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Miami Getaway Guide

KALYA TEAM — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 18:44:43 +0000

Miami: city of vice, home of the South Beach Diet, Art Deco paradise….. Miami is a land of sun and sand, and an excellent destination for rest, relaxation, and gourmet food. Whether you are escaping the frigid cold of a northern winter or jetting off for a sunny summer getaway by the ocean, Miami is always a good idea. Here are a few suggestions of how to spend your time this beautiful port city.

Have a Day at the (South) Beach: No trip to Miami would be complete without a visit to trendy South Beach. The neighbourhood is the oldest in the Miami area, established in 1910, and is a draw to many visitors with its myriad of hotels, restaurants, shops and nightclubs, as well as access to the gorgeous Miami Beach, where you can soak up the sun, do a bit of surfing and watch the cruise ships set out to sea, all under the watchful eye of an ever present lifeguard.
Miami Beach in the sunshine

The view of South Beach
Grab a Quick Lunch: Whole Foods Market, an american grocery chain specializing in organic food and the promotion of healthy eating habits, is popular throughout the world. It’s a particular asset when traveling, and a popular choice for Miami tourists and locals alike. Drop by one of the many, often solar-powered, locations to pick up prepared meals, buy a freshly made smoothie or breakfast bowl, or stock up on groceries for a meal at home.
Take a Coffee break: Panther Coffee is a local coffee shop with a great in house brew, making it the ideal place to get your caffeine fix or replenish your ground coffee stash with such cleverly named coffees as the East Coast Brew to the Brazilian Fazenda Furnas to the 1985 Espresso.
Home brew from Panther Coffee in Miami
Your standards: The Standard is an iconic spa and hotel in Miami. Featuring a classic 1920’s art deco aesthetic and ambiance, it is a quintessential part of Miami zeitgeist. Whether you are indulging in a relaxing spa treatment, eating at the house restaurant on the quay, or just lounging on the beautifully landscaped terrains, fully equipped with hammocks and lounge chairs, the Standard is a necessary stop on your Miami city tour.
Dinner at the in house restaurant at the famous Standard Spa and Hotel
Recharge with Yoga: Modo Yoga Miami Beach offers challenging hot yoga classes to keep you flexible and in tip top shape for the beach. The friendly staff and skilled instructors will help you decompress as you focus on mindfulness and test the limits of your body. An excellent choice for surfers, yogis and novices alike.
Welcome to Modo Yoga Miami Beach

Enjoy a hot yoga class just minutes away from Miami Beach
Lounge it Out: Nikki Beach is a delightful place to have a bite after a day of rest and relaxation on Miami Beach. The beach club, established in 1998 and boasting other locations throughout the world, opens up onto the beach so that you can a gourmet pizza and signature mojito under the sun, in total luxury.
The luxurious beach club at Nikki Beach Miami

Luxury lounging awaits you at Nikki Beach

Enjoy a signature mojito and excellent service just steps away from the beach
Enjoy a Riverside Meal in the City: Cantina La Viente conveniently located in downtown Miami, just off of the famous Miami islands, offers meals on par with the delicious gourmet standard set by the city, all while allowing you to watch the Miami River flow into the Atlantic.
Cantina La Viente coffee by Miami River

The view Cantina La Viente
See it by bike: After a day at the beach, stretching it out at yoga, and refuelling with a coffee, treat yourself to a bike tour of Miami. Citi Bike Miami is an excellent transportation option for those looking to stay active and explore this fair weather city. The solar-powered shared bike company offers affordable rates and can be easily accessed from a myriad of docking stations located throughout the city, available year round, 24/7. Cycle your way to your next Miami adventure.
Citi Bike Miami offers affordable, solar-powered shared bikes for your riding pleasure
Bask in Art Basal: If you are lucky enough to be in town during the annual Miami Art Basal weekend, you will see Miami at its liveliest. The international art festival, including events in Hong Kong and Switzerland, sees the city besieged by the contemporary artists, exhibiting their works in collaboration with local Miami institutions and organizations. It is a weekend rife with parties and events, enjoyed by artists, art lovers, celebrities, tourists and laymen alike. Art Basel 2018 will take place from December 6-8.

Kalya Travel Guide Part 1: Eating Well (United Kingdom Edition)

KALYA TEAM — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 17:44:21 +0000

Traveling is a wonderful way to discover the world and immerse yourself in different cultures. Indulging in your wanderlust and maintaining healthy lifestyle patterns can prove difficult, however. Whether it be the temptation of fast food or the lack of regular exercise routines, travel can take you outside your fitness comfort zone. But, there are definitely ways to stay balanced while exploring this beautiful, blue planet. Here, in Part 1 of our Kalya Travel Guide, are some tips for eating well while on the road, U.K. edition:

Choose the healthiest option on the menu: Eating out can prove difficult even for the most disciplined of people. Restaurants can offer delicious but somewhat indulgent meals, or equally tempting quick, processed fare. The U.K., in particular, is famous for its comfort foods such as sausage rolls, Yorkshire puddings, fish & chips, and bangers & mash. And, while a proper pub experience is a must, you can always balance this out with a healthy meal here and there, especially for breakfast. For example, the Huxley on Princess Street in Edinburgh offers a fibre-rich, filling Super Oats breakfast, featuring porridge oats, milk, fresh fruit and seeds [view menu here], along with a cool, modern ambiance. Paired with a good cup of coffee, it is the perfect way to start your day in one of the U.K.’s most charming cities.
The Huxley in Edinburgh

Café Mocha at The Huxley

Super Oats and Mocha at The Huxley
Prepare your own meals: There is no better way to control your diet than to cook for yourself, and, if you are lucky enough to have access to an accommodation with a kitchen, planning and preparing your own meals is a healthy, fun and budget-friendly option. Including local, organic ingredients in your recipes is even better. And, if you are traveling with friends and family, it can be a superb group activity. Also, preparing simple, healthy snacks, such as kale chips or mixed nuts, is a great idea for day trips. Carrying your own snacks will not only save you money, but help you to avoid the temptation of processed snacks that might catch your eye while out. Why not try a few Kalya favourites, such as the Overnight Chocolate and Oatmeal Jar for breakfast, Pan-grilled Asparagus with Avocado as a side for dinner, and Peanut Butter Chewy Bars as a takeaway snack. Also, sourcing your materials from a community co-op or small business is a wonderful way to support the local economy. For example, in the quiet little Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge, setting of the BBC series Happy Valley, you can find two co-ops, both offering fresh, local products. The community of Hebden Bridge is, itself, a strong supporter of entrepreneurship with an abundance of small, locally-owned businesses to be found throughout town.
View from the top: Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire
Seek out vegan options: The vegan diet is beneficial for both your health and the environment. Even if you cannot commit to being fully vegan, you can always include vegan meals in your diet as often as possible. Veganism is a growing dietary trend in the United Kingdom, and restaurants offering meat-free, dairy-free options are on the rise. For example, Sourced Market is a U.K. chain with conveniently located throughout London and offering an industrial-chic ambiance, friendly staff and a plethora of vegan options, including both fresh and prepared meals, as well as vegan products. The Victoria location, just minutes away from Victoria Station, the majestic Buckingham Palace and romantic St. James Park, is the perfect stop for anyone visiting London Town. The coffee bar offers a wide variety of smoothies, including the delicious Mocha with Peanut Butter and Espresso, while the salad bar offers freshly made seasonal options including plant-based protein sources. There are also several prepared options such as granola and dairy-free yogurt, protein pots and probiotic bars from the likes of Pollen and Grace.
Source Market Victoria Location

Source Market Coffee Bar

Café Mocha at Source Market

Vegan products available at Source Market

Prepared meals and snacks available at Source Market
Choose wisely when eating out: Sometimes a quick meal on the road is unavoidable. But, instead of choosing a highly processed meal, potentially excessively high in sodium, fat and/or sugar, find a more reasonable option. For example, Pret-A-Manger is a popular chain offering inexpensive takeaway meals “lovingly handmade throughout the day.” They sell a wide variety of prepared sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads and snacks, including the Veggie Fiesta Salad, the Turmeric Tofu and Sweet Potato Balance box, and Veggie Club, and are located ubiquitously around the U.K..
Find a local café: Finally, one of the best ways to soak up U.K. culture is to pass the time at a local café or tea house. Choosing a community café can be a great way to support the local economy and mingle with the locals. Another lovely option is to visit one of the many beautiful cafés associated with the multitude of Scottish and British museums and galleries. Museums and galleries are free to the public in the United Kingdom. Visiting the associated cafés is a wonderful way to support the museum and enjoy an invigorating cup of coffee, or soothing cup of tea. For example, the Scottish National Gallery not only boasts an impressive collection of art spanning centuries, from Vermeer to Monet to Matisse, but also offers a luxurious, award-winning and environmentally-responsible café, The Scottish Café and Restaurant at the foot of the Princess Street Gardens. Applying Rule #1 (Choose the healthiest option on the menu), you can enjoy a gourmet meal, such as Cullen Skink, a traditional Scottish smoked haddock or vegetarian option made with Scottish tomatoes and whipped goat cheese dressing. Dine in house or choose the express experience just meters away, offering fresh soups, sandwiches, and coffee. It is equally delicious, but a bit more budget-friendly. In addition to the wonderful ambiance of the gallery café, you can enjoy your meal while taking in the stunning view of the Balmoral, a trademark of the Edinburgh skyline.
The Scottish National Gallery

Breakfast at the Scottish Café and Restaurant

Another equally enjoyable option is the Mooch café, a hippie enclave in Hebden Bridge, serving great coffee and iced drinks, as well as delicious soups and salads, to be enjoyed in the comfortable, homey interior or outside in the peaceful urban garden.

Coffee at the Mooch Cafe in Hebden Bridge

No matter where your travels take you, be sure to eat well. If you have any healthy travel tips, share them in the comments below.