What we're loving: healthy food at Soulfull and hot yoga

Soulfull in Abu Dhabi It's not nice being one of those people who's not free to eat whatever they feel like. I don't have to "just look at something" to put on weight. No, I seem to put weight on by merely thinking about food. It can be miserable for a person like me when colleagues cluster together to decide what to order for lunch. Suggestions of Burger King, Chilli's and Subway leave me sitting sorrowfully at my desk. My salvation came in the form of Soulfull. Five minutes away from our office, Soulfull is a dieter's dream. The food is fresh, tasty, well-thought-out and all the statistics a serial dieter needs are provided – calorie and carb count, etc. The staff are polite and the food is delivered promptly. There are daily specials and a different soup everyday. My favourites are the pumpkin, feta and pine nut salad and the broccoli soup. Muroor Rd, Green Emirates Building, Abu Dhabi. Call 02 643 3669 or visit www.soulfull.ae . * Felicity Campbell Vintage Men's Spa, Abu Dhabi Want a great shave? Ask for the hot lather shave at Vintage Men’s Spa, in the new Al Wahda Mall extension in Abu Dhabi. The 30-minute treatment begins with an attendant cleansing your face, followed with a hot towel and a five-minute steam that will open those pores. After, a pre-shave oil and shave cream are applied, before the actual straight razor shave. It all feels very classic gentleman. The treatment is finished with a toner-infused cold compress and the application of a post-shave balm and a light sunscreen. Priced at Dh60, it’s a relaxing treat – I snoozed through the whole thing. Gold’s Gym members get a 25 per cent discount. Call 02 445 2127 for more. * James Gabrillo Hot hot yoga I’ve decided how I’m going to deal with the summer heat: by regularly heading somewhere even hotter to get my exercise. The Abu Dhabi summer feels like nothing once you’ve spent 90 minutes in an overheated Bikram room, or stretched and bent for 75 minutes in a hammam. Compared with Dubai, the capital has always been kind of ripped off when it comes to these gloriously sweaty, cleansing, detoxifying and body-morphing forms of exercise, but those days are changing. With the help of a couple of heaters, the Bikram teacher Tasha Hawkins has been filling classes at Al Raha Beach Hotel and Anahata Spa in Khalifa A while she waits to open her own studio. And over at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa, the popular instructor Jennifer Stewart teaches a lucky, selective few who sign up in bi-weekly Friday morning classes in the Anantara Spa’s lovely hammam. Search for Bikram Yoga Abu Dhabi or book through Anantara Spa by calling 02 656 1000. * Ann Marie McQueen H.E.A.T in Dubai The cold brew at H.E.A.T Cafe and Grill – located on Jumeirah Beach Road in Umm Suqeim 2 – is one of my favourite ways to kick-start the weekend, and an ideal way to wash down one of the American-style diner’s breakfast dishes. Made from the beans of the local organic company RAW, it’s brewed for a secret amount of time to produce a strong, yet surprisingly non-acidic drink that’s perfect to cool you down and perk you up. Produced in limited amounts, it’s a popular sell – I’ve missed out on some occasions. Hang on, maybe I shouldn’t be telling you about this. All meals at H.E.A.T.,- which stands for Healthy Eats And Treats,- are less than Dh40 and under 400 calories, so you are left feeling guilt-free and with enough money to enjoy a low-fat, gluten-free cake from another local partner, Skinny Genie. While I opt for the tasty French Toast (made with egg whites), the wife is addicted to the protein pancakes. Call 04 338 8831 or visit www.facebook.com/HEATCAFE * Chris Pyke Follow us Follow us on Facebook for discussions, entertainment, reviews, wellness and news.

What we're loving: healthy food at Soulfull and hot yoga

Our weekly round-up of our favourite thins. This week, Vintage Men's Spa, HEAT Cafe, Bikram yoga and Soulfull food.