ACE CAMP NEWSLETTER | JUNE 2018
A new Ace Camp newsletter has been released AND We are offering a $150.00 discount OFF our trip to Vietnam in 2019 - to be eligible register before July 30, 2018.
AN IN-DEPTH CULINARY EXPERIENCE IN HOI AN + A VISIT TO HUE | HOI AN + HUE, VIETNAM MARCH 4 - 11, 2019
A new Ace Camp newsletter has been released AND We are offering a $150.00 discount OFF our trip to Vietnam in 2019 - to be eligible register before July 30, 2018.
You can also sign up to be the first to know about -
PHOTOGRAPHY WITH LUCY LAUCHT IN THE BAY OF NAPLES, PUNCH NEEDLE WITH AROUNNA KHOUNNORAJ OF BOOKHOU , ILLUSTRATION, COLLAGE, 3D ART WITH CAMILLA ENGMAN, PAINTING + SKETCHING WITH HEATHER CHONTOS IN MARRAKECH, ILLUSTRATION + CERAMICS DISCOVERY WORKSHOP WITH POLLY FERN, BASKET WEAVING WITH HARRIET GOODALL and more.
Find all 2018 + 2019 Ace Camps - HERE.
READ THE LATEST ACE CAMP NEWSLETTER | JUNE 2018 RIGHT HERE.
Healthy Travels, Naturally | Feel great when you travel with this advice.
What you put in your body has the power to feed or fight illness. For 1 month before your trip up your intake of immune supporting nutrients. Learn More Here!
Healthy Travels, Naturally
Written by Amy Ritchie
Your trip is booked, you’re starting to pack and preparing for the adventure of a lifetime. In all the excitement we often forget one thing. Our bodies need a little pre-travel love too! When traveling I always use nutrition to help prevent getting sick while packing some natural health products to help me deal with anything that comes up food shock (like culture shock - but for your stomach).
Before You Arrive
Feed Your Immune System
What you put in your body has the power to feed or fight illness. For 1 month before your trip up your intake of immune supporting nutrients such as vitamin A, C, D, zinc and antioxidants.
My Food Rx
- 4 cups greens daily: spinach, kale, kiwis, peas, green beans, avocado, collards, chard, asparagus, broccoli, brussels, green juices & smoothies
- 2 cups red or orange fruits & vegetables daily: sweet potato, butternut squash, pumpkin, tomato, oranges, carrots, strawberries, raspberries, red peppers
- 2 zinc rich foods daily: oysters, pumpkin seeds, red meat, sesame seeds, lentils, chick peas, cashews, quinoa, shrimp
- At least 2L water per day
- Supplement: vitamin D 2000 IU per day, probiotics
- Decrease sugary drinks & treats that will negatively impact your immune function
Bonus! These antioxidant rich foods will also help protect the skin from sun damage!
De-Stress BEFORE your trip
On-going stress has the ability to supress our immune system and sometimes when we finally get to relax, we get sick. I suggest taking 2 weeks prior to your vacation to start incorporating an hour or 2 a day of relaxing, stress relieving activity. This look different for everyone but could include yin or restorative yoga, reading, nature walks, Epsom salt bath, listening to music or just making sure to catch up on sleep.
On the Plane: drink plenty of water while flying to avoid dehydration (and if you’re like me, maybe request an aisle seat on long flights for frequent trips to the bathroom)
What to Bring
Anti-microbial: It’s a good idea to include an herbal anti-microbial to help protect against any bacteria or viruses you may encounter. This can be taken a few days prior to your trip, during, and for a few days after (herbal antimicrobials shouldn’t be taken long term and should be separated by at least 4 hour from probiotics). This may include oil of oregano, garlic, thyme, echinacea, Oregon grape, astragalus or elderberry. Look for a formula at your local supplement store or make an appointment with an herbalist or naturopathic doctor for a custom blend.
Electrolytes: if you’re travelling somewhere hot bring along a powdered electrolyte mix and add to your water, especially on days when you’re sweating a lot. The electrolytes will come in handy if you do experience any vomiting or diarrhea in your travels – with hopefully you’ll be able to avoid!
Ginger: if your trip includes boat rides, train rides or bus rides and you’re prone to motion sickness, pack some ginger to help with nausea. You can find this is capsules, lozanges, tea or as candied ginger.
Probiotics & S. boulardii: Probiotics are live bacteria while saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast – these will help to not only boost the immune system but also prevent travelers diarrhea.
*find out if you’ll have access to a fridge where you’re staying & if not buy a shelf stable formula
Digestive enzymes: bring these along if you know you have a sensitive stomach, take before meals
Greens powder: if you won’t have access to an abundance of fresh, raw, CLEAN vegetables then pack a greens powder and add to water daily
Melatonin: beat jet leg! If you’re changing time zones grab some melatonin and take it before going to sleep. If you’re a light sleeper also bring along an eye mask & ear plugs.
While You’re There
Get Your Rest: It can be tempting to burn the candle at both ends when you’re in a new place. Keep your energy levels high and immune system strong by making time for rest. If you’re not able to spend 8 hours getting some ZZzzzzs then find time for an afternoon siesta!
Make Meals Count: If you have control over what you’re eating while travelling, load up on garlic & onions in meals! And maybe bring some mints along too..
Preparation is key and the last thing you want while on your vacation is to waste time in bed, adoctor’s office or in the bathroom. Take these simple steps to keep you healthy, energized so you can make the most of your trip!
Disclaimer: the above is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have prior to travelling. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Amy Ritchie, NNCP
Amy Ritchie is a Holistic Nutritionist with a focus on women's health, eating psychology and nutritional support for anxiety and depression. She believes in education and empowerment, helping her clients to understand their bodies and conditions, interpret their symptoms, and supporting them with dietary and lifestyle choices.
Inspired by her success improving her health naturally, Amy chose to go back to school and study Holistic Nutrition and Integrative Medicine. She graduated as class valedictorian Summa Cum Laude from Pacific Rim College, the most comprehensive on-site program of Holistic Nutrition in Canada and completed 360 clinical hours before beginning her practice.
Amy is currently working as a Holistic Nutritionist at the Thunder Bay Naturopathic Clinic.
Heather Moore | The Art of Portuguese Ceramic Tiles - Azulejos | Lisbon, Portugal
Hello!
We are heading to Lisbon, Portugal with Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx in June for an amazing workshop and travel journey to discover the art of Portuguese ceramic tiles. For more details head on over to the description on our website - HERE.
Hope you can join us.
ANNOUNCING CAMPS 2016 ~
We are expanding our Ace Camps Explore retreats to include travel to Oaxaca, Mexico, Marrakech, Morocco, Istanbul, Turkey + Mexico City. Learn More Here!
Hello!
ACE Camps are designed to inspire you to do all things creative and this year we are expanding our ACE EXPLORE retreats to include travel to Oaxaca, Mexico, Marrakech, Morocco, Istanbul, Turkey + Mexico City. We are heading back to London, England (and have found the most fabulous accommodation - (they are all amazing, really!) for an ACE CAMP CULINARY tour in June 2016 to include dining out, learning about wine + cheese pairings, cooking classes and guided tours.
Lotta Jansdotter is teaching in Jaipur, India while we head there for our 4th year to learn about textile printing - once again we head to Bagru to learn mud-resist and block printing with natural dyes. Included in this journey you will be sent a book from Fiona Caulfield ~ Love, Jaipur to help you to find incredible shops, restaurants and adventure to do on your days off. You will also receive a customized illustrated shopping map of Jaipur.
Aran Goyoaga + ACE Camps launched her workshop in France a few months ago and it sold out quickly so we added another in one of our favourite places - Sweden. She will teach Food Styling + Photography - Creating an Autumn Food Story. All meals prepared by an in-house Swedish chef.
We wanted to get these journeys out to you so you can plan.
All are open for registration (well, almost all...we are tweaking Mexico City, finalizing plans with Heather Moore (of Skinny LaMinx) + Bea Peltre)....We will let you know soon...
I hope you can join us!
Have fun out there.
Angela Ritchie
Founder + Director
Ace Camp | Lotta Jansdotter | Jaipur, India
Ace Camps is back from Jaipur, India. Thank you to all that signed up to head on this journey. There is so much to see and learn in India. Read More Here!
Back from Jaipur, India. What a group!
Thank you to all that signed up a long time ago to head on this journey. You rocked!
You simply don't know what hit you until you get back home after lugging all the things bought and seeing them exploding on the floor in a flurry of fine cotton and block prints.
Anokhi.... thanks for the greens! (seriously, don't ever change)
What a great and thoughtful teacher Lotta Jansdotter is - not to mention a daring and adventurous traveller.
Thank you to Andree who prepared the tour of the block printing factories and took us to Soma and to visit other factories and dyers - with, oh so, much thought for our excursions. They were incredibly special.
Most of all I would like to mention S.P who helped us with the outside the itinerary adventures, the driver and his assistant (man oh man, driving in Jaipur is no easy task), the kitchen staff at Narain Niwas who made all the cappuccinos, masala chais, the smiling housekeepers and all the workers and owners of the factories who took time to let us into their world. Namaste.
Namaste.
Ace Camps will be back - there is so much to see and learn in India.
In Chandi Chowk - prior to the Ace Camp
The monkey who came for lunch.
left: Walking to the dyers, upper left: riding in a Tuk Tuk, upper right: packaging, middle left: at the dyers, middle right: on the way to Anokhi Museum, bottom left: the traffic, bottom right: our guide to the dyers.
Linens out to dry after the rains.
left: at the indigo dyers, middle top: the lassi shop on the MI road, middle bottom: at Ninder, top right: at the indigo dyers, middle right: our faithful driver, middle bottom: the khadi shop.
At the indigo factory.
Techniques of block printing at Soma.
Separating fibers and paper hanging from the rafters.
Ninder and the block printing factory of Soma
The hand stitching at Brigitte Singh's studio.
left: at the airport - a bit of packaging, right: walking to the dyers
right upper: fabric used for the making of paper, upper right: windows in the Muslim area of Jaipur, bottom left: at Soma, bottom right: at the dyers.
Hand embroidery at Brigitte Singh.
Ace Camp | Bea Peltre | East County Clare, Ireland
This Ace Camp was all about the food and culture of Ireland as told through the styling of their food; desserts, produce, meats and cheese. Learn More!
I've just returned from Ireland after spending time in East County Clare and with the group who signed up, more than a year ago, for the Ace Camp with Bea Peltre. As I sit at my computer in the dark wide awake very early in the day I am reminiscing about our time as I look through the photos.
This Ace Camp was all about the food and culture of Ireland as told through the styling of their food; desserts, produce, meats and cheese. It was also about adventuring through East County Clare, Ireland to visit small towns, charity shops, restaurants, pubs and other spontaneous journeys that unfold as they do.
Before I post some images of our trip I'd like to thank Bea Peltre for her help in making this Ace Camp such a success.
Thank you Bea and all that joined in and thank Alison Bell, who is a childhood (and adult) friend of mine, who came as our chef.
Welcome to St. Tola's Organic Goat Cheese Farm
left: a donkey who wandered on the property, top right: at St. Tola's Organic Goat cheese farm, bottom right: our lunch.
left: Shane telling us there's an eagle over yonder, top right: Bea at the pub (thanks to Shane who drove us there!, bottom right: our lunch spot.
top left: the ducks on the property, bottom left: a thrift store find, top right: the thrift store, bottom right: near the house.
left top: food left for the animals, left bottom: Alison in the kitchen, top right: Alison cooking, bottom right: our detour to the woollen mill.
Ace Camp | Suzanne Northcott | Puglia + Basilicata Italy
There are no words to express how beautiful the Masseria la Selva is - so, I'll say it in photos. View the photos from this Ace Camp Tour of Italy. View Now!
The Ace Camp with Suzanne Northcott + Tonio Creanza - (from Messors)
Let the adventure begin.
The motorcycle rider above escorted us to our trulli - we had a few days to hang out before the workshop began at the Masseria La Selva The owners of the trulli we were staying in - located just outside of Locorotondo - greeted us with food and wine, which, seriously, is a nice touch for weary travellers who has just arrived in Italy and have a tad of jet lag.
There are no words to express how beautiful the Masseria la Selva is - so, I'll say it in photos.
The food was incredible and the week was jam packed with learning about the area and visiting Matera, Gravina, Altamura, Francis Ford Coppola's hotel in Bernalda, walking with a sheep herder, sketching in fields of wheat, fresco making, wine tasting by the sea, a cheese making demonstration, learning to bake focaccia at a local bakery, an olive oil lecture, lunches outside at the masseria + in fields with a view of Matera and even - most fantastic - a dinner in an underground cave church with live music.
Oh, and the lunch at a local restaurant in Altamura was a lot of fun...great food, fennel liquor, walnut liquor, lively server, lively group.
I probably missed something - there was so much!
This type of adventure doesn't come around that often.
As I feel asleep the night before the final travel day I could hear some of the girls dancing and singing to Bob Marley in the dining room with the music full blast.
It was awesome.
A huge thank you to Tonio Creanza, Suzanne Northcott...now off to Goteborg, Sweden and the Ace Camp with Camilla Engman.
Angela
Ace Camp | Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico | 2012
Here are some photos of what we did and what we saw while at our Ace Camp in Pescadero, Baja, Mexico. La Paz, the Sea of Cortez, and much more. View Now!
I've just returned back to the snow in Whistler after spending a long time in Pescadero, Baja, Mexico. It was a busy time and started off with Ace Camp Baja and a group of very fine folks. Here are some photos of what we did and what we saw. I hope you like them!
One morning we all woke up very early to head to the beach to see if we could see the turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean. (Yes, for those in the know that IS Wilma - the dog - walking along with us)
image: Mark Fussell
image: Mark Fussell
One day we drove to La Paz to the sea of Cortez, hopped on a boat and searched for whale sharks.
image: Tif Fussell
image: Mark Fussell
...and then we found them and swam with them....
image: Mark Fussell
...a little shopping and sightseeing in Todos Santos was had.
...a little beach time with some surfing (attempts)...
image: Tif Fussell
We went to the graveyard on Dia de los Muertos.
image: Tif Fussell
...and we saw sunsets every night on the terrace.
Thank you to everyone who came to my house in Pescadero, Baja, Mexico. It was my most pleasure to spend time with you!
Ace Camp | Aran Goyoaga | Whistler, British Columbia
Take a look at some photos from our trip to Whistler and Pemberton in British Columbia, Canada. We had such a fantastic Ace Camp! Click here to learn more!
Well, well, well.... A most fabulous group of 12 people headed to my hometown for a workshop in food styling and photography with Aran Goyoaga a few weekends ago.
Our first day was at a private home where everyone had the opportunity to share in the process of cooking some of the food used for the photo shoots.
The next day we heading to North Arm Farm in Pemberton followed by a picnic in the high alpine of Whistler Mountain.
On the third day of the workshop we shopped at the farmer's market for food to use during the afternoon shoot and headed to the Alta Lake house for our final day. Farm in the valley against the backdrop of Mount Currie, gondola ride to the top of Whistler mountain, walk to Alta Lake and shopping at the Whistler Farmer's Market - such a fantastic Ace Camp we had!
Posted below are some of the photos showing you our journeys and workshop and listed below are the participant who took the images.
Aran wanted the participants (those who had websites and blogs) to post a story - here is my story...
A HUGE thank you to Aran Goyoaga and Nadia Dole - Aran's assistant, and quite frankly as it turned out mine as well - for coming to Whistler and sharing your excellent work and vision.
image: Megan Fleiner
slideshow images: Anna Naphtali
On the second day we got on a bus and headed to Pemberton and North Arm Farm.
image: Anna Naphtali
image: Mardi Michels
top row / Eva Dailberl / Mardi Michels / Melissa Quantz - bottom row / Melissa Quantz / Megan Mitchell / Megan Mitchell
images: Eva Dailberl
We took the gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain and ventured to our picnic spot and while Nadia made a fabulous heirloom tomato salad the girls took various food shots in the woods. (If you are on Instagram you can see more photos at #acecampwhistler) Everyone helped carrying our supplies as we walked in the mountains feeling like characters out of a movie - like The Sound of Music or something....
top: Melissa Quantz / middle: Melissa Quantz / bottom: Jodi Moreno
On the 3rd day we headed to the Whistler Farmer's Market for a photo shoot. Aran, Nadia and I bought some produce for our lake house lesson while the girls walked around taking some pretty awesome shots. Here are a few in a slideshow.
We hopped in some taxis and heading off to Alta Lake and following a 10 minute walk along the Valley Trail we made it to the Alta Lake House. This house is not accessible by car and is used for workshops and other programs in Whistler. It was a beautiful day on the lake that day and the light at the house and the dock was perfect for food photography.
Ace Camp | Camilla Engman | Goteborg, Sweden
Take a peek at some photos from our Ace Camp in Goteborg, Sweden. We had a wonderful time at the workshop – it was a pleasure to meet all of you. View photos!
Thank you, Camilla.
...and a most gracious thank you to all who traveled to Goteborg, Sweden for the workshop - it was such a pleasure to meet all of you.
Ace Camp | Suzanne Northcott | Marrakech + Essaouira
Check out some photos from our trip to Morocco. We tried different restaurants, shops, and much more. This was a super fun Ace Camp trip. View Photos!
I got home late last night after spending 9 days in Morocco. This time we stayed in the medina at Riad Majala so we could try different restaurants and be closer to the action. It's amazing how quiet it is a night considering all the hussle that goes on during the day. The group could shop when they wanted or head out to try a restaurant or get lost in the souks like I did more then once.
was our workshop leader and she taught travel journaling but as always with Suzanne she teaches much more. She lead us in yoga each morning which calmed everyone - as we listened to the "call to prayer" - she was generous with her time and guidance and she was open to experiencing all the sights, sounds and changes that occur when traveling with a group.
The souks are like a cement corn field with vendors shouting at you to visit their shop and you have to plow right through if you're not interested - even if you show the slightest interest in something they offer you may encounter the likes of assistance of "how many do you want", "my family made this in the mountains", "we have one in yellow, orange, green, blue, red and purple", "I offer you the most diplomatic price", "come in, come in, you only have to look" - and fifteen other renditions... At times you seek the only shop that will give you a moment to think for if they only knew that if they did that they may have your business...but that is shopping in the souks...and that is all part of it.
We ate at a variety of restaurants - Le Jardin, Terrace des Espices, Cafe des Espices, Al Fassia, in the Jemma el Fna, Villa Flore, Cafe Arabe and had a cooking class (sort of) followed by a meal in our riad. We also ate at Beldy in Essaouira (one of the most flavorful in my mind) after I set out on a mission to find a restaurant and ran into a German guide book writer who brought me there to make a reservation on his bike. (Thank you Lutz!)
The group ventured to Gueliz, Essaouira, Jardin Majorelle, museums, shopped the souks and had quiet, well instructed lessons from Suzanne. Yes, we saw goats in trees - and handed out tips to the goat herder or whatever he's called. (It's a tad of a touristy thing but still fun - correction - it's totally a touristy thing...but still fun)
We split up, shopped together, shopped on our own, met new friends and explored Marrakech. Some of the group arrived early and spent time in Paris, extra days in Marrakech and some stayed longer to explore Morocco and London. There were artists, lawyers, accountants, art administrators, travelers and seekers of gardens to name a few.
and we walked...and walked...and walked...and if we couldn't walk any longer we found our way back.
It was a great adventure and I thank Suzanne and all the ladies who joined in.
Tif Fussell | dottie angel dearies 2 | Seattle, Washington
Take a look at some photos from our trip to Seattle, Washington. We crafted, sewed, and saw the largest thrift store I have ever seen. Click here to learn more!
As Tif would say - "a peachy workshop, indeed".
A little thrifting after the most extraordinarily long taxi ride through downtown Seattle at rush hour on Friday to the largest thrift store I have ever seen in my life followed by two days of crafting and sewing. Thank you so much, Tif and thank you dearies 2 for coming from all over the U.S., Canada and even Holland.
These photos are images taken by
. I'll have mine up soon but am on my way to Morocco this very minute.
