Sunday, August 25, 2013

Elena Biamon and Elizama Montalvo's Cancer Prevention presentation.

On August 24,2013; Elena Biamon & Elizama Montalvo gave a wonderful presentation on : Cancer Prevention and Whole Foods; to a group of medical practitioners. The audience were very appreciative and amazed on how simple foods can be medicinal and delicious simultaneously. Elena's style of hands on approach gave everyone a true sense of community, with a dash of intimacy. The purpose of this event was targeted for wellness and culinary reasons, but they were able to promote the organic markets and agriculture providers, La Chiwinha, FreshMart, Organization Boricua, etc. The medical group donated, $200.00 to Dalma's trip to Terra Madre in Italy next year; this gives us a grand total of $755.00.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Healing on the Mountain

El 2 de septiembre de 2013; la campaña de Sanacion Lenta celebro el Día del Trabajo honrando colos agricultores orgánicos de Orocovis. Slow Food Boricua y el agricultor orgánico, Edgardo Alvarado (educador y fundador de la Organización Boricua) han colaborado con el fin de ayudar a la comunidad de la agricultura orgánica de Orocovis. Este día especial de sanación del cuerpo / mente / alma, se llevo a cabo en la casa de Felipe/ Aurea, de 10 a 1 pm. Los agricultores aprendieron técnicas de sanación antiguos, como la moxibustión, auriculoterapia (acupuntura de la oreja), Qi Gong y técnicas de respiración. Este dia se unieron, la Dra Anabia Vera, El Dr. Edward Cichowicz, La Dra Elizama Montalvo y Bartus Allen, acupunturista, terapeuta de Shiatsu y licensiado en masaje.

On September 2, 2013; the Slow Healing campaign celebrated Labor Day by honoring the organic farmers of Puerto Rico. Slow Food Boricua and organic farmer, Edgardo Alvarado ( educator and founder of the Organization Boricua) had collaborated with the purpose of assisting the organic agriculture community of Orocovis and other areas of the island. This special day of healing the body/mind/ soul, bought together Anabis Vera MD, Elizama Montalvo MD, Edward Cichowicz MD, and Bartus Allen. The farmers also learn ancient healing techniques, like Moxibustion, Auriculotherapy ( ear acupuncture), Kinetology, Nutrition, Qi Gong and breathing techniques.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Slow Healing presents: " Speak your Mind and make Health Happen"

Un estilo de vida lento pero seguro

El pasado sábado, 26 de octubre, se celebró, en el Mercado Orgánico del Viejo San Juan, el Conversatorio Speak your Mind, Make Health Happen, junto a un exquisito panel compuesto por apasionados expertos en el tema de la salud y el bienestar, entre ellos: María Benedetti, etnobotánica, Nilsa Eberhart, terapista zen shiatsu, Iván Quintero, agricultor orgánico, Carmen Robles Herrea, sicoterapeuta e instructora de danza terapia, Brooke Leason, doctora en naturopatía, Karla Durán, eco-empresaria e instructora de yoga, María I. Suarez, chef de alimentos integrales, Leslie E. Domínguez, sicoterapeuta y neuro-coach, y Magha García, socióloga y bio-agricultora. Con este foro se abre una serie de charlas concernientes a establecer comunidades dirigidas a restituir el balance físico-emocional, social y ecológico. Los panelistas ofrecieron enfoques diversos, aunque con una misma voz.

Se reconoció la importancia de educar a nuestra comunidad, en especial a los niños, para que a pesar de la distancia y limitación de acceso al campo, puedan tener una estrecha relación con el mundo natural, ya sea al tener un huerto casero, visitar un parque o mercado orgánico o por medio de su conexión con parientes que aún conserven tradiciones agrícolas. Al preguntársele a cada panelista si entendía que la isla de Puerto Rico estaba enferma, qué diagnóstico le daría y cuál sería su tratamiento, Benedetti comentó: “La Isla tiene un Alzheimer colectivo ya que hemos olvidado nuestra tradición botánica que nos ofrece medicina gratis en un contexto que nos ofrece sanar a la vez que fortalecemos nuestra conexión con la naturaleza, con nuestras comunidades y con nuestras familias. Tenemos una ventaja sobre otros pueblos, somos gente que celebra la vida, bailamos, reímos, cantamos. Creo que lo que hay que retomar para nuestra salud y bienestar colectivo es RECORDAR, RESCATAR y RETOMAR la tradición boricua de MEDICINA VERDE”.

De igual forma, otros panelistas coincidieron en el diagnóstico “isla enferma” y reconocieron la importancia de educar a las comunidades y exponerlas a prácticas sencillas y naturales como comer de manera saludable, practicar ejercicios como el yoga, recibir masajes que ayuden a desintoxicar el cuerpo y manejar el estrés, y danzar para sanar, entre posibles herramientas que le ofrezcan a los habitantes de la Isla un ambiente seguro para enaltecer su evolución en consciencia espiritual. Domínguez insistió en que debe existir un esfuerzo educativo bio-psicosocial, con enfoque en la espiritualidad holística para definir lo que nos une y podamos trabajar y relacionarnos desde el amor, ya que entiende que hay una carencia o falta de amor entre la mayoría de los habitantes del país. A su vez, Quintero enfatizó la importancia de optar por la autogestión para garantizarnos comida local, fresca y limpia, y apoyar un estilo de vida lento a lo Slow Food, e igualmente dar a conocer el Slow Healing como alternativa de vida saludable y feliz.

El evento se ofreció por parte de Slow Food Boricua en colaboración con el Mercado Orgánico del Viejo San Juan y avalado por Slow Food Internacional con el fin de comenzar a crear comunidades que modelasen conductas a favor de mejor salud física, mental y emocional. Es tiempo de usar las herramientas de cambio disponibles.

Escrito por Julie Mercado

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Sanacion Lenta presenta Volver al Escuelal - Volver a la Tierra!!.....Slow Healing presents: Back to School - Back to the Land!!!

The Back to School... Back to the Land celebration; at the Old San Juan market was a major hit!! On Sept. 14, 2013; many people gathered to hear words of wisdom from our organic teachers. Maria I. Suarez, shared her knowledge and sense of humor; which brings a delightful mixture to a hungry community. We want to support her work and passion further in this New Age of Enlightenment. Dalma Cartagena's work with our future minds and souls, is so critical to our humanity. She is so very fortunate to be surrounded with so much hope and optimism each day....it must be the same experience of working in a flower shop. For those who haven't seen Dalma's school garden project; it's a blessing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iXm2KpFFrI . ArbolAdas ( Carmen Sanchez, Maria Benedetti, Josue Rivera, Danny Santiago, Sol Karina, Alei Ramos, and Alejandro Diaz), this electrifying dance troupe; literally bought down the purity of the heavens!!! Without question, they captured the breathe of everyone at the market. Their symbiotic performance of trees and the human spirit should tour each town of Puerto Rico. And last but not least...Laura Daen, market vendors, museum employees, customers and volunteers; the whole Slow Healing campaign wants to thank you for giving us a platform for sharing wisdom and laughter with community members

Also during today's Back to School - Back to the Land event. Slow Food Boricua (SFB) was able to raise funds to sponsor Dalma Cartagena and one of her young student (age 15-18); to be an observer at the 2014 Slow Food Terra Madre event in Italy. Dalma Cartagena is a schoolteacher in Orocovis, PR. She has dedicated her adult career, to educating and sharing the knowledge of organic agriculture to Puerto Ricans. As of today, we have raised $885.00 and we hope to acheive our goal of $3,000.00; before Sept 2014. If you have any ideas and would like to assist with the fundraising, please contact us.

More information on the Orocovis School Garden project: For many years, Dalma has taught young students the art of organic farming; at the S.U. Botijas School in Orocovis. Her work is truly inspirational, because she not only teach young students at the school; they have developed a small farm and cooking facility. They will travel to Torino, Italy; and represent Puerto Rico as an observer of this worldwide gathering for organic food. Hopefully, Slow Food International will have Dalma present her accomplishment to the international organic community, but we'll give this opportunity and expose a young mind, to the global farmers market. Thanks and hope to hear your ideas of working together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rZu-nfSu3E&feature=c4-overview&list=UUKJ6MZqx7fRlbkOdmlz8ugw

Monday, June 3, 2013

Slow Food, Slow Healing & the Earth Market

Puerto Rico… where shopping and health go hand in hand!

Coconut juice for the soul

01/03/13
Coconuts, bananas, passion fruit, citrus fruit. Peppers, tomatoes, avocados, breadfruit, bread and coffee. In Old San Juan (Puerto Rico), the Mercado Agricola Natural is a feast to the scents, brilliant colors and amazing tastes. It only hosts producers from the island and is always on the move.

Every Saturday morning, it comes to life with 20 producers and the help of the Slow Food Boricua Convivium, which has always paid great attention to health and the relationship between food and natural lifestyles (some of the stalls are dedicated to home cooked food and sell vegetarian dishes made with the market organic ingredients). The whole month of March is devoted to these topics. Healthy food, food education for children and adults, the fight against GMOs, the importance of health and a correct diet are the motivation of the four events at the Old San Juan Earth Market.

The first is on Saturday March 2 (from 11 am to 1 pm) with Rebecca Méndez del Valle (better known as Chef Rebecca, a Puerto Rican cook who focuses on vegetarian food and currently manages Afrodita, a catering and personal chef business) and Elizama Montalvo (convivium leader and medical and integrative family doctor for 30 years, with expert in plant base nutrition and homeopathy). Together, they will explain tourists and market regulars that feeding children with top quality, alternative products is possible.
Raw milk cheese and the consumption of raw food are the focus of the second meeting, on Saturday March 9. Producer Wanda Otero will explain her world famous cheese products, while Laura Cortes, vegetarian chef, will give some easy and fun tips on how to eat raw products and prepare them. Also, coffee producer Elena Biamon and Elizama Montalvo will explain how local food can help prevent cancer.
It all continues on Saturday March 16 when the issues discussed with Marisol Mc Manus and Veronica Rodriguez will explore Puerto Rican and Asian herbs and the correct approach to eating. Elizama Montalvo explains the health risks of GMO products. And Saturday March 23, Dalma Cartagena; a local ecologist teacher and an expert on vegetable gardens for children; will demonstrate how to prepare an organic garden.

March also sees the launch of the new campaign of the Slow Food Boricua Convivium: Slow Healing. Slow Food Boricua has always placed great emphasis on taste education - wants to keep raising awareness amongst the island citizens on the importance of food for our lifestyle, the environment and communities. Meetings, workshops and debates are an opportunity to explain that eating slowly and taking the right time to enjoy meals help our health and promote socialization, and that sharing convivial times is good for the spirit.

The Slow Food Boricua Convivium is certainly one of the most active in the Caribbean in terms of activities organized in Puerto Rico and internationally. In 2011, it funded the creation of the Degwariri community garden in Somalia for the Thousand Gardens in Africa project. In 2013 and 2014, thanks to the activity of Slow Food Boricua members, they are working to raise funds to send Dalma Cartagena and a young student to the next edition of Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre; in Italy.
Follow the activities of the Old San Juan Earth Market!

If you want to know more:
Laura Daen
Member of the Slow Food Boricua Convivium
http://www.mercadoagricolanatural.com/

Elizama Montalvo, M.D.
Member of Slow Food Boricua Convivium
mshomeodoc@gmail.com

When and where?
Every Saturday
Internal courtyard of the Arts and History Museum

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico