One of the highlights of my stay at Al Ain Rotana a couple of weekends ago was my much-needed pampering session at award-winning Zen the Spa.
Located on the newest wing of Al Ain Rotana, Zen the Spa has won a large number of accolades including nominations at the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Awards for 3 consecutive years since 2016.
I’ve been drawn to the magic of crystals for the longest time, and proudly possess a collection of various quartz stones. When I first started my crystal healing journey over a decade ago ignited by my frequent visits to a tarot card reader who’s hauntingly beautiful room full of crystals proved to be a sanctuary for my troubled young mind, most of my friends and family thought I was headed for the cuckoo bin.
Fast-forward into 2019, and crystal healing has suddenly come to the limelight with celebrities like Victoria Beckham openly admitting to the benefits she’s reaped from her love for crystals and even incorporating them into her newest fashion capsule collection.
Turmeric, the bright orange herb that is best known for adding brightness to Indian curries, offers a plethora of health-enhancing benefits making it a prized culinary addition across India, China and the Far East for centuries.
Perhaps you already have an ample stock of turmeric powder in your kitchen ammunition but like all things powdered, a fresh stalk of turmeric far outshines the nutritional benefits. Here’s 3 reasons why:
My Instagram inbox is on fire. I uploaded a series of Insta Stories showcasing my firsthand experience of the much coveted Hollywood Carbon Laser Facial, and indeed it looks pretty scary.
Despite the freakish nature of the actual treatment, this facial peel treatment has a line up of celebrities who endorse it including the likes of Angelina Jolie and the Kardashians.
I may be a slacker in many other departments, but when it comes to my bedtime ritual of really cleansing my face, I adhere to it with the staunch religious piety of a newly converted nun.
I cannot fathom the thought of going to bed with even the lightest veil of makeup. Doing so is a cardinal skincare sin, and is akin to marinating your pores in makeup (and you have the after-effects to show when you wake up looking like you’ve had a rendezvous with The Grouch from Sesame Street).
The scent of lavender has long been associated with promoting a great night’s sleep. My fondest memory of the scent of lavender is on the warm, cuddly fur of our family cat Pusula. My father had a large lavender bush in our garden, and Pusula would plant himself in the scented bushes for long, lazy summer siestas. Then somewhere through my night slumber, I’d feel his grubby paws climbing over my sheets and he wold curl up into a ball of fluff, heavily intoxicated with the calming scent of lavender.
Mango + Coconut = Tropical Dreams Come True
This super sweet and satisfyingly refreshing combination of flavors is just the kick-start I need for a busy, sunny day of work.
I hope you love this smoothie as much as I do. For starters, its super quick and easy to do (under 5 minutes… time me!), is totally vegan, gluten-free and packed with all-natural goodness.
Cracked wheat comes in various forms. Bulghur (or Burghul) is the most popularly used variant in Middle eastern cooking. Bulghar is essentially parboiled whole grain wheat, and the Indian variation is called Dalia.
Dalia is very similar to Bulghur, but I find it to be far softer in texture. Bulghur is used for all courses of the day, whereas in India, dalia is predominantly a breakfast staple.
This is not to be confused with Couscous. Unlike bulgur, couscous is not whole grain, and comes from a husked and crushed wheat called semolina. Couscous was originally made from millet, not wheat.
Coming back to Dalia, I love the versatility of this grain. You can replace it with Bulghur when not available, but do keep in mind that bulghur is more al dente.
For the past month, my early morning breakfast ritual has had a wee beauty tweak. I start my mornings unscrewing a tiny gold-topped bottle, and sip down its contents daintily. It tastes tangy, sweet and peachy all at once.
This wee drink is not your regular health tonic, but promises be the next generation in skincare. The key ingredient is collagen, the building block for youthful skin, hair and nails. Many expensive creams and potions claim the benefits of collagen, but ingesting it into the system is believed to deliver faster, more permanent results.
My father, God bless his soul, was an advocate of Apple Cider Vinegar and would have a spoonful blended in his first glass of water every morning he woke. Many may detest the taste, but I have a love for sourness, and happily inherited this healthful habit.
Are you swigging Apple Cider Vinegar? If not, you might be missing out. Read on for more.
The Tezzy Files 