This month we are extremely excited to introduce the wonderful Liz Earle as our latest Wow Woman.
Liz Earle MBE is a wellbeing entrepreneur, TV presenter and the number one bestselling author of over 35 books on a range of health, beauty and wellbeing topics. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Liz Earle Wellbeing magazine, founder of Liz Earle Fair and Fine, an award-winning range of Fairtrade gold botanical jewellery and hosts the popular Wellness with Liz Earle weekly podcast.
What is your earliest wellness memory?Spending time in the garden with my father. He’s a gardening aficionado who taught me how to grow seasonal fruit and veg that are good to eat, as well as therapeutic plants that are good for our skin and bodies
What does ‘wellness’ mean to you?In a nutshell – health and happiness. Our mantra at ‘Liz Earle Wellbeing’ is to “feel good, look good and do some good along the way”.
What are three things all women should know to better their health?My main tip would be to look at what you’re eating – how we fuel ourselves impacts on our wellbeing as a whole and it’s important to recognise this. I’m a great believer in feel-good food so I always try to embrace seasonal, local, organic produce wherever possible as the mainstay of my meals. My advice would be, try not to eat too many things that come out of a packet, always aim for lots of fresh veg and wherever possible go local and organic!
I enjoy catching up with the best of Woman’s Hour on the BBC, as well as The Food Programme.
Who is your dream podcast guest?I’d love to have interviewed Marie Curie – the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the only woman to win twice and the only person to win in two different sciences. That’s impressive.
What does being an ambassador for the Soil Association mean to you?As a working farmer, I’m delighted to be an Advocate for both the Soil Association and The Sustainable Food Trust.
The work these organications do in championing healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use is incredibly important.
“If it has to be now, it has to be no”.I like to be able to at least sleep on a business decision and make sure I still feel the same way about something the following day. Liz Earle
Communicating wellbeing goodness.
What’s has been the highlight of your career so far?I’ve been fortunate to have so many proud and memorable moments, not least receiving an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen. That was a phenomenal moment. More recently, I was especially pleased to launch Liz Earle Wellbeing magazine, and also to see my new Fairtrade jewellery brand win three prestigious industry awards, including Best Collection from the Company of Master Jewellers./p>
What was your dream job when you were younger?
I’ve always wanted to be involved in anything that made people feel better.
What do you love most about your job and why?
I believe there is so much good stuff to share about small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference to how we look and feel. It’s so rewarding to be thanked on a daily basis – either in person or on social media – for sharing helpful (sometimes life-changing) information./p>
What are three things you can’t live without?
My family, probiotics and my iPhone!
What is your single piece of advice to the next generation of women?
I’d say trust your gut instinct! As I discovered when writing The Good Gut Guide, our gut is linked to our brain via the largest nerve in the body (the vagus nerve) and those inner feelings we get when we instinctively know something to be true is so often proved right.
My wellbeing brand is so much a part of my DNA that I genuinely live and breathe it every moment of the day. I think the same is true of the best brand founders, who are spurred on by a deep and authentic passion for their product, whatever it may be.
How do you manage to juggle being a mother a businesswomen and a farm owner?Family life comes first, so I get the really important dates such as school plays and concerts, holidays, parents’ evenings, etc into the diary at the beginning of the year and then schedule work and social events around them. I particularly try to book my travel times and work trips during term-time when I’m not missed as much – such as the mini-series I filmed in Greece and Sardinia for ITV’s This Morning.
Kefir or Kombucha?I love both – but I try to start my day with a glass of kefir and I find this gives me a real boost mid-morning and I do think it has made a difference to my skin as well as to my overall health and wellbeing.
“Lighten up. It’s perfectly possible – and indeed preferable – to have fun while you work.”.Advice from my eldest daughter Lily!
Kefir. I make my own kefir at home using kefir grains and cow’s milk, although you can use coconut milk, coconut water or any other nut ‘milks’. The longer you leave it to ferment, the thicker and creamier it gets, although make sure your family know not to throw it out- it hasn’t gone off, it’s meant to smell like that!
What’s your favourite family meal?One of my children’s favourite recipes is my all-in-one roast chicken tray bake with gut friendly and digestion boosting garlic, artichokes and leeks. Tray bakes are so easy and a brilliant dinner solution for large families like mine!
Everyone practices yoga/Pilates for different reasons. When did you start and why?
I started pilates twenty plus years ago to help strengthen and stretch my back. As a writer, I need to watch my posture and make sure I step away from my screen and stretch out every so often.
Favourite yoga/Pilates pose and why?
I’m a big fan of the plank, which works core, shoulders and upper arms all at once. It’s grounding and strengthening at the same time.
Mindfulness or Meditation?
Contemplation.
What do you do in your downtime?
I live on a farm in the glorious West Country so I really enjoy the chance to make the most of family time outdoors. I love picnics, farm walks, foraging in the hedgerows – very simple, yet very special, family times that make for happy memories.
Where do you go to ground yourself?
Home – to my West Country farm – to literally ground myself barefoot on the grass..
My eldest daughter Lily (also my head of digital), who continually inspires me with her goodness, charm and sense of fun – she keeps me light-hearted.
If you could only live in one item of Asquith clothing what would it be?The black Divine Pants with fine khaki side stripe. Classic comfort!
More About Liz Earle Wellbeing: Built on over 30 years of Liz’s award-winning advice, experience and research, Liz Earle Wellbeing is full of tried and trusted recipes and inspirational ideas and ways to bring out the very best in you.
Focusing on ageing well, it’s packed with the best strategies for stronger, smoother skin; increased energy levels, brain boosters and genuinely helpful ways to age well.
The magazine also features the most fabulous seasonal food and recipe ideas, with delicious dishes that not only taste great, but nourish our body, bones and brain, too.