We live in a society that tells us to cover up and fear the sun. I too was hit with that stigma while I was directing a day spa. Our aestheticians constantly preached the sun block story. I can totally understand too with all the skin cancer issues. However, rather than solely blaming the sun for these unfortunate circumstances. Let’s address a couple related issues.

First of all, cancer cannot grow in oxygen rich blood. Even more, the Ph level of the blood needs to be off balance in order for cancer to thrive in the body. Lastly, cancer is a fungus and it’s food is sugar and too much fat in the system clogs and causes stagnation. Skin cancer occurs when the body is nutritionally imbalanced and the skin does not have the antioxidants to keep the skin protected.

Do you have any idea of what is in sunblock? If you ate it, would it make you sick? Well, applying toxic products to the skin is worse than eating toxins. At least the liver can filter the garbage out a bit when we ingest them, but when we apply it straight to the skin it is a direct route to the blood stream. No filtration took place. Some people suggest that the sunblock is the problem and not the sun.

Denying the body of sunlight is not wise. Think of a plant that is denied sunlight. What happens to it? It grows lanky and weak. The plant is susceptible to disease. We aren’t that different. We need sun and we need it all over our bodies. Back to the plant analogy, imagine if only half the plant was exposed to sunlight. What would happen? Can the plant really be healthy? So, what am I suggesting here? GET NAKED in the sun. I know, you are freaking out, but seriously, if you care about your health and you give it a shot you will see how wonderful and well you feel.

So, go out and get a bit of healthy sunlight. Be smart about it and don’t go overboard here. Acclimate yourself. Start off peak hours before 10 am and after 4 pm. Try 10 minutes and work your way up to more exposure. In the winter lay out in a sunny window.

Try natural sun protectors through eating them. Eat vibrant, rich, full rainbow spectrum of fruit and vegetables. Did you know that each color conatins a different antioxidant? Eating a diet high in all the colors of the rainbow ensures balanced coverage. It’s funny to note that in the winter the food that grow are primarily green and in the summer all the colorful fruits and veggies emerge. This is because plants produce a pigment as a way of preventing from being sunburned. Eating them raw provides us with that same sun protection since antioxidants are destroyed in the cooking process. Eating 2-4 Brazil Nuts a day which contains all the selenium we need for sun protection also.

Lastly, coconut oil and aloe vera is a great sun block!

Go on and have fun in the sun!

My dream has been to open a wellness center for over 7 years now. As I evolve and continue to learn I have decided I want to establsih a tropical, sustained Eco-Village/ Retreat. There are many places that offer similiar features that I would like to model my place after.

Location Model: Pangaia
Non-profit Educational Training Center Models: Ann Wigmore Institute in Puerto Rico, or Dr. Gabriel Cousens The Tree of Life in Patagonia, AZ)

Focus
Sustainable living
Health- raw food nutrition, physical fitness (yoga & outdoor recreation)
Spirituality & Self Expression/ Self Love/ Self Discovery/ Self Realization
Nature- connection to the land through food & living environment

Features
Off the Grid- solar power, passive cooling/heating, rain water collection & filtration, grey water system, composting system for toilets & garden clippings.
Sustainable food with Permaculture/Organic Edible landscaping (surplus sold: co-op, farmers market, organic produce delivery)

Accomodations
Tree house bungalows w/private outdoor garden showers
Communal Area: kitchen, dining, media library, gathering room, yoga/massage deck, indoor shower/bathroom, laundry

Daily Services
Raw meals provided
Yoga
Morning meditation/beach walks
Massage
Classes and Adventure Activites
Sunset fireside luau celebration w/ live musical talent

Classes, Workshops, Training courses
live food nutrition/purification & natural hygiene
yoga teacher training
spirituality / self empowerment
Homegrown food self reliance workshops
Feature guest speakers/ talent from around the world

Adventure Activities
Nature Hikes (medicinals, edibles, tropical fruit/botany, wildlife)
Surf, snorkle, kayak, swim
Bike rides
Zip line, paintball , skydive, parasail, rock climb
Horseback riding

The first steps are:
Intern at an established location to clarify vision and gain experience
Establish a non-profit team & obtain grant writers
Attract interested parties