Liv Magazine July 2016

FITNESS

NUTRITION

WELLBEING

TRAVEL

E CO

S PA

FREE

JULY 2016 | l i v - m a g a z i n e . c o m

Hasta La Fitness The Arnold Classic rolls into town

Rio Talk

We get personal with Hong Kong’s Olympians

Use Protection Chemical-free sunscreens, tested by us

Get Better Sleep Now!

Stretch Your Dollar

Cheap (and free!) yoga classes you can join today

Ring of Fire

Ultra-running Central Java’s five volcanoes

Why Hongkongers suck at sleeping... and what we can do to get more time in bed

PLUS superfood cocktails, perfume and yoga pants all up for grabs on p.16!

ULY

04 Editor’s Letter

LIV | MORE

LIV | NEWS

26 Olympics Special!

06 It’s a Date

Events for your diary

10 Hot Right Now

New happenings on the wellness scene

12 Fresh Cuts

Dining news that’s good for you

14 Cheat Day

Because #YOLO

17 Well I Never

Andrea Lo monkeys around at an ApeFit class

LIV | STORIES 18 Give it a Rest

How to get a good night’s sleep in this 24-hour city

We speek to Camille Cheng and Yvette Kong, Hong Kong’s own Olympic swimming hopefuls

30 Recipe

Avocado and sweet potato salad from Invisible Kitchen

12

32 Pamper

Glow Spa’s cosmeceutical facial, plus natural sunscreens

34 Travel

Checking out the MesaStila Peaks Challenge in Central Java 10

Sup, bra?

40 Family

Tips on how to green your next kids’ party

44 Q&A

MicroForests’ Rainbow Chow

50 How I Liv

Christian Mongendre of HOME Eat to Live 33

24 Flexy Times

Cheap (and sometimes free!) yoga classes across town 34

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EDITOR’S LETTER

WAKE UP! Whether it’s kids, stress, smartphones, or simply the irresistible allure of a big night out, too many of us Hongkongers are getting too little sleep. Our precious eight hours of shut-eye is losing out to increasingly untenable work demands, family demands, and of course, cat videos on YouTube. We’re exhausted but wired - a toxic combination when you’re trying to get some rest.

In this issue, we learn a little more about the state of sleep and stress in Hong Kong, and speak to experts and insomnia sufferers alike about how you can take back control of bedtime (p.18).

One of the wonderful things about Hong Kong’s yoga community is that so many teachers are happy to pay it forward with free or pay-as-you-wish classes that are a walletfriendly way to deepen your practice and spread good vibes.

We’ve rounded up a selection of classes that stretch your limbs (but not your overdraft) on (p.24).

Elsewhere we’ve spoken to soon-to-be Olympian swimmers Yvette Kong and Camille Cheng about their journey to Rio. Learn more about these total badasses on (p.26).

This month we’ve also spoken to Christian Mongendre of HOME Eat to Live, Hong Kong’s most exciting new vegetarian restaurant. Read all about his inspirational wellness journey on (p.50).

Have a great summer!

Sarah

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS For this month’s cover story, Kate Springer finds out just how dire our city’s sleeping situation is, and finds out what we can do to help ourselves.

Reluctant fitness columnist Andrea Lo goes ape at an outdoor ApeFit class.

Travel columnist Gayatri Bhaumik visits a camp for rescued elephants in Northern Thailand, and gets the scoop on Phuket’s hot new wellness retreat.

Throwing a kid’s party some time in the next few months? Kate Farr shows us how to keep it green and waste-free.

Our newest contributor, Hannah Hodson scoured the city for community yoga classes that offer cheap or free yoga to all.

SARAH FUNG PUBLISHER

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Liv Media Limited Makerhive, 10/F, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Kennedy Town PUBLISHER SARAH FUNG SALES MANAGERS JASMIN BLUNCK, AILEEN CHAN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STACEY MARCELO GRAPHIC DESIGN TAMMY TAN CONTRIBUTORS KATE FARR, SHAN SHAN FENG, ANDREA LO, KATE SPRINGER, GAYATRI BHAUMIK, HANNAH HODSON, KRIS VAN DE VELDE SPECIAL THANKS ZACH HINES, BLACKIE HUI, EDMUND IP, TOM HILDITCH PRINTED BY GEAR PRINTING 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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Sponsored Feature

GET BOUNCE FIT

Hong Kong’s biggest trampoline park BOUNCE launches BOUNCE Fit classes for the summer.

WANT TO WIN A POLAR FITNESS TRACKER? For details please visit: www.bounceinc.com.hk//get-bounce-fit

Did you know that 10 minutes of trampolining is the equivalent to 30 minutes of running and burns more calories? If you’re looking for a high-intensity, lowimpact way to shed the festive spread, BOUNCE is here to help you keep fit and healthy outside traditional fitness avenues.

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Calendar

IT’S A DATE

AUGUST 24-29

SLIP N’ SLIDE

Hong Kong’s biggest water slide, Slide The City returns this summer - this time at the New Central Harbourfront. Grab your rubber ring and launch yourself down the enormous slip n’ slide for an afternoon of silly, splashy fun. When you’re done, head to the mini artificial beach for some sun and music, or hit the wet area for an epic water fight.

Tickets $162-$580, depending on date and time slot. Buy tickets at slidethecity.hk.

AUGUST 7

JULY 25-AUG 7

Head on down to the New Central Harbourfront at the start of August for a morning of health and fitness.

Organised by Elite Personal Training, the EPT Health Fest is a showcase of Hong Kong’s health and wellness SMEs. Get up close and personal with boutique gyms, yoga studios, health food stores and nutritionists, to name just a few. You can learn more about what’s on offer here in Hong Kong, and perhaps find a new favourite fitness business too. The event will kick-off with an invigorating fitness class, so wear your sneakers!

If you grew up in Hong Kong and are on the wrong side of 30, you will probably remember the famous Lai Yuen amusement park in Lai Chi Kok. Hongkongers have fond memories of the park, which closed in 1997 and was recreated as a nostalgic pop-up last year. Well, Lai Yuen is back again, this time at the AsiaWorld-Expo.

Making painstaking efforts to faithfully replicate many aspects of the original park, there will be rides, games and plenty of attractions for all the family.

A HEALTHY START

Free. 8:30am-noon, New Central Harbourfront, Central, www.eliteptstudio.com.

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RETRO REVIVAL

Tickets $140-$180 (general) $60-$80 (seniors).

AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau, laiyuen.hk.

Calendar

AUGUST 11-15

LET’S MAKEUP

Want to learn all about the wellness trends on the horizon? The HKTDC Beauty & Wellness Expo will showcase makeup, skincare and health products from hundreds of exhibitors from all over the world. $30. The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. www.hktdc.com.

AUGUST 19-21

HEY ARNOLD JULY 18-24

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Get your giggle on at the annual Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, which is is taking place at The Fringe Club. There’ll be top comedic talents and up-and-comers from Oz and the UK, including Mel Buttle (right) and Phil Wang (left).

One of the biggest fitness events of the year, the Arnold Classic - Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sport and fitness festival - is rolling into Hong Kong for the first time ever.

Held at the AsiaWorld-Expo, the three-day event will see hundreds of sport and fitness showcases, from jump rope to MMA, bodybuilding to yoga and everything in between. Beyond the brawn, visitors will find more than 300 health and wellness brands represented at the event, so you can be sure there’s something for everyone. Expect workout demonstrations, friendly competitions, and of course, an appearance from Arnold himself.

Tickets start at $150 per adult, $80 for students and teens under 18, and free for kids 12 years and under.

AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau, arnoldclassicasia.com.

$280-$395 depending on date. The Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd., Central, 2521-7251, www.hkticketing.com.

BOOK NOW

STOCK UP

Are you a small business owner in the health and wellness world? You won’t want to miss the chance to take part in #StockYour Store, organised by wellness website Green Queen. Taking place on September 20 in Central, this trade event will connect buyers and distributors for SMEs in the wellness space - think food, supplements, yoga wear, eco cleaning products and many more.

Learn more and register at greenqueen.com.hk/ stockyourstore.

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IN stic W ta s! n ize a f pr

Liv Magazine’s

Readers’ Choice Awards and readership survey!

I

t’s time to vote for your favourite health-related brands in Liv Magazine’s first annual Readers’ Choice Awards!

All you have to do is name your favourite businesses in 23 categories, and while you’re there, help us learn a little more about our readers by filling in our survey. What’s in it for you? Well, you’ll be in with a chance to win the following fabulous prizes.

GRAND PRIZE A week-long, all-inclusive stay at Chosen Bali, with flights sponsored by Flight Centre

Chosen experiences are a remix of luxurious healthy holidays, adventure getaways, fitness retreats and wellness vacations, all edited into a perfect seven-day package.

Staying in luxurious accommodation, the carefully curated program combines exercise, life coaching, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and nourishing gourmet cuisine. Every detail is designed to challenge, change and rejuvenate you by pushing you outside your comfort zone. In addition to Bali, Chosen experiences are held around the globe, in far-flung locations such as Guatemala, Iceland and New Zealand. Courtesy of Chosen and Flight Centre, we’ve got an all-inclusive getaway for one extremely lucky reader! chosenexperiences.com, www.flightcentre.com.hk.

WORTH MORE THAN

$42,000!

Log onto liv-magazine.com/rca to vote for your favourite wellness brands!

Courtesy of The Peninsula Hong Kong, we are giving away a Haute Couture à la carte Collagen Facial by Margy’s Monte Carlo, worth $3,157! This 90-minute treatment begins with a skin analysis and consultation, before a bespoke treatment is created to address your skincare concerns. The highly active face masks help to tighten, brighten, even skin tone or plump, while the marine algae and firming mask smoothes and moisturises, leaving your skin relaxed and radiant. www.peninsula.com.

THIRD PRIZE A three-piece workout outfit from Lorna Jane

SECOND PRIZE A Haute Couture à la carte Collagen Facial at the Peninsula Spa

Courtesy of Aussie activewear brand Lorna Jane, we have a three-piece outfit to give away, consisting of a sports bra, top and tights, valued at a minimum of $2,000. You’ll even be welcomed to the Lorna Jane showroom to pick out the pieces yourself to ensure a perfect fit. The brand specialises in creating fashion-forward, highperformance pieces in small batches that rotate monthly, meaning that your ensemble is bound to be unique. www.lornajane.com.

FOURTH PRIZE $1,000 Dining Vouchers for Fish & Meat and Limewood Courtesy of Maximal Concepts, we’ve got two $1,000 dining vouchers up for grabs: one for Fish & Meat on Wyndham Street, and one for Limewood in Repulse Bay. Both restaurants offer plenty of delicious, health-conscious bites with an emphasis on sustainably sourced ingredients. www.limewood.hk, www.fishandmeat.hk.

Cool Stuff

HOT RIGHT NOW News from the wellness scene

She Wears the Pants

After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Zarie exercise pants have hit the shelves, and are generating quite a bit of buzz for their fitness-boosting credentials. The fabric used is infused with ingredients such as retinol, fatty acids, caffeine, aloe vera and vitamin E via a micro-encapsulation process, which helps to improve skin texture and circulation and reduce bloating. The design of the leggings also balance hold and stretch, ensuring that they’re comfortable but “hug” as you work out.

They’re also great for plane travel. $450-$650 from zarie.co.

The Hit List

The HIIT training trend shows no signs of going away any time soon, as evidenced by the new Hit45 gym on Stanley Street. Specialising in 45-minute high-intensity classes, Hit45 combines free weights, functional movements and cardio to provide all over conditioning in one fast workout blast that takes place in a high-energy, ass-kicking environment. It also has eco-friendly treadmills that burn more calories and absorb more shock than regular machines, so you’re putting less strain on your joints. There are no joining fees or memberships; a one-off session is $270, while a package of five or 10 sessions are $1,250 or $2,200 respectively.

1/F Abdoolally House, 20 Stanley St., Central, www.hit45hk.com.

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Cool Stuff

Cool Runnings

Here’s a bit of tech that will help cut down your electricity bill this summer and save some fossil fuels too! Ambi Climate is a neat little device that hooks up to an app to control your air conditioner through your phone. You can turn it on and off remotely, and even program it to understand your needs and remember your preferred temperature settings over time.

The algorithm will take into account your feedback as well as environmental and seasonal factors to provide an ideal temperature all year round, meaning no more alternating between melting and freezing and turning your aircon on and off all day long.

Units are $1,399 each and are available online at ambiclimate.com.

My Chemsi Romance

A brand new almond butter company, Chemsi makes perfectly blended almond butters that are non-oily, deliciously creamy and come in three seriously yummy flavours: lightly roasted sea salt, dark chocolate and maple syrup with cinnamon. Sea salt is $55 for 100ml, while the other two flavours are $65. Or you can purchase all three jars for $150 and figure out which one’s your fave. The brand is really new right now so you can expect to see them on the market circuit, or order online at chemsi.co.

Yas Queen

Local lingerie brand Regina Miracle has upped its sportswear game in a big way with the launch of its “Ready For Sport” range of sports bras. Known for its focus on comfort and fit, Regina Miracle’s new line has been engineered thoughtfully to solve the problems of normal sports bras: a hook and eye clasp mean no struggling to pull it off over your head after a sweaty workout; padded straps prevent digging on your shoulders; a flattering cross back to wear under racerback tees; and moulded cups prevent the dreaded “monoboob.” We had a test-drive at a trampoline class and were impressed with the support offered by the high-impact design, as well as the distinctly non-mumsy colour options. $428 from Regina Miracle outlets citywide, including Shop 210, 2/F, Man Yee Arcade, 68 Des Voeux Road Central, 2763-5138, rmreginamiracle.com.

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FRESH CUTS Dining news that’s good for you

SALAD TOSS

Halloumi and persimmon salad by Beef & Liberty

“Green Goddess” salad by The Kinnet

THE MAHA MOMENT There’s a crazy number of superfood supplements on the market right now. My Maha is a new brand that’s just come out of Singapore to offer online shopping with free delivery in Hong Kong. Right now if has two products: The Essential Greens superfood powder ($300 per box of 15 sachets), containing energyboosting wheatgrass, spinach, raspberries, spirulina and moringa leaves; and The Matcha Warrior ($159), which is made from organic, stone-ground green tea leaves that are high in antioxidants. Looking for some inspiration? Check out the recipes page for matcha pancakes and healthy cookie sandwiches with green powder coconut cream filling. www.mymaha.com.

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This summer, seven restaurants will be battling it out in the Reinventing Salads campaign. The contest will determine who makes the best salad in Hong Kong, with the eventual winner being crowned on August 1. The concept is simple: each restaurant - Linguni Fini, Common Room, Viet Kitchen, Beef & Liberty, Lily & Bloom, Fresca and Restaurant by The Kinnet - will serve a specially designed salad from now until the end of July at a set price of $120, and whoever sells the most salads at their respective restaurants will be crowned the winner.

We attended a media and blogger tasting last month, and winners of the night, as voted for by more than 35 members of the press, was the Vietnamese steak salad with mango and greens from Viet Kitchen, followed by the “Green Goddess” roasted chicken salad with Greek yogurt and avocado dressing from The Kinnet. Go try them all, and share your verdict on social media by using the hashtags #hkreinventssalads and #eatcleangogreen.

Dining

WHAT DO HEALTHY PEOPLE EAT?

Esther Ma, competitive runner and swimmer, PR agency owner and mum of two.

Sum up your food philosophy in a sentence.

You are what you eat so eat well, feel good, and live long.

What three items do you always have in your fridge?

Soda water, milk for my coffee and a packet of pumpkin seeds.

What do you usually have for breakfast?

I don’t have much for breakfast.

Coffee with milk, plus yogurt or a banana.

Mexican tiger prawn salad by The Common Room

JRINK UP Love tea? Better head on down to Jrink, a seriously cute tea shop in Tai Hang with big goals: to transform the tea-drinking landscape in Hong Kong by educating people on the health benefits of tea.

With more than 120 flavours across eight categories, you can pop into their cafe for an immersive experience, or else purchase gift tins that have been handmade in Sri Lanka.

From Thursday to Saturday, Jrink offers an Afternoon Tea Party ($198), with bottomless tea and delicate sweet and savoury bites.

21 Ormsby St., Tai Hang, www.jrink.com.hk.

What’s one thing you wished people knew about diet and nutrition?

Don’t just blindly diet by starving yourself. Eat smart, eat frequently in small portions, drink lots of water, and eat good fats such as avocado and olive oil for good nutrition.

What do you snack on when you’re on the move with no time to prepare anything?

Saltines, grapes and a slice of cheese.

What are your favourite restaurants when eating out?

When was the last time Hotshot at The Pulse for kale you ate McDonalds? salad, tacos, mint iced tea Five months ago with and their bloody mary; Rozan my daughters. I had Japanese for sushi, oysters and a fish burger. uni; and Grassroots Pantry for Last meal on earth: what their signature salad and would it be? their couscous.

A seven-course What do you eat on cheat day? gourmet meal that Dorito chips with salsa and two is my signature. sips of my daughter’s milkshake.

I also love to show my love for my Where do you go for family through a healthy lunch? cooking.

Anywhere with salad and a bloody mary. Hotshot has a great one, as does Amalfitana pizzeria at The Pulse.

When were you at your least healthy?

At Vinexpo, which took place last month. I went to wine dinners five consecutive evenings and drank at least four different wines each night.

Dining

CHEAT DAY

Because life’s too short to always order the salad

INTO THE WOODS Creative cocktail bar The Woods is known for its “prixe-fixe” cocktail and food pairing journeys, and this summer they’re launching “The Oasis,” a series of cocktails that are packed with healthy ingredients and superfoods. It sounds a little odd, but makes perfect sense when you remember that alcohol was originally used as a curative tonic for all manner of ills! The journey starts with a taster of homemade beet kvass (a probiotic drink from Russia) blended with Tanqueray gin.

Next up is a chlorella “terrarium” that you mix tableside with chia seeds, jasmine kombucha from local brand Taboocha, and Ketel One. It’s served with a delicious cashew, tahini and homemade pickle dumpling. A hot toddy of rye whiskey, oats and maca powder (pictured) comes next, before finishing off with an acai berry foam floated on top of Ron Zapaca 23-year rum and coconut kefir yogurt from local probiotic peddlers Quo. Your “dessert” is served with a wasabi, avocado and kefir yogurt ice cream cone dipped in dark chocolate. $488 per head, available until August 3. 15-17 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2522-0281, www.thewoods.hk.

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WIN: An Ambi Climate AC monitoring device Ambi Climate is the smart add-on for air conditioners that puts your comfort first. Whether it’s turning on your AC before you get home, or setting rules and timers for when you’re out of the house, Ambi Climate smartenables your AC to give you seamless control. We’ve got three Ambi Climate devices to give away, each worth $1,399. ambiclimate.com.

Deadline: July 28

WIN: A limited-edition Michael Kors Sexy Sunset EDP A perfect summer fragrance, this perfume

by Michael Kors has been blended to evoke summer sunsets, with top notes of Nashi pear, blackcurrant and freesia, mid-notes of peony, gardenia, rose bouton, magnolia and jasmine, and bottom notes of sandalwood, cedarwood and vanilla. We’ve got three bottles to give away, each worth $860.

Deadline: July 28

WIN: A prixe-fixe superfood cocktail tasting at The Woods Creative cocktail bar The Woods has put together a four-course cocktail and food pairing menu, featuring some of our favourite superfoods. Think maca powder with oats and rye whiskey, Ketel One with kombucha, chia seeds and chlorella, or coconut kefir yogurt and rum with an acai berry float, to name just a few. We’ve got a prixe-fixe menu for two, worth $976, to give away. thewoods.hk.

Deadline: July 28

WIN: A pair of Zarie fitness pants Fresh from a successful crowdfunding campaign, these yoga pants by Zarie use a micro-encapsulation technology to infuse the fabric with retinol, fatty acids and aloe vera to help improve the tone and texture of the skin. We’ve got five pairs to give away, each worth $450-$650. zarie.co.

Deadline: July 28

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

Column

WELL I NEVER...

MONKEYING AROUND Andrea Lo gets back to her simian roots with an ApeFit class.

I’ve always favoured exercising indoors, solo, with the AC blasting.

I

’ve only recently started working out on a (semi) regular basis, and I’ve always favoured exercising indoors, solo, with the AC blasting. To say I wasn’t looking forward to hitting ApeFit, an outdoor bootcamp at the crack of dawn (OK, the crack of 8:45am) at the height of a hot, humid summer is a pretty big understatement.

Taking place at parks across Hong Kong Island, the hour-long classes at ApeFit consist of a series of exercises that fully utilise the surroundings and also see participants partner up with each other.

Focusing on cardio, strength and core, the workouts boost cardiovascular fitness as well as flexibility and balance.

I arrived at Belcher Bay Park in Kennedy Town bright and early. I met founder Linds Russell and personal trainer Sasha, who told me that while people often say they’re “not fit enough” to try out the classes, that’s the exact type ApeFit is perfect for.

Everyone moves at a different pace, and exercises are easily adapted to different individuals’ abilities.

We took our places on the grass and began with some warm-up moves.

We star-jumped and skipped and hopped.

As usual, I found myself out of sync with everyone else.

Linds and Sasha had us lining up up behind one another to practice sprints on the grass. Sasha then had each of us run to overtake the person at the front of the line. Then we would squat, do four star jumps, and then run to the back of the line.

Thankfully, we weren’t running at

Olympic-sprinter speed and I didn’t find this too hard. Little did I know the workout was about to get a lot more intense.

We moved to the playground area next to the grass and started off with some milder movements like squatting and jumping. Then came push-ups, immediately followed by yet another sprint.

The exercises got harder and harder: we had to run up a small hill, drop for push-ups, and then start running again. By this time I was exhausted, with sweat running down my face.

I had no idea how I completed this next series of exercises. Facing a partner, we lay flat on our backs with our feet hooked to each other’s, then rose and high-fived each other with both hands. Then we swapped positions: also lying flat on the ground, this time we faced each other, and then holding on to each other’s hands, we raised our legs in the air until our toes touched. We ended with some burpees.

I was a sweaty mess by the end of the class, but for the first time in a long time, I felt great - and it wasn’t even 10am!

Outdoor exercising definitely takes some getting used to, but the fun, group dynamic of ApeFit really helps you get into the swing of things. I came away feeling like I was ready to seize the day, with visions of becoming one of those people who gets up at the crack of dawn to go work out.

Of course, I haven’t gotten up to work out since, but one day…

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Cover Story

GetTheeToBed Hongkongers are some of the tiredest, most-stressed out people in Asia. But with a decent night’s sleep so elusive, how can we get some rest before we burn out completely?

Kate Springer investigates.

L

ife in Hong Kong makes all kinds of demands on your time, from work commitments to family, social engagements, travel and more.

And when you’re time poor, your sleep cycle is often the first thing to take a hit. Anxiety about the neverending to-do list or strained relationships keeps us up at night, taking a profound toll on psychological and physical health.

A 2016 study commissioned by the AIA Group analyzed the wellbeing of people in 15 cities. The

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survey polled 10,000 people across the Asia Pacific region, and Hong Kong ranked the lowest - trailing behind Macau, China and Singapore.

What’s wrong with our wellbeing? According to the AIA Group’s healthy living index, we are a sleep-deprived, tech-obsessed and stressed-out population. Hong Kong residents sleep an average of 6.5 hours a night, spend 3.7 non-work related hours online per day, and scored 6.7 out of 10 on a stress scale.

Cover Story

“I would say that Hong Kong is one of the most stressful cities in the world,” says Dr. Sheri McCurdy-Lightbound, a psychologist who works with Central Minds counseling practice and is an executive coach with Simitri Group International.

“People in Hong Kong love to work hard and play hard. They work long hours, tend to go out a lot and never switch off, answering emails and texts at all hours.”

Dr. McCurdy-Lightbound primarily works with adults who have anxiety and stress, and she says sleep issues go hand-in-hand. “Physically, if you’re not sleeping enough, it can cause heart issues, high blood pressure and obesity,” she warns. “And psychologically, your mind doesn’t have a chance to do its work at night, which is to help you to concentrate, facilitate your memory and regulate your mood.”

Anxiety is usually the crux of the issue when it comes to what’s keeping people up at night.

As soon as you slow down long enough for your brain to think, the mind floods with worries about work, kids, marital problems, family pressure, relationships, social obligations, and so on.

“Anxiety is doing its job; it’s a great emotion.

Anxiety is there to make us focus, plan, and get stuff done,” says Dr. McCurdy-Lightbound. “We don’t need to get out of bed and do our taxes right at that moment, so you have to find ways to calm

Eight tips for a better night’s rest from Dr. McCurdyLightbound.

POWER DOWN: Limit the stimulants you’re putting into your body: nicotine, caffeine, sugar and alcohol.

LOSE THE BOOZE. Alcohol might help you fall asleep at first, but as it metabolizes, it turns into a stimulant and wakes you up in the middle of the night.

QUIT DAYDREAMING: No napping during the day, otherwise it could be difficult to stay on schedule come nightfall.

HOLD THE PHONE: Switch off an hour before you go to bed - this includes all electronics: laptops, iPads, phones. Keep them out of the bedroom.

LIGHTS OUT: Dim the lights an hour before bedtime. Make sure it’s dark enough in the room; buy blackout blinds or wear an eye mask to get your body to produce the melatonin you need to to fall asleep.

ROUTINE PROCEDURE: Stick to a routine about an hour before bedtime. Read a book, drink some herbal tea, take a bath but avoid computer and phone screens.

TRY, TRY AGAIN: If you’re lying in bed for 15 to 20 minutes and you can't sleep, get up, have a cup of herbal tea, or a glass of milk - and then try again.

PASS ON PILLS: Try to figure things out psychologically before trying the drug route, because you could become dependent on a sleep aid.

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Cover Story

your mind down, like practicing mindfulness, restructuring thoughts, or writing on a pad of paper next to your bed and scheduling a time to do it later.”

Getting your eight hours isn’t the only thing to worry about - a good night’s sleep is also about getting good quality deep sleep through the night.

“We live in a society where people brag about how little they sleep; you have to be a gladiator, you have to be a trooper and provide everything,” says Emme Yue, a teacher at an international school in Hong Kong. “People don't realize how much a lack of sleep affects their health, relationship, happiness and job performance.”

Yue speaks from experience. She has battled insomnia for over a decade, only recently recovering to find that proper sleep can be lifechanging. The international school teacher started having sleep issues in 2004 after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The autoimmune disease causes chronic inflammation and malabsorption, which in turn affects sleep.

It affected her deeply, worsening when she started teaching and had to wake up early. She’d be restless at night, lying awake in bed, tossing, turning, urging herself to fall asleep. “If you break a bone, you can go to a doctor and get a cast,” says Yue. But with sleep, it’s so insidious because it affects you in a way that people don’t see your organs, your mental health, your energy, your mood.”

Get Those Zzzs Not convinced you need to hit the hay? Studies show that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to...

Lowered immunity

High blood pressure

Depression

Impaired concentration

Memory problems

Clumsiness

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Weight gain

Heart disease

Sponsored Feature

Come Home to a

Cooler Climate With the help of Ambi Climate, intelligently regulate your AC for a perfect indoor temperature every day.

Fed up of alternately freezing and sweating all summer long? Worried your excessive air-con habit is harming the planet? Ambi Climate is a nifty little device that connects your phone and your AC within minutes to ensure a perfect indoor temperature all year round.

Simple but totally ingenious, Ambi Climate is capable of learning your temperature preferences in just 7 days. Using the app, you can tell Ambi Climate whether the temperature feels hot, cold or just right, and

WHY CHOOSE AMBI CLIMATE? Save the planet: Ambi Climate ensures you use only as much electricity as necessary to keep comfortable - no more, no less.

Put the “remote” in “remote control”: switch on the AC while you commute, and arrive home to a perfectly pre-cooled oasis.

Hassle-free: no more scrambling around for the remote or waking up freezing cold in the middle of the night.

Perfect for pet owners: keep your furry friends cool without running up an eye-watering electricity bill; control your AC while you’re out.

Battle the humidity: Going on holiday? Set Ambi Climate to “Away” mode while you’re abroad to keep mould and moisture damage at bay.

the device will adjust your AC accordingly.

Once you’ve given enough feedback, all you have to do is sit back and let Ambi Climate precision-cool your home for you. Using environmental sensors and powerful machine learning algorithms, Ambi Climate knows exactly what’s going on with the weather and how it affects your comfort.

Ambi Climate is $1,399 and is available online at ambiclimate.com

Cover Story

Yue attempted to solve her sleep issues at home naturally, determined to avoid pills and medications. She stopped drinking coffee in the evenings, cut screen time and used lavender essential oils. These changes certainly helped, but the most dramatic results occurred when Yue began visiting an osteopath, originally for cranial and biodynamic treatments to re-calibrate the nervous system. At the same time, she also started taking a combination of supplements: magnesium to relax muscles as well as a probiotic drink to enhance gut health.

Over the past three months, this combination has improved her sleep dramatically. Now she typically sleeps seven hours a night, within the recommended range of six to eight hours. “Sleeping through the night has been revolutionary for my wellbeing,” she says.

“My husband and I are at the best point in our marriage. I am much more efficient at work, and I’m just nicer to be around in general with my improved mood.”

It’s impossible to live an optimal life - juggling work, relationships, kids, friends - while running on a few hours of sleep every night. “People always put these things off because they think it’s not important, but it’s not worth living a subpar life,” says Yue. “Don’t ignore it. Take control of your sleep. Your life will be radically improved once you deal with it.”

PowerUp Sleep enough but still feel zonked? Try to work in these good habits to your day.

MOVE YOUR MUSCLES Next time the couch is calling your name, take a 20-minute walk before checking out. Exercising regularly for six weeks will make you feel more energized throughout the day.

CHUG WATER Your energy levels can be severely depleted if you’re dehydrated, so be sure to drink at least three litres of water every day.

DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF Your perfectionist habits will take a toll on your physical and mental wellbeing, since you’re working too hard on unrealistic goals.

A DOSE OF PERSPECTIVE Every time your boss calls you into his office, you’re getting fired, right?

If you’re constantly worrying, the anxiety will tire you out while keeping you wired.

YOUR DIET IS WACK. Put down those Cup Noodles and load up on nutrient-dense foods, like spinach and eggs, as well as whole grains, tofu, fruit, seeds and nuts.

22

Yoga

Fancy taking up yoga but don’t want to splurge on a pricy membership? There are tons of drop-in, donationbased, or even free classes that offer an inexpensive way to grow your practice. By Hannah Hodson

VOX POP

(SELF)PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Having run for just over two years, YogaPop regularly holds a Sunday afternoon yoga practice that takes place in Tamar Park and is completely free for domestic helpers; pay-asyou-wish for everyone else. YogaPop is part of Soultrains, a yoga community founded by instructor May Nogoy that produces creative yoga events for the community.

Named after world-renowned yogi, BKS Iyengar, the Iyengar Yoga Centre has a jam-packed schedule of workshops and classes for beginners and experienced yogis alike. Classes start from as low as $120, and once enrolled in a package you’re welcome to join the monthly two-hour self-practice class, which allows yogis to meet and practice together for just $50.

19/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, 2541-0401, iyengaryogahongkong.com.

www.facebook.com/soultrainspage.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY Yogis of all ages, from little kids to grandparents, are all welcome at the Andiappan Yoga Community for absolutely no set cost.

The community of volunteer yogis aims to share its practice with anyone looking to limber up and find some Zen, particularly those who have special needs or don’t have the means to afford regular classes. Sessions are run throughout the city, both indoors and outdoors, for all kinds of special groups, so check out their website to see which class best suits you. The community regularly works with local charities and studios to put together yoga programs for the disadvantaged or those recovering from serious illness. yogacommunity.org.

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Yoga

GO WITH THE HO FEEL THE FLOAT Find your flow for a very worthy cause at Flow to Float. This practice creates a space for more serious yogis to discuss their technique and share new moves for just $100, which goes straight to the Acts of Kindness Collective in Nepal.

Sessions take place at Float On every Tuesday from 9.30am10.30am and for every five practices attended, you get a free 60-minute float in one of their DreamPod floatation tanks.

With only eight spots per class the sessions are intimate and require an RSVP beforehand, so grab your mat and sign up quickly to save your spot. tiny.cc/flowtofloat.

RUN, YOGIS, RUN Prefer hitting the trails to hitting the mat? Yoga is an excellent complementary exercise for runners as it helps to lengthen muscles that have been shortened from running, keeping you flexible and injury-free. My Yoga Trail offers Yoga For Runners, an outdoor class at either Tamar Park or central Pier 10, depending on the weather. It takes place most monday evenings, all levels are welcome and classes are an absolute bargain at just $70. myyogatrail.com.

MIND OVER MOOLAH The free sessions at Sahaja Yoga focus primarily on meditation, allowing you to line up your chakras and find balance. The session leaders will even share tips on how to meditate at home. Classes are led by devoted volunteers in Central, Jordan, Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin, so you’re never far from finding some inner peace. For Islanders, there’s a practice every Monday evening at City Hall from 7:30pm (excluding public holidays).

Despite being new on the block this year, David Ho Yoga has already gathered quite a following for his hatha, vinyasa and acro yoga classes. Open to beginners and experienced yogis alike, the sessions run on a pay-as-you-wish basis (recommended $100$150) in a variety of different outdoor locations on the island, including Tamar Park. While there isn’t a set schedule, classes pop up regularly, so keep up to date on the Facebook page. facebook.com/DavidHoYoga.

TREE POSE Running since February, the pay-as-you-wish classes

by Grass Roots Yoga take place in Victoria Park at a variety of different times, so keep your eyes peeled on their Facebook site to find the best time for you. tiny.cc/grassrootsyogahk.

GET BENDY Whether it’s vinyasa or ashtanga, this dynamic duo has got your back. Ideal for those looking for a more energetic practice, Ben and Jenny offer a number of evening classes held at government sports centres Sheung Wan, Wan Chai and Sai Ying Pun through the week, with a few outdoor classes at Sun Yat-sen Park thrown in. Believing that yoga is for everyone, the duo have been hosting pay-as-you-wish classes for all levels ever since completing their teacher training back in March. Hang back for a 30-minute Q&A session after class to brush up on your technique and yoga knowledge. Subscribe to their event feed to find out where the next classes are taking place. facebook.com/ benandjennyyoga.

sahajayoga.org.hk.

TIME TO UNIONIZE Fancy pushing your flexibility, strength, and balance to the limit? Then join the Yoga Union for a whole host of challenging yoga classes. Set up by renowned Hong Kong yogi Adam Weirwick, the intimate classes have two instructors on hand with yogis of all levels given special attention throughout the practice. Classes are pay-as-you-wish and take place in the heart of central on Arbuthnot Road, and they’ve even got showers for you to freshen up after - no excuse to miss out! facebook.com/yogaunion852.

25

Swim

Camille Cheng Photo: Brenton Tse

Yvette Kong

IN IT TO SWIM IT Ahead of the Olympics this summer, Liv Magazine speaks to Camille Cheng and Yvette Kong, who will be representing Hong Kong in swimming at the Rio games.

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Have you always been swimmers? How did you get into swimming?

C: When I was growing up, I would go to the swimming pool in our apartment complex after school and loved being in the water. One of my friends taught me how to swim and ever since then I've kept swimming. When I moved to Beijing at nine years old, the school swimming coach (who was a Greek Olympian) came up to me and said I needed to try out for the swimming team and that's when I started swimming competitively.

Y: I started learning swimming at 3 and became competitive at around 10 or 11. I've always loved swimming and was eager to join my elder brother and cousins in the pool.

What was your childhood like?

C: I would say I had a very happy childhood.

I'm the oldest of three sisters and always loved spending time with them. I grew up speaking French with my mom (she's French) and English at home. One of my favorite traditions we did as a family when I was in Hong Kong was that every Sunday we would hike up to the Peak and our reward was always a scoop of ice cream!

When I moved to Beijing, and as I got older and started swimming competitively, I wanted to set a good example for my sisters. Doing well in both swimming and at school was always extremely important to me.

Y: My childhood was filled with laughter, schoolwork and friends. I grew up in Hong Kong and attended local schools (Good Hope School and Diocesan Girls' School). I had fond memories from both schools and built invaluable friendships that have become the pillars of my strength now.

What does your family think of your swimming?

C: My family has been very supportive of my swimming. My parents have always encouraged my sisters and I to find something we are passionate about. Whenever they push me or are

Olympian Profile

strict with me I know it's because they care and want me to get better. Swimming, like any other sport, has its ups and downs and no matter what the outcome, at the end of the day they know I've tried my best and they say that's all that matters.

Y: My mom was very supportive of my swimming career, which I have been grateful for. When I was at school, my family experienced a financial crisis. My mom started a swim business single-handedly from scratch so that she could take care of me and profit a little simultaneously. She would sell swimsuits while watching me at swim practice on the spectator stand. The home business eventually became a swim shop named KCK Aquatics. My family always saw swimming as secondary to my academics until I turned professional. They gave me tremendous support and encouragement in realising my Olympic dream.

Y: Swimming becomes meditative to me the majority of the time - I go with the flow, become hyper-aware of bodily sensations and my relationship with the water, and forget about the outer world. When it gets boring and repetitive, I think about a rhythm or a beat, sometimes even a song to keep it going. And sometimes I daydream and absolutely space out - that's when I miscount laps!

My mom started a swim business single-handedly from scratch so that she could take care of me and profit a little simultaneously.

What training do you do outside of the pool?

C: We try to incorporate different sorts of training along with swimming - I lift weights, do Pilates and yoga, dance and spin. One of my favorite things we also do is swim in the ocean.

Y: I do weight training three times a week and 1-2 session of cross training, which includes boxing, Pilates, yoga and spinning.

What do you think about when you swim?

C: When I train, I think of it as an opportunity not only to improve myself but also to help my teammates around me get better. I would say swimming is a sport where you "race individually but train as a team." When I get up on the blocks to race, I'm the one racing but I know that my team is there supporting me like they do every day during training. I don't think I'd ever say it's boring but my mind does wander sometimes.

What are your hopes for the Rio Olympics?

C: My personal goal for the Olympics is to swim my best time and to hopefully get another swim at night. I'd really like to make it to at least the top 16. Our relay teams are currently ranked to qualify for the Olympics but we won't know for sure until after July, and this would be the first time Hong Kong would have a relay at the Olympics. To be part of making history would be really exciting!

Y: I have already exceeded my expectations going into this year with an automatic ticket to the Rio Olympics and am super happy with it.

I'm open-mind about what I can achieve in Rio.

Camille Cheng

27

Olympian Profile

My coach Chris Jones and I are looking to get into the semi-finals. Getting into the finals will be a reach but it is on our radar, too.

Can you tell us about setbacks you had on your path to the Olympics?

C: I struggled with confidence and believing that I was good enough to make an Olympic team - a lot of self-doubt. I didn't really get recruited to swim in college in the US, I was considered a "walk-on" but I improved a lot after my first year swimming at UC Berkeley.

Ever since then I've been working on trusting all the hard work I've put in, taking better care of myself, surrounding myself with people who care and make me better and slowly I've gained more confidence and it's paid off.

Y: I recently came out of a six-year plateau to make the Olympics. I narrowly missed Beijing Olympics in 2008 and London Olympics in 2012, since then I developed fear around qualification meets and unresolved feelings around swimming. With all of these anxieties I was led into a black hole.

I eventually "exploded" in 2013 and quit

Yvette Kong

28

swimming for a few months. That was when I realised that I still had love for the sport and sought help from professionals to clear my mental blocks. I had a major shift in mentality since then and things have become brighter.

I learnt to value process over outcome, to value the intangible things of my career and to have deeper gratitude over even the simplest things in life.

Any plans for the future after your swimming career?

C: I'd like to go back for a Masters degree I’m not sure in what field yet. And I'd love to travel.

Y: I am likely to pursue a Masters degree at the University of Edinburgh whilst going for another year of professional swimming.

I majored in cognitive science at UC Berkeley and am fascinated by the subject of brain and mind. I dream to be in the neuro-technology industry or doing psychological work. Giving back is on my agenda and I would be happy to do so in any way.

After all these years of swimming, do you still find it enjoyable?

C: I still love swimming. For me, it's my teammates that I'm surrounded by everyday that keep me in this sport. To be surrounded and coached by women is very empowering and whatever lessons I've learned from swimming across the years I've been able to translate them into other areas of my life.

Y: I find it immensely enjoyable. I still love the flickering of water and the competitiveness of it, just as I did when I was a little girl. I am the happiest I have ever been as both a swimmer and a person. The long journey made me very appreciative of what the sport has to give me - life lessons, relationships, memories and skills. I am so grateful for the sport.

Asia’s #1 Natural Products Expo Natural & Organic Products Asia (NOPA) is the largest annual sourcing platform for all things natural and organic in AsiaPacific. NOPA 2016 will gather over 250 exhibitors on the show floor, showcasing over 2,000 products to over 8,000 quality buyers in Asia. NOPA is the ideal place to generate sales and explore business opportunities in the Asia market.

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Organised by

Food

HEALTHY RECIPE

ROASTED SWEET POTATO AND AVOCADO SALAD By chef Tom Burney, Invisible Kitchen This hearty vegan salad is packed with nutritious ingredients that’ll keep you satisfied until dinner.

INGREDIENTS:

DRESSING:

• ½ an organic sweet potato (peeled)

• Handful baby spinach

• ⅔ cup coconut oil

• ¼ red cabbage, shredded

• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

• 1 tomato, sliced or cut into wedges

• ¼ cup rice vinegar

• Sea salt and white pepper • ½ an organic beetroot • ½ an avocado • Juice of 1 lime

• Black and white sesame seeds • Small bunch of coriander, washed and chopped

• 2 tsps raw honey or agave nectar • 4 tsps sesame oil • 1 garlic clove, crushed • Sea salt and pepper

METHOD: DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy

1. Preheat oven to 200c. Cut sweet potato into thin slices, coat in coconut oil and salt and pepper, and bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

2. Cut a “lid” off the top of the beetroot, then replace, wrap in tin foil and bake for 45 minutes. Allow to cool, remove the skin with a potato peeler and then cut into small cubes.

PREP TIME:

one hour (baking), 10 minutes (assembling) 30

3. Make the dressing by blitzing all the liquid ingredients in a blender for 30 seconds.

Transfer into a small jar and add the garlic.

For extra heat, add some chilli flakes.

Shake well before using.

4. Peel the avocado, taking care to save the dark green layer just under the skin, which has the most nutrients. Chop into cubes and coat in lime juice if not eating immediately.

5. Prepare the salad by arranging the spinach, cabbage and tomato on a plate. Top with sweet potato and avocado and drizzle with dressing. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped coriander.

Pamper

REVIEW

Skeyndor Derma Peel Pro Facial at Glow Spa THE BUZZ: Sick of facials that promise all sorts of miracles but in reality boil down to an hour of rubbing scented oil into your pores? Glow Spa offers a range of cosmeceutical facials by Spanish skincare brand Skeyndor; the science-heavy DermaPeel Pro Facial uses chemical exfoliation to shift dead skin cells, leaving behind brighter, less pigmented skin.

THE SPA: Located on Queen’s Road Central right next to Zara, Glow Spa is a beauty salon that’s also home to renowned stylists, Hollywood Hair. With four treatment rooms offering facials, body treatments, spray tanning, eyelash extensions and laser hair removal, plus a small hair salon space and a nail bar, Glow packs a lot of premium services into what is currently a pretty unassuming space - though they’re currently in the process of taking over a whole new floor dedicated to spa treatments.

THE PROCEDURE: The DermaPeel Facial starts with a thorough but gentle microdermabrasion scrub to prepare the skin. Next up, we were gently misted with a protective pre-peel spray designed to cool and comfort the skin during the acid treatment. The facial uses Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) to get rid of dead skin cells and dirt, along with smoothing and softening enzymes.

Unlike topical creams and lotions, these active ingredients penetrate the skin’s surface and work on the layers below. Although we experienced a little tingling, this phase wasn’t at all uncomfortable, taking just 3-10 minutes, depending on your skin type and tolerance to the products. Removing the peel, our therapist 32

applied a pH neutralising mask, followed by toner and moisturiser. Although this sounds like a lot of steps, we were in and out within an hour, which was quicker than we’d expected. The results were very noticeable: smoother, brighter and more even-toned skin without any of the redness we expected from a chemical peel.

BEST BIT:Not usually ones for a #nomakeupselfie, we couldn’t stop examining our new and improved face from every angle after the treatment. We also appreciated that our therapist managed to fit in both a scalp and a shoulder massage while the various potions were working their magic.

WHAT ELSE: Glow carries a curated range of hardto-find beauty products from cult names such as Aromatherapy Associates, London Skins, EcoTan and Davines in its retail space.

THE COST: $980 for 60 minutes (duration varies slightly, depending on your skin’s individual needs) 9/F, Parker House, 72 Queen’s Road Central, 2525-5198, glowspa.hk

R E A D E R’S D E A L !

Liv readers get a complimentary wash and blow-dry with every facial booked from now until the end of August. Quote Liv Magazine when booking to redeem.

Pamper

NATURAL SUNSCREENS

TRIE D TEST AND ED

Choosing the right sunscreen can be a bit of a minefield, but if you prefer to go allnatural, these brands offer sun protection that’s both effective and skin-friendly.

Natural Moisturising Face Sunscreen and Primer by Suntegrity

This Australian brand offers an all-natural but highly effective sunscreen containing 20 percent zinc oxide to block the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays. Unlike many natural sunblocks, this product glides on effortlessly without looking greasy or clogging pores. This best-selling face protector is packed with antioxidants, moisturising and calming agents, and is specially formulated to be worn under makeup. Also has a body line.

Sports Essentials Travel Set by Coola

Heading off on a short getaway? Chuck this travel-sized kit in your hand luggage and you’ll be ready for any sweaty adventures your vacation throws at you. Coola’s sunscreens are all free from parabens, petroleum and phthalates, are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and are highly water- and sweat-resistant. This set includes a SPF 50 sunscreen spray, an SPF 50 white tea face moisturiser, a fullsized SPF 30 lip balm and a mini aftersun lotion. $470 from A Beauty Bar counters citywide, including Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, 2111-9398, abeautybar.com.hk.

$405 from gourmetskinbar.com.

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Travel

Now in its sixth edition, the MesaStila Peaks Challenge in Central Java, Indonesia, combines a challenging trail race with a rewarding stay at the luxury resort organising the event.

Taking place this year on October 8-9, Kris Van de Velde talks us through the terrain.

K

een Asia travellers have revelled at the sight of the magnificent Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Central Java’s Borobudur for many decades. It is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, dating back to the 9th century, and an obvious UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borobudur is surrounded by rainforest, mountains and massive stratovolcanoes such as Mt. Merapi, which towers 2,930 metres above sea level.

This unique topography certainly makes for an impressive backdrop to the MesaStila Peaks Challenge.

Part of the Asia Trail Master series, the MesaStila Peaks Challenge is known as Indonesia’s Super Trail. Aiming to awaken each runner’s inner spirit and physical stamina, the race is one of Indonesia’s most hotly-anticipated running events. The main draw is the 100k run, which is promoted as the MesaStila5 Peaks Challenge and is named for the five

34

Travel

volcanic peaks that need to be conquered by the participants: Mt. Andong (1,726m), Mt. Merbabu (3,145m), Mt. Merapi (2,930m), Mt. Telomoyo (1,894m), and Mt. Gilipetung (1,400m).

All race finishers for the 100, 65 and 42k race will score points towards the Asia Trail Master championship, while those who complete the 100k event will also score one point for their individual Grandmaster Quest.

In addition to the three longer runs, participants can also opt for the more manageable 21k or 11k races, which makes this event accessible for all, no matter how experienced a runner you are. All the courses enjoy a fun and challenging diversity of terrain and breathtaking landscape views. But do not underestimate the trails either. It can be technical, tough and at times intimidating, with steep hills, jungle paths, Robusta coffee plantations and long stone pathways. The longer distances in particular have a significant amount of elevation gain to be conquered; the 100k main event will take runners up to an accumulated height of no fewer than 7,750 metres.

Due to its high volcanic activity, Central Java enjoys very fertile agricultural land and has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

The region is rich in ethnic and cultural history and together with its lush nature makes for a fantastic long weekend getaway. If you’re planning on making a holiday of it, it only makes sense to stay at MesaStila, the hotel organizing the event. An award-winning luxury resort, MesaStila’s villa accommodation is encircled by magnificent volcanoes and is set within fiftyfive acres of gardens, plantations and tropical jungle. There is a distinct Javanese flavour in the resort’s activities, which include local Javanese dining, focused exercise, relaxation therapy including yoga, stress management, cultural and educational programmes and trips to nearby sites such as the abovementioned Borubudur temple.

35

Travel

GETTING THERE Hong Kong Airlines and Garuda Indonesia both fly to Yogakarta, with a stop in either Denpasar or Jakarta. The flights take around 8.5 hours, depending on the duration of the stopover.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR LIV READERS We’ve got four free race entries for this year’s MesaStila Peaks Challenge on October 8-9, 2016! Visit liv-magazine.com/giveaways to enter

HOW TO TAKE PART You can register for the MesaStila Peaks Challenge online via the Asia Trail Master website (asiatrailmaster.com). Race-only packages are available, but if you want to make a holiday of it, choose a multi-day travel package, which includes: • Race fee • two, three or four nights’ accommodation at the Mesastila Resort, including daily buffet breakfast • Airport shuttle transfers from Semarang or Yogyakarta International Airport • Sunrise or sunset tour to Borobudur Temple complex, a world famous UNESCO World Heritage Site (only for three- or four-night packages) Prices depend on the type of villa and occupancy, and on the race distance.

For more details about the MesaStila Resort & Spa, please visit the website: www.mesahotelsandresorts.com/mesastila.

36

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Situated on one of the best beaches of the whole archipelago, this lavish resort boasts spacious pavilions with stylish Moorish architecture, lush gardens and top-class service available twenty-four seven.

It’s easy to see why Hoi An, with its charming fusion of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese architecture, ancient streets and glimpses of traditional life, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Possibly the most picture-perfect place in all of Vietnam, this atmospheric city can be easily explored on foot. What’s even better is the easy access to nearby beaches. Featuring drop-dead-gorgeous villas that guarantee seclusion and an award-winning spa that offers pampering couples’ treatments, The Nam Hai will ensure you spend your holiday truly luxuriating in each other’s company.

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t

Travel

TRAVEL WELL with Gayatri Bhaumik

DETOX IN THE TROPICS After amassing celebrity followers with its Turkey location (Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell are fans) The LifeCo Well Being and Detox Center has opened the doors to its retreat in Phuket, Thailand. Set amidst lush tropical forests, the all-in-one wellness destination offers four methods targeting specific results: juice fasting and healthy nutrition for detoxing; holistic natural healing for pain reduction and anti-aging; supportive and preventative Cancer programs; and well-aging, which emphasises hormonal testing and treatment. Detoxes are a big part of treatments here, and the comprehensive range addresses everything from alkalinity to sugar cravings. Of course, wellness is also about relaxation, and The LifeCo’s holistic approach includes spa treatments for all programs, as well as activities like yoga, meditation, movie screenings and wellness talks. Prices start at HK$1,000 for a day retreat. www.thelifeco.com.

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WELLNESS IN THE WILD

LET THEM ENTERTAIN YOU

Want to get up close to inquisitive elephants while enjoying some well-earned wellness experiences? The Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp lets you do just that with its new “Where Wellness Meets Nature” package. The new program lets you create your own wellness escape with unique activities that let you engage with the Golden Triangle’s nature and wildlife. Spend mornings trekking through jungles, Thai boxing or cycling by the river, then while away the afternoons with indulgent treatments at the Anantara Spa. Learn about Thailand’s elephants in a safe, sustainable and cruelty-free environment (the hotel works with Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation to perform street rescues and offers new opportunities for elephants and their mahouts). The wellness experience is completed with a personalised healthy menu that you’ll create in consultation with the camp’s expert chefs.

From THB30,800 ($6,795) per night for two people.

Just in time for summer, The buy-one-get-one Entertainer app has launched its Hot Summer Nights offer, giving you the chance to take a summer escape with some choice hotel deals. The app has partnered with more than 120 leading hotels throughout the region to give users free hotel nights. By booking through the app, users could, for example, stay two nights (and pay for just one) at the Fairmont Palm Jumeirah in Dubai; spend four nights for the price of two at the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives; or enjoy six nights at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua with three nights free. Download the Entertainer Hong Kong 2016, then use it to access and redeem the special offer. theentertainerasia.com.

anantara.com.

Seasoned travel writer Gayatri Bhaumik contributes travel stories to publications such as Jetsetter, Buro 24/7 and The Loop, to name just a few. Send your travel news to gayatri.bhaumik@gmail.com, and follow her adventures at gbhaumik.wordpress.com and on Instagram @gontheroad.

39

Family

Party With a Purpose

Throwing a kids’ birthday bash can sometimes feel like an exercise in destroying the planet: all those paper invitations, balloons and one-hitwonder plastic bag toys are enough to make any self-respecting eco-parent despair. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Happily, there are some great alternatives that are every bit as fun. By Kate Farr

There’s no party without guests, but how to get the word out without using swathes of glossy, non-recyclable paper invitations? Two Presents is an extremely smart party concept that not only handles all your invitations and RSVPs electronically, but also cuts waste, reduces present-buying hassle for your guests, and swerves any potential giftdisappointment, all the while benefitting a charity of your child’s choice. You simply set up an account and send out e-invites, and guests opt to send money in lieu of a gift. This pot is then split in two, with one part going to the birthday boy or girl to spend how they like, while the other part is donated to charity. Ingenious, eco-friendly and ethical.

For more information and to register visit twopresents.com

Green Activities

OK, so you have your gaggle of guests confirmed, but you can’t face a classroom of kids in your Hong Kong-sized apartment. Get them out of the house (and out of your hair) with these awesomely active eco-party ideas.

Less physically active, but every bit as worthwhile, a Hong Kong Dolphinwatch tour is the perfect way for budding ocean adventurers to learn more about our indigenous sea life and how best to conserve it.

Lantau’s now-endangered pink dolphin population can be viewed from onboard a private charter that accommodates up to 56 guests, while smaller parties can join the regular scheduled trips that run each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. All profits go directly back into dolphin conservation, so you can be sure you’re spending your money wisely.

Whole-boat charters cost $9,000 per half-day and $11,000 for whole day use on weekdays, with different pricing for weekend and public holiday charters. Scheduled sailing tickets cost $420 per adult, $210 per child aged 3-11 and $50 for underthrees. hkdolphinwatch.com 40

Hong Kong’s beaches are positively drowning under a tidal wave of trash, meaning that sadly, you’re more likely to find cans than crabs in our rock pools.

Make your party part of the solution (and work up an appetite for cake) by participating in a beach clean with Hong Kong Cleanup. Running from September through to November, the annual Cleanup Challenge is the perfect event to encourage youngsters to be aware of their eco-footprint, and is a surprisingly fun way to spend a day. Encourage healthy competition by offering prizes for the first to fill their bags.

Costs $100 per person, with funds going to Hong Kong Cleanup and The Nature Conservancy.

For more information visit hkcleanup.org

Family

All your little guests have had a great time and eaten their fill. It’s time to send them on their merry way with some thoughtful favours to remind them of their day of fun.

Smart, practical and cute, this reusable cutlery kit supports Plastic Free Seas, who aim to educate people on the use of plastic and its damaging effects on the environment. Each portable kit contains a stainless steel spoon, fork, straw and chopsticks, along with a nifty cleaning brush, and is packaged up in a pouch made from recycled plastic bottles. Ideal for school bags, this is a take-home that they’ll actually want to use.

Get them committed to composting in the most fun way possible with this worm farm kit from Seedling. The wooden box contains everything you need: a water sprayer, wooden hand tools and gardening gloves and comes with full instructions to keep their new wriggly pets happy and productive.

$110 from plasticfreeseas.bigcartel.com

$129 from seedling.com.hk

The typical sugar-, salt- and palm oil-filled “treats” dished out at parties are problematic, not just in terms of health and potential allergy risks, but also for the environment. Skip the junk in favour of delicious (and surprisingly indulgent) options that are kinder to teeth, tummies… and the planet too.

Wild Mylk is a dairy and gluten-free ice cream made by hand right here in Hong Kong using fresh seasonal ingredients… and naturally it tastes awesome too. Their “ice cream socials” are designed just for events and include one, two or three flavours, packaged either in individual paper cups with wooden spoons or, for a more eco-conscious bash, in reusable pint containers with scoops provided.

Wild Mylk will whip you up a custom flavour, deliver it to your venue and then collect any empties afterwards.

Costs vary according to quantity and flavours required. For more information visit wildmylk.com.

Unless you’re planning on eating it all (tempting), you’re definitely going to need plates for that Shopkins/ Octonauts/princess-themed cake.

Keep it eco-friendly with this fab range by Tropical Fiesta, available from Partytime. Inspired by Mexican street food, these sustainably sourced birch wood trays are designed to sit comfortably in the palm of your hand and come with matching cutlery for maximum coordination points.

Trays cost $76 and cutlery set $75 from Partytime, Shop 225, 2/F Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Rd., Central, 2190-4032, partytime.com.hk.

A party’s not a party without cake. If you’re searching for cruelty-free baked goods for your little animal-lover, The Cakery offers egg and dairy-free cakes that are sweetened with honey (vegans can substitute according to preference).

It offers a range of naked or fondantcovered cakes and can work with your theme to create a stunning centrepiece for your kiddo’s big day.

Naked cakes cost from $800 and fondant cakes from $1,000. For more information visit thecakeryhk.com

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Family

FIT FAM with Kate Farr

While many of us are counting down the days until we hop on a plane, plenty more of us are digging deep for the duration of Hong Kong’s steamy summer.

Here are three healthy distractions for July, aircon not included.

ARK-ING ABOUT Bemoaning the good old days when kids could be kids? Let them live out those Famous Five fantasies this summer without needing to board a plane to the English countryside. Mui Wo-based eco-conservation organisation Ark Eden has spaces remaining for their summer camp programme, running all the way through until September 2. Kids from 5-11 years old head out to the wilds of Lantau where they’ll spend the entire day hiking waterfalls, fishing in rock pools, taking barefoot nature walks, building shelters, planting trees and getting up close and personal with bugs, birds and animals… before cooling off with a good old fashioned water fight. Free range parenting right here in Hong Kong? Sounds pretty idyllic to us.

Whole-day camps cost $660, and run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through July and August. For more information and to book, check out arkedenonlantau.com.

TWINKLE LITTLE STARS Twinkle Dance is running four complimentary workshops this month for children with special physical or educational needs who love nothing more than busting some moves. Split into sessions for age 3-5 and 5-10 year-olds, each 45-minute themed class gets kids moving in a safe and encouraging group environment, all the while having an awesome time.

Littlies get moving to an animal rhythm with Zootopia sessions, while older kids head Through The Looking Glass with Alice in Wonderland-themed classes.

Free of charge. Workshop spaces are available on July 7, 14, 21 and 28. Oulets in Central and Wong Chuk Hang, including 403, Lansing House, 41-47 Queen’s Rd. Central, 6608-6929, twinkledance.com.

Family

ONE FIT MOTHER Having a bun in the oven needn’t slow you down if you have the right gear. Performance apparel brand 2XU is tackling pregnancy problems head on with its brand new range of pre- and- postnatal compression wear.

Featuring full and three-quarter-length tights and shorts, this smart line promises comfortable support during your workout, plus added bump-friendly benefits, such as amped-up lower back and pelvic support, a wide waistband and technical fabrics that reduce swelling. Cankles begone!

Costs from $1,080-$1,250, depending on style.

Buy online at 2xu.com.hk or in store at Giga Sports and SOGO.

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

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Next time you want to buy something green for the home, pick up one of these terrariums from MicroForest. A social enterprise, MicroForest provides meaningful work and training to single mothers or women from low-income families in Sham Shui Po. The ecosystems they create are selfsufficient too, making them a more sustainable decor choice.

We speak to founder and entrepreneur Rainbow Chow about the social enterprise model, and how business can and should give back to the community.

Tell us a bit more about MicroForests. What are they exactly?

MicroForests are terrariums designed and created by low-income, single mothers in Hong Kong. A social enterprise, we provide skills training and employment opportunities for mothers who would otherwise not be able to find jobs that would allow them to balance their work and childcare responsibilities. Every MicroForest sold helps us provide employment for our trainees.

You run the business as a social enterprise. How do you balance giving back to the community with sustainability as a business?

For me, social enterprise is the most difficult type of model because it is both a business and a charity. When people support charities, they do it without expecting anything in return. As such, charities are only expected to spend down on their social services. On the other hand, businesses exist to maximize profits - if you lose money, you close down. For social enterprises, it's hard to find a balance. For example, if you seek financial support, investors will still ask you about your numbers, such as sales and costs, to ensure you are making a profit. But on top of that, they still expect you to evaluate your social impact.

So why not just be a charity?

From my perspective, a unique and special social enterprise is one where its social mission can be reached only when the business is sustainable. It's our objective to be a sustainable business, otherwise our impact cannot be maximized. We offer dignified and unique job opportunities for our designers. We have seen them regain their confidence because our customers and clients are willing to pay for their artwork and they feel like their work is appreciated. When our customers buy our service and artwork because we fit their needs and not because we are a social enterprise, then I believe we will have accomplished our goal.

Tell us about some of the women who work for you.

Many of them are single mothers who have never left Sham Shui Po. In December last year, our designers visited Lan Kwai Fong for the first time and were disappointed that the streets looked so

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You also run workshops for customers to create their own MicroForests. What has the feedback been like from your workshops?

We recently ran a workshop for a corporate client, incorporating mindfulness and horticultural therapy elements. There aren't many opportunities to take a break and get in touch with nature in Hong Kong. Our goal is to give our participants a moment of peace and silence, guiding them to take care their spirit. similar to Sham Shui Po. Until that day, they had only ever seen Lan Kwai Fong on TV and they thought it would be this beautiful place with jazz music playing in the background.

What are your plans for the business?

We just launched our green hampers, an alternative to the traditional fruit hampers. Our green hampers will also include a MicroForest. We will also be launching a DIY MicroForest pack, so you can create your own at home.

WELLNESS CENTRE FOR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT SoHolistic is a friendly healing centre in the heart of Hong Kong’s SoHo district. We are dedicated to supporting your wellbeing and personal growth by offering a unique variety of holistic and esoteric services.

Our aim: to empower our clients to co-create optimal health and wholeness, in the face of urban and life stresses.

Our services include: • holistic hypnotherapy & wellness counselling

• psychic/spiritual readings • crystal bed (from the

• nutrition

renowned Casa de Dom

• energy healing

Inácio de Loyola in Brazil)

• tarot readings • neuro-energetic kinesiology SoHolistic is conveniently located near the escalator, on Old Bailey Street in SoHo. Special offer for July and August: $700 Kinesiology treatments (regular price $900) https://www.soholistic.asia/

In addition to offering terrariums for sale, MicroForests also runs workshops in English, Cantonese and Putonghua, offers bespoke design services and corporate and school workshops.

Learn more at microforests.com.

The Guide RAW RESOURCES

Foodcraft

Allergy-friendly packaged foods, including raw coconut yogurt and parfaits, stoneground nut butters, dehydrated nori snacks, flax crackers and cocoroons. Available online or in health food stores citywide.

Kitchen: Flat A, 21/F, Yiuga Factory Building, 62 Victoria Rd., Kennedy Town, www.foodcraft.hk.

Greenwoods Raw Cafe

Raw food, Asian-style. Greenwoods has raw vegan soup noodles, sushi rolls, raw tofu cheesecakes and other sweet treats. Fruit “pizzas”, wraps and Western-style raw dishes also available. 13/F, 2 Carnarvon Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 3428-2416, www. facebook.com/GreenwoodsRawCafe.

Maya Cafe

Mediterranean raw takeout spot, with a few seats available for dine-in.

Offers raw dips, zoodles, plenty of raw desserts and juices, as well as non-raw vegan mains.

G/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des

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Peace of Green Rawsome Kitchen Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan,

barbecue grills.

2111-4553, www.facebook.com/

www.farmerskitchen.com.hk.

MayaCafeMediterraneanLifestyle.

Peace of Green Rawsome Kitchen

POG holds regular raw cooking workshops, where you can learn how to prep raw food - from tree nut cheese to bliss balls - at home.

Also does regular pop-up brunches, catering and private meals.

Gonzalo Kosher Meat

Specialises in grass-fed beef from Uruguay, which is certified antibioticand hormone-free. Also happens to be Glatt Kosher. Also on offer are lamb, turkey, chicken, veal, sausages and cold cuts. www.gonzalo.hk.

www.facebook.com/pogkitchen.

GRASS-FED MEAT Farmer’s Kitchen

Grass-fed australian beef and lamb, with plenty of large cuts at a good price for carnivores on a budget.

Also available are barbecue packs, salts and sauces, and even Australian

Farmer’s Kitchen

Meat Market

Predominantly sells grass-fed bonein cuts, roasting joints, secondary cuts, steak packs - and that’s just the beef section. There’s a handy key on every product, telling you everything you need to know: the country of origin, whether it’s chilled or frozen, how the cattle is fed, and more. Also has a great selection of organic and hormone-free pork and chicken. www.meatmarket.com.hk.

Mm Fresh Food

Grass-fed, wet-aged beef and lamb from New Zealand that’s free-range, hormone-free and fully traceable. Also offers sustainably-caught seafood from the waters off New Zealand and Australia. Deliveries are made on Fridays to Hong Kong Island, and Saturdays to the rest of Hong Kong. www.mmfreshfood.com.

Pacific Gourmet

Has plenty of choice when it comes to beef. Each product is marked as grain- or grass-fed on the website.

Prices start at $282 per kilo for grassfed striploin. Organic, hormonefree poultry, Australian pork and deli meats also on offer. Delivery available six days a week. www.pacificgourmet.com.hk.

Tenderloin Fine Foods

Offers grass-fed beef from New Zealand and Argentina, both of which offer free-range, lean and hormonefree cuts. Also has free-range lamb from Australia or New Zealand.

Preparation tips available on the website. tenderloin.com.hk.

OUTDOOR WORKOUTS Apefit

Functional training inspired by the movements of animals. Classes take place in Kennedy Town, Mid-Levels, Sai Ying Pun and the Southside.

Prices are $200 for a drop-in session; packages make this cheaper. ape.fit.

Bikini Fit

Women-only outdoor training club with programs in Victoria Park, Hong Kong Park, Sun Yat-sen Park and Kowloon Park. Workouts take place daily over a 12-week cycle, with plenty of support, personalised attention and lectures for a full lifestyle overhaul. bikinifit.com.hk.

Circuit 25

One of Hong Kong’s first outdoor bootcamp classes. Runs sessions in Bowen Road, Victoria Park, ICC and Happy Valley. circuit25.com.

NT Bootcamp

An outdoor bootcamp based in the New Territories. Classes currently run three times per week: Sundays at 11am in Sha Tin Wai, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm in Kowloon Tong’s Cornwall Street park. The first class is free; packages are $180 for three sessions, down to $140 each if you buy 10. www.facebook.com/ NTBootcamp.

Bikini Fit

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MARKETPLACE 25 billion probiotics. All Natural. HK$280

WANT THIS AD? Reach out to our network of health-conscious Hongkongers from just 17 cents per reader. sales@liv-magazine.com

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Back Page

I was a rower. I rowed for my high school and then college at a very high level, and traveled around the world competing.

I started experimenting with my diet, and found that when I was a vegetarian my performance improved exponentially. I was stronger, my recovery time improved and my stamina was much better.

It was a revelation that at age 18, 19 I had a secret weapon - what I put in my body makes a difference.

I enrolled in culinary school. I welcomed back fish and meat in order to understand the food supply.

I visited slaughterhouses; I butchered wild pigs.

I really connected with the food system in its highest form and realised that OK, great, this is not for me.

While I was in culinary school my mom got sick with cancer. I went back in food history to understand the healing aspect of food. How can food not only help your performance - how can it heal people?

Unfortunately by the time I gathered my knowledge it was at the end and my mom passed away. But it really cemented my vision and my path as a chef and as a restaurateur, the kind of food I wanted to share with people.

I wanted to cater to the person as a whole, and found from my experience of loss that it was really important to create life-giving food, and not

something that would create disease over time.

A year after losing my mother, my father passed away from a broken heart. I went soul-searching and started traveling the world. When I reached Hong Kong, funnily enough, I felt welcome. I felt that this place had so many stories and that I could build memories here and build a home.

I was born in Hong Kong and left when I was twoand-a-half. I never remembered it - I only heard stories and saw photos from my parents.

I’m trying to go in the direction of intuitive eating. to know what is a craving and what is a comfort, filling a gap or an emotional need.

HOME is in phase one right now. We want to make sure we have a good restaurant and happy customers. Phase two we will be pushing the eco aspects of the restaurant. We will be opening our rooftop terrace and will be bringing in produce from our farm in the New Territories. We are working on getting a food decomposer in the building. These are all major eco-steps that I am really looking forward to.

If the world ended tomorrow, I would stay here and run the restaurant. This is where my life is. I would ask me fiancee to join me. We would have a nice big party, drink all our organic beer stock, and party until the planet explodes.

Shop G01 and 101, Nexxus Building, 77 Des Voeux Road Central, 2777-4777, www.homerestauranthk.com.

HOW I LIV

CHRISTIAN MONGENDRE The founder of HOME Eat to Live, Hong Kong’s newest vegetarian hotspot, Christian Mongendre is committed to bringing planet-friendly, plant-based dining to Hong Kong. He talks to Liv Magazine about his food philosophy.

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When Life gives you Lemons, DEMAND Coconuts