By: Mamta Thakkar, UAE General Manager at Merle Norman

Mamta Thakkar

Ready to take a plunge in the pool or head to the beach and achieve that sun-kissed look? With the 40 degrees weather, it is time to seriously start thinking of taking extra precautions while basking in the sun.

The ultraviolet (UV) radiations from the sun have two effects on the skin: UVB cause burning, and UVA cause ageing.

Most supermarkets store sunscreens as it is known to be a must-have item for everyone, especially for this time of the year. But have you ever wondered what’s with the numbers and descriptions on the packages?

Sunscreens come with descriptions such as SPF - 15, 30, 45 etc. SPF, the abbreviation for Sun Protection Factor, is a measurement of the effectiveness of sunscreens. 

Normally, it takes about 20 minutes for a ‘light skinned individual’ to experience sun-burns if he or she is not wearing sunscreen protection.

At Merle Norman, we follow a simple equation to gauge the frequency of use of sunscreen. First, determine how long it would take you (in minutes) to burn without wearing sun protection, indicated by slight redness of the skin. Multiply the number by the SPF of the product, and divide it by 60 (minutes).

For instance, if you observe a sunburn sensation in 10 minutes and use SPF 30, multiply 10 by 30 = 300; divide by 60, which is 5; this corresponds to five hours; meaning, you have to apply the sunscreen every five hours.

Dermatologists recommend a teaspoon of sunscreen lotion for the face and approximately three tablespoons for the body. The more the sun protection applied, the better it is for your skin. Choose a sunscreen that provides protection against UVA and UVB rays. In case of excessive sweating or swimming, use products with water resistant formula and re-apply if you find the sunscreen wearing off.

The percentage of SPF content does not matter if applied based on the above equation. For example, by using a higher SPF sunscreen lotion or cream, you do not have to apply at more frequent intervals and a lower sunscreen product will need frequent re-applications.

While many people only associate sunscreen with a day out on the beach, it is to be remembered that even casual exposure to sun can be harmful to the skin. Remember! Effects of sun damage to the skin are irreversible and therefore prevention is the key! Sunscreen is thus an everyday use in the Gulf region, so slather on some even when going to the office!

Get Your Free 1 Day Trial At a Hayya! Health Club near you

This August take advantage of the exclusive summer offer at Hayya! Health Clubs. Sign up for a 3 month membership and get the 4th month FREE!

Hayya! health clubs offers fitness enthusiasts a range of facilities including a fully equipped gymnasium, personal training, tennis and squash courts, swimming pools, work out and dance classes as well as a range of activities for children. 

This offer applies to all four Hayya! Clubs located at The Lakes, Springs Town Centre, Meadows Village and The Old Town, Downtown Dubai. Limited memberships are available and terms & conditions apply.

For more information call 800 Hayya (42992), email info@hayya.com or visit www.hayya.com.

Date : Until August 31, 2010

Time : 6am – 10pm

Venue: Hayya! Health Clubs

Price  : Single: AED 1,345; Couple: AED 1,845; and Family: AED 2,345 for 3      months with 4th month membership free.
 
 

Reach Hayya! Participants

Dubai, UAE; August 7, 2010: Hayya!, Emaar Hospitality Group’s health and fitness brand, rewarded Sheena Kimatrai, the winner of the first Reach Hayya! weight-loss programme, with an annual membership to the Hayya! Health Club.

The 90-day Reach Hayya! contest had four participants who were offered a fitness regime to help them improve their health and lifestyle. They were chosen through a competition on radio where listeners were asked to provide the best reason as to why they need a rigorous fitness regime.

The exclusive programme featured a calorie-controlled meal plan offered by Live’ly, a concept designed to provide nutritional consultations and healthy food catering services. Personalised and professional fitness trainers at Hayya! helped the participants to gain stamina and strength while losing extra pounds.

Live’ly’s diet program followed a thorough nutritional evaluation and body analysis for all four participants and continuous guidance and support by licensed clinical dieticians. Accordingly a tailor made meal plan was formulated for every contestant and daily meals were prepared and delivered.

Mark Adrian Williamson, Senior Operations Manager of Hayya! said: “Hayya! believes in adding value to life and with this new programme we aim to motivate and inspire a number of people to work towards a healthier lifestyle. The Reach Hayya! programme has been scientifically packaged to ensure that even as participants lose weight they are continuously educated on how to maintain a healthy balance.”

During the competition, participants were free to work out at any of the Hayya! Health Clubs located in the city - at The Lakes, Town Centre, Meadows Village and The Old Town, Downtown Dubai. Participants were to visit Live’ly every two weeks for a body analysis test and a follow up session with their clinical dietician.

The exercise regimes at Hayya! included a 30 minute master class that involved body combat, body pump and body balance, circuit boot camp classes, yoga and aqua aerobics.

Membership to Hayya! Health Clubs allows access to all Hayya! facilities that are open from 6am to 10pm daily. Hayya! Clubs are family friendly and cater to all age groups. In addition to the above mentioned classes, members of the club can access aerobics and spinning studios, swimming and lap pools, children’s play areas, gymnasiums, squash and tennis courts, change room facilities, a restaurant, steam rooms and plunge pools. All facilities employ state-of-the-art equipment. For more information on Hayya! Health Clubs and to book your 1 Day Free Trial, call 800 Hayya (42992) or email info@hayya.com. Visit us at www.hayya.com. For more information on Live’ly, please visit www.lively.ae

If you spend most of your time at a desk or sitting in meetings, you know that it takes a lot of work to maintain a healthy physique that you can be proud of. While exercising and sleeping are extremely important, there’s no denying that you are what you eat. A lot of research has been conducted regarding the diet plan in respect to one’s body, and we recently discovered that there are also plans depending on one’s blood type. A well-known concept “Blood Type Diet” is a plan based on the research conducted by Dr. Peter D’Adamo, and some of us at O2 have decided to give it a try. Maybe it will for you!

Type A should basically stick to fruits and vegetables (high carbs / low fat). They have thicker blood than other blood types, a sensitive immune system, and should not consume dairy products, animal fats and meats. They are at a heightened risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

Type B should consume a balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables, grains, fish, dairy, meat. However, they should avoid chicken as much as possible. Type B have great chances of overcoming many types of diseases that include heart disease and cancer.

Type AB individuals should consume a mostly vegetarian diet, and only on rare occasions have fish, meat, and diary. Just like type B, they should not consume chicken.

Type O, which is the most common blood type among people, should basically stick to a high protein diet that includes red meat, low carbs, and enriched with fruits and vegetables. They should limit the intake of wheat germ, whole wheat products, corn, and avoid dairy products and most nuts. Type O types are commonly affected with hypothyroidism, high stomach acid that leads to ulcers, and thinner blood with greater resistance to blood clotting.

Choosing the right snacks for your office breaks is incredibly important to maintain a good work/life balance. If you don’t know your blood type, go to your local doctor and find out today! It could be the key to a healthier you…

‘Autism around the World Symposium 2010’ will be held in Dubai, 6-8 May 2010

Dubai, 20 April, 2010: The Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre (DECDC), an initiative by the Community Development Authority (CDA), has announced a strategic co-operation with the Child Early Intervention Medical Centre, Emirates Medical Association, Zayed University and Dubai Healthcare City to tackle autism and its impact on the UAE society.

At a press conference held on Tuesday 20th of April, DECDC also announced the ‘Autism around the World Symposium 2010’, the first initiative of the collaboration, to be held from 6-8 May 2010 under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific research in UAE.

The symposium will host a group of specialists and experts from several Arab and foreign countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  as well as the UK and USA, who will lead workshops on various educative elements concerning autism. 

The symposium aims to introduce the latest methods in treating autism and help psychologists, therapists and educators in the GCC to learn from international best practices in this segment. It also comes at a time when the GCC is in urgent need of learning resources on autism and its effective management.

Sheikh Maktoum Bin Butti Al Maktoum, CEO, Social Care, CDA said:” The strategic co-operation between DECDC and Child Early Intervention Medical Centre, Emirates Medical Association, Zayed University and Dubai Healthcare City, confirms the commitment to building a coherent and solid society. It also underlines Dubai’s vision and the priority given by the UAE to investing in its people.”
 
Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice-President of Zayed University, praised the initiative for organizing the Global Forum on Autism as a humanitarian gesture which reflects the care and attention given to people with special needs on both the scientific research and community levels. This Forum is an important path to investigate causes, prevention and treatment of autism on the international level. He added that Zayed University has practically addressed this matter recently through establishing its Accessibility Office which cares for students with special needs, including autism, to provide them with administrative services, academic and social facilities that will help them a lot in completing their studies, perform research work and practice all their activities normally in the University.

Dr. Bushra Al Mulla, Director of the Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre added: “We hope that our participation in the symposium will help in enhancing awareness about autism and shed light on the importance of dealing with autistic children. DECDC will endeavour to ensure that autistic children around us get the best treatment and services.”

Dr Hibah Shata, Managing Director of Child Early Intervention Medical Center, delivered a speech on behalf of  Dr. Ali Al Numairi, Director of Emirates Medical Association saying that the association fully supports practices and activities that target all segments of society stating that ”Autism affects children during the first three years of their age and it restricts their ability for social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and behaviour in many ways. Helping them overcome such restrictions requires significant awareness among the medical community, families and societies around them,”

For those that have yet to travel to Japan for business, there are a couple of things you should know before booking your ticket and inviting clients out to eat. Japanese culture is centered on politeness, overall respect for people, age reverence, gracious apology for wrongdoing, and living in harmony.

Foreigners, when eating out in Japanese restaurants, need to understand the basics of the Japanese dining etiquette to avoid offending the Japanese by committing a dining blunder!

There are some essential basic rules to be mindful of when dining in a Japanese restaurant. First of all, when the food is served, join your hands in the “Namaste” gesture and say quietly, “Itadakimasu” the phrase translates as “I humbly receive.” The gesture is an expression of gratitude for the collective efforts made by many in growing and preparing the meal.

If you feel you need a bit of soy sauce for your meal, you should serve yourself by pouring a small amount into your soya dish. It is considered rude to directly pour the soy sauce on your meal. If you’re having sushi, dip the sushi in the soy dish and bring it to your mouth. Avoid pouring excessive amount of soy and hovering over your dish. When eating rice or soup, you are allowed to bring the entire bowl closer to your mouth so that you don’t spill any food. In addition, it is considered rude to burp at the table unlike in some other Asian cultures like Chinese or Korean, where it can be received as a sign of satisfaction.

As for the chopsticks, never put your chopsticks in a bowl of rice because it resembles the burning of incense sticks at a Japanese funeral. Instead, lay your chopsticks on the chopsticks holder or at the edge of your individual plate.

At the dining table, do not pour yourself a drink but rather serve others at the table. Another thoughtful person should pour your drink for you when you are finished serving.

At the end of the meal, thank the chef by saying “Gochisosama deshita!” Thank you for this great meal!

Who would have thought that healthy sandwiches would replace the days of French fries and Big Macs?  That’s right; Subway is officially the world’s largest and fastest-growing restaurant chain.  Subway sells around 2,500 sandwiches a minute from more than 30,000 locations in over 90 countries.

In 1965, Dr. Peter Buck was working as a nuclear physicist.  Fred DeLuca had barely graduated high school and was dying to make some money for college.  It was an unlikely pair of entrepreneurs to say the least.  The two men were connected through family friends, and after a BBQ one summer day, Buck pulled out a checkbook and wrote a $1,000 check to DeLuca.  “Open a subway shop Fred.”  That’s where it all began.

Today, Buck and DeLuca are thought to be billionaires, although they work hard to stay out of the public spotlight.  In some ways, the total number of locations—like all records—is just a symbol.  It doesn’t necessarily account for revenue or popularity, but it does point to a distinct business method. McDonald’s for instance, entered into the international market years ago and is now focused on making profits in existing locations rather than opening up new ones (Subway’s current strategy).   Subway is also different from European chains like Pret a Manger and Benjys, which offer only pre-wrapped and pre-made sandwiches.

They’ve definitely hit upon a branding strategy that has stimulated the public’s appetite for subs. It’s all about eating healthy on the run.  Anyone can be healthier if they choose Subway over any of the competition in the market. That message has struck a chord with many consumers at a time when obesity rates are up and many people feel they lack the time to prepare home-cooked meals.

Good ideas = strong brands.  After all, who wouldn’t want to “Eat Fresh”?

The Community Development Authority in Dubai (CDA) in cooperation with UAE Down Syndrome Association, organised an awareness session titled “Ability not Disability”, Read the full story

Baby Reflex is based on the idea that applying pressure to different areas on the foot can help the body heal itself. Courtesy www.grapheast.com

Reflexology, an alternative therapy based on the belief that certain parts of the foot correspond to different parts of the body, has been practised in India, Egypt and China since ancient times. Read the full story

Thousands of people turned out at Dubai’s Safa Park to take part in Anlene’s ‘Walk for Bones’, a city-wide effort to raise awareness of the dangers of osteoporosis. The initiative was held in association with MBC. Read the full story