Top 10 Things to buy from Medina

                                     

Top 10 Things to buy from Medina:

Madina is indeed as its name as "Radiant" city, full of life, colors and tranquility !

Apart of the spiritual journey one takes in the Prophet's mosque and in its other mosques, one has to do some serious shopping there! From rugs, perfumes, scarves, beads, to dates and to Gold! 

1. Arabic Perfume: wide range of authentic perfume oils made from Oud, Misk, ...etc as well as Bakhoor (woodchips soaked in frangrant oil and burnt)

2. Home Decor Items, with religious designs for the wall or desk 

3. Dates: surely it is a city with Palms farms

Full post about the 1400 years old date market here

4. Prayer Beads: 




5. Beautiful Scarves:

From Kashmere to Cotton and Silk Scarves, whatever suits your budget!

6.  Rugs, for prayer or Walls

7. Beautiful Ornamental Arabic Styled Faux Bijoux (Accessories) and Beads

8. Gold! It is cheaper than outside...

9. Local Mint : known as نعنع المدينة

It has long leaves and powerful smell. Try it with your tea and the flavors will be infused within seconds

10. Last but not Least, AlBaik, local chain

Though originally from Jeddah city, this local Kentucky Like chain has been booming in the last 10 years with around 50 chains in the western region only.... It is cheap and well oily food. Yet, everyone wants to try it and eat there! Plus, you can barely find a really good (clean) place to eat , apart of the hotel. So you really dont wana miss it! Your friends will def. ask you if you tried it or not! ;)

Fried Chicken , Shrimps and Fries.

OTHER: Anything Random from the Street Market: 

Me wearing a moroccon kaftan abaya

The Dates Market in Medina

1400 Years Old Dates Market 

Most Dates are sold outside on the streets, others in air conditioned shops

Medina ( اَلْمَدِينَة اَلْمَنَوَّرَة‎, or Al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah) is a modern city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia.  It is also known as The City of the Prophet", i.e., Muhammad. 

I visited Madina last month for a spiritual upliftment and to pray for the first time in the Prophet's mosque. What was remarkable about the city is the tranquility of its streets and its people. It was so peaceful - not just inside the mosque- but also in the shopping areas... You feel like everything is going smoothly.

Exciting thing too see in this city are the Palms farms all around and this explains the plenty of dates shops. Different kinds, different flavors and colors! It was like a "dates" heaven for those who love dates! This reminds me, who is excited for Mamoul this Eid?

Happy Eid Adha! :)

This type is Lagou Dates

And this one Kenta

The Illusion of Food Choice

The Disturbing Truth About The Food We Eat :

Did you know that:

1. Quaker Oats, which you may view as a healthy food, is produced by PepsiCo, a company which is known for its notorious production of junk food.
2. ​91% of the soda market is owned by only Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Group?
3. Nestle is the world’s largest food company and owns almost 8,000 brands?

Check out from the infographic below that it actually doesn't matter which brand we choose, because at the end, it all ends up for the same company.

Do you actually have a choice on choosing?

The solution usually lies in buying local, buying from the brand that a local food factory produces, buy the fruits and vegetables from the farmer market, buy from the food prepared by local women.

Localization is a key not just for securing your health but also for empowering local and small brands.

Source:

Alex Hillseberg analyzed food reports from US Department of Agriculture and other credible sources and gathered the findings in our newest infographic that paints a very grim picture of the food industry today: http://comparisons.financesonline.com/top-grocery-brands-comparison/.

Should we Give Processed Food Another Chance?

This is one of the posts I wrote last year and I forgot to press the " Submit" button :(

The content is still valid and  irrelevant of time though.

“Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.” Michael Pollan.

As extreme as this notion might be, it does hold some truth. The debate about processed and wholesome (natural) food has always been raised. Some scientists claim that processed food offers convenience, saves time money, transportation costs and makes food available all year around over all the globe. While others argue that processed food has been the major cause of diseases due to their low nutrient content, high artificial ingredients, and high caloric value. World health organization states that the increase in obesity levels and chronic diseases (diabetes, heart diseases) are attributed to processed foods. Increased risk of cancer is also due to the amount of chemicals in these types of food. Also hyperactivity and attention deficiency disorder in kids were caused by consuming food loaded with artificial colorants and flavors such as candies and soda drinks.