Catch Ups In My Kitchen

In my kitchen this week I am joined by Elisa Lune who is a Skin Health and Gua Sha expert and we talk about all things skin, from signs that we should look out for which may indicate that we need to change up our skincare routine, to how to stop ageing and how to protect our skin from pollution.Elisa has worked in the skincare industry for many years from working on the shop floor in SpaceNK to working directly with top skincare brands such as Caudalie as well as taking courses in lymphatic drainage and Gua Sha. Therefore Elisa has a breadth of knowledge from products and trying too many which may cause "Space Face" (listen to find out what that means) as well as the ins and outs as to why Gua Sha is so essential for glowing skin.The skincare industry is just so huge now and with TikTok constantly telling us the do's and don'ts whilst also sharing many people's skincare routine, I thought it would be super insightful to hear it from an expert.We discuss the following:What signs we can look out for that show that we need to change something in our skincare routineFace mapping and what different spots in different places meanRed light face masksThe power of Gua Sha and Lymphatic DrainageWorking from the inside outHow diet and hydration affect your skinSkincare recommendationsShelf life on skincareIngredients to avoid in skincare productsLess is moreHow our skin changes as we ageProtecting our skin against pollutionAnswering some of the community questionsElisa also gave some amazing recommendations which I have linked below:The facial dry brush - https://sereniteskin.com/products/facial-dry-brushes?sca_ref=4201091.zqJT7BhYPiThe oil product - https://liveinthelight.co.uk/collections/living-libations-1/products/best-skin-seabuckthornThe gua sha tool - https://mandypitcher.com/products/cjb-pro-nephrite-stoneThe Caudalie toner - https://uk.caudalie.com/p/315C/vinoclean-moisturizing-toner-315c.htmlThis episode is hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie Peppitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my kitchen this week I am joined by Rob Wallis, Co-Founder of Moth the first single-serve canned cocktail brand which brings you a perfectly balanced cocktail wherever you may need it. Moth wasn't always called Moth and it also wasn't always served in a can, so in this episode, I get to speak to Rob about the journey of MOTH, from having the idea to making it a reality and then pivoting in order to create a product which speaks to the consumers. In hindsight having a single-served cocktail ready to consume seems obvious as it isn't always convenient to have all the ingredients and spending the time creating the cocktail isn't for everyone, but no one was doing it. This is when Rob and his co-founder Sam had the idea to make the perfect old-fashioned that was as easy to drink as a beer. This is when Buveur was born which then re-branded into MOTH. In their journey, there was a lot of "luck" involved and being in the right place at the right time, although you may call it "luck" I would say that you create your own luck and there was a lot of hard work for 2 years before the pivotal moment that catapulted MOTH into what may seem like an overnight success. In this episode Rob and I discuss the following topics:Life before MOTHBuveur and the re-brand to MOTHThe name MOTH and what it meansThe vibe and culture they have created at MOTHRelationship with Co-Founder SamHow the journey started The pandemic and how it changed the companyBeing in the right place at the right timeWhat wellness means to Rob Top bars in LondonRob's last meal This episode was hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie Peppitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I am joined by Alex Smith who is the founder of Basic Arts, his aim is to help you re-strategise in order to make big moves and out-win your competition! Alex works with many businesses both within FMCG and other consumer brands in order to refocus the aim, get unstuck and excel in your field. Alex and I discuss the purpose and value of strategy and how it is often overlooked. We also discuss how strategy applies to all areas of our lives, business and personal. We often find ourselves focusing so much on how we are communicating at work, whether it's in the correct tone of voice for the business, whether we are moving in the right direction and towards the right goals and so on. But what about in our personal lives? This is as important!Do we have goals that we are striving for? Are we communicating in the way that we want to be perceived? Are we being our true selves? Strategy is the pillar for direction in everything that we do and it is the one thing that is so easily ignored! The topics that we discuss are:Alex's career to where he is nowWe buy brands and not productsChallenger brands and how they cut through Most common mistakes when it comes to strategyAuthenticity and the power of that in a business v fake it to you make it Having a plan vs Being fluid Hard work really pays off... doesn't existGrowing your Linked In following Personal Brand Top brands that are doing well at the moment Alex has also got a book called the No Bullshit Strategy, which is now available if you follow the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Bullsh-Strategy-Competitive-Advantage/dp/B0CHGZG4MK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BDUN91VOTEFX&keywords=no+bullshit+strategy&qid=1694381368&sprefix=%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1Lastly, in order to get your dose of strategy tips and tricks - check out Alex's newsletter here https://basicarts.org/newsletter/ This episode was hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie Peppitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I am joined by Bethan Higson, Founder of Mother Root, who has created a magical, punchy, delicious and surprisingly healthy non-alcoholic drink, which is made using Apple Cider Vinegar.A combination of Bethan's background in wine and champagne crossed with her being "pregnant and thirsty" yet disappointed with the options available, brought her to discover that New York bartenders had been recently experimenting with adding different vinegars to their cocktails in order to create another dimension to the flavour profile. This then inspired Bethan to start experimenting in her kitchen in order to find the perfect drink that she could have whilst pregnant and during the early years of Motherhood. Through taking her experience in wine, champagne and aperitifs Bethan started layering up flavours and balancing the different tones which created this complex yet delicious drink which although consisted of no alcohol had the sharpness and mouth feel of an alcoholic drink due to the vinegar element. Bethan couldn't gate-keep this delicious recipe and so Mother Root was born in order to bring another, completely innovative drink option to the now expanding non-alcoholic market. As well as being a delicious drink, Mother Root has also been picked up amongst nutritionists and health experts due to the powers and benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar which is the main ingredient. So not only do these drinks taste amazing, but they consist of so many health benefits such as being anti-inflammatory, lowering your blood sugar levels and supporting your gut health.This episode is so fascinating and just pushes the boundaries of what is possible within the food and drink space.Bethan and I discuss the following topics:Her journey to Mother RootHer previous work within the wine industryHow wine has inspired the Mother Root recipe Her obsession with sour Taste vs FlavourDrinking alcohol and the mouthfeel it createsThe power of Apple Cider VinegarBethans relationship with drinking now Balancing being a mother and a founder This episode is hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie Peppitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I'm joined by Shivraj Bassi, Founder & CEO of award-winning wellness brand, Innermost. He graduated from Imperial College London and spent 10 successful years at Goldman Sachs in London and New York. After deciding to take a break from banking to reconnect with his health. During that process, he saw that more people were coming around to the benefits of better health, but against a backdrop of an industry full of confusion, contradiction, fads and gimmicks. He decided there had to be a better approach, which led to the creation and launch of Innermost.Innermost burst onto the scene in 2017. It's science-backed nutrition products are now stocked at more boutique fitness studios in London than any other nutrition brand as well as leading retailers including Ocado, Selfridges, John Lewis, Sephora and many more. The brand has also had huge success expanding internationally with listings in some of the most prestigious hotels, spas and fitness studios in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Revenues for the brand are growing at over 100% Year-on-Year. As part of the brand's corporate responsibility initiative, for every purchase made by customers, Innermost donates a school meal to a child in need. So far in 2023, they've donated over 20k meals.In this episode Shiv and I discuss the following topics:Shiv’s personal health journey before starting InnermostDe-bunking myths and misinformation in the industryTrends v Science and making sure we're following the right informationAyurvedic and Asian medicine and the influence it has on Innermost productsSupplements - do we all need themWhat signs should we be looking out for to indicate we need to add supplements to our dietAre there negative side effects to taking supplementsCan we overdo it when it comes to supplementsCan we become immune to supplementsProtein powders and picking the right one for your needsShiv's personal diet.This episode is hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie Peppitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I am joined by my very good friend Melissa Tattam in order to dive into her secret obsession with Organic food, eating a balanced diet, and learning about personalised nutrition and anti-inflammatories. I say secret because many of you know a lot about Melissa's life and lifestyle but this area is one that she keeps to herself due to not being a qualified nutritionist and not wanting to advise incorrectly or mislead anyone. But she has done so much of her own research and gone through her own journey that I thought it was time to share it.I think this episode is the epitome of the more you look the more you see because when you begin to research into health and wellness you realise how much we can do in order to be the healthiest version of ourselves.Melissa has recently taken her health to the next level by going through a personalised plan with Pippa Campbell who is a Functional Nutritionist and with that she has found out more about her body, what vitamins she is low on, what her body can and can't process and a lot lot more!Melissa is also passionate about making sure she is doing everything she can in order to feel the best version of herself and protect her body from the additives and chemicals that we surround ourselves with every day.We deep dive into the following topics:What does Melissa's diet look likeWhy is she obsessed with OrganicEverything in moderation - what that means to MelissaHer take on eating dairy and meatWhy she never buys any food in plastic packaging Her relationship with foodHer Pippa Campbell experienceWhat vitamins and supplements she takes and whyHer skin and what she uses What wellness means to her This episode is hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie Peppitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I am joined by the Co-Founder of Form Nutrition Natalia Bojanic where we talk about the power of protein in your diet for both your physical and mental health.I have been a consumer of Form protein powder for 5 or more years and this is because it really is the best tasting Vegan Protein out there with incredible ingredients. But before Form I wasn't a protein powder consumer because I was scared of what protein powder would do, but now I have started taking protein powder every day I can't imagine life without it. Therefore in this episode, I discuss with Natalia the power of protein and how it is actually the building blocks of not only our bodily functions, muscle repair and growth but also our mental health and hormone balance.Natalia comes from a background of PR and also of holistic health, naturopathic medicine and meditation. Therefore Natalia talks from a place of knowledge when it comes to health benefits both physically and mentally. Form has grown from strength to strength in the UK and they are now taking on America with help from their newest team member and avid Form consumer Orlando Bloom.Natalia and I deep dive into so many amazing topics in this episode including the following:Her life before Form NutritionWhy Form Nutrition came aboutHow Protein Powder works How Protein Powder doesn't bulk youWhy adding Protein Powder can be important to your dietWhy Protein is important for your mental health Ingredients to watch out for in Protein powders that aren't good for youThe plant-based diet Orlando Bloom as an addition to the team Expanding into AmericaForm Feeding Fund To get your hands on some Form Protein Powder (which I highly recommend you do) head to https://formnutrition.com/plant-based-nutrition/or head to Planet Organic or Holland and BarrettThis episode is hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie Peppitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my kitchen this week I have Sonny Drinkwater Co-Founder of Well Easy the online health food store which makes healthy living accessible and affordable for everyone.After going through his own health journey of restriction, counting calories and obsessing over food Sonny fell in love with ingredients, good quality food which nourishes your body and is full of goodness rather than some of the other products you may find in supermarkets today.But as Sonny began searching for all the best products he noticed how expensive, confusing and difficult it was, he found that he was ordering products directly from various different brands and it was just inconvenient. This is where the idea for Well Easy came from, creating a one stop shop for all health and wellness products so you can get all you need in one box.Through starting Well Easy Sonny has dived into research about supermarkets, how ultimately they are motivated by profit rather than providing us the best quality food. Sonny has also researched a lot into ultra-processed foods and how these are becoming more and more popular and readily available and also highly promoted rather than the cleaner and more natural alternatives.This is an episode where we deep dive into the food system in the UK and how we all need to be going back to basics rather than turning for fast, convenient and ultimately unhealthy alternatives. The topics we discuss are:Sonny's health struggles at university Obsessive and controlled eating behavioursCounting caloriesHow to build a positive relationship with foodWhere the idea for Well Easy came fromHow Well Easy worksThe food system in the UKUK supermarketsUltra-processed foodRunning a food business and the challenges you faceWhat does wellness mean to Sonny The top quality wellness products on the market at the moment To check out Well Easy head to https://welleasy.co.uk/This episode is hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie PeppittMarketing vs What's actually good for you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we have James Cadbury joining me in my kitchen to talk all things chocolate! Being the great great grandson of John Cadbury the Founder of Cadbury which we all know and love, it's not surprising that James was inspired by his families history and story. James founded in Love Cocoa in 2017 which is a luxury chocolate brand focusing on gifting and offering a more premium chocolate experience, after taking Love Cocoa to Dragons Den the brand has gone from strength to strength with the hope of Love Cocoa stores opening in the future.In 2020 James noticed a real gap in the plant-based chocolate space, we were letting oat milk take over our lives, but no one was using oat milk to make chocolate. Therefore as Cadbury was the first brand to add dairy milk to their chocolate (hence the name Cadbury Dairy Milk), James thought that he would be one of the first to start adding Oat Milk to cocoa in order to create the same delicious creamy chocolate experience that the plant-based market was missing. With a lot of consumers now opting for oat milk over dairy milk due to taste preference as well as the sustainability bonus, it seemed the obvious option and he was completely right! HIP (which stands for Happiness In Plants) was born 18 months later in 2021 and over two years it has gone from strength to strength.In this conversation James and I discuss the following topics:Growing up in the Cadbury householdThe influence Cadburys' has had on his career The reasons behind starting Love Cocoa in 2017His experience on Dragons DenWhy James started HIPThe process of starting HIPHow the two companies run alongside each other How the plant-based space is looking in confectionaryEthics and how James runs his two businesses in a sustainable wayHow James has ensured that there is no plastic used in the packaging of HIPWhat's next for both Love Cocoa and HIPLast Meal To checkout HIP head to Sainsburys or check them out online To checkout Love Cocoa head to John Lewis or check them out onlineThis episode was hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie Pepitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are joined by Luke Hemsley the Founder of Wednesdays Domain the premium Non-Alcoholic Wine brand. We have seen a huge rise in the last couple of years in the no and low alcohol space, we have non-alcoholic spirit brands such as Clean Co which is leading the way in the spirits section, Lucky Saint is doing some impressive things in the beer world, but wine was definitely being left out until Wednesdays Domain came along. There is something really romantic about choosing a bottle of wine to have with your dinner or to take over to a friends house, it is the branding, the bottle itself, what you will pair it with, the conversations you will have with it and so on. There is a lot more to it other than the actual wine itself and that is exactly what Wednesdays Domain is playing on with their de-alcoholised red and white wine.The idea came to Luke during the Pandemic, where like many of us Luke returned to his parents house which resulted in the drinking of a lot of wine. This unsustainable habit made Luke realise that although he really enjoyed sitting around the table chatting and drinking with his family at the end of the day, the headache the next morning wasn't really ideal when he had to work. This gave Luke the idea to look for non-alcoholic alternatives to which in the wine category there were very little, this is when Wednesdays Domain was born.I think as consumers we are becoming increasingly aware of our health and performance and therefore having brands such as Wednesdays Domain create non-alcoholic alternatives where we can dip in and dip out of drinking is really exciting.Luke and I discuss the following topics;His journey to coming up with the idea for Wednesdays DomainThe process of making de-alcoholised wine The flavour profiles that he had in mind for the white and the redThe no and low market and the increase in the rate of adoption from consumersThe health benefits of non-alcoholic wine Their target marketThe similarities between flexitarian and opting for non-alcoholicLuke's journey to cutting back on wine If you are looking for a great tasting non-alcoholic wine head to https://wednesdaysdomaine.com/This episode was hosted by Georgia Symonds and produced by Maisie Peppitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.