Health on Holiday...

As important as a Holiday is for everyone - so too is good health for a longer and more enjoyable life.
There are a myriad of Health Challenges confronting us all in the 21st Century - not the least of which being Gluten, Lactose and Glucose intolerance. These 'health - challenges' loom large for a significant proportion of the World's population today , with there being so many more people living difficult and uncomfortable lives - due to either misdiagnosis or a lack of diagnosis.
Gluten and Lactose intolerance plays a significant part in diseases like Celiac Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Crone's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Diverticulitis to name only a few. Research conducted by Dr. Alessio Fasano, Medical Director of Maryland's Centre for Celiac Research, and Dr. Peter Green, Director of the Celiac Disease Centre [both in USA] and author of ' Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic' :- indicates between 5% and 10% of all people may suffer from a Gluten Insensitivity of some form. " We have not seen a number tallied or calculated to suggest how many people have a Gluten Insensitivity, but are not aware of it - since only 1 in 4,700 who suffer from Celiac Disease have actually been diagnosed. You can imagine how the number is even worse when you include the undiagnosed cases of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity [NCGS]. To further complicate matters, recent findings indicate that many people with Gluten Intolerance, but not Celiac Disease, may have a different form of the Disease altogether". In the past, it had been assumed that there were different degrees of Gluten Sensitive Conditions, however, a new study published by the BMC Journal in early 2011, suggests that there is a form of Gluten Sensitivity that is medically different from Celiac Disease - and none of this takes into consideration the confusion over 'Gluten Allergy Symptoms'.....
The following data has been sourced from the National Digestive Diseases Information website - pertaining to the USA population today, called 'USA Today' :
Total number Lactose Intolerant = 33%
Total percentage of adults that have a decrease in Lactose Activity = 75%
Total percentage of people able to maintain ability to digest Lactose after childhood = 40%
With this kind of information in mind, Senior Management at the Muri Beach Club Hotel decided that to provide their Guests with not only a more healthy, but also a more authentic Pacific / Polynesian Cuisine;- in contrast to the often offered dishes originating from other [and often cooler ] Countries. " Although a Steak and Kidney Pie or Vienna Schnitzel may be delicious, it is clearly not as 'irresistible' in the Tropics at 40 plus degrees Celsius ......" says Erika Bult, Operations Manager and Executive Chef.
Months of research into the dishes served throughout the Pacific Island Region verified the belief that this was the right food for the climate; but also, more importantly, unearthed significant factual and anecdotal evidence that pointed to the Pacific / Polynesian Cuisine being extremely healthy. "It's all in the use of 'whole', organic and raw products - plus the frequent use of slow cooking methods' " says Erika " "The food ingredients are packed with vitamins, trace elements and antioxidants.....real energy-food " she adds enthusiastically.
It is therefore with no surprise that in June 2012, after completing this research, The Muri Beach Club Hotel wholeheartedly embraced the Pacific / Polynesian Cuisine under the new branding SilverSands - making it the first establishment in the Cook Islands to take on this Cuisine Speciality " Of course our chefs are capable of cooking the more Cosmopolitan dishes, but this is only done upon request, and for a specific event or wedding group etc. - however, these requests are in reality few and far between, as our Guests seem to prefer the Pacific food with the other Pacific Experiences that they have especially come here to enjoy " she adds.
The most exciting 'bonus' to incorporating the Pacific / Polynesian Cuisine has been the discovery that these dishes are more often than not, perfectly suited to Guests who have Gluten, Lactose and Glucose issues. For an example, over 90% of the dishes on the lunch and dinner menus are Gluten and Lactose free - with the different dishes bearing the Gluten or Lactose code mark alongside, thereby providing Guests the reassurance they are looking for when eating away from their home environment. "Wheat flour is surpassed by the consistent use of Maniota [arrowroot] flour; and dairy products like cream and milk are unnecessary where the coconut tree is prolific.... Cane sugar is not indigenous to the Pacific Region, and with bounty of organic Tropical Fruit available - the naturally occurring sweetness in the fruit's Fructose and / or the clever use of fresh ginger, make for suitably delicious cane-sugar substitutes...." says Erika. " With the only treatment for Celiac Disease and many of the other large and small intestinal diseases being a Gluten Free Diet - a menu primarily excluding the use of Gluten, seemed the responsible and more 'caring' course of action on behalf of our Guests".
To further assist Guests at the Muri Beach Club Hotel with their menu choices, a small pamphlet has been compiled entitled ' The Nutritional Benefits of the Polynesian Cuisine'. This pamphlet is given to Guests not only to take home with them as a souvenir , but also to hopefully continue to assist them with their dietary choices in the future.
Bearing in mind those that may have concerns about the 'Health Focus' of the foregoing, Erika makes a point of assuring one and all that for those that love the 'naughty' savoury treats - the Muri Beach Club Hotel still prepares Beef Burgers [albeit pure ground organic beef], super-fresh Game-Fish Burgers, finger-licking good BBQ Pork Spare Ribs, the best and biggest 'aged' char-grilled Steaks, Wickedly Tempting Desserts, Ice-Creams and of course those all-time favourites - French Fries plus Spicy Potato Wedges etc.

Fitness and Fun in the Sun.....!

Our Guests at the Muri Beach Club Hotel are encouraged to take part in Yoga and Pilates on the beach or some Pool-Aerobics - all intended to work up a healthy appetite for our ever popular Tropical Buffet Breakfast. What a great start to the day !
Additional to these 'a la carte' early morning work-outs [ available for groups of 4 persons or more at $20.00 per person], our Fitness Guru, Brun Acheson, is also available upon request for private one-on-one 1 hour Fitness, Yoga or Pilates classes. The fee for these private sessions is $60.00, and these are especially popular for our Guests that have recently undergone surgery or have old injuries that require specialised as well as focussed exercises to assist with pain relief and /or muscle or ligament rehabilitation .
For the less energetic, or for those that would benefit from a massage work-out, we have our two in-house masseurs, Sophie and Sara, who are available to work their magic in our Spa Treatment Rooms, adjacent to the Pool Courtyard. The rates for this service are $40.00 for 30 mins and $80.00 for 60 mins . A special 3 x 1 hour massage course is available exclusively to our in-house Guests - at only $100.00. This 3 x 1 hour massage course seems to be especially popular with our Guests that are needing to de-stress from their intellectually active and perhaps physically sedate lives back home, and derive an immediate benefit from the 're-activation' of their Lymphatic System.

Learn to Sail and so much more

The Muri Beach Club Hotel has become the first in the Cook Islands to have its own in-house Sailing School.  Ken Kingbusy, local resident and Sailor extraoridinair is now available exclusively to our Guests for one on one lessons for those that need a refresher sailing session, as well as for those who have absolutely no previous experience whatsoever.
The outer island reef that surrounds Rarotonga, provides for a delightful and safe enviornment for all manner of water-sports, and the lake-like smooth seawater inside the Lagoon is perfect for learning to sail. 

Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative...

The Muri Beach Club Hotel now offers water proof fish cards (attached) which are a fantastic souvineer, but more than this, it allows one to compare fish and sealife while in the lagoon. Additionally it highlights the hot spots around the island to dive and snorkel. The rate cards are available at the gift shop for $14 each and all proceeds support shark, turtle & lagoon research and education in the Cook Islands.