Eight questions for the interested and interesting: Lexi Earl

Dr Lexi Earl manages the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food and looks after projects related to agriculture, climate and dietary change at the University of Oxford. She also happens to be a proud Joburg gal. Somehow between her job and parenting and cooking up a storm and wild swimming and gardening and embroidering llama Christmas decorations, she also writes a brilliant Substack called nature // nurture, which we know you’ll find calming, interesting and restorative. Her answers to our eight questions are just as compelling.

What is the best book you’ve read in the past year and why?

I mean, this is an almost impossible question to answer. I have read many! But I did finish East West Street by Philippe Sands earlier this year and it has stuck with me. The book examines the origins of the terms “genocide” and “crimes against humanity” while weaving in Sands’ personal history. It handles some intense themes but is very readable. Other highlights so far have been How to Save the Amazon by Dom Phillips and friends, and Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams. I also read fiction, but I feel I must stop now.

How do you keep fit?

I am lucky to live in a (mostly) cycling-friendly city, so I cycle to work and around my neighbourhood. I also do yoga and pilates and walk a lot! I live near a large woodland so I walk there whenever I can, and take my child to look for frogs in the pond as an excuse to get out of the house. I love to swim too, whenever I can find a body of water to get into.

Weeknight, lowkey restaurant go-to?

What even is this? My child just turned five (born in the pandemic) and we live far from family, so we hardly ever eat out. When we do, it is generally for an occasion. However, I do get lunches when at work – Oxford’s Covered Market is my team’s go-to – many wonderful café options that do take-out. My favourites are the tofu curry from Alpha Bar, falafel and halloumi wraps from the blue place, chickpea dahl from Taylors. There is also Chick Pea, just off the High Street, which does amazing falafel halloumi bowls with many varieties of vegetable, and Gloucester Green market on a Wednesday and Thursday, where I get tofu pad Thai. They make it freshly for you and it is super. I really would like to try Edamame and Arbequina, but have failed to get to either yet.

What is the one artwork you’ll always love, and why?

I have a print of Mark Rothko’s Violet, Black, Orange, Yellow on White and Red (1949) hanging in my bedroom. I saw it in the Guggenheim the first time I went to New York by myself. I love both the art – the colours, the way it invokes sunset – but also how it reminds me of my younger self and the person I was when I first saw it.

Do you have a hobby?

I knit as a way of paying attention when I am watching TV. I finished a pair of socks for my kid recently. They look ridiculous but are warm and cosy. She wore them the other week and it was a very 1980s legwarmer vibe going on. I also made a felt embroidery llama decoration over the summer and now everyone is getting a llama (decoration) for Christmas. Plus, I garden. We moved house earlier this year so mostly this entails pulling up decking to make space for plants at the moment, but we grew our own pumpkin for Halloween so that has been a massive win. Is baking a hobby? It is my default when I have run out of ideas for child entertainment on a rainy afternoon. Then you have an occupying activity and a delicious baked thing.

The one unusual item you can’t live without?

My jam pan? I love making jams and butters and condiments and having a store of good things to add to meals – like a squirrel. Many years ago now I bought an extremely large jam pan from Lakeland and I use it every year. It doesn’t fit in a regular cupboard. Currently it is making apple cider jam with Calvados.

Who was your high school celeb crush?

Leonardo DiCaprio. From The Basketball Diaries to Romeo + Juliet. Swoon.

Three songs you’d take to a desert island?

This is a hard one for me because while I can remember lyrics, I can never remember artists or song titles. I rely on random playlists my friends put together to keep me up to date. But I would definitely have to take Fast Car by Tracy Chapman – it reminds me of those long, endless summer holidays at varsity when we had no responsibilities. I enjoy Pink Pony Club whenever I hear it. And I like Song of the Lake by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. My dad bought me their new album in vinyl – Wild God – last Christmas, so it is regularly on. Yes, we are those people. I would also have to take some classical or jazz though, maybe Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake or Burn Out by Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, which we played at school. Neither of those is particularly original, but I am not that person.

_{Top image: Supplied.}