Retreat Dining: Nutritional Wisdom
Using taste as a tool to come back into health and balance is something the wisdom practices of India teach us. We serve tasty, healthy meals every day, made from scratch, using pure spices and ingredients to create simple, yet delicious vegetarian meals that form an integral part of your therapy and treatment.
The food served at Nirvana Wellness Retreat is supplemented by local and organically (as much as possible) grown vegetables often from our very own garden, our neighbours, friends or farmers in the surrounding area of the rich Beechmont mountain soil. Our dairy, which includes fresh, homemade yoghurt, milk and white cheese is sourced directly from from MacDonald's Farm, (Greg our dairy-farming neighbour). All bread and pastry items are made fresh and baked daily. Pure Nirvana spring water is used in all our cooking and specialty teas and spring water is available at each meal.
We offer delicious meals that help create health and vitality within each individual and for our planet. All our meals are self-serve, buffet and family-style and we work hard to balance our choices and variety of exclusive vegetarian food. Grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds and herb butters, salads, dressings, condiments, chutneys and desserts - everything is home made to feed you body, mind and spirit.
A balanced diet of natural foods and the six classic Ayurvedic flavour combinations that most people find satisfying and many foodies find exciting and when it comes to plants, following your taste buds is a healthy-enhancing idea and the best way to energise and revitalise you. Our team of experienced vegetarian cooks think beyond sugar and salt and play with the flavour palate of whole foods, zesty or bitter herbs, subtle spices and bright colours to create mouth-watering, scrumptious recipes, prepared from scratch, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. These are bursting with properties which protect against the imbalances that can led to cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions and are published in Shantiji's book entitled 'Food for Life'.
Sample menu:
Please note: The below menu does not reflect an Ayurvedic detox menu which consists of a strict diet tailored to suit each individual.
Dawn water
A hot drink of fresh ginger root and a dash of lemon in Nirvana spring water, and a sliver of aloe vera start your day.
Buffet breakfast
Creamy oat, millet or rice porridge, cereals, unpasteurised milk, naturally sweeted hot fruit compote, raw organic honey, home-made bread, fresh nut butter spreads and selection of herbal teas.
Buffet lunch
Freshly steamed basmati rice. Mouth watering lentils cooked in a delicious home-made sauce with mild spices, tomatoes and fresh herbs. Seasonal and nutritious gourmet vegetables. Just the smell of our vegetables will make you hungry.
Healthy and refreshing salads are served with our very own home-made dressing.
Dinner
Light, healthy and satifying soups served with home-made bread.
Desserts
Melt in your mouth home-made gluten free cupcakes, apple strudel, coconut and vanilla milk fudge, carrot halva, gourmet fresh fruit salads and much more.
Beverages
Premium herbal, fruit, organic and black tea.
Pure spring water.
Nirvana special blend chai.
Our Goal
Our goal is to enhance your individual immune systems to such a degree that your body becomes its own best physician. We avoid stimulants such as coffee, chocolate or alcohol. If you consume these, try to reduce your intake of them, so that a few days before you come you have eliminated them altogether. This will help you avoid withdrawal symptoms during your stay at retreat.
Need advice on personalising your diet to suit your body type?
Our Ayurvedic health professionals can provide dietary advice to suit your individual Ayurvedic constitution to help you address too much wind, or too much acid or fluid retention, eliminate contraindicated foods and favour fresh, wholesome and nourishing foods. Please donate any consumables you bring along with you to the kitchen. To enjoy the rewards of being fit and healthy, you need to eat properly.
