10 Places for Self-Improvement, Art & Culture

Start the new year right by scheduling regular visits to feed your soul with some art, culture, and general self-improvement! All these venues offer an array of classes, workshops, and Q&As throughout the month with experts across a variety of fields. Follow them on social media to stay updated on what is happening month-to-month!

Smart Art

Tel: 0128 440 4356
Instagram: smartarteg

Life Up Factory

Tel: 0128 440 4356
Instagram: lifeupfactory

 Revival

Tel: 0120 033 3282
Instagram: revival.drama

 Tamkeen new Era

Tel: 0111 166 6547
Instagram: tamkeennewera

 Bardo Club House

Instagram/Facebook: bardoclubhouse

 

Osana Family Wellness

Tel: 0101 773 3770
Instagram: osanawellness

 Nun Center

Tel: 0122 398 0898
Instagram: nuncenter

 Bawabat

Tel: 01002138668
Instagram: bawabat_gateways

 Soul Wellness

Tel: 0111 188 8555
Facebook: Soul Wellness Center

 Darb 1718

Tel: 02 2741 3053
Instagram: darb1718

Step into 2018 with Style

If you’re seeking inspiration for a winter season look or needing a complete wardrobe overhaul for the new year, take a look at these fashionable pieces right off the runway to get your creative ensemble building off to a high-end start! Most large fashion retailers carry more affordable versions of catwalk looks, so finding similar styles shouldn’t be too much of a burden. Click on the image for product information.

10 Chocolate Facts & Cooking Tips

In addition to sharing a killer chocolate fondant recipe, Crave has compiled some cool tips and facts about the velvety queen of desserts. Camel milk chocolate? Hmmm… not so sure about that one, but we’re willing to try!

  • Chocolate comes from the cocoa tree, where cocoa beans are extracted from pods before they’re transformed into smooth velvety chocolate; 70% of cocoa hails from West Africa.
  • Considered healthier than milk and white chocolate, dark chocolate has more cacao and less sugar.
  • The smell of chocolate increases the brain waves, which trigger relaxation.
  • The three largest names in the chocolate world are Hershey’s, Cadbury and Lindt – but Ferrero Rocher tops the list as number one.
  • White chocolate is derived from chocolate, but consists of cocoa butter, milk solids and sugar.
  • Al Nassma, founded by Sheikh Al- Maktoum in Dubai, is the first company to manufacture camel milk chocolate. Full of vitamin C, it’s considered ‘liquid gold’ in the Middle East.
  • The process of melting chocolate for cooking is called “tempering”; always do it over a hot water bath/bain marie (steam from a water bowl), otherwise it will curdle and go lumpy as it has very delicate cooking temperatures.
  • Breaking up chocolate into pieces or using chocolate chips in baking/cooking is best because it helps the chocolate melt faster.
  • Adding a teaspoon of coffee brings out the intensity of the chocolate flavor in a cake.
  • Ganache is a culinary term for creamy chocolate icing/frosting that consists of melted chocolate, cooking cream, butter and vanilla essence.

In Theatres Jan 2018

The Commuter (2018)

 

 

A businessman is caught up in a criminal conspiracy during his daily commute home.

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Writers: Byron Willinger (story by), Philip de Blasi (story by)

Stars: Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson

 

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12 Strong (2018)

 

 

12 Strong tells the story of the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11; under the leadership of a new captain, the team must work with an Afghan warlord to take down the Taliban.

Director: Nicolai Fuglsig

Writers: Ted Tally, Peter Craig

Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, William Fichtner

 

 

Forever My Girl (2018)

After being gone for a decade a country star returns home to the love he left behind.

Director: Bethany Ashton Wolf

Writer: Bethany Ashton Wolf

Stars: Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe, John Benjamin Hickey

Anoushka and Phaedra Share New Year’s Resolutions

‘Tis the season for setting goals and aspirations for the brand new year. What better time, we asked ourselves, for catching up with two of our favorite ladies to see what topped their bucket lists and resolutions for 2018?

Anoushka graces our screens every Wednesday on DMC with her riveting talk show Salon Anoushka, so what, we wonder, does she plan to find time for in the coming year?

CEM: Anoushka, what is at the top of your bucket list for 2018?

I have always dreamed of traveling to India, but work seems to keep me too busy. Hopefully, this will be the year I can make it.

Can you tell us what you are currently working on?

My talk show, Salon Anoushka, keeps me busy, but I love every moment of course.

What is your New Year’s resolution going to be?

To become more active on social media.

Lively, charismatic actress Phaedra Al-Masri juggles a hectic schedule but still plans to expand her horizons during 2018. Her responses to our questions should inspire us.

CEM: Phaedra, what ranks high on your bucket list for 2018?

First, a long dreamed of trip to South Africa, then I would like to take up skydiving. And, importantly, to find time to read more.

What about your New Year’s resolution?

My resolution is to worry less!

Chocolate: Velvety Queen of the Dessert World

With the culinary world on the rise, dessert sections on menus have evolved to include varieties that range from classics to new and intriguing. Whatever the ingredients are or combo of flavors is, chocolate continues to serve as a classic, timeless, velvety and delicious dessert for many. Check out Crave’s yummy recipe for chocolate fondant – serves 2.

Perfect Chocolate Fondant

Ingredients:

60 g unsalted butter, cut into cubes, plus extra to grease ramekins
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
60 g dark chocolate, broken into pieces
1 egg and 1 egg yolk
60 g sugar
1 tablespoon plain flour

Preparation:

Pre-heat the oven to 200 °C and place a baking tray on the middle shelf. Butter the inside of 2 small ramekins or molds, then put the cocoa in one and turn it to coat the inside, dusting off any excess.

Place butter and chocolate into a heatproof bowl over, but not touching, a pan of simmering water and stir occasionally until melted. Allow to cool slightly.

Vigorously whisk together the egg, yolk, sugar and a pinch of salt until pale and fluffy. Gently fold in the melted chocolate and butter, and then the flour. Spoon into the prepared molds, up until right before it reaches the top.

Place on to a hot baking tray and cook for 12 minutes until the tops are set and coming away from the sides of the molds.

Turn off oven and leave to rest for 30 seconds to 1 minute and then serve in the ramekins or turn out on to plates. They are great served with vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce.

BRIX’s Chocolate Pots de Crème

In the mood for a decadent chocolate treat? BRIX has spoiled us with a recipe for Chocolate Pots de Crème, a surefire favorite for any chocolate lover who wants to tuck in and also impress their dinner guests! Recipe serves 8.

Ingredients:

170 g dark chocolate (chopped)
675 g cream (around 30% fat content)
45 g sugar
8 egg yolks (around 160 g)
2 g orange zest
A pinch of salt
Whipped cream and toasted nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios) to serve

Method:

Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F), and set aside 8 custard cups, 175 ml each. Use a baking pan deep enough to hold water (bain-marie) and can accommodate the 8 cups. Pour water to reach halfway up the sides of the pan and put the pan in the oven while oven is heating.

Pour water into a saucepan and put on low heat, choose a stainless steel bowl that will fit securely the rim of the pan. Put the chopped chocolate into the bowl, put the bowl over the pan and put over low heat. Stir occasionally until chocolate is melted then remove from heat.

Combine cream, sugar and salt in a saucepan, place over medium heat. Add the orange zest. Heat to just under a boil and pour into the melted chocolate. In a different bowl beat the egg yolk until well blended. Slowly add the chocolate and cream mixture to the egg yolks and whisk slowly until well combined. Line up the custard cups and fill equally with the chocolate mixture. Remove the bain-marie from the oven and place the molds in the bath. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The center should be still wobbly, but the side should be well set. Let cool before serving. Serve with whipped cream and toasted nuts.

Add Fun to Your Fitness in 2018!

Bored with the same old workout routine? Then give a twist to your fitness routine in 2018 with any of these addictive ways of staying in shape. Get your gloves on or grab that pole, it is the way to go this year!

Aerial Silk

Aerial Silk offers you a graceful way to express yourself as you climb and wrap your body in the silks, creating strong and elegant lines. Come experiment in a new freedom as you leave the ground to workout your full body with emphasis on upper body and abs. Challenge your body and mind to move like never before. Classes are usually 60 minutes long and are suitable for beginners – no previous experience or fitness levels required!!

Boxercise

Boxercise is an exercise class based on the training concepts boxers use to keep fit. Classes can take a variety of formats but a typical one may involve shadow-boxing, skipping, hitting pads, kicking punch bags, press-ups, shuttle-runs and sit-ups, in combination with other exercises to maintain a constant workout. Think burpees, skipping, shuttle runs, push-ups and other fitness exercises. The aim is to work both aerobically (heart-pumping endurance) and anaerobically (short bursts of power). Boxercise classes are aimed at men and women of all ages and fitness standards. As no class involves the physical hitting of an opponent, it is a fun, challenging and safe workout.

Cage Fitness

Cage fitness is a complete fitness system that is based on the structure of a championship MMA bout. What this means is that cage fitness will give you a total body workout over 5 to 15 minute rounds. The key elements that cage fitness focuses on are endurance, strength, power, and core. This is accomplished through a 5 round fitness system. The rounds are broken up into the following categories: warm up, upper body, lower body, combo round, cool down/core.

Pole Dancing

Pole Dancing will make you shape your body while flicking that hair and boosting your confidence. In this class you will learn different pole moves and also how to combine them into one beautiful flowing piece, while most importantly adding your own individuality! Pole Dancing has no pre-requisites such as strength, flexibility, age or body shape and it promises a full body workout and tangible results in a short period of time. Classes are usually 60 minutes long and are suitable for beginners – no previous experience required!

 

Egypt Dominates Squash Championships Once Again

Last month saw Egyptian players pull off stunning wins at the World Squash Championships in Manchester, UK. British-based siblings, Marwan El-Shorbagy and Mohamed El-Shorbagy downed fellow Egyptian Ali Farag and the world’s number one Gregory Gaultier from France to end up battling each other in the men’s finals. It is the first time in the history of the Squash World Championships that two brothers have competed in the final, and although 24-year old Marwan put up a brave challenge, it was 26-year old Mohamed who took home the prize. This is his first world title after narrowly finishing runner-up twice in the last six years. Mohamed’s win crowns a season in which he has now won five titles, playing 31 matches with only one defeat.

In the ladies’ tournament, reigning champion Nour El Sherbini faced off against compatriot and the world’s second best, Raneem El Weleily. In the last World Championship, held in El Gouna in April 2017 it was Nour El Sherbini who came out on top, but in Manchester last month her compatriot El Weleily managed to take the honors.

El Sherbini played against fellow Egyptian Nour El Tayeb to reach the final in order to compete against El Weleily, who had managed an easy win over France’s Camille Serme. The final offered plenty of excitement, as in the early stages it looked as though El Sherbini was going to walk away with the title again. After being down at the end of the first game however, El Weleily drew on her reserves and battled her way to a clear win.

The latest wins have thrown the spotlight again on the exceptional skill of Egyptian players who, time after time, are capturing the top titles in the highly competitive squash circuit.

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