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Chopping sabzi + listening to Persian oldies = pure joy.
In many ways, LILI JADE is my opportunity to honor my ancestry by carrying forward the traditions, community roles, and principles my family has upheld for centuries.
Jalili - my mother’s maiden name
Amjadi - my father’s surname
In a pre-revolutionary Iran, my mother grew up in a house that was always in service to the community. Every week, her family would open the doors to anyone who needed advice, support, or just a cup of hot tea with sweet dates. My grandfather and great uncle would then listen to their community and offer their wisdom, their social connections, or even their resources. Growing up, I watched my parents embody these rituals as they built a new definition of community in the US.
Persians understand that nourishing food shared in communion can be one of our strongest defenses against any physical or emotional ailment. Our relationship with food and its healing properties were deeply influenced by Ayurveda, which is why I practice this ancient wisdom and share its teachings with you all.
When Persians feed others, we say noosh-e jaan which translates to may it nourish your soul. That is my intention for LILI JADE.
LOGO
The LILI JADE logo began as a tattoo idea I designed in March 2020 as the world stopped and life suddenly slowed way down. I wanted a tattoo that would remind me to look at people in the same way I look at trees. A crooked, twisted tree reaching for the sun it was never fully afforded is still a beautiful being. We too are worthy of this compassion and reverence.
From there, I chose abstractions of the three trees that made me: the Pine for Washington (left), the Cypress for Iran (middle), and the Palm for Florida (right). The moon phases on top were added to make it look like three friends chatting—my reminder to live a simple, community-centric life.
I got the tattoo in January 2021. A few months later, as I began my Ayurvedic education and started building towards LILI JADE, I realized the figures also corresponded with the Ayurvedic doshas: Pitta (left), Kapha (middle), and Vata (right). A beautiful moment of synchronicity.
Now, the logo takes on yet another layer of meaning, representing my mission to help create a world that places well-being at the center.
You can read more in my blog here.