SUSIE WILLIS
“My family have been used to “Mummy’s weird recipes.” I have been adding turmeric to our foods since my babies were babies and they have been accustomed to a diverse plant-based diet since they were small. I don’t reference my home cooking as being Ayurvedic as such, but wholesome, nutritionally dense and full of fabulous flavours, colour and energy.”
Susie Willis is a beauty innovator with a drive to create brands that are founded on the principle of nutrition using vibrant nature-based ingredients with integrity. Susie’s career started as a food entrepreneur, and it was her passion for health through “superfoods” that led her to create her own cookery school and subsequently, her first successful brand, Plum Baby, an innovative, organic baby food brand, in 2006.
As a visionary and intuitive change maker, Susie soon expanded her knowledge of nutrition and luxury brands to a credible presence at the forefront of the wellness and beauty industry. Having amassed strong expertise in clean and plant-based ingredients, Susie’s interest evolved to the clean, ethical skincare space. The concept for Romilly Wilde started to become a reality, and using her passion for nutritionally dense, natural processes and preservation, her knowledge gave her the confidence to launch Romilly Wilde. A luxury skincare brand, Romilly Wilde is rooted in the philosophy of efficacious, non-toxic, ethical skincare that produces “more results” than other cosmeceutical/synthetic brand offerings. Romilly Wilde launched with its capsule collection in September 2016.
Follow Susie:
Website: Romilly Wilde
Instagram: @romillywilde
“Ayurveda is about connecting on a conscious level and applying it to everyday things.”
What does Ayurveda mean to you?
For me it is a conscious way of being, considering mind, body, soul in balance with nature and one’s physical and spiritual self.
When did you discover it? How long have you been practising it?
I guess unconsciously for about 10 years, but with more understanding and awareness of its power in the last 5 years since I conceived Romilly Wilde, a very holistic skincare range.
What drew you to Ayurveda?
It just makes sense. I am compelled to living the healthiest life possible and feel so aligned with myself when I am nurturing myself in this traditional way. I have always been drawn to nutrition, meditation, yoga, etc. when it comes to supplementing recipes with traditional herbs and spices and consciously creating recipes and formulations that respect every single ingredient and the majestic power that is derived from Mother Earth.
Has it helped you with anything major?
Yes, I would say that it has helped me through my early phases of menopause in a major way. I have found balance and feel that I have been able to bring my anxiety and energy levels back to a level that feels normal to me.
Is Ayurveda part of your everyday life or just for your medicine cabinet or fall-back routine?
It is quite possibly part of my everyday life, but not in a conscious, “is this Ayurveda” way. I would say that through years of deliberately seeking a nutritious diet, lifestyle and approach to healing, I bring it into everyday life.
What are your top 3 Ayurvedic tips that have worked for you?
Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha and Schisandra. These are great to support immunity and energy levels. I also use magnets and sound therapy for headaches or shifting any stagnancy in my body to create flow. Conscious movement through yoga of all variations is a huge part of my life and has given me incredible strength and improved emotional wellbeing.
What surprised you most about Ayurveda?
That it is so accessible, understandable and relates to everybody. Ayurveda is about connecting on a conscious level and applying it to everyday things, whether it be the food you eat, when you eat, or the responses you may have to modern-day living. It is all things to all people, can be both medicinal and joyful at the same time, connecting you to a mantra that you can relate to and connect with, without it being a regime.
Do your children/family eat an Ayurvedic diet? And if they do, do they know it’s Ayurveda or do they just think of it as home cooking?
My family have been used to “Mummy’s weird recipes.” I have been adding turmeric to our foods since my babies were babies and they have been accustomed to a diverse plant-based diet since they were small. I don’t reference my home cooking as being Ayurvedic as such, but wholesome, nutritionally dense and full of fabulous flavours, colour and energy.
What is your favourite Ayurvedic recipe or go-to ingredient?
Probably my Turmeric/Manuka Steel Cut Oats. I soak the oats the night before in plant milk, sweeten with lacuma powder and add a teaspoon of turmeric. I bring it to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes over a gentle heat. Then I serve with pollen grains, mixed seeds and coconut shavings. Once it's cooled, I add a tablespoon of highly active Manuka honey. Instead of oats you can use chia seeds, quinoa or another favourite of mine, buckwheat.
How does Ayurveda fit into your day-to-day routines?
Yoga, yoga and more yoga.
What do you wish was easier in our society to make an Ayurvedic lifestyle more accessible?
Simple awareness. I think that there is a move away from Ayurveda being perhaps inaccessible as it is a lifestyle and an education. More workshops, immersive retreats and bringing it into more trendy environments ie. festivals etc. Jasmine has been doing such wonderful things by bringing the philosophy to life through the joy of food as well as promoting the sharing and community aspects of Ayurveda.
What’s the one thing you would encourage everyone to try or you think would benefit the majority of people’s health for the better?
Their diet and when they eat their meals. Our bodies have an internal clock to metabolise and digest our food and modern society has enforced a breakfast/lunch/dinner routine and we work and live around our food as opposed to food supporting us and being as energetic for our bodies as possible. Mindful eating and making time for meals is key.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Immunity and strength in the modern world is vital for a strong mind and body. Ayurveda is a traditional adaptation to a modern world that applies positively to everyone.