Have kit, will cook!

Cook a Box: 2 Hello Chef:

Meal- kits have everything you need in the box or bag, delivered straight to your doorstep, for free. If you don’t have utensils — a knife and a chopping board, for starters — you might want to get some, pronto, as some assembly will be required for these kits. Instructions are provided, of course, and so are all the parts, except cooking fat and seasoning ( in most cases). Ovens and blenders not included! All of these are local start- ups, so ordering meal- kits from them will be helping local businesses, especially since they use local suppliers for ingredients. Price: Meal for two; four days a week = Dh250 or Dh31 per meal. Meal for four; four days a week = Dh410 or Dh26 per meal. Pros: You get to choose the recipes you want to try ( or the ones that look good) and those recipes will be delivered to you. There’s an option for three meals a week instead of four. Cons: No options for odd- numbered families/ groups. Not every bit of packaging is recyclable. Website: www. cookabox. com Price: Meal for two; four times a week = Dh280 or Dh35 per meal. Meal for three = Dh350 or Dh29 per meal. Meal for four = Dh410 or Dh26 per meal. Pros: Meals are chef- inspired and kid- friendly. Ingredients are measured and little organic waste is generated. Options for odd- numbered families and possible expansion plans. Video guides to recipes coming soon. Cons: Can generate quite a bit of plastic packaging waste. No choice over the recipes — you cook what you get. Takes the headache out of meal planning, but you must be open to surprises! Website: www. hellochef. me

Take advantage of the warmer temperatures and reap the physical and mental health benefits of spending time with nature. If you’re travelling to a place that has hiking opportunities, by all means, go for it. But, for everyone else, even a walk in a nearby park or an hour in the garden in the evenings or early mornings can deliver the health benefits of communing with nature. With more time outdoors, make sure to be diligent about applying sunscreen, especially when you’re outside for several hours. One in five people will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. When selecting a sunscreen, make sure it is SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum and water resistant to effectively protect your skin. Eating out too much isn’t good for your health. You’re more likely to overeat and make poor nutritional choices when at a restaurant. “Cooking is the best way to make sure you are informed with what you are eating — because you are selecting everything in the dish you are preparing,” says Rebecca Lewis, a registered dietitian.