Sending Concern and Care to Our Family, Friends and Neighbors in Puerto Rico

 

 

Musings from 20th Street

Sending Concern and Care to Our Family, Friends and Neighbors in Puerto Rico

So many in Puerto Rico have suffered. As many of you know, La Casa‘s first home was located in El Yunque, the rain forest of Puerto Rico. We, at La Casa Spa & Wellness New York, are holding thoughts and concerning care for all those throughout the Caribbean, who have suffered from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Many have been asking me for updates on what I know about the state of Puerto Rico, as well as how La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico has fared.

Renovating and re-opening La Casa Puerto Rico has been a passion of mine. The renovation was finally, two weeks before Irma hit, gorgeously and splendidly near-completetion — after a year and a half of effort: building anew as well as rebuilding. La Casa PR looked radiant. We were a few months away from being ready for a soft opening, and had scheduled our first workshop, to which seven people had signed up.

In spite of the devastation wrought by Maria, we count ourselves among the lucky.

Here is what I know:

Even before Maria, the hardships were aplenty. While there was still food and water post-Irma/pre-Maria, for much of the island during that between-hurricanes/interim time, there was no way to cook food, and bedtimes were conveniently early. But everyone considered themselves fortunate for having dodged the Irma-bullet.

San Juan got electricity in some of the town last week. Most of the island, however, remains dark — not since Maria, but since Irma. On day 49 after Maria, the banks are still allowing people to only withdraw $50 at a time. Lines for gas and at supermarkets have been as long as having to wait for 12 hours. The death total according to my sources there is 994.

Maria and I actually had a date with destiny on the same day. Maria and I, along with the 7 workshop attendees, were all supposed to arrive in PR on that fateful day of Sept 20th. Maria completed her journey. But all of us (and Delta Airlines) deferred to Maria’s greater majesty, cancelled the trip, and let Maria have her way. (It was the ONLY way — to let her have her own way. she was not to be argued with.)

Jyl, La Casa PR‘s manager, Sequoia, Jyl’s 3-month old infant, our two Wwoofers (volunteers), and dogs — all survived the ordeal by passing the hurricane in an interior room. The remarkable, Jyl (who has supervised the entire renovation), was prescient with stored food and water. The day before Maria arrived, Jyl took every piece of fruit she could find on our trees, and brought them into the house. After Maria passed, and they had eaten all the fruit and stored food, they then dug up root veggies that Jyl had planted a few months before. Sequoia got not only her mom’s milk, but also a delicious root vegetable porridge. The cisterns collecting rain water that we had constructed were in good working order, and gave both humans and dogs sufficient water to drink. All walked up to the near-by river, Espiritu Santos, every day to bathe. They did fine. Humans and animals are still on the farm, living comfortably without electricity, but with sufficient food and water, because of Jyl’s careful preparations.

Damage to the structures of La Casa came mostly in the form of roofs and porches blowing off, and water damage to everything that was under those roofs. Thirty years ago, shortly after I had bought the property, Hurricane Hugo came, took all the roofs, and caused massive damage. I rebuilt all the structures back then, and made them as hurricane proof as possible. We added extra shingles for protection, and created the ability to literally tie-down the roofs with cables. Before Maria came, we needed more tie-down cables, as we had expanded both the main house and the cottage and had additional roofing. But alas, others had the same idea; the hardware stores were all out of the materials we needed. The roofs that Maria took were exactly the roofs that did not have the tie-downs. Our bad fortune.

In spite of this major set-back, we are hopeful for a bright future for our center. But we need the support of our friends and family more than ever before. We need to repair the damage from Maria in order to resume the plan of continuing to offer our healing services.

If you are inclined to make donations to help PR rebuild, you might want to consider giving to La Casa. Your generous donations will be integral to our mission: to heal and contribute both to the community of Puerto Rico as well as for our guests who come to partake in our effective (and sometimes unique) healing therapies and natural life-style vacations.

During the past year of our extensive renovation period, we decided to open the small cottage to airbnb to derive a small income until we were ready to re-open La Casa. Airbnb guests LOVED the cottage, and the beautiful property. We have stellar reviews on Airbnb about the beauty and peacefulness of the experience of staying there, going to sleep to the melodies of the coquis (tiny tree frogs that have loud mouths), and waking up to the lyrical songs of the many local birds.

The expansion plan that we were about to embark upon was to create eight round dome-homes. These dome-homes will introduce to Puerto Rico two amazing, state-of-the-art building technologies for creating hurricane-proof structures: Aircrete and BioTekt. They are both energy efficient, storm, hurricane, and flood-proof; they make generous use of recycled materials, and are the most cost-efficient way of building possible on earth. 1000-feet of interior space with a hard shell outer layer can be constructed for a mere $4000.

Your generous donations to La Casa will target the following immediate needs of Maria-repair issues:

  • Repairing roofs on four buildings, with re-installation of tie-downs and multiple layers of shingles that will survive all future hurricanes.
  • Replacing a 30-foot yurt that had just been set up weeks before. (It took six men three days to put it up.)
  • We lost a third of our trees, and those that are left have no leaves. Because we are a working farm, we need to replant: avocadoes, mangoes (we have two of the largest mango trees in that part of the island), panapain (breadfruit), papaya (we had planted a whole orchard), haguas (a fruit specific to the Puerto Rican rain forest), passion fruit and gandules beans (both vines), and more.
  • We had created walk trails all through the property so that guests could enjoy a rain forest experience right after rolling out of bed. All the trails are now covered with fallen trees. We need to cut all the fallen trees and clear the paths.
  • Since the hurricane, our dogs have been going crazy. They wander off the farm, and disturb our neighbors. They didn’t do this before the hurricane. We need to build fencing around the property to keep the dogs in. Once we have the fencing, we can bring back. Terramoto (our donkey who was loaned out) as well as some goats (babies were born right after Maria on the farm above ours).
  • The water cisterns we had to capture rain water need some repairs, and we need more of them.

To assist in our plans for expansion:

  • We need to drill a well.
  • We need to invest in a few generators and multiple solar panels (as our goal is to be off the energy grid.)
  • We would welcome $ to continue with our plan for the unique dome-homes.
  • We would wlecome $ to build a yoga studio out of our gazebo, which no longer has a roof, nor windows.
  • When repaired, we are dedicated to the same purposes that both La Casas have stood for in the 30 years that we have been in operation:
  1. Offering therapeutic services to the local community
  2. Employing local residents for a variety of positions, and on-site job training
  3. Offering lectures with world renowned healers
  4. Offering free yoga classes to the communidty as well as to guests
  5. Offering targeted holistic medical therapies and consultations
  6. Serving as a world-class holistic center and destination eco-wellness resort.

I have written a detailed plan for the repair and expansion of La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico, and am happy to share it with anyone interested in learning more about the expansion plans, and/or the technology we are planning to use. Drop me an email if you want to see the PowerPoint presentation.

We look forward to reaffirming our dedication to give the gift of health and wellness to all those willing to receive it.

Donations are tax deductible: Corporación Doméstica Sin Fines de Lucro (not-for profit): registration number 400094​

For our most generous private donors, we would like to offer a few gifts out of reciprocity.

$300-600: BRONZE
BRONZE donors are invited to La Casa Spa & Wellness NYC to partake in a session in our Rejuva Pod and our Infrared Sauna.

$600-1000: SILVER
SILVER donors will recieve a private yoga lession with La Casa Spa & Wellness NYC’s resident instructor in oue unique Salt-Infrared Sauna (the only sauna that combines salt with high intensity infrared waves).

$1000-5000: GOLD
GOLD donors will recieve a 3-4 day stay at La Casa Spa & Wellness PR once facilities are restored.

$5000 +: PLATINUM
PLATINUM donors are invited to a weeklong retreat at La Casa Spa & Wellness PR once facilities are restored.

Money can be donated through GoFundMe.com. We invite you to be a part of this movement by donating to our cause today. And I thank you. Truly.

If you think it’s not essential for the health

of the whole planet to rebuild PR,

read this and think again:

· The importance of the island Mona:

Besides the more well-known islands that are part of Puerto Rico—Viequez and Culebra—the island of Mona lies 41 miles west of the main island, and connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. It is a protected nature preserve, and is a key shipping route from the Atlantic to the Panama Canal.

· The importance of the Puerto Rican Trench:

Puerto Rico is surrounded by deep waters, including the Puerto Rico Trench—the deepest trench in the Atlantic Ocean. This trench is called the Milwaukee Deep, and at its deepest spot is 26,247 feet. For comparison, the average depth of the Atlantic Ocean is 12,881 feet. Ocean trenches are unique habitats, home to a diverse number of species, many of which are new or still unknown to science. Studying the adaptations of deep-sea organisms to their surroundings can give scientists insight and information that may lead to biological and biomedical advances. Researchers have already discovered microbes in deep-sea hydrothermal vents that show promise for new sources of antibiotics as well as anti-cancer drugs.

Although our knowledge about the ocean trenches is limited, because of their depth and remoteness, we do know that they play a significant role in our lives on land. Seafloor earthquakes can come from these trenches, including the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake that caused the devastating tsunami. By studying ocean trenches, scientists can better understand the causes of the natural disasters that originate in the trenches.

Scientists are also finding significant information from the genetics of these deep-ocean-living organisms that will help us to understand the origins of ocean life, and the history of how life spread from the depths of the ocean to the rest of the world’s less deep oceans.

· The importance of the clay:

Puerto Rico is a now-extinct volcanic island-arc terrain that started to grow approximately 190 million years ago. The red clay on the island is ancient volcanic mud, high in minerals and iron, and is useful in treating a variety of conditions. Pelotherapy, the use of clay for therapeutic benefits, is a popular practice at spas and wellness centers worldwide. Clay has many nutrients and minerals that are helpful in getting rid of toxins, heavy metals, impurities and chemicals from the body. Many animals eat clay to help remove poisons from their systems during illness. The clay’s neutral pH levels as well as its high content of phosphorous and magnesium makes it an ideal and popular anti-aging material. It allows skin to heal, and maintains a fresh, natural glow. Native Americans called clay Ee-Wah-Kee, the mud that heals.

When we at La Casa want clay, we simply go to the near-by river and collect it. The Espiratu Santo river is known to be one of the cleanest on earth. We have used this clay successfully for skin conditions, digestive ailments, inflammation, fever, and immune disorders. We have found it to be one of the most effective therapies we have offered.

· The importance of Rio Camuy:

Río Camuy (about a 2 hour drive from La Casa) is part of the third largest subterranean river and cave system in the world. It is home to more than 13 species of bats, and hundreds of other insect, arachnid and frog species.

· The importance of the diversity of the island:

Puerto Rico is an exceptionally diverse region, with a mountain range, coastal plains, a desert and a rainforest. With more plants, trees and animals, the soils improve and become stronger—less prone to erosion, drought and flooding. Biodiversity is of great importance in order to maintain stable ecosystems.

· The importance of the rain forest:

La Casa is situated at the edge of the El Yunque Rainforest, which is part of the U.S. National Forest System. It is the only rainforest that is protected in the U.S. The rainforest is one of the most diverse areas within the U.S.

Weather conditions in El Yunque are perfect for many types of plants and trees to thrive. There are thousands of native plants and trees, including at least 240 species of trees (with 23 known to exist only in this forest), 150 species of fern, 50 species of orchids and many species of vines and mosses.

No large animals reside in the rainforest, but countless small animals do. These include 50 species of birds (including the endangered Puerto Rican parrot), 11 species of bats, eight species of lizards and 13 species of the coquí frog, the national mascot.

There are also many types of snakes, insects and rodents.

· The importance of the International Biosphere Reserve:

The driest place on the island is a desert-like forest known as Guanica Biosphere Reserve and State Forest, located in the southwest region. The Cordillera Central mountain range blocks most of the rain systems in a phenomenon known as a rain shadow. The nearly 10,000-acre forest has been protected since 1919 and was declared a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve in 1981.

There are at least 700 species of plants in the Guanica Reserve, including 48 endangered plants and 16 that are endemic to the region, including the gumbo limbo tree and the guayacán tree. The largest variety of birds on the island, at least 185 species, lives in the reserve. That includes most of the 16 species native to Puerto Rico, such as the Puerto Rican woodpecker and the endangered Puerto Rican nightjar. There are also countless reptiles and amphibians within the reserve, including the national coquí frog.

· The importance of the Puerto Rican culture:

Puerto Rican culture is based on a blend of Taino (Indian), African and Spanish traditions, food, music, art and language. There are also influences introduced by immigrants from China, Italy, France, Germany and Cuba.

Cocina Criolla, the local name for Puerto Rican cuisine, has its roots in Taino, Spanish and African specialties and cooking styles with influences from European and Chinese immigrants. The Taino people lived primarily on tropical fruit, corn, yuca and seafood. The Spanish introduced many types of food, including rice, wheat, olives and olive oil, beef, pork, garlic, sugarcane and coffee. Enslaved Africans brought okra, taro and plantains. Sugarcane was and still is used to distill rum, a favorite drink in Puerto Rico. Today’s cuisine, with a liberal use of indigenous ingredients focuses on many of the same ingredients that have been used for centuries.

Several instruments that are traditionally used in Puerto Rican music date back to the Taino people. The güiro is one of the intruments. Several others, including the requinto, bordonua, cuatro and tiple, were adapted from the six-string guitar brought over by early Spanish settlers. Percussion instruments such as panderetas and maracas have been popular. Dances choreographed to match the music include the bomba, plena and variations of the salsa.

Puerto Rican art also shows a blend of the many cultures in the island’s melting pot. Taino art included jewelry, pottery and baskets made from gold, shells, wood and stones. The earliest religious carvings were called “cemi.” These were highly revered small statues that stood within all the villages. Religious figures dated back to the 16th century were known as Santos. Masks also date back to earlier centuries, and are still popular during carnival time. 

· The importance of the Puerto Rican science:

The second largest radio telescope in the world is located in Arecibo.

· The importance of the Puerto Rican monkeys:

Cayo Santiago Field Station is a 38-acre tropical island off the coast of Puerto Rico and home to approximately 1,500 rhesus monkeys, earning it the local nickname “Monkey Island.”

The Cayo Santiago Field Station is the longest-running primate field site in the world. Since it was founded in 1938, generations of monkeys have lived out their lives, with humans keeping a watchful eye. Only monkeys live on the island. The staff takes a 15-minute boat trip from Punta Santiago to Monkey Island.

Over the past 80 years, important and diverse research has taken place on Cayo. While some scientists have studied cognition, analyzing how the monkeys think and solve problems, others have studied where the monkeys are looking. Researchers have asked such questions as: can the monkeys reflect on their own knowledge to know when they don’t know something – a hallmark of human reasoning? (The answer is surprisingly, yes! Monkeys can think about what they are thinking about.)

Scientists have observed the monkeys’ interactions to learn who is friends with whom, who gets into fights, who has suitors for affection. Because of this research, we know everything about their family life.

Yet another research project has been to study how hormone levels affect monkeys’ sexual development. This translates into a lot of time scooping up monkey poo.

Working on Monkey Island is nothing if not humbling. While the monkeys are free to wander all over the island without restriction (after all it is their home), the scientists, on the other hand, eat their lunch in a large metal cage. Researcher Giselle Carabello-Cruz suggests that we think of the island as like a zoo where the monkeys come to see the humans.

Researchers are now at the point where they are asking questions in the fields of biology, anthropology and psychology that can’t be answered anywhere else.

After Hurricane Maria struck, scientists in the U.S. attempted to make contact with students and staff in Puerto Rico who had worked at Cayo Santiago Field Station. Photos and videos sent back showed absolute devastation of the island. A photo taken from a helicopter surveying the damage showed a large chalk message: “S.O.S. Necesitamos Agua/Comida” – We need water and food.

Yet, in spite of all: the monkeys were spotted! Defying expectations, many of the Cayo monkeys had survived the storm. Over the next several days, staff traveled to Cayo and started searching for each individual monkey.

Researchers from around the world started organizing relief efforts. The most immediate concern was water: a system of rainwater cisterns had collected fresh water for the monkey’s to drink.

We have to thank the researchers, and send blessings to the amazing monkeys who have and will continue to teach us so much about our animal ancestry.

Donations are tax deductible: Corporación Doméstica Sin Fines de Lucro (not-for profit): registration number 400094​

We at La Casa have been investigating hydrogen for many years. We are convinced that H2 will be the next big thing in effective holistic therapies. (Actually it already IS the next big thing, but the world hasn’t found out about that yet.)

The research has been done, and is compelling—for over 150 conditions that H2 improves.

Mark Sircus has written extensively on the subject of the therapeutic value of H2, and is coming out shortly with a new book on the subject. La Casa’s last Musings was, similarly, on H2, and we have posted the video of our Hydrogen Summit, held recently at La Casa with Hal Blatman, M.D. and Sarah Adams, of Vital Reaction.

In our support of the belief that the world’s whole population is better off with a greater daily supply of pure H2 than present environmental circumstances allow, La Casa has arranged for you to purchase V-R H2 tablets with a 10% discount, using the code above.

Respectfully submitted by:
and
*Licensed Psychologist
*Certified  Psychoanalyst
*Stone Carrier Medicine Woman, Native American Traditional Organization

Click HERE to donate to La Casa Puerto Rico, in our rebuilding efforts.

Donations to
La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico are tax deductible.

La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico
is registered as a not-for-profit corporation.

(Corporación Doméstica Sin Fines de Lucro (not-for profit): registration number 400094)

La Casa New York has a brand new brochure out, introducing new therapies as well as innovative packages at significant price-saving costs.

Stop by the

Spa & Wellness Center soon to pick up your copy and find out which of our healing and nourishing therapies is right for you.

Click HERE to donate to La Casa Puerto Rico, in our rebuilding efforts.

Donations to
La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico are tax deductible.

La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico
is registered as a not-for-profit corporation.

(Corporación Doméstica Sin Fines de Lucro (not-for profit): registration number 400094)

Jane’s latest book is out now through Free Association Books, and available through AMAZON!

Great reviews are still rolling in, like this one:

“This book is more than just a book. The passion of the author’s love for both her mother and her daughter create a vivid life for the readers imagination to fully immerse into. The delicate use of each word powerfully expels the reader out of their body and into the lives that this book is based on. Along with a powerful story line the author cleverly inserts an abundance of knowledge throughout the book. It created new pathways and perspectives in the mind and fully allows the reader to come full circle with the essence of motherhood, childhood and the simplicity of a human being.
This book is mindful, emotional and spiritual, all three elements come together for the reader to experience the wholeness of Jane Goldberg’s genius mind.”

Click HERE to donate to La Casa Puerto Rico, in our rebuilding efforts.

Donations to
La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico are tax deductible.

La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico
is registered as a not-for-profit corporation.

(Corporación Doméstica Sin Fines de Lucro (not-for profit): registration number 400094)

For a complete archive of all previous issues of Musings From 20th Street, simply click HERE!

To keep up with all the latest news about my books and writing projects, please “Like” my new page on Facebook,
HERE.

Jane recently gave a speech titled

“Disease is Never a Mistake: It’s Communication.”

For those of you who were unable to attend the Navel or New Life Expos in New York recently, but would still like to find out more on the subject, Jane is offering the chance to receive the PowerPoint portion of the talk, which is also jam-packed full of pertinent health info.

All you have to do is send  an email to Jane, requesting the speech:

lacasa@lacasaspa.com

Click HERE to donate to La Casa Puerto Rico, in our rebuilding efforts.

Donations to
La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico are tax deductible.

La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico
is registered as a not-for-profit corporation.

(Corporación Doméstica Sin Fines de Lucro (not-for profit): registration number 400094)

Do you want to

Make it to 120?

You are not alone! Check out our website, full of videos from seniors staying healthy

HERE!

Click HERE to donate to La Casa Puerto Rico, in our rebuilding efforts.

Donations to
La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico are tax deductible.

La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico
is registered as a not-for-profit corporation.

(Corporación Doméstica Sin Fines de Lucro (not-for profit): registration number 400094)

Check out all of Jane’s Huffington Post articles by clicking

HERE

Jane and Jay Gutierrez’s acclaimed book about the healing power of radioactive is still available to purchase on Amazon.

“The authors present a very compelling, research based, explanation on how low level radiation is beneficial to our health. There are many stories of people with chronic,disabling diseases who found Jay Gutierrez and his Night Hawk Minerals program and by following the protocols given by Jay used his radioactive stones to achieve true healing. I am now a user of the stones and a true believer in their value. I HIGHLY recommend this book!”

                                 -Linda Honey

Click HERE to donate to La Casa Puerto Rico, in our rebuilding efforts.

Donations to
La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico are tax deductible.

La Casa Spa & Wellness Puerto Rico
is registered as a not-for-profit corporation.

(Corporación Doméstica Sin Fines de Lucro (not-for profit): registration number 400094)

La Casa Spa and Wellness Center was created out of the experience one woman had with her mother. Long before holistic medicine became widely known, Dr. Jane Goldberg spent the 1970s seeking alternative cancer therapies for her mother, who had been diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. Following sound principles of holistic health, Jane’s mother was able to reverse her cancer condition entirely, moving from her wheelchair to joyfully playing tennis again. This experience inspired Jane to specialize in her psychoanalytic practice to work with cancer patients, and to fulfill the need for a holistic healing center in NYC. Jane and La Casa invite you to partake of the restorative and profoundly cleansing therapies that have brought La Casa world-wide recognition.

Legal Disclaimer
Information provided is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. No health claims for these products or therapies have been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor has the FDA nor any other medical authority approved these products pr therapies to diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. Since every person is unique, we highly recommend you to consult with your licensed health care practitioner about the use of products or therapies discussed here as it relates to your particular situation.