Plastic surgery is the most artistic form of medicine, one Nicosia practitioner tells THEO PANAYIDES... Read on

The importance of climate for winegrowing is unbelievable. Although there have been many advances in winemaking, climate has remained the one element growers cannot control and which will determine the overall style of a wine as well as the quality of any given vintage... Read on

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No dairy for 40 days? No cakes for weeks on end? The idea of fasting for Lent is an alien concept to me, but I do respect those who manage to faithfully abstain from major indulgences, because somehow they possess the willpower that most of us can only sit back and admire.
Traditionally, fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from certain food, drink or both for a given period of time. When looked at from a religious point of view, different faiths, obviously, have different ways of doing things. The Lenten fast observed in the Catholic and Orthodox Church is a 48-day cleanse to commemorate the fast observed by Christ during his temptation in the desert... Read on

Name: Pangi (Pangium edule)
Otherwise known as: Kembang, Kepayang Tree
Habitat: A deciduous tree member of the Flacourtiaceae family growing up to 30m in rain forests in Indonesia and Malaysia. Pangi has large, three-lobed, deep green leaves and produces clusters of green/blue flowers that are transformed into a brown cylindrical fruit that smells of onions and measures up to 15cm. All parts of the plant and particularly the seeds are highly poisonous... Read on

 
Three writers step outside their comfort zones for the day to work a different job. It might look like a breeze, but unskilled work can be quite challenging
 
Zoe Christodoulides takes on gardening
“Got any wellies?” belts out Alexander down the phone. “Um, no.” I know I really should own a pair of sensible shoes but I’m one of those people whose middle name should have been ‘impracticality’.
Shoes are worn to look good, trousers are made to be flattering and handbags are usually dainty. Why else would you spend money on an item of clothing if it’s not to jazz up your wardrobe?... Read on

Whether whipping up a risotto in the kitchen, nipping out for pizza or dinning in style at the numerous Italian restaurants available on the island, choosing an Italian wine to wash down the food is a real joy, mostly because we know how well it will work. Of course there is a certain amount of room for error (ever tried a crisp Frascati with a juicy steak?) but most sensible foodies know that Italian wine has an affinity for Italian cuisine, and indeed, for a lot of international dishes too. Why is it is so food-friendly?... 1 comment

On a recent search for a ‘good’ gynaecologist, I stumbled across a leaflet offering so much more. Sabine Schapals has combined her gynecological and obstetrics practice with naturopathy, which means that regular issues such as menstrual disorders, infertility, labour pains, nausea and vomiting, can all be dealt with in a natural manner. In addition to conventional medicine, a naturopathic gynecologist will prescribe vitamins, essential oils, foods with healing properties and prebiotics to heal the body... Read on

I’m leaving for Scotland tomorrow. It’s the last opportunity to have a holiday on my own without a child in tow – gosh, just writing that feels very surreal. I’m still not quite used to the idea that very shortly I’ll be responsible for a small creature that doesn’t purr, have whiskers, exist solely on Friskies and tuna and require monthly flea treatment. I’m hoping – and relying on – some deeply-hidden, innate natural instincts surfacing and kicking in. Before reaching that stage though I have 10 days of self-indulgent alone time with my dear family and friends to look forward to. Mind you, my getting to Edinburgh involves an epic journey Odysseas would balk at. Good grief... Read on

 
Name: Manchineel (Hippomane manchinalla)
Otherwise known as: Little Apple, Apple of Death
Habitat: A tree member of the Euphorbiaceae family growing up to 15m in coastal soils in central and southern America and the Caribbean. It is a very attractive plant boasting shiny, oval-shaped leaves with spikes of green flowers that transform into the sweet smelling, bright green fruits resembling crab apples. All parts of the tree are highly poisonous... Read on