Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the Ocean Resort Press Release:

Fresh Start for health at Ocean Resort on Vancouver Island

Oyster Bay, BC, July 26, 2010—Abundant Life Wellness Retreat, formerly of Lavoy, Alberta, gets a Fresh Start at Ocean Resort on Vancouver Island

Abundant Life Health Retreats are rebranding as Fresh Start, but will continue to offer health restoration retreats to aid weight loss and wellness at a new location: the eco-friendly Ocean Resort, Vancouver Island’s Spiritual and Wellness Retreat Centre, easily accessible by air, ferry or car.

“We are very excited about this move, both for our clients and for the future of Fresh Start. The Ocean Resort is the perfect healing venue to offer retreats that require a relaxing, private environment, with excellent facilities for spa treatments,” says Ania Kastashchuk, Program Manager for Fresh Start, with the first retreat in the new location to be offered August 31, 2010.

Ania and Vasili Kastashchuk had been hosting the retreats in Alberta since 2005, completing over 125 retreats serving over 650 clients and are making the move to Ocean Resort because of the preferred facility and location.

Fresh Start is a health restoration retreat focusing on advanced whole body detoxification, weight loss and rejuvenation, during five, ten and 14-day residential programs.

Catharine Hyldgaard of Beaumont, Alberta recently attended a retreat and said that she experienced profound changes.

“I lost seven and a half pounds while there and another six since then. My asthma, which I have suffered from for 17 years, improved so much that I was able to stop taking medication with my doctor’s approval.”

Hyldgaard says that the whole family is on a healthier track due to the life changing experience of the health retreat.

“My partner Philip has lost weight and my son’s skin has cleared up. We all have more energy and enjoy life more.”

The new Fresh Start team consists of a Naturopathic Doctor for onsite consultations, massage therapy, Reiki, reflexology and other spa services. The Fresh Start team uses the highest quality products available and organic or all-natural ingredients.

Ocean Resort on Oyster Bay

Ocean Resort, located on Vancouver Island’s Oyster Bay, overlooks Desolation Sound and the Coastal Mountain range. The resort, established in 2008, boasts 28 well-appointed rooms and is uniquely positioned to host the Fresh Start wellness experience, with direct flights to the Comox Valley airport with major airlines.

Ocean Resort offers spa treatment rooms and group facilities in an environment committed to the transformation of the whole being. Guests can enjoy an environment that is both welcoming and supportive. Experience long walks on the beach; watch the resident eagle and other wildlife from the comfort of a beach chair.

“Fresh Start staff is serious about helping to improve well-being. This new setting will inspire wellness to a new level,” says Ania Kastashchuk.

The first Fresh Start retreat at Ocean Resort is offered August 31, 2010.

For Fresh Start Retreat Inquiries or to book a program please visit: Free Consultation or Pre-Register form at www.HealthRetreat.ca

Directly from the Granville Island Brewing Press Release:

Granville Island Brewing’s Limited Release Raspberry Wheat Ale Returns!
Because We Know: Summer is the perfect time for a refreshing change of pace

Vancouver, BC – Summer is finally here and so too is GIB’s annual summer release of the ever-popular Raspberry Wheat Ale. This year’s batch will offer more than just refreshment as the local craft brewer is committing 50 cents from every bottle sold to the Weekend to End Women’s Cancers. This one weekend, August 14-15, 2010, invites people to join together to battle all types of cancers effecting women.

“Our Raspberry Wheat Ale is definitely a summer favourite, and it has one of the strongest female followings of any of our Limited Release beers. It’s a great fit for showing our support for such a worthy cause,” says Vern Lambourne, brewmaster, Granville Island Brewing. “This unique and flavourful limited release is the perfect complement to a fruit-filled dessert, or perhaps a grilled chicken salad.”

This crisp Raspberry Wheat Ale was created with the flawless combination of malt, water, hops, yeast, and the perfect amount of Fraser Valley raspberries. With a refreshingly light, fruity taste, this craft-brewed ale provides  unique summertime refreshment.

Raspberry Wheat Ale is available in individual bottles for a 6-week limited time period, in select lower mainland government liquor stores and in our retail store on Granville Island, for $5.75/650ml bottle. Visit bcliquorstores.com for stores and availability.

About Granville Island Brewing (GIB)
Established is 1984, Granville Island Brewing (GIB) is Canada’s first microbrewery offering a variety of award-winning beers which are brewed and sold here in BC. GIB is dedicated to handcrafting only the finest premium beers that are 100 per cent all-natural and brewed in small batches to provide consumers with the ultimate tasting experience. In celebration of their West Coast heritage GIB names each beer after iconic Vancouver locations that embody the local lifestyle. From the original Island Lager and English Bay Pale Ale, to Cypress Honey Lager, and now their latest innovation; Brockton IPA, GIB continues to produce a diverse portfolio of beers inspired by life on the West Coast. For more information, visit www.gib.ca.