lifestyle and culture

March’s – ‘The Wellness Issue’ – Download Now The modern way to track your health is data-driven with the latest in tech. Apple is always a step ahead of the game says Dr. Tamara Ghazi, Founder of Diversified Integrated Sports ClinicWhat do your first 30 mins of the day look like, your morning routine?I usually wake up between 5:30-6:30 am depending on the day, its coffee and out the door to the activity of the day! I don’t give myself time to procrastinate; I love to train in the morning as it fuels my high energy and strong mindset for the day, especially at this time of the year when I run a lot and spend most of my mornings outdoors by the beach or around the city. It also ensures I’m tired enough by nightfall and helps to regulate my sleep pattern.What are the most important things to track when it comes to health and overall wellness?Movement is one of the most important things to track. We live in a fast-paced city with easy accessibility to most things and people here don’t move enough. I love tracking movement, heart rate and sleep, which is one of the most important parts of recovery and performance! How do you track your health on a daily basis?I track how many kilometers I’ve run and if I’m taking the day off exercise I ensure I get at least 10,000 steps a day. I also love to challenge my friends through community features on my Apple Watch to ensure they are also moving. I track my food and water intake because it’s so easy to under hydrate or over consume when everything is so accessible and I love to track my sleep! This also helps me understand how to schedule my day and holds me accountable; I won’t settle for anything less than 7 hours and if I’m pressured to sleep less due to obligations I make sure to train with less intensity to avoid injuries.How has tracking this allowed you to optimize your health by changing your habits?Definitely learning to create and prioritize a sleep routine has been the biggest shift I’ve had which helps me perform and recover better. Sleep is also key to wellness – is this something you monitor and what have you noticed?So many people suffer from insomnia nowadays, which has been shown to be attributed to too much screen time and overstimulating the brain through blue light. Of course, sleep is a crucial factor in maintaining good health and for optimum recovery and performance. I tend to use the Wind Down feature on my iPhone and Apple Watch to help me stick to my sleep goals every night. When it’s getting close to my bedtime, my iPhone automatically reduces the distractions and eye strain linked to the device and enables Do Not Disturb. It’s all about habit and creating routine, and I found this feature to be especially useful to get me to relax and prepare myself for a good night sleep.For people interested in understanding their sleep better, I would advise the use of an Apple Watch and ‘Sleep’ app which give you access to key metrics including Time in Bed, Time Asleep, and Heart Rate. ‘Wellness is finding yourself and your happiness.’What has been the biggest hurdle since launching Diversified Integrated Sports Clinic and how did you overcome it?Managing people and finding the right team who share the same work ethic, integrity and vision. It’s in my nature to make people happy, but I’ve learnt that it cannot come at the expense of one’s own happiness and peace of mind.  My work is my life, and it’s a big part of who I am, but I really focus on trying to achieve a work/ life balance, finding my purpose and happiness outside of work, which I’ve found in an active and healthy living. It allows me to be a role model to my team and my patients. What health issues do you see most commonly at the clinic?We treat musculoskeletal pain, so a lot of neck and back pain due to lack of movement, poor posture and ergonomics or over chronic repetitive loading of certain joints due to lack of movement variation. Contrary to what our name might suggest, we see more sedentary lifestyle related injuries in the working and ageing population. We also see a lot of stress- related tension inducing injuries and chronic pain.What advice would you give to your younger self, starting out?Live more in the now, stop worrying about what people think and focus on what makes you happy. I also wish I started my health journey when I was much younger, rather than when I was in my mid 20s. It would have definitely balanced and grounded me a lot more. I’ve recently taken up more adrenaline induced sports and as an adult you have more fear which can be good but also slows down your progression! Life happens outside your comfort zone.Which piece of tech is your daily go-to when it comes to health optimization?My go-to daily tech would have to be my Apple Watch. It wasn’t always the case, but over time I kept discovering new and convenient features that made me appreciate it more. For starters, it’s my health, fitness, and wellness partner. It lets me keep track of my goals and pushes me to improve them with time. Being within the health and fitness industry, I also love the fact that people within my network can share their workout progress with me and vice versa. That can be very motivating. And it’s very practical, it keeps me connected while I run through my busy work schedule without losing focus from my patients.This issue is ‘The Wellness Issue’ – what is wellness to you?To me wellness is holistic; knowing what works for your best interest and your best performance in every aspect of your life from your job to the gym, to your social structure. It’s finding your balance, between your personal life, your physical and mental health, being able to catch yourself when you’re not at your optimal state and recognizing what you need to bring yourself back to homeostasis. Wellness is finding yourself and your happiness in this beautiful journey of life.March’s – ‘The Wellness Issue’ – Download Now– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature image: Unsplash @lukechesser More

Welcome to EW‘s weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.This week we chat with the co-founder, partner and general manager of Oblong Gallery, Paola MarucciBased in Bluewaters Dubai, the gallery is involved in promoting contemporary art, operating both locally and on the international art platform.EW sat down with Marucci to find out more about her career history, what brought her to Dubai and her passion for art.What was your favourite subject at school?I have done classical studies studying Greek and Latin, as well as Italian literature and art history but I have always been attracted to economics and mathematics.In fact, after my classical studies, my university career was economics and commerce.Over the years I have been able to combine these various elements that have distinguished my school and study path, making the passion for art a managerial activityWhat was your first job?My first job was consulting for corporate start-ups. Now some may wonder what link a consultancy activity has for business projects and the activity of gallery owner well the answer is as follows: creativity.Analyzing and building the business plan of a new company develops great creativity in analyzing the various aspects involved in the projectWhat inspired you to go into the art industry?Living in Pietrasanta for over 20 years I began to cultivate even more my passion for art. Visiting the marble artisan workshops, the Bronze Foundries, attending all the inaugurations of the countless art exhibitions that followed each other in Pietrasanta, knowing and attending all the major contemporary artists was born my indissoluble love for art that then materialized in the opening at first of the gallery in Forte dei Marmi, secondary to that of Dubai.What eventually brought you to Dubai?I had been in Dubai on holiday many years ago and fell in love with it. Later I decided to open the gallery in Dubai both because I believe that the Middle East is an expanding market. And because I love betting and my dream is to integrate our culture more with that of the Middle East favouring a transfer of experience between the two countries. Art is the instrument that allows achieving full integration between peoples.Can you talk us through what inspired you to open your own gallery?In addition to being an art lover, I am an entrepreneur and as such always attracted by new challengesWhat are the key elements of your role?My role as a Partner and General Manager involves different aspects, from the choice of artists to promote on the market, to the management of events, sales and administrative issues. I mean, I don’t have much time to get bored.Talk us through your daily routine.My daily routine is to always think about how to develop our business and evolve.What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?The advice I can give is that you have to be very courageous and believe in what you are doing even if everything seems to suggest that you have to give up.What is the best piece of advice you ever received?The best advice I generally always get from my husband who is like me a fighter and who always manages to encourage me and give me so much strength to carry on my choices with determination.What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?The biggest change was to go from a simple partner of a gallery in Dubai to General Manager, with all the logistical difficulties that have resulted living in Italy, a wonderful challenge and that fills me with satisfactionWhat are your goals for 2021?My goals are to make Oblong Contemporary Gallery a reference on the Emirati territory for the purchase of sculptures, our peculiarity, and to achieve the goal of creating a cultural bridge between Italy and the UAE.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More

Supermodels Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid often express how proud they are of their Middle Eastern heritage.Their father, Mohamed Hadid, is Palestinian and is passionate about his culture and has instilled this in his children too.Recently, the property tycoon opened up about his five children – Alana and Marielle Hadid from his first marriage and Gigi, Bella and Anwar from his second marriage to Yolanda Hadid – and revealed the Arabic names of all of them.Per Turkey-based newspaper the Daily Sabah, Hadid had been on a visit to Istanbul and prayed in the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and the Blue Mosque.Talking about his four daughters, Hadid elaborated of their Arabic names.“Marielle’s name is Zayn, Alana’s name is Amal,” Hadid said. “Gigi’s name is Noura and Bella’s name is Khairiah.” Meanwhile, his son Anwar is named after his father, Mohamed Anwar.Interestingly, model Gigi and her boyfriend Zayn Malik gave their newborn daughter an Arabic name – Khai. Not only is Khai a beautiful name, but there’s also a truly special meaning behind the moniker.Khai means “crowned”, “the chosen one” or “strong” in some Arabic terms and dialects. The name was also chosen as it pays tribute to her late grandmother, Khairia, on Mohamed Hadid’s side of the family, according to TMZ.Hadid has previously claimed his late mother descended from royalty. “Her great grandfather was the Prince of Nazareth – King of Galilee in the 18th century Daher Al-Omer The Ruler,” he previously said.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Gigi Hadid Instagram More

This time last year, Dubai and the rest of the world were heading into citywide lockdowns. One of the most affected industries as a result of the lockdown was the F&B industry.As a culinary haven, known for its plethora of incredible eateries, Dubai’s restaurant scene was turned on its head.Around the same time of the outbreak of coronavirus, Roka Dubai opened its doors – definitely unfortunate timing. However, one year on, Roka is thriving amongst the heart of Business Bay, despite the continued restrictions.In fact, following the restaurant’s introduction to the Middle East, Roka, which is known for its traditional Japanese Robatayaki concept of cooking, is set to expand its offerings in the GCC.It was announced earlier this month Roka is set to open its doors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this summer. Furthering its expansion in the GCC, Roka will also open in Kuwait in autumn 2021 in the country’s first Waldorf Astoria.Commenting on the exciting partnership, Chief Executive Officer of Mabanee, Waleed Alsharian said: “We are very pleased to be bringing the exceptional and renowned ROKA restaurant to Kuwait.”“Mabanee strives to create unique experiences for its customers, a vision that is embedded in our values as well as all projects we develop,” he added. “We believe this is an ideal partnership that will add value to the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, soon to be opening its doors this autumn.”Roka embraces the traditional Japanese Robatayaki concept of cooking originating from the fishermen of the northern coastal waters of Japan, this popular fine-dining encompasses an industrial style as it’s located in London and Dubai.With its flagship restaurant located in London and now Dubai, with soon-to-be venues in Saudi and Kuwait, Roka has hero dishes including dishes such as the flaming grill include kankoku fu kohitsuji which is lamb cutlets with Korean spices and sesame cucumber to kampachi sashimi no salada including yellowtail sashimi, yuzu-truffle dressing, a dish made famously in London, the menu is full of delectable created with authentic ingredients.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More

With our lives condensed into the palm of our hands on our phones nowadays, it’s essential to have all the necessary apps you need.From getting quick grocery deliveries, to staying up-to-date with the latest trends, to ensuring you can get the best deals to experience life in Dubai, here’s 11 apps every woman living in the UAE need to have on their phones.OunassAs the ‘definitive home of luxury’ for the Middle East, you can find the best local and international brands on the Ounass app. In Dubai there’s two-hour delivery available, meaning you can get that new outfit for a weekend brunch in the blink of an eye.You can download the app on both the iOS and Android stores.Bloomingdale’sBloomingdale’s Middle East recently launched a new iOS app for the region, meaning you can shop right on your phone for all the latest new buys. Not only will shoppers have access to the most sought-after brands at their fingertips, but the delivery time for pieces will be minimal. For those based in the UAE, same-day delivery will be available and for Kuwait and Saudi, express shipping is available.You can download the app on the iOS store.CareemThis hassle-free app is your one-stop-shop solution for all provides all your needs as you ride, order food and more around the UAE.You can download the app on both the iOS and Android stores.ViyaTo enjoy the best of what Dubai has to offer you need to ensure you download the UAE rewards app Viya. Think of the platform as your VIP access to around 100 city’s top restaurants and bars as well as sporting experiences, exclusive spa days and rounds of golf on Dubai’s leading courses. Sunseekers will love exclusive access to hotel pools and beaches by booking day pass via the app. The format is simple and works on a two-way loyalty system. For every Dhs10 you spend at a Viya partner, the app will reward you with Dhs1 that can eventually add up and go towards an unforgettable experience. In addition, you will enjoy savings on every purchase via the app. Your five-star access awaits from only Dhs1,375 for three months.InstaShopGet your groceries from your trusted local supermarkets on InstaShop at the same in-store prices with a 45 minute average delivery depending on your location. You need to simply download the app, sit back and the experts on this platform will handle the rest.You can download the app on both the iOS and Android stores.The EntertainerThis money-saving app is packed with numerous one for two offers along with a 25 per cent off at some major outlets, be it restaurants, spas, shops, hotels or even activities as you experience more and pay less.You can download the app on both the iOS and Android stores.NamshiAs the Middle East’s largest online fashion site, the Namshi app is a must-have to get all the best and latest pieces at a reasonable price. With over 500 brands and 10,000 items of clothes, shoes and accessories you’ll sit there browsing for hours.You can download the app on both the iOS and Android stores.SpotifyWhat better way to listen to all the songs and podcasts you love than on one consolidated app, giving you access on any gadget whether a phone, computer or tablet. Always ready at your fingertips, you can even let Spotify surprise you with their personalised playlists which are curated especially according to your taste as you sit back and relax with the premium subscription also available for uninterrupted learning.You can download the app on both the iOS and Android stores.Also read: Converse with A-listers on this invite-only exclusive appThe Dubai MallAs the largest shopping centre in the world, getting around The Dubai Mall can prove to be difficult if you’re new to the UAE. However, the app is your ultimate guide to helping you get around the mall to find the best shops and restaurants Dubai Mall has to offer.You can download the app on both the iOS and Android stores.ZoomWith strict worldwide travelling measures, keeping in touch with your friends can be quite the task. The Zoom app has made staying up-to-date with your loved ones easy, as with a click of a button you can all connect as frequently catch up with each other.You can download the app on both the iOS and Android stores.WashmenFor those on a busy schedule or just want an app that can take care of your washing, Washmen will be a godsend. Washmen is a simple app that takes care of your laundry with wash & fold and clean & press services. The usual turnaround time for garments is 48 to 72 hours.You can download the app on both the iOS and Android stores.For any updates regarding each app, visit the application store for more information– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature image: Supplied More