Wow! There has been such a change in me!  I never would have thought that 14 days could “bring me back”.    I showed up absolutely depleted. I had been care-giving for my parents for 5 years – watched them die – and I felt old and sick at the end of it all… and I’m only 38.                                                                                                                 

I ate sugar – every day, usually in the form of chocolate bars, pastries and ice cream.  When I woke up in the morning, I could barely walk – all of my joints hurt, I was bloated, crusts would form on my eyes and I immediately felt like I needed to lie down again. I would get dressed, lie down, eat something, lie down. I felt like I would never have energy again. 

After dad died, I was searching for a “spa” and stumbled across this place. It’s a little rough around the edges, but the people and program are superb!

On day 7 of the program I experienced a massive healing crisis. I was in convulsions and tears for about an hour. It was terrifying but so necessary. I was letting go of the panic attacks that had plagued me for 5 years.  Everyone was there, helping me through it, calm and yet excited about my healing.

My blood pressure when I arrived was 128/91 – when I left, it was 99/71.  My pulse on the first day was 85 and dropped to 60 on the last day. Fantastic for a 350 lbs woman!

My gums were bleeding – not no more!    My knee pain has subsided substantially.  The freakiest past was on day 12 when I passed a black rope from my colon. I thought it was folklore, but … it happens. I did a colonic a few days after and was stunned at what I had been hiding in there. Everyone should do a colonic – it’s nowhere as bad as you think it will be. Especially with Gail at the helm.

The lectures and sharing time help me work through a lot of pain and emotional baggage, guilt and sadness. I am so glad that I came here. It, in my mind, was no less than life-saving. A small price to pay to regain my health. Come – keep a good attitude and reap the benefits.   

Carla Powell, Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

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Having gone through my last 25 years on a roller coaster of weight loss and gain, I finally had gotten 60 pounds off, and was half way to my goal of becoming the person I wanted to be.  My health had started to suffer before the weight loss began and I was doing really well until we had several losses in our family.  This devastated me and I began to put weight back on.

A year before I attended the program I had a large surgery and had a terrible infection and was on numerous amounts of antibiotics.  At this time I started searching the internet for something to help me get my health back.  This is when I first found Fresh Start.

It is interesting how things happen but when I first spoke with Vasili on what the center offered and my health issues, I didn’t realize how I couldn’t commit to a 14 day program at the time.  Vasili encouraged me to wait till the time was right and I would know when I was ready.  This would allow me much better results.  The following year, it was just like he had said, I knew instinctively that I needed to do the program.  I never hesitated to pickup the phone as I knew I was ready.  I knew 100% I could commit to doing what I needed to do.  I booked myself the 14 day program.  I am so happy that I did.

From my conversations with Vasili prior to attending, I knew that the program offered a place to detoxify, heal, and nourish the body.  What I didn’t realize was all the extras I would come away with.  The retreat is not just a cleanse, it is a foundation for healing the body and the soul.  I became aware of many things about myself.  I had never been introduced to raw foods and I finally understood what happens to the body when we don’t give it the nourishment that is so vital.  For so long I had let my eating become unhealthy and didn’t realize the consequences of what other things I was doing to my body other then weight gain.  It had been so long since I felt good that it felt normal to me. 

From the moment I step onsite I embraced the program.  I found it very easy to feel comfortable being there away from home.  I knew that in order for good health I needed to open my heart to hearing what information they had for us to learn.  I needed to absorb it fully.  Our program director, Raymond was amazing.  He was one of the kindest people I have ever met.  Each staff member that I came in contact with treated me with the utmost respect and consideration.  My health was their concern and I felt it everyday I was there.  The services they offer from massage to colonics were numerous and having them available on site was so nice.  Your time was filled with educational information, exercise, cleansing drinks and nourishing meals.  The food was so delicious and presented so beautifully.

I think the most pleasant surprise during the detox process was that I didn’t feel like I thought I would.  It was not hard or unpleasant at all.  Everyday I felt better and better and what I have come away with is an understanding of what my body requires and needs and how vitally important it is to put myself first and the nourishment I take in.  It is that important.  I am so very blessed to have spent this time at the center and I would recommend it to anyone.  I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend and I look forward to going back to the center.  This 14 day program was truly a gift. I am healthier, happier, and enthusiastic about my life.

Susan Nelson-Smith, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

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It’s interesting how the universe delivers what you need when you clearly ask for what you want.  I have been aware that a cleanse and health regime was really important for me now for about 6 months to a year. Physically, I was deteriorating at pace that I knew could not last much longer without something catastrophic happening soon.  My symptoms which I was finally hearing were, long term high blood pressure, poor bowel movements, low energy, a very unclear mental state and excess weight.

I had done enough research to understand and believe that health could not truly take place until your primary digestive system was working properly.  All health and healing must first begin by being able to absorb the proper nutrients and allowing effective elimination of waste and toxins. This cannot be done in a GI tract caked with years of fat and processed foods that prevent absorption and more importantly, contribute to the toxins by simply not being moved thru the bowels.

I knew I needed a retreat environment to be successful, due to my lack of discipline and distractions at home.  What I got was far more than I had ever expected.

The retreat was not simply a physical cleanse. It also integrated education, psychological and spiritual elements to ensure the change had a real chance at being successful.  For the first time I heard how whole foods were vital to our long term well being. I finally understood how our body wears out long before we are ready to go and why aging can be so debilitating and painful.  It DOESN’T have to be that way!

My body was especially stubborn in coming around but finally let go to of the years of plaque and poor food build-up that had caught up with me. The cleanse eventually worked its magic on me. It is a carefully planned and executed program based on a lot of diligent research and work of many pioneers in the whole food and cleansing community.  I lost a total of 15 lbs in 14 days, my energy improved to the point I could walk for long periods and actually enjoy it!  My blood pressure almost immediately normalized.   There is so much to be benefited from such a regime.

The cleanse was not hard or painful.  Our group bonded well and we had lots of time to visit, sleep, heal and learn.  I highly recommend the cleanse. Everything is geared towards allowing you to simply focus on the cleanse and your health.

If you are ready to live the rest of your life in greater health and vitality, then please gift yourself the blessing of health and understanding. Start with the most important system in the body. 

Anton Quon, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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I want to share with you the experience I had enrolling in the 14 day program held at Fresh Start Health Retreats in Oyster Bay, British Columbia.

I am 60 years old and I have suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for the past 20 years. I have been actively  treating the disease for the past 10 years. I have tried both the medical system and homeopathic  medicine to help relieve my problems with inflammation and excessive pain. The medications I was on were making me very sick and unable to work. To make it worst, the pain was making it hard to do anything in life I was used to doing. I live in the Yukon Territory in Northern Canada so our lifestyle is one of outdoor activity and long cold winters. Being in pain for 8 moths of the year was wearing me down and eating away at my soul. I was losing hope.

In Early December of 2010 I decided to search for retreat so that I could go make my peace with the powers that be. I sincerely did not think I would last the winter nor was I sure I even wanted too. My arthritis doctor told me in early December "Sorry Mr. Cardinal, but there is nothing I can do to help you". My first reaction was to get mad at him but I kinda felt relieved that we were at an impasse with the drugs and treatment I was getting from the medical system.

I decided to google "monastic retreats". I was looking for some place to go to find help for pain or to die. I had given up. When I looked at the list of monastic retreats I was surprised to see a health retreat on the list. I thought that going on a health retreat might be better than locking myself up in a monastery waiting to die. I checked out Fresh Start Health Retreats and decided to enroll in the 14 day detox and cleanse program. I had no idea, at all, what I was getting myself into. I had never cleansed or detoxed myself and had no idea what that even meant. But I assumed that doing the 14 day program would either kill me or make me better. Initially I thought it was too expensive to buy a health retreat but I decided to go ahead and book myself into the program. I never regretted spending the money I did.

Although the 14 day program was grueling, I am convinced that 14 days is a great way to cleanse and get to know your health problems and to work on cleansing your system from the years of chemical, metals and toxins exposure. I have been in the construction and maintenance business for many years and have been exposed to numerous hazardous wastes materials. Our generation was brought up in the decades when we were told that chemicals were good. Being raised on the farm we were exposed to DDT, pesticides and farm chemicals without any protection at all. No one thought we were doing ourselves harm that would manifest itself down the road.

Fresh Start gave me the information I needed to understand what my body is doing and how I can take  control of my health. They helped me learn how to change my diet to help my body heal itself. The staff and services offered made my stay relaxing and comfortable. The retreat location is serene and relaxed. You can walk the beaches by the ocean and see whales and seals occasionally as well as many eagles and herons. Although the 14 day program can test your resolve, I felt pampered by the staff and the spa services.

Before the retreat Fresh Start gave me instructions to prepare myself and I lost 30lbs from early Dec. 2010 to the start of the retreat in January. I lost 17 lbs in my 2 weeks at Fresh Start. I lost a total of 47 lbs. by following the program. The pain and inflammation I was experiencing was almost gone after 2 weeks. I could walk the beaches of Oyster Bay without the need for assistance of any kind. I felt like a new man. The person I had forgotten how to be began to come back and I felt like I was getting a new chance. As the time past at Fresh Start I felt my confidence and my spirits lifting for the first time in a long time.

I especially want to mention the other guests who endured the program with me. We grew very close and helped each other make it through to the end. They became friends for life. We still support each other. To experience hope with other people can be very healing.

Ania and Vassili, owners of Fresh Start,  were amazing. Their knowledge of health and natural ways of cleansing and detoxing was eye opening and enlightening. The education they offered helped me understand my role in healing myself and how to take responsibility for what I eat. I will be eternally grateful to them for what they gave me. Every dime I spent was worth it. Thank you Ania and Vassili and Debbie. And also thanks so much to to Earl the eagle. He offered  spiritual relief from the everyday world.

I would encourage those seeking health and vitality to seriously look at what Fresh Start has to offer. Their program and services are exactly what someone like me needed. I have no knowledge of health and wellness other than what the doctors told me. Now I know everything I need to stay healthy. That is very empowering.

Thank you so much to Ania and all your staff and the people who offer their services....
Life truly looks alot better now...

Jack Cardinal, Yukon, Canada

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I originally went to Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers for a retreat; just to get away and maybe lose a few pounds. However, I left with so much more… I have diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and I couldn’t sleep. I was taking 8 different prescription drugs and 3 over-the-counter drugs just to get through the day…. It is now 2 months later and I am still off my medications.

14 Day Advanced Whole Body Cleanse Age 51, Female, Height 5’3” Weight 230, Weight lost 14 lbs

Previous to attending Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers, my life, like many others, was very stressful.  I had just opened a new retail/spa business; my husband and I decided to part ways, and my father passed away-all in a span of 6 months.

I have been overweight for approx 20 years now and with this extra stress I was putting on more weight.  Along with the weight there came more health problems.  I have diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and I couldn’t sleep.  I was taking 8 different prescription drugs and 3 over-the-counter drugs just to get through the day.

I originally went to Fresh Start Health Retreat Centersfor a retreat; just to get away and maybe lose a few pounds. However, I left with so much more.

The Program Director we had, Lydia, was God sent.   Her quiet demeanor, her kindness, her dedication, and knowledge helped the whole experience make a difference.

Out of nowhere, the first night at the Centre, I decided I would only take a select few of my prescription drugs.  It never occurred to me, and it was not a reason that I came to the Centre, that I was going to come off my medications, however, the next day I decided I was not going to be a victim of the pharmaceutical companies any longer.  I did not take any more of my meds for the next 13 days!  (I would not recommend this to everyone, but it was the right thing for me)  I had some really bad days but I was in the right place for the withdrawals I went through.

It is now 2 months later and I am still off my medications.  I just went to my physician a week ago and confessed what I did.  After her initial state of shock she has ordered a bunch of tests for me to take to ensure everything is okay.  I will take these tests -sometime - but right now I feel so good and I don’t want to be drawn into the feeling guilty by what the Doctor thinks I should be doing. 

I can actually feel and think clearly.  I do my blood glucose monitoring everyday and take my blood pressure.  To-date the readings are usually lower than when I was taking medications!!!

I credit the Centre for giving me this kick start.  I haven’t lost any more weight, but I have kept off the 14 pounds I initially lost.  I ate raw foods only for the first month and continue to do so as much as possible.  I continue with my green smoothie every morning and I have only eaten meat once since.  I ate organic turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

Ellen Ketchum, Lethbridge, Alberta,   Canada  

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It was very difficult to change my lifestyle and improve my wellbeing but I realized I had to leave my usual environment and go to a place I have never been before… to make a long story short, I began losing weight immediately and my blood pressure kept dropping from average of 145/85 to 95/82 by the time I left Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers feeling fresh and invigorated.

14 Day Advanced Whole Body Cleanse Age 45, Male, Height 175cm Weight 110KG, Weight lost 10 kg

I am almost obese and my blood pressure has always been slightly above average. It was very difficult to change my lifestyle and improve my wellbeing but I realized I had to leave my usual environment and go to a place I have never been before. After extensive research, I came across the Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers.The staff was very efficient in answering all my questions and giving me solid guidance to begin improving my wellbeing; the advice given to me initially was very sincere and without any obligation from my side. I compared several destinations but all the time Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers was the best choice for me, so I travelled all the way to Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers, Canada from my home in UAE  with a single aim in my mind: to turn a new chapter in my life for better(both Spiritually & Physically).

Once at the center, the Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers personnel was very professional and sensitive to my cultural and religious beliefs though this was the first time they had a Middle Eastern guest. In no time I realized we all shared the same aspiration and needs, i.e. to lead a healthy and productive lifestyle. After a short introduction I was settled in my room, and ready to commence my Detox program.

To make a long story short, I began losing weight immediately and my blood pressure kept dropping from average of 145/85 to 95/82 by the time I left Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers feeling fresh and invigorated.

Once I got back home; my friends and family could clearly notice the physical and spiritual changes in me; but I again realized my objective was to change my lifestyle permanently and continue the momentum that I gained at Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers. So I commenced gym training 4 days a week along with a personal trainer, as for Nutrition, I make every effort to eat as much of fresh and raw vegetables and fruits as possible. I now have energy to play with my children and exercise even after long office hours.

Faisal Omar Aljabri, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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A year and a half after going to the center and following the advise and education that I received there ( I do fall off every once in a short while ) I can truly say that I had the best summer as far as the level of pain goes in many years.

           Well I have never written a testimony before and I will try and keep it short although I could probably write a booklet on the positive results that I received from Fresh Start Health Retreat Centers that Vasili and Ania used to run and own which they ran with true concern, caring and professionalism,

         I am presently 56 years of age and I suffer from pain pretty much all over but mostly in my back from the arthritis that I have in my spine which was confirmed by an MRI. I had been living on a very large amount of pain killers every day just to be able to cope with the pain. After years of conventional doctors and medicine not able to help, myself and my wife started researching alternate ways of healing and decided to go to a naturopathic doctor and try the natural way of healing the body. Shortly after starting a diet plan from a naturopathic doctor some very good friends of ours highly promoted I attend Vasili and Ania’s Wellness center. Well cost being a concern I was hesitant but because of the results that our friend had when she went she kept pushing me to go, my wife commented that we had been praying for a solution to my pain so I made the decision and went. Well I’m quite sure she was right because I do believe our prayers were answered because of the results. A year and a half after going to the center and following the advise and education that I received there ( I do fall off every once in a short while ) I can truly say that I had the best summer as far as the level of pain goes in many years.       

                 When I first went to the wellness center my blood pressure was 157 over 98 almost stage 2 hypertension, normal is 110 over 70 and my heart rate was if you can believe it 120, normal is 60. We kept a record and monitored those everyday and 14 days later my blood pressure was 116 over 78 and my heart rate was 72 what a huge improvement, I now have my own monitoring unit and the last time I checked  (a week ago ) it was 109 over 70 and my heart rate was 58  

        We had the option of having a live and dry blood analysis done a couple of days after we first got there from a very qualified nurse with years of experience who had actually worked for a pharmaceutical company for a while. As she was examining the blood we could see everything on a large computer screen so she could show us what she was talking about when explaining what the good or bad of it was, I didn’t have any good. She showed me how bad my liver, red blood cells, cholesterol, calcium leaching, blood sugar level, on and on in other words I was in real rough shape. But I happen to be real fortunate in the sense that she lived only 40 minutes away from where myself and my wife live so I mention to her that my wife was going to have to come and see her because she had health issues as well as most of us seem to when we get to middle age, although you don’t need to as I learned. Well she told me that if I would schedule a visit for a couple of days after I got out of the center she would do a free follow up on me due to the fact she was curious as to what the outcome of being at the center would be. So we went to see her 15 day later 2 days after coming back home. Well she was very surprised and I was very pleased at the outcome, most of my red blood cell was floating around freely or in groupings of fours not all smooched together. Previously I did not have one single red blood cell floating around freely, they were all stuck together in huge clumps. My cholesterol count was way down and what was left had diminished greatly in size, the calcium leaching had completely stopped and in actuality the pools that were visible before were starting to fill in, indicating that the damage done was already starting to be repaired. My blood sugar level ( which I recall had very much surprised the nurse because I am not or was not an overweight person, I’m 5 foot nine inches tall and  weigh 150 pounds ) was 9.6  normal should be between 4 and 6 and in just 2 short weeks it was already down to 4.5  It used to be if I went without food for too long I would start to get the shakes and that was getting worse and worse all the time and now that does not happen at all anymore.  I also use to cramp up continuously all over my body but especially my legs and usually in the middle of the night forcing me out of bed in a hurry, now it very seldom happens. I could go on and on about the results we saw that day like WOW what an improvement  in such a short time and feeling so much better  and completely off the pain killers at that time, I did not take a single one for over 3 months after coming out of the center. If  I was to say that I don’t on occasion  take some I would be lying but they are far and few between and not the dozen a day I use to take and they were prescribed. But when you cut, limb, and buck a dozen 40 year old spruce trees with a 17 pound chainsaw as I just recently did you know your going to aggravate something but I do see the day when even that is not going to be an issue.

            Even my brain is not as foggy anymore, I have a better outlook and attitude on life which is real nice. I can truly say that the whole experience was a blessing and I would certainly recommend it to anyone considering health improvement or even if its just knowledge improvement in itself because with Vasili and Ania you are certainly in good hands. Well I could keep going but this has been too long already like I said I could write a booklet.

            I do want to give Vasili and Ania  a very special THANK YOU for everything you did for me personally, I don’t know where I would be today if not for that  so once again thank you and I luv you guys

Always a Friend,

Darrel Hamonic, Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada

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I was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] five years ago and was not capable of taking a full breath –except once in awhile. After one Bowen Therapy treatment with Dr. Lise Maltais, I was able to breathe fully, at will. What an unexpectant gift! All of the therapists, in their own field, were as skilled, experienced and caring as Dr. Maltais.

I just returned from the “Fresh Start” program at Ocean Resort, on Vancouver Island. I wanted to detoxify and cleanse on a cellular level. I chose this program because of the setting, natural and by the ocean and because the rates were much more affordable than fancy “fluff spas”.

I was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] five years ago and was not capable of taking a full breath –except once in awhile. After one Bowen Therapy treatment with Dr. Lise Maltais, I was able to breathe fully, at will. What an unexpectant gift! All of the therapists, in their own field, were as skilled, experienced and caring as Dr. Maltais.

The team of Wellness Therapists, the juice regime and constant support of the Program Directors all contributed to my success. I feel at least 10 years younger; and as a by product, I lost 13 lbs.

I highly recommend “Fresh Start” if you are serious about making healthful life changes; it works!

Susan Donegani, North Vancouver, Canada

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What a fantastic experience and new outlook on life, I now feel 10 years younger and 20 lbs lighter and I have learned more about my body and what I need to do to maintain optimum energy and health

All is well with Christine and I we have settled back into our routines and some day’s craziness, but I must say we defiantly live our lives much healthier these days, thanks to you and Ania for all that we learned and also from the wonderful and fun people we had the pleasure of sharing our cleansing journey with. I am extremely grateful to my mother and brother for sharing with me there life changing experiences at your wellness centre, I know both of them had nothing but positive things to say about their stay with you, as do I, my wellness journey was easy to embrace because I was tired of feeling lethargic and always tired, for a person who has always been so active all his life, (sports and stuff) I found my energy level these last 5 years or so very low, I also experienced a lot of headaches and couldn't sleep well at night because I had trouble shutting my mind off and resting, there were and I do mean were a lot more issues I had to deal with physically and emotionally, but at the risk of running out of ink in my pen, I will cut to the quick and say how much my health and well being has changed since I went through with my wife your 14 day total body cleanse. What a fantastic experience and new outlook on life, I now feel 10 years younger and 20 lbs lighter and I have learned more about my body and what I need to do to maintain optimum energy and health, I'm very glad we met and forever grateful for all you and Ania taught me and my wife.

Your health and wellness centre is amazing and I would and have recommended it to anyone who wants to change their lives and ailments and live happy.

Thank  you!

Bud & Christine Macleod, Mission, British Columbia, Canada

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