RAW FOOD AS MEDICINE
The Optimum Health Institute is using a 'Holistic Program' for Mental, Emotional and Physical health... I remember sitting with my daughter Karen under a tree during one of our several visits and eating Raw Food, when a few small leaves from the tree above us fell and landed on our plates... We didn't even bother to remove them! (I can't remember if we ate the leaves or not). The Nutritional Program in this place is based on organic raw, sprouted vegetables only! The most important healing ingredient is 'Wheat Grass Juice', made out of special Grass growing on the premise. The guests 'feed' this special grass into antique juicers and drink it twice a day... There are daily (non-stop) classes and lectures about health and healing, as well as massages and daily enemas, the latter which Karen and I made sure to avoid!
Neither television, cell phones nor computers are allowed on the premises! ("If you wish to get Cancer from the Radiation of these Electronic Devices - Do it in your own house!") People are not supposed to talk about 'Negative Topics' and the word "Illness", is replaced with "Health Opportunity!"... During the first three days, was I picking at the Raw Veggies on my plate, with Fake Enthusiasm... The "Meal" was consisted of a few Green Leaves, covered with raw mashed Sprouts...The "Salad Dressing" was made out of 'Water and Herbs'...There was no oil (not even Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil! ) or a pinch of salt! I didn't realized how much I craved salt, until the fourth day; when I was having a Massage named 'Salt Glow' and began (Frantically and Obsessively) licking the salt off my arms, ignoring the concerned and frightened looks of the Masseuse...
The Pounds were melting away from my body, which so far was the only thing I liked... By the fourth day, I could no longer stand the 'Mush', so I ate one lettuce leaf for lunch and two Swiss Chard for dinner... On the fifth day we had the same Green Juice we received, on our first day and decided to name it, "Green Pina Colada"! Towards the afternoon we were so hungry, we were missing the 'Mush' and devoured the "Crackers", which were made out of Sun Dried Vegetables...
I have to admit that the Chef really tried... One day we were served "spaghetti", made out of raw zucchini, sliced thin (like noodles...) and "meat balls", made out of 'Mush', covered with tomato juice (Ketchup?) meant for the "pizza. The "crust" of this "pizza: was made out of dried vegetable crackers covered with round tomato slices (salami? ) and raw onion slices (fries?). One of the women with an Italian last name began to cry after biting in to her "pizza"! She, most probably, was remembering the better homemade meals of real pasta and pizza, covered with cheese, salami and olives.
The green 'Wheat Grass' which was considered to be the most important ingredient in this program, was another 'torture' and the only way we were able to drink it, was by pouring cinnamon on top and drink while pinching our nostrils. Now, I gag when I smell cinnamon, which used to be one of my favorite spices. I have to admit, after hearing how 'Green Juice' could cure and eliminate any skin problem, I would smear some of it on a cut in my arm, as well as on a tiny 'Mole' I found on my left leg. The following day I was shocked to discover that both had disappeared. Some people were 'snorting' this juice in order to cure their sinus problems. Others put it in their ears and bathed their eyes using a glass which could be purchased at the small gift shop... Others were pouring 'Green Juice' in their bath water... talk about "GOING GREEN!"
Among the recommendation for 'healing methods', was a 'Fast from Speaking', which was a very big challenge for a talker like me, but I did it! I never realized before how much energy we put into talking and how busy the brain is when having a conversation or arguments. Not speaking for a full day felt like going back to being a young child who couldn't talk yet. I noticed how 'sharp' my hearing became when I was listening with amazement to the sounds of tweeting birds, barking dogs and mooing cows. I was admiring the leaves of the flowers, feeling as if I was going back in time, regressing to the 'young innocent child' I had once been... a girl who had been able to see Wonder and Joy in everything and everyone next next to her. I also experienced how my emotions moved from sadness to joy; anger and tears to laughter and compassion. This experience reminded me how years ago my, sensitive three years old daughter Karen, asked me "Does it Hurt the Orange when we Peel it?"... I was deeply moved by that and was wondering how could I protect such a sensitive child from the pain she will be going through during her long life's journey...
We are told, that the Human Race has been slowly poisoning itself with toxic foods, alcoholic drinks and other 'chemicals' which we put on our skin and hair, besides breathing the fumes and other toxins in the air!... I made up my mind that when I return home, I would continue to eat raw food only, until my date with the MRI machine, December 12th. I kept visualizing my Tumor 'Shrinking Away", and fantasizing how my doctor would look at the result of my tests and faint from shock when he sees that my Tumor disappeared! I even imagined myself, picking up the doctor from the floor, speaking to him about how I shrunk m Tumor, thereby converting him to Vegetarianism. Then we could save the Human Race from horrible illnesses, which are caused by killing and eating of innocent, helpless creatures. I was reminded again and again about the dangerous of ' Genetically Modified Food' and at times, I would visualize myself becoming the "Heroine of the Animal Kingdom" after saving the poor cows, pigs, goats, chickens, lamb, ducks, turkeys and rabbits from their death!
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Bagel and coffee
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Doughnut and tea
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On the last day of school at this transformational health spa, we were saying tearful goodbyes to instructors and friends we made in this place of healing. A few of them were staying longer, but my daughter Karen and I decided to go home after one week only. Karen was missing our dog and her friends and I felt guilty about "deserting" my husband, our dog Moses and our friends. One thing I was very happy to leave behind me was Seven Pounds! I was able to last on the Raw Veggie Diet for a few days only! My resolve dissolved the moment I smelled the fresh coffee my husband Al was brewing in the kitchen and could barely wait for the fresh and sweet taste of doughnuts, stuffed with jam, which he bought home. It was quite soon that I forgot the promise I made to avoid this kind of "poisoning food" forever!
Two days later, a friend came to visit, bringing flowers and donuts. It didn't take long to put back five of the seven pounds I was hoping were lost forever. I fear I am hopelessly addicted to sweets! I made up my mind not to eat 'Red Meat' ever again after our dog Moses received me with such joy. Moses is a black and white mix of Toy Poodle, Shiatsu and Maltese, which makes him look like a twelve pound 'Little Cow'. Moses was so happy to see me, crying and licking my legs, looking into my eyes with such longing, devotion and love, it made me cry... I could almost understand what he was trying to say: "Where have you been Shira? How could you leave me for so long?! I missed you so much! I was afraid you'll never come back!" How could I ever eat anything which resembles our Moses? I decided to become Vegetarian once again...
With Love and Light,
Shira