When Food Becomes Care—Reflections On The Eat To Thrive Retreat

Retreats are often approached through a central goal. An opportunity to explore a new modality. Entering a space that creates an environment in which we can re-centre ourselves, calm our nervous systems. Search for community, or perhaps even solitude, through reflection.

It is this initial intention that shapes the experiences that we enter, and ultimately, what we hope to take with us when we leave.

For our recent Eat to Thrive Retreat this past July, our guests arrived hoping to deepen their relationship with food, expand their knowledge and skill sets around intuitive cooking rooted in Ayurvedic philosophies, and reconnect with their bodies through the healing properties of plant-based cuisines.

“I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect retreat! I learnt so much. I often think back on all the elephants that we saw, or belly laughing with the girls on all the inside jokes that formed.”

Behind the Scenes of a Sashwa Signature Retreat:

Eat to Thrive started Thursday afternoon around 15:00 pm. Guests arrived one by one, flowing through each corner of camp as Emily our front of house elegantly guided them through what would temporarily become their new home.

“The space was beautifully curated; the rooms are so comfortable and lots of different spaces to allow each person some privacy and quiet time.”

Their schedule followed an arrival day lunch, afternoon retreat induction, and a game drive, settling into life along the river.

Throughout their stay, they took part in intimate classroom sessions filled with curiosity and laughter as they built their kitchen skills and expanded their recipe repertoire.

Leafy green risottos, fluffy low-glycemic seed breads, and hearty, nutrient-dense soups were among the most loved mentions.

“Deeply nourishing! So, so grateful for the quality of ingredients and the love the food was crafted with.”

Between early sunrise meditations on the deck, awakening slowly with each breath as the brisk air caressed their cheeks while listening to the vibrant songs of the bush; game drives beaming with excitement, anticipation and spirited camaraderie; or the quiet moments of reflection, Chef Arabella Parkinson facilitated each and every moment of their stay with thoughtful intention interwoven into each experience.

Food Meditation:

How do we experience food when you can’t see it?

The retreat ended by spending their final morning thoughtfully experiencing texture and taste through a blind folded food meditation.

Gathered on a picnic blanket beneath a five-hundred-year-old Jackalberry tree, Chef Arabella guided each participant through an immersive blindfolded tasting. Each plate burst with succulent flavours, textures, and aromas.

The experience settled them into the present moment. Asking them to trust and lean into each sensation. A bite, initially crisp, slowly melts into a creamy texture. Hints of zest lighten the palate, followed gently by complementary herbs and spices.

Each plate tasted evoked a deeper appreciation for the meal prepared. Through this intentional connection between food and body, guests found an elegant sufficiency after smaller portion sizes.

“The food meditation was so effective because I mindlessly eat in everyday life. To capture each taste and feeling was so profound for me.”

When Food Becomes Care:

The most meaningful experiences aren’t necessarily the most obvious ones.

Moments of spontaneity became a profound part of the Eat to thrive experience. A morning could begin with movement and end with an afternoon spent watching the river, discussing perspectives surrounding food.

A game drive could start with intentions rooted in nature education and evolve into new friendships built on shared food philosophies and infectious laughter.

“I loved the chats we shared every night, everything from intermittent fasting to food security, veganism to ancestral knowledge, we chatted and shared and learned SO MUCH from each other. And Arabella was the ultimate food shaman.”

A meal becomes an opportunity to slow down and re-attune to your body. Finding presence and appreciation through each bite.

“I have re-centred my mind back on what I’m putting in my body. I was eating to survive before, I’m thinking about the fundamentals of food again and consciously trying to help my body recover.”

Eat to Thrive changed the way we engage with food. When we understand how food nourishes our mind and body, eating becomes more than another task; it becomes self-care, an opportunity to build community, and a way to reclaim autonomy.

A retreat may only last a few days, but the things we learn about ourselves during that time can stay with us for much longer.

Do you feel called to join Eat to Thrive next year?

We haven’t officially launched just yet, but we’d love to hear from you.

24–29 June 2027