In A Day With... Esperanza De La Fuente

Hello! Firstly, are you able to tell us a little about you and your family; where is your hometown, where are you living at the moment and what do you do ?

I was born in Barcelona but a few months after, my family moved to the Canary Islands where I spent most of my childhood. After studying fashion design in Madrid I moved to London to get some work experience in the fashion industry and refine my taught-at-school english language. Those first few years were so exciting - working for magazines and fashion brands, travelling for shoots, etc - but also really hard work and very little money.

I never really planned to stay, or perhaps I never really thought about it too much, but somehow it’s been 13 years and I am still here. I can call London my home. And in case you are wondering…yes, every winter I still moan about the grey weather. Some things never change I suppose. Today, I live in Hackney, with my husband and our 2 year old son, Lucas.

I work as a fashion stylist and consultant but a year ago I launched Wholetalk Magazine. An independent, creative and positive health platform. My aim is to help people live healthier, happier lives by empowering them to make healthy lifestyle choices, encouraging them to connect with nature, and showing them how small changes in their lifestyle and diet can result in big steps towards healing.

You can find it here whole-talk.com / @wholetalk_ they are available printed or in digital format.

How do you usually start your day ?

I usually start the day with my alarm clock, Lucas! He always wakes us up.

As soon as I am out of bed I practice oil pulling (which is an Ayurvedic traditional remedy) (I talk about this on the latest issue of Wholetalk!) and prepare a cup of warm water with lemon. I drink it while I get myself and Lucas ready before preparing a matcha latte and some breakfast.

What does your dream day look like ?

It’s hard to explain what a perfect day should look like. I have come to appreciate the small things and be grateful for them. Sometimes a sunny day is all I need. Others, spending time with people I love. But also days at work, shooting something creative really fulfils me too.

I miss spending more time with my sister, she lives in Madrid. And recently a few close friends parted London to begin new exciting projects somewhere else. When they come back for a quick visit and I get to spend a day with them, it’s a dream. Friendship is so important in life. At least for me.

What is your beauty routine ? Do you have any favourite natural products or skincare rituals ?

I aim to use natural products when at all possible. I have been using Shampoo & conditioner from La-Eva, they use natural ingredients and its vegan, ocean friendly and smells so nice. For the shower we use Weleda Calendula shower gel, its for kids but we use it too!

My beauty routine is quite basic these days. I have been suffering with breakouts for the last few months so had to strip it all back and go back to the basics. I cleanse my skin with a gentle cleanser and moisturise afterwards. I sometimes apply an anti break-out cream at night if necessary. I have been going to see Ingrid Raphael, a skin consultant here in London. She is the one that has taught me how to treat my skin properly rather than pissing it off with lots of products. In her clinic I have done a course of LED light therapy which reduces inflammation and its meant to be anti-aging and I have one of those scary masks at home too that I use when time allows and I remember!

The skin is our biggest organ, while what we put on our skin is certainly important, feeding our skin from the inside is vital. It is all connected!

Do you have a favourite scent ? If so, where does it take you ?

I love musky scents , they remind me of my mum and my childhood although I don’t really use perfume… instead, I like applying ‘flower of the sun’ body oil by @wilderbotanics - I love the smell and its made with natural oils

Are there any food or health philosophies that guide how you and your family eat ?

Food is our medicine and I believe in balance rather than in restriction.

In the last few years I have become way more intuitive with what my body needs and how to best support it through diet. I also try to eat as much as possible according to the seasons, sticking to vegetables & fruits that are in offer that season and planning meals around them.

With a toddler at home, meals can be not as straightforward as one would like, and any theories or philosophies that one may have can be thrown out of the window in a matter of seconds. Today, for instance his lunch consisted on 3 pieces of bread!

What is your favourite way to move your body ? Does movement play a part in your everyday routine?

Movement keeps me sane. I practice yoga & pilates but I also like walking and cycling to work as much as I can. When Spring arrives, I start going to this reservoir we have 10 mins away from my house, and if I can I go every week to do a few laps up until the end of the summer when the water starts getting way too cold.

When do you feel your most confident, beautiful and happy ?

In the summer. A sunny place, the sea, a long lunch with friends and family.

If you are feeling stagnant energy-wise, uninspired or just tired/off, how do you come back to yourself ?

When I have days like that, I ask myself “what can I do to make myself feel better today? Is it a hot bath, a few breathings, a yoga class, a walk, a chat with a friend, a day off?” This simple self-care rituals help me cope and adapt.

Has becoming a mother changed your views on health and “wellness” at all?

Becoming a mother made me realise that no matter how good my diet or my exercise routine is, if I don’t sleep, I can’t function or recover. Sleep is a luxury that we take for granted!

Are there any old-school natural remedies that you always have on hand for you and your family ?

Camomile tea for indigestion or tummy aches. Somehow it always works!

Do you have a particular mantra or saying you try to live by ?

Not that I can think of quickly. So perhaps, I don’t?

If you were to choose 5 ingredients to have in your kitchen, what would they be ? (Practical or impractical !)

Olive oil, lemon, salt, avocado, sourdough bread - if anything goes wrong those save me.

To part, are you able to leave us with a favourite recipe of yours ?

I found this recipe while flicking through a cook-book at my friend’s place and lately, there has been a few waves of sickness coming and going at home so I have been making a lot of this turmeric tonic to get better and avoid it!

Ginger has a long history as a herbal remedy for colds and turmeric is rich in phytonutrients and has anti-inflammatory properties, but most importantly, it’s delicious!

Turmeric Tonic

—Makes 1L

Ingredients:

1/4 cup (85gr) of honey

1/4 cup (60ml) of filtered water

3/4 cup (180g) fresh lemon juice (about 4/5 small lemons)

5cm piece of ginger

12 5cm piece of fresh turmeric root

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Combine the honey and the water in a small pot over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the honey, then remove and let it cool.
Prepare the lemon juice by squeezing all the lemons.
Chop the unpeeled ginger and turmeric root and put it through a masticating juicer.
Add all the juices to a glass jar, screw lid and shake well
Serve in a glass with a few grinds of black pepper. It turns out our bodies absorb turmeric better in the presence of black pepper.

Newest issue of @wholetalk coming soon.