Latest news with #Medjool
What's On
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
Review: A Normal Day honours timeless classics and the charm of slow living
Perhaps one of Dar Wasl's finest offerings – A Normal Day surprises you with the softness of it all, claiming a quiet corner in Dubai's madness. It's not loud, not cluttered or confusing with too many fixtures, too many people, too many things on the menu. Time slows down here, enveloping you with a kind of homely ease. The Vibe Draped in shades of brown and rust, A Normal Day paints a cool, casual picture, the kind that's all the rage in Dubai right now. Part of an incoming renaissance of sorts of casual dining after the tidal wave that was the 'luxury' restaurant, it occupies a niche of it's own. The whole space is designed to feel like the living room of a lived-in home, full of character and personal detail. A wooden display with books, candelabras and records, collected art, corners of curated greenery, pools of gentle sunlight and quiet calm. The Food and Drinks Created by Chef Illia Andriushyn, the menu is all about taking the very best of the comfort classics we all know and love and simply, making them better. Timeless in nature, it'll take you through leisurely lunches to languid dinner, warming up your appetite with familiarity and flavour – fresh, quality, seasonal. Some of these include the avo and mango toast, perfect for breakfast, the AND shakshuka, hot and hearty, the layered lasagna, rich, creamy and will solve all your problems, the cacio e pepe, one of the best we've ever had, and the breakfast bun, a champions breakfast through and through. While staying true to the favourites, there are also some inventive bits. The date bonbons, Medjool date butter, brioche bread; cue-ki carpaccio, kiwi, cucumber, pistachio and burrata. The spot is unlicensed, but the beverages don't falter, with specialty cold brews, rose and raspberry lemonades, iced teas and more. The Service Bright smiles and keen, watchful hospitality – that is the service at A Normal Day. The staff makes you feel welcome, at home, floating around quietly in the background. You're fed quickly, no matter what you order, which is great for patrons who arrive hungry. What to Order Date bonbons Breakfast bun Eggplant beetroot dip Honey Cake What's On the Bill Expect to pay around Dhs300–400 for two, including drinks. The Final Say What's On Verdict: Come home to A Normal Day to discover new favourites and rediscover old ones. Location: A Normal Day, Dar Wasl Mall, Dubai Times: Daily, 9am to 10pm Contact: (0) 50 884 9254 | @ Reservations: Recommended for weeknights/weekends Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Daily Mirror
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Made In Chelsea star 'doesn't recognise herself' since leaving show
Former Made In Chelsea castmate Jessica Woodley opens up about her pregnancy journey - and swapping the show's dramas for a quiet life in 'magical' Ireland with her filmmaker partner Former Made In Chelsea star Jessica Woodley no longer recognises the version of herself that appeared on the E4 show about London's exclusive social set a decade ago. Now aged 30, the reality star-turned-sculptor says she's more self-aware and, as she prepares to become a mother for the first time, feels ''more power as a woman'. Jessica, who joined the reality series in 2015 — and dated Jamie Laing before quitting in 2017 — revealed last month that she was expecting a baby with her filmmaker partner, Mark Logan. Chatting exclusively to OK! from the Irish countryside they now call home, Jessica explains why life has changed so dramatically for her… Jessica! Congratulations on your pregnancy. How have you been? Thank you! My first trimester was tricky, and I am definitely experiencing nausea, even at 28 weeks, but it's all teaching me newfound resilience. I feel like I'm gaining strength throughout this can be hard at times, physically and emotionally, but Mark is so supportive. I don't know if I could do this without him. Have you always wanted to have kids? I always hoped to be a mother. I wouldn't say we were trying to get pregnant, but we were delighted. Pleasantly surprised. From that moment on, I've felt quite high. Have you had any unusual cravings? Salt and vinegar crisps are getting me through. And I love Medjool dates, they are heaven on earth. I also make masala chai every morning. It really warms my stomach, and actually soothes the nausea. I'm doing yoga and a bit of Pilates. And our dog, Bloom, gets me outside. What kind of mum do you hope to be? I'm very aware that this child is going to be my teacher, I really respect that we learn a lot from children. I'm excited by this feeling of nurture — it's so strong. I worry less now, too, and I used to be such a worrier. I'd come up with hypothetical worries, make up scenarios in my head, and then get scared. I've learned how to self-regulate, and I hope that will help me as a mum. How did you meet Mark? Was there an instant connection? The second I met Mark, I felt like I remembered him. Like I had met him before, like he was already my best friend. I think I'd been searching for him for quite a long time. We both believe in devotion. So I've found love brings you together, but devotion keeps you together. I didn't see him coming, but I am so glad he's here. And how has Mark been throughout your pregnancy so far? He's been so supportive and bought me all the salt and vinegar crisps I desire! He's really cheeky and funny, which has helped me so much. Laughter has helped me and continues to help me. We're living in Ireland now — initially I was nervous to move to another country, but I find Irish people quite magical, and it just feels right being here. It's quite a transformation from your Made In Chelsea days... You know, I feel very grateful for that period of time because if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't have experienced solitude to the degree I did, and I wouldn't have looked inside myself as much as I did. I'm really thankful for that time I perceived as difficult, but now I perceive as a gift. I actually don't recognise myself any more. I'm less ignorant, I am more self-aware, and I have a deeper understanding. I feel much more in my power as a woman than I did then. Do you keep in touch with any Made In Chelsea cast members? I speak to Alex Mytton, I think he's an angel, he's just fab. And I sometimes speak to Jamie Laing, that's it. We haven't spoken since the pregnancy announcement [Jamie and his wife Sophie Habboo recently revealed they are expecting a baby ], but I can't wait to talk to him. Would you ever do reality TV again? I wouldn't say no. If it was in alignment with where I'm at, then yeah, maybe... How has it been navigating pregnancy at the same time as launching your sculpture collection, Gliffy? We were really focusing on Gliffy and then I found out I was pregnant, and we were like, 'This is actually really beautiful.' It's amazing to have these two things that I care about so much come about at the same time. I was slightly nervous about it, because I thought, 'Oh, is the timing incorrect? Is this going to get in the way of anything?' But actually, it's been the total opposite. I found that they really complement each other, because my collection was kind of about the inner child, and it felt like my baby. How did your journey into making sculptures start? I would say I started this journey of self-discovery and self-inquiry in lockdown, because, like a lot of people, I was forced to be alone. I had to figure out what it was that made me happy and made me feel good, and it forced me into solitude. I found that there was something inside me that was really childlike and playful, and I was suppressing that. I was really lucky to come in contact with an artist, and I was really inspired by the fact that this person was using their imagination to create form in the real world. I was like, 'Yeah, I want to try that.' Having to overcome the fear of not knowing what I'm doing and the fear of failure was interesting. That in itself was a journey.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
The Frozen Sweet Treat That's Been A Palm Springs Area Staple Since Prohibition
If you've ever driven through the Coachella Valley, you probably recall the vast fields of date palms that rise up like oases in the flat desert expanse, with rocky mountains looming alongside the stretches of freeway. It's a stunning vista, the harsh desert landscape contrasting with blooming wildflowers in the spring, enormous white wind turbines spinning, and snow-capped mountain peaks visible in the far distance. According to High Country News, about 90% of American dates are grown in the Coachella Valley, with date varieties like Medjool and Deglet Noor being amongst the most popular. With such an abundance of this sweet, sticky desert fruit, it's no wonder that business owners sought more ways to sell them than in just their natural state. Date shakes have long been a staple on any road trip out to the desert in Southern California, a very local "if you know, you know" tradition. While Palm Springs now has no shortage of martinis, poolside drinks, and tiki bars, there was a period of time when alcohol was illegal everywhere in the United States. Vanilla milkshakes were originally meant to be alcoholic drinks, but from 1920 to the early 1930s, thirsty Americans had to find a new vice to quench their desire for a specialty drink during Prohibition. Non-alcoholic milkshakes became popular, and in 1930, the owner of the long-shuttered Valerie Jean Date Shop combined minced dates with the newly popular milkshake, and a wildly popular new desert delicacy was born. Read more: 13 Popular Vanilla Ice Cream Brands Ranked By Ingredient Quality Arguably the most popular spot for date shakes is Shields Date Garden, located in the Coachella Valley about a half hour's drive southeast of Palm Springs in Indio. Shields opened in 1924 and sells not only dates and date shakes, but date-based products, local honey, and locally-grown citrus. It's almost impossible to miss, as the entrance boasts an enormous sign in the shape of a helmeted knight pointing the way to the property that was added as a roadside sign in 1953. Another big name in date shakes is Hadley Fruit Orchards. Hadley's, as locals call it, opened in 1931 and is one of the first places you can get a date shake when driving to the desert from the west. What once was a humble, one-story roadside stand painted forest green has now become a much larger, modern store with aisles of fruits, nuts, and confections, as well as typical tourist souvenirs. There is a separate corner of the large store that churns out thousands of the the popular date shakes per day, where you can add mix-ins to your liking. My personal favorite is the banana date shake, but they even have a vegan shake available. While Shields and Hadley's are two big names in date shakes, there are a plethora of smaller shops selling the caramely, toffee-like flavored milkshakes all over Palms Springs and the Coachella Valley. If you can't make the trek out to the Southern California desert, you can order fresh dates online and use them to make your own date shakes at home, or even use them as the secret ingredient for nutritiously sweetened smoothies. Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Benefits of Dates, One of Nature's Sweetest Superfoods
Dates are packed with fiber and nutrients that support gut, heart, and bone health in just a few bites. Dates offer natural sweetness and antioxidants, but portion control matters due to their high sugar and carb content. For a healthier snack, pair dates with nuts, cheese, or yogurt to slow sugar spikes and boost you're searching for a fuss-free, sweet snack that's also good for you, consider the benefits of dates. The fruit of the date palm tree, with Middle Eastern roots dating back thousands of years, these satisfying treats are beloved by home cooks and health professionals alike, for ample reason. We spoke to registered dietitians to learn more about their nourishing properties and how eating them can benefit our Elick, MS, RD, and instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education's Los Angeles campus Desiree Nielsen, RD, host of The Allsorts podcast, and author of several cookbooks, including Plant Magic: A Celebration of Plant-Based Cooking for Everyone Amanda Holtzer, MS, RD, and founder of Amanda Ghee NutritionRelated: 14 Delicious Recipes That Use Dates, From Appetizers to Desserts Dates are sold fresh and sun-dried, but the latter is more readily available in the U.S. Of the hundreds of varieties, Medjool and Deglet Noor are the most widely available. Moist and deliciously sticky with rich, concentrated flavor, these brown and amber-colored fruits are sold with or without pits. Dates are considered a superfood, says Connie Elick, MS, RD, and instructor of plant-based culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education's Los Angeles campus. "Their nutritional benefits relate to bone health, digestive health, and heart health," she says. "We often forget that dates are fruit; like all fruits, they do contain fiber—1.6 grams per date—as well as small amounts of vitamins and minerals," says Desiree Nielsen, RD, host of The Allsorts podcast, and author of the cookbooks, Plant Magic and Good for Your Gut. Helps constipation: Fiber supports digestion, and it's integral to other bodily functions. "Adequate fiber intake is crucial for bowel regularity, proper digestion, blood sugar management, weight management, and satiety," says Amanda Holtzer, MS, RD. Beneficial compounds: But the fruit's fiber content isn't solely responsible for keeping the gut in working order. "Dates are a great gut health food, both because of their fiber but also because they contain compounds that help feed the gut microbiome, like polyphenols, sorbitol, and fructans,' explains Nielsen. A healthy microbiome can help influence our overall health, she dates have a higher concentration of polyphenols (antioxidants) than other dried fruits, such as prunes, apricots, and fiber content also helps support heart health. "As fiber moves through the GI tract, one of the things it binds to is LDL cholesterol particles (aka 'bad' cholesterol)," Holtzer says. Fiber helps to remove these LDL particles through the stool, which helps reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Potassium: Dates are a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, a marker of cardiovascular health, Holtzer says. Antioxidants: The polyphenols also make a valuable contribution, helping to decrease inflammation and reduce damage from free radicals, Elick says. Dates contain calcium, which works with phosphorus, minerals that are essential for the formation and health of bones and teeth, Holtzer says."Magnesium plays a role in activating vitamin D (needed for bone health) and promoting the absorption of calcium, and contributes to bone density," Elick adds. For all of their merits, Nielsen is wary of overstating the nutritional value of dates. "While their fiber content is substantial, you would need to consume a lot of dates to get meaningful amounts of vitamins and minerals," she says. One Medjool date, she points out, has about 15 mg of calcium (about 2 percent of your daily needs) and 167 mg of potassium (our daily requirement is 2600–3400 mg). While you could double down on your intake to move the needle, our experts caution against going whole hog. Moderation: "Dates should be consumed as part of a balanced, varied, portion-controlled diet," Elick says, noting that some studies indicate that eating 2–3 dates per day can contribute to health benefits. Carbs and sugars: "They are a plant-based, nutrient-dense, wonderfully healthy food. But when it comes down to brass tacks, 132 calories, 36 grams of carbs, and 32 grams of sugar for just two dates is significant," Holtzer says. Diabetic conditions: For most healthy people, those numbers aren't cause for worry—and for some, the high levels of carbohydrates, in combination with their iron content, may be an energy boost—but for others, they can be a forbidden fruit. "If you are someone with pre-diabetes or diabetes, dates may not be the best option for you because of the high carb and sugar content," Holtzer says. As we bump up our serving size, the glycemic impact (GI) also increases, Nielsen says. "For folks who are watching their blood sugars, I would caution against what I often see online, which is characterizing dates almost as a 'freebie' when it comes to blood sugars." Glycemic load: While Medjool dates have a GI of 55, which is at the edge of the low category, Nielsen says, that number doesn't tell the whole story. "The true glycemic impact of a food—if we're eating it on its own—is the glycemic load, or the GL. This measures the glycemic impact of the carbs as well as the carb itself. So, a single date has a GL of 8, which is also roughly the same as a dried fig." How you eat them also makes a difference. When dates are enjoyed with foods containing fiber, protein, and healthy fats, these nutrients will help moderate the impact of carbohydrate-containing foods on our blood sugar, Nielsen dried dates contain sulfites, which can trigger allergic or negative reactions like rashes or eye sensitivity for some are also a star ingredient in other products, most notably date syrup and date sugar. Processed Products: Date syrup that contains the whole date fruit will have a similar nutrient profile, Nielsen says, while date sugars may be derived from the whole food or more refined. "Some of the nutritional benefits of dates may be lost during processing, but still remain in date syrup or date sugar, and these may be more nutritious than typical refined white sugar," Elick says. Limit Intake: These alternative sweeteners should be consumed in moderation, she notes, since they still contain sugar, carbohydrates, and calories. "As with most foods, it is better to eat dates in their whole form, rather than heavily processed forms." Read the original article on Martha Stewart
News18
12-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Only Class 8 Pass, This Barmer Farmer Now Earns Lakhs From Date Farming In The Desert
Curated By : Satyaki Baidya Translation Desk-Local18 Last Updated: June 12, 2025, 18:15 IST Rawataram Kalbi shared that he began cultivating dates in 2015 and started harvesting his first crop in 2018. (Local18) A farmer from Barmer, Rajasthan has defied expectations by transforming barren desert land into a profitable date palm orchard. Rawataram Kalbi, an eighth-grade pass farmer from Rajasthan's Bhakharpura village in the Gudamalani subdivision, has earned lakhs annually through date palm cultivation, demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation. Rawataram Kalbi, a farmer from Bhakharpura village in Barmer district's Gudamalani subdivision, has achieved what many educated youths might not dare to attempt. While others dismissed the barren land as useless, Kalbi travelled to Gujarat to learn the techniques of date palm cultivation. He drew inspiration from what he saw in Gujarat and began cultivating date palms on arid desert land. Though initially ridiculed by many, Kalbi's determination has paid off—those who once mocked him now admire his success. Kalbi shared that he began cultivating dates in 2015 and started harvesting his first crop in 2018. In the initial year, both the production and income from dates were low, but over time, the yield and profits steadily increased. Today, his once-barren fields are filled with lush green date palm trees, and he earns a profit of several lakhs every year. Kalbi has proved that with strong determination, even desert land can yield gold. Notably, he has also received government subsidies for his efforts. Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kalbi shared that his income was Rs 2 lakh in 2018, Rs 4 lakh in 2019, Rs 5 lakh in 2020, Rs 6 lakh in 2021, Rs 7 lakh in 2022, Rs 8 lakh in 2023, and Rs 10 lakh in 2024. This year, he expects an income of Rs 12 lakh. These figures clearly show that his earnings from date palm cultivation are rising steadily every year. Date palm is currently being cultivated on 250 hectares in Thar city, Barmer, generating an annual business of Rs 10–12 crore. Around 110 farmers are engaged in date farming across Barmer district, cultivating varieties like Medjool, Barhi, Ghanami, and Khuneji in the desert. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! News lifestyle Only Class 8 Pass, This Barmer Farmer Now Earns Lakhs From Date Farming In The Desert
