There is no shortage of at-home meal delivery services in the UAE – even vegan ones – and it feels like I’ve tried every single one of them. I’ve done the super athlete one (there were a lot of Brussels sprouts). I’ve ordered the super fancy version (such pretty meals). I’ve even tried the no sugar, no carb, vegan variety (tiny, tiny, tiny portions). Over my four years of dabbling in this and tasting that,...
Traveling during Covid is complex, admin-heavy, and requires plenty of research before you go. Yet for health conscious voyagers up for a bit of a challenge, the rewards can be immense. At only a four-hour flight away, with tropical weather and gorgeous beaches, the Maldives has plenty to offer travelers. plus there are plenty of incredible hotel deals on at the moment. So I booked myself a trip. It was both far more complex and...
There’s no polite way to say this: residents of the UAE are a bunch of wasters. The country is sitting on an ever-growing mound of trash. The UAE imports a whopping 80 to 90 percent of its food – and then throws away as much as a third of it, unused. The country ranks highly in plastic usage, using most of it just once. The environment is in peril and so are we if we...
Like everything else, wellness has its trends. There’s fasting and Fitbits and every kind of diet under the sun, all claiming to transform your health and your life. But which are the ones that work and which are the ones that disappoint? Earlier this year at the first-ever Livehealthy Festival, three experts assessed three of the most popular current wellness trends. Intermittent fasting To fast intermittently means you must consume your daily calorie intake within...
Food allergies and intolerances are an increasing problem, sparking a renewed focus into what causes them as people seek prevention before cure. Dr Shefali Verma-Johnson, a general practitioner at the Institute for Biophysical Medicine in Dubai, is seeing how the medical profession is changing the way it treats patients with those conditions. “When I trained, we learned to control the symptoms of diseases,” she says. “Nowadays we’re trying to look at what’s actually causing the...
Anna MacMillan started UAE Buddy, a group focused on bringing together people who need help with people who will give it, after seeing her mother struggle with stress and worry in Spain. “She’s immune-compromised, lives alone and has a dog that needs to be walked,” says MacMillan. “She was very stressed with the current scenario, so I arranged for young neighbors to walk the dog so she wouldn’t need to come out daily.” The results...
Having a goal during all the uncertainties of Covid-19 could be great for our mental health, experts say. “Goal setting is always useful, but especially during this time,” says Reem Shaheen, counseling psychologist and director of BE Psychology Center for Emotional Wellbeing. “It is a time of uncertainty and unpredictability. Finding a goal to focus on can give individuals a sense of control over their lives and it helps distract from the difficult time we’re...
As the UAE government encourages people to stay home and self-isolate, restaurants have had to get creative. The result? A whole load of health-focused boxes and menu options. Some arrive already assembled, while others require a bit of good old fashioned home cooking. Dubai Cafe Isan’s cook-at-home kit Thai food is served with a side of interactive, at-home cooking fun, thanks to this JLT venue. The box is packed with any combination of spring rolls,...
With gyms closing in Dubai and residents opting for self-isolation across the UAE, there’s never been a better time to dive into some great at-home workouts. Here are some of the best from pros across the region and beyond. Lilly Sabri – YouTube This physiotherapist-turned-fitness influencer has hundreds of free YouTube videos ready to make your core burn and your heart rate soar. Most of her workouts are equipment free, although there is the option...
Coronavirus isn’t going to stop Dubai personal trainer Emma Jane Robb from getting to the gym. “I’m definitely still training,” she says. “Due to the lower numbers of other people in the gym, I’m actually really enjoying being there. So I’ve been more motivated to go.” People are definitely using hand sanitizer more and staff seem to be wiping down machines even more frequently. “I think it’s somewhat ironic that it’s taken a pandemic to...
Chickpea omelettes are popping up everywhere, from slick cosmopolitan cafes to trendy boho breakfast spots, giving vegans a tasty breakfast option that extends beyond avocado toast. Gram flour, or ground chickpeas, are increasingly being used to replace the eggs and when done correctly, they create a light, fluffy alternative with a crepe-like yet crispy crust. “They’re healthy, nutritious, low in calories and high in protein and fiber,” says Sharmila Shahani-Sewrathan, MS, RD. “They can help...