How I grew my own private paradise
Forget about Johnny Depp’s private islands or the infinity pool at the Hanging Gardens Ubud; my favorite place to chill in my bikini is my own roof.
I think it’s one of the greatest luxuries in my life; the fact that I only have to walk up a flight of stairs to enter paradise. (the fact that I have a walk-in closet just for my swimwear comes a close second, but more about that later) My roof has a spectacular view of Rotterdam, and four years ago I started growing my own herbs and vegetables there. I’ve got mint, cilantro, chives, beets, thyme, you name it! When I lounge in the sun with some dear friends, reading, laughing, dancing and drinking mojito’s made with freshly-picked mint, I feel sheltered and happy. I’m on top of the world.
It took me a while to get the hang of gardening, and I have to admit a lot of plants bit the dust the first year. Quite literally, because I hadn’t figured out a proper irrigation system yet! I may still not have a green thumb, but tons of gardening books and many failed experiments later, I have created a lush little jungle for myself. I find gardening both relaxing and very empowering. How good does it feel to skip the supermarket and eat something straight off ‘your land’!
When I look out over Rotterdam from my roof I see so many unused spaces that could be turned into little gardens. You really don’t need much! As a matter of fact, one of the gardening books that really inspired me was ‘You grow girl’ by Canadian garden guru Gayla Trail, in which she shows how to turn any space, from a tiny fire escape to a suburban backyard, into the lush garden of your dreams. This is fun stuff, like concocting home made pest repellents and growing and bagging your own herbal tea. (check her site for daily inspiration: http://yougrowgirl.com)
Go ahead, create your own little paradise. And remember, all it takes is a dream, some seeds and a windowsill.
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MD Friends
Building bridges
From the Erasmus Bridge and the Mercedes-Benz Museum to Qatar’s metro network; Ben van Berkel’s iconic landmarks bring people together in rapturous beauty, again and again. I talked with the Dutch architect and educator about sensuality, ‘healthy’ buildings and the remarkable parallels between our designs.
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More than a feeling
Don’t ignore your emotions; they are much more powerful than you can imagine. By linking the magical world of emotions with hard science, Dutch scientist Pierre Capel, professor emeritus in experimental immunology, shows us the consequences of our feelings and the power of our minds. The message: we can do much more than we think. “Meditate. It’s the single best thing you can do for your health.”
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Keto curious?
The fact that I feel bikini-confident all year round is, of course, a nice bonus. But for me, the biggest payoff of following the keto diet is the way it optimizes my health and gives me tons of energy.
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Marlies Says
Super (skin) food
‘If you can’t eat it, why put it on your skin?’. I pretty much live by this beauty adage. After all, with your skin being one of your body’s largest organs, anything – and I mean anything! – you put onto your skin will end up in your bloodstream.
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