February's issue

February 2014

Fashion & Lifestyle

African Mango What’s the Truth Behind the New Magic Pill?

The Big Hair Trends for this season Erdem’s Pre-Spring 2014 Collection

Circuit Training 101

All I want in my lover is…

STRADA. EXCLUSIVELY ITALIAN AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CAIRO AT THE FIRST RESIDENCE

Stroll in for Friday Brunch at STRADA restaurant Chef Riccardo ignites your weekend with Italian comforting flavor infused dishes.

From live cooking stations to kids activities it’s a start to a beautiful weekend for the whole famiglia.

LE 300++, per person Every Friday from 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm For further information or bookings please contact the Hotel directly on (02) 3567 1600

35 Giza Street, Giza, Cairo, Egypt 12311 Tel: (02) 3567 1600 www.fourseasons.com/cairofr Twitter: @FSCairoFR Facebook: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

Contents

February 2014 Fashion 14 Ladybird Loves Erdem 16 Steal Julianne Hough’s Style 18 Embrace your Redness 20 How to Go from Simple to Statement 22 That Cool Sweater 24 Red Carpet Fashion at the Golden Globes 2014 26 Photo Shoot: Spice it up with Spicy Collection by Dina Shaker 34 Shopping… Woman’s Greatest Love!

BEAUTY

38 Get your Hair Ready for Spring/Summer 2014

2 | February 2014

FACES OF EGYPT 40 Gazef: Taking you off the Tourist Track 42 Meet the Life Coach: Tamer El Sheikh 44 Gazwareen: Driftwood Furniture by Shahir Maged

Home

48 Latest Decor Trend: European Country Style

ESCAPE

50 Strange Valentine’s Traditions from Around the World 52 Pamper your Darling at Egypt’s Crème de la Crème Destinations

Health

60 The Verdict is Out 62 Have a Healthier Stronger Back

FITNESS

64 Circuit Training 101 66 From the bottom of your heart and on top of your mind… TO THE GYM!

Nutrition

69 African Mango; What’s the Truth Behind the New Magic Pill?

70 Small Changes Make Big Differences

Cooking

72 Cherry Jam Cookies

let’s Vale nti n e ... at tH e C ai ro M ar r i ot t

Cairo Marriott Hotel & oMar KHayyaM Casino 16 Saray El GEzira St., PO BOx 33 zamalEk, CairO 11211, EGyPt. t: 00. 202.27.28.3000 CairOmarriOtthOtEl.COm araBiC.marriOtt.COm

ValEntinE’S Day iS nOt Only aBOut rOSES, hEartS anD CanDlElit DinnErS. FOr thE yOunG at hEart, what’S nOt tO lOVE aBOut ValEntinE’S BrunCh at thE GarDEn PrOmEnaDE anD all-yOu-CanEat SuShi at tOrii, whErE thE atmOSPhErE iGnitES thE SParkS OF lOVE. traDitiOnal rOmantiCS will lOVE Our rOOm anD SuitE PaCkaGES with DinnEr at Jw’S StEakhOuSE, riStOrantE tuSCany Or Saraya GallEry in thE EnChantinG GEzirah PalaCE, Or at EGyPtian niGhtS, inCluDinG BrEakFaSt. an ultimatE PriVatE trEat FOr an intimatE CanDlElit DinnEr FOr twO awaitS thE mOSt lOVinG in thE GranDEur OF EmPrESS EuGEniE’S quartErS.

On Spot

94 Dusit Thani LakeView Chosen for DG Special Award 95 Dance Mania for the Charms Ladies Society at JW Marriott Cairo 96 Festive Celebrations for the Winners in Maadi City Centre and Alexandria City Centre 97 Biker Zone Expo & Show At Cairo Festival City 98 Terranova Now Open in Cairo Festival City 99 Abraj Misr New Year’s Fun Day 100 The Platform Corniche El Maadi is Ready to Welcome you

In every issue: LOVE & RELATIONSHips 74 76

All I want in my lover is…

Connecting from the Heart

Mother & Child 78 The Ugly Truth

Editor’s letter P.10 Spotted P.36 Shopping cart P.37 Pieces we love P.46 Ladybird’s Q&A P.58 Why eat this? P.68 The best, the top & the must do! P.84 Reviews P.86 Happenings P.84 Horoscope P.92

Features

80 The Red Riding Day 82 Discover the Early Gemstone of Saint Valentine

COVER OUTFIT Spicy Collection by Dina Shaker

L ad y b i r d Scan it & get connected to our facebook fanpage to get all our tips, updates and news!

FOLLOW US ON: Ladybird Fashion & Lifestyle Magazine @Ladybirdmag ladybirdmagazine 4 | February 2014

CEO Zeyad Sorour Editor-in-Chief Ismail Marzouk PR & Marketing Naira El lamei Project Manager Samar Zaki Senior Editor FARAH ASFOUR Editor Yosra Shohayeb Editor NOHA KANDIL Senior Graphic Designer Eman Salama Graphic Designer MARINA RAAFAT Financial Director Haitham Hamouda Distribution Ahmed Abou el Ela, Ahmed Fawzy & alaa hussein

Distributed by Al-Ahram Association 23 Emad El Din Kamel St., Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt Tel/Fax: (+202) 22627533 www.ladybirdmagazine.com

Contributors

Maha Abdel-Latif

Fashion and Beauty Blogger A US graduate with a BBA degree, whose passion for beauty and fashion has been a constant since her youth.

For advice, please contact: mahaabdellatif@thecairocloset.com

Natascia Paolucci

Dr. Sherine El Shimi

Clinical Nutritionist She attended the Faculty of Medicine at Alexandria University, did a diploma in Nutrition and Public Health, then got her master’s in clinical nutrition from the University of Roehampton in London. Now, Sherine is a clinical nutritionist and a member of the Nutriton Society in the UK. For advice, please contact: selshimi@gmail.com Facebook: DrSherineElShimiNutrition 6 | February 2014

Professional Fitness Coach Between 1983 and 1989 she won several fitness competitions in the Netherlands, later she started to work as a model, made the cover of the first Marie Claire in Turkey. She became GO for the fabulous Club Méditerranée. Now she coaches in Katameya Heights and Palm Hills.

For (private) classes, please contact: natascia.paolucci@hotmail.com

Nour Aboulela Fashion Blogger Love by N (www.lovebyn.com) For advice, please contact: info@lovebyn.com

Nivine Mukhtar

Jewelry Editor Graduate from Faculty of Arts English Department Ain Shams University.

Has accredited jewelry professional diploma and jewelry business management diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Noura Hassaballa

Nutritional Consultant Bachelor of Science in dietetics and nutrition, Northern Illinois University, Illinois, USA. Specialized in weight loss and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Using anthropometric measures in assessing health, eating habits and lifestyle. Implementing individually tailored nutrition programs to improve overall health and delay the onset of chronic diseases.

For advice, please contact: noura.hassaballa@gmail.com

Alaa El Garhy Fashion Stylist For advice, please contact: alaaelgarhy28@gmail.com

Bettina Hemmingsen

Sally El Bardesy Interior and Furniture Designer For advice, please contact: Sally.elbardesy@live.com Facebook: Inbox - the pampered little storage

8 | February 2014

Family Counsellor and Therapist Trained at the Walter Kempler Institute in Copenhagen in Psychotherapy and Family Therapy and Counselling and have practised for more than 12 years.

Her consultation spans from Marriage Counselling to Individual therapy and Group Sessions. Furthermore she has a Bachelor in Social Work.

Fitness Coach For advice, please contact: She decided to quit her office job bettwe.hemmingsen@live.dk and follow her passion as a fitness coach. Now she is the first Egyptian Cheerobics Instructor. She has two fitness certificates from the leading certification programs: Gold’s Academy and the International Sports Science Association. She is currently studying for a Sport Yoga Certificate from the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA).

For advice, please contact: khalilsamira1@gmail.com

Samira Khalil

AH L GEZIR O, EGYPT CAIRO E TEL.COM CAIR SOFITEL UNCIL ST. ZAMALEK, 3737 - H5307@SOFI

37 AWRA CO L: 02 27 3 EL TH 518 - TE , GIZA, 11 ORMAN

732 EL PO BOX

d ha Ba r Th e Bu d

te l Th e Ho

So Spa

BUDDHA BAR. SPICE IT UP ON VALENTINE’S DAY. ENJOY OUR MAGNIFIQUE VALENTINE’S DAY OFFER INCLUDING A FOUR COURSE DINNER AND THE FINEST BEVERAGES AT THE BUDDHA BAR, WITH LIVE BAND AND DJ SPINNING THE LATEST TUNES. FOR 800 LE FOR TWO PERSONS,. FOLLOW THIS UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT IN ONE OF OUR LUXURIOUS ROOMS FOR LE 2014.*.

VALENTINE’S DAY IS ALWAYS MORE SPECIAL AT SOFITEL CAIRO EL GEZIRAH! AWSAN, LUXOR, TABA AND ALEXANDRIA… DISCOVER ALL OUR MAGNIFIQUE ADDRESS ALL OVER EGYPT ON

www.sofitel.com

follow us on

* ROOM RATE IS VALID ON VALENTINE’S DAY FOR A LUXURY DOUBLE ROOM,INCLUDING BREAKFAST, BUDDHA BAR DINNER, ACCESS TO OUR PREMIER SO SPA & INFINITY POOL AND ALL SERVICE CHARGES AND TAXES.

Editor’s letter Can You Guess What Wealth Is? Considerable sum of money, diamonds, gold, successful career, lucrative business, valuable assets… Well, I wouldn’t act as an ascetic saying all these things are insignificant or unimportant.

In fact, they are marvelous. However, did they all exist, there would still be one of the fundamentals of a wonderful life missing; that is people.

Loneliness is a harsh kind of poverty which money can never put an end to. It can only be eliminated by being surrounded by people who care about you. Sincere people; whether they are family, friends, or acquaintances, are the backbone of one’s life. They listen to you when you need to share your problems with someone else. Other times, they give you the chance to take the role of a shrink when they come to you for advice. They support you and restore your self-confidence when you feel weak and vulnerable.

They come to your rescue once you send an SOS. They make you laugh. They bear your stupid actions.

They tolerate your nervousness and anger. Their company contributes to your unforgettable memories.

Imagine this! Your cousin loves comedy movies; you watch movies together, keep remembering the most hilarious scenes later and roar with laughter. The most delicious chocolate fondant in town doesn’t taste the same without shared indulgence with your friends.

Shopping -although more difficult due to disparate fashion style- is much more fun when done with your sister. Working out gives you a sense of achievement when you succeed in completing all the required reps and sets, thanks to your fitness pal who keeps cheering you on.

Hold on to the good wholehearted people around you. Try as hard as you can not to lose them. They make your life complete and rich. On the other hand, always be there for them and don’t be the cause of their disappointment.

10 | February 2014

Win! Win! Win! The Cairo Marriott Hotel will offer you this year’s Valentine’s Day gift if you know the right answer to the following question: When was the Cairo Marriott Hotel open? The gift is dinner for two at the Torii restaurant, all-you-can-eat sushi on Valentine’s Day.

If you’re a sushi lover, answer the following question and get a dinner for two at Izumi Sushi Bar at Dusit Thani LakeView: What does the word “Izumi” mean?

Guess the answer to the following question and savour a whole array of Kamala restaurant’s specialties in dinner for two at Conrad Cairo: How many countries does Kamala restaurant offer food from?

If you’d like to win a skin care set from The Body Shop, just answer this question and send us your answer: What is The Body Shop’s slogan?

Be the lucky winner of one of Oriflame’s latest beauty products: Hyper Stretch XL Mascara, Love Potion Eau de Parfum, Power Musk Eau de Toilette, or Seductive Must Eau de Toilette. All you have to do is to find the hidden picture of one of these items and send us the page number where you’ve found it. *Send your answers to info@ladybirdmagazine.com 12 | February 2014

You have a chance to win your very own Nokia Lumia 925 by sending your response to the question: What material is the frame of the Nokia Lumia 925 made from?

Send your answer now so you can enjoy a free experience with Nokia’s stellar device!

Powered by Windows Phone 8, the Nokia Lumia 925 includes the most advanced lens technology and next generation imaging software to capture clearer, sharper pictures and video, including the best low light images.

Fashion

LADYBIRD LOVES Erdem

E

rdem Moralioglu was born in Montreal in 1977 to a Turkish father and an English mother. “I grew up watching TV in the basement in Canada,” he says, “totally immersed in this romanticized idea of what England was.” He studied at Ryerson University in Toronto, then he moved to London in the year 2000 and interned with Vivienne Westwood, where he was placed on archive duty. In 2001, he received the Chevening Scholarship through the British Council, enabling him to pursue graduate studies at the Royal College of Art. In 2004, he worked for Diane von Furstenberg in New York.

14 | February 2014

Erdem eventually established “Erdem” in 2005 in East London, an area he refers to as “my Notting Hill.” Erdem is especially admired for the dreamy, watercolor prints that he designs himself on a Mac computer. Erdem is called the Christian Lacroix of London; a superdecorator and colorist who commands print and embroideries in ways that surpass expectations.

He has received many awards and has recently won the Red Carpet award at the British Fashion Awards 2013.

Fashion

Steal

Julianne Hough’s

Style!

Imitation leather trousers Available at H&M For EGP 269

*All prices are subject to change

POCKET TEXTURED CHIFFON BLOUSE AVAILABLE AT MANGO FOR EGP 499

Fine Knit Jumper available at H&M for EGP 129

TOD’S Chunky Brogue available on farfetch.com for EGP 1,788

Black Céline Bag available on matchesfashion.com for EGP 13,147 16 | February 2014

Shopper Bag with Strap available at Zara for EGP 399

Fashion

Embrace your Redness

Gucci

Eugenia Kim

Limit

NARS

Dolce & Gabbana

Oscar de la Renta

Alexander McQueen

Ralph Lauren Melissa Odabash

Agent Provocateur Alexander McQueen

Valentino 18 | February 2014

Valentino

Eugenia KimÂ

Julien David

Versace

Stella McCartney Alexander McQueen

Alice + Olivia

PPQ

Saint Laurent

Ted Baker

Dolce & Gabbana

Saint Laurent February 2014 | 19

Fashion

How to: Go from

Simple to Statement BY: MAHA ABDEL-LATIF

H

ow many times did you change your outfit today before finally deciding, “This is the one?” Once?

Twice? By the third outfit change, you were probably starting to justify the borderline-OCD behavior by telling yourself that it’s better to arrive late than to arrive ugly.

In this "How To," I'll be taking two basic wardrobe staples every girl has – a simple black tee and dark skinny jeans – and showing you how to turn them into a look that will help you showcase your unique personality.

You'll learn about the small things you can do to take a plain and simple outfit and turn it into your own personal fashion statement!

Statement: Country-Chic

Statement: Laid-Back Elegance

Possibly one of the easiest and most comfortable statement looks to achieve is the country look. Layer a flannel shirt over your black tee, pair with your dark jeans, and voilà! Add your own personal touch by styling with accessories of your choice, like the hat and ankle boots pictured in this look.

For even more Western flair, trade in the ankle heels for a pair of cowboy boots – a look Taylor Swift would certainly approve of !

Some girls lean towards the laid-back country look (i.e. flannel shirts and cowboy boots), some girls prefer a more classic elegance, and some of us are just in between. To achieve the perfect mix of elegance and laid-back country, take your simple black tee and dark jeans combo and pair them with some mid-calf boots, a fitted blazer of your choice, and a belt.

For an extra touch of old sophistication, opt for a classic print when choosing the blazer, like a houndstooth pattern or tartan plaid.

Statement: Feminine & Vibrant For a more feminine, yet vibrant look, layer a sheer blouse over your tee – you can wear it open or closed. I opted for an open blouse over my tee for a less formal overall look. Finish off your ensemble by adding a pop of color. I chose a pair of mint green heels to make the look more fun. And also, because who doesn’t love mint green? You could also add that touch of color by accessorizing with a fun statement necklace or a vibrant clutch.

20 | February 2014

These are just three of many looks you can put together using your black t-shirt and jeans. You can style this simple outfit using anything your heart desires; sequins, embellishments, leopard prints, classic patterns, anti-gravity heels, fun hats, bold jewelry, combat boots – the options are endless.

Experiment with different pieces and accessories.

Let your inner self shine through your look. And most importantly, have fun and be creative.

Follow Maha on:

Website: www.TheCairoCloset.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCairoCloset Instagram: @TheCairoCloset

Join our Month of Lov

e

Festival at

The First

Mall

Italia Independent Valentino

Royal Fashion

Chopard

Month of Love Festival is held from the 1st - 28th of February Gucci Saint Laurent

Dior

Paris

Sergio Rossi

Pamper your loved ones with a memorable gift from THE FIRST MALL and have a chance of winning one of many luxurious prizes from THE FIRST MALL With every LE 1,000 purchase you make, you will be entitled to enter our Month of Love raffle where you may win: Marc by Marc Jacobs catchy bag from Royal Fashion Ashlyn’d fashionable clutch from Euphoria EA7 EMPORIO ARMANI bag From Polo Psychedelique valuable perfume for him and L’Enfant Terrible touchy perfume for her from Le Nez Fragrance Bar Gold precious ring from Refaat Jewellers latest collection One week membership for 2 using all facilities from Fibers Health Club One night B&B for 2, 1 spa treatment and a dinner for 2 in STRADA from Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence A luxurious getaway for 2 at Hilton Corniche Alexandria & Hilton Hurghada 35 GIZA STREET, GIZA, EGYPT

TEL: 02 3571 7806/3

WWW.FIRSTMALLCAIRO.COM

THE FIRST MALL

Fashion

That Cool Sweater BY: NOUR ABOULELA

A chilled out day requires a chilled out outfit. I can’t deny I’m in love with pajama pants in general as I always enjoy them when I’m on the go. Early mornings when I jump out of bed in a rush, nothing beats a pair of comfy pajama pants and a “WTF” sweater to hit the streets!

WTF Sweater: Shoppiin Bracelet: Joo Jewellery Pajama Pants: Kitschen Bag: The Cambridge Satchel Boots: Melissa

Follow Nour on: Website: www.lovebyn.com Instagram: lovebyn Facebook: www.facebook.com/lovebyn00

22 | February 2014

Now you have a chance to read all Ladybird Magazine’s issues

on issuu.com

issuu.com OR scan here Download issuu application now for FREE & DON’T miss your favorite magazine

Fashion

Red Carpet Fashion At The

GOLDEN

GLOBES

2014

Helen Mirren in Jenny Packham

24 | February 2014

olivia wilde in gucci

Sofia Vergara in Zac Posen

Margot Robbie in gucci

Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta

Taylor Swift in Carolina Herrera

Kate Beckinsale in Zuhair Murad

Naomi Watts in Tom Ford

Lupita Nyong’o in Ralph Lauren

Emma Roberts in Lanvin

February 2014 | 25

Fashion

Spice it up with

Spicy Collection by Dina Shaker

S

picy has always managed to stay on top of the fashion industry in Egypt and has been styling Egypt’s fashionistas ever since the first shop opened in 1998. Dina Shaker, Designer, Art Director, and Founder of Spicy, graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Interior Design Department, Alexandria University. Shaker decided to pursue her passion and start a career in fashion. She studied for two years at Cairo Fashion Design Center. After finishing her fashion design diploma, Shaker completed a fashion marketing diploma.

The philosophy behind Spicy is to introduce a 100% pure Egyptian product. Spicy produces competitive clothes in a market that is very much inspired by imported fashion.

Shaker’s inspiration comes from her fine arts background and cultural views. She likes to mix and match textures and patterns with an unusual color palette. Her biggest inspiration is fabric, which directs her to the form and structure of her designs.

Shaker believes that fashion is a self-expressing tool. “My designs always reflect an image of the modern Egyptian woman, with all the challenges she has to face,” Shaker says. “She is always struggling to express her individuality without losing her identity. She carries inside a very unique cultural blend that deprives her of being a fashion follower.”

Spicy’s latest collection is dedicated to a sophisticated woman who is edgy in her taste. She likes to express her unique style individually. She will mix couture inspired pieces with grunge and new punk. She likes adventure and fairy tales. Her modern twist will invade her fantasy world with a luxe lace dress paired with a biker jacket.

She will weigh down her long chiffon slip dress with a studded baseball cap, and pair her lace gown with a biker helmet for a night out to the Opera.

Photo shoot credits:

Model: Anya Styling: Zahra El Sherbini Hair & Makeup: Pace e Luce Salon Photography: Khaled Fadda

26 | February 2014

Spicy branches: • 28 Geziret El Arab St., Mohandessin • 90 Mohie El Din Abou El Ezz St., Dokki • El Horreya St., Heliopolis

Facebook page: Spicy collection

February 2014 | 27

28 | February 2014

February 2014 | 29

30 | February 2014

February 2014 | 31

32 | February 2014

February 2014 | 33

Fashion

available at bershka

available at bershka available at punt roma

available at bershka

Shopping‌ Woman’s Greatest Love! available at oysho

available at bershka

available at h&m

available at oysho

available at bershka 34 | February 2014

available at bershka

available at oysho

available at h&m

available at bershka available at oysho available at oysho

available at bershka

available at punt roma

available at oysho available at oysho

available at bershka

ICE WINTER - DEEP RED - BIG By Ice Watch available on thegiftery.com February 2014 | 35

SPOTTED CELEBS LATEST NEWS & GOSSIP

Arnold Schwarzenegger Goes Undercover Ivanka Trump Schedules Meetings with her 2-Year-Old She plays a major role at one of the largest real estate corporations in the world while running her own fashion empire, but Ivanka Trump makes time for one special lunch date every single week with 2-year-old daughter Arabella. “I have a weekly standing lunch date with Arabella, where she comes to the office and we have a business meeting. She is my most important lunch meeting of the week!”

The former body builder disguised himself as a fitness instructor that goes by the name “Howard Kleiner” at Gold’s Gym in Venice, California. In an attempt to raise donations and promote the After-School All-Stars program that aims at mentoring underprivileged students, the 66-year-old actor went out of his ways and dressed up in a wig with a black mustache on, and went on talking and pranking the gym’s members.

Joan Rivers is Attacking Kim Kardashian’s Baby Daughter Apparently the Fashion Police host has no boundaries when it comes to speaking her mind. The 80-year-old has taken it to a whole new level with her recent offensive remarks about Kim Kardashian’s little baby North West. Rivers has reportedly called Kim’s baby “ugly,” and said that she needs waxing!

And even though being bold with words is nothing new to the well-known comedian, these remarks have sparked a controversy, with many people seeing that Rivers has really crossed the line this time.

36 | February 2014

Fashion

Jacky De G Vintage Flower cabochons isabel marant Kade earrings available on farfetch.com for EGP quilted silk-jacquard 1,699

jacket available on netaporter.com for EGP 9,430

matthew williamson Embellished crepe mini dress available on netaporter.com for EGP 12,027

sophie hulme Two-tone knitted sweater available on netaporter.com for EGP 4,852

Natasha Collis Handmelted 18ct yellow gold collar necklace available Charlotte Olympia on farfetch.com for EGP 141,335 ‘Sweet dolly’ pump available on farfetch.com for EGP 6,579

alexander mcqueen The heroine textured-leather tote available on netaporter.com for EGP 21,389

*All prices are subject to change

etro Printed stretch-crepe dress available on netaporter.com for EGP 13,736

roksanda ilincic Bramall two-tone wool-crepe skirt available on netaporter.com for EGP 2,194

matthew williamson Perspex and crystal-embellished grosgrain belt available on netaporter.com for EGP 2,734 February 2014 | 37

Beauty

Get your Hair Ready for

Spring/Summer 2014 BY: ALAA EL GARHY naeem khan

Braids: There are many types of braids, but only a few of them are trendy this season! The crown braid style has been seen on all SS14 runways, whether it’s loose or tight, both are in style. Messy wavy hair with tight skinny braid gives your hair a western edge. The fishtail is always fun and simple; ladies learn how to do it because you will be seeing it a lot this season. Many hairstylists incorporate neon colored ribbons along the braid.

nicole miller y-3

rochas

Windswept updos: With all loose trends and statement jewelry, a windswept updo is definitely the perfect fit for this style. tom ford dkny

Ponytails:

derek lam 38 | February 2014

Ponytails this season are like never before; you could play around with them creating various trendy looks. Adding a gold detail is your key for the perfect ponytail. You can also wrap it loose and down with a thick leather piece.

jason wu

max mara

christian dior

jil sander

gucci

Wet look with mixed textures: It is one of the hairstyles that were seen a lot this season. It creates a flat and clean look. It is the total opposite of the windswept updos, so you don’t have to stick to a certain look, you have many variations to pick from.

Flower embellishments: It is spring everyone! Dust your hair with those gorgeous flowers.

Hairstylists gave us many options and sizes for the flower embellishments.

anna sui

dolce & gabbana

rodarte

Ornate Ponytails:

carolina herrera

Fashion icons couldn’t settle for the standard ponytail, they needed something new and edgy. So hairstylists created the ornate ponytails.

Double French twist:

missoni

During New York Fashion Week, Carolina Herrera gave us a new perspective for the French twist.

February 2014 | 39

Faces of Egypt

different majors. We all share the same passion for adventure travelling, from extreme sports to culture engagement.

BY: YOSRA SHOHAYEB

It all started when we got bored of the usual trips.

Each one of us, individually, gathered a group of friends and started to break free from the usual, even if they required physical activity. We want to change the travel culture in Egypt, because we don’t see, for example, much backpackers around here.

We want to show people that they could actually have much more fun travelling with a backpack, sleeping in guesthouses and hostels, riding a truck with people they don’t know, and most importantly, losing the tourist disguise. We decided to make our vision real, dive into our comfort zone, and therefore, started our business a year ago, after doing extensive research.

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before,” Dalai Lama once said. Because who doesn’t really want to lose themselves and saunter in an anonymous country, dance to new favorite music, get lost, and maybe even drown in the norms of a totally different environment than the familiar. With Gazef in town, penetrating the travelling minds of ours and unleashing the adventurous sides of us, say goodbye to surfing the internet and flipping through booklets for a possible offer that will allow you to keep some money in your pocket and have your wildest travel adventure resumed.

There are dozens of adventure travel companies out there, Why should someone consider Gazef for his/her next trip?

What is unique about Gazef is that we create culture adventures, for example, exploring Cuba on a Vespa, sleeping in with tribes in Thailand, going on a yoga retreat with monks for a complete month.

We cover a wide range of adventures, offering different types of them. we plan trips to different kinds of festivals, such as tomato fight festival in Spain, or color festival in India.

Give us a brief background about the Gazef team and how you started your business.

Our team is composed of four members; Ayten Wahba, Mohammad Elshabrawi, Yasmine El Rashidy, and Omar Galal. We are all AUC graduates,

Describe the ideal person for a Gazef trip.

Anyone can go on a Gazef trip, but for us the ideal person is not very much adventurous, not only seeking shopping out of a trip, looking for something new and is sick and bored of the cliché trips.

Gazef

Taking you off the Tourist Track

40 | February 2014

Developing and building a new vacation, what do you look for?

We look for something exciting, something new, a trip that would change you as a person, which would make you see the world from a different perspective and make you eager to see more. We look for trips that would challenge people psychologically and physically; an achievement trip.

How do you make it a memorable trip for your travelers?

We tend to surprise our customers with gestures by adding activities that were not included in the program, such as cycling tours, or African citizens dancing with our customers and welcoming them at their arrival.

Do you personally scout out all the new trips and destinations?

We definitely go on inspection trips. Before launching any of our trips, we make sure that we know all the day-by-day itineraries, transportation methods, food intake, best hotels and hostels, try out the equipment, and contact agents over there. We try out everything in order to deliver our customers with the best travel experience to our customers.

As young entrepreneurs, how do you build your credibility amongst your customers?

We are always keen on travelling personally with our customers in order to maintain the quality of our trips, and most importantly, the personal relationship with each customer. Our customers are future friends to us, whom we create a bond with. At the end of the day, our trips and customer satisfaction will speak for themselves.

What are your next trips?

India, Costa Rica, Peru, Thailand, Croatia, Kenya, Mexico, and South Africa.

How do you deal with price-sensitive customers?

Our prices are much cheaper than several other travel companies.

You would find Kilimanjaro’s trip for example at other companies for $2700, whereas the same exact trip at ours is for $1700 with the same quality, if not better. We work on our projects for as much time as it takes in order to deliver greatest quality with best prices. Nevertheless, our vision is not to gain profit, as much as to motivate people to take on these adventures.

Where do you see yourselves five years from now?

Traveled the world wearing our backpacks. We want Gazef to go to all destinations around the world and see Gazef ’s flag in these places.

For more info, check Facebook fanpage: Gazef February 2014 | 41

Faces of Egypt

Meet the Life Coach Tamer El Sheikh BY: FARAH ASFOUR

Tamer El Sheikh has been practicing life coaching since 2008. Life coaching is his passion. He believes it has great importance and benefit for everyone.

Tamer is accredited by the Life Coaching Institute.

He is also certified by the Coaching Academy and is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF). Read what he told us about life coaching.

Can you briefly tell us what you did after graduation and how you became a life coach?

After graduating from Huron University in London with a major in Business Administration in 1996, Marketing Concentration, I worked at Saatchi & Saatchi in Dubai, then at L’Oréal. After that, I founded an online recruitment agency for the cosmetics industry. Then I moved to Beirut where I 42 | February 2014

worked at British American Tobacco. At that time, I attended a four-day seminar called “Unleash the Power Within” by the American life coach and motivational speaker Anthony Robbins. That seminar was a turning point for me; it made me realize that despite having a successful career, I wasn’t satisfied and that it was time to make a change in my life. So I decided to quit my job and pursue a career in life coaching.

Can you explain to us the concept of life coaching?

Life coaching is a human development process of establishing goals, identifying the challenges standing in the way, and specifying steps for achieving these goals. The life coach is the person responsible for structuring the process and motivating you

So is life coaching a kind of therapy?

No, life coaching differs from therapy and counseling.

Life coaching focuses on the future, while therapy and counseling are based on the past. So if a person still has unresolved past issues or serious problems that keep dragging him/her back and make him/ her unable to move on, they will need therapy first.

Once those problems are solved, they are ready for life coaching.

Who is eligible for life coaching and who actually needs it?

Life coachwing is relevant for anyone except those who have mental illness, psychological trauma, or financial constraints. The success of the life coaching process requires people with flexible mindset and readiness to exert a lot of effort on their part.

I believe that all people need life coaching, yet not all of them want it. Life is a continuous journey full of challenges in all its aspects; finances, health, relationships, work, fitness, etc. Life coaching is what teaches people how to make the most of their lives despite those challenges. To get the best of your life, you always have to seek improvement. If your life is great, make it even greater, make it fabulous.

If you are a successful businessman who owns one company, you can still start another company as well. is the service of life coaching offered in the form of lectures or private sessions?

There are no lectures in life coaching. Life coaching offers two kinds of services; group coaching or oneto-one sessions. If people are hesitant about speaking about their difficulties or issues, then joining group coaching and being a member in a network of likeminded people can encourage them to open up. On the other hand, one-to-one sessions are better for people who are ready to share their intimate problems only with the life coach.

Does this mean that ‘sharing’ is crucial to the success of the life coaching process?

The more you share, the greater the benefit you get. To ease concerns, both the client and I sign a confidentiality agreement. Also the first session is a free mock session, in which the client gets a chance to know me and feel comfortable.

A lot of people nowadays claim they are life coaches, and not all of them are certified and qualified. What should clients do before they deal with a life coach in order to make sure they are in safe hands?

Unfortunately, anyone can become a life coach since life coaching is still unregulated; not only in Egypt but also everywhere in the world. I am a bit concerned about this. I advise people to do their homework really well and choose their life coach wisely. They have to do some background research, ask for a free session to see if they are comfortable or not, and request a confidentiality agreement if it is not offered. This is extremely important, since an unqualified life coach might cause damage to his/ her clients.

How do you wish to see life coaching in the coming years?

I think that life coaching must be regulated and protected. I want to spread awareness on its concept and its importance. I want people to know that it is not a fad, and that it is here to stay. People should also understand that life coaching is not a magic pill, and that it needs their effort and commitment.

How long does the coaching session last and when do clients start to see results?

The session takes 45 minutes. Clients can get results after one session only, but on average 5 to 6 sessions are needed.

“

In life coaching, there are no similarities between people. The only thing we have in common is that we are all human beings who want to improve our lives.

Tamer El Sheikh

“

to implement it. Say you want to start your own business, and in order to do that you need a bank loan, a location, and some relevant courses. The life coach will help you define the obstacles you have and motivate you to start eliminating each obstacle until you reach your ultimate goal, which is starting your own business in this case. In other words, life coaching is about empowering the individual. It is very simple, nevertheless yields great benefit. It is like working out in the gym; you can either exercise solo or with the help of a trainer who acts as a source of instructions and encouragement.

For more info, visit: missingpiecellc.com February 2014 | 43

Faces of Egypt

taught me carpentry skills. I was exposed to wood and carpentry at a young age and I developed my love for wood as a material starting from the age of six.

Gazwareen

Driftwood Furniture by Shahir Maged BY: FARAH ASFOUR Shahir Maged is a 37 year old bone surgeon. This might sound ordinary, but what is different about that surgeon is that he is so fascinated with wood and carpentry that he dedicates more than half of his time to making furniture. And again not an ordinary type of furniture; it is unique driftwood furniture.

Out of wood found on the sea shore in Alexandria, Shahir builds a variety of stools, coffee tables, kitchen tables, couches, beds, lighting pieces, cabinets, dining tables, etc. We were very interested to know more about his story and his brand “Gazwareen,” and here is what we came up with.

The combination of being a doctor and a furniture maker is very unusual; I bet there is an interesting story behind it.

The beginning of the story dates back to my childhood. More than thirty years ago, my father, who was also a doctor, had a carpentry workshop at our home in Agami. I used to sit with him in the workshop and watch him and he was the one who 44 | February 2014

I lived near the beach and besides my passion for wood, I enjoyed nature and the sea. When I was a kid, I collected pieces of driftwood that I found on the shore. Here I can’t but mention a person who was a source of inspiration to me; our Greek neighbor Aris Tchacos. He used natural branches and tree trunks to make furniture. He taught me the technique of creating irregular and different furniture, and producing designs that are not formed of straight lines.

You have said that when you were a kid, you collected driftwood.

Why did you choose that specific kind of wood?

Driftwood is wood floating in the sea, ocean, lake or river, or washed onto the shore. It is mostly parts of broken ships or waste thrown in the water. It is valuable because each piece of driftwood has a history; it can be very old, it might have stayed in the water for days or many years, and it might have travelled long distances before reaching its final destination. Driftwood is expensive as it is rare and has to be collected piece by piece. It also takes huge amount of time and effort to find homogenous pieces of wood that can together form a final furniture item.

In addition to all of this, driftwood has advantages that can’t be overlooked; one is that ships’ wood is hard and durable. Another is that by being exposed to sun and water, driftwood is treated forming compounds that make it bug resistant.

You are originally a bone surgeon, so how did you make the decision of creating your own furniture brand?

I have been working with wood since I was twelve

years old. It was my all-time hobby and it remained like this till I came back from England -where I studied medicine- ten years ago. A friend of mine was preparing an art exhibition for his paintings and he wanted me to participate with my work. It was a successful experience and I sold all my work.

This gave me a great deal of encouragement and I decided to take it more seriously and reach a more professional level in my carpentry work. During the past ten years, I held five exhibitions which were all very successful. However, what I was doing was still solely for the purpose of enjoying my hobby. 2013 was an important year for me; it was my “year of awakening.” It was the year when I created my brand “Gazwareen,” I publicized my work, and dedicated more time, effort and money to it.

What is the meaning of your brand’s name “Gazwareen”?

I wanted to choose an original name for my brand so it was a little difficult to settle on a name. Gazwareen is the local name of an Egyptian tree. Its wood is hard, durable and of very good quality. However, it has cracks and twists which make it unsuitable for usage in making furniture of regular shapes. I greatly admire the Gazwareen tree and use its wood in my work.

Do you do all the work yourself?

I am the one who does everything; starting from collecting driftwood, then designing furniture pieces, building them, finishing and varnishing them.

How long does producing a piece of driftwood furniture take?

It depends on the size of the piece and the complexity and style of the design. The production process can range from 1 week up to 6 months.

be used; the more it is used, the more it becomes beautiful. This is why I am always concerned with strength, durability and detail.

How do you manage your time between Gazwareen and bone surgery?

Medicine is all about helping people, and this in fact gives me positive energy that helps me be more creative in carpentry work. But I can’t deny that both bone surgery and furniture making are time consuming, so I have a difficulty in finding enough time to produce furniture to meet the demand for it.

What are your hopes and future plans for Gazwareen?

I don’t want to mass-produce; I would rather increase my level of proficiency, quality and taste.

I want to have apprentices whom I teach the skill, and not paid workers. In the meantime, I have two apprentices helping me; one is a painter and the other is a fashion designer, and I plan to have even more apprentices in the future. I wish that people become more aware and appreciative of driftwood furniture. I aim to achieve international presence. I hope I can do carpentry work for the rest of my life because it is what makes me happy. I also hope that I become more creative and improve my technique with time, and that I continue to do what I do for the sake of enjoying what I love and not for the sake of money.

For more info, check facebook fanpage: Gazwareen

What was the people’s feedback to the concept of driftwood furniture?

When people first see driftwood furniture, they like it because it looks nice and unique. Then when they learn what driftwood is, that the furniture pieces are locally made, and that the production process is a form of recycling, they get to value and admire driftwood furniture even more.

Are your products actually used or are they only an art piece?

Making driftwood furniture is a different form of sculpture, and sculpture is an art. So I create art pieces while at the same time considering their functionality. Gazwareen’s furniture is made to February 2014 | 45

Home

IGUY FREE STANDING CASE FOR IPAD MINI

By Virgin Megastore available on thegiftery.com

BRITTO LOVE BLOSSOM VASE

By Fifth Avenue available on thegiftery.com

SHINNY PINK LIPS PHONE By Cocolina available on thegiftery.com

HEART HOT WATER BOTTLE

By Invotis available on thegiftery.com

VERTICAL DIARY (RED) by montblanc available on thegiftery.com RED FIREFIGHTER CAR STATUE By Artsy available on thegftery.com

BRITTO HEART KIDS PLATE

By Fifth Avenue available on thegiftery.com 46 | February 2014

MIDNIGHT SWISS FONDUE SET FOR 1 By The Fondue Pot available on thegiftery.com

TRISA RACLETTE GRILL FOR 2 By The Fondue Pot available on thegiftery.com

BRITTO RB P ET A NEW DAY 7,0, SET OF 2 By Fifth Avenue available on thegiftery.com

Editorial Features Rekindle your Love at the Cairo Marriott Hotel In their attempt to make your dream come true, Cairo’s iconic Marriott Hotel is offering its visitors a night to remember on Valentine’s Day. And don’t you worry, no matter your age, taste, and budget; they got you covered this year.

The historic hotel is offering you a one-night accommodation at one of their prestigious deluxe rooms, with a special dinner and breakfast the next morning, and all of that for EGP 2000 including charges and taxes. And just in case you felt like a room is not “spacious” enough for your memorable night, you’re more than welcome to ask for a special deal to be upgraded to a suite. We all deserve some extra pampering, don’t you think?

The Cairo Marriott is known for its wide variety of restaurants where you will not only get a taste of some delicious food, but you will also get to enjoy various cultures. If you want to add some Italian charm to your experience, then you definitely have to try Ristorante Tuscany’s Italian specials, while if you wish to add some French romance, then at the Saraya Gallery, your wish will come true. Also, if you just can’t get enough of the Egyptian and Middle Eastern delicious recipes, then you will definitely enjoy Egyptian Nights’ menu, and if you’re more of a meat person,

then get ready for a mouth-watering meal at JW’s Steakhouse. Note that all of the above restaurants are included in the package for you to choose from.

In addition to the above restaurants, the Cairo Marriott is inviting you to try its trendy Japanese restaurant Torii, for ALL YOU CAN EAT sushi only for EGP 250 all inclusive per person.

Moreover, you can enjoy Cairo’s shining sun and beautiful weather at the Cairo Marriott’s exuberant outdoor Garden Promenade Café, for a relaxing morning and delightful brunch also for EGP 250 all inclusive per person.

Finally, for a more unique private experience with your other half, they offer you a royal experience that will transcend you through history in the Gezira Palace that was built by Khedive Ismail. You’re invited to enjoy an exclusive private dinner for two in Eugenie’s quarter, where you’ll be surrounded with a beautiful set of red roses and candles with lavish menu.

Hurry up and make your reservation no later than the 9th of February for the private experience. Make your Valentine’s Day this year an exceptional one with the Cairo Marriott Hotel.

February 2014 | 47

Home

Latest Decor Trend: European Country Style BY: SALLY EL BARDESY You have definitely been noticing all this white and cream furniture, the cracked unpolished wood, the raw look and the rose effect everywhere. Yes, it has a lot to do with the trend and also the style movement all around the world. It’s the European countryside style! If you are a fan or not yet, we are sure you will start loving it right away.

The concept Just as we adore our Oriental art and cherish it, countryside style is all about this; the nostalgic effect of the past, the old movies’ essence and the deep roots. We have been through this art that influenced our fashion and décor in the past decade. Now with the fast progress and technology in our lives, design and art have something new to offer.

Let’s go back to the old source of art.

The mood It’s all about the good fresh times of the early morning and the natural elements of nature that are the main power like raw wood, flowers and leaves. These elements have certain energy flow that limits the harsh effect of mechanics and technology.

48 | February 2014

The style’s identity As any style’s main lines create the image, details take care of the magic within. The colors white, pale grey, rose and pastels enhance the look with a lot of charm.

Country style carries one of the most expensive treasures that we almost lost these days: the handmade art! Most of the country furniture and designs are handmade. That is the secret behind the pure energy and romance that are emitted all the way. However, it won’t really succeed without the strong presence of true flowers and greenery.

Nowadays, demand requires the mixing of new fashionable details and contemporary spirit. This has made it a lot easier to mix this style with your basic home style. It is time to enjoy life and stop worrying about high-end décor that consumes more money and energy.

Furniture design: Sally El Bardesy Facebook: Inbox – the pampered little storage Photography: Nouran Khalifa

February 2014 | 49

Escape Strange Valentine’s Traditions from Around the world France Their most popular tradition was called (now banned) une loterie d’amour meaning “drawing for love.” Single men and women gathered in houses facing each other. After yelling out to each other, they would pair off, but if the man ended up not liking his Valentine after all, he could desert her in the middle of the day for another man to call. At night, the deserted women would make a bonfire together to burn pictures of and curse the men who had scorned them.

Eventually, the French government shut down the practice for its maliciousness.

Denmark Valentine’s Day is given a Danish twist as it is newly introduced in Denmark. Friends and sweethearts exchange pressed white flowers called snowdrops.

They have two other popular traditions that are surreal. One is the exchange of “love cards,” which were originally transparent cards, when kept before light, a picture of the card giver appeared. The term is now synonymous with any card exchanged on Valentine’s Day. Two is that men give women gaekkebrev, meaning a “joking letter” consisting of a funny poem or rhyme written on intricately cut paper and signed only with anonymous dots. If the woman who receives the gaekkebrev can correctly guess the sender, she earns herself an Easter egg later that year.

Japan In Japan, men sit back on Valentine’s Day and enjoy the treats presented to them by women. It is only the women who give presents (mainly chocolates) to men. Japanese women are usually too shy when it comes to expressing their affection. Therefore, Valentine’s Day was thought to be a great opportunity to let women express their feelings.

Different types of chocolates signify different relationships - bosses, fathers, lovers, friends, and if he is one lucky man, the woman might make the chocolate herself. Now the chocolate companies in Japan sell more than half of their annual sales during the week before Valentine’s Day. Men are supposed to return gifts to women on a day called “White day,” a Japanese creation.

England On the eve of Valentine’s Day, single women in England used to place five bay leaves on their pillows, one at each corner and one in the center, to bring dreams of their future husbands. Another variation of this was to sprinkle bay leaves with rose water and lay them across their pillows saying “Good Valentine, be kind to me, in dreams let my true love see.” This tradition is not seen as frequent as before, rather only occasionally.

50 | February 2014

South Africa South Africa, like many parts of the world, celebrates Valentine’s Day hanging out, celebrating festivals, and exchanging gifts. Some people also honor an ancient Roman tradition, “Lupercalia,” where women pin the name of their lover on their sleeves. It’s a way to acknowledge their attraction openly and express deep feelings, and in some cases, this is how South African men learn of their secret admirers.

The Philippines Mass Valentine’s Day marriages where hundreds of couples say “I do” at the same time have become all the rage in recent years, easily making February 14 the most popular wedding anniversary in the Philippines. This has led hundreds of couples to gather at malls or other public areas around the country to get married or renew their vows. In 2012, more than 2,000 Filipino couples were married or renewed their vows in mass wedding ceremonies throughout the country.

China Qixi or the Seventh Night Festival is the equivalent to Valentine’s Day in China, which falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year. There is a story about two lovers Zhinu, a heavenly king’s daughter, and Niulang, a poor cowherd, where they got married and had two twins. When Zhinu’s father found out, he sent her back to the stars; however, after hearing Niulang and their children cries, the king allowed both lovers to meet once a year on Qixi. During Qixi, young women prepare offerings of melon and other fruits to Zhinu in hopes of finding a good husband. Couples also head to temples to pray for happiness and prosperity. At night, people look to the heavens to watch as stars Vega and Altair (Zhinu and Niulang, respectively) come close during the starcrossed pair’s annual reunion.

Wales The Welsh celebrate Saint Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers, on January 25 instead of Valentine’s.

A love spoon is a traditional romantic Welsh gift, which started in the 17th Century when Welsh men intricately carved wooden spoons to present them to ladies in order to show affection. Patterns and symbols were carved into those love spoons, each signifying a different meaning, such as horseshoes, which signify good luck, wheels, which stand for support, and keys, which symbolize the keys to a man’s heart. Today, love spoons are also exchanged for celebrations such as weddings, anniversaries, and births.

February 2014 | 51

Escape

Pamper your Darling at Egypt’s Crème de la Crème Destinations

THIS VALENTINE, KEMPINSKI NILE HOTEL AND KEMPINSKI HOTEL SOMA BAY HAVE IT ALL Kempinski Nile Hotel invites you to spend a romantic one night stay in luxurious accommodation for two in a Nile Deluxe Room for EGP 1,699. The Valentine’s package includes late checkout at 5:00 pm, breakfast for two, a complimentary massage for two for 45 minutes, complimentary video on demand, softmini bar, parking and a special 3-course Valentine’s lunch.

Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay invites couples to avoid the cold weather and the city buzz with a three night stay plus the fourth night free in a Lagoon View Room. A bottle of sparkling wine or other special Valentine’s Day amenities will be delivered to your room, and the package includes early check in, breakfast for two, late checkout until 2:00 pm upon request and an upgrade to the next room category based on availability. The Valentine’s Package is available from 12-18 February 2014 for EGP 1,300. Enjoy their special Valentine’s Day 5-course set menu at La Pergola Restaurant and pariticipate in the raffle to win a two night stay at the hotel.

Toast your Valentine with one of Kempinski’s delicious cocktail recipes available at both Kempinski Nile Hotel and Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay’s Jazz Bar and Sultan Bar. Looking for a present for your Valentine? How about a Kempinski The Spa Gift or a Va Va Voom Valentine’s Day chocolate and sparkling wine hamper.

Starting February 14, use the hashtag #Kempinski Egypt Valentine’s on Instagram and Twitter to share your latest Kempinski Valentine’s Day experiences and be sure to follow the hashtag for a chance to win unique prizes for the story voted best.

For reservation and more information, please call +202 27980000 52 | February 2014

HAVE A TASTE OF ELEGANCE ON YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY AT INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP RESORTS IN PORT GHALIB The Intercontinental Hotels Group Resorts in Port Ghalib have prepared two delicious heart shaped strawberry mousse cakes especially for you to be served in your room and organized a bountiful dessert buffet also for you to enjoy at their Olive Restaurant. You can have your special night’s dinner by the beach or at the Romantic Tower at the Crowne Plaza Sahara Sands Port Ghalib Resort and Crowne Plaza Sahara Oasis Port Ghalib Resort, and for a secret recipe of love, you can try the set menu at their Cardomom Restaurant or their Mediterranean Beach Restaurant. For drinks, you’re more than welcome to enjoy their joyous celebration at 50 Bar, serving “Valentine’s Kiss” and “Happy Smile” cocktails. You can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the Red Sea and Port Ghalib International Marina at Viz Bar on the rooftop for a romantic dinner. Finally, for some relaxation, you can have a soothing massage treatment at their Six Senses Spa, the winner of multiple prominent awards.

FAIRMONT NILE CITY IS THE PLACE TO BE THIS VALENTINE Enjoy the most romantic Valentine’s Day by indulging in Asia’s delicacies at Saigon Restaurant and Lounge with a set menu dinner on the jazzy beats of Ahmed Harfoush, Egypt’s premier jazz entertainer, accompanied by the angelic voice of Noha from The Riff Band or treat yourselves to a candle lit dinner at Napa Grill Restaurant with Ellie of London only for EGP 400. Heart Beats at O Bar brings you Cairo’s one and only R’n’B and hip hop master, DJ Feedo.

Do not forget to ask about Fairmont Nile City’s Valentine Royal package.

For reservation and more information, please call + 202 24619494

ENJOY A RELAXING VALENTINE AT THE ITALIAN RESTAURANT FILINI AT RADISSON BLU HOTEL, CAIRO HELIOPOLIS Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis invites you to try their Italian Restaurant Filini, where you’ll experience authenticity and natural touch in food flavors and ingredients of Italy’s core recipes from pasta to risotto to the famous Italian pizza and seafood specialties. With a great passion to all his guests and with the goal of delivering a delicious taste, the chef has prepared a 4-course set menu, in addition to creating a peaceful mood created by the fiddle fingers of a professional guitarist. The hotel also welcomes you to enjoy two 60 minute Swedish massages in the couple room for EGP 840 and get a body scrub for EGP 360. The price includes sauna, steam bath, and Jacuzzi.

For more information, please call +202 26965656 >> February 2014 | 53

A NIGHT FOR EVERY TASTE AT INTERCONTINENTAL, HOLIDAY INN AND STAYBRIDGE SUITES CAIRO CITYSTARS At InterContinental Cairo Citystars, for EGP 950++, the happy couples can enjoy relaxing personalized massages offered by the hotel’s LifeStyles Health Club and Spa, ahead of an evening of delectable cuisine. For dinner, you can try the open buffet at their Esplanade Café Restaurant for EGP 280++ and enjoy its tender atmosphere, then afterwards you can sit at the Esplanade Lounge for some tea or coffee. There is the Bellini Cocktail Lounge as well, where you can enjoy a night only for couples, and have delightful meal and drinks with their diversified a la carte menu and amazing setting for EGP 300++. You’re also invited to try their Maestro Restaurant, where you can have a 6-course set menu with a signature dessert for EGP 400++, and if you’re in the mood for a barbecue, then you can visit their Al Bustan Grill for a 5-course dinner for EGP 320++.

In addition, if you want to add an exotic different touch to your evening, you can try the Fayruz Lebanese Restaurant that offers a set menu for EGP 460 ++, or you can experience the Japanese flavor at the Shogun Fine Dining Restaurant for a set menu of sushi for EGP 300++ or teppanyaki for EGP 395++. For dessert, you can add a sweet taste to your night with the variety of choices offered by My Bakery, with price range starting from EGP 30 for portions to EGP 150 for a whole cake. The hotel also got their Pool Bar ready for a night full of fun for you and your other half.

CHOOSE FAIRMONT HELIOPOLIS & TOWERS FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE VALENTINE’S DAY Enjoy a romantic evening for two in Aqua e Luce’s spectacular candle lit dinner serving a special four course set menu, while listening to a live Jazz band performance. For an authentic Valentine’s dining experience, choose from Noble House, Leonardo, Lan Tania, Al Dabké, Maria’s, Saki Sushi Lounge or Raj; all offering an exclusive Valentine’s set menu in an exceptional romantic ambiance. You can also celebrate Valentine’s in style at Fuze Bar & Lounge, serving the most palatable cocktails and an array of light bar fare. Or join the late party lovers, while enjoying the sounds of the DJ at Darts Bar. For a more relaxing evening, treat your Valentine to an outdoor dining experience at Pizza Bar. In order to make your Valentine’s Day extra special, book Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers Romance Package At Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars, Windows will and revel in luxury with their unrivaled romantic have a special Valentine’s buffet with two glasses of privileges tailored only for Fairmont lovers. sparkling wine and live violin melodies floating through the restaurant for EGP 186++, while Lime Lounge For reservation and more information, please and Star Corner will get you in the mood as well to call: Tel +202 22677730/40, Hotline 16989 celebrate your special night.

A NOT TO BE MISSED VALENTINE’S DAY PACKAGE AT RIXOS SHARM EL-SHEIKH Rixos Sharm El-Sheikh Hotel is offering its guests a Valentine’s Day Love in Red Sea package to celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day at the hotel’s luxurious rooms and suites. Lasting until February 20, the package features free upgrades from deluxe rooms to junior suites of 74 meters, decorated rooms with heart shaped chocolate and wine on arrival day, free early check-in and several VIP welcome amenities, in addition to several discounts on the hotel’s spa and cabana bookings. The package includes a special private breakfast to be served in the rooms on Valentine’s Day, as well as a special dinner at the hotel’s executive lounge on the same day.

54 | February 2014

A VALENTINE FULL OF FABULOUS SURPRISES AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CAIRO AT NILE PLAZA Have an extravagant dining experience at 8 Restaurant enjoying an eight-course specially created set menu, with an awesome Nile view. For more Romeo and Juliet style experience, Bella is offering private dining rooms with candle lit dinner and stunning views of the Nile. Zitouni offers a bountiful buffet with a range of mouth-watering delicacies and delights. For an intimate evening, The Bar is the ideal venue. Beymen Café and Lobby Lounge offer a superb array of Valentine’s specialties including hand-made chocolates. For a trendy modern party, it’s Cairo’s hottest lounge Graffiti; the hip nightspot with spectacular views of the Nile and live entertainment. End the day right and spend an unforgettable night in one of the Four Season’s luxurious rooms for EGP 1,000 for two persons including breakfast only, and one spa massage.

For more information, please call +202 27917000

Romance your Valentine at Hilton Zamalek Celebrate a romantic Valentine’s eve at Time Lounge with your loved one and enjoy Hilton’s lavish four course candle lit dinner including a heart shaped cake and romantic surprise for your lady, while listening to your favorite love tunes. Continue your romantic night and book your room to be upgraded to one of Hilton’s luxurious Nile suites, they will serve your breakfast in bed.

REVIVE YOUR LOVE LIFE AT SHERATON MIRAMAR Sheraton Miramar offers Sheraton’s Couples Treat for you and your loved one to enjoy a 30-minute body massage, side by side in their couple’s room, using your choice of scented oil followed by a sweet Valentine’s treat, a delight to refresh each sense and intuitive care that takes on deeper meaning. Also, rap up your evening with a Valentine’s candle lit dinner, and experience Sheraton Miramar’s chef ’s Valentine 4-course menu at La Piscine Restaurant with your choice of local alcohols and soft drinks.>>

February 2014 | 55

Endless Charm at Dusit Thani LakeView Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo offers a bouquet of sweet deals for couples looking to spend quality time together this year; from tempting overnight packages till late check-out till 06:00 pm. on February 15th. Rediscover romance and treat your loved one to an intimate candle lit dinner and heart shaped sushi at Izumi Sushi Bar. Your absolute delight is also guaranteed at the Branzino with their Valentine open buffet and surprise treats. If you plan to make it a night to remember, dine out at Ruen Thai Restaurant featuring Valentine’s Day special menu alongside enchanting violin tunes. Or better yet, pamper your loved one after a long week with their lavish massage packages oriented with a special romantic twist for you and your loved one. Save the best for last! Enjoy a soft indulge with love shaped chocolate delights from Dusit Gourmet and much more sweet temptations.

Enjoy a luxurious night with your significant other at Sonesta hotel, tower & casino - Cairo Experience an unforgettable Valentine at La Gondola with a charming candle lit dinner, while enjoying a selection of gourmet Italian choices in a truly romantic atmosphere with Sonesta’s house band playing your favorite tunes.

If you want it Lebanese style, their chef invites you to taste his Lebanese creations at Baalbak, where you can enjoy an exciting ambiance with live entertainment and belly dancer. To heat the night up and add some beats to it, Sindbad discotheque is having a special night with special music, special menu and special décor.

PERFECT AMBIANCE WITH YOUR SWEETHEART AT HILTON PYRAMIDS GOLF RESORT For only EGP 555, book a double room on Valentine’s Day and receive a complimentary upgraded room specially decorated for you, romantic dinner with entertainment program, a relaxing luxury spa day to pamper yourself and your loved one, and take advantage of early check-in from midday, late checkout by 6:00pm and breakfast in bed available until 3:00pm. Price is all-inclusive per person, terms and conditions apply.

THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL CAIRO AT THE FIRST RESIDENCE IS PREPARING A MEMORABLE VALENTINE THIS YEAR A lot of options out there! Book a cozy private cabana in their Aura Restaurant, or experience the dazzling Nile view at the Italian Strada Restaurant or the Asian Lai Thai Restaurant. The hotel is inviting you and your loved one to enjoy a 4-course tailored dinner for EGP 550 all-inclusive for two, with a special Valentine’s gift at the end of your evening. Note that when reserving dinner at any of these two restaurants on the 13th or 14th of February, you will have the chance to enjoy a special B&B offer for EGP 1,000++, including a 50 minute massage at their luxurious spa valid for one week. The hotel is also inviting you for a complete body treatment at their spa for EGP 543, and if you’re up for more pampering, get your feet scrubbed and wrapped in OPI (green tea products) with a 60 minute massage for EGP 752 and a complimentary face or head massage. The couples’ Romantic Spa Day for Two includes two full hours of chocolate wraps, lava shell massages in the luxurious couple’s suite (with your own private sauna and Jacuzzi). This Valentine’s gift is priced at EGP 1,963 all-inclusive.

For reservation and more information, please For reservation and more information, please call +202 35671600 call +202 38553333, Hotline 19009 56 | February 2014

Have the Perfect Valentine’s Day at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah Complete your Valentine’s Day and add a touch of romance by booking one of Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah’s very special Valentine’s offers. Visit any of their restaurants along the Nile Promenade or enjoy a specially designed four course dinner menu from EGP 800 in the Buddha Bar Restaurant. Or take this opportunity to enjoy a romantic stay of pampered luxury over the Nile with their Valentine Package, offering a romantic dinner in Buddha Bar Restaurant with an overnight stay on February 14. Wake up the next day to a full buffet breakfast in SUD Restaurant and compliment the day with access to the luxurious SO SPA to relax by the infinity pool, all for only EGP 2,014. All prices include service charge, taxes and are based on double occupancy.

CELEBRATE YOUR LOVE STORY AT THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL, ALEXANDRIA Enjoy the perfect romantic dinner tailor made within Radisson Blu Hotel’s different restaurants along with the live entertainment only for EGP 500 per couple. And to make your day extra special, overnight packages are available including Valentine’s dinner for two, open buffet breakfast for EGP 1,100 per double room per night. They are also offering special prices for all the couples that celebrate their weddings there.

SEMIRAMIS INTERCONTINENTAL IS STEPPING IT UP FOR YOU THIS VALENTINE Enjoy fine dining and a romantic ambiance on February 14 by escorting your loved one to a romantic dinner at The Grill Restaurant & Lounge for a taste of French authenticity or try Pane Vino for a special dinner with an Italian guitarist setting the mood. If you prefer Lebanese style, join them in Sabaya. You can also indulge in the Thai flavors at the Birdcage on this evening and look out for their Rithmo St. Valentine’s special. Fulfill your sweet tooth cravings at Café Corniche with its Valentine’s creations throughout February. And bring your family and friends for a Valentine’s brunch at Night & Day for EGP 149++, including versified menu and activities for the little ones.

For reservation and more information, please call +202 27971818/27957171

A night of reveling at Conrad Cairo Enjoy a memorable romantic dinner at the Oak Grill Restaurant in a gorgeous setting of love and affection. Those who prefer a taste of Asia can head to Kamala Restaurant offering innovative South-East Asian Cuisine. Conrad Cairo will run a raffle among the diners and two couples will have the chance to win a two nights’ complimentary stay at the hotel. For more romance, Stage One offers special Valentine‘s menu with live entertainment.

For reservation, please call +202 25808000 February 2014 | 57

Q&A

LADYBIRD’S You Ask, Experts Answer!

1

Dr. Robert E. Stuart

Family Medicine

2

Dr. Julian C. Escobar Fertility Medicine

Is it possible to protect my kids from getting head lice?

Can I have a kid if I have never had my wet dream?

Doctor’s Answer:

Doctor’s Answer:

You should teach your children not to share hats, combs, pillows, etc so that they are less likely to catch lice from other children. It takes relatively intimate direct contact to share the lice. They don’t jump or fly.

3

Dr. Nayla Z. Mumneh

Allergy and Immunology

Could I have become suddenly allergic to peanuts and/or caramel?

Doctor’s Answer: One can develop a peanut allergy at any time, and it is less likely to caramel. Please, be very careful and avoid all peanut containing products until you see an allergist and determine if this is indeed the case or not.

You need an epinephrine auto injector in that case.

58 | February 2014

Wet dreams are not related to fertility. If you are curious about your fertility potential, you can get a semen analysis. It is easy, predictive and fairly inexpensive. That will give you an idea of how many sperms are in the ejaculate and how many of them are motile and thus able to reach the egg.

4

Dr. Joseph S. Eastern Dermatology

What are the odds of hair growing back coarser after waxing it off your arms?

Doctor’s Answer:

If anything, it will grow back lighter and more sparse, because the hairs have been pulled out from the roots so the follicles are weakened.

5

Dr. Andrew Shatz

Ophthalmology

Do computers contribute to vision loss?

Doctor’s Answer:

No. There is a condition termed “computer vision syndrome” which describes eye strain and fatigue after staring at computers, and can be easily treated with eye drops and (occasionally) glasses. Staring at any object for a long time causes the same temporary condition, but we spend so much time using computers that we tend to think they are leading to vision loss rather than strain from overuse.

7

Dr. Thomas F. Wright Phlebology

Is it ok to exercise when I have a cold?

Doctor’s Answer:

Yes. It is ok to exercise when you have a cold, unless you have a serious underlying cardiac or respiratory illness. It still may be ok but extra caution should be used and you should consult with your doctor if you have serious underlying cardio or respiratory conditions.

6

Dr. Galina Mindlin Psychiatry

Does occasionally seeing things that don’t exist mean I have a mental disorder?

Doctor’s Answer:

It depends. Since ‘seeing things that don’t exist’ may be experienced by you in many different ways, it is important that you share that experience with a professional as psychiatrist or psychologist first. That would be helpful in terms of understanding if that is something you shall worry about or not. Also that would give you a chance to get help in case you need it.

8

Britt Bardo Celebrity Stylist

What are the five essential items every girl needs in her wardrobe?

Expert’s Answer:

A pair of sexy but comfortable shoes is really important. A great fitting sexy little white shirt; it is classic and chic and goes with everything. Bold accessories give an outfit some ammunition. A pair of fitting dark jeans with a touch of stretch for comfort, which can be dressed up or down for day or night. Lastly, every wardrobe needs a natural and effortless touch. Smile! It’s so simple yet so effective.

February 2014 | 59

Health

The Verdict is Out You’re NOT GUILTY of gaining those extra kilograms!

W

eight gain is one of the most annoying issues to anyone of us. It’s sort of explainable when someone gains weight due to over-eating, but it can get really frustrating when you don’t even know the reason behind gaining those extra kilograms, and when you feel that you have no control over it. This is exactly the case with people suffering from SleepRelated Eating Disorder (SRED).

60 | February 2014

What is SRED? SRED is a type of sleeping disorder that results in uncontrollable eating episodes during sleep.

According to the American Sleep Association (ASA), an organization that was established by physicians and scientists with the aim of spreading sleep health awareness, SRED is a parasomnia event in which the subject awakens during sleeping hours, sometimes multiple times during one sleeping period, and eats or drinks, often excessively. Note that parasomnia is a medical term that is used to describe any sleeprelated disorders. People suffering from SRED might be partially conscious or totally unconscious during the episode, but in both cases they show no control over their doings, and they are usually annoyed when people try to wake them up.

What are the symptoms of SRED? SRED doesn’t have the usual clear symptoms like other disorders. However, people usually detect it when they wake up finding a mess that they don’t recall making the day before; like empty wraps of food, cans thrown on the floor, etc. Consequently, people with SRED find themselves feeling heavy the next morning, and irritated because of digestion problems.

Who are more prone to SRED? The ASA also suggests that SRED is usually associated with other disorders that could trigger it.

For instance, people who suffer from other sleeping problems like sleep apnea (brief pauses of breath), sleep walking or restless legs syndrome (involuntary movement to relief unease feeling while resting), tend to develop SRED more than others.

To further reassure that, M.D. Brandon R. Peters, a sleep medicine specialist, argues in his article Unexpected Midnight Snacks: A Case of Sleep Eating, that most of sleep studies that have been conducted on this subject have shown the presence of another sleeping disorder in 80% of the cases, and he also states that it might be related to some day-time eating disorders like bulimia. Moreover, some other causes of SRED that are defined by the ASA and Peters are intensive stress, recent changes in diet (perhaps that’s why women are most likely to develop SRED), in addition to medications like sleeping pills, and other types that have an impact on brain mechanism.

Is SRED dangerous?

Patients with SRED report various experiences. In the same article, Unexpected Midnight Snacks: A Case of

Sleep Eating, Peters refers to the case of a 51 yearold woman suffering from SRED who reports eating a whole bottle of ketchup in one incident, and in another one, she reports making and eating a “fake cookie dough” after mixing random ingredients together while sleeping. Some people with SRED, as stated by Peters, find evidence of eating ordinary food, like sweets and leftovers, which if done excessively, makes them prone to some other health problems like diabetes. Other patients are less lucky as they find evidence of eating rather odd components, like raw meat and frozen uncooked food. What could also make SRED dangerous is when patients start cooking during their episodes, which involves lighting matches, holding hot kitchen supplies and sharp objects; therefore, injuries may occur. In addition to the previous factors, SRED could get risky in cases when patients ingest poisonous substances during their episodes, like detergents for example. Furthermore, some patients are at risk of developing insomnia, especially those with multiple episodes per night.

Diagnosis and Treatment: Just like any other type of illness, it’s important to detect SRED early to avoid any possible complication and minimize risk. The problem here is that many patients usually feel embarrassed coming forward, and they end up waiting for quite long time before seeing a doctor. Referring back to the case that was cited by Peters in his article, the woman reportedly struggled alone with SRED for 10 years without getting diagnosed, despite the fact that she was getting those episodes at least 5 times per week!

Peters also adds that when the patient finally went to get a check-up, she described her condition as “restless sleep,” which is a mistaken description for such cases, and according to the ASA, SRED has a lot in common with sleep walking, which might add to the confusion of the patient as well.

With that mentioned, it’s essential for patients to understand the nature of their illness and give their doctors a full description for their experiences with SRED. And then, after analyzing the symptoms and knowing the patient’s full medical history, doctors can step in for treatment through tackling the cause that triggered those episodes. Finally, in consonance with the ASA’s arguments as well as Peters’, SRED patients can be fully treated through medications, but till then, it’s necessary for them to take precautions to prevent any harm during episodes.

February 2014 | 61

Health

Have a Healthier Stronger Back

A

ccording to the American College of Rheumatology, approximately 80% of the world population develops back pain. They also state that back pain is second only to the common cold as an affliction of mankind. Having said this, we all need to know more about how to deal with back pain and, if possible, how to try to avoid it in the first place.

Structure of the back Your back is a complex structure that provides support for your pelvis, legs, ribcage, arms and skull. The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae that are stacked together to form a loose ‘S’-shaped column. Each vertebra is cushioned by spongy tissue or cartilage called intervertebral discs.

These discs act as shock absorbers and give the spine its flexibility. They have a flat structure with a jelly-like centre. Vertebrae are joined by pairs of small joints known as ‘facet’ joints. A mesh of connective tissue called ligaments holds the spine together. Complex layers of muscle provide structural support and allow movement.

The spinal cord runs through the centre of the vertebral stack and connects the brain to the rest of the body.

Types of back problems There are many different back problems, all of which can cause back pain, such as: soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains, disc problems, postural stress, sciatica, structural problems, disease, and fracture.

62 | February 2014

Back pain triggers Most cases of back pain are not caused by serious damage or disease but by sprains, minor strains, minor injuries or a pinched or irritated nerve. Back pain can be triggered by everyday activities at home or at work, or it can develop gradually over time as a result of prolonged sitting or standing or lifting badly. Other causes of back pain include: • Lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling incorrectly • Slouching in chairs • Twisting • Over-stretching • Driving in a hunched position or driving for long periods without taking a break • Overuse of the muscles, usually due to sport or repetitive movements (repetitive strain injury) Sometimes back pain develops suddenly for no apparent reason. Some people just wake up one morning with back pain and have no idea what has caused it. Lack of exercise, being overweight or obese, stress, and poor posture are all lifestyle factors that contribute to and exacerbate back pain.

Preventing Back pain In most cases, back pain can be prevented by making a few lifestyle changes. Some suggestions include: • Exercising regularly. This is important to improve posture and increase muscle support of the spine. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. This can be broken into shorter blocks of exercise if you prefer.

• Lifting and carrying safely. If you are picking up a heavy load, squat down, hold the object as close to your body as practical and lift by using your legs (keeping your back straight). Get some help from another person or use equipment, such as a trolley, if the load is too heavy to manage comfortably on your own.

• Maintaining a healthy body weight. Being overweight or obese puts extra strain on your back.

• Being aware of your posture. Consider your posture, particularly in seated positions such as when driving or sitting at a desk for long periods of time. Don’t slump, keep your back upright and use support where necessary, such as a lumbar support cushion or footstool.

• Taking regular breaks. When driving, standing or sitting for long periods of time, take a break at least every hour. This will help change the position of your joints and loosen your muscles. Include a short walk and a few stretches as part of your break.

• Changing your mattress. Surfaces that are too soft or too hard can aggravate a sore back. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.

Alternative medicine A number of alternative treatments are available that may help ease symptoms of back pain. Always discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before starting any new alternative therapy.

• Chiropractic care. Back pain is one of the most common reasons that people see a chiropractor.

• Acupuncture. A practitioner of acupuncture inserts sterilized stainless steel needles into the skin at specific points on the body. Some people with low back pain report that acupuncture helps relieve their symptoms.

• Massage. If your back pain is caused by tense or overworked muscles, massage therapy may help.

• Yoga. Results of a few clinical trials suggest that yoga offers some benefit for people with back pain.

Here are some exercises suggested by Arthritis Research UK for managing back pain: • Knees to chest. Lie on your back, knees bent.

Bring one knee up and pull it gently into your chest for 5 seconds. Repeat up to 5 times on each side.

• Pelvic tilt. Lie down with your knees bent. Tighten your stomach muscles flattening your back against the floor. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 5 times.

• Back stretch. Lie on your back, hands above your head. Bend your knees and roll them slowly to one side, keeping your feet on the floor. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side.

• One-leg stand. Holding onto something for support if needed, bend one leg up behind you.

Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side.

• Deep lunge. Kneel on one knee, the other foot in front. Facing forwards, lift the back knee up. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side.

Your pain should ease within 2 weeks and you should recover over approximately a 4-6 week period. You should carry on with the exercises for at least 6-8 weeks to help prevent another injury. If the pain is severe or not improving over a week or so, contact your doctor.

Sources: The Better Health Channel (BHC), Mayo Clinic, and Arthritis Research UK. February 2014 | 63

Fitness

Circuit Training 101

T

BY: SAMIRA KHALIL

here is no better time to express your love and affection than Valentine’s Day. Okay I get the whole Valentine thing, but I personally see Valentine’s Day as just another ordinary day. A lot of us focus on getting gifts to our loved ones and tend to forget the most important part about loving ourselves throughout the year and not on that day.

Let’s take it to heart and learn how to love ourselves, love our bodies and work hard enough to make the best out of it. You will never have long term success in any weight-loss or fitness program if you don’t LOVE yourself enough.

Loving and accepting who you are is so important because thought is behavior. Negative thoughts and lack of motivation to change will only lead to poor self esteem, failure and depression. Start today by changing your inner monologue from “I don’t have time to exercise, I will always be fat because it runs in my family” to “I can lose weight, will exercise to become stronger and have the best body shape in my life.”

I can assure you that if you start loving yourself more, change your self-talk, your whole perspective in health and fitness will change for the better.

Let’s Get More Specific with Circuit Training What is Circuit training?

Circuit training is a group of aerobics and strength training exercises grouped together in a circuit format. Each exercise is either done for a specific time (30 seconds) or in repetitions (12 reps). After you are done with the first circuit, take a 30 second break for recovery and repeat 2-6 times.

Circuit training is an excellent way to increase muscle endurance, improve mobility, and strength and cardiovascular fitness. Also circuit training is short in time, works most muscle groups together at one time and eventually leads to more calorie burn.

64 | February 2014

The strength part works your muscles and cardio moves keep your heart rate at peak. The higher your heart rate during exercise, the more calories you are burning during and after exercise.

TRY THIS CIRCUIT OUT! Plank 3 Sets of 1 minute Performance: Lie face down with your forearms on the floor and your elbows right beneath your shoulders. Hold this static contraction and breathe.

Planks strengthen your inner midsection and upper body. *For extra challenge, lift one leg up.

core

muscles,

Squat with weights 3 Sets of 15 Performance: Sit back and down as if you are about to sit on a chair. Lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the floor, stand back up and repeat.

This move adds definition to your quads and glutes.

Also you are recruiting more core muscles when adding weights for stability.

High Knees 3 Sets of 30 seconds Performance: Jog in place, bringing your knee up as high as you can. Perform this move as fast as possible and lean your upper body back.

This circuit training combines the vital components of fitness: strength, core balance and cardio vascular fitness. It is extremely important that you always hit more than one fitness component during your exercise. We always tend to work in our comfort zone and ignore our weaknesses.

To move forward and see real changes in your life, combat your negativity, commit, let go of your fears and most significantly LOVE yourself.

Photography by: Mohamed Margoushy

February 2014 | 65

Fitness

From the bottom of your heart and on top of your mind…TO THE GYM!

V

BY: NATASCIA PAOLUCCI

alentine is about feelings.

Some know that these latter initiate in the brain, while others maintain that they must come from the heart to be true.

This article is not about supporting a theory or another. Rather, it will reunite the scientists and the romantics. In effect, exercising has been proven to be beneficial to both the nervous and the cardiovascular system.

The issue is that while it is easy to quantify the effects of sports on physical health, it is far more complex to identify and measure the same effect on psychological health. Fortunately, in the last ten years, researchers have undertaken the task and are beginning to understand better the potential for numerous and different advantages of exercising that happen from the neck up. Here are the results: Reducing Stress. So, you were stuck in the traffic jam, your boss decided to make you reorganize the last ten years of accounting, your kids who always fight for toys generously accepted to share the flu virus and the dog is convinced that you hide the treats under the garden flowers? Hit the gym! Indeed, working up a sweat can help manage physical and mental stress as well. More precisely, exercising increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. So go ahead, sweat your day out!

Boosting the Happiness Hormones. Feeling depressed? Blue? Discouraged? Hit the gym!

Hormones always get the bad role; they drive you crazy during your adolescence, pregnancy and … about once a month. However, this generalization is fairly unfair. Indeed, feeling content and satisfied about your life is also the result of a chemical released in your brain. Fortunately, exercising releases endorphins, which create feelings of

66 | February 2014

Improving Self-Confidence. Feeling worthless?

Need some self-esteem? Hit the gym! This is more self-explanatory, because it relies on people’s motives for hitting the gym in the first place. Therefore, not only will exercising make you look better but also, and more importantly, it will make you feel better.

Preventing Cognitive Decline. Feeling older?

Well, chances are that it is true. But still, hit the gym! It is unpleasant, but it is true: age slows brain functions. Fortunately, the slow down can be mitigated and delayed. Indeed, working out, especially between age 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning.

Alleviating Anxiety. Nervous? On edge? Hit the gym! You would be surprised to learn that a 20-minute jog will work better at reassuring you than a warm bath. It may sound less comfortable and definitely more demanding but think about it, you can totally have both!

Sharpening Memory. Cannot remember where you left the keys? Hit the gym! Regular physical activity boosts memory and ability to learn new things. Getting sweaty increases production of cells in hippocampus responsible for memory and learning.

For this reason, research has linked children’s brain development with level of physical fitness. Fortunately, exercise-based brainpower isn’t just for kids. Even if it’s not as fun as a game of hide and seek, working out can boost memory among grown-ups too. A study showed that running sprints improved vocabulary retention among healthy adults.

Controlling Addiction. Another food craving?

Hit the gym! The brain naturally releases dopamine, in response to any form of pleasure such as sex, drugs, alcohol, or food. Unfortunately, some people become addicted to dopamine and dependent on the substances that produce it, like more drugs or alcohol.

Fortunately, exercising also generates it! So, you can

substitute a source for another, and reduce the need for unhealthy substances until you can completely get rid of it.

Facilitating Sleep and Relaxation. Trouble finding sleep or finding it difficult to cool down after a demanding day? Hit the gym! For some, a moderate workout can be the equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia. Indeed, moving around five to six hours before bedtime raises the body’s temperature. When the body temperature drops back to normal a few hours later, it signals the body that it’s time to sleep.

Boosting Creativity. You are faced with a tough question? A difficult situation? A delicate choice?

Hit the gym! Indeed, exercising has been proven to increase the capacity to generate new ideas. A heartpumping gym session can boost creativity for up to 2 hours afterwards.

Inspire Others. Seeing unhappy people around you? Hit the gym! This has to do with socialization.

Indeed, the human being is a social animal and it tends to do better in a group than alone. Actually, studies have shown that most people perform much better on aerobic tests when paired up with a workout buddy. In fact, being part of a team is so powerful that it can actually raise athletes’ tolerances for pain. Even fitness beginners can inspire each other to push harder during a sweat session, so find a workout buddy and encourage each other towards success!

Whether it starts in the heart or in the brain, emotions change the way we understand our lives. So to make sure that we make the most out of our lives to get the best out of our feelings, workout passionately and love actively!

“

I fear not the man who has practiced 10000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10000 times.

Bruce Lee

“

happiness and euphoria. Studies have shown that it can even alleviate symptoms among the clinically depressed. Actually, in some cases, exercise can be just as effective as antidepressant pills in the treatment of depression. The best part is that benefits do not depend on the type of exercise. So go ahead, take your pick and have fun for 30 minutes, you will be happy for the rest of the day!

February 2014 | 67

Nutrition

Why Eat This?

Arugula…

The natural aphrodisiac

• Arugula has been heralded as an arousal aid since the first century.

Today, research reveals that the trace minerals and antioxidants packed into dark, leafy greens are essential for our sexual health because they help block absorption of some of the environmental contaminants thought to negatively impact our libido.

• Arugula promotes digestion and is a great source of vitamins A and C. • It contains a group of anti-cancer compounds known as glucosinolates, which not only function as an antioxidant, but also stimulate natural detoxifying enzymes in the body.

• It is full of important phytochemicals,

Super Food...

Bananas

• Bananas are rich in potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function.

• In addition to these cardiovascular benefits, the potassium found in bananas may also help to promote bone health as it helps prevent the loss of calcium from the body.

• They are slightly higher in energy than other fruits but the calories come mainly from carbohydrate, which makes them brilliant for refuelling before, during or after a workout. Their potassium content may also help with muscle cramps during exercise.

• Bananas bolster the nervous system, boost immune function, 68 | February 2014

such as carotenes and chlorophyll, making it an excellent source of antioxidants.

• Arugula’s combination of folate, vitamins C and K, calcium, magnesium and manganese helps prevent osteoporosis, lower the risk of fractures, and promote overall bone and cartilage health.

• It is a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, helping to control blood pressure and preserve bone health, as well as a decent source of iron to build healthy red blood cells.

• Selection and storage: Whilst purchasing, search for crunchy green color young leaves. Refrigerate and use within 3 - 5 days.

5 Word Answer

What are the best anti-cellulite foods?

Green tea, broccoli, pears, eggs and asparagus.

and help the body metabolize protein.

• They are very soothing to the gastrointestinal tract due to their high content of pectin.

• They have long been recognized for their antacid effects that protect against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage.

• They are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), a compound called a prebiotic because it nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce vitamins and digestive enzymes that improve our ability to absorb nutrients, plus compounds that protect us against unfriendly microorganisms.

Fight dandruff with food!

Fix with Food

A diet that provides enough zinc, B vitamins and certain types of fats may help prevent dandruff. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, brewers yeast, wheat germ, bran, pine nuts, pecans and shellfish. Liver, rabbit, cod, raw red and green peppers, fatty fish, turkey, hazel nuts, potatoes and cashews are vitamin B6-rich. Also reduce your sugar consumption.

Dandruff is often attributed to the Candida yeast, and sugary foods are thought to promote the overgrowth of this yeast in the body. In addition, sugar depletes the body of B vitamins, which should be a key component of any anti-dandruff diet.

Nutrition

African Mango...

What’s the Truth Behind the New Magic Pill?

BY: dr. SHERINE EL SHIMI

T

he newly discovered African Mango has finally reached Egypt. There are so many rumors out there about the weight loss supplement that need to be refuted. Here are some:

African mango makes you lose twenty kilos in one month without exercise and you can eat anything you want.

There is no magic pill that would do that. The supplement is prescribed in a dose of two tablets per day in the morning (150 mg). On average, subjects have lost five kilos in eight weeks. If the lifestyle in terms of exercise and decreased calorie intake are not altered, the effect of the extract in the supplement will start to fade until it becomes a placebo effect.

The supplement is effective through its suppression of certain brain centers which are responsible for appetite regulation.

African mango is effective through increasing the metabolism by its thermogenic capacities. It does not work through any neuro-transmitters.

African mango is effective by decreasing the body’s water content.

No, the supplement works by burning the stubborn fat stored in the body through the increased metabolism.

Muscle content and water are intact. It also contains soluble fibers, hence it delays gastric emptying and consequently delays hunger.

Diabetics should avoid taking African mango.

On the contrary, the supplement stabilizes the blood sugar level, so diabetics and pre-diabetics can use it.

The supplement does not regulate cravings.

Leptin is the hormone that is behind the development of obesity.

If leptin level is unregulated, the individual suffers from increased cravings and hence weight gain. The supplement helps in the regulation of that hormone, further decreasing cravings and helping in weight loss.

African mango has many side effects.

There have been no negative reports, the only association is that it begins to have a placebo effect if there is no parallel lifestyle change.

Important tip: Make sure you buy a supplement with the extract “IGOB131,” as some supplements do not contain it.

February 2014 | 69

Nutrition

Small Changes Make Big Differences

I

BY: NOURA HASSABALLA t is never too late to start setting new goals.

Now can be the time for you to start a fresh chapter in life and specify new nutrition and health targets. Let me share with you some tips and habits that you should follow in order to reach a better and healthier lifestyle.

Water

I am always going to tell you don’t forget your water.

We tend to forget drinking adequate amounts of water especially when the fall hits, even though we need it most to keep our skin hydrated. Many people ask why their skin is becoming dull and dry. Well, here goes your answer... it is water that keeps your body going and kicks toxins out of it. If you are not a big fan of water, flavor it up a bit. Add a sliced lemon, some fresh mint leaves, ginger, or any of your favorite flavors, such as cucumbers, kiwi, strawberries, or any of your favorite fruits.

Swapping Make simple swaps in your daily habits; trust me it pays off in the long run. If you are consuming white bread, substitute it with whole grain ones. If you are loading up on sodas and a bunch of other empty calorie drinks, swap them with natural homemade juice or smoothies. Toss in some green leafy veggies to optimize your drink. Not only will you get your vitamins and minerals, you will also add some fibers 70 | February 2014

to your daily diet where it is usually forgotten.

Eat less more often Don’t get stuck on the idea that eating once or twice a day will make you lose weight; on the contrary this will cause your fat cells to expand more. Eating small meals frequently throughout the day will boost your metabolism and increase your energy levels. This way you will not feel lethargic.

Make it fun Healthy food doesn’t have to be boring. Add some raisins or cranberries to your salad. Swap your mayo with low-fat yogurt. Believe me, these little changes can save you a couple hundred calories a day, by the end of the week you will feel lighter. Switch from frying to baking as well.

Say no to temptation Who doesn’t get tempted to have a couple chocolate chip cookies or a fat juicy piece of brownie? Instead, have a fruit handy so when you get those cravings you can fulfill your needs wisely.

Me time Have sometime for yourself. Whether it is organizing your thoughts, relaxing, or even getting a facial; dedicate 10 to 15 minutes every night to yourself. It is nice after a long hectic day to treat yourself every now and then.

Editorial Features

Love at First Taste BY: YOSRA SHOHAYEB

T

here are small pleasures in life that trigger a fond memory inside your mind, it may be a dim memory, may be a fresh memory, and it may even be a memory that never took place. Chef Riccardo’s alluring Italian dishes at Strada restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence will take you to authentic alleys and suburbs in Italy, creating new memories of love stories and friendship right at the corner of one of Sicily’s twittens.

Your journey starts at Strada the moment you walk in, with actual Vespas on your right, wooden wine racks, and the Nile view on your left creating a feeling of Italian-Egyptian culture mixture. Get your mouthwatering journey going by starters as fried saffron rice balls, bresaola with ciliegine mozzarella and rucola, veal tonnato served on toasted bread, or order their Strada antipasti to enjoy several of these delicious bites at once.

Warm freshly baked rolls arrive. Their potato stuffed buns will take you back to a time when you were eagerly waiting for your grandmother’s fresh bakery, feeling a sense of tranquility after your first bite. Complete that feeling of serenity by dipping your bread in some stirred up balsamic vinegar with olive oil sprinkled with some salt and pepper.

To further effectuate unparalleled memories, Chef Riccardo’s original gnocchi drenched in divine Parmesan fondue with its crispy, simultaneously soft texture will always keep you craving for more. His beetroot risotto with goat cheese and cress salad, where flavors complement each other, will make you feel comfortable eating with a spoon out of a bowl, yet in elegance.

For a main course that will blow your mind away, try their roasted salmon with glazed fennel, caponata and lemon sauce, or their beef fillet tagliata with braised endive, glazed shallots and goat cheese fondue.

What comes later is worth clearing the way for: creamy smooth Northern Italian tiramisu, or heavenly white chocolate mousse, or strawberry ragout with olive oil and pistachio sponge. These deserts will create everlasting memories in all nooks of Italy.

Not only can you have an indelible dining experience at reasonable prices, but also a special tasty brunch tagging the kids along for a renowned quality time with the family. At Strada you’ll wish to live in Chef Riccardo’s kitchen and never return to reality, because in his own words “I only want to see people happy.”

Cooking

Cherry Jam Cookies

Yield: about 40 sandwich cookies Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

3/4 cup butter, softened 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 3 egg yolks 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 1/2 cups ground roasted and salted pistachios Cherry jam

Directions: • In a large bowl, beat butter and confectioners’ sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.

Beat in egg yolks until combined.

• In a small bowl, combine flour, nutmeg and cardamom. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until combined. Beat in ground pistachios. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

• Preheat oven to 163 degrees Celsius. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

• On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets, and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.

Let cool on pan for 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

• Spread cherry jam evenly over the middle of the cookies. Return to baking sheets, and bake for 2 minutes.

Let cool completely on wire racks. Store in airtight containers.

72 | February 2014

Love & Relationships

All I want in my lover is…

BY: YOSRA SHOHAYEB

I

t is really hard to know what you desire in your lover; one day we want an outgoing hip partner, and the next day we might even want an introverted partner. Truth is, we change everyday, we become different human beings; therefore, with different desires -and it is totally fine not to know- some of us are still figuring out their purpose in life. We could walk with a long list of likes and dislikes in a potential lover; however, once we fall in love, we are openly and delightfully willing to revamp that list to best suit our sweetheart. So, will knowing what you want make you keep or handle your lover when found? And what is it that really attracts men and women?

Let us go beyond the false beliefs, get inside the minds of both sexes, and discover what they really are craving for in their significant other.

She said, “…

“I want him to be a gentleman in the way he treats me, to appreciate me and never take me for granted, to respect me and value me, to be honest because I can never trust someone who might lie, and to be funny or I might die.” Aya Hassan, 23 “I need my man to take risks and invest in the relationship. A man who is considerate, respects women, appreciative, makes sweet gestures, and never ever take me for granted!” Nelly El

Mehrek, 22 “To care about me and respect me because love doesn’t last; only care and respect do, even when after growing old together.” Racha Sakr, 27

“A diligent, loving man, who has a purpose and a light spirit, enjoys life while also giving it his best.”

Farida El-Zawahry, 22

“I want someone who appreciates and respects what it took to be who I am, and to understand that he’s not completing something I lack.”

Cherry Ibrahim, 32

“I’m not looking for Hugh Jackman, but physical attraction is important to me. However, the most important thing for me is to be provided with security not certainty. Certainty is not attainable. I don’t believe in it.” Salma Afifi, 25

“I have been having a major issue with all men around me. Whenever I go crazy or lose my temper, I get blamed for it, while in fact no woman would ever go crazy unless a man triggers it. I want a man who can bring the best out of me in terms of beauty, confidence, and insight. This is not being demanding or high maintenance, this is being in a relationship. If a man is unable to give a woman this, then getting in a relationship is pointless.” Mariam Al-Mokadem, 19 74 | February 2014

“The most important thing for me is companionship, because I believe this is really what can remain solid and last through the years of a relationship. I want someone with whom I have first and foremost a solid friendship, because then you are more equals, you enjoy doing things together. Once the initial excitement is gone, you’ll still have a solid foundation -like the relationships you have with your best friends- and they will most likely be someone you can depend on.” Nada El Ayat, 29

He said, “…

“First, I need a woman not a child; a woman who achieved something in her career. I don’t like women who just work for the sake of money. Also, to love what she does and do it with passion. Maybe since I love my work, I’m looking for the same in the woman with me. Second, I want an outgoing woman who socializes with the crowd easily.” Karim Aboul Fotouh, 29

“The thing I really want in a woman is emotional stability.” Ahmed Osama, 28

“I need a woman who is wise, in order to be able to handle my bad temper. Plus, smart women are always beautiful. I don’t like talkative or shallow women; I like a woman with interests. I want her to be my comfort zone. Moreover, she needs to accept having her freedom restrained.”

Mohamed Nabil, 24

“I want her to be understanding and generous. I would like her to think about others before herself.

I would love if she plays sports, someone I can chill with every now and then, and not to expect an adventure every time we go out. Finally, I really want someone who actually cares about me and helps me achieve my goals. To me, looks aren’t everything, because if you love someone, you’ll automatically see their beauty. Personality is what really counts.” Ramy Raafat, 21

“I like a woman who takes care of her appearance.

She has to be physically fit, funny, cheerful, and generous. She also has to love hanging around my friends and I. She must love dogs and horses, especially dogs, because I’m kind of addicted to them. Above all, it is crucial that she likes soccer as it’s my life. She has to be appreciative, loyal, and supportive in any decision I make. If I don’t find these qualities in a woman, I might not love or marry her.” Ahmed El Gohary, 27

“I want a girl who is hot, sweet, straightforward, caring, athletic, loving, wild, passionate, smart, and simple. I neither want a Barbie nor a tomboy, in between is good.

She must have nice hair; it is very important to me.” Sherif Massoud, 22

“If a woman is smart enough, she will give a man what he wants and needs; so what I want is a smart woman.” Ibrahim Hatem, 30

February 2014 | 75

Love & Relationships

Connecting from

the Heart BY: BETTINA HEMMINGSEN

O

ur need for a loving connection with another person is not a character flaw or weakness. It is a primal desire like our need for food and shelter, and one of the most powerful drives behind our behavior. Think about it for a moment. How many times have you felt an almost desperate need for your spouse to pay attention to you or respond to what may, on the surface, seem like a mundane request? Have you ever found yourselves going around and around in arguments about an issue that, when emotions have calmed, you both agree are silly yet in that particular moment neither of you could relinquish your position? Unfortunately, couples often overlook the emotional context of their conversations and miss the opportunity to strengthen the love between them. But by answering these questions about yourself and your spouse, you can begin to unravel the deeper meaning behind that fight about the laundry or begin to articulate the vague sense of disconnection that may be creeping into your relationship right now.

76 | February 2014

Relationship Dialogue Questions

1. What can I do to make you feel more welcome in my life?

2. What do you feel is the purpose of our relationship?

3. How do you feel if I say no?

4. Do you know you have a choice?

5. What makes you feel connected to me?

6. What don’t you want me to know?

7. What’s the next part of the dream?

8. What does your ideal relationship look like?

9. What behaviour of mine pushes your buttons the most?

10. What is the biggest lesson you have to learn from me?

11. What action can we take to resolve our biggest challenge?

12. What question don’t you want me to ask you?

13. How can I support you?

14. What’s the attraction between us?

15. What would give you more peace of mind?

16. What’s an assumption you are making about me?

17. What is the gap between your ideal relationship and what we share?

18. Am I meeting your needs?

19. What are you most afraid of ?

20. When are you most happy?

21. What does intimacy mean to you?

22. Do we spend enough time together?

23. What’s the level of our communication on a scale of 1 to 10?

24. How can we improve our communication?

25. Do you feel I pay enough attention to you?

26. Do you feel I am nurturing enough?

27. How do you like to receive love?

28. What are you passionate about?

29. What does passion mean to you?

30. What does it mean to be vulnerable?

31. What do you value most about our relationship?

32. What do you value least about our relationship?

33. What can I do to deepen our intimacy?

34. Do you trust me?

35. Do you feel I show enough appreciation?

36. Are you abundant enough to share your heart?

37. What’s the most important thing in our relationship?

38. Is it easier to share your heart or your pocketbook?

39. How do you feel when I need you?

40. Is it OK to ask you for what I need?

41. Is it safe enough to ask for what you need?

42. What does it take for you to feel safe in the relationship?

43. What destroys trust for you?

44. What advice would you give a young couple entering a relationship?

45. What would you say is the difference in our values?

46. What do you stand for? What’s the opposite of that?

47.

48.

49.

50.

51.

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

79.

80.

81.

82.

83.

84.

85.

86.

87.

88.

89.

90.

91.

92.

93.

94.

95.

How do you express anger?

What’s the difference between love and romance?

Do you feel I manipulate you?

What behaviour do I use to get my way?

Do you have a need to be right?

Are you willing to compromise?

How easy is it for you to let go?

Do you resent anyone for anything, who and why?

Are you willing to see another possibility?

Do we laugh enough?

What does it take to make you laugh?

Tell me about your favourite place.

What was your most uplifting experience?

What was your most scary experience?

What’s our most memorable experience together?

What’s the most difficult thing we’ve had to face together?

How could I have handled a situation differently?

How can I give you wings?

How do you want us to be together in public?

Do you feel I treat you with respect?

How do you show love?

Do you feel I show up for you?

How do I know when you feel disconnected from me?

How’s our sex life?

Do I touch you enough?

Do we need more quality time?

Do I acknowledge you enough?

Do we share responsibilities enough?

What’s your role in this relationship?

What’s my role in this relationship?

What makes you feel disconnected from me?

Do you feel I am ignoring you?

What needs to be said?

What would make you feel safe?

If you had another best friend, how would you spend your time with them?

What parts of you do you hide from me?

Do you see our relationship as ordinary?

What’s going on for you right now?

What needs to be resolved?

What can I say to get your attention?

What kind of memories do we want to create together?

What do you expect from me that you could give yourself ?

How much space/time do we need apart?

How do we know if our relationship is on track?

What’s the biggest lesson I can learn from you?

What about me have you accepted and no longer have a problem with?

How do you feel about public displays of affection?

How do you express your feelings?

How do you let go/release resentment?

February 2014 | 77

Mother & Child

THE UGLY TRUTH Nothing is more precious and pure than mother’s love for her children. It is with that love that we grow and face all the hardships we come across in life, and it’s also what sets the standard to our capability of loving our friends, partners, children, and most importantly ourselves. With that said, I believe it’s explainable how the idea of “parental favoritism” is often unaccepted and even denied by us; it’s because we know how valuable and essential this love is, we just can’t accept anything that might shake its wholesome image. However, not admitting it doesn’t really help much, but it rather makes the situation worse in most cases. The truth is that it’s really obvious! And in reality the favored as well as the less favored child feel it before anyone else does. Such thing can be sighted through several things, like the amount of time spent with one child compared to the other, which child’s name pops up more often in conversations with friends, which one the mother brag about more, who gets punished more often, etc.

78 | February 2014

Referring to Jeffery Kluger’s writings on that subject, who’s a prominent American science author, psychotherapist Dr. Ellen Weber Libby states in her article titled “Mom Liked You Best” that the majority of parents have a favored child no matter how hard they try to block this truth; it’s a part of their physiological being. Libby also refers to Kluger’s work discussing the factors contributing to favoring one child over the other; for instance, he argues that a parent would most likely favor the child that shows better attributes in terms of fitness, health, and physicality, which is most common with first-borns, as such attributes add to their pride. Also, in some other cases, according to Kluger, the weakest child may be favored, especially when the mother is more affectionate and softhearted by nature.

Moreover, Libby goes on stating that at the end it comes down to the child that makes the parents feel more successful; whether by restoring their self-esteem by perhaps accomplishing something that they failed to achieve, or by generally turning out good because of their “awesome” parenting, which brings us to the issue of “conditional love.” Favored children usually have the bar set too high for them, and they usually feel obligated to do certain things and act in a certain way instead of being themselves, in order to maintain their “stardom;” consequently they are most likely to develop some serious identity issues when they grow up. Other children, however, are favored without having to do anything, and they find themselves getting a free pass with almost everything, which is also something that grows with them leading to them thinking that they can do so with drugs, stealing, and whatever else they want to do.

get, and the fact that favoritism can harm both the favored and disfavored, all of that in addition to raising a crucial question: In which cases could favoritism be considered fair? Among those who wrote about the issue of favoritism fairness is social psychologist IIan Shrira, in his article “When Parents Play Favorite.” On the one hand, Shrira argues that favoritism is fair if it’s in favor of their first-born, or in favor of a sick or disabled child, as long as parents take the time to explain the whole situation to the siblings. While on the other hand, he argues that favoritism is not accepted in case of gender discrimination, or favoring a biological child over a stepchild. Also, he argues that it’s understandable and normal for a mother/ father to favor their more disciplined loving child. Bottom line, there are a lot of factors to be evaluated before jumping to conclusions.

Taking all the above arguments into consideration, it’s safe to say that there is no place left for denying the magnitude of “parental favoritism.” It’s a serious family issue that can tremendously affect how children turn out. So for all the parents, especially mothers, my recommendation would be to dig deeper even if you think you’re treating your children equally; just take some time, talk to your kids and listen to what they have to say. There is a great possibility that they are seeing things that you’re not noticing.

In addition to Kluger and Libby, the successful journalist and author of several bestselling novels, Tess Stimson, states in her article “I was always my parents’ favorite” that she didn’t realize the unfairness of her being favored until her adulthood phase and that she was brought up to think it’s totally normal given that she was the first born. That had its toll not only on her, but also on her disfavored siblings who have always felt demoralized regardless what they did when compared to her. In this case, Stimson, the favored child here, apparently turned out just fine, while her disfavored siblings struggled to keep up with her.

Stimson’s story sheds the light on various issues related to favoritism, like the feeling of guilt that some of the favored children helplessly

February 2014 | 79

Features

The Red Riding Day BY: YOSRA SHOHAYEB

80 | February 2014

I

t’s without a doubt that first place “prize of overreaction” in literally everything goes to the one and only Egyptians; we master the art of over expressing our feelings towards anything, you name it; a new restaurant, café, club, song, and even a new leading figure. We “all” go to the same new hip place in town EVERYDAY, and see the same 200 faces EVERYDAY, we do not fail in playing that new song in every kiosk and car in town, and we will most certainly make that leading figure ubiquitous to emphasize our devotion and worship towards him/her. We don’t leave out anything and everything that is considered trendy; we make sure to abuse every inch of it, and what do we more exploit in this country than occasions, especially - I know you’ve figured it out already - the occasion that no Egyptian knows its origin: Valentine!

The list below is not just any list, but one that truly defines the essence of Valentine to Egyptians, that is if we do really care about an essence. If you do celebrate Valentine’s Day, then you may be included in this list (no offense), and if you don’t, then you’ve probably wanted to write this list all along.

We like it doubled As if one Valentine’s Day wasn’t enough for us, we have an Egyptian Valentine’s Day on November 4 created by journalist and writer Mostafa Amin, and another one on February 14 invented by westerners. And because we are a society that likes to brag, speak in English 24/7 and pretty much act westernized in every possible way, it is no wonder our official Valentine is in February, but we will never omit our patriotic side, and we will celebrate on both days. Who would say no for free dinner and gifts? Not Egyptians.

“Sorry, Madam/Sir, we’re full” “You’re either with us, or against us,” that’s how restaurants act on that day, as if we’re in a war zone. Are you a fool to forget about that sacred day and not reserve ahead? Sorry fellow, but if you fail to remember that day, then don’t plan on finding any decent place to chill at on February 14.

WARNING: Do not wear red Unless you’re a person who loves, desires, and live off of attention, don’t dare to pull that red shirt out of your closet.

Girly gift-exchange Seriously, what’s with that? Why do girls do this? It’s creepy, confusing, and... creepy!

Oops! Your boyfriend is no secret anymore “Where did that glitter on your face come from little miss? And what are you keeping behind your back? Oh, and I think there are two surprises in your closet; a gift and your father.”

No more money in the bank If your boyfriend/girlfriend’s birthday is months before/after Valentine’s Day, then either say hello to bankruptcy with arms wide open, or compromise to ditch one of the two occasions. Of course, you’re not going to settle on the birthday, so maybe you should finally take that courageous step and once and for all deep-six the red day.

That spooky red bear Despite the fact that the country is drenched in red on that day, no not because of dead people, we’re over that already, but because of all the red balloons, gifts, and wraps, amongst all that there is that petrifying red bear with all its sizes that have been around for eternity, becoming part of our monuments now. Who’s that bear?

Single alert For some obnoxious reason, everyone suddenly remembers that they’re single on that day - you were single before, and maybe will stay that way after as well. Singles come up with jokes about imaginary boyfriends/girlfriends, make fun of Valentine’s Day, and maybe even throw a single-party just for the sake of it.

The division of a nation Now here is where we shine, here is our comfort zone, because we’re such experts in being divided and for some reason, it seems as if we like it. On Valentine’s Day there are two groups; one that thinks this day is completely nonsense, probably as they’re single, or not. The second considers people who perceive Valentine’s Day as lame to be lame themselves. Agree to disagree? On our dead bodies!

February 2014 | 81

Features Discover the Early Gemstone of Saint Valentine Once Known as the Stone of Lovers BY: NIVINE MUKHTAR

F

ebruary’s birthstone is the beautiful gemstone called amethyst. Amethyst color ranges from light lilac or lavender to the deep purple and violets. Purple has been associated with royalty, wealth and power for centuries. Most of the monarchs wore purple on a regular basis. Amethyst has been desired for its royal color since ancient times and it was considered, due to its rarity, one of the most valuable gemstones along with diamond, sapphire, ruby and emerald. In the 18th Century, it became more available and less valuable after discovering new and large deposits.

The name amethyst derives from the Greek word “amethystos” which means “not drunk” or “not intoxicated” as the ancient Greeks believed that amethysts could protect one from getting drunk, so they served wine in cups carved from amethyst to protect against drunkenness.

The romance element of amethyst comes from its association with love legends. One of the two legends states that St. Valentine wore an amethyst ring carved in the shape of cupid, while the second legend states that Cleopatra also wore a fabulous amethyst ring by which she captured the hearts of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

Amethyst was a special favorite of Catherine the Great of Russia. Also the British Crown Jewels include very fine amethysts.

Russia was the main source of amethyst until the 20th Century when it was discovered in many other countries like Canada, Australia, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Zambia, Sri Lanka, the United States and Brazil that is considered the main source today. The finest color of amethyst is a strong reddish purple, which comes mainly from the African countries especially Zambia.

Amethyst is highly returning to take place in luxury jewelry brands like Chopard, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Tiffany & Co., as they have incorporated it in many jewelry pieces especially that purple is one of the color trends this year.

82 | February 2014

The Best, The Top & the must do!

YOUR GETAWAY Chiva-Som (Hua Hin, Thailand) Chiva-Som is among the top health and wellness destinations in the world, located in the royal city of Hua Hin, where you can enrich your body, mind and soul, and have a magical relaxing time with your loved one. Chiva-Som offers you an experience that would transcend you to a higher and much better level of wellbeing, while being surrounded with the beauty of mother nature. There you can celebrate your love in a different way that would positively affect your lifestyle forever, with specialists in all sorts of fields, from fitness instructors and nutritionists, to yoga teachers and therapists; all working hard to put you on the right direction and enhance your life. Not to mention the luxurious accommodation, and the carefully selected menus for the cuisine, which complete your unforgettable experience. So, if you’re looking for a new exotic way to celebrate your love, the Chiva-Som is the place to be.

NOT TO BE MISSED! H&M Go Gold: An Exclusive Capsule Collection Inspired by the Swedish Olympic Outfits To celebrate the outfits designed by H&M in collaboration with the Swedish Winter Olympic team for Sochi 2014, H&M Sport has created a special capsule collection inspired by the Swedish Olympic outfits. The collection is made up of functional sports garments and casual items that are perfect for layering.

Did You Know!

In a strange coincidence, India celebrates its children’s day on November 14, which is exactly 9 months after Valentine’s Day! That date was actually chosen because it’s the birthday of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was known for his care for kids; yet still, it’s an amusing fact.

MUST TRY! “Eros;” New Fragrance for Men by Versace Eros is the Greek god of love that is said is able to persuade people to fall in love through his bow and arrow. Ancient Greek Mythology has always been a part of the Italian fashion company’s inspiration, and this time is no different. Eros is for the strong passionate men out there. It is all about men’s masculinity, persuasion and power. It has a strong classical scent that mixes the freshness of mint and Italian lemon zest, together with the arousing wood odor. Versace has also launched a full Eros bath line, including shave lotion, shower gel, and deodorants.

Available at Fortune

84 | February 2014

Reviews

album

The Fray’s new album to be released this month The Grammy’s nominated American band is releasing its fourth album on February 25. The new album titled Helios includes 11 tracks with a head single “Love Don’t Die.” The band’s lead vocalist Isaac Slade has collaborated with the multi awardwinning musician Stuart Price and the super talented Ryan Tedder (the lead singer of One Republic), for the production of this album. The Fray is best known for their song “How to save a life” that was debuted in their first album back in 2004.

movie

“La moakhza” (Excuse My French); a story of an unfortunate kid!

The movie portrays the issue of discrimination and racism here in Egypt. It tells the story of an Egyptian kid whose father passed away leaving him and his mother swamped with debts. To cut off some expenses, the mother had to transfer the boy to a public school, in which he struggles to adapt to his classmates’ different backgrounds, and finds himself forced to hide his Christian religion in order to fit in. The movie is written and directed by Amr Salama, starring Kinda Alloush, and music composition by Hany Adel.

book

“Swaat Banat” by Abeer Abd El Wahab Writer Abeer Abd El Wahab has published her second book, in which she sarcastically shed light on the driving of Egyptian girls, and how the community usually sees them as real threat behind wheels. The writer has put together a humorous promo for the book, featuring celebrities like actor Fathy Abd El Wahab and singer Abu El Leef. The first edition of the book was sold out in less than a week, and the second one is already out.

Available at Shorouk Bookstores

86 | February 2014

British Airways increases pre and inflight pampering British Airways and Elemis, the leading luxury British spa and skincare brand will be unwrapping new-look travel spas as well as in-flight amenity kits in the Club World class. In addition to the popular menu of massage treatments, the travel spas which provide a complimentary service in the lounges at Terminal 5 and JFK, will now also offer a range of specialist grooming treatments for both men and women.

restaurants & Cafés

Mirai restaurant opens in Sequoia Mirai is a pan-asian restaurant featuring classic teppanyaki grill and sushi bar. The restaurant adds a delightful and innovative flare by virtue of its distinctive fusion cuisine which is a blend of Chinese, Japanese and classically prepared sushi. Designed by the awardwinning team at Eklego Design, who preserved the traditional Japanese art of paper folding represented in its Origami walls and a teppanyaki grill, which is a flat surface grill used to cook live in front of guests. The restaurant also features the fun and excitement of a sushi bar, offering the tastiest selection of nigiri, temaki, sahimi, and maki rolls.

Tabasco opens its doors in Heliopolis!

Tabasco is now open in Heliopolis to an eager crowd, who are craving something new. Enjoy their premium shishas on the colorful minimalist Tabasco interiors, while enjoying Nadia Shanab’s relaxing vocals.

Indulge in their array of classic entrees and tantalize your taste buds with their mouthwatering menu. Not to mention their very own Baskin - Robbins cart!

Spend your days at Tabasco Heliopolis with quick service and a friendly ambiance.

Address: 9 Abd-El Moneim Ismail St, El Nozha, Heliopolis

hot offers

Spend this Valentine’s Day in style at Grand Excelsior Hotel Al Barsha With Derya Travel’s exclusive offer, you can enjoy Dubai with your love from February13 to February 17 at Grand Excelsior Hotel Al Barsha, which is located in close proximity to Mall of the Emirates, Tecom, Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City. Designed in the style of opulent cruise ships, the hotel welcomes both the business and leisure traveler to indulge in luxury hospitality. The hotel has 230 richly appointed guest rooms and suites and features a wide array of dining, recreational, leisure, health and business amenities.

For more information, call 19849 88 | February 2014

Haircut gift card for men by Kriss available on thegiftery.com for EGP 50

Haircut and blow-dry gift card for women by Kriss available on thegiftery.com for EGP 300

Minister of Agriculture Awards A’laf Wadi Shield of Excellence for Continuous Contribution to Egyptian Feed Market.

Ghadir Al Agabany Appointed as brand manager of burrbery egypt AT NILE PROJECTS & TRADING CO. As a Gold Sponsor, ExxonMobil Egypt participates with Nile University in its creative Nile Pioneers Competition “NU 100.”

Hilton Hurghada Plaza is the first Hilton Worldwide to be Awarded a Green Globe Certification.

Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo announces promotion of Khaled Saleh to Resident Manager Accorhotels.com launches a new Arabic website fully dedicated to Middle East customers.

An expanded press conference has been held downtown to discuss the proceedings of the Sixth Breast – Gynecological International Cancer Conference BGICC.

InterContinental Cairo Citystars hosted a conference to launch “NawartMasr” Campaign.

Western Union unveiled the “My WU” program in Egypt providing premium benefits for enrolled customers.

THE NETWORK Communication Group held its first official regional management meeting in Beirut.

EMP APPOINTS Murat Ozulku as CEO of its Bank Processing Division.

Leading online society news website, Cairo Gossip, advertises on Cairo’s famous horse drawn carriages.

SODIC HOSTED THE THIRD ELFIT FITNESS FESTIVAL ON DECEMBER 6 AND 7 AT THE BRITIsH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN CAIRO IN SODIC WEST. 90 | February 2014

Intel Unveils World’s First and Smallest Integrated 3D Depth, 2D Camera Module, and Next-Generation Natural Language Personal Assistant.

Emaar Misr held its annual employees end of the year party two weeks ago at Uptown Cairo Golf Club House.

British airways has compiled a list of where to be seen in 2014 and came up with Austin, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Leeds, Chengdu, Glasgow, Hong Kong, and Moscow.

Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino Cairo Appoints Hani Zariffa as New General Manager.

Samsung Led International CES 2014 with its Latest Advanced Technologies across all Product Divisions.

Radisson Blu Cairo awarded the Green Key label for the 2nd year consecutively.

Mostafa El Geneidi, pastry chef of Sheraton Montazah Hotel, invites you to enjoy the Strawberry Promotion where he is using freshest strawberries blended with authentic recipes.

Samsung Announces Seung-ho Yunas as the New Managing Director of its Egypt Office.

Hilton Worldwide reflects on a year of awards and unparalleled community service.

Oriental Weavers cooperated with KidZania Cairo to develop children by opening a carpet design and producing center inside KidZania.

A survey conducted

by B2B International with Kaspersky Lab concluded that more than one third of users do not feel safe making e-payments on their smartphones or tablets.

Jotun has unveiled its 2014 new colour collection during its participation in Le Marche.

Refaat Jewelry is proud to announce the opening of the third and newest store in First Mall celebrated by talk show star Moataz Al Demerdash and super model Tara Emad.

Nissan LEAF global sales reach 100,000 units making it bestselling EV in history with 45% market share.

MasterCard and Ecobank Group partner to accelerate electronic payments adoption in 28 SubSaharan African countries.

P&G Beauty VisionHouse brings ‘Symbiotica’ to life, beauty landed in one of the most fashionable cities in Europe, Barcelona.

Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza hosts a conference for International AIDS Day. February 2014 | 91

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

Favorite animals: Peacock and eagle Compatible with: Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius, and Capricorn Incompatible with:Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio Successful entrepreneurs: Enzo Ferrari, Mohamed Al-Fayed, Chad Hurley, and Chris Gardner

Strength: Witty, clever, humanitarian, inventive, and original Weakness: Stubborn, unemotional, sarcastic, rebellious, and aloof Best careers: Political activist, astrologer, engineer, social worker, and rocket scientist Perfect gift: Technological gadgets, fantasy books, yoga classes, and anklets Element: Air

Aquarius Fashion Sense Aquarians are normally trend-setters. They are always the first to sport a new style and not afraid to break any fashion rules. Their favorite colors are blue, turquoise and violet. They also love bright colors, and red is one of their signature colors. They can change their look from bohemian chic to sophisticated and sassy in the blink of an eye.

Aquarius Hairstyle Aquarius girl will most likely change her hair up one day and down the other. The thing with Aquarius girls is that they do not do well with extremes. It will make them look too desperate or something of that nature, evidently. They should not have their hair incredibly long or very short. Somewhere in the middle will suit them well at the end of the day.

What it’s like to date an Aquarius woman The Aquarius woman is the ultimate independent woman. She is funny, smart, adventurous, never clingy or jealous, never demanding and not overly emotional. She is unpredictable and craves excitement. Anything goes with this woman and any man that she chooses will have an amazing relationship. Court her and woo her, she expects this ladylike treatment, she is old fashioned in that sense but be known that her mind is already made up and if she is not interested, she will never be interested.

What it’s like to date an Aquarius man This man is all about intellectual stimulation. You can be the prettiest girl in the world but if you do not stir his mind, he won’t bother. Communication is so important to this man. Deep inside he longs for love but this causes him inner trouble, because of his inability to understand emotion so an Aquarius man in love often stumbles on his own words, be patient with him and don’t hold it against him because deep inside, he is having fun. Beware that an Aquarius man can fall out of love as easily as falling in love.

Aquarius Erogenous Zone The calves and ankles are the most sensitive spots. Most Aquarians like their ankles tied together or at least held down. They enjoy calf massages and light scratching with your fingernails on their ankles and legs.

92 | February 2014

On Spot Dusit Thani LakeView

Chosen for DG Special Award of “Service Quality Performance” for 2013 Dear Guest Magazine holds an annual ‘Best of ’ awards ceremony based on the votes of the magazine’s readers. Dusit Thani LakeView has received the Special Award “Service Quality Performance” for 2013. The 10th DG Festival Awards Ceremony was held at Dusit Thani LakeView. More than 700 guests and attendees including high profile businessmen, political figures, and celebrities were glowing the night away. All guests were impressed the moment they stepped into the hotel with the vast unique interiors oriented with such unique Thai flair, as well as the provided service and generous hospitality.

On Spot Dance Mania for the Charms Ladies Society at JW Marriott Cairo JW Marriott Cairo hosted an exciting and sportive event for the exclusive Charms Ladies Society members in form of a dancing workout class held by the competent trainer May Zeyada, which took place at the JW Marriott Club House.

February 2014 | 95

On Spot Festive Celebrations for the Winners in

Maadi City Centre and Alexandria City Centre Both Maadi City Centre and Alexandria City Centre have recently announced names of the two Mercedes C180 winners in addition to names of the winners in the daily draw to win EGP 1,000. Draws took place throughout December in celebration of the New Year in both malls. the winners were announced in big, festive celebrations in Maadi City Centre and Alexandria City Centre.

96 | February 2014

On Spot Biker Zone Expo & Show At Cairo Festival City Biker Zone Expo & Show is the first and the only Egyptian dedicated two wheels event. It was organized by Phenomena, and held at Cairo Festival City. The event provided all up-todate bikers’ community needs from latest bikes, components and accessories. Biker Zone had an exhibition sector, where an average of 60 brand names specializing in the field of two wheels (bicycles and motorcycles) participated. The number of visitors during the 3 day event was more than 12,000 visitors.

February 2014 | 97

On Spot Terranova

Now Open in Cairo Festival City Born in Italy in 1988, Terranova rapidly expanded all through Europe and the world, and today it has 571 stores in 34 countries.

Terranova has recently opened its new store in Cairo Festival City.

98 | February 2014

On Spot Abraj Misr

New Year’s Fun Day Abraj Misr’s employees celebrated the New Year in a day filled with fun, activities, and games. They also had lunch together on the company’s rooftop and spent an unforgettable day.

February 2014 | 99

On Spot The Platform Corniche El Maadi

is Ready to Welcome you

The Platform Corniche El Maadi has recently opened its doors with 11 restaurants and cafes directly overlooking the Nile, offering a variety of cuisines; Italian, Oriental Egyptian, Sushi, Gourmet Burger, and Lebanese. The new family entertainment destination also has a huge kids area with a kids spa, cooking classes, arts and crafts.

100 | February 2014