Hello, hello!
Our issue 37 is finally out! March announces the end of Summer, a transitional period of the year. To support the change, we have a simple, vibrant salad with its elevated kombucha dressing, rich in minerals that nourish from within. We also curated a few lists. One is for lipsticks, products for an effortless way to shift your energy and enhance your complexion, books to challenge mainstream consumerism, and learning about how we consume can and has to change. Finally, we compiled all our smoothie recipes to help support your overall health and vibrancy as temperatures shift.
We are conscious we’ve been quiet here in February, but not without reason, as we are going through significant shifts in our lives which have consumed an extensive amount of our time and minds. As of April, we are leaving Aotearoa, New Zealand, for new shores. Tracey and Ed are crossing the ditch to live in Melbourne, while Amandine and Benoit are relocating to Europe and will be based in Bilbao, Spain. These are terrific, exciting times for us, and undoubtedly the end of an era.
However, moving in opposite directions from each other doesn’t mean the end of our adventure and our connection with this beautiful land. Quite the opposite. As we expand across both hemispheres, so is Lagom. We will reach more people, readers, contributors, and a new public that will discover those who are a force for change in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Confusing the social media algorithms even more, we will be able to offer you substantial inspiration to the highest standards, and that is something we look forward to. So please stay tuned and bear with us while we adjust to our new normal in the following months.
Summer hydration salad with kombucha dressing
We love a salad. Regardless of the season or temperature, you’ll find one on our dinner table. During warmer months, we like to pair seasonal produce such as citrus, radishes, fennel, red onion, watermelon and radicchio with avocado for a mineral-rich dish that helps us feel our most hydrated.
Cruelty-free lipsticks
These best-in-class vegan and cruelty-free lipsticks leave out the iffy chemicals but don’t skimp on performance. Whether you are after an “unexpected, chic” fuchsia shade inspired by the ‘80s or red that flatters nearly every skin tone, discover brands for a new age with super-natural formulations that are not only nice for the health of the lips, but also Mother Earth. And the creatures that inhabit it.
Challenge your views on consumerism
During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, we listed books to help people challenge their views on mainstream consumerism. We wanted to share our vision of sustainability, our understanding that sustainability is a cultural movement based on how you consume, and therefore, survival will depend on shifting our vision. We are living in a time where capacity for transformation is vital, and we have to radically reimagine our world anew, hence exploring other concepts—“10 books that will challenge your views on mainstream consumerism” is now our most popular article.
Smoothies collection
We advocate for a water-rich, plant-based diet through food that delivers life-giving nutrients at concentration. Daily smoothies, incorporating loads of fruits and veggies, are wonderful vehicles to get you there.
This month, we have a collection of smoothie recipes on offer. Green-based, like this green smoothie with hemp seeds and coconut milk cubes, a foraged green smoothie with hemp seeds, a vibrant avocado smoothie particular for glowing skin, and a winter citrus green smoothie with pea protein to enjoy the benefit of blending even in the colder months. If you are into fitness, you would appreciate this fat-burning vegan protein smoothie with almond butter and, finally, two more methods to incorporate more berries into your routine—this raspberry oatmeal smoothie with prebiotic skin support and a strawberry banana smoothie with vegan pea protein powder. Blend your way towards overall health.
Amandine's edit
"Designed to become vintage in your wardrobe". On a late-night scroll, I learned about Kallmeyer New York, a ready-to-wear label founded in 2012 by Daniella Kallmeyer. While being discreet about any sustainability commitments, at its roots, the label is committed to producing high-quality garments, measuring social impact, and manufacturing responsibly, which fits Kallmeyer into a slow-fashion mindset. I love their clothes—perfectly cut, atemporal, polished, yet versatile. Pricing is in the upper range, but still, Kallmeyer offers well-made collections of classics to keep for a long time.
[RANT] Reading an article like this makes me angry. Not about the article itself, Noor Al-Sibai is right in reporting on Jeff Bezos's super (useless) yacht. Still, knowing that Bezos is part of that little club hoarding all money in the world and being a constant annoyance to others and polluting, that pisses me off. And on top of it, he had the audacity to use a Māori word to name the boat, "Koru", which is used to define a loop or a spiral. The Koru is also a symbol of new life, growth, strength and peace—the opposite of Jeff's yacht and mindset. Governments keep saying there is no money left for public policies and support, yet these multi-billionaires have a lot of it. Reform is required to increase corporate taxes and reduce income inequalities, so what are we waiting for to take the money back?
I saved this article over a year ago, so it is time to share about it. In 2022, in his piece "What Does Sustainable Living Look Like? Maybe Like Uruguay", published in the New York Times, writer Noah Gallagher Shannon explored the lessons of sustainability that we could learn from an emerging country like Uruguay, capital Montevideo, and made the link between environmental footprint reduction and energy independence with poverty and social equity.
Trace's edit
A curation of interviews, columns, and essays, Knowing Cotton Otherwise explores various narratives and perspectives surrounding cotton, the fashion industry and the impacts on our human and planetary health. It was originally an exhibition that is now available as a zine. The result of collective and individual efforts from those foreseeing the future of the industry, the publication will no doubt be an insightful read. If you are interested, this is the only site I am aware of that will ship this publication worldwide. Otherwise, you can read more about the exhibition and the contributors here.
U Beauty founder Tina Chen Craig is a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur and pioneer of influencer marketing and luxury skincare, famous for her glass skin. A rare to find, U Beauty patented formulas are made in Italy in accordance to strict EU cosmetic law and the exclusion of over 1,600 substances; their scientific and efficace formulas are also cruelty-free. The brand recently came on my radar while searching for my next chemical exfoliant. Her premier product, the Resurfacing Compound, is a one-and-done routine that marries the benefits of retinol, Vitamin C, antioxidants, and daily exfoliation to hydrate, shrink pores, fade dark spots and minimise fine lines. All within three to six days. I’ll report back in April.
In relation to the above, Jessica DeFino, author of The Unpublishable Substack, in her 2021 piece ‘Anti-Aging Is A Construct’ offers “anti-exposure” as the correct approach when faced with the reality “that up to 85% of “aging” is the result of exposure and not biological aging.” DeFino ultimately suggests a better “anti-aging” routine in line with her content, bi-monthly The Don’t Buy List etc etc. Step 1: Protect your barrier. Step 2: Minimise your products. Step 3: Get politically involved in solving our planet’s pollution problem. U Beauty would agree.
Thoughts, questions, you can always direct reply to these emails.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Tracey Creed & Amandine Paniagua