DO YOU LIKE SEA FOOD?

When I was in Carrefour the other day, they had some nice sea food like clams, shrimps, crab, salmon, hamour, king fish and lots of other fish. The king fish was fresh, sliced and packed individually. I bought 2 big slices of king fish and cooked some yesterday, besides vegetables. Enjoyed having fish after a long time ( in moderation ofcourse). I have been on a vegetarian diet for a month now limiting my intake of chicken and fish to a minimum, purely for the health benefits and goodness of vegetables and fruits.

Here some FISH pics I took at Carrefour. As you know, they will clean it and cut it the way you tell them to and neatly pack it for you.

Though king fish has a certain oiliness, they are low in saturated fat, high in protein, vitamins and minerals.  It's preferable to eat the smaller size  fish rather than the big ones as the big or huge variety of  fish contains high level of mercury. The small varieties of fish contain only trace amount of mercury which is harmless. Salmon is the best source of Omega 3 fatty acids, which is four times than what is present in other fishes. They are high in protein, vitamins and minerals.  It's believed that Salmon contains the lowest level of mercury compared to all other fish.

LITTLE THINGS

Marian Wright Edelman

We must not in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make, which over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot forsee. - Marian Wright Edelman (American Activist for Rights of Children)

ORGANIC LOW FAT NATURAL YOGHURT AT DEAN AND DELUCA

Tasted the Glenisk organic low fat natural yoghurt sampler and it was fantastic.

Quite a variety of Organic low fat yoghurt from Glenisk

Glenisk organic low fat natural yoghurt with freshly chopped fruits like strawberry, mangoes, and grapes!

If you like to savour the benefits of Organic Low Fat Yoghurt, DEAN AND DELUCA at Avenues Mall, has a wonderful selection and a variety of of fruit based yoghurt from GLENISK. They really taste great and is full of natural goodness. If you plan to visit the Avenues Mall anytime, drop into 'Dean and Deluca' and try the Glenisk Yoghurt. They also have the same yoghurt mixed with freshly chopped fruits like the ones above.

EXERCISE

Exercise : If you are a statue you don't have to do it, if you are not then do it!

LOL...I like this one...makes sense does'nt it?. Now this is what I have to remind myself...

CLEAN GREEN AND LEAN

The  world is turning their awareness towards Clean and Green energy to protect and save our planet.  As much as our planet suffers and needs intervention and move towards alternate energy technologies, our bodies are suffering too and needs some intervention. How? Well, our obsession with all sorts of visually attractive, easily available, ready to eat foods, make us overload ourselves with high calorie foods laden with fats, sugars, preservatives and additives. That means, feeding ourselves with what we don't need than what we need causing a huge strain on our digestion process and our organs.  What do we do? We need to turn to alternative food habits....from junk to CLEAN, GREEN AND LEAN !.

Our bodies are in dire need for clean and green food to be healthy. If only our bodies could talk to us....they would tell your hands to reach out for ''Clean' foods. 'Clean' meaning healthy food.  Your body would tell you to eat a lot of Greens...so feed your body with all the goodness of Greens (vegetables, salad leaves, fruits). When you eat healthy, minus the soda, soft drinks, fat laden, fried and sugary foods, you will become lean as well.

You know how ex- U.S. president Bill Clinton lost all his excess weight? He went on a vegetarian diet.  If you think a vegetarian diet might  make you bored, weak and tired, well, on the contrary, it will fuel you with great energy and well being. If you like to eat meat, try to avoid the red meats and have chicken, turkey and fish, but then again in moderation and have plenty of vegetables and fruits during every meal. Clean up your diet, go green, get rid of the toxins and unwanted pounds, safeguard your health. Experience the wonders of good health by turning to Clean, Green and Lean.

BABIES AND CARDIO

DRESSED AS PANDAS FOR A GREATER CAUSE

Researchers in Panda suits tending and caring for a Panda cub!



Orphaned Pandas and panda cubs born under captivity are taken care of by caretakers, biologists and researchers donning Panda suits in China, as a part of their ambitious strategy to care for orphaned Pandas and re-introduce captive bred Giant Pandas back into the wild. Imagine those little Pandas are actually fooled by disguises. Well, atleast it's for their own safety and wellbeing till they are ready to go into the wild as direct human contact (minus the disguise) would make it difficult for them to survive. The Giant Panda is seriously endangered. In the last 20 years, their natural habitat has shrunk by fifty percent, leaving less than a few thousand pandas alive in the wild.



Researcher in Panda disguise, taking a 4 month old Panda cub to release it into the Wild




Researcher in Panda costume letting another panda cub into the wild



64TH CANNES FESTIVAL : WOMEN DIRECTORS MAKE A STRONG PRESENCE

A record number of female filmmakers are competing for the biggest prizes in competition for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival this year. That’s 4 films made by women out of the 20 in the competition category. Last year, there were zero women made films in the competition. Two of the much talked about  films at Cannes this year are directed by women, including Lynne Ramsay’s “We Need to Talk About Kevin” and Julia Leigh’s “Sleeping Beauty.”
In the competition category, the films made by women directors are :

French film maker Maiwenn

1. POLISS  by French actress and film maker Maiwenn. The movie explores undercurrents of violence against children with family issues and broken homes that involves police intervention and the consuming psychological impact on them.

Australian director Julia Leigh

2. SLEEPING BEAUTY a debut movie by Australian novelist Julia Leigh, which is a story of a student who fulfills the fantasies of wealthy elderly men. A disturbing movie showcasing the extreme dark side of human psyche.

Scottish director Lynn Ramsay

3. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN by Scottish director Lynne Ramsay which tells the story about a boy after he goes on a killing spree. It revolves around a troubled, manipulative, violent boy, who pretended to be normal.

Japanese director Naomi Kawase

4. HANEZU by Japanese director Naomi Kawase, the movie being set in Asuka region, the birthplace of Japanese culture.

Movies 1 to 3, that center around sociopathic issues that an average person cannot even imagine happens in the society,...is bound to create a tornado of psychological turmoil upon watching them. One would need a thick skin and strong stomach to watch these or else the stories and images are  going to sort of haunt you for several days. It's quite a great achievement for women film makers to be competing at the Cannes this time.  

POWER OF LOVE

When the power of love overcomes the love for power, the world will know peace - Jimi Hendrix (Guitarist, singer, songwriter) 

DO NOT MISS CARLUCCIO'S UPCOMING EVENTS

After a huge success of their previous 'Antipasta' cookery demonstration event, CARLUCCIO's  is planning two other wonderful events during the month of May, 'Eventi Per Tutti' - Events for Everyone!. One event is for children and the other event is for adults. Here is their official announcement and if you are a lover of Italian food, or would enjoy attending a cookery demonstation, make it a point to call, register and attend, for an inspiring and beautiful experience, where you can actually see how pasta is freshly made. Enroll your child for a creative and memorable event specially designed for children. Reading about this wonderful upcoming event, I was reminded of a good friend who is a great lover of Italian food and loves to prepare Italian dishes. She calls Italian food 'SOUL FOOD'

In case the poster above is not clear enough when you click to enlarge, here are the details:

IL PICCOLO CUOCO - CHILDREN'S BISCUIT DECORATING MORNING

Friday 20th May at 10 am

Decorate biscuits while Mum or Dad has breakfast! This fun morning includes biscuit decorating, Mum or Dad's choice of breakfast with unlimited tea, coffee or fresh orange juice (and juice for the busy biscuit decorator).

K.D. 7 for adult, K.D. 5 per extra child

LA PASTA : COME SI FA - PASTA MAKING DEMONSTRATION

Saturday 28th May, Breakfast 9 am, Demonstration : 10 am

Join Carluccio's for an exclusive Italian pasta making demonstration while you enjoy a drink of your choice. Watch the chef make pasta dough from scratch and learn how to make different shapes, including Gnocchi and Ravioli. Guests will taste fresh pasta with a variety of sauces and receive a goody bag with essential ingredients to make delicious pasta at home.

K.D. 15 (includes breakfast).

Due to limited seats, please call in advance to book your seat at Tel : 22597310 or 97270812

Contact : Sumesh Kunjiraman, Restaurant Manager

Mobile: 60906372

Location : Carluccio's, 1st Floor, Phase I, Avenues Mall, Kuwait

CARREFOUR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL FOR CUSTOMERS

The place next to the counters, where the compturized lucky counter numbers are announced

Lucky Draw Rules

The lucky counter numbers will announced as well as they will be projected on to the screen (wall)

When was the last time you visited Carrefour? I visited Carrefour after a very long time, while I was in the Avenues yesterday. When I entered Carrefour, I heard this huge commotion, vibrant music and announcements.  Upon enquiring, what it was all about...well..you know what, Carrefour is celebrating their anniversary (from 11th May to 24th May) and have a lot of interesting offers for customers. One them being a lucky draw, where random numbers will be chosen by their computer every hour and announcements will be made and several lucky customers who happen to be at the counter numbers being announced, at that time,  waiting to pay for their trolley of goods, will get the whole trolley worth of whatever they are buying for FREE. How about that? Do you think you could be the next lucky person? Anyway, I wasn't. When I reached Carrefour, the lucky numbers were being called out and people were excitedly taking home their FREE trolley worth of goods and by the time I was done with my  tiny bit of shopping,  looking around, taking pictures, I reached the counter during the gap before the advent of the next announcement. I wish I could have stayed to capture the happy faces of the next set of people who won. But then, I had to leave as I was running out of time and needed to complete a few more things.

They also have daily reduced and surprising offers on certain items like electronics and whole lot of other things.

Oh and another thing, if your birthday happen to fall between 15th May and 24th May, go to Carrefour with your Civil ID for proof of date of birth and you will get a FREE birthday cake. Since the offer began from 11th May, I don't know if you can claim a belated birthday cake if your birthday was between May 11 and May 15.

Anniversary offers mentioned above will last until 24th May. For further details or inquiries, call Carrefour at 22598233 / 22598244

ART EXHIBITION 'SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS' AT DAR AL CID

 PICTURES OF SOME OF AMBEREENA'S ART WORK AT THE EXHIBITION

I had written in an earlier blog, about the art exhibition 'Spiritual Reflections' by Ambereena Ali Razvi and Fahim Hamid Ali. My husband and I visited the exhibition yesterday at Dar Al Cid and we had quite an uplifting experience. A vibrant, charming and beautiful young Indian lady,  Ambereena who was raised in Kuwait, studied Fine Arts in Paris, for five years, currently working as an Art Teacher in Gulf English School, expresses contemplation, positivity, peace and an artistic representation of  wisdom gained through spiritual reflections in her paintings. She had also exhibited works that involved textile designs. Some of her work also involved current social issues and peaceful solution depicted through art.

I personally enjoyed all of Ambereena's work, as each had a special message or a hidden spiritual significance like one of the paintings depicted a subtle reminder to us, 'And how many of Lord's bounties will you deny?' Isn't it true that sometimes we have to remind ourselves of the numerous divine blessings in our life. A mystery verse, "Noor un Al Noor' - Light upon Light, is another painting Ambereena would prefer visitors and viewers to decipher...What is darkness? what is light? What according to you is Light upon  light? Ambereena's paintings are beyond all human differences, in her words, we humans are all one...of the one and the same spirit. She is definitely a very talented and gifted artist.

PICTURES OF SOME OF FAHIM HAMID ALI'S ART WORK

Fahim Hamid Ali from Toronto, Canada, is a self taught artist whose art work is a calligraphic in nature bathed in backgrounds of amazing colours and shades, again taking the viewer or art enthusiast on a spiritual contemplation through his paintings. The exhibition was inaugurated by Sheika Omniya Abdallah Mubarak Al Sabah.  Fahim made two paintings for Sheika Omniya, live, as she watched, supported by music in the background, which forms a base to his inspiring work.  His art work is quite admirable and I hope Fahim and Ambereena will conduct many more exhibitions.

64TH CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

Midnight in Paris, the new film by Woody Allen was the opening movie at  the Festival de Cannes on May 11th in the LumièreTheatre. The movie has an international cast, including Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams and Marion Cotillard, as well as Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (French President Sarkozy's wife), Gad Elmaleh and Léa Seydoux. "Midnight in Paris is a wonderful love letter to Paris", declared Festival director Thierry Frémaux.  "It’s a film in which Woody Allen takes a deeper look at our relationship with history, art, pleasure and life. The 64th Festival de Cannes that commenced on 11th May, will conclude on Sunday 22nd May 2011.

Jury Members of 64th Cannes Festival

64th Cannes film festival's jury members headed by actor-diector Robert De Niro comprises of British actor and director Jude Law, American actress Uma Thurman, French filmmaker Olivier Assayas , Argentine producer-turned-actress Martina Gusman, Chinese producer Nansun Shi, Norwegian critic Linn Ullmann, Chad director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun and Chinese filmmaker Johnny To.

Following are the films in Competition Category, vying for the Palme d'Or award to be presented at a glittering ceremony on May 22nd.

L’Apollonide – Souvenirs de la Maison Close (Bertrand Bonello)
Drive (Nicolas Winding Refn)
Footnote (Joseph Cedar)
Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (Takashi Miike)
Hanezu No Tsuki (Naomi Kawase)
Le Havre (Aki Kaurismäki)
The Kid with the Bike (Dardenne Brothers)
Melancholia (Lars von Trier)
Michael (Markus Schleinzer)
Once Upon A Time in Anatolia (Nuri Bilge Ceylan)
Pater (Alain Cavalier)
Polisse (Maiwenn)
The Skin that I Inhabit (Pedro Almodóvar)
Sleeping Beauty (Julia Leigh)
La source des femmes (Radu Mihaileanu)
The Tree of Life (Terrence Malick)
This Must Be The Place (Paolo Sorrentino)
We Have a Pope (Nanni Moretti)
We Need To Talk About Kevin (Lynne Ramsay)

GARFIELD

UKRANIAN WOMAN GIVES BIRTH TO 20TH CHILD

Leonora Nameni 41, from a village in west Ukraine, gave birth to her 20th child. Her oldest son is 20 and married. Leonora's six children are working, eight are in school and six are preschoolers. She has 10 sons and 10 daughters. She and her husband own a small farm where the children work.



Family photo with Leonora, husband and their 20 children



It's quite amazing...isn't it?



TEN THINGS SCIENCE SAYS ABOUT HAPPINESS

1. Enjoy / Savour Everyday : Pause now and then to savour ordinary events like the children playing, smelling coffee, admire the sight of flowers or trees as you drive or walk...Think of pleasant moments

2. Avoid Comparison: Everyone is unique. Comparing ourselves with others can be hurtful to our self esteem and well being. Instead of comparing, focus on our own talents, skills and personal accomplishements.

3. Don't let money and material things rule your life: People who obssess about money and seek satisfaction in material goods, are in risk for depression and anxiety. Satisfaction from both (money and material things) have a short life - it's fleeting.

4. Set meaningful goals: When you strive for some significant, you will be far more happier than those who don't have strong dreams and aspirations. Engage in activities that are personally significant and enjoyable, be it at work or at home.

5. Take initiative at work: How happy you are at work depends in part on how much initiative you take.

6. Treasure your family and make good friends: Happy people tend to have very close and supportive relationships with their families and friends. Build  and nurture your relationships with love, care and understanding.

7. Smile even when you are not in mood for it: Happy people see possibilities, opportunities and success. Keep a positive outlook with practise.

8. Say Thankyou and mean it: Be grateful always for known and unknown blessings.

9. Exercise: Exercise is an antidote to depression and bad mood. It has so many health benefits. Exercise releases good endorphins and boosts your self esteem and energy levels.

10. Give : Volunteer, help a neighbour or friend or family member in need, donate goods, share your skill, celebrate others' success, give a listening ear to a friend.

All these 10 things...they are easy to follow...now try a few of them or all of them...and discover Happiness