And I almost forgot the one other piece in the October issue of LA Confidential that I wrote: a health and wellness feature about the newest celebrity fitness retreat in the Malibu Hills, the Ranch at Live Oak.I think you'll agree that the program there sounds daunting, rewarding...and totally kick-ass. I don't have a link to share, so I've pasted in the piece below, but you can see the real thing in this month's issue, so go ahead already and pick one up on newsstands!
The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu
Summer’s over, but in Los Angeles, it pays to be bikini-ready all year round. You pay $5,600 a week, to be exact, if your destination is the newest luxury fitness retreat in Malibu, the Ranch at Live Oak. Hidden in the hills three miles above the Pacific, the Ranch whips guests into shape with a “no options” philosophy that means no getting out of five-hour morning hikes on the property’s 200 miles of trails, or afternoon strengthening, yoga and pool workouts. There are also no second helpings on the 1,500-calorie, vegetarian menu whipped up by the Ranch’s “Nutritional Alchemist.” At least there’s a daily massage to sweeten the deal. “By removing the overwhelming choices of daily life, we give guests the opportunity to learn and grow in a holistic way,” explains Program Manager Marc Alabanza. No material sacrifice necessary, though. Unlike the ascetic aesthetic of similar retreats, which house guests in dormitories with shared facilities (like its famous neighbor, the Ashram), each guest at the Ranch stays in a private cottage room with en-suite bath, and high-end amenities including organic toiletries to scrub down with after all that nature time. But you won’t find any televisions, and BlackBerry’s don’t get reception there, so be ready to unplug and focus on your inner well-being.
www.theranchmalibu.com, (888) 777-2177
Comments