Soesja Leugs

How cooking transformed from an obligation into a playground When I first became a mother, even the most mundane tasks felt overwhelming. Motherhood is such a deep transformation that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. During pregnancy, in the stillness of Covid, food began to take on an entirely new meaning. It became my ritual of freedom. With restaurants closed, that short outing to the grocery store felt like an adventure. Taking care of ourselves in a time of “sickness” made me realise...

Purification and Cleansing Its roots lie in Old English, derived from Februarius , which traces back to Februa —a Roman festival dedicated to purification and cleansing. In ancient Rome, February marked a time for people to purify themselves and their surroundings in preparation for the year ahead. This ritualistic act of purging and renewal gave the month its name, tying it closely to the concept of pre-spring cleansing.

Time has become a very flexible concept ever since I became a mom. As an adult, time comes and goes; days turn into weeks and months. The...