Healing through gemstones: Lubna Salah

This fascinating young woman empowers women around the globe through healing properties of crystals and gemstones. So inspired by her story, I decided I just HAD to mention her on my blog.

Born in the US to Palestinian immigrants, Lubna Salah moved to the Middle East during her early teens, where she lived for almost 10 years. Not being able to adjust to the local culture, this bright young woman decided to move back to the US after obtaining a degree in engineering, pursuing a career in marketing and taking a plunge in the world of political activism.

Soon after, health problems ensued and she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Instead of resorting to pharmaceuticals like most people, she turned to yoga and found herself drawn to crystals, numerology, astrology, and jewelry design. As crystal healing played a significant role in Lubna’s own healing process, she decided to share that with other women. Now a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor as well as a Reiki practitioner, she  took on the spiritual name, Anantjeet – meaning eternally brave and victorious – which describes her motivation to choose love over fear in the face of adversity.

Having always loved fashion and crafts, it seemed natural to Lubna to combine her love of spirituality and activism with her creativity. She hopes that her jewelry will help empower and inspire women to find their voice and live more conscious lives.

Lubna currently operates her brand, House of Shakti from Beverly Hills in California. She uses crystals for healing, empowerment, and storytelling. Each piece of jewelry is handcrafted to promote healing of the mind-body-spirit connection. Using only the highest quality semi-precious gemstones, gold, and silver, each piece is handcrafted into elegant, feminine designs with its own healing prescription for the soul. Her mission is to empower women to discover their highest potential through tools of practical enlightenment, like gemstones.

Clients in the Middle East can order her pieces online. Visit: www.houseofshakti.com

Breakfast at Saladicious

Last Saturday morning, I decided to head to Saladicious for breakfast with zero expectations from the fairly new eatery on JBR Walk. Having tried numerous restaurants in Dubai for breakfast, I have – unfortunately – been terribly disappointed most of the time. There’s nothing worse than a bad breakfast on a weekend morning – what a glorious start for the rest of your day.

The morning was pleasant as we seated ourselves outside, enjoying the parade of fancy cars and equally fancy people. I scanned my colourful menu with caution. This better be good, I thought to myself. Opting for ‘Eggs Benedict with Turkey Breast’, I crossed my fingers and waited. There was complimentary bread, jam, butter, orange juice and coffee with one refill each. Impressive. The price range was pretty decent too – AED 50 only.

The presentable-looking eggs arrived and after saying a quick prayer, I dug in. Glorious! Topped with a cheesy garlic sauce, the lightly poached eggs on toast were pure perfection. As I sliced through the eggs, creamy yolk broke through, just the way I like it. They were not alone and were generously accompanied by steamed and lightly seasoned vegetables. Nevertheless, there was one error in what could have been a truly heavenly breakfast – the toasts were much too hard.

Everything else was superb – the service was great, the location splendid and the staff oh-so-charming. Definitely one place to try out – just make sure you warn them to give you fresh, soft and delectable toast!

Give me more!

One fine afternoon, I decided to try More Cafe, situated in the new block of Mall of the Emirates. Having heard so much about this pretty little cafe, I couldn’t wait to check out their menu and the delectable treats all my friends seem to be raving about.

The ambience made you feel all comfy and right at home. The staff was pleasant and polite and the crowd was just right – no loud teenagers around. I heaved a sigh of life and decided I was definitely getting old.

The impressive-looking menu (it was quite fancy – handmade paper and stuff) listed lots of healthy salads, sandwiches, mocktails and desserts. Not a big health freak, I have always found burgers and fries far more tempting than salads and fruit juices. Nevertheless, having heard so much about this little joint, I made the incredible decision – drumrolls please – of ordering Chicken Caesar Salad!

The first thing that struck me, as the kind waiter brought my salad, was not the fact that in the next two minutes I am actually going to eat salad – and not a burger – for lunch, but it was the fact that the salad had the most irresistible presentation you can come across. It was the kind of presentation that would make anyone switch to salads from burgers. Three bites later, I decided it tasted almost as good as it looked.

I wasn’t ready to go – it was time for dessert. And so I ordered a piece of chocolate cake. The portion was generous and the taste was very rich. I wished, however, it wasn’t so super sweet. Everything else was perfect and I happily left the cafe, with plans of returning again very soon.