Back in Potsdam, NY. A show of our work from Costa Rica opened at Otto's gallery last night.
One journey ends and another begins. The conclusion of our time in Costa Rica ushers in the challenges of transplanting new habits formed abroad into the familiar context of the old habits. It is quite a challenge for Otto, but he has learned that he himself holds the key to wellness: good eating, present mind, slow breath, openness, positive intentions. It can be a lesson for anybody... we ultimately determine our own state of being, our level of health, vibrance, life, and light.
Through the power of intention, we used the generous donations of others, stubborn faith in a bold goal, and the perfect accents of indescribable serendipity to create a journey of healing that was at once difficult and rewarding, inspiring and revealing.
It is not easy to change one's habits, especially those held throughout a lifetime. To take control of one's health mean's to look inward and face ourselves, with all of our strengths and weaknesses unveiled. Becoming conscious of the intimate relationships between health and lifestyle can take courage, especially coming from a culture that may not embody healthy habits.
The coming weeks will be a true challenge for Otto to extend his new habits into normal life at home, but he has the momentum of a fantastic trip to propel him, and the support of the community of Potsdam, NY to aid him.
Stay tuned for periodic updates on Otto's progress, artistic projects, etc...
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
Our art show opened yesterday at Bulali, in San Jose. Otto sold 2 paintings! The show will be coming to Potsdam next weekend!
Otto and Julian with Dr. Maya at the show.
Us with Alexa, the owner of Bulali and daughter of Otto's other Doctor in Costa Rica
With Mike and Johanna, our friends who own the resort our house is connected with.
Today we had our last meeting with Carla, which concluded with a very powerful meditation session that totally absorbed Otto...
On the way home we finally stopped at the ceramic tile store that we drive by everyday, but of course the Tile Co. in Potsdam, NY is way better.
Friday, March 7, 2014
at Poas Volcano, Otto successfully conquered the 1/2 mile hike to the rim.
the active Poas Volcano
Some more visitor in the jungle: Callie and Stefanie hung out with us for a couple of days.
Otto with epic jungle tree.
We drove to the Pacific last week and hung out on the beach.
Salad with mango, avocado, cucumber, red pepper, sprouts, goji berries, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and cocounut oil.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
So we're already half-way through our stay in Costa Rica, here's a bit of a summary for the first 2.5 weeks!
The primary focus of the treatment program is lifestyle change, and diet is the centerpiece of this approach. A very specific diet has been designed by Carla Perez-Galicia, a holistic nutrition coach based in San Jose. As the title, holistic nutrition coach, suggests, she is much more than just a nutritionist. She is an adept spiritual adviser as well, and Otto really resonates with what she has to share about nutrition and beyond at our weekly sessions.
The diet is an alkalizing diet that also focuses on restoring the body's innate natural abilities to function at a high level: strong, efficient immune system; healthy, vibrant cells; reduction of toxins and fluent removal of waste; high level of energy; balanced hormone system and low stress-levels; reduced inflammation; and a high ratio of helpful bacteria to harmful bacteria.
The first step was to introduce abundance into Otto's diet, especially greens - so we implemented two big, green juices a day (kale, celery, chard, cucumber, apple, coconut oil for example) and a big salad for lunch. At the same time we eliminated or greatly reduced toxic or acidifying foods: meat, sugar, alcohol, coffee, most dairy (except a small amount of additive and sugar free yogurt) wheat/gluten, anything processed, anything with preservatives, and anything inorganically grown. Special attention is paid to maintain a glycemic index (processing of sugars) that is balanced. This is approached by eliminating all sugars except for those found in fruits and grains. Even so, there is special care given to the way these sugars are consumed. For instance, fruits are only consumed with oils (coconut, avocado) to balance the glycemic index of the sugars in the fruit. Fruits are also kept at a small percentage of the diet in relation to veggies! Also, foods like white rice and bread (even gluten free!) are removed from the diet as the body's process of digesting these foods creates a spike in the glycemic index. A large amount of seeds and sprouts are included in the diet, as these foods a very beneficial at the cellular level. The diet also includes a selection of "super-foods" (foods that are extraodinarily dense in proteins, anti-oxidants, fatty acids (omega 3), and a variety of phytonutrients), such as cacao, acai, goji berries, hemp seeds/powder/oil, spirulina and chlorella. Also, the body's supply of necessary healthful bacteria is expanded by including a number of pro-biotic foods such as apple cider vinegar, kombucha, kimchi, and high-quality yogurt.
Overall the diet is designed to change the pH of Otto's body in an alkaline direction, as the relationship between the body's pH and cancer is well documented and tested (an alkaline body chemistry prevents, weakens, and lessen's the development and spread of cancer cells). The greens in his diet especially have an alkalizing effect, and Otto is receiving a twice-weekly IV of vitamin C and alkalizing herbs to hasten the difficult process of changing the body's pH>
Otto is doing exceptionally well with the diet, which is great because it is a major change from his old diet of meat, sweets, bread, coffee, and wine!
On top of the diet, there is a focus on stress-reduction through further lifestyle change as the stress-hormone cortisol has an incredibly toxic and acidifying effect on the body. This approach includes meditation and breathing (which Otto is beginning to really like), a focus on mindfulness while moving, visualizations and encouraging spiritual/philosophical presentations and discussions. Of course the relaxed pace of life in the Costa Rican jungle helps as well as does the infinite sunshine!
We are also still really focusing on creative work, which adds meaning and purpose to the day, helps to process all the changes/evolutions on an experiential, non-intellectual level, and reduces stress as well.
Otto is also seeing two doctors, Dr. Edgardo Maya, and Dra. Mariella Tanzi. Dr. Maya works with Otto phsychologically, spiritually, and energetically, and Dra. Tanzi does neural therapy with Otto. The last session with Dr. Maya was very powerful, using constellation therapy (role-played hypothetical interaction with people close to him who are deceased), and Otto felt an enormous impact. He says he feels as though a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders. The neural therapy utilizes injections in areas of Otto's body which have been the subject of physical trauma in the past. These injections stimulate the autonomous nervous system in these areas which are shown with a bio-feedback machine to be functioning on an electro-magnetic level out of synchronization with the rest of Otto's body. The aim of this therapy is to stimulate these areas into vibrating at the optimal frequency, thus improving the harmony and efficiency of the body's myriad systems to maintain health.
Otto really feels very good about all 3 of the people working with him and his attitude is increasingly positive.
The primary focus of the treatment program is lifestyle change, and diet is the centerpiece of this approach. A very specific diet has been designed by Carla Perez-Galicia, a holistic nutrition coach based in San Jose. As the title, holistic nutrition coach, suggests, she is much more than just a nutritionist. She is an adept spiritual adviser as well, and Otto really resonates with what she has to share about nutrition and beyond at our weekly sessions.
The diet is an alkalizing diet that also focuses on restoring the body's innate natural abilities to function at a high level: strong, efficient immune system; healthy, vibrant cells; reduction of toxins and fluent removal of waste; high level of energy; balanced hormone system and low stress-levels; reduced inflammation; and a high ratio of helpful bacteria to harmful bacteria.
The first step was to introduce abundance into Otto's diet, especially greens - so we implemented two big, green juices a day (kale, celery, chard, cucumber, apple, coconut oil for example) and a big salad for lunch. At the same time we eliminated or greatly reduced toxic or acidifying foods: meat, sugar, alcohol, coffee, most dairy (except a small amount of additive and sugar free yogurt) wheat/gluten, anything processed, anything with preservatives, and anything inorganically grown. Special attention is paid to maintain a glycemic index (processing of sugars) that is balanced. This is approached by eliminating all sugars except for those found in fruits and grains. Even so, there is special care given to the way these sugars are consumed. For instance, fruits are only consumed with oils (coconut, avocado) to balance the glycemic index of the sugars in the fruit. Fruits are also kept at a small percentage of the diet in relation to veggies! Also, foods like white rice and bread (even gluten free!) are removed from the diet as the body's process of digesting these foods creates a spike in the glycemic index. A large amount of seeds and sprouts are included in the diet, as these foods a very beneficial at the cellular level. The diet also includes a selection of "super-foods" (foods that are extraodinarily dense in proteins, anti-oxidants, fatty acids (omega 3), and a variety of phytonutrients), such as cacao, acai, goji berries, hemp seeds/powder/oil, spirulina and chlorella. Also, the body's supply of necessary healthful bacteria is expanded by including a number of pro-biotic foods such as apple cider vinegar, kombucha, kimchi, and high-quality yogurt.
Overall the diet is designed to change the pH of Otto's body in an alkaline direction, as the relationship between the body's pH and cancer is well documented and tested (an alkaline body chemistry prevents, weakens, and lessen's the development and spread of cancer cells). The greens in his diet especially have an alkalizing effect, and Otto is receiving a twice-weekly IV of vitamin C and alkalizing herbs to hasten the difficult process of changing the body's pH>
Otto is doing exceptionally well with the diet, which is great because it is a major change from his old diet of meat, sweets, bread, coffee, and wine!
On top of the diet, there is a focus on stress-reduction through further lifestyle change as the stress-hormone cortisol has an incredibly toxic and acidifying effect on the body. This approach includes meditation and breathing (which Otto is beginning to really like), a focus on mindfulness while moving, visualizations and encouraging spiritual/philosophical presentations and discussions. Of course the relaxed pace of life in the Costa Rican jungle helps as well as does the infinite sunshine!
We are also still really focusing on creative work, which adds meaning and purpose to the day, helps to process all the changes/evolutions on an experiential, non-intellectual level, and reduces stress as well.
Otto is also seeing two doctors, Dr. Edgardo Maya, and Dra. Mariella Tanzi. Dr. Maya works with Otto phsychologically, spiritually, and energetically, and Dra. Tanzi does neural therapy with Otto. The last session with Dr. Maya was very powerful, using constellation therapy (role-played hypothetical interaction with people close to him who are deceased), and Otto felt an enormous impact. He says he feels as though a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders. The neural therapy utilizes injections in areas of Otto's body which have been the subject of physical trauma in the past. These injections stimulate the autonomous nervous system in these areas which are shown with a bio-feedback machine to be functioning on an electro-magnetic level out of synchronization with the rest of Otto's body. The aim of this therapy is to stimulate these areas into vibrating at the optimal frequency, thus improving the harmony and efficiency of the body's myriad systems to maintain health.
Otto really feels very good about all 3 of the people working with him and his attitude is increasingly positive.
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