Author: Business & Lifestyle Publishing

A snapshot of all things lifestyle by Island girls Shereen Shabnam and Natasha Dury.

Delightful Smoothies from Ocean Spray

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Im into Smoothies at the moment as they are little more nicer than straight juicing and better than having the normal fry up for breakfast. Ocean Spray sent me some great recipes that I am loving at the moment:

Shereen Shabnam Berry SmoothieBerry Smoothie Serves: 1

Ingredients

225ml (8 fl oz) Ocean Spray® Chilled Cranberry Original juice drink

12-15 raspberries, fresh or frozen

4 medium strawberries, hulls removed and cut into halves

1/2 cup crushed ice

Method

  1. Put all ingredients, except garnish, into a blender.
  2. Blend for a few seconds on high speed or until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  3. Pour into a large glass.

Cran Cherry Mango Smoothie SHereen Shabnam

Cranberry, Cherry and Mango Smoothie

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

200g frozen pitted cherries or summer berry mix
200g frozen cubed mango or exotic fruit mix
300ml Ocean Spray® Cranberry & Cherry juice drink
1 x 150g carton Greek-style vanilla yogurt

Fresh cherries and/or mango slices to garnish – optional

Method:

Combine all smoothie ingredients in a blender. Blend at high speed, until smooth (15 to 20 seconds).
Pour into glasses and garnish with a fresh cherry and/or mango slice as desired. Refrigerate or freeze any leftover smoothie mixture.

Blueberry & Orange Smoothie Shereen SHabnam

Blueberry and Orange Smoothie

Takes: 5 minutes

Makes: 2 glasses

Ingredients:

200ml Ocean Spray® Blueberry juice drink

Juice of 1 fresh orange

100g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved

3 tbsp low fat natural yogurt

Manuka honey, to taste

Method:

Place all the ingredients, except the honey, into a blender. Whiz until smooth. Add honey to taste and serve over ice.

Top Tip: For a richer, creamier smoothie add a scoop of ice cream or frozen yoghurt to the blender.

Ocean Spray® is a registered trademark of Ocean Spray, used with permission.

Warm up with a Squash soup

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Absolutely love this recipe of Squash Soup by the Six Senses Zighy Bay Executive chef, Richard Lee.

soup shereen shabnam

SQUASH SOUP
500ml vegetables stock
750 gram squash, cut into cubes
2 red onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, halved
60 ml yoghurt
1 gram ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Put the stock and 500ml of water into a heavy-based pan and bring to boil, add the squash, onions and garlic and return to the boil. Reduce the heat slightly and cook for 15 minutes or until the squash is smooth.
Drain the vegetables in a colander, reserving the liquid. Puree the squash mixture until smooth, either in a blender or with a hand masher (you may need to add some of the reserved liquid to make mashing a little easier). Return the squash puree to the pan stir in enough reserved liquid to reach the preferred consistency. Season to taste the nutmeg and cracked black pepper.
Ladle the soup into bowls and pour some of the live yoghurt into each bowl to create a swirl pattern on the top. Sprinkle with nutmeg, serve with fresh rye bread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That perfect Rocca Salad

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With the Spring season around the corner, we bring you the perfect Rocca Salad recipe by the Six Senses Zighy Bay Executive chef, Richard Lee.

Pomegrante, Arugula Salad; Tyler Florence
ROCCA SALAD
60 gram Rocket leaves
20 gram red onion, thin slices
20 gram tomato
40 gram goat cheese, crumbled
5 gram sumac
10 ml olive oil
10 ml lemon juice
10 gram green olives, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
1. Place all of the ingredients in a bowl, mix and serve

Make Healthy Living a Priority with Ole

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We welcomed the new year with a renewed commitment to living healthy. Its hard to keep track on our aspirations but to succeed, make only one resolution. Your chances of success are greater when you channel energy into changing just one aspect of your behavior – and none is most important as being healthy.

With a clean slate, it is not too late to feel inspired and motivated to re-make yourself into a fighting fit person. One such wellness resolution you can make is to exercise moderately for 30 minutes a day, eat clean wholesome foods and increase your intake of Ole, a powerful anti-oxidant produced by prominent direct-selling company QNET that can keep you energized, fit, and beautiful, inside and out.

When your body breaks down food it produces molecules called free radicals. Cigarette smoke and radiation also produce free radicals. Over time, the damage from these substances can result in conditions like infection, cancer, inflammation, and heart disease. That’s where antioxidants such as Ole step in. Once you cut an apple, it begins to brown, but if you dip it in orange juice, which contains vitamin C (an antioxidant), it stays white. You can defend your body the same way by including rich sources in your diet. Pomegranates, coffee, and olive leaf extract contain such antioxidants.

It’s a common conception that Vitamic C is our best resource to protect our immune system. But did you know that olive leaf extract, found in Ole, is widely considered the ultimate natural defender of your immune system, containing 400% greater antioxidant capacity than Vitamin C, and up to 40 times more polyphenolics than extra-virgin olive oil?

Why is it good for you? The extract from olive leaves contains various trace elements that are vital to good health, including Vitamin C, iron, zinc, selenium, chromium, betacarotene, and a wide range of important amino acids. Olive leaf extract is also a rich source of antioxidants. Traditionally, olive leaf extract has been used to treat fevers, cold and flus, common coughs and asthma.

It is well known to help maintain a normal and healthy cardiovascular system and assist in the maintenance of normal heart function.

Kick-start your healthy resolution and start having your one teaspoonful of Olé a day straight from the bottle, or mix one teaspoon of Olé with your fruit juice or your coffee in the morning. To stay fully hydrated, drink plenty of water, 8 glasses is recommended, in between your doses of Olé.

 

 

 

EMIRATES WALK FOR AUTISM TO BE HELD IN FUJAIRAH THIS FRIDAY

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Autism Invite

Dr. Nahida Abdulla Abdulkadir Nasseri, founder of ‘The Emirates Walk For Autism’ and Al Sharq Hospital, are gearing up to raise awareness for autism this Friday in Fujairah. The walk will start from the entrance of the Al Sharq Hospital at 5pm and participants will start registrations at 4pm onwards with refreshments and activities.

Autism Awareness campaigns are held globally during the month of April and the initiatives in the UAE are supported by Emirates Red Crescent to help fund research and more importantly to educate the public about Autism.

Al Sharq Hospital has stepped forward to include Autism awareness into their CSR programme and being part of the walk is a strategy to motivate more parents to come forward if they notice anything different in children as early intervention is key for an affected child’s progress.

 

Dr. Nahida started this initiative to encourage people to be supportive of the challenges parents of autistic children face and be understanding of the behavior of affected children when their routine or environment is changed.

Dr. Nahida adds, “Families face both financial and emotional strain already when they have a child with autism and we encourage them to learn ways to cope by attending specialist schools and meeting medical professionals as early intervention is key for a child to cope with the condition.”

Interested participants can join the walk on Friday 27th February from 4pm at Al Sharq Hospital, Fujairah.

 

Check out the ‘luxury’ facet of India

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Shereen Shabnam Royal India

India’s fastest-growing luxury segments encompassing travel, hospitality, wellness, healthcare, education, fashion and lifestyle domains are coming together for an exclusive trade show in Dubai on December 4 and 5 to showcase the comparatively lesser-known ‘luxury’ facets of India among the Emiratis, Arabs and HNIs Asians.

The 2nd edition of Royal India Luxury Show will take place on an exhibition space of 22,000 square feet at Dubai’s luxury icon, Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The two-day show will take place daily from 10 am to 6 pm and entry is free to the public. According to its World Luxury Goods Market Study, tourists are changing their consumption habits and seeking out new destinations for unique experiences and luxury.

India cannot be explained but should be experienced. The 21st century India is full of luxury experiences. India’s rich history is replete with opulence and grandeur and for centuries it has been a preferred destination to revitalize and rejuvenate the body and soul. India offers a diverse portfolio of unique and memorable experiences.

Emiratis and other Arabs have comparatively very little exposure about the India’s luxury element. Most are aware about India being the Land of Grandeur, but did not have better opportunities to learn about the luxury experiences that awaits them. India offers tourists unique experiences with its natural beauty, vivid festivals, exotic beaches and architectural marvels.

Luxury is the fastest growing segment with the visitors being offered tailor-made, refined and bespoke holidays experiences for individuals, couples and groups.

The exhibitors include Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India), Cox & Kings – the longest established travel company in the world, Cox & Kings Weddings, Ramoji Film City, Air Aura, MEHAIR, Sansha Spa, Woodland, EMGEE Developers- Anantam, Jaypee Green Golf Course, Six Senses Spa, UAE Exchange, Sobha developers Ltd, Rocky S, Archana Kochhar, Neeta Lulla, Monapali, Rohit Verma and Satya Paul.

Skin care secrets during cold weather

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Nivea Daily Essentials Shereen Shabnam

One of the reasons I love the guys at Asdaa is their tailor made media relations and sending stories that really add value to our readers day to day lives. They pick up the phone and talk to media and give hooks for relevant stories unlike the mid-range agencies who send out blanket press releases in the wrong language.

SO… Im sitting in the cold in Munich right now with chapped lips and flaky skin when I get some amazing tips from the team at Asdaa telling me how with NIVEA, the cold days can bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. A harsh winter can mean uncomfortable dryness to the face, hands and feet.

Below are some secrets on how to fully enjoy the season without damaging your skin from NIVEA. With more than 100 years of skincare experience, NIVEA understands that dry skin can affect you physically and emotionally so invests heavily in skin research to look for scientific inspiration to relieve dry skin symptoms.

Your secret number 1:

The drop in temperature during cold days lowers our skin’s production of lipids which can be perceived differently depending on one’s skin type. That’s why it becomes very important to moisturise regularly.

Using a skincare product that is rich such as NIVEA Creme or NIVEA Nourishing Body Lotion will leave your body intensively nourished all day long. Its rich creamy formula gives the right amount of moisture to the skin.

As for your face, it also needs extra attention and care during winter days especially on the sensitive parts such as the nose and around the eyes, which can be affected by the drop in temperature. Using NIVEA Daily Essentials range of products with Hydra IQ will provide the skin with all the moisture and soothing elements it needs to enhance its natural balance, whilst the sun factor 30 protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays which can penetrate through make-up and damage skin.

Your secret number 2:

When cold, a woman’s skin temperature is three degrees lower than that of a man and there’s nothing more appealing at this time of year than a hot bath. So ladies, breathe deeply, float and pamper yourself with a hot bath to banish coldness and muscle tension and improve your general wellbeing. Using the right shower gel with moisturising effects is also crucial; the NIVEA Creme Shower Gel providing the same nourishment as the NIVEA Creme will envelop your skin with its foam while its unique scent will leave it feeling moisturised and smooth. After your hot bath, it’s also recommended to apply a body lotion that provides valuable moisture which improves the sensation of tightness for 24 hours. Alternatively, and thanks to NIVEA’s latest innovation in body care, you can moisturise your body while showering with the new NIVEA In-Shower Body Lotion specifically formulated for dry skin that will keep your skin feeling soft and supple braving the odds of colder weather.

It is also advisable to stay away from rubbing your skin with a towel, dabbing your skin is many times more beneficial. Rubbing the skin deprives the skin of the benefits of applying bath oil by removing the layer of the oil.

Your secret number 3

Indulge yourself with steam baths, another natural skincare tip to avoid the dehydrating effects of winter.

Moisturising your skin with a rich lotion such as the new NIVEA Cocoa Butter after a bath is essential because it doubles up the skin-friendly effect of steam bath thanks to its rich formula with cocoa indulgence. The formula, with Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E, instantly moisturises and smoothers the feeling of rough dry skin, leaving the skin with a beautiful scent and healthy-looking glow all day long.

Your secret number 4

Never forget to drink water during the winter for a healthy and moisturised skin. Increase your water level and be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your skin and body properly hydrated.

Your result

Follow these skincare tips and you will feel your skin hydrated and healthy. You will also notice you have more energy, less tension, smoother skin allowing you to fully enjoy the season.

Thank you NIVEA for sharing these beauty gems with us.

 

Master Baker Chef Pascal Unveils His New Seasonal Menu

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Master Baker Chef Pascal Tepper Shereen Shabnam

One of my favourite place to eat in Media City is Pascal Tepper – Did you know that Pascal Tepper’s Autumn Menu Is Being Served?

I have met Pascal Tepper a number of times during his visits to the UAE and everything he does is infused with passion – this translates into the dishes he creates as well.

As the new season sets in, so does a new menu at Pascal Tepper French Bakery. On offer are French classics, Beef lasagne, Chicken club, Spiced duck confit, Panini dinde & Brie cheese, Tuna Tataki, Shrimp baguette with basil mayonnaise, Fondant Au Chocolat and many other items, known as Feuilletes in French!

The new menu continues to embrace the true taste of French cuisine with almost all of the ingredients for the signature recipes ‘ready-made’ from France and cooked on the premises.

Master Baker Chef Pascal Shereen Shabnam

Pascal Tepper French Bakery is on the main TECOM drag and is open daily from 7am to 9pm for dine-in, take-away, catering and deliveries within the TECOM vicinity. Log onto www.pascaltepperfrenchbakery.com for the full menu or call 04 454 2408.

Make-up brand Misslyn Arrives in the Middle East

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Shereen SHabnam Misslyn

So last week I headed towards Downtown area middle of the day  to check out Germany’s top make-up brand Misslyn – the brand successfully launched a complete collection of luxurious make-up in the Middle East, from foundation, lip balm to the newest eyeshadow palettes for a flawless, sexy, seductive and irresistible look which I was very impressed with as it had some of my favourite colours.

Three core Misslyn products stole the spotlight: new must-have tinted lip balms for soft, shiny lips; long-lasting foundation that lasts up to 24 hours for a naturally fresh and flawless face; and three eyeshadow palettes for an endless variety of eye make-up looks, from natural, classic or party style.

According to a recent report by Euromonitor report, the Middle East and Africa region registered sales of $24.2billion for the beauty industry alone.

The newly-launched collection comprises of the following Misslyn products:

MISSLYN COLOR KISS SHINY LIP BALM

Tinted Lip Balm, Retractable

The Misslyn lip balm which combines the power of a light-colored, translucent lipstick and the soothing feel of a lip balm in one product. Simply use this versatile product to achieve a perfect appearance in the twinkling of an eye – even without a mirror. A pleasant and delicate scent provides an excellent finish to this lip product.

MISSLYN ULTIMATE STAY MAKE UP

Long-Lasting Foundation That Lasts Up To 24 Hours For Normal To Oily Skin

For a fresh and flawless face, experience Misslyn’s Ultimate Stay Make Up which combines a matte finish and coverage with comfort and a feather-light texture. Each variant is tailor-made for the needs of normal to oily skin; with a surprisingly light texture that holds up to 24 hours. Once applied, it remains true to color with your complexion mattified, naturally radiant and glowing. 

MISSLYN EYESHADOW PALETTE

An Endless Variety Of Looks, For A Natural, Classic Or Party Style

Three new Misslyn Eyeshadow Palettes can produce a magical transformation for your eyes. Each palette includes 12 different eyeshadow shades, offering many makeup variation possibilities. pearly shades, helps you achieve an endless variety of looks, for a natural, classic or party style. The palette is space-saving, and ist double-sided applicator is ideal for traveling.

All the Misslyn products can be purchased in these outlets: Centrepoint Mirdiff City Centre; Centrepoint Dubai Festival City; Centrepoint Sky Garden; Centrepoint Ras Al Khaimah; Lifestyle RAK Mall and Centrepoint Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi.

Harley-Davidson Open House unveils 2015 models

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Harley Shereen Shabnam

My first All About Wheels update as soon I got off the plane from Los Angeles was about Harley-Davidson Middle East and North Africa (MENA)’s Open House Day in UAE – it included an exciting array of events hosted by the local dealerships for the Harley-Davidson community in each city and launched Harley-Davidson’s 2015 line up of motorcycles in Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai….pity I was not able to be part of it but as they say, when Hollywood calls, you just have to go!

Fujairah hosted the first of the three with over 250 riders and aficionados gathering at the dealership for breakfast before setting out for the first Fujairah Bike Week and Shukran Khalifa Parade. The second Open House was held in Abu Dhabi where over 120 enthusiasts gathered to see the new models of 2015 followed by an unveiling of the Street Glide® Special at the Toast of Americas Festival that took place at the Abu Dhabi City Golf Club.

On October 31, 2014, while I was busy in Hollywood, the Open House Day had 250 attendees at the Dubai dealership where they saw Harley-Davidson’s 2015 line of iconic motorcycles with some refreshments followed by a ride out to the Gulf Bike Week. A grand unveiling of the CVO Street Glide® 2015 took place at the dealership and at Gulf Bike Week. A highlight of the day was Harley-Davidson leading the Thunder Parade – a signature part of the Gulf Bike Week that saw riders from across the region come down to participate.

The 2015 range has Harley-Davidson hard on the throttle of innovation, combining world class aerodynamics and superb audio with advanced ergonomic comfort. Propelled by Project RUSHMORE’s customisations and the buzz of Project LiveWire’s combination of heritage and technology, the 2015 line up is carefully crafted for maximum enjoyment of the open road.