Author: Fatma Khalil

By now, it must have been evident to you all how ‘nutrition, health & well-being’ are my absolute favorite topics to highlight and talk about, partially because I teach Pilates, barre, yoga and dance alongside providing nutrition consultation. So I’m really excited to share some of my recent or not so recent findings for you all to take to and benefit from as we dwell in quarantine & self-isolation and/or right after! Healtholiks Sounds familiar right? Yep, it’s the most popular group on Facebook today, promoting day to day healthy eating hacks and recipes and while it’s great to be…

Core Gym Karachi is quite the community made of the city’s finest, most resilient and sought-after runners, cyclists, body-lifters, footballers, mountaineers and gymnasts alike and the absolute training hub of more than half the marathon runners from Pakistan, participating at the ongoing Dubai Marathon Ironman 70.3 2020!

living and working that are simple, efficient and attuned to the owner’s needs…

 On the editor’s radar in issue #08… Stuffed Mushrooms Mania at Cote Rotie and Pompei Now this is the greatest starters idea I may have shared with you to date or will occur to you before the end of 2019 if it hasn’t as yet. I’m all too thrilled to bring to your attention two fabulous restaurants of Karachi that serve the yummiest possible stuffed mushrooms.  Fresh large mushrooms stuffed with sautéed spinach topped with parmesan bread crumbs and baked to golden brown, with lemon butter sauce on the side is what Pompei makes for us; Homemade Ricotta- Stuffed…

On Editor’s Radar in issue #07…. Nueplex Cinema Screen quality – check, sound quality – check, seating comfort – check, pleasant temperature maintained – check, fresh snacks served at your seat – check, overall ambiance – check!!! Karachi’s first ever rooftop cinema checks all the boxes for you which having heard about its’ addition to the city’s recreational options might have been your concern before really going to catch a film in the open air. I loved watching ‘Once Upon a Time’ a few weekends ago amidst light rain shower. The management did give us the option to either get…

bringing to the table the juiciest, softest, palpable, salted grills of mutton ever!

More often than not, films that are much awaited tend to fall short. Joker would easily be the first such case that not only met but phenomenally exceeded the expectations of the audience with its haunting performance and immaculate character development ever witnessed. Joker sure goes down the history of impactful Hollywood classics.  So if Joaquin’s performance and scenography in all its brilliance do not win an Oscar for this movie, the award had better be boycotted then! However comically repulsive, distorted and cringe worthy, the protagonist is still mesmerizing; you would not want to blink an eye as you…

Does stumbling upon tall empty claims like “Transform your body” or “Sculpt yourself to lean mean” all over the social media get to you too as much as it gets to me, especially when not much really happened through those sessions or later other than sharp injuries? Urrgh. Transformation is a mighty process and the term should thus not just be thrown anywhere & everywhere to grab attention. And with that disclaimer may I dare reveal that transformation in the true essence of the word is remarkably and ever-so-gracefully experienced & lived in the world of Pilates that to my…

Cyclists and runners often need some extra love & care to keep going with what they so enjoy and get their addictive adrenaline rush from. Since life is all about balance, you’ve got to hit a sweet spot between those high-intensity routines and restoring stretches. Core Karachi’s Wednesday eves bring to us just that – an exhilarating combo of indoor cycling, followed by a newly introduced Yin Yoga class as the perfect opportunity to recover. To compliment Core Karachi’s philosophy of training smart, this class has been added right after to help you recover from your ride by increasing your…

suggestion from a coach of mine to help manage some sports-related injuries in my teens…

We’re all aware of the countless benefits yoga comes with, not just for your physical fitness but mental health too. It brings to you mental peace, while boosting your fitness level overall. As a beginner, you may be overwhelmed to learn how there are various kinds of yoga practices – from hatha, kundalini, vinyasa, ashtanga to water yoga and antigravity yoga, more endearingly called the aerial yoga – precisely what we talk about today as it’s here to stay and grow at Core Karachi for you all to try and get hooked to if not already; like I’m truly, madly,…

menu is loaded with an array of nutritious bites & sips that are just as delish or more so, than their naughtier…

The Core Fit class offered at Core Karachi is all the rage among fitness enthusiasts of K- town. Its easily the most popular high-intensity, variety infused, cross-fit training program of the city as we speak! “I have literally witnessed my body transform both in terms of strength and shape in the past three months, attending this class!” said a socialite mom, Ayesha as we tried catching a breathe or two in between the high-impact strength building slots in the class. Core Fit is seldom about necessitating glitz and gadgets to reap some serious health and fitness perks. The session makes…

generously allotting dedicated spaces for each like a spacious, barre style strength-training room and …

Let’s hear more from this British Pakistani model-turned-actress and a Motor Engineer with…

Movenpick Spa Not many of us would know that in the basement floor of Movenpick Hotel, there lies the remains of an ancient castle! Kidding. There is a full-fledged, exotic spa with a wide array of luxuriously relaxing massages, conducted by an Indonesian masseuse who comes with experience of years she’s gathered having worked in Seychelles, Bali and in the Europe region. I chose a full-body deep tissue massage where literally all the aching muscle knots of my shoulder and back were addressed ever so keenly that it felt sensational! Must try! Don’t Trust the Bxxch in Apartment #23…

Charles Bukowski’s LOVE IS A DOG FROM HELL Well, with a title like this, you know you’re not going to be disappointed. Even if you hate Bukowski, you must admit that he’s an original. I enjoy his poems to the core as they’re brutally honest & lovely in their grotesqueness. Ever felt like there was no one for you, nothing and no one who could hold your existence? As if you were drifting through life-going from person to person, place to place, job to job? Read this- it might wake you up. And make you feel a lot less lonely.…

Kiran Foundation – a non-governmental organization started the project of beautifying lane # 10 – Baghdadi Gali of the widely dreaded Lyari town, thirteen months ago. The beautification included renovating the bricked walls of a good twenty-two houses of this street, the painted in rich, solid colors ranging from parrot green, cyan blue & warm purple to cherry red, hot pink & mango yellow! The occupants have been living here for long and before this only recall their hometown drenched in sewage and garbage. They’re ecstatic about the all-new happy, colorful, clean & artistically pleasing environment of their locality now!…

I see a lot of people having somewhat of a problem with the dance element of Tarang ads. And I fail to understand what exactly the issue is as far as all their ads are serving the purpose of advertising – celebrity endorsements leading buyers’ attention that is. To me Tarang’s series of ad films have always rendered a happy-go-lucky feel and that’s just what they’re looking to convey. Dance is a serious medium of portraying happiness, just like the splash of vibrant colors thrown in all over – from their sets to costumes. I mean why can’t we sell…

 Indus Scuba It’d be safe to declare that I am quite an island baby, having lived in two islands – Singapore and Sri Lanka for a sufficient part of my life. Hence anything & everything to do with water sports gets me all too excited. I am yet to graduate to all-out scuba diving though, but love indulging in my good ol’ snorkeling on and off. And in Karachi I always choose Indus Scuba as it’s not just a diving club, it’s a diving family. The speed at which they take you through the sea is exhilarating. This awesome crew…

Karachi AcroYoga is an initiative taken by a group of friends who get together and practice acroyoga in different parts of Karachi. Acroyoga is a mash-up of acrobatics and yoga. A globally recognized fitness practice that involves a minimum of two individuals. A base – the person who provides support against the ground to the person elevated – the flyer. One more individual – the spotter is usually needed to help and ensure that the base and flyer get into the designated posture. Acroyoga is all about connection through playfulness, communication and trust. On top of having a great time,…

ON OUR HOTSEAT THIS MONTH Hassan Bilal is your classic gentleman straight out of ‘Mills & Boons’ with his suave looks, immaculate sense of dressing and creative vision. Known for his meticulous couture and deft combination of classic elements with contemporary designs, famed couturier Hassan Bilal is synonymous with fashion and luxury creations especially in Lahore. I recently managed to ask him some questions that curiously sat in my mind… What’s your favorite fashion brand of all time? Tom Ford. Favorite fashion accessory at the moment? My Officine Panerai wrist watch. What fashion trend do you hate the most?…

So Mehak, let’s start from the very beginning. You’ve had your heart (limbs & muscles) into fitness and particularly Yoga and other forms of exercises you mainly offer here now at MUV since how long ago? It’s been 3 years to MUV but my love for movement really began back in school playing sports! What’s your personal favorite pick among all these enjoyable, thrilling forms of workouts and why? Crossfit and Yoga has been a way of training, life and balance for me. I absolutely LOVE this combination of lifting and lengthening! Not only is it a great way to…

BAG A BAGEL Pancakes, waffles, croissants and bagels – all too ferangi for my taste buds. Never craved for any of these foreign edible matters until I discovered ‘Bag a Bagel’. So while I continued my life in the glory of homemade wholesome paratha or my usual multigrain bread, a friend sends me some bagels in two flavors – Olive & Herbs and Cinnamon & Raisins or so I recall. In the absence of any naan, the next Sunday morning, when I wanted to savor some leftover deadly nihari and dhaaga fry kabab with ammi, I did so with Bag…

So you’re from Hungary. Is there a spiritual wing to your native music? It’s a big mystery actually. There are theories. Some came from the north of Asia, some from Hindustan as Hungarian music is very eastern sounding but more so a mix of all these. Hungarian population as it is area big mix of various genetics. Hungary is just a 1000 years old. What was that first Sufi kalaam you heard and how did it affect you? Nusrat fateh Ali Khan’s Dum Mast Qalandar. It sounded very powerful! What brought you here? To Eastern Sufi folk? I came to…

Airmen Golf Club Acres of signature Karachi mangroves… check, cute little cozy chalets…check, fun buggy drives…check, windy, serene n scenic…check! Having been here twice in the recent times, I can safely declare how Airmen Golf Club is my ‘happy place’ in Karachi, away from the humdrums of the main city. Can sure be yours too! The Airmen Golf Course and Recreational Park is quite the embodiment of serenity and luxury! A unique leisure facility spread over 180 acres off Karachi’s coastline; it is indeed, one of the largest and most beautiful golf courses in Pakistan. Visit soon to witness the…

May 13 is a Sunday! And you know what Sunday means? THE BEACH!!! But wait, what is this? Beach janay ke liye permission nahin mil rahi? Kyun ke larke zyada hain aur larkiyaan kam? Is the security situation en route to the beach a concern? Are all your friends so frustratingly basic that they go to the beach for #beachvibes only and a week later repost with #takemeback? Fret not, for the LOLWaalay have got your back! Enjoy their beach themed improvisational comedy show from the comfort of a PACC near you (if you live near the PACC i.e.)! They will not leave…

Janjhar Di Paawaan Chankaar  – a Sarmad Khoosat directorial is a play that revolves around three main well-defined characters. Hamza – a blind young man from Sheikhupura having moved to Lahore away from the over-protectiveness of his mother that he so despises; his possessive mother – Mrs.Sohail who is hell-bent upon how her son must come back to the family house and stay with her as he is unable to take care of himself like she can; and the blind man’s flamboyant neighbor – Zaman, an aspiring actor playing a diehard fan of the yester years film star Anjuman in…

What’s The Nation’s Blue-Eyed Boy WASEEM BADAMI Got To Do With Hemani Herbal?  If you are even remotely health-conscious and often find yourself on a lookout for unadulterated natural products to take care of your skin, hair, immune system and overall wellbeing inside out, you sure are well acquainted with the prestigious organic healthcare brand – Hemani Herbal, established since 1949.  The brand’s tall elegant bottle of premium rose water encased in an exquisite wooden box was quite the best discovery for the raahat-o-taskeen of my oily skin and tired eyes. Their prettily named ‘Silver Needle Green Tea’ is awfully refreshing…

Being an ace beauty stylist of Pakistan since a decade now, you obviously have a lot of influence on makeup & hair trends. Who were your idols growing up? My inspiration comes from individualistic looks and I am constantly inspired by people’s work whether new or old. Growing up and studying in a fashion school I was smitten by the genius of Coco Chanel and John Galliano, because their art is so different from each other yet so perfect in its form. Please walk us through your journey in this field of colors n glam to date? The highlights being…?…

Bonsai Shrimp & Coriander Clear Broth If you’re a lover of Thai cuisine as well as seafood & some greens, processed flours added to your meals is a major put-off being a hopeless health-conscious soul, and hence you dig for some decent clear soup options when dining out and most of the time are disappointed learning how the dreaded corn-flour makes the base of most soups on the average menu cards of the Karachi, then Bonsai’s Shrimp & Coriander Broth is that one bowl of sheer happiness and nutrition that you’ll keep coming back for! Samsung S8 + Confessions…

In this era of countless self-proclaimed “fitness gurus” popping up with fad fixes and ruthless boot camps for people who are desperate to overnight shred layers of their body off and dig a Calvin Harris out of it, coming across a truly personalized trainer like Faisal Shafi who knocks sense into us and takes us back to basics was sure a refresher! Faisal Shafi is a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) Certified Personal Trainer as well as Crossfit Level 1 Trainer. He is a renowned Performance Enhancement and Corrective Exercise Specialist catering to a niche clientele in a truly…

Way Beyond Your Basic Guy Indeed it is once in a lifetime of a privilege to come across someone as eccentrically incredible and ever-so-predictably unpredictable as Shaheer. Keeping aside the ‘mentalist’ bit, I am also yet to meet a soul who has brought alive their childhood fantasies by building their own secluded empire of super heroes & fantasy fiction. Strictly not allowed to share any more on that. So after having attended his mind-boggling show ‘The Other Side’ sometime last year and literally having had discovered the bizarre gem he is in all his marvel, I wanted to get…

ALI IJAZ  THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED WILDLIFE DOCUMENTARY FILM MAKER OF PAKISTAN While quite a few local and international organizations like WWF-Pakistan and IUCN are actively working towards the preservation of wildlife in Pakistan, there are others who have their own unique way of supporting the cause in a manner that educates and creates awareness at a mass level. Yes, we are talking about individuals like Ali Ijaz – an award winning wildlife film-maker who has been bringing forward unique and unknown or rather misunderstood species since the last six years now; species that are actually an integral part of our…

Located near Shoe Market in inner Karachi – Qawwal Gali comprises of five streets named after five of the most eminent Qawwals: Munshi Raziuddin Qawwal, Moeen Niyazi Qawwal, Kallan Khan Qawwal, Jaafar Hussain Nizami Qawwal and Bahauddin Qawwal House to 4 generations now of 5 qawwal gharanas – Fareed Ayaz, the Saami brothers, Najmuddin Saifuddin brothers, Abdullah Niyazi and Subhan Nizami that is The community migrated to Karachi mainly from Delhi back in the 1950s/60s The qawwal bachchay being the 26th generation born into the heritage, to date fiercely guard and nurture the 805 years old art…

1   Power Red Powerful, punchy and impactful – I’ve always loved a lady in red just as much as a gentleman throwing in a red tie over formals and say red sporty shoes with his casuals. Apparently so do designers the likes of Fendi and Max Mara, making it the color of winter 2017. Wearing red imposes you mean business and are another level of confident! 2   Glitterati For a smashing party-look or any happening night, just add that one solid element of glitterati to your attire. Think all-out glittery pants, boots, belts, bags! Yes guys, hear me out you…