Issue#33 Doha Family Magazine Summer 2020

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THE PREMIER MAGAZINE FOR FAMILIES IN QATAR

Money does not grow on trees In praise of Qatar’s response to Covid-19

50 things to do at home with kids Q&A with Elisabete Reis

STAYING HOME THIS SUMMER Covid-19, summertime on a budget, and more.

SUMMER 2020 | ISSUE 14 | BROUGHT TO YOU BY DOHA FAMILY | DOHAFAMILY.COM

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Summer 2020 | Issue 14

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Contents

Summer 2020 • DohaFamily.com

LIVING IN DOHA 16 Covid-19: the expat angle An expat’s take on life in lockdown 24 Doha Family editorial In praise of Qatar’s response to Covid-19 27 Q&A with Elisabete Reis Glam Your Image on a budget 39 The deal with food delivery in Qatar Fine dining at home plus great saves 55 Tween talks Surviving summer away from friends 57 How to Qatar Cheaper ways to send money abroad

FAMILY MATTERS 32 Doha dad talks Budgeting during the coronavirus outbreak 46 A virus once changed the world A mother’s reflection on strength and resilience during a pandemic 51 Why you need a will A no-nonsense guide to a key family document

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#ForQatarStayHome S ixteen Qatarbased social media influencers came together to create awareness campaign #ForQatarStayHome and to help spread the message to their audience to promote social distancing during this pandemic. They also wanted to encourage their followers to not trust fake news forwards and messages, and to only trust reliable sources of news to stay updated and not create panic.

This collaborative project was the brainchild of Adeeba Jafri, an expat mum of four who is a writer, a teacher, and runs the blog, and the project was executed by Shehar Bano Rizvi, an expat mum of three who is a writer and a photographer and runs the blog @ thePMPmom.

Fourteen more women joined forces to help bring this project to Summer 2020 | Issue 14

life. This group of ladies are expats living in Qatar and come from all over the world, including Pakistan, USA, Italy, Venezuela, Russia, Portugal, South Africa, UK, India, Australia & Lebanon.

These women say: “The beauty of living in Qatar is knowing that no matter what part of the world you came from, in Qatar, you are home.

We feel blessed to be part of such

a diverse community of bloggers who are deeply committed to protecting themselves, their loved ones, and their country from Covid-19.

We all want to convey message together…

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Stay home, stay safe.

Trust only reliable news sources.

Everything is going to be alright!”

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FUN 20 50 things to do at home with kids Never hear “it’s so boring!” again 43 Bliss on a budget: creating a spa day at home “Me time” for a fraction of the price

HEALTH & WELLNESS 35 Mum’s Recipes With Shehar Bano Rizvi Pakistani recipes from a home-cookturned-author 48 Gardening to save money Produce for pennies

EDUCATION 30 Money does not grow on trees The ABCs of finances

IN EVERY ISSUE 8 Quick Directory 10 Editor’s Letter

Contributors KIM WYATT is the Doha Family Magazine Food Contributor. A mum, photographer, writer, stylist, and cook, she is passionate about healthy and delicious food for the whole family.

Follow her on Instagram: mama_baba_ ganoush or Facebook: mama baba ganoush

LISA GAY is a writer from the US who has so far spent over a decade of her life as an expat. She’s lived in Beijing, where she worked as an editor of a parenting magazine. Now a trailing spouse, she has since started a family in Doha.

LAURA POWELL-CORBETT is a banker turned writer from England.

Besides writing, she loves discovering Doha, meeting new friends and travelling the world with her three young children in tow.

EMMA MORRELL is a British mum who has lived outside of the UK for over 1/3 of her life. She’s a family travel blogger and expat who is passionate about helping families to travel more adventurously and empowering expat women and families.

11 News Bites 12 What’s On This Summer 13 Ask the Expert 15 Things We Love 19 Book Bites 45 New Arrivals 59 Marketplace

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ANDRA NASTASE is a Romanian-born journalist. In her over 20 years of writing experience, she has written over 5000 articles for newspapers, magazines, and news agencies, as well as TV scripts.

These days, she writes with joy about her life with two adorable daughters, but she misses late mornings spent in bed, free of worries or scoldings. She also wonders what year it will it be when she is able to drink her coffee in peace again.

Quick Directory

Children’s Activities Flute Lessons The Gymnastics Academy

5004-0179 See Ad

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Catering & Party Services Najla Nabil Photography

See Ad

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Food & Beverages Yasmine Palace

4411-1502

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Medical, Wellbeing, Spa Love Coach

SeeAd

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Nurseries & Kindergartens Grandma Nurseries Little Lions English Nursery Montessori Steps Tots Corner Nursery

800-2229 4441-3094 3339-6566 4468-8008

26 13 15 19

Pets Paws Rescue Qatar

See Ad

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Retail Virgin Megastore

4495-9060

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Schools ACS International School Doha American School of Doha Compass International School The Hamilton International School International School of London Royal Grammar School, Guildford in Qatar Swiss International School, Qatar

3026-6800 4459-1511 5534-0489 5043-8885 4433-8600 4036-0450 4036-3131

9 60 42 3 2 7 54

Special Needs Services & Centres Hibbo Club

3307-0183

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Sports & Active Lifestyle Future Sport MetaFit Pilates (Svenja)

3344-2547 56 6643-4301 59 66711190 59

Editor’s Letter

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THE PREMIER MAGAZINE FOR FAMILIES IN QATAR

hen you think of all the ways you would ideally spend your summer holiday, staying at home doesn’t exactly spring to mind, much less on a budget. And why would it, when this time of year is often reserved for expensive post-school year indulgences? Flights abroad, lavish staycations, shopping sprees—you name it. But sometimes, going all out is not an option. This is especially true now that we’re in the middle of a global pandemic, which takes outings out of the equation. And for many, consequent layoffs, reduced work hours, and late salaries also mean that there’s not a lot of money to go around either.

We here at Doha Family have decided to share our perspective on Qatar’s fight against Covid-19 in our editorial on page 24. Now, expressing our views on current affairs isn’t something we usually do. But, we felt that it was important for us to voice our opinion on something that currently affects us all. We’ve also included some tips on how you can talk about it with your kids (page 46).

Nina Hall

You might be wondering if it’s at all possible to enjoy summer at home and without breaking the bank.

Well, I’m here to tell you that it is.

In fact, this issue is jam-packed with ideas on how you and the rest of your family can do just that!

The uncertainty of this global climate puts into perspective the fragility of life. Because of this, we’ve included a piece that will inform you of an essential way to keep your family secure, even in the worst of times (page 51).

Doha Family Magazine is a free magazine published four times a year

by Doha Mums. It is distributed to over 120 locations throughout Qatar with a circulation of over 20,000 copies.

Visit dohafamily.com/Find-A-Copy to find the nearest copy.

In this issue, you will find some tried and tested ways to keep the kids stimulated (page 20), as you pamper yourself in the comfort of your home with a spa day (page 43) or a gastronomic adventure (page 39). If you’ve been meaning to use this time to revamp your image without a hefty price tag, we’ve also got you covered (page 27).

As always, I love hearing from you, so please write to me at editor@ dohafamily.com if you have any story ideas or feedback. It’s all appreciated!

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Issue 14 – Summer 2020 DohaFamily.com Founder

Roxanne Davis

Publisher / Managing Director Anas Outa Bashi

my summer A glimpse into rvival kit #StayHome su

Tesneem

Editor Doha Family Magazine

Editor

Tesneem Ayoub

Sales & Marketing

Graphic Design:

The HYPE Marketing Solutions

For advertising or distribution inquiries, please contact Nina Hall at ads@dohafamily.com.

Editorial inquiries, suggestions and submissions may be addressed to editor@dohafamily.com.

Doha Family does not endorse or assume responsibility for any information, products or services mentioned by advertisers or editorial contributors. Reproduction of any element of this publication without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Copyright 2020 by Doha Mums. Doha Family Magazine is printed by Aspire Printing Press in Doha, Qatar.

Al MEERA has partnered up with Rafeeq App to provide delivery services across Doha as part of a wider delivery plan set to be launched soon, according to the hypermarket chain’s Twitter account. At the time of writing, Al Meera’s online deliveries are currently being serviced by its Muaither store. almeera.com.qa HAMAD MEDICAL CORPORATION has launched a mental health support service to help people dealing with stress and anxiety because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The helpline is run by a team of mental health professionals and is available every day between 7 am and 10 pm.

You can access the service by calling 16000 toll-free. hamad.qa

Summer 2020 | Issue 14

FITNESS FIRST MIDDLE EAST uploads weekly guided meditation sessions on its YouTube channel to encourage people across the region to focus on their wellbeing. The meditation sessions run between 15 and 30 minutes and are uploaded every Tuesday at 8 pm. fitnessfirstme. com QATAR GENERAL ELECTRICITY AND WATER CORPORATION (KAHRAMAA) announced plans to install 60,000 smart water and electricity metres across the country by the end of 2020. Once completed, customers will be able to monitor their consumption of these utilities and make prepayments through the smart metres. km.qa

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what’s on this Summer

Explore

Donate

Volunteer Celebrate

You can now browse through collections from the National Museum of Qatar, Museum of Islamic Art, and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, through Qatar Museums’ Google Arts & Culture platform. Experience the wonder of being in a gallery while relaxing at home. qm.org.qa/en

Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) blood drive is continuously advertising the need for donors through HMC’s official social media channels.

If we’ve learnt anything the past few months, it’s probably the importance of saving lives and the heroism of the people on the frontlines doing that, so grab your chance to do the same. hamad.qa

SustainableQATAR is currently on the lookout for volunteers to fill various positions in its organisation, including social media, graphic design, and research.

If you aren’t able to commit to a particular role, but you’d still like to help, SustainableQATAR encourages you to get in touch and tell them about the skills you have to offer by emailing contact@ sustainableqatar.com. sustainableqatar.com

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The two Islamic, national holidays of Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha are both set to take place in the summer months. Though they may look a bit different this year, with the help of online communication, shopping, and food delivery services, you can enjoy the delights of these holidays, social-distancing style. If you’re not observing the celebrations yourself, consider (virtually) joining in with people who are. Check out #ForQatarStayHome on Instagram for ideas on what you can to have a fun, socially responsible time. instagram.com/ explore/tags/forqatarstayhome

ASK THE EXPERT INBOX

SENT

DRAFTS

RE: What can I do to stay healthy in the hot weather?

When the weather is hot, you’re more likely than any other time to become dehydrated or experience a heat-related rise in body temperature. This could lead to problems such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and headaches. Therefore, you need to do everything you can to stay safe and healthy. Here are some tips that can help you achieve this: l Drink enough water to prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated, even if you don’t necessarily feel thirsty, and always carry a bottle of water with you when you’re outside. l Maintain a balanced diet and try to include cold drinks as well as cold meals, such as salads and fruit. Try to also limit hot or sugary drinks, including tea and coffee. l Keep your children cool and remind them to drink water frequently, as they often won’t do this themselves. l Make sure that any food that needs refrigeration is stored in a temperature between 0°C and 5°C. l Defrost food in the fridge, not on the kitchen counter. l Limit outdoor activities to the coolest part of the day and avoid going out midday when the temperature is at its peak. l Try to stay out of the sun. If you must go outside, apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and a hat, and take frequent breaks in the shade. l Never leave babies, children, older people, or animals alone in a closed, parked car, even if the air-conditioner is on. l Be alert to signs of heat-related illness and follow your doctor’s advice if you have any medical conditions. If you feel unwell, seek immediate medical attention.

Sincerely, Ms Rihab Youssef Zriek Dietician Al-Emadi Hospital

Have a question for the experts?

Send it to editor@dohafamily.com

Summer 2020 | Issue 14

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Things we YNAB (You Need A Budget)

Love!

YNAB is a budgeting app with a twist. With this app, you enter your monthly salary and bills, and decide how you will split your income, giving each riyal from your salary a “job”. Users are encouraged to follow YNAB’s “Four Rules” to make sure that they’re budgeting and spending efficiently—a bit like a pocket-sized accountant, but for a fraction of the cost. At the time of writing, YNAB offers a 34-day free trial after which users can join for USD 11.99 per month (around QR 44) or USD 84 per year (around QR 305). Users can also cancel their subscription at any time. Available on Android and Apple

?

Little Pim

Little Pim is a language learning programme designed for children and infants aged six and under. The programme offers a series of videos in 12 languages where Pim, a panda, plays the role of the teacher. Little Pim uses its own method, the Entertainment Immersion Method®, to teach the languages. This method was designed based on the way children naturally acquire language. Parents are also given access to a teaching framework to support their children’s learning, even if they do not speak the chosen language themselves. At the time of writing, Little Pim offers a three-day free trial, after which users can subscribe for USD 4.99 per month (around QR 20) or USD 49.99 per year (around QR 185). littlepim.com

Qatar Children’s Museum (Online)

The Qatar Children’s Museum (QCM), by Qatar Museums, offers workshops on its Instagram account that are geared towards families with children ages two to 11. At the time of writing, the sessions stream live every weekday at 3 pm for an hour and are presented by museum staff.

The workshops have been designed to allow kids to join in from the comfort of their own homes and to be able to use everyday items for their daily tasks. The sessions are suitable for Arabic and Englishspeaking audiences. instagram.com/childrensmuseum.qa Summer 2020 | Issue 14

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LIVING IN DOHA

Covid-19:

the expat angle

by Emma Morrell

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hen people first started exploring the globe, they left home, never knowing when or if they would ever return. Until relatively recently, the idea of travelling home even once a year was just not something expats could do. Yet, in this age of globalisation and accessible travel, we’ve been able to move much more freely around the world.

For many, lockdowns of varying degrees have meant limitations on seeing friends and families. They have also meant grappling with home-schooling (nay, crisis schooling!) obligations, dealing with the consequences of panic buying, and for some, cancelled holidays.

As expats, we have been dealing with this and more.

We are already used to distancing ourselves from Until now. Now, the planet has found itself held hosour home countries. Missing our tage to a threat that doesn’t recognise families, friends, and familiar cultures fences, borders, govis something we live with every day. ernments, wealth, or But the travel restrictions? This is of claustrol ve le a status. Like a cascade something that has made expat t h g brou -day o The virus has -t ay d r of dominos, we collecFacebook groups and forums light u o d has infiltrate m o tively held our breath as up, as reality dawns on us and sheds fr phobia that s e at com t the type th o n we watched authorities light on the true consequences of d an ’s s, live h that day (althoug l al around the world imposliving away during a crisis. e d si in being stuck comes from ia b ing increasingly stringent o h p ro st is clau there too). Th restrictions on internaWe are faced with the reality of travel and being able to t o n h it w tional travel and domestic what getting back to our nag t dic dealin g able to pre in e b t o n movement. Country by tive soil in an emergency could d see family, an m will be. e th e country, they closed shops mean, knowing that if we do, we se e w t time when the nex and schools with varying may not be able to return our levels of strictness. newer homes until this crisis has 16

LIVING IN DOHA passed. Some families are already separated, with one parent finding themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. They are now stranded where they are, unable to return to their loved ones. Other people are dealing with trying to repatriate, having lost their jobs in a sudden economic downturn. Uncertainty has a whole new meaning for those families. This is, unquestionably, a problem faced by everyone in this new world of social distancing and quarantine. When domestic limitations are relaxed, we all expect the international community to take longer to open its borders and let people in. But even when it does, employers, keen to get back on their feet, may not let us take time off to travel.

While we grieve the loss of summer plans and the ability to travel home freely, we are also missing our expat tribes. Expats know only too well the value of a new friendship in a strange environment. Relationships here can be intense: rapidly forged over a cup of tea, or initiated via a simple post in a Facebook group.

They can accelerate fast, driven by the transient nature of expat life, the need for local connections, and the mutual understanding of the loneliness of this lifestyle. The loss of this support network leaves us feeling bewildered and disorientated.

As the virus spread, there have been more dawning realisations, and preparing for an emergency is certainly one of them. The realities of expat life, once again, add to the complexities of an already complicated situation. Most of us in Qatar have had grab-bags since the 2017 blockade or before. At the time, it was a way of taking back control in an uncertain situation. It was a way of ensuring preparedness in an expat life that had become distinctly complacent, regardless of location.

Covid-19 has, however, taken expats all over the world by surprise. There is newfound anxiety about falling ill. Navigating a foreign healthcare system that is by no means an easy job at the best of times, is far more difficult now. Not only that, but we all face issues of guardianship and residency rights. Statistically, the chance of contracting the virus, much less succumbing to it, still remains quite low in Qatar, thanks to prompt restrictions on movement. But the consequences of having both parents in quarantine, hospital, or far Summer 2020 | Issue 14

worse, succumbing to the illness, are things we must all think about and prepare for.

Like millions of others, we are on a steep learning curve as we adapt to a “new normal”—though there is nothing normal about any of this. We have been forced into self-isolation, and our jobs have changed.

People who once travelled constantly are now working from home. Whereas others who are used to working from home in peace and quiet, are now overwhelmed with a full house. But above all, for parents, little has been as stressful as the overnight transition to the role of our children’s teachers.

Sean Sibley, the headmaster at Doha English Speaking School, tells parents not to over-worry about their children regressing in school. He says that when all of this is over, teachers will be able to teach them and correct them from the points they had reached. He also tells us to go easy on ourselves and to avoid picking fights with our children because they don’t want to do maths or they’re resisting following a schedule. His key message to parents is as follows: “If I can leave you with one thing, it’s this: At the end of all of this, your children’s mental health will be more important than their academic skills. How they felt during this time will stay with them after the memory of what they did during those weeks is long gone. So, keep that in mind, every single day.”

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LIVING IN DOHA

On a more granular level, the uncertainty and a complete lack of control have left everyone reeling.

The disruption to our routines has thrown us all off course. Suddenly, it is taking more effort and creativity for us to keep ourselves entertained, motivated, and inspired. Polly Bagley, a former Doha resident and founder of Follow Your Sunshine Coaching, understands exactly how we are all feeling and says there are three scientifically-proven actions we can put in place to feel better. They are: • Having a solid routine that incorporates elements of self-care, such as meditation or exercise, to lift your mood and add structure to your day; • Shifting your mindset to a place of gratitude by listing at least three things you’re thankful for, to focus your thoughts on abundance; • Practising mindfulness to help you make the very best of every moment, especially when you feel yourself slipping towards despair.

Polly recommends doing at least one thing daily purely because it brings us joy. This can include connecting with loved ones through a video call, opening a book for the first time in months, getting into a Netflix series, or taking up a new hobby. “Occupying our 18

minds with fun is so important,” she says. She also adds: “Undertaking joyful pursuits provides us with a soothing shot of oxytocin, reduces anxiety, and even boosts our immune system. Of course, the opposite is also true, so making a concerted effort to limit your access to things that sap your joy or increase anxiety—such as the news, social media, and negative conversations—will also benefit you enormously right now.”

No one knows what the new normal will look like, much less when it will come. Covid-19 might be more complicated for expats, but, for once, there is an awful lot we share with the rest of the world. While we all face new challenges daily, we are learning lessons too.

We are seeing miracles happen all around us—from the selfless acts of health workers on the frontlines to satellite images of significant reductions in pollution.

We can all only hope that life post-Covid-19 will be better because of everything we have learned.

Lessons on how to slow down, how to appreciate the little things, and not taking anything for granted will, hopefully, better us for the next stages of our lives.

Book Bites

IN EVERY ISSUE

by Alex Latto, Year 4 at Park House English School Doha Title: The Midnight Gang Genre: Fiction Author: David Walliams

I like books by David Walliams because they’re funny and adventurous.

This book is about a boy who hated playing cricket, so he always went to the far side of the pitch so he wouldn’t have to do anything. But he was wrong…

The cricket ball hit him on the head, so he ended up in the hospital and on a stretcher heading to the children’s ward.

When he got there, he had to go to sleep, but once he woke up, he saw The Midnight Gang. The Midnight Gang are a group of kids who leave the ward every midnight to make dreams come true with a man called Porter.

I like this book because it is hilarious and gripping, I think it the best one by David Walliams.

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FUN

50 things to do at home with kids

by Laura Powell-Corbett

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s the Covid-19 outbreak sweeps across the globe, and Qatar closes shops, soft plays, and parks to keep its residents safe, you might be hearing your kids shout “I’m bored!” more often than you’d like. It’s time to get imaginative with fun ideas to keep the youngest members of your household entertained, without stepping outside your front door.

Here are fifty, low cost, ways to entertain them without resorting to any screen time.

1. Become a secret spy and send messages using invisible ink Raid your kitchen for the simple ingredient you need to make your invisible ink—lemon juice.

Simply dip a cotton bud into the lemon juice and use it to write your message on a plain piece of paper.

When it’s time to reveal your code, you need to heat the paper. The lemon juice will discolour before the rest of the paper, revealing your secret spy code to the world.

TOP TIP: make sure you use enough lemon juice on the cotton bud to write your message.

2. Rainbow Spaghetti A fantastic sensory, messy play experience! Simply cook the spaghetti according to the instructions, place into a ziplock bag with a few drops of food colouring and water, and mix until your spaghetti changes colour.

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3. Make a volcano erupt You start by taking the simple reaction that occurs between bicarbonate of soda and vinegar and using that to make your lava. Your volcano can be made out of anything you’d like: play dough, papier-mâché, or a mound of dirt in the garden. Add a tablespoon of bicarb into the mouth of the volcano, mix some orange food colouring with white vinegar, pour into the volcano and watch as it erupts!

4. Make a fort from pillows and blankets Just make sure to use every last pillow and blanket you can lay your hands on before crawling inside to tell stories and watch movies.

5. Go on a bike ride Not quite indoors, but by sticking to your compound, or close to home, a bike ride gets the heart pumping.

6. Scavenger hunt Set up a simple scavenger hunt around the house for the kids using everyday items like a spoon, a cushion, a photo, and a teddy bear. The beauty of a scavenger hunt is that it can be adapted to your child’s age and ability. Can’t read yet? Use pictures. Finding it too easy to gather all the items? Make riddles rather than lists. Not only that, but it can be done again and again with little effort on your behalf. Win-win.

7. Make a home cinema From produc-

ing movie tickets to movie posters, concession stands, and cinema snacks, the possibilities are endless as you recreate the cinematic experience within your own home. The best part is that when you’re done, you get to curl up and watch your favourite movie together.

8. Excavate some frozen animals This one requires a little forward planning but is perfect for the hot summer months here in Qatar. Take your toy animals and place in a tupperware filled with water, before placing in the freezer to freeze into an ice block overnight. The next day, simply loosen the ice block from the tupperware and send the kids on an excavation to free their toys.

Personally, I found a rolling pin and spoon worked well. They found that throwing the block onto the floor, repeatedly, worked better…

9. Shadow drawing Roll out and tape a big piece of paper to the ground. After that, set up the kids’ favourite toys alongside so their shadows cast onto the paper. They can then draw around the shadows and paint or colour in their drawings to their hearts’ desire.

10. Play board games Come together and play your favourite family board games.

11. Splash around in bubble foam Have squeaky clean sensory fun by making your own bubble foam.

To do this, mix two-parts soap and one-part water.

Add food colouring if you want coloured foam, and whisk for two minutes with a hand mixer.

Top tip: use kid-friendly tear free soap.

12. Bake a yummy sweet treat Grab your favourite baking recipe and put your apron on—you’ll be enjoying cookies or cakes before you know it.

13. Write letters to someone you love Everybody loves to receive post! And in this day and age, that can be done in all sorts of ways through emails, photos of letters over WhatsApp, and text messages. Check in and show someone you love them!

14. Do the 30-day LEGO challenge Let their imagination run wild as they take the prompts and build to their hearts’ content.

15. Read a book An old Summer 2020 | Issue 14

favourite or a new find, curl up and lose yourself in another world.

16. Make slime Slime making is chemistry and involves a chemical reaction between the slime ingredients being mixed, PVA glue, and a slime activator. Best of all, it’s simple for the kids to do! Take 1 cup of PVA glue and mix with 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, before adding a tablespoon of contact lens solution.

Mix in the bowl until it becomes stringy before taking it out and kneading into a ball. Voila! Homemade slime.

And the best part? Variations are possible—if you want to add colour, simply add some gel food-colouring before the contact lens solution. Fancy glitter? Add in once the slime is made and knead through—the sky is the limit.

17. Make puppets and put on a show Act out your favourite story with some homemade puppets. All you need is a lolly stick and a little artistic flair to bring your characters to life.

18. Magic milk Make colours dance in milk with this fun science experiment.

Simply pour a little milk into a dish and drop some food colouring in.

Next, take a cotton bud dipped in dish soap and place it on the edge of the milk. The surface tension will change, and the colours will swirl and dance for you!

19. Design a quiz for your family Prove that you are the egghead in your family by designing a quick-fire trivia quiz for 21

FUN

all of you to enjoy.

20. Make bread in a bag It really is as simple as adding all your typical bread ingredients to a bag, squishing them together, kneading the dough, and then baking!

21. The naked egg experiment How do you take the shell off a raw egg and leave the egg intact? The process is, really, very simple. Just carefully place the egg in a cup and fill the cup with vinegar until the egg is completely covered. You’ll start to see bubbles on the shell immediately as the acetic acid from the vinegar reacts with the calcium in the shell. After 48 hours, you should have a naked egg that you can then do a myriad of experiments with, from bouncing (from a short height) to colouring with food colouring.

22. Camp inside (or in the garden) With camping season officially cancelled in Qatar, why not bring that experience home? Set up your tent inside (or in the garden!) toast some marshmallows, tell spooky stories, and cosy up together overnight.

23. Write a journal To look back on in years to come. There are plenty of free templates online to make your own daily journal. Or simply, grab a notebook and get scribbling.

24. Make your own newspaper/magazine We’re making history, why not report about it?

25. Do a family jigsaw puzzle together 26. A cardboard box and some 22

imagination Is it a TV? A rocket ship to outer space? An aeroplane?

The possibilities are endless with a cardboard box and a little imagination.

27. Paper aeroplane races Who has the best design? Take to the skies to see who can fly the furthest!

28. Walking water science experiment Did you know you can take a glass with red water and a glass with yellow water, and magically make a third empty glass fill up with orange water without touching the glasses? Simply line up your glasses and place one end of a folded paper towel into each filled water glass. Then, take the other end of your folded paper towel into the empty glass. All you have to do now is watch and wait. After 30 minutes, you will start to see the colours creeping up the paper towel, and after a couple of hours, you should have a glass of different coloured water. Magic!

29. Have a Zoom party Connect with family and friends near and far with the help of a little technology.

30. Get your body moving With kids circuits, kids yoga, and kids PE lessons all available on YouTube, there are no longer any excuses to not get moving. Pick your favourite type of exercise and get the whole family moving together.

31. Adopt a pet rock Design your very own

low-maintenance pet. There’s so much you can do—from dressing your rock by painting a face, clothes, or features to creating the perfect rock home for Rocky to live in out of junk from around the house. Best of all, no need to worry if Rocky gets forgotten about…

32. Teddy Bears Picnic Gather your teddies and spread out the picnic blanket for a special lunch.

33. Recycle your old stubby crayons to make rainbow crayons All you need to do is melt down your old crayons in a silicone mould (at a VERY low temperature) and leave to harden. Voila! No more small, stubby crayons.

34. Make some window art Draw pictures to put on the window. Use crepe paper and water to make a design. You could even try watered-down washable paint on your window. Make your house something to smile about.

35. Set up your own band and put on a concert Vocals, air guitar, and who can forget the saucepan drums?

36. Make an obstacle course Indoor, outdoor, up, down, in, out, round and round. Use everything you have at your disposal and find out just who could become the course champion.

37. Become the star of your own TV show Lights, camera, action—who will you be? Be sure to record it!

38. Make your own play dough All you need is flour, salt, warm water, a little oil, some food colouring, and your favourite recipe to follow. It couldn’t be easier to make your own playdough!

39. Stage a fashion show Could you be Qatar’s Next Top Model!?

40. Braid a friendship bracelet Head back to the 90s and get your groove on making friendship bracelets again. All you need is a variety of embroidery threads, some sellotape, and a little patience as you knot the strands together.

41. Make some fruity ice lollies Fruit, water, and lolly moulds are all you need for a tasty summertime treat.

42. Junk model Save up all those cardboard loo rolls, milk cartons, and boxes, and let your imagination run wild as you model the next Taj Mahal.

43. Blow painting All you need is some water on a sheet of paper (think runny enough to be blown across the sheet) and a straw. Just drop the paint on Summer 2020 | Issue 14

your paper and blow—what will you create?

44. Draw your family tree Do you know where you come from? How far back can you go on your family tree?

45. Turn your dining room into a restaurant From planning to executing a meal, there is a lot that can be gained from this task. You can make something tried and tested, order takeaway, or try out a new recipe.

Design menus and prepare a shopping list too, and don’t forget to dress for dinner!

46. Learn how to knit Ask someone to teach you or watch an online tutorial.

47. Pass the story This is an old-school classic adaptable for any age. The idea is that everyone starts by writing a sentence of a story, leaving only a word visible for the next person to continue. This goes on and on until the story is finished. For younger children, you can also play “pass the drawing”. You start by drawing a hat and folding the paper over leaving two little lines to show where the head should be drawn.

Pass it on. Continue the game until there’s a head, body, legs, and shoes. And voila! A whole person.

48. Dress up Become someone else for the day.

49. Have a party and play some old-school party games 50. Let them get bored and see what they come up with After all, their imagination is a wonderful thing…

And there you have it, 50 ways to beat boredom without breaking the bank.

23

LIVING IN DOHA

Doha Family editorial:

In praise of Qatar’s response to Covid-19

24

LIVING IN DOHA

D

ealing with a viral disease outbreak in a nation is no easy feat. This is especially true when the pathogen in question is so new that there is no standard treatment to manage it, nor a vaccine to prevent it. Or when it is so contagious that each infected person could potentially infect 2–2.5 individuals—a rate higher than seasonal influenza, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Despite these challenges, it is our view at Doha Family that Qatar’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has been stellar.

When the virus had just started spreading in the Middle East, Qatar geared up its healthcare system and other national resources to prepare in case it ended up in these shores. Quarantine facilities were

set up, and private flights were arranged to evacuate citizens and their families from Iran, which was the regional hotspot for Covid-19.

As soon as the first positive cases were confirmed in early March, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced this information to the public. After that, detailed updates on the state’s response to the spread of the virus and the latest evidencebased recommendations to deal with it had been publicised in the local media through regular press releases and conferences.

As the nature of the outbreak evolved, Qatar’s action plan to fight it quickly followed suit.

When community spread took hold, the government issued a decree to close all schools and universities to students, until further notice. Shortly after the WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic, Qatar authorities galvanised their approach even further by largely suspending public life in the country.

Jobs had gone remote, and only businesses and services deemed essential (such as those providing food and medical aid) had been allowed to continue operating as usual. Even then, strict hygiene and socialdistancing measures had been implemented

Summer 2020 | Issue 14

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LIVING IN DOHA On a global scale, nations that have implemented early testing and isolation have had a firmer grip on the outbreak and are seeing a quicker decline in the rate of infections. Qatar is clearly heading in that direction.

When this pandemic ends, we will see that it was a watershed moment for Qatar on the world stage. This country’s accolade-worthy response to a crisis that shook humanity and changed the world as we once knew it would not be able to go unnoticed.

to keep everyone safe—from the people working on the frontlines to those accessing their vital services.

Inbound flights to the country had also been paused, except for those carrying citizens returning from travel.

Furthermore, Qatar’s thorough disease testing and surveillance strategy has been nothing short of outstanding. Citizens and residents testing positive for Covid-19 are promptly isolated from the public and given free medical care for their condition. Contacts of positive cases are also traced and quarantined, in addition to being monitored and tested for the virus.

Plus, violating the terms of quarantine is now a legally punishable offence. Additionally, the nation’s state-ofthe-art health facilities have been testing thousands of samples for Covid-19 daily.

26

Q&A with Elisabete Reis

E

lisabete Reis is an image, etiquette, and protocol consultant/lifestyle coach. A popular influencer, Elisabete is married to Miguel, and they share three beautiful children. The glamourous and stylish mumpreneur is also the founder of the popular Glam Your Image brand. Here, she chats with Kim Wyatt about her work in the fashion industry and shares her top tips on how you can Glam Your Image on a budget.

K: What is the concept of Glam Your Image?

E: Glam Your Image helps people to understand that clothes won’t work until you accept yourself.

In 2010, I started working as a stylist and gave one-onone sessions to clients. However, I decided it wasn’t enough. I wanted to know and offer more to my clients, so I added Etiquette & Protocol for the corporate sector, plus menswear. I also trained as a life coach.

Eventually, I became a brand ambassador and helped to develop brands for specific clientele. Nowadays, I select a handful of clients and offer an A-to-Z program that covers wardrobe advice, etiquette, and building self-confidence and self-esteem.

I conduct personal and group classes to a range of clients, including students, stayat-home mums, children, teenagers, men, CEOs, and businesspeople.

Summer 2020 | Issue 14

Essentially, Glam Your Image aims to empower you in all areas.

K: You’re one of Qatar’s top influencers. How do you feel about that?

E: Well, I don’t know about that! I’m the same person you see on my social media accounts—maybe with a little extra lighting in photos or with more makeup, but I am still me.

I get so disappointed when meeting people I follow on social media, and they’re not who they try to be online. I can’t stand that anymore. I am tired of seeing so much “pretend” in everything.

Nowadays, it’s hard to trust, so I don’t know [much] about being a “top influencer”, but I am a genuine person.

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LIVING IN DOHA E: Not at all! I have attended a few public events wearing some “affordable” clothes that you wouldn’t believe! It’s all about confidence and how you carry “the look”. This applies to everything—nothing will work unless you are confident. Not even the most expensive items will work if you lack confidence. I’ve seen many people looking very uncomfortable in the most expensive brands and seen some people wearing very affordable brands and looking like a million dollars. What you wear reflects who you are.

The less you know about yourself, the more it reflects externally, so the expensive jacket won’t help.

Elisabete’s

TOP FIVE

budget-friendly food tips

• Buy local products.

• Use leftovers for the next meal.

• Look for discounted items in supermarkets.

• Be creative in the kitchen.

• Stick to a weekly shopping plan.

K: How do you always look so glamourous and stylish?

Is it important to you?

E: Yes, it’s important to me. It is who I am. I like to get dressed up in order to look great for myself. I like to feel and look well-put-together. I have always done this! Even at home on the weekends, I put my hair in a nice ponytail or bun with a matching t-shirt and shorts, or something cute and sporty.

I like to look good for my family. My mom always said to me, “never leave the house with the bed untidy” and “never be embarrassed to answer an unannounced knock on the door”. I usually tell my friends and clients: “Never go unprepared to the supermarket, because chances are, you will see the last person you want to see!”

K: Do you think it’s necessary to buy expensive clothes in order to look fashionable?

28

K: Can anyone look glamourous on a budget? If so, how?

E: Absolutely! There are many brands that recreate affordable designer looks from the runway.

I encourage people to invest in a smart closet. We don’t all look good in the same so-called “classics”. We are all different.

There are many options to choose from. Start by learning more about yourself and the best colours, fabrics, and cuts for your body type. Learn about capsule collections and how to maximize every single item in your closet, from a blouse to a pair of shoes. Building a capsule collection is the best investment.

K: How important are accessories to a budget-friendly wardrobe?

E: Accessories are key to a successful budgetfriendly closet. They can change or transform a look completely. I recommend investing in key accessories and creating an accessory capsule.

Depending on your personality style, the best accessories can be jewellery, scarves, belts, hats, or hairbands. There are so many to choose from! I love playing with accessories.

K: What garment details should we look for in budgetfriendly clothing?

E: Nowadays, the problem is quality. There are lots of poorly stitched or cheap fabrics that almost always end up being a waste of money. Either the clothes look cheap or [they] shrink in the first wash.

On the other hand, with the fast-fashion movement,

LIVING IN DOHA it is quite easy to find an outlet with great bargains, fantastic fabrics, and finishing.

I visit fashion outlets to find classic clothing. I like small, local brands. In Qatar, it’s very easy to buy good fabric and have clothing made by a tailor.

K: Do you have a budget for personal items such as clothing, jewellery, and skincare?

E: I believe budgeting is crucial. We need to be more conscious about what we need.

With my clients, I like to discuss budgets and a suitable shopping plan.

K: Do you buy bargains online? Please share your tips.

E: I am very careful with online shopping because a bargain can turn into a waste of money regardless of the price. Sometimes we must take a risk. I read labels and check online comments and questions. I’ve had disasters where I’ve bought clothing online and the photos were misleading.

Yet, I’ve been very lucky too. My advice is: make sure you check the comment section, enquire, and chat with other online buyers.

K: Do you think it’s important to budget for food shopping? Please share your top five money-saving tips.

E: In terms of food, my house needs a strict hand. We have three adults and three kids (my nanny included).

I am on a plant-based, vegan diet, and my daughter eats gluten-free food. The rest of my family eat everything—kids at that age eat continuously!

Most days, we cook two different meals. I cook my vegan meal and another separate meal for the family.

I also favour organic food.

Gluten-free and organic products are very expensive, so there isn’t such a thing as food waste in our house! I like to be creative and cook a new meal out of leftovers.

K: How do you budget for kids’ items such as clothing, school utensils, books, etc.?

E: We have an open dialogue about the less fortunate, and we regularly do closet-cleaning and donate to others. It’s easy for us to say no to Summer 2020 | Issue 14

the kids because they understand our priorities. We have them in a great school. The kids will be going to university soon, so we discuss fees and encourage them to set priorities. They wear sneakers and clothes until they are worn out or [they] outgrow them. We encourage our kids to handle school materials with care. It’s important for our children to understand the importance of buying responsibly.

29

EDUCATION

Money does not grow on trees

by Kate Flood

H

ave you ever heard your parents say the phrase “Money does not grow on trees”? Well, they are correct! Money is an exchange for goods or services, and your parents go to work to earn it. They exchange their time and skills for an amount of cash called a salary. If your parents are business owners, they deliver a service to their customers for a price. So, your parents are correct; money does not grow on trees, and it requires hard work to get.

What is debit?

Debit means taking money out of your account. You don’t need to pay this money back as it belongs to you. This money could come from your employer or an investment that you made.

Your debit account can also hold your savings. Savings are an amount of money or currency you have kept aside for a particular item, event, or just for security.

30

What is credit?

Credit is a loan. A loan is a certain amount of money given to you with a promise or a legal contract that you’ve signed agreeing that you will pay it back. If you use a credit card or take out a loan for a car or house, you also need to pay an additional amount called interest.

The interest rate is decided by the bank or the person who is lending you the money. This means that you will need to pay back the original amount you borrowed, plus extra.

What do I need to know?

The concept of money, debit and credit requires a deep understanding of math-

EDUCATION ematics. Money has a numerical value. Understanding place value is essential to determine the value of each note or coin. If you understand place value, you will know that QR 10 is ten times more valuable than QR 1 and that QR 500 is fifty times more valuable than QR 10.

Addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication— the four basic operations—are also necessary. Imagine you want to buy the latest PlayStation for QR 1500.

You make a deal with your parents to complete some chores around the house for a fixed fee. That fee could be called your salary. Now, say you get QR 100 a week. You need to calculate how many weeks it would take for you to earn the price of the PlayStation.

Plus, you also need to add additional amounts to that calculation for the games you would like to purchase once you have the PlayStation. Saving up and buying a PlayStation involves addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication in the context of using money.

As you get older, you may decide to get a credit card or a car loan. You need to know about negative and positive numbers. When you take out credit, you are in a negative amount. So, you will need to learn how to work with positive and negative numbers. You will also need to understand percentages and fractions, as interest is calculated using those concepts. But, with a solid understanding and awareness, you will be able to ensure that you are not paying back more than you borrow.

Overall, dealing with money involves mathematics. It requires a solid understanding of the place value of whole numbers and decimals. You also need to nail the four basic operations to calculate all kinds of transactions, including basic ones like food and clothing. If you decide to take credit, you must make sure that you know how to work with percentages and fractions so that you can calculate your interest and monthly repayments.

Sponsored by

Summer 2020 | Issue 14

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF MONEY? Money is a concept that was developed from bartering, which means trading valuable items for other items. Thousands of years ago, things that carried a greater worth included livestock, grains, and even shells. It is believed that the use of metal coins originated in China.

Paper replaced coins around 1000 AD with the promise that it could be exchanged for the same amount of coins, and this is how notes evolved. In current times, money is starting to be replaced by cards. The first debit card was issued around 1966, but the first credit card was issued in 1950.

Kate Flood is a PYP Instructional Coach in Mathematics at Swiss International School in Qatar (SISQ).

She is from Australia and has been a primary school teacher for the past 12 years. She has spent the past ten years teaching at international schools in China, Qatar, UAE, and returned to Qatar to be part of the primary department at SISQ. For more information on Kate, please visit sisq.qa.

31

FAMILY MATTERS

Doha dad TALKS:

BUDGETING DURING THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

by Rakesh Verma

W

e’re living in tough times.

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has curtailed business operations globally, across sectors. With restrictions and lockdowns imposed in over 80 districts in the country, businesses are bound to take a hit.

The bad news is that no one knows how long the pandemic will last. As we begin to spend more days

32

working from home, with governments around the world even locking down cities, the questions on people’s minds, globally, are: How long will our employers continue to pay our salaries? Will our companies even survive?

On 18 March 2020, the United Nations estimated that over 2.4 million people around the world could lose their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Those working in the travel and tourism industry, including in hotels and airlines, are in particular danger of losing their jobs. With cinemas and malls being shut down, the job scene looks perilous. Some airlines have even announced a five to 25 percent cut in staff numbers.

FAMILY MATTERS

WHAT CAN INDIVIDUALS DO DURING THIS CRUCIAL TIME? 1. Cover your essential expenses

The most important thing that you need to know if you get laid off is how much it costs you to survive each month.

ESSENTIAL EXPENSES: age; • Your rent or mortg gas, electricity, , ter wa e tilities lik •U and internet; ine; roceries and medic •G transportation • Gas, insurance, and expenses.

2. Reduce or eliminate expenses

4. Create an emergency corpus for future crises

Everyone’s financial portfolio must have an emergency corpus to tide over a temporary financial crisis. Your emergency corpus should include the EMIs you pay, monthly systematic investment plans for your future goals, education fees for your children, and other monthly commitments that you simply can’t get out of.

For a single-income family, financial planners advise building an emergency corpus equivalent to twelve months’ expenses, including EMIs. In the case of a double-income family, those savings should cover at least six months’ worth of expenses.

It’s important to have a health cover, even if your job provides you with insurance. This is because, in the event of a job loss, your employer’s cover will likely be terminated immediately.

With all this being said, human civilisation has overcome many such calamities in the past and had emerged victoriously; this time will hopefully be no different.

One of the best ways to prepare for a slowed-down economy is to cut down on your monthly expenses.

Assess where you can spend less. Think of cutting down on costs like cable, gym memberships, shopping for clothes, eating out, and money spent on entertainment activities.

3. Contact Your Creditors

If you are repaying equated monthly instalments (EMIs), don’t stop due to a job loss. Try to meet your loan commitments from existing investments or by selling physical assets (gold, second home, or property).

Any unsecured debt (credit card dues, personal loans, etc.) should be repaid first because their interest costs are very high. Also, make sure not to touch your provident fund or any other investments earmarked for your retirement.

Make the minimum payments on your car, credit cards, and personal loans. Now is not the time to pay extra on your debt because you need to preserve your money.

If you feel like you won’t have enough money to stay current on your monthly debt payments, contact your creditors right away.

Summer 2020 | Issue 14

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mum’s Recipes With SHEHAR BANO RIZVI

by Kim Wyatt

D

oha-based blogger and photographer Shehar Bano Rizvi has recently added another string to her creative bow. The busy mum of three children—daughter Amna, aged 11 and sons Hamza and Hassan, aged eight and seven—and wife to Mohsin, has recently become a published cookbook author.

Her first book, titled Virsa – A Culinary Journey from Agra to Karachi, is a loving homage to the food of her native Pakistan. It is dedicated to her mother, whom Shehar describes as a “fantastic cook”. It seems there’s no stopping this former project management professional turned social media influencer with a passion for food.

As a self-described storyteller, Shehar’s social media feeds are filled with drool-worthy images and descriptions of her creations.

Summer 2020 | Issue 14

Yet, Shehar’s own culinary story is quite surprising. In 2004, the then-new bride packed her bags with husband Mohsin and headed for a new life in Qatar. But Shehar felt there was a pressing issue brewing in the background—she had literally never set foot in a kitchen. Shehar says that prior to becoming a wife, she had no interest in cooking.

“Growing up in Pakistan with house help, I never felt the need to cook. When I got married, it really hit me that I’d be moving away from my family,” she says.

It was then she asked her mother to dictate to her tried and tested family recipes as she carefully took them down in her notebook.

Despite her late start in cooking, Shehar soon became more confident in the kitchen. However, it was a visit from her parents where she believes she got her final seal of approval: “I started cooking when I moved to Doha and followed all my mum’s recipes. They turned out to be amazing! I remember the first time my parents visited me in Doha. My father couldn’t believe 35

HEALTH & WELLNESS that I cooked food just like my mother.” Shehar says that she is fortunate enough to come from a family of great cooks like her mother, grandmother, and aunts, all of whom have influenced her own cooking. She attributes what she calls their “heirloom recipes”— which have been passed down the generations—to making her the cook she is today. In fact, her family’s culinary history directly influenced the title of her book: “Virsa, means “heritage” in the Urdu language, and this project has been a labour of love for me.”

As someone with an obvious passion for her culinary heritage, how would Shehar describe Pakistani cuisine? “It’s a blend of various cooking traditions from the Indian subcontinent, with influences of Persian cuisine and the Indian Mughal Empire. Though Indian and Pakistani cuisines have a lot in common, there are some differences based on regional preferences and choice of spices that are commonly used in each cuisine,” she explains. Shehar clarifies that although Pakistani cuisine tends to be known for its meat-based dishes, it features many vegetable and lentil-based dishes. She also adds, “aromatic spices feature heavily and are cooked in liberal amounts of oil which creates its signature rich flavour and texture”.

Pakistani cuisine may sound complex, but Shehar has devised an everyday plan to feed her active, growing family with a focus on simple curries, breads, and fresh produce: “I cook every day, mostly from my mum’s recipe book. For everyday meals, I cook simple, easy, and healthy Pakistani meals comprising of a vegetable curry or meat curry, with a side of lentils served with chapati (homemade flatbread) or rice and salad.”

When time is tight, Shehar loves to whip up a family favourite, “daal chawal (lentils and rice) with a side of pickle and salad”. But when it comes to dinner parties, she likes to cook richer, more elaborate meals, such as nihari (meat stew) and biryani.

Luckily for Shehar, her three children seem to be avid little foodies who enjoy a broad range of cuisines as far afield as Italy and Japan: “My kids are not fussy eaters and try everything, given that it’s not very spicy.

For everyday cooking, I keep the Pakistani food on the milder spice level. Other than Pakistani food, we also cook Chinese food (the Desi version), pizzas, pasta, and even Japanese Maki rolls.” It seems the rest of Shehar’s family likes to cook too, “my husband loves to light up a BBQ grill every now and then. My daughter loves baking and decorating cakes, cupcakes, and cookies,” she shares. Shehar’s passion for cooking has clearly become a family affair!

TRY THESE PAKISTANI DISHES RECOMMENDED BY SHEHAR! cooked in • Biryani: a meat gravy with rice; xed mi n the ces aromatic spi tikka, mutton • BBQ meat: chicken abs; chops, and seekh kab n and tomato cke chi i: rah ka en ick • Ch high flame, on k gravy cooked in a wo r, fresh ge gin of garnished with lots chillies; en gre d an , coriander leaves as paratha h suc ds ea tbr • Different fla and naan; y filled with potato • Samosas: fried pastr or minced meat.

36

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Chicken Karahi (Wok chicken gravy) Prep Time: 15 mins Cooking Time: 45 mins Serves three to four

Ingredients l 500 g chicken l 1 tsp. ginger paste l 1 tsp. garlic paste l 1 tsp. salt l 1/2 tsp. black pepper, freshly crushed l 1/4 tsp. red chilli powder l 1/4 tsp. garam masala powder

Summer 2020 | Issue 14

l 3-4 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped l 2-3 green chillies l 1 tsp. ginger, julienned l 1 tsp. fresh coriander leaves l 4-5 tbsp. oil

Method 1 .

Fry the chicken pieces in a wok (karahi) with ginger-garlic paste for a few minutes on mediumhigh heat.

2 .

Add black pepper powder, red chilli powder, garam masala powder, salt, tomatoes, and half of the julienned ginger. DO NOT add water.

3 . Cover it and cook on low-medium heat until the chicken becomes tender.

4.

Add green chillies, coriander, and the rest of julienned ginger and let it cook for a few more minutes.

5 . Garnish and serve with naan and some raita.

37

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Bhindi Fry (Fried okra)

Prep Time: 15 mins - Cooking Time: 30 mins Serves two to three

Qulfi

Ingredients

l 500 g bhindi (okra/ladies’ fingers, cut into small pieces) l 4-5 whole dried red chillies l 1 tsp. cumin seeds l 1 tbsp. lemon juice l 1 tsp. salt l 3-4 tbsp. oil

Method 1 . Fry cumin seeds and whole red chillies in oil for a few minutes.

2. Add okra and salt and fry on high flame for five minutes.

3 . Lower the flame, cover, and cook on low heat (DO NOT add any water).

3 . Add lemon juice when done.

(Cardamom and milk ice cream) Prep Time: 10 mins - Serves six

Ingredients l 2 cans evaporated milk l 1 can condensed milk l 8 oz. whipped cream l 3 slices white bread, sides removed l 2-3 Green cardamom seeds, crushed l A couple of drops of kewra essence (optional) l ¼ cup pistachios, crushed

Method Put all in blender and freeze. That’s it!.

38

LIVING IN DOHA

The deal with food delivery in Qatar

by Laura Powell-Corbett

L

iving in Qatar amid a global pandemic has seen many changes implemented across the state to keep citizens and residents safe during these unprecedented times.

With restaurants and hotels closed as we all practice social distancing, staying in has become the new going out. While some of you may be budding chefs using this time to perfect your signature dish, others are probably getting a bit sick of burning cheese on toast. If you’re the latter, never fear! Because the hospitality industry across Doha won’t let you down.

Begone, burnt cheese on toast, and step up to the plate delicious fine dining delivered directly to your door. Not only are you now able to indulge in the fine dining experience at home, but many outlets are also offering discounts on orders. Either they’re slicing off a percentage of the original price, or they’re allowing customers to use their Entertainer vouchers. Ordering in doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. Note: The information in the article is accurate at the time of writing.

DELIVERY APPS

The beauty of food delivery apps is that you don’t just Summer 2020 | Issue 14

have one restaurant at your fingertips, but a multitude to choose from.

Talabat: Operating across seven countries in the GCC, this online food-ordering service helps you find restaurants local to you. It also offers a range of filter options, such as cuisine, minimum order amount, ratings, and fastest delivery. Talabat is available in both desktop and mobile app formats, and you can track your order from the moment you place it until it arrives on your doorstep. Standard delivery is QR 10, but many restaurants are waiving this fee during this time.

Fee: QR 0 to QR 10 Payment: cash or card Carriage: This app uses a similar operating model to Talabat where you can filter restaurants based on various choices, and track your order from placement to arrival. Standard delivery is also QR 10 per order.

Fee: QR 0 to QR 10 Payment: cash or card Snoonu: This app also works similarly to Talabat and Carriage in its food delivery section, although it offers a wider range of other services. It is currently partnered up with Tawar Mall, making its outlets available for home delivery through the platform, including restaurants and cafes. Snoonu also offers seasonal promotions in addition to other discounts.

Plus, Snoonu is made in and exclusively serves Qatar.

39

LIVING IN DOHA Fees: QR 0 to QR 10 Payment: cash or card (local debit cards accepted through NAPS system)

mixed grills, fresh saj, mezzes, and more, delivered to your doorstep.

Order directly on Talabat or Carriage.

Rafeeq: Rafeeq is also exclusively local and offers similar services to Snoonu. It also contains a nifty “wishlist” section that features all the restaurants you’ve “liked” for easier future access.

Fees: QR 0 to QR 10 Payment: cash or card (local debit cards accepted through NAPS system)

Hotels delivering directly Mondrian Doha Hotel: Home to the world-renowned Morimoto restaurant and critically acclaimed Hudson’s Tavern, the Mondrian now offers a taste-to-go service.

Offering the convenience of takeaway and delivery, you can enjoy this five-star dining experience at home.

To order, call 4045-5999 or WhatsApp 5050-7888. A 20 percent discount is offered on all orders.

HOTELS While many of Doha’s restaurants have been offering home delivery for some time now, Doha’s hotels have largely remained dine-in only. With many fabulous five-star offerings across Doha, we have been spoilt for choice when going out.

But now that staying in is “in”, many of our favourite hotels have also jumped on the delivery wagon, which means that you can have that five-star experience at home. Reducing your transport costs and availing some of the fantastic offers available, it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think.

Hotels delivering via Talabat or Carriage Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel: Dishes from Cucina, Crossroads, and Quick Bites are available for delivery between 12 pm and 10 pm. To pre-order, call 4419-5000 for pick up, or order directly on Talabat instead.

The Westin Doha Hotel: Dishes from Sabai Thai are available to order on Talabat (within a set delivery radius) between 12 pm and 10 pm.

There is no fee for delivery.

La Cigale Hotel, Doha: Meals are available for delivery within the Al Sadd area via Carriage.

You can also pre-order by calling 4428-8820 or sending a WhatsApp message on 55188868 to pick up from the hotel between 7 am and 7 pm.

InterContinental Doha: Al Jalsa Garden Lounge serves shawarmas, 40

W Doha Hotel: With the motto “anywhere, anytime”, your favourite dishes from the W are available 24/7 directly to your door with “W2GO”. This includes orders from Market by Jean-Georges, La Spiga, and a special W2GO menu. Not only that, but they have also introduced OFFICE2GO for those key workers unable to work from home. This offer includes a threecourse meal with a soft drink, available from Sunday to Wednesday, from 12 pm to 4pm and 4 pm to 6 pm, all for the bargain price of QR 120.

To order, call 4453-5135 or WhatsApp 7794-3975.

Four Seasons Hotel, Doha: Mouth-watering dishes from Elements restaurant are now available to order directly to your door.

To order, call or WhatsApp 4494-8888 The Ritz-Carlton, Doha: You can now bring the BLounge home, as the restaurant›s full menu is available for delivery. Because if you can’t go to your favourite restaurant, then your favourite restaurant can come to you.

To order, call or WhatsApp 5080-4421.

BIG-NAME RESTAURANTS DELIVERING FOR FREE ON TALABAT

There are many restaurants that are choosing to waive their delivery fee while Qatar is in lockdown. These include (but aren’t limited to): Shake Shack, Krispy Kreme, Fabio’s, PAUL, Saj Boutique, Diet Cafe, Tea Club, Sushi Minto, Exit 55, and Abou Shawarma. Talabat also has a spe-

LIVING IN DOHA cial offers section, so you can check whether your restaurant of choice has any promotions available.

Offers include a free cheesecake when spending more than QR 120 at The Cheesecake Factory, up to 50 percent off at Baskin Robbins, and a specially priced “Happy Hour” at Buns Burger.

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES IN DOHA

BOHO Social: If you’re craving modern, eclectic food with an Arabian twist, then the newly opened BOHO Social in Katara has the perfect menu for you. It’s also available for order directly on Talabat.

Doha Rugby Football Centre (DRFC): With a delivery service available from Saturday to Thursday within a 10 km radius of the club, DRFC are offering you the comfort of home-cooked meals that you do not have to cook yourself.

The family meals are available to pre-order and some come part-cooked, ready for you to finish off in your home oven. Others, such as the Saturday Roast, arrive warm at your doorstep. The menu also changes often to give you some variety. For more information on the latest menu and special offers, like Fish and Chips Thursdays, check out the club’s Facebook page.

You can order on WhatsApp at 3376-5596.

Superheroes Eat Plants: This local organisation offers three separate options for home delivery: a fiveday lunch delivery with one snack per day for QR250, a five-day lunch and dinner delivery with one snack per day for QR 425, and a “family favourite” menu available daily. Plus, they are now on Talabat via the Raw Middle East platform.

To order, WhatsApp 7771-1902. Contactless delivery is available upon request.

Torba Farmers Market: Now you can buy directly from the local farms and artisans, with fresh vegetables, produce, and handmade products delivered to your door. Shop online, pay (cash on delivery or card), and your order will be delivered to your doorstep.

Order online at farmersmarket.qa The Hub: Located on The Pearl-Qatar, The Hub is a warm and friendly food store managed by food enthusiasts who believe in one thing: reconnecting family Summer 2020 | Issue 14

and friends with exceptional food. The speciality convenience store, the juice and salad bar, and the cafe are all available for delivery from 7 am to midnight.

To order, WhatsApp 5024-6000.

Milia: Looking for something sweet? Milia has the answer. All orders are organic and homemade by Milia. From brownie-crinkle cookies to milk pudding, there is something to suit everyone’s sweet tooth.

Place your orders on Instagram by sending a direct message to @milia.qa.

Yasmine Palace: This locally-renowned Arabian eatery is now offering the chance to indulge in the Yasmine Gourmet experience at home. Through its Instagram page (@YasmineGourmet), Yasmine Palace advertises package-deal offers for cook/prepare-athome marinated meats and burgers, mezzes, and desserts. Salads, dairy products, pickles, and jams are also available for home delivery. To order, WhatsApp 7711-1504 or call 6611-1506.

With the help of all of the wonderful restaurants in Doha, you can make your foodie soul sing while staying in.

With more options opening up daily, there is something for everyone and every budget. The message is simple during this pandemic: #StayHomeQatar, and we will come to you. Stay safe, Qatar.

41

Bliss on a budget: creating a spa day at home

by LISA GAY

A

visit to the spa is a delight for all the senses—the sounds, smells, touch, visuals, and even taste are all used to evoke a blissful atmosphere for visitors.

If you don’t have the budget for regular visits to a spa, then you can recreate some of that ambience at home using top tips from spa owners and massage therapists.

The space

First, you need a spot set aside for yourself. “Everyone needs their own little corner, even people who live in small spaces, to make themselves happy,” says Nurin Abdul of Massage Kangaroo. If you are lucky, you might have a spare room that can be converted into a relaxing space for various beauty and wellness rituals. But as Nurin says, you don’t need an entire room—just a cosy corner is enough. Pile comfy cushions and rugs, and set up a small bookshelf stocked with your favourite reads.

“Invite natural elements, like live plants and natural sunlight,” suggests Jade Roseman of Noon Beauty Centre.

Alternatively, you can simply re-imagine your bathroom as a home spa. Get the lighting right—use candles if your bathroom lighting is harsh—and again, decorate with small plants. Aloe vera is a great option here, as it thrives on neglect and is a base ingredient for so many homemade beauty recipes. If your budget allows, get matching towels and linens, and prominently display them on a wooden stool or towel ladder.

Keep your space decluttered. Even if the rest of your Summer 2020 | Issue 14

home is messy, make sure your own space is clean— visual clutter often induces mental clutter. That doesn’t, however, mean you can’t have a few trinkets displayed, but keep them to a minimum. When you see clutter in your spot, don’t let it linger. Immediately put it away to clear both your mental and physical space.

Complete your space by throwing sheets or bright textiles over items that can’t be cleared away, suggests Carolyn Collins, general manager of Roots Hair & Beauty Salon. Ensure that the whole family knows that this is your space, she adds, as the last thing you need is a phone ringing or the kids disturbing you when you are trying to find a moment of zen.

The ambience

There are a few elements present in spas: soothing music, soft lighting, and exotic scents. While you can’t recreate the expensive furnishings found in luxury spas, you can take some of that sensual aura into your own home.

Search YouTube for your preferred beats: whale songs, bamboo flutes, raindrops, and Tibetan singing bowls are all wonderful possibilities. The sounds you choose should be soothing and not demanding; they should flow over your head like passing clouds.

Avoid bright lights. It’s best if you can place a small, dim lamp in your space. Try sourcing a perforated metal lampshade (a popular local craft) that will gently light your space while throwing mesmerising 43

patterns on the walls. Candles are another popular way to create an atmosphere in the home, but they can also be a surprising source of air pollution, so make sure you only use high-quality, natural ingredients.

An aroma diffuser is a better way to infuse scent into your home. You can choose a traditional ceramic oil diffuser that uses a small light to heat the oil, but a more kid-friendly option is to use an electric one that plugs right into the wall. Diffusers are available in a variety of sizes depending on the size of your room; find a good selection of cheap diffusers on aliexpress.com. Jade particularly recommends lemongrass, while Carolyn says that lavender is most popular among her clients.

Both will help put you in a relaxed state. Other options to explore are jasmine, frankincense, and ylang-ylang, or, for something more uplifting, try mint and lemon.

Essential oils can be used to make homemade massage oils by using carrier oils such as coconut, sweet almond, or olive.

The right touch

It’s hard to give yourself a decent massage, but it’s still possible with yoga therapy balls. However, an even better bet is to employ your family. Even preschoolers can give a decent-ish foot massage. “Put your feet up, and get kids to massage them,” suggests Carolyn. You don’t even need fancy massage oil, she says, as just olive or baby oil will do. You can also give your kids a bit of pampering with a soothing scalp massage that will take them right back to babyhood.

You and your partner can also learn new massage skills by turning to YouTube. The basics of Thai massage are quite accessible—everyone is fully-clothed, and there are no messy oils to manage. Done right, even basic techniques will make you feel like you’ve had a yoga class without all the work.

Good taste

Most spas will engage your sense of taste upon entrance with a refreshing cup of tea or flavoured water. Jade recommends making your own spa water at home, using a clear pitcher to engage your eyes as well as your taste buds.

Mint and lemon are a go-to combination, but you can also slice up colourful fruits or vegetables like carrots and cucumbers.

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Display a cute teapot or cups in your space to enjoy warm cups of tea. Place small dishes of nuts, dark chocolate, and dried fruits for a quick snack with your drink.

Ginger tea is great for circulation, but nothing beats the health-boosting properties of green tea. Not everyone loves the taste, says Carolyn, so if you find the taste too bitter, add a bit of apple juice or aloe vera. Carolyn also swears by apple and ginger shots—one inch of ginger blended with one apple—as a healthy treat.

“Asian therapy would recommend tonic or soup,” says Nurin, but she also highly recommends eating highquality dark chocolate for zinc. “Food gives you energy, but also essential [in Doha] is Vitamin D—especially if you are not going outside!” She adds.

The treatments

If you have to skip the salon for a few months, fill the gap by using beauty products sourced from your kitchen cabinet. If you need to remove facial hair, says Jade, try sugaring (known regionally as halawa). There are various recipes online, with most just using sugar simmered with water and lemon juice. This blend is particularly great for removing hair from typically sensitive facial areas.

Jade also recommends facial massage, starting from the neck and working up figure-eight motions. You can also consider investing in a jade roller (found cheaply on aliexpress.com or amazon.com). Keep it in the fridge and roll from the jaw upwards, removing facial puffiness and promoting circulation.

“Most products can be found in your pantry for things like hair-spa and facial masks,” advises Nurin. Salt, sugar, and coconut oil can be mixed with honey or lemon for a bath scrub; try oatmeal to soothe the skin or even coffee grounds to improve circulation. “I recommend yoghurt and honey, two things you really can’t go wrong with! Oatmeal and milk are safe as they won’t clog

pores,” she adds. To keep things clean, use face mask sheets to hold everything securely on your face.

Nurin also recommends dry brushing with a long-handled bristle brush. Start from the bottom and work in firm, strong strokes all the way towards your heart. Dry brushing removes dead skin cells and improves circulation, which makes it a great prelude to a soak in the tub with Epsom salt to relax muscle aches and pains.

Rituals

Create a pampering ritual out of all the elements outlined above. Perhaps begin with an exercise session to get those endorphins going. “Do it first thing in the morning before everyone wakes up,” recommends Jade.

Otherwise, she says, it will be hard to find time later. Get

in a bit of pampering with your shower, then get dressed in a comfy robe and pour a cup of tea while you read a book or magazine in a cosy spot. Perhaps also engage in some self-reflection by writing a gratitude journal.

Of course, your spa ritual will look different, depending on what you find relaxing. Carolyn likes to light candles or burn lemon bark while meditating or doing affirmations.

“Create your own space and do what makes you feel relaxed in the moment,” she says, “even if you don’t meditate, take a few deep breaths to set the mood”.

These, of course, are merely examples. Ultimately, the things that will make you feel relaxed are unique to you.

Investing time and effort into discovering what relaxes and recharges you will pay off as you face the stresses of the day.

Welcome to the world, little ones. We’re excited to have you join our Doha Family

Yasmin Balint

11 February 2020

Summer 2020 | Issue 14

mith Phoebe S 2019 20 August

Want to announce your newborn’s arrival?

Send their name, photo and birthdate to congrats@dohafamily.com 45

FAMILY MATTERS

A virus once changed the world A mother’s reflections on building strength and resilience in children during a pandemic

By Andra Nastase

I

t’s hard to be human these days—It’s ten times harder being a parent. And, it’s probably infinitely harder to be a child living through the coronavirus pandemic. While we try to make sense of this upside-down world and we adjust to the unsettling new reality of school closures, work-from-home directives, and stay-at-home orders, our children are sitting there unable to cope with it all on their own. Their brains are just not developed enough for them to handle all the changes and stress caused by this health crisis all by themselves.

Everything they knew, loved, and did is no longer as they remember. Routine—which kids adore—has vanished. Instead of preparing for a new day in school, their days probably start with worrisome updates on the Covid-19 situation. Instead of visiting friends and family, they’re now isolating themselves while living with the fear that people 46

are getting sick. And instead of the mum and dad they used to know, they’re seeing stressed-out and less-communicative shells of their parents.

Summer plans are gone, best pals are unreachable, classes are suspended, and the world keeps changing from one day to the next. So, how do we tell our children the right coronavirus story, and how do we build strength and resilience in these uncertain times?

A crisis like this and the way we respond to it will shape the adults our kids will become.

Be honest and talk about it

This situation is not something you should keep from your children, even if they are young. Your fears and emotions will reach them, even if you try to put on a happy face. They just feel them. And there are few things worse than telling your kid everything is OK when they can sense that it’s not. Because right at this moment, you are shaping a future adult who will not know how to talk about their true feelings.

And why would they even want to, if all they have learnt from their folks is that they should hide them? Children can easily detect emotions from non-verbal cues, and they have a greater capacity than adults to internalise the feelings of others.

If the parent is stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, or angry—even if they try to not talk about it— the child will perceive this emotional cocktail and consume it to the very last drop, even if they don’t want to. Be

FAMILY MATTERS honest and explain what is happening in a way that they can understand, no matter their age. Children are very perceptive and will model how to respond to situations from their carers. Speak about what is going on and what your fears are. Don’t worry about letting your children see you vulnerable as, ironically, this will make them stronger. And even if our stress levels are high, we must not forget to choose patience and give our children loving responses in order to build resilience in them. This will help them go on to develop their strengths and abilities over time.

Listen to your kids’ stories and worries

After having this talk with your kids, you need to listen.

Encourage your children to share their feelings about what an unprecedented time this is for all of us. They face an enormous disruption to their lives, so they are likely experiencing worry, anxiety, and fear. These fears may include ones that are very similar to those experienced by adults, such as the fear of dying, the fear of their relatives dying, or the fear of needing medical treatment. Little ones might not be able to name their fears exactly, but if you pay attention to their stories or their games, you will clearly see the things that have been scaring them these days.

My daughter, who is only three years old, plays this game where she builds a zoo and organizes classes for animals to teach them how to beat the coronavirus. She also feeds them magic food that gives them superpowers. Then, she opens the zoo gate and says: “Now go and save the world from the bad virus, especially mom, dad, my sister, and our dog!” In her story, we’ve got this; we will beat the coronavirus. But the fear is there. If you sense this fear in your own kids, help them express it.

Cope with difficult emotions together (and have fun doing it) Now that you have all talked openly about your fears and emotions, it’s time to find ways to manage them together. Doing this could also end up being a way to create special, fun, loving memories with your children, which will last a lifetime and will help them cope with the even more difficult situations they may Summer 2020 | Issue 14

come across in the years to come.Invent a special pandemic routine, break the rules with a little extra TV time or staying up late past bedtime to tell stories, dance and cook together like you never did before, or do some exercise together through an online programme. Communicate your love to your children and tell them some of the things you appreciate about them. What truly makes them come out stronger from this extraordinary situation is the feeling that no matter what happens, no matter what may come, they can always count on you. The way you respond to this crisis will mirror the way they respond to their future crises. When they see love and acceptance on their parents’ faces, they will instantly believe that they are safe, even when things are hard. And that’s the perfect basis for them to build themselves.

Maybe we should try to look at this time as an amazing opportunity to get closer when we are told to physically stay apart—to get closer to our children.

And even though nothing in our lives seems certain anymore, we can invest in one of the surest things we know: if we are there for our kids in a loving, honest, and dedicated way (as hard as it may be) we will help them build the strongest versions of themselves.

It will be like feeding them a type of “magic food” for their future, just as my daughter does with her zoo animals when gearing them up to fight against the coronavirus. Then, like her, we will open the proverbial gates and release our children into the world, saying: “Now go and save the world, strong ones!”

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Gardening to save money

by LISA GAY

G

ardening not only fills your home with lovely green plants but if done right, it can save you money and improve your health. You can start small with a herb garden and progress to container gardening and—if you have the space—backyard gardening. Growing your own doesn’t have to be expensive; you can start with kitchen scraps, repurposed glass jars, and plastic takeout containers.

Read on for all the ways you can get your garden growing in Doha.

HERBS

This is as easy as it gets, as long as you don’t start by growing herbs from seed (surprisingly difficult!).

You can grow herbs practically anywhere that gets 48

sunshine: in your kitchen, on a windowsill, or a balcony.

It’s best to use starter plants from the Plant Souq in Abu Hamour (near the Wholesale Market). However, in a pinch, you can use potted supermarket herbs.

These tend to have a mass of roots, so you may need to divide them into several plants to ensure optimum growing conditions.

While herbs are cheap, it’s also hard to use them in a timely manner, so growing your own means you have a fresh supply virtually on demand. You can plant several kinds together in one pot, like basil and rosemary, but mint should be grown alone as it spreads like an invasive weed.

If you truly have no space, you can propagate herbs into glass jars. Not only does this brighten up the kitchen, but, if you are lucky, the cut herbs will sprout roots to give the plants a longer lifespan.

Cut your leftover herbs at a leaf node (the point where the leaf meets the stem) and remove leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the plant. Make sure no leaves touch the water and change the water every couple of days to prevent bacterial growth.

Those who have sunny windowsills can always transplant cuttings with roots to the soil for an even more durable plant. They will need to be at least a couple inches to take root (try hardening them first by placing pebbles on the roots just before transplanting them).

Now here’s where you can get creative: old pots, cute ceramics, and leftover tin cans can all be upcycled into planters.

Once successful, you may have more herbs than you know what to do with. Paradoxically, you need to harvest herbs frequently to encourage them to grow, so learn how to make everyday food items from your bounty. Try making pesto, vegetable stock, or infused salad oils. You can also dry herbs like mint to make tea.

For the lazy cook, you can simply freeze cut herbs so you can sprinkle them on dishes in a flash.

MICROGREENS

One step up, but almost as easy, is microgreens.

These are readily available in upscale groceries, but you can grow them cheaply at home. Also, microgreens are a great way to teach children how plants grow, as they will typically sprout within a few days and be ready to harvest within a week.

So, what exactly are microgreens? Well, you’ve probably seen them gracing your dinner plate at fine dining establishments as a garnish. They are tender, immature vegetable shoots that are bigger than sprouts (which you eat seed and all) but smaller than baby leaves found in packaged salad mixes.

A surprising variety of vegetables can be grown as microgreens. A few popular options include endive, rocket (arugula), broccoli, chives, swiss chard, mung beans, parsley, and the ever-popular wheatgrass.

That said, you should never try this with any plant from the nightshade family, as their stems and leaves are toxic. Nightshade plants include potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines, chilli, and bell peppers.

You don’t need special seeds or equipment to grow microgreens; you can just use regular seeds.

Use shallow trays with drainage holes and fill with an inch or two of soil. Upcycled plastic takeaway Summer 2020 | Issue 14

containers work well for this purpose, but again, don’t forget to poke holes at the bottom. Don’t pack the soil as you need to make sure it can breathe.

Leave the trays out a few days before planting to allow the microorganisms in the soil to regenerate.

Next, evenly place the seeds on top, then use a spray bottle to mist with water. Keep in mind that, unlike with regular plants, seeds used for microgreens won’t need much space as they won’t grow too large, so sprinkle with abandon. You can cover the tray with plastic until the seeds start to sprout. Place in a sunny area and only water when you see them beginning to wilt. Once you spray with water, they bounce back quickly. Harvest when they are about three inches in height, using scissors to snip just above the soil line.

VEGETABLES

As we are entering the summer season, it’s worth thinking about what you might want to plant for 49

HEALTH & WELLNESS ngs uy seedli You can b t Souq or the n at the Pla nt Nursery near e m mpGovern irport to ju A the Old garden. Get start your supplies like g gardenin rtiliser at the fe d n a inch, soil , or in a p q u o S t n Pla or Ikea.

Carrefour

the growing season (generally between September and April).

Buy seeds at the Plant Souq and get them started indoors to transfer when the weather cools. Egg cartons are perfect seed starters, and if they are made of paper, you can even transplant them directly without fuss. Or, if you are keen to start even earlier, good hot-weather vegetables include okra (ladies’ fingers), chilli peppers, aubergines, and even sweet potatoes.

All that said, if growing from seed seems like too much work, you can buy seedlings at the Plant Souq or the Government Nursery near the Old Airport to jumpstart your garden. Get gardening supplies like soil and fertiliser at the Plant Souq, or in a pinch, Carrefour or Ikea. It’s also worth noting that Carrefour sells plant seeds, but the variety isn’t all that great.

Pay attention to the sunlight and watering instructions on your seed packet or even those given by the plant vendors. Each plant has its own needs, and you need to know if your home environment can support that.

It’s helpful, before you even go to the Plant Souq, to know how much light any potential plant will receive and whether they will be grown on a balcony, in a container, or the ground, as watering instructions will vary depending.

USING SCRAPS

If you really do have a brown thumb, then at the very least, you can try to save a bit on your grocery bill by growing food from leftover scraps.

Scallions and their bigger cousin, the leek, can be easily grown from scraps, provided they have roots attached.

Just place in a glass of water, set in a sunny location, and watch them regenerate 50

in only a few days. Change the water every few days or so. Fennel follows the same logic; just cover the bulb in water (a plastic container will do), set in a sunny location, and change the water as necessary.

Take this a step further by growing ginger, onion, and garlic scraps in soil. If your ginger has some new buds, you can place in soil with the buds facing up; bear in mind that these grow horizontally.

Organic ginger is best for this purpose, and if all goes well, it should start to root into the soil and sprout. Garlic can be grown from a single bulb as well. Stick in soil, root end down, and keep cutting down any green shoots so the plant will concentrate on enlarging the bulb. You can also reuse those onion bottoms (with roots intact) by replanting them in soil, roots down. Cover, and then cut back any green growth to concentrate resources on the bulb.

Understand that working with veggie scraps is hit-andmiss. You won’t always be able to re-grow your kitchen leftovers, but it’s worth a bit of experimentation to see what works. Note that vegetables grown in this manner don’t live very long, but you can usually get a nice crop or two out of scraps that would otherwise be thrown on the compost heap.

Whatever method you choose, it’s helpful to keep a log of your efforts so you can track what works and what doesn’t. You will learn a lot about the plant life cycle … and also have a few failures along the way.

But trust us—nothing will taste as good as greens grown by your very own hands.

The author would like to thank Dodie Manuel Gonzales for his assistance on this article.

FAMILY MATTERS

Why you need a will

By Mohammad Marria

R

ight now, the world is going through a challenging time—everything is filled with confusion and uncertainty, and many people around the world are falling victim to the coronavirus.

Unfortunately, these are the times when people need to make sure they have prepared for the worst-case scenario. They need to make sure their assets, family guardianship(s), and many other factors have been legally documented in their will.

When a person passes without a will—intestate as the law calls it—the property of the deceased is distributed according to a formula fixed by law. In other words, if Summer 2020 | Issue 14

you do not have a will, the land/state where your assets are situated could very well decide on how they are distributed.

Asset(s) or your estate does not only apply to just your real estate and/or immovable property. It also applies to any cash held in any bank accounts, cars, furniture, gratuity, death-in-service benefits, bonds, jewellery, family heirlooms, works of art, etc. Basically, anything owned by you at the time of death.

Usually, when an expat passes away, all bank accounts—single and joint—are blocked immediately to freeze all transactions on the accounts of the deceased. This process safeguards any payment that needs to be made after an expat has passed away, such as any outstanding loans or debt payments.

Please note that unfreezing of the account(s) can only be carried out by a local court order.

A registered “last will & testament” is the only document that details exactly what you would like to happen to your estate in the event of your death. This doc51

FAMILYMATTERS MATTERS FAMILY ument can cover all aspects of your life, from physical assets to appointment of guardians (both temporary and permanent).

Usually, a person thinks about a will when they have purchased a property or have a large sum of money.

However, if you have children, that itself is a key reason to have a will.

What a will includes 1. Guardianship (both interim and permanent) of your children below the age of maturity.

A guardian is someone you can appoint who will take care of your children after your death. Usually, your partner (the biological parent) is the first person to whom the children will go. However, in an instance where both the parents pass away, then you need a guardian to step in—usually a blood relation—and look after your children. A temporary guardian is a person living locally who will step in to will look after the chil-

dren, allowing enough time for the permanent guardian to take over. Within the GCC, as the majority of expats have their families living abroad, their having a local guardian is very important as the authorities may get involved in the event of both parents passing away. Permanent guardians—also usually the blood relatives—will look after the children until they reach the age of maturity. They are also responsible for all expenses related to living, food, and schooling.

2. Executorship (who will execute the will on your behalf).

These are the persons responsible for looking after the financials on behalf of the children, making sure all debts are cleared, and transferring the net assets to the beneficiaries. Their role also includes providing all documents to the authorities, plus opening trust accounts for the children.

3. The Beneficiaries (who will inherit on your behalf).

These are the persons—usually the partner and children—who will inherit the assets after your passing away. Please note that having a default beneficiary is recommended, especially in cases where there are young children involved.

Islamic wills Many Muslims, locals and expats, assume that they do not need a will as the estate will automatically be divided. However, every Muslim should have one due to the following reasons: • In the case of a revert (someone who converted to Islam) having a will is important, as post-death protecting the body of the deceased—i.e. burying the person according to Islamic principles—is mandatory.

• You are allowed to make a will for up to one-third of your estate, as per Islamic law (usually for charity purposes). Naturally, this needs to be stated in a will.

• Choosing the right persons to manage your money is very important. If it is managed by the wrong person, not only can the funds be mismanaged, but inheritances could also be invested in interest related funds—this is strictly against Islamic Law.

Power of Attorney A Power of Attorney (POA) is a document that allows you to appoint a person(s) to act on your behalf when 52

FAMILY MATTERS confirmed death, i.e. when a death certificate has been issued.

Please note that a POA document is not a to substitute a will—its job is to complement it. A POA works during a person’s lifetime, and the will is activated upon the issuing of a death certificate. A POA should be set up for each and every country where the person lives or has assets. Therefore, it should also be notarised in those jurisdictions so that it is considered acceptable.

There is no concept of having a global POA.

Things to also consider

dealing with your estate/finances. It is notarised in the jurisdiction where you would like to use it. This document is essential. Think of situations where someone is in a coma and wakes up in five to 20 years. In such cases, finances need to be able to continue even when the breadwinner is inactive.

Sadly, some accidents and disasters can occur wherein it is very difficult to identify the people who have died, such as the Malaysia Airlines tragedy that happened a few years ago. In these situations, it can take an awfully long time for death certificates to be issued.

In fact, according to international law, if someone is missing and/or presumed dead, there is a waiting period of up to seven years. In some countries, this may take up to ten years.

This is why we recommend a POA—it ensures that a family can deal with the running of the businesses/ estates/companies/bank accounts etc. and that the finances do not stop.

Simple matters such as dealing with company matters, passport renewals, and bank accounts all require the use of a POA. A POA is to be used during the lifetime of a person and usually becomes null and void when there is a Summer 2020 | Issue 14

• Keep separate bank accounts in addition to any joint accounts you may have if you are married, and have a backup offshore bank account. Bank accounts that are maintained outside may not be frozen.

• If you have an existing insurance policy, check with your agents if you have filled out the “beneficiary forms” correctly. Also, check with your employer for any similar forms that you can complete.

• Keep separate visas, especially if you are a working female—do not be sponsored by your husband. This is because all visas are cancelled when the main sponsor passes away.

• Keep a list of assets (an inventory) and share this information with your family. This should also be shared with your family in your home country.

• Ensure that the after-death arrangements are taken care of, including any debts and bills, to avoid complicating an already terrible and tragic transition for loved ones

As difficult as it is to think about death and the arrangements that follow, making these decisions matter because, without them, the security of our families is at stake. So, let’s do everything we can to guarantee them a comfortable future.

Mohammad Marria is an expert in succession planning issues and has been in the business of helping people draft their wills for over 30 years in both the UK and GCC. He has written extensively educating expats on the necessity of having a will. Mr Marria also has a background in financial services and real estate, adding to his wealth of knowledge on the subject.

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Tween talks: Surviving summer away from friends

By Haneefah Agbabiaka, aged 14

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his summer might be a hard time for all of us, and I believe that this experience is a first for most of us, but we can get through it together. We all had high hopes for the summer, but once the social distancing was imposed, it became something we dreaded. However, there is still time for us to turn that frown upside down! Here are five tried and tested tips that could help you survive this summer.

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1. GET TO KNOW YOUR FAMILY

Being cooped up in the house and seeing the same people every waking moment can get so frustrating, especially when you remember that you are stuck with them for the next five months. But try not to take out your frustration on your siblings and parents. Instead, take this time to get to know them—I’m sure many of us know more about our best friends than we know about our own blood relations! Board games and teamwork challenges are a great way to begin, as they involve discussion and collaboration.

2.DISCOVER YOURSELF

This may come as a shocker to loads of people as you may feel no one knows more about you than you. But, we are constantly learning new things about ourselves 55

LIVING IN DOHA without even realising! Are you a strategist, or are you creative? Are you a quiet thinker, or do you prefer spontaneously jumping into decisions? Now is the time to find out!

3. BE ADVENTUROUS

This summer is the perfect time to learn a new hobby or discover some new talents! Finding yourself doesn’t just mean spiritually, it also means you should find the things you enjoy doing. You may think you are terrible at art, but once you put your pen to paper, you might create masterpieces! This could help you find other ways for you to spend your time besides sleeping, eating, and watching TV shows.

4.IF YOU CAN, GET SOME FRESH AIR

Some of us may have already spent 100+ hours in the house without getting any fresh air at all, and it hasn’t even been a month yet! Go out into your backyard or garden and soak up some vitamin D. If you don’t have one, step out onto your balcony, or even open the window when there’s a breeze.

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5.EXERCISE

The comfort of our beds may make us feel like we never want to get up, but exercise is important during this time of anxiety and stress. Exercise releases endorphins, which are essentially happy hormones—don’t we all need those right now!?

I hope the tips above help you look forward to the upcoming summer. Remember, we are in this together! I will end this article with the following quote: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives nor the most intelligent that survives, but the most adaptable to change,” Charles Darwin.

LIVING IN DOHA

How to Qatar:

Cheaper ways to send money home

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ending money home via your bank is quick and easy. But, you are probably not getting the best rate, as there are usually some hidden fees when converting foreign currency. These are not usually disclosed up-front, so you are often only made aware of them when you have slightly less than you expect in your home bank account.

There is no one perfect tactic for getting the best deal, and different strategies will work better for some foreign destinations than others. Nevertheless, here are a few options you can explore.

1. Ooredoo Mobile Money (OMM)

Hosted by Ooredoo, this digital wallet can be linked to any bank account in Qatar. It has a very user-friendly Summer 2020 | Issue 14

interface and a variety of helpful options like handling payments to domestic staff, topping up Karwa cards, and sending money to other OMM accounts. While you can get a basic account with just an Ooredoo number and a QID, you can hold and send larger sums once you register in-person at an Ooredoo store. With a full account, you can transfer up to QR 10,000 per day digitally through exchange houses like MoneyGram and Al Dar Exchange to over 200 countries. Ooredoo often offers cashback options on transfer fees for further savings. You can also top up your OMM account by inserting cash directly into the Ooredoo machines found in a variety of shopping malls.

2. Lulu Money App

Lulu Hypermarket operates this currency exchange and money transfer service to over 170 countries.

They have a same-day service for select countries at their physical locations. However, most transactions will take the usual two to three working days. Lulu Money has an app that you can link to a Qatar-based debit card and use to check rates instantly. While you can download the app and fill in your QID and other 57

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details, you still need to visit a Lulu Hypermarket to actually start using it. Transaction fees are generally around QR 15.

3. Al Dar Exchange App

While a lot of money transfer and exchange shops in Qatar are working hard to release online portals or mobile apps, Al Dar has been ahead of the game— their mobile app is already a few years old. At the time of writing, Al Dar is allowing new users to register online with their QID and an email address. They also offer regular promotions offering free transactions, but as with any other platform, cross-check with other online options to see if this makes a difference to the final amount.

4. Western Union

Western Union has a widespread network covering over 200 countries and territories, making it an obvious choice for expats. But, one serious downside is that you can only send up to QR 20,000 per transfer, which makes it impractical for large cash transfers.

The best rates are reportedly found online, and their website and mobile app are very user-friendly with detailed and regularly updated FAQs. You’ll need to register with your personal details before sending your first transfer. To finish registration, you will be asked to send photos and a short video of your QID

to Al Fardan Exchange (details are on the Western Union website). Transaction fees start from QR 15, and you can earn My WU points for discounts on future transactions. While Western Union is traditionally popular for direct, person-to-person cash transfers, you can use their services to send money to your foreign bank account as well.

5. PayPal

You can open a local PayPal account with QNB—it will convert your riyals into dollars, which you can then use to send to your PayPal account in your home country.

It’s likely not the most cost-effective option, as PayPal charges you to receive money. For instance, if you send money from Qatar to your US account, PayPal will keep 4.4% of the total amount. The rate will vary depending on the destination country, and may even be higher if you need to convert to any other currency.

We’d only advise using this method if you frequently use PayPal for online shopping.

6. Foreign currency accounts

Some banks offer foreign currency accounts, which can help lessen the hidden costs of transferring money, especially if a branch of your Qatari bank is in your home country. For instance, HSBC offers accounts in pounds and dollars. So, if you have another HSBC account in your home country, you can take advantage of their free money transfer service.

7. Online currency traders

These methods induce the most headaches, but using online currency traders will save you the most money.

First, figure out whether they accept Qatari riyals; if not, you can trade through US dollars to arrive at the best rate. TransferWise does not yet support riyals, but you might be able to transfer through a foreign currency account. Alternatively, Europeans and Americans can consider a US-dollar transfer to Revolut, an online bank that offers currency exchanges at the mid-market rate (the cheapest you can get). Alternatively, if you are sending large amounts of money home, check rates with monito.com to choose an online currency trader that will offer the best rate.

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Marketplace

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