Healthy Hedonism: The Wellness Trend You Need to Know About

We’ve partnered with St-Germain elderflower liqueur to give you the lowdown on healthy hedonism – the mindful wellness trend that allows you to indulge minus the guilt. Intrigued? St-Germain are teaming up with La Maison Wellness this September, to bring you a wellness event like no other. Find out more and join the party here. 

For anyone out there who successfully managed Dry July, we wholeheartedly salute you. For anyone like us (who caved) we raise our hands in shameful solidarity. 

Going on a health kick can be hard, not to mention the strain it has on your social life. Abstaining from alcohol has its benefits, but it also has its drawbacks, too – as anyone else who attempted (and failed) to go booze-free last month will know only too well.

But there’s a new concept making its way into the wellness world that means you can have the best of both worlds. “Really?” we hear you ask. Yes, really. Healthy hedonism is an alternative for those who want to be healthy, but still have their fair share of fun. 

Basically, it’s about balance. Becoming a healthy hedonist is about living and eating with a healthy conscience, whilst still doing all the things you love. It focusses more on what you can do, rather than what you can’t. Because when we deny ourselves of life’s little indulgences – like a slab of chocolate cake or that second spritz – quite often it can make us feel worse (and even more so if you end up having it anyway). And it’s mainly because you’re telling yourself you can’t have it, when the reality is, you actually do want it.

So, the idea is that you change your way of thinking and allow yourself to indulge in all the things you want to do, but in a much more mindful and considered manner. Health and hedonism don’t have to be separate. Fitness, healthy eating, relaxation, meditation and even mindful drinking are becoming more and more intertwined with our daily lives – from dining out, to socialising, to globe-trotting around the world. 

Camille Vidal, founder of wellness blog and event platform, La Maison Wellness, says: “As a healthy hedonist, it’s important to celebrate life by drinking well, eating well and living well, in order to create your own balance to live in a way that makes you feel good. It’s about inclusivity and empowering people to make decisions that work for them.”

Her mantra celebrates healthy hedonism and the art of living well, as well as offering low- and non-alcoholic cocktail recipes, to encourage people to drink more mindfully. As a qualified yoga and meditation teacher with over 15 years’ experience in the drinks industry as the St-Germain Global Brand Ambassador, she’s learnt how important it is to have a balanced lifestyle. 

“I’ve spent many hours and many more miles travelling around the world; practicing, eating, drinking and enjoying life. My mission is to celebrate the healthy hedonist lifestyle and empower people to live well, with less labels. Because life is about living, and we live to love life.” 

So, if you’re looking for inspiration to embrace a healthier lifestyle without having to cut back on the things you love, we’ve found a feel-good fix to help kickstart your new hedonistic health goals. 

This September, Camille will be passing on her expertise at St-Germain’s inaugural wellness weekend. An entire weekend of balanced (literally and figuratively) indulgence, Camille will be celebrating this new brand platform for St-Germain in Australia, by leading a yoga and meditation class, followed by scrumptious snacks and delightful St-Germain elderflower spritzes, made with St-Germain, sparkling rosé, soda water and lemon.

With a low alcohol volume (ABV) and 1,000 handpicked elderflowers in every bottle, this elegant French liqueur is the perfect tipple for those wanting to adopt a more mindful drinking mantra, with the brand’s emphasis on best quality ingredients and production techniques.

“St-Germain is a drink for those who care about their mind and body as much as they enjoy cocktails,” says Camille. “Australians are very passionate about keeping fit, however living well doesn’t mean cutting things out of your life, but instead growing all the good things – like enjoying a good quality drink in moderation.” 

Tempted much? Scroll down below for a few teaser tips to ease you into your new healthy mind mantra. 

So, get ready to stretch out, relax and unwind with a tasty tipple in hand. Here’s how to join the party, without overindulging.  

St-Germain x La Maison Wellness Weekend

Saturday 14th September from 12:30-2:30pm and 3:30-5:30pm 

Sunday 15th September from 11:30am-1:30pm and 2:30-4:30pm 

Paramount Recreation Club, Surry Hills

Attendees will receive a take home gift consisting of a sports bag, sports towel, two St-Germain glasses, a 50ml St-Germain bottle and a recipe card for making your very own St-Germain cocktail at home.

A limited number of tickets to the St-Germain x La Maison Wellness sessions are $28 (plus booking fee), and are available here. 

1. Grab the girls for a fitness session 

When it comes to working out, you don’t have to go it alone. Make it a social event with your girls, that way you can get fit and socialise at the same time. And it doesn’t have to end there – book into your favourite restaurant afterwards for a catch up and post-fitness food fix. Here’s our pick of must-book boutique fitness studios in Sydney to inspire your next workout session. 

2. Book a healthy dinner spot

If you’re keen to cut back, but still want to enjoy the experience of eating out (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), Sydney has plenty of places to quench your appetite. Take inspiration from these deliciously healthy dining spots, where you can indulge mindfully, minus the guilt.  

3. Opt for low-proof cocktails

Ditch the boozy beverages and swap for a lighter, low-proof cocktail instead. They still come packed with flavour, but the lower-ABV (alcohol by volume) means that you can still have a couple, but you won’t wake up with a hangover. Winning. 

Here are a few of Camille’s low-proof St-Germain cocktail recipes to get you started. 

Bulle Royal

A light and refreshing bubbly cocktail with fruity and floral notes. 

Kir Floral

A fancy floral number with hints of sweet cherry and fragrant elderflower. 

St-Germain Spritz

A sweetly scented, refreshing low-proof Elderflower spritz.