Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of the rainforest, the birds singing their morning song, and a gentle breeze as you open your windows to feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Welcome to another day on the Gwinganna mountain, of movement, nourishment, education and relaxation all whilst enjoying a gentle and deliciously gourmet detox.
What really is detox?
Practiced for centuries, detoxification is designed to eliminate toxins, and then to nourish the body; with the goal of improving immunity, sleeping patterns, energy levels, balancing hormones and supporting organ health. Gone are the days of traditional restrictive detox programs. Gwinganna’s Detox is one that has an emphasis on organic, whole seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. From vibrant salads picked fresh from the garden to macaroons with cashew cream for afternoon tea and delicious sticky orange ocean trout with bok choy and fennel for dinner, the Gwinganna Chefs and Nutritionists have crafted a menu with a taste sensory experience and with nutrition as a priority.
The truth is, our bodies are detoxing every day. Your kidneys and liver are working 24 hours/7 days a week, however, immersing yourself fully in a dedicated detox experience allows your lymphatic system and other organs the opportunity to work at an optimal level without the toxic overload we experience in everyday life.
Eating for the seasons
Embracing the concept of seasonal and locally grown eating, the Gwinganna Detox menu is abundant with locally sourced or grown on-site, fruits, and vegetables, along with organic poultry, and wild-caught fish, as well as a range of vegetarian alternatives. Winter produce like citrus fruits and sweet potatoes are featured throughout the winter menu ensuring each guest receives the highest nutrient profile with these vegetables served at the peak of their freshness. Fruits and vegetables are picked fresh in the morning when the air is crisp by our organic gardeners, washed and served to guests, offering a true garden-to-plate experience. All meals are 100% organic, gluten and dairy free, designed to improve digestion and detoxification, balance blood sugar levels, calm the nervous system and encourage restful sleep.
Some examples of our menu
Starting the day with warm ginger, and turmeric lemon tea encourages digestion, improved liver and kidney function and elimination, an important component of detoxification.
Enjoy a nourishing breakfast with the options of poached eggs, roasted pumpkin, sauerkraut, beetroot hummus, steamed broccolini, and dukkha, along with a brown rice porridge and seasonal vibrant fresh fruit.
After a morning of movement, relax in the dining room with a delicious lunch of marinated chicken breast, asian slaw, sesame and coriander dressing and cauliflower puree.
The evening brings another opportunity to nourish with a dinner of orange glazed ocean trout, tamari asian broth, bok choi, slow-roasted baby tomatoes and shitake mushrooms.
By including foods with a high nutrient profile, that supports a healthy gut and improves elimination; clearer skin, clarity of mind and boundless energy result.
Fermented food for a healthy gut
Gut health is a priority for all programs at Gwinganna, with Detox no exception. Chefs regularly incorporate homemade flavourful fermented foods like sauerkraut, miso and kimchi into the menu to encourage a healthy gut microbiome. Fermented foods not only taste delicious but are packed with strains of good bacteria, which enhances the immune system, increasing the bioavailability of nutrients and improving intestinal tract health.
Breakfast tip: Try Chef’s poached eggs, steamed broccoli, miso paste and corn puree for breakfast for a sustained energy start to the day.
Nourish your mind
Gwinganna aims to empower guests with knowledge and insights to incorporate into their lives when back at home. Daily educational wellness seminars focus on nutrition, stress resilience, and sustainable living, providing guests with highly practical strategies to maintain well-being beyond the retreat.
Nature immersion
There is nothing more invigorating than an early morning sunrise hike in crisp and clean mountain air!
Daily guided nature walks and hikes through the lush Gwinganna rainforest provide an opportunity to reconnect with nature. Choosing our range of movement options outside, not only allows you to experience the pristine mountain air, but also supports your lymphatic system to filter out waste products via moving your body, hydration and deep breathing.
Warming therapies and Cold immersion – the ultimate recovery in the Spa Sanctuary
Step into the warmth of the Infrared Sauna to increase your recovery and detox experience. Infrared therapy dilates the blood vessels, effectively increasing circulation throughout the body and detoxification at a cellular level. This helps eliminate heavy metals, environmental toxins and reducing inflammation. Ideal after a workout or if you experience any muscular tension, leaving you feeling lighter and more energized.
Enjoy an outdoor cold-water shower immersion after relaxing in the crystal-hot steam room. Cold water therapy is a great tool to improve the circulation of your blood, reduce inflammation, build pro-metabolic brown fat cells and create clarity of mind. Results are improved with the frequency of exposure. Try a blast of cold water after your hot shower to start to feel the benefits at home.
Rest
At Gwinganna the focus is not only on cleansing the body but also on allowing the mind to rest. Take a break from the digital world, switch off your phone, and enjoy the calm space on the retreat. Research has shown that as little as 25 minutes per day of screen time has a negative impact on melatonin, our sleep hormone.
We suggest gentle movement for the first few days, and as your energy levels begin to lift move toward the more dynamic options.
Various mindfulness practices like silent rainforest walks, yoga sessions and holistic therapies such as equine therapy, are offered in our unique Detox program to help calm the mind, leaving you feeling balanced and centred.
You may wish to curl up with a nourishing herbal tea by the fire in our cozy dining room, or choose a soothing experience in our spa sanctuary or perhaps simply lay on a soft blanket in the warm winter sun gazing at the clouds. You can do as much, or as little as you like.
Find out more about our Gwinganna detox retreats and reserve your place to experience the many benefits of detoxing.
