Holistic Holiday at Sea 2012

February 2012- A TASTE OF HEALTH "Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise"
Life-changing Classes taught by internationally renowned teachers, Caribbean Ports, Sunshine, Luscious Gourmet Vegan Food.

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Holistic Holiday At Sea VIII: Voyage to Well-Being Cruising to New Horizons of Knowledge

by Jane Quincannon Stanchich

You can make yourself happy forever by distributing and establishing health and happiness, by discovering newhorizons of joyful, amusing, and interesting living. George Ohsawa

The Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise is probably one of the most meaningful journeys for self-discovery and body-mind growth and health that can be found in this moment in time on the planet. -Alicia Sirkin, Bach Instructor, Florida

All aboard! The Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise is an invaluable and unique journey for body, mind, and spirit, an extraordinary floating conference, an education charted, as Ohsawa advised, to interesting new horizons of self-discovery, healing, and pure enjoyment. I have been fortunate enough to have attend all eight cruises and realize how informative and inspiring the classes, taught by the world’s top natural health experts are of key importance. The cruise launches us into a journey toward new awareness and lifestyle changes. The dynamic natural health classes are intertwined with delicious vegan-macrobiotic quality meals, music and dancing, along with lively discussions shared with friendly, like-minded fellow “cruisers” from around the world. Add to that the rejuvenating, and much needed, wintertime elixir of sparkling sun, sea, and the sights at Caribbean ports, and the stage was for a deeply positive and powerful experience.

As my friend and fellow “cruiser,” Erica Rand said, “What a way to travel...with everything handled for me I feel completely pampered…clean, comfortable cabins, great ports of call, reunions with long-time friends, making new friends, attending informative classes on how to live a healthier life...and the most delicious food I've eaten in the thirty years I've been practicing macrobiotics!"

The Holistic Holiday at Sea is so much more than a mere vacation. This cruise was created by nutritionist, author, and macrobiotic icon, Sandy Pukel, of Oak Feed- Coconut Grove fame, and John and Jan Belleme, natural food entrepreneurs, researchers, and author who knew the dynamic synergy that is sparked when one blends the beauty of tropical locales, the electricity of life-changing education, and the delight of ecological, whole foods cuisine. Perhaps the most meaningful of all the benefits are the miraculous changes that are reported from the participants who reported dramatic health improvements, disease reversals, and positive changes to last a lifetime.

Betty Hoehn, from Texas, a participant in the Holistic Holiday at Sea Healing Panel, exclaimed, “If it were not for the education I learned on the cruise, I would not be alive. My life would have ended. My health problem reversed. In addition, my husband lost 60 pounds since the first cruise we have taken, he no longer has Type 2 Diabetes, and he no longer needs blood pressure medicine.”

I looked forward to broadening my knowledge and honing my skills in macrobiotics, nutrition, science, exercise, and a myriad of natural health modalities. Even before my husband, Lino, and I arrived in the warmth of sunny Florida, the Holistic Holiday at Sea’s extensive website allowed me to study the biographies and class descriptions of the internationally renowned teachers who will be presenters on the cruise. I was able to peruse the biographies of different counselors and therapists who provide personalized recommendations for dietary and lifestyle improvements as well as bodywork treatments. I also read about the Caribbean beaches into which I plan to plunge and sights I hope to see at the exotic ports of call.

The Holistic Holiday at Sea website gave me the three dietary menu options for meals, expertly prepared by Mark Hanna and his talented chefs. I selected the cruise’s gourmet vegan macrobiotic menu. Other friends choose Mark’s classic Macrobiotic Healing cuisine, while some select the non-gluten menu. Where can one take a cruise and receive such exquisitely prepared and beautifully presented whole food meals of such high quality?

As we stepped aboard the exquisite Italian ship, MSC Poesia (Poetry), it is poetry in motion: sleek, elegant, and tasteful. After visiting our comfortable cabin, we were greeted with a colorful and delicious vegan Welcome

Brunch. A unique feature of this cruise allows us to seat ourselves at any available table in the dining room. Consequently, our mealtimes provide the opportunity to sit with and get to know many interesting people as well as renew enjoyable relationships with longtime friends. Author and Macrobiotic Teacher, Sheri DeMaris says, “The meals are always so healthy and delicious and such a variety. As a healthy eater I always feel they hit the spot and provide me with such great energy to explore the islands and enjoy the beautiful beaches. Meeting so many new vegan, vegetarian and macrobiotic friends was truly inspiring.” Lino and I also enjoy dining with other teachers and colleagues, discovering their latest activities, perspectives, and healing methods. Making friends with others on the cruise is invaluable on personal and professional levels.

Mealtimes on the cruise provided an education in culinary skills, such as menu planning, recipes, and the creation of extraordinary vegan/macrobiotic cuisine. Breakfasts were classic macrobiotic menus, along with a self-service buffet of cereal, vegan “milk,” fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds. At
lunch, there was a huge raw salad bar where one may select from dozens of fresh vegetables and accoutrements. Then, upon returning to my table, I was served a complete mouth-watering lunch menu. Delicious gourmet dinners were served in a more elegant ambiance. Yes, the pure luxury of being served delectable wholesome food is a true joy of life.

The Healing Panel is always my personal favorite session during which life-threatening disease survivors share their true, dramatic stories of healing. On each cruise I learn from these amazing people their healing techniques and inspiration for health and transformation. Highly regarded teachers and friends such as Judy MacKenney, (Lymphoma), Bob Mikell (Kidney Cancer), and Virginia Harper, (Crohn’s) are regular panel members who join others in telling their healing journeys. Indeed, the cruise gives us an exciting place to rekindle the fire of hope and to learn how to not only to survive but thrive, against all odds. Lino and I take home these hopeful testimonials to inspire our family, friends, and students.

Keynote speakers, of international renown, inspired audiences with their energy, expertise, and esteemed work in the sciences of natural health and personal transformation. Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., a Harvard trained medical scientist, pioneer in mind-body medicine, and author of fourteen books, presented, “The Promise of Change and the Power of Resilience” and other spellbinding and thought-provoking discussions synthesizing modern psychology with spiritual traditions. Dr. T. Colin Campbell, famed nutritional researcher and author of the groundbreaking book, The China Study, reinforced the profound medical benefits of the plant-based diet and provided his audience with his exciting scientific findings. Particularly compelling were the many controversies his writings have stirred up in the medical and academic communities. His son, Tom Campbell, M.D., co-author of the most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted, The China Study, joined him.

Bringing excitement, humor, and celebrity to the cruise, former NBA star, dedicated vegan, and television host, John Salley, who recently spoke to Congress promoting Child Nutrition. He presented highly entertaining and motivational speeches to encourage the audience to live well and eat well, with integrity and discipline. Internationally recognized authority in yoga and health transformation, Yogi Amrit Desai, gave a keynote lecture on a profoundly important and timely subject in his, “The Hidden Source of All Addictions and Self-Destructive Patterns.” Desai offered many other classes and meditation sessions sharing his deeply spiritual wisdom.

Students were inspired! “I am leaving with tools to take me from where I am going to where I want to go. The inspiring teachers gave information to change our lives. Without the information we learned on the cruise, we could not have gone forward- we would have stayed in limbo,” said Renee
and Ed Healthcott.

Cancer survivor, outstanding teacher, television show host, and author of five best-selling, cookbooks, Christina Pirello presented a new radical wake-up call to awareness, action, and activism as she exposed the dark side of the American diet. She presented cooking classes on the controversies of soy, preparations of easy recipes using vegan foods, and a new call-to-arms speech, “I’m Mad as Hell and I’m Not Going to Eat It Anymore.” Survivor of osteoporosis and author, Robert Pirello, Christina’s husband, shared his hard-won battle to reverse his bone disease and his secrets to living a long, healthy, more joyous life. Another cancer survivor, Judy MacKenney, internationally recognized macrobiotic educator, presented an invaluable post-Healing Panel discussion and provided healing strategies for when “cruisers” returned home.

Macrobiotic lectures abounded! British macrobiotic teacher and author, Simon Brown, presented interesting and informative lectures on acid-alkaline, reducing stress, feng shui, chi energy, and the secrets of face reading. Warren Kramer, well-respected macrobiotic educator and counselor, taught basic macrobiotics and common mistakes, healthy digestion, and loving your liver. Jessica Porter not only entertained us with her traditional Cruise Introductions, but she also taught “Macrobiotic Cooking 101 with the Hip Chick,” along with classes on spectacularsoups and ridiculously delicious desserts. Jessica also taught ways to navigate the subconscious minds towards macrobiotic success, in “Hypnosis and Healing.”

Lino Stanchich, macrobiotic counselor, teacher, author, presented a variety of unique lectures on such transformative topics as gaining maximum energy and healing from your diet, laughter therapy, stimulating self-massage, and slim dance walking. Bob Carr, macrobiotic educator and shiatsu bodywork therapist, taught several dynamic lectures with themes including “Food and Love,” as well as other classes about the biological basis of emotions, healing agriculture, and natural vision improvement. Leading a street-wise cram session in human anatomy/physiology was shiatsu expert, Patrick Riley,who also presented, with Christina Pirello, a “take-no-prisoners” interactive session, in the genre of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About…. “Everything,” a truly eye-opening and fun experience. Marquita and Warren Wepman, taught their always meaningful and practical “Ready, Set, Go, for Your Macrobiotic Practice,” with all the “how-tos” of getting started with healthy living and the all important topics of how to deal with family and friends, both detractors and supporters, once one has decided to adopt this lifestyle.

And for a musical interlude…The soundtrack of our voyage was provided by several wonderful and talented musicians. Familiar classic hit songs were performed by the inimitable Bridgette Kossor, macrobiotic educator, professional singer, entertainer, composer and recording artist, who got us up moving and grooving, singing along, and feeling good throughout the cruise. If your tastes were more inclined towards Chopin and Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, recording artist Judith Alstadter delighted us with beautiful romantic melodies of love. As Shakespeare wrote, “If music be the food of love, play on!” Will Tuttle, Ph.D. accompanied by his wife, Madeleine on flute, gavea powerful concert for world peace and the beauty of the earth.

The Holistic Cruise continued to present lectures by world-class experts. Ronald Peters, M.D. inspired us all with his expertise in mind-body medicine, nutritional biochemistry, and holistic medicine. John Herzog, DO, FAOAO, orthopedic surgeon and teacher at the New England School of Medicine, taught techniques to strengthen our bones with a plant-based diet. Melissa Karpel, of PETA, relayed how to live a compassionate vegan life and how to change our world for the better through dietary choices. Naturopath Sanford Lapedis, shared his skills in homeopathy and spiritual synchronization in “Targeting the Root of Dis-ease.” Mary-Lynn Wieber, acupuncture physician and
Ayurvedic educator offered Live Blood Cell Analysis sessions.

The cruise curriculum included more extraordinary cooking classes with teachers who taught a full array of healing and gourmet macrobiotic cooking classes. Also in the delicious cooking class mix was well-known cookbook author Isa Chandra Moskowitz, who demonstrated vegan culinary favorites such as pancakes, vegan seafood, and flavors of the Caribbean.

Each morning, as the sun rose over the ship and sea, we were offered dynamic exercise routines, to stretch, stimulate, and strengthen our bodies with Yoga, Pilates, Running, Qi Gong, or Do-In. Popular internationally certified exercise instructors such as Sherri Baptiste, Marcus Gray, Larry Krug, and Bianka Steinfeldt, along with Chandrakant and Lino Stanchich, expertly led sessions designed to increase vitality, manage pain, and relieve anxiety and stress. The best aspect of this early morning experience is that we can carry these lessons home to continue and deepen their benefits for us physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Award-winning author, animal rights activist, and musician, Will Tuttle, Ph.D., inspired with his many teachings of the essence of spiritual practice and creating the culture of peace. Rounding out the extraordinary faculty of the Holistic Holiday at Sea conference was educator Alicia Sirkin, a leading authority in Bach Flower Remedies. With her background in medicine and her flower remedy toolbox, Alicia taught how to age with grace, relieve the stress of care-giving, and balance emotions with this highly beneficial natural method for self-discovery and self- healing.

Truly, the educational options on this unique one week experience was phenomenal! Thank Goodness the well- staffed Cruise Store was stocked with a myriad of books and lecture recordings we could carry home to continue our holistic education. Not only was the cruise food menu nourishing and varied, so was the educational menu. Nelson Mandela has said, “Education is the most powerful
weapon which you can use to change the world.” The Holistic Holiday at Sea provides a powerful education to create a life that is, as Ohsawa taught, “ more joyful,amusing, and interesting,” and to change one’s world for a lifetime.

The Holistic Holiday at Sea VIII was an event like no other. From the unbelievably delicious meals to the great presenters and new ship, it was an unforgettable trip. So my bags are packed already for next year and I'm so looking forward to once again flying out of the cold east coast to embark on a trip to paradise! – Sheri DeMaris,
Macrobiotic Author and Teacher

The ship is so light and happy. The participants, as well as the teachers, are kind, relaxed, and flexible. We are so encouraged. We signed up for next year and will bring our two daughters. - Healing Panel speaker, Frances Wilson