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  • Nurture
    • RETREATS
      • SPRING 2023
      • PAST RETREATS
    • SERVICES
    • HARVEST TABLE DINNERS
    • BLOG
    • ABOUT
      • PRESS
      • TESTIMONIALS
    • CONTACT
      • APPLY
    • RETREATS
      • SPRING 2023
      • PAST RETREATS
    • SERVICES
    • HARVEST TABLE DINNERS
    • BLOG
    • ABOUT
      • PRESS
      • TESTIMONIALS
    • CONTACT
      • APPLY

  • If I am any kind of witch, it’s the witch that k If I am any kind of witch, it’s the witch that knows what you need to eat when you are doing the deep work. 

Yesterday, at a retreat called ‘Tended’ by the powerful @glass.full & @creatinglight.studio, the plates came back so clean I barely had to wash them. 

I think it’s because I get an inner confirmation when a dish is right. A feeling of correctness in my body. An intuitive whir that tells me: this food will sit well in the belly and the soul for this work, with these people, who are building towards this goal.

The meal was simple and hearty, inspired by Spring (fennel! leeks! citrus!) yet grounding (sourdough, toasted nuts, dates) because the women eating it were on retreat to tend to tender parts of themselves and that kind of work requires thoughtful, but beautiful, fuel. 

Sharing a wee behind the scenes peek of the love that goes into each prep step. 

Excited to be dreaming up more menus and witchy ways to feed you this Spring! Coming up: The Slowpreneur Retreat with @stephpellett (April 20-23) & Nurture Spring (May 12-14)

cover 📷: @glass.full / @creatinglight.studio
    I'm going to put my cup down here and sit for a mo I'm going to put my cup down here and sit for a moment with you with my bowl of Nurture oatmeal. ⁠
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Hi. ⁠
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I have a question for you.⁠
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When I answered it myself staring out the car window yesterday, I turned my head so my partner wouldn't see the tears streaming down my face, so I'm curious what your response will be.⁠
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How is your spirit? ⁠
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Not 'how are you doing/feeling/surviving', etc. but HOW IS YOUR SPIRIT. ⁠
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I am DOING well, I'm up to interesting things with fascinating people, I have a trip to PEI I'm looking forward to coming up, Spring is around the corner, I'm going to the gym regularly, eating healthily. ⁠
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I am FEELING not so great lately, due to some old trauma showing up as pesky inflammation and hormonal issues wreaking havoc on my body. I'm uncomfortably bloated daily and waiting for some long-anticipated CT scan results. ⁠
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I am SURVIVING lately like it's my full time job. I'm cooking with scraps to save on grocery costs, tempering my nervous system with YouTube yoga nidra, spending time outside for vitamin D, sleeping with my phone in another room, avoiding too much news. ⁠
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My spirit though? When I finally asked how it's doing, all I could do is cry with the kind of tears you could easily season a dish with. So much salt. ⁠
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My spirit has answers I've been avoiding listening to; it has serendipities it wants to guide me towards; it yearns to remind me of the size of galaxies, of the freedom found in perspective, of the siren call of my own creativity that can only take place when I touch the dark with curiosity and creativity instead of shame. ⁠
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Eight years ago, I started a creative retreat called Nurture because I needed a safe space to meet my spirit. I wanted to be around others who were committed to the same kind of work (play) and I wanted to eat really good food while we were 'going there.' ⁠
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I'm looking forward to the sanctuary of Nurture this May more than ever. Perhaps you need this safe space to play, too? If so, we have 5 spots left. Don't worry, you and your spirit can share. ;)⁠
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📷️: @creatinglight.studio⁠
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#ontarioretreat #springretreat #entrepreneurretreat #retreat2023
    I want to feature you like the main act you're abo I want to feature you like the main act you're about to be. ⁠
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You're a small business with a product that sings, but it's currently in the choir. ⁠
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You want people to experience the heart you put into what you're making, in a way that matters. ⁠
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You want to be in the spotlight for a houseful of invested customers instead of a stadium full of irreverent ones. ⁠
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Twice a year, Nurture is a house full of hearts hungry for connection: with themselves, with one another and with your beautiful offerings. We're gathering again this May and we want to feature YOU!⁠
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We partner with brands and small businesses like yours to spotlight your products in our Self Care kits that greets each attendee as they arrive to their bedroom at our retreat. Your product becomes a touchstone for this powerful time where ritual and sensual play is intentionally prioritized. ⁠
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The smell/taste/feel of your product is a portal that brings each attendee back to this weekend where they hear the sound of their own voice again, which makes for a potent and authentic connection to all you're about. ⁠
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Anecdotal data from past retreats reveals the following: ⁠
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1) Repeat, engaged customers!⁠
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2) Where appropriate, Nurture Care Kit contributors often go on to facilitate workshops at future Nurture retreats or collaborate on other aligned ventures with Nurture alumni. ⁠
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3) An unprecedented amount of past contributors' businesses have bloomed in beautiful ways since we've featured them and we love being part of the ripple effect of that.⁠
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If this opportunity appeals to you, or a maker you know comes to mind, I'd love to collaborate! We tell your story at the retreat and you become part of the Nurture family – we are here to uplift you, support you and tell everyone about you!⁠
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Further details in the "work with us" section via our link in bio so that we can say "we knew you when..."⁠
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📷️: creatinglight.studio featuring magical products from @bloembotanicals⁠
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#canadianmakers #handmadeontario #supportsmall #shoplocal #womenmade #makersmovement⁠
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    Nurture in May is like that scene from the 1993 Se Nurture in May is like that scene from the 1993 Secret Garden movie, when they tour a sickly Colin around the property and Linda Ronstadt sings about heart calls in the background. ⁠
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Before you arrive, Steph, Sarah, Ari, Kate, Laura and I will step out to the gardens, filling our wicker baskets with flowers to carefully craft you a custom posy for your bedside nightstand. Having read your intake form responses, we infuse our hopes and wishes for you into these arrangements, so they'll be a beacon of positivity that brightens your room and your outlook.⁠
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When you drive down the long entrance lane at Loretto Maryholme, a hedge of spirea follows you the whole way, spilling over itself with white blossoms to welcome you. ⁠
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While daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths raise their faces to the warm sun in the laneway gardens, the cliff edge is laced with lilacs, perfuming the breeze from the lake. ⁠
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It's like Spring has draped a colourful quilt of tiny purple flowers that look like stars; explosions of yellow, blush and bright pink on top of the rock garden at the back of the house. The woodland paths, perfect for wandering, are carpeted in bluebells.⁠
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After the grey winter we've had, I can't think of better medicine than being surrounded by beauty while we create together. ⁠
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If you need a Mary Lennox for the Colin parts of you, join us at Nurture this May 12-14th for flowers, friendship and the restorative power of Spring. I'll sing "Heart Calls" in the background if you want me to. ⁠
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📷️: @liat.a from Nurture Spring 2016⁠
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#springretreat #retreatontario #entrepreneurretreat #retreatyourself #retreat2023
    When you sign up for Nurture, you’ve already swi When you sign up for Nurture, you’ve already swiped right on my food. 

I know all of your allergies and sensitivities. I’m intimate with your strongest dislikes. While that takes certain elements off the table, every other ingredient is now my playground to court you.

I consider it my responsibility and my pleasure to ensure you have a good time at my table. 

I’ll look for ways to tease you, tempt you and encourage your surrender to things you haven’t tried before. 

Nurture menus are a safe space to experiment with your own desire. You don’t order off a menu at Nurture. You journey into it. 

I want you to walk into the room with a hiccup of excitement in your belly to read what is on the menu chalkboard. To see a feast unfold before your eyes, and delight in the colours, textures and aromas on display. I want to remind you indulgence is not a bad word. I want to reawaken your appetite: for good food, real connection, and your own intuition.

What are you doing May 12-14? If you’re free, I want to feed you. Check the link in bio to consent to this courtship. 😏
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