What do you expect to see when you walk into the produce section of a supermarket?

Let me guess…

This?

This?

Oh… I know. This?

Nowadays, less-than-perfect foods don’t make the cut into supermarkets and grocery stores, which gives us consumers the false impression that fruits and vegetables are born this way!

Unfortunately, however, this causes a ripple effect…

All of which has led us to our current global food waste crisis, an international issue of immense proportions.

In fact, according to this year’s UN Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report;

• Around 931 million tons of food or 17 percent of global food production goes to waste each year.
• 61 percent of food waste comes from households, while 26 percent comes from food services and 13 percent from retail.
• At least 155 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity.
• Eight to ten percent of global carbon emissions are linked to unconsumed produce.

However, as much as the food crisis is a severe issue on a global scale, there are plenty of things that you, as an individual, can do to help!

One of the easiest and most fun ways to help is by eating ugly.

This summer, I invite you to join me and #EATUGLY.

Visit your local supermarket, farmer’s market or get into contact with some organic food producers. Ask if they sell discounted “ugly fruit boxes,” or actively seek out and purchase less “attractive” fruits and vegetables!

And you can even win a grand prize when you snap a photo of your “ugly” fruit/vegetable and submit it to the #EATUGLY Photography Contest!

For a little inspiration, here are some photos that we’ve found/created! And remember, don’t be afraid to get creative!

An example of digital manipulation!

Photo from imgur.com (Created by Elise Cheng)

Photo by stan0 from imgur.com

Photo by Lauren Zhou

Photo from Planet Ivy

What is Project Grounded?

According to a survey of 2,000 8-to-12-year-olds in the UK (conducted by the TV Channel Eden), 64 percent of kids play outside less than once a week, 21 percent have never been to a farm, and 20 percent have never once climbed a tree.

How to change this set of statistics? I created Project Grounded to reintroduce nature education to the generation that desperately lacks it. Through offering first-hand experiences of growing, harvesting, cooking fruits and vegetables, and campaigns like #eatugly, I’m on a mission to generate worldwide impact.

To get in touch with Lauren Zhou:
Email: 22haitianz@dulwich-beijing.cn
WeChat: laurengirl47

Images: Pexels, Lauren Zhou, Planet Ivy, imgur.com

While hunting for items at malls and marketplaces has become a safety hazard, innovative vendors in Beijing have found a new way to sell their products – through virtual markets. Instead of meeting in person, shoppers and vendors are added to a WeChat group, sharing info about products and QR codes for purchasing. Some virtual markets include schedules so that specific vendors ‘drop’ their product info and photos at a certain time, thus allowing shoppers time to absorb and browse, while others offer special discounts and flash sales only available to those in the group.

Thanks to this clever system, baby products, local crafts, designer clothes, artisan goods, collectibles, trinkets, are all available for purchase at your fingertips, all thanks to the many business-minded, inspirational individuals who share a love for creation, connection, and bridging passion projects. Together, they’ve not only fed our craving to shop but also filled in some of the gaps that the coronavirus has created in our lives.

Without further ado, let us hear what they have to say:

A fun necklace goes a long way

Rumble in the Jumble

Rumble in the Jumble is a monthly pop-up bazaar that usually happens at different locations throughout Beijing. In normal times, it often occurs outside, or in bars because, as founder Charlotte White puts it, “there’s nothing that makes us happier than having a nice cocktail while we browse vintage items and hand-crafted products made by some of the most awesome and creative people in Beijing!”

Rumble welcomes vendors of all kinds, but have a special enthusiasm for small businesses and artisans who are just getting started. When White realized the huge toll that the COVID-19 was taking on the creative community, she decided to start the series of Virtual Bazaars. “The first one, in May, was bigger and more popular than we could ever have imagined. Since then, there has been so much activity around the virtual markets that we couldn’t have stopped even if we wanted to!” 

White is now gearing up for the Virtual Rumble #4, which will be taking place on Jul 25.

Request to join via WeChat ID: CharLouise

Throwback to the good old days of actual markets

FLASH Sales (Maker’s Market)

Miranda Mullett, the designer behind To Float or Fly, an eco-friendly, hand-made fashion brand, decided to launch the  FLASH Sales Maker’s Market series back in April as a way to help fellow designers move inventory during the uncertain time, inspired by a playful threat from her boyfriend. “During the lockdown, we were organizing, and my boyfriend threatened to charge my bags – collections from years ago – rent if I didn’t do anything about them.” Mullett explains “Having all of this stored inventory is rather wasteful if you think about it, especially since my brand is ‘eco-friendly.’ So, I launched our first digital sample sale on WeChat. With 11 other designers, we were able to create a network of over 700 people across two groups. Each designer had a one-hour time slot to share product information across two days. I am happy to say I homed a large portion of my bags!”

A wide range of products are available in the Flash sale groups, including eco-friendly soap berries like these

Following the first successful market, the themed sales have continued with events ranging from fashion, home, food, and health & beauty. “The brands we partner with are all local, so it’s a great way to support local businesses and brands. I was also pleasantly surprised to find all the vendors from our last event were female entrepreneurs.”

Their next flash fashion sample sale is set for Jul 25-26, to be followed by another food flash sale is on Aug 8-9.

Request to join via WeChat ID: mirandamullett

Little Ones Market

The COVID-19 presented enormous challenges to the childcare industry at large, and for Sonia Wong, founder of all-natural, fresh baby food delivery brand Little Ones it was no different. Even worse, perhaps, as Little Ones was only founded January just before the crisis really took off. “Needless to say, it’s been a rocky start” says Wong “It was difficult to drive the business forward with so little certainty at hand. Today we count ourselves lucky – we also know of many other childcare businesses that are fighting and marching onwards day by day.”

Down but not out, Wong and her team decided to start the first Little Ones Market to energize the community with something new, fun, and exciting. “We wanted to create an online community where parents could still interact with their favorite brands from afar and discover new ones that embody the same values.”

The Little Ones Market offers all things natural, wholesome, and healthy for new parents and little ones between 0 and 3. For each market, Wong and her team handpick a selection of high quality local and international brands and services, ranging from food, skincare, home care, clothing, health care, early education, and entertainment. The markets also include one-day-only special discounts: everything a parent and infant could need.

Request to join via WeChat ID: S0niaw

All three virtual marketplaces will be updating shortly with future dates. To join the group chats, simply send a request to add their WeChat ID’s, and they’ll add you in. Happy shopping, I’ll see you there!

KEEP READING: What You Should Know About Your Legal Rights Before Your Maternity Leave

Images: Yura Fresh (via Unsplash), courtesy of event organizers

After a week of my internship at a local hospital in Beijing, that’s the question I’ve been asked by virtually everyone I’ve met here, always accompanied by a wry, weary smile. I am considering pursuing studies in medicine, but as with any major life decision, it requires a lot of research to really understand what you’re getting into.

The first thing that I found is that there’s a clear distinction in the way Chinese and Western hospitals operate. Because there’s such a large population to cater to, doctors working in Chinese hospitals are rarely at leisure – patients come in one following another, for the entirety of a doctor’s shift. As a result, they often appear tired, annoyed, and cranky during appointments.

And this weariness seems to be the whole attitude of Chinese doctors towards their profession. Through conversations with several doctors and nurses, I’ve found that what keeps them going is hardly the passion for their work. Sadly, for many, long hours, low salaries, intense psychological pressure, and patient-doctor tensions eventually bring home the realization that this is not what they want to do in life.

Now, you might say, doctors working in western hospitals must have a different story to tell. The truth is, no matter the country, all doctors share similar experiences – of challenges, hardships, and mental and physical struggles.

I’m no expert in the medical field, but through extensive web searches, and my experiences interning at a hospital, here are some important points to consider before you make the decision to pursue studies in medicine.

It’s a Long, Long Journey… 

In the US, after you complete 4 years of your bachelor’s degree, you enroll in a medical school – for another 4 more years. This gets you either an MD or a DO degree, but there’s still 3-8 years of internships and residency. Of course, different laws apply in different countries, but high educational standards exist across all countries, and, don’t forget, doctors are known to be “learners for life”. So, if you’re not that excited by a lifetime of knowledge and education, being a doctor may not be the best fit for you.

Got Money to Burn?

Doctors are generally financially well-off, but medical students certainly aren’t. Financing your medical education for several years without any income often leaves students in huge debt, because medical school, despite the occasional success stories, is the domain of the upper-middle class and the wealthy. According to a study by the Association of American Doctors (AAMC), most medical students’ parents have high levels of education, a graduate’s degree for instance.

“The lack of economic diversity is embarrassing”, says Poorna Sreekumar, who was a student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. For there to be a future of less economic disparity in the medical field, it’ll take more than words and cognizance.

Keep Calm, Carry On

Whether it’s learning or practicing, medicine is intense. A hospital isn’t the most carefree place to be: think pus-filled bumps and boils, gaping grisly wounds, critically ill and heavily wounded patients on the brink of death, the tired faces of family members who’ve stayed up all night, moans and groans echoing in corridors. Every patient is a bundle of complicated emotions, and medical professionals have to maintain a strong psychological mindset under such pressure.

In the end, every doctor has reasons for their dedication. Some wish to rescue the sick and dying, practice humanitarianism, some want to actualize their parents’ dreams and expectations, and some would simply like to become wealthy in the meantime. Chasing the dream of becoming a doctor is bound to be an arduous journey, but don’t let it discourage you – persistence pays off.

At the Battlefront

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed hospitals across the world at a focal point of attention. At the local hospital I interned at, they hadn’t received a single case of a test-positive patient since the start of the outbreak. Yet still, the anxiousness and stigma surrounding the coronavirus remained heightened. Even in uncertain, potentially life-threatening situations, medical professionals are obliged to admit, treat, and care for patients, putting them at the frontlines of battling contagious diseases and outbreaks like the Coronavirus.

KEEP READING: Conquering Medicine and Fitness

Photos: Unsplash

Human and equine, rider and steed: the partnership between humans and horses has evolved from comrades in war, companions in fieldwork, as it’s now become the sport and profession of equestrians across the world.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics marked the introduction of horse riding as a sport in China. It was then, that millions of Chinese families witnessed the beauty of horse riding – the elegance of a gallop, the explosion of a leap, the delicate equity between controlled excitement, and unleashable ferity. Since then, China’s equestrian scene has bloomed. In fact, according to the Chinese Horse Fair’s 2019 report, 2608 equestrian clubs now scatter the country, with well over 20 equestrian clubs located in the outskirts of Beijing.

Jump Lauren, jump!

But of course, everything comes at a price – horse riding, especially so. Notorious for being a ‘money-burning’ endeavor, a one-hour class in Beijing usually costs around RMB 400. A beginner’s set of equipment, including a helmet, riding gloves, boots and breeches, costs at a minimum of around RMB 2,000. And, if you ever find yourself thinking about purchasing and owning a horse, the sizable financial investment that comes with it will be sure to shatter your daydreams.

So, true, it’s a splurge to take up the sport. Yet, here’s one equestrian telling you to take it up. Why? Why get into horse riding? What makes this sport so enticing?

You hear that?

The Proximity to Nature

If you’ve never ridden a horse, you’ve probably seen somebody do it. Watching from afar, the whole process is sleek and silent, and you’d imagine it to be that way for the horse and rider too. In reality, riding a horse has the visual and aural impact of a thunderstorm – a heavy combination of bumps like crashing waves, rasp grunts and neighs, clouds of smoky dust blown up by rhythmic thudding. There is no experience quite like it; when a human comes into such close contact with a living and breathing beast twice its size, taming, communicating, working together… it’s easily the best lesson nature could offer.

Activates Dormant Muscles

When riding, your heels should be down, chin, up, shoulders this way, hips the other, your arms down but always relaxed. As you lock into that initially awkward, unnatural position, your inner thighs, pelvic muscles, and core receive an intense workout, all at the same time. While an experienced rider looks totally relaxed and at ease, I would argue that equestrian sport demands more from the athlete – motor skills, coordination, endurance, and muscular strength – than many other sports.

A Philosophical Journey?

It’s a strangely hypnotic experience to be perched on a 1-meter pedestal, towering over bushes and sometimes even trees, rocked by the rhythms of a four-hooved stroll. I say hypnotic because many have dozed off on horseback and even fallen off on occasion. But even for those who are wide awake, the swaying and rocking motion lends itself to reflection, and you find yourself musing over up fond memories and deep thoughts, as you slowly retreat into yourself, forgetting about other things for a moment.

Equality! (to Some Extent)

Men are still overrepresented in governing bodies and positions of authority that relate to equestrian sports, and the philosophies and traditions of the sports are still largely rooted in a male perspective. But in theory, equestrian sport respects gender equality. It’s currently one of only two Olympic categories in which men and women compete directly against each other, and according to the same rules (sailing is the second sport).

In the sporting world, where most female athletes make a fraction of the salary of their male counterparts, where women are underestimated, undervalued, where women teams are under-funded and under-marketed, mixed-sex sports like horseriding opens up a new road.

If you’re intrigued and would like to know more, call up any equestrian club, the most professional (and most expensive) option available being Equules International Riding Club, but other clubs such as the Red Knight Equestrian Club being equally as good and a bit more affordable, an excellent option for beginners.

Equules International Riding Club: 84590263
Red Knight Equestrian Club: 84595908

KEEP READING: Top 7 Horse Movies for Children 

Photos: Unsplash, Lauren Zhou

From the dawn of agricultural societies to present-day backwood barns, humans have farmed, cultivated, and grown produce for tens of thousands of years. Nowadays, however, as most of us abandon our rural habitats and move to busy, congested cities, traditional farming has taken on a new form.

Driven by a growing demand for organic and sustainable food, more families now opt for the “grow-your-own” trend, where people take on backyard farming, urban farming, gardening, even going as far as cultivating a plot of land in the countryside.

The organic food movement seems to be at its peak, but questions are still being raised. Are organic foods healthier? Does organic food have the potential to be available to all? Will organic food be a passing trend or the future of food? We chatted with three families who grow organic food about their views on the practice.

The Zhou Family

What reasons made your family decide to start growing your own food?
It started as an idea years ago when my daughter and I made a plan for a family farm when we lived in rural England. Since then, I’ve visited many farms in the UK and US, and I love the feeling of being close to nature, it’s something I’d like to share with more kids and adults.

Now that we grow our produce, I find it to be the most natural environment for a person. Through it, I wish to teach my children, as descendants of a mainly agricultural country, the skill of providing for oneself, and staying true to one’s roots.

How has being able to grow your own produce helped during lockdown?
Amidst the lockdown, our little farm has become a reliable source of food. We harvest so much produce that it not only feeds ourselves but our neighbors as well. It’s also a place to raise spirits and refresh ourselves without the threats of the coronavirus. The vibrant, green land is a wonderful sight, and we keep healthy and fit by working.

How do you think the food industry will be changed by the public’s preference for organically grown food?
Growing your own food is a lifestyle enjoyed by more and more people. It is an experience whereby you work hard to feed yourself and learn to cherish every piece of food you have. I believe consumers will be more educated in sustainability and produce less food waste if they took part in this activity.

Do you believe that organic foods have the potential to become a global norm?
Yes, I believe so; it is only a matter of time. More people will learn the lesson from environmental degradation, natural disasters, and will learn to cherish the earth – eating organic is the best way of conserving the earth and protecting our motherland.

Growing plants is an educational process

The Ong Family

What reasons made your family decide to start growing your own food?
I’ve always had the romantic idea of growing my food, and we’ve been looking for an opportunity to be more committed to this idea. We found starting a proper vegetable garden to be quite unpractical, so we eventually decided to start a small, aesthetic vegetable garden in our backyard.

Growing plants is an educational process, it’s about knowing what has or hasn’t been put into your food, the presence or absence of pesticides, what is or isn’t in season. That process of nurturing growth is also calming, almost meditative.

What is your view on the organic foods trend?
The term “organic” is often misunderstood by the general public, as the definition varies from place to place. I’ve had people telling me not to use pesticides when we were infested with bugs, not to use medicine when we experienced a disease, while other people that believe a certain amount of chemicals is essential. Everyone has a slightly different perception of “organic”, which makes taking up organic farming a difficult task.

“I wish to teach my children the skill of providing for oneself”

Do you believe that organic foods have the potential to become a global norm?
Growing and eating organic foods is not cost-effective. The other day, a friend joked that the amount of money I’ve spent on this garden for a year would exceed our family’s annual food bills. Financially speaking, not everyone has the prerequisites to afford organic foods, let alone start an organic garden.

The Zandian Family

What reasons made your family decide to start growing your own food?
I enjoy the slow-paced, rural lifestyle of growing, nurturing, and picking things. It’s relaxing to tend to my plants and fruits, and they give me great comfort.

What is your view on the organic foods trend?
It’s a good thing that people prefer organic foods since I do believe they are a healthier option. However, organic foods are not always affordable, which makes them not readily available to the general public. Even starting a small garden costs a fortune, and the organic label on supermarket goods only increases their price.

How has being able to grow your own produce helped during lockdown?
Every morning I take a trip to visit my plants, tomatoes, strawberries; they keep me busy and fill in the time gaps that have appeared since the lockdown.

Do you believe that organic foods have the potential to become a global norm?
It would be fabulous if it were for everybody, but the global population is growing, and the slow, inefficient methods of growing organic foods will not be able to sustain our global needs.

KEEP READING: Get Fresh Organic Produce From Beijing Farms, Delivered Right to Your Door

Photos: Courtesy of Lauren Zhou