This is a whole-food-based program, so no juicer or fancy kitchen equipment is required for this cleanse. Although Lainie will share with you some of her favourite Juice and smoothie recipes for the days you would like to go lighter. The only tools you’ll need are your favourite knife, a few cooking pots, an oven/stovetop, and an open mind! While on retreat you will learn how to make all recipes for the cleanse in both a Thermomix and conventional method to complete your cleanse experience.

Kitchari is an ancient healing combination of mung beans, rice and spices. Eaten at times when the immune system is compromised or for special seasonal cleansing purposes, you can think of kitchari as the Ayurvedic (and vegetarian!) equivalent to chicken noodle soup. Nourishing for mind, body and soul, kitchari kicks up the metabolism and immune system. This simple one-pot meal is easy to make and to digest, allowing the body to use less energy on digestive functions, and more on clearing and metabolizing ama (toxins) from the body. The combination of rice and mung beans makes a complete protein, meaning you will get enough nutrients to sustain a restful daily routine from this dish alone. The spices like ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin and fennel, are anti-inflammatory and cleanse the blood, burn up toxins and improve Agni. It is also alkaline for the body, assisting in lowering the acidity of the blood and creating overall balance in our bodies.

A simple Ayurvedic cleanse aims to balance Agni. Agni, means fire, and in this case directly refers to our metabolic fire, the strength of our ability to digest what we take in. This includes our diet, of course, but also our experiences in life. A simple way to improve Agni is to cleanse eating lightly for short periods of time. This cleanse uses principles of Ayurveda to help you get back in touch with your body, teaching you the fundamental tools for boosting digestion, creating a healing plant-based diet, and holistic body care techniques to keep the body, mind, and spirit balanced through the winter. In this three-week cleanse, you’ll learn the in-depth knowledge of holistic nutrition and seasonal wellness through a weekend retreat and face to face workshops that guide you through a whole food plant-based cleanse. You’ll also learn simple yoga practices to balance the body and boost digestion, meditation tools to take with you even beyond your cleanse. By the end of this 3-part cleanse, you’ll leave feeling clean, clear and strong as you kick off the new season.