Easy Lemon Cake Recipe

Serves 12

250g plain flour, plus 80g for the streusel topping

20g porridge oats

250g plus 2 tablespoons golden caster sugar

zest of 4 unwaxed lemons

200g unsalted butter at room temperature, plus 70g cold unsalted butter and a little extra for the tin

80g ground almonds

11⁄2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt

3 large organic eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

250g natural yoghurt

100g lemon curd

Creme friache or whipped cream to serve (we picked whipped cream)

Make the streusel topping

Put 80g plain flour, 20g porridge oats, 2 tablespoons of caster sugar and a pinch of sea salt into a bowl and mix well. Add the zest of 1 unwaxed lemon, then add 70g of cold unsalted butter. Use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour like a crumble mixture until large sticky clumps have formed. This is your streusel.

Preheat the oven and line your tin

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan. Grease a 23cm cake tin with butter, then line with baking paper.

Mix the dry ingredients

Put 250g plain flour, 80g ground almonds, 11⁄2 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl with 1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt and mix with a whisk until there are no lumps.

Cream the butter and sugar

In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or in another mixing bowl with an electric hand whisk or wooden spoon, cream 200g unsalted butter and 250g golden caster sugar until pale and fluffy. This will take about 3–4 minutes in a stand mixer and longer by hand.

Add the eggs

Scrape down the bowl and add 3 large organic or free-range eggs one at a time, mixing on a low speed until each one is incorporated, then mix in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, the zest of another unwaxed lemon, and 250g natural yoghurt or oat yoghurt.

Add the dry ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to the batter in the mixing bowl and mix until just combined. This is a very forgiving cake, but minimal mixing will make it as light as possible.

Put the batter into the cake tin and add the lemon curd

Scrape the batter into the prepared tin and level it gently with a spatula then spoon over 100g good-quality lemon curd in little patches and use your spoon to swirl it in a little. Scatter the streusel topping evenly to the very edges of the cake; don’t pile it into the middle or it will sink.

Clean as you go with Homecourt

Homecourt was created by Courteney Cox in the belief that the household products we use each day should not only look and smell beautiful, but also should be safe for people, pets, and the planet. As a new addition to Reve, Homecourt is one of our favourite ways to clean and fragrance the home, especially while baking since the brand is non-toxic and their ingredients are plant-derived!

Bake the cake

Bake for 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Cover the top of the cake with foil if it looks like it’s browning too fast. Allow to cool for 15 minutes in the tin, then remove from the tin and leave to cool completely on a wire rack. Serve with some crème fraîche or whipped cream rippled with a little lemon curd.

The Reve Touch

Add in an array of freshly picked or bought edible flowers. We used nasturtium flowers, radish flowers, rocket flowers, thyme flowers, calendula / marigold flowers, and rosemary flowers.

Anna is one of our favourite plant based chefs and has provided so much inspiration for the team on vegetarian cooking. Find her lovely podcast episode with us HERE and her site with loads of free recipes HERE!

We love that you have already co-founded another sustainable business, Atlantic Kitchen. What inspired you to move from the food industry towards textiles? 

I care deeply about food and its provenance and process. So I loved getting under the skin of the food industry with Atlantic Kitchen. It was my first business and I learnt a lot about running a business marketing and brand. I created a local supply chain with minimal treatments that benefitted the growers. So there is lots of crossover with HERD. The food industry is so far ahead of the fashion industry in terms of the information available. To customers, the traceability, certifications and understanding of provenance.

As I went deeper into that world I became frustrated with what was available in clothing. While living in California I became aware of the Fibreshed movement as a blueprint for a harmonious future fashion industry. As I felt deeply connected to wool, being a hand-knitter, I decided to create a knitwear brand using the dormant British wool supply chain. That had none of the waste, transportation, pollution and exploitation of the mainstream industry. 

Have you always been passionate about sustainability? If so, where is this routed back to?

From childhood I always wanted to make a difference. It took me a while to figure out how I could do that in a way that lent itself to my skills. When I fell into entrepreneurship I knew I’d found the route! I love being outdoors and travelling and feel lucky to have travelled independently to many unspoilt places in my life. An early dive into yoga gave me a powerful channel to that connection. I think when you care about and feel a part of nature. You can’t help but bring this into one’s life. It’s fundamental to my being so is the way I approach everything. From how I raise my children to business, to home life. 

We love that your supply chain process is entirely traceable. What made you choose Northern England to base HERD knitwear around?

Britain has a long history – thousands of years – of sheep farming, and the supply of wool around the world was the engine of the British Empire in its time, bringing massive revenues into the country and shaping the cities and rural life of the nation. Crazy to think of this now, when wool is being burnt or buried as waste! The North of England especially with the hilly landscape, plenty of rain and rich green grass was perfect for grazing and our Bluefaced Leicester breed is native to the area.

Around this sheep farming grew a huge industry in Yorkshire with hundreds of factories involved in the grading, scouring, dyeing and spinning of the wool. Britain was at the apex of the wool industry – with the raw materials, machinery and know-how to make the finest yarn and cloth in the world. A very small cross-section of that industry still exists although most has been offshored to cheaper labour economies and bigger factories, causing carbon emissions, pollution and exploitation along the way. HERD was born to champion the skills and craftsmanship in Northern England by reimagining the heritage wool supply chain for the modern day.

What are the main values HERD as a brand stands for? And how do you communicate these values so that customers feel a sense of connection to HERD? 

HERD is ultimately about connection, from livestock farming, to plant dyes to customers and their own sustainability journeys. We act as a conduit between the stories. We tell the stories visually – by capturing the farms and factories from soil to skin and by shooting our campaigns entirely authentically on location along the knitwear supply chain. Taking a photography team to the scouring and combing factory was quite an eye-opener for everyone – these places are not commonly visited by the fashion industry! 

Our USPs are: 

– We make our own materials from soil to skin

– Everything we make is chemical-free, using organic detergents, plant dyes and naturally occurring mordants 

– Everything is made within the same country, often the same region, as close to the farms as possible 

– We have a farm focus. We work with over 40 farms in England, and are working to help them farm holistically. 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in establishing HERD knitwear and its production process? And how have you had to adapt?

It’s always hard doing something no-one else is doing! We experienced challenges at start-up and are now experiencing different challenges as we scale up.  It is an ever-shifting landscape as our partners scale up or down, introduce new capacities and change their own business models. The most challenging part of our process is the dyeing. We are committed to natural processing which means plant dyes. There was no existing capacity for industrial, scaleable plant dyeing in the UK (or most of the world). We have had to create those recipes from scratch with a dye house partner. As it is so new and untested there is plenty of trial and error. Which we can often pivot and find a use for but requires yet more development!

Can you share any innovative techniques or materials that you’ve adopted to minimise waste and reduce your brand’s carbon footprint?

– The average merino supply chain is over 18,000 miles, involving multiple different countries for different processes. Ours is less than 300, so there is a significant reduction in carbon footprint for the miles travelled.

– Most of our factory partners already have various secondary processes to minimise waste, for example both our scouring and dyeing plants have their own in-house water cleaning plants so that nothing toxic goes into the mains water system. 

– Sheep fleece is also rich in lanolin which is a natural balm used widely across the cosmetics industry, this is collected after the cleaning of the fleece. Another waste stream that is reused is the ‘dags’, the discoloured bits of the fleece which go into fertiliser.  

Which is your favourite HERD knitwear piece from your collection, and why? 

My favourite piece from our AW23 Collection is the Fleetwood Jumper, for which we drew on the heritage of yoked fairisle jumpers, but with a modern twist. The inspiration for the design is the layered landscape of the Northern Uplands, with the hills and dales, drystone walls, tree line and streams trickling into rivers. The shape is beautifully flattering and the style has been much loved by industry and customers.

Do you have any styling tips for your audience? And how they can incorporate HERD knitwear into their wardrobe all year round, and not just in the colder months?

Most of the year in the UK one can’t be too far from a jumper? Even in summer for the evenings. We use pointelle knitting techniques to create lighter collections like the Wyre. Which can be worn all year around and look gorgeous over dresses to extend the spring/summer wardrobe. I love to play with proportions, a chunky, slightly oversized knit like the Fleetwood over a slim skirt or fitted jeans. And key layering pieces like the Ingleton Gilet which is always slung over the back of my chair at work for when I get chilly or want to step out for some fresh air.

Can you share any long-term goals or aspirations for HERD knitwear regarding sustainability and its impact on the environment or society?

There is so much untapped potential in the wool industry to expand into other breeds and materials made from wool. So I’m excited about supporting more factories to develop these.

Fundamentally the reason I started HERD knitwear was to support farmers in their transition to regenerative agriculture. And to prove that regenerative fashion is possible, that we can rebuild the ecosystems and communities around us by growing and making clothes. So my ambition is to grow a farming community that is rebuilding soil health and diversity. Across multiple natural raw materials.

What advice would you give to other aspiring designers looking to establish a sustainable brand?

Start with the material. Ask the questions, go deep into the supply chain and don’t stop asking until you have all the answers!

And finally, how would you encourage your audience to live a more conscious, sustainable lifestyle?

Spend as much time as possible in nature – in the wind, rain, snow, sleet and sunshine. All the answers are there.

Shop and Learn More About HERD Knitwear

Shop HERD Knitwear

Visit HERD Knitwear

Why choose organic skincare?

There are many factors that can influence your skin. Genetics, age, and the environment all influence your skin health. Lifestyle factors like stress, diet, and exercise also play a big role.

The skin is our largest organ. We believe it deserves the best care, so we focus on natural and organic ingredients. Choosing a clean skincare routine helps our skin get the nourishment it needs. This way, we avoid harmful chemicals and synthetic additives. Using the best natural and organic skincare helps our skin stay healthy. It also supports a holistic self-care routine and cares for the environment. When you add products to your skincare routine or start your skincare journey, consistency is key. Be patient, too. You’ll see results over time, so keep at it. This is especially true if you want to address a specific skincare issue.

Best Products For Aging Skin

As you get older, your skin changes. It produces less collagen, loses elasticity, and becomes drier. The environment affects your skin’s appearance. Regular sun exposure or pollution can cause premature aging. Aging is a natural part of life. However, a consistent skincare routine can help slow its visible effects. This way, you can keep your skin looking youthful and radiant. It’s worth mentioning that it’s never too late to start your skincare journey!

At Rev, we believe in the power of a good facial oil. It nourishes and deeply hydrates your skin. Dehydrated skin can show fine lines and early signs of aging more clearly. Facial oils lock in moisture and are great for your skin. They often have antioxidants that help replenish skin cells. This can reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Above Image @teamdrjoseph.

Featured here is the Seres Boosted Collagen Serum ethically made by Ilody. Collagen is key for keeping skin firm, smooth, and looking good. It creates a fiber network that supports the skin. This helps stop sagging and wrinkles. As we age, collagen production decreases. This is why we get fine lines, wrinkles, and lose elasticity. Collagen is a popular ingredient in skincare. It helps reduce signs of aging. This emulsion serum boosts collagen. It increases skin elasticity and plumpness. As a result, it helps reduce fine lines, giving your skin a firmer look. It also helps the skin’s moisture barrier. This prevents dehydration and protects against environmental stressors.

We recommend Oio Lab Anti-Ageing Night Facial Treatment Oil. It’s great for anyone wanting to reduce signs of aging. Oio Lab combines organic plant extracts with active ingredients. This offers proven results without synthetic additives or preservatives. This facial treatment oil has botanical extracts, organic oils, and a strong dose of hydrogenated retinol. It boosts hyaluronic acid, which hydrates the skin, and improves skin elasticity. It has organic, cold-pressed oils from cranberry, evening primrose, baobab, and Sacha Inchi seeds. These oils help the skin regenerate naturally. The Night elixir helps to tighten the skin, counteract the signs of aging and enhances a healthy skin colour.

Best Products For Blemish-Prone Skin

Many people deal with imperfections, blemishes, and acne at some time in their lives. Dealing with skin issues can hurt your self-esteem and confidence. It often leaves you feeling down. Having blemishes is normal. Organic skincare can help you manage blemish-prone skin. This way, you can feel and look your best.

Acne-prone skin can have many causes. It often happens when the sebaceous glands produce too much oil. Dead skin cells and bacteria can also build up on your skin. In turn, this can lead to pores becoming clogged and the formation of blemishes. Diet matters too. Certain foods can make acne worse. Dairy, processed foods, and sugar are examples. Hormonal changes and genetics matter too. If you keep having problems that won’t go away, see your doctor or a dermatologist for advice.

To manage blemish-prone skin, use a gentle cleanser. It removes excess oil, dirt, and impurities. This way, you keep the skin’s natural moisture barrier intact. This is particularly important for those who wear makeup or SPF. You can use a cleanser made for exfoliating, like the Exfoliating Mask from UMM Skincare. A revitalizing treatment formulated to brighten, exfoliate, and infuse skin with radiance. The masque helps clear pores, remove dead skin cells, lighten scars, and improve skin health. This treatment draws from Ayurvedic skincare. It includes the best adaptogenic herbs, healing plants, and revitalizing 24K gold with saffron.

Team Dr. Joseph’s Daily Purifying Cream is a top organic skincare choice. It’s perfect for oily or blemish-prone skin. It is formulated to purify the skin, refine any texture, and unclog pores. This organic formula reduces blackheads and impurities. It promotes a clean and clear complexion.

Best Products For Sensitive Skin

Organic skincare for sensitive skin needs a gentle, simple approach. This helps prevent irritation and inflammation. Everyone’s skin is different. Finding the right skincare routine for sensitive skin can take some time. You might need to try different products to see what works best. Avoid products with active ingredients or exfoliating properties. Sensitive skin may react to these. If you decide to exfoliate, use mild exfoliants. Also, avoid harsh scrubs for the best results. Synthetic fragrances can irritate sensitive skin. Choose fragrance-free products or products that contain natural scents.

To choose the best organic skincare, start by focusing on hydration. Also, use products that help keep your skin barrier healthy. People with sensitive skin often have a weaker skin barrier. This can lead to irritation and redness. Hydrating the skin replenishes moisture and strengthens the skin barrier. It also soothes irritation. Once you hydrate and strengthen your skin, you can add other skincare products. This includes serums, treatments, and sunscreens. These products can help with issues like aging, pigmentation, or acne. Always patch-test new products. Introduce them in stages to reduce the chance of irritation.

Team Dr. Joseph offers a wide range of skincare products just for you. They have great products for sensitive and reactive skin. These include the Skin Calming Cream, Skin Calming Mask, and Barrier Restoring Cream. The Skin Calming Mask is a creamy face mask that soothes and strengthens. It contains shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and evening primrose. This mask is perfect for sensitive, irritated, and redness-prone skin.

Irene Forte’s skincare range also provides products clinically approved for sensitive skin. Their Aloe Face Cream helps rehydrate skin. It contains pro-vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, and aloe leaf juice. It has organic olive oil, avocado oil, and shea butter. These ingredients help restore the natural barrier and keep the skin’s moisture intact.

Above Image @teamdrjoseph.

Dry Skin

Dry skin can come from many factors. One main cause is genetics. Your genes can affect how well your skin stays hydrated, makes lipids, and protects itself. As people get older, their skin makes less natural oil. It also gets thinner. This results in slower skin cell turnover. Environmental factors matter too. This is especially true during colder seasons. Cold or dry weather, low humidity, and too much sun can all have an impact. Indoor heating and air conditioning can also dry out your skin.

We have a particular fondness for the Night Recovery Oil from Wilder. Recovery Bio Organic Night Oil uses Wilder’s special 42-day double-infused Rose oil. It blends eco marine algae, pomegranate, rose hip, star flower, and Calendula C02 extracts. These ingredients provide over 200 phytonutrients. They work together to balance, tone, and rejuvenate your skin while you sleep. This oil encourages cell renewal and boosts collagen. It calms the skin and soothes the senses. Wake up to skin that looks healthy and well-rested.

We recommend a gentle, hydrating cleanser. It removes dirt and impurities but keeps your skin’s natural oils intact. Choose a creamy or lotion-based cleanser with natural hyaluronic acid or glycerin. These ingredients will cleanse your skin and add hydration. After washing, your skin will feel soft and supple.

We recommend a rich moisturizer or facial oil made for dry skin. Natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil deeply nourish and hydrate the skin. They form a protective layer on the skin, stopping moisture loss. They also aid in repairing the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Apply moisturizer generously on damp skin after cleansing. This helps absorption because damp skin is more permeable. As a result, the moisturizer goes deeper and is absorbed better.

Team Dr. Joseph’s Ultra Intense Moisturizing Cream has shea butter and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help restore moisture to dry and dehydrated skin. Shea butter has plenty of fatty acids. These are key for keeping the skin’s moisture barrier. They help seal in moisture and keep the skin hydrated. It’s also high in vitamins A and E, along with antioxidants. These nutrients help the skin become more resilient and support its natural repair processes.

Best Product For Normal Skin

All skin is normal. But typically, normal skin is characterized by health and balance. It features an even tone and lacks major skin care problems. Normal skin usually isn’t very sensitive or reactive. It tolerates changes in temperature and skin care products well. It can tolerate a variety of skincare ingredients without experiencing adverse reactions. If you don’t know where to begin, try using an organic eye cream. It can really help, especially if you use it regularly. Everyday stresses can really add up, especially when you don’t get enough sleep during a busy month!

The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than on your face. This makes it more prone to dryness and dehydration. Eye creams have ingredients that hydrate this sensitive area. They help fight fine lines and wrinkles. Some products also have caffeine or peptides. These ingredients help reduce puffiness and dark circles by promoting lymphatic drainage. Irene Forte’s Olive Eye Cream is clinically shown to boost skin hydration. It contains a vitamin B complex, hyaluronic acid, and aloe leaf juice. Upcycled olive seed oil is rich in antioxidants. It smooths and protects the delicate skin around the eyes. The penta-phyto complex also helps improve uneven skin tone and dark circles.

Normal skin is usually less reactive. So, adding a new serum can boost your complexion without irritation. Oio Lab’s Supercharged Glow Facial Serum has powerful plant extracts and minerals. It makes your skin look naturally glowing and radiant. It contains natural extracts from tremella mushroom, honey locust seeds, and rock samphire. These ingredients are sustainably sourced. These patented ingredients boost skin elasticity and hydration. You’ll see a healthier complexion within just 1 hour of applying the serum.

Knowing your skin type helps you choose the right products. Different skin types need specific products and treatments. This helps maintain balance and tackle concerns effectively. It also reduces irritation and boosts the benefits of natural ingredients. It may take some trial and error. But once you notice positive changes in your skin, it feels rewarding. This often brings a new sense of confidence!

Above Image @teamdrjoseph.

Read more about organic skincare:

The benefits of tallow for skin health

Sustainable pregnancy safe skincare

Kinfill’s Story

The Kinfill team believes homes hold great meaning for their residents. To create a cleaner planet, we must start with our actions at home. When we make thoughtful choices and take positive actions, we spark change. This inspires others to join us in creating a cleaner planet we proudly call home.

Reda Jouahri founded Kinfill to change the cleaning industry. He focused on reducing its environmental impact and promoting responsibility. Kinfill created a line of refillable non toxic cleaning products and supplies. These are 100% biodegradable and mix easily with tap water at home. This approach cuts out single-use plastic and avoids extra water transport. Kinfill is setting a new sustainability standard in the industry. All products use clean, safe ingredients. They are vegan and cruelty-free, too.

Why choose non toxic cleaning product and supplies?

Many cleaning products have harmful ingredients. These can be bad for our health and the environment. They often have toxic chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, and phthalates. They also contain volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde. These can irritate your skin and eyes. They may cause dizziness and headaches. In addition, they can lead to serious respiratory issues. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemicals. They easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. You can often find them in regular cleaning products. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. It can cause cancer and is in some furniture polish and air fresheners. You’re exposed to these chemicals while cleaning. They also stay on surfaces, especially in closed spaces with poor ventilation.

Long exposure to these harmful chemicals can be especially dangerous for people with health issues.

Non toxic cleaning is a win for your home and the environment!

The production and disposal of regular cleaning products can greatly harm the environment. Many chemicals in these products come from non-renewable resources, like petroleum. Extracting, refining, and transporting petroleum causes greenhouse gas emissions. Also, it releases harmful chemicals into the environment. This leads to water and air pollution, along with soil contamination.

When these products go down drains or toilets, they can release petroleum-based chemicals. These chemicals can pollute water sources, gathering in rivers, lakes, and oceans. This poses serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and wildlife. Most cleaning products are made from plastic, a petroleum-based material. This plastic can take hundreds of years to break down. Non-recyclable materials in landfills release toxic greenhouse gases. These include carbon dioxide and methane, which harm the environment.

Kinfill’s non toxic cleaning products and supplies

So, Kinfill is here to offer you non toxic cleaning alternatives that won’t harm you or the environment! Kinfill’s lovely products use only clean ingredients. They are free from volatile organic compounds. This makes them safe for you, pregnant or nursing women, children, and pets. Kinfill’s products avoid harmful ingredients. They contain no palm oil, aluminum, formaldehyde, phthalates, mineral oils, parabens, silicones, sodium lauryl sulfate, or toluene. The natural ingredients used are just as effective as conventional cleaning products. They clean grease, grime, and dust from every surface in your home. They do this while keeping the environment safe.

Choosing Your Scent

Strong scents can change the feel of our homes. For example, the smell of traditional bleach can be overpowering. All of Kinfill’s non toxic cleaning supplies come in a number of different scents and are designed to look and smell as good as everything else in your space. You can choose from Pine Husk, Naranja, Lavender Fields, Cucumic or Ambrette, there really is something for everyone! However just to note, soon their scents will switch to Ambrette, Tangerine, Menthe, Brune N°79! Some scents offer aromatherapy benefits. They can improve your mood and well-being. For example, lavender is known for its calming properties, while citrus scents can be energizing and uplifting.

Cleaning cupboards often become cluttered with many brands and products. However, simplicity can be surprisingly effective when it comes to cleaning. Kinfill’s collection can help you declutter your cupboards. It also simplifies your cleaning routine with just a few multipurpose products.

Featured here is The Multi Surface Cleaner Kit and The Kitchen Cleaner Kit. Many all-purpose cleaners have volatile organic compounds. These help break down grease, dirt, and grime. They also make surfaces shiny. Kinfill’s non toxic cleaning supplies does all this without harsh ingredients. It uses powerful natural formulas that are gentle yet very effective for your home.

Refillable Options

Something we love about the Kinfill non toxic cleaning supplies is their commitment to sustainability throughout all aspects of their production processes. Not only are Kinfill’s products plastic-free, but they also offer refillable options, a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to traditional single-use products. This significantly reduces waste by allowing you to re-use the same bottle time after time, saving companies the need to manufacture new packaging with each purchase.

This approach not only helps to reduce the amount of plastering entering our landfills and oceans, but also promotes a more circular economy where resources are conserved and reused. Kinfill’s Glass Forever Bottle speaks for itself! These refillable bottles are made from Italian glass and have been developed to be fully and easily recyclable, ensuring materials are properly disposed of and do not end up in landfills like many conventional cleaning products. The caps used for Kinfill’s refill vials are also recyclable. Refillable bottles encourage us to think more mindfully about the products we buy and the effect these everyday products have on the environment. 

The refillable vials couldn’t be easier to use… All you have to do is pour the entire refill vial into your Forever Bottle, and fill the bottle up with tap water. Twist the trigger spray back on and you’re ready to go!

Other Sustainable Swaps For Your Spring Clean

Opting for refillable and eco-friendly cleaning products is a great way to reduce your own plastic usage with the environment in mind, but there are also some other ways for a more sustainable Spring Clean!

Reusable Cleaning Cloths / Sponges 

We’d always encourage people to opt for reusable cleaning cloths that can be washed and reused multiple times, instead of using disposable paper towels. Despite being made from paper, disposable towels are not necessarily eco-friendly due to their single-use nature and resource-intensive production process. They are also often treated with chemical additives to enhance their absorbency, which can be harmful to human health and the environment, particularly when released into the air or water during their production and disposal. Choosing cloths and sponges that are made from natural materials such as plant fibres can be a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Natural sponges are biodegradable and can be composted at the end of their life. 

Donating or Repurposing Items 

If you are having a clear out of any of your old unwanted items, we’d always encourage people to consider donating them to charity or repurposing them for new uses. By donating or giving away household goods, it extends the lifecycle of products and is a great way to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste ending up in landfills. It’s a simple yet impactful way to make a positive difference while decluttering your home! 

Sustainable Hand Wash 

The annual spring clean is often associated with renewal and fresh starts. If it’s something you were already considering, It’s an excellent time to declutter your space and introduce some other sustainable, reusable products to your home. Kinfill’s refillable hand wash is a fantastic alternative to traditional hand washes which contain ingredients that are harsh or drying and filled with artificial fragrances. This Wild Peony Hand Wash is infused with plant-based extracts of chia, ginseng and shea butter, designed to hydrate, protect and nourish your skin. This formula is free from mineral oils and silicones. 

Kinfill’s Soap Bar Bundle is another sustainable alternative to conventional soaps. Included in this bundle is the Hand Soap Bar in Lavender Fields, a hydrating hand soap infused with jojoba oil and other natural hydrating ingredients. It contains antibacterial properties to cleanse and nourish your hands, particularly after a day of cleaning. This formula not only saves at least six plastic bottles due to its long-lasting nature and plastic free packaging, but also offers safe, gentle ingredients for sensitive skin. The Soap Bar bundle also comes with an organic shampoo bar and natural body bar!

Conserving Water 

Using our water consumption mindfully is another easy way to make your spring clean a more sustainable one! Practicing water saving techniques throughout your everyday activities is a great cost-efficient way to minimise your resource consumption and environmental footprint. While cleaning, consider using a bucket instead of running water from the tap.

Sustainable Reed Diffusers 

Conventional reed diffusers are not considered sustainable due their reliance on synthetic fragrances and chemical additives. These fragrances and additives are often produced using non-renewable resources and can emit volatile organic compounds into the air, which we are also exposed to. They also usually come in single-use glass or plastic bottles, which means once the diffuser liquid is depleted, the entire product is discarded rather than being reused or recycled. 

Kinfill offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional reed diffusers, which are thoughtfully designed to fill any room with refined scents. Their reed diffusers come with a 250ml refillable fragrance in a glass bottle along with a ceramic tray, and 5 natural bamboo sticks. Ethically crafted in Portugal, this composition combines glass and ceramic for a unique and durable design, adding charm to your space without compromising the planet. The Reed Diffuser in Flowershop offers a blend of bursting blooms, freshly cut stems, crips greens and crushed petals, perfect for a refreshing spring scent. 

We think these reed diffusers also make a great gift to encourage family and friends to opt towards living a more conscious lifestyle!

By integrating more sustainable products into our everyday lives, we can embrace a more conscious way of living while minimising our impact on the environment. Kinfill’s cleaning range provides an eco-friendly alternative to conventional cleaning products, while also ensuring we are not exposing our bodies to harmful chemicals, commonly used in traditional cleaning formulas. We thought a Spring Clean was the perfect opportunity to try some conscious cleaning products!

About Fashion Revolution Week

Fashion Revolution Week aims to raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry. It advocates for a more sustainable and ethical approach to fashion, production and consumption. You may have heard of the social media campaign and hashtag #WhoMadeMyClothes. Encouraging consumers to ask questions about the origins of their clothing. And the conditions they were made in, promoting transparency and accountability throughout the fashion industry.

Here at Rev, transparency is at the core of our values. We advocate for traceability throughout all supply chains. The brands we stock maintain close relationships with their suppliers, local artisans, and skilled craftsmen. Ensuring complete transparency and accountability in their ethical production processes. 

We thought this was a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of our favourite sustainable brands and designers. And the inspiring stories behind them. Each brand we feature embodies our commitment to sustainability, ethical production and social responsibility.

ELV Denim

ELV Denim believe that we can as a collective make a difference in a world of overconsumption. They champion slow fashion, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Designed and produced in East London, ELV denim uses local factories and ateliers. Keeping the carbon footprint to a minimum, while supporting local communities. 

ELV denim was born from a desire to correct the fashion industry’s wrongs and challenge convention. Founder Anna Foster, witnessed first hand the large-scale overconsumption in the fashion industry through her role as a stylist. She realised the potential of up-cycling and fabric-first curated sourcing in meeting the demand for design-led luxury fashion whilst being kinder to the environment.

More on ELV Denim

Each piece is unique, has its own story, and is made using 100% upcycled materials. Adhering to an ethos of zero waste, the material used has zero impact on the environment. The fabric is sourced from preloved discarded denim and transformed into modern sophisticated designs, offering a second life to garments destined for landfill. Denim is renowned for its hard-wearing and long-lasting properties, meaning these discarded garments still have plenty of life left in them. 

Every jean is hand picked, sorted and paired by hand, by Anna and her small team in East London. Ensuring every piece is quality checked and that they are happy with the gradient of colourway. The jeans are then cut by hand and made using traditional denim methods. With the environment in mind, the production of ELV Denim jeans only uses 7 liters of water. A stark comparison to the 7000 liters typically required to manufacture a brand new pair of jeans.

HERD

Pioneering the way in the luxury yarn and knitwear sector. HERD offers a beautiful line of knitwear crafted from regenerative wool. It is locally produced through an entirely traceable process. From soil to skin within 150 miles of the sheep farms used. 

Ruth Alice Rands, an activist entrepreneur, founded HERD along with another successful business. Both of which champion regenerative natural resources and the landscapes, animals and people that make them. With her first business being based in the food industry, she has now brought her understanding of supply chains, traceability, labeling and certifications to the fashion textiles system, her first love, starting with wool, through HERD.

More on HERD

The journey of a HERD garment follows strict methods that adhere to a well planned, materials and placed-based approach. HERD fosters local production systems and has built relationships with a collective of farmers, graders, scourers, spinners and dyers in one bioregion. This supports Ruth’s vision of a circular, regenerative fashion ecosystem. A network of naturally occurring resources, processed without chemicals and fully composable at the end of their long life. The collective of these farmers and craftspeople means rural communities are supported while ensuring fibers are grown and farmed naturally. Under the best conditions. 

Featured here is The Ingleton Gilet In Ecru & Anthracite Stripe. Made using their signature Upland Yarn from 100% Bluefaced Leicester fleeces. These are made within just 150 miles of the farms in Yorkshire, North West England. Where the climate provides perfect conditions and abundant rich green grass. The doubled-up collar, deep armholes, pockets and great big buttons add to its cosy, utilitarian and yet casually elegant appeal. The buttons are made from nuts and the labels are made from 100% cotton, so the knit is fully circular.

A Perfect Nomad

A Perfect Nomad is an ethereal line of resort wear that is as luxurious as it is ethical. They use only natural fibres such as organic peace silks that are entirely cruelty free and GOTS certified organic cotton. Every design seeks to embody craftsmanship. Uusing local artisans who hand make every item through traditional techniques like hand dying and block printing. These beautiful pieces have a bohemian touch which emulates a timeless beauty. Unaffected by trends, A Perfect Nomad will be with you season after season.  

Drawn to places of magic and energy, founder Frances Clark, lives in Ibiza. Where she designs the pieces from her home studio. Inspired by the island’s rugged elements. And a lifestyle of simplicity and deep connection to nature. She finds motivation in the slower pace of life and its simple pleasures.

Her focus is on design that is timeless and environmentally conscious. All collections are ethically made through a transparent supply chain. Frances believes we can and should improve the lives of the people we touch, so works closely with small communities, championing and conserving traditional ancient techniques while using handwoven fabrics.

More on A Perfect Nomad

A Perfect Nomad is partnered with The Women’s Empowerment Charity in India. Furthering their commitment to community support by improving the lives of girls and their families. A percentage of each piece’s profits contributes to the funding and development of their own educational centers in economically disadvantaged communities. 

Handwoven from 100% organic linen, The Bora Bora Dress is the perfect easy to wear go-to for every occasion. Its simple silhouette and plunging necklace channels a timeless, delicate feminine aura, a staple for any sustainable wardrobe. By using only natural fibers, A Perfect Nomad eliminates the use of synthetic materials in their collections which are kinder to your skin and the planet.

Fawn and Freda

Fawn and Freda embodies a love for thoughtful simplicity and easy femininity. As well as a commitment to a way of making, that is kinder both to the planet and the people. Each piece, rooted in traditional craft, is proudly handmade in London using only natural fibers. With this, they are committed to treating everyone in their journey with respect and fairness. While supporting and sustaining craftsmanship and lightening their footprint. All pieces are made in limited quantities. With the belief in consuming, wasting less and adapting a slower way of living.

Fawn and Freda is designed by founder Poppy Totman. A womenswear and embroidery designer who spent her career with various fashion brands around the globe. Here, she visited some upsetting factories which greatly pivoted her thinking about the industry. Following this, Poppy started working for an embroidery studio. Which allowed her to express her creativity and to explore the rich cultures of needlework and heirloom sewing, while working with amazing artisans and small family businesses.

More on Fawn and Freda

The brand was born while Poppy was pregnant with her daughter. It sparked a lot of thinking about the textile skills that are passed down through generations and the ones that are fading out. This was during the height of the pandemic, a period of reflection for a lot of people. For Poppy, it shone a light on the fast pace of life. The excess and waste, as well as the cost to people’s welfare and the planet. With this, she wanted to join forces with those pursuing a better future for the planet and its people. 

One of our favourite pieces by Fawn and Freda is the Freda Lounge Set in Embroidered Linen. This oversized soft white linen shirt with wide sleeves and matching relaxed shorts, are made to be worn together. Or apart, day or night. It features thoughtful detailing which includes delicate blanket stitch embroidery on the pocket and shirt. And short cuffs, cypraea shell buttons and natural cotton linen drawstrings. Linen is naturally one of the most sustainable fabrics. It grows well without needing copious amounts of water and pesticides. It’s also incredibly durable, long lasting and gets softer as time goes by.

Navygrey

Navygrey’s collection of knitwear and sweaters are designed to last a lifetime, and are natural, renewable and biodegradable. Using handpicked superfine wool that is Woolmark certified – each raw fiber can be traced back to the farm that produced it. Founder, Rachel Carvell-Spedding has spent years endeavoring to find another version of her mothers favourite jumper. A classic, navy lambswool with a round neck. Since she couldn’t find a jumper that felt that good, she’d have to make her own. Rachel wanted to recreate the sensation when you pull on your favourite jumper. A jumper that could be smart and relaxed, timeless and elegant, but most importantly, traceable. From sheep to sweater.

More on Navygrey

Navygrey have built relationships with, and work closely with three factories here in the UK and two in Portugal. Their superfine wool comes from the softest sheep in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. And are now working with wool sources from farms in the North of England. 80% of their pieces are now made in the British Isles with their principle wool spinners based in Scotland, Yorkshire and a small amount of wool-spinning in Italy. 

Navygrey work with British and European suppliers that are committed to continuous improvement in manufacturing. Their Scottish mill, Todd & Duncan for instance have a pioneering cyclical process. So that the water used for washing and dyeing the wool can be cleaned and purified so that it can be returned to Loch Leven.

Pippa Small Jewellery

Our final brand featured is Pippa Small, an ethical jewelry designer from London. Despite the editorial’s focus on ‘who made my clothes,’ we thought Pippa’s behind-the-scenes work was too remarkable not to share. Since childhood, she has been making jewelry, collecting pebbles, beads, and shells for her bracelets. Through her family travels, Pippa became captivated by diverse cultures and the people she encountered. 

Pippa Small gives communities a re-found respect for traditional design. A sense of self-confidence, pride in their creations and a path towards economic independence through artisanal production. Each piece is handmade by artisans through one of the many foundations and communities she works with across the world. This includes – the arts foundation, Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan, Myanmar and Jordan.

More on Pippa Small

Featured above are two pieces from Pippa’s Turquoise Mountain Collection. Where she works with the skilled artisans of Afghanistan, respecting their craftsmanship, heritage and traditions. 

Artisans in Afghanistan have faced fear and uncertainty about what the future will hold, due to a ruthless combination of crises from drought, covid and the regime change. Leaving many struggling to survive. The Turquoise Mountain Foundation, founded in 2006, has worked to revive traditional arts. And has since transformed the lives of residents in Murad Khane, where the area was run-down, addiction was rife and there were few job opportunities.

Employing over 400 local men daily, the foundation provides training in restoration and construction. Building a cultural, educational and economic hub. The community now has many amenities, and an institute of Afghan arts and architecture that teaches English and Business skills and in its new design center, they have trained over 6000 artisans.

In awe of Turquoise Mountain’s achievements, Pippa visited Kabul in 2008 and began collaborating with a workshop. She worked with the first group of employed women graduates, who produced unique jewelry inspired by Ancient Afghan and Turkman design. Through this collaboration, Turquoise Mountain ensures safe and sustainable livelihoods for local creators, fostering creativity and pride in the culture. Pippa continues her journey. Exploring jewelry-making techniques and reviving traditional skills in communities across Central and South America, Southern Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Nila, the Sankrit meaning for blue, is a collection that explores shades of blue from teal to a deep midnight sky. For this collection, Pippa worked with Burmese Sapphires from a family-run mine in Mogok. These pieces, featured below, are handmade by talented artisans in Jaipur, India, such as Om Prakash. Om was the son of a farmer, and learnt stone cutting when he was young. He first specialized in carving crystal Gods for the temples. But now runs a small workshop in Sanganer, just outside Jaipur.

Summary

By learning more about the inspiring stories behind the brands who curate these beautiful collections, we can cultivate a deeper sense of connection between designers and consumers and greater appreciation for the work and care that goes into producing them. 

Offering transparency and traceability throughout a brand and their ethical production processes is essential for consumers to have greater confidence that they’re supporting brands that align with their values. By doing so, we can advocate for change, fostering a shift towards a fashion ecosystem enriched with integrity, purpose and responsibility.

Follow @revenvert for more content like this

Cooking your favorite nourishing meal

If cooking is something you enjoy, it can be a great stress reliever. Having to focus on the preparation, ingredients and following a recipe often means there is little time for your mind to drift back to the stresses of the day. Preparing a nourishing dish that is rich in protein and fresh, organic vegetables ensures it is not only nutritious but will also leave you feeling full and satisfied. 

Putting on a podcast you love can also help you unwind. If you’ve listened to all your top podcasts, listening to some uplifting music can be a great mood booster after a busy day. Listening to music has been proven to release endorphins and dopamine. Feel-good hormones which also help to alleviate stress and promote a positive mental wellbeing!

A glass of organic wine…

Why not pour yourself a glass of your favorite natural wine… Dry Farm Wines offer a more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional wines. Dry Farm Wines only use organic farming. Their wines are sugar and additive free, and have lower levels of both alcohol and sulfite than conventional wines. 

Here, farmers rely on natural water sources to ripen their fruit. And do not allow any artificial irrigation to grow crops. This means the roots of the vines grow deep to find a natural water source. It’s better for the planet, better for the vine, and produces nutrient rich fruit. From French villages to the Austrian countryside, all of Dry Farm Wines’ growers use organic, regenerative and dry farming practices. 

Shop Dry Farm Wines Here – https://www.dryfarmwines.com/collections/all 

R + D. LAB offers a beautiful range of sustainable wine glasses, made from Borosilicate glass known for its pure and resistant quality, shaped with traditional mouth blowing technique. Driven by a reverence for aesthetics and purpose, they believe in the beauty of form, power of color and character created through honest traditions. Each piece is handmade by skillful artisans and small traditional manufacturers in Italy.

Indulge In A Relaxing Bath

Run a relaxing bath as part of your evening routine. And light your favorite candle to add some ambience! Why not add some bath salts to help your body and muscles physically relax. These bath salts by Vertly combine natural botanicals and high-potency hemp to deliver full-body relaxation and calm. They’re made with a soothing, anti-inflammatory blend of Dead Sea Salts, Magnesium, slow-extracted Arnica Flower, Clary Sage and Lavender. The Epsom salts, MSM and 100 mg of hemp soothe tired muscles, detoxify your skin. And help you recover after a long day.

Or, consider adding a few drops of an essential oil to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy. Certain essential oils such as lavender and chamomile are renowned for their calming properties. Which can help to reduce stress, anxiety and improve the quality of your sleep. Citrus oils have been proven to act as a natural mood booster and increase energy levels, while rosemary and peppermint are believed to improve your mental clarity.

Don’t forget to apply a luxurious body moisturizer. Or oil to lock in the hydration, leaving your skin feeling smooth, soft and radiant.

Evening Skincare

Putting aside a small portion of time for your evening skincare routine is the perfect mindful activity. This will encourage you to slow down, be present and to nourish our skin with natural, organic ingredients. Nighttime is when your skin undergoes its most significant repair and regeneration processes. By applying products like moisturizers, serums, and treatments in the evening, you provide your skin with essential nutrients. 

10 step routines you see online can be a bit unrealistic for an everyday routine. But even a cleanser, a luxurious moisturizer and an eye cream can go a long way. It can be as simple as that!

1. Cleanse

Throughout the day, dirt, excess oil and even environmental pollutants accumulate on the skin. Clogging pores which can lead to breakouts and dullness. Cleansers work to dissolve and remove any make up and impurities from the skin. Unclogging pores in the process without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Many cleansers also provide an extra boost of hydration. Which can be particularly good for those with dry or sensitive skin. 

You can also opt for a targeted treatment cleanser which works to target your specific skin care needs. Featured here is the Vitamin Boost Facial Cleanser by Pelegrims. Ideal for dull and tired looking skin, it’s enriched with Vitamin C to leave you face feeling radiant and rejuvenated. Alternatively the Resurfacing Botanical Cleanser by FaTH Skincare is a deep-cleansing treatment that combines gentle exfoliation. With skin-buffering enzymes to thoroughly renew and clarify the skin. Both products are 100% vegan and cruelty free.

2. Moisturize

A good organic moisturizer that can be used day and night is a must for any sustainable skincare routine. A moisturizer provides your skin with the essential hydration it needs to prevent dryness, dullness and keeps the skin soft and smooth. Applying your moisturizer on slightly damp skin can help the skin to absorb the product more efficiently. 

The Barrier Restoring Rich Cream by Dr Joseph is ideal for those struggling with a stressed skin barrier and provides immediate relief to particularly dry or irritated skin. By restoring and maintaining a healthy skin barrier, it helps prevent moisture loss and improve the skin’s ability to retain hydration over time.

3. Eye Cream

The skin around the eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of the face, making it prone to dryness, dehydration. Using an eye cream regularly can help maintain the health and appearance of the delicate skin around the eyes. This helps to keep the skin hydrated, plump, and youthful-looking, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

The ECM Advanced Repair Eye Lift featured here by Albiva is infused with caffeine, so is the perfect product for anyone struggling with puffiness and dark circles under the eyes, particularly after a long day!

Sustainable Sleepwear – Campo Collection

Here at Rev, we think there’s nothing better than getting into some new, stylish sleepwear. Campo Collection’s beautiful line is made from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, a testament to luxurious relaxation and eco-conscious living. This sleepwear range will leave you feeling put together, even before bed, offering you the perfect blend of style, softness, and sustainability!

The thoughtfully crafted, minimalist garments are made to be worn beyond bedtime too, for living and lounging in simple elegance. Ever mindful of a “slow fashion” sustainable design practice, all materials are ethically sourced and all garments are consciously produced locally and in support of women artisans.

A Bedtime Tea and Your Chosen Supplement

A herbal tea before bed can also help the mind and body to further relax before bedtime. Many herbal teas have natural calming properties and can also help to facilitate a good night’s sleep, while hydrating the body. Herbal teas such as peppermint or ginger can also help to soothe the digestive system and alleviate discomfort or bloating after eating. 

Onto supplements – these can be beneficial in promoting a restful night’s sleep and maintaining a resilient immune system. However it’s important to note, they are not intended to replace a balanced, nutritional diet or serve as a substitute for healthy lifestyle practices! 

Sanbera’s wellness range features a daily and nightly dose of wellbeing, designed to improve your habits, create healthy rituals and deliver tangible results for your body and mind. Sanbera supplements are 100% vegan and totally free from animal testing.

Nightly Reload Women is a unique nighttime formula to optimize health while you rest. These nutrient-rich supplements restore the body at a cellular level with powerful antioxidants derived from Cranberry Fruit Powder, Green Tea, Acerola, and Bilberries alongside nine essential vitamins. Each hand-picked ingredient was chosen to strengthen your immunity and regenerate your body, meaning that all you need to do is wake up, feel good, and glow.

A Spritz of Pillow Mist

The final products we’re excited to introduce to enhance your mindful evening routine are Kinfill’s Pillow Mists. The primary function of a pillow mist is to release a soothing scent that triggers a relaxation response from the brain, designed to prepare your body and mind for a restorative night’s sleep. Kinfills Relaxing Pillow Mist is crafted with calming chamomile and invigorating mandarin, clearing your mind and ensures a refreshing, energised morning. It’s blended with lavender, honey, orange blossom and white musk to gently ease you into a tranquil sleep.

The Calming Pillow Mist is also made from honey and chamomile, as well as a blend of fresh pine, eucalyptus and cedarwood. Simply spritz a little mist on your pillow and around your bed to create a more calming environment, helping to relax and drift off. All Kinfills products are made from clean, safe ingredients, free from nasty volatile organic compounds so they’re safe to be used around you and your family.

Avoiding screens before bed

It’s recommended to limit your screen time while you wind down for bed. Actively using phones, computers or watching television before bed means the brain is still being stimulated and kept mentally alert. As well as this, screens emit blue light. Exposure to this can suppress the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. As a result, screens not only make it more difficult to wind down and ‘switch off’ before bed, but it can also disrupt the body’s natural sleep rhythm, leading to irregular sleep patterns.

Meditation

With no phones to distract, this is a great opportunity for one last mindful, self-care activity! This could be some deep breathing or a wind down meditation to further relax your mind and release any tension within the body. By dedicating time to meditation before bed, you signal to your body and mind that it’s time to unwind and prepare for restorative sleep.

Take a moment to practice some gratitude

Other activities such as reading, journaling and practicing gratitude can help you unwind for a good night’s sleep. Research has shown that practicing gratitude has a number of mental health benefits and is a great self-care ritual to get into, when you have time of course! It can be as easy as writing down 5 things you’re grateful for, or 5 things that made you smile that day. It offers an opportunity to reflect on your day and encourages you to appreciate the good things in life, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant! This can help us to stay uplifted, fostering a greater positive outlook on life, while reducing symptoms of stress and anxiety.

1. Start the day by not checking your phone right away!

The first item on our mindful morning routine list is to not check our phone. In the morning, your brain moves from delta waves seen in deep sleep to theta waves that happen during dreaming. The brain then moves to produce alpha waves when you are awake but are relaxed and not processing much information.

Seeing or reading something negative first thing in the morning can trigger your stress response and put you on edge for the rest of the day. Similarly, if you see unanswered work emails, you may feel compelled to respond even while you’re still lying in bed. That’s a problem. Julie Morgenstern, who wrote Never Check Email In the Morning, says, “Requests, interruptions, surprises, reminders, and problems are endless.” “Most things can wait at least 59 minutes.” So, when you wake up, think about what you’re grateful for and excited about. Then, try to do a few of the steps below before grabbing your phone!

2. Drink a full glass of water

The second item on our morning routine list is simple. Drink a glass of water. Since you can’t sip while you snooze, your body is naturally in a dehydrated state in the morning, says Dr. Kelley. Drinking water when you wake up can help. You might feel thirsty as soon as your alarm rings. “Drinking water when you wake up replenishes the lost liquid, including [the fluids] you might have lost during the night,” Dr. Li confirms. This is especially true if you sleep with your mouth open or in a warm room, and even more so if you drank alcohol (a natural diuretic) the night before, he adds.

Dehydration happens naturally while you sleep. It can make you feel tired and dizzy, says the National Library of Medicine. Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning can help. It starts the rehydration process and gives your tissues and organs the fluids they need right away.

3. Make yourself an organic coffee or a beautiful herbal tea.

The third item on our morning routine list is something you can look forward to. Making yourself an organic coffee or a beautiful herbal tea! A small morning ritual can be helpful. Enjoying a cup of organic coffee or tea is a great way to start your day!) Coffee, or herbal tea if you avoid caffeine, is a great way to tell your mind and body it’s time to start the day. If you can spare five minutes to make one of these, it’s a great way to practice mindful thinking. You’ll fit two practices into one!

4. Take a moment to practice mindfulness and set some intentions for the day.

Mindfulness can lower stress and boost immune function. You can practice this by meditating, breathing deeply, or simply enjoying the moment. We live in a stressful time. Self-care is essential to help us handle life’s challenges. The mind is a powerful tool. So, taking time to nurture it is very important. A must-have on your mindful morning routine list.

5. Splash some cold water on your face and follow it with clean skincare

This is an item we love having on our mindful morning routine list! Cold water can provide a refreshing sensation on your skin, leaving you feeling more awake and alert. It can also improve blood circulation in your skin, which can help give your complexion a healthy, radiant glow. Finally, cold water can help reduce puffiness and swelling in your face by constricting blood vessels. This can be especially helpful in the morning when your face is often more swollen from sleep. After splashing your face, use clean, organic, plant-based skincare. This helps your skin stay healthy. The ingredients are toxin-free and nurture your skin for a great day.

6. Try and get outside for a little sunshine

The sixth item on our mindful morning routine list is morning sunlight exposure. It helps control our sleep-wake cycle and keeps our circadian rhythm balanced. This exposure helps us fall asleep faster at night and wake up feeling refreshed. Morning sunlight helps improve sleep patterns. It provides vitamin D, boosts your immune system, lowers stress, and helps mental health.

Getting morning sunlight can be very beneficial for our mood and mental health. Natural sunlight helps us stay alert, promotes vitamin D production, and boosts serotonin levels. This increased level of serotonin has been proven to improve sleep quality at night. So try to take a short walk, or even open your window and allow the light to touch your face for a minute or so if it’s impossible to leave the house! An easy item to add to your mindful routine.

7. Get in some movement – whether it’s yoga, a walk, or simple stretching

It is no secret, working out makes you feel good. Which you might know firsthand. And why this item is firmly on our mindful morning routine list. A 2018 review in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who exercise regularly, even briefly, are happier than those who don’t. After exercising, people have lower levels of stress hormones, like cortisol. This helps improve mood. So, feeling cheerful in the morning can be beneficial. You’ll start your day feeling optimistic and less susceptible to stress and anxiety, setting you up for a positive, productive day.

8. Start off with your preferred supplement

The eighth item on our mindful morning routine list is a healthy supplement. A balanced diet with whole foods is key for good nutrition. But supplements can help fill gaps. They also give your immune system the boost it needs to stay strong.

So, what exactly do supplements bring to the table when it comes to supporting immune health? Let’s begin by looking at the key vitamins and minerals that support a strong immune system. Vitamin C is known for its immune support. It helps boost your body’s defenses and fight off infections. Then there’s vitamin D, known for its immune-modulating effects and ability to enhance the function of immune cells. Zinc is important for immune function. It helps make antibodies and controls inflammation.

9. Make a whole foods breakfast with a nice amount of protein

We have all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So how could it not make the mindful morning routine list. Eating breakfast provides energy to power into your day and help your body perform at its best. 

“If you start with a healthy, satisfying meal in the morning you’re less apt to nibble on less nutritious things during the day, which we often do out of hunger — you grab the first or easiest thing in front of you.” – Dr. Christy C. Tangney, PhD.

10. Try and listen to something positive

The tenth item on our morning routine list is to do with the news. There is a lot of negative news out there, but try and listen to something positive. We like to cite this study as to why diving into the deadlines first thing in the morning might not be the best for us.

Harvard’s Shawn Achor, psychologist Michelle Gielan, and Arianna Huffington, founder of HuffPo, collaborated. They tested how brief news exposure affected 110 study subjects. Half of these volunteers consumed the usual grim fare found in newspapers for three minutes. The other half watched more uplifting stories. “Individuals who watched just three minutes of negative news in the morning had a whopping 27% greater likelihood of reporting their day as unhappy six to eight hours later compared to the positive condition,” the researchers continued. In short, just a few minutes of glancing at negative headlines has a pretty good chance of ruining your mood all day.

This doesn’t mean we should ignore the world’s events. In fact, it’s more important than ever to understand the challenges facing humanity and the environment. Being depressed all day doesn’t help anyone. So, try to wait until later in the day to check the news. This way, you can process it better. You might even think of solutions or find ways to contribute meaningfully to the world.

Finally, a little lip color can go a long way!

We always think that less is more when it comes to beauty, but the benefits that a pop of color has on our mood is also something we love to embrace! Even if it is a makeup free da

Morning routine, sorted. Check out our other wellness reads:

Our mindful evening routine list

An Earth Flow Fascia yoga session with Johanna Ljunggren

Detox your skincare routine

First of all, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your journey into food? 

My name is Allegra D’Agostini. I am a cook and photographer living between a small town in Ontario, Canada and London, England. From a young age, I’ve been obsessed with food. I spent my childhood absorbed in cookbooks and was always in the kitchen. Either helping my grandmother make dinner after school or conducting cooking experiments with my sister.

I discovered food blogs in my late teens. And by that time, many of the authors had stopped writing but nonetheless, I obsessively poured over their archives. Around then, I began hosting ambitious dinners with friends and family and capturing photos of what I was making. I never considered working with food to be a viable career path. Until graduating from university with a degree in biology. It was then that I started cooking professionally. First in a small bistro close to home. And then eventually making my way into the kitchens of some of Canada’s best restaurants. 

Working in these settings was grueling and stressful but ultimately, invaluable. I learned what it looks like to care so deeply about your craft. That you are willing to sacrifice the endless time and energy (and sanity to a certain degree) necessary to excel. Ultimately, I left Canada to cook for a boutique hotel in Greece. For the first time, I was exposed to brilliant creative individuals working with food outside of kitchen settings. From food stylists to photographers to cookbook authors. They helped me realize that there are so many applications for my love of food and visual beauty and that through this work, I could bring people together. To form real, meaningful connections. I’ve been chasing this dream ever since.

You’re from Ontario, Canada and I would love to know how having grown up there influences your approach to cooking? Would you say there is a sustainable ethos to it? 

I grew up on a tree farm, surrounded by fields of trees and wild forest. My first cooking memories weren’t with food, but with petals and berries as ingredients and twigs as utensils. My sister and I found endless entertainment playing fairies in my mom’s garden. Foraging for ingredients with which we crafted colorful dishes edible only by the standards of a caterpillar. Growing up on the farm taught me to value the environment deeply. It has certainly informed my approach to cooking and eating. Here, I watched the Canadian seasons unfold and became aware of the natural cycles of produce. Although Ontario has access to a vast range of fruits and vegetables year-round, early on it became evident that no raspberries were as sweet as those picked in July. And no peach as juicy as in August. 

Much has changed since then, but I have never lost my sense of wonder or appreciation for the natural world. It continues to inspire what and how I cook. I indulge in the incredible seasonal produce when we have it. Preserve and store the excess during peak season for the colder days. And generally make honest food with simple ingredients, ideally harvested in their prime, and enjoyed alongside loved ones.

How do you feel that food can connect us to nature? 

Food is nature, and so are we. It’s easy to feel as though we live in a bubble. To lose sight of the source of our ingredients, especially in urban environments. Eating in a considered way by asking ourselves why we are choosing to eat something. And being aware of where our food comes from. And how it was grown can deepen our appreciation and help reconnect us to the source.

Even better, growing our own food is an amazing way to feel deeply connected to the environment. From seed to fruit or vegetable, growing food that will eventually sustain us is so incredibly rewarding. And puts us in direct contact with the natural world. It also aligns us with the rhythms of bounty and dormancy. It causes us to become more mindful of the seasonal availability of produce.

How has seasonality and locality played a role in your food philosophy? 

Whether or not to prioritize seasonal and local eating is a complex issue. Ultimately, I believe in supporting local farmers growing food with sustainable practices. Doing so supports local economies, reduces transportation-related emissions, and aligns us with our environment. That being said, many studies in recent years have shown that transportation is the source of just a tiny fraction of the carbon emissions associated with our food. What we eat and how it was produced are much larger contributors to our carbon footprint. For example, consuming animal products is the most costly factor of all. And farming with chemical fertilizers and pesticides can be very carbon intensive.

I think that eating local food is a good thing. And that produce ripened on the plant will almost always be the most flavourful and nutritious option, but based on this research, our energy would be better directed towards thinking about how we can support farmers using sustainable practices, even if they are a bit further away, and reducing our intake of animal products rather than exclusively sourcing food locally.

_____________

Here are some of the articles I consulted, in case you’d like to include them!

Food-Miles and the Relative Climate Impacts of Food Choices in the United States

A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from U.S. Household Food Choices

The role of trade in the greenhouse gas footprints of EU diets

How big a role does plant based eating play in your cooking? 

The vast majority of the time, I choose to follow a vegetarian diet and I don’t eat much dairy or eggs. I occasionally eat meat, particularly when I’m traveling. Food is such a rich expression of culture and I embrace it by trying everything. My cooking follows the same principles. I’ve probably cooked meat three times in the past year and each time has been very intentional. On a daily basis, I love experimenting with produce and aligning my cooking with the seasons. I eat tons of greens, nuts, legumes, fruits and vegetables, and occasionally a bit of cheese or yogurt. I feel the best eating this way. Overall though, I believe in the aphorism “perfection is the enemy of good” when it comes to most things, and particularly with food. 

How important is organic to you when talking about cooking and our food choices? 

I definitely prefer to consume organic products whenever possible. Among other reasons, farming organically supports biodiversity, soil health, and reduces the environmental impact of food production. That being said, the cost and availability of organic ingredients can be prohibitive and I think that consuming fruits and vegetables, organic or not, is better than not at all.

You create such beautiful dishes from very simple ingredients, do you think that aesthetic is a large part of the senses when it comes to food? 

Thank you! And yes, I’m convinced that beauty is a powerful form of communication and that humans are inherently attracted to it. To ancient Greeks, beauty in form was considered direct evidence of goodness in spirit. When it comes to food, we eat with our eyes first and make judgments about our meals based on these impressions. Of course, something can taste wonderful and look completely unappetizing, but that’s not ideal. I’ve worked in food styling for the past couple of years where extreme cases of perfectionism regarding the appearance of food are standard. When I cook for myself or for my photos, I like the food I prepare to look real, not necessarily perfect, but realistically delicious.

Do you have a particular ingredient you love working with?

I love nice oil. And nuts generally, for their flavour and texture. 

I’ve been making and cooking with lots of spiced oils lately, think variations on chili crisp oil. I like to add freshly ground spices, toasted sesame seeds and/or chopped nuts to them. They’re a great staple to have on hand to add punchy flavour to anything from a salad to rice to a spread like hummus. 

How do you think cooking can have a positive influence in the wider world? 

I think that cooking can be an amazing means of communicating important ideas about culture and society. I’ve witnessed cooks, professional or otherwise, become educators by using their choices of ingredients and preparations of dishes to draw attention to the environmental or social context of a meal. Through doing so, they increase awareness of the relationship between the food and our environment. At its best, the table is a setting for connecting over a shared appreciation for one another and the ingredients and environmental context, such as location or season, behind the meal. 

I’ve come to view food as a catalyst with the remarkable ability to ease social interactions and help us bridge connections with one another and our shared environment. It’s a powerful thing and leaning into our natural inclinations to feel at ease in the presence of food and using cooking and food to bring people together can help build community in our increasingly disconnected, lonely society. 

You do such beautiful travel pieces as well – do you feel it’s important to experience other cultures when it comes to cooking? 

Every time I visit somewhere new, one of my priorities is to experience as much of the local cuisine as possible. Exposure to new cultures through travel is enlightening and food itself and the rituals surrounding its preparation are little windows into the broader culture of any given place. With each new experience, my horizons are broadened and I always feel inspired to experiment with these cuisines at home. Learning about other cultures can definitely translate into becoming an increasingly thoughtful and educated cook, and generally, can make us more empathetic humans.

What is a dish you have discovered that has been meaningful to you to recreate? 

Living in Greece for several years taught me the importance of using the best quality ingredients possible and letting them speak for themselves. Back in Canada, I’ve tried to recreate some of the dishes that I learned there, like fasolakia, an incredible dish of broad beans and potatoes cooked with olive oil and a simple tomato sauce and faki, a soupy lentil dish cooked with bay leaf, garlic, and shallots. These meals bring me back to leisurely lunches on the island, connecting with friends and loved ones. They remind me to savour slowing down and appreciating things for what they are.

And finally, if you could share some simple tips for our audience who may want to get into more sustainable cooking habits, what would they be? 

People often tell me that eating a predominantly vegetarian diet wouldn’t satisfy their appetite and I think this prevents them from leaning into this lifestyle.  There are so many amazing recipes out there, in cookbooks, magazines, and online. Experimenting with vegetarian cooking and finding a few recipes that you love, that satisfy you, and that you feel comfortable making can help convince you of the virtues of veggie food. Above all else though, it’s crucial to be kind to yourself and remember that perfection doesn’t need to be the goal. Making small changes can go a long way and reminding ourselves of this is important for long-term success when it comes to building new habits.

If you liked this editorial with Allegra D’Agostini, check out similar content here

Feldspar Studio Fine Bone China

Feldspar Studios ceramics are ethically made using fine bone china (the strongest type of ceramics). These items are meticulously crafted by a family run pottery factory in Stoke on Trent supporting local British production and craftsmanship. Feldspars Cobalt dinner plates and the Cobalt cake plates are the perfect additions to your dining table this Easter.

Featured here is the Cobalt cake stand and the Cobalt teapot, some beautiful eco-friendly ceramics to compliment your afternoon tea and showcase your festive cake!

Recipes by Julius Roberts

For our Easter recipes this year we are heading straight to Julius Robert’s new cookbook showcasing comforting, homegrown, seasonal meals perfect for gathering families around.

Regenerative Groceries From Riverford Organics

In the UK we are so lucky to have Riverford Organics near by to supply all our meat & produce for the perfect Easter feast! We highly recommend you scout out your local farm shop or organic produce delivery service to pick up your Easter meal supplies!

Navygrey Knitwear

Transition effortlessly into Spring with Navygreys latest knitwear range, featuring versatile, classic silhouettes to elevate your sustainable wardrobe this Easter. Luxury brand Navygrey work with the finest British and Scottish-Spun wools, each piece knitted and crafted by experts with an abundance of experience. These timeless pieces are sure to remain stylish and durable year after year!

Featuring The Tank in undyed ecru, ethically knitted in Scotland using 100% Scottish-spun wool, its ideal for layering this Spring. Pair Navygreys Tank with your favourite organic cotton shirt for an effortlessly chic look this Easter.

R+D. LAB Glassware

Another sustainable brand which could fit seamlessly in your home this Easter is R+D Lab, a creative studio based in Italy. Driven by a reverence for aesthetics and purpose, they believe in the beauty of form, power of colour and character created through honest traditions. Skillful artisans and small traditional manufacturers work collaboratively as a team, to create highly distinctive products that are functional, sustainable and meaningful to modern life. This set of glasses is crafted from Borosilicate glass known for its pure and resistant quality, shaped with traditional mouth blowing technique.

HERD Knitwear

Elevate your Easter wardrobe with HERD, a pioneering sustainable luxury yarn and knitwear brand that embodies the perfect blend of comfort and style for any celebration. Their signature Upland Yarn is made from 100% Bluefaced Leicester fleeces within just 150 miles of the farms in Yorkshire, North West England, where the climate provides perfect conditions and abundant rich green grass. By sourcing fibres directly from a collective of farmers and harvesters, they’re able to maintain control of creating superior wool.

If you’re hosting this Easter or wanting to wrap up warm for the annual family egg hunt, HERD provides the perfect versatile staples for your sustainable wardrobe.

Molton 1090

To bring a touch of nature indoors this Easter, consider brightening up your home with some organic flowers. Molton 1090 offers a beautiful range of handblown glassware, providing conscious consumers with an opportunity to shop sustainably while elevating their living spaces with contemporary homeware. Ethically made in East London using 100% recycled glass, these vases are the perfect stylish addition to any modern home!

TUDI Cookware

Rethinking our relationship with the kitchen, TUDI’s range provides a more mindful and  environmentally conscious approach to cooking and hosting this Easter. TUDI offers a beautiful line of sustainable cast iron cookware that’s made to share for generations. Committed to minimising their environmental impact, TUDI take pride in the fact that all their products are 100% made in Poland. We think this is the perfect line to sustainably upgrade your kitchen this Spring!

Organic Wine from Tillingham

When it comes to wine, we are very passionate about local and natural wine. One of our favourite UK based wineries is Tillingham Wines, who are in East Sussex. Tillingham is set amongst 70 acres of rolling hills and woodlands with a variation of fruit trees, ancient woods, and roaming livestock amongst the vineyard – amazing biodiversity! Their philosophy is all about using ancient traditions and farming in conjunction with biodynamics to keep soils as healthy as possible. All their wines are absolutely amazing and truly unique. For a special treat, grab a bottle of their Traditional Method 2018, which is a gentle sparkling with notes of melon and citrus – a true crowd-pleaser.

Climate Positive Gin from Sapling

Made exclusively in the UK, Sapling use local ingredients to reduce transport emissions. Sapling’s spirits are clean, creamy, and smooth with a touch of sweetness, their gin is a climate positive London dry gin that is bold on the juniper, refreshingly zesty, with hints of rosemary for a herbaceous finish. We love using Sapling Gin as an alternative to wine this Easter, why not create one of Sapling’s zero waste cocktails for those gatherings that require a little more impressing!

Petalon Flowers

Finally to spruce up an Easter table, we are using Petalon flowers – beautiful seasonal, homegrown flowers grown from their regenerative flower farm in Cornwall, UK.

To Stay:

Wythe Hotel – The Wythe Hotel is the first New York member of Regenerative Travel, a community of hotels dedicated to regenerative tourism. We actually learned about them through this, as we recently had the founder, David Leventhal, on our podcast – listen here! Their commitment to environmentally responsible and community-minded practices is evident in their Regenerative Impact Statement. Here they strive to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their operations.

For Drinks:

Crocodile bar at Wythe Hotel (with Lost Explorer cocktails!) – Beyond its commitment to the community, the Wythe also strives to reduce waste and assist in ecosystem restoration. The hotel’s restaurant, Le Crocodile, partners with the non-profit Billion Oyster Project to reuse discarded shells from oysters, clams, and scallops served in the restaurant. These shells undergo a year-long curing process before being seeded with oyster larvae and placed in reef restoration sites. Contributing to the project’s goal of restoring one billion oysters to New York Harbor. This initiative aligns with SDG 14: Life Below Water, Target 14.2. Which aims to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems and take action for their restoration. Cora’s favourite thing on the menu? A cocktail using Lost Explorer’s Regenerative Mezcal!

Rhodora wine bar – From the team behind the sustainable Brooklyn concepts Rucola, June and Purslane, Rhodora Wine Bar strives to be the first zero waste wine bar of its kind in the country. Sustainability and respect for humans and the environment are the core tenants of the program. Guiding both the food and beverage choices, as well as the operations of the restaurant as a whole. With the opening of Rhodora, owner Henry Rich and director Halley Chambers have built a program that will send absolutely nothing to landfill. No single-use plastics will be utilized or accepted into the space. And the group will only source and utilize products across its food, beverage, and operations that can be recycled, up cycled, or composted.

June Brooklyn – June opened its doors in January 2015 as Brooklyn’s first natural wine bar. Drawing inspiration from cozy restaurants and wine bars found in Paris. Our focus is selecting wines with minimal intervention that deploy biodynamic regenerative agriculture techniques in the fields. June was co-founded by Henry Rich and Tom Kearney, previously of Brooklyn favorites Sweetwater and The Farm on Adderly. June’s menu is focused on seasonal cooking, featuring plates meant to be shared among friends.

For Eating:

Blue Hill – Blue Hill New York opened in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village neighborhood in April of 2000. The restaurant has evolved over the last two decades. Sourcing ingredients from Blue Hill Farm, the Barber family’s dairy in Great Barrington, MA; from the Stone Barns Center for Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, NY; as well as from farms within 250 miles of New York City. This is a special place for us as Head Chef, Dan Barber was a recent guest with me on our REV Podcast. We spoke about his love for organic, heirloom, seasonal produce. And his hope that restaurants can help steer the world towards a more sustainable food system. Listen to our podcast episode with Dan Barber here!

abc cocina by Jean Georges – abc cocina & michelin star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten welcome you to their contemporary trading post celebrating local craft and international culture, a fusion of tradition and innovation uniting yesterday and tomorrow. Dedicated to whole food and inventive fare, their ever-changing offerings are sourced from boutique producers with an emphasis on holistic development and environmental consciousness. They also stock The Lost Explorer Regenerative Mezcal on their bar which we were so excited to discover!

Clara – An Upper West Side restaurant devoted to the exploration of New York’s culinary bounty and gilded history. Starting in the lush Hudson Valley, following the river’s course to the great bays and shorelines of New York Harbor. The menu at Clara is drawn from the abundant offerings of New York farmers. Bolstered by a new generation of cheese makers, winemakers, ranchers, and fishermen.

From Lucie – From Lucie cakes are morsels of a still life painting. Each delicately composed from a palette of flowers and carefully flavored icing. Sitting atop inspired choices from olive oil to earl grey cakes. With flavors rotating based on baker Lucie Franc de Ferriere’s farmers market discoveries. Each meticulously curated by her own hand, From Lucie provides individualized edible splendor.

Finding inspiration in the unexpected combination of seasonal ingredients, From Lucie is born out of her environment’s flavors. Icing is used in lieu of fondant to extract the richest flavors from elderflowers to rosemary. Finally, all cakes are topped with organic and locally grown flowers. Whose stems would otherwise be too short for a florist’s use. These subtle combinations are sumptuous while never excessively sweet.

For Shopping:

Pamela Love – We have been fans of Pamela Love since we threw our very first American launch dinner with her in New York a few years back. As Pamela Love has grown we have stayed mindful of our impact on the earth. Using recycled metals and ethically-sourced, conflict-free stones. That mindfulness extends beyond the materials we use. The brand has launched several notable initiatives. Including fair trade production with artisans in Afghanistan via Turquoise Mountain and the fundraising trio of Divine Feminine collaborations. Jewelry should not only empower the wearer, but those who make it.

Coclico – Coclico is a New York City-based footwear house inspired by modern design and unwavering attention to detail. Founded in 2000, Coclico was born out of a desire to create quality shoes with a contemporary edge. The brand is grounded in the belief that style should be effortless and understated, yet never compromise on craftsmanship or quality. Each shoe is a marriage of traditional craftsmanship and a modern minimalistic company approach, resulting in a unique and timeless aesthetic.

The entire collection is made with love in a small, family-owned Spanish factory. All materials are sourced equally for their physical beauty and their environmental footprint, leaning heavily on European, certified sustainable, renewable woods for heels, clogs, and wedges, and certified sustainable Italian and Spanish leathers. All styles are made in extremely limited quantities with the Slow Fashion ethos of only putting as much into the world as demand requires.

To Visit:

Brooklyn Grange – Founded in 2010, Brooklyn Grange is the leading rooftop farming and intensive green roofing business in the US, operating the world’s largest rooftop soil farms, located in New York City. Brooklyn Grange promotes sustainable urban living by building green spaces, hosting educational programming and events, and widening access to locally grown produce in New York City communities.

Their purpose is to restore the connection between people and the natural world. We create meaningful livelihood opportunities and steward green spaces in the built environment to foster more livable and climate-adapted cities.

The Highline – Environmental sustainability is a core value of the High Line. The park is an inherently green structure, as it repurposes a piece of industrial infrastructure into a uniquely designed public space. Equally important is the way the High Line operates—every day, we strive toward sustainability with the same level of care reflected in the park’s design.

The plant selection on the High Line favors native, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance species, cutting down on the resources that go into the landscape. The High Line’s ecosystem also provides food and shelter for wildlife species, including native pollinators. Learn more about the benefits of native trees on our blog, or download our native plant guide to explore the character, beauty, and utility of these important plants.

Where to Stay:

Silent Living: This hotel is set in a gorgeous 18th century building, surrounded by monuments, beautiful palaces, and a lovely park with stunning views of the river. We were charmed by the beauty of the place, and quickly decided to make this our new family home.

Best Sustainably Minded Restaurants:

Senhor Uva: Building close relations with farmers that supply the restaurant offers the possibility to work as fresh, locally sourced, and seasonal as possible. Regenerative agriculture and permaculture keeps the availability varied and pushes the kitchen team to keep up with mother nature and create new dishes as the seasons evolve. Keeping waste to a minimum and contributing to the local economy while eating and drinking with a conscience defines our approach to a new type of hospitality. The wines have been chosen due to the unwavering commitment to the environment from the producers in the vines and the purest expression of terroir with hands-off vinifications. Sampling the food at top restaurants like this one has to be top of your things to do in Lisbon list.

Restaurant Sem: From plastic-free operations to environmentally conscious design choices, sustainability is at the forefront of everything Sem does as they strive to challenge the status quo and provide excellent food, drinks, and hospitality. Their model is founded on two pillars: to combat food waste and to support regenerative agriculture. The proprietors call it an exercise in systemic change, because everything starts from their relationship with farmers and producers in Portugal who are working at the forefront of regenerative agriculture. “The industry calls them suppliers. We call them partners,” reads the manifesto. This was one of the first restaurants that came to mind when putting together the Lisbon guide.

Dahlia Lisbon: Dahlia’s team brews original dishes by combining international techniques with the best of seasonal produce. Small plates are what they serve best in this modern establishment frequented by both locals and expats alike. The kitchen is led by chef Maurício Varela and his incredible team of creative professionals. There are also inventive cocktails, like a Kaffir lime sour and a hibiscus fizz, and a good selection of natural wines. Hence why this one is firmly on the Lisbon travel guide list.

Arkhe: Perfect for our vegetarians! ! Situated in the centre of the city, Arkhe features a discreet façade and an interior where the dominant decorative themes are open stonework and tasteful minimalism. The cuisine here is the realm of chef João Ricardo Alves who, having worked in various kitchens around the world, decided to open this new space with a focus on vegan/vegetarian cooking and seasonality.

Copenhagen Coffee Lab: This beautiful cafe utilizes a very efficient roasting too, the Loring S70 Peregrine. Its single burner convection design produces consistent and precisely developed coffee every time. This great feat of engineering allows us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint, recycling the air batch by batch, working with almost complete convection. With traditional roasters, there is comparatively more conductive heat transfer, risk of greater roast difference between the inner and outer bean, and an increased risk of over roasting the coffee. With Loring, the heat transfer is drastically more efficient, meaning more to play with when profiling our coffees, and up to 80% less fuel and greenhouse gases per roasted batch when compared to traditional roasters. Plus, it’s a super cute place to visit that brings Scandi vibes to Lisbon!

Where To Shop:

Consi Go: https://consigo.org/shop/

The World of Vintage: https://www.facebook.com/people/the-world-of-vintage/100063663066086/

Just Outside of the City!

Terramay Farm: Thomas Sterchi and the de Brito family, who have been friends and professional partners for many years, share a vision: turning a regenerative agriculture and sustainable tourism project into a unique experience and fighting desertification. After countless trips to the south of Portugal, on November 15th of 2018, the 562-hectare property on the banks of the Alqueva was acquired and Terramay was born. Terramay means Mother Earth and is the home and livelihood of our horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, bees and plants. If you are looking for unique things to do in Lisbon, this is a great option.

Friends of a Farmer: A true Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project, Friends of a Farmer reflects a mutual commitment between farmer and consumer to support regenerative, small-scale farming. Through the seasonal commitment of our members, we are able to thoughtfully and patiently farm organic produce without waste. Together with members, they are building a community dedicated to regeneration and the joy of living in harmony with our environment. As consumers we face choices that define our relationship with the earth. As an alternative to a world of fast food and harmful industrial-scale agriculture, they strive for a return to a more authentic, respectful approach to our nourishment.

If you liked this guide to Lisbon…

Check out our best eco hotels in Portugal

Our hotel guide to Quinta Da Comporta, Portugal

A Beautiful Bouquet – Petalon Flower Delivery

You can’t go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, especially for the mom that already has everything she needs. Petalon Flower’s is a longstanding favourite of the whole Rev team and is always my go-to when sending flowers. They have a B Corp Status. And they are certified carbon neutral and donate 100% of their end of year profits to UK conservation projects. On their 85 acres of land, half is dedicated to growing beautiful local flowers. The other half is devoted to local wildlife.  They have the most beautiful arrangements available for pre-order right now for UK Mother’s Day! 

Maternity Activewear – Jorgen House

Jorgen House aim to create maternity and beyond clothing that gives more to the planet than it takes away. Through smart design, they have sought to create enduring pieces that move across women’s multi-faceted lives with ease and grace. They source the highest quality sustainable and recycled yarns. Creating lasting products that will adapt and move with you through the changing states of womanhood. They recognise that maternity doesn’t end after the fourth trimester, it’s the beginning of a new lifetime.

A Spa Moment in – Organic Skincare

A Spa Moment in – Organic Skincare

If the mom in question can’t make it to a spa easily, gift her the essentials to pamper herself and her skin at home. For treatments there is nothing more luxurious than the Eclat & Gommage Extraordinaire Duo Kit by La Fervance. The Eclat boosts skin hydration and visibly reduces fine lines, while working on skin elasticity and firmness. The Gommage is a beautiful natural exfoliant that instantly softens and smooths the skin, leaving skin brighter and plumper after use.

To pair with the treatments, the Super Serum Rituals Beauty Kit by ilody are the perfect duo to combat aging and boost hydration. In this kit, you’ll find ilody’s hydrating radiance serum and collagen serum, which together feed the skin powerful ingredients like tremella mushroom, bakuchiol, Persian silk tree, and kombucha. This duo is a perfect cocktail for every skin type. Lastly, pair all of this with ilody’s Kansa Wonder Wand, an Ayurvedic beauty tool that has been used for over 5,000 years for a reason. It is a wonder for promoting lymphatic drainage, de-puffing the skin, and sculpting the face – plus it just feels amazing! A perfect gift for Mother’s Day in the UK.

More Skincare! – Team Dr Joseph

For Team Dr. Joseph, nature, with its fascinating and highly intelligent plant world, has always been their priority. Respectful handling of its resources is crucial. They select the most effective plant substances and refine them with gentle methods to make them fruitful for your skin. With over 35 years of experience in organic skincare production, they can draw on a wealth of knowledge. They have continuously refined their expertise over the years and have been adhering to their holistic philosophy since 1986.

Cosy Knitwear – HERD

HERD is a pioneering sustainable luxury yarn and knitwear brand. By sourcing fibres directly from a collective of farmers and harvesters they maintain control of creating superior wool. Their signature Upland Yarn is made from 100% Bluefaced Leicester fleeces within just 150 miles of the farms in Yorkshire, North West England, where the climate provides perfect conditions and abundant rich green grass.   HERD is proudly additive free, each exquisitely hand-finished piece made without toxicity. Seasonless luxury bursting with character to love forever, and 100% naturally biodegradable when returned to the soil; a truly circular, regenerative ethos.

An Organic Wine Delivery – Raw Wine

If the mom in question loves wine, look no further than Raw Wine’s, who have one of the best curations of organic, natural, and biodynamic wines from around the world. The wine industry is a male dominated world, which is another reason we love Raw Wine because it is founded by Isabelle Legeron MW, who was noted as one of the 50 most powerful women in wine. Her eshop is actually the largest section of natural wine in the UK, so there is absolutely a perfect wine for Mother’s Day here. Each wine has a great written up profile, making it seamless and user-friendly to pick the right wine! 

A Beautiful Piece of Jewelry – Adriana Chede

You truly cannot go wrong with a piece of jewelry to let that mom in your life know how incredibly special they are. A physical reminder to mom that she is loved and appreciated! Adriana Chede Fine Jewellery is one of my favourite UK based makers, as all her pieces are handmade using responsible practices with recycled materials. Her pieces also range in price, making her gorgeous creations very accessible. Her Gold Creole Hoops are timeless and truly would suit any one at any age. Another item I love from Adriana’s collection on REV is the Éclair Chain Bracelet with a beautiful diamond. It is effortlessly chic and would sit beautifully on the wrist as a standalone accessory or joined by an assortment of bracelets.

A Thoughtful Read – Yoga For Motherhood

A fantastic gift to give any mother is London based yoga teacher Naomi Annand’s book, Yoga for Motherhood. A mom herself, a teacher with over twenty years experience in yoga, and the owner of the East London yoga studio, Yoga On The Lane, Annand really knows what she is talking about. A book every mother should have on their shelf! It is a resource for moms to help navigate the different emotions that come along with motherhood – the emotional lows and highs. The book walks you through bread-led sequences to calm the nervous system and uplift a tired body – things most mothers can definitely relate to! I’ve loved this book personally and think it is a beautiful resource for parents.

Fragrance – Ffern

Ffern is a natural perfume maker. Everything about their fragrance-making process serves a single end: To connect their wearers to nature through perfume. From the ingredient growing, harvest, extraction and fragrance development through to the blending and barrel ageing, they try to act as responsible custodians of these incredible natural resources. This is reflected in their ledger model – rather than bulk manufacturing perfume and shipping it worldwide to be sold in airports and department stores year after year, their fragrances are small batch, and limited edition by their very nature.

Organic Bedding – Casa Parini

Casa Parini is an Italian specialty textile brand founded by Viola Stancati that produces premium bed linen using 100% organic hemp, one of the world’s most eco-friendly crops. Soft and breathable, Casa Parini’s sheets and pillowcases are cut by hand and tailored by the seamstresses of Colori Vivi, a social enterprise that employs women migrants and refugees in the city of Turin. Hemp requires little water, no pesticides and it helps detoxify and enrich the soil in which it is grown.