Woman This Month - September 2012 by Red House Marketing

Bahrain Edition

September 2012 | Issue 115

Girls Night Out Getting Noticed

Art Therapy Healing The Mind

Power Dressing Making A Statement

Memory Game Brain Accelerators

Little Learners Language Learning www.womanthismonth.com

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contents | september 2012

People 16 Dalal Al Sindi: Healing through art

Shopping

08 Editor’s Choice: Girls night out 10 Pick of the Month: Piaget Tradition line of watches 12 Retail Therapy: What’s new on the retail scene!

Fashion 20 Fashion Forward: Power dressing at work 22 Celebrities: What the stars are wearing

Beauty 26 Beauty News: The latest products in stores 28 Fragrances: Sweet September

Home 36 Online: Inspiration at Pinterest 46 Feature: Eau Natural

Back to School 42 Where To Report: Stocking up with essentials 45 10 Tips: Prepare your kids for school

Wellbeing 48 Feature: The Memory Game 51 Fresh Start: Going green …….

Parenting 52 Feature: Little Learners and Language 55 Column: Dr Jinan talks about pool safety

September 2012 | Issue 115

SEPTEMBER 2012 ı GIRLS NIGHT OUT ı www.womanthismonth.com

When you want to look casual, Gap will not let you down!

Bahrain Edition woman this month

September 2012, issue 115

Girls Night Out Getting Noticed

Art Therapy Healing The Mind

Power Dressing Making A Statement

Regulars 06 Write Here, Tell us what you think of this issue 14 Feature: Chloé through the ages 25 Campaign: Buckle up with BMW 37 Social Butterfly: Who has been seen where? 40 20 Tips: How to get more out of your day 56 Travel: In the name of love 58 Recipes: Sweet as honey 62 Horoscope: What this month holds for you 63 Pink Pages: Guide to local stores and services 64 WoMentality: Hero worshipping

HOME SUBSCRIBERS COPY

Memory Game Brain Accelerators

Little Learners Language Learning ISSUE 115

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September 2012 |

Welcome A Fresh

Start

G U E S T E D I T O R ' s l etter

eptember is the month for renewal. Although not the ‘official’ start of the year, it is the beginning of a new academic year and the time to get your little ones kitted out for school. Don’t worry if you aren’t yet ready, we have done the leg work for you and comprised a concise back to school guide in this issue. This month also provides an opportunity for adults to start afresh. This issue is packed with tips on how you can better manage your time and our wellbeing article looks at the art of improving your memory (yes, it is a possibility!). You can breathe new life into your home by clearing out clutter and embracing longlasting furnishing options. In our ‘Eau Natural’ home feature, we suggest you fill your home with natural fabrics and textures that will be making a comeback in the new season collections. As usual, we have you covered in the fashion and beauty departments. We’ve assembled the absolute must-haves for a girl’s night out and gathered work-wear essentials to ensure you always are on top of the office fashion pyramid. Plus, we’ve picked luxe jewellery house Piaget as the shop of the month; find out why inside. Take a look at the newest cosmetic items and fragrances on the market, including a scented nail polish and a fabulous new launch from the ultimate house of fashion, Chanel. Plus, we’ve squeezed in a feature on chic French brand Chloé, as it celebrates 60 years in business.

responsible editor Jubran AbdulRahman

chairman & publisher George F Middleton

publishing director

David M Robertson

editorial consultant Dr Paul Balles

assistant editors ALISON COLDRIDGE Elma Bartholomew

contributors

Dr Claire McInroy george r vaughan James Claire

staff writers

Maryam A. Toorani KEERTHANA LOUIS

print production manager Sabu Sebastian

layout & graphics RODOLFO A. REYES JR. Dalal Al-Sabbagh ROMEO SAN MIGUEL

media coordinator SARAH ANSARI

media executives ESKY Girmay May Mohammed

sales manager

Mayukh Majumdar

circulation

FAWAZ AL BALOOSHI

photography editor anil Ravi Shankar

photographers

Shankar Kunhambu Subeesh Kumar NS

printing press

Union Press, Bahrain Contents copyrighted 2004© Reproduction in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent of the publisher is prohibited. ISBN No: 1 899348 11 5. Licensed by the Ministry of Information, Directorate of Publication and Press. Code: SWTM 410 woman this month is for women in Bahrain wishing to celebrate a unique cosmopolitan lifestyle and community spirit in an objective and proactive manner. For subscriptions visit www.womanthismonth.com Advertising rates are available upon request. Please e-mail sales@womanthismonth.com. The publication of any advertisement in woman this month is not necessarily an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised. Although every effort is made to ensure factual information, woman this month cannot be held responsible for errors in contributors’ material, nor do the opinions expressed by individual writers necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. editorial Submission of articles is welcome. Send queries, letters and articles to the editor at the address below. The publisher reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed.

Enjoy!

bahrain office address Red House Marketing p.o. box: 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain telephone: (17) 813-777 fax: (17) 813-700 email: editor@womanthismonth.com website: www.womanthismonth.com

Alison Coldridge Assistant Editor

published monthly by Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. P. O. Box 641, No. 1 Seaton Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8JJ, Channel Islands, U.K. in association with Al-Hilal Publishing, P. O. Box 224, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

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| September 2012

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Letters

Write Here Write Now STAR LETTER Paving the Way

I read your article “Reaching out for Redemption” and it occurred to me that these fine female doctors were not simply performing the gender-filler roles we have become so accustomed to seeing in the many new-born democracies today. On the contrary, these are today’s true leaders, shaping their specialised communities as the whole of their society tries to emerge from a unity-shattering experience. In this reborn Bahrain Medical Society, the female doctors have started the healing process to recover from that painful experience. And further, they have set an example for the rest of their country. I salute the courageous women of the Bahrain Medical Society. For their bravery, proactiveness, and providing their healing empathy at a time my nation needs it most. Bassam, by email.

Interview

aha Al Kawari is well apprised of the responsibility that sits on her shoulders. This soft-spoken lady from Muharraq is the first woman ever to head Bahrain Medical Society (BMS), which has witnessed a revival of sorts after the election of a new board in April this year. Having served as a physician for over 18 years in the Kingdom, Maha is also no stranger to the damage done, both to her country and the medical fraternity in the wake of last year’s turmoil. While the dust may have settled somewhat, sectarian differences have come to the fore in almost every facet of Bahrain life. Nowhere, perhaps, is this polarisation more explicit than amongst Bahrain’s medical professionals. Their role during last year’s unrest has been heavily contested, with various groups offering different versions of what went on at the country’s only full-service hospital, the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) between February and April 2011. “Everyone is entitled to their political beliefs, but doctors need to rise above it,” she asserts. “There’s no room for politics in the medical profession; our political views cannot affect either our ethics or our dealings with the patients.” At many levels, the events in Bahrain, and especially at SMC, last year have shaken people’s faith in the medical profession. “In the light of what happened, we wished to see some good and capable hands steering the BMS so that the dignity of our profession can be restored,” she says. It was with this conviction that she joined the Loyalty to Profession group of physicians earlier this year to contest the BMS election. The turnout was impressive; over 670 of 860 registered members cast their ballot. It was the first time that expatriate doctors were allowed to be nominated as well. Notably, three of the seven BMS board members are now women, a small victory for female medical practitioners in the Kingdom. However, with around 200 members choosing to stay away from the society, the BMS board has no illusions about the job at hand. “We’re here for the sake of our profession. We want all medics to work together under the BMS banner. Discrimination has never been a part of our culture and we have to obey our code of ethics. We’re asking members who’re staying away to come back, open up their minds like mature adults and discuss any misgivings they have with us,” she says. Weekly text messages, Twitter updates and invitations are sent out to all members for meetings and workshops, regardless of whether they attend. On whether the society might initiate any action against ‘tainted’ doctors for their role last year, Maha is circumspect. “We have to let the judicial process run its course. After that, the BMS bylaws will decide on any further course of action,” she says.

Reaching out for

Redemption

If the medical profession in Bahrain ever needed an image makeover, now would be the time. Voted to the helm of Bahrain Medical Society in a historic election earlier this year, Maha Al Kawari speaks of her new undertaking to Simi Kamboj.

Born to serve Raised by a mother who truly believed in her daughter’s potential, Maha knew from her first day at school that she would take up the medical profession. It was no surprise to her family, when she graduated top of the class with distinction from Arabian Gulf University. Following her internship at the SMC and primary health care centres, she opted for family medicine. “I’ve always been a people’s person. I could never view patients from a cold and scientific viewpoint only; I’ve always empathised with them as a human being. As a family physician, I could be close to the community,” she says. It is perhaps this intense involvement in her work that has given her sleepless nights at times. Every physician with a conscience will lose sleep sometime or another worrying about some of their more difficult cases, she believes. Maha headed the Sitra Health Centre for seven years before she was

| August 2012 | woman this month

WRITE IN AND WIN

This month’s star letter will win a BD50 online shopping voucher from Namshi.com. So, to get shopping send us your views and opinions on this month’s edition either by email to editor@womanthismonth.com, by fax to 17 813-700 or by post to PO Box 20461. 6

| September 2012

promoted as regional medical officer in 2011. Since March last year, she’s been posted to the Ministry of Health’s public health division, where she’s in-charge of the non-communicable disease section. Much of her work involves rallying stakeholders to work together and raise awareness on health issues such as obesity, smoking, diabetes and hypertension within the community. As member of the GCC antismoking committee, she has hosted many events to highlight the dangers of smoking. The committee was behind enforcing the antismoking legislation, regulating sheesha smoking and devising media campaigns, as well as organising quitting treatment for tobacco addicts.

Parenting

Supporting

Early Maths T

By Dr Clare Beckett-McInroy and Simon McInroy

Mathematics: some love it, some endure it and some feel it’s been an up-hill struggle. As a parent how do you enable your child’s interest and ability in mathematics? This article will provide you with insight, tips and confidence to facilitate your child’s learning, plus fostering a love for mathematics. 44

for our children establish the relationships between quantities, associated language and symbols. They also allow us to explore the relationships between different quantities. To set a context for the importance of these early experiences, we will consider one of the foremost educational theories, which is reflected in our high quality contemporary classrooms. This is the theory of constructivism which has many variants, but essentially embraces the idea that how children learn and the impact of how they internalise their experiences is based on already embedded ideas and experiences. What this means for you as parents, and teachers, is that you cannot expect all children to learn in the same way and at the same rate. You cannot expect children to readily embrace

what they are not yet cognitively ready for. Appropriate early experiences are critical for preparing the construction ground that schools will help you build upon. The big message is to provide early experiences through interacting with your child whilst playing, shopping, singing, cooking, arts and craft activities, going up and down stairs. Try to exploit the opportunities that present themselves on a day-to-day basis in order to support your child’s development and understanding. These experiences develop relating numerals to amounts, counting items and explaining ideas of ‘more’ and ‘less’. It’s also useful to play with addition and subtraction, as well as talking through the language and experience as it relates to addition and subtraction.

| August 2012 | woman this month

woman this month | August 2012 |

A Teacher’s Role

The article “Supporting Early Mathematics” written by Dr Clare Beckett-McInroy and Simon McInroy is very inspiring. Mathematics is simple enough for bright kids with mathematics genes; however others find it a struggle. The article cleverly outlined how a teacher should provide an enriched learning environment where a child can learn in the way they find easiest. Parents will also find the article helpful to understand the need to provide the mentioned early experiences for their child. I personally believe that mathematics should not be taught as a stand-alone subject matter. Assessment in mathematics is irrelevant when it comes to young children. A large amount of children learn mathematics only by interacting with concrete objects and so computers can be inappropriate for the teaching and learning of the subject. Joanita, by email.

Home

Preventive action Maha is now involved in a new project to screen government employees across Bahrain for heart diseases. “Around 30 per cent of employees in the government sector will be covered in the first year of the programme. Later on, it may be expanded to the private sector. The idea behind screening people early is to prevent complications at a later stage and reduce spending on lifestyle diseases in the primary care,” she says. One of the most daunting challenges her ministry faces in the realm of public health involves influencing people to switch to healthier food habits. “It’s very easy to disparage junk food, but its popularity lies in convenience and economy. Health food, on the other hand, comes at a price. The healthier and more nutritious it is, the more expensive it gets, going beyond the reach for the majority of the population,” she observes. The matter cannot remain the sole domain of the health ministry, though, and the community as a whole needs to wake up to the concept of healthy eating. “These are habits that parents need to instil in their children from the very beginning. Instead of telling children what and what not to do, parents can best teach them through their example,” she believes.

Spruce It Up! Your home décor is a direct reflection of your unique personality. When your interior design no longer meets your aesthetic needs, it can affect how you feel. Sometimes, all you need to pick up a worn-out setting is a single accessory.

Sia Home Fashion

Building bridges Back at BMS, one of Maha’s top priorities now is to activate the society, which remained largely inert since it was dissolved last year. Various committees have been formed, in weekly meetings, to take charge of different projects, the foremost of which involves setting up a society website. The BMS is also working on an electronic library where member doctors will be able to access medical journals online. Another team is working on the society’s quarterly journal, which Josephipitiusani Tito aped mint, adi que pro volest, quiasint fuga. Et res excerori aris perum dolupta dolupti hasn’t been published for over a year now. stiati dolorep repudan distor mos sim vellici Meanwhile, the board continues to lobby with the government for ratium acil mos autem et as cus raeri officita improving the professional conditions and living standards of medicalnisqui dolupta coritas sincid et vel id moluptae nobis as alistotatur arciisqui odis prem sum practitioners in the Kingdom. nonsed essitibusam excerio comnien tiatiur? “We’ve been seeking a change in cadre and revision in the salary Porehendel ipid quia exerio. Nem fuga. Ut debite modion cullissincte vel mos etusteniet structure of doctors,” she says. “We’d like the government to look into debite modion cullissincte vel mos etusteniet our petition for housing facilities. Besides, we need some assistance in the upgrade of our premises.” On behalf of the medical community, the BMS is fine-tuning its response to the government in formulating a draft law on medical malpractice. Another committee on international affairs will liaise with organisations abroad, including the foreign media, to improve the society’s image on the international stage. Maha concedes that it will take a long while to undo the damage, but she is resolved to stay the course. “We’ll keep trying to reach out to our physician friends who are staying away. We want them back with us. After all, we live in the same country; we can never remain separated,” she says. woman this month | August 2012 |

he first mathematics teacher your child experiences has quite a responsibility. It’s an important or, you could say, ‘critical’ role. Let’s hope they know what they are doing and have the patience, dedication and understanding of some fundamentals to be effective; it is of course you! You will most likely be the teacher with whom they learn for the longest period of time as well. Are you feeling confident? In terms of the most effective educational practices and ways of facilitating mathematical learning, opinions differ between countries, districts, schools on the same street and even between classrooms next door to each other within the same school. There are, however, some ideas on early development that share widespread support. Are you ready for your challenge? Read on. When entering the world, children are surrounded by the use of a highly developed and sophisticated number system that has evolved over thousands of years. Your child has rather less time, though, to get to grips with the early fundamentals of a discipline that not only equips us with vital life skills to communicate, save lives, function, research and evolve in a vast number of areas. Children see, experience and are aware of ‘numbers’ very early in life: on birthday cards, clocks, on television, in shops and on signs. These though are not strictly ‘numbers’ but are squiggles (to children) or symbols that we use to represent quantities. Part of our role is to attach this meaning as quantities to these symbols through life experiences. The early experiences we provide

Roche Bobois

Out of the Box

ow that Ramadan and Eid are upon us, there isn’t an abode that isn’t going through the frequent spell of guests. It is the perfect time of the year to give your existing décor a brand new appeal. We all know that a little rearrangement can go a long way. The real trick, though, is adding a few new accessories in your living space to be excited about. Swap the anchor pieces in the room you’d like to spend most of your time in with new ones. Older items hit upon new freshness when placed in other parts of the house. We love the Travel in Tuscany line from Flamant’s Spring-Summer collection which parades the raw quality of wood. The furniture is so naturally textured that you can still feel the rich grainy surface. Every item in this range has a distinct curvy nature to it and is finished with perfect carved feet. Other parts are given a corroded quality for that genuine ageless appeal.

According to Sia Home Fashion, objects travel through time to reinvent themselves in a new life. The mouth-blown glass range is perfect for your dining table. Retro is always in and this array of glasses, tumblers and vases are just the thing. Marina Exotic Home Interiors is popular for its range of striking vintage accessories. The variety of trunks on display has certainly caught our eye, especially the jacquard ones in rich hues with black linings. A similarly inspiring piece is the Architecte Typographer furniture from Roche Bobois. Not only does it add a dash of colour to your room, it does so with a traditional touch. Meanwhile, Home Centre offers you everything you need for a brighter home, from glamorous high-gloss finishes and designer chic minimalism to a playful mix of bright colours to classic comfortable pieces.

Moving away from antique trends, we came upon this fascinating range of home accessories from a Portuguese furniture brand, Boca do Lobo. The pixel cabinet is a stunning piece that could work well in any space. It is safe to say that none of the items available at this store is remotely predictable. Swaying between enchantment and modish styles, their collection boasts beautiful handcrafted works. Each fusion of art and design is presented in a limited collection of 20 items at the most. They are considered an expression of emotions rather than just a piece of furnishing. Their heritage sideboard is quite distinctive as well, with its tile painting theme and jigsaw-like edges. Never ceasing to surprise, adding a Boca do Lobo to your décor will guarantee a lot of praises as they never go unnoticed.

Flamant Home Centre

Marina Exotic Home Interiors

| August 2012 | woman this month

woman this month | August 2012 |

Home Inspiration

I am so glad that you have decided to incorporate a home shopping article, and I’m really hoping that this is a regular page now! I am an utter home interior fanatic, but have to admit that I am pretty clueless when it comes to what actually looks good and is ‘in fashion’, so I will take all of the advice I can get from the WTM team! I am completely in love with the Roche Bobois colourful chest of drawers; this is just the kind of piece I need to brighten up a room and I will be hunting this one down for my bedroom. Claire, by email. www.womanthismonth.com

Shopping

Editor's Choice Get ready for the stream of parties and events that will fill your diary this month. Grab hold of all of the essentials that you need for a flawless and fabulous night out with your girlfriends. Be sure not to forget your phone; you'll want to stay connected with your friends!

Clarins

Asha 3 Nokia

Tod's

06 pho

H&M

Thierry Mugler

Oscar de la Renta (net-a-porter.com)

| September 2012

www.womanthismonth.com

Shopping

Pick of the Month

Combine style with functionality and always arrive on time with a magnificent time piece adorning your wrist. Why it was selected One of Piagetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most iconic collections, the Tradition Line, is currently celebrating 50 years of elegance. This collection demonstrates the high standards and quality finishes that we have come to expect from this house of jewellery and watches. What we like If you are looking for a classic yet feminine timepiece, a Tradition watch from Piaget seems an obvious choice. Combining technique and creativity, the watches are both functional and decorative â&#x20AC;&#x201D; ideal for a woman who is constantly on-the-go. The range includes two sizes and colours; opt for pink or white-gold versions and a 26mm or 34mm face. The cases are adorned with brilliantly-cut diamonds for that additional sparkle.

What else to look for Aside from the Tradition Line, Piaget has many other timepiece choices including styles featuring a skeleton movement, two time zones, chronograph movement, tourbillion movement and interchangeable bracelets. Additionally, Piaget is famed for its vast range of delicate jewellery. The brand specialises in beautiful engagement and wedding rings, as well as fine pendants, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, all exuding opulence and style.

Where to find it The Piaget outlet is located in Moda Mall. Call 17 540-123. 10

| September 2012

www.womanthismonth.com

SEEF MALL, BAHRAIN

TEL. 1700 1700

www.toniandguybahrain.com

Shopping

Retail Therapy

School’s are back in and holiday-makers are back on the island. Begin your descent back into normalcy with a little bit of a shopping spree, you deserve it! @home

Let your inner child run wild with @home’s ‘Imagination’ collection. An ode to all things ‘Alice’; the new collection pays tribute to the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland. Vintage inspired wall-pieces, feminine shapes, floral prints, and soft pastel hues all hit the mark.

Sunsilk

Give your hair a much needed makeover with Sunsilk’s Frizz and Weather Defence products. The formula works to control frizz and protect your hair from damaging UV rays. Find out more about your hair potential on Sunsilk’s Facebook page where you can undergo a virtual makeover!

Moving Out

Say goodbye to innovative Spanish brand Desigual, as it packs up and leaves Bahrain City Centre at the end of August. Sad news, we know, but there’s bound to be plenty of bargains to be had before the shutters roll up for the last time.

Géant Hypermarket

Folks in Riffa will be pleased to know that a new hypermarket has opened at Enma Mall. The new Géant hypermarket opened last month; now you can get everything you need in one place, without having to brave a long drive to the centre of town.

Farfalla Boutique Moving In

Clothing, shoes, accessories and more! Tory Burch is finally setting up house in Bahrain. The famous American brand will be opening this September at Bahrain City Centre. Get ready to browse and buy and keep an eye out for the signature logo.

| September 2012

For unique ladies clothing and accessories from both Arabic and European collections, look no further than Farfalla. This gorgeous little boutique has opened its doors on the ground floor of Seef Mall.

Roberto Coin

Jewellery is forever! Immortalise a special occasion with a limited edition piece from Roberto Coin’s Eagle Collection featuring colourless black, brown diamonds and yellow sapphires. For a little more colour, browse the Pesce Animalier Collection and let the natural green garnet and black sapphires enchant you. www.womanthismonth.com

Feature

Through the Ages By Alison Coldridge

This month, the most fashionable exhibition of them all is launching in Paris. French fashion house Chloé is marking its 60th anniversary by displaying a range of archive pieces at the Palais de Tokyo.

celebration of its heritage, the exhibition is titled ‘Chloé. Attitudes’ will run from September 28 until November 20. Included will be 70 pieces displaying the different styles, trends and fabrics that Chloé has contributed to fashion culture over the years. Since 1952, its legacy of luxury prêt-à-porter clothing has consistently defined how modern women live. Also on display will be a contemporary capsule collection including 16 iconic pieces from each of Chloé’s nine designers. Signature pieces will be featured — from the Maison’s progressive founder Gaby Aghion, to its present creative director Clare Waight Keller. The show aims to be neither nostalgic nor chronological; instead it takes a thematic path through the very best of Chloé’s creativity, pausing at key moments within its history. Iconic looks are presented alongside lesser-known yet equally influential designs. Most importantly, all are on display to the public for the very first time. The exhibition is presented as part of the autumn 2012 season of the Palais de Tokyo “imagine the imaginary,” which explores the artist’s creative process from thought to creation. This theme is at the very heart of the Chloé. Attitudes concept. The exhibition presents the way in which la Maison Chloé has created an identifiable aesthetic and allure that has influenced women’s fashion. The programme is a fitting context for a 60th anniversary of Chloé that celebrates modern femininity. The gallery’s rough, concrete walls are the perfect foil for the sensual showcase inside. One not to be missed!

| September 2012

www.womanthismonth.com

The Ultimate Regeneration Add Years To Your Life And Life To Your Years Dr. Pierre R. Clero is an internationally renowned cosmetic surgeon and author of the best seller “STOP THE CLOCK”, a winning strategy to a longer life.

FACE: Botox,, fillers, lifting, rhinoplasty, eye lids, eye bags, Nefertiti lift, lips enhancement

With 30 years of experience in treating prominent personalities and celebrities from Paris, Hollywood and the Far East, Dr. Clero offers age management, skin rejuvenation and weight management expertise to Bahrain residents and visitors.

We are all living longer, and the time to start taking care of ourselves is right now. It turns out that a surprising amount of our health and wellbeing is within our own control. What we eat and drink determines our health and wellbeing………especially in later years As you age gracefully, we can help you look good, feel good and hang on to your energy and ability to focus for as long as is humanly possible. Dr. Pierre R. Clero, together with his patient coordinator and nutritionist Faith, assure us that we can do just that.

BODY: Liposculpture, body contouring Buttocks enhancement

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WEIGHT LOSS REJUVENATION: From inside out with the latest breakthrough techniques from Hollywood

Our exclusive SSXP DIET from Hollywood – Lose 20 pounds in thirty days

Together they can put you on the path to better body and better mind from the inside out.

Credentials

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"The hormone therapy has set up for me has accomplished the following: • 26 lbs weight loss • Increased energy • Vibrant skin and lot less dry • Increased memory and acuity • A significant decline in stress I am very pleased with these results. They have been life changing. I get up in the morning like I did when I was in my 20's and tackle a productive day. Dr. Clero is truly a genius." — Edgar

Chemistry professor "My treatment from Dr. Clero has been the most incredible medical assistance I have ever had. I have experienced physical and mental rejuvenation of a quality that made me feel 30 years old again. The clarity of my thinking improved as well as my sense of well-being. I recommend this program to anyone who wants to have renewed energy and wants to feel young again. Thank you Dr. Clero! I am very happy that you are here." — Cristina

"Thank you very much for advising me to take the thyroid hormone, I have tried all routes of anti-aging and performance enhancing supplements but they did not do much. But the moment I started on Thyroid it was like as if a fog lifted and I can now outrun the entire football team, the best club in the nation! They are 20-35 years and I am 61! And I can now kick from 60 yards instead of 30 yards. 100-yard dash time went from 16 seconds to 14.9 seconds." — Jayson

"I started a treatment here several months ago. When I came I had headaches 3-4 every week, pain and cysts in my breast and so many gray hair and cellulite. Now my headaches are 90% better. I have less gray hair and less cellulite and the horrible cysts in the breast are gone. The treatment with natural hormones gave me a younger body. The process to become a 40 years old woman was terrible to confront because of all the changes in the body. Now I am a happy 40-year-old young lady. Thanks Doctor and thanks to your staff." — Maria

• President of the International Board of Regenerative Medicine, Age Management and Bio-cosmetic Surgery • Senior Consultant Plastic Surgery Bahrain Specialist Hospital

People

Healing throughArt It’s with art that she learnt to solve her problems. Dalal Al Sindi talks of her therapeutic relationship with art.

| September 2012

here’s an artist in all of us and everyone is capable of making a mark, says Dalal, when we catch up with her over coffee. Dalal should know. As Bahrain’s only qualified art therapist, she practises alternative means of healing and therapy through visual expression and the creative process. Given that each individual’s approach to art is quite personal, Dalal is able to get a deeper understanding of a client’s psyche through an analysis of their use of shapes, colours, symbols and creative inspiration. Growing up in a family of artists, it was natural for her to dabble in art in her growing years. Art for her was a journey of self discovery, especially during the difficult phases in her life. “With art, I learnt I could solve my problems creatively and the same applies to others as well,” she says. Following her master’s degree in art therapy from UK, Dalal went on to pursue her most challenging assignment at the King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh. Here she worked to rehabilitate patients suffering from physical and psychological issues such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, cancer, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and depression. “Alternative therapy results in the understanding and healing of a person’s mind through creative self-expression. I work with individuals and groups to help identify hidden issues and then develop a plan for healing and rehabilitation,” she says. In her sessions with clients, her focus is on encouragement and positive reinforcement to build confidence and motivation, thus minimising negativity. Dalal now conducts art therapy sessions at the Namaste Healing Centre in Budaiya besides working with schools for special-needs children. She’s also worked with the Ministry of Social Development on a campaign to unite children in Bahrain through art. She wants to continue her work with children with autism. “Specialneeds children never cease to amaze me with their potential. Working with them is the most rewarding experience,” she feels. The 28-year old is constantly exploring channels in alternative healing. She’s completed a course in the Japanese healing system of Reiki and also dabbles in Yoga. www.womanthismonth.com

The Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academy Kingdom of Bahrain

A unique private school for children with mild-to-moderate learning difficulties Affiliated with the prestigious Alpha Plus Group of independent schools in England. A specialist education provision provided by a team of skilled teachers and therapists. A caring and child-centred approach based upon successful practice in England and supported by an exciting learning environment with emphasis on promoting positive self esteem. A broad curriculum based upon the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum. Individual Education Plans tailored for the need of each pupil. A low teacher- pupil ratio facilitating an individualized approach to each child needs. Classrooms equipped and resourced to exceptional standards supported by the latest in educational technology, including interactive white boards and a PC for each pupil. A state of the art Sensory Room and a Soft Play area that are unique to the Gulf Region. A specialist developmental delay/autistic classroom.

For more information: Call +973 176 13234 or visit website www.childrensacademybahrain.com Write to: gregmcdonald@childrensacademybahrain.com

Fashion

Fashion Forward

September is all about getting back into a routine but don’t let summer completely fade out of your wardrobe. Throw in a few pops of colour to your everyday outfit to help you make the transition into autumn.

Statement Piece!

A scarf is the perfect work wear accessory; but don't overdo it! A single statement piece is all you need to wear; it will add another level of texture and colour to your outfit, and say 'style' rather than 'loud'. These beautiful creations from Mary Katrantzou will keep you warm and give you some style credit in the bargain.

The Perfect Complement Dress to Impress

Well-tailored clothing is a must in today’s busy working environment. This jacket from Burberry Prorsum will fit your body like a glove. Be sure to add a belt to cinch the waist and give the look a more feminine air. Pairing the jacket with a pencil skirt will also help soften the overall look. Quirky asymmetrical ruffle detailing on the skirt adds another layer of style to this hardcore outfit. Complete the look with a muted shirt so all the other details shine. 20

| September 2012

Every woman needs a little “Choo” in her wardrobe. Available in a variety of neutral and fun shades, you won’t have any trouble pairing these with an outfit. These shoes were designed with the idea of making an impression in mind, and they don’t disappoint. From the smooth suede texture to the double buckle accent, they would make a beautiful addition to any shoe closet. Pair them with trousers or skirts and find yourself walking tall.

www.womanthismonth.com

Bold Colours

These roomy yet shapely bags are great for work. From a conservative neutral to an eye-catching fuchsia, Carolina Herrera has you covered

Bahrain’s legendary Friday Brunch We are pleased to invite and welcome you all to join us as we celebrate the weekend… Listen to live music in the casual atmosphere as our catering team serves the ﬁnest food in Bahrain. The Bunch offers international buffet complemented by various live cooking stations that will suit any appetite. Then join the Fiddler’s Green Irish pub after Brunch party!

Facebook.com/The.Diplomat.Radisson.Blu Twitter.com/ Rblu_Bahrain

Mixing Prints

Patterns and textures done right! Layer a leather jacket over a silk skirt and play with different patterns to update your look. Keep it all in the same colour family and it’ll turn out great.

www.womanthismonth.com

+973 39945208 sales.diplomat@radissonblu.com September 2012 |

Fashion

What the

By Alison Coldridge

Stars

are Wearing

As usual, our favourite celebs are looking effortlessly fabulous in an assortment of must-have designer garments. Woman This Month takes a look at the crème de la crème of the crop. Frieda Pinto (Harry Winston) At a recent screening of Trishna in NYC, Slumdog Millionaire actress Frieda wore a beautiful selection of Harry Winston jewels. She chose a pair of diamond micropave drop earrings and a classic tennis bracelet, both set in platinum.

Lea Michele (Versace) Our favourite superstar songstress maintained her feminine glam in Versace at the Teen Choice Awards. She chose a look from the Atelier Spring/Summer 2012 collection, including a dress with peplum detailing at the waist and pointed-toe pumps.

Andrea Osvart (Bulgari) The Hungarian actress looked as chic as ever at the Globo d’Oro awards in Rome. She opted for a pair of Bulgari Serpenti earrings in yellow gold, diamonds and peridots that perfectly accentuated her slick pixie hair cut. 22

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Kirsten Dunst (Chloe) Demonstrating how a day look can be both incredibly designer yet understated, Kirsten was spotted in Toluca Lake, California, carrying a Chloé Sally Clutch in archive colour and wearing sandals from the same brand. www.womanthismonth.com

Leighton Meester (Versus) This month signals the start of our favourite fashionable TV show starring the highly desirable Ms. Meester. The Gossip Girl star flaunted her tiny frame in this hugging Versus dress at the premiere of her new film That’s My Boy.

Sharon Stone (Salvatore Ferragamo) She may not be as young as most of the other starlets in Hollywood, but no one can argue that Sharon doesn’t look incredible. Dressed simply in white, she has accessorised with a matching colour python W handbag whilst shopping in Beverly Hills. Michelle Monaghan (Coach) At a special Coach event, Michelle Monaghan opted to rock the Legacy Leather Tanner. The bright yellow tote seemed the perfect choice to coincide with the actress’s tribal look.

www.womanthismonth.com

September 2012 |

Showcase

Ultra Chic VINCCI

Dive into Autumn and set your style bar high! With several collections to peak your interest, this brand will take you through the season exuding sophistication.

et your accessories do the talking with Vincci. Rich colours, innovative designs and, as always, a fashion forward approach takes this brand to the next level. The Wild Show capsule, aptly named for its love affair with animal skin, still embodies the epitome of elegance. Think leopard and cheetah prints with contrasting textures, colours and design elements to add a touch of class. Continuing on the trend of sophistication and fun, Vincci has brought out an update on sixties mod fashion for its second capsule. The Beatles, Twiggy, Brit chic and a dash of preppy cool come together with creative experimentation for noteworthy designs. This

| September 2012

brilliant sub-collection is defined by bold styles and strong lines. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just take our word for it but walk the walk in bow-detail ankle boots, Oxford detail hybrid booties, knee-high riding boots or peep-toe bow-detail Mary Jane wedges. Pushing the trend from good to glorious are the mod-inspired bags which definitely steal the show. Square and solid, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been updated with colour contrast and Crocprints. Large totes, messengers, and envelope clutches come alive at Vincci. Pack some pizzazz this Autumn with classic styles, clean lines, and colourful accessories. Call 17 178-696 (Bahrain City Centre) or 17 300-860 (Ramli Mall).

www.womanthismonth.com

Buckle Up

Campaign

Terrifying collisions occur every day and it may happen to you. It needn’t be your fault, as no one can predict it, yet you need to ensure that all steps are taken to protect you and all passengers within your vehicle.

new campaign initiated by BMW Group Middle East hopes to stress the importance of wearing seatbelts. The “Stay Alert, Stay Alive” programme encourages drivers to fasten every passenger correctly into their seat. The campaign urges drivers to ask themselves three simple questions; do you buckle up as soon as you get in the car, do you insist that your passengers wear a seatbelt and do your children have the right safety restraints for their weight and age? If you find yourself answering ‘no’ to any one of the questions, then read on to become aware of the five reasons why it’s always a good idea to buckle up. 1. Seatbelts save lives According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of a fatality among front seat passengers by 40-50 per cent and among rear seat car occupants by 25-75 per cent. 2. Its the law It’s Bahraini law to wear a seatbelt and any person found not to be will face a considerable fine. Similarly, children less than ten years old must be restrained using the correct type of child seat. www.womanthismonth.com

3. Seatbelts equal life In a road traffic accident, passengers who are not buckled up will fly towards the point of impact, colliding with anything in their path, such as dashboards, windshield or steering wheels, with several pounds of moving force. Seatbelts are designed to stop this uncontrolled movement within a vehicle. 4. Even the best drivers have accidents Even the most skilled drivers cannot be 100 per cent certain of the ability to prevent an accident when another driver is at fault. It is,

therefore, essential that every driver and passenger wears a seatbelt any time they are in a moving vehicle. 5. Seatbelts reduce child fatalities Children are not small adults — they need specialised protection in a moving vehicle. Appropriate child restraints to suit different ages and sizes are essential to reduce the risk of injury. There are different seats available and the selection of the appropriate one is crucial in ensuring that your child is effectively protected. September 2012 |

Buckle Up

Campaign

Beauty News

Beauty

Summer may be drawing to a close, but new launches will ensure a sun-kissed look for at least a few more months.

Blue Sunshine

Sephora takes us back to the swinging 60s with a range of summer-inspired make-up essentials. A colourful duo of incandescent orange and sun-drenched blue is perfect to highlight your nails, lips and eyes, to create that perfectly nostalgic end-ofsummer look. Available at Sephora.

The Wow Factor

Benefit always does us proud. Every new release is exciting and the latest is no exception. Plump and shine up your lips with the plush glosses range; the gloss glides on easily for an extra smooth finish that looks and feels irresistible. Available at all Faces and Sephora outlets.

Scrubbed Soft

A sweet, exfoliating foam, with a creamy texture, Prada Candy refines and softens the skin, while increasing micro-circulation and hydration. Now we can really glow! Available at all leading stores.

A Perfect Complexion This new invisible foundation from Estee Lauder may be just what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been looking for. Virtually weightless and invisible, the product lets skin breathe and cleverly blends into your skin tone so you can neither see nor feel the make up. Available at leading stores.

| September 2012

Fruity Fingers

Whatever summertime scent you are partial to, paint it onto your nails with Revlonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scented nail enamel collection. Shades like Grapefruit Fizz, Watermelon Fizz and Grape Fizz dry down to reveal a sweet fragrance reminiscent of the season. Available at all leading stores. www.womanthismonth.com

Youthful Complexion

La Prairie has designed a collection of five products that call on the powerful anti-oxidant properties of algae, combined with intense structural hydration, to effectively stave off the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and preserve the skin’s youthful appearance. Available at leading stores.

Hydrate Me, Please!

DermoViva USA fuses the power of natural ingredients, such as honey, saffron, chamomile, almond, pomegranate and olive, with the science of skincare to devise a range of hydration-boosting creams and lotions that gives you healthy glowing skin. Available at leading stores.

Tan With Care

If you’ve really bronzed yourself this summer, you’ll be in need of some pre-and aftersun care products. These age-minimising lotions from Sisley have a light and nongreasy texture that is easily absorbed into the skin and highly effective. Available at leading stores.

www.womanthismonth.com

September 2012 |

Beauty

September Sweet

As summer draws to a close, revitalise your personal scent with a spritz of something new, fresh and intoxicating.

Designer Fragrance

Valentina Assoluto combines many ingredients for an elegant and feminine fragrance. Fresh bergamot, white truffle and peach are followed by jasmine, tuberose and a touch of vanilla. Finally, notes of cedar, oak moss and patchouli provide a vibrant edge to this intense and sensual perfume. Available at leading retailers.

A French Classic

Dark and mysterious, Noir is the latest product to join the classic Chanel ‘Coco’ line. As the name suggests, the fragrance is the perfect companion to any evening date and will add a touch of luxury, sophistication and style to any woman. Available at leading retailers.

Rosy Fresh

Sweet yet not overpowering, L’Occtaine has yet again produced a light and moreish fragrance that you won’t be able to get enough of. Part of the new Rose de Champs line, the range also includes body gel, hand cream and a solid perfume. Available at L’Occtaine.

Lush Exuberance A unique fusion of green notes and gunpowder creates a fragrance like no other. Amazingreen from Commes des Garcons uses palm tree leaves, green pepper, ivy, coriander seeds with base notes of gunpowder accord, smoke and white musk for the ultimate earthy fragrance. Available at leading retailers.

Get Noticed

Sasha, from the Crescent Row collection at Benefit, is created for women who love to see and be seen. A floral fragrance, it contains notes of orange flower absolute, apricot, pink freesia, vanilla and white peony. The bottle is great fun too — it’s designed to resemble a cocktail shaker. Available at Sephora and Faces.

| September 2012

www.womanthismonth.com

LA BELLE GROUP

The Healthy Wake-Up Call

Looking to lose a few pounds? Try implementing a new kind of diet into your daily morning routine.

or years, coffee has been a major part of the region’s culture; however, it isn’t exactly the healthiest way to revitalise yourself. Instead, boost your metabolism by switching up to a coffee brand that will actually benefit your body. NatureGift combines two new concepts into a revolutionary weight management product — Coffee Plus. Research shows that the stimulation of fat metabolism in the body, and the amount of fat consumed, is crucial to effective weight loss. Coffee Plus uses a formula that has been scientifically designed to increase the physiologic process, by ‘heating’ up our body and accelerating our ability to burn more calories and stored fat. One of the main ingredients used in Coffee Plus is chromium, an element that has proven to be vital in helping the body regulate blood sugar levels. Studies show that effective glucose metabolism is essential to healthy weight control, heart and blood vessel health and maintaining energy levels. Of course, it doesn’t stop there. The brand not only provides the taste of premium coffee, but also combines minerals, vitamins and odourless ginseng root extract for your benefit. This formula promotes muscle and fitness potential, improves immune responses and helps lower cholesterol levels. The instant coffee, which comes in a box with ten sachets, is also allergy-friendly, and uses only non-dairy creamers. Call 17 612-860, fax 17 621-859 or email info@labelle-group.com. www.womanthismonth.com

September 2012 |

Showcase

GoodLooking Locks GULF PHARMACY

Voluminous, healthy hair can be achievable every day with a little help from a special Japanese product.

re you tired of bad hair days during the summer? Are you unhappy that year after year your head of hair becomes thinner and thinner? Well, our regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unbalanced conditions might be playing a part in it. Hot weather has been proven to cause hair to dry out and fall out without its usual re-growth process. We know that living in the Gulf region we are exposed to harsh climates that affect our skin, but experts say that the hot and humid weather shows no mercy to our scalps too. Having a dry scalp can not only give you bad hair days, but it could also be the cause of your hair loss problems. The latest product from the Kaminomoto Hair Growth range can help you resolve your hair loss issues the healthy way. The Kaminomoto Trigger exclusively uses a unique Masaki extract that specialises in 30

| September 2012

moisturising dry scalps. The solution helps reduce dandruff and itchiness, which in turn can reduce hair fall. To help circulate blood, simply massage the product on the scalp for a few minutes to accelerate distribution and penetration of the solution. This process promotes hair growth by strengthening the capillary vessels of the area and surrounding root of the hair and the hair papilla. The specially made solution also helps the supply of nutrition from the blood. For a fully-fledged fight against hair loss, Kaminomoto also offers Hair Growth Accelerator, Tonic and Shampoo, which can all be found at any Gulf Pharmacy outlets in the Kingdom. The Japanese brand has been in the market for nearly 100 years with an exceptional track record in keeping locks thick and healthy. The combination of the products is an

effective and proven way to combat hair loss and also treat dandruff. The experts at Kaminomoto combine modern research technology with the power of natural medicinal plants grown in Japan. The science behind the success of the brand is all down to the ingredients that stimulate blood circulation. Weak capillaries cannot deliver enough nutrition to the hair papilla, which in turn cannot support the growth of new hair. Their unique ingredients contraction of vessels, expand the vessels and stimulate blood circulation. So, kick-start hair growth, and even help with an itchy scalp, by using the hair accelerator while the tonic is an excellent cure for dandruff. The shampoo is PH balanced, Keratin active and also anti-static. Call 17 239-383 or visit www.gctbahrain.com. www.womanthismonth.com

AMERICAN MISSION HOSPITAL

Safe Practice

Every woman dreams of improving her body but dreads the thought of going under the knife. One of the Kingdom’s leading plastic surgeons explains why breast implants are safe.

Dr Gautham Basu

he Silicone breast implants have been used to give shape and enhance the size of female breasts for years, having first appeared in the market in 1962. Under general anaesthesia, the short operation takes about one and a half hours. A silicone implant is inserted behind the breast tissue and on the chest wall through a small incision. “A lot of women worry about scarring; in fact, there is only a small fine scar which remains hidden in the skin folds under the breasts,” says Dr Gautham Basu, a plastic surgeon at American Mission Hospital. Another concern for many patients is that the surgery risks breast cancer; in a large-scale study conducted by the National Cancer Institute no association was found between breast implants and such an illness. Typically, implants are soft silicone sacs, inflated with either saline solution or a synthetic silicone gel. The silicone gel implants are preferred by both patients as well as surgeons, as they have a more pleasing look and feel than the salinefilled option. Implants are also used for medical purposes, such as reconstruction of the breast after mastectomy operations for cancer. “Depending on the type of cancer, breasts can either be reconstructed simultaneously during the mastectomy or later after a period of time when the patient receives chemotherapy or radiotherapy,” explains Dr Basu. Call 17 248-110 or 17 248-121. www.womanthismonth.com

September 2012 |

Showcase DR PIERRE CLERO’S COSMETIC CENTRE

Rejuvenate Yourself

We all want to put our best face forward, all the time. We can do that courtesy of this cosmetic surgeon’s dedication to making us feel good about ourselves.

Dr Pierre

hat is the secret to youthful skin at any age? With 34 years of experience in his field, Dr Pierre has the answer to all your cosmetic procedure questions. Having worked on six continents across the globe, renowned cosmetic surgeon is committed to bringing out the natural beauty of women and making them happy. He has spent the last year and a half in Bahrain doing just that at his Cosmetic Care Clinic, at Bahrain Specialist Hospital. A pioneer in Stem Cell PRP (platelet rich plasma), Dr Pierre promotes this revolutionary procedure for reviving tired skin. The treatment involves injecting PRPenriched fat, with a growth factor, under the skin in order to trigger the building of new collagen. This treatment is non-invasive and considered an alternative to surgery, and restores the youthful contours and shape of the face as well as skin tightness. It can also even out colour irregularities, which are caused by the ageing process or sun exposure. This popular treatment has also been used in conjunction with the Fraxel procedure as an effective tool for revitalising the skin’s lost glow. Fraxel laser treatment is often used on ageing and damaged skin to stimulate the body’s own natural production of new collagen and skin cells. Together with stem-cell PRP treatment, Fraxel can treat conditions like fine lines and wrinkles, texture and tone, brown spots and pigments, acne, surgical scars and stretch marks. This combo treatment requires only one to two sessions, three months apart. Call 36 197-919.

JOZ SALON & SPA

The Ultimate Salon

Tired of frizzy curls, limp waves and locks damaged by constant at-home straightening? Get ready for this new evolution in straightening and repair.

ut your tresses in expert hands this summer! KeraStraight has been pushing the boundaries for the past two years. Its latest product developments are innovative and designed to meet the needs of every hair type. The KS Complex Treatment is a protein-based straightening and repair treatment which is suitable for normal, wavy, unruly and damaged hair. Not only will it improve the overall condition of the hair, but it also offers 80-100 per cent smoothing so you’re left with healthy, silky locks that you can’t help but run your fingers through. If your tresses are in need of a little bit more tender, loving care, then check out the KS Intensive Treatment. Developed with 66 per cent more protein for extra conditioning and smoothing power, it is ideal for resistant, very curly, untreated and Afro-Caribbean hair. Platinum blondes or silver-haired ladies, as well as girls with weak, fragile, highlycoloured or porous hair, will benefit from the Colour Protect treatment. This works at a lower heat to improve the condition of your hair while smoothing it at the same time. All of these treatments result in stunning same-day conditioned, healthy and shiny straight hair, which can be kept salon perfect for up to four months with the KeraStraight Straight Maintain Shampoo and Conditioner regime. Since the treatments are formulated with low pH protein technology, they are also completely safe for stylist and client. Kerastraight treatments are now available at TONI&GUY Bahrain, Seef Mall. Call 17 001-700. 32

| September 2012

www.womanthismonth.com

DR ABEER COSMOPLASTIC CLINIC

Clear Complexion

A brand new high-tech machine may be the solution to your skincare problems; it guarantees a flawless and clear complexion with just one session.

www.womanthismonth.com

ontinuing to be a pioneer in cosmetic technology, the Dr Abeer Cosmoplastic Clinic has a new machine that can give you the flawless skin you’ve been dreaming of. The Glowline machine provides advanced detoxification resulting in smooth, clear and younger looking skin. Using alternate applications for different skin types, the high-tech gadget can eliminate wrinkles, reduce acne, lessen dark circles and fight cellulite. Removal of black heads, dead skin and deep cleansing is also easily achieved. The Ematrix is another exciting service offered at the clinic; by generating heat under the skin, new collagen is created. “It is used for a number of things, including tightening of the skin and reducing stretch marks. We also have the latest version of the already well known Vela shape machine where two types of radiations are used; radio frequency and infrared, along with massage to re-circulate the blood,” explains Dr Abeer. Providing individualised aesthetic surgical care, the clinic’s other in house services include chin liposuction, face injections, cheek augmentation and filling. Elevation of the eyebrows, nose job through fillers, lip injection and a wide variety of laser machines are also available. As for the surgical services, head to toe procedures are available, which include face and neck lifts, lower and upper lid blepharoplasty, cosmetic breast surgery, breast reduction, rhinoplasty and liposuction. Call 17 820-988.

September 2012 |

Showcase

Fighting Back BAHRAIN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL

Dr Amal Fouad

Epilepsy might appear to be a highly dangerous condition that can not be helped. However, experts stress that there are many ways to reduce the frequency of seizures.

pilepsy is a major brain disorder. The condition results when a person having repeated seizures over time; these are episodes of disturbed brain activity that cause changes in consciousness or brain functions, where clusters of nerve cells in the brain signal abnormally. Symptoms vary from patient to patient; some may have simple staring spells, while others have violent shaking and loss of consciousness. “This condition can severely limit a patient’s school achievements, employment prospects and participation in all of life’s experiences. It strikes most often very young and very old persons, although epilepsy can be developed at any age,” explains Dr Amal Fouad, consultant neurologist at Bahrain Specialist Hospital (BSH). Potential causes of epilepsy depend on age. In newborns and infants, it could be due to brain malformations, lack of

| September 2012

oxygen during or after delivery, inborn errors of metabolism or bleeding in the brain. Drugs used during pregnancy, as well as fevers and infections, have also been found as culprits. In children, it might be due to congenital conditions, genetic factors, metabolic diseases or head trauma. Strokes and head traumas are the main causes of epilepsy in the elderly.“Diagnosing this disease is a multi-step process. We usually confirm through patient history, neurological exam and supporting laboratory, electrophysiological tests like EEG and imaging tools,” says Dr Amal. “Accurate diagnosis of the type of epilepsy is crucial for finding an effective treatment.” Treatment The decision for treatment is a highly individualised one, weighing the risks of

treatment against the risks of seizures. “At BSH, the goal of all epilepsy treatment is to prevent further seizures, avoid side effects, and make it possible for people to lead active lives,” the doctor notes. Treatment may involve surgery or medication.” If seizures are due to a tumour, abnormal blood vessels or bleeding in the brain, surgery may help to prevent them. For other cases, anticonvulsants medication may reduce the number of future seizures; lifestyle or medical changes can increase the risk for a seizure in a person with epilepsy. Generally, there is no known way to prevent epilepsy. However, proper diet and sleep, and staying away from illegal drugs and alcohol, may decrease the likelihood of triggering seizures in people with epilepsy. Call 17 812-000. www.womanthismonth.com

An Exquisite Touch

Stand apart from the crowd by adorning yourself in beautifully crafted pieces of jewellery; you will effortlessly exude an air of luxury and sophistication.

o wedding, happy event or occasion is complete without the glitter and brilliance of Bansri Jewellery. Years of experience and modern technology combine to create an unwavering commitment to excellence. The fine jewellers believe that design is the soul of jewellery; it increases the beauty and glamour of the wearer. This season, adorn yourself with beautiful unique pieces that will enhance any outfit. Embrace your feminine side and opt for delicate pearls and diamonds to provide that ultimate touch of luxury. The range of products available is designed to add luxury to both your day and evening wear, with exquisite pieces that will coordinate with almost any outfit. Standing the test of time Since the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conception 12 years ago, it has been successful in offering top-quality and www.womanthismonth.com

affordable products. A valued and loyal customer base has formed during this time. Customers are prime drivers for any business, so Bansri Jewellery ensures that the quality is unrivaled and retailed at competitive prices. Moreover, the brand continues to keep up to date with what the market wants and needs, and realises that the perception of jewellery has changed over recent years. Today, it is first and foremost a fashion statement and therefore each piece needs to be wearable and complement any chosen outfit. Due to this, Bansri Jewellery is in continuous process to provide its customers what they want and they like, it has created a wide range of diamonds to suit occasional, regular or formal wear. The company constantly strives to present an unrivaled collection, offering ranges for every customers taste. Call 17 229-457. September 2012 |

Online

Sharing Inspiration Anyone with an ounce of creativity should be indulging in the latest online fad; pinning. Share inspiring ideas, notions and musings and in turn be enthused.

f you can’t get enough of Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, blogging and any other social media sites then you must make sure you start pinning with Pinterest. Although launched in 2010, it is only in recent months that the site has really taken off globally to become the hottest new social media site. A BBC article reported that last June there were 1.3million unique visitors globally and exactly a year later there was an extraordinary 31.2 million. Recent research has labelled it the third most popular social media site in the U.S. The site is a content sharing network that retains elements of blogging, but is predominantly image led. Users can ‘pin’ images, videos and other objects from the internet. Users create boards upon which they can upload any images that they happen to stumble across/like/be inspired by to share with the world. Just like with Twitter, you can follow

| September 2012

people whose boards you like and similarly you will soon be obsessed with gathering your own clan of followers. It’s really simple to sign up to use the site and the founders have recently opened the site to all. You can choose to connect with either your Facebook or Twitter account, and images you ‘pin’ will simultaneously be posted here. Creating a Pinterest account is currently free and instantaneous, so we advise you get going now! Why is it different? Think of Pinterest as a virtual mood board. Users steer clear of elongated text and instead opt for simply a few words that describe each image. You can pin anything that you like from the internet and share it with the Pinterest community, giving the site an almost educational role.

Who is pinning? The site works because everybody and anybody can use it, so users’ eyes will be opened to a whole new world of images. You can follow the likes of fashion stylists, celebrities, artists, musicians in addition to any Tom, Dick or Harry that takes your fancy. Is it user-friendly? Yes. The layout is uncomplicated and clear, with the home page displaying profiles that the site deems you’re interested in. Images are quick and easy to upload too; once you’ve created an account you are invited to add a ‘Pin It’ bookmark on your web browser, so that whenever you are on a site with images you love, you can press the bookmark and choose the image you want to post on your Pinterest profile. The site is also an app. www.womanthismonth.com

Social Butterfly

BizLadies Reception

Sylvie & Megan

BizLadies hosted a cocktail and dinner reception at Bushido, Seef District. The guest presenter at the evening was Aziza Salman, TV host and owner of Paparazzi Photography Christine, Anita & Claudia

Aziza Salman

Jo, Jane & Michaela Amy & Amy

Susan, Orla, Kathryn & Danielle

Geraldine & Majella

Cuticle Cuticle & Nail & Nail Cream Cream

✓ Smoothes away dry and cracked cuticles ✓ Reduces hang nail ✓ Promotes nail growth growth

www.womanthismonth.com

ForFor hang hang nails nails & split & split fingers fingers

solution is at your Finger Tips

thethe

September 2012 |

Social Butterfly Emily, Lotta, Charlotte, Wilma,Tom, Caroline & Sabine

Benoit Rosemont Magic Show

As part of the Bahrain Summer Festival 2012, the Benoit Rosemont Magic Show enthralled a number of kids and families at Nakhool City, Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) Ali & Adnan

Imyan, Muneer & Nailah

Abdulla

Randa, Najud & Nouf

Heba, Sara, Ashjan & Eman

Jassim & Nakhool, Bahrain Summer Festival mascot

| September 2012

Ahmed & Salman

Ahmed, Emam & Ahmed

Benoit Rosemont, the magician

Ali & Mohammed

www.womanthismonth.com

Anna Castro

Anna Castro Birthday Party

Anna Castro celebrated her birthday with a number of friends at Block 338 Restaurant in Adliya Viola, Anna, Oksana, Anna, Yalia & Natali

Rosi, Kamila & Veronik

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Liz & Silvana

Jenna & Pam

September 2012 |

20 Tips

Better Time

Management By Maryam Toorani

Find yourself overwhelmed with things to do each day at work and end up doing none of them? Organise, prioritise and implement healthy time management habits into your life.

| September 2012

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Create a daily plan.Planning your day before it starts helps you see things clearly. Do it at night before you sleep; your job for the day is to stick to the plan as best as possible.

Use an organiser. Using a tool to help you organise your activities is a fundamental step to managing your time. Arrange information and build to-do lists to help stay on top of your day.

Don’t fuss. Everything can’t be done exactly the way you want it, so focusing on unimportant details could cause you to be even more inefficient. Sometimes, being too much of a perfectionist can be distracting.

4. Prioritise. Since you can’t do everything, prioritise the important points and let go of the rest. Categorise your to-do list in a descending order of importance.

Plan out each task individually. Take five minutes before and after every task to decide what result you want to attain. Then assess what was missing and inject it into your next activity.

6. Delegate. If there are things that can be better done by others, or things that are not so important, consider delegating. This takes a load off and you can focus on the important tasks.

7. Learn to say “no”. Taking on more than you can handle is one of the easiest ways to lose control of your time management. If your plate is full, then a firm “no” is what you need.

8. Break down your tasks. Taking on one huge task can be

overwhelming. Break time-consuming tasks into smaller ones; work on them a few minutes at a time to get them all done.

9. Have a clock visibly placed before you. Having a huge

clock in front of you will keep you aware of the time instead of having to check your phone every few minutes.

12.

Set reminders. These days, all calendars have a reminder function. If you have an important meeting to attend to, set a reminder 15 minutes in advance.

13. Group similar tasks together. Batch your related tasks and activities into one group and tackle them one after the other. For example, if you need to send out a set of emails to different people throughout the day, allocate a specific time slot to do them together.

14. Use buffer time. Packing everything closely on your to-do

list could cause havoc. Leave a five to ten minute buffer time in between each task to help you wrap up and start on the next one.

15.

10. Eliminate distractions. Identify your distractions and

Practise the ten minute rule. If you have a large, dreaded task at hand, work on it for ten minutes each day. Once you get started, you may finish it sooner than you thought.

11.

Know your deadlines. Knowing when to finish your tasks is key. Mark the deadlines out clearly in your calendar and organiser so you know when you need to finish them.

remove them. Text messages? Facebook? Twitter? One thing you can do is to remove easy access to social network applications.

Focus. Are you multi-tasking so much that you’re just not getting anything done? If so, focus on just one key task at one time. Close off the tabs in your browser that are taking away your attention and focus solely on what you’re doing.

16.

17. Deal with things as they come. Handle your work as

soon as it comes in. Whatever it is, read it, file it, redirect it to the right person, schedule it in your calendar or discard it. This will keep you from creating a never ending pile of things to do on your desk.

18. Physically organise your workspace. Use trays or drawers to organise piles of work into categorised groups. Keep files that are done and ready to be sent out together and files that are pending separately.

19. Be confident. The less confidence you have, the more

likelihood you can’t complete the tasks at hand. Drown out negative messages that keep you from achieving your goals.

20.

Stay healthy. Maintaining a balanced diet, getting seven to eight hours of sleep and continuing a good exercise routine can not only do wonders to your body, but also your mind. Staying healthy keeps you focused and alert. www.womanthismonth.com

September 2012 |

Where to

Back-To-School Breakdown

As usual the summer has flown by, meaning that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now time to get the kids geared up for another year at school.

| September 2012

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ack-to-school shopping is a headache; there’s no doubt about it. There are lots to buy, lots of options and lots of spending! This year, start your shopping spree with a game plan as Woman This Month reports on the best school supply destinations in town. Look smart Getting your kids’ uniforms ready in time for the first day of school can be a hassle. Make sure to place your order in advance at House of Uniforms to give your kids some alteration time if needed. For additional prim and proper school attire, such as shirts and blouses, Bhs, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare and Sportsland have an array to choose from. Keep your eye out for all the back-to-school promotions, where you can buy pants, socks and tights in bulk. Get the right soles that will conform to school rules and regulation at Aldo, Shoe Mart, Nine West, Spring and Guess Kids. If your child needs extra comfort and support for their feet then Hush Puppies and Clarks have a great assortment of options. Where to shop: House of Uniforms (17 581-510); Aldo; Bhs; Debenhams; Guess Kids; Hush Puppies; Marks & Spencer; Mothercare; Nine West; Shoe Mart; Sportsland; Spring. Don’t forget stationery Stocking up all in one go saves you from the headache of frequent trips out for notebooks and pens. Buying stationery in bulk will also lessen your expenses especially with all the

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back to school sales promotions. Make sure you have a drawer stacked with pens, pencils, markers, crayons, notebooks and everything your child might need during his/her school year. For great offers, go to any major supermarket like Megamart, Geant, Waitrose or Al Jazeera Supermarket. To get all your shopping done under one roof, Virgin Megastore offers all around school supplies, from notebooks to backpacks. For school text books, Jashanmal Bookstore, The Bookcase and Family Bookshop are stacked with educational books catered to most schools’ curriculum. Make sure to call in advance to check if they have the books your child needs. Most kids these days, especially highschoolers, use a laptop as a resourceful research tool. Home Electronics, Sharaf DG, Ashrafs, Gajria Electronics, Yaquby Stores and Emax offer some of the best brands available; or you can head to any big hypermarket for cheaper prices.

For snacks, pack their lunch boxes with fruits, veggies and some light sweets. Pop over to your nearest supermarket and get your ingredients for the perfect breakfast by opting for wholegrain and organic substitutes. A great tip to get your child excited about the day is having them help you in the cooking or preparation process. Where to shop: Megamart (17 341-070); Al Jazeera Supermarket; Midway; Waitrose; Lulu Hypermarket.

Where to shop: Virgin Megastore (17 172-300); Al Jazeera Supermarket; Ashrafs; Emax; Gajria Electronics; Géant; Family Bookshop; Home Electronics; Jashanmal; Midway Supermarket; Sharaf DG; The Bookcase; Waitrose; Yaquby Stores.

Extra-curricular activities Teach your child to balance work and play early in their lives by assorting a dedicated time for fun activities. Joining clubs or groups outside of school can help a student build up character and self-esteem by learning things that they otherwise wouldn’t. Being a part of something outside of school can also help children explore their social skills and make new friends. Make sure that they are enjoying the activity by having them participate in something that they show interest in. If your child is a budding athlete, then a good tennis, football or basketball club would be a productive way to spend their free time. For the artsy child, have them join an arts and crafts class for kids.

Rise and shine A new school year can be stressful and it is vital that kids maintain a nutritious diet to stay focused and healthy. Give them a balanced meal of omelettes and yogurt or whole wheat cereals to help kick start their day.

Where to ‘play’: Awali Riding Club; Bahrain Music Institute; Bahrain Science Centre;Bahrain Tennis Club; Berlitz; Café Ceramique; Reza’s Martial Arts Center; Rugby Football Club; World Beat Fitness Center.

September 2012 |

Showcase

Expert Care THE CHILDREN’S ACADEMY

When it comes to education for children with special needs, parents need to consider every aspect an institute can offer.

| September 2012

ith staff chosen for their experience, aptitude and training in dealing with special needs, the Children’s Academy (TCA) provides a specialised education that other schools cannot offer. “Our school is unique not only to Bahrain but also to the gulf, with many families coming to us from outside of the Kingdom,” says TCA headmaster, Greg McDonald. In addition to the high quality teaching, the academy has two speech therapists, one occupational therapist, one physiotherapist, a behavioural therapist and a music therapist whose expertise can all be utilised even after school hours. Personalised teaching methods are highly regarded in the academy, with class sizes varying between four to ten students, allowing the teachers to efficiently divide their time. At TCA, the teaching and therapy team develop individualised educational plans for each and every child, adapting the teaching styles and programmes to meet their specific needs. “For those children who need additional communication skills we use Makaton, which is a language programme using signs and symbols to help children communicate,” adds Greg. Numicon, a multi-sensory maths approach, provides a structured apparatus to raise achievement in maths and is also used to heighten the skills of the students. Following the British National Curriculum, together with the International Primary Curriculum, TCA undergoes a rigorous inspection process from the UK to ensure that the teaching, therapy and management team is outstanding. The school accepts students aged from three to eleven years, while slightly older children can be accepted if they are working at an academic level lower than their age. Call 17 613-234 or email gregmcdonald@childrensacademybahrain.com.

www.womanthismonth.com

School

10 Tips

Prepare Your Kids for By Maryam Toorani

Ask any school-goer and they will tell you that the transition from holiday to school is stressful. Woman This Month narrows down the things parents can do to help ease the ‘back to school’ move with these simple strategies. 1. Eat correctly

First things first, take care of the basics. Make sure your child gets a nutritious, balanced meal. Eating a healthy diet, especially a protein-carbohydrate balanced breakfast, is important for brain function, mood and the ability to focus and pay attention in class.

2. Sleep well

Just as adults need at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night, so do kids. Getting adequate sleep allows your child to stay focused throughout the morning. A short nap after school, before homework time, also works for some children.

3. Shop together

To rid your kids of the end-of-holiday blues, involve them in your ‘back to school’ shopping experience. The process of them choosing their books, bags and stationery sets will get them excited for everything they love about school.

4. Define a routine

After a long summer vacation, your children have probably become accustomed to an unsystematic lifestyle. To get their head in the game, experts suggest getting them back into their usual school routines a week or so in advance.

5. Stimulate their minds

With a challenging school year ahead, more parents tend to put their kids’ intellect to practice by giving them model exercises, games or chores well in advance. Why not start a kids’ book club, where a few days a week, you can have a scheduled reading time followed by a discussion.

6. Get involved

What children dread even more than school is the homework that follows. To encourage your kids, work with them to set up a homework time frame that matches their rhythm and personal preferences — after snack and downtime or right after school?

9. Get comfy

Being active in your child’s day-to-day activities helps them realise the importance of their education. Take time to review their home work, show up at school events and keep teacher-parent communication ongoing throughout the year.

Having a specific work space makes children concentrate on their work at hand. Be it in the living room, bedroom or kitchen, the area must be well lit and include a desk with drawers. Opt to read the paper while they are studying so they can feel you are involved.

7. The right ambience

10. Offer a reward

It is important that your child studies in an environment in which they are comfortable. Studies show that some children work better while listening to music; you could leave songs on in the background as long as the volume is low. www.womanthismonth.com

8. Work together

Motivate your children to achieve good grades by awarding them. Be it tangible, like a new pair of shoes, or intangible, like more TV privileges, rewarding your kids encourages them to reach their goals. September 2012 |

Home

Eau Natural

The One

By Alison Coldridge

| September 2012

This season, home interior stores have been bursting with natural furnishing collections, which derive their inspiration from nature and allows us to bring the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;outsideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; indoors. www.womanthismonth.com

Flamant

Laura Ashley

constant classic, we can expect this natural trend to continue into autumn, where raw and rustic pieces feature predominantly in stores around town. The popularity of this theme is no surprise; we garner a sense of comfort from feeling at home when surrounded by the best that nature has to offer. Whether it is pieces made from stone or wood, we often find room for a slice of nature in our living space. For a small country, Bahrain is not lacking in the home furnishing department. There are a huge variety of stores to choose from, with many located in the Seef area. And each seems to have fully encapsulated the natural trend. Marina Exotic Home Interiors, for instance, boasts an array of rustic pieces to add a touch of authenticity to our living space. One such item is a low coffee table, elevated on metal legs, but otherwise constructed entirely from untreated wood. Also in abundance are lanterns, differing in both size and style, which can be filled with candles to provide natural light. The One and The Home Store are great for large-scale furniture items; both offer complete bedroom and dining sets that utilise neutral colours,

BoConcept

where every essential piece is fashioned from raw oak. At The One you also will find a huge range of faux flowers, should you wish to add an additional natural touch, but without all of the watering! Roche Bobois has cleverly put a twist on this theme by incorporating earthy colours. A retro-style desk, although still crafted from wood, features green and blue painted segments to add a splash of colour to your room. Small furnishings, big effects BoConcept has transferred the natural trend onto accessories. Cushions featuring earthy animal prints and images are fun and will add a pop of quirkiness where required. British-brand Laura Ashley has some great options such as a large shallow vase, ideal for placing in the centre of your dining table and filling with wild flowers. Adding some stonetextured items offers a natural material alternative to wood. As well, at Flamant you will find a whole collection of wooden decoration pieces to further enhance your rooms. Bowls, vases and pots are all constructed from knotted and rough wood.

Roche Bobois

Marina Exotic Home Interiors www.womanthismonth.com

September 2012 |

Wellbeing

The Memory Game By Alison Coldridge

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to get working on your mind and memory. Just as we care for our body with exercise and the correct diet, we also need to care for our mind to ensure those precious moments arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forgotten.

e all have those loopy moments where we tear apart our homes looking for glasses perched innocuously atop our heads, or those embarrassing blunders where we call a colleague by the wrong 48

| September 2012

name. The fact of the matter is the brain is congested and sometimes needs help, particularly within the memory department. Without being able to store memories, every element of life would be a struggle; challenges

that people with dementia have to face. Our memory assists us with every aspect of our day-to-day life, from how to do basic equations to what the name of your mother is. www.womanthismonth.com

Your memory is your brain The human brain is highly complex and features many different ‘compartments’ each that does something unique. One way to get your head around it (excuse the pun) is by visualising the brain as a library stocked full of memories, instead of books. In this library, the librarian would be the hippocampus — the part of the brain most involved in memory. The hippocampus has a lot of responsibility. It simultaneously juggles the new releases of the short-term memory whilst cataloging materials for the permanent long-term memory section. It’s not the only part at work, however, in storing these chapters of our lives.

Information overload Different kinds of memory are stored in different areas of the brain. With such a large system, the brain needs a system of encoding and retrieving memories, something a bit more complex than the local library’s Dewey Decimal System. The brain has to be able to instantly pull information when required; whether you need to remember a fact such as a phone number or a distant memory that’s been sitting in storage for years.

Help is at hand Whether you are eight or 80, there are many ways in which you can improve your memory. In fact, it is far easier than you would think. You can progress your memory just as easily as you can your language or maths skills, simply by repeating and practising. www.womanthismonth.com

September 2012 |

Wellbeing

Test Your Brain Try these simple tips and ideas to improve your brain power! 4. Break it up The human brain is only able to retain seven pieces of information at one time, which is why it helps to separate information into chunks. For example, it can be difficult to remember a long mobile phone number as a whole. Divide it up so that when you say it you group numbers together in a rhythmic way. 1. Focus on it Women, especially, are great culprits of getting side-tracked or multi-tasking to the extreme. Whilst this can be a positive thing, it unfortunately means you will often forget what the original task was and, if it never makes it into your memory, then you won’t be able to recall it later. Focus upon the task in hand and cross everything off your list one at a time.

5. Play games Just like children are encouraged to play games to enhance their learning and to arouse their minds, adults should engage in brainstimulating activities. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku and other such logical games are proven methods to keep your mind healthy as they will unearth facts, figures and patterns that are locked within your memory.

2. Ignite your senses By including all of your senses, you will have a greater chance at remembering the exact memory. That’s why you can remember the smell of your grandmother’s freshly-baked cookies as if she was making them now. A good tip for remembering someone’s name is by looking them in the eye, or shaking their hand. That way you have engaged much more than one sense. 3. Repeat it Repetition seems to work incredibly well for most people. Whether you are learning a language, the periodic table, or your new phone number keep repeating it throughout the day and you will find it integrates into your memory. Try not to cram though, instead keep up the repetition over a longer period of time.

8. Connect the dots Research shows the memory can be stronger when you try to make associations upon first absorbing information. Think about how things are related, and the memory for both parts will be enhanced. Try connecting new information to existing information and experiences in your mind. 9. Live healthily Everything in the body works in unison meaning that a healthy body is a healthy brain. By avoiding stress, sleeping for eight hours a night and eating well relaxes and refreshes your mind and additionally helps your mind focus on new information.

6. Grow new brain cells Sounds completely bizarre, but it is possible to grow some new brain cells in the memory centre of your brain. Studies have shown that some types of intense aerobic exercise — such as running and cycling — encourages cell growth in the brain’s hippocampus.

10. Organise it Just as we need our home and office desk to be tidy in order to function properly, we also need our brains to be organised. Everything needs to be compartmentalised so that it can be better sorted through and stored away. By carefully organising what it is you have to memorise, you’re helping your brain better encode the information in the first place.

7. Find the way that works for you Every person is different; therefore every person absorbs information in a different way. Some people like to write everything down, others benefit from recording notes and then listening back to it and some people learn visually. Determine the way in which you best remember by trying each way. 50

| September 2012

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Get Up and Go Green As the kids return to school to start afresh with a new academic year, follow their lead and start afresh by kick-starting your own healthy living.

Improve the taste If you really canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stomach the sharp taste of the tea, try out these simple tips; l Add lemon, honey, or both for a more satisfying taste. l Opt for loose leaf tea, which tends to have a noticeably superior quality. l Mix it with a splash of fruit juice for a sweeter taste without using sugar. l If you are making your green tea yourself, blend it with some mint leaves for a fresher aftertaste. l Begin by drinking it relatively weak and make it stronger week by week as you become accustomed to it. l Try it iced, or in ice cream form!

irst on the list; ditch the coffee and reach for green tea. This earthy-tasting tea is still going strong in the Western world, where it has become a wellbeing fad over the last few decades. Originating from China, green tea has many different varieties, which vary in taste and consistency due to variable growing conditions, horticulture, production processing and harvesting time. The tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that has undergone minimal oxidation. Beneficial qualities Although the taste of the drink can take some getting used to, the list of long-term www.womanthismonth.com

health benefits is incredibly lengthy providing a solid reason why we should gulp away on a daily basis. Those who drink the tea regularly may have a lower risk of developing heart disease and certain types of cancer. Additionally, the natural vitamins and ingredients are linked with all kinds of illnesses; for example, the tea is thought to protect against forms of dementia, kidney disease, it thins the blood and prevents blood clots forming and assists in building bone. There has also been links made to weight loss as an included extract containing polyphenols has been shown to stimulate fat oxidation which then boosts the metabolic rate. Another bonus is

the amount of anti-oxidants jammed into the drink, assisting in both cleansing the body internally and externally. Wrinkles and signs of ageing will be minimised due to the antiinflammatory qualities in the tea. Furthermore, if you apply the drink to sun burn, the damage will be reduced. Ditch that coffee Experts suggest that we should all swap our morning cup of coffee with the tea. It also contains caffeine, but a lower quantity reducing the risk of heart disease and other caffeinerelated ailments. Plus, a mug of green tea is faster to make and wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stain your teeth! September 2012 |

Parenting

Little Learners and

Language

By Dr Clare Beckett-McInroy and Simon McInroy

A love of learning and language is something that all parents want their children to obtain. However, many parents are not aware of the influence they have and the part they play in the development of their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s language acquisition. 52

| August 2012 | woman this month

his article will enable you to understand generic tips on how to encourage your child to grasp language learning; it will also provide you with specific points to ‘play’ with in relation to the English language. By the age of six, most schools have firm expectations in terms of speaking and listening, reading and writing milestones your child should have reached. In order to fully engage with a school curriculum, and indeed to even gain access to preferred schools in some cases, solid skills in these areas are key, not only for developing as a communicator, but for being able to fully access all areas of a school curriculum. It is also an essential part of play and can form the basis for lasting relationships between your child and their friends. Getting to grips with the early knowledge and skills your child needs to grasp is not always the easiest journey for you or your child. This is partly due to the ‘melting pot’ nature of the English language, which has evolved to reflect

the many influences of those who arrived on British shores over the years. There are consequently many rules, or part-rules, in contemporary English to which there are various exceptions. For children learning how to use the sound symbol (phonographic) system, they are faced with learning to make 44 sounds (lightly debated) in more than one thousand ways. For example, consider the ways we make the long vowel sound for the letter ‘a’: ai as in rain, ay as in play, a_e as in make and then of course exceptions such as ‘they’. The aim of this article is to give you some insight and practical advice on how you can support your child’s learning in terms of early childhood developments. So, where to begin? Speaking and Listening It has been claimed that a child’s ability to annunciate sounds is shaped by the sounds they hear in their first 18 months. Without a rich early experience of hearing sounds children may have difficulty using these in speech. Children’s early experience of hearing and verbalising sounds will also have a significant impact on how they use sounds when attempting to decode letters for reading and, when using speech, to inform the letters we use when writing. What can you do to help provide these crucial early experiences? Consider the following options: sing songs, say rhymes, listen to stories, talk about stories and pictures and experiences, and create stories together and tell and act them out to others. It is never too early to start. Very young children understand a great deal more than they can verbalise. Their known vocabulary is growing all the time with words and meanings being ‘stored’ until they can physically be spoken. As you speak with your child, you are

providing a model for communication. Your child needs to be a skilled verbal communicator before they will be able to communicate in terms of our writing conventions. So get talking! Reading and Writing As your child starts school, the major building block for reading (and writing) will be phonological awareness. This term refers to your child’s ability to know and use the sounds we use that our letter symbols represent. At school your child will probably learn phonics in an order that allows them to quickly use sounds to read and build words. Many schools follow an approach termed ‘synthetic phonics’ which teaches letter sounds in groups that can easily be used. This first group in this programme is s, a, t, n, i, p. There are many words that can be made from this small group of sounds such as sat, in and it, and so children can start developing the skill of blending sounds as they internalise the sound symbol relationships. Starting to use these sounds as they are learned establishes their relevance and gives children early satisfaction with reading and creating words. There is, therefore, a positive emotional experience in which learning is more likely to be retained. A fantastic website for supporting the acquisition of phonic knowledge and skills is www.phonicsplay.co.uk. Going back to an earlier point, speech is obviously important in using phonics to help your child spell words. If trying to spell ‘this’ when annunciating ‘th’ as ‘f’, could be tricky. Issues such as these can result from a lack of early experiences in terms of hearing sounds but, very often this is not something to overly worry about at an early stage. Being able to articulate sounds is a developmental process. There are sounds that children find more difficult to verbalise until certain ages and there are general statements we can make in terms of the differences between the ages boys and girls acquire the ability to clearly verbalise certain sounds. If concerned, ask your child’s school or another expert for details.

woman this month | August 2012 |

Parenting

Mastering English Whilst this skill of using phonics is obviously extremely important, remember, English is not so straightforward. There are many words that do not follow the phonetic code; the sounds we verbalise in such words do not match the symbol sounds, for example, the word ‘was’. With such words children will learn them as ‘sight words’. They will start to recognise them when they experience them sufficiently to possess an enduring mental imprint they can use. This experience can take the form of explicitly talking about how these words do not sound as they look, by using flashcards, reading stories with repetitive language patterns, from picking these words out from short texts and even by creating a mnemonic. Mnemonics are basically language devices for helping the human brain to retain learning. We can use them to help children become more familiar with word structures and so help with their reading and spelling.

| August 2012 | woman this month

A mnemonic for embedding the word ‘because’ could be Big Elephants Can Always Upset Small Elephants with the first letter of each word relating to the letters of ‘because’. Variations on a theme Schools will differ slightly in their exact approach to the order of phonics learning and the high frequency and irregular words they work on and send home for you to practise. The best advice is to keep track of learning in school and support this at home. If your child’s school does not communicate this to you — ask. Writing emerges and develops as the various pieces fall into place along the journey upon which your child’s writing progresses through many stages. At times you may feel frustrated, perhaps with an apparent lack of progress or that your child is not retaining spellings. There are many pieces to the jigsaw and they will come together with positive encouragement and time! The time factor depends a great deal

on the individual. All children are different; it may take one child a day to learn a spelling list from school and it could take another child two weeks to fully embed new spellings in their long term memory. When starting to write sentences, young children have a great deal to think about almost all at once: pencil grip, letter formation, using phonics, recalling phonetically irregular spellings, making sense, spaces, capital letters and full stops and there are many other conventions on the way. Enhance the journey by being patient, praising all efforts (your child will then WANT to do more) and by communicating with school so that you can support the development of the various elements involved. So, enjoy the journey and the progress you see but most of all, never compare your child’s progress to that of their class mates. Language acquisition can be so much fun; use your imagination to help your child learn!

Pause for Thought! Although pools may be a source of family fun, they can unfortunately be a source of family tragedy as well. It pays to know the risks and how to minimise them.

ccording to information from the Centre for Disease Control, in the years 20072009 there were an estimated 4,200 pool or spa-related emergency incidents that arose from patients being submerged for a prolonged period of time. Nearly 400 fatalities a year associated with these injuries occur in children less than 15 years of age. The great preponderance of these injuries and fatalities were linked with swimming pools, especially in younger children who were four years of age or younger. This is not an argument to keep children out of pools. A splash of fun in the water not only provides breathtaking memories for children and families, but such experiences also get

Pool Safety Tips

• Install appropriate fencing on all four sides of the pool, to at least four feet high. In addition, there should be a self-closing and selflatching gate that opens outward from the pool, but the latch should be out of reach of children. It is estimated that 50 per cent of all children who drown could be prevented if proper fencing were installed. • Proper supervision should focus on two key aspects; keeping children from entering a

children moving and can help contribute to a child’s love of exercise. Moreover, becoming acquainted with pools and swimming can also lead to reduced drowning events in certain age groups. The message to take from this is not that a parent should keep their child out of pools, but rather to ensure that every safety precaution possible is taken to provide a safe environment in which our children can swim. It is estimated that if all parents followed some simple rules, anywhere from 200-400 lives might be saved per year. As stated by Steven Levitt, a professor of Economics at the University of Chicago and author of the best seller Freakonomics:

“This would be more lives saved than from two of the most successful safety-interventions in recent decades: the use of child car seats and the introduction of safer cribs.” Potential lives saved from pool safety are far greater than from child-resistant packaging (an estimated 50 lives saved per year), keeping children away from airbags (less than five young children a year on average have been killed by air bags since their introduction), flame retardant pyjamas (perhaps 10 lives saved annually), or safety drawstrings on children’s clothing (two lives saved annually). Simply stated, keeping your children safe around water is one of the single most important things a parent can do to protect a child.

pool unsupervised and appropriate safety practices when in a pool. Young or inexperienced swimmers should be kept within arm’s reach at all times. • Formal swimming lessons should be arranged for children who are ready for them, even as young as one year of age. • Even in pools, inexperienced swimmers may benefit from the use of appropriate life jackets. Air- or foam-filled toys, such as water

wings, noodles or inner tubes, are not proper floatation devices and should only be used as toys, not as life-saving devices. • Ensure pools have proper safety devices installed. • All pool owners should be familiar with CPR and stay up-to-date with their training. There is evidence that starting immediate CPR on drowning victims prior to the arrival of emergency responders can have a substantial impact in reducing death and serious brain injury.

For feedback, comments or questions contact Dr Jinan Darwish via email at: editor@womanthismonth.com www.womanthismonth.com

September 2012 |

Travel

In the Name of By Elma Bartholomew

Love

There is a relaxed vibe that comes with September, which makes it the ideal season for newly-weds to shake off any wedding stress. Here are our top three destinations of the year for honeymooners.

Peru, South America

The low-down: Peru is perfect for the duo looking for adventure and amazing scenery. Located in the mountains of south-central Peru, Machu Picchu is not to be missed. These fifteenth-century Inca ruins are one of the most dramatic sites on the planet. For the daring couple an hour-plus hike brings you to your destination. The Sacred Valley is among Peru's most beautiful areas and towns like Pisac and Chinchero are worth a visit. The rainforests are also amazing and ecotourism is a huge draw for adventurous honeymooners. X-factor: The month of September boasts the most cultural festivities in Peru. If you’re travelling towards the end of the month, you could catch Trujillo’s annual Festival Internacional de la Primavera, which attracts a large crowd of both local and international visitors. The multi-day event includes everything from street parades to beauty contests, and a mix of Peruvian sports from bullfighting to surfing. Open-air concerts and traditional dances keep things lively throughout the night. Best for: Adventurers; May through October are the driest months in Peru. June to September sees winter here. However, they are clear months and often cold, particularly at high elevations. If it is mountain trekking you’re after, this can be an ideal time to visit as visibility is best.

| September 2012

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Himalayas, India

The low-down: Himalayan ranges are widespread in India, covering the north, north-east and eastern regions of the subcontinent. The beauty of this great mountain varies from place to place. Culturally diverse, it is one of the most precious eco-friendly destinations. The region is blessed with natural wealth with exotic flora and fauna. Enjoy the beauty and serenity of peaceful, pollution-free snow-capped destinations. Celebrate the much-needed seclusion in the lovely ambience and surroundings of Manali, Shimla, Darjeeling and Nainital. X-factor: To know the mountains one has to be amongst them. I tis a wonderful sight to see a sea of clouds sink in repose as evening begins. At the same time, the setting sun converts the surrounding peaks into molten gold which gradually fade away into pale pink and steel grey. At night, the only sound one can hear is of the campfire. In the morning, the rising glow of the sun reflects from peak to peak and then descends to the lower slopes. This is an experience so vivid and revitalising that it can never be forgotten. Best for: Romantics. The hill stations of the Himalayan range are magically romantic and perfect for a truly unforgettable getaway for honeymooners. After all the strain that a wedding brings with it, newlyweds deserve picture perfect places for the golden days of their life together and to have the most romantic holiday with their beloved.

Morocco, Africa

The low-down: The Saharan sands and Mediterranean coastline of Morocco make it a fabulous place to take in a romantic atmosphere and experience rich culture filled with historic traditions. Amazing architecture, fantastic food, and much more await you on a honeymoon to this North African country. Late summer in Morocco, from July through September, is the best travel time. X-factor: Marrakech is a popular destination due to the mix of African, European and Middle Eastern influences, which give this centrally located city an eclectic vibe. Divided into two areas, the Ville Nouvelle and the ancient walled Medina, Marrakech has so much to explore. To experience the best of Marrakech, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good idea to hire a guide to take you through the city, especially the souks. Another Moroccan destination to consider is the coastal city of Casablanca. Be sure to check out the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mix of architecture styles, take a seaside stroll along the Boulevard de la Corniche, and tour the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. Best for: Explorers. Despite its close proximity to Europe, Morocco is a world away, with the ancient city of Fez and the walled coastal town of Essaouira becoming increasingly popular places to visit. The Atlas Mountains are a wonderful spot of trekking, making Morocco the perfect honeymoon destination for those wishing to combine a little culture and adventure.

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September 2012 |

Honey

Food

Sweet as

By James Claire

People talk about natural foods, sweetener alternatives and health foods. In National Honey month, it’s prime time to discuss one of my favourite flavourings.

sweet miracle food made by bees using nectar from flowers, there are many varieties of honey, which are designated by the type of pollen and flowers sourced by the bee to produce it. While several types of bees and wasps produce honey, what we eat is produced by honey bees that transform nectar into honey, and store it as a primary food source in wax honeycombs inside the beehive. Throughout history honey has been known to be used as a sweetener in both food and

various medicinal traditions to treat varying ailments and is a proven natural energy source. This month’s recipes show honey in both sweet and savoury uses. I have tried to put together a complete dinner showcasing its natural deliciousness, but don’t forget the two simplest recipes ever; add a spoon full of honey to hot tea for natural sweetness and two spoonfuls of honey over shaved ice for a delicious natural ice treat for those hot balmy summer nights.

Honey Ice Cream 500ml milk 120g honey pinch salt 2 eggs, lightly beaten 500ml cream 1 tbsp vanilla essence

beverages. Its sweetness evolves from the monosaccharides fructose and glucose, and it has approximately the same relative sweetness as granulated sugar. Today honey has been replaced as a primary source of sweetness by natural sugar, but there are a key number of recipes utilising this natural food source which are based solely upon it. Chefs use honey for its sweetness, caramelisation and for its differing unique flavours and textures. Honey is also used in

| September 2012

In a saucepan heat the milk but do not boil. In a small mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, the honey and the salt and mix to break up the eggs. l Pour the hot milk over the egg mix, whisking so the eggs don’t cook. l Place everything back into the saucepan and cook over a gentle medium heat for 5-8 minutes stirring continuously so as not to cook the eggs but to thicken the mixture. l Remove before it can simmer, which would make the mix split, and cool in a water bath. l When cold, stir in the heavy cream and vanilla. Refrigerate for one hour before transferring the mixture to the freezer. Stir rapidly every 25 minutes until it thickens, or use an ice-cream machine and follow directions of manufacturer. l l

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Honey Apple Cake

70g unsalted butter 80g brown sugar 2 eggs 60g honey 1 tsp lemon zested 180g plain (all-purpose)flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp ground allspice 60g cold water 2 apples, fresh, peeled, cored and chopped into cubes 40g walnuts, chopped

In the bowl of an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in honey and lemon zest. Sift together the flour, baking powder, soda, spices and salt and add to the butter mixture alternately with water. Do not over mix. l Stir in apples and walnuts. l Bake in a greased and floured round cake tin, at 165 degrees Celsius for one hour, or until wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. l Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the cake pan and arranging the honey apple glaze on top of the cake before serving. l

Honey Apple Glaze

60g honey 2 tbsps orange juice 2 tbsps lemon juice 2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced thinly Heat honey together with orange and lemon juice in a shallow saucepan. l Core and slice the apples and add to honey. l Cook until tender and glazed but not soggy. l Allow to cool slightly. l Arrange attractively on top of the cake and pour remaining sauce from the apples over the top of the cake also before serving. l

Grilled Honey Citrus Chicken 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless) 60g honey 30g lemon juice, freshly squeezed 30g orange juice freshly squeezed 2 tsps vegetable oil 1 tsp rosemary fresh, crushed 1 tsp fresh lemon zest 1 tsp fresh orange zest 1/2 tsp salt 1/8 tsp pepper

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Into a mixing bowl combine the honey, lemon juice, orange juice, lemon and orange zests, oil, rosemary, salt and pepper and mix well. Add the chicken breasts honey-lemon mixture and allow them to marinate for at least 2 hours. l In a hot fry pan cook the chicken breasts at a medium heat so as to cook them slowly, and for a longer period of time; too hot and the heat will result in burning the marinade and under cooking the chicken. l Remaining marinade can be brushed over the chicken as it cooks. l Ensure that the breasts are cooked by either cutting one open or ensuring that the juices from within run clear. Breasts should take about 5-7 minutes each side to cook. l Brush the hot chicken with a little fresh honey, a slice of lemon and serve with a fresh salad. l

Roast Lamb with Honey Chutney Glaze 1 leg of lamb (1-1Â˝ kg.) 690g honey 60g mixed dried fruits 3 limes to create both juice and zest 1 tsp grated fresh ginger root 2 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped very fine 1 tsp fresh rosemary chopped finely pinch cumin powder pinch salt and pepper 40g honey for final glaze Clean the lamb leg and place it into a baking tray. l Preheat the oven to 220 degrees. l Lightly salt the outside of the lamb leg and then place in the oven and roast for thirty minutes before reducing the temperature to 170 degrees. l In small saucepan, combine the honey, lime juice and zest, mixed dried fruits, crushed ginger, rosemary, cumin and salt and pepper. l Heat the mixture and cook slowly over a gentle heat until simmer for 1-2 minutes. l When lamb temperature is reduced to 170 degrees cook for a further 40 minutes before applying the chutney glaze to the outside of the lamb. Brush the glaze onto the skin of the lamb and keep re-applying it and juices from the pan every 10 minutes until the lamb leg is cooked. l When cooked allow the lamb leg to rest 10-15 minutes. Glaze one final time with some fresh warmed honey and serve with fresh rosemary sprigs. l

September 2012 |

Showcase THE DIPLOMAT RADISSON BLU HOTEL & SPA

Friday Fun

What better way to kick off the weekend than with good food, great friends and live entertainment? This five-star hotel has it all when it comes to a Friday brunch.

t’s back! The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa will soon be resuming its legendary Friday brunches. Over the years the Diplomat brunch has become known as the place to wine, dine and relax on a Friday afternoon. Let down your hair and get into the party spirit. The brunch offers a wide range of delicious dishes that will suit any appetite. There’s much from which to choose; an international food buffet is complemented by three diverse live cooking stations. Seek out the seafood station or venture towards Thai and Mongolian cuisine, shawarmas or even tacos. Listen to live music as you eat and drink in this casual and friendly ambience. The upcoming bands and notorious DJs will surely get all guests on their feet, ready for a good time. The Diplomat brunch starts at noon and finishes at 3pm but the fun definitely doesn’t stop there. The majority of guests often make their way down to the Fiddler’s Green pub, located on the ground floor of the hotel, where the merriment continues well into the evening hours. The price for the brunch is BD27 net per person and includes unlimited selected beverages. Children under the age of six are free of charge, and there is a 50 per cent discount for children between the ages of six and 12. Call 39 945-208 or email sales.diplomat@.radissonblu.com

MOHD FAKHROO AND BROS

The Stylish Man

What man doesn’t want a stylish shave within the comfort of your own home? A new product lets you achieve the style you desire in three simple steps.

en today treat their facial hair like a wardrobe full of different, exciting styles and possibilities; each style says something completely different about the wearer. Philips’ new Styleshaver is an innovative three-in-one facial shaver for men who want the freedom to achieve more looks with fewer tools. The StyleShaver is the newest electrical razor to hit the market; and it is exactly what you need to start your day with style. With a dual-ended beard styler, Philips StyleShaver is the first shaver which enables you to shape your beard with one end and shave it with the other. The double-headed design gives you a two-in-one approach to shaving, and all it takes to switch between the two is to simply flip the product over. Its head features a best-inclass trimmer with 12 settings, delivering perfect styling for stubble, a moustache, goatee or full beard. The head also includes a precision trimmer on a narrow neck for optimal visibility, allowing extra fine detailing in hard to reach areas such as under the nose. After you’re done, simply flip the device over and you’ve got yourself a straight-edge, dual foil shaver for a convenient shave along facial contours and the neck. The Styleshaver can also be used to create straight lines to any style; the shaver is fully waterproof and can be quickly cleaned under a tap. Call 17 253-529.

| September 2012

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Horoscopes

Star

Gazing Raphael

Find out what September has in store for you….

Aries March 21 - April 20

This month is all about new beginnings and brings a new project for you to get your teeth into. After several months of uncertainty in your life, which has caused a personal strain on your relationship, the path for the remainder of the year is set to be smoother and much more exciting. You will also get the chance to celebrate goods news on the 13th. Taurus April 21 - May 21

A lot of loose ends will finally come together this month and the sense of satisfaction will be immense for you. A planned move will pass with less difficulty than you anticipated, but the real celebrations will come sometime in the middle of the month as a long term project finally gets the green light, rewarding your months of investment and effort.

Gemini May 22 - June 21

September is going to deliver a great number of work opportunities for you and you’ll need to be quick to take advantage of what’s on offer. Normally blessed with a quick mind, your sign reacts well under pressure, so this shouldn’t be a problem for you. The more you commit to now, the greater the rewards later…

Cancer June 22 - July 23

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Traditionally your sign doesn’t adapt too well to change, but for many this month, some exciting possibilities are opening up for you and in all likelihood your life will never be quite the same again. Just be sure to remember those who have helped you along your path because when things return to normality, they will be the ones you turn to again.

Libra September 24 - October 23

It’s all about new experiences and new challenges for your sign this month, because everything in your life is about to change. Work, home, outlook and opportunity will all undergo a transformation and if you can find the courage to tackle them all positively then you will emerge a much more rounded person because of it.

Scorpio October 24-November 22

September is going to be all about consolidation for your sign, following a busy few months and some turbulent times on the family front. You will need to get used to life without a key figure in it due to a relative’s departure and this might affect you more than anything else. Still, you have many reasons to be positive so stay focused.

Sagittarius November 23 - December 21

A friendship that has come under pressure may finally return to some semblance of normality after you and the person concerned manage to clear the air. Very often it is other people that affect a situation and once the misunderstandings are confronted you’ll soon wonder what all the fuss was originally about!

Capricorn December 22 - January 20

Your luck takes a turn for the better this month following a collaboration with a relative, that puts you on a more positive track for the rest of the year. There could be a few minor issues to iron out in the early stages, but once things move into full swing there’ll be no stopping you and the things you can achieve because of it.

Aquarius January 21 - February 19

With Virgo being the predominant sign in this reading, you can expect a fairly positive month, although there could be a few teething problems for those of you having to adjust to a new living environment. However, the long term outlook is a good one and existing relationships with friends and family will only get stronger because of it.

This month is going to be all about reassessment for you and that is going to include where you take both your career and your romantic aspirations. The departure of a loved one will see you initially soul searching before you begin to unearth some of the more positive aspects that can come from this, especially financially.

Leo July 24 - August 23

Pisces February 20 - March 20

Get yourself ready for a turbulent month, Leo. After several positive gains in August, you are now being asked to deliver on promises made for September and it might initially seem like a tall order. Always a sign to act on impulse rather than reason, you might need to reassess your expectations and crucially those of others to keep the peace! 62

Virgo August 24 - September 23

Your life is going to change with the arrival of a relative who is going to stay for a few months, but it will give you the opportunity to get to know someone you’ve not had much of a chance to engage with in recent times. You’ll also discover a secret that might put you in a difficult situation to start with and it will initially challenge your loyalties. www.womanthismonth.com

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September 2012 |

WoMentality

Hero

Worshipping By Hard-headed Woman

Bird flu, Norovirus, Asian flu, Swine flu and Sars; we have heard about them all. They debilitate at will and are deadly; so deadly that the world went crazy not long back inoculating everyone over a thing called H1N1.

emember that debacle! As quickly as it started, a vaccine was rushed to production, everyone was jabbed and then as mysterious as the wind it blew in on, it was gone. The funny thing is, we hear lots spoken of these viruses and illnesses when they occur because it’s good for business. Doctors get busier, pharmaceutical companies get richer and lab technicians rub there hands together with glee on the overtime they are about to feed off. That is probably why you never hear of the illness I speak of this month, because half the

| September 2012

planet’s population is scared for it to become widely known. With last winter temperatures cooler than this Alpha Female prefers within the region, I became ill; nothing more than a sniffle, really. An aching head at first, sore throat and a light cough was followed by a few days of sniffles and sneezing. Then it departed my body for another. But this is not, of what I speak. You see, my partner came down with the same symptoms about a day after mine cleared.

During the few days I was ill, I was dragged to a night club because his friends had a birthday. I was also, despite pleading for the opposite, marched off to the cinema to watch a movie, my throbbing head did not wish to view. Despite eyes pounding out of their sockets, I was given a lecture on how, “if everyone in the world stayed home with a sniffle, global business would grind to a halt.” Flash forward 48 hours and the world had turned on its axis! In fact, you could almost believe we had entered a parallel universe. You see, the man in my life had the same symptoms, the same sniffles and the same sneezes except ‘Man Flu’, it would seem, is the most debilitating disease in the world. With him, there was no lecture to be had about “global industries grinding to a halt”. Oh no! While he was sick, the whole planet ground to a halt while everyone sought answers and a prognosis for this terrible infliction. His bones too weak to make it to the bed, the first evening he spent on the sofa, his eyes not too sore to watch the sports channels. He dared not consider venturing to the office for fear he might infect others. And the only food he sought was the broth his mother used to make for him as a child. Poor thing, mother lives on the other side of the planet — no mother, no broth, no repairing this man’s ailments. Why is it that a vaccine has never been invented for such a terrible sickness as ‘Man flu’? Why is it that men do not work hand-inhand to counter such an ailment which effects, it seems, only them? We girls may suffer, but men truly suffer harder. More painful than childbirth ‘Man Flu’ is not 'just a cold but a debilitation. Men do not ‘suffer’, they ‘agonise’ through its sniffles and unbearable pain. A hero, according to the great and truly heroic Christopher Reeve,” is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Therefore, I believe my mother, and all women who have suffered on the other side of the sick bed to men, are all heroes. Never once do I remember my mother taking days off sick, laying in bed and being cared for in all the years of my childhood. I’m not anti-male, I love the poor weak souls, but ‘hero’ should be redefined in our dictionaries, as women in relationships who have suffered through the debilitating ailments of the opposite sex! Any woman who can come out the other side of that, with love of man in tact, deserves everyone’s respect and admiration. www.womanthismonth.com