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Meet the Owners!  Kim and Big John . . .

    Kim was raised in the small agricultural community of Nevada, Iowa.  She studied 4 and a half years at the U of Iowa to get her bachelor's in Social Work, focus in anthropology. Working for the family business after college, she obtained her real estate license and spent time as President of the Central Iowa Board of REALTORS.  Traveling and learning about other cultures has continued to be of strong interest (the Middle East was quite an experience!) and she makes great efforts to get her hubbie off his home-bound patootie to go explore exotic locales ("he hadn't even seen the OCEAN until I dragged him outta Iowa on our honeymoon, sheesh!"). 

     Big John was born in Des Moines and raised his three daughters in the tiny town of Maxwell, Iowa while working for the schools in maintenance and driving school bus for Special Ed kids. Before meeting Kim in 1995, John drove up to Hackensack, MN during the summers to manage Pleasant Pines Resort, fulfilling a childhood dream of working at a fishing resort in the "northwoods".  An organic gardener for years, his longtime interest and gifts in the holistic healing field have been supported and shared by Kim and now . . . . . . 

    John & Kim have been reflexologists for collectively 42 years. They bring clinical experience gained from clients in Iowa, Minnesota, Alaska and Hawaii and have perfected a technique based on the teachings of Mildred Carter, Herbal Healing Academy, Dwight C. Byers and the Original Ingham Method at the International Institute of Reflexology.

John and Kim feel very blessed that their path in life lead them to this healing modality and intend to help people attain responsibility for their own health. They have a passion for educating folks in respecting and "listening" to what their body tells them. In addition to reflexology, their background includes extensive studies of Cell-Release Therapy (tm), Rebalancing & Pulsing (tm), yoga, breathwork, meditation, acupressure, aromatherapy, massage, nutritional health, counseling, and psycho-somatic correlations.

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(The following is an article published in TC WELLNESS, June 2002.  Here's a photo of us at one of our Potluck Luaus.  There's Terry, ex-owner & handyman, then Big John, me in purple, and young Adam, who keeps the beach and grounds clean and groomed all summer, bless his teeny-bopper heart!)

Welcome to our dream! I’m Kim Bowen of Crow Wing Crest Lodge, a vacation resort nestled into the “northwoods” of Minnesota. My husband, John, and I wake up every morning feeling overwhelmingly blessed to be finally living our dream on peaceful 11th Crow Wing Lake within the healing embrace of Mother Nature. It took us three years to find this jewel of a resort, but it was worth the wait. Now that we’re in the “flow” even the inevitable “surprises” that surface seem like happy ones; (like finding an underground sprinkler system that recycles lake water onto the lawns!)

The previous owners had taken excellent care of the place, one being a master craftsman who remodeled or created new cabins with fragrant knotty pine interiors, and hand made tables and doors made from wood on site. Even the oldest cabins are comfy with modern bathrooms and fully equipped kitchens.

The 100 year old lodge was an added bonus with much history in the logging venue and the lake is the headwaters of a famous chain of fishing lakes (the Crow Wing Lakes and River also make for some of the best canoeing around). Less than a three hour drive from the Twin Cities, the location couldn’t be better within the “heart” of vacation land. Although one is surrounded by forest in a cabin by the lake, a tiny town is only a mile away with any necessities needed. Within a few miles, there are other surprising attractions: Itasca State Park, bald eagle nesting grounds, golf courses, horseback riding, a paved 28 mile bicycle trail, museums and quite a variety of restaurants.

People have traditionally visited the area for fishing or family get-togethers, and we hope to continue to cater to these folks, but also offer more opportunities in the holistic healing field to expand not only their enjoyment on vacation, but to attract new guests and groups for those interested in exploring their own healing of the body, mind and spirit.

2001 was our first season here at CWC, but we were not new to the business. John and I managed a resort about 20 miles away from here for several seasons in the mid-90’s and enjoyed it so much we decided to find our own someday. What we liked most about the experience was seeing intergenerational families and friends getting together to connect with each other, having fun and making memories. We laughed as adults “let their hair down” and played like kids again - often with their own children, truly enjoying themselves. They taught their young’uns to fish, they watched the serenity of a soaring eagle in awe, listened to a haunting loon song and breathed in the fresh resin scent of balsam and birch . . .  

. . . Friends got together around a campfire and related stories, witnessed shooting stars and roasted marshmallows. The simple things in life were being appreciated in a way they often said they couldn’t find in the hectic hustle bustle of “real life“. We realized that this vacation time was the most important week of the year for many people. It is a remarkable tool for stress relief and an opportunity for connection with oneself and others.

While our path led us away from Minnesota for several years, we learned much from our travels to Alaska, Hawaii, and our home state of Iowa. We were able to focus and improve upon our own holistic healing skills. John had been practicing reflexology for 30 years and since I met him ten years ago, I’ve also become a reflexologist and developed a passion for aromatherapy.

As reflexologists, in 1999, we were invited to become part of an international research grant studying the effects of "integrated medicine" at Grinnell Hospitals in Iowa. The goal was to determine how effective holistic therapies like these were in a clinical setting and if they could be "integrated" into the western medicine field (hospitals) of today. Could doctors accept and work with practitioners in these fields? A resounding "YES" was the answer to this well received year long study. We believe the results will help go a long ways towards health insurance acceptance and become wellness therapies every doctor will soon recommend instead of discard out of dis-information.

Hoping to incorporate our holistic healing skills into a vacation resort led to Crow Wing Crest Lodge, where it was being successfully run as a traditional family summer vacation resort with a few fishing groups in the spring and fall. We’ve continued running CWC as a kid friendly family summer resort, but we now have added the further enhancements of reflexology, healing touch, bodywork, aromatherapy, drumming circles, yoga, chakra connection, etc. as guest interest dictates, so that it now has even more to offer guests to help them connect and relax in body, mind, and spirit.

We organize two Relaxation Retreat Weekends a year now which have been wonderfully successful.  We have had lots of fun with women's groups of all kinds - especially now that we've built luxurious Retreat Cabin #19!  We welcome scrap bookers, sewing clubs, family groups, high school reunions, yoga retreats, massage classes, herbal workshops, etc. to schedule off-season events here when the woods are quiet, the leaves start turning and the waters reflect nature's beauty. The lodge is a great place for meetings and with 19 cabins, can accommodate small or large groups.

We learn to love CWC more every day, there’s always something new to experience: a pair of tundra swans grazing weeds 20 feet from shore stopping here for a day on their way north, a porcupine lumbering across the road, a mink stealing minnows out of our bait bucket, a dozen loons having a yodeling contest at three in the morning, the lady slippers and trilliums peeking out to show off their color, the northern pike fish valiantly wriggling their way up the tiny brook to spawn, a new melodious bird song to identify, the laughable antics of wild baby ducks, or having a fuzzy little chipmunk bravely take a peanut from your hand. The air is fresh and crisp, and the Milky Way glows a shiny swath across an evening sky. The water sparkles when rippling, and often, especially at sunset, it’s smooth as glass and just as serene. Just to simply “be” here is a simple pleasure in life we love to share with others.

We warmly invite you to come play with us and to experience relaxation for yourself in nature‘s arms. Dreams do come true and we are living proof. May you find the courage and strength to follow your own path in life, too. ----Kim & Big John

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 What is reflexology?

Reflex[l[gy

. . .  is a science dealing with the principle that there are reflex areas in the hands and feet that correspond directly with all organs, glands and rest of the body.

What will a reflexology session entail? A reflexologist, using only his/her hands, will use specific physical techniques on a client's foot or hand to activate all reflex areas, working within the clients' comfort level. An average session lasts about 50 minutes. It should not cause pain (please inform your reflexologist of any discomfort ALWAYS as it will not only better pinpoint problem areas, but also further your enjoyment).  

What will reflexology do for me?

• Reflexology will relieve stress and tension: Most of the medical establishment today links 75% or more of health problems to nervous STRESS. Stress increases hormone levels in the body, decreasing your immune system. When you are tense, your muscles contract, cutting off the supply of blood and oxygen to your cells.
• Reflexology will improve nerve an blood supply and promote the unblocking of nerve impulses: There are over 8000 nerve endings in each foot. In a reflexology session, these nerve endings are activated and relaxed several times. This brings more blood to each cell of your body. The blood carries oxygen to the cells. Studies have shown that disease cannot live in an oxygen rich environment.
• Reflexology will help nature to normalize: It will help your body help heal itself. It will not make any condition more acute, making it a very safe and effective way to better health.

How many reflexology sessions will I need? Everyone is different. You are the best judge.  Many people experience health responses to a session; such as being very tired, or feeling very energized; having the sinuses drain, or having to urinate frequently for a day or two afterwards. (Remember to drink a lot of water, especially after a session to help your body flush the toxins out properly.) These are actually excellent signs that your body is responding to reflexology. You know your body better than anyone else. Listen to it, and let it guide you into taking care of it.

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IONIC DETOX FOOT BATH

Clinical benefits reported from results of users:

1. Increased joint movement
2. Joint pain relief from arthritis
3. Better sleep
4. Better well being
5. Increased energy

We've had lots of fun with this new health and well being machine!  Basically a person places their bare feet into a tub of salted water, we wrap a charcoal belt around their wasteline that emits infrared heat, then we drop an ionic head into the water and turn on the machine.  Within a few moments the water will start turning colors depending on which area of the body is letting toxins release (i.e. if the water turns orange, it generally means that you had lots of toxins in your joints).   It's fun in a rather gross way to see what happens to the foot water in different people, ha!  We've seen black water, green, brown, bubbles, foam, greasy stuff on the top - and more.  There's a booklet you can read while you're soaking to see which water effects correlate to which body parts.

Precautions:

1. People who have battery operated implants (i.e. pace makers) should never have a session
2. Anyone who has received an organ transplant should never have a session
3. Pregnant women or nursing women should not have a session
4. Children younger than 8 years old should not use this
5. People who have low blood sugar should eat before their session
6. Highly recommended for persons using high quantities of tobacco or alcohol
7. Highly recommended for persons with low immunity
8. Highly recommended for persons who have high stress
9. Highly recommended for persons who use excessive oils for cooking
10. Highly recommended for persons with diabetes, hypertension, high blood sugar, rheumatism, or arthritis

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 Rates of Services:

Reflexology Session with Big John:  $35 hour

Bodywork Session with Big John:  $45 hour

Ionic Detox Foot Bath $25 session (approx. 30 minutes)

Aromatherapy Classes:  Free as a guest (Tuesday mornings at 11 in summer)  or talk to Kim about the possibility of her teaching at your local group meeting (i.e. Red Hat Society, Book Club, Church ladies gathering, quilters club, etc.)

Aromatherapy Products & Gifts:  - click here

Drum Circles:  As a guest, drum circles are a free activity on Wednesday evenings in summer (and at Spring Healer's Retreat).  For area residents:  yes, we may be willing to bring our drums and percussion pieces to your gathering for a drum circle.  No experience is required.  It's a very good way to connect a group together, plus it's FUN.  We'll bring the big buffalo drum and dozens of other smaller drums and pieces (about 30-40 pieces) for a stipend fee of $50 plus mileage. 

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CANCER - Big John and I have worked on numerous folks experiencing some kind of cancer.  We also have several personal family incidents we'd be happy to share stories about.  We highly recommend learning about natural treatments and these two websites are our absolute favorites:

www.outsmartyourcancer.com - We sell these books "Outsmart Your Cancer" at the resort, or you can order them on-line direct from this website.  VERY INFORMATIVE!  With all kinds very useful common cancer questions and clinically proven alternative cures.  (Books are $19.95, plus $5.95 shipping)

"Outsmart Your Cancer" combines an exhaustive coverage of all the main alternative cancer therapies, together with an easily read writing style with many excellent case studies. If you want to consider using Alternative and Complementary Medicine for yourself or a loved one’s cancer, this is the book to read first!”
– W. John Diamond, M.D., H.M.D., F.A.A.M.A., co-author of “An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Cancer

www.herbalhealer.com - We have ordered many items from Dr. McCain and this website over the years.  We really trust that the herbs and tinctures obtained here are of the highest, organic quality.  The most popular item we order is 4-Herb Tea (a.k.a. Essiac Tea*** or "Anti-Cancer Tea" as my Grampa calls it - and he's a walking miracle because of it --ask us about his story.  Surf around this site, there are lots of testimonials and information on other herbal remedies.)  ----Kim

***Here are two more links to websites explaining the 100 year history of Essiac Tea (4-Herb Tea) and Nurse Rene Caisse who healed hundreds and hundreds of people of cancer with this herbal recipe at her free clinic in Canada.  http://www.essiacinfo.org   and   http://www.cancer-info.com/essiac.htm