CONNECTION FALL/WINTER 2016/17 | INSPIRATION | EDUCATION | HEALTHY LIVING
LIVING
WITH INTENTION DR EAM BIG. BE BOLD.
W H E RE I T A L L
BEGINS As I’ve watched Canyon Ranch evolve since my a-ha! moment in early 1978, I become more and more conscious about how that moment in time totally changed my life and, indirectly, the lives of thousands.
Mel Zuckerman |
Co-founder
“
Health, as a quality of life, is a precious thing over which we have a great deal of control.
”
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Over the 35 years or so that I’ve been writing my column in Canyon Ranch Connection, I feel that I have had one very consistent message: that each of us has the ability to live a life of joy and contentment if we consciously value our health. It’s the foundation upon which we build everything else that we value and enjoy. In order to do that, we must create an emotional intention that motivates and inspires us to live the best life we can for as long as we can. Health, as a quality of life, is a precious thing over which we have a great deal of control. Good health is never a promise, but you yourself can create a high probability. That’s why we built Canyon Ranch. Enid and I had decided to create our own “probabilities” for good health and a more fulfilling life. So, I wish you to know that the intention for health was the driving energy force that created Canyon Ranch. Passing that energy along to our guests is what keeps us doing what we’re doing. When Canyon Ranch first opened, we were truly one of a kind. Now there are hundreds of spas, resorts with spas, resorts selling wellness, and yet, even now, we remain truly one of a kind. What distinguishes us is that our original intention remains our primary reason for being. I hope you’ll take time to have an honest conversation with yourself about what you’d like your life to be like in future years. And be sure to add health to that equation to increase the probability for longivity and good quality of life. What it takes is conscious effort and actions on your part. That’s when you create the intention … or not! You get to choose.
canyonranch.com
NECESSITY
I S THE MOTH ER OF I NTENTI ON Mel writes about how he created his “intention for health” in 1978, which motivated him to change careers and for us to build Canyon Ranch. What he doesn’t say in the article, but did write about in his autobiography, The Restless Visionary, is that I had created my own intention some years before. In fact, I had suggested to him at that time that he might change careers as a homebuilder, and we could build a better version of a “fat farm.” I knew that people needed to exercise regularly and eat healthfully if they were to be healthy and thrive through every stage of life.
Enid Zuckerman |
Co-founder
“
So, intention can be created by determination, as mine was, or discovery and physical empowerment, as Mel’s was.
I ask myself: How did I come to make that suggestion – which naturally he ignored – four years before he went off to a spa to lose weight and wound up changing his life? I guess I have to trace it back yet another 14 years. At the age of 29, I was diagnosed with a melanoma on my right thigh. After surgery and during the following years of remission, my research on the disease pointed to keeping my immune system robust. Healthy diet and regular exercise were two recommended components. At the time, our son, Jay, and daughter, Amy, were young children, and I was going to do everything I could to be around for a long time. So I began to exercise – at a men’s gymnastics studio – long before it was fashionable for women to exercise (I did love the black leotards!). I got my hands on every book I could find about healthy eating. “You are what you eat” became my favorite bit of wisdom, and that saying still frames the kitchen door of our home in Tucson. So, intention can be created by determination, as mine was, or discovery and physical empowerment, as Mel’s was. Whatever works for you – make it happen. Until next time! My best,
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NOTES FROM THE
RANCH
MAIDEN VOYAGE With the crack of a champagne bottle, Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco christened the world’s most luxurious ship, as the Seven Seas Explorer officially joined the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet, preparing for its maiden voyage last July. And Canyon Ranch set sail on board! Our stunning SpaClub spa and salon is the perfect traveling companion for fitness, beauty and relaxation at sea. Plus, guests staying in the über-lavish 4,443-square-foot Regent Suite enjoy something truly special: an exclusive in-room spa complete with unlimited treatments, curated by Canyon Ranch SpaClub.
QM2 MAKEOVER From glam to ultra-glam, Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 underwent an extensive “remastering” earlier this year at a German shipyard. The iconic ship showed off her sophisticated new look at a celebration of Cunard’s 175th anniversary in New York, her U.S. homeport. In the spirit of renewal, Canyon Ranch SpaClub has a refreshed look as well. Passengers are raving about the fitness classes, Aquavana thermal suites and the most sublime body treatments on the high seas.
FEEL LIKE A NEW MAN The average woman will live five years longer than the average man. Why? Because men tend to neglect their health. Stephen A. Brewer, MD, Medical Director at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, offers indispensable advice if you, or someone you love, has a Y chromosome. The Canyon Ranch Guide to Men’s Health provides a sustainable, real-world approach, targeting strategies for all the stages of a man’s life. Dr. Brewer shares fascinating case studies that shed light on men’s health issues (find out why he believes bone density scans are important for male as well as female patients). Heart, prostate, brain and sexual health are just a few of the topics explored in this essential book. Order your copy at shop.canyonranch.com.
DINING
I N ( N EW ) S TYLE Ambience adds flavor to any meal. Our newly transformed Dining Room at Canyon Ranch in Lenox adds a modern zest to the classic setting of Bellefontaine Mansion. It’s the right blend of freshness and tradition, on the table and all around you.
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CANYON RANCH INSTITUTE
GOOD INTENTIONS
IN AC TION
In case there’s any doubt, Mom was right: Eat your veggies, no more cookies today. Simple words every kid knows by heart. Unless they don’t. In fact, too many children grow up overweight, undernourished and heading for a lifetime of unhealthy eating habits. Enter Canyon Ranch Institute. The nonprofit CRI – which brings healthy living initiatives to underserved communities – joined with Canyon Ranch to support the health care, food service and education experts who help kids learn to eat for good health. The CRI Healthy World Scholarship program gathered 15 experts at the Ranch in Tucson for a five-night stay packed with learning, inspiration and innovative thinking. Participants represented collaborative teams from Chinle, Arizona; Greenville, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; and Wilkes County, North Carolina. The program included group discussions with CRI and Ranch professionals in nutrition, research practices, sustaining partnerships, health literacy and more. Exchanges were lively, ideas were abundant, and enthusiasm was through the roof. Here’s how Heather Murphy from Wilkes County described her experience: “Every fiber of my heart and soul were enveloped and enriched by the combination of academics, arts, sciences, and self-care that I was privileged to be a part of. I carry it forward in my heart, in my home, and in my work.” How many kids will feel the effects of this powerful experience? Let’s aim high!
KAPLANKAYA
Susan Docherty
OU R Y EA R
| CEO
IN REVI EW
It’s been more than a year since Susan Docherty joined Canyon Ranch as its CEO, and we’re loving the fresh thinking and global vision she’s delivered. To watch her recap of innovations and new Ranch ventures, go to canyonranch.com/connection
‘ T IS T H E S E ASON FOR
GIFT CERT IFICATE
S
FOR A NICE PRESENT, Y OU GET A B Give a Cany IG HUG. on Ranch g ift certificate might help , y ou someone liv e healthier And you still for life. get the big hug! Sure to plea se, always fi ts. Simplest shopping yo gift u’ll ever do: 800.742.90 00
TURKEY
The Canyon Ranch healthy living philosophy is meant to be shared with everyone, everywhere. We’re thrilled with the opening of our first international resort at Kaplankaya, Turkey. It’s a secluded haven of peace on the southern Aegean coast, where a rich culture and ancient traditions thrive. An integrative team of Ranch health and wellness professionals are at the heart of this yearround destination, where you can explore your health, pursue your highest intentions and release all stress as you watch the sun set on the sea.
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INTENTIONS We asked some Canyon Ranch
experts to talk about their personal experience and practical advice about intention … LAURA HITTLEMAN Canyon Ranch Corporate Beauty Services Director We constantly hear about wanting skin that “defies age.” Why not? Everyone likes to look good. You can set your intention even higher, though: Why not go for the healthiest skin you can have? All of your skin, not just your face, needs the same two things – nourishment and protection. Some people use the same products for years without knowing why. Is it habit, product loyalty? Your skin’s needs change. Your products should, too. Let your intention guide your decisions. Remember, you’re in this for the long term. See your dermatologist for a yearly checkup. Get professional facials and consultations on the best regimen for you. Also, use your products the way they were intended: Body lotion is for your body, not your face. Whatever your personal intention, certain strategies always apply to skin: Use the best products for your age and the season, protect yourself from the sun, and wear a good sunhat – make it a beauty! You’re on your way. ●
JIM CONZO MS, CNS, LDN, Nutritionist, Canyon Ranch in Lenox Intention isn’t purely intellectual; it happens when the physical and emotional centers of your body have an equal share in the conversation. The wisdom of your body and emotions, when aligned with the intellectual center, give each decision a gravitas, an authenticity that can’t be achieved by one center alone. When you come from such a place, you’re better able to navigate the world with a purposeful free will instead of constantly reacting to external events. When I was 30 years old, I was still eating like an out-of-control teenager. Three glazed doughnuts for breakfast! I was devoid of energy and my body suffered from a lack of real nutrition. At last, I had an epiphany and started eating smarter – one meal at a time. This created more and more energy around the relationship between food, my health and the quality of my life. My intention grew to the point that I knew I had to become a nutritionist. That’s how I’m able to share my passion for better eating. ●
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RANDY FLORA MA, Fitness & Spirituality, Canyon Ranch in Tucson Think of how you feel when you’re jumping waves in the ocean, dancing or taking a swing at a ball – fully alive, elated and in that moment, right? That’s because body and spirit are naturally intertwined. It’s a connection that is sometimes unappreciated in our busy lives. Next time you do any cardio activity, notice how you feel it – literally and metaphorically – in your heart. Suddenly you’re aware of your blood pumping, the sweat that cools you, the movement of muscles. (How often do you notice all that sitting on a couch?) The same energy lifts both body and spirit. And when you take your activities into nature, you raise the stakes again. The sounds and scents are your mirror. The original “tweets” come from creatures whose hearts beat like yours. Every breeze reminds you of your place on a living, moving planet. That physical and spiritual recognition blend into indistinguishable joy and gratitude. So, how do you start on the path of your choice? Intention comes first. It’s setting a course. Attention is next. Be present and observant along the way. And regularity. Establish habits that support your intention, whatever that may be. Still not sure? A caring expert can guide you. ●
HALIL ERTURK MD, IM, Canyon Ranch at Kaplankaya The difference between setting a goal and making it happen can all depend on having an intention to start with. That intention is a mental, emotional and spiritual explanation that puts meaning into your actions – it’s something that resonates with you. Intention is the powerful incentive to start and continue a course of action. A good example is smoking. Everyone knows smoking is harmful to your health, but it can still be really difficult to quit. That’s why it helps to first create an intention. Then quitting becomes a goal within a much greater context. It becomes something that’s part of your life’s intention to be healthy. Individual goals, which can be any habit you want to create or break, are meant to be realistic, challenging, specific and clear. You might think of each goal as a path. When you choose these paths with awareness, intention and practice, they all lead to your main “highway.” Your brain always wants to drive on that highway! ●
MICHAEL J. HEWITT PhD, Research Director for Exercise Physiology, Canyon Ranch in Tucson
I view intention as part of a hierarchy. At the top is a wish or a hope: It’s broad, there’s no time frame and no accountability involved. You might think, “I wish I was fitter, or healthier. Or, I hope to lose weight.” An intention is more specific than a wish. There isn’t a deadline, but there is a declaration: “I WILL become fitter. I WILL lose weight.” A goal is still more specific, involving a timeline and leading to action steps. So: Intention is more specific than a wish, but less specific than a goal. I know a guest who has come to Canyon Ranch for years. She is a breast cancer survivor. Naturally, at first her wish and hope were to remain cancer-free. Next, she formed an intention to enhance her resilience and health. Then she decided on a goal, which was to take part in a three-day breast cancer walk. We worked together to set up a training program, which she followed over several months. She finished the walk – which was no small thing, 60 miles over three days! That’s how to turn your intention into reality. ●
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SE A SO N ’ S
E ATIN GS Bringing intention to your holiday table
You arrive hungry to the party. Somehow, the time slipped away in the frenzy of decorating, shopping for gifts and writing out cards. Suddenly, here you are facing holiday tables laden with your favorite appetizers, creamy dips and swoonworthy desserts. It’s the annual contest of wills: “I want” versus “I shouldn’t.” Will you overindulge, only to suffer the inevitable regrets? Will this lead to a cascade of lapses between now and the New Year – until that dreaded January day when you summon the courage to step onto the scale? Or you can skip the drama and eat with intention.
MINDFUL MATTERS
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
We’re not talking total self-deprivation – the trick is to avoid extremes. “It's best not to worry about losing weight over the holidays. Just work on maintaining your weight,” advises Marilyn Majchrzak, Corporate Food Development Manager at Canyon Ranch. “Allow yourself some treats, but try not to overdo it.”
“Preparing food can become a celebration in itself,” Marilyn says. “You’ll be putting thought into your food, maybe preparing it in a healthful way – for example, choosing to bake or broil rather than fry, or keeping foods as natural as possible with wonderful seasonings instead of rich sauces. You’re thinking about the people you’re preparing it for, and anticipating how they’ll enjoy it. Nourishing people is a way of expressing your love.”
Intentional eating happens on a level above the mindset of dropping 5 pounds to fit into that holiday dress, or losing 20 pounds to please a spouse. It’s resolving to treat food – selecting it, preparing it, savoring it and consuming it – with mindfulness and respect. It’s also about celebrating food’s role in nourishing your body and helping you to live your healthiest life. “In weight loss programs, people who eat mindfully lose more weight than those who just cut back on calories,” Marilyn says. “It may be because with mindful eating, you become more aware of when you’re full, so it helps you control your appetite.”
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Gratitude is another important component of eating with intention. “In many cultures, saying grace or an affirmation of gratitude is an important ritual around food,” Marilyn says. “Whether or not you pray or are religious, it’s a way of saying thanks to everything and everyone leading up to this good meal.” Intention also reminds us that food, giver of life and good health, is worth celebrating. ●
ONLINE VIDEO
INGREDIENTS
Get tips for this recipe from a Canyon Ranch chef at canyonranch.com/connection
PÂTÉ BRISEÉ
1 cup all-purpose flour ¼ tsp salt 3 Tbsp sugar ¼ cup cold butter 6 Tbsp ice-cold water
FILLING
½ cup sugar ¾ cup almond paste 2 Tbsp melted butter ½ cup whole-wheat pastry flour ¼ cup almond milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 whole eggs 2 cups sliced canned pears in juice
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. 2. Place flour in a medium bowl. Add salt and sugar and mix well. Add butter and cut into flour, using a pastry cutter, until butter is the size of small peas. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition. Dough will begin to form a ball when enough water has been added. Gather dough with dry hands and form into an even ball. Let rest for 5 minutes. 3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into circle with ¼-inch thickness. Gently form into 10-inch tart pan or 9-by-9-inch square baking pan, making sure to press dough into crevices of pan and up the sides. Lightly prick bottom of crust with a fork. Bake for about 8 minutes, or until puffy but not browned. Remove from oven and set aside. 4. In a large bowl, combine sugar with almond paste and mix until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add butter, pastry flour, almond milk and vanilla. Mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, whipping constantly. Pour mixture into crust. Arrange pears over filling. Reduce heat to 350ºF and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is set. Remove from oven and cool before slicing. Makes 16 servings, each containing approximately: 170 calories • 25 g carbohydrate • 7 g fat 35 mg cholesterol • 3 g protein 29 mg sodium • 1 g fiber
ALMOND PEAR
TORTE
This festive dessert is perfect for the holiday table – a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. And no stratospheric calorie count! CARAMEL SAUCE
/ cup cane sugar 2½ Tbsp water ½ Tbsp corn syrup ½ cup evaporated skim milk 1 tsp unsalted butter
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INSTRUCTIONS 1. Combine sugar, water and corn syrup in medium saucepan. Simmer over low heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Continue to cook until sugar is dark in color. 2. Slowly add milk and butter and whisk briskly with wire whip until sauce is smooth. Makes 16 servings, each containing approximately: 25 calories • 6 g carbohydrate • trace fat 1 mg cholesterol • trace protein 7 mg sodium • 0 fiber
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INTENTION
MAKES THE RANCH EVEN
BETTER One of the great things about Canyon Ranch is that there’s so much to do. It can also be pretty overwhelming. When you have so many choices at our resorts, where do you even start? Fortunately, there are no bad choices. Still, you want to get the most out of your stay and make every moment feel like you. We want the same thing. That’s why it’s important to talk with a Program Advisor who can help you clarify your overall intention and plan the experience that’s best for you.
What’s the difference between intention and a goal? You could think of this as heart vs. mind. You feel your intention first. It’s a passion or core belief. Goals are something you set in your mind; they're the practical path to fulfilling your intention.
We asked our Program Advising team for thoughts on setting an intention for your Canyon Ranch experience. Here’s the consensus:
How do you identify an intention? This can take some digging. If you choose Canyon Ranch – a health-oriented resort – for your vacation, you may have an unconscious intention already. For instance, you could know you desperately need to relax, then realize that what you really want is to live with less stress. Or you might start practicing yoga for fitness and decide what you’re seeking is a stronger mind-body connection.
What’s an intention? The word is often thrown around without much thought. Intention is actually the opposite of what people tend to focus on, which is all the things they don’t want. The real question is: What do you truly want? That’s your intention. It’s part of knowing yourself. You can apply it to every aspect of life, including your next Ranch visit.
And if you only have time for a day spa visit? If you’re in Las Vegas or on one of the 20 cruise ships around the world that are home to a Canyon Ranch SpaClub facility, you can keep your long-term intention afloat with a restorative experience of a few hours or a full day. You’ll leave with the knowledge that you kept yourself on a healthy track. ●
What can a Program Advisor do for you? YOU’D BE AMAZED! Check out our video to learn more: canyonranch.com/connection
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HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR
?
WINTER
CLAIM THE SNOW
Who’s afraid of a few million flakes? Stay in shape with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or pole hiking. Or maybe just build the best snow fort anyone’s ever seen. Good workouts should be fun. Prefer the great indoors? Admire all that pretty snow from the warmth of a whirlpool. Challenge yourself in fitness classes, melt away stress with classic spa treatments, and spend time with your favorite professionals. Everything you need is indoors and comfy. Either way, winter means the LOWEST
RATES of the year in LENOX.
It’s your perfect perk-me-up weekend getaway!
SEIZE THE SUNSHINE When the last trace of autumn vanishes, you still have summer. Not there, maybe, but here. In Tucson, where the skies are clear, and your spirit gets refreshed every moment. Unfreeze your muscles, venture up a canyon trail, check in on your health, and forget – for a few perfect days – that winter even exists. Can it get any better? Well, now that you mention it:
SAVE 25% during high season with our Canyon Ranch
ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL, November 29 – December 23, 2016.
EVENTS
THAT ADD FOCUS
Throughout the year, the Ranch offers complimentary events to make your stay even more memorable. Visit canyonranch.com, choose Tucson or Lenox, then click on Featured Events to see all your choices. Meanwhile, here are some popular recurring events: GOTTA DANCE! Several times a year in Tucson and Lenox, guests get to bop, glide and boogie in classes with professional dancers and choreographers from Broadway and around the world. Beginners and diehard dancers welcome. The big finale is the guest recital. Unmissable!
COOKING WITH THE PROS. When it comes to healthy cooking, we don’t believe in secrets. Our chefs love to teach, demonstrate and share their best tips. Check our online calendar for events such as Canyon Ranch Cooks and Cooking for the Health of It in 2017.
LIVING WITH JOY: THE SCIENCE & SKILL OF HAPPINESS. Gary Frost, PhD, and author Doug Smith lead an exploration of Positive Psychology and what a truly joyful life means. Particular focus is on the aging process and the impact of happiness on longevity and quality of life.
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
LENOX: November 2 - 6, 2016
TUCSON: November 9 - 12, 2016
TUCSON: December 4 - 9, 2016
LENOX: April 23 - 25, 2017 800.742.9000 | FALL/WINTER 2016/17 | CONNECTION
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8600 E. Rockcliff Road Tucson, Arizona 85750
VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 2
DESTINATION WELLNESS RESORTS Tucson, Arizona Lenox, Massachusetts Kaplankaya, Turkey
SPACLUB SPAS & FITNESS Las Vegas, Nevada Cunard's Queen Mary 2 Oceania Cruises Regent Seven Seas Cruises Celebrity Cruises
COME HOME TO CANYON RANCH
Experience the joy of healthy living every day when you own a home in a Canyon Ranch Living community. Properties are available in Tucson and Lenox. For more information: Tucson | 800.975.8880, Ext. 4220 Lenox | 413.637.4400, Ext. 5411
CANYON RANCH MEMBERSHIPS
If you plan to return often to Canyon Ranch, consider Membership. As a Member, you enjoy significant savings, and Membership is flexible. It’s the ideal way to fulfill your healthy intentions – and could be the best investment you ever make. Tucson Membership Office 800.975.8880, Ext. 4567 Lenox Membership Office 413.637.4400, Ext. 5411
CANYONRANCH.COM
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Read Connection online u canyonranch.com/connection