Inner and Outer Glow: 5 Discoveries in November

In a world of overwhelming choice, questionable quality and non-stop marketing stimulation, it’s a luxury to find a space that offers simple and beautiful things for discovery. I do hope this personal selection will make you feel good and mindful of small pleasures. It’s on us to be mindful of what we are doing and what we are choosing every day. Let’s start with small steps towards a more happy and healthy life.

 By Margo Samant

Good food = good mood

I value delicious, simple, and healthy food. I love when the ingredients stand out and the spices and sauces do their bit to lift the flavour profile of good ingredients.  

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day! It is colourful and a satisfying assembly of fruits, juices and good, slow carbs! My latest addition to the pantry is a delicious porridge in a jar. TheNibbleBox Rose & Pistachio Superfood Porridge is nourishing, tasty and easy to pack for travel. It’s a 100% natural, gluten-free, refine sugar-free and vegan and contains nutritious almond flour, nuts, seeds and dried fruit. All you have to do is add hot water or diary free milk, stir and it’s ready to eat. All my family members love it!

Ive also developed another recent love and habit – of adding seeds and nuts to your daily food. They’re a great source of healthy fats, fibres, vitamins, and minerals. Nuts are antioxidant powerhouses and possess anti-inflammatory properties. Together, seeds and nuts add crunch to dishes and also work great in salads, soups or as a stand-alone snack.  

My absolute favourite is the Nature Therapy homestyle trail mix, which is gluten-free and the True Elements 9-in-1 Snack Mix (available on Amazon). 

Inspirational lifestyle elements

I love the aesthetic of Delhi-based French designer Olivia Dar. This brand specialises in beaded embroidered accessories such as  bags, pouches, jewellery, and clothing. Last month, they launched beautiful laptop covers. The products are soft, hand-embroidered, and crafted in dreamy palettes and some also feature playful additions such as tassels. I really do find beauty and thoughtful design inspiring! 

Book of the month – Atomic Habits 

Authored by James Clear, this is a powerful book that brims with practical information. Our team wrote about it here, I reread it and loved it all over again. It talks about habits and how to rebuild them effortlessly. Here are a few of my favourite quotes: 

 “Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”

“Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results.”

The book tells us that a habit is made up of four laws of behaviour that are the foundation to create good habits and break bad ones. A single habit is made up of a cue, craving, responde and reward. The Two-Minute rule states that “When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.” 

Incredible isn’t it? 

Mental fitness or the importance of doing nothing for 10 minutes daily

I’m all about preventive measures when it comes to mental health, which directly impacts inner Glow and beauty. It’s important to be in a good relationship with the self, feel what our body needs and pay attention to what our mind and soul are seeking.. 

Meditation is a great instrument, but not all of us can do it alone. Recently, I watched a TED talk by British author, public speaker and meditation and mindfulness practitioner Andy Puddicombe, about the importance of doing nothing for 10 mins a day. The talk also featured Richard Pierson, the co-founder of Headspace, an app that provides guided meditation and mindfulness training.  

10 mins of doing nothing for the most important person in your life, you! It really is so simple, yet hard at the same time. Because if you’re feeling good, you’re going to be good to your family, friends and society. Sharing this video so you can enjoy it too!