HAPPY GUT IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
Wellness begins from the inside
I’ve suffered from indigestion, bloating, eczema, acne, low moods and zero energy for years, so it was a relief when nutritionist Daniel O’shaughnessy of Bodhimaya proposes I have gut problems, triggered by stress and multiple antibiotics. At least something can be done. The ‘heal your gut, heal everything else’ ethos is at the heart of this wellness retreat, headed by Daniel and his brother Cornelius. Home for the duration of my stay is a 16th-century mansion fit for a modern-day Marie Antoinette (near neighbours were the one-time Jolie-pitts). For three days I swap solid food for juices, rosemary tea, bone broth and soup, flooding my body with liquid goodness while giving it a break from digesting fibre, so it can turn its energy to healing itself. Solid food is reintroduced gently, without gluten, dairy or meat.
The first two days are hard. I’m not hungry but have headaches and wild bowel movements, feeling freezing as my metabolism slows. The lack of mealtimes means the days stretch on for ever, but meditation helps fill the time and Yin yoga becomes a soothing sunset ritual. I come back exhausted and sweaty from daily group hikes, my fidgety body calmed by a hot bath or a massage. I’ve been warned I’ll feel low, but knowing this means I can sit out my irritability rather than pushing it away. When tears come during meditation, it feels like an emotional release. As a group, we share relationship, family and health woes; new perspectives are given and overall it’s hugely therapeutic.
As we count down to solids, juices have started to feel the norm, but my first smoothie bowl with berries and charcoal (for digestion) tastes incredible nonetheless. Lunch is a macadamia nut salad and dinner is sea bass with sweet potato mash, heritage tomatoes and greens with a chive dressing: all magically delicious.
My energy levels over the final few days are sky high, my eczema has disappeared and I’ve lost four pounds. Daniel advises no gluten or dairy for the next few weeks, as well as limited alcohol and regular snacks to balance my blood sugar. Since then, I have returned to gluten with no adverse effects. I’m calmer and lighter, physically and emotionally. Happy gut, happy me. SARAH ILSTON
HAPPY AT HOME
Soak nuts overnight to soften them and make them easier to digest (apart from cashews, which are soft enough)