No food, for thought
15/08/2010
This week signalled the start of Ramadan, one of the sacred months in Islam during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. During these hours no food or drink must pass the lips of the fasting person. As Ramadan falls slightly earlier in the season each year, 2010 will be seeing some of the longest days British Muslims will have fasted throughout for a long time. Longer days mean a longer fast - we’re talking from approximately 3.30am to 8.30pm!
So why do Muslims put themselves through this seemingly rigorous abstention?
Fasting during the month of Ramadan constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam. It teaches self-restraint and is a method of disciplining oneself and self-reflecting. It also provides an understanding of the plight of the poor and needy who habitually go without food or drink.
The self restraint that must be exercised is not purely physical (i.e. I must NOT reach for the fridge door), but also spiritual, in the sense that you must control your anger, do good deeds, and prepare yourself to be a good Muslim and a good person. The aim of Ramadan is to practise being the best you can be with the aim of carrying it through throughout the rest of the year.
Ramadan is also a time for spreading love and mercy, and burying the hatchet with those you might have the hump with. It reminds you of all the things to be grateful for (not limited to, but perhaps in particular, food!) and encourages the giving of charity to those less fortunate, which is another of the five pillars of Islam.
Fasting also provides health benefits, which include speeding up the destruction of the decaying tissues in the body and cleaning out our digestive system.
In view of the longer hours of fasting, medical experts advise eating complex-carbohydrates or slow-digesting foods before the fast begins so that hunger is kept at bay for longer (approx 8 hours). These complex-carbohydrates can be found in foods that contain seeds and grain like barley, wheat, oats, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour and unpolished rice.
When breaking the fast, it is advised to eat refined carbohydrates or fast-digesting foods in order to quickly restore blood glucose levels. Such foods include those that contain sugar and white flour. Intake of fried foods, very spicy foods and foods containing too much sugar should be limited during Ramadan as they are likely to cause indigestion and heartburn.
So how are Muslims preparing themselves to exercise that self restraint during the long days of this summer?
Idris, 24, says: “The longer my focus is on something other than food, I’m doing well. I’m using my time to drown myself in work and job applications; I’ve found that I rarely get hungry before 5pm, then I play the waiting game. I’m also challenging myself to pray five times-a-day and attend the Mosque every night. I’m hoping for a change spiritually.”
Farah, 24, says: “I make sure I eat well before the beginning of the fast, and also after. I do still feel the hunger but it makes me a whole lot more appreciative of the food when I break my fast! It really makes you think about the people who are going without food. I also feel more introspective and contemplative, and I’ve been restraining myself from saying anything mean about anyone. I’m generally trying to be more considerate!”
by Saba Kazmi
Sun, sand, camels and...Russians
03/08/2010
Far away from the hustle and bustle of London, my summer break was spent on the popular Red Sea resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh. From the moment the tyres graced the tarmac upon landing, the soaring heat beamed. Once the door opened it felt like we’d been thrusted into an outdoor sauna. No green fields here though, just a desert view with rock upon rock.
Palm trees surrounded the entrance of airport, and amongst the serenity, the hustlers awaited us - the taxi drivers that is. Mistake number one and lesson number one for the holiday was learnt here: there is no fixed rate or meter. After paying double the amount we were supposed to, we arrived at the lovely hotel: a stone coloured building with big pillars at the entrance. Marble floors and a golden Tutankhamun was at the front desk, a massive pool with a poolside bar too. Our room was luxurious and the toilet came loaded with the bum sprinkler too, to maintain maximum hygiene.
Although the accommodation was divine, the hotel food was simply awful. The vegetables were cold, the chicken had more bone than meat and the potatoes were rock hard. I was not impressed. The best food I ate was in a plush bar/club called Little Buddha. The prawns I ate were to die for, but the price equated to the same as the West End eateries. There are two major nightclubs, Little Buddha and Pacha. The latter is open air and filled with swimming pools. The sound system is earth shattering.
The beaches were gorgeous. The sand was hot enough to burn a hole in your foot, and maximum sun protection was required. Although the water was salty, swimming and floating in the tranquil sea was blissful. There were opportunities for various water sports too. On one occasion we went deep into the sea for snorkelling, but the journey was cut short as people around me dropped like flies with sea sickness.
Quad-biking in the desert was an amazing experience, truly living life on the edge. Searing heat, no wind and speeding through the desert is highly recommended. Surrounded by sand and rocks, amazingly there is a small population who are known as Bedouins. They live in the desert. So much so, our tour guide came within an inch of running a child down which was probably the scariest moment of the holiday. Out of curiosity I asked a local when it last rained. It was six years ago! While I was there, the lowest it reached was 38C.
I expected a lot of British people in Sharm, but the Russian tourists dominated the resort. From speaking to the locals, they have exerted their influence with drugs and prostitutes. At first it seemed bizarre to see so many Russians, but I got used to it.
The jewel in the crown for Sharm is Naama Bay. A busy market place, restaurants, clubs, shisha lounges and casinos - this where the life and soul of Sharm lies. There are more familiar sights – KFC, McDonald’s and Pizza Hut to name a few. But where I found myself into the early hours on most nights were the shisha lounges, entertained by the dancing waiters who had a Souljah Boy routine!
It’s great to shop if you know what you want and if you know how to barter. Every trader will pitch to you, even with force at times. One said: "I don't know what you want, but I have it!" they will offer anything. There are plenty of excursions and lots of history to fill up your time too. Steer away from hotel food and if you have a weak stomach, make sure you pack the Dioralyte. If you want the sun at its hottest, beaches and nightlife Sharm is ideal.
by Pavel Choudhury
FOOT FET-FISH
22/07/2010
Tired of scraping or peeling your dead skin on your feet? What if someone told you that something could nibble it away for you? ‘It’ being fish. This is not an opening to a poor joke, it really is true.
A couple opened London’s first fish therapy concept spa in Kensington. The fish have been nibbling away at feet across the Far East, where it’s proved to be extremely popular.
How does it work? Customers walk in and sit their feet in water tanks, whilst an army of 150 Garra Rufa fish nibble at your soles, exfoliating and removing dead skin and thus allowing healthy new skin to emerge. It’s a pain-free treatment which is said to give a tingly sensation.
Co-owner Karen Ho opened Aqua Sheko with her husband last month. Whilst on holiday in Macau, they both tried the fish treatment, and decided to bring it to London. "Both of us really loved the treatment, it’s fun, relaxing and it works. We were so impressed with the results that we thought why not bring this back to London and open London’s first ever fish therapy spa," Ho explains.
Garra Rufa fish are found naturally in hot springs near Kangal, a small town in Turkey. They have been softening and cleansing the skin of bathers for centuries. A pair of brothers discovered the sensation – one of the brothers suffered from a skin problem. After having his feet massaged by the fish, he noticed the symptoms started to disappear. It is believed that Garra Rufa fish secrete an enzyme - diathanol - that improves skin regeneration.
In preparation for the treatments that start from £30, your feet are washed first, before the fish get to work. The British Association of Dermatologists believes that this gentle, comfortable removal of superfluous skin aids exfoliation, particularly for psoriasis sufferers, since "it may help topical medications to penetrate."
The spa has so far been a success, with plans for expansion on the horizon. Ho added: "Fish therapy is for everyone. We get an even mix of men and women, as the spa and the treatment is very gender neutral. We get all ages as well, from teenagers to the elderly. In particular, we have had a few pregnant women come in and say that they have really enjoyed the treatment."
Will you be visiting the spa?
Skala, a 25-year-old commercial manager, who maintains her feet by exfoliating them everyday and has a fortnightly pedicure, would welcome the fish therapy. "I would find it an interesting experience to have fish nibble at my feet."
Yasmin, 24, says: “I could never have fish nibbling at my feet. The idea of it makes me feel sick I hate fish. Once I had a big scab and went into the sea and I heard people say fish eat scabs, so I was always watching my knee below the water.”
“I saw the treatment in Malaysia and it looked interesting but I didn't have the chance to do it,” says Zina, 24. “I wouldn't mind fish nibbling at my feet. It might be weird at first, but if it gets the feet feeling smooth then yeah.”
by Pavel Choudhury
Chit Chat with the brains behind Krystal
15/07/2010
Krystal magazine celebrates its first birthday today and not only has the online publication brought joy to many young black British women, it has also brought endless joy to the founders of Krystal. So who are Melissa and Pavel, what did their teacher’s used to say about them and what makes them smile?
What made you decide to create Krystal?
Melissa: As a young black woman living in the UK I rarely read magazines because I can’t relate to most of the content. I knew many others like me so I decided to launch a magazine. Krystal is not just for me, but for many others out there.
Pav: Firsty, I love and appreciate women. Writing is a passion of mine so I'm combining both passions. People asked: “Why do you want to launch a women's magazine?” Those that know me know that I am entrepreneurial, dedicated and ambitious.
What were you doing before Krystal?
M: At university.
P: Ditto.
Who’s your favourite person you’ve interviewed?
M: A few years ago I interviewed Pretty Ricky with a friend of mine. That whole experience was really funny and the guys were friendly. I also enjoyed interviewing Eddie Griffin- he was funny- and Ty as he was very wise.
P: I've interviewed a number of people…One standout interview for me was with Ginuwine. Being young, it could've been easy to be starstruck, but he made it easy for me. I also enjoyed interviewing LeToya and Jazmine Sullivan, they were so chatty and down to earth. Ty was possibly one of the realest artists I've met. That's a rarity these days. Not mentioning names, but a lot of people, particularly male rappers, live in a persona and need to get a grip of reality.
Who would you like to interview?
M: Joe and Obama. Also the Queen, I would like to see for myself what she’s like and what she gets up to when she’s not working.
P: Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro. The latter because it would be interesting to get an insight into one of the last communist leaders alive today.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
M: Eat, sleep, watch TV and spend time with family and friends.
P: Other than the above, driving and going to the gym. Playing with my nephews too, as they bring out the child in me.
What did your teacher’s used to say about you?
M: Chatty but she does her work.
P: Your dad has a restaurant doesn't he? and he gets his work done.
Where’s your most favourite place in the world?
M: My bed.
P: It used to be my car until it got written off, but I'm going to have to agree with my bed. It's the one place where you're comfortable, at peace and somewhere no one can hurt you.
When was the last time you cried?
M: A few days ago.
P: Earlier this year.
What’s your most prized possession?
M: All my jewellery
P: Right now, it would have to be all my Gucci garments and footwear. Sad as it is, I still keep it wrapped in it's plastic. I couldn't exist without my phone either.
What makes you smile?
M: When people do nice things for others.
P: When people around me are happy and successful.
If I gave you £500 right now what would you do with it?
M: Spend £200 and put it the rest in my bank
P: Spend it all, I don't hang about.
What three things couldn’t you live without?
M: I have four: family, friends, food and Vaseline.
P: Family and friends, music and cocoa butter - my skin hasn't been this soft since I was in Pampers.
The Black Stars Party Hard
08/07/2010
The World Cup is drawing to an end, but for many their hope of being crowned the champions has now ended. Following the heartbreaking defeat, Ghana crashed out of the World Cup held in South Africa at the quarter final stage. Ghana had been the last African team to be knocked out of the tournament and if they had got to the semi final stage they would have made history.
The loss was particularly devastating for striker Asamoah Gyan, who took a penalty in the dying minutes of extra time which forced a nail biting penalty shootout, where unfortunately luck was not on the Black Stars’ side.
The devastation and despair etched on the nation and continent’s faces were completely transformed as the Black Stars made a homecoming trip on July 6. The location was Black Star Square in the heart of Accra, which from the early hours of the afternoon was blasting hiplife tunes much to the delight of school children and traders who were awaiting Africa’s footballing heroes.
Finally the Black Star bus entered the square and the noise level reached critical. After an excruciating fifteen minutes spent watching cultural dancers and hiplife performances, the team was finally introduced onto the stage.
Although the team and the coach were greeted to a rapturous welcome, the biggest cheers were reserved for Dede Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, goalkeeper Richard Kingson and of course the ladies favourite Kevin Prince Boateng. He was clearly overwhelmed by the occasion, but then who wouldn’t be after joining the Ghana squad a month before the tournament and setting foot in the country for the first time ever as a national hero.
After a few speeches, the party really got started after Gyan was invited to recreate his goal celebration dance, which kicked off all the players and coach shaking their funky stuff much to the delight and amusement of the cheering crowd.
All too soon it was over and the players, who had spent the majority of the day greeting MPs and visiting Parliament, bid the crowd goodbye and returned to their bus. As they exited the square flanked on all sides by a squadron of police outriders, a reflective member of the crowd concluded “the team is beautiful”. The Black Stars will shine even brighter in the future and 2014 Brazillian World Cup to showcase their beautiful football and sportsmanship to the world.
by Adwoa Oforiwa in Accra, Ghana
