This week M+K sits across the table with Charlie Fowler, the Founder of MOA – Magic Organic Apothecary, green, organic skincare brand. She talks with us about her approach to mindful cooking, creativity and saving bees.
1. My cooking inspiration…
When I became veggie about 7 years ago I bought a book called ‘Honestly Healthy’ by Natasha Corrett. I use this cookbook time after time, as it has so many healthy, delicious veggie and vegan recipes (many of which I successfully followed). I also love recipes with foraged ingredients…so rewarding to forage for food, bring it home to try new tastes and make something more unusual.
2. A meal that reminds me of home…
My veggie lasagne is rather indulgent but my kids ask me to make it every birthday for them, which is the biggest compliment ever! I have made it so many times now, and I don’t like to blow my own trumpet, but it’s pretty damn good! I am now removing gluten from my diet and you can easily buy gluten-free sheets of lasagne which is great.
3. A life lesson cooking has taught me…
That I need to slow down and not take on too many tasks at once. I’m always trying to multitask when cooking which invariably ends in the dish burning or me getting stressed out. It’s become a bit of a joke at home, as it happens so much! Being in the moment is very important in life and when cooking.
4. When I want to be creative I…
Make a cup of tea and sit down to get started with the task at hand…cups of tea are a constant source of getting a task started, but also required for taking a break in between bouts of creativity. I am especially fond of foraged Mugwort tea right now, it turns a wonderful green colour just like absinthe and helpful for sparking creativity and enhancing your dreams.
5. The most transformational book I’ve read is…
The book that most fascinated me recently (and I actually completed) was The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben. I’ve always been a nature lover and this book examines the notion of the plant realm being intelligent…after all we are mere babies compared to these wise woodland giants.
6. The routines that keep me grounded are…
Spending time in nature and gardening puts me in my happy place, I can lose myself into an almost meditative state. This sunny weather has been amazing and I have been watering the garden every evening and pottering around, which is the best therapy for me. I am also back to starting my day with 30 minutes of yoga each morning, two weeks ago that was not the case! As I get older I need to keep my mind and body in balance, I definitely notice my mental state suffering when I don’t make time for it. And cross country running is a great way to clear headspace. I’ve been dragging the kids out over lockdown for 3km runs with the dog! Also taking a lovely long relaxing bath and cups of tea!
7. I recently learnt…
That being a white woman is a privilege, I don’t think I ever really appreciated the extent of this. I haven’t contemplated race as much as I have over the last month or so. I had thought that things were more equal in 2020, but there is clearly so much work to be done. My husband is half Filipino and having mixed-race children (my daughter 15 and son 11), we’ve been having some heavy conversations at home which have been very challenging in many ways. The world is much simpler through my son’s eyes and I wish the world was like that. It’s a tragedy to have to burst his bubble as he’s approaching his teenage years, but this is the stark reality and I probably don’t even realise the half of it. I’d like to think the human race is in a period of mass awakening and this is the start of more kindness, equality and compassion. Let’s celebrate diversity together in all it’s wonderful forms of creativity and expression.
8. Favourite random act of kindness…
I left a big bunch of lilac flowers in a jug of water on the pavement outside my house with a note for someone to take them – they wrote thank you on the note which was very sweet. Saving bees that get stuck indoors is a regular occurrence in my house, we’ve nursed them back to health with a blob of honey before helping them to fly away.
9. To make a difference in my community I…
I’ve made some wonderful connections with other brands and fellow women business owners, many of who have been a real inspiration. I feel it’s very important for women to support other women.
10. Right now, I’m grateful for…
Eternally grateful for my husband and my children. Right now I feel grateful to still have a business during the pandemic, I count my lucky stars and feel gratitude for everything in my life. We have been fortunate to live in the countryside, with a garden, surrounded by nature.
Charlie Fowler founded MOA – Magic Organic Apothecary in 2010 following the birth of her daughter, who suffered badly with eczema. Having researched the alarming long-term effects of the petrochemicals being prescribed, it became the dream to produce a simple and effective organic balm to ease the itchiness and discomfort…The Green Balm was born! On the quest for natural and organic ingredients, she was drawn towards the ancient folklore of herbalism and introduced to the humble yarrow, a favourite amongst many herbalists, partly due to its array of powerful properties. With a background in art and design, Charlie creates all the hand-drawn illustrations for MOA’s products, believing that the entire packaging of a finished product is as important as what’s inside.
To connect visit:
moa.co.uk/
instagram.com/magicorganicapothecary/
twitter.com/greenandbalmy?lang=en
en-gb.facebook.com/magicorganicapothecary/
