Delicious Retreat RaWp-up

I have always wanted to go on a retreat – especially one that was focused on health and wellness. I never really got the opportunity to pursue this interest. So instead, after finding out about the House of Verona in Collingwood Ontario – it wasn’t long  before I decided to host my own retreat. There is nothing better than gathering a group of like minded individuals and guiding them through a weekend of laughter, learning, sharing and cleansing!

I put the word out in February that I was going to host a delicious retreat up in Northern Ontario and it only took about two weeks before 10 + spots had filled. I was so happy and excited that people wanted to share and escape the city for a weekend away. Because it is spring, the topic of the weekend was cleansing, nourishing, rejuvenating while eating raw, organic and vegan food. It is not very often that you get to experience all of this at once!

Planning ahead for the weekend – I created some delicious recipes and planned out all the meals.  I basically took all of my favourite raw meals and created a full menu with them. We started each day with a green juice, smoothie and a yummy breakfast of sprouted bread with acai berry jam, sprouted buckwheat, almond milk and superfood toppings. Then all of our other meals varied between thai coated kelp noodles with collard wraps, savoury nut based dips with LIVE crackers, marinara and pesto pizza with caesar salad, onion-flax bread sandwich with carrot beet and kale slaw and two desserts: mango, banana “ice cream” and chocolate avocado pudding. Did I mention that this was a DELICIOUS retreat?

Trio of Raw Dips – Living Flatbreads and Green Salad

Onion Flax Bread with Walnut Pate and Kale Slaw Salad

Sprouted Buckwheat Cereal with Goji, Coconut and Cinnamon

Acai Berry Jam on Sprouted Kamut Bread

Marinara and Pesto Pizza with Brazil Nut Crust

That was just part of it, the rest of the weekend revolved around learning and sharing. We watched the film Food Matters, had an interactive discussion about cleansing and immunity, learned how to blend smoothies, roll nori, sprout, make nut milks and what essential equipment to have in your kitchen.

Raw Nori Rolling Lesson

Making a Green Smoothie (with Sun Warrior) Lesson

The last component of the weekend allowed for healthy lifestyle activities like yoga, hot baths at a local spa and a hike up blue mountain. We managed to cover a lot in two days- but everyone got something out of it. I had participants from Ottawa, Waterloo, Oakville and Toronto -  everyone had something to offer to the group, with varying areas of expertise and knowledge in health and fitness – we all learned from each other which was the best part! I am even more thrilled that long lasting friendships and bonds were created. From the positive energy and feedback I got from this group, they will always remember their Delicious Weekend Retreat. Thanks to all who joined!

Refreshed after a dip in some hot baths!

Invigorated after our hike to the top of Blue Mountain

Please continue to check my website for details about my next Retreat, October 15-17th – Autumn Immunity and Renewal!

Nourish YOUR Well-Being this Year!

My yogi tea this morning had the quote “May this day bring you peace, tranquility and harmony….” these are words that we need live by everyday. However today these words seemed to be perfect as I was on my way out to pamper myself with wonderful treatments and appointments that would only strengthen my well being. It is so important that we take time for ourselves for the things in life that we love and that make us feel good. Since holiday time is coming up there is (hopefully) plenty of time for you to reconnect and figure out what do you want out of next year and what can you do to “nourish” your well being. You may have some specific health goals in mind, or may be you just want to treat yourself to something that will make you feel good about yourself. I mean that is what life is all about…right?

I spend so much time talking about food. But today I am going to dedicate this post to your whole being and your lifestyle! I have had the luxury over the last few months to meet some amazing practitioners, and like minded with an emphasis on wellness, healing, green, eco, health etc…(you get the point). Most of them are local to Toronto however some of them you can find in New York and even Australia. the world. I want to pay tribute to these people who I have met in my life.

So let’s start local:

Live toxic free and become familiar with the best “ECO” goods, from kleen kanteen to Eco Me bags and other household and personal products with Borden Communications

For the perfect rejuvenation for your face and get your skin glowing, have a treatment with Raman Sekhon at Vida Skin Studio

Pamper yourself – anything from a bikini wax to polishing your nails, facials and pedicures Iris Bocknek does it all – au natural!

Escape the city and take a retreat to relax, learn and eat the best foods nature has to offer with House of Verona (Collingwood, ON) – stay tuned for my Spring Rejuvenation Detox Retreat at house of Verona in May!

Refine your self image and your wardrobe with Wendy Woods and The Refinery.

Give your body to Denise Mitsche at the Pilates Room for just one hour – and your body will feel balanced, open and relaxed!

Discover Eastern medicine right in your home with practitioner David Liang – reflexology, acupuncture and so much more!

For an amazing at home holistic and aromatic massage have Melanie Leeder come to your home or meet her in Muskoka for dockside treatment!

For an empowering and uplifting and healing body experience have Laura Hames give you a body talk session (in New York only!)

Apply Kinesiology to your body and eliminate allergies…Greg Shreeuwer at Universal Health (in Australia Only) can help you to reach your health goals!

This is just a start! I am going to keep adding to this list. If you want to add some tips from wherever you are in the world or here locally in Toronto, please share. What are your wellness pleasures? how do you NOURISH YOUR WELL BEING??

The picture at the top is of me looking at my view at the Wickaninnish Resort in Tofino.