Preparing for “Paradise”

Preparing for “Paradise”

By Paula Bernette Brooks

Paula Bernette Brooks

        I’m relatively new to Face Book, and as I began to tentatively reach out to old friends, I came across Chef Skai, aka Skai Juice.  I remembered the enterprising young lady and her 5 children fondly.  While living in Baltimore she proudly rolled out The Yabba Pot Vegetarian Restaurant and at one point even had two locations. I admired her dogged determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and zeal for all things vegan.

 Skai was a sponge for information about natural health and wellness and she kindly squeezed and poured it out at in house seminars, catering events or one-on-one conversations.  Watching her, one would conclude that lovingly raising five children and imbuing them with a strong work ethic, while nurturing a fledgling business was as easy as-well, dairy free, sugar free, rhubarb pie!

Chef Skai preparing her beloved greens

I lost track of her when Skai sold the business and moved out of town.  So I was happy when I found her on Face Book and started reading her posts.  Skai and her husband had moved to Puerto Rico and opened “Paradise Wellness”, a raw food retreat specializing in a 5-10 day detox program that appeared to be so much fun!   I was totally intrigued because Skai had made an amazing transformation.  Not only had she lost weight, but she was radiant! I mean positively glowing.  Posts of her raw food creations were so colorful and fabulous; they almost looked too good to eat!   It was also quite clear that Skai, like the hibiscus and abundance of other gorgeous tropical flowers, was blossoming and in her element. Hiking in the Rain Forest by an energizing waterfall, horseback riding on a tranquil beach, yoga, kayaking-and let’s not forget salsa dancing-clearly were all agreeing with her.  Watching her “living her life like its golden”, while I sat at my computer, I began to wonder if some time in “Paradise” might also enliven a sistah like me!

Chef Skai, "We are fruitarians by nature!" Yummy!

Titilayo on our last trip to Jamaica

Thanks to one of my oldest sistah/friends, Titilayo, who’s been vegetarian “since Hector was a pup”; I was already quite familiar with the benefits of a meatless lifestyle.  Although we’re the same age, she looks about 10 years younger.  I haven’t eaten red meat in at least 30 years, and go through periods of, “to chicken, or not to chicken”.  But I realized that going totally raw-and more importantly-sugarless, even for a week would be taking a major step.  However, pictures of Chef Skai’s table always look so inviting that I decided I could do a week easily. 

Chef Skai prepares ? (I don't have a clue what that is!)

One day, following a meditation, the notion of going to “Paradise” with a group of sistahs and documenting our experience became a burning desire!   A couple of friends also thought it was a great idea, so I eagerly began planning the trip.

      Recently, I got a call from Skai who said cautiously, “I just wanted to be sure that everyone in your party is aware that their experience will be holistic.  Not only will you be eating live, whole foods, you’ll be exposed to lots of physical activity.  It’s important that knees and hips are in good shape, in order to take part in all the activities.  We recently had two elders in a group who were not able to participate fully, due to physical limitations.  We do everything as a group, and it’s no fun to sit around and wait for everyone to return to the hotel.”

My stomach knotted in anguish and I confessed to Skai that I had fallen hard last May, injuring both knees and an ankle.  Surprisingly, they still bother me.  I am also obese, but recently committed to taking small steps; like walking daily and eating more fruit and salad.   However, at that moment I resolved that I would not be the one sitting on the sidelines while everyone else was off having adventurous fun! 

     Without hesitation, Skai said, “Get a multi-floral enzyme with a probiotic, and add lots of fruit and raw veggies to your diet.  I’m not big on supplements, but I definitely recommend enzymes.  They will help break down your food so that your body can absorb the nutrients needed to heal itself.  But there is a side effect!” Skai paused dramatically before continuing, “Do you want to know what it is?  The side effect is weight loss!” We both laughed hard, knowing that she now had my full attention!

Chef Skai-Fabulous mother of 5!

    Skai’s tone and intensity made it clear that optimal wellness is her passion.  “We are sicker than we’ve ever been.  We’ve been able to eliminate diseases  like the bubonic plague, yet we’re dying younger from ailments like diabetes and high blood pressure.  These diseases are caused by the way we eat and the lack of physical activity. It’s not normal to be sick!  True health is achieved not only by eating whole live foods and getting exercise, but also by positive thoughts about ourselves and other people; by having and showing gratitude! The combination of these things equals a good quality of life.  You feel happy, energized and alive!”

While presenting recently at a conference of Rasta women in St. Thomas, Skai stayed with friends.    Skai declared, “It doesn’t have to be complicated.  Keep it simple. Buy bananas and strawberries.  They can be blended with water.  Bananas and strawberries are the best whole foods you can buy.  My friends called me after I got home and thanked me because their energy had really increased.  They ate a salad for lunch and included fish or chicken with their dinner.  But they could feel the difference.”

     Chef Skai also offered this advice, “Whenever people complain that they are fatigued, have lots of mucous, or just don’t feel good for any reason, I suggest that they fast.  Fasting gives the body time to throw off disease and toxins.  I met a naturopath who is now 70 years old.  Back in the 80’s he was told that he had cancer and was not expected to live much longer.  He was very weak, but he happened upon a little pamphlet extolling the benefits of fasting.  He decided he had nothing to lose and for 17 days he drank only water.  At the end of that time he had stopped drinking altogether and he would just put a little water in his mouth to relieve the dryness.  On the last day he felt so much better that he was able to get out of bed and he went to a health food store.  He had been too sick to bathe for over 2 weeks and he apologized, sure that he had a bad odor.  To his surprise, he was told that he did not smell at all!  He stayed at my retreat recently and although toothless, he enjoyed the raw food regimen and was even able to eat my kale salad.  It’s prepared with lemon juice, which breaks its down and makes it tender.”

     Our conversation ended with these last words of wisdom from Skai Juice, “Just like a car, our bodies need fuel in order to give us energy.  We need carbohydrates, fats and foods that are highly enzymatic, whole and alkaline.  Fruit is our best form of energy.  Bananas and  berries of any kind are super foods.  Humans are fruitarian by nature.  We take nature for granted, but nature is perfect!  All we have to do is follow the laws.  I haven’t been to a doctor in years!  I have no need.  My garden is my doctor!”

“I keep having a vision in my mind of being naked in the bush.  Farming is relatively new; maybe about 10,000 years old.  Initially, humans were gatherers.   I think that sometime in the future we will start all over and go back to the beginning.  Remember there was fruit in the Garden of Eden.”

Our trip to “Paradise Wellness” will take place from August 1-August 7.  Contact me If you’d like to take part in our adventurous and blissful detox from cooked food- and all types of everyday stress! 

My e-mail address is isis7233@yahoo.com.  You can also call me for further information at 443-804-7974.  Peace & Blessings!

Chef Skai & Retreat Guest