and honey. Afterwards, stroll an apple orchard or fragrant field of lavender. Most farms allow guests to pitch in with the chores, maybe feeding chick- ens, milking cows, picking cherries or making yogurt. Find a place nearby at FarmStayUS.com.


Renew your spirit. Recon- nect with your faith or explore a new spiritual calling with a short stay at a retreat center.


Some furnish structured guided sessions, such as vipassanã Buddhism’s silent retreats, at which participants sit in meditation eight hours a day without access to media or other distractions. Other centers assist guests in creating self-directed retreats tailored to personal goals. Grounds often feature sacred spac- es like labyrinths or meditation gardens, providing an inspiring environment to contemplate one’s spiritual journey. RetreatFinder.com supplies a


comprehensive listing of possibilities


Short vacations invite welcome rest and


relaxation and are often more sustainable.


conducive to every spiritual persua- sion, from Anglican to Zen, across the country and worldwide.


Taste the terroir. A long weekend amidst vineyards can be a refreshing way to si- multaneously explore the countryside and refine our wine palate. Along with tastings, some vintners provide tours of their vine- yards and cellars, including insights into the characteristics of local terroirs that give each vintage its distinctive taste. Some also have bed and breakfast inns onsite, elimi- nating the need for a designated driver. The site WineriesByState.com lists domestic wineries in all 50 states; KennUncorked.com provides infor- mation about biodynamic and organic winemakers.


Pamper your body. Visiting a green destination spa is a soothing way to detox


from stress while indulging in corporeal treats like a hot stone massage, aromatherapy treatment or rose petal bath. Green spas use


natural products such as unbleached or- ganic linens and botanically derived oils, which are gentler on skin. Most practice sustainability in other areas as well, such as water management, energy use and waste reduction. Search for the perfect getaway treat at GreenSpaNetwork.org. Numerous farms, spas, parks and


vineyards are waiting to be explored; many nearby that we may overlook draw visitors from around the world. “Local travel gives us a chance to dig more deeply into the places that surround us,” says Diedrichs. “We can have fun play- ing tourists in our own backyards and support sustainable, local businesses we discover along the way.”


Connect with freelance writer April Thompson at AprilWrites.com.


~170 lbs..............................127 lbs!


“When we first started, my goal was to get back to my pre-pregnancy jean size, after having TWINS, and not hate my body. I never imagined that I would end up blowing that goal out of the water. I am now wearing a smaller size than I wore in High School and am thrilled with what I see in the mirror.” Rachel R. -Golden Valley, MN


1720 Wisconsin Avenue N. Golden Valley, MN 55427 952-994-7125 gunelsonfitness.com


50% OFF First Session natural awakenings August 2014 21 952-994-7125 gunelsonfitness.com


JAN 2013


JUL 2013


DEC 2013


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32