Running a restaurant is like raising a baby. For the founder and creative director of Alma at The Standard, Ashleigh Parsons, it’s something more like raising twins. Alma is only one piece of Ashleigh’s delicious vision. In addition to keeping her healthy Hollywood hotspot running day and night, Ashleigh is also the founding force behind Alma Community Outreach, an organization committed to educating local youth about wellness through gardening and cooking classes.
With so much going on, Ashleigh’s vision still seems to unfold with a degree of cool we can only suspect comes from a wellness-forward way of living behind it. We spent a morning at her East L.A. abode to take a peek at the habits that help her stay light, lovely and on a roll: From quiet, phone-less starts to a mantra we could all take a bite of, we’re loving the way Ashleigh’s flavor of wellness looks…
My alarm is set for…
6:15 a.m.
I can’t start my morning without…
A walk around the Silver Lake Reservoir with my labrador, Sage.
Breakfast is normally…
Rice cakes and jam with black coffee made with my V60.
Favorite morning beverage is…
Water and black coffee. I prefer Canyon Coffee or Manufactory beans.
My favorite moment in the morning is…
Taking a beat outside without my phone to center and ground before the chaos of the day ensues.
Latest wellness obsession…
A coconut and sugar mask combined with a hot aromatherapy bath.
Daily uniform this season…
Blue jeans or #kammpants and a graphic T-shirt, which is usually something slightly political. I wear Eytys or Superga sneakers on my feet and throw my things into my Make Smith leather backpack, including an oversized cardigan to weather the LA winter chill. Sometimes I’ll go straight from one of our school gardens to The Standard, Hollywood so I need to wear something that’s comfortable yet professional.
On the best mornings I…
Carve out quiet time for meditation and grounding before I have any interaction with technology.
Morning are normally filled with…
Quiet.
I get my creative juices flowing by…
Walking and moving; I try to be outside soaking up nature whenever I can.
Favorite fitness routine…
A walk around the reservoir or a yoga class.
Natural beauty product I swear by…
Coconut oil and Glossier Generation G lips.
Current inspirations…
Nature (always), Axel Vervoordt (always), the LA art scene (it’s currently exploding) and my circle of friends (which is full of inspiring activists).
I’m usually listening to…
Frank Ocean, Nina Simone or Joni Mitchell.
My favorite morning distraction…
Daydreaming while walking with no cell phone or sound except nature’s sounds.
Fave lunch spot/order/dish:
Sqirl’s pesto bowl or green goddess salad with an egg. Avocado and egg are the two foods I can’t get enough of.
My current mantra:
Stillness within momentum.
The recipe I’m making:
Since it’s been chilly in LA, I’ve been craving soup constantly. I’ve been having butternut squash soup with a glass of MIP rosé to finish a long day. I also love to make Heidi Swanson’s lemongrass curry with vegetables from 101 Cookbooks.
