Simply Abu Dhabi XXVIII

2 1 6 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Do you think diet is more important than exercise? There is a great synergy between healthy eating and physical activity, and both have a tremendously positive impact on how we feel in our bodies – boosting the mood and sleeping better, to name just two. I personally believe that a combination of healthy eating and an a well-rounded exercise routine are both key components for a healthy and happy lifestyle. What key ingredients/foods do you think we should all be consuming on a daily/weekly basis? It is recommended to follow a balanced healthy eating style, and in particular incorporate a lot of vegetables, fruits, beans, sprouts, nuts and seeds. Make sure to consume food rich in nutrients and eat rainbow colours, which include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet begins with the quality of the ingredients used. Look out for fresh, seasonal and local produce whenever you can, which have no artificial dyes or preservatives, no flavour enhancers and of course no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Also make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day and always have a glass of water next to you, refilling it once drunk. Consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables can potentially reduce risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. What is a simple juice can we all make at home that is beneficial and should be consumed every day? I absolutely love this juice, as it provides an immediate energy boost, and is packed with loads of minerals and vitamins. Take a handful of kale, a couple of carrots, one green apple, one orange and one small beetroot, add a handful of spinach leaves and watercress and a thumb of ginger, then blitz in your juicer – delicious! How about sleep? We all know it's important, but how do we ensure our resting time is regular and of best quality? Try to establish a regular sleeping pattern by trying to go to bed at the same time every day. The same goes for getting up. When it comes to dinner, eat light and avoid eating heavy meals shortly before going to bed. Two to three hours between the last meal and going to bed works best for me. Doing a detox cleanse can help to improve sleep. Also turn off the television, stop working on the computer and resist checking your phone before going to bed. Make sure you have some relaxed time before going to bed – for instance calm your mind with meditation or listening to soft music. Take a hot bath with lavender and light a candle. Think of all the positive things that happened to you today and all the blessings you have in your life. How do you feel about caffeine? I personally don't drink coffee or other drinks containing caffeine, as they leave me feeling way too nervous and anxious. When I tried coffee and black tea years ago, I listened to my body and felt that it was not agreeing with me. However, many people handle caffeine very well and enjoy it tremendously, and of course some countries celebrate a beautiful coffee culture. Many people find or experiencing some sort benefits from drinking coffee. Again, like many other things when it comes to food and drink, it is all about moderation. What are the best superfoods? This largely depends on the individual’s personal preference! Here are some of my long-time favourite: - blueberries are one of the top antioxidant foods, rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and a great source of fibre. - acai berries are high in antioxidants, amazing for helping the skin maintain a youthful appearance with a bright complexion. Their high fibre content also helps to cleanse the body with the help of the liver and kidneys - quinoa is high in nutrients, has a nutty flavour and is gluten free. It has a relatively high protein level compared to other grains and provides essential amino acids (the building blocks of all tissues in our body) - chia seeds are high in antioxidants, fibre, omega-3, protein, vitamins (A, B, E, D) and minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron etc.) - ginger isn’t generally called a superfood, but it’s one of my favourite wonder foods/spices. I love the unique taste and I put it in almost every juice, or simply enjoy it in hot water with lemon and a little Manuka honey. It is known for its antiseptic and cleansing properties. What about treating ourselves – is chocolate a no-go?! Being Swiss, chocolate has and will always be a part of my diet and I indulge in a piece every day, although I am rather fussy on the subject. I appreciate high quality chocolate and always believe that where the milk comes from is a crucial. The higher the cocoa content (70%+) and subsequently the lower the sugar content, the better. Chocolate also has antioxidant benefits. It's great that you offer really personal service and guidance of being there for your clients. How do you make this work? Detox Delight was established in 2012 in Dubai (as a franchise from Pure Delight Germany, which is the motherhouse) and was the first company in its field. We have been totally passionate about our work ever since. It's not a job for us – it is a life philosophy we live and breathe ourselves. We love to support people to make them feel better and help them transform into the best version of themselves. We want them to feel beautiful and full of energy, to shine and glow as much as possible. We respect and honour our clients’ individual and personal choices. We personalise their preferences to every extent possible. We are at their disposal for any advice needed and act as their cheerleaders on the side line. We truly enjoy manufacturing high quality products, whereby we choose only the very best available ingredients – no compromises. Everything is 100% natural with no artificial dyes or preservatives, no flavour enhancers and of course no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. We lovingly prepare each meal fresh each day by hand. We emphasise the importance of care and attention to detail, starting from the first interaction with our clients until the delivery and follow up as required. To provide an outstanding level of service to our clientele is key and non-negotiable, and we are truly thrilled time and again by the many positive results and success stories our clients share with us. What's the biggest mistake you see people making with their diets? No diversity, no colourful (rainbow) choices and/or balanced (nutrient dense) diet. Little fresh ingredients and no regular established eating habits. Given the pace of life, people often eat on the run, feeling they have no time to sit down properly. Purchasing only convenience food and not checking the ingredients such as artificial colours, flavour enhancers, sugar content etc. I urge people to try to cook at home and eat less fast food in general. We suggest taking and allocating time to eat and sit down. Engage in mindful eating. Don't eat in a rush, slow down and chew your food well before swallowing. Be conscious of what you eat and of what is on your plate, feel joy in what is given as nourishment to your precious body. Make sure you have a lot of different colours on our plate. Check in with your body on how you feel after the meal – do you feel bloated, anxious or fatigued, or – on the contrary –do you feel full of energy, focused and joyful? Listen to your body’s signals! It’s tremendously important to fuel your amazing bio- computer with the best ingredients possible. Also take a moment to go through your kitchen cupboards and fridge, stocking them up with healthy, high quality products and lots of fresh, seasonal local produce wherever possible. Eliminate the less nutrient-dense foods, in particular items with a high sugar content. I personally go by the rule that if a food lists more than five ingredients, some of which I don’t know or can’t even pronounce, I leave it on the shelf. Learn to cook, enjoy the creativity process, light a candle, play music and have fun cooking together with friends or family. Feel inspired and relaxed whilst cooking. Detox Delight