MPL list #1

Today we're starting a new section, a "list" of the best things worth sharing. From recipes and beautiful things to books and podcasts... a little bit of everything. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful in your daily life.

Kisses, Mafalda

1. BOOK THAT INSPIRED ME

Shoe Dog – Phil Knight
The story behind Nike, told by its founder Phil Knight himself. I loved this book, it's super inspiring. It kept me company for many hours in traffic (nowadays I listen to more books than I read, unfortunately). I learned a lot about vision, resilience, and intuition in business . It made me reflect on persistence and passion for what you create.

2. INGREDIENT OF THE WEEK

Reishi – The mushroom of longevity
I started my brand – which was called Puro Sumo – like this adaptogenic mushroom. If I had to choose a miracle superfood, I would choose this one! A true secret weapon for healthy skin and a balanced mind . It helps reduce oxidative stress and strengthen the immune system.

• Regulates hormones → PMS, menopause, menstrual cycle
• Reduces anxiety and stress → Deep sleep and a balanced mind
• Strengthens immunity → Protects against viruses, flu, and inflammation.
• Prevents premature aging → Firmer skin and powerful antioxidants
  
• Increases energy without spikes → Combats fatigue and burnout
• Protects the heart → Improves circulation and reduces inflammation.

I like to take it mixed in tea or a smoothie - 1 teaspoon of reishi in a drink first thing in the morning or throughout the day, consistently. Incidentally, the calming blend already includes reishi!

3. TO LISTEN

The podcast - The Tim Ferriss Show with Dr. Andrew Huberman . I'm on a perpetual quest to improve sleep and reduce stress and anxiety. This podcast helps to better understand how sleep, natural light, and stress affect our skin and well-being.

4. A product that I am loving.

Women's Secret cotton pajamas . We should pay close attention to the fabrics we choose to have close to our skin. I can only use natural materials like cotton, linen, etc... And what we choose to sleep in is essential for our body to breathe and recover naturally. These pajamas are 100% cotton, comfortable, beautiful... perfect for nights of deep rest. Because a good night's sleep is the "beauty secret".

5. SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

The new Morris & Co. collection is at ZARA HOME . I was actually waiting for this collection without even knowing it. I love the patterns and the classic touch that transforms any space. Small details that make all the difference at home.

6. RECIPE: PURPLE SWEET POTATO CURRY

We've been using purple sweet potatoes in a "repetition" here at home. Not only are they delicious, but they also have many anti-aging benefits. Purple sweet potatoes are rich in anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that protect the skin from premature aging.

Purple Sweet Potato Curry

(Serves 4 people)

Ingredients:

• 2 medium purple sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped

• 1 piece of ginger (2 cm), grated

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric

• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon of black pepper

• 1 tablespoon of curry paste or powder (optional, if you want more intensity)

• 200 ml of coconut milk

• 200 ml of vegetable broth or water

• 1 handful of spinach or chard

• 1 teaspoon of lemon or lime juice

• Fresh cilantro for serving

• Salt to taste

• Olive oil or coconut oil for sautéing.

Preparation method:

1. Sauté the herbs: Heat a drizzle of olive oil or coconut oil in a pan. Add the onion and sauté until softened. Then, add the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute.

2. Season: Add the saffron, cumin, cinnamon, and black pepper. Stir well until the aromas are released. If you are using curry paste, add it now and mix.

3. Cook the sweet potato: Add the purple sweet potato and mix well with the spices. Let it cook for 2 minutes.

4. Add liquids: Add the coconut milk and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, until the sweet potato is tender.

5. Finally: Add the spinach and lemon juice, stirring until the spinach wilts. Adjust the salt.

6. Serving suggestion: Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve with basmati rice or quinoa.

MPL Tip: For an even greater nutritional boost, you can add a teaspoon of Reishi powder at the end of cooking.

This curry is creamy, antioxidant-rich, and perfect for nourishing the skin from the inside out.

7. A RITUAL THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

The Luminous Mask
One of MPL Beauty's most underrated products. Every time I use it, my skin feels renewed, radiant, and even-toned . If you're looking for an immediate boost of hydration and luminosity , this is the secret.

8. Small change, big impact:

That's the rule at home. 90 minutes without screens before bed = deeper sleep, brighter skin, and more balanced energy. The blue light from screens not only affects our ability to fall asleep and sleep deeply without waking up in the middle of the night, BUT it also affects our skin, especially collagen (think premature aging). Here, we use the Detox serum as our skin protector, which I formulated specifically to protect the skin from blue light ;)

I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any tips, leave them in the comments. ♡