.

Not available in conjuction with any other offer.

Vegan Ice Cream is nothing particularly new, there are numerous versions available many of which use soy, nut or rice milk and a few that are nothing more than a vegan sorbet.

So what is different about our vegan ice cream?

The vegan ice cream at Aloka is something else, whilst it is completely vegan using cashew nuts as its base it is also 100% raw.

The cashew nut is jam-packed with nutritional heroes. It packs 20g of protein per 100g and high levels of the essential minerals:

• iron
• magnesium
• phosphorus
• zinc
• copper
• manganese
  

which are essential as part of a healthy diet.

As the ice cream is raw it preserves all of the natural flavours, enzymes and minerals that would normally be destroyed in traditional production methods. This means that not only are you able to enjoy a nice big scoop of one of our tantalising flavours but it is also good for you.

At Aloka we prepare our food in harmony with the seasons to ensure we get the very best of each ingredient and our ice cream flavours also reflect this philosophy. This doesn’t mean to say that the favourites like Vanilla and Maca or Mint Choc Chip won’t be available but that the choice will change throughout the year.

Our ice cream is available to purchase by the scoop in the café and restaurant or as a tub to take-away and enjoy on the beach or at home with a good movie. 

Chia, or Salvia hispanica to give it its Latin name, is from Mexico and South America. It is a member of the mint family.

Chia seeds were an important energy source for Mayans, Incas and other ancient cultures including the Aztecs and there is evidence that it was cultivated by the Aztecs and has been referred to as the "Aztec Running Food" due to the energy levels it provides.

It remains a dietary staple in many South and Central American countries and although it is not that well known in Europe it is increasing in popularity due to its nutritional benefits.

What's in 100g of chia?

• Protein: 20.7g
• Fat: 32.8g
• Carbohydrate: 41.8g
• (of which fibre is 41.2g)
• Calcium: 714mg
• Iron: 16.4mg
• Niacin (B3): 613mg
• Thiamine (B1): 0.18mg
• Riboflavin (B2): 0.04mg

Chia seeds are reportedly the richest plant source of Omega-3 and also contain Omega-6. We are all aware that Omega 3 is a vital fat that can help protect against inflammation such as arthritis and heart disease. In fact they contain more Omega-3 than salmon, more fibre than flax seed, a wealth of minerals and antioxidants and a complete source of protein so it is not surprising that Chia is fast becoming a popular super food.

At Aloka we have known about this little wonderful seed for a while and use it in both sweet and savoury dishes.

Lift the Weight of the World off Your Shoulders...

This month our Spa Special is 20& discount on a 30 minute Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage... a great way to unwind and let go fo that day-to-day stress.

This massage targets the areas which need it the most. The treatment works deeply into the muscle fibres to release tension and stiffness, increase mobility of joints and create the feeling of freedom.

Pressure is applied to acupressure points down each side of the spine to stimulate the central nervous system to re-energising the whole body leaving you feeling uplifted and ready to go.

To claim this offer come in or give reception a call on 01273 823 178 to book.

Not available in conjuction with any other offer.