A Small View Into What Makes Me...ME

My parent's journey with wheatgrass and raw foods started in 1985. My Dad had been a general contractor for 40 years. Dad (Moose), was 54 yrs old, 5'11" and weighed 222lbs (I grew up on a standard american diet(SAD), and at this point, both my parents were still eating that way). His father had been diagnosed with hardening of the arteries and diabetes, was a smoker, and died at the age of 63. Moose was at the doctor's every couple of weeks. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol and was taking anti-depressants. His general feeling, while working 8-10 hour days living in Florida in the construction business, was one of sluggishness and lack of life. His doctors were concerned, but Moose was unable to turn around his health.
Since Moose was not improving with traditional medicine, my sister, Joelene Bergonzi, asked both my parents to come to California to Hippocrates Health Institute in Lemon Grove, outside of San Diego (now called the Optimum Health Institute), to learn more about holistic healing and the use of raw foods and wheat grass. The institute was founded by Raychel Solomon, who, at the time, was related to Joelene by marriage.
Raychel started her journey at 67 yrs of age when she read Eydie Mae Hunsberger's book, "How I Conquered Cancer Naturally." At this time, Raychel wanted to help her friends who were challenged by cancer. She was led to Ann Wigmore, who was one of the first to promote the use of wheatgrass for bodily healing. (To read more about Ann Wigmore, visit http://www.annwigmore.org/index.html) After connecting with Ann Wigmore's program, she started Hippocrates West in 1976. Later she changed the name to Optimum Health Institute, a non- profit organization (Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida did not exist at this time).
After their own introduction to Hippocrates, Moose and Jeanette decide to take a major step in their own healing journey. They chose to try the program in Lemon Grove in November of 1986. Moose was going to stay for two weeks and my Mom for one. The program consisted of fasting, wheatgrass juice, raw food, enemas every day, and classes on holistic health. After the first three days (which required juice fasting), my Dad had had enough and wanted out. It was a very radical change to their lives. On the fourth day, he met a woman who told him her story. And just like so many of us who have been transformed by the power of another's story, Moose decided to stay.
At this time in the story, I have to tell you the journey of this woman that helped my Dad with his choice. She was so transformed herself by the program, that she came back with her husband. Her husband had weighed over 300 lbs, was diagnosed with depression and high blood pressure, and his doctor's had given him six months to live. His insurance carrier chose to send him to California to take the program at Hippocrates (I know, hard to believe in 1986). After the three week program, he lost over 40 lbs. They both had a new lease on life.
Moose was now convinced. Both my parents continued with the fasting and made it through the first week. After my Mom left, Dad volunteered to work with the maintenance department at the institute. He continued to eat raw food, drink wheatgrass juice and do implants and enemas. After the second week, he bought a juicer, a trampoline, and set up to bring the program home with him. He lost 12 pounds in two weeks, stopped taking anti-depressants, and in less than two months, his cholesterol was down along with his weight. Three months later, he weighed 175 pounds. After being back in Florida few weeks, Raychel offered Moose a job at the institute in California. The decision was made--they moved out to California. Dad worked in Maintenance and Mom worked in the office. They stayed for 16 years, during which he was made general manager. They stayed on a maintenance program and they were always looking for new ways to heal and spread the word.
My parents' experience influenced the rest of our family. I used tachyon beads, the TDP healing lamp and many other products my parents introduced me to--with, of course, wheatgrass juice and all its healing benefits, food combining and the power of living foods. It took me awhile to turn to living foods, but I eventually made it. (My story is another book.)
After 16 years, Jeanette and Moose retired and moved back to Florida. They were offered a job at Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach where my brother, Michael Bergonzi, was already employed as the Greenhouse Manager, and is presently still working.
From 1990-1998, Michael also worked at Optimum in California. He was the Office Manager and then moved on to Wheatgrass Department Manager and Public Relations Coordinator. Michael Bergonzi is a master wheatgrass grower and has been quoted in Steve Meyerowitz's book “Wheatgrass, Nature's Finest Medicine”. Michael has been very active in helping us start this business. His experience and knowledge in sprouting and wheatgrass have been, and will continue to be, instrumental to us.