DDPF ALEXA DE CASTILHO
Today I present to you Alexa. I know Alexa since she was a little girl, our parents are friends. I always admired her for being cooler, more interesting and older. With Portuguese father and English mother she lived in Portugal and Brazil before returning to England.
I met her again when I lived in London (20 years ago), I used to meet her at Spitalfields Market every Sunday, she used to sell art/design pieces with lighting there.
But what made me really want her to be part of the DDPF is this very important work she does today..called FIFTH. A demystification of what menopause really means for women. Something that, I don't understand why, is completely taboo in many circles. We women are not taught about what menopause really is, of what it can mean for us...for our body, emotions and head. I believe it is changing BUT yet there is still a lot of prejudice...a lot of lack of information but especially support to understand the changes going on in our bodies as the time approaches. Alexa's work is all about supporting women in their middle age to feel better about their bodies, their transformations and decisions.
So I'm really glad not only to share her work but her tips too! Lots of gems indeed. I hope you like it, stop by her site and if you are lucky be a part of her FIFTH also.
BE
Sign: Capricorn
Season:Fall
A color: Coral a mix of orange = joy and pink = love
A book:The Myth of normal by Gabor Mate and Daniel Mate
A film:Hunt for the wilderpeople
A song:Baby lovePetite Meller
A podcast:The diary of a CEO Steven Bartlett
An object: Crystals
Favorite Place in the World: The Ocean
CREATE
Who and what inspires you?My future/adventure self
What do you have yet to create? So much, for now I am working on an ANTIDOTE program for women to regain their innate body wisdom through menopause.
How to maintain creativity:For me ceremonial grade cacao and meditation where I find a deep connection to my inner world, I associate with the energies of my work that hold the energy of transformation, sovereignty and love.
LIVING
First thing to do upon waking up: I exercise outdoors, dive in the ocean, cacao, and meditate.
How to relax at the end of the day:I take advantage of this time of day to listen to podcast, read and learn.
A place to unplug:In nature/In the ocean.
Favorite physical exercise:At the moment I train with weights.
How you discharge stress:Breathing exercises, nature, swimming in the ocean, hugging, meditation, listening to music, and dancing around the kitchen table.
A woman who inspires you:my mother, she is a pioneer.
NUTRIR
Your ideal diet is... beans
What you always have in the fridge: Fermented food
Dinner-saving recipe: Seafood rice
Favorite drink:Cocoa
Favorite Snack: Dried fruit
Favorite Restaurant: Anything middle eastern tapas style.
Favorite cookbooks:Simple Ottolenghi
CARE
Icon of beauty:Lauren Hutton
An essential piece of clothing: Colorful bra
What's not missing from your beauty routine:Working from the inside out, true beauty is inside and shines the brightest.
Favorite MPL'beauty product: Superwoman capsules, puro sol because there is not enough sun in the UK.
How do you feel more beautiful? Exercise, nutrition, ritual.