Is Your Child Getting EnoughIron? Iron is the mineral that is instrumental in keeping our children healthy and energetic. We worry if our child looks pale or lethargic and wonder if these are signs of being anaemic. Yet sometimes we may worry unduly.
Awareness about iron sources and iron deficiencies are a great help in building a healthy quantity of life for your child.
How do you detect an iron deficiency?As iron reserves in the body deplete slowly, you may not be able to tell at once that your child is lacking iron. However there are tell-tale signs, which you will see sooner or later, if your child has an iron deficiency.
Of course, some of these symptoms may have other causes too, so do confer with your paediatrician if you notice any of the symptoms. Deficiency of iron will be confirmed by a blood test.
Some symptoms to watch out for are:· Unusual fatigue: If you feel your child is tiring quicker than usual or his general activity has reduced, mention it to your doctor.
· Loss of concentration: A reduced attention span, sometimes revealed by a change for the worse in school results, can also suggest an iron deficiency.
· Pica: If your child wants to eat non edible substances like mud, ice or uncooked rice, it is a common sign of iron deficiency.
· Pale eyes and skin: If the skin begins to look very dull or pale and the skin under the eyelids gets a pale or blue tinge, it is a sign of being anaemic.
· Brittle nails: If your child's nails seem to be breaking easily or seem brittle it could be due to a need for more iron. This can also be related to calcium deficiency so do confer with your doctor first.
· Repeated infections: The main role of iron in our bodies is to contribute to healthy red blood cells which help keep the immune system in order. Frequent infections indicate low levels of immunity which may be caused by a lack of iron.
What causes it?In case of infants, iron deficiency can be the outcome of premature birth with low birth weight as the baby may not have absorbed enough iron in the seven to eight months in the womb.
While breastfed babies will be well supplied with iron from their mother's milk, they may need some other forms of iron after the age of six months as they are growing fast. In the older age bracket, iron deficiency
is unlikely for children who are on a nutritious diet that includes iron rich foods that are well absorbed by the body. But, very busy eaters or children on misguided diets lacking good natural sources of iron could be at risk.
How do you prevent it?A good diet is the best prevention of iron deficiency. A variety in the diet also ensures iron sources such as dark green vegetables, to be consumed weekly.
With young children it is important to see that they eat good solid foods at the three main meals and are hungry enough to do so. Too much milk with food works against iron absorption. So it is best not to serve young children milk with main meals. Yogurt is fine.
Juices, though not a source of iron, are a great aid for efficient absorption of iron. This is because vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron from the diet. Experts recommend that you give your child some natural form of vitamin C daily to ensure this. Apart from juices, the other obvious sources of vitamin C are fruits. So do include good portions of these at mealtimes, or as in-between snacks.
Some Iron-rich Foods· Meat, chicken, fish, eggs
· Grams, grains, dals, beans
· Dark green vegetables (for example; peas, broccoli, spinach, beans)
· Iron fortified breakfast cereals
· Breads fortified with iron or yeast leavened whole wheat breads
· Raisins, figs, dates, nuts
Understanding QuantitiesSometimes, as parents, it seems our job is chiefly to worry, especially when it comes to our children's food and eating habits. As we watch our child grow side by side with his peers, we observe how he eats so much more or less than them. We worry that he is too fat or too thin. We try and get him to start eating more or less. So is there a norm? No, there is no norm but yes, there are many guiding principles when it comes to quantities of food consumed by children. Here's a look at some of them.
Prescribed PortionsThere are some general norms when it comes to children and food portions. Here are some guidelines based on the age of your child.
0-6 Months: Breast milk is the best food for your baby. Sufficient milk will ensure a body weight gain of 600g to 1kg per month. You will know your child is getting enough milk if you are changing heavy diapers every few hours.
6 Months -1 Year: Cereals (initially rice and then others), fruits and vegetables, meats and eggs. You should aim for three meals per day by the time your child reaches his first birthday. Milk should be given between meals. If the child's weight gain is 400 to 600g each month, it indicates that he is eating proportionately well for his age.
1-2 Year: Since the rate of growth is less, the intake may fall so do not force feed your child. Usually the child determines the quantity of a particular food, but a variety should be offered. Eating habits formed now will affect eating in subsequent years.
2-4 Years: A child of two to four years should have three balanced meals a day. As the milk consumption may be less, add fruits, juices and other nutritious snacks. At least one cup of milk and a bowl of dahi is advisable.
4-6 Years: By this age your child will need approximately 1600 kcal per day. Six portion of bread of chapatti, two portions of fruit, three servings of vegetables as well as some protein will be sufficient. Two glasses of milk a day is advisable.
6-10 Years: By this age your child will need approximately 200 kcal per day. You can follow the same breakup as given for four to six years but do increase the portions.
Amidst the post-war boom of Hollywood's Golden Age, Cole Phelps, an LAPD detective is thrown headfirst into a city drowning in its own success. Corruption is rampant, the drug trade is exploding, and murder rates are at an all-time high. In his fight to climb the ranks and do what's right, Phelps must unravel the truth behind a string of arson attacks, racketeering conspiracies and brutal murders, battling the L.A. underworld and even members of his own department to uncover a secret that could shake the city to its core. Using groundbreaking new animation technology that captures every nuance of an actor's facial performance in astonishing detail, L.A. Noire is a violent crime thriller that blends breathtaking action with true detective work to deliver an unprecedented interactive experience. Search for clues, chase down suspects and interrogate witnesses as you struggle to find the truth in a city where everyone has something to hide. It's the evolution of the adventure game, merging slow-burning discovery with the freedom associated with an open-world backdrop.
What's Right!
Diamond-studded Clutch
Aubergine Polish And The Bling Ring
The Make-up
The young and chirpy Muzna Ebrahim has a multi-faceted personality. The youthful exuberance of her personality and her down-to-earth attitude has won this Asian beauty fans all over the country. Bubbly and full of life, this doctor turned celebrity has been hosting many shows besides acting and modelling. MAG caught up with this vivacious actress. Excerpts: 
"Wow! This place looks like paradise!" was my reaction when I entered into Rukhsana's heavenly abode. Nestled in the concrete jungle of Defence is a house that stands out for its explicit beauty and elegance.
and aesthetic sense. Seated in her spacious drawing room soaked in royal purples and beiges, I can't help but admire the enchanting statues and carved wooden figurines displayed at one artistic corner. "Those are from Nairobi", she says with evident pride. Rukhsana, an ardent traveler, has spent her life globe-trotting and she likes to pick up dainty decoration pieces and souvenirs for her home wherever she goes. "The red vases in the niche are from Dubai, while the lamps are from Thailand. The rugs are mostly from China as I simply adore the intricate patterns on Chinese carpets. Other decoration pieces are from Bangkok and Canada", she says enthusiastically. Decorated with a fusion of so many cultures blended together, a stroll through her house seemed like a trip through wonderland. "Every article in my house is precious to my heart because I associate my travel memories with these objects. Everything has a history and the ornaments that adorn my house are a reflection of memories that I will cherish forever", Rukhsana's voice softens up with nostalgia as she recollects the past. The girlish theme of the drawing room has a magical allure to it, beige and mauve upholstery interspersed with a touch of wood and copper lends an ethnic regal touch to the place. A deep purple Velvet Sofa chair grabs my attention. "So what's the story behind this piece of furniture?" I prod her. "You see I am a moody and whimsical person. I pick up furniture that I like whether it gels in with my home decor or not. Once purchased, I revamp the room's decor to see where the furniture compliments the most. I bought this chair from a lady who designs and crafts eccentric furniture from home. I guess it was the bizarre colour that appealed to me", she shrugs casually. "After I got this lone chair in an imperial shade, I worked around this theme and based the whole drawing room on this colour combination", she adds zealously. She had thrown in cushions and velvet shawls lined with banarsi finishing in deep purple 
to compliment the theme. "That shawl sprawled on the sofa was worn by my husband on his mehndi", she discloses her decor secrets. She bought most of her sofa sets and centre tables from Baroque as she likes their sleek and simple designs. "I am not too fond of gaudy gold furniture or too much carving.Minimal embellishment is what I prefer", she says. The elevated wooden flooring and the motive wall-paper on a facade in the drawing room adds a touch of drama to the place and the large glass window provides a picturesque view of the lush green garden. "I love open spaces as they breathe life and freshness into one's home. I noticed the variety of scintillating mirrors gleaming on the walls. "Mirrors are my favourite decor tool because they enhance the decor besides giving an illusion of space", says Rukhsana. The house is designed strategically with niches and artistic corners breaking the monotony every now and then. The eight seater dining table upholstered in a colour combination of pink and brown is tempting bait for food aficionados. A hot pink Banarsi settee enhances the oomph factor of the room and lends it a stroke of glamour. As we ascend the winding wooden staircase leading up to the airy lounge, I appreciate the array of splendid photography that catches my eye. The lounge decor is done up in a retro chic black and white theme. 
Everything from the sofa upholstery to the rugs and the wall paint stay loyal to this theme. Elements of red and fresh green are thrown in for colour. A black and white enlarged family photograph hung on a zebra striped wall evokes fond sentiments. The beige papier-mache lamps dangle in mid-air and swing precariously with the wind, adding a funky feel to the casual room. Rukhsana's personal room is her favourite hangout in the house. "I love to relax and unwind here after a tiring day at work", she says as she sprawls herself on the maroon and off-white fluffy bed with dozens of cushions thrown in for comfort. A deep maroon velvet background serves as the focal point while a long mirror at one corner completes the languid elegance of the room. As we depart from Rukhsana's beautiful home, I compliment her for keeping every part of the house gleaming and spotless. I was surprised when she told me that every other day, she does the entire cleaning herself; right from the sweeping, mopping and dusting, all with her own hands. "It's my own home, so naturally I love caring for it myself. Besides, I feel that the best way a woman can keep herself in shape is by doing these laborious chores herself ", says a beaming Rukhsana as she waves us goodbye.
conspiratorial ideas through their profound judgments and critical tajziya nigaari and the awaam has again been left to ponder what the hell is going on. Why is it that our security forces, who are trained and paid to do their job, fail so vehemently time and again. The attack has left question marks on everyone's minds that if those who are responsible for securing the nation fail to secure themselves, what is going to happen if things get even worse. Why aren't such attacks foiled before they even become such a big affair? Is it because of intelligence failure, incompetence or just that our forces don't learn from past security mistakes.
Little did we know that the magnum opus of our intelligence agencies would end up as the biggest threat to our own security; that that would give birth to a new brand of urban terrorism that would prove to be fatal for our own people. It was like purposely exposing oneself to radiation, without knowing that that would cause cancer in future. It is a sad sight to see that our armed forces, which have always had the 'knight in shining armour' image for the public, failing to foil such attacks. The ferociousness of this attack and the planning with which it was conducted has again given rise to speculations that sympathetic elements for militants do course thru the veins of the armed forces in the lower rungs. But on the other hand, the rising anti-Americanism among the masses seems to tilt the balance on the other side. It is time for our leaders to put their heads together and show some serious urgency instead of waiting for dictations about what needs to be done. The current state of affairs is worrisome for all, let's hope and pray that our nation wriggles itself out of this vortex of terrorism sooner than later.
This year sugar production has been more than the local demand but there are growing fears that its price will go up during the holy month of Ramadan. Over the last few years the country has experienced the worst sugar crisis, when its retail price hovered around Rs100/kg. Even the Supreme Court order fixing the price at Rs40/kg was flouted. The situation really got worse when Competition Commission of Pakistan raided the mills, warehouses and even the offices of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association. Some of the quarters termed the crisis an outcome of 'strong sugar cartel' and others attributed it to disruption in 'free market mechanism'.
Over the years sugar industry has remained 'single product' industry which is the main reason for high cost of production. Though, lately efforts were made to add new product, industry has not been able to make best use of molasses and baggase. Bulk of the molasses produced in the country is exported and sugar mills hardly operate the distilleries. The government is keen on popularizing use of blended petrol (E-10) but neither the mills nor the oil marketing companies are ready to go for massive marketing/sale of E-10 despite being more efficient and environment friendly.
