Originally published for Health Bloggers Magazine
See the article here
The island of the gods has had a hold on me since I first visited it with my father 5 years ago. I can’t keep myself from going back and if you are a health enthusiast, then you have found your sanctuary. Here are my favourite picks from Bali.
Where to eat:
Clear Café
This café takes ‘you are what you eat’ pretty seriously and you’ll see proof in all the taut, lithe and fit wellness enthusiasts that come to eat here often. The ingredients are sourced locally from the island and the produce is the juiciest money can buy. Best for breakfast – I highly recommend the ‘twilight tonic’ with turmeric, honey and sea salt, and the ‘chaka maca’ loaded with superfoods. You must try out their comprehensive raw and macro menu and also the ‘suku sushi’.
Bali Buda
Bali Buda has a few centres on the island because of its promise and loyal following from yoginis, expats and gourmands. Their menu is GMO-free, fresh and free from preservatives, chemicals or nasty gunk. I loved their cassava pancakes that were decadent and helped satiate my hungry belly after a long walk. I couldn’t have enough of their raw vegan desserts. If I were you, I would pack an assortment of the no-bake cookies, peanut butter balls and fruit pies.
Nalu Bowls
Inspired by surf culture and tropical ingredients, hawaai- Nalu means ‘wave’ in Hawaiian. The island’s first smoothie bowl café that fuels your mid-meal slump and serves for the most drool worthy Instagram shots. Try the newest superfood smoothie bowl called ‘maverick’ which is bursting at the seams with flavour and antioxidants from the acai and honey. My favourite is still the pitaya bowl, called ‘Uluwatu’ with the goodness of apple juice, dragon fruit and berries. They have just opened another on Canggu Beach.
Alchemy
Undoubtedly my favourite place to spend the day on the island. They have the most divine raw chocolate, superfood salads, smoothies and even host health retreats if you are looking to stick around. I ordered into my room when it was pouring cats and dogs and dove into the salads, finishing with some cashew mylk and raw cheesecakes for dessert. Their menu is constantly evolving and expanding so check before you go.
Glow, Como Shambhala, Bali
The finest health retreat In the world, in my humble opinion. The menu has been specially designed by Australian chef Amanda Gale, who worked under celebrity chef Neil Perry. You have to try their ‘mango carpaccio’ and their homemade gelatos and sorbets – made in-house. Situated inside the Como Shambhala Estate, Glow needs reservations, but serves the best healthy brunch on the island. You can thank me later.
Where to stay:
5 elements
This award-winning resort is strategically located on the bank of the Ayung river in a quiet corner of Ubud. The guiding philosophy at the 5 elements is to encourage healing and harmonise the spirit, body and the environment. Your journey to wellness is a highly customised one – tailored according to your needs and based on your current stress levels and other lifestyle factors. The property only has 9 rooms and they are usually busy through the year so it’s best to book in advance. Highlights include village immersion, ancient healing rituals, yoga and culinary classes, to name a few.
Como Shambhala
The estate is also located in Ubud, amidst tranquil settings as the Ayung river gushes past. This true ‘retreat for change’ incorporates a 360-degree approach to wellness, so you leave feeling slimmer, healthier and reporting more clarity. Ayurvedic doctors and nutritionists meet you upon arrival so they can curate a Como Shambhala journey for you that encompasses yoga, Ayurveda, diet and alternate therapies. The resort has gorgeous waterfalls by the riverbed where you can bathe and relax, and your guide can take you for a nice walk/trek so you can work up an appetite. The two restaurants, Glow and Kudus, have by far the tastiest spa cuisine and health food I’ve ever eaten.
Alila Hotels
The Alila Hotels are strategically placed along the island for every kind of traveler. The property in Uluwatu provides scintillating backdrops to do yoga and aerial yoga with experienced staff. The resort also organises treks to Mount Batur. The property in Soori is another stunning residence with black volcanic sand that has an incredible range of detoxification treatments at the spa. I highly recommend horseback riding at Soori along with a culinary class in traditional Balinese cuisine, enabling you to learn how to harness the power of the spices.
Have you been to Bali? Where was your favourite health food restaurant or place to workout? Please share it in the comments below!
