Almond coconut cookies, vision boards and getting back to your roots with organic gardening – these are just a few of the exciting new elements now part of the program at the Optimum Health Institute (OHI) this fall.
While the core concepts and teachings that launched OHI decades ago remain constant, there are some exciting updates, and even some brand new interactive classes, to enrich the guest experience.
“We now include a one-minute Alpha experience in every class,” explained Peg Harvey, OHI Director of Program Development and Training. Whether it’s a conscious breathing exercise, a brief guided meditation or pausing to express gratitude for everything involved, from the soil to the rain to the sun to the people who harvest and transport organic food to our tables, Peg said sharing a reflective moment of mindfulness during a class immediately puts guests into a peaceful, receptive and open-hearted space.
Guests discuss the Law of Attraction and using the mind’s eye to achieve a desired outcome in Mental Detox class, then they apply that learning in the Vision Board & Rock Painting class.
Vision boards guests create illustrate the positive things they want to attract into their lives – like beauty, health, abundance, relationship and love. In the Rock Painting class, everyone holds a Colorado river stone, and feels how countless decades of being worn down by the sun, wind and water erase all the hard edges. The elements have polished each stone to smooth perfection. It’s a powerful metaphor for dealing with life opportunities. Each guest paints a word, design or picture on their rock that will continue to inspire them, long after they’ve returned home from OHI. Guests from all weeks, said Peg, are invited to participate.
Everyone loved the stretching exercises offered Monday through Thursday, and wanted more. OHI listened, and now offers guided stretching sessions in San Diego Friday and Saturday, too.
First timers at OHI are welcomed with a new Guest Orientation Video and Presentation to help them feel right at home.
The Fermented and Dehydrated Foods class for 3rd week guests isn’t just a demonstration any more, Peg explained. Now guests jump right in to use blenders, dehydrators, juicers and chopping blocks
Executive Chef Ken Dorr and Garden Manager Dan Strobhar teamed up to create the revised organic gardening class. There’s an interactive component in San Diego now, where guests can help plant crops. When weather permits, they also learn how to create a drip irrigation system. Even guests visiting in winter will get to see the organic garden in all its splendor through all four seasons, thanks to an engaging new video.
A new class that’s become an instant favorite is Pray, Eat, Live. This demonstration class for 3rd week or repeat students has more of a “party” atmosphere with a smorgasbord of delicious raw organic treats. Spicy BBQ Kale Chips, Cha Cha Chia Pudding and Frozen Fruit Sorbet are just a few of the delicacies, all still appropriate for the OHI detox or maintenance diet. Menus are updated twice a year. Guests receive recipes to recreate the dazzling dishes at home, and creative, tasty meal ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
New findings in recent scientific research have led to revising the Food Combining classes in both SD and Austin. We now know, said Peg, that combining greens with fruit does not have a negative impact on digestion. That’s great news for smoothies, and guests get to sample the delicious and nutrient-rich difference.
Experience the exciting, enriching differences to the OHI program this fall. Bring a healthy balance into your life as you cleanse your body, quiet your mind and rejuvenate your spirit at the Optimum Health Institute in San Diego, California and Austin, Texas. Visit our website at www.optimumhealth.org , and call us at (800) 993-4325 to make your reservation.
