A Voyage to Well-Being on the Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise 2010
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A Voyage to Well-Being on the Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise 2010 Jane Quincannon Stanchich here are times in life when it all comes together, those special Tmoments in which senses, plea- sure, philosophy, and well being align with great friends, fabulous gourmet, macrobiotic/vegan food, and true nour- ishment of body, mind, and spirit. Add to the mix sunny skies, warm tempera- tures, one thousand like-minded folks, life-changing classes, music, parties, and that rarest of all experiences—total pampering—and you have the Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise VII, the largest macrobiotic gathering on the planet. While every macrobiotic conference and gathering is enriching and reward- ing in its own special way, this cruise is living the “Great Life” as a whole new experience! I did not know I was a “Cruise Per- Fun at Dinner on Board son.” The first cruise I ever took was Photo by Mike Belleme the first Holistic Holiday at Sea, seven The Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise is so prepares the highest quality meals at years ago. My husband, Lino, and I well regarded that National Geographic major macrobiotic conferences world- came on board when long-time friend, Magazine named it, “One of the 100 wide, led an expert crew in the prepa- colleague, and macrobiotic legend, best worldwide vacations to enrich your ration of dishes that were scrumptious, Sandy Pukel, took his highly successful life.” visually beautiful, and satisfying. The annual macrobiotic conferences from We were enriched with incompa- staff cared about our dietary needs. The Miami Beach to the Caribbean Ocean. rable ambiance and food. The sleek, chefs covered all the culinary bases Partnering with life-long friends, John modern Italian cruise ship utilized with competence. and Jan Belleme, these macro warriors award-winning ecological methods. The cruise offered a buffet, profi- launched a uniquely exciting, empow- The bright décor, comfortable cabins, cient table service, a special healing ering, and evolutionary conference and helpful personnel made the entire menu, and a gluten-free selection. For where learning about and being in to- atmosphere extremely pleasurable. Re- that week, we could sit back and be tal wellness is the charted destination. nowned Head Chef Mark Hanna, who served consciously prepared food. How 16 Macrobiotics today • July/August 2010 heavenly! Another special and unique dynamic fitness classes, such as Amrit well-deserved international recognition policy is that we can sit wherever we Yoga, Pilates, Walk-Run-Stretch with as a profound voice for the vegan diet choose. We could change tables each Larry Krug, Do-In with Lino, and med- which positively impacts personal and meal and eat with new dining partners, itation with Abraham Oort. planetary wellness, animal rights, and allowing terrific social exchanges, net- Throughout the week, over 140 compassionate life on the planet. working, and most of all, development classes, taught by 45 teachers, includ- Marilu Henner, actress, four-times of friendships. A singles table further ing famed physicians, award-winning New York Times best-selling author, encouraged conversation and connec- authors and cooking teachers, massage health guru, talk-show host, and long- tion. Two formal meals allowed us, if masters, well known macrobiotic edu- time proponent of the macrobiotic diet, we wished, to jazz up our wardrobe cators, golf experts, fitness gurus, mu- energetically bounded around the stage for more elegant, candlelit dinners. As sicians, and dance therapists were food passionately delivering her unique rap- one man from Portland, Oregon said, for the mind and soul. That’s not just a id-fire wisdom, organizational revela- “I am treated like a king here, served “taste” of health, it’s a whole smorgas- tions, and motivational tips for health, meals and cleaned up after. The food is bord of empowered learning! beauty, and joy of life. Joel Fuhrman, outstanding, the people beautiful. It is We were honored to hear T. Colin M.D., of the Eat Right America Foun- quite restful.” dation, another popular cruise teacher, Mark Hanna and staff prepared spoke of his high-nutrient eating style, delicious vegan dishes. Each dish was micronutrients, and his disease-fight- served individually, beautifully gar- ing dietary regime. Respected senior nished and abundant. How on earth did macrobiotic educator and Feng Shui ex- the chefs prepare such glorious dishes pert and author, Bill Spear, offered his for one thousand people? A miracle. unique insights about spirituality, end- Most recipes are in Sandy Pukel and of-life experience, the world of emo- Mark Hanna’s cookbook, Grains and tions, thinking outside the macrobiotic Greens on the Deep Blue Sea. box, and his unique perspectives about health, healing, and self realization. ViVa italiana and Hot, Imagine hearing hilarious author Hot, Hot! and educator, Christina Pirello with The wait staff performed riotous tears running down your cheeks, and dances to Italian and Caribbean clas- not from the chopped onions! Follow sic tunes in the dining room. Then, they that class with one from famous cook- got us up doing the conga line with wild book author, Bryant Terry, on how to abandon. Not my typical evening meal, prepare vegan soul food, African cui- to say the least. So often, back home, sine, and Afro-Caribbean dishes made fun needs to be more frequent on our T. Colin Campbell with zesty down-home flavors. Perhaps personal menu. On this cruise, it is the Photo by Mike Belleme a personal session with Bob Carr would centerpiece. We felt as energized, nour- feel perfect, or attending Ohashi’s shiat- ished, and revitalized by the dining at- Campbell, Ph.D., author of The China su workshop to learn life-long massage mosphere and tablemates, as we did by Study, the largest epidemiological study skills. Decisions, decisions. Perhaps a the delicious wholesome food. ever conducted on diet and nutrition. refresher course in classic macrobiotic Permeating the cruise was a power- Dr. Campbell riveted us with rock-solid philosophy with Warren Kramer, Judy ful commitment and passionate mes- findings on the nutritional superiority of MacKenney, or Warren and Marquita sage of how profoundly our food choic- the plant-based diet, which, of course, is Wepman. Maybe a comic, yet illumi- es impact the health of our planet and in alignment with the macrobiotic diet. nating Jessica Porter cooking class, a ourselves. Classes on the cruise were Always popular Neal Barnard, M.D., fascinating introduction to Bach Flower varied, exciting, and totally engaging. founder of the Physicians Committee Remedies with Alicia Sirkin, or a mean- Nationally recognized health experts for Responsible Medicine, presented ingful lecture on stress and cancer with and popular best-selling authors taught several deeply compelling lectures on Dr. Ron Peters. How about Laughter traditional wisdom, shared cutting edge urgent contemporary health issues such Therapy or Spiritual Development (Ho information, and inspired us on subjects as diabetes, ethical food choices, and Ho or OMMMM) with Lino Stanchich. from nutrition, lifestyle, and spiritual- becoming a health activist. Dr. Bar- Will it be the extraordinary Recovery ity, to movement, meditation, and mo- nard’s commitment and dedication to Panel, a discourse on Conscious Eat- tivation. As the sun rose over the ocean the vegan lifestyle, coupled with solid ing with Yogi Desai, or Dancing with each morning, we could choose among scientific research, have brought him the Waves with Sarah Wilde. Dilemma Macrobiotics today • July/August 2010 17 solved! If we cannot attend a particular friends, cook some of those gourmet cruise is one of my favorite weeks in lecture, we can buy the tape of it at Ye dishes from the cruise, serve beauti- the year...imagine, all natural macro Old Cruise Store, managed by Warren fully garnished dishes, and attend the food and you don’t have to shop, cook Wepman, where tons of health books cruise in 2011! The ship will sail to Key or do dishes. It is eating exquisite food and foods are available for purchase. West (Hemmingway’s house, gorgeous with people of a similar bent who don’t Cruise 2010 was a feast of possibilities, beaches, fruit punch on a veranda), Ja- think you’re crazy to eat seaweed. Then perspectives, and impassioned enjoy- maica (a huge, magnificent waterfall to there is a coterie of teachers from differ- ment. Yum. hike up, dreadlocks, reggae music, the ing perspectives to stimulate the brain, Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise VII slow “ No rush, Man, no worry” phi- there’s music and dancing and the vast- launched from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. losophy), Grand Cayman (more white ness of the ocean. Oh, did I forget sun- It was smooth sailing to several incom- beach sand in your toes, invigorating light after a long, long winter? It’s easy parable ports on white-sand Caribbean hikes, boat trips), and Cozumel, Mexi- to get used to being treated like royalty! islands. The first Port of Call was St. co (a mix of beautiful scenery, beaches, Sign me up for 2011!” Thomas and adjoining eco-island, St. shops, and adventures). Yes, these are the times in our lives John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Cruise 2011 looks even more ex- to learn new paths towards total health, cruise offered a vast selection of excur- ecological consciousness, and inner sions at each port including adventures peace, to feel the passion of our heart- such as sailing, parasailing, hiking, felt beliefs, and to embrace joy, beauty, beach swimming, and cultural theater and the sunny side of life. Just maybe performances. The next day brought us that is the healthiest therapy of all. Join to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with its sul- us for the next cruise that departs from try air, majestic Spanish architecture, Ft.