Quirky and unusual: purple carrots, tomatoes, kiwanos & lemon cucumber - let nature nurture you
Updated: Dec 12, 2019
Unusual and remarkable green project by Rita Nguyen and Stephen Purvis
After Stephen Purvis was appointed Head of Yoma Land, he realised the need to create sustainable living spaces that were suitable for Myanmar’s evolving family and lifestyle requirements, taking into consideration the needs of couples, new families with growing children and expanded families spanning several generations living within a shared space. The design of the homes must factor in future needs, work-life priorities and even longevity in its masterplan. This realisation has strong implications, from interior design through to the availability of external recreational activities and dedicated spaces.
As a starting point, Pun Hlaing Estate needs to evolve and transform whilst retaining a strong focus on the community spirit that binds its residents together and promotes a healthy and sustainable lifestyle which is enhanced by like-minded people who aspire towards living in an open and spacious yet safe environment, where residents, wildlife and gardens flourish and propagate.
Deborah Jian Lee (Forbes 2014) shared some critical yet simple lifestyle changes or structures that would encourage sustainable work-life balance leading to a longer lifespan.
They are:
Let go of perfectionism. Instead of striving for perfection, strive for excellence as striving for excellence is the same as giving your personal best in all that you do.
Unplug. While technology has created much ease to our daily lives, technology has also created havoc in our being. We are now expected to be accessible constantly. Stress level rises as there is no down time, and the day never seems to end.
Exercise & meditate. Lee stressed that we execute all important activities such as eating and other, regular mundane activities, yet often forget to exercise. Exercise is an effective stress reducer as it pumps feel-good endorphins through your body helping to naturally lift your mood.
Limit time-wasting activities and people. Draw firm boundaries so you can devote time to high-quality people and activities. Similarly, practice being high-quality to others.
Change the structure of your life. Instead of being a control freak and doing everything by yourself, delegate. Delegating also allows you to guide and develop others.
The Green Project
The origins of The Green Project at Pun Hlaing Estate were conceived from Yoma Land's regular wildlife blog, Going Wild. Authored by Jon Skipper, an ardent fan of nature, Going Wild features wild birds, animals and plants which live and thrive at Yoma Land’s Pun Hlaing and Star City Estates. The blog receives over 50,000 readers made up of both residents and fans of nature.
Residents who became more aware of the natural surroundings then requested that the management team should consider creating gardens where they could purchase fresh, organically grown produce. Rather than building a garden to service others, Stephen Purvis suggested that residents may be keener to grow their own plants in a community garden, with idea being well received and Voilà, The Green Project was born.
This project also fits perfectly into Stephen's idea of a living space that is sustainable and nurturing for the soul. Residents and staff can unplug and engage in low impact exercise that releases the feel good endorphins to their body. Quirky seeds are provided by Rita Nguyen, Group Chief Technology Officer to those with green and lesser green fingers to have a go at growing their favourite plants in the community garden.
Now the greater news, according to Jamie Feldmar (BBC article (2018), many centenarians living in Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Icaria in Greece, Loma Linda in California and Sardinia in Italy share one common hobby: Gardening! A low intensity physical activity that promotes physical and mental health.
Do share your tips on healthy living with us! We would love to feature your quirky and unusual take on sustainable living, letting the purple carrots, tomatoes, kiwanos & lemon cucumber nurture you and your soul.
About Stephen Purvis
Mr. Stephen Purvis was appointed as the Head of Yoma Land in February 2019. He has been with the Group since 2013 and was the Project Director and subsequently the General Manager for Yoma Central since 2015. He also spearheaded the master planning of StarCity. Mr. Purvis has more than 30 years of experience in the real estate market including developing substantial mixed-use city centre projects in emerging and developed markets.
About Rita Nguyen
Rita is the Group Chief Technology Officer of Yoma Strategic Holdings. Listed by Forbes magazine as Asia’s Power Women to Watch in 2014, Nguyen specialises in technology, product development, frontier and emerging markets and community development and management.