Back in the AZ

Welcome to Miraval.

It’s quiet here. Like, really quiet.

I don’t have any cellphone reception and even if I did, Miraval maintains a strict no cellphone policy. As much as I miss constant communication, I have to say, it’s sort of nice to just totally disconnect. Well not totally because here I am online. On high speed wireless access. Sort of like camping in a cabin. Hey, it’s all about the balance, right?

If you missed my previous post, I’m down here in Tucson at Miraval Resort. Miraval is graciously hosting me for their Creative and Mindful Cooking Workshop taking place tomorrow through Saturday. I’m totally psyched!

Check out the pad:

Bathroom with outdoor shower! Looooove.

I snacked on this lovely little fruit and cheese plate while I got ready for dinner:

And then I ate. I have to say, if you’re going to vacation alone, this is the place to do it. Outdoor tables were filled with people eating by themselves this evening. No one was playing with their iphones and ipads, no one was reading, no one was looking for something else to do. Everyone was just, simply, eating. And it was refreshing.

I sipped on a champagne cocktail and contemplated life.

For some reason, I always feel so grown up when I sip champagne. Either I looked really dark and mysterious, sipping champagne by myself this evening, or I looked like a loser with no friends. I’m going to opt for the former.

The best thing that I remember about Miraval from when I came here seven years ago? THE FOOD! It’s all just so delicious and so healthy! Every item on the menu has the calories, fat, protein and carbs written right there and if you ask any server, they can tell you the exact ingredients in the dish. Unreal….a healthy foodie’s heaven for sure.

So, obviously I wanted everything on the menu but I narrowed it down to starting off a small green salad with blue cheese and cherry tomatoes:

And then for my entree, I chose carne asada.

Totally not something I’d usually order but wow, was it fantastic. I used to love to order carne asada at this tiny hole in the Mexican joint in my hometown. But there, people got food poisoning and marriage proposals.

Dessert was citrus cheesecake napolean!

Does eating by yourself also give you permission to lick your plate?

Just kidding…but I thought about it!

I also thought that was a real wolf. Coyote? It’s not.

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I’m heading out to do the Miraval Equine Experience. This is actually one of the activities that my mom and I did when we came when I was eighteen and it was my favorite. Y’all know how much I love being around horses!

Writing some book pages and closing.the.laptop..