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Canadian Country INNS Bed & Breakfast Fall 1998 For many of us, getting away from it all means lazing around in beautiful settings, eating incredibly fattening gourmet meals and letting others do all the work for us. Over the last few years, though, a new trend has emerged in North American getaway holidays - relaxation combined with wellness, stress relief mixed with good habits and self-indulgence intermingled with physical well-being. Based on the centuries-old European model of health and wellness vacations located near healing waters, EcoMed, Canada's first and only wellness spa, is found on the pristine shores of Vancouver Island. Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky, the founding director of EcoMed, was guided by the principle of "optimal health in harmony with nature". With that in mind, his early scouting travels finally ended at Pacific Shores Resort in Nanoose Bay, an eco-resort blending luxurious private suites with grounds containing thousands of native plants and flowers, private seaside walks an indoor pool and training center and that staple of West Coast life - the Oceanside hot tub. To this irresistible mix Stefan and his attentive staff have added gourmet customized vegetarian cuisine, massage and spa treatments and an optional blend of health and wellness consultations and treatments. Your visit can include as little or as much as you want - a spa weekend with delicious meals, seaside walks and relaxation and a massage or two, all the way to a weekly (or longer) stay including health consultations, treatments and training. Stefan, himself a trained naturopath, has studied with spiritual master Deepak Chopra, and he takes the relaxed approach that personal wellness develops a step at a time - depending on your individual desire and motivation, you can dip in and out of the wellness offerings and expertise, combining a restorative getaway with as little or as much wellness as desired. But don't let all this talk of wellness detract from the splendours of EcoMed's physical and culinary enchantments. The setting is extraordinary. As soon as you leave the highway and enter Pacific Shores' grounds, you're surrounded by the wonders of the Pacific Northwest - a wealth of old-growth trees and a profusion of blooming shrubs and plants. Vancouver Islanders love their azaleas and rhododendrons and the resort is crammed full of every variety, blooming in profusion.
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 Each self-contained suite opens onto the ocean and is complete with soaker tub and oils, herbal tea, freshly-cut flowers, CD player with a selection of classical and relaxing music. While it's possible to store and prepare your own food, the ultimate getaway includes the fabulously tasty meals prepared by EcoMed's talented chefs. These are so beautiful and delicious that it's hard to believe they're actually good for you. Meals are taken together with Stefan and other spa guests. Conversation ranges from the latest discoveries washed up on the shore (Stefan is noted for his ingenious use of sea shells as napkin rings), to ideas about mind-body connections. All this goes on while feasting on delectables like Mixed Berry Buckwheat Waffles with Strawberry/Maple Syrup Puree or Cranberry Oat Bread for breakfast, Soba Noodles with Szechuan Almond Sauce for lunch and Nori Vegetable Wraps and Ginger-tamari Tempeh with Quinoa Almandine for dinner. And make sure to taste Helena's incredible Silken Lime Pie. You'd never guess it was made with tofu! The heart of the Spa is, of course, Stefan's spa and healing centre. Here again, the talented staff make you forget all your cares. After a fabulous massage from Tracey or one of Stacey's aromawraps you may be too relaxed to even consider the afternoon ramble in nearby Rathtrevor National Park.
Who says pleasure has to be sinful? At EcoMed Naturopathic Spa, elegance, natural beauty and gourmet food are actually good for you! Don't miss this opportunity to discover what Europeans have always known-a wellness vacation is the very best kind.
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