Getting Back On Track (And Staying There)

Ok, let's face it.  We all had New Years resolutions to get our Christmas pudding butts back into shape.  The reality is, it's almost the end of January and I've spent far too many a night tucking into Christmas chocolates.  I've just returned back to work after 2 weeks holidays in Australia (best time ever) and I'm finally ready to get back on track.  So I thought I'd share my tips and tricks to getting motivated and staying on the right path!

WRITE A TO DO LIST

As cliche and this sounds, making a to do list or filling in your calendar can be really motivating.  I like to plan for the week ahead, including my work schedule, my workouts for the week, my evening meals (so I can also prepare a grocery list) and time to relax and socialise.  Even if plans change slightly, at least it feels a little more organised in my head! This year I've bought a hard back daily diary, which I'm trying to keep up to date! Even if your day is jam packed, it makes it all a little less overwhelming.  

STOCK UP THE FRIDGE

Having a fridge full of fresh fruits and veggies, plus plenty of yummy protein and whole grains to choose from, means that you're going to eat well.  Making a shopping list means you won't forget anything, and you won't be tempted by things you don't really need.  Make sure you have enough for your week ahead, breakfast lunch and dinner, by planning your meals.  Keep things colourful and interesting so that you're not dreading the third chicken & broccoli meal prep for lunch on hump day! 

DON'T OVER DO IT

After a period of being overindulgent and in holiday mode, it can be hard to go cold turkey.  To avoid 'relapsing' and undoing all the good work you've started, be sure to take time out to relax every day.  Whether it's going for a nice walk after dinner, or reading a chapter of your book, or putting a face mask on and taking a bath, make sure to do something every day that relaxes you and makes you happy.  We can get so caught up in the rush, that we forget to chill out.  If we're stressed, we're more likely to reach for those Christmas chocolates.  Keep that cortisol at bay and take a chill pill! 

TELL YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM

Without friends and family on board, it can be very hard to stay on track.  Your family and friends are probably also looking to get back on track after the holiday season, so suggesting that you do it together avoids the risk of being tempted into ladies night or a binging weekend.  Plan fun social activities that don't necessarily include alcohol or stuffing your face with poor choices.  For example, a group swing yoga class with your besties, or a movie night at home with healthy snacks will mean that you get to spend time with your favourite people without feeling guilty about it! 

ENJOY IT

Getting back on track can be fun, and being organised is positive, helping you feel really good about yourself.  Don't think of it as a burden, think of it as a fresh start! Good luck! 

V x

Staying Healthy This Festive Season

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. Everyone is jolly, family and friends are coming together, and in Dubai, the weather is amazing.  The only thing that may suffer this festive season is our waistlines.  The Christmas Kilo (or four) is a very common occurrence, and this is why the fitness and diet industry always boom in January - everyone wants to work off their sins!  But as far as I'm concerned, my first priority over the festive period is having a good time, so here are 3 tips to avoiding those Christmas Kilos, without having to miss out! 

1) Exercise

This may seem incredibly obvious, but one way to hold unwanted kgs at bay is to get sweaty.  For those who already exercise regularly, fitting in a couple of extra workouts a week should do the trick. But remember, not everything has to be high intensity...sometimes the best thing to do is, quite literally, stretch.  Over the festive period I try to attend more hot yoga classes, for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, I feel like my body needs a deep, sweaty stretch out to help keep water retention and sore muscles at bay.  Secondly, it makes me feel good; and that's really all that matters.  Even if it's just an extra walk around the block after dinner, keep moving this festive season!

2) Eat & Drink Mindfully

Those who know me well, know I have an undying love for snack food, and at Christmas this is in full force.  It also seems that people eat out more often at this time of year.  I would never say no to a mince pie or quality street, but I do ensure that I'm eating healthy, balanced meals around 80% of the time.  One way of doing this is starting the day right.  Make sure your breakie has a balance of lean protein (maybe eggs?), fibre (veg) and fats (avocado?).  Try and fit in a fresh salad with lean protein and plenty of veg for lunch.  That way, come dinner time, you've had your fair share of veg for the day, and you can be a little more lenient with your dinner choices.  

The jolly festive season usually involves more drinking (hello mulled wine).  Unless you're a total scrooge, theres not a lot of ways around this.  Instead of avoiding alcohol, make sure you're making 'lighter' choices and ensure you're drinking enough water to keep headaches at bay.  Try to increase your water intake by another litre per day. Not only will this reduce hangovers, but it will stop you from over eating too.  It's true what they say - usually your 'hunger' is actually thirst.  So reach for the H2O first...and then if you're still hungry go for the tin of Quality Street ;) 

3) Rest

Probably my favourite part of Christmas is that it's socially acceptable to wear pyjamas and Christmas jumpers all day.  Make the most of your time at home, get plenty of rest and a good night's sleep as often as possible.  Unless you're running around like a mad elf trying to buy last minute Christmas presents, the festive season is usually a feel-good time, so make the most of the happy hormones and say goodbye to stress! If you're chilled and happy you'll find it surprisingly easy to keep the kilos at bay! 

Happy Holidays everybody! 

V x

Enigma @ The Palzzao Versace Dubai

Last night I was honoured to experience Vanguard, the first of a four part 'Untold Story' at Enigma - a restaurant that is changing the art of dining, with not only exquisite culinary delights, but a journey of discovery and enlightenment into a tale of the chef's childhood and memories.  QuiQue Dacosta, Michelin star chef, is the genius behind the 12 course concept.  An undeniable leader of avant-garde cuisine in Spain, Dacosta delicately and skilfully crafts gastronomic masterpieces that stun and wow all the senses.

Before I get started on the dining experience, let me just say that the Palazzo Versace itself is beautiful.  Every detail, down to the cushions on the chairs and the champagne flutes, is perfection.  On the walls hang Donatella Versace's original fashion drawings, dating back to her earliest days at the House of Versace. Keep an eye out for the iconic 'Pietra Di Fiume' design of Medusa, tiled into the entrance, and look up to witness the chandelier titled 'Golden Breath', made of individually hand blown glass pipes.  

The dining experience was out. of. this. world.  I have never experienced anything like it. From edible roses, charcoal and leaves, to golden eggs and tomato 'snow', this is truly a delight for the senses.  Every mysterious course that emerged had us slightly confused, then amazed, then delighted. The wonderful waiting staff were there to guide us through the meal, educating us on the concept behind every course and advising on the optimal way to enjoy it.  It's a big call, but I think my favourite was the Foie Gras, served with an individual freshly baked brioche bun.  It was the perfect combination of salty and sweet, delicately decorated with edible rose petals and little balls of lychee gelato. 

I could not recommend this experience more.  I feel so privileged to have tasted such culinary masterpieces, and will probably never look at food the same! Chef QuiQue Dacosta has created a phenomenon, and I hope that one day, my tastebuds and I will be able to relive our evening!  

If you are interested in experiencing Vanguard at Enigma, it is running from January 10th - April 12th, 2016.  Seats are limited so make sure to book in advance.  The 'Ephermal Dining' will continue throughout the year, with different Michelin star Chefs taking centre stage, 3 months at a time.  I don't want to give away all the secrets and wonderful occurrences that unfold throughout the night, so make sure you experience it for yourself! 

V x

Nathalie's...

Last week I had the privilege of checking out the lunch and dinner menu at Nathalie's, located next door to Fit Republik, a highly equipped, state of the art gym that has recently opened in Dubai Sports City.  I love discovering new, trendy, delicious and healthy cafes in Dubai (Australia has one around every corner, so they fill a little hole in my heart!) and Nathalie's is no exception.  The location is easy to get to with ample parking, and of course highly convenient if you are a member at the adjacent gym. I happen to play netball up at sports city at least once a week, so I may be planning to return to Nathalie's quite regularly to fuel post game (hellooooo chocolate and pistachio tart).  

We were absolutely spoilt there, tasting nearly every dish on the menu.  To start, we sampled the Dips & Crunch (my favourite was the Edamame Guacamole) and Fresh Salmon Summer Rolls. Also, get your hands on their Zatar Bites - one word - addictive. The Kale Ceasar and Freekeh salad were also incredible.  

If you're feeling a bit cheeky, go for the Nathalie's Burger or the Adobo Chicken Quesadillas. Both are melt-in-your-mouth delicious and full of flavour. For the health conscious among us, they have The Portobello Burger (instead of a bread bun, you get your Angus beef patty between two juicy portobello mushrooms) and the Whole Wheat and Zuchinni Pasta with ricotta sauce.  The Grilled Salmon Fillet with Veggie Soba Noodles was a lovely nod to Asian flavours, full of vivacity and colour.  

We were told to return for the breakfast, and to be honest earlier that day I did some investigating and their breakfast menu looks amazing. Plus, anyone who doesn't enjoy going out for breakie is no friend of mine! 

And then....the desserts. Oh my. We were dished up a beautiful platter with samples of their delectable treats, including gooey Nutella Cookies, Baked Cheesecake with Salted Caramel and Peanut sauce, Chocolate Bark with plenty of yummy seeds and berries, Walnut and Date Bliss Balls and my favourite - the Chocolate and Halaweh Tart with crushed pistachios. It was so good I asked for one to take home and have the following night! 

So if you're up that end of town, I highly advise popping in and trying out Nathalie's fresh, tasty range of goodies.  The decor is eclectic and funky, which complements the food perfectly.  Plus, after your Nutella cookie (you won't be able to resist), you can always go and work out next door! 

Turnip the Beet! 

V x

Fruit Enzyme Facial @ Saray Spa.

Over the Eid Al Adha break last week I decided to treat myself to a facial at the Saray Spa in the Marriott Harbour Hotel and Suites, Dubai Marina.  One of my friends runs the health centre over there, so I'd had it on my list of things to do for a while!  

I arrived about 45 minutes early for my appointment, to take advantage of their excellent facilities available.  I passed on the luxurious swimming pool after having been walking along the beach that morning, but instead relaxed into the enormous jacuzzi, soothing my (always) sore muscles.  The steam room and sauna are also a must use if you're looking to detox a little and sweat out your sins. 

Next I changed into my favourite aspect of any spa trip - the fluffy white dressing gown! After a few compulsory selfies, I made my way to the waiting room, where I was served some fresh strawberry juice and a cool towelette for my face.  There, I met my therapist, Eve, and she explained what was going to happen over the next 60 minutes and took a brief medical history.  

The facial itself was 60 minutes of pure bliss. From the luxurious massage (including head and scalp massage while your mask is drying...amazing) to the fruity scents of all the products used, the whole experience was fantastic.  Afterwards, my skin felt smoother, clearer and so moisturised. After the hour of heaven was (unfortunately) over, I made my way back to the waiting room, where I was treated to some herbal tea and dried fruit, and presented with some samples of the June Jacobs products used during my treatment. 

I would highly recommend giving Saray Spa a go, and ask for Eve if you're desiring a facial! Next time I'm planning on treating myself to a full body massage! As well as the amazing facilities available at your disposal, the Marriott Harbour is so easy to get to, and parking is as easy as leaving your car to the helpful valet staff.  So for a complete relaxation experience from start to finish, get yourself to Saray Spa. 

V x    

I'm Turning Japanese!

A couple of weekends ago, fellow blogger Milli and I decided it was high time we double dated. So we instructed our boyfriends (they weren't really forced, they're already pals) to spend Thursday night at the Creekside Japanese Restaurant in the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers.  

Being a Thursday night in Dubai, we sat in the customary Sheik Zayed road traffic for a solid 45 minutes.  I would advise anyone coming from Jumeira or Marina end of Dubai to be economical and catch the metro! Once we arrived, the grandeur of the Sheraton took all the angst away from the taxi journey and we were ready to settle in and enjoy our evening! 

 We were treated to the Far East Buffet, which, in my eyes was a culinary delight.  I adore all foods with Asian influence, especially Japanese, and this buffet did not disappoint. There was an array of stations, each providing a delicious asian delicacy. There was even a Jacobs Creek Wine Cocktail station, which of course was sampled out of curiosity...

After ordering our drinks (sparkling wine for the girls, Chang beer for the boys) we decided to sample the sushi and sashimi bar. I have to be honest, I've had A LOT of sashimi and sushi in my time, but this had to be some of the freshest and most delicious. Not only that, but the variety was incredible.  Chicken katsu rolls...on a stick! Roast beef and mushroom rolls! And even mango and passion fruit dessert rolls! Amazing! 

Up next was the soup bar for the girls, while the boys hit up the noodle and wok station.  Milli and I had steaming hot miso with all the trimmings.  Liam and Ed concocted their own stir fried noodle creations, with any variety of noodles available, teamed with your choice of meat, veggies and sauce.  We also tried the salad bar and some yummy steamed dim sum and teppanyaki fried snacks.  Nothing had that 'left out at a buffet' sogginess, it was all fresh, crispy, warm and delicious.  

At the two enormous Teppan plates you can request almost anything freshly fried to your flavour desires, and the best part is you don't have to stand around waiting, they will happily deliver it to your table.  We took full advantage of the amazing produce available, and shared some enormous king prawns, lemongrass infused scallops, teppanyaki calamari and szechaun marinated sea bream.  From the meat plate we ordered chicken teriyaki, beef striploin and the most incredible beef short ribs that literally melted in your mouth.  We ordered 'enough for four', which, to be honest, could have fed six comfortably.  But it wouldn't be an 'all you can eat' if we didn't push the limits! 

After our protein feast, the boys returned to the sushi and sashimi counter, and I approached the dessert table (like I have said countless times, I'm a complete sucker for treats). There was a beautiful display of miniature deserts, with the standouts being the jackfruit tart, green tea profiteroles and these tiny coconut cakes that were hands down my favourite.  Of course, in true Japanese style, the desserts were just sweet enough, and just enough of a taste without ruining the overall lightness of the meal.

In all honesty, this is one of the most affordable and top quality dining experiences I've ever had in Dubai.  If you put in the effort and make the journey to 'The Darkside' A.K.A the other side of Maktoum Bridge, Creekside will be more than worth it.  It's almost like an undiscovered Japanese haven!  I just need to learn how to use chopsticks properly!

V x

Breakfast @ The Cove

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to taste the new breakfast menu at Cove Beach, Jumeirah Beach Hotel.  This was my first experience of the Cove, and although I'd seen photos of my friends enjoying yoga mornings there, I wasn't quite prepared for the beauty and epic views.  

The idyllic location gives undisturbed views of one of the most iconic buildings in Dubai, The Burj Al Arab.  Sprawled along the white sand of the beach are endless sun beds, just asking to be lounged on while you sip fresh juices and cocktails from the rose bar (yes, they have a rose bar).  Walking in, I pictured myself relaxing here on a Friday! 

Cove Beach's restaurant itself is modern, chic and light; equipped with its own white catwalk! I fell in love with the decor, it was so crisp, clean and white.  We were treated to our own customised pair of Havaianas by Copia Group upon arrival and then settled in to try the delectable array of healthy breakfast items available....

To start, we refreshed our palates with freshly squeezed watermelon juice. Each diner was given the most delicious natural yoghurt with a berry compote and some of the scrumiest granola I've ever tasted (I'm exceptionally fussy when it comes to granola, so this is a huge accolade).  We were also encouraged to help ourselves to colourful fruit platters (mmmmmmango) and some miniature crumbly pastries. 

Finally, being the breakfast piglets we are, we decided to share the eggs benedict with smoked salmon, and an omelet with spinach and mushroom (obviously for research purposes!). Both were cooked to perfection, with the ultimate poached eggs, firm whites (who likes runny whites?) and runny yolks.  Unfortunately we didn't manage to try the pancakes (to be honest our bellies were too full) but I would recommend giving them a go if the rest of the menu is anything to go by! 

If you're thinking of somewhere to spend your Friday or Saturday morning this weekend and feel like getting a little fancy, then head to Cove Beach.  The menu is fresh, healthy and delicious and won't leave you feeling bloated, heavy or guilty.  Highly recommend is the yoghurt and granola with berries, it was by far my favourite. Not being a coffee lover I didn't try any, but my fellow diners raved about theirs.  And then head to a sun bed avec un glass of rose (has to be done) to lap up the views and the sunshine! This hidden cove is like a little slice of heaven. Definitely one of my new fave breakfast spots!

V x 

  

Treats from Sophie...

So this is technically my first 'Restaurant Review' post (I do hope to do a few more of these....food fanatic emerging). I first discovered Sophie's back in 2013, tempted by the promise of delicious, healthy food. I was definitely not disappointed then, and on my more recent visits, they seem to have further expanded their menu and selection. 

A couple of weekends ago I was on The Palm at Riva Beach Club in a last ditch attempt to obtain a tan before the close of summer.  Sophie's cafe is conveniently located within the same building, and so obviously I was going to pop by and grab a tasty treat to complete my Friday Fun.  

If you haven't been to Sophie's yet, it's a little oasis tucked away. At the counter there is a huge display of tantalisingly fresh, natural salads and 'restaurant-grown' wheatgrass ready to be pulverised into a shot for you.  I've previously had breakfast there and delighted in a granola and yogurt bowl, with an organic, freshly squeezed carrot, orange and ginger juice. 

Any way, this particular visit I had something sweeter in mind, and when I approached the large wooden table that displayed around 10 different pastries, cakes, tarts and snack bars, I actually had no idea what I wanted.  Thanks to some help from the staff and (who I think was) one of the owners, I got it down to two options, and then thought 'Hell it's Friday' so got both. 

  

 The first was a pumpkin and chocolate loaf cake.  I was informed it was vegan, gluten and lactose free, but contained some brown sugar. I was also advised to warm it up before tucking in. Oh. My. Word. I have never tasted any cake so moist.  There was even a crunchy crust. I highly recommend getting your paws on this before they change their menu and you can't taste the glory. I'm actually planning on recreating this somehow, will keep you posted on that. 

The second was a pumpkin and coconut tart because basically I will eat anything with coconut in it (I'm thinking because it's coming into Autumn, not that Dubai really has Autumn, they are putting a few pumpkin items on their menu).  This tart was gluten, lactose and sugar free but it was DEEELISH. It was so creamy and the crust was light and flaky. Another highly recommended, especially if you're looking for a slightly healthier option. I was told it was made with mostly coconut milk and pumpkin puree, so basically you could eat it for breakfast! 

Next time I visit Sophie's I'll make sure its for lunch, those salads looked too good to be true! And then I'll leave some room for that pumpkin and chocolate loaf because it's too good to only be eaten once in a lifetime. 

V x  

HomeInspo.

Those of you who know me well will have a good idea that I'm obsessed with Pinterest. My pins range from food to wedding dresses to places I'd love to travel to.  Currently I've been pinning a lot of home decor in light of entering a competition to win a two bedroom apartment! FYI, if you would be so kind to go to the Town Square Dubai website and vote for my video, currently on Page 5 about half way down (victoriasole is the name of the video) that would be FAB! 

Any way, back to the purpose of this post, my favourite home decor pins as of late....

As you can see, I'm mildly obsessed with world maps, cozy couches and pineapples.

V x