Woman This Month - January 2020

Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES

January 2019 | Issue 202 | BD2 / SR20

FASHION

New Blues Gymspiration – great workout wear

FOOD A HEALTHY START TO THE YEAR

BEAUTY BARE-FACED CHIC LASHES 101

PEOPLE

WELL-BEING Demystifying Intermittent Fasting

Esmahan Bokhowa – the woman behind Saar Mall Huma Ahmed – inspirational author

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FASHION | trend

Singin’ The Blues Pantone has announced its colour of the year 2020 as 194052 Classic Blue and it’s one we can’t get enough of.

Lanvin

Osman

Chloe went for neutral accessories on this daytime look; for evening, all you need is diamonds darling! Emulate Lanvin and pick one statement piece, this cape will see you from day to evening, let it do the talking for your whole ensemble.

Add a bright pop of colour, such as the gorgeous pink bow pumps seen at Osman. Or use Classic Blue as a background to statement graffiti, like Philipp Plein.

Philipp Plein

Chloe

To give you a shopping head start, we’ve taken a sneak peak at some of the true-blue offerings in the coming SpringSummer and Resort collections.

Chloe

Described by Time as: “The indigo hue brings to mind both the constant and the classic; the sky at dusk, an impeccably tailored suit, serene waters, or a bowl of perfectly ripe blueberries,” we can see Classic Blue becoming a wardrobe staple.

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FASHION | styling

s u t o i l F and Fabu

It’s that time when we all, or at least most of us, vow to be fitter and healthier in the coming months. But, if you’re anything like us, those great intentions don’t always translate into actions. Whether your New Year’s resolution involves hitting the gym, pounding the pavements or getting down on the mat, if you need a little help to see it through, there’s nothing like some new workout wear to get you out of the door. We’ve come up with some resolve in the form of the latest fitness offerings and, even better, you don’t even have to leave home. Just order online and get set for a fit and fabulous 2020.

Under Armour Breathe Lux Bra @ Namshi

Fila Cristabel fur cropped high-neck sweatshirt @ Namshi P.E. Nation sports bra @ theoutnet Puma Sophia Webster AOP Tshirt @ Namshi

Paco Rabanne sports bra @ theoutnet

Puma Trend AOP hoodie @ Namshi

Fila Disruptor II IRI @ Namshi

Adidas By Stella McCartney Ultraboost @ Namshi

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Reebok Classics Leather @ Namshi

January 2020

P.E. Nation leggings @ theoutnet

Reebok Gigi Hadid sweatpants @ Namshi

Puma Shantell Martin Leggings @ Namshi

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SO SUSHI All you can EAT BD. 11 NET ONLY 5:00 PM UNTIL 11:30 PM EVERY WEDNESDAY *TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

FASHION |essentials

10 Things to Try This Month

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Shoes Over Pants Fan or not, the shoe-over-trouser trend hit the mainstream in the middle of last year and looks like it’s here for a while.

4 Square-Toed Heels Aside from all the extra room your toes will be thanking you for, you’ll also feel on-point with the latest shape.

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Bucket Bags – no spade needed.

Combat Boots with Floral Dresses Go grunge-girlie, pair your floral frock with a pair of chunky, combat-style boots.

Behnaz Sanjana scours the virtual aisles for the best trends to try this month.

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High Gloss 2020 is looking at your pout slicked in translucent shine. Be sure to moisturise beforehand for a flawless kisser.

Animal-print Nail Designs Channel your inner cat and slay as you get Spring-ready!

Go Dotty Pack away the plaids and stripes, for now, at least, polka dots are back.

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On The Fringe A major comeback of boho-chic is expected to grip fashionistas.

Marigold Magic Embrace springtime with this sunny colour and watch heads turn.

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Coloured Faux Leather

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January 2020

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news

French House Revival

Fashion brand Sonia Rykiel, which was wound up by court order seven months ago, is to be reborn at the hands of brothers Eric and Michael Dayan – two of the four founders of e-commerce giant Showroomprive, one of the biggest online retailers in Europe.

Described as “an icon of youthful revolt against the stuffy fashion establishment,” Sonia Rykiel established her eponymous house in 1968 with a boutique on Paris’ Left Bank.

Known as the ‘Queen of Knits’ she popularised the wearing of head-to-toe black and her Poor Boy sweater became a wardrobe staple for another icon, Audrey Hepburn.

However, she died three years ago and the

Borrow Don’t Buy

Death of a Rebel

The fashion world said farewell to French fashion designer Emanuel Ungaro who died in late December. The son of Italian immigrants, Ungaro trained under Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga.

He founded his own house in the 1960s and was known for his daring use of bright, clashing colours and beautiful but unexpected draping.

Ungaro was at the height of its popularity in the 1980s and 90s, producing both couture and read-to-wear designs.

Come 2005, the founder sold the brand to a Silicon Valley businessman following which there were staffing issues and the appointment, at one stage, of actress Lindsay Lohan as artistic director of which Ungaro was highly critical.

www.womanthismonth.com

With concerns about fashion’s carbon footprint making buyers wary of the fast fashion that has flooded the shelves in recent years, the clothing rental market has come out fighting.

Now, conscious Scandi brand H&M is seeking a slice of the pie in what is becoming an increasingly popular and competitive market.

The company is trialling a rental programme at its newly refurbished Sergels Torg store, in Stockholm’s central square, which will be open to loyalty members offering select items, such as party wear and bridal gowns.

The rental trend is not one that has hit Gulf

Royal Style

Great news if you’re a fan of the late rock icon, Prince. To coincide with the deluxe reissue of his brilliant double album, 1999, a special, limitededition fashion collaboration with his own designers, Toronto-based brand Call & Response, has been commissioned by the star’s estate.

Lori Marcuz and Cathy Robinson, the design duo behind the label, created pieces for Prince from 2011 until his death in 2016. They’ve now come up with a line of handcrafted custom jackets, vests and hand-dyed tunics inspired by the clothing they used to make for Prince himself.

Everything in the collection will be limited in number and custom made for each buyer.

house had made significant losses prior to its closure.

The announcement of its rebirth came after a court authorised the sale of the brand’s assets to the Dayan brothers who said, in a statement, that this would be a “new adventure”.

shores as yet, but with big names such as Banana Republic, Urban Outfitters, American Eagle and, now, H&M offering fashion you don’t have to commit to, it can only be a matter of time.

Amina for Fenty

The hot shoe designer of the moment, who just happens to have Middle Easter heritage, is Amina Muaddi. The Jordanian-Romanian’s pieces have a distinctly party feel with bright colours teamed with holographic designs and, often, her signature geometric heel.

Hollywood’s A-listers are reportedly going crazy for her designs and none more so that uber party girl, Rihanna, who likes them so much, she has frequently been spotted wearing them and has drafted Amina in to help with designs for the Fenty collection.

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Ladies’ Coffee Morning

US Ambassador’s wife, Arnavaz Siberell, hosted a ladies’ coffee morning, at her residence.

Womania Winterfest

Womania Winterfest, an event celebrating womanhood, was inaugurated by businesswoman, women’s rights campaigner, philanthropist and environmentalist, Mona Almoayyed. Lacing the inaugural programme was a one-off parade by women representing various nationalities, professions and vocations of Bahrain.

8 January 2020

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PEOPLE | interview

A passion for entrepreneurship, strong ethics and remarkable foresight laid the foundation for the Bokhowa Group four decades ago, and Managing Director, Esmahan Bokhowa, makes these very virtues the building blocks for continued success.

BEHNAZ SANJANA

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he eldest child, Esmahan remembers accompanying her father, Hassan Bokhowa, the group’s founder, to construction sites. “Dad was always a playful parent; he would often surprise us with the latest technological gadgets as gifts. Spending time with him was such fun that we wanted to accompany him all the time,” she says.

“Visiting our construction sites with him strengthened my passion, commitment, discipline and dedication to my work and life.

The foreman and labourers had great relations with us. Sometimes I would ask them to show me how to do things, and they enjoyed teaching us.”

Being familiar with the family business from early on, Esmahan could quickly choose her career path. “It became easy for me to know that I wanted to study accounting, after which I did my Masters in business administration, specialising in management,” she says.

Studying and working simultaneously made her a keen learner.

Starting out as a summer intern at the tender age of 14, Esmahan took her job very seriously. www.womanthismonth.com

GROWING THE LEGACY “I refused to leave for home till late in the night, to complete my work,” she remembers.

“I enjoyed it more when it was pay day – back then there was neither an automated system to calculate the salary, nor bank transfers; processes were complicated, yet fun.”

The studious teenager transitioned into a genteel lady overseeing the management of Saar Mall, one of the company’s business ventures. “The story behind Saar Mall is an interesting one,” she says. “When we built our house in Saar, there were no commercial markets and residents would have to go far for their everyday necessities. My father recognised that the area needed a mall with service-oriented outlets, where people could carry out banking transactions, buy groceries, pay utility bills and spend leisure time in restaurants. So, Saar Mall is one of the Bokhowa Group’s personal projects.”

What sets the mall apart from other retail hubs is an extensive calendar of community events that are enjoyed by locals and expats alike. The positive response it has received has made the company devise expansion

plans. Esmahan says: “To meet the growing demand from new retail concepts, we are looking at building an extra floor and to make more use of the outdoor areas surrounding the mall.”

While it is her drive and passion for retail innovation that have brought her success, Esmahan gives equal weightage to a healthy work-life balance. “My family is a priority and I am lucky to be able to see them both at work and home,” she says. “On the personal front, I aim to spend more time travelling with my husband, try more of the amazing restaurants that we have in Bahrain, and exercise more to stay healthy.”

The young entrepreneur is a role model for many, and believes that young girls need to be encouraged to believe in themselves, so they can follow their dreams without fear of failure. “I would like to say to the aspiring entrepreneurs of Bahrain: If you don't research enough, then you can't grow a business. That's a golden rule. It’s important to identify a target market and think global, but act local.”

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SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Synthesis Fashion Show In conjunction with the 45th anniversary of Malaysia-Bahrain Diplomatic Relations and under the patronage of HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, the Malaysian Embassy and the Royal University for Women held a Synthesis Fashion Show at Crowne Plaza Bahrain.

Paralympic Signing Ceremony

The Bahrain Paralympic Committee and West Asian Paralympic Federation will host the West Asian Para Games 2021– the signing ceremony to announce the event was held at the Crowne Plaza.

Bahrain Paralympics Sporting Event The Bahrain Paralympic Committee hosted an event that focused on building awareness of the Paralympic movement in Bahrain.

10 January 2020

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PEOPLE | interview

PAYING IT FORWARD Inspirational speaker and transformational coach, Huma Ahmed, speaks to Behnaz Sanjana about her personal paradigm shift and her book, which has been recently internationally recognised.

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n 2015, a distraught Huma boarded a flight to the USA, to be with her ailing mother.

“It was an extremely difficult time, as I had been her primary caregiver in Bahrain,” she says. “I was very attached to her, and the idea of losing her shattered me.”

During the journey, she awoke to an epiphany that changed her take on life. She says: “I realised that being only human, there are things beyond my control. It broke me down in front of God, and, out of that real place, I humbly and sincerely let go of my ego that expected a perfect life. It was a turning point, an intense time when I accepted whatever the future held – my mother’s wellness, or her departure from this world.”

Although the pain of her loss was immense, Huma felt blessed to be able to spend quality time with her mother in her last days.

“Complete acceptance of the situation enabled me to not linger in grief and sorrow,” she says. “Everything in my life was really easy after that.”

The Call to Write Huma remembers: “When my mother’s friends met with me, I could feel that some of them were still in pain over losing a loved one.

I wanted to reach out to them and show them the path to healing, but didn’t know how.”

Around the same time, she started jotting down the emotions and outcomes she experienced in the last days with her mother and after she passed. “On revisiting my scribbles after some weeks, I realised that these were my life’s lessons, worthy of sharing with others to help them through trying times.” www.womanthismonth.com

Feeling it her moral duty to pass on her healing from a tragic loss to others, she embarked on writing and self-publishing 37 Lessons on How to Gain from Loss: A Believer’s Journey from Trial to Triumph. The book hit the shelves at the beginning of 2019 and was a finalist, in the self-help and motivational category, at the 2019 Best Book Awards, sponsored by American Book Fest. Huma’s work was up against contenders from mainstream publishers, making this recognition a meaningful one.

Message of the Book “The main message is: You are born free, so be free – of grief, suffering, anger and negative emotions! Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional,” she says. “Accepting our experiences makes us grow and evolve.

Holding onto misery is comforting, but

getting out of our self-imposed prison takes great effort. That is the simple truth.”

Huma’s writing is far from being heavy and serious. Her lessons are practical ones for everyone, particularly relevant for caregivers of the sick, such as how to deal with stress, trusting in the Almighty and forgiveness.

Huma believes that had she not risen from her personal agony, she would not have written a book, spoken of her experiences, and helped others heal. She says: “It turns out my mother is not a loss; she is more present in my life than ever before, by way of talking and writing about her. I turned my loss into a gain, by recognising God’s blessings and following His way into the light.”

The book is available on Amazon and Kindle, as well as at Neo Books & Coffee.

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BEAUTY | tips

ndows to the soul The eyes are said to be the wi lashes are the alland, if that’s the case, then . If you happen to be important window dressing dant, dark lashes, blessed with naturally abun t jealous at all). If, well, good for you (we’re no s could do with a however, like us, your lashe latest options on helping hand, read on for the the market.

s e h s a L h s u L EXTENSIONS

Individual false hairs are attached to your own lashes for a long-lasting effect. The extensions can last anything from three to six weeks and they really open up the eyes. Remember, they will be there every day, so, go for a subtle effect, which can give a naturally anti-ageing look. We were happy with the ones at Vanity salon at Mercado Mall but salons across the island offer this service. For an ultra-luxe option, try Russian extensions which are much finer than the regular ones allowing for many more lashes to be attached to each eye giving a super-thick, longer lasting effect.

FALSIES

Unbeatable for a big night out and requiring minimal effort, especially if you ask the nice ladies at the salon to apply them, false lashes go back decades and have never fallen out of favour. But, they can be a bit fiddly if you’re not used to them. We’re keen to try the latest innovation – a magnetic strip which attaches to a magnetic liner applied to the top lid.

Could this be the end of glue disasters? We hope so.

LVL

LVL stands for length-volume-lift and this is a brilliant treatment if you have good lashes but are very fair. The therapist semi-permanently straightens the lashes at the root, which makes the ends curl up. They’re then tinted. Say hello to several mascara-free weeks. There are various salons in Bahrain offering this treatment, we tried Dessange and were suitable impressed.

MASCARA

Some would say this is the old-fashioned option but, with new formulas being created daily and the others requiring a certain level of commitment that we’re not all capable of, mascara is still the most popular option for eye-defining lashes. We particularly like Rimmel’s Scandalyeyes Reloaded which promises the look of false lashes and is one of the few options which still has a proper brush.

Too Faced is also a great cruelty-free brand.

Our favourite has a name we can’t print!

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SERUMS

What are they and do they work? They’re daily application liquids that stimulate hair growth at the follicle level resulting in noticeably thicker lashes. And, yes, some of them do work. We particularly like Lush Lash Eyelash & Eyebrow Serum, available online at wildmintcosmetics.com which is crueltyfree and vegan. Rapidlash also comes highly recommended. It’s not tested on animals and is available from ws.loveletter.iherb.com

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BEAUTY | styling

BARE-FACED

BEAUTY

Behnaz Sanjana

Everyday activities and errands, or spending a day at the beach (or coffee with the girls) surely doesn’t warrant caking and baking the face with makeup. And let’s face it, don’t we need our daily beauty routine to be quick and low maintenance, yet leave us looking effortlessly put-together and with a spring in our step? Leave the heavy foundation, contouring, highlighting and falsies out – makeup to look not-made-up is an art by itself.

Ace Your Base

Irrespective of the weather, and your skin type, it needs moisturising. A good moisturiser doubles up to hydrate and prep the skin to receive coverage. So, you can reserve the primer only for fancier outings.

Winter days in Bahrain can get warm and sunny (sometimes humid), so what you want is a light base, just to blur out any imperfections. Hello BB / CC creams! A blemish balm provides a sheerer coverage than a complexion corrector, but both provide sun protection (that’s one step less in the ritual) and can even-out skin tone well. If you already have a favourite sunscreen and a flawless face, a tinted moisturiser (which has the least coverage, comparatively) will suffice.

Brow Wow

Flaunting a killer pair of brows wins half the au naturel battle. There are a variety of pencils and shades to choose from to fill in

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sparse brows, and a little practice will go a long way. It helps to use a tinted brow gel to add dimension to your efforts of making the hairs look naturally denser, as opposed to black or brown blocks drawn on. Plus, it helps keeps them in place through the day.

Eye on the Prize

We’re guessing you have no inclination to do a detailed eye look before a trip to the paediatrician’s or the pet shop. A good eye pencil is your product of choice then. Even if you don’t sweep the upper lids with any eyeshadow or eyeliner, lining the lower lids with a brown gel pencil (black looks too severe for daytime) brings out your eyes and brightens the look overall. And although its not necessary, mascara always heightens the mystery of the eyes. But be sure to choose a natural-finish, waterproof one, especially if you’re at the gym, pool, beach or are holiday hiking. I want to look like the Joker by mid-

day, said no one ever.

Lip Love

If you want to rock a scarlet lippie standing in line at the cashier, we applaud you, but the idea is for your look to say ‘I woke up like this!’ A nude will do it for you, but exercise caution on the tone of your barely-there shade. A cooler than necessary colour will make you look washed out. Yes, just tinted lip balm is good thinking too!

Awww, Blush!

Give your cheeks a subtle flush, like you’ve just stepped in from the cold, or completed an hour’s workout, with a cheek stain and only on the apples of your face. Smile to bring them out, and dust a rose or salmon shade lightly with your finger for a hint of warmth on your face. You could use your lipstick as blush as well for a harmonious, no-makeup look.

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BEAUTY | new products

CHARLOTTE DARLING PALETTE

Charlotte Tilbury delights fans by finally sharing the secret to her seductive, sultry signature eye look, with the introduction of the Charlotte Darling Palette.

Inspired by her own look, this is a colour-curated archive of Charlotte’s favourite glowing, ibiza-inspired shades to create molten bronzed eyes. For years, Charlotte has been inundated with messages from her fans asking her for the secret behind her favourite, sunset-inspired look and so she decided to re-create her own secret, magic palette and share it with the world.

ROUGE À LÈVRES MAT

Gucci’s new matte lippie is a lip colour with a clear, gelling soft wax base that works in harmony with the pigments to create an intense vivid tone with a matte finish – all in one stroke. The colour is bright and rich, and the feel is smooth, soft and velvety.

Rouge à Lèvres Mat has a silk-like texture that delivers comfort, without drying out lips or the colour smudging. The uniform colour intensity and glamorous matte finish give an effortless application.

This month it's all about faces, from eyes to lips and brilliant skin savers.

SNAP SHADOWS MIX & MATCH EYESHADOW PALETTE

The latest offering from singer Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty range is there for you to play and have fun with. Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palettes come in eight colour stories and are the first mini palettes of their kind that actually snap together. Use them solo, or pair two faves for limitless eye looks in a snap! Plus, Fenty Beauty is bringing you four new tools for effortless definition, blending, and smudging.

Each mini six-pan palette serves up a unique colour story, from smoky to pastel to the perfect lowkey neutrals for your skin tone. Packed with rich, smooth, blendable colour in a rainbow of matte, shimmer, and glitter finishes, each shade was specifically chosen by Rihanna to deliver just the colours you’ll actually want to use.

ORCHIDÉE IMPÉRIALE NIGHT RITUAL

PEACE OUT WRINKLES

New in at Sephora, this is a dissolving microneedling patch infused with age fighting retinol, peptides and vitamin C to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Recommended for all skin types, from normal and dry to combination and oily, it claims to fight the signs of ageing including lines, loss of firmness and elasticity, dullness and uneven texture.

It includes retinol, vitamin C and peptides and each patch contains 450 self-dissolving hyaluronic acid microneedles that create tiny pathways for age-fighting ingredients.

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To recreate all the benefits of a ‘seven-hours night’ on the skin, Guerlain has developed the Orchidée Impériale Night Ritual, comprising the Sleeping Serum and the L-Roller massage tool.

While sleep is, obviously, important for the skin, lying static for long periods is not helpful.

When insufficient oxygenation hits during the night, skin cells begin to lose vital energy, leaving the skin aggravated and puffy, increasing the visible signs of ageing. Enriched with Night Cell Respiration technology, Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale Sleeping Serum is designed to diffuse its ingredients directly into the skin to help relaunch cellular regeneration and combat nighttime hypoxia. By regulating cellular respiration, it helps cells maximise energy production, to accelerate regeneration and reduce the visible signs of ageing. www.womanthismonth.com

news

Kesha’s Line Is Here Global Standing

Regional brand Huda Beauty has taken the top spot as the global Hottest Beauty Brand according to respected comparison platform, Cosmetify. The site, which produces a quarterly list, uses five factors in its determination of the rankings: increase in consumer interest as shown on Google Trends; overall brand searches each month; number of Instagram hashtags and followers; and the brand’s 'engagement rate' on the social platform. Not bad for a brand started just six years ago by a makeup artist who’s still in her mid-30s!

Halal Looks

Cruelty-Free Breakthrough

International beauty brand Avon Products, Inc. has announced that it will no longer conduct regulatory-required cosmetic animal testing in every country, including China.

Instead, it will work with its suppliers to ensure that no ingredients are tested on animals.

A company statement said: “Avon will focus on working with suppliers on their animal testing policies for ingredients used in Avon’s products. Meanwhile Avon will continue to work with its partners to push for regulatory change and greater acceptance of alternatives to animal testing.”

The move comes as countries across the world are turning away from cosmetic animal testing. In October 2018, UK-based brand The Body Shop delivered an antianimal testing petition with 8.3 million signatures to the UN. And in 2019, China, which has long required tests on postmarket cosmetics, announced an end to the practice. It also approved two non-animal testing methods. www.womanthismonth.com

Interest in Halal cosmetics is on the rise in the region as Muslim women become increasingly aware of what they are putting on their skin and are more conscious of the ingredients commonly used in beauty products. The use of animal derivatives, alcohol and other ingredients that are forbidden or that might obstruct the validity of Wudhu/ ablution mean that women are actively searching for beauty solutions that are better aligned with their religious beliefs.

Halalbeauty.ae is the latest online store that specialises in selling Halal products, for hair, face, lips and nails, from a number of brands, including Tuesday in Love and Mine Vital, to Dubai, the GCC and around the world. The store mainly targets Muslim women who are on the hunt for Halal certified products that cater to their religious and cultural requirements. Halalbeauty.ae also offers chemical-free, vegan, cruelty- and child labour-free brands – all conveniently available under one roof.

After much online teasing, the new beauty line from singer Kesha has finally debuted with not so much a nod as a big loud shout-out to the star’s own personal style - animal-friendly and super colourful.

Kesha Rose is produced in collaboration with Los Angeles-based cruelty-free cosmetics brand HipDot and so far we’ve seen a 12-pan eyeshadow palette, two dual-ended liquid eyeliner pens, a lipstick and a lip gloss.

So, what to expect? The star told billboard.com: “People know that I'm obsessed with rainbow, glitter, and all things extraterrestrial, psychedelic and bizarre, and I wanted to capture that in the makeup that I created, but still make it wearable.”

K-Pop Goes French

Singer Suelgi, of the latest K-Pop sensation, Red Velvet, has signed up with French beauty specialist L’Occitane as its latest brand ambassador. She will be promoting L'Occitane X OMY's City Palette campaign for its shea butter hand cream. The product features limited edition packaging designed to highlight the role of nature that’s quickly disappearing within cities. It will be available in stores from January 9.

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LIFESTYLE | food

AVO PRAWN AND CRAB CANAPÉS Ingredients:

A Healthy Start Give your new year wellness ambitions a kick-start with this simple but tasty and filling dish.

Food and wellness writer and pescatarian recipe developer, Razan Al Arabi, is certified in cuisine techniques by Le Cordon Bleu (London) and in nutrition for everyday living by London’s College of Naturopathic Medicine.

She’s passionate about health and wellbeing and marries her love of great, nutritious food with teaching yoga to both adults and kids. With that kind of combination, you can be guaranteed that the products of her busy kitchen will be both flavourful and healthful.

We love this either for a lunch or as a pass around when entertaining.

200g prawns 4 ripe avocados 1 cup (200g) bread crumbs 2 eggs 4 garlic cloves 2 lemons 1 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 6 crab sticks (shredded) 3 tbsp chilli mayonnaise 1 tbsp honey 2 tbsp olive oil.

Method: Marinate 200g of prawns in the juice of lemons and crushed garlic cloves. Season with sea salt and ground black pepper.

Let it sit for an hour in the fridge.

Mix two uncooked eggs in a bowl. Place the 200g of bread crumbs in another bowl.

Dip each marinated prawn in the egg mixture first and then the bread crumbs.

When all the prawns have been coated place them in an oven dish with olive oil and cook at 180˚C for 20 minutes.

The above is a healthy and flavourful meal on its own, but now it’s time for the crab.

Shred the crab sticks and coat with chilli mayonnaise and honey (skip the sauce if you want to be healthier).

Cut and peel the avocados into quarters (remove seed). Slice each quarter on the diagonal, then twist inwards in the shape of a circle to form the base of your canapé. Style each avocado ‘flower’ with a teaspoon of crab mix and one lemon and garlic breaded prawn.

It’s a great Idea for entertaining at home.

For private yoga and reiki bookings with Razan, email foodiefindss@gmail.com

www.womanthismonth.com

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LIFESTYLE | well-being

EAT SMART Intermittent Fasting is being lauded as your road to golden health. This simple ritual, rooted in antiquity, can actually allow you to feast better, discovers Behnaz Sanjana.

a pattern of eating, not to be confused with the term ‘dieting’. Renowned health coaches have long sung its praises as a way to recover from lifestyle diseases, and maintain robust health.

Based on the idea that you are not only what you eat, but how and when you eat it, it is quickly being adopted by the health-conscious.

S

ince time immemorial, fasting has been deemed a way to cure and prevent illness by ancient cultures worldwide. Noted Greek physician and father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, endorsed it in the fifth century BC, believing that abstinence from food allows the body to heal itself naturally from certain illnesses. Notice how the body naturally loses its appetite when you are under the weather?

Animals, who are so much more in sync with their circadian rhythms, also abstain from food when they feel unwell.

Medical and nutritive sciences also recognise the benefits of intermittent fasting, which is

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To explain the fundamental behind it, Luke Coutinho, holistic lifestyle coach practising in the field of integrative medicine, says the body undergoes two phases every day: the building phase, when cells are receptive to nutrition; and the elimination phase, wherein the body detoxifies, cleanses, repairs, rebuilds and rejuvenates itself.

When we feed the body in the elimination phase, it results in weight gain, acidity and a weakened immunity. If we allow the body undisturbed elimination, it functions just as it was originally designed to.

It’s all about listening to the body – so, if you are not hungry in the mornings, it means your body is still in the elimination phase. When hunger comes along, it signals the start of the building phase.

This is supported by the theory that many evidence-based resources, such as Harvard Health, cite – when we are not snacking, our insulin levels go down, thereby allowing the stored fat in our cells to be used as energy.

Result – a leaner, fitter body.

How To Go About It Intermittent Fasting encourages eating during only specified hours of the day, and fasting for

the rest of them. There are various theories revolving around how to fast – like the 16/8 method: eating only during eight hours of the day; the Eat-Stop-Eat method: a complete 24-hour fast twice a week; and the 5:2 diet; wherein only 500-600 calorie are consumed on two non-consecutive days of the week, with a full calorie intake for the rest of the days.

The 16/8 method is deemed easiest.

Beginners are encouraged to start off with just 10 hours of fasting, moving on to 12-14 hours a day, which may be just right for someone who is relatively fit and doesn’t need to shed too much toxicity. So, if your last meal of the day is by 7pm, your breakfast the next day can be at 9am, with no restriction on water intake.

The key is to listen to the body’s reaction to fasting and make tweaks along the way.

Benefits: Reducing: - weight.

- blood sugar and insulin resistance, protecting against Type 2 Diabetes.

- inflammation.

- LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides for a healthier heart.

Promoting: - growth of new brain cells.

- cellular repair.

- gene expression; changes in the function of genes related to longevity and protection against disease. www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | well-being

FOR OR AGAINST?

TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT?

A UK study found that one should eat after a morning workout, as opposed to before.

Although the eat-after group didn't lose more weight than the eat-before group during the six weeks of the study, it did have "profound and positive" effects on the health of the group that fasted, researchers said. Skipping the meal before exercise made the men's

muscles more responsive to insulin, which controls high blood sugars, thus reducing the risk for diabetes and heart disease. The group who exercised before breakfast increased their ability to respond to insulin, despite both groups losing a similar amount of weight and both gaining a similar amount of fitness. www.cnn.com

BENEFICIAL INVENTION

Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have introduced a new laser ultrasound technique that leverages an eye- and skin-safe laser system to remotely image the inside of a person without direct contact with the body. When trained on a patient's skin, one laser remotely generates sound waves that bounce through the body.

A second remotely detects the reflected waves, which researchers then translate into an image similar to conventional ultrasound.

This invention could prove useful in the case of patients who don't tolerate the ultrasound probe well, such as babies, burn victims or other patients with sensitive skin. www.sciencedaily.com

BE WELL INFORMED

Experts are warning that people eating a vegan diet need to make sure they get enough B12 - because the risk of deficiency is “not a myth". They were speaking ahead of 'Veganuary', when increasing numbers turn to veganism each January. The diet makes some nutrients harder to get enough of - including B12. Adults need around 1.5 micrograms of B12 a day, found in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, but not in fruits, vegetables or grains. B12 deficiency, which can lead to nerve damage, tends to take three or four years to cause symptoms. The Vegan Society says that vegans must obtain vitamin B12 from fortified foods or supplementation. www.bbc.com www.womanthismonth.com

The pharmaceutical company Novartis is planning to introduce a lottery system to give away the world’s most expensive drug for free, but patient advocates are concerned that picking 'lucky' people isn’t the best way to do things. The drug, Zolgensma, is a USD2.1 million treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder that leads to children losing control of their muscles.

The lottery system — which has been called a managed access programme — would establish a bi-weekly draw for babies under the age of two who live in countries where Zolgensma is not approved. Those who are not chosen will simply stay in the programme until they are no longer medically eligible. www.independant.co.uk

MEAT THE CULPRIT

Processed meats have been classified as Group 1 carcinogens, known to cause cancer in humans. A new review finds that the strength of this evidence varies according to whether the meat contains nitrites.

Researchers from the Institute of Global Food Security, at Queen's University Belfast, reviewed recent studies on links between processed meat consumption and cancers of the colon, rectum and bowel. They found that only around half the studies concluded that there was evidence of a link with colorectal cancer. However, that proportion jumped to nearly 65-per-cent when they limited their analysis to studies in humans that only involved testing the effects of processed meats containing nitrites. The findings clearly show that not all processed meats carry the same level of risk. www.medicalnewstoday.com

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LIFESTYLE | home

l a c i p Tro aradise P It may be cold outside, but there’s no reason you can’t transform your home into a warm and inviting haven, rife with the scents and accents of sunny, tropical lands. This January, we turn the spotlight on home products inspired by lush greenery, swaying palm trees, the seashore, driftwood, cane and rattan with bursts of bright colour and, of course, tropical fruits and flowers. Are you sipping on Piña Colada already?

Home Centre

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January 2020

www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | home Straight From Rio Picture frame THE One

Frond Art Centre table Smania

In the Jungle Printed cushion THE One

Serve in Style Artisanal tray Colgrave Holmes Creations

Floral Reminder Vase and faux flowers

Green Bloom Candle holder Home Box

Home Box

Into the Blue Chair Home Centre

Monochrome Foliage Side tables Angelo Cappellini

Birds of a Feather Stool THE One

Be Transported Chandelier Klove

Riot of Colour Rug Illulian

Flamingo Moves Bed linen

With the Theme Serving set namshi.com

namshi.com

www.womanthismonth.com

January 2020

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

BOYS DON’T CRY… OR SHOULD THEY? Ouiam Charkani El Hassani on letting boys express their emotions.

D

on’t cry! You’re a man! Men should be tough! Pull yourself together! How many times have we heard these ugly sentences? How many times have we been judged for having a crying little boy? How many times have family members told our boys to “toughen up”?

As the mother of a young boy myself, I have heard so many times that my boy is too sensitive, too sweet, I even heard that he was too empathetic! Just because he is a BOY! If he were a girl, things would be way different. While I take those nasty comments as compliments, some other people might not.

People wonder why boys are more aggressive, more combative and more violent than girls. Some think it’s just the work of nature. But there’s more to it than that.

Indeed, there’s a scientific reason for it.

Boys and girls respond to stress differently, especially in the early years. When younger females (and also during puberty) get upset, the thing that lights up in their brain is the words centre. They easily and very quickly come up with words, explaining how they feel or saying words to express themselves. While for boys, they instantly go to their limbic brain, which is the emotional centre, where the amygdala lights up. Then they use their

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body to release that energy. For boys, the ability to identify what they are feeling, then express it, is definitely more difficult and a longer to process than for girls.

For example, young boys experience hunger differently than girls. For boys, hunger can be a big trigger to their nervous system. They can be very upset and impatient, if they are hungry and mummy is taking a little too long to bring that snack. They may want to kick and shout, as a sign of how urgent the situation is, to them. Whereas with girls, things are different.

When we tell our boys to not cry, we shut down their capability to express vulnerable feelings, making the situation more difficult for them. That comes at a cost later. What boys learn when we tell them not to cry is actually more “don’t trust yourself”, “don’t trust your feelings”, “you shouldn’t be comfortable in your skin”.

We are, in fact, invalidating a normal human experience, we are denying them the permission to let go of the energy bubbling up inside of them, leaving them no other choice than to kick, push, scream and be mad. So not only are they sad now, but they have suddenly also become wrong, mad, and they now know that they’re not supposed to share their feelings with

anyone, not even the people closest to them, the ones they look up to, their parents.

Sometimes it is good for our boys to deal with sadness. It is a great way to explain to them that sadness is an ache in the heart, just like any other physical pain. It hurts, and sometimes it goes away on its own. Sometimes we need to stomp our feet, sometimes we need to run and some other times we need to cry and shed tears, and that is absolutely OK. Whether it is losing a football game, having a big fall or losing a pet, being able to go through these episodes early on in life, helps the boys later on in so many ways. It increases their emotional intelligence, as well as their empathy towards others. It also makes connection, with friends and spouses, easier and more natural.

Vulnerability is the core of any deep relationship, but when boys are taught not to show that side of them, it becomes harder and harder to make deep connections as they grow older.

Giving your boy a shoulder to cry on, instead of telling them to man up, enables them to feel safe and to become calmer and more compassionate in the future.

Chanelmama www.womanthismonth.com

last word

In Her Shoes Sari Mabire, Executive Director YOIKU PR, lets us into her world.

What three things do you not leave the house without?

What’s your favourite ice cream flavour?

My mobile, sunglasses and music

Rum and raisin.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird because I have to... otherwise night owl.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

Skydiving – but it's also the most exhilarating thing that I've done!

Sari

All-time favourite song or artist?

This is a difficult one... I have such a varied taste in music, but if I had to name one it would be Prince.

What skill would you like to learn?

I'd like to learn how to mix like a DJ.

Do you have a secret talent?

Not sure if it's a talent but I can spin the poi. www.womanthismonth.com

What’s your motto for life?

Knowing your own ignorance is the first step to enlightenment. (Patrick Rothfuss)

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Still in Bahrain but summers in Finland.

January 2020

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