LAGOM - November 2024
Warming lentil stew + Bright asparagus with pea purée, style your Summer closet and find the perfect gift in our guide.
Hello, hello!
In issue 45 of our newsletter, we share two plant-based recipes—a warming lentil stew with tofu and kale for those going through the cold weather of the North Hemisphere and a bright asparagus side dish with a pea purée for those feeling the heat in the South. For added viewing pleasure, our November iteration also offers chic solutions for Summer dressing, a formula for discovering your style and making your wardrobe work harder. And because it is the season, we share a gift list featuring items we would love to give or get these holidays. Always purchase mindfully.
Even in the absence of festivities, life and work have been intense, and many of you will also be sensing the pull. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed or confused from the constant chatter, the Internet a lot, and so as the year draws to a close, we ask ourselves what needs tending to, here and now? What can provide a respite? There is so much happening all at once. This season is intense, but in the coming weeks, may you get the growth, energy, resilience, time, and space you seek.
These past weeks, we also welcomed new subscribers from the food sovereignty and agroecology space. As you discover our free missive, we would like to point out that our approach to sustainability is broad, encompassing subjects that could sometimes feel more frivolous than others, but always from the lens of ethics and reducing consumption, waste, pollution, while looking for joy in the mundane and small things of life. Hence, a gift guide this month! Also, anyone who has had issues accessing our complimentary recipe ebooks, past or new readers, will find them here and there.
New lentil stew with tofu and kale
There is always space on the internet for a new, vibrant lentil stew. This one comes with tofu and kale and is possibly one of the website's easiest, wholesome main meals. It ticks all the boxes—satisfying, fast to make, and requires little prep. This dish is also agreeable to the palate, delicately seasoned with a rich balance of earthy and tangy flavours. A perfect mid-week dinner all year long.
Style your closet, Summer edition
This latest iteration of "Style your closet" is coming at an apt time, with Summer hitting the South Hemisphere. If you are getting bored of your outfits and feel the urge to buy new pieces of clothing, stop now and check out this article to learn how to style what you already have! You will find aspiration over consumption, with simple concepts and easy tips learned from personal experience and established stylists to help you stimulate your creativity and define your style. Get dressed well for Summer.
Our ultimate holiday gift guide—2024 refresh
As our inboxes are overflowing with continuing Black Friday emails and gift guides, we’ve all reached maximum capacity for persuasive communications but we highly recommend browsing ours. We cover various categories, price points and offerings—and these suggestions are either purchases we have made ourselves or what we currently have on collective wish lists. Dive in; there's something here for everyone on your list, including yourself. Some links might be affiliates, meaning we could earn a (very tiny) commission from your purchase, but most are not. Always shop mindfully.
Fresh asparagus with pea purée
Our summer palate (and the current temperatures here) has us craving fresher ingredients and brighter preparations. Crisp asparagus holds its own against a creamy green pea purée. This recipe is incredibly simple, coming together in 20 minutes and looks beautiful. And since this plate is on the simpler side, ingredients matter; for the best version, we recommend you source organic where possible.
Amandine's edit
I find mushrooms fascinating. There are so many varieties with vast properties, functions and flavours. And also colours! Dive into this mushroom colour atlas to discover their range of nuances and spend a relaxing moment.
The anti-TikTok videos. I came across this YouTube channel a few months ago showcasing a couple living on their farm in Azerbaijan. They have 6.12 million subscribers! There are no comments, just images and the sounds of life. The Ramikhanov family is not vegan, yet their lifestyle videos really give a glimpse into what it means to live off the land and close to Nature.
I am a kid of the 90s, and I grew up with Marvel’s X-Men anime—Wolverine’s yellow outfit forever. And so I saved this podcast by Connor Gold Smith, highlighting a single character from the mutant’s world in each episode. There are 4 seasons! Something to take a mental break from what’s happening in our world and broaden your general pop culture.
Trace's edit
Within the conversations concerning the climate crisis, the Caribbean is receiving little airtime. These islands (and others) are incredibly vulnerable to extreme weather patterns and environmental degradation. I think when a lot of us watch the news and see, more frequently, severe storms, news outlets are usually covering cities of economic importance. "Storms aren't sexy: Caribbean in Crisis" is full of illustrations and important facts and findings that draw attention to the ongoing climate crisis that is impacting Caribbean nations and SIDS (Small Island Developing States). If you are looking to educate yourself, this zine is a good place to start.
E Nolan scrunchies are made in Melbourne with the offcuts of cotton poplin from their ready-to-wear shirt production and linen plain weave from their sample room and archives. The proportions are perfect and they are, for the holidays, available as a proper gift set. E Nolan has a temporary space in Collingwood until December 22nd, so I am taking a walk this weekend.
If a European summer is not cards for you, Diptyque’s latest citrus iteration features illustrations by Erik Winkowski capturing the Mediterranean—and notes of lemongrass, verbena, neroli, and orange blossom will make it smell like summer nights in Positano, for when you are not in Positano. This candle also promises to repel mosquitos.
Thoughts, questions, you can always direct reply to these emails. We look forward to hearing from you!
Tracey Creed & Amandine Paniagua
