Hello, hello!

This month, which also marks a year of sends, we share recipes with an emphasis on grounding comfort and deep nourishment and a piece on one of our favourite skincare brands. For the mind, we review Milk and Money. If you are yet to watch, we highly recommend. Amandine also shares the YouTube channel which led half our house to engage in daily Pilates practice.

Winter is a period marked by darkness, arguably lockdown emphasised this state. Perhaps you are working as per normal, or not or to varying degrees. For many, the situation brings anxiety, stress—financial, emotional, spiritual but all of us will be experiencing some sort of winter, one that will ask us to focus inward and to create strength.

As we approach Spring Equinox, find 5 minutes to get outside, let the Earth recharge and replenish you. More recently our house—we are eight currently, have spent time with our hands in the dirt, preparing our small garden beds and pots for cultivating food and flowers. Being present is the best plan you can make for lockdown, to cultivate new habits, new routines. Onward!

Receiving this newsletter, you might have tried this smoothie recipe, originally published in our free ebook Start—more ice cream than a smoothie, yet apt for the year's warmer months. We love breakfast smoothies, a way of removing complication from meals, rich in fibre and protein, quick to make and flavoursome. It's incredible how so few ingredients can come together, creating something so nourishingly simple yet delicious. In addition, the strawberries contain antioxidants which, paired with collagen-boosting Vitamin C, helps maintain a good complexion. Good skin guarantee!

Over the years, we purchased a few products from Salt by Hendrix, the hit Cult clean-beauty brand founded by Kellie Collies. Drawing heavily on organic and natural botanicals, this is a complete, natural skincare brand ideal for sensitive skin and those looking for an affordable, still luxurious beauty routine experience.

At the beginning of lockdown, we watched Milk and Money: The True Cost of Dairy in Aotearoa. It is a six-part series by Re: investigating New Zealand’s dairy industry—episodes streamed on TVNZ OnDemand. And yes, you should watch it. I've started with Episodes 1 and 2, I will update this over the coming week!

A Vegetarian Gothic-inspired lentil tempeh and microgreen salad with tahini dressing, a meal reminiscent of simpler times, pre Beyond anything celebrating the life-force of plants and delivering an abundance of plant-protein—approximately 15 grams per serving. We’ve also included a list of high-protein foods, a convenience for both meal planning and bringing together the foods that will help you reach your daily needs.

1. Being in lockdown, fewer social commitments and less commuting, I had the opportunity to reset my exercise routine, which lost structure with increased work commitments. I discovered Nicole, an amazing pilates instructor sharing her classes on Youtube. Cardio, stretching, strengthening, her exercises combine everything I love in the pilates practice. I am addicted as are others in the house!
   
   
2. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published its updated Red list of threatened species. No surprise here, biodiversity keeps plummeting. 37% of sharks and rays in the world are threatened because of overfishing, environmental degradation, loss of habitats or climate change. It’s time to considerably reduce fish consumption.
   
   
3. I follow Parley for the Ocean on Instagram, an environmental organisation and global collaboration network founded by Cyrill Gutsch in 2012 and supported by Adidas. I had saved this post ages ago and while seeking inspiration on what to watch or read on lockdown, I came back to it. Enjoy!

1. Goji turned one recently. I definitely did not take enough photos or videos, she grew so quickly and finished growing mid-June—she’s much smaller than people expect for a Shiba Inu but her attitude is very Shiba. Difficult at times she has filled me up in ways that I don't have words for.
   
   
2. Turning the very unsexy brief on its head, Dear Dylan has made an often needed but often neglected, staple desirable. Composed of 50% cotton, 42% modal and 8% elastane, these basics will speak to those seeking quality, comfort and support. Expect a substantial fabric and jaw-dropping longevity.
   
   
3. I had been wanting to plant flowers for months now, in part to support the bee population and for mental health. Flowers appeal to people who fundamentally have a deep passion for beauty—that and they make your life happier and better. Now entering Level 3, we can acquire soil, and in October's newsletter, we will share our progress. I’ll add notes and videos over on our Instagram Stories too.

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

Tracey Creed & Amandine Paniagua