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H&N Magazine: New Season September Food & Drink News
As the seasons have changed dramatically over the past couple of weeks so do our eating habits. We tend to change the way we eat and drink throughout autumn, as we introduce warming stews, hearty meals, and comforting hot drinks.
H&N Magazine: New Season September Food & Drink News
As the seasons have changed dramatically over the past couple of weeks so do our eating habits. We tend to change the way we eat and drink throughout autumn, as...
Floraison Magazine: Soft Mornings, Slow Joy: Summer Hygge Rituals
Soft Mornings, Slow Joy: Summer Hygge Rituals As the light lingers longer and the mornings turn golden, summer offers a slower kind of magic. While hygge is often associated with thick knits and candlelit winters, there’s a quieter version that comes alive in the summer months — one rooted in softness, simplicity, and sensory pleasure. These are the rituals that ground the day before the world speeds up, and the small joys that turn an ordinary morning into something sacred. This is a season for intentional ease, and here’s how the art of slow living begins — one soft morning at a time. ☁️ 1. Wake to Light, Not Noise Instead of starting the day with a blaring alarm or the glow of notifications, gentle summer hygge begins with light. Whether it’s a sunrise alarm clock or simply drawing the curtains early, letting natural light guide your body into wakefulness brings a calm, almost meditative state to the start of your day. Pair this with a few deep breaths under soft linen sheets — the kind from brands like Bedfolk or Piglet in Bed — and you’re already off to a dreamy, grounded start. 🍵 2. The Morning Brew: Ritual Over Routine Coffee might be a go-to, but summer mornings ask for a softer sip. Matcha is a summer hygge staple — not only for its gentle caffeine but for the calming act of preparing it. The whisking, the warmth, the smooth green pour — it’s a moment of mindfulness in motion. Brands like Matchæologist or Cosy Tea elevate the experience with beautifully crafted blends and ceremonial-grade powder. And if you’re not into matcha? SipZen offers calming herbal tonics that support digestion, hormonal balance, and focus — wellness in a can, without the crash. 🧘♀️ 3. Body Before Brain: Movement Without Pressure Summer hygge isn’t about hitting your step goal before breakfast — it’s about checking in with your body. Whether that’s a few slow stretches on your yoga mat, 10 minutes of intuitive flow, or a barefoot walk on the grass, the key is gentleness. If you're indoors, carve out a corner that invites softness: a yoga mat from ChaYkra, a calming playlist, maybe a diffuser misting essential oils like lavender or neroli from Neom or Tisserand. Movement becomes more than exercise — it becomes ceremony. Light a candle or Palo Santo and just be mindful. www.neomwellbeing.com 📖 4. Unhurried Pages & Screen-Free Pockets Hygge thrives in the analog. Before diving into the digital rush, take 15 minutes for something tactile — a book, a journal, a sketchpad. Reading something nourishing (think Bella Grace magazine, a poetry collection, or a slow living blog) allows your mind to stay in a reflective, inward state before being pulled outward. Set a soft scene: a cup beside you, natural light overhead, perhaps the subtle clink of ice in herbal tea. ✨ 5. Beauty in the Small Things Summer hygge invites you to romanticize what’s already there. Lighting a candle — even in daylight. Putting your phone on airplane mode for the first hour. Wearing soft fabrics that move with you. Creating a desk space that makes you want to work slowly and with intention. Curate a corner with crystals like amethyst or citrine, a sprig of herbs, a ceramic incense holder, or a linen pinboard for inspiration. Let your environment whisper, not shout. 🌿 6. Build a Joyful Shelf Life There’s a kind of dopamine found in aesthetics — not in maximalism, but in intentional beauty. Consider creating a ‘joy shelf’ filled with sensory objects: a favorite lip balm, a bottle of calming spray, an oracle card, dried flowers, or a little ceramic animal. These quiet things anchor us. Brands like Toast, Anthropologie, or even local artisan markets offer small treasures that elevate your home into a sanctuary. www.anthropologie.com 🕯 Final Thought: It’s About Feeling, Not Productivity The core of summer hygge isn’t about productivity hacks or wellness trends. It’s about feeling good gently, about living in a way that honours your nervous system and celebrates the poetry in small routines. It’s not performative — it’s personal. Soft mornings are a rebellion against burnout. They’re an invitation to slow joy, to start again, to root deeply into your own rhythm. And maybe that’s the real glow-up of summer — not doing more, but feeling more yourself. See our feature in Floraison Magazine here.
Floraison Magazine: Soft Mornings, Slow Joy: Summer Hygge Rituals
Soft Mornings, Slow Joy: Summer Hygge Rituals As the light lingers longer and the mornings turn golden, summer offers a slower kind of magic. While hygge is often associated...
The Times: London’s wellness set have gone mad for sea moss. Does it work?
See our feature in The Times.
The Times: London’s wellness set have gone mad for sea moss. Does it work?
See our feature in The Times.
Well Well Well with Rosamund Dean: Why Sober October could be the shift you need right now
When it comes to initiatives like Dry January and Sober October, there are three types of people:1. “It’s a good reason to have a break from alcohol, which is always worth doing.”2. “Why be sober for a month? Just drink sensibly all year!”3. “Sobriety is for loserzzzzz, get the drinks in!” In my 20s, I confess that I was in the third category. Boozing was the pervading culture in my social circle, my family, at work and in the media. I didn’t know anyone who didn’t drink alcohol, literally no one! Now I have several teetotal friends, and most of them only drink occasionally - never to the point of obliteration. I guess this is something that naturally happens as you get older. Over 30, it takes longer to recover from a hangover and you become more aware of the health risks, which are unfortunately worse for women (the evidence on alcohol and breast cancer is quite the disincentive). Then there’s the fact that, all of a sudden, getting drunk stops being cute and starts looking a bit tragic. Sorry, but you know it does! The idea of choosing ongoing moderation over occasional sobriety makes sense on paper. But, as I wrote in Mindful Drinking, a month off serves two purposes: first to reset your relationship with alcohol, and second, just to show that you can. You’d be amazed how many people think they can stop drinking at any time, and then find it much harder than expected when they actually try it. So if you want to give it a go, here’s how to get it right… Identify your drinking triggers. Are you a social drinker? Or is it more about a glass of wine at home? Maybe it’s work events where you hop off the wagon? Once you know when and where you’re most likely to drink, then you can address that. Plan ahead. If you’re going out to meet friends, see the drinks menu in advance, so that you’re walking into the bar or restaurant knowing exactly which alcohol-free drink you’re planning to order. Never decide on the spur of the moment (those are rarely the best decisions).Not drinking used to mean you had to stand there in the corner with your *shudder* J20. That’s no longer the case. From 0% beers to AF cocktails, you can have a drink in your hand that makes you feel good, and won’t look out of place. Remember that human beings are ridiculously suggestible (yes, even you). If there’s booze in your house, you will drink it. So stock your fridge with delicious alcohol-free options. I wrote about the best AF options here, and recent favourites include… Functional, flavour-packed SipZen, whose sparkling tonics and teas use adaptogens like sea moss, lemon balm and ginseng to energise without caffeine crashes. Lucky Saint’s brand new Superior German Weissbier is described as “a hazy amber beer with a velvety white head and a fruit-forward finish.” A must-try for beer lovers. Counter Culture developed this Citrus Yuzu Soda for Dry January, which is good enough to drink all year round. Mood-boosting Sentia enhances your brain’s GABA neurotransmitter, promoting feelings of calm and relaxation. They recently launched Gabyr, a functional AF beer, and Cask, a whiskey-style spirit. Kombucha is my go-to because it’s deliciously celebratory, plus good for your gut. And LA Brewery are celebrating the launch of their new Sparkling White Rose in a can with 20% off for you. Use the code ROSAMUND20 at check-out. This will help you break up with booze Rosamund Dean See our full feature in Well Well Well with Rosamund Dean here.
Well Well Well with Rosamund Dean: Why Sober October could be the shift you need right now
When it comes to initiatives like Dry January and Sober October, there are three types of people:1. “It’s a good reason to have a break from alcohol, which is always...
Inside SipZen: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Drink Transforming Modern Wellness
If your bathroom cabinet is a graveyard of half-used supplements and mystery powders,you’re not alone. For years, wellness has meant swallowing synthetic capsules, deciphering ingredient lists, and wondering whether anything is actually working. Now, a new wave of modern supplementation is putting ancient wisdom back in the spotlight – and SipZen is leading the charge. Unlike other wellness brands that dabble in Eastern inspiration, SipZen doesn’t borrow from traditional Chinese medicine – it is traditional Chinese medicine. Rooted in centuries of practice and backed by modern science, SipZen is here to replace your syntheticsupplement stash with sleek cans of herbal tea formulas designed to actually work – andtaste great whilst you’re at it. So, what makes it different? How are ingredients like sea moss and sea grape becoming the modern supplements that deliver the results we’ve all been waiting for Here’s what you need to know. Why traditional Chinese medicine? SipZen distils the core principles of traditional Chinese medicine – balance, prevention, and whole-body harmony – into daily drinkable doses. While Western medicine tends to target isolated symptoms with specific interventions like antibiotics, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) takes a different view: that the body is a complex, interconnected system, and that true healing means restoring internal balance. In light of this, TCM has unique value in the prevention and treatment of complex and chronic diseases. But don’t just take our word for it – the science is catching up. Backed by thousands of years of clinical use, TCM goes further than simply treating symptoms. It looks at the root causes of diseases, and uses a combination of herbal medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle changes to bring the body back into balance. Now, scientists are working to decode what TCM has been using for centuries – the power of bioactive compounds. Think of these as the active messenger molecules found within TCM ingredients that stimulate various systems in the body, working together to nourish, repair and protect – like ingredients in a perfectly balanced recipe. The science behind the sip – why does it work? What makes SipZen more than just a pretty can of botanicals? It all comes down to thescience of how each ingredient interacts with your body – not in isolation, but as part of a broader system. Take sea grape, for example. This mineral-rich algae, often referred to as ‘green caviar’, is loaded with bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and sulphated polysaccharides - natural compounds that act as cellular bodyguards. These help neutralise free radicals*, reduce inflammation, and improve skin hydration by supporting the extracellular matrix – the structural ‘scaffolding’ that keeps skin plump and elastic. A recent study even found that supplementation with sea grape extract significantly lowered blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels in rats, suggesting potential metabolic health benefits 1. * Debunking ‘Wellness’ 101: At SipZen, we believe that knowledge is power. And with all the confusion in health and wellness, we’ve decided to take matters into our own hands and debunk the common myths and incorrect science that’s all too often thrown around online. First Lesson: Free Radicals & Antioxidants Think of free radicals as the social saboteurs at a dinner party – unstable and attention-seeking, they bump into molecules, steal electrons, and leave chaos in their wake. In biological terms, we often see oxygen free radicals – oxygen molecules missing an electron. In trying to gain that missing electron to stabilise themselves, they damage healthy cells in a process known as oxidative stress. Left unchecked, this can lead to everything from DNA damage to premature skin ageing and chronic inflammation. That’s where antioxidants (hey sea grapes and sea moss) step in. They’re the gracious hosts, offering spare electrons on a silver platter to neutralise the oxygen radicals and restore harmony, one sip at a time. You’ll find this powerhouse ingredient in SipZen’s Sencha & Yuzu Cold Brew Iced Tea – a refreshing nootropic blend that pairs antioxidant-rich green tea with the zesty brightness of yuzu and restorative properties of sea grape. Then there’s sea moss, which contains over 90 essential minerals, including iodine,magnesium, and potassium 2 . Magnesium is involved in activating one of the hormonesproduced by the thyroid. Your cells can only use the active version of hormones, and sowithout magnesium, the activation slows down, leaving you feeling sluggish, foggy orfatigued. If that sounds familiar, try SipZen’s Assam Melody & Melon Cold Brew Iced Tea – a smooth blend of malty Assam tea and cooling melon, supported by Irish sea moss and adaptogenic herbs designed to promote clarity, energy, and hydration. And if you’re seeking a daily dose of immunity and vitality, SipZen’s Kiwi & Pear Wellness Shot delivers a powerful punch. With ingredients taken from TCM and functional nutrition – including panax ginseng, hawthorn berry and peach gum – it's the perfect option for on-the-go support when you need a boost, fast. Are we done with synthetic supplements yet? It doesn’t take a genius to realise you can walk into your local pharmacy and buy bottles of every mineral and vitamin you can think of – and probably some you didn’t even knowexisted! The problem? Your body often can’t utilise these efficiently, and so you’ll end upexcreting a large amount of them unused. At that point, you’re quite literally throwing your money down the toilet. When it comes to nutrients, it’s all about bioavailability: the ability of these supplements to be absorbed and utilised by your cells. Unlike many synthetic supplements packed with fillers and binders, nutrients from whole, plant-based sources like sea moss and sea grapes come paired with cofactors – like enzymes, fibre, and trace compounds – that help the body recognise and process them more effectively. In TCM, ingredients are never isolated. They’re used in synergistic combinations that enhance their therapeutic effect. In short? Your body knows what to do with real food and ingredients – especially when they’ve been used to heal for centuries. No more pills and powders. We want results, without compromise. Let’s be honest: most supplements don’t give us the results we are promised, and they most certainly don’t spark joy. For anyone tired of juggling pill boxes filled with synthetic supplements and ready to return to something more rooted, more effective, and frankly, more enjoyable – SipZen might just be the switch your body’s been waiting for. And yes, it looks very chic on your shelf. Ready to sip smarter? Discover the SipZen collection now. References 1 Kuswari, M., Nurkolis, F., Mayulu, N., Ibrahim, F. M., Taslim, N. A., Wewengkang, D. S., Sabrina, N., Arifin, G. R., Mantik, K. E. K., Bahar, M. R., Rifqiyati, N., Rompies, R., Augusta, P. S., & Permatasari, H. K. (2021). Sea grapes extract improves blood glucose, total cholesterol, and PGC-1α in rats fed on cholesterol- and fat-enriched diet. F1000Research, 10, 718. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.54952.2 2 Lomartire, S., Marques, J. C., & Gonçalves, A. M. M. (2021). An Overview to the Health Benefits of Seaweeds Consumption. Marine drugs, 19(6), 341. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19060341 About the Author Caitlin MacClay holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry from the University of Oxford. During her MSc, she conducted research in the Ligoxygakis lab, investigating immunity and gut microbiome dynamics using Drosophila models. With a background spanning global pharmaceutical companies to a skin-health start-up, she brings a unique ability to translate complex science into clear, accessible insights.
Inside SipZen: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Drink Transforming Modern Wellness
If your bathroom cabinet is a graveyard of half-used supplements and mystery powders,you’re not alone. For years, wellness has meant swallowing synthetic capsules, deciphering ingredient lists, and wondering whether anything...