tell me vincent what you know

"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream."

v.v.g.

they truly make me dream too.

xx penguina

LISTEN TO ME: how to live

it kills me when you get in touch with me again, so later on you can disappear.

don't play around, cause i've got someone else i've found

i've got a life of my own

i've got someone who's shown me

how to live and how to give

i've learned these lessons without you.

******

oh usher

i just can't get this out of my head. i think the last time this happened with him was when the cd my way came out. it's been a while... 

xx

MUST TRY: Nolus Cafe

it's been a couple months now that a friend of mine has been trying to get me to try nolus cafe in al bandar (between abu dhabi and dxb via the yas route). i finally checked it out and man am i happy i did. this place stresses the "healthy eating isn't always bland eating" point to another level. it's just the sort of place i wish i'd find more of in the uae. good thing it's not close to my house otherwise i'd be there daily. 

why's it so good? it's an afghani restaurant with a simple yet eclectic menu. the whole shebang for breakfast including the eggs (any way you like them ;) the fluffy treats i.e. pancakes/waffles (all served till 4pm fyi), and the lunch and dinner options are great when you want choice, and terrible if you're indecisive; you'll never be able to settle for just one dish. 

firstly, there's the always fun option of creating your own salad/sandwich/burger with the freshest ingredients. the salad comes in a huge bowl which really excites me, because when it comes to a salad, i'm a fiend. there's always a soup of the day, main meals that are all cooked with the right spices and apparently a great list of desserts. one dish i can't wait to try is there borani kadoo: sautéed squash in a sauce of saffron, cardamom and spices served on a bed of garlic yogurt. hmm.. maybe avoid it on a date. the word kadoo always reminds me of the restaurant helmand in boston; for the heartiest meals i'd always go there. nolus doesn't have the exact same atmosphere and the food is much lighter, but i love it as long as it's tasty and leaves me sated. 

 it's got a very fresh and organic atmosphere, looking directly out onto the water. apparently when the weather is nice, there's nothing better than enjoying the view with a nice meal. 

i started off with a delicious cream-free tomato basil soup (i stress cream free because i hate creamy soups and love it when a place can pull it off without). i created my own salad: spinach and mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, lots of avocado, grilled chicken (i'm very skeptical about chicken in restaurants but this one was so tasty), hearts of palm, asparagus, flaxseeds and sautéed mushrooms. basically a whole bunch of green (i was going extra healthy). 

i then tried the salmon kabob which was tenderly cooked to perfection in my opinion.

i'm pretty easily satisfied when it comes to food, i don't need anything fancy, and since i prefer to eat more healthy options, what i like is pretty straightforward. this place brings all of that and more. if you want a burger while your friend has a salad, or breakfast while your friend wants lunch it's all readily available. 

i also loved the bathrooms and their cheeky labels - "those who sit" and "those who stand." i'd be worried if it confused anyone...

the one distraction i did have was the server who seemed to be rushing to catch a flight with every order. what i definitely don't want to hear when i'm out enjoying a meal is "maybe, if the chef has time." first of all, if i'm asking for a new dish that's not on the menu, sure, or if i'm at la petite maison where you don't dare change a single thing, fine. but at a casual spot to eat that isn't even full, if i ask the server to split my salad between two bowls to share with someone else, he should be able to make it happen. way to be extra disdainful and scold the person trying to enjoy a meal. also, if you offer fresh juices, don't tell me you're not sure if you can squeeze me a little bit of fresh lemon. i hope i don't bump into him again.

but like i said, that's the only distraction. i would eat at nolus daily if i had the chance, and i can't wait for my next meal there!

xx penguina

meet my new man, mark III

i couldn't be more thrilled this week to receive a very special gift; the new canon 5d mark 3. how do i use it exactly? don't ask. it's a new addition to the camera family of the calamawy household. i have to say the other cameras are not taking it too well... that's probably only a joke to people who have been over, or know my family well; my father seems to suffer from an acute disease of an insatiable appetite towards cameras.

for real though, i'm willing to be taught how to use this one, i know it offers a lot. if anyone out there has an idea where i can learn, hi :)

xx penguina

LISTEN TO ME: black crow

won't you help me, be on my way

won't you help me, be on my way

so i can set me free.


xx

how to live

one day, david nicholls

live. passionately.

xx

FIT BODY: are you ready to dig deep?

have any of you come across the insanity workout yet? maybe if you're part of the p90x cult you might have, otherwise i don't know many people who have. a friend of mine mentioned it to me and it looks prettay insane. trained by shaun t (who?), the key to this workout is that it's all about "max interval training" - so long intervals of maximum training followed by short intervals of rest. 

alternating between aerobic and anaerobic intervals, these workouts seem to be great for building your strength, stamina, and lets not forget the whole reaching your fittest body aspect. the package comes with 10 dvds focusing on different workouts on each. apparently you burn up to 1,000 cals per hr; that's a bit intense for my liking, but you can obviously tone it down accordingly. watch the video, it's as intense as it sounds. well, to me at least.

the fact that it calls for your loyal commitment for 2 whole months makes me a little restless at the thought; that's practically a relationship. but if it's good, i'm sure you'll stay loyal. if you don't have time for the gym, yet want results give it a go. i have no doubt if you follow it and eat the right diet, you'll notice changes. might be worth it before summer!

i like to remind people that eating well and working out isn't only about how you look; i know people who hardly eat, living mainly on a diet of cigarettes and wine to reach their ideal figure of being thin. but i've learnt that i'd choose lean and fit over skinny any day; not only for how it looks, but more importantly how it makes you feel. the natural energetic high you have when you're on top of your game is constant and will always shine a positive light on everything around you.

xx penguina

LISTEN TO ME: breaking the law

whatever it takes to get what you need

ignore the alarm

ignore the police 

i'll never stop

breaking the law for you

*****

happy monday xx 

homemade granola -> de-lish!

there are so many reasons why breakfast should be your favorite meal of the day: eating a regular breakfast helps kick-off your metabolism for the day, you go through the day with much more energy and it’s the best time to eat what you want because you’re probably going to work it off.

one of my favorite breakfast recipes is a homemade granola recipe I came across, which of course I found ways to make more healthy and delicious.

ingredients:

music: ce matin-la - air
mood: free to hang around the oven for a while until granola is made

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup shaved almonds
1/4 cup raw hulled green pumpkin seeds
2 Tbs. sesame seeds
1 Tbs. fennel seeds
1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup dried currents
1 Tbs. unsweetened applesauce
1 Tbs. canola oil
3 Tbs. honey
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

directions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees.

in a large bowl combine the rolled oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, fennel seeds and coconut.

meanwhile in a small saucepan over low heat, combine the applesauce, honey and cinnamon until warm, around 2 minutes. combine the wet and dry ingredients.

spread the mixture in an even layer on a large baking sheet. put the baking sheet on the middle rack and bake for 5 minutes. shake the mixture so that it bakes evenly and bake for another 3 - 5 minutes or until mixture becomes golden brown. watch the mixture carefully so it doesn’t burn. seriously, if you walk away for a minute you could end up with a burnt mess. transfer back to the large bowl. let the granola cool down and then break it up or keep it as chunky as you like and add the currents. (feel free to broil the mixture till you reach your desired crunch).

enjoy with milk or yoghurt and fresh fruit. keep the granola in a sealed container, stays fresh for about a week.

bon appétit!

xx penguina