The Express Tribune hi five - February 16

Ms FEBRUARY 16, 2014

ISSUE NO. 87

Wedding Bells

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Processed Food: Simple or Complicated?

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inside mother superior —

Your pregnancy reading list

domestic goddess —

Balsamic bliss

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

The stud of the silver screen

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Ms

the buzz

Ms T takes a sneak peek into the average Pakistani menu to see how it has changed and what it means for our health

by Iram Moazzam

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 16, 2014

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 16, 2014

I stay away from readymade frozen foods as there is some milaawat in everything. Terms like ‘hormone injection free’ and ‘fat free’ are nothing but marketing gimmicks by manufacturers, hungry for profits The advancement of technology has benefitted women in many ways. From electronic appliances like grinders and espresso machines to food storage facilities like deepfreezers, technology has all but revolutionised the process of cooking all over the world.

The chopper bade farewell to the traditional stone slabs used by our ancestors to crush spices (sil) and a few years later, the very spices and condiments the sil was used for were replaced by packaged masalas and flavour powders. And women of today aren’t complaining! In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, who would be willing to toil away in the kitchen for hours every day? Technology and lifestyle changes have reduced the time we spend in the kitchen considerably. Craving a cake? Purchase a cake mix. Thinking of cooking some biryani? Just throw in some prepared masala and voila! Your dish is ready.

Be it full-fledged foods or raw meats, ingredients and spices, cooking has been thoroughly simplified. But has it taken a turn for the worse?

The majority of the food we consume nowadays is processed and packaged, which is bad news not just for the environment but for us as well. These processed foods contain multiple chemicals which afford them their colour, taste, longevity and freshness for which, they often undergo energy-intensive processesing. In addition to this, cardboard packaging often contains chemicals called diisopropyl-naphthalenes (DIPNs) which can migrate into the food it carries, rendering it unhealthy for consumption.

Perhaps a good example of this would be the milk that we now buy off the shelves: all leading milk brands in Pakistan are UHT (Ultra Heat Treatment) treated. This involves heating milk at 135 degrees Celsius — above boiling point — and then cooling it back down for packaging. While the intense heat kills bacteria, it also causes the milk to lose its

and many are growing apprehensive regarding the meat they purchase. “Chicken and beef are a staple feature of Pakistani cuisine without which our daily meals feel incomplete,” explains Shehla Shahid, a stay-at-home mother of four who likes to prepare the household food herself. “But there have been recent rumours about the animals being given hormone injections to make them bigger and reproduce more which have frightened me. I am unsure of where to buy meat from now!” Amir Nadeem from Sargodha agrees.

“My family and I only purchase desi chicken and desi eggs now. God knows what happens to the animals at broiler farms,” he shares. Trans fats, saturated fats, sugar and sodium nitrate in large quantities are just some of the substances injected into processed meats.

They may enhance colour, prevent oxidation and bacteria but also lead to cancer.

The arrival of prepared meals and heat-and-serve finger foods has been a blessing for many women like Tahira Bilal, juggling their homes and careers. “Having access to ready-made kebabs, wings, French fries, etc has been a blessing for me,” she admits.

“Whenever I return home from work and am too tired to cook, I simply heat a few kebabs and serve them as dinner. Not only do they save time, they are also delicious and perfect for unexpected guests!” For Madeeha Azam, achieving the perfect biryani for her family seemed impossible, especially with a full time job but now, local biryani mixes save the day.

“I never thought I could cook. Ready-made masala mixes are my saviour,” she exclaims.

Tayyaba Shabbir from Lahore however, holds a contrasting view. “I stay away from readymade frozen foods as there is some milaawat in everything. Terms like ‘hormone injection free’ and ‘fat free’ are nothing but marketing gimmicks by manufacturers, hungry for profits. There is no knowing what might be in their products.” Digging deeper into the products lends credence to Tayyaba’s claims as many of them contain ingredients like Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) which has been proven to perpetrate migraines and even autism and psychological disorders!

The rise of packaged food and ingredients is symbolic of the changes the average Pakistani household has undergone over the years. “When we were younger, we would wake each morning to the aroma of desi ghee ke parathay and fried eggs, made by my mother. We grew up strong and healthy,” reminisces Mrs. Malik Sulman, a grandmother from Islamabad. “Nowadays, mothers don’t seem to be bothered enough to get up in the morning and cook a nutritious breakfast for their children. Just boil some sausages or buy a packet of biscuits at the nearest grocery store on the way to school and that’s all. No health considerations, no nutrition. Nothing.”

One can consider it a generation gap but most elders admonish the consumption of packaged foods, saying they are neither healthy nor tasty. Of course, indulging in organic foods and natural produce is advisable in the long term but according to Shaheena Khilji, a mother of three from Islamabad, moderation is key. “I think the problem with the new generation is that they are either too little or too much,” explains Shaheena. “My own children are like that. They have very strong likes and dislikes about everything, including food and of course, most of them avoid vegetables and fruits like the plague! If people can simply regulate their consumption of processed foods, instead of relying on them alone as most youngsters do these days, the unhealthy aspects of these products can be countered.”

That is not to say all processed, pre-cooked and packaged food items are detrimental to the human body. Many products also contain vitamins and other minerals essential for a healthy life, just so long as the main vices — mainly MSG, artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, preservatives and artificial colours — are avoided. It is best to choose products with just a handful of ingredients, most of which can hopefully be recognised.

There have been recent rumours about the animals being given hormone injections to make them bigger and reproduce more which have frightened me. I am unsure of where to buy meat from now! nutritional value, taste and smell and manufacturers are forced to add artificial chemicals to regain them. The process also involves homogenisation, which ensures that milk and water are not separated to prevent curdling. Once the liquid is processed, it is packed between six layers of cardboard, polythene and aluminium sheets to preserve it for a long time. The shelf-life of the average milk pack ranges between six to nine months, during which time chemicals like urea, found in the packaging, seep into the milk inside.

In a nutshell, the milk provided to us is nothing but liquid sold as milk. The ‘pick-and-pour’ appeal of these milk packs pales in comparison to the harmful effects they can perpetrate and many like Mrs Aman-ul-Haque are now switching back to fresh milk. “I once found a thick layer of white solids collecting at the base of the milk box,” she says. “Ever since then, I buy fresh milk for my four children. It isn’t as convenient but at least we are safe from preservatives and other chemicals!”

As if milk was not enough, food chemicals have made their way to cold meats as well

4 Ms

en vogue

She’s Got The Sadaf Amir showcases her classy new wedding wear for the upcoming spring wedding season

Coordination: Umer Mushtaq Hair & Makeup: N-Pro, Nabila Designer: Sadaf Amir Photography & Styling: Munna Mushtaq Model: Saima Azhar

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 16, 2014

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 16, 2014

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6 Ms

mother superior

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 16, 2014

Expecting a baby soon? It is the calm before the storm and the perfect time to by read up on parenting books Shaza Nishat Women are born researchers and often hit the bookstore immediately after confirming a positive pregnancy test. But many a times, they do not know where to start, especially considering the vast variety of literature available regarding babies and expecting them. But fret not! To make your pregnancy easier, I have conjured a list of some classics that helped me through this trying time in my life. Hope it helps you as much as it helped me!

1) What to Expect When You’re Expecting p g by y Heidi Murkoff,, Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway: This divine book for pregnancy egnancy has accompanied thousands of expecting g mothers across the world through nine months onths of prenatal tests, food cravings, bathroom athroom problems and of course, all that anxiety and worrying. Written in a month-bymonth format, What To Expect makes for an interesting ng and continuous read throughout ghout your pregnancy. Updated ted frequently to include the latest information about babies and childbirth, as well as modern nutritional guidance, the book is comprehensive and comforting — especially for first-time parents.

2) What to Expect In the First Year

by Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway: Is your baby eating enough? Is crying this much normal? How will ll you know when your baby aby is really sick? This hefty, y, 671-page guide answers rs all such questions. The three ree authors, all mothers themselves, mselves, are calm, clear and encouraging raging as they tackle the many aspects ts of child-rearing, month by month. The easy-to-absorb chronological format includes ncludes a variety of sections such as ‘Whatt your baby may be doing?’

‘What to expect at thiss month’s checkups?’ ‘Feeding your baby’ and ‘What you may b be concerned d about?’ b t?’

3) Baby and Child Care by Dr Spock: His no.1 rule for effective parenting: Trust yourself! You know more than you think you do. Dr Spock’s guide has been passed down from one generation to another and now, in its eighth addition, the classic handbook is finally complete. It includes all the information parents may need to meet the challenges of raising a child in the new millennium. The

best-seller covers a range of topics including nursing, nutrition, vaccinations, common toddler disorders, first aid and even how to raise non-violent children!

4) The Baby Owners’ Manual by Joe Borgenicht: This baby manual is nothing less than a life-saver! It takes a gimmick and makes it work like no other: ostensibly written as the missing instruction booklet your new babyy should have come with, it is a no-nonsense introducThe book is divided tion to baby care for new parents. T Preparation and home into seven major chapters: Pre installation, iins n tallation, general care, feeding, programming maintenance, growth sleep mode, general m and finally, emergency and development a And the best part is maintenance. An most other baby books, that unlike m doesn’t focus on the this one do love and frustration a new brings home, using lots baby br warm fuzzy verbiage. of wa a multitude It covers co of ttopics briefly, with carefully chosen words ca and each topic that a requires parental action offers some tips broken down into simple step-by-step instructions. But just like any other instruction manual, the book may fail you if you acquire a serious problem.

5) Battle Hymn of tthe Tiger by Amy Chua: C Although Chua’s book Al isn’t exactly a book about isn’ parenting, it offers an inpare teresting viewpoint to raisterest children in today’s world. ing child Brutally h honest and relatable, extreme candidness can Chua’s extre embarrass the reader but goes often embarra preventing parents who a long way in pre tend to mollycoddle their children from raising spoiled brats. reading list in advance of Extra tip: Finish off your readin your b baby’s they might b ’ arrival i l as th i ht nott be so keen on letting you get away from them once they arrive. While the books have proved a great help for many, the internet is also a wonderful resource for parents who wish to do some deeper digging. With countless baby blogs, video tutorials, parenting forums and websites such as www.babycentre.com, important information is simply a few clicks away. So read on and prepare yourself for the joys of parenthood.

Happy reading!

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 16, 2014

Recipe

domestic goddess 7

Balsamic Glazed Chicken Skewers Hungry for a snack? Try my recipe for grilled chicken skewers. They are light to eat, great to taste and the balsamic glaze adds the right amount of sweetness to the chicken.

Go on, give it a shot. It is finger-food at its very best!

Method • Soak the wooden skewers in water for about 15 minutes so that they don’t burn on the grill.

• Chop the onions into wide squares. Skewer the chicken and onions, one after the other. Aim for 3 onion squares and 5 to 6 chicken cubes on each skewer.

• Season the skewers with salt, pepper and garlic powder on both sides.

• In a pan, mix the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, ketchup, salt, pepper and 1 ½ tsp of garlic powder together to make the balsamic dressing.

Cook the mixture on low heat, stirring throughout. Take the pan off heat when the ingredients are mixed completely and the dressing starts to boil or thicken.

• Heat a grilled pan with some cooking oil and cook 4 to 5 skewers at a time (depending on the size of the pan).

• Drizzle the balsamic glaze on all the skewers with a spoon or cooking brush. Remember to turn the skewers over so each side is cooked properly and gets ample glaze.

• Cook for about 6 to 7 minutes or until the chicken is done completely on each side.

• Use any leftover glaze to drizzle over the skewers before serving or simply use it as a dip. You snack is now ready.

Extra Tip: Add a teaspoon of BBQ sauce to the glaze for additional flavour.

Seemi Aamir is a part-time teacher and mother of three who spends much of her free time trying out new recipes and creating her own

Ingredients:

Chicken breast (cut into 1/2 inch cubes) 1

Onion 1

Balsamic vinegar 2 to 3 tbsp

Garlic powder 1 to 2 tsp

Ketchup 2 tbsp

Salt and pepper to taste

Brown sugar 1/4 cup

Cooking oil

Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp

Skewers

Mustard paste 1/2 tsp

hottie of the week 8

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 16, 2014

Status Born

Committed Lahore, Pakistan

Birthday

2nd May

Face

85%

Gohar Rasheed

Body

85%

Who is he?

Actors are born, not made and Gohar Rasheed proves it. You may recognise him as General Zia-ul-Haq from Anwar Maqsood’s political satire Pawnay 14 August. Whether it’s his theatre performances or intense roles on the silver screen, Gohar knows how to leave a lasting impression on the audience. His brilliant performances in Shah Shahrabeel’s Moulin Rouge and Bombay Dreams received outstanding praise which won him a role in Humayun Saeed’s production house, Six Sigma Entertainment. Last year, Gohar captivated hearts across the nation as the phenomenal Kaali Andhi in the smash hit Mein Houn Shahid Afridi. He is currently involved as a producer in the upcoming movie Kambakht and an all-star cast member in an untitled film being produced by Zeba Bakhtiyar. And what’s more, Gohar is a great sport and very, very pleasing to the eyes. Needless to say he is well on his way to national stardom and our hearts!

Talent

85%

Why we love him An introvert by nature, Gohar initially had a hard time expressing himself in front of hundreds of people but he took it as a positive challenge. He began by participating in school plays and fell in love with acting. He continues drawing inspiration from within and things around him, be it a great book, a movie, friends or family.

The best part about Gohar is that he is a true desi at heart. His favourite holiday destination is home and his usual hangouts include local dhaabas around his hometown, Lahore. Gohar is extremely patriotic and hopeful about everything Pakistani, especially the blossoming movie industry.

What you didn’t know about him Gohar hates lies, no matter how hard the truth is.

His favourite cuisine is Mexican, after desi of course!

If not for movies, Gohar would have joined his family business. Boy, are we glad that didn’t happen!

Total Package

85%