Our brand new retreat welcomes Zest Life chef Aimee to centre stage. Over the years so many of you have asked for a cooking retreat and now we present you with the finest one – Nourish. You can finally get curious and learn the foundations of wholesome plant-based cooking. This interactive retreat is a brilliant chance for beginners to experienced cooks to be inspired with natural, additive-free ingredients such as pulses, grains and vegetables. With step-by-step support from Aimee herself, you will have an opportunity to get creative with plant-based, gluten free, whole foods that’ll enrich your life and those around you.
Highlights
| Date | Yoga Teacher | Stay | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 15-17th | Laura Bell | 3 day | Book |
- Interactive cooking experiences in a relaxed, welcoming kitchen.
- Explore new techniques and learn the foundations of wholesome plant-based cooking for quick and easy healthy meals.
- Discover superfoods, wild herbs, mushrooms, seaweed and more.
- Walk away with confidence and knowledge so that you cook plant-based, gluten free at home.
- Preparing together a plant-based 3 course feast.
- Access to Aimee to ask her all your questions.
Chef – Aimee Walker
A former restaurant Head Chef and practicing artist, Aimee’s delivery is rooted in local produce and wild food that grounds you in deep nourishment. Working closely with the intentions of the retreat, Aimee is able to create a culinary experience that is wholesome and enlivening to your senses. Since a young age she’s been fascinated with gathering herbs and produce from the areas we live and how meals made with love and affection can bring people together. It is this act of alchemy that enriches her curious nature to explore land, flavours, and storytelling through food.
Yoga Teacher – Laura Bell
Laura is a yoga teacher and founder of The Zest Life. She has a personal and friendly yet professional attitude towards her teaching of vinyasa flow based yoga. A style that has come from her 20 years of yoga practice, focusing on movement with breath and alignment. Her classes with their inspired sequences and calming relaxations are set to rejuvenate the body and focus the chattering mind. She continues to practise yoga at a physical level and through continued meditation she has developed a more spiritual path to her practise, which she now incorporates into her teachings both on and off the mat.
Plant Based Cookery
Our exclusive workshops will awaken your curiosity and provide the foundations of wholesome winter food. With step-by-step support, you will get creative with plant-based, gluten free, whole foods that’ll enrich your life and those around you. These fun cooking classes are for both beginners and the more experienced. We explore natural, additive-free ingredients such as pulses, grains and vegetables, and how to use them to make delicious plant-based meals in a welcoming kitchen.
The Location
The stunning Isle of Anglesey hosts miles of coastline with trails, expansive beaches, quiet coves, picturesque towns and views to the mountains of Snowdonia National Park. Menai Bridge, the nearest town to the venue, is an easy ten minute stroll, and boasts an array of independent shops, vegan cafes and restaurants. The town overlooks the Menai Strait, a spectacular body of water with small islands sprinkled throughout, and is named after the impressive Menai Suspension Bridge that spans the island of Anglesey and the mainland. It’s all here to be explored and enjoyed.“Loved the yoga, Laura is wonderful. Enjoyed the meal times with the group, really nice to be with a group of like minded people. Cannot think of a single thing I would change or add, It was my first and certainly not my last.”
Helen, Birmingham, November 2023
“it was all so good...I wanted to experience a sense of peace and practice yoga with like minded people You totally delivered on all my expectations thank you for that”
Jules, London
“I had a wonderful time in the most beautiful and impressive surroundings. I would love to join The Zest Life again one day for another spectacular retreat.”
Tricia, Shrewsbury
“A really lovely retreat which sought to cater for all levels of fitness. I would highly recommend this retreat to anyone wishing to feel better about themselves”
Elin, Bristol
The Accommodation
The Coach house is the largest property on the Plas Cadnant estate, accommodating up to 11 guests on two spacious floors with an impressive upstairs dining /sitting room with large wood burning stove. By night, candles, incense and log fires create the perfect atmosphere for complete relaxation. Its wonderfully comfortable beds, crisp white linen, fresh flowers, views over rolling parkland and piping hot power showers all make up the luxury and style of your retreat at this stunning country house.
The Yoga Space
Stroll through the walled garden, and majestic wooden gates to the oak framed building. With its lovingly hand crafted oak beams, high ceilings and under floor heating, it makes the ideal space for yoga and mediation practice. Bask in the rising sunlight during morning yoga and then enjoy settling down into candle lit relaxations in the evening. With the peace and tranquility of the surrounding parkland, it is your sanctuary from the outside world. All yoga equipment is provided, from mats to blocks and cushions to straps, so all you need to do is turn up.
The Food
We are passionate about healthy eating here at The Zest Life and we make it an integral part of our Autumn and Winter retreats, with an emphasis on warming and nourishing plant-based meals. Our food is always made without sugar or dairy products and low in wheat and gluten where required. We offer beautiful Yogi herbal teas for you to choose from over the course of the retreat and with three full meals a day, fresh juice and healthy treats in the afternoon you are sure to feel nourished.
Holistic Treatments
There will be plenty of time to indulge in a body treatment or two with one on our superb in house therapists. Enjoy the healing benefits of taking time out and indulging in a holistic therapy amidst the retreats stunning grounds. We offer a range of massage treatments, from Indian head and Swedish full body, to Acupuncture and Tui Na (a Chinese massage similar to Shiatsu). Our therapists use organic therapeutic oils to ease away your stresses and strains. Each treatment is £65 for 45 minutes. Go to your team for further information on the therapists.
The retreat price includes 2 Nights / 3 Days (Friday-Sunday) of:
- Accommodation with ensuite and shared bathrooms
- Daily yoga and meditation sessions
- Yoga equipment – mats/blocks/props
- Creative cooking classes to learn the foundations of wholesome winter food
- Plant-based, nutritionally dense meals and snacks
- Unlimited fruit, tea, herbal teas, coffee and flavoured water
- Guided coastal/countryside walk
- Private access to the 21 acres of stunning garden and grounds at Plas Cadnant with its river and plunge pool
- Linen, towels and toiletries are provided
- Plas Cadnant is extremely comfortable and all rooms are finished to a very high standard.
- The friendly host service of the team at the retreat throughout your stay
- The price also includes a Zest Life Cooking Apron to take home
| Room | 3 day |
|---|---|
| Twin room | Shared occupancy | £653 |
| Single room | Single occupancy | £699 |
| Double room | Shared occupancy | £653 |
| Double ensuite | Single occupancy | £856 |
The deposit of 20% is required on booking and the final payment due 90 days before the retreat start date. Please read our terms and conditions before booking.
Places are limited to 12 guests so please book early to avoid disappointment. An intimate number of guests ensures everybody achieves their goals from their time at The Zest Life Signature retreat.
If you have any further queries about the retreat please see our FAQ’S page or contact Laura on 07989 512859 / email info@thezestlife.co.uk
