I had the most delicious health and wellness weekend with Destination NSW in preparation for the Blackmore’s Sydney Running Festival. What a privilege to be included in such a great event! I wanted to share a snap of this enlightening weekend – there are some spots I highly recommend you try here in Sydney.
Friday, 10am: Check into The Westin Sydney CBD – stunning hotel!
The Westin is not only in the centre of Sydney’s business district, but also at the doorstep of the best shopping, restaurants and attractions the harbour city has to offer. The hotel flawlessly combines the old GPO with a modern 31-story tower, which holds 416 luxurious rooms and suites. Recently named on Conde Nast Traveller’s Gold List (2006) and Australasia’s Leading Conference Hotel at the 12th Annual World Travel Awards, The Westin is the perfect base for experiencing the enchanting past and vibrant present of Sydney.
Friday, 12pm: Lunch at The Grounds of Alexandria
A must try if you have not already been! With a holistic approach to food and design, The Grounds offers a wholesome and rustic menu. The kitchen uses sustainable practices, like picking fresh herbs every morning and working with full time horticulturalist to grow seasonal produce for the menu. I had the eggplant salad with wild rice, currants, fennel and fresh herbs – delish!
Friday, 2pm: Yoga with Stand Up Paddleboarding
What a blast – world-renowned lessons with Charlotte Piho, the ‘Queen of SUPYoga.’ Both yoga and Stand Up Paddleboarding are great for building better balance, flexibility, coordination, endurance, strength and neuromuscular re-education. SUP-Yoga unites the two – providing a truly amazing workout where all elements are connected to one’s true self. You have to try this one!
If you think that is not enough physical movement….
Friday, 4pm: Pilates class at KX Pilates in Surry Hills
I may go as far as saying this was the hardest Pilates class I have ever done. KX Pilates offers a fast paced, high intensity body toning workout, and is favoured by celebrities like Natalie Bassingthwaite, Nadia Bartel, Samantha Lane and Carrie Bickmore. The founder of KX Pilates, Aaron Smith, and his life and business partner, Andi Fiorenza, moved from Melbourne to Sydney in April 2014 on a mission to open the first Sydney, KX Pilates studio. You have got to give this a go. Ouch! (In the most delicious way, of course!)
Friday, 7pm: Healthy dinner at Rushcutters
Rushcutters aims to support farmers from the Hawkesbury Region and has strong synergies to executive chef Martin Boetz’s Cooks Co-op. Rushcutters places emphasis on seasonal, fresh produce and always works to highlight the quality of food delivered from only an hour out of Sydney.
To start, we shared fresh scallops and salads. The beetroot salad is just gorgeous. For my main I had the most delicious barramundi with a side of crispy Brussels sprouts – oh yum!
Amazing day, right?
It gets better….
Saturday, 8am: The Westin
My partner Dean and I woke up to an amazing healthy breakfast buffet at The Westin. I had a delicious vegetable and herb omelet + fresh fruit.
Saturday, 10am: Eveleigh Farmers’ Markets
A real highlight for me. What a gorgeous spot! Such a good vibe, too.
Every Saturday, local NSW based farmers and artisan food producers bring their fresh and seasonal produce they grow, rear or make direct to the Eveleigh Farmers’ Market for the community.
I had the most delicious Columbian coffee – you know I love my 1 cup a day! I was so excited to find a delicious gluten-free store, Kitchen Green, that had the yummiest gluten-free and wholefood baked goodies. I bought their gluten-free banana bread + some lemon protein balls.
The flowers were fresh and stunning – bought my mommy a gorgeous bunch.
The fruit and veg selection looked so great – and most of it is organic (I asked!).
This is a serious must try!
Saturday 6pm: Hearty dinner at Nomad
Co-owned and operated by Al Yazbek and Rebecca Littlemore, Nomad is a cellar door in the city where the food and wine showcase the best local produce grown and raised by Australian farmers, grape growers and wine makers.
For the past 11 months, Nomad has gone from strength to strength as the ‘smoking hot newcomers’ with their shared commitment to using local produce and wine, cooking techniques rooted in the past and showcasing local designers with their spectacular fit out.
Nomad will continue to raise the bar with the launch of their new online wine store, Nomad Cellar Door launching in late October, as well as hosting writer, chef and TV personality, Yotam Ottolenghi on Tuesday 28 October for a flavourful Mediterranean feast alongside Nathan Sasi at Nomad.
Healthy menu items I loved that you simply must try:
The beetroot, goat cheese and walnut salad – incredible
The scallops – wow!
The green bean salad
Crispy Brussels sprouts – OMG YUM!
The carrots and goat cheese
The chicken with a cauliflower and goat cheese salad – INCREDIBLE!
The lamb
I had to ensure we had an early night as the next day was Race Day!
Sunday, 7am: Blackmores Sydney Running Festival
This is one of Australia’s most scenic running events, with all events taking competitors across Sydney Harbour Bridge and past views of the harbour and Sydney Opera House. Dean and I did the family fun run, and it was spectacular running over the harbor bridge.
All in all , it was the most fabulous weekend touring my city. A big thank you to Destination NSW for taking such good care of me. I absolutely loved my health and wellness weekend with you! To plan your own healthy fix in Sydney, be sure to visit sydney.com. The possibilities are endless!
