This week M+K sits across the table with Astrid van der Hulst, Co-founder + Creative Director, Flow Magazine. She talks with us about cooking, creativity and community.
1. My cooking inspiration…
Is a friend of mine, Maarten. He cooks without recipes and makes the most delicious soups and stews. I am amazed at the way he comes up with his own combinations and cooks with his instincts. Most of the time, the stews and soups survive his creative process and end up tasting fantastic. (But in the case of baking, it’s the total opposite – it really is wise to follow the recipe…)
2. A meal that reminds me of home…
Is a potato and salmon salad that my father makes every Christmas eve. It is my comfort meal – when I feel a bit gloomy, I make it for myself.
3. A life lesson cooking has taught me…
Is that working quickly does not always leave you with a good result. Good things take time.
4. When I want to be creative I…
Start drawing. I turn to children books, bookstores, Instagram and nature for creative inspiration. Also, having no social life at the moment is heaven for my creativity.
5. The most transformational book I’ve read is…
Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are. I read it 13 years ago as an absolute beginner in mindfulness. I had been a sceptic, but starting mindfulness training and reading this book really gave me tools to enjoy daily life more. I started seeing the beauty of life’s little moments and feeling less anxious.
6. The routines that keep me grounded are…
Swimming every morning in a lake near my home. (In Spring and Summer only though, I am not brave enough for Winter!)
7. I recently learnt…
That living in the now is the best way to cope with the current pandemic. And that my neighbourhood is so beautiful. I’ve been walking a lot lately, to relax and clear my mind, and I’ve discovered new streets, parks, gardens and houses that I had not noticed before…
8. Favourite random act of kindness…
Sending a handwritten note to someone in the post. The old-fashioned way.
9. To make a difference in my community I…
Once a week I assist at an aged-care home in my neighbourhood.
10. Right now, I’m grateful for…
My housemates. We are all studying and working from home as a family of four, and I am proud that we are keeping each other’s spirits up. We help each other, laugh and respect each other’s needs. We’ve learned a lot in the past few months about what we are missing, but also about what we have learnt and achieved during this period.
Astrid van der Hulst is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Flow magazine, a popular international publication packed with paper goodies and beautiful illustrations that celebrates creativity, imperfection and life’s little pleasures. She lives outside Amsterdam.
To connect visit:
https://www.instagram.com/astridvanderhulst/
https://www.flowmagazine.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheWorldofFlow/
https://www.instagram.com/flowmagazine/
https://nl.pinterest.com/flowmagazine/
https://twitter.com/FlowMagazine?s=20
