Skin Laundry celebrates opening of new store with Olympic swimmers

Hong Kongers looking for a high-tech laser blitz on their face are in luck with the opening of Skin Laundry’s third store.

The American skincare and laser facial treatment brand has opened a store in Causeway Bay that offers the company’s signature 15-minute express laser treatment.

To promote the company’s ethos of healthy living, Skin Laundry has picked Hong Kong Olympic swimmers Camille Cheng and Geoffrey Cheah to be brand ambassadors.

Camille and Geoffrey, obviously, credit their glowing skin to Skin Laundry’s treatment and products.

“Soaking in Chlorine water in the swimming pool daily made my skin dry and flaky until I found Skin Laundry. The simple yet effective formula of their products keeps my skin moisturised and soothes the sensitiveness of my skin,” said Cheah.

The 15-minute two-step facial uses a YAG Laser and IPL Light system to deep clean, brighten, release wrinkles, treat acne and stimulate collagen for clearer, younger-looking skin.

The Nut Case

In today’s health-obsessed times, it’s only natural to seek out the finest organic produce in a bid to take our personal wellness to the max. Food, of course, above pretty much all else, is the ultimate determinant of our physical wellbeing. If we don’t continually stoke our bodies with premium nutritional fuel, then – inevitably – we will go into decline. Moderation, however, is all important.

Eat too much and you are Michelin-Man-mocked by your mates, even as your risks of thrombosi multiply and your knees wear out well before their warranty. Eat too little and your Belsen chic will fool no-one, as vital organs begin to shut down and your beltless pants threaten to ever parachute below your knees.

As a result, we all too frequently have to contend with a welter of faddy diet plans, regimes that benefit newspaper circulations far more often than they deliver a new improved you – trim in all the right places, with a BMI that causes no medical concern. In truth, though, these faddy theories will do little for either your waistline or your credibility, with your naturally slim chums guffawing at your carb-free lunch, while hitting the pies free from any high calorie consequences.
For many, though, such unhealthy food can have drastic repercussions. All too frequently, they contain chemically-altered fats and sugars that are certain to provide your body with quite the wrong nutrition. If any at all. This, of course, does trigger a number of inevitable questions: What are the most convenient and affordable healthy foods? What can provide us with enough energy so we don’t feel the need to continually snack throughout the day? What healthy foods can we easily customise to meet our individual preferences?

As with many other of life’s most compelling and confounding questions, “nuts” would seem to be the answer. Essentially a nut is a fruit composed of a hard shell complete with a seed inside, most of which are entirely edible. Nuts have a rich and long history as a foodstuff and are now proving increasingly popular with the current generation of discerning diners.

In fact, people have been eating nuts pretty much ever since opposable thumbs first made their inner bounty accessible to the more dextrous primates. Today, they are consumed at top tables and in low dives, pretty much anywhere there is a degree of sensitivity as to just what is good to slide down your gullet. Despite this long history and their widespread popularity, we still have much to learn about the possible health benefits of these tree-borne snacks, with many actually arguing that they are far more beneficial than the more generally championed fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots and broccoli.
In fact, this hard-shelled fruit – often so visually unappealing upon initial acquaintance and difficult to access for the uninitiated – has a potentially immense and positive impact on human wellbeing. Far too few people are aware that regular nut consumption can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular problems and type 2 diabetes, while ameliorating the affects of age-related memory syndromes – such as Alzheimer’s – and even helping to lower cholesterol levels. In truth, despite a wealth of related research projects, science is still coming to terms with all the possible bodily boons a nut-high diet could bequeath.

There is, however, a degree of consensus that is the omega-3 fatty acid content of nuts, together with their high concentration of vitamin E, that accounts for many of these benefits. While nuts are high in fat and carbohydrates – some more than others – it is a form of fat that provides essential nutrition to both humans and animals.

In tests it has been proven that a handful of nuts a day can have a long-term positive impact in terms of providing essentials proteins, fibre and unsaturated fats, as well as a number of important vitamins and minerals. These can be derived from a wide variety of nuts, including almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts.
Most recently, nuts were endorsed by Barack Obama, the US president, who confessed to his habit of indulging in an almond snack prior to retiring every night. If even the leader of the western world can find time to top up on his daily nut intake, there is really no excuse for lesser mortals to fail to be so nutritionally diligent.

In terms of the premium performers within the nut world, almonds contain the most fibre, while also providing a potent supply of antioxidants. Also, if you are looking to drop an inch or two prior to investing in your winter wardrobe, almonds are said to help you shed a pound or two.

Walnuts, for their part, are said to have a role to play in countering inflammation, helping to protect the body from the cellular damage that contributes to heart disease, cancer and premature ageing. If you’re not a fan of fish, eating walnuts is a good way of getting that all-important omega 3 fix.

Then there’s pecan nuts. They are not only tasty, but also help to boost brain health. In the case of pistachios, these are rich in antioxidants, containing both a cancer-combatting nutrient and ample vitamin E. They are also packed with potassium, an element essential for both a healthy nervous system and for muscle development. This is not to mention their rich vitamin B6 content, something said to lift your mood while fortifying your immune system.

Macadamia nuts, however, are the most calorie-dense of the bunch, so you might want to go easy. On the plus side, raw macadamia nuts contain high amounts of vitamin B1, magnesium and manganese. Their nutrition profile has even been compared to that of olives, items long-celebrated for their health-enhancing benefits.

If raw nuts are not your thing, though, there’s no need to worry. Across the world, many chefs are now highly adept at spicing up this nutritious food. It is simplicity itself to specify the addition of one of your favourite spices – be that chilli, curry powder, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika or even brown sugar – to transform the taste of the au naturel nut.

Another source of nut nutrition is nut oil, something easily obtained by compressing a selection of nuts. For those unwilling to invest in a little peanut press of their own, a wide variety of commercially produced nut oils are now available. Most commonly, this includes macadamia, peanut, cashew, almond and pine nut varieties.

A good source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, nut oils, however, lack the fibre found in whole nuts. Today, nut oils are among common ingredients in salad dressings and are frequently used in cooking preparations. For those on a limited budget, however, nut oils tend to be a little more expensive than a number of common alternatives, such as sunflower oil.
Overall, the variety of nuts available today is simply astonishing, while their health-giving qualities seem ever more impressive as every research programme concludes. So next time you are faced with a sudden urge to snack, don’t go mad on crisps and dips. Just go nuts.

The Imbible

Drinking lots of water and keeping well-hydrated is widely seen as the key to a healthy lifestyle. While true, there are many other beverages that are worth adding to your daily diet, with a number of them having tremendous health benefits. Taken judiciously, they can help relieve everything from minor ailments, such as indigestion, to protecting against more serious illnesses, notably osteoporosis.

Green tea is one of the healthiest drinks around, a favourite with health-conscious consumers and nutritionist alike. Regular consumption can not only help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, but can also ward off tooth decay, heart disease and even cancer. Rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, these two natural antioxidants help protect the cells from carcinogens. They also act to inhibit tumour growth and neutralise free radicals in the body. These same antioxidants guard against heart disease by relaxing the blood vessels, thereby inhibiting the blood clots which cause many forms of heart attack and strokes. Flavonoids also help to strengthen the bones, staving off osteoporosis and tooth decay, while fluoride, another ingredient in green tea, also strengthens the teeth. As an added bonus, green tea racks up a zero calorie count for those conscious of their daily intake.

Mint, in its more fluid form, also comes highly recommended. An antispasmodic, it helps to relax the body’s muscles, thus combating stiffness as well as any accompanying aches and pains. A cold glass of mint tea is actually one of the best ways to ward off stomach cramps and indigestion, since it acts at hastening the movement of food through the digestive tract. It is also a great cure for a hangover, speeding up the detoxification process while also reducing painful bloating and nausea. Again, as with green tea, it has a zero calorie count.

Reduced-fat milk is another great protector against osteoporosis. This actually contains many of the elements of a healthy well-balanced meal – carbohydrates, protein and very little fat. The stomach absorbs it slowly, which helps make you feel full for longer and curbs any of those niggling hunger cravings. As it acts to stabilise blood sugar levels, hunger pangs are again greatly reduced.

Calcium is one of the most import elements for the fight against osteoporosis and milk is, of course, rich in calcium. It also contains vitamin D which is a vital aid to the absorption of calcium into the body. Recent studies have indicated that milk may also prevent the body storing fat. One study showed that women who consumed three to four low-fat dairy products a day, including milk, lost twice as much weight when dieting as those who took in lower amounts. Generally, eight ounces of this milk contains about 120 calories.

As an alternative, soy milk is very good at helping to cut the risk of heart disease. It is rich in soluble fibres and soy protein, both of which reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and triglycerides in the blood, stemming the risk of the cardiovascular diseases that can ultimately lead to heart problems. Those who use soy milk in preference to cow’s milk should get the variety that comes fortified with calcium and vitamins A and D, something that soy milk is naturally deficient in. There is one big caveat here, however. Soy milk contains phytoestrogens, substances that have been linked to the increased risk of breast cancer. Any women with a family history of such disease should speak to their doctors before overly partaking. Calorie-wise soy milk is slightly more forgiving than cow’s milk coming in at 80 calories per eight ounces.

Hot chocolate – is that good for you? Well, yes it helps improve mood and protects against heart problems. Your moods are regulated by serotonin, a neuro-transmitter in the brain, and chocolate enhances its production. Depression is oft associated with low levels of serotonin. Cocoa, the most important ingredient in chocolate, is also a good source of aforementioned polyphenols – plant derived antioxidants. They act to protect against the oxidative damage that can lower good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, in turn putting your blood vessels and heart at considerable risk. As you’d expect, the calorie count for this delicious drink is high. For every eight ounces you consume, you take on-board 195 calories.

Low-sodium tomato juice is another great anti-cancer drink. Tomatoes are one of the richest sources of an antioxidant called lycopene, a substance associated with reduced risks of both lung and stomach cancer. It has also been found to help reduce the risk of pancreatic, colorectal, oesophageal, oral, breast and cervical cancers – a bit of a cure all in fact. Lycopene, as with the polyphenols in cocoa and green tea, protects against oxidation damage within the tissues, especially within the circulatory system while also warding off cardiovascular diseases. The calorie count is good here, coming in at a mere 31 for every six ounces of the juice.

Cranberry juice, it transpires, has great antibacterial properties and can stave off such diverse ailments as urinary tract infections, periodontal and gum disease. Some studies have discovered that one of its components – nondialysable material (NDM) – prevents bacteria from attaching to the gums. As nutritionists warn against many fruit juices because of their sugar content, it is recommended that intake is limited to one glass (about eight ounces) per day and that only those labelled 100 percent juice be used. “Juice drinks” or “cocktails” are usually much higher in sugar and contain all manner of additives, which negate any positive effects. Expect a calorie count of about 140 per glass of juice.

Now to that old favourite, orange juice. Fair play to it. It is one of the very best sources of vitamin C – a very potent antioxidant – and guards against the kind of oxidative damage that can lead cells to become cancerous. It promotes the function of the body’s immune cells, enabling them to fight infections much more efficiently. Its anti-oxidation effects even protect against the clouding of the eyes’ lenses, which can cause blindness. Another component, folate, helps protect against neural tube defects in developing foetuses which can cause nervous system problems. It is a good idea to buy the calcium-fortified versions for added health benefits. Being a juice, the calorie count is higher, around 115 per eight-ounce glass.

Water, though, remains the best choice for quenching your thirst, as well as unsweetened coffee or tea, which are both virtually calorie free. It is recommended men consume up to 15 cups of water daily and women about 11 cups. Don’t purchase fancy flavoured water, though. Make your own using sliced citrus fruits and zest, crushed fresh mint, sliced ginger, cucumber or even crushed berries – a much healthier alternative all round.

Fighting Fit

Two men face each other, their muscles tense. Their eyes narrow as they ready every fibre of their being. While their bodies are as taut as coiled springs, their minds are clear, ever focussed on the prize, the girl sitting ringside, the nobility of their path….

The referee’s arm drops – Hajime! Begin! A flurry of fists and feet. Scant seconds later and it’s over. The loser – humbled, but respectful – rises. They bow. The fight is finished. For the victor, honour is assured.

It’s a scene from a million kung fu movies – from The Karate Kid to Enter the Dragon – but it’s not just a fiction. It actually takes place every day in countless locations around the world. Thousands of people, people like you and me – except maybe slightly braver and, almost certainly, better co-ordinated – are actually living this particular dream. So, why not give it a go?

It’s a sad fact that we frequently fail to realise quite how remarkable the human body really is. Most notably, how many of us are aware that we actually occupy one of nature’s most finely-honed killing machines? Indeed, evolution has made us, all of us, even the flabbiest and most unfit specimens of humanity, among the fightiest creatures ever to stalk the planet.

After all, our ancestors skulked to the top of the food chain thanks to a winning combination of big brains, opposable thumbs and the ability to crush faces with heel-strikes. Probably.

Though the need to power-kick opponents squarely in the jaw has diminished somewhat in many – though far from all – contemporary societies, that isn’t to say that the arts martial are now surplus to requirements. For, despite the obvious drawbacks – sore feet, bloodied socks – they may well constitute the healthiest form of exercise known to personkind.

Assuming you’re taking a strictly old-school approach, there’s no expensive equipment, no gym enrolment and no protein-shake palaver to concern yourself with. This, after all, is the human body going back to basics, taking the most rudimentary approach to burning fat and building core body strength.

Aside from the obvious benefits – nurturing cardio-vascular stamina and seeing off opium-addled henchmen – a regular martial arts workout can, apparently, help to alleviate asthma and avert osteoporosis (brittle bones syndrome). It’s also a great way to build confidence and make friends, with even disability proving no barrier.

It was Mat Fraser, an Englishman, who may have, quite literally, inspired the term “unarmed combat” when he became a hapkido, taekwondo and karate master despite being notably lacking in the upper limb department. Ted Vollrath, meanwhile, was the first man to attain a black belt while wheelchair-bound. He even went on to star in 1979’s Mr No Legs, a kind of Dragged on to Enter exploitation flick.

While it’s true that following the martial arts does require a regular, daily fitness regime, unlike other fitness methods – notably weight-lifting or street-running – it doesn’t entail a continuous daily physical grind. Indeed, it is important that martial artists never overextend their training – after all, every day for which they have put themselves out of action, is a day they can’t defend themselves. Funnily enough, this means that a three-day-a-week, two-hour class (do-able by any normally-employed individual) could be just as beneficial as going all-out on the treadmill or doing dead-lifts at the gym every lunchtime. If that isn’t an incentive, we’re not quite sure what is.

So, if the idea is starting to appeal, here’s some more good news – studying the martial arts is easy to get into, with classes widely available and easily accessible. In both Hong Kong and China, finding a class is easier than finding the next noodle vendor. This very accessibility, however, has something of a downside for the novice learner – finding the style that precisely suits your personal capabilities can be something of a challenge. This is largely because the choice can be somewhat bewildering.

Overall, many argue that martial arts fall into two broad categories (using Japanese terminology) – kata and kumite. The former, being disparaging in any way, is somewhat akin to a structured artform – almost like dance – and can be done either singly or in pairs. All martial arts use such forms in their early stages in order to gain mastery over specific moves or to demonstrate forms.

At the other end of the scale are the free-form and sparring arts – the kumite. These are practical methods of self-defence and, while they may lack the finesse and grace of the more showy kata, they are excellent for wiping the floor in a bar-room brawl.

The truth is, though, that most martial art forms fall somewhere in-between kata and kumite. After all, a martial art wouldn’t be truly martial if it couldn’t be applied in real-world situations, nor could it be taught if it didn’t involve some form of rote learning.

While martial arts fall on a sliding-scale, some more heavily influenced by show than effect, a useful definition is to differentiate between “soft” and “hard” styles. Soft martial arts, such as aikido and Brazilian capoeira, tend to be more fluid and designed to incapacitate rather than severely injure an opponent. Hard arts, notably French savate or muay thai, on the other hand, tend to rely on crushing attacks to shatter limbs and crack skulls.

Both styles inevitably require years of practice, but nonetheless, both are equally suitable for beginners – the question is how much actual sparring you want to participate in. Hard arts, less bound by the rigidity of kata, are more likely to see you going face-to-face with your classmates, and so will almost definitely entail you getting kicked in the face a few times, at least until the next intake of newbies.

Despite the constant conflict over which style is better or purer, ultimately each form is only as good as the instructor. It’s important, then, to establish the legitimacy (or not) of your intended master.

With the constant peeling off of schools after students are booted out for seducing their sensei’s daughters, unlikely lineages supposedly traced back to mystic Shaolin mountains (invented in 950 AD, rediscovered in 2005) and stories of masters wrestling bears before breakfast, it’s helpful to make sure your prospective instructor is all he (or she) claims. Most martial art disciplines now have governing bodies, so it’s a lot easier to check whether that Saturday class at the Hung Hom YMCA is led by a seventy-third black-belt iron-fisted Wuxia master, or a delusional postal worker.

Another common problem for novice students is a misplaced sense of obligation to stay with an instructor, despite growing doubts as to his suitability. While a martial arts teacher may be hard, he is not meant to be cruel or abusive. An inexperienced instructor, rather than seeing himself as a guide, often uses his superiority over his charges merely to bolster his ego. Of course, he can polish the floor with an unwary learner or two. That’s the whole point. He’s just not meant to get off on it.

If all the previous points haven’t put you off, there is still one important thing to remember – martial arts are not for everyone. As with rock-climbing or chess it’s a sport and one that, despite its many and varied perks, really comes down to personal taste. At least if someone tells you your preference is a poor one, you’ll know how to smack them. And they’ll stay smacked.