Women participate in retreat

Photo

Neighbors | Submitted.Boardman Park's Lariccia Community Center was the location for the recent Inside-Out Women's Wellness Retreat. The event was attended by 23 local women. Pictured, from left, (front) are Linda Garea, Cathy Fisher, Renee DiSalvo, Donna Calderon, Wanda Huberman, Beth Basista; (middle) Jasmine Corpa, Lindsey Jones, Mary Ann Markowitz, Dolly Dhillon, Diane Kleeh, Loree Pankewicz, Sandy Winans, Margie Napoli; (back) Kandy Walker Satori, Jeannie Scachetti, Marla Simon, Diane Scachetti, Tina Gasior, Janese Valez, Diane Courtis and Jodie Algarin.

The “Inside-Out” Women’s Wellness Retreat was attended by 23 local women at the Lariccia Community Center at Boardman Township Park.

The event, sponsored by The National Health Association, Publisher of Health Science Magazine, was kicked off with a healthy breakfast at 7:30 a.m. consisting of a fresh fruit bowl, oatmeal, banana bread, low fat quiche and mango/banana/coconut pie. The day concluded with a spa/tappas dinner by David Armstrong of Cater 2 U prepared a beautiful display of creative delights.

INSIDE-OUT Fitness Sessions by Loree Pankewicz, Studio 24, included Pilates, Yoga and Booty Barre. Loree shared insights about importance of taking care of our bodies from the inside-out. The women also enjoyed a brisk walk through Boardman Park and got to know each other as they enjoyed the activities throughout the day.

Cathy Fisher, creator of StraightUpFood.com, shared practical cooking skills and tips during her food demonstration, and how easy and delicious it can be to shift to a healthier lifestyle. She demonstrated a few of her favorite recipes, which were then served for lunch. Due to popular demand, copies of her recipes were made and passed out. Fisher’s website offers free recipes and information on eating a health-promoting, whole foods, plant based diet free of added salt, oil and sugar. She is also a cooking instructor at True North Health Center and The McDougall Program, both located in Santa Rosa, Calif., where men and women regain health from hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, drug addiction, exhaustion, obesity and many other ailments, all while being in a patient setting under doctors’ care.

Wanda Huberman and Renee DiSalvo shared their inspirational testimonies.

Huberman attended True North in 2011 where she learned to make many of the lifestyle changes discussed. A perk of eating a plant based, whole food diet without the addition of salt, oil or sugar, and regular exercise was that she lost 45 pounds and has kept the weight off for more than three years. She shared her amazing before and after photos.

DiSalvo shared her story about being unhealthy and overweight in high school and how she finally committed to eating healthy and exercising and has maintained a healthy weight and lifestyle ever since. Both women said they could never have kept the weight off without making a commitment to living a healthy lifestyle.

“My husband Mark and I wanted to share information about how eating nutritious and delicious meals, along with proper rest and exercise has provided us with health and energy allowing us to enjoy a fun and active lifestyle.” said Huberman, coordinator of the event.