Hela Bima World - Sri Lanka

Over the past month, Shari Chase traveled to Sri Lanka and spent time with Dr. Abey and the Weera Gamunu farmers. Below is an update letter from Shari explaining the incredible transformations that have taken place over the past 4 years due to the tremendous help and support from our volunteers, Board members and everyone who has donated to the Hela Bima World mission.

Thank you to all volunteers and all participants on all levels for sending good thoughts for great progress here in Sri Lanka. Your thoughts are becoming a reality. May you feel Joy! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your commitment to supporting our mission.

The farmers are constantly increasing the quality of their lives from adding new windows to their houses to eating healthy meals instead of a water-only diet. They look healthier and have so much more confidence, so when chemical companies come calling, they do not get in the door! The Farmers now know they can produce crops that do not require harmful chemicals. They know the value of the earth and the way we treat it makes a huge difference. There are so many little differences from my last visit and this is all because of your efforts.

I discovered a reality in Sri Lanka that is top-of-mind for me; realizing that we were only one generation removed from losing the knowledge of traditional farming (without the use of harmful chemicals and fertilizers). Now, we have made a major shift to protect our future, the way we see FOOD and the way we value our lives.

Dr. Abey just completed a huge re-enactment of an ancient rice harvest ceremony spanning over two days for over 500 farmers, kids and families. Farmers participated in ancient rice harvesting methods such as buffalo thrashing and ancient milling processes. Farmers told stories of what they remembered before the big corporations took over farming while cooking rice for everyone. It was a HUGE success! The older co-op farmers brought new farmers to participate in this event. Many new farmers are submitting applications to join Weera Gamunu!

The current harvest is by far the most abundant harvest they have experienced yet due to a greater understanding of all processes. In just two years I have seen a few huge differences. First, the President of Sri Lanka wants the entire nation to be chemically free by 2020! As a result, more and more people are becoming aware of the dangers of chemically grown food. The second is storage. Obtaining land for more storage is not easy due to restrictions on land purchases but the farmers have expanded their temporary storage and are now in the process of buying land for a new storage facility and milling plant.

A major job is coordinating and addressing everyday issues. Dr. Abey has brought in people with a great heart to learn and carry out the process. He says “Here in Sri Lanka, one only needs patience and compassion.” This is his open-university program. The uplifting of lives is beyond transformational. That is what we need to learn as well.

Dr. Abey continues to see patients in Colombo and many people stop by his clinic for herbs and blessings waiting until he has time to see them. Changing the world takes determination and dedication. Thank you for all of yours!! May you be blessed!

-Shari Chase

March 2016 Sri Lankan Recipe Winners!

We love hearing about recipes that our wonderful customers have created, which is why once a month, we will choose our favorite one and add it to our Hela Bima Rice website. If your recipe is chosen, we will send you a bag of Hela Bima Rice (of your choice) on us!

Do you have a great recipe in mind and want to win a bag of Hela Bima Rice? Great! Email us your recipe(s) to info@helabimaworld.org for your chance to win.

Ran Kakulu Vegetables –

Special thanks to Terry Hernandez for this recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked Ran Kakulu Rice (energy & activation) Purchase here.
• 4 cups organic green beans (1/4” cut)
• 1 cup organic carrots (sliced)
• 1 cup organic zucchini (sliced)
• 1 organic onion (sliced)
• 5 garlic cloves (chopped)
• 1 large organic tomato (cut in small pieces)
• 1 tbsp local raw honey
• 1 tbsp organic coconut oil
• ¼ cup organic vegetable broth or water
• Sea salt and other seasonings as desired (try our curry powder!)

Cooking Instructions

Sauté organic onion in organic coconut oil. After onion is transparent, add garlic and organic tomato. After a few minutes add cooked rice. Mix well. Add organic veggies, and local raw honey. Season with sea salt and any other seasonings as desired. Mix well and sauté for 5 minutes. Add organic vegetable broth (or water) and simmer for 12 minutes (or until carrots are soft).

Kiribath (Sri Lankan Milk Rice)

Ingredients

• 2 cups of Sudu Kakulu Rice (awaken & joy) Purchase here.
• 2 cups coconut milk thick
• 2 cups water
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

Wash the rice, put in a medium saucepan and add water. Bring to a boil on medium heat, cover the saucepan, and cook until the rice is soft, 15-20 minutes. Add coconut milk and salt, stir well, and reduce heat to low, continue cooking on low heat for another 10 minutes until the milk has been absorbed. When the coconut milk is absorbed, the rice is very soft and creamy. By now rice milk is ready. Transfer the rice milk to a flat plate and flatten down with a piece of butter paper. If you like any shape, you can use a cookie cutter, serve with fish, chicken curry, or banana.

Sri Lankan Dhal

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry red lentils
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 cup coconut milk
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 onion (chopped)
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• ½ tsp chili powder
• 1 cup water
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 green chili (chopped)
• 3-4 curry leaves
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

Put the pan on low and add the oil, when the oil is hot, add the curry leaves, onion, garlic and mustard seeds, then sauté for a few seconds. Add the dhal, follow with all spices in powder form, mix well, and add hot water. Bring to a boil (you can substitute hot water for coconut milk if you prefer). Let dhal cook for 7-8 minutes, then add the thick coconut milk. Bring to a boil and simmer until dhal are cooked, stir from time to time.

Tropical Rice Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 package of Sudu Kakulu Rice. Purchase here.
• 2-4 cinnamon sticks
• 2Tbsp finely chopped fresh turmeric
• 3-4 Tbps finely chopped fresh ginger
• 8 cups of water
• 1 ripe pineapple (diced)
• 2 bananas (sliced)
• 3-4 ripe mangos (diced)
• ¼ cup shaved coconut
• 2-3 cans coconut milk

Cooking Instructions

Combine rice, cinnamon sticks, turmeric, ginger and water into a rice cooker and cook until rice is tender and moist. Transfer into a large bowl, remove cinnamon sticks and add pineapple, bananas, mangos and shaved coconut. Pour in coconut milk and stir ingredients. Spoon into serving dish. Chill and Serve.