September 2022 ADK Harvest Retreat Recap
Did you know cheese ages anywhere from less than a day up to 12 months, and sometimes even longer?
The cheese we eat that only ages hours tastes wonderful, but those cheeses that age? They have a hard-earned one-of-a-kind taste that can’t be beat, and in my cheese-loving opinion, that young cheese does not COMPARE to the wisdom of the cheeses that age within one day.
Well, just like cheese, anything you do over time keeps getting better if you put time and energy into whatever that is. Our ADK Harvest Retreat featured plenty of cheese, but this analogy isn’t meant to illustrate our intake of this delicious food throughout the weekend. It’s actually meant to paint a picture of how much Halie and I are learning as we plan each and every one of these weekends, and well they are aging, each one getting better as we go.
The first one? Well, I guess we should pencil in a budget item for gas, especially for the one of us that travels, whoops!
The second one? Two bathrooms and one tank of water are NOT enough for 21 ladies, whoops!
The third one? Double check everything before arriving at the rental house, especially the toilet paper situation, whoops!
As two extremely detail oriented, highly achieving individuals, Halie and I felt ridden with apologies at each obstacle we ran into that affected the group because of course we want you to have the BEST experience with us, and when we fall short of that? We take it VERY seriously.
But just as cheese ages to achieve a certain enhanced flavor, lessons present themselves to produce improvement. We now budget for gas AND printing, we make sure there are PLENTY of bathrooms sourced from a plentiful water source, and you BETCHA extra toilet paper and trash bags are on the list. The first retreat to the third retreat can’t even compare, because just like cheese they keep getting better and better.
This blog really isn’t meant to tell you what we’re learning through the process though, what I’m trying to get at is how fitting it is for us to reflect that each of our retreats keep getting better and better as we wrap our ADK Harvest Retreat.
Harvest is the process of gathering in crops. The crops are abundant, they fully surround the farmers waiting to be harvested from where they have fully matured, attached to their roots and stems, but they have to be gathered in before they can bestow their life-giving properties on our tummies. It is an excellent thing to always be willing to improve, but there is something to be said about being present to each weekend, open to the lessons that we will learn. Sometimes it’s necessary to be as is, exactly where we are (just like the crops at harvest time) until these opportunities for growth present themselves, ready to be gathered.
So, Halie and I might be taking away beautiful memories and lessons from each and every retreat - just as our retreatants - but this one in particular has us reminding ourselves to let the weekends come rather than lose sleep over what might go wrong in the future - a strong reminder for everyone reading this really, that if you put your best foot forward, only then will you feel where you can use some extra strength.
And with that tidbit of food for thought, I think it’s a beautiful time to shift into the abundance that surrounded us throughout the weekend:
Friday’s dinner, Live Meatballs
Halie at the Foot Sanctuary
Breakfast beauty: yogurt, granola and blueberries.
Five group meals sourced from local farmers around the North Country; recipes including savory liver meatballs and homemade tomato sauce over nourishing spaghetti squash, simple yet delicious butternut squash soup, perfectly salted scrambled eggs, cinnamon baked apples & stiffly peaked homemade whipped cream, freshly brewed coffee with a dash of raw milk and honey; one truth that can be spoken is we did. not. go hungry!
Workshops. Halie & I both had the privilege of holding workshops with group. She shared on mind/body connection, and I shared on the effects of stress on the body. Our teachings compliment the other’s so well and we just love the engagement and authenticity evoked from this type of group work we come together for throughout these retreat weekends.
A hike amidst fall foliage. We hiked a new but beautiful trail in the Adirondack peaks. The colors of fall were just peeping through as we summited one group after the other, the crisp air nourishing our lungs and cooling our purifying sweat from the trek to the top.
Massage. We had the privilege of featuring two massage experiences throughout the weekend for our retreatants - one in-house. My mom is a massage therapist so I enlisted her and a friend to come share their talents through chair massage for an evening and there was not a face left unflushed. On Saturday we visited the local Foot Sanctuary and each retreatant experienced a foot massage paired with a warm neck wrap and a finishing essential oil mist. The perfect post-hike activity.
And at risk of being mistaken for the least because it is coming last, community. Something we cherish the MOST is the community and connections that come from each and every weekend. Each weekend is different, every group dynamic is unique, but all of the retreats so far have done nothing but nourish the sentiment that you are not alone.
The group at the summit of our hike.
Isa during meditation.
Saturday’s Dinner: shredded chicken, roasted carrots and salad.
The Sanctuary experience.
So we came, we went, we planted, we harvested, and it was yet another weekend that we will never, ever forget (nor would we ever want to).
To the blessing of abundance, and the lesson of putting your best foot forward and meeting the lessons as they come, whether in planning a retreat, completing an assignment or finalizing a project you’ve worked on for months; we hope you can join or return to a retreat of ours in the future, after all, no one is immune to the need for a reminder that you are cherished, you are loved, and your brilliance is meant to shine. A group of like-minded women doing the work to be the healthiest they can possibly be? TRY not to take one step in the right direction toward being the alpha of your health in such a setting. We dare you.
Retreatant Reflections:
“So much love put into this retreat…
This was super professional, the content is appropriate for all levels of knowledge and experience. The structure was seamless, there was so much love put into this retreat - from the communication to the moving from each activity - this was a big group with a short amount of time and I feel so very grateful to have been a part of it. I have been to many retreats and I have never received such a thoughtful gift that represents the heart and intention of the hosts. Thank you.
-A.V.
“More balanced well-being…
I was pretty in tune with my body before this retreat, but not so much with my mind or mind/body connecting. I feel a more balanced well-being and can work on connecting myself to be a better person for myself and others. I am truly grateful that I was able to come and connect with others who are on a similar journey.
-H.J.
“Fill my cup…
Perfect way to fill my own cup of abundance and joy.
-S.N.
“One of the best weekends of my life…
Retreat weekend was one of the best weekends of my life. First, I have been working with Halie for a while to heal my hormones and to transition to a non-tox/low-tox lifestyle. I wanted to attend the first two retreats but scheduling didn't work out. Once I saw this one announced, I immediately signed up. I then started following Anna on social media as well to get to know her prior to arriving. Once I arrived, I knew the weekend was going to be amazing. It felt like I had known Halie and Anna forever and we all immediately clicked. I met so many like-minded women during this weekend. Though we all have pretty different backgrounds, careers, experiences, and even differences in age, we were all so similar. It was so refreshing to spend time with like-minded women. The workshops were really eye-opening and educational, but also personal and self-reflective. I really enjoyed yoga and wish we had time for more throughout the weekend. The hike was also amazing, along with the chair massage, foot treatments, I could go on and on! The whole weekend was nourishing for my mind and body. It was just amazing to take a step back from my hectic, fast-paced life and relax, meditate, and surround myself with women who were there for the same purpose. I can't wait to do the next one!
-A.L.
“Connect with women…
It’s so great to separate myself from my daily life and connect with women who make me feel younger and like I’ve known them a long time.
-M.C.
“Filled me up…
This weekend filled me up with light from the start to the end! The best part was sharing this light with others that are on this crazy journey called life! Sharing so much love, energy, and positive vibrations I am leaving feeling different than when I walked through the door.
-I.P.
“I’m not alone…
I loved the connections & realizing I’m not alone in what I’m going through.
-A.D.F.
“Pushed me out of my comfort zone…
This weekend pushed me out of my comfort zone to try new things, meet like minded people and disconnect from every day life for a couple of days.
-E.D.
“Nothing short of amazing…
This weekend was nothing short of amazing. I feel like I have a community of people to support my journey.
-A.L.
“Exactly what I’d hoped for…
This weekend was exactly what I’d hoped for as motivation to commit to prioritizing self-care and wellness.
-D.N.
“Highly recommend signing up…
These wellness retreats keep getting better. This is my third of three and plan to attend future retreats. I highly recommend signing up, I continue to learn and take away new information that makes my life better.
-M.C.
“Slow and reflective…
The weekend was slow and reflective. It was lovely not to be checking notifications every few minutes.
-B.D.
“Definitely going to…
I loved the retreat. Definitely going to get back to a mindful morning routine before the hustle of the day.
-K.M
“Restful and abundant…
This weekend was restful and abundant in freedom. I am grateful to have met so many amazing women.
-D.C.
“Helped me find…
This weekend helped me find my weak spots to work on to make my journey more whole.
-H.J.
“Best weekend…
Spent the best weekend in the mountains with the most amazing group of women I’m blessed to call my friends now.
-K.M.
“Amazing weekend…
Such an amazing weekend.
-D.C.
