Spring, 2021
OUR NEW ROUTINE
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ALKALINE BENEFITS
ANTI COVID FOODS TIBETIAN BRIDGE ON A HEIGH OF 60 METERS
NEW PRODUCT:
ASEPTOMED DISINFECTING WIPES
SUCCESS STORY: DIOLA DOSTI DEA & MAMADEUS MRIKA NIKCI
One positive side of COVID 19 is certainly awareness increase regarding nutritional supplements consumption since so far there is no formula against the virus. One recognized antivirus is also vitamin C, which at the time being is the most mentioned one. Human body is not able to produce it so if we do not get it from food and supplements we may face its deficiency symptoms. Deficiency symptoms of the same lead to loss of collagen causing weakening of connective tissues. The following are to be continued; – Bleeding gums – Loss of skin elasticity – Loss of hair – Slowly healing wounds – Chronic fatigue – Anemia Bear in mind that vitamin C can be destroyed by heat and light. Thus high heat cooking temperatures of foods rich with vitamin C only can break down vitamin from the food.
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EDITORIAL Our product design development process
Product design describes the process of imagining, creating, and iterating products that solve consumer’s problems or address specific needs in a given market. Our key to successful product design is an understanding of the end-user customer, the person for whom the product is being created. Product designers attempt to solve real problems for real people by using both empathy and knowledge of their prospective customers’ habits, behaviors, frustrations, needs, and wants. Our design department oversees various creative and design projects for our company. They collaborate with other members of the team, ensure projects are cost-effective and maintain an up-to-date understanding of their target market. These professionals often work in advertising, marketing, graphic design, and public relations. The chief design officer has many responsibilities, supervising creative staff, communicates information, helps ensure projects are successful, and is constantly learning about design software and market trends. Bibita Group offers multidisciplinary product design and innovation maintaining a competitive advantage in a tough market demands the highest standards of creativity and business acumen. We dedicate special attention to "Concept Design" which are fresh ideas with a global market perspective. Our methodology bypasses the traditional blockages and allows an open exchange of information and the freedom expression of creativity by each member. Our product design and development capability offers seamless progress and total integration of the product development process from consumer surveys through user modeling and brainstorming to styling, engineering, and production, adding real value at each stage but at all times keeping the product straightforward. We have the insight to captivate a target audience with design style and brand value. We create designs that appeal, at first sight, connect emotionally, and ultimately build a great relationship between the brand and the customer. We are committed to being an innovative team focused on creating and delivering high quality products for our customers.
Sincerely, Kushtrim Vokshi Chief Design Officer, Bibita Group
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CONTENTS Spring, 2021
INTERNATIONAL FAIRS PLMA INTERNATIONAL
SUCCESS STORIES 14 THE INVINCIBLE
MRIKA NIKCI 06 06
19 DIOLA DOSTI
SUCCESS STORIES
21 TIBETIAN BRIDGE 16 25 46 56
BASE AGENCY DEA & MAMADEUS PRI PING & ALKALINE COCO SHOP
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DIGITAL SCHOOL 07
Cooking lover & pilates instructor Jehona Idrizaj Gjocaj
My name is , I’m married and mother of two children. I am Pilates instructor of my own studio “Me Jehonen” in Prishtina and I am a nutrition blogger as well in social media on Facebook and Instagram “Me Jehonen”. My usual day starts in early morning hours planning my day. After my daily family routine I proceed exercising with the morning group. The midday always finds me preparing new recipes for my page and in the evening I carry on exercising with three other groups. Once I finish evening exercises I proceed with my usual family routine. I maintain the page I post my recipes by cooperating with different nutrition companies and amongst many of them is alkaline water. I’m honored and privileged to collaborate with alkaline water company being that I am aware of the importance of alkaline water and how healthy is for human body. Considering that a day for me is very busy with various responsibilities I am especially careful regarding consumption of healthy food and water. Alkaline water suits me as I drink it during meals, while exercising and during the whole day, it does not make me feel full, no bloated stomach, I feel being hydrated and that helps me do my activities with ease. 10 10
•Don’t say you don’t know to make pita Help yourself guys Spinach Pita For the dough: 1 1/2 cup of lukewarm water 3 1/2 cups of flour 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon olive oil For the coating: 1/2 cup of butter 5 tablespoons oil For the filling: 1 kg spinach 2-3 tablespoons of sour cream (schmand) 2 dough sheets / store bought phyllo dough Instruction: •In a deep bowl place flour (half of the cup set aside for later) add salt: make a well in the middle and gradually add water and oil. Whisk starting from the middle using wooden spoon and then place the dough on the working desk, powder it with flour and knead it for a while till you get soft and elastic dough. Cover the dough with a napkin and leave it at room temperature for a few minutes so the dough gets more elastic. •The prepared dough divide into 20-24 small balls, roll them out adding flour if necessary so they do not stick with each other. •In a deep pan melt the butter and the oil. •Rolled out dough balls sprinkle each with butter, divide them in four separate equal portion to finally place them together in just two equal portions with 10-12, continue opening each portion of the dough a bit more with hands so the sides stick well together. •Grease the baking pan of a standard oven and place one portion of dough you made with the 10 rolled out balls spreading it to the edges of the pan. •Pour half of the mixture of spinach sour cream and salt. Above the spinach place the two store bought dough sheets sprinkling them with butter. Then place the other portion of the 10 rolled out balls dough. Coat it with butter. •Bake at 200 C until the upper part becomes gold in color and crunchy. 11
ANTI COVID BASKET
Anticovid basket is a basket which contains products that help the body fight off viruses. With these products you increase the nutritional values in the body and strengthen the immunity. In addition to water, we also have alkaline foods. With these foods we maintain the body pH at 7.4 which is considered as adequate value.
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the invincible My name is Mrika Nikçi, I am 19 years old and I come from Peja. I am a student of Law Faculty of Pristina University. When I was 17 years old I became the first youngest female in the world and together with my father the first Albanians to climb all the seven summits. My ordinary day starts with morning exercises, mainly stretching exercises, while during the day I proceed with my studies and do other things from my list. In the afternoon I do physical exercise, cross-fit and spinning. Weekends in the mountain. My achievements as a mountaineer, including climbed peaks in our country and the region, were mainly achieved at my early age, to proceed with climbing the highest peak of African continent-Kilimanjaro- at my age of 16.-Mrika seven summits project began. Climbing of six other summits proceeded, and all of them just within 8 months, thus 8 months only expeditions and change of continents. There have been many challenges, and each of different kinds. It was thought that I would face the biggest difficulties in the highest world’s peak of Everest, surprisingly the biggest challenges I experienced in the expedition Denal- Alaska (the highest peak of North America) as my body hadn’t managed yet to recuperate the fatigue from Everest (it was only one week between expeditions) and have climbed the peak with my legs bleeding. Then during Antarctic expedition, on the way back from the peak there was such was a brutal storm that my nose started to freeze and I almost lost my nose. Let alone the fact we got blocked for 11 days during the expedition and couldn’t leave the continent. Each of expeditions had its own difficulties and challenges, however we mountaineers enjoy pretty much the experiences as once we reach the peak the beauties that appears in front of our eyes make us forget everything else.
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MRIKA NIKCI
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Building from experience at the largest agency in Kosovo, with some of the most famous brands in the reagion and biggest clients, we felt the need to make an even grander attempt at creating an agency, from the ground up, on our own terms. We provide the necessary ideas and experience for you to build the next level of your venture. Our agency seeks to establish a baseline of quality while always offering something higher. We consider our candor to be the bedrock of each relationship that we form, each lasting a lifetime. What defines us is our diligence and vigor in the construction and execution of your vision. Most importantly, we do it because we love it, not because it's our job.
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Collaboration with Active+ Alkaline Water When we first met with BIBITA Group, we immediately knew we were going to have a long-term and superb collaboration. We started with a packaging design of the newest water brand Active+ Alkaline water which was followed by a well-prepared communication strategy. Since the brand is very unique in Kosovo market, the idea was not just to communicate the brand, but to give further information on its benefits as well. Therefore, we developed an integrated marketing strategy in various channels with 3D animations, video testimonials, OOH, media placement, PR articles, social media and many other activities.
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Biography My name is Diola Dosti and I am a Nutrition/Food science PHD candidate. I have eight years of experience in the field of advice on a healthy way of nourishment on different TV programs in Kosovo, Albania, and Macedonia. I am a lecturer of nutrition subject at the University of Business and Technology in Prishtina and Culinary Institute Neranxi in Tirana. In different TV media, I have presented shows about health and the last one is “Hippocrates in Top Channel”, “Lifestyle medicine” section. In 2019 I was a candidate for Global Women Awards 2019, part of the “Global Women Summit” in London, and was selected in the category of “Global Women Aspiration” in Kosovo. My passion is nutritional therapies, orthomolecular medicine, and functional medicine fields that base the healing of the diseases with nutrition and nutritional supplements. I mainly deal with nutritional plan drafting for patients facing different health problems including children suffering from autism specter disorders.
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DIOLA DOSTI
My book “Diola’s teaching”, nutrition for every disease is evaluated as a “best seller” ranked the four-place, following Ismail Kadare, by Kosovo Publishing Association in 2018. I have established an online platform for Diola’s teaching aiming to increase awareness of Albanian society on the proper way of a nourishing and healthy way of living. My utmost achievement is the foundation of the biological cosmetic line Dbotanical. With incomes from selling the creams with certified organic plants are supported by 50 Albanian families that deal with the growth, harvesting, and cultivation of medical plants in Kosovo. Incited by my passion for healthy foods and nutritional therapies, I have paid special attention to vitamin C consumption which led to a successful collaboration with vitamin C+ 1000mg. In addition during the pandemic time, my curiosity and interest increased in nutritional therapies against viruses used by orthomolecular doctors. Therefore my permanent recommendations in my page “Diola’s teaching” and different television interviews are in favor of using the vitamin considering that today the food does not have the same nutritional content, and above all vitamin C is a vitamin that the human body is incapable to produce it so it has to intake it from outside. 19
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TIBETIAN BRIDGE Rugova Gorge gained one of the most special bridge in the Balkans ‘Tibetan Bridge” 41 meters long, anchored at a height of 60 meters. That enriches integrated adventurous tour package and increases touristic potential of our municipality-Peja. The bridge contains 80 stair treads one has to pass to reach another attraction at this place- the newest Via Ferrata.
HERKUL THE DISTRIBUTOR
Herkul opened its first store in 2015 in Maribor, the second biggest city in Slovenia. We started as a small shop
with few products, mainly food supplements, sport nutrition and martial equipments. We have worked hard and very soon have expanded our offer with quality fitness clothes, so now we can proudly state we own one of the best offer concerning sport nutrition and low-carb products in the country. Our main goal always has been to offer high quality products with good prices and a unique line of products covering all customers’ expectations. Now we can proudly state that we own a successful store in Maribor, one of the biggest in our country, and a really fast growing online shop www.herkul.eu. Now we can proudly state that we own a successful store in Maribor, one of the biggest in our country, and an online shop www.herkul.eu which is actually progressing tremendously. Our team is expanded with opening of an exclusive store in Prevalje-Herkul Koroška. The team of Herkul Koroška in 2019 opened as well the biggest fitness center in the region – Herkul Gym.
HERKUL Our offer
is mainly selective – we work with several well known quality brands of industry. We are constantly in search of world’s well known brands in order to introduce them in our country…..which led us to DUMDUM too. We’ve been searching for a pretty long time for a proper fitness drink and in 2019 we finally found the right one DUMDUM. We’re so proud to have this product brand in our offer as actually there is no comparison to it. For over a year we managed to supply DUMDUM water for selling in two the largest markets of the country and several fitness centers, hence our range of resellers is permanently expanding.
Future plans
We are planning in future to introduce DUMDUM drinks even to more customers. Despite pandemic, which affected market quite a lot, we managed to expand our sale and we plan to do the same in the following months. We are seeking to supply more fitness centers, gas stations, markets and supermarkets of our country with DUMDUM drinks. We consider DUMDUM drinks as revolutionary products with high quality ingredients which are simply of health benefits – found as excessively important nowadays. Their uses also encourage consumers to be active because of the dumbbell shape of a bottle that can be easily used as equipment for home workout. Stay active, stay healthy!
sLOVEnia
Our country is the only country in the world containing the word LOVE in its name - sLOVEnia. Slovenia is one of the smallest countries in Europe. It can be travelled across within a single day, and it takes even less time to travel from Ljubljana to any neighboring countries: 45 minutes to Austria, 1 hour to Italy, one hour and half to Croatia and less than two hours to Hungary. Our population is approximately of 2 millions, however we are very well known for our athletes as one of the most successful in the world and we are extremely proud for that. Green is the color of Slovenian DNA. Slovenia can rightly be called a land of forests because almost 60% of its territory is wooded, making it the third-most-forested country in Europe. It is not a cliché but a pure truth that not in many countries in the world, anyway in case there is any, where one can in the morning hit the ski slopes in the Alps and then to drive off and take a dip in the sea in the afternoon. This is absolutely possible in Slovenia. And all that on a single day. 23
D & MAMADEUS E A
My name is Dea and I am a creator of a blog for mothers Mamadeus. Being that I became a mother in a relatively young age (22 years old) the marriage and parenthood have changed my concept for life in general. Since then I had to pay more attention to my lifestyle, finances and nourishment – having into consideration that I had to be responsible for my child wellbeing too. The idea for creating a personal blog began when I started spoon feeding my daughter. Feeding a baby is an exceptional feeling as one teaches new things on daily basis. The way of preparing food for babies differs a lot from cooking for adults. We should consider to offer to our child fruits, vegetables and cereals in accordance with their age; we should first test the foods we are offering to our child for the first time in order to make sure no allergy or intolerance appears; we should chose as natural as possible products and steam them in order to preserve their nutritional values, we should keep ourselves informed by doctors, books and internet web pages regarding child nourishing. I was always intrigued about how ingredients of one food may affect humans’ organism. Thus the blog was the first proper step I should have undertaken since the beginning of my motherhood path. However it is obvious that being a parent does not consist only with fact how to feed a child. In my blog written articles start with the birth of my first daughter, the feeling of becoming a mother, breastfeeding, changing of diapers up to recommendations about different products improving life of a four year child. Through the blog we follow now the growth of my three months second daughter Juna. Raising four years Anika and three months Juna, with a full part job at a lawyer’s office and running a blog followed by Albanian speaking mothers from all over the world my day cannot be different but full of activities. I have chosen myself this style of life as I like being occupied. Currently I am on maternity leave till Juna grows a bit my day starts by feeding her, changing her diapers, bathing and caressing Juna, then I continue cooking healthy and tasty meals for Anika and the rest of the family; meanwhile I find time to play with Anika or teaching her new things- recently we play ballet at home while watching videos in YouTube. I try to find time to go out for coffee break without children (along with my husband my father or my girlfriends) and generally I live according to the motto: my children deserve to have a happy mother!
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To have alkaline body
When I was 12 I have seen my mother drinking water with a kind of stick (I believe to have been magnet) inside the glass. When I asked her why the stick was inside the glass she explained she was turning the water into alkaline in order to clean her body from toxins and balance her body pH. Due to health problems drinking of alkaline water was recommended by doctors. Today 15 years later when I see Alkaline Active+ water in the market I find it unbelievable how simple is today to clean your body from toxins; you just need a bottle of Alkaline Active+, drink it and you feel better not to need that metallic stick. Today all the family drink Alkaline Active+ water and we all feel much better not just the toxins are taken away and is boosting our energy but also for the fact we notice at once having no bloating. That is the reason I have decided to collaborate with management team of Alkaline Active+ in Kosovo and through a video to share my impression upon using the water for a significant time. I believe that our life quality will improve once we decide taking care and eating healthy food, intake only drinks that detoxify our body and start being physically more active. There is no need though to make such change with stress and panic, we should consider it easily step by step. For instance the first day you start to drink alkaline water and the next day have a fruit instead of having a pack of chips, etc. This is my story why I do drink Alkaline Active water+ and why I do cooperate vigorously with the brand. For more recommends, tips and recipes follow me in my Instagram @mamadeus. 25
NEW PRODUCT
ANTISEPTIC
75% ALCOHOL WIPES Disinfects and reduces the danger of infections through contact. Use them anywhere, clean your doorknobs, keyboard, or anywhere that bacteria may collect on. 75% alcohol sterilizes 99.99% rate.
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DISINFECTING alcohol free wet wipes
Tested according to: EN 13727 and EN 14476. Help stop the spread of germs with Aseptomed Disinfecting Wipes. Strong enough for even the toughest messes, Aseptomed Disinfecting Wipes can be used on hands, medical equipment and most hard non-porous surfaces. Spectrum of efficacy: Bactericidal, virucidal, against all enveloped viruses: Corona Viruses (INCL SARS COV 2/COVID-19), Influenza viruses (INCL H1N1), Herpes, Simplex, Hepatitis, Ebola, Zika, HIV.
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INTRO Digital School is an accredited institution by National Qualification Authority providing information technology courses for children. The school is opened due to the needs and great requirements of the young generation for teaching, knowledge, and more profound children activities regarding this field. There are digital schools already in 10 countries, with over 30 locations all over the world providing in this way to all children, wherever they might be, the opportunity of being part of it.
Children in digital school learn:
The sense of programming through blocks, then due to the logic the children use their own imagination to build games, mobile applications, web- pages, and other different programs. In this way the technology becomes part of games challenge and entertainment for the children of the school, thus learning programming from an early age is important. For nowadays children technology is not any novelty. It is present in every sphere of their lives, therefore its use it’s no longer a challenge for them it’s more or less a simple normal skill. It is essential for the generation of technology they learn how the technology functions from the bottom and to learn how to have control over it.
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THE FUTURE OF YOUTH DIGITAL SCHOOL
Get introduced with Genta- founder of Digital School in Peja
In September of 2019, the Digital School is opened as well in the beautiful city of Peja administered by Genta Çarkaxhija. Genta teaches children the importance of programming and the levels one should pass to become a real programmer. Genta has studied Computer Sciences at the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences of Prishtina University Since 2018 she is part of "Digital School". The enjoyment that works with children can offer is what motivated Genta to be part of Digital School. Tireless work commitment and great love for her hometown helped Genta today to be a managing director of Digital School in Peja. Genta considers as her greatest delight when seeing children’s progress and their enthusiastic commitment.
The consequences of insufficient intake of vitamin C cause several diseases and disorders from anemia to cardiac diseases. The more one individual is sick the more he needs to intake vitamin C. A healthy individual may intake optimal dose of 1000 mg Active+ Vitamin C. Those suffering any disease should be consulted with nutritionist and doctor for dose increase. For instance patients suffering cardiac diseases, based on orthomolecular references of Doctor Linus Pauling, should intake up to 6000mg vitamin C. Vitamin C benefits are really impressive: • Reduces wrinkles • Helps absorption of iron in blood • Anti-oxidant fighting free radicals, in particular in cancerous diseases • Protects cells from radiation • Decreases side effects of nicotine • Increases immunity Vitamin C should become ‘new nutritional fashion’ in all our houses!
ZENEL BEU TOWER Following the recent restoration in 2013 Begolli family has decided to convert the first floor of Tower (Kulla) into a business destination and on 22 June 2013 it was launched as Kulla Zenel Beut restaurant. Construction was carried out by Albanian masters from the school of Dibra with tradition and building experience. The interior decorations were completed by journeyman Hasan Burgu known as journeyman Hasa . Peja as a locality is recognized since ancient period and has been constantly inhabited and developed. Even today as well as secular buildings with monument values. Even today few religious designs involving masters from local artist have remained, as well as secular buildings of monument values. One of the remained buildings of historical, cultural, artistic, ethnological and environmental values is a Zenel's Rushit Begolli Tower known as a Zenel Bey Inn or Tower (Kulla) in Peja . Zenel Bey was a well known individual from a huge great, patriotic and rich Begolli family from Peja . As Renaissance man was in contact and collaborated with Haxhi Zeka, Ali Pasha Gusia, Isa Boletinin , Idriz Seferin , Zejnullah Bey Vuciterna , Aqif Pazqrin etc..He was engaged actively in preparation of Peja Ligue assembly known with name "Besa Bese '' occurred in 1899. As a delegate from Peja he took place in the declaration of independence in Vlora. In the government of Ismail Qemali he was appointed as chairman of the Senate. He was also involved in many other assemblies held in Kosovo and elsewhere. For political and security reasons, when Peja was occupied by Serbian-Montenegrin, along with family he moved to Istanbul, where he died in 1915. Zenel Bey was a donor for rebuilding a complex of Zenel Bey 's Inn , in dwelling site of Pelivan Mejdan. The complex included the Kulla, women's house and other family economic complementary buildings, that used to be rebuilt in the second part of XIX century. Today has remained only the three floor tower that still dominates in the location where it was built. This fortification tower with minor changes still preserves its original state from the old time. It’s worth to emphasize that during the last Kosovo conflict in 1999 the Zenel Beu’s Tower has been looted and burned down. The same happened also to women’s house and other buildings t belonging to the complex. Today, the decorations that used to decorate the “men guests room “and other valuable decorations are missing but we hope that in the near future with an authentic and detailed research the originality will be returned of the tower that belongs to renaissance man Zenel Bey that was awarded many times for his work and activities for the national issues . Zenel Bey Tower as an architectural construction belongs to old city towers. This type of construction is the oldest in Peja city. Besides its significant and external value, besides others, the tower in the initial state was specific with the interior decorations as well. The decorations were present in every alcove of the tower, however what distinguished every aspect of the construction, was " men guests room ". Construction was carried out by Albanian masters from the school in Dibra that had tradition and building experience. The interior decorations were completed by journeyman Hasan Burgu known as journeyman Hasa . Today, the decorations that decorated the “men guests room “and other valuable decorations are missing but we hope that in the near future with an authentic and detailed research will be returned the originality of the tower that belongs to renaissance man Zenel Bey that was decorated many times for his work and activities for the national issues. Following the recent restoration in 2013 Begolli family has decided to convert the first floor of Tower (Kulla) into a business destination and on 22 June 2013 it was launched as Kulla Zenel Beut restaurant.
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butt kicks side to side shuffle crab kicks side plank hip abduction
well known photographer DINI BEGOLLI
Photographer from Peja who is promoting the country everywhere in the world.. As a legacy from the family, the well-known Peja photographer Dini Begolli has been dealing with photography for 20 years now, inheriting this craft from his mother, who had worked in their shop as a photographer for almost 50 years, to be followed now by Dini and his brother. They have begun to deal with this work. Realizing that people’s interest for photography is growing, especially nowadays the devices have advanced in comparison with earlier times when this occupation has been more difficult, Dini has devoted much more effort that led him to become and be recognized as one of the best photographers from Peja and further, he is contributing to the city he comes from to get promoted around the world. Today we can find photos taken by Dini Begolli everywhere, revealing the nature and the city of Peja.
PLMA ONLINE FAIR ULTRA COSMETICS
The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1979 to promote private label. It is the only organization of its kind, representing more than 4,500 member companies around the globe. Membership ranges from multinational corporations to small family-owned companies.
Their products include food, beverages, snacks, health and beauty, household and kitchen, DIY, and personal and leisure products. Some manufacturers only do private label. Others manufacture well-known brands but also have private label operations. For more than thirty five years, PLMA’s annual “World of Private Label” International Trade Show has brought retailers together with manufacturers to help them find new products, make new contacts, and discover new ideas that will help their private label programs succeed and grow. Today, the need for new products, contacts and ideas has never been greater. Private label market share stands at its highest ever. The future promises even more private label as retailers expand internationally and take a larger role in marketing themselves and the products that they sell. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 related developments all over the world, the 2020 program was held as an online event. PLMA’s Roundtable Conference is a unique event, bringing together manufacturers, retailers, trade press, and industry consultants to examine and discuss the issues facing private label. At PLMA 2020 we participated with some products that highly recommended for this difficult time as are disinfecting wipes. This wipe has a fast-acting antimicrobial activity, effective against yeasts, molds, gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, and some viruses too. They are alcohol-free. Disinfect hands and surfaces without soap & water at anytime, and anywhere. They can reduce the danger of contact infections on hands, skin, and all surfaces.
The importance of planners Some unusual benefits to using a personal planner
The importance of planners – Some extraordinary benefits to using a personal planner As technology advances, more and more people are opting for online task lists, by taking notes on their laptops, and setting alarms and reminders on their phones. But there is so much you lose with those types of lists and planners. Sometimes the alarm doesn’t go off, and sometimes that important reminder is erased by your toddler. There is something very sturdy and reliable about a piece of paper and a pencil. Why write down your plans and your goals? “If you have a goal write it down, if you do not write it down, you do not have a goal you have a wish.” - Steve Maraboli “People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine.” - Brian Tracy There are a lot of common, beneficial reasons why people use planners to keep their lives in check. Planners help you know what to expect, they help you set reasonable goals with achievable measurements, and you’ll never miss another deadline again. You may find though, that these obvious reasons aren’t enough to help you maintain a planner. Sometimes the unusual benefits of keeping a planner help you move forward more than the usual ones. Here are just a few reasons:
1.It will improve your mental health.
Keeping a planner doesn’t mean you have to just track deadlines, assignments, and goals. You can track your mood, your sleep, your hygiene habits. If you see a therapist or a psychiatrist, these are actually really helpful with your care. You can also do therapy homework. If you utilize a workbook for therapy purposes, you can do those assignments in your planner! In addition, you can make some personal goals to directly improve your mental health and put those in your planner.
2.It will help you improve your physical health, too!
Some people meal plan. Others chart out their workouts (how long, how many days a week, what workouts to do). You can track your water intake, your weight, your meals, your calorie count, your steps, your added sugar intake, and so much more! If there is something you want to work on specifically, make a plan and stick to it. There is nothing more satisfying than getting to check off that box saying you hit your daily goal of 10,000 steps!
3. You will learn more about your behavior and situational correlations.
Do you ever feel like you don’t quite get how you operate? Ever feel confused by jags of unusual behavior that seem to come and go without a logical explanation? Do you ever wonder why you eat large amounts of chocolate after stressful workdays? Well, ok, maybe you don’t eat copious amounts of chocolate after stressful workdays. But after a few months of tracking whatever it is you want to track, you may start to see correlations in your behavior and emotions. This is actually really important information that most people can’t remember just because they don’t write it down. If you do use your planner as part of your mental health journey, definitely have your therapist or psychiatrist take a peek at your personal tracking. They may find correlations you never even dreamed of. You’ll learn what not to do in your own planner. I promise, as silly as this sounds, it is a benefit. I think people have a tendency to treat planners the same. They operate the weeks similarly and try to stick to a set way of doing things. For some, this works great. They rely on the routine to keep momentum week to week. For some, this may actually be a roadblock. If you’re dreading a layout or you find yourself overwhelmed by what you’re trying to organize, this may be a time to make an adjustment. Planning is super important, but you should only be dedicating a fraction of your day to setting things up and checking things out. If you are spending hours upon hours building structure and you are frustrated, please stop! Take out one thing, see how you feel, and make adjustments until you feel like you’ve hit planner peace again.
4.You can keep collections of anything!
Tracking your work to-do list is great. But what about fun things? What about memorable activities with loved ones? What do you want to binge-watch on Netflix? Vacations? There are also trackers to help you with things. Stop smoking? Lose weight? No spending? Saving? The possibilities are endless.
5. It’s a great way to stand out while connecting with others.
There are a lot of great people out in the planner community! However, it’s actually a pretty small percentage of the people you connect within your real life. But that doesn’t mean your planner can’t be a talking point with other people in your direct communities! Planners make you look organized. Planners make you look put together. Plus, planners are a fabulous way to showcase your creativity. So when you bring your planner to work, to school, or even just out to a coffee shop… people notice! People will ask about it and want to look at it. You will be asked how you maintain it and how it benefits your life. Plus, never a bad thing if your supervisor at work takes notice… Once you determine your groove for maintaining a planner, you will soon discover what benefits your planner brings you. It may take you a while to realize what unusual benefits a planner will bring you, but if you are willing to stick to it, I feel absolutely confident that you will make improvements to yourself.
Write it Down, Check it off, and Journal!
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Alkaline benefits
Protects bone density and muscle mass Alkaline water improves the production of growth hormones and the absorption of vitamin D, which significantly protects bones and teeth Alkaline water reduces the risk of hypertension and heart attacks Reduces chronic pain and inflammation Increases the absorption of vitamins and prevents magnesium deficiencies Helps protect against cancerous diseases Helps manage body weight Fights free radicals which are mainly caused by stress and various toxins Children should definitely take alkaline water with them. Let’s not forget that 74% of the brain is made up of water and only 2% dehydration would suffice for lack of concentration
and memory loss.
PRI PING ALKALINE October is otherwise known as the month of fighting cancer. PRI PING ping pong club has organized a ping pong tournament in honor of women and girls who are affected by breast cancer. This year together with them we were also in support of women and girls, refreshing the tour with our Alkaline water. The participants in the game as well as all those present were accompanied by Alkaline during the organization. At the end we were given a certificate as a token of gratitude for our participation. Fighting cancer is every day more and more a topic for our society, therefore the support of those who have faced or will face is very important!
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You’re not actually confused about what to do.
You just need the courage to do what you know is right!
Incredible health benefits of
YOGA STRESS BUSTER
for your own good
Diola Dosti, a nutritionist from Tirana, has been performing her activity for 7 years now in Kosovo working
with great dedication in order to raise people awareness about lifestyle and healthy nourishment. Through an interview conducted with her, she explains to us in a substantial way about health benefits of alkaline water: 1. At first, please would you substantially explain to us what is alkalinity and pH? And I would initially start the interview with a saying of a Nobel laureate Doctor Otto Warburg who in 1931 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine related to his discovery he did about cancer, he discovered that no disease including here cancer as well can survive within the alkaline environment. According to his suggestions, cancerous cells live in environments with little oxygen, in acidic environments when cancer advances then the body becomes more acidic and the pH gets below 7.35. The scale of pH (the Hydrogen potential) varies from 1 (very acidic) up to 14 (very alkaline or basic) while the normal pH of our body goes from 7.35 up to 7.4. Unfortunately, most of the foods that people consume nowadays are full of sugar, chemical preservatives and are genetically modified foods that cause acidity level of the body. Alkaline foods are mainly vegetables, cereals, nuts, and natural alkaline water. Supporting your body to neutralize acidity is of essential interest in preserving the best health potential. The word pH is an acronym that stands for “potential of hydrogen”. It is a scale of acidity measure or alkalinity of our body fluids. The scale varies from 0-14. The more acidic the solution or the body fluid is the lower the pH is. The more alkaline the body fluids are the higher the pH is. The pH of scale 7 is considered of being normal whereas the human optimal pH level goes about 7.4, namely lightly alkaline. The pH depends also from the location it is found in the body, for instance, the pH of the stomach is the most acidic zone. The pH level is essential for the growth of plants as well since it is of influence on minerals contents of the foods we consume because when the acidity grows in plants the minerals vanish. 2. What are the benefits of alkaline water and is are there any side effects? Certainly, alkaline water is very healthy as provides our body with necessary nutrients that help the body to slow the aging and loss of cells function process. Alkaline water support to reduce tissue and bone damages as well. Therefore if we are to list the benefits of this water they would be as following: a)Supports bone density and muscle mass Getting minerals is of an essential role in the development of the bone structure. Searchers suggest more vegetables in order to reduce muscle damages occurring with aging known otherwise as sarcopenia. Thus the alkaline water certainly followed with an alkaline diet (it would be perfect) support minerals balance for bone formation, including in this case the level of calcium, magnesium, and phosphates. b)Alkaline water ameliorates growth and hormone regeneration, increase and absorption of vitamin D which evidently protects bone and teeth. c)Alkaline water reduces the risk of high blood pressure heart attacks. d)Reduces chronic pains and inflammations Studies have shown that there is a link between an alkaline diet and the reduction of chronic pain. Chronic acidosis (when the body for a long time has a low pH or acid) leads to chronic pains of the spine, headache, muscle spasm, menstrual symptoms, inflammations, and joint pain. A search conducted by ‘Society for Minerals and Trace Elements’ in Germany found that patients suffering chronic spin pains upon using alkaline supplements on daily basis to regulate the pH of their body after four weeks, 76 out of 82 patients reported a significant decrease of pains measured with “Arhus low back pain rating scale” method.
e)Increases vitamins absorption and prevents magnesium deficiency Getting the required quantity of magnesium is necessary for well-functioning of hundreds of enzymatic systems. Nowadays many individuals suffer magnesium deficiency and as result, they suffer difficulties of the cardiovascular system, muscle pains, headache, sleep disorders, and anxiety. Moreover, magnesium is also necessary to activate vitamin D and to prevent vitamin D deficiency. Everything is connected in our body! Nothing functions separately.. f)Supports prevention against cancerous diseases The entire body suffers when cells are short of minerals to function properly and efficiently get oxygenated. Absorption of vitamins compromises with loss of minerals, while the toxins and pathogens get together in the body and weaken the immunity system of the body. Can an alkaline diet followed with alkaline water to prevent cancer? There are many controversial data although research published in the British Journal of Radiology found evidence that programmed death of cancerous cells namely apoptosis had more chances to occur in an alkaline body. Prevention of cancer is thought to be connected with an alkaline diet as alkaline itself reduces inflammations and risk for cancer. Furthermore, the alkaline diet has shown to be necessary for some chemotherapy agents requiring a high level of pH in order to react properly and efficiently. g)Supports body weight managing Limiting yourself from consumption of acid-forming foods and eating alkaline-forming foods you support your body to easily lose weight or to decrease the level of leptin. This automatically affects the hunger and fat burning effect. Being that alkaline water is of anti-inflammatory properties the body gets the potential to keep normal levels of leptin and the person feels content and fed up with those quantities of calories he needs to get. h)Combats free radicals caused mainly by stress and various toxins As far as side effects go they may appear when abusing with its consumption as it can lead to gastrointestinal disorders and skin irritation. Even high alkalinity may cause metabolic alkalosis which is manifested with symptoms such as vomiting and muscle aches. Alkalosis may result in a decrease of free calcium in the body which affects bone health even though the main cause of low calcium levels in the blood is not because of alkaline water but because of the inactive parathyroid gland. However, these cases are very rare. So the body hardly ever can suffer from alkalosis due to the fact the foods surround us are so acidic and we have to balance them by all means. And one of the best ways is certainly water intake with the highest pH. Consumption of large amounts of alkaline water may result with damaging of intestinal flora. So the key is equilibrium. We do neither want increased acidity in our stomach nor do we want alkalosis. 3. How does this water differ from other waters? According to a presentation from the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition drinking of water improves the bloodstream. It enables nutrients and oxygen to get into our cells and tissues. But consumption of water with 9.33 pH level especially on an empty stomach helps digestion of mucosal plaque coating our intestines. There are various researches showing that consumption of alkaline water helps deactivation of pepsin, the main enzyme that causes acid reflux. Those with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high level of fats benefit mostly by consuming alkaline water, moreover, another research explains the difference of blood viscosity upon consumption of alkaline water in comparison with common water (viscosity describes the stream of blood through its vessels). So the bloodstream is found to be better at the patients that consume alkaline water. And that is as a result of increase oxygen circulation. Alkaline water despite other water has alkaline minerals and negative oxygen reduction potential (Oxidation Reduction Potential –ORP). ORP is water ability to act as pro or anti-oxidant. The more negative the ORP value is the better anti-oxidant is. 4. Is it preferable to be consumed by people with health problems? Of course, it is. Particularly those suffering bone diseases, diabetics, cancer, and those with digestive system problems, and certainly those who seek to lose weight.
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5. Is it adequate for children and if so from which age? Alkaline water cannot substitute normal water that a baby intakes. And that applies especially if the baby is breastfed. And that is due to the fact that the babies that are breastfed or healthy fed not consuming sugar and other unhealthy foods that would cause pH damaging of their body fluids or cause acidity in the stomach. It may be used during a meal (30 minutes prior to or after the feeding) but never as a total water substitution. There are contradictory information in that regard, anyway, a baby does not need alkaline water. However, in cases a baby has undergone a test resulting in low pH then it may use it but never completely substitute it with natural water. And that depends on the foods the mother has taken during her pregnancy or other world nourishing cultures of the world. For instance, Indian food is more acidic and to those children certainly is recommended alkaline water 30 minutes before feeding or after the feeding, 60 ml alkaline water (for children age 0-1). There is no doubt that children of age 1-5 become more active and come into contact with environmental toxins. Providing those children with alkaline water will help them to stay hydrated and eliminate toxins. Always 30 minutes prior to or after the meal, One liter per day would be a sufficient amount for a healthy child with no health problems. Furthermore, being that the school semester starts now children should absolutely be provided with alkaline water. Bear in mind that 74% of the brain is contained with water and only 2% of dehydration would be sufficient to have a lack of concentration and loss of memory. Pregnant women enjoying good health may use alkaline water as well. In case there is any health problem doctor’s consultation is definitively advised. Alkaline water is of great contribution for woman’s health considering that the fetus continuously takes from the mother the minerals from bones and teeth so consuming alkaline water (30 minutes prior to or after the meal) the lost minerals get substituted. The adults may consume up to two liters of alkaline water. And that should be applied always 30 minutes prior to or after the meal. 6. We have heard about the alkaline diet too so can you tell us something more specific about that? As to my opinion alkaline diet is a key to longevity. In 2012 a research published in ‘Journal of Environmental Health’ found that pH balance achievement by keeping an alkaline diet is of influence on the reduction of morbidity and mortality including here chronicle diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, vitamin C deficiency, loss of bones density, etc. The alkaline diet consists of the consumption of vegetables, raw fresh fruits that contain a basic or alkaline pH. Furthermore by keeping such diets even the hormones benefits by getting stabilized. The alkaline diet prevents plaque formation in the vessels, stops the agglomeration of calcium in urine, prevents stone formation in kidneys and builds strong bones, reduces muscle spasms, and many other benefits. The alkaline diet attempts to balance the pH level of body fluids including urine and blood. The pH value depends on the density of foods we consume. Fruits and vegetables are those that mostly promote alkalinity. The best choice for an alkaline diet are broccoli, mushrooms, Arabic dates, spinach, avocado, cucumber, oregano, garlic, ginger, peas, cabbage, watermelon, fig, seeds, and banana. 7. Apart from alkaline water what else should we consume during the pandemic? As to my opinion, this is the best suitable time to give up meat. Hence, if possible, let’s become vegetarian during the pandemic. Let us embrace the use of seasonal fruits and vegetables, no sugar but vitamin C. Vitamin C is so fantastic that days and days are needed to talk about it, therefore it is one of the elements that we should always keep in our homes. Do the tests about vitamin D and in case there is a deficiency let substitute it. To get out in the sun and not to worry about, the fear lessens the immune system. That is the only thing that does not serve us at all at the moment. 8. And finally one advice for all those who consume and want to try alkaline water For those that consume and have tried it once, I don’t believe they will change it since its freshness, quality, and its good energy is noticeable from the first sips. Let make it your daily part. Alkaline water may be easily found in trade centers. We are 70% water, are with alkaline pH. Who better fulfill the conditions for preserving homeostasis?
Certainly the alkaline water!
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cocoshop
ORGANIC. MADE IN ITALY. Makeup. Skincare. Haircare Cocoshop is an exclusive distributor for Kosovo with the most popular market of Italian organic certified cosmetics, such as Biofficina Toscana, Domus Olea Toscana and PuroBIO cosmetics. Cocoshop was launched 1 year ago, out of desire and passion for skin, its health and beauty overall. Cocoshop offers a wide range of skin, hair and body care products. Here you can find two of the most popular lines of Italian organic cosmetics: Biofficina Toscana which is one of the first Italian eco-biological cosmetics companies, which offers a complete line of face, hair and body care that are Innovative and high performance products. Domus Olea Toscana has specific products for various skin or hair problems ,with a high content of active ingredients, switching to pharmaceuticals. And of course, an organic makeup line could not be missing and that is “PuroBIO Cosmetics” with high performance and identical to synthetic makeup, but without any harmful ingredients for the skin! You can find Cocoshop in the center of Prishtina on Qamil Hoxha Street “. You can also make purchases from any location in the world through our website www.cocomed.al/ks which is an online store. Cocoshop strongly believes that dedicating and enabling a high standard of customer service is helping us grow! Thank you all for supporting us from day one in our dream, and follow us daily on this journey! If you want to know more about our products, follow us on Facebook: cocomed.kosova and Instagram at: @cocomed.kosova
COCOMED KOSOVA
FROM TURKEY TO PRISTINA
Ozge Baycan journey
Hello everyone! I am Özge Onay Baycan, 35 years old, with a tourism and hotel management university education background. I accomplished my studies and gained most of my work experience in Turkey, I have been working in the hospitality industry for 11 years. I have experience working in different departments of the International hotel chains in Turkey as well, and since May 2020 I have been working as a Spa & Fitness Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Prishtina City Hotel to convey my knowledge gained from my previous experiences to my colleagues and strive to provide personalized services for our beloved guests. Una SPA & Fitness Center, which is within Four Points by Sheraton Prishtina City, tries to offer a peaceful and calm environment first of all by simply being outside of the city and then by promising its guests a unique experience with unique comfort and state-of-the-art equipment. Not only our hotel guests but also other guests living in the city can benefit from our daily, monthly or annual subscriptions that we have arranged for them, both for our Spa and Fitness center. Depending on the types of the memberships, we offer restaurant discounts, discounted room rates, free daily entrances, and massage therapies.
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The positive comments received from our guests are what make us happy and motivated. Working as a team it’s a success itself. The prime duty of our entire hotel staff is to always greet the guests with a smiling face, it makes us happy when we accomplish their needs. Spa & Fitness center consists of sections spread over an area of 1800 m2. Our fitness department is the most modern and most up-to-date fitness center in Prishtina. We have all the equipments to meet the needs of our guests. We have 3 massage rooms with different settings. In our spa section, we have 3 saunas, 2 steam rooms of different temperatures, a cold bath, a jacuzzi, and a swimming pool length of 20 meters. Seeing other spa centers in Prishtina what makes us different from others is that there is no other business alike having activities like ours. The most important factor for the guests to choose the Spa & Fitness center is how much the facility meets the hygiene rules. In this sensitive period we are going through now, we provide for our guests additional concern showing in regard to hygiene rules in our Spa & Fitness center, so positive feedback from our guests in this direction does not. During the project phase of the hotel, our expectations about the Una Spa & Fitness center were very high and we knew that the guests would be very pleased with the service, experiences and the time they would spend there. Even though we may experience problems now and then due to the pandemic, we are now experiencing the satisfaction of achieving these expectations. We proceed with our teammates, management staff and owners utmost strength to uphold the quality service and positive feedback getting from our guests. From now on, we will continue to be a trendsetter in Prishtina. We continue our projects in this direction, and very soon we will announce our new surprises for our guests.
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10 powerful spring super-foods to
eat this season
When spring rolls around and warm temperatures are finally on the horizon, the need to readjust everything in your life might feel more apparent than ever (it’s called “spring cleaning” for a reason). But in addition to cleaning out your home and trashing old knickknacks, you should also restock your kitchen with ingredients fresh for the new season. While some foods can be purchased in any season like avocados or bananas some are best enjoyed in the springtime. Spring is a time for growth and renewal, a time to cleanse from the heavier foods and sedentary style of winter. During spring our bodies naturally want to eat light and refreshing foods. Spring brings with it a plethora of delicious seasonal food. From Arugula to Fennel here are 10 spring foods everyone should try.
1.Arugula Rich in vitamins like A, K, and folate, plus chlorophyll, fiber, and even water, these leafy greens will help reduce inflammation while also hydrating and detoxifying your body. How to eat it: Just toss raw greens in a bowl with other veggies, nuts, or seeds and drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar or citrus juice. Chop or tear them into bite-sized pieces to enhance the texture of your salad.
2.Asparagus Even more abundant in vitamin K (which you need for blood clotting, heart and bone health, cancer prevention, and many other functions), as well as copper, selenium, B vitamins, and many other important nutrients. Asparagus can improve your overall health. How to eat it: asparagus is delicious simply sautéed with garlic and sea salt in some butter, ghee, coconut oil, or even a little vegetable or chicken stock. Just be sure not to overcook it! You want it to remain vibrant green and retain its shape as it softens a bit but stops cooking before it gets too wilted. About 10 minutes should do it!
3.Carrots We’re all familiar with this classic vegetable but when they’re in season locally carrots are absolutely delectable. Rich in vitamin A and other antioxidants, they’re great for maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails, and are therefore considered an “anti-aging” food, plus they are a powerful cancer-fighter. How to eat them: You can play around with many different ways of chopping, slicing, or shredding them onto anything from salads to sandwiches or tacos. You can even spiralize them as an alternative to zucchini to make healthy “pasta.” They are also the perfect travel snack and are great dipped into nut butter.
4.Mint This powerful herb grows like a weed and sometimes doesn’t get enough credit for its powerful healing properties. Mint contains an antioxidant called rosmarinic acid, which can relieve seasonal allergy symptoms (the not-so-great side effect of spring!), the menthol it contains is a natural decongestant, and it can also soothe an upset stomach. How to eat it: Mint is a delicate herb so it’s better not to cook it. You can add it to water or iced tea for refreshing natural flavoring, it also makes a great edible garnish, and can be chopped and added to fruit salads.
5.Mango Mango is packed with vitamin A and C, is low in fat, and cholesterol-free. To choose a ripe mango, make sure it’s slightly firm with a little give and emits a strong, sweet scent. Mangoes improve digestion and help treat diabetes.
6.Spinach Spinach is naturally high in fiber, energy-boosting iron, bone-strengthening magnesium, and vitamins A and C. These powerhouse nutrients are also good for your eyes. Choose full, crisp green bunches of spinach.
7.Pineapple Pineapple’s antioxidants help enhance your body’s natural healing process. In particular, it’s brimming with vitamin C. Choose a heavy pineapple with dark green leaves. Avoid ones with dark or soft spots.
8.Cherries Research links cherries’ red color—due to powerful anthocyanins—to a reduction in inflammation, total cholesterol, and belly fat. Eat them as a snack, on top of yogurt, as an add-in for smoothies.
9. Apricot High in vitamin A and C, potassium, and fiber, apricots make an amazing low-fat snack. They also naturally help regulate your body’s digestive system. Make sure to choose apricots that are uniformly colored, firm, and plump.
10. Fennel Fennel is high in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, as well as being fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low-sodium. Interestingly enough, the underrated veg also helps naturally treat respiratory disorders. Choose a fennel that has a firm bulb and unblemished green leaves.
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there is no better protection against disease than a
strong immune system