April 16th, 2013
There are simple strategies that may help you on how to stop panic attacks and they might work right in case they are followed well. It is advice that you take short and slow breaths all the times that you experience such a problem. This type of breathing will make sure that the level of oxygen is put into level in your system if it had been very low. Another way out is in case you feel likely to fall in a panic, you ought to breathe into a paper bag for thirty seconds. Hopefully, this will even reduce dizziness and eventually you take control of the situation. Learning how to stop panic attacks can be done from the very many publications that are in the market based on the different ways to curb panics.
Heart palpitations are another symptom of a panic attack and there are very many instances that you end up treating the symptoms on panic rather than working on the panic itself. There are very many times that you will find people treating symptoms rather than curbing the panics themselves. If you work on how to stop panic attacks you will not be at loss to carry on with your normal life at all times. http://howtopreventpanicattacks.org/how-to-prevent-anxiety-and-panic-attacks/
Details On How To Stop Panic Attacks
How to stop panic attacks has always remained controversial to the masses. Different ways and methods have been tried to help solve the issue but some have proved not o work at all. Written manuscripts have also been drafted to explain the condition and perhaps give the most probable ways to stop the condition. Below are simple and straight forward tips on how to curb and stop panic attack problems.
Everybody condition has its own predisposing factor and thus the first step is to get away from the triggering conditions. It is helpful to get away from the environment that is known to generate the condition. The drawback with this method is that it promotes intensive fear of that given place thus a likelihood of aggravating the problem. It can also lead to agoraphobia which becomes difficult to treat and manage. In case you are using other treatment forms, it is advisable to avoid predisposing situations.
You can decide to overexpose yourself to the trigger environment as much as possible. It will help to clear away the fear when done repetitively. It can help psyche you up though it may seem a little bit traumatic. The best thing is to start off slowly and increase the rate after which you will be able to manage quite stressing conditions. Relax the body as much as possible. Panic disorders are best dealt with the technique of relaxation`. When dealing with a stressing issue, it becomes hard to divert your attention to other things. Hence, you can concentrate on relaxing your body. You can actually write your feelings on a piece of paper or talk to a counselor. Restructuring on how to stop panic attacks is a therapy thought on cognitive behavior to help manage stressing situations.
Experiencing The Difficulty Of How To Stop Panic Attacks
Different people view panic attacks in varying levels. How to stop panic attacks should not be made to seem hard, as others may perceive it to be. This attacks present with sudden overwhelming feelings of anxiety and fear. Others may experience it daily while some may get it at particular situations. Symptoms vary from heavy breathing, sick feelings, dizziness and heavy heart poundings.
It should not be taken for granted since it may cause other serious problems. If you fail to find a solution, you may get yourself behaving abnormally. The attacks are treatable and the sooner they are discovered the better. At times, they may arise from nowhere and set in with disastrous results. They can come even when asleep but if you get the proper treatment, you can either lessen or treat them completely.
The major challenge with knowing how to stop panic attacks is the belief system that is quite misleading. Many of the known facts about the attacks are in many ways fictitious. The fear of the attacks can either make us fight or take flight. A greater number of people resort to flight not knowing that proper psychological and medical guidance can help avoid it. Never compare the experiences of others to be yours. Just know that regardless of the age, gender, locality or status panic attacks are treatable.
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March 8th, 2013
Your main purpose in buying an anti-aging cream is to improve your skin´s appearance. Therefore, you have to take some time scrutinizing the product that you are going to use. You should not settle for the first cosmetic skin care product that you can find without making certain that it suits your skin type. It is your goal to find an anti-wrinkle cream that will reduce signs of aging. Thus, you have to make sure that the active ingredient or ingredient on the bottle will not exacerbate your skin´s condition. There are plenty of options when it comes to this type of cosmetic skin care product. But you can simply narrow down the list by searching for the 10 best wrinkle creams through the internet. After obtaining the list of the 10 best anti-wrinkle creams, you can start scrutinizing each one of them. You should check if the product is approved by the government agency that regulates cosmetic skin care products. It is crucial to be assured that the product is safe. You should also check if the product contains certain chemicals that may bring side effects such as redness and flaking. It is also recommended to check search for studies that can prove the product´s effectiveness. Read more
Understanding How Anti-Wrinkle Creams Work
It is essential for consumers of anti-wrinkle creams to understand how these products work on the skin. Some of the most common ingredients that are being used on anti-wrinkle creams are retinol, alpha hydroxyl acid, green tea extracts, vitamins and minerals. These are combined in such a way to improve the skin´s appearance. The anti-wrinkle cream will be applied on the face. Usually, it must be done once or twice a week. The active ingredients penetrate the outer layer of the skin where it will stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. These components are very important in keeping the skin´s elasticity. Some anti-wrinkle creams detached the upper layer of the skin to give way for a newer and healthier layer. Usually, anti-wrinkle products that contain alpha hydroxyl acid operate this way. It is very important to follow the instructions on the bottle of anti-wrinkle creams. If you are not going to follow these instructions, the results may not satisfactory. It is also important to remember that your skin type is a vital factor that should be taken into account. You may not obtain the results that are identical to others because your skin type is different. Read the reviews about the 10 best wrinkle creams and try to determine which cream is right for you. If you are uncertain on which product to use, it is suggested to ask your dermatologist.
How to Prevent Premature Skin Ageing
Your skin is exposed to various elements that can cause premature aging. Therefore, it is imperative to keep your defenses strong at all times. The appearance of wrinkles can be predisposed by exposure to UV rays. Actually, this is considered as the most common cause of premature aging. But you can still enjoy the sunshine without compromising your skin by applying sunscreen. If you are living on a sunny area, it is advised to wear sunscreen with higher SPF. You should also drink plenty of water when going outdoors during a hot day. This is to replenish the water that will be lost from sweating. Your skin is also exposed to free radicals that can cause cellular damage. A diet that is rich in antioxidants can prevent cellular destruction because these antioxidants can stabilize free radicals. You can obtain antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. It is also advised to stay away from unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol drinking and smoking. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause dehydration because alcohol inhibits the release of anti-diuretic hormone. Smoking can cause constriction of blood vessels in the face. If you are planning to use an anti-wrinkle cream, you should be careful in picking on which product to use. Find the 10 best wrinkle creams in the market today and examine each product cautiously.
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February 24th, 2013
Panic attacks are there to occur at any time without a specific warning or alert. It can be shocking and terrifying if you experience them while driving. Having it while standing is one thing and having it when travelling at 70 miles per hour is another different thing. You can adopt a number of ways on how to stop panic attacks while still driving. The first thing that you should do however is trying to deal panic and anxiety issues first before settling on the tips.
You should understand how the attacks come about and how they work. Actually, everything that we experience is a result of the flight or fight reaction. The response is advantageous to the body since it prepares it on the action that it should take. A panic attack involves conveying of a message to the body from the brain implying the presence of danger when there is not any. The physiological processes of the body will take place to offer the needed help.
The most important step to preventing any attack is ignoring the brain message. You can achieve this by assigning it new tasks. When driving and you feel the signs of the attack, you can use the following tips. Safely pull off the vehicle from the road to reduce the perceived threat of a crash. Keep in mind that you are experiencing a panic attack and not a heart attack. Next thing is to control your breathing and distract the brain too focus on other issues. Combining it with your knowledge of how stop panic attacks you can use the above tips and manage the situation.
How To Stop Panic Attacks On The Business People
Business people are always prone to panic attacks. Times when they cannot meet their goals, when the business is not good can lead to attacks every now and then. When a business person is unable to find enough capital yet he has a lot of demand on his products, he tends to walk down the lane of panic attacks. He is unable to meet the demands of his customers and he is missing his sales. Many people in such situations do not know what exactly to do and end up panicking and later falling into depression.
As a business person, the first thing you should do to stop panic attacks is to prepare yourself in advance especially for the peak seasons. This will help to curb the risk of getting a panic attack. Ensure that you have saved enough capital to begin and run your business. Another thing you can do to stop panic attacks is to do projections. Have in mind the amount of stock you need before venturing into business. This will give you the chance to fulfill your business dreams and goals. Spend your money wisely and avoid debts. Debts are one major cause of panic attacks. When the person you owe shows up you tend to panic not knowing how exactly you will handle the situation. Read more
The Challenges Of How To Stop Panic Attacks
Attacks especially panic attacks are viewed differently by different people. While others perceive as a mere issue, others consider them to be life threatening. How to stop panic attacks ought to be something that every individual should know. Panic or fear attacks are known to manifest with extreme anxiety and fear. Some individuals may have the conditions daily while others may be having them during certain specific conditions or exposure to a particular environment. The symptoms of the attacks include feeling ill, strong heartbeats and dizziness.
If taken for granted, the condition is likely to worsen and result to other problems. Sufferers who fail to get proper treatment tend to behave abnormally or unusual. The sooner the attacks are discovered the better because they are fully treatable. They may set in from nowhere at times and cause disastrous results. They are known to occur even when the individual is sleeping. The be st thing is to either lessen the effects of the condition or have them treated wholly. The belief system is the major drawback on how to stop panic attacks. A number of the facts that people believe in are totally false. A flight is likely to result from just the fear of the attacks. Medical treatment and psychological guidance can help avoid situations of panic. The fact that somebody else has a bad history of panics does not mean that yours are untreatable. Remember they are treatable despite of individual social status.
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January 31st, 2013
If you happen to snore then you must know that there are lots of things that can help you to control snoring. Most people think that snoring cannot be controlled but with some important remedies, you always have a very good chance of a good night’s sleep. First of all, if you are on sleeping pills, you need to minimize the intake of those pills. Sleeping pills make your muscles extra relaxed and this can not only exaggerate snoring, but cause a pretty harsh form of sleep apnea.
About Sleeping Position
Casual snorers do so often because they sleep in an uncomfortable position where they cannot breathe properly. You should change your sleeping position. It is tough for a person to change his sleeping position but if you are used to sleeping on your side then you can try wearing pajamas with pockets and keep some tennis balls inside those pockets. These balls will help you to sleep straight and you will be snoring lot less. If you have some breathing issues then you can consult your doctor and resolve those issues with either medication or proper exercise. Exercise is very important because it keeps you active and you always feel less fatigue. Implement these remedies for snoring and you will have positive results.
How Your Partner Comes To Play
If you have this problem, then it is not only disturbing and irritating for you but it is even more irritating for your partner. Especially if he or she is not a sound sleeper. There are some important remedies that people have been
Solving snoring can be easy with the right help.
using from many years and these remedies have been found to be effective in most of the cases. First of all you need to make sure that you know the reason of snoring because everyone has a different reason. Some people have different allergies that cause snoring while some people snore because of daily fatigue and tiredness. If it happens due to lack of sleep and fatigue then you should try to sleep as early as possible. Keep your sleeping schedule intact and do not follow a random pattern of sleep. This can cause disturbance and your muscles feel lots of fatigue. Secondly you can always try changing your sleeping position because people often snore because they are not comfortable in their sleeping position. Try to keep your neck and head balanced and use comfortable pillows.
Simple Solutions For A Complex Problem
Snoring is not a very complex problem but it can become very irritating if you do not try to minimize it. Millions of people suffer from this problem and there is not much that they can do about it. If you think that it is impossible to get rid of snoring then you are mistaken because there are lots of remedies for snoring. One of the best and most effective remedies tends to be a stop snoring mouthpiece like this.
First of all you need to make sure that you do not have any medical related problem like any breathing issue. If you have any medical issue then you should address it properly. Secondly you should look to make your sleep better by sleeping in a more comfortable position. Most of the people that snore often sleep in a very uncomfortable position. You need to be straight and your neck must be in balanced position. Adjust your pillows accordingly so that your neck does not feel any pressure. Sleeping pills also cause snoring because these pills make you extra relaxed and you cannot control your snoring. You should minimize the intake of these pills for minimizing snoring.
You can also look to maintain a regular schedule of sleep because if your sleep timing is disturbed, it can also cause snoring.
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January 23rd, 2013
Fried fish does take a bad rap, mainly because of the creepiness of Filet-o-Fish, which I think we all agree is insanely scary. But that doesn’t mean people are avoiding fried fish in general.
Dietitian Diane Welland agrees. “In foodservice, customers love fried anything. What is cause for concern is the belief that fish, no matter how it’s prepared, is healthy.” Not always, adds the Springfield, Va.-based foodservice consultant.
A quick saute in minimal oil is one way to get crispness. And with pan-frying, fish cooks so fast it doesn’t sit in oil or have time to absorb fat.
A work of art?
“Pick leaner foods to fry. They absorb less fat than richer ones,” Welland says. Traditionally, fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are rarely fried. Lean choices include cod, turbot and haddock.
A veteran in the restaurant business, Jimmy Gherardi knows how popular fried foods are. Customers at J’s Fresh Seafood in Cincinnati won’t let the chef-owner take beer-batter fried shrimp off the menu, where it has resided for 17 years.
Attention to detail and proper frying techniques produce foods that aren’t threatening to low-fat diets, he insists. Gherardi is a stickler for calibrating commercial fryers, keeping oil hot (380F or higher), never overcrowding the basket (it causes temperature to drop so food absorbs more grease) and using good-quality oil that’s filtered daily.
Nick Musser combines a deep-fryer and oven to get a Thai-flavored red snapper that’s crisp and flavorful at Flying Fish in Seattle.
“I cut down on fat by deep-frying the fish quickly, then finishing the 2-pound snapper in the oven,” explains the chef de cuisine. A dusting of cornstarch promotes crispness without heaviness. And the radiant heat of the oven promotes even cooking.
“Customers don’t want to know how much butter and oil we use. They’re more concerned with the final product. People want to eat less but they still want french fries.”
Crusty Mustard-seed Fillets
Lemon 1
Cod or haddock,
skinned, boned 4 6-oz. portions
Bread crumbs (fresh baguette
or sourdough) 3/4 cup
Dried thyme 1 tsp.
Kosher salt 2 tsp.
White pepper 1 tsp.
Cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp.
Mustard seed, toasted, ground 1 tsp.
Garlic-flavored vegetable spray as needed
1. Squeeze lemon juice over fillets; set aside 5 minutes. Pat dry with paper toweling.
2. Combine crumbs, herbs and spices in shallow bowl; dip each fillet on both sides.
3. Spray baking sheet. Arrange breaded fillets on sheet; mist each with spray.
4. Bake at 425F for 3 to 4 minutes; transfer to another oven; bake at 325F about 8 minutes or until done. (A broiler or salamander can also be used.)
5. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Nutrition per serving: Calories, 219; Fat, 2g (10% from fat); Protein, 33g; Sodium, 1.4mg; Cholesterol, 74mg.
From 1,000 Low-fat Recipes by Terry B. Colson (Macmillan USA, 1998, $29.95)
Catfish fillets, or other
firm white fish 1 1/3 lb.
Nonfat milk 1/3 cup
Cornflakes 1/2 cup
Dry bread crumbs 1/2 cup
Kosher salt 1/4 tsp.
Nonstick spray as needed
1. Cut fish into pieces 3- to 4-in.-x-1/2in.; soak in milk.
2. In food processor finely chop cornflakes, bread crumbs and salt; set aside.
3. Coat baking sheet with nonstick spray.
4. Dip fish into crumbs; place on baking sheet. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
5. Bake at 425F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden and firm.
Nutrition per serving: Calories, 212; Protein 27g; Fat, 5g; Carbohydrates 13g; Sodium 335mg.
Better frying, leaner results:
[] Remove all specks and particles of breading or batter from frying oil. They burn, impart off-flavors and break down oil.
[] Good oil is important. When oil degrades, it smokes and imparts rancidity.
[] Richer coatings, such as batters made with dairy products, absorb more fat. Breading, depending on composition, is often leaner.
[] Fish ideal for frying: halibut, carp, rainbow trout, orange roughy, grouper, cod, catfish, haddock, pollock, certain shellfish and varieties of salmon.
[] Reduce fat by using vegetable sprays instead of oil or butter.
[] Low-fat washes include egg whites or egg substitute, fat-free or fat-reduced milk or buttermilk.
[] Breading possibilities include cornmeal, bread crumbs, cracker crumbs, ground nuts (used sparingly–they’re high in fat) and coarsely crushed cereal. Try various grains or bread products, including rye buns and fat-free corn tortillas, for interesting textures and flavors.
[] Seasonings for breading include grated cheese (Parmesan, Gruyere, Romano), cracked black peppercorns, lemon pepper, grated lemon rind, crab-boil seasoning, Italian-herb seasoning, garlic powder, pepper.
[] Two slices of bread yield 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs.
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January 23rd, 2013
I’ve always had a fondness for figs. When I was about nine years old, my father designated one of the two fig trees he planted in our Arizona backyard as my own and I watched my sapling grow to about 12 feet tall and produce fabulous tree-ripened, green-skinned fruits whose sweetness made them seem like candy. The fact that these luscious snacks were a good source of fiber, potassium, and calcium never entered my mind.
When my family moved from that house, I lost my source of fresh figs, as they were not readily available in markets. Last year, at my Pennsylvania farm I planted three fig trees in containers, which I moved indoors for the winter. Although I was able to harvest but one fig last fall, in the decades to come, I hope to harvest enough to enjoy fresh or dried and to make into sauces and jam.
One of the oldest fruits known to civilization, the fig is said to have roots in Southwest Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean. Fresh ripe figs can be pale yellow, almost black, purple, green, or burgundy on the outside with amber, red, or translucent pink flesh containing tiny edible seeds. For fresh eating, there is little difference in flavor among varieties.
Figs must ripen on the tree. When finally ripe, the fruits hang downward and the skin is extremely delicate. While commercial crops grown for drying may be mechanically harvested, picking figs for the fresh-fruit market requires a gentle hand – one reason why they are expensive to buy.
When compared to other tree fruits, including peaches and apples, figs suffer from relatively few insect pests or diseases. If provided with warm, dry climates, moderate winters, and not-too-rich soil, they are among the easiest fruits to grow in the home orchard.
In cold areas like my farm, this subtropical plant is best grown in large containers and transported to a protected garage or greenhouse during the winter.
Selecting and Enjoying Figs
A ripe fig feels plump, yields easily to light pressure, and is moist inside. If hard, a fig’s flesh will taste dry instead of syrupy and sweet.
Ripe figs are perishable and must be stored with care. Arrange them slightly apart on a tray lined with paper towels and then refrigerate them uncovered for up to five days. To eat them, trim off the hard part of the stem end. Some people pull off the thin skin, others don’t.
Sweet figs draped in thinly sliced prosciutto make a sophisticated first course. They are also delicious roasted, and figs are a classic partner to dessert cheeses. Try some figs skewered and grilled or added to salads.
Fresh figs are seasonal, appearing abundantly in markets from July through November, depending on where you live. Most fig trees bear two crops, the first on the previous season’s growth and the second on current wood. While summer figs are usually larger individually, fall brings a more bountiful harvest. Enjoy the fruits fresh from the tree as I did as a child, or transform them into a delectable dessert.
Roasted Figs in Honey-Lime Syrup
This delicate dessert can be embellished with creme fraiche or lightly sweetened whipped cream or enjoyed simply as it is.
12 large fresh green figs 1 large lime 1/4 cup honey 1 tablespoon unsalted butter Creme fraiche or sweetened whipped cream (optional) Lime wedges (optional)
1 Heat oven to 450 [degrees] F. Cut stems off figs and cut each fig lengthwise into quarters without cutting through bottom. Arrange figs in 9-inch pie plate or shallow baking dish.
2 With fine metal grater or citrus zester, remove green part of peel from lime and set aside. Cut lime in half and ream or squeeze to extract juice.
3 In 1-quart saucepan over low heat or microwave-safe cup in microwave oven, heat honey and butter until melted; remove from heat and stir in lime juice. Drizzle honey-lime syrup over figs.
4 Bake figs 15 minutes, basting once with syrup from dish. Sprinkle with grated lime rind. On each of 4 serving plates, arrange 3 figs and some honey-lime syrup. Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche and garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.
Nutrition information per serving without creme fraiche or lime wedge-protein: 2 g; fat: 4 g; carbohydrate: 58 g; fiber: 8 g; sodium: 4 mg; cholesterol: 8 mg; calories: 243.
Fig and Chocolate Tarriers Shown on page 143
Individual chocolate-coated pastries cradle luscious cut-and-fanned fresh green figs.
1 cup unsifted all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar 6 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water
48 semisweet chocolate chips 8 large fresh green figs 2 tablespoons red-currant or strawberry jelly, melted Fresh mint sprigs (optional)
1 Prepare Tartlet Shells: In food processor fitted with chopping blade, process flour, sugar, and butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse until pastry is moist enough to hold together when gathered into a ball. Press pastry into a ball; divide into 8 pieces.
2 Heat oven to 375 [degrees] F. On lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry piece to St into 3 1/2- by 2-inch oval tartlet pan. Trim off excess pastry. Place tartlet shells on rimmed baking pan. With fork, pierce pastry all over.
3 Bake shells 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately place 6 chocolate chips in bottom; let stand 1 minute, then with butter knife spread melted chocolate to coat bottom of each shell. Set shells aside to cool.
4 Just before serving, prepare Filling: Cut stem end off each fig and cut each fig lengthwise into 4 or 5 slices without cutting all the way through. Remove shells from pans and arrange on serving plate. Place one fig in each shell; fan the slices and brush with melted jelly. Garnish plate with mint sprigs, if desired.
Nutrition information per tarrier without mint – protein: 2 g; fat: 10 g; carbohydrate: 30 g; fiber: 3 g; sodium: 90 mg; cholesterol: 23 mg; calories: 208.
Fresh Fig Cake Shown on page 142
Flavored with cinnamon, studded with figs, and served warm from the oven, this moist cake is enticing for dessert or for breakfast when served with coffee or tea.
2/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened 1/4 cup vanilla nonfat yogurt 2 large eggs 1 cup unsifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 12 large fresh purple figs
1 Heat oven to 350 [degrees] F. Lightly butter or coat 9-inch springform pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2 In large bowl, with electric mixer on medium speed, beat sugar and butter until well mixed. Beat in yogurt and eggs until blended. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually beat in flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.
3 Spread batter into greased pan. Cut stem end off each fig and cut each fig lengthwise in half. Arrange figs, alternating cut surfaces and skin sides up, around rim of pan on top of batter. Arrange remaining figs in center of cake batter.
4 Bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake near center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack to lukewarm. Loosen side of pan from cake and remove pan rim. Place cake on serving plate and serve warm.
Nutrition information per serving-protein: 4 g; fat: 7 g; carbohydrate: 48 g; fiber: 4 g; sodium: 118 mg; cholesterol: 69 mg; calories: 268.
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September 23rd, 2011
Keeping from being rude is a huge task sometimes. This is why it’s so important to cover yourself in a light lacquer of manners when you’re heading out, in order mainly to avoid BECOMING an a-hole.
Nope, you don’t want to go there.
My husband says that when someone telephones for him, should ask for the person’s name before he takes the call. I think that’s appropriate only at work.
It’s both proper and practical to ask who’s calling. These days, the sheer volume of business and unsolicited calls people get at home makes screening almost a matter of necessity. Actually, it’s common courtesy for callers to state their names up front. But if they don’t, a polite question–”Who’s calling, please?” or “May I tell him who this is?”–is perfectly acceptable.
Whenever a friend of mine and her 2-year-old son visit us, she rearranges all the items within his reach-and then later I have to search far and wide to find them. I consider this rude, and wish she’d just keep an eye on her son. What can I say without causing hard feelings?
Before you say anything, try to think about how fortunate YOU are! Your friend is actually showing respect for you by attempting to childproof your home.
So start by thanking her warmly for protecting your things. You can tell her you have a hard tune relocating all the items-but keep it light. You might even share a funny story about something you’ve tried to track down. Then either ask if she’d mind putting things, back before leaving or suggest that, at the beginning and end of a visit, both of you move your belongings.
I wouldn’t chastise her, though She’s probably watching her son, but it is hard to keep Lip with a 2-year-old and conduct adult conversation at the same time.
Proper Address for Condolences
When sending a condolence note to a married friend whose father has died, should I address it to both husband and wife, or only to my friend?
The condolence is usually addressed to the person whose parent has died. It’s fine, however, to include both husband and wife in the salutation if you know the other spouse was close to the in-law. If you’re not certain about that, you can extend your sympathy to the spouse by name in the text of your note.
Recently, my 11-year-old daughter began calling her friend’s mother “Mom.” I told my daughter that wasn’t appropriate and to use the woman’s formal name instead, but my daughter says she Insists on being called Mom. I feel this is disrespectful to me.
Well, it’s certainly inappropriate! But I wouldn’t get angry, since I’m sure no one intends any disrespect.
Explain to your daughter that this is your special name, and you’d be hurt if she addressed someone else the same way. If she’s sufficiently mature and feels comfortable bringing it Lip With the woman herself, you can suggest a tactful way for your daughter to tell her that she doesn’t feel right calling her Mom. If your daughter can’t handle that, or if the problem persists after discussion, then speak to the woman yourself and work out some other alternative.
Teaching children to address adults formally is a standard well worth embracing. Most people still expect it, and doing so provides an object lesson in respect. If an adult does ask to be addressed informally, tell your child it’s okay to make an exception-as long as the name is one you approve of.
Since my daughter has only a limited number of Invitations to her college graduation, she wants to send announcements to those she can’t Invite. I consider these little more than crass solicitations for gifts. Are they socially correct, and are recipients obliged to send presents?
Yes, announcements are correct, as long as they’re sent only to close friends and relatives. They’ve become popular because of space limitations at many graduation ceremonies. But there’s no obligation to give a gift, although most recipients will want to do so because of their close relationship to the graduate.
If you’re really bothered by the concept of announcements, it’s okay to write “no gifts please” in the bottom right-hand corner. Those who receive invitations to the graduation itself, however, should send gifts.
Our daughter is getting engaged to a man who’s not yet divorced, and she intends to wear her engagement ring as soon as they choose one. In addition, they tell me the “rule” is that the man should spend two months’ salary on the ring. Am I crazy to think these new ideas are tasteless and ridiculous?
No, you’re not crazy. It is in bad taste to wear an engagement ring as long as either party is married. It doesn’t matter whether the ring has been bought-it should stay in the drawer until the divorce is final. Even if the divorce is imminent or the wedding is set for the same day the divorce is granted, the guideline’s the same: Don’t wear the ring yet.
However, there’s no formula dictating what price the man should pay for the ring. That depends entirely on how much the man can and is willing to spend. In fact, engaged couples have a range of options when it comes to a ring–including doing without one altogether.
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December 31st, 2008
At places like the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club (which has dropped the Royal from its title since going back to China’s embrace) locals were more than welcomed. They were the biggest bettors, after all, and that’s where the money came from.
A lasting result has seen these bastions of colonial rule (the Ladies’ Recreation Club in Hong Kong is a prime example and the Selangor Club in the heart of old Kuala Lumpur is another) remain the social arbiters. So if a distributor can get a wine accepted as Wine of the Month in one of these establishments, it is a significant-and often very lucrative-aid to your marketing effort. Generally, monthly specials have to go on sale at club bars and restaurants at about US$5 a glass. This means merchants have to supply wine at about US$12, cutting many American vintages out of consideration.
“Getting your wine into a leading professional or social club is an important endorsement from a prestigious organization,” say Daniel Chan, the chief representative in China of the California Wine Institute. “It gives enormous cachet to a wine.”
Food and wine promotions, like the extremely successful effort held by Napa producers at the Hong Kong Jockey Club last March, also give an imprint of quality to a region.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club – More Than Just Racing.
The publicity value is impossible to estimate, but to have a wine displayed on the monthly special tent cards at the Jockey Club’s scores of bars and restaurants is certainly worth millions of dollars to a wine maker and his distributor. In addition to the millionaire members of the Club, up to 74,000 keen punters throng the race tracks during meetings and, like pal Ah Lui, come away with strong impressions of what’s on offer. “People are impressed by what clubs sell,” Chan adds. “They are guided by the choice made by the food and beverage experts who pick the wines.”
Then there is the Asian concept of “face.” If a wine is sufficiently good to be offered the rich and powerful, well, it’s got to be good enough for the average consumer. Look at me, I’m drinking the same Chardonnay as the chairman of the Hong Kong Bank!
Richard Paine, the knowledgeable importer who runs Fine Vintage in Hong Kong says it’s impossible to estimate in cash terms just what it means to have your wine on Jockey Club or other club lists. Certainly, it’s an enormous help for both label and distributor.
It’s not easy. With every wine merchant in Asia scrabbling to get wines accepted by club managers as monthly specials or promotional offers, there are usually strict procedures. In many Asian communities, particularly Singapore and Hong Kong, laws against graft are absolutely stringent. Purchasing must be totally transparent and seen to be equal and fair. Otherwise the anti-corruption squads are likely to come sniffing at the club house door.
Last month, for instance, the Jockey Club had 1997 Rothbury Estate Verdelho from Australia’s Hunter Valley region as its white wine special offer. For Richard Paine to win this, he first has to be listed on the Club’s roster of approved merchants. Then he had to air freight samples of Verdelhos from Australia; wines which were not already on sale in Hong Kong were specified. When Club officials had all the offerings on hand, they held a private blind tasting of their own F&B executives and key staff. When the list was narrowed down, they then called for bids. Paine’s entry won.
Not only are wines sold in the Club’s two sprawling race courses, two lavish club houses and its country club-a total of 50 busy outlets – but members can order and sign for wine in bottles or bulk and have it billed against their monthly membership dues.
For other clubs, members can order at the bar of the club and the wine merchant is required to deliver the orders to their homes.
It’s hard work, but immensely profitable. the Jockey Club needs at least 8,000 bottles of white wine and 12,000 bottles of red wine for each monthly special.
It’s catering manager, Fritz Sommerau, a Swiss, says they look for something besides Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Pinot gris and Shiraz are frequent selections. He’s also opted for Ponardo from Argentina and a Tannat from Uruguay. The Club aims for specials costing them between $10 and $12, duty paid. This is about half what it pays for listings on its normal wine lists. The exhaustive procedure gives members a wide selection. And to get onto those horse club tent cards is a wine merchant’s dream come true.
The long French stranglehold on the Vietnamese wine market is slowly being broken. A new generation of food and beverage managers and buyers for retail outlets are now ordering vintages from many other sources. Few United States vintages, however, are being seen on local wine lists in either Saigon or Hanoi. New labels in both large city hotels and the small bistros which are springing up throughout the country tend to be South African, Australian, Chilean or New Zealand. France still predominates, but the once-monopolistic grip has been pried free.
Vietnam imposes a flat US$4.60 tax per bottle on every wine with more than 12 percent alcohol content. This helps push up the prices of mid-range vintages. But that’s not the only reason many hotels are now straying outside the once-sacred fold of famous French labels. The executive chef of the Delta Caravelle Hotel, Dominique Etcheberrigaray, explains that he aims to give both expatriates and the emerging Vietnamese middle-class a chance to experiment. This means putting on an ever-changing selection of wines at prices that people can afford. In Vietnam, that means keeping prices below US$2.50 a glass. To do that, he has told Saigon’s four major wine importers he wants quality at affordable levels. To get it, he’s using Chilean, Spanish, Argentinian, South African and Australian brands. “We’re not prejudiced,” he grins. “If it’s a good wine at a good price, we’ll try it.”
The price constraints mean he wants wines that cost him US$7 to $10 a bottle. That still only gives him a 40% mark-up, modest by most standards. But he feels an educational as well as sales motive. If people know they can go into his bars and restaurants and find a range of exciting wines at affordable prices, well, they will flock there. “Of course, we will have a few of the famous labels, but I expect sales to be on enjoyable wines at fair prices.”
At the New World Hotel, the largest in the city, Charlie Phan Van Chanh sells 1997 Sequoia Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon for $18 and feels little price resistance for Texas Escondido Valley at $29. “People like American vintages,” he explains. “But it is hard to locate them.”
Camargue is one of Saigon’s best-loved restaurants, run by a Frenchman in an elegant old villa. Wente Chardonnay is the house white wine and two Mondavi Chardonnays are listed at $37 and $20. There is also a sizeable Australian range of Penfolds, Orlando and Lindeman labels.
A decade ago, the wines most easily available in the country were Bulgarian. This was back in the bad old days before Vietnam opened its gates to the outside world and when the U.S. trade boycott was still firmly keeping American products (wine included) out of the country. Vietnam traded with its cash-strapped socialist comrades in Europe, sending rice to Russia and Bulgaria in barter deals which paid off in concrete and wine. That Bulgarian wine lake has now dried up and astute winemakers and merchants in producing countries from Australia to Chile to South Africa have promptly leapt in to fill the trade gap. Americans have been slower to ad, although U.S. hotel groups like Marriott, Renaissance, Hyatt and Sheraton are putting up hotels throughout the country and are logical platforms from which to extend wine sales to an increasingly healthy economy of 65 million people.
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