Drink entrepreneurs toast the launch of new health initiative

Two health drink businesses in Northern Ireland have teamed to launch Repair and Restore, Luxury Gut Health Retreat.

The companies behind the enterprise, both based in Belfast, are Panacea Drinks, a specialist in kefir water drinks created by Kelly Neil, and Skinny Malinky's Juice, a producer of cold pressed raw fruit and vegetable drinks. Skinny Malinky's is owned and managed by Paula Heaney.

Both entrepreneurs share a passion for good health and specifically an interest in digestion.

They are running the programme at Larchfield Estate, one of Northern Ireland's most popular country estates which is located near Lisburn in county Antrim. The weekend retreat offers guidance and support to people wishing to improve gut health.

Kelly Neill, commenting on the initiative, says: "When your gut is unhealthy, it can cause more than just stomach pain, gas, bloating, or diarrhoea. Because 60-80 percent of our immune system is in our gut, gut imbalances have been linked to hormonal imbalances, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, eczema, rosacea, and other chronic health problems. Our aim is to educate the guests on how they can make simple changes to diet and lifestyle with significant results.

"The weekend will include a specially, curated vegan menu for all meals and snacks, yoga and meditation specifically designed to rid the digestive system of unwanted toxins and replenish the organs; and a talk from their in-house nutritionist on the importance of gut health. There is an onsite sauna, additional activities include a nature walk through the gardens of Larchfield and even the chance to sleep in a glamping truck!"

They will also be joined by local expert on fermenting, Dearbhla Reynolds of The Cultured Club, an organisation specialising in all types of bacterial foods and drinks.

Paula Heaney adds: "Gut Health is the biggest growth area in nutrition and we are very excited that our first Repair & Restore Retreat will host a weekend dedicated to this evolving trend."

Larchfield is also developing a foraging scheme which will enable food lovers to forage for wild herbs and flowers on the estate and then to use these in preparing novel dishes.