Hi Weekly - May 27, 2016 by Muscat Media Group

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 22 / MAY 27, 2016

SAY HELLO TO SUMMER STARTING PAGE 6

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

GO TO THE COUNTRY

UP YOUR SUMMER MER SWAGGER

GET BEACH BODY INSPIRATION INS

Head to Batinah for a day or a weekend at one of the tranquil farmhouses set amidst the orchards of Oman’s ‘green belt’. PAGE 8

Getting in the mood for thee heat is as simple as adding a few w playful ful accessories to your look. Check-out our under OMR5 R55 favourites. PAGE 12

Meet Muscat’s muscled men, from aaward-winning bodybuilders to the ranks of loyal lifters who ﬁll gyms around the city. PAGE 20 P PAG

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Give us a shout with questions, comments, compliments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” Founder Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong felicia@timesofoman.com

Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell Features Production Editor Swati Dasgupta swati@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com faisal@timesofoman.com

Senior Editors T. A. Ameerudheen ameerudheen@timesofoman.com Faisal Mohammed Naim Mohammed Shafeeqe

shafeeq@timesofoman.com

Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair

salim@timesofoman.com

shruthi@timesofoman.com

Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphic Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Ali Jani Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Geri Batara Sonny Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers

richard@timesofoman.com

Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham

aziz@timesofoman.com

Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Design and Photography by Ali Jani For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

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THE WEEKEND LINEUP

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Tell us what you’re doing this weekend: Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweekly

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THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

6pm Watch a Kiddy Battle of Bands

Go House Hunting

5pm Get Ready for College

Attend Muscat’s annual choral competition at Al Bustan Palace where school children between the ages of 3 and 6 sing their hearts out for the title of best choir. Al Bustan Palace +968 2479 9666

If you want to buy a house in India, or just window shop to get ideas for future investments, then go check out the India Property Show, an exhibition for residential and commercial properties and real estate investment. Al Falaj Hotel, Ruwi +968 2470 2311

7pm Shake it for the desi “King of Rap” The self-proclaimed “king of rap,” music producer and lyricist, Badshah, is coming to Muscat for the ﬁrst time this Thursday. Be a part of the crowd going crazy to the sound of popular tracks like Dj Wale Babu, and Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui. Gold tickets are available for OMR15 at Lulu Hypermarkets. Qurum Amphitheatre +968 9658 4858

Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

If you aspire to study abroad, then its a good idea to check out the Global Vision expo where representatives from over 18 British and American universities will be present. Holiday Inn, Seeb +968 2449 9744 https://goo.gl/g4N9rj

6pm Watch a Grudge W Match Yo wouldn’t want to You miss the chance to support your favourite sup fighter in the second fig annual annua OFC fight night where 14 of Oman’s w best martial artists are bes going to battle it out go for the OFC cchampionship title. Al Bahja Hall, Qurum +968 9617 5816

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Have you tried any of these five? What do you think of them? Did we miss any of your favourites? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

MUTTRAH CORNICHE

FIVE TO TRY CORNICHES

Have a long walk along the Muttrah Corniche from the Fish Roundabout to Riyam Park. The busy walkway is crowded with tourists, expats, and locals enjoying the oceanic views and the proximity to the historic Muttrah Souq. After your walk, you can linger at one of the numerous restaurants and cafes. Muttrah Corniche, Muttrah

AL GHUBRA CORNICHE Al Ghubra Corniche is a lush green stretch situated at Al Izdihar Street, near Al Ghubra lake garden, which is fast becoming a popular destination for family picnics because of its safe, quite ambiance. If you stop in the garden after your stroll, be ready to pack up your stuff before 11pm to avoid getting showered by the water sprinklers. Al Izdihar Street, Al Ghubra

SHATTI CORNICHE Located on Shatti Street, locally known as ‘love street,’ this walkway is in a very happening area. With its beautiful palms, BBQ areas, and plenty of restaurants and cafes, it is perfect for an afternoon chill or for a lively evening watching all the sporty cars in Muscat cruising up and down the lane. Al Shatti Street, Qurum

SEEB CORNICHE Seeb Corniche is a beautifully developed 8-kilometre corniche located between Mabela and the Seeb ﬁsh market. It’s been renovated and adorned with trees and ﬂowers along the interlocked walkway which also features a kids’ playground. This quiet place is a must-visit in the cool evenings. Seeb Corniche, Seeb

AL HAIL CORNICHE Al Hail Corniche is a personal favourite of ours; vibrant and packed with youngsters playing football in the sand, families grilling meat and corn, and people exercising. It is a wonderful place for a bonﬁre with friends. North Al Hail, Seeb, Muscat

SUMMER BODY Get your daily dose of inspiration for a fit lifestyle from Lorna Jane, who posts beautiful shots of her healthy meals, portraits of her flawlessly athletic body, workout tips, and fashionable, sporty outﬁts. Instagram: @lornajaneactive

SUMMER FASHION Summer Fashion Hits is sure to get all you ladies in the mood for summer with awesome roundups, fancy swimsuits and simple, fashionable summer-ready outﬁts. Instagram: @summerfashionshit

SUMMER TRAVEL Summer is travel season, and there’s no better IG account for getting all hyped-up to hit the road than National Geographic. They post tons of captivating, well-shot photos of people from different cultures, as well as stunning shots of interesting must-visit places. Instagram: @natgeotravel

SUMMER SPORT An amazing photographer and diver, Mark Healey’s account is full of interesting shots taken on and under the water using a GoPro. Follow him for super cool shots of surﬁng, diving, and selﬁes with underwater creatures. Instagram: @healeywaterops

SUMMER FOOD Nothing beats the heat like fresh, healthy food prepared in an appetising manner. Nikki Lee Frost’s account is loaded with shots of the Aussie foodie’s vegetarian delights that are sure to make your mouth water, and maybe even inspire you to get into the kitchen. Instagram: @veggie_moments

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

HI SOCIAL SUMMER ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW

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WEEKEND ESCAPE

The Farms of Batinah STORY T.A AMEERUDHEEN

Apart from producing fresh vegetables, the farm houses north of Muscat in the Batinah region offer visitors good food, accommodation, and leisure activities that are perfect for taking your mind off the sweltering heat of summer.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED; T.A. AMEERUDHEEN

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man’s Batinah Region is known as the green belt of Oman, thanks to the presence of hundreds of farms. I recently spent a day at one such farm, Al Ajmi Gardens, in Sohar. The lush green environment, swaying palms, and orchards laden with ripe fruits provided the perfect background for an early summer weekend outing.

12.00 After checking in, order your lunch, you can tell the waiter your preferred time for food delivery.

FRIDAY

15.00 After your siesta, the sun will be waning, making it a great time to take a trip around the farm to see the resident dog, rabbit, cat, duck, chicken, peacock, deer, monkey, camel, cow, and goat.

08.00 Pack your bags and head to Sohar. It is a pleasure to drive on the empty roads on quiet Friday mornings. Enjoy the three-hour drive and take tea or coffee breaks at regular intervals. 09.30 Mussanah is the ideal place to stop for breakfast. The restaurants on either side of the roundabout offer Omani, Indian, and Pakistani dishes at cheap prices. 11.00 Check into on of the six well-maintained bedrooms at the farm house at Ajmi Gardens, which is built on an area of more than 8,000 square metres. You will feel like you are entering an oasis thanks to the green cover.

12.30 Put on your swimming trunks and head to the indoor swimming pool. Spend an hour cooling down in the well-maintained pool. 13.30 Enjoy a sumptuous lunch in the spacious dining hall and go back to your room for a nap.

17.00 If you wish to know how agricultural labourers make the land fertile, you can visit the large vegetable farms where they grow cabbage, cauliﬂower, long beans, brinjal, tomato, banana, tapioca, carrot, mango, curry leaf, papaya, drumstick, bitter gourd, and cucumber. 19.00 Play a game of football or cricket on the lawn and watch it transform into a party area where you

can prepare barbecue and spend your evening lying on the natural green carpet looking up at the moon and counting the stars.

SATURDAY 09.00 Sleep late and then wander down to the dining room for a freshly prepared breakfast. 10.00 Take one last lap around the pool to cool down before your drive back to Muscat. 12:00 Check-out of the hotel and enjoy a relaxed drive back to Muscat. 13:00 Stop at the Millennium Resort Mussanah (+968 2687 1555 ) for a relaxing lunch. 16:30 Arrive home in Muscat refreshed and with plenty of time to prepare for the week to come. —ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

BOOK A STAY Al Ajmi Gardens, Sohar +968 9107 4846

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TO D LIST

STORY MOHAMMED SHAFEEQE

ecreational sailing is a popular outdoor activity any time of year in Oman on account of the country’s perfect weather conditions and excellent sailing options. When Oman Sail launched its activities in 2008, it was touted as the beginning of the resurrection of the country’s ancient maritime tradition. A sailing school was opened in Marina Bandhar Al Rowdha along with the project launch in 2008, and since then, three more centres have been added at Almouj Muscat, Millennium Resort Mussanah, and at the Sur Marina. Recently Oman has witnessed a boom of enthusiasm among youth for recreational sailing as residents take advantage of the opportunity to witness regattas like Extreme Sailing Series and Sailing Arabia the Tour (SATT), as well as the emergence of some home-grown internationally competitive sailors, like Mohsin Al Busaidi , who became the ﬁrst Arab to sail around the world nonstop in 2009. Sailing isn’t just for pros; it is a natural sport of freedom powered by wind and water, and Oman has the perfect conditions in which to pick up the sport on tropical waters that are warm and clear with winds that are light and steady. It is an adaptive sport appropriate for anyone who loves to be in water, you don’t even need to know how to swim. Even differently-abled people can get into sailing. At Sea Oman, anyone age 8 and above can try sailing.

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SEA OMAN ACTIVITIES Try Sailing at AL MOUJ, BANDAR AL ROWDHA, MUSSANAH: OMR5 for 1 -hour session IN SUR: Free for 1-hour session Children’s Session at AL MOUJ, BANDAR AL ROWDHA, MUSSANAH: OMR12.5 for 2 hour session IN SUR: OMR5 for 2-hour session Adult Taster Session AL MOUJ, BANDAR AL ROWDHA, MUSSANAH: OMR15 for 2-hour session

IN SUR: OMR10 for 2-hour session

Children’s Courses (Level 1, 2 & 3) at AL MOUJ, BANDAR AL ROWDHA, MUSSANAH: OMR75 for 2-day course

IN SUR: OMR42 for a 2-day course

Adult Courses (Level 1, 2 & 3) at AL MOUJ, BANDAR AL ROWDHA, MUSSANAH: OMR90 for 2-day course

IN SUR: OMR60 for a 2-day course

SEA OMAN PROVIDES: Sailing equipment, buoyancy aids, and bottled drinking water

YOU NEED TO BRING: Shoes (old trainers are ideal) and clothes that you are willing to get wet, a towel, and a change of clothes for afterwards. A long sleeved shirt, sun cream, sunglasses, and a hat for protection against the sun are also advisable.

TIMINGS: 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm on weekdays. Weekend courses: 9.30am to 12 noon and 2pm to 5pm on Fridays and 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5pm on Saturdays.

CONTACT: +968 2418 1400, info@seaoman.com, seaoman.com

GO LEARN TO SAIL

WITH OMAN’S PERFECT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION ON THE COAST OF THE PLACID OMAN SEA, COUPLED WITH THE OFFERINGS OF SEA OMAN, IT IS NO WONDER THAT RECREATIONAL SAILING IS QUICKLY BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN THE SULTANATE

Sea Oman, the commercial wing of Oman Sail, offers an array of sailing courses following the Oman Sail national sailing scheme, recognised by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), at their four sailing schools.Open seven-daysa-week, you can head to any of the centres to learn from a team of qualified coaches in both English and in Arabic. The training is split into taster session, Level-1, Level-2 and Level-3. The taster session is a two-hour introductory class and can be booked upon request at any of the sailing schools, and each level will take two days to complete. These two-day courses are normally scheduled on weekends however they can be run mid-week upon request. Courses are run separately for adults and children and have a maximum of three-to-four students per instructor. So, one could complete the entire course over six consecutive days, or they take breaks in between and complete them on weekends at their leisure. There are sailing programmes designed for school children at discounted rates. Many private schools send in students on a regular basis. These school sailing sessions are held on weekday afternoons between 2pm and 5pm and the prices are based on a minimum of four sessions with a minimum of eight students.

This children’s course can also be arranged over two full days. For kids between 8 and 16-years-old who ﬁnished the Level-1 sailing course the ‘Thursday Kids After School Club’ runs on Thursday afternoons from 3.30 to 5.30pm each week, offering recreational sailing, fun games, and activities at the sailing school at Almouj for a fee of OMR45 for a block of 6 sessions. Private tuition and specially designed courses for individuals, private groups, schools and corporate groups are also on offer. You can learn sailing on your own preferred timings with your family or friends during a session of tuition or a full-course with private tuition. The fee for one student for a half-day is OMR45, one day for OMR80, and two-days for OMR160. Once a student has successfully completed the Level-3 course he or she will be able to hire dinghies from Oman Sail and sail independently. The dinghy hire rates start at OMR15 for two hours and OMR40 for one day, depending on the boat. Level-3 trained sailors can also join the Friday Sailing Club for a yearly membership fee of OMR50 for an individual membership or OMR120 for a family of two adults and two children, to enjoy social sailing sessions from 9.30am till 12 noon and afternoon racing from 2pm to 4.30pm each week. —shafeeq@timesofoman.com

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Walk on Water These preppy run-around ballet ﬂats are a summer must-have. The graphic pattern and aquatic green and blue pattern give these chic kicks easy, breezy ﬂair. OMR2.000 R&B, Muscat Grand Mall

Summer Sling Summer is the season when you can ﬂaunt all the bright colours your heart desires. So, grab the opportunity to don this super-fun, causal cloth sling bag. OMR2.720 Lulu Hypermarket Bausher

Flower Girl Headbands are girly, fashionable, and totally in this year. If you want to rock a simple accessory that is as at home at an outdoor concert as it is on the beach, grab a colourful ﬂower band and feel like a stylish summer princess. OMR1.900 H&M, Oman Avenues Mall

Stop complaining

about the scorching summer sun, and start looking on the bright side: Summer is also the time of year when we can cast aside our more subdued winter hues and re-invent our style with bright colours and effortless-looking ensembles. A great way to get into your summer vibe is with playful accessories, so we rounded up our favourite picks for under OMR5. Go ahead, get playful, you might just make friends with that big orange ball in the sky. STORY SHRUTHI NAIR

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So Shade-y Go crazy and have some fun with your sunglasses this summer, with everything from oversized frames to floral-pattern rimmed shades. OMR4.000 R&B, Muscat Grand Mall

Tip-It Stroll at the beach or mountains and forts wearing this unisexHavana hat and feel like a retro tourist on an exciting exhibition as you brave the heat. OMR2.500 H&M, Oman Avenues Mall

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BALUSHI-STYLE HOMEMADE ICE CREAM STORY ASMAA AL BALUSHI PHOTOGRAPHY ALI JANI

Here in Oman, Balushi housewives are famous for making and selling creamy, sweet, and sometimes salty summer treats in their residential neighbourhoods throughout the city. Homemade ice cream in vibrant colours (thanks to food colouring) in ďŹ&#x201A;avours ranging from sweet strawberry to salty, sour laban (yoghurt), are sold frozen into disposable plastic cups or rolled into ice cream balls that are quickly devoured by neighbourhood children and nostalgic adults. Take a drive and pick up these traditional summer sweets for 100 baisa each or try your hand at making them yourself. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;asmaa@timesofoman.com

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BASIC BALUSHI ICE CREAM Ingredients For 5-8 persons • 6 cups of warm water • 700g milk powder • 500g yoghurt • Salt to taste • 1 teaspoon lemon salt Preparation • In a large bowl, add six cups of warm water and 700g of milk powder and mix them well. Make sure it mixes well and there are no lumps • Add 500g of yoghurt to the melted milk and mix it well. • Cover it with a lid and place it in a dry and closed place for at least 8 hours. • After 8 hours put it on low heat for 10 minutes and add salt to taste. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon salt. • Put the ice cream mixture in plastic cups or ice cream moulds and put them in the freezer for 5-6 hours.

BALUSHI YOGHURT BALL Ingredients For making yoghurt ice ball you need the same ingredients as that of Balushi ice cream and while preparing follow the same steps with these changes. Preparation After keeping the milk mixture for at least 8 hours, for yoghurt balls you need to put it on very low heat for 30 minutes and ﬁlter the milk mixture with a clean cheesecloth and drain it completely. Take the dry milk and shape into small balls. Put them in the freezer until frozen.

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM Ingredients For 5-8 persons • 6 cups water • 700g milk powder • 21/2 cup sugar (you can add more if needed) • 1/2 cup rose water • 3 teaspoon pink food colour • 28ml strawberry ﬂavoured liquid Preparation • In a large bowl, add six cups of water and 700g of milk powder. Mix them and make sure the lumps dissolve completely. • Add 21/2 cups of sugar into the melted milk and make sure the sugar has dissolved well. • Then add half a cup of rose water and 3 teaspoon of pink colour (liquid food colour). • Add 28ml of strawberry ﬂavoured liquid and mix all the ingredients well. • Put the ice-cream mixture in plastic cups or ice-cream moulds and freeze them for 5-6 hours or until completely frozen.

Find Balushi Specialty Ice Cream Contact Um Aiman Al Balushi +968 9277 5254

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OMANI SLANG LOCAL SUMMERTIME WORDS

Gharbi

STORY SALIM AL AFIFI & ASMAA AL BALUSHI ILLUSTRATION ISIDORE VIC CARLOMAN

Interspersed with the Arabic conversations overheard throughout the capital city, even native Arabic speakers might be surprised to hear some unfamiliar words. Though Arabic is the official language in the Sultanate, there are all kinds of words and phrases that are purely local. Here’s your monthly primer from Hi’s Omani team members, Salim Al Aﬁﬁ and Asmaa Al Balushi.

Sanhar

alqaidh

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Yasmot Eldunya Labqa

Yeghdaq

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STORY SALIM AL AFIFI • PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED, SALIM AL ZAWAIDI

You have no doubt seen the sturdy physiques and sometimes extreme, pumped up beefy muscles of the oil-rubbed gym-junkies known as bodybuilders. Some people see these self-made giants as shallow meat-heads, I’d honestly never give them much thought, but recently, after Haitham Sadiq Al Zadjali, a member of Oman’s national bodybuilding team, won yet another competition in Kuwait, I began to wonder about this unusual sport, so I hit the street to ﬁnd out what makes pumping iron such a popular hobby for young men in Muscat. What I found out from bodybuilders around the city was that this is a sport unlike any other; a battle of willpower, self-discipline, and an unwavering belief in man’s quest to become better.

Haitham Sadiq Al Zadjali Omani Bodybuilding Champion

ccording to the History of Bodybuilding organisation, the pursuit of physical perfection in terms of strength and physique traces its roots to ancient Greece where lifting heavy animals was the training method. From those early days it was deemed a sport, and from there it evolved into a lifestyle. This form of body modiﬁcation eventually became a spectator sport in which enthusiasts worked to create a well-deﬁned muscular structure that they then showcased in front of a cheering audience. This activity, said to be called “muscle display performance,” developed in the modern era and became known as “bodybuilding”.

In the 1800s, Eugene Sandow was working as a “strong man” performer in a circus act in Europe. He realised that his fans were more intrigued by his deﬁned body than by his feats of strength, and he began spending more and more of his act posing to show off his form, rather than exhibiting his strength. His popularity grew, and he is now sited as the father of modern bodybuilding, as his performances were the precursors to what we now know as bodybuilding contests. In modern contests, participants hit the stage to showcase their hardcore muscles through a variety of poses in front of a panel of judges who decide the winners based on body proportion,

muscular build, and performance. The bodybuilding community at large has become quite huge and continues to grow, especially among young men, and especially here in the Arabian Gulf. The ﬁrst thing Rashid Mohammed Al Balushi, manager of the Eat Smart bodybuilding team, said to me when I met him was that Oman has the greatest and most supportive fan base in the region, with millions of dedicated fans who are devoted to emotionally contributing to this evergrowing culture, proving, in his mind, that bodybuilding is one of Oman’s favourite sports. “The bodybuilding industry in Oman

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WHERE TO BUILD YOUR BODY

Horizon Gym Location: Al Athaiba Branch Tel: +968 2461 7024 Hammer Gym Location: Al Mawaleh Branch Tel: +968 2455 4660 WHERE TO EAT

Sidewalk Cafe Location: Al Qurum Complex Tel: +968 9701 6284 Eat Smart Restaurant Locations: Bousher, Ruwi, Al Khoudh Tel: +968 2422 8222; +968 2484 4444 WHO TO TRAIN WITH

Haitham Sadiq Al Zadjali Tel: +968 9977 7173

Rashid Mohammed Al Balushi Tel: +968 9666 6334

Don’t take random supplements, only take supplements recommended to you by a professional trainer. Don’t take advice from several trainers, stick to one professional master and follow his or her instructions diligently. Don’t share your diet or meal plan with other trainees; it’s speciﬁcally designed for your body and blood type. Don’t start lifting without making a plan. It is important to know your goals and to learn how to properly use the equipment in the gym along with good nutrition to meet them. That’s why it is always a good idea to consult a trainer for a total plan when you are ﬁrst starting your programme. There are no shortcuts to building your perfect body, so anything that sounds too good to be true, probably is. Don’t go for get-big-quick-tricks, drugs, or unapproved supplements, instead, stick to your coach’s programme, and watch your body transform in the right way.

witnessed ten years full of glorious success, and there’s more to come” said Rashid. Oman boasts hard-working gold medalwinning beasts, like Haitham Sadiq Al Zadjali, a member of Oman’s bodybuilding national team who recently won Mr Olympia for Amateurs in Kuwait, the Oman Championship, Batal Al Abtal championship, and Champion of Weight-85. With a total of 16 years of experience under his belt, he is looking forward to participating in more contests over the coming months. But bodybuilding is more than pure sport, it is rapidly emerging as a distinct subculture here in Muscat. Though it is individual in execution, this sport is all about teamwork, and this idea of forming teams is what helps keep the culture alive as builders support one another and rival each other at the same time, forming a familylike bond, which keeps them motivated. Apart from Eat Smart team, there’s Bait Al Quwa, Champion Gym, and Oman Muscle, to name a few. “Sport is what disciplines your lifestyle and puts you in control,” said Haitham, noting that this is not a casual undertaking, but a lifestyle. One of the great advantages of which is that participants are forced to master time management skills as they must schedule time to eat, sleep, and workout every day. Some people say that bodybuilding isn’t for everyone, that even the most motivated might not be able to bulk up due to genetics, but I wasn’t at all convinced about that. I met Hussein Ali Al Zadjali, a bodybuilder with 10 years experience, who was suffering from obesity before he got into the sport. Hussein is now ripped and totally buffed-up, so I asked him how he managed to lose all that fat, he assertively answered me with one sentence. “A well-structured meal plan.” What you put in your system is what determines the success of your bodybuilding journey. Your personal trainer develops a special diet that caters to your

needs, and helps you achieve desired goal. I also asked Rashid his perspective on bodybuilding “body types”. He explained that genetics differ from one person to another and while they do play a significant role in developing your muscles, and by extension, how fast you build up and recover, genetics will not make or break you as a builder. “A clever trainer knows what to do with genetic dilemma and how to get past them,” said Rashid. Both men agree that picking a professional trainer is step one for anyone serious about becoming a body builder. To develop yourself in this field you need a few things, first of all you must be good-friends with the concept of commitment; when there’s no commitment there’ll be no results. Secondly, you must join a reputable gym, such as Horizon or Hammer Gym, and work with professional bodybuilding trainers. Another thing of great importance is to rest. Haitham Sadiq stresses the importance of taking rest routinely to give your muscles enough time to recover and be ready for the next day’s training session. Finally, you have to feed your body right. Nowadays there are restaurants and apps that can help, for example, restaurants such as EatSmart and Sidewalk Cafe provide meals that are already weighed out and measured to meet your exact nutritional requirements and for those who want to feed themselves, there are apps like MyFitnessPal, a Facebook-like community that works like a diary of your daily meals and workouts. Once you have mastered the discipline of getting into the gym daily, sticking to your coach’s eating plan, and resting between workouts, and you are ready to take things to the next level, your trainer can introduce you to the world of supplements. From fat burners and proteins that assist you in losing stubborn fat and building muscle, to energy drinks, zero-carb protein shakes, green tea extracts, there are all kinds of aids to help fill in your nutritional gaps. Though there is no substitute for real, healthy food. “A proper and balanced diet is much more important than all supplements in the shop,” said Hussein Ali. This phenomenal sport has become quite popular in Oman, and it’s growing and evolving now more than ever. There is a local Bodybuilding Committee and the Ministry of Sports Affairs holds three championships every year, while local restaurant, EatSmart sponsors bodybuilding contests and generates hype for them. The bodybuilding lifestyle is a fascinating one, built on the premis that through sheer willpower and determination, you can transform yourself. Sounds simple enough, right? But watching the militarylike regiment of diet, sleep, and gym that constitutes the lives of the dedicated builders here in Muscat, I came to appreciate the sport in a new way. I began to see the internal strength of these giants; a strength I found more awe-inspiring than their perfectly muscled facades. — salim@timeofoman.com

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HOW TO EAT LIKE A MOVIE STAR IN MUSCAT

STORY SWATI DASGUPTA

PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E.

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For those of us without a personal chef making gourmet, health-conscious meals, delicious and healthy don’t always go hand in hand, especially when dining-out. Thankfully, a small restaurant in Qurum is now offering Muscat the simple pleasure of going out for a meal that is good in more ways than one.

laky croissants, frothy cappuccinos, melt-inyour-mouth cheesecakes, and lightly grilled sandwiches were on my mind as I sauntered into Sidewalk Café, a bistro that opened a few months ago next to the Al Fair inside Qurum Commercial Centre, or what most of us know as CCC. The café looked impressive, catching my eye with its neat, minimalist mien. Along with the ever-growing reach of existing global chains, a new boutique café culture has been brewing in Muscat, which I love. I assumed that Sidewalk was just one among them, and I was eager to come try a cup of cappuccino, but upon closer inspection of the menu, I realised this place was something different. I took a seat in a corner and rolled my eyes across the wide-ranging list of sandwiches and burgers, wraps and salads,

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pizzas and pastas, and plenty of dessert choices. Then my eyes fell on another list titled “Health Menu”. I was intrigued by the ample choices — fresh grilled turkey served with white rice, boiled vegetables, baby corn, and spinach; marinated grilled chicken with white rice and vegetables; grilled salmon with sweet potato, broccoli, and spinach; an inventive-sounding minced herb beef and chicken served on a bed of wild rice along with sauces like honey mustard, chilli, coconut cream, and spicy BBQ. I opted for marinated grilled chicken with white rice and vegetables. The meat was ﬂavourful, tender, and the best part was the fact that there were no traces of oil anywhere. I spoke to Saad Najeeb Ahmed, director of The Golden Spoon Group, the man behind this café, to learn more. “Sidewalk is the ﬁrst café in Muscat that serves a separate health menu along with the regular café menu for those who

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LIGHTENED-UP VERSIONS OF CHICKEN BIRYANI, CHICKEN KEBAB, AND CHICKEN MASALA ARE FRESH AND SIMPLE; BOTH LIGHT ON THE PALATE AND, OF COURSE, ON THE CALORIES TOO

prefer to have a healthy eating out experience. So whether you are on diet or detox, on a strict weight loss regimen, into body building, or in general very health conscious, this is the place to be,” he said. Najeeb went on to explain that he came up with the concept while travelling across different parts of the world. He encountered a number cafés and bistros that served healthy food for people to relish along with their cup of coffee. He wanted a similar concept in Muscat, one that sourced healthy ingredients both locally and internationally. But after months of research and study he decided that rather than bring an international chain, it would be better to start his own café to cater speciﬁcally to the consumers here in the Sultanate. With nutrition being on top of their agenda, at Sidewalk, they strive to make classic bistro fare fresher, leaner, and healthier, even including lightened-up versions of chicken biryani, chicken kebab, and chicken masala on the menu. Fresh and simple, these dishes are light on the palate and, of course, on the calories too. If you are extra-conscious about your intake, the calories, protein, and carbohydrates are listed for each menu item, which I discovered while chomping on my succulent chicken and rice, which clocked-in at 402.15 cal, 48.20 grams of protein, and 23.50 grams of carbs. Beyond introducing a healthy diningout option to Muscat, the café now offers a way for bachelors, busy professionals, and

those who just plain don’t want to cook, a way to have tasty, healthful meals at home with new, home-delivered meal plans. “We have monthly meal plans in different categories and combination for those who want to eat wholesome food on a regular basis and do not have the time or facilities to prepare at home,” said Najeeb. One can choose between monthly plans that include three-meals a day with either three or ﬁve items per meal (protein, carbohydrate, and vegetables) for OMR156 or OMR260 per month, available for pick-up or delivery every day except Friday. Subscribers can specify everything from the marinades and sauces to the mode of cooking and serving and the café even offers tailor-made meal plans to aid in health goals like weightloss or body building. For those here in Muscat trying to tighten-up, tone-up, or bulk-up for the summer season, there is now a place to enjoy a meal out with friends or to call for takeaway after a long day at the office, without derailing your ﬁtness plan. For the rest of us, it is simply a place for a truly good meal. —swati@timesofoman.com Sidewalk Bistro and Health Cafe Al Qurum Complex (Between Al Fair and China Town)

+ 968 9701 6284

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 22 M AY 2 7, 2 0 1 6

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Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir organised a felicitation ceremony to honour the junior category winners and senior category ﬁrst runners-up of the Times of Oman Inter-School Quiz Contest (TOOISQC). The school rewarded the young talents with cash gifts on behalf of the management committee. Times of Oman Quiz organising team members were present during the felicitation ceremony and presented certiﬁcates to the students. Photos: Purushothaman Kunnummal.

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TAISM Gala Ball themed ‘MOTOWN in MUSCAT’ was held at the Grand Hyatt Ballroom. US Ambassador Mr and Mrs Marc J. Sievers were the honorary guests.

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Yogatherapy4all, a group founded by yoga expert Prema Nagesh, celebrated “International Day of Yoga” under the patronage of the Indian Embassy at the Al Falaj Hotel in Ruwi.

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 22 M AY 2 7, 2 0 1 6

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.

Level | Very Easy

Level | Easy

1 2

7 8

2 6

6 1

7 3

4 9

3 2

5 7

7 2

2 8 5 7

3 8

7 5

6 9

Level | Difficult

2 4

8 7

Level | Moderate

9 7

1 8

8 4 6 6

2 5

3 9

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