Liv Magazine July 2021

E E K M TA H O E

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FITN E SS NU T RIT ION WELLBEING HO ME ECO S PA

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JULY 2021 | l i v - m a g a z i n e . co m LIV MAGAZINE

Wave Maker Surf sports to pick up this summer

Toast Master

Locally made jams and nut butters

Reef Madness Save the coral with reef-safe sunscreens

WHAT DREAMS MAY COME The latest science behind why we dream

WIN: a three-pack of float therapy sessions and eco-friendly body tape on page 13!

er m m Su s n o i t o m o r P

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JULY 05 Editor’s Letter

LIV | NEWS 06 Wishlist

Lovely things we want right now

08 Hot Right Now

New happenings on the wellness scene

10 Fresh Cuts

Artisanal jams and nut butters

14 Review

A luxury wellness staycation at The Langham

LIV | MORE 30 Recipe

Watermelon gazpacho

32 Pamper

Reef-safe sunscreens to slather on this summer 06

34 Home

An eco-conscious home makeover

36 Family

How to care for your cloth diapers so they last longer

LIV | STORIES 18 Sleep It Off

26

What science tells us about dreams and our overall well being

26 Hang Ten

Everything you need to know about surf sports in Hong Kong 34 10

08

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CALLI N G ALL WELLNESS BRANDS!

LIV MAGAZINE'S

WELLNESS GUIDE Coming in August, Liv Magazine's Wellness Guide is an indispensable who's who of the best wellness brands in the city. With a mix of established brands and up-and-coming names to watch, this carefully curated guide offers inspirational and practical recommendaations on how to live well in Hong Kong.

We are looking for fabulous wellbeing brands to be part of the guide!

Email hello@liv.media to learn more

SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO

EDITOR’S LETTER

HONG KONG STRONG

I

did my masters degree at the University of Hong Kong in 2014, just weeks before Occupy Central would bring the downtown core to a standstill, when hundreds of thousands of protestors, of all ages and backgrounds, set up camp for what would turn into a months-long stand-off for universal suffrage.

The protest was in response to an earlier declaration from the NPCSC that any candidates for Chief Executive of the city must be someone who “loved the country [China]”. I learned a lot over the next several weeks and months; as a new journalism student in the city, it was a seriously invaluable experience. In just under seven years since that time, much has changed.

As we close another issue at Liv and start work on the next, some of our fellow Hong Kong media friends haven’t been so lucky. There isn’t much to say when a media blackout starts to take effect, when public discourse is so swiftly silenced, when your peers are left at best, jobless, and at worst, incarcerated. And of course, that’s how censorship works: there’s nothing we can say.

It’s a dispiriting time in Hong Kong, and will continue to feel that way in the future. There isn’t anything I can write to take the edge off that - lifestyle journalism can only fix so much. But I think back to a time in my life when Hong Kong could tolerate dissent, and actually thrived because of it. I know I did, standing in the presence of so much passion and civic engagement back in 2014.

I was proud then to have seen it firsthand, and I’m proud of Hong Kong now, even if those times are well and truly behind us. And to have your pride is still something, at the very least.

To learn more about the contents of our July issue, check out the table of contents on the previous page. Stand tall, Hong Kong.

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Zoe Belhomme rounds up familyfriendly summer staycays, plus cloth diaper care, on p.36.

Kate Springer tours a planet-friendly home renovation project on p.34.

Julia Marino explores the science of dreams, and what they mean for our health, on p.18.

Bell Chan dives deep into the world of reef-safe sunscreens on p.32.

CARLA THOMAS EDITOR

facebook.com/livmagazine.hk

www.liv-magazine.com

liv.magazine, #livmagazine

Say hi hello@liv-magazine.com

work with us hello@liv-magazine.com

Send invites and info to: Makerhive, 10/F, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Kennedy Town PUBLISHER SARAH FUNG SENIOR PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER ANSHU RIJHWANI DIGITAL & PARTNERSHIPS MANAGERS TERRY HU, MANDY CHAN EDITOR CARLA THOMAS SOCIAL MEDIA STACEY MARCELO ADMINISTRATOR JASMIN BLUNCK GRAPHIC DESIGN TAMMY TAN CONTRIBUTORS KATE SPRINGER, ZOE BELHOMME, JULIA MARINO, BELL CHAN PRINTED BY GEAR PRINTING LIMITED, ROOM B, 3/F, DERRICK INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, 49-51 WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, ABERDEEN ‘‘Liv Magazine’’ Copyright 2021 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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Retail Therapy

WISHLIST

Here's what we're crushing on this month

EVERYDAY I’M TRUFFLIN’

Strawberries & Cream, Pistachio, English Afternoon Tea...these summer-inspired handmade truffles from British chocolatier Charbonnel et Walker (a personal favourite of The Queen) are quite literally fit for royalty. $228, available at Landmark Atrium or The Murray

ITCH NO MORE

Ditch the DEET and scare away the mozzies the natural way with Coconut Matter’s new bug repellent. Simply push up and apply liberally over exposed skin.

Its natural ingredients are also great for soothing bites. Props to the zero waste cardboard tube! $199 from coconutmatter.com

TAKE A WHIFF

JUST COASTING

Save your coffee table in style with these geometric interlocking coasters. Water rings, begone! $229 for six from Tribe by Indigo 6

The Boat, The Shore and...The Wasteland?

Aesop’s choice of names for their new trio of fragrances might raise some eyebrows, but with notes of iris and yuzu there’s no denying that they smell just heavenly. $1,400 from Aesop

Retail Therapy

BRIMMING WITH HAPPINESS

THAT’S MY BAG

We are obsessed with this minimalist “Rio” shoulder bag from WEAT. Roomy enough for all your essentials and then some, swap the leather shoulder strap for a chunky gold chain and it’s ready for a night out. Plus, 10 percent of proceeds go to animal welfare charities.

US$349 from weeatavocadotoast.com

Our new favourite sun hat is this ultra practical Panama from The North Face. It’s foldable, waterproof and ultra-light, meaning that it can withstand even the most extreme of summer activities. $380 from asos.com

GET SHIRTY

One hundred percent Xinjiang cotton-free, these #pressfreedom tees help to support the important work of our friends at Hong Kong Free Press. $250 from hongkongfp.com

JUMP TO IT

How cute is the pattern on this silk jumpsuit?

We are feeling the playful fluted sleeves and statement bow, while the elasticated waist keeps things comfy. And it has pockets! $2,299 from Emma Wallace 7

Cool Stuff

HOT RIGHT NOW JUST REUSE IT

Hong Kong just got its first ever Nike Grind public court, a basketball court in Kwai Chung made with over 20,000 pairs of old sneakers, and we are kind of in love with it! Part sustainable art project, part sports facility, the old Shek Lei court has been transformed with palettes of Nike Grind, a proprietary material made from a combination of recycled plastic, rubber, foam, fiber, leather, textile, and more. The iconic sportswear brand also enlisted the help of toy designer and illustrator James Jarvis to create the larger-than-life tableau of some of his signature “bubble people” shooting hoops on the court, giving it a decidedly cooler cache than most of the other courts around the city. Consider supporting similar projects by the brand by donating your old sneakers to their Reuse-A-Shoe programme at the Shek Lei Nike branch, which accepts worn athletic footwear from any brand and processes it for recycling.

Upper Roof of Shek Lei Shopping Centre Phase I, 6 Wai Kek St., Kwai Chung

TREAD LIGHTLY

We’re always in the market for a pair of sustainable sneakers, especially when it’s locally sourced! Hong Kong footwear brand Lacess just rebranded, changing their name to K!BO while making a few other commendable upgrades to their kicks. The brand already used upcycled leather, post-consumer plastics, and cork insoles that are naturally antibacterial and sweatwicking. They expanded those sustainable practices recently to include using recycled cotton for the lining and recycled natural rubber for the outsoles, making this one of the greenest shoes on the local market right now! Let’s hear it for fashion companies doing the work to limit waste and reduce their footprint. K!BO is also planning on expanding their product line and creating a canvas line of sneakers in the near future - watch this space!

Adult sizes cost $1,060. kibo.eco

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Cool Stuff

GOING UP Vaccine Lottery

WINE DOWN

Looking for new experiences this summer to fill the void that overseas holidays have left in your life? Check out Sip of Wellness, a new offering that rolls yoga, chakras and wine into one enlightening experience! Now, before you say it: we know that drinking wine and practicing yoga together are not advisable - but that’s not what this class purports to do! Instead, certified sommelier and yoga instructor Joanna guides participants through a blind wine tasting (spittoon at the ready should you desire), before moving on to three short yoga sequences that are designed to stimulate energy centres (or chakras) linked to our sense of taste, smell and sight. While you lay in savasana, Joanna shares more about the wines, before a second and final tasting, where you can observe and share any differences you might notice. No yoga experience or wine knowledge is required for this class - just an open mind and a little thirst for knowledge about wine appreciation! Costs between $375-$450 for a 90-minute class. sipofwellness.co

TOAST OF THE TOWN

Straight outta DTLA, Avocado is an ethical athleisure brand that goes above and beyond when it comes to sustainability.

All of their garments are designed, knitted, sewn, and hand-dyed in Los Angeles, ensuring total transparency over the entire manufacturing process. No unethical cotton, no exploited workers, no environmental waste - that’s some serious slow fashion credentials! This eco-conscious activewear line is also largely seamless, as a result of a circular knitting process they use; not only does that make for a better fit for more body types, it also cuts down on fabric waste. You can check out their range of leggings, shorts, sports bras and tanks at their new Hollywood Road shop, or swing by their pop-up at Fivelements Habitat in Times Square. Prices range from $450-$900.

G/F, 83A, Hollywood Rd., Central, shopavocado.hk

Hong Kong is rolling out enticements left right and centre sign us up for a free flat!

Ocean Conservation From beach cleanups to reef-safe sunscreens (p.32), everyone can do their part to save our seas this summer!

Quarantine Quandaries Jabbed Hong Kong residents can do a seven-day quarantine on arrival back in Hong Kong. Is travel finally back on the horizon?

Bikini Body BS Be kind to yourself this beach season and embrace your body and all it does for you.

Put on that swimsuit and strut it!

GOING DOWN 9

Dining

SPREAD THE LOVE Level up your morning slice of sourdough with these locally made artisanal jams and spreads.

By Sarah Fung.

COCOPARADISE Obsessed with everything coconut, Cocoparadise has developed a line of delicious, coconut-based ready-to-eat snacks, chips and butters, in a range of unusual flavours such as Thai Tea Cashew Spread, Coco-Raspberry Peanut Butter, Coco-Matcha Pistachio Butter, and Coco-Maple Cinnamon Almond Butter. The jars range from $85-$140, depending on the flavour. Want more coconut in your life? Don’t miss their vegan coconut milk ice creams. cocoparadise.com

MOMO The newest healthy snack brand on the block, Momo specialises in handmade nut butter and almond milk, freshly made in small batches right here in Hong Kong. Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do, with reusable and recyclable insulation bags, ice packs and jars. They currently offer three types of almond butter: original, mandarin and honey ginger, as well as a limited-edition pistachio cashew butter. Shop a la carte online, or try out one of their superconvenient subscriptions. eatdrinkmomo.com

THE NUTTER COMPANY This Hong Kong nut butter brand likes to keep things simple.

Like, really simple. Their nut butters are free from added salt, oil, preservatives and sugar, and compared to other natural nut butters on the market, as affordable as they come! Their crunchy and smooth peanut butters start at just $68 for a 320gram jar. Try some of their classic nutty pistachio, hazelnut, pecan and cashew butters, or keep it sweet with hazelnutchocolate or peanut-chocolate flavours. Shop online or at major supermarkets, including Threesixty, Oliver’s, Green Common and Aeon. thenuttercompany.com

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Dining

FRESH CUTS FOODCRAFT One of Hong Kong’s most health-conscious brands, catering to a wide range of dietary needs, Foodcraft’s coconut spreads are a must-try. Paleo, keto, and vegan-friendly, these freshly-churned coconut butters are spiked with natural fruit flavourings (think raspberries, blueberries and citrus turmeric) and sugar-free sweeteners. Spread on toast, add to oats or even use as a low-sugar frosting for cakes. They’re also nut-free, making them perfect for school lunches. Don’t miss their stone-ground almond, cashew, pistachio, hazelnut and macadamia butters, vegan cream cheeses and other spreads. foodcraft.hk

NICOLE’S KITCHEN Handmade in Hong Kong, Nicole’s Kitchen offers a lineup of creative jam flavours, including fig and earl grey, passionfruit and mango, rose and strawberry, and blackberry chia. Don’t miss her other condiments and fruit teas. In addition to selling online, Nicole’s Kitchen has a consignment at Rise by Classified in Exchange Square. nicoleskitchen.com.hk

LIVE ZERO If you find yourself adding a dollop of PB to just about every meal, it might be time to start buying in bulk. Sai Ying Pun stalwart Live Zero actually has a fresh peanut butter and almond butter machine that grinds up nuts into a butter while you stock up on zero-waste essentials. We love!

33 High St., Sai Ying Pun, 9433-3394, livezero.hk

Dining news that’s good for you PLANT-BASED PROTEIN BRAND TINDLE LAUNCHES Yes, another plant-based protein has just dropped in Hong Kong! Billing itself as “chicken made from plants”, TiNDLE is a soy and wheat gluten meat alternative boasting similar flavour, texture and aroma of chicken, as well as protein content (17g per 100g serving). With just nine ingredients too, it’s arguably less processed than competitors like Beyond and Impossible. Check it out at 19 different restaurants around town, including Potato Head, Alvy’s, Second Draft, Poem and Katsumoto Sando Bar. tindle.com

CHILI FIGARA DELIVERY BRAND LAUNCHES VEGAN NOODLE MENU One of our fave Sichuanese spots in town just launched a vegan summer menu that’s giving us all the numbing spice feels! Chilli Figara’s delivery-only brand, Hot’N’Meen, is slinging hand-cut noodles and dumplings that are totally free from dairy and eggs, including Impossible momos, Karana dan dan mian, and Sichaun-style Buddha bowls.

Lunch sets start at $114 for a main and appy. Find it on Deliveroo.

SAM’S KITCHEN A bakery located inside K11 Musea, Sam’s Kitchen specialises in locally-made jams, scones and condiments, In addition to traditional strawberry and grape jam, you’ll find tropical flavours such as passionfruit and mandarin. For something savoury, check out their Asian sauce line, including peanut, XO, and black bean sauces. samskitchen.store 11

Dining

CHEAT DAY

Because life’s too short to always order the salad

MELON BALLER We are seriously vibing over the new summer frozen desserts menu from Butter!

From old-fashioned banana splits and ice cream sundaes to chilled refreshments like sweet iced tea and root beer floats, you’ll find all the Americana-inspired treats your heart could desire at this Landmark pop-up cake shop. Melon-lovers will especially appreciate this picture-perfect ice cream cake that’s made for your next Instagram story: a mouthwatering concoction of homemade watermelon sorbet, chocolate “seeds”, vanilla icing and a rich base of cookie crumble. We’ve always loved Mister Softee, but this might just be our new frosted treat in town!

Landmark Atrium, 2/F, Shop 239, Central, 2670-2670, butterbutterbutter.com.hk

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

Free stuff!

WIN: a package of three float therapy sessions at Float Co! Discover the health benefits of float therapy with a three-session Starter Pack at Float Co. Their soothing anti-gravity chamber tucked away on Caine Road will help you escape from life’s daily stresses as you float your worries away. If you’re new to floating, the Float Co team recommend a float sesh once a week for three weeks. We have three sessions worth $1,500 to give away to one lucky winner! floatco.com

WIN: a starter pack of YOOBTAPE Summer means strapless dresses and backless tops - a cute look but not always the most practical when it comes to bust support. YOOBTAPE is an Australian start up, currently headquartered in Hong Kong, that has designed a skin-friendly, sustainable and organic bust tape in all skin shades that’s loved by stylists around the world.

For one lucky reader, we have a YOOBTAPE gift set comprising double-sided YOOBTAPE in three widths, an organic body adhesive for bust support, and a set of reusable nipple covers. The whole set is worth $700. Trust us - your boobs will thank you.

Enter at liv-magazine.com/giveaways before July 29 to win!

13

Reviews

TEST-DRIVE Liv checks out the newest workouts and wellness trends

RETREAT

Wellness Package at The Langham The Buzz: It’s no secret that we can’t keep ourselves away from local wellness retreats these days. So when we heard about the new health-focused weekend staycation at The Langham, we were among the first to sign up. From classes led by some of Hong Kong’s top wellness experts to nutritious meals, and a couple of sweet bonus gifts thrown in for good measure, we were excited to test the waters.

Here’s what we thought.

The Staycation: We arrive and enjoy an early check-in, before heading to our room, conveniently located next to the health club and pool area. We notice a generous fruit basket waiting for us, and a complimentary yoga mat from Lululemon that we’ll be using throughout our stay. We head off to the first class, a one-hour mobility class led by Lululemon ambassador and personal trainer Chris Tang. After that, we head back to the room to enjoy a quick soak in the gorgeous marble bathtub before the Detox Dinner set at the Bostonian Seafood & Grill, included in the package. It’s a healthy three-course menu, with plenty of delicious and nutritious dishes, like quinoa salad and poached salmon. The next morning, an egg white omelette breakfast is delivered to our door, before the gong bath and singing bowl class, led by local meditation guru Malbert Lee. After an hour of rhythmic immersion, we make a beeline to the pool where we bask in the early afternoon sun before checking out.

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The Verdict: Everything we expected and more from this luxury hotel brand! The gong bath was the perfect Sunday reset before the start of a new week, and we loved all the little touches, like a fresh new yoga mat and healthy meals tailor-made for the experience. Staff were exceptionally helpful in squeezing us into the pool schedule, making us feel extra welcome during the weekend. Definitely one to try out this summer!

Cost: $2,388, Available for booking: 17-18 July, 14-15 August, 28-29 August, 11-12 September

Sponsored Feature

Let's Get NAKED! Everyone we know is hopping onto the bamboo bedding craze!

Bamboo bedsheet specialist, NakedLab, are pioneers of the trend, using their exclusive BambooSilk textile for a better night's sleep.

Here's why you should make the switch to bamboo now!

SLEEP WELL = HEALTHIER EATING HABITS

We all know that the key to good health is a good night's sleep - but did you know that your sleep quality affects your eating habits? Experts have found that sleep deprivation can make it more difficult to control your appetite.When you're tired, you're more likely to reach for caffeinated drinks and sugary snacks to keep your energy upthrough out the day.

Plus, sleep is important in regulating how your body uses food for energy, meaning that getting good quality sleep (and enough of it) can help you to maintain your weight.

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BREATHABLE BED SHEETS TO SAVE YOUR SKIN

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WAKE UP, FEEL GREAT

BambooSilk sheets are smooth and silky, meaning that they're kinder to your face and hair. Traditional pillowcases are made from rough cotton or cotton/polyester blends that create friction on your skin and hair at night. This can leave you with creases and frizzy hair in the morning. Cotton is also very absorbent and pulls the moisture from your skin and hair while you sleep. If you’ve ever woken up with dry, parched skin and brittle hair, you know exactly what we’re talking about. BambooSilk sheets, on the other hand, are made from much smoother materials which reduces tension and pulling during the night, helping your hair and skin retain their natural levels of moisture.

A LUXURIOUS BEDTIME

BambooSilk is softer and more breathable than cotton, silk and linen.

It's often compared to silk, but without silk's slippery feel. It's also vegan, which we love! What's more, NakedLab benefits from the founder, Joyce Lau's background in architecture and aesthetic eye, and has a simple but sophisticated palette of complementary colours.

Ready to make the switch to bamboo? Check out the collection at nakedlab.com

Retreat

JOIN US AT THE LIV WELL RETREAT ON

JULY 19-20!

S

low down and take some time for yourself this summer with our first-ever Liv Well Retreat!

Taking place on July 19-20 at The Hyatt Regency

Sha Tin, this one-night, all-inclusive retreat will cover all pillars of wellness, from movement to nutrition, sleep to skincare, and everything in between.

In addition to a full programme of wellness activities, the Liv Well Retreat includes all your meals, including a healthy Chinese dinner by award-winner restaurant Sha Tin 18; access to the hotel’s five-star facilities, including pool and gym, a 20% discount at the popular Melo Spa; and a welcome basket filled with gifts worth more than $1,000. There will also be a wellness market taking place throughout the day on the 19th.

Spaces are strictly limited to just 20 guests, so book your spot today! Early bird pricing is available on ticketflap.com until July 5.

THE LIV WELL RETREAT INCLUDES… • 1 × 75-minute yoga class by Pivot Point • 1 × 60-minute sound meditation

by Yin-Ki Wellness & Coaching • 1 × skincare and crystal workshop

by Evolcare • 1 × matcha ceremony by HYGGEWellbeing • 1 × qigong class by Luminal Space • 1 × curated welcome basket worth $1,000 • a healthy Chinese dinner from award-winning Chinese restaurant,

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• • • • • • • •

Sha Tin 18 buffet breakfast a healthy bento box access to the hotel’s pool and gym an exclusive 20% off spa treatments at Melo Spa late checkout voucher for future visits to Hyatt Regency Sha Tin retreat opening and closing ceremony led by Coco Alexandra opportunity to win lucky draw prizes during the retreat

THE COST:

$3,600 per head (until July 5, single occupancy) $2,650 per head (until July 5, twin sharing) $3,850 per head (standard, single occupancy) $2800 per head (standard, twin sharing Book your spot at ticketflap.com/livwellretreat.

Spaces are strictly limited

MEET THE FACILITATORS COCO ALEXANDRA, HOST An intuitive healer, spiritual guide and tarot card reader, Coco Alexandra is one of Hong Kong’s top names in spirituality, and is passionate about guiding her clients to various life stages to a place of self-love via sacred healing, plant medicine and ceremonies and rituals.

Coco will be hosting the retreat and curating the shared wellness spaces for each class or workshop. She will also open and close the retreat with an intimate meditation ceremony.

SARAH KALMETA, PIVOT POINT A success coach, public speaker and wellness practitioner, Sarah Kalmeta, aka Sarah the Pivoter, worked in the corporate world for 15 years, before experiencing burnout and pivoting to a new career in wellness. Through her own journey Sarah has learned how to transform challenging situations into growth and enlightenment. Sarah will be leading an empowering yoga flow and meditation during the retreat.

ALICE KWAN, EVOLCARE Alice is from Evolcare, a Hong Kong-based clean beauty brand with a focus on active ingredients. For the retreat, they are leading a 30-minute workshop where they teach you to perform your own effective and soothing face massage using rose quartz rollers – which you then get to keep!

JASMINE LIU, HYGGEWELLBEING A trip to the spiritual kingdom of Bhutan inspired Jasmine to found HYGGEWellbeing, an online store offering carefully curated superfoods and wellness products that focus on simplicity and wellbeing. As part of the retreat, Jasmine will lead a matcha tea ceremony to promote health, mindfulness and wellbeing.

NICHOLAS MOUTAFIS, LUMINAL SPACE The founder of Luminal Space, Nicholas discovered a passion for Qigong, an ancient Chinese mindful exercise that focuses on meditation, breathing and movement. As part of the retreat, he will lead an early morning Qigong class on the 20th to set your intention for the day, slow down, and find inner peace.

YINKI WONG, YIN KI WELLNESS & COACHING A sound healer and singing bowls practitioner, Yinki Wong uses sounds and vibrations to facilitate deep relaxation, healing and transformation. Her crystal bowls are made with quartz, and their melodic vibrations help to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and induce a meditative state. She will be leading a relaxing singing bowls session just before bedtime on the 19th.

ABOUT THE HYATT REGENCY SHA TIN Located in the verdant heart of the New Territories, the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin is a five-star urban resort surrounded by lush greenery on one side, and impressive views of Tolo Harbour on the other. With a luxurious pool, fully-equipped fitness centre, beautifully appointed room and the popular Melo Spa offering luxury spa treatments, the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin is the dream location for a tranquil getaway.

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Cover Story

THE WEIRD

Dreams WORLD OF

When the lights go down, that’s when the real action starts - with our dreams, that is. Julia Marino explains why dreaming could be the next frontier of wellness.

M

ore and more experts these days tell us that optimal wellness starts with good-quality sleep - but what about dreaming? It’s now believed that dreams play a role in helping us to build new connections in our brains that enable better physical, mental and emotional health. It’s like our mind gets a chance to reboot its proverbial hard drive, processing past interactions and memories to make space for new, more valuable information in the future.

Although there is still much mystery surrounding why we dream, we do know this: Regardless of how conkedout our bodies appear - or how strange our dreams feel - our minds are hard at work.

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Cover Story

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DREAM?

Vivid dreaming generally occurs in the state of sleep called REM, or “rapid eye movement”.

In REM, our heart beats faster, our eyes twitch rapidly, and the breath quickens and becomes more erratic. When we get a total of eight hours of sleep, we can cycle in the REM four or five times - about two hours of potential dreammaking time. Scientists believe we spend about a third of our lives sleeping, so imagine the thousands of dreams we make in a lifetime!

During REM, the brain’s two hemispheres are in-sync and communicate actively with each other. The amygdala and cingulate cortex, known as the deep emotional centers, go into overdrive and are up to 30 percent more active than when we’re awake, leading researchers to believe that deep emotional processing might occur while dreaming.

In contrast, the prefrontal cortex, the part of our brain responsible for reasoning, actually slows down, and can’t differentiate between what’s real and what’s not. This could explain why so many of our dreams seem nonsensical and why we don’t seem to question the weird things that happen while we’re dreaming.

Meanwhile our brain stem relaxes the muscles in our arms and legs. Think of this as nature’s brilliant way of preventing us from acting out the bizarre scenarios our brains cook up to clear out the cobwebs!

“REM sleep is quite important as it has various functions,” says Nivedita Ramanujam, head of corporate psychology at the Hong Kong-based London Medical Clinic, and a trauma specialist. “It helps to improve neural connectivity as we sleep, which is an important aspect of mental wellbeing [in our waking hours]. It’s also a time when the brain is able to learn and organise certain memories together in a composite way that helps our long-term memory.”

Nivedita Ramanujam

19

Cover Story

WHY ARE DREAMS SO WEIRD SOMETIMES? Why we dream is a controversial topic and the neuroscience field is saturated with hypotheses. One professor at Tufts University, Erik Hoel, Ph.D., proposed a new theory of dreams called the overfitted brain hypothesis, which suggests that notably bizarre dreams help us to process our experiences in a way that enables deeper learning.

Another researcher, Dr. Erin Wamsley, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Furman University in South Carolina, believes that dreams not only reflect multiple memories we already have, but also anticipate probable future events.

Wamsley’s research team asked 48 students to spend the night in a sleep lab so that they could measure how often they were in deep REM sleep.

The students were awakened multiple times and asked to report what they were dreaming about and what may have inspired their dreams.

They found that more than half of the dreams reported were tied to a specific memory, while another 25 percent were related to upcoming events in the subjects’ lives. Though they are rarely depicted realistically in our dream-state, 20

future-oriented dreams actually become more common later in the night, possibly driven by the proximity to the next day’s events.

Wamsley’s “episodic future simulation” hypothesis suggests that dreams draw both from waking thought and fragments of past experience to simulate imagined scenarios related to anticipated future events.

In another study using a method called “dream incubation,” Dedra Barret, a dream researcher at Harvard University, asked college students to write down a problem they wanted to solve on a piece of paper and place it next to their beds. Once in bed, they focused their attention on the problem and visualised a concrete image connected to it. After a week of repeating these exercises, about half recalled a dream related to their problem, and the majority felt that the dream offered a solution.

“Dreams are thought to be the result of our minds trying to process the day’s memories during REM sleep and then storing them away,” Ramanujam says. “If your mind is also preoccupied with thoughts of future events, then it is quite possible that these will become part of the processing during REM sleep. This tells us that many of our unconscious fears and thoughts can also manifest in our dreams.”

Cover Story

IS IT IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER OUR DREAMS?

TIPS FOR DEEPER SLEEP AND SWEET DREAMS:

D GET SOME D I often remember my dreams, many of which are lucid - when you are aware that you are dreaming.

This is because high dream-recallers like me often wake up for brief periods of time during the night - what’s known as "micro awakenings." When the brain wakes up, the processes for storing memories are activated. If you awaken during or shortly after REM, you are more likely to remember your dreams.

“Generally speaking, one has to wake up within five minutes of the dream to be able to remember it,” says Ramanujam.

Chances are that most of us have dreams of being chased, falling, our teeth falling out or showing up to work naked. As distressing as dreams like this can be, they are totally normal.

Dr. Joëlle Touchette Bradford, a naturopathic physician at the Integrated Medicine Institute (IMI), says it’s what we do with our dreams and the emotions they elicit that really matters. She recommends using dream journaling and therapy as a way to better understand one’s internal state.

“What can you do with your dream information that is practical and helpful to your situation?” Bradford asks. “I keep a dream journal, which helps me to both recall my dreams more easily and help me to grow from them.”

Bradford describes having dreams that were comforting, like her husband hugging her, but others that were difficult for her to process.

“I started to have recurring, vivid dreams of forgetting my son Jackson on the moon, and I would wake up in this absolute panic,” she says.

"I could look that up in a book about dreams and their meanings, and it would probably say that I'm worried about my son,” she continues. “That's obvious and not very helpful or practical. But acknowledging the feelings I’m waking up with and then journaling about them - it’s a form of therapy.”

Whatever it is that you are feeling, says Bradford, hold space for it - especially in the morning. “Dreams give us clues. They may not be comfortable or pleasant, but honouring and giving space to those emotions helps us to grow as human beings.”

Dr. Joëlle Touchette

Soaking in some natural sunlight and vitamin D for at least 30 minutes a day, preferably in the morning, helps to regulate your circadian rhythms.

BE KIND, UNWIND Design your own relaxing bedtime ritual.

Light reading, gentle yoga, journaling, making a to-do list for the next day anything goes!

RINSE OFF Taking a hot bath or shower before bed can actually lower your body temperature, helping to make you feel sleepier and more relaxed.

CREATE A DREAM CAVE Think of your bedroom as a prehistoric cave: cool, dark, and device-free. Put your phone away at least an hour before bed as the blue light can suppress melatonin, a hormone that makes us feel drowsy.

Bradford

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Cover Story

COZY UP

A welcoming sleeping environment can help set the stage for better Z’s and happier dreams. Thermoregulating and hypoallergenic, bamboo bedding is perfect for Hong Kong’s sweltering summer months. Here’s where to buy.

BAMBOA Hong Kong's original bamboo lifestyle brand, Bamboa specialises in sourcing products that are safe, sustainable and top quality Its Silky Bliss bamboo bed sheets are soft and cool - perfect for Hong Kong's humid climate and are the equivalent in feel and quality to 800-thread-count cotton sheets. Available in a range of colours from $2,700. Visit their store at PMQ or shop online, bamboahome.com

OKOOKO BY EUROPEAN BEDDING Sleep specialists Okooko by European Bedding set the standard for mattresses, pillows, sheets, mattress toppers and duvets that are durable, extremely comfortable, hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. Made from 100 percent organic bamboo lyocell, their sheets come in white or dark grey for a minimalist palette, and perfectly complement their bed frames, mattresses and pillows. Visit their Lan Kwai Fong showroom to try for yourself. europeanbedding.hk

NAKEDLAB The purveyors of BambooSilk bedding, upand-coming bedding brand NakedLab was founded by architect Joyce Lau searching for a solution for her daughter's eczema, and now extolls the health benefits of making the switch to bamboo. NakedLab regularly collaborates with other local brands to make charming gift hampers; kids' bedding line is also available. Besides online, NakedLab can also be found at Indigo Living. nakedlab.com

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CAN YOU USE DREAMS TO HEAL? One of the key techniques used by Ramanujam in her trauma therapy practice is EMDR, which stands for “eye movement, desensitisation & reprocessing”. EMDR has a strong link to dreams because it incorporates the use of eye movements while processing traumatic memories, which helps to decouple the emotion from the memory itself.

These eye movements are akin to the same lateral eye movements during REM sleep, the phase of sleep that processes our daily experiences and stores them away in our memory.

If those memories are traumatic, then depending on the level of trauma, they may be locked away as a protection mechanism. It has also been theorised that nightmares occur when the mind attempts to process such memories during REM sleep.

“EMDR can be used to unlock and resolve traumatic memories, and thus eliminate nightmares,” says Ramanujam, adding that EMDR therapy has also helped some of her patients to recover lost or repressed memories.

Even if you’re not suffering from trauma or nightmares, however, dreams still may hold an important key to your overall well being.

“Better dreams are related to better sleep, and a better quality of life and mental health,” says Ramanujam. “We should be aiming to go through all the various phases of sleep, undisturbed.”

By adopting healthy habits and training ourselves to sleep better, we can also expect an improvement in the quality of our dreams, allowing us to be more present, happy and healthy in our waking hours.

Sponsored Feature

FIND YOUR TRIBE

After years as one of Hong Kong’s most prominent home brands, Indigo Living has just launched Tribe by Indigo, a sister brand dedicated to eclectic, affordable design, And we’re so here for it! We speak to John McLennan, founder of Indigo Living to discover how we can all inject a little more fun into our home aesthetic.

Why do you think it's important for your home to reflect who you are?

What you wear says something about you.

What is in your home does the same; it is a reflection of who you are. It is important because no one should have to pretend who they are in their own home. The key is that it is your choice, hence the Tribe tagline: Your life, your way.

neon lights or printed birch wood trays to add a little fun and spice to any room.

In Hong Kong's small apartments, many people aspire to be more minimalist.

Can you embrace fun and minimalism at the same time?

Of course you can embrace fun and minimalism! Minimalism does not mean boring, it means edited. Take what you love and edit it down to the essence of what makes you happy and comfortable. That should leave room for something fun if you need it. Look at Tribe’s

What would you suggest to people who want to bring some fun and brightness into their homes but don't know how to start?

First, look at what you have and want to keep.

That should dictate a colour palette direction.

Don’t be afraid to add in bright, bold colours!

Then, start to look on furniture websites to see what catches your eye. Tribe has a fun Instagram page that will give you some ideas how to add some fun and brightness to your home.

Any tips for people who are renting and can't commit to any longer-term bold design choices?

Invest in accessories such as cushions or artwork. You can take them anywhere, they are affordable and you change them with your mood or when you move flats.

What are you looking to achieve with Tribe by Indigo, and how does it differ to your flagship brand, Indigo Living?

We want to empower people to fully express themselves with curated home furnishings.

TRIBE delivers super accessible design with zero compromises on style and function, all without breaking the bank. We want people to showcase their individuality and creativity with trendsetting pieces that look and work exactly the way you want them to. Fitting right into your space and lifestyle, there’s no limits to what you can achieve with TRIBE. You can mix and match your favourite styles from across the range to create a home that reflects you and your tribe.

Indigo Living on the other hand is our flagship and will always be at our core and heart with elegant, timeless, design-led collections that grow as your family and space grows with you.

FLAGSHIP STORE: 6/F HORIZON PLAZA, 2 LEE WING STREET, AP LEI CHAU, 2555-0540 tribebyindigo.com | Ig: @tribebyindigo | FB: TRIBE By Indigo

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25

Surfing

SURFING HKSAR

Surf’s up! Here’s how to stay AND look cool this summer, with all things surf-related in Hong Kong, bruh.

By Carla Thomas and Sarah Fung

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Surfing

H o n g Ko n g S u r fi n g

S u r fi n g WHO IT’S FOR: Beach bums that don’t mind spending all day in the water, waiting for the perfect wave.

WHERE TO GO: Big Wave Bay is one of the most popular surfing beaches. Rent a surfboard (or boogie board) and a wetsuit from the local village stores and off you go! You can also find surf camps and board rental on Tai Long Wan (strong swimmers only) and Pui O. WHEN TO GO: Hong Kong has a winter swell so the best waves are between October and April; check the surf report before heading out. Some adventureseekers also head for the surf during typhoons, but we heartily do not recommend this.

Led by Antony Dickson, a long-time surfer in the Big Wave Bay area, Surfing Hong Kong offers lessons in surfing, as well as coasteering and summer camps for kids. He only hires experienced surf instructors - no posers on his watch. One-on-one lessons cost $800 per hour, and drop to $500-$600 for groups of up to five. surfinghongkong.com

T r eas u r e I s la n d Get your surf on in South Lantau, with a lesson from one of Treasure Island’s helpful instructors. One-on-one lessons will set you back a pretty reasonable $400 per hour ($600 for two students), and they’re happy to accommodate events too, like birthday parties. Once you’ve worked up an appetite in the water, head straight to Treasure Island’s Beach Club restaurant and bar where you can celebrate your newfound gnarliness until late. treasureislandhk.com

Hong Kong Surfing

Hong Kong Surfing

K i t es u r fi n g WHAT IS IT: Not for the faint-hearted and tricky to master, kitesurfers use a foil, a kind of large kite, to lift themselves out of and along the water.

WHO IT’S FOR: Adrenaline junkies with a head for heights and plenty of upper-body strength.

WHERE TO GO: Lantau and Tuen Mun WHEN TO GO: Spring and autumn are more consistently windy than in the summer and winter months.

Kiteboarding Association of Hong Kong

K i t eb oa r d i n g As s o c i at i o n o f H o n g Ko n g This Hong Kong chapter of the International Kiteboarding Association is as legit as they come. They offer a wide range of lessons and training courses, from one-day “discovery” sessions so you can literally test the waters ($600), to three-day beginners’ courses ($3,400), intermediate techniques even training courses for kitesurfing instructors. kiteboarding.org.hk

K i t e2 H i g h This watersports shop in Kwun Tong sells wingfoils, wingsurfs, kiteboards, and anything else you need to hone your sea legs. They also offer lessons in Pui O, Lung Kwu Tan, and Shui Hau Beach: a one-day kitesurfing lesson covering all the basic skills (kite piloting, board handling, self-rescue procedures, basic safety protocols) will run you $1,800 for four hours. kite2high.com 27

Surfing

C h eu n g C h au W i n d s u r fi n g C lu b

W i n d s u r fi n g WHO IT’S FOR: Anyone who likes getting good at a new sport quickly. With a big stable board and a large sail to catch the wind, the basics of windsurfing can be mastered pretty much immediately. Once you’ve sailed off though, turning around is another matter.

WHERE TO GO: Cheung Chau, Stanley Beach ANYTHING ELSE? Hong Kong has a proud windsurfing tradition; Cheung Chau native Lee La-shan won Hong Kong’s first and only Olympic gold medal in the sport back in 1996.

Head out to Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre to learn the fundamentals of windsurfing in a safe and controlled environment before taking the plunge by yourself (or trying not to, that is.) Lessons are available most days of the week (closed on Wednesdays). $1,800 per person for group lessons, $2,500 for private. ccwindc.com.hk

Aqua b o u n d This stalwart of the Stanley Beach scene are old pros when it comes to windsurfing. They offer two-hour private lessons ($1,700), as well as group lessons for up to five people ($800-$1,100, depending on how many in the class). You can also explore wakeboarding, kayaking or SUP boarding here. aquabound.com.hk

Windsurfing

Wakesurf Hong Kong

Wa k es u r fi n g WHAT IS IT: Similar to wakeboarding but without having to hang on to the tow rope. With wakesurfing, you get up then surf the wake behind the boat.

WHO IT’S FOR: Anyone with a good sense of balance who wants a dope wakesurfing video for IG. WHERE TO GO: Tai Tam is a popular spot for wakesurfing, as is Tai Po. BEST TIME OF YEAR: Any time! It’s grown in popularity as a socially distant sporting activity that you can do even when beaches are closed.

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HK Wake School

Wa k es u r f H o n g Ko n g Located in Tai Tam Tuk Village, just 30 minutes drive from Central, Wakesurf Hong Kong is a fairly convenient spot to take up this new-fangled water sport. As one of the first wakesurfing companies in Hong Kong, they also offer top-of-the-line equipment and boats, and can cater to all levels of experience.

Costs $1,500-$,1800 per hour. wakesurfhongkong.com

H K Wa k e S c h o o l Passionate about all things wake, HK Wake School offers wake surfing and wakeboarding in three different locations around Hong Kong: Ap Lei Chau, Tai Po and Science Park. Their certified coaches include champion wakeboarders, so you know you’re in good hands here. Costs between $1,000-$1,500 per hour. hkwakeschool.com or follow them on IG at @hkwakeschool

Lei s u r e & C u lt u r a l S erv i c es D epa rt m en t

A Functional Approach to Weight Loss

Good ol’ LCSD! This city-run department offers tons of different windsurfing courses at five different water sports centres around the city. The best part is, as part of the city’s public services, it’s also super affordable. Your tax dollars hard at work! Contact the LCSD directly for more information on pricing and schedules. tinyurl.com/jckwve5x

If you've been trying to lose weight and are not seeing results with diet changes and exercise, hormonal issues could be at play.

Dr Ho See Yunn is one of the team of international Medical Doctors at LifeClinic practicing a Functional Medicine and Swiss Biological approach to treating ageing, persistent health issues and chronic conditions from the root cause.

Q: What are the common causes of weight gain?

Well-understood causes of weight gain include both poor diet and a lack of exercise. However, in Hong Kong a lack of sleep or stress can cause high cortisol and ghrelin levels leading to an increase in appetite and fat storage. Hormone imbalances, such as declining hormones like estrogen and testosterone after menopause and andropause, may lead to weight gain and fat accumulation in the belly or thighs. Other common causes of unwanted weight gain include unchecked metabolic issues like low thyroid or insulin resistance.

HK Wake School

Wa k e2 C h i ll For those of you up in Sai Kung, or just anyone willing to travel for the right conditions, check out Wake2Chill in Tseung Tau Village. They offer a wide range of water-oriented activities, from wakesurfing and wakeboarding, to kayaking, SUP boarding, jet ski rentals even a floating pier rental! Wakesurfing prices range from $1,000-$1,600, depending on the day of the week and boat.

Q: What would a functional approach to weight loss look like?

Medically detoxifying the body can help remove the vast array of toxins stored in our body fat that is inhibiting our liver from burning fat for fuel. Working with a functional doctor or a nutritionist allows you to discover a diet and movement plan that is optimal for your body type.

Practicing techniques for stress reduction and better sleep improves the outcome of weight loss efforts. A focus on building good gut health and taking metabolism-boosting supplements helps achieve your weight loss goals.

At LifeClinic, we work on maintaining metabolic, hormone and gut balance to achieve optimal health.

wake2chill.com 2/F-3/F, The Loop, 33 Wellington St, Central Tel: 2881 8131 | lifeclinic.com.hk

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Food

HEALTHY RECIPE

Watermelon Gazpacho

BY SOULISTIC There’s literally no better time of the year to get into cold soups than the height of summer!

Try this innovative mash-up of melons and tomatoes, for a savoury soup that is packed with nutritional goodness. Try this at home and tag the recipe bloggers @soulhookedonfood to share your soupy creation! Serves 4.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy

TIME

15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

TIP: Garnish with some fresh green kumquat if you're feeling adventurous!

• 65g fresh mint leaves

• 2 large tomatoes, cored and cut in half

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 small cucumber, peeled and seeded

• 2 tbsp sherry vinegar

• 1 medium red bell pepper, cored

• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

• 1/2 shallot, peeled

• 1/8 tsp ground cumin

• 2 cloves garlic, peeled 30

INSTRUCTIONS:

• 1/2 fresh watermelon

• 2 tsp sea salt

1. Add all the ingredients except for the olive oil and garnish into a blender. Blend to your preferred consistency.

2. Slowly stream in the oil and pulse.

3. Pour the mixture into a fine strainer with a jar below to collect the liquid. Cover with cling film, and place liquid in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours.

4. Fifteen minutes before serving, arrange small cubes of watermelon and cucumber in a bowl.

Pour the chilled liquid into the bowl. Enjoy!

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Pamper

THE GLOW UP News from the beauty aisle

Everything you need to know about REEF-SAFE SUNSCREEN Save the reefs this summer with eco-friendly sunscreen! By Bell Chan

W

e all need sunscreen to shield us from harmful UV rays, but did you know that the wrong kind can actually harm the environment? According to National Geographic, as much as 6,000 tons of sunscreen are washed into coral reefs every year.

Many brands contain chemicals that damage the fragile coral reef system, so choosing a planetfriendly one is something to consider this summer.

Reef-safe sunscreens leave out chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene, and only include particles that are larger than 100 nanometers, because nano-sized particles of zinc or titanium can easily leach into coral reefs. To ensure your sunscreen is reef-safe, make sure to check the ingredients list, or pick up one of these Liv-approved brands below!

SURFER’S BARRIER SUNSCREEN STICK ($180 FOR 28G) Designed with surfers in mind (who need some serious sun protection) this sunscreen stick from Avasol is 100 percent allnatural and easy to apply. Not only is the formula free from synthetic chemicals, the packaging is also biodegradable and made from recycled paper, making it a plasticfree option to boot. It rubs in easily with no white residue left on the face, and offers SPF 50+ for up to 80 minutes in the water. They also offer a choice of three skin tones: light, tan and dark.

Available at Live Zero, 33 High St., Sai Ying Pun, 9433-3394, livezero.hk.

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PAI'S HELLO SUNSHINE ($350 FOR 40ML) This reef-safe option for sensitive skin is made entirely with organic ingredients, including natural nonnano zinc oxide, plus cotton extract that helps the skin recover after sun exposure. Especially suitable for acne and eczema-prone skin.

Available at Sephora.

RAW ELEMENTS FACE & BODY SUNSCREEN ($180 FOR 85G) This broad spectrum sunscreen is reef safe, and promises to not run or sting your eyes. Another plastic-free option, this paste comes in a cute recyclable tin, and contains plenty of nourishing ingredients like cocoa butter, green and black tea extracts, hemp seed oil, and vitamin E. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a great choice for active kids who aren't easily coralled and coerced into re-applying.

Available at Live Zero, 33 High St., Sai Ying Pun, 9433-3394, livezero.hk.

Pamper

SPA NEWS

FIND YOUR COMFORT ZONE

A spa getaway in Tseung Kwan O? Yes, really! We were invited to check out Sense of Touch's Crowne Plaza Kowloon East spa. Having never made the trek before, we were blown away by this spacious Thai-inspired getaway, with individual spa pods located within a tree-lined walled garden - a total escape from the busy city downstairs. The treatments themselves were created in partnership with Italian skincare brand Comfort Zone, which has just launched Sacred Nature, a new sustainable, organic and vegan product line that is actually carbon-negative and is devoted to protecting the planet.

The two-hour Sacred Nature Tranquility Body Ritual starts with a back scrub, using pomegranate seeds to exfoliate and purify the back. This is followed by an Indonesian-style body massage using their signature oil blend, and a nourishing facial that detoxes and lifts. The ritual ends with a delicious pomegranate and pineapple salad, served in a pomegranate shell. The treatment is available at all Sense of Touch locations, but for a real treat, make the trek out to Tseung Kwan O - trust us, you won't regret it. $1,980 for two hours at all Sense of Touch outlets, including Tseung Kwan O, Repulse Bay and Central, senseoftouch.com.hk

BEAUTY NEWS

FRESH FACE

The Landmark’s new skincare, beauty and wellness destination Beauty Botanica opened its doors last month and we are obsessed! The new space brings together a mixture of 28 cult, emerging and established brands under one roof, with a focus on clean, green beauty. Decked out in sugary pink blooms, it’s an absolute wonderland for skincare mavens. A few of our fave brands from the launch include: Pamper DPT, a multi-brand booth where you can create your own customblended scent; Nourish Clean Beauty, another multi-brand booth offering niche clean, vegan and eco-friendly brands; Grown Alchemist, one of our favourite natural skincare brands; and Parfumerie Tresor, a fragrance specialist that stocks gorgeous soaps. The brands will appear at Beauty Botanica for a six-month run, after which new labels will be rotated in, ensuring there’s always something new to discover.

Shop 312-314, Landmark Atrium, Central, landmark.hk/en

33

Home

RIGHT AT HOME with Kate Springer

R

owena Gonzales (right) has always been interested in wellness and the environment. Growing up in Montreal, Canada, she says sustainability was second nature to her. So when she founded her interior design studio, Liquid Interiors, in 2009, it was only natural that she bring her eco-conscious mindset to her work. Rowena became a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) and strived to create living spaces that left a smaller footprint on the earth.

Two years later, her nephew was diagnosed with leukemia. Though he is thankfully strong and healthy now, watching her nephew battle cancer made Rowena realise that sustainability is just the beginning. Our homes need to be healthy, free of toxins and support our mental health, too.

“Toxins from our furniture, renovations, paint, plywood can leach out into our space and harm our health,” says Rowena. “Studies have shown a direct link between childhood leukaemia cases and families who live in newly renovated homes... This is a problem in China, too, due to the use of formaldehyde [often found in plywood, furniture and flooring].”

Determined to design with the immune system in mind, Rowena studied the WELL Building Standard - an international standard designed to enhance human health and wellness in buildings and communities - and became a WELL AP. “There's so much that you can adjust in your space to enhance your health and wellbeing. You want to have a space to come home to that has great air quality, as well as relaxing and decluttered spaces. And since the pandemic began, people are realising how important it is to have a healthy home.”

As a case in point, Rowena recently brought her convictions to life with a renovation project on Old Peak Road, where a family of four requested a peaceful, grounded and minimalist design inspired by the concept of “Terra” or “our connection to the earth”, says Rowena.

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Home

The mother of the home, who also works in the sustainability industry, wanted to have a calming, meditative space that celebrated nature and reduced stress.

As a result, the 1,520-square-foot apartment feels like an urban oasis, showcasing arched doorways and windows, textured stone, solid wood furniture, lots of houseplants and an earthy, neutral palette.

“We are cautious about materials, even down to glue, adhesives and ventilation. We work with locally sourced, sustainable and low-VOC [volatile organic compounds*] materials,” says Rowena. “The more natural the furniture, the better - so we don’t need to worry about toxic finishing, hardeners or glue.”

From sideboards to rattan cabinets, several tasteful storage solutions keep clutter at bay while a versatile home office overlooks the children’s play area.

“There’s no TV in the living room because the mother was adamant about creating a living area that revolved around quality time, music, conversation... and we love that,” says Rowena. “The dining room is also very minimal and refreshing. We used a specific kind of low-VOC plaster paint that has a beautiful texture with a LED light in front of it with a wave-like design.”

Liquid Interiors also installed circadian lighting, which the family can adjust throughout the day to mimic the sun’s colour temperature - it’s blueish in the morning to help you wake up and warmer in the evenings to increase melatonin and help you fall asleep. “Sleep is so important to wellbeing, as is having a place in your home that is just for you, your place to unwind,” says Rowena. “The mother’s favourite place is at the foot of her bed, where warm night lights cast an amber glow underneath the bed’s skirt. That's her place to do yoga every night - she closes the doors and can truly relax.” *Volatile organic compounds (VOC): gases released into the air from certain solids and liquids, which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.

ROWENA’S TOP 3 HEALTHY HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS: BREATHE FREELY: To minimise chemicals in your space, Rowena recommends investing in a dehumidifier, an air purifier and low-VOC furniture, paint and flooring.

STAY ORGANISED: Your home should be a place to recharge and rejuvenate. To relieve stress and clear your mind, keep your place as clutter-free as possible.

BEDROOM 101: Sleep is essential to your wellbeing. Treat your bedroom as a place to switch off by keeping all electronics out of the bedroom, installing blackout blinds and regularly cleaning your air-con.

Kate Springer is a Hong Kong-based lifestyle writer who contributes to Vogue, CNN, Home Journal, Tatler, BBC Travel, Forbes Travel Guide, Fodor’s, Vice, and more. You can follow her on Instagram @katespringer. Send news about exciting home and design stories to kate@kate-springer.com.

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Family

FIT FAM with Zoe Belhomme

A CLOTH REVIVAL

If you’ve already made the switch to cloth diapering, good for you! Not only are cloth nappies better for the planet, they’re cheaper too. But how to make sure you’re looking after your nappies properly? We speak to Victoria Chuard, founder of sustainable children’s store Petit Tippi and nappy brand, Just Peachy, about caring for reusables so they stand the test of time.

Do you need to wash them before you use?

Just like clothing, you'll want to wash everything you buy at least once to ensure you get rid of any surface dirt it may have picked up at the factory or in transit. For natural materials like bamboo, cotton and hemp, they have a natural layer of plant oils that need to be washed off before the diaper reaches its full absorbency. I recommend parents start after one wash and know that the nappies won’t be at their full absorbency until after a few washes.

Aside from the environmental benefits, what’s your favourite thing about cloth?

They are more skin-friendly. My son battled really bad eczema on the bum when he was young and part-time cloth diapering. It wasn't until we were in cloth fulltime did I realise that some babies are allergic to the chemicals in disposable diapers. They contain a lot of plastic and chemicals that make them impermeable, trapping heat inside.

How do you decide which style of nappy is right for your child?

A lot of it comes down to the amount of absorbency your baby needs and your family's laundering habits. I suggest starting off by trying two to three diapers from each brand or system, before building an entire stash of one type once you’ve discovered what works for you. Once you know what you like, you can get more.

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What about washing and drying?

Laundering doesn't have to be hard or complicated. Just be mindful of using a detergent that doesn't contain fabric softeners or additives. Washing in overly hot water can damage the diaper’s waterproofing and elastics, but you can wash inserts at higher temperatures. For a while I had a washer that only had cold water and they were perfectly fine. Drying outside in direct sunlight also offers natural bleaching and kills bacteria.

How should you store soiled nappies before a wash?

Most people dry pail between laundry days, so you don’t need to soak. Your pail doesn't have to be fancy either - a diaper liner inside a plastic container is absolutely fine.

Any tips on dealing with number twos?

If a baby is still exclusively on milk, their poo is water soluble so you don’t have to rinse anything off before putting them in the wash. As babies grow and begin eating food, you can either place a biodegradable bamboo liner inside the nappy each time, or remove solids out before washing. Not many people know this but even with disposable diapers you're meant to dispose of solids in the toilet first! justpeachybaby.com

Family

SUMMER STAYCAYS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Stuck in town over the summer? Treat the fam with these kid-friendly staycations!

THE MAGIC CHAMBER AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL Budding witches and wizards can step inside the magical realm of the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong this summer with their Magic Chamber staycation in collaboration with Museum Context. Enjoy a range of exclusive privileges and whimsical experiences inspired by all things magical. Kids will love experimenting with the themed photobooth and making themselves disappear behind a magician’s cloak. They can even mix their own concoctions and elixirs at the Magic Potion Workshop at The Chinnery. Packages come with daily breakfast and a dinner set for two, a themed gift and a flexible 24hour check in during the week.

Valid for stays until August 31, 2021. The Magic Chamber Staycation starts from $2,000 + 10% per night. mandarinoriental.com/hongkong

GOLD COAST HOTEL This staycation takes children out and into Hong Kong’s beautiful natural environment so parents can enjoy a few moments to themselves. If you’ve got little explorers on your hands, the Kids Summer Adventures Programme, run in partnership with A-Team Edventures, is split into two age categories, 6-10 and 11-14, and includes activities such as SUP, exploration of woodlands and coastlines, beach games and storytelling. The three-day, two-night staycation costs $3,980 per room and includes one-and-a-half days of activities, breakfast for two adults and one child, and complimentary in-room mini bar and shuttle bus service.

Visit sino-hotels.com/en/hk/gold-coast-hotel or email: reservations@goldcoasthotel.com.hk

Zoe Belhomme is our resident fitness writer and new mum. She loves working out, eco-friendly parenting, and partnering with her husband to produce some of the region’s biggest sports events at MBS Concepts. Reach out to her directly with your healthy family news at zoe@liv.media.

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@tashacotton

Embrace Wellness THIS SUMMER AT

GRAND HYATT HONG KONG

T

he Liv team were treated to a front-row view

Sound dreamy? Well, you can get a taste of

to Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s Global Wellness

wellness too with the hotel’s dreamy new 24-hour

Day celebrations… and the launch of a new wellness

Wellness Retreat package, that we reckon will be a

retreat package just in time for summer!

The hotel invited a handful of guests for a poolside breakfast and crystal singing bowl meditation to reaffirm their commitment to wellbeing for guests and staff alike. Guests dressed in the signature pink of Global Wellness Day and mingled with senior management over a sumptuous buffet of health-conscious goodies.

hit this summer! The package includes: • a crystal singing bowl meditation for one guest (available Thursday to Sunday) • 60-minute spa treatment for one guest, • breakfast buffet for two at the Grand Cafe

• 24-hour stay from check-in • special offer of $350 for valet parking • The package starts from $2,980 + 10 percent per room per night and is valid on stays through August 31.

Retreat

A ONE-NIGHT ESCAPE TO HELP YOU RESET AND FIND BALANCE classes | workshops | yoga | qigong | meditation | ceremonies | healthy cuisine

HYATT REGENCY SHA TIN

COCO ALEXANDRA, Host

ALICE KWAN, Evolcare

JASMINE LIU, HYGGEWellbeing

19-20 JULY

SARAH KALMETA, Pivot Point

NICHOLAS MOUTAFIS, Luminal Space

EARLY BIRD RATE (book by July 5)

STANDARD

Single occupancy: $3,600 per head

Single occupancy: $3,850 per head

Twin sharing: $2,650 per head

Twin sharing: $2,800 per head