Spa Blog: Getaways, Features, Tips, Best Recipes, More
Browse our reader and staff favorite holiday recipes — all perfect for special meals. Light, Healthy, Clean and Crisp Spa Cuisine Meals let you celebrate and keep your goals for clean eating.
December 18, 2023 | Kitchens Spa Index
Eating a bowl of Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day is a folksy tradition to help assure a prosperous year filled with luck. Skyterra Wellness Retreat offers this healthy version, rich with nutrients.
December 15, 2023 | Kitchens Spa Index
This hot and comforting beverage is free of dairy, eggs, and gluten, while still providing robust flavor
December 1, 2022 | Spa Index
This eggnog is free of dairy, eggs, and gluten, while still providing a source of holiday comfort and flavor.
December 24, 2020 | Spa Index
Pumpkin Seeds with a sweet, spicy and salty glaze, baked crunchy, make an addictive treat, a nice topping to frozen yogurt, and an outstanding salad topper.
August 20, 2020 | Spa Index
Creamy, smooth, delicious, and low fat! Try Pritikin’s guest-favorite recipe for Maple Butterscotch Pudding
August 17, 2020 | Spa Index
This salad is cool, crunchy, sweet and savory, our favorite salad profile, and under 150 Calories per serving.
May 13, 2020 | Spa Index
If you routinely make almond milk, you’ll want to save the pulp to make these tasty Almond Pulp Date Macaroons
February 13, 2020 | Spa Index
These Gluten-Free Vegan Maple “Butter” Tarts are a guest favorite at the Sugar Ridge Retreat Center, a yoga retreat in Ontario, Canada.
December 13, 2019 | Spa Index
This French-style entree is served to guests of the Golden Door Spa. The cutlets are topped with grainy mustard, herbs and vegetables.
December 11, 2019 | Spa Index
Chocolate, Cream Cheese and Jack Daniels are given a makeover for this classic American “Black Bottom Cupcake” dessert
December 1, 2019 | Spa Index
This delicious salad has Acorn Squash, Tart Apples, Curried Lentils, Chopped Pecans, and more. A holiday salad or entree from Hilton Head Health Retreat.
October 18, 2019 | Kitchens Spa Index
In this recipe for Grapefruit Blueberry Mojito Mocktails, fruit, mint, lime juice and honey are blended with club soda.
June 20, 2019 | Kitchens Spa Index
This delicious eggnog recipe was created by destination spa Canyon Ranch for its holiday guests. Treat your own guests this season with this healthy version of a holiday staple.
December 19, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
How can you navigate the holidays without piling on extra pounds? Tips from the founder of Green Mountain at Fox Run, a weight loss retreat for women.
December 19, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
Besides getting older and cold weather, too much holiday food and drink can wreak havoc on the skin. Here are five tips and product recommendations for a glowing complexion this holiday season.
December 8, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe is for a Strawberry Thyme Fizz Mocktail. It’s wonderfully sweet, herbal and festive.
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe is for a Ginger Peach Pick Me Up. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, a little fizzy, and very simple.
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe is for Raspberry Rose Punch using fresh lemon, raspberry liqueur, and rose wine. It makes a refreshing lighter punch for receptions and cocktail parties.
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe is for Virgin Hurricanes using tropical juices, sparkling water, and garnishes. Bump it up a bit with a wee bit of Rum for Fruity Cocktail.
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe is for a Lemon-Basil Mojito using fresh basil leaves, club soda, and lemon wedges.
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe is for a Sparkling Lemon Cooler using fresh lemon juice and some bubbling additions. You can easily convert this to your favorite citrus flavor by using orange juice, or grapefruit, or lime juice, too.
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe is for Sparkling Peach Bellinis using roasted peach halves (which can be fresh, or thawed from frozen).
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe for Zesty Citrus Punch combines four different kinds of citrus juice with bubbly ginger-ale and couldn’t be easier. To make it a little spicier — add fresh ginger juice, too!
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
Skip ordinary cheese and crackers and use crisp, leafy endives for a plant-based pre-meal platter instead. This delicious appetizer is courtesy of Skyterra Wellness Retreat.
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe for a Ginger Grapefruit Fizz is a little sweet, a little tart, a little spicy, a little fizzy, and looks just like a celebration in a glass.
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe is for a Blackberry Shrub. Making shrubs is a creative way to use up extra fruit — and this type of cocktail usually includes fruit juice, sugar, and other acidic ingredients — usually sweetened vinegar! Sound odd? Think of it as a sweeter, tastier, and drinkable marinade!
December 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
One of the guest favorite recipes served at Hilton Head Health is this side dish of Thai Braised Brussels Sprouts. This side dish is packed with tantalizing Thai flavors; creamy coconut and zesty curry.
November 9, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
Lighten Up the Holiday Cookie Swap! We’ve got a batch of recipes for lighter cookies and treats perfect for holiday gift giving or setting a lighter holiday table.
November 9, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
Pumpkin Apple Cider Cake is a light, tasty and easy cake to bake up for your Autumnal brunch. It starts with a low-fat pumpkin cake and is topped with a low-sugar broiled topping. Wonderful for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet afternoon snack.
September 21, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
Baked Crab Cakes a la Pritikin are a delectable combination of crab, veggies, garlic, egg whites, and salt-free Old Bay Seasoning — and only 50 calories for the appetizer sized cakes. Delicious and healthy!
September 15, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
A reduced fat creamy and cheesy stuffed potato side dish, great with your dinner, soup or salad
September 7, 2018 | Spa Index
Try these Sauteed Peaches with Pumpkin Seeds as a side dish for seafood or poultry, or, serve atop your favorite greens for a Warm Fruit and Greens Salad.
July 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
Combine sparkling cranberry juice, ginger beer, apple cider, and orange slices to make this easy and Fall Sparkler, perfect for a holiday or spa party.
June 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
Combine fresh strawberries, ginger beer, limes and club soda to make this easy and Spicy Strawberry Mule, perfect for a summer barbecue, holiday or spa party.
June 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
Combine your frozen mango chunks, spicy limeade, and orange juice to make this easy and spicy Mango Lime Mocktail, perfect for a summer barbecue, holiday or spa party. Thank you to Trader Joe’s for the recipe.
June 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
Combine your favorite ginger beer and orange juice to make this easy and spicy mocktail, perfect for a holiday or spa party.
June 1, 2018 | Kitchens Spa Index
This colorful Edamame Broccoli Dip is excellent with vegetable sticks, such as carrots, celery, and jicama, or with low-sodium, baked chips. 45 calories per serving.
December 3, 2017 | Kitchens Spa Index
A light and delicious Pumpkin Trifle dessert with that well-loved pie flavor. Spiced pumpkin puree tastes divine layered with coconut whipped cream and topped with candied pecans.
November 20, 2017 | Kitchens Spa Index
Did you know that the majority of fat and calories in a slice of pumpkin pie actually comes from the crust? If this holiday treat is one of your favorites, cut the calorie count down a few notches by whipping up this flavorful, velvety, light and airy Pumpkin Mousse.
October 14, 2017 | Kitchens Spa Index
This healthy and delicious holiday Pumpkin Crème Brulee recipe is courtesy of Executive Chef Cameron Payne of Biggest Loser Resort.
September 23, 2017 | Kitchens Spa Index
Serve this savory side dish of brown rice pilaf with your favorite fish, poultry or pork, or use it as a stuffing.
January 19, 2017 | Kitchens Spa Index
The Healthy Chef, Teresa Cutter, one of Australia’s leading authorities on healthy cooking, has some great Skinny Dips for spa parties and holiday meals.
December 18, 2016 | Kitchens Spa Index
This Pritikin Citrus Marinated Turkey Breast recipe sings with brand new flavors! Fresh pineapple, fresh oranges, fresh rosemary, balsamic vinegar, molasses… all combined to make a stellar entree.
November 11, 2016 | Kitchens Spa Index
Who needs traditional stuffing packed with artery busters like sausage and butter when you can enjoy all the savory richness and warmth of healthy Pritikin Savory Sage Dressing?
November 11, 2016 | Kitchens Spa Index
Mashed Potatoes With Corn and Fat-Free Sour Cream, perfect for holiday meals or just nights when you’re craving a little comfort food but want to be good to your heart and waistline.
November 10, 2016 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe for lighter cornbread is veggie rich, but free of oil, sugar, and cholesterol (what you’d find in many cornbread recipes), and still offers that classic, delicious cornbread flavor.
November 10, 2016 | Kitchens Spa Index
This simple comfort food recipe for Mashed Potatoes and Turnips with Caramelized Onions is filled with complex carbohydrates and many nutrients. Why mess up your arteries with all the butter and cream of regular mashed potatoes when you can enjoy the rich piquant flavors of this recipe?
November 10, 2016 | Kitchens Spa Index
This is a perfect Cinco de Mayo recipe — when it’s customary to serve your favorite Latin American dishes.
April 19, 2016 | Kitchens Spa Index
Here is a fat free pumpkin spice cake recipe to round out your holiday dessert table. This recipe requires no frosting (just a dusting of sugar will do) and it travels well, so take it to work parties, family dinners and holiday events.
November 16, 2015 | Kitchens Spa Index
This healthy recipe for Pritikin Pumpkin Wedges is vegetable-rich, only takes 3 ingredients, and can be a tasty vegetable and dessert, all in one. Plus, pumpkins are a bonafide super-food, so it’s a triple duty recipe — easy, delicious and nutritious.
October 24, 2015 | Kitchens Spa Index
We find most of the pumpkin offerings at our local chain coffee stop or warehouse stores to be dry, artificial tasting, loaded with sugar, and generally abysmal. We want a moister, more flavorful version, enhancing the flavor of SuperFood pumpkin and healthful cranberries — and this fits the bill.
October 22, 2015 | Kitchens Spa Index
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas — the holidays where we tend to snack on candy, toast with cocktails and punch and eat bountiful snacks and meals is upon us. Temptations will be plentiful this time of year: dinner parties, goodie trays, bountiful buffets—how do we enjoy ourselves yet keep our caloric intake at a reasonable and healthy level? In this post, Sharon Rekieta, Fitness and Wellness Director at Lake Austin Spa in Texas, shares some helpful hints and tips. Concerned about drinking too many calories? Realize that some of the popular holiday beverages are loaded with calories and fat: Starbucks 16 oz.…
October 13, 2015 | Kitchens Spa Index
Bloody Mary Gazpacho is zesty enough to waken the tongue, without the alcohol of the popular breakfast cocktail.
June 27, 2015 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe is a tasty side dish with fruit, grains and arugula and topped with pumpkin seeds
January 24, 2015 | Kitchens Spa Index
Roasted Pears and Raisins with Star Anise makes for a delicious dessert. It satisfies your sweet tooth while offering a departure from refined sugars.
January 13, 2015 | Kitchens Spa Index
It wouldn’t be a southern table without delicious collard greens on the side. Try this healthy vegetarian version for Thanksgiving this year.
November 4, 2014 | Kitchens Spa Index
Corn, beans and squash are the principal foods of many Native American tribes. They’re called “the three sisters” because they support one another as they grow. The corn grows tall, allowing the bean vine to twine around her stalk. The bean fixes the nitrogen in the soil, and the squash has big leaves that hold in moisture.
October 13, 2014 | Kitchens Spa Index
Toss this salad with some greens for a holiday salad or add some turkey from Thanksgiving for a scrumptious lunch or dinner.
September 4, 2014 | Kitchens Spa Index
This colorful creamy casserole pairs nicely with many of our Mexican spa cuisine dishes. Serve with black beans and our spa Southern Style Greens for a striking combination of colors and flavors. Great for the holiday table, too.
April 22, 2014 | Kitchens Spa Index
Vermont Maple Sweet Potatoes spotlight wonderful ingredients from Vermont, but can easily be made wherever you are from, as well!
March 11, 2014 | Kitchens Spa Index
Canyon Ranch Spa guests have enjoyed Jet Fuel 5 Calorie Salad Dressing for more than 20 years. It can be customized in dozens of ways, too.
January 30, 2013 | Kitchens Spa Index
Pomegranates are a new superfood: They are high in vitamin C and potassium, a great source of fiber, and low in calories. Take advantage of a SuperFood with this lively elixir, perfect for breakfast or in place of a cocktail at parties.
October 29, 2012 | Kitchens Spa Index
One of our favorite Autumn detox recipes from our good friend Dr. Elson Haas, America’s Detox Doc.
October 16, 2011 | Kitchens Spa Index
A recipe for bright and flavorful Sangria Soleil by Golden Door Spa. Serve at your holiday parties, summer picnics, or receptions.
June 9, 2011 | Kitchens Spa Index
This beautiful and refreshing drink is a perfect substitute for a fancy alcoholic beverage at cocktail parties. For a tarter version, we like it with lime juice in place of the lemon juice.
December 20, 2010 | Kitchens Spa Index
This recipe for a wonderful sandwich will make use of the copious amounts of turkey you’re certain to have on hand this month. While not a typical recipe for “spa cuisine”, we’ve lightened this recipe. The end result is a a sandwich bursting with flavor, interesting textures, and makes the most of its calories.
November 10, 2010 | Kitchens Spa Index
This spa party cocktail for ten is courtesy of Cal a Vie Health Spa in California. It mimics a spicy Bloody Mary without the alcohol. Consider serving it in Bloody Mary tumblers with skewers of fresh vegetables and a green olive for each guest.
December 20, 2009 | Kitchens Spa Index
