Hello hello!

March already! We've all become accustomed to changing plans and moving in different directions. We, like many, spent weeks in self-isolation. So this month, we are grounded in practicality. We have put together an exhaustive supplement glossary to guide you in supporting your immune system and ways and means of protecting your skin and hair during the summer months. We've also included a recipe for a different avocado toast and a piece on Aotearoa food resilience.

Amid an ever-evolving collective geopolitical and climate crisis, it remains vital we continue to nurture our communities and honour the time we have on Earth. In many ways, these events can throw our very way of existence into question, our current personal realities fraught with uncertainty. So rather than becoming overwhelmed by complex issues, let's emphasise hope in those researching, implementing solutions, and spreading awareness and education.

When we feel stagnant and possibly with declining hope, we must find our own way. Feed those around you, support your local community. Gather those near to you or privately express your desires, feelings, and goals. What would bring you fulfilment or purpose, decide, write it down if you will, the universe listens. Without that, we can feel like rudderless ships being tossed about by life's circumstances. Self-care is productive. Do your inner work and watch your collective outer world transform. The grass is always greener where you water it.

This recipe, Amandine and I published in May 2019, was inspired by a meal we shared in Melbourne. There are so many more of you here today than in 2019 (and we had no newsletter at this time), so we are sharing this recipe now. We had it for lunch last week, and it is delicious. This recipe discussion spoke to the points of our global food system, export markets, supermarkets and convenience—subject matter that could not be more apt given our current reality.

At the link below, learn about the issues preventing New Zealand from achieving food sovereignty and what are the solutions to rebuild food resilience in the country. Spoiler—It involves small-scale farming and maybe home gardening.

Ideally, our diet would provide us with everything we need, as our bodies are best at absorbing and using nutrients from food, but this isn’t always possible. Even those who eat a balanced diet could be subject to deficiencies. With an increasing focus on immunity, we have broken down everything you need to know about supplements, including a Glossary, alongside recommendations for supplementation and well, feeling your most vibrant.

Ceramicist Kirsten Dryburgh is crushworthy for sure. Residing in Tāmaki Makaurau, her approach to aesthetics are highly developed. Whether Kirsten’s turning her attention to making the perfect plate for a restaurateur or sculptured objects for the home, her wild and wonderful world of textures and forms, each piece remains unique and highly covetable. Trace recently visited her studio to complete a photography assignment, a collection of images and words on Kirsten’s craft.

1. Between the latest IPCC report, wars across the globe and the Covid pandemic, the world is a daunting place to live in at present. To help navigate, I look for those with the experience. Esther Perel is one. In 2020, she put together a piece on anticipatory grief and prolonged uncertainty, articulating and managing our emotions, which is still relevant.
   
   
2. There are still many positives happening. For example, recent studies on cetaceans—including this one which my good friend Victoria was part of, show that the Humpback whale population is increasing—growing so much that it reached pre-hunting numbers! Why is this excellent? Beyond the positives of biodiversity recovery beyond expectations, whales are essential for our oceans. Their excrement is a crucial nutrient feed for the phytoplankton, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produces oxygen. Humpback whales still face many environmental threats, but it is enlightening to see conversation efforts worldwide paying off!
   
   
3. In the series “change is possible”—the second smallest state in India representing 0.01% of the country’s land, Sikkim is one of the first worldwide to produce 100% organic agriculture. Their primary input is traditional vermicompost, a plant and cow manure mixture. This stellar achievement comes from a state decision from 2003 to switch to organic agriculture through a 13 million euros transition program to support and train farmers, emphasising the issues caused by pesticides. The goal was to dynamise the economy while protecting the rich local biodiversity and population health. Sikkim achieved 100% organic certification between 2015 and 2016.
   
   And while the overall state production is not enough to feed an increasing population of more than six hundred thousand inhabitants, the work done in Sikkim shows that organic agriculture, when supported by government policies, gives results. Instead of constant competition with Nature, Interconnection is mutually beneficial for humans and the environment. There is now an increase in wildlife population in Sikkim, including bees and butterflies, a significant improvement of soil quality and a spike in tourism, despite being a region difficult to access. The next step for the state is to make agricultural production more durable and financially viable through exportation, improving exportation infrastructure.

1. Beauty has a waste problem, and it goes beyond packaging. Waste is generated by testers, unsold or returned products and items that expire—either sitting in warehouses or on store shelves. Then there are samples and luxury samples and all those products that sit in your bathroom unused because they weren’t ideal for your skin or hair. Second Skin provides a resale platform for those products, the ones that did not work for you. Product drops are irregular, which keeps life exciting. I placed two orders this week, hand cream and an Abel Odor sampler, adding to cart samples I loved from the recent Mecca Beauty Loop. Give Anastasia a follow on Instagram, and if you have unused items, here’s the information regarding consigning.
   
   
2. I’m pretty sure the discovery of The Knotty Ones occurred via Instagram—the result of late-night scrolling where one account led to another and then another, and I found this bralette I want to buy. Each piece is ethically made by female artisans in rural areas of Lithuania from natural fibres of the highest quality, inspired by local Baltic crafts. Knits made to last.
   
   
3. After hours of viewing between the floods in Queensland and several episodes of The Rage Of Earth, YouTube suggested this video, featuring fog farms in Peña Blanca, south of the Atacama desert. The official rainfall record in the municipality of Ovalle indicates an annual average of just 102.6 millimetres in the last 30 years. An Agricultural Community where smallholder farmers notably grow grapes, avocados and artichokes has harvested significant amounts of water for irrigation for livestock. A 10,000-litre tank was installed to collect drinking water for people living nearby. There’s a sense of self-reliance for the region. And hope. At around this time, Peña Blanca began brewing artisanal beer made with 100 percent fog water, which is softer. It is award-winning and popular, attracting tourists from Argentina, Brazil and other countries. I hope one day to see it for myself.

Thoughts, questions, you can always direct reply to these emails.
We look forward to hearing from you!

Tracey Creed & Amandine Paniagua