TRAVEL: Cleansing in Comox
There are sojourns, tours, journeys and vacations, but then there is travel of an entirely different sort.
On a recent trip to Fresh Start Health Retreat near Comox, I crossed far out of my comfort zone to spend five days in an entirely different world — the planet of plant-based eating.
I spent four of those days drinking nothing but freshly juiced fruits and vegetables. But, fear not — I have not become one of those vegans with a vengeance.
Instead, I discovered a way to rejuvenate and nourish my body. This was an inner journey, the kind without passports and visas.
The word at Fresh Start is that a plant-based diet can reverse the damage we’ve created through the SAD (standard American diet).
It seems we really are what we eat and most of us eat too much meat.
The resulting fatty cholesterol builds inside our arteries, reducing blood and oxygen flow to the heart (read attack) the brain (read stroke) and the tissues (read cancer).
To fight this, Fresh Start administers liver-cleansing smoothies that are prepared and doled out on a regular basis throughout the four-day juice fast.
There are beet juices made with lemon and apple, juices from spinach, celery, apple and cucumbers and the real crowd-pleaser of sauerkraut, cabbage and carrot. Not!
Let’s not forget the shots of juiced wheatgrass that tasted like you’d licked your lawnmower blades clean — and don’t get me started on the warm saline-water flush (with flush truly being the operative word) that started each day.
Yet, this journey not only gave me a kick-start in clearing my body, but also gave me the tools to incorporate some new healthy habits.
We learned how easy it is to make tasty meals using only raw plant foods. They won me over with the freshest-tasting cheesecake of my life — with not a speck of cheese in sight.
I don’t imagine I’ll be regularly slamming wheatgrass shots and, though I hate to say never, I’m thinking I will never drink the aforementioned cabbage swirl.
What I will be doing is eating more fresh produce each day.
I felt energized throughout my stay and, surprisingly, only felt hungry a few times, which was quickly remedied by the next juice. I could only have done this in their temptation-free, supportive and gorgeous environment.
This brings me to the other part of this restorative retreat.
Fresh Start takes place at the Ocean Resort in a rural area outside of Comox called Oyster Bay.
The seashore is right out front, ensuring an ongoing symphony of surf and waves.
The interior utilizes sun-bleached wood for the tables, light fixtures and signage, creating a beach-quiet sanctuary that is restorative and a welcome change from most standard resorts.
There is no clutter or cuteness — just serene and calming quiet.
There is time for mossy green walks along forest trails and on the windswept beach.
The morning yoga class is a gentle start to each day.
The afternoon discussions on health and the cookless-cooking classes are both informative and fun.
My favourite was the nightly steam bath.
Sitting in the hot fog was another chance to talk to the guests, who were finishing a two-week program.
I learned one couple had come from Alberta in the hopes of building her immune system to fight her cancer.
Her husband was there to support her.
Being Albertan lovers-of-all-things-beef, they were reeling with all the new information, but excited at a chance for change.
Another woman had no idea she was coming until three days before she left.
Her daughters sent her after watching her deepening depression.
She was glowing on that last day.
“I feel stronger and more in control of my life. I’ve lost 11 pounds and . . .” she said with a laugh.
“Can you believe it? I’m actually excited about introducing green smoothies into each day.”
Green smoothies are the easiest takeaway lesson from our stay.
They are essentially fresh-fruit smoothies blended with any fresh dark greens.
The fruit disguises whatever greens you choose, delivering a body blast of raw green goodness.
As people like Bill Clinton take up the torch, plant-based diets are making headlines.
Raw food is a hot topic.
But, forget the trends.
Instead, remember how you felt after your last burger-and-booze-filled vacation.
This is a different kind of trip, one that demands a commitment.
But, it returns a much bigger reward — your health.
IF YOU GO:More information can be found online at healthretreat.ca.
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.