Ga ga over garlic

Dear Betsy, Someone told me that if I rub my face with garlic at night before going to sleep then my blackheads will go away. Is this true?

Sheela.

Dear Sheela,

The short answer to this is, no. What it will do is alienate your husband (if you have one) and send him rushing to the spare room.

Actually this may be quite appealing to some of our readers. The stink of garlic will permeate your bed linen, pillows and mattress, which is fine if you like garlic, but the smell of stale garlic can be nauseating.

However, it will keep away not only your husband, but according to legend, vampires too, which if they look anything like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt did in their movie Interview With the Vampire, could be considered a bit of a downer by some of us.

Some people swear that rubbing garlic into the scalp at night will cure baldness and for some ladies, the stench of a human size, rotting, sweating garlic bulb lying in bed next to them is preferable to having a screamingly shiny, bald pate stare across at you from the breakfast table.

Personally Sheela, I would recommend you keep your garlic to culinary uses. It can transform even mediocre dishes into a gourmet feast and is said to have anti-cancer properties, protective for the heart and strengthen your immune system. For me this is vastly more attractive than any of the above alternatives.

As for your blackheads, try a gentle thrice weekly scrub of a handful of oatmeal mixed with sweet almond oil to deep cleanse and exfoliate your skin and a clay-based mask once or twice a week will help improve your skin. Resist the temptation to squeeze and pick, that is for lemons and a crab salad only.

Dear Betsy,

I write poems but I've never told anyone about them. I wrote this one for those going through a hard time at the moment as well as for those looking for a change or trying to pursue something more.

It's seven am and I'm on my way

turning the ignition to start another day

Just like you, I'm one of many

trying to make it by, saving every penny.

My hair is slightly messy and my eyes look tired

but it doesn't matter much to me,

Behind the exterior of a quite person

lies the person people don't see.

Just like you, I'm keeping it together, I'm standing strong

against the stormy weather so keep smiling

if you know what I mean, through the good and the bad

and everything in between because

Just like you I wish for things and hope they come true and

I hope that whatever you desire eventually comes through

because dreams are worth it and so are you.

Sara.

Dear Sara,

Thank you so much. It is important to find a way to express yourself artistically, whether it is through writing, painting, singing, playing an instrument or dancing.

Children are so good at this, as for them it is natural and spontaneous.

As adults we tend to lose this spontaneity and that is a great shame as it can be a wonderfully effective way to keep in touch with your inner child and manage your stress levels.

Even getting out a colouring book and crayons can be very calming and therapeutic.

IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING THIS WEEK

Visit Jewellery Arabia at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. This is a case where we can safely say 'all that glitters is definitely gold'.

The Middle East's leading jewellery fair is definitely worth a visit as some of the stands feature the most incredible works of art made from precious stones and gold.

The ingenuity of some of the designers is a wonder to behold and you must visit the local Bahraini exhibitors' stands where some of our best local design talent will be on display and you can 'ooh and ahh' at one of our natural treasures, the indescribable beauty that are real Bahraini pearls.

A little bird tells me that this year you will find some of the best bargains ever.