Vol 2 Iss 5 DQ Living: Get Fit and Healthy!

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 5 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2018

GET FIT AND HEALTHY! Fitness Options in the DQ

NOTABLE NORWAY

Welcome to the Health and Fitness Issue of DQ Living Magazine! Maintaining our health and keeping our bodies fit are of utmost importance. In this issue, we highlight local resources to help you do just that. From exercises you can do, fitness groups you can join, healthy food you can try, and a resource guide for organic markets and stores you can visit, this issue has it all.

This issue features popular HIIT training routines with one of Riyadh’s top fitness trainers, Mohammed Azheruddin, and ways to get your groove on at MOVE dance fitness studio with Nelly Attar. Our What’s New page suggests different fitness options you can find in the DQ from fitness groups and studios to DQ-based trainers.

One of the great benefits of living in the DQ is the trail around the perimeter, where one can bike, run, and take a leisurely stroll. If you think life in the DQ is right for you, be sure to have a look at the luxury villas by Darraq, taking the DQ lifestyle to a new level.

A vital component of healthy living is the food we consume. In this issue, don’t miss the country feature on Norway, known for its freshest salmon and seafood. We also take a look at local markets, not far from the DQ, where fresh produce is in abundance.

The fall season is in full swing, though it may not feel like fall quite yet! Events and activities are springing up in every corner of Riyadh, as you will see in our extensive events coverage in this issue.

We thank you and the whole DQ community for your support of DQ Living. Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates and check out our website for past issues and articles. Wishing you and your loved ones a lifetime of health and well-being!

Publisher Fayez Aldosari

Project Coordinator Maria Cometti Editorial Coordinator Naureen Ahmed

Contributors

Fariha Eshrat Alex Woodman Shaun Sabico Noora Dabbagh Kelly Downing Latin American Vegan Janelle Vales-Yasay Reina Tejano-Berina

Marketing Coordinator Alyaa Malik

Photographers Distributed by Jaffar Raza Michelle Bartels Hachem Photography

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However, Sharakah Media can not accept any legal responsibility for any error or omission.

Views expressed in this magazine are by writers and are not necessarily those of the publisher of DQ Living.

Sharakah Media | PO Box 9468 | Al Safarat Riyadh, 11614 | www.sharakahmedia.com | projects@sharakahmedia.com

Inquire today at projects@sharakahmedia.com!

Contents 07 COVER STORY | High Intensity Interval Training: The Future of Exercise

24 GO | Notable Norway

14 FEATURE | The Diet List

18 FEATURE | Life in the Blue Zone

30 SHOP | The Markets of Riyadh

36 EAT | A Tale of Two Tastes

ON THE COVER: Fitness trainer Mohammed Azheruddin demonstrates HIIT routines in this issue’s cover and main story (page 7).

Photography by Jaffar Raza at Interval Plus Cross Fit.

20 LIVE | Darraq: Homes in the Heart of Nature's Trails

42 EVENTS | Darrraq Organizes Saudi National Day Celebrations

Contributors FARIHA ESHRAT is a medical student with an interest in writing, media and PR. Having spent 23 years in the Kingdom, she has also grown a strong passion for hummus and kunafa. Fariha has been an editorial and marketing team contributor with DQ Living since 2017.

A multi-awarded biomedical scientist specializing in endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition, SHAUN SABICO MD, PhD is working as the deputy director for Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis in King Saud University. He also loves (LOVES!) spaghetti.

ALEXANDER WOODMAN believes that Saudi Arabia has a lot to offer to the world and that the beauty of the country resides in its uncharted territories. He is currently a faculty member at the Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University. His research interest is in global health, international health policy development, transnational and transcultural health politics as well as international diplomacy.

KELLY DOWNING is a stay-at-home mom with a background in real estate, sales management and business development. She’s a vegetarian since childhood. She also recently got her driving license in Saudi Arabia, one of the first expat women to do so.

NOORA DABBAGH enjoys new cuisines and traveling. Having lived for 18 years in Saudi Arabia, a country known as a melting pot of different nationalities, Noora enjoys meeting people from all over the world. Oh, and she’s also a licensed scuba diver.

The LATIN AMERICAN VEGAN is a blogger who focuses on vegan food items and restaurants in the local region. He is active on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Fairly new to the vegan lifestyle, he is an advocate of health and well-being and travels the globe in search of vegan food. Visit his website at www.thelatinamericanvegan.com/

JAFFAR RAZA likes capturing moments. He likes the culture of Saudi Arabia and it has been the subject of his photography for many years.

MICHELLE BARTELS likes photography, travel and learning about new cultures. As a matter of fact, her favorite aspect of living and working in Sauid Arabia is seeing the unique culture that most people never had the opportunity to experience.

Considered as Top 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf for three years straight since 2015, REINA TEJANO-BERIÑA AND JANELLE VALES-YASAY write the award-wining blog, The Pink Tarha. They like sharing experiences, telling stories, traveling, shopping, and most importantly, eating.

They love doing new things every day and spreading good vibes always. Visit their website: www.thepinktarha.com

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To read more DQ Living articles, visit our website at: DQLIVINGMAG.COM

WHAT'S NEW IN THE DQ

DQ FITNESS OPTIONS WORTH TRYING MERAKI MOVEMENT BY HANNAH ANDERSON-RICKETTS Hannah is a personal trainer, yoga teacher and pilates mat and reformer instructor from London who is now living in Riyadh. She originally trained as a contemporary dancer and had over 10 years of experience dancing and choreographing before her desire to learn more about the body took over and lead her into fitness.

With her versatile approach and diverse experience, she delivers fun, challenging, and balanced fitness sessions. Currently she comes to you to deliver private fitness sessions in whatever style interests you. So whatever your goals are she can likely help you out! www.merakimovement.org E: hannah@merakimovement.org IG: @hannahmeraki OM ZAINA YOGA

BY BETHANY ALHAIDARI OZ Yoga in the DQ is now up and running!

Co-owners Bethany and Diana had a vision to make yoga accessible to Riyadh community. From Yoga HIIT, Power Yoga, Dharma Yoga Wheel, Candlelight Relaxation or Vinyasa Flow, you’ll find the kind of yoga for you. The studio offers low- to high-intensity classes which fit beginner or advanced learners looking for strength building and weight loss. While OZ mostly caters to women, some days are open for men as well. Schedules are published in their Facebook page.

Drop-ins are welcome but booking online is recommended. Membership packages start from SR 850 for a month up to SR 6,000 for a year. Class rates start at SR 100 for one session up to SR 1600 for 20 classes. Try this transformational practice and see you in the mat! https://omzainayoga.com FB: https://www.facebook.com/OmZainaYogaRiyadh/

DQ FIT BY MAAIKE KEIZER Established by Maaike Keizer in 2016, DQ Fit is a sports club which organizes workouts and trainings for everyone who wants to practice a healthy lifestyle. When Maaike arrived to the DQ in 2016, she was interested to find outdoors sports opportunities and was inspired the many parks and trails in the DQ to organize exercises and trainings for the DQ Community. She decided to start boot camp classes in the Tuwaiq Park and soon started to organize circuit trainings.

DQ Fit caters to the needs of everyone who wants to get or stay fit while enjoying the serene environment of the DQ parks. The club always has a great group of people, of every age and level of fitness, enjoying a friendly workout session. DQ Fit members usually meet at the entrance of the Tuwaiq park, next to the mosque. However, the exact location is always picked and shared with the group before each training session because it varies based on the training of the day.

Participants can join for one class or book 10 class packages for discounted rates.

WhatsApp: +966568050680 FB: https://www.facebook.com/ dqfitmaaike/

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COVER

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High Intensity Interval Training: The Future of Exercise

BY FARIHA ESHRAT Photography by Jaffar Raza

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has become popularized thanks to fitness gurus and celebrity endorsements. The fast-paced workout method is strongly backed by scientific data, making HIIT a serious contender in replacing traditional workouts.

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n 2014, the American College of Sports Medicine predicted that HIIT will soon takeover as the most common form of exercise. HIIT training sessions are all the rage amongst athletes of all fields and people of all fitness levels now, and it’s important that you know why.

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HIIT is a cardiovascular exercise strategy that alternates between bursts of intense exercise and less intense recovery periods. There is no universally standardised HIIT session duration, as these sessions vary based on individual fitness levels. Workouts typically last under 30 minutes, or until participants are too exhausted to continue. Whether it's a weighted ball, treadmill, a rowing machine, or a stationary bike, participants typically spend one minute in maximum intensity workout, followed by a 15-second break before starting the next intense minute.

HIIT allows shorter workout sessions to provide seemingly more benefits. These workouts provide improved athletic capacity as well as improved glucose metabolism, all within a short time span, making this the ideal workout for the busy 21st century adult.

More people than ever are skipping the standard cardio routines in favor of a quick HIIT session for heart health. In fact, you can get the same increase in aerobic lung capacity from two weeks of HIIT as you can from six to eight weeks of traditional endurance training, according to new research. This improves your muscle oxygenation over a shorter period of time, essentially giving you the benefits of traditional cardio, such as reduced heart rate and blood pressure, with less time spent working out.

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Multiple research studies have shown that HIIT sessions burn more calories than traditional workouts because they can stimulate the release of human growth hormone and increase metabolism, in particular fat digestion, for up to 24 hours after a session. While traditional cardio can also burn fat, it tends to encourage muscle loss as well, making HIIT a good middle ground for trimming your waist and keeping hard-earned muscles from your strength training. Due to the intensity of a HIIT workout, these sessions have been proven to increase muscle mass over time.

Thus, HIIT is a convenient, effective exercise option to help you achieve your fitness goals and take a big step towards a healthier lifestyle. As the workouts are intense, it is very important for anyone with a joint disease or previous injury to first get medical clearance to pursue HIIT and to use a personal trainer to perfect form during the workouts to prevent injury.

Be sure to always warm up before any training to avoid exercise injuries, and ease into your workout. And don't forget about your rest days!

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Fitness Saudi's Commitment

to a Healthier You Fitness Saudi is a team of committed trainers who are striving to empower individuals to take control of their health and work towards a better lifestyle. Fitness Saudi is very enthusiastic in its implementation of a strict code of values and its mission and vision to empower a healthier you through incorporating fitness and nutrition as a part of your everyday life.

The team specializes in creating individualized lifestyle programs of fitness and nutrition tailored to each person’s goals and needs. This process starts by creating awareness in the client, which allows them to experience the sense of freedom to choose a healthier life. The programs allow for graded transition, giving the client a chance to adjust to the various changes emotionally and physically so that the changes can create a lasting effect. The team is constantly available to motivate clients and remind them that they are ready to make this change towards better health, positive energy and joy and that by first growing themselves, they will be able to help in the growth of their loved ones.

The Fitness Saudi trainers are invested in their clients and strive to exceed the expectations of their clients’ wants and needs. What sets Fitness Saudi apart is their care of their clients as individuals and the joy the trainers take in watching the clients transform their minds, bodies, and lives. The team prides themselves in ensuring that every individual they train is moving closer to becoming the person they want to be and achieving the goals they want to achieve.

The code of value at Fitness Saudi preaches commitment, accountability and also integrity by reminding everyone to commit to tangible and feasible short term, achievable goals.

It reminds you that being healthy is more than just absence of disease; it is comfort and strength in your everyday life and that healthy lifestyles empower you to reclaim the health you deserve. Also, it’s vital to note that consistency over the long haul is the key to life-long health and fitness because Fitness Saudi is clear in remembering that change happens 1% at a time. This also encourages the value of achieving balance in your new program, to prioritize your personal health, alongside your professional and social lives. Finally, the code highlights that a clear line of communication with a trainer you trust can help you find freedom in your choices by enjoying the program you planned to execute with your trainer, while on your way to achieving your dream body.

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Fitness Saudi also features renowned trainer, Mohammed Azheruddin. Azheruddin has multiple accredited qualifications as a trainer and specializes in personal training, group exercises, and spinning. With over 15 years of international experience working with high-tier fitness brands such as Gold’s Gym International, Fitness Time KSA, Fitness First Middle East, Equinox USA, Talwalkers India and Spin World India, Azheruddin is now a part of Fitness Saudi to help train you on your journey to achievingyour fitness goals and dreams.

Social Media: @fitnessaudi.sa

MOVING

THE WORLD

BY MARIA COMETTI

From Riyadh to Mt. Everest, Nelly Attar aims to MOVE the world. She is well on her way!

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ake one step into MOVE, Nelly Attar's new dance studio, and you are sure to forget your problems and challenges, and enjoy an energizing and inspiring fitness experience.

training to get more and more people across the Kingdom active, while also creating work opportunities for others in the industry.” The platform quickly grew into a full-time commitment.

Nelly’s motivation to start the boutique studio Move was simply to get more people MOVing! She has made a fitness career out of empowering and training women and her enthusiasm is contagious.

“The studio started off from an underutilized warehouse at my stepfather’s office building - with only one trainer (myself), an intern (assisting with bookings and registrations), and my mother supporting with refurbishing the space.” says Nelly. Move has now expanded into an entire property with 4 separate studios, 12 trainers, and a wonderful community of females who are passionate about the movement.

Of Lebanese nationality but born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Nelly knows that obesity in Saudi Arabia is a growing health concern, and it is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. “There is a clearly a crisis here relating to unhealthy lifestyles and lack of movement,” explains Nelly. “Through a variety of activities that caters to a wide age range and all fitness levels, MOVE strives to enable as many people of Riyadh to get active and tackle the sedentary lifestyle.”

Before starting Move, Nelly worked as a part-time fitness instructor for over 5 years, while working a full-time job in psychology/mental health. As sports and dance were two of Nelly’s greatest passions in life, she started focusing more energy and time on that aspect of her work. Nelly adds, “I decided to set up a platform for dance and functional

The studio offers a variety of fitness and dance classes, for women and children. Participants can join and pay for only one session or avail one of the class packages. If someone undecided on which class to attend, Nelly offers this advice: “If you want to dance and learn choreography, then one of our dance classes would be best. If you aim to break a sweat and get a good workout, then join one of our fitness classes.” Choreography based sessions include: Hip Hop, Bollywood, Afrobeats, Belly, and Latin dance.

Dance-Fitness includes Zumba, BellyFit, and Konga while Fitness/Functional Training includes High Intensity Interval

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Training, Pilates, Yoga, Bodyweight Training, Core Training, Mobility, and seasonal Running Club.

The community, ambience, and passion that resonates in the studio separate Move from other dance studios. Nelly explains, “The positive energy that people bring is contagious.

Moreover, one thing that really strikes me is the level of support that people provide - clients supporting each other during and outside of class, trainers supporting each other in new challenges/class methods, staff members continuously supporting clients and trainers, and everyone coming together to support the growth of the studio.”

Nelly doesn’t only work from her studio; Move recently launched fitness trips (overseas) and mountain expeditions.

Most notably, Nelly will be attempting the summit of Everest (highest peak in the world at 8,848 meters) from April-June 2019. “This is one of the most difficult challenges a climber

“The positive energy that people bring is contagious. Moreover, one thing that really strikes me is the level of support that people provide..."

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can embark on in a lifetime, but it is certainly worthwhile” Nelly says. Through this challenge, Nelly aims to inspire women and youth in Saudi Arabia to become physically active and courageous in whatever it is they want to pursue in life. When Nelly summits Everest, she will make history in the Arab region as the first Lebanese female, second female from Saudi Arabia, and one of the very few Arabs to reach the summit of Everest.

Whether in the studio, on a fitness trip, or attempting to summit Everest, Nelly believes this is only the beginning.

“This is just the start of what we are trying to create, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds over the days and years to come. Come join the MOVEment!”

TESTIMONIAL: "My experience of the past 6 months at Move was nothing but encouragement, love and respect. Move’s community inspires me to constantly work/challenge and empower myself, explore different varieties of dance, and most importantly, it made me realize that I am capable of doing things I never thought I would.

I started off by giving two dancing classes for kids and I enjoyed every step with their little passionate minds, And nowadays I provide five dancing classes per a week for kids and adult. I gained so much confidence and patience throughout this whole experience that I will always be grateful for, and now because of Move, I am in a place where i feel motivated and willing to motivate others, knowledgeable and ready to teach, grownup and humbled to share my growth."

- Noura Abdulaziz

MOVE Sulaimaniyah, Riyadh 12234 Tel: +966-53-111-5340 Email: info@moveriyadh.com Instagram: @moveriyadh

THE DIET LIST

BY FARIHA ESHRAT Nowadays “eating healthy” is no longer as easy as eating more fruits and vegetables. Different kinds of “DIETS” are on the rise and it’s getting difficult to keep up. Which one works?

Which one is best for you? In this guide, popular diets are explained.

Atkins Atkins Diet consists of a low-carbohydrate content to control the release of insulin in the body. This is based on the fact that high insulin levels trigger energy storage, which means less of your body’s stored fat will be used up and more new energy will be stored in your body. This diet thus encourages a healthier choice in dietary habits by limiting the intake of processed carbs.

The Zone The Zone Diet aims to achieve nutritional balance by insisting each meal be 40% carbohydrates, 30% fats, and 30% protein. This allows intake of all kinds of food, and results in a high protein and low carb diet ideal for muscle building.

Ketogenic The Keto Diet was initially formulated to help patients with seizure disorders or other neuronal illnesses. The low carb, high fat diet allows the body to burn fat in order to conserve any carbohydrate taken in for the brain’s usage.

This diet allows liberal consumption of healthy fats such as nuts, oily fish, avocados and olive oil that help increase HDL or good cholesterol and lower LDL or bad cholesterol.

Paleo Paleo Diet is based on the idea that our hunter-gatherer ancestors from the Paleolithic era lived disease-free longer and hence, consuming only foods that can be naturally found could help us live disease free for longer. This allows you to eat meat, seafood, eggs, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices but no processed dairy or whole grain foods. Also, this reduces the carbohydrate and salt intake from traditional diets and encourages for healthy fat consumption.

allowed during the first two weeks. After the first two weeks, low-glycemic index carbs such as whole grains are reintroduced into the diet. This diet has no portion size or calorie limits.

Mediterranean The Mediterranean diet has many reliable research studies supporting its use in lowering disease risk. Following the traditional diet in Mediterranean countries, characterized by a high consumption of vegetables and olive oil and moderate consumption of protein, is easy, fun and flavorful. This diet has been linked to decreased heart disease and diabetes and has no potential risks.

Whole30 The Whole30 diet is a plan to stop eating all foods that are potential triggers for feeling unhealthy for 30 days and reintroduce them one at a time to determine which were causing issues. This idea is less of a diet and more of a means of finding out which foods maybe causing bloating or bowel problems. Potential triggers to eliminate from your diet for 30 days include dairy, grains, alcohol, legumes, processed foods and junk foods.

Weight Watchers This is essentially a healthy lifestyle plan that consists of a calorie-controlled diet made simpler through a system of smartpoints allocated to each food item, an exercise plan, and weekly meetings to motivate you to stay on course.

The system provides healthy recipes and access of calories burnt in each exercise plan with the use of smartpoints to simplify it. The most important take away from WeightWatchers is understanding the great benefits of having a support system that keeps you in check and encourages you to continue making your healthy choices.

Raw Food South Beach This low-glycemic index-diet was developed for heart disease patients. Patients are not allowed fruit and vegetables that have a high-glycemic index or high natural sugar content such as carrots and radishes. Carbs are not

Advocates of the Raw Food Diet believe that cooking food breaks down its enzymes and destroys many of its nutritional benefits. This restricts the diet to raw vegetarian items such as fresh produce or food that is cooked or heated to no more than 118°F.

A TAKE ON TRENDY DIETS

BY SHAUN SABICO, MD, PHD I think it’s safe to assume that in today’s world, every educated and “internet-literate” adult has, in one way or the other, been bombarded and simultaneously confused by the numerous trendy diets available, all having the same promise of having the desired decrease in weight with a parallel increase in self-confidence. Given our modern perception of what a physically attractive body should look like, these trendy diets have effectively created billion dollar industries and for a good reason: they ALL work. BUT the caveat is equally obvious too: YES, they all work, but their level of efficacy is highly dependent on the individual’s commitment to the program.

Such premise has given birth to the era of customized nutrition.

Having studied human metabolism for more than a decade now, I can say that the benefits of the trendiest diets that we know of (ketogenic, paleo, 30-day, intermittent fasting, etc.) are undoubtedly real and clinically proven. Ketogenic diet for instance (low carb, high fat and moderate protein), has been used as a protocol for patients with known chronic diseases. Paleo diet, on the other hand, is easier to adhere to: just think of what your greatest of the great grandfather/hunter would eat: whole, unprocessed foods. Other programs such as the 30-day diet and alkaline diet are just modified variations of keto and paleo: they ALL cut carbs, processed foods and preservatives, the common denominators.

So what’s the basis for the personalized approach if all these trendy diets are actually peas of the same pod?

The short answer (aside from the level of commitment as previously mentioned) is our metabolism. As much as

I want to expound on that, metabolism experts still haven’t figured out why there is a huge variation in individual human metabolism, even among those having the same anthropometric characteristics. What we do know is that metabolism is affected mostly by the things we have no control of: it decreases as we age, it is slower in women than men and of course, genetics. Furthermore, majority (and by that I mean as much as 80%) of what we eat is burned by basal metabolic rate, the energy used when we actually do NOTHING! Drastic weight loss can reduce basal metabolic rate, but is clinically unhealthy and will never be advised by any sane clinician. So what are we left to play with? The usual physical activity to compliment these trendy diets. While it represents just a fraction of what we have full control of in terms of burning calories, it significantly matters and all experts (including your greatest of the great grandfather/hunter) will agree.

Living in Riyadh and having done several intervention studies targeting Saudis who are obese and those who have prediabetes, I reinforce that any of these trendy diets will work and will actually reduce their risk to full diabetes progression regardless of their metabolic status.

This is true even among apparently healthy individuals who just struggle with either weight issues or achieving the “fit” image. As proven previously from other populations having the same conditions, the magic happens when the individual’s “trendy diet” of choice transforms to “lifestyle modification”. The key for optimum results is far more challenging as you go beyond the fad and seriously considering your trendy diet a lifetime commitment. It is at that point when the weight loss stops and keeping it that way for long (inshallah) begins.

Elevate your fitness lifestyle with Max’s new “Fitspiration” Collection Max, the largest and most trusted value fashion brand in the region announces the launch of its new 2018 Fitspiration Collection.

With summer temperatures starting to fall, the weather is improving and better suited to reignite our active lifestyle.

Get prepared for the pleasant half of the year and let Max’s new “Fitspiration” collection gear you up for the physical transformation waiting for you.

The new collection pays homage to fitness in the street and perfectly blends different styles with different sports

like basketball, athletics, training, yoga. The collection comes with the bold message of empowerment - harnessing the mental strength within to push your limits beyond your imagination.

From trainers for everyday running to fit leggings for yoga, Max’s collection has everything you need for all your exercise routines, in both men’s and women’s styles.

Every day running and cross training are part of the most basic workouts. For this, Max has launched the sporty and yet stylish T-shirt, trainers and jogging pants.

Blending street style with sport is one of Max’s promises with the new collection with the tight T-shirt, jogger, and trainers.

Making statement while you train is part of the game. Max’s new sports statement t-shirts combined with essential leggings and matching trainers help get the message across.

16 The new Fitspiration Collection is now available in all Max stores and online at

WWW.MAXFASHION.COM

Go casual with a classic jogging set and add a touch of colour with Max’s half sports tank tops. The matching silver bag makes it a perfect ensemble to blend both function and street style.

LIFE IN THE BLUE ZONE A POSSIBLE KEY TO LONGEVITY

BY ALEXANDER WOODMAN M.P.H., M.SCI.

A Blue Zone is best known as a quiet and steady environmental area. Here, the population has the stable lifestyle, performs routine physical activity (in spite of age), and displays a significantly low-stress level. One can observe close family units, in these places that provide public health care for the elderly, and boasts of its intake of locally grown products. The theory of the “Blue Zones” originated through the demographic studies of its inventors GianniPes and Michel Poulain in Sardinia, Italy.

The National Geographic fellow, Dan Buettner, developed this concept of "Blue Zones" with his study of five places in the world that were referred to as the “Blue Zones”: Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Nicoya (Costa Rica) Ikaria (Greece), and Loma Linda (California).

Okinawa, Japan, the archipelago covered with white-sand islands situated on a deep blue ocean, still has the repuThe white sand beaches of Okinawa, Japan.

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tation of having a population with the most enduring longevity of a millennium. Men live to about 84 years old, and women live to almost 90; in this land that is called the home of the world’s oldest women.

Sardinia (Italy) in contrast to Okinawa, is proud of its claim to house the world’s highest numbers of centenarian men.

Local men are also freer of heart disease than anywhere in the world. Many say that it is a result of the unique environment and solid and unwavering lifestyle behaviors.

Nicoya, Costa Rica, has the second highest numbers of centenarian men and the lowest percentage of middle-age mortality in the world. Ikaria, Greece, keeps the secrets of the Mediterranean diet, which is thought to result in the lowest number of people with dementia. Furthermore, the country also has one of the lowest percentages of middle-age mortality.

The Blue Zone Longevity Conceptual Model

Loma Linda, California, houses the largest community of Seventh-day Adventists in the United States. Their diet is plant-based, made up of nuts, whole grains, beans, and soy products. Research has shown that the residents of Loma Linda live ten years longer and have a healthier life than the average American living in the United States.

Centenarian men of Sardinia, Italy.

The team of scientists, led by Blue Zone researcher Dan Buettner, the author and longevity expert, came to the following conclusion about living a longer life. A long and healthy life, according to Buettner, is no accident. It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good lifestyle habits. He has led teams of researchers across the globe--from Costa Rica to Sardinia, Italy, to Okinawa, Japan and beyond--to uncover the secrets of Blue Zones. He found that the longevity is intertwined with community, lifestyle, and spirituality. People live longer and healthier by embracing a few simple but powerful habits, and by creating the right community around themselves. To build their own “Blue Zone” people can begin with their diet, where it is grown, how it was cooked, and with whom it was shared. People live longer and healthier by embracing a few powerful habits. However, the uniqueness of the Blue Zones is a combination of food, social relations, regular rituals, and physical activity. It answers the question of why a person wakes up in the morning.” Furthermore, Dan Buettner recommended that the Blue Zone areas be listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. He believed that this was the best way to demonstrate to the world a strong example of people who live and learn from the environment and its serenity.

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LIVE

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Darraq: Homes in the Heart of Nature's Trails The Perfect Choice for Active Lifestyles

BY DUR HOSPITALITY CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

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f there is one place in Riyadh that offers it all, it is the Diplomatic Quarter. May it be restaurants, a community and quick links to the city and airport, the DQ has the best facilities and has become one of the most sought after residential areas of the Kingdom. On top of its enticing offers are sports and outdoors features.

Darraq apartments and villas offer the best accommodation possible to suit an active lifestyle. With its five-star luxury fully serviced choices, the properties which are part of Dur Hospitality Company, offer accommodation that can match the requirements of demanding individuals who want nothing but the best.

Part of the incentive for those who have chosen Darraq accommodation is its unrivalled location. The DQ is the only area in the capital that offers outdoor pursuits. With its pristine and manicured walking trails, one can run, walk, mountain bike or just roam under beautiful trees surrounded by peaceful nature.

There are several running trails, of which two that ascend stairs to a plateau that overlooks the whole of Riyadh. The trails have been specially designed to remain cool in the summer, with ample shade and lush trees and many benches to stop and catch breath.

The Wadi Hanifa basin also makes for beautiful promenades. It is home to an extraordinary fauna and flora, and hundreds of different birds that make it home for at least half a year. From October onwards, much of the wadi is in bloom.

The choice of accommodation has been carefully designed to match the desires of those who adopt fit and healthy lifestyles.

The villas have cool swimming pools and enough space to have a home gym, either inside or outside. They are also air conditioned to perfection, ensuring that active people find solace during all months of the year.

DUR Hospitality Co. P.O. Box 5500, Riyadh, 11422, Saudi Arabia Contact Nos: +966-11-481-6666 ext. 600

Email: leasing@dur.sa Website: www.darraq.com Social Media: @darraqsa

Notable

Norway

BY NOORA DABBAGH

Considered as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Norway has all the elements in its midst: ice, snow, water, farmlands, and wild landscapes.

Whatever Norwegian adventure you choose, this country leaves you a lasting impression of greatness.

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orway has had diplomatic representation in Saudi Arabia since 1961.

Fifteen years later, in 1976, the Royal Norwegian Embassy was established in Jeddah, and moved to Riyadh in 1985. The bilateral relations were enhanced through the establishment of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Oslo in 2012. This high level of cooperation has been crucial in aligning key matters such as stability in the Middle East, the oil and gas industry, and social government programs.

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GO Norway is a global supplier of seafood, as the unique landscape gives Norway the competitive advantage in fishing and exporting seafood. Norway is Europe’s primary seafood exporter, the largest Atlantic Salmon exporter worldwide, and is proudly the second largest global exporter of seafood worldwide, second only to China. This industry is promoted in Saudi Arabia through the various seafood and food festivals that the Embassy hosts throughout the year. Moreover, inspired by Vision 2030, the Norwegian mission actively takes part part in promoting and spreading awareness about the benefits of a healthy seafood rich diet for all citizens.

Sea and Seafood The unique combination of nature, culture and management gives Norwegian seafood a world-class position in terms of quality, tradition and sustainability. The Norwegian seafood culture contributes to both good health and great cuisine.

This is something also the world has discovered. Every day, more than 34 million meals of Norwegian seafood are served in more than 140 different countries across the globe. The seafood industry represents one of Norway's largest export industries after petroleum.

The production of Norwegian seafood has evolved in terms of technology, experience and knowledge, but it has never lost a sense of respect for the environment, the sea or the people. Norwegian fisheries combine generations of hardearned fishing experience with the latest technology.

Norwegian Salmon is raised in the cold, clear waters of Norway. Not only is Norwegian Salmon’s delicious taste popular with all ages, it is packed with proteins, Omega-3, vitamins and minerals, making it a highly nutritious choice.

Northern lights over the Ersfjord in Tromsø Photo credit: Bjørn Jørgensen/Visitnorway.com

Saudi Arabia and Norway are both global key players in the oil and gas industry and share valuable expertise and know how in the field. Norway’s oil and gas exports contribute to over 50% of its total exports whereas in the case of Saudi Arabia the figure is closer to 70%. Both countries are gaining experience in the renewable energy fields.

Salmon is the dominant and most important species in Norwegian aquaculture. Norway is the world’s largest producer of Atlantic salmon, and it accounts for about 70 % of Norwegian seafood exports. Each day 14 million meals of Norwegian Salmon are served worldwide. Norway exports salmon to more than 100 countries around the world.

The aquaculture industry has a long history as it embraces businesses from the cornerstone of many Norwegian coastal communities.

Do you want to know more?

See www.seafood.no

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Where To Go 1. In between the majestic mountains and fjords of the Lofoten Islands, you will find picturesque traditional fishing towns filled with local and unique cuisines.

2. Experience the bustling art scene, with museums and galleries, as well as the historic Hanseatic Wharf of Bryggen in Bergen.

3. Tromso, the “capital of the Artic,” features a wonderful view of the famed Northern lights.

4. You can enjoy nature at its best at the Salvbard Islands, the northernmost group of islands in Europe.

5. The Geirangerfjord is surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush, green vegetation. This tranquil paradise is a famed worldwide nature attraction.

Hamnøy, Lofoten Islands Photo credit: Alex Conu/Visitnorway.com

What To Do 1. Pursue high thrill activities like kayaking, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, base jumpingand parasailing from mid-June to mid-August. Attend the Extreme Sports Festival usually held in June.

2. Enjoy winter pursuits like snowmobiling, skiing, and dog-sledding from late November to early March.

3. Cycle or hike your way to the beautiful sceneries of places like the Jotunheimen National Park, the Lofoten Islands, Hardangervidda plateau and the “snowroad" over the Aurland Mountain.

4. Go on a fishing tour and catch some salmon!

5. Experience the thriving nightlife of these famed cities: Oslo, Bergen Stavanger, Trondheim, and Tromso.

Hiking, Romsdalseggen Photo credit: Mattias Fredriksson Photography AB/Vistinorway.com

About the Ambassador

Øyvind Stokke

The Kingdom of Norway

When were you posted to Saudi Arabia? / How many years have you been in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia?

I came to Riyadh in August 2017, after four years in Shanghai, China. Two very different places in the world. Earlier in my career, I have served in Reykjavik, Iceland and London, United Kingdom and of course several years in Oslo. I like contrasts.

I think it is the right time to be in Saudi Arabia now, although I guess all my colleagues would have said exactly the same thing at any time. However, for my part, I feel that there are some significant changes going on and it is a privilege and a challenge to try to describe and analyze the developments taking place when Norwegian authorities and Norwegian businesses ask me about information and advice.

What is the most challenging part of being the ambassador to Saudi Arabia? What is the most rewarding?

Seen here from the Gulf region, Norway may be a far-away country in the Arctic, although we have a lot in common since Norway is a large oil and gas producer. We also have the world’s biggest sovereign wealth fund based on our oil revenues. Norwegians in Saudi Arabia is a small tribe, just around 50-60 people, and most of them live in the Eastern Province, engaged in the petroleum industry, some of them since 10-20 years ago. At the same time, we are members of a larger Nordic family.

My job is to establish and develop contact between officials and decision makers in the two countries. My task is also to put Saudi Arabia on the map for more Norwegian businesses and for Norwegian students, universities, media, the arts and civil society. When Saudi Arabia opens up for tourists, I guess we will see a significant increase of Norwegians who want to go to a country very few of them yet have seen. Norwegians like to travel and they spend money when going abroad. Every day I see a very positive development the other way; more and more Saudis, businesspeople and families, travel to Norway and they post inspiring videos in the social media.

On a daily basis, the main task for me is to assist Norwegian companies who want to do more trade and business with Saudi Arabia, and to provide inputs to Saudi companies who want to to explore new possibilities and invest in Norway.

I see an increasing interest from both sides and this is very encouraging. Norwegian businesses are discovering Saudi Arabia, however, the culture and language are different, and they need to maneuver in a new terrain. My job is to see how the embassy can help overcoming thresholds and obstacles. Many see that the economic reforms taking place open up for sectors where Norway has a lot to offer, for instance within renewable energy, clean-tech, aqua culture technology, maritime sector or digitalization. In the coming weeks, we are working on the plans for a large Saudi aqua culture delegation travelling to see how this industry is managed in Norway, and we will for the first time receive a big group of Norwegian fish exporters – and a world famous chef – participating at the Saudi Horeca food fair, in the end of November.

In addition to commercial affairs including tourism and promoting Norway, I spend a lot of time with my colleagues at the embassy and our contacts analyzing the political development, since Saudi Arabia’s role in the international politics of the region is important.

What are your favorite places to visit in Riyadh?

I like to go to Diriyah and to the parks at the National Museum & Historical Center. Here in the DQ, I appreciate that more cafees and restaurants are opening. I like the sounds, how the rhythm of the afternoon and evening is sung. It reminds me of the evensongs of a particular neighborhood of my childhood’s Norway.

Embassy of Norway

Amr Aldamri St. Al Safarat Riyadh, 11693 Tel: 011-488-1904 Website: https://www.norway.no/en/saudi-arabia/ Twitter: @oyvind_stokke

Staff of The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Riyadh during the celebration of Norway's National Day. Photo by Abdallah Hachem.

ABOUT THE EMBASSY The motto of the Kingdom of Norway Embassy in Saudi Arabia is “we are the embassy”. In essence, the work culture at the Norwegian embassy promotes the embassy staff as being the backbone, the foundation of the embassy and the diplomatic mission in Riyadh. “We are proud to carry of the flag of Norway wherever we go”, Ms Khulood Zakzouk, proudly remarked as we sat down at the Ambassador’s residence.

This is the Norwegian philosophy and why the Ambassador insisted that the focus of interview should not be solely on him but rather on the organization and the individuals behind the success of the mission. After our interview with the Ambassador, we took time to sit down with Ms. Zakzouk, a local staff member with over fourteen years’ experience in diplomacy, and Alma Lindstrom, a masters student interning at the embassy, to learn about their experience and role in the embassy.

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About the Embassy Staff Khulood Zakzouk How long have you worked for the Norwegian Embassy and what is your role?

My diplomatic career started in 1997 with the Turkish Embassy in Riyadh, and I joined the Norwegian diplomatic mission in 2004. My background in translation sparked an interest in working with different people from various backgrounds and cultures and this is the essence of my job at the embassy. As an executive assistant, no day is the same, and my role varies from consular affairs, to managing the Ambassador’s schedule, and working with visiting delegations.

View of the Geirangerfjord Photo credit: Sveinung Myrlid /Visitnorway.com

What is the most exciting/interesting element of your job?

Accomplishing tasks and feeling that we as the embassy staff are part of something that is bigger than ourselves are the most rewarding aspects of my job. Participating in events and working with various colleagues on different projects are enriching. As part of my work, I attend various workshops and courses and I recently attended an intensive week-long course on consular affairs in Oslo. The embassy encourages its employees to participate and attend work enrichment related courses.

I feel accomplished in my work. As a single working mom, the embassy really values me and my efforts. The ambassador presented me with the memorable words of gratitude on my 50th birthday. The embassy is my second family .

What activities are you involved in outside of work?

Outside of work, I am involved in various charities to promote freedom and education for children and help organize various fundraisers and charity events to help children in camps in Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon.

About the Embassy Staff Alma Lindstrom What was your reaction when you were posted at the Norwegian Embassy in Riyadh?

I was extremely excited, as having a background in Middle Eastern history I wanted to be stationed at the heart of the Middle East; Saudi Arabia. I am in the middle of my master’s degree, and this six-month internship has provided a window into the world of diplomacy. As I am exposed to the various elements of the embassy, I get a flavor of what it is like to be part of a Norwegian foreign mission.

What is a typical day like for you at the Norwegian Embassy?

Being an intern at the Norwegian embassy is a unique experience. The interns are part of a great variety of embassy work, and we are able to actively participate in various talks and discussions as well as important events. My work also involves analysis of the various countries that the embassy covers.

What is your favorite activities to do in the DQ? I am enjoying biking to work every day. Living in the DQ provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while still being part of the city. As the weather cools down, I hope to explore the various hiking and walking trails that the DQ has to offer.

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Markets THE

SHOP

OF RIYADH

BY KELLY DOWNING

It may come as a surprise that, despite being a desert city, Riyadh is situated in the most cultivated region in Saudi Arabia. Those who want to eat a balanced diet benefit from access to freshly-grown crops at the regional produce markets scattered throughout the city.

Additionally, the organic and natural offerings of local grocers have made healthy eating more attainable.

Here, I have highlighted three food markets that are worth a visit from the DQ, as well as grocers that offer a diverse range of goods.

PRODUCE: Saturday Farms Day Market – Al Muruj Driving Distance from the DQ: 17 km

The Saturday Farms Day Market is a weekly pop-up held in a pavilion adjacent to the North of Riyadh Fruit & Vegetable Market. While the North of Riyadh Market hosts local farms and businesses that sell produce on a daily basis, the Saturday Market brings in farmers from around the country. On a recent Saturday, two friendly farmers from Ha’il sold out of coveted shallots from the Kharj area. The Saturday market brings diversity to us, but its appeal is bolstered by the adjacent mainstay market. Here, you will find watermelon, tomato, onion, squash, eggplant, and cucumber among the many fruits and vegetables for sale. It’s best to arrive earlier in the day when vendors and goods are plentiful.

In the Neighborhood: If you continue north on Almughirah ibn Shuhaba past the markets, you will find a supermarket called Basateen Alqaseem, meaning “Groves of Qaseem.” It provides a convenient collection of produce, meat and dates from Qaeseem.

DATES: Riyadh Seasonal Dates Market – Al Rawabi Driving Distance from the DQ: 21 km

This seasonal market brings together vendors offering many varieties of dates. The season begins in July, when Barhi are harvested. Barhi are yellow, hard dates distinguished for their crunch. Following in August, the soft, brown dates called Tamer are harvested. Within Tamer are many varieties of dates such as the plump Sukari and the Akhlass, which are commonly manufactured into sticky dates called Dhameed. For the best quality, it is recommended to purchase dates soon after harvesting. However, the air conditioning in this market allows vendors to maintain the quality of their products and extend the selling period. In addition to dates, traditional baked goods such as kleija, ma’amoul, and shaborah are available. Immediately outside is Rabwah Farmers Market, one of the well-known regional produce markets.

In the Neighborhood: To the east of the markets, surrounding the intersection of Unayzah & Az Zubair Ibn Al Awaam Streets, you will find a number of small vegetable and dates stores which receive daily shipments from farmers in Qaseem.

SEAFOOD: Murabba Fish Market – Murabba Driving Distance from the DQ: 12 km

A newly constructed ship-shaped building is the focal point of this market. Set to open by the end of the year, many vendors are temporarily displaced. However, shops still line the opposing side of the street and are worth a visit. A range of offerings are found including sea bass, crab, shrimp, and more rare items such as octopus and Norwegian salmon. After inspecting and choosing your selection, it will be cleaned to bring home. Alternatively, many shops have a kitchen and will cook according to your order.

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In the Neighborhood: Located to the north of the fish market, on King Faisal Road, is Lulu Hypermarket. This hypermarket offers many organic and gluten-free products. In addition to imports from the US and Europe, you can find an abundance of produce from Southern and Eastern Asia during their regional food festivals.

BUY HEALTHY

BY KELLY DOWNING AND JANELLE VALES-YASAY

With the rising call to live a healthier lifestyle in Riyadh, these stores have rose to the occasion of bringing healthy and organic food and products to our homes.

BIOTIC

WATANIA AGRICULTURE

Biotic promises to be a sanctuary that provides all nutritional needs. It encourages all to adopt a healthy lifestyle. With their extensive selection of products, it's helping Riyadh residents to achieve it. Biotic carries food that are gluten-free, fat-free, and sugar-free. It also provides an array of organic food, dietary supplements and beauty care products. Can they interest you in healthy chocolates and ice cream perhaps?

Watania Agriculture has many locations throughout Riyadh.

With farms in Al-Jouf, Watania Agriculture manufactures and produces an extensive line of KSA and EU certified organic products. Their product offerings include meat, honey, juice, olive oil, tea, jams, pasta, dates, and produce, among others.

Prince Nasser Bin Farhan St. Open from 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Tel: +966-11-450-0838 Website: http://biotic.sa Social Media: @biotic_sa

HEALTHY MARKET Looking at this store makes us want to buy all the chips and chocolates and spreads and desserts that they have. Imagine "junk food" that’s not junk at all! They’re actually good for you. Dreams do come true people! Healthy Market specializes in healthy food that tastes good and also supplements.

Al Malqa, Open from 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM Social Media: @healthymarket.sa

NATURELAND A family business that started in Kuwait in 1996, Natureland has everything organic and natural. Their food products are totally seed-to-mouth natural. Most of their products are certified organic by Ecocert, an international certification agency based in France. And their food are tasty without artificial flavors and preservatives. Re-learn the real taste of food with Natureland.

King Abdulaziz Road, Al Yasmin Open from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM / 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM Tel: +966-11-4652122 Website: http://ksa.natureland.net/en/ Social Media: @natureland

Al Mohammadiyah, Al Khalifah Al Muntasir Billah, Ar Rawabi, Al Hasan Ibn Ali, Ar Rawdah Open from 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM Tel: +966-11-2651525 Website: http://watania-agri.com

TAMIMI, CARREFOUR, and DANUBE Hypermarkets These supermarket chains each have a reputation for stocking a large inventory of local and imported organic produce.

In addition, they each have sections providing gluten-free and health-oriented processed foods. There are locations throughout the city. However, you can find them all close to the DQ on Prince Mashal Ibn Abdulaziz Road in ‘Irqah.

MEZMIZ BUY ORGANIC ONLINE Looking for organic, gluten-free, low-fat products or other values but you don’t want the stress that goes with shopping and searching for such items at hypermarkets? At Mezmiz, you can skip the checkout lines. Their wide range of high quality local and international products can be shopped from the comfort of your own homes and delivered within 1-2 business days! Free shipping on all orders over SR 149 too!

Website: www.mezmiz.com Social Media: @mezmiz

KHODARJI Khodarji & More is an online grocery shopping app that bring high quality fresh fruits and vegetables along with organic products and organic fresh produce. They deliver using their own Khodarji branded refrigerated delivery trucks. They offer a return policy of “no question asked” and just pay for the products you like. They don’t have a wide selection of organic stuff but they’re committed to adding more soon.

Tel: 920007072 Website: www.khodarji.com

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SALMON SALAD KATASHI / @KATASHISUSHIKSA

CALI SMOOTHIE BOWL FRESHII /@FRESHIIRIYADH

BOWLS OF Round and round we go with our search for quick, fresh, healthy eats. Here are your options in Riyadh and they’re serving up "colorful food" that our elders told us about.

CUSTOM SALAD GREENS / @GREENS.SA

TUNA GREENS / YOGI / @YOGI.SA

QUINOA SALAD EXTREME PITA / @EXTREMEPITAKSA

AVOCADO, CHICKEN, TOMATO SALAD GREENISH / @GREENISH_SA

BROWN RICE BOWL PITA PIT / @PITAPITKSA

GOODNESS

BY NAUREEN AHMED

Remember, eating the rainbow is great for your health, body, and well-being. Plus points if they’re served on a bowl.

SALAD BOWL MEXIKA /@MEXIKAKITCHEN

BLUEBERRY SALAD GREENISH /@GREENISH_SA

THE PALMS FITNESS CENTER 24-Hour Men's Fitness Oasis The InterContinental Hotel Riyadh is not only a haven for accommodation needs but also an oasis for people who like to combine business, leisure, and fitness all in one venue.

T

he Palms Fitness Center at The InterContinental Riyadh is the only 24-hour men’s gym in Riyadh and boasts the largest swimming pool in the province. This state-of-the-art facility features high end equipment and includes a luxurious men’s spa, relaxing room, lounge, and a health bar.

An extension of the world’s first luxury hotel and resorts brand, The InterContinental Riyadh is a grand 5-star hotel with many esteemed facilities within its perimeters. The Palms Fitness Center is among the highlights of the services provided here. Equipped with the only 24-hour gym in Riyadh and an impressive outdoor swimming pool, the Palms Fitness Center is popular among international businessmen, delegates 34

and the affluent residents of this growing city. The fitness center is currently open to males only with the female center expected to be available in 2018. As a result, the center is exclusive and has a separate parking lot to ensure the security of their clients.

The Palms Fitness Center swimming pool is famous here in Riyadh; equipped with the latest luxuries and a vibrant healthy bar nearby. The soothing atmosphere always leaves members with re-energized souls and refreshed bodies.

Open since 1975, the gym has undergone numerous renovations to provide members with the latest in health & fitness. Since July 2016, the center has expanded four times its previous capacity and now includes a relaxing room, lounge, healthy bar and additional amenities. This state-of-art gym houses a variety of original high-end equipment, imported directly from the leading brands in fitness around the world. Members are also provided with 24-hour expert guidance in exercise science that constantly monitors body compositions, metabolic rates and movement.

The center is equipped with two outdoor tennis courts, squash room and an impeccable Palms Golf Club. Members are always encouraged to hone their athletic spirits and grow their bonds over friendly matches with colleagues, friends, family and other members.

On-site trainers are available to provide personalized training classes for each member. These professional coaches are always ready to keep members focused on achieving their individualized goals, motivated to keep pushing their limits and inspired to challenge themselves beyond their expectations.

Apart from the fitness area and sports center, the Palms Fitness Center has a spa, a tranquil and magnificent sanctuary equipped with a jacuzzi, sauna room, massage facility and Moroccan bath.

The experienced professionals on-site are available for exclusive therapies to leave members feeling invigorated and revitalized.

Truly, the Intercontinental Hotel Riyadh’s Palms Fitness Center is a one-stop oasis that men can go to for their fitness, sports, and relaxation needs.

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EAT

The inviting interiors of Zafran Indian Bistro.

A Tale of

BY REINA TEJANO-BERINA

Turki Square is an elegant new addition to the growing number of plazas capturing the Riyadh scene. Conveniently located at the corner of Turki Al Awal Street and Makkah Road, it is now home to two new restaurants that are finally more accessible to DQ residents: enter Nando’s KSA and Zafran Indian Bistro.

Spicy, fiery, lovely Nando’s is a famous restaurant chain that serves up grilled chicken marinated in their iconic PERi-PERi sauce recipe. It’s a flavor that’s rich in history, from the lands of Southeast Africa where the African Bird’s Eye Chili originated to the hands of the Portugese who crafted the sauce with other herbs, lemon and garlic to the plates of food that we enjoy today. As of date, they have developed seven variations of the PERi-PERi sauce from mild to extreme spiciness.

The happy vibe of Nando's.

Two Tastes Chicken and Pineapple Skewers, one of Nando's newly-introduced 'Value Meals'.

Their starters are fondly called “appeteasers” and the Chicken Livers and Portugese Roll are a must-try. They currently have a seasonal offer of Chicken and Pineapple Skewers which were fun and easy to eat. One of the exciting discoveries on their salad menu is the Nando’s Quinoa Salad. It is filled with rocket leaves, quinoa, sweet potato, avocado slices, tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese and pumpkin seeds. You may have chicken added to it on top and voila, an altogether vibrant and healthy option!

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We can't get enough of Nando's Chicken Wings!

Of course, the highlight of Nando’s is their PERiPERi chicken dishes. You may choose among whole, halved or quartered grilled chicken and pick the sauce you’d like for it to come with. There is also the Espetada Carnival, composed of skewered chicken thighs stuffed with feta cheese for added nuance.

Their Grilled Chicken Cataplana is another menu item that has a touch of Portugal, with the cataplana being a famous cookware from the Algarve region. It is made of copper and is clasped together like a clam, keeping the food warm. Inside is a bed of spicy rice, PERi-PERi chicken thighs, and grilled vegetables.

Nando’s is a nod to the Portugese culture, and they have put PERi-PERi on the food map for generations to enjoy. Their unique taste keeps them different from other grilled chicken restaurants and with their flame-grilled cooking style, it’s definitely a healthy choice.

Aromatic, complex, flavorful Named after the most expensive spice in the world, Zafran Indian Bistro serves a fusion of Indian dishes that’s inspired mostly from North West India. Its trendy looking interiors complement the casual dining style that helps elevate its ambiance. With their first branch being at Rubeen Plaza, Zafran is now nearer for DQ residents to experience at Turki Square.

Zafran's Big BBQ Feast is perfect for sharing!

A medley of chutneys arrive with their complementary plate of papadums, a thin and crispy, fried dough that you can dip in either the Hari (Coriander), Imli (Tamarind) or their other seasonal chutneys. For appetizers, we ordered the crunchy Fish Fry with tomato chutney and Dahee Kebab – dumplings made of yogurt and coriander that are deep fried to perfection. Its recipe is derived from a popular Indian snack called Dahi Vada.

Their main menu is extensive, with bestsellers that include the Prawn Tandoori Masala, Butter Chicken, Dal Zafran (slow cooked beans), Rogan Josh (lamb) and Chicken Biryani. However for our particular visit, we decided to try their limited offering of the Big BBQ Feast, which is a selection of kebabs served on your table complete with the mini barbecue rack, skewered meats and a touch of smoky charcoal for presentation.

The portions are meant for sharing and is also available with vegetarian options.

Their soft couches and al fresco dining area are also conducive for staying longer with friends and family.

With such a wide array of menu items to choose from, let Zafran Indian Bistro introduce you to the countless flavors that India has to offer.

Tender, juicy meats are in the heart of Zafran's main courses.

Truly, Turki Square is one of the best places to eat dishes that romance spices and bring flavors to the forefront. Both Nando’s and Zafran restaurants are accessible and convenient to go to from the DQ when looking for hearty and delicious food. Which taste are you craving for today?

Nandos KSA Zafran Indian Bistro 5802 Makkah Al Mukarramah Branch Road Umm Al Hammam Al Sharqi Riyadh 12321 Social Media: @ksanandos @zafranindianbistro

READY, SET, VEGAN!

BY THE LATIN AMERICAN VEGAN Say hello to a healthier twist to this well-loved Middle Eastern morning dish.

Currently, the word vegan has become mainstream.

The term vegan or veganism is so widespread that most of the industrialized nations in the world have seen a steady increase in vegan food products and vegan lifestyle items. Whether you can ever see yourself as a vegan or not is up for debate, but one thing is clear. We can all stand to incorporate a healthier diet into our daily lives. Therefore, why not start by making minor adjustments to your diet, right now, like eating more salads and vegetables. You can even try having at least one to two meals a week free of animal products. No matter what you decide on, this recipe can be a start to a healthier you.

SHAKSHUKA ON WHEAT TOAST AND AVOCADO Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 25 Minutes Total Time: 35 Minutes INGREDIENTS: Main Ingredients: 2 Bell peppers (green, red, or yellow) 2 Riped tomatoes 1 Can of diced tomatoes 1-2 Green chilis (dependent upon how spicy you like your food) 5 Sliced red jalapenos 3 Cloves of garlic 1 Tablespoon tomato paste 2 Tablespoon olive oil 1 Tablespoon agave 1/4 Teaspoon salt 1/4 Teaspoon black pepper 1 Teaspoon paprika 1/2 Small avocado 1 Slice toast Coriander for garnishing This is just a guide. You are free to be creative and add other ingredients like zucchini, roasted eggplant, or diced potatoes.

You can even add your choice of vegan cheese.

Eggless Batter Ingredients: 1/4 Cup Chickpea flour 1/2 Cup water 1/4 Teaspoon salt 1/4 Teaspoon black pepper 1/4 Teaspoon turmeric

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Prepare the chickpea batter by adding 1/2 cup water to the 1/4 cup chickpea flour Add salt, black pepper, and turmeric to the batter. Mix thoroughly and put aside.

2. Roast the bell peppers in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350F. Once roasted, peel the skin of the roasted peppers and slice. You can prepare this step ahead of time to cut the cooking time.

3. Chop tomatoes and green chili. Place the chopped items aside.

4. Add the olive oil to a pan and saute the garlic.

5. Place the chopped tomatoes and green chili into the pan along with jalapenos, tomato paste, and cover with lid.

6. Let the contents in the pan simmer for about 5 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft.

7. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes into the pan.

8. Add the roasted sliced bell peppers into the pan, and cover with lid.

9. Let the contents in the pan simmer, again, for about 5 minutes.

10. Add the agave, paprika, and season to taste using your favorite spices.

11. Create a well in the pan and pour in 1 tablespoon of the chickpea mixture into the well. This will resemble eggs. You can create 2-3 more wells according to the size of your pan.

12. Then cover the pan with the lid and let simmer for another 5 minutes on low heat.

13. Toast bread of your choice and place on a plate.

14. Place the shakshuka over the toast.

15. Slice the avocado and place it alongside the shakshuka toast combination.

16. Enjoy!

EVENTS

Darraq Organizes Saudi National Day Celebration

Darraq, the DQ’s premier residential real estate brand, in cooperation with @dqnow, organized a memorable national day celebration for diplomats, Darraq residents, and local VIPs. In honor of the 88th Saudi National Day, the festive event included Saudi cultural performances, a live graffiti artist, and traditional Saudi cuisine catered by Marriott Hotel. Many ambassadors attended the event. Guests enjoyed a photo booth with Saudi costumes, a falcon, and the folkloric dance Ardah was performed throughout the evening.

Switzerland Celebrates National Day HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, governor of Riyadh Region, and Mr. & Mrs. Schaller on the occasion of Swiss National Day

On the occasion of the Swiss National Day, Ambassador André Schaller and his wife Brigitte Schaller-Schoepf hosted a celebration at their residence on September 26, 2018.

The joyful and festive event, attended by HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz as a guest of honor, brought together more than 400 dignitaries, members of the Swiss-Saudi community, business people, academics, artists and the Saudi civil society to celebrate another year of vibrant Saudi-Swiss relations. Following the arrival of the guest of honor and a short private meeting between the Ambassador and the Prince, the two dignitaries officially opened the event.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Schaller thanked HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz for honoring the 727th Swiss National Day Celebrations with his presence. Ambassador Schaller, who started his mandate in Saudi Arabia on September 15 2018 after having served for four years as Ambassador and Consul General in New York, focused on the close partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Switzerland. He stated that he was “thrilled to be in a country which has created and follows its own most promising vision for the future”. He highlighted the vibrant economic bilateral relations between the two countries, testified by the recent meeting of the Joint Economic Commission held in Bern, the visit to Riyadh of State Secretary for Finance Jörg Gasser with a delegation of experts to exchange experience, and the outstanding activities of the Swiss Business Network Saudi Arabia. Impressed by the traditional Saudi hospitality, Ambassador Schaller shared his determination to contribute together with his team to further promote the close partnership.

Throughout the evening, the guests could enjoy the sounds of the Swiss Alphorn Trio, which played traditional Swiss musical instruments in a young and modern style. The famous Swiss cheese specialty known as “raclette” was much appreciated by the attendees, reminding them the snow-covered, majestic Alps and deep, green valleys.

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Ambassador Alfredo Miranda and HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, governor of Riyadh Region.

MEXICO CELEBRATES NATIONAL DAY

H

.R.H. Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, attended the ceremony at the Residence of Mexico on the occasion of the 208th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico on September 16, 2018. Upon his arrival, he was received by Ambassador of Mexico Alfredo Miranda.

The National Day celebration was a Mexican-style “fiesta”: full of color, music and traditional outfits. Guests were delighted by the authentic Mexican food prepared by renowned chef Eduardo Perez whose dishes were the highlight of the gastronomic festival that took place at the Intercontinental Hotel from the September 17-22, 2018.

The ceremony focused on the re-enactment of the “Cry of Dolores”, a historical event that happened in small town of Dolores, Mexico, in the morning of September 16, 1810, when Mexico´s founding father, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, called the people to arms, marking the beginning of the Independence of Mexico.

For the first time in the Kingdom, Saudi officials, members of the diplomatic corps and the Mexican community had the opportunity to see a live performance of a Mexican folkloric Mariachi band, a music style inscribed as UNESCO´s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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Guests enjoyed the evening under colorful banderitas (Mexican paper flags).

Ambassador Alfredo Miranda and Tariq Dowidar, GM of InterContinental Hotel Riyadh opens the Mexican Food Festival.

FOOD FESTIVAL SHOWCASES MEXICAN CUISINE

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week-long Mexican food festival called ‘Mexican Gastronomy Week’ featuring mouth-watering cuisine amid a backdrop of special ambience created to showcase the culture of that north American country, was inaugurated by Mexican Ambassador Alfredo Miranda at the InterContinental Riyadh Hotel on September 17, 2018.

Addressing a press conference at the InterContinental Hotel here, Ambassador Miranda said that Mexico’s cuisine has won UNESCO honor. “The Mexican cuisine attained status by UNESCO as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’. In fact, the incredible variety of Mexican food is finally receiving its due,” said the envoy, while thanking the InterContinental Hotel for hosting the Mexican Gastronomy Week from September 17-22, 2018.

The envoy said that the guests will have an opportunity not only to taste the authentic Mexican cuisine but also to admire Mexican handicrafts and photos from a collection and enjoy live music during the festival.

Tariq Dowidar, Area General Manager for IHG Government Hotels and General Manager of InterContinental Riyadh, and Eduardo Perez, a prominent Mexican chef and TV show host, who has flown to Riyadh for preparing authentic cuisine, also addressed the press conference. A baggage full of authentic ingredients including spices which were used to prepare the whole range of Mexican dishes, salads and sauces, has been brought to Riyadh especially for this notable food festival.

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A mariachi band entertained the guests of the Mexican Food Festival.

The Jeddah Chamber hosted the 23-head business delegation.

GESALO’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations Stand for New Peak in German-Saudi Economic Relations For 40 years, the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO) has been officially representing German-Saudi business interests and is bridging between the two leading economies of Europe and the Middle East.

On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, GESALO welcomed a high-ranking business delegation from Germany headed by Dr. Volker Treier, Deputy CEO of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

After a reception at the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Jeddah on Monday, and a visitation of the new King Abdulaziz International Airport, the 23-head delegation met with senior board members of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.

In order to expand further economic relations in the region, Dr. Treier announced the opening of a German Desk in the metropolis on the Red Sea. This third presence in the Kingdom - in addition to its headquarter in Riyadh and the German Desk in the Eastern Province - underlines the economic importance of Saudi Arabia for its long-standing partner Germany and further extends the global network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad with its 140 locations in 92 countries nowadays.

In addition, GESALO celebrated the reception of its new license on Wednesday, handed over by Sultan B. Mofti, Deputy Governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). “We are pleased an honoured to continue the already excellent cooperation with SAGIA - as we share so many interests”, said Oliver Oehms, Delegate of German Industry and Commerce for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen.

At the same time, the MENA representatives of the German Chambers of Industry & Commerce of Berlin, Braunschweig, Frankfurt, Kassel, Freiburg, Karlsruhe and München and the CEO’s of the German Chambers Abroad of the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Algeria met in Riyadh to exchange views on current economic developments in the region as part of a one-day workshop. The delegation

The Vice Chairmen of the Jeddah Chamber Mazen bin Mohammed Battarjee and Zeyad bin Bassam Al Bassam welcomed a high-ranking business delegation from Germany led by Oliver Oehms (left, GESALO Delegate), Dr. Volker Treier (middle, Deputy CEO of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry), and Holger Ziegeler (right, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Jeddah).

emphasized the positive effects of the Saudi Vision 2030 and praised the Kingdom for its achievements and developments. The following day they visited the joint venture of Obeikan and SIG Combibloc, as prime example a successful implementation of German-Saudi collaboration.

The final highlight of the three-days anniversary celebrations was the Gala Dinner held at the German Embassy. Welcomed by the hosts Mr. Oliver Oehms and H.E. Hans-Christian Freiherr von Reibnitz, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, 300 high-class representatives of the German-Saudi business community commemorated the past decades of bilateral economic ties in a festive atmosphere. “What a fantastic response to our delegation of 35 German business representatives. A truly memorable Anniversary!”, summarised Oliver Oehms the three-day visit.

EVENTS

German Embassy Wins 40 Years GESALO Football Cup Photography by Hachem Photography

On the occasion of the upcoming Anniversary of the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO), the German Embassy won the "40 Years GESALO Football Cup".

With a fun family atmosphere, high-class games, and a deserving winner, the GESALO Football Tournament dazzled the community. In its attractive final, the German Embassy team led by captain Konstantin Gรถller prevailed against the Airbus team with 2-1 after penalties. Eight teams, including the hosting GESALO teams, the company teams of Draeger, ILF-Tecon & Partners Engineering PSC, the Goethe-Institut Riyadh and the equipe of "Stadium 2030", faced each other in 12-minute indoor games.

The German Embassy was the winner of the revival of an old tradition - the GESALO Football Cup.

"The tournament was an excellent opportunity for our German and Saudi partners and their families to get to know each other in a lush atmosphere, making new contacts and compete in a fair sports competition," said organizer Jan Hermanns after the tournament.

A special thanks was addressed to the host Al Shabab FC, who hosted the participants and provided the venue for the games. Each participant was able to enjoy special gifts from the present sponsors Noble Smile Dental Care and the German ice cream manufacturer Giovanni L. Gelato de Luxe.

The Best Player Award went to Airbus' Nick Dippel. Zaid Al Khunaizi of ILF-Tecon & Partners Engineering PSC was awarded best goalkeeper of the tournament.

The team of GESALO is fostering the economic ties between the Kingdom and Germany for 40 years and helps companies to step into both markets.

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EVENTS

SAUDI FASHION WEEK DEBUTS IN RIYADH Under the patronage of the General Culture Authority, H.H. Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud announced the launch of the official Saudi Fashion Week, from October 21-25, 2018, at Al Faisaliah Hotel and Al Faisaliah Tower in Riyadh.

H.H. Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud, founder of Global Fashion House and the Saudi Fashion Community, said: “This project that comes under the patronage of the General Culture Authority aims to implement the Vision 2030 in positioning the Kingdom on the international map of fashion and design. Such valuable support is instrumental in our quest to develop the creative sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, not only on the creative and cultural level, but also by giving access to foreign brands and talent to invest in the country, providing them with the right tools and platform.”

In its quest to create and support a Saudi design and fashion ecosystem, the Saudi Fashion Week is launching Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud’s “Saudi Top Emerging Designers” program, an initiative that aims to support new and upcoming Saudi design talent by giving them the opportunity to present their collections across the Saudi Fashion Week platform.

Commenting on this initiative, H.H. Princess Noura Bint Faisal Al Saud said: “This is only the first step of many initiatives and plans that we will be implementing to promote Saudi creative talent in fashion and design. The magic of fashion week is in the fusion of great creative moments – runway shows, inspired creations and the discovery of talented up-and-coming designers. Fashion is the ultimate manifestation of culture in one of its most creative form. It has the power to connect people and bring these moments to life”.

The Saudi Fashion Week will be joining forces with ITP Group to host the Grazia Middle East Style Awards KSA in its first edition. The prestigious awards event sees fashion's most fabulous come together to acknowledge and celebrate those who have made unparalleled contributions to the industry at large over the past year.

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SAUDI DESIGN WEEK 2018 HIGHLIGHTS SUSTAINABILITY IN DESIGN

Photography by Michelle Bartels

Saudi Design Week 2018 kicked off the creative season in Riyadh with over 30 specialized talks and workshops delivered by local and international designers and industry experts. The Design Forum started on October 4, and led up to a fun-filled and enriching weekend last October 5 and 6, 2018.

This year’s talks and workshops were curated by the SXD team behind #SDW2018 in cooperation with Ithra as its exclusive strategic partner; and program partners— the British Council, Embassy of France, and Embassy of Hungary. Google, MOME EcoLab-Hungary, Sustainability Design SchoolFrance, Dovecot-UK, Tarek Atrissi Studio, and Pepsi Co. also participated.

Drawing visionaries from the world of design, SDW’s program featured sessions that seek to illuminate and expand its audience’ horizons. Among the speakers were Elle Doran, Creative Director of Ella Doran Design Ltd., Martin Fryzelka, Managing Director of Preciosa, Patrick LeQuement, former chief designer of Renault, and Legh Ann Jones-Khosla, COO of Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation.

SDW 2018 also had an exhibit and Design Market where leading brands and companies showcased their products and designs.

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Embassy of Netherlands Participates in Global Health Exhibition 2018 Riyadh hosted the Global Health Exhibition from September 10-12, 2018 to bring together professionals from across the healthcare spectrum including medical manufacturers and distributors, physicians, hospital managers, and researchers. The event showcased the best healthcare has to offer within the Kingdom and across the globe. The exhibition featured 6 country pavilions, one of which was organized by the Embassy of Netherlands.

For almost 40 years, Netherlands and Saudi Arabia have been successfully exchanging missions for various aspects of the healthcare trade, including education. There are many students of health care sectors training and studying in the Netherlands and the student exchanges have been very successful.

The Netherlands pavilion showcased 12 companies and stakeholders from all aspects of the health industry.

Among them were globally-renowned Dutch information analytics company Elsevier which provides many Saudi health care services access to vital information on Clinical Key, and distinguished company Phillips which is significantly involved with the Saudi government on strategic consultation and medical equipment services. The pavilion also featured medical equipment provider Timpel, leading Dutch medical travel company International Patient Center, and health care sector collaborator Task Force Health Care. The Dutch mission also showcased revolutionary medical research developments from the University of Groningen.

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WSB HOSTS SECOND WSB CONNECT After the successful launch of WSB Connect in May 2018, the Women’s Skills Bureau (WSB) once again brought together over 50 women for an evening of engagement and “speed networking”.

On September 12, 2018, in the private dining room of Serafina Italian Restaurant, WSB Founder Sally Kennedy kicked off the evening with a warm welcome and and speech of empowerment. Yousra Harmouch, WSB Volunteer Coordinator, informed guests of the new Amaleed initiative opportunity for volunteering. The speed networking session followed the speeches. Ladies spent 5 minutes engaging with a new contact, before switching seats to meet someone else. After the speed networking, MOVE Founder Nelly Attar directed a team building activity. WSB Board Member Hala Oueini photographed the evening.

This was the first time WSB has organized a “speed networking” under the WSB Connect event and the results were overwhelmingly positive. After the networking, guests enjoyed an appetizing three-course dinner. If your organization would like to support WSB Connect, please email info@wsbksa.com.

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MEET

Fabio Napolitano

Executive Director, Therapist & Addiction Specialist Over 10,000 residents call the DQ home. Meet Your Neighbor profiles interesting people in our international DQ Community. Learn about the diverse experience, interests, and backgrounds of DQ dwellers. Read on, and Meet Your Neighbor.

Tell us a little about yourself My name is Fabio Napolitano and I am the Executive Director of Alhana Almutlaq Center. I am also a therapist there. I moved to Riyadh with my wife Hanoof to establish a therapeutic center.

What were your first impressions of the DQ? I moved in the DQ 15 months ago. When I first moved in it took me some time to find my way around the place. But now I'm more familiar with the area, and love to take my daily walk around our clean and peaceful neighborhood.

What is typical day like for you?

I always wake up early, drink a liter of reverse osmosis water and a glass of lemon juice water. I usually go for my coffee, once back I usually practice Yoga and around 10am I start fresh with my work. After a light brunch, I usually work on projects and meet clients at my work in the afternoon. I like

to spend my time in the evenings hanging out with my wife and her family. I also visit friends during this time. Lastly, I always sleep early.

What do you like most about the DQ? I like the safety and security of this location. I also love the greenery in the area; it’s a refreshing change from the city center. Finally, I really appreciate seeing such an international community here.

What is something you wish the DQ had, but currently doesn’t?

I wish there were more healthy food options in the DQ. I’d love to see more neighborhood gatherings, for example to meditate in the evening and relax with our peers. I’d also really appreciate it if we had more events available for children to attend and enjoy.

What are you looking forward to in the coming season?

I’m excited to see that there are more meetings and events coming up, and I can’t wait to see how they unfold. Saudi Arabia is changing so quickly and I am very honored to be here at this time to witness the growth.

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