soul food with heart

Tired of those standard takeaway meals and craving something more mindful and nourishing? We have the answer to your dinner dilemma - plus a destination to put on top of your list now that restrictions are lifted.

Words Hayley Griffiths

Nestled in the lush green surroundings of Otford and the Royal National Park, you will find the sanctuary of Heart and Soul Retreats. The centre was founded in 2006, with a vision to create a nurturing and nourishing space for the community. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Heart and Soul Retreats temporarily closed the accommodation section but have used this time to focus on their Heart and Soul Kitchen, serving up mindful meals to the community.

Heart and Soul Kitchen has been operating for many years, providing nutritious plant-based meals to accommodation guests. However due to the recent restrictions, project manager Wendy Squires and the team saw a unique opportunity to continue operating the kitchen. “This month has seen us rolling out our menu to the general community, offering home-delivered vegan meals. This means that locals are now able to enjoy our high-quality catering from the comfort of their own homes!”

The vegan menu on offer is created using as many home-grown and locally-sourced organic ingredients as possible. Wendy says, “we do our best to avoid packaged ingredients, preparing our own spice blends, sauerkraut, bread, chutneys, dressings, and sauces”. Being a vegan menu, the chefs ensure meals contain quality protein, using ingredients such as tofu, quinoa, lentils, dal, nuts, and seeds. Each meal consists of an entree, a main, a side, and dessert for $24, with extra entrees, sides, and desserts that can be added for $8 each. Meals can be picked up from Otford or delivered locally within the 2508 area.

What could be better than a delicious home cooked meal delivered to your door? For each meal purchased, the affiliated Heart and Soul Care charity are donating one meal to a person who is experiencing homelessness. The charity also run other projects that support vulnerable people in the local community, including vocational training, providing accommodation and counselling services.

As restrictions are eased and life gets back to some normality, Heart and Soul Retreats reopened on 1 June for groups or individual stays – why not try a staycation right on our doorstep! Specialising in yoga retreats, they provide an inclusive space for people to grow and deepen their experience of health, wellbeing and happiness. As well as daily yoga programs, guests also have access to the Heart and Soul Healing Centre. Be rejuvenated and restored by a team of wellness professionals. Treatments include a variety of massages, Reiki Energetic Healing and Vedic Astrology.

The surrounding scenery enveloping the retreat is also something not too be missed. The Royal National Park is only a two-minute walk from the centre with jaw-dropping coastal cliffs, beaches and bushland. The famous Figure 8 pools in the Royal National Park are also a natural wonder that must be seen for yourself.

To book a stay at Heart and Soul Retreats click here.

To explore the Heart and Soul Kitchen menu, learn more about their home-delivery service, and place orders click here.