May 2015 n Issue 24

delicatessef i n e f o o d , t r a v e l a n d l i v i n g

abela

Spring in Beijing

Unique Destinations

Eating RAW

Etihad Plaza

Souq Planet now open!

Summer Sizzletake care of your skin

ramadankareem

It’s a daTe a versatile and healthy fruit

3

May 2015 n Issue 24

in this [summer] issue ...

Designed and produced for Abela Supermarkets by Phishface Creative FZ LLC. www.phishface.comTo advertise please call: +971 2 634 5151

Written material and imagery contained in this magazine are copyrighted and the sole property of Abela Supermarkets, Phishface Creative FZ LLC. or ©PHISHFOTOZ and may not be reproduced as a whole or in part without express written permission from the publisher. ©Abela Supermarkets 2014

... a quick word 5a message from Abela

Souq Planet opens 7opening now at Etihad Plaza

The humble date 10the versatile date palm, from food to shelter

Stop the summer sizzle 14look after your skin this summer

RAW 17should you go raw?

Whip up some ice-cream 20make your own soft whip or sorbet

What’s new in store 23a line up of the new products

A unique summer 32try a more unusual destination

Spring in Beijing 34flowers and blossoms abound

Ramadan 48a time for respect and consideration

Self-Scanning Wi-Fi Free Coffee Instant Redemption

Promotions Points Information

5

May 2015 n Issue 24

... a quick word

Dear readers,

Welcome back to, ‘delicatesse’, our free in-store magazine to complement

your lifestyle, introduce new products, and hopefully entertain.

In this issue we reveal the brand new Souq Planet store just opened in Etihad

Plaza, Khalifa City A. We are proud to introduce ‘smart’ shopping to the

Middle East - where shopping is not just efficient, but also a pleasure. Feel

free to drop in, pick up a complimentary coffee, on us, and experience it for

yourself - just Scan, Pack & Go!

This is our last issue before the summer break, we wish all of our customers

Ramadan kareem and Eid Mubarak, and happy holidays if you are heading off

for cooler climes.

Don’t forget to use your Smart Shopper Card for all your shopping. The

program has now been re branded to the Souq Planet brand - but rest assured,

you earn points in exactly the same way with the same great benefits.

Collect points every time you shop and redeem them for shopping vouchers to

spend in-store. It’s simple: shop, earn points, redeem shopping rewards! Pick

up your instant application pack or ask one of our staff for more information.

We would like to hear what you think of delicatesse magazine, so please drop

an email to comments@abeladelicatesse.com and let us know.

Ramadan Kareem and Eid Mubarak

David Derrick

COO - Retail OperationsAbela Supermarkets & Souq Planet

26457_Lipton_MM_Abela_Magazine 120x185 mm Eng new.pdf 1 4/19/15 7:24 PM

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May 2015 n Issue 24

souq planet

now open at etihad plaza

newsflash

a shopping revolution has arrived!

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May 2015 n Issue 24

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May 2015 n Issue 24

Abu Dhabi shoppers are invited to experience self-scan

technology in Souq Planet, the first Supermarket to offer this

service not only in the UAE but whole of the Middle East.

After its launch in Madinat Zayed, Western Region, Souq

Planet has now opened at Etihad Plaza in Khalifa City A.

The other branches in Khalidiya and Al Ain will be next to

follow in implementing this unique and innovative shopping

experience.

The new self-scan technology allows customers to shop using

dedicated in-store scanning devices or alternatively using

their smartphones after downloading Souq Planet’s self-scan

app available on Itunes and Google Play. Innovative shopping

experience will allow customers to enjoy a faster checkout,

avoiding cashiers queues and will give them access to all

the system’s benefits including keeping track of purchases,

getting product information and creating shopping lists.

The Supermarket has undergone a major conversion and we

hope you enjoy the experience as much as we have enjoyed

delivering this unique concept.

The store Manager, Mr. Denis Jackson and his staff would be

delighted to welcome you in the near future.

The Souq Planet project is owned by UAE-based NCC Group

of Companies and is developed by a newly established

company within NCC Group, Business DNA, together with

partners Motorola, Re-Vision, Sage and Wincor Nixdorft.

THE FIRST SELF-SCAN SUPERMARKET - NOW OPEN IN ABU DHABI, KHALIFA CITY A

The new self-scan technology allows customers to shop using dedicated

in-store scanning devices or alternatively using their smartphones after

downloading Souq Planet’s self-scan app available on Itunes and Google Play

we have changed the way you shop

May 2015 n Issue 24

11

Dates are believed to have originated in and around Iraq, and have

been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric

Egypt, possibly as early as 4000 BCE. The Ancient Egyptians

used the fruits to make date wine, and ate them at harvest. There

is archaeological evidence of date cultivation in eastern Arabia in

6000 BCE. There is also archeological evidence of date cultivation

in Mehrgarh around 7000 BCE, a Neolithic civilization in what is

now western Pakistan. Evidence of cultivation is continually found

throughout later civilizations in the Indus Valley, including the

Harappan period 2600 to 1900 BCE.

In later times, traders spread dates around South West Asia,

northern Africa, and Spain, and were introduced into Mexico and

California by the Spaniards in 1765, around Mission San Ignacio.

A date palm cultivar, known as Judean date palm is renowned for

its long-lived orthodox seed, which successfully sprouted after

accidental storage for 2000 years. This particular seed is presently

reputed to be the oldest viable seed but the upper survival time limit

of properly stored seeds remains unknown.

For thousands of years the date palm tree has provided shelter for

the inhabitants of desert environments – known to locals in some

regions as ‘Arish’. Fossil records show that the date palm has

existed for at least an astounding 50 million years.

Botanically; the fruits that grow on the palm tree belong to the family

of Arecaceae, in the genus: Phoenix, and scientifically named as

Phoenix dactylifera. The fruit is known as a “drupe”, in which its

outer fleshy part (exocarp and mesocarp) surrounds a shell (the

pit or stone) of hardened endocarp with a seed inside. The fruit is

oval to cylindrical in shape, 3–7 cms long, and 2–3 cms diameter,

and ripe dates range from golden-yellow, amber, bright-red to

deep-brown depending on the cultivar type and all have different

flavours and textures.

There are many varieties of date palm cultivated. ‘Amir Hajj’, ‘Saidy’,

‘Khadrawy’ and ‘Medjool’ are some of the important varieties

popular for their rich taste, flavour, and superior quality.

SERVING

Dry and soft dates are usually eaten out-of-hand and they can be

stuffed with fillings such as almonds, walnuts, candied orange and

cream cheese. They can also be chopped and added to fruit salad

and in a range of sweet and savoury dishes. Dates are also being

used to prepare juice and Jallab (a type of syrup popular in the

Middle East - made from dates, grape molasses, and rose water).

High quality dates are generally handpicked directly from the

fruit-bunch and sold as premium variety in the markets. On a

commercial scale, most are harvested by cutting the entire cluster,

fumigated, cleaned, graded, packed, stored under refrigeration,

and released to markets according to demand.

STAGES

Unripe, green dates are said by the Arabs to be in the kimri stage.

When they ripen and turn their distinctive colour (yellow, red, black

or pink), dates are said to be in the khalal stage. Dates in this stage

are full-size and sweet, but mostly are still too astringent to my taste

and don’t make good eating for me personally. In the Middle East,

however, they’re commonly sold this way.

If you let them sit and mature for a while - sometimes a week or

Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East and Indus Valley for thousands of years. Cultivated since around 6000 B.C, the date fruit is one of the sweetest around and also happens to come in many different varieties. They can be eaten fresh, or dried and boast health benefits a plenty.

datethe humble

May 2015 n Issue 24

10

so versatile, so iconic, so delicious

12 13

March 2015 n Issue 23

more - they mature into the rutab stage when they turn colour to

light brown and become soft, moist and very delicious with a subtle

caramel flavour. This stage is my favourite.

Regular dates, finally, are said to be in the tamar stage, when they’re

dark brown, fully cured and more blistered in appearance.

VERSATILITY

Be it, that the date palm historically has been so closely interknit

in the farmer’s life and environment, or that the “Tree of Life” with

its single head and trunk and division into male and female sexes

with a corresponding reproductive system, was felt to resemble that

of humans, the fact has transpired that the date palm has always

had an aura of mystique around it, which at times developed into a

palm cult. In Assyrian times, for instance, the palm was worshipped

and depicted frequently in decorative art and for the embellishment

has been witnessed in different times and places and, perhaps less

pronounced, skill persists to date in the traditional date producing

countries.

Medically, dates were once recommended in mouth washes (an

application most likely frowned upon by a present-day dentist.

Dates formed part of various ointments, bandages and opthalmic

prescriptions and Plinius reports: “dates are applied with quinces,

wax and saffran to the stomach, bladder, belly and intestines. They

heal bruises”.

A notable Sheikh in the 16th Century elaborates: “dates fortify the

body, enrich the blood, cure pains in the back and when boiled with

milk they cut short fever and ague”. And from the same source: “the

sap of leaves is a remedy for nervousness, kidney trouble and putrid

wounds and calms the effervescence of the blood. Burnt seeds

are made in an ointment for ulcers or a collyrium that produce long

eyelashes”.

Through the centuries the use of palm products in the date producing

areas was diffused in all sectors of the economy from agriculture,

transport and construction, to domestic use and reaching out

also into the urban centres. On occasion the production of these

palm products equalled or became more important than the date

crop itself. The trunk or stem becomes available upon natural or

accidental death of the palm or by forced removal. The soft growing

point or terminal bud, sweet in taste, can be consumed either

raw as a salad or as a cooked vegetable somewhat resembling

artichoke hearts though this varies with the palm variety.

In time of food scarcity the inside of the trunk has been pulverized

and turned into a coarse flour for human consumption. But the

trunk’s main use is for its wood, which intrinsically is not of high

quality because of the coarse vascular bundles (monocotolydon)

but it has great tensile strength. Its use is therefore geared to exploit

this characteristic such as for poles, beams, rafters, lintels, girders,

pillars, jetties and light foot bridges. For this purpose they can be

used whole or split in half or quarters. Hollowed out half trunks are

used as conduits for water, or at shorter lengths for mangers and

troughs. Sawn into coarse planks they are made up into doors,

shutters and staircases for houses.

Rustic furniture has also been made though trunkwood, however,

because of its coarse vascular structure, is difficult to cut, finish and

polish. And finally, the trunks are also used as firewood.

Every year under normal growth conditions an average of 12 to 15

new leaves are formed by the palm and consequently the same

amount can be expected to be cut as part of the maintenance of

the palm. Taken over hundreds or thousands of trees this can lead

to large numbers of leaves becoming available annually.

Leaves offer the most varied end use opportunities - whole leaves

are used in fencing by sticking them into the ground and holding

them together with two or three layers of rope made of the leaflets,

or in partitioning in houses and enclosures of terraces providing

privacy but keeping a certain ventilation. Leaves are further used as

roofing to give shade or for newly planted offshoots. Where mud is

used in house construction whole date leaves may be laid across

the ceiling beams (made of the trunk) in a thick bedding upon which

a layer of mud is poured to form the first floor or roof cover.

Leaf bases sharpened at the thin end and hammered in a close

pack have been used to line the walls of open wells when the usual

brick or stone are not available. They were used by fishermen to

float their nets and by the same principle helped children to learn to

swim. The base can be split and beaten out with the resulting fibre

mass being used as a hand broom. And, like other fibrous parts of

the palm, leaf bases are particularly suited as a fuel.

The most widespread use of the midrib is making crates, but also

furniture. There is a great variation in size and type of the containers,

adapted to the specific purpose, but the principles of construction

are basically the same.

Starting from basic operations and with increasing artisanal skills

a wide variety of containers has emerged, from simple fruit crates,

birdcages and chicken coops to double deck twin cages, sometimes

with sliding doors, hung on a donkey’s, or a camel’s back to carry a

wide variety of fowl and other produce to the market.

Next time you need to sweeten a recipe, make your own energy

bars, or mask the green flavour in your smoothies, look no further

than the humble date. Their lovely flavour and beneficial qualities

bring sweetness to any food. Sure, they aren’t sugar-free, but they

won’t hurt your efforts to reduce your sugar. What you really want

to do is reduce artificial and refined sugars from your diet, not the

beautiful, natural sugars in whole dates.

‘The sap of leaves is a remedy for nervousness, kidney trouble and putrid

wounds and calms the effervescence of the

blood’

NUTRITIONAL VALUEIf you’re looking for fibre, potassium, or copper, look no

further than dates. While dates are rich in many vital nutrients

and therefore offer many health benefits, the fruit is so small

that you’ll need to consume a larger quantity to intake the

necessary amount.

The following nutritional data outlines some of the key

nutrients found in dates, and is based on a 100g serving

of the fruit.

Fibre 6.7 grams. 27% RDA.

Potassium 696 milligrams. 20% RDA.

Copper 0.4 milligrams. 18% RDA.

Manganese 0.3 milligrams. 15% RDA.

Magnesium 54 milligrams. 14% RDA.

Vitamin B6 0.2 milligrams. 12% RDA.

Note: Dates are high in sugar content – coming in at a whopping 66.5 grams per 100 gram serving of the fruit. It is recommended to lessen sugar consumption as much as possible, even when the sugar is being consumed from fruit.

May 2015 n Issue 24

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May 2015 n Issue 24

UNDERSTANDING THE DANGERS OF OVERExPOSURE

Sun exposure isn’t necessarily bad – it is a key source of

Vitamin D. As with all good things, however, keep exposure

in moderation. The ideal maximum is 15 minutes before 10am

or after 2pm. Anything over is considered overexposure, and

any exposure during midday – when the sun is at its harshest

– should be limited (if not altogether avoided). Sun rays at

this time of day are 10% UVB and 90% UVA: a combination

that can cause melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

UVA VS. UVB RAYS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

On average, most people have already been exposed to

large amounts of UVA rays throughout their lifetimes. Though

less intense than UVB rays, UVA rays are 30–50 times more

prevalent and are present during all hours of daylight – even

on the cloudiest of days – making it necessary to incorporate

SPF protection into your everyday routine.

Wrinkles and sunspots are largely caused by these rays. Able

to penetrate glass and deep into the skin, these rays speed

up the aging process and contribute to – if not initiate – the

development of skin cancers below the surface.

UVB rays cause sun burns and reddening. While UVA rays

penetrate beyond the superficial layers, UVB rays damage

the skin’s surface layers. Its intensity differs by time of

day, locale, forecast, and season, but still holds potential

in causing sun damage. These are the rays responsible for

change in darkness of skin pigmentation, age spots, and the

more common tumors that may ultimately evolve into cancer.

SUN DAMAGE AND AGING

Signs associated with aging - wrinkles, freckles, skin thinning,

sage spots, uneven pigmentation – are the aftermath of sun

damage. Ninety-percent of wrinkles are caused by the sun,

and while intentional overexposure (tanning, sunbathing)

is incredibly harmful, two-thirds of all sun damage is,

surprisingly, incidental (walking the dog, driving).

Thus said, sunscreen is not limited to the poolside or beach

– it should be applied on a daily basis. Choose moisturisers

and body lotions with SPF, and if possible, always choose a

higher SPF for your face. Don’t forget your hands especially

when driving. Hands are an instant giveaway to your true

age, so invest in a hand cream that offers SPF protection.

And it’s not just for women, the sun’s rays are indiscriminate

and everyone should apply SPF regularly.

SUMMER SKIN TIPS

Dress to protect. Lightweight, cotton cover-ups along with a

cap or broad-brimmed hat will act as shields from UV rays.

Apply sunscreen religiously. Always apply sunscreen 20

minutes prior to allow time for the product to absorb into

the skin; re-apply every few hours or as needed. Look for

sunscreens that offer protection for both UVA and UVB rays

– keep in mind that a high SPF number is no longer enough.

Don’t skimp on eye creams and lip protection. Sun exposure

will gradually thin skin and cause wrinkles. Protect the

delicate areas of your face with appropriate creams and

balms. Apply and liberally re-apply a lip balm with SPF15.

Also, with summer comes open-toed shoes and sandals.

Take into account that sunscreen will rub off faster from

rubbing against the straps of your shoes and abrasive sand.

Re-apply more frequently to prevent burnt feet.

Keep hydrated. Drink water throughout the day. If you’re on

the go, try bringing a bottle and a container of fresh fruit on

the go to prevent dehydration and heat stroke.

Sunscreen is not limited to the poolside or beach – it should be applied on a daily basis, so choose moisturisers and body lotions with SPF if possible.

stop the sizzleskin care for summer

It’s almost time for summer holidays and for most, that means shorts, sandals, bathing suits, and lots of sunshine. But

beware, this time outdoors although healthy, unprotected skin can lead to cancer. Sun exposure is, essentially, subjecting

yourself to sun damage. Preventative measures in preparing and caring for it are crucial in keeping your skin in tip-top

condition for now and many years to come.

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May 2015 n Issue 24

rawdelicious and diverse?

eating

Raw food consists of (usually

plant) food that is uncooked and

unprocessed, such food often termed

“live” or “living”. The raw food diet is

based on the belief that a high-enzyme

diet will ensure optimal health.

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18

to cook or not to cookcould eating raw be better for you?

Enzymes help us to digest food; raw food contains enzymes

already to assist this process. When we cook food, the naturally

occurring enzymes are destroyed by heat (over 48ºC), and our

own bodies need to produce the enzymes to digest the food. It is

thought that this places too much pressure on our bodies, having to

both manufacture the enzymes needed, and digest the food at the

same time. Cooking is also thought to diminish the nutritional value

and “life force” of food. Other reasons for why people follow a raw

food diet vary and can include losing weight, anti-aging properties,

health benefits, physical performance benefits, and for a growing

number of people, as a way of fitting in with a green lifestyle. Many

raw food diet followers are vegan owing to a personal belief that

consumption of animals is unethical and unhealthy. A raw food diet

can be incredibly delicious and diverse and provided that you do

adequate research, it can be well-balanced in nutrients.

VITAMINS

Without vitamins our cells would not function properly and thus

our organs would suffer and eventually we would no longer be

able to survive. They help regulate metabolism, help convert fat

and carbohydrates into energy, and assist in forming bone and

tissue. Some experts estimate that the overall nutrient destruction

by cooking food is as high as 80%. Tests have shown that we will

lose 50% of the B vitamins while B1 and B12 can lose up

to 96%. 97% of folic acid is destroyed as well

as 70-80% of vitamin C.

MINERALS

Seventeen of the thirty elements

known to be essential to

life are metals. Mineral

deficiencies cause disease

in humans. Minerals

also have a synergistic

relationship with vitamins.

They help each other

help us. When foods

are cooked, many of the

minerals are destroyed, or altered, rendering them useless and

also unable to assist our friends the vitamins.

PHYTONUTRIENTS

These are what give fruits and vegetables their colour. Phytos

protect the body and fight disease. They also fight cancer and help

your heart. Phytonutrients are at the leading edge of research on

nutrition. They provide medicine for cell health. And once again,

in freshly harvested plant foods can be destroyed or removed by

cooking.

WHY EAT RAW?

It just starts to make sense. If cooking destroys the vital and

essential nutrients that we need to stay healthy, eating our food

raw does the opposite. It provides us with what we need for our

health and well being. There are on the other hand some pretty

convincing arguments as to why as humans we should not be on

a raw food diet.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT

Many vegetables in the cruciferous family such as kale, broccoli,

cauliflower, cabbage, mustard greens and brussel sprouts contain

what are known as goitrogens. Goitrogens are naturally occurring

compounds in some foods that may block thyroid function and can

eventually lead to goiter and hypothyroidism. For people with an

already weakened thyroid function, or for those who have

a propensity to thyroid disorders, goitrogens

can worsen the ability of your thyroid

to produce important hormones.

Goitrogens can be deactivated

by heat. So, cooking your

vegetables can deactivate a

good amount of goitrogens.

Raw vegetables also tend to

be hard on your digestion.

Plants and vegetables

have cellulose and other

fibrous structures that our

stomachs have a hard time

breaking down. Our stomachs are not like vegetarian animals

such as cows. Many of these animals have extra stomachs to

help break down and digest the tough plants and grasses they

eat. Humans, unfortunately, don’t have these extra stomachs to

break down all the fibrous cellulose contained in plants which

makes it especially difficult to digest vegetable fibres. When

we’re constantly eating foods that our bodies cannot digest, our

ability to digest foods in general is weakened. This can cause

bloating, indigestion, constipation or loose stools, weight gain,

malnutrition, food allergies and a lowered immune system. Our

digestive system is a key element to good health, so it’s important

to ensure it is healthy and functioning properly.

If we are unable to digest our foods, there’s a good chance that

we’re not absorbing many of the nutrients in the foods we eat.

A lot of the nutrients in vegetables are stored in its tough fibres.

Unless we break down these vegetable fibres, our bodies will

not be able to use these nutrients. Cooking with low to medium

heat is usually enough to help break down or ‘predigest’ these

fibres so that we can access the minerals and nutrients. The

occasional salad here and there probably won’t do much harm

but if you’re eating raw foods on a daily basis, you might want

to take a look at whether they could be contributing to any

health issues you might be having.

Happy eating!

CREAM-BASED ICE-CREAM

Ingredients: [2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, 2/3

cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract. Optional: Add 1/2 cup

cocoa powder for chocolate ice cream]

METHOD: It’s easy to make a wide variety of ice cream

flavours by starting with a good vanilla ice cream base.

Cream-based ice cream is a bit icier and lighter than

custard-based ice cream. This recipe will make one quart

of ice cream, so double it if you want more. Mix up the

following ingredients in a saucepan. Heat until the sugar

dissolves. Place the saucepan over medium high heat

and heat the mixture, stirring constantly, until the sugar

completely dissolves. Chill the

mixture in the refrigerator. Pour

the cream base into a bowl,

cover it, and place it in the

refrigerator to cool down for

an hour or two. Freeze the ice

cream in an ice cream maker.

Pour the chilled base into your

ice cream maker and freeze

according to the manufacturer’s

instructions. Depending on what type of ice cream maker

you have, the freezing process might take one or more

hours. Add mix-ins. When the ice cream is partially frozen,

add your favourite mix-ins to flavour your ice cream. A

vanilla base tastes wonderful with just about any type of

fruit, candy or nut. Add a cup of your favourite. Finish

freezing the ice cream. Turn the ice cream maker back

on to finish the freezing process, then put the ice cream

in the freezer for about 3 hours to firm it up. Enjoy your

ice cream once it’s frozen solid and creamy.

whip up some ice-creamor a fruity delicious zingy summery sorbet

Who doesn’t love ice-cream. Especially when the temperatures

are soaring and the only thing to cool you down is a sorbet or

a creamy Mr Whippy!

ORIGINS are known to reach back as far as the second

century B.C., although no specific date of origin nor inventor

has been indisputably credited with its discovery. We know

that Alexander the Great enjoyed snow and ice flavoured

with honey and nectar. Biblical references also show that

King Solomon was fond of iced drinks during harvesting.

During the Roman Empire, Nero Claudius Caesar (A.D. 54-

86) frequently sent runners into the mountains for snow,

which was then flavoured with fruits and juices.

Over a thousand years later, Marco Polo returned to Italy

from the Far East with a recipe that closely resembled what

is now called sherbet. Historians estimate that this recipe

evolved into ice cream sometime in the 16th century with

England discovering it at the same time, or perhaps even

earlier than the Italians.

SORBET Fruit + Sugar = Sorbet. The word ‘sorbet’ is

derived from the Arab word ‘Sharab’ (drink). Folklore holds

that Roman Emperor, Nero, invented sorbet during the first

century AD when he had runners pass buckets of snow hand

over hand from the mountains to his banquet hall where it

was then mixed with honey and wine. Much easier these

days, sorbets are a simple combination of fresh fruit or fruit

juice with sugar. That’s it! About 2 pounds of fruit will be

perfect for making a quart of sorbet — that comes out to

about 5 cups of chopped fruit. A little more or less is fine; this

is a basic formula, not an exact science. Puree this fruit and

add a little sugar, and that’s your sorbet base.

The easiest way to add sugar is to make a simple sugar

syrup. Simmer equal parts sugar and water until the sugar

is dissolved and let it cool. Most summer fruits are sweet

enough on their own that we barely need to add any sugar.

Remember, though, that freezing dulls sweet flavours, so we

want the base to taste slightly too sweet before we freeze. 21

May 2015 n Issue 24May 2015 n Issue 24

20

DELIcATEssE REcOmmENDs!

New in store ...take a look at some new and exciting additions to our range

NADIyA LUxURy DATES WITh NUTS

Nadiya, a Dubai based company, specialise in delivering high quality and unique

presentation gift boxes that reflect local heritage and the traditions of Arabian

hospitality. Nadiya selects only the finest quality Arabian dates for their specially

created gift boxes working with many of the farms considered to be the world’s

finest producers of dates in terms of taste, colour and size.

LIWA PREMIUM DATES A special time of year deserves a special kind of date - Liwa dates. This range of

Khudri, Sellaj Mabroom, and Sagai premium dates are packaged ready to enjoy

when breaking your fast or just as an extra special treat.

(Ramadan Kareem)

May 2015 n Issue 24

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May 2015 n Issue 24

MRS CRIMBLE’S hOME BAkE PASTRy MIx

This home bake mix provides the perfect opportunity to add

your own touch to create delicious gluten-free food so go on

and bake with love

TOTAL SWEET xyLITOL

Completely natural xylitol (sugar free), this low carb, low GI

sugar alternative brings many health benefits, making it perfect

for dieters, diabetics, children, and anyone concerned about

oral health and general well being.

TIANA COCONUT BAkING FLOUR

The ideal choice if you have sensitivity to gluten or wheat, you

are on a gluten-free diet or wheat free diet. Also suitable for low-

carb, high fibre, low glycemic or raw diets. It is 100% pure de-

fatted raw and is ideal for all of your baking and cooking needs.

BIONA COCONUT FLOUR AND CREAMED COCONUT

Made from the finest selected organic coconuts, a healthy

alternative to wheat and other grain flours. Ideal for both sweet

and savoury baking.

NANNy CARE GOAT MILk POWDER

Follow on milk - A goat milk based formula designed to

complement the weaning diet from 6 months. It helps to provide

key nutrients. Rich source of Vitamin D, Vitamins A & C (for a

normal development of the immune system), Iron, Calcium and

Vitamin D.

Growing up milk - A fortified goat milk drink, suitable from 12

months onwards.

Both should be used as part of a normal, varied and healthy diet.

MRS CRIMBLE’S SNACkS AND CAkES

The Mrs. Crimble’s brand has been around longer than you might

have realised - launched in 1979 and sold direct to stores in the

London area. More recently the company has become known for

its range of cakes, biscuits, snacks and treats which are now

deliciously Gluten Free.

The award-winning Cheese Bites are great tasting snacks. All

the boring old wheat flour is replaced with real cheese (which

makes up a whopping 48% of the ingredients) and they are

baked rather than fried. They are a great example of gluten-free

products being an improvement - not a compromise.

They even won the 2009 ‘Free From’ Award for the best tasting

Savoury Snack and Biscuit.

Corn Cakes provide the tasty alternative to rice cakes and

crispbreads. Great for ‘snackers’ and «dieters» alike with their

full flavour and low fat content.

We love cheese and we love crackers! Crispy, crunchy, baked

not fried and so deliciously gluten-free. Go on and share the love

with these Hot Chilli Cheese Crackers.

Bakewell Slices are made from a classic recipe and deliciously

gluten-free. Toasted almonds, light moist sponge, fruity jam and

a pastry base, baked with love the Mrs. Crimble’s way. So go on

and share the love.

Likewise, the Double Chocolate Brownies and Country Fruit

Slices. Baked with love - and it tastes like it!

Mrs Crimble’s chocolate coated rice cakes are super delicious.

Made from puffed rice, they are baked and not fried then coated

with delicious chocolate topping.

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May 2015 n Issue 24

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Experience the feeling of beautifully replenished skin with Right

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feeling of irresistibly soft skin

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normal to greasy hair. It is infused with natural and organic green

tea extracts to revitalise, refresh and leave your hair looking radiant

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Maximum Protection scientifically proven to help with excessive

sweating when you need it most; and our Invisible Black + White

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on a date, you can be confident of the best sweat protection.

Sure Men Quantum, is an energising scent with fresh citrus, spices

and wood tones.

May 2015 n Issue 24

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January 2014 n Issue 17

Pomi Tomateos.ai 1 3/12/15 4:16 PM

May 2015 n Issue 24

MR ShEEN MULTI-SURFACE WIPES

The quick and easy way to clean and dust a wide variety of

surfaces. Air Wick’s long lasting fragrance will revive your home

and awaken your senses.

FEBREzE AIR EFFECTS

There’s no cover-up here: Air Effects eliminates tough odours, and

leaves behind a light, fresh scent.

Treat your senses to a tropical vacation with the fruity freshness

of lush island flowers, orange zest, or a touch of woodsy warmth.

DRy LIkE ME

The Smarter Way to Potty Train - By adding an absorbent layer

to your child’s favourite pants, it gives them extra confidence and

helps to reduce the challenges of potty training. When placed

in the child’s pants, Dry Like Me pads help them recognise their

body’s clues for the loo, so when they do have little accidents,

they begin to understand (and react to) what’s happening. It’s this

increased awareness that holds the key to making real progress.

That seems to be one of the problems with nappies and pull-ups.

A number of healthcare professionals are of the opinion that pull-

ups and nappies offer children very little incentive to staying dry as

there’s need for them to change their learned behaviour. And as

Dry Like Me reduces the stress of the occasional mess, you can be

more relaxed, which naturally allows your little one to feel happier

and more confident.

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May 2015 n Issue 24

33

SWIM WITH ‘SEA GYPSIES’ IN MYANMAR

The Mergui archipelago, in the far south of Myanmar, is home to a unique ethnic group

called the Moken who live a semi-aquatic life aboard hand-built boats where they survive

by spear and net fishing and foraging. The Moken spend so much time diving in search of

shellfish that their eyes have adapted to underwater conditions, giving them ‘water vision’.

Visitors can stay on one of the many Moken islands and meet the friendly and welcoming

Moken people. While there, you can visit their villages, rent boats, sea kayak, scuba dive

or simply swim with the ‘sea gypsies’.

GO FOR A FAMILY WALK WITH A DONKEY IN FRANCE

For a family holiday to remember, discover the spectacular Mercantour Alps in the South

of France with your very own donkey. Travelling with the affectionate animals is the perfect

way to make the unexplored hidden mountains accessible to families, plus the kids will

love having their new friend along for the ride.

SPEND A FORTNIGHT WITH NOVICE BUDDHIST MONKS IN LAOS

In the beautiful ancient city of Luange Prabang, northern central Laos, you can teach

English to young Buddhist monks on a volunteering holiday. GVI’s Volunteer with Buddhist

Novice Monks in Laos trip takes place in an idyllic setting at the meeting of the Nam

Khan and Mekong rivers, renowned for its Buddhist temples and monasteries. As well as

working closely with novice monks, you’ll learn about Lao culture, history and food, visit

the local sights and enjoy a weekend on the banks of the Mekong River.

CATCH SNAKES WITH TRIBESMEN IN INDIA

Stay at Vivanta by Taj Fisherman’s Cove, built on an old Dutch fort overlooking the Bay

of Bengal in Chennai, and you can take part in the unique experience of snake catching.

You’ll accompany Irula tribesmen, who are specialists in snake catching, into the forests

for a close and insightful encounter with snakes. Poison will be deftly collected from the

snakes for medicinal use, after which the unharmed creatures are set free.

TRAIN LIKE WARRIOR GENGHIS KHAN IN MONGOLIA

For the ultimate adventure, head for Mongolia and you’ll be shown what it was really like

to be a warrior under the Great Khan. Dressed in full costume and staying in nomadic

tents, you’ll spend days training in 13th-century battle skills and discover the reasons that

gave the warriors such power. You will learn bow and arrow making, field cooking, how

to shoot from horseback and the art of lighting campfires quickly so as to confuse the

enemy at night.

Make this year’s summer getaway a

real departure from the traditional sun,

sea and sand

a unique

holiday

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May 2015 n Issue 24

summerFrom sleeping in a nomadic tent, to tramping the pristine Mercantour Alps

there are so many more options for a summer break. Try one of these unique

getaways and you never know, you might just like it!

35

May 2015 n Issue 24

beijingspring

in

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May 2015 n Issue 24

words and pictures Louise Adamson

35

The very best time of the year to witness the burst of spring as it brightens up a grim, grey, city.

Beijing has to be the epitome of the phrase, so much to see,

so little time. Especially as the city is a sprawling mass, with

a growing traffic problem. Getting anywhere on a weekday

takes forever and a day, so you are best advised to plan your

itinerary with military precision. Some areas like the Great

Wall are a good couple of hours’ drive which if you want to

include it in your itinerary, will take most part of the day if you

are to explore it properly. But more of ‘The Wall’ later.

The outskirts are barren and grim. The city, is grey and grim.

However. As much as the pollution blocks the blue sky that is

surely beyond the industrial cloud permanently in residence

over the capital, spring brings with it a much-needed injection

of colour as well as some wonderful floral aromas. Magnolia,

cherry, apricot and pear blossoms, and wafting as you stroll

along an open sewer, the gentle scents of lilac permeating

the air. Surely a genius idea by some switched-on landscape

architect, as it manages to mask the sewer’s ugly concrete

mass and the stomach-churning smells that go with it.

Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, is one

of the most populous cities in the world - second only after

Shanghai as China’s largest city. It claims to be the 3rd largest

in the world - its city limits seemingly having no visible limit! The

population as of 2013 was 20,150,000 - and it shows. Bicycles

have long been replaced by cars with wide roads to accommodate

them, and as it continues to mushroom, it’s hard to even begin to

imagine what it might be like in a few year’s time. The city spreads

out in concentric ring roads. The Second Ring Road traces the old

city walls and the Sixth Ring Road connects satellite towns in the

surrounding suburbs and they are just heaving with cars, bikes,

tin boxes on wheels, all heading in or out of the city centre be it

day or night. You would be wise to factor this stunted travelling

time into your schedule if you are short of time - and choose your

sights carefully.

The city’s history dates back three millennia and is complex to say

the least. As the last of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China,

Beijing has been the political centre of the country for much of the

past eight centuries. The city is renowned for its opulent palaces,

temples, parks and gardens, tombs, walls and gates, and its art

treasures and universities have made it a centre of culture and

art in China.

But perhaps one of the most surprising areas of the city is

District 798, Beijing’s answer to New York’s SoHo or Brooklyn.

A burgeoning art district housed in a former munitions factory,

it became a lively hub for artists circa 2000, before more

recently becoming a gentrified version of itself. Like its New York

counterparts, with increasing popularity and rent prices, younger

artists have since relocated to the outer reaches of the city,

leaving behind scores of galleries and museums, boutique shops,

popular cafés and slick bars.

The artists that remain work closely with local establishments like

the Opposite House, adding to the hotel’s distinctive art-gallery

aesthetic. What’s even more surprising than the district itself is

the art inside. Keeping in mind this is a city where Facebook and

Twitter are banned, where you need to win a lottery for the right

to buy a car, and where government officials have in the past

arrived at artist studios to monitor what was being expressed,

the artwork here is surprisingly avant-garde and well worth a visit.

Boasting a massive seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the

Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs,

Zhoukoudian, Great Wall, and the Grand Canal, there is no

shortage of things to see - but what you might be short of, is time

to see them all. The rest of China all seem to want to see them

too, so you are never without an accompanying crowd. And be

prepared to stand out - as a westerner you are in the minority

here standing out like a sore thumb.

People say that the real culture of Beijing is the culture of the

Hutong and Courtyards. How true that is. And choosing to stay in 3736

May 2015 n Issue 24

Traditionally prepared and cooked Peking Duck

a small boutique hotel for my 3 days was a real find. At the end

of my street, the wicker steamers on the alleyway breakfast stalls

are brimming with baozi, hot buns full of meat or red-bean paste.

Or there’s warm flatbread with spring onions. And fresh peaches

and lychees at the greengrocer’s next door. Approach the city

from the wrong angle, though - the airport expressway on a rainy

summer day, for instance - and it can seem hellish.

Hutong is a Mongolian word meaning water well. At 9m wide,

it is the name given to a lane or small street that originated

during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). Now they have become

representatives of local culture. In the Yuan Dynasty, Mongolians

attached great importance to water, so almost every community

in the city was designed around a well, which provided the daily

water for the locals.

In the past, Beijing was composed of hundreds of courtyards

around the Forbidden City, and these lanes stretched out in all

four directions, connecting the different kinds of courtyards in the

city. Although originally formed in the Yuan Dynasty, the building

of the these developed fast during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

It is said that by 1949 there were as many as 3,250. But with the

passage of time, and the requirement for city construction, the

number of them has fallen dramatically and now no more than

1,000 remain.

The lanes have their own layout and structure, and when viewed

from the air the combination of the lanes and courtyards resemble

a chessboard with delicate gardens, fine rockeries and ancient

ruins. Entering any of the lanes, one can feel the deep and warm

relationships among people, which is rarely found in this modern

and bustling city.

In the twisted lanes one can experience the life of the ancient

Beijing people. The bathrooms and public toilets can be found

in these lanes. Shops sell all kinds of goods that satisfy the local

people’s daily needs. It is just like a community. Gossiping in

these lanes is a common scene as it is the main way for people to

strengthen their relationship.

Another iconic piece of history is the Great Wall. A visit there

was a must for me. Which part of it depends on your sense of

adventure and fitness. Even after you dispense with the myths

that it is a single continuous structure and that it can be seen

from space (it can’t, any more than a fishing line can be seen from

the other side of a river), China’s best-known attraction is still

mind-boggling. The world’s largest historical site is referred to in

Mandarin as Wanli Changcheng (“10,000-Li Long Wall” or simply

“Very Long Wall”). It begins at Shanhaiguan on the Bo Hai Sea and

snakes west to a fort at Jiayu Guan in the Gobi Desert. Its origins

date back to the Warring States Period (453-221 B.C.), when rival

kingdoms began building defensive walls to thwart each other’s 3938

May 2015 n Issue 24

A young food market chef tends to his roasting birds

Fresh mushrooms on a street barrow, barbecued scorpions anyone?Caramel coated walnuts. bowls of octopus tentacles with steaming hot broth

41

Steamed buns are cooked fresh on the market

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May 2015 n Issue 24 May 2015 n Issue 24

May 2015 n Issue 24

our Y20 each and marched upwards towards the now visible

wall. A steep climb of perhaps just 1km. A good 30 mins

later you will find yourself standing on top of this wild and

wonderful piece of history, taking in the winding Wall from

both directions - up and over impossibly pointy peaks. It’s

hard to imagine how, let alone why this route was chosen.

The peaks themselves impenetrable barriers, let alone with a

high stone wall and guarded watchtower every 500m running

on top of it.

People with vertigo take note, some sections here are

perilously close the edge, the wall in many sections is steep

and crumbling. But you will find you are alone - not many

people venture to these sections as they are listed as closed

to the public. Where the wall is too fragile or dangerous,

paths lead off to the side leading hikers through the mass

of blossom tress blanketing the hillsides. Obvious in some

places, not so much in others. Although we ventured onto

the Wall alone, if you are easily lost or flustered, you might

hire the services of a guide for the day who will take you

confidently from Jinqou, 8km to Mu Tian Yu where the Wall is

completely restored and scrambling on all fours is no longer

necessary.

Once at Mu Tian Yu, the scenery changes. This well-restored

section a magnet for tourist buses and perhaps the slightly

less fit. Not a crumbling brick in sight, just flags on poles

leading herds of colour-coded hats around like sheep -

through vendors urging you to buy cold drinks, ice-cream

or some unidentifiable snack on a stick. Options for getting

up on the Wall here consist of climbing a large number of

stone steps, or buying a ticket for the cable car. For getting

down, it’s the stone steps or cable car again - or toboggan,

which has to be the most fun way to get back to the bottom

via a tin chute on a wheeled trolley with hand brake. A

bit theme-parky, but how many people can claim to have

tobogganed down from the Great Wall of China?

Being the tourist haven that it is, you will find a burger joint,

sandwich chain, coffee shops and pizza place, as well as a

museum, and souvenir village with overly enthusiastic sales

men and women selling all manner of cheap and cheerful

momentos at inflated prices. If you do see something you

can’t live without, haggle, haggle and haggle some more,

these guys are pros when it comes to separating you from

your well-earned cash.

A trip to Bejing would not be complete without a visit to the

Summer Palace. Situated in the Haidian District northwest

of Beijing City, it is 15km from central Beijing and accessible

by underground train network - highly recommended if you

don’t want to sit in traffic all day. Being the largest and

most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences

Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural

views and cultural interests, which also has long since been

recognised as ‘The Museum of Royal Gardens’.

The construction started in 1750 as a luxurious royal garden

for royal families to rest and entertain and there is no better

time too witness its beauty than in spring. It later became

the main residence of royal members in the end of the Qing

Dynasty. However, like most of the gardens of Beijing, it

could not elude the rampages of the Anglo-French Allied

Contrasting contemporary art at 798 district meets

centuries old architecture of the Summer palace

armies. The king of Qin, who eventually conquered the other

states to become the first emperor of a unified China, engaged

in large-scale wall building toward the end of his reign, although

tales of 300,000 conscripted labourers are embellishments of

subsequent dynasties. During the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D.

220), the Wall was extended west, and additions were made in

completely different locations, according to the military needs of

the day.

Although many tour guides will try to persuade you otherwise,

the Ming Wall you see today is unrelated to the Qin Wall, which

lies far to the north. The Ming even went to the trouble of calling

their wall Bian Qiang (Frontier Wall) to avoid comparisons with

the tyrannical first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huangdi. The

original Wall was built almost entirely from tamped earth, and

often crumbled away within decades of being constructed. Talk

of satellite-mapping the current Wall is fanciful - for most of its

length, the structure is barely visible from the ground. This, and

the fact that there is no single “Great Wall” makes it impossible to

pin down the Wall’s precise length.

The Wall’s most easily visited sections are Ba Da Ling and Juyong

Guan, while Mutianyu, Jin Shan Ling, and the vertiginous Simatai

require a full day’s outing and some nerves of steel. We wanted

to see both wild and restored, so we headed for Jianqou in the

early morning. Well, it was early when we set off, it was almost

midday by the time we got to the start point. Our errant taxi

driver had obviously never been to the ‘wild’ wall, nor was he

able to navigate via GPS. Leaving us to suggest that we might

just stop at the Tourist Information, that we had passed three

times already, and ask for directions. You would be advised to

make sure your driver is actually familiar with this section of the

Wall if you intend to venture out there. As much as Beijing is a

modern metropolis with a young, university-educated population,

virtually no one speaks English. And unless you are familiar with

the singsongy, complex sounds of the Mandarin language, even

trying to say the words from a phrase book are met with very

blank looks. Adding to that can also be some uneducated locals

who look at the Chinese characters but cannot read. It can make

for a frustrating, and time consuming exercise.

Finally at Jinqou after driving through this agricultural treasure

chest region of cherries, chestnuts and rainbow trout, we paid 42

May 2015 n Issue 24

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May 2015 n Issue 24

45

Force and was destroyed by fire and it was recorded that

Empress Dowager Cixi embezzled navy funds to reconstruct

it as a resort in which to spend the rest of her life. This place

radiates the natural beauty and the grandeur of royal gardens

and occupies an area of 300.59 hectares (742.8 acres) - so

don’t forget your walking shoes.

For those looking less for historical sights and are here for

an authentic shopping experience, Panjiayuan Market in the

south of the capital would be an option. Exploring the rows

of stalls and specialised sections, you will stumble across

antique paintings and calligraphy, jade jewellery, wooden and

lacquered boxes, carved bone opium pipes, and many other

relics from a bygone era, such as the Ming or Qing dynasties.

Of course, some are fake - like those you think you got for

a bargain. The flea market is at its best on weekends, when

sellers from all parts of China arrive with their local crafts and

specialities. If you don’t like crowds, it’s not the place for you.

When you feel like it’s time to eat, which for locals is every

minute of the day, try Snack Street - touristy it may be, but

if you go with a open mind and an empty stomach, you’ll be

richly rewarded at Wangfujing market. Street snacks from all

over China feature here, from the tasty shredded lamb and

coriander “burgers” from Shanxi Province, to the dreaded

scorpions or snakes on sticks from Shandong.

The jian bing is a savoury pancake originally from China’s

east coast that’s perfect for a filling, on-the-go bite. Street

stands usually consist of a hot plate on the back of a bike and

appear around breakfast and lunchtime. The pancake mixture

is spread on to the hot plate with a single flourish, and egg is

spread on top. A smear of dark, sweet wheat sauce is followed

by a sprinkling of fresh chilli and green onions. Finally, the key

ingredient: a sheet of crunchy fried dough that’s bashed into

the folds of the pancake before it’s handed over to you in a

totally impractical thin plastic bag.

One thing is for sure, you will not go hungry in Beijing, even if

you can’t stomach the traditional foods, there’s McD and KFC,

but from morning Baozi (Otherwise known as steamed buns,

the Chinese usually eat these for breakfast, so you’ll have to

get in line with the locals at 8am to enjoy the best ones. About

the size of a fist, the extremely light and fluffy dough keeps the

filling piping hot until you take a bite) till late at night where you

can wait on stools outside of the most popular restaurants

eating complimentary sunflower seeds and faffing with your

smartphone until a table inside becomes available. Try it, try

it all. The crunchier, more gelatinous, more gristly (and grisly)

and chewy the better.

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474646

It’s almost that time of year again, Ramadan. You’ll probably agree that most of us know the basics. No eating or drinking

in public places, no live entertainment and everyone be a little more modest with their dress code, i.e. cover a little more

flesh - and yes, this means you gentlemen too. But here are a few things you might not be aware of ...

Culturally speaking ...

Ramadan is the month during which fasting is obligatory for all Muslims. It is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar (Hijri year).

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and during Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. At

Maghrib, the time of the fourth prayer, the fast is broken and iftar starts.

Piety

The month is a time of piety, charity and good deeds. Muslims refrain from smoking and talking ill of others and they are expected

to spend a large part of their time praying and reading the Quran and helping less fortunate people by giving alms (money) to the

poor or donating food to charity.

Fasting is meant to develop a believer’s moral and spiritual values and keeps them away from greed, selfishness and material

concerns.

Symbols of ramadan

There are some special decorations that are quite symbolic at this special time of year, like the lantern and cannon. The lantern

signifies light and the cannon sounds the time for iftar.

People usually break their fast with dates and water as Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) did, so dates are always on an iftar table.

Even non-Muslims can attend iftar. You should try it at least once during Ramadan as it is a wonderful experience and will allow you

to see, understand and even meet Muslims who are fasting.

The Greeting

The next time you find yourself in line at the supermarket or in the office next to your Muslim colleague, feel free to wish him or her

“Ramadan Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem” or simply “Happy Ramadan.”

eid

Eid al-Fitr was originated by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is observed on the first of the month of Shawwal at the end of the

month of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one, two or three days. Common greetings during this holiday are the Arabic greeting

‘Eid Mubārak (“Blessed Eid”) or ‘Eid Sa‘ād (“Happy Eid”). The religious Eid is a single day during which Muslims are not permitted

to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.

The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based

on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality. However, in most

countries, it is generally celebrated on the same day as Saudi Arabia.

Respecting Ramadan

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May 2015 n Issue 24

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