DoinDubai Magazine

An Honest Guide to Life in Dubai

Home | LIVING | Home & Garden

Home & Garden

by 1 Comment

GARDENING IN DUBAI USEFUL PHRASES

Gardening in Dubai – updated May 2020ย 

Gardening in Dubai has been challenging for many people recently especially as gardeners may have stayed away.

Maybe now your gardener has returned on a semi regular basis. ย So have a look at the phrases andย  the SECOND video below that may help you communicate a bit better exactly what you want them to do.

Gardening in Dubai DoinDubai hibiscus side view
Hibiscus flower blooms daily

It’s obviously hotter now so do move your plants into whatever shade you can and cut back vigorously. See how our mint and basil has fared over the last few weeks here..very useful herbs to grow for as long as you can, especially with all our home cooking going on since we’ve been staying home in Dubaiย 

Try this really easy pea and mint hummus recipe that doesn’t require any tahini.

Gardening in dubai DoinDubai pea and mint hummus
Green peas and fresh mint hummus no tahini

Many gardeners Iโ€™ve come across in Dubai are from Pakistan or India. ย Whilst the bossโ€™s English is generally ok, chances are some of his staff wonโ€™t be that fluent!

You may find these Hindi/Urdu phrases improve your gardening in Dubai.

Gardening-In-Dubai-Curry-Leave
Curry leaves love the heat and great for cooking

Remember some of your gardeners may be from the South of India in which case their mother tongue will be Malyali, but they should be ok with the phrases below.

Find a list of plants and their prices in this earlier post. There is a video below of the phrases written here.

Gardening in Dubai – Cutting Things

Isko cut karo = Cut this.
Isko sirruf trim karo = Only trim this.
Aaj grass ko cut karo = Today cut the grass.
Bot tora caato = Only cut this a little bit.

Gardening in Dubai – Here and There

Idr Lao = Bring it here.
Udhar rako = Put it there.
Isko pot may dalo = Put this is a pot.
Usko zameen mein lagaao = Plant this in the ground.
Aage = Infront.
Peeche = Behind.

Gardening in Dubai DoinDubai frangipani side view
Frangipani is Champa in Hindi

Gardening in Dubai ย – The Water

Aaj bot zyada baarish = Today too much rain
Paani bund karo = Turn the water off
Paani = water
Baarish = rain
Tora paani dalo = Put a little water

Gardening-In-Dubai-Wet-Day-.jpg
Turn off the sprinklers on wet days

Gardening in Dubai ย – Trees and plants

Frangipani = Champa.
Date Palm tree = Kajoor.
Curry Patta = Curry leaf (grows really easily here)
Tree = Pear (but the ending is like a rough d sound, like Pedr)
Flower = Phool
Vegetable = Sabzi.
Which? = Konsa ?

Gardening-In-Dubai-Frangipani-Champa
Frangipani plants love the heat but watch the sticky sap from cutting

Gardening in Dubai – Miscellaneous

Rimmal = Red sand, often used as top soil.
Baldia = the very smelly manure, dark in colour.
Booti = Buds or shoots can also mean weeds
Mazboot = Strong.
Kamzor = Weak.
Teekh Hai = Itโ€™s OK.
Dawa = medicine = pest control or fertilizer.
Isko saaf karo = Clean this.
Abhi = Now.
Baad mein = later.

Gardening in Dubai DoinDubai desert rose side view
Classic Dubai Desert Rose playing with settings on my camera

Need help with the pronunciation? Then just watch the video here!

Just a few that I use a lot, let me know what else youโ€™d like to say in a comment at the end of this post and Iโ€™ll add a simple translation to end of this post! Do please SHARE this one out.

A pdf you can print and laminate if pronunciation is difficult for you. Gardening in Dubai

Miracle Garden is also open if you need some inspiration! As at 2016 when this post was first written.

Combine your photography interests with your garden! A great place for inspiring photo projects! All these pictures were taken with my Samsung Note 10+ phone. Which one do you like best? You can also use your gardening photos for your painting projects or print out professionally on canvas and use as original artwork for your walls. More interesting and innovative than IKEA prints!

Try and bring the outside inside by simply moving your colourful or flowering plants in front of any glass windows or doors you have so you can take full advantage of them while you’re sitting inside. We moved our Desert Roses, currently nicely blooming to do just that!

Gardening in Dubai Doindubai Bring the Outside in
Bring the outside inside

FOLLOW DOINDUBAI ON INSTAGRAM FOR SOME FRESH INSPIRATION EVERY DAY

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HONEST GUIDE TO LIFE IN DUBAI HEREย 

Cooking Lessons in London Sauce by the Langham Monica Kapila
Subscribe by email for honest fresh inspiration

by Leave a Comment

STAYING HOME IN DUBAI

LIVING

staying home in Dubai

Update 7th May 2020

No permits required to go out during the day and some places are open for limited capacity visiting. But the walking tracks along the beaches are still SHUT and masks are mandatory. Over 60 year olds cannot go into supermarkets. There is still a night time curfew of sorts and no return flights are being booked as yet..ย 

Update 8th April 2020

There is a PERMIT SYSTEM for going out in Dubai now, be it by car, walking or cycle. We are permitted to go out for grocery shopping or medical reasons. Some people working in vital sectors can still commute with permission. Everyone must wear a mask and gloves outside their house.

Dog walking is not permitted.

ย 

STAYING HOME IN DUBAI

Staying home in Dubai for much longer than usual is definitely new for many of us, but it can be a rewarding and enriching experience.ย 

Staying FIT at Home

Beaches shut in Dubai on 22nd March but I think you are still able to take a short walk along the pavements and see the sea. Of course keeping well away from any other walkers near by is imperative.ย  Also as of now, the cafรฉs along the beach are open for limited dine in facility and regular take out orders but this is a situation that’s changing every day as we know. We like Parkhouse for our regular coffee take out.

STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING IN DUBAI DOINDUBAI COFFEE AT PARK HOUSE

Supermarkets are also still open so if you’re just buying a few things, try and walk to your nearest shop (NOW HAVING APPLIED FOR THE PERMIT)ย  in the morning or early evening when it’s not too hot or busy.

STAYING HOME IN DUBAI DOINDUBAI SUPERMARKET SHOPPING

I recommend some online work outs for you while you’re staying at home in Dubai. These are free and tried and tested by myself or my friends so real recommendations.

45 minutes Legs Tums and Bums work out by Tatiana from Inspire.

She has options for more basic or advanced people. It’s only 45 minutes, but you build up a good sweat. It’s a varied work out that’s not boring. Moreover she does it in a garden so you’re looking at something green. I’ve done it twice now. Here’s the link:

YOU TUBE LINK TO LEGS TUMS AND BUMS FROM INSPIRE

YOGA is always a good work out to at home for both your mind and body. I do my own 30 minute yoga session developed from years of different classes and teachers, it basically follows this series. Try and do some yoga and or breathing exercises in your garden if you have one.

Staying home in Dubai Yoga in the garden doindubai



TO BEGIN

Sun Salutations 5 or 6 full rounds

STANDING POSES

Tree Pose both legs

Warrior 1

Triangle Poses including reverse triangle

Surfers Lunge both legs

SEATED POSTURES

Twists both sides

Stretching forward and holding your toes with straight legs, each leg then both.

Supine Twists

Low boat, High boat

Wheel or part wheel

Shoulder Stand

Fish

To Finish

Pidgeon

Childs Pose

Savasna

Takes me about 30 minutes and I do it to this music.. link to the music is below and I will add the sequence above when I can get someone to video me doing my practice! So keep checking back please! Please note the music happens to beย  a Hindu prayer as well as being my yoga music.

Eat well, make a routine that includes exercise, ideally some outdoors, read that book youโ€™ve been meaning to, cook something new from scratch and clear out at least one cupboard.ย  Most important, donโ€™t be afraid. Do try and clear up your e waste as well.

Don't forget your GARDEN

Do take the time to potter about in your garden every day while itโ€™s still not too hot. Go and buy some cheap plants for your house and or garden, geraniums are good as is basil or mint that you can get from supermarkets in pots. Add some indoor plants to the area where you will be working from home, itโ€™ll make a big difference to your mood.

Staying at Home in Dubai DoinDubai plants in your work area

We love this book.. The New Plant Parent by Darryl Cheng.ย 

Staying Home in Dubai gardening basil and mint doindubai
Basil and Mint from the supermarket planted in a LARGE pot

Cook something FRESH for today and later on

So much to inspire you in this department, some easy recipes to try:

Potoato and Leek Gratine

Quinoa, Freekeh and lentil salad or side

Spicy Chinese style Fish Fillets

Easy moist chocolate cake

All of the above are made in our household on a regular basis, so they are real, tried and tested recipes not just lifted from the internet! They work.ย 

tried and tested recipes that work

And if you feel you’re eating a bit too much, then try hese ideas:ย  Snacks for Staying at Home

Snacks for Staying at Home Cucumber Cups

No yeast for baking bread? No problem

Try this EASY SODA BREAD no yeast.ย 

Bread without yeast DoinDubai toast and jam

treat yourself to some "healthy" gelato

I am NOT a vegan but I donโ€™t like eating anything with nasties in it either, so I highly recommend this plant based gelato, artisanally made in small batches here in Dubai. Stock up in your freezer especially as itโ€™s getting warmer now and while we all need to eat as healthily as possible, we need to STAY HAPPY too!

WATCH THE VIDEOย  to find out whatโ€™s in this gelato and more importantly whatโ€™s NOT in it.. GOOD NEWS โ€“ You get 10% off your first order if you mention DoinDubai when ordering..

Choose immunity boosting and calming TEAS

Makes sense to boost our immunity and stay as calm as possible, so ditch all those coffees and caffeinated teas while working from home in favour of the following recommendations from serious Tea Lady Yvettes Teas.. her instagram account is HERE and she recommends the following:ย 

IMMUNITY BOOSTING TEAS

For teas that are known to have the highest antioxidants, I’d stick with Whites, Green Teas & Matcha. Matcha is the most potent of all and is loaded with chlorophyll, vitamins & ranks the highest in antioxidants in ORAC score, known to detoxify & has anti-cancer agents.
If no matcha, then specifically Japanese Greens & White teas are next in line

CALMING TEAS

For calming teas, herbals are great.. Like Chamomile, Lemon balms, rose petals, dried lavender, etc… I particularly love Oolong teas as they’re very aromatic & also indulging.. Also Jasmine Pearls… And Roasted teas this time of year.ย 

And for something really easy, just pour fresh coconut water over some matcha powder!ย 

Finish or start that book you've meaning to read

Finish reading that book you started a while ago, or pick it up and finally start it! Looking for inspiration? Then here are some of ourย  new favourites.

Staying Home in Dubai DoinDubai Read that book modern

go back to a forgotten hobby

Staying at Home in Dubai DoinDubai Go back to an old hobby

and value those moments with family

Many of us have our kids or spouses with us for much of the day unexpectedly and some of us have kids from overseas from university or boarding school. Remember we usually only have our loved ones in our day to day lives during carefully planned holidays and breaks.ย 

Value the unexpected everyday time you have with your family andย 

count it as a blessing rather than a burden.

Some of our family in Dubai Christmas 2019

CHECK OUT THE DOINDUBAI GOOD RECIPES CHANNEL

Monica Kapila
Founder of DoinDubai

Subscribe to our newsletter

FOR FRESH INSPIRATION

by Leave a Comment

OUR TABLE UAE

What is Our Table UAEย 

Our Table is a concept that has been established for almost 2 years in Australia is now being rolled out in Dubai and the UAE under the name Our Table UAE. Itโ€™s popular in Australia and works very well there. DoinDubai was one of the first organizations to try the experience in Dubai in a home setting.

Image of OurT able UAE DoinDubai Table Setting

How does Our Table UAE work

The concept is to bring together good wine, good food and good friends in a home setting. The wine is supplied by Jacob’s Creek who developed the Our Table concept.ย  Do note that valid alcohol licenses are required by whoever is hosting the Our Table UAE experience. You will also need to provide proof of tenancy or ownership of your home.

Image ofOur Table UAE DoinDubai Sommelier

What did we experience from Our Table UAE

We experienced a very well organized evening of good food and good wine shared with our friends in a home setting. We loved the Our Table UAE experience as did our guests and we would have no hesitation in repeating the experience at a later date in another setting or attending another Our Table experience.

Our Table UAEDoinDubai KItchen Preparation

The Setting Up of the Our Table UAE experience

Once I had agreed in principal to hosting an Our Table UAE experience, and a date had been confirmed, the team came to visit our home. Leave at least an hour of time for the set up and planning visit. Expect 3 to 4 people and do have some kind of format in mind with any questions that can be ironed out at this stage.

I wasnโ€™t keen on my guests being videoed or interviewed during the evening for example. The team arrives about 3 hours before your first guests are expected. Table ware, crockery, cutlery, glass ware, candles and greenery are all taken care of.

The format of the evening

Image ofOurTableUAE DoinDubai menu

There are a variety of formats you can choose for your evening. Ours sounded like it was going to be quite a formal evening but actually it was really relaxed!

The format

Drinks and canapรฉs on the terrace

Guests were greeted and given a first taste of a few wines for the evening by Alex our designated sommelier from Jacobs Creek.

We tried 2 wines at this time, a sparking wine and a light rose.

Moving inside for a sit down meal

We were invited to sit down for our meal about an hour later.ย  We were instructed to leave our glasses outside, as there would be 3 more wines to try, one white and two reds and glasses were set out on the table.

Dessert Canapes served in the lounge

To be served in the lounge area. This didnโ€™t quite work as weโ€™d planned, but see my note on how our format worked in practice.

Cheeseboard back out on the terrace

A full cheeseboard with our last wine, this time a sparkling white wine, served back out on the terrace.

Image of Our Table UAEDoinDubai Cheese Board

Did our format work in practice?

Yes but not perfectly as 2 of our 11 guests were late, so the canapรฉs on the terrace part went on for a little longer than planned, but this was well accommodated by the team.

We also decided that we wanted desserts to be served at the table instead of on the relaxed sofas, again our request was accommodated and the catering company washed the starters boards and served on those. Again we were impressed by the professionalism of the team.

Were there enough drinks for the evening?

Yes absolutely, there is a set number of glasses of wine allocated for each guest. The staff is happy to refill as necessary. Alex is also happy to answer any questions and tells us a little about each wine as the evening progresses.

Image of Our Table UAE DoinDubai Jacobs Creek

Can your guests drink anything else other than the wine offered?

Yes but you have to provide those drinks. We were convinced some of our party would want to revert to their favourite spirits but no requests came forward. They were very happy with the wine that was offered, in fact one of the reds โ€“ the Jacobโ€™s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz was an existing favourite of one of our guests.

Food for the evening

Your food will be determined by the formality of your experience. Our Table chose a caterer that we were happy with. They chose Elements Catering that I had experienced beforehand. You also donโ€™t have the headache of matching food courses with the wines etc. However we were offered a chance of using a caterer of our own choice with a good set budget per head. As ours was a formal sit down meal our menu was as follows:

Canapรฉs

Our favourites were the octopus balls and the manchego cheese croquettes. But we also served mini chicken shwarma wraps, scallops, olive spheres and a special mini egg.

Starter

Green and white asparagus with black tuffle and hazelnut oil

Image of Our Table UAE DoinDubai Starters

There was also a very good aubergine dip on the table that everyone ate with bread, that was really tasty.

Main course

Halibut that was seared with a red pepper crumb and spicy corn salsa

Dessert

3 different chocolate canapรฉ type desserts.

Overall everyone thought the food from Elements Catering was of a high standard and very tasty. Points that may inform you when choosing your caterer are as follows:

  • Our favourite canapรฉs were the octopus balls and the manchego cheese croquettes. Both of these are deep fried though.
  • The halibut main course looks quite small on the dinner plate, so I was concerned about their being no sides. In the event, no one was hungry (as we have been at some other catered, sit down meals) but I would have preferred if there was a side on the plate, perhaps of crunchy green beans or some hot rosemary potatoes. I did ask for the bread to be passed around again at this point as the fish portions looked very lonely on their plates!
  • There is a vegetarian option also available.
  • There will not be any extra portions of food as it is strictly according to numbers of people eating.

Image ofOur Table UAE DoinDubai Desserts

Set up for the evening

All the setting up of the table, outside area, bar and kitchen is done in full by the Our Table team.

Music for the evening

We were responsible for our own music.

Clearing away after everyone has gone

My helper was around for the duration of the eveing, but the staff from the Our Table team handle everything fairly well and do most of the clearing up.

The next day

The Our Table team agrees a mutually convenient time and comes the next day to clear away and take away all their setting up props. They do itemize things like succulents, candles, mats, vases etc and expect them all to be returned in good condition.

Our Table UAE DoinDubai Desserts

What about the Left Overs?

Itโ€™s unlikely there will be any left over food if you choose Elements Catering although we did have some cheese left from the cheese board. This was quite unlike our experience with Dish Catering when we have a good amount of food left over that can be refrigerated for the next day.

You may want to check out the Our Table UAE Instagram page to find out more.

Thank you or Cheers in this case, Monica.

by Leave a Comment

ILLUMINATED PARASOL

What is an illuminated parasolย 

An illuminated parasol is just that, a canvas garden umbrella where the spokes that keep the canvas stretched into the umbrella shape are illuminated! The spokes are illuminated using LED lights and the easy to use touch controls allow you to set the lights at a level to suit your mood for the evening.ย Imagine dimming your evening garden light!

Dubai has done it again, the first illuminated parasol in the world now available for your Dubai garden. But this umbrella’s price reflects it’s luxurious, sustainable and very versatile Japanese, Scandinavian design.

Illuminated Parasol DoinDubai Beige colour Close up lit up inside

Why am I writing about an illuminated parasolย 

These illuminated parasols were on display at the Hotel Show in Dubai,whereย I recently did a live broadcast for my slot on The Ticket (Dubai Eye 103.8) ย radio show featuring Food News.

These parasols caught my eye as I was wandering around the exhibition, which was principally for the hotel trade. I thought they would look incredible in a Dubai garden, a contemporary feature on a classically elegant design. A conversation and some emails later, I was loaned one so I could write an honest review of what I thought of a dimmer controlled, illuminated garden parasol. I hadย a khaki coloured one and then a turquoise blue one, which looked great in the daytime against the pool water.

Illuminated Parasol DoinDubai at night with plant edging

Does it have to be illuminated all the time

No it doesn’t, and because the parasol is made with a heavy linen fabric it also provides good uv protection, so that’s an added bonus.ย It acts as a very good quality garden parasol, no one would knowย how it transforms into an elegant garden light at night with absolutely no fuss!

What’s also nice is that you can have the lights on even when the parasol is closed, so you still get an area of soft light without blocking outย the sky!

You just need an outdoor power source that’s not more than about 3 meters away from where you’ll position your parasol so you can plug in the lights.ย 

Illuminated Parasol DoinDubai Blue from balcony plus pool

Where is this illuminated parasol madeย 

The illuminated parasol is made by a company called Foxcat Design and it’s actually won a host of good design awards from around the world. It was the brain child of Hong Kong based designer Terry Chow who while on holiday in the Maldives saw that as the evening was drawing in, the natural light was diffused, so he decided to reimagine the classic parasol that would eventually be neither just for the day, nor just the night.

The NI Foxcat Illuminated Parasol was born and it’s 3 hallmarks are luxury, sustainability and minimalism, 3 qualities that really do appeal to me.

Illuminated Parasol DoinDubai by the pool at night

Have a look at the first of these videos that tell you more about how the product works.

How much would an illuminated parasol cost in Dubaiย 

Well that would depend on the exact size and specific base you wanted, but it’s fair to say that the ball park range is from AED 10, 000 to AED 14 000, depending on size, accessories etc. That’s a pretty penny if you ask me, but then if I spent most of my time in my garden and not out reviewing restaurants, I would consider a smaller version of these illuminated parasols as they are so versatile for both summer and winter.

I don’t think you’d need to worry about any extra garden lighting. The impress factor of course is difficult to put a price on, as this is Dubai! Moreover the company do offer a very long 3 year guarantee. So that’s reassuring.

Illuminated Parasol DoinDubai mostly garden blue

DoinDubai subscribers get a comforting 10% discount on these illuminated parasols.

Make sure you’re a DoinDubai subscriber, then contact us saying you are interested in the parasols using the comment box below and we’ll send you a special code via email to use when you contact the distributors directly.

Where can I find out more about these award winning illuminated parasols in Dubaiย 

You can contact the distributors of the parasol here in Dubai, do mention you came to them via DoinDubai, but you’ll have to be a subscriber to get your 10% discount.

If you want to see these parasols up in Dubai in a real setting, well anyone in the Arabian Ranches can contact me till mid June and come to my garden! Or you can pop into the Steigenberger hotel in Downtown Dubai, a new hotel that hasย ordered 20 of them!

I think the flashing light on top is great for hotels as it’s a discrete way of calling your server to your sun bed wherever you’re located, don’t get any ideas at home though, Maybe mine will mean Do Not Disturb!

Illuminated Parasol DoinDubai Full lenght at night beige parasol

If you do decide to buy one, then rest assured, the Versatile staff come and do everything required for a very smooth set up, there isn’t really much to do, they just wheel in the equipment, they set up the parasol and then do a quick explanation of how it works. It’s very easy and the staff are extremely respectful as well as being very knowledgable forย any questions you may have.

Contact Mrย Ahmed El-Chafei or Mr AJ Maarouf onย T: +971 4 258 3308

E: info@versatile.ae

Versatile is the distribution company here in the Middle East that has an impressive range of prestigious, international dealerships in it’s portfolio, I liked the one connected to the outdoor decking, seems just what most Dubai gardens need.ย 

 

Thanks Monica.

 

error: Content is protected !!