So Always be Yourself … Life is too short to be anyone else!
Month: November 2013
Yasmin Farms
My Trip to the Yasmin Farms was aesthetically pleasing. It is a very rare kind of landscape to find in Kuwait. I was not only amazed at the harmony and the beauty of the place, but also the kind of productive work that goes on there. Everything from fresh cheese produce to fresh fruits and vegetables are produced here. The beautiful climatic controlled greenhouses are also an unusual treat to the eyes.
I had the fortunate chance of meeting Mr. Jamil Sultan and I must say he is a gem of a person. Very down to earth, dressed in an overall, gloves, hat, with a rake in his hand.. He was generous enough to share a whole lot of information about his farm which is spread over 3000sqm. Not to forget he was accompanied by his two dogs, Romeo (very calm and friendly considering his size and Little Chico who is adorable too.
They have a fully stacked shop with lots of items, including variety of cheese, milk, pickles, spices, honey, olives, oils, dates, jams, fresh and dried vegetables, grains etc. This place is perfect for a morning drive followed by a healthy breakfast. So I popped the question – Do you serve breakfast here? To which I got a reply – Not yet, however they will try and open up to the public by early 2014. Which is not too far away..
They have a separate area for the cows, the goats, the horses, sheep you name it and they have it. I passed by their enormous cow sheds which had a lot of adorable calves.
They also have some unique wooden trays and chairs for sale in the shop. Some cow bells hanging from the ceiling, milk containers on display (reminds me of the milkman in India who delivers milk on his cycle)
I did a lot of walking around the place and clicked a lot pictures too.. The weather is so nice these days; I am contemplating going back sometime soon.
You can have a look at their website to order fresh and healthy: http://yasminfarms.com or even drive down.
Katsuya in Kuwait
Last night my friends and I dined at the newly opened Japanese franchise located at The Avenues.
Katsuya has a wide variety of innovative Japanese dishes, exclusively adapted to local palates such as the Edamame Hummus. Katsuya by Starck has been accurately fashioned to provide guests with an attractive and communicating culinary experience.
With a bunch of starving, eager and enthusiastic ladies including me, I managed to get a few quick shots of the dishes.
ELIXIRS
Katsuya Crush (I had this one, so I can recommend it totally)
Fresh-pressed mint and raspberry, topped with 7UP and a squeeze of lime. 2.250
Roses in Bloom
Crushed grapes finished with rose water, a refreshing floral combination. 2.250
STARTERS and MAIN
Crispy Chicken Salad
Asian salad mixed with rice noodles, wonton crisps and shredded chicken, served with a plum
vinaigrette. 4.450 (delicious – just needed some extra dressing, we realized that a bit too late)
Creamy Rock Shrimp
Crispy bite-size rock shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce. 3.950 (Amazing – ate too soon, sorry no pic)
Corn Tempura
Corn fritters with smokey chipotle aïoli. 2.950 (Nice however, I would prefer Shrimp any day instead of corn)
Sautéed Shishito Peppers
Flash-fried and tossed with a soy glaze. 2.250 (I must say compare to any other Japanese restaurants, Katsuya has a lot of variety for Vegetarians)
Crispy Brussel Sprouts (Well done, and appetizing)
Balsamic soy and toasted almonds. 2.950
Edamame Hummus
Organic edamame mixed with tahini and spices, topped with a salad of olives
and tomato and served with grilled pita. 2.950 (Highly recommended)
Shrimp Croquette Sliders
Panko-crusted shrimp gratin with cabbage slaw, sweet-hot mustard and
tonkatsu sauce. 3.250 (Not recommended, sweet hot mustard too strong for taste buds, unless you like it that way)
TERIYAKI Chicken 5.950 (a No No for me..)
SSC Roll
Sautéed shrimp with asparagus and
mushrooms over a California roll. 3.950 (Very nice, scrumptious)
The Hollywood
Shrimp tempura, spicy kanikama, avocado and
cucumber roll topped with spicy albacore. 4.950 (My friends loved it!!)
Shrimp Tempura Roll
Crispy shrimp tempura with cucumber and avocado. 2.950 (I loved it – juicy and succulent)
DESSERT
Double Chocolate Lava Cake, Molten chocolate cake garnished with salted caramel and crème Anglaise
served with vanilla ice cream. 2.950 (Out of this world – definitely something I would order again)
Accompanied by Specialty Hot Teas (both of which are highly recommended)
Jasmine Dragon 1.250
Sweet Asian Pear (white tea) 1.250
Cappuccino 1.450
All in All, We enjoyed our experience at the Katsuya and would love to go back to try some of the other dishes…. In fact one of my friends is envisioning getting a job there. 😉
ITV India Slumkid Reporters
Sometimes you watch a documentary because you find the subject matter close to your heart and end up thinking of other things that tend to make you realize the hopelessness of the situation. I was watching ITV’s documentary India Slumkid Reporters that shows an extraordinary group of children in Delhi who run their own newspaper talking about the problems faced by street children.Watching the documentary broke my heart – you get to hear both sides of the story, from a 15 year old boy who explains that he works 13 hours a day cutting chicken and that he can’t sleep at night because of the type of work he does, to the other side of on how would the under 18’s be able to support their families if the new child labour laws are introduced.
For me I guess the turning point where I felt it explained the apathy in India was when a police inspector first talks about how policemen in India don’t take a bribe and then when the reporter asks about the rumors of street children being beaten, says “In India the police do not commit atrocities against children, there is not a single province where children are treated badly”. The sheer ignorance and combined BS of that statement just showed me how things are not going to change until the people in charge actually believe that there is a problem in todays society.
We all have time for our own things in life, take just 25 minutes out from your schedule and watch about the street kids in India who seem to be invisible to us all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIXj9gBwxBw
Tehran Fashion Chic
The Tehran Times shows a side on Iran that I feel silly for not knowing existed. Keeping in line with the country’s dress restrictions such as head scarves and no high heels, the youth of Iran show a fashion chic that I absolutely adore!
A New Start, Happy Diwali to all
Well a whole month has gone by and I know I have been far too occupied with everything from my son’s exams, my never-ending birthday celebrations followed by Eid indulgences and partying and the pre Diwali merriments.
The only way to feel grateful to all the people, that is my family and friends for all the thoughtfulness they have shown to me on my Birthday, before and after is to say a huge Thank You.
I would also like to thank everyone for the support and encouragement extended to me in my small endeavor this month.
Definitely if I go back and start reflecting on all the blessings I have been showered with, it will be a never ending tale… So for now.. Would like to once again, count my blessings and move ahead on a positive note.
And finally Diwali arrives today (also known as Festival of Lights and Fireworks) and time for some more fun and revelry…
Diwali is about decorating your houses with earthen diyas (lamps), making “rangoli” (a traditional pattern made from coloured powders), new clothes, most important the firecrackers, visiting family and friends, exchanging gifts and not to forget the scrumptious sweets galore..
Diwali indicates the victory of good over evil, of virtue over treachery, of reality over falsehood, and of light over darkness.
The main aspect of this holiday and festival called Diwali is to celebrate light.. We light our homes with diyas or lanterns, we explode fireworks and sparklers but Diwali is more than that. The candle will eventually burn out, the fireworks are momentary experiences however we should celebrate more enlighting of the mind and the fireworks that fill our heart with love and compassion for our loved ones.
Diwali also marks a new year, a day of “starting fresh”.. In whatever you choose to.
So here’s Wishing everyone a new beginning and a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali filled with success and peace and social harmony.