Category: Health & Fitness

Multiple health benefits of rooibos tea

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Checking out rooibos flavours with Hala

Caffeine-free tea from South Africa is linked with treatment for diabetes, cancer and heart disease

I love alternative healing and detoxing therapies and thanks to some forward thinking individuals and gorgeous nutritionists in the UAE like Hala Barghout, I often get enlightened on what I should be eating and drinking to keep myself fairly healthy. Especially as I have a huge appetite for the good stuff in life, super foods somehow help me keep a balance so that my voluptuous figure doesn’t go totally toxic.

I first got introduced to rooibos tea when Eric came home few years ago raving about it and coaxed me into bringing some of the more organic stuff back from one of my previous trips to Cape Town.  Since then, friends have brought this herbal tea for me plus one can also get them easily here now in nutrition shops in UAE.

As Hala mentions, rooibos offers a range of health benefits and has been shown to slow down cancer, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and help with a range of other conditions, including diabetes. Rooibos is a national drink in South Africa but it’s not just about taste –rooibos contains a complex and unique blend of antioxidants that play a major role in boosting the body’s natural defences.

I met Hala at Pullman Hotel after a long time – my last contact with her was when she enlightened me about the benefits of kiwi fruit. This time, it was all about rooibos which she delightfully tells me also contains no calories and no caffeine, and researchers have found that it can help to lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, prevent liver disease as well as cut the risk of heart disease and stroke.

New evidence has just emerged of the anti-diabetes potential of rooibos, following a joint study conducted by the Diabetes Discovery Platform from South Africa’s Medical Research Council (MRC) and the South African Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Institute.

Researchers found that an aspalathin-enriched extract of green rooibos is able to lower raised glucose levels in the blood of diabetic rats. Aspalathin is a unique antioxidant found in nature only in the rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis). When combined with rutin, another key compound in rooibos tea, the glucose-lowering action was further enhanced.

Working with diabetic rats, the researchers were able to show that the Rooibos extract could achieve a glucose-lowering effect comparable to existing diabetic drugs.

Hala said that research has also shown rooibos to be effective in easing stomach cramps and other digestive disorders, relieving allergies and soothing itching skin. Substituting regular tea or coffee with rooibos, drinking camel’s milk instead of cow’s milk, adding kiwifruit to the fruit bowl – these are all easy steps to a healthier lifestyle. In fact, to get the maximum health benefits from rooibos tea, researchers in South Africa recommend the consumption of up to six cups per day, spread throughout the day, including a cup at bedtime.

I was not able to meet with Fanus Schoeman, South Africa’s Consul-General in Dubai but he had mentioned earlier that there is a large potential market in UAE for rooibos tea. He hopes the health benefits will help rooibos win many new fans in the UAE.

The rooibos plant is indigenous and unique to the Cederberg and surrounding areas of the Western and Northern Cape in South Africa, where rooibos tea is produced. The plant and the tea brewed from it were first documented in 1772, and today the tea can be found in 72% of South African homes. About half the annual production of 12,000 tonnes is exported, and it is already widely available in UAE supermarkets.

The manner in which the rooibos leaves and stems are harvested and dried determines whether the tea will be the traditional amber or red colour or the lighter and milder green variety. Both versions are entirely natural products and contain no colourants, additives or preservatives.

The Rooibos Council in South Africa is currently funding AED 1 million worth of independent research to advance the understanding of the health-promoting properties of rooibos – and in particular its ability to slow down and prevent various forms of cancer as well as its potential to protect heart health in individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease. Other topics being researched include the possibility that rooibos could be beneficial in slowing down the effects of ageing, its anti-obesity properties, its role in post-exercise recovery and its potential in combatting stress.

Looks like I am switching from my dear Maxim’s premium organic tea to rooibos to get my detox accelerated and my chakras aligned. Could this be diva’s next ultimate health drink alternative?

Rooibos tea in glass

Food, Music Art….its all at Bo House Cafe

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Fijianchick’s favourite Cafe 🙂


Last week I spent an evening after work at my favourite snack place, Bo House Café, the home of modern bohemians with Houri, Fadi and a couple of awesome young artists. The weather is perfect to hang out at JBR Walk anyway but what was awesome that evening was the BOZART Exhibition at Bo House in celebration of Dubai based artists. lt showcases the talented and creative work of Dubai‘s aspiring artists, Lisa Fabian, Sarah Khalil and Ishtar Al Shaybani. I had a lovely chat with Sarah and Ishtar who are as delightful as their art pieces.

I loved the art, the food and of course it was awesome to catch up with friends like Lisa and gorgeous Fadi who I normally would not see for months. It’s great to see Bo House giving local talents an opportunity to showcase their artwork on a creative and free artistic platform and its a perfect opportunity for art lovers to enjoy the café’s new menu with hearty home cooking, some made entirely from vegan friendly products.

Also the renowned Chef Giovannino Fittipaldi, conitues to create his award winning gelato, which should not be missed. I had a shot that night of a virgin cocktail that had goji berries which I got introduced to in Bahrain before as a super food …it was lush!

Bo House Cafe has been designed especially for the young, educated, and art savvy crowd who seek a haven from the bustle of daily life to a place where they can get together for fun, for love, for a scoop of award-winning Gelato, for no reason, for endless simple facts and emotions. The organically shaped rounded tables create a catalyst for creative minds to feed off each other’s talents and ideas. Its inspiring views of the coast, with waves that rhythmically lap against the shore, Bo House Café always keeps the vibe fresh and chilled.

It is naturally a concept by my favourite Pragma Group –  an organisation that balances the art and science of business and the management are just awesome fun people who are also behind the concept of the Cavalli Club, which is possibly the only night venue I love being in for snacks and chill out time with Pragma friends. Bo house Café is one place I would happily endorse as a quality venue in Dubai for chilling out with artistic and intellectual friends.

Diva’s drinking from a Haute Couture Tea Collection

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How sexy is the TWG tea packaging


I’m drinking tea…lots of it. Not just any tea but after a trip to Singapore couple of months ago and discovering TWG Tea, I’m sold. No more Red Bull Energy shots or the sinful 3 in I chai sugar laden lattes for this lazy girl. Afterall, in the spirit of the ceaselessly creative designers of haute couture, TWG Tea offers an aesthetes’ collection of unique and exclusive seasonal tea blends that reflect the core of TWG Tea’s global expansion and cosmopolitan appeal….sounds totally up my street!

Distinguishing itself from the archives of cultural tea traditions, the world’s finest luxury tea brand is constantly conceiving and shaping the trends of this new era with creations that are sensual, irreplaceable and exceptional. Challenging and inventive, TWG Tea defies history in the crafting of its myriad collections, each more provocative and alluring than the last.

TWG Tea Haute Couture tea collection was first launched in Singapore with the signature Silver Moon Tea. A grand green tea bouquet that represents the ultra-modernity of this cosmopolitan city, this tea has become one of the most popular blends ever launched by the brand.

The Haute Couture tea collections are a selection alluding to indelible memories of marvellous flavours. The collection includes some of my favourites…..look out for the flavours below if you are tea connoisseur looking for any excuse to have a cuppa.

1837 Black Tea
Brother’s Club Tea
French Earl Grey
Jade Dragon Tea
Napoleon Tea
New York Breakfast Tea
Red of Africa Tea
Silver Moon Tea
White House Tea
Alexandria Tea
Early Grey Gentleman
Geisha Blossom Tea
Maharaja Darjeeling Tea
New World Tea
Place Vendôme Tea
Royal Moroccan Tea
Singapore Breakfast Tea

Enjoy….

Apple or pear shaped?

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Being curvalicious can be amazing sometimes but down right confusing these days when you go for BMI tests and the like.

While I enjoy being called a yummy mummy or have my butt compared to J-lo (Afterall she did insure it for millions), being asked if I am apple or pear-shaped makes me cringe especially if in the same sentence a therapist goes ‘if you are pear-shaped, you may have memory problems later in age’. Apparently its hard to determine mine as I seem to be one of the in between; a mixture of pear, apple and hourglass – whatever that means!

Naturally that would make me say, ‘hey, I’m darned sure I’m an apple cos my boobs equate to headlights and stop the traffic and the tummy and butt sticks out so when I wear a ‘mumu’, it looks all rounded. Well I’m hoping that’s a good sign until the therapist starts counting out what can go wrong if you are apple – diabetes, blood pressure or heart diseases. And if you wanna be a Kim Kardashian type with bulges in the right places but have to lose weight on the tummy, another lecture begins on after effects with cellulite and numerous spot reduction exercises etc.

Which brings me to the realisation that as a woman you can’t win….there is always going to be something that will be a pain in the ass (pun intended). At this stage I tell myself that the people in my life adore me just the way I am and who cares if I lose my mind being a pear shaped or am roly poly like an apple…now all I gotta do is get that darned BMI to the right levels. Something tells me I am going to miss Ramadan and whipping my fabulous self into shape.

Celebrating cuisine that’s just as spicy as moi

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My favourite Thai dish in KL was nasi Pattaya….which is fried rice wrapped in thin omelette. In Dubai its everything on the Sukothai menu 🙂

Last Saturday, I made a supreme effort to get out of my pyjamas end of day to catch up with my cool friends from The Tourism Authority of Thailand at Dusit Dubai as they launched the “Amazing Taste of Thailand Festival 2012”. I don’t normally sacrifice my weekend for ordinary people or events but I love everything about Thailand and the people from Thailand have become some of my closest friends here so I was there in all my glory…. I love the country, got married there after a crazy weekend trip from KL (in Hatyai with a few weeks in Krabi), love the food, love the spas, love Muay Thai, love shopping in Bangkok, love the people of Pattaya and the list goes on.

Basically I was invited since everyone from the Thai Embassy, the Thai spas know how dedicated I am to my food and massage sessions and they are very right. In a nutshell, the month-long festival is until 7th July 2012,during which time diners at 13- participating restaurants will have the opportunity to win gift vouchers and a number of exciting prizes including a trip to Bangkok with Thai Airways.

“The Amazing Taste of Thailand” launch event was co-hosted by the Dusit Thani, Dubai and Thai Airways and began with a welcome speech from H.E. Mr. Somchai Charanasomboon, Ambassador of Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the ever so dynamic Wisoot Buachoom, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand.

There were also two performances of traditional Thai dancing, fruit carving demonstrations and live cooking stalls where the 13 participating restaurants show cased their individual specialist Thai cuisine. The restaurants participating in the “Amazing Taste of Thailand Food Fest 2012” include Benjarong, Blue Elephant, Pai Thai, Sukhothai, Spice Emporium, Ban Khun Mae, The Kitchen of Thai, Shang Thai, Thai Chi, The Royal Buddha, Chimes, The Thai Kitchen in Dubai and the Taste Restaurant in Fujairah.

The ‘Thainess’, which is at the heart of Thai hospitality permeates across all of Thailand, from amazing beaches and natural environment to culinary expertise. Thai cuisine is a key element of ‘Amazing Thailand’ and the ingredients used, the various herbs and spices together with cooking methods is all part of the essence of Thailand.

Looks like the next few weeks are going to be a culinary adventure for me and anyone who wants to be in my company for meals….can you stomach the spiciness levels of this diva?

Cupping – my latest alternative therapy adventure

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In true diva style I decided to venture out and try yet another alternative therapy for my stiff neck – I blame it on all the people in my life whose game plan is to make my life as difficult and stressful and possible to test my limits :).

Anyway….after a fantastic Turkish hammam experience, I went into the therapist’s room adorned with images of cupping as she explained that I would have circle marks on my back for a week. I joked that if she placed the cups strategically, perhaps the circles could appear sexily symmetrically on my back so I could do henna tattoos around it – she looked at me as though I was the biggest sceptic in the world so I shut my humourous side out for the next hour and left my back in her expert hands.

Cupping therapy is an ancient medical treatment that relies on creating a local suction which mobilises the blood flow to promote healing. Ancient Chinese medicine doctors prescribe this when blood and lymph stagnation needs treatment.

You can do cupping in Dubai and I have also done it in Bahrain….both cities have good spas for this. Cupping can affect the body up to 4 inches of the tissues, causing them to release toxins, activate the lymph system, clear colon blockages, activate veins, artilleries and capillaries. I’m also told it can help improve stretch marks and varicose veins.

My therapist (Maryanne) at Joz salon in Bahrain is awesome and she also mentioned that one can benefit from cupping for a broad range of ailments to help with physical and psychological well-being. I did it and loved it as my neck is less stiff than before and had sexy circles on my back to boot. It looked like I had sunned it with a top with holes in them.

If you want to give it a try, get recommendations of spas and salons… It may not be the best alternative therapy for everyone but it certainly made me feel chilled out without my neck pain.

Hidden health secrets from Kiwifruit

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How gorgeous and tempting is this Kiwi Artwork

One of the beauties of coming from an exotic island tropical paradise is that you grow up eating wholesome organic fruits in abundance….and what we don’t have in sunny Fiji Islands, we get from our neighbours Australia & New Zealand. Without doubt, one of the most healthiest fruits from NZ is kiwifruit and the best ones to get is from ZESPRI which is now on the supermarket shelves of the UAE….delightful!

Since I am always on the lookout for the next best thing with health benefits, ZESPRI’s  “superfruit” status caught my eye. Citing the high levels of Vitamins C and E, low glycemic index (GI) and high fibre content of kiwifruit, New Zealand growers stress that it is particularly well suited to the UAE due to the help it provides in the management of diabetes, which is so prevalent here.

Supporting ZESPRI’s campaign is Hala Barghout, a leading nutritionist and licensed clinical dietician in Dubai. She stresses that everyone knows that citrus fruit contains vitamin C, but a kiwifruit actually contains twice as much vitamin C as an orange of the same size – and three times as much as a lemon. “Vitamin C helps strengthen the body’s defences and promotes healthy bones, teeth and blood vessels. Kiwifruit is high in fibre and is also a good source of the antioxidant Vitamin E. It provides twice the level of Vitamin E as an apple and is five times more nutritious.”

I met Warren Young and Ben Hughes from ZESPRI International who were explaining the difference between traditional green kiwifruit now on sale in the UAE and the newer gold variety which will be here later – it provides faster Vitamin C absorption in the body than an artificial vitamin supplement. I am the only one at home who eats Kiwifruit so I was delighted to hear what Hala and Ben had to say and may use this to convince NJD to start eating kiwifruit.

The kiwifruit actually originated in China and was known initially as the Chinese gooseberry when seeds were first transported to New Zealand. However, New Zealand growers became the world’s largest source for the fruit, which became known globally as the kiwifruit after New Zealand’s national symbol…..in fact in Fiji, when we say ‘are you a Kiwi?’, we mean are you a New Zealander. Since 20% of my family members are now Kiwi’s, perhaps its about time to hang out with them in Kiwi Land and try ZESPRI straight off the fields.

Way to go Spectronix

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Instant Tightening Serum...one of the many superb products from Spectronix

I met recently with an incredible young entrepreneur in the B2B beauty business and he left me inspired on how he expanded his business and is now bringing in some super new products into Dubai.

Owner of Spectronix, S.L. Paul runs an outfit that is dedicated to bringing the latest medical technologies to the Middle East from some of the best companies in Europe, the United States and S. Korea to deliver superior services in the beauty industry. I’ve used some of the machines he supplies to my regular spa so I have him to thank for my porcelain looking soft hair free skin.

Spectronix makes its mark in the UAE by introducing a latest and innovative beauty related technology almost very month. One treatment which Spectronix has brought to this region is called “secret”. Secret reveals The secret to get rid of Pigmentation, Acne scars, wrinkles & Scars while experiencing Skin tightening, Rejuvenation, pore reduction, stretch marks improvement. I have not tried this yet but can’t wait and am looking to find a clinic that features this treatment.

What I have tried before is a painless, less downtime laser treatment call Depilight. Unwanted hair has been a pain for me – diva does not like time-consuming Waxing, threading, electrolysis stuff with long repeated sessions. Depilight hair reduction technology has been awesome for me and I have forward thinking entrepreneurs like Paul to thank for bringing it to Dubai

Spectronix also introduces now the “Complete Skin Repair Renewal Rejuvenation Kit” commonly called as SR3 using stem cell, nano technologies for the first time in Cosmetic Aesthetics. If you are suffering from acne scars, dull skin, pigmentation, wrinkles, stretch marks etc… SR3 is the thing you need to ask for, next time you walk in to your Dermatologist’s office.

And Although I find bald men incredibly sexy, most people I meet want hair on their heads or like to go for treatments that help their hair grow. SPECTRONIX has also introduced walk-in, walk-out hair transplant with its latest device S.A.F.E.R Hair Transplant robot, automating the hair transplant procedure. Paul was gushing about this treatment so I’m assuming he has had amazing feedback from clients. S.A.F.E.R.  I am told is a machine-enhanced, minimally-invasive (no-scalpel/no-stitch) hair transplant surgery that benefits patients with better results, lower cost, less discomfort, faster recovery and no linear scars.

Paul, who is a qualified engineer as well naturally gets hands on with all the products he gets and talked about many other new innovations in the industry like medical make up, skin rejuvenation, skin tightening serums, bionix, mesotherapy etc. My favourite I know is going to be the machine that stimulates abdominal muscles equal to 300 crunches – diva likes this.

I hope I meet Paul again as he is like a walking encyclopedia on what’s hot and what’s not in the beauty industry and if I am to keep my exotic island look vibrant and healthy, Paul is the guy to hang out with more.

Healing Juices….make it a habit

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My first encyclopedia of healing juices that I've lent to many friends for inspiration and ideas

One of the healthiest things I started 2 years ago inspired by a book and my hydrotherapist was starting my mornings with juicing.

Armed with a juicer and an encyclopedia on juicing, I also encouraged my near and dear friends to follow suit and now its great to see them wake up every morning and juice the life out of various fruits and vegetables.

Its a legacy I’m leaving my closest friends and family so that even if they are far from me or travelling, I shall always be on their mind as the one who inspired them to take juicing seriously as an everyday habit.

My favourite combination for the morning juice is a mixture of carrots, cucumbers, celery, apples, ginger, orange and beetroot.

Couple of weeks ago I stayed at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri and to my delight, a mobile juice cart came to my table at Sofra restaurant on both mornings and the waiter had a long chat with me about different combinations he does for guests as well. His recipes were awesome.

On my birthday I went to the Dubai Shangri-La for a chilled out breakfast and was thrilled to see they also started a juice station which I looked forward to the next morning…they made some delicious smoothies as well as power juices.

There are so many benefits of juicing. I also bought my baby sister a juicer last year which I hope she’s using.

Here’s to a healthier and vibrant lifestyle with juicing and to friends and family who will always be bound by this tradition.

Artesian Water takes top position

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Weekend indulgence - ice-cream with FIJI water

A bizarre phone call from a middle aged woman left me smiling today asking what makes FIJI water one of the purest form of water on the planet (I’m getting close to 40 soon so I guess that would make me middle aged too although I like to think 40 is the new 20 and I’m just about to start my life with gusto).

Anyway, it was to ask if FIJI water really did keep you looking young and what was the big deal about artesian waters and the obsession by Hollywood stars to bee seen with one. Now I am no authority on waters but I have a penchant for enjoying FIJI Water because it reminds me of home and it has silica in natural form as well as Acqua Panna which also tastes so awesome.

The high rate of silica in Fiji Water supports the biological processes of the body. Silica is presented as regulating body temperature, carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells, helps remove waste from the body, dissolves nutrients and minerals, cushions joints and protects organs and body tissues. So its more for health reasons although I find that my skin has over the last 3 years improved heaps from drinking more water that happens to be mainly FIJI.

While most people in Dubai like Perrier or San Pellegrino, I merely put up with it because it happens to be available in most restaurants. I also like local water but when I have a choice, I always go for FIJI or Acqua Panna instead of Evian, Perrier or San Pellegrino.

I drink Acqua Panna more for the fresh revitalising taste and FIJI for beauty/health purposes. I recall getting a frantic call from a hotel asking where they could get Fiji water supplied for a Hollywood celebrity coming to Dubai as they risked losing the booking if they couldn’t supply FIJI water in the room. I pointed them to NTDE and started investigating why water from my country was such a HOT stuff amongst celebrities and I’m glad I did as now I’m sold into drinking FIJI water whenever I can.

According to US Food and Drug Administration FDA studies, FIJI’s artesian water comes from deep within the earth and never comes in contact with the air. (In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, water from artesian aquifers often is purer than other water sources because the multiple strata of rock and clay provide a critical protective shield against potential contamination.)

In the case of FIJI Water, natural artesian pressure forces the water up and into a completely sealed bottling system, which has been designed to eliminate any contact with the environment….i guess that makes it super pure but whatever the case….I’m sticking to FIJI water and Acqua Panna and if it keeps me looking upbeat, young and energetic, then that’s a bonus!