Spa time

So I've been extremely busy with work and family visitors. Now I am on vacation and have nothing planned for this week. It feels good!

Time to drink plenty of tea and relax!

I must book myself into an ottoman spa...a few months ago I went to a spa on The Palm and it was superb!

The massage treatment I booked was lovely and as an added bonus I could use all the facilities. In most spas you can use the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. However at the Zabeel Saray spa they have a salt swimming pool, adventure showers, steam room, sauna, hot stone relaxation chairs, freezing cold plunge pool and many relaxation areas.

It was so peaceful. Bliss!

Speak the truth

Feel Good Anyway!

Shivering in Dubai

It's Winter in Dubai! After the heavy rainfalls of last week Dubai's weather has drastically changed...it is freezing!
On the way to work I have to wrap myself up in layers and put the car heater on. No AC allowed!
When I get home I put on my fluffy dressing gown and my Ugg boot slippers. Hibernation!
What I don't understand is how come nobody else feels the cold?? At work most of my colleagues were wearing t-shirts...and I'm there wearing a big jumper. What is wrong with everyone?
How does nobody else feel the cold? What on earth would I do if I went back to the UK?

He understands what I'm talking about!

If you have food in your fridge...

Is this really true? If it is then Alhamdulillah! I am blessed! How can I help the people who are less fortunate? Does this make you feel guilty...it makes me feel guilty and like I have a duty to help others...but like I've said before you can't help everyone so where shall I start?

Emirati Food at Festival City

I visited an Emirati restaurant in Festival City today called Al Fanar. The food was so flavoursome and fresh!
The restaurant is located along the Canal Walk outside the Mall. The entrance was a stone archway and before you reached the seating area you were taken on a mini journey through old UAE. They had several statues of Emirati men and women cooking, fishing etc It was really interesting to see and made me even more excited about the food.
We then decided to sit inside as it was too hot at lunchtime...however outside there was arabic majlis type sitting which I would have loved to try.

The inside of the restaurant was decorated with artefacts and had a beautiful tree in the middle. The atmosphere was quiet and had Qu'ran playing, which made the setting very serene.

 We received the menus and I was delighted to see that each dish was accompanied by a photograph. This made it simple to choose! Unfortunately I forgot my camera at home therefore I have had to use photographs from the restaurants website.
For starters we had...

Vegetable Samboosa

Koftat Samak

They both came with a tasty hot sauce type dip. The samboosas had plenty of flavour and the pastry was crispy. The fish melted in your mouth and had a fresh taste to it. Both dishes were very light and we eagerly awaited our main course...

Beryani Dajaj

This was a massive dish enough for two people. I loved the sweetness of the sultanas with the fragrant rice. The crispy onions also worked well with the rice and chicken. This dish was also very light and we moved onto our dessert...

Luqaimat

We had to wait ten minutes for our dessert as they were being made at that moment. They were hot and syrupy and went really well with the mint tea we ordered. The Luqaimat we had were drizzled with a thick syrup and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. I want some more!

I have guests visiting soon so I will be taking them to this restaurant to try the wonderful Emirati cuisine! However next time I will be getting a plate of Luqaimat for myself!

My BBQ week

I bought a BBQ!

Smokey Joe

I have only attended friend's BBQs and I usually just sit around and get the food handed to me on a plate. I had no idea how to start a BBQ or how to cook the food. I assumed it was just really simple, and it was. On Saturday I had my first BBQ and it was successful! I loved it!

I lit this on my own!!!

My BBQ week

Saturday:
OK so today I did not have a car so I could not go out to get any groceries therefore I used what was left in my fridge...

Chicken Kebabs and Kofta

Aubergines

Pink clouds!!!!

 Sunday:

Herby chicken kebabs

 Monday:

My secret recipe cheeseburgers

Snacks on the balcony

 Tuesday:

Hotdogs

Melted cookie and marshmellows

Wednesday:

Nandos Chicken Kebab

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Thursday:
Today I gave up on the BBQ! Take-away!!!