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Monday 3 February 2020

Food and Fitness

A Pilates Retreat might not immediately strike you as a food diary experience but the day at Champneys Eastwell Manor https://www.champneys.com/spa-resorts/eastwell-manor/ organised and run by the knowledgeable and talented Evelyn Duro (Assistant Fitness Manager) proved to be just that and more.

Pilates Retreat Programme

We started with a delicious wake up smoothie. After a pilates class the extensive Champneys Spa healthy buffet breakfast was devoured. Breakfast is served every morning to Spa guests and is excellent value in a very beautiful recently renovated setting.

A walk was certainly then needed so we avoided the mud and visited the ruined St Marys Church Eastwell by the lake where snowdrops are already in full bloom.

Back to the Spa it was time for talks on health and nutrition from Evelyn who is well informed and passionate about her subject.

A late lunch was chosen from the two course menu again in the Spa restaurant. Every plate was beautifully presented and there was plenty of choice including duck, chicken, seabass and pasta all cooked in modern and imaginative ways.

Mine was Cauliflower served in a variety of styles, topped with crunchy dukkah (roasted nuts, seeds and spices) and pomegranate. Followed by a generously sized vanilla and raspberry panna cotta. Winter fruit crumble with ice cream was also a very popular choice.

Cauliflower with dukkah and beans

Free time followed with some opting for relaxation by the pool, some for beauty treatments and the rest engaging in more lively health talks with Evelyn.

The day ended with another pilates class this time focusing on stretch and relax. Tea and rich chocolate brownies were then offered and our group of eight each left with a bountiful goody bag full of food and beauty treats.

Top goody bag gift!

More goody bag treats

We all loved the day and the time spent making new acquaintances.  It was exceptional value at £49 for members and £99 for guests. It is worth keeping an eye on the Eastwell web site for future dates. I certainly have a number of friends who will want to be there.