Hands-on cooking at Rancho la Puerta’s La Cocina.

Sunday, September 12th, 2010 | Adventure, Destination Spas, Rancho la Puerta, healthy living, wellness | No Comments

If you’ve been following my blog, reading the articles and visiting other areas on MindfulAdventures.com then you know how I feel about destination spas and wellness.   I also enjoy assisting/coaching others in finding the destination spa that’s best for their needs, whether they’re looking to jump start (or start) fitness, go hiking, meditate and more importantly nutrition.  The bigger goal though is to help others integrate what they learned while away into their lifestyle at home.

One of the destination spas that I enjoy sharing with others is Rancho la Puerta in Tecate, Mexico.  You’ve seen some other recent posts here based on my latest adventure to the Ranch and I’m so grateful to have spent time at La Cocina que Canta.  This is the Cooking School and Culinary Center at the Ranch and offers a sensory experience, which is nothing short of amazing.

For many, this could also be a life changing experience.   I lost my husband due to complications of diabetes and although I did my best at the time with cooking healthy, this could have been (and I’d like to say would have been), a stronger catalyst for both of us to experience together.   I wouldn’t call him a foodie, however we loved watching the Food Network and participating in a workshop with someone like Rick Bayless would have been memorable.

Getting back to the present and another Mindful Adventure brings me to my La Cucina experience.  Chef Tanya Holland of Brown Sugar Kitchen was our visiting teacher and everything from the moment we gathered for our short ride to La Cucina to the organic garden tour to the main event of cooking and enjoying the fruits of our labor was an experience I’ll never forget and one I hope to enjoy often.

Our group (full at 16) that day had such a great time together and when I close my eyes I can smell the fragrant garden and just taste the sweetness of the just-picked tomatoes and herbs.  I learned a lot that day, including how to properly chop chives (thank you Chef!).

This quote comes to mind:

“Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help in its work.  The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.  Our food should be our medicine.  Our medicine should be our food.  But to eat when you are sick, is to feed your sickness.”  – Hippocrates

I’d also like to mention how beautiful La Cucina is as the colorful hand-painted tiles and murals, the wrought iron gate and fireplaces set the mood for the class and the teaching kitchen is something that I think any of us would love to have in our own home.

Enjoy your journey!

Tags: cooking, healthy living, Nutrition, organic, prevention

Springtime Savings at Rancho la Puerta

Saturday, February 27th, 2010 | Adventure, Destination Spas, Rancho la Puerta, healthy living | No Comments

If you’ve been to Rancho la Puerta, then you have a pretty good idea of how even more amazing it is to be there during the Spring.  Flora and fauna in bloom, warmer days, and that great feeling you get when you’re active outdoors.  And to add to the excitement, Rancho la Puerta is offering 10% savings on their Ranchera and Hacienda room types and 20% savings on their Villas.  The best value is the Jr. Villa and my favorite area of Villa Sol.  I have such great memories of being at Rancho la Puerta.  Invigorating days and relaxing evenings.  Butterflies in flight, long strolls by the vineyards and the warmth of the afternoon sun remind me of being mindful and living in the moment.

My favorite hike is the Organic hike and I often think about getting to the top of that hill and walking through the garden.  For me, it was like the ‘Wizard of Oz’ when it went from black and white to color.  The beauty of that area is something to see, especially after this harsh winter.  It also reminds me of patience and the knowing that any seeds that we plant, and yes, this is a metaphor for life as well, will bud and flourish given nourishment, patience and time.

So, if you’re looking for something different to do this spring or want to return to an old favorite, take a look at Rancho la Puerta - it may be what you’ve been looking for.

E-mail me at donna@mindfuladventures.com with any questions or assistance.  I’ll even give you a spa gift when you make your reservation with me.

To your health and wellness!

Tags: adventures, fitness, health, hiking, organic, Pilates, spa adventure, Yoga