The Express Tribune hi five - October 21

Ms OCTOBER 21, 2012 ISSUE NO. 18

Love for leather Time to bring out your winter wear

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Pregnancy 101 page Daadi vs the Doctor

inside Section In Charge: Batool Zehra Send your feedback to women@tribune.com.pk

what she said

domestic goddess

making breast cancer awareness a priority

Bringing beetroot back

How to survive a Scorpio’s sting?

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Ms

the buzz

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 21, 2012

Pregnancy Don’ts by Mariya Karimjee

All the things that you can’t do when you’re pregnant

Your doctor has confirmed it: there’s a tiny human currently forming inside your uterus. You’re elated that, in approximately nine months, you will be enjoying sleepless nights, incessant crying, and groggy attempts to coo at your adorable baby. But with the deluge of advice from Naani, Daadi and your mother’s khala, it seems that being pregnant means that life as you know it is over. “Beta, you can’t do this anymore,” says practically everyone with a finger wag, and a stern look. There’s an endless list of all the things that you should not be doing. “Really?” You think incredulously, ‘will climbing the stairs really endanger the little human inside me?’. From the patently ridiculous to the scientifically proven, Ms. T has got a breakdown of everything you can’t do when you’re expecting.

Daadi and Naani’s favourite pregnancy don’ts: From your maasi to your waxing waali, everyone will be reminding you of these. We suggest you shrug, laugh and dismiss. No point in engaging in pointless debate here.

1. Don’t raise your arms above your head.

Want the umbilical cord to wrap around your baby’s neck? We didn’t think so either. Well, Daadi and Naani have just the trick to make sure this doesn’t happen. In the second trimester, do your best to make sure that you don’t raise your arms at all. So get daddy-to-be to get you your cereal from the top shelf, change the filters in the AC, and do any work that could potentially put the baby at harm. Just sit and point (without raising your arm), and let him know exactly what household chores need to get done.

2. Avoid sharp objects during a lunar eclipse

Your told you this the second you conceived. Then Naani confirmed it, and now even your neighbour’s maasi wants you to know: make sure you go nowhere near scissors, pruning shears, or a kitchen knife during a lunar eclipse. Every other woman you’ve consulted has sympathetically nodded her head. The risk can be catastrophic; your baby could be born with a defect. Worried that you may accidentally touch something sharp?

We recommend you sit at home all day, and avoid looking at the moon and the sun during the day of the eclipse. Your boss will surely understand.

3. Stop drinking chocolate milk

Late night chocolate craving? Having trouble falling asleep? Don’t reach for a warm glass of chocolate milk! Daadi and Naani will surely disapprove — your baby (girl or boy) could end up with the dark skin that runs in the family (Have you seen those baby pictures of your bro-in-law?). Still can’t dismiss your craving for chocolate milk? Remember this: it’s going to be a while till the doctor approves you slathering whitening cream on your sweet, sweet princess.

4. Quit moving around so much!

Here’s what we’re envisioning: a tiny child growing inside of you. Sure, you can feel it kicking and jostling about, but don’t you think that it can feel you moving about? Do you think the little one hanging out in your womb appreciates it when you stretch out during your morning yoga? Have you wondered why he seems so active when you move into downward facing dog? Be kind to your unborn child! Smile coyly, and have your mother-in-law pick up the spoon that you ‘accidentally’ dropped during lunch.

Bending over isn’t the only thing we recommend giving up—make sure that you quit anything that causes immense physical exertion. Take down that exercise regimen taped to your wall (although you may need it to lose the baby weight), and realise that this is one of the few times in your life that everyone is allowing you to sit around doing nothing other than look pretty.

And a quick note for the hubbys: Ahem… you may want to lay off the bedroom activities for a little while. Daadi and Naani will tell you this at every possible moment, grinning slyly as they watch your face fall in disappointment.

Ms. T recommends that you take this advice with a grain of salt. Though Daadi and Naani definitely know best (and we find it’s not a great idea to argue with them), their theories haven’t necessarily been backed by medical science.

But Daadi and Naani aren’t the only ones shaking their heads in disapproval at every move you make. The docs too have got a formidable list of don’ts for you, and we’d advise you to listen more carefully to what they have to say. So here are...

The doctor’s pregnancy don’ts

1. Lay off the cigarettes

We’ve all heard it, smoking can kill. Smoking while pregnant is a definite no-no; when you inhale that cigarette, your baby ends up in a smoke-filled womb. And if we’re being totally honest, even you don’t really want to be surrounded by those noxious fumes. Add in the evidence that babies of moms that couldn’t quit are more likely to suffer from side-effects like sleep apnea, repeated ear infections, short stature, and possible long-term intellectual deficits, and you’ve got yourself a whopping argument to make a lifestyle change.

You may also want to have a chat with daddy-to-be about his ability to plough his way through a pack a day. If he’s incapable of lasting through those horrible withdrawal symptoms (well, nicotine is an addictive drug), make him take it outside, away from both you and the baby. While it may become impossible to get your friends to stop smoking, make sure that you clear tons of space between you and

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 21, 2012

your unborn child when they are. The good news is that giving up the habit isn’t just good for your child, it’s excellent for you too.

2. Cut back on the caffeine

Though it’s true that most studies show that drinking three cups of coffee isn’t going to do something catastrophic to the foetus in your womb, there are a few reasons that your doctor (and every other advice-giving member in your family), is going to discourage you from indulging in your afternoon chai.

For starters, caffeine is likely to give your baby attention deficit hyperactivity disorders and could result in him having some horrific migraines. Also remember that caffeine is a dierutic — it draws calcium and fluid away from the body, both of which are needed for foetal development.

If you’re an addict, and need to drink a coke or a chai to get you through the day, there are a few ways to keep the withdrawal symptoms at bay: eat frequently to keep your blood sugar up, get adequate sleep, and get your endorphins working for you by exercising.

3. Nix those sugar substitutes

Are you one of those girls who rips open four packets of Equal so that the achingly sweet taste of the artificial sweetener is more prominent than the flavor of your chai? You may want to nip that habit in the bud. While light to moderate use is probably A-ok, experts caution against using sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and mannitol. While there’s no definitive evidence that links the sweeteners to problems in foetal development, studies do show that the sweeteners often cross the placenta, and are eliminated from foetal tissue very slowly. As with many things in life, doctors agree that moderation is probably best.

If you’re worried that ingesting real sugar may make you gain flab, and if you’re already getting concerned about getting back down to your pre-baby weight, remember that studies show that artificial sweetners rarely do anything to help stave weight off. You might be better off developing a taste for brown sugar instead.

4. Forget about the fish

Okay, perhaps that’s hyperbolic. You don’t have to stop eating every fish in the seven seas while you’re pregnant, but you definitely need to avoid a few — any fish with a long life cycle could have been exposed to the kind of contaminants that would be bad for your baby. Give up the tuna, the king mackerel, and the sword fish; they’re high in mercury, which can have severe and lasting effects on your baby’s mental health and development.

Here’s the clincher though: studies have shown that eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (ironically found in most fish) could mean a smarter baby. Weigh the risks against the benefits, and make smart informed decisions about what seafood you’re eating. And as a last rule, stay away from the sushi – many fish used in your California rolls are high in mercury and should be avoided.

5. Learn to live with insects

We all think the idea of waking to a family of cockroaches at the foot of your bed is absolutely disgusting, but consider the alternative. While there’s no evidence that suggests having a run in with a few critters now and then is going to harm you, the pesticides that we often use to keep those insects at bay can. Long term exposure to pesticides has been linked to neural tube defects, and deformities of the heart and limbs.

If you know you’re in a place where insecticides are used commonly, take some precautions. Ventilate areas you frequent well, make sure that cupboards and drawers are sealed shut to avoid contamination, and scrub down food preparation areas super well.

6.Stay clear of the litter box

Actually, make sure you pass off all cat-related duties to your husband. Toxoplasmosis, a disease carried by many of our feline friends, can infect your unborn child. Although it’s unlikely that you have the disease if you’ve been around house cats for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to stay away from anything having to do with cat faeces. Only about 1 in 10,000 babies is born with complications from the disease, but we recommend not taking any chances. Check to make sure that neither you nor your cats are carrying the parasite, and make daddy-to-be handle the litter box for the duration of the pregnancy.

7. Give up those decadent hot baths

We’re not saying that you need to cancel your evening plans in the bathtub with deliciously scented soapy bubbles — considering that you’re carrying another person inside you, getting an above-average amount of R&R is perfectly all-right. Just make sure that you’re paying attention to the temperature of your water before you submerge yourself into the tub. Experts conclude that high temperatures can be harmful to the fetus, or cause you to faint. Anything that could raise your body temperature to something above 102 degrees Farenheit (39 Celsius) is bad news bears for the baby, especially in the first few months. Also be wary of using a heating pad to soothe away the aches and pains of a long day — the device can raise your body temperature excessively.

Remember that pregnancy only lasts for about nine months, and while you may feel like an elephant, their gestational period lasts close to two years. Many of the resolutions you’re making for your baby’s health will be doubly beneficial to yours, and if nothing else, for the rest of your life you can lord these sacrifices over the baby’s head.

Pregnancy

Do’s

It seems like nine tenths of the advice you’re getting is all about the things you can’t do while pregnant. Don’t worry your pretty little head, Daadi and Naani compiled a list of the things you should for sure do while pregnant. The following points are a figment of our granny’s imagination and any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental.

Drink as much laal sharbat as your stomach can handle

Want to give birth to a pretty pink princess? Well, laal sharbat can surely help you out, say Daadi and Naani. Instead of your regular chocolate milk, opt for the sickly sweet syrup in your milk. In one fell swoop, you can get your sugar fix and avoid the glares from your saas for having a darkskinned child.

Put surma in your eyes every day Forget all the evidence that points to your surma being contaminated with lead — it’s vital that you apply it once (twice, or even thrice!) a day so that your baby is born with ginormous peepers.

Use your pregnancy as an excuse to have as much desi ghee as humanly possible

Remember how the last time you made a cake you greased the bottom of the pan? Well, delivering a child is kind of like that, you want to make it as easy on yourself as you can. That’s where the ghee comes in.

Have a tablespoon every morning in your third trimester — it’ll ensure that your baby slips out of the birth canal with ease.

Have conversations with the baby-to-be

Explain exactly what life is going to be like when she comes out of the womb — give her life lessons that she has no choice but to listen to. She is kind of trapped right?

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Ms

en vouge

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 21, 2012

Leath

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 21, 2012

her up With the season of orange leaves and dry chilly air just around the corner, Pelle Capanna brings a chic collection of pure leather uppers, shoes and belts for the fashion forward woman. Whether you’re headed to a daytime soiree or a nocturnal fashion event, you can make a style statement in these knee-high boots and colour-saturated jackets. This collection is sure to satiate your love for leather.

Hair and Makeup: Deeves Designer: Pelle Capanna Coordination: Purple arts and communication Photography: Deeves Model: Sadia

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Ms

what she said

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 21, 2012

Pink as the day she was born

by Sidra Iqbal

Sidra Iqbal is a media broadcaster and development activist. She can be reached at iqbal.sidra@gmail. com and Twitter: @sidraiqbal

We are all chasing our dreams —as young women, our lives are bright and full of beautiful possibilities. When we worry, it’s about everything from our families and careers to outfits, deadlines and diets. We want life to be perfect, with each step taking us closer to success. We expect our bodies to be energetic and resilient. If we allow ourselves to worry about breast cancer, it is usually on behalf of our mums, aunts or grandmothers. As for us, breast cancer seems to be something we can think about when we are older. That’s why awareness seminars and pink ribbon pieces in newspapers and online are not really “talking to me”.

Well, not exactly. While breast cancer is rare in young women, it can and does affect them. In Pakistan, the prevalence of breast cancer — estimated at 38.5 per cent - is the highest amongst all the cancers. Moreover, breast cancer kills 40,000 Pakistani women annually.

I bet you’ve seen these statistics before and probably even know someone who has breast cancer. Still the subject is shrouded in mystery.

Let’s try and simplify it. Billions of tiny cells make up your body, dividing and growing throughout your life and replacing cells that wear out or are injured. When cells divide normally, they follow the genetic instructions on their genes. But sometimes this natural process breaks down and the cells begin to grow out of control. When a gene is damaged, we call it a ‘mutation’. When mutations occur in certain genes, cells don’t die when they should and new cells form when we don’t need them. On the cellular level, the equivalent is a cancer tumour – a group of your own cells that have divided out of control. Breast cancer occurs when uncontrolled cell growth creates a tumour in the breast.

The best way to prevent breast cancer – or to find it before it becomes life threatening – is to start paying attention right now. Your busy life is guided by a carefully juggled list of priorities; something has to be pretty important to make it onto that list. Breast cancer is that important. Adopt a proactive attitude toward your health, and breast cancer in particular, because in your 20s and 30s, you’re developing lifelong behaviours which will pay dividends the rest of your life. It’s the perfect time in our lives to get to know what’s normal in our bodies, so we’ll quickly and easily be able to detect anything strange or abnormal later on.

So from now on, commit to: regular breast monitoring, a low-fat diet, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting or eliminating alcohol consumption and exercising regularly.

One of the best ways to prevent breast cancer is to keep a check on the carbs and proteins you are taking in your daily routine. Cut back on your fat intake and make exercise a part of your daily life. Regular exercise for 30 minutes or more on most days can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Plus, it has lots of other benefits like lowering your risk for heart disease and reducing stress.

A recent study shows that Omega 3 oils (found in fish) lowers the occurrence of breast cancer by slowing down the growth of cancerous tumours and boosting the immune system. Research has shown that certain foods can actually help decrease your risk of developing cancer. Not only are these cancer-fighting foods nutritious, they are usually inexpensive and a natural way to take action and manage your health. These include vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, fibre, fruits and vegetables Breastfeeding for one to two years has been proven to reduce your estrogen levels, which may lower your risk of developing breast cancer (this is especially true if you have a family history of the disease). Breastfeeding also offers many health benefits to babies and may reduce a female baby’s overall risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

Remember that stress is always detrimental to physical and mental health. A British survey in 1995 concluded that women who reported severe stress in the previous five years were 50 per cent more likely to have breast cancer. Although doctors are still not 100% sure about the findings of this survey, they still urge their patients and people in general to cut out stressors from their life.

Monitoring your breast health does not necessarily mean you are looking for cancer, as it’s very unlikely you’ll develop it as a young woman. It simply means taking control of your long-term health!

How to: Breast self-exam Monitoring your breasts over time is one of the best ways to detect any problems, should they arise. Be sure to speak up and contact your doctor if you notice any changes. Stay abreast and aware of your health. You can examine the health of your breasts at home in these five easy steps Step 1: Examine yourself in the mirror and look for puckering or bulging of the skin and/or redness or swelling around the chest area.

Step 2: Raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: Look for any signs of watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood coming out of your nipples.

Step 4: Check the lower half of your breasts for lumps or humps by gently pressing your finger tips on the area.

Step 5: Cover the entire area using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

(With additional information from breastcancer.org)

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 21, 2012

recipe

Beetroot and Gur raita Beetroot and I didn’t have a very healthy relationship while I was growing up. But over the years I have come to realise that this humble vegetable boasts huge health benefits. The vibrant colour and earthy flavour helped its case and today I can proudly say that it is one of the best things you can bring to the table. If you’re sick and tired of the plain old raita, try this beetroot and gur (jaggery) raita, which will win your heart with its bright pink hue and sweet savoury flavour.

This recipe of mine — that featured in the new Madhur Jaffrey’s Curry Nation cookbook — takes no more than five minutes.

ingredients Fresh Beetroots (peeled) 1-2 small Roasted Cumin Seeds (Dry) 1 tsp Sea Salt Flakes 1/2 tsp Gur (jaggery)1-2 tbsp

Serves about 2-4 people

method 1. Mix the grated beetroots with cumin, gur and salt in a blender or with a fork 2. Pour into a serving plate and decorate with a sprinkling of green chilli, coriander and mint. Serve with anything you like!

Green Chilli (chopped) 1 Coriander Leaves (chopped) 1 tbsp Mint Leaves (chopped) 2 tsp Yoghurt (whipped) 3-4 cup

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, OCTOBER 21, 2012

Score

Match made in heaven

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Scorpio man — Cancer woman

A Cancer woman’s loyal and nurturing nature impresses the Scorpio man. The Crab craves a sense of homeliness everywhere and will feel safe in her overpossessive Scorpio man’s arms, while he will feel in control and needed.

Scorpio man — Pisces woman

October ob ber b er 23 — November 21 1

Stung by a scorpio? Ms. T breaks down his charm and tells you how to get your claws into him.

d a e h o i p r o c S e h t Inside

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Make his claws ache for you Scorpio men are all about extravagant, high-end lifestyles. Unleash the diva within and show them you are in for fine dining and yachting.

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Be unpredictable. A Scorpio man likes to have mystery in his life and he will love you if you keep him feeling like he is trapped in a Sidney Sheldon novel.

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Say goodbye to flirting because once your Scorpio catches you indulging in ‘harmless’ flirting he is never giving you his trust back again.

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DON’T even think about it Scorpio man — Leo woman

Both the Scorpio and the Lion are extremely dominating signs. With each aiming to claw down the other, the constant clash of egos will make for a stormy relationship.

Celebrity Scorpio

Avoid his sting

Scorpio men can’t bear provocative or suggestive attire so it’s time to bid farewell to your tank tops and sleeveless dresses.

He finds himself drawn to powerful women with their own life, money, career and interests. So if you’re Plain Jane we suggest you dump those muffins you baked for him because he is already dating that CEO who looks like an Asian version of Victoria Beckham.

Ryan Reynolds

Penn Badgley

Ryan Gosling