Over the years, we’ve crafted a fantastic cleansing menu that is both healthy and nutritious, as well as gourmet and delicious. Our ingredients are fresh and organic (with the exception of rare specialty items not available in organically certified form). Your meals consist of various raw vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds, as well as some cooked/baked dishes, grains and legumes. These clean, detoxifying, and living foods have been proven to improve digestion, nourish your cells, restore enzymes, and assist in energy restoration.
We support the local food-growing community by purchasing most of our produce from local farmers and a family-owned health food store that sources its products from local growers.
What to Expect from Our Meals?
We use Vegan Cuisine (except honey). Your meals are dairy-, gluten-, meat-, fish-, and other seafood-free, as well as sugar-and egg-free.
- Most of our breakfasts are fruit-based and contain a green salad. A few breakfasts are savoury.
- Lunches are the biggest meal of the day and include a variety of veggie-based (savoury) dishes.
- Suppers consist of hot soups accompanied by gluten-free crackers (not raw).
- Three times a week, you get a healthy gluten-free dessert for supper.
- A basket of organic apples is always available for a snack.
We are what we eat
There is no more truth than that when it comes to emotional wellness. The way we feel depends on what we eat, as much as on what we think. What we eat is directly related to the health of every system and cell in our body, from nervous and hormonal systems to brain chemistry and headaches. We need to address our health on all levels. This is why we do not serve you what’s conventional. Eating like everyone means to feel like everyone – sick, sluggish, bothered by heartburn and gas. We go against that grain because we are sick and tired of seeing people sick and tired.
Allergies and other dietary needs: which ones we can accommodate and which ones we cannot
Do you need Meal Customization beyond what we already offer?
Please click the button below “Meal Customization Policies and Rates” to see what we can or cannot customize. During the consultation, discuss your situation with our Program Consultant.
MOST IMPORTANT: Fresh Start is not a restaurant; you are with us for an entire week. Neither you nor we want to find out that you cannot eat half or more of what we serve upon arrival. Thank you for reviewing the Meal Customization section to see if we can accommodate your needs. Plus, you’ll learn of additional options we offer through the GoDeeper program, would your digestive system needs a deeper level of healing.
Organic vegan
Some guests ask us: what about protein? What is so bad about a steak or a piece of fish?
We are not advocates of a one-for-all diet and by any means do not discourage people who cannot or are not willing to become vegetarians to change it unless they desire. However, to help you achieve your desired health goals, we designed a nutrition plan that serves that purpose best. Organic vegan food is hypoallergenic, anti-inflammatory and contains multiple times more nutrition than its commercial version. Besides, it tastes better and satisfies faster.
We are not suggesting to eat that way for a lifetime, but we ask your trust and follow the plan in its entirety for a few weeks – and then to see for yourself what it does to your body, emotions and wellbeing. All it takes is to experience the benefits.
We are born to live. We eat to live. Live food gives life.
We are energy, and each cell runs on energy. We all could use more energy.
Each type of food gives you a different type and amount of energy. Most people think that choosing healthy ingredients is all that matters and get surprised when no matter what they do or eat, they cannot lose extra weight or maintain optimum health.
There are many health factors. On the nutrition level, the most essential factor is how the food ingredient has been processed. For example, whole-cooked quinoa in Tabouli salad will give you more nutrients than quinoa pasta. Though the same ingredient, one is cooked in its whole, unadulterated form, where the other one went through a factory processing, making it first into flower and then forming into a shape of noodle. It may seem the same, but the first one is abundant in minerals and proteins, while the other contains much less. Or if we take a fresh peach and canned peach – the difference in the amount of vitamins and quality of other nutrients will be significant, though none of the nutrition charts will show this to you. The same goes for the difference in nutrients between a stir-fry and a fresh rainbow salad.
At Fresh Start, we aim to use maximum unprocessed (raw) foods to allow your body to get optimum nutrition and energy. Though we use small amounts of foods like gluten-free pasta and crackers, as people are used to them, the core of our nutrition consists of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds in raw or lightly dehydrated form. This helps the food to maximum energize your body cells and organs.
Cellular Re-nourishment and Rehydration
In addition to meals, you’ll receive multiple health drinks, supplements, and 3+ litres of fluids every day during your stay. The purpose of this is to optimize the function of every organ in your body. “A healthy mind in a healthy body,” as they say.
Plated Meals
Most people who come to us want to lose weight or are concerned about ensuring adequate nutrients. After testing buffet style and various portion sizes, we found what works best for most people – the proportion and amount that keeps you satisfied but prevents overeating. We want you to focus on mindful eating and savour each bite.
Eat breakfast yourself, share lunch with a friend and give your supper to an enemy
This Russian saying powerfully states our body needs to rest at night. This is when our cells go into a cycle called elimination or yin cycle. This is when they cleanse and restore themselves. If we eat late at night a big meal, we do not let that natural process happen effectively. As a result, we cannot sleep, lose weight and wake up tired with a bad smell from the mouth from the half-digested food.
At Fresh Start, we offer early suppers consisting of soup and crackers and allow our bodies to rest and rejuvenate through the night. It may feel unusual at first, but you get used to it quickly and get to enjoy better sleep and wellbeing the next morning.
Commitment to your results
We are committed to putting on your plate only those ingredients that are the very best. Every dish served to you is designed and served with a purpose, the purpose of helping you get well on all levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. The food you’ll eat is truly medicine for your entire well-being. We really hope you’ll enjoy it!
Disclaimer: These pics are samples. Your meals may differ.