We’re big believers in the ‘less is more’ approach to staying nourished, healthy + grounder, and so is creative consultant + co-author of A Simple Table, Chi San Wan. Blending sustainable living, with glow-giving rituals, recipes, she shares simple steps we can all take to help live our healthiest lives yet.
- How do you find your daily source of golden balance?
I try to do meditation first thing to ground myself for whatever the day will throw at me. Failing that, I’ll squeeze it in when Marloe (my 20 month old) is having a nap, out with her dad or at nursery. If I fit meditation in at least once a day, all is good in the world.
- How important is self-care to you, and do you often implement it into your regular rituals?
It’s incredibly important to me, but sometimes it falls by the wayside. Living in London, you’re constantly on the go and with a small human being dependent on you, sometimes I let self-care slide. But when I do get into a self-care groove, everything seems easier, so I try my best to keep at it and not see it as a luxury, but rather a necessity.
- Share with us a quote that gives you daily inspiration.
The last few years I have repeated this a lot (to myself and to others): “Things happen FOR you, not TO you.”
- We know nourishment from the inside out is fundamental to you. How do you practice this every day?
The basics really, which I think we can easily forget sometimes. I try and meditate, I drink a lot of liquids (water, herbal infusions, tonics), I take time to make and eat my food, I make sure I move in nature and I get to bed by 10pm.
- What are some of your favourite ways to wind down?
This year I have really gotten into baths. I try and carve time out for myself and take a bath (salts, candles, crystals, essentials oils an’ all!) at least once a week, put on a podcast, some meditation music or even Netflix depending on what I feel like I need the most. Sometimes it’s just going for dinner and some wine with my man friend or my girlfriends. Sometimes it’s doing some gentle yoga and hitting the sack at 8:30pm (the DREAM).
- Ingredients-wise, what are your three non-negotiables in the kitchen?
I panic if I don’t have really good sea salt, lemons or garlic in the house. I am a simple person.
- Now tell us, do you have a guilty pleasure?
It changes constantly what I deem as a ‘guilty’ pleasure, but right now it’s Ombars, one almost every night post-dinner.
- What is your favourite way to use turmeric, be it in your beauty regime or recipes?
I use turmeric in most curries I make (and that’s a lot because Marloe is a fan!), my eggs, any savoury baked goods and some tonics.
- Matcha or turmeric latte?
Is it boring to say I am 50/50 on this? It depends on what the day calls for!