Issue No. 19 Thursday, 3 November 2011 Eid Mubarak! Festive time It s that time of the year, when you see gleeful faces all around. Dressed in the finest attires, flooding the mosques and embracing each other greeting Eid Mubarak. Yes, it s time to celebrate Eidone of the most awaited festivals. The Festival of the Sacrifice (Eid al-adha) is one of two major Islamic celebrations which take place on the tenth day of the Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world make the journey to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual pilgrimage (or Hajj). Dressed in the same simple white clothing to represent human equality, the pilgrims gather to perform rites dating back to the time of Abraham. This festival is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham s willingness to sacrifice everything for God, including the life of his son Ishmael. Satisfied with Abraham s devotion, God replaced Ishmael with a sheep at the last second, and the sheep was slaughtered instead. While pilgrims in Mecca re-enact Flowers and sweets: Flowers and sweets are a great way to convey your warmest wishes to your dear ones on this auspicious occasion. You can gift your loved ones a bunch of beautiful flowers and delicious sweets that may include Baklavas, Ma amouls, Kunufa, dates and rich Arabian cookies. this scene by Dry fruits: A box of dry fruits like crunchy, salty roasted cashew, fresh green raisins, pistachios or almonds can be gifted to your family members and friends on Eid al-adha. For a sweet flavour, you can go for dry candies. A combo pack including different types of dry fruit like almonds, pistachios, cashews, dry and wet dates is among the popular Eid-ul-Adha gift ideas that may delight the people you love. Special gift: One of the Eid al-adha gift ideas that can impress your loved ones is a gift hamper that includes a namaz chaddar, 33 beads Tasbih and a box of fresh assorted fruits. Aside from this present, you may choose a gift hamper with a chocolate cake, a collection of assorted dry fruits, and a namaz cap. slaughtering sheep of their own, Muslims who can afford it in the rest of the world also participate in this rite by slaughtering sheep, camels and cows. One third of the meat is distributed to the poor as a special act of charity for the occasion, one third to neighbours and relatives while one third is kept by the person who offered the sacrifice for use within his or her own family. Because of this, many poor Muslims are able to enjoy the unusual luxury of eating meat during the four days of the festival. People wear new clothes and attend Salatul-Eid (Eid Prayer) in the morning that is followed by a short sermon, after which everyone socializes. After a while they start visiting each other s homes and partake in festive meals with special dishes, beverages, and desserts. On the other hand children receive gifts and sweets on this happy occasion. Eid simply means a feast or a festival. We all know that it is typically characterized by special prayers and sermons, family gatherings, visits of extended family and friends, special charitable acts and distribution of Eid Gifts and sweets. But have we ever thought of unique ways to celebrate this occasion? We hardly do. So why not make this Eid a special one with a bagful of ideas to exchange the warm wishes. Below, you ll find some ideas on what kind of Eid al-adha gifts you can offer to your loved ones. These Eid-ul-Adha gift ideas will help you choose an exciting present which your loved ones will treasure forever. Lighted streets, decorated bazaars, giggles of children dressed in fancy clothes, hands filled with henna, and the strong aroma of delicious food in the locality, sets the mood for celebration. Because here come Eid - the festival of joy! Celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety, Eid al-adha has a definite purpose, a norm to convey and a lesson to teach. Extravagant festivities, unbridled fun and frolic, gaudy and expensive dresses, spectacular functions and feasts are all a part of this auspicious occasion. But there s lot more you can do this Eid with Bloom which is full of surprises. Find out what s in store for you! Not to forget our latest fashion and accessories, technology and the science segments. It was indeed a pleasure to see a bundle of feedbacks streaming in this week. Keep up the good work by writing to us at bloom@qimqatar. com. We are only too eager to hear from you. Let us know what you like about Bloom, your suggestions to make it better, your reviews on our features, and story ideas that can add value to Bloom. Aside from apparels, accessories can also be gifted on the festive occasion of Eid al- Adha. You can gift women exquisite jewellery or handbags that are trendy and stylish. Accessories that you may choose to gift men are leather wallets and briefcases. Faux leather wallets, leather mobile pouch with a key chain, or credit card holders are some of the gifts that can be offered to your friends or family members as they celebrate Eid-ul-Adha. Apparels and accessories: Eid al-adha is celebrated by wearing new dresses. So, gift your loved ones a new set of apparels which will add grace and elegance to their look. Go for the colours and style that ll best suit the recipients. Whether you choose apparels for men or women, it is better to get an idea about their preferences before you go for a purchase. Gift vouchers: Get your family and friends gift vouchers with which they can party and have a grand feast at some of the famous hotels and restaurants in their city. As an alternative to this option, you may send gift vouchers for jewellery, apparel, and watches to your dear ones on Eid al-adha.
2 Thursday, 3 November 2011 Health Obesity may hinder flu shot s effectiveness The various health risks associated with being overweight or obese are well known, but a new study now suggests that this extra weight may also make your annual flu shot less effective. What s more, obese and overweight people may be at higher risk for more severe illness if they do catch the flu, according to the findings in the International Journal of Obesity. Flu vaccines work by causing protective antibodies to develop in the body. In the study, obese, overweight and healthy weight individuals all developed antibodies to flu viruses within the first month after vaccination, but the antibody levels in the blood waned more rapidly among obese and overweight individuals. Specifically, there was a fourfold decrease in antibody levels 11 months after vaccination in half of the obese patients, compared to one month post-vaccination. By Tips Sleep is crucial One of the major things that help in maintaining good health is sleep. All through the day, the body undergoes different kinds of stresses and strains. Further, the body undergoes little injuries that you do not get to know. When you sleep, the body metabolism is slow and this is when it gets a chance to repair the damage caused all through the day. contrast, less than 25 percent of healthy weight participants showed this degree of decrease in their antibody levels after 11 months, the researchers found. In addition, a type of white blood cell called CD8+ T-cells, which play a key role in priming the body s immune system, doesn t work properly in heavier people. When vaccination doesn t stave off the flu, people must rely, in part, on these white blood cells to limit the spread and severity of the infection. Over time, overweight and obese people are not maintaining their antibody levels to the extent that healthy weight people are, said study author Heather A. Paich, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They also appear to have difficulty fighting the flu infection when it does occur. Whether or not obese or overweight individuals are more susceptible to the flu remains to be seen, she said. Over time, overweight and obese people are not maintaining their antibody levels to the extent that healthy weight people are It has been well-documented that obesity is linked to lowered immunity, and I always urge my obese patients at any age to get a flu shot, said Dr. Neil Schachter, a professor of pulmonary medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. The fact that their response to the flu shot is impaired has significant clinical implications, he said. They may be candidates for the double flu shot approach that we give to elderly patients -- one shot in early fall and another in January, he said. This may offer better protection for obese patients to avoid the flu or at least reduce severity of the infection and reduce risk of complications. Dr. Louis Aronne, founder and director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Program at New York- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Centre in New York City, said that overweight and obese people may represent another group of people who are at high risk for flu and flu-related complications. He said more study is needed to see if these people would benefit from two shots, instead of one. The bigger picture here is that there needs to be a medical specialty dedicated to caring for people who are obese, said Dr. Scott Kahan, an obesity expert at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Dosages of certain medications often have to be changed based on weight and, in this case, the flu vaccine dosage or administration may need to be changed, he said. It may also be that we need enhanced prevention or other adjunctive strategies in addition to the vaccine for flu protection among people who are overweight or obese, Kahan added. These issues are apparent in the treatment or prevention of other disease and conditions as well. (HealthDay News) Larger food portions may be seen as status symbols Dr. Walid Antoine Gergi Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology Infertility - Ultrasonography American University of Beirut - USA hospitals Medical Director Three languages spoken - Arabic, English and French Prenatal Care - American Gongress of Obs/Gyn guidelines Complicated Pregnancies care 3D - 4D Ultrasound Gynecologic Surgeries - Endoscopy Infertility work-up and treatments Ovulation induction Repetitive abortions investigations and treatment Menopause - Osteoporoses care Urinary incontinence evaluation and treatment For more information call: 44502050 Lic No. 4819 Lic No. 103/2011 People who feel powerless may choose larger food portions in an attempt to boost their social status, a new study suggests. Northwestern University researchers found that people equate larger food portions with higher social standing. For example, study participants believed that people who opted for a large coffee had more social status than those who chose a medium or small coffee, even when the price was the same. The study also found that people who feel powerless (such as those in lower socioeconomic groups) selected larger pieces of bagels than others, and chose larger smoothies when they were at a social event than when they were alone. The findings were released online in advance of publication in an upcoming print issue of the Journal of Consumer Research. An ongoing trend in food consumption is consumers tendency to eat more and more. Even more worrisome, the increase in food consumption is particularly prevalent among vulnerable populations such as lower socioeconomic status consumers, study author David Dubois, of HEC Paris, and colleagues at Northwestern University wrote in a journal news release. The team noted that it s common for people to equate the size of a consumer product -- such as a house, TV or vehicle -- with social status. The researchers also found that when powerless people were told that smaller hors d oeuvres were served at prestigious events, they selected the smaller food items. Understanding and monitoring the size-to-status relationship of food options within an assortment is an important tool at the disposal of policy makers to effectively fight against overconsumption, the study authors concluded.
Weekend treat at the Pearl-Qatar Mango Tree Fine Living Thursday, 3 November 2011 Where to go this Eid? 3 Set in an elegant and classy atmosphere, Mango Tree satisfies your yearning for authentic Thai taste. Mango Tree s distinctive cooking reflects traditional recipes enjoyed in all four of Thailand s main culinary regions, each of which has its own distinctive flavours and style. You can take your pick from the rich and mild dishes of the north, spicy food from the east, mild food influenced by the Chinese cooking style from the central region, and hot and spicy food from the south. Signature dishes include Tom Yum Goong and Phad Thai Goong, which are both delicious shellfish specialities. Mango Tree also serves traditional Thai dishes of Gal Phad Kra Phroa (stir fried minced chicken with chill & holy basil) and Yum Pla Dook Foo (crispy flossed catfish with green mango salad) amongst many others. Coming to the desserts, the tempting mango cheesecake, set on a soft but slightly crunchy chocolate base, deliciously creamy in the middle, crowned with tangy mango sauce and served with fresh mango slices for sure calls for a second visit. Mango Tree uses a subtle layering of flavours to produce dishes of the highest quality. In this health-conscious time, Thai food is gaining popularity and is, in fact, considered as one of the healthiest of the world s cuisines. It is best to visit the restaurant on Fridays and be a part of the Friday nights with enthralling music played by a DJ at the marina front and comfy beanbags and low tables arranged for guests to chill out! But beware; Mango Tree s sophisticated take on Thai is not for those on a budget. Set upon the prestigious Pearl-Qatar, Mango Tree offers guests with breath-taking views of the Arabian Gulf. Carluccio s Located in the heart of The Pearl with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf, Carluccio s the perfect place for al fresco dining that brings the tastes of Italy to the heart of Porto Arabia. Carluccio s - an Italian style Café, Restaurant and Food- Shop (offering a wide range of regional Italian products) for all those who enjoy fresh Italian cooking in a family friendlyatmosphere at value prices. It is famous for selling ingredients and merchandise, also used in Carluccio s restaurants and cafés around the world, such as olive oil, fresh bread and imported cheeses. Young and urban, Carluccio s is the perfect spot to either enjoy a healthy breakfast outside, simply have a good cappuccino, or gather with friends for a real Italian dinner. The restaurant offers authentic pasta, freshly baked breads, mains, salads and a handful of scrumptious desserts. Apart from savouring the luscious dishes, you can pick fresh herbs, freshly baked bread, 600 types of antipasti and gelati which are offered in the deli section for customers looking to take Carluccio s home with them. And for those wishing to take a bit of Italy to their home kitchens, can grab a cookery book sold at The Pearl Qatar. Turning out to be the latest addition to the collection of top quality dining establishments at the luxury destination, it s a must visit for the ones who crave for true Italian taste! So this weekend drop in at Carluccio s to relax and relish the tastes of authentic Italian cooking right in the Middle East. Eid-ul-Adha or Eid al-adha (Bakr-Eid) is one of the popular festivals observed by the followers of Islam in the world. Also known as the Eid Al Kabeer or The Big Feast, Eid Al-Adha is a joyful event relevant to the fifth pillar of Islam- Hajj. The end of this Feast of Sacrifice, marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims celebrate this occasion by offering special prayers to the almighty, sending greetings and exchanging gifts with their dear ones. It is a month of high spirituality where the rich and the poor bow their heads to seek Almighty s mercy. And therefore, undoubtedly the occasion of Eid Al-Adha has a joyful and happy feeling among the Muslims from all walks of life. And to witness this grand celebration one must visit the Middle Eastern countries that offers a spectrum of delectable delicacies and an array of entertainment activities, each unique in its own way. We have picked few destinations that one should visit during this festive time which is usually jam-packed with tourists during this time of the year. Celebrating Eid Al-Adha in Oman If you want to see a traditional Arabian Gulf country, this is the one. The peninsula of the Sultanate of Oman offers great beaches, rocky mountains, a classic desert, forts, friendly, tolerant locals and good diving when the dread red tide algae bloom is not about. Visitors to Oman in early November are in for a treat as the nation celebrates Eid al-adha; during which many activities such as camel races, horse races, and folklore dances take place in the various regions of the country. Locals flock to these spots to be a part of the gleeful activities. A spirit of solidarity, fraternity, and equality prevails among them. And to titillate your taste buds, the Omani cuisines take a panoramic shape where the menu includes various types of food. Among the noticeable dishes are the barbeque, steamed meat, delicious Omani Halwa (sweets) as well as fruits and other delicious homemade dishes. Eid festivities in Dubai With an exciting calendar of events for the Eid Al Adha celebration, Dubai attracts thousands of visitors at this time of the year. Like every year, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE) have taken the initiative to organize the Eid in Dubai festivities during Eid Al Adha. Organised for the fourth consecutive year, Eid in Dubai aims at promoting Dubai as a festive destination during Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha with various entertainment events to highlight Dubai s unique way of celebrating this special occasion. It also aims to bring together the diverse cultures and nationalities residing in or visiting Dubai to celebrate this occasion with festivities designed to cater to all ages. Starting from the first day of festivities, visitors can expect a whole lot of entertainment activities including mega concerts, fireworks, and international character shows. And this year, to mark Eid Al Adha, DEPE is organising a ten-day heritage celebration named Min Bladi Al Emarat at the Emaar Boulevard starting from the 3rd of November till the 12th. Welcoming visitors with sweets, the festivities features a souq, craftsmen, Emirati cuisine, a traditional band, a henna designing area and a majlis for visitors to rest; an ideal opportunity to explore Emirati tradition. For children an exciting fun fair including inflatables, skill games and activities like face painting, colouring with full on entertainment by performers is organized. With fireworks for three continuous days, you can take a fun ride on horses and camels. A display of paintings along the Boulevard in addition to pottery-making demonstrations and performances by musicians adds more to the excitement. Through this celebration, everyone in Dubai will be introduced to the core values of Eid that incorporate giving and sharing, tolerance and caring for others, as well as highlight the Emirati tradition of celebrating this occasion. Eid Al-Adha festival in Saudi Arabia One of the most widely celebrated Saudi Arabia festivals and events, the Eid al-adha festival in Saudi Arabia occupies a significant place in the Islamic Culture of Saudi Arabia. Celebrated by Muslims worldwide, this festival marks the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage rituals in Saudi Arabia. The Eid al-adha festival at Saudi Arabia begins on the 10th day of Dhu l-hijja, which is the last month in the Islamic calendar. Similar to the Eid Al-Fitr festival in Saudi Arabia, the festival starts off with communal prayers at dawn and culminates in a grand feast showcasing the finest of the Saudi cuisine, followed by an exchange of gifts among friends and family. Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to tourists who want to explore the last great forbidden kingdom in the world. The country has in fact built transportation facilities that enable travellers to move around the city conveniently and quickly at cheap prices. Eid - the best time to travel to Egypt The best time to visit Egypt is from October to May during the festive season. Though it is the peak travel season, when most travellers come, the temperatures are a lot better for those not used to the heat. Eid Al-Adha is a day which cannot be missed. Even though it is a holiday in Egypt, touristic sites still remains open, and it is a very festive and joyous one. In the morning Muslims wear their best clothes and perfumes to attend a special congregation at their local Mosque (masjid). After the completion of these special prayers, as well as a special sermon, they will rise, hug each other, and exclaim Eid Mubarak. This is a day when families will travel miles to visit one another and have special meals together. Special events are held around the city with gala dinner parties, special displays and fun activities which are something to look for. Egypt which is considered to be an ideal tourist destination in the world must be visited at the fascinating time of Eid. The houses, and streets, are lit with a huge variety of lamps, lights, and other types of ornamentation, with the children being given sweets, money, or gifts as a reward. If you ever get invited to one of these special parties, it is an experience you will never forget. The family gatherings involve cooking and eating all kinds of Egyptian food items, most of them associated with Eid Al-Adha. So if you are planning for a visit to Egypt on Eid, you can either share with Egyptians their celebrations or catch-up on your shopping by benefiting from Cairo s and Alexandria s commercial districts least crowded days of the year.
4 Thursday, 3 November 2011 Lifestyle A Simple Colourful Nursery A baby s room ought to be the happiest place in the house -- not only for the little one who sleeps and plays there, but also for the parents. It needn t be drenched in duckies or amusement-park hues to be whimsical and kidlike. By using paint and fabric in cheerful solids, you will create a simple, serene environment that s nonetheless fanciful. Best of all, you ll create a bedroom with staying power. Chances are, the walls, floor, and most of the furnishings will still be appropriate even when your child is sauntering off to second grade. Blue Balance The wood floor can be a gentle blue-green. Once the baby starts crawling, you could add texture as well as functionality with an off-white sheepskin rug or shaggy mustardcollared one. Cute Contrasts Start with warm white walls, and then paint two major surfaces with fresh, bright colours. Complementary choices, like the orange and blue here, don t have to be loud; if one of them is intense, pair it with a softer shade. A mobile painted darker blue helps spread colour around the space. Sunny and Soothing A single colour will have depth if you layer it in many tones. For example, you could have the bedding in pear yellow, an unconventional hue for a baby s room that helps keep the palette interesting. Pale, banana-colour linen can be stretched over Homasote and stapled in back for a bulletin board that will accommodate a child s changing interests. The fabric window shade can be the brightest, purest yellow in the room. And for economical storage, cabinets installed at kid level can be painted yolk yellow with the top in white. Moreover, the natural wood of the floors and mobile also acts as a part of the colour scheme. Decoupage Ideas for the Nursery: Add whimsy to a baby s room with a simple technique called decoupage. This process can be applied to any smooth painted or unpainted wooden surface. Below we ve supplied animal templates and suggestions for paper patterns. Before beginning, practice on a piece of scrap wood. Once you re comfortable with the process and you ve gathered your materials, you can easily complete a project in an afternoon -- perhaps during your child s nap. Harriet the Hippo may be the leader of the pack, but Mr. Giraffe is in charge of keeping a sharp watch for any approaching bad dreams -- because, of course, he s got the best sight line. To create this quartet of creatures, paint the bottom and legs of a wooden crib light green; then add the decoupage animals and a yellow sun. To make William the Whale, enlarge the template and place it on an unpainted stool. With a pencil, extend the waterline that runs through William s body so it goes to the edges and down the sides of the stool: This creates the sea and the sky. Remove the template. Paint the sky and legs of the stool a light blue, and the ocean a darker shade. After the paint is dry, decoupage the whale; use darker blue for the eye and underwater section, and different patterns for both of his other parts. What suits a friendly Scottie better than plaid? If you aren t able to find the perfect pattern in a decorative paper, simply photocopy a favourite fabric to make a paper version. Who wouldn t enjoy waking up to these little chicks? You can almost hear the chirp, chirp of their cheery conversation. By positioning the birds along the bottom of a drawer, make them look as if they re perched on a wire. You can achieve a similar effect using reds (for cardinals), yellows (for canaries), or pinks (for any bird at all). To show the birds cheeps, you might add a few musical notes. Your little girl or boy will be happy to learn that Goldilocks three bear friends live right in the bedroom closet. These cute and useful hangers are easy to produce. Each bear s face is constructed of just nine circles. A set of these would make a lovely gift for any new-born. Origami, craft, or construction paper, or wallpaper or card stock Water-based glue sealant Quality bristle brush 2. Clean the surface of the item to be decoupaged; let it dry. Make a mark with a pencil to indicate where the animal body will go on the surface, and brush a coat of glue over that area. Then set the cut-out on top of the glue. Smooth out any bubbles with clean, wet fingers (so fingers don t stick to the glue). 3. When the glue is still tacky but mostly dry (about 4 minutes), brush a coat of glue over the top; place smaller cut-outs in designated spots. Wait about 4 more minutes, and then brush on another coat. If you notice bubbling or puckering, again smooth out the cut-out with clean, wet fingers, but don t overdo it; at this step the paper usually flattens as it dries. Wait 20 minutes, then Scissors Transparent tape Utility knife Straight edge Hole punch Pencil Water-based polyurethane (optional) Decoupage Ideas 1. Enlarge the animal templates to not more than 4 inches wide or the final pieces may pucker and bubble when glued. Make one copy for each major part of the animal (for example, you d make two copies of the elephant -- one for the body and one for the ear; use a hole punch to make the eye). Cut out each piece of the templates about 1/4 inches from the outline; tape on top of decorative paper. Cut out along lines using scissors; use a utility knife and a straight edge for straight lines. Mark the body lightly with a pencil to indicate the positions of the other elements. brush on another coat. Add two more coats (or more if paper is particularly thick), waiting 20 minutes between each. If desired, finish with a coat of water-based polyurethane once glue is completely dry (apply according to the manufacturer s instructions). The polyurethane will provide extra durability and will also help protect your design in case it is exposed to moisture (as in a bathroom). To decorate a nursery is a challenge. These ideas will brighten the walls of your little one s bedroom and fill it with homespun charm yet creating a wonderland. What could be more fitting than the cute animal templates to surround your child with? delicious sweet! In the eastern world, it is customary to gift and eat sweets in abundance during religious festivals such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. uttered over the next few days welcoming guests into homes, a platter of assorted Arabic sweets is a must. - - Eastern cookies) and mlabas (sugar-coated almonds). Eastern Cookie stuffed with and once you pop, you can t stop! So, why not celebrate this Eid Here s how to prepare: Almonds: Ingredients: 1/2 cup solid shortening 8 tablespoons or 4 ounces butter 1 cup flour, all purpose 2 cups semolina 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 granulated sugar 1 tablespoon rose flower water 1 tablespoon orange flower water 7 tablespoons water Walnut, pistachio, or date filling Confectioners sugar Dates filling: 1 1/2 cups chopped dates 6 tablespoons butter Cook dates with butter over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Mash until dates are completely pureed. Cool before filling. 1/2 pound ground walnuts or pistachios 2 tablespoons orange flower water 1/4 cup of sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon Mix well together. 1. Melt shortening and butter together. For a richer cookie, substitute more butter for the shortening. Cool slightly. 2. Mix flour, semolina, salt, baking powder, and sugar together. Rub melted shortening into dough with fingertips until it is like fine soft meal. 3. Cover bowl and let it rest overnight. Combine flower waters with 7 tablespoons water and sprinkle over the dough. Toss lightly with a fork to distribute liquid evenly. Mix or knead until just combined, like pie dough. 4. Dust ma amoul molds with flour. Invert and tap gently to remove excess flour. 5. Estimate the amount of dough needed to fill ma amoul mold. Flatten it out slightly and place a tablespoonful of filling in the centre. Close dough around filling to cover it. Pack ball into oiled mold. Level off the cookie, ensuring no filling is revealed. 6. Tap cookies out of the mold by firmly hitting the top of the mold. Transfer cookies to a baking sheet using a spatula. Bake at 300 to 325 degrees F for 12 minutes, or until barely coloured. Cool. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar before serving.
Science Thursday, 3 November 2011 5 Teens and the fizzy drinks Vinodh K. Pisharom Call them pop, fizzy drink, soda, soft drink, or anything else in the local lingo, flavoured carbonated drinks have gradually attained omnipresence. Typically containing water, sweetener, and a flavouring agent, carbonation just helps to sharpen the flavour of the beverage with a slight burning sensation. However, the sensational popularity of such carbonated beverages, with allegedly no nutritive substance, leaves us wondering how they have become the dietary staple of millions around the world. There is no doubt that carbonated drinks do quench thirst, while fancy flavours and chic containers may have added to their appeal. But, on close observation, apart from the basic appeal, such drinks also seem to quench the thirst of the generation to be reckoned mod. Moreover, for most of the trendy teens and youngsters, there is no bigger shame than to be sighted with a pack of fruit juice, flavoured milk, or socalled health drinks on them. This trend probably has facilitated carbonated drinks to reign supreme as an anytime drink, increasing its consumption. My blood had so much fizz that the recipient tore off the tubing, catheters and syringes and bolted towards the door, a blood donor was heard bragging at the in-patient ward of a hospital. You may disregard this as an over statement, yet the observed fact that over-consumption of such fizzy drinks renders one edgy and impatient, cannot be ignored. Teens who drink more than five cans of non-diet, fizzy soft drinks every week are significantly more likely to behave aggressively, suggests research published online in Injury Prevention. This includes carrying a weapon and perpetrating violence against peers and siblings. Boston Youth Survey, a biennial survey of 9th to 12th graders (14 to 18 year olds), studied 1,878 teens from 22 public schools in Boston, Massachusetts for this research. The teens were asked how many carbonated non-diet soft drinks they had drunk over the past seven days. The responses were divided into two groups: those drinking up to four cans over the preceding week (low consumption); and those drinking five or more (high consumption). Almost 30% respondents fell into the high consumption category. The researchers then looked at potential links to violent behaviour in this group, by asking if they had been violent towards their peers, a sibling, or a partner, and if they had carried a gun or knife over the past year. Responses were assessed in the light of factors likely to influence the results, including age and gender, alcohol consumption, and average amount of sleep on a school night. Those who drank 5 or more cans of soft drinks every week were significantly more likely to have drunk alcohol and smoked at least once in the previous month. Further, heavy use of carbonated nondiet soft drinks was significantly associated with carrying a gun or knife, and violence towards peers, family members and partners. In all, for those teens who were heavy consumers of non-diet carbonated soft drinks, the probability of aggressive behaviour was 9 Who drink 5 or more cans of soft drinks every week are significantly more likely to drink alcohol and smoke. to 15 percentage points higher - the same magnitude as the impact of alcohol or tobacco - the findings showed. There may be a direct cause-and-effect-relationship, perhaps due to the sugar or caffeine content of soft drinks, or there may be other factors, unaccounted for in our analyses, that cause both high soft drink consumption and aggression, conclude the authors. As there is no reference to aggression in adults, I think it s safe to cool my grey matter with yet another can of my favourite brown beverage. Oh!! Damn it!! The #*$%^!## can has fallen right on my bloody toes. Men are funnier than women Vinodh K. Pisharom Though not a confirmed male chauvinist, coming across tons of studies proving the superiority of women over men, and some amazing abilities they possess, my ego has fallen to an all-time low. A recent study revealed that women are getting better looking through evolution, while men are staying just the same. Women eat healthier, have a stronger immune system, live longer, and survive car accidents more often. They graduate college more often, are far more likely than men to talk through their problems, and are more recession-proof. When it came to the part that women make greater bosses because they are better listeners, mentors, and problem solvers than their male counterparts, I just could not read any further. What do you call an attractive intelligent and sensitive man? A rumour! This is what I caught next on the net in my search to defend my male ego. Laura Mickes and her team from the University of California, and Robert Mankoff from The New Yorker, seem to have taken pity on the menfolk. They have been exploring the reasons behind the stereotype that men are funnier than women, with scientific proof to support it. Their work appears online in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, published by Springer. Both men and women seem to believe that men are funnier than women. Why? One theory is that men use humour to impress potential partners. Women often say they prefer a man who makes them laugh and men prefer women who laugh at their jokes. Mickes and team wanted to find out if there was some substance behind the stereotype i.e. are men actually funnier than women or are they simply perceived as such? In the first of two studies, men and women were asked to write funny captions to accompany cartoon images from The New Yorker. The researchers then asked a group of raters to evaluate how funny the captions were, without knowing whether they were written by a man or a woman. Both male and female raters judged captions written by men to be funnier. Males showed an even stronger preference for captions written by males, indicating a uniquely strong appreciation of male humour by male raters. In the second study, men and women were shown the funniest and least funny captions from the first experiment and were told whether it was written by a man or a woman. On a memory test, they were asked to remember whether a man or a woman had written the funny captions. Overall, funny captions were remembered better, and the funnier the caption the more likely the raters were to remember the gender of their author. Interestingly, there was also a humour-based recall bias: individuals of both genders tended to misattribute humorous captions to male writers and the nonhumorous captions to female writers. The authors conclude: Our findings suggest that men s view that men are funnier could be a result of their actually finding the humour they produce funnier, as well as their biased recall of funny things as having sprung from men s minds. Women laughing more at men, when the gender is known, may not be due to superior humour, but to more social influences, which are known to impact laughter. Thanking Mickes and Mankoff, I made a triumphant announcement in front of the womenfolk in my office: Men are funnier than women!! But, the acrid comment from a learned lady; It s no surprise; whatever you dimwits say and do ought to be funny, had the whole office laugh at my expense.
6 Thursday, 3 November 2011 Technology From the creator of the ipod a Thermostat?! Nest learns from your usage and living habits and estimates the time required to change the temperature of the entire house, or perhaps just the kitchen Nawras R Diaa Just when everyone thought the world of innovation died with Steve Jobs, here comes a post-mortem resonance from beyond his grave to show us new and wondrous things in technology. One of Steve Jobs prodigies who was thought to be the creative mind behind the ipod just took the Nest step in home management and décor which a snazzy and handy little innovation which he calls, Nest Thermostat. Tony Fadell, the founder and CEO of Nest, which he started after leading the design team that developed the ipods and the first three generations of iphones, was again behind the helm in this innovative initiative which was the reason why Fadell stepped out of retirement and decided to venture into the world of innovation and technology once again. Together with the team, co-founder Matt Rogers and I set out to reinvent the thermostat using advanced technologies, high-quality manufacturing processes and the thoughtful design elements the iphone generation has come to expect, Fadell says in a company news release announcing Nest. And after looking at the teaser images of the product, one can safely assume that Fadell knows how powerful his words are. This new thermostat designed by the brains behind the ipod promises to save money by learning your household habits, encouraging energy efficiency while simply looking fancy on any wall. It promises a modern, simple solution for lowering utility bills. The Nest s key function is its ability to learn your personal schedule and adjust its settings accordingly, which its designers say is much more efficient than programming it yourself. A single-degree difference here and there can add up to significant savings over time. Nest Thermostat is not just a piece of electronics pasted on your wall, it becomes your personal energy-saving assistant as it guides you through your daily interaction on reaching the ideal state of cooling or heating without resulting in a not-so-ideal utility bill! You don t have to be a techie guru to program this device, all you need is a pair of eyes and follow the onscreen hints, such as the echofriendly green leaf which displays while you re fiddling with the temperature and guides to optimal efficiency. Perhaps the coolest feature in Nest Thermostat is that it helpfully displays how long it will take to set your house to the desired temperature, a handy function for those of us who turn it up too high or too low to expedite temperature regulation. It has a motion sensor that enables an auto-away feature, lowering the heat or raising the air conditioning when the sensor detects that no one is home. And that s not an easy feat as one might think. Nest learns from your usage and living habits and estimates the time required to change the temperature of the entire house, or perhaps just the kitchen. This way you won t run the risk of over-spending on energy; an environment-friendly and more importantly wallet-friendly approach. It even has a built-in Wi-Fi, so you can control the Nest from a smartphone or tablet app. The dial glows red when the heat is on, and blue when the A/C is on. The brushed stainless steel dial picks up the colour of the wall where it s mounted; that s right just like a chameleon; seamlessly blending in with your house like the best gadgets should. Now as cool as this new device sounds, those of us with good enough memory can remember that other smart, catchy connected home energy-savings projects have failed to make a strongenough impact on the market. Microsoft s Hohm and Google s Power Meter both faded after poor reception from consumers, while other energy-efficiency gadgetry is already available from Panasonic, GE and others which offer the basic climate-control energy-efficiency tools. Be that as it may, the predecessors of the Nest Thermostat never looked this cool, which in modern times seems to be the answer. Fadell used his words carefully when he proclaimed that the iphone generation is a demanding and modern generation which demands any product to have incredibly handy features, and at the same time look ultra-modern and futuristic. Could this Apple-rooted product succeed where Microsoft and Google haven t? It goes on sale on December for a remarkably high price of $249; which of course will be hiked even further by the time it reaches the local hypermarket in Doha. But from the looks of it, and from the history of its creators, it just might prove to be the hot-cake product after all. Robot venus flytraps How to clean the ipad A prototype robot was developed at Seoul National University designed to catch bugs We ve all seen those magnificently coloured giant tropical flowers that wait patiently for unsuspecting prey to land in their sweet nectarfilled mouths to suddenly snap shut. But only few might have dreamt to use these plants as domestic fly assassins! It s alarming enough when robots ingest plant detritus like twigs and grass clippings. It s another thing entirely when they can start chowing down on members of the animal kingdom and using them as fuel; eerily reminiscent of many Sci- Fi horror flicks like The Matrix where humans are actually used as batteries. Though not as gruesome as the latter example, a cool new invention promises a perpetually bug free house. A prototype robot was developed at Seoul National University designed to catch bugs, a major step on the path toward robots that can hunt, catch and digest their own meals and turn them into energy which can be used to continue their function. The tiny robots are modelled after the lobes of Venus flytraps, which snap shut as soon as sensitive hairs inside detect an alighting insect. The Seoul robot has a pair of carbon fibre leaves connected by a shape-memory metal spring, which works like an average mousetrap. The weight of an insect (or something else) causes the spring to contract, which pulls the leaves together, thus trapping the insect and initiating the process of converting to energy. On the other part of the globe, another prototype was built using a polymer membrane coated with gold electrodes, a design previously developed in other experiments. This material is used to make two leaves, with electrodes serving as the flytrap s sensor hairs. Scientists are still working on perfecting the process of recycling the caught prey into a good source of energy. An insectivorous robot will probably have a built-in digestive test-tube chemical system to change its dead prey to some type of caloriefuelled energy. It is still too soon to find these ingenious pest-controllers on your local hypermarket shelf under mass production, but it s safe to say that some very intelligent brains are working hard to better humanity, one bug at a time. 1First, in order to clean the ipad it is recommended that you turn off the device. Although only a small amount of water will be used, it is not wise to clean the ipad with it on. 2Next, disconnect any wires/cords connected to the ipad and take off the case if you have one on. 3Now take the microfiber cloth and apply a small amount of water so that the cloth is damp. Make sure that the cloth is not dripping as this clearly can be dangerous to your ipad. It is critical that you DO NOT use any other type of cleaner including window cleaner, aerosol cleaner, or any other chemical cleaner. 4Using the damp cloth, gently rub all of the exterior surfaces of the ipad. Do this until you have wiped away all of the smudges on the screen and casing. 5Finally, use the dry portion of the cloth (or another one if necessary) to dry off the phone. Although it should not be dripping wet, failure to dry properly will leave streaks. Make sure the ipad is completely dry before turning it back on.
Beauty Thursday, 3 November 2011 7 There s nothing worse than dry, itchy skin. Dry skin can happen any time during the year, but is most prevalent in winter (hence the term, winter itch ). Find out why your skin tends to be dry in winter and how to solve dry hands, feet, body, face and lips year-round. Moisturizer dos and don ts 1Apply moisturizer to damp skin immediately after cleansing You may have read about this but you may not know why this is important. Applying moisturizer to a damp face helps to lock in the water from the upper layers of the skin, preventing evaporation. If you re using a toner, always leave your toner damp before applying your moisturizer as the cream will help seal the hydrating benefits from the toner deep into the skin; which is why it is always recommended to apply your moisturizer straight after cleansing your face. Don t apply your moisturizer onto a dry face as it wouldn t be able to trap in the excess moisture. But don t apply to a wet face either because your cream will just slide off your skin. 2Don t apply moisturizer around your eye area Some may have said that they do this all the time and it makes no difference. However, it should be noted that the skin around the eye area is different from the rest of the face. Moisturizers can be too rich and some can cause the growth of oil seeds if used on the eye area. In addition, the formulation of moisturizers can cause the delicate skin around the eye area to retain fluid and become puffy. So stick to an eye cream instead. 3Don t use a moisturizer with SPF at night While it is not really necessary to use a separate night cream to moisturize, one of the reasons why you would is because you might be using one with SPF protection. A moisturizer or lotion with SPF should only be used in the day for obvious reasons. Applying it in the night arise the risk of having your pores clogged in the long term. 4Extend your moisturizer to your neck Remember to use your moisturizer on your neck as well, applying in an upward stroking motion. Most people tend to neglect their necks in their beauty regime but applying moisturizer is probably the most basic you can do. 5Let your moisturizer dry before applying your foundation The trick is to always wait at least 5 to 10 minutes for the moisturizer to dry before putting on any foundation. Alternatively, sweep a dry brush over your face before applying the foundation. The same applies when you apply sunscreen to your face. Rodin olio lusso Your body deserves the same attention that your face does, a fact that Linda Rodin is keenly aware of. Using the same fragrant 11 essential oils, RODIN olio lusso body oil is the only moisturizer you will ever need. The oils are mixed in a different proportion than the face oil to create a silky, luxurious oil for the body. Biore dual fusion If you have an oily t-zone but the rest of your skin is dry, consider this moisturizer, which was created for women with transitional skin (between teen acne and mature skin). You ll find this moisturizer is not greasy, but moisturizing to your dry spots. The SPF part is very important to keep you from the sun s damaging UVA and UVB rays (the No. 1 cause of premature aging). Facial Moisturizer with SPF: Eucerin Nourishing daily formulas that provide 24-hour moisture to replenish, strengthen and protect skin. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream A huge favourite, this moisturizer is an ultrarich formula that s loved because of its secret ingredient: hyaluronic acid. This works to moisturize dehydrated skin while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. ANEW ULTIMATE Age Repair Night Cream Lancome absolue night treatment Rich, emollient moisturizer works while you sleep to visibly repair and rejuvenate agedamaged skin. Use every night after Age Repair Elixir or your favourite Anew treatment. Unlock the power to restore cushion, replenish bounce. This heavy-duty moisturizer contains glycerin - a great humectant. The wild yam extract, sea algae and soy restore moisture. This is a pricey moisturizer but luxurious and quite frankly, addictive. Once you start on this at night, you may never go back to your old drugstore brands.
8 Thursday, 3 November 2011 Fashion Burberry CH Armani Gucci Burberry DKNY Armani Louis Vuitton Chanel Inspired by her own sense of fusion, prominent Emirati designer Zareena launched her latest Fall/Winter 2011 collection with a lavishly designed and choreographed fashion show at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Saturday, October 29. Showcasing 50 dresses, Zareena revealed a dazzling mix of the aesthetics of the East and West. The collection previewed the signature designs that Zareena is well known for and in addition a daring venture into short dresses balancing the collection for both Arab and European markets. Being a firm believer that her designs are timeless and never confined by certain geography, Zareena manages to combine traditional handiwork with modern silhouettes to produce truly unique works of art. What makes the collection a spectacle is the utmost accuracy, intricacy and quality installed in each design. Every dress is hand woven in line with insightful strict benchmarks. The blend, although contrasting, fused with fitting cuts provide for a stunning spectacle and an elevated feel. Black was the prominent colour in the collection and was incorporated with a variety of other vivid colours like purple, and green. Commenting on her collection Zareena said: I have always been very keen to represent a striking marriage between simplicity and richness, emphasising the very essence of elegance and reflecting it on the identity of what makes a dress worthy of carrying my brand.