Puerto Rican Adventure into Plant-Based, Living Foods
This past year has taken its toll on me just like everyone else. It was time for an escape from city life and more. By more, I mean escape from poor food and behavior habits developed over the last 12 months. It was a bit of a hasty decision to leave my life for two weeks. The best part was telling my husband that he would be single parenting our 9-year-old (home schooling included) for 14 days. “I’m outta here for 2 weeks!” My amazing spouse looked at me with deadpan eyes. “Well, I guess you’re going.” Yup. Flight booked and reservation made for a 2-week course at the Ann Wigmore Institute in Puerto Rico where I would be immersed in raw, plant-based living foods. I had a small idea of what I was in for, since my friend Sue had been there a year ago and has been raving about it since. However, I really wasn’t prepared for the major adjustment to my diet and daily regime. It was awesome.
When I arrived at the institute I was immediately greeted with big smiles and a fresh shot of wheatgrass. Oh green heaven, loaded with nutrients! By the end of the day, I would have wheatgrass everywhere. Dropped into my eyes, up my nose and yes… up the back end too! I took a wheatgrass bath that turned me into Elphaba from Wicked.
Being situated right at one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen certainly made the whole experience that much more elevated. The ocean always calls to me. And 80-degree water made diving every day easy. My whole body felt healed by the smooth warm air and the salt water. Besides being in the water right at the institute in Aguada, we zipped to other beaches on the island including Rincon (aka “Grincon”... gringos in Rincon).
Okay, back to what the food situation is at Ann Wigmore. Many meals are based on “energy soup,” which is essentially blended sprouts. What gets added to the soup, you may ask? Not much! Simple is the point. This was a detox in the most pure form. There were flavorful additions to the soup… sauerkraut, parsley, chives, cilantro, lime, turmeric, dulce and/or ginger. Ahh, something sweet was available at most meals too. Papaya that was plucked fresh from the garden, just like all the other ingredients. Everything pure, nothing cooked, all raw-living foods. So fresh and so clean. My palate got used to the basic flavors, and my belly was very happy. This food is loaded with enzymes, which makes digestion a breeze. I was also introduced to a fermented beverage called “Rejuvelac.” It’s the juice from sauerkraut. It might sound challenging to drink a cup per day. Surprisingly, I got used to it and actually looked forward to it.
Mornings started at 6:30am with yoga or Feldenkrais class at the beach house, accompanied by the crashing of the waves and a breathtaking sunrise. Then we were served wheatgrass, followed by a morning meditative walk on the beach and then Qi Gong class. Breakfast began at 9am. We were served so much food throughout the day that I never felt hungry or deprived. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack and then dinner. Snack was either green juice or a smoothie. The smoothies had fun ingredients like hazelnut milk, strawberries, apples and cinnamon...different every day, and delicious. I really felt satisfied. I took lots of naps and just let my body rest for the first 5 days. Then my energy became off the charts and I didn’t want to nap anymore. So that old nap time became swimming in the ocean time.
We had the most incredible food preparation classes where we made “pasta” (aka zucchini spirals) with leek and celery powder (dehydrated from actual celery and leeks--super salty tasting, but no actual salt in the food).
Next up was coconut cream pie with an almond crust, and then tasty crackers made of dehydrated veggies. The key from these classes was how to bring the program home. That was my big dilemma. How can I still eat this way when I return to NYC and back in the land of burgers and mac ‘n cheese? So far, so good. I lost 18 lbs in those two weeks. I had no idea I was carrying that extra weight. I feel better than I have in years and I want to keep up the vegan lifestyle - with a little meat thrown in here and there! I did write a book about moderation, after all.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention all the love and care from the staff of Ann Wigmore. A special shout out goes to Carolyn who is my new best friend. (Watch for Carolyn soon on an upcoming Instagram live.) She truly inspired me to want to eat unlimited greens and live foods. She ensured that I felt supported through the two-week journey. And LaLita, the program director, was there each day providing support and love. LaLita scheduled individual meetings with each participant just to chat about life. For me, our conversation was about balance and ease.
Now that I am back in the Bronx, I still carry that piece of Paradise with me. My mindset has switched from deprivation to nurture. I am honoring my body, the foods I choose, and the way I relate to others. It was an utter gift to spend two weeks at the Wigmore Institute in Puerto Rico. If you go, let me know! And if you can’t get there just yet, consider their online program which brings all the info and spirit of the program to you wherever you are in the world. Namaste!