Helenmoonstone_myblog: 1月 2015

2015年1月31日星期六

The humble Middleton family

In 1980, just a year before the wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, she and Mr Middleton married at a small church in Dorney, Buckinghamshire.

Carole, pictured second from right, has adapted well to Royal life, despite William's pals famously mocking Kate with their 'doors to manual' air hostess impressions

Carole, who was born the eldest daughter of sales assistant Dorothy Harrison and painter Ronald Goldsmith, and grew up in a small house, has fit into royal life with ease

In 1981, Mrs Middleton became pregnant for the first time. Her daughter, named Catherine by her proud parents, would go on to become a royal bride.

Not, however, that her parents knew it at the time. Instead, the Middletons, with Carole unable to work because of her pregnancy, were searching for a solution to a cash flow crisis.

The eureka moment came when Mrs Middleton began making up children’s party bags which she sold to friends and neighbours for pin-money.

Michael Middleton's cousin Matita Glassborow, 63, told the Mail On Sunday: 'Carole was very pregnant with Catherine and couldn’t possibly continue working as an air hostess in her condition.

'So while she was at home waiting for the baby she started making goody bags for children’s parties among her friends.

‘And the business just grew so much that Michael eventually gave up his own admin job with the airline to work with Carole.’

Carole Middleton stands on the balcony with The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall with her granddaughter Eliza Lopez following the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Mrs Middleton went on to have her second child Pippa in September 1983 and James in April 1987, but continued to run Party Pieces at the same time.

By 1995, the company was so successful that it relocated into farm buildings at Ashampstead Common and started employing several members of staff.

Despite their riches, the Middletons lived comfortably, if not lavishly, with the children's private education funded with the help of Mr Middleton's family trust.

Carole and Michael Middleton leaving St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, in July 2013, after visiting their daughter Kate and her newborn baby boy, Prince George of Cambridge

'It made other families feel rather hopeless.'

Nevertheless, all three Middleton children proved diligent students and all went on to university, including the now Duchess of Cambridge who met her husband while at St. Andrew's University.

Prince William was welcomed into the Middleton clan, with Mrs Middleton regularly inviting her daughter's royal beau for Sunday lunch.

Now, like her daughter, part of royal circles, Mrs Middleton has adapted well to life as a royal in-law, despite early hiccups such as the famous incident in which William's friends mocked her with 'doors to manual' air hostess jibes.

But while William's friends proved snobbish, his family was not with the Queen in particular embracing Mrs Middleton.

Indeed, the warm affection and genuine enthusiasm that the monarch has shown towards the Middletons has taken even seasoned courtiers by surprise.

Kate, Pippa and Carol wave to the crowds outside the Goring Hotel ahead of the Royal Wedding in 2011

Despite Carole's more humble beginnings, she has gone on to conquer the fashion world for women of a certain age, too. Pictured here with Pippa at wedding in 2012

She let it be known she thought the family conducted themselves ‘impeccably’ since news of the royal engagement was announced and demonstrated her approval by inviting them to a number of ‘inner sanctum’ events.

These include a private ‘getting-to-know-you’ lunch at Windsor Castle the week before April 2011's Royal Wedding, as well as sending them invitations to her Royal Ascot Week party.

‘The Queen likes them enormously,’ one courtier told the Mail on Sunday. ‘Her decision to invite them to Royal Ascot was a very personal gesture that was entirely her own idea.

'It shows the level at which she has welcomed them into their extended family.’

Pippa and Carole at Queen's club watching Andy Murray in 2013; the family are avid tennis fans

Despite the responsibilities that come with her role as the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate remains incredibly close to her parents.

The Middletons, who live in a £4.8million Georgian mansion in Bucklebury, Berkshire, were the first to arrive at the scene when Prince George was born.

They were also the first visitors to Anmer Hall, with the Duchess of Cambridge hosting Christmas at her Norfolk home last year.

Mrs Middleton has also won plaudits for her style and was even described as 'sexy' by sharp-tongued Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld.

So popular has her look become, supermarket Asda produced a cut-price range inspired by the Middleton matriarch after customers repeatedly asked for similar clothes.

She certainly looked younger than her years as she set off for Mustique earlier this week, opting for a pair of skinny jeans, a black top and blazer and flat boots - none of which would have looked out of place on one of her daughters.

Carole and Kate often wear similar outfits and opt for the same colour palette

Carole Middleton (L), Pippa Middleton (2nd L), James Middleton (2nd R) and Michael Middleton leave the Goring Hotel in London in 2011 following the Royal Wedding

The family, including Pippa and James Middleton, are holidaying in the tropical luxury of Mustique and staying in a £10,000-a-week villa.

It is understood that the family – accompanied by a team of Scotland Yard bodyguards – have taken over Villa Rocina.

Designed and built in 1971 in the style of a Caribbean plantation, it boasts its own 30ft pool as well as stunning views.

Guests have only to walk a few feet from their garden to snorkel in the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea in front of the house.

Each bedroom has its own en-suite bath and dressing room, and the property also has an air-conditioned gym for guests who manage to tear themselves away from the sun and sand.

Four members of staff – a chef, a butler, a housekeeper and a gardener – will be on hand throughout the family’s stay to tend to their every whim.

Luxury holidays, royal in-laws and a multi-million pound business: It is all a very long way from the humble Southall council flat that Mrs Middleton once called home.

Source: the Dailymail

2015年1月30日星期五

送別林保全

(綜合報道)(星島日報報道)無綫資深配音員林保全1月2日於睡夢中離世，享年63歲。生前曾為多個經典角色配音的他，卡通角色「叮噹」是其代表作。昨日其家人於紅磡世界殯儀館為他設靈，藝人名人等紛紛送上花牌致哀，大會亦安排了公祭，逾千位聲迷到場作最後道別。無綫亦特地為林保全製作紀念冊，其中還收錄了他生前代表作的聲音，極具紀念價值。

　　林保全的喪禮以佛教儀式進行，由釋智慧大師主持，安排了約300個座位，並有6部電視不斷播放保全叔的生平及親友悼念他的片段。靈堂除滿布花牌外，亦掛有輓聯：「保童夢靈動聲音稱泰斗，全愛心成真幻象變叮噹。」送花牌的名人包括洪金寶、張敬軒、無綫高層樂易玲暨無綫藝員科同人、TVB配音組同事等。當中不少花牌飾有叮噹公仔，其中最特別是由一名花店職員花了10日時間製作的三個叮噹人物造型花牌，另外，粉絲曾慶珏亦贈以叮噹形狀藍色花牌。

　　洪金寶專誠返港致哀

　　公祭時間由昨午5時開始，不斷有不同階層的聲迷前來作最後道別，部分更手持花束及叮噹產品進場。大會事前製作了限量5千本的紀念特刊，前來致哀者都可以留作紀念。紀念冊內容包括保全叔生平、生活點滴與親友的悼辭等，還附有一張收錄了保全叔生前代表作聲音的唱片。女兒林芷筠亦有在紀念冊撰文懷念亡父，稱保全叔是其人生典範，而他亦會一直活在自己心中。

　　一身素服的林芷筠，昨午由無綫外事部高層曾醒明陪同下會見傳媒。心情已平復的她受訪時面露笑容，首先代表母親及家屬感謝傳媒這個月來對其父的關心，亦沒有給其家人太大壓力。她又特別感無綫高層樂易玲與曾醒明協助籌辦喪禮：「紀念冊中除了文字和照片，紀念爸爸和我們的生活點滴，還有他朋友的悼辭，當中有一張有爸爸生前聲演過的角色的光碟，光碟中的聲音其實本來應該無機會拿出來派給聲迷，同時亦很感謝現場的聲迷來說聲道別。」她稱母親心情還可以，希望在這兩天不要太悲傷：「其實爸爸是個開心的人，過去三十年都帶歡樂給大家，希望大家不要哭着送別。」

　　林保全的師傅丁羽太太於本月25日剛在相鄰的靈堂舉行喪禮，想不到昨日又要現身送別愛徒保全，丁羽突然悲從中來聲淚俱下地道：「很多人叫我不要來，因為白事相沖，對我本身唔好，但保全是我的首徒、愛徒，怎樣都要送他一程。其實我今日身體狀況不太適合來，但百無禁忌，一定要來。」

　　丁羽憶述當年與保全叔工作時不分晝夜，試過連續開工22小時：「我有叫他不要這樣辛苦，但他說『師傅你都咁辛苦，我怎可以不辛苦』。保全是個好敬業樂業的人，其實過到我度鬼門關就已經OK。有一次他配音後不滿意要求重配，最後配出來比上一次更好，是完美！」

　　另外，正於無錫拍戲的洪金寶亦特地飛回港出席喪禮，即日來回的他匆匆逗留15分鐘便離開。他表示保全叔多年來是其御用配音員：「我們常於密室見面，是多年的老朋友。（何時相識？）由我未懂事，到我入電影圈，直到做演員、做主角，都是他陪着我，他好溫和。」

　　譚炳文難忘離世前夕

　　前來致哀的譚炳文坦言跟林保全的關係亦師亦友：「他好聽話，我入行就帶着他，不可以說教，是指點他，怎樣口齒伶俐、有記性，最後他苦練成功。」炳哥指保全叔過身前一晚兩人還一同工作，翌日上班主管指對方離世，自己亦顫抖了一下：「我都有心臟病，但我幸運，之前病發吃了脷底丸，再做了手術，現時有機跟身。」他又稱讚保全叔家人堅強，回憶當年林太曾跟他們一同到澳門公幹順道遊玩，大家相熟猶如一家人。

　　配音組出身的杜燕歌表示與保全叔分屬國語和粵語組，交流不算太多，但現時配音員愈來愈少，大家要珍惜。無綫高層樂易玲、區偉林與彭濟材等亦先後到場致祭，約晚上7時半，無綫又安排旅遊巴接載員工出席喪禮，當中大部分是配音組同事。

　　■女兒林芷筠感謝聲迷前來送別亡父。
　　■張敬軒的花牌巧花心思，綴以叮噹公仔。
　　■紀念冊有保全叔的代表作的介紹。
　　■譚炳文懷念與保全叔一起配音的日子。
　　■杜燕歌希望大家珍惜配音員。
　　■洪金寶特意由無錫趕回港致哀。
　　■向來賓派發的紀念冊附送保全叔代表作的聲音。
　　■喪禮以佛教儀式進行，遺孀麥少慧與女兒林芷筠哀送保全叔。
　　■丁羽難捨首徒猝逝，聲淚俱下。

　　■林保全靈堂上擺放的遺照是他與叮噹的合照。

Source: Yahoo

2015年1月29日星期四

North Yorkshire set for tourism boom - 1,000-year-old Selby Abbey

A small town in North Yorkshire, England, has gained notoriety in Asia after Taiwanese pop star, Jay Chou, held his wedding at Selby's 1,000-year-old abbey.

For his marriage to model Hannah Quinlivan, the star opted for Selby Abbey for the ceremony and the nearby home of Castle Howard for the reception.

Though he may be relatively unknown in Britain, Chou is one of the biggest stars that Taiwan has ever produced, even being nicknamed the 'New King of Asian Pop.'

Selby in North Yorkshire has gained considerably notoriety in Asia following Jay Chou's wedding

The Taiwanese popstar married his girlfriend earlier this month at the 1,000-year-old Selby Abbey

Since announcing his marriage last week, both venues have already been visited by hundreds of fans, inspiring tour operators to add the locations to their itineraries.

In fact, Castle Howard is now translating its wedding brochure to respond to enquiries from Asia.

'We have also seen an increase in enquiries from Chinese outbound-tour operators, so hope to see an increase in groups visiting us over the summer and during our Christmas opening,' Hannah Cooke, a spokeswoman for Castle Howard, said.

The couple's luxurious reception was held at the nearby Castle Howard, a 4,050-hectare estate

Following news of their wedding venue hitting the media, the abbey and castle have seen many tourists

The 36-year-old singer, actor and director, unsurprisingly, chose a regal theme for his grand fairytale affair.

His 21-year-old bride, whose Chinese name is Wu Yi-Chen, wore a white Tudor-inspired gown and a diamond-encrusted tiara worth over £1.25 million.

Weddings at the 4,050-hectare estate start at £8,000 with a rental of the main house coming in at about £15,000.

At Castle Howard, the team have also experienced an increase in enquiries about it as a wedding venue

Most of the fans who have visited over the past week are Asian visitors already studying overseas in Britain, according to the abbey's vicar.

Unlike York, Selby Abbey had not previously received many visitors from Asia, but this is expected to change following the recent festivities.

Chou, who is often credited with reviving the Mandarin music scene, is known for his blend of traditional Chinese instrument sounds and hip hop and R&B.

Chou and his bride, Hannah Quinlivan, opted for an appropriately royal theme for their fairytale day

Recently, he also directed and starred in 2007's Secret and acted as Kato in The Green Hornet, alongside Seth Rogen.

Chou's wedding also comes on the heels of the UK trialling easing up on visa application requirements for Chinese citizens.

2015年1月28日星期三

Agnes controversy

STANFORD, Calif.--Hong Kong-born pop star Agnes Chan brought her baby son to the workplace 25 years ago, igniting a national debate in Japan about work and child rearing, dubbed the “Agnes controversy.”

Chan, 58, who had long refrained from discussing the work-life controversy, has started to speak out about the issue. Asked why she decided to revisit it now, Chan said she was prompted by past regrets.
“It could have been different if I had fought it out at the time,” she said in a recent interview.
The environment surrounding Japan’s working mothers remains difficult. In the United States, Yahoo Inc. CEO Marissa Mayer has recently triggered an uproar over work and child care after she brought her baby to the workplace.

Chan was a speaker at the annual conference of the International Association of Feminist Economics held at Stanford University in mid-July.

“Many young Japanese women still think that having children will put an end to their careers,” she said. “Women should be free to choose what they do with their lives and be able to realize their full potential.”

The audience erupted into applause.

Chan decided to revisit her concerns about work and family after Mayer gave birth in autumn 2012 and built a nursery next to her office at her own expense so she could keep her baby close to her. The 38-year-old Yahoo CEO had, on the other hand, banned employees from working at home as part of her company's business reconstruction efforts.

Mayer’s moves incited jealousy and generated a backlash from many working mothers across the country.

The two debates across the Pacific cannot be easily compared, as Mayer’s case involves wage discrepancies and management decisions in an organization.

But Myra Strober, a professor emeritus of education at Stanford University and adviser to Chan when she was a doctoral student there, said she felt the controversy would not have been as heated if the protagonists had been men.

She invited Chan to be a speaker at the feminist economics conference.

In 1987, when Chan was a celebrity with nearly 10 TV gigs at the time, she gave birth to a baby boy, but returned to work three months later.

Determined to raise him by herself as much as possible, Chan brought him to a TV station where she worked and breast-fed him in a backstage room during her spare time. Critics blasted her for “devaluing” her work or being “dependent on her husband.”

Recalling what she felt those days, Chan said, “Many companies did not allow women to do something similar as I did. If you say something, you’ll be criticized.”

Upon request, she testified at a 1988 Diet hearing on women, work and child rearing. “I fled from the debate over the issue,” she said.

Chan touched upon the controversy at the international gathering at Stanford: “Mothers accused me of abusing my child. Working women screamed ‘Unfair.’ ”

It was the first time she had talked about the problem in public since the debate had died down.
According to the Families and Work Institute, a nonprofit organization in the United States, only 7 percent of U.S. corporations and organizations had child-rearing facilities within the office or close by in 2012, the same rate as in 2005.

In Japan, where the maternity and child-rearing leave system has been set, “maternity harassment” cases are on the rise, aimed at stopping women from continuing to work while raising their children.
According to the labor ministry, 43.9 percent of women who gave birth to their first child between 2005 and 2009 left their job, an increase by 6.5 percentage points from 20 years ago.

“It is not too late,” Chan said. “I want to tell my experience to younger generations to improve the situation for working women.”

She is planning to form a network for men and women to discuss work and family. She also plans to convey her message through TV programs and via the Internet.

Among the audience members at Stanford was Kazuhei Kaneko, 26, her oldest son, the baby that triggered the uproar in 1987.

“Did I feel lonely in my childhood? No, I didn’t,” said Kaneko, who finances venture business startups in Silicon Valley.

“What if I marry a woman like my mother? Well, I don’t mind becoming a 'house husband.' ”

Source:http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201310290006

生活中哪些因素易致胃癌？

餐桌上又少了一種佳肴因為它100%致癌

大陸南京一位26歲女子，胃部出現不適有四個多月，不想吃飯，每晚只吃“酸菜魚”才有胃口。發展到不能進食后，她才去醫院檢查，被發現全胃瀰漫性癌浸潤，醫生不得不將胃切除。醫生說，最近連續接診四例這樣的年輕胃癌患者，讓他深感吃驚，這些年輕人的生活方式竟驚人相似，都是酸菜魚和火鍋愛好者。專家指出，胃癌年輕化與年輕人的不良飲食習慣和社會節奏快、工作壓力大、精神緊張有密切關係。

為什麼吃酸菜魚會得胃癌?
...
醫生說，腌制食物中含有大量的亞硝酸鹽，它的致癌作用已經非常的明確。酸菜魚是人們喜歡的一道菜肴，但是酸菜也是腌制的食物，含有較多的亞硝酸鹽，與人體中胺類物質生成亞硝胺，是一種容易致癌的物質，偶爾食用沒有關係，但天天吃就容易增加風險。在吃這些腌制食品后，如能吃些獼猴桃、柚子等富含維生素的食物，飲用綠茶，可以阻斷強致癌物亞硝胺的合成，減少胃癌和食道癌的發生。

胃癌的發生給廣大患者帶來了痛苦，胃癌其實可以在早期預防，但是大多數患者並不知道是什麼原因導致自己患上胃癌，當病發時才想到去治療，那麼，生活中哪些因素會導致胃癌呢?

生活中哪些因素易致胃癌？

1、高鹽飲食
日常生活中很多人喜食用含鹽量高，熏制及腌漬的食物，覺得此類食物有口味。殊不知，此類食物若長期食用，易引發胃癌的發生。高鹽類飲食尤其是做熟的飯菜，若隔夜進食，其中的亞硝酸鹽易發生反應嗎，形成亞硝酸胺，亞硝酸銨是一種高致癌性的物質，對胃癌的發生和發展有很大的促進作用。

2、免疫因素
免疫功能低下的人胃癌發病率較高，可能機體免疫功能障礙，對癌症的免疫監督作用下降，在胃癌發生中有一定意義。

3、不良的飲食習慣
日常生活中因工作繁忙，現在人多養成了不健康的飲食習慣，像進食過快、吃過燙的食物以及一日三餐不規律進食等。此類習慣都非常容易導致胃癌的發生。

4、環境因素
不同國家與地區發病率的明顯差別說明與環境因素有關，引起胃癌的原因中最主要的是飲食因素。食鹽可能是外源性胃癌誘發因素之一，居民攝入食鹽多的國家胃癌發病率也高。亞硝胺類化合物已成功地在動物體內誘發胃癌。熏制的魚肉含有較多的3，4-苯並芘(benzopyrene);發霉的食物含有較多的真菌毒素;大米加工后外面覆有滑石粉，其化學性質與結構都與石棉纖維相似，上述物質均被認為有致癌作用。

其實很多時候，胃癌是因為飲食不規律引起的.

預防胃癌從飲食習慣做起。

大蒜
是公認的防癌食物，有明顯的抗癌功效。流行病學調查顯示，食用生大蒜的人群，胃癌發病率非常低，原因是大蒜能顯着降低胃中亞硝酸鹽含量，減少了亞硝酸胺合成的可能，因而起了防癌效果。

菌菇類
這類食物包括冬菇、香菇、金針菇等以及木耳。科學家發現，食物中許多菌菇類都含有抗癌物質，能起防癌功效。比如，冬菇中所含的多糖體，抗癌率非常高。黑木耳、白木耳所包含的多糖體也是一種抗癌的有效物質。菌菇類食物中富含的粗纖維和鈣等都有防癌作用，還能提高人體免疫力。

番茄
含番茄紅素及胡蘿蔔素，它們都是抗氧化劑，特別是番茄紅素，能中和體內自由基，對於抗胃癌和消化系癌有利，同時對預防乳腺癌和前列腺癌也有效。

洋蔥
吃洋蔥能降低胃中亞硝酸鹽含量，重要的是洋蔥中含有一種櫟皮素的物質，為天然的抗癌物質。研究顯示，經常吃洋蔥的人，胃癌發病率比少吃或不吃洋蔥的人要少25%，患胃癌的致命率也低了30%。

花椰菜
含較多微量元素鉬，可阻斷致癌物質亞硝酸胺的合成，能起到抗癌防癌作用。有研究報告指出，花椰菜還含有一種可以刺激細胞活動的酵素叫小硫化物，能阻止癌細胞的形成。吃花椰菜對預防食道癌、胃癌等都有一定作用。

用醋泡過這三樣東西保你一生不得病

用醋泡過這三樣東西保你一生不得病

1、醋泡黑豆
中央電視台《中華醫藥》欄目曾專門有一期介紹了常紹芬老人多年吃醋泡黑豆的故事。吃了二十多年，現在，常紹芬老人，都91歲了，不但仍然有硬朗的腿腳，而且還保持著一口讓人羨慕的好牙口，這和他堅持吃黑豆近二十年是有一定關係的。

醋泡黑豆是中醫治療腎虛的黃金驗方，醋泡黑豆具有美容、減肥、補腎、明目、烏髮功能，有效改善便秘、高血壓、高血脂、腰酸腿痛、糖尿病、前列腺病、白髮、冠心病和看電腦、電視時間長引起的視力下降、眼睛疼痛、乾澀、頭暈、頭痛。同時醋泡黑豆對於改善近視等眼部疾病都有很好的作用。 ...
原料：黑豆適量，醋適量。

做法：
1、把洗淨晾乾的黑豆放入炒鍋中中火干炒。
2、五分鐘後能聞到一股豆香味兒，並聽到啪啪的聲音，這是黑豆在爆皮，待皮都爆開後，轉小火再炒五分鐘。
3、放入容器中，在通風處晾涼。
4、把晾涼後的黑豆放入一個有蓋子的容器內，倒入可以沒過豆子的醋。（什麼醋都可以，我用的是陳醋。）
5、待黑豆把所有的醋都吸收了，就可以盛盤兒了。加上蜂蜜，拌勻即可食用。
食用方法：一次不用多吃，兩三顆就可以了，但要堅持食用才有效。

2、醋泡花生
醋與花生的「天仙配」是科學的，這在於花生米的價值突出在含有人體所需要的不飽和脂肪酸，但畢竟脂類含量高、熱量大、有油膩感。而醋中的多種有機酸恰是解膩又生香的，因此用醋浸泡花生米一週以上，每晚吃7～10粒，連吃一週為一個療程，可降低血壓，軟化血管，減少膽固醇的堆積，但需注意的是，食用要適量，最多十幾粒，吃後一定及時漱口，否則對牙齒不利。熟、生花生米均可。

醋泡花生有清熱、活血的功效，對保護血管壁、阻止血栓形成有較好的作用。長期堅持食用可降低血壓，軟化血管，減少膽固醇的堆積，是防治心血管疾病的保健食品。
花生米含有人體所需要的不飽和脂肪酸，但畢竟脂類含量高、熱量大、有油膩感。而醋中的多種有機酸恰是解膩又生香的，因此醋泡花生可降低血壓，軟化血管，減少膽固醇的堆積，可謂兩全其美！

原料：花生50克，醋半瓶。
做法：
1、用花生米（最好是新鮮的）50克。
2、放到可以密封的罐子裡，倒入米醋或陳醋。
3、醋要沒過花生米，蓋上蓋子密封好，放到陰涼處7-10天。
4、大概一個星期就可以吃了。
食用方法：一天不要吃多，一小勺5-10粒即可，堅持吃才有效果。

3、醋泡姜
中央電視台《中華醫藥》播出了一期節目「我的健康姜中來」，全面介紹了國醫大師，吃醋泡姜的養生經驗。國醫大師路志正年高90歲了，但從體檢報告上來看，身體各個臟器的健康水平，都相當於中年人的水平，那還真是「90歲的年齡，40歲的心臟」，那他是怎樣保持的那麼好的呢？路志正以善用脾胃調理之法而聞名，自然十分看重生薑的這個功效了，不過按照上述理論推斷，他吃了40多年的醋泡姜，那脾胃應該保養的不錯吧，那僅此而已嗎，路老說了，當然不僅僅是這樣了，我「90歲的年齡40歲的心臟」，跟這個姜，那也是密不可分的。

從上個世紀70年**始，路老就和孔子一樣，養成了每天「不撤姜食」的習慣。這個習慣堅持了40年，90歲高齡的路老，確實在脾胃方面受益很大。每天吃點這個，我食慾旺盛，食慾旺盛，少得感冒。但吃醋泡薑是不是只養脾胃呢？根據路老的臨床研究，醋泡姜的確是能保持脾胃功能正常，更關鍵的是，脾胃功能正常，很多問題都迎刃而解。

心臟病跟胃特別有關係，膽固醇從哪兒來的？就從腸胃來的，痛風從哪兒來，同樣從腸胃來的，高血壓都有關係，因此，我們把腸胃、脾胃搞好了，那就都解決問題了。

所以每天吃醋泡姜對人健康是非常有幫助的。醋泡生薑不僅養生效果極佳，而且作為一道調味的小涼菜還很不錯呢，東西雖好，但不要貪吃哦，每天2-4片即可。

原料：生薑一塊（最好選用鮮姜）米醋或陳醋一瓶
做法：

1、生薑切片
2、把切好的薑片放到一個罐子裡，倒入米醋或陳醋。
3、醋倒滿，沒過生薑。
4、取一小塊保鮮膜，摺疊成一小塊。
5、把疊好的保鮮膜包裹在罐子口上。
6、蓋上蓋子，密封結實。放到冰箱裡一個星期後就可以吃了。
食用方法：每天2-4片，早晨吃最好，長期食用效果最好。

2015年1月24日星期六

A luxury duplex penthouse at Branksome Crest in Mid-Levels

Alibaba boss opens flat door to $300m record

Alibaba.com (1688) founder and chairman Jack Ma Yun, left, has bought a luxury duplex penthouse, with the price tag of HK$42,325 per square foot setting another record in Asia's luxury property market.

The leader of the online business- to-business marketplace operator splashed out about HK$300 million for the 7,088 sq ft duplex on the 52nd floor of Branksome Crest in Mid-Levels.     The unit has five bedrooms, and includes a garden on the roof occupying 2,771 sq ft. Ma bought the property directly from developer Kerry Properties (0683), sources said. Ma was not available for comment when approached by The Standard.     The deal broke the record for not just Hong Kong, but the whole of Asia. The previous record was held by the purchase of House 1 at 8 Severn Road on The Peak, when a businessman paid about HK$41,000 psf for a 5,100 sq ft semi-detached townhouse. Top rents at Branksome Crest, completed in 2004, are stable at HK$70 psf, and are on par with houses on The Peak.     Deborah Ho Chiu-hung, daughter of Macau gaming magnate Stanley Ho Hung-sun, lives on the 51st floor.     Ma's personal worth is estimated at HK$12.7 billion following the listing debut of Alibaba, whose stock tripled in value in the first day of trading. The profit and earnings ratio also multiplied 300 times. - 2007 November 24   THE STANDARD
If you fancy paying HK$10,000 a year to rent space for your bathtub, or HK$5,760 a month for a spot to spread your favourite eight by 12 foot rug, Kerry Properties has just the place for you.

With rents for luxury flats approaching record 1997 levels, the developer hopes to rent out a 7,088-square-foot penthouse at Branksome Crest in Mid-Levels for what it says would be a record HK$60 per square foot, or about HK$400,000 a month.

``There is sustained demand for those unique penthouses from bankers and company chairmen,'' Ricacorp Properties senior district manager Douglas Yeung said.

But he said the penthouse will probably take a while to let, given its cost, compared with the typical 2,400-sq-ft apartments at Branksome Crest, on offer for about HK$100,000, or HK$45 psf a month.

Hong Kong developers haven't seen the likes of this rental market since 1997. That year, luxury apartments at Swire Properties' The Albany project in Mid-Levels rented for HK$40 to HK$50 psf - up to HK$300,000 per month, Yeung said. On Island South, rentals for Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels' The Repulse Bay project surpassed HK$55 psf.
All told, Chu said, Kerry could reap an annual lease income of about HK$90 million from the 64 units at the newly completed Branksome Crest.

Branksome Crest
Address:        3A Tregunter Path Mid Levels

The project consists of apartments measuring from 2,355 to 2,720 sq ft, plus four larger units with sizes ranging from 4,620 to 7,088 sq ft.

2015年1月23日星期五

MUSTIQUE AND ST BARTS

MUSTIQUE AND ST BARTS: THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS THE ROYALS LOVE

With its sugar-sand beaches and gently swaying palms, it's no surprise that the Caribbean has proved a hit with holidaying royalty.

A particular favourite is St Barts, which earlier this year saw Princess Beatrice arrive on its shores for a break.

Part of the Leeward Islands, the island is one of four that make up the French West Indies, and is home to popular celebrity haunts such as Maya's, a beachside restaurant just outside the capital Gustavia.

‘The Caribbean island of St Barts is synonymous with the rich and famous, from Beyonce and Jay-Z to Roman Abramovich,' says MailOnline acting travel editor, Sarah Gordon.

Home: Another royal to love the island was Princess Margaret who owned a home there

While celebrities are certainly seen here, it is the ultra-wealthy media moguls and steel magnates who really love to splash out on holidays in this exclusive spot.

‘All of that makes it perfect for the royals, who can enjoy the island’s relative privacy and lack of “riff raff” – the island can be difficult and pricy to reach, ensuring most holidaymakers head elsewhere.'

Almost as popular with the royal set is the exclusive island of Mustique, which in January last year, was the scene of Prince George's first ever trip abroad.

While the little prince stayed in a rented villa with his Middleton relatives and will do so again this year, his great aunt Princess Margaret, another royal fond of a Mustique break, sunned in style in the garden of the villa she owned on the island.

Famed for its pristine beaches and upmarket watering holes, the island is one of the most exclusive destinations in the world.

It became famous in the 1960s when its owner, Lord Glenconner, gave Princess Margaret a ten-acre plot of land as a wedding present. Paparazzi are banned – making Mustique a magnet for celebrities including Mick Jagger and David Bowie.

.................................................................................................................

Family: This year's trip has seen the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travel as a family with their son

Exclusive: The beautiful island of Mustique is a popular spot for the jetset and is privately owned

: The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured on Monday in Kensington, has jetted off to Mustique

It is understood that the family – accompanied by a team of Scotland Yard bodyguards – have taken over Villa Rocina.

Designed and built in 1971 in the style of a Caribbean plantation, it boasts its own 30ft pool as well as stunning views.

Guests have only to walk a few feet from their garden to snorkel in the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea in front of the house.

Each bedroom has its own en-suite bath and dressing room, and the property has an air-conditioned gym for guests who can tear themselves away from the sun and sand.

Four members of staff – a chef, a butler, a housekeeper and a gardener – will be on hand throughout the family’s stay to tend to their every whim.

Source: the dailymail

JapN

Tokyo (AFP) - The deadline set by Islamist militants threatening to kill two Japanese men unless they were given $200 million passed Friday, after one captive's mother made a desperate plea to save her son's life.

"There has been no message" from the Islamic State group since the 72-hour deadline expired at 2:50 pm (0550 GMT) Friday, Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

"The situation remains very severe, but the government is making its utmost efforts, asking for cooperation from many countries and heads of ethnic groups."

Reporters waiting for any announcement on the two men's fate said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looked tired and drawn as he rushed from one commitment to the next.

Hours earlier, Junko Ishido launched an emotional appeal for mercy for Goto, her son.

"I say to you people of the Islamic State, Kenji is not your enemy. Please release him," she said.
"Kenji was always saying 'I hope to save lives of children on battlefields'. He was reporting war from a neutral position."

The high drama in Tokyo comes three days after the sudden release by the Islamic State group of a video in which Goto and Yukawa, apparently kneeling in the desert, are threatened with execution by a British-accented man.

"You now have 72 hours to pressure your government into making a wise decision by paying the $200 million to save the lives of your citizens," he said.

The Islamists linked the ransom to the amount of cash Abe said he would be earmarking to help countries dealing with the influx of refugees fleeing fighting between IS and regular forces.
Asked by a journalist if she thinks Tokyo should pay the ransom, as it has in previous hostage situations, Ishido said: "Yes, I very much hope so."

"Japan has maintained a friendly relationship with Islamic nations.

"The time remaining is scarce. I beg you Japanese government officials, please save Kenji's life."

Tokyo is under pressure from Britain and the United States to stand firm on the ransom, as both countries have a policy of never paying ransoms.

Ishido, who was identified as Goto's birth mother, said she had learned Thursday that his wife had given birth two weeks ago when the two spoke on the telephone for the first time.

"Kenji left for the IS with a gentle heart hoping to save a life of his Japanese colleague," she said, referring to reports that Goto had been on a mercy mission to rescue Yukawa.

"He didn't care about his safety because he believed he and people of IS would be able to understand each other, as members of the global community."

She also said she has had no contact at all with the Japanese government since video of Goto and Yukawa emerged on Tuesday.

A spokesman told AFP the administration was in close contact with family of the missing men, but refused to elaborate.

NHK reported early Friday it had a text and audio exchange with a "public relations" official from the Islamic State group.

................................................................................

The representative was quoted as saying: "Japanese are infidels fighting against Islamic State."

Asked about the Japanese efforts to negotiate the release of the two hostages, he said, "We cannot answer that because it isn't a good question."

"A statement will come out sometime later," he said, without giving further details.

The Japanese media has rallied around Goto, a respected and experienced war reporter whose work has appeared on domestic television channels.

In video footage he filmed around the time he entered Syria, he holds identification papers and his Japanese passport and explains that he is aware of the risks.

"Whatever happens, I am the one who is responsible," he says. "I am asking you, Japanese people, do not place responsibility on the people of Syria. Please. I am sure I will come back alive though."

The IS group has previously killed three Americans and two Britons after parading them on camera, but this is the first time Japanese citizens have been threatened, and the first time a ransom demand has been made in this way.

Kenji Goto, a journalist, and Haruna Yukawa, who runs a security company, are seen kneeling in orange jumpsuits with a masked man holding a knife between them. The hostage-holders are threatening to kill the men if the Japanese government does not pay a $200 million ransom.

The video, posted on militant websites Tuesday and identified as being made by the Islamic State group's al-Furqan media arm, appears to be filmed in the same location as those showing American hostages James Foley, Steven Sotloff and Peter Kassig, and British captives David Haines and Alan Henning.

Veryan Khan, editorial director for the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium, said that the light source on the men in the latest videos appears to be coming from two different directions — as opposed to one bright sun. If the video was made outdoors in natural light, the shadows behind them should be going in one direction. Instead, they converge.

"The hostages are visibly bothered by" the bright light, she said.

From: Yahoo news

訂閱：文章 (Atom)

2015年1月31日 星期六

2015年1月30日 星期五

2015年1月29日 星期四

2015年1月28日 星期三

2015年1月24日 星期六

2015年1月23日 星期五