12 ways to spot a health-based humble brag
Now that we've all had our fill of models doing yoga in front of painfully beautiful beach vistas, there is another Instagram micro-trend poised and ready to infiltrate your feed. For, friends, we are in the age of the healthy humble-brag - images which say, in only a few pixels, 'I am wholesome', 'I value my true self,' and 'I haven't eaten pizza since 2003.'
It started with the models (of course), and now it's moved onto the super health-elite; those who would rather be first to pitch up at the farmer's market on a Saturday morning for a handful of fresh oregano (wrapped up in a little artisanal hemp pounch tied with a bit of hay) than while away a Prosecco hangover with a posh bacon sandwich. These are people that have identified the true meaning of life: kale.
Here are the 12 ways to spot a health-based humble-brag:
1. Almonds
Sprinkled on everything: porridge, quinoa, salads, nearby children. The almond is the Christian Louboutin Pigalle of the food world, it's versatility knows no bounds.
2. Goa
Like moths to a flame, the wellbeing-set flock to Goa like a mecca, to y'know, get really good at yoga and maybe even 'find' themselves. Or, failing that, just to take a few smashing shots of the sunset for a guaranteed Insta-like frenzy.
3. A Vitamix
The holy grail of kitchen-based accoutrements, the presence of a Vitamix identifies a very serious sort of juicing advocate - not some namby-pamby Saturday morning fairweather juicer. The Vitamix is strong like an ox. Only the Vitamix can liquify tenderstem broccoli in seconds. Is to vegetables what Spanx is to bottoms.
4. Nike Flyknit trainers
The satisfyingly squidgy training shoe of choice for the super health-conscious Instagrammer. Preferably in an un-self-conscious day-glo bright. Note too, the increasing and conspicuous use of the Flyknit in non-exercise based situations (read: gastropubs).
5. The Farmer's Market
Who needs shopping trips, spa treatments and champagne when you can spend your entire weekend fawning over in-season leeks at the local farmer's market? But remember, it didn't happen unless you instagrammed it (with the New York-birthed hashtag, #fromfarmtotable, of course).
6. Pestle and mortar
There is no simpler contraption in the history of civilization than the humble yet sturdy pestle and mortar. It sits, gallantly, on the marble work surface of many a health bragger's kitchen, convinced that one day it shall be called upon to descimate some basil. Seldom gets a look in. The Vitamix stares at it, victoriously.
7. Spirulina
Like fracking, no one really knows what spirulina is. Other than the fact that it's from the very bottom of the ocean. And it's really, really green so that's good, right? The health crowd ingest it by the ladel-full, and capture it all on Instagram for posterity.
8. (Lots of) Supplements
It takes a lot to keep that temple of yours ticking over. The health-crowd know this, nay, live by this and take great swathes of pleasure in curating just the right edit of vitamins and supplements; a cod liver oil, vitamins A, B, C and D, omega 3, bee pollen, turmeric and hey, let's throw in an echinacea for good measure. Well oiled machine. Well. Oiled. Machine.
9. Kale
Having reached quasi-religious levels of adoration, this proudly verdant leaf is the post-twentieth century's answer to broccoli. And the people of Instagram clutch it to their bosom with the same voracity as a double spinning session. Especially when it's encrusted with parmesan and grilled to a crisp.
10. Inspirational aphorisms
Lucky for us, the health-set are here to show us the error in our ways, to inspire our personal journeys and ignite change in our souls. The Instagram aphorism is a burgeoning feature of those who live a life of outrageous virtue. At times slightly evangelical, at others - irritatingly profound.
11. Chia seeds
See Almonds.
12. Insta-recipes
Philanthropy is big among the wellbeing crowd: sharing one's original recipe of a smoothie, juice or kale salad is just one of the ways to give back. Proud face, just off camera.