A&H December 2015 by The Malta Independent

HAPPY FAMILIES not everyone’s favourite game

DECEMBER/JANUARY . ISSUE 65

M A LTA ’ S B E S T A N D B R I G H T E S T H E A LT H A N D W E L L B E I N G M A G A Z I N E

PLUS

REAL LIVES, THE LATEST BOOKS, PRODUCT NEWS, AND MORE

ARE YOU A FOODIE?

PRECIOUS PRESENCE

HOW TO LOOK AFTER NUMBER ONE

MAKE THIS FESTIVE SEASON YOUR BEST EVER

GIFTS

WHAT TO GIVE YOUR FAVOURITE PEOPLE

WORKING OUT

readers on relationships at work

SAFE AS HOUSES

How to family-proof your home

Give style and comfort this Christmas

SCHOLLFOOTHEALTHCENTRE.COM THE POINT, TIGNE • PLAZA SHOPPING CENTRE, SLIEMA • VALLETTA • MOSTA • FGURA • VICTORIA, GOZO

SAYS... HEALTH IS AN ATTITUDE

elebra on and healthly living are incompa ble – or are they? When you’re surrounded by piles of food, lots of drink and crowds in high spirits, coun ng calories is the last thing on your mind. But health is not just about what you eat or don’t. It starts with the right a tude. Food and fun are not the enemy. As with most things, the best maxim is “everything in modera on and nothing in excess”. Think ‘well being’, rather than just ‘health’. Flick through our pages for a few great ideas to help you cross the last few names oﬀ your shopping list, take me out for yourself, or simply enjoy a quick read. That’s all for 2015. We’ll be back in 2016.

EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Corinne Vella ASSISTANT EDITOR Anna Maria Ga DESIGNER Conrad Bondin – Standard Publica ons Ltd. CONTRIBUTORS Daniela Allen, Marika Azzopardi, Suzanne Bonello, Mariella Camilleri, Anna Maria Ga , Corinne Vella PHOTOGRAPHY Standard Publica ons Ltd., Anthony Sultana & others. PRINTER Print-it DISTRIBUTION Bi-monthly with The Malta Independent on Sunday, and in clinics, hair and beauty salons and pharmacies. ADVERTISING Chris ne Bu gieg – Standard Publica ons Ltd. T 2134 5888 ext 136. cbu gieg@independent.com.mt SALES CO ORDINATOR/ARTWORK COLLECTION Chris ne Mifsud – Standard Publica ons Ltd. T 2134 5888 ext 138 PUBLISHERS P&D Communica ons Ltd. Standard Publica ons Ltd., Standard House, Birkirkara Hill, St Julian’s STJ1149, Malta. T (356) 2134 5888 F (356) 2134 6062, 2134 3460 The informa on in this magazine should not be used as a subs tute for the care and advice of a health professional. Appropriate treatment varies according to an individual’s par cular condi on and circumstances. Self-diagnosis is risky, especially in the case of serious condi ons. All rights reserved. Reproduc on of this magazine in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without the wri en consent of Standard Publica ons Ltd. A&H’s publishers cannot be held responsible for any ac on taken without the advice of a medical specialist. The opinions expressed in this publica on are not necessarily those of the publishers or the editor. While every a empt has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher and the editor cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions from ar cles, adver sing, photographs or illustra ons, for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other material, or for submissions of any kind, whether delivered electronically or by conven onal mail, which are lost or damaged in transit.

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IN THIS ISSUE

THIS SEASON

06 08 12 14 17 20 23 30

SEASONAL SENTIMENT

ARE YOU A FOODIE? SEASONAL SENTIMENT GIVE THE GIFT OF WELL BEING ORANGE DELIGHT WORKING RELATIONSHIPS PRECIOUS PRESENCE WHEN XMAS ISN’T A HAPPY TIME SAFE AS HOUSES

FEATURES 26 32 34

MEET PETER DACOUTROS BOOKS TRAINING FOR THE TOP

REGULAR 29, 33 37-39 39, 40

23 4

GIVE THE GIFT OF WELL BEING

WHEN XMAS ISN’T A HAPPY TIME

December 2015

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

PETER DACOUTROS

INFORMATION PRODUCT NEWS A&H DIRECTORY

ORANGE DELIGHT

QUIZ

ARE YOU A FOODIE?

FOOD IS ONE OF THE PLEASURES OF LIFE. WHENEVER WE CELEBRATE OR WANT TO CATCH UP WITH SOME LONG TIME NO SEE FRIENDS OR RELATIVES, WE SURROUND OURSELVES WITH FOOD. FOODIES ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT FOOD, TAKING A GENUINE INTEREST IN INGREDIENTS, PROVENANCE AND PREPARATION. 1. Christmas Day lunch is usually at your parents’ house. This year, your mum looks tired and doesn’t feel up to it. You: a. suggest you find a good restaurant and book lunch there; b.encourage your siblings to prepare an item each so that you keep up the tradition; c. immediately suggest organising lunch at your home.

5. While zapping at the TV, you come across a cookery reality show. You: 3. You are in charge of organising your staff Christmas lunch. You: a. make some quick phone calls for menus and then leave the decision to your colleagues; b.visit some of the best places to check things out for yourself; c. call a friend who is a chef and plan every single detail of the lunch meticulously.

2. You have just moved into your new home and you plan a house-warming party at Christmas time. You:

4. When shopping for Christmas food you:

a. look around for the best catering bargain on offer; b.buy frozen party food and decide on organising a bottle party; c. surf the internet for the best party-food recipes and look forward to experimenting in the kitchen.

a. call your better half and divide the list with him/her; b.go to the big supermarket near your home because you are sure you will find everything there; c. shop from the outlets where you are sure you will find the freshest local products.

a. immediately change channel; b.admire the way these chefs create masterpieces from simple ingredients; c. watch, admire and, at the same, criticise the cooks and comment out loud about how you would have handled the same situation.

6. While on holiday, you usually: a. buy ready-made sandwiches and baguettes; b.have a good breakfast and then hope to find an Italian restaurant for lunch; c. plan where you’re going to eat by surfing travel websites and other travellers’ reviews.

7. While visiting a European country, your preferred excursion is a visit to: a. an art gallery; b.a traditional market; c. a wine and cheese making centre.

RESULTS Mostly A’s You are definitely a person who only eats to live. Food is not important to you and you just grab a bite so as not to go hungry. People might be surprised at your reactions especially when your friends are crazy about a new restaurant and you show no enthusiasm at all. You are not willing to taste something new and you just choose to eat what others are eating or what you usually eat. When cooking at home, you are not adventurous and you definitely don’t plan your meals. Mostly B’s You like eating and you don’t mind socialising with friends over a plate of delicious food in a cosy restaurant. You like cooking too and at times you tend to experiment and maybe cut out an easy recipe from a leaflet dropped into

Decemner 2015

your letter box. You are cautious when trying out new dishes and new ingredients and prefer choosing something which you know everyone likes. Mostly C’s You are definitely a foodie and proud of it. You live to eat. Shopping for groceries is always on your must-do list and you actually enjoy trawling the aisles choosing items and admiring the variety of available options. Your larder at home is always stacked with all types of spices, sauces, creams, gravies and, now that Christmas is here, the smell of mincemeat, cinnamon and ginger prevails over everything else. You find cooking at home relaxing and you often share photos of your dishes online. Your favourite TV programmes all include a cookery session and you know the names of the best chefs as much as your better half knows the names of the first eleven of his favourite football team.

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FAMILY

Chr�tmas IS ALL AROUND US THE SOUND OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS FILLS THE AIR AND EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE ON ONE MISSION: TO GET THINGS DONE BEFORE THE RUSH, MARIELLA CAMILLERI MUSES.

t home, the tree stands at the side of the hall and baby Jesus lies nestled in his manger beside the stove, where a blaze flickers in the dimly lit room. Christmas week is here and an endless list of activities marks the days ahead. Bound in the season’s rush, many find that the festive week rushes like a high speed train, one that doesn’t leave much time to sit back and enjoy the magical ride. Days seem to vanish as we dash round stores, overloaded with a collection of gifts that require wrapping and enough food and wine that will see us through the season. This rush often results in a sense of emptiness where Christmas begins to slip away before it has even begun.

December 2015

There is nothing more cheerful than the scent of a cinnamon candle and roasted dinners when the weather is bitter and cold. An article published in Medical News Today warned that Christmas time pressure can lead to anxiety, disrupted sleep, headaches, loss of appetite and poor concentration, symptoms which

are derived from the hassle that accompanies one too many activities. This makes us wonder whether Christmas is truly a time of holiday and recreation.

FAMILY

New Year’s Eve is a time for celebration

Christmas brings an overload of events Come Christmas week, friends we haven’t heard of in months send invitations to meet up, and relatives from round the globe return home eager to party. Often, being present at several gatherings means that little time is left for proper connection where we get to laugh and share special moments with family and friends. At times, the idea of a meaningful Christmas appears almost unreachable. Many are swept up into a search for the perfect gift and the essential stocking fillers before Christmas Eve. One look at my children’s stockpile tells me that today’s parents tend to go overboard. Perhaps we have come to believe that numerous presents will make Christmas more memorable and more magical than the last.

the table before we light up the pudding. Christmas is a time to relish each moment and show gratitude for the family members who enrich our existence.

Christmas is a time of giving Sometimes, when we’re wrapped in the joys of the festivities we tend to forget the external world where the merriment of Christmas fails to shine. For individuals who have lost a loved one, for the sick and the elderly, the festive week could prove to be a time of more solitude as families come together. This is the phase to reach out and offer some company where it is anticipated. The week ahead could also be an opportunity to share those lavish treats with a children’s crèche, a refugee centre or an old people’s home where they will be truly enjoyed.

Come New Year’s Eve and the sparklers will glitter into the night. The countdown will begin and the new start will be welcomed with glee. Here is to another year that will hopefully bring more sunshine than rain and the desired transitions that help improve our lifestyle. Come New Year’s Day young people will lie in after a night out while the older adults contemplate the significance of the year ahead. In the New Year we often look towards the next journey: a change of job, a new house or a new addition to the family. The New Year is a promise to spend less time complaining and more time connecting with others, a promise to spend fewer hours on our phones in exchange for more meaningful conversations. The New Year is a reminder that time waits for no one and that each morning is a dawn to be relished. Although the new start sets the pace for several resolutions, life may get in the way and the daily gym visits will require severe determination when the rain is pelting against the windows. When New Year’s resolutions fail, remember that most negative habits can be overcome whenever we’re ready to take the leap.

The New Year is a time to beat the anti-climax After the festivities many of us experience a meltdown. Suddenly children are back at their school desks and the humdrum routine sets in again. At home, the decorations that looked so enchanting begin to look disorderly, and we crave a more organised space suited for the colder months. January brings cold weather and days when everyone longs to be indoors besides heaters. We bake goodies that we can savour as we cuddle on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate in hand. Although the season can at times seem endless, there is nothing more cheerful than the scent of a cinnamon candle and roasted dinners when the weather is bitter and cold.

Christmas is a time to come together Although the exchange of gifts is meant to connect us together, Christmas is actually a time to ditch old grudges, build new bridges and forge better bonds. It is a time to visit elderly relatives simply to say that despite our busy lives we still care. Christmas means laughter over the roasted turkey as we pop open the crackers and pass round the drinks, a time to savour the delicious treats on

December 2015

Only another eleven months to Christmas

When we’re wrapped in the joys of the festivities we tend to forget the external world where the merriment of Christmas fails to shine.

Perhaps Christmas is the most celebrated day of the year not only because of faith and traditions but also because it marks the beginning of the winter season. It is also the time of the year when family members of all ages make a special effort to come together, a ritual that reminds us where we come from and where we belong. Christmas is a time to relish in the joys of humanity. So let the merriment begin.

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WELLBEING

Present TENSE

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH AND WELL BEING. IT’S ONE EVERYONE CAN ENJOY ALL YEAR, SAYS ANNA MARIA GATT

hoosing presents can be a real headache. Have you ever thought of doing it differently this year? Give your loved ones the gift of health and well being. That will show them you care and give them something they can enjoy all year. Vouchers for slimming treatments could be welcome if you’re on good terms with the recipient. Be tactful, though. Sometimes, a spa treatment might be the right way to introduce someone to a healthier way of living. Here are some suggestions which should put a smile on the face of the person receiving them.

Spa and beauty treatments Everyone likes being pampered but pampering oneself is usually low down on our everyday to-do lists. Giving vouchers for a day at the spa or for a particular special treatment can be an ideal gift for a woman who never has much time for herself. Couples could also enjoy receiving a spa voucher. Spas offer packages for couples which range from a variety of special treatments to a relaxing day allowing them full use of the spa facilities. Ask for an open-dated voucher so the recipient/s can book a convenient date and time. You could also offer to babysit on the day so that there’ll be no excuses for not taking time for themselves. 12

December 2015

Gym, fitness centres and pool memberships If choosing this gift, be sure that the person receiving it is interested and has the time to attend gym sessions. If not, your well meaning gift will be wasted. For someone who does not normally do much exercise, a short-term gym membership is a better option as it’s less intimidating. Gyms usually offer

You could also offer to babysit on the day so that there’ll be no excuses for not taking time for themselves.

trial membership of 1-3 months. If you are a gym-goer yourself, buy your friend membership of the same gym. Having an exercise buddy will motivate him or her, and it can be fun for you too.

rest of the family or friends enjoy cycling too. Ask for advice on the most suitable type of bicycle. It’s worth buying one that will last.

Hampers from health shops

Sports equipment can be ideal Christmas gifts, especially for families, encouraging the whole family to spend quality time together. A table-soccer kit or a portable table-tennis table can provide hours of fun. If you are a grandparent, these games are an ideal gift for your grandchildren. Keeping a set at your home could be fun for you too when your grandchildren visit and you can spend some lovely time together.

Health shops have mushroomed, offering a wide range of health products and special diet foods. If you have a friend or a relative who is diabetic or coeliac and who invites you over for dinner or drinks, choosing a gift is usually tricky. Anyone with a food allergy or someone on a special diet would welcome a basket of treats that are free from allergens and irritants or which suit an unconventional diet. Hampers with gluten-free or sugar-free products can be a good alternative to the traditional bottles of wine or chocolates which the person will have to pass on to the rest of the family. But it doesn’t stop there. Health food and other health products could be a fun alternative or supplement to traditional hampers

Bicycles Receiving a bicycle as a present is on every child’s wish list. Adults might need more of a nudge. Lots of adults are now taking up cycling for exercise; others might need a bit of encouragement. Giving a bicycle to someone who is keen on starting to exercise regularly might be the incentive they need, especially if the

Sports and games equipment

Plants If you want to give something that will last well beyond Christmas, a plant must be one of the best options. Plants add a splash of colour and a feeling of life to a home, and they help mop up excess carbon dioxide during the day. When buying a plant from a garden centre, ask for recommendations on what sort of plant would suit the recipient’s home. An outdoor plant is not much use unless the recipient has an outdoor area at home. Some indoor plants need lots of light. Others can do well even in a room that does not receive direct sunlight. Ask for clear instructions on care and how often to water the plant and pass on that information with your gift.

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IN SEASON

Orange DELIGHT

ORANGES PACK IN MORE THAN JUST A DOSE OF VITAMINS A AND C. FOR A HEALTHY SNACK, BITE INTO THIS SEASON’S FAVOURITE FRUIT.

weet, juicy, seasonal oranges are a health fiend’s best friend. Low in fat and sodium and with absolutely no cholesterol, fresh oranges can provide a healthy dose of your daily intake of folate (a B vitamin), potassium, vitamin C, fibre, thiamin, vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), and calcium. Getting your nutrients fresh from the fruit can be better than swallowing single supplements. Increasingly, studies show that the absorption of citrus nutrients is better when the nutrients come directly from the fruit rather than from a bottle or tube. Juice your own oranges. Nothing tastes better than freshly squeezed juice, and that’s one way of being sure there are no added sugars or preservatives. Don’t just drink the juice and trash the rest, however. Many of the nutrients in an orange are found in the skin and the pith, so eating an orange is better than just drinking its juice, particularly if you’re not fastidious about removing all the white pith. Keep a bowl of oranges on your kitchen table so it’ll be easier to pick one up as a snack rather than dipping into the biscuit tin or raiding the kitchen cupboards. Toss orange slices with salad leaves and add a few nuts and crumbled cheese for a light, quick lunch or snack between meals.

December 2015

BEST ZEST

Some orange phytonutrients are concentrated in the skin of the fruit. Get the best out of orange zest by sprinkling a few strands over food, or adding them to drinks. Zest can be used to flavour salad dressings, yoghurt or rice or add extra flavour to your breakfast cereal. For sharper taste, add zest to a glass of juice or water or to a cup of tea served without milk. When preparing zest, avoid glossy, thick skinned, perfectly coloured fruit as they are treated with wax to stop the fruit rotting. Use the zest of unwaxed, preferably organic, fruit and scrub the skin well before scraping it off the zest.

STORAGE

• Fresh oranges will keep for up to two weeks even when unrefridgerated. Don’t wrap the fruit in plastic as it encourages mould. • Freshly squeezed orange juice should be kept away from heat and air to preserve its vitamin content. Keeping juice in the fridge should help, but not if it’s stored in an open jug or in a plastic bottle, which will let in air. The best container is a tightly closed glass bottle or jar filled to the top to exclude oxygen as much as possible. • Alternatively, fast freeze freshly squeezed juice in ice cube trays and bag the cubes for easy use. Let the frozen juice defrost naturally. Once it is defrosted, use it as you would use fresh juice. • To store zest, dry it in a low oven and keep it in an airtight glass container.

IN SEASON

Orange health benefits Vitamin C is well known to be useful in preventing colds and maintaining a healthy immune system. It is also an antioxidant. This means it helps disarm free radicals, the molecules that float around your system causing damage to cellular structures and helping cholesterol fur up your arteries. Because it is water-soluble, vitamin C can help fight free radicals inside and outside body cells as it is easily carried around in the fluid that bathes body tissues and plumps up cells. By neutralising free radicals, vitamin C can help prevent processes like the oxidation of cholesterol, which makes it stick to your artery walls. Vitamin C can help to prevent damage to the DNA of your cells, helping to reduce the possibility of cancer. It can also help ease inflammation associated with conditions such as asthma and arthritis. Vitamin C is used to synthesise collagen so regular doses help prevent premature skin ageing and help to maintain your skin’s overall texture. Vitamin A in oranges also helps to maintain healthy skin and vision. A couple of oranges can provide you with a quarter of your daily fibre intake, which helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels and helps to maintain a healthy gut. To get the full benefits, eat the whole orange, rather than just drinking the juice.

FLASH POINTS Avoid oranges if you suffer from apthous ulcers or dermatitis. Eliminating oranges from your diet will not cure you of an ulcer or dermatitis, but eating oranges or drinking orange juice could make the conditions worse. Oranges are high in potassium, which can interfere with betablockers and put a strain on weak kidneys. If you’re taking beta-blockers for heart problems, or have kidney problems, consult your doctor about your diet. If you suffer from gastro-esophageal reflux disease, acidic foods, including oranges, can aggravate symptoms like heartburn. The acid in orange juice softens and erodes tooth enamel so don’t brush your teeth immediately after eating an orange or drinking orange juice.

CHOOSING FRUIT Oranges that are partially green or have brown ‘staining’ may be just as ripe as fruit that is uniformly coloured. Avoid any that may have soft spots or traces of mould. Fresh fruit should feel firm, rather than spongy. An orange that feels heavy for its size holds lots of juice.

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December 2015

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RELATIONSHIPS

WORKING OUT? KEEPING WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS STRICTLY PROFESSIONAL MAKES SENSE. THINGS DON’T ALWAYS GO ACCORDING TO PLAN

ur work colleagues often end up knowing us inside out, especially if we’re facing problems at home. Intense and close daily contact over long stretches of time sometimes turns friendly working relationships into something more intense. A&H spoke to three individuals about their experience at their current workplace.

Malcolm*, 32, single “I have worked for my current employer for the last five years. I have seen people coming and going and I am sure some of them left the company due to a relationship gone wrong at the workplace. I am definitely against relationships at work, though I admit that people try to hang out

During these past years, I got a bit familiar with some male colleagues

with you and try to involve you in their deepest secrets. “I might be a bit of an introvert so maybe people back away from me. During the holiday season, we organise a mega party during which people loosen up a bit. At times I feel disgusted that it’s the boss himself who tries to seduce female employees. It might be that alcohol takes its toll. “Some of my colleagues regret their behaviour during the staff party and, at times, in January the atmosphere tends to be a bit tense. I joke about it with all of them and explain to them that we need to avoid these types of flings for the benefit of the company. Well, who am I to judge others after all? I believe everyone should live his own life and assume responsibility for his behaviour.”

December 2015

RELATIONSHIPS

Jackie, 32, married

Denise*, 45, married “I look forward to our staff party each year. I loosen up a bit and it’s a total difference from the serious atmosphere that reigns throughout the other 364 days of the year. During work we are all secluded in our own offices and have no time to socialise, or even to go for lunch together. But during our Christmas staff party we all let go. People get drunk and we have lots of couples ending up together before the end of the night. “I admit that, during these past years, I got a bit familiar with some male colleagues. Honestly, it made me feel good. I have been married for over 15 years and have no time to party around so this one annual party is the ideal situation to feel and be different. I enjoy preparing for the party, buying an outfit, grooming myself and doing my best to be in tip-

My story might be a bit out of the ordinary but I met my husband during a staff party. 18

December 2015

top shape for the evening. And it feels good that, at 45, people still notice you and people still compliment you on your appearance. “I see nothing wrong in being a bit wild for one day a year. After all, when the party is over, I come down from my cloud and find myself once more in my role of secretary, mother and wife.”

“My story might be a bit out of the ordinary but I met my husband during a staff party. He was with his colleagues from another department within our same factory but we had never really met at work. The annual staff party is an ideal opportunity for all employees to mingle together especially since we work long hours and we take breaks separately. “We were dancing and fooling around on the dance floor when I accidentally bumped into Matthew. Being a bit tipsy, I immediately started flirting and he responded immediately. The day after, I was not so sure about whether I had behaved well or not and was really not looking forward to going back to work after the Christmas shut-down. “Matthew waited for me and immediately asked me for a date on New Year’s Eve. From then on, we have never looked back. We are now married and looking forward to the arrival of our second child in the coming months. When the poster for the annual staff party is hung up in our canteen, my thoughts go back to that special party which literally changed my life. “I have now stopped working due to my pregnancy but my husband and I have worked together for a number of years and this really has had no effect on our relationship. We asked to remain in different departments and since our factory is quite big, it was as if we worked in two separate places. I tried to respect his privacy at work and he did the same for me.”

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A&H says..... An old-saying goes: “You don’t dip your pen in the company’s ink”. That means that it is certainly much better to avoid starting a personal relationship with a colleague. Large, international companies usually have strict policies against relationships at work. But how fair is this? If we take Jackie’s and Matthew’s story we see a successful relationship which started thanks to the fact that they both work in the same factory. It was during a staff event that they met and started dating. On the other hand, Malcolm is against these sorts of relationship because they might affect the company’s name and also the productivity of the company. Malcolm could be right. What happens when a couple splits up? The employer will be faced with the situation of having two employees who can’t work together, creating a problem for the organisation. Failed relationships might damage the motivation of the employee with a high risk of eventually losing the job. Experts in workplace relationships suggest that, if a relationship seems to be moving on the right track, then one partner should seriously start thinking of changing his / her job. This would eventually avoid all problems if the couple breaks up. Another bad idea pointed out by experts is the fact that one should not date his / her superior but at least relationships should be between people working on the same scale. Dating your supervisor, might lead to gossip around the workplace about possible preferential treatment. Research shows that sexual harassment at the workplace is higher when the couple involved is not of the same rank. It is more likely to happen when one of the involved parties is the employer. On balance, it seems that employers should not try to ban relationships completely because employees are humans and one cannot prevent attraction. It seems better for employers to learn how to deal with these sorts of relationships. Still, all new employees should make sure they are aware of their workplace policy and guidelines and understand the implications of breaking the rules.

HEALTH

Precious

PRESENCE – BECAUSE SELF-CARE IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

BUSY WOMEN GENERALLY THINK OF EVERYBODY ELSE WITHOUT LOOKING AFTER THEMSELVES PROPERLY. MARIKA AZZOPARDI ON HOW TO LOOK AFTER NUMBER ONE.

e all like to feel loved and appreciated by others, but many times women tend to not love and appreciate themselves to start with. We rush about, preparing meals and ferrying people around in an endless frenzy of partying and shopping. If that sounds like you, give yourself the gift of time and a few personal treats. Here’s how.

Face Do you wake up feeling strained and tired? A quick first-thing-this-morning fix takes only 15 minutes out of your normal routine. 1. Boil water and pour it in a mug. Leave it to cool. 2. Splash your face with cold water. 3. Apply a scrub mask to your face and neck. 4. Rinse it off and apply a light veil of hydrating moisturiser. 5. Squeeze half a lemon in the now lukewarm water and sip it slowly as you dress. 6. Avoid coffee, tea and milk and bulky carbs. 7. Eat a peeled apple before starting your day. 20

December 2015

A lunch-break walk is just as effective and a better deal than just sitting around poking people on Facebook.

• Have you run out of eye pencil? Has your eyeliner caked up? It is time to get your eye-shadow kit out and to start using that black, navy or dark grey eye-shadow. It is probably still as good as new, basically because you never knew how to use it. All you need is a damp slimline brush and a steady hand to line your eyelids, achieving a look which can range from natural to highly madeup. Build up the colour little by little, gradually intensifying for a smoky look. If you don’t have a slim cosmetic brush and the ones in the shop cost too much, try buying the slimmest natural bristle soft paintbrush from an art or craft shop. • Avoid the caked up make-up look by applying a light layer of hydrating moisturiser as a base on which to apply liquid foundation. Achieve natural looking coverage with the help of translucent powder. The trick is to blend, blend, blend and to have different coloured foundation for summer and winter to match your tanned or untanned skin tone.

HEALTH

Body • Is your skin constantly itchy and dry? This might be because of the soap you use on your skin. The dryness is aggravated if you are exposed to dry air because of air-conditioning systems and heaters. If you regularly use liquid shower soap or bath foam, you may need to change back to good old-fashioned soap bars. Get yourself a good quality natural soap bar, preferably one with a natural oil base such as olive oil, and feel the difference it makes to your skin. • Is back pain plaguing you even in bed? Help your back relax by placing a pillow between your knees if you sleep sideways. If you sleep on your back, a pillow placed beneath your knees will help relax your back muscles significantly. • Stiff muscles are often due you to a general lack of flexibility. Stretching regularly is a superb solution. Even dogs and cats do it as soon as they wake up. It is the basis of all forms of exercise. But wait...when was the last time you stretched? Try it now. Stretch slowly and gently and feel your body as it releases tension. Stretching often during the day eases tension in your joints and muscles. Stretching slowly as soon as you get out of bed will help your circulation and energise sluggish muscles. Stretching gently helps when you are feeling cold. It helps pump blood to your extremities and adds a lovely blush to your cheeks. • Are you overweight? Most of us are to a lesser or greater degree once we hit the 40-year mark. Notice how you seem to be doing everything more slowly than you used to. You used to whizz everywhere, now you’re a bit more sedate. How about revving up the engines once more and building up your energy? Walk every other day for half an hour or an hour around your neighbourhood, with your dog, with your neighbour, with a friend or just alone. A lunchbreak walk is just as effective and a better deal than sitting around poking people on Facebook. • Fresh orange juice is good for you, but to achieve the best benefits from it, it should be just that – freshly squeezed from real oranges, minus additives and sugars, and ingested on an empty stomach.

Feet and legs • High heels are detrimental to our health if worn constantly. If worn occasionally and changed often, they can actually help us exercise and work out different leg and back muscles. The trick is to wear heels of different but reasonable heights and types and not wear the same pair of heels all day, all week long definitely a good excuse for shoe lovers to buy even more shoes. • When stepping off your high heels, don’t put your feet flat directly on the ground. You might think this will relieve that tired feeling but in

Stretching regularly is a superb solution. Even dogs and cats do it as soon as they wake up actual fact, the abrupt change in the posture of your foot will result in painful plantar muscles. The lingering pain of plantar muscles is definitely unpleasant and can be countereffective in your bid to relax after a long day on your feet. The trick is to ease your foot muscles slowly back to their natural shape. You can do this by walking barefoot on tiptoes for a few minutes after taking off your high heels, until the plantar network of muscles and tendons eases back to its un-heeled shape. • Always travel with two comfortable pairs of shoes and change shoes from day to day, even half-way through your day. This will help you avoid straining the same foot, leg and back

muscles, especially if you’re walking around a lot.

On the inside Drink lots and lots of water. Keeping well hydrated will help you feel fresh and energised and will keep your skin clear. • If your digestive system’s upset, apples can help. Keep some at hand in case you need them. A few peeled apples slices provide nutrition and fluids and help to control your digestive system without irritating it. • Have a mint after a large meal. Menthol soothes the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract while peppermint may help prevent stomach ulcers and stimulate bile secretion.

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December 2015

REAL LIVES

YOU ARE NOT ALONE THIS IS THE SEASON KNOWN TO BE JOLLY. OR IS IT? DANIELA ALLEN REPORTS

truggling with serious problems makes you dread this time of year. Family pressures, unrealistic expectations, financial concerns, illness and other situations feel significantly worse when everyone else is in a celebratory mood. A&H spoke to readers who do not look forward to the festive season. They told us about themselves and how the seasonal celebrations affect them. All want to pass on a message of understanding and empathy, and encouragement to keep strong and look forward to a new year. The message they would like to pass on to those who feel the way they do is: “You are not alone.” The fact that Paul’s*parents have not been together for Christmas lunch since they went their separate ways when he was a child means Paul does not look forward to this time of the year: “It reminds

me of the first year my parents separated and how bad I felt in December knowing that we could not all be together as a family on Christmas day or on the days that followed.” A few years have gone by, but this time of the year still takes him back to that particular year. “I deal with

it and ‘enjoy’ Christmas anyway,” he says, “but I must admit I do put up a front and do not necessarily enjoy the festivities.” The lack of excitement towards the festive season has also led to some people creating Facebook pages and sharing Facebook posts about gathering

One woman lost her husband on Christmas day. He was young and it was also his birthday December 2015

REAL LIVES support and making people aware that there are many who cannot truly celebrate at this time of the year. Their aim is to support others who feel they are alone.

Lara*speaks about her mother’s battle with cancer. For the past five years Lara’s mother has been undergoing aggressive chemotherapy. Lara says that every year she fears is her mother’s last. “I live in constant anxiety. As Christmas and the New Year approach I am overtaken by this fear that this might indeed be my mother’s last year. Instead of enjoying it all and living in the moment, I become a bundle of nerves and anxiety.” She says that taking her mother to the oncology hospital makes her realise that she is not alone. “Last year my mother’s last chemotherapy session for the year was on Christmas eve. The medical staff were doing their best to create a cheerful environment. The ward was decorated and they served food and drink, but few patients and relatives smiled wholeheartedly. The deep sadness could be felt – intensely.” Death and loss over the festive season or particularly in December is one of the most common reasons why many dread facing this time of the year. One woman lost her husband on Christmas day. He was young and it was also his birthday. These are true stories. While it seems as if the whole world is expecting everyone to be merry, there are a number of people who simply cannot feel that way. What they want is peace, a peaceful joy that does not pressure them into doing anything out of the norm except perhaps simply sit quietly and enjoy what they can. “My father passed away at the beginning of December,” Anna*says. “I remember that first Christmas we were all confused about what to do because my children were really looking forward to Christmas while the rest of my family and I were completely distraught.” Anna says that the decision was taken to carry on with the usual Christmas family lunch. “The children are not to blame. To them it was an important time of the year and although we all felt a huge sense of loss, it would have been unfair to just stop what we had planned for them. So we plucked up some courage and stayed close. In the end we all had a good time and managed a few laughs too.” In a spirit of solidarity society has become more aware that Christmas and the build up to a new year is more about gatherings and making others happy rather than empty celebrations. More and more charity events are being organised around our islands, all in aid of one cause or another. Patients in hospital are also given a gift and their wards decorated to help them feel – even if temporarily – some Christmas spirit. In the end, despite the pressure and the stress most people ultimately end up making more of their holidays than they thought they would. *Names have been changed.

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December 2015

HOW TO MINIMISE SEASONAL STRESS Acknowledge your feelings. Sadness and grief are normal if you have recently lost someone or if you are unable to be with the people who matter. Emotions aren’t automatically synchronised to external events. Cry, if you need to. Express your feelings.

Connect. The best antidote to the loneliness of isolation is contact with others. Volunteering your can help you feel better and can help you make time connections that sustain you. Look out for events in your community where you can find and provide support and companionship. Have realistic expectations. Children grow up, lives change, family relationships evolve and habits, rituals and traditions do too. Don’t try to recreate the past or replicate successful occasions from previous years. Things need neither be perfect nor unchanging from year to year. Keep a lid on unpleasantness. The people closest to you may not be as you want them to be. Accept them as they are and bury your differences for now, however difficult it might be. If you need to raise an issue, bring it up at a more appropriate time. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations.

Plan your expenditure. Work out how much you can afford to spend before you go shopping. That goes for online shopping too. Happiness doesn’t depend on lots of expensive gifts. Overspending means storing up grief for later. That’s a pressure you don’t need and one you can avoid. Plan your time and activities. Don’t try to do everything at once and allow some time

for the unexpected. Allocate specific tasks to specific days, whether it’s baking, shopping or catching up with friends. Plan your meals so that you can avoid the last minute rush. Hunting for elusive ingredients in a crowded supermarket will do nothing to improve your mood.

Don’t say yes to everyone and everything. It’s acceptable to refuse an invitation or a request for help. Agreeing to take on responsibility or accepting an invitation when you really do not want to do either can leave you feeling resentful and unable to cope. When you can’t refuse someone or something, shift your agenda to accommodate the event or task.

Relax, but don’t overindulge. If you’re feeling low, lonely or tearful, it can be easy to eat too much or to reach for yet another drink, or to refuse eating altogether. Don’t be too hard on yourself but stick to reasonable limits. Not eating and drinking properly will affect your mood and overeating and drinking too much can create stress and guilty feelings you don’t need. Take time out. Inner calm is elusive when you’re surrounded by people and noise. Taking time out alone can help clear your head and reduce anxiety. Take an early morning walk alone, sit quietly in a low lit room at night, or just lock yourself in the bathroom for ten minutes and take a few deep breaths. Consider professional help. Persistent physical complaints or troubling emotions can be eased with professional help. Consult your doctor if you constantly feel irritable and anxious or if you feel hopeless and uable to cope with routine activity. Based on recommendations by the Mayo clinic.

INTERVIEW

December 2015

INTERVIEW

my kind OF LIFE

PETER DACOUTROS ON GETTING OVER A STAMMER, HEALTHY EATING, AND FINDING PEACE. INTERVIEW BY SUZANNE VASSALLO. PHOTOS COURTESY OF PETER DACOUTROS.

was greeted at the door by an effusive Peter Dacoutros and ushered into his home, which he shares with his companion Eddi and an adorable bundle of dark fluff called Nenu. It was a wonderfully sunny day and the light bounced off his array of interesting artefacts, placed around his elegant Sliema flat. Having been born and bred in Sliema and being such a homebody, his roots are firmly planted where his family were, and are. He actually lives across the landing from his sister and brotherin-law I settle comfortably at his kitchen table, while he bustles around, busily making tea and proffering a plateful of goodies. This is a man I have watched on television, cooking and chatting nineteen to the dozen. He’s no different in real life. Happily, he’s an open book, and an incredibly interesting one at that. Peter started out in life as the youngest child in his family, arriving after a gap of ten years to a Maltese mother and a second generation Greek father. This meant that he was, in a way, alone. As anyone who is an only child reading this will understand, he had no siblings to play with at home, and therefore had to keep himself entertained. He distinctly remembers being not more than three when the Fra Diegu nuns gave him a traditional Christmas crib. This presepju fascinated him and I’m quite sure that the magnificent crib he has at home is reminiscent of those times. Peter insists that he does not recall having any toys. A post-war child, born after 1951, he did what everyone in those days did – he made do with what was around him. He played in the garden making

mud pies and building things with dirt. With his mother always in the kitchen, he would be given scraps of pastry. When the handyman was around, say, painting a door, little Peter would insist he be given a paintbrush to paint too. Today, he’s quite the all rounder having also learnt how to sew while watching his mother.

Peter surprises me by telling me what a terribly bad stammer he had as a child At home, Peter was surrounded by food, art, music and culture from a very early age. These remain his passions, although most know him only for his love of food. Their family housekeeper, Guza, instilled in him a fascination for Gozo. On the weekends when she visited her home in Qala she would invariably return with a present for her sinjura: a freshly killed rabbit, sun dried tomatoes, herbs, and little white beauties - the gbejniet

particular to Gozo. Peter grew curious, and would imagine all sorts of wonderful things about Gozo. Today his affinity with Gozo remains and he has a charming little getaway there “to escape from the butchering of Sliema”. He retreats there often and finds a tranquility that he feels is missing in his hometown these days A self confessed nerd, Peter surprises me by telling me what a terribly bad stammer he had as a child. This made things difficult at school and he would shy away from playing with the other boys at breaktime to save himself further embarrassment. This came to a halt when one of the Jesuit priests at St Aloysius sent him to the corner. I was indignant until Peter explained that this priest had ordered him to walk to the furthest corner of the playground and talk to the trees. “Talk to them,” he said. “Talk to them loudly. Just go and do my bidding.” It worked and 13-year old Peter promised himself that when he grew up, he’d make a speech. I’m about to roll off the kitchen chair with laughter. A speech? For one thing, we’ve seen him to TV countless times, and, oh my goodness – he never stops talking. Chatterbox he may be but he’s a kindly chap and asks me to write this as it may help parents of youngsters with the same speech impediment to overcome it. If he, once a class A nerd could do it, so will they. He insists we have lunch together, he, Eddi and I, while Nenu potters around. He’s a spoilt moggy but a lovable one at that. I watch the chef make gnocchi (would I like butter and sage or tomato sauce?) and ask about his love of food. Peter tells me that as far back as he can remember their household prepared food as a way of life.

December 2015

INTERVIEW

Relaxed at San Anton in A ard

My beloved Santorini 2011

The Greek influence was apparent and his Greek aunts would prepare Greek Easter sweets which were made to last months. The aunts always had an array of dried herbs in their kantina. Except for the occasional tin of tuna and corned beef, he does not buy processed foods. That is his advice to anyone wanting to eat healthily - that, and buying seasonal produce. Peter was quite the wild child in the seventies. At 18 he started partying, coming home in the early hours of the morning. He wore his hair long in a ponytail, had highlights, lowlights, a perm, and crashed a few cars. Suffice it to say his mother’s nerves were in tatters. She booked him on a trip to Lourdes as a last resort, and as he was going to Paris anyway, he did what any mother-respecting rebel would do. He agreed to keep her happy. It was there where things changed. On arrival at the Grotto he felt there was someone who understood the real Peter. On his return, having experienced an incredible peace, he 28

December 2015

He does not buy processed foods. That is his advice to anyone wanting to eat healthily – that, and buying seasonal produce

Newbury Berkshire 2010

called on his godfather Dr Joseph Bugeja, then president of UMTAL, the association who took the sick to Lourdes, and continued to go to Lourdes regularly as a volunteer. In 20 years he has helped at 35 pilgrimages. He recalls wishing to take a planeful of children with terminal illnesses and various types of disabilities there. He made an appeal through Sellili, a TV programme hosted by Claudette Pace (now Buttigieg) to raise awareness as the sick children were very much housebound. This happened over the weekend and Claudette also asked if he’d cook on her programme. He was reluctant at first, but then relented and it was a huge success. The rest, as they say, is history.

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AWARNESS

Unsafe as HOUSES? HAVING LOTS OF PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE CAN BE FUN. HERE’S HOW TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR ALL AGES.

he very young and the old have more in common than you might think. Imperviousness to instructions and safety warnings, a tendency to see only what they want to see and inattention to the hazards in their surroundings are just some of them. Removing hazards is easier than getting them to move around carefully to avoid injuring themselves. Toddler-proof your home by moving any household chemicals, medicines, tools, and breakable objects out of reach. Some hazards may be out of sight to you but not to a toddler. Crawl around the floor to look at your home through a toddler’s eyes. Note any loose wires, open sockets, or objects like a table cloth overhanging a table edge that can pique a small child’s curiosity and are within reach of tiny fingers. Put away loose objects, make sure nothing overhangs a table edge and use safety covers on all open sockets. You can buy these in small packets from hardware stores.

Use a fireguard to prevent sparks from flying out and your guests and pets from falling in 30

December 2015

AWARNESS

Young children use furniture for support and are prone to falling while learning to walk. Sharp corners can make an otherwise harmless fall dangerous. Padding sharp corners can save a lot of tears and parental panic. Put glass furniture aside to avoid anyone walking into it. Make sure your home is well lit so that no one accidentally walks into a door, trips over a carpet, or knocks anything over. When it comes to falls, rugs and carpets are prime culprits. Remove loose rugs and tape down the edges of carpets. Put away inessential electronic devices. Unplug laptop power cables from the wall socket when you detach your laptop. If you leave the power cable plugged in, you’re running up unnecessary electricity bills. Any charger consumes power when it’s plugged into a socket, even if a device is not attached. When not in use, all charger power sockets should be switched off. Better still, the charger itself should be unplugged and stowed away to prevent damage. When lots of people are around, someone’s phone is bound to run down. Use the right kind of charger for a particular device. Don’t make do with whatever’s to hand. A random charger might fit a device socket but, if it’s the wrong type, it can cause your battery to overheat. That could damage your battery and turn your device into a useless molten heap of plastic. Worse still, the device could ignite, setting your home on fire. Don’t charge electronics on soft surfaces like a bed, chair or sofa. Even if the charger is the right sort, the device could overheat, burning a patch into your soft furnishings or setting them alight. Unplug any device once it is fully charged. It’ll help cut down your power bill, protect your device and reduce any fire risk. Don’t leave any devices on charge overnight or while you are out of your home. You’ll waste several hours’ worth of power and risk damaging your device. Do you need to use your phone alarm to wake early in the morning? Don’t put it under your pillow, and especially not if it’s plugged

3 4 5 6

into a wall socket. Leave your phone unplugged, next to your bed. Keep walkways and doorways clear of obstacles. Trailing wires, string, furniture, shoes, toys, and other sundry objects, could trip up the unwary. If you usually kick off your shoes as soon as you walk through the door, put them to the side. Bulky furniture and objects like tall cupboards and TVs or computer monitors should be fixed to a wall or surface to stop them falling over and causing injuries. Flat screen TVs are more likely to topple over than the old, bulky type. The same goes for computer monitors. A large free-standing TV or monitor could crush a small child or pet.

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Don’t leave pets alone with a Xmas tree or in a room where candles are lit

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Close drawers immediately after use to prevent small children climbing up and tilting over the furniture. Wet an oily duster or rag after use whether you keep it or bin it. Oils oxidize when exposed to air, heating up the fabric and setting it alight. This can happen over several hours. Wetting the cloth after use will prevent it igniting and kindling a larger fire. Keep your Xmas tree lights on only when you’re in the house. The same goes for candles, gas and paraffin heaters and fireplaces.

Don’t leave pets alone with a Xmas tree or in a room where candles are lit. Curiosity can be tragic. If you keep your pet indoors, keep it away from your tree by closing the door to the room. Don’t leave burning candles unattended. It takes just a few seconds for molten wax and a lit wick to pour out of the side, spreading the flames and wreaking havoc. Some candles burn down faster than their wicks do. Trim candle wicks daily to keep the flame under control. A short flame is safer and helps candles last longer. Keep candles out of reach of tiny hands, especially when they’re lit. Put out lit candles after a few hours to prevent accidents with molten wax. Hot tea lights can shatter a glass surface. Use them only on fire-proof and heat-proof surfaces or insulate them well. No matter what the weather’s like, nothing looks, smells and sounds more Christmassy than a log fire. Use a fireguard to prevent sparks from flying out and your guests and pets from falling in. Install a guard rail on the cooker and keep handles turned inwards. Close the kitchen door to keep out busy bodies of all ages and sizes. When getting ready, dress slowly, one task at a time. If you’re distracted, your clothes can be dangerous. Running to answer the door while putting on your shoes could trip you over. Rushing down the stairs while pulling up your socks, tights or trousers, ditto. Sit down to put on your socks, stockings, tights and shoes. When putting on trousers, sit rather than stand and balance on one leg, then stand up to pull them up and don’t walk off before they’re firmly buttoned, zipped and belted. Wear good shoes or slippers indoors. Loose fitting mules are all right for pottering around the bedroom but can slip and trip you up when you walk up and down the stairs. Still, your nice, comfy full-foot slippers can be dangerous. Our ability to balance while walking depends on information we pick up from our surroundings. Part of that information feeds into our brain from our feet and ankles. Slippers with worn and spongy soles can confuse the mind, especially in an older person, making falls more likely.

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December 2015

BOOKS

lifestyle READING

AGENDA’S PICK OF THE LATEST LIFESTYLE BOOKS.

ENCHANTED FOREST: AN INKY QUEST AND COLOURING BOOK JOHANNA BASFORD ISBN 97817806748729 birds, gems, lanterns, keys and treasure chests. Beginning at the entrance to the forest, the journey progresses through woodland, rocky caves and tree-lined mazes, over streams and a waterfall, across the trees tops, to finally reach the castle. Also hidden throughout the book are nine symbols.

This stunning new colouring book by Johanna Basford takes readers on an inky quest through an enchanted forest to discover what lies in the castle at its heart. As well as drawings to complete, colour and embellish, there are hidden objects to be found along the way including wild flowers, animals and

SIMPLY NIGELLA: FEEL GOOD FOOD NIGELLA LAWSON Whatever the occasion, food should always be pleasurable. Simply Nigella taps into the rhythms of our cooking lives, with recipes that are uncomplicated, relaxed and yet always satisfying. From quick and calm suppers to stress-free ideas when catering for a crowd, or the instant joy of bowl food for cosy nights on the sofa, here is food guaranteed to make

ISBN 9780701189358

everyone feel good. Whether you need to create some breathing space at the end of a long week, indulge in a sweet treat or wake up to a strengthgiving breakfast, Nigella's new cookbook is filled with recipes destined to become firm favourites.

THE MINDFULNESS COLOURING BOOK: ANTI STRESS ART THERAPY FOR BUSY PEOPLE EMMA FARRARONS ISBN 9780752265629 The bestselling adult colouring book! Working with your hands is one of the best ways to soothe anxiety and eliminate stress. This stunning, pocket-sized colouring book offers a practical exercise in mindfulness that draws on your creativity and hones your focus. Beautifully illustrated, The Mindfulness

Colouring Book is filled with templates for exquisite scenes and intricate, sophisticated patterns, prompting you to meditate on your artwork as you mindfully and creatively fill these pages with colour. Take a few minutes out of your day, wherever you are, and colour your way to peace and calm.

THE BADASS BODY DIET: THE BREAKTHROUGH DIET AND WORKOUT FOR A TIGHT BOOTY, SEXY ABS, AND LEAN LEGS CHRISTMAS ABOTT ISBN 9780062390950 CrossFit celebrity Christmas Abbott shows how to attain the body of your dreams with a targeted eating strategy and totalbody workout plan that will whip glutes and hips-and every problem area-into top shape. As a formerly "skinny fat" woman, Christmas Abbott knows what real women need to get the butt and body of their dreams. In The Badass Body Diet,

she dispels the myth of the health benefits of a "pear shape" body, and galvanizes them with a quick and simple workout plan for a toned butt-the key to total body fitness. Your "glutes" are the body's largest and most powerful muscle group-and one of the most beautiful-but they can go dormant, flat, and flabby.

YOU’RE NEVER WEIRD ON THE INTERNET ALMOST FELICIA DAY The Internet isn't all cat videos. There's also Felicia Day – violinist, filmmaker, Internet entrepreneur, compulsive gamer and former lonely homeschooled girl who overcame her isolated childhood to become the ruler of a new world ...or at least semi-influential in the world of Internet geeks and Goodreads book clubs. After

ISBN 9780751562484

growing up in Southern USA where she was 'homeschooled for hippie reasons', Felicia moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and was immediately typecast as a crazy cat-lady secretary. But Felicia's misadventures in Hollywood led her to produce her own web series, own her own production company and become an Internet star.

GIZZI’S HEALTHY APPETITE: FOOD TO NOURISH THE BODY AND FEED THE SOUL GIZZI ERSKINE ISBN 9781845339630 'A great collection of food you'll really want to eat' - Tom Kerridge 'Full of beyond delicious recipes' - Rosie Fortescue, Evening Standard 'packed full of delicious dishes' - Look 'A great cookbook should expand culinary knowledge while generating enthusiasm to get us into the kitchen, this does both' - Great British Food 32

December 2015

Magazine 'Here I am. I want to start a new food revolution; one where people have a better understanding of nutrition but don't forget that eating should be enjoyable!' - Gizzi Erskine Gizzi Erskine believes that the key to healthy eating is to cook fresh food using good ingredients.

A&H INFORMATION

A warming GIFT for your FEET

ut on your thickest pair of socks and take out your winter bed slippers, turn on the electrical and gas heaters and let’s keep ourselves warm. For some of us it seems that no matter how hard we try to stay warm, our feet are always freezing cold and numb. Whether we are at the office, driving around, or walking outside, if our feet are not comfortably warm we often find ourselves shivering.

A Warming Gift for the season! Gehwol provides a range of foot care specifically designed to keep your feet warm during the cold months.

GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT RED – A warming cream for dry rough skin Gehwol FUSSKRAFT Red is a rich warming balm for dry rough skin, which relieves tired, strained and sore feet. Revitalising camphor, extracts from paprika and ginger, as well as essential oils from rosemary and mountain pines, stimulate circulation and give pleasant warmth. Skin-friendly concentrated emollients revitalize dry and brittle skin, making it soft and smooth again. Proven antiseptics prevent foot odour, infections and itching between the toes. Also Suitable for Diabetics

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Contact PH for your FBRS Ltd samples b EE you buy tehfore product e

Fusskraft Herbal Bath – Softens Calluses The well-tried combination of ingredients found in the herbal bath include essential oils from rosemary and lavender. It is suitable for the treatment of rough and brittle skin and has an intensive cleansing and long lasting deodorizing properties. Place your feet in a small wash basin with warm water, empty one sachet of granules in the basin , sit back and relax.

GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Warming Bath-Concentrate This foot bath concentrate contains precious herbal extracts. It thoroughly warms feet and legs. GEHWOL FUSSKRAFT Warming BathConcentrate has natural extracts from rosemary and pepper as well as a combination of vital vitamin E and a vitamin of the B—group. All of the active ingredients are quickly absorbed by the skin and provide a long-lasting pleasant warm feeling of the feet. It has also been proven to stimulate metabolism.

GEHWOL med Lipidro Cream The Lipidro cream is an excellent treatment for dry and sensitive skin. In winter sensitive skin tends to get worse and protecting it from extreme temperatures is highly recommended. This is why podiatrists prescribe Gehwol lipidro. Its high-quality ingredients compensate for a lack of lipids and moisture and naturally balance the protective properties of the skin. Seabuchthorn oil and avocado oil with a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids supply dry skin with lipids and thus prevent the loss of water through evaporation. Daily usage of Lipidro cream gives you protection against foot odour and infections and helps to prevent inflammation. One very common reason why people experience cold feet is poor blood circulation or sweaty feet however should the problem persist it is highly recommended to consult your doctor. Since Christmas is at hand, make up a GEHWOL Warming Gift Pack for your loved one from your nearest Gehwol pharmacy or beauty salon. For further details contact PHBS Ltd on T 2142 4401/2/3 www.phbsmalta.com June 2015

SPORT

Training

FOR THE TOP

hen I moved into my new house, I noticed a lot of activity going on just a few metres up the road. Being an inquisitive person and with an eye for detail, I immediately noticed little girls running eagerly, with their hair tied up neatly, ready for their gymnastics lesson at Gymstars Gymnastics Club. When my daughter was of age, I started accompanying her to Gymstars more often and immediately felt welcome. “People call us one big family because the first thing you notice when entering our club is the camaraderie among our gymnasts and coaches, says Francesca Borg, who owns and runs the club with her mother, Alexandra. The Borgs’ lives revolve around gymnastics. “We aim to give an opportunity to all children to practice gymnastics and enjoy the sport as much as possible, as well as keep fit and healthy,” Francesca says. “We also aim to develop the sport in many different ways as well as educate people in how fundamental gymnastics is to all sports.” Francesca was herself a gymnast when she was a child and a teenager and is now an internationally recognised gymnastics judge. But how did all this start? At first, the whole family joked about the idea of running a gymnastics centre. When the opportunity arose, Alexandra thought that investing in Malta’s first purpose-built gymnastics centre with state of the art equipment would help develop gymnastics into a more popular sport. Gymstars opened its doors in 2003 with just 40 members. Since then, Francesca and Alexandra have never looked back. “The beginning was tough but we immediately invested in excellent human resources. We engaged coaches with Masters in Gymnastics and Malta’s national gymnastics team members were being trained for higher level competitions. Then we developed a new club structure,” continues Francesca. Over the last twelve years, gymnasts from the club

December 2015

A SHARED PASSION AND A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP ARE THE SECRET OF FRANCESCA AND ALEXANDRA BORG’S SUCCESS. INTERVIEW BY ANNA MARIA GATT

We aim to give an opportunity to all children to practice gymnastics and enjoy the sport as much as possible, as well as keep fit and healthy have participated in the highest competitions around Europe. “In the 2007 Small Nations Games in Monaco, Philip Caruana Turner won a bronze medal in gymnastics. This was a first for Malta. From then on, hard work brought great results. Two years later, in the 2009 Small Nations Games Cyprus, Malta won

a bronze team medal as well as an individual medal with the youngest gymnasts in that competition,” Alexandra recalls. More recently, Suzanne Buttigieg won a silver medal in the 2013 Small Nations Games in Luxembourg. Our conversation shifts to the last year which has been very positive for Gymstars and for gymnastics in Malta. “It’s been quite a year for our club. Four national team members competed in the European Championships for the very first time. Malta won a silver team medal in Iceland in the Small Nations Games and two individual medals in the European Youth Olympic Festival. The greatest achievement this past year was Malta’s participation in the World Championships, where we could showcase our islands’ talent to the rest of the world.” The enthusiasm with which Alexandra and Francesca describe their gymnasts is evident. Both have reason to be very proud of what they have achieved. Francesca has also chalked up a personal achievement. “At the age of 19, in 2009, I became the first qualified international judge for Malta. I now travel and judge international competitions in which our national team also takes part,” she explains. Alexandra and Francesca love gymnastics and do their best to share their knowledge with others. They regularly organise courses for new coaches and for those interested in becoming judges. They believe that this will help in the continuous development of the sport. “Gymnastics is a tough sport. To develop as a strong and competitive gymnast you need several hours of daily training. “Progressions and basics are so important in gymnastics. They are critical to developing highervalued skills. As a gymnast, you have to have patience, desire and strength to achieve what you want to achieve. As a club, our role is to offer continuous support to a gymnast’s development,” says Francesca. Gymnastics is mainly an individual sport so

SPORT

Gymstars’ members receive individual attention for their sporting development. “Our aim is to provide children with a safe and fun environment while learning gymnastics in a structured way,” Francesca says. “We believe that every child is a star and we offer opportunities not only in competitive gymnastics but also in our recreational classes. During the year, we organise open days, fun gymnastics sleepovers, and gymnastics and dance festivals, in which children gain certificates which are internationally recognised.” Apart from being gymnastics enthusiasts, Francesca and Alexandra are employers who build a strong rapport with all their employees. “Our employees matter to us and we all work as one team. It can get pretty tough at times but we all understand and work towards one common goal. We really all help each other out and feel like we are all value each other.” Another key point in the club’s success is the relationship the owners build with parents. “We appreciate all parents, especially those whom we meet daily and who become close friends. Many of them become involved with the sport, volunteering to help,” says Francesca. Gymnasts don’t always have to travel to events. Two international competitions are held annually at the club. “The administrative team works hard when we organise an international competition. This includes lots of planning to divide gymnasts into age groups and levels, and planning awards, timing, groups and rotations. We organise the main scoring table, engage judges, and set out training times and allocations, arrivals and departures, transport schedules and so much more.” Thanks to these competitions, gymnastics

enthusiasts in Malta have made many friends and contacts which makes the work worthwhile and helps improve performance. “An international competition is always a learning experience in itself,” Alexandra says. “When our gymnasts achieve great results, they make us feel so proud. They have the opportunity to compete in Malta with international gymnasts and the chance to make new friends. Our international competitions bring a lot of sport tourism to Malta. We’re proud to say that we have had over 250 gymnasts participating in our competition.”

gymnastics grow as a sport and become more popular in Malta,” Francesca says. “Gymnastics offers so many fundamental benefits such as balance, coordination, social interaction, discipline and so much more. “The future looks bright. I believe Malta can really earn a higher place and make its mark internationally. We have improved and gained so much experience in such a short period of time. Imagine how much more we can do. We look forward to being a part of that and to continuing to make our country proud.”

The future looks bright. I believe Malta can really earn a higher place and make its mark internationally Alexandra’s and Francesca’s thoughts are already set on the coming year. “Our main aim in the immediate future is to open a coaching academy in Malta. This will give coaches in Malta an opportunity to achieve a recognized MQRIC certificate in artistic gymnastics. This would qualify them to work as coaches anywhere in Malta and also internationally.” Alexandra and Francesca have come a long way and are justifiably satisfied with what they have managed to achieve. “We really are proud to see

Working together several hours a day is not easy, but Francesca and Alexandra share their passion and have developed a very strong bond. “Mum gives me infinite support and our strong relationship is very special,” Francesca says. It is wonderful to see that their plans have worked out professionally and personally. You can only wish Francesca and Alexandra more success and their gym stars a year full of tumbles, twists, jumps and all the other fascinating skills that make up the wonderful world of gymnastics.

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December 2015

PRODUCT NEWS

PAMPERS BABY DRY

GLOV HYDRO DEMAQUILLAGE

Pampers Baby Dry – every good morning needs up to 12 hours of dryness. Trade enquiries: VJ Salomone (Marketing) 22983201 www.vjsm.com.mt

GLOV Hydro Demaquillage, the revolutionary makeup remover with no chemicals, uses innovative micro and nano technology; GLOV fibers are 100x thinner than a human hair. This special tissue allows you to remove even the toughest, darkest makeup and mascara with only water. It is very easy to use, simply moisten the GLOV with water, gently rub eyes for a few seconds, use another section of the GLOV to wipe the makeup off the face and neck, and voilà! Your makeup is off. The cleanup is just as easy as the speedy makeup removal steps are. Merely hand wash the GLOV with a bar of soap and tap water, then leave it hanging to dry and ready for use the next time you need to take off your makeup in a fast, hassle-free way.

Wellaby’s – living well, tasting great

MadeGood™

Wellaby’s make unique snacks that are so deliciously tasty you’ll hardly believe they are free from gluten, wheat and GSM. The exceptional taste of these snacks comes from Wellaby’s persistent use of exclusively top quality ingredients. Made with real cheese, flavoured with true herbs and baked to precision, these snacks are delicious and healthy choices for indulging.

MadeGood™ Muesli Minis are organic, gluten-free, schoolsafe and contain the nutrients found in one serving of vegetables. They’re made from whole grains, are low in sugar, and have a taste that both children and adults love. They are available in three great varieties: Apple & Cinnamon, Chocolate & Banana or Strawberry in 100g pouches or pocket size 24g packets.

To know which stores stock this brand in your vicinity, email J. Calleja Ltd. at storelocator@jcallejaltd.com. T 2152 2438 www.jcallejaltd.com J. Calleja Caterers & Wholesalers Ltd.

To find out which stores stock this brand in your locality, just send an email on storelocator@jcallejaltd.com. Imported by J. Calleja Caterers & Wholesalers Ltd Made Good Malta

VALOR: LEADING THE SPANISH CHOCOLATE MARKET FOR OVER 130 YEARS

MILTON PROTECTING YOU FROM GERMS

Every mum recognises that a night of quality, uninterrupted sleep is beneficial for babies as they wake up rested, cheerful and ready to start their day. Securing the best possible night’s sleep is important, but babies don’t just sleep through the night. They need a helping hand. Pampers Baby Dry have unique double dry zones: a new soft absorbing layer and a core which locks in wetness better than the next leading nappy for up to 12 hours of dryness. So your baby stays dry and comfortable throughout the night, every night.

The main characteristic of Valor 0% sugar added chocolate is that it has the same superlative taste as ‘regular’ Valor chocolates but without added sugar. Valor chocolate has the widest range of 0% sugar added chocolate, suitable for people who want to stay in shape or who need to avoid sugar. All made with Stevia – the natural sweetener. Enjoy the pleasure of chocolate without giving up the sense of indulgence. To find our which stores in your vicinity stock this brand, send an email on storelocator@jcallejaltd.com. For more information: Web: www.jcallejaltd.com J. Calleja Ltd Caterers & Wholesalers Ltd

Germs grow very quickly on all surfaces, and we are always at risk of getting sick, even by a simple touch of the hand. Milton, the experts in hygiene, have developed the Milton Antibacterial Hand Gel, which instantly kills all germs, while leaving your hands soft and moisturised. Another product is the Milton Room and Surface Spray, which is ideal to kill germs in the air like the flu virus, and can be used at home, school or even at your work place. This spray is also ideal for surfaces like bins, taps, telephones and all other surfaces, leaving them germ free and smelling nice too. Trust Milton to keep you and your home safe from germs. Available from all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and baby shops. Trade enquiries Cherubino Ltd. T 2134 3270. December 2015

PRODUCT NEWS

KIND NATURED Kind Natured Shampoos and Conditioner is a 97% Natural hair range that is kind to your hair and the environment. The range is free from sulphates, parabens and petrochemicals and is not tested on animals. Nourishing Ylang Ylang and Sage Shampoo and Conditioner help to moisturise dry hair, stimulate the scalp and maintain strong, healthy hair. Colour Care Coconut and Shea Shampoo and Conditioner are perfect for colour treated hair. They help to replenish hair weakened by hair colouring and at same time colour e-enhancing the colour. Volumising Rosemary and Mint Shampoo and Conditioner are for hair lacking volume. A zesty blend of rosemary and mint leaves hair feeling thicker and softer. Kind Natured hair range is exclusively distributed by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd, T. 2144 6205/6

SPATOPIA At SPAtopia we recognise that stressful lifestyles can leave your skin in need of some serious pampering. The SPAtopia Spa range encompasses mineral rich, energising Dead Sea Salts and super moisturising, nourishing Argan Oil for the ultimate in spa therapy. Argan oil is widely recognised for its amazing skincare benefits. It is exceptionally rich in Vitamin E and Omega Essential Fatty Acids and therefore well known for its antiageing, moisturising and anti-oxidant properties. Our SPAtopia range combine essential oils with Argan oil to nourish your skin and leave you feeling pampered and revitalised. SPAtopia is exclusively distributed by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd, T. 2144 6205/6

PHYRIS HYDRO ACTIVE HIGH QUALITY INTENSIVE MOISTURISING CARE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES The PHYRIS HYDRO ACTIVE products have one special target: to moisturise the skin immediately with a long-lasting effect. This new generation of deepmoisturising combines active care with lasting protection against dehydration of the skin. Every skin type and every skin condition finds its suitable moisturising product. “The care product with added moisture”.

DIRTY WORKS Dirty Works loves to create sophisticated and fun beauty products to brighten up any regime: from sensational skincare to beautiful bodycare, some very divine smelling bathing products and oodles of accessories. We have gone through many face lifts over the years, but we think this one is our best ever, with a brand new signature scent and a fresh, classy appearance. We hope you will enjoy it just as much as we do. For more information on the full range of Dirty Works Skincare, Bath & Body, Beauty Bags and Accessories check out www.dirtyworksbeauty.com Dirty Works is found in leading supermarkets and pharmacies and is exclusively distributed by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd, T. 2144 6205/6

NURSING COMFORT BALM FOR SORE, CRACKED NIPPLES Mustela’s Nursing Comfort Balm is specifically formulated for sore, cracked nipples in breastfeeding mothers. It is clinically proven to soothe painful, sore cracked nipples while helping to nourish the nipple skin. It helps to restructure the delicate nipple skin with its combination of vitamins and naturallyderived ingredients rendering the nipple more supple and resistant. It quickly soothes pain and any irritations of the nipple, while relieving sensations of tightness that may appear and helping to restructure and regenerate the skin that may have cracked. It is free of lanolin, an ingredient derived from sheep’s wool and potentially irritating to the nipple. It is easy-to-use. Apply Nursing Comfort Balm to the nipple area after every feeding and as often as needed. It does not need to be rinsed off before each feed. Knowing that it’s Mustela, you know that it’s the best and safest product for you and your baby.

December 2015

Visit our outlets or call us on T. 2142 2999. www.brownspharmacy.eu Brown’sPharmaLimited

EVERY MAN NEEDS A SHAVE PLAN A BETTER GEL FOR A BETTER SHAVE! All our shave gels are suitable for sensitive skin. Whichever variant you choose you can be assured of getting a superbly close and comfortable shave leaving you with skin that feels amazingly smooth, supple and hydrated, not dry and tight. Visit our outlets or call us on T. 2142 2999 www.brownspharmacy.eu Brown’sPharmaLimited

Suppliers of

work life specialist WELLNESS & BEAUTY UNIFORMS 735 – 736, ST. JOSEPH HIGH ROAD HAMRUN – HMR 1014 Tel. 2122 5760 - Mobile: 9949 3252 Fax. 2122 3450 E-mail: ebltd@euroweb.net.mt

d�ect�y

GOOD THINGS Good Things is all about simple, effective and affordable skincare with the added benefits of natural ingredients that can deliver genuine beauty benefits and keep the skin clear, healthy and radiant. The new range of Good Things Spa includes bath and body products within the Argan Oil, Manuka Honey and Acai Berry Superfruits ranges. The Argan Oil Spa range is built around anti-oxidant rich Argan Oil with other highly moisturising ingredients to help effectively prevent and target the signs of ageing. The Manuka Honey Spa range contains natural ingredients from the bee hive to target the first signs of ageing while promoting healthy, balanced skin. Our products in the Acai Berry Spa range are packed with superfruit beauty boosters designed to clear excess oil from the skin without stripping essential moisture. All Good Things Spa ranges are FREE FROM parabens, sulphates, mineral oils and animal ingredients. They are dermatologically tested and suitable for even the most sensitive skins. Good Things Skincare and Spa ranges are distributed in pharmacies and supermarkets. For further information call Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd. T. 2144 6205/6

BLACK OPIUM EDT Discover Black Opium, the new Eau de Toilette by Yves Saint Laurent. The hedonistic black coffee note of the original Black Opium scent is transformed into an ultra-luminous green coffee accord with a heart of Jasmine Tea on a base of sensual Patchouli, white woods and musk. Black Opium Eau de Toilette comes dressed in a glittering bottle of deepest pink diamond-dust finish for rock edge and modern glamour, with a radiant rose gold glass heart for soft femininity. Yves Saint Laurent fragrances are exclusively distributed by Chemimart T. 2149 2212

HYPNÔSE VOLUME À PORTER A new ultra-creamy formula for long-lasting, intense volume. Discover seductive volume, striking length and intense black colour which lasts all night long. Benefits: Buildable volume & length, clump-free. Lancôme is exclusively distributed by Chemimart T. 2149 2212

A.G.E. INTERRUPTER SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter is an advanced anti-aging cream specially designed for mature skin. Its unique ability to fight the formation of advanced glycation end-products, makes it the ideal treatment option for fighting wrinkles and loss of firmness. In addition, A.G.E. Interrupter contains some of the highest quality moisturising ingredients on the skincare market providing intensive, long-lasting hydration.

ATTARD / BALZAN / IKLIN / LIJA M4 PHARMACY, OLD RAILWAY ROAD ATTARD 21436531 MISRAH KOLA PHARMACY, PITKALI ROAD ATTARD 21434137 ST. CATHERINE PHARMACY, TRIQ ID-DIELJA K/M TRIQ SANTA KATERINA ATTARD 21413442 ST. MARY PHARMACY, 2 ANTONIO SCHEMBRI STREET ATTARD 21436348 BALZAN PHARMACY, 70 ST FRANCIS STREET BALZAN 21444035 MEDICA PHARMACY, NAXXAR ROAD BALZAN 21445741 MILIA’S PHARMACY, 73 COTTONERA STREET, BIRGU 27600126 IKLIN PHARMACY, GERONIMO ABOS STREET IKLIN 21415499 IL-MEHRIEZ PHARMACY, 31 GIOVANNI CURMI STREET IKLIN 21435567 ST. JOSEPH PHARMACY, 164 ANNIBALE PRECA STREET LIJA 21418846 ST. MICHAEL PHARMACY, TRANSFIGURATION AVENUE LIJA 21435875 BAHRIJA BAHRIJA PHARMACY, RADDET IR-ROTI STREET C/W SCHOOL STREET BAHRIJA 21450743 BIRGU / SENGLEA / VITTORIOSA VITTORIOSA PHARMACY, 9 TRIQ IL-MINA IL-KBIRA, BIRGU 21807529 VERDALA PHARMACY, 57 TRIQ IL-GENDUS BORMLA 21824720 WHITE CROSS PHARMACY, SHOP A BLOCK 1 SAN PAWL BORMLA 21821671 SAN FILIPPU PHARMACY, 155 VICTORY STREET SENGLEA 21800681 VICTORY PHARMACY, 32 VICTORY STREET SENGLEA 21801698 BIRZEBBUGIA / MARSASCALA / MARSAXLOKK BLOSSOMS PHARMACY, TRIQ IL-GURGIER BIRZEBBUGIA 21652226 BRITANNIA PHARMACY, 5 PRETTY BAY STREET BIRZEBBUGIA 21658622 MARTIN’S PHARMACY, 182 MAIN STREET BIRZEBBUGIA 21651031 BELLAVISTA PHARMACY, 88 TRIQ IL-ĦORTAN MARSASCALA 21633788 SAN GWAKKIN PHARMACY, 1 ST ANNE STREET MARSASCALA 21637994 SAN TUMAS PHARMACY, LAMPUKA STREET MARSASCALA 27023322 ST. ANNE PHARMACY, TRIQ IL-QALIET MARSASCALA 21637615 POMPEI PHARMACY, 28 XATT IS-SAJJIEDA MARSAXLOKK 21651278 BUGIBBA / QAWRA / ST PAUL’S BAY PROMENADE PHARMACY, PIONEER ROAD BUGIBBA 21571530 ST. SIMON PHARMACY, 8 ISLETS PROMENADE BUGIBBA 21571649 EL MEDINA CHEMIST, TRIQ IL-MASKLI QAWRA 21576308 EURO CHEMIST, TRIQ IL-KURAZZA QAWRA 21581876 QAWRA PHARMACY, EARL’S COURT/1 TRIQ L-IMĦAR QAWRA 21585633 PARKES PHARMACY, 582 ST PAUL STREET ST. PAUL’S BAY 21571764 ST. PAUL’S BAY PHARMACY, 504 MAIN STREET ST. PAUL’S BAY 21573406

The magazine is also available for free at the following pharmacies and clinics FGURA / PAOLA / TARXIEN ALPHA PHARMACY, ‘MARIA IMMACULATA’ COTTONER STREET FGURA 21673811 CILIA’S PHARMACY, 303 ZABBAR STREET FGURA 21801962 FGURA PHARMACY, TRIQ IL-KOPPLA FGURA 21675250 BROWN’S PAOLA SQUARE PHARMACY, 64/65 ANTOINE DE PAULE SQUARE PAOLA 21821646 BROWN’S PHARMACY, 45 PAOLA HILL PAOLA 21694818 DE PAOLA PHARMACY, 36 PJAZZA ANTOINE DE PAULE PAOLA 21826408 DISTINCTION PHARMACY, 32 PJAZZA ANTOINE DE PAULE PAOLA 21693412 FLEMING PHARMACY, 61 ZABBAR STREET PAOLA 21696893 ST. MONICA PHARMACY, 157 ST MONICA STREET PAOLA 21667146 SONREN PHARMACY, ZEJTUN STREET TARXIEN 21672757 TARXIEN PHARMACY, 59 TARXIEN STREET TARXIEN 21802986 THERESA JO PHARMACY, 3A TRIQ XINTILL TARXIEN 21672703 FLEUR DE LYS / BIRKIRKARA HERBA PHARMACY, 183 MAIN STREET BIRKIRKARA 21443406 HOLY CROSS PHARMACY, 37 MAIN STREET BIRKIRKARA 21448454 MARRIT PHARMACY, 1ST MAY STREET FLEUR-DE-LYS 21488613 PHARMAPLUS GANU STREET BIRKIRKARA 21492958 RATIONAL PHARMACY, 74/75 VALLEY ROAD BIRKIRKARA 21441513 ST. ANNE PHARMACY, 24 ST HELEN SQUARE BIRKIRKARA 27441913 ST. HELEN PHARMACY, TUMAS FENECH STREET BIRKIRKARA 21441589 ST. JUDE PHARMACY, 213 VALLEY ROAD BIRKIRKARA 21492151 ST. PAUL’S PHARMACY, BRARED STREET BIRKIRKARA 21442135 THE LOCAL DISPENSARY, CAN. K. PIROTTA STREET BIRKIARA 21493549 FLEUR-DE-LYS PHARMACY 32 FLEUR-DE-LYS 21488884 MACKIE’S PHARMACY, L. CASOLANI STREET BIRKIRKARA 21496089 FLORIANA / VALLETTA CHEMIMART LTD., 14 ST ANNE STREET FLORIANA 21239310 ST. PUBLIUS PHARMACY, 48 TRIQ IL-MIRATUR FLORIANA 21225444 VILHENA PHARMACY, 3 ST ANNE STREET FLORIANA 21244114 WATERFRONT DISPENSARY, FORNI 2I PINTO WHARF FLORIANA 21233034 MEDICINE CHEST PHARMACY, DEMITRIJU FARRUGIA ROAD GHARGHUR 21422204 ST. ALBERT PHARMACY, ORATORY STREET GHARGHUR 21413402 CHEMIMART PHARMACY REPUBLIC STREET, 20/21, REPUBLIC STREET, VALLETTA 21246051 CHEMIMART CITY GATE PHARMACY, 24, CITY GATE, VALLETTA, 21238355 COLLIS WILLIAMS PHARMACY, 15 REPUBLIC STREET VALLETTA 21226281 EMPIRE PHARMACY, 77 OLD THEATRE STREET VALLETTA 21225785 EMPIRE PHARMACY BRANCH, 46 MELITA STREET VALLETTA 21225785 NEW BRITISH DISPENSARY, 109/110 ST JOHN STREET VALLETTA 21244813 REGENT PHARMACY, 70 MERCHANTS STREET VALLETTA 21245135 ROYAL PHARMACY, 271 REPUBLIC STREET VALLETTA 21252396

www.persona.com.mt/skinceuticals December 2015

d�ect�y GHAXAQ / QRENDI / MQABBA BETA PHARMACY, 50/52 SANTA MARIA STREET GHAXAQ 21663311 CHRYSANTHEMUM PHARMACY, ST NICHOLAS STREET QRENDI 21680828 QRENDI PHARMACY, 6 MAIN STREET QRENDI 21683781 ST. PHILIP PHARMACY, TRIQ IĊ-ĊEPPUN GHAXAQ 21808723 GUDJA / LUQA / MARSA GUDJA PHARMACY, 9 TRIQ SAN ĊIRU GUDJA 21696422 MEDICAID PHARMACY, 62 VJAL IT-TORRI GUDJA 21676294 AIRPORT PHARMACY, GROUND FLOOR ARRIVAL LOUNGE MALTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TERMINAL, LUQA 23696349 CENTRAL PHARMACY, 6 ST JOSEPH STREET LUQA 21692546 ST. ANDREW’S PHARMACY, 51 ST GEORGE STREET LUQA 21820795 SAN RAFFAEL PHARMACY, 247 QORMI ROAD MARSA 21221188 TRINITY PHARMACY, 32 MARSA ROAD MARSA 21235595 VIVIEN PHARMACY, TRIQ PATRI MAGRI MARSA 21221701 HAMRUN / SANTA VENERA BROWN’S PHARMACY, 706 MAIN STREET HAMRUN 21238623 CHEMIMART INTERNATIONAL PHARMACY, 650 MAIN STREET HAMRUN 21236 477 COSMED PHARMACY, SOCCORS VILLAMBROSA STREET HAMRUN 21225991 DARWIN PHARMACY, 152 MAIN STREET HAMRUN 21221512 FRA DIEGO DISPENSARY, 94 VILLAMBROSA STREET HAMRUN 21224898 LISTER PHARMACY, 678 MAIN STREET HAMRUN 21245627 NATIONAL PHARMACY, 17 SANTA MARIA STREET HAMRUN 21225539 ST. GAETAN PHARMACY, KAPPILLAN MIFSUD STREET HAMRUN 21234570 THE CROSS PHARMACY, 859 MAIN STREET HAMRUN 21227682 THOMAS’ PHARMACY, 796 MAIN STREET HAMRUN 21238018 FATIMA PHARMACY, TRIQ IŻ-ŻONQOR SANTA VENERA 21482856 LANTERN PHARMACY, MISRAĦ IL-KEBBIES SANTA VENERA 21444648 ST. BARTHOLOMEW PHARMACY, 230 FLEUR-DE-LYS SANTA VENERA 21492271 ST. VENERA PHARMACY, 532 MAIN STREET SANTA VENERA 21238625 KALKARA KALKARA PHARMACY, NO. 8 MISRAĦ L-ARĊISQOF GONZI KALKARA 21807740 KIRKOP KIRKOP PHARMACY, 9 PARISH STREET KIRKOP 21682028 PRESTIGE PHARMACY, 16 ST JOSEPH STREET KIRKOP 21641328 MELLIEHA BROWN’S PHARMACY, SHOP A GEORGE BORG OLIVIER STREET MELLIEHA 21523554 MELLIEHA PHARMACY, 111 GEORGE BORG OLIVIER STREET MELLIEHA 21523462 BROWN’S VILLAGE PHARMACY, MAIN STREET MELLIEHA 21523536 MĠARR PHARMACY, MAIN STREET C/W VITALE STREET MGARR 21577784 ST. MARY PHARMACY, 71 SIR HARRY LUKE STREET MGARR 21580711 MOSTA / NAXXAR GROGNET PHARMACY, 41 CONSTITUTION STREET MOSTA 21432038 ROTUNDA PHARMACY, 7 EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS ROAD MOSTA 21411197 SANTA MARGHERITA PHARMACY, VJAL IL-QALBIENA MOSTIN SANTA MARGHERITA ESTATE MOSTA 21416426 SGHAJTAR PHARMACY, SGĦAJTAR STREET MOSTA 21415198 ST. JOSEPH PHARMACY, 1 TRIQ IŻ-ŻAKKAK MOSTA 21417593 ST. LOUIS PHARMACY, CALI’ STREET MOSTA 21432802 ST. MARY PHARMACY, 14 PJAZZA ROTUNDA MOSTA 21433833 TAT-TARGA PHARMACY, PLOT NO. 2 CONSTITUTION STREET MOSTA 21433141 BROWN’S CHEMISTS, ST PAUL STREET NAXXAR 21417652 NAXXAR PHARMACY, VJAL IL-21 TA’ SETTEMBRU NAXXAR 21411438 PILLBOX PHARMACY, 63 TRIQ IL-BJAD NAXXAR 21417406 VICTORY PHARMACY, 16 VICTORY SQUARE NAXXAR 21412454 MQABBA KRISTIANNE PHARMACY, TRIQ IC-CAVI MQABBA 21683048 MQABBA CENTRAL PHARMACY, ST CATHERINE STREET MQABBA 21641133 MSIDA / PIETÀ /GZIRA/ TA’ XBIEX DEBY’S PHARMACY, 1 QUARRIES STREET MSIDA 21227920 MAYER PHARMACY, 33 TA’ XBIEX SEAFRONT MSIDA 21331732

December 2015

The magazine is also available for free at the following pharmacies and clinics

REGAL PHARMACY, 39B ANTONIO BOSIO STREET MSIDA 21313115 REGIONAL PHARMACY, E.H. FURSE STREET MSIDA 21312449 BROWN’S PHARMACY, SHOP 10 YACHT MARINA APARTMENTS TRIQ IL-MARINA PIETÀ 21244366 CHARING PHARMACY, MIMOSA STREET PIETÀ 21232954 ST. ANTHONY PHARMACY, 56 ST JOSEPH STREET PIETÀ 21237327 ST. LUKE PHARMACY, ST LUKE STREET PIETÀ 21241293 D’ARGENS PHARMACY, 330 RUE D’ARGENS GZIRA 21330817 O’HEA PHARMACY, 128 MANOEL STREET GZIRA 21330268 ST. MATTHEW’S PHARMACY, 213 THE STRAND GZIRA 21311797 TONY’S PHARMACY, 100 SIR PATRICK STUART STREET GZIRA 21332080 PHARMALAND DISPENSERS, 5 TAGLIAFERRO MANSIONS PRINCESS MARGARET STREET TA’ XBIEX 21346547 PERSONA MED-AESTHETIC CENTRE, 42, MARINA COURT, SIR UGO MIFSUD STREET, TA’ XBIEX 21340366 REMEDIES CHEMISTS, MARINA COURT 49A ABATE RIGORD STREET TA’ XBIEX 21341649 PACEVILLE / SAN GWANN / ST JULIANS POTTER CHEMISTS LTD., WILGA STREET PACEVILLE 21363244 LOURDES PHARMACY, NAXXAR ROAD SAN GWANN 21387479 MARC PHARMACY, 92 MENSIJA STREET SAN GWANN 21373275 MEDICAL PLAZA DISPENSING CHEMISTS, CASS-I-MALL BUILDINGS VJAL IR-RIHAN SAN GWANN 21372195 SAN GWANN PHARMACY, 11 FELIĊ BORG STREET SAN GWANN 21386974 SPIŻERIJA KAPPARA, ŻBIBU LANE SAN GWANN 21381776 BALLUTA PHARMACY, 30 MAIN STREET ST JULIANS 21317888 MELITA PHARMACY, 127 ST GEORGE STREET ST JULIANS 21378657 SPIŻERIJA MERĦBA, SHOP 2 LAPSI STREET TA’ GIORNI ST JULIANS 21333886 ST. JULIANS PHARMACY, 24 GEORGE BORG OLIVIER STREET ST JULIANS 21369426 PEMBROKE / SWIEQI / ST ANDREWS J.V.’S PHARMACY, SWIEQI VALLEY SWIEQI 21371062 KRYPTON CHEMISTS, IBRAGG STREET SWIEQI 21370141 ST ANDREWS PHARMACY, 87 GIUSEPPE MALFEGGIANI STREET ST ANDREWS 21372784 PENNY LANE PHARMACY, SEJJIEĦ STREET SWIEQI 21375373 SAN GIORGIO PHARMACY, MANWEL BUHAGIAR STREET PREMBROKE 21378485 ST. ANDREW’S PHARMACY, TRIQ IL-QASAM ST ANDREWS 21355205 QORMI ANICI PHARMACY, ANICI STREET QORMI 21487162 BROWN’S PHARMACY, 278 VICTORY STREET QORMI 21499697 DRUGSHOP DISPENSARY, VJAL DE LA CRUZ QORMI 21443221 EVANS PHARMACY, 96/98 ST SEBASTIAN STREET QORMI 21487020 PINTO PHARMACY, 43 ST SEBASTIAN STREET QORMI 21487311 ST. GEORGE’S PHARMACY, 21 MAIN STREET QORMI 21443045 TAL-HLAS PHARMACY, TRIQ IL-ĦELSIEN QORMI 21487739 DINGLI / MTARFA / RABAT SANTA MARIJA PHARMACY, FRENĊ ABELA SQUARE DINGLI 21452447 SPIŻERIJA CARMEN, 1 TRIQ MISRAĦ SUFFARA DINGLI 21457128 IMTARFA PHARMACY, 207 ST. DAVID ROAD MTARFA 21451261 MAKE OVER PHARMACY, BLK A TOWN CENTRE HOS MTARFA 21452833 CENTRAL PHARMACY, TRIQ GĦAJN KAJJET RABAT 21455959 IDEAL PHARMACY, 63 MAIN STREET RABAT 21455479 NIGRET PHARMACY, TRIQ IŻ-ŻAHAR RABAT 21450602 NOVA PHARMACY, 142 COLLEGE STREET RABAT 21454247 ST. ANTHONY PHARMACY, 18 MAIN STREET RABAT 21454187 SAFI PASTEUR PHARMACY, TRIQ IT-TELLERIT SAFI 21689944 SAFI PHARMACY, ST. JOHN STREET C/W BIEB IL-GARRA STREET SAFI 21649552 SANTA LUCIA MADDALENA PHARMACY, SHOP 2 TAL-FAQQANI BUILDING TOWER AVENUE SANTA LUCIA 21677037 STA. LUCIA PHARMACY, 1 MISRAĦ DORELL SANTA LUCIA 21890111

SIGGIEWI MENELO PHARMACY, DR NIKOL ZAMMIT STREET SIGGIEWI 21462957 ST. NICHOLAS PHARMACY, 1 PARISH STREET SIGGIEWI 21460828 THE BYPASS PHARMACY, MONS MIKIEL AZZOPARDI STREET SIGGIEWI 21461681 SLIEMA BROWN’S PHARMACY, UNIT 22 TIGNÈ STREET SLIEMA 21313233 CHEMIMART PHARMACY, 4 5 6 IL-PIAZZETTA TOWER ROAD SLIEMA 21338369 DRUG STORE, 382 MANWEL DIMECH STREET SLIEMA 21334627 EDWARD’S PHARMACY, 115 MANWEL DIMECH STREET SLIEMA 21334102 HARLEY PHARMACY, 1 NATHALIE POUTIATINE TABONE STREET SLIEMA 21334635 MRABAT PHARMACY, MRABAT STREET SLIEMA 21313535 NORMAN’S PHARMACY, 133 HIGH STREET SLIEMA 21332243 RUDOLPH PHARMACY, 133 RUDOLPHE STREET SLIEMA 21344722 STELLA MARIS PHARMACY, 34 MILNER STREET SLIEMA 21335217 THE ECONOMICAL DISPENSARY, 86/87 SIR ADRIAN DINGLI STREET SLIEMA 21330376 VICTOR’S PHARMACY, 9 TOWER ROAD SLIEMA 21330352 WALES PHARMACY, 183 MANWEL DIMECH STREET SLIEMA 21335492 ZABBAR ST. ELIAS PHARMACY, TRIQ SAN ELIJA XAGHJRA 21660300 FELICE DISPENSARY, 95 SANCTUARY STREET ZABBAR 21827939 MAY DAY PHARMACY, VICTORY STREET ZABBAR 21826529 MEDIATRIX PLUS PHARMACY, 7 SANCTUARY STREET ZABBAR 27826685 POLYMER PHARMACY, TRIQ IX-XGĦAJRA ZABBAR 21676263 ST. JAMES PHARMACY, 1 MISRAĦ SAN ĠAKBU ZABBAR 21666194 ST. PETER PHARMACY, TRIQ IS-SEBBELLIKA ZABBAR 21663750 ZEBBUG DE ROHAN PHARMACY, 24 ST ANTHONY STREET ZEBBUG 21464128 PLAZA PHARMACY, 86 MAIN STREET ZEBBUG 21467459 SANTA MARIJA PHARMACY, 40 GĦASFURA STREET ZEBBUG 21465346 SPIŻERIJA ĦAL-MULA, DUN SALV CIAPPARA STREET ZEBBUG 21461693 TAL-GRAZZJA PHARMACY, FRANĠISK FARRUGIA STREET ZEBBUG 21462068 BROWN’S PHARMACY, 47 VJAL IL-ĦELSIEN ZEBBUG 21465411 ZEJTUN GERADA PHARMACY, 46 MATER BONI CONSIGLI STREET ZEJTUN 21806009 GREEN CROSS PHARMACY, 31 GREGORIO BONNICI SQUARE ZEJTUN 21693723 JOHN J. BORG PHARMACY, 1 CONSTITUTION STREET ZEJTUN 21898728 ST. CATHERINE PHARMACY, PLOT 3 TRIQ IL-QADI ZEJTUN 21678039 ZURRIEQ KRISTIANNE PHARMACY, PIETRU PAWL SAYDON STREET ZURRIEQ 21647391 SALUS PHARMACY, 21 REPUBLIC SQUARE ZURRIEQ 21680761 ZURRIEQ DISPENSARY, 68 MAIN STREET ZURRIEQ 21689971 BRONJA PHARMACY, SONATA BRONJA STREET ŻURRIEQ 21682251 GOZO FONTANA PHARMACY, TRIQ IL-GĦAJN FONTANA 21566979 GĦAJNSIELEM PHARMACY, INDEPENDENCE SQUARE GHAJNSIELEM 27203615 LAURETANA PHARMACY, 36 MGARR STREET GHAJNSIELEM 21563017 SOKKORS PHARMACY, ST GREGORY STREET KERCEM 21553018 TONY’S PHARMACY, “EGRET COURT”VALLEY STREET MARSALFORN 21563617 NADUR PHARMACY, PJAZZA IT-28 TA’ APRIL 1688 NADUR 21563589 VELLA PHARMACY, 15 13TH DECEMBER STREET NADUR 21566431 ST. JOSEPH PHARMACY, 28 ST JOSEPH SQUARE QALA 21555348 ABELA’S PHARMACY, 42 G.P.F. AGIUS DE SOLDANIS STREET RABAT 21556170 AZZOPARDI PHARMACY, CAPUCHIN STREET RABAT 21563233 BATU PHARMACY, 38 PALM STREET RABAT 21551841 CASTLE PHARMACY, 2 INDEPENDENCE SQUARE RABAT 21556970 PALM PHARMACY, 2 PALM STREET RABAT 21566170 TAĊ-ĊAWLA PHARMACY, 7 JUNE 1919 STREET RABAT 21557819 PISANI PHARMACY, NEW BUILDING SANNAT STREET SANNAT 21564447 JOYCE’S PHARMACY, VJAL IT-8 TA’ SETTEMBRU XAGHRA 21561486 XAGĦRA PHARMACY 55 CHURCH STREET XAGHRA 27551140 GOZO CHEMISTS, MGARR ROAD XEWKIJA 21557278 ST. JOHN’S PHARMACY, 85 INDEPENDENCE STREET XEWKIJA 21563052

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