FOOD - Healthylife

T H E
C O M P L E T E
F A M I L Y
M A G A Z I N E
Issue 36, November 2012
Issue 36
November 2012
Rs. 50
Radiance From
Within And Without
TIME FOR HIGH TEA
Party preparation tips
Autumn Treats
Understanding Your
Child’s Psyche
Divorced and
Doing Good
Where’s The
Party Tonight?
Add a Dash of
Creativity for Extra Fun
www.healthylife.com.np
Time for High Tea
ISSN 2091-1068
9 772091 106008
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FAMILY . HOME . RELATIONSHIP . FOOD . HEALTH . FITNESS & BEAUTY
SUBSCRIBER COPY
CONTENT
20. PARENTING
81. FITNESS & BEAUTY
86. GROOMING
A Beautiful Mind
Woman and Beauty
Spa for Him
Raising fine kids is no small feat, knowing
about their psychological development
should help.
Everyone should aspire to look the best
they can and now there are ways to fulfill
this aspiration.
Spas originated to rejuvenate
battle-fatigued soldiers. Yes, men,
go ahead, it’s a manly thing after all.
On the Cover
71. HEALTH
A Persistent Irritant
No one is immune to coughing now and then.
The problem is when it refuses to go away.
regular page 10 market news
Autumn Treats
Exploring Thanksgiving meals in the city
this season.
Recipe & Venue Courtesy - Hyatt Regency, Boudha
30
WOMEN
HORLICKS
CONTENT
Ent
e
Fea rtain
ture ing
s
17. FAMILY
42. TIPS & TRICKS
49. FOOD
Where’s The Party Tonight?
Make it Happen
49. Grill thrills
Any party is fun, no doubt. But
there are some that leave a lasting
impression.
Get ready for a fabulous party with
these simple tips
The simplest way to cook is often the
best. Barbecue and grills are the perfect
example of this.
38. HOME ADVICE
Personalize Your Space
Inject your own personality into the
entertainment spaces so you feel right
at home
24. CHILDREN
PHOTO FEATURE
62. TIME FOR HIGH TEA
Game Plan
High tea party with close friends on a warm
September evening
Some tips to help you entertain your kids
when you plan a party at home
D.A.O. Lalitpur Regd. No. 78 - 066/067,
Healthy Life Magazine, Kupondole, Lalitpur, Nepal. Tel: 501.1571, 501.1639, Issue No. 36 Nov 2012
A COMPLETE MAGAZINE
Publisher: ECS MEDIA PVT. LTD.
Managing Editor: SUNIL RAJ SHRESTHA
Director, Editorial & Marketing: NRIPENDRA KARMACHARYA
Group Editor: ANIL CHITRAKAR
Sr. Managers, Editorial & Marketing: SUDEEP MAN SHAKYA,
NEERAZ KOIRALA
Sr. Manager, Business Planning & Development: RUPESH SHAKYA
Manager, Editorial & Promotions: NILADRI S. PARIAL
Contributing Editor: AMAR B. SHRESTHA
Sub Editor: LIZBETH LUCKSOM
Editorial Executive: PRAGYA POKHREL
Stylist: NITESH SHERCHAN
Editorial Enquiries: [email protected]
Sr. Design Executive: DIVYA SHRESTHA
Assistant Design Executive: ANJAN ALE
Design Assistants: SUNIL MAHARJAN,
SAMIR RAJ TAMRAKAR
Design Trainee: ASHISH MAHARJAN
Sr. Photographer: DASH B. MAHARJAN
Photographers: SUYESH RAJ SHRESTHA, UMESH
BASNET, HARI MAHARJAN, RABINDRA PRAJAPATI,
YOGENDRA MAHARJAN
Healthy Life is published 12 times a year at the address above. All rights reserved in respect of all articles, illustration, photography, etc published in Healthy Life Magazine. The contents of this
publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher,
who cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. All editorial inquiries and submissions to Healthy Life Magazine must be addressed to [email protected]
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RAJKARNIKAR
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market news
Horlicks WizTeam Nepal 2012 Announced
Shivani Mishra from Modern Indian
School and Aasna Singh from
Triyog Higher Secondary School
won the title of Horlicks WizTeam
Nepal 2012. South Asia’s largest
inter-school fiesta was held at the
Army Officers’ Club on September
29, 2012. Anusha Shrestha from
Little Angels School and Pratush
Mishra from Alok Vidyashram were
announced First and Second Runnerup respectively.
The Horlicks WizTeam Nepal
consisting of Mishra and Singh will
represent Nepal at the South Asian
finals of Horlicks Wizkid 2012 for
the title of ‘Horlicks Wizkids South
Asia 2012’ which will take place in
Bengaluru this December. They will
be competing with students from 25
cities across 5 nations for the chance
to visit South Africa and receive
scholarships of INR 1 Lakh each.
More than 1,700 students from
64 schools participated in this contest
and showcased their various talents in
rounds consisting of painting, music
melody, folk dance, English essay
writing and ‘30 secs to fame’. 10
finalists were then selected during the
interview and group discussion.
The judges comprised of Rabin
Sharma, broadcast journalist,
Shrijana Singh Yonjan, director
of Creative Statement, Sadichha
Shrestha, Miss Nepal 2010, Aashmi
Rana, Young Global Leader at World
Economic Forum and CEO Sashin
Joshi of NIC Bank.
Blue Bird Mart’s Convenient Shift
Blue Bird Mart, currently situated on
the second floor of Blue Bird Mall at
Tripureshwor, will be shifting to the
ground floor of Blue Bird Mall. This
move comes after Director of Sales and
Marketing Raaz Shrestha and MD Arjun
Bhandari of Blue Bird Mart evaluated
customer feedback that the current
location is too inconvenient. Customers
had said that access to Blue Bird Mart is
limited to just taking the stairs and that
the location is also inconspicuous.
Blue Bird Mart is spread over an area
of 8,200 sq. ft. and has an inventory
that consists of products like daily
commodities, liquors, electrical and
kitchen appliances, plasticware, linen and
bedding, sea foods and frozen products.
This means patrons at Blue Bird Mart
can find all their goods in one store.
Shrestha also informed that Blue Bird
Mart’s dedication to providing quality
goods and services will remain the same.
Yamaha Safe Riding Science
Nowadays, road accidents are
frequent. Moreover, in Nepal, the
bad condition of the roads as
well as the badly managed traffic
have compounded the risk. MAW
Enterprises, the sole distributor of
Yamaha motorcycles in Nepal, has
addressed the issue of frequent
bike accidents through their unique
corporate social responsibility (CSR)
campaign called “Yamaha Safe Riding
Science (YSRS)”. This programme is a
global initiative by Yamaha. In Nepal,
it was started about two years ago,
with such events taking place in India
and other parts of South-East Asia at
the same time as well.
The YSRS program was conducted
at Kings College, Babarmahal,
Kathmandu, on Oct 1, 2012 which
was participated in by more than 60
students. .Principal Narottam Aryal
10 HEALTHY LIFE
of Kings College and Business Head
Suraj Manandhar of Yamaha Two
Wheelers were also present at the
event.
The main objective of the one-day
event was to increase road safety
awareness for bike riders through
theoretical and practical sessions by
trained YSRS instructors. This workshop
plans to enlighten bikers on various
topics like the most common causes
of accidents and how to avoid them;
precautions to take while riding;
scientific evaluation of critical traffic
conditions; proper riding posture; tips
on breaking; and, most importantly,
the significance of traffic rules and
why we should follow them. As
per the issued press release, it was
a huge success. The participants
discussed issues in depth and shared
experiences. Future plans of the
company include holding similar YSRS
programs all over the country.
Previously, it had conducted such
programs in Whitehouse College, GATE
College, Nepal Engineering College,
etc. This initiative by Yamaha has been
highly appreciated by educational
institutes as well as traffic department
officials. As a global consumer brand,
Yamaha has always undertaken
initiatives to increase ride-safety
among its consumers as well the
general public. Likewise, its products
also reflect this strategy to make
roads safer for all. Its latest release, the
reloaded Yamaha FZ-S, comes with
the latest safety features such as the
widest rear-tyre and 267mm front disc
brakes to keep the rider as well as the
pedestrian safe on the road. This event
also featured test rides of the new
reloaded Yamaha FZ-S.
Taking Comfort to New
Dimension
HH Bajaj has launched Discover
125 ST that is set to challenge other
commuter level motorcycles. Even
though it is a commuter level bike,
Discover 125 ST has styling and
performance of a sports bike, yet
with comfort and economy of its
own segment. Discover 125 ST takes
comfort to a new dimension with its
Monoshock Nitrox suspension and
has become the first bike to have
DTS-i engine for the first time in this
segment. This also comes with petal
disc brakes that allow less brake fade.
C
Complete
l d
dentall care ffor
your entire family
Price (introductory):
Rs. 174,900
No matter what dental problems you
have, the very first step is to begin
taking care of them.
Available from:
Bajaj showrooms across the nation
SO VISIT US FOR ANY DENTAL
PROBLEMS AT ANY AGE.
Contact:
HH Bajaj, 4230001, 4261200
Julie’s Now at Blue Bird
On the occasion of its 10th anniversary,
Julie’s has introduced its third outlet
at BlueBird mall, Thapathali. Besides
providing the popular bakery items
from Julie’s, the new outlet has also
introduced coffee for the coffee lovers
amongst its customers. The outlet was
launched on Sunday, 23rd September.
On the occasion of its 10th anniversary,
Julie’s has introduced its third outlet
at BlueBird mall, Thapathali. Besides
providing the popular bakery items
from Julie’s, the new outlet has also
introduced coffee for the coffee lovers
amongst its customers. The outlet was
launched on Sunday, 23rd September.
Whirlpool Launches Ice Magic
Whirlpool, one of the top 3 home
appliance brand in Nepal has launced
it latest series –‘Ice Magic’ – in Nepal.
The new series is an upgraded version
of ‘Fusion’ series. The new range
features Powercool zone, which
ensures that ice remains ice for 12
hours even without electricity. The
new series also claims to make ice
40% quicker than its competition.
Other most noticable feature of the
new series is automatic defrost.
According to the press statement
released by the company, Mr Indranil
Sinha, Director International Business
of Whirlpool says, “Whirlpool is
pursuing its
Mission to
become the No.1
Home Appliances
Brand in Nepal.
The company has
already opened
two exclusive
Whirlpool outlets
in Kathmandu and
many more will be
coming up in the
near future.”
OUR SERVICES:
• Dental consultations and dental
x-ray,
• Oral prophylaxis,
• Dental restorations,
• Extractions ,
• Teeth whitening,
• Teeth replacements(dentures,
bridges, implants)
• Child dentistry,
• Orthodontic teeth corrections,
• Gum surgery,
• Minor oral surgeries,
• Consultation and treatment for
maxillofacial cases( cysts, jaw
fracture,oral cancers)
WHY DENTAL SPA???
• We care on an individual basis and
recommend the best solution.
• Latest techniques and equipments
are used for dental treatment.
• International disinfection and
sterilization standards are
maintained.
• Dental treatment by experienced
as well as highly qualified team
of dental specialists / graduates
registered with the Nepal Medical
Council .
Price: Starting from Rs 19,990
Contact: Nepa Hima Showroom,
Jawalakhel, 01-5526300
F Vodka Launched in Nepal
F Vodka was launched by Ray Global
Trading Pvt. Ltd. recently. The Poland
produced product has been designed
and developed by Michel Adams. It is a
popular and well-liked vodka around the
world and is currently being sold in over
80 different countries including Hong
Kong, Singapore, China and Thailand.
advertorial
F Vodka is available in two
different varieties. One is the
premium collection which is
inexpensive while the other is
the luxury collection. These are
available in leading department
stores, retail outlets, restaurants
and bars in Nepal.
DENTAL SPA
FOR MORE DETAILS:
call us today at: 014431218, 012082840
email : [email protected]
www.nepaldentalspa.com
promotion
Exploring Diversity
& Change in the
Mountains
D
ecember of 2012 will
herald the 10th edition of
Kathmandu International
Mountain Film Festival
(KIMFF). With the distinction of
being the only film festival of its kind
east of the Suez, KIMFF has brought
to Kathmandu Valley some of the
most exciting and thought provoking
films about mountains, mountain
environment, mountain cultures and
communities from across the globe.
From extreme sports, adventure
and climate change to religion and
distinct cultural practices, human
beings have related to mountains in
a myriad of ways. Now, in a world
where landscapes are changing as
rapidly as its populace, the focus is
ever more on a host of contemporary
issues concerning conflict, poverty
and human rights facing not only our
society but people from all over the
world, all effected by diversity and
change. This is what KIMFF seeks to
explore.
KIMFF screens films produced
during the last two years and features
discussion forums, on-demand
screenings, filmmaking workshops,
guest lectures, as well as exhibitions
of books, art and photography
celebrating mountains.
Supporters of KIMFF
KIMFF has always had support from
filmmakers, artists and prominent
personalities both from within Nepal
and abroad. The first KIMFF held in
2000 was inaugurated by then Prime
Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and
personalities like late Swiss geologist
Prof. Toni Hagen, climber Da Gombo
Sherpa from India and late geographer
Dr. Harka Gurung were a few among
those who attended the festival. The
KIMFF jury includes prominent and
accomplished personalities in the fields
of film, journalism, mountaineering,
academics, etc. Some notable jury
members of KIMFF are Harish
Kapadia, a climber and writer from
India, Prof. Kurt Luger from Austria,
Doug Scott, the eminent British
climber, Nazir Sabir, the first Pakistani
climber to reach the top of Mt.
Everest, Brigitte Muir, the Australian
climber, Per Fly, prominent filmmaker
12 HEALTHY LIFE
Filmmaker Anne Makepeace
Filmmaker Stefano Levi
“Out of the Darkness” directed by Stefano Levi
“As Nutayunean (We Still Live Here)”
directed by Anne Makepeace
of Denmark, Terry Gifford, British
writer, poet and mountaineering
enthusiast, John Innerdale of Britain,
architect, mountaineer and landscape
painter.
KIMFF 2012 Highlights
The 10th edition of KIMFF will take
place on December 7-11, 2012, in
Rastriya Sabha Griha (City Hall) and
Nepal Tourism Board Auditorium.
This year, we have received 260 film
entries representing 61 countries.
Currently, an 11-member Film
Selection Committee is watching all
those films. By the end of October,
the committee will select around
50 films (of 260 entries) that will
be screened in December during
five days of festival. The Selection
Committee member includes Alok
Tumbahamphe, Anup Subedi,
Cheteze Tamang, Ian Wall, Kamal
Khanal, Mohan Mainali, Rajesh
Gongaju, Ramyata Limbu, Reshu
Aryal, Shekhar Kharel and Yubakar
Rajkarnikar.
We have finalized a three-member
international jury. Jury members
John Porter (UK), Juhani Alanen
(Finland) and Marainne Pletscher
(Switzerland) will be selecting the
top three films from the International
Competition and Best film from the
Nepal Panorama section of KIMFF.
Top three films from the International
Competition will be awarded cash
prizes of USD 1500, 1000 and 500
respectively while best film from Nepal
Panorama will receive NRs. 50,000.
This year, KIMFF 2012 is
focusing on education-related films.
In order to support this, KIMFF
has recently announced a short film
competition “Educating Nepal” for
the youth with an age limit of 30
years. The competition has set the
duration limit of five minutes. The
entry to the competition will close on
November 20, 2012. Top 10 films of
the competition will be screened while
best three will be awarded cash prizes
of NRs. 75,000, 50,000 and 35,000
respectively. Apart from this, KIMFF
will also be screening other educationrelated films.
Besides screening films related to
culture, environment, gender, human
rights, adventure and education,
KIMFF 2012 will hold a filmmaking
workshop, a ‘Know Your Himal Quiz’,
an alternative book exhibition and a
photo exhibition. „
Fun Entertainment
Entertaining yourself, your family, your guests or friends
is what makes life lighter and more enjoyable.
Words: Eloïse Jha-Dussably
“Which homemade paper art allows its author to preserve personal and family history in an artistic way?”
Put the letters of each answer together to find the answer to the above question:
1
Board games make a big part of family
entertainment wherever they are available. But, the
official registration of board games as intellectual
property of a person or a company is quite recent,
when was registered one of the most famous of
them all by Parker Brothers: the Monopoly created
in 1904?
L – 1925
C – 1930
S –1935
A – 1940
2
Outdoor and indoor entertainment and games have
been proven to be good for children as it reinforces
their focus on a specific subject in a more efficient
way than homework. Beside other things, they
make them interact and thus to prepare them to live
in society. Some say that the Spanish Piñata game
where kids have to crack open a piñata to discover
and share candies and other gifts is originally from:
C – China
E – North Africa
T – Australia
N – New Caledonia
3
Outdoor activities are highly considered among
all the possible entertainment activities as
they develop both the intellect and physical
strength. In many countries it has even become
a means of education, the Scouts being the very
first organisation to claim it. Who created this
organisation?
S – Kurt Hahn
A – Lyn Cook
R – Robert Baden-Powell
P – Frederick Carrington
4
TV entered the world of home entertainment from
the USA in the 50’s and is now considered to be an
important part of the house bringing news, movies,
series and cultural entertainment to all. “Who
wants to be a millionaire”, one of these game shows
entertaining families all around the world by asking
questions of general knowledge, was first aired in
the UK, however, the first company producing the
show was:
I – French
A – Dutch
D – German
M – Swiss
5
Teaching good manners and etiquette has been an
integral part of women education all around the
world. In the US, women colleges had dedicated
classes to teach how to take proper care of the
household and entertain guests. This type of
education has been pictured in the movie:
N – Dead poet society
L – Good Will Hunting
U – The Skulls
P – Mona Lisa Smile
6
Entertainment is part of the everyday life and
when people go on vacation they usually try to
find a place that will entertain them in one way or
another. Amusement parks have been created to
answer the need of entertaining the whole family
while on vacation. Disneyland and Disneyworld
are the most famous of them all. In which of
these countries is there no such official Disney
amusement park?
D – Hong Kong
A – Japan
S – France
B – England
14 HEALTHY LIFE
7
Entertainment doesn’t necessarily means enjoying
something with other people but can also consist
of an individual activity. Some people will consider
collection of items a very satisfying entertainment.
The collection of stamps is called:
O – Philately
U – Phillumeny
T – Nostaphily
C – Numismatics
9
It is even possible to be entertained on the way
to work. Solving enigmas, word and letter games,
reading a book or a magazine, listening to music,
etc. The development of new technology keeps on
increasing the possibilities. When was created the
first Walkman from Sony making music available at
any time anywhere?
Y – 1976
K – 1979
T – 1982
E – 1985
8
In sociology, entertainment and laziness is
supported by some authors as a natural right
that must be respected. Who wrote the sociologic
essay “In praise of idleness”?
C – Paul Lafarge
O – Bertrand Russell
P – Kazimir Malevitch
M – Lucius Seneca
1
5
6
7
For answers, turn to page 89
HEALTHY LIFE 15
Family
Feature Story // Parenting // Children // Ask Our Experts // Forum Discussion // Pets
Where’s The
Party Tonight?
ADD A DASH OF CREATIVITY FOR EXTRA FUN
P is for Paartty. P is for Panache. Work hard and party harder is what
most of us follow—to go out, meet interesting people, enjoy some
good food and have the time of our lives. But, there are two sides
to every coin; if we go to someone else’s party, we ought to invite
them over as well. How exactly do you plan a party? We tell you.
Words: Samridhi Goyal
HEALTHY LIFE 17
FAMILY
feature
a
Swati Agrawal, Smita Lohi
and Udita Golcha
t’s My Birthday—Mothers want
to make their child’s birthday
special. In today’s world, you
can experiment with a multitude
of activities and themes to keep your
little guests glued to their chairs.
Where exactly do you start…maybe
at Parties-R- Uss, established by three
passionate and creative women, Udita
Golcha, Swati Agrawal and Smita
Lohia. They would be under stress for
months planning their kids’ birthdays,
always looking out for creative and
fun ways to make the occasion a
success. They pulled their hair out
because of the limited themes, ideas
and merchandise available in the
local market. Mostly, they would plan
their own concepts, devise their own
ideas and bought stuff on their trips
to India and abroad. This created a
lot of hassles such as baggage issues,
products that got broken while in
transit and often, the execution would
not meet the expectations and effort.
They realized that these problems
were faced by other mothers in their
social circles as well and they decided
to start their own party planning service
where they source their own items
and came up with the nitty gritties
themselves too. They started working
from their homes in September 2010
I
and came up with their store, Parties-RUss, located in Naxal, from January 30,
2012. It has various products related
to kids, such as school bags, stationery
items, lamps, bookends, piggy banks,
paper plates and other tableware, loot
bags, games, toys and so on. You can
see the range available at the store and
call the pretty ladies for other options
as well.
Udita shares, “If you want to pick
up only some stuff, you are welcome
to do so at the store; however, if you
want us to plan the entire party, it
would start with a meeting between
us. First, we will discuss the budget
and venue available and accordingly,
the theme would be decided. Keeping
the theme in mind, we will give you
options for decorations and invitations.
You, the client, can decide amongst
those and once finalized, we will get
down to designing the handmade
invitations, decorations and the final
look. Accordingly, we will also plan the
Mostly, they would plan their own concepts,
devise their own ideas and bought stuff on
their trips to India and abroad.
18 HEALTHY LIFE
games, return gifts and wrapping. The
gifts could be readymade products
or we could give you customized
handmade options. We would help you
decide on the design and flavors of the
birthday cake as well”.
Mostly, people prefer to organize
their own food but if someone wants
us to plan their menu, we could do
that as well. “We could plan your
party in about 15 to 20 days and most
of the products are sourced from
Thailand, China and Bombay.” These
days, people want perfect parties
and hence want professionals to help
organize them. “The party planning
business definitely shows an upward
rise and will continue doing so,”
Smita signs off.
Talking about themes, they shared
a very interesting concept of a Candy
land party they planned previously.
Held at Hotel Radisson, they were
given a timeframe of two months to
plan it. For the décor, they had 15002000 lollipops and candies hanging
from the ceiling. The invitations were
delivered in glasses filled with candies.
They had a candy cake. For the games,
they went the carnival-route and
had 5-6 stalls with different games.
The photo corner was a mini house
decorated with toffees. The loot bag
was also candy-shaped. You can also
do a Ferrari theme with interesting
table décor with red place mats, mini
flags and miniature cars. You could
also go with face painting, magic
shows, nail art, balloon art, spottery,
bangle vendors, amusement park rides
and other activities.
Business with Pleasure—If you are
a professional in the corporate world
and have to organize a promotional
event— a black tie dinner, a
fundraiser—where do you go? You
burn the midnight oil trying to make
the perfect proposal to impress your
boss who will then give you the beast
resources? No, you’d rather go for
U-turn events. This was started in
2010 by Robin Sitoula in a bid to
provide smart solutions to companies
and brands in the field of marketing,
especially since it is still in the nascent
stage in the country and evolving with
time. Their services act as a bridge
between advertising and sales i.e.
bringing brands and products in the
feature FAMILY
direct view of the customer. They use
events and entertainment as a base for
promoting products and services in the
country.
It caters to a wide range of
services from event planning and
management, brand promotion,
activations, concerts, street festivals,
road shows, team building and so on.
Like the name says, they believe in
taking the U-turn and going down the
road less taken. They aim at providing
fresh and unconventional ideas that
prove to be effective for the task
at hand. They have experience and
good PR and that has helped them
over the years. They pride themselves
in providing solutions which are
effective, efficient and feasible in
terms of execution. U-turn Events has
brought artists such as Manali Shah,
Nikhil Chinnapa, Jalabee Cartel
and other well known names for its
events.
Sitoula shares, “Planning an event
has a lot of logistics involved that we
have to take care of. After receiving
the brief from the client, we make a
note of the different aspects like artist
management, venue decision, logistic
planning, and sourcing vendors for
food, decoration etc. Working with
corporates means attaining a higher
degree of perfection. We try and setup
lights, sound and decoration 12 hours
in advance followed by a final check
two hours before the start of the
event. The execution is all a teamwork
between technicians, light, sound,
MC, support staff, artists, designer,
planner and client. We like to tie up
with sponsors and have a good guest
list which is by invitation only. We like
to promote Electronic Dance Music
(EDM) to match with youngsters’
taste.”
Talking about themes, he
elaborated on a Punjabi Theme Berger
Dhaba Night held at Kumari Hall
at Hotel Annapurna. The idea was
to give the experience of an evening
in a Punjabi Dhaba. A highway was
constructed with petrol pumps, lights
and festoons, and khatiyas was built
at the entrance. Inside the hall, an
artificial truck was constructed and
Photo Courtesy: U-turn Events
U-turn Events has brought artists such as
Manali Shah, Nikhil Chinnapa, Jalabee Cartel
and other well known names for its events.
Robin Sitoula
The Outdoor Style
• A few tips that can brighten your
outdoor soiree:
• Use lokta paper lanterns to light up
your garden.
• Use peppy napkin rings to hold
your napkins.
• While serving homemade golas, use
wooden spoons with little handmade
motifs.
• Make covers for your drink glasses
using inverted paper cups with a
straw through them.
• Pick leaves (large size) out of your
garden, hydrate them and when
the party starts, use those as place
settings for fruit juice.
• For a casual get together, put
your mayonnaise, dips and other
condiments into teacups—
whimsical yet different.
www.marthastewart.com
the DJ was placed in it. Dance troupes
performed to Bollywood numbers. The
food and bar counters were well made
Punjabi style huts. It took them 15
days to formulate the whole concept
with 3D modeling, reference images
and a dummy run. He says that party
planning is on the rise as people want
better results.
Man Of Many Talents—You must
have heard of Prashant Tamrakar,
Nepal’s first supermodel and ace
choreographer, with shows such as
Miss Nepal under his belt. He has an
event management company known
as Wiz Events. Started in 2005,
they have extensive knowledge and
experience along with goodwill. They
also do strategic tie-ups with brands
to promote their parties. They have
professional outsourcing and can
manage the party completely. The
planning process starts with a meeting
with the client to discuss the theme
and budget and other stuff such as
entertainment, music, menu, guests,
and menu. One of the pioneers of
party planning, he says that in the
beginning, it was like driving a vehicle
with no idea where the destination was
but there has been an upward growth.
He has been involved in events such
as Indra Jatra exhibitions and Changa
Chait , Nagarkot. „
HEALTHY LIFE 19
FAMILY
parenting
A Beautiful Mind
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD’S PSYCHE
Children are the image of God, this is what many believe. Their
innocence is something to rejoice in. Unfortunately, living as
we do in a world that is complex and complicated, this precious
innocence does not take much time to disappear.
Words: Amar B Shrestha
oubtless, a child’s psyche
is influenced and guided
by the environment he/she
grows up in. Therefore,
to understand their psyche, it would
be wise to know more about the kind
of folks they live with and the kind of
environment that they grow up in.
Ashiana is a nine year-old-girl
who, at times, acts mature for her
age. That is not to say that she does
not display the typical characteristics
of any normal nine-year-old such
as pouting at the slightest reproof,
sulking at perceived slights, and
expressing unbridled joy receiving
a gift. Nevertheless, she cannot be
said to be ‘typical’; she is fiercely
competitive and very determined.
Her character has been molded
from a tender age by the constant
demands from her parents to excel
in swimming, a sports that she
competes in regularly at different
meets around the city. At school
too, she is a stand-out student,
taking part in many extra-curricular
activities.
Her father has a
thriving importexport business
and her mother
runs an NGO;
both are in
their mid-
D
20 HEALTHY LIFE
Parents might sometimes be excessively
demanding and this could have a negative
impact on their child’s psyche.
thirties. They give a lot of their time
to making sure that their daughter is
given every opportunity to improve her
capabilities. Every morning, without
fail, one of them drives her to the local
swimming pool where she trains under
an instructor. They also have a son,
Anand, who is four years older than
Ashiana. The parents have already
made a decision that he will grow up
to be a chartered accountant, and he
has been provided with a fine teacher
who gives him tuition at home every
evening for an hour or so. Anand
too is not your ‘typical’ teenage boy,
displaying as he does, a high degree of
discipline and respect for those older
than him. His character too has been
molded from a young age.
While these two examples are
reflective of many modern parents’
approach to parenting, it is still not
such a widespread phenomenon,
considering the limits of what can
be achieved and what cannot due to
circumstances such as availability of
enough money and/or the requisite
facilities. Whatever the case may
be, it can be presumed that both
Ashiana and Anand will
do well in life besides of course,
enjoying a childhood that is healthy
and disciplined. So, kudos to such
wise parents! At the same time, some
might say that the children are being
put under undue pressure from
a young age. It must be admitted
that parents might sometimes be
excessively demanding and this
could have a negative impact on their
child’s psyche, resulting in sense of
insecurity and deep frustration as well
when he or she fails to perform upto
their parents’ high expectations. So,
this is something to be aware about.
Fortunately, in Ashiana and Anand’s
case, this has not been a problem
till now. Still, and all, let’s see what
experts say about children’s psyche
so as to gain a better understanding
about how to go about raising your
child better.
Memory
While it is true that children’s psyches
are extremely malleable in their
younger years, it is a scientific
fact that during the
first three years
of an infant’s
FAMILY
parenting
Theory of mind is the ability to work out
what others are thinking. A failure to develop
a theory of mind is an important component
of autism according to some psychologists.
responsive, interactive, warm and
accepting. (Papalia & Olds, 1997).
Social Behaviour
life, 75 % of their brain growth is
completed. These years are critical to
the child’s emotional and intellectual
development (Taking Care of your
Child: Pantell, Fries and Vickery).
Studies have revealed that infants’
memories work from an early age, as
early as when they are eight-weeksold! (Rovee-Collier, C. (1999); The
Development of Infant Memory).
Self-concept
One thing that is basic for children
in order to develop successful
social relationships is their ability to
distinguish themselves from other
people (i.e., self-concept). A study
conducted on a small group of children
showed that before the age of around
two years infants can’t recognize
themselves in the mirror and so it
isn’t until the second birthday that
their self-concept emerges. That is
why children begin to demonstrate
a rapid increase in social behaviour
only when they are around two to four
years of age. (Amsterdam, B. (1972).
Developmental Psychobiology)
Attachment
The kind of earliest relationship
between children and their immediate
caregivers has a huge impact on
their future relationships. The more
positive an infant’s early attachments
are, the more it is likely that he/she
will have more self-confidence, more
friends, and better adult relationships.
Insecurely attached children, on the
other hand, could have behaviour
problems and be hostile towards
other children. Children have been
found to have more
secure attachments
if their caregiver
is sensitive and
22 HEALTHY LIFE
Imitating others is one of the primary
forms of social behaviour. For many
years, it was believed that infants
could not imitate others until they
were 8 to 12 months of age. However,
the results of a 1977 study on a
group of 12 and 21-days-old infants
suggested that infants have some
grasp of their bodies and can copy
other people from a very early age.
(Meltzoff, A., & Moore, M. (1977);
Imitation of Facial and Manual
Gestures by Human Neonates).
Theory of Mind
Theory of mind is the ability to work
out what others are thinking. A
failure to develop a theory of mind is
an important component of autism
according to some psychologists. An
experiment in 1983 concluded that it is
when they are from four to six-yearsold that children begin to develop
some skills that are essential for their
successful functioning in society. For
instance, they begin to understand that
others can be wrong and people can
lie, including themselves. (Wimmer,
H., & Perner, J. (1983); Cognition).
Language
Every parent looks forward anxiously
to hearing the first time that their
child says his or her first word.
Distinguishing and categorizing
the basic sound components of the
language they are hearing is the first
step towards this major achievement
in a child’s life. In 1971, some
psychologists conducted a study on
infants one and four months old
to test their ability to distinguish
between a ‘b’ sound and a ‘p’ sound.
They found that even the one-month
old infants seemed to be able to
distinguish between the two sounds.
This suggests that infants have an
inborn ability to categorize sounds
that vary only slightly, due to which,
by three months, they start producing
vowel-like sounds. (Eimas et al., 1971).
Play
According to pioneering
developmental psychologist Lev
Vygotsky, play is the leading source
of development in the preschool years
since, through play, they learn and
practice many basic social skills. A
classic study of how play develops in
children was carried out by Mildred
Parten at the Institute of Child
Development in Minnesota in the
late 1920s on children between two
and five-years old. Her observations
led her to categorize their play into
six types: unoccupied play, solitary
play, onlooker play, parallel play,
associative play, and cooperative
play. Parten noticed that as they grew
up, the children participated less
in the first four types and more in
the last two which involved greater
interaction.
In conclusion, parents should
be careful about their child’s
upbringing right from the early
years. It is never too early to start
them on the right path—one that
will result in fine upstanding
children who are a pride to
their society and a credit to
their wise parents. „
FAMILY
children
Game Plan
PLANNING FOR THE YOUNG ONES
WHEN YOU HAVE A PARTY AT HOME
Kids are your number one priority but do you make them your priority when
you plan a party at home? Here are some of the tips that can help you have fun
without your kids disturbing your planned get-togethers.
Compiled by: Lizbeth Lucksom
M
ost families face a
problem when they plan
a party at home. Sure,
it’s something to look
forward to; in fact, it could be the one
and the only thing on your mind. You
meticulously take care of the decor and
make exotic menus well in advance.
Sometimes, you even get stressed out
and tend to get easily distracted at
work. You think you’re well prepared
but are you really prepared to welcome
the little ones who would be tagging
along with your friends? You can’t ship
them off to faraway lands of course,
so get ready with some game plans
whenever you plan an elaborate party.
About.com suggests some pointers
which could be useful for all families
with sweet angels waiting to disrupt
your planned get-togethers.
• Full time Babysitter or Maid: Keep
a helper at least for the party. They can
help keep kids occupied and well-fed,
diapers changed and even take them
out on a walk or for some child play in
the backyard.
• Kid friendly nibbles: Kids have no
interest in elaborate meals, what they
want is simple and good-to-look-at
stuff in small portions. Sandwiches,
burgers, fries, nuggets, macaroni,
cheese and cool drinks are some of the
common ones.
• Entertainment for kids: Preparing
entertainment and games well in
advance would be wise. Hiring or
buying good kids DVDs, board games
that would involve multiple players,
hair and makeup session for girls, are
some of them. This is where a helper
could be handy.
• Set the rules: Every parent should
make certain rules clear to their kids
well in advance so that things don’t get
out of hand.
• Alcohol limit: Inappropriate
behaviour could be a turn-off during a
party and they can’t go hand in hand
with kids in a party, so a host should
keep a check on all these things.
• End-time: Kids start troubling their
parents once they start getting tired so
it’s advisable not to extend the party
into the wee hours when kids clamour
for their own beds. „
24
2
4 H
HE
HEALTHY
EA
ALT
AL
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LIFE
IFFE
Apps Alert
Reading can be fun!
PlayTales is a free aplication for
Android phone, Windows phone,
iPhone or iPad. It aims to instill a
love of books in pre-schoolers and
early readers by offering interactive
versions of books for them to enjoy.
The PlayTales collection has over
40 books for kids aged between
1-8, with new stories being added
weekly. www.myplaytales.com/en/
FAMILY
ask our experts
The Mysterious Mind
What is the most common cause
of teenage suicide? How can it be
controlled in your opinion?
The most common cause for teenage
suicide is either failure in academics
and/or due to relationship problems.
It could also be due to psychological
problems such as depressive illness.
But, more often, it is found to be an
act committed on impulse. Teenage
is an adolescent stage of development
between childhood and adulthood.
This is the phase when adolescents
are still in the process of personality
development and their focus is on
establishing their self-esteem and
identity which they accomplish through
their achievement in studies and in
their compatibility and adjustment
with friends and family. When they
face situations and circumstances
such as failure in academics and
relationships, then their psycho-social
development needs are challenged and
they experience identity crisis and so
they may either have some emotional
and behavioral problems or they tend
to become impulsive and commit such
an act.
The role of parents and teachers
is vital in this stage of development.
Teenagers need a lot of emotional
support and understanding. With
physical changes in their body, they also
have important hormonal variations
which have important influence on
their emotions. Parents and teachers
need to create an environment where
teenagers feel comfortable, accepted
and understood: an environment,
where they can achieve their personal
and emotional independence as well
as develop rational attitudes to social
groups and institutions.
My husband complains constantly
about backaches, headaches and
stomach pains when he is under
pressure at work. Do you think these
problems have any correlation with
some psychological issues? Is there
a possibility? Otherwise, his physical
health is okay right now.
What we need to understand is that,
be it physical or mental, they are both
important parts of a human body. If
one of them is disturbed it affects the
other. As soon as one part needs help
the other part comes to the rescue of
the other. For example; when the body
is physically overworked then it’s the
mind which tells us we are tired and
need rest. Sometimes it’s the mind that
is overworked and even without any
physical exertion, we feel aches and
pains and feel lethargy and fatigued.
Here, the physical is supporting the
mental. If there are no other valid
health related problems, then probably
your husband is reacting to a stressful
work situation. In such a situation,
we are not only mentally worked up
but simultaneously there is release
of the stress hormone and we also
unknowingly tighten our muscles all
over our body. This is why we feel
aches and pains and we feel fatigued
even without any physical exertion.
What makes a person think constantly
about death and things or situations
that might lead to death? Does
someone’s death have such an impact
on the person who is thinking or is
there any other major issue involved?
How can it be tackled?
When we think or imagine a situation
even before it has really occurred and
react with apprehension and fear,
without any condition to evoke such a
reaction, then it is known as anticipatory
anxiety. Such anxious behavior may
be maladaptive learning which is
conditioned after we have been exposed
to such dire or traumatic situations.
26 HEALTHY LIFE
Mita Rana is the Asst. Prof., Clinical
Psychology, at the Department of
Psychiatry & Mental Health, Tribhuvan
University Teaching Hospital
Or, it may just be an abnormal grief
reaction to a loss or death of a loved
one. Yes, death of a loved one can
have such an impact. We all know that
none of us are immortal, so death is
inevitable and certainly all of us are
going to succumb to it one day or the
other. However, when death falls in a
person’s life, however prepared we may
be, there is a state of disequilibrium in
his/her normal life and he/she does
have to make adjustments and adapt
to the new situations and move on in
life. Any grief reaction has a process
of shock and denial at first, followed
by anxiety and depressive emotions,
and finally with passage of time, there
is acceptance and the bereaved person
slowly normalizes and adjusts to his/
her life again. But sometimes, people
are not able to grieve normally and they
experience abnormal grief reaction. In
abnormal grief reaction, either a person
has a delayed reaction to grief or the
reaction remains for a prolonged period
of time. This problem can be tackled
through grief work and cognitive and
behavioral interventions; i.e. the person
learns to rationalize irrational thoughts
that provoke anxiety and face situations
as they come. „
FAMILY
forum discussion
Learning is Fun
A HOLISTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THE KIDS
Most parents often wonder why their child does not get full marks in certain
subjects and they run from pillar to post trying out remedial classes and such.
What exactly does the student need to succeed? We explore the subject at the
workshop conducted at Triyog H. S. School
Words: Samridhi Goyal, Photos: ECS Media
O
n September 21, 2012,
healthylife conducted
a workshop at Triyog
High School, Dhapasi,
to introduce the concept of Learner
Centered Teaching, a method devised
to make students’ education more
comprehensive and fruitful. Eighty
to ninety teachers participated in this
workshop which was guided by Dr.
Vaijanti Khare who has a PhD in Indian
Studies, an M Phil in International
Business Management and a Six Sigma
Green Belt in Quality Total Management.
She is the former Director General of
Nepal-India Bilateral Chamber and
former Head of Operations at Chaudhary
Group. Currently, she is involved in
teaching and research. She first learnt
of alternative teaching methods while
working with Krishnamurthy Foundation
of India.
A bright sunny day saw numerous
enthusiastic, fresh faces pouring into
Teachers of Triyog H. S. School
28 HEALTHY LIFE
Though students might have the tools
to acquire knowledge, they might not
necessarily utilize them.
the hall, all of them ready to absorb
and apply the techniques practically
for best output from their students.
The teachers were divided into various
groups. After the initial introduction, it
was time for a few games. The first was
word association where they were given
words and they had to say whatever
word came next to their minds and
formed a word chain. Some of the
words given were: teacher, beauty
contest, restaurant, examination. Many
interesting answers such as second
parent, guide, and mentor in relation to
teacher were heard.
The quirky association of free wifi
with restraints brought smiles to many
faces. The two important things that
came out of this is the fact that just
like us, sometimes even though the
students might have the tools to acquire
knowledge, they might not necessarily
utilize them and sometimes even
though the gist of discourse is easy to
understand, we miss the point leading
to confusion. The same thing applies
for students in the classroom. The
second activity was a group tableau in
which one member of a group came up,
performed an action silently, and froze.
The second member came up, guessed
what her predecessor had done, and
performed an action connected to the
previous one. The cycle continued until
the group completed the tableau.
After that, the audience guessed
at the actions performed and the
members confirmed whether the
audience was right or wrong. The first
one turned out to be connected to a
teacher’s activities in the classroom
whereas the other one was related to
cooking. The guesses made brought
out the important fact that all of us
have different perceptions about the
same thing and they are not wrong,
just different. In the long run, we must
learn to respect each point of view and
the same applies for students too.
This brought us to the important
point that it is essential to evaluate what
children have actually understood rather
than what they have mugged up through
rote learning. Different people are good
at different things and learn differently,
forum discussion FAMILY
and the first step is to understand
the child’s temperament and proceed
accordingly. This brings to the fore
Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple
intelligence which says that there is a
wide range of cognitive abilities and that
there are very weak correlations among
them. For example, a child who can
multiply easily is not necessarily more
intelligent than one who has problems
with multiplication sums. The child who
takes more time with this sum may,
1. Simply learn to multiply through a
different approach, 2. Excel in something
other than math, and, 3. May understand
multiplication at a deeper level or may
take it as a completely different process.
However, if we don’t understand this, the
problem may be termed as slowness and
hide other talents. As such, there are eight
types of cognitive abilities:
1. Logical-mathematical—It has to
do with logic, reasoning, numbers and
critical thinking. Such people are good
at chess, computer programming and
math.
2. Spatial—It deals with the ability to
judge with the mind’s eye especially
in terms of space. Such people are
good artists and designers. Movies and
videos are included too.
3. Linguistic—It has to do with words
and languages. Such people are good
at reading, writing and memory. They
learn best by taking down notes and
debating and discussing what they
have learnt and memorizing. They are
good at learning foreign languages too.
Verbal recall is their strength.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic—It has to do
with body movement and ability to
handle objects skillfully. Timing and
reflex are their strengths. They have
good muscle memory. They are good
at sports, dance, performing, building,
etc. Such people are good athletes,
musicians, dancers, policemen,
surgeons, soldiers.
5. Music—Such people have affinity
to sound, rhythm, tone and music.
They can sing and compose and play
music. They learn best through lecture.
These people make good musicians,
arrangers, composers, music lovers,
and instrument players.
6. Interpersonal—Ability to empathize
and interact with others. Sensitive
Dr. Vaijanti Khare conducting the workshop
to others’ temperaments, feelings
and needs. These people are good
counselors, salespeople, politicians,
social workers, etc.
7. Intrapersonal—Deep understanding
of self and self reflective capacities.
These are authors, philosophers and
so on.
8. Naturalistic—Pertaining to
information regarding natural
surroundings, animals, plants, mining
and farming.
In the same way, different students have
the ability to grasp information in different
ways. Divided into three, these are:
1. Let me see it, or visual—These
people need to see information to get
the point across. Pie charts, diagrams,
maps, notes and flash cards are some of
the key tools utilized.
2. Let me here it, or auditory—They
need to hear the information to process
it correctly. Lessons put to music,
songs, audio books; verbal lectures are
what need to be used.
3. Let me touch it, or tactile—These
people need to experience whatever
they learn in class. To get best results,
vivid examples and role playing ought
to be employed.
As teachers or guides, we need to identify
what style is best suited for which child,
and help them accordingly so that they
achieve their maximum potential. We
also need to identify their special talent
and hone it as well as make sure that the
other areas are balanced equally so that
the child doesn’t feel inadequate in any
way. The teachers who took part in this
initiative found the session quite fruitful.
Sabina Katuwal, primary-in-charge
at Triyog, shares, “This method is very
useful as it makes education child-friendly
besides being completely centered on
them. It is a totally experimental kind of
learning which makes studies easier as well
as a really fun process. The best part about
it is that children can learn the concepts
but they do not feel pressurized thinking
that all their learning is scrutinized and
judged. It is a more practical approach to
learning and children can learn by actual
experience.”
Savita Kapruwan, senior schoolin-charge at Triyog, says, “In Class 10,
there is obvious emphasis on books, and
teaching is highly syllabus-oriented so
it cannot be applied, but it is definitely
a breakthrough from the old teaching
patterns and makes studies and learning
more interesting and easy. It taps the right
kind of talent in children and assesses
accordingly as to which one makes things
better for them in the long run”.
About her experiences, Dr.
Khare says, “The audience was very
enthusiastic and eager to participate
and gain new experiences. The overall
response was very good. However, in
such a group, at times it is not quite
possible to gauge the impact on each
one individually.”
Wishing each child a happy and
healthy schooling with fun, excitement
and the correct kind of learning that
will enable them to contribute to the
future of the country. „
HEALTHY LIFE 29
FAMILY
pets
Bad Food
for Dogs
PEOPLE FOOD YOUR DOG
SHOULD NEVER EAT
Onions and garlic can destroy a
dog’s red blood cells, leading to
anaemia. Eating a large quantity
once or eating smaller amounts
regularly can cause poisoning.
t’s only common to feed our pets
with just about anything that is
available to us. We seem to be
oblivious to the workings of a dog’s
physiological system but a harmless
reward from the table can actually harm
your pet. Have a look at some of the
common foods you were feeding them
with up till now and maybe this is the
right time to change that.
I
can cause poisoning. Symptoms of
anaemia include weakness, vomiting,
little interest in food, dullness, and
breathlessness.
Milk and other Dairy Products:
Milk and milk-based products can
cause diarrhoea and
nd other
digestive problemss as
well besides leading
ng
to food allergies
(which often
manifest as
itchiness).
Avocados contain a substance called
persin. Persin is in the leaves, seed
and bark, as well as in the fruit. Large
amounts might be toxic to dogs.
Alcohol has the same effect on a
dog’s liver and brain that it has
on humans. Just a little can cause
vomiting, diarrhoea, central nervous
system depression, problems with
coordination, difficulty in breathing,
coma, and even death.
Onions & Garlic can destroy a dog’s
red blood cells, leading to anaemia.
Eating a large quantity once or
eating smaller amounts regularly
30 HEALTHY LIFE
early sign. Within a day, the dog will
become lethargic and depressed. The
best prevention is to keep grapes and
raisins off counters and other places
your dog can reach.
Coffee, Tea, and other Caffeine in
large enough quantities can be fatal
for a dog. And, there is no antidote.
Symptoms of caffeine poisoning
include restlessness, rapid breathing,
heart palpitations, muscle tremors,
fits, and bleeding. In addition to tea
and coffee—including beans and
grounds—caffeine can be found in
cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant
drinks such as Red Bull. It’s also in
some cold medicines and pain
killers.
Grapes and Raisins:
although it isn’t
clear why, grapes
and raisins can
cause kidney
failure in dogs.
And just a small
amount can make a
dog ill. Repeated
vomiting is an
Candy & Gums
toothpaste, baked
goods, and some di
diett
foods are sweetened with xylitol.
Xylitol can cause an increase in the
insulin circulating through your dog’s
body. That can cause your dog’s
blood sugar to drop and can also
cause liver failure. Initial symptoms
include vomiting, lethargy and loss of
coordination. Eventually, the dog may
have seizures. Liver failure can occur
within just a few days.
Chocolate: most people know
that chocolate is bad for dogs.
The toxic agent in chocolate
is theobromine. It’s in all
kinds of chocolate, even
white chocolate. The most
dangerous kinds, though,
are dark chocolate, chocolate
mulch, and unsweetened baking
chocolate. Eating chocolate, even
FAMILY
pets
Intelligent dogs
just lickingthe icing
bowl, can cause a dog to
vomit, have diarrhoea, and
be excessively thirsty. It can
also cause abnormal heart rhythm,
tremors, seizures, and death.
Fat Trimmings and Bones: fat trimmed
from meat, both cooked and uncooked,
can cause pancreatitis in dogs. And,
although it seems natural to give a
dog a bone, a dog can choke on it.
Bones can also splinter and cause an
obstruction or lacerations of your dog’s
digestive system. It’s best to just forget
about the doggie bag.
Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums: the
problem with these fruits is the seeds
or pits. The seeds from persimmons
can cause inflammation of the small
intestine in dogs. They can also cause
intestinal obstruction. Obstruction is
also a possibility if a dog eats the pit
from a peach or plum. Plus, peach and
plum pits contain cyanide, which is
poisonous to both humans and dogs.
The difference is humans know not to
eat them. Dogs don’t.
The most intelligent dogs are
reportedly the Border Collie and the
Poodle, while the least intelligent dogs
are the Afghan Hound and the Basenji.
Raw Eggs: there are two
problems with giving your dog
raw eggs. The first is the possibility
of food poisoning from bacteria like
Salmonella or E. coli. The second is
that an enzyme in raw eggs interferes
with the absorption of a particular
B vitamin. This can cause skin
problems as well as problems with
your dog’s coat if raw eggs are fed
for a long time.
Salt: eating too much salt can cause
excessive thirst and urination and lead
to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms
of too much salt include vomiting,
diarrhoea, depression, tremors,
elevated body temperature,
and seizures. It may
even cause death.
Sugary Foods
and Drinks can
lead to obesity,
dental problems, and
possibly the onset of
diabetes.
Raw Meat and Fish can contain
bacteria that cause food poisoning. In
addition, certain kinds of fish such as
salmon, trout, shad or sturgeon can
contain a parasite that causes “fish
disease” or “salmon poisoning disease”.
Safe foods for dogs
Lean Meats: properly cooked meat
with no visible fat and bones.
Fresh Fruits: slices of apples, oranges,
bananas, and watermelon. Make sure to
remove seeds from the fruits.
Some Vegetables: carrot sticks, green
beans, cucumber slices or zucchini
slices. Even a plain baked potato is
okay. Keep your dogs away from raw
potatoes or any potato plants in your
garden.
Cooked White Rice and Pasta: cooked
plain white rice or pasta.
Source: www.webmd.com
32 HEALTHY LIFE
If not treated, the disease can be fatal
within two weeks. The first signs of
illness are vomiting, fever and big
lymph nodes. Thoroughly cooking the
fish will kill the parasite and protect
your dog.
Your Medicine:
ingredients such as
acetaminophen or ibuprofen
are common in pain relievers
and cold medicine. And, they
can be deadly for your dog. Just as you
would do for your children, keep all
medicines out of your dog’s reach.
Home
Feature // Home Advice // Gardening // Tips & Tricks
Room Basics
ANATOMY OF A KID’S ROOM
A kid’s room can be the messiest room but with a little
bit of creativity, a simple boring room can turn into a fun
room with your personality written all over it.
Compiled By: Lizbeth Lucksom, Photos: ECS Media,
Product Courtesy: Index Furniture, Lazimpat
HOME
feature
2
6
1
7
3
Accessorizing a room is fun but a lot of hard work to make
it just right. It is an ongoing process where you try to
minus some items and add some new ones all the time. It’s
important to make the room less chaotic. Your kids should be
able to easily access and store their stuff in the room.
Green Set: Color—4 Kids bedroom set
1. COLOR4KIDS Bed Frame 3.5ft
SB/WT—NRs 19,900
2. COLOR4KIDS Wardrobe 3 doors
SB/WT—NRs 22,900
3. COLOR4KIDS Computer Table
80 cm. SB/WT—NRs 11,800
A bed frame or bedstead is the part
of a bed used to position the mattress
and base off the floor. A bed frame is
made up of head, foot and side rails.
Bed frames are typically made of
wood or metal.
A wardrobe, also known as an armoire by the
French, is a standing closet used for storing
clothes. Etymological origins of the name can
be traced to the Middle English rendering
of the ancient French term, ‘garderobe, with
the semantic import of a private store. The
17th and 18th centuries marked the baroque
period’s versatile exploitation of the wardrobe
which helped it transmute to the modern type.
Tables come in a wide variety of
materials, shapes, and heights,
dependent upon their origin,
style, and intended use. An easy
comfortable chair and table is a must
have in a kid’s room.
36 HEALTHY LIFE
feature HOME
Helpful tips from
ehow.com
5
8
4
9
• Ask your children how they want the
room and accommodate them as much as
possible
• Add storage for treasures such as action
figures, model planes, dolls and stuffed
toys. Hang a shelf above a window or a
closet door for seldom-used items; other
options are bookshelves or wire shelving
for closets.
• Provide a display area such as a bulletin
board for displaying children’s artwork and
souvenirs such as photos, birthday cards
and concert tickets.
• Match the bedspread or throw pillows to
the window treatment for a coordinated
look.
• Avoid trendy motifs such as the newest
animated movie character for the
bedspread, curtains and wallpaper. These
looks quickly become dated and are
expensive to replace.
• Consider a night light to help navigation
toward the bathroom or to reassure a
young child who’s afraid of the dark.
• Hang lightweight, fragile items such
as model planes and kit dinosaurs from
filament line attached to a ceilingmounted cup hook. This keeps the items
out of harm’s way but within view.
• Display a photo of your child in his or her
room; it’s a self-esteem builder.
6. *BUBBLE Black Board LBL/DBL—NRs
19,100
Useful accessory for kids—can be used as a
learning tool, simply to scribble things or even
for play.
7. BUBBLE Chest of 3 Drawer LBL/DBL—
NRs 25,900
A drawer is a box-shaped container that fits
into a piece of furniture in such a way that it
can be drawn out horizontally to access its
contents. Wood and various wood composites,
sheet metal, and plastic are common materials
used for drawers and the furniture the drawers
are part of.
Blue Set: Bubble Kids Series
4. BUBBLE Kid’s Table LBL/
DBL—NRs 20,200
5. BUBBLE Wardrobe 2 doors LBL/
DBL—NRs 33,900
The term “table” is derived from
a merger of French table and
Old English ‘tabele’, ultimately
from the Latin word ‘tabula’—a
board, plank, flat top piece. All
tables are composed of a flat
surface and a base with one or
more supports, or legs.
The new wave of contemporary wardrobes
are noted for their modularity and
flexibility as they can be built from a single
cupboard to large numbers of cupboards,
with the ability to install hanging rails,
shelves, dividers and storage accessories in
any part of each cabinet (working with the
rows of pre drilled internal holes).
8. BUBBLE Book Shelf LBL/DBL—
NRs 25,900
A bookcase, or bookshelf, is a piece of
furniture, almost always with horizontal
shelves, used to store books. A bookcase is
also known as a bookshelf, a bookstand, a
cupboard and a bookrack.
9. BUBBLE Bed Frame Wood 3’ LBL/DBL—
NRs 26,100
A bed frame is made up of head, foot and side
rails. Bed frames are typically made of wood or
metal. The term bed frame was first used in the
period 1805-1815.
Source: www.en.wikipedia.org
HEALTHY LIFE 37
HOME
home advice
Personalize
Your Space
Home Theatre
MAKE USE OF THE BORING
SPACES AT HOME
Compiled By: Gita Limbu
Home is where the heart is. But, in days we just want to wind down, we go
looking for sanctuaries outside of our home. Why not add flavor to your abode
by bringing the entertainment spaces to your own doorstep? Here are some such
entertainment facilities you might want to re-create. Inject your own personality
into the entertainment spaces so you feel right at home.
Gaming Room
Bar
Creating a bar is easily the most achievable
by installing the proper equipment in a
designated area of your house. Select a
location that’s tailored to your wants; be
it the games room or the living space. Get
more out of the bar by creating a theme
that fits with the room’s décor. Check your
budget. You’ll need bartending materials
and of course, a huge array of drinks to
create your cocktails. Bar stools are optional.
If possible, consider a bar counter that has
running water, refrigerator and an icemaker.
Equally appealing to both children
and adults alike, there are huge arrays
of gaming devices available in today’s
market. An adult’s retreat however,
differs from that of children’s. Decide
who you want to allow into the games
room and what features you want to
add. Try making a centerpiece out of a
game room staple such as a pool or a
foosball table. You can add whatever
features you want like a karaoke stage,
darts board, poker table and couches
for a true entertainment space.
Consider your budget.
Tip: Get estimates from different
stores for the best prices to
accommodate your budget range.
In bringing the cinema experience to
your house, it’s essential to choose the
correct space. Make sure the space is
separate from areas that get disturbed
by household activities. Think about
layout, sound reflection and the types of
products you want to use, for example,
carpet, furniture, insulation and drywall.
The screen being the focus point, make
sure you choose one that is of a high
quality for that wow factor. Lighting like
dimmers is essential so choose a space
that has limited windows and darker
paint colors.
Tip: Add recliners or sofas for
comfortable seating for that VIP feel.
Tree House
This is more for the kids than adults.
Make building a tree house an
interactive activity with your child.
First of all, find the right location. Are
you going to build it on a tree or just
your backyard? If you decide on a tree,
make sure it’s mature, healthy and
sturdy enough to
bear the weight of
both the tree house
and the children
within. Secondly, try
keeping the design
simple. Bear in mind,
costs, time and
expertise that go
into construction.
Use proper material
so the tree house
doesn’t experience
wear and tear.
Tip: Make regular
inspections of
the tree house to
ensure safety.
Tip: Invest in a display counter for your
drinks for a more professional look.
Fireplace
What better way to end off a night than by the warmth of a fireplace? A
fireplace can also provide aesthetic appeal. To start off, consider whether
adding a fireplace is achievable. What type of house you own determines
the type of fireplace you can accommodate. Then, look at the size of
the room you’re going to add the fireplace to. A large fireplace in an
otherwise small room can overpower the area. Finally, choose what type
of fireplace you want. Decide from materials like slate and granite, stone
and marble to achieve the perfect finish you’re looking for.
Tip: For your own safety, always call in the experts if you’re unsure of how
to install any electrical appliances
Sources:
www.digitaltrends.com, www.
ehow.com , www.brandozines.com
38 HEALTHY LIFE
HOME
gardening
A Retreat of
Your Own
THE GARDEN READING NOOK
There come moments in your life when you would like to be left to
yourself. At such times, wouldn’t it be nice to know that there is a place
around your home where you can relax and rejuvenate in serene solitude?
Words: Samridhi Goyal
garden reading nook is like a
world of your own amongst the
naturally beautiful surroundings
of a garden. Read a book, enjoy
a drink and simply relax amongst all of
God’s gifts. We tell you how to set it up
and get started:
A
The seating—A good seat/chair is the
foremost point for a good reading area.
You can opt for chaise style, hammock, the
canvas butterfly chair; a swing decorated
with flowers, the swing can be outfitted
with a waterproof mattress with a cotton
bed sheet tucked in. They come in wicker,
bamboo, teak, iron and other materials.
It shouldn’t be too sunk in or too reclined
and easy to maintain in all weather
conditions. You can also use your own
ideas and get a chair commissioned or
indulge in a little DIY and get your hands
dirty to make one for indulgence.
Cushions—Cushions and throws in colors
such as a rich red add a bit of character
and style to the area. They are good to
cuddle up with too and provide comfort.
If you want something weather proof
you can go in for vinyl material. You can
also use 20-inch square napkins to make
covers (they are different and creative), you
40 HEALTHY LIFE
could always carry them back inside in the
evenings. If you have some kind of a roof
in your nook, you could go for brocade or
silk covers. Small-sized cushions give the
area a bay window feel which is great.
The big T—A good sturdy table is one
of the options you have. It can be used to
keep your reading material, your cordless
phone, food and drinks. If you want extra
storage space, get one with a bottom shelf.
It could be made of wood, teak and such.
If you can maintain it, a glass table top
looks elegant. If you want a space just for
food and drinks, you can use a trolley to
store and wheel around your fruit bowls
and snack platters.
Loving the shade—In the winters, it sure
is nice to sit outside and soak up the sun
while you pour yourself into the book.
However, at other times, you could use the
shade as a protection from the elements.
If you have a corner with ample shade,
good for you, if not, you can crate it too.
You can use waterproof fabric such as a
canvas sheet. Get some equipment like
the prop up poles from the hardware store
and tell your handyman to do it; you could
use some kind of net, mesh or cloth too:
umbrellas would be great as well. Another
idea would be to get a carpenter make you
a tree house. Install some nice lanterns or
candles in quilted jars for those times when
you need the light, and you’re set.
Ambience—It sure would be nice to
dress up the area with a few scented
candles (it helps keep away mosquitoes)
and maybe a Buddha statue to get into
the relaxed zone. You could get a fence
put up and hang glass lanterns around
it. If you have a water body, for example,
a pond or fountain of some sort, try
creating your nook around that space.
You can also plant taller flowers such as
butterfly bushes and purple cone flowers
to accentuate the area. If you want to
landscape the area before creating the
nook, go in for vertical gardening (wall
like); it makes it a little easier to manage
the adjoining areas.
For The Thrill Seeker
Opt for a tent with bedding, pillows and
lighting; the works in one corner of your
garden as your reading nook. That way,
it can also serve as a mini-getaway in case
you plan to spend the night outdoors.
References:
www.apartmenttherapy.com; www.pinterest.com; www.
columbinedesign.com; www.marthastewart.com
advertorial
Take Charge Over Depression
E
Phr. Santusta Adhikari
Each year, millions of people suffer
from some form of depression.
Researchers estimate as many as
one out of every three people will
develop depression at some point in
their lives. Depression is a common
mental health condition which
affects a person’s thinking, energy,
feelings and behavior. We all have
a natural response to having a bad
day or hearing sad news but when
your whole energy and concentration
is down and you are struggling to
focus then, you may have depression.
Although the average depression lasts
around six months, those with severe
major depression may have symptoms
that last for years.
What are the symptoms?
Depression has eight main symptoms.
If you experience five or more of
these symptoms, lasting for a period
of two weeks or more, you may
be suffering from depression. The
symptoms of depression are:
• Feeling sad, anxious or bored
• Low energy, feeling tired or
fatigued
• Under-sleeping or over-sleeping,
waking frequently during the night
• Poor concentration, thinking
slowed down
• Loss of interest in hobbies, family
or social life
• Low self-esteem and feelings of
guilt
• Aches and pains with no physical
basis, e.g. chest, head or tummy
pain associated with anxiety or
stress
• Loss of interest in living, thinking
about death, suicidal thoughts
What causes it?
Depression has a number of possible
causes. It is frequently preceded by
a setback in life. For some people,
it happens because of a traumatic
life event such as bereavement,
relationship breakdown, financial
difficulties or bullying. In other
situations, the person may have an
inherent tendency towards depression,
and such genetic factors can be key in
the case of bipolar disorder.
Depression: The Facts
Depression is a treatable illness.
Women are 3 to 4 times more likely
to suffer from depression than men.
Contrary to popular belief,
antidepressants are not addictive.
Coping with Depression
1. Consult with doctor and comply
with treatment. One of the most
common treatments for depression
is medication. There are several
different drugs in the market that
function by preventing the re-uptake
of serotonin, dopamine, or some
combination of neurotransmitters
believed to be associated with
depression. Different drugs have
different effects on different people.
One drug may work well for one
person and have absolutely no effect
on another.
2. Psychotherapy or counseling
is another common treatment for
depression. Oftentimes, medication
and psychotherapy are used together
for optimum results. Psychotherapy
involves meeting with a professional
regularly in order to examine the
possible causes of one’s depression, to
alter one’s negative way of thinking,
and to actively engage in activities
that promote a healthier way of living.
Likewise, access support services,
exercise, and get outdoors; eat a
balanced diet, avoid alcohol, get
enough rest; and use writing as
therapy (create mood diaries) to have
control over depression. There was a
life before depression and there can
be a better life after it. Remember,
don’t allow depression to depress
you. Take control of your life and
depress your depression!
Š
Take charge over depression,
ELOPRAM
Escitalopram 5/10 mg
HOME
tips & tricks
Make it Happen
PARTY PREPARATION TIPS
9
Trash it well– Deal with the
overflowing of trash cans by lining
the garbage bins with two extra plastic
bags. This will not only catch all the extra
spillover but will also
o spare you the time
to hunt for spares
before disposing
away that first bag
of garbage.
Compiled By: Sunita Gurung
Planning to throw a party? The opportunity to be part of a gathering of loved ones comes
once in a while but the frenetic schedule makes the preparation and planning more of a
stress and less of a fun-filled affair. This time we share a few simple tips that can make
you not only host a successful party but will also let you enjoy the festivities with ease.
1
Create an ambience– Arrange an
instant centerpiece by filling a large
glass bowl or a traditional metal ware
with water and float some flowers and
candles in it.
10
No smoking–
Discourage
your guests from
smoking inside the
house but instead,
allow them to take the
e
smoke outside by placing an ashtray
or two in the backyard or terrace.
5
Stock it well– Make sure that you
have enough kitchen napkins readily
available to take care of spills; and stash
your mop and broom in an accessible
but a discreet area.
2
Find the right place– Put a stack of
paper napkins next to the array of
snack so that guests don’t have to hunt
for them.
6
Keep it neat– Always keep an extra
dish on the tables to serve as bones
and litter holder. This makes the table look
a lot less messy and you will never have to
deal with tablecloths with ugly stains.
11
Minimize the night
debauchery– While shopping
for a party, load your cart with a great
deal of carbohydrate. Prepare for binge
drinking by serving food that is heavy as
this will soak up the alcohol.
7
3
Help in
hand– Keep
ep
lots of extra
nibbles on
hand in the
kitchen for
those who
are helping orr
keeping you
company so that
hat
they don’t go
hungry.
Chill out– Chill your beer or wine that
was not able to find itself in the fridge
due to lack of space or a forgotten task,
by placing them in a tub of ice water and
lots of salt. While fresh water freezes at 0
degrees centigrade, salt water freezes at
around -2.2 degrees centigrade.
12
1
And finally– Last
but not the least, our
festivities are notorious for
fest
adding those unwanted kilos,
add
maintain
that healthy diet by
ma
being
aware of the portion
be
sizes
siz so that you are well in
track
of how much you are
tr
packing
inside. And, never
p
ever stand
next to a buffet; you
s
will be lured into nibbling.
4
Prepare in advance– Make your
snacks well in advance to avoid last
st
minute hassles. If it is fried items, semimicook them and keep them aside for
later. This way, any one of your helping
hands can continue from it and give it
the final touch.
42 HEALTHY LIFE
8
C k easy– U
Cook
Use a BBQ tto cookk ffood.
d It iis easy tto cookk and
d can cater to a huge
crowd. Of course, no nutritional expert will recommend the consumption of BBQ
food but then nutrition is all about how much we eat and not what we eat.
Relationship
Feature story
A Wonderful Life
DIVORCED AND DOING GOOD
“Let the one you love go free—if he/she comes back,
then you know that he/she really loves you.” You’ll never
know the value of light without darkness. A divorce, then,
could be viewed in such a light in that not only will you
know what you and your partner’s love was truly worth,
you’ll most likely also know the true meaning of freedom.
Words: Amar B Shrestha
HEALTHY LIFE 45
Relationship
feature
orty-five- year-old Ramesh
is in a happy mood as he
drives back home after a day
of hard and productive work.
On reaching home, he goes straight
into the kitchen and puts water on
to boil. A hot cup of coffee would
do just fine, thank you. He then
puts on at-home clothes and plays
some music on his stereo. With the
coffee in his hand, he goes and sits
on a wicker chair on his verandah.
He sees a couple of neighbors on
the verandah of the adjoining house
and exchanges pleasantries with
them. The sun has almost set and it
promises to be a lovely evening.
A while later, he gets a call on
his mobile. “Hey Ramesh, keep this
Friday evening free, I’m having a
party at my place,” says the caller.
It’s a friend, J.K. who leaves nearby.
“Sure,” answers Ramesh. Friday’s
just two days away. He knows it’s
going to be a late night party as is
usually the case with J.K’s parties.
“No matter,” thinks Ramesh. “I’ll
have a whole Saturday to recoup.”
After a light dinner, he watches
some of his favorite shows on TV
and decides to call it a night. The
next day, after a hearty breakfast, he
sets off for another productive day
(hopefully) at the office.
F
The reader might be wondering
by now, what about his family? His
wife? His kids? Well, to cut a long
story short, Ramesh was divorced
from his wife a couple of years ago
and has a son in a boarding school
in Deharadun. Oh, I see, the reader
might now exclaim. Some might even
It has been seven years since his divorce
and what he has discovered is a kind of
serenity in his life now.
46 HEALTHY LIFE
say, “He seems to have a good life.
Lucky fellow!” But, whoa! Let’s see
what his neighbor, Jitendra, has
to say about Ramesh. “Well, he’s
a nice guy, gets along well with
everybody. But, poor fellow, he lives
alone, has to cook his own food,
do the dishes and the laundry, etc.
I hope he marries somebody soon.
He needs a wife to look after him.”
Tell Ramesh this, and he is liable
to respond by saying that he has
had enough of marriage, having
being married for almost 15 years,
and that single life suits him fine.
It has actually been seven years
since his divorce and what he has
discovered is a kind of serenity
in his life now. An oft repeated
statement of his is, “My wife
loved me so much, she let me go!”
Apparently, what he means to say
is that he had been pretty unhappy
when married, he being the sort
to seek peace and tranquility and
his wife being the sort who wanted
excitement in her life.
Ramesh is particularly thankful
that his divorce went through
without much rancor and bitterness
on both sides. Not so peaceful was
the divorce of a friend of his, Jivan,
who divorced after being married
for about six years. In his case (a
feature
Relationship
Divorce Doubled from 2005-2011
• According to authoritative sources, the number of divorces in Kathmandu
doubled in the 2005- 2011 period. One reason cited is women’s increased
awareness about their rights. More important, however, is the fact that women
have been given tremendous advantage when filing for divorce, which they can
do so immediately in the court. Whereas, in the case of men, they need to first
apply for a divorce at the local municipality which then is supposed to make
efforts at saving the marriage, if possible. In any case, a one-year-waiting period is
required before the husband can petition the court.
• Another major cause for the increase in divorces is the provision of women’s
property rights in case of divorce. According to a dissertation on the subject
on the Kathmandu School of Law website (www.ksl.edu.np), Nepal is the
only country in the world to have this provision. This of course gives added
encouragement to women who feel wronged and wish to divorce. This could
however be a double edged sword in that some immoral women could treat
marriage as just a means to accumulate property by first marrying and then
divorcing some time later. Whatever the case may be, in divorce, it surely isn’t a
‘man’s world’!
love marriage like Ramesh’s), the
wife, a pretty wild spirited girl, was
obviously the culprit, having had
as she did, an affair with another
guy. Jivan, being a suspicious
fellow, managed to catch them red
handed in the act, and that was that.
However, somehow or the other, the
wife still came out of the whole torrid
affair as the victim, at least in the
eyes of her own relatives who blamed
Jivan for not ‘managing’ his wife as
well as he should have! The drama
that followed resulted in Jivan losing
all contact with his daughter and
in later years, after the divorce, the
daughter’s mind was so poisoned by
her mother, that she herself came to
hate her father.
No wonder Ramesh also
considers himself to be a “lucky
guy”. He has excellent relations
with his son and sometimes even
phones his ex-wife, who responds as
decently. Indeed, all this makes him
a fortunate man because it is a hard
truth that most divorces culminate in
a lot of acrimony with both husband
and wife blaming each other. No
wonder then that Ramesh thinks he
has become a better person after
his divorce and that his stars seem
to be shining brighter than ever
before. He’s doing well at his job,
which by the way, is to his liking,
and he’s become healthier than ever
before (perhaps proving right the
adage— ‘a healthy mind in a healthy
body’). Undoubtedly, Ramesh has
much peace of mind today and that
is why he has grave reservations
about being married again. One of
his favorite jokes is: “I love all girls;
they are God’s gift to mankind. But
a girl, when she becomes a wife,
then it’s another thing. She becomes
a different species altogether!”
His friends too can sometimes
be heard remarking that they feel
you will find it difficult to live alone.
Who’s going to look after you in
your later years?” This is another
constantly repeated refrain of many
of Ramesh’s relatives. And, Ramesh’s
response? “Then perhaps I should
marry a nurse who can even give
me a saline drip at home?” Another
well-meaning refrain is, “Ramesh,
you must marry again but this time,
marry somebody nearer your age and
somebody who will take care of the
home.”
Nearer his age? Now, this is
something pretty hard to digest for
One of his favorite jokes is: “I love all girls; they
are God’s gift to mankind. But a girl, when she
becomes a wife, then it’s another thing. She
becomes a different species altogether!”
envious of Jivan’s lifestyle. “You
are free to do what you like, eat
what you want, and go wherever
and whenever you like without any
qualms at all. Oh, what a life!” is
what J.K. often says to Ramesh.
J.K. himself has been married for
the best part of eight years now and
to all outward appearances, seems
happy enough. However, Ramesh
himself has doubts about the status
of their marriage, being somewhat
of an old hand at the game, and,
he can maybe read the signs, as it
were!
“Ramesh, you must get married
again. The older you get, the more
someone like Ramesh who, at 45,
remains fit and active. He knows well
that women close to his age will, in all
probability, be not as youthful as he
has managed to remain and he would
prefer to have someone by his side
who would push him towards further
youthfulness. That is, if he really did
decide to re-marry. In which case,
he would look for someone pretty,
someone healthy and someone
youthful, most definitely! As they say,
men and horses never grow old. They
just lie down to rest now and then! „
Note: For obvious reasons, names have
been changed in the above article.
HEALTHY LIFE 47
Food
Feature // Good to Know // Mom’s Kitchen // Nutrition // Recipe & Drinks // Photo Feature
The Chipotle Burger
Price: Rs. 575/Contact: Brian’s Grill @4422587
Grill Thrills
ALL ABOUT GRILLS AND GOOD FOOD
Grill’s popularity comes from its ease of preparation, the
number of recipes possible as well as the possibility of
adaptation for each and everyone’s taste. It can be done
indoor or outdoor, depending upon the weather.
Words: Eloïse Jha-Dussably, Photos: ECS Media
FOOD
feature
he simplest way to cook is often
the best. Barbecue and grills are
the perfect example of this. With
a large variety of ingredients
and recipes, the basics of both these
forms of cooking are easy. As the winter
comes, grill has this advantage that it can
be done indoors while barbecue (where
the food has to be cooked with charcoal
or wood fire) is almost impossible to
be brought indoors. Though barbecue
is often considered as one type of grill,
the importance of smoke in the cooking
makes all the difference. As the barbecue
is a way to cook thicker meat slowly, it
requires a constant fire while other types
of grilling are quicker. The most popular
is certainly the outdoor grill where the
ingredients are put above a heat source
(charcoal or any other) on a gridiron, a
not so famous name to describe simply
the suspended metallic grate on which
cooking takes place.
More advanced are the indoor grills
that are usually powered and heated by
gas or electricity, and the simplest: the grill
pan. These bring the pleasure of summer
grills in the house preserving the best
advantage of the grill way of cooking, that
is, to obtain food lower in saturated fat (as
the fat liquefies and drip out). According
to the type of grill used, the taste of recipes
will differ slightly, offering a wide range
of tastes, thus making grill one of the
most appreciated ways of cooking. Just
one example is the possibility to braise
ingredients by cooking them at a very high
temperature on the grill that will create a
sort of caramelized crust to finish cooking
in a closed pot in any type of liquid (wine
being the all-time favourite). Altogether,
it is a good way to bring moisture to the
usually dry grill items.
The different type of materials is
definitely not the only reason grill can
be so interesting and diverse. Usually
and historically, grilling is mainly a way
of cooking meat items cut in small or
thin pieces and sometimes put together
on a stick as a brochette or oriental
T
50 HEALTHY LIFE
Know your grill
Source: www.viewpoints.com
1. Propane Gas Grills- Quick, even cooking but it’s expensive plus there is an
additional hassle of buying propane
2. Natural Gas Grills- Less
expensive than propane in the
long run but requires a gas line at
location of your grill
3. Charcoal Grills- Easy portability
but possible risks associated with an
open flame
4. Electric Grills- Do not emit
smoke but it’s exactly the same as
cooking on an electric stove without
a unique grilling experience
5. Portable Grills- Good for small
spaces, beach, camping and picnics
but small grilling surfaces can cause
more frustration than they are
worth
6. Smokers- Heat cooks the food, smoke adds intense flavor but not for people
in a hurry, meat typically cooks all day
kebab. Providing a nice smoky taste to all
ingredients, meat can simply be put on it
with a pinch of salt and pepper and a bit
of oil. This simple recipe evolved as the
best one through the ages as men were
developing their taste for good food. From
the Far East to the far West, home cooks
and chefs adapted the grilling technique to
their culture and habits. In South Korea,
a streaked hot plate with gutter is put on
a heat source at the centre of the table; a
thin sauce (soya, sweet and sour or any
other) is poured on the plate to fall in the
gutter where onions, mushrooms and
chives or spring onions are put to cook
while extremely thin pieces of meat are
placed on top to cook quickly and these
are regularly basted with the sauce. The
world-famous burger happens to be grilled
item. Some vegetables are also cooked
in this way. Though many might think it
a very American thing, some say it was
actually named after the city of Hamburg
and created in Germany. Question is
whether all this diversity can easily be
available in Kathmandu.
be too simple to reduce their menu to
that description. It is truly the only place
to get not only very traditional western
grills with high quality ingredients but
also creative and delicious fusion dishes.
From the rack of lamb perfectly cooked
with sauce to the grilled salmon that
makes you want to travel to Scandinavian
countries, Grill Me, even though it
might seem expensive, is really unique
serving as it does, exclusive recipes. The
Asian grilled tenderloin salad combines
green leaves (from basil to mint) with
rice noodles and perfectly cooked and
spiced beef. Grill Me and its dishes prove
everyday to their customers that grill can
be much more complex and delicate than
its basic form of just throwing a piece of
meat on a hot plate or a gridiron. They
balance spices, textures and flavours
using different ways of grilling. A mustgo for all food lovers and people simply
looking to enjoying nice dishes in a
beautiful and peaceful environment.
Grills in Kathmandu
The name of the restaurants alone give
hints about the food they serve but for
those two, it is more than obvious: Grill
Me and Brian’s Grill House are two of the
grill restaurants in town and surely among
the best.
Situated in a quiet street of
Jhamsikhel, Grill Me provides a cosy and
classy ambience and delicious dishes.
Mainly serving continental food, it would
Old Farmer grill tools environment
1. Old Farmer carving fork
2. Old Farmer spatula
3. Old Farmer grill tong
feature
On the other side of town, in a
high shiny tower of Dilli Bazaar,
Brian’s Grill House may seem at
first to be a very classic place, sort
of imitating the designs and interiors
of American restaurants. It’s when
you have a look at the menu that
the magic starts. It has so many
burgers that even if you were to
go there every working day for a
month, you wouldn’t have to pick the
same burger twice. But the diversity
of the recipes is not all; each and
every burger is just a wonder for
the palate and putting in the shade
what big fast food chains claim to
be burgers. Everything at Brian’s
Grill House from the sauces to the
salads, vegetables and meat items, is
fresh and cooked in their kitchen. No
readymade tomato sauce to be tasted
and that is just much tastier that
way. Not only do they serve amazing
burgers, wraps, and nachos but they
also propose to sell some packaged
items, sauces for most of them, to
try out at home. You can feel in every
bite the experience of Brian, the chef,
a true passionate person loving food
and quality and giving it all to every
customer unconditionally.
There are only solutions when it
comes to good food, and grill is one of
these things that will satisfy everyone
and bring out the best in creativity
from the chefs.
Rack of BBQ Ribs
Price: Rs. 735/Contact: Brian’s Grill @4422587
Grill recipes for the home
Here are a few things you can try out
at home on a hot plate, grill pan or
outdoor grill:
Grilled Marinated Zuchini
Ingredients
Zucchini, garlic, red onion, red chilly, olive
oil, salt and pepper
Cut long slices of zucchini, put them
in a recipient that will go in a fridge
and keep covered for six hours along
with the marinade (simply put the cut
onion, garlic and spices on the slices
and cover with the oil).
After the marinade is well absorbed by
the zucchini, put the slices on a foil paper
if you use an outdoor grill or else directly
on the grill pan. Put the slices (and thus
Grill like a pro
Barbecue sauce has such a high sugar
content, it has a tendency to burn in
the cooking process if it’s added too
early. Chefs recommend marinating
meat in a dry rub and adding barbecue
sauce when the meat is almost done
cooking.
Grill Lid
Opening the lid will interrupt and slow
down the cooking process. If you are
trying to thoroughly cook a large piece of
meat (ribs, chickens, etc.), make sure your
grill is at the appropriate temperature
after you fire up your grill, and then leave
it alone as much as possible.
Meat thermometer
Invest in a meat thermometer instead
of slicing into meat right on the grill.
Also, be careful not to pierce meat
the foil paper) on the grill, turn the slices
when it starts grilling and let it grill until
they are soft and grilled at the same time.
West Indian Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
• Chicken legs
• A glass of sweet lemonade
• Lemons (preferably green)
• Paprika (soft chilly powder)
• Garlic powder
• Salt
Prepare the marinade by mixing the
lemonade with the juice of one lemon,
one teaspoon of paprika, one teaspoon
of garlic powder and slices of a second
lemon. Put the chicken in the marinade
for 3 hours after which, take them out,
add a pinch of paprika and stronger chilly
powder. Grill for around 15 minutes
according to the size of the pieces.
Barbecue and Grill
Marinade
Advice from viewpoints.com
Marinating meat
FOOD
with a barbecue fork when turning it
or removing it from the grill - those
delicious juices will run right out of the
meat.
Cooking time
Sometimes, the only thing to know for
grill is how to make a great marinade
that can go with everything from white
to red meat items and vegetables. Here
is a simple yet tasty and original recipe.
Even after you remove meat from the
grill, it will continue to cook for a few
minutes . According to the Serious Eats
Food Lab, resting time depends on the
thickness of the meat. For a 1 ½ inch
thick steak, you should wait about 10
minutes.
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon of liquid honey
Proper cleaning
• Salt, pepper and herbs
Most experts recommend cleaning the
grill while it’s still hot, before remnants
have dried onto the grill. A clean grill
will prevent foods from sticking to
it. Keep your grill brush handy for
cleaning or even use your tongs and a
piece of crumpled foil.
• 2 tablespoon of olive oil
• 2 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of crushed mustard
Mix all the ingredients together and let it be
for a few hours. Just use the marinade by
spreading it on the item you want to grill
during the time of cooking; it avoids the
meat or vegetables to get dry and gives a
yummy taste. „
HEALTHY LIFE 51
FOOD
good to know
Doing It Right!
WHICH DRINK GOES WITH WHICH GLASS?
Does serving a drink in an appropriate glass really matter? Are
all those different shapes and styles of glassware really what
one needs for a party?
Words: Kiki Bhutia
Well, a glass can make or break a great drink. Serving a great
drink in a wrong glass is an act of unpardonable sin. If you
don’t believe that, then try drinking a Chateau Lafite-1982 in a
plastic cup, and burn in hell for eternity.
A good and proper glassware adds elegance to a drink
and enhances the flavour, too. If you are planning on inviting
friends and relatives to a very special party, where certainly
Brandy/Snifter Glass: used for enjoying brandy
or cognac. This shape allows the glass underneath
the content to be in direct touch with hand, and
the heat from the hand allows the drink to warm
up slowly. However, with modern technology this
shape is becoming less popular as “Tulip” shaped
glasses are more popular. Size: 4oz – 6 oz
food and drink will be taking the center stage, try not to ruin
this great party by improper glassware etiquette.
If you want to splash out on those beautiful crystal wine
glasses, it could be a wise choice for your wines. Trust me! There
will be sigh of breathe from the wines. Crystal, glass or plastic,
depends on your budget, but proper glasswares is a must follow
rule if you want that perfect ending for your parties.
Highball/Collins Glass: Ideally, it’s good
for serving soft drinks but great for
serving spirit with a mixer. Eg; a gin tonic,
or vodka sprite or my favourite JD coke.
Size: 8oz – 12oz
Martini/Cocktail Glass: this sexy glass serves
the iconic cocktail “Martini”, sadly screwed
up by James Bond as he wants it shaken not
stirred. However, by calling it a Cocktail Glass, you
limit the world of cocktails. So, simply call it martini
glass. Also perfect for Cosmopolitans as featured
several times in “Sex in the City”. Size: 6oz - 12oz
Shot/Shooter Glass: enjoy a shot (a spirit) or shooter
(mixed drinks) in this glass. This small and innocent
looking glass has been the ruin of many great people’s
many Saturdays. Often, ends up with several shots or
shooters in this bad boy. You got to be kidding when
you say “ Size matters”. Pour an ounze of Kahlua and top with half
ounce of Jack Daniels in a shot glass, and see if one is enough or
not. Enjoy your hangover. Size: 1oz – 3oz
Rock/Old Fashioned Glass: this glass is
perfect to serve whisky on rocks or any
other spirit. Also, good for cocktails like
Caipirinha or Sazerac. Some restaurants love
serving water in a rock glass. I wish they
could be a bit more generous in serving
water. Size: 4oz – 8oz
Champagne/Flute Glass: when it’s time for celebration
and a bottle of champagne needs to be popped open,
then make sure you have a champagne glass. The
slim and tall aligned shape allows the champagne or
sparkling wine to remain cool and bubbly. It’s pure
music to hear the clink of champagne glasses. Cheers!
Size: Size 4oz – 8oz
Hurricane Glass: Serves the dreaded cocktail “Long
Island Ice Tea”. Any cocktail with several ingredients
and mixers should be served in a Hurricane, as
this long and slender shaped glass can provide
generous content,for the soon to be knocked out
imbiber. Size: 8oz – 16oz
White Wine Glass: as the name suggests, serve
chilled white wine. The small capacity of the glass
allows the wine to remain chilled for a longer
period. Always hold this glass at the stem, which
will prevent any contact with warm hand and wine
in glass. Size: 4oz – 12oz
Daiquiri Glass: The shape of this glass, is
rumoured to be made by the order of Napolean
Bonaparte,who wished it to be in the shape of his
mistress’s breast. To confirm this rumour, simply
turn the glass upside down and imagine.
Perfect for serving blended cocktails and of course
“Daiquiri”. Size: 6oz – 12oz
Red Wine/Balloon Glass: this blown glass with
a wider mouth allows the red wine to breathe
and this brings out the lovely aromas, thus
enhancing you to enjoy the wine greater. With
lovely aroma comes delicious taste. Again, please
hold this glass at the stem. Size: 6oz – 16oz
Kiki Bhutia, author of Hong Kong Bartender Guide Book-2010, Director of Hong Kong Bartender Association and currently
the Beverage Consultant for Madison's Restaurant & Bar, a coming soon ultra premium dining outlet in Kathmandu.
52 HEALTHY LIFE
Variety of glasses available at Bhatbhateni Supermarket
advertisement
FOOD
mom’s kitchen
Quick And Tasty
A SIMPLE YET UNIQUE MEAL FROM
A PARSEE MOM
A Parsee woman married to a Sindhi, Vira C Kripalani started trying her hand at cooking from
a very young age. Kripalani, who used to be a legal advisor, is the mother-in-law of our regular
contributor, Tasneem Shahani. In Kathmandu for a vacation, Kripalani shared with Sikuma Rai two
of her favorite recipes that are easy to cook and take just 10 to 15 minutes of preparation time.
A Gujarati food item, Wafer
per Idoo which means ‘eggs
on potato chips’ is a very easy
dish that can be served at
breakfast, as a side dish or
as a meal. Since the potato
chips are cooked, their layer
becomes soft.
Ingredients
• 1 packet of plain wafer
(potato chips)
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic
paste
• 3 medium size onions - finely
sliced
• 3 green chilies - finely
chopped
• A bunch of coriander - finely
chopped
• 3 big tomatoes, sliced
Wafer per Idoo
Lagan Nu Custard
A Parsee Gujarati dessert,
Lagan Nu Custard’s English
translation is Wedding
Custard. As the name
indicates, this is a sweet dish
served after wedding dinners.
However, it can also be served
during any kind of special
occasion at home.
Ingredients
• 1 liter milk (full cream)
• 4 eggs
• ½ teaspoon of nutmeg
powder
• 6 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup thick coconut milk
• Few raisins (optional)
• Few drops of vanilla essence
Method
• Boil the milk in a thick
bottomed pan. Reduce heat,
54 HEALTHY LIFE
add sugar and simmer till milk
is thick and creamy. Let the
milk cool down.
• Beat egg in another vessel
and add coconut milk,
nutmeg powder and vanilla
essence. Add the mixture to
the milk and mix it well.
• In a baking tray, caramelize
little sugar and let it cool.
• Put the milk and egg mixture
into the tray and bake it at
180 degrees for 30 minutes or
till it’s done.
• Garnish it with raisins for
final touch.
Note: Lagan Nu Custard can be
served at room temperature or
after it’s cooled. It can also be
saved for few days. Since it is
rich in protein, sick people can
also have it.
• Salt to taste
½ teaspoon of red chili
powder
Method
• Fry the onions in a flat pan
till they are pink and add half
of green chilies and gingergarlic paste.
• Spread it out evenly in the
pan.
• Crush wafers and make a
layer on the onions.
• Sprinkle few drops of water
and put slices of tomatoes on
the wafer layer.
• Break eggs one by one on
the wafer-tomatoes layer.
• Sprinkle coriander and chili
powder.
• Cover and cook till the eggs
are done.
nutrition
FOOD
Simply Corny
BENEFITS OF CORN
One of the biggest benefits of corn is its high fiber
content that relieves constipation, eases digestion,
prevents hemorrhoids and reduces the risk of colorectal
cancer. It has been shown to lower cholesterol levels
thereby reducing cardiovascular diseases significantly.
Words: Merina Shrestha
C
orn is one of the most
popular cereals in the
world. Be it in the form of
popcorns, sweet baby corns,
our very own makkai or corn on the
cob whichever form we choose to relish,
it is an all time favorite food of many.
Munching popcorns while watching
movies or nibbling roasted corn cobs
during the rainy season, it’s simply
amazing. Season it with a little butter,
salt or a lemon zest to the cobs, the taste
becomes simply beguiling. No wonder
corn is the favorite food of many and a
staple food in many countries.
In addition to the satisfying taste,
it is a nutritious food having lots of
health benefits. This wholesome food
is packed with essential nutrients, is
a very good source of fiber, minerals
and vitamins. The presence of thiamin
(vitamin B1) is used in the metabolism
of complex carbohydrates. This is also
believed to increase cognitive ability of
the brain thereby supporting intellectual
capacity of the human brain. Presence
of folic acid in corn helps to increase
the red blood cell count of the body
and, because it contains vitamin B12
and folic acid, anaemia which is caused
due their deficiency, is also prevented.
Vitamin C
present in corn helps
to fight several
diseases.
One of the
biggest benefits
of corn is its high
fiber content that relieves constipation,
eases digestion, prevents hemorrhoids
and reduces the risk of colorectal
cancer. It has been shown to lower
cholesterol levels thereby reducing
cardiovascular diseases significantly.
Hence, consumption of corn
regularly reduces LDL cholesterol
besides protecting against diabetes,
hypertension and other chronic
ailments. Corn is a rich source of
healthy calories needed to be active
throughout the day. The calorie
content is 342 calories per 100 grams.
Therefore, it is a perfect staple food in
many countries. Yellow corn is a rich
source of beta carotene which forms
vitamin A in the body and is essential
for maintaining good vision and
healthy skin. Antioxidant properties in
corn also help neutralize the cancercausing free radicals present in the
human body. Unlike in other food,
cooking corn increases its antioxidant
content. The kernels of corn are rich
in vitamin E, a natural antioxidant
essential for healthy growth.
Other vital minerals present in
corn are phosphorous, magnesium,
manganese, zinc, iron and copper.
While phosphorous is necessary
for strengthening the bone
tissue, normal growth and kidney
functioning, magnesium is necessary
for maintaining bone health and
maintaining normal health rate.
Hence, growing children should
consume more of corn. Corn can be
eaten in many healthy forms— from
steaming it to mixing it in soups, salads
and vegetables. Corn bread can made
from corn flour and corn cobs dashed
with low fat butter and a little salt
makes for an excellent treat. In any
form, do make it a point to include it in
your diet more frequently because of its
enormous nutritional benefits. „
Nutritional Values of Fresh and
Cooked Corn, Yellow or White
Serving Size: 1 medium (7”) ear
Source: www.home. howstuffworks.com
Calories
77
Fat
1g
Saturated Fat
<1 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
Carbohydrate
19 g
Protein
3g
Dietary Fiber
3g
Sodium
13 mg
Vitamin C
5 mg
Folic Acid
41 micrograms
Niacin
Potassium
2 mg
243 mg
Other sources:
www.organicfacts.net
www. organicfoodshealth.com
www.corn.org
FOOD
recipe & drinks
Autumn Treats
BE THANKFUL FOR THE BOUNTIFUL HARVEST
Thanksgiving meals of the West is slowly becoming
popular in the city with or without the turkey
Photos: ECS Media
Stuffed whole roast chicken
INGREDIENTS
• 1 roaster chicken, about 4 pounds butter
• Stuffing:
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme, crumbled
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, or 2
teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 2 cups soft bread crumbs
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/3 cup milk
• salt and pepper
METHOD OF PREPARATION
• In a skillet, melt 1/4 cup butter over low
heat; saute chopped onion for 3 minutes. Add
thyme, parsley, and bread crumbs. Stir in egg
and enough milk to make dressing moist.
Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon stuffing into cavity of chicken; close by
sewing or with a piece of foil. Rub chicken with
butter. Place chicken breast side up on rack in
a shallow roasting pan. Roast stuffed chicken
at 375° for about 60 to 70 minutes, basting
several times. Internal temperature should
register 175° when done. Let chicken stand for
about 15 minutes before slicing.
(Source: www.about.com)
Thanksgiving lunch/dinner at Mike’s
Breakfast on 29th Nov 2012
Available at Rs 1499 per person(extra 10%
service charge and 13% vat)
Buffet starts from 2:30 pm(for lunch) and 6:30
pm(for dinner)/ vegetarian buffet also available
Did you know?
Recipe Courtesy: Mike’s Breakfast
58 HEALTHY LIFE
According to various sources “The First
Thanksgiving,” was held at the 1621 feast
between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
Native Americans at Plymouth Colony (presentday Massachusetts). The meal contained turkey,
waterfowl, venison, fish, lobster, clams, berries,
fruit, pumpkin, and squash. Many of the foods
that were included in that feast (except, notably,
seafood) have since gone on to become staples
of the modern Thanksgiving Dinner.
recipe & drinks
Serving: 1 person
FOOD
Butternut soup with chives and
cream and assorted bread rolls
INGREDIENTS
• French beans—15 g
• Onion (chopped)—5 g
• Garlic (chopped)—5 g
• Olive oil—5 ml
• Bottom mushrooms—30 g
• Cream—25 ml
• White sauce—20 ml
• White wine—5 ml
• Salt and pepper—To taste
METHOD OF PREPARATION
• Sauté the sliced onion and chopped garlic until transparent
and then add white wine.
• Add blanched, diced French beans and bottom mushrooms
and sauté in white wine.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Add cream and cook to reduce; then add parmesan cheese.
Remove from the pan and put into a casserole dish.
• Top with white sauce and add cream again.
• Add a little parmesan cheese and bake the casserole for 15
minutes at 200o C.
French beans, mushrooms
and onion casserole
Recipe Courtesy: Hyatt Regency
Serving: 1 person
INGREDIENTS
• Butter nut—100 g
• Onion (chopped)—5 g
• Garlic (chopped)—5 g
• Olive oil—5 ml
• Fresh cream—10 ml
• Chives—2 bunch
• Fresh herbs thyme—1 bunch
• Salt and pepper—To taste
METHOD OF PREPARATION
• Skinned butter nut is squashed and seeded and cut
in big dices.
• Place into a heavy, thick pan and cover with foil and
bake for 20 minutes in a wood-fired oven.
• Get a pan and add oil, garlic, onion and herbs and
sauté.
• Add baked butter nut squash and cook for 5 minutes.
Add vegetable stock and puree.
• Now reheat the puree and add cream seasoning.
• Add chives (whole pieces).
Recipe Courtesy: Hyatt Regency
• Serve with assorted bread rolls.
HEALTHY LIFE 59
FOOD
recipe & drinks
Recipe Courtesy: Hyatt Regency
INGREDIENTS
• Thinly sliced apple—1
• Thinly sliced apple—1
• Flour—375 g
• Corn flour—30 ml
• Baking powder—3 g
• Cinnamon powder—1 g
• Ginger powder—1 g
• Clove and all spice—1 ml
• Brown sugar—440 ml
• Milk—250 ml
• Egg—3
• Vanilla Essence—5 ml
• Butter—180 g
• Sweet paste tart—200 g
METHOD OF PREPARATION
• Prepare the sweet paste dough in a tart mould.
• Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
• Add eggs one by one and vanilla essence then mix it well.
• Combine baking powder, cinnamon powder, ginger
powder, clove, all spices flour and corn flour.
• Pour the milk into the butter mixture.
• Mix dry ingredients and mix with the butter mixture well.
• Mix with sliced apple and pear.
• Pour the mixture into the sweet paste dough mould.
• Bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 350o F.
• Reduce the heat to 320o F and bake for 25 minutes.
Spiced apple and pear tart
Roast duck with root vegetables
in orange balsamic sauce
Serving: 1 person
INGREDIENTS
• Duck breast—180 g
• Oil—5 ml
• Orange juice—30 ml
• Balsamic vinegar—5 ml
• Sugar—5 g
• Root vegetable—25 g (Can be carrot / beetroot /
potato)
• Roasted tomato—20 g
METHOD OF PREPARATION
• Marinate the duck breast with orange juice, sugar,
balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and oil.
• Sear the duck breast on both sides and place into the
thick pan, then transfer to the oven and cook as per
guest requirement.
• Boil the root vegetables until tender and sauté with
garlic and oil.
• Serve duck breast with root vegetables and balsamic
vinegar sauce with orange segments.
60 HEALTHY LIFE
Recipe Courtesy: Hyatt Regency
recipe & drinks
FOOD
INGREDIENTS
• Pumpkin puree—300 ml
• Sugar—60 g
• Salt—2 g
• Ground ginger—1 g
• Ground cinnamon—3 g
• Flour—5 g
• Eggs—2
• Evaporated milk—220 ml
• Water—30 ml
• Vanilla—2 ml
• Sweet paste—200 g
• Hazel nut—50 g
METHOD OF PREPARATION
• Combine pumpkin puree, sugar, salt, spices and flour in a
mixing bowl.
• Add eggs and mix well.
• Add evaporated milk, water, vanilla, hazel nut and mix well.
• Pour into pastry-lined pie pan.
Pumpkin pie
Recipe Courtesy: Delices De France
• Bake at 400o F for 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350o F and bake about 35 minutes longer or
until centre is set. Hazelnut and pumpkin pie
INGREDIENTS
• Melted butter or margarine for greasing
• 1 kg pumpkin, peeled, deseeded,
chopped (to make 600 g)
• 300 ml cream
• 200 g brown sugar
• 4 eggs, lightly whisked
• 2 tablespoon sugar syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg powder
• 50 g dark chocolate, grated, to serve
• Thick cream and chopped pecan nuts,
to serve
METHOD OF PREPARATION
• Preheat oven to 180° C. Brush a 24 cm
pie mould with the melted butter or
margarine to lightly grease.
• Place the pumpkin in a steamer
and cook over simmering water for
15 minutes or until tender. Drain the
pumpkin well. Transfer to a large mixing
bowl and mash until smooth. Cool.
• Gradually stir the cream into the mashed
pumpkin and mix well. Add the brown
sugar, whisked eggs, golden syrup,
ginger and cinnamon and mix until well
combined. Pour the mixture into the
prepared flan dish. Sprinkle with nutmeg
and bake in preheated oven for 55-60
minutes or until just set.
• Remove from the oven and cool. Place
in your fridge for 2-3 hours to chill before
serving. Sprinkle evenly with the grated
chocolate and serve with thick cream
sprinkled. „
Recipe Courtesy: Hyatt Regency
HEALTHY LIFE 61
FOOD
photo feature
Time for High Tea
A PARTY YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO MISS
Binita invites her very close friends over for a high tea party on a
fine September evening. Binita Sotang, owner of ISEEITFIRST
and Alboe restaurant at Pulchowk is known for her well planned
and frequent theme parties. Some of most recent one being a
100% vegeterian theme party- ‘go green’, and summer- ‘white
party’. Who would want to miss out on the great food, a warm
ambience and a pleasant gathering of close friends?
Location Courtesy: Binita Sotang’s Residence, Taukhel, Photos: ECS Media
62 HEALTHY LIFE
Binita loves entertaining guests at home and she is known for
her private yet elaborate theme parties which she organizes now
and then.She travels regularly and thoroughly enjoys shopping
and collecting items for her home which is neatly and lavishly
decorated. From the crockerie’s to the expensive show pieces
and accessories, she has it all.
Healthylife was witness to one of her very private high tea
party in which she organized for her very close celebrity friends
like actor Sunil Thapa, singers Nima Rumba, Adrian Pradhan
and his wife. She was the perfect host that late afternoon
preparing, checking, arranging, welcoming and serving guests.
HEALTHY LIFE 63
All about High Tea
What is high tea?
Traditionally, high tea was a heavy meal of meat dishes
(such as steak and kidney pie), fish dishes (such as pickled
salmon), baked goods (such as crumpets or, in Ireland,
barm brack), vegetables (such as potatoes or onion cakes),
and other heavy foods (such as baked beans and cheesy
casseroles). It was primarily a working class meal served
on a high table at the end of the workday, shortly after five
pm. The upper class ‘high tea’ involved the amalgamation of
afternoon tea and high tea, with the addition of pigeon, veal,
salmon and fruit.
Why ‘high tea’?
Afternoon tea became a ‘mini meal’ for the upper classes
and a bridge between meals because many wouldn’t eat their
evening meal until maybe 8. Working classes on the other
hand could not afford those lavish items and by the time they
returned after a tiring day, they were famished. Thus, in the
industrial areas of the UK (northern England and southern
Scotland), the working classes evening meal evolved high tea.
Source: www.whatscookingamerica.net
64 HEALTHY LIFE
High tea history
According to legend, one of Queen Victoria’s (18191901) ladies-in-waiting, Anna Maria Stanhope
(1783-1857), known as the Duchess of Bedford, is
credited as the creator of afternoon teatime. Because
the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess
suffered from “a sinking feeling” at about four
o’clock in the afternoon.
At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her
a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs. Adopting the
European tea service format, she invited friends
to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five
o’clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu
centered around small cakes, bread and butter
sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea.
This summer practice proved so popular, the
Duchess continued it when she returned to London,
sending cards to her friends asking them to join her
for “tea and a walk in the fields.” The practice of
inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was
quickly picked up by other social hostesses.
Food items displayed at the
party
1.
Stir fried Prawn King
2.
Chicken Dijonnaise
3.
Chicken Sandwhich
4.
Greek Salad
5.
Chicken patties
6.
Pastries
7.
Cheese
8.
Fruits
9.
Chocolates
10.
Juice
11.
Tea
12.
Sparkling wine
HEALTHY LIFE 65
High tea dress style
Traditionally, high tea parties were formal. Keep the tradition alive
by mixing current trends with traditional ones like adding lace
gloves to your outfit or wearing a high neckline but don’t show up
in your ripped jeans and beanie.
66 HEALTHY LIFE
Guests
Sunil Thapa, a popular Nepali actor who is well known for his
roles in many Bollywood and Nepali films. Ek Duuje Ke Liye
being his first hindi movie.
Nima Rumba, Nepal’s favourite singer, lyricist and musician.
Adrian Pradhan, a well known singer, songwriter and composer
from Kalimpong, India.(He and his wife joined in later)
HEALTHY LIFE 67
Tea Etiquette
• Pinkie up does mean straight up in the air, but slightly tilted. It
is not an affectation, but a graceful way to avoid spills. Never loop
your fingers through the handle, nor grasp the vessel bowl with the
palm of your hand.
Holding a tea cup
Using teaspoons
• In order for one not to spill the hot liquid onto oneself, the
proper way to hold the vessel of a cup with no handle is to
place one’s thumb at the six o’clock position and one’s index
and middle fingers at the twelve o’clock position, while gently
raising one’s pinkie up for balance.
• Tea cups with a handle are held by placing one’s fingers to
the front and back of the handle with one’s pinkie up again
allows balance.
• Never wave or hold your tea cup in the air. When not in
use, place the tea cup back in the tea saucer.
• If you are at a buffet tea hold the tea saucer in your lap with
your left hand and hold the tea cup in your right hand. When
not in use, place the tea cup back in the tea saucer and hold
in your lap. The only time a saucer is raised together with the
teacup is when one is at a standing reception.
Pinkies up
• Originally, all porcelain teacups were made in China,
starting around 620 A.D. These small cups had no handles.
In order for one not to spill the hot liquid onto oneself, the
proper way to hold the vessel was to place one’s thumb at the
six o’clock position and one’s index and middle fingers at the
twelve o’clock position, while gently raising one’s pinkie up
for balance.
68 HEALTHY LIFE
• Do not stir your tea in sweeping circular motions.
• Place your tea spoon at the six o’clock position and softly fold the
liquid towards the twelve o’clock position two or three times.
• Either place the iced teaspoon on the side of another plate or ask
the server or hostess to remove the spoon from the table. Never leave
the spoon in the glass especially when actually drinking your tea.
Serving tea
• Milk is served with tea, not cream. Cream is too heavy and masks
the taste of the tea. Although some pour their milk in the cup first, it is
probably better to pour the milk in the tea after it is in the cup in order
to get the correct amount.
• Remove the tea bag from the cup and place it on a side saucer or in a
slop bowl. Do not use the string to wrap around or squeeze the tea bag.
• When serving lemon with tea, lemon slices are preferable, not
wedges. Either provide a small fork or lemon fork for your guests,
or have the tea server can neatly place a slice in the tea cup after the
tea has been poured. Be sure never to add lemon with milk since the
lemon’s citric acid will cause the proteins in the milk to curdle.
Drinking tea
• Do not use your tea to wash down food. Sip, don’t slurp, your tea
and swallow before eating.
Source: www.whatscookingamerica.net
photo feature
FOOD
HEALTHY LIFE 69
Health
Feature // Your Health // Ask our experts // Promotion
A Persistent Irritant
THE COUGH THAT WON’T STOP
A persistent cough can be due to variety of causes such as various
allergies, sinus infection causing post nasal drip, pneumonia,
whooping cough (pertussis), acid refluxes, etc. Chronic smokers or
even passive smokers can have persistent cough which may lead
to chronic bronchitis.
Words: Sunita Gurung
HEALTH
feature
ore often than not, it all
begins from a harmless
cold but even after the
tail end of it is long
gone and over, if the coughing still
continues then this irritant has to be
dealt with as there could be a host of
related problems. Several weeks of
pervasive hacking clearly indicates
that it needs thorough investigation.
Cough, in simple terms, is
considered a trivial matter in
medical history. But if it starts to
develop more than just a medically
non-threatening sore throat then it
definitely has to be assessed from
a different angle. Naturally, people
tend to visit a doctor when they
suffer from a cough that is persistent
but prior to the visit there are many
questions that play around in our
mind. ENT Specialist Ajit Nepal, who
is currently an associate professor
and heads the Patan Academy of
Health Sciences, not only answers
those questions but also shares with
us on how cough can be a symptom
of a myriad of diseases.
M
Why do we cough?
People cough when something
irritates their airways. A cough is the
body’s response to inflammation or
irritation in the throat, larynx, bronchi
or lungs. The common causes of
coughing are various allergies (e.g.
cold, dusts, pollen grains, smoke,
etc), infections, chronic sinusitis with
postnasal drip, acid reflux and foreign
bodies, etc.
Is coughing a protective
mechanism? How?
Yes, coughing is a protective
mechanism or reflex which clears
airway of irritants and obstructions
such as infections, dust, smoke,
excessive mucus, foreign bodies, etc.
Cough reflex is a complex mechanism.
Our airways are lined by receptors
which can respond to a number of
different types of stimuli ranging from
dust, smoke, irritant gases as well as
excess mucus. Once the receptors are
triggered, a signal is sent via the vagus
nerve, setting up a reflex with the signal
being transmitted to our brainstem and
finally making us aware that we need to
clear these noxious particles or gases.
Besides the airway, cough receptors are
also present in our ear canals.
72 HEALTHY LIFE
What is a persistent cough?
A persistent cough is defined as a
cough that persists for a period of eight
weeks or longer. The cough may be
dry, or productive (i.e. you may cough
up mucous).
What are the possible causes of
persistent cough?
A persistent cough can be due to
variety of causes, such as various
allergies, sinus infection causing post
nasal drip, pneumonia, whooping
cough (pertussis), acid refluxes, etc.
Chronic smokers or even passive
smokers can have persistent cough
which may lead to chronic bronchitis.
Some serious diseases like congestive
heart failure, tuberculosis and
lung cancer can also be the cause
for persistent coughing. Certain
medications like ACE inhibitors (e.g.
Enalapril—commonly prescribed
for high blood pressure) are another
possible cause of persistent cough.
When should a person visit a doctor
regarding the cough?
Most of the cough following common
cold or viral infection goes away on
its own over a period of a week or
two. Persistent cough which lasts for
3 weeks or more may be a symptom
of asthma, lung cancer, tuberculosis,
ENT Specialist Ajit Nepal is currently
an associate professor and heads the
Patan Academy of Health Sciences
cough. It is very important to look
for the underlying cause and treat/
eliminate the actual cause rather
than to use empirical non-specific
cough medicines, which may simply
lead to elimination of an important
protective reflex and mask the actual
causative factor. For this, it is advised
to contact the concerned physician.
What if the chest feels congested?
Accumulation of excess mucus
and fluid in the lungs is commonly
known as chest congestion. It is
commonly described as a feeling
of chest tightness. There may be
associated cough, difficulty in
breathing, coughing up of blood,
difficulty in talking/swallowing
Persistent cough which lasts for 3 weeks or
more may be a symptom of asthma, lung
cancer, tuberculosis, foreign body, etc.
foreign body, etc. and needs immediate
medical attention for thorough
evaluation.
Coughs associated with prolonged
sinusitis with postnasal drip also need
proper evaluation and management.
Blood mixed expectoration may be
due to tuberculosis, upper airway
or lung cancer whereas coffee
ground expectorations may be due to
pneumonia. All need medical attention
as soon as possible. Associated chest
pain and breathing difficulty may be
due to chest infection, asthma, or heart
failure and should not be ignored.
A detailed history, thorough
examination and appropriate
investigations can identify the cause
in over 90% of people with persistent
and chest pain. The symptoms
can vary from being mild to severe
discomfort. Common cold, influenza,
sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia,
whooping cough, tuberculosis,
congestive heart failure, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pulmonary
edema, lung cancer, etc. may cause
symptoms of chest congestion with
varying severity.
What if the chest is not only
congested but also painful?
Conditions such as pneumonia,
bronchitis and upper respiratory
infections can all cause uncomfortable
symptoms such as congestion and chest
pain. Many of the causes of congestion
and chest pain are due to bacterial or
viral infections.
feature
Asthma cough responds to normal asthma
medications such as bronchodilators and
inhaled corticosteroids.
Is it sinus infection if the coughing
is associated with a painful
headache?
Yes, sinus infection may be associated
with cough and headache. Cough
occurs due to postnasal drip which
falls into the airway irritating the
airway. Headache occurs due to
blockage of sinus opening in the nose
causing failure of ventilation and
drainage from the sinuses leading
to pressure sensation/headache.
Typically, a sinus headache worsens
when we move our head or bend over.
Sinus headaches may be worse in the
morning and improve during the day
as mucus drains.
What is asthmatic cough and how
is it different from other cough?
Asthma cough is a type of dry cough
by bronchial spasm
caused
(narrowing of
lower airway) due to various allergies.
Such spasm, besides coughing, can
cause symptoms like shortness of
breath, wheezing (noisy breathing)
and chest tightness, which may
be more severe at night. Asthma
cough responds to normal asthma
medications such as bronchodilators
and inhaled corticosteroids in contrast
to other coughs.
What is pertussis?
It is an acute infectious inflammation
of the larynx, trachea and bronchi
caused by Bordetella pertussis, a nonmotile gram-negative coccobacillus.
The disease is characterized by
recurrent bouts of spasmodic coughing
that continues until the breath is
exhausted, then ending in a noisy
inspiratory stridor (the “whoop”)
caused by laryngeal spasm, thus it
is also called whooping cough. It
primarily affects infants and children
less than four years who have not yet
been immunized.
What is the diagnosis if
coughing leads to phlegm
that contains blood?
Coughing up blood
or hemoptysis can be
very frightening. Is the
blood truly coming from
the lungs? Or is it from
the nose (epistaxis)
or stomach
(hemetemesis)? In
true hemoptysis, the
sputum is bright
red and frothy with
air bubbles which
may often be
confused with the
dark red or black
color of hematemesis
that is often mixed
with food particles.
Blood streaks seen
in phlegm (sputum)
could be a sign of serious
bronchial infections like bronchitis,
bronchiectiasis, pneumonia,
HEALTH
tuberculosis, bleeding disorders,
foreign bodies, laryngeal or lung
cancers, and even heart failures.
One must seek immediate medical
attention in such cases.
What does it indicate if the coughing
is accompanied by heartburn?
Cough associated with heartburn
commonly occur in case of acid reflux
diseases like laryngo-pharyngeal reflux
(LPR) or gastro-oesophageal reflux
disease (GERD). The esophagus is
the tube that carries food from the
mouth to the stomach. Normally, the
lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is
a ring of muscle at the bottom of the
esophagus that acts like a valve between
the esophagus and stomach. When
the sphincter opens spontaneously, for
varying periods of time, or does not close
properly, stomach contents/acid rise up
into the esophagus/larynx causing the
symptoms.
In such cases, besides heartburn
and cough, there may be other
features like nausea, sensation of lump
in throat, belching, change in voice,
difficulty in swallowing, bad smell and
even sinus problems.
Do certain medications lead to
persistent cough?
Some antihypertensive agents
like ACE inhibitors e.g. Enalapril,
Ramipril, Captopril, etc. and oral
antidiabetic agents like Sitagliptine
may cause cough. Sometimes,
corticosteroids used as inhalers or
intranasal spray (in cases of asthma
or nasal allergies) can cause dry
cough. Gargling water between puffs
of the inhaler is recommended in
such cases.
What are the home remedies if
any for normal cough?
Adequate fluid intake and warm saline
water gargling may help in thinning the
mucus and cleanse irritants from throat.
Avoiding irritants like dust, smoke,
pollen grains and other pollutants is
helpful. Having honey/ginger mix or
drinking turmeric mixed hot water
or tea, eating raw garlic, and steam
inhalation, may have a soothing effect.
Elevating the head with an extra pillow
at night may help ease dry allergic
cough. But such remedies should only
be attempted in milder forms and for
few days only before seeking expert
ENT/medical help. „
HEALTHY LIFE 73
HEALTH
your health
An Awkward Moment
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS AND YOU
The frequency and urgency to urinate has increased,
accompanied with pain across the lower back or abdomen—if
these symptoms sound familiar, then you probably have a
urinary tract infection (UTI).
Words: Anjan Rijal, Consultant Urologist
H
ave you recently been
feeling languid and unwell?
Every time you pass
urine, it is torture, like
passing shards of glass! The frequency
and urgency to urinate has increased,
accompanied with pain across the lower
back or abdomen. If these symptoms
sound familiar, then you probably have a
urinary tract infection (UTI). These are
some of the symptoms, but the infection
can present itself in myriad ways.
The Urinary Tract
The urinary tract comprises the
kidneys, ureters, bladder and the
urethra. The kidney is the organ where
blood is filtered. Waste and unwanted
products of metabolism are discarded
along with excess fluid in our bodies
to form urine. The urine passes via the
ureters from the kidneys to the bladder,
which is a reservoir for urine, before
being excreted through the urethra. The
female urethra is shorter than the male,
which predisposes females to urinary
tract infections.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Infection or proliferation of bacteria
anywhere along this tract presents
as a urinary tract infection. Infection
leads to inflammation, a mechanism
by which the body fights the offending
factors. Inflammation causes swelling,
redness, rise of temperature and loss
of function. This induces certain
body mechanisms to switch on,
leading to a cascade reaction, causing
systemic effects like fever. Pain is a
vital component of this mechanism,
and is the body’s way of suggesting
‘something is wrong’.
74 HEALTHY LIFE
Infections can occur in various
parts of the urinary tract. When it
involves the kidneys, it is known as
pyelonephritis, and when it is confined
to the bladder, it is cystitis. Although
the treatment modalities are similar in
these cases, the urgency of treatment
and hospital admission may vary.
Bacteria are mostly responsible for
urinary tract infections in our region.
The most common bacteria causing
urinary tract infection are Escherichia
coli (E coli), a gram-negative bacillus.
Other organisms responsible for
infections are Klebsiella, Proteus,
Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and
Staphylococcus species. The mode of
entry of the bacteria is generally from
the periurethral region, ascending
into the bladder. The organisms may
be initially present in the periurethral
region, or migrate from the back
passage.
UTI and Women
In women, the distance the organisms
have to travel to reach the bladder
is relatively short. On reaching the
bladder, the bacteria lodge themselves,
and partake of the nutrients in the
urine to proliferate. The organisms
release toxins that can overwhelm the
local defence mechanisms leading to
an infection. The infection can remain
confined to the bladder, or ascend
the ureter to the kidneys. However,
research suggests only certain strains
of bacteria can actually move up to
the kidneys. Other less likely modes
of entry of the bacteria are by spread
through the blood or lymph channels,
and sometimes from infected adjacent
organs.
UTI and Children
UTIs though common in young women,
do not exclusively affect this group. It
affects both sexes, and all age groups.
In children, anatomical abnormalities
of the urinary tract predispose them
to infections. Owing to differences
between an adult and child’s urinary
tract, infections of the bladder in children
ascend more easily to the kidney. These
infections, if not treated promptly, can scar
the kidney. Recurrent kidney infections
cause multiple scarring leading to damage
of the organ, hence, it is imperative to treat
children quickly. Treatment should include
correcting the underlying anatomical
abnormality also. Parents must be vigilant
for symptoms of UTIs in young children
who cannot express themselves. These
include fever, the child crying on urination
and failure to thrive.
UTI and Men
Generally, young males do not get
UTIs, but if they do, then they must
your health
be investigated
thoroughly for any
underlying cause that
may predispose them
to infections. These
include anatomical
abnormalities, or other
causes that can cause
obstruction to the flow of
urine, like narrowing of
the urethral passage
(stricture), or
growth of the
prostate gland.
Strictures
can occur in
young men
due to various
oneself from front to back after
going to the toilet, and voiding urine
soon after contact are some of them.
Drinking adequate quantities of
water must also be stressed. Water
flushes the system, and not only
prevents the bacteria from colonizing,
but also prevents kidney stones.
However, if someone does get
an infection in spite of preventive
measures, then the main line of
treatment are antibiotics. Individuals
should seek professional help and
not self-medicate. Unmonitored
and injudicious use of these
medicines has made bacteria
resistant to antibiotics. As a result,
certain bacteria do not respond
If someone does get an infection in spite
of preventive measures, then the main line
of treatment are antibiotics.
causes including trauma (straddle
injuries) and skin conditions
(Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans),
but an important cause is sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). If
STDs are not treated, they may cause
strictures in the urethra, leading to
obstruction and stagnation of urine in
the bladder. This causes proliferation
of bacteria leading to UTIs.
In elderly males, growth of
the prostate gland leads to similar
blockages, causing UTIs. The
mechanism by which the prostate
obstructs the flow of urine is not only
by mechanical blockage, but also by a
more complex dynamic mechanism,
involving the muscles lining the
bladder neck and prostatic part of
the urethra. Apart from these, other
conditions can predispose someone
to UTIs, including the presence of
urinary tract stones. The presence of
stone disease not only predisposes
to UTI, but also can actually be a
consequence of the UTI. It can lead
to a vicious cycle that may be difficult
to treat.
Treatment of UTI
In women, following some simple
steps can help prevent UTIs. Proper
personal hygiene, avoidance of badly
maintained public toilets, wiping
to known antibiotics, which can
be catastrophic. Although most
infections can be treated with
appropriate medication, certain
infections can overwhelm the body
defences and cause sepsis (blood
infection), known as urosepsis, which
can be fatal, especially in very young
children and the elderly. Persons who
have diseases like diabetes are also at
risk, along with people with immunodeficient states (AIDS, TB etc.).
Other medications used for UTIs
are mostly for symptomatic relief.
They vary from medicines that sooth
the bladder (alkalisers) to analgesia
(painkillers). Nevertheless, it must
be emphasised that even during an
infection, if the kidneys
are functioning, then
proper fluid intake is
essential.
Tests for UTI
A doctor may do a set
of investigations before
starting someone on
medications. This
involves a urine test
to check for infection,
determine the causative
organism and the
appropriate antibiotic
for treatment. A blood
HEALTH
test is done to analyse the kidney
function and to gain information
regarding the spread of infection into
the blood. In young children, males
and the elderly, further tests may be
carried out. These consist of imaging
(ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan) of the
upper urinary tract, and a direct
look at the urethra and bladder by a
scope, a procedure called cystoscopy.
Imaging and cystoscopy should also
be done for women who present with
more than three proven UTIs in a sixmonth period.
UTIs consist of symptoms that
can be recognised by an individual.
They mostly affect young women,
although no person is immune
from them. Bacteria are the main
culprits, and doing urine tests
can identify them. Infections may
be mild, but they can also cause
increased morbidity and mortality.
With bacteria becoming resistant to
antibiotics, it is important to treat
the infections appropriately. Children
are particularly vulnerable, with
infections a possible source of kidney
damage, hence prompt, proper
treatment must be solicited. There
are simple measures that people can
take to prevent UTIs, and adequate
fluid intake is vital. Doctors of many
specialties treat UTIs, however, if
the infection persists, then specialist
help must be obtained, otherwise
infections may prove detrimental to
one’s health and wellbeing. „
Dr. Anjan Rijal, MBBS, FRCS
(Ed), Post-graduate Diploma in Urology
(UCL, London) is a Consultant Urologist
at Nepal Medical College Teaching
Hospital, Jorpati, Kathmandu, Nepal.
HEALTH
ask our experts
Dental Dilemmas
Since past 2 years, I have noticed
black stains on my teeth. One of
my friends told me it is because of
smoking. I had quit smoking a year
back but the black stains don’t go
away. I brush twice daily but it’s of no
use. Please tell me is there any way to
get rid of these stains.
I am very happy to hear that you have
quit smoking. God job! As for the black
stains, it may be due to your smoking
habit. Apart from smoking, you can get
stains from various other things like
tea, coffee, red wine, certain medicines,
etc. I suggest you to visit your dentist
for scaling. Scaling is the professional
way of cleaning your teeth and gums
with the help of a machine. It will
remove all the stains and tartar that get
accumulated around your gums and
teeth. Apart from scaling, you should
continue your habit of brushing twice
daily which will help you to maintain
your oral hygiene. Also, ask your
dentist to show you the correct way of
brushing.
I had fallen down from the stairs
and hit my front tooth five years
back. A small portion of my tooth
was chipped off at that time. But
now I have noticed that the color of
that tooth is blackish. I don’t know
why this is happening? Is there any
treatment to change the color and
shape of my tooth? Please suggest.
Don’t worry; there are a few options to
deal with your problem.
In your query, you have
not mentioned whether
you have any pain,
swelling or any
other symptoms
associated with
that tooth. During your fall, the
nerve of your tooth might also have
been injured along with the fracture
of your tooth which is causing the
blackish discoloration. An x-ray of
that tooth will reveal whether there
is any infection due to injured nerve,
any fracture tooth root or not. If
the root is fractured, then depending
upon the level of the fracture, the
tooth might have to be removed, or if
possible, it can be saved by root canal
therapy. If only infection is there,
then again, root canal therapy will be
the treatment option. Only after this,
cosmetic treatment can be carried out
to change the color and shape of your
tooth which include bleaching, veneer,
crown, tooth-colored restoration.
Either one of these treatment options
or a combination of these are used to
get the desired result.
I have one missing tooth in my upper
right region. The tooth was removed
by my dentist six months ago because
it was badly worn off. Now I want to
replace that tooth and want to know
my options.
There are three different options to
replace your missing tooth:
Denture: Artificial tooth is placed
supported with a metal or acrylic plate.
It is a removable option. The denture
has to be removed at night and stored
properly in a box containing water.
Every morning, it should be cleaned
properly before use.
Implants: A procedure where a small
titanium screw is placed in your jaw
bone to support the artificial tooth. It
is a fixed procedure (unlike denture)
which can’t be taken out by the patient.
There are different types of
implant systems available.
Bridge: Generally, the two
teeth on each side of the missing
Mail your questions to [email protected]. We will get the answers from the experts.
76 HEALTHY LIFE
Dr. Bhavana Luintel (BDS, FAGE) is
the managing director of Dental Spa.
She completed her Bachelor in Dental
Surgery from Manipal University,
India, and has been practicing dentistry
since 2005.
tooth are prepared and with the help
of these two teeth, the missing tooth is
replaced. It is also a fixed procedure.
I am 22-yrs-old. My last tooth is
giving me problem since the last two
years. Every 2/3 months, the gums
around get swollen and I have pain
and difficulty in opening my mouth. I
visited my dentist and she prescribed
me some antibiotics and pain killers
and my problem got resolved. But,
again after few months, the pain and
other symptoms came back. I am
going abroad for my further studies
and I want permanent solution of
problem. Please help.
The problem you are facing is called
pericoronitis. It is an infection of the
gums around the erupting third molar
(wisdom tooth). If the wisdom tooth
is erupting in normal position and
there is no infection, then oral hygiene
should be maintained properly to allow
normal eruption of the wisdom tooth.
But, from your history, it seems the
gums around the tooth is infected.
So, taking antibiotics is just helping to
reduce the symptoms at that time. And,
taking antibiotics every now and then
is not good for your health. Permanent
solution for your problem is to remove
the infectious wisdom tooth without
delay. Since wisdom tooth doesn’t help
in chewing, the replacement of this
tooth after removal is not needed. Good
luck with your studies! „
HEALTH
promotion
Energy on the Go
NUTRITIONAL DEMANDS IN ROAD CYCLING
Consuming a sports drink with electrolytes is
recommended practice, whilst for longer events and/or in
hot climates, higher electrolyte drinks may be appropriate.
C
ycling is defined as a ‘highenergy demand’ sport. Road
cyclists can cover large
mileage over any given week,
with a traditionally ‘long’ ride at the
weekend. Cyclists are characterized by
low body fat measurements and high
power to weight ratios. Maintaining
their body weight is the key concern.
As such, ensuring a good platform of
energy intake during the day in the
form of regular meals is important.
The use of snacks between meals is a
useful strategy to help spread the food
consumption over the 5/6 meals as
opposed to just 3.
Endurance athletes, such as
cyclists and marathon runners, etc.
are traditionally sensitive to protein in
their diet, based on the myth that it will
make their body ‘look big’ and ‘bulky’.
In reality, it is specific training methods
(resistance training) that will increase
muscle mass, not protein intake per
se. Protein is in fact crucial in the diet,
consumed regularly throughout the
day to help aid repair, regeneration
and general protein balance. Although,
the overall protein requirements are
unlikely to be as high as strength based
athletes, a focus on protein in recovery
from training is an area most cyclists
can make improvements.
Hydration is an absolute key
requirement for cyclists. The amount
that any individual will sweat is highly
individual and dependent on several
factors e.g. weather, intensity of
training and duration. Dehydration
is known to reduce training intensity,
so maintaining a regular fluid intake
throughout the day is essential. Fluid
needs will vary according to exercise
intensity and environmental conditions.
Fluid losses of approximately 300 ml/
hr to 1200 ml/hr are reported in the
literature but in some conditions, losses
are expected to be much higher. Urine
color is the simplest way to monitor
hydration status, with urine that is
yellow/colorful suggesting a dehydrated
state. Electrolytes (or sodium) is
another area that has received
significant recognition in the running
world. Consuming a sports drink with
electrolytes is recommended practice,
whilst for longer events and/or in hot
climates, higher electrolyte drinks
may be appropriate.
Road cycling as a participation
event has no defined distances–the
goals can vary from beginners
through to experienced riders, albeit
most have a good idea of the time it
might take them to complete specific
distances and/or the power or speed
that they can sustain over prolonged
periods of time. Ultimately, road
cycling is a prolonged endurance
event, covering various routes of
flat roads and hills. The best riders
are able to sustain highest possible
power output for the longest time
without the buildup of fatigue.
Furthermore, competitive riders
require the ability to find high levels
of power output during hill sections
or for the various bursts of speed
that may occur during races.
General Nutrition
Classical guidelines remain the
same with a high carbohydrate
meal before training, the use of
carbohydrate during high intensity
and/or long duration training, and
the combination of protein and
carbohydrate in the immediate
recovery period after. The great
thing about cycling is that during
training there is no excuse for
not being able to manage optimal
sports nutrition strategy as carrying
enough food and fluids on the bike
is relatively easy compared to other
sports. A combination of a sports
drink and energy gels and/or bars
are common practice.
78 HEALTHY LIFE
promotion
In race day, cycling requires
the ability to translate the practiced
routines from training into
competition. This should be relatively
straightforward, leaving much of the
decision making about the pre-race
meal, which mostly is the breakfast.
This allows cyclists to build their
perfect breakfast, ideally including
oats, wholemeal bread, and moderate
protein sources, e.g. milk, eggs.
athletes, therefore some athletes may
wish to use caffeine (products such as
ON Essential Amino Energy, which
provides 100 mg of caffeine along
with amino acids and carbohydrates)
in their pre-race nutritional plan. If
an athlete chooses to use caffeine in
competition it is suggested that (after
trials in training) 1-3 mg per kg body
weight is consumed 60 minutes before
competition.
Carbohydrate loading
Immunity
Carbohydrate loading for days prior
to events is probably a strategy of the
past. It is well known that you can
saturate the carbohydrate stores in
the muscles within 24 hours of a high
carbohydrate diet, so a focus on eating
well the day before a race is logical.
Many tend to eat too much in one go,
whereas those who manage to load
effectively spread out their food intake
into 5/6 meals throughout the day.
Caffeine
Caffeine has been shown to increase
alertness and endurance capacity in
Most athletes who are eating a wellbalanced diet will consume sufficient
vitamins and minerals to meet their
nutritional requirements without the
need for additional supplements.
However, a good multi-vitamin can
provide a useful insurance policy,
particularly during the winter months.
Recovery
Athletes need to look after their
recovery of fuel stores after a long
ride. Recovery of muscles and fuel
stores is enhanced with a snack that
provides carbohydrate and protein,
HEALTH
along with vitamins, that is consumed
immediately after exercise. Glutamine,
a free amino acid in the skeletal
muscles, helps in reducing muscle
sores and rebuild muscle tissue.
Good nutrition practices are
just as important for training as for
competition. It is tempting to go on
long rides and not want to interrupt
your rhythm by stopping for refills.
You can’t expect to improve your
training form without adequate fuel
and fluid on board. You may be OK on
the ride but spend the rest of the day
tired, unable to bounce back for the
next cycling session. „
Provided by Diet Nepal Private Limited.
Diet Nepal is the authorized distributor
of Optimum Nutrition (ON) products for
Nepal. It specifically deals in providing
nutritional supplements and nutritional
counseling in sports nutrition and for
general health. For more information,
log on to www.dietnepal.com, or call 014444301 and visit its store in Nagpokhari,
Naxal, Kathmandu.
HEALTHY LIFE 79
Fitness & Beauty
Feature // Grooming // Products // Ask our experts // Day out
Woman and Beauty
RADIANCE FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT
“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and
shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from
within.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Psychiatrist, Author.
Words: Merina Shrestha
HEALTHY LIFE 81
eauty is defined in many
ways—beauty is the first
impression; beauty lies in the
eyes of the beholder; inner
beauty is reflected on the outside;
beauty is all about having a beautiful
soul, and so on and so forth. However,
true beauty is something hard to define
and, while it differs from individual to
individual, everybody appreciates a pair
of pretty eyes, full lips, symmetrical
body and a fair complexion. Women, in
particular, are expected to meet certain
standards of physical appearance,
whether these are based on societal
norms, male expectations or women
themselves being concerned about their
appearance. Nevertheless, to take care
of self, pampering ourselves every now
and then shouldn’t make one feel guilty.
Of course, nobody should be obsessed
with looks but you can always work on
your little flaws and imperfections to
look good and feel better.
According to Dr. Rishi Ram Koirala
of Ayurveda Health Home, “Beauty
is not just the physical beauty; there
are other dimensions to it. They are
physical, sensorial, mental, emotional
and spiritual. Beauty dimension should
be understood to know true beauty.
Even at 80 years of age, a woman could
radiate beauty while a lady of 22 years
could look much older than her age. It
all depends on the physical perception
of self, attitude towards others and self,
B
and how a person adopts methods to
maintain oneself.”
He adds, “No matter what treatment
one applies, if the internal system is
not harmonized, beauty cannot be
attained. Attitude towards self or others
is important. Do we like who we are or
do we know ourselves better? Are we
highly reactive to surrounding people
and situations or are we aggressive and
easily irritated? Do we live a sedentary,
calm, bulky and accumulative lifestyle?
Along with that, the food we take also
plays an important role.”
Koirala discloses that a metabolic
person taking more spicy food adds to
body toxicity and says, “A sedentary
person consuming fatty food adds to
the woes as does taking less oil for a
more active person. No particular food
type is suitable for all. People should
choose their diet according to the
need of the body and the lifestyle one
adopts. For example, reactive people
are stressed out and have dry skin, so
they are suggested to have a bit oily and
sweet food to overcome stress and to
reduce toxicity of the body. “
He further adds, “Daily bowel
movement and sleep also affects the
skin and health. Whether a woman uses
contraceptives also has an effect on the
skin. Hence, there is a whole range of
dimension to beauty. Depending upon
the type of problem and/or lifestyle,
we recommend treatment (paste,
Even at 80 years of age, a woman could radiate
beauty while a lady of 22 years could look much
older than her age.
82 HEALTHY LIFE
massage, bath and lifestyle guidelines).
Although treatments are external, it
has the healing internal effect that
shines on the outside. Thus, to have
external radiance, internal system
should be harmonized.” He suggests
we give attention to five things to attain
the beauty we all aspire for: bowel
movement, diet, sleep, personal attitude
and the value system one adopts.
While keeping in mind that Just
as we give importance to looking
good, feeling good is also important
(more so today than ever before) here
are some of the latest technologies
available in the market which enhance
women’s looks:
Botox: As soon as one approaches
mid-30s or 40s, age starts showing
up. So, when we display facial
expression of smile, frown and other
emotions, age shows in the form of
visible wrinkles. Botox is a technique
used to smoothen the lines and give a
feature FITNESS & BEAUTY
younger and fresher look to the skin.
It is especially effective to remove
forehead lines, frown lines, crows’
feet and bunny lines. The procedure
takes between 10 to 30 minutes
depending upon the lines. Likewise,
there are dermafillers as well for
deeper lines like permanent lines on
the forehead, lip enlargement, centre
of eyebrows, and around the mouth.
Fillers last for as long as two years.
Cosmetic Surgery: According
to Medical Director Dr. Jaswan
Shakya of Sushma Koirala Memorial
Hospital, “Generally, in cosmetic
surgery, people don’t have high
expectations; they come for slight
corrections, for example, Mongolian
eyelids correction, scar revision,
nose job, surgically removing tattoos,
earlobe correction, mole removal and
reconstructive surgery. They also
come for breast augmentation and
reduction mammoplasty as well as
for liposuction which is a surgical
procedure for the removing fat tissue
from different parts of the body.”
person for the underlying problem for
effective results. However, awareness
is rising among the urban crowd.”
There are other treatments
available such as microdermabrasion
to brighten and shine the skin,
superficial skin resurfacing, and post
acne scar. Then there is chemical
peeling to treat melasma, acne, black
pigmentation and scars.
One of the problems these
days among women aspiring to be
slim is cellulite. It occurs when fat
cells protrude and break through
normal barrier and settle in between
layers giving a bumpy look. The fat
generally gets deposited around the
thighs, stomach, buttocks and arms.
The Salon at Blue Bird Mall has
introduced Ultrasound Cavitation,
Lymphatic Drainage and AntiCellulite Wrap to overcome the
problem.
Najuma Shrestha explains about
the technology, “Ultrasonic Cavitation
is a new technology that uses
ultrasound as the medium to rupture
fat membrane thereby releasing fat
More than anything, beauty is about health. The
more focused we are on healthy body and mind,
the more the glow that shines on our skin.
Laser Treatment: Dermatovenereologist, Cosmetologist and
Skin-laser Surgeon Lalan Khatiwada
of Nepal Skin Hospital, Baneshwor,
says,” In laser treatment, light is used
for treatment. CO2 Laser Surgery is
used to remove moles, skin tag, and
warts. CO2 Fractional Laser is used
to minimize post acne scars, post burn
scars, wide pores, stretch marks and
wrinkles. To remove tattoos, freckles
and black spots, Q-Switched Nd:
YAG Laser treatment is used. Laser
toning is used for Melasma and for
the skin tightening effect. For hair
removal, vascular lesion and skin
rejuvenation, laser treatment is the
effective medium.” According to him,
people have a tendency to rely on
home remedies and on beauticians
whose job is to work on the external
beautification. He says, “To some
extent, they might provide solutions,
but people should consult the right
content. It uses heat to melt fat. It
allows you to focus on key areas
like the stomach, buttocks, arms or
thighs. It is painless and doesn’t touch
any vital organs. With a healthy diet
plan, the procedure helps attain the
desired weight. “
The Salon also has Lymphatic
Drainage which is a massage or detox
used to help increase lymph flow
so as to remove harmful substance
from the tissue and improve one’s
immunity. And there is Anti-Cellulite
Wrap for instant remedy to fight
against cellulite. It helps you burn the
fat deposits and helps reduce cellulite
noticeably.
In addition to the above, there is a
whole range of amenities to beautify
like Mesotherapy treatment which is a
non-surgical cosmetic solution which
effectively reverses the signs of aging,
reconstructs, firms, and corrects age
spots. Ultrasonic Peeling exfoliates
dead skin cells while Galvanic Ironing
reduces wrinkles and gives a face lift.
As looking good is now more
imperative than ever before, we
are fortunate that there are various
means to suit individual needs. It’s
just that one must be discreet enough
while adopting the best method. The
above mentioned methods are more
about beautifying externally but the
big question is whether the external
beauty is mutually exclusive of inner
beauty. It isn’t so. They are integral
to each other. What is within reflects
on the outside and vice versa. Beauty
is all about harmonizing physical,
sensorial, mental and spiritual aspects
of a person according to Ayurveda. So,
it’s important to take care of our inner
beauty since it is as important as taking
care of our external features.
Ayurveda Health Home has a
wide range of treatments for those
who prefer more natural treatment.
These include Relaxation Abhyanga
for total relaxation; Cleansing
Abhyanga to facilitate body cleansing
and regulating the system; Ubatan
Abhyanga to improve complexion of
the body; and head and foot massages
besides a whole range of facial
beauty packages. Pinda Sveda is for
synchronizing deeper stimulation and
energy restoration and Siro Dhara is
to achieve a total sense of balance with
the flow of natural oil on the forehead.
Siro Basti improves flow of prana and
brain function. All the treatments seem
to be external, but they also have a
deeper internal effect. Besides, they
have numerous programs for deep
relaxation, recreation, self healing,
wellness and spiritual growth.
The meaning of beauty differs from
person to person. We can always make
a little correction here and there. We
can pamper ourselves every now and
then. But the most important idea is
to accept ourselves as we are with our
little flaws and big strengths. Women
are after all beautiful creatures with
unique features, so in that aspect,
every woman has the capacity to look
beautiful. It’s just that we need to
work on what we have and make the
most of our strong features. More than
anything, beauty is about good health.
The more focused we are on healthy
body and mind, the more the glow that
shines on our skin. „
HEALTHY LIFE 83
FITNESS & BEAUTY
products
HOWZZAT!
PROFESSIONAL CRICKET
EQUIPMENTS YOU CAN USE
Batting Gloves
Helmet
Wicket Keeping Gloves
Jockstrap
Arm Guard
Bat
Inner Thigh Pad
Wicket Keeping Pad
Deuce Ball
Thigh Pad
T-Shirt & Trouser
Fact Sheet
Name
Gyanendra Malla
DOB
September 16, 1990
Major Teams
Nepal National Team, Nepal APF, Nepal U-21, Nepal U-19, Nepal U-17,
Nepal U-15, CAN Select XI, Region Number 3 Kathmandu
Playing Role
Batsman
Batting Style
Right-hand bat
Bowling Style
Right-arm medium pace
Debut
Nepal Vs Namibia—2006 ICC Inter-Continental Cup
Best Bowling Figure
4-1-11-1 Vs M.C.C., 2009 Highest Score
79 (108) Vs Kuwait, 2006 ACC Trophy
Gyanendra Malla is currently the vicecaptain of the Nepal National Team which
is in Division Four of the 2012 ICC
World Cricket League. According to
him, cricket gear is as per the rules and
regulations and this is important as it
ensures safety for the players. Helmet,
gloves, leg guards, etc. are worn for
safety and comfort. While playing, a
player can suffer from serious injuries
like head injuries and fractures, and
it might take time for recovery which
could be a crucial period for the player.
84 HEALTHY LIFE
According to BBC Sports, cricket
equipment falls broadly into two
categories: the equipment needed
to play the game, and the protective
equipment needed to protect players
from injury. The equipment needed
to play includes the bat, ball and
wickets (stumps and bails). Protective
equipment includes padding, helmet
and gloves used by the batsmen and
wicket keepers. „
Product Courtesy: Kathmandu Cricket Training Center
(KCTC), Sanepa
FITNESS & BEAUTY
day out
Spa for Him
DE-STRESSING TIME FOR MEN
Despite the most common beliefs, spas and their treatments are not girly
things. Going to the spa to relax is one of the rare activities where gender
doesn’t matter. It’s time for men to be aware of that.
Words: Eloïse Jha-Dussably, Photos: ECS Media
Venue Courtesy: Heritage Spa, Sanepa
“
he very history of spa treatments
comes from the treatment of
soldiers coming back from
battles in ancient times,” explains
Kumar Maharjan, chairman of the
Heritage Spa in Sanepa. “So I just don’t
see why spas with treatments inspired
from this very period should be seen as
a girly thing only,” he continues. Reena
Shrestha, an aesthetician and therapist
who received her international training in
Singapore in collaboration with a Swiss
school, admits that still more than 60%
of the customers of this establishment
are female and explains it simply: “I
don’t think men are afraid to come and
be judged, especially in a spa like ours,
far from main roads, they simply don’t
know what is there for them.” Stress,
pollution, fatigue, these are some reasons
men should also allow themselves a few
hours of relaxation in a cosy environment
with professionals. When asked if there
are any specific treatments that would be
more adapted to men, both Kumar and
T
86 HEALTHY LIFE
Reena answer quickly: “Honestly, every
treatment can be for both, though we
recommend the facial treatment for men
during which we use a bit more pressure
but the treatments depend on the
individual rather than on his/her gender”.
Which treatment and for
whom?
As in an exotic restaurant, a spa has
a menu with dishes the novice might
not understand. The best thing to do
is to seek the professionals’ advice.
“It’s very important for us to know our
customers, so we can provide a truly
friendly environment that will make them
comfortable but mostly in order to know
their needs; what treatment we can do
using which type of products,” Kumar
says. First, the treatment must be chosen
according to the reason for the visit to the
spa—whether it is to relax from a very
tiring day or week, to prepare before an
important interview or meeting, or to get
the groom ready before meeting his bride
on the D-Day. “For any special event,
we recommend facial treatment with oils
and natural products adapted to the skin
type,” suggests Reena. “Facial and eye
treatment using natural products and
our knowledge of the lymphatic drainage
system helps clients to feel fully relaxed,
confident and have a certain glow that
will just had up to the confidence.” Active
men can be separated into two groups
according to the nature of their stress.
Stress, pollution and fatigue are some reasons
why men should also allow themselves a few
hours of relaxation in a cosy environment.
day out FITNESS & BEAUTY
1
2
4
5
6
3
7
1. Manicure treatment 2. Body massage 3. Sauna 4. Steam bath 5. Facial treatment 6. Facial treatment pack ready to be used 7. Body salt scrub
Some treatments may take a bit more time
to be accepted as masculine.
The mentally-stressed, who are usually
working in stressful environments such
as banks, big companies, international
organisations, etc., must allow themselves
at least 30 minutes of Shirodhara
treatment or as the brochure of Heritage
Spa states, “a therapy designed to
eliminate mental exhaustion as well as
relieve stress and any ill effects on the
central nervous system.”
The concept is to let oil flow by
gently pouring it on the forehead. For the
physically stressed, it’s better to go for
a full package starting with steam bath,
scrub, then massage and foot reflexology
or head and shoulder massage. Products
are also important and only camphor
oil can relieve stiff muscles. “Though it
takes more time than a simple massage,
it’s always better to go for a package
that will allow the body to fully relax,”
adds Reena. “The only difference in this
between men and women is that we will
use more easily body salt scrub for men
who generally have stronger and thicker
skin,” Kumar says.
Some treatments are prohibited for
some medical conditions. For example,
Thai massage is not recommended for
people who have had injuries in the past
(better to go for a simple deep tissue
massage and then, after consulting the
therapist, to move to Thai massage if
possible). Similarly, sauna is not for
people with high blood pressure. It’s
always good to have a little of consulting
with the therapist before going for a spa
treatment, except of course for those
already familiar with the treatments. At
the Heritage Spa, everything is bio and
natural; the Aloe Vera is freshly cut from
the garden but still, Kumar and Reena
warn, “Better check the products on
a small portion of skin to be sure that
the customer doesn’t have any allergy
and try to avoid products with a high
concentration of chemicals”.
What they say about the
spa experience
Meeting men coming out of a spa is
like meeting people who have reached
another state of bliss; that is, if the
experience was a successful one of
course. “I travel a lot for my work, not
only in the country but outside too;
taking long tiring flights with the mind
full of worries; so, whenever I can, I
stop by a spa and go in for a sauna for
30 minutes and then get a deep tissue
massage or simply oil on my forehead,”
says businessman Manish. For others, the
spa experience was not a regular thing
but can surely turn out to be one: “I got a
head and shoulder massage, but not the
kind you get at the barber, a real one—
deep, and with good products—my sister
sort of forced me to go to the spa and
she was more than right. I’m ready to go
back to work!” says a banker, 35 year-old
Rabin, enthusiastically. For Ben, 25, a
French tourist, it was a need he had long
felt. “I planned on going on a trek so I got
the full treatment package before setting
out to get my body ready and fresh, and
now that I’m back, I will have another one
to relieve the pain and relax the muscles I
don’t use that much in my country.”
Surely, some treatments may
take a bit more time to be accepted
as masculine (manicure, pedicure,
waxing…) but don’t get shy gentlemen,
you too have the right to relax. „
HEALTHY LIFE 87
FITNESS & BEAUTY
grooming
Trendy trends
TRANSFORMATION IN MEN’S STYLE
From casuals to power dressing, here are some possible
suggestions for men of all ages.
Words: Pragya Pokhrel
M
en’s fashion has a lot going
on as designers no longer
ignore the importance of
men’s apparels. Hence,
choices vary, with clothes ranging from
shorts, cargos and jeans to tailored
suits. Women style statements have been
stealing the limelight since ages but,
with time, there’s much transformation
in men’s clothing as well—from casual
wear to power dressing and from
traditional wear to revolutionized jeans
and other fashion accessories. While
choosing garments, experts suggest a
color collection suitable for you and
trusting a reputed tailor when it comes
to fine clothing and to shop for clothes
by occasion. Here we give a glimpse on
trendy trends that will help you with the
selection of your clothing for this season.
When it comes to shirts, blue or
white button down shirts never go out
of style. For a change, you can go for
white shirts that are printed. Some
options for other printed shirts can be
lawn or orient textiles. While selecting
any wardrobe, select a color suitable to
your skin tone. And, remember that a
man’s wardrobe is incomplete without
jeans. When Levis Strauss introduced
A man’s wardrobe is incomplete without
jeans. When Levis introduced jeans, he
would’nt have thought they would continue
to rule men’s fashion!
jeans, he would not have thought they
would continue to rule men’s fashion.
Pair sleek denim with a sweater; darker
and leaner with slightly high waist
are in. To give a twist, wear slightly
embroidered/stitched or slashed jeans.
Bracelets are the extended fashion
accessories for men. We can observe
every editor of Milan and Manhattan
sporting bracelets in a dizzying array
of colors and materials. So, we come
to the conclusion that men need not
be limited to a watch-less wrist. Try
out bracelets of balanced materials and
different colors. Mixing and matching
expertise comes handy over here. With
the suits, these small items act as a
distinction-distant memory.
Since winter is now coming, we
would like to talk about blazers and
cardigans. The dark single breasted
three buttoned suit is a standard
corporate wear and never goes out
of fashion. You will be spotted well in
sport coats and it will give you snappy
look. You can try out linen blazers
and Zara cotton as well. Color tipped
cardigans compliment for the formal
as well as casual look. Try out collar
sweater and pea coat for work. Hood
gives a good option while going casual.
We hope the above tips come in
handy for you and further to this,
we suggest you to try out dress as
per your age, body structure and the
occasion. It’s not suggested to try out
sport coats to functions and flip flops
to work. Be selective when it comes
to color and prints. Do not wear suits
and jackets that are ill fitted, always
wear socks with formal shoes and you
would not want to get that unnecessary
attention by wearing black shoes with
the brown suit! „
ad index
BEAUTY
Streax (05)
Ponds (09)
Vaselin (91)
Tranquality Spa (88)
Sensodyne (76, 77)
Siam Beauty
Parlour (80)
Ekta Trade Concern (02)
Thomson (39)
CLOTHING
Versatile (43)
FITNESS CENTRE &
SPA
Dental Spa (11)
Chaitanya Spa (70)
Shape Up (04)
Heritage Spa (85)
Hardic Fitness(44)
Int’l Club (55)
Nirvana Club (79)
FOOD
Knorr Branding (57)
Julies (89)
Horlicks (07, 20, 21)
Dabur Nepal
(13, 14, 82)
Urban Food (83)
Sujal Food (25)
INTERIOR
Berger (92)
Jewelry
Kathmandu Jewelry (27)
MEDICAL
Fleur Himalaya (75)
Health Care (23)
Cipla (89)
CTL (70)
Magnus (41)
Gluco Meter (03)
OTHER
Kantipur (48)
Jagadamba Press (33)
Subisu (16)
Kent (31)
Civil Mall (34)
Mind Management (27)
Answers:
1 – S, 2 – C, 3 – R, 4 – A, 5 – P, 6 – B,
7 – O, 8 – O, 9 – K
SCRAPBOOK: The art of scrapbooking started in England in the 15th
century and was then called commonplace books. Now a widely practiced pastime especially in Europe
and the USA, the scrapbook is more
and more used to compile pictures,
drawings, thoughts of a particular
event (wedding, birth, graduation,
etc). It can be a very relaxing practice
and can also be adapted for all the
family to participate in its creation.
FITNESS & BEAUTY
ask our experts
Daily Diet
How can I control my occasional food
cravings?
Often, we misjudge our body’s signal for
thirst as an indication of hunger, so before
satisfying your craving with a snack,
drink a glass of water, it helps alleviate
craving. Having a good wholesome
breakfast, eating regular meals and
healthy snacks (mixed nuts, vegetable
sticks with hummus) at frequent time
intervals, adding good source of protein
and low GI foods in your meals are ways
to control occasional food cravings. We
can still satisfy our cravings in a healthful
way. For example, if you crave for sweet/
sugary food, have a piece of fruit or yogurt
and stay away from cookies, muffins, etc.
The more you snack on sweet/salty food,
the more your body craves for them, so
cutting out junk from your diet will help.
Diet and exercise are two factors which
keeps our bodyweight in check. What’s
the most effective diet that can help?
There are hundreds of diets but the
trickiest part is to find the effective and
right one that suits you and your body. If
a diet works for one, it doesn’t necessarily
work for others too. The best thing is to
have a balanced diet that you can sustain
for the long-term. For healthy balanced
diet, include all essential nutrients
(available in fresh fruits and vegetables),
whole grains, good source of protein and
cut out all processed and junk food as well
as refined sugar. All different diets may
give you results for certain period of time
but then if you get sidetracked, you will go
back to square one. And also remember
that maintaining bodyweight is 70% of diet
and 30% exercise.
One way to eat is to have little food at
frequent time intervals; can we have
dried fruits while on diet?
Dried fruits are healthy alternative snacks
with good source of fibres and vitamins.
The only thing to watch out for is portion
size as it has more concentrated sugar
(natural) which equates to more calories
than real fruit. It does help with your
sugar cravings while on diet but keep
in mind that it won’t fill us up as much
as real fruit does. Dried fruit contains
many great nutrients and there are ways
to incorporate it in your diet mixing it
up with nuts and seeds and making a
trail mix, sprinkling a few on top of your
breakfast cereal and also on your salad.
Do you think dairy products are a must
for all? Do we need to stay away from
milk products if we are to lose weight?
A common misconception is that many
overlook dairy products because they
think it’s fattening. However, with its
high nutrient content, it increases your
bone-building calcium and may actually
assist with weight loss. A prime example
is yogurt which is not only good for one’s
immune and digestive systems but also
for weight loss because it is low in calories
but high in water and protein, making
it a perfect satisfying snack . Try using
naturally low fat cheeses alternatively, like
cottage cheese which is high in protein
and low in calories, or cheeses with intense
flavours like Parmesan. Foods like milk,
yogurt, and certain types of cheeses can
keep your hunger cramps at bay while
increasing your daily intake of calcium and
other essential nutrients. „
Spa Therapy
I have heard that body scrubs are
quite painful, is it true?
Body scrubs can be hurting if not
administered properly. Using the
correct product after studying the skin
type, administered by trained therapist,
should not create any unpleasant
feeling. On the contrary, a body scrub
is supposed to scrub away dull looking
dead cells to encourage regeneration.
How do I pick the right spa treatment
for me?
It depends on your needs and time
available. Often, massages soothe away
stress and re-balances body and soul.
Can one learn and do foot
reflexology and stone therapy at
home?
No, it’s just not possible to self
administer foot massage and stone
therapy by yourself. What you need is
to receive pampering and relaxation.
What should I do with my jewelry at
the spa?
It is advisable to remove jewelries
from the body during treatment and
keep them safely in your wallet or bag.
90 HEALTHY LIFE
Elita Joshi, nutritionist and health club
manager at Nirvana Wellness Centre,
is a graduate of Nutritional Medicine
from Australasian College of Natural
Therapies, Sydney, Australia.
If necessary, hand them over to the
reception for safekeeping.
How often should I get a massage?
That depends on a person’s needs. If he is
highly stressed everyday due to pressure
and work load, he certainly needs a
good massage everyday. Otherwise, I
would suggest at least once a month
to encourage our monthly metabolic
activities. For me, I would love to get a
massage every night before I go to bed!
Donald Cha has had over ten years
experience in the Spa Industry. He is a
long standing member of the Asia Pacific
Spa and Wellness Council .He owns spas
in Malaysia, Bhutan, Vietnam and Africa
and an amazing six spas in Nepal.
T H E
C O M P L E T E
F A M I L Y
M A G A Z I N E
Issue 36, November 2012
Issue 36
November 2012
Rs. 50
Radiance From
Within And Without
TIME FOR HIGH TEA
Party preparation tips
Autumn Treats
Understanding Your
Child’s Psyche
Divorced and
Doing Good
Where’s The
Party Tonight?
Add a Dash of
Creativity for Extra Fun
www.healthylife.com.np
Time for High Tea
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