Destination Spa Vacations with Michelle

Canyon Ranch on Martha Stewart

Although I didn't see it, I've heard from several people that yesterday's Martha Stewart's television show was very Destination Spa-like. It even featured one of our own - Dr. Richard Carmona from Canyon Ranch.

The theme of the show was taking care of your body and soul. Although, the mind seems to be missing, it certainly sounds like spas. In keeping with the body and soul theme, the program was full of ideas for living a healthier, happier, and more meaningful life. The cooking segments included healthy recipes for lunch and warding off colds, while the rest of the show featured several health experts sharing tips on achieving optimal health. Dr. Brent Ridge shared tips on getting a good night's sleep, Terri Trespicio discussed the importance of forgiveness, and Mary Tedesco (Martha's personal trainer) led a fat-blasting workout to jump-start your metabolism. Add a massage and some relaxation time, and you have a snapshot of a day at a Destination Spa.

During his segment, Dr. Carmona, who was the 17th surgeon general of the United States and is now the vice chairman of Canyon Ranch, discussed how to achieve optimal health for ourselves and our communities.

How to Achieve Optimal Health and Wellness:

• To start, pick a physical activity that you like to do and do it!
• Eliminate high-risk activities. Wear your seat belt, and do things that can reduce the cost of health care.
• There needs to be a cultural transformation. Community leaders such as rabbis, priests, teachers, and principals need to make a long-term commitment to health-literacy, and then spread the word.
• Knowledge about health risks is easily accessible, so we all need to take on the role of a leader if we can.
• The greatest predictor of health status in a community is socioeconomic status. People need access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and it has got to be safe to go outside.
• Work within your community to provide opportunity. Write to your assemblymen and demand a supermarket that provides fresh fruits and vegetables.

Take the message to heart - nuture and care for your body and soul! Collectively, we can make a difference.

Living at the Spa

Imagine living in an environment where everything you do and see enhances your life and well-being. Sounds like utopia, right? Actually, it is the idea behind Residential Spas. Connect the spa -- fitness, healthy cusine, activities, education and body treatments -- to everyday living. Literally, living at the spa and making it part of your daily life. For many people (myself included), this kind of streamlined access to the spa lifestyle is a dream come true.

Several models and versions have emerged in the Residential Spa market over the last couple of years. Some are residential only, while some have a hotel and others offer fractional ownership options. In my opinion, they are all great options. Similar to other types of spas, it's just a matter of which one best meets your needs.

Within the Destination Spa Group, the following Destination Spas have entered the market:

Canyon Ranch  A unique approach, Canyon Ranch is offering residential opportunities (luxury condominimums or homes) in their Canyon Ranch Living communities in Chicago, Miami, and Tucson.  In spectacular locales, buyers can own their dream home plus have access to every amenity, fitness choice and wellness opportunity of Canyon Ranch, the world’s premier health resort. The Canyon Ranch Living communities also include a hotel (Miami, Chicago) or resort (Tucson) for out of town visitors.

I recently had the opportunity to tour the Canyon Ranch Miami facility. I donned a hard hat since the property is still under construction. Thanks to my expert guides, I was able to see the kitchen, dining room, wellness center, spa, fitness rooms, and hotel. I'm pleased to report that everything that Canyon Ranch offers at its Destination Spa properties will be available to the residents and hotel guests at this new location. An extreme amount of detail has gone into this project and from everything that I witnessed, it will exceed expectations. This is very exciting for healthy travelers looking for more options in the Southeast as well as those looking for residential options.

The Hills Health Ranch The Hills is building an entire spa village on property, the first of its kind in Canada. The new community will provide the amenities you would expect in a resort village with the addition of a unique focus on health and well-being, and green & sustainable planning and design. The village will provide the possibility for a rich sense of community, whether among permanent residents or those who develop friendships over years of shared vacations.

In the new community you can choose a lot on which to build your own home - lakeside, adjacent to the lodge or on a view site, or select from a single family chalet, townhouse, or hotel suite. All units will have access to international award winning health, fitness & spa amenities & services of the Hills. Planning is well underway with a proposed construction start in 2008.

Red Mountain Spa The Residences at Red Mountain Spa is your way to own a piece of beautiful Red Mountain. Each Villa is graciously designed for comfort and design and of course value. The uniquely designed ownership program allows you to have access to your Villa year-round plus the piece of mind of Red Mountain Spa management.

Green Valley Spa  The residences will meet the highest standards of the United States Green Building Council rating system for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).  Owners can take pride in a complete ecologically sustainable home in a complete Eco-Village where every home has solar panels, energy-saving lighting and appliances, tankless water heater and the most efficient heating and air conditioning unit on the market.  In addition Green Valley has added many health and safety features to protect your family, including air and water purifier, carbon monoxide and fire alarms, and a fireplace sprinkling system in every room.  Green Valley is proud to offer quality that will help protect your family is immediate well-being but their future by building an environmentally responsible home.

I recently toured the Green Valley residences as well. Check out my October blog entry.

Some day, I hope to live full time in a Residential Spa. Until then, I'll do my best to keep up the healthy lifestyle at home and visiting Destination Spas for a tune-up at twice per year.

The SuperFoodsRx Diet on the Today Show

With or without a New Year's Resolution, most people start thinking about eating healthier in January. In fact we can't help it. Every magazine, newspaper, and television program is flodded with articles and advertisements. As they have been all week, the Today Show will feature nutrition advice and tips to start the New Year off on the right track. 

One of our very own - Dr. Wendy Bazilian - will be interviewed for the segment on tomorrow's show, so be sure to tune in! As a Doctor of Public Health, a Registered Dietitian, a certified Health and Fitness Instructor, and Nutritionist for Golden Door she has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with viewers. Her latest project, The SuperFoodsRx Diet, will be the feature of the segment.

In case you can't tune in tomorrow, I've included a brief summary of the book. While I have not yet read the book myself, I have reviewed SuperFoods Rx and am familiar with Wendy's work so it is with confidence that I am adding The SuperFoodsRx Diet to the recommended reads list.

The SuperFoodsRx Diet approach to weight loss is super simple: Consume high-quality SuperNutrient SuperFoods every day, and weight loss can be automatic. Rather than concentrating on the balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, The SuperFoodsRx Diet utilizes the benefits of micronutrients - vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, fiber, antioxidants, and other phytochemicals - to burn calories. These powerhouse nutrients found in the 14 SuperFoods actually boost your body's metabolism, and the specific combinations in this plan will give you the best results possible. Based on extensive research and studies with real people, The SuperFoodsRx Diet is designed to help you reach your optimum weight.

The SuperFoodsRx Diet presents a full diet program with simple and totally flexible meal plans, easy and delicious recipes, and countless tips and strategies that you will need to reach your weight-loss goal and achieve your greatest weight loss success. By following this advice, you can finally have the body you've always wanted--the safe and healthy way.

The book features several of Wendy's recipes, including this Omega-3 rich salmon dish. For more healthy and delicious recipes from the Destination Spas, visit http://destinationspas.com/cuisine.htm

Asian Stuffed Salmon Fillet
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1 baby bok choy, sliced into thin strips (rounds)
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1/2 cup fresh bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup matchstick carrots (or 7–8 baby carrots cut in half or quarters lengthwise)
• 1 scallion, sliced thinly (using about 2/3 of the scallion)
• 1” fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated*
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
• 7 ounces salmon fillet, skin removed
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Heat the canola oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add all the vegetables, ginger and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are tender but firm, approximately 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Tear off 2 pieces of aluminum foil large enough to wrap one portion of salmon and seal it tightly. Cut the salmon through the center lengthwise so that you have 2 thinner slices. Lay 1 slice on the aluminum foil, top with half the vegetables and then cover with the other slice of salmon. Repeat this for the second portion. In a small bowl, mix the honey and mustard. Brush the fish with the honey mustard. Wrap the fish in foil. Bake until the fish is flaky, approximately 20 minutes.

Serves 2. Serving size: 3 ounces salmon and 1 & 1/4 cups vegetables.