Hey all,

It’s no secret that we love Kamalaya here – a wonderful combo of relaxing space, great doctors, and inventive food. We’ve previously featured our personal experiences cooking with Kai, but now thanks to the internet you can have a virtual class with Kai yourself. In the video (hopefully more will soon follow) Kai teaches a Detox Garden Salad with Wasabe Dressing. A great salad that, like most of Kai’s food, belies its health-food status.

Check out the video here.

Paul

An Indian medical tradition dating back to the 1^st century B.C.

As part of the Health & Wellness 2010 Series

Ayurveda always seemed to me to be to be a bit like horoscopes – you have your doshas (type of person). And your dosha describes your body type, temperament, personality, sleeping habits, what you should eat, etc….and then treatments are geared around your dosha. Given that there are 3 doshas it seemed simplistically convenient that everyone fit into one type or another. I loved the idea of it, but struggled to make it work in my logicial, Western mind. However, recently I spent some time undertaking Asian Holistic Therapies at Kamalaya Koh Samui and revised my previous skepticism of Ayurveda.

What is Ayurveda?
Ruby the lead practioner of Ayurveda at Kamalaya explained to me that Ayurveda means the “science of life” or sometimes it is also understood as “life is knowledge.” It is an Indian system of holistic, natural medicine and was first described around 3,500 BC in the Vedic texts of ancient India. Ayurveda promotes living a balanced life with the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual in harmony. Its overarching idea of balance and harmony are not so different than Traditional Chinese Medicine, but it’s the underlying principles on how this manifests in self care that is quite different.

The Doshas
First, let’s start with the doshas or types of people. There are 3 doshas that form from the 5 elements – vata which is strongly associated with water and some earth; pitta which is associated with fire and some water; and kapha which is associated with air and space. When the dosha is balanced, the body, mind and spirit are in harmony, but when the dosha is imbalanced this leads to disease.

Ruby - Ayurveda Practioner Kamalaya Koh Samui

Ruby (who studied Ayurveda in Kerala, India) took my pulse and told me that I was a pitta. This reminded me of the pulse taking in TCM which was also used as a diagnostic tool. She said that as a pitta I had a “strong personality,” was a “natural leader,” “warm and intelligent” and could have bouts of “anger and frustration.” She spoke about how this dosha would then manifest in physical symptoms. Insomnia, check! Digestive problems, check! Headaches, check!

Characteristics of Pitta:

(If you don’t have an Ayurvedic practitioner in your area, try the Deepak Chopra quiz which helps you determine your dosh. The above is an excerpt of the pitta dosha description from the site.)

Balancing the Dosha
What amazed me about all this, despite the fact that the characteristics are generally true of me, was that my TCM practitioner had very much the same analysis upon meeting me. I was starting to think that there must be something to these ancient regional practices. Actually if you think about it is not wildly different than Western medicine. And in fact I had seen a doctor in a hospital in Singapore with the very same complaints and she had given me the very same diagnosis. How could 3 very different medicine disciplines arrive at the same conclusion?

Ruby’s recommendations for me were quite similar to the TCM recommendations as well as the Western medicine recommendation. She basically suggested that I treat the stress and symptoms in the short term, but look at longer term changes in lifestyle to maintain a better sense of balance in my life. To this end, she several treatments for me to balance my dosha and treat the symptoms of stress with holistic therapies In the short term we employed a combination of Shirodhara, Ayurvedic Massage and Marma Point Therapy. And then for longer term, she recommended yoga, meditation and cooling foods to balance my hot pitta nature.

How do I find an Ayurvedia Practitioner?
Much like TCM, Ayurveda is becoming more accepted in the West as a complementary or alternative medicine. Studies from the Yale University of Medicine have validated its use while the National Institutes of Health now spends a portion of its significant research budget on Ayurveda.

Someone who does Ayurvedic treatments may not necessarily be an Ayurvedic doctor, although this does not mean that benefits can only come from a doctor. A therapist may have just trained in Ayurveda, whereas a doctor would have a Bachelors of Ayurveda, Medicine & Surgery (a 5 ½ year course of study). It includes eighteen different subjects on anatomy including physiology, cadaver dissections, pharmacology, pathology, modern clinical medicine and clinical surgery, pediatrics, along with subjects on Ayurveda like the history and evolution of ayurveda, identification and usage of herbs, and Ayurvedic philosophy in diagnostics and treatment.

If you are looking for a therapist outside of India, more than likely you will find one in areas where there are larger Indian communities, e.g. London, Singapore, New York, Bangkok.  Look for your national or local Ayurvedic association for a list of certified practitioners and doctors.

Yoga is more than just meditation and twisting your self into a pretzel

As part of the Health & Wellness 2010 Series
(above pictures courtesy of Lyan’lex Bernales – Giveitashot)

I got into yoga about 12 years ago in New York. I’ll admit it, I did it because it was trendy…celebs were raving about it and it was starting to evolve from a crunchy tree-hugger kind of activity to something more mainstream. I have never been very flexible so even from the beginning (and even though I was younger) I was not as bendy as the rest of the class, but I loved the sense of calm it brought me and I became addicted to that 2-inches taller feeling I had when I left class. My yoga involvement has come and gone in phases, but today, I am more convinced than ever yoga has an integral part to play in a healthy lifestyle. Here’s why…

Yoga has been practiced for 5,000 years. Originally its purpose was a physical discipline to calm the body before engaging in mental discipline, sitting for hours of meditation to reach a higher state of consciousness. Today, it is commonly practiced as a form of exercise around the world. And the benefits are proven – increased flexibility of muscles and joints, increased strength, improved posture, a stronger core, beneficial massage of internal organs, improved circulation, stress release, heart health and even improved concentration and focus. Lisa Esposito, an American yoga instructor based in Thailand, describes yoga as “a total healthcare system.”

Lisa Esposito - Yoga Instructor Based in Thailand

I recently returned to yoga as I was stunned how much flexibility I had lost over the years – especially in my shoulders and hips. Not to mention touching my toes seemed like mission impossible. I wondering if I didn’t do something now, how bad would it be in 10 years? 20 years? 30 years? My friend Monica (who is pictured above, deomstrating poses) talked me into visiting Pure Yoga in Singapore with her. I took a Bikram (hot) class and was hooked. Within 4 weeks of yoga, my mobility was dramatically improved and I’d even lost a bit of weight. Lisa explained that is actually how she got into yoga, after starting with Bikram some years back she lost 25lbs and also became totally addicted.

Plus I noticed other benefits. Yoga has effect of bringing you more in tune with your body when you are off the mat. Lisa describes it as “turning the volume up on your body.” Lisa, who is also formerly a chef, talks about an awareness of what the body wants. For example “eating with a yogic mind” – which is really asking your body what and how much it wants. If you eat with the same awareness as you practice with your body when you do yoga, more than likely you will want to give your body good, healthy foods and will not overeat. Maybe I am not quite here yet

I also personally like the feeling of seeing real progress. Poses I couldn’t do some months back, I can competently attempt now. I am more in tune with my posture and correct it when I notice I am slouching. When I miss a few days, I find myself stretching at my desk, as if my body is craving it. And I sleep so much more soundly on a day where I do yoga versus a day when I do not.

But like anything else, it has to be fun. Lisa talks about “keeping a lightness to your practice” – meaning it must be enjoyable. Anything that feels too hard or that you do out of a sense of duty, well, it simply won’t last very long.

My biggest goal now is to prolong that feeling I have when I leave yoga class…calm yet energized, strong yet supple and of course the 2-inches taller posture I mentioned earlier. I asked Lisa about how I can bring this into the everyday and her response was wise and pragmatic, “if the feeling evaporates too quickly look at your life, your work, your relationships…identify what is draining you and restore the balance.” Makes perfect sense – and so does yoga for me.

My favourite places for yoga in Asia:

Pure Yoga
Locations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan  and New York
Classes range from Ashtanga to Vinyasa to Hatha to Core to Bikram and more. Only problem with True Yoga is that you have to pre-book and classes fill up quickly, so you must plan ahead.

Kamalaya Koh Samui
Offer yoga as a regular part of a program as well as dedicated yoga retreats
Koh Samui, Thailand
Telephone: +66 (0) 77 429 800
Fax: +66 (0) 77 429 899

Absolute Yoga Bangkok
7 locations in Bangkok. I like the Amarin location best, centrally located in the downtown Sukhumvit area.
Classes range from Hot to Hatha to Mysore to Vinyasa to Yoga Pilates and more.

Healthy Spa Recipes from our favourite holistic spa

As part of our Health & Wellness 2010 Series

From the age of 5, Kai had a passion for cooking. He started early with his first job in the kitchen at an Austrian ski resort at the age of 16 and from there moved on to London where he worked at Mossimann’s who pioneered healthier cooking through Cuisine Naturelle, healthy foods which do not sacrifice on taste. From there, Kai went to Thailand in 2006 to take the position as Executive chef at Kamalaya. Evolving his approach to healthy cuisine by blending it with Thai culinary traditions, Kai worked with Kamalaya to develop a healthy, spa cuisine menu that is shockingly good and good for you.

To make the spa cuisine that Kamalays guests rave about, Kai focuses on building flavours through curry pastes and herbs rather than butter. And he uses all of the herb when cooking. For example, the stem and root of the coriander it is much more potent that the leaves of the herb. Plus fresh herbs have great antioxidant benefits. Nuts and seeds and high fiber grains are a dominant part of Kai’s cuisine along with high quality proteins like fish, chicken and legumes. He also prefers to use virgin coconut oilwhen cooking at high heat – it has a higher smoking point, so doesn’t break down as quickly. In most tropical coastal areas, like that of Koh Samui, this is the oil that locals use (instead of corn oil) – if you have ever been to Thailand, you will see they are all quite thin and healthy. When cooking at low heat he likes to use sesame oil or olive oil.

Kai shared with us some of Kamalaya’s recipes (a couple of my personal favourites), for you to try at home.

Stir Fried Glass Noodles (Serves 2)
Ingredients:
Glass noodles (soaked for 2 hours) 120g
Carrot, cut into thin half moons 40g
Cauliflower, cut into bite size florets 50g
Broccoli, cut into bite size florets 50g
Snow peas 30g
Asparagus, cut into 3cm sticks 30g
Shitake mushrooms, whole 20g
Cabbage, shredded 20g
Carrot, shredded 20g
Shallots 10g
Lemongrass, sliced very fine 5g
Ginger, chopped very fine 5g
Spring onions, sliced very fine 5g
Sesame oil 5ml
Tamarind juice 30ml
Bean sprouts 60g
Sesame seeds 10g
Sea salt Dash
Coriander leaf (garnish) 5g
Garlic 3g

Instructions:
Heat the sesame oil in a wok or frying pan over medium heat. Add the lemongrass, ginger and shallots and sauté for 15 seconds. Next, add the carrot, cauliflower, broccoli, snow peas, asparagus and shitake mushrooms. Stir for another 15 seconds before adding the drained noodles, tamarind juice and a dash of sea salt .Keep stirring (or it will stick to the pan) until heated through, this should take about 30 seconds. Just before you remove the pan from the heat stir in the spring onions, bean sprouts and sesame seeds. Place in the center of a plate and garmish with coriander.

Poached Sea Bass with Soya and Thai Seafood Sauce (Serves 2)
Ingredients:
Sea bass filet, 2 filets 320g
Ginger 30g
Celery  30g
Spring Onion 30g
Red Chilli  15g
Soya Sauce mix (see below) 180g
Sea salt Dash
Black Pepper Dash
Vegetable stock 250ml
Thai seafood sauce (see below) 100ml
Coconut or Sesame Oil 40ml
Lime juice 20ml
Bay leaf 1 leaf

Soya Sauce Mix:(makes approximately 250ml)
Carrot, with skin 100g
Celery  100g
Onion  100g
Soy sauce  100ml
White soya sauce 40ml
Vegetable stock  300ml

Thai Seafood Sauce: (makes 300ml)
Fish sauce  150ml
Lime juice  150ml
Garlic clove, finely chopped  4 pcs
Chilli, finely chopped   3 pcs
Palm sugar 1tbsp
Coriander root, finely chopped 2 pcs

Instructions:
Begin by preparing the Soya Sauce Mix at least 1 hour before you need it. Cut all vegetables into 5cm slices. Place all ingredients into a wide pot and simmer on a low temperature for 1 hour. Strain the liquid, discard vegetables. Store the liquid in the refrigerator until you need it (you can also freeze leftover and use later).

Prepare the Thai Seafood Sauce by placing all ingredients in a blender and blending for 1-2 minutes. Place mixture into a serving bowl.

Now you are ready to prepare the fish. Cut the ginger, celery and spring onion into fine strips, but not as thin as julienne. Heat the vegetable stock in a saucepan to a very light simmer and season with the bay leaf, celery, lime juice and sea salt. Place the fish into the pan and poach for 7-10 minutes. Once the fish is cooked, remove from saucepan. (If you want, you can save the stock for a clear fish soup later.)

Meanwhile heat the soya sauce mix and the sesame oil in separate and small sauce pans.

To serve place the cooked fish skin side up on the plate with the vegetable strips on top. Drizzle with the warmed soya sauce followed by a drizzle of the warm sesame oil. Serve with the Thai seafood sauce on the side.

Kamalaya Koh Samui
102/9 Moo 3, Laem Set Road, Na-Muang
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84140 Thailand
Telephone: +66 (0) 77 429 800
Fax: +66 (0) 77 429 899

An ancient medical practice focused on health and prevention

As part of our Health & Wellness 2010 Series

“And while TCM can treat illness, say a common cold, it is more about going to the underlying issue, the weakened immune system that allowed you to get the cold.”

I experienced insomnia for over a year when I was living in the US. I tried common remedies (herbal relaxation teas) and more extreme solutions (a sleep therapist, sleeping pills, installing expensive black out curtains). And then I moved to Bangkok… insomnia prevailed. A friend suggested acupuncture, but I immediately rejected the idea as I often faint when it comes to needles. But after 6 more months of sleepless torture, I relented. Accupuncture was a last ditch effort – fear of needles seemed minor when compared to the size of the dark circles under my eyes and my perpetual crankiness. Something had to give…I had little hope it would actually work, but you know what, it did! Turns out the needles didn’t hurt at all, and after my first session I slept soundly for 7 whole hours – a miracle in those days. This was my initial exposure to one area of Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as TCM. Today I know there is so much more to TCM than acupuncture and I continue to be amazed at its ability to complement and at times even surpass Western medicine.

What is TCM?
TCM is thousands of years old and its practice comprised of several areas including acupuncture, herbal supplements / dietary therapy, Tui Na and Shiatsu massage, bonesetting (similar to Western chiropractic), moxibustion, cupping, Quigong and Tai Chin body movement practices and more. At the risk of oversimplifying, TCM is at its core about the principle of balance, more specifically keeping the processes of the body in balance.

“TCM is about prevention and can correct imbalances before they turn into body disease” says Andre Tse, a TCM practitioner at Kamalaya Koh Samui. “And while TCM can treat illness, say a common cold, it is more about going to the underlying issue, the weakened immune system that allowed you to get the cold.” And for me, this is the amazing concept of TCM, it as a proactive way to take care of yourself – very different from the historical Western paradigm of treating symptoms and disease.

Yin & Yang
Balance in the body is, you guessed it, about managing yin and yang. Yin and yang are interconnected yet opposing forces in the body that must be balanced. Some (but not all) characteristics that define yin are female, nighttime, nourishing. Whereas some (but not all) characteristics that define yang are male, summer, heat. What does this all mean? Andre says, “Take the case of menopause. Blood is yin. So during menopause, when the yin is depleted, the yang rises up at and causes hot flashes.”

While this may sound a bit new-agey to some of you, consider that the current buzz word in Western medicine is also “balance” spinning out of the reality that the dominant focus in Western medicine today is treating a great many illnesses that are created by stress, bad diet and lack of self care.

Andre Tse, a TCM practitioner at Kamalaya Koh Samui

What is a visit to a TCM doctor like?
In my first visit with a TCM practitioner he “read” my pulse. It was rather shocking…I had not filled out a medical questionnaire, but nonetheless he was able to tell me about every medical issue I have experienced in recent years. My insomnia was back, I had neck and shoulder issues, I was grinding my teeth in my sleep, headaches, unexplained rashes….the list went on. Andre tells me that “Depending on the level of skill, they could even tell you about childhood injuries.” The doctor I saw talked about energy flow and explained that my liver was blocked and so my chi was weak, thereby explaining my very faint pulse (like that of an old woman). I was skeptical, it was starting to sound a little like storytelling…until the doctor went on to explain the role of the liver. But I think Andre puts it best, “The liver is the general of the body, it controls the energy or ‘chi’.” And so with a great amount of explanatory detail (you can write me if you want to know all the details) I learned my liver, and to some degree my kidney, were responsible for my current state of affairs. I was too yang, too hot and so I needed to balance my energy. This would be done through a combination of things for me to do on my own (liver cleansing diet and an exercise program that would minimize yang, e.g. yoga or tai chi, regular massage) and things I would see the doctor for, like acupuncture and bonesetting treatments.

Does it Work?
I was still slightly dubious about TCM, until the program started to work. I now do yoga a minimum of 4x a week. In an effort to cleanse the liver, I switched from coffee to green tea, eliminated all sodas and most processed foods, added more leafy greens to my diet, etc.  I am currently hunting a new TCM practitioner since the one I had previously was in Thailand, but I have seen an acupuncturist who is keeping my neck and shoulder issued in check (not all acupuncturists are TCM doctors). So far, so good.

Beyond my own specific issues, I have known people who have also had amazing experiences with TCM. A friend who was using infertility treatments and had experienced several failed IVF’s tried TCM – she has a 2 year old baby boy now. Another friend who got a flesh eating bacteria on some adventurous travels and needed a skin graft because the wound wouldn’t heal, saw a TCM practitioner in NYC’s Chinatown and after 6 months of failed conventional treatments the wound started to close with the application of an herbal poultice. And yet another friend used acupuncture for weight loss, and lost and has kept off 30lbs.

These are just people I personally know, but beyond that, centuries of evidence are compelling. Thus, more and more medical professionals and insurance companies are recognizing TCM has a vital role to play in wellness. A cutting edge US hospital is at the forefront of alternative medicine, Duke University Hospital, adding an integrative medicine  facility. My insurance carrier, BUPA, covers both TCM and acupuncture. In China, TCM visit will cost you about $7-8 USD, making it widely accessible. Whereas in Singapore a visit will cost you about S$90 ($65 USD) and in some areas of the US, it can be $80 – 100 USD.

How Do I Find a TCM practitioner?
In most countries TCM practitioners and acupuncturists must be licensed to treat patients. In Singapore, the licensing board is the Ministry of Health. MOH conveniently has a search engine where you can search for a licensed practitioner in your neighbourhood.

A full TCM practitioner must study for 7 years in order to practice. And they often specialize in a handful of TCM disciplines (2-3) but not all, e.g. herbalist, acupuncturist and bonesetter. So make sure the practitioner has the disciplines you are interested in, ask him / her how long and where they studied. Make sure they have at least 4 years or 3500 hours of study, anything less than that and they may not understand the underlying theory necessary to treat most effectively. Also if you have a special need, look for additional certifications, e.g. fertility certification. Also, be mindful an acupuncturist is not necessarily a TCM practitioner. There are shorter less intensive programs one can study to become certified only in acupuncture.

But must importantly, make sure there is a good fit between you and the practitioner. Andre advises, “This is an energy practice after all, so make sure you feel comfortable, because a good rapport can aid your progress.”

An endless array of holistic therapies at this tranquil island spa

I generally have a rule of not visiting the same place twice. I prefer to expand my horizons and challenge myself to see and do new things. However, I recently returned to Kamalaya in Koh Samui. Our more dedicated readers may remember I went to Kamalaya last year to do a detox program. Well, this year when the time came to take a break after a seriously demanding year, I could think of no better place to do it than Kamalaya Koh Samui. In fact, Kamalaya wellness retreat is of such a high standard of excellence that I can foresee returning again and again.

My overall goal on this trip was to reconnect with myself, and bring back some tools to my daily life that would encourage balance and long term wellness. So this time, rather than detox, I chose to do a program called Asian Bliss – a program combining the Asian holistic therapies of Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Reiki, Pranayama (yogic breathing), Naturopathy and various spa treatments including Thai Massage, Herbal Compress Massage, and traditional Asian hand and foot massage. I also added on private yoga instruction – I have a couple of tight, low mobility areas in my body and I wanted to address with specific areas with a yoga routine that I could do at home or in a hotel room.

Also this time, Paul came along with me. Paul chose the Relax & Renew program which was a combination of massages (1-2x / day featuring a variety including Oil Massage, Indian Head Massage, Hand and Foot Massages, Thai massage, etc) and he decided to add on an acupuncture session as well. Paul had just been in the US for a while and was hoping to get back into a healthy pattern and lose a few kilos. The steaks and beers and other heavy foods during his visit to Texas had taken their toll, and he was feeling a bit sluggish.

(If you are not sure which program would benefit you most before booking, naturopathic doctor meets with you upon arrival for a complimentary consult and can help advise and guide you.)

In our opinion, the therapies at Kamalaya are unparalleled. The therapists are of the highest caliber, trained on-site by management. And the specialists, like the TCM doctors and Ayuvedic practitioners are highly skilled. Further, Kamalaya enhances their staff from time to time with visiting practitioners who are best in class in their fields. For example, I saw Dr Song when I was there, a TCM doctor who had recently completed an 8-month sabbatical in China enhancing his TCM knowledge. I was astonished when just by reading my pulse, he was able to tell me about every health concern that I had (stiff and painful shoulder, insomnia, low energy, headaches, etc…). I spent 2 hours with Dr Song where he used acupuncture, moxibustion, and bonesetting (spinal manipulation similar to chiropractic). Even though our appointment was only one hour long, he told me that I was not going anywhere until we addressed my core physical issues. And I slept that night….for the first time in 3 months…soundly, without interruption and woke up with a feeling of refreshment that astonished me. (If you would like to try Tai Chi or Qi Gong, Dr. Song also teaches these at Kamalaya.)

Similarly, the Ayurvedic therapies are stunningly good. I think my hands down, favorite treatment at Kamalaya is the Indian Head Massage – on both visits, I enjoyed this, and myself and other guests all consistently rave about it. And now it is Paul’s favorite too…he was so blissed out that over lunch we sat quietly mesmerized by the sea and saying very little…just enjoying a deep sense of ultimate relaxation. Also, I tried Shirodara (a massage where warm oil drips onto the forehead continuously) and Royal Ayurvedic Massage. The Avuryedic treatments were consistently high calibre with an intuitive and experienced therapist who adeptly reads the body and adjusts the treatment to uniquely fit the individual.

Beyond the programs themselves, we enjoyed yoga and pilates classes, the steam cavern and the fantastic spa cuisine at Kamalaya. I don’t know how they manage to do it, but the food is absolutely and unequivocally delicious. They manage to keep it super healthy (with an emphasis on high quality proteins like fish and chicken, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and healthy, flavorful grains) while not losing any flavor.

The result is that every meal is thoroughly satisfying without feeling like one is sacrificing. And beyond the food itself, meals are served in a tranquil environment overlooking the hills of Kamalaya and the sea, so not only is the body nourished, the view itself provides a deep sense of serenity at mealtime.

For those of you who might want to splurge, there is that option as well with chocolate soufflés, wine and more available. Kamalaya is not about deprivation.

While all of this might sound like what one would expect for a spa of this caliber, there is something special about Kamalaya… a feeling that is ephemeral yet consistently present. Maybe it is because everyone that works on site is trained to level 1 in Reiki, or maybe it is because the spa itself is built around an old monks cave.

Its hard to put one’s finger on it, but this is clearly a magical place in which to take a step back from the demands of the world and take on a unique wellness journey and reconnect with oneself. It’s no wonder that they have recently been awarded Best Wellness Retreat by Spa Asia Crystal Awards and Best Destination Spa by Asia Spa Baccarat Awards.

After a week at Kamalaya, we felt renewed and rejuvenated…clear of mind and pure of body. Paul lost a few kilos (without actually being on a weight-loss program) and was decidedly chilled out. I was sleeping soundly and that nasty, persistent pain in my shoulder was gone. But not only that, we also brought back many tools to help us make the feeling long lasting. I have finally made the switch from coffee to green tea. We are cooking more at home, inspired by Kamalaya’s cuisine. I have embarked on a 6-day a week exercise program with a focus on yoga. I have vowed to make massage a weekly part of my routine and so far, I have managed to keep this vow. Sure it is only January (you might skeptically observe), but I am realizing more and more that health is a choice…something I learned at Kamalaya. And as Karina Stewart, one of the founders says, “we can either take a proactive role with regard to our own conditions or take the consequences of living a life of lower quality.”

If you are considering a spa or wellness retreat we would, without hesitation, recommend Kamalaya Koh Samui. Whether you want to Detox, try the Ideal Weight Program or simply relax was Paul did with the Relax & Renew program, Kamalaya is treat for yourself not to be missed.

Kamalaya Koh Samui
102/9 Moo 3, Laem Set Road, Na-Muang
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84140 Thailand
Telephone: +66 (0) 77 429 800
Fax: +66 (0) 77 429 899

Are healthy and delicious oxymorons?

I imagine I am not alone in my struggle. I love food and eating out. I am always thinking about, planning and strategizing my next meal – it’s part passion…and maybe part obsession. And while I would like to piously assert that I truly love and crave fruit and veggies, if I am honest, these are never as top of mind for me as meats, breads, pastas and cheeses….and of course dessert!

But I am open minded and always seeking to grow, learn and change for the better. I have enjoyed some incredibly delicious, healthy meals – but at times have struggled to get the same results in my own kitchen (aside from the obvious simple solutions of grilled fish, chicken and veggies). And I always secretly suspect there is maybe more butter or cream in recipes that restaurants who bill something as “healthy” or “light” let on.

However, at Kamalaya in Koh Samui, Thailand,  I did a detox program late last year and was stunned by the deliciousness of the ever-so-healthy detox menu. The flavor profiles were layered stunningly and the results were truly sophisticated and satisfying which inspired me to look beyond my simple grilled approach. (I hear these guys are coming out with a cookbook this year, I keep checking the website to see if it is out yet.)
Kamalaya Recipes

Since my time at Kamalaya, I began a search for healthier options. I share with you some of the great resources and results from my search that also might inspire and benefit you.

Recipes from people who really know food
The New York Times, bastion of journalism, and world renowned for excellent international culinary reportage presents a healthy recipes compendium. In other words, this is food from demanding New Yorkers who wouldn’t accept anything less than the very best. What I like about best about this site is the simple search function…you can search by ingredient, e.g. eggs, bagged spinach, avocado, etc…so you can focus on ingredients you know you like and enjoy – or if you’re feeling frisky, you can experiment with new grains or new types of seafood.
NY Times Healthy Food

Healthy indulgences and recipe remakes
I grew up in the Southern part of the US and the regional food of that area is decidedly rich and unhealthy…my taste buds naturally crave macaroni and cheese, pulled pork and buttermilk biscuits. Cooking Light is an American magazine dedicated to presenting a healthy yet achievable lifestyle – emphasis on this last point “achievable.” I remember one past issue whose cover story was something like “Yes to cream! How to find room for this rich dairy in your healthy diet.” Cooking Light also does great recipe remakes, e.g. a healthier version of mac and cheese or potato salad that makes you forget you are eating light. The magazine is well presented, the cookbooks are an essential in my kitchen, and if neither of these is accessible to you, the website is excellent – I particularly enjoy using the Kitchen Assistant which provides the all-important recipe search function. I have served dishes from this to guests who later raved about the meal.
Cooking Light

Everything from traditional comfort foods to global cuisine
Epicurious from Conde Nast publishing (who publishes Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazines), presents a vast array of all food, wine and cooking tips on this enormously deep and rich website. Check out the section on Nutritious dishes which offers lots of surprisingly exciting dishes – I often get lost in the clever flavour combinations and seasonal menus, making me forget I am watching what I eat. And this is really the point isn’t it?
Epicurious

If you have any references, cookbooks, magazines or websites you would recommend, please do write in and let me know. I personally would love to see more healthy remakes of Asian dishes. Any suggestions?

Happy and healthy eating,
Joanna

CocoLoco Smoothie

200 mL coconut water
50 mL coconut flesh
100 mL banana
5 mL tahini
1 ice cube

Directions: Blend all ingredients in a blender until fully smooth. Garnish with a slice of pineapple an orchid flower.

Shitake Carrot Soup

100 g carrots
150 g shitake mushrooms
300 g pumpkin seed milk (or soymilk as substitute)
300 g vegetable stock
1 g cayenne pepper
80 g straw mushroom
30 g shallots
5 g virgin coconut oil

Directions: Heat a sauce pan to medium heat – add oil and shallot and sauté for 5 seconds. Next add all vegetables and sauté for another 10 seconds. The add vegetable stock and pumpkin seed milk. Simmer lightly for 15 minutes, check to see if carrots are soft. Then transfer the soup to a blender and puree. Put the pureed mixture back in the sauce pan and reduce to a nice creamy soup.

Vegetable Maki Roll

15 g carrot
15 g asparagus
15 g cucumber
20 g avocado
180g brown rice
1 sheet dried nori
2 tbsp rice vinegar

Directions: Season warm brown rice with the rice vinegar – work the vinegar in with your hands until the rice mixture starts to stick together like sushi rice. Blanche the carrot and asparagus for 2 minutes, then cool in an ice water bath. Now, place the seaweed sheet on a sushi mat (a bamboo mat designed to help roll the sushi) and spread the rice mixture over 2 thirds of the sheet, leaving the upper third empty. Stack the vegetables neatly and length-wise on the widest part of the sheet. Then roll the seaweed sheet using the mat to press and roll. Close the sushi roll by wetting the empty one third of the seaweed sheet with water and then sealing closed. Cut the roll into 9 slices and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. We recommend low sodium soy sauce with wasabi paste.

Kamalaya calls itself a “wellness sanctuary and holistic spa.” And with a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor, a Naturopathic doctor and a Director of Medicine with a background in Western Medicine, they offer the most comprehensive approach to wellness I have seen. And all within a tranquil seaside setting that will leave one breathless. The entire center is cut into the hillside in such a way that it seems it was always destined to be there – the villas and the other Thai-style structures blend with the natural environment in a way that is completely serene and organic.

While there are many programs to choose from at Kamalaya (or simply none at all, just enjoy the experience), I chose the Detox & Cellular Rejuvenation program…lured by the promise of correcting imbalances and emerging with pure, cleansed system free of toxins and enhanced cellular function. My 7-day retreat cost 60,400 THB ($2784 SGD / $1673 USD), plus accommodation and included all my meals, approximately 3 spa treatments a day and any of the many available fitness classes available. My program started with a thorough medical evaluation by a skilled nurse and then a consultation with a Naturopath. Also included in my package was a regimen of low glycaemic, vegetarian diet, colon cleansing, herbal supplements, protein shakes and spa treatments specially chosen to further encourage the detox process in the body.

The cuisine of Kamalaya
Kai Mueller, the Executive Chef of Kamalaya, expertly supervises all spa restaurants. Kai managed to repeatedly turn out inspired healthy cuisine that feels at once pure and clean yet also nourishing and satisfying. I had the opportunity to spend some time with Kai for a cooking lesson and he showed me how to make 3 of the recipes I most enjoyed while I was at Kamalaya, the Shitake Carrot Soup, a Vegetable Maki Roll and a to-die-for smoothie called CocoLoco.

The spa at Kamalaya
The detox program is supported by spa treatments designed to enhance the detoxification process. All done from a birds eye view overlooking the placid sea, I enjoyed the Vital Essence Massage, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Asian foot massage, Thai body massage, Herbal Detoxifying Body Scrub and Wrap and many more outstanding treatments. My favourite though was the Indian Head Massage…based on the ancient healing system of Ayurveda, this treatment is used to massage and relieve tension from shoulders, neck, back and scalp. The massage is sublime with a rich, yummy smelling coconut oil my therapist uses firm yet gentle pressure to release tension. A tip for women – leave the coconut oil on your hair for an hour before shampooing and you will experience the most glossy mane of hair.

I do want to spend another second talking about the colon cleansing part of the program. Having never experienced a colonic, I was quite nervous about the process. Will it hurt? How does it feel during and also after? Is it healthy? After taking 3 colon cleanses during my stay, I can say that it is absolutely safe (administered by registered nurse) and painless. And not only that, it really is an integral part of the process – I felt healthy and full of vitality, with a level of natural energy that surprised me.

The people of Kamalaya
In this most exotic and beautiful of settings, the staff exhibited a level of service I have yet to see anywhere else in Thailand…after day one, they remembered my name, the juice I preferred at breakfast and even the book I was reading! And because I was by myself, I was invited by the staff to join the “community table” at mealtimes. This was a specially designated table where those travelling alone could take meals and chat with other guests.

It was here that I had the opportunity to have breakfast with one of the founders, John Stewart. John is an American who has been in Asia since age 16, studying in the Himalayas with a spiritual guru and yogi. John and his wife found the Kamalaya site during a time of mourning after the guru’s passing, and in meditating upon the site, felt moved to build what is now Kamalaya.  In John’s own words, “Kamalaya was created to offer a nurturing environment to guests, so that people feel immediately intrigued, full of excitement, and at the same time welcomed, comfortable, and at ease, like they are in a magical little village.”

More about Kamalaya….

Kamalaya invites guests to “reconnect with life’s potential” and integrates ancient and contemporary holistic medicine and healing traditions. Guests can choose a la carte services, embark on an individual wellness program or join a group retreat.

Treatments include:

• Practices from Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as Tui Na, acupuncture; Western Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Ayurvedic therapies (shirodhara, Kati Vasti, etc), Sound healing, emotional and spiritual healing, as well as the more usual spa treatments.
• Wellness programs: Asian Bliss, Balance & Revitalise, Detox & Rejuvenation, Ideal Weight, Introduction to Detox, Optimal Fitness, Personal Yoga Synergy, Relax & Renew.
• Signature Wellness Retreat: Essential Detox
• Holistic Fitness: daily classes may include yoga, tai chi, chi gong, pranayama, Pilates, meditation and spirit dance.
• Retreats & Events: In addition to Kamalaya’s signature wellness retreats, hosted retreats with visiting specialists range from corporate workshops to events in meditation, spiritual philosophies, yoga, dance and the arts.
• Spirit Cave: At the heart of Kamalaya is a cave that once served Buddhist monks as a place of meditation and spiritual retreat. This cave is available for meditation or as a quiet place to sit and reflect.

Kamalaya Koh Samui
www.kamalaya.com
102/9 Moo 3, Laem Set Road, Na-Muang
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84140 Thailand
Telephone: +66 (0) 77 429 800
Fax: +66 (0) 77 429 899

All photos provided by Kamalaya from their media kit. Copyright © by Kamalaya Co.Ltd. All rights reserved.