Tabibi: The Challenges of Puberty

May 1, 2021

The threshold to becoming a ‘grown up’, puberty can be a trying time for both parents and their young soon-to-be adult. So what can we expect, and how can we ease the path through the emotional ups and downs and the physical changes?

In short, puberty is the period of sexual maturation and achievement of fertility. The best way to deal with different challenges at this period is to know about them and face them.

By Dr. Mohamed Abdu – TABIBI Pediatrician

Common Challenges:

Physical changes

These occur due to changes in the hormone levels and manifest as development of fuller breasts in girls, change of voice and the appearance of facial hair in boys, acne, the growth of pubic hair in girls and boys, and the onset of menstruation in girls.

These can be addressed through explaining that it is normal for the body to change, and by encouraging them to stay healthy and fit through nutritious diet and exercise.

Behavioral changes

Overwhelming emotions can lead to impulsive behavior that can be harmful. Your teen’s dress code, hairstyle, and sense of fashion also change, often to something you may not approve of. That can be solved by gaining your child’s trust. Do not judge them, and let them know you love them.

Emotional changes

Hormones affect teenagers emotionally. They tend to feel overly emotional, that can make them happy, excited, sad or angry. The best way to release pent up feelings is through exercise.

Educational challenges

The stress to perform academically and obtain college admissions can be harmful for a teenager. Try to encourage your child to reach his or her college admission without stress, be supportive and encourage good nutrition and exercise.

Smoking and substance abuse

Teenagers are vulnerable and can be easily swayed to pick up bad habits. Substance abuse is an example. Peer pressure is one of the significant factors that encourages adolescents to take up smoking or other risky habits, so keep an eye on your child’s behavior and be aware of any changes.

Psychological problems

The most common psychological disorders that occur during adolescence are anxiety, mood disorders, panic disorders and depressive disorders. In order to avoid these problems try to keep an open dialogue about any of their problems.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset of depression. If you notice that your child is becoming too moody, he or she may need to be examined by a physician.

You can talk with specialized doctors and make an appointment with a Tabibi physician 24/7 by contacting call center 16724.

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Wasting Water: How to Have A Conservation Mindset At Home

May 1, 2021

We may not be aware of just how much water we’re wasting on a daily basis, and this in itself is another pandemic. Water may soon become a scarce commodity in the near future.

Water conservation is of great importance and can be mindfully managed by making some better lifestyle decisions that can be applied every day.

By Ahmed Talal

Where do we waste water, and how can we be more mindful?

To kick off the list, one of the first things we do when starting our day is brushing our teeth; too many of us are leaving our faucets running, letting the water go to waste and this needs to change. Here’s what we can do about it:

The Bathroom:

Turn on the faucet very lightly to just soften the bristles on the toothbrush and then close it.
Make sure to also use just one glass of water to rinse out after brushing instead of leaving the water running to gargle.
We should also stop using our toilets as garbage bins. In other words, throwing used tissues or cigarette filters in a toilet wastes a ton of water because each flush uses several gallons of water. Use a bin.

The Kitchen:

Many of us are guilty of leaving the water running when rinsing their vegetables and fruits, which wastes a lot of water. Instead, let’s fill up our sink and rinse all of the veggies in it.
Dishwashers are also a true lifesaver as they are a better substitute to washing and rinsing dishes by hand. To ensure the most amount of water saved, scrape the chunks and bits of stubborn food off of the plates and carefully place them in the dishwasher. Afterwards, set it to a light wash if possible, which can save a lot of water. Studies have shown that when you hand wash, you’re using 3.5 times as much water as a dishwasher uses.

The Home:

Instead of drenching our driveways or walk-ways in front of our homes, let’s sweep with a broom. Hosing these areas uses up hundreds of gallons of water, depending on the pressure that the hose is pumping.
If you have a garden, research water conservation methods with which you can care for your plants instead of over-watering with a hose, or leaving the hose running.
Maintenance work around the house should also be conducted once or twice a year to ensure that there are no leakages whatsoever from any pipes or faucets, which could wasteful as well.
We might also opt for taking a bath instead of a long shower, as showers waste gallons and gallons of water. Baths are also much more relaxing, and we could all use that time to unplug.
If you prefer showers; try taking shorter ones or at the very least, adjust your shower heads to the least spraying setting.

Other ways to save water:

Car washes are yet another way water is misused because hosing down cars from top to bottom is no more effective than just using a bucket full of water with some soap and a sponge.
Thoroughly scrub the car using the soapy water and after being completely done, quickly hose down the remaining soap, or better yet, use a small towel and mop up the moist exterior.

The smallest changes can truly make the biggest differences in conserving water and can go a long way in protecting our environment. If we are just a little bit more water conscious, then we can ensure water supplies last for generations to come.

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Qasr El Nil’s Mohamed Hatem: From the Stage to the Screen and Back

May 1, 2021

A quick chat with Mohamed Hatem let us in on the many aspects of theater and his newest role in the TV Series Qasr El Nil alongside Dina El Sherbiny. He shares with us how his personal experiences affect his acting style and what his future plans are.

By Mariam Elhamy

**What excites you most about filming the Ramadan series Qasr El Nil?**

First of all, I am excited to be working with a big director who I’ve worked with before on Tariqi and Grand Hotel, Khaled Marei. I have followed and loved his work for years. The scenario for Qasr El Nil, written by Mohamed Soliman Abdul Malek, got me hooked and I felt that it was different and filled with fascinating details.

The role is different than anything I’ve done before. It is presented in an interesting way, with flashback scenes mixed with current events allowing the audience to really understand the characters.

Without too many spoilers, what can you tell us about the storyline and your role?

I play Hussein El Seyoufi, the youngest of Fahmi El Seyoufi’s sons from his second wife who is Egyptian. All his life he has been treated as less than his siblings because he wasn’t brought up in the same luxurious environment.

As a kid he was subjected to a lot of psychological stress at home and this made him look for his identity somewhere else far away from the palace. He decided to join a left-wing camp as a way to search for his identity.

He then gets captured and released after he makes a deal with an officer to be the government’s eyes through the palace. Being a part of the family but politically against them is the conflict. As he tries to find his place back in the family, after he has been mistreated in the past, now the circumstances push him to become the most important member of the family.

Do you draw on personal experience in your roles?

I believe that an actor reflects his character on any role he plays. Starting with when he works on and studies the script till the moment he acts it out in the scene. An actor’s personal experience always shows in his eyes.

The 60s era stands out for so many things, how did you delve into the mood and bring this to your performance?

It all starts with studying the script; it opens many doors for me while I’m developing the character. When I read Qasr El Nil’s script for the first time, I found the story to be very strong and overpowering, and I felt I was a part of it as if I’m telling a thrilling story. Before filming started I read and studied a lot about the people in this era, especially politically.

Costume-wise I talked a lot with stylist Dina Nadim, who is excellent. We went back and forth with photos and suggestions for the wardrobe that would suit this era. What got me in the mood the most is when I finally wore the outfit and saw my complete look. Also seeing the other actors in costume and the location helped a lot.

**You are working with Dina El Sherbiny in Qasr El Nil, after both working on Grand Hotel some years back. How is it to catch up?**

Dina El Sherbiny is a very distinct actress who knows how to evolve quickly; she is very smart, fascinating and dedicated to her work. This has been my opinion on her ever since I worked with her on Grand Hotel and she was doing Afrah El Qubba at the same time. I am very happy to be working with her again, I love the scenes we do together and I love our chemistry.

What role or genre would you really like to tackle in the near future?

I really want to do a comedic role, and I want to work in cinema.

Do you draw on your considerable stage experience in your on-screen work, and if so, how does it help your performances?

Theater for me is a place of experimentation, like an actor’s gym. Being in theater is helpful to any actor with things like connecting with the other actor in front of him, his body and the rhythm of the scene generally.

There is no wrong or right in theater, it gives you a certain freedom that when someone makes a mistake, the show goes on and sometimes that mistake becomes the best part of the show.

Theater has a wide scope of characters and very well-written scripts, which is rare nowadays. In theater, you get to do classics written by great writers like Shakespeare, Molière and Tennessee Williams, doing plays for these giants allows you to touch on some parts in acting that you normally wouldn’t.

What do you currently have in the pipeline?

I’m currently focused on Qasr El Nil. I don’t have any new projects except theater. I’m playing in Mama directed by Ahmed El Attar, which we played at Avenue Festival 3 years ago. It will be performed at Rawabet Theater and the cast includes Ramsi Lehner, Menha Batraoui and Nanda Mohamed.

I’m also playing in Nehayet El Hob directed by French director Pascal Rambert, also being performed at Rawabet theater by the end of this year. I’m very excited to do theater again and I hope it comes back in the whole world.

Quickfire Round:

Most life-changing experience?

The moment I decided to quit the bank that I used to work at and devote myself to acting.

Biggest regret?

I don’t think I have any. I’m happy with my life and I believe that everything happens for a reason.

Hobbies?

I love photography very much.

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The Pharaohs’ Golden Parade: Egyptologist Salima Ikram Shares Insight

May 1, 2021

Prominent Egyptologist and AUC Press author Salima Ikram watched the historic live broadcast of “The Pharaohs’ Golden Parade” that took place in the Egyptian capital on last month. Twenty-two mummies were transported from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, in Fustat, Old Cairo.

Ikram is the author of several books, including Death and Burial in Ancient Egypt (AUC Press, 2015, paperback edition) and Ancient Egypt: An Introduction (AUC Press, 2011), and edited Divine Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt (AUC Press, 2015).

As the world’s leading expert on animal mummies, published author and Egyptologist, Ikram was quite sought after by the media for this event.

How important are the mummies that were moved during the Golden Parade?

These are among the most significant royal leaders of the New Kingdom and of course unique examples of royal mummification of that time.

Is the new Fustat Museum a better home for the mummies?

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization had a section expressly constructed to house the royal mummies in underground chambers with more space to show each mummy together with coffins and grave goods as well as didactic materials.

The conservation labs were also built and equipped with mummy conservation in mind.

Do you have a favorite among the pharaohs that were moved — Ramesses II, Hatshepsut?

Each one is appealing, Ramesses because of his exotic trip to Paris and the care with which the embalmers reconstructed his nose. Also, Ahmose Nefertary, as she was a founding member of the Eighteenth Dynasty, Ramesses III because we have evidence of his murder, and Seti I as he is the best looking mummy going!

Why were they not transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum instead of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization?

The NMEC was made to house the mummies, and also, it is an economic decision: Fustat for the mummies, the Grand Egyptian Museum for King Tutankhamun, and the Egyptian Museum for Great Iconic Works of Art. Three museums for more tourist revenue.

How complicated is it to move mummies and why transport them in special nitrogen-filled boxes?

The nitrogen provides an environment where the mummies will not be prey to bacterial and other infestation; it keeps them stable in the type of environment in which they have been displayed.

It is complicated to move mummies, but these ones have moved a lot: within Luxor, from Luxor to Cairo, and within Cairo at least four times!

Being an expert on mummification, how were you consulted by the Ministry of Antiquities?

I was consulted on the intellectual content, while the transport was the purview of conservators.

What element of the Golden Parade impressed you the most?

I was delighted by the chariot.

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The Bagel Tree: Bagels Come to El Gouna!

May 1, 2021

A daily ritual for fans worldwide, the bagel is something we welcome with open arms to the sunny shores of El Gouna. Plain, with sesame, or wholegrain; the simple bagel becomes a whole new story when you get creative with some amazing fillings.

Type of cuisine: Bagels, both sweet and savory, donuts and more.

What you Will Find

We would go with empty bellies and graze our way through as much as possible. First up would be the Parisian Bagel, with melted Brie cheese, green apple, crunchy walnuts, arugula and a drizzle of honey.

Or when we really need something substantial to kick-start our day, the McTexas Bagel with a beef patty, fried egg, melted American cheddar cheese and breakfast sauce would hit the spot.

Other tempting options include the Miami Bagel, boasting scrambled egg on a bed of cream cheese with beef bacon or turkey, the Mykonos Bagel with smoked salmon, herbed cream cheese, scrambled egg and arugula, the Vienna Bagel stuffed with pan-fried chicken, melted cheese, tomato and greens and a homemade aioli, or the New York Bagel with a juicy Brooklyn-style burger with Gouda cheese, garlic aioli, tomato and greens.

That is just the beginning; more taste adventures come with versions named Helsinki, St. Tropez, London, Milano, Brussels and Porto Cervo. In fact, the list is almost endless, with sweet options in there as well, so the best course of action would be to get down there and start munching.

For anyone who still has space, the donuts sound pretty inviting. Fancy sinking your teeth into a choice of pink glazed, jam-filled, lemon, coffee or vanilla cream-filled? There wouldn’t be much to hold us back.

Beverages: Hot and cold beverages, with kids’ slurpies as well.

Contact information

Opening hours: 9 am till 6 pm

Tel: 0100 204 3446

Facebook: The Bagel Tree – El Gouna

Instagram: thebageltreegouna

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Diwan: Spring Reads are in Full Blossom

May 1, 2021

Spring is all about new beginnings and Diwan Bookstore has the perfect spring reads recommendations for us. Read these 6 books about art, love and loss, the past, the present, and the potential of the self and some amazing food recipes.

1. Modern Art in Egypt

By Fatenn Mostafa Kanafani

Modern Art in Egypt charts the years from Muhammad Ali’s educational reforms to the mass influx of foreigners during the nineteenth century. With a focus on the al-Nahda thought movement, this book provides an overview of the key policy-makers, reformists and feminists who founded the first School of Fine Arts in Egypt, as well as cultural salons, museums and arts collectives.

By combining political and aesthetic histories, Fatenn Mostafa breaks the prevailing understanding that has preferred to see non-Western art as derivatives of Western art movements. Modern Art in Egypt re-establishes Egypt’s presence within the global Modernist canon.

2. Hamnet

By Maggie O’Farrell

In 1580s England, during the Black Plague, a young Latin tutor falls in love with an extraordinary, eccentric young woman. Agnes is a wild creature who walks her family’s land with a falcon on her glove and is known throughout the countryside for her unusual gifts as a healer, understanding plants and potions better than she does people.

Once she settles with her husband on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon she becomes a fiercely protective mother and a steadfast, centrifugal force in the life of her young husband, whose career on the London stage is taking off when his beloved young son succumbs to sudden fever.

3. Home Body

By Rupi Kaur

Rupi Kaur constantly embraces growth, and in Home Body, she walks readers through a reflective and intimate journey visiting the past, the present, and the potential of the self.

Home Body is a collection of raw, honest conversations with oneself – reminding readers to fill up on love, acceptance, community, family, and embrace change. Illustrated by the author, themes of nature and nurture, light and dark, rest here.

4. Magnolia Table, Volume 2: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering

By Joanna Gaines

Following the successful launch of her #1 New York Times bestselling cookbook, Magnolia Table, Joanna Gaines gained a deeper commitment to the value of food being shared. This insight inspired Joanna to get back in the kitchen and start from scratch, pushing herself beyond her comfort zone to develop new recipes for her family, and yours, to gather around.

From breakfast to dinner, plus breads, soups, and sides, Magnolia Table, Volume 2 gives readers abundant reasons to gather together. The book is beautifully photographed and filled with dishes you’ll want to bring into your own home.

5. The Guest List

By Lucy Foley

On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every wedding detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?

6. Promise Me, Dad

By Joe Biden

From President-Elect Joe Biden, Promise Me, Dad is his deeply moving memoir about the year that would forever change both a family and a country.

This is a book written not just by the President, but by a father, grandfather, friend, and husband. Promise Me, Dad is a story of how family and friendships sustain us and how hope, purpose, and action can guide us through the pain of personal loss into the light of a new future.

More book recommendations

Soul Chicken: Could Chicken Get Any Better Than This?

May 1, 2021

Chicken lovers may find themselves making the trip to El Gouna just to indulge in a chicken-fest to remember. Chicken cooked in so many ways, challenging diners to decide which is best. Try for yourselves!

Type of cuisine: Chicken, and more chicken, along with unmissable sides.

Signature items: Soul Fried Chicken

What you Will Find

It’s all there, from Chicken Popcorn, Chicken Tenders and Chicken Wings, to succulent half or whole chicken cooked with garlic and Parmesan, Jamaican jerk, or classic with a light brush of olive oil, lemon, thyme and rosemary.

An array of sandwiches perfect for grabbing includes Buffalo Chicken with its distinctive Buffalo sauce, Asian Chicken with teriyaki sauce, or a tempting Grilled BLT, indulgently set off with melted cheese and a honey mustard sauce.

There is also Turkey and Cheese with a fried chicken breast, smoked turkey slices, melted cheese and spicy jalapeño peppers, for anyone who can handle the heat.

Vegans can feel happy with the options available, from baked potatoes, truffle fries, sweetcorn, roasted vegetables and Vings, made from baked or fried cauliflower with a choice of Garlic Parmesan, Honey Mustard, Buffalo or Teriyaki dips.

Beverages: Soft options, fresh juices, hot and cold coffees and shakes, in addition to a full bar.

Contact information

Opening hours: 2 pm to 2 am

Address: H1 building, Downtown, El Gouna

Tel: 0122 112 7016 – for delivery 0120 385 1792

Instagram: soulchicken.gouna

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CRAVE: Chicken Cordon Rose

May 1, 2021

Comfort food is required every now and then when you want to indulge in a homey meal that tangles all your senses and bursts with flavor. This Chicken Cordon Rose recipe by Crave will do just that!

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
225g smoked salmon, thinly sliced
16 slices Emmental cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour (125g)
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups panko bread crumbs (100g)

Preparation:

Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, tossing to coat evenly.
On a cutting board, place a chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound until about 1 cm thick with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or heavy pan.
Remove the plastic wrap and place 2 slices of smoked salmon, then 2 slices of Emmental cheese. Evenly roll the chicken and place onto a new sheet of plastic wrap.
Wrap the chicken in the plastic wrap tightly and use the excess plastic on the sides to twist, firming up the roll of Chicken Cordon Rose as you work. Tie the excess plastic. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, then chill the rolls in the fridge to set for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat a tall-sided pan with 5 cm of oil to 170°C.
After the rolls are set, prepare 2 separate large, wide dishes with the flour, beaten egg, and bread crumbs. Dredge the chicken first in the flour, then the egg, and then bread crumbs.
Place the breaded Chicken Cordon Rose in the oil and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until the outside is an even golden brown. If a good color is achieved and the chicken’s center is still not 75°C, place on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and finish the chicken in the oven at 170°C until that temperature is reached.

Creamy Cheese Sauce

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk (480 ml)
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (100g)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter and cook the garlic until soft. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute.
Add the milk and whisk until fully combined with the roux and no lumps remain. Continue whisking until the mixture comes to a simmer and has thickened.
Add the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper and whisk to combine. Remove the pan from the heat.
Slice the chicken and drizzle with the creamy cheese sauce. Serve with your choice of mashed potatoes, rice or sautéed vegetables.

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BBQ BROS: Something New is Sizzling in El Gouna

May 1, 2021

What works better than a beach ambiance and a barbeque? Not just any old toss-it-on-the-grill affair, but perfectly cooked meat and chicken, prepared and cooked at the hands of masters.

Lebanese/Brazilian Chef Mario Aoun brings all the skill of two cultures well versed in the art of grilling to the shores of El Gouna.

Type of cuisine: Dynamic BBQ stations offering live cooking over an open fire. Vegetarians and fish-lovers will also be happy to find some creative options, both hot and cold.

Signature items: It’s mainly about meat, all of it cooked to perfection.

What You Will Find

A carnivore’s paradise. From Beef Tartare, created from prime US beef, chives, fresh onion, capers, coriander and dill, served with lemon wedges and croutons, all the way to burgers and meat platters. What could be better than Steak et Frites?

A juicy entrecote with piping hot fries served just the way you like it. Or maybe a B-Connection Burger. What could go wrong with an Angus beef patty teamed with cheddar, beef bacon, onion rings, BBQ sauce and Cuban sauce? With cuts ranging from ribeye to T-bone and tomahawk, beef lovers should be more than happy. We liked the look of the Honey Glazed Salmon and Creamy Chicken Breast as well.

We wouldn’t miss out on appetizers either, ever-popular truffle fries and chicken lollipops are there, along with some tempting salads. On days when we want something a bit lighter, we would like to sample the sandwiches, although the Bros Steak Sandwich with sirloin beef, sweet onion, home-style sauce and melted Provolone cheese would probably be quite a mouthful.

To top things off with something sweet, the Pain Perdu with caramel, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream would do the trick! See you there!

Worth knowing: Catering service is available

Contact information

Address: Mangroovy Beach

Tel: 0122 536 3333

Facebook: bbqbrosleb

Instagram: bbqbrosegy

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