Should Your Spouse Be Your Best Friend?
FRESH START RENEW, RESTORE & REINVENT YOURSELF THIS YEAR
SHOULD YOUR SPOUSE BE YOUR BEST FRIEND?
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January 2018
1 DO YOU LIKE ORANGE? HOW TO DISCIPLINE A SENSITIVE CHILD TRAVEL: ECUADOR
FROM THE EDITOR My top 3 Nothing but the truth picks very December, I sit down with a fresh notebook and spend a few hours mulling over what I want to accomplish in the Conquering coming twelve months. And, for the past new heights many years, one of these New Year’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Eresolutions has remained the same: speak the Abdullah Al Thani is an explorer at heart and truth, no matter how hard it may be. On the flipside, he believes that global sadly, many of us can’t get to the point. We thrive interconnectedness is at the heart of what it on inductive reasoning. We are passive aggressive means to be a global in our behaviour. This is especially the case when we don’t know the citizen. P.14 answer to something or when we are uncomfortable with the truth. When we are stung by life’s traumas like relationship, financial security, or our health, we become frozen in place like the tarantula. We rarely give ourselves enough time to process the hard lessons (truth) of the situation. We may grieve briefly, but then we anesthetize ourselves and it’s on with life. But being honest with ourselves and others requires an ability to think and feel at the same time in order to fully integrate a difficult experience and neutralize any lasting negative energy. Indeed, we are all humans and we make mistakes. I make a lot of them. And when I do, Wellness trends and I realize it, I own it. It is another version of telling the truth. It’s easy, to watch in 2018 especially as a mentor, to gloss over the fact that you made a mistake. But Intercare Wellness it’s much more powerful to the mentee when you own your mistakes and Consultants, Dr Nas correct them. Al-Jafari and Dr Mourad Habib give their insights The beginning of a year is the right time for everyone to be refreshed on some of the wellness trends primed to blow up as individuals. As we step into 2018, let’s make resolutions to make a in 2018. difference in society, become more organised, work harder and promise P.28 ourselves to be optimistic under the assumption that the best is yet to come. And most importantly, keep a clean slate by staying honest, especially when you fear the anticipated consequences. After all, things can’t get better until we get real with ourselves. It’s great to make resolutions, and motivation is essential for all of us to keep going. But the important part is to have a plan for implementing them as well. Before you start working towards your resolution this year, familiarise yourself with these common roadblocks to success on P.24 . To all the parents out there, with school sign-up time approaching, here are a few things to consider (P.36) when deciding whether a child is ready for kindergarten. Do you like orange? Have a happy, healthy, and truth-filled New Year! If you are looking to add a punch of energy to your space, then orange is your colour. P.40 Amjad Vanimal Editor [email protected]
Director- Marketing Contributing Writers Editorial Enquiries James John Dr. Sunaina Hameed Tel: +974 44466413 Editor [email protected] Amjad Vanimal Neel Shah Homayra Billah Features Editor Advertising Enquiries Dr. Sudip N. Sondra Hope Tel: +974 44466620 Fax: +974 44418811 Copy Editors Rekha Sarma Email: [email protected] FRESH Rajith R Maggie McKenzie START Printed & Published by RENEW, RESTORE & REINVENT Shemna Bijith Mhairi Murphy YOURSELF THIS YEAR Steve Joseph Jim Kersey Gulf Publishing & Printing Co. W.L.L. Advertising Sonia Fazal Marketing team Website : www.society.qa SHOULD YOUR SPOUSE Jalpa Zubin M BE YOUR BEST FRIEND? Circulation Manager Katya Hvass Adel Hammam
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DO YOU LIKE ORANGE? HOW TO DISCIPLINE A SENSITIVE CHILD TRAVEL: ECUADOR • JANUARY 2018 66 • JANUARY • ISSUE Design & Layout Jiji Yohannan Society Available at
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CONTENTS JANUARY 2018
EDUCATION
STEAM POWER – Working Beyond the Limits of STEM. 39 INTERIOR If you are looking to add a punch of energy to your space, then orange is your colour.
40 58 TRAVEL Home to the highest density of bird species per acre on Earth, Ecuador is truly a birder’s paradise.
PROFILE
Designer John Varvatos reflects on how music GOURMET 30 and fashion allow him to remain ‘Wild at Heart’ Ring in 2018 with these delicious and easy dishes 52
FREQUENT FLAIR FOCUS
Photo of the issue Education STEAM POWER – Working Beyond the Limits of STEM. P.38 Interior If you are looking to add a punch of energy to your space, then orange is your colour. P.40
Captured by: Mohamed Hamdi Relationships Every couple is different, and being best friends might be the right path for some but that may not work for everyone. P.44
Your cam. Your shot Submit a favourite photo you’ve clicked on any topic of your choice for possible publication in an upcoming issue of Society. Profile PHOTO OF THE ISSUE Send your photos to : [email protected] Designer John Varvatos reflects on how music and fashion allow him to remain Captured by Mohamed Hamdi P.12 ‘Wild at Heart’ P.30 Next >>
Style P.46 Trends P.50 Gourmet Ring in 2018 with these delicious and easy dishes P.52 Travel Home to the highest density of bird species per acre on Earth, Ecuador is truly a birder’s paradise. P.58 Q&A P.43
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CONTENTS JANUARY 2018
COVER STORY
SPOTLIGHT Before you start working towards your resolution this year, familiarise yourself 24 Sheikh Mohammed bin with—and learn to avoid—these common Abdullah Al Thani is an roadblocks to success. explorer at heart and he believes that global interconnectedness is at the heart of what it means to be a global citizen.
14 28 COVER STORY Intercare Wellness Consultants, Dr Nas Al- Jafari and Dr Mourad Habib give their insights on some SCOPE of the wellness trends primed to blow up in 2018. Here are a few things to consider when deciding 34 whether a child is ready for kindergarten. PARENTING Why it’s crucial that parents take a different approach to disciplining children that are 32 more sensitive than others. FOCUS
Spotlight CONQUERING NEW HEIGHTS: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani is an explorer at heart and he believes that global interconnectedness is at the heart of what it means to be a global citizen. P.14
HELLO ME IN KUNDALINI SWAY:A certified KRI in Kundalini Yoga, SandaMešinović restlessly strives to connect and assist people on their self-discovery journey. P.20 Cover stories: New (Re)Solutions!: Before you start working towards your resolution this year, familiarise yourself with—and learn to avoid—these common roadblocks to success. P.24
Wellness trends to watch in 2018: Intercare Wellness Consultants, Dr Nas Al-Jafari and Dr Mourad Habib give their insights on some of the wellness trends primed to blow up in 2018. P.28 Scan the QR Code with your smart- Parenting phone or log on to www.society.qa Why it’s crucial that parents take a different approach to disciplining children that are more sensitive than others. P.32 Read Society Magazine Online Scope Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether a child is ready for kindergarten. P.36 Follow us on : www.facebook.com/SocietyMagazine www.twitter.com/Society_Mag
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Your cam. Your shot Submit a favourite photo you’ve clicked on any topic of your choice for possible publication in an upcoming issue of Society. Send your photos to : [email protected] FOCUS spotlight CONQUERING NEW HEIGHTS
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani is an explorer at heart and he believes that global interconnectedness is at the heart of what it means to be a global citizen
By Rabi’ah M
embetterment of the future objectives. Also, giving the opportunity to fellow Q: Tell us about your involvement global citizens to network. On a personal in the Global Citizen Forum? level, it’s a good opportunity for me to meet a multi-cultural mix of other global A: As a global citizen who is aware of and citizens’ speakers and audience to learn understands the wider world and the from them about the latest achievements place where I fit in it, I have been active in and to implement them in our community the community and working with others by educating the youths through my Rabi’ah M to inspire them to join me by becoming public speaking events. Also, through the An experienced journalist with a passion a global citizen by making our planet mountaineering trips that I organize to for exploring and learning new things, more equal and sustainable place to live inspire the groups that join me to become adventures, Rabi’ah M graduated from in and by encouraging the groups that I London with a background in journalism. global citizens that will nurture personal She enjoys writing about an array of subjects lead in my mountaineering trips to attain respect and respect for others and will – arts, culture, entertainment, lifestyle and clarity and focus in the outdoors in order minimize harm to our planet, by caring fashion. to develop the knowledge, skills and for mountains ethics and learning how values learned from each of our trips to to make the world a more equitable and engage with the world. Based on this, I sustainable place and taking responsibility participated at the Global Citizen Forum for their actions. On a professional level, I hen you first meet Sheikh to bring this message to the audience am aware about the “Socially Responsible Mohammed Bin Abdulla Al that by achieving my dream that I would Investing (SRI)”, the practice of investing WThani, a member of the Qatar have never dreamt I could ever achieve companies that makes a positive impact royal family, you notice it is his plethora one day. I was able to accomplish this in the world and avoiding the ones that of knowledge, passion for life, adventure goal through faith, willpower and will not. There are positive indications and continuous learning that inspires perseverance and to continue inspiring that most individual investors are making, you. Even though he is renowned globally the audience to follow whatever passion sustainability, a priority. We, at my various for climbing the Mount Everest and they have while caring in assuming their businesses including Musafir.com, the completing the 7 Summits, but there is roles as responsible global citizens in first premium-experience travel website more to the talented and creative Sheikh. accordance to the UN Sustainable Goals in the region, with flights to over 3,000 Motivational speaking is another arena and believing that we can all make a destinations, hotel stays in over 85,000 that he specializes in. He is undoubtedly difference. properties around the world, holiday a well-read individual who has a drive experiences and much more, care for for entrepreneurialism and strongly feels Q: What does the Global Citizen sustainability. We are in line with the UN towards global citizen. Rabi’ah M talks to Forum mean to you on a personal Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs), him about his recent participation at the and professional level? officially known as Transforming our “Global Citizen Forum”where he was one world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable of the leading speakers. He talks about the A: It means bringing from all over Development, is a set of 17 “Global Goals” importance of global citizenship and the the world caring global citizenship with 169 targets among them and instead need to invest in sustainable practices personalities from politicians, to of supporting and partnering with harmful and why this was an excellent platform to entrepreneurs, artists, etc. and companies, we seek to invest in ones that promote awareness. The event took place gathering them in one place – at the make the world a better place amongst at Sveti Stefan, Monaco which featured forum – to raise awareness to the global which: Clean Technology, Water use global leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians citizenship’s achievements, goals and and conservation, Board diversity and and many others. to share experiences and ideas for the Community development.
14 Society Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani
www.society.qa 15 Sheikh Mohammed speaks at the Global Citizen Forum
Q: What did you bring to the education, integrating environment, on the Millennium Development by: Forum? What subjects or themes education, together with partners, 1. Eradicating Extreme poverty and did you discuss? volunteers, and local communities hunger, 2. Achieving Universal Primary and to ensure that people affected by Education, promoting gender equality A: Global citizens work to ending extreme crisis across Asia and around the world and empowering women, reducing child poverty through the actions they take. have continuous access to relevant and mortality, improving maternal health, Although the effects of minor actions high-quality primary and secondary combatting the spread of contagious are not always noticed, but by working education. diseases, ensuring environmental together on a specific goal, tangible sustainability and the Global Partnership outcomes are achieved. Global citizens Q: How was your experience at the for Development. are now influencing world leaders and Forum? decision makers, and are contributing to Q: What, in your opinion, makes a changing our world. A: I was so delighted to meet many global good leader and entrepreneur? fellow citizens and to share common I discussed the importance of global issues. A: A good leader and entrepreneur cares education which fosters an awareness about the interests of his employees of our interconnectedness and Q: What lessons did you learn from and partners and empowers them the interdependence in our society and the Forum? responsibility to Macro manage their caring for the environment, ending departments’ projects rather than manages to micro them all. He/she should be able to poverty, becoming socially active in A: I learned that we have here in the bring the employees together to execute the community. I mentioned that my region a long mission that we have to their projects which allows for a better mountaineering trips were always work on by further investing for the team work and, camaraderie; think ahead, connected to a fundraising charity cause education and implementation of the with clarity and focus which is essential for institutions such as Reach Out to Asia 17 Sustainable Development Goals for building a team and aligning all its (ROTA) which aims to enhance skills (SDGs) – part of a wider 2030 Agenda members to one vision; and should be able development, using sports as a tool for for Sustainable Development – build to take intuitive and good decisions.
16 Society Sheikh Mohammed is undoubtedly a well-read individual who has a drive for entrepreneurialism and strongly feels towards global citizen
www.society.qa 17 Sheikh Mohammed is an explorer at heart and always on the lookout for the next unexplored destination
Q: What is the secret to your A: Global Citizenship involves students’ encourage building self-confidence, success? active participation in projects that address awareness, team building and finding global issues of a social, political, economic, the true self including raising awareness A: My success is achieved through my or environmental, nature and I think that of Global Citizenship values. passion for mountaineering. It makes me the GCC is already educating about the stay happy, positive, energetic, clear and Global Citizenship through teachers and Q: Do you have any advice to well-focused in my personal and work schools initiatives and various social future leaders or entrepreneurs? decisions. institutions. A: To enjoy the work they do, be Q: What kind of challenges do There are several initiatives taking place passionate about it and be socially leaders or entrepreneurs face in in the GCC focusing on the importance responsible citizens. today’s world? of team building, and creating a global citizen mindset among the students by Be confident about what they do and A: Trying to establish a brand to the familiarizing students with skills and to speak about it with conviction. company, be creative and able to match innovative technology needed for radical Leadership is about vision. One should or exceed the competition level and transformation. Also the digital technology never rely on others’ knowledge. Be ensuring that the business remains has contributed to make easier for students ambitious and never afraid of taking profitable is a challenge; no matter how to acquire the necessary skills which are risks. Be creative, organized with good much one has been in business. required for a global citizenship. communication skills. Be able to set goals and to commit to a work plan. Be Q: How important is global Q: What other new projects and able to define problems and solve them. citizenship education and do you ventures are you working on? Be a good networker think there are enough measures or initiatives taken in the GCC region A: I am preparing for a Self-Learning in this case? Journey to Mount Kilimanjaro to
18 Society
FOCUS spotlight HELLO ME IN KUNDALINI SWAY A certified KRI in Kundalini Yoga, Sanda Mešinović restlessly strives to connect and assist people on their self-discovery journey
By Gabriella B. | Photos by Claire Leduc
aught by Yogi Bhajan, taken on an international journey with SandaMešinović took the spiritual successful workshops in Austria, Serbia Tname Amrita Sandesh Kaur upon and now in Qatar as a guest-teacher at becoming one of the only two Kundalini Niya Yoga. Amrita’s class managed to Yoga teachers in her homeland, Bosnia gather passionate Yoga practitioners and Herzegovina. Certified KRI in from the community who experienced Kundalini Yoga, Amrita had run over Kundalini for the very first time in the 30 workshops with African drums and state of Qatar. Her teaching sessions were GABRIELLA B organized several other with the teachers extended after Qatar’s first Yoga lady is a British journalist in Qatar. She has a Prakash Chegu from the US and Nirmal and very own Jawaher al Fardan herself great passion for charity and for fun she Singh from Austria. On a regular basis attended and enjoyed the workshop, likes to read printed history books. she has her hands full with Kundalini which high interest many hope to bring Yoga classes in several cities across her Amrita back in Doha soon for longer. country. Her outstanding Jazz dance The young woman restlessly strives to training and performing for over fifteen connect and assist more people on their years helped her to connect with the self-discovery journey, so she is currently rhythm of the heart within. Amrita has completing Level 2 Kundalini Teacher Training in Austria.
20 Society Q: What was the milestone that made you choose a path of self-awareness and wellbeing through Kundalini Yoga?
A: Well, it all beganfive years ago when I was in my early thirties. I came to a stage of my life where I felt greatly satisfiedwith everything I ever wanted in my hands. I enjoyed successful career, high income, a decade long relationship with an amazing partner, supportive friends,loving family, lots oftravel opportunities, everything was simplylike this perfect setof a movie starring an accomplished womanblessed with all the gifts of life.However, the inside me wasn’t quite agreeing with my supposedly happy exterior. I was feelingexhausted and almost empty for no obvious reason.Soon, I just woke up one morning with a verythought surfacing on my mind seeking an answer to what was the purpose of my life after all.Till then every day was somewhatthe sameand I knew this question was calling for my attention. When I look back now, it was the inevitable. The need to understand what was going on triggered my thoroughsearchthat naturally took a direction beyondeverything I was already familiar with. That’s how yoga and lot other wonderful things entered in my life.
Sanda Mešinović
www.society.qa 21 Q: How important do you think paying knowledge on how to live our life we Q: Why should people make time for attention to our instincts is in the fast- already holdinside of us. We have not yoga and meditation? paced lifestyle we are caught up today? been taught how to use instincts and we tend to forget the wisdom of the ancient A: Exactlybecauseof this lost connection A:Instinct is our naturalcompass.It knowledge and how to connect with it.So that I mentioned earlier. We should take exists somewhere right there, inside our that is the main reason whyeach one of time out to pause, close our eyes and stomach and gives us perfect directions us may sometimes feel lost.We are not reconnect with ourselves. We are not just in life.What is good and what is not good connected with this essential part of body or amind, we are also a Soul, the for us. Wemustrememberthat all the ourselves. Self. There, in the space created in silence
22 Society and to others andto take your time. Patience is a virtue. If you commit to your soul, you will have a happy, holy and healthy life in return. I don’t have struggles in everyday life because I don’t run away from my problems any more, I don’t fight them, all I do is accept everything that is comingmy way and I take responsibility for my actions.When wecarry our lives this way, we understand that each life event is just a beautiful lesson. Then we stop runningand beginto live in the present moment.
Q: Do you believe that in century of global citizenship people can discover an anchor within the self to keep them content and give them a sense of home?
A: Of course, this is what I do every day. We all agree that every individual needs a place to call home, safety, security, love, health and wealth, but only a few know that all these can be found within the self. Nobody can provide that for you. Give yourself peace of the heart and you will be in peace everywhere you go. Give yourself unconditional love and you will never feel unloved. Find your strength within and you will never be in fear.All is in you.Of course, to unearth this takes time and effort. Whether you decide topractice spiritual techniques, yoga, meditation, family consultations, mindfulness, it doesn’t matter, it could be anything that heals you and keeps you in balance. At the end, you will realize that any ofthese means are guiding youto one place – the self.
Q: Please share with us your teaching experience and interaction with the people of Qatar.Does Doha come under your future plans?
A: Wow!It was a mere blissfulexperience. Everyone I came across is very warm- hearted and open-minded to explore and give. Problems, pain, lack of affection and the way we want to be loved and appreciated in life is presenteverywhere I go.
Give yourself unconditional love and you will never feel unloved. Qatar has been chosen by diverse people from all over the world, who came down to share this beautiful sea, sun and space, behind our closed eyes we all certainly A: I have practices and perform that’s a blessing!People should give each can find the answers to our questions, rituals every morning, which are the other lot of love, understanding, only to our pain, to our suffering but also that ones that align me with my soul. I do that way thingscan expand in every is where our infinite potential of love, meditate every morning for couple of direction and move forward to even happiness and joy also rest.That’s why we hours and I connect with the peaceful better horizons. I felt amazing energy on meditate, to remember who we really are. presence of that moment, which in its the ground. This pulled me in andhealing turnbecomesthe peaceful presence my soulamong Qatar’s people makes me Q: What is your personal formula for hat flows through the day, and further believe that it would be a dream coming balancing secular with spiritual? flowsthroughmy life.It is very important true Doha becoming my second home – a to observe, to remain honest to the self home of unconditional love
www.society.qa 23 FOCUS cover story New (Re) Solutions!
Before you start working towards your resolution this year, familiarise yourself with—and learn to avoid—these common roadblocks to success
By Jalpa Zubin M
24 Society New (Re) Solutions!
t’s the New Year! The New Year gives us all hope to try to be better versions of ourselves. IWe all make resolutions and somehow repeatedly break it. The main reason that we don’t stick to our resolutions is that we set too many or unrealistic goals to achieve. Some of us also fall prey to a tendency called the ‘false hope syndrome’: our belief that self-change is simple, and so we set high expectations that aren’t realistic. In other words, we have unrealistic expectations about the likely speed, amount, ease and consequences of changing our behavior.
www.society.qa 25 Jalpa Zubin M is a freelance writer based in Qatar. She holds Masters in Counselling and Psychology from UK and India. In addition to corporate consulting, she also works with adults for improving personal effectiveness and with children for developing social skills and emotions management.
Keep track of each small success you make towards reaching your larger goal and reward yourself.
26 Society However, there are some of us who performing on those different tasks. talk. Make a “pro” and “con” list, it helps manage to fulfill their resolutions. What to see a list of items on paper to keep sets them apart from the rest is the fact So whatever your goals are this time, your motivation strong. Develop this list that they truly believe in their ability such as; to be healthy, save money, have over time, and ask others to contribute to change. They usually don’t indulge a better marriage, be more assertive, find to it. Keep your list with you and refer in self-blame or excuse making. They a new job, begin to be more organized, be to it when you need help keeping your understand their motivators and reasons more positive or spend more time with resolve. Keep track of each small success why the resolution is important. And your children. Make sure you constantly you make towards reaching your larger most importantly they avoid wishful find new ways and solutions to the goal and reward yourself and celebrate thinking and concentrate on results. various problems you encounter in order accordingly. to bring about the change you desire. The The change process is challenging. tips below will help you get started to Essentially you have to change your make your resolutions and stick to them. Involve others thinking to bring about a change in your Letting family and friends know that you day-to-day behaviour. A simple yet a very have a New Year’s resolution that you effective technique that can help your Be realistic really want to keep will help you build change process is called: Stop, Start and It is key to make resolutions that are your support system. They can help you Continue approach. practical and are easy to maintain. If monitor your behaviour and success and you want to reduce your junk food make sure to keep away any temptations First, think and list down all the activities intake because you tend to eat high that put you off your plan. It is a good you are doing or wish to do in the context calories/processed food every day, don’t idea to ask for help and support. At times of your resolution. Next, select and put immediately go on a diet of salads, soup trying to change habits on your own can each of those activities into one of the or juice. Try to cut out one food item in be difficult. For instance, if you and your following three categories: your regular meals that is high in sugar, partner both eat unhealthily, it is really fat or salt every other day and slowly cut hard for one partner to change their more food items as time goes by. Also, behaviour if the other is still engaged in STOP habits, thinking patterns or breaking up the longer-term goal into the same old bad habits. By having the behaviours that don’t work, or waste more manageable short-term goals can same resolution, such as going on a diet, effort and energy. They may be activities be beneficial and more rewarding. the chances of success will improve. that have negative impact on your goal achievement. For example, eating junk Focus on one thing at a Stay determined food daily when your goal is to follow a Research shows it takes about 21 days healthy lifestyle. time for a new activity, such as exercising, to One of the easiest routes to failure is to become a habit, and 6 months for it to have too many resolutions. If you want to START habits, thinking patterns or become part of your personality. Accept be fitter and healthier, do just one thing at behaviours that when implemented will lapses as part of the process and from a time. Give up caffeine. Give up smoking. help you to achieve your goal. Sometimes time to time you may revert to your old Join a yoga class. Eat more healthily. But you have to learn or try a new thing to habits. You shouldn’t feel guilty about don’t do them all at once, just choose one achieve your goal. For example, go for giving in to your cravings but accept and do your best to stick to it. Once you swimming or learning the same to lose that it is part of the learning process. have got one thing under your control, weight. Bad habits can take years to become you can begin a second resolution. ingrained and there are no quick fixes in Obsessing over the occasional slip won’t CONTINUE habits, thinking patterns or making major lifestyle changes help you achieve your goal. Do the best behaviours that are working well and you can each day, and take them one at support your goal achievement. The Remember, everything counts and treat a time. impact of these activities has positive any failure as a temporary setback rather results on your goal achievement. For than a reason to give up altogether. Start example, going for twenty minutes brisk Plan ahead over again! It is important to know that we walk daily to be physically active. Decide how you will deal with the learn by our mistakes and every day is a temptation to skip the yoga class, or just new day, so make a fresh start each day. In The idea here is for you to re-evaluate have one more cigarette. This could essence, you can make a new resolution what you are currently doing, audit include calling on a friend for help, or and try a “new (re)solution” any time of yourself, and determine how you are practicing positive thinking and self- the year!
www.society.qa 27 FOCUS cover story
28 Society Wellness trends to watch in 2018
he year 2017 was the year of about everyday healthy rituals that help Intercare wellness. Everyone was talking keep your body and mind energized. Wellness Tabout it and everyone was keen to incorporate it into their busy lives. 2018 is DNA Testing: Going far beyond Consultants, Dr no different, the wellness revolution is still just learning about ancestry, lifestyle Nas Al-Jafari in full swing and will only keep growing DNA testing can be an essential part as people realise the impact that being of an individual’s health and wellness. and Dr Mourad ‘well’ has on their lifestyle and overall Your genes don’t just determine your Habib give health eye colour; but determine your diet and nutrition, physiological traits their insights 2018 wellness trends: like endurance, fat burning ability, on some of the metabolism and undiagnosed nutrient Good gut health is officially the deficiencies. They can help determine wellness trends wellness trend of 2018 (according to a if an individual has a pre-disposition for primed to blow recent study by Pinterest which showed certain illnesses through to how your an increase of over 251% of people skin will age. up in 2018 saving pins related to the topic).The gut is often called the body’s second brain Sleep optimisation: As research and for good reason, good gut health has continues to find that lack of adequate a significant impact on not only your sleep can cause weight gain, anxiety, and physical health but your mental health out-of-whack hormones, a good night’s as well. sleep is becoming more of a priority for people. No phones before bed, a dark IV Infusions: Designed to nourish and room and no food before bed are all ways re-energize the body, vitamin IV infusions to enhance your sleep patterns. are compounded from carefully tailored multi-vitamins and minerals, anti- Supplements: Choosing the correct oxidants, amino acids and immunity supplements and probiotics make a big boosters to restore and optimise your difference to your desired results. For body’s natural balance and leave you example, probiotics are very safe and looking and feeing great. useful for many things but some people just don’t get the desired effect simply Me time: ‘Me time’ has always been because they didn’t chose the correct viewed as a luxury but it’s actually a type of useful bacteria or the correct necessity. In 2018, self-care is less about method of usage facemasks and being alone but more
www.society.qa 29 FLAIR profile
John Varvatos ‘We need people who have voices’
30 Society he one thing you can say about ego,” Varvatos said, adding that he wants New York-based menswear his label’s focus to be launching new Tdesigner John Varvatos is that artists and talent. (His label recently he’s as serious about music and people signed L.A. rock band Badflower.) “I really using their voices in this heated political want it to be about the music.” climate as he is about making men’s clothes. So exactly whom was he listening to? “Tom Petty — No. 1. No. 2 is Tom Petty and I first met Varvatos over a fall 2009 No. 3 is Tom Petty at the moment. …” he breakfast on the patio of the Four Seasons says, scrolling through his cellphone. hotel in Austin, Texas, where I was a fashion columnist/stylist. Varvatos was There was also Lukas Nelson & Promise visiting the Texas capital city to attend of the Real — Willie Nelson’s son’s band his first Austin City Limits Music Festival. (“He has a new album out that is so good, He talked about being a new dad — and and it crosses so many genres”) — as well he thanked me for wearing my black as music by jazz trio Saft, Swallow and Varvatos Converse sneakers. Previte featuring Iggy Pop and the latest His brand has always included rock ‘n’ release from rapper Machine Gun Kelly, roll-spirited leather jackets, strong suiting who’s in the fall 2017 Varvatos campaign. and bold and slightly rebellious-looking It was around 2005 that he started using footwear that could get a guy head turns, artists in his campaigns, including the but not in an obnoxious look-at-me sort Roots, Alice Cooper and Dave Matthews of way. have starred in.
I recently caught up with Varvatos “I saw early on music artists were again, this time in Orange County. shopping with us and contacting us about The reshowing of his fall/winter 2017 clothes and photo shoots and tours,” presentation; a high-energy performance Varvatos says. “And I thought, ‘That’s by Vintage Trouble, the band appearing pretty amazing.’ Then you get people in the spring/summer 2018 Varvatos who were icons when you were growing campaign; and an after-party were part up who want to wear your clothes or are of South Coast Plaza’s 50th-anniversary already buying your clothes someplace. celebrations. And you’re like, ‘Oh my god, Jimmy Page is buying my clothes.’ Or Alice Cooper or Varvatos sat down backstage before the Iggy Pop or whoever it was at the time.” show, as dressers and hair and makeup teams were getting models ready for In case you weren’t at New York Fashion showtime. Week or South Coast Plaza, Varvatos’ fall/ winter 2017 “Wild at Heart” collection, While he’s a New Yorker at heart, the according to show notes, was designed to 63-year-old designer has strong Southern give “the idea of nonchalant cool with an California ties. A new Westfield Century uncompromising devotion to elegance City store in Los Angeles will soon open, and boldness.” joining his existing stand-alone stores in West Hollywood, Malibu, Costa Mesa and As expected, what came along the San Diego. U-shaped runway in Costa Mesa was signature Varvatos (tailored suits, The designer also raises money for Stuart leather and stripped outerwear, animal House, a program of the Rape Treatment prints and plenty of dandy flare), and is Center at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical available online and in stores. Center. (“I have more friends in L.A. than Months after its debut, Varvatos says New York,” says Varvatos, a fan of Amoeba the collection was put together during Music in Hollywood. “My daughter likes it the run up to the 2016 U.S. presidential out here.”) election.
Designer John Since I last saw him, Varvatos has taken “At this time in the world, we need people a deeper dive into the music scene. He who have voices,” he says. “We need Varvatos reflects announced earlier last fall that he had people that aren’t meek and sit back, but on how music and teamed up with Scott Borchetta, founder they want to create change out there. and chief executive of Nashville-based They don’t want to put up with the … that’s fashion allow him Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift’s going on. … Even in the music industry, I to remain ‘Wild at record label), on his existing John believe it’s time for those rebels again — Varvatos Records. the ones that have a voice that isn’t just a Heart’ fun pop song.” “I don’t want it to be anything about my By Marques Harper
www.society.qa 31 FOCUS parenting
How to discipline a sensitive child Why it’s crucial that parents take a different approach to disciplining children that are more sensitive than others By Homayra Billah
32 Society Homayra Billah Originally from Australia, Homayra Billah is the founder and managing partner of Kanga’s Pouch Nursery in Qatar. A teacher and busy mum of two, she is passionate about providing positive nurturing environments for children to grow and develop. She began her Qatari adventure in 2008 having taught in Australia for 5 years. Since being in Doha, Homayra has taught at nursery level for 18 months and a well-known British school for almost 4 years before establishing Kanga’s Pouch.
eing the mother of a highly sensitive child (HSC) and being Bsensitive myself, I noticed that certain parenting techniques that would work on my less-sensitive child, could really affect the spirit of the one that was more sensitive. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all parenting technique or strategy and to implement one method on all the children in the house won’t always work. Disciplining a child without regard for their level of sensitivity can potentially damage their self-esteem and the bond you share. Sensitive children need very gentle disciplining.
In her book, The Highly Sensitive Child, Elaine Aron, Ph.D. says, “HSC’s need to be corrected and disciplined, but unless you know how to do it properly, your child is likely to take your correction as global messages about his worth.” Sensitive children tend to be very self-critical,
www.society.qa 33 so parental criticism is an especially from everyone else until he is “ready to hard blow, though truthfully criticism behave.” We now know that time-out is isn’t good for any child and is one of not the most effective way to teach any fewbehaviours parents should avoid. child, but again, HSCs are particularly Aron says, “HSCs process their mistakes sensitive to the harm it does. so thoroughly, they punish themselves” and this is what I noticed with my own Avoid being permissive. Don’t avoid child – it’s very apparent in sensitive 5 correcting your sensitive child out children. Some highly sensitive children of fear of hurting her feelings. Loving come across as defiant or strong-willed. correction that is not harsh or shaming Because they feel things deeply, they will not damage her but will help her to have a hard time letting things go. They reach her fullest potential. will put up a fight often because they feel so panicked about what is going wrong Check your tone. We all yell and lose that they need to defend themselves 6 our cool from time to time. It’s part of from further upset. being a parent and being human. But our most sensitive kids feel our anger in their All of us who have highly sensitive bones. They can’t just laugh it off. And children know that it is really tough to when they’re already in hot water, adding discipline them. It isn’t always that they your own heat just makes everything defy us or break rules more than other worse for everyone. Practice deep children, but it’s harder to set limits breathing, lock yourself in the bathroom without pushing their buttons — without and scream, do what you need to do. setting off the intense rollercoaster of But try to tone it down for your sensitive their emotions. child.
I will tell you that above all else, I’ve Don’t compare. Remember your child learned that you need to get really 7 is different from other children so do creative with discipline when you have not compare. I’ve said it before, there is a highly sensitive child. There isn’t going no one-size-fits-all disciplining method. to be one right way to discipline that will Different children respond to different work for your child. And even when you methods and strategies. Your sensitive do find a way that does work, it might fail child is no different. There’s no point in the next time, and you’ll need to start over. comparing. Disciplines to avoid Don’t try and change them or Avoid shaming or blaming. Sensitive 8 toughen them up! Don’t toughen Positive 1 children are particularly sensitive your child up to make them fit into affirmations, to shaming. “You naughty child” or “why a harsh world. We are supposed to can’t you get it right” may seem like mild be raising children who make the encouraging words, correction, but to sensitive children, world a more caring, gentle and loving these words can be devastating. You’ve place. Embrace their personality and and play time or got to hold your tongue a bit with a highly understand that their sensitivity is one focused attention sensitive kid. When you say stuff like that, part of that unique personality. It cannot they will hear, “I’m the worst kid in the be changed. Don’t try and change it. As will help your HSC world.” Try something more like, “Let’s see parents we often spend so much time to know they are if we can find a better way.” Making little feeling frustrated and trying to change changes like that can really help sensitive who our children are. Stop. Appreciate still loved and children. their differences and accept that their delighted in personality should not be changed but Avoid teasing. Some families use cherished, despite the difficulties. 2 teasing as light-hearted fun, but the sarcastic messages which are almost Disciplines to favour child because if they perceive a threat, always imbedded in the teasing will they will shut down quickly. Reassure her not be lost on a sensitive child. “Uh-oh, Change your tone of voice for that you are on her side and will help her Emma is baking cookies. Hold your ears! 1 correction. For sensitive children, a solve the problem. The smoke detector will be going off any correction given in a serious tone of voice minute!” is often enough to deter the behaviour. Replace time-out for time-in. Because they want to please their Because it is best to avoid isolating Avoid physical discipline. For every 3 caregivers, knowing they stepped out of sensitive children to a time-out chair, child, and especially HSCs. 3 line is distressing and will cause them to time-in is a good alternative whereby correct their behaviour. you take the child to a calming area, help Avoid isolating or withdrawing him to calm down if needed (calm brains 4 warmth and love. Time-out is a Connect before you correct. A good absorb lessons) and then discuss why the popular discipline tactic where a child 2 rule of thumb for all children but is behaviour was unacceptable and what is sent to a chair or specific spot away especially important for the sensitive he can do instead.
34 Society Some families use teasing as light-hearted fun, but the sarcastic messages which are almost always imbedded in the teasing will not be lost on a sensitive child.
Use consequences sparingly, and encouraging words, and play time or You may have noticed that these tips 4 make sure they are related to the focused attention will help your HSC to are not much different from how I offense. Again, reminders and a change of know he is still loved and delighted in. recommend disciplining every child, tone is often enough to correct a sensitive and that is because, while some children child. In the case that they repeatedly Offer choices and alternatives are more emotionally and physically break a rule when you’ve given them 6 whenever possible. Sensitive sensitive than others, all children have clear limits and instructions, a mild children don’t like to feel like it’s your way sensitive hearts that deserve to be treated logical consequence may be useful, but or the highway. They want to have a stake gently. watch for a shame reaction and adjust in things too. Sitting down with them accordingly. More importantly, of course, (when everyone’s in a decent mood) and Interestingly, I have a non-HSC child is to find out why she is repeatedly allowing them to help make the house and have found that, while traditional breaking the rule. rules can feel empowering. Obviously, discipline may “work” for her and not my you get the final say, but even just offering HSC, gentle, positive discipline actually Restore connection, security, and to consider their point of view can make works well for both of them. I believe 5 self-esteem after disciplining a them feel less at odds with you. all children respond well to reasonable sensitive child. Positive affirmations, limits enforced with loving guidance
www.society.qa 35 FOCUS scope
Is your child ready for kindergarten? 36 Society Here are a few things to consider when deciding whether a child is ready for kindergarten
By Paige Cornwell
www.society.qa 37 ith school sign-up time approaching, this is the time of Wyear many parents have to ask a tricky question: Is my child ready for kindergarten?
And if the answer is no, they wonder whether to “redshirt” the child — a term borrowed from sports that means holding kids out of school for a year to give them more time to grow academically, physically or socially.
“It’s a perennial question for parents,” said Kristen Missall, associate professor at the University of Washington College of Education. “It’s one of the questions I get the most.”
In Washington, students must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31 to enroll in kindergarten. But state law doesn’t require that students enroll in school until they’re 8, so parents can keep them at home or in child-care programs for an additional year — or more.
The redshirt group is relatively small — about 6 percent of Seattle kids who started kindergarten last September were 6 years old, according to Seattle Public Schools. That mirrors national data, which also shows that boys are redshirted more often than girls, and parents who are college graduates are more likely to redshirt their kids.
The research is mixed on whether waiting a year is a good idea. Proponents say kids who are older might have a leg up later in both academics and sports. A 2015 study from Stanford University found that students who waited a year had significantly lower levels of inattention and hyperactivity, and those benefits persisted until age 11.But others say children who seem ready for kindergarten “While this is a difficult decision to make, Learning skills:This is one aspect should go, regardless of age. I would assure parents that one way or teachers rate the most important. Will the another a child is likely going to thrive students be able to sit still on their own, There are no guarantees that being the and do well whichever path the parents raise their hand and follow the teacher’s oldest means a child enters kindergarten choose,” Park said. directions? with the necessary skills and maturity, said Soojin Oh Park, a former Here are some things to ask and consider Social:Does the child know how to elementary-school teacher and now when deciding whether a child is ready for make friends and connect with others? a UW College of Education professor. kindergarten: That isn’t necessarily a predictor of And a National Bureau of Economic school success, but can predict how Research study from 2008 suggests that Academic: Kids are prepared for the much he or she will like and adjust to kids who started school later tended to kindergarten curriculum if they know their school. be less motivated and had lower lifetime letter names and the sounds some of the earnings as adults. letters make, names of shapes and how to So what should a parent do for a boy who count to nine, says Missall, who previously turned 5 on Aug. 12 but knows his shapes, Either way, parents shouldn’t stress too worked as a school psychologist. They colours and letters? Missall says she much. Schools are prepared to work should have an interest in reading and would send him to kindergarten. with a range of kids, Missall said, and writing and might show that by pointing there’s no specific baseline that each to text on a page or writing a pretend letter, “Most of the time,” she said, “it’s probably a student needs to cross to prove they’re according to the state’s Department of Early good decision to go ahead.” ready. Learning.
38 Society FLAIR education
STEAM POWER: Working Beyond the Limits of STEM
By Simon Porter
ou may be familiar with STEM In December, every student at Compass As part of this collaboration, seven education (Science, Technology, International School Doha received a teachers from Compass International YEngineering, Maths), but at “Compass Curiosity Cube” containing School have travelled to MIT in Compass International School Doha, materials to build and create their own Cambridge to have a week-long intensive as a result of our ground-breaking imaginative STEAM projects. This will be training from MIT professors and doctoral collaboration with the Massachusetts followed in January by our STEAM week, students. This has given us the capability Institute of Technology (MIT), we focus when 1600 young people from age 3 to 18 to offer the best access to STEAM on STEAM. across our three campuses will attempt learning throughout our curriculum, not a series of challenges set for them by just during our STEAM week. The MIT You may well ask what the A in STEAM MIT around the theme of “Navigating motto is “Mens et manus” which means is and why does MIT and Compass Tomorrow”. Students will be looking at “mind and hand. We are engaging our International School feel the need to the issues surrounding autonomous students in the very essence of this by insert the extra letter? vehicles (such as self-driving cars). Some allowing them to use their minds to will build their own robot vehicles whilst create with their hands. As a result of our The A stands for Arts because we know others will be considering the substantial collaboration, Compass International that “a vivid imagination for new ideas ethical implications of having computers School is at the forefront of practical are not generated by deduction, but by driving cars. They will be looking at the hands-on problem solving activities in an artistically creative imagination” (Max physics of aeroplane design and how student education in Qatar Planck, founder of Quantum Physics) planes can be made more fuel efficient. Some classes will be building their own wind-tunnels to test their designs. From Leonardo de Vinci to Einstein, Simon Porter is Director of Learning at from Bill Gates to Steve Jobs, advances in Students will also be considering the Compass International School Doha and technology, science and engineering have implications of using biofuels. We will a regional lead for Nord Anglia Education’s ground-breaking collaboration with MIT. relied upon creativity and imagination. By also be visited during the week by several including Art in our work on traditional special guests from experts in Qatar as STEM subjects, MIT and Compass well as experts from MIT. International School recognise that.
www.society.qa 39 FLAIR interior orange?Do you like If you are looking to add a punch of energy to your space, then orange is your colour
By Meghana Muralidharan
Meghana Muralidharan is an aspiring designer who always believes that colours are the veins and arteries of designing. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Designing.
o you like orange? The our spirits, and not forgetting our different way. colour; not the fruit. I appetites apparently! Dpersonally have never been While doing my usual research a fan of orange. And when it comes Usually when we design any in design trends, and seeking to interiors and home accessories, space, we go for specific and inspiration for mood boards and it’s never been my bag. It’s a long certain set of colour, as each colour alike for current design projects, I time understanding, or should that as their own significance which we have noticed an influx in orange,at be a suggestion, that the colour should capture them.So has there least in the most subtle and orange provokes hunger and been a rebirth of orange and do I warmer tones, seen particularly in promotes your appetite to kick actually like it now? upholstery and accessories. You start. Which is perhaps why, back could argue that it is due to the in the early 2000’s,it lined the walls Like most colours, it’s entirely time of year that these warmer of many local Italian restaurants. based on tone. So by saying my autumnal shades start popping up mind has been opened and I and with the resurgence of green But would you, or have you, ever might like orange now.Not an as the colour of sensation. But is chosen to decorate your own ardent lover of its usage on every it all a psychological call back to home with this colour?The colour surface possible, perhaps a subtle nature? Do we all want to feel safe that combines the sunshiny autumnal shade of orange on a and warm in times of social unrest, cheerfulness of yellow with the velvet sofa, let’s say! We all might is that what it’s all about?Okay, so vibrant powerfulness of red. have a love for each colour, but that’s getting a bit deep, but you see Colour psychologists say that it is it’s not necessary that we should what I’m saying. an uplifting colour that rejuvenates love them because we all see it in a
40 Society www.society.qa 41 COLOUR TRENDS FOR 2018 We live in a world surrounded by technology but we still have to be closer to nature. Greenery trend respond to this need. It can be incorporated by placing live plants in the room. Green wall or few plants around the room, hanging baskets or stands on different levels will transform the interior completely. The good thing is these are inexpensive and you can never go wrong with it. This trend doesn’t have to be taken so literally, you can always use some printed accessories or artwork around the house.
Millennial pink is another big thing in 2018. This colour can be overwhelming so it’s better to use it in accessories as an accent. It looks very good when mixed with berry. You can add some texture like fake fur or fringes to give it more personalised look.
Tonal reds- this trend is apparent in fashion from which interior design often takes inspiration. It can be used for various furnishings for the interiors. Combine different tones of red: coral, tangerine, wine. This is definitely an energizing combination.
Back to orange, and my confusing to settle in one place. It should smile at accents that nod to the traditional while feelings towards this colour and you and create fantasy. “ celebrating the modern, can be used for whether it is really a ‘thing’ in terms any kind of spaces. of design at the minute.Using this People perceive colours differently. colourthroughoutaroom, orange can Generally, they respond to colours in the So let’s just say, the jury is still slightly out become surprisingly neutral, and yet same way, but the effects will not be the on this matter for me. Perhaps I don’t love it can be bright and mood-enhancing. I same for every person. As certain colour it but I definitely have a little room in my believe the terracotta, blush and burnt can unconsciously awakens you some design heart for some warm orange tones, orange tones are indeed a thing and it memories or feelings, this can happen be it burnt, blush or earthy, especially has a lot to do with ‘natural’ colours and with someone else but sensations and when used on velvet and soft furnishing. a step towards reflecting something that memories being different. Apparently, colours fascinate me. How signifies solid, homely, warming colours about you? that ground us. As Juan Montoya once Apparently, certain decor and the use of said, “A room should never allow the eye terracotta creating warming interiors and
42 Society Q&A FREQUENT Ask the Doctor Q&A When fair
By Dr. Bharat Sangani gets fried
Dear Dr. Sangani, Q: What are ways to prevent I have a very fair complexion. I love the sun but every time I stay in the sun for any sunburn? length of time, I look like I just walked out of a frying pan. I have tried all kinds of lotions but none of them have helped so far. Tell me what to do before I decide never to step A:The goal is to prevent cutaneous UV into the sun again. damage. Sun protection factor (SPF) is a measure of the ability of sunscreen or Feels Like She Is Fried clothing to prevent sunburn to the skin by UVB rays. Sunscreen absorbs or reflects UV Dear Miss Fried, radiation to protect the skin. This is a very common problem, specifically encountered in people with light complexions. Please do not be disheartened. What you have is a classic sunburn There are two types of sunscreen, physical picture. See if the following question and answer session helps. and chemical. Physical sunscreens include titanium oxide, zinc oxide, talc or colored clays. These products protect from both UVA Q: How does sunburn occur? Q: How does sunburn affect the and UVB rays by reflecting and scattering rays. The products are noticeable on the skin? A:Sunburn is the red reaction of the body and are unappealing. I know every- skin when exposure to the sun or ultra- body has seen people with white zinc oxide Ultraviolet B (UVB) is known to violet light (UV) has occurred. The inci- A: on their noses. induce DNA mutagenesis and form pho- dence of sunburn this past year in adults toproducts. The body will either repair is 32 percent, more than double that (72 Chemical sunscreens absorb rather than or the cells will die. A condition called percent) in children and adolescents. reflect UV radiation, and they typically have apoptosis has a protective role by elim- a limited protection. Sunscreens should be inating cells with damaged DNA that applied 15 to 30 minutes before exposure. Q: What causes one person to be could result in cancer. UVA exposure is Reapplication 20 minutes after being in the more susceptible than another? thought to play a role in photoaging. sun is best. The American Academy of Der- matology recommends a sunscreen of SPF A:Those most susceptible to sunburn Q: What is the treatment for 15 or higher be used. Higher SPF may be rec- are people with fair skin, light-coloured sunburn? ommended for individuals with increased hair, a history of sunburn with limited sensitivity to UV radiation or if prolonged or exposure to sunlight and those on certain intense exposure is expected. Waterproof medications. Excessive sun exposure can A:Most important is prevention and sunscreen is the best to adhere to the skin cause more severe burns – first, second or we will talk more about that later. The but still requires reapplication. third degree – and these are treated more only treatment for sunburn is treating the aggressively. symptoms. Avoiding further sun expo- sure until the sunburn is healed is a must. Q: What are other ways to avoid UV Applying cold compresses, soaks in cool exposure? Q: What medications cause a water, applying aloe vera gel and moistur- higher risk of sunburn? izing lotion may ease the discomfort. A:Stay in the shade if at all possible. Avoid being outside between the hours of 10am and A:There are several that are photo- The pain can be treated with use of 4pm. Patients should be informed that cloudy sensitizing, which means they cause a acetaminophen, ibuprofen and some- days do not protect from sunburn; UVB can person to burn more easily. The medi- times low dose topical corticosteroid. pass through clouds. Avoid indoor tanning cations are NSAIDs, quinolines, tetracy- Notify your physician if blistering oc- beds. Also hats, sunglasses and loose fitting clines, psoralens, thiazides, furosemide, curs, steps should be taken in this case clothing with long sleeves and pants will help amiodarone and the phenothiazines. to avoid infection. protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
www.society.qa 43 FLAIR relationships
Should your spouse be your best friend?
44 Society Every couple is different, and being best friends might be the right path for some but that may not work for everyone
By Danielle Braff
ulia Rohan sits just 1 foot away from therapist, provider, equal partner, co- folks after work,” said Toni Coleman, a her husband in their home office — parenter,” said Dusty Williams, a mental psychotherapist, relationship coach and Jbut after the work day is over, she health counselor in Jacksonville, Fla. “It’s divorce mediator in McLean, Va. “When doesn’t want a break from her best friend. not realistic, nor is it healthy.” two people require something different, this incompatibility is often a deal “I worried that working together would If your spouse is amazing at listening to breaker.” affect our friendship — we spend so a problem and giving good advice, then much time together — but it’s actually you should go to him for that; but if you But if both partners have an strengthened our friendship,” said Rohan, have another friend who is a rock star at understanding of how their relationship who lives in Chicago and has been empathy and can listen for hours, there will work in terms of outside friendships married for six years. is nothing wrong with going to that friend and dependency, then it won’t be a first, Williams said. problem. In fact, Coleman said, many She’s far from the only person who happy couples have close or best friends relishes marrying her BFF (best friend With that in mind, your spouse should they brought into the relationship, and it’s forever). On their 25th anniversary, still be one of your closest friends, but he not an issue. Michelle Obama told Barack Obama, or she shouldn’t be your only friend, she “You’re still my best friend,” in an said. “A spouse may feel grateful that their Instagram post. But there’s no hard and fast rule. partner has someone else to talk to who can be more objective, and offer them And at an iHeartRadio awards show, “Some people are content having a lover, feedback and support,” Coleman said. Justin Timberlake thanked his “best confidant, cheerleader and buddy all friend” and wife, Jessica Biel. rolled up in one,” said Julie Wadley, a Some enjoy their time spent apart with certified relationship coach and owner of close friends who aren’t their partner, and Yet when actress Anna Faris split from a matchmaking and coaching company would feel confined without this outlet Chris Pratt after eight years of marriage, in Charlotte, N.C. “Others rely on their and social support system, she said. she said she didn’t consider him to be her spouse for intimacy and partnership best friend. while counting on their buddies to satisfy At the end of the day, the marriage specific interests.” partner has a unique place and role: It’s “The idea of your mate being your best your physically intimate partner; it’s your friend — it’s overhyped,” she wrote in As long as your spouse is fulfilling the person in a way and to a degree that no a controversial essay for her recently needs of an intimate relationship and is one else is; it’s the person who has your released memoir, “Unqualified.” “I really your top priority, then there’s no need to back and whom you will always give believe that your partner serves one exclude everyone else, Wadley said. priority to over anyone else, Coleman purpose and each friend serves another.” said. The problem arises when one person So does the lack of a best friendship with wants his or her spouse to be everything, “There is a specific boundary around a spouse ultimately lead to a divorce? Or but the spouse wants to be close to others. the marital relationship that no one else are we putting too much pressure on one should ever be allowed to cross,” she said. person in our lives? “These are the couples whose friends whisper about a controlling or clinging Because once you strip marriage of these “Never before in history have we partner, who find themselves in things, all you’re left with are the bills and expected our spouses to be all things conflict when one wants to go out the chores. And hopefully a marriage to us: our passionate lover, best friend, with other friends and hang out with offers more than this
www.society.qa 45 FLAIR style
46 Society MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION www.society.qa 47 FLAIR style SUITSUPPLY - LEISUREWEAR COLLECTION SUITSUPPLY 48 Society Giovannio Hats/Headwear SUITSUPPLY - LEISUREWEAR COLLECTION SUITSUPPLY www.society.qa 49 FLAIR trends THE BEAUTY BAG Society brings you the latest products from the beauty world
Clarins Ombre Matte Eyeshadow 10 Midnight Blue 01 (Image1A and 1B) A smoothing, mattifying and long-lasting formula that glides over the eyelid and blends evenly into the skin upon application. These eye shadows are easy to apply and offer the comfort and smoothing effect of a cream with the fine quality and hold of a powder. 03 02 Dyson Supersonic Guerlain Hair Dryer Lupin A hair dryer with a Arsene Lupin is an high-speed, powerful, extremely chic, yet brushless digital motor unexpected, blend of and intelligent heat control dark, powerful and for shine. It has got an slightly smoky leather intelligent heat control with a powdery velvet technology, which helps flower. Like a violet prevent extreme heat bouquet left on the damage to protect hair’s suede cushions of a natural shine vintage vehicle. 04 05 Show Beauty Armani Code Sublime Satin Repair Armani Code Satin is a daring GLAMGLOW opulence captured by Giorgio Thirstymud Hydrating Conditioner Armani that celebrates a Revive damaged hair Treatment femininity textured with with the Sublime Repair A non-drying hydration mask to sweet notes. A contemporary Conditioner from SHOW deliver instant, extreme moisture. It women’s fragrance, it Beauty. The unique moisturizes, restores, replenishes, and reimagines the playfulness of formula seeks to repair calms the skin. the original Eau de Parfum to damaged hair, resulting create youthful exuberance. in soft, enviable and full- 50 Society bodied locks. 06 07 08 R.N.A.Power Clarins Super Restorative Radical New Age Total Eye Concentrate Featuring RNArchitect Complex¹, this An innovative, all-in-one antiaging eye cream that moisturising cream helps to rebuild youthful targets the entire eye zone—temple to temple. It helps beauty from within. It improves firmness and smooth the appearance of crow’s feet and deep suppleness for younger-looking skin. wrinkles, reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles. 09 10 Clinique Pop Matte Dior Addict Lip Colour Primer Lacquer Stick Weightless yet pigment-saturated A full coverage lacquer lipstick formula hugs lips with 8 hours of delivering high shine and intense creamy matte comfort. Built-in primer colour with just one swipe. The helps smooth lips for an easy, even high-pigment pop shades glide glide every time. on easily with one-coat coverage. Enjoy weightless, comfortable wear for hours. 12 11 LUNA GO Compact Dolce & Facial Brush & Gabbana The Anti-Aging Device Nail Lacquer LUNA go is the perfect skincare Dolce&Gabbana Beauty device for your busy lifestyle. Get The Nail Lacquer is inspired smooth, healthy-looking skin with by the unique and vibrant T-Sonic technology in a lightweight colours coming down the design that goes wherever you do. brand’s runways. It features a brush that has been expertly redesigned to ensure great synergy with the high-performance nail www.society.qa 51 formulation. FLAIR FLAIRgourmet gourmet For A Delicious New Year
52 Society For A Delicious New Year Ring in 2018 with these delicious and easy dishes
www.society.qa 53 he first time my parents left my brother and me alone overnight, it Twas New Year’s Eve. Being the wild- eyed, raucous partiers that we were, we celebrated our freedom by watching one of those countdown shows on television, popping a batch of popcorn and drinking Dr Pepper.
And thus was a tradition born. For the next several years, we observed New Year’s Eve, separately or together, with popcorn and Dr Pepper.
The point is that New Year’s Eve traditions are easy to make. But around the world, they seem to share a couple of themes.
Many cultures look to New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day as a time to hope for prosperity. That is why many cultures celebrate with a pot of beans or lentils, which, because there are so many of them in a serving, represent abundance.
Other cultures focus on the end-of-year, a staple of the holiday. Hoppin’ John until it is crisp and golden on the outside, beginning-of-year theme of continuity, by is nothing less than black-eyed peas and creamy on the inside. It’s almost too specifically serving foods that are round. cooked with a ham hock, and yet it is also, good for lentils, but not quite. And some cultures combine these two somehow, so much more. ideas by placing a prize — often a coin — Finally, I turned to Japan for a tradition inside a round cake or bread. Whoever Perhaps it is the fact that this simple that is said to assure a long life. Every New gets the piece with the prize or coin is said dish of ham-and-beans is made with 16 Year’s Eve, many Japanese eat Toshikoshi to be assured of wealth and good luck in ingredients, proof of the extra care that Soba, a noodle soup. The idea is that the the coming year. is taken for the New Year’s celebrations. noodles represent longevity, especially Even so, it is just beans cooked with ham when they are slurped up without That’s the case with the Greek tradition of and mirepoix (onion, carrot and celery), breaking them. serving Vasilopita. spiced with a hot pepper and flavoured with a bay leaf and thyme, served on As with so many Japanese dishes, the Vasilopita is named for St. Basil, whose basmati rice. base is dashi, a broth you can make feast day is Jan. 1 for the Eastern church yourself from bonito flakes, but I just used and Jan. 2 for the Western. Practically Typically, Hoppin’ John is served on plain boiling water and a powder I bought at every family in Greece has its own recipe white rice, but the recipe I used gets great an international market. To this I added for Vasilopita, but the one I baked from mileage out of the basmati substitution. kaeshi, a blend of soy sauce, mirin and “Food from Many Greek Kitchens” is truly Even better is this brilliant idea: It uses a little sugar that I did make myself. stunning. the flavoured water that the beans were Combined, the two have a marvelous cooked in to also cook the rice. These umami taste that is the perfect backdrop This elegant cake is dense and not simple tricks elevate an everyday dish to for soba noodles, which are made from too sweet. It is flavoured with the zest a comforting treat worthy of the New Year. buckwheat. of orange and lemons, scented with vanilla and brandy, and graced with a In Italy, the holiday is also often If you want, you could just serve the dish hint of almonds. It can also be beautiful; celebrated with a plate of beans, only in as is, but much of the fun of Toshikoshi it is traditionally decorated with sliced this case it is sometimes lentils. The lentils Soba is deciding which ingredients to add almonds in a pretty pattern or with are frequently cooked with sausage, but into it. Chopped green onions are almost powdered sugar sifted over a doily. because that is too close in concept to required, but I also added spinach leaves, Hoppin’ John, I decided instead to go the a very popular seven-ingredient red I chose to decorate mine in another vegetarian route with Polenta with Lentils pepper spice called shichimitogarashi traditional method for the New Year, in Tomato Sauce. and thin, dried seaweed called nori. cutting out the numbers of the year 2018 to use as a stencil, with powdered sugar What could be more Italian than that? In Japan, it is often served with fishcakes flurried over the cake. When I removed called kamaboko, which I once saw the numbers, their crisp image was clear It’s a straightforward dish, lentils plus described as a Japanese version of gefilte in the sugar, reminding all of the reason garlic plus mirepoix plus tomatoes on fish. And I know one Japanese native for the celebration. polenta, but I made my own version of who adds a raw egg, allowing the heat of it fancier by pan-frying the polenta. All the broth to cook it. That’s not necessarily For my next New Year’s inspiration, I it takes is the forethought to make the typical, but she does it because she likes it. looked to the American South, where I polenta the night before. By morning, it can attest that Hoppin’ John is indeed can be cut into wedges and then fried Isn’t that how traditions begin?
54 Society VASILOPITA HOPPIN’ JOHN Yield: 12 servings Yield: 6 to 8 servings Ingredients: Ingredients: 1 bay leaf 1 coin, such as a quarter 1 cup dried black-eyed peas, soaked 1 thyme sprig 3 cups all-purpose flour overnight or boiled 2 minutes and Large pinch of kosher salt 1 heaping tablespoon baking powder kept in the hot water for 1 hour 2 cups basmati rice Pinch of salt 7 cups water 3 scallions, chopped 14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) butter, room temperature 1 medium onion, cut into quarters 2 tomatoes, halved, seeded and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 carrot, peeled and cut into quarters chopped 4 eggs 1 celery rib, cut into quarters Several basil leaves, chopped or torn 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 smoked ham hock or 1/4 pound slab Extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (1 large orange) bacon 1/4 cup tomato chutney or your 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons) 1 dried hot chili favourite hot sauc 3/4 cup milk 1/3 cup blanched almonds, finely chopped Powdered sugar, for dusting Method 1. Wash and pick over the peas, removing any misshapen ones or pebbles. Place Method the peas in a large saucepan, add the water and bring to a simmer. Add the 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 113/4-inch springform onion, carrot, celery, ham hock, chili pepper, bay leaf, thyme sprig and salt, and cake pan. Thoroughly wash the coin with soap and water until it is simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. 2. Drain the peas reserving the broth. Remove bay leaf, onion, carrot, thyme, impeccably clean. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together into a pepper and celery. Remove meat from ham hock and chop into bite-sized bowl. pieces. Return peas and chopped meat to the pan, along with a little broth to 2. Whip the butter and sugar together with handheld beaters in a large keep them moist. bowl until creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each 3. Transfer 31/2 cups of the reserved broth to a medium saucepan and bring to one. Beat in the vanilla and the orange and lemon zests. In turn, fold in a simmer. Add the rice and cook until it is fluffy and tender and has absorbed one-third of the dry ingredients, another third of the dry ingredients, the almost all of the liquid, 16 to 18 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the rice milk and the remaining dry ingredients. Fold in the almonds. Scrape into continue to steam, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes while you reheat the peas. Add the springform pan. Drop in the coin, trying to keep it upright, not flat. the remaining broth to the peas and reheat gently. Taste and season with salt 3. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes and pepper. out clean. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire 4. Transfer the rice to a serving bowl and spoon the warm peas and broth on top. Scatter the chopped scallions, tomatoes and basil over the peas. Drizzle cake rack to cool completely. everything with a little extra virgin olive oil and finish with a large dollop of the 4. Put a doily on top of the cake and dust with powdered sugar before chutney. removing it to reveal a lacy pattern. You can also cut a stencil of the numbers of the New Year and dust that. www.society.qa 55 POLENTA WITH LENTILS IN TOMATO SAUCE Yield: 4 to 6 servings Ingredients: TOSHIKOSHI SOBA 2 cups medium-grind cornmeal 1 celery rib, diced small 2/3 cup brown lentils 1 (14.5-ounce) can chopped Yield: 6 servings 1 bay leaf tomatoes, drained Ingredients: 1 medium garlic clove 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil leaves 6 ounces dried soba noodles 1 small onion, minced 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 5 cups basic dashi stock (homemade, or buy the powdered form) 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano 3/4 cup soy sauce small cheese 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) mirin 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Method Spinach, optional Kamaboko (fish cakes), optional 1. Place 8 cups water in a large pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add 2 teaspoons Shichimitogarashi, optional salt and lower the heat to medium. Whisk in the cornmeal in a slow, steady stream; Nori seaweed, optional this should take almost 2 minutes. Make sure to whisk the cornmeal continuously Wasabi, optional to prevent lumps from forming. Continue whisking as the cornmeal comes back to a boil. Simmer, whisking constantly, until the polenta starts to thicken, 1 to 2 minutes. Eggs, optional 2. Reduce the heat until the polenta is at the barest simmer. Cover and cook very slow- 1 green onion, finely chopped ly, stirring with a wooden spoon every 10 minutes until the cornmeal loses its raw flavour, 35 to 40 minutes. 3. While the polenta is cooking, bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Method Add the lentils, bay leaf and garlic, and simmer over medium heat until the lentils are tender but still a bit firm, about 25 minutes. Drain, discard the bay leaf and garlic, 1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add soba noodles and lower the heat to and set aside. a simmer; do not cook in a rolling boil. Cook until the noodles are cooked 4. While the lentils are cooking, heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion, carrot through but still chewy, about 3 minutes. Drain the noodles immediately and celery, and sauté over medium heat until the vegetables have softened, about and rinse in a bowl of cold water. Change the water several times to 10 minutes. remove all starch from the surface of the noodles. Place in a colander 5. Add the tomatoes. Simmer until the sauce thickens somewhat, about 10 minutes. and set aside. Add the lentils and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to heat through. Stir in the parsley and 2. Make the dashi stock in a large pot and add the soy sauce, mirin and season with salt and pepper to taste. sugar. Heat, and when the stock is hot, add the soba noodles; simmer 6. When the polenta has finished cooking, stir in the butter and add more salt if need- gently until they are heated through. ed. Divide the polenta among large individual bowls. Spoon some of the lentils and sauce over each portion. Serve immediately with grated cheese passed separately 3. Place noodles into serving bowls and add soup. Add any of the optional at the table. toppings you desire; if using eggs, make sure the soup is very hot before 7. For extra elegance, make the polenta the night before and refrigerate it in a couple cracking the egg into the bowl — the heat of the soup will somewhat of skillets, making sure the polenta is no more than an inch or so thick. The day cook the egg. Garnish with the chopped green onions. you are serving the dish, slice the polenta into wedges and pan fry a few wedges at a time in plenty of butter over medium-high heat. Cook on one side until golden brown and lightly crispy, then flip and cook until the other side is the same 56 Society Support National Products ًﻣﻌﺎ ﻟﺪﻋﻢ Hashtag اﻟﻤﻨﺘﺠﺎت اﻟﻮﻃﻨﻴﺔ #MadeInQatar
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اﳌﻄﺎﺑﻊ E-mail: [email protected] Commercial Press www.raya.com Tel.:+974 44058500 www.gulf-times.com Fax: +974 44058521 FLAIR travel A bird- watcher’s paradise Home to the highest density of bird species per acre on Earth, Ecuador is truly a birder’s paradise. Read on to find out more
By Doug Hansen
58 Society www.society.qa 59 60 Society n 1998, a small group of bird-watchers earth. In addition to admiring beautiful in Ecuador stared intently as a birds at the feeding stations, we marveled Idiminutive bird darted along the at the diverse shapes, colors and textures ground. They soon realized they had of the tropical plants we saw during discovered a Jocotocoantipitta, which our hike. My favorite was a plant whose was thought to be extinct. The fact leaves measured nearly 5 feet across. that this species was alive and well in Following our air-gasping hike, we had tea Tapichalaca’s cloud forest in southwest and a nice lunch in the small restaurant Ecuador galvanized them into action. near the visitors information center. Within a short time, the group founded one of Ecuador’s leading nonprofit The next phase of our Ecuadorean conservation groups, the Jocotoco exploration took us to Cuenca, and Conservation Foundation, and raised from there we set out to discover three enough money to buy more than 12,000 other Jocotoco reserves, starting with acres of the steamy forest. Buenaventura, one of the larger reserves near the southern coast. Although it is Soon after, they built a lodge at possible to fly to Santa Rosa, a town near Tapichalaca and hired a local staff to Buenaventura, we opted for the four-hour maintain the reserve. From this humble drive from Cuenca so we could see more of beginning, the Jocotoco Foundation has the countryside. During our 120-mile drive, steadily expanded to 11 reserves scattered the landscape changed remarkably, from around the country, conserving some of arid, rocky hillsides covered with cactuses the planet’s most endangered birds and and bromeliads to lush junglelike forests. As accompanying biodiversity. we neared our destination, banana groves lined both sides of the road as far as the eye You don’t have to be a hardcore bird- could see. watcher to be mesmerized by the dazzling display of hummingbirds and Buenaventura Reserve felt like an oasis various other tropical birds that swarm in a vast expanse of tropical forests. After to the feeders at the Jocotoco reserves many kilometers of bumpy, winding we visited, especially our favorite one, roads, we relished our clean wood Buenaventura. Although the larger birds cabin with its private bathroom and two provided momentary excitement when comfy beds. Outside, on the large deck, they appeared, what truly captured our a hammock beckoned us to slow down attention was the never-ending stream of and appreciate the panoramic view of the hummingbirds of every size and shape — distant mountains cloaked in deep green ranging from tiny brown-green hummers foliage. Several times, Sharen, reposing with almost no tail, to impressively large, in the hammock, called out “Doug, come rainbow-tinted ones, some with tails quick. Two gorgeous toucans are sitting in longer than their body. the tree close to me,” and I felt lucky to get When a family of long-snouted coatis great photos of them. (related to raccoons) emerged from the nearby forest and clambered onto the With only three cabins and the nearby porch at Buenaventura searching for a restaurant with its expansive porch, the snack, it was clear that we had arrived in facility imposed itself very little on the an Ecuadorean nature nirvana. surrounding junglelike landscape. The staff prepared three tasty meals daily, My wife, Sharen, and I discovered this but what set apart this experience was admirable organization while visiting our ability to observe up close so many Quito, Ecuador, at the beginning of our gorgeous creatures and plants, either four-month tour of South America, from the porch or while hiking. and thank goodness we did. Through Jocotoco Tours, we managed to Nothing in our previous bird-watching experience some of the best bird viewing experience compared with our ability to in the world (Ecuador has 1,600 bird gaze, close-up, at the frenetic procession species, compared with around 800 in of hummingbirds that whirred around the United States.) the bright red feeders from morning until evening, providing endless Our first introduction to this remarkable entertainment and exceptional photo organization took us to the Yanacocha opportunities. In fact, bird photographers Reserve, about 45 minutes from Quito. from around the world, some with Perched high in the Andes mountains at astonishingly large lenses, regularly 11,000 to 13,000 feet, this reserve, like the come to photograph birds that are found others, was mainly established to protect nowhere else. Other visitors, however, Chestnut-breasted Coronet critically endangered birds — in this case, contentedly click away with their digital hummingbirds sparkle everywhere the 300 remaining black-breasted puffleg phone cameras, or patiently watch with around the Tapichalaca feeders hummingbirds, found nowhere else on their binoculars.
www.society.qa 61 When to go: Even though Ecuador is on the equator, the high altitude of Quito and Cuenca results in some chilly weather. The dry season (summer) runs from June to September and the wet season (winter) is from October to May. Miscellaneous: Bring good hiking shoes (as trails are often wet or muddy), binoculars, sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, lightweight long- sleeve shirts and long pants (shorts are seldom worn in public and aren’t practical in the forest), rain jacket or umbrella.
Bird photographers from around the world come to Jocotoco’s reserves to photograph birds (many endangered) found nowhere else
During our three-day Buenaventura hills until we reached a small grove of a trio of the famed Jocotoco birds. stay, we particularly enjoyed hiking on a trees harboring two bird feeders. Soon, 4-kilometer dirt road through the cloud a diminutive gray and white bird, the Back at the lodge, most of our time was forest, inspecting colorful insects and pale-headed brush finch, appeared, and spent watching, and photographing, the tropical plants while being serenaded I was thrilled to witness a visit by one of innumerable hummingbirds, most of by distant howler monkeys and melodic the rarest birds in the world; the species’ which we hadn’t seen before, especially bird songs. Later, our host drove us to remaining 200 birds reside in this one the most common variety, the chestnut- a distant part of the reserve to see its small reserve. breasted coronets, which resembled new hummingbird park, primarily built prismatic flying jewels. to entice local Ecuadoreans to better During our stay further south in the town of appreciate and conserve their unique Vilcabamba, we decided to spend two days When I reflect on why we travel, one of natural heritage. I persuaded our visiting at our final Jocotoco reserve, Tapichalaca. the reasons is to experience magical American naturalist to take me on a The 75-minute journey, like others we had moments in unique places like the nature couple of night hikes, which opened a experienced, led us along a scenic road reserves we visited, and to find those who whole new world of exciting discoveries that offered beautiful panoramas along make a difference in the world, which is — birds, bugs and spiders that we didn’t with the adventure of dodging occasional exactly what the Jocotoco Conservation see during the day. landslides, overflowing streams and rocks Foundation does. Our memories of randomly sitting in the middle of the road. Ecuador will include hearing the During our return drive to Cuenca, Upon reaching our lodging at the reserve, intense whirring of rainbow-colored we stopped at the 378-acre Yunguilla we donned calf-high rubber boots and hummingbirds’ wings, seeing yellow- Reserve, tucked away in the hills at the marched into the dense cloud forest along billed toucans sitting in nearby trees and end of a rough 5-kilometer dirt road. soggy trails wrapped in a cloak of tropical watching shy Jocotoco birds emerge from The reserve’s “forest guard” met us, and plants. Sitting quietly while our guide the dense forest, living freely because with machete in hand, he led us across placed juicy worms on a special spot, we people cared enough to protect them a stream and up a narrow trail into the were soon treated to a rare close-up view of
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