Sophie Bertrand

About PlantBased

January sparks a new lease of life in many; with people across the world taking a moment to contemplate the year ahead and set themselves some heartfelt and achievable resolutions, and others which are frankly ridiculous. The tradition of starting the year with self-improvement is a great one, and something I’m sure we’d all benefit from participating in, but try to stick within the realms of possibility (making your first million in 2019 might not be so realistic). For some it also means a change of diet, after gazing mournfully in the mirror, following the indulgent Christmas period. But it’s not all calorie-controlled diets and dreading your next powdered smoothie ‘meal’; this year let’s focus on hitting the refresh button and simply getting back on track with a healthy, plant-based regime. It’s also important to remember that the body and soul are deeply interconnected, and therefore it’s vital to cleanse and refresh the mind as you do with the body. Try to start being more mindful in your manners of cooking and eating, and maybe even adopt a short regime of regular meditation, to help decrease your stress levels. This can help you maintain a balanced mind as well as a balanced diet. Exercise is equally important, as this connects the entities of your body – while your limbs are physically working, encouraging your body to burn calories and build muscle, your mind relishes in the released endorphins (check out our fitness feature, p.92). And don’t forget pampering! Though often dismissed as an act of vanity, caring for your skin, hair and other extremities is essential for a harmonious relationship between body and mind, and is just as important a part of your New Year refresh as your diet is. Try out our DIY plant-based beauty recipes on page 53. Have a healthy and happy new year,