Lately, we’ve been seeing a myriad of water bottles grace the scene on both social media and real life that is giving us life! But one in particular have been catching our eyes that we can’t stop thinking about. As a sucker for shiny things, we’ve been drawn to beautiful copper water bottles popping up all over our feeds that touts amazing health benefits for our mind and body. Copper plays an important role in our overall health. As the third most prevalent mineral within the body, it helps our metabolism, cell growth, also keeps our hair and skin in good condition.

As adults, the human body requires about 900 micrograms of copper daily for healthy function, and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding need more. Sufficient copper intake is vital for infants and children as it is needed for the creation, growth and maintenance of bones, connective tissue in our hearts and arteries up through our adult lives.

Used in India and other south Asian countries for thousands of years, the practice of drinking water from copper vessels, or tamra jal (therapeutic water in Sanskrit) have been long recognized for its health benefits according to Ayurveda, the oldest holistic medical science. But is there a danger in consuming too much copper? Is copper toxicity a thing?

Upon further reading, we found a host of concerns about ingesting copper. To get to the bottom of the bottle, we researched everything we could on the topic. Below we point out the pros and cons of whether or not you should be using copper water bottles.

Why It’s Good For Your Health

Copper is the only class of metal registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to continuous kill bacteria, yeasts and viruses on contact. When water is stored overnight in copper, a small amount of ions dissolve into the water and destroys bacteria, in a process called oligodynamic effect.

Studies have shown antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits from this age old Ayurvedic practice and asserts that drinking from a copper vessel helps to boost the immunity, aids digestive tract, reduce inflammation in the body, and balances all three doshas – vata, kapha, and pitta – in the body.

As copper positively charges the water, practitioners consume an energized daily dosage to recharge the body. It also acts an an antioxidant, which reduces free radical damage in the body and promotes longevity (read, slowing down aging like the appearance of fine lines) and stimulates the brain.

Why It Can Be Harmful

While copper is an essential element necessary for our bodies, it can be poisonous if swallowed or inhaled. Last year, reports surfaced on the potential hazardous effects of consuming food or beverage in copper cups. Health officials examined what can happen when copper mixes with food, and declared that “high concentrations of copper are poisonous and have caused foodborne illness.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions have issued warnings that drinking water containing elevated amounts of copper could cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. However, copper mugs—like those fancy Moscow Mules we love so much—lined with other metals like stainless steel or nickel are completely safe. Excess body copper consumption can be removed by high levels of zinc, another crucial mineral our body needs. It bears noting that copper poisoning is rare as the ability of healthy human livers to excrete copper is considerable.

What The Expert Says

Nomita Hathiramani, a Hong Kong-based integrative wellness consultant, believes copper vessels should be used with guidance. As the World Health Organization concluded it is safe for the body to consume up to 2.6 mg/liter of copper-infused water, Hathiramani who has a line of Ayurvedic copper bottles, Coco Glo, suggests storing water overnight (at least eight to ten hours) and drinking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. “It is one of the gentlest ways of replenishing the body with mineral,” explains the holistic nutritionist, and recommends her clients not to exceed more than one liter a day, “which equates to about four glasses of 250ml a day, is enough. You won’t need more than that to reap the benefits.”

Hathiramani continues: “In recent studies, the World Health Organization has concluded that is safe for the body to consume up to 2mg of copper per liter of water. Water stored in the copper vessel for several hours absorbed less than 1.20th of that amount of copper, very far below safe limited.” Another suggestion Hathiramani recommends is to purchase your copper bottles from a reputable source. Bottles should be above 98.3% copper to take full advantage of all the health benefits, with Coco Glo bottles 99.5% pure. A simple internet search will yield a ton of copper bottles for you to choose wisely and drink happy.

Images courtesy of Coco Glo (lead), Pexels, youtube/naturalways, and Coco Glo. 

The post Why You Should Invest in a Copper Water Bottle appeared first on Green Queen.

It’s January in Asia, which means we’re now entering peak winter flu season, so if you’re feeling a little under the weather lately, you’re probably not alone. Luckily, there are a few things that all of us can do to nourish our bodies and rev up our immune systems to ward off sicknesses before turning to doctors or pharmaceuticals. Whether you’ve caught a bit of a sniffle or you’re taking extra self-care precautions, these 8 tips are bound to lend a helping hand. 

1. Go LONG on Vitamin C

Vitamin C contributes to strengthening your defence against illnesses by supporting your immune system’s cellular functions, so it’s definitely the time to yourself with vitamin C-rich foods! Luckily, many delicious fruit and vegetables contain this potent antioxidant, such as citrus fruits, guava, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli and choi sum. Stuff yourself with these.

2. Enjoy a turmeric boost before bed

Before settling for a long night of slumber, kick your wind down routine off with a warm mug of turmeric milk AKA “golden milk,” Any Indian worth his (Himalayan salt) will know about ‘haldi dood’ or turmeric milk, the go-to tool in the Ayurvedic arsenal for loving moms to help boost their loved ones’ immune system. Just a couple of glugs a day helps to increase the immunomodulating capacity of your body. It’s super easy to whip up – just boil some slices of (peeled) fresh turmeric root with any plant-based milk of your choice and stir for a few minutes. You can use ground turmeric powder if you’re in a pinch but here in Asia’ there’s fresh turmeric root at every wet market so why compromise. 

3. Sip on lemon & ginger tea all day

It’s super important to stay hydrated, and a great way to add an immune-boosting kick is to sip on homemade lemon (slices or juice) & fresh ginger root (peeled and then grated or cubed) infusion throughout the entire day. Ginger is known for its antibacterial qualities, and lemons are a great source of vitamin C. Not only does it taste great, it’ll leave you feeling warm and relaxed as well.

4. Double down on fluids 

Speaking of staying hydrated, try to double down on your fluid intake to flush out the toxins from your body- forget two litres a day, try for four (not all in one go, sip throughout the day). Drinking loads of filtered (mineral) water (don’t forget to bring your refillable water bottle wherever you go) is absolutely key to any kind of body mending, especially when you are fighting an infection or a virus like with colds and the flu, and like all good TCM followers know: make sure you are drinking it warm or at least at room temperature. Stay away from cold/icy water, which creates “dampness” in your body and upsets your spleen.

5. Get friendly with lemon essential oil

Rub a few drops of lemon essential oil on your chest and behind your ears throughout the day. Lemon essential oil is typically used to ease stress and fight fatigue, but it can additionally stimulate your immune system, and help to alleviate any pain associated with your cold or flu symptoms! Massaging it on your chest will help ease the congestion behind coughs, sore throats and runny noses. 

6. Do a steam with a natural chest rub

Steam inhalation is another effective way to clear up any nasal and respiratory passage blockages that you might be experiencing with a cold or flu. While visiting a steam room would be ideal when you are well, it’s not hte best if you are contagious and/or feeling exhausted so we recommend doing some steam inhalation at home. Fill a large pot (Dutch oven for example) with very hot water (not boiling) and a little natural chest rub, put your head over the pot and cover yourself with a large towel and and cover your head with a towel while you inhale, which will help ease some of the congestion you’re feeling. We love Badger Balm’s Aromatic Chest Rub made with soothing herbal ingredients and an anti-inflammatory essential oil blend of Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Tea Tree but a couple drops of eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil would do the trick too if you’ve got any handy!

7. Embrace the Neti pot

Although there are a couple methods of nasal irrigation out there, one of the most popular is the Neti pot, from the Ayurvedic tradition. They can be used with sterile mineral water or even better, saline/saltwater solution to treat and flush out congested sinuses, colds and allergies. While it might take a little practice and time to get right, using a Neti pot works wonders to ease your sinus troubles. Ideally you want to use your Neti pot daily, but when you have a cold, up to three times a day helps clear out your system.

8. Sleep it off, and then sleep it off some more

Finally, the ultimate cure of: sleep! Sleep is essential for your body to rest, heal and allow your immune system to fight off infections. So if you’re unwell, it’s really time to set aside time for extra rest and to catch up on your Zzzs! Nap during the day and increase your night time sleep to at least 10 consecutive hours- you will be amazed at what a few nights of quality sleep can do for you.

Lead image courtesy of Shutterstock.

The post Feel A Cold Coming On? 8 Traditional Medicine Tricks To Fight The Sniffles appeared first on Green Queen.

Passionate eco activist Sahar Mansoor is a zero waste pioneer in her native India. The Bengaluru-based entrepreneur frequently makes headlines everywhere from MTV to Live Mint and regularly is awarded accolades such as Google India’s Inspiring Indian of the Year & Elle Magazine’s Top India Trailblazer. Through Bare Necessities, Mansoor advocates for a low-waste, single use plastic free lifestyle with her retail and educational platform which combines an offering of ethically made, plastic-free home and care products with a series of workshops, articles and resources on how to lessen one’s waste footprint.

When she is not gracing TEDx stages or demoing how to make body scrub, you can find Mansoor holding court at events around India, urging her fellow countrywomen and men to reconsider their waste. We caught up with her to find out more about her Bare Necessities journey, India’s trash problem, the Indian and why there is an urgent need for disruptive innovation

Can you tell us more about your company Bare Necessities?

Bare Necessities is a B2B and B2C zero waste social enterprise. Bare Necessities is a one stop shop solution provider for zero-waste products and services. Products include a range of zero-waste personal, home care and lifestyle products (such a compostable bamboo toothbrushes and stainless steel straws). Our raw materials are ethically sourced. All of our packaging is recyclable or biodegradable, which means nothing ends up in a landfill. Using a people-centered and earth-centered approach, BN addresses serious flaws in manufacturing, distribution, and consumption, by innovating and providing sustainable solutions to waste, and proposing problems that more companies need to address if they want to be innovative and socially-conscious. Services include; waste consultancy services for corporate, events and restaurants.

What made you start your company?

I am an accidental entrepreneur, though I come from a family of serial entrepreneurs. Bare Necessities (BN) started in the pursuit of zero waste living and living a lifestyle congruent to my own values.

I felt overwhelmed with India’s trash problem. I was confronted by it every day- seeing piles of garbage on the streets and I spent time with local waste pickers and watched them sort through waste with their bare hands. I started to think of the environmental, health and social justice issues associated with our garbage problem.

I wanted to stop being part of the problem. I knew I had to address my own trash problem first. My solution was to live a lifestyle that best reflects the values I cared about. I had called myself an environmentalist for about six years at the time. I studied environmental policy at the University of Cambridge and I had worked at the World Health Organization, but I decided I needed to live a life fully congruent to my environmental and social justice values. I needed to walk the talk and I knew I had to start living a zero waste lifestyle.

In my zero-waste journey, I realized that it was impossible to find personal care and home care products that didn’t contain harmful chemicals and weren’t packaged in plastic. In response to this problem,I wanted to create a company that mirrored the values of zero waste, ethical consumption and sustainability. I wanted to make it easy for other people looking to consume more mindfully and to encourage others to produce less waste. Bare Necessities was born.

Is there a big zero waste movement in India?

It’s growing!

Who are some of the key players in the zero waste space?

1. Daily Dump: Making waste beautiful, visible, doable through home composting units made from terracotta!
2. Sahaaas: Bringing together nature, people and technology to holistically manage waste (they have expanded to Chennai, Goa, Mumbai, & Hyderabad!)
3. Bare Necessities: zero waste products, talks, workshops & zero waste consulting for enterprises.
4. Skrap: making your events zero waste, they did an amazing job with a huge music concert NH7!
5. RUR GreenLife: They have some amazing work recycling tetra packs and making school furniture out of it!

What are the biggest waste issues facing India?

Plastic has invaded our economies and lifestyles. The average person produces between 20 and 40 kilograms of plastic trash each year.

Exposure to harmful chemicals in plastics that leach into the water table from waste can lead to cancer, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption, and developmental and reproductive effects, among many other medical issues. This is detrimental to society and the economy. As the problem of waste grows around the world, an innovative solution to reduce waste is needed.

This era of increased consumerism has failed the conscious consumer; the gap between current industry practices and the need for chemical-free, plastic-free, ethically produced products is increasing at an exponential rate, as landfills overflow and trash “islands” poison the oceans.

Thus there is an urgent need for disruptive innovation in the way products are manufactured, consumed and disposed. We need to reinvent garbage management in our cities so that we can process waste and not “landfill” it. We need to make a zero-waste, circular and cradle-to-cradle economy a reality.

I think the ecosystem for zero-waste is still underdeveloped at the movement. By ecosystem I mean you need to have the following 5 factors in place:

What are some of the biggest obstacles facing the movement?

1. Awareness: You, I and everyone in the world irrespective of socio-economic class must be aware about our waste crisis, it’s impact on health, ground water, food supply among social justice issues associated with many waste picking communities.

2. Right Products: Manufacturers need to provide the right products keeping the entire life cycle analysis of the product in mind. Making products that embody a cradle-to-cradle philosophy with no waste going to the landfill.

3. Right Places: These products need to be accessible to all irrespective of socio-economic status.

4. Right Price: These products need to be affordable to all irrespective of socio-economic status.

5. Policy Environment: The right policies needs to be in place to encourage this waste free economy to thrive; for example, government needs to create policies that encourage local manufacturers to produce goods keeping in my circular economy, carbon taxes and green rebate policies that are meaningful and incentive manufactures to think local and think waste free.

Our rivers are more polluted; much more garbage is piling up in our cities; air is increasingly getting toxic; and hazardous waste is dumped, and not managed. We need to re-invent, re-image a world where we produce and consume responsible.

What is the #1 thing people can do on a daily basis?

Refuse single-use plastic bags and straws.

Would you say it’s easy to live a zero waste life in India?

YES and here’s why!

India is the land of bazaars and small entrepreneurs; and we love our homemade, DIY, traditions – all things the zero waste philosophy champions.

The sheer number of bazaars is a living example of how zero waste is actually rooted in our Indian traditions.

Our Indian “tiffin” is another example of an Indian tradition that is celebrated by the zero waste movement. Our stainless steel tiffin, from its origins in the 18th century during the British colonisation of India to today, has evolved to create a fascinating world of its own, a world that involves a whole range of dishes and equipment and above all of suppliers, from the tiffin wallahs of Bombay to the sellers of spiced tea and savoury snacks who cater for all of us busy 21st century subjects on the run.

Zero waste use: Use your tiffin to carry your own lunch to work and say no to plastic to-go containers or bring our own containers/tiffin. 

Western zero wasters probably don’t have access to their local tailor to make hand stitched clothes [but we do]. I love buying local cotton fabric and having my Mr Masood tailor make me customised clothes (way better than unethical, fast fashion!) and supporting the local economy in the bargain.

What are the most popular products on Bare Necessities?

Lip Balms, Handcrafted Soaps, Straws, Toothbrushes and Sporks!  

Any plans going forward?

Get every Indian to go zero waste! 

Follow Bare Necessities on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter and make sure to visit their website to discover their beautiful collection of low waste, locally made products.

As told to Sonalie Figueiras, Green Queen’s Editor-in-Chief.

All images courtesy of Sahar Mansoor.

The post INTERVIEW: Bare Necessities Founder Sahar Mansoor Is On a Mission To Make India Go Zero Waste appeared first on Green Queen.

Welcome to our new bi-monthly column about all things plant-based dining in Hong Kong. The city has become such an exciting destination for hungry herbivores of late, with openings and menu launches happening weekly. Omnis get roundups everywhere else so Green Queen thought it was high time for veggies to get a regular dedicated update of their own. Enjoy!

Sha Tin 18 Year Of The Omnipork Menu

Sha Tin 18 created a celebratory CNY menu based around vegan minced pork alternative Omnipork with dishes like Wok-friend Plant-Based Meat, Glass Noodles, Coriander & Soya Sauce (pictured) and Stir-Fried Plant-Based Meat, Cucumber, Preserved Olive Paste and Plant-based Meat Dumplings with Sichuan Chilli and it has proven so popular that they have made it permanent.

Sha Tin 18, Hyatt Regency Sha Tin, 4/F, 18 Chak Cheung St, Ma Liu Shui, Sha Tin.

Tai Tai Pie Pies Vegan Pies

Veteran pie makers Tai Tai Pie Pies have just announced two new vegan pies at their Pie Counter in GREAT Food Hall. They partnered with leading meat alternative brands, Beyond Meat and Omnipork to create a Beyond Meat Aussie Mince Pie and an Omnipork Italian Sausage Roll. According to founder RJ Asher, “So good, they have even fooled me.”

Order online at Tai Tai Pie Pies or grab them at GREAT Food Hall, Pacific Place, LG 1, Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty.

Igloo Dessert Bar New Almond Milk Gelato

Craving vegan gelato? You can now satisfy your frozen urges at Igloo Dessert Bar (famous for their just-launched White Rabbit Candy gelato, note: not vegan) thanks to their new vegan spring line made from their almond milk base, flavours include blood orange, pineapple, lime, coconut water, dark chocolate and charcoal black.

Igloo Dessert Bar, Central, Shop C, Lower Deck, Pier 7 Star Ferry, Central.

Holly Brown Vegan Gelato

Not to be outdone, Central cafe Holly Brown also debuted three new flavours of dairy-free gelato: milk tea, chocolate and vanilla and bonus: you can order your preferred choice with vegan waffles!

Holly Brown, 22 Stanley Street, Central.

New Plant Dishes At Genie Juicery

After introducing new juices and salads and upping the ante with their switch to glass bottles earlier this year, Genie Juicery has just launched 30 new healthy plant-forward dishes including Veggie Sushi (a fish-less take on maki rolls), Watermelon Jerky (made from the fruit- pictured), Rocky Road snack bites and much more.

Genie Juicery, Shop 2096B, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central.

Woodlands Dedicated Vegan Menu

Hong Kong’s oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant recently underwent a refurb, which included created a dedicated vegan menu to remove any uncertainties for all you dosa lovers out there. We also LOVE their new alcohol-free wine offering- read our full review.

Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Restaurant, P1, MTR exit, Tsim Sha Tsui Wing On Plaza UG16-17 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Green Common Tuen Mun Opens

David Yeung and his team are relentless in their quest to bring healthy, plant-based foods to the masses, and with the recent opening of Green Common Tuen Mun (their sixth location in just over three years), they are well on their way. Expect the same varied range of vegan groceries, meat & dairy alternatives and their popular cafe offering. The team have also debuted a new ‘shop within a shop’ Green Common concept at TASTE of Festival Walk and at TASTE Tung Chung late last year.

Green Common Tuen Mun, The Parkville, Shop 7-11, G/F, 88 Tuen Mun Heung Sze Wui Road,Tuen Mun.

Impossible Foods 2.0 Now At 150+ Restaurants

We already shared the good news about the foodtech company’s award-winning Vol.2 meat alternative, now wheat-free and gluten-free, which officially launched in Hong Kong a few weeks ago but get ready to see the bleeding patty on many more menus around town as they announce new dining partners like Castelo Concepts’ Wagyu on Wyndham (now serving a Kungfu Kick Burger and Impossible Italian Sausage Pizza – note: dishes are vegetarian, not vegan), as well as Triple O’s, Classified and Aussie Grill by Outback. Burger lovers can also enjoy Impossible 2.0 at Beef & Liberty.

Ed. Note: Restaurants serving Impossible Foods do not necessarily have vegan dish options unless we specifically call it out in our coverage. Please make sure to check in advance with the establishment.

Lead photo courtesy of Green Common.

Where To Eat (Plants) This February: New Vegan Openings & Menus

The post Where To Eat (Plants) This April: New Vegan Restaurant Openings, Menus & Food News appeared first on Green Queen.

6 Mins ReadWhen it comes to living a healthy and natural lifestyle, what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body. As the largest organ you own, much of what you put on your skin will likely seep inside, to your bloodstream. Calling out one common sulfate-based ingredient in particular, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), we feel the need to blast this creepy chemical. Widely used in a variety of personal care products like soap, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste – basically anything we like to “foam up” with – SLS is a harsh synthetic detergent that is meant for cleaning carpets, de-greasing engines, car wash liquids – not your precious skin! Not to mention how destructive it is to our oceans and waterways, which is where it all ends up.You can find out more about why you should avoid SLS here. 

Companies use SLS in their products to create a rich lather, and for its intense cleaning action. If you get that tight, ‘clean’ feeling after washing your face, it probably is the result of your natural oils being stripped away, drying your skin out. If you have an itchy, dry, or flaky scalp, it could be the SLS in your shampoo. Conscious consumers are opting to buy products that are SLS-free, and right here in our home, Hong Kong has a growing number of beauty brands committed to clean and natural skincare, hair care, dental and personal hygiene. Looking out for our best dermal interests and the planet, here are the top five SLS-Free beauty brands we love! Bonus: all of these brands are also eco champions in various ways, many allow you to buy in bulk or offer reduced packaging.

Bathe To Basics

An exceptional organic skincare, bath and body brand based in Hong Kong, it’s all about simplicity at Bathe To Basics. All-natural and completely handmade, their entire range are free from paragons, petroleum, propylene, SLS, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances. From bar soap to hand soap, face wash to shampoos and conditioners, toothpaste to facial and cleansing oils and body balms, going back to basics has never been more ideal. Cruelty-free and proudly made in Hong Kong, they are stocked in conscious shops across Hong Kong in addition to their flagship store in Central, such as OrganicWe in Mong Kok and Live Zero in Sai Ying Pun. Bonus: Committed to create a sustainable future, Bathe To Basics is all about zero waste! Bring in any glass or plastic container to refill for their Basic Body Soap, Basic Shampoo and Basic Hand Soap! Find their nearest refill station here.

Eco Credentials: Free from harsh chemicals, vegan-friendly, zero-waste friendly

Shop 403, Block A, 35 Aberdeen Street, PMQ, Central, +852 2858 8135, info@bathetobasics.com.

Coconut Matter

With a strong belief to leave a healthier planet to the children of our future, Coconut Matter has poured their hearts and souls into creating 100% natural ingredients free from palm oil, animal byproducts, additives and preservatives. Everything they make is made from the purest coconut oil harvested from wild virgin coconut trees growing in the Solomon Islands where Coconut Matter works with a private social enterprise that supports fair trade and sustainability to ensure ethical practices. Stocking a full range of coconut-based products like body butter, a variety of coconut oil soap, an assortment of gorgeous lip balms and a brand new line of prebiotic deodorants in paper packaging, this amazing company is dedicated to plastic-free packaging. Every bar of soap is wrapped in oxo-biodegradable polyolefin (which can be used with their eco-friendly, sisal-plant fiber soap bag!) and their excellent lip balms are paper tubed to curb plastic waste.

Eco credentials: free form harsh chemicals, fair trade, vegan-friendly, plastic-free packaging

Order on their website or visit them (By appointment only) at 4/F, Room C6, 4 Heung Yip Road, E Tat Factory Building, Wong Chuk Hang, +852 5917 6919, hello@coconutmatter.com.

So…Soap+

Made in Hong Kong with love and consciousness, So… Soap+ is a homegrown social enterprise looking to promote positive social change in our fair city. Made entirely of an all natural blend of saponified plant oils (like olive, coconut, sweet almond oil, unrefined Shea butter and essential oils) and employing women in need, they stock a simple yet effective range of bar soaps, body and hand soaps, and shampoos. Patrons might notice So…Soap+ to be a bit more watery and less foamy – for good reason: there are absolutely no artificial chemicals or SLS to thicken their liquid soaps. Bottling their liquid products in recycled plastic, the company is devoted to creating opportunities for the community  by hosting workshops or getting involved in the soap maker network.

Eco credentials: free form harsh chemicals, fair trade, vegan-friendly, zero-waste friendly

info@sosoap.com; to find So…Soap+ at a local shop near you, click under “Our Product” on their website for their Reseller List or send a message on Facebook for more information. 

Purearth

An ethical, wild harvest skincare and wellness line made from the high altitudes in the Himalayas, Purearth is an award-winning brand filled with a range of vegan, vegetarian and cruelty-free artisanal face and body products with a passion for working with women cooperatives in Northern India. From luxurious face oils, Ayurvedic exfoliant face masques, lavish body butters and body and hair oils to a range of soaps, everything from Purearth is gentle on the earth and its creatures, free from petrochemicals, paragons, phthalates, palm, formaldehyde, silicones, or sulphates. Pre-mix bases, fillers, synthetic coloring, fragrances and additives are simply not part of their approach, and we love them so much for it! Discover the full story behind Purearth and their awe-inspiring founder, Kavita Khosa, here.

Eco credentials: free form harsh chemicals, fair trade, vegan-friendly, plastic-free packaging

6/F, 12P Smithfield Road, Cheung Hing Building, Kennedy Town, +852 6080 0045, info@purearth.asia. 

Einnoc

A company rooted deeply in a philosophy of natural, holistic living, Einnoc uses all natural, unrefined ingredients with essential oils (that are either distiller certified organic, wild crafted, or organically grown) to create a range of natural home remedies to ease the symptoms of coughs and colds, headaches, muscle tensions and tiredness, stress, and the occasional chapped lips. They’ve also begun making their own, all-natural compact shampoo bar. Housed in glass roll-on perfume bottles or paper containers – their aim is to reduce/remove plastic waste as much as possible, their products are fresh and high quality. Their thoughtful and honest product descriptions seems to speak to us deeply. As their tagline says, “Why use synthetic chemicals when Mother Nature has given us abundant natural remedies?” Our feelings exactly.

Eco credentials: free form harsh chemicals, zero-waste friendly

hello@einnoc.co; to shop online, click here or send a message on Facebook for more information.

Images courtesy of Purearth (lead), Bathe to Basics, Coconut Matter, So Soap, and Einnoc. 

The post 5 Best SLS-Free Hong Kong Beauty Brands (With Low Waste Packaging To Boot) appeared first on Green Queen.

5 Mins ReadWe here at Green Queen take our skincare seriously. Our skin acts like a sponge – absorbing almost everything from the atmosphere (cough, polluted Hong Kong air, cough) to our skincare regime – it gives us the serious heebie jeebies when we stop to think about all the potentially toxic beauty ingredients we could be slathering on daily, which is why we are all about the natural products when it comes to what we put on our face. Natural beauty is currently having its moment in the spotlight, and rightfully so! But recently, we’ve fallen hard for one brand in particular: multi-award winning skincare line Purearth. Harnessing the pure potency of plant botanicals, flowers, herbs, and seeds from altitudes of over 7,000 feet in the Himalayas, Purearth gathers all their ingredients from the wild by local women self-help groups, to create a line of ethical, organic skincare that nourishes your skin safely and gently. Below we take a closer look at this inspiring wellness brand, the supremely talented woman behind it and the case she is championing for young women and girls. 

Ethical Beauty

Founded by Kavita Khosa, a corporate lawyer who traded her world of private equity law to clean beauty, Purearth is rooted in ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, in which Kavita holds a diploma from the Ayurvedic Institute founded by American author and renowned Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Vasant Lad. “Purearth came to be because I wanted to impact positive social change,” says the mom of two who divides her time between Hong Kong and India. “I wanted to do something where I could contribute to women, society, my country, and to the Earth.” Completely free from all the nasties you can think of: petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, palm, formaldehyde, silicones, sulphates, carbomers tea, tea and GMOs, the Indian company takes it one step further by handcrafting all their products in small batches, fostering ethical consumption and addressing a growing consciousness toward clean, organic skincare.

Take their Mandarin Body Butter, for example. A rich moisturizer infused with oil extracted from the peel of the small citrus fruit with Himalayan cedar wood, marigold, frankincense, cinnamon bark and raw cacao seed butter, this full-bodied skin nourisher touts two coveted awards from fashion & beauty publications like Harpers Bazaar and Elle. Or their Wild Rosehip Supercritical Face Oil, another first-rate product complete in essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants extracted from its pulp into a singular treatment oil. The entire product line is hand blended and bottled in French Violetglass vials and jars to  block harmful sunlight and preserve the bio-activity energy of these invaluable ingredients. Moreover, it was astounding (and extremely refreshing) to hear Kavita list off where her ingredients came from: the wild sea buckthorn berries (that repairs UV sun damage and scarring) hail from the mountainous region of Ladakh, the lavender (which we all know to reduce anxiety but is also known to restore skin complexion and reduce acne) comes from Kashmir in the extreme east of the Himalayas, while the rosehip seeds (to correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin, all while reducing scars and fine lines) are from Bhutan. Gentle on the earth and its creatures, the environmental initiatives from Purearth support biodynamic and organic farming methods, carbon offsets and reforestation. In addition, their affiliate organization, The Pure Purpose Foundation, is committed to working with marginalized women to bridge the gender wage gap and pricing in urban markets.

The Eco-Pot Project

Compelled to improve the safety and sanitation for rural women and girls, Purearth launched a crowdfunding campaign, The Eco-Pot Project, to build eco-toilets in villages along the Himalayan belt. Shocking statistics show that 60% of people in India do not have access to a toilet and 48% defecate in the open. Setting aside the numbers, water-borne diseases, environmental degradation, and hygiene, it is the lack of proper hygiene facilities that put women’s health and safety at risk – both physically and mentally.

“This project is so close to my heart,” says Kavita who grew up in Pune, India. “Coming from a small city where it was common not to have a toilet in your home, I have always wanted to work on this particular undertaking because other than the startling facts or safety – there are a lot of girls who are sexually assaulted in such compromising positions, early in the morning or in dark, remote places – what about their dignity?” states Kavita, voice rife with emotion. Her voice trails off for a brief moment before tearfully exclaiming, “Every pubescent girl who is just entering puberty trying to understand the changes in her body…for her to have to go outside her house when men could be watching, what about the psychological aspect of it? What about the dignity of our human birthright to be able to do something private in a private manner? What about that?!”

Collaborating with a local NGO based in Uttarakhand, Himalayas, the Kickstarter initiative aims to build 40 twin-pit water seal eco-toilets using recycled environment waste material and pollutant. The construction of this endeavor will also tackle the local water and food contamination crisis by reducing the pollution of water supplies and transmission of water-borne diseases. But the fundamental matter at hand is that a successful campaign will mean safety, security and dignity to these young women and girls.

Purearth will be crowdfunding on Kickstarter. This project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by December 15, 2017. To have a look at all the luxury Purearth rewards, click here. Shop the entire Purearth range collection online here.

All images courtesy of Purearth.

The post Purearth: A Beauty Brand Rooted In Ethics & Sustainability, A Founder Fighting For Female Dignity appeared first on Green Queen.

4 Mins ReadOur city gets a bad rap for the horrible air quality, crowded streets, and workhorse mentality so it comes as no surprise that allergies, fatigue and exhaustion run rampant. While you can line up at the doctor’s office and stock up your medicine cabinets, another way to keep your defenses up is to boost your immune system by giving your body a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the form of a wellness tonic. The best way to do so is by knocking back a shot of these bad boys below. And no you LKF lifers, we’re not talking bar shots!

Small in size, these nutrient-dense wellness drinks are packed with healthy herbs and spices to keep the nasties at bay. Whether you are in need of an energy boost, want to up that gut health, or looking to beat a bad bug, tonics are basically a freshly-squeezed multivitamin, intended to prevent illness or restore health and keep you . Lucky for us, Hong Kong has some amazing tonic brands and we’ve pulled together a complete guide to the best tonics you can find in town, both online and in stores to keep you happy and healthy. Bottoms up!

Bite Me

HKD108 / each

A New Zealand family recipe passed down through generations, Bite Me Immunity Booster is an all-natural tonic aimed at stopping colds, fevers, and coughs dead in their tracks. Made of Manuka honey, organic apple cider vinegar, ginger root, lime and lemon juice, cayenne pepper and turmeric, you can dilute the zing with hot or cold water (add to your desired level) for daily wellbeing or up to three times a day for an immune boost.

Available online, Bite Me will also be sold at all JustGreen Organic Convenience Stores come October 1st!

Tizzy Shots

HKD165 for 3 bottles

Having debuted earlier this summer, Tizzy Shots are a line of all-organic ginger shots designed to boost immunity and help get your digestive tract in tip top shape. Made in small batches using sustainably-sourced ingredients, these pocket-sized elixirs are available in three different flavors: Classic Ginger with a blend of lemon and Manuka honey to help battle the common cold, morning sickness, and post-workout soreness; Tumeric with coconut milk and black pepper to aid with digestion and boost skin radiance; and activated Charcoal mixed with ginger and Manuka honey to cleanse the body of MSG (like greasy Chinese food), sulfites (hello, wine drinkers) and reducing gases that causes the horrible bloating we are all too familiar with.

Available online for delivery everyday (except Sunday) on Hong Kong island and Kowloon only, order before noon to ensure next day delivery.

Genie Juicery

HKD42 / each

Hong Kong juice gem Genie Juicery offers two pint-sized tonic varieties from their vast liquid gold selection. Opt for their Cocobiotic Ginger Beer boasting fermented coconut kefir (for good gut health bacteria boost!), pear and fresh ginger or their Immunity Booster mixed with orange, lemon, ginger, cayenne and oregano oil that will offer liquid relief to anyone suffering from cold or flu symptoms.

Available online and in store at their cafe locations: ifc Flagship Store (2096B, Podium Level 2, ifc Mall, Central) and Sai Ying Pun (Shop A, 1/F Fook Moon Building, 56-72 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun). 

Jahmu

HKD60 / each

Bottled with ancient wisdom from traditional jamu healers in Bali, Jahmu was inspired by local Balinese street vendors or Jamu Gendongs selling vibrant, healing tonics known as jamu in their neighborhood markets. Through a distinct process of picking roots, grinding herbs, and blending spices, Jahmu’s tonic drinks are handcrafted in small batches every morning with local organic ingredients to maximize taste and freshness. Available in four flavors: traditional, passionfruit, cayenne, and chai, with turmeric and ginger as the foundational base spice for all versions. Take a swig to keep your gut health in check or prevent yourself from getting sick. Another added bonus? To help Mother Earth, return every bottle and get HKD5 off your next purchase!

Available for pre-order online or at MANA! Fast Slow Food locations: Mana! Cafe (8 Tai On Terrace, Sheung Wan), Mana! Fast Slow Food (92 Wellington Street, Central), and Mana! Xpress (97 Wellington Street, Central).

Images courtesy of Pexels, Bite Me, Tizzy Shots, Genie Juicery, and Jahmu.

The post Hong Kong Healthy Guide: The City’s Best Wellness Tonic Drinks appeared first on Green Queen.

7 Mins ReadLife in Hong Kong can wreak havoc on your body from the continuous pavement pounding to the long hours at of typing with hunched shoulders, or to the many extreme gym session we endure. What better way to work out those nasty knots and free your mind with a relaxing rubdown? While there are an abundance of massage parlors on almost every corner, it bears repeating that much of what we put onto our bodies get absorbed into the bloodstream. Knowledge is power and it is important to know what products are being kneaded into your skin. As our fair city continues to make great strides in the wellness world, our choices are expanding. Green Queen has compiled a list of Hong Kong’s top organic massages to rest, relax, and rejuvenate your muscles. 

SOVOS Aromatherapy Swedish Effleurage Massage

A hidden botanical sanctuary in the heart of Central, SOVOS is keeping the bespoke apothecary tradition alive. Backed by a team of international therapists and botanical innovators, each organic massage treatment is serviced by UK-qualified aromatherapists with the technical and practical knowledge to provide you with a holistic therapy tailored to your health and skin needs. With the option to choose a Swedish Effleurage Massage or Deep Tissue Acupressure, SOVOS integrates certified organic, therapeutic-grade essential oils into your massage treatment to rebalance the body, mind, and soul.

3/F, Yip Fund Building, 2-18 D’Aguilar Street, Central, +852 5970 0218. Email custom@sovos.com.hk to make a reservation. Open daily by appointment. Massages start at HKD 780 for 60 minutes. 

Iyara Natural & Organic Spa Essence Of Iyara

We’ve already given you seven reasons to pamper yourself at this Hollywood Road haven, but this full service eco-friendly spa deserves a repeat mention. Iyara Natural & Organic Spa’s signature treatment, Essence of Iyara, is a luxurious two-hour body massage and facial featuring Sundãri skincare, a range of organic Ayurvedic products made using therapeutic-grade essential oils without synthetic fragrances or dyes. Their Abhayanga (Sanskrit for “warm oil massage”) massage uses Sundãri oil to deeply rejuvenate and recharge the mind and body, followed by a specialized Sundãri facial. Blending organic active ingredients, therapists will customize your facial based off your personal biological energy type (known in Ayurveda as your dosha) prior to your treatment. Only available at their Wan Chai and Mid-Levels locations, this two-hour long treatment is offered at HKD 1,650. If time and location does not suit your fancy, Iyara also offers hour-long massages at all four locations using organic extra virgin coconut oil and pure essential oils, free of solvents and other harsh chemicals.

Multiple locations throughout Hong Kong Island. Please click here for more information. For appointments, email info@iyaranaturaltherapies.com. Massages start at HKD 580 for 60 minutes. 

Sparadise Urban Retreat & Gallery Deep Tissue Massage

“The less chemicals, the better” is Sparadise‘s motto and this organic oasis offers an array of reviving body massages to suit your needs. Try their Deep Tissue Massage, which involves the therapist applying a heat pad compress to your back, shoulder and neck areas to relieve tension before 100% organic birch and juniper essential oils are used to soothe achy joints. Carefully sourcing organic skin care products locally and overseas from Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, Poland and the Himalayas, Sparadise also has their own organic personal care line, and they work closely with global suppliers to ensure products are both ethical and effective.

3 & 4/F, 50 Wellington Street, Central, +852 2997 2208. Open Monday – Saturday 10AM – 9PM (8PM on Sundays). For appointments, email wellington@sparadise.com.hk. Massages start at HKD 700 for 60 minutes. 

Jurlique Wellness Sanctuary Day Spa Anti-Stress Purifying Herbal Ball Massage

A global leader in natural skin care, Julique is all about seed to skin, and the company applies advanced technologies to organic and biodynamic ingredients that they grow on their farm in South Australia. Jurlique’s licensed estheticians can customize any of their deluxe aromatherapy full body massages or special body massages to target skin concerns or simply for an overall pampering of the senses. Try their Anti-Stress Purifying Herbal Ball Massage, a 105 minute anti-stress body treatment that fuses an acupuncture points massage with Jurlique’s signature essential oils and purifying herbal balls to relax the mind and body (HKD 1,490).

24/F, Room 2401, World Trade Centre, Causeway Bay. For appointments, please call +852 2576 2011. Open Daily Monday – Saturday 10AM – 10PM; Sunday & Public Holidays 10AM – 8PM. Massages start at HKD 950 for 60 minutes. 

Melomist Beauty Expert Deep Calming De-Stress Massage

Located on the slopes of Cochrane Street in Central just up by the Mid-Levels Escalator, the charming, airy space at Melomist is the ultimate retreat to escape the chaos of the city, right in the middle of the urban chaos. Melomist has five foundational pillars: hygiene, comfort, safety, and results and they offer treatments for everyone from expecting moms to men and teenagers. Go for their hourlong Deep Calming De-Stress Massage to unwind after a long day. Using natural and organic products like local cult favorite Native Essentials and Séla, a French natural minerals brand extracted from the Dead Sea, the massages are grounded in essential oils like vetiver, bergamot and chamomile that are blended together to ease tension and relax the body.

3/F, 37 – 43 Cochrane Street, Cheung Hing Commercial Building, Central, +852 2450 2220, ask@melomist.com. For appointments, please email bookings@melomist.com. Open Daily Monday – Friday 10AM – 8:30PM; Sunday & Public Holidays 10AM – 8PM. Massages start at HKD 780 for 60 minutes. 

Massada Spa Aromatherapy Massage

With beautiful, sprawling views of Hong Kong’s bustling city center, Massada sits comfortably in the middle of Causeway Bay. Hailing from Spain, all of Massada’s own range of biocellular products are pure and natural, not to mention Ecocert-certified. Clients who are short on time are able to schedule in a 45-minute massage and can choose from any of their aroma body treatments for a quick escape. You can also opt for an Aromatherapy Massage using the Pattrena Collection, ingredients made from purified food and botanical extracts used to relax, rejuvenate and nurture the mind and body from Thailand.

25/F, 18 Pennington Street, Guangdong Tour Centre, Causeway Bay, +852 2506 9005. For appointments, please call or WhatsApp at +852 6067 9862. Open Daily Monday – Saturday 10AM – 9PM; Sunday & Public Holidays 11AM – 8PM. Massages start at HKD 500 for 45 minutes. 

Caudalíe Gough Street Spa Divine Body Treatment

The world’s first luxury vinotherapy skin care regime, French beauty brand Caudalíe‘s natural anti-aging product line has amassed a global following. At their Hong Kong home base on Gough Street, the flagship boutique spa (set to reopen post renovations on March 23), you only need one treatment: their Divine Body Treatment, which features their award-winning multi-purpose Divine Oil that moisturizes, nourishes and enhances the skin from a remarkable blend of grape, hibiscus, sesame and organ oils, in combination with their patented anti-oxidant polyphenols made from grape-seed extracts, the ingredients envelop your skin in a soft, delicate fragrance for the most luxurious and relaxing body massage.

3 Gough Street, Central, +852 2319 1006. Gough Street Spa is getting a facelift and will reopen on March 23. For appointments, email gough@caudalie.com. Massage starts at HKD 800 for 50 minutes and are only available for women. 

Emmanuel F Sensorial Full Body Getaway

Our list would not be complete without including the city’s leading eco-conscious spa salon, Emmanuel F. With furnishings featuring earthy tones of warm woods, stone and plant features, this Sheung Wan sanctum offers body massage treatments with the elegance and know-how the French are famous for. Their most popular massage is the 60-minute Sensorial Full Body Getaway. Designed to relax you from this concrete jungle with west coast Californian massage techniques, organic essential oils like pine and lavender are incorporated for a true Zen experience (HKD 750). They also carry organic massage oils for home use if you are looking to stock up.

UG/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan. For appointments, call +852 2167 8280 or email at ef@emmaneulf.com. Open Monday – Friday 9AM – 9PM; Saturday 9AM – 7PM. Massages start at 680 for 60 minutes. 

Images courtesy of Pexels (lead), SOVOS, Massada, Emmanuel F, Caudalie, Melomist, Iyara, Jurlique and Sparadise. 

The post The Best Organic Massages & Spas in Hong Kong appeared first on Green Queen.

3 Mins ReadOn the small island of Lembongan, off the Indonesian paradise of Bali, Charlyn Ding experienced a euphoric yoga retreat that altered the course of her professional life. “It was a complete cleansing of the body and mind,” recalls Ding. “That joy stayed with me when I came back home and I wanted to share the feeling with others.” 

Ding realized the world needed a shift in the way people travel so she set off to find a formula that would accessibly and elegantly combine wellness and travel. Consumer demand for wellness services has grown exponentially in recent years. The need for a digital detox escape or a holistic healing retreat has become a necessary luxury in our fast-paced, over-connected world. As we predicted earlier this year, wellness tourism is fast gaining traction and is expected to surpass regular global tourism before long.

Ding’s solution was Om & Away, an online booking platform that specializes in offering wellness and holistic travel experiences all over the world. Searching for a retreat on the interwebs is not an efficient process. There are lots of results to sift through and you have no idea how to evaluate them. Each retreat you find will take you to a different site. It’s hard to make sense of it all. Which retreat is the best option? How to compare different retreats? And what if you want reviews?

Designed to aggregate a curated range of retreats based off personal experiences and meticulous research, Om & Away enables travelers to compare retreats, activities, accommodation types, prices, reviews and everything else on their easy-to-use website.  “We don’t have thousands of listings,” says Ding. “This doesn’t benefit the user, or the retreat hosts. The beautiful retreats would get lost among the many. Instead, we handpick our retreats thanks to recommendations from within our team so our customers can be assured of the quality of retreats we offer.”

Om & Away currently offers more than 70 wellness sanctuaries on their site. You can narrow your search by destination, by date and by price. With an array of retreats in activity categories like Ayurveda, detox, fitness, healing, meditation, spa, stress management and yoga, there’s bound to be the ideal fit for your getaway needs.

From Bali to Barbados and majorly lush countries in between, there is a wide variety of authentic wellness retreats to clear your mind and reset your spirit. The company has teamed up with travel partners favored by yoga aficionados such as jungle wonderland Como Shambhala Estate in Ubud, the famed Shreyas Yoga Retreats in India, and the beautiful family run Vale de Moses Retreat in the heart of the Portuguese mountains, just to name a few.

Another noteworthy feature? The exclusive deals Om & Away has with retreat hosts, which include special prices and spa discounts. Would-be travelers also earn ‘Om Points’ when they book through the website that they can redeem on their next booking or use for other wellness related classes/activities back in their home country like Pilates, yoga, flower arranging classes, juice cleanse specials or terrarium workshops.

“Instead of jetting off on yet another holiday that you’ll need to recover from, we believe you should go away to feed your mind, your body, and your soul,” says Ding. She and her team are committed to helping every customer achieve overall wellbeing through perfectly curated travel experiences that call for total relaxation and recharging. As their slogan mantra intones: Om & Away is Your Escape to Inner Joy.

All images courtesy of Pexels.

The post Om & Away Redefines Wellness Travel With Retreat Focused Online Booking Platform appeared first on Green Queen.

5 Mins Read

It’s that time of the year again, when experts all over share their predictions for the biggest trends in every industry. Green Queen spends a fair share of her time staying up to date on everything health & wellness, reading just about everything on the subjects.

These are Green Queen's 2017 predictions for the biggest trends in health & wellness.
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Holistic Health Heats Up

It used to be that people thought of holistic health professionals like homeopaths and reiki healers as too woo-woo to take seriously. No longer. Holistic health services, including the healing traditions of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and treatments are exploding all across the world, thanks to a rise in awareness about them and their benefits, the power of social media that has given practitioners a direct line to their potential clients, and a conventional medical community that has been reluctant to embrace the public’s demand for alternative therapies and has failed many chronically sick people. We predict that regulation and education in the holistic world is going to become more important and making sure you understand the differences in training of and scope of treatment offered by practitioners will be key.

The Rise Of Natural Beauty 

Over the past couple of years, people have become hyper-aware about the industrial food complex. Consumers have never been savvier when it comes to reading labels, understanding where food comes from and demanding higher quality food products from manufacturers and chefs. Now, their focus is turning to cosmetics and personal care products. Millennials are willing to invest in their beauty products, especially if the ingredient list is clean. Cue a huge uptake in natural, non-toxic and organic beauty brands and store launches like multi-brand ethical platform MINIMAL (May 2018 Update: now closed) and online shops like Urban Greenosophy, Cabanee and No. 2 Organics.

Wellness Tourism Takes Off

Our lives are busier than ever, our days are filled with constant communication and connectivity is a 24-hour affair. Not to mention that our health is poorer than ever, with pollution levels rising, food quality decreasing and sedentary office-based lifestyles a scourge of humankind’s predisposition to movement. The need to escape and to disconnect has never been greater and as such, a whole slew of wellness-based travel companies have popped up to fill this niche. Think wellbeing-focused holidays, bespoke spa detoxes, fitness bootcamps set in nature, and digital detox programs in far-flung destinations, with online booking platforms like Asia’s Om & Away looking to make booking these trips easy and convenient.

Millennials Want To Party Sober

Remember when weekends were for drinking? These days, millennials and Gen Yers prefer green juice to vodka martinis, and hip hop dance classes to clubbing. The rise in sober morning raves like Daybreaker, which started in New York City, and Morning Gloryville, which began in London,  is testimony to the fact that the youngsters of today are looking for more from their spare time: they want a like-minded community of people to connect with through physical activity, healthy foods and mindful partying. Daybreaker launched in Hong Kong late last year and will have its second event next month due to the huge success of the first event.

Companies Go Long On Corporate Wellness

Your company wants you to be healthy. Why? Healthy employees cost less: they do better work, they take less sick days and they use their medical insurance less. Which is why companies around the world are investing big in corporate wellness programs to encourage you to go to the gym, eat a higher quality diet and engage in preventative health habits, with flexible benefit structures that allow you to get ‘credits’ that you can redeem at fitness studios and holistic health centers.

Vegan Protein Goes Mainstream

The idea that you can’t get enough protein on a vegan diet is so last year. The world of plant-based food tech innovators like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat is one that investors like Bill Gates believe in, so it’s time to get with the program. On the protein powder side, alternatives like oats, hemp, brown rice and pea protein mean that vegan bodybuilders and the rest of the fitness world can now proclaim their love for plants loudly and proudly, plus companies like Vega are seeing record sales. Oh and expect more experimentation from chefs, with ingredients like jackfruit taking centre stage on the dinner plate.

Self-Care Is The New Black 

Expect to hear and read a LOT more about self-care, the concept of spending more time on your own personal wellbeing, whether that be through meditation, exercise, yoga, spa visits, hobbying, eating better, life coaching, holistic health treatments or detox holidays. People, especially women, need to take better care of themselves and in 2017, they will carve out the time to do so. Start your own self-care routine with our Ayurveda-inspired morning healthy habit guide.

Want to check out our 2016 Health & Wellness Trends. 

All images courtesy of pexels and Impossible Foods (vegan burger). 

The post Green Queen Predicts: 2017 Health & Wellness Trends appeared first on Green Queen.