HanaDays Kitchen’s Jordanian Bruschetta

HanaDays Kitchen’s Jordanian Bruschetta

The addition of feta cheese and zaatar gives a Jordanian twist to the traditional Italian bruschetta! Try this easy version of a yummy snack or appetizer today, courtest of HanaDays Kitchen in Darb1718.

Ingredients:

Olive oil to taste
Zaatar mixed with roasted sesame and sumac
Feta cheese
Finely chopped tomatoes
Slices of Italian bread loaf

Method:

Preheat oven to 250 °C

Mix the feta cheese, zaatar mix and olive oil in a bowl. Place Italian bread on a medium baking sheet and bake for approximately 10 minutes. Spread the mix on the bread and top with chopped tomatoes.

11 Amazing Mothers in the Wild

Ultimate Love Between Mother and Daughter

11 Amazing Mothers in the Wild

We all know how human moms raise kids, although the methods certainly vary from mother to mother, but have you ever explored about mothers from other species are different to us? Here are 11 examples of mothers in the animal kingdom.

African Elephant

Elephants exist in a strongly matriarchal society, so a new mom can always depend on the other females to help with taking care of a newborn calf.  The herd will move more slowly to allow the babies to keep up, while showing them which plants to eat and where to find them. The mother elephant will nurse her calf for four to six years while gradually weaning it. With a gestation period of 22 months and a bond that exists for around 16 years, the commitment shown by these intelligent giants is immense.

african_elephants_mother_and_adorable_babies-wallpaper-3000x2000
Dolphin-and-its-Mother2

Dolphin

Highly intelligent with social skills, a sense of humor and playful natures, dolphins are also dedicated mothers. Newborn dolphin calves are born with minimal skills, so mom has to be there to help her baby to learn to breathe and swim in synchronicity as well as giving protection from the many predators around. A new mother can go for two months without sleep, just in order to make sure her calf is all right. The calf will nurse from its mother for anything from six months up to two years, then stick close to her until it reaches adolescence between five and ten years of age.

 

Emperor Penguin

It is not only the moms who shoulder the task of rearing the young. The Emperor Penguin mom leaves her egg in the safekeeping of a male, whose task it is to protect the delicate shell and newly hatched chick from the harsh elements. The mother then sets out over long distances to reach the ocean and a supply of fish. She eats copiously, then returns to the chick to regurgitate the food and allow it to nestle close to her for warmth.

Emperor Penguin Mother
Gazelle Mother

Gazelle

The gazelle is a favorite treat for many predators within her environment. In order to protect her newborn, she will hide it in undergrowth then venture to quite a distance to avoid attracting danger to the fawn through her distinctive scent.

Gorilla

Gorillas are transient by nature, and mothers will carry their young wherever they go until the baby learns to walk at around four to five months of age. Mom’s back is usually the safest place, and handy to the food source, as young gorillas will nurse for up to three to four years. They share the mother’s nest until they are about six years old, before becoming more independent.

Gorilla mother
Lion mother

Lion

The female lion has an inclusive policy when it comes to rearing the young of the pride. It is not unusual for a lactating mother to nurse the cubs of another lioness when needed. Instances have even been recorded of lionesses showing protective behavior towards the young of other species, even to the point of suckling a baby cheetah.

Alligator

Even though an alligator’s jaws can crush the bones of its prey in seconds, they also serve as the cradle for the mother ‘gator’s new hatchlings. She keeps her new babies safely inside her mouth to protect them from predators. As they mature, they often hitch a ride on her back, giving them that edge of protection.  The mother keeps a close eye on them for the first year of their lives and is always close by to offer help when needed.

alligator mother
Cheetah mother

Cheetah

Cheetah mothers are protective and cautious, just like the other members of the cat family. A litter can range from two to five cubs, and the mom is careful to move them every four days or so to prevent a smell building up that could attract predators. During the first year and a half of the cubs’ lives, the mother gives them intensive training in how to hunt and survive, before leaving them to stay as a group and fend for themselves.

Octopus

An octopus gets the motherhood experience over and done with in one go. Laying a batch of around 200,000 eggs, she then devotes herself to protecting them until they are ready to hatch a month later and drift away into the surrounding sea. She is with them constantly, not leaving for food, and can even eat her own tentacles in order to survive.

octopus
Orangutan mother

Orangutan

Standing out as one of the best mothers in nature, an orangutan nurses and transports her young for the first two years. The whole maternal teaching process continues until the young orangutan reaches six or seven years, by which time they know how to find food and build their own nest. The bond is so strong though, that often orangutans pop in to visit their moms until they reach the age of 15 or 16.

Polar Bear

Imagine having to stack on 200 extra kg just to be ready to give birth! An expectant polar bear mother needs to do that so her fetus will be able to grow during the long months of winter hibernation. If the mother does not have that extra supply of fat and tissue her body may re-absorb the fetus in order to survive. The mother often delivers twin cubs, and they will stay close to her for around two years in order to learn all the skills they need to cope in a harsh climate.  The first couple of months are spent snuggled up close to mom, feeding on her milk before venturing out in early spring.

Ultimate Love Between Mother and Daughter

Glow Naturally with 3 DIY Facial Masks

3 DIY Facial Masks

We spoke to holistic skin maven Sarah Saba from Glow with Sarah to get some top tips for combating every day skin problems the natural way. Using ingredients from your cupboard, you can achieve results without all the chemical nastiness.

GROUND COFFEE EYE MASK

The caffeine in coffee is beneficial for a number of problems like puffy eyes, dark circles, swollen eyes, and eye bags.

INGREDIENTS
– 2 tablespoons fresh organic ground coffee powder
– 2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil

METHOD

Mix coffee in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil until well blended. Apply the mixture under your eyes and leave it for around 15 minutes. You can also sleep with this mask or wash it off using a mild cleanser if used during the day. Repeat 3 to 4 times a week for quick results.

ANTI-AGING MASK 

ANTI-AGING MASKDry skin is more prone to wrinkles than oily skin, so it is very important hydrate our skin daily. Using only natural ingredients, this is the perfect facial mask to prevent aging and enjoy youthful skin. If your skin is oily, replace olive oil with grape seed oil, which has a powerful antioxidant effect and is more easily absorbed by the skin.

INGREDIENTS

– 1 egg yolk
– 1 teaspoon olive oil
– 1 very ripe banana

METHOD

Mash the banana until you have a consistent paste. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolk and add the olive oil. Continue mixing until the oil is well incorporated, then pour the mixture over the banana. Mix all the ingredients.

Apply this mask on your face and let sit for about 15 minutes then rinse with warm water.

ACNE AND LARGE PORE WONDER MASKACNE AND LARGE PORE WONDER MASK

Oily skin goes hand in hand with acne, blackheads and large pores. These are the most common face problems that 70% of the population encounters. This natural treatment combats acne and large pores using turmeric, honey and milk, while hydrating your skin.

INGREDIENTS

-1 teaspoon honey
-1 teaspoon turmeric powder
-1 teaspoon low-fat milk

METHOD

Heat the honey in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. If you don’t want to use the microwave, you can warm the honey in a bowl of hot water. Mix the warm honey with turmeric powder and a teaspoon of low-fat milk.

Wash your face and immediately apply the mask to your skin with your fingers or a make up brush. Leave it for 30 minutes until it dries. Rinse with warm water.

Repeat this procedure at least 3 times a week.

For more information, contact Sarah on Instagram @sarahjsaba

Contact Details:

Glow @ Twin Towers Rivulet – Building C

Skinova Clinic

Sheikh Zayed

Tel: 0122 215 6051

Yasmin Raeis: Mixing Movies and Motherhood

Yasmin Raeis

Yasmin Raeis: Mixing Movies and Motherhood

Yasmin Raeis

When a successful and sought after young actress takes the step to start a family we have to give her the utmost respect and admiration. With Mother’s Day on our calendar this month, we catch up with this stunning, talented and charismatic star to see how being a mom has impacted her life and what is currently on her busy agenda.

CWM: Your latest film, Balash Tebosni  (Kiss Me Not), screened to a packed house on two occasions at the Dubai Film Festival. What makes this film so relatable for audiences?

Y.R: The movie’s topic and the way it was tackled are very relatable for an audience. In my opinion, a film being screened in a film festival is a sign that it’s a high-quality film that has value and is respectable. Sometimes people believe that if a movie is relatable and a hit with the audience, it’s not a serious movie!

How does the film reflect today’s social trends?

It reflects the confusion we are experiencing currently. And the intellectual distortion we are currently facing.

Was it fun to film, there must have been some amusing moments?

Well, it was shot four years ago so I can’t recall some things, but it was a very pleasant experience and people were very friendly on set. Sherif had a terrific sense of humor behind the scenes, and so did Mohamed Mahran who plays Tamer in the film. The weather was extremely hot and the air conditioning wasn’t working, so that made the events of the film more realistic!

Can you tell us about your series Ana Shahira

The production company bought the book rights and proposed it to me. I liked what I read and expected they would turn it into a movie, but instead they wanted to produce a TV series because they had bought the rights to the sequel as well! So I liked the idea of a dramatic series and how the story would progress. I also felt the idea was appropriate for a general audience and would be convenient for those watching at home, and it would not be boring as it has a lot of engaging events.

Can you tell us a bit about your role in the series? 

I play Shahira, and the series focuses on many elements, like her relationship with her father, the way she was raised, and what happens to her after she graduates and meets the love of her life Raouf. It also deals with betrayal and the aftermath that unfolds.

Without any spoilers, how does the plot develop in season two? 

Season two is from Raouf’s point of view, and is being shot now.

What else do you have in the pipeline for 2018? 

I’m preparing for some roles, but still not sure what I will start filming first. Right now I’m currently shooting Ana el Kha2en.

What would be your dream role? 

I want to act all sorts of roles, truly. Whenever I am asked this question, my answer is always the same. I want to act as much as I can.

As a mother of a young child, how do you manage to cope with a hectic schedule? 

It’s challenging to be both a working actress and full-time mother at the same time, but I am grateful for having people who help me, that is what allows me to continue this journey. God help others who aren’t afforded support and help, it’s a very tough job.

How has motherhood changed you as a person? 

It has changed me 100%. I have become more careful and protective of myself, because someone else counts on me. Before being a mother, if I was careful in situations, it was just to protect myself, that’s even if I was careful to begin with; I was a risk taker! Taking risks is different from being responsible, I’ve always been a responsible person. However, if I take a risk and have an accident now what would happen to my son?

What advice would you give your son as he goes forward in life? 

The most important thing is to respect and love people. I teach him love and respect all the time.

 

Yasmin Raeis

Quickfire Round

Three things you always carry with you? 

Mirror, perfume and a pen … to sign IOUs! (laughs)

Early bird or night owl? 

At the beginning I was a night owl, but now I’m more of a morning person.

Best advice you have ever received? 

People give and receive advice all the time in this country, more often than not, it’s bad advice! (laughs) Nothing sticks out really.

Most romantic holiday location? 

Any place that has a beach is lovely, I love the beach.

Comfort food? 

I love ma2olouba, I don’t eat it a lot, but I love it.

Workout at home or in the gym?

I very rarely work out at home; I usually go to the gym. Any time I try to work out at home, it turns into a play session.

Most used apps? 

Instagram and Twitter.

Last book read? 

I was reading a book by Mohammed Sadek, but I can’t remember its name. It’s one of his older books, he gave it to me while we were filming Hepta … but I still haven’t finished it!

 

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Photographer: Aisha AlShabrawy

Yogi Mariam Sobhi Shares the Physical, Mental & Emotional Benefits of Yin Yoga

By Mariam Sobhi

There are several reasons people begin practicing yoga. Some wish to work on their physical health, others want to reduce stress in their lives, while for others; it’s a desire to deepen their meditation practices. Yin yoga in specific provides physical, mental, emotional and energetic benefits, and for some, helps further their spiritual journey. The benefit depends on your intention. This practice helps the deeper yin tissues: ligaments, joints, deep fascial networks and bones. All of our tissues are important and need to be exercised so that we can achieve optimal health.

Yin yoga is a very slow pace and meditative practice, no muscles are involved with a main focus on applying adequate stress on our deep connective tissues. The aim is to eventually elongate and stretch these tissues or help them become thicker and stronger. Some people initially find this yoga style slow, passive, soft and boring, but they quickly discover that it can be quite challenging due to the long duration of the poses.

There are 3 main elements that any practitioner needs to keep in mind while practicing Yin yoga.

Time: Postures are held for a long time. Between 3-8 minutes for beginners and up to 25 minutes for more advanced practitioners.

Depth: We should go as deep into a pose as our limits allow. The saying, “no pain, no gain” doesn’t apply here, it’s actually forbidden. We should respect our limits and stop there, never stay in pain. Feel the stretch and stay there for the duration intended. Any uncomfortable feeling like pinching, burning or electrical impulses across our body should be avoided; those are a clear message from our body that we are pushing too much.

Steadiness: As soon as you find a comfortable position to stay in, stay still and don’t move. Try to sink in the posture physically, mentally and emotionally.

Sphinx & Seal

This pose tones the spine and people with bulging or herniated disks may find this very therapeutic. In the full Seal pose, the stomach may receive a lovely stretch. It stimulates the kidney and adrenal glands meridian lines through compression. The recommended hold time for Sphinx is 5 minutes and for Seal is 1 minute, and then back to Sphinx.

Straddle

This pose opens the hips, groin, and the back of the thighs, provide a gentle opening to the knees. It also stimulates the ovaries, urinary bladder, liver, kidneys and spleen meridian lines. The recommended hold time is 3-10 minutes.

Swan & Sleeping Swan

This pose provides a vigorous way to open the hip allowing gravity to do the work. It also provides the quadriceps and hip flexors a nice stretch for the side that has the leg back, as well as a strong external rotation of the front hip. The recommended hold time for Swan is 1 to 3 minutes, and then switch to Sleeping position for another 1 to 3 minutes.

Shoelace

This pose is a great hip opener and provides decompression for the lower spine when folding forward. It stimulates the liver, kidneys and gall bladder meridian lines if folding forward. The urinary bladder will be stimulated as well and the stomach compressed, along with hips and lower spine affected.

Butterfly

This pose is a nice way to stretch the lower back without requiring loose hamstrings. If the legs are straighter and the feet further away from the groins, the hamstrings will get more of a stretch. If the feet are in closer to the groins, the adductor muscles get stretched more. Good for the kidneys and prostate gland, so highly recommended for people suffering from urinary problems. Removes any heaviness in the testicles and regulates menstrual cycles, helping ovaries to function properly and eases child birth.

Improve Mood, Memory and Focus with Omega 3 Fish Oil

By Miranda Franklin Makary

As a new year rolls around the aspiration to live healthier and happier is probably somewhere in your mind, if not written down on a list of resolutions somewhere.

A healthy brain is one of your greatest assets, and something you should commit to invest in during the coming year. Our modern day diet often lacks essential nutrients that can bolster our health and restore our mental capacity, improving our mood, memory, and focus.

One of these essential nutrients for a healthy brain is Omega 3 Fish Oil supplements. This supplement is important for brain function and can help you perform better at work and improve your mood, memory, focus, and overall well-being. It possesses a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the brain as well as anti-depressive properties.

While eating fish can offer benefits, we often do not consume enough of these essential healthy fatty acids from diet alone, and they are off-balanced by consuming too many Omega 6 fatty acids in vegetable oil and other unhealthy foods. This decreases the benefit of Omega 3 Fish Oil from diet alone. That is why a high-quality fish oil supplement can be beneficial.

Increasing studies suggest that taking Omega 3 supplements like fish oil improve brain health and mood, which can lead to improved outcomes at school and work. In addition to promoting brain health optimization, it also offers benefits for your hair, skin, and heart.

Brain health is at the center of all we do, impacting our relationships, work, health, and happiness. Invest in your greatest asset and start taking Omega 3 Fish Oil supplements today.

Please remember that you should always consult with your physician prior to starting a new supplement, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Trends to Watch from New York Fashion Week

Browse some looks from New York Fashion Week, courtesy of stylist Shaimaa Eissa, and get inspired for spring and summer outfit planning! Designers also debuted their looks for fall, so get a head start on how to nail the fall trends.

color & prints

New York Fashion Week

ٍٍSpring & Fall trends to watch

6 Postpartum Care Tips: From Breast Feeding to Baby Blues

By Tabibi

Congratulations on your new arrival! We know that giving birth was physically and emotionally taxing on you and so are postpartum changes. Postpartum changes usually last for about 6-8 weeks until you start to feel in control again. During those few weeks it is crucial for you to take very good care of your self. Here are 6 tips to keep in mind after delivery.

Get Rest

A newborn usually wakes every 3 hours and needs to be fed, cleaned and comforted. For first time mothers, these tasks can be very exhausting. Here are some ways to feel a little less overwhelmed:

– The saying, “Sleep when your baby sleeps” is very true.

– Ask for help from your partner, family members or friends.

– Keep the baby’s crib close to your bed to save yourself running back and forth every time the baby wakes up.

Get Proper Nutrition

Good nutrition is needed to speed healing and give you the needed energy. Eat foods high in protein, vitamin C, and iron. Protein helps the healing process; vitamin C plays an important role in fighting infection and Iron is needed for hemoglobin formation.

Also, eating more servings of fresh fruits, vegetables, and bran cereals or breads that are high in roughage help stimulate a normal bowel movement and relieve constipation that is common after delivery. Avoid laxatives that make your stool very loose or watery. Loose stool can get onto your stitches more easily than soft stool.

Get Proper Hydration

Drink 8-10 glasses of fluids each day, including low-fat milk, non-sweetened fruit juices, and especially water. If you’re breastfeeding include at least 4 glasses of low-fat milk or calcium fortified juice or eat low-fat yogurt to get enough calcium and boost your milk supply.

Activities & Exercise

– Avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby

– Avoid straining or doing heavy housework for at least 3 weeks

– Walking will be all the exercise you need when you first get home. You can begin mild strengthening exercises for your back and abdomen at 3 to 6 weeks. Vigorous exercise, such as aerobics, should wait until after your 6-week check-up.

Breast Care

Wear a nursing bra with good support and without underwires, which can cut off the milk ducts and cause sore breasts.

Here are ways you can prevent breast/nipple soreness:

– Don’t use soap when washing your breasts to prevent dryness and cracking.

– After each feeding express a little milk and rub it onto your nipples. The cream in your milk can prevent dryness.

– Make sure your baby has latched on correctly and has most of the areola and the entire nipple in his mouth, not just the nipple.

– Nurse your baby often to prevent engorgement of your breasts and to prevent mastitis, an inflammation in your breasts caused by not emptying your breast regularly or completely.

– Change your bra and nursing pads when they are wet or moist. Wet nipples allow germs to grow faster, which causes the skin to break down.

Post-Partum Depression

Being too tired from labor and delivery and the changes in your hormone levels can lead to a mild depression called “baby blues”, worsened by lack of sleep, pain, and the stress of new responsibilities. Baby blues can happen a few days to a few weeks after birth.

These are things you can do to ease the baby blues:

– Join a support group-

– Don’t try to return to your old routine too soon-

– Take a few hours each week to do something just for yourself-

– Get at least half an hour of exercise daily-

– Keep yourself physically attractive, this will make you feel good.

This article was brought to you by Tabibi 24/7, Cairo’s leading Family Medicine & Pediatrics group practice. Tabibi operates 24/7 and offers its services at the comfort of your own home or in one of its clinics.
 
For more information, call 16724 or visit  www.tabibi247.com

Behind the Seeds: How to Grow an Indoor Jungle

By Zainab AbdulAziz

Living in a metropolis like Cairo, it’s a challenge to seek out green spaces and tap back into your connection with nature. However, Mohamed Osman has defied the odds and grown a garden inside his living room, transforming this cozy space into a blissful green haven of peace and clean air. His Instagram account @behind_the_seeds boasts over 6 thousand followers where he is part of a growing plant enthusiast community. Cairo West Magazine visited to take in the beauty and learn more about how this project came into being.

CWM: How did the idea for Behind the Seeds kick off?

M.O.: I started almost a year ago after I suffered from a cardiac arrest at the age of 35. The doctors had no idea why this happened, I was active and healthy. It was a very traumatic experience for me, and I had to recuperate at home for a month afterwards. This was the first time in 14 years that I wasn’t active and doing something every day. One day I was out shopping and saw a display of cactus plants and decided to buy a few of them. They looked a bit lonely, so I started buying more plants to fill and beautify the space, and I started reading a lot about how to care for them. Light conditions, humidity, watering schedules … I learned it all. Each plant required more research, and I enjoyed it. It helped me to move past the psychological trauma of what had happened and proved to be very relaxing.

How did your learning process develop for plant care?

I became a member of many blogs and forums for plant care and began interacting with others who are interested in the same hobby. The concept of having a jungle in your home is not a new one; many people in Europe have them because in winter it is too difficult to grow outside. It also enhances the mood of the person living in that space during the long winter months.

Were your friends and family supportive of your new endeavor?

My friends at first didn’t think this was like my character at all, I was more into fitness! My wife wasn’t that supportive at the beginning, the plants needed a lot of care and at times I asked for a lot of help. As time went on she became interested and engaged and is now very encouraging. My family also schedules their visits to come in the morning and enjoy the view.

Do you have any preferences in how to choose your plants?

I’m not really a “flower guy”, they are tricky and seasonal, and they die after some weeks. They also need a lot of direct sun. Every time a plant dies, I can’t sleep and wonder what happened. I keep Googling and learning what I did wrong. In the end, these plants do teach me a lot, even in death. I’ve lost about ten plants since I started, but I still have the first non-cactus plant I ever bought. It has died twice, but I keep reviving it and bringing it back to life. As long as the roots are still alive, you can bring it back.

What is your goal for Behind the Seeds?

I have made a lot of friends all over the world through my social media page; Instagram has a great community of green lovers. My target is that by the end of this year I will hit 10k followers. Behind the Seeds will also be featured in an upcoming plant book with entries from all around the world and it will be the only entry from Egypt! In the future, I would love to launch my own website for plant care and styling, and hopefully commercialize this idea and open a plant shop to help those who wish to grow their own urban jungles.

4 TIPS FOR GROWING AT HOME

  1. Choose an easy plant that needs minimal care. Here are some options: spider plants, cactus, zz plants, snake plants, pothos, lucky bamboo, or heart leaf philodendron.
  2. Choose the right lighting conditions. Some need direct light and most don’t. 90% of plants with dark green leaves don’t need a lot of light.
  3. Don’t overdo it with the watering! Most of the time we kill plants by too much care, not neglect. A good way of checking whether you need to water is to stick your finger in the soil to one and half inch. If it’s dry, water.
  4. Don’t transfer from a plastic pot to a decorative pot. Most decorative pots don’t have holes at the bottom to let excess water out, which is crucial to have. Buy a larger decorative pot and place the plastic one inside it. That way the water will seep out from the plastic pot with pores and keep your plant from being too soggy.