CRUSING TO HEALTH ON THE HOLISTIC HOLIDAY AT SEA CRUISE
By Jane Quincannon Stanchich
Imagine the sun sparkling off the ocean, as you stand starboard on a sleek, beautiful cruise ship. You gaze at an island in the turquoise Caribbean Ocean, as warm tropical breezes caress your skin. Now imagine that hundreds of friends and health-minded people have joined you and your family on this elegant, modern Italian ship that docks in exotic ports of call. Include in this delightful daydream a full schedule of dynamic, empowering classes taught by internationally popular, natural health educators. As this is a unique cruise, imagine pleasant waiters bringing you gourmet macrobiotic meals, skillfully prepared, artfully presented and highly nutritious.
At the historical Caribbean ports, picture yourself strolling powder-white sand beaches, sailing in catamarans, shopping for treasures, kayaking a tropical river or snorkeling among iridescent fish. Back on board the ship, imagine, a full children’s program of creativity and fun. International musicians play or sing, as you see exciting theater extravaganzas, pleasurable concerts and hilarious comedy shows. Add to this fantasy a modern, comfortable cabin to which you retreat after a day of exhilaration, education and entertainment. Yet, this is no fantasy! This was reality for the Holistic Holiday at Sea, A Voyage to Well-Being, which set sail last February for seven days of a true “Bon Voyage” for body, mind and spirit.
My husband, Lino, and I have been privileged to attend macrobiotic plant-based conferences and camps, throughout America and Europe, annually for over twenty years. Some were held in Miami Beach Art Deco hotels, others on congenial college campuses or in rustic campgrounds where we slept under the stars. Each conference was special and inspiring, a combination of education and vacation, accompanied by friends, fun and fabulous food. Each of these events was permeated with a strong dedication to personal and planetary health. Each presented empowering education promoting good health, ecology and the joy of life. The Holistic Holiday at Sea embodied all of these qualities and gave us a luxurious cruise to the Caribbean too! This was another successful voyage launched by Sandy Pukel of the “Oak Feed Store” and former “Macrobiotic Foundation of Florida”, and John Belleme, author, researcher and former food producer. Sandy and John, friends for decades, set this holistic vacation/conference/voyage to sail in the beautiful and luxurious Italian Cruise Ship. Dedicated to promoting natural health education, they made the cruise exciting, fun and affordable.
Those with any appetite for learning about health realized the satisfying educational feast that was available on the Holistic Holiday at Sea. World renowned physicians, and scientists, holistic edicators, and counselors, skilled massage therapists and musicians taught and entertained us all week!We also discovered that tasty and healthy can co-exist in the same recipe.
We were all delighted with the excellent quality and sumptuous flavors of the macrobiotic food served on the Holistic Holiday at Sea cruise. Passengers were greeted every breakfast, lunch and dinner with delicious, healthy food, beautifully presented. Now, the cruise offers several menus from which to choose: Gourmet Vegan, Oil-Free-Non-Gluten, and Raw, with abundant, beautiful dishes served by friendly wait staff. As a cook and chef myself, I marveled at the incredible feasts served three times a day to over five hundred health cruisers in our group. Each dish was better than the one before.
On the final evening we could choose between the professional theater show, a life-changing lecture, or the Annual Talent Show. I am grateful to have experienced such an incredible time, with my husband, Lino, and such amazing, warm, like-minded people on a luxurious ship on the beautiful ocean! These are memories we all will have forever.
Pack your bathing suit and your appetite for a sunnier great life of health and happiness. See you on board February 27 – March 5, 2016. Visit www.atasteofhealth.org for exciting details, registration, and fantastic educational schedule of HOLISTIC HOLIDAY AT SEA XIII.