We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Beckemeyer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandra, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Food is something that all humans require to not just survive, but to thrive. The food we eat directly affects our health and wellbeing on so many levels – energetically, physically, and spiritually. According to the growing number of scientific studies on nutrition, many of the chronic diseases that our country faces are preventable – and some are even reversable – with diet and lifestyle. My goal as a Holistic Nutritionist and with Allume Wellness is to empower others with knowledge on how to nourish a dynamically balanced life. I want people to learn to connect with and trust their bodies, develop healthy thought patterns, and find joy in respecting their bodies, minds, and spirits with wholesome food and healthy lifestyle habits. I teach how to tune into the body’s needs, select produce, understand the power of nutrients, prepare delicious and healthy meals, cultivate a balanced mindset, and have fun while doing all of it! I want my clients to then become wellness leaders and educators in their families and communities, leading by example and passing their knowledge on to the younger generations. Eating and living well lends to a life that is full of joy and creativity: I believe it enables people to ignite their inner spark and live out their soul’s purpose.

What should our readers know about your business?
Since I can remember, I have always wanted to help people heal. My dream was to have a functional medicine practice that integrated healing modalities like massage, acupuncture, herbalism, nutrition, and yoga, all housed under one roof on a property with an organic garden and chickens for fresh eggs. A year into my medical school education, I realized that I could marry my passion for real food and holistic health by dedicating my energy towards the prevention of imbalance and disease through coaching others to live and eat well. I wanted to learn everything I could about the science of nutrition, so I pursued a Master of Science in Human Nutrition & Functional Medicine and began interning at a colon hydrotherapy and nutrition clinic. After graduation, I began practicing as Holistic Nutritionist and started my company Allume Wellness. The name Allume comes from the word allumer, which means to light up in French. The name reflects my French heritage and the time cooking (and eating!) with my Grandmother that cultivated my culinary passion, in addition to the way that living healthily makes us glow. I have such a vision for how I want to help people that I felt called to build my own brand from the ground up – I wanted to be able to evolve and grow based on the needs of my clients, meanwhile retaining creative license. Starting my own practice has been a whirlwind, both challenging and very rewarding. I have the opportunity to personalize my nutrition and wellness plans for each client and get creative on how I address their needs, whether it be cooking instruction, grocery store tours, meal plans, or recipes. Gut health is so key to overall health, and education on the types of food that support a healthy microbiome and digestive system are a cornerstone of my practice. The body is also incredibly smart and I encourage my clients to live in concert with their body, trusting its signals and supporting its needs. Living well starts with what we eat, but it’s not the full picture. I am a holistic nutritionist because we discuss whole-person alignment, including mind, body and spirit – we require proper nutrition, sleep, daily movement, meditation, meaningful work, spiritual practice, and community. Finally, I believe we are all here on purpose, and for a purpose. When I talk with clients about why they want to eat better or drop some weight or get rid of their acne, we dig for a deeper reason for change. I remind my clients that their choice to be their best self allows them to feel amazing, show up in the world and live out their purpose. It’s incredible to see change happen before my eyes, to see other people light up and walk away empowered, understanding their body and how to take care of it better. I absolutely love what I do and can’t wait to keep evolving the brand with educational courses, cooking classes, lectures, and farm-to-table dinners. Right now Allume is virtual, but one day it’ll have the garden, the teaching kitchen, the chickens, the yoga, the herbs – it’ll be a healing sanctuary for all to enjoy.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
The day would start with an early yoga class at Yogala in Echo Park, and we’d walk out of the pastel colored studio blissed-out and vibrating at a whole new level. A short walk away is Valerie Confections, where we’d enjoy a little coffee or tea on their patio, along with their incredible French scrambled eggs with crème fraiche and an herbed green salad. Another block down is a delicious raw, organic juice bar Glowing Juices, where we could stop for some sort of immunity tonic or green juice. We’d then wander into the vintage shop, Tavin Boutique, and my favorite stationary store, Shout & About, to ooh and ah over the hand-crafted jewelry, sage bundles, cheeky stationary, and baby succulents. Next door is my favorite grocery store in the world, Cookbook. The produce straight from the local farmers market is beautifully displayed and overflowing to the point that there is barely room to maneuver around – you feel as if you’re stumbling into a tiny shop in Paris. With a basket full of fresh leaves, cured olives, a fresh baguette, heirloom tomatoes, a bit of cheese, perfectly-ripe plums and peaches, and a bouquet of flowers, we’d make our way home for a quick rinse and then head to the beach for a dip in the waves and a sunset picnic. On our way home, we could stop for a bit of live Jazz at ETA in Highland Park. Other favorites include: the farmers market in South Pasadena, breakfast at Gjusta, a bike ride along the beach from Santa Monica to Venice, burritos and green eggs at Amara Kitchen in Highland Park, the Art Walk in DTLA, craft cocktails at Bar Stella in Silverlake, and the trails around Fern Dell below Griffith Observatory.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Where to start! I am so blessed to have an amazing community of friends and family that have been instrumental in helping me realize this dream – I would not be where I am without them. It truly takes a village (and it’s much more exciting that way!). My mentor, Eloise Buckner, has pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. I have learned so much from watching her successfully guide her own clients with humor, love, and honesty. Eloise asks me tough questions, challenges me to think outside of the box, and gives me courage when I can’t seem to muster any more of my own. She has also taught me what it looks like to truly serve others. I want that heart to be a through line in all that I do.

Website: https://allumewellness.org/
Instagram: @allumewellness
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allumewellness

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