» Going nuts to save the world

The nuts have dried for 21 days and can now be shelled

After enjoying the incredible charm of Antigua under perfect blue skies and the ideal temperature, I headed out to the macadamia nut farm yesterday. It´s about 15 minutes outside of Antigua.

I had the opportunity to sit and talk to Lorenzo, the American owner, for well over an hour and came home with beautiful macadamia nut oil, cream and other goodies they sold. However, it was much more than just a good time. Lorenzo and his Guatemalan wife, Emilia are a couple on a mission – a HUGE mission.

Lorenzo is no ordinary fellow and thankfully I was forewarned by one of my readers that he would be unusual in his mannerisms. Having just spent a week listening to the vocabulary of a group of young people prepared me well for Lorenzo´s no-nonsense sentiments and colorful language. He joined me as I was enjoying the macadamia nut pancakes and hibiscus iced tea in their garden-setting restaurant.

Started over 30 years ago, him and his wife now have a massive macadamia nut operation that is unique in the world. Not only does he amaze the scientists who tell him he can´t do what he is successfully doing, but Lorenzo and Emilia have been visited in the last few years by top cosmetic companies such as Lancome and Nivea. One of the hot anti-aging products Nivea has introduced was the creation of Lorenzo.

Called the Valhalla Experimental Station because of their innovative work in the field of macadamia nut trees, they were awarded the International Human Rights Consortium medal in the category of environment in 2004 in Victoria Hall, Geneva.

However, their mission is even bigger than that. Right now the forests in the world are being destroyed at the rate of a football field every 2 seconds. I know – that is alarming. I read that one twice before I really grasped how serious a problem we have with deforestation.

The tree of the macadamia nut may possibly be the most effective at fixing carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere. One adult tree can absorb approximately 30 pounds of carbon per year.

The Valhalla Project provides food. Apparently there are areas in Guatemala where people are literally starving if not literally, then definitely nutritionally and macadamia trees can be grown in people’s backyards to provide food for the family and badly needed nutrients not found in the normal Guatemalan diet.

This project helps preserve rainforests all over Guatemala along with the biodiversity in them. Slash-and-burn agriculture in Guatemala agriculture happens thanks to once-a-year crops like corn and beans, while macadamia trees produce for at least 150 years. Approximately 50 % of the people on this planet cook using firewood, and the prunings of the tree can provide the family with considerable amounts of firewood just from the prunings.

I learned a lot about macadamia nuts AND trees yesterday afternoon. For more info you can visit www.exvalhalla.net It´s a fascinating project and Lorenzo definitely lived up to his reputation. I got a hug, an orchid flower and a promise to keep in touch with this amazing couple. What an inspiration that at 70-years-old, they both are going strong with a passion to make this world a better place. Made me think about what I´m doing. How about you?

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