DUBAI: The Egyptian celebrity chef, co-founder and culinary director of The Lemon Tree & Co., and co-presenter of MBC’s twice-weekly lifestyle show “Hamsa,” believes that “what we consume has the power to shape our days, weeks, and lives.” Here she offers six tips that, she says, “will surely guarantee a more relaxed and a well-balanced system” and provide “power from within.” Good-Morning Ritual Drink at least 500ml of room temperature water within the first hour after waking up, followed by a stimulating anti-bacterial-detox drink made from one teaspoon of turmeric powder, two slices of fresh ginger, one cinnamon stick, one teaspoon of raw organic honey, a pinch of chili powder, and two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Add all that to a cup of boiling water and sip away to get rid of any accumulated toxins. You’ve Got the Power Assuming you work out in the morning, I would strongly suggest that you have three raw dates. Or — even better — three power balls; a snack consisting of dates paired with raw nuts and coconut flakes that’s the perfect fuel for that killer morning workout. Recover and Reboot While your body is still on a happy-hormone flow release, grab a quick carb recovery meal that contains quinoa, or another ‘good’ grain, vegetables, and/or eggs. This should be a light enough meal to keep you going without making you sleepy. Stay Hydrated Yes, drinking water can be dull, but you need to do it, especially in the heat of a GCC summer. I’ll add a couple of slices of oranges, lemons, fresh ginger and mint leaves to my water jug, just to keep me from getting bored. Snack Healthy Don’t be tempted to go for chocolate or junk food when you’re peckish. Instead, choose a handful of raw organic nuts and dried fruits, or vegetable crudités paired with your favorite dip (mine is smoked eggplant), or you could go for even a healthy smoothie that satisfies your taste buds and keeps your system going. Reward Yourself If you’ve managed to stick to this healthy routine, you deserve a great last meal of the day, whether that’s a late lunch or an (early-evening) dinner. Load up on carbs, vegetables and protein, complete with a bit of good healthy fat (avocados are a great example). A few ideas for a delicious healthy meal: Grilled salmon and a wholegrain bowl with avocado; a roasted half-chicken in coconut curry with wild brown rice; or grilled vegetables with roast turkey breast and rehydrated cranberry sauce.