El Gouna Film Festival 2018: A Bigger, Better, Grand Success!

Sometimes a groundbreaking event can be a hard act to follow. But this year’s edition of El Gouna Film Festival has shown what can be done with the right team and ingredients. We caught up with organizer Amr Mansi to see how it all came together.

The second edition of El Gouna Film Festival has been acclaimed as a resounding success. How were you able to build on the experience gained in GFF 2017?

Thank you so much!  I give credit to every single person in the team who worked tirelessly day and night to ensure the second edition raised the bar of success. When we started working on our first edition we had a team of young people, most of who had never worked on a festival before, let alone a large-scale international event such as GFF. We had started working on the preparations only six months before the festival. There were definitely a lot of key learning curves that were captured from the first edition, which helped us manage the second edition better.  The team is now more experienced and we started working much earlier this year to ensure we could deliver a more robust festival.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

What new elements did GFF 2018 have?

Our special program included 16 exciting events this year.  Among them were three tributes planned, including film screenings, exhibitions, panels and masterclasses.  We celebrated Youssef Chahine’s iconic career to mark the 10th anniversary of his death with a memorable orchestral concert of all the music from his films. We also celebrated the 100th anniversary of Ingmar Bergman’s birth and the 25th anniversary of the passing of legendary director Federico Fellini.

Other than that, the festival was one day longer than the first edition and the Official Selection competition for Feature Narrative, Feature Documentary and Short Film Competitions had several screenings sold out a day or two in advance. Our CineGouna platform also grew substantially. There were 12 projects in development and 6 films in post-production that were competing for the CineGouna SpringBoard awards that totalled $175,000.  The filmmakers had a fantastic opportunity to network with potential co-producers, funding agencies, distributors and festival programmers.  Last but not least, CineGouna Bridge had a stellar line-up of workshops, master classes and roundtables that included speakers such as Owen Wilson, Daoud Abdel Sayed and Tarek Ben Ammar.

What do you consider to have been the standout moments of GFF 2018?

I think that varies from one person to the other, given that every day there were incredible moments that you could only experience at GFF.  For me personally, I was honoured to meet Sylvester Stallone, as I grew up watching his films.

What feedback have you had from participants, attendees and followers of GFF?

Overall we’ve received very positive feedback from everyone that attended and we’re very much looking forward to their participation in our third edition in 2019.

Is GFF gaining momentum? What is in store for the 2019 edition?

Of course it is gaining momentum and we can see this through the level of participation and interest from participants, which was much higher than last year.  During the first edition, people were excited to attend because everyone has a love for Gouna knowing it’s a fun location with a great atmosphere and because they trust that anything that the Sawiris Family invests in has to be of international standard.

However, some must have had doubts in our ability to pull it off given it was our first time to manage a film festival.  But thankfully, we succeeded because we made sure to put together an experienced management team that had a dedicated group of young people full of passion to support them.

Also, thanks to the support of the media who covered our festival in its first edition, the exposure we got helped us gain stronger momentum this year and hopefully next year too. The media was a great tool for us to relay to the world that GFF is one of the leading film festivals in the region and that Egypt is not only safe for all people of the world but also that it will regain its role as the hub for arts and culture.

New Menu at Giannini’s in Cairo Sheraton

When something is already great, “Why change it”, we ask. But, then again, when the changes are as stellar as Giannini’s new menu items, why not? We popped in for an early mid-week dinner, and as always, found that a regular night out becomes something to celebrate at this favorite Italian restaurant in Cairo. Scroll down for more photos!

Type of cuisine: Traditional, regional Italian with a signature New York twist.

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled

Signatures dishes include the Surf & Turf “Giannini’s”, Ravioli alla Genovese Napoletana, and Veal Ossobuco.

We love poring over menus; what dedicated foodie doesn’t? But, at Giovanni’s we know that the way to go is to simply sit back, relax and leave food decisions in the confident, capable hands of Chef Antonio Carrano. Both Chef Antonio and Cairo Sheraton’s Executive Chef, Jean-Francois Cailloux personally gave us an introduction to the dishes we would be served, with our own little master class on the regional roots of the dishes and the innovative food chemistry and interpretation that Giannini’s has introduced. Our curated dining experience was all we could have dreamed of…

From the beetroot-based and black olive dips with the accompanying basket of fresh assorted bread and focaccia that opened our gastronomic journey through to the delectable dessert assortment, every mouthful was sublime. Our first plate was Tuna Marinated Salad, a fresh, light arrangement of baby greens, with radish, slivers of zucchini and tiny cherry tomatoes, topped with delicate slices of marinated red tuna loin. The sprinkling of sesame seeds and oregano accented the delicate flavors perfectly.

This was followed by two distinctively different ravioli dishes, Ravioli alla Genovese Napoletana and Ravioli Caprese. The first offered ingredients we had not encountered before: Handmade ravioli stuffed with braised beef, caramelized onion, ricotta cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese and lemon zest. The rich, subtle flavors were highlighted with the zing of lemon, and of course, the pasta was spot on. The Caprese offered a more traditional take, but the use of both cooked tomato and fresh tomato in the dish drew on the balance of acidity and natural sweetness.

The star of the show was justifiably the Surf & Turf “Giannini’s”. The US Rib Eye steak was tender and cooked to perfection, the lobster succulent and sweet. Our other main dish was Filetto di Hamour Fritto, an inspired fried hamour fillet, teamed with apple, asparagus, mushroom and Hollandaise sauce. The unlikely combination of ingredients worked amazingly well together.

The dessert was also a triumph, with Tiramisu joining a selection from the pastry trolley. All in all, a flawless performance from a skilled and professional culinary and service team.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

We are sure that everything on the menu would deliver the same mouth-watering experience, but nonetheless have put the Zuppa di Funghi and Spaghetti alla Piccata di Manzo high on our list.

Beverage options include a full bar, good wine list, great fresh juices and other soft options.

Décor & Ambience

Contemporary with a warm vibe, highlighted by photos of Italian American icons. And of course, panoramic Nile views.

You can’t help but feel cosseted and pampered by the outstanding service team. The mood is relaxed, but you can feel that everything is perfectly timed to create an outstanding dining experience.

Clientele mix: Hotel guests and many food-savvy regular customers from all parts of Cairo who keep coming back for more. Chic and cosmopolitan.

Price range: Rather high end, but totally worth it.

Contact Information

Opening hours: Open 7 days. 1 pm – 1 am.

Address: Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino, Galae Square, Giza

Tel:  02 3336 9700

Facebook / Instagram: @gianninisrestaurant

Saki Sushi Lounge in Heliopolis Towers Hotel

Set in the spacious lobby foyer of the chic Heliopolis hotel, this sushi lounge aiming to be the best sushi place in Cairo, is a perfect spot for a quiet early dinner, no fuss, no frills. We caught wind of a new and improved menu, so we had to make a visit to check out what is on offer.

Type of cuisine: A concise and perfectly balanced menu of Japanese staples and favorites comprising of soups, salads, rolls, and sashimi.

New on the menu: The Sushi Pizza is an open roll that is shaped like a slice, piled with slices of salmon and tuna sashimi and capers. There are also two types of Sushi Sandwich – a large burrito shaped roll, cut in half. One is stuffed with crab, rice, red caviar, avocado, cabbage, and topped with spicy mayo, and the other features Katsu Chicken, cabbage, rice, and topped with wasabi mayo.

Dishes Sampled

Eager to get started on a sushi extravaganza, in addition to the new signature items, we ordered the Salmon Avocado Roll, Black Salmon Roll, Dragon Roll, Crispy California Roll, Spicy Tuna Temakai, and the Rainbow Roll.

Sushi spots in Cairo can be hit and miss, and often diners can be disappointed by a lack of quality or by the quality of sourcing key ingredients such as ripe avocado, however, everything we sampled at Saki was delicious and made with care. The fish is extremely fresh and tasty, and the sushi rice is cooked perfectly. Each roll was either topped or stuffed with avocado and crispy tempura prawns, some rolls were lightly fried in crispy panko crumb coating, and the sauces were not overdone. The Rainbow Roll is a standout item, topped plentifully with salmon, pickled radish, sea bass, tuna, and squid. The Spicy Tuna Temaki order comes with two nicely sized hand rolls, stuffed with tuna, rice, spicy mayo and cucumber. We were excited to sample the Black Salmon Roll as it promised salmon skin in the description, but unfortunately arrived with none – this type of ingredient is often overlooked in sushi spots we have visited, so it would be advantageous for Saki to include in their offerings.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

On a return visit, we would definitely sample the soups and salads, in addition to Saki’s Crispy Panko Crusted Rolls.

Beverage options include soft drinks,juices, herbal teas, and coffee.

Décor & Ambience

Simple and contemporary, dimly lit with a soothing ambience. The lounge offers outdoor seating in the hotel foyer; the bubbling water fountain that serves as a centerpiece for the venue will provide a soothing sound backdrop.

Clientele mix: Out of town hotel guests, locals in search of an upscale quiet dinner.

Price range: Moderate considering the quality and hotel quality service.

Contact Information

Opening hours: 2 pm – 11 pm. Mondays off. All You Can Eat every Tuesday.

Address: Heliopolis Towers Hotel

El Saheed Sayed Zakaria Street

Tel: 02 22678485

Facebook: hiltonheliopolis

Maestro in Intercontinental CityStars, Heliopolis

Maestro is a timeless, easily considered one of the best Italian restaurant in Cairo serving home-style Italian cooking with a gourmet spin. We visited to explore what their menu has to offer and left impressed!

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled

Each section of the menu has a signature feature highlighted so guests can choose the best of what Maestro has to offer with a little help from the chef.

After being seated at Maestro the end-of-summer heat was getting to us so we thought we would start with some homemade iced teas. A lemon tea and a mint tea went down easy and were a great way to cleanse our palates before starting our meals. For starters we had the Mushroom Soup, rich and creamy, it gets full marks in our books. The addition of the truffle oil and ricotta cheese added new flavor notes and depth to the hearty soup. We then had the Caprese Salad, Fried Seafood Bites, and Beef Carpaccio, all of which were absolutely perfect in their taste and presentation. The simple dishes were crafted and presented like a work of art. Pleasantly surprised at how flavorful our starters were, we were excited for our main courses. We chose the Risotto made with candied pears, Gorgonzola cheese, and walnuts, it was melt-in-your-mouth delicious,  and the Seafood Fettuccine made with homemade noodles and a tomato sauce adorned with lobster meat, and finally the Beef Tenderloin smothered in porcini mushroom sauce. The Beef Tenderloin was medium rare, exactly how we ordered it, and surpassed our expectation in the juicy and flavorful department. The mains outdid the appetizers and to end the evening we had two coffees and every dessert on the menu including the Tiramisu, Ricotta Cheese Mousse, and Pannacotta Two Ways. The Tiramisu was the showstopper and a great way to end a perfect meal.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

The menu is concise but each dish is crafted with intention, and includes a hearty pizza section. Next visit to Maestro will include a Romana Pizza topped with anchovies, capers, and olives, as well as a Quatro Formaggi Pizza with four types of cheese and truffle oil.

Beverage options include a wide variety of both soft and hard drinks.

Décor & Ambience

The decor is retro-chic with formal dining tables and salmon colored walls creating a very rustic and authentic vibe. Walking through the doors into the intimate restaurant was like teleporting to a small family-owned restaurant in northern Italy.

The ambience was relaxed and refined with an air of sophistication.

Clientele mix:  Hotel guests primarily but also regulars that keep going back again and again for the unique dishes at Maestro.

Price range: Above average but won’t break the bank.

Hot tip: Maestro is located in the beautiful Intercontinental Hotel in Heliopolis, so after dinner, drinks, and dessert at Maestro why not stay for a relaxing shisha by the pool.

Contact Information

Intercontinental CityStars Hotel Lobby

Omar Ibn El Khattab Street Heliopolis, Cairo

Hours: 4 pm – Midnight

Tel:  02 2480 0100

 

 

 

 

Mood Swing in Heliopolis

By: Mariam Elhamy

Mood Swing restaurant will swing you into the right mood! Located in a huge vintage style villa beside two other restaurants, Mood Swing aims to be one of the best restaurants in Heliopolis with their eccentric food and their daily live music which will switch up your day. Dishes have innovative combinations of ingredients if you like experimenting with new flavors. We went there on a Tuesday Classics Night and tried out some of their unique signature dishes and drinks. Scroll down for more photos!

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled

Signatures dishes include an international cuisine and sushi menu with many unique signature items that are not available elsewhere. For example, Chicken Lollypops, Festival Salad, Cajun Pineapple Pasta, New York Chicken, Phosphorus Bomb, and for dessert, Swing Cake.

We were welcomed with a shot of lemon, pineapple and strawberry juice. Then, we started off with the famous Mood Swing appetizer platter that included tender but crispy chicken crispers, round buttery twister potato patties, salted fried Kiri balls that explode in your mouth with surprise pieces of smoked turkey, and finally the golden calamari rings that weren’t chewy to the bite. The platter came with three dips of marinara, honey-mustard and tartar sauce.

Then came the Prune Chocolate Pasta, fettuccine pasta with creamy chocolate sauce, topped with walnuts, prunes and pieces of red chili. The sweetness of the chocolate was balanced out with the chili and seasoned with cinnamon and ginger for extra spiciness. This is not a dish for people with a low tolerance for bizarre mixtures!

Next up we tried the Oreo & Walnut Chicken. We were surprised to find that the Oreo sauce wasn’t actually sweet at all, we could distinctly taste the Oreo flavor minus the sweetness and it all balanced out with the perfectly grilled chicken breasts. It came with a side of mashed potato and sweet corn on the cob. If you’re an adventurous foodie, then we highly recommend this dish.

After that came the Mango Konafa Burger, our favorite dish so far, the meat was well seasoned and grilled to perfection, the konafa added a crispy, slightly sweet touch to the burger and we could faintly taste the mango sauce in the konafa, make sure to ask for the curly fries. To wash it all down we tasted the icy cold sweet popcorn and vanilla, and gum frappés, a must try.

We were too full for dessert but it came anyway, so we tried the Summer Fruit Cake, which tasted as fresh as summer with a thin layer of sponge cake and raspberry mousse and sauce. We also gave the Hazelnut Cake a try, crunchy hazelnut pieces and chocolate cake drizzled with chocolate sauce, perfect note to end an adventurous meal.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

We kept the sushi menu for the next visit, in which we will try the Crab & Shrimp Salad, the Salmon Teryaki Platter, Rich Shrimp, Spider Maki and Hot Swing Lemon Maki.

Beverages available include all kinds of hot and cold beverages on the menu, including soft drinks and fresh juices.

Décor & Ambience

The décor is very elegantly golden classic and modern at the same time. A huge bubble chandelier hangs on top of the pit where live music is played and there are different musical instruments that emit soft light on the walls. There’s also a sushi bar and a VIP lounge as well as a quiet outdoor seating area and valet parking.

Clientele mix: Not too busy on the weekdays. Perfect for families, a group of friends or date-night, just pick the right day where the music is soft. The live music schedule is posted on the Facebook page.

Price range: Moderate upwards, but the music and ambience is worth it.

Tip: Call in advance to reserve a table, some live music nights get very busy!

Contact information

Opening hours: 10:00 am to 1:30 am, live music starts at 9:00 pm
Address: 18 El Thawra St., Heliopolis
Tel:  02 26901923
Facebook: Mood Swing
Instagram: @moodswingeg

Good Stuff Eatery at Galleria40

Burgers, sides and shakes in true American tradition, with 100% US Black Angus beef being the star. Mosey on down with the kids, or grab a bunch of your best buddies for a burger fest at what aims to be the best burger places in Sheikh Zayed!

Type of cuisine: US fast food from a well-known franchise. Burgers have a gourmet touch, with some great combinations. A certain Presidential family were regular customers during their stay in the White House. ‘Nuff said!

Signatures Dishes & Dishes Sampled

Signature dishes include the Prez Obama Burger, Steakhouse Burger, Farmhouse Salad, Hand Cut Village Fry, Toasted Marshmallow Shake, Americano Coffee Shake.

Something wet and cool was needed to beat the afternoon heat, so we sipped on a Lemon Juice and Strawberry Shake while we decided on our order. The Lemon Juice was long and tall, and the Strawberry Shake was a meal in itself. Cream, milk, ice-cream and strawberry sauce, it left barely enough room for the burger to follow. With a nod to our diet, we opted to share a Chef Farmhouse Salad. Fresh and crisp, the combination of seasonal greens, tomato, radish, green peppers, pepitas and garbanzo beans came drizzled with a honey and Dijon mustard dressing. Of course, we couldn’t miss out on fries, so ordered the Handcut Village Fry with thyme, rosemary and sea salt, along with the Snack Handcut Fry.

Both the Vidalia Onion Petals and Zucchini Wedges came recommended, so forgetting the diet; we happily crunched into the crispy batter and dipped into yummy array of dips that came with them. Did that leave any room for burgers?

Without a doubt! We shared a Prez Obama Burger, with sweet onion marmalade, blue cheese and horseradish mayo adding tang and a complexity of flavors to the juicy beef patty. A real winner, in our opinion. The Steakhouse Burger came in a close second, with the beef complemented by roasted mushrooms, onion straws, Swiss cheese and Good Stuff Eatery’s special steak sauce. Wanting to mix it up a bit, we also went for The Club Burger and The Farmhouse Cheese. The Club Burger combined grilled chicken, a fried egg, Gouda cheese, lettuce and tomato, with a liberal dollop of Thousand Island dressing, all encased in a soft brioche bun.  The Farmhouse Cheese was a more classic take on a burger, with a beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and Good Stuff sauce. Everything delivered on flavor and quality, and we loved the presentation. All burgers came neatly wrapped in distinctive paper, ready to eat there or ‘to go’.

Other Menu Options that Appealed & Beverages Available

Next time around we would love to try the Good Stuff Melt, a burger with two types of melted cheese, sautéed onions, mushrooms and Good Stuff sauce. Colletti’s Smokehouse also caught our eye, the beef pairs up with fried onion petals, cheddar cheese and a spicy BBQ sauce. 

Beverage options include a variety of shakes, sodas, floats and homemade lemonade.

Décor & Ambience

Seating is distributed between the indoor area and the terrace. The interior has all the pizzazz of a big parade, with red banquette- style seating alongside other options. It is bright and vibrant, with a lot of energy exuded by a wall-sized mural. The terraced area is more intimate and low key, with softer lighting adding a more romantic feel.  A cozy kids’ area has loads of toys and a TV screen with cartoons to keep little ones entertained.

Clientele mix: Families, friends and couples, basically anyone and everyone who cannot resist a great burger experience.

Delivery: Takeaway is available, and delivery service is planned at a later stage.

Price range: Moderate, good value.

Contact Information

Opening hours:  11 am – 12 am
Address: Galleria40, Sheikh Zayed
Tel:  0110 000 1566
Website: www.goodstuffeatery.com
Facebook / Instagram: GoodStuffEateryEg

Understanding Your Risk of Stroke

Stroke, sometimes called a “brain attack”, is the fifth leading cause of death in men & a leading cause of long-term disability. It is indeed more likely in men over the age of 65, but can happen at any age. Strokes are also more likely to be fatal and strike earlier in men than in women.

The good news is that up to 80% of strokes can be prevented. This means it is important to know what puts you at a risk of having a stroke and taking action to improve your odds.

CONTROLLABLE RISK FACTORS

  • High blood pressure is a main risk factor for stroke
  • Smoking damages blood vessels, which can cause a stroke.
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Diabetes
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Being inactive

UNCONTROLLABLE RISK FACTORS

  • Age is the principal nonmodifiable risk factor for this disease.
  • Gender (Men have more strokes)
  • Family history

Your doctor can assess your risk for stroke and help you control your risk factors, therefore regular check-ups are important in catching problems before they become serious.

Most strokes can be prevented by keeping medical conditions under control and making lifestyle changes. Know your ABCs of heart health:

Activity: Stay active. Living a sedentary or inactive lifestyle has consistently been one of the top five risk factors for heart disease.

Blood Pressure: Control your blood pressure.

Cholesterol: Manage your cholesterol.

Smoking: Quit smoking or don’t start.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES

  • Eat healthy and stay active. Choose healthy foods most of the time, including foods with less salt to lower your blood pressure.
  • Get regular exercise. Being overweight or obese raises your risk of stroke.
  • Get other health conditions under control, such as diabetes or heart disease.

Strokes come on suddenly and should be treated as medical emergencies. The American Heart Association uses the memory tool known as F.A.S.T. to recognize signs of stroke. If you think you or someone else may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T.:

 F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

 S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T—Time: If you see any of these signs, get to an emergency room right away. When it comes to stroke, every minute counts.

 

Source:

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Stroke Fact Sheet

This article was brought to you by Tabibi 24/7, Cairo’s leading Family Medicine & Pediatrics group practice. Tabibi operates 24/7 and offers its services at the comfort of your own home or in one of its clinics.
 
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Men’s Hair Loss: Indications and Treatments from the Experts

By Nahla Samaha

With men’s hair gaining more of a role in an increasingly metrosexual world, men’s styles, products and boutique barbers are in high demand. Which makes men’s hair loss more of a big deal than it was in the past. Luckily, modern medicine has come up with new and advanced ways to address this issue head-on!

Two consultants, Dr. Mohamed Mongy and Dr. Mahmoud Abdallah get into the details of this hairy situation and share their expertise in treating men’s hair loss.

WHY DOES HAIR LOSS HAPPEN?

Dr. Mahmoud Abdallah: The reasons for hair loss are plenty, however they can be classified into two main categories: Increased hair shedding and hair thinning. Increased shedding may occur due to low iron stores, malnutrition (very common now with obesity-related surgery) severe stress, some medications, and thyroid dysfunction, among others. Increased thinning is a purely genetic process and occurs due to the male hormone, testosterone.

THE INDICATIONS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Dr. Mohamed Mongy: The best way to look out for early signs of hair-fall is monitoring and observation. Checking the scalp health, hair line recession monitoring, comparing pictures, and then going for a consultation and having a report written up by a specialized dermatologist will save you lots of time and effort in the future.

TESTOSTERONE AND THINNING

Dr. MA: A vast majority of men who experience hair thinning have normal testosterone levels, however, they have increased activation of the hormone in the scalp and this is determined by genetics. This occurs in certain areas of their scalp not all. The process can start from puberty when testosterone starts to increase, but becomes stable by the end of the twenties. The process is more intense and more rapid in men who take anabolic steroids for muscle building purposes

CAN ALL HAIR LOSS BE TREATED?

Dr. MM: All cases can be MANAGED, and not all can be TREATED. What that means is, that there is a solution to every problem. Some solutions eliminate the problem entirely, other remedies keep conditions under control and delay the problem, and in some other cases, some solutions are just a camouflage that help people live their lives easier and with more confidence.

Dr. MA: Stress can play an important role, however acute stressful conditions cause hair loss more frequently than the daily usual stress. For example, we notice hair loss after exams, after a big surgical operation, after breakage of a relationship or after the death of a close relative or friend. Surprisingly this doesn’t occur immediately after the stressful event but takes three months to appear.

ARE THERE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES?

Dr. MM: There is not much in terms of preventative measures that could be done before the hair-fall or baldness starts. And that is due to two points:

  1. No man cares about his hair until it starts to go!
  2. Compliance and frequent clinic visits can seem non-rewarding because improvement cannot be measured.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Dr. MM: Hair loss in men is treated according to the causative factor. Simply, we fix the problem that caused the hair fall in the first place. Fix the anemia if there is iron deficiency, add proteins to diets of low protein consuming men, increase scalp blood flow and nutrition through topical medications and treatments, treat dandruff, scalp psoriasis, and recurrent infections, improve grooming habits if necessary, use topical foams, oral supplements are prescribed in certain cases. Some may even require scalp injections, platelet rich plasma shots (PRP) and of course there is always the final step of hair transplant if the follicles are proven dead and can never regenerate a hair bulb.

Dr. MA: 1. Topical Minoxydil spray or foam remains the gold standard treatment for hair loss; results start to appear after at least 4 to 5 months.

  1. Finasteride tablets are the most effective tool to treat hair thinning in men. Almost 70 to 80% get very nice recovery of their hair.
  2. Laser Comb is another option and should be used three times a week for life.
  3. Of course hair transplantation is a permanent solution.

DOCTOR’S ORDERS

Dr. MM: A healthy lifestyle is always recommended in our medical field. Not just for hair problems, but for everything. If one must drink, smoke, stay up at night, and eat junk food, then he has to compensate by detoxifying, exercising, sleeping better and so on. There is definitely a price to pay when adopting a more careless lifestyle and the hair will suffer as much as other organs like skin, liver, muscles, and God forbid, even brain.

FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM

Dr. Mahmoud Abdallah

Many people go to the pharmacy and buy hair vitamins. Vitamins if not needed, are not harmless. Some vitamins can even lead to hair loss if taken in an excess amount.

Dr. Mohamed Mongy

Avoid hair products and hair treatments e.g. collagen, protein, keratin, hair Botox, serums, etc., and ask your dermatologist for a hair protocol to follow.

Dr. Mohamed Mongy is a Dermatology and Laser Consultant and the Head of Skin Department of the Regenerative Medicine Network of Egypt. He is also a Member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Professor Mahmoud Abdallah, MD is a Professor of Dermatology in Ain Shams University and the Attending Physician at Cutis – The Skin Clinic.

Contact Information

Dr. Mohamed Mongy

Tel: 0127 030 8034

Skin Avenue

Arkan Mall – Sheikh Zayed

Building 5, 4th floor
Facebook: @The.Skin.AvenueEgypt

Dr. Mahmoud Abdallah

Tel: 0100 907 0000

Cutis Clinic

Al Watany Bank Building

Mustafa Mahmoud Sq. – Mohandeseen

2, Fayoum St. – Korba

Facebook: @CutisClinic

 

 

Lap of Luxury: Culinary Food Tours of Spain

Spain

By Amy N. Pugsley

SpainFew cultures love and exalt food and its’ related activities the way the Spanish do. Food is part and parcel of every facet of Spanish life, from tapas to after lunch siestas; foodie culture is alive and well. In the most natural way, almost all Spaniards can tell you what region of Spain their cheese comes from, they can tell you what their jamón ibérico was fed, and the minute differences between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil. This love affair and fascination is not a trend but an integral part of Spanish culture that makes the gastronomy of the country so unique. While many outlets exist for both locals and tourists to explore the endless amounts of delicious food options, there is a new fun and luxurious way of exploring Spain’s diverse food offerings: a private jet tour!

A gastro-tourism outfit based in San Sebastián called Mimo does just that! It brings tourists into the heart of Spanish food culture in a unique and personal way. From cooking classes to wine tastings to food tours, fulfilling your culinary fantasies can now be done via the private jet food tour. How does visiting the trendiest eateries and hidden gastronomic gems of Spain sound?

A specialized food tour via private jet does seem too good to be true but this is simply the next step in the development of the expanding foodie tourism industry; an industry that combines food and travel in perfect harmony. If you’re into globetrotting, culture immersion through food and great Spanish sunsets, then a food tour may be in the cards for you. Any authentic foodie knows that the relationship with food is an intimate one, and you can now deepen your love of food through the experience of touring the different regions in style.

Flying private while sipping champagne en route to a fully customized whirlwind tasting of Spain doesn’t sound too shabby. Skipping airport queues, relaxing high above the clouds, being whisked from one five-star location to the next… Seeing Spain through its’ heritage of food is a great way to learn about the history and culture of this nation.

For those willing to take the plunge on this epic food journey, the tour takes you to Sevilla, Mallorca, and San Sebastián where the best of the best of local food is sampled and where guests can do some hands-on cooking, and dine Michelin-style. In San Sebastián, where the journey starts, diners will become experts on Basque cuisine and learn why this small city is considered the food capital of the world. Located on the north coast in the Basque region, San Sebastián has one of the highest numbers of Michelin Stars per square meter, and is home to arguably some of the freshest and best seafood in all of Europe. In Sevilla, foodies can explore the world of Andalusian cuisine; rife with delicious Arabic influence, the south of Spain showcases a mix of Arab and Spanish culture as it is infused into food, clothing, and architecture. Finally, in Mallorca guests will experience the sun and the sand in one of the country’s favorite destinations.

The Spanish are still eating and perfecting the foods of their forefathers and continue to set the standard for gastronomic excellence. This unique food culture gives Spain and each of its incredible cities something to offer hungry travelers, and the experiences are endless.

CONTACT INFORMATION

MiMo

Spain: +34 943 00 80 70

UK: +44 203 286 7777

USA: +1 917 675 4894

Portugal: +351 30 050 9188

Web: www.mimofood.com

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