Dietary Guidelines

DIETARY GUIDELINES

One of the most important aspects of preparing for the work is adhering to a honored tradition of following a special diet in order to prepare not just the body, but also the mind and soul to incorporate the healing energy and cleaning that will come. This diet also shows the spirit of the plants your intention, and is a test of discipline and commitment.

The central aspects of the diet we follow are common to the teachings of the traditions. In the case of some of the food restrictions, there is also definitive scientific evidence that they are essential for safety. We advise you to begin the diet at least two weeks before a retreat and to continue the diet for at least two weeks after the last ceremony. It is essential to continue the diet to ensure the icaros you have received and any possible plant remedies you are prescribed, are given sufficient time to integrate.

Any food prepared during a retreat is lovingly prepared by our cooks who provide you with a well rounded, healthy and plentiful diet throughout your stay whilst adhering to the essential restrictions.

PRE-RETREAT RESTRICTIONS

At least 2 weeks prior, please abstain from:

Pork
Alcohol
Cannabis
ALL street drugs (cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines, etc.) – obligatory for your safety and for the possible energetic impact on other guests

Within 5 days, please abstain from:

Sexual activities of any kind, including masturbation
Spicy foods (chilli, garlic, onion, leek etc)
Reﬁned sugars
Red meat
Junk foods
Salt or pepper
Sweets or chocolate
Oils (if you must use oil, use olive or coconut oil very sparingly)
Animal fats (lard, etc.)
Carbonated drinks (including diet sodas, energy drinks, non-alcoholic beer)
Dairy products
Fermented foods like soy sauce, fermented tofu, krout
Caffeine & other stimulants
Spicy/Strong Pungent Foods (onion, garlic, chilli, leek, spring onion etc)
Aspartame
Nutritional supplements like protein powders etc
Foods high in tyramine (over ripe avocado, over ripe banana, aged cheeses, fermented foods etc)

By eliminating the above from your diet, you will prepare your body physically for the journey, and perhaps also reducing the amount of “purging” needed to clean your physical body. In addition to the physical aspects, by showing your commitment and determination to the master plants, you are creating the foundations of your relationship with them and offering them the respect which is essential for this work.

THE FOLLOWING FOODS ARE APPROVED AND OK TO EAT IN THE LEAD UP TO THE RETREAT

Proteins: eggs, organic free-range chicken, wild-caught mild fish (sole, tilapia, halibut, trout, snapper), lentils, beans
Grains: brown rice, lentils, quinoa, millet, wheat berries, amaranth, gluten-free pasta, whole wheat, Spelt, Kamut
Veggies: ALL vegetables EXCEPT onions, garlic, leek and spring onion.
Fruits: berries, grapes, bananas, peaches, apricots, apples, pears, mango, nectarine, papaya, pineapple, watermelon.
Raw nuts + seeds: all nuts (except peanuts), raw hemp seeds, chia seeds, nut butter (unsalted, except peanut)
Beverages: Herbal teas, coconut water, nut milk, water
Fresh herbs: basil, oregano, thyme, sage, dill, coriander, parsley, etc.
Mild spices: cumin, coriander, dill, sage, turmeric
Mylks/Yoghurts: coconut milk, coconut yoghurt, cashew cream, almond milk, macadamia milk, rice milk etc.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE

Please contact us if you are currently taking any medication or supplements and are unsure about the possible implications (these can be found on our medical guidelines page).

If you will be menstruating during the retreat, please inform your facilitators when you arrive. If you have a period cup this is the best for ceremony to help contain the energy of the blood, but not essential if you are uncomfortable with using one.
This work is not compatible with pregnancy.
Avoidance of synthetic soaps, perfumes, toiletries, etc.

POST-RETREAT RESTRICTIONS

For 3 days afterwards, please abstain from:

Sexual activities of any kind, including masturbation
Spicy foods (chilli, garlic, onion etc)
Alcohol
Sexual activity of any kind
Refined sugars
Red meat
Junk foods
Salt & Pepper (limit intake)
Dairy products
Fermented foods
Strong stimulants like caffeine etc.

For 2-4 weeks afterwards, please abstain from:

Pork
Cannabis and all plant medicines
Massage and energetic work
ALL street drugs (cocaine, LSD, MDMA, amphetamines, etc.)

The healers recommend following a healthy diet for the time after the retreat to continue on allowing your body to adjust to the work and healing from the ceremony space.

Critical Note – Due to a very limited number of past guests who have not adhered to dietary restrictions after leaving a workshop, we need to re-emphasize that maintaining the diet is an absolutely essential factor in the healing process. The three most fundamental restrictions after a workshop are street drugs (cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, etc), sexual activity and pork. If a guest decides to not adhere to this critical advice after leaving, we cannot be held liable for the consequences (which can be psychological and energetic damage).

Please consider the work of the healers like a “healing mirror” that is delicately woven onto the system of our guests. In the first two weeks immediately before a retreat, if the three key restrictions are not adhered to, then the mirror can be smashed. To repair the mirror and the potentially fractured psyche is then a more difficult process.