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Liberty Hill Great House's spa and health food combination

Published:Friday | October 15, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Dr Blossom O'Meally-Nelson (left) signs copies of her book for Marcia Walker (centre) and Iva Walters-Baker. - photo by Carl Gilchrist

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner writer

There is new life in the 270-year-old Liberty Hill Great House in Lime Hall, St Ann.

Although the showers came and the turnout was small, nothing detracted from the main event as owner/managing director, Jennifer Kerr, opened the spa at the old pimento plantation on Sunday, October 10.

A scrumptious menu of items for for the health-conscious was prepared by Yvette Cross, who also doubles as massage therapist, and Olydia Cole, a food and nutrition teacher. Dr Blossom O'Meally-Nelson read poems from her recently published book, Heart Song.

The opening of the spa marked a new dimension in services offered at Liberty Hill. The facility now caters to the inner and outer you, with special emphasis being placed on health foods.

Said Kerr: "What we're doing is incorporating not just massages but a total experience, including food. We're into the mind, body, spirit and soul. Whatever you put inside your body shows on the outside; it does not matter if you get a facelift or tummy tuck, if you don't change your lifestyle you'll be right back where you started. Visitors to the spa who want to enjoy a salad can go out in the garden and help to select the ingredients."

The invigorating aroma of herbs, including rosemary, basil, pimento and lemon grass, hits you as you enter the spa, housed in the old helper's quarters of what was a slave plantation over two centuries ago.

The gathering was also treated to what Cross described as "living food", with curried plantain taking the spotlight. "We try to show that the living food, combined with the spa, keeps you healthy, enhances your beauty and makes you feel younger."

She explained that at Liberty Hill they incorporate natural products in food preparation.

Dr O'Meally-Nelson signed and sold copies of her book and read some of her poems for guests.