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Presented by John Bagnulo & Jan Buhrman February 7–12, 2027 | ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary | Sebastian, Florida
This is about shifting — not restricting.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States — yet much of it is preventable through the choices we make every day. This retreat is built on one powerful idea: that the right foods, cooked with care and understanding, can protect and transform your heart and brain health in profound ways. Regenerative health begins here — restoring the body's innate capacity to heal, adapt, and thrive by addressing the root causes of disease rather than its symptoms.
THE METABOLIC GOAL
You do not want to be dependent on burning carbohydrates.
You want to:
Burn more fat at any given intensity (walking, strength training, or rest)
Lower carb load temporarily
Increase nutrient density.
Build aerobic capacity.
Improve circulation.
Support nitric oxide production.
Enhance mitochondrial function.
We are flipping the SWITCH to start burning more fat and less carbohydrate.
Over five immersive days at ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary in Sebastian, Florida, you will move from knowledge to practice — from lecture to kitchen, from science to table. In this course on metabolic health we cover the regenerative principles that guide everything: how we source food, how we prepare it, and how we understand the relationship between a living landscape and a living body. You will leave with new culinary skills, a heart-healthy pantry strategy, a collection of recipes you love, and a clear understanding of what your body needs to thrive..
The Setting
ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary, Sebastian, Florida
Set in the lush, sub-tropical environment across from the 22,000-acre St. Sebastian River Preserve, ChoZen Eco-Retreat & Sanctuary is located in the heart of one of North America's most biodiverse lagoon systems. Here, a global community of diverse disciplines and backgrounds gathers to collaborate, cross-pollinate, and share unique skill sets, knowledge, and wisdom—immersed in one of the most ecologically extraordinary places on earth. This living sanctuary is itself an expression of regenerative philosophy — where restored ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being are understood as inseparable.
Home to 10,000 species of flora and fauna and 35 endangered species — including manatees, dolphins, bobcats, and the Florida Panther — ChoZen's 40 acres of subtropical wetlands and three miles of trails offer nature as medicine. Guests enjoy farm-to-table catering, a saltwater pool, cold plunge, kayaking on the Sebastian River, and eco-lodging that ranges from geodesic domes to a four-bedroom Florida Villa.
Curriculum Metabolic Makeover: Four Core Topics
Culinary & Lifestyle Focus:
Assess current energy levels and metabolic tendencies.
What speeds up metabolism? What slows it down? How can you recognize the signs?
Begin observing how meals, movement, stress, and sleep affect the body.
Resting heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, energy, sleep, mood, and hunger patterns.
Flipping the Metabolic Switch
Where the body gets its energy; aerobic versus carbohydrate-driven metabolism, breaking carbohydrate dependency, and understanding metabolic flexibility. High-protein breakfasts with 35–40 grams of protein; meals built around high-quality protein and plenty of vegetables
Hunger, cravings, satiety, energy between meals, and response to higher-protein meals
Circulation, Satiety & Fat Adaptation
How nitric oxide helps deliver oxygenated blood to the muscles; the relationship among circulation, mitochondrial efficiency, and metabolism; building satiety and fat-burning capacityNitrate- and potassium-rich greens: arugula, mustard greens, spinach, dandelion greens, and watercressEnergy, endurance, circulation, fullness after meals, and ability to go longer without hunger
Exercise, Fuel & PrecisionStrength versus cardio; aerobic conditioning; “turning down the metabolic thermostat”; increasing fat oxidation; understanding and optimizing fuel sources; final assessment and precision
Walking after meals, strength training, aerobic movement, and matching food and fuel to individual needs. Changes in all baseline measurements and the habits that produce the strongest individual response
Our goal: To help participants understand how their bodies produce and use energy—and to identify the food, movement, and lifestyle practices that support greater metabolic flexibility.
Accommodation Information
Check-in: Sunday, February 7, 2027 from 3:00 PM
Check-out: Friday, February 12, 2027 by 10:00 AM
Reserve your place
Contact & Registration
To reserve your place or for any questions about the retreat, please contact Jan directly:
Jan Buhrman
54 Hewing Field
Chilmark, MA 02535
Email: jan@janbuhrman.com
508360-4491 - text
*Before signing up, please read our Cancellation Policy in full
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT CHOZEN—We have reserved the center for our retreat, and they cannot book, hold or answer questions about the retreat. We are the contact for the retreat and can answer your questions