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Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers
By Maralyn D. Hill 'The Tandem Traveler'

Experiencing raw foods, juice, and wellness, while detoxing my body, was my reason for taking part in the wellness program, Fresh Start, at the Ocean Resort on Oyster Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C. The Ocean Resort overlooked Desolation Sound and the Coastal Mountain range. Quite “green” by today’s building standards, the resort’s surroundings were breathtaking.

After reading about this 5-night juice and body detox program, I wanted to learn more. As someone who travels worldwide tasting food, this seemed like an attractive alternative healthy experience.

Fresh Start’s programs and spa services integrate an intensive detoxification and cellular nourishment with organic raw vegan cuisine the first night and fresh juices the rest of the time. This is combined with life-style education, workshops, steam baths, yoga, and meditation. In addition, optional infrared sauna treatments, spa treatments, colon hydrotherapy, and other spa services are available.

Three of us joined a group that had already been there 10 days. They were into the routine of detoxing and experienced a day’s reward with vegan solid raw food when we arrived. As an added arrival bonus, the meditation therapist created special lotions and shampoos, based on our medical information. They were very soothing and quite reasonable.

Fresh Start offers 5-day, 10-day, and 14-day programs. My timing was not ideal, as I was on back-to-back travel before and afterwards. These commitments prevented me preparing properly or returning slowly into a solid diet.  I stress this, as it is important that participants allow a minimum of one week before and after to follow the low-key detoxifying program Fresh Start sends with guests. As a result, my reactions were more severe than the staff or I expected.

The staff was exceptional. Their commitment to and knowledge of the benefits of raw food were outstanding and equaled by their dedication to Fresh Start.

We started each day at 7 a.m. with yoga or meditation—a highlight of the day. After that, we drank 2 liters of saline water before our first juice. This naturally caused everyone to react with bowel movements on a continual basis for an hour or so. For me, it was much more severe. My saline and juice combination was altered by the Director to accommodate my system, which I tremendously appreciated. I was given charcoal water to minimize the effect of the saline water.

During the rest of the day between juice times, we participated in educational classes, group, walk time, and rest. There was also time to schedule spa services. Most of us ended each evening in the steam bath.

The day before we went home, we did have a cooking class with fresh vegetables prepared in several different ways and packaged for us to take with us on the plane. We received recipes to get us started on this type of lifestyle. The Program Directors follow such a raw food lifestyle. The staff incorporates some aspects of it into their daily living.

In addition to the program package, most guests chose numerous optional spa services daily. It is stressed that they helped achieve maximum results, as the majority of spa treatments offered were therapeutic.  

The colonic cleanse is what I opted to experience, since it was recommended as the one to pick if only selecting one. Even though I went to this treatment with hesitation, I came out happy I had experienced it. All three of us latecomers had a positive reaction. Those on the 14-day program opted to receive 5 to 7 colonic cleanses.

Spa services averaged between $100 and $200. The sauna cost was $30. Feedback from those who experienced daily spa treatments was quite positive. All spa prices/services are listed on the Fresh Start website as well as acupuncture, energy work, and other special services.

Objectives among the guests varied considerably. One received the package as a gift, another was a terminal cancer patient looking to change eating habits in hope for better health.  Others were vegans who wanted to move further into raw food, while another was a supportive spouse.  No matter what one’s personal reasons for attending, it was a thorough introduction to raw food from a passionate well-trained staff.

Again, I stress that this was an intense program. Even though I stayed with it, due to my severe reaction, my intake was adjusted, as I had to eliminate the saline water and add a charcoal mixture. I continued on the juicing of raw food, but my fruit juice was eliminated for a day. They had a mild laxative planned for everyone the night before leaving, which I requested not to use. The reason was, I was flying a regional airline back to Vancouver without a bathroom.

One of the 14-day participants was eagerly looking forward to returning in several months, another was happy to leave, but feeling much better. So, Fresh Start is an exceptional experience for some and a challenge for others. But it is a complete introduction to detoxing your body and learning about how to live eating raw food.

For me, I knew I would not change my lifestyle of traveling the world, finding destinations to write about, and sampling foods of each culture. However, I did learn useful tips to take home with me and incorporate into my lifestyle. These should assist in keeping my hectic routine somewhat healthier. My bonus was that I lost five pounds in five days.

For anyone interested, I’d suggest you read the website www.healthretreat.ca thoroughly and ask questions of the Directors. The program is currently being adjusted to meet the client’s needs. What was a routine when I attended may have changed.

The Tandem Travelers  are a traveling writing team made up of Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill - co-authors of ‘Cooking Secrets - The Why and How’ and ‘Our

Love Affairs with Food & Travel’, plus
Maralyn's husband Norman E. Hill - author of ‘Winner and Final Chairman’. Learn more about their books on www.BooksByHills.com or follow their travels around the world on www.whereandwhatintheworld.com