Health Getaway Highlights

Have you ever wondered what exactly goes on at a “health getaway?”  I did.  My parents anticipated my thoughts, and sent my sister and I to experience the event first hand.  Last week we attended Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s health getaway in San Diego, CA at the Rancho Bernardo Inn.  We left saturated with practical and enlightening knowledge, well fed, glowing from a daily dose of sun (okay, and a spa treatment), and fully stimulated after a week of activities.  Here are some of the highlights…

1.  Enhancing my professional skills as a dietitian while improving my personal health and wellness.

There are few times in life when you are handed a wonderful opportunity on a silver platter – but I was, and I intended to soak up every bit of the experience.  The speakers, conversations, stories, and information have already made me a better keeper of my body and facilitator to clients.

2.  Meeting like-minded herbivores from all across the globe!  And finding some in our own backyard:

Carl traveled all the way from Nepal while Mark and Alison live 15 minutes from me in PA!  (Hey guys!)  They already know many folks from our area and have shared multiple resources, such as a nearby potluck gathering.  I look forward to finally meeting the local health yocals!

3.  Hearing knowledge-packed lectures with Q&A sessions.

There’s nothing like hearing it straight from the horses mouth.  Dr. Fuhrman shared updated nutritional research, patient experiences, and rattled off a vast amount of knowledge like a walking encyclopedia.   I’ve already had the opportunity to share new and current information with clients since my return.  Lecture topics included:

• Prescription for Healthy Muscles & Bones
• Eat For Health, Part 1: The Basics
• Eat For Health, Part 2: Food Addictions & Weight Loss
• Reversing Heart Disease & Diabetes
• Cooking Basics of Nutritarian Cuisine – Smoothies, Soups & Salads
• Cancer Prevention, Survival & Longevity
• Disease Specific Nutritional Recommendations
• Educating & Motivating Others to Achieve Nutritional Excellence

4.  Consuming the best plant-based meals!

Meals resembled a WHOLE FOODS buffet bar without the salt and oil – every single meal!  The chefs prepared Dr. Fuhrman’s member center recipes with high quality ingredients such as locally grown and organic produce.  It was the epitome of a health food extravaganza!

5.  Exercising regularly throughout the week.

It wouldn’t be a health getaway without regular exercise and we did just that.  Activities included power walking, yoga, fitness classes, circuit training, cardio and weights at the fitness center, sign ups for jogging and tennis partners, and even a brisk one mile run with Dr. Fuhrman – who rest assured does nothing half-heartedly.  The goal was to be active at least once a day, which paralleled the Healthy Muscles & Bones lecture.  It also enabled us to thoroughly enjoy the food following a workout.  YUM!

6.  Listening to inspiring speakers who are working to improve the health of our nation one task at a time.

Whether it was Sarah Taylor‘s Motivation for Life! talk, Joe Cross’s humorous and compelling journey documented in the movie ‘Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead,’ or Whole Foods Market CEO, John Mackey‘s, honest and noble plans to do his part in spreading a solid understanding of healthy eating initiatives across the country – no one went to bed without something uplifting to ponder.

7.  Witnessing attendees’ success stories and transformative experiences.

There’s nothing like hearing a success story from the people who have experienced it first-hand.  I enjoyed meeting Emily Boller, a real sweetheart who is essentially Dr. Fuhrman’s poster child for weight loss.  She portrayed a 100-pound weight loss with images that appeared to add years back to her life.  Emily now interviews successful nutritarians on the blog DiseaseProof.com and has quite a following.

8.  Learning cooking secrets from a Pro!

Whole Foods Market chef, Chad Sarno, is involved in the Health Starts Here healthy eating initiative.  He demo-ed how to prepare mother sauces, oil-free tricks, working with plant based proteins, herb and spice combining, and appetizer creation while sharing many useful techniques and simple entertaining tips.  We enjoyed tasting his recipes at dinner, and on the final night we were served his canapes during cocktail hour!

9.  Relaxing on a beautiful resort away from everyday life.

It was easy to enjoy Rancho Bernardo’s gorgeous setting and hospitable service.  The grounds were beautiful, clean, and quiet while the fantastic spa left even the simplest of us feeling glamorous.  We enjoyed the group rates and free access to the spa’s salt-water pool!

10. Sharing the experience with someone I love…

I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share a getaway like this with my younger sister.  We quickly became known as the “twins.”  Lee has recently decided to become a Shegan: a She – vegan!

So it was a phenomenal 6 days with a unique bunch of people gathered together in the name of “Health.”  Some have been long-term health nuts for years.  Others literally stopped smoking that week, were going through caffeine withdrawal, and/or filled up on junk food prior to the event!  Everyone began at a different phase, but we all left energized about a deeper understanding of health and nutrition.  If you ever have the opportunity to attend such an event – seize it!!