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A SPA INDEX REVIEW
WE CARE HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
November 21, 2003
The We Care Holistic Health
Center ("We Care") in Desert Springs, California enjoys a favorable
reputation as a holistic health care center with the Hollywood crowd, who
have long appreciated both its private and intimate facilities, and its
strict liquid-diet and colonic cleansing regimen.
Some guests hope for a panacea for an excessive lifestyle; other guests seek
and find a spiritual restorative escape. At is core, however, We Care is
less of a celebrity weekend detox camp than it is a group of individuals
passionate about their programs and their guests. Those guests return to the
Spa year after year.
Owner and nutritional expert Susana Lombardi and her daughter and partner,
Susy Lombardi, describe We Care as "a popular hot spot for overworked
corporate America, media executives, models, musicians, and actors, and the
spiritually-minded and health-conscious around the globe."
"Naturally, we wanted a first-hand look at a popular spa which receives a
good deal of popular press" said Kristina Fitzhugh, Editor of Spa Index.
"More than that, however, we felt we needed a man's perspective; we wanted
him to have little or no experience with alternative health methods; and, we
wanted someone who was willing and eager to seek out a new experience, but a
little nervous, at the same time."
In October, Spa Index sent its UK-based field reviewer to We Care, and we
are pleased to share his experience with our readers:
"After a grueling year spent in England, away from my usual Pacific
Northwest environs, I ended this summer feeling tired, stressed and in need
of something to 'kick start' my return to the United States. I needed more
than just a week of 'R and R'; I was looking for an experience which would
cleanse my mind, body and spirit.
We Care Holistic Health Center in Desert Springs, California has received
quite a bit of favorable press from the 'Hollywood crowd' and, I was assured
by a member of the Spa Index team that We Care's program fit precisely the
criteria I was looking for -- something quiet, restful, clean, and
restorative, with an emphasis on natural body care and nutrition.
Although I was skeptical because I had never fasted or cleansed (We
Care's fasting / cleansing program is a major component of a week-long
stay) it was time for me to expose myself to something new.
 Upon
arrival, the first thing which struck me was how intimate the Center
actually is. We Care is a relatively small complex, but on spacious grounds. The cluster of buildings
is on five acres in the Mojave Desert. The setting is serene and I found it
to be quite relaxing -- I enjoyed wonderful sunrises over the surrounding
mountains. The Center itself includes swimming pools, Jacuzzis, a medicine
wheel, labyrinth, and several places where you can simply lounge and relax.
I selected the Plan A Package (Sunday to Sunday, 8 days, 7 nights) which
includes accommodations, meals in the form of a liquid diet, 6 Colonics, 1
Lymphatic Massage, and 2 Detox Baths. My plan included a "Colony" room,
which was modest, but sufficient for my needs. If you are looking for a 4 or
5 star hotel or Connoisseur Spa, We Care is not the place.
Although the website boasts 'spacious and fully stocked bathrooms', I found
the bathroom was the least impressive element to the room. My room, for
example, in a recently constructed building, had a bathtub, but only a
small handheld shower attachment, rather than full step-in shower. All rooms
have satellite televisions, telephones and air conditioning. Premium rooms
have a special Moroccan flair with custom mosaic tiling. Deluxe and Colony
rooms have VCR's.
 I learned We Care is
in the process of putting in mineral baths and mud baths, but currently did
not have them on the premises. They did offer the complimentary use of a
mineral bath facility not far from the Center, and I took advantage of it on
a couple of occasions. The mineral baths were associated with a trailer park
and although not fancy or modern, were very clean.
With respect to the health program, unfortunately, I missed the initial
introduction, but was greeted by Trish and Candy, who assisted me with
check-in, provided an information packet, and explained the program to me.
Candy also helped me to make my first detox beverage.
That first evening, an 'Opening Circle' was held where you were given the
opportunity to meet fellow guests and staff, and ask additional questions
before beginning the program. I noted some of the other guests of the Center
were staying in rooms off-site, coming during the day for the health
program.
Prior to arrival, We Care recommends you follow a preparation plan (provided
in advance) in order to help your system adjust to the program. While I did
not prepare to the extent recommended, I did cut out caffeine, which was my
legal drug of choice, and found this to be sufficient for me.
The fasting program was charted out for me, so it was up to me to follow the
instructions, although the staff was available if I needed assistance or had
additional questions.
Following the fasting program on my own was not difficult, and in fact, by
doing so, I feel like We Care empowered me to continue this program on my
own, after leaving the Center.
The core liquid fasting program consists of hourly drinks meant to feed your
cells, kidneys, liver, blood levels, and heart, and support digestion, to
free up the body’s energy, which can be used to purify and rebuild the
system.
While on the fast, I felt hungry the first two days, but not unbearably so,
and on the third day I felt horrible. I learned the dreaded "Day 3 syndrome"
is common, as your body is being cleansed of toxins which have built up over
time, and this third day is particularly notable as the system begins to
flush those toxins. After Day 3 passed, I felt much better and found the
remainder of my liquid fast to be both uneventful and productive.
As part of my plan, I received a daily colonic and a lymphatic massage once
during my stay. The hourly beverages, colonics, and body treatments are each
intended to work together to stimulate the lymph system, exfoliate dead skin
cells, open pores, and cleanse the system in order to promote toxin release.
The colonic is designed to cleanse the colon with gentle hydrotherapy -- a
new procedure for me, and one which made me a little skeptical.
I learned from We Care that a colonic is a method of cleansing the colon and
large intestine. It is similar to an enema in the sense that water is being
introduced to the colon to wash out accumulated waste. However, a colonic is
a deep cleanse of the entire large intestine, whereas an enema cleanses only
the lowest part of the colon. A colonic is a clean and sanitary procedure
and all tubes used for colonics at We Care are single-use, sanitized and
disposable.
I found it uncomfortable at first, but not painful. Having said that, I was
amazed by the results -- I had a feeling of well-being and cleanliness which
made the initial discomfort worthwhile.
We Care also offers several types of massage, body and skin care therapies
for an additional charge, including Reflexology, Sacred Stone Massage,
Cellulite Treatments, Skin Care (a variety of facials), Body Scrubs, and
Waxing. I received a number of spa therapies, and enjoyed them all.
 Activities were
scheduled throughout the week, including nutrition, yoga, meditation, walks
and a variety of holistic healthcare seminars. These seminars were entirely
voluntary, but I attended as many as I could. Guests need to be careful to
ensure spa and health treatments are scheduled around those classes/seminars
they would like to attend. Also offered are movement and dance classes,
Ayurvedic medicine classes, hormone therapy, spiritual counseling,
individualized nutritional counseling, hair analysis and other workshops.
The evening seminars discussed and introduced us to other therapies which
were available (for an added cost), during the week. Although this initially
struck me as a sales pitch, I did take a Breath work seminar and thought it
was terrific - I felt fantastic afterward.
The people I met were the best part of my stay --the group was fantastic,
each one sharing their own experiences, and the We Care staff was very
helpful and worked hard to make my stay a pleasant one.
A week removed and having some time to reflect, I would do it again. The We
Care experience opened my mind to new things and enhanced my awareness about
nutrition, holistic health, and even people. I truly feel better. It is now
up to me to take those things I learned and introduce them into my every day
life."
Contributed to Spa Index by Steve G.
Rates and Contact Data for We Care:
Weekly plans for We Care are
from $1790 and up. Please call the toll-free reservation line to schedule
your fasting retreat and discuss our various rate plans. We Care's direct
local number is (760) 251-2261. We Care strictly enforces a cancellation
policy to ensure space and availability for guests.
WE CARE HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER
18000 LONG CANYON ROAD
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
WWW.WECARESPA.COM
Nearby Attractions:
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Joshua Tree National Park
-
Palm Springs Aerial tramway
-
Living Desert and Zoo
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Indian Canyons
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Desert hiking
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World class shopping in Palm
Springs and 150 outlet stores
Spa Index is a comprehensive online Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas, with
extensive listings in the United States and Internationally, as well as spa
industry resources and career information, spa cuisine and spa at home
recipes, limited time specials, reader reviews, staff reviews, and much
more.
Spa Index, Guide to Day Spas and Stay Spas
1511 M Sycamore, Suite 104
Hercules, CA 94547
http://www.SpaIndex.Com - website
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