Spa News: Cal-a-Vie Health Spa Receives REAL Certified Distinction

Destination spa awarded by United States Healthful Food Council for commitment to healthful and sustainable food.

Photo courtesy Cal-a-ViePhoto courtesy Cal-a-Vie

Photo courtesy Cal-a-Vie


Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, a world-renowned destination spa located just north of San Diego, was recently awarded the REAL Certified distinction by the United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC). The REAL Certification is emerging as a beacon for consumers seeking healthful and sustainable food.

The USHFC is a nonprofit dedicated to fighting diet-related disease by helping to align the food industry’s financial incentives with consumers’ health interests. In order to qualify as REAL Certified, independent registered dietitians assessed Cal-a-Vie Health Spa’s food practices across a range of nutrition and sustainability criteria, including Responsible (nutrition), Epicurean (preparation), Agricultural (sourcing) and Leadership (going above and beyond). Those that satisfy the stringent necessary requirements are awarded REAL Certification.

Cal-a-Vie Health Spa earned high marks across the board in its assessment, achieving an overall score of 92 percent, including 100 percent compliance in the “Responsible” and “Epicurean” scoring categories.

“We are honored to have Cal-a-Vie Health Spa carry the nationally recognized REAL Certification. This mark of excellence solidifies Cal-a-Vie as a leader in the health and wellness industry and upholds our commitment to helping guests establish healthier relationships with food,” said Cal-a-Vie owner Terri Havens. “Cal-a-Vie’s enticing, healthy menu is prepared with local, sustainable ingredients, modeling that healthy eating can be easily elevated to gourmet status.”

In its score and summary of Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, the USHFC noted the resort’s “food preparation is exceptional, largely in part because of a focus on cooking in-house from scratch, using plant-based oils and incorporating healthy cooking practice.” The USHFC also praised Cal-a-Vie’s “many regionally- and locally-sourced primary food items, cage-free poultry, organic items” and use of sustainable seafood.

Cal-a-Vie is a destination health spa with 32 private villas and a 5:1 staff to guest ratio. Cal-a-Vie combines luxurious European Spa philosophies with the California concepts of fitness, health and nutrition. The French Provencal styled retreat is embellished with historical pieces and antiques from Europe including a 400-year-old Chapel and L’Orangerie from Dijon, France – ideal for destination weddings and events. There is also the Antique Boutique exclusively available to guests. Cal-a-Vie offers three-, four- and seven-night spa vacation packages that include gourmet spa cuisine, fitness classes, hiking, beauty and spa treatments, mind-body awareness programs, lectures on health and nutrition, accommodations, and even provides workout clothes to simplify packing. For more information, please visit http://www.cal-a-vie.com.

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