Mother Baby & Child - May 2016

ISSUE 62 | MAY 2016

GETTING PREGNANT

The 5% that Will Change Your Life

FASHION MEETS

MOTHERHOOD

Cecile Reinaud on Designing for Royals, Rock Stars and Bringing KATE MIDDLETON’S DRESS to Dubai

Supported by:

EDITOR’S NOTE Motherhood is a notion which, in essence, has not changed. Characterised by unconditional love and giving, the motherchild bond remains sacred and untouched.

It is only the circumstances that change; one of the most evident agents of change in recent times has been the regional increase in the number of women in the workplace and a more noticeable presence of working mothers across different industries, sectors and domains.

The percentage of working mothers remains lower in the UAE in comparison to other countries in the Middle East, yet it has given rise to companies established by mothers which offer a real look into the world of motherhood’s work-life balance.

Career has not been the only aspect in a mother’s world UAE residents were looking to redefine. With an ever-increasing demand for luxury, many VIP maternity suites were built across hospitals.

Such suites are not about balloons and bouquets, five-star services on offer include post-birth signature blow dries and ‘just left the womb’ photography sessions.

Gazing lovingly at your newborn’s crib from behind the glass? That is old news, a Dubaibased remote baby monitoring company offers a live streaming service straight from your newborn’s crib.

From new-mum personalised gift boxes with all kinds of treats to fully-assembled car seats for Baby’s first ride, motherhood is taking on a new twist – and here at Mother, Baby & Child we do not see why some extra joy for the mother can be anything but beautiful; a mother will always need some pampering to compensate for how much she is needed by every family member.

In fact, we need mothers so much you can now even…rent a mum? New York-based entrepreneur Nina Keneally is offering mummy services through her Need a Mum business. Not a professional therapist, Keneally is just there for whoever needs motherly love and advice – at $40 an hour.

We don’t know about that Nina, but to us motherhood is worth much, much more than that.

A big welcome from the Mother, Baby & Child team to our Marhababy readers!

Dina EDITOR

MB&C’s PICKS

Cannes at blueinkbeachwear.com

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MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 03

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Contributors

Fatmah Azam Ali Heather Vandevoorde, Ph.D. Hiba Naz Sarah Whitehead

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Founder Dominic De Sousa (1959-2015) 04 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

CONTENTS FOR YOU Motherhood As We Know It

Fit for Royalty

32 - 37

12 - 15 PARENTING

Celebrity Mamas’ Secrets to Beauty

38

Disconnecting to Reconnect

40

A Little Weight Loss Goes a Long Way

44

The Season’s Must-Have Dresses

48

Singing the Praises

16

Giggles and Sunshine

18

Raising Children Who Care

22

Fitness Gone Viral

52

The Fine Art of Disney

24

Motherhood and World Championship

56

Education: Profit or Not-for-Profit?

28

The Beauty Cabinet

60

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CAREER

Cured Californian Yellowtail, Crispy Octopus & Roasted Eggplant

Motherhood & the 9 to 5

96 - 97 64 - 67 Locally Beautiful

68

Spreading Joy through Business

72

Dear Diary

82

S’mores Sundae

98

For Your Kitchen

102

JUST FOR FUN

MUM-ABOUT-TOWN

DOCTOR’S VISIT Smiling for Dental Health

106 - 107 Family Time

84 - 85 Sleep Apnea in Children

86

Overcoming Incontinence

92

08 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

104

Bookmarks

108

Competition time...

110

Events Calendar

109

PARENTING

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 11

PARENTING

MOTHERHOOD AS WE KNOW IT Does Family Still Come First?

A growing emphasis on working women and their role in society may have recently been contributing to a shift in public perception towards a modernised, more careerfocused alteration of belief systems regarding motherhood.

The discourse has significantly changed, offering a seemingly logical explanation as to why motherhood has been having to seek new meaning, but how much has the experience really changed for women and what, if anything, have they given up on?

12 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

FAMILY

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 13

PARENTING

FEMALE RESPONDENTS - USE OF TIME Teaching/Supervising school work

Recreational activities

Working Taking care of family/children

Studying

Cooking

Cleaning “Becoming a mother leads to many changes in the life of a woman. Mental and emotional changes begin to occur even before the infant comes into the world, starting from the beginning of the pregnancy and continuing to develop until she gives birth,” says Dr Roberta Fedele, clinical psychologist at the Abu Dhabibased American Center of Psychiatry and Neurology.

The UAE ranked as a regional leader in gender equality in the World Economic Forum’s 2014 Global Gender Gap report.

Through a series of public and private sector initiatives, women have been playing an increasingly stronger role in both the private and public sectors.

According to a United Nations report, women in the UAE occupy 65 per cent of the labour force in the federal Government. Most notably, during the 14 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

first half of 2013, the number of women entrepreneurs in UAE increased to 20,000 women, with a growth of 100 per cent compared to 2011.

of responsibility increases as she grows aware that another life depends on her,” explains Dr Roberta.

The statistics reveal a stronger presence of women across different sectors, but how much has the active female workforce affected the essence of motherhood? A regional consumer survey conducted by mega-retailer Centrepoint has revealed that the majority of mothers still prioritised caring for loved ones over other activities.

Centrepoint’s survey has shown that women continue to play the role of primary caregivers in the region, spending a majority of their time focusing on family responsibilities. With 74% of women spending over 12 hours a day in activities which involve caring for the family, it is evident that the mother’s nurturing instinct has not been affected by employment rates.

“During the experience of motherhood, a woman needs to re-negotiate the balance, both on a personal level and at the level of her relationships with others.

On a personal level, the woman changes her priorities and perception of the importance of things; the trivial aspects of life acquire less importance and her sense

“Having a child changes the way a woman looks at her world, her usual preferences and priorities and the way she strikes relationships; motherhood will affect all her new ones and it will lead her to evaluate with new eyes the older ones, until she gets to redefine the role she occupies in the history of her family,”

FAMILY highlights Dr Roberta.

choices they are making,” says Dr Roberta.

The survey explored the aspect of time consumed on key tasks amongst respondents and the majority have stated that they spent the majority of their time taking care of their family and on household chores such as cooking and cleaning.

“Psychologically, in the short term, the baby tends to be prioritised over others and the task of the family system becomes to adjust and support.”

“How a mother defines her role is a more open question now than it may have been in the past, when women had fewer choices and automatically would stay at home caring for their families. For the vast majority of women, however, the choices they will make will be dictated by the needs of their children and how well their needs can be accommodated within the

The emphasis placed on her family will be the result of a rich mixture of psychological, cultural and social influences. In this, as in most areas, the individual woman is not pre-programmed and she can make choices as a result of external factors interacting with her own personal history and experiences.

Survey respondents came from across the nine Centrepoint territories in the region, predominantly within the age group of 20 to 35 years, 88% of which are married and 82% with children. Other activities mentioned in the survey included recreational activities and working with the children on school work.

“In the long term, the mother’s role is typically to manage the adjustment of the family system. When women are seen as having other priorities, it is often because others are finding themselves getting a little less of the maternal cake. For the vast majority of women, however, the choices that they make will be dictated by their children’s needs.”

According to Dr Roberta, every woman reflects her own unique history, which will influence her behaviour and choices.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS* 69% of daughters in the UAE say they always/mostly turn to their mums for advice

28% 40% 75%

67%

Mothers sought their daughters' advice on: - How to use a smart phone (26%) - How to use a tablet (17%) - How to use a computer (13%)

77%

26% 75%

72%

Daughters say they turn to their mothers for advice.

They said that their mothers knew best on a number of areas including: - Cleaning and caring for clothes (77%) - Preparing and cooking meals (75%) - Cleaning around the house (75%)

17%

13%

*Consumer data was collected via an online survey among 562 women in South Africa, the UAE and Egypt, conducted by Ketchum Global Research & Analytics and Norstat.

MOTHER, BABY AND CHILD | MAY 2016 | 15

PARENTING

SINGING THE PRAISES Can Well-Meant Praise Discourage Children?

Have you tried using praise to help your child’s self-esteem? Do you find yourself wondering if you compliment them too much or too little? You’re not alone.

Many parents try to use praise as a form of motivation; however, recent research has shown that this has the potential to backfire if not done right.

yy By Sarah Whitehead

16 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

CHILD DEVELOPMENT Dr Eddie Brummelman from the University of Amsterdam explains that in trying to raise a child’s self-esteem, adults often give them ‘person praise’, such as saying “You’re smart,” or ‘inflated praise’ such as “That’s incredibly beautiful.”

While their intention is to motivate them and acknowledge their achievements, it could potentially discourage children from trying out new or difficult tasks.

In his book, Between Parent and Child, Psychologist Haim Ginott demonstrates this with an example of a 12-year-old girl who had reached the third level of a videogame and received both inflated and person praise from her father. He said: “You’re great! You’re an expert player.” Inadvertently, this caused the girl to lose interest because she was worried about not achieving the same level if she tried again.

Following Brummelman’s advice, the father should have praised the process his daughter went through to achieve that level instead of giving her person or inflated praise.

Brummelman explains: “Instead of praising children’s fixed qualities, celebrate the strategies they have used to achieve their outcomes.

So when a child earns high grades in mathematics, praise the effort the child has put into learning and practicing to achieve such a wonderful outcome. By doing so, parents and teachers would shift children’s focus on the actions that lead to success, and teach them that they can learn and improve themselves.” He also advises adults to keep praise moderate in order to set realistic standards and avoid pressuring kids into always performing ‘exceptionally well’.

The reason most adults fall into the pit when it comes to person or inflated praise is the immediate reaction of the kids who are receiving it. The short-term effect appears to be positive, with kids

smiling, sitting upright and appearing more confident. However, parents must be aware of the adverse, longer-term effects which may go unnoticed.

“The process is perhaps easier to appreciate if you consider how other, also seemingly well-intended, practices by adults can have unintended consequences,” says Brummelman.

“Sometimes, adults display affection and appreciation of a child chiefly when they have done something good, [and studies] have shown that such conditional love can be harmful.

Although adults may believe it will spark children’s motivation, conditional love can convey to children that they are worthy when they succeed, but worthless if they fail.” He also warns that this can undermine children’s intrinsic motivation.

With that said, will moderate process praise be enough to help kids develop a stronger self-esteem?

Not necessarily. Parents should also look at other factors associated with self-esteem outside the realms of praise. An important predictor of low self-worth in children is the lack of warmth and affection they receive from their parents.

In some cases, building a better relationship with your child can actually help them more than praise.

It is very important for parents to understand where the issues stem from and invest in more time with their kids to show them that they are valued for who they are, regardless of their achievements.

❝ ❝Although adults may

believe it will spark children’s motivation, conditional love can convey to children that they are worthy when they succeed, but worthless if they fail.”

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 17

PARENTING

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PARENTING

RAISING CHILDREN WHO CARE

Ethical and Moral Development Children face complicated situations which may challenge their notions of right and wrong on a daily basis.

Parents and caregivers often struggle to speak with them about these encounters to help guide their social and ethical development.

Not an easy task, encouraging ethical and moral development in children is a responsibility which lies in the hands of, not only their parents, but also educators, and – ideally – society in general.

Nevertheless, parents play the primary role.

22 | MAY 2016 | MO MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

CHILD DEVELOPMENT “The number one rule for parents is to not confuse children by asking them to follow rules they do not consistently apply themselves. It is also essential to make them understand that there is no compromise when it comes to moral norms,” says Dr Alina Vasilache, clinical psychologist at the Abu Dhabibased American Center of Psychiatry and Neurology.

The family itself should establish the most important rules and morals and these should be consistently reinforced. By following the rules at all times, adults are ‘modelling’ the proper behaviour expected from children. It is also crucial to teach them how to use their own feelings to determine right and wrong.

“Parents should explain to children the consequences of respecting or disrespecting moral rules. For example: ‘if you don’t share with your friends, they won’t come to play with you anymore’ or ‘if you’re always honest, people will trust you.’ It needs to be clear that the wrong behaviours will have an undesirable effect,” explains Dr Alina.

Parents should offer real-life, hypothetical examples and explain how other people who are involved may feel in order to increase empathy.

They should also dedicate some time to reading fables and stories which support ideas such as friendship, loyalty, solidarity, respect, tolerance and understanding.

Furthermore, children should engage in role play. Developmental manuals such as Simply Social or Social Scenes for Daily Living Skills and Feelings can be used to help their understanding of moral principles. These are books which work on increasing the child’s awareness of ethical concepts and behaviours and are based on real-life situations; children will find it very easy to apply the same rules.

“When watching an age-appropriate movie, parents should check on what the child’s understanding is of the

moral aspects and help them compare good behaviours with undesirable ones,” adds Dr Alina.

Always offer the child a positive reference for the moral, ethical behaviour. This can be family members, heroes, cartoon characters, famous people, etc. Have a list of moral, family rules, and reward this type of behaviour.

Teachers and educators also play an essential role. If the family is the place where children first learn these principles, school is the perfect opportunity for them to put into practice what they have learned at home and socially reinforce positive behaviour turning it into a healthy, daily habit.

Teachers should allow children to solve certain conflictive situations on their own and discuss them

afterwards with the whole class.

They can use charts which engage them through choosing the ethicallycorrect options; they can use drama scenes and discuss the different ‘positive-negative’ roles or surprise students by socially rewarding them for good, moral behaviour.

Educators should always pay more attention to positive, compassionate and solidary behaviours as opposed to disruptive ones. Teachers should also offer themselves as moral examples to follow and so a calm, assertive attitude is key to ensuring this learning is in place.

Whether it is the parents, teachers or society reinforcing moral development, the most important factor is trusting our children’s ability to make the right choices and believing in their natural predisposition towards doing good.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS WHICH ENCOURAGE MORAL DEVELOPMENT 26 Big Things Small Hands Do

Making Choices and Making Friends

AGES 1-4

AGES 5-10

Go beyond “A is for Apple” with an alphabet book that builds character.

As children learn and review their ABCs, they discover positive actions they can perform with their own small hands like applauding, building, giving gifts made with love, helping, planting, recycling and volunteering.

This book offers a unique approach to one of the most pressing problems of our time…anger in children. Child psychologist Jerry Wilde speaks directly to kids in a language they can easily understand.

By: Coleen Paratore Illustrated by Mike Reed

By: Pamela Espeland and Elizabeth Verdick

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 23

PARENTING

THE FINE ART OF DISNEY An Interview with Disney Illustrator James Mulligan

The Walt Disney Company brand name has become synonymous with creativity.

Throughout the years, Disney characters have evolved from being vivid on-screen concepts to bedtime story companions and real-life (imaginary) friends.

Each having their own personality and traits – some of which we can identify with while others not in the slightest, Disney’s creations have taught, inspired and paved the way for the dreamers among generations.

24 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY AND CHILD

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

A

mong the dreamers who have been helping Disney make us fall in love with its characters is James Mulligan. Mulligan was attending the University of California, Los Angeles, as a theatre major when he was hired to work at The Walt Disney Company’s Art Department. His projects there included concept design for both characters and theme park shows and attractions.

His solo shows have been breaking all records for sales for a solo artist. The Disney Fine Art illustrator’s work is widely sought out by celebrities, and here he tells Mother, Baby & Child, on occasion of his visit to the 2016 Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC), all about his love for his job, what it’ like to work for a brand which has redefined creativity and how his two-year-old had, unknowingly, created a published work of art. yyTell us about the best part of being an illustrator, specifically working for Disney.

What’s not to love? I work with such an amazing group of people at Disney Fine Art, always incredibly creative.

It’s a bit of a dream, growing up with these characters, and now being on the creative end is kind of an amazing experience. yyWhich characters and concepts have you created and where do you seek inspiration?

I am in a place now where I have the liberty to create entire environments and stories with these characters. It must all, of course, take place in the world that the characters already inhabit, but it is really fun. For example, to have Stitch helping row a gondola in Venice and Rapunzel climb to the top of her tower to experience the festival of lanterns. As far as my inspiration, I really don’t have to look any further than my own childhood. yyWhat are some of your favourite works and why?

I suppose whichever piece I am currently working on (ha-ha). I certainly have some favourites; I always love painting Ariel because of the different environments I can place her in. yyWhat was the most successful project you have ever worked on and why?

To me, success is about the impact

I make in the life of a child or fan. I travel quite a bit, and the chance to meet a fan or collector of Disney Fine Art, witness the deep appreciation they share for these characters and my tiny contribution to that, is a really precious thing that I don’t take for granted.

As a matter of fact, I had a signing at Disneyland this last weekend, and one of my little fans asked me to sketch Mickey as Luke Skywalker. He was about eight MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 25

PARENTING years old, and deaf. My sign language skills are poor, to say the least, but together we were able to figure out what he was looking for, and let’s just say that the Empire needs to keep an eye out for a mouse with a lightsaber. yyTell us about your childhood; how can we foster such skills in our children?

Well, I don’t know if I am the best, most shining example of that. I used to draw caricatures of my teachers. I was constantly drawing and sketching. It got me in trouble, but I also think that it helped improve my skills.

The best advice I have for kids is: never stop drawing. Draw every day and find someone whose work you admire, then copy their style while developing your own. I copied turn-of-the-century illustrators growing up, and that is how I learned to paint. yyWhy do you think children and adults can identify with the characters so much?

There’s a little bit of all of us in there, don’t you think? So whether it is Quasimodo, or an orphaned princess, we all can identify with those struggles.

I remember a teenage girl coming up to me once at one of my meet and greets, and sharing with me that she identified so strongly with Ariel as she had come from an incredibly strict household, with parents who wouldn’t let her follow her dreams. You’ve gotta just keep swimming! yyWhat is the one thing you would like us to know about a character/illustration you have conceptualised?

Well, there is a piece that I was doing, an Ariel a few years ago, and my daughter was two at the time. She wanted to watch daddy paint, so she was crawling all over me while I was 26 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

working on the painting on the easel.

She begged to help. yyWhat was your favourite moment at the MEFCC 2016?

Well, I sort of fell in love with the people of Dubai, in general. So incredibly warm and sweet. My personal favourite has got to be spending time with fans, in particular this little girl from Saudi who had met me at one of my meet-andgreets at a Disney gallery in one of the parks. She was maybe 7 or 8. I have a little girl of my own and talking with

her reminded me just how universal Disney truly was, and how it brought people together. She had one of my Frozen pieces already, and now here she was, on the other side of the planet, having me sign a tiki mermaid piece. It truly is a small world, after all.

Well, needless to say, there are a few little off-kilter bubbles which were created by a very precocious little blonde. So, Ashlynne at two, had an internationally published Disney Fine Art piece she was a part of. She’s earning her keep!

PARENTING

EDUCATION: PROFIT-MAKING OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT?

Let’s admit: Education is among the most successful profitmaking sectors. It is a fact. People are investing more and more in the field as it provides good returns. Why? Because it is in the best interest of society! What makes a difference in the quality of education is the passion which helps utilise the available resources in the most optimum of ways. yy By: Fatmah Azam Ali.

Executive Director, Master English Education & Training GCC and Teacher Trainer

T

hose who are in this business out of passion, while also making use of such resources, tend to create and rejuvenate students’ experiences by offering top-notch facilities and services. Yes, the fees may be higher than average, but the state-of-the-art facilities and resources, including experienced educators, would be part of the whole package which also includes accreditation by appropriate quality assurance bodies to ensure they meet international standards.

Those who are in the business only for money (without passion or providing facilities and resources to students) eventually run an institution in loss as parents these days

28 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

EDUCATION

Kids Lost/Broke Their Glasses at School? educational consultant in Dubai.

The other part of the world has also been seeing an increase in school fees, primarily due to demand for better resources to offer students. In the US, statistics have shown schools which offered extra activities, facilities and resources charged up to AED 15,000 more than regular, average-calibre schools.

Education, being a primary need, is an attractive sector for investment with high returns where facilities and resources provided to students would meet top international standards. It makes more sense for parents to invest more in education than anything else as it is the door to their children’s future. are smart enough to choose educational institutions offering more to their children. Money is not the real issue. Resources and facilities are. With more companies funding the education of employees’ children, the need for quality education institutions is becoming an absolute necessity.

“With for-profit educational institutions setting up their bases in UAE, we have seen a tremendous rise in schools, especially for younger children where they bring in creative curriculums with unique instruction and resources which are not available anywhere else in the Middle East. Nowadays, educational institutions are competing to become the best,” says Malek Hafeez, an

Many may argue that education can be heavily manipulated causing an affordability issue. However, based on my experience and work with schools, I can safely say that there are companies who are willing to invest in educational projects which provide quality curriculum of instruction without compromising standards at an affordable price for averageincome families. However, extra perks would naturally come at an additional price.

NO PROBLEM! Any mother with children wearing glasses knows how difficult keeping them intact can be. To help ease the burden, eyewear platform specsaddict. com is offering complimentary insurance on all spectacles for school children in the UAE. If a child loses or breaks their glasses at school and their parents notify specsaddict that evening, a new pair athey go to school the next day. To make sure the glasses are the right choice, specsaddict offers everyone a free trial.

The virtual glasses try-on tool, found in the site’s shopping cart, enables children to try on a range of glasses before they select them using their parent’s (or their own) iPhone, iPad or laptop.

With standards and government statutes, educational systems can be more controlled yet remain profitable for investors, also providing students with access to quality facilities, curriculums and resources, offering a good return on investment to business stakeholders.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 29

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FOR YOU

32 | MAY 2106 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

CHIC MAMAS

FIT FOR ROYALTY An interview with Seraphine Founder & Head Designer Cecile Reinaud

Some fashion moments were just meant to be glorious. One of those moments was when Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, stepped out for her first official family photo with Prince George five weeks after his birth in a knotted fuchsia dress.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 33

FOR YOU Accurately described by E! Entertainment Television: “the dress’ vivid purple colour was a fitting choice – the hue is associated with royalty, after all, as is the frock’s empire-waist detailing, which was perfect for chicly camouflaging a post-baby bump.”

The dress, which we later came to know was the fuchsia Jolene FrontKnot Dress by UK-based maternity fashion brand Seraphine, sold out within two hours thanks to its flattering silhouette and gorgeous feminine colour, which appealed to mothers around the globe.

The Seraphine story began back in 2002, with the opening of its flagship boutique on Kensington High Street. Providing stylish, high quality maternity fashion, Seraphine quickly became the go-to brand for trendy mumsto-be seeking beautiful maternity clothes.

yy Cecile with Sophie Ellis Bextor in a Seraphine dress

❝ ❝Being respected as a female boss hasn’t always come easy as I’ve often found it hard to get the balance right between being a friendly female boss and having people accept my authority.”

French designer Cecile Reinaud has drawn from her own Parisian heritage to create the chic designs. Having lived half of her life in London, she has also championed the spirit of British entrepreneurship and creativity.

Seraphine’s collections exude effortless Parisian chic, which has earned the brand a following of royals such as The Duchess of Cambridge and Zara Phillips and celebrity mothers including singer Gwen Stefani and actresses such as Halle Berry, Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba and Eva Mendes.

ThatOn occasion of Seraphine’s Dubai Festival City debut, Mother, Baby & Child speaks exclusively to Cecile about her family inspiration, 34 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

CHIC MAMAS

secrets to maternity fashion and breathtakingly simple-yet-stunning pink dress. yyThat pink dress! Tell us everything about it: the story, inspiration and aftermath

Ah yes, the fuchsia knot-front maternity dress! This was the dress that Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge wore back in 2013.

It was simply amazing to see her

looking so good in our dress. She really conveyed a great message to other new mums, which is that you can still look stylish in your maternity clothes after your baby is born.

The dress is also good for nursing which was why Kate was wearing it. The photos went viral and made headlines around the world. The knot-front style has always been one of our top bestsellers, and since

The Duchess wore it, it has become iconic and signature to Seraphine. yyWhat is the hardest part of your job and why?

Being respected as a female boss hasn’t always come easy as I’ve often found it hard to get the balance right between being a friendly female boss and having people accept my authority. I also MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 35

FOR YOU travel a lot for work, visiting our international stores in Paris, New York, Hong Kong and Dubai. I love to travel, but it can be hard being away from my family. yyHow does being a mother influence your musings and creativity?

As a mother, I understand the amazing journey of pregnancy, and I know what women want out of their maternity clothes. Both of my pregnancies have proved to be amazing sources of inspiration and creativity.

I became pregnant with Lorenz, my eldest, during the first year after setting up Seraphine. It was an incredibly challenging time in my life because starting a business with a newborn in the picture was a bit overwhelming, but some of my most creative designs came out of that experience.

Then, when I was expecting Florian, my youngest, I had another surge of inspiration, and that was actually when I came up with the idea for ShoeTherapy, Seraphine’s sister company, which specialises in stylish ballerina flats proven to improve posture and reduce back pain. yyTell us about the ‘Bump Kit’; what was the idea behind it and how would it help a new mother’s wardrobe?

The Bump Kit is designed to be the perfect maternity starter kit to kickstart your new wardrobe. It includes four essential styles for pregnancy: a black skirt, black leggings, white vest and flattering LBD. The idea is to provide pregnancy staples that you can mix and match with fashion pieces and accessories from your regular wardrobe – it’s a must for every mum-to-be.

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❝ ❝I admire her equally both as a designer as well

as a business woman, and live by her mantra: ‘Keep your heels, head and standards high.”

yyWhat were some of your favourite pieces to be worn by celebrities and why?

Oh, it’s always a thrill to see famous mums-to-be looking glamorous in Seraphine maternity clothes. I always say we love to dress everyone from rock stars to royalty!

Last year, we created a special range of bespoke outfits for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, which she wore on numerous official royal engagements. Our Navy Pleated Maternity Dress is a royal

CHIC MAMAS favourite which has been worn by The Duchess of Cambridge, Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Sofia of Sweden! yyYou are quite the authority on everything related to maternity fashion; give us your top tips.

THE DIANA COLLECTION

I always advise women to stick to their style! I’m a strong believer that you shouldn’t have to compromise on fashion just because you’re pregnant. It’s simply a case of adapting your signature look to suit your new shape.

So, if you usually opt for a nippedin waist, try highlighting your empire waistline with one of our famous knotted maternity dresses instead. If you can’t imagine life without your skinny jeans, then invest in a couple of pairs of stylish maternity jeans! With the help of some good quality maternity clothes, you’ll find that it’s easy to feel like your usual stylish self through pregnancy. yyWhat is the one secret of Parisian women, who are known to be the epitome of chic?

My idol is Coco Chanel. The most iconic Parisienne, she has revolutionised the fashion industry, freeing women of corsets and championing a looser, more comfortable silhouette. I admire her equally both as a designer as well as a business woman, and live by her mantra: ‘Keep your heels, head and standards high’.

There is one Parisian style secret I can reveal, and I can think of no better way of phrasing it than in Chanel’s original words: “A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.”

The Diana Collection features the iconic Diana Pastel Tartan, woven in Scotland in memory of Diana, the Princess of Wales.

The pale blue-and-pink tartan lends itself particularly well to this luxurious and classic baby range, comprising the most adorable baby girl dresses, boys’ romper suits and cute accessories such as booties and hats.

Twelve per cent of Diana Collection sales are donated to support the Diana Award charity, which recognises young people who are working to transform their communities and lives of those around them and – a legacy of Princess Diana.

SERAPHINE IS NOW OPEN IN DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY!

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FOR YOU

CELEBRITY MAMAS’ SECRETS TO BEAUTY Life in the limelight is not always easy. Chased by paparazzi and photographed at every opportunity, celebrity mums need to know how to look on point, all the time. Here they reveal some of the top beauty tips which help them put their best face forward.

KATE HUDSON’S BEAUTIFUL BROWS

“I feel like eyebrows are the best-kept secret – if they go wrong, they’re really wrong. But when they’re right, they really do frame the face.” – Kate Hudson

Stunning actress Kate Hudson is mum to two boys, Ryder (12) and Bingham (5) and believes the secret to facial beauty lies in the perfect eyebrows. Many of us can identify with the quest for beautiful brows – and whether you pluck, wax, thread, brush or fill your way to perfection, there is no denying the impact it can have on your look.

A good quality eyebrow kit is a great beauty investment.

yy By Alice Bunker

from seraphine.com

38 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

BODY & SOUL

GWEN STEFANI’S CLASSIC RED LIPS

“I apply a matte, dry base and something creamy and moist on top.” – Gwen Stefani

Mum to three boys: Kingston (9), Zuma (7) and Apollo (2), Gwen is rarely seen without her signature red lip. She reveals that the secret to her colour’s staying power is layering! For those days when you only have 5 minutes to do your face, a splash of bright lipstick is a great way to lift your look and boost your mood.

SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR’S MAKEUP “Makeup is a brilliant tool, with the ability to transform and give a confidence boost. If you look good, you feel good. I admire flamboyant people who really go for it.” – Sophie Ellis Bextor

Stunning singer Sophie is mum to 4 boys: Sonny (12), Kit (7), Ray (4) and Jesse (5 months) and, despite being surrounded by boys, she is a huge proponent of having fun and experimenting with makeup.

Trying out a new makeup look can be the perfect beauty pick-me-up – just what you need if you are stuck in a rut.

JESSICA ALBA’S HYDRATION AND BALANCE

“I think the secret is hydration, taking care of yourself and making sure you’re internally balanced, because that shows on the outside.” – Jessica Alba

For mum-of-two Jessica, beauty comes from within.

Drinking plenty of water through the day flushes toxins out of your body, which helps clear your skin and maintain your natural glow well beyond pregnancy. Jessica’s daughters Honor & Haven are 8 and 5 now, and she is looking as radiant as ever, so she must be doing something right!

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It may seem impossible to apply, but studies have shown that turning off your mobile phone and putting down the remote can positively impact your health and well-being, but how can we do this with all of this technology within arm’s reach?

DISCONNECTING TO RECONNECT

Do You Need a ‘Digital Detox’?

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oday, the average personal device user logs onto social media for almost two hours a day and research has shown that, even when on vacation, we remain constantly connected over social media, email, and by using our devices to find the best hangouts or route maps. It has come to the point where any Wi-Fi problem could become rather stressful, eventually turning into an ordeal.

With recent research findings showing that being totally connected for too long leads to us losing out on the pleasures of the here and now, digital detox breaks are quickly becoming the new medium for happier lives – and demand has even given rise to specialist websites, which help individuals find “disconnected” resorts.

“With our iPads, smartphones and other portable tech devices, we have the ability to continuously send and receive information at the touch of a button or swipe of a finger,” explains Kathryn Brierley, director of the UK’s TheHealthyHoliday company, which has seen a five-fold boost in digital detox bookings during the past six months.

❝ ❝Given the space to unplug from the

noisy world, we are able to re-evaluate our path, take stock in life, strengthen our relationships, and move forward with a sense of purpose and belonging.”

Demand, it seems, will only get better with a recent TheHealthyHoliday poll showing that a third of Brits regret spending too much time on their mobile devices while they are on holiday. Half of those polled admitted to checking work emails while away and four out of ten said having access to social media was “very important” to them while they were abroad.

“Given the space to unplug from the noisy world, we are able to re-evaluate our path, take stock in life, strengthen our relationships, and move forward with a sense of purpose and belonging,” says Yet Levi Felix, co-founder of digitaldetox.org, an organisation which helps people recover from over-connectedness, adding that by disconnecting from our devices we reconnect with ourselves, each other,

our communities and the world around us.

Levi’s research has revealed some startling statistics: 61% of participants admitted to being addicted to the internet and their devices, while 67% of mobile users checked their phone even when it was not ringing or vibrating.

Avid internet users were found to be 2.5 times more likely to be depressed, with 60% of participants saying their traditional vacation did not relieve their stress. Heavy social media usage has been shown to trigger an increased feeling of loneliness, jealousy and fear, in addition to artificial light from screens increasing alertness and suppressing the hormone melatonin by up to 22% negatively affecting sleep, performance and mood.

The digital detox movement started in the US, where the strongest demand was apparently coming from burntout executives, but has been catching on everywhere – even among the ever-connected celebrity world. Now, it seems like the trend is catching on at other parts of the world too – even all the way in the UAE! One digital-free retreat in Abu Dhabi says its guests are leaving fully refreshed after chilling out without any Wi-Fi links, limited/non-existent mobile connections or even a phone or TV in their rooms – and it is not because they want to – but more because there is no accessibility.

“We have seen some people arrive concerned and a bit agitated that they wouldn’t get through the weekend without logging on,” explains Rashad Qudsi, manager at Arabian Nights Village, which lies halfway between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain amid the seclusion of Al Khatim’s towering dunes.

“Suddenly, they really start noticing the desert around them, tuning into the peacefulness, the birds’ singing and totally relax. It’s very warming to see.”

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Are digital detoxes really worth it? Mother, Baby & Child decided to experience the disconnect and, mommies, you better be ready to really shut it all out.

For Dubai residents, the trip to Abu Dhabi – with the added one and a half hours in the desert travelling to Arabian Nights – gives the much-needed amount of time for speculation over what an overnight package at the Village might really be like.

Enjoying the view from our bus, we marvelled at the untouched sand dunes and camels in all skin tones staring back at us as we drove past their territory.

At first, we could see the occasional Land Cruiser speeding by, but as we went further into the desert, all signs of civilisation – and our signal-strength phone bars, began to fade away.

“I am not really sure about this.” I had lost count of the number of times my companion had uttered those words in fear, but there was something about navigating the utmost depths of the desert that was deeply comforting. It was a sense of leaving it all behind and starting anew, even if it would only last for a short while.

Arriving at Arabian Nights Village, we were welcomed by the sight of visitors on camels, slowly making their way towards the entrance. Our check-in was friendly and smooth, after which we were guided 42 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

❝ ❝Avid internet users were found to be 2.5

times more likely to be depressed, with 60% of participants saying their traditional vacation did not relieve their stress.”

to our huts. Each considered to be a Single Room, we would describe them as “mini villas”, decorated with furnishings in true Middle-Eastern flavour and stocked up on dates, fruits and a – rather lonely – electric boiler.

The reason this put a smile on our faces was because the boiler was the only “connected” object in the room. With the exception an extremely well-installed air conditioning system and a mini bar filled with over a dozen complimentary soft drinks, the room seemed to have been built to mimic pre-technology times – and we fell in love with every corner.

There was no time to complain about having nothing to do, as our dune bashing session was only an hour away. The

BODY & SOUL

DOCTOR’S NOTE Dr Najwan Saaed Al Roubaiy

Clinical Psychologist, American Center of Psychiatry and Neurology, Abu Dhabi

T crazy ride – which would make you feel ashamed of your lack of directional skills, getting lost with Sheikh Zayed Road signage – was so much fun that even a bit of vertigo would not stop us from having a laugh. Trust us on this one: laughing in the middle of the desert is a thousand times better than it is anywhere else.

Emptying the sand out of our ballerina flats, we then got ready for dinner – a beyond-magical night spent under the stars with a delicious buffet, shisha and Arabian-style tunes-and-dancing, belly dancing that is. The show ended early in the night, giving us time to chat the night away over coffee and the soothing sounds of the desert.

Going back to our rooms, the dimly-lit passageway and huts lighting up the desert backdrop painted a dreamlike portrait of this Arabian night. We wanted it to last, but Arabian Nights staff are strict when it comes to safety and maintaining the traditional feel, so we figured it was time to doze off after the lights went out – something which was easy to do on our extracosy beds, after an activity-filled day.

Day Two was delightful, with a buffet breakfast followed by some time by the pool – a pool in the middle of the desert – it does not get any better than this. Waving goodbye to the Oryx, birds and gazelles out in the mini zoo, we packed our bags and headed back to Dubai, quickly coming to realise one of the best weekends we had ever experienced had sadly come to an end.

Latino superstar singer and actor Ricky Martin had described Arabian Nights Village as “one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.” Hear, hear!

What we would have liked to see

We would have loved for a bus to take us all the way from Dubai; Arabian Nights village can be a bi-weekly ritual – at least that is what we would wish for it to be. Could we also get an internal phone – yes – connection so that we could chat with your delightful staff?

he digital age that we live in has made many of the past limitations in accessing information and communication obsolete – but at what cost? This type of digital communication and information sharing can have a negative impact on our mental health and cognitive abilities if used excessively.

Many disturbing trends are appearing as a result of living in this increasingly digital age which fosters: narcissism (e.g. being preoccupied with adding pictures of yourself and updating your followers on all the exciting, glamorous and preferably expensive activities you are doing at any given moment), superficial relationships (e.g. spending hours online approaching strangers to add to your network of “friends” rather than going to see a real friend or spending time with your family), limitations in attention span and learning ability (e.g. struggling to stay focused during a lecture or while reading a book as a result of having become accustomed to the superficial, time-limited, and multitasking character of connecting devices) and internet/ technology addiction (e.g. cyber-relationship addiction and compulsive online shopping).

One way of minimising the negative effects of living in the technology age is through the use of ‘digital detox’ (i.e. switching off all mobile phones, laptops, computers, smartphones and tablets for a day or longer if possible).

Doing a digital detox over the weekend can help you relax by reconnecting you to your own inner world, thoughts and feelings, the external physical world and your loved ones boosting face-to-face interaction which fosters genuine and deep communication.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 43

FOR YOU

A LITTLE WEIGHT LOSS GOES A LONG WAY

5%

Can Losing Only Help You Get Pregnant?

Getting pregnant is becoming more difficult than ever. Despite scientific leaps and advancements in fertility studies and research, many factors have been contributing to delays in pregnancy including women trying to get pregnant at an older age, environmental toxicity levels and much more. Among such pregnancy-delaying factors is the escalating global epidemic of obesity – often referred to as “globesity”.

44 | MAY 2106 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

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besity has become a major problem on a global level because of the health consequences associated with it. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has predicted that there will be over 2.3 billion overweight and 700 million obese individuals by the end of 2016.

The UAE in particular has a very high rate of individuals suffering from obesity, with a study by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation revealing that more than 66 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women in the UAE are already overweight or obese.

While obesity and its links to diabetes, heart disease and chronic health complications are often highlighted, its impact on women’s fertility is not emphasized enough.

“Obese women are three times more

The UAE in particular ❝ ❝ has a very high rate of

individuals suffering from obesity, with a study by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation revealing that more than 66 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women in the UAE are already overweight or obese.” likely to suffer from infertility than women with a normal body mass index, especially because obesity causes hormonal imbalances and problems with ovulation,” explains Dr Patrick Noel, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon at The American

Surgecenter in Abu Dhabi.

Although there is a healthy target weight which needs to be achieved when one is aiming for weight loss, experts agree that even a modest reduction in your total body weight is beneficial for your overall health.

The Human Reproduction study, led by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Adelaide in Australia, has revealed that extra body weight affects a woman’s ovulation and decreases her chances of getting pregnant.

Although bringing your weight down to the healthy range is ideal for your fertility and the baby’s health, the study has shown that a weight reduction of as little as 5 per cent can help achieve pregnancy.

In the study, a weight management program was assessed to determine whether it could help overweight,

Mother, Baby & Child | MAY 2016 | 45

FOR YOU

anovulatory women – anovulation being a cycle in which a woman fails to ovulate –undergo ovulation and help achieve pregnancy without further medical intervention.

Although most women will experience anovulatory cycles at some point in their lives, they are considered abnormal and a common cause of infertility.

Participants in the study underwent a six-month program of behavioural and lifestyle changes, committing to regular physical activity and a balanced diet. Women lost an average of 6.3 kg, with 12 of the 13 subjects resuming ovulation and 11 of them getting pregnant. Improvements in the subjects’ fitness, diet and selfesteem were also observed.

Researchers concluded that weight loss, with its subsequent improvements in ovulation, fitness and psychometric measurements, was a viable first-line treatment option for obese women suffering from infertility.

Weight loss surgery a last resort?

Dieting and exercise may not result in weight loss for some individuals, even despite repeated attempts. Until a few years back, this would have meant a very worrying and hopeless situation for the individual who was trying to lose weight. Fortunately, there is ever-growing evidence today to show that weight loss surgeries can increase fertility in women – giving them another option to consider in cases where the natural solutions had failed.

“Obesity adversely impacts fertility

46 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Obesity adversely ❝ ❝ impacts fertility – and

even in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes – through a variety of mechanisms.”

– and even in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes – through a variety of mechanisms. Weight loss by surgical procedures can increase fertility in women by improving menstrual cyclicity in anovulatory women.

The increased risk of miscarriage in obese women may also decline after bariatric surgery. Moreover, findings suggest that women who have undergone weight loss surgery were less likely to suffer from diabetes during pregnancy,” adds Dr Noel.

While bariatric surgery promises hope for obese women who are struggling to conceive, Dr Noel emphasized that it is not suited for everyone: “Weight loss surgery should only be considered as a last option. If you still fail after repeated attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise, then that would be the only time you should consider bariatric surgery.”

Moreover, it is important for women who successfully get pregnant after undergoing bariatric surgery to follow strict post-operative care and have their health status monitored by a group of specialists including a nutritionist, in addition to an educated nursing staff, obstetrician, endocrinologist, internal medicine specialist and a bariatric surgeon to ensure their weight – and fertility – are within the right ranges.

BODY & SOUL

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FOR YOU

PLAY RESTAURANT & LOUNGE

50 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY It may sound simple. A Manhattan-style bar here, some swankiness there, and the formula for the perfect Dubai night out would be complete. But ask any Dubai resident and they will tell you that is not the case.

Alternatively, you could ask the management behind PLAY, as they have got it just right – and then some more.

Located on the 36th floor of The H Hotel, PLAY immediately teleports you to a modern, stylish set-up which – although characteristic of the emirate of luxury – the restaurant expresses in the most unique of ways.

As soon as you step in, the orderly bar stretches into infinity, a highlysatisfying sight for the most compulsiveperfectionist of guests. Facing the bar, the DJ was playing carefully-selected tracks which made for a relaxed-yet-upbeat dining experience, with the beats getting heavier and louder after 11 pm.

Set on different levels, tables alternate sensory experiences so guests can choose where to sit based on the night – and the reason for visiting. Overlooking a breathtaking view, our table was in a darker corner, with the music set just at the right volume, allowing for conversation, laughter and a good view of the glitterati.

With friendly staff complementing the venue’s exclusive, yet surprisingly unpretentious environment, the wellpresented creations were served, and an impeccable attention to detail could never go unnoticed – each and every plate seemed to tell a story of its own, exposing Chef Reif Othman’s evident passion for culinary delights.

Starting off with the Petit Plats, which translates into small plates, we opted for a Hokkaido edamame with ‘harissa’, which was just the right amount of spicy. It was followed by Air Crackers, airy king crab pastries covered with a light lychee foam, a melt-in-your-mouth treat which could only be topped by the Snails in the Garden, with a smooth lime-shallot butter – they were as fun to eat as delicious as they were on the taste buds.

For the Mains, if you are looking for the

best sushi and rolls, PLAY is where you would find them. The combinations may have been basic, but the flavours were not, with the fresh salmon perfectly complementing the avocado and the tuna bursting with spicy undertones.

We also opted for the 76 Hours – Wagyu beef ribs which spend just this amount of time in their marinade, and show it off with melt-off-the-bone texture and an intense, smoky flavour. The dressing, spicy, and the side salad, fresh with spring onions – paired with a side of asparagus, made for a healthy, simple meal.

My companion was particularly fond of the dessert selection – and I could not blame her. Jokingly commenting on our sparkling-clean plates, the waiter

carried – what was – an Asian-inspired walnut biscuit and saffron milk sorbet cheesecake, plus their signature chocolate fondant brownie, a rich concoction which tasted of the finest ingredients.

PLAY opened its doors on 2016’s New Year’s Eve, and it is Dubai’s way of proving – once more – that this city is home to some of the most elaborately conceptualised venues, always world-class, but with a touch of its famed splendour.

Opening Times Bar and Lounge: 6–3 am Restaurant: 7–1 am Location 36th Floor, H Hotel, 1 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 51

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FITNESS GONE VIRAL Mother-Child and Ladies’ Day Out Workouts

Fitness trends come and go; from the booty barre to mash-ups like ‘yogalates, ‘Piloxing’, and female-oriented body shakers like burlesque and pole dancing, we may think we have seen it all.

One trend which has recently gone viral is mother-child workouts. Whether actually involving your child in the workout itself or simply letting them exercise in their own world as you shape up, mothers are no longer making excuses when it comes to hitting the gym – or simply working out at the comfort of their own homes.

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BODY & SOUL With fitness centres in the UAE looking to cater to mothers, many have recently set up child-friendly facilities to keep up. Fit Republik, a Sports Citybased fitness centre, has launched The Playground, an area where parents can leave toddlers ages 1-4 years old while they work out or relax. It includes a swing, slide, mini climbing wall, crafts centre and more.

Mother, Baby & Child interviews Fit Republik Head of Marketing Maha Aboulenein for a look into this fitness trend. yyWe have recently been seeing a growing trend of mother-child workouts. They may look good on video, but practically speaking, how feasible are they?

Mother-child workouts are a great way for mums to exercise. The additional weight of a child can be used instead of free weights, increasing the difficulty of the workout, which will help build strength and endurance. Working out with a child is also time efficient as you don’t need to travel to the gym, you can work out in your home which is ideal for all those busy mothers out there. yyWhat is the one thing parents have to keep in mind when working out with their children?

The most important thing for parents to keep in mind is safety. You need to make sure the child is safe and happy to work out, but you also need to be aware of your own safety. When parents work out with children, their attention can sometimes be focused on their child so they can lose focus of their own form.

This can cause injuries.

Therefore, it is necessary to keep a good balance between the two. In addition, for new mothers, it is vital they check with their physician before they begin exercising to make sure their bodies are ready.

yyIn your opinion, is it better to work out with the children, or let them work out on their own (once they are old enough) and why?

This primarily depends on what the parent wants to achieve from their workout. If you want to increase your muscle mass or train for a marathon, then it would not be suitable to include your child. However, if your workout is suitable for children, then it is a very fun bonding activity which will also encourage your child to have a good attitude towards living a healthy lifestyle.

WORKING OUT WITH THE GIRLS

The internet, as well as fitness areas and centres, have also been seeing an increase in ladies-only workouts.

The most important ❝ ❝ thing for parents to keep

in mind is safety. You need to make sure the child is safe and happy to work out, but you also need to be aware of your own safety.”

INSIDER TIP Dubai-based Coaching gurus at Ask for Life have a pool yoga session every Saturday at Eden Beach Club. #askforlife

Fitness can make for good bonding – whether with your mother, sister or friends. Here are some ideas to get you off the couch: Walking or hiking Walking is a great low-impact exercise. Whether on the treadmill, hiking outdoors or strolling through the city streets, walking helps reduce stress levels and blood pressure, and is the perfect activity for a group.

Walking with weights can also help intensify your workout.

Outdoor cycling Hop onto a bike and get outside and into the fresh air with this strengthening and eco-friendly activity which has a number of health benefits and will keep the heart pumping. The thrill of the outdoors and wind flowing in your hair are sure to make you feel refreshed.

Weekend yoga retreat Yoga offers a relaxing and invigorating means to restore the mind and strengthen bonds. From simple breathing and meditation to intense strengthening and flexibility sequences, it is the perfect way to balance the body and nurture relationships.

Dancing for fitness Dancing is a fun way to warm up and burn calories. There are a number of great dance workouts to try with a partner or group which include Zumba, Salsa and choreographed dance routines which are easy on the body and a good excuse to dress up to work out.

Beach Day The beach is the perfect place for enjoyable fitness activities. You can warm up with a walk or practice some yoga, work out the arms while building a sandcastle, and cool down with a swim in the ocean.

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UAE SET TO GRACE 2016 RIO PARALYMPICS

WITH THE VERY ABLE SIHAM AL RASHIDI yy By: Hiba Naz

“She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” Elizabeth Edwards must have envisioned a woman of great strength and formidable tenacity when she penned down the aforementioned words.

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here are many women who epitomise these extraordinary qualities and Siham Al Rashidi, the 32-yearold ace Emirati discus thrower, is one of them. After dazzling the IPC Atheltics Asia-Oceania championship with a stellar performance, Al Rashidi bagged a silver medal and secured a spot in the 2016 Rio Paralympics to represent the UAE. Fatima Toumi, Siham’s coach, has been working with her day and night at the Dubai Club for the Disabled to prepare her for the challenges awaiting her at Rio 2016. “Siham shifted from Javelin throw to discus throw, and has improved a lot after training. She trains twice a day at the club and is focusing all her energy on Rio,” says Fatima.

“Siham’s hard work and dedication were clear through her performance (at the IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championship) and I have really high hopes for her.

She has worked really hard despite having an eight-year-old son to take care of,” she added.

Siham did not receive vaccinations on time and suffered a Polio attack when she was 6 months old. She underwent surgery, but still uses a wheelchair to help her with her daily activities. Siham met her husband at the Dubai Club for the Disabled and later married.

However, within a few years of their marriage, he succumbed to brain paralysis.

“I am very happy that I am getting the opportunity to represent the UAE on such a huge platform. I am pleased with my performance, but I do feel there is room for improvement and want to be a source of inspiration for women and people whose circumstances are similar to mine,” she told Mother, Baby and Child through an interpreter.

Siham is most definitely the personification of resilience and a true example of the fact that disability does not mean ‘inability’.

When she is not training, she works for Dubai Land Department’s

Customer Service division.

The Mother, Baby, & Child team wishes Siham Al Rashidi all the best for Rio 2016 and all her future endeavours as an athlete, mother and woman of substance.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 57

FOR YOU

O G O T E M I T G N I P P O H S

Desigual AED 179

CHLO8E90 AED 1.

Samsung

InstaShop is a Dubai grocery delivery application for users to shop for everything they need from the supermarket in just a few clicks, and receive their order via home delivery in 30-60 minutes only.

AED 2.349

The app is free on the App Store and Google Play, and caters to the following areas: Dubai Marina, JBR, JLT, Palm Jumeirah, Trade Center, Silicon Oasis, Queue Point, Academic City, Emirates Hills, Meadows, Springs, Tecom, The Greens and parts of Business Bay and Downtown.

Desigual

Parfois AED 59

AED 90

AED 190

Joie Jeunesse

SCARY GROCERY BILL? We Won’t Tell!

58 | MAY 2106 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

ss

CHIC MAMAS

AED da Can dy K 4 95 i

ck

AED 205

Pra

Do Women in the UAE Keep their Shopping Habits Private?

Desigual AED 200

Mothercare

is rfo 9 Pa ED 15

AED 195

A

42% SAY THEY DO!

Sfera

AED 99

AED 199

Promod

A staggering 42% of women in the UAE tend to keep their shopping habits private – including how often they shop and how much they spend – from their family, friends and partners, according to a survey commissioned by fashion marketplace app Shedd.

NINA RICCI

80 ML AED 440

Vincci

AED 299

The survey also offered insights into the differing spending habits of UAE women across the Emirates. When comparing spending habits of women in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, residents of the capital were revealed to spend the largest percentage of their income on shopping, with almost one in five women spending 40% of their income or more on shopping each month, compared to 9% of Dubai shoppers.

In terms of attitudes towards sharing details of their shopping habits, one in ten women in Dubai kept how much they shop and how much they spent private from their families, friends and partners every time they shopped or ‘almost all the time’, compared to 4% of women in Abu Dhabi saying the same.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016| 59 | 59 Mother, Baby and Child

FOR YOU

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STEP 1 REPLENISH

THE BEAUTY CABINET

STEP 3 BEAUTIFY

CARA IS NOW A

RIMMEL GIRL!

British model and actress Cara Delevingne is joining the Rimmel family.The Londonborn 23-year-old will star in a range of advertising campaigns for the cutting-edge brand.

THE Y T U BEA T E N I CAB

STEP 2 PROTECT

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 61

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MOTHERHOOD AND THE 9TO 5 IS IT TIME FOR MORE FLEXIBLE WORKING?

Mothers often find themselves having to juggle multiple responsibilities. While many claim that motherhood should not necessarily clash with career ambitions, work-life balance remains among the key challenges that mothers face nowadays, especially upon welcoming a new child into their lives.

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THE BOARDROOM

W

ith limited channels for finding flexible or part-time work, women’s skills and knowledge are being lost from the workplace.

In a recent survey of professional women in the GCC by MCG Group, an international recruitment company with offices in the UAE, 76% cited a lack of flexible options as their reason for not returning to work after having children, with more than a third stating they would start ‘tomorrow’ if the right opportunities were available.

“In this region, there sadly hasn’t been much progress in this area until now. The overall employment rate of women is just half that of the global average at 25%, despite skills and education levels being above average particularly in the UAE, KSA and Qatar,” says Helen McGuire, co-founder of Hopscotch, a Dubaibased recruitment consultancy which aims to change the game for professional women in the MENA region.

“According to our survey results and the messages and comments received since launching, women feel incredibly frustrated that they can’t get back to work after having a family and there just isn’t that opportunity to create a balanced work and family situation.”

With childcare being often more accessible and affordable in the UAE, so much of the issue for women has been finding openings which worked around their commitments, a notion exasperated by the fact that one in ten women feel that they lack the confidence to return to work after a stint away from the office.

“According to official research, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would increase by 5% in this region

MORE STATS FROM THE MCG SURVEY 60%

of companies require staff who can work flexibly on a monthly basis

48%

of non-working professional women would rate themselves as ‘ambitious’

67%

Working from home (67%) and part-time working (68%) came out on top as preferred methods of earning a living

50%

80%

62%

Over half of women surveyed had held a position at Director-level or above before leaving work

8 in 10 non-working professional women regarded their ‘hardworking’ attitude as a key attribute

The majority of respondents (62%) had been away from the workplace for over a year

❝ ❝With childcare being often more accessible and affordable in the UAE, so much of the issue for women has been finding openings which worked around their commitments.”

if women were encouraged and supported back to work. Frankly, there is an enormous talent pool which we have tapped into since the launch of women with considerable skills, careers and professional backgrounds across all sectors from Legal to Communications and Medical that just hadn’t been on offer until now,” adds McGuire.

Seeing the talent pool of women as a huge boost to all industries, particularly in a region that regularly bemoans the lack of talent on offer, McGuire finds this to be not only of economic and financial benefit to society, but also a question of women’s state of mind and happiness.

“Nobody likes to feel trapped in MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 65

CAREER

their situation and there is simply no need for any woman who has the desire and experience to work not to contribute to the workplace!

Flexible working works brilliantly across the world; it’s time women had the same opportunities here,” she explains.

Flexible working is a growing sector in the GCC region, popular amongst

SMEs and larger organisations alike for its ability to provide niche skills and short-term, easy-hire solutions in an ever-changing global economy. According to McGuire, with mothers, their drive and desire to get back behind the wheel makes them even more of an attractive prospect.

“Until you bring a new offering to

market, there’s often no knowing of the ways in which it can be adapted and used by businesses. There are so many ‘full time’ roles out there that can be done in the half the time by a very efficient, more qualified woman.

Flexible working is of huge benefit to companies and employees alike, it just takes some new thinking to kick things off sometimes!”

WHAT THE MOTHERS ARE SAYING Nada Hefny Authorised Financial Consultant, Nexus Insurance Brokers, Dubai “I definitely prefer working on a flexible basis for a number of reasons. My daughter is almost three years old and I think leaving her in a nursery for 9 hours is too much. I also can’t bring myself to trust a total stranger with my child and ursery fees can get quite expensive if you enrol your child for a full day.

Not all employers are understanding or empathetic of the circumstances and priorities of a mum. If your child gets sick, for example, it is your duty to take care of them. You can’t send your child to nursery or school so they won’t infect other kids, so you need to either leave your child with someone else, or take time off work. In comparison to your single colleague who isn’t a mom and is just as good at her job as you are, she is more available and dedicated because let’s face it, our first and utmost priority will always be our children, not our jobs.

I love my job because it is all about helping parents plan for their future and that of their children’s”.

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Razan Al-Ibrahim Dubai-based Master NLP Life Coach “As a mother of three young children, I definitely prefer flexibility in my career since it allows me to maintain a balance between work and family. Flexibility enables me as mum to be attentive to all my children’s needs, whether it’s taking them to their doctor’s appointments or activities, helping out with homework, etc.

Most importantly, I get to spend quality time with my husband and kids talking about anything and everything”.

Nilufar Abdugafarova Adminstrative assistant, Dubaibased Chinese Corporation A”s a working mum, I don’t believe in flexible hours because as a mother I might be skipping here and there in favor of my family which might cause a delay in job results. It is better to have fixed working hours during which you dedicate your full time and attention to work, so you can enjoy family time before/after”.

THE BOARDROOM

❝ ❝There are so many ‘full-time’ roles out there that can be done in the half the time by a very efficient, more qualified woma.”

KARDASHIAN ‘MOMAGER’ TO LAUNCH BUSINESS SCHOOL IN DUBAI

MAKING MUMPRENEURS Making Mumpreneurs was created

by Erin Thomas Wong. From the UK, but currently liv​ing in Abu Dhabi, she is​​the mother of two very lively little boys.​The mission of Making Mumpreneurs is to show you how to re-train and re-brand yourself as a digital entrepreneur by providing information on online training courses, tips and inspiration.

You may be working full-time, while juggling childcare, or making the difficult decision of whether to return to work after maternity leave. If you enjoy working, but the day-to-day logistics of long hours, commuting and working for someone else are just not viable, by becoming a digital entrepreneur you can work for yourself, choose your own hours and, for once, family really can come first.

makingmumpreneurs

Founder of Jenner Communications, business tycoon and Keeping up with the Kardashians reality TV star Kris Jenner has announced the launch of LEGACY Business School in New York, to be followed by a branch in the UAE. “As a Momager, I run an empire fueled by the unique talents of my family. My job has been, quite literally, guiding the flight of my children, helping make their dreams come true,” Kris, Chairman of Legacy Business School, told Media in Dubai.

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Dina Khalife The first look at Dina Khalife’s sketchbook gives it all away. Her colourful, happy strokes evoke the most beautiful of childhood memories, be they playing by the beach, running and giggling under the sunshine or smelling the fruity scents of a hot summer morning.

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LOCALLY BEAUTIFUL

H

er designs are nothing short of joyful. The newest SS’16 collection, Citrus, celebrates vivid hues with a clear longing for the oranges and yellows, the brightness of life.

Having just had a baby, Dina claims it has opened up a whole new world of creativity for her.

Here she speaks exclusively to Mother, Baby & Child about her new baby, life and inspiration. yyYou have just had a baby!

How has he helped your fashion musings?

Since I had my baby, I have been obsessing about stripes. Almost all of his outfits have them too, whether they are thick, thin, coloured, black, etc. I am also getting to discover new children’s clothing and furniture lines which are very inspiring. yyYour designs include many pregnancy-appropriate pieces; who is your muse? Any plans for a maternity line?

My collection houses easy-to-wear pieces characterised by joyful prints and comfort, also wearable during the first couple of months of a pregnancy. It mainly targets women who are looking for unique outfits which would make them stand out from the crowd. These are the women who appreciate delicate detailing and stylish clothes.

There is no plan for a maternity line soon, but who knows, maybe in the future there may be! yyTell us about the Citrus collection; what is the story behind this theme and what is your favourite piece?

The SS’16 collection is inspired by the bright colours and summery

moods of citrus fruit. Illustrations inspired by vintage depictions of lemon and orange trees were transformed into colourful patterns and motifs, and applied to maxi dresses, flowing kaftans and

stunning separates.

Alongside these sit unique culinary-inspired and graphic striped-straw patterns, applied to skirts and scarves. My favourite pieces include the blue-blossom MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 69

CAREER dress from the ready-to-wear collection and the lemon ring and bracelet from the jewellery line.

yyYou love accessories; why should women accessorise?

Accessories add colours and playfulness; they transform the entire outfit: you can wear the same outfit several times by playing with the accessories.

yyWhat is the single most important item a woman needs to own in her wardrobe?

MAKE YOUR OWN OUTFIT Dina’s Citrus collection is full of pops of fruity hues and fun summer patterns.

I like to have a beautifully-tailored dress which I can wear for both evening and day events. yyAny fashion advice for women who have just had a baby?

Each woman is different and each pregnancy is, too. My advice is to wear something that suits your body and is all-round comfortable.

LITTLE MISS LEMONADE Entrepreneurs are getting younger and younger these days.

Little Miss Lemonade, aka Sadene Tabari, is only 8 years old. Her parents came home and found her selling lemonade in their garden. She wanted to earn her own pocket money and not rely on her them.

Supporting her young entrepreneurial spirit, her father constructed a little popup shop, which will make its first retail appearance on May 19th at The Change Initiative.

Look out for Little Miss Sadene!

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CAREER

SPREADING JOY THROUGH BUSINESS

JUMANA AL DARWISH

Co-Founder,The Happy Box “Baby steps and big dreams go a long way!”

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MUMS IN BUSINESS

P

assion before monetary drive is the underlying factor for any successful enterprise, and that is exactly what The Happy Box Co-Founder Jumana Al Darwish exerts from the moment you meet her.

She has an innate passion for spreading happiness and lives and breathes her company’s mandate. Sharing a common belief that “happiness should be universal”, Jumana, along with CoFounder Linda Al Darwish, set out to establish The Happy Box in May 2014: an educational company which offers monthly subscription activity boxes designed to strengthen the family unit through interactive educational play.

The Happy Box provides families with a medium to bond and engage in creative and educational activities.

Spending quality family time is key to achieving happiness, according to the entrepreneurs.

With an outstanding growth rate and rising demand, quickly resulting into the brand becoming an award-winning household name, it is no wonder we wanted to know the dynamic duo’s secrets, and Jumana was willing to tell all. yy“Happiness should be universal” is your mandate, how can we make sure our community is happy?

Ask yourself: What makes me happy?

If you have answered “family”, then it’s no surprise at all. We’ve asked hundreds of members from the community this question and they’ve all had one response in common and that was family first, then perhaps chocolate.

This is not surprising at all. As humans, we crave a connection, in specific with our loved ones. It’s where we feel safe and loved. Hence, happiness is a state of mind.

True happiness is derived from the simple pleasures in life and real happiness is never monetary-based.

It is important to always want to strive towards being happy. Once you start questioning your state of happiness,

then know that you are on your way to changing your life and helping your happiness levels! yyHow do you make sure your Boxes are always educational, in addition to being fun?

Our Co-Founder, Linda, is an educationalist with over 30 years of experience in the United States. Every activity included in our monthly boxes is carefully curated to ensure an educational and fun experience. They have been developed to aid in the improvemvent of a child’s cognitive and motor development skills (fine and gross).

Each one of our boxes includes eight activities and an activity book which has been adapted to suit a child’s age group and gender. The whole experience is very personal and super fun: think confetti, balloons and a ton of glitter, who would not be happy?

yyAs a mother and entrepreneur, what is the first thing on your mind daily when you wake up?

COFFEE! I am obsessed with coffee and, with my ridiculous schedule, I need about 3-4 a day to keep me going! My day starts at 5:30 am and ends around 2:00 am. Despite my insane lifestyle, I love, love, love every moment of it. Opportunities come once in a lifetime, embrace them, do your best and remember to have FUN! yyHow do you strengthen your family’s unity, and how do you do that for others through The Happy Box?

I always say it isn’t about the amount of time you spend with a loved one, but rather the quality. My husband and I lead busy schedules and sometimes we’re required to travel extensively.

We always make sure to have fun when MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 73

MUMS IN BUSINESS

CAREER we are all together, be it by relaxing by the beach on a Friday, enjoying a homecooked meal, watching a movie in bed with popcorn, having a family dinner date night or even jet-setting on a holiday together.

Every moment is beautiful, and we try and enjoy life as it is and as it comes to us in all its beauty and challenges! yyHow much happiness have you created on the charity level? Tell us about that feeling?

There are numerous studies on the benefits of giving and one of them that stands out in particular is happiness.

Giving increases the state of the donor and recipient’s level of happiness, of course when done right.

My background is in philanthropy and I hold an MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention from the University of Oxford. As a common rule when intervening in an underprivileged community, especially when there are children at stake, we must always bear in mind to never do harm.

When I first became an entrepreneur, I felt like something was missing. I couldn’t head a for profit-making enterprise, there had to be an element of social giving.

Hence, last Ramadan, I decided to revive our business model with the one-to-one giving concept. For every happy box that is purchased, we donate a box to a child in need globally.

We have to date gifted thousands of boxes to little ones in Nepal, India and Jordan, in addition to Syrian refugee children at Zaatari Camp. We’ve been very fortunate to work with the international development community, which has helped us identify credible and grassroots NGOs to work with.

I do hope that in the near future our giving will be more sustainable and long-term, with exciting and innovative programs to be launched. You will just have to wait and see!

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Dubai-based British Graphic Designer Sarah Austin’s personalised Happy Days wall art Prices start from AED 225 for A4-sized artwork Check it out on: www.littlemajlis. com/shop/happydays

WOMEN’S SPEAKER SERIES

“MOTHER: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WORD ON THE LIPS OF MANKIND.”

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MARNIE TURNOR Founder, Sculpting 3D

Babies grow up too fast and, like any mother, Marnie Turnor wanted to freeze precious moments in time so she could always remember them. To Marnie, time need not rob us of the amazing feelings we had once experienced.

Making a business out of her love for art – and pursuit of cherishing happy moments forever – she founded Sculpting 3D. Creating three-dimensional pieces to capture every single crease, curvature and fingerprint of little ones’ hands and feet, the result would be professionally framed for parents to treasure.

Here Marnie speaks to Mother, Baby & Child about her business, family and those too-wondrous-to-forget moments. yyYour business idea is very unique; how did you come up with such a concept?

A photograph captures a moment in time and many families take hundreds of photos, I know I do! I was looking for something different, special and unique

76 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

to capture moments with our own little bundles of joy: little fingers and tiny curled toes are just so cute and beautiful.

So I thought: what better way to remember and relive your fondest memories than with a unique, three-dimensional piece of artwork which captures all the fine details?

While studying Fine Arts in Australia, I covered aspects of replicating parts of the human body, and this became a stepping stone for me to produce these artistic creations. I had previously captured these amazing moments for my friends and their children in Australia and, nine years ago, it was my turn to do this for my family. I also created a stunning frame to keep these precious little hands and feet safe and complement the artistic, 3-dimensional impressions.

My friends here in Dubai would always comment on this displayed piece and ask if it could be done with their children. It was a new concept here in Dubai and became the inspiration to create a unique memento for other families who would love it just as much as I did.

Every framed piece is unique as each baby has different characteristics.

Parents choose the frames and colours, and then they are professionally crafted to the clients’ specifications. The final 3-dimensional artistic piece is stunning and the priceless look on the parents’ faces when they see the finished sculpture is incredibly rewarding. yyWhat would you advise mothers who would like to start

MUMS IN BUSINESS

their own business?

• Find your own work-life balance Primarily, I wanted to find a way to work which would be flexible. A major benefit is organising your schedule with clients so some quality time is spent with family and loved ones. I love having an hour a day to do something for myself that I truly enjoy, while the children are at school!

• Challenge yourself You know each day will be filled with new opportunities to challenge yourself. Being creative and learning something new is always interesting and fascinating.

• You can connect with your clients It is always exciting to meet and interact with new customers from varied cultural backgrounds. The majority of my clients have one to five-day-old babies; it is an emotional and exciting period and it is very special to be invited to capture this moment which

will forever be treasured. yyWhat are your top 3 secrets to happiness and success?

I have been fortunate enough to have been able to start a business which I truly loved was passionate about – it is both enjoyable and rewarding. Sculpting 3D has flourished and grown and I have some amazing staff from Argentina and Australia whom are all just as passionate as I am. It has been fantastic to be able to teach and pass on the knowledge to them.

I am also very fortunate to have met some amazing clients from diverse and varied backgrounds and all of these gorgeous, beautiful and cute babies. Mostly, I get to work and enjoy what I do while still spending quality time with my own family, who are supportive and encouraging.

Love what you do and be passionate about it!

CAREER

EVELINE SLEEBOOM Founder, Marhababy

Described by mothers as “one of the best feelings you could ever experience”, welcoming your bundle of joy into the world brings just that, and much more, into your life. It also brings confusion, and often frustration, as to what it is exactly that needs to be done at this exciting stage.

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MUMS IN BUSINESS

A

iming to ensure happiness was the only thing a mother would ever have to experience, Eveline Sleeboom set out to create Marhababy boxes, 100%-free gift packs for new mothers: A Pregnancy Box, for when a mum is expecting her baby and a Baby Box, for a mum with a baby between 0 and 1 years old.

Delivered for free, vMarhababy boxes are filled with goodies, samples, vouchers and information, all relevant to the mother, baby and growing family.

Mother, Baby & Child interviews Marhababy Founder Eveline, mum of Berend and Roderick, who is expecting a third addition to her family this summer. make it as easy as possible for every mum to receive a Marhababy Box – that’s also the reason we offer free home delivery.

yyWhat was the inspiration behind this concept apart from helping mothers out?v

I wanted to bring fun and happiness to women like myself and enable them to make the best choices for their family by giving them information and products to ‘try before they buy’. Personally, I wanted to create something which was successful and bigger than myself, do good and be my own boss. yyHow would you describe the moment when your first Marhababy Box was sent out?

I was incredibly proud and excited – relieved too – because we had been packing those first 1000 Marhababy Boxes ourselves, by hand, and I was very pregnant at the time. I am very thankful for everyone who supported me and believed in the idea. yyWhat was the most successful item you have ever sent out in a box?

That’s a tough one! We always get

yyTell us about your partnerships? How have they helped you?

yy Eveline Sleeboom, Marhababy

plenty of positive feedback on the diapers, laundry detergent and skincare products. The discount vouchers are always requested too. yyWhy did you make it a free box?

We know how expensive and challenging it is to take care of a growing family, so we wanted to

We work together with some of the best companies in the world and the region. These partnerships make the whole Marhababy experience possible. Together, we grow, learn, innovate and get better each day. We have also received plenty of support from In5, an innovation centre in Dubai which had selected Marhababy at an early stage among one of their highpotential companies. yyAs a mum, what is the one thing you would like expectant mothers to know?

There isn’t an ideal or perfect way to be a mother. Trust your instincts, prepare and keep yourself informed of all the aspects of motherhood.

Don’t forget to enjoy the beauty of the innocence, sweetness and pure love which will come your way.

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MINA LICCIONE Co-Founder, Dubomedy & Clowns Who Care

One of the easiest ways to spread joy is to make people laugh. It comes easy to Mina Liccione as, after all, it is what she does for a living.

Mina is an award-winning Broadway veteran, comedian, choreographer and arts educator hailing from New York. A few of her stage and film credits include STOMP, MTV’s The Grind, Cirque Du Soleil and National Lampoon’s motion picture Pucked starring Jon Bon Jovi.

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ENTERTAINMENT

One of the six women chosen for Shape magazine’s Women Who Shape the WorldUAE Heroes of 2011, she has never let her professional commitments get in the way of her passion for philanthropy. Mina has launched the Clowns Who Care project to bring joy, love and light to children and adults with special needs, patients, rescued children, also offering support to numerous charity organisations.

She has recently returned from her second Operation: Joy to Syrian Refugee Camps tour where she visited children residing in a number of camps in Jordan. Mina also launched the Autism Smiles youth comedy club and the Catch a Smile campaign to encourage implementing random acts of kindness into one’s daily lives.

Here Mina speaks to Mother, Baby & Child about her childhood blabbers, bringing children together through comedy and doing good from the heart. yyWhen did you decide you wanted to become a professional comedian?

I didn’t, it chose me. I started taking dance lessons at the age of three. My parents say I always loved to dance and sing at home, but was very shy outside so they put me in dance class to help me come out of my shell and encourage expression through the arts. I haven’t shut up since!

My dad is very funny and so is my grandpa.

Comedy has always been a big part of my life.

When I was cast in roles I would play the evil one or the comic relief. It just came naturally to me. Many years later, I was emceeing at an event and there were technical difficulties. The director pushed me on stage and said: ‘Say something funny.’ So I did. That’s how I started doing stand-up comedy, by accident.

yyWhat is the funniest situation you have ever encountered on-set?

I don’t think you can print the funniest story, so let me think of an alternative, ha! Nope, not the second one either. It appears the majority of the funny stories include bodily functions gone wrong.

Is there a stigma associated with female comedians? Why do you think that is?

I’ve read and heard many times that men were funnier than women and that female comedians were ‘rash.’ I hear people laugh when I perform so I guess I’m funny and I don’t perform rash or vulgar material; I’m more of a storyteller and my jokes are based on my own experiences. Comedy is subjective, really, to one a comic may be hilarious and to another not at all. For me, it doesn’t matter if they are man or woman, it’s about whether I can connect or relate. yyCan we empower new generations through comedy?

Comedy is a celebration of imperfections. It’s the one time you can call out your insecurities rather than internalise them and in return people laugh because they have often

been in that same situation, but simply didn’t have the courage to say, let alone present it on a stage to hundreds of people.

Pain, in time, is comedy. When you can laugh at a hurtful, bad situation you know you’ve healed from it and can help others heal as well.

There’s nothing more empowering than being able to help someone in need hence being of purpose. yyTell us about your workshops for children; what were the funniest and most inspiring moments?

Our Dubomedy Arts School comedy workshops for tweens and teens run on Saturdays throughout the year. In addition, we also lead outreach workshops for children with autism.

I just finished teaching a year-long program at Abu Dhabi Autism Centre incorporating comedy, dance, music and loads of laughs!

The great thing about kids and comedy is that there is often no filter. They say what they mean and since they’re in comedy class feel comfortable doing so. Laughter brings the kids closer. When one of them makes the other laugh, you can see an instant confidence boost.

I love it!

Mina took part in DIFC-based Capital Club’s 2016 Women’s Speaker Series, empowering talks held by the members-only club.

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DIARIES

MUMMY DIARIES Zenofar Fathima is a Malaysian Dubai resident and CEO of Zen Productions. Living in Dubai for around 18 years, she presents and produces her international debut TV show FoodAddict, which launched in Dubai April 2016.

yy Zenofar Fathima

Food Producer, Zen Productions and ee thr of r the mo Addict, and

Proudest mama moment

Being a mother is a mama moment in itself. Being together with my three children for a good chat along with coffee and cake is something money can’t buy.

Biggest mess your children have ever made in the kitchen

While making brownies, my elder daughter first got into the kitchen to start making them, spilling the mix everywhere, my smaller daughter followed, and last, my four-year-old son came in to lick the brownie mixture!

Favourite dishes to eat as a family

I love to eat couscous and Libyan-style pasta with a salad – those were my favourite childhood dishes back when we were living in Libya. This is something which I really love and is close to my heart. Another dish I always crave is my mum’s favourite fish biriyani; I would not miss it.

One treat your children won’t stop asking for They never stop asking for noodles and pasta.

Snack no-no’s

I always try to avoid noodles, but anything to a limit is fine. I think we should try and make our kids eat all types of snacks unless they are allergic to any of their ingredients.

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DOCTOR’S VISIT

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DOCTOR’S VISIT

SMILING FOR DENTAL HEALTH

UAE statistics report that 62.5% of 5 to 7-year-olds require treatment for cavities and 80% of children in the 12 to 15-year old age group have unhealthy gums. Dubai-based dental health centre Dr Roze & Associates has opened new surgical suites to treat children, but it is the way they are doing it which has caught our attention.

yy Dr David Roze ’

Founder, Dr Roze & Associates Dental Clinic

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T

he Smiling Buddies Programme is a typical dental health education syllabus, except for the fact that it works with the animals at Sense, an animal-assisted therapy company, to help install a positive message regarding the basic steps required to maintain excellent oral health for life. The programme caters to children of all learning abilities ages 2 to 12.

Mother, Baby & Child interviews Practice Founder Dr Roze & Associates for a look into the Smiling Buddies Programme. yyWhat is the most important tip you can give parents when it comes to their children’s health?

A child’s oral health is directly linked to their overall wellbeing. Good brushing habits and a

CHILD healthy diet are essential in order for any child to be able to enjoy a lifetime with healthy teeth. It all starts with the parents and instilling good oral hygiene habits from as early as when the child cuts their first teeth. yyTell us about Chubby. How helpful has she been?

Chubby is an essential element in our Smiling Buddies Programme me, which is our proprietary dental health education syllabus that we take to children of all learning abilities, aged from two to 12 years. The programme me helps instill a positive message regarding the basic steps required to maintain excellent oral health for life.

We work with Chubby (who is a dog, not a person!) and the animal assisted therapy team at Sense to help drive the message of good dental habits home in an interactive and easy to understand way.

Chubby communicates through body language, making it easier for children to pick up signs and

remember what they have been taught. She is placid, well trained and very interactive, so she is a fantastic member of our team and great fun to be with, for both the kids and us! yyHow did the idea come about, to bring Chubby on board.

One of our hygienists, Victoria Wilson, met the Sense team at a family day event. This dedicated group of Dubai based individuals specialise in therapy for children by using animals for teaching and communication.

Victoria had the idea that it by bringing an animal on board, we would capture the attention of children more easily and engage more positively, as well as adding a fun element to any dental health presentation.

Animals facilitate learning in a fun and interesting way as they communicate through body language. This makes it easier for children to pick up signs and remember what they have been taught.

We saw the synergies that this would have with what we aspire to do and thought that by bringing Chubby on board we would be able to deliver a uniquely inspirational dental health programme me that would greatly contribute towards improving the oral health of children across the UAE.

Mother, Baby & Child | MAY 2016 | 85

DOCTOR’S VISIT

SOUND ASLEEP

Sleep Apnea in Children yy By: Heather Long Vandevoorde, Ph.D.

When we talk about snoring, a vision of grandpa sitting in his easy chair comes to mind, but did you know that 20% of children often snore, and 7-10% snore every night? While snoring and teeth grinding are usually perfectly normal in children, they could also be the sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder.

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CHILD Sleep apnea can impact sleep quality and development. If left untreated, it can lead to significant developmental and health issues.

“Sleep Apnea can be disruptive to a child’s everyday activities causing depression, irritability and daytime fatigue. Worst case, it can put children at an increased risk of heart vattack, stroke, weight gain, high blood pressure, heart failure and falling asleep during daily activities,” says Dr Irshaad Ebrahim, specialist neuropsychiatrist, sleep physician and medical director at The London Sleep Centre, Dubai.

Should your child experience any symptoms of sleep apnea, you may want to seek the advice of a sleep specialist. Dr Ebrahim recommends the combination of a sleep study and CBCT scan (which is extremely low in radiation and safe for young children), which allows experts in paediatric sleep-disordered breathing to identify the exact problem areas.

One possible treatment involves

the usage of oral appliances which combine advancing the lower jaw, keeping the tongue forward and preventing nasal valve collapse and teeth grinding all at the same time.

Other cases may require the nightly use of the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy) machine.

CPAP provides a gentle and steady flow of air through a mask worn over the nose – this keeps the airway open and prevents pauses in breathing as your child sleeps.

The sooner you seek treatment, the faster you can help your child rest easier. The results can be astonishing: better performance in school, increased attention span, less moodiness, and an improvement in overall health.

California’s UCLA Sleep Disorders Center offers this list of warning signs. Your child may be suffering from sleep apnea if they: • Sleep in an unusual position, with the head off the bed or propped up

with many pillows • Snore loudly and often • Stop breathing for very short periods during the night • Snort, gasp or completely wake up after a pause in breathing • Sweat heavily during sleep • Have behavioural problems at school, the day care or home • Sleep restlessly • Are difficult to wake up even after a long night of sleep • Have headaches during the day, especially in the morning • Are often grumpy, aggressive or simply “cranky” • Fall asleep or daydream at home or in school • Have attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • Have not outgrown bedwetting (enuresis) at the typical age (especially if snoring is present)

UAE RESIDENTS, BEWARE! Sudden Infant Death Rates are on the rise

Reports have shown that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – also known as Crib Death – which affects babies in their first year of life, is on the rise in the UAE largely due to a lack of awareness. While there is no way to guarantee your baby will not suffer from SIDS, babies are at their healthiest overall when they:

• Sleep in a cool room, between 16-20 degrees • Are covered with a thin blanket • Sleep on their backs • Sleep alone • Live in a non-smoking environment • Sleep in a safe, suitable cot

Mother, Baby & Child | MAY 2016 | 87

DOCTOR’S VISIT

TIME FOR BREAKFAST

1

3

Cereal eaters are less likely to skip breakfast

37%

Cereal eaters consume less added sugars at breakfast

25%

4.5 3

2

CALCIUM

Cereal eaters have a better nutrient intake

IRON

MAGNESIUM

6

160ml of Nesquik

2

Muffin 125g

2x Toast & Jam

4

250ml Yogurt 150g

4

VITAMIN B AND C

Choose breakfast cereals made with whole grain as #1 ingredient

E NDOSPERM CONTAINS CARBOHYDRATES FAT

PROTEIN

SUGAR

LACTOSE

THAT GIVES ENERGY

FIBRE

BRAN

G ERM

VITAMINS & MINERALS

CONTAINS THAT HELPS DIGESTION

FIBRE

CONTAINS B VITAMINS, PROTEIN AND MINERALS

the day.

AND FOR MUMS! DID YOU KNOW? Regular

References:

Higher milk and fruit

intake

1. Barton BA et al. The relationship of breakfast and cereal consumption to nutrient intake and body mass index: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. J Am Diet Assoc 2005;105:1383-1389 2. Wesnes KA et al. Breakfast reduces declines in attention and memory over the morning in schoolchildren. Appetite 2003;41:329-331. 3. Harnack L et al. Dietary intake and food sources of whole grains among US children and adolescents: Data from the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes

by Individuals. J Am Diet Assoc 2003;103:1015-1019. 4. O’Neil CE et al. Presweetened and Nonpresweetened Ready-to-Eat Cereals at Breakfast Are Associated With Improved Nutrient Intake but Not With Increased Body Weight of Children and Adolescents: NHANES 1999-2002. Am J of Lifestyle Med 2011:1-12. 5. Murphy JM et al. The Relationship of School Breakfast to Psychosocial and Academic Functioning: Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Observations in an inner-city School Sample. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1998;152:899-907.

88 | MAY 2016 | Mother, Baby & Child

DOCTOR’S VISIT

AWARDING THE FUTURE OF PAEDIATRICS Our Children’s Health in the Years to Come

When it comes to medical advancements, the UAE is always at the global forefront, ensuring that every family’s future is safe and the younger generations healthy. Shedding the light on the latest in paediatrics, the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and the Maryland-based A. James Clark School have awarded $250,000 to six innovators in the Pediatric Medical Device Competition.

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CHILD

All innovations addressed significant, yet unmet paediatric needs. The US Food and Drug Administration-funded consortium’s third annual National Capital Consortium for Paediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI) competition awarded $50,000 to four companies and $25,000 to two companies.

WHAT ARE THE INNOVATIONS WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO? The winning innovations to receive $50,000 awards were:

• Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.: single-incision delivery tool for epicardial pacing and defibrillation which eliminates the need for highly-invasive open chest procedures • Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas: customisable 3D-printed paediatric vaginal stent and vaginal dilator for girls born with congenital abnormalities • Benevolent Technologies for Health (BeTH), Woburn, Massachusetts: prosthetic socket liner for paediatric patients to achieve a comfortable fit in less time • Sensory Innovations Solutions, Riverside, California: noninvasive, vibratory paediatric breathing stimulator for patients with apnea and periodic breathing issues (read more about sleep apnea on pages --)

Furthermore, the two winning

innovations to each receive $25,000 awards were:

• A minimally-invasive correction system for patients with a spinal deformity known as Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) • A non-invasive handheld device using retinal birefringence scanning (RBS) to rapidly assess vision abnormalities associated with concussive head injuries in children

KEEPING A DISTANCE: New App to Protect Your Children’s Eyes?

“It’s an honour to award these incredible innovations with this funding. In addition to funding, we will make the Sheikh Zayed Institute’s expertise available for paediatric product development and help bring these devices to children faster.”

Kolaleh Eskandanian, PhD, Executive Director of the NCC-PDI and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Paediatric Surgical Innovation “Because the nature of the paediatric medical device market is more niche and specialised than that of medical devices designed for adults, these types of initiatives are essential for fast-tracking the development of ground-breaking innovations which could change the way we approach paediatric care. Leading this competition is just one of the many ways the Sheikh Zayed Institute continues to demonstrate the importance of paediatric medical innovation, and reflects the shared vision we have with the UAE on improving the health of children worldwide.”

Kurt Newman, MD, President and CEO of Children’s National Medical Center.

Samsung has announced the launch of the Safety Screen application which helps users, especially young children, hold their mobile devices at an ideal viewing distance from their eyes.

Available on all Android devices on the Google Play store and also on the Samsung Galaxy store, the Safety Screen runs in the background on mobile devices and can even be password-enabled by parents.

Employing advanced facial recognition software, a friendly animation pops up shutting down the screen when the device is held too close to the eyes, unlocking only once the device is held at the minimum recommended safe distance.

Mother, Baby & Child | MAY 2016 | 91

DOCTOR’S VISIT

OVERCOMING INCONTINENCE yy By Dr Ahlam Busaber Urologist, Al Qassimi Hospital

“I want to tell women of all ages that incontinence is not a disease; it is a condition which accompanies some other treatable health problems.”

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MOTHER What is incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is an uncomfortable condition which affects quality of life through the accidental or involuntary release of urine. It can happen when pressure is exerted on your bladder or you have a sudden urge to go to the bathroom, but can't get there on time. Bladder control problems are very common; they don't usually cause major health problems, but can be embarrassing.

Incontinence can be a short-term problem caused by a urinary tract infection, or a side effect of a certain medication or of constipation. It gets better when you treat the problem which is causing it, but can be a persistent condition caused by physical problems such as pregnancy, childbirth, age, menopause and surgeries which involve a woman's reproductive system.

What are the most common types of Incontinence?

The two most common types of Incontinence are stress (light) and urge incontinence.

• Stress Incontinence: Also known as light incontinence, it occurs when you sneeze, cough, laugh, jog or do anything which puts pressure on your bladder, resulting in a slight leak. It is the most common type of bladder control problem among women. These bladder problems are caused by weak muscles in the lower urinary tract.

• Urge Incontinence happens when you have a strong need to urinate, but can't reach the toilet in time. This can happen even when your bladder is only holding a small amount of urine. Some women may experience no warning whatsoever before they accidentally leak urine. Other women may leak urine when they drink water, or hear or touch it as its running.

Let us delve more into stress (light) incontinence, as it is the most common among women in our region:

What are the causes?

• Multiple pregnancies and postpregnancy body changes • Type of delivery method and pelvic surgeries • Menopause and other hormonal diseases • Obesity and diabetes • Illnesses which cause chronic coughing or sneezing • Excess consumption of caffeine and smoking • High-impact activities over the years What are the symptoms?

If you have stress incontinence, you may experience urine leakage when you: • Stand up • Get out of a car • Exercise and lift heavy weights • Laugh, cough and sneeze

You may not experience incontinence every time you do one of these things, but any pressure-increasing activity can make you more vulnerable to unintentional urine loss, particularly when your bladder is full.

When to see a doctor and how to treat it?

Speak to a urology specialist if your symptoms interfere with daily activities such as work, hobbies and social life, as most women can be helped or cured.

Remedies may simply include pelvicfloor exercises such as the Kegels, which help in strengthening your pelvic muscles, bladder trainings, the use of hygienic solutions which give you the safety and security you are looking for as well as applying some positive changes to your lifestyle.

How to do Kegel exercises: • Squeeze the same muscles you would to stop your urine. Your belly and thighs should not move • Hold the squeeze for 3 seconds, then relax for 3 seconds • Start with 3 seconds, then add 1 second each week until you are able to squeeze for 10 seconds

• Repeat the exercise 10 to 15 times a session. Do three or more sessions a day • For best results, more than three sets of Kegel exercises should be done every day

How to do bladder trainings • Keep a diary as a guide to help you gain more control over your toilet visits • Schedule bathroom visits by determining how often you are going to the bathroom based on your diary entries. Then, add about 15 minutes • Use the bathroom at each scheduled visit, regardless of whether you actually feel the urge to go or not • Gradually increase the amount of time between bathroom breaks • Delay urination. When you feel the urge to urinate, hold it for another five minutes or so. Then, gradually increase the amount of time by 10 minutes, until you can last for at least three to four hours without having to go to the bathroom • If you're feeling a strong need to go, try distracting yourself by counting backwards from 100 to one or practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing

Positive changes you can apply • Cut back on caffeine and fizzy drinks

• Eat high-fibre foods to help avoid constipation • Don't smoke • Maintain a healthy weight • Go to the bathroom at several set times each day, and wear clothes which you can easily remove • Make your path to the bathroom as clear and easy as possible • Keep track of your symptoms and any leaking with a bladder diary

Mother, Baby & Child | MAY 2016 | 93

Log on to

www.bbcgoodfoodme.com The only culinary inspiration you'll ever need!

✴ Thousands of tried & tested recipes ✴ Expert tips, tricks & skills ✴ Inspiring travel, nutrition and lifestyle features ✴ Chef interviews ✴ Food Club events and competitions Plus lots more...

Find exciting competitions & giveaways online!

MOTHER

THE YUM! FACTOR

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 95

THE YUM! FACTOR

CURED CALIFORNIAN YELLOWTAIL, CRISPY OCTOPUS & ROASTED EGGPLANT By: The Hide Restaurant

Marinated cured Californian Yellowtail INGREDIENTS

• 1 kg Hamachi Yellowtail fish • 500 g soft brown sugar •1 kg rock Sea salt • 1 lime (zest) • 1 orange (zest) • 10 g coriander

METHOD • Mix sugar, salt, zest and ground coriander. Place some of the mixture down on a sheet pan, place yellowtail on top • Generously apply cure on all sides of yellowtail. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours • Rinse yellowtail under water briefly and pat dry, and allow to air dry in fridge for 1

Crispy octopus INGREDIENTS

• 500 g octopus • 1 lemon • 20 ml rice vinegar • 30 ml olive oil • 100 g tempura flour METHOD

• Lay out the octopus leg and steam for 1.5 hours on low heat.

Refresh in an ice bath • Marinade the octopus in olive oil, lemon and vinegar • Deep fry to order in tempura flour

Caper salsa verde INGREDIENTS

• 5 g garlic • 10 g capers • 10 g gherkin • 2 g anchovies • 50 g Parsley • 50 g basil • 30 g Mint • 5 g mustard (dijon) • 10 ml apple cider vinegar • 70 ml olive oil • 1 g sea Salt • 1 g pepper METHOD • Mix sugar, salt, zest and ground coriander.

Place some of the mixture down on a sheet pan, place yellowtail on top • Generously apply cure on all sides of yellowtail. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours • Rinse yellowtail under water briefly and pat dry, and allow to air dry in fridge for 1

Roasted eggplant INGREDIENTS • 1 kg eggplant • 15 ml olive oil •1 g sea salt • 1 g pepper

METHOD • Sauté off the eggplant until golden brown • Season with sea salt and pepper

96 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

IN THE KITCHEN

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 97

THE YUM! FACTOR

S’MORES SUNDAE INGREDIENTS

• 2 scoops chocolate ice cream • 1 scoop vanilla ice cream • 50 g marshmallow frosting • 40 g chocolate ganache • 30 g peanut crunch • 20 g peanut brittle • 50 g peanut butter cookies • 30 g honeycomb • 35 g Dolce de Leche • 5 g icing sugar INGREDIENTS : Chocolate ganache • 100 g butter • 100 g honey • 200 ml cream • 300 g water • 30 g chocolate

METHOD • Cream honey and butter to boil and slowly add chocolate INGREDIENTS : Honeycomb • 708 g sugar • 108 g honey • 270 g glucose/golden syrup • 132 ml water • 30 g baking soda

METHOD • Grease and line an oven tray with baking paper.

Combine sugar, honey, water and golden syrup in a medium saucepan • Place over low heat and cook, stirring, occasionally brushing down side of the pan and spoon with a pastry brush dipped in water to remove any sugar crystals, for 5-7 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil

• Cook, without stirring, for 5-7 minutes or until the syrup reaches crack stage (154°C) on a sugar thermometer. Remove from heat and set aside for bubbles to subside • Add the bicarbonate of soda and quickly stir with a wooden spoon until combined (mixture will bubble and foam).

Pour onto the tray and set aside to cool completely

98 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

The Hide: Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

IN THE KITCHEN

INGREDIENTS: Marshmallow frosting • 2 egg whites • 115 g sugar • 60 ml corn syrup • 30 ml water • 7 g vanilla extract

METHOD: • Combine frosting ingredients with pinch of salt in a medium metal bowl, then set over a saucepan of simmering water and beat with a handheld electric mixer at high INGREDIENTS: Peanut butter cookies 170 g butter 300 g sugar 100 ml glucose 260 g peanut butter 1 g baking soda 2 g baking powder 9 g salt 225 g refined flour 100 g egg 5 g vanilla extract

speed until frosting is thick and fluffy, 6 to 7 min.

• Remove bowl from heat and continue to beat until slightly cooled.

Use frosting the day it is made

METHOD

• Sift the flour and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Add the egg, glucose, peanut butter, peanuts and salt, and mix together • • In an electric mixer or with a hand mixer, beat the butter, vanilla essence • and sugars until creamy and add this • to the flour mixture, then mix until

INGREDIENTS: peanut butter crunch

incorporated • After resting in the fridge for an hour or so, roll into desired balls and arrange on a greased baking sheet then press down lightly with a fork or fingers • Bake for 15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius, checking that it does not go too dark closer to the end of cooking

195 g peanut butter 120 g icing sugar 80 g peanut brittle (sugar 100g + peanut 50g)

2 g sea salt

120 g Feuilletine THE CRUNCH • Combine the peanut butter brittle feuilletine, icing sugar and salt in the bowl of a free-standing electric mixer fitted with the paddle or flat beater attachment and paddle on medium-low heat for about 1 min.

• The crunch can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

THE BRITTLE • Grease a large cookie sheet. Set aside. In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, over medium heat, bring to a boil sugar and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved • Stir in peanuts. Set candy thermometer in place, and continue cooking • Frequently stir until temperature reaches 300 degrees °F (150 degrees °C), or until a small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water separates into hard and brittle threads. Remove from heat MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 99

THE YUM! FACTOR

YALUMBA

A Birthday Party Where You Never Feel Old

yy By: Hiba Naz

100 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

REVIEW

No

Friday is complete without good food and great company and the Yalumba brunch brings just that for brunch-goers in Dubai.

Conveniently ensconced in the corner of Le Méridien Dubai’s pool side, Yalumba is a popular brunch and the hotel is only a couple of minutes’ drive away from the Dubai International Airport.

The moment you walk in through the threshold of the restaurant, you are greeted with a glass of bubbly, balloons and crazy hats. The best way to describe the brunch is that it is a birthday party without the reminder that you are ageing.

The food was on par with the lively ambience bringing an amazing ensemble of flavours at the buffet, with even better dishes which can be ordered à la carte. Yalumba surely knows how to put the juice back in all the cliché adjectives because all words fall short to describe the brunching experience.

The buffet offers a vast array of fresh seafood served right next to a majestic ice sculpture, a magnificent sight to behold. The Dynamite Shrimps and Chicken Lollipop were the winning starters out of all the options available à la carte.

Sushi fans have all the reasons to bite off more than they can chew, as the brunch brings the freshest and most appetising selection of sushi, nigiri and sashimi. The soups and salads were a decent accompaniment to get the digestive juices flowing for the main course.

The Roasted Scallop with Veal Bacon, Pumpkin Gratin and Pesto were nothing short of divine, but you have no choice but to go easy on if you want some space in your tummy for the delicious desserts.

Even if the idea of endless desserts does not appeal to you, the buffet will make you develop a sweet tooth

and before you even know it, you will be giving in to it in no time. The entire dessert buffet was a dream, but the Sticky Toffee Pudding and Chocolate Fudge Bites were the clear standouts. There were all sorts of delicious candies and marshmallows along with the chocolate fondue fountain to go with your unlimited supply of bubbly.

With a cheerful atmosphere and the timeless exuberance of classics from

the 70s and 80s, it is impossible to not give in to the unique vibe.

Yalumba brunch has got weekend written all over it, so if you like it loud, fun and crazy then this is definitely the brunch for you.

Location Le Méridien Dubai, Airport Road Timing Every Friday from 12:30 to 3:00 pm MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 101

ZARA H OME

THE YUM! FACTOR

IKEA

ZARA HOME

IKEA

Dari Home

R U O Y R O F KITCHEN

102 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

ZARA HOME

JUST FOR FUN

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 103

JUST FOR FUN

STAY HOME AND WATCH SOME FAMILY MOVIES Fox Networks Group has announced the launch of three new channels, one of which is Fox Family Movies HD. The channel has been specially designed to feature some of the greatest and most-watched family films which are absolutely safe for kids and fun for the entire family; it will launch in the UAE with eLife, a home entertainment platform.

Fox Family Movies HD is an all-movie channel, which will provide a unique opportunity for the young and old to bond over the best movie magic.

The channel offers at least 40 different movies every month, along with eyecatching theme nights and special programming events to keep all viewers coming back.

STAY REFRESHED WITH A BLUEBERRY FROSTY The Blueberry Frosty is a tasty new addition to the Wendy’s MENA menu. This delicious Frosty is made using world-famous Wendy’s vanilla Frosty™ ice cream and topped with whole berries compote.

Priced at only AED 5 and a great treat for the kids, the Blueberry Frosty comes in a compact 6-ounce cup – the perfect size for children during those hot weekend trips around town.

You can get the mighty Frosty at four Wendy’s breakfast restaurants from 7-11 am daily, and on request throughout the day if you miss that breakfast slot.

Where can I get it?

- Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi - Al Saqr Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road - Meadows ENOC petrol station - Al Barsha ENOC petrol station

104 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

FAMILY TIME

GRAB SOME MEXICAN TREATS AT TORTUGA’S FUN STREET MARKET

Happy Hour

JUST FOR THE KIDS!

Tortuga Mexican Kitchen, located at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, is giving diners the chance to explore the diversity of Mexican cooking by hosting a lively and authentic street food market three days a week.

This all-you-can-eat gourmand’s paradise will celebrate the heady flavours and aromas of the nation’s dynamic culinary landscape. Relax and enjoy the terrace, weather, live music and ambience; the family will feel as though they were

dining in Mexico.

Live food stations include a ceviche bar dishing up succulent and zesty citrus-marinated fish, made live in-front of guests, while the hot taco stall on the terrace serves up two mouth-watering options: Arrachera (flavoursome marinated steak) and Shawarma Chicken Pastor.

Tortuga’s all-you-can-eat Mexicanstyle street market takes place every Saturday, Sunday and Monday between 1 and 4 pm.

PI.Dubai have recently launched their all-new Children’s Menu. With that in mind, say hello to Happy Hour! Every Thursday from 3 to 6 pm, bring the kids in for complimentary freshly squeezed juices. Visit them at The Dubai Mall MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 105

JUST FOR FUN

BATHE IN CHOCOLATE Pamper yourself at The Spa, The Address Montgomerie Dubai with the new Sweet Treats of Chocolate Indulgence Package. Relax and experience a 30-minute Chocolate Indulgence Body Scrub, a body exfoliation treatment designed to rejuvenate your senses by combining sea salts and essential oils and Chocolate Coffee Hot Stone Massage with smooth volcanic stones combined with an eclectic selection of oils aimed at reducing muscular stress and tension.

Complete your experience with a herbal tea fusion in the comfort of their relaxation area.

AED 525 including complimentary access to the Aqua Viva Outdoor Swimming Pool, Steam Room and Plunge Pool

EAT WELL, BE WELL

It is easy to break your diet when lunchtime hunger strikes!

Sticking to healthy-eating habits has become a priority for most of us. Comptoir 102’s new additions to their daily lunch menu will leave you feeling light and able to tackle whatever the day throws at you.

With its stylish interiors and charming outdoor terrace, the cafĂŠ serves a largely vegetarian and vegan-friendly menu which changes daily, offering diners the chance to discover a variety of healthy and wholesome dishes.

106 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

The homemade creations of co-owners Emmanuelle Sawko and Alexandra De Montaudouin, each recipe incorporates raw food principles and the majority of fresh ingredients are sourced from local UAE farms with an organic approach. For a mouth-watering, light bite, there is nowhere better to grab a delicious and flavourful lunch to ensure your energy lasts all day!

The Daily Lunch Deal is AED 90 for a Starter and Main Course.

Lunch is served daily from 12 to 2 pm.

MUM-ABOUT-TOWN

???????

BE ‘NAUTIQUE BUT NICE’

GO THE EXTRA

(GOLDEN)

MILE FOR With sparkling marina views and a warm evening breeze, the stylish setting of Aquara terrace is transformed into a Riviera hangout for the ladies’ nights.

Enjoy chic beverage packages tailored to suit your mood, including free flowing as well as premium bubbly which complement a unique menu inspired by the best of French cuisine. Delicious, fresh and flavoursome bites take their inspiration from land and sea as you

socialise with the crème de la crème of the Dubai social set.

With so much to see, eat and drink, your evening deserves an appropriately stylish soundtrack to match. Enjoy the smooth sounds of Nu Disco – a combination reminiscent of 70s and 80s disco mixed with contemporary French House.

Every Tuesday from 8 pm

BEAUTY!

Beauty salon and spa chain Tips & Toes has opened its latest branch at Golden Mile, Palm Jumeirah. A cross between the traditional nail haven and a fullservice day spa, the sanctuary will cater to more beauty-conscious ladies with its new opening.

Tips & Toes has 26 branches located across four emirates.

GET SASSY MONACO-STYLE Sass Café Dubai, the regional outpost of the famed Monaco institution, has launched All That Jazz on Tuesday evenings.

With interiors embodying a classic jazz lounge, the night welcomes the live Jazz band, Chapter 3, exclusively for the weekly event. Comprising of vocalist Flory Tucheel, pianist Bobby Valchev and saxophonist Paul Spaccavento, the ensemble plays regularly throughout Dubai, performing a sophisticated repertoire to compliment the most delectable of evenings.

The restaurant boasts a luscious South of France menu, with signatures dishes. Guests also enjoy uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai from

the terrace, open during the cooler monhs of the year.

MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 107

JUST FOR FUN

FOR MAMA

BOOKMARKS

A GAME FOR ALL THE FAMILY A Novel - By Sophie Hannah

Pulled into a deadly game of deception, secrets, and lies, a woman must find the truth in order to defeat a mysterious opponent, protect her daughter, and save her own life in this dazzling standalone psychological thriller with an unforgettable ending from the New York Times bestselling author of Woman with a Secret and The Monogram Murders.

TROUBLEMAKER

A Novel - By Linda Howard A part-time police chief of a small West Virginian mountain town, Isabeau “Bo” Maran finally has her life figured out. She’s got friends, a dog, and a little money in the bank.

Then, Morgan Yancy shows up on her doorstep. Bo doesn’t need a mysterious man in her life – especially a troublemaker as enticing and secretive as Morgan.

FOR CHILD PINKALICIOUS AND AQUA, THE MINI-MERMAID

By Victoria Kann

Aqua, the mini-mermaid, shares her special places with Pinkalicious and Peter, including a cove filled with sparkling sea glass and rainbow-colored shells. The friends are worried, though, when they see fins approaching. Fortunately, the fins don’t belong to sharks. It’s a pair of dolphins. Pink, of course!

THE BERENSTAIN BEARS TAKEALONG STORYBOOK SET

Dinosaur Dig, Go Green, When I Grow Up, Under the Sea, The Tooth Fairy

By Jan Berenstain, Mike Berenstain Illustrated by Mike Berenstain The Berenstain Bears Take-Along Storybook Set is a compilation of five heartwarming 8x8 stories from the classic New York Times bestselling series. Young readers will enjoy reading about Papa, Mama, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear and their many adventures in Bear Country, complete with vivid and classic illustrations.

These lovely books are all published by HarperCollines Publishers - check them out on: www.harperscollins.com

108 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

MAY 3

EVENTS CALENDAR WORLD ASTHMA DAY

Protect Your Family with Panasonic’s Air Purifiers

WHO estimates that 235 million people currently suffer from asthma, one of the most common non-communicable diseases, especially among children.

These figures do not include the thousands of people who are unaware that they have asthma. Other research shows that the number of pre-school children who wheeze has doubled in the past few years, with one in three children now affected.

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US MOTHER’S DAY

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INTERNATIONAL

‘NO DIET’

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Mall of the Emirates

DAY Celebrate at Original Wings and Rings DIFC?

CINDERELLA ON ICE at Dubai Ice Rink MEET & GREET WITH DORA THE EXPLORER in Yas Island Abu dhabi IKEA PART SALE STARTS NOW!

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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY FORUM MOTHER, BABY & CHILD | MAY 2016 | 109

JUST FOR FUN

COMPETITION TIME...

We want to see you read, read, read…

We have some amazing prizes in store for you.

Send us a photo of yourself as you are reading Mother, Baby & Child – get as creative as you can, please – and you could win fantastic prizes. We will choose two winners and feature them next issue so let us see those entries!

Send your submissions on debbie.sanjose@cpimediagroup.com

APRIL WINNERS

Dania Choucair 110 | MAY 2016 | MOTHER, BABY & CHILD

Cheryl Ciudad Saleem

FIRST HOUR 40AED. NEXT HOUR 20AED. PLAYGROUND AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS.