Natural in Norway: The Best Natural Beauty & Wellness Spots around Oslo

My readers come from far and wide, but not everyone knows that while I am a Canadian, I blog from Norway. So, I thought it was about time that I spent a moment or two answering some emails from Norwegian LPN’ers through a blog post. The most common question I receive from my Norwegian based beauties is “where do I find ____”.  So, today I’ll answer this question through this Natural in Norway feature.

This post will give you lovelies the run down on some of the best natural and/or organic stops in Oslo (and web shops that ship around Norway) – ranging from everything including the Yoga Studios and organic grocers to the health-friendly cafes and raw juice producers – oh, and of course, where to buy some of the fantastic products I post on here on LPN.

So without further adieu, let’s get into it.

Best Organic Food Shops & Grocers in Oslo

Røtter Organic Grocer & Natural Foods

Røtter is, hands-down, my favourite little grocery shop in all of Oslo. They are stocked from floor to ceiling (literally) with everything you need – fresh organic produce, packaged organic goods, health and superfoods (vitamins included) as well as free range meats, environmentally friendly cleaning products, raw food delicacies (many from a local producer Funky Fresh Foods), loads upon loads of the healthier versions of your favourite treats (kale chips anyone?) and of course, natural beauty products by the mile. I stop by on the weekly to pick up my essentials and while it can be a little pricey (a common theme here in Norway), I go by the motto that a healthy body is priceless. Find their locations and hours on their website. *They are open Sundays.

Farmer’s Market (Bondens Marked) Oslo

If you follow me on Instagram, it’s no doubt you’ve seen me posting the odd picture at the Oslo Farmer’s Market. Markets are one of my favourite things in the world – fresh produce, handmade preserves, and SAMPLES! Find organic produce, free range meats and wild fish, raw honey and loads of other goodies every Saturday. The location and times can vary, so be sure to check their website for when and where. There are also other markets around Norway, so check out the Norway-wide website to see other locations.

Supernature: Superfoods & Organic Goodies

Looking for that bottle of noni juice? Or maybe some organic bee pollen? Look no further than Supernature. They have high quality superfoods (again the price point will second that notion) and some locations even have a fresh juice bar. Also find essential oils, natural cosmetics and loads of coconut oil. Check out their hours and locations online.

Other notable mentions in the grocery & food section:

  • Helios – organic groceries, fresh organic produce and supplements
  • Life – organic packaged foods, supplements and natural skincare

Wellness & Detoxing

Essentially: Cold Pressed Juice & Juice Cleanses

If you’re in the mood for some detoxing  – or just some high-quality cold pressed juice – look no further than Essentially, home of the first Norwegian cold pressed juice. A few beautiful and talented ladies make up the Essentially team, and they have created customizable juice cleanses for Beginners, Advanced and Pros. The owners themselves are certainly pictures of wellness – vibrant and beautiful. I have no doubt it is partially due to their juice drinking and balanced lifestyles. Pictured above is the beginners cleanse, but if you’re a green juice junkie like me, check out their advanced and pro cleanses or their “Green Junkie” supplement package (other packages are found here). Or, if you’re not sure you want to dig into the cleansing just yet, test out one of their awesome juices from the juice menu. Get your hands on these beauties by delivery or pickup, or find them at select Smoothie eXchange locations. I’ll keep you updated on my journey with an Essentially cleanse, which I plan on starting in the next little while.

Pink Garden: Natural Clinic for Beauty, Health & Wellness

New on my radar a few weeks ago (after the heads-up from another natural beauty here in Oslo) is Pink Garden. I have yet to dig into everything they have to offer, and have yet to try their facility (located in Vika) but what I’ve found is they specialize in organic skincare, natural mineral makeup, organic facials, massage, acupuncture and select courses on topics such as food and health.

Natural Beauty Products

PureSkin: Natural Cosmetics & Skincare

While you can pick up some natural beauty products in the organic grocers noted above, the natural beauty mecca in Norway happens to be online at PureSkin.no. Owner, and true natural beauty Lene, stocks some of the world’s most coveted natural beauty brands – including some of my favourites: Soapwalla deodorant, Amala, and Konjac Sponge, as well as brands that are on their way to LPN’s pages including One Love Organics and Karmameju. Lene launched PureSkin.no after giving birth to her second child. During her pregnancy she became more aware and conscious about all the toxic ingredients in skincare. She took her passion a step further when she launched Pure Skin starting out with a warehouse in her basement. Today PureSkin continues to grow and in October will be opening a showroom with counter sale in Tønsberg. Can’t get down there? Simply order online!

Eat Naturally in Oslo

There are a few great spots around Oslo and it seems like a new one is popping up every few months. You can tell the health and wellness boom is taking off here. Below are some spots you’ll have to check out if you’re on the hunt for healthy eats around this Norwegian town.

 Pur Oslo: Healthy Eats & Juice

Need a quick grab-and-go with pure ingredients? Stop off at Pur Oslo. Not only is their branding adorable (seriously, it is brilliant), but they specialize in 90% organic healthy eats (muffins, cakes, cookies, raw chocolate) & juice! Words they live by? No refined sugar, gluten or dairy. You can find them at Kulturhuset kafé in Oslo. Yum. Yum. Yum!

Kolonihagen: Organic & Local Eats

With two locations in Oslo now, Kolonihagen is making a name for itself. Specializing in delicious organic and locally sourced meals (so local some produce even from their own garden!), they also have a bakery, an online shop and fresh food delivery baskets. One of the best meals I’ve eaten in Oslo was in their beautiful garden at their Frogner location. You can also find them in Grunerløkka and Tønsberg. They have vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available, so it’s great for mixed eating preference parties.

Eger Cafe: Raw Food Eats

If you’re a raw foodie fan like me, you’ll have to get down to Eger Cafe (attached to the Eger department store on Øvre slottsgate 29. You’ll find weekly dishes and cakes on the menu along side soups, and “pastas” (think zucchini noodle spaghetti).  Upon writing this article, their website was not working, but you can find it here. It’s a perfect stop for clean eats while you’re shopping the main strip on Karl Johans Gate.

Other notable mentions on where to eat clean in Oslo:

  • The Vegan Wagon – this vegan food truck has hours and locations that differ, check out the Facebook page to see where an when you can find them.
  • Fresko – Here you’ll find pressed juices, a selection of smoothies (some dairy-free), salads and supplements
  • Bølgen & Moi – with locations all around, you won’t be hard pressed to find a healthy meal in a fantastic setting, check  

Yoga Studios in Oslo

Yoga is a huge part of my lifestyle, and I know many natural beauties also find yoga to be a large part of how they live well. So I figured I’d add in some studios in and around the neighbourhood. Check them out!

Balance Studio Oslo

My studio of choice at the moment – both for the fantastic teachers and that it takes me a mere minute to get to class. Balance is the only studio in Europe that has Yoga Works teacher trainings (both 200 and 500 hours). Find out more on their website.  Each teacher I’ve had at this studio has been fantastic. Some favourites include: Silje Bjørnholt‘s flow (and park yoga in the summer), Heather Love’s Wednesday Dynamic Flow (taught in English), Karolina Hermansson’s Friday night Windown, Daniel Gjerde‘s powerful flow classes, Kari Katsimpas brilliant Thursday flow classes – no two are the same, and fellow Canadian Damla Tahirbegi‘s easy flow classes (she also specializes in pre-natal).  

Bikram Oslo

Some like it hot! For those of you who love getting their sweat on, get over to Oslo’s only official Bikram studio. With loads of classes, you can always fit your yoga in, even with the busiest of schedules. Check out awesome classes from the owners themselves, natural beauties Resh (teaches in English) and Charlotte. Don’t forget your towel and a huge bottle of water (you can pick up a coconut water at their front desk). Bikram is especially wonderful on cold Norwegian nights – nothing like 40 degrees in the middle of winter!

Leela Yoga Oslo

Created by a dedicated duo of natural beauties, who left the business world to take yoga to the people of Oslo. Rumour has it they are in the process of opening up their own studio, so look out for that in 2014. In the mean time, find their classes at Helsehjornet in Nesbru or at Sometimes in Oslo.  

Other notable mentions on where to practice yoga in Oslo:

  • Oslo Yoga – host of the Oslo Yoga Festival that happens once per year (usually late January) you’ll find loads of workshops and different styles offered
  • Puro Yoga – located in Frogner, find everything from Jivamukti classes to Yin and Ashtanga.
  • 8 Treasures Yoga – Located a stones throw from Aker Brygge, find a variety of styles (i.e. Yin, Flow, Ashtanga) and all classes are Pay by Donation!
  • Kundalini Yoga Oslo – for those who love their Kundalini, check out their Majorstuen-based classes for some spiritual awakening and candle-lit bliss
  • Ashtanga Oslo – for those who practice Ashtanga (mysore included) find it at Ashtanga Oslo, located in Grønland

Now that you have my definitive guide, either come visit Oslo, or if you’er already here, enjoy!

Have some other natural favourite stops around the city? Let me hear about it!

Happy Sunday, beauties!

X

K