Ladybird January 2013

January 2013

Fashion & Lifestyle

How to break your emotional dependency on your ex?

Our reviews on the best January destinations, hot offers, & restaurants Inside>> Makeover tips to

bring more positive energy into your home!

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Red lipsticks for this winter!

COOKING MAKEOVER! Get the most out of your plates, same taste, fewer cals!

Your diet New Year’s resolutions

Contents

January 2013

ladybirdmagazine.com

Fashion 08 09 10 12 14

Steal Lily Aldridge's style Get the Modern Retro look!

5 Winter Fashion Mistakes WOMeN DO Ladybird loves Krikor Jabotian Accessorize your January!

BEAUTY 21

Seeing red this winter!

FACES OF EGYPT 24

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Caroline Maher, The world taekwondo champion with more than 80 medals and 30 cups Ramy Saleh, The man who bought Crossfit to Egypt Ahmed Reda and The Story of NAS Trends Yomna Mosallam, Owner of Kiddy Kidzy, the ultimate Kids corner!

Little Frame By Mariam Abdel Nour

Home makeover tips to bring more positive energy into your home!

ESCAPE 38

Our top tranquil retreats around the world

HEALTH 42

FITNESS 44

My NEW Year True story!

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NUTRITION

Vitamin Makeover!

Your DIET NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION 50 Eat Right For Your Blood Type

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Cooking Makeover!

Get the most out of your plates, same taste, fewer cals!

FOLLOW US ON:

Ladybird Fashion & Lifestyle Magazine

| January 2013

The Love Life Makeover: How to Break Your Emotional Dependency on Your Ex

MOTHER & CHILD 56

COOKING

@Ladybirdmag 2|

LOVE & RELATIONSHIPs

49

HOME 36

12 LADYBIRD LOVES KRIKOR JABOTIAN

Why Massage Your New Baby? The Benefits & The Techniques

FEAUTUREs 58

Welcome 2013! THIRTEEN!!!

Scan it & get connected to our facebook fanpage to get all our tips, updates and news!

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CEO Zeyad Sorour Editor-in-Chief Ismail Marzouk Managing Director Caroline Coussa PR & Marketing Naira El lamei

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Project Manager Samar Zaki

EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR BLOOD TYPE

Editor Farah Asfour

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senior Designer Eman Salama Designers Karim Hedwan Noura Keshk Financial Director Haitham Hamouda Distribution Ahmed Abu ElEila Ahmed Fawzy Ahmed Ibrahim Amr Selim

VITAMIN MAKEOVER

SHOPPING CART

In every issue: Editor’s letter P.6 Spotted P.18 Shopping cart P.19 Ask Ladybird P.20 Pieces we love! P.34 LB Dr. P.40 Why eat this? P.48 The best, the top & the must do P.60 Reviews P.61 From the readers P.65 Happenings P.66 Horoscope P.68

Cover Credits

SPOT IT ON SPOT

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Photography:

Pindyurin Vasily

COver Design: EMAN SALAMA

Cairo Flea Market at Designopolis Mountain View "The Valley Bazaar" Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers Wedding Festival 3rd Edition Style Treasure Christmas Bazaar at Arkan Mall On The Roof Bazaar Media Event At Conrad Cairo

Contributors Professional Fitness Coach Natascia Paolucci Professional Caterer Maha Alfy FASHION Editor Reham Mostafa Makeup Artist Jolanda Bakker Fashion CONTRIBUTOR Alaa Essam El Garhy FITNESS & NUTRITION ADVISOR Valentina Kendall NUTRITIONAL CONSULTANT Noura Hassaballa

PARTY

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Stella's 115TH Anniversary 80 Experience meeting and party time at Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis

Distributed by Al-Ahram Association 23 Emad El Din Kamel St., Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt Tel/Fax: (+202) 22627533 www.ladybirdmagazine.com January 2013 |

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Contributors

Maha Alfy

Reham Moustafa

Fashion Editor A Pharmacy student who happened to find the chemistry outside the lab.

Fashion is her one and only drug, the department store is her crack house and the occasional new outfit is her dose.

Contact her via her blog:

Professional Caterer Owner of Home Made Catering. For more than 15 years, offering a wide range of food in the finest quality and the most exquisite sense of tastefulness.

For catering & orders, please contact:

maha.alfy@gmail.com

www.loudandbold.me

Noura Hassaballa Nutritional Consultant

Has a Bachelor of Science in dietetics and nutrition, Northern Illinois University, Illinois, USA. Specialized in weight loss and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Uses anthropometric measures in assessing health, eating habits and lifestyle.

For more advice, please contact:

noura.hassaballa@gmail. com

Valentina Kendall

Natascia Paolucci

Fitness and Nutrition Advisor she has received diplomas in fitness and nutrition. Today she helps people change their lives by following healthy habits.

For more advice, please contact: valentine.kendall@yahoo.com

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

Jolanda Bakker

Alaa Essam El Garhy Fashion contributor Contact her via her email:

alaa.elgarhy@student.guc.edu.eg

Makeup Artist A Dutch beauty and effect makeup artist, a professional educated at London’s Delamar Academy.

Starting at a very young age and throughout her life, she has been passionate about makeup and design.

For advice, please contact:

jolandabakker@mac.com

“The Gift” She is a young, pretty, and proud girl, beautiful and tall. When she smiles, the whole world lights in happiness and when pain strikes her, everything turns blue in hope she smiles again. After she reached her thirties, she went out in search for a necessary adventure… She chose to quit her safe, boring life in a castle to enter a dull forest, fetching for what everyone in the village called “the gift.”

She packed her stuff, knowing the road would be intricate, she hesitated, but she gathered herself quickly, looked at herself in the mirror in determinacy and assurance, smiled and left to the forest…

She entered and met a lot of girls her age and younger, all came in search for the “the gift,” some of them agreed to put hand in hand together to reach the same aim, others preferred to hit the road alone… She was one of the group that agreed to work in cooperation and whatever the price is, it should split in on them equally… It was fair enough to all, and everyone was satisfied and dreaming of the day they would reach “the gift”… Some were rich, others were poor, some were beautiful and some were fair, they had their differences and disagreements, but that never made them betray each other, they protected and loved each other, genuinely… Because they shared the same dream…

During their journey they met hunger, chilly weather, and fear but hope was always their motivating companion… They met the “Black Hawk,” who lived in the forest for more than 80 years, hoping to find the right girl that will lead him to “the gift.”

Although the Black Hawk was known for his ugly nature, they sealed a deal with him to work all together. They succeeded in getting over poisonous trees, evil creatures, intruders, but all along the way the Black Hawk betrayed everyone... He used the girls’ plan and effort till he reached “the gift,” no matter how much they tried to work in cooperation and respect with him, the “black hawk” betrayed them over and over, ate their food, stole their plan and once they reached “the gift,” he left them and ran to grab it appearing to be the champion in front of the whole village, denying the girls’ efforts, stealing their dream and depriving them from their rights…

The girls surrendered and went through all the phases of loss and grief, starting from denial, anger, bargaining, depression to sad acceptance and surrender… But our girl stood tall, she refused to let go, she refused to give up, she decided to fight what was worse than the forest, what was worse than fear, she decided to fight the terror the Black Hawk tried to plant in their journey of getting back what was theirs… She talked and convinced the other girls to work all together with her strong personality and deep faith, she determinably announced that she would not give up, she would fight and fight till she took back what was theirs… He tried to split them, he tried to frighten them, but they fought and got caught, they hid for a while and came back stronger…

He destroyed her beauty and worked on ruining everything that was meaningful to her, but she united with all the other girls overcoming their differences again and their pain, some of the girls were victims of his ugly violence, but this even motivated them more to bring him down. And it was that moment when they united and decided to destroy him, that they succeeded in killing the Black Hawk with their unity and faith…They took back their “gift”…

Their freedom…

It is time now for her and the rest of the girls to rest and stay assured that no one will take “the gift” back from them… It is time for her beauty to be restored, for her freedom to flourish…

My beloved Country will rise once again…

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Steal

Hoorsenbuhs By Robert Keith Dame 18-karat gold diamond link ring available on net-aporter.com for EGP 26,496

Lily Aldridge’s

*All prices are subjected to change

style!

CĂŠline Luggage Tote available on celine.com

Alexander Wang Pleated Apron Top available on shopstyle.com for EGP 1,826

Solange AzaguryPartridge Triangle 18-karat gold ring available on net-aporter.com for EGP 10,234

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Canotier available at beauty retailers

Guerlain Terracotta Light Bronzing Powder available at beauty retailers

Les Chiffoniers Zip-embellished stretch-leather leggings available on net-a-porter.com for EGP 9,495

Jimmy Choo Abel pointed patent-leather pumps available on net-a-porter.com for EGP 3,882

Fashion Metallic Jacket

by Marni

Headband

By Maison Michel Suit

By Reed Karkoff

Get the Modern

BY: Reham Moustafa

Fashion Editor

RetroLook!

While you people go into the New Year, I’ve decided to go back in time and hop into a stylish time machine.

Since everyone is trying to bring the old school back, I’m not doing any different, only getting the biggest style icons under the microscope, and I’m not even talking Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe. I’m talking our very own style icons, with their simplicity, sophistication and sense of style which is as strong now as it was then. Starting with Soaad Hosny in a trend that’s been going strong for a couple of seasons now, men’s wear.

And that jumpsuit, I mean man the woman knew what she was doing! Our sexy bombshell, Hend Rostom had also been seeing into the future with some serious headbands and a metallic jacket that you can’t tell the difference between it and Marni’s. Now this is a piece that all of you must have and so did Shadya; the lace dress. And look at that collar that Peter Pan collar that is on every runway right now!

Jumpsuit

By Camilla and Marc

Dress

By Nina Ricci

Lesson is: Your mom’s closet, dig in, dig deep. Now! January 2013 |

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Fashion

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Winter FashionMistakes

Women Do

By: Alaa Essam El Garhy

Fashion contributor

Wearing too many layers haphazardly

Wearing many bulky layers will keep you warm; however, it will make you lose your style.

Correction: Wear a silk blouse or cashmere sweater, add a jacket to that, and to keep your neck warm without turtle necks, wear a nice printed scarf.

ALEXANDER GUCCI MCQUEEN

UGGs all the time UGG

We all know that UGGs are very comfy and keep your legs warm; however, don’t keep wearing them everywhere. They have to match the style of your outfit, meaning you can’t be wearing an elegant outfit and UGGs at the same time. For example, they look great when wearing sweatshirt and jeans/leggings, but not on an elegant dress or skirt.

TORY Correction: Invest in chic leather boots that keep you warm and BURCH classy at the same time, some leather boots are now lined with wool.

Sticking to black or white palette only

Maybe this would have worked in the past but now NO WAY it’ll work.

OSCAR DE After a summer full of bright and vibrant colors you can’t switch to totally LA RENTA dull and dark colors.

Correction: Don’t be afraid to explore sweaters that are of bright colors, you can also try pastels; they are very classy especially in cashmere sweaters and pullovers. So even if you are wearing a black coat, the bright or pastel underneath will flatter your look.

Not considering accessories JASON WU

Mulberry Runway

CLU

TOM Many women tend to neglect accessories during the winter, they get BINNS caught up in wearing scarves and heavy layers.

Correction: Choose statement rings and earrings; they will go great with your winter clothes. Try as much as you can to put some thought into your accessories while shopping or thinking what you will wear. Accessories are the fundamentals of fashion.

LANVIN ISHARYA KENNETH JAY LANE MARNI Oversized winter sweaters During the winter we gain a few pounds, many women try to hide their bumps under loose oversized clothes; however, if you are BURBERRY PRORSUM a bit overweight, they will make you look bigger.

Correction: Cinch and highlight the narrowest part of your body.

Fashion

K

rikor Jabotian is a young Lebanese fashion designer. In 2005, at the age of 18, he joined l’Ecole Superieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode, ESMOD Beirut, to initiate his studies.

In 2007, he graduated and joined Elie Saab’s creative department team where he worked for seven months. In 2008, Krikor was invited to present his first collection “Une Noce Funebre” in Dubai Fashion Week for the “Splash Emerging Talent” competition, being selected among the three young Middle Eastern designers of that year. In 2009, he set up his first atelier in Beirut, which served him for a while to display his “Au Gre d’une Brise” and previous collections.

Krikor Jabotian

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Fashion

Accessorize

Your January!

Tash New

Collection

*Available on style-treasure.com 14 |

| January 2013

TamR 7eNnaH Bags

*Available at Weeka Anteeka, Gallery Posh Boutique & www.madeinegyptstore.com January 2013 |

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SPOTTED CELEBS LATEST NEWS & GOSSIP

GQ Names “Most Stylish Men of 2012” Coming in at #1 is James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, who can’t help but make ladies swoon with his distinguished taste in apparel and stunning good looks. The runner-up position belongs to “High School Musical” star Zac Efron whose boyish good looks haven’t left him just yet. Always a mainstay on any male style list, David Beckham snagged himself the third spot on the chart. “Just the Way You Are” crooner Bruno Mars came out of nowhere to claim the #4 rank on the illustrious GQ list, while Ewan McGregor’s dashing charm and well-appointed wardrobe garnered him the fifth place honors.

Other honorable mentions include Wes Anderson, Jay-Z, Armie Hammer, Adam Levine, and Dwayne Wade.

Simon Cowell Confirms He’s Dating Carmen Electra After much speculation Simon Cowell finally confirmed that he’s dating Carmen Electra but they’re not exclusive. Electra ended her four-year engagement with Robert Patterson earlier this year, and Cowell ended his two-year engagement with makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy also earlier this year.

Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Celebrate a Warm Christmas Opting to spend the holiday in a tropical destination, Jennifer Aniston and her fiancé Justin Theroux were spotted basking in the Mexican sun on Christmas Eve. Jen has had quite the year with her relationship with her hunky Wanderlust co-star going from strength to strength topped by him finally proposing on his birthday.

Queen Elizabeth II Goes 3D for Christmas Message She may be an 86 year-old monarch, but Queen Elizabeth II is not falling behind in the technology department. For this year’s annual seasonal message, the English monarch has decided to broadcast it in a 3D format instead of the traditional format. “We wanted to do something a bit different and special in this Jubilee year, so doing it for the first time in 3D seemed a good thing, technology-wise, to do,” a spokeswoman said.

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MCQ BY ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Raccoontrimmed sateen-twill coat available on polyvore.com for EGP 8,153

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY Layered cotton hooded gilet available on netaporter.com for EGP 994

ADIDAS

Flint Stone Round Chair by KARE available on TheGiftery. com for EGP 1,400

STYLE ACCESSORIES

KENZO Embroidered suede ballet flats available on netaporter.com for EGP 2,414

*All prices are subjected to change

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

Available on Facebook group: Style Accessories

KARE

TORY BURCH Rea organza and texturedleather dress available on netaporter. com for EGP 13,394

KENZO KOTUR Margo satin and velvet brocade box clutch available on pursepage.com for EGP 3,053

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Sweet Charity Mini spiked leather shoulder bag available on netaporter.com for EGP 7,977

Louki’s New Collection available on styletreasurekids.com

TORY Kotur LOUKI’s BURCH January 2013 |

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1. How to prevent dry hair this winter?

Winter air is drier, which causes more static and allows moisture to be stripped from your hair. Plus, we tend to crank up the hot water in our showers when it’s chilly outside. To prevent dry, frizzy hair this winter and to keep your strands silky smooth, cut out the heat. Styling tools like blow-dryers and flat irons are among the leading causes of dry hair, and paired with winter air, they create a recipe for some seriously lackluster strands. Avoid extremely hot showers; while they might feel great when you’re freezing, they strip hair of moisture. Test the heat of your blowdryer on your arm; if it’s too hot for your skin, it’s too hot for your hair!

Try oils. Oils are a virtual miracle cure for both your hair and scalp.

They replace the natural oils that are stripped by the winter chill and overdrying from styling tools. You can add olive oil to your conditioner.

Use: Dove Nourishing Oil Care Anti-Frizz Serum, Dove Nourishing Oil Care Conditioner, L’Oréal Evercreme Intense Nourishing Conditioner, L’Oréal Everpure Leave-In Treatment, or L’Oréal Evercreme Sulfate-Free Nourishing Leave-In Spray.

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* All products mentioned are available at beauty retailers and pharmacies

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2. How can I deal with pale face skin in winter?

One fast tip is to mix a drop of a tinted moisturizer that is darker than your skin with your regular foundation to give you a light pick-me-up.

Use: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, or Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15. Try an extra swirl of blush when you are in a hurry to give a little sunny help. Choose a shade in golden pink, warm rose or terracotta and sweep it on the apples with a little dab on the temples, forehead and chin. If you apply too much use a clean sponge to tone it down. Use: Estee Lauder Pure Colour Blush in Wild Sunset, Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Blaze, or Yves Saint Laurent Blush Radiance 02. Use a shimmer-free bronzer. Sweep it along the temples and under the cheekbones for a sun winked look. Use: Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer, MAC Bronzing Powder, or Clarins Enchanted Collection Bronzing Duo SPF 15 Mineral Powder Compact. Lighten up! Avoid dark shades of lipsticks and eye shadows. The contrast against pale skin will make your complexion look even lighter. Instead, play with warm neutrals and a little shimmer to keep skin alive. Use: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté No 1 Nude Beige, Bobbi Brown Treatment Lip Shine in Desert Rose, Dior Diorific Lipstick in Roulette Red, Estee Lauder Pure Color Sensuous Rouge or Lancome L’Absolu Creme de Brillance Plumping Cream Sheen in Rose Nu 06.

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Beauty

SEEING RED THIS WINTER!

R

ich and sexy reds, vibrant corals, racy raspberries… With so many different shades to choose from this winter, there’s no reason not to get your nails and lips in red. And, the variety in color means that there’s a perfect shade for everyone. Take a look at the stars to see who’s wearing what and how.

If you think red lipstick is only for the fearless Femme Fatale, then think again.

Though red lips can be a bold statement, every shade lends its own nuance to your look, be it diva-like or delicately feminine!

by: Jolanda Bakker Makeup Artist

Emma Watson, for example, perfectly compliments her delicate facial features and porcelain skin with a soft, raspberry red, while fashion-forward Marion Cotillard embellishes her lips with a slick of a peach shade to create a sense of timeless elegance and ladylike verve. Copying Emma or Marion’s look is possible with either Estée Lauder’s Vivid Shine Lipstick in Magnetic Magenta or Yves Saint Laurent’s Rouge Pure Shine Lipstick in Faubourg Peach.

Gwen Stefani, on the other hand, stays true to her signature color; a dramatic red, the perfect compliment to her bleached-blonde hair and extravagant styling. Get her red lips with Lancôme’s L’Absolu Rouge Advanced Replenishing or Reshaping Lip Colour with ProXylane™ in Caprice.

Whichever shade you choose, the most kissable mouth is one that starts with soft, cared-for lips and careful application. Line the desired shape onto your lips with a liner the same color or a shade lighter than your lipstick, then carefully apply color, following your pre-drawn guide.

What is your favorite shade of red?

January 2013 |

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Faces of Egypt

Caroline Maher

The World Taekwondo Champion with More Than 80 Medals and 30 Cups By: Caroline Coussa Give us a brief about yourself.

I studied Journalism and Mass Communication at the American University in Cairo and I graduated in 2009 with high honors. I won several academic and athletic awards during my years at the university. Upon graduation I was the second runner up for the Parental Association Cup Award at AUC, which is an award presented at the commencement ceremony to a graduating senior who demonstrates outstanding achievement as well as a major outstanding contribution to student activities.

I’ve been working in the Human Resources field since I graduated. I worked for Allianz Egypt for two years and I’m currently working at Tatweer Learning Technology.

Moreover, I’m very interested in humanitarian work and I’m an HR Manager at Helm which is an organization that aims to promote employment and the full participation of Egypt’s 15 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life. I’ve also been a professional taekwondo champion for 17 years. tell us about your journey in taekwondo.

I started taekwondo at the age of 10 at Shooting Club and after two months, the team was travelling to Germany to participate in an international championship.

It was impossible and dangerous for me to join with no experience yet my parents wanted me to go and enjoy the trip. I travelled and grabbed a silver medal and that 24 |

| January 2013

was astonishing, it was obvious that I’m talented at taekwondo. Only two years later, I joined Egypt’s Junior National Team and at the age of 14, I was in the Senior National Team and I participated in senior championships which started at 18 years old. In 2001 I ranked 5th among the best 10 athletes in Egypt after grabbing the 7th place in the Senior World Taekwondo championship while I was only 15 years old. A year later, I won a silver medal in the Francophone World Cup and was selected by the Ministry of Youth and Sports among the “Best 12 Female Athletes” in Egypt. This was followed by numerous national, Arab, African and international medals ranking first place. In 2008 I was chosen by Al Hurra Channel in Lebanon to represent Egyptian female athletes in a program dedicated to select a female from each Arab country to discuss the challenges she faces and her achievements as well. In 2009 I was ranked 3rd worldwide among my weigh category and was ranked 6th in 2010 and 11th in 2011. I won a golden medal at the National Team qualifications last October representing Al Shams Club. My most recent accomplishment was last November when I gained two silver medals; one at the African Championship and the other in the African Team Cup Championship both held in Antananarivo, Madagascar. In total I gained more than 80 medals and 30 cups in various national, Arab, African, Francophone World Cup and international taekwondo championships held in more than 37 countries where I gained a lot of experience and communicated with different cultures.

did you face any obstacles in taekwondo?

I didn’t face any obstacles in taekwondo, on the contrary, I was given so much support from my parents and my brothers. However, in 2011 I faced the most difficult setback in my athletic career and my life in general when I was accused by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) of taking steroids to enhance my performance and thus violating the world anti-doping rules and as a result was banned from participating in any sports for two years. I was sure of my innocence, being a tough sportswoman and a fighter, I never gave up. Indeed, it only made me more determined to win my case. If it hadn’t been for my parents who supported me, I would most likely have dropped the case. Together, we reached the conclusion we would take the case to the WTF. We hired a professional American lawyer with expertise in sports related cases. I had no idea of my rights but the lawyer informed me that I had the right to request copies of the Sample A laboratory documentation package ever since the initial communication with the WTF, which I never took. Also my right to open Sample B wasn’t clear and it was my right to have a fair hearing which I was denied. For two months, we followed the procedures related to the case.

Later, the court asked for the lab report and sent it to us, and it was surprising. The WTF knew all about it... they knew they were wrong. My lawyer told me it was the most corrupt case he had ever seen. The report simply said that Sample A & B were so different in characteristics and especially color and couldn’t have belonged to the same person, as both are one urine quantity taken from the same person and split into two bottles, so they have to be identical. Thus they questioned the integrity of the data collection and stated that this sample wasn’t correct and that was why they took so much time investigating. Finally, the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Switzerland (CAS) ruled in my favor and the WTF lifted the two-year suspension, dismissing all claims and announcing my innocence. The CAS also ordered that the WTF pays 20,000 USD for my legal fees and expenses incurred during the arbitration proceedings. This is the highest attorney’s fee award ever for an athlete all over the world, before the “Supreme Court for Sports Law.” Moreover, I was the first Arab and African female athlete to win such a case. The CAS panel noted the unusual circumstances surrounding my appeal in justifying its punitive decision.

who are the most caring family ever. I never could have continued the case without their encouragement and their belief in my innocence. I also want to thank Paul, my lawyer, my spiritual father and my close friends who supported me. They never thought an Egyptian athlete would fight back for her rights because we used to give this impression, but after the revolution Egypt definitely changed a bit. At least people started to fight for their rights and I hope the world will start acknowledging this as well. I fought like an Egyptian.

“

Athletes don’t necessarily play sports because it’s fun. Most of them hate it, yet can’t imagine their lives without it; it’s a love/ hate relationship.

Caroline Maher

”

What’s your greatest motivation?

My greatest motivation are my parents and my brothers who sacrificed a lot for me. My father’s wisdom inspires me to become a better person and to do my best at all times. My mother inspired me and supported me in every step and decision in my life, she taught me that I should achieve any accomplishments that I wanted and that the word impossible doesn’t exist. Without my parents, I would have never made it this far. While my inner motivation is my dedication and following my passion towards my life, career, sports, Helm and everything I do. Always trust your inner voice because following your passion generates success.

Special thanks goes to my mother, my father and my loving family who have been extremely supportive and January 2013 |

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Faces of Egypt The Man Who Brought CrossFit to Egypt

Ramy Saleh BY: FARAH ASFOUR

CrossFit has become a fitness phenomenon around the world and recently in Egypt too. Most probably you either heard about it, did it, planning to do it, or have at least one friend who does it. To find out more about CrossFit and to know how it came to us in Egypt, we met Ramy Saleh, Fitness Director and Co-Founder of Stars Sports Management; the mother company of CrossFit Stars and Stars Tennis Academy.

Give us a brief introduction about yourself.

I graduated from the American University in Cairo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication and minor in Business Administration and I did MBA in Marketing. Currently I work almost full-time at CrossFit besides my work at my family’s business.

For a person to bring something like CrossFit to Egypt most probably he’s a sportsperson himself; is this true in your case?

Yes, I had been a member of the Egyptian national tennis team since the age of 12 and I was one of the top 70 junior tennis players in the world (aged 18 and under). I lived in a tennis academy in the US for two and a half years before college. Also I was a tennis coach for a while.

How did you know about CrossFit in the first place?

When I watched the American action movie “300” in 2008, I got interested in the workouts used by the cast of the movie. After some research, I found out that the cast was trained by the crew of Gym Jones in the US. It’s an invitationonly gym where you need to be interviewed before getting accepted. They train professionals, athletes, actors and individuals. I joined Gym Jones and through it I learned about CrossFit, I got a certification in it and I became the first certified CrossFit instructor in Egypt. And today in CrossFit Stars, we have five certified coaches.

How did the idea of founding CrossFit Stars come to you?

After getting the certificate in CrossFit, I used CrossFit training only for myself. Then one time I started training my friend Karim Maamoun; the top tennis player in Egypt for the past 10 years and a Co-Founder of Stars Sports Managemnet. The CrossFit techniques I used with him proved very successful and he felt a complete difference in his fitness.

At that point came the idea of founding CrossFit Stars.

Can you explain to us what CrossFit is?

CrossFit includes high intensity workouts depending mainly on basic bodyweight exercises. We use kettlebells, medicine balls, ropes, plyometric boxes and truck tires. In CrossFit, there are 5 levels of fitness, we do a 6 month bootcamp train 26 |

| January 2013

ing after which participants should be somewhere in those 5 levels, and if they are fit enough, they go to the CrossFit Gym that is called “The Box.” Recently there have been several emerging workout trends and group fitness classes, Don’t you think that CrossFit might be one of those trends and that it’s popular and successful now only because it’s new?

No, I wouldn’t say that. CrossFit is not a trend and it is actually a sport not a workout and there is a tournament called “The CrossFit Games” that have been held every year since 2007, and the winner is labeled The Fittest Man or Woman on Earth. Moreover, by statistics CrossFit has been the fastest growing sport in the past 2 years and there are 4,500 gyms dedicated to CrossFit around the world. Here at CrossFit Stars, we are not only giving group fitness classes; we are also learning, we are investing and we aim at impacting the sports industry in Egypt. So I think that CrossFit is here to stay.

Is CrossFit for everyone? And what’s its age group?

Well, anyone can start CrossFit; however, dedication and commitment are a must. Also if you want to start CrossFit, you should be willing to give up some bad habits like smoking and overeating in order to get the most out of the workouts. As for the age group, it’s usually from 20 to 35, but we have other CrossFit classes for kids and soon for adults above 40.

How is the Box different from regular gyms?

The Box is nothing like a regular gym. You would never find a treadmill, an elliptical or any weight training machines in it. You would also never find someone doing a bicep curl in front of a mirror or an aerobics or zumba class. In The Box, you’ll find athletes using their own bodies as well as free weights to train. You’ll find athletes (that’s what we call clients) doing gymnastic movements like kipping pullups or handstand pushups and olympic lifts like the snatch or the clean and jerk. You’ll find them flipping tires, carrying each other or even using kettlebells. Also, training is very intense inside The Box and everybody train together under the supervision of a coach. This is what builds the sense of community. People get to know each other inside The Box, it doesn’t matter who they are outside, inside they are colleagues and they are there to support each other.

For more info and for schedule, visit: www.crossfitstars.com Facebook: CrossFit Stars Egypt January 2013 |

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Faces of Egypt

Ahmed Reda

And The Story of NAS Trends BY: FARAH ASFOUR

W

e always like to search for young talents and entrepreneurs and listen to their stories.

Ahmed Reda is one of those people whom we were delighted to meet and talk with about his business “NAS Trends.”

Give us a brief about yourself.

I’m 25 years old, I graduated from the American University in Cairo where I studied Electronics Engineering and I did a minor in Business Administration, I’m a CoFounder of “NAS Trends” and event management company called “Injaz.”

Tell us about the start of NAS Trends.

In 2009 when I was still a student, I and my friend Anas Tolba (Co-Founder of NAS Trends) decided to start a business. First we thought about a food industry project but we didn’t continue with the idea because it needed a big investment and a great deal of guts. Then came the idea of creating designs to be printed on t-shirts.

How have your business developed since its start?

Anas designed the first ten designs and the t-shirts were sold to our friends and acquaintances. Six months later, we produced 1,000 t-shirts at our friend’s father’s factory and we held an open day that was very successful; 100 persons attended the first day and we made a good amount of money. Also a friend of ours had a store and he took our t-shirts to sell them there. And of course 28 |

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Facebook made a positive contribution to our business; it helped us build interaction with people. We do design competitions where people send their designs, and we take the designs that get the highest number of votes and use them in our collection. There are also photo competitions, the one who first sends his/her picture wearing a tshirt from the new collection wins EGP 2,000. Today our Facebook fanpage has around 305,000 fans. In 2011 just after the revolution, we launched a collection called “Fi Hob Masr” (For the Love of Egypt) and we displayed the collection in our branded booth in Citystars. Thanks to that collection, our sales boomed; we sold in one month what we used to sell in a year. However, that meant that there had to be more capital, more cashflow, more production and more employees. At that time we met Ihab El Fouly, an Egyptian businessman who believes in Egypt and its potential and who came back from Kuwait to open venture capital company called “Tamkeen” to help small companies grow. He was the one who helped us turn NAS Trends into a real company whose board of directors includes me, Ihab El Fouly, Mohamed Salem, Abdel Rahman El Zayat and Ahmed Ashraf.

What’s the story behind the name “NAS”?

The name came from the idea that our designs are “by nas for nas” which means “by people for people.”

Do you only print your designs on tshirts?

No, we also have them printed on sweatshirts, notebooks, stickers and mugs.

Where are your products available?

They are available at our booth in Citystars and online on nastrends.com, Souq.com and Jumia.com. Orders can be made over the phone too. Outside Egypt, they are available at Virgin Megastore in Saudi Arabia. Delivery is after 24 hours, for free and all over Egypt.

What are your designs about?

NAS designs are about anything and everything; from simple funny stuff to political statements. The most important thing in our designs is that they have to deliver a message and add value.

What are some of the difficulties you faced in your work?

Unfortunately, the business environment in Egypt is not healthy enough for companies to grow, there’s no commitment and the government doesn’t back startups. If you want to produce something of high quality in Egypt, it requires a huge amount of effort and follow-up.

What’s NAS’ latest news?

We’re franchising, and we’ll offer the service of international shipping to anywhere in the world.

What did you learn from NAS? I learned persistence and I realized that we should always do what we like because we only live once.

What’s your advice to young people for creating a successful startup?

I advise them to “just do it,” if they have a good idea, they should go for it and be optimistic.

“

To me, corporate culture isn’t exciting. On the other hand, creating a startup makes you feel your effort and control it, grow and benefit your country.

Ahmed Reda

“

How would you like to see NAS Trends in the future?

I hope that NAS Trends becomes a multinational company and that I walk around seeing everyone wearing NAS designs. I also dream of opening a retail store where customers can buy not only our products but also anything they like in the store; for example, the store’s chandelier, the chair in the fitting room, etc.

For more info, visit www.nastrends.com or Facebook fanpage: Nas Trends

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Faces of Egypt

Yomna Mosallam

Owner of Kiddy Kidzy; the Ultimate Kids corner!

By: Caroline Coussa

Give us a brief about yourself.

My name is Yomna Mosallam, I graduated from Faculty of Commerce, English section, Cairo University, worked in the HR field for 7 years then I quit my job after having my second baby as it was difficult to continue my normal working life and I decided to be just a mum.

How did you start kiddy KIDZY and where did the idea come from?

I started kiddy Kidzy Entertaining Kids Corner immediately after leaving my job. my daughter was the main reason behind this project; she always likes to do different things and wherever we go, we look for any activity that she can do. At the same time, we as parents need to relax for a while as well, kids have a lot of energy and they always want to have something to explore, so I started to look for different and unique activities to help them challenge themselves and invest in their hobbies and talents while their parents relax.

What are some of the obstacles that you faced when you started your business?

Actually it was a challenge not an obstacle. although I had no experience in such thing, I depended on myself 30 |

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and my own way of work. I love bringing and mixing things together and I read a huge number of articles about kids and how to deal with them and keep them busy doing something they enjoy and make them feel proud of themselves.

What’s your greatest motivation?

I’m a self-motivated person, I always try to look at the bright side and see all the positive things. I enjoy every moment I pass through. My motivation differs from time to time and from situation to another. Currently as a mum, my husband and kids are my source of motivation. I also believe that ‘sky is the limit.’

What’s unique about kiddy KIDZY and what’s different about it Several factors are important to us; hygiene is our priority, we try to highlight any ethical or character building behavior that can be absorbed by kids during traditional dealing, and all this is done with certain standards in quality, language and price.

“

Born to leave a footprint.

Yomna Mosallam

”

Faces of Egypt

Little Frame

By Mariam Abdel Nour BY: FARAH ASFOUR

I

t requires a real talented photographer to be able to capture moments of kids’ play and laughter and produce a picture that’s simply natural, cute and adorable. Mariam Abdel Nour is that talented girl who knew she could see kids differently and who created “Little Frame” for shooting newborns, kids, pregnants and families.

What did you study in university?

And what do you do today?

I graduated from the American University in Cairo where I majored in Art and minored in Theatre. After I graduated, I got a diploma in interior design in London. Today I work full-time at an interior design company in addition to my work as a photographer.

What attracted you to photography?

In university I had to take basic photography courses for my major and since I studied Egyptology and Islamic Architecture, I had to visit sites and take photos 32 |

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and that was when I realized I had passion for photography. I bought my first professional camera in 2007.

After some time, I wanted to develop myself and do something out of the box, I thought of taking advantage of the pictures I take and incorporate them into interior design in a non-traditional way, so I started printing the pictures on canvas, acrylic and wooden frames. Then in 2011-2012, a friend of mine asked me to take photos of her kids; that incident made me discover a new perspective in photography and I found out that I love dealing with kids, they are so natural, they don’t pose and they have inner beauty.

So I started “Little Frame.”

What’s the most difficult thing in your work?

The most difficult part is to control kids and make them smile in front of the camera. Also it’s very difficult when they keep crying non-stop. You have to know how to deal with every age since it differs from one age to another; dealing with a 2 year old kid is not the same as dealing with a 4 year old.

Currently I’m responsible for everything in “Little Frame;” costumes, lighting, decoration, theme, so I’m looking forward to having a bigger team with me. I wish to take photos of a 1 day old baby. Last but not least, I hope I can balance my time between my full-time job as an interior designer and my photography business.

Facebook fanpage: LITTLE FRAME, by mariam abdelnour

Tell us about a funny situation that happened in a photo shoot before.

One time a baby took a nap in the middle of the photo shoot and we had to wait till he woke up.

There a lot of photographers today in Egypt, what do you think distinguishes them from each other?

Anyone can buy a professional camera and take a nice picture; however, the composition of the shoot itself, the editing and the presentation are what matter at the end because they add a lot more to the picture.

That’s why I do the editing myself and of course having studied graphic designing benefited me greatly.

What do you wish to achieve in “Little Frame”?

January 2013 |

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Kids Lightening by KARE available on TheGiftery.com for EGP 250

Available at Tica’s

Half Time Clock White by The Crib available on TheGiftery.com for EGP 920

Available at Tica’s

Joint Pen by Invotis available on TheGiftery. com for EGP 45

*All prices are subjected to change

Available at Tica’s

Cecelia Ahern Books Gift Box by Virgin Megastore available on TheGiftery. com for EGP 150

Available at Tica’s

Wonder Woman Apron by Virgin Megastore available on TheGiftery.com for EGP 269 34 |

| January 2013

Giannini- Fondue Set by The Factory available on TheGiftery.com for EGP 1270

Toilet Instruction For Women by Invotis available on TheGiftery.com EGP60

Toilet Instruction For men by Invotis available on TheGiftery. com EGP60

Home

Home Makeover Tips To Bring More Positive Energy Into Your Home!

Cleanse! This is a VERY important step because you want to get rid of old or negative energy before letting in the new. You may not realize it but old conversations, thoughts, and objects leave trails of negative energy so clear out anything that may be holding on to old memories or experiences. Burning white sage which is known for purifying, lighting some incense or candles and literally visualizing the cleansing will help. You can also say out loud a few statements like ‘wash away the old, let in the new and bring peace into this space’. It may sound silly but chanting it is kind of fun too.

Rock Salt Lamp! Himalayan rock salt has a cleansing effect and releases negative ions (which are good) to combat the positive ions (which are bad) that are released from our TV, computer, and other appliances.

They also help to energize us and elevate our mood.

Play With Music! Sound vibrations are some of the best ways to bring awesome energy into your house, and even plants are happier and grow better with peaceful and stimulating music. Meditation music, nature sounds, and chants are all great ways to fill the space with positive sound.

Zen Space! Set up a place in your house where you can sit quietly, read, think, or better yet, stop thinking.

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Fill In With Happy Food! Stock up on organic fruits, veggies, herbs, and greens. These all have a high vibrational frequency, especially sprouts which are literally buzzing with life energy and will absolutely make your place feel more alive. Just imagine that colorful bowl of fruit on your counter, it is a rainbow of awesomeness.

Play With Colors!

Speaking of rainbows, bring on the bright colors and decor out your pad with the energies that best suit you. Yellow is great for lifting your spirits, orange gives you confidence and energy, violet increases your creativity and inspiration, and indigo enhances your intuition.

Fill Your House With Inspirational Books! Words have a lot of power, and it doesn’t get better than books full of inspiring lessons and messages.

Add Plants! They are great for cleansing and purifying energy so having them on your windowsill, in your kitchen, bedroom, and anywhere else you can put them will definitely liven up your surroundings.

Positive Affirmations! Write out positive messages on a sticky note by your bed, a board on your fridge and on your mirror to remind yourself of how awesome you are, things you have to be grateful for, and your favorite mantras and you will be on your way to a happy day every day at your house.

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Escape

Our Top Tranquil Retreats

Around the World

That will guarantee a mood lift, adventure, and definitely serenity!

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland

The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. The steamy waters are part of a lava formation. The spa is located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwestern Iceland. Tourists relax in style at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland in the morning, afternoon and evening having no worries of the world. Blue Lagoon is surrounded by snow covered mountains and lava secreting fields making a tour in the dreams for the tourists. The Blue Lagoon is almost like a natural miracle and although people do flock there quite regularly, you will not be stressed in the slightest. This is a very peaceful place to be and as everyone is trying to relax just as you are, you won’t feel troubled by how many people are actually at the resort.

This is a trip to take if you want to experience something truly unique but in the company of others.

Makeover: You’ll definitely have once-in-a-lifetime experience and relax in style.

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Norway

Norway is a natural beauty that hasn’t allowed modern construction to overtake the wildlife and outdoor environment. There are many parks, lakes and trails that you can experience. The summers are very mild so if you have a major heat wave in your country during June through August you might want to cool off and enjoy it there. Also if you love winter sports then you’ll love Norway. There is plenty of snow there to get your ski fix. The slopes are wonderful and scenic. As Norway is not as crowded as many of the other European countries, you won’t feel overwhelmed by all the other tourists. You can take a scenic ferry ride to see the natural wildlife.

Makeover: You’ll enjoy the calm, see the beauty of nature and get rid of stress.

Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

World famous for its regenerative waters, Karlovy Vary is the oldest of the Bohemian spas. There are 12 hot springs containing 40 chemical elements that are used to medically treat diseases of the digestive tract and metabolic disorders, so whether you have diarrhea or constipation, this is the place to be. In spite of its purging qualities, Karlovy Vary still manages a definite Victorian air. The elegant colonnades and boulevards complement the many peaceful walks in the surrounding parks, and the picturesque river valley winds between wooded hills. The spa offers all the facilities of a medium-sized town without the bother; it is a nice place to relax amidst charming scenery.

Makeover: You’ll love the spas and the peaceful surroundings in one of the mostchic towns in Europe.

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What is the best time of day to work out?

* Check with your doctor before taking any medication

The best time of day to work out is whatever time works for you.

You may hear conflicting opinions on whether there is a certain time of day that will yield more benefit, but working out any time is better than worrying about when you do it. Some people prefer to exercise in the morning because it energizes them for the day or because it gets it out of the way first thing. Working out later in the day or after work may fit into your schedule better. Just pick the time that fits into your schedule best and stick with it.

Could you give me some tips to avoid airplane ear?

Yawn and swallow during ascent and descent, chew gum, don’t sleep during take-offs and landings, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, avoid alcohol and caffeine, use an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray, use oral decongestant pills cautiously, or use filtered earplugs. You can also try Valsalva maneuver during ascent and descent; gently blow, as if blowing your nose, while pinching your nostrils and keeping 40 |

| January 2013

your mouth closed. Repeat several times, especially during descent, to equalize the pressure between your ears and the airplane cabin.

How can I take care of my knees if I have water on them?

Water on the knee is a general term for excess fluid accumulation in or around your knee joint.

Taking care of yourself when you have water on the knee includes resting; avoid weight-bearing activities as much as possible when your knee is painful and swollen.

Icing and elevation; cold therapy can help control pain and swelling. Apply ice to your knee for 15 to 20 minutes every two to four hours. You may use a bag of ice, frozen vegetables or an iced towel cooled down in your freezer.

When you ice your knee, raise your knee higher than the level of your heart, using pillows for comfort. Of course, this is besides the medication prescribed by your doctor.

Is there a simple home remedy for constipation?

Lemon slices! Cut a lemon into pieces and then eat it. It works.

Raw lemon is high in vitamin C, and in high doses, vitamin C can cause diarrhea.

What are age spots exactly and are they harmful?

Age spots, also called liver spots and solar lentigines, are flat gray, brown or black spots. They vary in size and usually appear on the face, hands, shoulders and arms; areas most exposed to the sun.

Though age spots are very common in adults older than age 40, they can affect younger people as well. True age spots are harmless and don’t need treatment, but they can look like cancerous growths. For cosmetic reasons, age spots can be lightened with skinbleaching products or removed.

However, preventing age spots by avoiding the sun and using sunscreen may be the easiest way to maintain your skin’s youthful appearance and to avoid these dark skin spots.

Health

Vitamin Makeover!

Don’t take it from pills or food, take it from the sun!

Did you know! Vitamin D is the happiness vitamin!

Vitamins are necessary for our normal body functions. Some vitamins are offered in pill form, and we can get enough of them through the foods we eat or in supplement form. But one vitamin comes directly from exposure to sunlight, and that is vitamin D.

The body requires vitamin D in large amounts, and it is virtually impossible to get enough without exposure to sunlight. You would have to drink at least 10 ounce of milk every day to get even close to the necessary amount for optimal body functions. Although sunscreen is important for preventing conditions such as skin cancer, even a low-level sunscreen can block the absorption of rays necessary to produce vitamin D in the body. Human beings can synthesize vitamin D3 from exposing themselves to moderate levels of sunlight. When you expose your body to ultraviolet rays, free of barriers such as car windows or other glass surfaces, your body will absorb the rays and produce vitamin D3.

Vitamin D (specifically the form D3) is the only vitamin your body makes itself. It’s fat-soluble, which means your body stores vitamin D in its adipose tissue in its fat. And, if you want to be specific about things, this vitamin is actually a hormone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, increases bone density and reduces the risk of soft, weak bones, as well as bone fractures. It also helps with the body’s bone development and muscle function, helps keep the immune system healthy, and helps keep insulin, calcium and phosphorus levels in balance. And emerging research is finding promising associations between our vitamin D consumption and 42 |

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our decreased risk of developing a variety of conditions including autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, certain cancers and diabetes.

There are two ways we get our vitamin D other than exposure to sunlight: diet and supplements.

In your diet, you can get a natural form of vitamin D3 from foods such as egg yolks and fatty fish. Alternatively, look for cereals, juices and other D-fortified foods to supplement your D intake.

Why vitamin D is important? Vitamin D3 is important for all sorts of bodily functions, including bone density and muscle strength. High levels of vitamin D contribute to the overall health and wellness of the bones and the musculature of the human body. When people do not receive enough vitamin D3, they might suffer from a host of problems, including the bone disease, osteoporosis.

Lack of vitamin D According to the National Library of Medicine, “vitamin D deficiency not only causes rickets among children, but also precipitates and exacerbates osteoporosis among adults and causes the painful bone disease osteomalcia. (softening of the bones due to a lack of vitamin D or a problem with the body’s ability to break down and use this vitamin.)” The lack of vitamin D has also been linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.

How does it work?

Vitamin D is required for the regulation of the minerals calcium and phosphorus found in the body. It also plays an important role in maintaining proper bone structure.

Sun exposure is an easy, reliable way for most people to get vitamin D. Exposure of the hands, face, arms, and legs to sunlight two to three times a week for about one-fourth of the time it would take to develop a mild sunburn will cause the skin to produce enough vitamin D. The necessary exposure time varies with age, skin type, season, time of day, etc. It’s amazing how quickly adequate levels of vitamin D can be restored by sunlight. Just 6 days of casual sunlight exposure without sunscreen can make up for 49 days of no sunlight exposure. Body fat acts like a kind of storage battery for vitamin D. During periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fatty fat and then released when sunlight is gone.

New light on the sunshine vitamin It used to be simple: just get a “healthy� tan and your body will make all the vitamin D it needs. Desk jobs and sunscreen have changed all that, just as research is underlining the importance of vitamin D and suggesting its possible role in preventing many health problems. That makes vitamin D a dilemma of modern life that has a modern solution: eating fish and drinking some low-fat fortified milk, along with judicious doses of vitamin D supplements.

80% to 90% of the vitamin D that your body gets is obtained through exposure to sunlight Did you know! Vitamin D is the happiness vitamin!

Vitamin D increases serotonin, the mood neurotransmitter. It boosts your immunity, promotes healthy neuro-muscular functions and helps protect you from some forms of cancer. The easiest way to reap the benefits of this nutrient is to spend 15 minutes in the sun a few times a week. Be mindful that sunscreen will prevent you from getting adequate vitamin D outdoors; try skipping sunscreen for just 15 minutes.

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Fitness

My NEW Year True story!

by: Natascia Paolucci

Professional Fitness Coach

Every New Year’s eve, as far as I can remember, the story is the same... I take out my favorite party dress, my husband sighs and my kids yell to fashion bad taste. Actually, my daughter has become pretty good at making me feel guilty for bringing back the 90’s. This year something happened though. No, nobody found the dress before me to cut it to shreds and set it on fire preventively. Instead, my friends gave me a new perspective on fashion. Indeed, they made me realize that it was not so much the dress itself that I should be proud of but the ability to wear it every year for the past decades.

In reality, there is little credit to keeping in shape, because it is orders of magnitude easier than getting back into it. So here is a short (New Year’s resolutions) list for you to fit into the perfect dress and stay in it for the decades to come.

1) The flat stomach to prevent button’s launching to outer space.

your core and hold it that way for the duration of the exercise. Lift one foot off the floor and slowly raise your knee as close to your chest as you can without changing your lower-back posture. Then repeat with your other leg. Alternate back and forth for 30 seconds. If that’s too hard, place your hands on the floor or a bench.

2) The tight buttocks that will steal Pippa’s thunder

What: It’s one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to tighten your tummy. In fact, you’ll barely have to move a muscle.

How: Assume a pushup position with your arms completely straight, but place your hands on a Swiss ball instead of the floor. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your ankles. Tighten 44 |

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What: It targets the muscles of your rear end, which can help make your belly flatter.

The reason: When your glutes are weak -as they are in most women- the top of your pelvis tilts forward. This not only places stress on your lower back, but it causes your tummy to stick out, even if

you don’t have an ounce of fat.

Your fix: The hip raise.

How: Lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Now brace your core, squeeze your glutes, and raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Pause for 3 to 5 seconds -squeezing your glutes tightly the entire time- then lower back to the start.

3) The lean thighs to dance all night What: Holding a weight on just one side of your body increases the demand placed on your core to keep your body stable.

The result: Your hips and abs have to work harder, and you’ll also improve your balance. And better yet, you’ll burn tons of calories.

How: Hold a dumbbell in your right hand next to your shoulder, with your arm bent. Step forward with your right leg and lower your body until your right knee is bent at least 90 degrees and your left knee nearly touches the floor. Push yourself back to the starting position. That’s one rep. Do all your reps, then repeat with your left leg, while holding the weight in your left hand.

4) The firm chest to wear that plunging neckline What: This exercise works your glutes and abs as hard as it works your chest and triceps. So you’ll tighten your hips and core as you tone your upper body.

How: Grab a dumbbell in your left hand and lie on your back on a flat bench. Hold the dumbbell over your chest with your arm straight. Your palm should be facing out, but turned slightly inward. Place your right hand on your abs. Lower the dumbbell to the side of your chest. Pause, then press the weight back to the start. Do all your repetitions, and then repeat on your right side.

5) The shoulders to carry all the presents What: When you raise the dumbbells to start this exercise, you target the front of your shoulders, as well as your rotator cuff. Then comes the shrug. This

part of the move helps better balance the muscles that rotate your shoulder blades.

The end result: Great-looking shoulders and better posture.

How: Stand holding a pair of dumbbells with your feet shoulder-width apart. Let the dumbbells hang at arm’s length next to your sides, your palms facing each other. Without changing the bend in your elbows, raise your arms at an angle to your body (so that they form a ‘‘Y’’), until they’re parallel to the floor. At the top of the movement, shrug your shoulders upward. Pause, then reverse the movement to return to the start, and repeat.

6) The triceps to give bone-crushing hugs What: Lying on a Swiss ball forces your core to work harder to keep you stable. So you work your abs as you shape the backs of your arms.

How: Grab a pair of dumbbells and lie on your back on a Swiss ball that your middle and upper back are on the ball. Raise your hips so your body forms a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. Hold the dumbbells over your forehead, with your arms straight and your palms facing each other. Without moving your upper arms, bend your elbows and lower the dumbbells until your forearms are beyond parallel to the floor. Pause, and then lift the weights back to the start.

7) Never back-off What: This exercise targets your upper back. By working these key muscles, you’ll improve your posture, shape the back of your shoulders, and look great in a backless dress.

How: Lie face down on top of a Swiss ball so your back is flat and your chest is off the ball. Let your arms hang straight down from your shoulders, your palms facing behind you. Keeping your elbows flared out; lift your upper arms as high as you can by bending your elbows and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Your upper arms should be perpendicular to your torso. Without changing your elbow position, rotate your forearms up and back as far as you can. Pause, then reverse the movement. If you can do more than 12 repetitions, use dumbbells.

Now that you are properly equipped for the New Year parties, fly to your closet and show off THE dress. Flaunt it, regardless of what others say. May it be the expression of your inner power. No restriction on glitter and sparkle. Meet you on the dance floor!

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Editorial Features

Abu Auf has got it all for you!

From your daily GYM needs to your wedding night specials!

Abu Auf is bringing you all your needs in just one place! The store is stuffed with mouthwatering, fresh assortments of nuts, oils, jams, coffee and much more to meet your daily needs! Have a look and grab your favorite from your nearest Abu Auf store, or better they can deliver it to your doorstep!

FOR THE GYM:

For gift packs:

Enjoy Abu Auf ’s customized gift packs starting from EGP 100. You can pick your favorite basket and fill it with your favorites of Abu Auf ’s endless choices.

Try “Trial Mix” and “Skinny Mix” that is designed especially for GYM customers. It is loaded with necessary fibers and nutrients for your workouts.

For newlyweds: Try “Honeymoon Mix” which provides necessary nutritional benefits.

For parties and house events:

For cooking needs: Abu Auf has a variety of raw silvered and halves almonds needed for different cooking dishes and desserts. Plus a huge array of nuts varying from fresh walnuts, macadamia, pecan to their exclusive California pistachio, all which will work perfectly for your dishes and desserts, or simply your perfect, beneficial daily snack. Available also are pine nuts, raw hazelnuts, raisins, Lebanese spices, and olive oil. For desserts, try their pecan, cranberries, walnuts, and dried fruits, available in dried banana, kiwi, and pineapple.

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Try their smoked salmon, delicious foie gras, Abu Auf mixed nuts with macadamia and pecan, assortment of imported cheese, Chinese crackers and Arabic coffee.

For weddings and special occasions: Abu Auf has a special dragee corner in various colors and shapes that will suit your happy occasions. Also available are chocolate dragee, almonds dragee, Lebanese Nougat, selection of nuts, selection of imported cheese, and selection of Norwegian smoked salmon.

For sugar rushes!

Try their nougat and malban assortments, halawa biscuit and amar el dein rolls, it is everything you need for a delicious bite that is so worth the calories!

For healthy, delicious breakfasts: Try Abu Auf ’s cranberries, blue berries, goji berries and cherries with your favorite corn flakes, or Lebanese halawa with chocolate and pistachios, and their wide selection of imported cheese.

For date loverS!

Abu Auf provides “Medjoul” dates and “Degla Nour dates” coming to you directly from Tunisia, along with Egyptian Dates and Sagai Dates.

For healthy snacks and light lunch: Try Abu Auf ’s Lebanese 3 minute meals using oven or microwave, starting from mazzahs like mini pizza, safaiha lahma, manakeish zaiton, mesakhan, manakeish zaatar, hawawshy, kobaibah, and much more!

Abu Auf

has a special section dedicated to Lebanese spices, oils, Syrian homemade jams, nuts, honey, lebanah, Panach ice cream and pickles, all which will help you enjoy a delicious, unique meal.

They also have assortment of teas and coffee beans, so you don’t have to do many errands to have your favorite nuts, desserts, and coffee, you can find them all at Abu Auf or better have them right at your door!

For more info visit: www.abu-auf.com Facebook.com/abu auf Abu Auf branches: City Stars: Shop No. 143 in front of Spinney’s, Tel.: 01116771171 Dokki: 62 Mossadek St., Tel.: 02-33368742 Heliopolis: 105 El Merghany St., Tel.: 02-24172545 Maadi: 60 Road 9, Tel.: 01115771172 6 October: Seoudi Super Market Port Said: Marhaba Village, Tel.: 06-63225674 Delivery is available from all Abu Auf branches!

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Why Eat This?

Peas, the tiny green bombs!

• Peas are low-fat but high in everything else. A cup of peas has less than 100 calories and lots of protein, fiber and micronutrients.

• Peas’ high fiber and protein slows down how fast sugars are digested. Their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents prevent insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes).

All peas’ carbohydrates are natural sugars and starches with no white sugars.

• The many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in peas support healthy blood vessels. The formation of plaque along blood vessel walls starts with chronic oxidative stress and inflammation.

• The generous amounts of vitamin B1, fo-

Super Food...

Grapefruit • Appetite Loss: High fiber contained by this fruit can satisfy hunger and thus, avoids any overeating temptation.

• Indigestion: Grapefruit is useful for solving the problem of indigestion. It is very light as compared to other food articles and thus, acts immediately on indigestion by easing the heat and irritation caused in the stomach.

It improves the flow of digestive juices, thereby improving the digestive systems.

• Insomnia: A glass of grapefruit juice, if drunk before going to bed, can promote healthy and sweet sleep and thus, alleviates insomnia.

• Diabetes: A diabetic pa48 |

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tient can safely eat a grapefruit. The consumption of this fruit can reduce the starches from the body. If a patient is diabetic, intake of grapefruit can help fight this health issue.

• Constipation: A glass full of fresh squeezed grapefruit in the morning is the best remedy to control constipation. They result best in stimulating the colon and other parts of the body.

• Urinary Disorders: Grapefruit juice is quite rich in potassium and vitamin C and thus, works as the best medicine in the case of scanty urination caused due to the liver, kidney or heart problems.

late, B2, B3, B6 reduce homocysteine levels which are a risk factor for heart disease.

• Just one cup of peas contains 44% of your vitamin K, which helps to anchor calcium inside the bones. Its B vitamins also help to prevent osteoporosis.

• Buying tip: Use them quickly or freeze them. Store pods in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator and use them within a couple of days. To freeze them, blanch them for 1-2 minutes in boiling salted water and then shock them in an ice-water bath until cool, to help maintain their bright color. Drain and freeze them in zip-top bags. They will keep for 5-6 months.

5 Word Answer What are the best foods for happy mood?

Bananas, chocolate, spinach, walnuts and avocados

Fix with Food

Suffering from poor blood circulation?

Eat dark chocolate; natural cocoa contains important elements that improve blood circulation and ward off blood clots. Blueberries and grapes contain heart-healthy flavonoids that protect us from free-radicals that damage and attack healthy cells. Oranges prevent plaque buildup. Avocados are rich in heart-healthy fats and support cardiovascular system.

Salmon and other oily types of fish are very high in omega-3 fatty acids necessary to increase blood circulation. Cayenne pepper is a great way to increase blood circulation. Ginger simulates the blood flow to all organs.

Garlic is fantastic for increasing blood circulation in feet and hands.

Nutrition

Your Diet New Year’s Resolutions “The change in our life must come from the impossibility to live otherwise than according to the demands of our conscience not from our mental resolution to try a new form of life.” Leo Tolstoy

By: Noura Hassaballa

Nutritional Consultant

New Year has usually been the time where we sit back, relax and start thinking about what we have accomplished in the past year, or what we are going to bring about the coming year!!! Well, have you accomplished your New Year’s resolution, or at least thought of one yet? Your resolution could be anything you want.

Whether you want to lose weight, quit smoking, change your eating habits, or start hitting the gym. I know it’s always easier said than done; usually we put a big challenge for ourselves then blow it all off because it was too hard for us to attain. Why does this often happen to most of us? Because we start TOO HIGH then we hit the floor; in other words, making plans for a change has to be done little by little to see a difference, because as we all know “easy come, easy go.” You have to set realistic goals for yourself. No one can lose 10 kilos in a week; it’s impossible to happen.

People are always eager to see super fast results, especially when it comes to weight loss. Ummm, let me just tell you something, it takes 3500 calories for your body to burn in order for you to lose one pound of fat!!!! So

how in the world would you want to lose all that weight in a week? Another thing that most of us do when we set a goal is that we focus so much on what not to do, instead of focusing on what’s best for us to do. So instead of paying too much attention to not eating fattening foods, start paying more attention to eating fruits and vegetables. Don’t beat yourself up and be too harsh on yourself if you messed up for one day, so what; start the next day. We tend to set ourselves up for failure more than success unconsciously because we are too cautious not to fail. Get yourself motivated the minute you start feeling that everything is becoming so mundane. Change the place you workout at, join a group workout class, or find a workout buddy to keep you encouraged. Personal training is usually best in these situations, because there is always someone nagging you about coming to your scheduled sessions, as well as giving you a time frame to lose the weight you want.

Jot your goals down. If you want to truly do something, write it down.

Journals, food diaries and to-do lists are extremely important to your weight loss plan. Brainstorm all of

your goals onto one piece of paper and then rewrite each one as a contract with yourself. Put your contract somewhere that will keep you reminded of the promise you have made. The fridge is a great place since this is the main area which will make or break your resolution. Refer to your contract daily to remind yourself of your long-term goal.

Set a definite date. If you just say you’re going to meet your goal sometime within the year, that will not work. In fact, you will probably fall into the “I’ll start next week” trap. Instead, mark your calendar for a certain date for each goal that you want to achieve. For example,

by March you want to be walking 3 miles a day. Setting a definite date is a great way to make sure you stick with your plan!

B

y incorporating all those tips together, you will have a better road map to succeed with your New Year’s resolution and whatever it is that you want to accomplish.

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Nutrition

Eat Right

For Your Blood Type By: Valentina Kendall

There are no two people alike in this world. Everybody is different.

There are no two people with the same eyes, lips, shape or DNA. Peter D’Adamo is a founder of blood type diet. He says that your blood type determines your susceptibility to illness, which foods you should eat and how you should exercise. There should be explanation for why some people were able to lose weight on particular diets, while others were not. Dr James D’Adamo(the father of Peter D’Adamo) thinks that since blood is the fundamental source of nourishment to the body, perhaps some aspect of the blood could explain this difference. By learning the principles of blood type analysis, you can tailor the optimal diet for yourself and your family members. You can pinpoint the food that makes you sick, contributes to weight gain and leads to chronic disease.

The story of humankind is the story of survival. More specifically, it is the story of where humans lived and what they could eat there. It is about food, finding food and moving to find food. So the first type of blood was the O type. These people were hunters and meat eaters. As the human race moved around and was forced to adapt its diet to changing conditions, the new diet provoked adaptations in the digestive tract and immune system necessary for it to first survive and later thrive in each new habitat. These changes are reflected in the development of the blood types. The change from hunters to a more domesticated agrarian lifestyle led to a type A. The merging and migration of races from Africa, Asia and America developed the type B. The latest blood type is type AB. Each blood type contains the genetic message of our ancestor’s diets and behaviours and although we are a long way away from early history, many of their traits still affect us. Knowing these predispositions helps us to understand the logic of the blood type diets.

Let’s talk about food.

Type Os thrive on intense physical exercise and animal protein. The digestive tracts of all type Os retain the memory of ancient times. Dietary recommendations today generally discourage the consumption of too much animal protein because saturated fats have been proven to be a risk factor for heart diseases and cancer.

Fortunately, organic and free-range meats are becoming more widely available. The success of the type O diet depends on your use of lean, organic meats, poultry and fish. Type Os don’t find dairy products and grains quite as user-friendly as most of the other blood types.

Type As flourish on vegetarian diets. The inheritance of their more settled and less warlike farming ancestors.

It is important for sensitive type As to get their foods in as natural a state as possible: fresh, pure and organic.

Type As are the first vegetarians.

Type B diet is balanced and wholesome, including a wide variety of foods. It represents “the best of the animal and vegetable kingdoms.” Think of B as standing for balance – the balancing forces of A and O. Multiple antigens make type ABs sometimes A-like, sometimes B-like and sometimes a fusion of both: kind of a blood type centaur. Most foods which are not recommended for either type A or type B are probably bad for type AB. How are we to choose which recommendations to follow, and which diet is the right diet? The truth is, we can no more choose the right diet than we can choose our hair colour or gender. It was already chosen for us many thousands of years ago.

Do one thing: Know your blood type!

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Valentina Kendall

Fitness and Nutrition Advisor

Source: “Eat Right for your Type” by Dr Peter J.D’Adamo with Catherine Whitney January 2013 |

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Cooking

Cooking Makeover!

Get the most out of your plates, same taste, fewer cals!

By: Maha Alfy

For orders, check Facebook fanpage: Home Made Catering

Chicken Salad THE CLASSIC • 748 calories per cup • 8.1g saturated fat • 1,161mg sodium • Dry, leftover chicken • Dressed in heavy mayonnaise madness • Salty, nutty overload

Ingredients:

1 kilo skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 1/2 cup light mayonnaise 1/2 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon honey 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt THE MAKEOVER 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 339 calories per cup 1/3 cup chopped celery • 1.9g saturated fat 1/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries • 525mg sodium 7 tablespoons coarsely chopped smoked al• Perfectly poached chicken monds • Dressed in light mayo and fat- • 6 cups mixed salad greens free Greek yogurt

Maha Alfy

Professional Caterer

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Directions: Fill a Dutch oven two-thirds full of water; bring to a boil.

Wrap each chicken breast half completely and tightly in heavy-duty plastic wrap. Add the chicken to boiling water. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until a thermometer registers 165°. Remove from pan, and let stand for 5 minutes. Unwrap chicken and shred; refrigerate for 30 minutes or until cold. Combine mayonnaise and the next 7 ingredients (through black pepper) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk until combined. Add chicken, 1/3 cup celery, cranberries, and almonds; toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve over salad greens.

Food Makeover Tips!

The Best Healthy Recipe Substitutions!

1

Vanilla for sugar: Cutting sugar in half and adding a teaspoon

of vanilla as a replacement can give just as much flavor with significantly fewer calories. Assuming the recipe originally calls for one cup of sugar, that’s already almost 400 calories cut out! You can’t sub this one in equal ratios, but next time you’re whipping up some cookies, try cutting 2 tablespoons of sugar and adding an extra 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

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Lighter Chocolate Chip Cookies THE CLASSIC • 187 calories per cookie • 5.8g saturated fat • 9.6g total fat

THE MAKEOVER • 96 calories per cookie • 2g saturated fat • 4g total fat

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • •

6 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons canola oil 51 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (such as Hershey’s Special Dark)

Directions: Preheat oven to 375°. Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook 5 minutes or until browned. Remove from heat; add oil. Set aside to cool. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours, baking powder, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Place butter mixture and sugars in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until combined. Add vanilla and eggs; beat until well blended. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by level tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake 12 minutes or until bottoms of cookies just begin to brown. Cool slightly.

2

Greek yogurt for sour cream: Half the fat and

3

Americano for latte: Just by cut-

calories, yet the taste and ting the milk out of texture are virtually identical. Plus, that daily latte in favor of nonfat Greek yogurt offers an extra hot water, the calorie count dose of lean protein. drops by more than 150. It’s a smart switch, especially by the fourth or fifth cup.

4

Popcorn for potato chips: Lower in calories

and fat, natural popcorn without pre-flavored seasonings is a great snack alternative to replace those oily, super-salty potato chips. Try made-athome flavors by adding cinnamon, chili powder, or Parmesan.

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Love & Relationships

The Love Life Makeover

How to Break Your Emotional Dependency on Your Ex

D

o you feel a strong emotional “attachment” to your ex, but you don’t understand why? Are you finding that you are having difficulty letting go of your relationship because your ex provided you with stability and comfort? After the dust has settled, you now begin to see things in a new perspective that your love for your ex blinded you from. So how do you break your emotional dependency on your ex?

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Well, first, you must understand why you are dependent on your ex in the first place. Often, you became dependent on your ex to fill a void in your life that was most likely created during childhood. You allowed other people to define yourself worth. When you met your former lover, they probably made you actually begin to feel worthy of receiving love. Probably for the first time in your life, you started to feel like you were valuable and appreciated.

Often, we become dependent on our lover based on the emotional needs that they fulfill. We rely on our partners to provide us with those “feel-good” feelings.

Slowly, over time, we make them totally responsible for giving us that feeling all of the time. When they give us the attention that we crave, they provide us with feelings of love and approval. They make us feel worthy and safe. However, when the relationship sours, the attention stops and our self worth starts to diminish. It was unfair of us to make them responsible for how we felt every moment of everyday. This is why most relationships end in a “lose-lose” situation.

Dependence is what makes surviving a breakup so difficult?

Being emotionally dependent is one of the reasons why a lot of people find difficulty in quickly recovering from a breakup. The following are things you might have been doing while in the relationship which eventually led you to become emotionally dependent on your partner: Dropping your hobbies and other interests: Being with someone can make some forget their other interests which make them happy too. They tend to forego old hobbies and concentrate their entire time around their partner. Eventually, these people will become dependent on their partner only to feel good.

Losing their partner will then surely mean a loss of happiness.

Contacting your friends less often: Whether intentionally or unintentionally, most couples get too caught up with each other and make the mistake of weakening their connection to their friends. This makes you solely depend on your partner for your social and intimacy needs, which is very unhealthy. Losing your partner would then consequently make you feel all alone.

on their partner emotionally that they focus only on their partner and stop doing anything useful for themselves. These people who make their partners the centre of their lives are also the same people who will suffer the most after a breakup.

But there is hope. You can break your emotional dependency on your ex. You must first want to do so.

You have to realize that this attachment is harmful to healing your heartbreak as well as your whole wellbeing. Here are three major actions that you can start to take today to break your emotional dependency on your ex: • Learn how to be responsible for your own emotions. You are the only one who has control over how you feel. No one can make you happy or sad.

You decide how their actions affect you. You must become responsible for how you react to others emotionally. Take control of your entire emotional system now or you will continue to be a slave to it for the rest of your life.

• Learn what your emotional needs are and learn how to give yourself what you expected your ex to give you instead. If you expected your ex to give you love and attention, give love and attention to yourself. You will find that you are more fulfilled when you provide yourself with the things that you think you are lacking.

• Define your own self worth and don’t let other people dictate what your worth is no matter how much you love them. You are the only one who knows really how valuable you are. Start to appreciate all of the good qualities that you possess and let no one determine or undermine yourself worth. Period! When you let other people define who you are and what you are worth, you give away your power and allow them to walk all over you. You are not a doormat, so stop acting like one.

Do what you can each day and eventually you will cut through that rope that ties you to your ex emotionally like a chainsaw.

Making your world revolve only around your partner: People have become extremely dependent January 2013 |

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Mother & Child

Why Massage Your New Baby?

N

The Benefits & The Techniques

ewborns simply love to be touched and cuddled.

The skin to skin touch helps you and your baby bond, comforts your baby when he is upset or uneasy with gas or colic problems. Hence, touch is a critical part of growth and development. Massage your new born to:

Here’s what to keep in mind before you (or your partner) lay your hands on your newborn:

Help him breathe more rhythmically: Infants often have irregular breathing patterns, but because the skin is the largest organ of the human body and it’s rich in nerve endings, massage can help.

• Make infant massage part of your daily routine. Consider massaging your baby around the same time every day so that he comes to expect and enjoy it. What time’s best? There’s no “best” time, really. In general, you want to choose a time when you’re not feeling rushed or when your baby isn’t hungry (since he won’t enjoy the belly rubs if his belly’s empty) or too full (he’ll likely spit up his supper, you won’t make that mistake twice!).

Stimulate growth-promoting hormones: Pediatricians have long known that babies who are touched a lot thrive. Thriving doesn’t just mean growing bigger, it means growing to your fullest potential; physically, intellectually and emotionally. A study by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that premature babies receiving three 15-minute massages per day for five days showed a 53 percent greater daily weight gain than unmassaged babies.

• If you’re using massage oil, choose one that’s edible, unscented, and either a cold-pressed fruit or vegetable oil. Sure, you don’t need oil to rub your little one the right way, but it’ll be more pleasant for both of you if your hands glide more easily over your baby’s body.

Good options include coconut, corn, olive, grape seed, apricot, avocado, or safflower oils. These oils are easily absorbed into a baby’s skin and easily digested when your little one sucks on his hands or fingers.

Build his brain: Studies show that newborns receiving extra touch experience enhanced neurological development. Since the brain grows fastest in the first year, that’s the time when it’s smart to give your child extra touch.

• Pick an area that’s comfortable for both of you, and warm so your nearly naked newborn doesn’t catch a chill while he’s chilling from your massage. You can rub down your little one on the changing table, your bed (put a towel underneath to avoid oil stains on your comforter), even on the rug (use a towel there too). Add some soothing background music or simply use the time to talk and sing to your baby.

Boost his immunity: A study of human infants 10 weeks old showed that infants whose backs were massaged by their mothers experienced fewer colds and fewer occurrences of diarrhea. Conversely, touch deprivation negatively affects the immune system. Touch enhances secretion of digestive hormones and helps the baby’s digestive system work more efficiently.

Relieve stress: Researchers believe that one cause of colic is sensory overload. A stressed baby will cry. Infant massage can significantly reduce this stress by reducing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

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• Follow your baby’s cues. No one likes to be massaged when they’re not in the mood, and that’s true for your baby as well. If he turns away or frowns or cries when you lay your hands on, save the session for later. And remember, you don’t have to give a full-body massage every time. If your baby decides he’s had enough after you’ve rubbed his legs and feet, that’s okay too.

Here are some infant massage moves to get you started.

These techniques are good for all pre-crawling babies. For the best chance of success, don’t try a massage just before or after a meal or when he needs a nap. When you think he’s ready, set up on the floor with a towel and a small bowl of vegetable-based oil.

THE LEGS: His legs are a good place to begin, as they’re less-sensitive than some parts of her body. Using a little oil, wrap your hands around one of his thighs and pull down, one hand after the other, squeezing gently, as if you’re “milking” his leg.

Switch legs and repeat.

THE ARMS: Take one of his arms in your hands and repeat the milking motion from his armpit all the way to his wrist. Then, take his hand and gently rotate the wrist a few times in each direction. Switch arms and repeat.

THE FEET: Take one foot and gently rotate it a few times in each direction, then stroke the top of his foot from the ankle down to the toes. Switch feet and repeat.

THE TOES: To finish off the feet, grab each toe between your thumb and forefinger and gently pull until your fingers slip off the end. Repeat for all ten toes.

THE CHEST: Put your hands together in prayer position over his heart.

Then stroke your hands outward and lightly flatten the palms down over his chest. Repeat several times.

THE CHEST (continued): Place one hand flat across the top of his chest. Stroke it gently down to his thighs. Repeat the motion, alternating hands, several times.

THE FINGERS: Gently take a finger between your thumb and forefinger and pull, letting his finger slip through your grasp. Repeat on all ten fingers.

THE SOLES: Use your thumbs to trace circles all over the bottom of each foot.

THE HANDS: Trace tiny circles all over the palm of each hand with your thumbs.

THE BACK (continued): Finish with some long, firm strokes from his shoulders all the way to his feet.

When you’re done, put on his diaper and cuddle or breastfeed her.

THE BACK: Roll your baby onto her tummy. Using your fingertips, trace tiny circles on either side of his spine from the neck down to the buttocks.

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Features

Welcome 2013!

THIRTEEN!!!

In numerology, the number twelve is considered the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve hours of the clock, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve Apostles of Jesus, twelve gods of Olympus, etc., whereas the number thirteen is considered irregular, transgressing this completeness.

There is also a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper or a Norse myth that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners.

The modern reason is said to come from the origin of the superstition that traces the event to the arrest of the legendary Knights Templar. The Knights Templar were a monastic military order founded in Jerusalem in 1118 C.E., whose mission was to protect Christian pilgrims during the Crusades.

Over the next two centuries, the Knights Templar became extraordinarily powerful and wealthy.

Threatened by that power and eager to acquire their wealth, King Philip secretly ordered the mass arrest of all the Knights Templar in France on Friday, October 13th, 1307 (Friday the 13th).

hit the century mark in August of 1999, again on Friday the 13th.

Here & There‌ In some other countries, instead of Friday, it is considered bad luck Tuesday the 13th (Spain, Greece and Latin America). Greeks consider Tuesday to be an unlucky day. In Italy it is on Friday the 17th.

In China and much of Asia, the date is considered fortunate, or at the very least not unlucky. In Australia, lottery agents report a brisk business every Friday the 13th, selling 50% more tickets than average on that day.

The scariest person born on Friday the 13th is Alfred Hitchcock. He was born on Friday, August 13, 1899. The Master of Suspense died back in 1980, but had he lived to be 100, Hitchcock would have

More than 60 million people worldwide claim to be affected by a fear of Friday 13th.

Some of them won’t go to work, drive cars or get out of bed on this day.

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Fascinating Facts About Number 13

President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal.

Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.

There is a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper, that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners.

Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13.

Airplanes have no 13th seat and airports skip the 13th gate. Many airplanes do not have a 13th row.

Many hotels have no room or floor number 13 (Check the elevator next time you go to a hotel!)

The fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia.

On streets in Florence, Italy, the house between number 12 and 14 is addressed as 12 and a half.

Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue.

Early Ro-

mans thought 13 was a sign of death and destruction.

Greek philosophers called 13 an ‘imperfect’ number.

Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. “It was bad luck,” Twain later told the friend. “They only had food for 12.”

Many ships will not start a voyage on the 13th, particularly, Friday the 13th.

In France, socialites known as the quatorziens (fourteeners) once made themselves available as 14th guests to keep a dinner party from an unlucky fate. Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.

Italians omit the number 13 from their national lottery.

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The Best, The Top & the must do!

MUST TRY! mori sushi Shrimp Tempura It’s yummy! Served with strawberry sauce, we tried it and we loved it! The perfect treat prior to your sushi meal!

YOUR GETAWAY Paris Nothing beats up Paris in January! Fashion, glamour, style, food, and fun! What else can you ask more for a quick vacation in the city of fashion and love! Lots of macaroons, wine, and perfumes! We love Paris and we want you to enjoy it as much as we love it! Don’t forget Lafayette, it’s a must visit in Paris!

Did You Know!

Heidi Slimane, creative director at Yves Saint Laurent since March, changed the name of Yves Saint Laurent to Saint Laurent Paris as part of his makeover for the label. However, the famous YSL logo, which appears on handbags, lipsticks and shoes, would remain unchanged.

NOT TO BE MISSED! “El Bernameg” by Bassem Youssef every Friday at 11pm It is just amazing! We wait for it every Friday and we just keep talking about it for the rest of the week! Funny, yet carrying so much positivity and hope through hilarious laughs!

We just can’t help but love Bassem Youssef and we give our shout outs and thumbs up to El Bernameg’s team! Great job and keep it up!

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Reviews

album

Bruno Mars’ “Unorthodox Jukebox” Genre(s): Pop, R&B, Pop/Rock Unorthodox Jukebox contains 10 tracks in addition to “Moonshine,” a mid-tempo cryptic ballad and the reggae-tinged “Show Me.” The album is a glorious exploration of pop music, full of spritely melodies, layered harmonies, and catchy choruses delivered in Mars’ caramel-dipped voice.

movies

The long awaited “Life of Pi” American adventure drama film based on Yann Martel’s 2001 novel of the same name. It tells the story of a young man who survives a disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor... a fearsome Bengal tiger.

Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan and Adil Hussain.

Directed by: Ang Lee.

book “Dawlat Al Lewaa” by Karim Nour A political fantasia that talks about incidents happening around us in a very different (yet creative) framework. The author’s talent appeared in the timeline transitions of the story telling; which is a brilliant way of making your mind stop and reconnect again to join the story together. Also the space the author gives your mind to guess who the real characters are and what will happen next is just what you need from a good book. It has some violence and aggression that goes with the nature of novel. It holds so much suspense and will keep you reading and reading, on and on until you know what happened to “Al Lewaa.” We recommend it to those readers who are interested in a suspense novel with a political twist and lots of mental predictions that will spice up your read! We enjoyed the good read and we hope you do too!

The book is available at Diwan bookstore.

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restaurants & Café Mehawig “Gourmet Coffee + Honey Blends” Mehawig is a new cafe in Zamalek that offers gourmet coffee and honey blends with a variety of unique flavors. Try it! It is a new twist for your daily coffee intake.

A Fresh Facelift for Jaz Hotels & Resorts

experiences Shefa2 Clinics Now Open at Arkan Mall, Sheikh Zayed Who said going to the doctor can’t be fun? Situated in the heart of “Arkan Mall,” Sheikh Zayed, with all its elegant cafés and restaurants, Shefa2 Clinics offer international standards of medical practice to all family members. Highly qualified and enthusiastic doctors covering more than twenty specialties. Open daily from 10.00 AM till 10.00 PM, except Fridays.

We wish The Gold Diamond Group’s two Cultural Egyptology Theme Parks “The Glories of Egypt” and “Cleopatra’s Alexandria” the greatest success in Egypt!

Their website address is www.goldiamondgroup.com where our readers can meet the GDG Team of visionary Theme Park Designers who have built Disney, Universal Studios and parks around the world. “The Glories of Egypt,” 250-feddan Pharaonic Storyland Park together with “Cleopatra’s Alexandria,” 275-feddans Greco-Roman Storyland Park will be built in Egypt over 5 years, costing $6 billion, bringing millions of additional tourists to Egypt and creating hundreds of thousands of future jobs. Thank you Gold Diamond Group!

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Increase your printing output and decrease your costs with Epson’s range of ultra-highcapacity ink tank printers which allow you to print more for less.

hot offers Must try !

Truffles at Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers Italian Cuisine!

The Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers luxury Cairo hotel is welcoming you to indulge in the unique flavors and award-winning cuisine of Italian chef Federico Villoni. Creating one-of-a-kind truffle-infused dishes at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Leonardo, Villoni will inspire you to see, touch, smell and taste every nuance in his dishes. From the way the earthiness of the truffles melds beautifully with the creaminess of taleggio cheese, to how they add richness to quail eggs, and make soups even more comforting and soothing – and yes, delicious – his “truffled” menu will tantalize your senses and delight your taste buds. The special truffles promotion runs through January 31st 2013 only at Leonardo, the Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers Cairo hotel.

Focus on freshness at Aqua E Luce! Experience fine dining in Cairo at Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers There has been a renaissance at Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers’ Aqua e Luce restaurant in Cairo, Egypt, which has been reborn with a new identity. The new Aqua e Luce features an emphasis on FRESH – fresh ideas and creations (some of which are unique to the Cairo dining scene), and fresh produce from throughout the globe, including the Mediterranean from France’s Côte d’Azur.

Experience the latest concept of Aqua e Luce’s daily special, which varies from Australian Lamb with a Coriander Crust, to Roasted American Beef Strip Loin, to whole Roasted Sea Bass and Pepper Crusted Beef Rib Eye and much more; all complemented with mouthwatering side dishes.

EGP 150 Rock Your Rolls at CHOPCHOP and enjoy Jazz entertainment, sushi buffet every Tuesday from 6pm to 11pm for EGP 150 per person

Mark a Special Moment With a Bernhard H. Mayer® Watch from QNET

Must try !

Up to 30% Visa cardholders can enjoy great offers when booking online with Hotel Club Online travel bookings offer Egyptian travellers greater savings and benefits when they use their Visa cards and book online.

The Theme Park Campaign is offered from 1 Oct 2012 till 28 Feb 2013 and can be applied to renowned theme park hotels in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, Gold Coast Australia, Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Orlando. The various hotels offer discounts from 15% to 30% as well as advance purchase rates on accommodation for bookings made with Visa Classic, Visa Gold, Visa Platinum, Visa Signature and Visa Infinite credit and debit cards.

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At home in style with Nile Plaza With impressive capabilities, Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza can take the “show” to you through their creative outside catering. Their kitchen brigade of over 150 chefs will bring a wealth of professionalism and expertise into any environment that suits guests ranging from large-scale gala events at unique sites such as the legendary Pyramids, to small intimate dinners for discerning guests at their homes, their team can provide. Catering beyond the walls of the hotel is a service offered at Four Seasons Hotel Nile Plaza. Coordination with the client’s chosen location, event planning, menu creation, setup and decoration, service and clean up can all be done in Four Seasons style.

A Year in Egypt’s Search: Google’s Top Searches of 2012 Egypt’s Top Trending Query: Port Said Incident Egypt’s Top Trending People: Tawfik Okasha Egypt’s Top Trending Politician: Nader Bakar Egypt’s Most Searched Sports Team: Al Zamalek Egypt’s Most Searched Egyptian Olympian: Karam Gaber Egypt’s Top Trending Celebrity: Nishan Dirharotionyan Egypt’s Top Trending News Outlet: Youm7 Egypt’s Top Trending Travel Destination: Al Ein Al Sokhna Egypt’s Top Trending Image Search: Egypt’s flag Egypt’s Top Trending Food & Drink Search: Strawberry juice Egypt’s Top Trending Fashion label: Ted Baker Egypt’s Top Trending Song: Haqqy Bra’ebty Egypt’s Top Trending TV Program: Sabaya Al Kheer Egypt’s Most Searched TV Sitcom: Fatma Egypt’s Top Trending Musician: Mashrou’ Leila Egypt’s Most Searched Athlete: Cristiano Ronaldo

The wait is over: Pantene sets benchmark in hair science revolution The new, best Pantene yet has finally come to a supermarket near you. Its revamped formula uses the latest advances in Pro-V science to penetrate deep into your hair shaft and prevent protein loss, leaving you with hair that’s 10 times stronger, and with zero hair damage worries. With several lines to tackle different hair issues, from Nature Fusion to Anti Hair Fall, Pantene’s three-step regimen for hair so healthy it shines, consists of: the new Pantene Shampoo, Conditioner and Oil Replacement Leave-In Treatment.

Monginis launches its online gifting service! Surprise your loved ones and gift a cake from the comfort of your own home Monginis bakery shops recently launched their online gifting service via www.monginisbakery.com through which customers can order cakes and chocolates and have them delivered anywhere in Egypt. If you are searching for an easy and convenient way to send a gift, then www.monginisbakery.com is the site for you. The online gifting service will also make it possible for anyone living abroad to send gifts to Egypt on any occasion.

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From The Readers Mahmoud Medhat graduated from MSA University, majoring in Marketing. He graduated from MSA University majoring in marketing. Currently works as a marketing consultant. He practices writing and art as hobbies.

For more of Mahmoud’s writings Check his blog: mahmoudmedhat1.blogspot.com

Dreams

D

By: Mahmoud Medhat

reams are defined as sequences of images, sounds, ideas, and emotions that occur in the mind during sleep. There are 2 types of dreams, the first is the ordinary dream in which we don’t realize we are dreaming until we wake up; the second is the lucid dream, in which we feel and know that we are dreaming while asleep. Bad lucid dreams are less painful than ordinary ones but when it comes to pleasant dreams, ordinary ones are much more fun. Dreams are directly related to the state of our subconscious mind, and what’s stored in it; including needs, wants, desires, wishes, previous situations, fears, and beliefs. The natures of dreams vary from thrilling, adventurous, sexual, terrifying, and some are not understood and don’t have any meaning. Terrifying dreams that are often called nightmares are caused when a person is frustrated, anxious, scared or in a bad mood. A vision is totally another issue than dreaming, a vision is a different aspect of perception and it’s generally a message from God; sometimes it’s a bit difficult to differentiate a vision from a dream, but by time and experience and also insight and knowledge, a person can identify if it’s a true vision or just an ordinary dream. Clairvoyant people and those who are very close to God such as saints experience visions much to an extent that those visions affect their day to day decisions and actions. I believe that a dream or a vision that we experience can totally change our lives and turn it from absolute right to absolute left. Both dreams and visions may come true and that makes us surprised and satisfied to a great extent. Dreams interpretation is a science that differs from a school to another; I personally believe that everyone is more capable of interpreting his dream than anyone else, even if he was more knowledgeable in that issue, because everyone knows what’s deep inside him more than anyone else. Our dreams may come true but we have to have the power to make them real, if you believe that a dream you experienced would change your life to the better, take action and work to make it real. Dreams are necessary in our lives, pick the good ones and throw the bad ones away, and make sure that some dreams should be taken seriously and treated with importance. May God bless you and enlighten your life with nice dreams you see and experience. Best of luck.

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Brother reveals new iPrint & Scan app for Middle East market Canon announced its 2013 vision for the Middle East and North Africa region. The announcement sheds light on some of the new Canon innovations which will pave the way for the future of imaging technologies and connectivity.

More Special Rewards from Barclays Egypt to its Customers Solid Gold Coins and a Trip to England

City Band wins MasterPeace “Sound of Underground” Competition.

British Airways Brings Airbus 321 to CairoLondon Route Rotana appoints Memac Ogilvy, as its local lead creative agency

Helmy Online debuting today on Yahoo!

Maktoob Ahmed Helmy in first exclusive web series

Hilton Pyramids Golf Blue Energy team won the Blue Energy 2nd quarter award 2012 for Hilton hotels Middle East and Africa region.

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HTC becomes exclusive phone Supplier Partner of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

KidZania® Cairo offers jobs to 250 Egyptian talents

Hilton Hotels & Resorts to Open Its 19th Hilton Worldwide Property in Egypt in Alexandria

flydubai widens travel agent booking network With only five percent of respondents in Egypt exercising, OSN to launch new well-being initiative to encourage a healthier lifestyle

N.K. Akers New General Manager of Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino Cairo

For the third consecutive year, The Cairo Conrad hosted the awaited yearly European Embassies Charity Bazaar. Each embassy offered the best their countries had to offer from local beverages to artifacts for sale.

Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay won another prestigious award from “International Hotel Awards” as “The Best Hotel Egypt for 2012– 2013”

Egyptian Ministry of Education Celebrates “Arabic Web Day.” Ministry to launch several educational channels and online portals dedicated to hosting educational content for Egyptian students in collaboration with Google

“Here for the Youth of Egypt, Here for the Champions of Tomorrow” adidas takes its pioneering campaign To Alexandria OSN EXPANDS ITS OFFERING WITH THE LAUNCH OF FIVE NEW CHANNELS BRINGING MORE PREMIUM CONTENT TO THE REGION

In commemoration of World AIDS Day, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS (UNAIDS) in Egypt held a unique Red Gala Dinner event at Fairmont Heliopolis. The event was hosted by Dr. Bassem Youssef and actress Menna Shalaby, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, and actor Khaled Abol Naga, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Global mobile security market to hit USD 1.6 billion by 2012. FIS to increase awareness on emerging mobile threats and related operational risks at 2nd Cyprus Open Hack Day

Bassem Youssef in the list of the most frequently used words on Twitter Sharp Middle East FZE Supports Children’s Vaccination in South Sudan Camps

Soha Samir the new sales manger of alMasry al-Youm

Dalia Amer, General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria recently announced the appointment of Mohamed Fouad in the position of Executive Assistant Manager of the Hotel.

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Capricorn DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Element: Earth Positive traits: Responsible, patient, ambitious, hard working, practical, resourceful and loyal.

Negative traits: Dictatorial, stubborn, conceited, distrusting and unimaginative.

Compatible with: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio and Pisces.

Incompatible with: Aquarius, Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra and Sagittarius.

Likes: Simple food, antiques, history, responsibility, not being pressured, unconditional love, privacy, elitism, music, understated status and family.

Dislikes: Untidiness, disorder, being teased, familiarity, surprises, new ideas and paths, loneliness, being useless and public embarrassment.

Famous Capricorn: Nicolas Cage, Patrick Dempsey, Jim Carrey, Kevin Costner, Kate Middleton and Kate Moss.

HELPFUL

&STRONG

FRIEND

This month will be good for you on the personal level, but professionally things may not be equally great.

Personally, your happiness will be at its highest level, and while you will indulge in the heady pleasures of life, you will also possess peace of mind. Eat wisely and exercise and meditate to stay fit. Professionally, your life will be in a constant state of flux, which actually may be a reflection of the state of your organization.

Capricorn in a Nutshell Capricorns are very ambitious people, they always have something they are pursuing and they want their lives to be fulfilled and important. Capricorns are extremely patient and will wait a long time for something they want, when the opportunity arises, they will plan their steps carefully. They like to be in control of their surroundings and everyone in their life. They are very cautious but this is only to survey the situation before leaping in, they will never make a hasty jump in. They accept change but introduce it slowly so they can get used to it and incorporate it into their life. Capricorns tend to see life in black or white; there are no gray areas for these are areas that are not understood and this makes Capricorn feel uncomfortable.

Capricorn in Love The Capricorn is most often a serious lover preferring to take things slow and steady. You won’t see this sign jumping into anything headfirst. Taking relationships one step at a time is the way of the Capricorn.

Words can be few with this personality, yet action speaks volumes. The Capricorn values deeds and will go to great lengths to express their affections through them. They’re great gift givers and don’t bat an eye at the costs of spending a fantastic night out. Genuine and sincere, you can take what few words a Capricorn does say to the bank.

Capricorn and Business The Capricorn personality is geared towards that of leadership and achievement, they always want to climb the corporate ladder and be the best they can be. Capricorns have excellent sense of time and manage it very well, they are excellent organizers. They make good, wise investments because they look at the long term and what will be the most beneficial down the road.

Capricorn and Friendship The Capricorn is the strong friend, they will always be there to help, they are very sympathetic, caring and helpful to a friend in need. A Capricorn will get someone back on their feet again with a steady plan for success and for all this, they expect nothing in return. The Capricorn friend is deep and mysterious and full of intrigue, there always seems to be something going on in their mind.

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Cairo Flea Market

Egypt’s Very First Flea Market Debuts at Designopolis

Wasabi, the first experiential marketing agency to launch in Egypt, makes its debut event with Cairo Flea Market. Partnering with Designopolis, the Cairo Flea Market team organized the first secondhand and antiques market in Egypt. Setting itself apart from your everyday bazaar with the selectiveness of the exhibitors, Cairo Flea Market recreated the sights, sounds, and smells of flea markets from around the world, ensuring there was something unique at every corner.

Ladybird’s Pick

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Mountain View “The Valley Bazaar”

Mountain view was delighted to decide completing the series of “The Valley Bazaar” and host MV families and prospects to enjoy the day out with their family and friends as they shop, listen to great music, walk around, and grab a bite at one of many tasty F&B stands. The day included exhibitors showing their unique and special handmade home accessories along with the family fun activities, lots of activities to entertain children such as arts and crafts stations, games, that lasted from the morning till the day ended.

Ladybird’s Pick

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Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers Wedding Festival 3rd Edition

After the smashing success of the first two editions, Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers kicked off its annual Wedding Festival - for the 3rd consecutive year- on November 24th & 25th, 2012 at the spectacular Canyon Ballroom. The Wedding Festival hosted extravagant hair styling shows

by Mohamed Al Sagheer & Pace e Luce and a fabulous fashion show featuring Cairo’s Fashion Mega Star “Hany El Beheiry.” The Wedding Festival showcased more than 40 exhibitors, consolidating all beauty professionals where brides enjoyed free make-up sessions and facial treatments by the trendiest artists, wedding planners, DJs, professional photographers, real estate companies, jewelers, home accessories, furniture stores, and much more; all under one roof. The Wedding Festival offered a pool of information for brides, grooms and their families on Cairo’s top wedding suppliers and the latest trends and innovations for weddings where guests savored the mouthwatering food specialties offered only at Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers.

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All guests were engaged in raffle draws during the two days and incomparable prizes were granted to winners such as complimentary honeymoon to Bali & Kuala Lumpur, three nights cruise on board of Royal Caribbean “Legend of the Seas,” in addition to complimentary stays and exquisite dining vouchers at Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers and other valuable prizes. Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers Wedding Festival is the ideal event for all brides and grooms, ensuring a memorable wedding planning experience.

LadyBird’s pick

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Style Treasure

Fall Catalogue Launch & Christmas Bazaar at Arkan Mall

StyleTreasure.com has recently launched their Fall 2012/13 designers’ catalogue and presented 40 from their top designers’ collections at a day-long bazaar at the beautiful Arkan Mall in Sheikh Zayed. Attended by thousands, goers commended the 40 young Egyptian designers on the design and quality of their brands while younger visitors enjoyed gifts from Style Treasure Kids delivered in person by Santa Claus.

LadyBird’s pick

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“OnThe Roof Bazaar” The 1st event by Mimi & Lola On The Roof Bazaar was held on 16 November at West Golf Compound.

Ladyb

ird’s

Pick

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Media Event

At Conrad Cairo Conrad Cairo held a dinner party at Stage One for a group of media people. In a hospitable surrounding, Mr. Ayman Abdel Aziz, the Executive Assistant Manager of Conrad Cairo welcomed media representatives.

LadyBird’s

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pick

Stella’s 115th Anniversary On the 23rd of November, Stella held an amazing night as everyone gathered in the golf course of the JW Marriott hotel to celebrate the 115th anniversary of Stella. From the moment the guests stepped into the venue, they were transported back in time through the history tunnel, littered with the highlights of the past 115 years of Egyptian heritage, to when Stella was first born in 1897.

Upon entering the venue, the attendees had their pick whether to groove with Elvis in the 70’s, listen to the oriental band in the 40’s or chill in the modern era, where they could groove with the chilled tunes thanks to the resident DJ.

LadyBird’s

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pick

Amongst a myriad of entertainment, Hanine and the Cuban band flew from Lebanon to join in with the crowd of almost 2,000 consumers, Fadi king of drums flew all the way from Montreal, Elvis who came back to life and our very own up and coming local talent, Oka and Ortega who gave all the invitees a night to remember, not only that but also a spectacular fireworks show that was truly the cherry on top, courtesy of Ahmed Essam. The fun didn’t stop there, guests continued as DJs Amr Hosny and Bassem Nagui played some of the slickest beats in town. This historical night was organized by Events Plus Egypt.

Experience Meeting and Party Time At Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Heliopolis Party time at Radisson Blu Cairo Heliopolis featured fabulous food, great music and celebrities as corporate account clients and media front-liners gathered for a star-studded event which also saw the launch of the Carlson Rezidor Experience Meetings program. The atmosphere really buzzed for the joint occasion between Radisson Blu’s sister hotels in Cairo Heliopolis and Alexandria at the Cairo Ballroom in Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis, which was the scene of dancing and lively chat as clients and guests mixed for the memorable occasion – especially those who won stunning raffle prizes for hotel breaks across Radisson Blu’s range of international five star hotels in Europe and Middle East.

Ladybird’s Pick

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ladybirdmagazine.com “Feed Your Brain”

January’13 - Makeover Issue

Price: 15 LE