Wildlife at the Ranch

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Well, at Canyon Ranch it is more like Bobcats, and Javelina, and Deer, Oh My! Since last August when Nicole and I moved back to Tucson from Los Angeles, we have been re-introduced to one of the best facets of the desert, the native wildlife. As Canyon Ranch is right next to a National Forest and wide swaths of desert, you’re almost certain to run into some of the more mundane desert creatures as well as some of the more interesting desert inhabitants.

So far, some of the more interesting animals we have seen on property:

Javelina: Also known as peccaries, they look like a hairy pig with a bristly coat. You’ll also know if they’re near because they tend to smell like skunk. These guys love coming through the Ranch right around dusk to chomp on the acorns and other seeds on the ground. Last time I saw them, the herd consisted of about 8 adults and 3 babies.

Mule Deer: If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you’ll remember that the first time I ran the two-mile loop, I was startled by two mule deer about 15 feet from the trail. Since then, I have seen what I think to be those same two deer another one about five more times. Usually they’re munching on a well-manicured bush or tree as they make their rounds along the game trails throughout the Ranch and surrounding hills.

Bobcat: Although Nicole was the witness of this desert animal, due to the nature of this blog entry she gave me license to tell you about it. We live very close to the Ranch (also the location of some of our mule deer sightings) and one day Nicole let our Siamese cat, Peri, out to explore our yard. On that particular day, Peri decided to make friends with a bobcat who happened to be wandering by. Bobcats are the same as “wildcats” and usually weigh about 35 pounds. Much to Nicole’s horror, as bobcats tend not to turn down a meal of tasty Siamese cat, Nicole noticed a much bigger “cat” walk across our wall with Peri following close behind. Luckily, it seems the bobcat was full for the day and left our poor defenseless Peri alone.

Although bobcat sightings are rare anywhere in Tucson, there was one that had cubs on the second floor patio of Mel and Enid’s house on the Ranch.

Coyotes: The desert also has a thriving population of coyotes. They tend to stay away from humans and guests alike but occasionally they’ll remind you of their presence at night when they break into howls.

The list goes on and on of roadrunners, quail, cardinals, raccoons, great-horned owls, lizards and the like, but I think you get the idea. When you’re here at the Ranch, keep your eyes open and you’ll at least get a glimpse of the Sonoran wildlife, and possibly a rare treat!

Live healthy!

Ken Morris

Raising the Bar

One of the most helpful take-away points Kenny and I came home with after our week in the Life Enhancement Program was a simple one: most of us know what we need to do to live a healthier lifestyle, but oftentimes we don’t follow through.

I think I’ve lived a pretty healthy lifestyle, overall. I take my vitamins and use sunscreen daily, try to stay active and eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.

But my “healthy history” has had its peaks and valleys. Not surprisingly, I was incredibly motivated to eat right and work out almost daily the months before my wedding. My hard work and discipline paid off – I felt absolutely fabulous, inside and out, on my wedding day.

Moving back to Tucson to work at the Ranch, I thought I’d be healthier than ever! But I found it easy to ignore the treadmills and weights for one reason or another: I injured my toe, we were moving into a new house and I didn’t have time, the holidays were just around the corner, we had out of town guests, and, OMG, I have to study for the Arizona Bar!

I must admit, the weeks I spent holed up at home studying should not win an award for “Healthy Living.” I only went to the gym a few times and often ended up reaching for any snack that was available in my somewhat stark pantry. I didn’t want to spare the hour it would take to change into my workout clothes, hop on the treadmill, and get my heart rate up.

When I was studying for the California Bar a few years ago it seemed easy to take a break and jump on my elliptical trainer. What had changed? Back then, I hadn’t started my job yet, I was unmarried, all my friends were studying for the bar too, and I didn’t have a house, a pool and a yard to take care of. I didn’t have excuses!

So, feeling guilty the Saturday before the Arizona Bar, I dragged myself to the Ranch for the Stride and Strength class at the encouragement (actually, insistence) of a friend who happened to be enjoying a Spa Day that day. I was huffing and puffing on the 10 percent treadmill incline. And besides facing how out of shape I had become over the past few “excuse” months, I realized how much better I felt after just 45 minutes in the class!

I’ve just finished the two-day Bar exam, and I’ve promised myself, no more excuses! I have scheduled personal training sessions twice a week – for me, it’s a really effective way to stay motivated and accountable to my workout plan – and plan to do cardio on my own. I know this is what I need to do, and it’s just a matter of sticking with it. It’s time to raise the bar.

To Your Good Health!

Nicole Zuckerman

Canyon Ranch Miami Beach

Over the 24 months of our internship program, Nicole and I will have the privilege of visiting all the Canyon Ranch properties. As luck would have it, we joined just a few months before the opening of the first Canyon Ranch Living property in Miami Beach, Florida and let me tell you, it is amazing!

When Nicole and I first arrived in Miami, we were delighted by the beauty of Florida and could easily see the draw it held for winter-weary visitors. We were greeted by gorgeous water, a nice warm breeze and a Latin flare and culture that was completely different from that of Southern Arizona. Of course, this first impression was dwarfed by our introduction to the historic Carillon Hotel and the white and blue towers that were soon to be the latest offering from Canyon Ranch.

Our first morning, we were introduced to all the hardworking Canyon Ranch Miami Beach staff who were tirelessly putting the finishing touches on the operations, programming, and even construction details before the soft opening a few weeks away. Despite the stress and the endless task list, the team made it a point to come together every morning and spend 15 minutes as a group either meditating or practicing tai chi or some other form of mindfulness to start the day out right. Although this practice in itself is a great way to start a day, it didn’t hurt that you could see a never-ending green/blue ocean, hear the waves crash against the shore (as the entire property is only a stone’s throw away from the water), and feel the wind gently cleanse your soul before the day began.

After meditation, Nicole and I received our first tour of Canyon Ranch Miami Beach and for the first time I was truly sad to be an employee because all I wanted to do was stay there as a guest. The fitness area had the latest equipment from strength training machines that recorded your reps, sets, and weight used (to compare and record electronically your customized plan created by an exercise physiologist) to Expresso Bikes that allow you to race other people in different cities through a computer game that is displayed on a flat panel screen on your bike. If that doesn’t entice you to get into the gym, then maybe the unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean and Beach just might, where I often saw on windy days, Kiteboarders putting the ocean breeze to good use.

Then there’s the spa. I was like a kid in a candy store when I saw how many different offerings the spa provided. There was an herbal laconium, a Finnish sauna, crystal steam room, igloo room, hydrospas, experiential rains (think of a shower with different settings from monsoon to rain forest and accompanying light and sound effects), and heated lounges. The intent of these offerings is not only to pamper the guest, but to deliver the Aquavana experience. Aquavana is a process of enveloping your body in alternating treatments of hot and cold treatments, which has been shown to relax your muscles, enrich your blood with oxygen, and rid your body of toxins.

There’s so much more to talk about including the unbelievable cuisine offered in the Canyon Ranch Grill, leading edge technology for preventive medicine in our health and healing department, the seemingly hundreds of massages available, rock climbing, and everything else Canyon Ranch is known for, but I’ve simply run out of space.

All I can say is you’ll have to try it out for yourself to truly understand what I’m talking about and trust me, the trip will be worth it

Live healthy!

Ken Morris

Notes from the Canyon Ranch Kitchen

As part of our internship, Ken and I get to spend time in all of the departments at the Ranch. We started out in Program Advising, educating guests about the fabulously pampering Detoxifying Hammam body treatment and miraculous results of Healing Touch. After a rotation through Guest Services, Registration, Dining Room and the Bell Desk (no, they didn’t let us drive the golf carts), we ended up in the Kitchen. We were issued standard chef’s wear consisting of a fashionable black skull chef’s hat and white chef’s coat. I even went out and bought my first pair of Crocs (faux fur lined, no less) to fit in with the Culinary staff at the Ranch. No one was lucky enough to capture my outfit on film, although I did snap a shot of Kenny and Bertha Tapia, a true Ranch chef, decked out in their culinary gear.

The efficiency and discipline of the culinary staff amazed me. In the morning and afternoon, the sous chef assigned each chef to his or her station, and the chefs got to work. The cucumbers were sliced for the cucumber salad, the eggplant roll-ups were stuffed and rolled, the banana-changas were baked and drizzled with chocolate sauce (just a little!), the Salicia flatbread was thrown on the pizza stone in the oven, and the polenta lasagna was baked and plated.

People often ask me how accurate those calorie, fiber, protein and fat numbers under each menu item really are. Having faith in the Ranch food development and culinary teams, I always replied, “oh, very accurate,” hoping that I was being truthful. I knew that every recipe endures a rigorous and exhaustive analysis for nutritional content, but are the portions really measured with that much accuracy?

After my time in the kitchen, I now know: YES! The portions really ARE measured accurately! For many components of a dish, the chefs use serving scoops with different colored handles. I caught a peek at a cheat sheet posted at a station that listed red handles as one ounce, blue as two ounces, green as four ounces, yellow as six ounces…my colors and measurements may be off – but you get the point. Of course, some items, like meats and other proteins, are weighed. And to cut the lasagna, a ruler, similar to the one I have at home in my desk drawer, was used to measure the exact dimensions of each piece! I was astounded at just how precise it all was.

After my early morning and late night shifts in the kitchen, I not only realized that 5:30 a.m. is a little too early for me to be at work, but I remembered how much I enjoy cooking, and cooking healthy. I made a big trip to Trader Joe’s the following Monday and stocked up on plenty of organic vegetables and healthy snacks for my kitchen at home. And I’ll keep my ruler close by!


To Your Good Health!



Nicole Zuckerman

Beauty, Fitness & Best Friends

In second grade I started a tradition. Every June, I invited a few of my closest friends to come to Canyon Ranch for an End-of-the-School-Year Beauty Fitness Day. It was pretty uncommon to see a herd of eight-year olds roaming the Ranch, but we were pretty well-behaved and all my friends looked forward to our annual summer kick-off celebration.

Early on, we took step aerobics and dance cardio classes up in the Life Enhancement Center gym, where we were out of the way of the guests. When we got a little older, we participated in the fitness classes with guests in our matching T-shirts and had a blast. After lunch in the Dining Room, we would head to the Salon and Skin Care department for facials, complete with paraffin for our hands and feet, manis and pedis, and a fancy up-do to show off to our parents when we returned home.

My End-of-the-School-Year tradition continued until I made it through middle school. Every year the group would change slightly because friends would move away or new friends were made. By high school, Memaw (that’s what I still call my grandmother) and I decided it was time to retire the tradition, but we had great memories of the warm summer days running around the Ranch with the girls.

Before beginning my third and final year of law school, I thought it might be fun to gather a few of my girlfriends and spend a weekend at the Ranch. We had all survived our time as summer associates in L.A. and New York’s toughest law firms and thought we deserved a little TLC: a Beauty Fitness Weekend. Six of us flew in from L.A. in the middle of Tucson’s August heat. When we arrived at our casita, my friends were all blown away. Each of them had their favorite activity: Ellen loved funk aerobics on Sunday morning with the live DJ, Meredith savored the fresh veggies at the salad bar, and Elisa melted in her stone massage. The most memorable part of the trip was when my roommate, Audrey, and I were awakened at about 5:15 a.m. by our fellow classmate, Amy, who was getting ready for an early hike up Blackett’s Ridge. She was trying her hardest to be quiet while the rest of us were catching up on well-deserved sleep, but the long “crrrrrrrrrrrrr” noise coming from her hairspray bottle definitely interrupted our slumber. A girl’s gotta have her hairspray!

Before we returned to LA, we all dressed up in red shirts and lined up on my grandparents’ staircase to take a photo just like one I took with my friends at an End-of-the-School-Year Beauty Fitness Day (I think this one was 5th grade). We framed the two photos and gave them to Memaw as gift, just a small token of gratitude for such a fabulous weekend.

Of course my friends, lawyers who are now sprinkled across the country, can’t wait to come back to the Ranch. And now that Ken and I have moved back to Tucson they have a great excuse to do so!

To Your Good Health!

Nicole Zuckerman

Spirit Lodge

6 PM on Any Given Thursday
Weight: 198* exactly

I’m feeling good, although a little apprehensive of the unknown and the next three hours of my life. I better take an inventory of the things I am supposed to bring: swimsuit, sandals, robe, a few personal items I want to focus on tonight, two full water bottles, and the desire to try something new. Looks like it’s all here.

I was told 24 hours ago to be aware/conscious of any strange coincidences or events leading up to this moment. The only item of significance was a random call from one of my groomsmen and good friends. He’s doing well and it was good to hear from him. I’ll take that as a good sign.

With nothing left to do but walk up with the rest of the group to the small clearing in the desert, we began the 3-hour event known as Spirit Lodge at Canyon Ranch in Tucson.

9:30 PM
Weight: 196.4* after I drank the two bottles of water.
How can I adequately explain the experience? All I can think of are a slew of words: cleansing, purifying, uplifting, unique, a baptismal, relieving, and extraordinary.

For the first hour, Jonathan Ellerby, Canyon Ranch’s Spiritual Program Director, had us sit around a medium-sized campfire (the same campfire that was heating the stones to be used in the ceremony) to discuss why we were partaking in the Spirit Lodge and what we hoped to gain from it. Everyone in my group was there for different reasons, from focusing on significant issues in life to simply expanding their spirituality like me. After introductions and some ceremonial procedures, we entered the lodge.

In case you’re wondering what the lodge looks like, it is a sturdy structure draped in hemp cloth with a shallow pit in the center and a small opening for a door. Despite its smallish appearance from the outside, it is actually quite roomy once you’re inside, even for a 6’2” 198-lb male (soon to be 196.4). For my experience we only had 5 people in the lodge which seats between 10 and 12. There was plenty of room to lay down if you so chose.

At this point, it was time to actually start the sweat lodge and begin the main portion of this experience: the delivery of the glowing red ceremonial stones, the lowering of the entrance flap to deliver us into complete darkness, and then the pouring of water onto the stones to create steam. After about 20 minutes of singing, discussing, and experiencing this environment, the entrance flap was opened, we cooled down, and the first round was complete. This process continues for several more rounds, each with a different purpose and focus, until you emerge from the Spirit Lodge.

Sounds pretty simple and insignificant but I have to tell you that I had both an emotional/spiritual reaction that night and a physical one the following morning. After we emerged from the lodge, I felt like I had gained a sense of perspective and had succeeded in expanding my own spirituality. The next day I felt as if I had reached a Zen-like state, which was absolutely foreign to my senses. Nothing could bother me and nothing could raise my stress level. For one of the few times in my life, I was living in the moment.

For this reason and many more that I cannot adequately convey in a blog, I implore you to attend Jonathan’s weekly Spirit Lodge presentation on Tuesday to see if this experience is right for you. You don’t have to be religious, spiritual, or even like the heat (for the record, I never thought that the heat in the lodge was even close to unbearable). You just need to be willing to try something new.

Live healthy!

Ken Morris

*As I used to be a wrestler in high school I made it a point to see how much weight I gained or lost during the ceremony. No significance really besides my fascination with the variability of water weight during exercise, saunas, etc.

A week in the Life Enhancement Program

We spent our first official week at Canyon Ranch as guests in the Life Enhancement Program (LEP). Although I had heard a lot about the LEP over the years, I didn’t know much more about it than that it took place up near the T-pool in that big building called the Life Enhancement Center (the LEC – confusing, I know). We arrived for the LEP orientation on a warm Sunday afternoon, fresh from a long drive from LA. There was crudités and lemonade waiting for us, as well as nifty little name tags on a string that, as we soon found out, we were to wear around our necks the remainder of the week.

Ken and I sat down to have some healthy snacks, and I looked around at our fellow LEP participants. It kind of reminded me of the first day of summer camp – new faces, hesitant smiles, even a few expressions of confusion and doubt. I’m pretty sure there were a lot people thinking, "What did I get myself into?"

After a welcome greeting and a few ice breakers (this is what ice breakers are for, right?), we had dinner in the special LEC dining room and retired to our casita, anxious to get started bright and early the next morning.

Our week in LEP was packed with activities, including lectures on nutrition and heart health, stride and strength classes in the LEC gym, and of course, services of our choice (I think my favorite was Watsu – you have to try it). Pretty much everyone participated in all of the sessions together, so you really got to know everyone in the program. It truly was like summer camp for adults!

Despite all the activities we shared and health facts we learned, the most amazing result was how we had changed after just 6 days at the LEC. I thought back to the faces I saw on Sunday afternoon and didn’t recognize any of them by Friday evening. We were transformed. We were rejuvenated and at ease. And I felt like we were a family.

I know that every guest in LEC took home something special and personal. I definitely did. Unfortunately I was not able to say goodbye to everyone at the closing ceremony on Saturday evening due to a family emergency, but I hope each of them knows what a wonderful experience they helped provide to all of us.

To Your Good Health!

Nicole Zuckerman