FOOD & DINING y The quinoa salad at Anima Galler & Lounge is proof positive that you the in don't have to sacrifice taste ! search for healthy options in Doha
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By Lynsey Riach Selected images courtesy of Anima Gallery & Lounge, Raw ME and Salad Boutique
Welcome to this New Year! A time where most of us set great intentions to eat healthier and move our bodies more. So what’s actually stopping us? Well nothing now as Doha (thankfully) welcomes this new trend in healthier options all over town. We show you some of the best spots to chow down guilt-free!
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n the name of research, I’ve scoured and scoffed my way through some of the healthiest finds to deliver to you my round-up of places where health comes first – allowing you to turn this year into ‘2015: Clean And Lean’. From specialty food stores, to restaurants, to juice stalls that are all jumping on the bandwagon of sourcing locally, offering glutenfree, healthier menu options and all within a reasonable price range (to help with those financial goals you’ve also set for 2015) here they are…
Tea makes everything ok…
Keep your salad on trend…
Argo Tea, Landmark Mall Favourite: Green Tea Ginger Twist I’m British so of course I drink tea – a lot of tea – and on a cold Chicago day I found and fell in love with Argo tea. Brewing beautiful organic and ethically-sourced raw tea with a twist, it’s now here in Doha! Argo are passionate about bringing teas directly from growers around the world and blending them into unique and delicious signature brews. Committed to being a sustainable business by working with the best local and global tea and food artisans, they also contribute back to communities to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Salad Boutique, Aspire Zone Favourite: Egg Omelette & Mushroom Salad The first restaurant in town specializing in serving salads ‘as a main course’. (You had me at ‘salad’!) If, like me, you love to mix up greens into a huge bowl to create a salad masterpiece then you’ll love Salad Boutique as that’s exactly what they do, all within a boutique-style setting! But it’s not all tomato tomato – they also have a great edamame soup and even offer omelettes in their breakfast menu too – which wins my healthy and tasty vote! Located in Aspire Zone, beside the ladies sport hall. For more information visit www.saladboutique.com.
Choose your favourite tea from an iPad menu that delivers all nutritional content and ingredient information. Argo offers hot and cold signature flavours that are blended to bring a new twist to tea – and trust me, their tea is good…real good. Their dedication to "one customer and one cup at a time" rings true because these guys know their customers. They remember me and they remember my tea…every single time. Also on offer, healthy eats including fruit, fresh muffins and even some dishes that have a hint of tea such as the Earl Grey Chicken Pot with Quinoa. Located in Landmark Mall, Hamad International Airport and Gulf Mall opening soon. For more information visit www.argotea.com.
Take a shot – at juicing…
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Robeks, Ezdan Mall Favourite: Heart Health Smoothie Venture upstairs to the food court and tucked away (among the usual junk suspects), you will find this little treasure. Whizzing up the freshest juices from the freshest fruits right in front of your very eyes, these guys have also been known to add a little entertainment with lemon and orange juggling. Just what you need to make you down that cayenne shot to boost your metabolism. And it’s not all kale…for those muscle machines you can also opt to add protein from Greek yogurt or whey protein (as found in their ‘800lb Gorilla’) to your ‘slurp du jour’, keeping you feeling fuller longer and building muscle. The diverse menu
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FOOD & DINING includes fun names such as ‘The Replenisher’, ‘Cardio Cooler’ and ‘Age Buster’ to get you smiling and slim in no time! For more information visit www.robeks.com.
find. Breakfast is often overlooked but just think – if you tuck into a hearty start to your day here, you won’t feel the need to over-indulge at that brunch later…
I’m turning vegetarian…
Jones is an Australian brand offering ethicallysourced produce driven by their desire to provide the best gourmet food for everyday living. With products sourced and selected from around the globe, this isn’t just a café, but also a food emporium focused on providing natural ingredients produced by specialist, artisan suppliers and take-home products ranging from premium tea leaves to artisan crackers, to handmade pasta sauces.
Vasanta Bhavan, Parco Mall Favourite: Masala Dosa & Coconut Naan The first to bring a vegetarian-only concept to the Middle East and open in Doha since 2007, this traditional Indian eatery offers up fresh, seasonal ingredients and culinary expertise for vegetarians alike with North and South Indian influence. With a varied menu of fresh juices, super-spicy curries and possibly the best naan bread (coconut!) I’ve ever tasted, it really is truly traditional and an excellent option for vegetarians, or those looking for something a little different with a healthy hint. Located in Parco Mall and Al Matr Street. For more information visit www.thevasantabhavan.com.
It’s art darling… Anima Gallery & Lounge, The Pearl-Qatar Favourite: Quinoa & Kale Soup Set in an art gallery with beautiful views over The Pearl, where else better to tuck into a crunchy quinoa salad, quinoa burger or quinoa wrap – do you see a trend? (It’s their signature ingredient!) But it’s not all superfood quinoa; there are freshly-made juices and soups designed to perfection by their in-house nutritionist. Set in a relaxed atmosphere, Anima Gallery & Lounge also offers a large variety of gluten-free options, from salads to sandwiches, to main courses and desserts. Located at The Pearl-Qatar, 17-30 La Croisette. For more information visit www.animagallerylounge.com.
I’ll need sprinkles with that… Stick House, Various Locations Favourite: Fig & Pistachio Stick Three words – Italian handcrafted gelato. Shall I continue? Ok…gelato on a stick! These refreshing concoctions are made from only 100% natural ingredients and made in accordance with traditional Italian gelato-making production. Crafted without preservatives, without colouring and without any synthetic flavouring, they deliver a quality, juicy treat that’s also glutenfree. Choose from a variety of flavours then, if you like – add toppings! With various locations now popping up across town, search out a healthy treat from Stick House at 199 Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar, Landmark Mall, Souq Waqif and Al Wakrah. For more information visit www.stickhousesrl.com.
Forget the Friday fry-up… Jones the Grocer, The Gate Mall Favourite: Corn fritters with avocado salsa and poached egg For Friday morning breakfast, you may well find me here. Partially for the cute canteen-style setting, but mostly for the cleanest eats you can
Enjoy a healthy break amidst artsy e ambiance at Amina Gallery & Loung
ins Detox, hydrate and get your vitam all in a daily dose of Raw ME's juices
The main reason I go back time and time again comes down to the freshness of the food and ingredients. A team of expert bakers work hard in the wee hours of the morning to bring us the freshest bread and cakes. The salads are simple and classic, no oil and no additives. The fresh juices are actually fresh juice and where possible they offer organic produce. They also add new dishes and specials each month to keep regulars like me coming back for more. For more information visit www.jonesthegrocer.com.
The only home deliveries you need… Green Box We all know how many home-delivery food options are available around town, but could healthier options direct to your door be the new trend? I certainly like to think so, and these two get my vote…This is an awesome initiative that allows Doha residents to not only order a weekly box of fresh fruits and vegetables (for QR 150) from the comfort of their own home and delivered straight to their front door, but also a range of organic foods and drinks including teas, baby foods, grains, eggs, honey and much more. For more information visit www.the-box.me. Raw ME 100% healthy juice to your door? Yes please. You’ve probably heard of Raw ME, the country’s first-ever raw, vegan company providing fresh juice and detox packages to Doha’s residents – but have you actually tried out their juices? I have and I love all they have to offer…tasting complete and utter freshness in one drink! A variety of juices are available, from gorgeous greens to bright beets. Sourcing all of their produce from local and regional farms, juices are whizzed up and delivered to you the very next day to lock in their goodness. With single bottles or cleanse packages available, you can also now see their ‘Juicy Bike’ at random and various locations across town! But it’s not all juices…the company now offers a Fruit Basket delivery service direct to your workplace to curb junk food snacking! For more information visit www.raw-me.com.
seriously Salad Boutique serves up some choice bowls of leafy goodness
Following a healthy diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables has been proven to provide us with more energy, gain less weight and fight disease. So with all these new offerings, get out there and enjoy all our Doha has to offer with these healthy bites and fruity finds!. Lynsey Riach is a qualified yoga instructor living and working in Doha. You can normally find her walking her dog, on her yoga mat or blending up fruit smoothies. To learn more about her services visit www.andstretchyoga.com.
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