alert over bread rolls

Dear Betsy, Can you make supermarkets in Bahrain aware that some bread sections need to be more hygienic?

I like to buy fresh bread rolls most days for dinner and in one store they are stored unpacked in a shelf and I always see people picking them up, squeezing them, sniffing them and putting them back and repeating this until they find one that suits them.

This means they are contaminated for others who buy them. Can something be done about this? I am afraid to buy them now.

Dinner Roll Lady

Dear Dinner Roll Lady,

Obviously the dinner roll police have been derelict in their duty. Yes, I know what you mean and just think where those fussy customers' hands might have been before they squeezed the bread. Yuk!

It's like those stories of never-eating from the bowls of free peanuts proffered by bars and restaurants, as when they did a bit of research and analysed the contents of the bowls they found the main contaminant was human urine!

I personally would not be happy buying anything that has exposed like that.

What is the answer? Bake your own, shop somewhere-else for bread rolls where they are pre-packed, or omit bread rolls from your diet. You can buy frozen French bread-sticks that you can heat up easily at home.

This is the closest alternative I can think of.

BETSY SAYS RELAX...

Switch your mobile phone off this weekend. It can be hugely liberating. If this seems too daunting then try switching it off for a couple of hours at least. We have become slaves to our mobiles. Being unattainable for a while can be very attractive.

Dear Betsy,

I am one of what I am sure must be a growing band of fans of yours, as a result of your weekly column in GulfWeekly.

There are many sources of alternative health supplies in Bahrain but properly researching this would be a time-consuming project.

The Body Shop, and most pharmacies are not ideal suppliers of essential oils, which as I'm sure you know, are like vitamins in my opinion - the brands are all important in determining strength, concentration, quality.

I personally use products from DXN - a company marketing the reishi mushroom in various forms. Its shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, soap and cream not only has this amazing herb (No 1 in the ancient Chinese compendium over and above Ginseng) but contains none of the chemicals often found in many commercial products in supermarkets - but most people are unaware of this and don't know where else to look anyway.

They have an outlet in Yateem Centre.

Susan Cook.

Dear Susan,

Thank you for taking the time to share your health tip with us.

I have heard of reishi tea but did not realise there was also a range of personal care products available. Reishi is said to be good for boosting the immune system, has anti-viral properties and can be successful in combating sinus infections, and as the winter season is almost upon us, if you suffer from this then try drinking the tea regularly to strengthen your immune system. Prevention is always easier than cure.

l Do you have a natural health tip to share with us?

Dear Betsy,

This is in response to Kevin's mail to you regarding yoga classes in Bahrain. I am a volunteer from The Art of Living, world's largest voluntary organisation in over 150 countries with over 50 million people to its family.

We conducted regular yoga classes and also impart breathing techniques which helps relieve stress.

The yoga class are conducted are regular intervals by trained professionals from India and can guide people to happier and healthier life through its classes and weekly follow ups.

For more information about the classes in Bahrain contact at 17725431 or 17790255. For more info on The Art of Living you can visit www.artofliving.org

Warm regards,

Bindu.

Dear Bindu,

Thanks for sharing that information with us. I have no doubt your techniques have helped many people.

Kevin, how about trying this and letting us know how you are doing?

Dear Betsy,

I notice from GulfWeekly that the school debate continues. I have received some more enquiries from parents. I'll be interested to see the responses from the schools.

Best wishes,

Diane Lindsay,

Examinations Services Manager,

British Council.

Dear Diane,

Thanks for trying to help our readers with their school placement problems.

I, too, would be interested to hear something from the private schools in response to our readers, but it appears no-one wishes to comment although I have heard they were quick to complain to the authorities about GulfWeekly highlighting the concerns of readers.

Dear Betsy,

I have read your article in the GulfWeekly with regard to the suggested hair remedy.

I have been trying to get these oils please - can you suggest a suitable shop here in Bahrain.

My scalp is very painful because of small pestules on the scalp just before the menstrual cycle.

I did see the doctors but they say it is because of high hormonal levels. I am 40 years of age.

Rose.

Dear Rose,

By now you have probably read the October 10 edition of GulfWeekly when I recommended Nasser Pharmacy and the Body Shop as outlets that sell such items.

I have had an email from Tanya G who says they also have some in L'Occitane in the Seef Mall. (Thanks Tanya.)

If your scalp is inflamed and painful then try mixing 12 drops of lavender essential oil, 8 drops of Geranium and 5 drops of Tea Tree to 50mls of aloe vera gel.

Massage this into your scalp for three days before your menses are due and during menstruation.

Lavender can ease pain, is anti-inflammatory, soothing and healing, Tea Tree will help kill any bacteria in the pustules and ward off any infection, geranium will help balance your hormones and the aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, soothing and calming.

Apart from this, the blend will help relax you as this must be stressful for you.

It is important to keep your head cool and to use natural, gentle non detergent shampoos that don't contain Sodium Laurel Sulphate .

You can add a drop of lavender and a drop of tea tree to this type of shampoo. Have you considered looking at your diet to help with hormonal balancing?

Eating soy foods, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, cutting down on sugar and caffeine and taking natural supplements like evening primrose oil can all help.

Speak again to your gynecologist and explain you would like to explore these options.

Dear Betsy,

My young daughter has been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

I don't know much about this and her doctor wasn't very forthcoming. How can I find out more about this problem and how I can best help my daughter?

MLK.

Dear MLK,

This is a relatively common condition and many women are unaware they have it.

Dr Keiran runs a PCOS clinic to help educate and treat women with PCOS.

The clinic is held at the Ibn Al Nafees Hospital and you can call them for further information.

Dear Betsy,

My friend told me that you recently wrote about a wheat-free flour that can be used for cooking and baking. Can you tell me what it is called and where I can find it?

Rena.

Dear Rena,

It is called Orgran and is available in 'plain' or 'self-raising' varieties.

It can be found in the health food sections of most supermarkets.

You can also buy spelt flour which is becoming more popular for gluten/wheat-free baking.

If you love bread then you can also find wheat/gluten free breads in the same shops.

I am happy to say that this type of food is becoming more readily available in Bahrain, with cookies, cakes, breads etc being sold at most major supermarkets. Be warned however, the prices of some items may make your eyes rather than your mouth water!

If you only do one thing this week

Buy some cranberry juice and give the whole family a glass every morning. It has superb antioxidant properties and produces a type of mucous in the body that prevents nasties attacking our immune system. With the winter cold and flu season upon us this is a natural and pleasant way to protect yourself from the winter ills. I know I have featured this info in my column before but did you do it?