My Little Pink Lifestyle Book. A FooDiva Guide.
I turned 50 in April. And I realised that I have lived in Dubai for just under half of my life, moving here nearly 24 years ago. 27th August 1999, to be precise. Thanks to dining out for a living for over a dozen years, I have developed a personal interest in health, nutrition and biohacking to instill some kind of balance in my life. Countless books, podcasts, newsletters and online courses take up my free time. Call it a hobby and passion project. So I have created a rather extensive round-up of go-to practitioners, services and information sources in Dubai and online, covering health, wellness, diet, nutrition, exercise – as well as a broader category of what I am labelling as feel-good essentials that are not necessarily health related, but you may benefit from. So here is My Little Black Pink Lifestyle Book – A FooDiva Guide, relevant for both women and men. Don’t worry, food still plays a role. All tried, tested, and, where appropriate, tasted.
I hope you find this guide useful – and please do share any of your own discoveries in the comments or on social media so that everyone reading can take note. I will make a conscious effort to update this post with any newbies I uncover on my lifestyle journey.
If you’re solely interested in reading restaurant recommendations, then head over to FooDiva’s annual guide here.
HEALTH & WELLNESS:
I prefer to investigate health issues holistically as a starting point, resorting to conventional medicine as a second route. So, firstly, here are some functional doctors and practitioners who address the root cause of a health issue, rather than solely focusing on the symptoms:
- Dr. Nas Al-Jafari: Hugely enlightening dietary, lifestyle and exercise advice based on a blood panel and saliva tests. At DNA Health & Wellness Clinics.
- Dr. Lanalle Dunn: General health and hormonal specialist currently practising at Jumeirah American Clinic. Appointments directly with her PA on +971 (0)54 5345939.
- Dr. Sofie Skogen: Currently supporting me with gut issues combining nutrition and exercise advice with homeopathy and supplements. Practises out of Eternel Clinic in Jumeirah or online.
- Dr. Yongjie Lu: Acupuncture at Top Medical Centre, Grosvenor House. A godsend for alleviating migraines and insomnia.
- Youssef Youssef: An osteopath and kinesiologist at Osteopathic Health Centre, who has helped relieve gut issues.
Conventional doctors:
- Gastroenterologists: Dr. Filippos Georgopoulos practises at both Al Zahra Hospital and HeathBay Clinic. Despite following conventional medicine, he understands the power of stress on the body, and will steer away from prescriptive medication unless absolutely necessary. Another gastro at HealthBay who has helped with gut issues is Dr Neil Galletly.
- Dr. Janeta Atanassova: My long-time gynaecologist at Well Woman Clinic. She also only resorts to medication if required.
- Dr. Alexandra Economacos: Breast radiologist at Mediclinic City Hospital for annual mammograms and ultrasounds that she herself conducts, taking the time to explain in layman terms.
- Dr. Ilari Pajamaki: Orthopaedic doctor at Mediclinic Parkview who has resolved bone and muscular issues for my whole family, alongside physiotherapist Robert Howe.
- Dr. Christina Friis-Moeller: Dentist at Micris Dental Clinic. For a dental hygienist, Wala Shehada at the same practice.
- Dr. Luisa Sastre: Opthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
A few other bits and bobs:
- Valeo Health: Efficient at-home service for blood tests, with comprehensive app-based feedback on results and a follow-up online consultation.
- iHerb: Affordable vitamins and supplements from a US website with delivery typically within a week. Before starting any new supplements, check Examine.com for evidence-based analysis.
- Hotflash newsletter: Weekly peri/menopausal newsletter by well-respected Dubai-based health journalist Ann-Marie McQueen, who I have known and trust since her editorship at The National.
- Oura smart ring: Who needs a Fitbit or Apple watch when you have this clever ring that tracks sleep, activity and readiness in much more detail…and only requires charging every five days. Plus you still get to wear lovely watches 😉 Note: the hyperlink gives you a referral discount.
- FitTrack smart scales: The next best thing to an InBody machine analysis, found in doctor surgeries and some pharmacies. An at-home scale that analyses 17 body position metrics straight to your phone through an app.
- Acupressure mat: When you want a quick fix as an alternative to an acupuncturist, this acupressure mat recommended by a functional doctor (an Amazon purchase) not only alleviates back issues, but will have you nodding off in minutes.
DIET & NUTRITION:
- Glucose Goddess: Jessie Inchauspe is a French biochemist who has taught me…and millions of people how to minimise glucose spikes with a few simple dietary hacks. She has an engaging Instagram page with user-friendly graphs and fun videos; as well as two books. She has changed the way I eat, and despite having to dine out for a living, I am able to maintain my weight, and sometimes even lose the odd kilo.
- Through Dr. Nas further above, I purchased the Ultrahuman glucose monitor for a couple of weeks, but whilst the results were enlightening, I became obsessed, which stressed me out – so I ditched it. On the other hand, my husband found the tracking both fascinating and enjoyable.
- Dubai Herbal & Treatment Centre: In my 30s, I used to swear by regular colon hydrotherapy sessions, typically post-travel. It’s something I have returned to recently with Asha Jones, an Ayurvedic practitioner and colon hydrotherapist at DHTC – a holistic venture supported by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Works well to alleviate a sluggish bowel and water retention – and in the process, shed a kilo or two.
- Health Nag: A Dubai-based company that offers a three-day liquid colon cleansing programme with fibre sachets of psyllium husks, greens, enzymes and probiotics. It’s quite intense on the bowel, and I’ve only ever managed one full day, but nevertheless, stubborn weight drops off. I am actually taking it as I publish. Let’s see if I can see through the whole course.
- Hello Chef: A weekly recipe and meal subscription service with the choice of three or four boxes a week across various dietary requirements, low-carb included. Choose recipes from the website, and the boxes rock up on your selected delivery date with the ingredients, ready to cook. I have been addicted to this service since lockdown, which, convenience aside, also ensures zero wastage.
- The Clean Living Company & Soule Soups: Collagen-rich bone broth for a healthy microbiome and skin elasticity, amongst many benefits. Even though beef boasts more collagen, I prefer the flavours in the chicken option from both companies.
- Go Organic & Organic Press: Two different local companies that deliver low-fructose, cold-pressed and organic veggie juices, whilst the former also offers soups and salads. I’ve done anything from one to three day programmes. Great post-travel to shed weight gain.
- Eat Your Books: If, like me, you have hundreds of cookbooks, you might want to use this indexing website, allowing you to search for specific recipes or ingredients, which in turn will identify the right book on your shelf.
- Online artisan groceries: To supplement groceries from Kibsons when we’re not Hello-Chef-ing, I online shop from these homegrown independent retailers:
- Prime Gourmet for premium red meat and condiments.
- Odeon for seafood platters including shucked oysters. And béarnaise of dreams.
- Maison Duffour for sulphate/ nitrate-free pork charcuterie, and buckwheat galettes.
- Zois Fine Food for a taste of home with Greek produce, barrel-aged feta included.
- Birch Bakery for all things sour dough.
- Avantcha for teas galore, including my go-to white bud silver needle.
- Monviso for Italian natural mineral water. Use promo code FOODIVA25 for a 25% discount (a longstanding key partner of my dining experiences).
- As a cheesaholic, I buy cheese from multiple retailers including the top three just mentioned, plus Les Gastronomes and Spinneys.
EXERCISE:
- Adisa Sonne-Schmidt: On doctor’s advice based on a series of tests, I swopped high-intensity training last year for a mix of Pilates (which includes weights) with Adisa who comes to my home – as well as walking and swimming which I do in my own time. One of the best lifestyle changes I have ever made. She also offers ice baths, meditation and lifestyle coaching. Whatsapp: +971 (0)58 5778020. My exercise goal, albeit not always achieved, is five times a week.
- UnderdogBoxN: With my pilates trainer away for the summer, I have discovered a love for boxing mixed with weights/ strength training (the class goes by the name of BoxNBody) at this studio in Internet City, footsteps away from my home.
- Jason Grima: Despite ditching HIIT, a friend recently organised a group circuit session with this personal trainer at 24 Fitness in Al Quoz and we had a blast. Training with friends rocks.
FEEL-GOOD ESSENTIALS:
- Mane Hair & Beauty Salon: A new find. Hair stylist Anthony at this JLT salon chops my hair, pixie-style.
- Nail Corner: I have been visiting this nail salon for well over a decade for gelish mani and pedi. The walking distance from home helps.
- Massages galore: Yinyang Connection Spa for no-frills, deep tissue massages by my go-to Chinese therapist Bonnie at the JBR Walk branch. Kaina Home for affordable at-home massage services. I book the deep tissue or lymphatic drainage with a Balinese masseuse. For similar services, albeit pricier, Solace Home Spa and Reva.
- Essa Beauty: I refuse to go down the invasive route on my face, or body for that matter – and will age gracefully, I hope. Instead, I try to limit sugar, alcohol included, which does wonders for skin. About once a year, I treat myself to a facial, ideally one that boosts the production of collagen and elastin, and thereby tightens the skin.
- Temperature-regulating duvets: I’ll buy anything for a good night’s sleep. These duvets are from Next.ae, delivered within a few days.
- Wide Thread Tailors: A brilliant, well priced at-home tailoring service for alterations. A simple Whatsapp booking will have a tailor at your door, with clothing returned in a few days.
- Honey: A free browser extension that automatically finds and applies discount coupon codes at checkout with a single click. Covers many local shopping websites, saving plenty of dirhams.
- Money management: I wouldn’t be able to make use of these services here if my finances were not in order. For retirement planning and investment guidance, Andrew Hallam’s best-selling book, Millionaire Expat, How To Build Wealth Living Overseas, as well as the Simply FI Facebook group with some admins based in the UAE – are eye-opening, brimming with practical advice. For a trading account, I use Saxo.
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
Wow, what an incredibly thorough and insightful guide! From health and wellness to diet and exercise, FooDiva has left no stone unturned in compiling this treasure trove of recommendations. Can’t wait to dive in and discover some new ways to enhance my lifestyle. Kudos for sharing such valuable insights!