A view of Vedic Village

Spinach salad with sesame seeds, methi saag and plantain bharta, sprouted moong soup and mushroom casserole... You can now get your dose of wellness diet while chilling club class. Not greasy portions of chicken butter masala or large helpings of rich, cheesy bakes, but brown breads and root fibres, high-mineral rock salts and dry papaya seeds instead of black pepper.

In sync with its heal-and-have-fun motto, the focus at the leisure lair of the Vedic Village resort-cum-club is very much a wholesome, health-oriented cuisine, as opposed to the regular fare at any popular city social club. ?Most of our vegetables, wheat and the Badshabhog rice are grown on campus and the aim is to provide to members and guests high-fibre, low-fat food,? stresses M.J. Robertson, CEO, lifestyle division, Sanjeevani Group, developers of the unique back-to-nature property on Rajarhat Road, a 20-minute drive from the airport.

So, the chapathis are made from soya or whole-wheat flour and food in general is steamed or tossed in cold-press oil. Ground spices are never used and the property?s F&B committee ?takes great pains? to procure unprocessed spices.

Not just fresh lime soda, but concoctions like lime juice with rock salt, mint and brahmi drinks are encouraged, as are home-grown carrots, beans, radish and corn. ?We also use a lot of anti-oxidants like wheat-grass and lemongrass,? adds Robertson.

While the predominant organic element in the diet plays a key role in the structured ayurveda, wellness and detox packages at the resort-club, there?s much more to Vedic than its ripe recipes. Take a stroll on the walkways, ride a horse or a bullock cart or pedal a cycle-rickshaw.

The stress is on outdoor activities like flying a kite, walking along herbs or discovering the water, ?at your own pace?. The morning yoga classes are also attended by the resort?s general manager and the doctors of the therapeutic Sanjeeva Spa, housed within.

And most of those having used the health spa, vouch for the effectiveness of its therapies. ?I came here to receive ayurvedic treatment for my chest troubles and after having gone through it, I feel largely benefited,? painter Paritosh Sen writes in the comments register.

?The doctors? thorough, systematic approach, emphasis on patient education and regard for patient autonomy have won my complete confidence. I compliment their approach of addressing the root cause of the disease as opposed to merely treating symptoms,? writes a student.

With the existing 40 rooms and 25 farmhouses running at ?90 per cent occupancy even during summer?, the management has slipped into expansion mode. ?We are targeting 150 rooms and 12 ethnic villas in the form of mud-houses by this winter,? declares Robertson.

With a trip to the North American Bengali Conference at Madison Square Gardens, New York City planned as well, the international marketing has begun in earnest. Vedic, keen to position itself as an international resort-tourism destination, is also going to the UK to scout for travel partners.