With so much else to think about at the start of a new school term, what to put in a child’s packed lunch can easily be relegated to the bottom of the long list.
A balanced diet, food that provides enough energy to get through the school day and a dish that’s easy to make and pack are all important when it comes to putting together a nutritious lunch box.
For those who have run out of creative ideas, here are five dishes that come recommended directly by parents.
Erika Blazeviciute-Doyle’s chicken pancakes
The founder of Drink Dry in Dubai turns to a Lithuanian dish from her home country for a filling lunch box dish her three children love.
Dish of choice: We call it “chicken pancake”. It’s made in Lithuanian households as a quick and inexpensive dish for children.
Recipe: Cut a chicken fillet into small pieces, then mix in a bowl with one egg and a spoonful of mayonnaise before shaping into small pancake shapes. You can make it the night before and put in fridge, then cook in a pan in the morning. Sometimes we add cooked rice or broccoli if I’m not in a hurry.
Why is it ideal for a lunch box? The pancakes have a simple flavour and it’s something the that can be picked up with hands and eaten like a sandwich, with no cutlery needed. I love the ease of it and the fact my kids enjoy it. Any parent knows that the biggest joy is seeing the little ones eat.
What is your approach to school meals? I always make sure there is fibre, whether with a bran bar or fruit; and I don’t pack sugary snacks or chocolates. The lunch box has to be functional and everything in it should be something they eat. I feel like I don’t have to be super-creative because it should be fuel for them to concentrate and enjoy for the school day. I’m also OK with repetitive meals.
Sarah Brooks’s home-made pesto pasta
The assistant head of pre-prep at Brighton College Dubai and mum of two whizzes up her own pesto, which adheres to nut-free rules.
Dish of choice: The dish my two children have most days is pasta pesto. As we are a nut-free school, I make my own pesto, which they have with farfalle.
Recipe: Simply add basil, peas, garlic and olive oil (but no pine nuts) into a blender. It was originally a Jamie Oliver recipe that I adapted with peas as an extra vegetable. I also stir cheddar or whatever cheese I have in the fridge into the sauce. I tend to batch-cook it on a Sunday and make a week’s worth.
Why is it ideal for a lunch box? It’s great because pasta goes with a lot of things such as carrot and cucumber sticks, peppers and cheese. I also add things like probiotic yoghurt drinks and cheese and crackers.
What is your approach to school meals? From a teacher’s perspective, we get to see a variety of different lunch boxes. With so many cultures, nationalities and heritages represented at school, it’s interesting to see what the children bring in. Growing up, my lunch was a sandwich, some crisps, a juice and some chocolate, which is not the healthiest. With a pasta dish, I feel it’s more nutritious and fills them up better. Kids like routine and don’t mind having the same thing every day, but you can offer variety with different fruits and vegetables each time, different types of cheeses and flavours of yoghurt.
Chris Lymperis’s crispy fish balls
Executive chef at Waterfront Market, Greek chef Lymperis created this easy-to-make snack as a way of introducing his nieces and goddaughter to fish.
Dish of choice: I’ve created many dishes for children, because in the past I worked for a business that made meals for young kids at school. I created crispy fish balls as a way of serving fish to children who think they don’t like fish. The preparation time is 10 to 15 minutes, and you can pre-prepare and freeze them, although I prefer to make them the day before.
Recipe: I use sardine fillets, and you should ensure they are dried out beforehand. In a blender mix the sardines, olive oil, vinegar, breadcrumbs, parsley and onions. Once fully blended, shape into a small ball about the size of meatballs, which can then be cooked in the oven, an air fryer or pan-fried. Serve with potatoes in any style and vegetables.
Why is it ideal for a lunch box? My nieces and goddaughter like the fact that it’s a light recipe. It’s easy to eat with the hands and can be had hot or cold. The vegetables add colour to the plate so it’s not boring to look at. You can divide up for portion sizes to suit a midday snack or a lunch.
What is your approach to school meals? A balanced diet should include protein, fibre, proteins and carbohydrates, and the sardines in the recipe are full of omega-3. I like to accompany them with a with healthy treat such as yoghurt with fruit or honey – things that are easy for a child. Attractive food plating is important for a child, so use cookie cutters to create shapes for sandwiches or create a smiley face with the food.
Qadreya Al Awadhi’s chicken nuggets with veggies
The founder and chief executive of children’s meal company Bumblebee Foods tests all her dishes on her friends’ children, and this one is a favourite.
Dish of choice: I choose chicken nuggets, which some parents might think strange for a lunch box but they work so well. I use chicken that is hormone and antibiotic-free and farm-raised, making it an excellent source of protein for kids. The nuggets also have hidden shredded veggies inside including broccoli, carrots and courgettes.
Recipe: The chicken is coated with eggs and then home-baked breadcrumbs. I also make ones with chickpea flours for a gluten-free alternative. Mix in the shredded veg and a little bit of spice to expose the palate to new flavours, and serve with a side of baked or sweet potatoes, which are both rich in fibre.
Why is it ideal for a lunch box? The chicken is rich in protein and vitamins, and broccoli has more vitamin C than an orange. As an adult when I eat something heavy, I don’t want to go back to work, and I think it’s the same for kids, so something lighter makes them feel more energised and able to focus. Schools have regulations about junk food in lunch boxes, so I encourage parents to opt for healthy snacks.
What is your approach to school meals? I test all the dishes myself and then I give to my friends’ kids to try out. I like foods that can be put into a lunch box “as is”, in that they are easy for little hands to manage and not messy.
Rufiya Zharapova’s baked white fish
Flowwow seller Zharapova likes to provide a hearty meal for her seven-year-old son’s school lunch, with a focus on a balanced diet.
Dish of choice: I often choose a meal for my son's lunch that includes mashed potatoes and baked white fish, such as cod. Mashed potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, providing the energy needed for an active day. Baked cod is high in protein, essential for growth and development, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain and heart health. My son also really likes the taste of these dishes.
Recipe: Several straightforward baked white fish recipes are available online. To make a dish similar to Zharapova’s, use fresh cod where available. Steam or shallow-poach to retain the moisture that will keep it tasty when wrapped in foil in the lunchbox. Drizzle with some olive oil or butter, with a dash of lemon juice and salt, then add flavours to suit your child’s preferences, from garlic and cherry tomatoes to Parmesan.
Why is it ideal for a lunch box? The soft and creamy mashed potatoes with the mild flavour of baked fish are perfect for children.
What is your approach to school meals? I always strive to ensure the food is nutritious and varied, and I also try to make the lunch look nice by adding some herbs or vegetables to the fish to make it more appealing.
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
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How to invest in gold
Investors can tap into the gold price by purchasing physical jewellery, coins and even gold bars, but these need to be stored safely and possibly insured.
A cheaper and more straightforward way to benefit from gold price growth is to buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
Most advisers suggest sticking to “physical” ETFs. These hold actual gold bullion, bars and coins in a vault on investors’ behalf. Others do not hold gold but use derivatives to track the price instead, adding an extra layer of risk. The two biggest physical gold ETFs are SPDR Gold Trust and iShares Gold Trust.
Another way to invest in gold’s success is to buy gold mining stocks, but Mr Gravier says this brings added risks and can be more volatile. “They have a serious downside potential should the price consolidate.”
Mr Kyprianou says gold and gold miners are two different asset classes. “One is a commodity and the other is a company stock, which means they behave differently.”
Mining companies are a business, susceptible to other market forces, such as worker availability, health and safety, strikes, debt levels, and so on. “These have nothing to do with gold at all. It means that some companies will survive, others won’t.”
By contrast, when gold is mined, it just sits in a vault. “It doesn’t even rust, which means it retains its value,” Mr Kyprianou says.
You may already have exposure to gold miners in your portfolio, say, through an international ETF or actively managed mutual fund.
You could spread this risk with an actively managed fund that invests in a spread of gold miners, with the best known being BlackRock Gold & General. It is up an incredible 55 per cent over the past year, and 240 per cent over five years. As always, past performance is no guide to the future.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Read more about the coronavirus
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (Turf) 1,400m. Winner: Al Ajeeb W’Rsan, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Jaci Wickham (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m racing. Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Onward, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown Prep Rated Conditions (PA) Dh 125,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: AF Arrab, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 90,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Irish Freedom, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
The Bio
Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees (oats with chicken) is one of them
Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.
Her motivation: My performance because I know that whatever I do, if I put the effort in, I’ll get results
During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks
Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy
Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Netherlands v UAE, Twenty20 International series
Saturday, August 3 - First T20i, Amstelveen
Monday, August 5 – Second T20i, Amstelveen
Tuesday, August 6 – Third T20i, Voorburg
Thursday, August 8 – Fourth T20i, Vooryburg
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
UAE SQUAD
Khalid Essa, Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammad Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoon Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2
Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina
Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
