Trying to have a healthier Holy Month? We’ve got all the talks, homegrown gift ideas and ways to give back that can help you get there.
Flow Talks
The Dubai healthy eating hub Flow is back with another round of its Flow Talks Series – Ramadan Edition.
The talks are held live every Tuesday at 4pm on Flow’s Instagram and feature experts from the worlds of art, fitness, nutrition and more. The panellists include chef and author Zahra Abdalla (April 20), who will talk about sustainable eating and mindfulness; makeup artist Nadine Hossam (April 27); artist and designer Mona Fares (May 4) and Nancy Zabaneh, a Kundalini yoga teacher and trainer (May 11).
KONNECT
Talk about a power trio. Reebok MENA has teamed up with Les Mills and the plant-based brand Freakin’ Healthy for a Ramadan series called KONNECT. Available on the social media channels of all three companies each Wednesday throughout the Holy Month, it will feature health and fitness professionals offering expert tips and advice. Expect tips for working out while fasting, about the nutritional benefits of fasting and how to boost energy levels. This Wednesday, episode two is all about energy and features Freakin’ Healthy ambassador Alaa Hannora, one of the Middle East’s leading CrossFit female athletes and Syria’s fittest woman for two years running. She appears alongside Emirati boxing instructor Hind Al Bastaki, an Emirati female boxing instructor, and Najia Alfadl, a leading CrossFit and Calisthenics coach in Saudi Arabia.
Bare DXB challenge
For more Ramadan fitness motivation, the Dubai gym Bare DXB is offering a 14-day class package and challenge with a prize of free fitness class credits to those who finish. The plan covers what to eat, how to train and is available for Dh595.
Tea time
Refresh your gift giving this year with a box of unconventional – and heart-healthy – tea. The Emirati-owned Feel Good Tea company has launched a special Ramadan gift box to mark the onset of the Holy Month (Dh129-Dh249). And it’s not your usual tea, either: the tea comes in loose-leaf form packed into pods and tubes, and is then poured into a teabag, infused and enjoyed. Choose from flavanoid-rich flavours including Rooiboost, Turmeric Glow, Hunnan Green Tea and more.
Coffee time
Another gift idea is a V60 starter kit (Dh99) from Encounter Coffee Roasters. Get the novice speciality coffee drinker going with everything needed to upgrade their coffee drinking experience: dripper, filter papers, coffee spoon and 200 grams of your choice of six single origin coffees or two blends.
Sharing is caring
Consider making a donation to the largest food drive in the region, the 100 Million Meals Ramadan campaign. In launching the effort Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, said the campaign aims to provide food for more than 100 million people in low-income areas across 20 countries. Donations starting at Dh1 can be made through the campaign’s website or via a toll-free number, 8004999
Food Crowd cooking
Ramadan with Food Crowd is a daily show from he food delivery company showcasing 30 local, regional and international recipes and featuring the UAE’s most popular chef influencers: Chef Suad, aka @ladyspatula, Chef Um Rashid @chef_um.r, Chef Ali – @chefalyofficial and Chef Intissar – @chefintissar. Ramadan with Food Crowd will screen on Youtube and IGTV throughout the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan Heroes
Help support needy families across Dubai this Ramadan through the Ramadan Heroes campaign. Emirates Red Crescent has partnered with UAE Food Bank and talabat, to allow members of the community to buy iftar meals or provide Ramadan boxes of food supplies. The initiative fills the gap left by the suspension of free Ramadan tents due to Covid-19 safety measures. To send a meal, download the talabat app, select “Ramadan Heroes” and follow the steps. Last year’s program provided 51,000 meals to workers at labour camps in TECOM and other housing centres through Dar al Ber Society.
Lumen launches
Lumen, the handheld device that uses your breath to measure your metabolism in real time, has launched in the Middle East just in time for Ramadan at Dh1,098. Lumen works by measuring your body’s carbon dioxide concentration, indicating the type of fuel your body is using to produce energy – a mix of fat or carbs. The device pairs with an app and provides personalized suggestions on when and what to eat to best fuel workouts. Throughout Ramadan a Lumen research team will measure the metabolism of 2,000 people across the Middle East, Asia, North America and the UK, releasing results at the end of the month. So far, more than 45 percent of users who fast 16 hours were able to shift their fuel source to fat burn.
Spa break
Sneak away for an hour or two to Sensasia Spa, which is offering 35 percent savings on two bespoke treatments to destress the body and settle the mind. Featuring the Parisian product line Charme d’Orient, the 60-minute A Deeper Clean combines a body scrub with Pink Crystal and Argan shell followed by a muscle-melting massage combining pure argan oil with the soothing scent of amber (Dh299). A Deeper Ritual offers the same package with a longer massage (90 minutes) with the addition of amber-infused argan shea butter (Dh425). Sensasia is located at Emirates Golf Club, The Village in Jumeirah and Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates.
Vegan iftar
The soothing cafe SEVA Table has some delicious new vegan options created exclusively for Ramadan. Try the Curry Rainbow Salad (Dh59) featuring cooked quinoa, green peas, red cabbage, carrot and cashew; No Tuna Salad (Dh49) with cooked chickpea, mustard, nori flakes, mayo, sweetcorn, celery, lemon juice, green peas and oat bread, or Masala Chai Porridge with millet, cinnamon, cardamom, clove powder, date paste, almond milk and banana. Round off the meal with a creative non-dairy dessert: Matcha Tiramisu (Dh33) made from cashew, maple syrup, matcha, coconut oil, lemon juice and coconut milk.
