The Express Tribune hi five - December 22

Ms DECEMBER 22, 2013

ISSUE NO. 79

Bride Pride

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Menopause or midlife crisis? page

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inside mother superior —

Cosy up with your kids

domestic goddess —

Persian pride

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Section In-Charge: Batool Zehra Sub-Editor: Amna Hashmi

The romantic crooner

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Ms

the buzz

Menopause may indeed be a trying time for a woman but it does not have to be the end of life as she knows it. Ms T sheds lights on the ‘M word’ and how women can make the dreaded transition easier for themselves by Asma Siddiqui

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 22, 2013

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 22, 2013

“I’d call it one hell of an emotional roller coaster,” says Samreen Athar, a 42-year old mother of three when asked about menopause. “I constantly feel trapped between my fulltime job and homemaking. Sometimes, I can’t even choose which cereal to eat. The temperamental ups and downs are exasperating to say the least!”

Samreen’s negative experience of menopause is enough to make anyone cringe. It seems like every woman has her own hormonal crisis to lament over and if not that, it is the terror of reaching it that gets to her. And what is worse is that none of them seek to remedy their predicament: they scream at their cooks, pick fights with their husbands and cry in secret but never try to understand just what the matter is. They regard menopause as little more than just the cessation of menstruation and are unable to cope with the impending effects, leading to family feuds, frustration and further health problems. In reality, there is a grave need to delve into the matter further and inform women about menopause and what it entails.

Biologically, menopause is defined as the absence of menstruation for 12 months or more; when the ovaries stop producing the reproductive hormones Estrogen and Progestrone, rendering the woman unable to conceive thereafter. It involves various bodily changes such as weight gain, increased facial hair, migraines and backaches, restless

“For starters, many uneducated women link menopause to the end of their feminity and curse themselves for it.” Other incorrect notions include menopause being unnatural, a proponent of breast cancer, something only very old women undergo and that menopause signals a time in a woman’s life after which she simply cannot remain a healthy, functioning human being. One grave misconception women suffer from is that post menopause, the body ceases to produce hormones completely and that is what causes all the trouble. On the contrary, hormones like the afore-mentioned Estrogen and Progesterone decline in number, simply because they are needed less now than they were when the woman was younger. For some women, symptoms of hormonal imbalances, such as hot flashes, weight gain and urinary inconsistency may be aggravated post menopause while for others, the symptoms disappear altogether.

It is important for us to know that when it comes to our health, there is a variety of options available out there than can help us through. Some women resort to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to ward off the inevitable risks and side effects of menopause but research shows that taking the natural route is best. The most effective and lasting way to counter the symptoms of hormone imbalance is to make dietary and lifestyle changes and strengthen oneself from the inside. “Exercising, specially walking and

It is high time we stop fearing menopause and welcome it as a new direction in life, wherein our priorities should change from nurturing our families and careers to caring about our health and wellbeing legs, dry skin and even hair loss. Other symptoms include random hot flashes within, sweating at night, insomnia and the much talked about mood swings. “Every woman’s experience of menopause is unique,” explains Dr Shabnam Afridi, Manager at the Reproductive Health Program at Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan. “The extent and severity of the symptoms varies significantly. Sometimes, the symptoms manifest themselves for a short time only and then come back later. Some women show no symptoms of menopause at all!”

For research purposes, Mrs Mehtab Furqan, 50, was kind enough share her story. “I have gained weight and depression is an everyday thing for me,” she admitted. “Nights are the worst as I often feel sudden bouts of heat around my neck and can’t sleep!” Others such as 59-year-old Sultana Khan* showed no symptoms except irregular menstruation.

In Pakistan, menopause is a particularly pertinent issue.

With an ever-increasing population, an average female life expectancy of 67 years (and increasing) and the average age of menopause being around 49.3 years, it is important we stop shying away and bring the issue of this natural phenomenon to the table. As life expectancy gradually rises, Pakistani women now live almost one-third of their lives in post-menopausal conditions! Dr Shahida Mirza, a consultant gynaecologist at the National Institute of Blood Disease Hospital (NIBD) suggests that with “the literacy rate of Pakistani women being just 28%, most women have no inkling as to what menopause is, let alone why it occurs.

“Many of my patients actually ask the most basic of questions like ‘what is menopause?’ or ‘is it very dangerous for me?’

They are so unaware, it is saddening!”

The lack of awareness breeds some myths which have a detrimental effect on women in our society. “There are many misconceptions Pakistani women hold regarding menopause, perhaps due to word of mouth or unreliable information from the internet,” says Dr Mehwish Ashfaq, a medical officer from Islamabad, currently pursuing a MPhil in Physiology.

jogging, is particularly beneficial as it not only keeps the blood circulation flowing but also controls weight gain and strengthens the bones, reducing the risk of post menopausal osteoporosis,” explains Dr Mehwish. “Food rich in protein and calcium are a must for ageing women. They must also try and keep their stress levels in check.” Milk and yogurt, for instance, are known to provide high levels of calcium which enhances bone mass and reduces skeletal fragility in post menopausal women. Foods with a high quantity of Omega-3 are equally vital as they have been proved to combat depression.

Women nearing the age of and those who have already underwent menopause need to realise that just because their menstruation cycle has come to a halt, their lives have not and even the worst of post menopausal symptoms can be dealt with effectively. Mrs Mehtab Furqan, who keeps a wet tea towel handy to control hot flashes says, “Every aging woman has to face menopause so why not be prepared for it beforehand? Women should be informed as to the health implications of menopause so that they may help themselves.” Dr Shabnam Afridi agrees. “If women are made aware of what happens during menopause, they can help reduce the negative effects it can have on their health and family life,” she says.

With a population of 185 million — a number expected to rise to a staggering 226 million by the year 2020 — and increasing life expectancy, it is important we act to fix the lack of knowledge regarding feminine issues in Pakistan. It is high time we stop fearing menopause and welcome it as a new direction in life, wherein our priorities should change from nurturing our families and careers to caring about our health and wellbeing. Our outward appearance may have changed but it is what is inside which matters most.

Remember, menopause is not the end of life. It is simply a new chapter in our story. *Name has been changed to protect privacy

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en vogue Sameen Kasuri’s new bridal apparel are ideal for the winter wedding season

Model : Rubab Ali Hair and makeup : N-pro (Nabila) Designer : Sameen Kasuri Photography : Umair Bin Nisar Co-ordination : Shahid Ahmed

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 22, 2013

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 22, 2013

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Ms

mother superior

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 22, 2013

2) Indoor ice-skating: All you need is some butter paper, rubber bands and a carpet and the kids are ready for a skating adventure in your own home. Tie the butter paper around their feet and secure with the rubber bands. Add some upbeat dance beats and children will love the thrill of sliding around and even falling.

It’s a whole lot of slippery fun!

1) Winter crafting: Arts and crafts are almost always the best way to spend lazy afternoons indoors, regardless of the weather. Not only does art keep children busy for hours on end, it also allows their imagination to flourish and develops their creative sense. Invest in some chart paper and colours and await the masterpiece your child conjures up. You can make winter-themed crafts like homemade snowflakes using just glitter and some printer paper, or tiny snowmen by sticking wads of cotton on plain paper. An easy way to maintain your child’s interest in crafting is by displaying their art on the fridge or bedroom walls to make them happy. Whatever you do, make sure you keep a watchful eye over them lest they create a mess.

In Pakistan, while most of us love the winter season and wait all year round for the first signs of falling temperatures to bring out our beloved coats and shawls, there are those who dread the cold temperatures and chilly winds. But whichever side you are on, you will agree that winter is the perfect time to bask before the heaters and get cosy with you loved ones. Check out Ms T ’s creative ideas for some family fun to keep your children occupied through the winter when it is too cold to take them out. Happy holidays!

4) Holiday info-sessions: Who said learning can’t be fun? Schools may be off for the winter but you can still teach your children a useful thing or two. Make a list of all holidays or major events that take place during the winter season and teach your children the background and importance of each. Some of the main winter events include Christmas, Quaid-eAzam Day and the Chinese New Year that falls arround end of January, 2014. This will boost your child’s general knowledge and keep them productive during their school break.

3) Build a fortress: If it gets too chilly or too dark outside for your kids to play during their winter holidays, we have the perfect antidote: a fortress in your living room. Give them lots of sheets and assign a corner behind your couch or underneath the dining table for them to build a fort. Once it’s ready, hide inside with some fun board games or a stack of books to read together. Warning though: make sure you only use old linen as anything is prone to stains and rips when children are involved.

5) New Year’s family resolution: Winter season means the New Year is just round the corner; a perfect opportunity to instil some good habits into your family. Round up your clan and list some positive changes you wish to make together for the coming year, such as starting a weekly family game night, saving up or simply a household chore wheel. Use small gifts to encourage the children to abide by their resolution. It doesn’t matter what you choose to do so long as you all do it together.

domestic goddess 7

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 22, 2013

Recipe

Sweet Bhakras

Are you bored of the typical bakery doughnuts and looking for something new and exciting to serve your guests for dessert? Well, look no further as I have the perfect solution for you: homemade bhakra sweets. These mouthwatering ‘desi doughnuts’ hail from the finest of Parsi cuisine and are bound to leave your guests asking for more.

Gulnaz Mondegarian is an expert in Iranian cuisine who has cohosted Food Diaries alongside Zarnak Sidhwa to celebrate Community Food Week

Method • Mix all of the ingredients in a deep bowl.

• Knead the mixture into a dough and leave to rest for at least two hours.

• Roll out the dough and cut it into circles using a biscuit cutter.

Ingredients:

• Deep fry each circle in hot oil. Your Bhakras are now ready!

Flour 1 cup

Semolina 2 cups

Sugar 1 cup

Ground almonds 100 gms

Eggs 4

Curd 2 tbsp

Unsalted butter or ghee 4 ounces

Oil

hottie of the week 8

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 22, 2013

Status Born

Single Oregon, United States of America

Birthday

22nd November, 1990

Face

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Uzair Jaswal

Body

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Who is he?

As we said last week, there really seems to be something magical in the Jaswal blood which begets talent and star power. Earlier this year, Ms T presented the uber talented Islamabadi rocker Umair Jaswal, and last week, his brother Yasir M Jaswal took the cake for his musical prowess and creative film-making. This week, we introduce you to the youngest superstar brother of the Jaswal clan, twenty-three year old Uzair who has been breathing new life into Islamabad’s underground music scene for years and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. Already a household name in his hometown, Uzair’s claim to national fame was his soulful hit Nindiya Ke Paar in last year’s season of Coke Studio which propelled him towards a stardom he had yet to achieve. His most recent single, the fun and flirty Bolay has been credited for changing the field of Pakistani music videos forever and brought a new dawn for the singer who had thus far, released mostly mature, romantic ballads. Now, Uzair is all set to take his music career to new heights once he has completed his studies, and what’s more, he has the right set of talent, youthfulness and creativity to carry him through. Let’s just say Uzair is one up and coming musical prodigy that other Pakistani artistes ought to watch out for!

Talent

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Why we love him If you are imagining yourself being serenaded by this heartthrob, you aren’t alone. After all, who doesn’t love a dreamy young crooner, relaying the hit love songs of Nusrat Fatehali Khan with just enough emotion and melody to make us tear up? Uzair’s music has an uncanny knack for bringing out the hidden romantic in even the hardest of hearts and with talent like that, one can only say the best of Uzair Jaswal is yet to come.

While songs like Meri Rooh and Yaheen established him as a hopeless lover, Bolay and Bechara Dil showed a younger, more contemporary side of Uzair, who has the ability to effortlessly juggle both aspects of his personality. All in all, Uzair is the fun and fresh mix of talent and charm, soon to be the future of the Pakistani music industry.

What you didn’t know about him Uzair is the youngest singer to have featured on the Coke Studio platform in all six seasons of the hit show.

He has admitted that his elder brothers Umair and Yasir are the biggest inspirations in his life and credits them for helping him through his life and career ever since they were children.

Although singing is his one true love, Uzair is also fond of acting and has participated in many theatre plays in Islamabad. Who knows, perhaps one day, he will bless our TV screens as the hero of a romantic saga, and we would definitely love that!

Total Package

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