Bloom Qatar

27

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Issue No.

Dare to dream this

New Year…

make a resolution!

Yes, it’s that time of year again. The time of year when we feel as if we have to turn over a new leaf. The time when we misguidedly imagine that the arrival of a new year will magically provide the catalyst, motivation and persistence we need to reinvent ourselves.

As we look back at all we set out to accomplish in the past 365 days we also look forward and begin creating resolutions and goals for the year ahead. Unfortunately, very often our resolutions list looks very similar to last year’s. Although you don’t know the exact statistics, it is likely the percentage of New Year’s resolutions that are actually achieved each year is unbearably low.

Yet, each January we try and try again to get our lives back on course in whatever direction we want to head. So, don’t set yourself up for failure in 2012 by vowing to make huge changes that will be hard to keep. Instead follow these ‘eight little steps’ for making a successful new year’s resolution you can stick to for good.

Whether you write them down or just make a conscious effort to change some things in your life, take some time to evaluate where you are and where you want to be. For this list, determine some realistic accomplishments you could pursue in the year ahead, and then underneath each list item make another list of the realistic steps it will take to get there.

Once we break down our resolutions into realistic steps, it becomes much easier to begin expecting them to come to fruition. Hence, try it yourself. Start with one, and then move on into the list of realistic resolutions you will set out to achieve this year.

Plan ahead To ensure success you need to research the change you’re making and plan ahead so you have the resources available when you need them. Here are a few things you should do to prepare and get all the systems in place ready to make your change.

Read up on it – Go to the library and get books on the subject. Whether it’s quitting smoking, taking up running or yoga or becoming vegan there are books to help you prepare for it. Or use the Internet. If you do enough research you should even be looking forward to making the change.

Plan for success – Get everything ready so things will run smoothly. If you’re taking up running make sure you have the trainers, clothes, hat, glasses, iPod loaded with energetic sounds at the ready. Then there can be no excuses.

Make a dream list

Make a realistic resolution list

After you’ve finished your list of realistic goals, why not take it a step further and create a similar list of your dream goals?

These are the things you don’t really consider becoming reality, but if you could have a wish or two you would love to see them happen. Remember, when you stop considering something impossible or unrealistic, it often moves into the realm of possibilities and reality.

By making your ‘Dream List’ you open the door to the potential of your dreams coming true, rather than watching them from a distance as they gather dust on a shelf. Be sure to follow the same format as your ‘Realistic Resolutions List,’ providing steps that you could take toward reaching your dreams. Be prepared–you might actually see your dreams become reality.

The most important element to accomplishing this year’s and all of your future resolutions is to not give them an expiration date. If you need a due date in order to maintain your motivation on certain tasks, then by all means, go ahead and set them. It is often noticed that when you stop looking at the calendar for the end dates of your dreams and goals, they no longer possess the unnecessary pressure of time and you are refreshingly free to make your way towards their success unfettered.

Anticipate problems

Pick a start date & go for it

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Don’t Sweat the Calendar

There will be problems so make a list of what they’ll be. If you think about it, you’ll be able to anticipate problems at certain times of the day, with specific people or in special situations. Once you’ve identified the times that will probably be hard, work out ways to cope with them when they inevitably crop up.

You don’t have to make these changes on New Year’s Day. That’s the conventional wisdom, but if you truly want to make changes then pick a day when you know you’ll be well-rested, enthusiastic and surrounded by positive people.

Sometimes picking a date doesn’t work. It’s better to wait until your whole mind and body are fully ready to take on the challenge. You’ll know when it is when the time comes.

The best goals in the world will do no good if you don’t follow through with consistent actions. Remember, perseverance is the key to success. Try again, keep trying and you will succeed.

Resolutions After you figured out the wall with the perfect color palette that complements the brand new calendar you got from your office (inside the new year goodie bag), it is time for ‘self-awareness.’

What you want in life? Why are you here? What changes would you like to see in yourself or otherwise? Or is there really a need for change else to change?

If such queries initiate a headache, dress up and drive down the nearest spa centre. Believe me it’s the best way to begin a new year! While you are done with the pampering; rejuvenated and relaxed, lay back in your couch sipping some good coffee, enjoying the beautiful view outside the window and ask yourself.. What makes you happy? Is it the cosy comfy flat you own, the nine to five job you have, the giggles of the children around, your loving spouse, the latest smartphone you own or the glittering new diamond ring you bought?

Living in a world where ‘money can buy happiness,’ don’t be surprised if I say that the answer is actually none.

Why should our happiness depend on people or things? Why can’t you be the only reason for your happiness? Why can’t your individuality breathe that confidence, which in all these days you thought to be the new dress in your closet that did the magic!

Is there a need to change? Aren’t you happy with what you are? Aren’t you happy of who you are? Aren’t you happy with what makes you ‘you’?

So, this new year keep your diary aside, because it’s only a single resolution that you need to have, that you should promise yourself… is to be happy of your own self, to be happy of all that stupid things you do that makes you ‘you’!

Bloom wishes its readers a year filled with love, happiness, health and wealth as the Big Ben strikes 12 welcoming 2012!

We are excited to know how you celebrated the New Year. Feel free to write us at bloom@qimqatar.com. Your feedback is always welcomed. So be it science, technology, lifestyle or fashion take your pick right away! And Facebook users, keep liking our page!

Small rewards are great encouragement to keep you going during the hardest first days. After that you can probably reward yourself once a week with a magazine, a long-distance call to a supportive friend, a siesta, a trip to the movies or whatever makes you tick.

Later you can change the rewards to monthly and then at the end of the year you can pick an anniversary reward.

Something that you’ll look forward to.

You deserve it and you’ll have earned it.

Plan rewards So, why not give it a try? Who knows these ‘eight little steps’ can help you accomplish your dreams that lie ahead!

Accept failure If you do fail and sneak a cigarette cigarette, miss a walk or shout at the kids one morning don’t hate yourself for it.

Make a note of the triggers that caused this set back and vow to learn a lesson from them.

If you know that vintage makes you crave cigarettes and oversleep the next day, cut back on it. If you know the morning rush before school makes you shout then get up early or prepare things the night before to make it easier on you.

Keep at it The best goals in the world will do no good if you don’t follow through with consistent actions.

Remember, perseverance is the key to success. Try again, keep trying and you will succeed.

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Health

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Planning a healthy diet and sticking to it

this New Year It’s not easy to stay on diet 365 days a year.

People often have a misconception that eating less keeps one healthy. But this is not true.

For a healthy lifestyle, one should be eating healthy rather than abstaining oneself from having food.

Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love.

Instead, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them

To set yourself up for success, think about planning a healthy diet as a number of small, manageable steps rather than one big drastic change. If you approach the changes gradually and with commitment, you will have a healthy diet sooner than you think.

Moderation is key A key foundation for any healthy diet is moderation. Despite what certain fad diets would have you believe, we all need a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fibre, vitamins, and minerals to sustain a healthy body. t

If you are drawn towards sweet, salty, or unhealthy foods, start by reducing portion sizes and not eating them as often.

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Think smaller portions. When dining out, choose a starter instead of an entrée, split a dish with a friend, and don’t order supersized anything. At home, use smaller plates, think about serving sizes in realistic terms, and start small.

Healthy eating is about more than the food on your plate—it is also about how you think about food. Healthy eating habits can be learned and it’s important to slow down and think about food as nourishment rather than just something to gulp down in between meetings or on the way to pick up the kids. t Eating in front of the TV or computer often leads to mindless overeating. t Take time to chew your food and enjoy mealtimes.

We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavours and feel the textures of our food. Reconnect with the joy of eating. t During a meal, stop eating before you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly. t Eat breakfast, and eat smaller meals throughout the day. A healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, and eating small, healthy meals throughout the day.

It’s not just what you eat, it’s how you eat

Set yourself up for success

in a way that works for you.

Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”—it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as defend against depression.

Additionally, it can boost your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize your mood.

Mentioned below are some brilliant tips, that will help you expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a satisfying, healthy diet the whole year round!

Fill up on colourful fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet. They are low in calories and nutrient dense, which means they are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre. t

Eat more healthy carbs and whole grains

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Sweet vegetables: Naturally sweet vegetables—such as corn, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, yams, onions, and squash—add healthy sweetness to your meals and reduce your cravings for other sweets.

Include a variety of whole grains in your healthy diet, including whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, and barley. Experiment with different grains to find your favourites.

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Make sure you’re really getting whole grains.

Look for the words “whole grain” or “100% whole wheat” at the beginning of the ingredient list.

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Try mixing grains as a first step to switching to whole grains. If whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat pasta don’t sound good at first, start by mixing what you normally use with the whole grains. You can gradually increase the whole grain to 100%.

Fruit: Fruit is a tasty, satisfying way to fill up on fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. Berries are cancer-fighting, apples provide fibre, oranges and mangos offer vitamin C, and so on.

Include protein and calcium

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Protein gives us the energy to get up and go— and keep going. Protein in food is broken down into the 20 amino acids that are the body’s basic building blocks for growth and energy, and essential for maintaining cells, tissues, and organs. Whereas Calcium is an essential building block for lifelong bone health in both men and women, as well as many other important functions.

Some great choices include:

Greens: Branch out beyond bright and dark green lettuce. Kale, mustard greens, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage are just a few of the options—all packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E, and K.

Choose healthy carbohydrates and fibre sources, especially whole grains, for long lasting energy. Whole grains are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants, which help to protect against coronary heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. t

Try to eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables every day and with every meal—the brighter the better.

They contain higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—and different colours provide different benefits, so eat a variety. Aim for a minimum of five portions each day.

Try different protein sources—such as beans, nuts, seeds, peas, tofu, and soy products—will open up new options for healthy mealtimes. But, avoid salted or sugary nuts and refried beans.

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Downsize your portions of protein. Try to move away from protein being the centre of your meal. Focus on equal servings of protein, whole grains, and vegetables.

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Focus on quality sources of protein, like fresh fish, chicken or turkey, tofu, eggs, beans, or nuts. When you are having meat, chicken, or turkey, buy meat that is free of hormones and antibiotics.

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Good sources of calcium include dairy products (milk, yogurt, and cheese),Vegetables and greens( turnip greens, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, romaine lettuce, celery, broccoli, fennel, cabbage, summer squash, green beans, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and crimini mushrooms) and Beans (black, pinto, kidney, white, black-eyed peas, or baked beans).

Enjoy healthy fats & avoid unhealthy fats Good sources of healthy fat are needed to nourish your brain, heart, and cells, as well as your hair, skin, and nails.

Foods rich in certain omega-3 fats called EPA and DHA are particularly important and can reduce cardiovascular disease, improve your mood, and help prevent dementia. t

Monounsaturated fats, from plant oils like canola oil, peanut oil, and olive oil, as well as avocados, nuts (like almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans), and seeds (such as pumpkin, sesame).

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Polyunsaturated fats, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, and some cold water fish oil supplements. Other sources of polyunsaturated fats are unheated sunflower, corn, soybean, flaxseed oils, and walnuts.

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Reduce or eliminate saturated fats, found primarily in animal sources including red meat and whole milk dairy products. Also ignore trans fats, found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, candies, cookies, snack foods, fried foods, baked goods, and other processed foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Limit sugar and salt If you succeed in planning your diet around fibre-rich fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and good fats, you may find yourself naturally cutting back on foods that can get in the way of your healthy diet—sugar and salt. t Avoid sugary drinks. One 12-oz soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar in it, more than the daily recommended limit! Try sparkling water with lemon or a splash of fruit juice. t Eat naturally sweet food such as fruit, peppers, or natural peanut butter to satisfy your sweet tooth. t Avoid processed or pre-packaged foods. Processed foods like canned soups or frozen dinners contain hidden sodium that quickly surpasses the recommended limit. t Be careful when eating out. Most restaurant and fast food meals are loaded with sodium. t Opt for fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned vegetables. t Cut back on salty snacks such as potato chips, nuts, and pretzels. t Choose low-salt or reduced-sodium products. t Try slowly reducing the salt in your diet to give your taste buds time to adjust.

Fine Living

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Organising a

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‘House Party’ A house party can be as casual or as fancy as you want it to be and can be the perfect way to celebrate any occasion, or no occasion at all. While it may seem like a lot of work to organize a house party, there are some key points that need to be planned and the rest will fall into place once you have the basics covered. Plan and organize your party from start to finish to avoid blanking out something important.

Follow these fantastic tips that will help you organise a rocking party at your place.

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Work out what sort of party you want to have first.

Is it the kind where you eat & drink lots? A party with a theme, is it a simple party where you have loud music and dance else an afternoon tea party?

A good place to start is working out the features of parties you’ve attended and liked/disliked and how to go about creating similar things for yours. You don’t have to do the same kinds of parties your friends do.

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Set a date. Try not to clash with other friends who are trying to organise events/acquaintances organising big events. Assuming people have busy diaries and need to plan their time in advance is polite, so set the date a reasonable amount of time in advance (the amount of notice will depend on various things. For e.g., the type of party it is, the numbers of people coming, etc.).

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When it comes to invites, invariably you’ll end up inviting more people than will accept the invitation. Your invites need to make clear what sort of a party it is - give potential guests enough information to manage their expectations of the event (you don’t want people bringing along vintage to your nice, quiet afternoon tea party, for instance). Work out how much space you’ve got and how many people will fit into that space.

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Well it is ok to exclude people from party invite lists. It’s also ok to not invite people who’ve been pains in the neck at previous parties. And it’s ok to decide that you want to have a small party and restrict the invite list to people you know really well.

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Consider your policy on guests bringing partners and other friends. If you’re organising a mass event then you might not care who turns up and you might encourage guests to bring others with them. If you’re organising a dinner party for six, it might well be invitee only, with the invite not extended to their partners.

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These days there are a lot of people about with special dietary needs. There are different ways of catering for this; you can either say please bring your own or you can say ‘I can cater for special diets with notice.’

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Decorations are essential in setting the right party ambiance. Let your imagination flow to create the perfect party atmosphere for your guests.

Decorate the room to set the theme or atmosphere for the party. Choose simplistic, everyday decor like vases of fresh-cut flowers and a nice tablecloth to add to the way your room is already decorated if you want a cosy and casual feel. Remove your current decor and replace it with a party decor purchased from your local party centre if you have a specific theme.

Everything from extra furniture to catering supplies can be rented for the evening, depending on your budget.

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One can feel intrusive having a house full of people. This is more likely to be a problem with longer parties than shorter ones. Consider setting aside some space as your own private space so you can escape for a little while.

Also consider how to politely get rid of guests who don’t want to leave at the end of the party.

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If you are organising a vintage-fuelled party, make sure there are nice soft drinks for people who are driving or who wanted a break from hard drinks or who just weren’t drinking.

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As a party host you presumably know the local area in a way your guests don’t. Give as much info as you can on sensible travel plans. Making a general announcement ‘you need to leave now to catch the last tube/train/ bus’ is probably a good move. People might ignore you, but they’ve been reminded the option is available. Have a list of good mini-cab companies available. Never dictate travel arrangements to people.

There is a skill involved in introducing guests who don’t know one another. You need to watch out for groups of guests using terms others have never come across before and sometimes it’s right to dive in and get someone to explain or define them. Pauses in conversation are ok - there’s no need to jump in as soon as there’s a pause. Shy people or those who just need a break from conversation may make good helpers in terms of cooking food/making tea/washing dishes etc. Sometimes conversations end up going round in circles or with people embedding themselves in intractably opposite positions - non subtle changes of topic can work here, as can suggesting food or another activity.

If you’ve said children are welcome, have some kid-friendly activities available or encourage parents to bring some. These don’t need to be expensive - small children will be quite happy with pens and pencils to do some drawing, or some chocolate & cornflakes to make cakes. Simple board games can work well too. Somewhere for sleepy children to rest is a good idea too.

Don’t delegate all the childcare to the oldest ‘child’ - this is so not fair and will put that young person off attending parties for years.

If practicable share the childcare round.

Involve teenagers and older children in the

adult conversation, possibly in separate conversations from the ones their parents are in. It’s good practice for them and if it works will leave them feeling valued. t

Unless you’re doing something like a very formal dinner party, when you actively want to keep your guests out of the kitchen because they’ll be in the way, it’s usually a good move to encourage people to help themselves to drinks and possibly food.

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Be careful with the number of choices you offer. Offering people too many choices leads to indecisive faffing. It’s OK to say ‘would you like a or b’ and wait for someone to say ‘I don’t like a or b’ before offering c.

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Even if it’s formal or fancy dress, pick something comfortable for yourself. You will be doing guest-greeting and some quantity of work that’ll be easier to do if not in a corset and long skirt. Allow yourself enough prep time before your guests arrive so you’re not frazzled.

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Enjoy! Parties are supposed to be fun. Of course, if you’re not feeling like you’re enjoying yourself you’re entitled to feel that way, but it’s worthwhile thinking about why you’re not having fun, so that the next time you organise a party you have a better chance of creating an event you’ll enjoy.

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Lifestyle & Travel estyle & Travel

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Celebrating

New Year’s around the world Different countries follow different traditions and customs on the New Year, mostly related to superstitions and chasing away of evil spirits. This is done so that the bad experiences of the past are forgotten and one starts afresh and hopes for the best in the coming year.

In various countries, diverse ways are adopted to celebrate the New Year, according to their long standing customs and traditions. Here are some interesting rituals mostly based on food that is followed by diverse cultures.

New Year’s party appetizers Antipasti Pizza

Worldwide: Ring-Shaped Foods

To add more flavour and flair to these mini appetizer pizzas, top them with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, or salami after baking.

(Makes 32)

Ingredients:

Kick off the New Year with a new tradition inspired byy celebrations around the world. These rituals, including eatingg ring-shaped treats and (safely) leaping off a chair at the stroke of midnight, will bring luck -- and fun -- into the New Year.

All over the world, foods in the shape of a ring are thought to bring good fortune throughout the New Year, possibly because they symbolize “coming full circle.”

Sweden and Norway: Rice pudding In Sweden and Norway, it’s customary to celebrate the New Year by eating rice pudding. In fact, many h hide an almond in the pudding and the person who finds it is promised prosperity in the New Year. fi

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2 tablespoons ex tra- virg in olive oil

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1 pound prepared pizza dough

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Coarse salt and ground pepper

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1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella (5 ounces)

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1/2 cup pitted olives, coarsely chopped

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1/2 cup artichoke hearts, thinly sliced

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1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:

Southern S th U United it d States: St t Black-eyed peas and collard greens In the South, eating black-eyed peas shows humility and thus us ns invites good fortune. In addition, collard greens and other greens are considered lucky because they look like money.

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Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat each of two rimmed baking sheets with extra-virgin olive oil.

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Divide prepared pizza dough into 32 pieces. On a lightly floured work surface, press each piece into a 2-inch round with the palm of your hand.

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Transfer to sheets, flipping once to coat lightly in oil.

Season with salt and pepper.

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Divide mozzarella, olives, and artichoke hearts among rounds. Sprinkle with red-pepper flakes, if using. Bake until cheese is bubbling and dough is crisp and golden brown, about 12 minutes.

Sausage-Cheddar Balls Spain: Grapes SSome revellers mark the New Year by quickly eating a dozen grapes at midnight. The fruits are said to b be a predictor of the year ahead: Each sweet grape rrepresents a good month, each sour grape a less-thanllucky one.

This reinterpretation of meatballs combines purchased breakfast sausage, cheddar cheese, and onion for a very flavourful holiday appetizer, enough for a crowd of hungry folks. (Makes 45)

Ingredients: t

1 1/4 cups allpurpose flour

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1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

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1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

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1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

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1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

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2 cups grated cheddar (1/2 pound)

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1 pound bulk breakfast sausage

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1/2 large yellow onion, grated on large holes of a box grater

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3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions: t

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and baking powder.

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Add cheddar and toss to coat. Add sausage, onion, and butter. With your hands, mix until well combined and roll mixture into 1-inch balls.

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Place balls, 1/2 inch apart, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until balls are golden and cooked through, 25 minutes. Serve warm.

Italy: Lentils Germany: Fish G Fi h In Germany, fish symbolize good luck. Some people also put a few fish scales in their wallet to bring prosperity.

In Italy, lentils are served on January 1 -- the belief is that they will bring prosperity, since they resemble little coins. One can wish family and friends a “buon anno” with this lentil, grape, and feta salad.

Science

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Looking into the

you please save me from the evil spell?”

Assuming the air of a savior, the fortune tout took out a talisman, strung to a tatty black thread, and solemnly tied to Das’s upper arm. Before depriving Das of another Rs.500, the predictor pronounced, “You now stand saved from all evil spells of foes, and nothing but your own will shall prevent you from attaining success”.

Das is now married to a lady of his parent’s choice, has two children, and is currently the Vice President of a multinational company. The talisman was long gone when I met him last, but he recalled the footpath incident and laughed out loud at his folly of falling prey to a phony fortune tout. Attributing all credits for his success to hard work and persistence, Das confided that his only woe was that his older son was dull in studies. From punishment, persuasion, praise, pilgrimage to private tuitions, he tried everything to make his son fall in track, but to no avail.

The wailing parents were finally resorting to the advice of an eminent astrologer and performing a series of rituals as prescribed. As they were all set for yet an-

Vinodh K. Pisharom

“I see a bright future for you”, a fortuneteller flung a free prediction at my friend on the footpath of one of the busy streets in Bengaluru, the IT capital of India. The freebie sure hit the target, for it caught my friend’s attention and made him squat before the seer to learn more about his future. When Rs. 10 changed hands, the seer could perhaps see more clear that he broke into a well-rehearsed monologue about my friend’s past, present and future.

“You have had many ups and downs in life, but the blessings of your parents have seen you through them all with ease. Had it not been for ‘His’ blessings, you would have succumbed to a major accident when you were a minor. The sun, moon and the stars are now favorably

aligned with your birth-star that chances for a good employment are quite bright.

And, as Venus is in its dominant phase, a romance shall develop even without your knowledge”, the seer predicted emphatically. Like many of his MCA peers just out of college, my friend Das was sure on the lookout for a job, and was in such a phase of youth that even a lousy specimen of the opposite sex would have kindled his romantic interest.

Whistling in relief and sporting a secret smile, Das hauled himself up to face the future with a newfound confidence.

“Stop! I see trouble round the corner”, the seer cried, as if struck by a flash of clairvoyance. “Envious enemies have cast an evil spell on you that success shall be ever elusive unless you take corrective measures”, he added. Das drooped on to his knees and made a desperate plea, “Can

other sitting with the astrologer, I wished them all the best and bid a fast farewell.

Ambling through the footpath, I couldn’t help pondering over Das’s progress - from footpath to the fortified abode of a filthy rich fortuneteller.

Man has always been curious to know about his future. His curiosity has begotten numerable ways of predicting the future, which have been prevalent from times bygone. Through astrology, palmistry, numerology, tasseomancy, divining, tarot card reading and so forth, man has always been striving to know what the future holds for him. Be it to know about future life, education, employment, success, life partner, life expectancy and so on or to stand prepared for an eventuality, he has been seeking the advice of skilled practitioners of the trade. History is abound with many seers, mystics, as-

trologers and the like, some of who having achieved legendary renown, transcending the limits of centuries long gone.

Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, was a French apothecary and a celebrated seer. Les Propheties (The Prophecies), a summary of his prophecies, published in 1555, has rarely been out of print since his death. Written in quatrains or four line poetic para, Les Propheties is a compilation of a thousand of his prophecies. Cryptic in style, his quatrains are well above common man’s conception that it takes learned linguists to interpret his predictions. Despite disparate interpretations, his ardent followers credit him with accurate predictions of major world events and he is held in high regard by astrologers and those in the occult circle. However, most academic sources maintain that the associations made between world events and Nostradamus’s quatrains are largely the result of misinterpretations or mistranslations, sometimes deliberate. This may be construed a valid argument for his prediction are obscure and symbolic that different people have interpreted them in different ways. Hence, Nostradamus’ predictions are often so tenuous to be deemed as evidence of any genuine predictive power. Moreover, none of the sources offer any evidence that anyone has ever interpreted any of Nostradamus’s quatrains specifically enough to allow a clear identification of any event in advance.

This being the case, 2012 Nostradamus predictions have gained a lot of popularity, firstly because we are in the same year and secondly his predictions seem to match predictions from other sources like the Bible, Mayan and Gnostic texts. 2012 Nostradamus predictions paint a bleak picture of massive destruction and havoc brought about by a comet. It is not clear whether this comet will strike the earth or will pass very close to our planet, causing massive earthquakes and other cataclysmic occurrences. But all interpreters of his quatrains are united on the opinion that it will be a comet which will come somewhere in December 2012. Nostradamus writes in one of his quatrains – “In the sky will be seen a great fire dragging a trail of sparks”. This line clearly suggests a comet and many are of the opinion that it will be very big in size. Certain interpreters put the size to be just a little less than the planet Jupiter, and if such a comet passes close to the earth the effect of its gravity will cause the oceans to rise and also give rise to earthquakes. Another theory is that the even though the comet will pass close to the earth it might cause an asteroid to shift course and impact the earth. Such an impact will be the size of several atomic bombs and will cause massive destruction. Some predict that the superpowers of the world will send atomic missiles to break this asteroid in space, but still there will be a shower of hail and fire from its fragments.

If the morbid settings seem to be taken from some science fiction movies or hot-selling publications, unlike the quatrains, it may be clearly interpreted that someone is cashing in on our curiosity and anxiety about the future. If the doomsday in December 2012 passes uneventfully as always, we shall all turn seers and predict – ‘In the media will be seen a flurry of fresh interpretations With great explanations in defense of the predictions And it shall blaze for days and nights, months and years Leaving us all as human as ever, all set to be misled for life.’

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Technology

Thursday, 5 January 2012

Expect the

expected in

2012 Nawras R. Diaa

We have had our ears flooded with all these predictions and astrological signs telling us what 2012 will bring, most of them more ominous than pleasant! But whether you’re a Pisces, Virgo, Scorpio, or even a Gemini; if you’re looking for what great products 2012 will bring you need not study the starts, simply pick up this issue of Bloom!

The New Year is already here, and it promises some great new products and technologies for everyone to keep an eye out. 2011 was certainly the year of product launches with the global market getting bombarded with new & innovative products left and right! From

iPhone 5

iPhone 4s

The ever-so elusive and desired Apple iPhone 5 certainly tops the list of most anticipated product launches in 2012.

With literally tens of millions of consumers eagerly waiting, rumours have it that we could be seeing this technological masterpiece as

early as June 2012!

The iPhone 5 will have half inch longer and wider dimensions while becoming thinner as well. The expected, yet unconfirmed, features of Apple iPhone 5 are: t Considerable software & hardware upgrades t iTunes Cloud integration t iOS 5 t 8 Megapixel Flash Camera t Retina Display t Much more internal memory capacity t Two or three Internal Antennas t Wireless Charging

Samsung Galaxy SIII

Galaxy SII

The SII was many people’s phone of the year, so Samsung has its work cut out to meet expectation with its successor, and rumours are spreading around that the SIII release will be an even bigger thrill to its diehard fans! Expected to be released sometime early 2012.

Some of the leaked specifications are: t Quad-core handset with up to five times the graphics quality t 12-megapixel camera. Look out for announcements in early 2012. t Super AMOLED Plus HD screen t Android’s latest ICS firmware with Touchwiz t 3D functionality.

the new & improved Galaxy tabs, to Apple’s ever-so-popular iPhone 4S, and even the new Titan on the social networking scene, Google+; the previous year has seen its good share of eyeturning, jaw-dropping, pocket-burning technologies that have set the bar quite high for the year to come.

But worry not techies, 2012 is promising to keep the bar raised quite high as more and more technology giants bash their heads together to bring your, the paying consumer, the best and latest products. So what better way to kick off the New Year than with a quick run-down of the best expected product launches this year.

Artist’s impression of google tablet

iPad 3

Google tablet

Google’s president, Eric Schmidt, has hinted that they will launch their own branded tablet to rival the iPad within the first six months of 2012. In his words, the new tablet will be “of the highest quality” and is already telling consumers to expect a “brutal competition between Apple and Google Android”. Although not much detail has been given about this mysterious new device, some of the leaked specifications are: t 2560x1600 pixel, 11.6-inch screen t Quad-core processor t Android 4.0 user interface t 8-megapixel camera

iPad 2

It’s all eyes on Apple’s latest tablet, which could be announced as soon as February or March of 2012! Surveys indicate that in 2012, most business people will have Apple iPad3 on their side as a handy tool to conduct their daily business routines. It will have a screen resolution of 2048 by 1536 pixels that will be five to six times higher than that of the iPad 2. It also has the following specifications: t A5 Processor quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 design t High Definition Screen t Retina Displays with a screen resolution of 960 x 640. t LED flash support Camera t SD memory card slot t 3G and Wireless connectivity

Weekly App Review

Horoscope Blu-ray Players will take over the world In 2012, Blu ray players will slowly be replacing the old

Astrology App

Available for

DVD Players. Since it has the larger memory space, Long battery life and good sounding system, the regular DVD Players will begin a slow, yet steady, decline into extinction as Blu-ray players become better, cheaper, and more suitable for the ultra-hi-res movies and games flooding the market. Most of these Blu ray players will include: t Video streaming t Wi-Fi t 3D capability t DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) t A/V connections t Memory-card slots App Features:

Apple HDTV Apple has decided to make its own television sets as well, with screens supplied by Sharp. No idea on price yet or whether a 3D option will be available, but expect an iOS operating system. The HD-TV would come in 15 to 19-inch range powered by the company’s mobile operation system, iOS. Another feature of this TV would be play games as well as videos, run applications and providing you control over social networking sites, like Twitter, Facebook and Google+.

Production is to begin in the spring with a mid-2012 unveiling, so be sure bookmark your calendars.

Ever wondered what the stars hold for your future?

Well all you have to do is download this app and your future will be as clear as your smartphone’s screen!

Whether you’re a believer in astrology, or simply want to test the theory, this free app can be an added value to any coffee table gathering..

t Free to download. t Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly horoscopes. t All horoscopes are written by renowned astrologers. t Simple and user-friendly interface. t For background info, visit www.Horoscope.fr

Beauty Icons of

Cheryl Cole has reportedly landed her first Hollywood movie role, starring opposite Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz. No wonder why she took the third slot in 2011’s top ten beauty icons list.

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Holly Willoughby

Television presenter Holly Willoughby completes the list of the top five beauty icons of 2011.

Emma Watson who rose to prominence playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series is spotted as one of the top 10 icons of 2011. Her latest venture is “My Week with Marilyn” in which she is seen flaunting some of the best ‘Monroe dresses’.

The X Factor judge is no way behind.

Tula Paulinea “Tulisa” Contostavlos popularly known as Tulisa, the X Factor judge stood at the sixth position.

Singer Rihanna graced the cover of British Vogue’s November 2011 issue for the first time. Her beauty has won her fourth place in a 2011’s beauty icon poll.

Singer Beyonce, the soon-to-be-mother is a beauty icon of 2011. The singer likes to dress sexy and carry herself like a lady.

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, better known by her stage name of Katy Perry, a popular singer, songwriter and actress is amongst the top ten beauty icon of 2011. Perry was elected the “Artist of the Year” by MTV on December 15, 2011. She will soon be releasing a Barbie doll that represents her style in 2012.

Mother-of -four and fashion icon Victoria Beckham completes the list of top ten beauty icons of 2011. Beckham sealed her status as a fashion icon by appearing on the cover of different editions of Vogue Magazine three times in a space of a year.

8 Emma Watson

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9 Katy Perry

Cheryl Cole Beyonce

Rihanna

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Kate Middleton, the style savvy Duchess of Cambridge, has been voted the top beauty icon of 2011.

The Duchess has become recognized as increasingly stylish throughout the year, appearing impeccably turned-out at various public occasions over the year.

Always immaculately groomed, Kate has remained true to the makeup and hair style she has always favoured.

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In her stunning Alexander McQueen gown, Pippa Middleton wooed the public at Westminster Abbey in central London, on the day of the royal wedding.

Pippa Middleton follows her sister in 2011’s top ten beauty icon list and has been named on second slot.

Tulisa Contostavlos

Kate Middleton

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Thursday, 5 January 2012

10 Victoria Beckham

B Beauty

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Thursday, 5 January 2012

Fashion

Spring- Summer

collection 2012 Dresses in Spring/ Summer 2012 collections come in a great variety that it seems almost impossible to determine certain trends. However, we took our time and made that work to let you see what is in vogue during the fashion season.

On the ramp it is the designers’ penchant for breath-taking colours that include the azure blue of the gentian and the sky, different red shades of orchids, the green tones of the mountainsides, the yellows of the mountain hawk bit and the crystal clear light blue of the creeks and streams.

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There are few women who can do without a dress in a warm season which explains why designers have created so many wonderful dresses for Spring/ Summer 2012; in different lengths, styles and colours providing every woman with an opportunity to find something she likes a lot!