This week, we are thinking about drinking.
Given the volume falling from the clouds these few days, we might be forgiven for questioning the water shortage. The storms cooled us down and gave air conditioners a break but it is the season to stay hydrated.
Having written this article several years ago about being Water Wise in Hong Kong, I was disappointed to hear about the use of lead in new construction and not surprised at the excuse: “because they are cheaper than those without lead.” For those of us living in older buildings with lead in pipes, it is helpful to know that contamination happens from water standing in the pipes. A simple trick is to run the water for a few minutes to clear the standing water from pipes.
For those concerned about fluoride, local water is treated at about half the traditionally-recommended fluoride level. If you are committed to drinking pure water without plastic, consider water filtration jugs or a home system.
Water is certainly on the minds of our members. We heard from Graeme Bradshaw about treating lead contamination and Living Alive sent water drinking guidelines. Chan Cudennec shared this tip to calculate your daily water intake: divide your weight in kilograms by 30 – a person weighing 60 kg will feel at their best drinking 2 litres every day. Read water works for their expert advice.
Old ways are replacing new ways as ancient traditions make a comeback, like kombucha which originated in China around 5,000 years ago and offers tasty ways to drink all the water we need while supporting the digestive system with healthy bacteria. Coffee and tea count towards daily intake, but alcohol dehydrates so it does not and dehydration is the main reason we feel crappy the day after a big night out. Water is abundant in fresh produce but it is useful to remember when choosing juice that many fruits and some vegetables contain high sugar levels.
As demand continues to grow for products that are good and good for us, traditional companies create new foods and beverages that will also satisfy our taste for convenience. When convenience trumps quality, things can go horribly wrong — as seen in the case of Vitamin Water whose 33 grams of sugar per bottle compares to 39 grams of sugar in a can of parent company’s flagship product Coca-Cola. The company continues to defend their marketing strategy of presenting the product as a healthy beverage and addresses plastic recycling issues with a sustainability campaign that involves creating a new plastic product packaged in plastic and handed out free with purchase to encourage consumption in a developing nation.
With the vast quantities of water required for production, soft drinks efficiently remove fresh water from the environment while businesses make profits packaging sugar in plastic and selling it in emerging markets with limited access to fresh water. Along with returns to investors, bottled water returns vast quantities of oil to the ecosystem in the form of indigestible plastic with much of it ending up in the ocean where it breaks down into pieces small enough to be absorbed into the food chain.
The most effective way to hydrate on the go is to get a reusable glass or metal water bottle and carry fresh water with you.
Who wants to grab a drink?
Naturally,
Founder & Publisher
www.heartbeat.com.hk
natural life in the fast lane
Listen to your own heartbeat.
“I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man.” – Henry David Thoreau
The Dogstar Academy Awards
Advance tickets now on sale for HKDR’s annual gala fundraiser
Gather your Extreme Hollywood finest and join Hong Kong Dog Rescue for their Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner from 6pm until late on Saturday 19 September 2015 at the Aberdeen Marina Club. The primary goal of the Dogstar Academy Awards is to raise one million dollars to support ongoing daily operations and to help us save more lives. Event sponsorship is now available and donations are welcome for auction, lucky draw and table prizes. Advance booking is available until July 31 at HK$1,888, 2 tickets for HK$3,600 or HK$19,800 for a table.
QUICK LINK : HKDR Gala Fundraiser
CONTACT : Hong Kong Dog Rescue (Gala Event Team)
EMAIL : events@hongkongdogrescue.com
WEBSITE : Hong Kong Dog Rescue
Events in Hong Kong this month
Paid listings include links; contact organizers for details.
21 (7:30pm) Mindfulness Practice | The Healing Centre of Hong Kong
23 (6:30pm) Silent Disco Yoga Class | The Yoga Room
23 (6:30pm) Soul Retrieval Workshop | Shakti Healing Circle
24 (6:15pm) Mindfulness for Beginners | IMI
24 (1:15pm) Recycling Operation Centre Tour | Business Environment Council
25 (11am) Aromatherapy for Skincare | The Sanctuary Hong Kong
25 (12:30pm) Introduction to Ishayas’ Ascension | Ishayas Ascension
25 (4pm) Katerina Shereen Belly Dance Workshop | Contact organizer
25-26 (9:30am) Soul Realization | Pranic Healing Hong Kong
25-26 (10am) Hypnotherapy Level 1 | All About You Wellness Centre
25 (10:45am) Foundation of Good Health | i-Detox Wellness Centre
26 (11am) Aromatherapy for Skincare | The Sanctuary Hong Kong
26 (1pm) Lunch at CS Vegan | Meat Free Hong Kong
26 Fifth Dimensional Meditation | Karma Consultants
27 (12pm) Modern Day Slavery and Your Business | Contact organizer
27 (7pm) Veggie Potluck & Green Chats | Contact organizer
Get in touch to request details or an introduction.
Coming up | Request details
August 3 Public Policy and Local Action
August 26-28 (10am) Natural & Organic Products Asia
September 12-13 (10am) BioGeometry Training (Cantonese)
September 19 (10am) Clean Pak Sha Wan Day
September 24-28 Yin & Yang Yoga Retreat
November 1-3 Social Enterprise Summit
Subscribe for fresh weekly updates by email.
Fresh directory listings
Contact our Natural Concierge for an introduction.
Brett Scott – Kinesiologist; immunity, digestive, stress, traumas, pain, toxicity, allergies > details
Peter Lloyd – Psychotherapist; Process Work for individuals, couples and groups > details
Spa Beauté Par Zai – Facials, manicures, pedicures, reflexology, aromatherapy, massage > details
Kitty Kwong – Colorpuncture Therapist; seminars and workshops, online shop > details
Loi Aromatherapy – Treatment of aromatherapy and holistic spine therapy > details
Kabbalah Centre of Hong Kong – Regular gatherings offering spiritual tools > details
Markus (Anup) Karlsson – Awareness training, facilitation; regular Hong Kong visits > details
- Promote natural choices by connecting with our business members.
- Register or introduce someone you love to Hong Kong’s original natural network.
Personal Membership
Clean, green, inspired, sustainable, organic benefits … naturally
Join the first and only natural network in Hong Kong. HK heartbeat is a vibrant local community with thousands of active members sharing fresh content, making authentic connections and choosing clean, green, healthy products, services and programs since 2001. Connect with people who share your passion for fair trade, clean products, authentic living, whole healing, real beauty, creative expression, organic growth, considered conservation, renewable energy and socially responsible development. Receive copies of our print editions in the post. Ask for an introduction or get a little help from the Natural Concierge to find what you’re looking for. Enjoy private offers and special savings from our business members.
QUICK LINK : Membership Application
CONTACT : Kinzie
TEL : +852 6628 6253
EMAIL : kinzie@heartbeat.com.hk
Fresh content and connections for conscious everyday choices
Hong Kong’s first natural network has connected thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations since we launched in 2001, sharing fresh content and authentic connections for clean, green, healthy living products, services and programs. With everything from acupuncture to zero-waste solutions, our members have everything you’re looking for — even when you’re not sure what you’re looking for — chemical-free health and beauty, lifestyle services, whole food, sustainable fashion, eco-style, green gadgets and more ... naturally.
Photo by Kinzie
