Ecozine Issue 9: Winter 2016

LEONARDO DICAPRIO

Y O U R

G O- T O

G U I D E

F O R

S M A R T E R

L I V I N G

FALL/WINTER ISSUE

‘TIS THE SEASON

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

OUR GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR HIM & HER

JAMIE OLIVER SERVES UP SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD

ECOZINE FALL / WINTER 2016

SPECIAL

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS WE ASKED. YOU ANSWERED.

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HKD $45 USD/CAD $8

GAME CHANGING HOLIDAYS THAT YOU’LL WANT TO BOOK THIS VERY MINUTE

LEONARDO DICAPRIO HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST STAR IS ON A MISSION TO SAVE THE PLANET

H O M E + FA S H I O N + F O O D + T R AV E L + H E A LT H + I N N O VAT I O N

LEADING THE SUSTAINABLE LUXURY TRAVEL MOVEMENT. A STYLISH AND AUTHORITATIVE GUIDE FOR THE DISCERNING TRAVELLER.

Photo: andBeyond.com

w w w. r e f i n e d t r av e l l e r s . c o m

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CONTENTS

28

ON THE COVER 40 26 HOLIDAY GIFTS Because you love them, and we love you

40

DINNER TIME A simple recipe from chef Jamie

28 LEO DICAPRIO On climate change, oceans and cool cars

80-92 TAKE A TRIP

These destinations

are dreamy!

34 READERS’ CHOICE We asked, and you told us 22

THE SOURCE

FEATURES

CITY LIFE

16 LISA LOVES...

28 LEONARDO DICAPRIO: ALL CHARGED UP

50 WHAT’S ON, HONG KONG?

Ecozine’s Founder and CEO Lisa Christensen shares what she’s loving right now

18 NEW, HOT + HAPPENING

We’ve handpicked the season’s coolest eco, fun, and healthy discoveries for your reading pleasure

22 CONNECTING WITH... CALISTA GOH

We catch up with the brains – and the heart – behind the vegan success story that is Anything But Salads

24 THIS LIST: MICROBREWS

Why not try a cheeky little local ale this weekend?

26 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2016

They’ll love these gifts and the planet will too: presenting our top picks for him and her

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Hollywood’s ‘king of the world’ is passionate about the planet, its inhabitants, and the innovations that could save us from ourselves

34 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2016

Thank you for voting, the results are in!

Here are YOUR favourite green brands and businesses right now

HOME + FAMILY

40 JAMIE OLIVER: SEAFOOD FRITTATA

Your inside track on eco and healthy events, culture, food and fun in the city

54 AL FRESCO DINING

We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite spots for outdoor meals in Hong Kong

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CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Have you signed up a team for the Hong Kong Cleanup yet? It’s not too late! Learn more about getting involved

Sustainable seafood is the base for this dish, brought to you by the charismatic chef

42 OUTDOOR FUN

Tempt family and friends to your outdoor space with these whimsical pieces

46 PETS & VETS

You want the best for your loyal companions and so do we

Join the 16th Annual

Ecozine.com

HONG KONG CLEANUP CHALLENGE Sign up a team today – on until 01/12!

Visit HKcleanup.org for details

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WELLNESS

TRAVEL

ET CETERA

62 HEALING THE BODY NATURALLY

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12 CONTRIBUTORS

Explore the holistic side of healthcare

66 THE SCOOP ON WORK-LIFE BALANCE Community Business’ Fern Ngai shares expert advice on why it’s so important

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OHM AT HOME

We review a website designed for aspiring yogis to get more from their practice

STYLE

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PISTE PERFECTION

Sun and sand? Been there. This year, why not plan a winter holiday somewhere actually wintry for a change

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5 AFRICAN ADVENTURES

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ESCAPE + EXPLORE

Fulfill the dream of exploring Africa your way, with these tantalising tours for all travellers

Crystal waters, white sand and luxury ecofriendly accomodation? Tick, tick, tick.

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

Cool weather means getting outdoors, and we’ve got the gear you need

PERSPECTIVES

77

MANI-PEDI

MY ESSENTIALS

95

NICHOLAS MALLOS

Where to go for pretty, polished digits that won’t add toxins to your life

Reflecting on 30 years of International Coastal Cleanup – its achievements, discoveries and challenges

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CASEY MORGAN

Meet pioneering eco warrior and visionary MANA! founder, Bobsy

Ecozine.com

On how he stumbled across the world of trail running and it changed his life

14 EDITOR’S NOTE 98 WHERE TO FIND US

2016

ECOZINE READERS’ CHOICE

AWARDS

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

Thanks to everyone who voted for their favourite businesses and brands. Check out page 34 to find out who won!

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FOUNDER, CEO

LISA CHRISTENSEN | lisa@ecozine.com

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! ECOZINE’S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER DELIVERS THE BEST OF EACH WEEK, DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX!

SIGN UP HERE:

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COFOUNDER, EDITOR IN CHIEF

NISSA MARION | nissa@ecozine.com

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Casey Morgan, Charly Cheung, Davis Lau, Jamie Chan, Jamie Oliver, Fern Ngai, Dan Marshall-Singh, Kyrah McKenzie, Melory So, Mika Gallardo, Nicholas Mallos, Sean Baylis editor@ecozine.com

CREATIVE GRAPHIC DESIGN Andy Lai, IndeeDesign COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Jay Clendenin FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY Hong Kong Photography Studio

ADVERTISING, CIRCULATION & EVENTS partner@ecozine.com

ACCOUNTING & ADMINISTRATION Ho Tak Sang & Co.

PRINT PARTNER Gear Printing

PAPER PARTNERS Polytrade Paper Corporation Ltd. Cover: Opus Dull 216gsm Kin Wah Hong Paper Ltd. Inside: Norbrite 65gsm Ecozine sources paper that contains recycled content and is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSCTM) certified. FSC certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.

HEAD OFFICE Unit 107, 1st Floor, Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222-224 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong T (852) 2868 5585 info@ecozine.com

VISIT ECOZINE.COM FOR CANDID REVIEWS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES OF-THE-MINUTE NEWS JUICY PRODUCT PICKS ECO LUXURY LIVING

UPCOMING EVENTS PHOTO GALLERIES ECO DIRECTORY STUFF TO WIN CLEVER TIPS

Editorial views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, the publisher.

Published by Ecozine Ltd. 2016

Ecozine operates under a ‘CopyLeft license’, meaning that any original editorial content in this publication may be modified, shared, copied, redistributed and used for non-commercial purposes – just make sure to please credit the source!

MAKE LOVE NOT LANDFILL Please share, reuse or recycle this magazine when you have finished enjoying it.

CONTRIBUTORS

< Casey Morgan

< Davis Lau

Competitive trail runner Casey Morgan is a 38 year old Scotsman. He competes in Ultra trail races worldwide for the Compressport International trail running team. He is also a personal trainer and online trail running coach, and in Hong Kong has partnered with The Green Race on tailored training retreats.

Davis is a passionate environmental advocate at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. He is an executive of the school’s Environmental Club, in addition to being an active member of the school’s Reading Tree.

With his driving passion and enthusiasm, he is able bring change into his local community whilst maintaining his flamboyant persona.

Eco tip: When you visit the mountains, leave only sweat and take only memories and pictures.

Eco tip: Invest in a reusable water bottle!

By doing this, you are not only helping the environment, but also saving money and benefitting your health.

Fern Ngai >

Jamie Chan >

Fern Ngai is Chief Executive Officer of Community Business, a Hong Kong based NGO dedicated to advancing corporate responsibility. Fern has been actively and passionately involved in CSR and diversity and inclusion topics for over ten years, including in her voluntary role as Chair of the Board of KELY Support Group, a charity dedicated to young people’s wellbeing.

Jamie is currently a student at Renaissance College. She has always been extremely passionate about the environment, and has been an active participant in conservation efforts both in school and out, including as a contributor to her school’s online newspaper.

She hopes to pursue a career in environmental studies in the future.

Eco tip: Always bring your own container!

It’s an easy way to minimise your waste when buying takeout or storing leftovers for later.

Eco tip: Work-life balance and personal wellbeing are important. You can’t take care of others until you take care of yourself.

< Jamie Oliver

< Kyrah McKenzie

Jamie Oliver is on a major mission: to bring fresh, healthy food back into our daily lives. The world-renowned chef, TV host, cookbook author, mentor and restaurateur has inspired thousands of people to spend more time enjoying and cooking delicious food from fresh ingredients.

A final-year student of Physical Geography at Durham University, Kyrah McKenzie grew up in Hong Kong and actively pursues interests centred around environmental change and management, with a particular focus on glacier change. She has a passion for photography, a hobby which has stemmed from a love of travelling.

Eco tip: Know your labels – when buying seafood look for MSC-certified or hand-line caught fish.

Melory So >

Mika Gallardo >

Melory is a student writer who has previously also served as an editor for her school magazine and contributed to SCMP’s Young Post, where she was nominated for a ‘Best Feature Article’ recognition. She is interested in the environment, having also interned at Conservation International, and currently is a co-leader in her school’s Sustainability Team.

Mika is currently studying her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Hong Kong.

She was editor-in-chief of her secondary school’s annual publication, and did design and layout work for a club in university. She strongly believes in more sustainable and community-level development, with policies and campaigns aimed at bettering people’s lives and livelihoods.

Eco tip: Beware of fast fashion and opt for quality clothes that will last longer (bonus points if they’re also sustainably and ethically made).

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Eco tip: Become inspired to protect the planet by getting outdoors and exploring the world!

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Eco tip: Redesign old clothes into more fashionable items, or use the fabrics for cool DIY projects.

< Nicholas Mallos

< Sean Baylis

As the Trash Free Seas director at Ocean Conservancy, Nicholas’ field research on ocean plastics has taken him from the North Pacific Gyre to the remote coastlines of Alaska to the Philippines and the tsunami-stricken shores of Japan. He received a master’s degree from Duke University, and serves as a subject matter expert for CNN.

Sean was given a Kodak 124 Instamatic camera for his fifth birthday, and the rest is history! His passion for photographing the world around us spans some 40 years, and over that time has developed into his dedicated profession. He is also an involved supporter of ocean conservation and recycling initiatives.

Eco tip: The ocean is always downstream so use less, reuse more and pick up often – every piece matters.

Eco tip: Wherever possible, replace disposable products with reusable ones.

Ecozine.com

R LA PO R EA B ER G R U B O B M O C

HOME food is vibrant, therapeutic, delicious and healing. We believe in the power of vegetables and the synergy of functional ingredients to make us feel truly amazing. We are committed to lowering our carbon footprint and preserving our planet’s fresh water supply through a plant based menu, mindful ingredient sourcing, eco-friendly packaging and practices.

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm ADDRESS: Shop G01 & 101 Nexxus Building, 77 Des Voeux Road Central, Central Hong Kong CONTACT: Tel 2777 4777 • hello@homerestauranthk.com • catering@homerestauranthk.com SOCIAL NETWORK: @homeeattolive

EDITOR'S NOTE

D

Sign up t o clean up! Join us at HKcleanup.org!

ear readers, This issue is a particularly exciting one for us because it’s a result of the biggest team of contributors we’ve ever had: all of you.

Over the summer, we asked you to vote for your favourite businesses in 30 categories, from airlines to wellness professionals, in our first-ever Readers’ Choice Awards. It was a big bet, asking our audience to weigh in – and it paid off. As the responses poured in we realised, once again, the sheer strength of community. We love that you feel as strongly as we do about supporting the businesses that are making a difference, whether it be to humanity, the planet, or you personally, and that so many of you took the opportunity to give them your acknowledgment. You also made time to share your feedback with us, and tell us about who you are and what matters to you – and we value this highly, as it’s our access to making Ecozine better for you.

So, thank you.

And now, we get the pleasure of publishing the results of your input, and recognising the many amazing companies

that won your votes. Please check them out from page 34 – and if you interact with any of them this fall, why not congratulate them on their win? They’ve earned it, each and every one.

Meanwhile as you’ve no doubt seen, racing mania took over Hong Kong last month, with the Formula E in Central for one supercharged weekend of emissionsfree motorsport excitement. With worldclass drivers and notable supporters like our cover star, the inimitable Leonardo DiCaprio (#swoon!), it certainly brought a global eye to our city and our efforts toward sustainability. Find out what Leo himself has to say about electric cars, the oceans, climate change and more on page 28!

Now is my favourite time of year in Hong Kong for a number of reasons, not least of which is the chance to join thousands of citizens and hit our hiking trails and beaches as part of the Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge, which Ecozine proudly organises; we’re in our 16th year and the problem is worse than ever, so I invite you to make this year count and be part of the change, before the event wraps up on

December 1st. It’s such a fulfilling thing to do! Find out more on page 58.

Meanwhile, Hong Kongers work hard and play hard, or so the saying goes.

But are we working too hard? A recent study by UBS found that Hong Kong had the longest average work week out of 71 global cities surveyed, coming dead last in a list topped by Parisians, who put in a covetable 30ish hours per week. So how do we avoid burnout and stay sane? We asked Fern Ngai, CEO of Community Business, for her insights (pg 66) – and you’ll be astonished at the findings on how much work-life balance affects productivity and happiness.

So this season, and through the holidays ahead, make your moments matter; take the time to pause in your pursuits, and just be present. We hope you’ll enjoy this issue of Ecozine. We certainly enjoyed creating it with you.

Editor in Chief

GET MORE ONLINE AT ECOZINE.COM EVENTS CALENDAR

DAILY NEWS + REVIEWS

WHAT TO BUY

TIPS + IDEAS

LISTINGS

STAY CONNECTED 16 16 18

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ecozinemagazine Fall 2015 Spring Fall 2016 2016

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LISA

Loves..

STUFF YOU WANT TO KNOW

From travels, treasures and inspirations to body, mind and spirit, Ecozine’s Founder Lisa Christensen shares a few of her favourite things

R ac ing R azz m at az z w it h m y fa vo rite fr ie nd s! a fe w of FALL ISSUE

I love this time of year in Hong Kong! The cooler, drier weather is perfect for camping, hiking and all the outdoor things I love to do, including the Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge! Have you signed up a team yet?

HKcleanup.org

SO RUDE!

If, like me, you are wary of the many commercial cereals and mueslis filled with thickeners, preservatives, artificial flavors and other nasties, then Rude Health is for you.

They have a selection of cereals, porridges, biscuits, and even a range of outstanding non-dairy drinks! Rude Health’s philosophy is simple; food should be made out of food. To this end, they only use ingredients you would have in your own kitchen. But most importantly, their products taste amazing.

DRINK IT UP

Not Just a Bottle is exactly that – so much more than a bottle.

It’s developed, designed, produced with sustainability in mind. The founders wanted to challenge the conventional understanding of drinking bottles, and I think they’ve definitely succeeded! The bottle is made of a single piece of sustainably sourced bamboo, and the whole company story is absolutely incredible. Watch for me with mine around town! notjustabottle.com

greencastle.com.hk

A MODEL DOCTOR

Award-winning Danish chiropractor to the stars Dr. Kamilla Holst has launched a brandnew health clinic in Sai Kung. Dr. Holst treats clients the world over, including actors, Olympic athletes and royalty. Having settled in Hong Kong, the former model currently specialises in chiropractic treatment during pregnancy, which among other benefits can help produce a shorter labour (wow!). The new Sai Kung clinic named One For Health is the first of its kind in Hong Kong, offering a fusion of chiropractic care and a Japanese ‘negative ion’ spa on the first floor. I feel relaxed just thinking about it! oneforhealth.hk 16

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MAKE A PLEDGE

Zero Waste Week is back! November 11-18th is a time for Hong Kong to take responsibility as a true world city, and discover the path to Zero Waste. What can we do individually? Well, why not start with making a weeklong pledge to reduce your waste? Even just one simple thing can help shift your habits. It could be saying no to plastic straws, or avoiding drinks in single-use plastic bottles (drink tap water), or perhaps you can give up takeaway boxes for a week, or more! We can all make a difference, no matter how big or small. Be a part of Zero Waste Week and help reduce Hong Kong’s waste problem! ecozine.com/zerowasteweek Ecozine.com

AFRICA DREAMS

I’ve always dreamt of taking a sustainable luxury safari, of getting close to the wilderness and majesty of Africa. This fall I finally had the chance, and it was everything I’d imagined and more. The trip was made special by the incredible team at andBeyond, an experienced safari company that is 100 per cent committed to making sure their operations are not only eco-friendly, but actually having a positive impact on the people and wildlife where their tours visit. Working closely with The Africa Foundation, andBeyond cares for local communities and offers its guests a trip of a lifetime that feels good on the inside too. andbeyond.com

FILM AND BOOK FAVES BEFORE THE FLOOD

Directed by Academy Award winner Fisher Stevens and starring our cover hottie, U.N. Ambassador of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio, Before The Flood follows Dicaprio as he travels to five continents and the Arctic, speaking to scientists, world leaders, activists and local residents to gain a deeper understanding of the dramatic changes occurring due to global warming. The documentary project, which took two and a half years to film, raises important questions and offers an inspiring, urgent call to action.

MICHAEL RECYCLE

A kid’s book that’s fun and interactive and teaches the importance of recycling? My niece and nephew are definitely getting this for Christmas this year! Michael Recycle by talented children’s author Ellie Bethel is a series of books that follows the eco-superhero, Michael, as he uses his powers to teach people about the importance of recycling and how it works. The books are not only adorably illustrated and fun, but also a great way to make bedtime reading meaningful.

A UNIQUE JOURNEY

GET INVOLVED

It’s not too late to join Ecozine in cleaning up Hong Kong’s beaches and country trails this year! Our 16th annual Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge is on right now, until December 1st, and we welcome teams right up until the last day! It’s fun and educational for companies, schools and families. Every action counts, and the data collected at volunteer cleanups is shared with researchers and policy makers. We’re also now welcoming new partners for the 2017 season, so please enquire if your company is interested in exploring a meaningful and vitally important corporate sponsorship!

Aiming for more than just an amazing holiday, The Oceanic Society offers education and inspiration to the lucky people who embark on their legendary organised expeditions. By joining an expedition, the conservation NGO hopes travellers will feel more connected to the oceans, and in turn, become driven to help protect them.

The money generated from the trips goes to many of the wildlife projects that are close to my heart, including helping sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales and Antillean manatees. Other projects include research and conservation at Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve and Ulithi Atoll Marine Area, which are under serious threat from global warming and pollution. oceanicsociety.org

FACE FORWARD

The Multi Omegas Face oil from Native Essentials is my must-have winter beauty item, and a perfect skin all-rounder. Formulated with premium organic Rosehip and Sea Buckthorn oils, nature’s most powerful nourishing and rejuvenating oils, it delivers directly to the deep layers of the skin beneficial Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9 – pure and potent food for a glowing, healthy complexion. Plus, the delicate jasmine aroma makes for a relaxing nightly beauty ritual.

I also love that all Native Essentials products are formulated and made here in Hong Kong with ingredients meticulously sourced around the world. nativessentials.com

HKcleanup.org

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NEW, HOT + HAPPENING The inside scoop on all things healthy, fun and on trend: Ecozine does the work so you don’t have to!

DRINK UP

This is a whole new soda pop in town, and we’re digging it. Green Cola contains Stevia, a natural sweetener with zero calories and zero carbohydrates, rather than resorting to the artificial sweeteners of other sugar-free sodas. The Stevia leaf also contains many minerals and nutrients and is a good source of vitamin B; plus, because it contains no sugar, those on low-glycemic diets and diabetics can safely enjoy it. Each 330 ml can also contains zero grams of fat and only two per cent sodium. Healthy soda?? We reckon parents are going to love this one! It’s already hugely popular in Greece, where it’s from, and is now available at convenience stores all over Hong Kong. hk.greencola.com

CELLU-BYE!

Cellulite – that ‘orange peel’ effect – is a familiar sight for many women (and some men, too). It’s due to the accumulation of adipose tissue in certain areas of the body forming nodules of fat and toxins, usually on the thighs, buttocks and abdomen. It’s equally common in thin people and overweight individuals. The solutions typically range from invasive procedures to plain old lucky genes.

If neither of those are the answer for you, not to worry. Celulimp from Soria Natural is a unique all-natural blend of herbs, minerals and vitamins, in a simple tablet form, that promises to help improve microcirculation and reduce the lumps.

Some of the magic ingredients include butcher’s-broom, which acts as a tonic and strengthens capillary walls; raspberry ketone, a natural thermogenic; and horsetail, which fights fluid retention and has a remineralising effect.

Add in regular exercise and good eating habits, and soon you can say bye-bye to bumpy thighs and hello to healthy living! sorianatural.com.hk 18

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THE SOURCE

EAT EVEN FRESHER

‘From the field to your kitchen’ is Eat Fresh’s mantra, and true to their word, their fresh produce is sourced directly from small, certified organic farms in Hong Kong and Yunnan, where even Hongkongers go to learn organic farming! Fruit and veg staples are just the beginning; the Eat Fresh team also curates bestsellers from other small businesses, from fresh eggs and milk to gluten-free brownies! Tailor-made subscriptions mean you get exactly the food you want, and just as importantly, a personal touch; founder and owner Martina strives to accommodate every customer request. The website even hosts a library of great recipes, in case you receive your seasonal veggie delivery but don’t know quite know what to do with it! eatfresh.com.hk

PLASTIC… FANTASTIC!

Tsnunami Sport, based in Hong Kong, makes custom performance teamwear for everyone from pro rugby teams to corporate events to the Hong Kong Paralympic Team. They even outfit our very own Hong Kong Cleanup crew – and offer a discount on all orders for Cleanup Challenge teams (sign up at HKcleanup.org if you haven’t already, to take advantage)!

We love them because they want to change the world for the better, through their business. Their Eco Fit line of performance apparel is woven from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles, and their high-tech, low-waste printing techniques can accommodate just about any custom design you can throw at them. Goodbye gross, wasteful corporate shirts and hello stylish, high-quality, eco-friendly gear that people will want to wear again and again! tsunami-sport.com

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BRANCH OUT

Our favourite eco-chic furniture store TREE has totally revamped its website, so you can now discover, design and get inspired by TREE products from the comfort of home. We’re loving the new Celebes collection, crafted from chunky offcuts of solid teak wood once used to build fences, and designed to retain the uniquely worn-in, engraved look created by the harsh weather conditions they’ve withstood in past lives.

And, it being TREE, aesthetic is complemented with ethic: every purchase you make in their store helps plant real trees in areas of deforestation. So far, customers have helped TREE plant over 60,000 trees in Indonesia with their nonprofit partner, Trees4Trees. tree.com.hk

SIP THE CHILL

With a unique flavour of ginger and lemongrass notes, Tranquini’s newest flavour, ‘Jasper’, is not only deliciously tangy, it’s functional too: the all-natural ingredients are scientifically proven to reduce stress reduction and relieve anxiety – without causing drowsiness, watch for it in stores this winter tranquini.com

TURMERIC MAGIC

Pukka is famous for its sublime organic teas, but did you know the UK company’s backbone is its range of all-natural health supplements? Pukka is one of the few totally organic businesses certified by the Soil Association, and with over 30 teas, dozens of food supplements and 5,000 growers across the world, they really know their stuff!

We’ve been obsessed with Turmeric lately, and Pukka delivers on this magical herb, with several blends available for different purposes. Turmeric, known as ‘the Golden Goddess’, has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for around 4,000 years for its health benefits – including as a natural pain reliever, digestive aid, liver cleanser, antibiotic, and more. And Pukka’s turmeric supplements pack in additional known helpers such as ginger, spirulina or nettle leaf, for a super-whammy of goodness!

POT OF PURPOSE

Ever time you buy one of Lush’s decadent (and now iconic) Charity Pots of body lotion, they donate 100 per cent of the profit to an organisation doing good work for animals, society or the environment. This fall, the delicious-smelling lotion – which contains Fair Trade cocoa butter, ylangylang, moringa oil, geranium oil, aloe vera, shea butter and more – is being sold in support of HK Paws Guardians, a wonderful local NGO that protects abandoned and injured animals, and helps them find adoptive homes.

Can you hear us purring? hk.lush.com

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Connecting with...

CALISTA GOH

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ucked into a leafy street in trendy PoHo, Central, Anything But Salads has quietly but steadily been growing as one of healthy Hong Kongersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; favourite sources of raw, vegan and organic snacks and treats, including fan favourites like their Life Rawnola. Founder Calista Goh is a self-taught nutrition expert, kitchen goddess, and all-around inspiring woman, running the show with an entrepreneurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion for her business and a deep-hearted desire to contribute to her fellow humans. These are her words.

Ecozine.com

THE SOURCE My job is... CEO & Cofounder of Anything But Salads; Lover & Adventurer of Life; and Akashic Records Spiritual and Meditation Teacher.

I do this because... it’s my passion, my path, my light and my way of being of service to the world!

My business is... dedicated to synergising ancient herbal wisdom with modern-day eating habits. We do this through Anything But Salads, our multi-award winning organic plant-based superfoods company. We have retail products currently sold in supermarkets around the world, and a cosy little organic raw vegan superfoods cafe in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

My success is due to... multiple failures, learning from them, getting up quickly, getting up stronger. Humility, grace, love, kindness, compassion... and a sincere desire to leave the world a better place than it was when I first entered.

When I’m not working... I have heaps of fun! I game with friends on my PlayStation4 (if anyone is on Overwatch, holler!), meditate, pray, spend time in deep devotion, take long walks by the harbour or beach, play with my dogs, hang with my friends, dance with wild abandon under the stars, watch movies (I’m a big movie and theatre buff!), celebrate love and life, and most importantly, celebrate me.

When I was young... I was (still am) a rebel; creative, inspired, dynamic, an outlier, a misfit… and very, very mischievous! I was a little rascal who loved to live life to the fullest and spent her time playing in the dirt with the boys.

What inspires me the most in life is... recognising that I am here to serve, in any way I am blessed enough to do.

I love it when... love is all around.

The scariest thing I’ve ever done was... leave my family home and my inheritance behind, with only HK $18,000 in my bank account and two university degrees still to finish.

The best advice I’ve ever given is... follow your heart. Dare to live the life of your dreams. Reach beyond the stars, and never stop loving, living, having fun and being a good human being! Life is too short to live in a make-believe prison cell.

One lesson I’ve learnt is... to constantly strive to be a better person than I was yesterday.

I love to indulge in... time with loved ones, my dogs, long walks by the beach, and food! Mint chocolate chip ice cream, french fries… and anything made by Anything But Salads, especially our Laughing Buddha Bowl, Quinoa Sushi, and VICE vegan softserve ice cream. Once I start talking about food, the list could honestly go on!

Someone I look up to is... God, The Creator, The Great Spirit.

If I wasn’t doing Anything But Salads, I would be... a very successful, but unhappy, corporate mergers and acquisitions lawyer.

One thing people would be surprised to know about me is...

I have an IQ of 188, and am equally strong in both left and right brain.

Next up for me is... a new company for which I’ve just become CEO, and more adventures and love in life! Bring it ON, universe!

DOING FOOD RIGHT

Left: the shop in PoHo offers peaceful refuge and tasty treats Right: Anything But Salads’ Rawnola is sold all over Hong Kong.

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MICROBREWS

Nothing’s more inviting than a cold beer on a sunny fall afternoon.

Opt for something more unique with one of these great local brews

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GAMBLER’S GOLD @ HONG KONG BEER CO. LTD. Topped off with tropical fruit accents, this clear, golden ale is the perfect pairing for Chinese take-out orders. The Canto-style side beer is hand-brewed with lightly roasted malt for an ideal session ale – plus it’s vegan-friendly! hkbeerco.com

MONKEY KING AMBER ALE @ MOONZEN BREWERY

Coupled with scents of caramel, this beer boasts the taste of the legendary peach stolen straight out of the Heavenly Garden as described in the Journey to the West (Xi You Ji). It also happens to pair well with other foods sent from heaven, like veggie burgers!

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FESTBIER @ YOUNG MASTER ALES

This distinct Märzen style beer is inspired by the German state of Bavaria. It features a base of Pilsner, Munich and Amber malts to create a golden hue balanced off with noble style hops – created for those craving a taste of Oktoberfest right at home. Only available on tap (but they sell growlers!)… youngmasterales.com

WEIZEN @ KOWLOON BAY BREWERY This wheat beer features flavours of banana and spice, completed with a light vanilla character to accentuate the roundness and sweetness of the drink. With a dry finish and well-rounded flavour, it serves as the perfect end to a busy day. kowloonbaybrewery.com

YIM TIN BEER @ MAK’S BEER

Brewed in Yim Tin Tsai, the Yim Tin Beer starts with hints of fruitiness and melts into a delicate blend of malt and tangerine. Sip on this hand brewed concoction as you make your way back from the tranquillity of Sai Kung’s seaside to the urban sprawl of the city.

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

The festive season is fast approaching, and our busy little Ecozine elves have rounded up a selection of fantastic of eco-friendly gifts that will delight anyone in your life!

FOR THE LADIES

p Light It Up This gorgeous soy wax candle is paraffinfree, made from natural renewable resources and biodegradable. It will fill her room with its uniquely fresh tea scent, and proceeds from each sale will go to WWF-Hong Kong to help conserve wildlife. candles.hk

p Sweet Treats What’s Christmas without chocolate? PANA’s Merry Christmas Chocolate Gift Pack includes four rich, velvety vegan bars of their bestselling flavours, all packed with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Available at Food For Life. foodforlifehk.com

p Bring the Glam She’ll be ready for party season with the Stella McCartney Falabella handbag. Updated in a metallic finish with chain trim, it’s crafted from faux leather, of course; all of Stella’s products are vegan, and the company is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative. stellamccartney.com/hk

Tea For Two

p Pamper Me Sometimes the best gifts offer an experience rather than a thing. For busy people, a soothing all-natural treatment at emmanuel f. will go down a treat. Choose from organic hair treatments, relaxing spa time or a professional makeup session for that New Year’s party!

p Hula Time Hula is a new buy-sell site hoping to inspire social change with luxury consumerism. Selling is invite-only, so you know you’re getting the real deal, and five per cent of Hula’s profits go to charity. This fab Joomi Lin necklace is just one of the many treasures we favourited!

The perfect winter warmer: a cute set of teacups and bestselling Teapigs blends. All of Teapigs’ gorgeous ‘tea temples’ are completely biodegradable, and the company works closely with the Point Foundation to support orphans in Rwanda, where their teas are grown.

emmanuelf.com

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The Scent of Snow

This season’s limited-edition reed diffuser from Cochine combines the crisp, wintry scents of juniper and eucalyptus with the sweet spiciness of ginger, clove, and patchouli for a truly festive feel.

Cochine’s products are all ethically and sustainably sourced. cochine.com

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THE SOURCE

FOR THE GENTS

p So Fresh and Clean Sort of Coal’s Bincho water purifier softens, ionises and removes chlorine from tap water, plus adds vital minerals such as potassium and magnesium… all the while looking seriously cool. Available at JustGreen. justgreen.com.hk

p Let Your Garden Grow Not many of us are blessed with a garden in space-starved Hong Kong, but you can still indulge his green thumb! Paris Garden Urban Farming offers a wide selection of mini growing kits, from basil, wheatgrass and mint to strawberries and tomatoes and even pine trees! paris-garden.com

p Get with the Programme Help him be organised in the new year, with a sleek new agenda. All Moleskine notebooks are made with acid-free, Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. They’re vegan, too; that gorgeous ‘leather’ cover is synthetic. store.moleskine.com

p One for One Perfect for the hipster on your list are these Del Rey woven sneakers by Toms Shoes, which pioneered the ‘one for one’ concept, where for each item purchased, one is also given to someone less fortunate. So far Toms have given over 60 million pairs of shoes to children in need.

Available at Lane Crawford. lanecrawford.com.hk

Run With It

Why not give him a way to kick off the year right, with an entry for The Green Race Braemar Hill on January 9th?

The Green Race is super committed to sustainable racing, right down to their medals which are made from sustainable wood and can be reused as coasters! thegreenrace.hk

p Raw and Reclaimed This uniquely designed wine holder from TREE is made from reclaimed solid teak wood and reclaimed iron, for a striking way to display his favourite vintages. Some of the teak could have had a former life as an old Indonesian house, fishing boat or even railroad sleepers! tree.com.hk

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ALL

CHARGED UP

Chairing the Formula E Sustainability Committee is only the latest in a long string of off-reel credits to Hollywood’s most charismatic and outspoken environmental crusader, Leonardo DiCaprio. Ecozine delivers the good stuff on the man of the moment

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Words by Nissa Marion

his October, the streets of Hong Kong were transformed for an electrifying experience: the Hong Kong debut of the world’s first fully electric racing series, the FIA Formula E ePrix.

Founded on three mutually-supporting ‘E’s’ – Energy, Environment and Entertainment – this emissions-free spectacle is enticing a whole new generation of racing fans. The hope? That through increased public awareness, particularly in the cities that host the events, electric vehicles will be embraced as a viable and vital transportation option.

And they have big-ticket support in this mission. You won’t have opened this magazine without noting the very familiar handsome mug gracing our cover: award-winning actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio. A long-time proponent of electric driving, DiCaprio is the Chair for the Formula E Sustainability Committee. This convenient partnership not only brings the glamour of celebrity to the racing event, but also a genuine, credible environmentalist to guide its development.

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FEATURE

hey couldn’t have enlisted a hotter star.

DiCaprio has been ‘having his moment’ pretty much nonstop for the better part of two decades. Most recently lauded for his Oscar-winning role in 2015’s The Revenant, he is globally recognised for award-nominated roles in films such as What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, James Cameron’s epic Titanic, and The Wolf of Wall Street, among many others.

Leo’s level of fame is impressive; a Google search for his name returns about 36 million results, and his social media reach clocks in at around 43 million followers. At the relatively young age of 41, the multifaceted actor and producer has carved out an incredibly successful career, and earned a devoted fan base around the world – and he shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.

Meanwhile, it’s no secret that DiCaprio is an avid protector of the planet. Although he has talked about his lifelong love of the ocean and even a childhood desire to become a marine biologist, he identifies the moment where his real work began as 1998, at a meeting with then-Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, at the White House. Awakened to the threats of climate change and inspired by Gore’s passion for the topic, this was when he decided to commit his time, energy and considerable public influence to raising awareness of the many ways that human society is impacting our planet. He was only 24 at the time.

DiCaprio’s eponymous foundation, launched that same year, has been putting its money where his mouth is every since, bringing attention and funding to help fight some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. It centres around a grantmaking programme whose focuses include marine and wildland conservation; climate change; indigenous rights; public advocacy; and innovative solutions. Active in over 40 countries

and all five oceans, its work reaches every corner of the globe – from the Arctic Sea to the Amazon. And while the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF) has paid out almost US $60 million in grants, the model goes well beyond simply writing cheques.

DiCaprio’s team works in close collaboration with environmental leaders, experts, and local communities to ensure that goals are achieved.

Grand gestures through the Foundation are one thing, but Leo’s personal actions speak volumes as well. Chairing the Sustainability Committee for Formula E is just the latest in a long string of the heartthrob’s activist efforts, such as using his 2016 Academy Award acceptance speech to promote awareness of climate change, or attending New York City’s People’s Climate March in 2014, where he joined 400,000 citizens in calling for world leaders to take stronger action against global warming, days ahead of a United Nations summit on the topic.

Saving the oceans is a non-negotiable for DiCaprio, an avid diver who is good friends with renowned marine conservationists like Sylvia Earle and Philippe Cousteau. Earlier this fall, he spoke at the 2016 Our Ocean Conference in Washington, D.C. hosted by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The event was a landmark one; over 136 new initiatives on marine conservation and protection were announced, with a total value of more than US $5.2 billion, as well as new commitments on the protection of almost four million sq km of the ocean.

In his speech, DiCaprio spoke passionately about the environmental devastation he had seen in his travels: “What I saw [underwater] took my breath away – not a fish in sight, colourless, ghost-like coral, a graveyard. This is the state of the majority of the world’s coral reefs and it is a sobering reality.

We’ve destroyed irreplaceable ecosystems, reversing half a billion years of evolution.”

SO HOT RIGHT NOW

DiCaprio earned an Oscar for Best Actor in The Revenant; seen here working backstage with director Martin Scorsese on The Wolf of Wall Street

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e invited world leaders and citizens to act boldly, saying, “As a global community we must protect and value vital marine ecosystems, rather than treating the oceans as an endless resource to be exploited and as a dumping ground for our waste.” Expressing support for innovation as part of the way forward, he noted, “The only way we can avert disaster is by innovating, implementing, and scaling up the solutions to these problems as quickly as possible.”

DiCaprio also stressed the importance of partnerships, highlighting one of LDF’s own collaborations with four other NGOs, called the Global Partnership for Sharks and Rays: “We [five organisations] joined together to develop a global strategy to stop the slaughter of sharks and rays, and to ramp-up resources to change the tide for these incredible species,” he announced. “These initiatives are great examples of what can be achieved when the right partners come together to solve challenging problems.”

The Our Ocean conference was only the most recent platform for DiCaprio’s impassioned pleas to governments and the public.

Ultimately, it all rolls into the all-encompassing issue closest to his heart: climate change. “I am consumed by this,” he told Rolling Stone magazine last year. “There isn’t a couple of hours a day where I’m not thinking about it. It’s this slow burn. It’s not ‘aliens invading our planet next week and we have to get up and fight to defend our country,’ but it’s this inevitable thing, and it’s so terrifying.”

DiCaprio has said that his main goal is to communicate the fact that the planet is at a tipping point, and that the window for change is rapidly closing. To do this, he isn’t afraid to combine politics with profession. Drawing on his industry knowledge, he has repeatedly used film and popular media to bring light to environmental issues. In 2007 he released The 11th Hour, a hardhitting, inspiring documentary on climate change featuring over

50 global experts. In 2014 he partnered with Netflix to release the award-winning wildlife documentary Virunga, which led to a multi-year deal to produce further environmental films together.

There’s been speculation that even mainstream survival-thriller The Revenant embeds a subtle environmental message, about the harsh realities to which we might be subjecting humanity if climate change continues to spiral out of control.

The latest environmental oeuvre to his credit debuted globally on the National Geographic Channel last month. Listing Martin Scorsese as executive producer, Before The Flood features environmental big-hitters such as Barack Obama, Pope Francis, and John Kerry, and is described as “a rousing call to action” that “reminds us of the beauty and diversity of our world,” and “galvanises us to do whatever it takes to save the planet – and ourselves.”

Of course, film is not the only medium DiCaprio uses to get the message across. That massive social media following? While other A-listers post pics of their glamorous lives and tweet paid promotions, DiCaprio leverages his online community to rally support for important campaigns, from voter registration to human rights, and most of all, for environmental causes.

And while the message trickles down through his enormous fan base, his efforts have not gone unnoticed by those at the top, either. In 2014 DiCaprio was invited to become a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a focus on climate change, joining 11 other carefully selected notables including actors Charlize Theron and Michael Douglas. “Mr. DiCaprio is a credible voice in the environmental movement, and has a considerable platform to amplify its message,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the time. “I am pleased he has chosen to add his voice to UN efforts to raise awareness of the urgency of acting now to combat climate change.”

CAPTAIN PLANET

Clockwise from left: DiCaprio joins 400,000 in the People’s Climate March; outside the 2016 Our Ocean conference in Washington, D.C.; U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry looks on as DiCaprio delivers his speech

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Filming for Before The Flood took DiCaprio underwater in a submersible to observe the reefs off the coast of the Bahamas, where he observed the devastation of coral bleaching

n Earth Day this year, DiCaprio was invited back to the United Nations to speak at a signing ceremony for the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. At the ceremony, he gave a powerful speech, imploring world leaders to take stronger action: “Climate change is happening faster than even the most pessimistic of scientists warned us decades ago. It has become a runaway freight train bringing with it an impending disaster for all living things,” he declared.

“Our planet cannot be saved unless we leave fossil fuels in the ground where they belong. An upheaval and massive change is required, now. We all know that reversing the course of climate change will not be easy, but the tools are in our hands – if we apply them before it is too late. Renewable energy, clean fuels, and putting a price on carbon pollution are beginning to turn the tide.

This transition is not only the right thing for our world, but it also

makes clear economic sense, and is possible within our lifetime.”

And, according to DiCaprio, this is why initiatives like Formula E make perfect sense. “It’s widely acknowledged that moving away from the use of fossil fuels – a finite resource and heavy pollutant – is going to necessarily play a big part in that change,” he told Formula E’s CEO, Alejandro Agag, in an interview. “Our planet offers limitless renewable energy sources. Technology has been the missing link for making this energy viable, and competitive with fossil fuels – but today we are finally ready to make the transition to 100 per cent clean, renewable energy.”

“I believe it is important to endorse new technologies that are trying to make a difference,” he notes. “I first heard about Formula E when it was just an idea. Since then, I have supported the championship and I’ve been amazed by how far it’s come in these first few years. [It] really can be a powerful tool to change people’s perception of electric cars.”

“THERE WILL BE NO WONDERS FOR OUR

CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO BEHOLD UNLESS

WE STEP UP AND PUSH OURSELVES TO TAKE ACTION NOW, TO PROTECT OUR OCEANS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE – LEONARDO DICAPRIO

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hanks no doubt to the guidance of the Sustainability Committee, there are other unique considerations for Formula E that are wildly distinct from conventional racing.

The event’s overall carbon footprint is a key concern to the organisers, so they employ groundbreaking Aquafuel generators to charge the race cars. The futuristic generators run on a fuel that is virtually emission free – glycerine.

Their use will ensure that all Formula E cars are charged quickly, safely, and without producing CO2 emissions.

All of this adds up to a level of ambitiousness that would faze many, but not Agag and his team. “Some were critics and believed Formula E would fail, and I think [Mr. Agag] and [his] team have done an incredible job proving those critics wrong and making the vision a reality,” says DiCaprio of his friend’s efforts.

For DiCaprio, like with many of his partnerships, getting involved in the Formula E is about more than just being part of another large-scale environmentally-focused event. It’s about having a platform for pushing change, and about the opportunity it affords for connecting with other influencers, in this case to jointly demonstrate support for transport innovation. “Climate change is both a moral and business imperative,” he notes, citing an opinion he has been known to hold for many years. “The committee, by uniting the top 10 global mobility and innovation players on the subject of sustainability, sends a clear sign that we are on the frontlines of helping to solve the climate crisis. Formula E provides these players with a strong collective global voice.”

A POWERFUL PLATFORM

The signing of the Paris Agreement this spring was DiCaprio’s second invitation from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to speak to world leaders in his role as Messenger of Peace

Having established Formula E’s environmental credentials, at the end of the day there’s no denying the cool factor, either: “The best thing about electric cars is the way they sound – the way it drives, and the ease,” muses DiCaprio. “They’re also fast, easy to use and very cool. You just plug it in every night like you would your mobile phone. I’d love to have a go in a Formula E car. Maybe you’ll see me in a Formula E car soon!”

PLUGGED IN

DiCaprio is seen here with with members of his own Formula E racing team, Venturi, and Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag (far right)

FUTURE OF OUR PLANET DEPENDS ON OUR “THEABILITY TO EMBRACE SOLUTIONS LIKE

FUEL-EFFICIENT, CLEAN-ENERGY VEHICLES – LEONARDO DICAPRIO

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cozine’s first Readers’ Choice Awards results are here! We asked, and you voted. And now – drum roll please – we’re delighted to present the winners, from eco-minded restaurants and cafés to gyms and yoga studios, spas and clinics, home necessities, hotels, resorts, airlines, children’s brands, outdoor activities and much more! So, without further ado, it’s with great pleasure that we share the results of our survey over the next five pages!

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CITY LIFE

Hong Kong offers a wealth of experiences for city dwellers, from fine dining to cultural events and so much more. These are your top picks for healthy, fun, innovative places and experiences that make our city great!

BEST NON-VEGGIE RESTAURANT

From sustainable seafood to zero-waste policies to healthy eating, cool restaurants abound, and our readers picked a winner: Winner: Linguini Fini Runner Up: Pizza Express

BEST DESSERT

Sweets and treats galore, oh my! We wanted to know your preferred place or brand to satisfy that sweet tooth, and you told us: Winner: Sift Runner Up: XTC Gelato

BEST VEGGIE RESTAURANT

We love our veggies, be they raw, organic, or creatively cooked; so we asked our readers to tell us their favourite vegetarian eatery in town: Winner: Mana! Fast Slow Food Runner Up: Grassroots Pantry

WINNER

WINNER

MANA!

GENIE JUICE

BEST BARISTA

Whether you love coffee or tea, Hong Kong has numerous organic, Fair Trade and single-origin offerings. This is our reader’s choice for the brand they love most: Winner: The Cupping Room Runner Up: Elephant Grounds

BEST JUICE

Whether it’s a cold-pressed pick-me-up on cleanse, we H the go or a fu ong Kongers ll-on lo ve our juices! juice fix is: Our readers’ go -to Winner: Gen ie Juicery Runner Up: M ana! Cafe

BEST BOOZE

WINNER ART BASEL

t ENT is the local even BEST BIG EV ong Kong! This H in on t : en on iti ev an cogn There’s always serves special re readers think de r ou at th e nu or ve g asel Hong Kon Winner: Art B lockenflap Runner Up: C

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From organic wines to local microbrews, this is your favourite brand when it’s time for a nice cold beer or glass of wine at the end of the day: Winner: La Cabane a Vin Runner Up: Gweilo Beer

BEST APP

We asked you to tell us your favourite Hong Kong app – be it for living more sustainably, or getting the info or services you need – and the answer was: Winner: BloomMe Runner Up: Uber Fall 2016

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HOME & FAMILY

We Hongkongers love to be out and about, but we also value our home life, and want the best for our families.

Let’s take a look at the brands and services that help make home life smarter, greener and easier.

BEST DELIVERY

The magic of delivery means you can stock your home and kitchen with green and healthy products without leaving the house!

Our readers’ favourite online source is: Winner: Eat FRESH Runner Up: iHerb

BEST KIDS STUFF

There’s nothing more important to parents than their children.

Fortunately, we have loads of options in Hong Kong for eco-friendly kid’s activities and products. For your young ones, you turn to: Winner: Bumps to Babes Runner Up: TIE – Faust, Petit Bazaar

BEST SHOPPING

Hong Kong has myriad options for buying healthy, organic, local and specialty groceries and food. So where do you like to shop for your everyday needs? We asked, and you told us: Winner: JustGreen Runner Up: Market Place by Jasons

WINNER JUST GREEN

BEST INSURANCE

Safety is number one, and so we asked our readers to share their number one brand for insuring their family’s health and safety: Winner: AXA Runner Up: Bupa

WINNER

BEST PET S HOP

TREE

Let’s not forg et the pets - w e want the best where our read for them too! ers like to ge This is t supplies or companions: care for their an imal Winner: Pets Central Runner Up: W hiskers N Paw s

WINNER

e styling, w stainable UR E su T g I d in N n p a R p s o U find en sh BEST F to vintage turn to wh u d o o y o w re o o st From ec t brand or d décor: ishings an know wha rn to fu d e te n m a o w ew h sing) for n (or fantasi TREE Winner: p: Ikea U Runner 36

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WINNER H&M

STYLE Sustainably stylish is the new cool, and we’ve seen huge growth in this sector – from fashion brands to organic beauty, to athletic apparel for the new healthy lifestyle. Here are the picks of the year.

WINNER LULULEMON

BEST FASHIO N BRA

ND Fashion brands ar e getting more ec o-friendly, and w it. We asked you e’re loving what brand or sto re you feel is do offering sustainab ing well in le choices: Winner: H&M Runner Up: John Hardy

BEST ACTIVEWEAR

The modern smart lifestyle includes staying active, and there are plenty of choices for doing it in style. We asked, and this was your pick for the best fitness or yoga apparel brand: Winner: lululemon Runner Up: Patagonia

BEST VINTAGE

Old is the new... new? Vintage style has never been so hot, and we love that it keeps clothes out of landfills. Our readers love to shop here for preloved stuff: Winner: Green Ladies Runner Up: Hong Kong Vintage

BEST SALON

More and more spas and salons are recognising that chemicals aren’t where it’s at. For a soothing natural spa treatment, massage or beauty service, you choose: Winner: Love Hair Runner Up: TIE – emmanuel f., Sense of Touch

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re ND ds for skinca UTY BRA rganic bran o d er n an l in ra BEST BEA w u azing nat oice! The y am spoilt for ch With so man days, we’re e es th ty u and bea year is: readers this among our sh Winner: Lu WINNER dalie au C : p U Runner SH

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WINNER MTR

TRAVEL With Hong Kong as the hub of Asia, it’s no surprise we love to both get away and host visitors to our part of the world. From transportation to hotels to the stuff we take away with us, the choices are endless. Here’s who you turn to.

BEST TRAN SPOR

T With so many brands offering electric and hy Kong, not to m brid cars in H ention terrific ong public transit readers for thei options, we as r ideal way to ke d our get around tow Winner: MT n: R Runner Up: Te sla BEST HOTEL

When guests come to visit, we want them to have comfort and convenience, but ideally also stay somewhere we know is making the right choices for a sustainable business. You felt this hotel deserved acknowledgment: Winner: Mandarin Oriental Runner Up: Grand Hyatt

BEST TRAVEL GEAR

WINNER BEST AIRLINE ay is any overseas holid The first step to e you lin air e th is t there. This choosing how to ge stainable gnised for being su felt should be reco and reliable: cific Winner: Cathay Pa tes ira Runner Up: Em

CATHAY PACIFIC

Many Hongkongers are also frequent travellers, and know how important it is to have the right gear for a smooth, easy trip. When choosing luggage or other travel necessities, you favour this brand: Winner: Samsonite Runner Up: Rimowa

BEST AGENCY

Even the most adventurous among us sometimes need a hand with travel planning. So what travel agency do our readers turn to when they want to get the most out of their trip? You said: Winner: Flight Centre Runner Up: Zuji

BEST RESORT

And then there’s getting away from Hong Kong to relax the body and revive the spirit. We asked readers to recommend their favourite resort or retreat in AsiaPacific: Winner: Aman Resorts Runner Up: Six Senses

WINNER AMAN RESORTS

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WELLNESS

Sustainability starts within each of us, so wellness is an integral part of the modern smart lifestyle – not to mention one of the fastest-growing sectors, with a wealth of brands offering amazing products and services to help us live better! Check out some of the topranking choices.

BEST SPORTING EVENT

No matter how you like to sweat it out, there’s an event out there you can sign up for. Readers voted this as their favourite competitive outdoor event: Winner: Oxfam Trailwalker Runner Up: Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

WINNER TRAILWALKER

BEST OUTDOOR

Getting outdoors makes fitness even more fun! Our readers’ pick for outdoor adventure offerings, be it on land or on water, is: Winner: Hong Kong Hiking Meetup Runner Up: Blue Sky Sports Club

WINNER BEST CENTRE

IMI

We have great respect for wellness professionals, and Hong Kong has many. This is the medical and holistic centre that readers trust to keep themselves in good health: Winner: Integrated Medicine Institute (IMI) Runner Up: TIE – Dr. Lauren Bramley Clinic, The Sanctuary

BEST JUNK

We love to get out on the water and enjoy Hong Kong’s natural beauty with our friends! We asked for your go-to company for hiring junks or boats: Winner: Jaspa’s Junks Runner Up: Lazy Days

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WINNER

BEST FITNE SS

PURE With a plethora of fitness and yo ga studios on of have it made. fer, Hongkonge This is who yo rs u turn to whe Winner: Pure n you want to Group sweat: Runner Up: T IE – Fitness Fi rst, Flex HK Fall 2016

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SEAFOOD S P E C TA C U L A R Our favorite celebrity chef shares the recipe for a finger-licking sustainable seafood dish straight from the Jamieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Italian kitchen!

HOME + FAMILY

JAMIE OLIVER’S FRITTO MISTO Serves 4

• 2 litres vegetable oil • 140g skinless salmon fillet, from sustainable sources • 100g skinless cod fillet, from sustainable sources • 80g squid, cleaned, from sustainable sources • 100ml milk • 4 tablespoons plain flour • 1 lemon 1. Heat the oil in a large, deep pan over a medium-high heat until smoking hot – to test if it’s ready, drop a piece of bread into the oil. If it sizzles and rises to the surface, it’s ready.

Little Chefs

Jamie Oliver started his well-known Food Revolution a few years ago, a global campaign to promote positive and meaningful change in the health and happiness of future generations. The aim is simple: to educate people and communities about better food choices. In Hong Kong, Jamie’s Italian now offers a series of “Eat Smart Little Chef” workshops for children. Kids get a chance to make their own dishes with the guidance of Jamie’s professional chefs, learning valuable kitchen skills and healthy food choices, and having fun while they’re at it!

Call +852 3958-2252 or email wendytai@bigcatgroup.co for details.

2. Meanwhile, cut the fish into equal-sized chunks.

3. Pour the milk into a shallow bowl, then place the flour in another.

4. Dunk the fish pieces in the milk, then toss in the flour.

5. Carefully lower the floured fish into the hot oil and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly golden.

6. Remove to an absorbent, clean cloth or kitchen paper.

7. Season with sea salt and black pepper, then serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over. Delicious with garlic mayo.

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OUTDOOR FUN

Brighten up your garden, balcony or rooftop with these pieces and coax your family outside this season

Roll With It

This rolling flowerpot

by BoConcept is perfect for bringing a twist to your garden, or a garden to your balcony. Classic terracotta material is combined with modern design, adding a whimsical touch to any outdoor area. boconcept.com

p Sitting Pretty This beautiful ceramic stool looks like a work of art! Beautifully painted with delicate Japanese cherry blossoms it would make a chic addition to any garden or patio. indigo-living.com

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Swing With Style

ZZUE Creation’s covetable Armadillo Swing makes a super comfy, semi-shaded spot for lazing the day away! The design features cushions made with low chemical emissions and focuses on natural colors, allowing it to seamlessly blend into your garden.

Simply Seated

Woven from durable, FSC - certified kraft paper; this simple outdoor chair by TREE is environmentally friendly without sacrificing style.

Handcrafted by skilled artisans, the design is casually chic and brings lightness to any space.

zzuecreation.com

tree.com.hk

p Shine On La Lampe will light up your world whilst minimising your carbon footprint. It uses a low-consumption LED bulb and highconversion solar panel, and is made with sustainability in mind. But never mind that.

Its sleek, chic (portable!) design aesthetic will be every neighbour’s envy! p Cool Beans Thought beanbag chairs were just for college kids? Think again. IKEA’s versatile beanbag can be folded into an upright chair or a low lounger, ensuring that no matter what, you can find a comfortable position. The durable construction means it can be used both indoors and outdoors.

everythingunderthesun.com.hk

ikea.com/hk

Need Some Shade?

Good Grilling

This small portable single-burner gas grill from Patio Mart is a great option for outdoor dining in Hong Kong. The compact size helps save space, but it’s intelligently designed so you can cook up a storm.

The stylish “NI” parasol by Hong Kong designer Terry Chow is suitable for both day and night time, cleverly combining sunshade and garden torch into one stunning piece. Multi-functional and eco-friendly, it has won a Good Design Award and a Red Dot Award (2014). everythngunderthesun.com

patiomart.com.hk

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Your Serve

Inspired by the vibrant colours of Indonesian fishing boats, these trays from TREE’s ferum collection are solid teak, salvaged from abandoned Javanese houses and brought to life with handpainted details. tree.com.hk

No Hangups

Cute and classy all at once, this sweet macramé hanging planter from Denmark is perfect for bringing a splash of greenery to tight spaces like a small balcony or window area. idecorateshop.com

Perfect Fit

For smaller outdoor spaces or occasional use, this compact side table tucks away tidily when not needed. IKEA is strict with their timber supply chain, and has committed to sourcing all their wood to come from certified or recycled sources by 2020. ikea.com/hk

p Party Time Get festive with this string of colourful mini paper lanterns from G.O.D. The 12 LED lights offer a soft glow, or you can choose various blinking and fading modes. Each string of lights has its own battery box so no plug needed! god.com.hk

p Come Round Place this Fair Trade handwoven hemp rug inside or outside for a pop of whimsy. It’s handcrafted in India from natural, sustainable fibres, and reversible to minimise fading from sun damage. eclectic-cool.com

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PETS & VETS We’ve done the research, now here’s a handy guide to keeping your furry (or scaly, or feathery) friend happy and healthy!

PETS

The pet supply industry is enormous, leaving no shortage of choices; here are our picks for shopping more earthfriendly products.

Whiskers N Paws in Horizon Plaza sells pet supplies from more than 200 brands and offers grooming services onsite. It also hosts puppy adoption Sundays, and regular cat and kitten adoption days.

Drop in to stock up from their huge range (delivery available)… or bring your canine pal along to their outdoor playground! wnp.com.hk

Pogi’s Pet Supplies specifically offers pet-care products that are earth-friendly. These include stain and odour removers that are plant-based and non-toxic, poopy bags that are biodegradable, and grooming wipes that are hypoallergenic and made completely of natural ingredients. What more could you ask for? pogipets.com

Holistic Pet Help believes in only using chemical-free products on animals. All their products are made from safe and natural ingredients that are specifically designed to support the long term wellbeing of your pets. They are dedicated to using a holistic approach to animal care, and have qualifications in both Chinese and Western medicine. holisticpethelp.com 46

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HOME + FAMILY

PetPet Organic is a one-stop online pet supplies store offering – you guessed it – a range of organic options, mainly for cats and dogs. Their selection is sourced globally, so you can find brands here that may be hard to find anywhere else, and the one-click shopping and delivery makes the process a breeze. petpetorganic.com

Wise Pet is an online shop focused on animal health, with an aim to promote the concept of holistic pet care. Their products are selected based on strict guidelines, and many are made with high quality, natural, human-grade ingredients. Their commitment to natural pet care translates into a top-quality product selection for your pal. wisepet.com

VETS

When our companions are unwell we want the absolute best for them, and fortunately there are excellent options to be found in Hong Kong.

Pets Central is one of Hong Kong’s leading animal hospitals, open 24/7. Besides a full range of medical needs, they also provide grooming, boarding, training and acupuncture services. More holistically-minded than many conventional vet services, they’re also convenient, with established branches all over Hong Kong as well as mobile clinics.

pets-central.com

The Ark Veterinary Hospital has almost 20 years of experience in Hong Kong, making them one of the most well known and established veterinary hospitals. Offering 24-hour emergency care, they have a complete range of diagnostic, ICU, and surgical equipment, and their vets are supported by a caring and certified nursing staff. thearkvets.com

Paws in Motion recognises that physiotherapy is an important treatment for many musculoskeletal and neurological conditions seen in pets, and offers veterinary physiotherapy programmes designed to enhance the rehabilitation process for injured animals.

Their mobile service means that they can come to your home, ensuring your pet is as comfortable as possible. pawsinmotion.hk

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Hong Kong Canine offers professional dog training services for pooches of all sizes and breeds. They have obedience training, group classes, behavioural training, and sport and activity opportunities for your four-legged pal. Their personalised service can train and advise on any type of canine behavioural issue, and they offer a free follow-up service if problems persist. dogtraininghongkong.com

NineLives provides veterinary services for cats only, which means not only a more relaxing, dog-free environment for your feline friend, but also specialised knowledge of feline care. They supply a wide range of services such as wellness and preventative medicine, surgery, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, laser therapy, and geriatric and cancer care.

9lives.com.hk

NO PET YET? If you’re thinking about getting an animal companion, consider adopting instead of buying one at a pet store. Every year, a large number of animals are abandoned by their owners, and the lucky ones are rescued by caring organisations, rehabilitated and given a second chance at happiness. Through adopting, you can both save an animal’s life and make a new forever friend! Here are some adoption centres and services to check out:

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• Adoption Central (pets-central.com) • Hong Kong Alley Cats (hkalleycats.com) • Hong Kong Cats (hkcr.org.hk) • Hong Kong Dog Rescue (hongkongdogrescue.com) • Hong Kong Paws Foundation (hkpaws.org) • Kirsten’s Zoo (kirstenszoo.com) • SPCA (spca.org.hk)

Ecozine.com

What’s On, HONG KONG? We’ve got the scoop on fun and sustainable events this fall and winter, so you don’t miss out!

TAKE THE CHALLENGE

The Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge is in full swing, and there’s still time to register! With the cooler weather, now is the perfect time of year to get involved, joining thousands of other Hong Kongers in this meaningful effort.

Gather a group of colleagues, family, friends or neighbours, visit the Cleanup Challenge website, and register – it’s easy, fun and fulfilling! Not only will you be making a difference to our beautiful country parks and coastlines, but it’s an incredible way to increase your awareness of the plastic problem that plagues our natural ecosystems. Plus, the data from your cleanup will help researchers to better understand the issue and seek longer-term solutions.

Now through 1st December | HKcleanup.org

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

Zero Waste Week 2016 is a week-long campaign, organised by Ecozine, incorporating public awareness and on-ground activities around the region. Its aim is to develop the concept of Zero Waste in Hong Kong, and present simple ideas and innovations to help reduce our city’s waste footprint. Anyone can be part of the solution – simply start with a pledge to reduce your waste to landfill during Zero Waste Week, or any time of the year!

11th – 18th November | ecozine.com/zerowasteweek 50

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YOGA WITH ME

It’s not easy being a kid these days, with the stresses of academic challenges, over-scheduling, social pressures, and modern family life. Why not treat them to the myriad benefits of yoga at an early age? This workshop entitled “Fun, Love, Joy Kids Yoga” explores yoga through poses, song, dance, art and creative play. Each of these not only helps children with focus, self-regulation and selfexpression in a non-competitive environment, but also encourages children to exercise mindfulness and explore their bodies in new and fun ways.

19th November | pure-yoga.com

CREATIVE COMMUNITY

Organised each year by the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, Arts in the Park is one of the city’s largest and most vibrant community arts events. Last year, over 150,000 visitors took part in this incredible celebration of the arts, featuring a variety of youth performances and art stalls in Victoria Park. The two-day festival is a hotbed of youth, creativity, and local talent, and even includes a hugely popular ‘Mardi Gras’ parade!

12th – 13th November | hkyaf.com

DETOX FLOW

Are you tired when you wake up in the morning? Do you have low energy through the day? Feel bloated? Skin blemishes? All these are signs of a body overloaded with toxins. If you want to feel better and more energetic, those toxins need to be flushed out. Flex Studio offers regular healthy-living workshops and events, and at this one, expert Michelle Ricalle will share insights on how we become toxic, how to detox safely and effectively, and how to avoid becoming toxic again.

24th November | flexhk.com

KIDS ROCK

This is definitely one for the whole family! Kids4Kids is holding a party called “Raise the Roof for Youth”, with drinks, food, music, networking, door prizes, fun activity booths and more, and it’s all for a good cause: to raise funds for programmes that help kids realise their personal power and potential. Kids4Kids is a local nonprofit that promotes social awareness and responsibility among youth, by providing platforms that empower kids to enact positive change in their community.

30th November | kids4kids.org.hk

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SHOP THE STALLS

Hosted by Handmade Hong Kong, one of our favourite markets of the year is back in full form! The DB Markets Christmas fair is a perfect example of Handmade’s ethos, which is based around “the value of handmade goods, the act of creating, and old-fashioned neighbourliness.” What a perfect spirit to bring to your Christmas shopping, not to mention a splash of Lantau sunshine and some delicious food vendors to keep you fuelled!

11th December handmadehongkong.com

FESTIVAL VIBES

Listen up music lovers! Clockenflap is the biggest and longest-running outdoor music and arts festival in Hong Kong, located on the harbourfront with the stunning Hong Kong skyline as a backdrop. The current line up features Sigur Rós, Chemical Brothers, and more – but come also for the family-friendly attractions, visual arts and film, food and markets, and general outdoor fun vibes. Top tip: check out the Silent Disco!

25th – 27th November | clockenflap.com

TEST YOUR METTLE

Action Asia is back at it again, with a weekend filled with not one, but two incredible outdoor challenges! The first is the MSIG Lantau Vertical Kilometre, and the second the exciting, and very tough, Lantau 50 – a 50 km trail running race across the hilliest parts of Hong Kong (with 16 and 27 km distances also available).

There are cash prizes, plus bonuses if you do both races!

2nd (VK) & 4th (Lantau 50) December actionasiaevents.com

A Christmas Tradition

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a showing of the classic and critically acclaimed The Nutcracker! Terence Kohler’s choreography for this ballet performance is exquisitely beautiful and sure to provide enjoyment for all ages. The performance is located in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, and is the perfect way to get you in the holiday spirit.

18th – 27th December hkballet.com

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AL FRESCO DINING

As the weather turns cooler, it’s the perfect time to round up a few of our favourite spots for outdoor wining and dining

CABANA, REPULSE BAY

Situated on the rooftop of beachside lifestyle arcade The Pulse, Cabana is a unique concept in Hong Kong. Picture lounge beds, Japanese hot baths, and killer views of beach, sky, and ocean. A hotspot for the chic set, Cabana is the ultimate destination when you’re craving a beach vibe but don’t want to get sand in your bikini. Preface your visit with a quick bite at one of the many terrific eateries nearby, since this place is more about sipping bubbly and soaking up the rays than filling your belly… but the St. Tropez feels and impeccable service make it worthwhile. Come later in the afternoon for their ‘sunset rooftop sessions’, which are quickly becoming legendary, and watch the sky do its magic while you lay back and relax.

4F, The Pulse, Beach Road HKD $100 – 200 | cabana.hk

COCOCABANA, SHEK O

Shek O may seem far for some, but the delicious food and tranquil atmosphere at Cococabana are worth the trek. Located facing the beautiful white sands of the main beach, Cococabana offers a wide range of appetising dishes to satisfy any craving, from light snacks to full meals. Enjoy a light ocean breeze and the frolicking sounds of the beach during the day, and as the sun sets you can let your hair down and enjoy the sea view with a cocktail in hand. Tip: for an extra-chilled vibe go on a weekday, when beach crowds are thinner.

GF Shek O Beach Building HKD $100 – 200 | toptables.com.hk/coco 54

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MANA! FAST SLOW FOOD, CENTRAL

Need a quick, healthy lunch in Central, but craving a bit of fresh air and a break from your busy day? These guys have got that covered, and much more. The OG of the plant-based food movement in Hong Kong, MANA! offers not only plenty of flavourful eats – starring their famed flats with almost endless choices of toppings – but also a special space to enjoy them. Out front is hectic Wellington Street, but out back feels like a hidden sanctuary, with sunlight dappling through green leaves and an exposed-brick wall keeping out the hubbub. A big, shared table and reclaimed wood enhance the bohemian vibe. Grab some vegetarian grub, fill a cup with free water, and chillax.

92 Wellington Street HKD $50-100 | mana.hk

DUDDELL’S, CENTRAL

Nestled at the top of Shanghai Tang’s flagship store on Duddell Street, Duddell’s is a buzzy restaurant known for its two Michelin stars and stunning interior, with original art collection and chic accents blurring the line between dining room and art gallery. But the outside bit is pretty terrific too: their decked terrace is surrounded by tall, lush greenery, providing a tropical paradise that quickly effaces any memory of the bustling, Central streets below.

Furnished with cushioned bamboo seating, the vibe is decidedly classy yet relaxing, and makes for a perfect weekend or evening spot to enjoy some of the unique cocktails and famous dishes on offer.

Level 3, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street HKD $400 – 800 | duddells.co

VIBES AT THE MIRA, TST

Whether it’s after-work cocktails or a special celebration, hidden gem Vibes in Tsim Sha Tsui is the perfect place to spend an evening. The open-air bar lounge is hidden in the fifth-floor courtyard of the Mira, decorated with bamboo groves, frangipani trees, and water features to provide an escape from the crowds – which it does, perfectly. Nathan Road’s madness will seem a hundred miles away. Vibes serves a variety of cocktails as well as mini appetisers for those who wish to pair their drinks with light bites.

Grab a group of friends, hire a private cabana and unwind after a long day of work or play.

5F, The Mira, 118 Nathan Road HKD $100 – 200 | themirahotel.com

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THE BOATHOUSE, STANLEY

Overlooking the Stanley promenade and the sea beyond, the Boathouse in Stanley offers outdoor seating on its upper floors and at the ground-floor bar area, so you can enjoy the spectacular scenery while you dine, or just watch life go by with a cold drink in hand. Its comfortable and relaxed atmosphere attracts both locals and tourists, and the food is simple and fresh. In recent years, the historic building has come under threat of demolition in favour of a hotel development; so go and enjoy this quintessential bayside dining experience while you still can.

88 Stanley Main Street HKD $200 – 400 | cafedecogroup.com

SHELTER ITALIAN BAR & RESTAURANT, CAUSEWAY BAY

Next time you’re hankering for some Italian cuisine, why not go somewhere a little more unique: head up to the seventh floor of Hysan Place in bustling Causeway Bay. Nestled on a hidden outdoor terrace, Shelter offers excellent grub and a charming secret-garden setting, complete with their own organic garden and hanging lounge swings to enhance the casualchic atmosphere. Food-wise, the emphasis is on fresh organic ingredients and locally grown produce, and there are some real treats on the menu, including a to-die-for vegan cheesecake.

The convenient location and large, breezy space make it a great place to drop in for lunch, or to bring out-of-town visitors for a respite from the vast shopping and touristing district below.

7F Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road HKD $200 – 300 | shelterhk.com

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CHALLENGE ACCEPTED For 16 years, the Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge has been educating and empowering communities about the trash we produce and its effect on our oceans. Yet today, it’s more important than it’s ever been.

Words by Nissa Marion Photography by Hong Kong Photography Studio

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act: Hong Kong’s municipal waste production has steadily increased over the past 30 years – by a shocking 30 per cent per capita, in addition to our population expanding by 36 per cent.

For no excusable reason, we have continued to not only accept, but seemingly embrace, a massive increase in disposable products – from the ubiquitous film-plastic ‘umbrella bags’ to the wrappers, bags, netting, polystyrene trays, and boxes that contain the daily food and products we buy. It’s almost impossible to avoid unnecessary packaging in a Hong Kong supermarket today, despite a reduction in use of plastic carrier bags due to the 50-cent levy introduced in 2009.

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As a result, our waste management ‘systems’ are poised to split at the seams at the slightest provocation – as we witnessed earlier this year, when headlines drew global attention to the knee-deep mounds of household debris covering our shores due to heavy summer rains.

Sadly, while the volume of trash that regularly washes up on Hong Kong’s coastlines is astounding, it’s only a tiny fraction of the problem. The vast majority of debris sinks to the ocean floor, washes out to the open sea, or breaks down into microdebris and enters our food chain, affecting our health in ways only being studied now.

It doesn’t take a scientist to identify that marine debris is not only a concern in Hong Kong (contrary to recent government assertions), but a very serious one indeed.

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nter the Hong Kong Cleanup, a 16-year-strong movement to clean up and protect our beaches, oceans and country parks through action, awareness and behaviour change. Each fall, the Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge offers an eye-opening opportunity for individuals, families, schools, communities and corporations to join a region-wide cleanup effort.

Held from September 1st to December 1st annually, the Cleanup Challenge offers every single person in Hong Kong the chance to be part of something huge, fun, and fulfilling, simply by registering a team and organising a cleanup.

Over a quarter of a million Hong Kong residents from all walks of life have joined the Cleanup Challenge to date, scooping up more than 22 million pieces of litter and competing annually to see who can collect the most trash, build the largest team, and even find the weirdest item.

And if you think one person picking up trash can’t make a difference, think again. In 2015 alone, more than eight million kilograms of trash, weighing more than 100 Boeing 737s, were collected by nearly 800,000 International Coastal Cleanup participants around the world – including over 75,000 from Hong Kong.

How it works is simple. Gather a group (friends, colleagues, family) and register online at HKcleanup.org, choosing the date and location for your cleanup. Once registered, ‘team captains’ are invited to join a briefing to learn how to conduct a safe, fun, successful cleanup – and, importantly, how to collect data. On their chosen cleanup day, teams record what types of trash they’re collecting, using a globally standardised data card. The data from

the cleanups is then submitted to the Ocean Trash Index, published annually by Ocean Conservancy, which provides the only global snapshot of the marine debris littering coasts and waterways around the world. The data can then inform research, innovation, and policy solutions.

And what does Hong Kong’s data reveal? Not surprisingly, single-use disposable plastic items make up the vast majority of debris collected by our volunteers, and pose the single most dangerous threat to our planet in terms of waste.

“The amount of plastic in our natural ecosystems has to be seen to be believed. It is a disturbing sight. Is this really what we want Hong Kong to be known for?” asks Lisa Christensen, Founder of Ecozine and the Hong Kong Cleanup, who created the movement to clean up Hong Kong’s coastlines 16 years ago.

And she’s right. Plastic is a durable, versatile material that lasts virtually forever, and yet 33 per cent of plastic products are made to be disposable: used once, and then tossed away. But plastic doesn’t biodegrade or ‘go away’. Instead, it breaks down into smaller pieces with greater surface area, and its porous surface allows it to pick up toxins as it does so, becoming more dangerous to the environment the longer it’s out there.

Animals and bird become victims when they mistake plastic fragments for food, filling their stomachs and causing starvation.

Choking and entanglement are also widespread issues. And it affects humans, too: biomagnification through the food chain means that the toxins in discarded plastic may have health ramifications we haven’t even realised yet. The global plastic crisis is also a looming threat to economy, with serious consequences to industries such as fishing and tourism.

TEAMING UP

Taking part in a Cleanup Challenge is a fulfilling and eye-opening experience for citizens from all walks of life

“ ONLY WE HUMANS MAKE WASTE THAT NATUTE CAN’T DIGEST ” – CHARLES MOORE, MARINE RESEARCHER Ecozine.com

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eanwhile every piece of plastic ever produced, unless incinerated, still exists – and plastic production will only increase as more ways are found to replace durable products with disposable.

This means that plastic will continue to be mismanaged and wasted, making its way into our environment by the millions of tonnes.

For this reason, Ecozine last year launched a new campaign called Zero Waste Week. This year’s official Zero Waste Week will take place November 11th to 18th, and anyone can participate. Simply make a weeklong (or longer!) commitment to cut a single-use item out of your life – it could be straws, water bottles, shopping bags, takeaway containers, or MAKING WAVES anything that you know you find in your bin too often.

Founder Lisa A pledge can include as many or as few items as Christensen has been passionate desired, and participants are encouraged to share their about cleaner commitment, and their results, with their friends and oceans for many family, as well as through social media. Last year’s pledge years; anyone can make a pledge campaign was a resounding success, with thousands during Ecozine’s of businesses, families and individuals committing to annual Zero Waste reducing their waste. The hope is that the week’s pledge Week, this year November 11 - 17th will illustrate what’s possible when we start with small steps, and motivate further action; after all, if you can live a week without plastic straws or bags, then you can probably go for a month, or longer… and inspire others to as well!

Ultimately, Hong Kong’s waste management may be in a situation of crisis, but with combined effort we can make a change, and reverse the damage done. No single event or organisation can single-handedly solve the issue of waste. It is up to us all – individuals, families, schools, communities, governments, NGOs and corporations – to help reduce the enormous burden of plastic waste that we place on Mother Nature, and reap the prospective benefits to our economy, environment, and human health.

Why not take the first step today? The Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge runs until December 1st. Sign up a team at HKcleanup.org!

LET'S WORK TOGETHER

Have you signed up a team yet this year? It’s not too late – join thousands of citizens, until December 1st!

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HEALING the BODY

NATURALLY While mainstream medicine can sometimes offer quick solutions to pesky symptoms, sometimes the best options for healing what ails us can be found within nature. Alternative and natural therapies seek to address the root causes of ailments, and support longer-term wellness overall Words by Mika Gallardo

OSTEOPATHY

Osteopathy can treat a number of issues, from chronic pain and headaches to acute injuries. Rather than only treating symptoms superficially, osteopathy is based on detecting issues in the muscles, tendons, or ligaments that could be causing your problems. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a hands-on approach that uses stretching and manipulation of the spine to relieve symptoms, and also helps to prevent recurring pain and discomfort.

Try it: Dr. Lauren Bramley & Partners | laurenbramley.com 62

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REFLEXOLOGY

Reflexology involves the application of pressure to specific points on the feet and hands. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s believed that these points correspond to different body organs and systems. Applying pressure could improve general health by improving blood circulation and activating nerves. It can also send signals that help balance the nervous system or release chemicals such as endorphins that reduce pain and stress.

Try it: Integrated Medical Institute | imi.com.hk Ecozine.com

WELLNESS

DETOX

The main purpose of detoxification is to cleanse toxins that might be physically stored in your body as a result of diet, lifestyle, stress, pollution and other factors. One form of this is colon cleansing, which is a gentle cleaning of the digestive tract and bowels. This improves bowel function, digestion and nutrient retention, which in turn can positively affect energy levels and skin condition, and even stimulate the immune system, among other benefits.

Try it: Natural Path | home.naturalpath.com.hk

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE

The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) recognises that physical symptoms may be manifestations of underlying emotional stress.

EFTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aim is to help patients release negative thoughts and emotions and thus relieve pains and diseases, as well as emotional and mental issues.

Try it: The Body Group | thebodygroup.com

NATUROPATHY

Naturopathy is a holistic approach that combines both traditional and conventional medicine. It recognises the intricate relationship between the body, mind, and soul and aims promote physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. In naturopathy, natural medicines, such as herbal medicine and flower remedies, may be used to detoxify and boost the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural immunity, and thereby treat a host of ailments.

Try it: House of Nature | houseofnature.com.hk

HOMEOPATHY

Developed in the 18th century, the theory behind homeopathy is that giving patients small doses of natural substances (that could in fact cause their symptoms in bigger doses) could cure the symptoms.

Homeopathic medicines are made from natural materials from animal, mineral, and vegetable kingdoms. It can bring increased immunity and vitality to patients.

Try it: Stanley Wellness Centre | stanleywellnesscentre.com

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a hands-on treatment that focuses on realigning the head and spine to release pressure on the nervous system and relieve nerve pain. It enhances the function of the central-nervous system and is known to help with stress, migraines, insomnia and emotional balance.

Try it: Alive Wellness | alivewellness.hk

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy uses essential oils to promote physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Extracted from aromatic plants, essential oils have been proven to have anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious and anti-viral properties, among many other uses. Through inhaling and applying the oils, the body and mind can be uplifted and relaxed, bringing mental and psychological benefits.

Try it: The Sanctuary | thesanctuary.com.hk

HEALING HANDS

Many holistic therapies incorporate human touch and manual manipulation to improve energy flow, blood circulation or alignment

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HYPNOTHERAPY

NEGATIVE ION THERAPY

NATURAL ALLERGY ELIMINATION TECHNIQUE

REIKI

Hypnotherapy may have been stigmatised as a way to get people to do things against their will, but practitioners hold that it can be beneficial in getting to the root of certain behaviours such as addictions or overeating, by communicating with the unconscious mind. A hypnotherapist gets the patient into a state of deep relaxation and heightened consciousness, making the mind more open to positive suggestions.

Try it: Dr. Susan Jamieson | drsusanjamieson.com

Many people are faced with allergies; food, pollen and dust are all common allergens. Symptoms can range from runny nose to rashes to serious swelling of the respiratory tract. Conventional medicine offers anti-histamine to counteract the reactions produced by the body to fight the allergens. The Natural Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET) uses a mixture of allopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, kinesiology and nutrition to help get rid of allergies for good.

Try it: The Natural Path Asia | thenaturalpathasia.com

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

With a wealth of ancient wisdom behind it, the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the topic of much buzz in recent years. Treatments can include herbal remedies as well as techniques such as cupping, which uses suction cups to invigorate blood circulation, release muscle tension and resolve toxins, and acupuncture, known to provide relief for a range of acute and chronic health problems including insomnia, stress, water retention, digestive issues, and high blood pressure.

Try it: Dr. Lauren Bramley & Partners | laurenbramley.com 64

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Negative Ion Treatment, popular in Japan, taps into natural ionic energy for all kinds of results: it can effectively reduce fat and toxins, activate hormones, prevent skin aging, improve blood circulation, promote metabolism, enhance the immune system, improve sleep quality and help with problems like muscle pain and constant colds. The treatment newly available in Sai Kung uses radium mineral rock from Hokkaido that you simply lie on for a relaxing, stress-free experience.

Try it: One For Health | oneforhealth.hk This healing technique is based on the principle that we can channel energy by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the body and restore physical and emotional wellbeing.

Practitioners undergo intense training, and can treat symptoms from minor aches to major health concerns, such as heart disease, digestive disorders, and skin problems, by creating deep relaxation and moving energy through the body.

Try it: Shakti Healing Circle | shaktihealingcircle.com

KINESIOLOGY

Combining western anatomy and eastern medicine, kinesiology is about enabling an individual to access the information contained within the body and using that information to correct any imbalances. Muscle testing is a core component; the therapist monitors changes in muscle response to identify stressors blocking the body from healing, and then can seek the correction method to balance the body. The idea is that many common problems, from headaches to sleep problems to addictions, can be traced back to stress stored in our cells.

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THE SCOOP ON

WORK-LIFE BALANCE Work-life balance: that elusive state of equilibrium between one’s work obligations and personal life that many of us strive for but sometimes fail miserably at.

Sound familiar? For insight, we turned to Fern Ngai, CEO of Community Business, which runs a Work-Life Balance Week campaign across Asia each Fall.

I

n the many years of researching into the state of work-life balance in Hong Kong, we’ve found that this is an area where employees and employers must continuously work together, and remain committed. Each person’s idea of work-life balance means something different, and where they are in their personal life or career can have big influence on their needs and expectations. For instance, a manager with a newborn has distinct needs from those of a fresh graduate. Nevertheless, one notion is commonly shared – we all want to have a sense of control over how, when and where we work; i.e. the flexibility to adjust the equilibrium. Once an individual has this, he/she is empowered to have a fulfilled life inside and outside of work, achieving both professional and personal goals.

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Long gone are the days in which there is a clear demarcation between work and personal life. In today’s globalised, hyperconnected and technology-enabled world, that duality is obsolete.

For many of us, the integration, rather than the balancing, of life and work requires us to multi-task and actively manage priorities on an ongoing basis.

I’d like to share some key findings over the years from both Community Business’ research and others, and bring you up to date on the business case for work-life balance – and why it continues to be a relevant issue that all businesses should be concerned about.

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WELLNESS

IT'S IN THE NUMBERS

Research has shown that poor work-life balance can be harmful in more ways than one

HEALTHY IN THE WORKPLACE, SUCCESSFUL IN THE MARKETPLACE According to a survey by Community Business in 2010, employees suffer a wide range of negative effects on their health as a result of poor work-life balance – especially due to long working hours.

This includes, among other things, insomnia (35 per cent), feeling stressed out, depressed or exhausted (26 per cent), and even harmful behaviour (12 per cent). From our 2012 survey, 43 per cent of the Hong Kong working population admitted to making mistakes, due to being overloaded at work, that they could have avoided. Another 41 per cent indicated that they’d had to postpone deadlines at work as a result. This clearly shows that heavy workload and long working hours have a negative impact on efficiency and quality of work, and can put businesses at risk.

Meanwhile, research by the Chapman Institute in 2007 showed that successful health and well-being programmes provide an excellent ROI! On average, sick leave absenteeism is decreased by 25 per cent, workers compensation costs are reduced by 41 per cent, and US $5.81 is saved for every $1 invested in employee health and wellbeing. And there’s more: Right Management’s research indicates that when employee health and wellness are managed well, self-reported creativity and innovation reaches 72 per cent as opposed to 20 per cent! A company’s market competiveness and business sustainability are only possible with a healthy, engaged workforce. In a highly stressed and crowded city like Hong Kong, physical and mental wellbeing are equally important for maintaining a productive and effective workforce.

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HAPPINESS AT WORK BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY Much has been written about the role of work-life balance in the achievement of workplace happiness, which in turn impacts employee retention and a company’s bottom line. A study by the University of Warwick in 2015 found that happiness led to a 12 per cent increase in productivity, while unhappy workers proved 10 per cent less productive. Professor Andrew Oswald, one of three researchers who led the study, said companies that invest in employee support and satisfaction tend to have happier staff. Google’s employee satisfaction rose 37 per cent as a result of such initiatives… suggesting that paychecks alone cannot nurture highly productive employees.

Our 2012 survey indicated that 26 per cent of Hong Kong’s working population said work-life balance is among the top three factors affecting their motivation and productivity at work, while 24 per cent said work-life balance is more important than money when they choose to join, stay with, or leave a company.

This notion is proven once again by the 2016 Deloitte Millennial Survey, covering 29 countries globally, in which 71 per cent of the respondents likely to leave in the next two years are unhappy. What are the factors to keep them happy and not to consider leaving? Although pay and financial benefits matter most, work-life balance comes as the second top criteria in most markets, ranking before career progression when evaluating job opportunities.

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TAKING STEPS

Company executives joined the Work-Life Balance Workshop and received a certificate of appreciation from Community Business

ENGAGED STAFF STAY LONGER AND GO FURTHER The same survey suggested that employees who are actively encouraged to aim for leadership roles tend to display higher loyalty. The most loyal employees also responded that their employer provides a lot of support to those wishing to take on leadership roles. Meanwhile, “Those likely to remain longest share their organisation’s values, and are more satisfied with its sense of purpose and support of professional development.” Millennial workers value a company’s sense of purpose over profit, thus corporates behaving in a responsible manner engage staff better.

With advances in technology and the proliferation of smartphones, employees – especially Gen Y and millennials – are almost always online and use social media extensively, therefore their lives and work are integrated. They are more likely to volunteer, campaign, or actively engage with social, environmental, or political affairs. Apart from providing work-related training and development, perhaps employers can help these employees to build a ‘second career’ within their company. It’s not about encouraging them to leave and build their own businesses, but rather about developing their job-related skills to make a difference in society, such as contributing through skill-based volunteering.

When employees are better engaged at work, at home and socially, they will be more devoted to their work and will ‘go the extra mile’ – which leads to better business outcomes.

SMART USE OF TECHNOLOGY Instead of creating a 24/7 ‘always online’ work culture, companies can leverage technology and flexible working options to help their employees achieve better work-life balance, or integrate their work 68

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and life in a way that they feel at ease. Technology can be a tool for employers to offer flexible working arrangements, by allowing employees to work remotely and at hours that allow them to be the most productive. Our research through the years, examining companies who have successfully leveraged technology to create flexible working arrangements, has shown that this can actually be a great enabler of improved business productivity.

JOINT COMMITMENT TO MAKING IT WORK Given the compelling business case for work-life balance, it’s clear there’s plenty to be gained for both employers and employees if they work together to achieve a workplace culture that values and fosters such balance.

For this to happen, employees need to take ownership of their own work-life balance by identifying their priorities and boundaries, and working with their managers to create a win-win situation.

They should also be willing to provide feedback to management on any work-life balance measures, and offer ideas and solutions that work for them.

Besides providing flexible work arrangements and other measures, it’s important for employers to create an enabling environment which demonstrates their commitment to work-life balance, which measures effectiveness, and includes listening to feedback and input from their employees on a regular basis. All management levels, including middle management, have to be on board, otherwise there may be inconsistencies in execution or culture, which could derail any well-meaning measures.

It’s only when both employers and employees work in partnership that the significant benefits of work-life balance can be realised.

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WELLNESS

OHM @ HOME The newest offering from Pure Yoga isn’t a studio but a website, filled with resources, that promises to help you get the most from your classes

O

Words by Nissa Marion

ur Instagram and Facebook feeds are increasingly filled with images of people doing yoga outside the studio, at locations from sunny mountaintops to immaculate living-room floors. And indeed, what aspiring yoga student hasn’t dreamt of having the flexibility to deepen their practice and perfect their poses in the privacy of home, or when travelling?

Earlier this year, Pure Yoga answered that call, with an online concept designed to provide a supplement to their popular studio classes. MyPureYoga.com is an online resource and community for everyone from seasoned yogis to day-one beginners, offering a diverse range of classes and an asana library offering detailed instructions. For regular yoga practitioners, it’s intended to be a useful resource to develop one’s practice outside of classes.

For beginners, the site offers valuable support for those first steps into the yoga journey, where more detailed and frequent instruction can accelerate progress, which always feels good.

I decided to try out MyPureYoga, or “MPY”, for myself. The prospect was appealing from the start; while I love my Pure Yoga classes, sometimes my work and travel schedules leave me with windows of time where the class I want to take isn’t on offer at a location convenient to me.

Signing up is a dead-simple process that costs nothing, whether you’re a Pure member or not. Then you’re in, and have full access to a wealth of videos, articles and customiseable features, in English or Chinese. Immediately, you can input your favourite teachers or yoga styles so the site can start building them into your personal feed. Another unique feature is the option to create ‘playlists’ of videos, so that they are sequenced in a way that works for you.

Not knowing where to start, I selected ‘Popular’ from the dropdown list of options, and was served up a selection of the mostviewed videos. Other filters include style, duration, level and teacher, as well as ‘Recommended’ videos based on individual viewing history. There’s also a dedicated ‘Beginners’ section where

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absolute newbies can get comfortable with the idea of yoga in the privacy of home – something I would certainly have embraced when I first started! – and even for non-beginners they provide valuable reminders of the foundational aspects of the practice.

The videos are titled with descriptions such as “Basic Hatha for Beginnners” or “How to Prepare for an Ashtanga Class”, and range widely in duration, from a couple of minutes long (detailing a single pose) to almost an hour. I selected a 15-minute instruction called “Surya Namaskar: A Clinic”, which guided me through the Sun Salutation sequence with excellent explanations of each step.

Other videos stray further from the ‘traditional’, with catchy titles such as “Keep Your Back Happy While You Travel” and “Yoga for Athletes”!

Where I found the most value was in the ‘Poses’ library. This is a series of videos each dedicated to a single pose, taking two to four minutes to thoroughly detail the positions and benefits associated with the pose – offering much more explicit instruction than is sometimes available in a studio class, which needs to keep moving to make the most of the one-hour class time and varying levels of student ability. It was incredibly satisfying to learn the purpose and benefits of a given pose, such that I felt more confident and comfortable at my next class, having a deeper understanding of what was ‘going on’ as I folded into the pose.

Aside from instructional videos, MPY has a section called “Living Yoga”, covering a diverse range of topics relating to the world of yoga, with international and local experts sharing nuggets of yogic wisdom and speaking on related topics such as breathing, chanting and mindfulness.

MyPureYoga is still relatively new, and is continuously developing fresh content. I’ve been back several times, and enjoy discovering the latest new additions as well as exploring deeper into the poses and sequences already available. Adding in the fact that it’s free of charge for anyone to use, this resource could be game-changing, for anyone from the casually curious to the expert yogi.

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HIT the GROUND

RUNNING

Thinking of conquering one of the many hiking trails in Hong Kong this season?

Here’s the gear to help you get there!

p Pack It In Made from a durable, water-repellent fabric, the close-fitting and super lightweight Patagonia Fore Runner Vest will fit all your stuff plus water – it comes with a removable two-litre hydration reservoir. It’s also part of Patagonia’s Footprint Chronicles® project, where you can track its whole supply chain in their website!

HK $1,190 | patagonia.com

Happy Feet

Treks are much more fun with the right footwear.

These Timberland boots are designed to keep your feet dry and protected.

The OrthoLite inner sole provides all-day cushioning and breathability, and the outer sole uses recycled rubber that wont break down with use.

p Light As Air The fabulously-named Better Than Naked Jacket is ultralight and comfy, with body-mapped ventilation for superior moisture management. The North Face actively engages their supply chain to reduce their manufacturing impact, and promotes fitness locally with their popular free outdoor training sessions (register on their site)! thenorthface.hk

HK $1,290 | Timberland

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style

Keep Cozy

The ‘Fanatic’ headband from Haglofs removes moisture and keeps it away from your head and face, in a selection of funky prints and colours. It’s made from Polartec and PowerStretch Pro, which stretches comfortably to various sizes and is super lightweight. Haglofs partners with charities Bluesign and The Fair Wear Foundation, which both set stringent goals of waste reduction and fair labour practices.

HK $218 | haglofs.com

Zip It

Tired of jangling cash and keys whilst running, or having to leave behind anything bigger than a credit card? This smart, secure wrist wallet is a convenient, easy-to-access storage alternative for carrying your essentials.

HK $263 | Pacsafe

Next Generation

p Quick Change The Fall weather in Hong Kong can be unstable. One day it’s hot and humid, the next it’s cold and drizzly. These versatile, breathable convertible pants quickly change to shorts and back, for one less thing to worry about.

The Columbia Freeze Degree II Tank Top uses Omni-Freeze Zero technology that actually lowers the temperature of the fabric as you sweat, which keeps you cooler for longer! The mesh panels at the side also help make it breathable, and the UPF 30 rating keeps your skin protected during sunny days. Columbia is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and works with their suppliers to reduce their impact on the environment.

HK $399 columbiasportswear.hk

HK $700 | The North Face

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Swift and Stylish

Promoting sports and healthy lifestyle in Hong Kong, Escapade is one of our fave go-to spots for all things athletic.

These Ronhill Capri leggings are engineered for high performance so you can push that bit further and beat your personal best! Aside from the dope styling, features include a hidden elastic draw cord and a handy back zip pocket.

HK $490 online.escapade.com.hk

p Light And Warm Keeping warm doesn’t have to mean being weighed down with bulky fabrics! The Nano Puff Vest is warm, windproof and water-resistant, yet so light you could forget you were wearing it. Did we mention the shell and liner are 100 per cent recycled polyester?

HK $1,290 | patagonia.com

p Take a Hike Last year, a Hong Kong Consumer Council CSR survey on selected running shoes in the market gave the Brooks Adrenaline GTS the highest score for durability, whilst highlighting Brooks’ commitment to environmental protection. Meanwhile the Adrenaline GTS is the company’s top-selling shoe for a reason: it offers an amazing combination of support, cushioning and smooth transition, in a range of terrific colours!

Hk $950 | online.escapade.com.hk

p Double Up Specifically designed for compression and muscle support, these double-layered shorts combine EXO muscle support inside and a lightweight stretch woven fabric on the outside; this reduces chafing and can help your muscles recover quicker. Available from Racing The Planet, which, among other initiatives, to date has raised more than US $750,000 to support Operation Smile missions across the globe!

HK $1,667 | racingtheplanet.com

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p Catch Some Rays This one’s a multitasker: protect your eyes and give sight to someone in need through TOMS’ One-for-One initiative ¬– and look super fresh while you’re at it. These Travelers are lightweight, comfortable and super durable, and offer 100 per cent UVA/UVB protection for your peepers. toms.com

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WeddingsHongKong.com | 2834 3200

Less Is More

Sparadise goes by the motto “less chemical is the best policy”, and offers a spa mani-pedi with nail lacquers that are vegan and free of DBP, toluene, camphor, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin.

Sparadise is also super conveniently located for stylistas on the run. sparadise.com.hk

Urban Chic

The Nail Library has been making a buzz since it landed in Hong Kong last year, and rightly so. Their chic, loft-style boutique salons offer impeccable service, and an incredible selection of amazing toxin-free products and services for your hands and feet. Relax and indulge in the top-shelf experience. thenaillibrary.com

MANI-PEDI

Nail It!

Rock your nails with fabulous colours that are safe and ethical. A Beauty Bar offers nail treatments using Spa Ritual products, and sells products for at-home pampering too. Pop into one of their locations to get your nails done and stock up on other gorgeous organic beauty swag while you’re there!

WHERE TO GO Fall is the perfect time for treating yourself to shiny nail perfection!

abeautybar.com.hk

Naturally Nice

Prepare to be pampered!

Conveniently located and renowned for its professional nail services, Iyara Day Spa offers organic treatments for every hand, foot and nail need, in a soothing environment away from the busy streets. We recommend the detoxifying Himalayan salt foot soak! iyarabeauty.com

Japanese Trend Alert!

Fancy a nail makeover?

With toxin-free treatments including organic gel nails, this salon keeps up with the latest Japanese nail trends. The stylists are all trained in Japan and certified

by The Japanese Nailist Association, making it the perfect place to try out something totally kawaii! aquaeria.asia

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Sense Of Style

Award winning Sense of Touch opened a new spa in Cyberport this summer, bringing the total to seven locations for professional body, nail, and waxing treatments. They offer friendly, efficient service and eco-friendly polishes that resist chipping. senseoftouch.com.hk

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My ESSENTIALS

Hong Kong ecopreneur Bobsy has been pioneering socially responsible businesses in Hong Kong since 1992, including the popular MANA! series of eateries. Here are some of his favourite things.

FEATHERS

SKETCHBOOK

I’ve kept sketchbooks since 1993 to record inspiration, quotes, insights, visions… even feathers and leaves between the pages. Famous people and yogis have also signed it for me. The pens I carry are red, yellow, green and blue – the colours that children are most attracted to, and in my opinion the most powerful ones.

These are sacred feathers from the Dayak Indians in the Borneo Rainforests, with whom I’ve interacted. They’ve been losing their rainforests to agricultural development – over 50 per cent.

The feathers must be earned, and I’m honoured to have two so far.

HK $198 | Moleskine

GLOBAL MIND CHANGE

BACKPACK

This backpack is by Seventyeightpercent, a truly innovative and original Hong Kong company. I use it every day without exception, to carry my laptop so I’m able to work anywhere. It’s well made and sturdy, but with simple elegance. I’ve been carrying one of these bags consistently since 2010.

I came across this book in 1990, and it transformed my world view. It’s the most powerful book I’ve ever read. Everything in this book has come true – and it was written 28 years ago. It really changed the direction of my life.

HK $125 | amazon.com

HK $2,289 | seventyeightpercent.com

BELT, POUCHES AND FAN

ZA’ATAR

Za’atar is the foundation of everything we make at MANA!. Ours is grown especially for MANA! by a childhood friend of mine. It’s made of thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and sea salt.

I wear these belts everywhere I go. A good friend of mine named Zultan, who is based in Bali, makes them from second-hand leather. One of the pouches is an old ammunition pouch from World War II! This amazing fan is custom made

by Zultan’s father, Lou. It’s made from silk and ebony with a silver and opal gem embellishment.

HK $130 | MANA! 78

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P

PISTE ERFECTION

As the mercury drops in Hong Kong, we turn our imaginations to places where the air is fresh and crisp, and we can frolic in the snow. Here are five wintry destinations perfect for satisfying that urge this year!

HAKUBA, JAPAN

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If you want a snowy Japan adventure thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closer to Tokyo, then Hakuba is the place for you. Accessible by a quick bullet train from Tokyo station to Nagano station (with a picturesque view of Mount Fuji along the way), Hakuba offers some phenomenal skiing and snowboarding routes. Hakuba was the host of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, and offers more terrain, vertical rise and advanced slopes than anywhere in Japan.

Take the opportunity to experience Japanese culture too; after an exhausting day of skiing, nothing is better than being able to warm up and relax in a traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring). The mineral content in the onsen water is believed to have healing powers, soothing away any aches, pains or sprains from your outdoor adventures!

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TRAVEL Yongpyong ski resort is located in the north west of South Korea, at an elevation of 700 m in the Baekdudaegan mountains. It is the largest ski and snowboard resort in Korea, and due to its upcoming hosting of the technical alpine events of slalom and giant slalom in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games, it has recently gained increased international recognition.

The highest point of the resort is Dragon Peak, where the Olympic downhill events will be held. It has several advanced slopes and is accessible by a scenic gondola ride. The remainder of the ski area offers a good range of options for different abilities, with the more groomed runs for beginners on the lower slopes. Other activities in the area include karaoke and bowling, as well as great Korean food to be had.

YONGPYONG, SOUTH KOREA

Photo credits: Elissa Algora (main); Niseko Tourism; Pragelato Turismo

NISEKO, JAPAN

Weather patterns that form over west Hokkaido mean that Niseko accommodates some of the highest snowfall in Japan, making it an internationally recognised skiing hotspot. The moisture content of the snow is only eight per cent, which means that it is extremely light and powdery, making for incredible skiing!

The ski resort has 64 courses in total. They range from wide-open runs to off-piste glades, meaning there’s something for everyone. The longest run is an impressive 5.6 km long! By purchasing an All Mountain lift pass, you can use all 38 lifts and spend your days exploring the four areas of this responsibly-managed development – Annupuri, Higashiyama, Hirafu, and Hanazono. If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, you can try out a spot of horseback riding, snow tubing or snowshoeing instead, and sample some top-notch Japanese cuisine.

Don’t leave without soaking in an onsen!

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Boasting charming chalets and a beautifully preserved nature site, Pragelato Vialattea is the perfect European getaway for winter holidays.

It is located in the Piedmont region at an altitude of 1,600 m. The ski area is huge; in total there are 440 km of slopes, all which have consistently good-quality powder snow.

The area has been carefully preserved both environmentally and culturally, and retains a traditional Italian authenticity – you won’t find a single Starbucks here! The Mollino Chalet at an altitude of 2,300 m has the best hot chocolate in the area, and you can’t leave without trying the pizza at La Trattoria – the crust is classically thin and crispy, and extremely delicious.

PRAGELATO VIALATTEA, ITALY

WHISTLER-BLACKCOMB, CANADA

Whistler-Blackcomb is commonly held as North America’s number one ski resort. It has a fantastic range of terrain: from its famous steep chutes and open powder-filled bowls to sheltered tree-lined cruising pistes and gentle beginner slopes. Blackcomb Mountain has two permanent glacier snowfields, which means that unsuitable snow conditions are rarely a worry. The spectacular ‘Peak 2 Peak’ gondola connects together the upper slopes of Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, which means that you don’t have to descend all the way down the mountain just to get to the other side. The combined lift system can handle a massive 65,507 skiers per hour!

Other than these activities, you can also enjoy snowmobile and dog-sled excursions, indoor climbing, outdoor zip-line routes, and treatments at one of the many soothing spas. The après ski scene is also alive and well here: Dusty’s and the Garibaldi Lift Co. Bar are prime examples of good ol’ Canadian bars!

Inspired? Flight Centre offers travel packages, flights, and accommodation for all of these locations, and can help you choose the right holiday this winter. Visit flightcentre.com.hk for the latest deals!

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AFRICAN

ADVENTURES

TO TICK OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST

Who hasn’t dreamt of exploring the vast, pristine wilderness or rich cultural heritage of the African continent? However, one person’s dream may be different from the next, so we asked the experts at andBeyond to share 5 unique experiences to whet your imagination and perhaps help you plan your next trip!

Words by Lisa Christensen

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TRAVEL

T Photo credit: andBeyond

our operators that manage their impact, care for nature, and give back to local communities… sound too good to be true? It shouldn’t. Today’s luxury is about knowing your actions are leaving a positive, sustainable legacy.

For 15 years, luxury and bespoke experiential travel company andBeyond has been operating with the ethos, “Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife and Care of the People”. Under these, they carry out innumerable projects each year, from establishing protected areas and reintroducing endangered species (like the black rhino), to spearheading conservation research and empowering rural communities. And their passion is infectious; guests come away with not only memories for a lifetime, but renewed awe and respect for the natural world.

Les Carlisle, andBeyond’s conservation director since day one, has been instrumental in many of the company’s community partnerships and conservation projects. He embodies the company values, and when asked, puts it succinctly: “We believe that Africa’s heritage of wild land and animals should be recognised as the continent’s most precious natural resource.”

With multiple awards to their name and a reputation for exceptional service, andBeyond has proven the model for doing business ethically. They attribute the success to their guest: “just by travelling with us, each and every guest leaves a legacy and allows us to continually care for our planet’s land, wildlife and people.”

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Roam Southern Africa

Southern Africa is a dream destination for seekers of wilderness and luxury, and you can have it all. Perfectly blending safari adventures, indulgent pampering, and divine dining, the myriad activities on offer include awe-inspiring ‘big 5’ game drives, walking safaris, bird watching, boat cruises, canoeing, visiting the epic Victoria Falls, and discovering Johannesburg.

Experience the award-winning Phinda Private Game Reserve, which has earned the nickname “Seven Worlds of Wonder” for its seven distinct ecosystems. With five-star hospitality at its private villas and lodges, the abundant wildlife can be enjoyed in style and comfort. Meanwhile Phinda, true to andBeyond’s core values, is extensively involved in rhino conservation and in helping the local community; 25 years ago they established a Rural Investment Fund, now known as the Africa Foundation, focusing on the development of responsible, consultative community projects, including schools and hospitals.

From the bush, you’ll head to the up-and-coming golden city of Johannesberg, where you can enjoy the exquisite dining, sensous spa and unmatched views of the stunning Four Seasons Westcliff. Then take a flight north to the deservedly famous Victoria Falls, before sinking into luxury at the Matetsi River Lodge, situated on a 500 sq km protected wildlife area and surrounded by large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as lions and other predators (and prey!). Matetsi’s spectacular villas are made with 90 per cent locally-sourced materials; for larger groups such as families or corporate outings, why not choose the spacious 4-bedroom river house, and revel at the wildlife right from your own private plunge pool (which you may just share with some friendly wild visitors!).

Or, after a world-class game drive, perhaps cool off with a sunset cruise on the pristine Zambezi waters, where you will very likely see leopards, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, baboons, and multiple birds of prey – all the while sipping on a perfectly-mixed gin and tonic or Amarula on the rocks!

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Stay at: andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, andBeyond Matetsi River Lodge

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A Mozambique Honeymoon

Surrounded by clear turquoise waters, Mozambique’s Benguerra Island is a tropical paradise and the ultimate honeymoon destination.

The picturesque island offers a distinct East African feel, with a lush forest providing the backdrop to its golden beaches. Your stay at the lodge includes the bespoke services of a Mozambican butler who will care for your every need, and the luxe accommodations are surpassed only by the sunset views they afford. Some activities to try are beach horseback riding and a scenic helicopter ride – or if that sounds too much, chill out and enjoy an romantic castaway picnic for two, set in the sweeping sand dunes.

Stay at: andBeyond Benguerra Island

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3 Photo credit: andBeyond

Human Origins Safari

If you are interested in anthropology or history, then this one is for you. Discover our origins on an African safari to Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge and South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind, the home of the recently discovered Homo Naledi. Upon landing in Tanzania, you’ll be met by a member of the andBeyond team and start your journey to Manyara and the famously stunning Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. Ngorongoro, located within the Serengeti, is home to more than 30,000 protected animals and is the largest intact caldera in the world. At the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, in Johannesburg, a specialist guide will take you into the Sterkfontein Caves, where scientists have discovered many hominid and other animal fossils dating back more than four million years, to the birth of humanity!

Stay at: andBeyond Kirkman’s Kamp

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Meet the Maasai

Incredibly diverse landscapes, flawless hospitality and engaging history are infused into this journey through the heart of Kenya. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, this exceptional safari adventure explores the scenic and wildlife-rich Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s most renowned national parks, situated in the northern Serengeti. Its legendary Great Migration, of over two million wildebeest and other animals, has been described as one of nature’s most thrilling wildlife spectacles, and an experience like no other! The park takes its name from the Mara River, which flows through the reserve, and is inhabited by the Maasai people, a tribe whose red dress and proud demeanor have ensured they are probably Kenya’s best-known and most-photographed people in the whole of Africa.

Stay at: andBeyond Bateleur Camp

Gorilla Spotting

Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to see the Big Five and the vast savannas, and are looking for something completely different? Why not head to Rwanda, for an animal experience that will take your breath away. This tour includes a stay at The Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, where you’ll join expert guides tracking groups of mountain gorilla that live there. Exploring the dense rainforest, you’ll feel the rush of excitement as those dim shapes in the bushes and faint sounds become living, breathing, free-roaming gorillas, and be rewarded by exhilarating moments as you observe their human-like social structure up close. Update your bucket list and savour every moment of this unique encounter with the mighty great apes.

Stay at: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

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GETTING THERE South African Airways offers numerous flights from Hong Kong to major cities in Africa. If you’re flying to Johannesberg, we recommend the evening flight, so you can enjoy a nice meal and peaceful sleep (fully reclined in business class), and wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed to start your trip of a lifetime! flysaa.com 88

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ESCAPE + EXPLORE The Residence

MALDIVES Discover the magic of the Maldives at a destination resort with something for everyone

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Words by Kyrah McKenzie

ilky white sands, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs teeming with mesmerising marine life – these are the hallmarks of a holiday in the Maldives, and they are on offer in spades at The Residence Maldives.

Idyllic in every way possible, this chic resort is located on Falhumaafushi, an island in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll – one of the largest pristine atolls in the world. Entailing a domestic flight from Malé followed by a seven-minute speedboat transfer, the journey to arrive here already prepares you for an indulgent escape from the everyday.

The Residence’s ninety-four beach and over-water villas are thoughtfully, meticulously designed, and offer stunning 360 degree views of the Maldivian landscape – glittering blue sea and white sand – allowing guests to delight in the iconic tropical vistas without wandering very far at all. Inside, traditional furnishings are combined with modern comforts, and even the sense of sound is stimulated, through a bespoke soundtrack that echoes the sounds of the Indian Ocean. The best part of each villa, however, is that the spectacular, crystal-clear sea, with its vivid coral reefs and swirls of swimming fish, is mere footsteps away from your bed.

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TRAVEL

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ith a firm commitment to promoting environmental awareness, the property takes numerous measures to minimise the impact of its operations. In all of its guest villas, a heat recovery system is used between the air conditioner and the water heater; when the air conditioner is switched on to cool the villa, the warmth generated is recycled and used to heat the water that guests use in their showers and bath. The same air conditioner turns off automatically when guests leave the sliding glass door to their villa deck open for an extended period of time, reducing energy wastage. Greywater from guest villas and operations is collected and processed at a treatment plant within the resort, then used to irrigate the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gardens and grounds. Other types of waste are also carefully monitored and recycled wherever possible.

Tropical holidays are all about letting the stress and tension of city life fade away, and the perfect place to do this is in the oasis of the indulgent Spa by Clarins onsite. The spaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s six pavilions sit at the end of a jetty overlooking the gently rolling waves of the lagoon, and offer a variety of naturally-derived treatments, from massages to beauty services. The resort also runs complimentary yoga classes at the large open decking area; and of course, guests can simply lounge around enjoying complimentary fruits, sorbets and ice lollies at the beachfront infinity pool, or enjoy a relaxing fine dining experience with some of the best views anywhere in the world.

IRRESISTIBLE

Enjoy the stunning environment of the magical Maldives

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or those looking for a bit more action, swimming alongside sharks, barracudas, turtles and reef fishes is the ultimate Maldives experience, and The Residence provides ample snorkeling and diving opportunities at its very own PADI five-star dive centre. The dive centre also offers introductory lessons for beginners, in a safe environment with multilingual teachers; even kids can get in on the aquatic fun, with the Bubblemaker Dive programme offering a ‘first taste’ of diving for youths aged eight and up. Other activities include island hopping (a must!), cooking, cocktail-making classes, and the chance to visit a nearby traditional village to learn about local customs.

The Residence Maldives knows that not only their trade but the wellbeing of the planet relies on their proper treatment of the surrounding ecosystems. A Coral Frame Conservation programme is in place to help rebuild the reef in the area, and guests are encouraged to participate and learn about the threats faced by the coral. The programme allows each guest to adopt PARADISE FOUND

Clockwise from top: Fun for all the family at the infinity pool; Bathe in discreet luxury and comfort; A romantic sunset dining experience; Soothe your troubles away through one of the many treatments and massages at the spa

a piece of frame with pieces of live coral attached to it. The coral is cultivated at its early growth stage, where it is at its most vulnerable to the impacts of rising oceanic temperature and acidification. The Dive Centre sends regular updates and pictures of the coral frame’s growth, so that guests can see the progress and results of their participation long after they’ve departed. Local partnerships, reef cleaning days, observation of Earth Hour and other ad hoc activities help round out the resort’s commitment to environment and community.

Traditional local values are also alive and well here; inspired by the prominence of folklore in the area, The Residence has its very own lively and illustrious storyteller! Ms. Shaheena was born in the Maldives and delights in sharing tales of the islands, and knowledge of its rich folklore traditions, with visiting families.

All in all, The Residences Maldives represents the perfect intersection of luxury escapism and responsible resort management.

Throw in a family-friendly atmosphere and wealth of activities, and the combination is virtually irresistible. We’ll be back.

perspectives

30 YEARS of GLOBAL ACTION for TRASH FREE SEAS

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Words by Nicholas J. Mallos

or more than 30 years, Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup has been the world’s largest citizen science effort dedicated to ocean health. The Cleanup is an annual action, through which citizen scientists around the world turn out to their local beach, coastline, waterway or underwater habitat to remove marine debris. The debris is tallied on Ocean Conservancy’s standardised data form, then collated and examined to create the annual Ocean Trash Index – a country-by-country, site-by-site, item-by-item record of the most persistent forms of debris. With this we can identify trends in debris density, diversity and sources over time.

Each country or state that hosts the Cleanup has a volunteer Coordinator – they are the backbone of the Cleanup’s growth and success. Today, there are more than 140 Coordinators worldwide, and thousands more making up their on-the-ground support teams; the Hong Kong Cleanup is but one example of the extraordinary individuals and organisations that comprise the global Coordinator network. And this global network has been instrumental in elevating the issue of marine debris and ocean plastics to a level of international concern.

Since the Cleanup’s inception in 1986, more than 11.5 million citizens have dedicated time and effort to remove over 225 million individual debris items, weighing in excess of 99.7 million kilograms. More than 85 per cent of all items collected have been made of plastics. In 2015 alone, 791,345 volunteers in nearly 100 countries catalogued 13,807,220 individual debris items; the Philippines topped the charts with more than 250,000 volunteers turning out to participate!

Due to the large sample and long-term, global nature of the collection, Cleanup data have been an effective tool for educating the public and informing policies and scientific research. In 2016, we published a paper in the journal Marine Policy along with our colleagues at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research

Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia, with the first-ever analysis of how the 20 most common debris items affect three groups of marine creatures: seabirds, marine mammals and sea turtles. Cleanup data provided the foundation on which this research was conducted.

Of all debris types, lost or abandoned fishing gear (i.e. nets, lines, buoys) were found to pose the greatest overall threat to marine wildlife. Given that fishing gear is purposefully designed to catch animals, this result isn’t surprising – but it does suggest that more action is needed to reduce the threat of derelict fishing gear on marine species. The Global Ghost Gear Initiative is an innovative approach to confronting this problem, and Ocean Conservancy is proud to be an active member of this effort.

Plastic bags emerged as the next most impactful item for marine wildlife, with many experts highlighting the tendency of animals like sea turtles to mistake them for food. But other everyday plastic items were also near the top of the list. These included plastic utensils and balloons, the latter of which often have a length of twine attached which can entangle wildlife.

The challenge of plastics in the global ocean is immense, but the solutions will be built on solid science and the concerted efforts of individuals, private businesses and government bodies.

Leading scientists around the world stand ready to work alongside civil society to confront this challenge, and to better understand the sources, fates and impacts of plastic debris to ocean health and human well-being. Doing so is critical if we are to ensure the ocean continues to provide the services and products upon which we all depend.

The time is now for a commitment to collective action. If we succeed, then at a not-too-distant International Coastal Cleanup, we can all gather at the beach only to realise that there is no trash to pick up. We can then simply enjoy a day at the beach alongside our trash free seas.

CENT OF ALL ITEMS COLLECTED AT CLEANUPS “ MORE THAN 85 PER ARE MADE OF PLASTICS ” Ecozine.com

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perspectives

TRAIL RUNNING & ME

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Words by Casey Morgan

ith so many of us living and working in cities, the modernday exercise regime usually involves group fitness classes, gym workouts, city runs or pool swims. All of these are great, but none of them fuel my passion the way trail running does.

I stumbled across the sport of trail running by accident back in 2009. A friend needed a partner to compete in the Transalpine Run, a race from Germany to Italy of around 250 km over eight days, climbing roughly 15,000 vertical metres in the process.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had only taken up running one or two years prior, working my way up to a few marathons. This challenge required a different set of skills. Rather than running for 90-120 minutes in the city, we were running for four or five hours in the Scottish mountains. If you try to run for four hours on the hard surfaces in the city your legs are going to hurt, but in the mountains things are different; the constant variations in surface, gradient, pace and direction mean you can move for much longer without causing the kind of muscular fatigue associated with road running.

Scotland’s natural beauty and the exhilaration of the adventure made me fall in love with these weekend sessions very quickly.

The real magic of trail running is the places it takes you and the people you meet. It’s such an antidote to city living! As we become stressed in our day to day lives, we produce the stress hormone cortisol. Continually elevated levels of cortisol are linked to weight gain, diabetes, immune system disfunction, fertility problems and a whole number of chronic diseases. Trail running reduces these risks by giving the body a release for that cortisol.

Other physical benefits are obvious, such as the cardiovascular and muscular endurance you develop while running for hours on

end in the wilderness. But the psychological benefits are huge too. In order to complete long distances across mountains, the mind develops an ability to overcome the body’s pleas to slow down or to stop. You learn to endure, and to overcome. The sense of achievement that comes afterwards can last a lifetime, and this ability to persevere transfers across into other areas of your life.

Trail runners tend to be pretty determined and driven people!

That first race across the Alps also introduced me to the camaraderie of trail running; people were here to compete, but they were here for so much more than that. This was travel, adventure, sport, socialising and competition all rolled into one, and it was this combination that really got me hooked.

There’s also something deeply satisfying and primitive about moving at speed across wild terrain. I think it really develops a greater appreciation for our environment and our need to do more to protect it. As such, it’s great to see race organisers, such as The Green Race in Hong Kong, taking a lead in contributing to the trail running community with a clear message of sustainability. I hope to work with the team at The Green Race to bring a race with a similar ethos to the UK in the near future!

Seven years after that first race, my involvement in the sport continues to grow. I compete for the Compressport International trail running team and coach athletes from countries all over the world. It’s so rewarding to see people develop, and to know that they’re taking steps along a similar journey of discovery. No matter where I travel to race, the community is always the same.

They may look different and speak a different language, but they always have the same set of standards and passion for nature.

Trail runners are without doubt the most welcoming, warm hearted and genuine people you could wish to meet. Slightly crazy, maybe – but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

“ THERE’S SOMETING DEEPLY SATISFYING AND PRIMITIVE ABOUT

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MOVING AT SPEED ACROSS WILD TERRAIN

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