During our short vacation, I began every single morning with a plate of fresh fruit from the breakfast salad bar and a decaf vanilla almond milk latte. It was the perfect way to take the edge off my hunger while we waited for our main meals to be delivered to our table.
I also had a small bowl of plain yogurt topped with some kind of gluten-free cereal that I adored, but I cannot remember the name. I need to figure it out because I know it was made by a brand I’ve seen for sale in North Carolina and I want to buy some to use on top of a cup of Greek yogurt at home as well. I’m hoping that the moment I see it on the shelves it will come back to me!
For my main meal, I opted for the mascarpone-stuffed French toast with pecans and thought it was fantastic. Ryan and I ended up sharing it every single morning after that as well along with our own breakfast entrees because it was so good!
With full bellies, we walked around the ranch to see some of the facilities we didn’t have a chance to visit on Saturday before heading back to our room to change before our first classes of the day.
Gym:
Indoor pool:
Outdoor pool:
Yoga studio:
(Talk about a stunning space for a yoga studio, right!?)
My first fitness class at Canyon Ranch was a 45-minute 9 a.m. advanced indoor cycling class with Ariel.
I jumped at the chance to try a fellow cycling instructor’s class because I am always so curious to see how different instructors structure their classes and love using their ideas for inspiration if there’s something new I really enjoy in a class that I take. Ariel’s class ended up incorporating a lot of speed work and hills and left the whole class dripping in sweat. I loved the way the lights changed in the room and thought Ariel did a great job of creating a challenging workout while cueing well and encouraging class participants to go at their own pace but push themselves, too.
At the end of the class, everyone received a wet towel and it was heavenly. I wish every spinning class ended with cold towel service because I wiped down my face and body and felt instantly refreshed before heading out of the studio. Chugging lots of water was also a must!
When you arrive at Canyon Ranch, all guests are given a water bottle with your name on it to keep and use during your stay. Water fill-up stations can be found all over the place along with hot tea, coffee, lemonade and a natural sports drink made with iced tea, white grape juice, orange juice, lemon oil and sea salt that tasted fantastic.
After my class, I met up with Ryan to grab a snack from the snack bar (a kale, orange and banana smoothie) and head outside for a one-mile cloudy walk on the trails before we headed off to take an 11 a.m. stretch class together.
All classes at Canyon Ranch are 45 minutes (unless otherwise specified), and the mid-morning stretch class was a packed one! Resort guests seemed to really crave a good stretch after their morning workouts and Ryan and I both agreed the class was just what our bodies needed. I really wish more gyms offered basic total-body stretching classes to guide members through safe and effective static and dynamic stretches. It seems like many gyms offer yoga classes to fill the stretching void, but since yoga isn’t for everyone, it would be great to see more basic stretch classes on group exercise schedules that might appeal to others. Ryan and I both said we’d happily incorporate this class into our fitness routine if it was offered in our area and I am thinking it may be something I present to my gym and think about teaching when I return after our baby arrives.
It’s amazing what a great total body stretch class can do for the way my body feels and I left feeling light and loose… And ready for lunch!
Ryan and I used some of the wet towels at the ranch to wipe down and freshen up a bit before walking into the dining room for lunch where I ordered the curried chicken salad pita pocket to enjoy with a cup of soup and a side salad from the salad bar. We didn’t have too much time to spare before our afternoon hike! I grabbed a decaf iced latte to go and we made our way to the outdoor sports sign up area.
We joined a small group of about five hikers for an easy two-mile hike at a the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. We hopped in a van and after about a 5 minute drive, arrived at the trails.
Ryan and I spent the entire hike chatting with one of the friendly guides who told us all about the area (he’s seen five black bears so far this year!) and pointed out interesting sights like markings from beavers on large trees!
Though the weather was wet and cloudy, the hike was beautiful and so incredibly green.
By the time we made it back to the resort, we had just enough time to shower before our massages! Canyon Ranch kindly offered each of us a complimentary spa service (we paid for all other massage/spa/nail services on our own) and Ryan selected the Muscle Melt for Road Warriors massage that he said was “easily the best massage of his life.” During his massage, warm herbal pouches were firmly pressed into his muscles to melt soreness away and the massage combined traditional Thai massage with other massage techniques to release lingering tension. It sounded incredible and he could not stop raving about it. I’m dying to try this one in the future at some point!
I opted for a prenatal massage and was pretty excited to see pillows set up on a met that allowed me to comfortably (and safely) lie on my stomach for the first time in months. Heaven! My masseuse was so sweet and while I wish the pressure would’ve been a little more intense (I know I should’ve said something but I always feel so awkward), it was still a relaxing experienced and I left feeling calm and happy.
After our respective massages, Ryan and I met up outside of the spa and made our way to dinner.
My meal began with the grilled calamari appetizer (give me seafood all day every day!) and I opted for the spicy Thai beef salad for my entree and also split the wild mushroom white lasagna with Ryan.
Though I wanted to be sure to save room for a slice of my beloved chocolate cheesecake later that evening, I couldn’t resist ordering the vanilla ice cream with a warm ginger cookie for dessert.
We spent the rest of our night relaxing around the resort before climbing into bed for a good night’s sleep.
I’ll be back again soon for a recap of our final day at Canyon Ranch! Hope you’re having a great day so far!!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
All this food looks so fabulous, I’m so happy for you that you got to do this 🙂
This looked like such a fantastic BabyMoon for you and Ryan! So glad you guys were able to take some time off and spend time with just each other – no work or life stresses to worry about! It looks like you guys has the best time 🙂 This place looked amazing and I’m totally into the “active” vacations – will have to take a look. Not to mention, all of the food looked super yummy… hello almond milk latte!! Coffee… my drug! 🙂 Welcome back home!!
Those views are just breathtaking! WOW. A serene place to re-center and focus.
This sounds like the best vacation ever! Tha k you for sharing your experience! What a perfect way to enjoy some quality time before baby arrives!
Love the last off the shoulder top! Where is that from?
Thanks, Julia! I ordered it from Zulily.com but the brand is Pink Blush Maternity.
Glad you’re enjoying your babymoon! Sounds like you’re staying very active and busy..hope you’re having time to relax as well! And that food..yum!! Everything looks amazing. Definitely looking into this place for a vacation!
Everything sounds absolutely heavenly!!! A perfect babymoon for sure!
Looks like the perfect babymoon! Enjoy the rest of your time away. 🙂
This place looks perfect for a baby moon! Healthy food, exercise options, complete relaxation… total winner in my book! So glad you’re enjoying your vacation! : ) Happy Tuesday!
That food looks delicious! I love that they have water stations all over! And the spin class sounds so fun! I love the idea of changing lights!
Sounds heavenly!
Love the off the shoulder top! Where is it from?
It’s made by Pink Blush Maternity and I bought it off Zulily.com!
I love resorts that offer fitness classes. Definitely more motivation to stay active on vacation when you are in a group 🙂
Ps. Loving that off the shoulder top! Where is it from?
Thanks! The brand is Pink Blush Maternity and I got it on sale via Zulily!
That sounds like the perfect vacation day, great food, good workouts, a massage, hike and more great food!
Group fitness classes, massages, good food, beautiful hikes = my idea of perfection!!! It sounds heavenly. So glad you had such a wonderful time!
This resort looks amazing! I am going to have to look into in next time I need some R&R. The food looks amazing!
Before you know it your little boy will be here! Congrats!
Canyon Ranch sounds so cool! I love that they have water/drink stations set up everywhere; so smart!
Me too!! Very convenient!
Wow that place looks incredible and so up your alley. And whoever started this whole BabyMoon trend deserves a really big prize 🙂 P.s. Man are you rocking pregnancy… I’ve been loving all the bump outfits!!
That place looks amazing! You’ve totally sold me on it and I can’t wait to find the time to go on a vacation!!! I can’t wait to see the day 3 recap 🙂
My husband’s family has a house in the Berkshires, I love it up there!! Tons of fun little boutiques and shopping areas! We saw Josh Groan at Tanglewood last summer.
If you have time, check out Cafe Lucia and Alta! Both great restaurants. Enjoy your trip!
We talked to quite a few people who raved about the performances/concerts at Tanglewood! Apparently Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett are coming soon!
That stuffed french toast looks delicious.
The hike looks beautiful!
You two are adorable! What a fun trip! Hopefully I can go one day too!
That stretching class just sounds like what I treat yoga as haha. I’m sure actual yoga teachers would not be fond of that comment. Glad you are having a good time!
the on lot gym at the film studio i used to work for offered an early morning and lunch time-ish stretch class. it was a great way to break up the day of just sitting at a desk.
You look amazing! Hope you guys have an amazing time 🙂
I agree, more stretch classes are definitely needed! This place looks amazing!
The top you wore to dinner looks absolutely stunning on you! I am so happy that you and Ryan got the chance to have a mini vaca before your baby boy comes!!
question about the resort services — you mentioned you guys paid for all your extra spa services, but what comes in the basic package? when you go to the restaurants, are all the meals covered?
Looks like the perfect vacation! I so need one of those.
LOVE the idea of a stretching class!
My CrossFit gym offers a “Mobility” class a couple times a week and it’s just what I need to keep my body feeling good. It includes regular stretches but also a lot of work with “props” – foam rollers, bands, lacrosse balls, etc…
This facility looks amazing! Oh my gosh – I’m in love with it all! The spin room, the yoga room, the hike trail you took …. Thank you for letting me live vicariously! 🙂
The babymoon sounds so nice – I even checked out their website. A bit out of my price range!! Glad you enjoyed!
Love your off the shoulder top you look so pretty! Ryan also has such great style! I love his dinner shirt!
Looks like you had a great time! I would love to try Canyon Ranch in Lenox out at some point. I have a 7 month old, and frequented prenatal massages while pregnant. I too enjoy a firm, deep massage. However, so you don’t feel like you missed out, it’s likely had you asked for more pressure, the masseuse would not have obliged, as you are preggo. I asked during a few, and they always said they wouldn’t because they didn’t want to induce labor! One told me that pregnant ladies had gone to her towards the end of pregnancy to induce labor!
You are a beautiful, healthy pregnant woman. I’m so glad you and your hubby are enjoying your time pre-baby as much as possible! very much enjoy reading about your journey.
Looks like a beautiful place!
I can’t sleep in anymore either… I think the latest I ever made it on my last vacation was 8:30.
Canyon Ranch looks absolutely beautiful! Sounds like just the getaway you & Ryan need before the baby comes 🙂 Glad you are enjoying!
That breakfast looks fantastic, and I don’t even like french toast! You’re making this resort look amazing, and I want to go! I really like the idea of a total-body stretching class and I think it would encourage more people to be proactive about they rflecibility. I think too often people associate stretching to yoga and thus are turned off by it. This is a great way to broaden the participant range!
What an amazing baby moon! It seems like the perfect mix of fun, relaxation, and fitness?
Wow! The facilities there look awesome, especially that yoga studio. Umm…yes please!
Julie I love reading your blog everyday! You are like the best friend I’ve never met. I am a nurse at Canyon Ranch in Tucson AZ! I was so excited to hear you are enjoying everything there is to offer! There really is no other place as devoted to health and wellness as Canyon Ranch. Come visit Tucson sometime!
That’s so awesome!!! I would love to make it out to the Tucson location one day. Canyon Ranch really is such an incredible place!
I’m just catching up on your blog, and you went to Canyon Ranch??!! How amazing, what a perfect baby moon. I saw that you listed the ingredients for the Sports Drink. When I was there I loved this but forgot to take note of the ingredients and they don’t have this drink listed on their website. Were you able to get the recipe? I would really like to recreate it.
It really is an amazing place. You look so cute in that off the shoulder top!
everything about this place looks amazing!