Life

If you’re looking to jump on the fitness bandwagon, then this week is the time to do so.A newly-launched Dubai gym is currently offering work out classes for just Dhs1. Yes, you read that correctly.Opened recently at THAT Concept Store in Mall of the Emirates, Bare DXB, the homegrown workout concept offers a signature black-lit room with fresh upscale beats that are sure to get you in the workout mindset.Focusing on a quick-fire combination of sculpting strength work and fat-torching interval training, participants can burn up to 1,000 calories per session as it creates a community for people to get whipped into shape and remain focused on their fitness goals.With a focus on reaching new highs, while unleashing your hidden potential, this effective science-backed workout is conducted by highly skilled instructors, who train you to help see results in a short period of time. With a daily muscle focus and the ultimate party vibe, you’re sure to burn calories in an enthusiastic manner while challenging yourself.The unbeatable offer is running from Sunday, March 28, 2021, until Saturday, April 3, 2021 from 7am onwards on weekdays, 9:30am onwards on Friday and 10am on Saturdays, open to both new and existing clients, you can now book all MOE classes for Dh1 here.For more information on their latest offers or to make a booking for any classes visit bare.fitness which is located at Mall of the Emirates Al Barsha.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied  More

In the wake of the passing of the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance and Industry of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a spectacular display as a tribute was made the Meydan Racecourse at the Dubai World Cup this weekend.The event concluded with a glistening skyline featuring a drone display, which made up His Highness’ portrait in the sky.Alongside this, screens showcased a series of photographs of the late Deputy Ruler of Dubai in remembrance of him.The images of Sheikh Hamdan were complemented by messages which read, “A gentleman, a statesman, the equestrian.”
The 25th running of the #DubaiWorldCup came to a close with a touching tribute in memory of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance. pic.twitter.com/xSk1WGtKCM
— Meydan Racing (@MeydanRacing) March 27, 2021This noteworthy tribute was an ode to the Deputy Ruler of Dubai’s many triumphs at the Dubai World Cup and overall love for racing. He experienced some profound victories at the Ascot Gold Cup and the Dubai World Cup in 1999 and 2007, respectively.His Highness passed away at the age of 75 on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The news was announced by his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.Sheikh Mohammed shared a black and white photo of his elder brother along with the caption, which was posted in Arabic, stating, “We belong to God and to Him we shall return. May God have mercy on you, my brother, my support and my companion.”– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature image: Twitter @godolphin More

Welcome to EW’s weekly series of ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.This week we chat with the founder of Wild & The Moon and Comptoir 102 – a lifestyle café combining fashion, jewellery, home décor and healthy food. Emma Sawko’s passion for healthy eating stemmed into something beautiful, as this 100 per cent plant-based food concept continues to make sustainable development desirable for all.EW sat down with the woman behind two of the healthiest hotspots in the UAE, which has soon become a contemporary eatery serving authentic dishes for all those interested in clean eating and a healthy wellbeing through concepts that were earlier missing in the emirate.What was your favourite subject at school?Philosophy as it’s the framework in which we can understand the world and act on it in our own life.What was your first job?My very first job was in a big advertisement company. First in Paris, and then constantly travelling to New York until we moved there as a family. I quit because I wanted to go solo and start a business on my own.Can you talk us through the inspiration behind Wild & The Moon?When I opened my first concept store in Dubai, Comptoir 102, I wanted to bring all the things I missed from Paris and New York: designers I loved, furniture, jewellery, fashion, clean beauty products… And because I was not happy with the food choices around here, I decided to also have a café serving the healthy food I’m generally used to. At the time, I thought it would be just me and a few friends eating there but it ended up being a huge success. I saw the interest for healthy plant-based food growing tremendously in just a couple of years and this is how I decided to take it a step further and open Wild & The Moon.What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?I wanted to have control over my own work environment which was for me equivalent of freedom in my life. After becoming a mother, I also realised that I wanted to create an ethical and respectful environment in terms of work values, sustainability and ecology.What did you believe was missing in the wellness space in Dubai and the UAE that inspired you to launch Wild & The Moon?When I opened Comptoir 102’s café, we were the first and only one in Dubai and I believe, the UAE- to serve 100% real, organic, healthy food, mostly vegetarian with a lot of raw and vegan options. I had just landed on planet fast-food and many people laughed at my idea to go green! What inspired me to launch Wild & the Moon was our customers’ enthusiasm. They started coming to Comptoir 102 for the shop but would come back for the food. We were meant to open just for lunch but had to extend hours; breakfast, afternoon tea and then dinner. Then put more tables, push the walls and started winning a lot of awards for the best healthy restaurant in the region with people still wanting more. So, I then decided to open Wild & The Moon with it, while building a real community around 100% plant-based, organic foods to raise awareness around issues of sustainability or the environment.What are the key elements of your role?I am the creative mind behind my concepts and having the best business partners to take of everything that I call “the headache sides’, I work a lot with chefs and nutritionists, but I’m always experimenting with food myself. I love to create recipes and play with new tastes, if I try something delicious, I always want to create a healthier version of it. This part, I’m not ready to give up. I am also constantly on the look-out for good producers as I want my food to be as local as possible, to limit our carbon footprint. But really, when you create concepts or brands from scratch, it’s so much work, you do a bit of everything: events, social media, management, design and architecture.Talk us through your daily routine.I start the day with one hour of sport; either yoga or boxing with my trainer every single day. I then jump in the shower, grab a vegan protein shake before going to work and basically run all day between office, restaurant locations, meetings and planes since I need to split my time between Paris and Dubai.Before going home, I try to have a little time off just by myself, a walk through the park or on the beach. I need this time to reset, reconnect with nature and let all the work stuff go before I go home to be with my family or my friends.What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?Believe in yourself and follow your instinct.What is the best piece of advice you ever received?“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men and women to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” – Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAnd what is the worst?“But you need to have at least diet coke on your menus”What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?In the UAE, obviously, local organic produce is scarce because we work with local and seasonal produce, we constantly have to update the menus. However, in comparison to Paris, Dubai is a fabulous playground to start entrepreneurship.What are the future plans for your brand?Continue to grow, personally and professionally, individually and as a team, while always being in line with our values. We definitely want organic, healthy and sustainable food to be more widespread. People ask us a lot to open in various locations in the world, and yes, we intend on growing our tribe.Wild & The Moon is located across three different venues which include Alserkal Avenue, Emaar Downtown and DIFC, for more information on their latest offerings you can visit wildandthemoon.aeThe unique healthy café and concept store, Comptoir 102, is situated in Jumeirah 1 and for more information on their offerings visit comptoir102.com– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature image: Supplied More

From a beautifully curated afternoon tea with delectable delights to a relaxing staycation, there’s something for everyone this Easter in the UAE.Whether you wish to relax with your friends or plan on celebrating the occasion with your little ones, Emirates Woman has curated a list of activities as you unwind this Easter.Enjoy an Italian dinner at the Ritz-CarltonYou can dine under the stars at a Tuscan style piazza or indoors with an elegant ambience as you reconnect with your loved ones over a festive Pasqua menu crafted by Chef Francesco featuring celebratory dishes tailor-made. In addition, a special Easter sweet is also included in the menu that is thoughtfully served with crème anglaise and cherry ice-cream, for the perfect touch to end the evening along with the other delectable dishes served. The Easter four-course set menu is available from March 28 to April 4, 2021 from 6pm to 11pm starting at Dhs355 at Buona Pasqua, Ritz Carlton JBR.For more information visit ritzcarlton.com/dubaiAn Easter Lunch at Palazzo VersaceAccompanied by refreshing dips in the pool, an international cuisine awaits you with live cooking stations and free-flowing beverages, as you at La Piscina at Palazzo Versace on April 3, 2021, from 1pm to 4pm, starting at Dhs250 for food and house beverages to make it a memorable Easter weekend as you head to the serene pastures of the Jaddaf Waterfront with many other exciting onboard during that weekend.For more information visit palazzoversace.aeRelish a specially curated set of dishes at LuigiaAward-winning Italian restaurant Luigia has created special dishes to celebrate one of the most important holidays of the year, in a relaxed atmosphere as it brings the taste of an Italian Easter dinner with the finest ingredients adding authentic dishes to its menu this easter. From linguine with artichokes to a traditional roasted lamb all from April 1 to 5, 2021 at Rixos Premium, JBR.For more information visit luigia.aeExperience a staycation at Caesars PalaceUAE residents will receive 30 per cent off the best available room rates over Easter along with a complimentary half-board (breakfast and dinner at participating restaurants) for two people. While also offering access to the Laguna Waterpark and the Green Planet along with access to the Empire Club for kids aged up to 12 years, so there’s something to keep guests of all ages entertained during their stay. There will be a host of other exciting activities such as a traditional Easter roast, an afternoon tea and more during the stay that weekend at Bluewaters, Island.For more information or to make a booking visit caesars.comCelebrate with treats from WaitroseWith a selection of tempting chocolatey delights, made with 100 per cent Fair Trade cocoa, these decedent Easter eggs come with a playful twist as the Waitrose experts have a selection of mouth-watering goodies, to ensure you have a delicious day. From Easter egg dark truffles priced at Dhs85 to salted caramel truffles priced at Dhs85 there’s something for everyone to devour on this special occasion.For more information visit waitrose.aeIndulge in an all-inclusive staycation at Rixos Bab Al BahrIf you wish to unwind for the Easter weekend, this iconic hotel located on the pristine shores of Al Marjan, for a weekend of entertainment with indoor and outdoor activities such as aerobics billiards, games, workshops and a host of dedicated activities throughout the day including an Easter Egg hunt on April 4, with exercises, a bunny bowling session, and all-inclusive dining options serving Easter classics with an enchanting Alice in Wonderland show for kids and adults. The resort will have dining options including everything from Turkish to Asian with unlimited beverages as you layback by the beachside during your stay.For more information or to make a reservation visit rixos.comAll the necessary safety rules and regulations have been adhered to at each venue to ensure all the guests remain safe during their stay or dining experience.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature image: Supplied by Caesars Palace. More

Known for its contemporary take on modern gastronomy, Chef Heinz Beck’s culinary artistry brings fine Italian dining to Dubai as he transforms simple ingredients into highly evocative dishes.The world-renowned, three-star Michelin Chef Heinz Beck, has created a remarkable reputation in the Middle East as well as he continues to innovate in the world of food. Emirates Woman sat down with the chef to discuss his journey and on what inspired him to start Social by Heinz Beck.Where does your love of food come from?Everything comes from a youthful passion, to tell the truth, I really liked painting and the arts in general. As things often happen in life, you find new and similar emotions that seem very different but they are not so much. With regard to my everyday work, I think about creativity or imagination as a way that every Chef and painter must apply when they do their work.How did the opportunity to open a restaurant in Dubai come about?The opportunity was offered to Beck & Maltese consulting, the company me and my wife founded by the Waldorf Astoria brand that I thank because they gave us the possibility to confront ourselves with a different culture very rich in historical tradition and ideas.How does the food and beverage industry in Dubai differ from other places around the world? Dubai has a deep tradition regarding the F&B industry and I’m very respectful of it. Anyway, the globalisation has now made the market very homogeneous so we have to focus on our creativity and personality.Are there any other chefs who inspire you?Inspirations come from our experiences and our daily life, I certainly observe the world of many illustrious colleagues of mine and I respect them but I always try to keep my proposals original.What are some hurdles that you’ve experienced in your career?I think that in each activity there are some difficulties, we must be ready to solve the unexpected by involving all the resources we have available.What are some of the proudest moments?In our profession, we go “on stage” every time we offer our dishes to our guests, I believe that their satisfaction represents the best recognition to feel proud of. In any cash prizes and acknowledgements are always another great proud moment that motivates me and all my staff to do our best and to improve every single day.What do you love about what you do?Everything! Thanks to my job, I have the chance to travel a lot and to learn something new every day.What’s next for Social by Heinz Beck?In this year of great difficulties, especially due to COVID-19, the vision of the future is complex, however, we will certainly put our commitment to do everything at the maximum of our possibilities to maintain the high standards that has made Social the reality it is. Today, more than ever we have to focus on the healthy aspect of food, while we are continually working to make our dishes light and rich in nutrients. For more information or to make a reservation visit waldorfastoria.com , Social by Heinz Beck is located in Waldorf Astoria Dubai, Palm Jumeirah and is open every day from 6:30pm to 10:30pm. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature image: Supplied More

March’s – ‘The Wellness Issue’ – Download Now The modern way to track your health is data-driven with the latest in tech. Apple is always a step ahead of the game says Dr. Tamara Ghazi, Founder of Diversified Integrated Sports ClinicWhat do your first 30 mins of the day look like, your morning routine?I usually wake up between 5:30-6:30 am depending on the day, its coffee and out the door to the activity of the day! I don’t give myself time to procrastinate; I love to train in the morning as it fuels my high energy and strong mindset for the day, especially at this time of the year when I run a lot and spend most of my mornings outdoors by the beach or around the city. It also ensures I’m tired enough by nightfall and helps to regulate my sleep pattern.What are the most important things to track when it comes to health and overall wellness?Movement is one of the most important things to track. We live in a fast-paced city with easy accessibility to most things and people here don’t move enough. I love tracking movement, heart rate and sleep, which is one of the most important parts of recovery and performance! How do you track your health on a daily basis?I track how many kilometers I’ve run and if I’m taking the day off exercise I ensure I get at least 10,000 steps a day. I also love to challenge my friends through community features on my Apple Watch to ensure they are also moving. I track my food and water intake because it’s so easy to under hydrate or over consume when everything is so accessible and I love to track my sleep! This also helps me understand how to schedule my day and holds me accountable; I won’t settle for anything less than 7 hours and if I’m pressured to sleep less due to obligations I make sure to train with less intensity to avoid injuries.How has tracking this allowed you to optimize your health by changing your habits?Definitely learning to create and prioritize a sleep routine has been the biggest shift I’ve had which helps me perform and recover better. Sleep is also key to wellness – is this something you monitor and what have you noticed?So many people suffer from insomnia nowadays, which has been shown to be attributed to too much screen time and overstimulating the brain through blue light. Of course, sleep is a crucial factor in maintaining good health and for optimum recovery and performance. I tend to use the Wind Down feature on my iPhone and Apple Watch to help me stick to my sleep goals every night. When it’s getting close to my bedtime, my iPhone automatically reduces the distractions and eye strain linked to the device and enables Do Not Disturb. It’s all about habit and creating routine, and I found this feature to be especially useful to get me to relax and prepare myself for a good night sleep.For people interested in understanding their sleep better, I would advise the use of an Apple Watch and ‘Sleep’ app which give you access to key metrics including Time in Bed, Time Asleep, and Heart Rate. ‘Wellness is finding yourself and your happiness.’What has been the biggest hurdle since launching Diversified Integrated Sports Clinic and how did you overcome it?Managing people and finding the right team who share the same work ethic, integrity and vision. It’s in my nature to make people happy, but I’ve learnt that it cannot come at the expense of one’s own happiness and peace of mind.  My work is my life, and it’s a big part of who I am, but I really focus on trying to achieve a work/ life balance, finding my purpose and happiness outside of work, which I’ve found in an active and healthy living. It allows me to be a role model to my team and my patients. What health issues do you see most commonly at the clinic?We treat musculoskeletal pain, so a lot of neck and back pain due to lack of movement, poor posture and ergonomics or over chronic repetitive loading of certain joints due to lack of movement variation. Contrary to what our name might suggest, we see more sedentary lifestyle related injuries in the working and ageing population. We also see a lot of stress- related tension inducing injuries and chronic pain.What advice would you give to your younger self, starting out?Live more in the now, stop worrying about what people think and focus on what makes you happy. I also wish I started my health journey when I was much younger, rather than when I was in my mid 20s. It would have definitely balanced and grounded me a lot more. I’ve recently taken up more adrenaline induced sports and as an adult you have more fear which can be good but also slows down your progression! Life happens outside your comfort zone.Which piece of tech is your daily go-to when it comes to health optimization?My go-to daily tech would have to be my Apple Watch. It wasn’t always the case, but over time I kept discovering new and convenient features that made me appreciate it more. For starters, it’s my health, fitness, and wellness partner. It lets me keep track of my goals and pushes me to improve them with time. Being within the health and fitness industry, I also love the fact that people within my network can share their workout progress with me and vice versa. That can be very motivating. And it’s very practical, it keeps me connected while I run through my busy work schedule without losing focus from my patients.This issue is ‘The Wellness Issue’ – what is wellness to you?To me wellness is holistic; knowing what works for your best interest and your best performance in every aspect of your life from your job to the gym, to your social structure. It’s finding your balance, between your personal life, your physical and mental health, being able to catch yourself when you’re not at your optimal state and recognizing what you need to bring yourself back to homeostasis. Wellness is finding yourself and your happiness in this beautiful journey of life.March’s – ‘The Wellness Issue’ – Download Now– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature image: Unsplash @lukechesser More

Welcome to EW‘s weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.This week we chat with the co-founder, partner and general manager of Oblong Gallery, Paola MarucciBased in Bluewaters Dubai, the gallery is involved in promoting contemporary art, operating both locally and on the international art platform.EW sat down with Marucci to find out more about her career history, what brought her to Dubai and her passion for art.What was your favourite subject at school?I have done classical studies studying Greek and Latin, as well as Italian literature and art history but I have always been attracted to economics and mathematics.In fact, after my classical studies, my university career was economics and commerce.Over the years I have been able to combine these various elements that have distinguished my school and study path, making the passion for art a managerial activityWhat was your first job?My first job was consulting for corporate start-ups. Now some may wonder what link a consultancy activity has for business projects and the activity of gallery owner well the answer is as follows: creativity.Analyzing and building the business plan of a new company develops great creativity in analyzing the various aspects involved in the projectWhat inspired you to go into the art industry?Living in Pietrasanta for over 20 years I began to cultivate even more my passion for art. Visiting the marble artisan workshops, the Bronze Foundries, attending all the inaugurations of the countless art exhibitions that followed each other in Pietrasanta, knowing and attending all the major contemporary artists was born my indissoluble love for art that then materialized in the opening at first of the gallery in Forte dei Marmi, secondary to that of Dubai.What eventually brought you to Dubai?I had been in Dubai on holiday many years ago and fell in love with it. Later I decided to open the gallery in Dubai both because I believe that the Middle East is an expanding market. And because I love betting and my dream is to integrate our culture more with that of the Middle East favouring a transfer of experience between the two countries. Art is the instrument that allows achieving full integration between peoples.Can you talk us through what inspired you to open your own gallery?In addition to being an art lover, I am an entrepreneur and as such always attracted by new challengesWhat are the key elements of your role?My role as a Partner and General Manager involves different aspects, from the choice of artists to promote on the market, to the management of events, sales and administrative issues. I mean, I don’t have much time to get bored.Talk us through your daily routine.My daily routine is to always think about how to develop our business and evolve.What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?The advice I can give is that you have to be very courageous and believe in what you are doing even if everything seems to suggest that you have to give up.What is the best piece of advice you ever received?The best advice I generally always get from my husband who is like me a fighter and who always manages to encourage me and give me so much strength to carry on my choices with determination.What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?The biggest change was to go from a simple partner of a gallery in Dubai to General Manager, with all the logistical difficulties that have resulted living in Italy, a wonderful challenge and that fills me with satisfactionWhat are your goals for 2021?My goals are to make Oblong Contemporary Gallery a reference on the Emirati territory for the purchase of sculptures, our peculiarity, and to achieve the goal of creating a cultural bridge between Italy and the UAE.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More