Post by Richard on Jul 22, 2008 13:54:00 GMT
Hello everybody! 
I posted this article on the AAI Forum yesterday. As it gives such a fascinating insight into life on the road, I'm posting it here as well.
From the Irish Independent...
Richard
I posted this article on the AAI Forum yesterday. As it gives such a fascinating insight into life on the road, I'm posting it here as well.
From the Irish Independent...
A classic case of life on the road
By Nancy Previs
Monday July 21 2008
Melanie Nakhla
On tour, singer Melanie Nakhla is forced to eat in service stations, but she looks after her voice with water.
5.30am
We get our early wake-up call and food is delivered to our room. While my hair and make-up are being done I grab some toast, fruit salad and cranberry juice.
We have an interview and performance this morning and so I avoid caffeinated and fizzy drinks.
8am
At the TV studio we all carry bottles of water and I am sipping on mine. Since we recorded our first album in 2006, I've found I need to be sipping small amounts of water over the day to lubricate my vocal cords.
10am
We're finished but I am quite disorientated because of the early start. Driving to our next destination, we stop at a petrol station where I pick up more cranberry juice, a cereal bar and a banana. I know it's not ideal but when we're doing radio and television tours, we travel up and down the country and are forced to live off food from petrol stations.
During those times, I tend to eat a lot of carbs like sandwiches and toasties.
Noon
After a radio interview we have time to go back to the hotel, where I rest my voice and continue drinking water. I order a chicken salad sandwich on brown bread, no mayonnaise.
2pm
We travel to the church where we are performing. We spend the afternoon doing sound-checks and reviewing the choreography.
5.30pm
We grab a quick supper. This is my final meal before tonight's performance and I am careful to avoid dairy and anything that is heavy or spicy. I order gazpacho and have that with a small baguette and steamed green beans to tide me over.
7.30pm
I have been drinking water for the past hour in an effort to hydrate my voice and during the performance I continue to sip water.
10pm
After our performance we attend the reception where we chat and sign autographs. This is enjoyable but it is quite tiring and hard on the voice. During the reception I nibble on some salmon and cream cheese canapes. I also have a glass of champagne.
11.30pm
Back at the hotel, I collapse into bed.
I'm a member of a gym near to my home and I normally try to get there at least twice a week because I think the exercise helps me to sleep better.
I also eat well when I'm at home. I'm from a big family and we all help with cooking so on days when I'm not away or performing I will also cook.
Melanie Nakhla and All Angels join the RTE Concert Orchestra on August 1 in the National Concert Hall. During their first concert in Ireland, the classical crossover group will be performing a mix of classical and popular music.
FAVE MEAL
I like fish because it is light and if I were out I’d start by ordering fish cakes then lemon sole in a light batter with broccoli, mangetouts and carrots as well as boiled new potatoes with herbs. For dessert I’d choose fruit salad. I’d also drink plenty of water and finish with a camomile tea
LOVES
Raw veg and hummus, Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough ice cream, pizza with as little cheese as possible. My favourite pizza is one they do in Italy where they just put olive oil, oregano, tomato and garlic on a thin base
DISLIKES
Fennel, chocolate ice cream, oysters
How does Melanie’s diet rate?
Melanie has quite a hectic schedule with interviews, practice and performances but she still manages to eat well most of the time.
Breakfast is fine and includes plenty of fruit and the toast will provide energy in the form of carbohydrates. High fibre, wholegrain bread is best.
Throughout the day, Melanie drinks plenty of water, which is really important for her vocal cords. It's very important to make sure we are drinking plenty of fluids.
In climates such as Ireland, we should drink approximately two litres (six to eight glasses) of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated.
When Melanie is on the road she tends not to eat as well. Sandwiches, toasties and cereal bars are all fine but you can choose healthier options.
Breakfast bars can also be convenient but bear in mind that these can be high in fat, salt and/or sugar, so remember to check.
Keep some fruit (fresh or dried), nuts and seeds handy so that you have some healthy snack options.
Lunch on this day is fine -- chicken salad on bread is great. Again, Melanie drinks plenty of water with this meal.
In the evening, the meal Melanie chooses is great -- the gazpacho soup is made from tomatoes and Melanie also has steamed green beans with this meal.
After the performance, Melanie treats herself to some canapes and champagne -- again this is fine in moderation.
Dr Patricia Heavey, consultant nutritionist, Wilson Hartnell Public Relations
- Nancy Previs
By Nancy Previs
Monday July 21 2008
Melanie Nakhla
On tour, singer Melanie Nakhla is forced to eat in service stations, but she looks after her voice with water.
5.30am
We get our early wake-up call and food is delivered to our room. While my hair and make-up are being done I grab some toast, fruit salad and cranberry juice.
We have an interview and performance this morning and so I avoid caffeinated and fizzy drinks.
8am
At the TV studio we all carry bottles of water and I am sipping on mine. Since we recorded our first album in 2006, I've found I need to be sipping small amounts of water over the day to lubricate my vocal cords.
10am
We're finished but I am quite disorientated because of the early start. Driving to our next destination, we stop at a petrol station where I pick up more cranberry juice, a cereal bar and a banana. I know it's not ideal but when we're doing radio and television tours, we travel up and down the country and are forced to live off food from petrol stations.
During those times, I tend to eat a lot of carbs like sandwiches and toasties.
Noon
After a radio interview we have time to go back to the hotel, where I rest my voice and continue drinking water. I order a chicken salad sandwich on brown bread, no mayonnaise.
2pm
We travel to the church where we are performing. We spend the afternoon doing sound-checks and reviewing the choreography.
5.30pm
We grab a quick supper. This is my final meal before tonight's performance and I am careful to avoid dairy and anything that is heavy or spicy. I order gazpacho and have that with a small baguette and steamed green beans to tide me over.
7.30pm
I have been drinking water for the past hour in an effort to hydrate my voice and during the performance I continue to sip water.
10pm
After our performance we attend the reception where we chat and sign autographs. This is enjoyable but it is quite tiring and hard on the voice. During the reception I nibble on some salmon and cream cheese canapes. I also have a glass of champagne.
11.30pm
Back at the hotel, I collapse into bed.
I'm a member of a gym near to my home and I normally try to get there at least twice a week because I think the exercise helps me to sleep better.
I also eat well when I'm at home. I'm from a big family and we all help with cooking so on days when I'm not away or performing I will also cook.
Melanie Nakhla and All Angels join the RTE Concert Orchestra on August 1 in the National Concert Hall. During their first concert in Ireland, the classical crossover group will be performing a mix of classical and popular music.
FAVE MEAL
I like fish because it is light and if I were out I’d start by ordering fish cakes then lemon sole in a light batter with broccoli, mangetouts and carrots as well as boiled new potatoes with herbs. For dessert I’d choose fruit salad. I’d also drink plenty of water and finish with a camomile tea
LOVES
Raw veg and hummus, Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough ice cream, pizza with as little cheese as possible. My favourite pizza is one they do in Italy where they just put olive oil, oregano, tomato and garlic on a thin base
DISLIKES
Fennel, chocolate ice cream, oysters
How does Melanie’s diet rate?
Melanie has quite a hectic schedule with interviews, practice and performances but she still manages to eat well most of the time.
Breakfast is fine and includes plenty of fruit and the toast will provide energy in the form of carbohydrates. High fibre, wholegrain bread is best.
Throughout the day, Melanie drinks plenty of water, which is really important for her vocal cords. It's very important to make sure we are drinking plenty of fluids.
In climates such as Ireland, we should drink approximately two litres (six to eight glasses) of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated.
When Melanie is on the road she tends not to eat as well. Sandwiches, toasties and cereal bars are all fine but you can choose healthier options.
Breakfast bars can also be convenient but bear in mind that these can be high in fat, salt and/or sugar, so remember to check.
Keep some fruit (fresh or dried), nuts and seeds handy so that you have some healthy snack options.
Lunch on this day is fine -- chicken salad on bread is great. Again, Melanie drinks plenty of water with this meal.
In the evening, the meal Melanie chooses is great -- the gazpacho soup is made from tomatoes and Melanie also has steamed green beans with this meal.
After the performance, Melanie treats herself to some canapes and champagne -- again this is fine in moderation.
Dr Patricia Heavey, consultant nutritionist, Wilson Hartnell Public Relations
- Nancy Previs
Richard
