Liv Magazine December 2016

FITNESS

NUTRITION

WELLBEING

TRAVEL

E CO

S PA

FREE

LIV MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2016 | l i v - m a g a z i n e . c o m

Hamper Time

Baskets of good-for-you goodies

Lather Christms The best natural skincare gifts

Mane Line

Organic hair colour - does it work?

The Doctor is In

Meet the private practices serving Hongkongers in need

Nice, Not Naughty What’s at the top of our wishlist?

Your ultimate guide to a healthy festive season PLUS we’ve got edible treats aplenty up for grabs on page 16!

Sponsored Feature

FUEL YOUR WINTER

Warm up with hearty, healthy dishes at W HONG KONG’s lunch buffet

W

hile the rest of the city’s hotels are serving up rich indulgence for winter, W HONG KONG is taking a different tack and offering healthy interpretations of your favourite comfort foods as part of its lunch buffet at KITCHEN, the hotel’s casual international restaurant.

Think comforting veg-heavy soups, such as tomato and coconut lime, or mushroom and peanut satay, served with spicy lemon and thyme gluten-free bread.

The spicy, Southeast Asian-inspired mains include the seafood laksa with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus and sugar snap peas; the salmon with zucchini tempura, togarashi and baby beets; and the roasted miso gochujang chicken with pak choi and mushroom.

The dishes are all seasonal additions to the regular and ever-popular lunch buffet at KITCHEN.

The Details + 10% service charge (adults) or $174 +10% service charge (children) Available Monday-Friday 12:00-2:30pm Reservations: 3717-2299 For more details and festive pricings, log onto www.w-hongkong.com/kitchen #fuelyourwinter #whongkong

DECEMBER 04 Editor’s Letter

LIV | NEWS 06 It’s a Date

Events for your diary

08 Hot Right Now

New happenings on the wellness scene

10 Fresh Cuts

Dining news that’s good for you

12 Cheat Day

Because #YOLO

14 Reviews

We try a week-long gym and swim pass at W Hong Kong

17 Live Pure Challenge

Adam White reaches the end of his fitness journey with Pure

LIV | STORIES 18 Yule Love It

Our guide to a healthy and happy Christmas

28 One-Click Wonders

Do your Christmas shopping online with these local businesses

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LIV | MORE 34 Food

Healthy hampers to tickle your tastebuds

38 Recipe

Cauliflower fried “rice” from Cadobox

40 Beauty

This year's best pampering gifts

42 Pamper

Organic 23 hair dye by Jean Louis David

44 Travel

A day trip to Daylesford, Australia’s spa country

24

50 Family

Festive treats for your little elves

34

54 Q&A

Mala Uttam, coordinator of The Free Clinic

58 How I Liv

Derek Kwik, Ultrarunner

44

40

EDITOR’S LETTER

JINGLE ALL THE WHEY

It’s the most magical time of the year! Christmas is upon us once again, and nowhere does “festive” quite like Hong Kong.

December is inevitably boozy, with indulgent treats everywhere you look, but if you’re setting a healthier intention this year, our annual Christmas Guide should be able to help you out. We’ve got Christmassy snacks that are healthy, vegan, or suitable for those with allergies. We’ve found top-quality turkeys that are raised consciously and respectfully. And we’ve got more gift ideas than you can shake a candy cane at, from natural skincare to workout gear, upcycled gifts to fitness equipment.

Find it all starting on p.18.

If pannetone leaves you cold, and you find mince pies rather meh, take a look at the health conscious hampers on p.36. These wicked wicker baskets are packed with treats for every kind of wellness nut. Whether it’s coconut oil, gluten-free goodies, artisanal products or fairtrade snacks, we’ve found ‘em all.

If you’re sick of winter already, you might find inspiration with our travel story this month. Our writer heads to Daylesford, Australia’s spa country, for a full day of pampering just outside of Melbourne. Read all about it on p.44.

Thanks for reading Liv and staying healthy and happy with us for 2016. We look forward to serving up more of Hong Kong’s wellness news next year!

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS Got kids to shop for?

Kate Farr has got your back with her roundup of perfect gift ideas for the little people in your life, p.50.

Adam White, has completed his 16-week fitness journey! Read all about his final weigh-in on p.17.

Gayatri Bhaumik hops in a car to explore Daylesford, the spa-centric vacation spot just outside of Melbourne, p.44.

Our travel columnist Kate Springer checks out a new luxury opening in Cambodia, p.48.

Our new contributor Sherry Chou finds the best locally-based healthy websites in need of your clicks on p.28.

SARAH FUNG

Beauty maven Rachel Read picks her favourite beauty gift sets for Christmas, p.40.

PUBLISHER

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Send invites and info to: Makerhive, 10/F, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Kennedy Town PUBLISHER SARAH FUNG SALES MANAGER AILEEN CHAN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STACEY MARCELO ADMINISTRATOR JASMIN BLUNCK GRAPHIC DESIGN TAMMY TAN, CONTRIBUTORS KATE FARR, KATE SPRINGER, ADAM WHITE, SHERRY CHOU, RACHEL READ, GAYATRI BHAUMIK PRINTED BY GEAR PRINTING LIMITED, ROOM B, 3/F, DERRICK INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, 49-51 WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, ABERDEEN ‘‘Liv Magazine’’ Copyright 2016 Liv Media Limited. The content provided here is the property of Liv Media Limited and may not be reproduced in any part without the written permission of the Publisher. The information provided by Liv Media Limited’s contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or the company. The information provided by Liv Media Limited, or its staff, advertisers and contributors is given in good faith; readers should gather more information before making the decision to purchase any goods or services highlighted here. Liv Media Limited will not be held responsible for any action, omission or error resulting from actions taken on the basis of the information provided here. Please seek the approval of a doctor before following any health advice.

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Calendar

IT’S A DATE

DEC 16-FEB 12

IT’S CARNIVAL JAN 7 TIME! GREEN LIGHT The AIA Great European Carnival returns to the Central Harbourfront for two months of rides, games and familyfriendly fun. this year will see an increase in sport- and fitness-related offerings, to encourage families to get moving. $125 per adult, included 10 tokens.

Buy on the door or at www.tgec.asia.

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Ring in the new year with a bracing (but very accessible) run through Braemar Hill with The Green Race. The event starts at Braemar Playground, and comes in 3, 5, 10 and 15k routes. Run solo or as a team or even a family to shake off those Christmas cobwebs and ease into your fitness resolutions.

Learn more at thegreenrace.hk.

Calendar

DECEMBER 11

FAIR ENOUGH

Drop by the Wellness 360 Christmas Holiday Fair on the driveway of Lee Gardens One for an afternoon of browsing the healthiest festive treats Hong Kong has to offer. You’ll find the likes of Cedele, BiteUnite, Petit Bazaar and many more.

10am-7pm, Lee Gardens One, Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay, wellness360hk.com.

UNTIL DEC 15

MING DYNASTY

Pick up an inexpensive lunch and help the needy at the Pei Ho Counterparts pop-up in Lan Kwai Fong, which is running until the middle of the month. The restaurant, run by “Ming Gor,” or Brother Ming, is famous in Sham Shui Po for offering free meals to the elderly and disadvantaged. The social enterprise comes to Central for the first time to offer meals to the lunch crowd for just $32. The net profits will all be donated to the Pei Ho (Ming Gor) Charity Foundation. If you’d like to buy lunch for someone in need, a $24 donation will pay for a meal.

Mon-Fri, 11:30am-2:30pm, 1 Lan Kwai Fong, Central. Learn more at www.peiho.hk (website in Chinese only). .

DEC 10-11

RETREAT WITH US Pull on those yoga pants: we are excited to announce that we are hosting Hong Kong’s first-ever Southside Urban Retreat in partnership with Ovolo Southside! This allinclusive wellness program includes fitness classes, yoga, mindfulness, meditation and healthy meals, and features top instructors from the city’s best gyms, including Pure, Flex and Elite PT. $2,188 (Sat and Sun), $1,488 (Sat) or $788 (Sun). Ovolo Southside, 64 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Wong Chuk Hang. Buy tickets from ticketflap.com/urban-retreat.

DEC 8 AND 14

GET YOUR GIFT ON

With the Christmas crunch drawing ever closer, here’s your chance to snap up some lovely gifts and support some local businesses at the same time. The famous Prestige Christmas Gift Fairs, held every year at the Conrad Hotel, will be jam-packed with festive decorations, accessories, books, gourmet food, beauty products and a whole lot more.

Free. 10am-8pm, Grand Ballroom, Conrad Hotel, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. Learn more at www.prestigefairs.hk.

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Cool Stuff

HOT RIGHT NOW News from the wellness scene

Hello Petal

Shopping for organic skincare in Central just got a whole lot easier, with the recent opening of Peony Skincare, right on Cochrane Street. A haven of natural skincare, with mellow vibes and armchairs for lounging, it carries more than 20 organic, chemical-free beauty brands mostly from the US, all of which contain no preservatives or parabens. You’ll find niche labels including UMA face oils, Violets are Blue and HollyBeth Organics, to name just a few. What’s unique about this place though is that it also offers organic facials in a cozy treatment room to the left as you walk in.

303 Winning House, 10-16 Cochrane St., Central, 2177-7881, www.peonyskincarehk.com.

Sponge On, Sponge Off

Whether you’ve got a big date or a presentation to ace, sometimes a gal just needs her hair and makeup game on point. Enter Sponge, a new hair and beauty service that comes to your home, office or event to offer blowouts, hair styling and makeups in a variety of looks, from sleek blowouts to smoky eyes; power lipstick to chic updos. Just hit the website and book from two hours in advance up to one month before you desired appointment, making Sponge a lifesaver for when you just can’t wing that eyeliner.

Hairdos are $330-$440, makeup is $440 and eyelash extensions are $1,300-$1,800, with more services coming soon. Right now the service is available in Central, Sheung Wan and the Mid-Levels. gosponge.com.

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Cool Stuff

Stone Cold Fox

Looking to simplify your skincare routine? Snow Fox is a brandnew home-grown skincare brand that was originally formulated for hypersensitive skin. Free from parabens, SLS, pthalates, petroleum and other synthetics, the organic formula is designed to be powerful but gentle and non-drying, offering a deep clean without stripping the skin of its natural oils. The cleansing mousse and detox mask are made with peppermint oil, a natural antiseptic and antimicrobial that leaves skin feeling refreshed and pleasantly tingly, while the all-day defense cream is infused with jojoba, macadamia oil and ginseng, which contains antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties.

The entire set is $1,000 and is available at Hair Corner, 1/F, Duke of Wellington House, 14-24 Wellington St., Central, 2522-3311, with more retailers to be announced soon. www.snowfoxskincare.com.

It’s the Business

Co-working spaces just got a whole lot healthier with the launch of Garage Collective in Sai Ying Pun. This immense, 8,000-square-food co-working and events space has your wellbeing in mind, with a pet-friendly policy that lets you bring your pooch to work with you, a vegetarian cafe, and an all-round philosophy of friendly collaboration, eco-awareness and healthconsciousness. With 14 private offices, 21 private desks and 30 hot desks, it has ample room and facilities for startups of all sizes.

158A Connaught Rd. West, Sai Ying Pun, 3952-7400, thegaragesociety.com.

We’ve Got Beautegrity

The demand for organic skincare just keeps getting stronger, and now Beautegrity has entered the market, with a mission to source brands that are all-natural, organic and fully transparent in their ingredient list and production process. Set up by ex-financier Emily Chang, the lineup includes Taiwanese brands Mon Bon Bon and Greenvines; Green Pharmacy from Poland, and Akar Skin, a Tibetan-inspired brand that uses plants that have been wild-harvested from the Tibetan Plateau.

Shop online at beautegrity.com.

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Dining

FRESH CUTS Dining news that’s good for you

SUPERFOODS WITH A VIEW The festive season brings with it endless indulgent meals, but if you’re looking for something that won’t leave you feeling like you’ve overdone it, the folks at Ava Restaurant Slash Bar have come up with a five-course superfood-based fine-dining menu that feels celebratory, tastes delicious, and won’t require you to undo your jeans afterwards. There’s a beetroot and scallop tartare to start, followed by a porcini mushroom veloute topped wiht organic egg. Follow up with a fried black rice with calamari and chorizo and a roasted veal medallion, with an osmanthus ice cream sweetened with honey to finish. It’s $588 per head, Monday-Saturday, excluding certain festive dates.

39/F, 8A Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3550-0262, hotelpanorama.com.hk.

CHOCS AWAY The healthy chocolate bubble seems to be a long way from popping; Nordic brand Goodio has just launched in Hong Kong!

Lovingly made in Helsinki, Finland, this creamy, raw, vegan, dairy-free chocolate is made from sustainably-sourced stoneground beans, cacao butter and coconut palm sugar. To create a range of flavours, Goodio infuses the recipe with organic or wild-harvested flavours such as chai, chili, coconut, coffee, licorice and sea buckthorn, mint and wild blueberry. $78 per bar from qualitarian.co, with more locations to be announced soon. Learn more at www.goodiochocolate.com.

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Dining

PUDDING ON A SHOW Looking for a healthier way to sate that sweet tooth? Try a coconut pudding from So Coco, a coconut dessert that’s free from dairy, preservatives and coconut milk. What’s more, it’s low in sugar at 7.9 grams per 100 grams, suitable for vegans and low in calories too. The puddings are jetted in fresh from Thailand, and are a combination of coconut juice and meat. The pudding is thickened with carrageenan, a vegan alternative to gelatin that’s made from seaweed.

Puddings are $25; right now the company is only accepting orders via Facebook and Whatsapp; find out more at www.facebook.com/sococohk.

WHAT DO HEALTHY PEOPLE EAT?

Céline Ivanoff, PR & Marketing Director, Maximal Concepts

Sum up your food philosophy in a sentence.

The first wealth is health. In my kitchen you will not find any processed food or sugar. Eating healthy is more than your diet. Taking the time to choose your produce and cook for the people you love is a form of meditation to me.

Where do you go for a healthy lunch?

Fish & Meat has a lot of healthy options. I always order the green pea and edamame croquette with a fresh coriander dressing. I also eat at Home and Grassroots Pantry quite often.

The superfood acai breakfast bowls at Mercedes me are my weakness...

What do you eat before and aft er exercising?

What three items do you always have in your fridge?

Before a workout I would probably just I need to change this to four! Smoked have my usual breakfast and a plantcoconut, avocado, fresh probiotic based protein shake. I use Nature’s coconut yogurt from Foodcraft, and Best Pea and Brown Rice protein. After chili - I put chili on everything. exercising, a salad or seafood.I try to eat chicken once a week. I recently started What do you usually have for training at Ultimate Performance and breakfast? my wonderful PT Dhaval is following I start my day with the same breakfast my diet quite strictly! So at the moment every single day, and even try to stick shakes and lots of protein... to it while I am on holiday. Black americano, egg white omelette (with Last meal on earth: what would it be? coconut oil) , avocado and fresh chili, Well, given the fact that it would be my and sometimes some berries last, I would go all out and make it a or grapefruit. four-course meal: oysters to begin with,

followed by a sashimi platter with tons of uni, fresh wasabi and a cold Japanese beer. Then fresh cheese with some toasted walnut bread and a few glasses of the What are your favourite restaurants most full-bodied red when eating out? wine you can find. To My all time favorite has to be Café finish, coconut cake Gray Deluxe at the Upper House. The with Limewood’s service is always on point and the view salted caramel is breathtaking. espresso martini.

What’s your main protein source?

Mostly egg white, beans and seafood.

I do not eat red meat so I need to find ways to compensate.

What do you eat on cheat day?

Cheese from Caprice, with a bottle of Gevrey-Chambertin red wine. Milan, Caprice’s assistant bar manager, is a real gem. He always remembers what my favorite wine is and knows cheese better than most French people.

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Dining

CHEAT DAY

Because life’s too short to always order the salad

NORTHERN BITES Foodies in the know are clamouring to book a table at Frantzén’s Kitchen, a petite bistro-style spot that’s just opened on the corner of Sheung Wan’s Upper Station Street. It’s the first foray outside of Sweden for two Michelin-starred chef Björn Frantzén, who has hot-ticket restaurants all over Stockholm. For his Hong Kong venture, you can expect a fun, casual experience, though the innovative small plates with Asian flourishes wouldn’t be out of place at a multi-course fine-dine.

As is the Scandinavian way, the preparation techniques allow the ingredients to speak for themselves, though unexpected combinations and unusual garnishes keep diners surprised - think roasted hokkaido scallops with Nordic style dashi and spruce pine oil, or a “sushi” with crispy moss and fallow deer. The lightness of the dishes will leave you feeling pleasantly satisfied, not overly full.

11 Upper Station St., Sheung Wan, www.frantzenskitchen.com.

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Slow Roasted Aubergine & Quinoa Salad

Reviews

TEST-DRIVE

Liv checks out the newest workouts and wellness trends

Comfort Zone facial at Paul Gerrard GYM

FIT Membership at W Hong Kong

The Buzz: Though it’s primarily known for hair, Paul Gerrard has a spa and mani-pedi space one floor down from its Pottinger Street salon. It used to carry Dermalogica, but has recently overhauled its menu and brought in Comfort Zone, an all-natural beauty and spa brand from Italy that uses no parabens, silicones mineral oils or animal derivatives, and is highly ethical and sustainable.

The Buzz: The W Hong Kong has opened its top-class gym and swim facilities, FIT and WET, to non-hotel guests, meaning that you can now work out 76 floors up and swim in the hotel’s sky-high outdoor pool.

The Spa: You walk into a large, bright open area

The Experience: As you might expect, everything is swish

The Treatment: The therapist picked the Sublime Skin

and stylish. The changing rooms have spectacular showers, shampoo and soap, by Bliss, a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, and every kind of amenity you can imagine. The gym is packed with up-to-date equipment, including running machines and cross-trainers with TV and internet access so you can browse or watch YouTube videos as you run. You can use the spectacular outdoor heated pool all year long, although it can be breezy at that altitude.

The Verdict: If you’re looking for pool time and pampering

alongside your gym sesh, the W is pretty hard to beat.

West Kowloon may feel far to go for a workout, but with fantastic transport access just outside the Western tunnel, getting there and back is much easier than you think - we timed it at 20 minutes from the W Hotel lobby back to the office in K-Town. Plus, your membership entitles you to a 30-minute treatment each month, five PT sessions valued at $6,000, and a digitized fitness ball that tracks your workout valued at $4,000. You can also get a guest pass for a friend four times a month at $650, 20 percent off selected spa treatments and 15 percent off at the hotel’s dining outlets.

Cost: $42,500 per year, which shakes down to around $3,500 per month.

76/F, W Hong Kong, One Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, www.w-hongkong.com.

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SPA

with Comfort Zone products lining the walls. The reception is to the left and the three treatment rooms are to the right.

Deluxe Lift for us. This treatment uses two peel masks to really brighten, intensely exfoliate and leave tired, rough skin looking radiant. It sounds a bit intense but actually the products are gentle. The resultsdriven treatment managed to also be relaxing, with a sumptuous facial massage.

The Verdict: If you’re looking for an effective facial that is kind to your skin and the environment, Comfort Zone is a great pick. We left the salon looking well-rested and ready to take on the day.

Cost: The Sublime Skin Deluxe Lift is $1,490 for 90 minutes, though 70-minute treatments start at $890.

1/F, Wah Hing House, 35 Pottinger St., Central, 2869-4408, www.paulgerrard.com.

GIVEAWAYS visit liv-magazine.com/giveaways for a chance to win!

WIN: A bag full of goodies from 360 Health and Fitness

Newly launched healthy e-store 360 Health and Fitness is offering up a tote bag jam-packed with healthy treats and snacks, worth $1,023. It contains superfood-packed chocolate bars, instant chia puddings, energy balls, coconut jerky, turmeric latte, almond butter and more.

360healthandfitness.com.

WIN: A vegan gift box from Chemsi and Sow Vegan

WIN: A gourmet hamper from IMPEX Quality Products At Christmas, quality grocery distributor IMPEX offers gorgeous gift hampers stuffed with treats from top quality brands. They contain no less than 18 gourmet products, incuding healthy blueberry nectar, muesli, honey and figs, in addition to traditional festive treats. For festive fun, there’s also a Create-A-Treat gingerbread house kit, which you can buy in Sogo for $168. Each hamper is worth $1,588 and we have two to give away. www.healthy-quality.net.

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Two local health businesses, Sow Vegan and Chemsi, have joined up to create a veganfriendly gift box that combines each of their hero products. Chemsi has put two almond butters into the set, one plain and one Christmassy maple cinnamon flavour, and Sow Vegan’s featured products included dehydrated fruit chips, gingerbread syrup and Christmas granola. The limited-edition sets come in a beautiful wooden box and are worth $399.

We have one to give away! chemsi.co, sowvegan.com.

Enter at liv-magazine.com/giveaways by December 20. We’ll announce the winners before Christmas!

Column

THE LIVEPURE CHALLENGE

#6: WEDDINGS (AND WEIGHTINGS ) Adam White completes his journey from fat to fit with a tailored wellness program with the Pure Group.

I

started out on this journey with Pure Fitness at the beginning of July with a goal: To get fit in time for my wedding. Now the wedding’s done (it was lovely, thank you for asking. The bride looked stunning), and I can look back on the last four months.

When I started, I weighed a schlubby 99 kilos and couldn’t lift anything heavier than a pint glass. Now? Now I’m down to 84 kilos, I can lift far more and I feel better too. Pure’s snazzy InBody analysis machines tell me that I’ve gone from 31% body fat… to 19%. That’s a drop of 15 kilos and 12% body fat in 16 weeks. Not bad, right?

Friends have blanked me in the street because they didn’t recognize me. I can even buy clothes off the rack!

Yes: At the end of this four-month process, I can confidently say that I’ve unlocked the secret to losing weight and getting fitter. And I’ll share it with you: Eat less, work out more.

Sorry. I’ve not found a magic bullet. But I can tell you that it works. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way: 1) It’s hard work. We’re all lazy: myself more than most. But you have to put the time in. You can learn more efficient exercises - stuff that works the large muscle groups, instead of just ripping out bicep curls - but you’ve still got to throw those sneakers on and hit the gym.

2) It’s gonna hurt. Building muscle means breaking down what was there before, and that’s a painful process. I write this the day after a leg workout. It hurts to walk up steps. No wonder people skip leg day.

3) Diet is king. For me, going to the gym wasn’t the problem. It was controlling my diet, and diet makes the biggest difference. Sticking to a low-carb diet has been really, really difficult. It’s been made a little easier by Nood Food’s salads and protein shakes, but for sure it’s been the hardest part of the process.

4) Yoga helps. In the past I’d dismissed yoga as just a bit of stretchin, but the truth is that it’s a killer workout. Give it a go.

5) It’s fun. Well, some of it. I’ve enjoyed the weightlifting: pushing myself and seeing genuine results. I’m no marble-sculpted Adonis just yet, but I have muscles in places I didn’t realise muscles existed. I can deadlift more than my own body weight. I can hold my own at the squat rack. Seeing those gains keeps me interested.

I have one person to thank for this transformation.

Full kudos to my personal trainer Felix: The man who’s dragged me through this process lifting and screaming.

His confidence that I could do it gave me confidence of my own. I owe him big time.

What’s next for me? Back to carbs and the couch!

Well, not really. I can’t waste all this hard work.

Spending a week away from the gym for my wedding genuinely made me miss it! I honestly never thought that would happen.

So I’ll keep working out. Perhaps not quite as intensely as before, and maybe I’ll even let myself eat a big bowl of pasta now and then. But I’ll keep going: keep lifting, keep (occasionally) hitting the treadmill.

Because the truth is, I quite like the new me.

Even if there’s a lot less of me to go around.

LivePure Challenge: Accomplished.

Follow my journey on Twitter/Instagram @adamawhite, #LivePure (or #MakeAdamFitAgain).

Brought to you in partnership with the Pure Group

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Christmas Guide

Who says that the festive season has to mean excess and indulgence? Have a very healthy Christmas with our holiday guide! From snacks to turkeys, gym specials to gorgeous gifts for fitness fanatics, we’ve got it all covered.

The Slice is Right

Graze All Winter

It can be tough for those suffering from food allergies to partake in traditional festive treats, but Cedele's bakery has taken great care to create Christmas goodies everyone can enjoy. For instance, their mince pies ($25 each or $160 for four) contain no egg and are vegetarian-friendly, using a ground almond tart pastry instead of the traditional shortcrust. If you're gluten-free, the flourless chocolate log cake ($350) is free from refined sugar and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. However it may not be suitable for celiacs as it's not made in a gluten-free facility.

KL-based snack company Amazin’ Graze has a gorgeous line of Christmassy treats.

Check out the fruitcake and gingerbread-flavoured granola, mint chocolate almond butter, and chocolate chip cherry and orange cranberry cookies.

Prices start at $50 from www.amazingraze.co.

Available at Cedele bakery cafes citywide, including Shop 2C, Entrance Hall, The Centre, 99 Queen's Road Central, 2567-8919, www.cedelegroup.com.

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Status Quo Local healthy snack brand Quo has released a line of delicious, gluten-free Christmas granola cookies, all shaped like trees, christmas stockings and gingerbread men. They’re made with glutenfree rolled oats, seeds,nuts and festive spices.

ASK THE EXPERT Gira Patel, UK-trained psychiatrist at Dr. Lauren Bramley & Partners

$48 from quohk.com.

Berry Tasty This tart cranberry nectar by Rabenhorst is packed with goodness and contains no added sugar. Drink a little diluted with water to flush your system, or use it as an ingredient in festive cocktails and mocktails - try it with ginger beer and a dash of elderflower cordial. $138 for 750ml from Park N Shop outlets citywide.

Meet Your Matcha Packed with health benefits, matcha, or green tea powder, is a vitamin and antioxidant powerhouse We just love Teapigs’ matcha sets, which come in sachets (14 for $200) or tins ($330 for 30 grams or $600 for 80 grams). Mix with hot water, sling it in a smoothie or stash in your gym bag to level-up your rehydration.

Order online at teapigs.com.hk.

I feel like therapy is something that is only used in Hong Kong for serious depression and psychological problems. Is this true?

If we consider "therapy" as a mental health check-up, I think more people would go - just as they go for physical check-ups. My personal view is that everyone can use a little therapy because we all have issues that can get in our way. Sadly, the stigmatised and untrue view that "you only need therapy if you are crazy" is widespread.

The term 'therapy' can cover a variety of approaches used by mental health professionals when working with people. I often see individuals who seek "therapy" more as a way of taking stock of their lives, seeking guidance and help from an objective and non-judgmental professional for their life problems in a way that they can't obtain from friends, partners or teachers.

Q: Should I go and see a psychiatrist or a psychologist? What is the difference?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in the treatment of mental illness. They carry the title "Dr." because they have a medical degree and they have the right to prescribe medication for treatment of mental illness. Some psychiatrists, like myself, are also qualified to provide psychological treatments. A psychologist is not a medical doctor but may carry that title from having a PhD. They cannot prescribe medication and use primarily psychological treatments for treating mental illnesses or behavioural problems, such as addictions or learning problems. If you think you need professional psychological help, you can speak to your doctor and they can point you in the right direction.

Information presented by Dr. Lauren Bramley & Partners

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Christmas Guide

Pick a turkey more thoughtfully this year, thanks to these outlets that are bringing conscousiouslysourced birds to Hong Kong.

Quality food distributor Waves Pacific is bringing in BN Ranch Heritage Turkeys this year. Raised in America, the turkeys are raised humanely, are fed vegetarian non-GMO grains and are given plenty of space to roam. Order dine-in or to-go at Lily & Bloom, or order direct from Waves Pacific and cook it yourself. wavespacific.com.

Blue Meat Specialist is bringing in free-range turkeys from Australia’s Hunter Valley. They are fed on organic nutrient-rich sorghum grain, which gives them their delicious taste and texture. A cooked turkey is $1,880 for a whole bird or $980 for a half, including all the trimmings - mashed potato, pork stuffing, chorizo Brussels sprouts, gravy and cranberry sauce, with a sweet potato pie to finish.

Alternatively, order a raw turkey for $185 per kilo, and have the butcher prepare it for you for an additional $100.

108 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2613-9286, bluebutcher.com.

Blue Meat Specialist

Neighbourhood butchery Bones & Blades is offering never-frozen four-kilo Kelly Bronze British free-range turkeys, which are multi-award-winning and lovingly raised. A plain turkey is $1,360, while a gluten-free stuffed turkey is $1,500 and a meat-stuffed turkey is $1,700.

Order via email: info@bonesandblades.com. 1 Second St., Sai Ying Pun, 2540-0052, bonesandblades.com.

Order a Mary’s free-range turkey from Porterhouse for a turkey that’s been well cared for in a facility where the animals have plenty of space to roam. They’ve been fed a high-protein, quality diet, and are free from antibiotics, preservatives and hormones, resulting in lean, healthy birds. These frozen birds range in size from 10 to 12 pounds at a price of $845-924.

Available from www.porterhouse.com.hk.

20

Christmas Guide

Ultimate Health Kick Looking to really stick to those New Year’s Resolutions? Ultimate Performance, known for its transformative fitness programs, is offering a seriously intense 14-day festive package for $8,888, which includes 10 PT sessions, weekly body fat testing, a fully personalised workout and nutrition plan, your own personal trainer to answer all your fitness and nutrition questions, and before and after photos so you can see the difference your hard work has made. Not only will this package kick your fitness campaign into high gear, you’ll also be equipped with the knowledge to continue those good habits for the rest of the year. Need a bit more? UP is also offering a 16-session package over 28 days for $14,888. All sessions need to be taken between 8am-noon or 2-5pm. Deal valid until January 31.

3/F, Unicorn Trade Centre, 127-131 Des Voeux Rd. Central, 2798-9000, upfitness.com.hk.

Charge Up Here’s a truly excellent Christmas gift from Pure: the Power Pack is a month-long, all-access pass to every Pure Fitness and Pure Yoga location in Hong Kong. The pack also contains a $200 voucher for Nood Food, two guest passes for friends, and a 10 percent off voucher for Pure Apparel. It’s $1,288 for the whole lot, of which $200 will be donated to InspiringHK Sports Foundation, which empowers local underprivileged youths through sports.

More details at pure-yoga.com or pure-fitness.com. Or just walk into a gym or studio and ask the staff.

Shake that Asphodel Christmas coincides with Reebok CrossFit Asphodel’s 6th anniversary, and to celebrate they’re offering 60 percent off packages for new customers. If your SO has been banging on about starting CrossFit for months, buy them this special-rate package, which includes two months of unlimited classes, plus on-ramp (the course all beginner CrossFitters have to complete), for $2,480 (regular price $6,200).

G/F Fook Hing Building, 33 Lee Chung St., Chai Wan, 3568-7719, crossfitasphodel.com.

22

Christmas Guide

2

3

1

4 5

1 Beach

Babes

Prep for the (eventual) return of warmer weather with the sandrepelling blanket (L, $599) and pretty cooler bag (R, $349) that’ll keep your picnic cool and stylish.

3

Smells Like Christmas Spirit

can power up your gadgets. It takes rechargeable or standard AA batteries, or you can plug it into a power source.

Fill your home with the scent of $169 from Protrek outlets citywide, Christmas with this Mame Luxury soy including Shop A5-2, UG/F, Available from Escapade Sports, candle. It’s infused with the scent of Far East Finance Centre, 1/F, Merlin Building, cinnamon, clove and firewood for a 16 Harcourt Rd., Admiralty, 30-34 Cochrane St., Central, 2662-1122, www.protrek.com.hk. natural festive aroma that’s not too 2851-0769, www.escapade.com.hk. sweet. The candles are made with 5 So Handy hand-poured soy wax for a cleaner 2 Ooh La La burn, and can last for 60-80 hours.

This beautiful juniper and sage hand Get mindful and help a good cause Even better, they’re well-priced at $220 and body wash by Fig + Yarrow with La La Land, a made-in-Hong making them an affordable treat. contains wild-harvested extracts in Kong colouring book, featuring a planet-friendly formulation that $220 from Caelum Greene, works from some of the most 90-92 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, keep hands clean without being harsh prominent names in Hong Kong’s 2548-1827, caelumgreene.com. or overly drying - it’s a moment of creative industry. pampering that you can enjoy every $388, with 85 percent of proceeds 4 Charge Up day, particularly if you wash your going to Ronald McDonald House hands a lot. the juniper and sage Out camping? Never get left without Children’s Charity. Available at Lane aroma is pleasantly woody without Snapchat again with this charging Crawford stores citywide, including being overpoweringly Christmassy. station lantern, which simultaneously 3/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, provides ambient, adjustable light and $230 from gooseberrybeauty.com.

2118-3388.

24

This Rocks Ace your Christmas card game and raise funds for a great local charity with these festive cards from the Lion Rock Press. Proceeds from sales of the Hong Kong-centric designs will go to Mother’s Choice, which offers adoption and counselling services for women and girls facing crisis pregnancies, as well as reproductive health education.

The cards are $25 each or $100 for 10, and are available from thelionrockpress.com.

So Crafty Indulge in some mindful Christmas crafts with this fool-proof Paper Lover’s Book from kikki.K. It contains pages of miniature wreaths, paper Christmas trees, greeting cards and gift tags, all of which you press out and assemble yourself - you get all the satisfaction of crafting without the risk of it all going pear-shaped. $220 from Kikki.K, Shop 220, 2/F, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Rd., Central, 2116-0870, www.kikki-k.com.

25

Christmas Guide

Flawless is More Get looked after from top to toe with the “Flawless Experience� at Flawless. It includes a bespoke facial, a 30-minute massage, a mani-pedi and complimentary bubbly while you get your talons seen to. The whole experience is $1,960.

4/F, Sea Bird House, 22-28 Wyndham St., Central, 2869-5868, www. flawless.hk.com.

26

Christmas Guide

Salty Wet

Melo Out

If you’ve always wanted to give floating a go, Float On’s festive package entitles you to three hour-long float sessions for $1,350 - that’s $450 for an hour’s floating. The epsom salts contain magnesium for improved sleep, the floating sensation can provide relief from aches and pains, and the darkness and weightlessness of the pod can help to calm a busy mind.

Treat yourselves to a winter staycation at the Hyatt Regency Shatin. For $2,371, you can get a one-night stay at the hotel, plus buffet breakfast for two and your choice of either a 60-minute elemis resurfacing peel facial (value at $1,280), a 60-minute aromatherapy massage (valued at $1,00) or $800 spending credit to use on any treatment you like.

Offer is valid until Dec 31.

89 Caine Rd., Mid-Levels, 2548-2844, www.floatonhk.com.

18 Chak Cheung St., Sha Tin, 3723-1234, hongkongshatin. regency.hyatt.com.

Delight your love with

Pick Your Gifts Now on Our Online Boutique #kikihealth #terreverdi #livingnaturallysoapnuts urbangreenosophy.com 27

Shopping

One-Click

Wonders

Take your Christmas to-do list online with these local online shops. By Sherry Chou.

TREE The city’s original eco furniture store goes online.

Hong Kong’s beloved eco-chic furniture store TREE is dedicated to sustainable home living by offering responsibly sourced solid wood furniture and decorative items. Celebrate Christmas in eco-friendly style via its newly launched online shop. Its seasonal decorations follow the same green ethos. From tabletop Santas to pinecone wreaths, these boughs of jolly are a wonderful and guilt-free way to deck the halls. $65-$495 from www.tree.com.hk.

Inspire A curated collection from ethical companies.

Everything from online retailer Inspired will give back to the planet as well as the community that made it. These fair trade bags ($130-$380) are from Smateria, a social enterprise based in Cambodia. Handmade with upcycled materials including fishing nets and black plastic bags, these carryalls are the epitome of eco-chic. www.inspired-collection. com.

WWF Panda Shop Qualitarian An awesome edit of the latest health products.

Online retailer Qualitarian curates high-quality products at a reasonable price. It has a vast selection of delicious gifts for your vegetarian friends.

For instance, Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom Coffee ($115) is a natural productivity and brain booster with only half of the regular amount of caffeine www.qualitarian.co.

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Upcycled products and lovely gifts for kids.

Opt for a meaningful holiday gift for adults and children alike at Panda Shop by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Its products act as educative tools to gear people toward a more ecoconscious lifestyle. All revenue will support WWF-Hong Kong’s ongoing conservation and education efforts. The Green Christmas Hampers are available in five sizes ($149-$1,499) and consist of assorted eco-friendly items and fair trade food such as bamboo fibre towels and organic tea. www.wwf.org.hk/en/your_support/ pandashop/.

Shopping

Whatever It Takes Performance gear by niche brands.

With a presence in London, Dubai and Hong Kong, Whatever It Takes (WIT) is a training specialist retailer that works tirelessly to source emerging fitness brands worldwide.

These simple, sleek SuperFabric Trainers (below right, $1,150-$1,350) and the robust duffel bag (below, $1,600) from NOBULL are designed to withstand the elements and trends for a functional fitness gift that’ll last for years.

T8 Fitness

wit-fitness.hk.

Workout equipment and rehab gear.

T8 Fitness offers a wide range of fitness, rehab, pilates and yoga products to help you achieve health objectives. This year, its best-selling grip socks from ToeSox get a festive makeover - these budget-friendly stocking fillers ($160) come in two Christmassy designs, green pine tree print, and plain red with gold studs. Needless to say, these non-slip socks will make your postChristmas workout all the more merrier! www.t8fitness.com.

Skin SOS treatment for Acne (1) - Chemical Peel

By Dr. Szeto King Ho Director, Hong Kong Emergency Medicine Centre

Acne is not dangerous, but it can damage your confidence, and in severe cases, lead to scarring. AHA peeling, fractal lasers and high intensive focus ultrasound (HIFU) are all clinically proven treatment modalities available to sufferers.

WHAT IS ACNE? Our pores are connected to oil glands located under the skin. the glands are connected to the pores via follicles small canals. The glands produce an oily liquid known as sebum, which carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin. Pimples form when these follicles get blocked, resulting in an accumulation of oil under the skin.

When these follicles get blocked, resulting in an accumulation of oil under the skin.

HOW AHA PEELS CAN HELP Administered by a doctor using a unique AHA (AlphaHydroxy Acid) formula, an intensive peel can remove thick, dead skin, improve the condition of underlying skin, improve the appearance of skin aging, acne, acne scars, pigmentation and other skin complaints within 10 minutes. A peel can help to maintain a healthy skin renewal cycle, stimulate collagen production, prevent clogged pored and improve skin elasticity and health. Simple and sage, there is no downtime and patients can return to work within 10 minutes.

International studies show a 45-50 percent reduction in acne lesions after a series of four to six peels.

Call our 24 - hour hotline:

65118000

info@emchk.com

www.emchk.com

The Hong Kong Emergency Medicine Centre is accredited by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) and the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM)

29

Shopping

PhatRice The ultimate conscious shopping marketplace.

Spreading the love by donating a portion of profits to charitable partners, PhatRice curates creative products with inspirational stories behind them.

For every pair of the Troubadour headphones ($1,396) sold, LSTN helps restore hearing to a person in need through the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The Alma infinity scarf ($252), lovingly knitted by women in China’s Yunnan Province, hails from DeepGreen, an organisation that rehabilitates and empowers women who have escaped abusive circumstances. www.phatrice.com.

Urban Greenosophy Raw, vegan superfood supplements and skincare.

Part of every purchase from Urban Greenosophy will be donated to organisations that are serving our society and preserving nature. Its freshly launched gift sets, “Delight HER,” “Delight HIM” and “Choice of YOURS” ($588 each) consist of organic superfood, skincare and beauty items from KIKI Health, Terre Verdi and Living Naturally, all made in the United Kingdom and certified by organic associations. www.urbangreenosophy.com.

MS Organic HK Fair-trade and ethical beauty.

Specialising in chemical- and cruelty-free skincare, MS Organic HK only carries products that are safe for you and the environment. The Holiday Gift Set ($280) consists of skincare samplers produced by aromatica, Korea’s no.1 toxin-free beauty brand. The Clay Mask and Moisturizer Set ($913) from Alitural is perfect for post-party recovery. Free from synthetic detergents or preservatives, Dr. Bronner’s Shikakai Soap and Body Lotion Set ($276) cleanses and moisturises your skin while imparting a calming lavender scent. msorganichk.com.

360 Health and Fitness One-stop shop for healthy snacking.

Founded by a certified health coach, 360 Health and Fitness solves all your food dilemmas with healthy and delicious culinary products.

These cutely packaged powdered supplements ($375 each) from US brand Moon Juice will increase your energy levels during the day and calm your mind before bedtime. They’re vegan-friendly too.

360healthandfitness.com.

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ULTIMATE

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Results, not promises.

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Shopping

HULA Reselling platform for fashion insiders.

Freshly launched online store HULA resells authentic designer brand items, worn once or never worn, from invite-only fashion industry insiders. What makes it even better is that at least 5 percent of its profit will be donated to partnered charities. A fool-proof gift idea, the Chanel card wallet ($1,800) is a perfect pick that’s far more eco-friendly than buying new. Or, go for the Lanvin heart print pouch ($800) or Stella McCartney’s sunglasses ($1,350). thehula.com.

HOLENGA Eco-friendly, local-made, design gifts.

Based in Hong Kong, HOLENGA makes you feel good and look good with fashionable eco-friendly designs.

The eye-catching Christmas Special Travel Set and Pouch Set ($350 each) are crafted from cruelty-free PU leather and are only produced on demand to minimise waste. Another signature item is the ECO Can Plus ($163) which is made of PLA (Poly Lactic Acid), a plant starch extract mostly derived from corn!

The online exclusive version comes with an adorable kitten PU leather sleeve. www.holenga.com.

Myprotein Protein-based gifts for the gym bunny in your life.

Myprotein is Europe’s largest online sports nutrition brand that recently launched its Hong Kong online store.

Especially for Christmas, the Weight Loss Bundle ($806) makes an ideal gift for those determined to stick to those New Year’s Resolutions, while the Women’s Transform Bundle ($1,358) is perfect for burning fat and building muscle. Perfect for gym bunnies. www.myprotein.com.hk.

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Cabanee Festive beauty gifts galore.

Curating luxury organic and natural beauty products carefully selected from all over the world, Cabanee has launched its Christmas Pampering Gift Sets. Penny Frances Apothecary’s Voyager Travel Kit ($850), made in Canada, will take you on a journey of botanical beauty. Verite Spa Organics’ Jasmine & Vanilla Nourishing Body Butter and Body Polish set ($780), made in New Zealand, will ensure a relaxing and nourishing pamper session between Christmas parties. www.cabanee.com.

2016 PRESTIGE

CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOWCASE Thursday 8 December - 10am-8pm Grand Ballroom Conrad Hong Kong Free Admission - Open to Public

www.

.hk

Gourmet Skin Bar Gorgeous natural skincare with a story.

Gourmet Skin Bar is an inspiring and easy way to purchase from some of the world’s best natural indie beauty labels. For Christmas, all orders will be presented in special holiday gift packaging. Its bestselling face oils and serums, including MUN’s No.1 Aknari Serum ($815) and Kahina’s Argan Oil ($795), are a great cornerstone of any beauty ritual. Plus, the cult matte lipstick from Nudus is back in stock so head online and shop your heart out. gourmetskinbar.com.

2016 PRESTIGE

CHRISTMAS GIFT FESTIVAL Wednesday 14 December - 10am-8pm Grand Ballroom Conrad Hong Kong Free Admission - Open to Public

www.

.hk

Sponsored by:

33

Food

WICKER WICKER WOW Our pick of the season’s best health-conscious festive hampers.

Ethical Elves Ensure that your hamper is all fairly traded this year with a gift from Fair Taste. This company works with local and overseas fairtrade brands to create hampers that benefit social enterprises or provide good conditions for its workers. A lot of FairTaste’s products are also healthy and/or organic.

Fairtasteshop.com.hk.

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Food

Punch Above Your Weight The holiday hampers by Punch Detox are always a gorgeously curated collection of healthy treats.

Think raw chocolate, olive oil, granola, toiletries, nut butters, tea, organic wine‌ and a juice cleanse voucher to kick-start your new year. $1,980 (L) or $980 (S). Order online at punchdetox.com.

Boxing Day Artisanal food distributor Crafted 852 has launched Christmas in a Box, featuring a regularly rotating lineup of gourmet products from small-scale producers from Hong Kong and overseas. Any given set can include anything from tea, honey and cordial to gourmet popcorn, all presented in a stylish, minimalist box. $550 from www.crafted852.com.

Shop Local Local food brands Chemsi nut butters and Sow Vegan plant-based snacks are joining forces to create a tasty hamper filled with locally-made treats. Chemsi offers a jar of original almond butter and a jar of cinnamon maple almond butter, while Sow Vegan has included a jar of pistachio cranberry granola, a gingerbread spiced syrup and a packet of dehydrated fruit chips. Only 50 hampers will be made available from December 1 onwards. $399 from chemsi.co and www.sowvegan.com.

35

Food

Go Nuts

Spice-in-a-box

Got a friend who’s loco for coco? Coconut Matter’s seasonal hampers are packed with everything coconut you can think of. Their deluxe wellness gift box includes a big jar of coconut oil, coconut vinegar, coconut amino sauce, lip balm, soap, coconut sugar and dessicated coconut.

Spicebox Organics will pretty much pack anything you like into a hamper, but if you’re short on inspiration, this pre-made basket should do the trick. It contains mulled wine spice, baking spice, a nut butter of your choice, assorted gluten-free cookies, baking mix and red lentil rotini, red wine, truffle sauce and ladoos, a type of indian dessert.

$1,088 from coconutmatter.com.

Gluten, Begone!

Got a friend who’s celiac? Marks & Spencer has a fab gluten-free hamper that includes a Christmas pudding, beer, chocolate cookies, crackers, cocoa and tortillas. $249 from Marks & Spencer outlets citywide, including 22-28 Queen's Road Central, 2921-8323, marksandspencer.com.hk.

Uphealth_JobAd_20Nov2016_op.pdf

36

1

20/11/16

9:05 pm

$870 from Spicebox Organics outlets citywide, including $50 from Spicebox Organics, 72 Third St., G/F, Shop K, Fook Moon Building, Sai Ying Pun, 2568-2728, spiceboxorganics.com.

Food Coconut Matter

Marks & Spencer

SoHolistic is a friendly healing centre in the heart of SoHo. Our range of holistic and esoteric services supports the well-being of your mind, body and spirit.

holistic hypnotherapy & wellness counselling

psychic/spiritual readings

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crystal bed for chakra balancing

kinesiology renowned international visiting practitioners

energy healing tarot readings

www.soholistic.asia

www.facebook.com/soholistic/

2810-8694

37

Food

HEALTHY RECIPE

CAULIFLOWER QUINOA FRIED “RICE” By meal delivery service Cadobox (www.eatcadobox.com)

(Serves three) This low-GI recipe is a nutritious alternative to fried rice, with protein coming from the egg and quinoa. It’s also contains a hearty serving of vegetables.

PREP TIME: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

• 3 heads cauliflower

1. Remove the cauliflower stems and use a food processor to blend the florets into fine grains. If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the cauliflower heads instead.

• 150g raw quinoa • 3 eggs • 300g prawns • Yellow and red bell peppers (one of each), diced

TIP: Don’t have quinoa in the cupboard?

Substitute brown rice instead.

• 75g green beans, about a handful • ¼ green cabbage • ½ diced onion • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped • 1 tbs ginger, finely chopped • Spring onion to taste • 2 tbs soy sauce • 1 tbs rice wine • 1 tsp sesame oil

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2. Cook the quinoa in a large pan of water for 15 minutes. Drain and discard excess water.

3. Add 1 tbsp oil to a pan on medium high heat. Add onion, ginger and garlic and pan-fry for five minutes.

4. Add the prawns, green beans, cabbage and bell peppers to the frying pan for about 10 minutes, until cooked thoroughly.

Then add the rice wine and soy sauce and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat and set aside.

5. Heat the quinoa and cauliflower together in a frying pan for around five minutes.

6. Add prawns and vegetable mix to the cauliflower rice. Mix well.

7. Add soy sauce and sesame oil to taste and plate it up. Garnish with spring onion.

Beauty

Rachel Read rounds up the best beauty gift sets of the season and makes no judgements if you keep them all for yourself.

Nailed It

Make sure the holiday season is all polished up with Deborah Lippmann’s Family Jewels set, which includes three gorgeous nail lacquers in rich hues of rose gold, blood red and glittering gilt that are fit for a queen. These cruelty-free polishes tick all our non-toxic boxes - they’re proudly 5-Free, which means they don’t contain chemical nasties DBP, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and camphor. $190, available at JOYCE Beauty stores citywide, including Lane Crawford IFC, 8 Finance St., Central, 3572-0364, www.joyce.com/beauty

The Bee’s Knees

Burt’s Bees are pioneers in the green beauty game, advocating natural, eco-friendly, cruelty-free ingredients long before it became an industry trend.

Their Hydration Plus set features a silky body lotion, treatment mask and nourishing water, all starring the super moisturising plant extract clary sage. Yep, this trio will help you say goodbye to dry for good. $299, available at FACES Ocean Terminal and Lab Concept Admiralty, and selected Mannings stores, www.burtsbees.com.hk.

Stars In Their Eyes

BareMinerals The Wish List eyeshadow palette is living proof that neutral doesn’t have to mean boring.

Long lasting, beautifully blendable and packed with pigment, these 12 shades will take you from day to night, work to play and everywhere in-between. Made with zero parabens, binders, fillers or harsh chemicals, this palette is eye-catching for all the right reasons. $420, available at SOGO Causeway Bay, FACESSS Ocean Terminal or Beauty Avenue Langham Place, www.bareminerals.com.hk.

40

Beauty

Lush Life

Champions of all things eco and ethical, Lush’s Christmas goodies always hit the sweet spot between fun and functional - like this psychedelic Party Time gift set. Stuffed with pampering treats including a shower cream, exfoliating scrub, body conditioner and soap bar in all sorts of deliciously seasonal scents, there’s never been a better reason to get your bathroom rave on. $510, available at Lush stores citywide including Soho Square, 21 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 39150638, hk.lush.com.

FrankinFabulous

If it’s good enough for baby Jesus, it’s good enough for us. Take a leaf out of the Three Wise Men’s books and give the gift of frankincense this Christmas (it has fantastic skin rejuvenating properties donchaknow). Neal’s Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense gift set promises to supercharge any skincare routine, with an organic cleanser, cream and concentrate that are clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. $1.200, available at 10/10 HOPE in LAB Concept Admiralty and Eslite stores citywide, hk.1010hope.com

Simply Spavellous We wish rest and relaxation could be sold by the bottle… but until that gets invented, a trip to The Oriental Spa at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental is probably the next best thing.

Win some major beauty brownie points by snagging a gift card to the value of the treatment you’d like your loved one to enjoy (which automatically includes access to all the spa’s luxurious heat and water facilities); we’re eyeing the new machine-based DNA Rejuvenation Facial, which promises to lift, tone and firm your complexion thanks to Aromatherapy Associates’ award-winning natural ingredient-infused lotions and potions. Also includes a divine scalp, neck and head massage.

90-minute DNA Rejuvenation Facial treatment costs $2,200 Mon-Thu; $2,500 Fri-Sun (plus 10% service charge) Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 15 Queen’s Road Central, 2132-0011, www. mandarinoriental.com/ landmark/spa.

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Pamper

REVIEW

by Jean Louis David THE BUZZ: Worried about the effect hair dye has on your chemical load? Jean Louis David’s new Organic 23 hair colouring formula is free from ammonia and peroxide. Instead, the formula is a blend of yogurt, fruits and other natural ingredients to colour your hair. It’s also perfect for those with sensitive and irritable scalps.

THE SALON: With more than 1,200 salons worldwide, Jean Louis David is Europe’s number one hairdressing brand. JLD launched its flagship salon in Hong Kong last year and recently relocated to Manning House, Queen’s Road Central. The salon has a modern, sleek feel and offers hair and nail services, specialising in techniques such as Balayage and Maches highlighting. However the real stars of the show are JLD’s highly talented, multicultural team who speak seven languages between them and offer friendly, attentive service.

THE TREATMENT: I was asked to send a photo of myself before my appointment so that head stylist, Alfio Faro, could prep the ingredients. The treatment starts with Alfio pouring plain yogurt, a bottle of his signature Organic 23 formula and shaved dark chocolate into a blender. I’m brunette so dark 42

chocolate was used. Key ingredients for blondes and redheads are banana and cherries respectively.

After a good blend, he got to work adding the colour to my hair, section by section. Next was a 20 minute wait while the colour set.

THE BEST BIT: The massage chairs added that extra bit of relaxation during a very luxurious shampoo and deep conditioning session. We felt very pampered!

THE VERDICT: Once my hair was blow dried I could instantly see my hair was in much better condition.

There was a real shine and softness that wasn’t there before. The treatment managed to strip my hair of the coppery tone from too much chemical dying in the past and I was left with a soft medium brown colour that suited my skin tone better.

However, it was not able to completely cover white hairs in the first treatment. I was told an additional session was needed.

COST: Organic 23 colour treatment starts at $1,500.

Jean Louis David, Shop 2, Manning House, 48 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2997-9828, www.jeanlouisdavid.com.hk.

Travel

DESTINATION DAYLESFORD

Lavendula Lavender Farm

Just 90 minutes northwest of Melbourne, Daylesford is Australia’s spa country, offering top-notch pampering experiences, despite being little-known outside of Oz. Gayatri Bhaumik goes on a one-day tour of its sumptuous spas.

S

tanding in a field of lavender on a perfect summer day, I could be in the idyllic French countryside. Instead, I’m in Australia’s spa country. Just outside of Melbourne, Daylesford - and its neighbouring towns - are famous for their healing mineral waters. People have been “taking the waters” of Daylesford since the mid-1800s, though hardly anyone outside of Australia has heard of it.

44

The area fell out of favour with the crush of the Great Depression and two world wars, but better transport and burgeoning interest in a healthier lifestyle rejuvenated the sleepy town in the 1970s.

Now Daylesford, the central town in the spa country, is home to some 3,500 permanent residents, many of whom are actively involved in the health and

Travel

Shizuka Ryokan retreat

wellness industry. The area truly comes to life on weekends and holidays when visitors from all over Australia and beyond flock to Daylesford and its surrounding towns of Hepburn Springs and Shepard's Flat to get some serious R&R. My getaway into wellness begins at the Lavendula Swiss-Italian Lavender Farm (www. lavendula.com.au). A Provencal-style estate nestled amid rolling green hills, Lavendula invites visitors to kick back in full relaxation mode. Today, some guests lounge in the sweeping gardens, enjoying the lush greenery, hidden arbour and inquisitive farm animals, while others (like myself) step into La Trattoria, a charming stone loggia that dishes up regional food and wine laced with produce grown on the farm. I even get a behind-the-scenes look at the property’s still room where the farm’s range of lavender-infused products are made. The visit is a soothing way to ease into the day - and the lavender scones don’t hurt either!

With its mineral-rich spring waters, bathing is a quintessential Daylesford experience. So my wellness experience continued at the Mineral Spa (www. mineralspa.com.au), a stylish, intimate oasis offering Lake Daylesford

The Mineral Spa

luxe spa treatments. The highlight here is The Retreat, the exclusive water therapy zone. An hour is just enough time to enjoy the hot and cold mineral plunge pools, bake in the essential-oil infused European basalt stone sauna, and clear the sinuses in the wet steam room. By the time my hour’s up, I’m curled up in a massaging recliner - freshly brewed tea in hand - and very reluctant to leave.

Fortunately, I don’t have far to go. A few minutes’ drive brings me to Body Origami (www. bodyorigami.com.au) a quaint wellness centre where therapist Sandi Jones offers holistic treatments that combine massage techniques with mindfulness practices. Clients often work with Sandi on long-term personalised programs, though standalone treatments are also available.

The session begins with Sandi gauging my overall wellbeing and offering advice on how to improve it. The massage, while rejuvenating, is almost incidental; I leave armed with a fresh sense of purpose on how to best look after my body and mind - meditation, apparently, is the way to go.

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Travel

There's never a bad time to visit Daylesford! In the winter, soak in the mineral baths, nourish yourself with great food, and curl up by the fireplace in a cozy guesthouse.

In summer, enjoy the outdoors by exploring all the walking trails and indulging in the excellent wine and produce the area creates. There's always a farmer's market or craft exhibition to explore, and throughout the year you'll find festivals like the Antique & Vintage Fair, the Hanging Rock Races, and the Macedon Ranges Wine & Food Festival.

On Sandi’s recommendation, I head for Cliffy’s Emporium (www. cliffysemporium.com.au) to refuel. Since 1955, this Daylesford institution has been a choice purveyor of delicious local produce. After sampling the signature hash brown - a not-so-healthy snack topped with cheddar, bacon, eggs and chipotle hollandaise - and stocking up on a few takehome treats, I’m ready for Daylesford’s most famous attraction: its lake.

Since 1930 Lake Daylesford has drawn locals and visitors who come to enjoy its tranquillity. Calm blue waters and lush greenery provide safe havens for local birdlife, and secluded lakeside nooks are idyllic spots for picnics. I get my cardio for the day wandering the Peace Mile walking track. The tranquil, tree-lined path wraps around the whole lake and takes just 30 minutes to complete.

To round off the day of wellness, I visit Shizuka Ryokan (www. shizuka.com.au). A traditional Japanese guesthouse operated by husband-and-wife team Peter and Marg McConvill, the tranquil, adultsonly retreat gives guests a chance to truly unplug from the world with minimalist ryokan-style rooms and indulgent spa rituals. It’s not really a day spa type of place, but Marg has made an exception so I can try her signature Geisha Facial. Fully trained and qualified, Marg makes the pampering skincare products herself, and the 60-minute treatment leaves your skin thoroughly soft and rejuvenated.

Deeply regretting that I hadn’t planned to stay overnight, I start driving back to Melbourne as the sun slips towards the horizon. It’s really only been a few hours, but it’s clear why Daylesford and its surroundings are often called the wellness centre of Australia. With its tranquil setting, fresh gourmet produce, and wide range of wellness experiences, Daylesford is the antidote to our busy lives - even if it’s just a day trip.

Body ORigami

With no big-name hotels in the area, most guests stay in self-contained cottages, B&Bs, guesthouses and the like. Some of the bigger and most popular are The Lake House (www.lakehouse.com.au), Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel (www.mineralspringshotel.com.au) and The Manor House (www.thehousesdaylesford.com).

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Travel

TRAVEL WELL with Kate Springer

48

REAP THE BENEFITS

A QUICKIE IN QATAR?

Open-air villas, timber roofs, sunsets from a 50-meter infinity pool... from the sounds of it, the new Phum Baitang, a Zannier hotel, aims to be the new go-to luxury getaway in Siem Reap.

Opened in September, the hotel is designed to feel like a green village, complete with traditional Cambodian design, swaying palm trees and a spacious Temple Spa, yoga pavilions and gardento-table dining. And with just 45 villas across 8 hectares of rice paddies and gardens, this newcomer might deliver on its promise to be the city’s sexiest new hotel - or at the very least, offer a refreshing new way to experience Siem Reap.

If you fancy a little weekend getaway to Qatar - now’s the time! In an effort to put Doha on your bucket list, Qatar Airways and the Qatar tourism department just introduced a new policy that enables travellers to spend up to four days in the country visa-free. In the past, travellers from 33 countries could pay about US$30 for a one-month tourist visa, but as of November, travellers of any nationality can apply for a complimentary transit visa to encourage stopovers. The fine print: You need to have a layover of more than five hours and a connection via Hamad International Airport.

Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia. (+855) 63-961-111, www.phumbaitang.com.

Learn more at transitvisa.qatarairways.com/ transitvisa.

Travel

HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY!

Time it: 40 seconds on, 20 seconds rest.

Perform each exercise twice before moving on.

1. Bodyweight Lunges

2. Burpees

3. Hand-to-elbow Plank

5. V-Sits

6. Pushups

Repeat. Rest one minute.

4. Jump squats

Christmas is just around the corner, which means that pies, roasts, and an abundance of mulled wine will likely make its way onto your calendar. In the throes of the holiday festivities, it can be difficult to tear yourself from the leftovers and hit the gym. I feel you. Here’s a modified workout for jet-setters over the holidays, compliments of F45 director Stevun Vongtongtip. Dubbed “Gravity,” the highintensity interval training workout requires zero weights or equipment - all you need is half an hour and a dash of self-discipline.

Repeat. And you’re done. Break out the mulled wine!

Kate Springer is an Asia travel expert based in Hong Kong. Tag along on her adventures at Wish You Were Here (wywhere.com), or find her on Instagram and Twitter @KateSpringer.

PRESENTS

Escape to Thailand for an eco-friendly, cross-cultural celebration of art, music and life.

A diverse music lineup including Lianne La Havas, Rudimental and Shura

A 4-DAY celebration of the arts

Stunning art installations built from reclaimed materials and spectacular theatrical performances

THE FIELDS At Siam Country Club. Pattaya, Thailand

Creative, mindful activities including yoga, meditation and martial arts

16 -19 FEBRUARY 2017

Camp Wonder for kids with parkour, messy play and storytelling World-class cuisine including locally sourced delights freshly foraged from the onsite farm Luxurious on-site glamping options including fan-cooled and air-conditioned Bell and Safari tents, with beds, bedding and electricity provided

LIVE. LOVE. WONDER.

Tickets and info at www.wonderfruitfestival.com

49

Family

Elfy Little H

aving yourself a merry little Christmas doesn’t have to mean maxing out on chocolate and mainlining TV box sets. Here are a few crafty, ethical and downright covetable gifts to stuff in Santa’s (organic cotton) stocking this Christmas.

By Kate Farr.

Boxing Day

Transform a simple cardboard box into the best Christmas present ever.

Makedo kits are packs of reusable tools and fastenings that bring any old box to spectacular life, enabling kids to make absolutely anything that their heart desires. Bonus parent hack - if you’re caught on the hop

by Book Week/Halloween/fancy dress parties, this kit is a last-minute costume lifesaver. Just add cardboard.

Costs from AU$13.50 (HK$79.60); buy online at int.make.do.

Boot Up

Donsje Amsterdam shoes are made from supple nubuck leather, padded for comfort and come with grippy, pre-roughened soles, meaning your newly-mobile sprout stays planted firmly on the pavement where they belong. Carefully crafted by Indonesian artisans to allow your child’s feet to develop and grow properly, these fairtrade cutie booties have secure fastenings, allowing you to bid farewell to those “Argh, we’ve lost another one!” moments of parental panic.

$430-$580; available from sooqcentral.com.

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That’s Amaze’ing

Lure the kiddos away from Pokémon with the promise of some hands-on crafting with a high-tech twist. Seedling’s brand-new MAZE VR range may look like simple wooden craft kits, but, when paired with Seedling’s iOS app, a simple marble maze becomes a castle or a spaceship. For arty types, the modern art viewer allows you to browse your own virtual reality gallery.

Kits start at $349; available at Lane Crawford or online at seedling.com.hk.

Family

Treats We Need a Hero

You Water Know

One of the smartest new kids’ products we’ve seen in forever, Gululu is a drinking bottle, a game and a new best friend, all rolled into one. This BPA-free interactive water bottle pairs with a mobile app to measure water consumption, encouraging kids to stay hydrated by letting them choose their own virtual “pet”, which lives in the Gululu Universe and grows as they drink. They can also team up to interact with other Gululu users, making this a social - and practical - pressie.

Prices start at US$99 (HK$768); find out more at mygululu.com.

Give a Little

Christmas can leave everyone feeling a little flat after the initial excitement of ripping open gifts has subsided. For a longerlasting warm and fuzzy feeling, TwoPresents is a good way for kids to spread some Christmas cheer while still allowing the grandparents to spoil them a bit. Kids nominate a charity that they’d like to support, along with a gift that they’d like to save for, and giftgivers donate funds online that are then split between the two. Easy, clutter-free and all-round satisfying.

Find out more at twopresents.com.

A perennial favourite here at Liv, Baby Hero has once again given us something to smile about in what’s felt like a pretty turbulent year. With every purchase of these sweet baby clothes funding a life-saving neonatal and maternal health kit for use in developing countries, Baby Hero also fairly-trades the production and processing of its cotton garments, making these gifts an ethical no-brainer. Its new “Global Kidizen” gift set, including a onesie, rattle toy and reusable gift bag not only looks adorbs, but is made for “a kid who celebrates differences, embraces equality and practices kindness... a true citizen of the world.”

Sounds like the future heroes we all need.

Costs $271.06; available from babyhe.ro.

Santa Baby

Written by a group of entrepreneurial Hong Kong kids aged between 8-11, “How To Be A Good Babysitter” is a cute and informative bilingual children’s book. It gives hints and tips to tweens on how best to interact with and care safely for babies and toddlers - be that as a fully-fledged babysitter, or simply as an older sibling wanting to get involved with a younger family member.

Funds raised by the book will go to the kids’ chosen charity, Hong Kong Dog Rescue, making this a thoughtful little stocking filler.

$125, available from Bookazine and Toys Club.

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Family

FIT FAM with Kate Farr

So here it is, Merry Christmas… and another year done and dusted! While I’m pouring a large glass of (natural) wine and pondering my New Year’s resolutions (the same as last year’s; eat and stress less, move and laugh more), here are three festive family ideas to keep everyone busy between arguing over rounds of Scrabble and unwrapping ugly Christmas sweaters. Have a fit and fun Christmas and a healthy New Year!

PRICKLE POWER Anti Grabbity may not be the sexiest Christmas present you’ll receive this year, but it could be one of the most useful in our high-rise city.

Designed to discourage little ones from climbing up balconies and windows, this clear plastic prickle-strip adheres to railings, comes in flat or curved finishes and is sold by the metre. While the little plastic prickles won’t ordinarily hurt curious fingers, they are designed to be too uncomfortable to bear weight, preventing little mountain goats from scaling anything they shouldn’t. Removable and unobtrusive, this is a landlord-friendly solution to a very Hong Kong concern.

BORN FREE Tear up the textbooks, rug up the kids and let them run wild this winter with HK Forest Adventures, which runs 100 percent unstructured play sessions for kids aged two to seven in the forest adjacent to their village base near Ma On Shan. The all-weather adventures are perfect for active kids – there are rocks to clamber, rivers to wade and trees to conquer; in fact, plenty of outdoorsy activities that you wouldn’t imagine exist in Hong Kong are to be found just a few minutes’ walk from Tai Shui Hang MTR station. “The Dungeon” adventure playground offers two- to threehour free play sessions every weekend, while PLAY852 is a weekday two-hour session that takes place on campus and the surrounding forest area.

PLAY852 costs $450 per session and The Dungeon costs $600 per session, with packages available. Learn more at facebook.com/hkforestadventures.

Costs from AU$9.95 (HK$59) per metre. Available from antigrabbity.com.

TRAINERS FOR CHRISTMAS? Get the crew burning off that extra mince pie with Elite Personal Training’s FitKids holiday programme. This high-intensity Christmas camp runs three times a week between December 12 and 30, coaching 10-13 year olds in co-ordination, speed, agility and body weight strength training in a safe and supportive environment. Using drills, circuits and interval training, the programme will (gently) push them off the sofa and get them carrying some good habits into a healthier New Year.

Holiday camps cost $1,588 for three two-hour sessions per week. Book online at eliteptstudio.com.

Kate Farr is the co-founder of writing and editing agency Editors’ Ink (editorsinkhk.com). She also blogs about Hong Kong family life at Accidental Tai-Tai (accidentaltaitai.com). Send your family health news to kate@editorsinkhk.com 52

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Q&A

Q: How did you come up with the idea for the Free Clinic?

A: I’m a patient at Stanley Wellness and a friend of its founder, Damien Mouellic. One day we were talking about the rich-poor gap in Hong Kong, and Damien mentioned that he wanted to get more involved in community service.

I told him that there was an urgent need for health care in the local community, and that long waiting lines, high medication costs and confusion over pricing meant that many locals who desperately need medical treatment don’t always have access to it. So Damien convinced his colleagues at Stanley Wellness and Dr. Lauren Bramley & Partners to give up their time to treat these patients in need. Chinese International School (CIS) got involved by getting Year 12 students to help coordinate transport and provide translation for the patients.

The Doctor is In Frustrated with the lack of affordable primary healthcare for the disadvantaged in Hong Kong, Chinese International School has devised The Free Clinic, a student-led program that sees private medical clinics open their doors for a day to provide free consultations and treatment to refugees and those living below the poverty line in Hong Kong. Program coordinator Mala Uttam talks to Liv Magazine about this worthy cause, and how she hopes to expand its reach to more medical clinics in the city.

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Q: How many people have you treated so far?

A: Our first session was on November 12 and we had over 350 beneficiaries signed up, from newborns to the elderly, both local and refugees. We managed to see just over 130 patients in each clinic, run necessary blood work and tests, write referral letters to help patients jump the queue in government hospitals, and prescribe necessary medication and supplements - all for free. PathLab generously offered to run all blood work and smears pro bono. We are currently in the process of following up with those whose results have come back and scheduling follow-up appointments for the more severe cases.

Q&A

Q: What are some of the ailments that you saw?

A: Every single practitioner was booked solid and managed to see between 13-15 patients each. In terms of ailments, we saw a whole range. A refugee from Yemen came to us with a limp that he’d had for 14-15 years. His wife, who was scheduled to see an osteopath for persistent knee pain, surreptitiously asked if there was any chance for her to also see an OBGYN as she had never had a pap smear. Another practitioner reported that one lady from Burundi had a frozen shoulder for over a decade and needs an MRI. We saw children who had been abused and had witnessed abuse. Women who had been gang raped and tortured. Elderly patients who hadn’t seen a doctor in over 20 years.

For the doctors who have only worked in private health care, this was truly an eye opening and emotionally taxing experience. For the students, most of whom are interested in a career in medicine, this was a unique opportunity for them to gain experience in the field.

Q: With so much demand for services, how did you choose your patients?

A: We reached out to NGOs that CIS has longstanding relationships with. Most of the organizations we work with service beneficiaries whose median household income is $8,000 per month or less. The majority of the patients came from the elderly at ​ St. Barnabas' Society and Home, refugees from the Justice Center, Christian Action and Health in Action, and children from Music Children’s Foundation. We sent a registration form to social workers at 25 NGOs and asked them to fill it out for each beneficiary who would like to attend the Free Clinic. From there the patients were chosen based on availability, scheduling, and severity of the case. Almost all the patients are on some sort of government-assisted welfare scheme, and rarely have the opportunity to receive a proper health check up.

Q: What are some of the limitations of the government system for the people that you treat?

A: Public hospitals are often overcrowded, underfunded, and are lacking in resources. One non-emergency walk-in appointment often requires at least four hours of waiting time, and collecting a prescription can take an hour. This is the best case scenario. For a manual labourer being paid by the hour, this is one day of lost wages. An even longer waiting time of six months is also often required for body scans or tests. In addition to the long waiting times, the public hospitals also have limited resources, both in regards to tools and persons.

Doctors are frequently rushed due to the large number of patients they must meet, and sometimes do not assess patients in detail.

Q: What role did the students play in putting this clinic together?

A: The students did all the planning in the lead-up to the event: ​NGO outreach, creation and distribution of the Medical Information Form, sorting through the data to build a schedule that balances need and availability, fundraising (for the cost of medicines, food, and transport reimbursement for the beneficiaries) media outreach and design. On the day, the students arrived early and set up, directed patients to the clinic, registered the patients, took them in to see the doctor and provided essential translation services. They also offered food and drink and creche services to the beneficiaries that were waiting. We are incredibly proud of what they have achieved and have high hopes for how this will provide a new model of service at CIS. Q: How do you help to grow the Free Clinic in the future?

A: We aim to link with more service organizations and medical professionals so that the Free Clinic can continue to benefit more people in Hong Kong.

By raising awareness of the Free Clinic, we hope to build our connections with different organisations, and continue to grow the project. The investment made by Dr. Lauren Bramley & Partners and Stanley Wellness is truly incredible; in addition to the medical practitioners giving up their time, four reception staff, three nurses and lab technicians also agreed to give up their afternoon to support this incredible cause.

We hope that other well-funded medical clinics will consider doing the same.

Want to get involved? Email thefreeclinic@cis.edu.hk to find out how you can help.

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Back Page

I have always been attracted to physically extreme sports activities that others assume cannot be done.

My very first long distance event was the 100 km Oxfam Trailwalker, which turned out to be an epic fail.

My next event was a 500 kilometre, 10-day, non-stop expedition race in Sabah. Then came 250-kilometre ultra-marathons across the highest, driest, hottest and coldest deserts.

That’s six marathons back-to-back through sandstorms, jungle rain, blizzards, blistering heat, whatever Mother Nature can throw in your way. To-date, I have competed in 16 ultra-distance events.

There is nothing more pure than a multi-day, selfsupported, ultra-distance run. There are no emails to respond to, phone calls to make, a board meeting to go to or bills to pay. Nothing else matters except the goal: put one foot in front of the other until the finish line.

Running taught me to filter out all of life’s everyday distractions and focus on task completion. Nothing is particularly hard if I break it down into smaller parts.

The toughest race ever was the six-day run through the Amazon Jungle in Brazil. The jungle was literally layers upon layers of misery. Everything was trying to bite me, poke me, sting me, suck my blood, poison me, eat me. Then add in slippery mud that depletes energy with every step, lung-sapping humidity and waterlogged feet.

It is human nature to quit. It doesn’t take any talent to do that. Human beings naturally choose the path of least resistance. There is nothing wrong with that. But if we never challenge ourselves to be smarter, faster, stronger, then we will never improve at anything.

As a community leader to start-ups, youth and animal welfare, the consequences of quitting would have a profound ripple effect. I must always lead by example.

I am the most fit unhealthy guy you will ever meet. I live on junk food. Every day, I consume at least three Cokes, two Starbucks drinks (with whipped cream), chips, candy and ice cream. I eat McDonald’s and KFC two to three times per week.

But my weekly exercise routine includes running to Stanley, running on a treadmill, Brazilian jiujitsu, Spartan race training and weight training at the gym.

My favorite route in Hong Kong is Mid-Levels to Stanley and back. It’s about 42 kilometers. Rain or shine.

Any people ask me what is the connection between running and animal welfare. Preparing to run an ultramarathon is a one-year commitment to training, every day, every weekend for 12 months.

Taking a pet home is a lifetime promise. There are no cutting corners or quitting in either situation. Animals don’t have a voice so it is smarter to educate people.

The simple formula is to train people and animals will benefit.

HOW I LIV

DEREK KWIK

The first Chinese man to complete the gruelling Seven Deserts race series, ultra-marathon runner Derek Kwik has conquered more tough physical challenges than most. A venture capitalist by day, still manages to find time to volunteer with the SPCA, in-between running and business travel. He talks to Liv about why he runs.

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Photo: Hannisze Yang

Running was never really about the act of running, but more about being able to outlast an intense challenge.