Do you experience frequent fatigue, adrenal exhaustion, nervousness, mood swings or difficulty in falling asleep and waking etc? Fresh Start serves people like you & many of our patrons and clients have improved their health, energy levels, sleep quality, skin health as well as disease conditions they have been suffering from years. Read wonderful experience of Catherine and Philip at FreshStart during their 14 days detox program!

1. Well Traveled – A Fresh Start -by Pamela Irving
When Catherine Hyldgaard decided to spring clean her home last April, she realized that her
body might benefit from some spring-cleaning as well. She had participated in a weekend
health retreat and had seen the benefits, but wanted to do something longer lasting with
longer term results.
Like all good citizens of modern life, she Googled the Internet to do her research and was
surprised to see a health retreat offered so close to home called Abundant Life Wellness
Center. She filled in the pre-registration form, spoke to the program manager about her
health needs and when confirmed ‘good to go’ decided to take her partner Philip along with
her.

2. “We are both in the ‘fiftyish’ age bracket and weight had somehow accumulated over the
years that was stubborn to shift. We needed a big change, not just a few modifications, a few
calories dropped. We had tried all that and nothing worked,” says Catherine from her home
in Beaumont, a small town in Alberta where her passion for horses keeps her active on the
weekends and her professional life of financial advisor for Primerica has her full attention
during the week. “Philip works with me and somehow we never made time for us as a couple
to focus on our health, yet what could be more important?” asks Catherine.
Catherine and Philip feel much better and are continuing to lose weight and improve after their health
retreat.
Together they attended a 14-day retreat. Catherine lost seven and half pounds while there,
with another six pounds since then and another 35 to go. “It’s working for us. It was fast at
first, and now it is slow and steady.”
Since the retreat, Catherine and Philip have changed their lifestyle and their eating habits.
“We used to eat the North American diet – high in sugar and carbs, now it is more like the
Mediterranean diet,” says Catherine who adds that she does not have cravings any more.
“We eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and if we want a treat, we go for a vegetarian
pizza. We don’t feel like we are missing anything, except extra weight, and we have gained a
new focus in life-vibrant health. We are also closer as a couple. We did not expect so much to

3. come out of 14 days,” says Catherine who says she has more energy now than she did ten
years ago.
“A huge and unexpected bonus is, the asthma I had for 17 years is gone and I no longer need
medication for it, with my doctor’s blessing.”
With many, many happy clients, 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, accessible by air, ferry and 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 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.

4. The fresh smile of Ania Kastashchuk Program Director of Fresh Start Health Retreats
Credit: Vasili Kastashchuk
“We use basic health principles and combine health lectures, emotional wellness with
nutritional support and knowledge,” explains Ania. “Simple principles that work.”
The new Fresh Start team consists of a Naturopathic Doctor for onsite consultations,
massage therapy, Reiki, reflexology and other spa services using the highest quality organic
or all-natural products and 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 on major airlines.
“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.
Catherine and Philip are already planning a 5-day ‘refresher’ retreat at the new location. “It’s
good to get inspired and keep motivated. Also, we can’t wait to see the resort and Ania and
Vasili again. They helped us so much the first time round.”

5. The first Fresh Start retreat at Ocean Resort is offered August 31, 2010.
For Fresh Start retreat inquiries or to book a program go to www.healthretreat.ca