Back to Basics: Finding Wellness Through Balanced Living

As I left off in Part One, I had chosen Miraval Wellness Resort in Arizona to help me focus on nutrition and get back on track with overall wellness. My six-night stay there proved to be just what the naturopathic doctor ordered. Dr. Andrew Weil (as seen on Oprah) is Miraval's Director of Integrative Health and Healing after all. Prior to my departure, I'd decided to finally crack open his book Eating Well For Optimum Health.

It is unfortunate that I had shelved Weil's book for close to four years. Why? Well, everyone has purchased a healthy lifestyle tome that seemed like such a great idea in the moment, but you get a chapter or two in and it's like you've overdosed on Nytol. This is how it often goes when I open a book. However, as it was the time and I was going to the place, I fought the narcolepsy and became so totally engrossed in this essential guide to food, diet and nutrition.

Without delving in too much here, my reading took me back to the fundamentals of good physical health and, moreover, enlightened me to the fact that I seriously needed a refresher course in proper nutrition. Yes, I was listening in high school Biology class, but the world, my tastes, and food trends have changed a million times since then Never mind the outside influences of family, friends and the media (which I now see as the primary source of so much overwhelming confusion about food). 

If you do not have this book, I highly recommend picking it up immediately.

So there it was, the truth about macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates, protein), micronutrients (fibre, vitamins and minerals), and the best diet in the world (a combination of traditional Japanese and Mediterranean). Printed in black and white, and making so much sense to me, the reasons were clear why this man is one of the leading authorities on integrative medicine (read: combining traditional practices with alternative remedies). Boarding that plane to Arizona, I was committed to working Dr. Andrew Weil's balanced principals into my diet.

Serenity Now

The resort and spa, located just outside of Tucson, is nestled in the serene Sonoran desert - providing the ideal setting for a myriad of programs (over 150 in total) that promote Miraval's balanced living philosophy.

Upon arriving, I checked in to an eco-stunning suite one of 16 of the more modern rooms on the property. Designed by Mithun, a leading advocate for sustainable design, the walls are composed of natural rammed-earth. Each is fitted with an outdoor shower that uses Mexican river rocks for its flooring. What's even more genius is whatever their beds are made of Heaven is all I can say about that. 

Taking in the gorgeous desert views, framed by the Catalina mountains, I began crafting how my time would be spent.

Booking Time

The resort has an excellent staff; experts in everything from nutrition to trauma therapy, as well as highly trained spa estheticians. Upon booking, the reservation agent advised that I set up any one-on-one and spa appointments (for which all guests get a $125 credit per day) before arriving. I set up two sessions with Registered Dietitian Junelle Lupiani, one with Exercise Physiologist Andrew Wolf, and a Sweet Slumber massage for good measure (leaving credit to spare for booking more spa time on site).

Having unlimited access to the scheduled programs, and the option to sign up for cooking demos and additional lifestyle sessions, my days combined activity (morning fitness walks, yoga flow classes) with life-changing seminars (creating realistic diet plans, learning mindful stress mastery). The options to get super adventurous (walking a balance beam suspended 30 feet in the air) were plenty, but this was not my focus. On the sunniest days, I signed off and lounged poolside to read and journal - mindfully monitoring my vitamin D intake, of course.

Here, I was able to disconnect from my Toronto life and recharge on doses of healthy food, sunshine and the most accommodating staff I have ever come across. Anywhere.

So between the private and group sessions, and the amazing women I met, there was much to journal about. PART THREE will encompass what I learned from the Miraval experts and one strong, brilliant woman in particular.

MIRAVAL Luxury Resort & Spa

5000 E. Via Estancia Miraval

Tucson, Arizona 

800.825.4000

www.miravalresort.com

By Sara Graham

Sara Graham, Fashion Forward
		About the author:
		When Malcolm Gladwell talks about “connectors,” he’s talking about Sara Graham. This gal-about-town made her mark spending five years in (and out) of publishing as Editor-in-Chief of Canada’s top teen magazines Vervegirl and FUEL. During the out part she created, designed and managed all aspects of Sister Underwear – a collection that was not only embraced by the Canadian fashion network of buyers, media and the public, but enjoyed repeat orders from boutiques located in the U.S. Although no longer deep in the publishing or fashion trenches, Sara remains curious and connected via her insatiable appetite for culture and travel. Sara also continues to produce fashion shoots through Project, her brand management company.