“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.”
A beautiful reflection on how food nourishes not just the body, but the heart and soul.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
The father of modern medicine emphasizes the healing power of food.
We believe that wholesome, organic, seasonal, local and nutritionally dense ingredients are the basic building blocks of healthy eating. We carefully prepare these ingredients to present delicious, healthy dishes.
Sourcing and farm to table experience
- Fresh & Seasonal Ingredients : Ayurveda emphasizes eating foods that are in season and freshly prepared. Fresh, organic produce is thought to have more life force (prana) and is easier for the body to digest. Fresh, local, and seasonal foods are aligned with nature’s rhythms and best suited to the body’s needs at different times of the year.
Respecting the Earth : Organic farming is designed to work in harmony with the environment. It focuses on promoting biodiversity, conserving water, reducing soil erosion, and minimizing pollution. By choosing organic foods, we support farming practices that protect the planet for future generations, reduce environmental degradation, and combat climate change.
- Organic and farm-to-table practices minimise exposure to harmful chemicals, artificial preservatives, and unnecessary additives, ensuring cleaner, safer food. Fewer toxins in the body support detoxification and promote overall health and longevity.
- By supporting sustainable agriculture, we contribute to a healthier planet, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same nourishing, high-quality food Farm-to-table practices ensure that food is sourced directly from local farms, often within hours or days of harvesting. This means the produce is fresher than foods transported long distances.
Cooking
- Ayurveda teaches that all foods have inherent qualities (gunas), which influence our minds and bodies. The three main gunas and Balancing the gunas through food helps to maintain mental clarity, emotional stability, and physical health.
- We believe that cooking is a meditative practice. At our retreat, the preparation of food is done with love, attention, and intention to nourish oneself and others. Food is believed to absorb the energy of the cook.
- Cooking with positive intentions enhances the prana (life force) of the food, making it more nourishing for those who eat it.
- Spices play a central role in Ayurvedic cooking. They are used not only for flavor but for their medicinal properties, aiding digestion and enhancing the body’s energy flow. Common Ayurvedic spices include turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, fennel, cinnamon, and cardamom.
- Spices help balance the doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha) and aid digestion, ensuring that the body absorbs the maximum nutrients from food.
Serving
- Ayurveda emphasizes the energy of food, and how it is served plays a key role. Serve meals with care, love, and gratitude for the ingredients, the cook, and the meal itself. Food served with positive energy and intention carries that vibration, enhancing the nourishment provided to those eating it.
- We believe in serving food in a way that reflects balance. Ideally, each meal should contain a variety of colours and food groups to provide a spectrum of nutrients and satisfy the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent). A balanced plate ensures that all the doshas are satisfied and that the body receives the full spectrum of nourishment.
- The space in which food is served and consumed should be clean, calm, and inviting. This enhances the experience and supports mindful eating.
Cooking workshops
At Adira Wellness Retreat, we are delighted to invite you to our Ayurvedic Cooking Workshop, where the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda meets the healing power of food. Ayurveda, the “science of life,” emphasizes balance and harmony in all aspects of life, including nutrition. This workshop is designed to introduce you to the rich and transformative world of Ayurvedic cooking, where food is not just fuel but a vital tool for nourishing the body, mind, and spirit.
What to Expect:
- Understanding Ayurveda and Its Impact on Food: Learn the foundational principles of Ayurveda, including the concept of the three doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—and how they influence your body’s unique needs.
- The Six Tastes: Explore the six tastes and their role in balancing your doshas for better digestion, detoxification, and vitality.
- Herbs and Spices: Learn how they can support digestion, enhance flavour, and bring healing properties to your meals.
- Seasonal Eating: Ayurvedic cooking emphasizes fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients to harmonize with your body’s changing needs throughout the year.
- Hands-On Cooking: You’ll learn how to make Ayurvedic-inspired meals, from soups and stews to energizing smoothies and herbal teas.
- Nourishing Mindful Eating: You’ll learn to cultivate a mindful eating practice, tuning in to the healing power of each bite.
Nutrition and Detox Workshop
Join us for our Detox Workshop, a transformative journey to reset, cleanse, and rejuvenate your body. In this workshop, we focus on the powerful healing process of detoxification, using natural, Ayurvedic methods to support your body’s innate ability to cleanse and restore balance.
What to Expect:
- The Role of Diet in Detox: We will guide you on how to design a detox-friendly diet using organic, whole foods that support your body’s detox pathways.
- Ayurvedic Detox Techniques: Learn ancient Ayurvedic detox practices such as oil pulling, herbal teas, and fasting.
- The Mind-Body Connection in Detox: You’ll also learn how to cleanse the mind and emotions through practices such as meditation, pranayama (breathwork), and mindful eating.
Empowering Transformation and Holistic Well-being
At Adira Wellness Retreat, we are excited to introduce our ACT and Lifestyle Workshop, designed to help you unlock your fullest potential by aligning your mindset, habits, and actions with your wellness goals. Led by Marjon Willems, a certified coach, nutritionist, and expert in holistic living, this workshop integrates the powerful ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) model with practical lifestyle strategies to create lasting change, balance, and well-being.