Day 1
For two days before the detox began, I ate lightly and drank lots of water. I skipped the colonic that the Detox Delight ladies suggested I have, and instead took the natural laxative they advised – all this information was in the starter pack they sent me.
I have some advice for anyone considering doing this detox. Make sure you are within easy reach of a bathroom.
To tell you the truth, my friends were getting a bit tired of me constantly talking about the impending "juice diet". It's just I had honestly been feeling so bad about myself.
I mean, I was happy that I stopped smoking but I felt so unattractive with the weight I had put on. And the spots. Oh the spots. I woke up full of excitement on Day 1.
This was it, my chance at a fresh start. Right on time (8.00am) the doorbell rang and there was the polite delivery man in his Detox Delight uniform. The juice is kept in special styrofoam boxes and he brought the box in. I opened the lid of the box, and there, nestled in ice, was my entire diet for the next two days.
Oh, they looked good, those juices. Healthy! The packaging is a delight in itself. It looks so special that you know it’s not going to hurt you. I unpacked the bottles into my newly empty fridge and settled down to read my welcome pack. The first juice, detox lemonade, was delicious. It wasn’t sour and left me with a warm feeling inside.
I arrived to work with my juices for the day carefully packed into my cooler bag. My colleagues were all excited to see the juice and everyone exclaimed on the packaging. I started to feel hungry in the afternoon, but before I knew it, it was time for another juice. After I got home, I went for a gentle stroll around my neighbourhood – light exercise is encouraged. Dinner that night was my juice in front of Mad Men.
Day 2
I woke up raring to go, kind of hoping for some side effects so I would know it was working. It was a little bit hard at work because, as the information pack said, "Expect to go to the bathroom at irregular times".
I mean, it was not unbearable and nothing to have to stay at home for, but it was not the greatest morning, if you get me. A slight headache set in towards midday but after having the “lunchtime” juice, it faded. In-between juices, I kept myself hydrated with herbal teas and water. I could not stop thinking about food. About what I would have eaten, how much I would have eaten by this time of the day, testing myself for signs of hunger.
Wondering if this was only Day 2, how would I get through another three days? I got home and went for a slow swim. And this is where something strange happened. I knew that very soon I was going to have a hungry Mr on my hands. How would I feel about making him some food when I wasn’t eating? I love cooking. But I like to be able to eat what I’ve made as well. Still, though, it wasn’t his fault that I had chosen this path for myself.
I began preparations – chicken pasta, I thought, would be a quick and easy option. I took extra care over the herbs I put on the chicken before it went in the pan, and I decided to make a broth concoction to stop the chicken drying out. I made a salad, putting more crunch in it than usual, and what would it hurt to make the poor hard working man some garlic bread to go with it? I felt happy making it, and I even felt happy sitting there sipping on my juice while he ate it. He declared the best chicken pasta I have ever made, I think it was. I went to bed, happy and feeling light.
Day 3
I woke up with a terrible feeling in my mouth. A look in the bathroom mirror confirmed that there was something wrong. My tongue was covered in a kind of gross coating. And I was happy to see it!
This, according to my detox information, meant that things were in motion! It was working. The tongue is the perfect indicator of exiting toxins, and if mine was anything to go by, those toxins were on a mass exodus.
I skipped downstairs to answer the door to the Detox Delight delivery man (on time again) and unpacked my sustenance for the next three days.
I then went straight into my new routine of body brushing before my shower, and a proper face scrub and cleanser session. No need for me to rush – I didn’t have to worry about breakfast after all, right? I got to work, happy, and I sat down. And then it hit me. A whiff of the most wonderful thing I think I have ever smelt.
A steaming latte. My colleague gestured as she talked, wafting that wonderful smelling elixir around and my eyes followed its every move. I was angry and felt hard-done by.
My colleagues' interest in my juice had waned somewhat, so I took it out and sulkily supped away as the lucky eating people took what seemed like hours discussing what to have for lunch.
A headache for the afternoon and the worst mood for a long time. I phoned the Mr and suggested that I pick up a take-away for his dinner. Where I live, it's quite difficult to order. I picked him up a butter chicken, biryani rice and a garlic naan. And then felt so upset, I had to put it in the boot of my car because I didn't want to smell it.
He was very happy to see it and I thought he hadn’t noticed my bad mood. I went upstairs for a body brush session before an epsom salts bath and a face mask. I felt better and quite superior when I came downstairs. Food would not defeat me, I was its master.
The kitchen was suspiciously clean and Mr said he could tell that I was a bit upset, so he had cleaned up. I then burst into tears. He, shocked, asked me what was wrong.
The answer was everything. A little girl I had heard about earlier with a liver disease, to a lesser extent I hadn't seen my little niece for months, practically since the day she was born, my family was too far away, and lastly there was too much laundry to do.
Day 4
I woke up glad there was only one day left after today. I lay in bed contemplating what I would eat first. There is a particularly heavy Yemeni dish called Mendhi. While I had never had a particular affection for this dish before, it was all I could think of.
Oooh Mendhi, beautiful Mendhi, with your greasy delicately flavoured rice. And what to accompany you? Chicken or lamb? This debate stayed with me during the morning routine, and I got to work, feeling rebellious.
Yes I would complete this juice diet to prove I could do it but I was having Mendhi FOR BREAKFAST on Day Six and I didn’t care what anyone thought. And for lunch, madam? Well, I think I could quite easily make my way through a KFC dinner box AND a twister, thank you. I supped away on the juice, dreaming of Mendhi and KFC.
That night on my way home, I went to a steam room – something that is encouraged for helping to release toxins through the skin. I felt OK leaving and Mr called. "Don't worry about my dinner, I will pick up a shawarma and eat in the car on my way." This kind offer was obviously for my benefit and I suddenly felt ashamed of myself. I knew I couldn't cook, but I assured him there was no need to eat in the car, I would cope. Emotional again, but happy as I had lost 4kg, I went to bed early.
Day 5
I woke up feeling happy. It was the last day. I took special time savouring my morning juice. But there was something odd. I wasn’t in the least bit hungry.
Thoughts of Mendhi no longer plagued me, and instead, I decided that what was offered on the suggested menu for Day One after detox – fruit for breakfast and steamed vegetables for the rest of the day – seemed lovely.
The work day started with a lovely compliment from a colleague saying I looked slimmer, another commented on how well I was looking. I felt happy, and the day passed by with no cravings and my juice tasted delicious.
I went for a manicure and the manicurist commented on my “strong nails”. Strong nails? Me? They are normally split and not very well looking. I looked down and sure enough – all the same length, no cracks, and shiny. I got home and savoured my last juice, thinking that I really was rather sad it was all going to be over.
Yes, Days Three and Four had been tough, but if only I could carry it on for longer. What else would my body repair if I gave it more of a time out from digesting? You will be pleased to know that my food of choice for my "first breakfast" was not a big greasy helping of mendhi, but a lovely, fresh peach.
fcampbell@thenational.ae
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
Company%20profile
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Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Anti-semitic attacks
The annual report by the Community Security Trust, which advises the Jewish community on security , warned on Thursday that anti-Semitic incidents in Britain had reached a record high.
It found there had been 2,255 anti-Semitic incidents reported in 2021, a rise of 34 per cent from the previous year.
The report detailed the convictions of a number of people for anti-Semitic crimes, including one man who was jailed for setting up a neo-Nazi group which had encouraged “the eradication of Jewish people” and another who had posted anti-Semitic homemade videos on social media.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
Results
Stage 5:
1. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) Team Jumbo-Visma 04:19:08
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 00:00:03
3. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Sergio Higuita (COL) EF Education-Nippo 00:00:05
5. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:00:06
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 17:09:26
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers 00:00:45
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:01:12
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Team Jumbo-Visma 00:01:54
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo 00:01:56
Company%20Profile
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Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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