Detox, Cleansing Brings a Whole New You at La Quinta Retreat

Jan Minter uses her wealth of experience to create a 5-day rejuvenation retreat

Randi Wood Health & Wellness

Jan Minter has worked in the cleansing and spa business for 20 years, and a few years ago she took all the knowledge she had learned from her past experiences and started her own retreat, more formally called a “Detox-Cleansing-Fast-California-Retreat.”

I called her up to learn more and decided to give it a try!

The retreat itself took place at Lake La Quinta Inn, a bed and breakfast off Washington on a picturesque lake in La Quinta. Most people that come to the retreat are visitors and stay at the B&B (some even international). As a local, I chose to commute to the location for the daily meetings and various activities throughout the day.

The night before I began my cleanse, I went to meet Jan (pictured below) at Lake La Quinta to pick up my “goodie bag” (as she referred to it…). A person that radiates light is the best way to describe Jan. I could tell by the first meeting that she is and was extremely passionate about her business, and the people she comes into contact with.

In my goodie bag, everything I would be needing for the week was there along with accompanying literature. Included was everything from Detox tea and fiber mix to supplements that promote detox and digestion. Not failing to mention bath salts and a dry brush to all help with the detox process. Essential to the mix was a laid out map/schedule for your cleanse, with times to take everything, how to take it, and the quantity.

Also – when I say “cleanse” what I really mean to say is “fast.” I have done a variety of cleanses in the past – a three-day juice cleanse, a raw cleanse, a vegan cleanse, etc… Going into this one, I was kind of expecting a mainly liquid diet with a slight possibility of one solid meal or snack per day.

Well I was wrong… this is a legitimate fast. My day would consist of tea, 16 ounces of green juice (made only from green vegetables), a fiber powder and a pureed small bowl of soup for the next five days. This was slightly intimidating for me, but I was intrigued by the challenge.

I woke up on Day 1 of “Rejuvenate with Jan” excited to follow my plan, crossing off my supplements as I took them, with what I felt like was a good mental mind set to not be eating for the next few days.

Everyday, the group (13 attendees) met from noon to 1 p.m. to discuss a new topic regarding the cleanse led by Jan. Our first meeting focused on the process your body goes through when first starting to detox, as everyone was starting to experience a variety of symptoms.

By 3 p.m. on Day 1, I wasn’t feeling overly hungry, but I was feeling light headed and certainly had a tough time concentrating on… well…anything!

I was wishing at this point I didn’t have to function like a normal person and I was staying at the B&B in the camaraderie of everyone else, napping and watching TV throughout the day. Nevertheless, I forged onward realizing that the tired spells came in waves and got better when I would take an electrolyte drink that has been provided for me in my goodie bag.

On Day 2, I was to have my first colonic (which is part of the retreat’s checklist ) first thing in the morning, which again I felt intrigued but intimated by. I went to sleep very easily Day 1 eager to get through the next four days.

I woke up on Day 2 a little foggy and nervous about my colonic. The spa recommended by Jan, Spa Du Jour, was located nearby at Lake La Quinta Inn. I met my therapist, Monica, and she was perfect about making me feel calm (and as non-awkward as possible).

I will spare you the details of the colonic, as you will just have to try it out for yourself. I will tell you it was not nearly as bad as you think , and I felt lighter and rejuvenated afterward.