The cold has sunk in and settled and if you're like me and didn't get away over the winter break, the longing is deep for sunshine and warmth.
At the end of February, I am leading a retreat in Costa Rica -- part of my job that most people would think is a walk in the park, or day at the beach, as the case may be. It is certainly one of the most fun and rewarding parts of my job, but after years of doing this, I have come to learn that I need a retreat post-retreat and for me, a package deal at an all inclusive just isn't going to to cut it. After leading a week-long healthy living retreat, I wasn't going to strap on a wrist band to drink bad drinks and slop cheap food on my plate at a red lamp heated buffet. I didn't want to sleep in deodorized rooms, with chemically laundered sheets and towels, and didn't want to spend days on end laying by a chlorinated pool.
My goal with any holiday is to always come back feeling better than I left and a lot of that  involves where I sleep, what I eat, what I breathe, what I do and the impact my staying there may leave behind. A hotel that reminds me not to leave my bleached and perfumed towels on the floor to conserve on laundry wasn't quite what I was after in terms of environmental sustainability.
As what we eat is always at the forefront of our minds, my husband and I tend to travel to places and choose our accommodations based on whether there is a functional kitchen and a local farmer's market to get our food. Even better is when we can find a place to stay where they take care of it for us. Hard to find but not impossible.
This is how I came to find Cayuga -- a sustainable hospitality company dedicated to the management and development of hotels, lodges and other tourism related projects in Latin America and the Caribbean that have an ecological, conservationist or sustainable aspect to it. What this meant to me was that I wouldn't need to send a list in advance asking that no air fresheners be used in our room, that scent-free detergent be used on our sheets, to please refrain from putting out the tiny shampoo and conditioners, and that I could count on breakfast being more than toast and jam, fat-free strawberry yogurt and boxed orange juice.
Based on the location of my retreat, I chose The Harmony Hotel, a Cayuga property as the spot for my retreat post-retreat.
The Harmony Hotel is one of many trend-setting sustainable hotels popping up across central America and into the Caribbean. Going eco for your holiday doesn't mean you'll communing with the hippie lot and roughing it either. A healthy, eco-sustaimable holiday takes "guilt-free" to a whole new level. Well beyond asking guests to simply hang up their towels to avoid undue washing. There is much more to sustainability than that. Sustainable vacationing is about choosing a way to have a holiday that will fully support the local community, the environment and the health of both the staff and the guests.
Top 8 Ways To Know If Your Holidays Is Truly Healthy
Yes. This is my dream vacation in the making.
GREEN THUMBS UP: He saves the ladies, breaks ups fights and has a long list of memes that make us fall in love with him over and over again. We also love this animal-loving actor for defending chickens and turkeys in factory farms and calling out KFC and McDonads on behalf of PETA.
Actor Ryan Gosling attends the premiere of 'The Ides Of March' held on September 27, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.
GREEN THUMBS UP: With a voice this powerful, we're not surprised Canadian opera singer Measha Brueggergosman has green energy within her. Brueggergosman has pledged to make her life more green with the World Wildlife Fund, by buying green appliances, draft-proof windows and sticking to a green energy supplier.
Singer Measha Brueggergosman arrives at the Canada For Haiti Benefit on January 22, 2010 in Toronto, Canada.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Canadian sensation Justin Bieber received an eco-friendly car for his 18th birthday last month, assuring us the young adult will continue to go green for years to come. The $100,000 Fisker Karma electric car was given to him by his manager Scooter.
Singer Justin Bieber speaks during interview with Elvis Duran for 'The Elvis Duran and the Morning Show' on March 24, 2012 in West Hollywood, California.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Long-time PETA activist and vegetarian Pamela Anderson has stripped for ad campaigns, worn a lettuce bra and starred in anti-fur video campaigns.
Actress Pamela Anderson attends a press conference on March 22, 2012 in West Hollywood, California.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Canadian beauty Rachel McAdams is no 'mean girl.' The actress co-owns a green lifestyle site, Green Is Sexy, and says she's not a typical materialistic gal.
Actress Rachel McAdams attends the premiere of Sony Pictures' 'The Vow' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on February 6, 2012 in Hollywood, California.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Even though there has been some outcry for James Cameron's use of private jets, the director says the motive behind "Avatar" was to send out an environmental message.
James Cameron arrives at the world premiere of Titanic 3D in central London on March 27, 2012.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne has worked for Reverb, a non-profit environmental music-based organization that promotes green tours.
Singer Avril Lavigne attends the Picksie 2.0 launch party at Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge on November 22, 2011 in New York City.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Actor Ryan Reynolds is one face behind Nissan's "Innovation For Endurance" campaign focusing on environmental innovators. By the way Ryan, even though you mention Teddy Roosevelt's passion to protecting the parks of America as your inspiration, we hope you can bring some of that green lovin' back home.
Ryan Reynolds attends the 'Safe House' premiere at the SVA Theater on February 7, 2012 in New York City.
GREEN THUMBS UP: This band was named one of the most eco-friendly rockers by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2010. The Barenaked Ladies started "green touring" back in 2004 before it got cool and sold recyclable CD cases.
Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, Jim Creeggan and Tyler Stewart of Barenaked Ladies pose on the red carpet at the 2011 Juno Awards.
GREEN THUMBS UP: As a environmental activist, this Canadian actress told MotherJones.com she gets excited by permaculture, Bill McKibben, and ecovillages. If that wasn't enough, Page also vouches for organic products and speaks out against the spreading toxins in Halifax.
Actress Ellen Page arrives at the premiere of IFC Midnight's 'Super' at the Egyptian Theatre on March 21, 2011 in Hollywood, California.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Singer Alanis Morissette says she has solar panels, drives a hybrid and loves to shut off the lights in the house.
Alanis Morissette arrives at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 20, 2011.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Canadian VJ Liz Trinnear is also another young'un in the environmental fashion world. For the 2011 Junos and Lollapalooza, Trinnear pledged to go green for six weeks with her clothing, beauty and even her drinks.
MuchMusic VJ Liz Trinnear poses at the 2010 Much Music Video Awards in Toronto.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Canadian actress Mia Kirshner reportedly supported Canada's oilsands protest in 2011. We can respect her passion.
Mia Kirshner arrives at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival's gala opening, 30 August 2006, at the Lido in Venice.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Canadian Michael Buble has a way with words -- even when he's discussing climate change and greener driving with environmentalist David Suzuki and actress Emily Blunt.
Michael Buble attends the 2011 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting on November 30, 2011 in New York City.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Hayden Christensen loves to get his hands dirty. The Canadian actor bought a farm north of Toronto in 2007 and couldn't wait to fill his land with farm animals and drive around his Bobcat.
Actor Hayden Christensen attends the Cinema Society screening of 'Vanishing On 7th Street' at IFC Center on February 7, 2011 in New York City.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Vegan, singer and photographer Bryan Adams is another celebrity behind PETA's campaign on animal rights and promoting a meatless lifestyle.
Canadian musician Bryan Adams performs at the Dasrath stadium in Kathmandu on February 19, 2011.
GREEN THUMBS UP: We've seen singer Nelly Furtado spreading the love with her dark concert during Earth Hour in 2008, but she also fundraised for The Land Conservancy of British Columbia by working on a handmade quilting project.
Singer Nelly Furtado attends the Opening Night Gala during the 35th Toronto International Film Festival at Metro Square.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Canadian actress Malin Akerman says she has been an environmentalist since childhood by volunteering for environmental organizations, driving a hybrid and installing solar panels in her rental home.
Malin Akerman attends the LACOSTE launch of Women's Spring/Summer 2012 Collection held at The Sunset Tower on March 21, 2012 in West Hollywood, California.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Actress Sarah Chalke has been dubbed as a green mommy by purchasing and using organic products like bedding and wooden toys, according to Ecollywood. Are we surprised? Not really. Chalke was also once an environmental reporter as a teen for the Canadian show KidZone.
Actress Sarah Chalke attends the Premiere of Summit Entertainment's 'Man On A Ledge' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on January 23, 2012.
GREEN THUMBS UP: Canadian television personality Jessi Cruickshank knows a thing or two about fashion. She told Chatelaine magazine she loves eco-shopping for organic cottons and sustainable prints. She has also designed eco-friendly t-shirts for Free The Children.
MTV hosts Jessi Cruickshank (L) and Dan Levy attend MTV's 'The Hills Live: A Hollywood Ending' Finale event held at The Roosevelt Hotel on July 13, 2010 in Hollywood, California.
GREEN THUMBS UP: After shooting "The Day The Earth Stood Still," Reeves told The Sun UK he recycles, owns solar panels and has joined the cause for rainforest conservation.
Keanu Reeves attends the 'Side By Side' Premiere during day seven of the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele on February 15, 2012 in Berlin, Germany.
GREEN THUMBS UP: You may remember Joshua Jackson as the voice of Jesse Grass, a hunky environmentalist on an episode of "The Simpsons." But this real life tree hugger loves cycling, owns a hybrid and a biodiesel truck.
Actor Joshua Jackson attends the 'Lay the Favorite' premiere during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival held at Eccles Center Theatre on January 21, 2012 in Park City, Utah.
GREEN THUMBS UP: "Arctic Air" actor Adam Beach has been seen opposing pipelines in British Columbia and joining forces with the First Nations of Canada for land rights.
Actor Adam Beach attends the Premiere of Universal Pictures 'Cowboys & Aliens' during Comic-Con 2011 at San Diego Civic Theatre on July 23, 2011 in San Diego, California.
GREEN THUMBS UP: "Vampire Diaries" star Nina Dobrev is not only a humanitarian, but she also urged her fans to get more green with the "Increase Your Green" campaign in 2010.
Actress Nina Dobrev attends the 9th Annual John Varvatos Stuart House Benefit on March 11, 2012 in West Hollywood, California.
TWO GREEN THUMBS UP: Canadian musicians Drake and K-Os both toured green in 2010 for Drake's "Away From Home Tour," with greener technologies, like biodiesel fuel, biodegradable products on the tour bus and backstage, and an 'Eco-Village' to give more information about green options to audience members.
Actress Nina Dobrev attends the 9th Annual John Varvatos Stuart House Benefit on March 11, 2012 in West Hollywood, California.
Follow Meghan Telpner on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@meghantelpner
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