LIVING WELL

E L E A N O R O Z I C H

Home wellness expert L I V I N G W E L L

Celebrate your mum

It’s not always about the price tag on Mother’s Day

Since becoming a mother, 14 years ago, I’ ve learned how complex, messy and relentless raising children can be. Chances are, if you ’re a mum, you ’re nodding your head while reading this.

Despite its beauty and life-giving experience, being a mum requires us to access an extra dose of patience and energy daily. Knowing this, I can’t help but ask myself: Is one day a year truly enough to celebrate your mother and show her how much you care?

There are numerous ways to show love on Mother’s Day; however, if you ’d like to do something a little more special than the requisite Mother’s Day card or box of chocolates, might I suggest a few simple and meaningful ideas?

1. Recreate or start a family tradition

Despite the chaos of the past couple of years, sharing a meal together is a tradition we consistently keep, giving everyone a deep breath in and out, a moment to pause time and remember how important family is. Perhaps a specific recipe reminds you of home, or is there a dish passed down the family line? Celebrate Mother’s Day by sharing the secret to making Grandma’s decadent chocolate pudding or Aunt Pauline’s caramel pie. And, if there no family recipe to speak of, be the one to start a new tradition.

2. Write her a letter

There’s so much joy to be experienced in writing a letter. Taking the time to slow down and put pen to paper, the thoughts, the words, the sending, and the reading. Have you ever considered how much magic is in the process? Not only for the receiver but for yourself, too?

The tactile and considered nature of a letter helps us experience love more deeply than a text, email, or phone call. The art of writing a letter is as simple as it comes, yet it’s so incredibly personal, something to cherish and hold on to.

3. Learn something new together

Book a pottery, cooking, or dance class for you to enjoy together. A flower-arranging workshop is another lovely idea. When learning something new, you ’ll be able to bond over the mishaps and discoveries, creating connections and memories along the way.

4. Make a playlist

The mix-tape – a curation of intentionally arranged songs – is one of the most endearing forms of love. And although digital playlists have replaced the likes of a cassette or CD, the concept is still lovely and meaningful. A few songs that spring to mind include You are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder, That’s How Strong My Love Is by Otis Redding and Where You Lead by Carole King.

5. Plan an impromptu night away

Book a boutique hotel or Airbnb somewhere nearby and take your mum away for a fun and unique excursion. Even better, book in a massage or beauty treatment for her while you ’re there.

6. Wander your local gardens

Pack a picnic lunch, pick up your mum on the way, and head out to your local botanical gardens for a wander to admire this season’s blooms. Don’t have any gardens in your local area? Bring a bright and beautiful pot plant to her instead. eleanorozich.com

Tip Let the hardest working member of the family have a well-deserved lie-in on Sunday morning.

Vegan sticky date pudding with coconut butterscotch sauce

1½ cups dates, soaked in boiling water for at least 1 hour 1 cup plant-based milk 11⁄3 cups coconut oil, melted 1½ cups spelt flour 1 cup coconut sugar 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground ginger ½ tsp sea salt

BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE

½ cup maple or rice malt syrup 1 cup coconut cream ¾ cup vegan spread (like an olive oil spread) 1 tsp ground ginger ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp ground cardamom

1 Preheat oven to 160°C. Grease a 20cm bundt cake tin with a little melted coconut oil. 2 Drain the water from the dates, then place dates in a food processor with the remaining pudding ingredients, and process until well combined. Pour the mixture into the cake tin and spread out evenly. 3 Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the middle. 4 Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before carefully turning out onto a serving platter. 5 While the pudding is baking, make the Butterscotch Sauce. Place the syrup, coconut cream, vegan spread and spices in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 6–8 minutes. 6 Serve the pudding warm with the Butterscotch Sauce poured over the top.

Three lovely gift ideas

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L I G H T T H E W AY This limited edition Mother’s Day fragrance blend is called Grace, a combination of neroli, rose and ginger. It’s available as a candle, a perfume oil, and a face and body mist. @poetbotanicals

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H A P P Y T H O U G H T I’m obsessed with Bonnie and Neil homewares, particularly this marigold printed linen cushion. Just imagine the happiness it’d bring to almost any space. @bonnieandneil

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S W E E T D I S P L AY I believe one can never have too many vases of flowers placed around the home. This sweet little Petit Artichoke Vase is the perfect vessel for a single stem or small pickings from the garden. @ornament.nz

H O M E S

THE ARTIST’S WAY

This purpose-built self-contained art studio, which is located in the sightline of a modern pavilion-style home, also doubles as a private sanctuary for its owner. For more about this house, turn to page 56.

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Family resemblance A new build takes its cues from a mid-century house.

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Man of style A Wellington apartment’s eclectic appeal.

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Blank canvas Empty nesters build what their heart desires.