Aisha Bin Brook, TreatMeGlutenFree Owner and Emirati Woman in Green Business
How would you describe yourself in 3-5 words?
Emarati woman who is minimalist and eco activist.
Can you tell us more about your brand?
Treat Me Gluten Free started after noticing the lack of healthy and averaged price products in the market. We first started in 2017 as a subscription service offering hand-selected products to our subscribers which then we introduced our own product line in 2019 of vegan, organic and free from nasties items. We also care for the environment by using 100% eco friendly packaging. We use organic clean ingredients such as coconut sugar, oats, maple syrup, tapioca flour and more. We carefully select the ingredients free from preservatives.
How has your journey started?
I started my gluten free life after the suggestion from a herbalist in London after suffering all my life with digestive problems. Since then my life changed to the best by the day. When coming back to the UAE, I noticed we didn’t have a variety of products or what was available is very artificially tasting and very pricy. That is when I started my home-based business while thinking about the gluten free community in the UAE and try to provide what is needed.
What is your vision and how do you think you add value to the community?
My business is all about the customer who is living a gluten free lifestyle. I understand the difficulty in finding a tasty product which is also safe for their diet and good priced. That is why I think about the customer before my own benefit.
Since when do you live in the UAE?
I’m an Emarati living all my life between AlAin and AbuDhabi.
Why do you love this place?
I love the diversity of the people living in the UAE. We all learn from one another and about each other. Oh and the dates! We can’t forget the dates!
If you would get a magic stick what would you improve and make better?
My ultimate dream would be for the whole world to be living in a minimal zero waste lifestyle. No trash. No extra stuff. Just peace and ZEN all life long.
Can you share a couple of practical examples on your sustainable living that would be useful to others?
I personally live a low/zero waste lifestyle. It’s very easy to do the switch. For example, I make my own toothpaste, bake my own gluten free bread and eat at home as much as possible. I’ll share with you a very easy recipe to make your own toothpaste. Mix coconut oil, baking soda and peppermint essential oil. You can also use clove or cinnamon essential oil.
What is your favourite eco-brand?
I don’t have a favourite eco-brand. I just love to shop from different small companies when needed. The Good Karma is a great site and The Zero Waste Collective is an excellent website that sells eco friendly essentials from small local companies
What is your favourite eco-friendly restaurant or cafe?
I don’t eat out or order from restaurants honestly. Yet I love eating from BLOOM and I request (no cutlery)
Where do you like doing your grocery and why?
Living in AlAin, we don’t have many options. But I purchase my produces and nuts using glass jars or mesh bags. The supermarkets don’t mind and the staff are always interested in knowing about my lifestyle.
The best way to spend time with family and friends?
In the farm surrounded by birds and pets.
How do you spend your free time?
Free time is limited but when I have the chance, I would either bake or do any handcraft. I’m into candle making and now learning how to sew. I’ve always love creating and making things. Youtube is a wonderful platform to learn basically anything!
The best recent discovery in the UAE?
The small stores where home-based businesses sell their products. You can find many unknown small business which you can support. In each emirate there are plenty of stores. For example, we sold our products in De La Maison Cafe & Snackat in Dubai. And Local Factory Cafe in Abu Dhabi. There are many more booming now.
Do you recycle and how?
We’re thankful that we have a recycling station next to our house. We recycle almost everything. Papers, glass, metal, fabrics and batteries.
What is the best way to learn about sustainability and green living?
Educate oneself. Research. Watch what others are doing and preferably if they’re living where you’re living so you can apply their method in your life. I recently started an eco Instagram account where I share tips of living low/zero waste life ( @sidr.ae )
Follow Aisha on Instagram @sidr.ae and discover more about her products on Treat Me Gluten Free and Instagram
We are partnering with Treat Me Gluten Free and providing PROMO codes for our platform users. Discover more by clicking on the link
