Exercise and balanced meals
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WE need to encourage each other to live a healthy lifestyle." These were the words of Atunaisa Dokonivalu, who says regular exercise and a balanced food intake is vital.
"We also have to encourage people to learn of the many strategies to remain healthy," said Mr Dokonivalu.
"There are millions of educational videos online that could be accessed for personal learning and healthy living tips that could change lifestyles. There are daily training Apps that could also be followed to promote healthy living and good health."
Our shopper of the week is originally from Yanuca Island in Serua. He previously worked for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services before joining the United Nations.
The 37-year-old loves to shop at Newworld IGA Supermarket at My FNPF Center.
"It's affordable and has reasonable prices of basic food items plus it's clean," he said.
"Food especially the meat section is uniquely presented or arranged and clearly labelled. I also love the staff who are always willing to assist at any point in time in the supermarket."
ATUNAISA Dokonivalu's budget ranges from $200 to $250 a month. He prefers to shop alone and ensures to buy basic food items like flour, sugar, jasmine rice, onions, salt, cereals, low fat milk and olive butter to name a few.
"In addition to the list, I also ensure there is dish washing paste and basic toiletries like bathing soap, toothpaste, toilet paper and bleach such as Janola," he said.
"My shopping list would also include meat products such as chicken, chicken feet, chicken liver, giblets and eggs. I love buying fresh produce from the Suva market on Saturdays especially from market vendors that travel from the highlands of Navosa, Naitasiri and Tailevu. Mostly I would buy locally grown ginger, eggplants, Hawaiian pawpaw, dalo leaves and fresh kumquat to name a few. I also love buying fresh flowers to brighten up my kitchen every weekend."
Mr Dokonivalu prefers to shop at both the supermarket and municipal market because he believes in maintaining good health.
He said people should minimise buying fatty foods such as cooking oil, butter, sugar, fatty meats and salt-based products like soy sauce and tomato sauce.
"We need to eat more fresh local produce from the markets like green vegetables, local fruits and fresh fish, prawns, crabs and lobster," Mr Dokonivalu said.
"Practise exercising daily - I do morning walks for at least 30 minutes per day and daily afternoon exercises too. Usually I would walk around Albert Park (five to seven rounds) per day. I also have a fitness trainer who trains me three to four days a week. I'm not on any strict diet or diet program but I try to maintain my body size and keep well."
Mr Dokonivalu's steps to making his favourite food — fried fish in miti are as follows. Scale and clean the fish Deep fry in olive oil until tender brown
• Scrape coconut, add one cup of water and squeeze scraped coconut until all fresh thick juice is extracted
• Strain to extract the coconut milk only then add salt, thin slices of purple onion, one ripe tomato, one stem dhania and squeeze two kumquats/lime
• Place fried fish in a plate and pour the fresh coconut milk mixed with dhania, tomatoes and thin slices of purple onion
• Chop fresh hot chilies on the side (one or two to your liking)
• Serve with cooked cassava or half ripe vudi and enjoy.