You know what they say: go organic. Some people think it’s for hippies, some people think it’s about overpriced products. But whether you believe organic is here to stay or is just another fad, there are certainly plenty of places that are helping people lead an organic lifestyle in Abu Dhabi.
We’ve rounded up some of the city’s best places for buying organic produce and beauty products while exploring the benefits of leading a more organic lifestyle.
Ripe for the picking
At the forefront of the growing organic food trend in the UAE is Becky Balderstone, the founder of Ripe, which through its roving market provides locally sourced organic fruits and vegetables to the public.
“We started in 2011 with a small market offering organic fruits and veggies and just a handful of home deliveries,” recalls Becky. “Now, we’re delivering to hundreds of customers each week.”
Becky wants to bust the myth that organic produce is expensive and that’s why she’s bringing the concept closer to the community by organising market events in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
“We’re engaging the local community more so they become aware of the health benefits of eating well,” she adds.
Ripe also helps farms and other organic-based businesses in the region find an avenue to market their products.
“If you’re starting out on an organic journey, it’s worth looking at key items – apples, capsicums, tomatoes and lettuce – which generally contain higher traces of chemicals and pesticides, and swapping for an organic variety,” Becky suggests.
“Without chemicals and preservatives, the intense natural flavour profiles of the produce really shine.”
Ripe Market, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. Sat 10am-2pm.
Contact: www.ripeme.com
Growing goodness
It doesn’t get any more organic than buying straight from the source – and Yas Farm is serious about providing the very best in farm-reared produce for its customers.
The team rears a selection of free-range poultry including ducks, chickens, pigeons and quails, and produces eggs and milk.
Fed using a grass mix, the poultry enjoy a natural life on the farm.
Tareq Shaheen, farm manager at Yas Farm, says, “When you raise poultry naturally it takes a little longer, but the meat tastes like it’s supposed to – fresh and natural.
“The breast is slightly flatter and the legs are longer because there’s more muscle on the animal and they’re not pumped,” Tareq adds. “If you can have something natural, it’s always fresher and better for you than the alternative.”
Since 2014, Yas Farm has been taking orders through Facebook and Instagram and delivering to a band of loyal customers across the city.
“We like to strike up relationships with our customers,” Tareq adds. “We deliver to them personally and we can speak face to face – you really can’t put a price on that access.”
Contact: 050 789 4050 www.yas-organic.com or search for Yas Farm on Facebook and Instagram.
Food for thought
We don’t need to tell you that the more natural a product is, the more like it is to be better for you than the mass-produced alternative.
This concept is key to the Organic Foods and Café’s philosophy – promoting the best natural, organic and untainted products that also benefit your health and wellbeing.
The shop is one of the largest organic suppliers in the UAE and the team loves nothing more than sharing their message with customers.
Home delivery manager Sonia Veysey says, “I use organic produce because instead of using artificial chemical fertilizers or pesticides to boost productivity, organic farming uses traditional, natural methods to achieve the same result.
“Apart from what seems to be an obvious benefit to your health in general, organic farmers treat their animals humanely, reduce miles between their fields and consumers and grow a wide range of produce to celebrate biodiversity.”
Masdar City and Nation Galleria, Corniche West. Every third Friday sees a 20 percent discount on products. Contact: www.organicfoodsandcafe.com
Liquid for life
If you’ve seen celebs drinking dark green juices that look like a lawn mower coughed into a cup, then you have to try Nectar – this juice bar will bust any misconception you have that healthy, organic juices and smoothies don’t taste good.
Mira Naaman, manager of Nectar, says, “In recent years, mass production and mass farming have resulted in heavy use of chemicals in our food, which accumulates in our body. Sourcing and farming organic produce is a way to get a cleaner, healthier version of produce.
“Leading a more organic diet will eventually limit and eliminate these toxic chemicals that build up in our body, making us healthier and happier.”
This juice bar, which is aptly located in the yoga and dance wonderland that is Bodytree Studio, combines local and seasonal produce like dates and sweet potato with guilty pleasures including peanut butter and raw cacao in its juices and smoothies. You can also grab homemade granola bars and raw bites.
Bodytree Studio, corner of 11th and 26th Streets. Sun-Thu 8.30am-8.30pm, Fri 9am-12.30pm and 4.30pm-7pm. Contact: 02 444 1119 www.lifeisnectar.com
Feeling rawsome
While consuming organic produce is a good way to get vital nutrients, it’s also kinder on the environment.
Using produce with no nasties, The Raw Place focuses on providing organic, plant-based ‘grab and go’ pressed juices and snacks so you can be healthy without harming the planet.
“How foods are grown can impact both our health and the environment,” says Najwa Abdul Hadi, co-founder of The Raw Place.
“Organic foods have more antioxidant compounds and lower levels of toxic metals and pesticides; organic produce must always be grown in safe soil with no growth hormones, separate from conventional produce.”
But eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to settle for bland or boring food – something that The Raw Place is out to prove.
With delicious concoctions like thyme for ginger – ginger, thyme, orange, lemon and honey – and the heart beet – beetroot, carrot, pear, apple, lemon and ginger – it’s difficult not to guzzle your five a day.
World Trade Center Mall, Hamdan Street. Sat-Thu 7am-11pm, Fri 10am-11pm.
Contact: www.therawplace.com
Pick your produce
Get your organic fix at these two regular markets in the capital…
The Market
At this market there’s a selection of organic products from fresh fruits and vegetables to fish and meat. Mushrif Mall, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed St (Airport Road). Sun-Wed 9am-10pm, Thu-Sat 9am-11pm. Contact: 02 690 4499.
Mawasim Organic Market
Grab your supply of organic produce fresh from local farms at this market that’s held every Friday on the ground floor of WTC Mall, Hamdan Street. www.mawasim.ae
Organic online
Secrets Fine Food
This website sells meat, fish, pastries and beverages – all proudly sourced from organic farmers and producers. You can even send a hamper containing various products as a gift. Free delivery on orders over AED 250. www.secretsfinefood.com
Raw coffee company
If you love your coffee, you have to try beans from this company, which sells organic beans that support small farms around the world. For delivery in Abu Dhabi, email [email protected] rawcoffeecompany.com
Tealand
Time for tea? Grab a variety of organic tea from around the world including matcha green tea. You can also find a range of equipment so you can make the perfect brew. Free UAE delivery. www.tealand.ae
Down to Earth Organic
Choose from a range of organic and chemical-free products from coffee to hair and skincare products. Minimum order AED 500. www.downtoearthorganic.ae
Nutritional values
Dr Hiba Abou Ltaif, a dietician at Harley Street Medical Centre, gives us the lowdown on organic food from a clinical standpoint
How would you define organic?
The word organic refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products; they encourage soil and water conservation to reduce pollution and don’t use conventional methods to fertilize and control weeds. It also uses approved methods that integrate cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity.
Why is organic such a big trend?
It’s due to the growing belief that organic farming is better for the environment and more sustainable, and the increase in knowledge about healthy food and concerns about health.
As a dietician, would you recommend going organic?
A meta analysis conducted by Stanford University and published in the September 2012 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine cited the “lack of strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional food.”
With the exception of higher phosphorus levels in organic produce and limited evidence suggesting higher omega-3 fatty acids in organic milk, no significant difference was found between the nutrient levels.
I advise people to meet their fruit and vegetable servings as their primary goal and enjoy a wide variety of food including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein – regardless of whether or not that produce is organically grown.
What are the benefits of organic food?
The biggest health benefit of organic food is the lack of pesticides and preservatives. In addition, people with allergies to food, chemicals or preservatives often find their symptoms reduced. Organically raised animals are not given antibiotics, growth hormones or fed animal by-products.
Harley Street Medical Centre, behind Marina Mall. Contact: 02 613 3999 www.hsmc.ae
Natural beauty
Switching to organic beauty products makes sense, especially considering the amount of items we consume every day to look good. Traditional beauty products contain chemicals that can be harmful to the skin and body.
Tina Bogale, senior trainer at The Organic Pharmacy, says, “The average woman can use anything between 20 and 26 products a day. The daily exposure to these ingredients can lead to a slow and long-term buildup of toxins. Our skin can absorb 60 percent of what’s applied on it.”
Dr Rachita Talwar, a specialist dermatologist at NMC Specialty Hospital in Al Ain, agrees. She recommends organic-based products because of the long-term health benefits. It is also advisable especially for those with sensitive skin.
“These types of products cleanse, tone, exfoliate and moisturise the skin without using noxious artificial elements,” says Dr Rachita. “Non-organic products include fragrances that have chemicals linked to cancer. This can cause irritation, trigger allergic reactions and mess with the skin’s natural ph levels.”
A product be at least 95 percent plant-based for it to be deemed organic. Dr Rachita advises reading the label thoroughly to check that the list of ingredients doesn’t include unnecessary chemicals such as mercury, dioxane, fillers, parabens and additives.
Tina adds, “One way to be sure is to ask for certification as any brand can claim to be organic or bio. The main certification bodies are the UK Soil Association, Ecocert, USDA Organic and Cosmos. At the moment, Soil Association is the highest standard.”
Organic skincare
You’re organic too, so check out these beauty brands and stores in Abu Dhabi
Rahua
This Amazon Beauty brand features a line of products that are proudly eco-friendly and natural, with ingredients sourced from the Amazon rainforest, hence the name. Try the body shower gel (AED 185), body lotion (AED 285) and Amazon body oil (AED 395). House of Fraser, Yas Mall. www.rahua.com
Solace
This one-stop shop carries a variety of brands from the US, Europe, Australia, Brazil and Japan including 100% Pure, Bamboo, Organic Purist, Sea Flora and Kera Green. Take your pick from make-up, nail care, facial, hygiene and body products for babies, children and adults. Al Wahda Mall. solace-products.com
The Organic Pharmacy
This shop has a broad range of products that are all 95 to 99.9 percent organic as certified by UK Soil Association. The natural products are free from artificial preservatives. Choose from premium grade herbal makeup, fragrance and skincare solutions. Al Wahda Mall.
www.theorganicpharmacy.com
Savona
Stock up on handmade soaps, body butter, oils, creams and body scrubs made from natural ingredients. See it yourself at the Ripe market at The Collection on Saturdays. Search for Savona on Facebook.
Skinvelop
These UK Soil Association-certified products are made from raw and natural ingredients. Best sellers include the toner, cleanser, moisturiser and the eye therapy to keep dark circles at bay. www.skinvelopskincare.weebly.com
Herbline Essentials
With 100 percent natural ingredients sourced in the Himalayas, these products meets all your organic beauty needs. Get the Aloe Vera and Honey Cleansing Milk for AED 99 or Cucumber and Rose Skin Tonic for AED 105 to cleanse and tone the skin. Available in pharmacies across the UAE including Boots and Bin Sina. www.herbline-essentials.com
