Unity between faiths has been the central theme of the pontiff's Asia trip and a declaration they signed called for 'religious harmony for the sake of humanity'
Canadian national Mowrad Rownak is a part-time IT manager, a 'natural lifestyle' trainer, and vegan. Rownak became a vegan because, he says, "it was the right thing to do. I felt like I was on the path of being a natural human. I love to eat raw vegan food and healthy food gives you a healthy mind and body. Nor does he feel short of options in UAE. "When it comes to places in Dubai, Raw Love Vegan has some of the best vegan desserts because they are handmade and organic. I would say among the vegan crowd Be Supernatural is a popular vegan cafe. It used to be Tidjoori but they closed down."
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A vegan diet can be hard to get used to, especially when you're used to starting your day with scrambled eggs. They say being vegan is stressful since you don't have much to choose from. Well, those who say so clearly haven't explored enough options. For those looking for a lazy lunch, you should head to Jumeriah. Comptoir 102 opposite Jumeirah Beach Centre is a laid back café founded by Parisians Emma Sawko and Alexandra de Montaudouin. Their love for healthy food resulted in anorganic food menu with recipes that use raw, vegan and gluten-free ingredients. Try their avocado crostini (Dh65). Toasted bread topped with macadamia sauce and alfalfa sprouts, guacamole and cucumber; it's a lovely dish to have with salad on the side.
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A drive down Jumeirah Beach Road will lead to One Café by Life n' One. Life n' One is a wellness centre. Try their veggie burger (Dh59) or a wild rice salad (Dh49).
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If your idea of relaxing involves crowds and endless shops, then head to The Dubai Mall and dine at BeStro. Their food is raw, plant-based, organic, and free from meat, dairy, sugar, gluten and chemicals. Try their zucchini lasagne (Dh51), and for dessert, you can't miss the cacao fondant (Dh31).
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If you're more into smoothies, then Sophie's at Palm Jumeirah won't disappoint. For Dh27, you can have one of their cocoa-sesame concoctions, or banana with sesame - all gluten and dairy free, of course.
Nutri Nuggets
Treat yourself to tahini
Tahini is the delicious dip with shawarmas. Not just shawarmas, the condiment made from sesame seeds is used in a variety of dishes. This paste made from ground sesame seeds is a healthy alternative to peanut butter and is normally included in vegetarian and vegan diets because of its high levels of fibre, calcium and low levels of sugar and saturated fats. Tahini is rich in protein and is great as dips, salad dressings and even dessert (not everyone has a sweet tooth). If you're preparing tahini at home, make sure to store it properly in a cool, dry place otherwise the sesame oil will separate from the solid mixture.
Flax seeds, if not fish
Used in a wide variety of foods, flax seeds can be sprinkled on smoothies, in the batter for muffins, oats, breads etc. Its history goes back to 3000 BC. A good source of omega-3 fatty acid, lignans and fibre; it is the perfect substitute to eggs. Lignans are chemical compounds that carry antioxidants and enzymes, which help lower the risk of heart disease and cancer. Flax seeds also contain ALA fats that benefit the skin and hair. You want to up your intake of this wonder seed also because consuming it reduces skin-dryness and flakiness. During winter, we suggest adding a tablespoons of flax seeds to your diet. Or you could eat more oily fish.
Chill with 'em chickpeas
Chickpeas are loaded with protein. For optimal functioning, your body needs a bunch of it. Chickpeas or garbanzo beans or whatever you want to call them are one of the earliest cultivated legumes. Rich in folate, dietary fibre, iron and phosphorous, this versatile legume is what you would find in a sweet laddu or a warm falafel. Its high fibre content makes it excellent for weight-loss diets and its rich source of iron gives an energy boost one would need. This is very important for pregnant women and growing children. For those following a vegan or vegetarian diet, better stock up on chickpeas. It's a complete health capsule!
milrina@khaleejtimes.com
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