We "raised the bar" at the Ranch...
Interest in The Bar Method workout, which is offered at the Ranch as well as studios throughout the U.S., is getting hotter every day. Most recently, The Wall Street Journal wrote a story on the workout and posted a great video. Check it out here.
Bar Method Weeks will take place September 25th and November 20th. Twenty-five of the best videos made on Bar Method are now available on YouTube's Bar Method channel.
Swami Veda returns for third anniversary of his very special
week at the
Ranch.
 You
need not travel to India to experience the mystical traditions
of the Himalayas’ great ashram experiences. For the week beginning October
2, 2010 we will welcome the return of India's Swami Veda, whose
yoga lectures and classes literally bring one of the great yoga traditions
of India to the Ranch.
Guests can either immerse themselves, or simply sample,
this "Breath
of the Himalayas" program.
Our complete, week-after-week Ranch program will also be available.
Rancho La Puerta Unites with Amala and Primavera Skincare, World Leaders in All-Natural Green Beauty, to Offer More than "Skin Deep" Benefits
"We searched for several years for a company and skincare line that reflected our respect for the earth and nature's healing potential. I was  delighted to discover Primavera Life and their luxury brand, Amala. Founded by Ute Leube, her company's passionate mission mirrors my own...to connect people with nature. Ute's concept of beauty is about balance, serving both the skin and the soul, benefiting everyone. They have gone far beyond organic certification. Supported by twenty years of research and long standing relationships with growers, the products are processed to the highest standards in a green building complex. In every aspect, from soil to skin, Amala shines with its own integrity and authenticity. The products are beautiful, pure, uplifting and nourishing. We can't wait to share our discovery with you."
–Sarah Livia Szekely Brightwood, President, Rancho La Puerta
Here at the Ranch we're pleased to announce the May 1, 2010, debut of our new partnership with like-minded Amala and Primavera Life Skincare. The certified NaTrue™, German-based, all-natural beauty company carries its commitment to pure and responsible products and wellness practices far beyond being simply "green"—just as we strive to do at Rancho La Puerta. Many of our exclusive new health and beauty therapies offer skin and health benefits, as well as foster a much deeper balance and invigoration of the body itself. For example, Primavera's Five Elements Body Treatment, a unique formulation only offered at Rancho La Puerta, has been created to balance the "Qi" energy of body and mind, while helping to release blocked emotions and restore equilibrium.
Rancho La Puerta is now offering only Amala and Primavera products in all of its spa therapies. All facials will use only the Amala line, while  other treatments will only employ Primavera. Both Amala and Primavera are formulated with 100% whole plant ingredients, sustainably sourced from a global network of fair trade farm partners. Ingredients are organically grown in their native habitats, custom distilled to ensure they retain their full therapeutic value, and are completely pure and natural with zero preservatives, chemicals, parabens, or artificial fragrances.
"There is no reason green shouldn't be synonymous with performance," says Ute Leube, who along with her partner, Kurt Nuebling, founded Primavera, Germany's largest aromatherapy company. They launched Amala in May, 2008, with the goal of raising the bar in the natural beauty category. They soon legitimized certification standards proving green performs equally well as conventional and doctor-developed formulations. By using Amala and Primavera products – made without any additives – guests at Rancho La Puerta are assured that their skin will absorb only those pure, complete nutrients occurring in nature and free of any harmful or questionable chemical changes that can occur during manufacturing. The effect on both the physical body and the spa-goers attitude toward their personal well-being is truly transformative.
To download a copy of our new Spa brochure, click here.
On Leadership
A keynote speech
by Deborah Szekely, founder of the Golden Door and co-founder
Rancho La Puerta
Recently Deborah was invited to give a keynote speech at a Leadership
Conference where she received a standing ovation! Read
it here! (PDF)
Have
YOU been to YouTube lately?
Rancho La Puerta features a new video posting on YouTube approximately
once every two weeks. To view our latest, click
here.
The Ranch introduces “Four Hand
Massage” during 70th year
The ultimate body massage now offered! Rancho La Puerta Four Hand Body Massage originates from
the ancient Ayurvedic technique involving two therapists drizzling
warm herbalized oil on the body, then massaging it in with brisk
and/or long and flowing movements. Two therapists use essential
oils infused with lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, or lemongrass,
and work together in a choreographed manner to heighten the massage
experience. The dynamic flow and release created when two massage
therapists work synchronously is a must experience for the experienced
client as well as those wanting to indulge in an unforgettable
journey. Available now. $150, 50 minutes.
Want to jump start your fitness goals? Let the Ranch “Navigator Program” develop
a fitness program this summer that is just right for you.
 Our new personalized fitness concierge service debuted this summer! Soon after
your arrival one of our health and fitness staff experts will meet with you
(at no extra charge) to discuss your fitness goals, interests, and particular
challenges…. And help you plan a very personalized fitness schedule for the
week. You are taught how to “navigate” the myriad of classes, exercise genres
(i.e. Pilates, Yoga, et al), and regimens available during your stay. And there
are many—the Ranch has the most complete fitness program of any destination
spa in the world. The benefits will carry over to your return home as you create
a program to live the healthier, longer life.
Cool casitas (our cottage-like accommodations)…
 First
some weather facts: we are not located in a desert and summer temperatures
here seldom top the low-90s (plus each day’s “feels like” index is usually
in the 80s thanks to a daily ocean breeze).
That said, we DO offer air conditioning
in all of our casitas. If you like to sleep in an air-conditioned room
during the summer, rest assured that we have a very cool casita just for you.
See our different sizes of accommodations for
more details.
Current La Cocina Que Canta Special Guests
Experience cooking with seasonal, organically grown ingredients in the heart
of an organic six-acre farm. This unforgettable culinary experience combines
the opportunity to cook side-by-side with great teaching chefs and enjoy a
fine meal you helped prepare. For more details, click
here.
Week of August 21st: Christopher Prosperi is chef owner of Metro Bis restaurant in Simsbury,
Connecticut, a Hartford Courant recipe columnist, an international
cooking teacher from California to Italy, a weekly chef on NBC 30,
and producer of Prosperi Salad Dressings. The New York Times declares “…Prosperi
is a technical master, an original American chef whose restaurant
is worth traveling for” and the Zagat Survey has ranked
Metro Bis in the top five in the state for American food.
Week of August 28th: Tanya Holland grew up in upstate New York and credits her love of food to her heritage and upbringing: her father is from rural Virginia and her mother from Louisiana. When Tanya was eight years old, her parents founded a gourmet cooking and eating club that consisted of six couples from different ethnic and professional backgrounds. They gathered to share experiences and meals that ranged from French, Mexican, Jewish, Indian, Pennsylvanian Dutch, Italian and Southern Cuisine. Tanya took notes at an early age. Tanya began her restaurant career in New York City as a restaurant assistant manager and then on to a catering manager, a tasting assistant for a wine importer, and a server at Mesa Grill, before she committed to a career in the kitchen. Tanya returned to Mesa Grill in 1994 to work as a line cook. While working as a line cook at Verbena, she supplemented her income as a food styling assistant to Roscoe Betsill. Tanya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Language and Literature from the University of Virginia as well as a Grand Diploma from La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in Burgundy, France. In addition, she has taken numerous classes at New York University and the Institute of Culinary Education.
Week of September 4th: Pam Anderson is food columnist for USA Weekend. She is author of four
books— "CookSmart," Julia Child award-winner "The
Perfect Recipe," and James Beard Award nominees, "How to Cook
Without a Book" and "Perfect Recipes for Having People Over." Her
fifth book, "The Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight and Eating Great—How
to Change Your Life for Good" came out spring, 2008. She is former
Executive Editor of Cook's Illustrated magazine, and is a contributing
editor for Fine Cooking magazine. Her food articles have appeared
in Food
and Wine, Fine Cooking, Bon Appetit, Cooking Light, Real Simple,
Better Homes & Gardens, Saveur, Ladies Home Journal, and The
Washington Post. She has been featured in US
News & World Report, teaches cooking classes
across the country and appears frequently on TV and radio
Week of September 11th: Sarah Copeland is a curator of good living, and
works to educate and inspire through her words, images and recipes.
She is the creator of Edible Living, a philosophy and business focused
on seed to table solutions for an abundant life. As a six year-veteran
of the Food Network, Sarah has developed over 1000 original recipes
and her work has appeared regularly in Food Network Magazine.
She has contributed to many national magazines including, O,
The Oprah Magazine, Rachael Ray Magazine, Redbook, and Artful
Living, as well as the best selling cookbooks Barefoot in
Paris, The Joy of Cooking (75th Anniversary Edition), and Baked.
As a culinary expert Sarah has appeared on “Good Morning America”
and “ABC News Now”. She has spent her summers as a private chef in
St. Tropez and winters working in two of New York City’s famed restaurants,
Savoy and Café Boulud, and counts these experiences among the gutsy
and glamorous stops on her journey.
Week of September 18th: Robin Asbell's first book, "The New Whole Grains Cookbook" (Chronicle Books), is filled with flavorful, beautiful food that just happens to be whole grain. Her second book, "The New Vegetarian Cookbook," brims with her creative and fresh takes on meatless cuisine. Robin has been cooking and creating recipes in the Natural foods business since the mid 80's. After baking and cooking with whole foods in restaurants, delis and Coops for many years, she started working as a Private Chef in the mid-90's, creating fabulous food for the fabulous. She also writes for magazines like Better Homes and Gardens, Real Food, Vegetarian Times, Experience Life, Taunton's Fine Cooking, The Mix, and others.
Week of September 25th: Visiting Teacher Deborah Schneider is co-author, with Ranch founder Deborah Szekely, of "Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta," the Ranch's first cookbook in over a decade. She is also the author of "¡Baja! Cooking on the Edge," a celebration of the food and wine country of the northern Baja region. A Toronto native, Deborah has been cooking professionally for 27 years - and is an ACF Certified Executive Chef. Her cooking style relates to her frequent travels in Baja California, and an early grounding in classic French technique. Her informal hands-on classes are high-energy and fun for everyone, even beginners.
Current Specialty Weeks
August 21–28
Ballet Week with Roni Mahler
August 28–September 4
Ballet Week with Roni Mahler
September 4–11
Labyrinth Week with Karen R. Cross
September 11–18
Pilates Week with Madeline Black
September 18–25
Pilates and Gyrokinesis®: A Fun Fall Full Moon Week with Tannis Kobrinsky
September 25–October 2nd
The Bar Method with Kate Kuo
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