There’s a definite de-stress theme to my recommendations this month. Life has been 100mph getting the girls settled into nursery and school, getting the new website project wrapped up, finalising my next cookbook and getting a range of new products onto the shelf (hello new soups, Swiss chocolate and veggie burgers!)
I May Be Wrong by Björn Natthiko Lindeblad
When it comes to winding down, nothing beats a good book, especially when it gives you the best life advice you’ve ever come across. I May Be Wrong by Björn Natthiko Lindeblad is definitely the best thing I’ve read in 2023, but it’s so good that I think it might be the best book I’ve ever read. Steeped in wisdom, deeply comforting, full of grace, and removed of all the ego, fear and individualism that guides us too much of the time, it’s full of anecdotes and insights that I’ll live by for the rest of my life. Once you read it, you’ll know what I mean, but I now live by the saying ‘maybe, maybe not’. If you want a little optimism, hope and encouragement, it’s a must-read.
I May Be Wrong by Björn Natthiko Lindeblad
Jo Malone on How I Built This
One of my go-to podcasts is How I Built This. I've listened to so many episodes at this point. I love hearing how founders started their businesses, what drove them and what the journey really looked like. I’ve found building a business feels like you’re strapped into a loop-the-loop roller coaster 24/7. It’s relentless, pressuring, exhilarating and overwhelming. Filled with the highest highs and the lowest lows. So, there’s always something reassuring about knowing you’re not alone in the madness of the experience. This episode with Jo Malone is phenomenal, she’s beaten the odds time and time again and speaks in such a candid way. Whether you’re interested in business or not, it’s a brilliant story of resilience and courage.
Jo Malone on How I Built This
Home Workouts in Under 30 Minutes
I spent a lot of my life thinking that I needed to do a full exercise class to get the benefits, only to realise how wrong I’d been getting it a few years ago. Not only is 10-20 minutes exercise proven to boost your mood, it also makes me feel so productive, optimistic, ready for the day and I still really see the impact of consistent classes on my strength, flexibility and mobility. I’ve been doing a lot of our sculpting and toning pilates and barre classes, which I’ve been loving and really seeing the benefit of. It’s the strongest I’ve felt since I got pregnant in 2018!
Ilia Volumising Mascara
I’ve got a few other beauty recommendations coming over the next few months too, but for today I’ve got my longest standing recommendation, the mascara I use. I must have tried 20+ natural mascaras over the last decade and this is almost certainly the best. It stays on all day (I found most ‘natural’ ones gave me panda eyes or simply evaporated over the day!) It's easy to use, the packaging is gorgeous, and I really like how it looks.
Ilia Volumising Mascara
Wee Sprout Smoothie Cup
My older daughter, Skye, has recently started school (meaning school lunches) and I’m increasingly conscious that breakfast is the meal I can really load her on nutrients. So, every morning we have a family smoothie with frozen berries, frozen banana, spinach, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, oat milk, omega-3 drops, liposomal vitamin C and vitamin D. It only takes me 2-3 minutes to make and it’s a very easy way to make sure we’re all on the front foot of our nutrition. I bought these cups for her and her sister and they’re perfect. I found the straws on most kids cups got bits of smoothie stuck in them and didn’t really work, and I’m trying to avoid purple smoothie all down the school uniform, so these are a win-win! Plus the matte ones look really nice - not something you get every time with kids paraphernalia.
Wee Sprout Smoothie Cup
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Another book recommendation for the list. I’m sure lots of you have read this one, but if you haven’t then it really is brilliant and a great starting point for anyone looking to make long term lifestyle changes. I’m such a believer in the power of tiny habits and the idea that small, achievable changes are infinitely more powerful than massive, overnight changes. All the data says the same, and this book just sums up the why perfectly.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Melitta Milk Frother
Hot cacao, creamy matchas and flat whites all need perfectly frothed coffee, and I think this frother is the best in the game. I’ve had it for a few years and love it.
Melitta Milk Frother
Wild Nutrition Protein Powder
I mentioned this protein powder in a newsletter a few months ago, but it’s been out of stock for months. Good news (for me and for you) is that it’s back in stock, I’ve just filled my cupboard back up with it and use it in all my smoothies.
Wild Nutrition Protein Powder
Our Place 'Always Pan'
Probably the question I get the most is ‘what pans do you use?’ I’ve finally settled on my favourites, and they’re the winners by a country-mile. The Our Place ‘always pan’ is honestly 10/10. It’s a ceramic non-stick pan that’s not got any of the potentially toxic compounds in traditional non-sticks. It’s so nice to cook with and it’s super multi-purpose, ideal for frying and baking in the oven. I bought one for the office and loved it so much that I got a big and a small one for home too.
Our Place 'Always Pan'
Aisha Carrington's Meditations
I worked with Aisha last year and she genuinely changed my life, so I invited her to record some meditations for us all on our app. I’ve been using them every day to keep my mindset calm, grounded, nourishing and positive. Having her little library of self-care meditations feels like such a blessing.
