GAYA Magazine Nov/Dec 2018 - Hijab & Modest Fashion for today's Muslim woman

WE GOT

dUCk-ed M O D A N I SA

AW/18 COLLECTION

MODEST LIFE @

T H E M E C CA

LIFESTYLE 

THE POWER OF A STORY: SHEILA NORTLEY



MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2018

ADEEM YOUNIS

FOOD 

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE LOAF BREAD



PANNA COTTA WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE

FA SH I O N 

MODANISA AW/18 COLLECTION



SINGAPORE GOT DUCK-ED



LET’S GET PHYSICAL



MODEST LIFE @ THE MECCA

H E A LTH 

ALL DAY LONG

LIVING 

FUN TAIPEI

BE A U T Y 

COVER Article: Modest Life @ The Mecca

IN-FLIGHT SKINCARE

O PI N I O N 

THINK ABOUT IT: CHAPTER TWO

Photography: M. K. Studios Photography

THIS PAGE Article Modanisa AW/18 Collection Photography: Modanisa

Disclaimer: All rights reserved. No part of this magazine or content may be reproduced or used without the wri en permission of the publisher: C.A. Editorial Consultants. All informa on contained in this magazine is for informa on only, and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the me of going to press. The views, ideas, comments, and opinions expressed in this publica on are solely of the writers, interviewees, press agencies, and manufacturers and do not represent the views of the editor or the publisher. Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy and honesty in both editorial and adver sing content at press me, the publisher will not be liable for any inaccuracies or losses incurred. Readers are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this magazine. If you submit material to us, you automa cally grant C.A. Editorial Consultants a license to publish your submission in whole or in part in all edi ons of the magazine, including licensed edi ons worldwide and in any physical or digital format throughout the world.

It’s that time of the year again when we start counting down the days to the end of 2018 and saying a big hello to 2019. For many of us, this is going too fast and we’re looking back wondering where in the world did the year go.

I’m doing exactly that. Everything is a blur. Where did the time go?

Personally I’ve been running on fumes and just going, going and going. 2019 is going to be an exciting year for us here at GAYA with new projects in the pipeline. I hope you stay with us to watch it all unfold. With all these new and exciting projects going on, I have to pencil in some vacation time to unwind and recharge.

If you’re like me and you’ve started planning in vacation days for 2019, we’ve got really good skincare tips to keep you looking good throughout your travels. I know I am definitely going to stock up my carry-on with those beauty goodies.

Well peeps, I’m out! But before I head on out of here, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy new year. May 2019 be filled with adventure, fun and love! Peace out!

Love & peace

Juliana Iskandar EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, GAYA MAGAZINE

HOW TO USE GAYA Spot these icons in the magazine?

Tap them to go directly to the website, social media or even play a video.

TAP THIS ICON TO GO TO THE WEBSITE

TAP THIS ICON TO GO TO FACEBOOK

TAP THIS ICON TO VIEW INSTAGRAM

TAP THIS ICON TO GO TO TWITTER

TAP THIS ICON TO PLAY VIDEO

OUR WRITERS

Co-founder & CEO Editor-in-chief Juliana Iskandar juliana@gayamagazine.com

Marketing & Distribution Byte.ME Pte. Ltd. join our team of writers.

Aateka Samara Amal El Gharbi Amira Ben Abbes Ana Maria Annie Mirza Anu Shukla Ariana Abawe Asma Toujani Asala Montaser Assil Taha Ayesha Khan Aylim Duran Azrina Naimuddin Aqeelah Lin Bushra Amjad Emma Khoo Faiza Murad Faizah Malik Fatumina Said Fizzah Rahman Hanna Begum Hajar Masri Heba Saeed Hira Ali Hasna B Isra Adbou Kaoutar Hannach Lamaa Husseini Lamya Ayad Layla Rodrigues Lipa Hussain Madiha Ahmed Mahnoor Malik Malikah Aquil Malikah Ebrahim Mahvash Rehman Marium Khan Ahmad Marwa Samara

Masiha Patel Mastura Koelmeyer Michaela da Costa Modestlywrapped Mumtahana Elahi Nada Alzalloum Nadia Ali Nafisa Bora Naseema Miah Nawal Boukir Nouhailah Rahma Talwar Reham Khan Roda Abdi Rym Shamas Sabera Hassanally Goulam Safira Adam Sajeda Sheikh Saleema Shah Salma Shalaby Sana Mahmood Sanae Chakrouni Sara Ahmed Sara Dekkiche Sarah Ali Sarah Ghanem Sarah Machbaete Shayma Syukron Shazia Javed Hassam Sheikha Haroon Shuhada Alauddin Siddika Jaffer Simone Doenvang Siti Nur Habibah Taylor Bennett Wajeeha Amin Zahra Rose Alazaibi Zainab Onuh-Yahaya

magazine@gayamagazine.com

Inuence & Inspire Join us as a guest writer.

Contact us at magazine@gayamagazine.com or visit www.gayamagazine.com/join-us

Fashion

Autumn/Winter 2018 THIS YEAR ’S ESSENTIAL MODEST FASHION AUTUMN/WINTER LOOKS FROM MODANISA.COM

6

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

E

-tailer Modanisa.com has just unveiled its full Autumn / Winter 2018 collection, offering plenty of on-trend choices for modest fashion lovers. From layering to leopard prints, and coats, jackets, turbans and dresses in rich hues of yellow, brown, and green the latest items offer the perfect eyecatching additions to your wardrobe for this season. Stocking over 70,000 products from 500 fashion labels and suppliers, Modanisa presents a huge and affordable range online. New in for Autumn/Winter 2018 are animal and chain prints that are lavishly applied to headscarves, bags, trousers, dresses and shoes. Checks also feature prominently on coats, jackets and skirt-suits, while velvet is the in-choice fabric. Designers have opted for chic and elegant cuts, baggy trousers and high-waisted skirts.

7

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

MODANISA AW/18 COLLECTION

MODANISA AW/18 COLLECTION

8

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Breaking up the colder, darker days is yellow. A hangover from the summer, this season’s must-have colour comes in a wealth of shades, from bright yellow through to mustard and caramel, adorning jumpers, jackets, dresses and bags.

Layering is the season’s big trend, combining dresses with double outerwear comprising both jacket and coat. Choose from brightly-coloured capes and checked cashmere coats that add further richness to the outerwear collection.

Standout with striking headwear: take your pick from an array of animal and chain patterns to autumnal shades, such as creamy orange, olive green and navy blue. Or invest in headscarves displaying a more vivid mix of colours that will see you through the season by complementing multiple outfits.

Modest dressers are always on the lookout for longer-length skirts and there is plenty of choice for them this autumn and winter. Opt for crushed velvet pleated maxi skirts in brown through to classic black and white houndstooth skirt suits.

9

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

MODANISA AW/18 COLLECTION

10

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Go bolder with black jackets and coats draped over chic ankle-length dresses.

Elegant day dresses come in vibrant shades of red and dark cyan, and ethnic patterns, as well as red and yellow leopard print. Or glam up with a shiny sequin full-length dress or a sky blue crushed velvet gown.

MODANISA AW/18 COLLECTION

11

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Fashion

Singaporegot

12

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

am a suburban girl, who grew up with wide-eyed fascination for big city lights, skyscraper buildings and bustling streets. Perhaps this fascination is what inspired me to travel the world, and hence as a child, I was always the most excited with the idea of travel. I remember my first trip to Singapore as a little girl - upon arrival, it was love at first sight, from the modern airport to the shops and sights, I was a squealing little ball of excitement everywhere I went. Oh I think my parents must’ve been cowering in embarrassment at my behaviour.

Fast forward almost 2 decades on and my love and comfort with this cosmopolitan city has only grown.

You see, through my many visits to Singapore, I have discovered that Singapore is an enchanting union of old and new. The grandeur of its iconic, award-winning architecture through its heritage buildings so beautifully conserved through its heritage program, Singapore captured both my suburban and city girl spirit in a way only it can.

13

My home away from home as I have always referred to Singapore - is perhaps more true than ever today, as we open our first door across international waters.

From our first event in Singapore back in March 2016 when we launched the Singapore Scarf overlooking the same skyline featured on the scarf to this day, celebrating our 4th anniversary with the opening of this milestone boutique in has been an exhilarating experience for the dUCk team and I. Just a little shy of four adventurous years after we first started dUCk, I am so proud to be able to expand this lifestyle brand beyond our home of Malaysia.

When Vivy Yusof and I started The dUCk Group, we knew that it was not just another brand. To those who have been recruited as dUCkies, dUCk has been seen as a symbol of empowerment, a sense of community and an outlet for self expression.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

“It’s such a surreal experience; I’ve always wanted to open a store in Haji Lane and that dream has come true”, said Vivy Yusof, founder of The dUCk Group. “I have our dUCkies to thank for this day, as they have shown such tremendous support and have made this possible. This is a huge milestone for us and with Singapore being our second biggest market, a decision to open our first international store here was only natural”, she chirped.

VIVY YUSOF, FOUNDER OF THE DUCK GROUP

In the 4 years since the launch of our first scarf, The dUCk Group has sold over a million scarves worldwide as well as over 30,000 of our iconic Kuala Lumpur scarf, which sold out within minutes of its first release online. The group now collectively has five distinct product categories, namely: Scarves - long, square and instant scarves, twillies and inners in Premium Basic, Prints and Limited Edition; Cosmetics - colour cosmetics and toiletries; Stationeries notebooks, planners, writing accessories and more; Home + Living - hangers, towels, candles, and more; Accessories fashion and leather bags.

14

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

dUCk’s first Singapore boutique, will be located at 71 Haji Lane, a quaint little street in the heart of Singapore that’s bursting with heritage. I fell in love with the space from the moment I saw it - my love for old and new. With the street constantly bustling with a mix of avid, curious shoppers and tourists alike, it makes the perfect home for The dUCk Store. Occupying just over 1,000 sqft of floor space across 2 storeys, the interior was transformed to reflect D’s attic, yet retain many elements and qualities of its original heritage.

Opening its doors to the public on 2nd of November 2018, the dUCk Store Singapore will mark the groups' fourth since opening its first door only just 2 years ago at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in 2016.

I have dreamt this moment many times, but my heart still pounds crazily at the reality of this moment. With a heart beaming with gratitude and honour, I’m so proud to say, Singapore, you got dUCked!

Love,

The group has built its stores with themes around D’s home and so far has included D’s living room, D’s bathroom and here in Singapore, D’s attic.

15

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

D

Fashion

let’s get Zalora Partners With Nike To Bring The Nike Hyper Flora Collection To Southeast Asia

16

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Z

ALORA, Asia’s Online Fashion Destination, is bringing Nike’s Hyper Flora collection to four countries - Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia. Inspired

by Mexico’s bold colours, vibrant landscape, and strong female artists, the Nike Hyper Flora brings energy and personality to this season’s newest Nike Women collection.

In celebration of the launch, ZALORA and Nike invited regional media, influencers and 60 of ZALORA’s top Nike shoppers to a special preview ahead of the global launch, at The Great Madras Hotel in Singapore. Guests were treated to a first look of the collection, presented by celebrity host Barbara Latimer followed by a styling workshop with ZALORA’s in-house stylist Wei Voon. They were also able to shop the collection on the spot at the tablet setup, where they got to enjoy 15% off their orders plus express shipping.

17

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

18

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Guests were then invited to experience the energy and colour of the Nike Hyper Flora collection in spaces that bring the collection to life. Guests experienced the vibrancy of colours, and the Running and Training looks from the collection in the Neon room.

The Jungle Room brought the lushness of the tropics of Mexico to life and they also joined Singaporean artists, Band of Doodlers, in colouring in a live mural in the UV room. It depicts the busy life of the modern, young women of today, and the energy and passion of sports.

It shows how the Nike Hyper Flora collection brings colour to how she runs, trains and lives in the Garden City of Singapore.

@ANGELIGUEMANTO

@IAMARABYRD, @IRAROSLAN, @STEPHANIEBOEY FROM BURO 247 MY, AND @ZAMAERAAA

19

In attendance were Sylvie Cendana, Nadira Diva Vitani from Indonesia, ARABYRD, ZAMAERA from Malaysia, Angelique Manto, Klea Pineda from the Philippines and Kimberly Chan, Jyan Yang, Tiffany Lovage, Camira Asrori, Cinddie from Singapore amongst many others. The event rounded off with light refreshments as well as an edible dessert wall by celebrity dessert chef, Janice Wong of 2am: dessertbar, invited participants then went home with a goodie bag.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

To curate the assortment, Nike selected silhouettes that are feminine and sporty to celebrate women’s strength and the empowerment sports can give them. Staples from Nike’s Running, Training and Lifestyle lines were transformed by a special handpainted print that brings to life Mexico’s rich and diverse native flora through large-scale floral motifs.

Objects of many local artists work, the beauty of Mexican Breadfruit, Morning Glory, Majesty Palm, Neotropical Orchid and other very recognizable tropical flowers come to life in the apparel and footwear pieces alongside the iconic Macaw parrot.

The print comes in a bold contrast between dark blue, red and vibrant green, as well as in a lighter version with soft pastel colours such as pink, grey, light blue and yellow.

Featuring 34 items, the ZALORA x Nike Hyper Flora collection will be available on ZALORA website and app. Tap the icons below to follow ZALORA online.

20

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Fashion

MODEST LIFE @

T H E M E C CA Written by Jamann K. Coles Photos by Joanne Sampson & M. K. Studios Photography - Mansur K. Rashid Outfits by Prime Exchange

21

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

T

hey say fashion is personal - a personal style that is formed by everything that makes you, you – from your cultural background, to your environment, to your personal characteristics. Nothing is more personal than fashion. It is after all a form of expression.

Standing proud in the Nation’s capital, Washington DC, Howard University is steeped in history and sprawling accolades. Howard University is a leader in STEM fields and ranks among the top producers of African-American professionals in the areas of medicine, engineering, religion, law, just to name a few.

Contained within its walls, the campus is affectionately known as ‘The Mecca’. The Mecca is an experience within the walls of the university and encapsulates the beauty and diversity of the campus. What makes up The Mecca are its students from across the world who gather and bring with them their unique style, diverse backgrounds and goals to make this world a better place.

In this story, we take a dive into the lives and visions of these Muslim students from Howard University who come from across the world and bring with them their unique background and ultimately personal style.

22

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

N u r S h a i n a Ay e rs

“Religion has always intrigued me and with the state of the world, specifically America, I’m hoping to work in some capacity of building interfaith, interracial relationships.”

23

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: M. K. STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY. MANSUR K. RASHID. MUA: KHADIJAH AKILAH AND AJEÉ ROSE

Nur Shaina is a graduate student of Howard University, with a Bachelors in International Business and is currently pursuing her Masters in Islamic studies at Howard’s Divinity School.

Originally from the Bay Area of San Francisco, California, she was born to a Christian father and a Muslim Singaporean mother.

With her mother, she has traveled back and forth from Singapore to visit her maternal relatives, and despite her father's passing as a young age, she maintained a relationship with her paternal Christian family as well.

24

Having this dynamic between Christianity and Islam in her family grew in her a deep interest in religion, setting her on a course of studying and deepening her understanding of her own faith within Islam.

With her unique outlook on faith, race and nationality, she hopes to use her experience in bridging the divide between different faiths and racial groups by working towards interfaith and interracial efforts.

“Religion has always intrigued me and with the state of the world, specifically America, I’m hoping to work in some capacity of building interfaith, interracial relationships.”

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: JONNE SAMPSON MUA: KHADIJAH AKILAH AND AJEÉ ROSE

And to her, there is no better place to be immersed in various beliefs and points of view than at Howard University.

“What separates Howard from other universities is the total experience.

It's a family, a conglomerate of networking opportunities, a research institution, the center of the African-diaspora, a place where you can work toward what you want to achieve and embrace who you are in the process, all while being in the Nation's capital! I don't know another university that can say that. Howard is a safe space for me. Somewhere I feel at home.”

25

She always tries to look at both sides of the argument, wanting to hear the experiences and thoughts of both parties before coming to a decision. And with Howard as a support system, she will find the best answer to any problem, with the good of the people in mind.

Her role models include Yasmin Mogahed, Mufti Ismail Menk, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr and Michelle Obama.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

FAT O U M ATA SA N K A R E

“...We are all people of color, however, we come from different places and end up immersing in each others' cultures…”

26

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: M. K. STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY. MANSUR K. RASHID. MUA: KHADIJAH AKILAH AND AJEÉ ROSE

“Howard University is literally a place I call home. When I transferred to Howard University, I knew I did not make a mistake.

Howard University is literally the motherland to me.”

Fatoumata Sankare, undergraduate Senior Political Science Major, Arabic minor and current President of Howard University’s Muslim Student Association.

Her love of Howard University stems from its diversity. With her family originating from Gambia in West Africa, she has a connection to her ancestry that not many American born black people do.

And after coming to HU, her love and wonder for the black diaspora blossomed.

27

She is fascinated by the various types of cultures people of color encompass. She wants to travel as much as she can and learn many languages. At least five according to her!

“I have friends who are from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Somalia, Sudan, and much more.

We are all people of color, however, we come from different places and end up immersing in each others' cultures.”

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

As MSA President, Fatou has many duties. One of which being to maintain the spirit of diversity and inclusion of the MSA, to not judge anyone based on race, ethnicity or school of thought. Being a member of a student organization has helped her develop the confidence and people skills necessary to assist Howard students in letting their needs be heard and met. “Being MSA President was at first very scary to be as I have never been in noticeable leadership positions. I like to work and plan behind the scenes. I was afraid that I would not be able to handle 28

things like planning events, making the MSA fun and most importantly making the MSA an active organization. However, I learned that I have a very strong and inclusive EBoard. It was important for me to understand that I am not in this alone.�

As she goes throughout her student career, she will take the experiences learned from her Presidency to take with her in maneuvering throughout the world.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

AYA H I D R I S

“...I hope to have gotten even the smallest bit of resilience from my mother…”

29

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: JONNE SAMPSON MUA: KHADIJAH AKILAH AND AJEÉ ROSE

Ayah is an Junior of Howard University currently studying Sports Medicine. Her family hails from Sudan, with both her parents having immigrated for work and for school. Going further into her lineage however, she found that she has ties to the Nubian people that inhabited northern Sudan and southern Egypt.

She hopes to pursue medical school after graduating from Howard's undergraduate program and use her skills as a Doctor to help underprivileged communities in America as well as Sudan.

30

Working towards Medical school can be a daunting task, so it is important to have a goal to work towards or an inspiration to take example of. Thankfully, she has that in her mother. Her mother is an alum of the university, having received her masters in genetics, prior to which she received her undergraduate degree from the University of Khartoum in Khartoum, Sudan.

Her mother and her journey towards education is one of her biggest driving forces behind pursuing her degree.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

“My biggest role model is my mother, she is a resilient woman, always has been. My mother left behind her entire family of 13 to continue her higher education in order to support her family. She birthed and raised three kids while balancing study groups, research, classes, etc. when she was getting her degree. I hope to have gotten even the smallest bit of resilience from my mother.”

When not studying to become a doctor, Ayah assists on the committee board of HU MSA’s annual hijab fest; a Hijab centered fashion show which gained popularity with its success February of 2018.

31

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

N U S R AT J A H A N

“...I believe that as a female Muslim hijabi doctor who speaks 3 languages, I can make a much needed special kind of impact the kind that you can only get when your doctor either speaks or looks like you or both!�

32

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: M. K. STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY. MANSUR K. RASHID. MUA: KHADIJAH AKILAH AND AJEÉ ROSE

Nusrat Jahan is a student of Howard University's Medical School. Born in Bangladesh, but raised in the Bronx, New York for the majority of her life. Living in New York, she saw a clear need for doctors in areas like the Bronx, and a need for doctors like her.

33

“There's a need for doctors in areas like the Bronx who are culturally competent and understand the unique problems that the people living in the community face, such as social and economic inequalities affecting their overall health.

I believe that as a female Muslim hijabi doctor who speaks 3 languages, I can make a much needed special kind of impact the kind that you can only get when your doctor either speaks or looks like you or both!”

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Her awareness of the need of doctors and caretakers who are culturally diverse and aware of the social issues which affect many minorities within America, Howard was a clear choice for her to begin preparing for her medical practice.

As many of her classmates share their own experiences of life as people of color, she can see the various types of disparities which often go by unaddressed and unnoticed with the Medical field.

With her cultural knowledge and her drive to serving others, she will strive to give back to the communities which shaped her as a person and as a Muslim.

34

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

N I N A WA L L A C E

“...You meet so many kinds of people at Howard from all over and learn that there is not one way to be black…”

35

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: JONNE SAMPSON MUA: KHADIJAH AKILAH AND AJEÉ ROSE

Nina Wallace is a Sophomore Biology and Community Health double Major from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania studying to become a Developmental Pediatrician. She has an interest in developmental disabilities, particularly ones such as Autism. She plans to take her study to low income communities to assist in treating those suffering from disabilities and ultimately wants to make the treatments more affordable for the families with limited healthcare.

36

As a black woman in America, it can be difficult to recognize one's greatness and beauty with the negative press and lack of proper representation, arguably doubly so for a black Muslim woman.

However thanks to Howard, she has a great place of support.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

PHOTOGRAPHY: JONNE SAMPSON MUA: KHADIJAH AKILAH AND AJEÉ ROSE

“I love Howard University because of the culture obviously. I have never been in an environment that taught me to truly love every facet of my blackness. You meet so many kinds of people at Howard from all over and learn that there is not one way to be black.

HU is just a pot of potential that has such a rich history of so many influential figures that came out of it from the pits of oppression that it's inspiring. I hope HU can keep its legacy and no one forgets how important it is in its contribution to Black history.”

Thanks to Howard, she has the support and inspiration needed to be great, and will add to the list of contributions black women have made to society in her work.

THE WRITER: JAMANN K. COLES Jamann K. Coles is a Senior Communications; TV and Film Major, English Minor from PG County Maryland. He is an aspiring novelist, working on self publishing his debut fiction novel set to be released after graduation. He hopes to become a well known and prolific author in the future.

37

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Beauty

In-flight skincare I t is the end of the year and most of us have our vacations planned.

Or if you’re like us, you’re penciling in vacation days in the 2019 calendar already.

The one thing that stresses us about travelling (and no it’s not the packing although we have to admit that too cos we know we have to be picture ready for the gram) is actually skincare.

Being stuck for hours in that airplane cabin with that stuffed up recycled air does hell to our skin. We can prepare all our vacation outfits right but if our skin is breaking out while at it, that totally spoils everything.

Sit back, store your tray-tables away and “watch” our in-flight skincare tips.

38

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

As much as we would like to be all glammed up for the pre-boarding pics for the gram, that’s actually not a good idea.

Remove all makeup before the flight. Keep those travelsized makeup remover wipes handy in your purse or carry-on, so that it’s easy to simply wipe off all makeup after taking that pre -boarding pic. Here are some of our picks...

NEUTROGENA MAKEUP REMOVER

SIMPLE CLEANSING FACIAL WIPES

NIVEA MAKEUP CLEAR WIPES

39

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

NEUTROGENA HYDRO BOOST

Hydrate...hydrate...hydrate. With less humidity in the cabin’s air, it is really easy to become dehydrated. First and foremost, keep a bottle of water with you at all times, of course after checking in and getting through security. Carry an empty travelapproved water bottle with you and fill it up at the boarding gate. That’s what the water-coolers in there are for.

Then once up in the air and all the makeup is removed, put on your hydrating moisturizer - face and body.

These tips aren’t just for your face.

Here are some of our picks for hydrating moisturizers...

E.L.F HYDRATION MOISTURIZER

KORA HYDRATING MOISTURIZER

40

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Whilst we’re on the topic of hydration, don’t forget the undereyes. We all know that the instructions at the back of facial moisturizers usually tell us to avoid the area around the eyes. Well that’s because the skin around the eyes are much more sensitive and require a different set of moisturizer. Such is life. So have a small tube or jar of under-eye moisturizer or serum. Here are some of our picks for you...

FRESH HYDRATING EYE GEL CREAM

CETAPHIL HYDRATING EYE GELCREAM

E.L.F ILLUMINATING EYE CREAM

BURT’S BEES EYE TREATMENT

41

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

SEPHORA PEARL SLEEPING MASK

The cabin lights have been dimmed, the seatbelt sign has been switched off...now it’s time to get some rest. Sleep is important on long flights so try to get some shuteye. But not before you put on your hydrating sleeping mask. Wipe off the moisturizer (see how handy those wipes are right about now?) and carefully place that mask on and lay back and let it do its work.

This is also the best time to put it on as the lights are out and you won’t have other passengers look at you funny.

SKIN LAUNDRY HYDRATING FACIAL SHEET MASK

42

LANEIGE WATER POCKET SHEET MASK

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Opinion

chapter two - JULIANA ISKANDAR -

43

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

I

am addicted to social media. It is the first thing I consume when I wake up and the last thing I consume before I go to bed – and also in between. I am not proud of it but I am not going to deny it either. But this is not a story about social media and its grips on society. No. As I do every morning when I wake up, I scroll through social media for the latest news and up came a video about Parenting. In particular, how we speak to our children. The person on the video mentioned the difference in his son when he started a new pre-school. The preschool before had labeled the child as fidgety, hyper and prone to disturb other kids. The new pre-school saw the same child as energetic, full of life and compassionate as he loved to hug his classmates when they fell or hurt themselves. The child thrived in this new environment and enjoyed going to school which was not the case with the first pre-school.

The video came up at an appropriate time for me as I was going through my own turmoil – my own demons. I was suffering from anxiety about my own self, my own efforts, my own life. Truth is, there was nothing particularly wrong with my life. I have a roof over my head, I am healthy, I have a job that I love and feel proud doing, I speak my mind….

I can go on. Yet I still suffer from listening to these pesky little voices in my head that say I’m nothing.

Then yesterday it all came crashing down on me like an avalanche. I could not breathe, I could not get out of bed, I could not think. The mental chatter was overwhelming and crippling me.

I decided to take the day off work to focus on myself – something I hardly ever do but so desperately needed.

The conclusion of the video was that the way we label our children in their growing up years will mold their perceived realities, their perception and set them up for life. But this is not a story about Parenting. I am by far the last person to be giving parenting advice as I have no children of my own.

This is a story about me.

44

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

I reached out to a friend and she asked me what I saw wrong in my life. It took me a minute and it all came out – I was not living a “normal” life. I put “normal” in quotes because what is truly normal? Normalcy is subjective. It means different things for different people.

I was suffering from this anxiety because, I was subjecting myself to other people’s perception of “normal” – which meant a 9-5 office job which came with a “normal” monthly salary, a house, a husband, kids (ideally two) and maybe I’ll throw in a pet for good measure.

The only thing I have out of that “normal” life is a house. The rest – no. I have a business, two in fact, no office, I work out of my home office or anywhere that gives me Wi-Fi because I’m always out for meetings, I don’t have a 9-5 work day because my businesses run internationally and so I have to deal with time zones, I am not married because I think men find me intimidating when they find out what I do, and definitely no kids. I wish I had a pet but I travel so often it wouldn’t be fair to the pet.

45

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

My life wasn’t always like this though.

I did have a 9-5, office job that paid me every month. Still no husband and kids but hey I had a pet! That’s as close to “normal” as it was. But I wasn’t happy.

Day in day out, I was dealing with the same workload. It didn’t give me a creative outlet. It didn’t ignite my passion. I would go in, get the job done, go home, go to the gym, go out with friends, feed the cat, sleep, wake up – rinse and repeat.

I decided to leave that routine and start my own business and then along came another opportunity and now I have two on my lap.

Instead of encouragement, I was met with skepticism – “Why quit your high paying job?”, “How are you going to sustain yourself doing this?”, “Is there any money in doing this?”, “Do you have any projects?”, “Do you have money?” Do you realise that all those questions were about money? I get that what I am doing isn’t conventional. It isn’t what society deems as “normal”.

But again, I ask – what is normal?

Perhaps during our parents’ times, going to school, getting a 9-5 job, settling down – that was the way to go. I am not saying there is anything wrong in doing that. I know many people who are content and happy with that life.

46

Many of whom are my friends. But that’s not my definition of normal. And I don’t think I should pay the price for it.

Going back to the parenting issue I brought up in the beginning. The reason I was suffering from all this anxiety was because I was brought up to believe that “normal” was good and unconventional was bad. So even if my soul was crying out to be free of this “normalcy”, my mind was still in the shackles of what I was brought up to believe.

There are days that I wondered if I was told or better yet, encouraged to be free and carve out my own destiny despite what society deemed as normal, would I be suffering from this occasional anxiety (yes, it reels its ugly head from time to time)? The answer, although I cannot say for certain, would probably be no. I say this because I have actually seen how others have flourished under such environment.

I stress here again that I am in no way criticizing the path of having a 9-5 job, etc. What I am saying is that we have to reframe our perceptions on what is normal, what is good and bad, for the sake of our future generations. Better yet, let’s get rid of the label “normal” because my normal may not be the same as your normal so who then is right?

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

In today’s society of internet startups, entrepreneurs, digital influencers, et cetera – there is no longer a clear definition of normal. Nothing is normal anymore. A new pop-star can be picked up from YouTube these days. What is normal in today’s digital age?

The concept of office space now consists of Starbucks with Wi-Fi, rent-a-desk or coworking spaces. This is today’s version of normal.

If we ditch the label “normal”, we may be able to save future generations from therapy. That money they save on therapy can go to charity or perhaps their own startup! LOL. Let’s stop and think about it for a minute. If we tell our children that jumping around the playground in a ball of energy is “bad” and they have to stop, we’re holding them back from being their true selves – and maybe even preventing the creation of a future Olympic athlete. Who knows?

If we tell our children that hugging their friends is wrong, we won’t be able to teach them about empathy and compassion. Unless it is a boy going around kissing and hugging girls, then that’s a different conversation altogether.

47

If we tell our children that they should curb their passion for art and focus on math for instance because there is no future in art, our museums will be empty in the future.

If we tell our children that the measure of success is in how much you make and what car you drive, what values are we really teaching them?

I don’t know…again I am no expert on parenting. I am seriously the last person to be dishing out parenting advice.

But this is my story and I sit here as an example of the struggle and effects of the old and the new. I won’t lie, it’s a daily struggle trying to divorce my reality from their perceived reality.

I still suffer from mental chatter which causes my anxiety. There are days when I fall into the trap of believing the chatter. And as I sit here typing on my kitchen counter at 10pm at night, I wonder – what would my life be if I was just told I was ok?

Think about it.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Lifestyle

THE POWER O F A S T O RY Photos by MCMedia London

48

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

ne’s idea of a Muslim is often shaped by what is seen on screen. When the world sees one version of what is deemed as a Muslim, chances are the community in its entirety gets reduced to a label – one label.

But like the human race as a whole there are different dimensions to a Muslim.

Different dimensions with varying cultural background, points of view and narratives. Far too often these narratives get marginalised. Empowerment comes when the marginalised group take back control of the narrative and tell the story from within.

“Anyone can tell the story of minority groups. I think it’s time the marginalised people take ownership of their narrative and that these storytellers tell their stories and the stories of others from their perspective,” says Sheila Nortley.

49

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Sheila Nortley is an internationally award-winning writer and producer who produced her first short film “Eddie’s Bar” in 2003. By 2006 whilst studying for her degree in Media & Communications at Brunel University she launched a production company, which specialised in music video production, documentary and short films.

This led to her producing the neo-noir short film The Hydra which scooped Best Film at the BFM awards at the British Film Institute in 2009.

Sheila is a born and bred Londoner with her family background from Ghana, West Africa. As a storyteller, Sheila is passionate and cognisant of the power of a story and the impact a story has on the viewer. “I’m always aware of the power of what it is I generate through my fingertips,” she explains. “So, I try to be careful and honour that responsibility,” Sheila continues.

She went on to work for AmeenDream Entertainment and several other production companies, where she wrote and produced several award-winning productions including Zion, Victim and feature film David is Dying.

In November 2011 Sheila received a nomination for a BYA Award for her accomplishments in film. Her film Zion, a highly anticipated love story, premiered the following month at The Ritzy in Brixton, meeting a warm reception and superb reviews. The film went on to win Best Film and Best Screenplay at the Spartan Lens, Film Festival in Norfolk, Virginia.

Determined to reach a wider audience, Sheila collaborated with a young director named Sebastian Thiel and released a short film called Illegal Activity – it was a reading campaign with a difference which played on the discourse of stereotypical urban films to challenge preconceptions and engage youth. The film screened at Warner Bros, Google Headquarters and BAFTA before launching online and going viral.

Accolade after accolade followed Sheila through her journey and in 2016, she was awarded Woman of the Future in Arts and Culture for her work in film and was invited to Buckingham Palace.

50

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

The journey for this strong, proud black British Muslim woman in film is inspiring and does not seem to be slowing down, as she is now in preproduction of her feature film The Strangers with principal photography scheduled for summer. The Strangers is a beautiful story set in an interesting and inventive dystopian world, reflecting upon relevant current societal issues and themes. With relatable and dynamic characters, it explores issues of faith and culture through the exciting genre of conspiracy/thriller.

We had the ultimate pleasure and honour of speaking with Sheila to get her insights into her life, her work and the power in taking back control of the narrative.

51

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

How did you get into filmmaking?

I started at 9 years old when my mum bought me a toy camera. It was called a Tyco video camera and I’ll never forget it. With that I’d shoot my sisters and my cousins, anyone who I could get involved. Obviously, the Tyco was very limited: it was black and white and you couldn’t go far – you had to plug it into the VCR but that was enough for me and it was my first time shooting things and w was a very organic process as I then studied Media and Communications at uni but the area I excelled the most in was production. After I graduated I found myself as a Production Assistant and began producing my own shorts.

Was there a particular event or time that you recognised that filmmaking was not just a hobby but that it would be your life and your living?

Absolutely. It was the BFM awards at the British Film Institute in 2008. I’d just flown back to London from a holiday in Ghana and got my girls together to attend the screening of my film The Hydra but we were running late.

I felt like crying. Traffic was bumper to bumper. So, finally we arrive early at the British Film Institute, trying to find the right screening room as quickly as possible, there were around 10 of us I remember as we came in two cars.

So we find it, I feel like crying because 52

I think I’ve missed the premiere of my first film, we burst through the doors: there it is on the big screen in huge letters: The Hydra - my film. The opening sequence had just ended and it felt like time stopped. Goosebumps. It was the first time I’d seen my work on the big screen and that moment remains the defining moment for me when I realised this is who I am.

When getting started on a new film, what goes into telling a story – putting pen to paper? What message do you weave into your stories to get across to the audience?

Honesty. A great deal of honesty and vulnerability, which is very difficult because a lot of the time we lie to ourselves in one way or another and we inhibit our thoughts because we’re afraid of them because they contradict and conflict and there’s all of this cognitive dissonance- at least for me anyway.

I don’t always have a particular objective - sometimes I just want to tell a story however I’m always aware of the power of what it is I generate through my fingertips, in that by writing I’m coming up with people, places, moments, worlds all of which can be used for a message which can impact viewers positively or negatively. So I try to be careful and honour that responsibility even when I’m not trying to push a particular message, if you see what I mean.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

In your upcoming film, The Strangers, you reflect upon relevant societal issues and themes and explore issues such as faith and culture. Can you tell us more without giving away too much of the story?

The Strangers is set in the not-too-distant future so a lot of the subject matter is very recognisable to us all. We’re living in a time where despite the Internet and globalisation we seem to be growing more and more ignorant and selfabsorbed, and less inclined to know each other.

We were created as different nations and tribes to know each other - that’s the reason - but we deviate from that. So, I wanted to explore a world without faith, a world without freedom of speech and I wanted to present a challenge to the fitra and explore the resilience of the human spirit in a world where everything seeks to destroy it.

In the current social climate, do you feel as a filmmaker – a story teller – that it is important to tell the stories that may have otherwise been marginalised?

I think it’s important for filmmakers to tell the stories that may have been marginalised but I think it’s more important for those marginalised people to tell their stories and others. Do you see the difference? Anyone can tell the story of minority groups - in fact, we’ve 53

been being told our story for years, we’ve been being sold our stories for years. I think it’s time the marginalised people take ownership of their narrative and that these storytellers tell their stories and the stories of others from their perspective.

What are you working on now?

Currently producing Squares V2 with Bernard Kordieh. Principal photography started last week. We hit it off when shooting The Strangers so when he asked me to jump onboard Squares V2 I was honoured. The concept resonated with me immediately. It’s another dystopian sci-fi but it also relates to Egypt and Aliens and soul-searching.

It’s out there and it pushes the boundaries so I love it. It’s always a pleasure to work with him. We also have something in the pipeline for November/December, God willing.

So, it’s hectic at the moment but it’s great. The Strangers, our feature film is now in post and we’re planning a tour with Penny Appeal which is really exciting. They’re a charity close to my heart.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Tap the icons below to follow Sheila Nortley on social.

Photography: MCMedia London Makeup: Khadija Rahman Styling: Dulce by Safiyya

54

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Lifestyle

MAKING A DIFFERENCE ~ As the founder of SingleMuslim.com and Penny Appeal, Adeem Younis embodies the characteristics of a passionate entrepreneur. We speak to Adeem Younis on his work, his dreams and his goals.

55

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

ADEEM YOUNIS FOUNDER OF SINGLEMUSLIM.COM FOUNDER OF PENNY APPEAL

British Muslim of Pakistani origin, from inner city Wakefield, Adeem grew up in a poor single parent family, having lost his father aged eight. Despite his circumstances, Adeem’s inspired vision, hard work and passion propelled him to become both an industry-leading entrepreneur as well as a multiaward-winning philanthropist, raising over £60 million for good causes, helping generations of impoverished people across the world and in the UK. 56

Imbued with a deep sense of responsibility, Adeem funded his University studies by founding his first business at aged 17, above the pizza shop he worked in. What started as a leap into the unknown grew into the world’s largest digital Muslim matrimonial service, reaching over millions of people across the world.

Amidst the backdrop of forced marriages and honour killings, Adeem created an effective digital solution to finding a partner, leading a cultural shift amongst British Muslims seeking to embrace hybrid identities to address their modernday challenges.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Fuelled by his entrepreneurial success, Adeem fused his winning digital strategy with his desire to help those less fortunate. In 2012 he founded Penny Appeal, an International Humanitarian Charity which is now credited as one of the fastest growing charities in the sector.

His commitment locally is no less impressive having launched Penny Appeal’s UK work with a suite of campaigns including Penny Appeal’s emergency response unit which recently received much praised for its continued role in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower Fire crisis.

The colossal success of his business and charity work has thrusted Adeem into a senior leadership role in the British Muslim community and beyond. He is fast becoming a reference point both in the worlds of business and philanthropy and is an individual that many are seeking out for collaboration and cooperation.

We had the honour of speaking to Adeem Younis.

57

...British Muslims of my generation struggle to reconcile their globalised identities with the traditional values of our faith...

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Having significant and impressive achievements, what is it that drives your success?

It might sound cliché, but what drives me is making a real positive impact on society. I’ve found that by embracing cultural innovation and technology we can provide solutions for the challenges that we face, be that within the British Muslim community I call home or the wider world of humanitarianism where I dedicate most of my time and efforts.

Furthermore, we’ve proved that anyone can be the change they want to see, even if all you have is a store room above a tiny pizza shop in a tiny Yorkshire town.

What was the idea and thought behind setting up SingleMuslims.com?

SingleMuslim.com was founded to provide a simple solution to a complex problem. I needed to get married! British Muslims of my generation struggle to reconcile their globalised identities with the traditional values of our faith. I came to realise customary matrimonial rites of passage no longer made sense to the millions of Muslims who call Britain home and were seeking a life partner sharing their religious worldview. Put simply, I didn’t want to marry a woman I didn’t know from a country I barely knew. There had to be a better way.

58

How has this website positively impact the Muslim community?

Since 1999 SingleMuslim.com has been the leading digital platform for matchmaking in the Muslim community in Britain. This year the award-winning website topped over 1 million registrations in the UK alone, meaning an estimated 52% of British Muslims between 16 and 60 years old have used the platform. With over 100,000 people finding their life partners on SingleMuslim.com the website has seen immense growth over the past years, indicative of a cultural shift amongst young British Muslims who are more empowered than ever before.

Do you think this idea of Muslims being able to freely choose their future spouse on this site will combat the issue of some young Muslims being pressurised by family to marry via arranged or force marriages?

Forced marriage is a problem spanning many countries and cultures and tackling this perverse practice requires a multipronged, inter-disciplinary approach.

We at SingleMuslim.com are leading the way in providing a simple and practical solution to the often complex and difficult task of finding a partner.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Just like any other community, British Muslims are challenged with reconciling their globalised modern identities with the traditional values of their faith. Customary matrimonial rites of passage no longer make sense to the millions of Muslims who call Britain home and seek a life partner who shares their religious worldview, that’s why SingleMuslim.com was founded, to create a viable bridge between cultures and generations.

Perhaps, if young people have access to services that meet their needs, at their fingertips no less, we can help quash any semblance of forced marriage in the Muslim community and beyond.

59

Why do you think this website has attracted over 1 million people?

Much of the success of SingleMuslim.com can be attributed our foresight and understanding of the expanding digital market and marrying this with shifting cultural attitudes to create a solution to a problem facing millions worldwide – how do we find a partner. We have attracted over 2 million members globally, with 1 million+ being from the UK.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Being a Muslim yourself, charity is huge component of Islam. What drove you to set up Penny Appeal, a charity helping people of all backgrounds?

Growing up in a very working-class community, to a single-mother struggling to support her family, I know first-hand how far a small hand of kindness can reach. As my businesses were growing from strength to strength, I decided one year to visit family in Pakistan.

...In spite of the constant barrage of negative stories about Islam, Muslims continue to build and bind and serve society...

60

I wanted to see the village of my late father and maybe offer something back as a way of thanks to his home. It was there where I first met people living in dire poverty. I thought about how much I had been blessed with in the UK, that despite the relative difficult circumstances I was born into, at least I had opportunities to turn my life around. We met with families in need who had no such opportunities, I heard their stories first hand and I promised I would do something to help.

From the inception of Penny Appeal, we were moved by a vision. It was more than fancy slogans and mission statements, it was an aspiration that brought together the faith in my heart, the ideas in my head and the resources in my hands.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Even though it was a small effort, especially in the first few years, it brought me a sense of contentment that my business endeavours never could.

From humble beginnings, the charity has evolved into an institution transforming millions of lives, in over 30 countries across the world as well as right here in the UK too.

After years of diligent ground work, so many different elements have come together to take the charity to soaring heights I could never have imagined.

Can you share some of the heartwarming messages or response of gratitude that you’ve received from recipients of your charity? Does this motivate your charitable work?

It’s been almost ten years since we founded Penny Appeal, and have since have raised £60million+ in supporting incredible causes supported worldwide.

Earlier this year, I found myself once again back in Pakistan where it all started. This time I was honoured to visit one of our “Mera Apna Ghar” (literally translates as ‘My Own Home’) Orphan Complexes in Chaksawari, Mirpur, North East Pakistan.

Al-Shukr Apna Ghar Orphan Home Complex is made up of three homes for 25 girls aged from 3 to 16. Most of children hail from unspeakable backgrounds, but now, through the generous support of our donors, they enjoy fully furnished homes with dedicated study and play areas.

It was important that we created an environment that the children could call their own and be proud of, somewhere where we would be proud to send our own kids. Visiting for the first time, I was met with happy and healthy children, with beaming smiles, keen on showing off their games and toys, not unlike my own!

Speaking to the girls about their dreams and ambitions was a stark reminder to me of why I had founded Penny Appeal in the first place and why we work so hard each and every day to build stronger, empowered communities.

Our small change has transformed the lives of these children and they will in turn transform their society – that’s what I call a big difference.

61

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

They say a house is made of bricks and beams but a home is made of love and dreams and this is what we have built in Pakistan. When I arrived at the complex, I was greeted by a group of children holding a banner that said: “My world is brighter and more beautiful because of you”- In reality, it’s my world that has become brighter and more beautiful because of them, it’s in their hearts that I have truly found a home from home.

The Muslim community is clearly very stigmatised in the UK. Do you think the great work at Penny Appeal sends a positive message to the British public regarding the UK Muslim population?

In spite of the constant barrage of negative stories about Islam, Muslims continue to build and bind and serve society and so it fills me with much pride to see this generosity of spirit across the country with countless charities and organisations serving society in every way possible.

Muslims donate millions of pounds to feed hungry and homeless people across our country, provide emergency housing, donate winter packs for those on the streets, share company with the elderly, visit sick children in hospital to gift them and their families Christmas presents and so much more.

62

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, a plethora of Muslim charities, including Penny Appeal, were on the ground within the hour and they have since been lauded as to how effective their aid distribution has been.

A rough audit of Penny Appeal’s UK programmes revealed around 70% of the people who benefit from our work in the UK are not Muslim, despite Penny Appeal being a confidently Muslim-led charity. We give because of who we are, not because of who those in need may be. We’re inspired by our faith to serve.

~

Tap the icons below to follow SingleMuslims.com on social

Tap the icons below to follow Penny Appeal on social

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Food

Double Chocolate Loaf Bread

63

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

INGREDIENTS 175g softened butter, plus extra for greasing 175g golden caster sugar 3 eggs 140g self-raising flour 85g ground almonds ½ tsp baking powder 100ml milk 4 tbsp cocoa powder 50g plain chocolate chip or chunks few extra chunks white, plain and milk chocolate for decorating

64

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

METHOD

65



Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3.

Grease and line a 2lb/900g loaf tin with a long strip of baking parchment.



To make the loaf cake batter, beat the butter and sugar with an electric whisk until light and fluffy.



Beat in the eggs, flour, almonds, baking powder, milk and cocoa until smooth.



Stir in the chocolate chips, then scrape into the tin.



Bake for 45-50 mins until golden, risen and a skewer poked in the centre comes out clean.



Cool in the tin, then lift out onto a wire rack over some kitchen paper.



Melt the extra chocolate chunks separately in pans over barely simmering water, or in bowls in the microwave, then use a spoon to drizzle each in turn over the cake.



Leave to set before slicing.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Food

PANNA COTTA

with Strawberry Sauce

66

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

INGREDIENTS For the Panna Cotta 1/4 cup whole milk 2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (halal of course) 2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup granulated white sugar Pinch of salt 1/2 vanilla bean pod (seeds extracted) or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the Strawberry Sauce 1 cup strawberries (sliced and divided) 3 tablespoons of granulated white sugar 1 tablespoon water 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

67

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

METHOD To make the panna cotta: 

Place the milk in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the milk. Let soak for 5 minutes.



In a small saucepan, combine the cream, sugar, vanilla seeds, the seeded vanilla bean pod, and bring to a low boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes.



After the 5 minutes, remove the pan from heat and whisk in the milk/gelatin mixture until smooth.



Strain the liquid through a mesh strainer. (You don't need a super fine strainer as you are not trying to strain out the vanilla beans. You're just trying to strain out any undissolved pieces of gelatin.)



Pour into your individual glasses, cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

To make the strawberry sauce: 

Add 1/2 of the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water to a small saucepan and bring to a slow boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes.



Remove from heat and add in the remaining strawberries.



Let cool completely then spoon over the panna cotta. Refrigerate again until ready to serve.

68

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Health

ALL DAY

LONG We’ve all been there...we start out the day all ready to hit the ground running with our favourite cup of coffee in hand.

However, come afternoon, the after lunch slump kicks in and all that energy we had in the beginning of the day is slowly dying out.

So how do you really keep that energy running the entire day?

Is it even possible? Well according to our health friends, it is...here’s how you keep your battery running all day long.

Stay with us…

69

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

In the morning Your alarm goes off...you turn over to hit the snooze button. NO! Stop!

That’s the first thing that our expert health friends say not to do. Do not, and we repeat, do not hit that snooze button. Although we have to admit, we do it all the time.

Apparently by hitting the snooze button and squeezing it that “oh-justfive-more-minutes” sleep, will eventually make it harder to wake up and ultimately affect your overall energy level.

Once you’re awake - hydrate. Hey that rhymes. But in all seriousness drinking water helps your body perform at its 70

top potential but getting that glass in first thing in the morning gives your digestive system a push in the right direction (haha. No pun intended. If you didn’t get that joke, we apologise for our lameness) and starts the energy running. Sort of like a car jumper cable at work.

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and they are not saying that for fun. It is true.

So get your essential carbs, proteins and healthy fats in to balance your sugar level right at the start of the day.

And when we say sugar we don’t mean hitting Dunkin’ Donuts.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

If you have time to spare, try fitting in a morning workout.

To be honest this is not something we would recommend everyone. Some of us aren’t morning people by nature so a morning workout is just overkill.

If your body just says “hell no” to a morning workout then don’t force it. You do you, babe!

71

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

In the afternoon Ok, so now you’re at work and lunch is calling. Go out! Yes, grab lunch outdoors. Try not to sit at your desk with a salad or a sandwich from the takeout place nearby. Do not do it.

Even though you may have tons of work to do, do not do it. Going out and getting some fresh air will help a lot with sustaining that energy you had from the morning.

At this point, you’re probably tempted to grab your afternoon caramel macchiato from the nearby Starbucks.

Stop, turn around, walk away. Instead opt for green tea. It will give your body that boost you’re looking for and 72

it is great for detox. Hey added bonus!

Green tea FTW. If your desk is a desktop war-zone then this is about the right time to declutter that mess. A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. Or so they say. But in all honesty, we do understand the psychological benefits of having an uncluttered desk. Surprisingly, this inadvertently keeps your energy levels up as well.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Later in the afternoon, once the green tea kicks in and digests all that you had for lunch, you may start to feel a little peck-ish. If the craving hits, grab a healthy granola bar or some almonds. They aren’t just healthy, they give you that little energy boost to keep you going like an Energizer bunny till the end of the day.

73

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

In the evening The day is finally done and it’s time for bed. Getting adequate sleep is the whole basis of having enough energy through out the day.

However, at this time, ordinarily, you’d catch up on some Netflix or what’s been happening on social media. Trust us, we do the same. But in order to get a good night sleep, turn off all electronics. You see, the light from these electronic devices switches ON your brain and that’s not what you want before bed. This is why you end up tossing and turning all night and finding yourself getting sleepy only 3 hours before you have to actually get up. Sound familiar?

74

If you can’t give up the habit and you’re addicted to your phone or Netflix (like us), then here’s a tip - go ahead and wind down with the latest episode of ‘How to get away with murder’ but an hour or two just before bedtime, turn everything off. Give your mind, body (and soul) time to naturally wind down. That doesn’t sound too hard, does it?

If you’re still having trouble and counting those imaginary sheep isn’t working (seriously, what’s the deal with counting sheep anyway?), try drinking a cup of warm milk. It sounds like such a cliché but it does actually have its benefits.

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

So there you have it folks simple (or not so simple.

Depending on how you look at it) ways on how to keep yourself going like the Energizer bunny. Now, rinse and repeat. Toodles!

75

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Travel

Written by Fizzah Rahman Photos by Danial Ismail 76

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

It’s your first time visiting a city.

Either you get chummy with Google, or you ask around for recommendations. You will then likely end up with a checklist of places (the usual suspects) to experience.

We went in the later half of September.

According to my Taiwanese friend, depending on your luck, there’s a 5050 chance of Typhoon or scorching weather.

If you don’t want to mull over where to go, here are 4 places you can first check off:

77

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

YANGMINGSHAN NATIONAL PARK I’ll be honest with you; I underestimated Yangmingshan. It turned out to be way more beautiful than I had imagined. Definitely the highlight of our holiday.

Located in Northern Taipei, Yangmingshan is an hour ride via public bus (S15) from Jiantan station.

Reach the bustop early so you can get a comfortable seat to soak in a mix of the Taiwanese way of life and natural landscapes. Given its size – spanning a total of 114 square kilometres – there are various stops to get down at.

78

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

We alighted at the Qingtiangang Grassland Trails and popped by the sulphur valley at Xiaoyoukeng. The park is home to many other nature trails, scenic spots and hot springs.

Flower season is between January and March. It is in the early part of the year that you will be able to see camellias, cherry blossoms and Chinese hydrangeas in full bloom.

Go on more Yangmingshan adventures if you have the time! Active wear is highly recommended.

79

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

YEHLIU GEOPARK While you can make your way to Yehliu on your own, I strongly encourage you to book a day tour. The full day tour we opted for cost us slightly above S$30 per person. We covered a whole lot of places – Yehliu Geopark, Golden Waterfall, Jiufen, Shifen Waterfall and Shifen Old Street, plus a few other in-betweens.

80

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

If you have visited The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park in Perth, Australia, Yehliu is a smaller version of that. Its appeal lies in the mushroom-shaped rock formations which have overtime been eroded by mother nature.

This place gets hot in the summer so do arm yourself with sunscreen, oversized shades and a hat for added sun protection.

81

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

JIUFEN OLD STREET Some call Jiufen the Santorini of Taiwan. Perhaps because it was also built on mountainous terrain.

Before the 1950s, Jiufen was a coal mine. I was told in the past, many wanted to both live and die there.

One main reason: excellent feng shui resulting from its position; facing the sea and backed by mountains. Housing predominantly Buddhists and Taoists, there are many small shrines originally built by coal miners to offer prayers (and thanks) to the Gods to strike fortune in the mines. Jiufen is an old street much like its neighbouring Shifen. You can expect plenty of Taiwanese street favourites like bubble tea, taro balls and deep fried seafood.

VIEW FROM JIUFEN

82

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

While I did not list Shifen as a standalone place to visit, this is where you can release Taiwan’s famous sky lanterns. In the 16th century, lanterns were used to deliver messages during the war.

Today, you can choose from nine colours with different symbolic meanings. Orange for love and marriage, blue for career and promotion and pink for happiness.

There’s even magenta for enhanced attraction and popularity! If you consider the lanterns unfriendly to the environment, you can always venture around the old street and train station.

On the topic of sky lanterns, there are local companies like Cultural Bank trying to keep Taiwan’s traditional customs alive by innovating environmentally conscious options. In 2013, the Taiwanese government has also offered cash rewards to those who bring the lanterns to a recycling station.

83

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

SANZHI UFO HOUSES Watched Dark Tourist on Netflix recently? If visiting abandoned spaces piques your curiosity, Sanzhi UFO Houses are worth exploring. The ‘futuristic’ pod houses are a set of uncompleted buildings envisioned as a vacation resort.

Research points out that the project came to a halt due to several deaths and suicides during construction. We went close to sun set. That added to the melancholic feel of area. Stitching the story leaves something to your imagination.

Sanzhi UFO Houses are in the vicinity of the Yehliu Geopark but I doubt you can squeeze all the places in one day. Make the journey again the next day to appreciate it at a leisurely pace.

84

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

Would I visit Taipei again? Yes, with a Mandarin-speaking friend.

Personally, I love local markets and street food. Food options are a tad challenging when you can’t read the Chinese menu nor converse effectively with the stall owners. That aside, finding Halal restaurants is not impossible. You can enjoy Taiwanese beef noodles (Chang Beef Noodle Soup) near Ximen station, Thai food (Thai Yunus Halal Restaurant and Tai Xiang Yun Halal Bismillah Restaurant) near Taipei Arena station, and the usual Middle Eastern and Indian fare all around (like Kunming Islamic Food near Songjiang Nanjing station). There is the popular Hui Guan Restaurant serving Halal Chinese food too.

Unfortunately for us, it was closed both times we went. Let me know how your Taiwan trip goes!

THE WRITER: FIZZAH RAHMAN Fizzah is often asked for her travel itinerary, and that puts her on a spot because she usually just wings it. Having been to places like North Korea and Mexico, her friends and family associate her travelling style as "exotic". She now writes as a way to start sharing some of these experiences. Oh, and she's trying to hit 30 countries before 35.

85

GAYA MAGA ZINE. COM

ALWAYS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO...

G E T G AYA M A G A Z I N E O N YO U R I PH O N E , I PA D , A N D R O I D O R TA BL E T. D O W N LO A D & S U B S C R I BE F R E E