LAGOM - March 2025
Poke bowls with mango salsa, nourishing skincare + coffee morning rituals and cannellini beans with caramelised leeks
Hello, hello!
This month, we have new recipes, poke bowls with mango salsa (these are divine) and brothy cannellini beans with leeks—recipes that, regardless of the season, will become a source for fresh meal ideas. There’s also skincare for pregnancy and beyond and a gentle reminder that our habits can and will shift our life trajectories.
Each year, it is almost impossible to escape the cling to New Years’ resolutions and now we have entered April, can we distinguish the resolve from resistance to change? There will always be change. The changing natural history of the planet is extremely accelerated today, unfolding at the scale of a human life. Financial and other crises in tandem.
Each monthly publications, as we reflect on our writings, serve as great reminders to not only protect and advance our individual health but also the health of our environment and those around us. Change can be good and ugly. And that trajectory of change, at any level, will be affected by our tendencies—cultivated through repeated actions, habits, rituals over time and engagement. So our advice, over the coming weeks, act now, without worry about what comes next but in anticipation of what is to come, with conviction, big dreams and a clear vision.
Vegan poke bowl with chilli tofu and double avo
We refreshed our poke bowl recipe, a dish we love because of its versatility, meal prep possibility and nourishment. Packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals, lush and colourful, it has it all—cruciferous, fruit, legume, grain, seaweed, herbs and spices. This version with double avocado includes chilli tofu, blanched spinach and mango salsa. Batch cook it and live the high health life all week long.
Nourishing skincare for pregnancy and beyond
While looking for skincare products to manage dry completion and skin stretching during her pregnancy, Amandine discovered and re-discovered a few products and brands that are also of interest to non-pregnant people. Pregnancy being an intermediary season, she didn’t want to invest in clean-beauty oils and creams that would only be useful for a few months. Targeting face, arms, abdomen, legs and feet, these products are light, low in essential oils and super nourishing. She also included a few habits to improve overall pregnancy wellbeing, to keep doing nowadays.
Morning rituals, coffee and waste
This piece revisits Trace’s love for espresso and her La Marzocco Mini Linea but five years on now reflects on non productive habits and the unnecessary things humans continue to consume. While there is information on the Mini Linea, there is a prompt to think that perhaps coffee could be better at home and you might surprise yourself by how taken you are by that experience. And how much money you will save. And waste you will prevent.
Cannellini beans with caramelised leek
We LOVE BEANS, hence this recipe. Garlick-y beans, simmered in broth, served with caramelised leeks and a big squeeze of lemon. This is a dish craved often, usually served with tempeh and a big dose of seasonal greens like butterhead or romaine. Perhaps this meal will help you transition into autumn. Regardless, cannellini beans are an excellent source of protein, 15 grams per cup and will additionally soothe any stagnation.
Amandine's edit
When we left Aotearoa, New Zealand, I wanted to bring with us meaningful and local forms of art. I discovered Whatu Creative, and their Tukutuku Toi kit was exactly what I was looking for. Designed by Awhina Murupaenga, the kit is a modern take on the traditional Māori tukutuku ornamental weaving panelling. Whatu Creative's tukutuku toi is a piece of participative artistry, as you have to thread it yourself and learn the way.
Back where I live, I am slowly discovering Bizkaia's fashion scene, and it looks exciting. There are many highly creative, young designers who emphasise their brand on ethical, slow-fashion, focusing on craftsmanship, repurposing and upcycling. Recently, I came across B05 studio. Based in Bilbao, the all-women duo Markel y Estela and their team locally make clothing and objects that are inclusive, genderless and feel unique. I am planning to get this shirt soon!
I've always heard that MSG was like some sort of authorised poison, but since I read this piece from Alicia Kennedy on the subject, I'd like to make amends for my lack of culinary culture. The article highlighted how MSG is a flavour enhancer, which made me want to experiment with how to uplift my meals.
Tracey's edit
Gloria. The end of an era. Kristine Crabb is closing the doors to her Crimson Palace and personal creative project, Gloria. It is always disappointing to see the end of a creative business that contributed something beautiful to the industry. But the truth is that the industry has been hit hard—essentially the rising demand for cheap stuff and people not willing to spend the money on things to not fall apart. You can still purchase Gloria Parfum by CURIONOIR via CURIONOIR. There are many beautiful pieces online at up to 70% off. Perhaps you will find your unique piece of Kristine Crabb's dreams.
I love this recent release from Gentle Habits, This Is Incense x LOTTIE HALL. This Byron Bay box was drawn as a piece of displayable art by Lottie Hall to keep, burn, treasure, and transport you back to Byron Bay, and it is so charming.
Over the last decade, we’ve seen such an expansion of brands bridging the self and sanctuary offering, which makes sense because if we want to smell good, we want the same for the spaces we inhabit. But Basium is making savvy moves, offering a path to reconnection through the marriage of aromatherapy, natural perfumery, and holistic self-care. A component of this approach is traceable ingredients. Basium fragrances are vegan and free of synthetics.
Thoughts, questions, you can always direct reply to these emails. We look forward to hearing from you!
Tracey Creed & Amandine Paniagua
