Six Good Irish Wellness Buys
Wellness Holidays, Holistic Journeys
I’m biased! I am joining a wellness tour to Kerala, South India, which I co-designed, in March, 2019. There will be Ayurvedic massage, yoga and lots of sight-seeing, including a trip to a spice plantation and an overnight on a houseboat cruising along the serene waterways with homely food cooked on board, as well as a cooking demo and wellness talks by me; all in my beloved Kerala! Visit joewalshtours.ie for more details or contact Deirdre on 087 689 3519.
The Kilkenny Shop
The Kilkenny Shop opened a new wellness department last Summer. Hence Yogandha Relax, a blend of 11 healing oils made by Sinead Duffy, a yoga teacher, who “immersed herself in a three-year meditative journey with the richest, most mindful herbs for mind-body wellness”. I found this oil to be silky, smooth and not at all sticky, with good aromatic tones that are not overpowering. Relaxing? Yes!
Fleet and Flower Organic Perfume Oil
This is an Irish ‘smudge stick for the soul’. It’s a roll-on perfume made with concentrated organic essential oils, which are blended for six months and then added to jojoba oil for another month. It is also crystal infused. I would describe it as having a summery scent with fruity, floral top notes.
Sea of Vitality Super Seaweed Snack
This does what it says on the pack! Oaty, buttery, with ground kelp, pecans, cranberries and almonds. Made by husband and wife team, Ria and Tom Jones in Dungarvan, Waterford, who say, “our goal is to re-introduce seaweed into your daily diet”. There’s a good Wholemeal Bread Mix too, all available in several Supervalu stores.
These handmade soaps from the Donegal coast are made in small batches according to old-fashioned cold process methods. Some include hand-harvested Irish seaweed. I know how good that stuff is up there. I used to eat it as a child! You can also find other natural additives, like Irish oats.
A Prescription for Happiness by Dr Mark Rowe (Waterford Health Park 2015)
Dr Rowe is a practicing GP in Waterford, who gives talks internationally and in Ireland on the subject of wellness. This book explains his version of ‘The Ten Commitments to a Happier, Healthier Life’. And the first one is, not surprisingly, ‘gratitude’. Read it! Try it! It’s one of my favourite wellness reads.
Bibi Baskin is a former TV presenter in Dublin and London, a hotelier in India and a passionate student of wellness for decades. She is currently a Brand Ambassador for a range of clients, a wellness podcaster and an advisor to corporate, community and civic groups on wellness and corporate engagement.