The Wind Down With Moon Bedeaux

Meet Moon Bedeaux; a recipe alchemist who is constantly engineering unusual but healthy and delicious recipe combinations to share with the world at her cafe Cult Kitchen in Marylebone.

Moon invited us into her Islington nest to chat about winding down uniforms, cooking with adaptogens and her best vintage finds.

You’re a big fan of cooking with adaptogens. What are they and how can they help you to wind down?

Adaptogens are a group of herbs that can protect our bodies from the harmful effects of stress, whilst also supporting our overall health, energy levels and mood.

My favourite way to use them is by adding them to my matcha in the morning. Cordyceps mushrooms are a personal favourite as they’re good for supporting your immunity, fighting fatigue and improving sporting endurance.

I also love to add a medicinal immunity shroom blend (from Erbology) to my bone broth that I make from organic chicken and vegetables. You can also add them to baking. Always follow the dosage on the product and choose the ones that resonate with you.

Sticky Toffee Rice Pudding Recipe

Try Moon’s Sticky Toffee Rice Pudding Recipe

What are the benefits of introducing adaptogens to your winding down routine?

By introducing adaptogens such as ashwagandha, chaga and reishi into your wind down routine, these can help you relax and decompress slowly and effectively.

Do you have any other winding down rituals?

Staying away from electronics.

Moon at her home in Islington

What is your favourite way to start the day?

My favourite way to start the day is waking up fairly early and catching the morning rays that stream through my window. I’ll make a hot matcha with some adaptogens before grabbing my journal and writing down any thoughts or ideas that have come to me in my dreams.

I like to follow this by 10 minutes of meditation and having a long shower. Before I leave the house I use Cosmic Dust Smelling Salts 'Carpe Diem' Witchcraft by Vida, to clear the head and set intentions for my day. The scent is amazing. Its use of crystal technology herbs and essential oils truly uplift the spirit. I use them throughout the day especially when my energy is flagging.

I then like to go on a walk, especially now the weather is picking up and sit in the sun to absorb some Vitamin D.

Bedfolk Luxury Sateen Cotton Bedding Rose Pink

Moon sleeps in Luxe Cotton in Rose

How does your home make you feel?

My home makes me feel calm and safe. It's a warm nest away from the fast-paced busy city. It’s somewhere I can seek refuge and a place of temporary escapism, where I can recharge and nourish myself before facing the world again.

What does your winding down ‘uniform’ look like?

My bedding uniform of choice is matching pjs from the brand Legeyra- they’re 100% viscose and incredibly silky! I layer the set with my favourite cashmere camel jumper of all time. I bought this at Portobello vintage market for a tenner and it has lasted me years.

Where in your home are we most likely to find you sipping tea, reading, and taking a moment to yourself?

You're most likely to find me sipping matcha on my reclaimed antique Ligne Roset couches which were a gem of a find— someone was throwing them out onto the street, blissfully unaware of their value.

Most of my clothes and furniture are vintage so this was an extremely happy moment. They feel like you’re sitting on a cloud.

It’s a Friday evening and you’ve just clocked off from a busy week. What are you cooking, drinking and doing?

I like to spend a Friday night with my friends. You’ll find me sipping one of Kin or Three Spirits non-alcoholic adaptogenic elixirs, or a fizzy lime water- I simply cannot get enough.

If it’s been an extremely long week I’ll be enjoying a glass of red wine. I usually go over to my friend’s house and we have burger night and watch a movie.

Describe your perfect Sunday…

My perfect Sunday is lying in bed with my boyfriend Henry and then whipping up a homemade veggie breakfast for us, before meeting a friend for a long walk in the heath and coming home and cooking a roast.

This would be followed by a self-care routine, starting with a deep aromatherapy bath followed by a clay detoxifying face mask and some slow yogic stretching before bedding down for an early night accompanied by a good read or watch.

Quickfire Questions:

Are you Relaxed, Classic, Linen or Luxe and why?

I love Luxe in Rose because it’s irresistibly silky soft! It’s also great for my sensitive skin and hair.

What three things do you do before you go to bed?

Before I sleep, I cleanse and tone my face before submerging my skin in organic rosehip oil - I LOVE the way it makes my skin feel, it’s so hydrating.

I let go of any anxieties and set and affirm any intentions and prepare me for a good night's sleep.

I swear by using magnesium transdermal spray - I love the nue co’s blend with arnica. It really soothes your muscles and gives you such a peaceful night’s sleep.

What’s your trick for going to sleep?

When I struggle to sleep I listen to the sound of a crackling fire or a Dauchsy sleep meditation on Youtube.

My sheets make me feel…

Liberated.

The song I fall asleep to is…

Rhye - Open

One pillow or two?

6! I like to build a fort around my head and they’ve got to be duck down… It’s simply a dream to lay on.

Moon’s Lie In List

Read:

A Monk’s guide to Happiness

Watch:

Catch Me If You Can
Far From The Madding Crowd

Listen:

Fleetwood Mac
Shuggie Otis
Maribou State

Check out:

@witchcraftedbyvida for healing energetic products
@erbology_london for healthy snacks

Local charity, car boots and vintage shops. I’m on a mission to find amazing homeware, and I’ve been in luck recently. I like to buy second hand where I can, why bring more into the world when there are so many gems already here?