Apricot | ExpatWoman.com
 

Apricot

1987
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Latest post on 26 September 2012 - 16:19
There is no sin on a Muslim eating non-halal food that has been marked halal and they do not know otherwise. The sin falls on the people who have been involved in falsely labeling, importing, or selling it while knowing it is not halal.Thanks for posting this! A few years ago the Union Co-op introduced a few brands of processed meat not known to be zabihah on their shelves like Sara Lee, Hickory Farms, Bernard Mathews, Oscar Meyer etc but thankfully someone must've told them off and the product was pulled off the shelves. Unfortunately there are Muslims of other ethnicity who assume that Arabs don't care. They don't know that the most strict guy on this subject, Sheikh Al Uthaymeen was a Khaleeji Arab.
1987
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Latest post on 26 September 2012 - 16:08
they are crunchy and served with a side of melted chocolate to dip the churro in.My kids will love this on our next family visit to Dubai Mall, thanks for the headsup velvetcactus! (edited to amend spelling) <em>edited by Apricot on 26/09/2012</em>
1987
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Latest post on 26 September 2012 - 16:06
Hey, Apricot, I'm pretty sure if the syrup is applied while hot (both the dough and the syrup) they're softer if that's what you're going for. In Balah Alsham they want 'em to stay crispy so wait until both dough/syrup is cold before mixing.Thanks for clarifying Katnip!
1987
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Latest post on 26 September 2012 - 00:39
Awesome, I enjoy BBC period dramas. I'm totally interested in the dvd loan chain.
1987
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Latest post on 26 September 2012 - 00:33
Game of Thrones S3 will air sometime in March. Can't wait! Tip: Do NOT read ahead, if you are reading the books. I know what's going to happen and to be honest it kinda spoilt S2 for me :/ I was going to get the books on my kindle but maybe i'll wait til the all the tv seasons have finished - Thanks for the warning! I'm hoping there's lots of Tyrian as he's brilliant and plenty of close ups of the gorgeous Jon Snow!Plenty of Tyrion and Jon Snow, thankfully the author chose to keep them alive (!). Certainly alive and well until the end of Dance with Dragons (Book 5). I liked knowing what was going to happen next and seeing how various scenes were dramatized. Sometimes the books are a bit long-winded in places and there are subplots involving minor characters that I chose to skip over, which is no real biggie as the author will then summarize the action either later in the same book, or in the following book. The author also happily supplies false information, to have it corrected later on, like the whole guessing game about Jon's mother.
1987
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 26 September 2012 - 00:19
Modern Family Season 4 Great British Bake Off Downton Abbey season 3
1987
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Latest post on 26 September 2012 - 00:09
Forget older bathrooms, the grouting goes grey and yucky remarkably fast here, about 9 months tops from the time the new tiles have been laid out. I use a bit of scouring cream cleanser and a small capful of bleach.
1987
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 23:57
I was told by the manager at Spinneys that there is a problems with the supplier in the US not having the valid halal certificates. all product now not deemed Halal have been moved to the pork section. About time Dubai Municipality did something about this. My DH brought home some Dietz n Watson sliced turkey for me and I ate half the package before I thought to check the company website for info about where it came from and whether it was properly halal (zabihah). I went pale when I realized what I'd just eaten. Mainly because I grew up in the States AVOIDING all meat that wasn't zabihah (not fun!). Re suppliers, there are plenty of delicious zabihah meat producers on the current market, including Midamar from the States and several brands from Iran, Turkey (Pinar), Egypt (Americana range sold at HyperPanda) and Malaysia.
1987
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 23:47
I've only ever known these as Balah Alsham which is a Syrian sweet. Same idea, though.maybe same idea Katnip but very different result, esp since the Balah alShaam are soaked in syrup then left to go hard. When I first moved here from California, I desperately wished that the balah al shaam that my parents in law brought home tasted like churros, but sorely disappointed each time.
1987
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Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 00:12
Weird... I didn't find vegan cheese at Spinney's. Only tofu. Maybe that branch didn't have it. I did find frozen veggie patties in a lot of stores but the ones I tried were not very good. Any brand recommendations? Plenty of vegan cheese at Spinneys Mercato. Re the veggie burgers, DH prefers Morningstar Tomato Basil Burger (Choithrams or Safestway) and Boca Burger (most flavors) (Choithram/ Safestway). DH is the veggie. We tried Linda McCartney frozen veggie sausages recently, they're crumbly like sausage made from minced meat and have a nice sage/marjoram flavor (Safestway/Choithrams).
1987
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Latest post on 24 September 2012 - 00:04
It has a Toys R Us and a few good kiosks in the food court (Mexican, Indian street food place) and a good branch of Sharaf DG. I got my son's Little Tykes Cozy Coupe from there, do all my Eid and birthday shopping for the nephews n nieces at the Toys R Us, got my built-in stove, cooker hood, a nice ice cream maker, a good hair-dryer from the Sharaf DG. DH likes the Adventure HQ shop, we got our kids these dolphin and shark toys from there that always swim in a straight line in the pool and bath-tub. The Arte souk is very nice, I attend maybe 2 or 3 times a year and always go over my planned budget.
1987
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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 23:54
.i see small pearls on the top white tier.what r these n where to buy. The small pearls are pearlized sugar dragees. I've never seen them for sale in a retail shop here. I went to some great cake decorating shops in Singapore this summer which also have websites and ship to Dubai. The tiara is most likely made from gumpaste, because fondant can't remain as stiff. Samk96, the cake design you have chosen is not for fondant beginners. I have a friend who regularly decorates cakes with intricate fondant and gumpaste designs. She would be able to tackle this project. The other option (if you don't want to pay someone else to make and decorate the cake for you) is to choose a simpler design, or a cake decorating medium that you have worked with before. Have you done cake decorating using buttercream icing and a pastry bag with the various piping tips? There are some lovely buttercream cake designs in the galleries at Cake Central website.
1987
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Latest post on 22 September 2012 - 21:38
I really miss quorn products......:( can't get them anywhere here Choithrams opp Safa Park sells the full range of Quorn, also a ton of cheeses made from almond milk. Vegan cheese also at Spinneys. Safestway, Choithrams, C4 all sell frozen veggie sausages and veggie hamburger patties, veggie mince.
1987
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Latest post on 22 September 2012 - 21:23
My fave is Baskin Robbins' Love Potion 39, it's cherry ice cream with a cherry puree ribbon, small dark choc hearts. The cute part is that it's the only flavor that both my DH and I can agree on. My second fave is Pralines and Cream. My third fave is Ben & Jerry's Mint ice cream with crushed oreos My fourth fave is Walgreens Apricot Guava Sherbet, made with pink guava puree. It is dirt cheap, divine and available in my home town. I made this really yummy mango ginger sherbet a few weeks ago. The recipe says it's an ice cream, but the texture is more sherbet-y than creamy. I have two folders full of ice cream recipes! I've successfully tried a malted chocolate ice cream (using choc Horlicks). Have successfully made the copycat B&J strawberry ice cream recipe posted on food.com
1987
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Latest post on 22 September 2012 - 21:09
Great - thanks for all the responses! Will check those out. Just got back from showroom and saw Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. Any experience/views on those? TIA! Did you decide on anything? I'm also considering to buy a cross over. Honda CRV is also on the list. It's so hard to chose!!LuLee, do plan on doing a test drive to compare. I drove DH's Honda CRV a few years back and my legs would be sore from driving, it was like driving a truck.
1987
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Latest post on 22 September 2012 - 21:06
Mind you, a big big drawback is that there si no AC in the back.Irooni, I drive a Mazda CX 9 (the full-spec model) and yes, it has a good AC for the back passengers. The A/C controls for the passengers are located on the rear of the driver's armrest and passengers can make the fan/ temp colder than the driver's settings. You would have to squeeze 3 car seats in the middle back seat, I currently have 2 installed with a decent seating space in between. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable installing car seats in the rear folding row of seats. The automatic boot close feature is awesome! I bought my car during the Ramadan promotion last year and saved a lot of money that way. <em>edited by Apricot on 22/09/2012</em>
1987
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Latest post on 06 September 2012 - 15:40
Even paypal won't work, because same thing, wants a U.S. bank account. You can now link PayPal to a non-US bank account, the UAE is one of the accepted countries on their list. I've used it for ebay purchases. I have family back in the States so I "borrow" their credit card details and keep a log to pay them back.
1987
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Latest post on 06 September 2012 - 15:33
I saw them at Toys R Us Times Square a few weeks ago.
1987
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Latest post on 06 September 2012 - 15:32
Sorry to crash this thread, but have you (or anyone else) used Iranian in case of an emergency? We have private health insurance but given that we live v v close to IH I was wondering whether that would be a better place to go if time were of the essence (e.g. accident with one of my kids)?Yes, EmilyG we have. DH has had most of his football-related injuries treated in the ER. Recently, I lived literally 10 min walk away from Iranian Hospital and used their ENT doctors. Iranian Hospital accepted my private insurance so it worked out fab. Also took a visiting aunt to their ER and she was really happy with the care provided. Their English is good.
1987
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Latest post on 06 September 2012 - 15:23
Al Dawar in Grand Hyatt may not be as "hip" as Gaucho, Le Petit Maison, Zuma or Hakkasan, but the food is consistently sublime and the ambiance is so peaceful. It would make a great choice and the staff won't bat an eyelid at your sleeping baby.
1987
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 23:12
Did a cake a short while ago and the person who ordered it did so for a friend. She got a really nice box for the cake from I think it was the beach road mall (Jumeirah) - cant remember the exact name of the mall but sure some lady on here can help. The box wasnt actually for cakes, it was a hat box, in case youre wondering why Im waffling on about cake boxes when you need a hat box!!!You can get hat boxes at the gift wrap kiosk in Town Center Mall and the florist downstairs in Beach Centre.
1987
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 23:09
I'm looking to get insurance for our maid. What do you think is best?? Is Iranian better because it's private?? I'm a bit clueless!!Iranian is better because the cost of the dr visit will also include medication. The rates charged for the dr visit, any medical tests tend to be lower than what Govt clinics and hospitals charge. Iranian Hospital have a medium-sized, new clinic in Al Quoz (behind the Bowling Centre) that's less hassle... DH and I have used Iranian hosp for personal healthcare and recovered well.
1987
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 22:45
Just wondering if someone who shops there can give me an idea if I'll find any of these non grocery couple of things there or if I'm just better sticking to somewhere else when I'm running all around tomorrow: You can get the following at the Union Coop opp Safa Park... -Birthday greeting card Yes, but the quality varies. -Birthday wrapping paper Yes, but quality varies. -Large stainless steel cooking pots They have an excellent Turkish brand called Kurkmaz, I bought a few. -Any asian type cookware/cutlery section (basic chopsticks & soup/ramen spoons etc) Yes, in the aisle devoted to melamine cutlery. -Things like travel adapters/power plugs for other countries Yes, just behind the kitchen stuff -Camera memory cards yes, a small kiosk facing the cooking pots aisle, though prices may not be as great as C4. -Office stationary, like document flip files etc yes, quite good selection -Also wondering if the fresh food department does any catering platter type orders They make up fruit baskets suitable for gift-giving (ask the gals at the veg weighing point) and the bakery is famous for its mini sandwich platters. Thank you! :)) Hope you had a successful shopping trip and found a taxi! edited by Apricot on 05/09/2012 <em>edited by Apricot on 05/09/2012</em>
1987
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 22:23
has anyone seen frozen cherries here? I wanted to try a recipe from Masterchef Australia that called for it, but panicked and prepared something else instead.
1987
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 22:21
There's a lot of La la Loopsie at Toys R Us, some bits at Carrefour. Thankfully my nieces aren't interested! I haven't seen the clothing anywhere but Debenhams and M&S would be good places to look.
1987
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 22:18
Anon, thanks for the reminder about Mini Cheddars!
1987
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 22:13
Haven't had that experience. I usually put my PO Box number in the box marked "Zip code" or "post code". Hopefully they'll just cancel your order because the shipping address doesn't match your UAE credit card billing address, then you can start over... <em>edited by Apricot on 05/09/2012</em>
1987
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 21:27
You can call up Bumblebee in the Dubai Mall, or you can look at Dubizzle (even set up a function where everytime a new listing with the phrase comes up, you will get an email with the item and its asking price). There are plenty of Phil & Ted sport strollers there... I bought both of my P&Ts from there and paid wildly different prices.
1987
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Latest post on 03 September 2012 - 00:25
The Palestinian Childrens Relief Fund asks for families willing to host and care for the sick child and their accompanying parent (if the child is below a certain age, then they travel with a parent/adult guardian from Palestine).
1987
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Latest post on 03 September 2012 - 00:22
Choithrams always stocks it in their Japanese section.
1987
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Latest post on 03 September 2012 - 00:18
Meena Bazaar is in Bur Dubai, the area just before Dubai Creek, near Shindagha Tunnel. Have a taxi driver take you there, he will know where Cosmos Lane in Meena Bazaar is. BTW, many shops in Meena Bazaar close between 1 and 4.30pm.
1987
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 September 2012 - 00:14
Thanks for sharing Diamante! I have also used, with varying success on my LOs' skin: Bioderma Atoderm cream (usually get this during the buy 3 for 2 offer at Life pharmacy), this has absolutely no irritating fragrances. E Pharmaceris Emoliacti (from Life pharmacy) This has some fragrance but it's "creamier" than the Bioderma. Lush Dream Cream
1987
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 September 2012 - 23:44
I got my 4 yr old a generic red fireman costume from The Balloon Lady shop in Pink Mall (Jumeira Plaza) on Beach Rd a few months ago for Dhs 95. The next more expensive place was Kidzania at Dhs 125, then Mr Ben's in Satwa. The Party Zone branch in Town Centre mall on Beach Rd only carries a set of the red plastic hat, plastic hammer, plastic axe. I also have a pair of "fireman boots", red of course, size 28/ size 10. <em>edited by Apricot on 05/09/2012</em>
1987
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Latest post on 02 September 2012 - 23:36
So is Mother's Day here always on March 21st?Yes, Arabic Mother's Day is always on March 21st. <em>edited by Apricot on 02/09/2012</em>
1987
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 September 2012 - 23:33
Laundry Marker AKA any permanent marker. Have bought and used Sharpie, Pentel, even an Indian brand in Lulu's. But the marker tends to wear off the plastic lunch containers after a few weeks so I just re-apply.
1987
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Latest post on 02 September 2012 - 23:18
Choithrams and Safestway always have a few varieties in stock. Price ranges between Dhs 11 and 25 per bag, unless it's in the "reduced to clear" area (expiry date in 15 days) where the price is knocked off by 40%. My kids love these! I also stock up on the Leibniz Zoo biscuits (animal crackers) and low fat digestive biscuits for school snacks.
1987
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Latest post on 31 August 2012 - 00:37
Apricot, can you please let me know which Simmons you bought/recommend? We have "shortlisted" the king coil and simmons but have yet to decide and I have to do so soon as my back is killing me :( We like the anniversary model and the black model. It is so expensive but I feel it will be worthwhile but would love to hear feedback from someone who has and had one before. TIA!Hi SweetSugar123, luckily I kept the receipt for the new Simmons! It says "Beauty Rest Classic Liliane". The new Simmons has a slight "pillow top" that is cushiony, and I have a Home Centre mattress protector over that. Apparently the new Simmons mattresses don't need to be rotated every 4 months. Regarding comfort/ back support, we are really happy. We prefer our own mattress to the mattresses used during trips away! Our last Simmons Beautyrest was used for 13 years. DH was on bed-rest at least 3 times due to sport-related injuries and operations, at one stage we were in accommodation which necessitated nearly constant use of the bed, and yet the mattress held up (aided by being rotated every 4 months).
1987
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Latest post on 31 August 2012 - 00:23
Plenty of fresh beansprouts and fresh coriander at Union Coop behind Shangri-La but I suggest you buy beef from Prime Gourmet or Park & Shop.
1987
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Latest post on 31 August 2012 - 00:04
Bars made of Raw organic cacao are not quite as smooth as the fat and sugar rich bars we all love, but is actually full of nutrients that are good for you and does not contain artery clogging fats or sugar. So its a good alternative for when you don't want to feel bad about eating chocolate.Where do you buy these in Dubai? I'm interested.
1987
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Latest post on 31 August 2012 - 00:02
Mir Amine is great but you will have to collect from their restaurant on Beach Rd.
1987
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Latest post on 31 August 2012 - 00:01
I like Peekaboo. Toys are clean and "unbroken". Very clean. Staff are keen to engage with the kids. There are coupons in the current Time Out Kids and in the Entertainer Kids books.
1987
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Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 23:59
Any idea where I could get them - pharmacy or do I need to order online?You can get them from the Lush shops, there's one in Mercato, one in Mirdif City Center, one in Dubai Mall and one in Deira City Center. I can also recommend the Snake Oil Bar.
1987
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Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 23:57
Yippee! Now you have to try it, amkcbrandon! I had a quick look in Union Coop Al Badaa 2 days ago and no luck. Forgot to look in Spinneys.
1987
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Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 17:56
We really like Dr Zuhair Mahmandar at Emirates Hospital on the Beach Rd. He is kind and his nurses are great with my dramatic children. The nurses who take blood for blood tests are also really good with the kids. My friend takes her kids to Dr Messaf Abdul Razzak on Dhiyafa Rd, 04 398 8055.She is really happy with the care over there. <em>edited by Apricot on 30/08/2012</em>
1987
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Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 17:52
Emirates Trading is on Zaabeel Rd, the road which takes you to Al Maktoum Bridge. Just follow signs for Al Maktoum Bridge, take a right right after the brown sign for Lamcy Plaza. Its on the ground floor of a green-glass fronted building. There is paid parking in front and a huge (paid) parking lot behind the building.
1987
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Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 17:49
Keep reminding her. You could also play dirty by printing off copies of maids cv's, maybe even sprinkle in some other nationalities, and leave them lying about where she will see them. Keep reminding her!
1987
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Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 19:52
Do check out the new Missoni hotel in Kuwait and report back! I last went to Kuwait 5 yrs ago and we ate at Le Notre (both the casual restaurant downstairs for breakfast and lunch, and the formal upstairs restaurant for dinner) a lot. Not cheap but excellent quality. Masterchef Oz is on Fox, yep it's fun viewing!
1987
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Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 19:46
I've seen tofu shirataki at Choithrams opp Safa Park.
1987
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Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 01:50
Apricot- off topic -but what after 40 beauty products do you suggest?? not finding it in the searchShhh, I have some years to go. But chromium, Co Enzyme Q10 and Omega 3-6-9 are all there. I apply sun block as much as possible. Have just started using a 2% BHA serum at night time. I drink a lot of water, avoid caffeine as much as possible. My issue is the off-kilter sleep cycle and the associated eating pattern that goes with it. <em>edited by Apricot on 28/08/2012</em>
1987
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Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 01:08
I have a neighbor and a good friend who both sent their 5 yr old kids to TCGJ last year. I can ask them on your behalf.