Bahrain-based Chef Faisal is a restaurant consultant who can totally overhaul a restaurant from creating new menus to reorganizing the kitchen.
For most people the daily fast of Ramadan is tough, but for those with eating disorders (EDs) this time of year can have a more sinister allure. “One of the common misconceptions in the Middle East is that EDs are a ‘Western problem’,” says Dina Zalami, a counseling psychologist from Thrive Wellbeing Centre. “While diagnosable eating disorders may have been more present in the West in the past, globalization and social media have given rise...
Why not build on the health opportunities that Ramadan provides, and use the Holy Month to build habits that will last the whole year through? Fasting in Ramadan is similar to a consistent practice of intermittent fasting, in which food is consumed within a smaller window of time. During the Holy Month, fasting is done between the Fair and Magrib prayer – roughly 12 hours between dawn and dusk. Fasting is considered to be a natural...
There is no better time to set personal fitness goals than during the Holy Month, which is all about setting aside time to reflect, rejuvenate, break old habits and start new ones. Here’s how I managed to lose weight and build muscle last Ramadan. Step 1: Decide Ramadan is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food and drink, among other pleasures (particularly the guilty ones)...
We searched the Livehealthy archives for the best healthy Ramadan advice and tips: everything from what to eat, to when and how; when to workout and what to do; how to be more sustainable, more mindful and more meditative, and how to clean out your closets – and your mind. Go easy on high-intensity cardio One thing that can happen during Ramadan is that the body can enter a catabolic state. This is when the body...
Your body goes through a number of changes during Ramadan when you’re fasting, owing to the adjustment in sleep patterns, fluid intake, modifications in what and when you eat, as well as altering the timings of your exercise schedule and indeed the type of exercise you can among to do. All of these changes can lead to a loss of lean muscle mass. Maintaining and indeed increasing lean muscle requires following a careful diet and...
Several countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, generates on average 2kg of waste every day for every man, woman and child. During Ramadan, that figure increases significantly, according to Bioenergyconsult. Waste is a fundamental global issue and the Middle East has made great strides in dealing with this worldwide problem, such as increasing green areas, developing water resources, and improving marine environment and protecting it from pollution. Veolia Middle East is working to raise...
Check out this Middle Eastern-inspired recipe from Chef Naima of Tagine Restaurant at Dubai’s One&Only Royal Mirage for the month of Ramadan. It is easy to prep and can be cooked in just under two hours, making it perfect for iftar. Ingredients Batch one 2 kg whole chicken 30 g chopped garlic 800 g chopped onion 20 g dried coriander 20 g fresh chopped parsley 30 g ginger powder 20 g salt 20 g white pepper 40 g smen...
Maitha Al Khayat is a best-selling author of children’s books. In fact, you could almost call her the J K Rowling of the Arab world, except that she is far more prolific – 172 books so far, including a set of school primers – and she does her own illustrations. She has also written TV scripts for the Arabic version of Sesame Street and Hamdoon, the Emirati cartoon series. Oh, and she writes equally well in...
Exercise and fasting can go together without causing any harm to the body. During the fasting period, exercise can help elevate energy levels, improve physical fitness, build muscle and joint strength and boost body composition. It also helps control weight and keeps the body healthy. As well as various physical and health benefits, exercise also has many neurological advantages, including improved neurogenesis (increased brain cell production) and enhanced mental strength and toughness. More people around...
Looking for some culinary inspiration this Ramadan while staying at home? Monaco’s Michelin-starred Chef Marcel Ravin has shared three of his renowned dishes, served at Monte Carlo Hotel Bay and Resort, including his famous roast chicken and Nutella and banana cake for dessert. In case you’ve got roast chicken leftovers, he’s also shared a leftover recipe. Marcel’s roast chicken Ingredients for 4 people 1 free-range chicken 1.2 kg ½ lemon 125 g softened butter 2...
