{"id":9262,"date":"2016-11-30T19:32:21","date_gmt":"2016-12-01T03:32:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/?page_id=9262"},"modified":"2016-11-30T20:08:32","modified_gmt":"2016-12-01T04:08:32","slug":"wellness-is-fun-supportive-and-affordable-at-the-oaks-at-ojai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wendyfulworld.com\/?p=9262","title":{"rendered":"Wellness is fun, supportive and affordable at The Oaks at Ojai"},"content":{"rendered":"

I visited The Oaks at Ojai last November. It was one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences I’ve experienced in awhile. I couldn’t wait to return again, this time with my daughter. Much of what I remembered remained the same; the beautiful surrounding and warmth of the staff were so comforting. It was as if I was coming home for a visit.<\/p>\n

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Nestled in northern Ventura County, a 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, The Oaks at Ojai offers a serene, yet upbeat atmosphere for guests who are committed to get fit and focus on the three key pillars of the spa, each which complement the other for a harmonious connection and healthy weight loss: nutrition, fitness and overall wellness. It has earned praises and accolades from many institutions as well as travelers.<\/p>\n

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The Oaks at Ojai is not only located in one of the most\u00a0picturesque and beautiful towns in America, it is surrounded by 75\u00a0areas of the Los Padres National Forest. As we stepped inside the\u00a0spa, we immediately felt welcome. Founder, Sheila Cluff, created a\u00a0communal, familial, sharing and nurturing culture where staff\u00a0and guests are approachable, social and share a like-mindedness.\u00a0As told in her autobiography \u201cLiving Your Dream\u201d Cluff is a wellness visionary who\u00a0created cardiovascular dance in the 1950s, later known as \u201caerobics,\u201d and pioneered\u00a0the concept of the modern destination spa in the 1970s.<\/p>\n

The Oaks, built in the 1920s,\u00a0offers 46 guest rooms that salute\u00a0Spanish Mission Revival interior design. We absolutely love our room! It\u2019s comfortable, spacious and inviting. It even has an in-room Jacuzzi and a cute little patio!<\/p>\n

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The Oaks is an all-inclusive spa resort.\u00a0The healthy fitness and\u00a0weight-loss program includes 12-15 optional fitness classes daily;\u00a0hikes; three delicious calorie-conscious meals per day, plus\u00a0snacks and beverages; on-site health advisor; evening activities\u00a0and wellness lectures; and complete use of all resort facilities.<\/p>\n

It also offers\u00a0Fitness Spa Days<\/strong> for visitors to the area who wish to \u2018spa\u2019 for just a day.\u00a0Guests can\u00a0arrive as early as 6 a.m. to partake in all fitness activities and\u00a0meals then stay through the evening entertainment and seminars.<\/p>\n

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We arrived at 10 minutes before 1:00 PM on Friday. The receptionist asked if we would like to have lunch first before checking in since lunch ends at 1:00 PM. That was so thoughtful of him. Of course we said ‘Yes’! Lunch was Sweet Potato Soup and Seared Tuna Salad. I also ordered an unsweetened Ice Tea.<\/p>\n

After lunch, we checked into our beautiful villa and took a little stroll around the ground.\u00a0The weather was perfect and the ground is absolutely beautiful and very well kept with lots of fruit trees and shrubs. The outdoor pool is heated and used for several water exercise programs. Many guests relaxed on the loungers reading books and soaking up the sun.<\/p>\n

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Since we got here early enough, we were able to join a couple of afternoon classes; Muscle Conditioning<\/strong> and Zumba Dance Fitness<\/strong>. We got a good stretch and the Zumba was so much fun!<\/p>\n

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Everyday at 2:45 PM, there is a Veggie Break<\/strong> served with several home-made humus. At 4:45 PM is a Beverage Break<\/strong> serving smoothies. They really help keep you fueled, not to mention how delicious they are!<\/p>\n

Dinner is served daily at 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. It is typically consists of Salad, Entree and dessert.<\/p>\n

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Can you believe this 3-course meal of Salad<\/strong>, Baked Eggplant with Steamed Broccoli<\/strong> and Chocolate Brownie<\/strong> is only 350 calories?<\/p>\n

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There are also nightly social activities like Bingo, Movie & Popcorn, Food Demo, Nutritional Seminar and Meet & Greet with local artists. The Bingo was a lot of fun with many prizes been given away. Sadly, neither I or my daughter won. Sherry who hosts the Bingo is so sweet and funny.<\/p>\n

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Breakfast and lunch are served in the Libbey Lounge. There are coffee, fruit-infused water, tea and fruits served 24\/7. You can dine inside or outside where the beautiful outdoor patio is.<\/p>\n

\"Collages111After breakfast, we continue our fitness quest.\u00a0Among our favorites were Morning Stretch<\/strong>, Boot Camp C\/S<\/strong>, Aqua Cardio<\/strong> and Pilates Mat S<\/strong>. There are up to 15 different classes available daily for all fitness levels.\u00a0Classes are geared for all fitness levels, from a\u00a0scenic mountain hike to aqua-toning and power yoga. Tai Chi, Qi\u00a0Gong, Zumba and dance are some of the classes offered.\u00a0Weekly Fitness Schedule is posted on the bulletin board as are the Meals.<\/p>\n

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After breakfast, a Potassium Broth Break is served at 10:45 AM. Lunch is served at noon. We enjoyed the Tortilla Soup<\/strong>, Chile Relleno bake<\/strong>, Black Bean Salad w\/Greens<\/strong>, Oaks’ Sour Cream & Guacamole<\/strong>, again, all for 350 calories!<\/p>\n

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On Saturday, during the Beverage Break, there was a Food Demo <\/strong>featuring Basic Balsamic Vinaigrette<\/strong>. It is one of my favorite salad dressing and I brought home the recipes so I could make them at home.\u00a0\"collages13\"<\/p>\n

Before you knew it, it \u00a0was dinner time again. I must admit, I was drooling. The 3-course dinner consisted of Mixed Green\u00a0Salad with Sesame Dressing<\/strong>, Grilled Chicken with Peanut Sauce<\/strong>, Asian<\/strong>\u00a0Rice & Bok Choy<\/strong>, Lemon Pineapple Supreme<\/strong>. I don\u2019t know how they do it but, yes, it was only 350 calories of absolute deliciousness!!!<\/p>\n

Included in the all-inclusive program is all meals, snacks and\u00a0beverages. The Oaks offers a nutritious, well-rounded, 1,200-calorie a day food plan that consists of three meals, snacks and\u00a0beverages. The varied menus feature natural foods, fresh fish and\u00a0poultry, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, homemade salad\u00a0dressings, salsas and soups \u2013 all without a touch of additional salt\u00a0or refined sugar used in the preparation. Many meals feature\u00a0freshly-grown herbs from The Oaks\u2019 gardens.<\/p>\n

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I couldn\u2019t come to a spa retreat and not experience a spa treatment. My Fit & Firm Signature Facial w\/AHA was heavenly amazing! Meg was my wonderful aesthetician. She was gentle and attentive in making sure I was comfortable at all time. I highly recommend you try one of the facial or massage treatments. The spa uses products designed by Skin Authority<\/strong>.\u00a0Each treatment includes a personalized consultation, home care recommendations, and free access to a Skin Authority coach to provide tips and guidance to keep the results going once you get home.<\/p>\n

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For guest who are not staying at The Oaks, you may purchase A Day of Pampering<\/strong> package that\u00a0includes a delicious spa cuisine\u00a0lunch, a cleansing 50-minute facial, a rejuvenating 50-minute\u00a0massage and the choice of haircut and style, mini scalp massage\u00a0or a Lemongrass Lavender Pedispa.\u00a0Use of steam room and\u00a0sauna also is included for $195. Deluxe Day of Pampering\u00a0packages also are available and include the addition of an\u00a0embroidered Oaks robe, a finishing touch makeover, and a day use locker for $260.<\/p>\n

The Oaks offers many programs, discounts and specials for groups, couples, individuals and mother\/daughter. Check out the website at\u00a0www.oaksspa.com<\/a>\u00a0and give them a call. I know where I will be going next time when I need to relax, renew and refresh!<\/p>\n

The Oaks at Ojai<\/strong>
\n122 East Ojai Avenue
\nOjai, CA 93023
\n805.646.5573<\/p>\n

Visit and like my FB page<\/a> for more current event updates. Follow me on Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I was an invited guest to the\u00a0spa resort to\u00a0help facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.<\/p>\n

\"MydoTerra\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I visited The Oaks at Ojai last November. It was one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences I’ve experienced in awhile. I couldn’t wait to return again, this time with my daughter. Much of what I remembered remained the same; the beautiful surrounding and warmth of the staff were so comforting. It was as...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8450,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"pp_embeds":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1000],"tags":[1282,1071,1110,1281,1188,1190,843,1280],"class_list":["post-9262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-media-tasting","tag-1200-calories","tag-diet","tag-fitness","tag-healthy-eats","tag-ojai","tag-spa","tag-vacation","tag-wellness"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t