Feel Good Cruising

Part of the reason I've been MIA lately is the uninspiring 40* summer heat in Dubai, as well as a busy work schedule.  But mostly because I've been CRUISING! Yes, you read that right. A 26 year old on a cruise. I know what you think, cruises are usually packed with retirees and young families (you're not wrong, I didn't meet many other 20 somethings that weren't staff), but it was a family get away, so I decided to make the most out of a week of not having to cook, clean or do any laundry! Plus the fact that we got to cruise around the Mediterranean and visit places like Sardinia, Marseille, Mallorca and Barcelona (my personal fave).  

Another preconception of cruising is putting on weight.  All those days spent lounging by the (crowded) pool sipping pina coladas, endless gelato stops (only to determine which city does them best, of course) and nightly 4 course meals is delightful, but I knew it would leave me feeling pretty sorry for myself, overindulged and not so confident in my hot pink bikini.  

So here are some tips to staying in top shape during your cruise, while still enjoying yourself! 

Take The Stairs

The first thing we all committed to was always taking the stairs.  If you've never experienced a cruise before, the ships are HUGE, with multiple floors and looooooong corridors.  My brother and I were staying on floor 8, our parents below on 7.  The spa was located on floor 14 and the main restaurant on floor 3.  So as you can imagine, we climbed A LOT of stairs in 7 days! And you'll honestly be surprised how much exercise you actually achieve doing this! I feel like my legs are definitely more toned ;)  Aside from taking the stairs, I found that we walked at least 20000 steps a day (thanks to my Dad's fitbit) just exploring beach side towns, which is a far cry from sitting in an office all day every day! 

Drink Plenty Of Water

When there are so many tempting cocktails at your disposal, it is important to stay hydrated.  I tried to drink at least 3 litres of water a day, just by carrying a bottle wherever I went.  TIP: if you join the spa, they generally have lemon and fruit infused water that is super tasty! I stocked up on that daily! Drinking plenty of water will keep you energised, stop you from over-eating, as well as do your body endless favours.  

Enjoy The Spa

One of my favourite parts of the ship was definitely the spa.  There were private tanning areas (away from shrieking French children), jacuzzies, hot stone beds, saunas and steam rooms at our disposal.  I was also spoilt with two treatments (both full body massages) that were heavenly.  If you live a busy life, this is the ultimate relaxation and is definitely worth the expense.  An afternoon at the spa helped me de-stress and relax, giving me time to myself. The massages worked wonders on my forever aching muscles as well, perfect if you're sporting a long-standing ache or pain!

Eat Your Veg

Aaaah, the food.  With enormous buffets spanning half the length of the ship, there was plenty of temptation to gorge on pizza, burgers, chips, pasta and pastries all week long.  Knowing that I wanted to enjoy yummy treats like gelato or macarons daily, I tried to eat well at meal times.  This meant taking advantage of the fresh veggies and delicious protein prepared daily.  Think whole baked salmons, steamed mussels and huge grilled prawns......yuuummm!

Enjoy, It's A Holiday After All!

At the end of the day, it is important to enjoy yourself, try new foods, have a crisp G&T in a trendy cafe and taste every gelato in Europe! Holidays are meant to be a break from reality, a time to really enjoy yourself.   If you do put on a little weight or miss a few days training, it's no big deal.  If anything, it will motivate you to get back into a routine of training well and eating well.  The most important thing is to be happy, and not-so-surprisingly, your body will react positively to the good vibes.  

Happy Cruisin'

(And btw, the best gelato is in Mallorca!!)

V x 

Kale & Cherry Tomato Breakfast Loaf

Every morning I try and get some greens and some protein in me, to give me energy to power through my day. However, I'm one of those people who likes things quick and easy, tasty, and with minimum clean up.  This loaf is packed with vitamins and provides strong alkalising properties, but also tastes pretty yum! 

Kale is already renowned as a super food, packed with iron, calcium and vitamin C.  It also provides anti-inflammatory properties, and the all mighty antioxidants.  Cherry tomatoes are not only packed full of sweet, delicious flavour, they too provide strong antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties as well as being great for improving bone health, thanks to vitamin K and vitamin C.  We all know how fab eggs are, brilliant sources of protein to help maintain a healthy weight and strong muscles.  However, eggs are an acidic food, so best to pair it with dark leafy greens, tomatoes and, my all time fave, turmeric.   Turmeric's health benefits are endless. From anti-inflammatory, to analgesic, to antibacterial and aiding fat metabolism, the list goes on and on!

TIME: 10 mins prep, 45 mins cooking

Serves: 8 servings 

INGREDIENTS:

14 free range whole eggs 

6 - 8 stalks of kale

2 cups cherry tomatoes 

3/4 tbsp turmeric

1 tsp paprika 

1/2 tbsp ground black pepper 

pinch of himalayan pink sea salt 

organic coconut oil spray (to line loaf tin)

METHOD:

Preheat the oven to 200*C

Stem and chop up the kale, and half the cherry tomatoes, then pop them into the greased loaf tin

In a large bowl, whisk together all 14 large eggs, combining in turmeric, paprika, ground black pepper and a pinch of sea salt

Pour the eggs over the kale and cherry tomatoes, ensuring all the egg is evenly spread throughout the loaf tin

Bake in the oven for about 45 mins, or until a skewer comes out clean

Allow to cool, transfer out of the loaf tin, and slice into 8 even pieces

This can be stored in a freezer, and simply reheated in the microwave for a couple of minutes before serving

Mix it up and spread with avocado or goats cheese, to add some healthy, satiating fats

Enjoy! 

V x 

Staying Healthy During The Holy Month of Ramadan

If you live in Dubai, the UAE or the Middle East, you would have experienced a few Holy Months of Ramadan in your time.  The past couple of years, Ramadan has fallen during the very hot summer months when most Dubai residents are off on their summer holidays.  This year, however, the month has fallen in June, meaning that schools are still in term and the majority of Dubai residents are here. 

For those of you who don't know, summers in the UAE reach scorching temperatures, far too hot to enjoy the great outdoors.  Most time is spent in air conditioned malls or homes.  During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day-light hours, breaking their fasts at Iftar (sunset) and resuming at Suhoor (sunrise).  As a form of respect, non-Muslims refrain from eating & drinking in public places.  

I've been in Dubai the past few years during Ramadan, and like to look upon the Holy Month as a time to restore my health and treat my body properly.  However, the call of Iftar buffets and delicious Arabic sweets are never too far away! Here are some handy tips to get through the Holy Month, and the rest of the hot hot summer! 

1. Keep Hydrated

This is a bit of a no brainer, but often, when respecting religion and culture, we forget to drink enough H2O both during the day, or at night if fasting.  Making sure we get at least 2 to 3 litres of water over 24 hours will help keep fatigue at bay.  If fasting, remember the temperatures are incredibly high and we lose a lot of water simply through perspiration, so it is especially important to rehydrate between Iftar and Suhoor.  If exercising, even more hydration is required during the 24 hour period! A tip to consuming plenty of water, is to make sure your fridge is stocked with water bottles, that way it's always cold, refreshing and on hand!

2. Eat Light

The (only) benefit of 45* heat is that it reduces your appetite, at least for heavy, hot meals.  Take advantage of Arabic cuisine and enjoy fattoush, tabouleh, hummus and other, highly nutritious and especially delicious dishes.  Not only are they fresh and light, but Arabic dishes are pretty healthy, usually consisting of grilled meats and fresh salads and vegetables.  Steer clear of deep fried, greasy foods and opt for foods that are easy to digest, and hydrating in their own right.  

Also, avoid eating a lot in one sitting.  Iftar buffets are great and a lovely way to learn about culture and socialise with friends during the Holy Month, but like any buffet they provide the opportunity to over indulge, especially if you show up starving! Again, fill up on vegetables and lean protein to avoid feeling full and uncomfortable after, but it is a celebration after all, so if you want a small sweet treat, then go ahead! Dried fruits are especially accessible during the Holy Month, so make the most of delicious dried figs and dates! 

3. Light Exercise 

One way of keeping energy levels up is by breaking a sweat and getting those endorphins pumping.  During the hot summer months, and especially if fasting, vigorous exercise can cause over exertion, resulting in injuries and illness.  Instead, opt for things like yoga, long walks or gently swimming laps.  It will still make you feel great, but will give your body an opportunity to rest and recuperate.  Of course, if you're not fasting and staying hydrated, there is no reason why you can't attend a HIIT class or sprint training, just consider combining some more gentle workouts into your routine. 

4.  Indulge in the Culture

I think one of the best parts of the Holy Month is experiencing the generosity and rich Arabic culture of Dubai and the UAE.  Take it as an opportunity to learn about the history, and share in the joy that is evident during this month.  Ask your Muslim friends and colleagues about Ramadan, and watch their faces light up when they teach you about their family traditions.  It is a lovely time of year, and the perfect opportunity to embrace the heritage and culture of the country we live in.  

Ramadan Kareem to you all! 

V x