China :: Lifestyle

Add to My Stories Share As she watched the tennis, Pippa high-fived a dashing male admirer.And the same Frenchman was with her later as, with a large group of friends, she went for dinner at the exclusive Le Cinq Mars restaurant.Afterwards the group went on to the achingly trendy Montana Club, frequented by every major celebrity who finds themselves in Paris, including Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Lenny Kravitz. Secret admirer? Pippa Middleton is spotted with a French friend during her trip to Paris earlier this weekPippa and her friends stayed out clubbing until 2am before heading for her apartment. More... Pippa's Paris freebie: VIP treatment at the tennis tournament for Kate's sister Once again, the attractive brunette was accompanied by her mystery escort.But when asked by a photographer if he was a boyfriend of Pippas, he was quick to reply: No! Just a friend. High Five! Alongside other friends, the pair laugh and celebrate as they watch the tennis Just friends: M

Add to My Stories Share As she watched the tennis, Pippa high-fived a dashing male admirer.And the same Frenchman was with her later as, with a large group of friends, she went for dinner at the exclusive Le Cinq Mars restaurant.Afterwards the group went on to the achingly trendy Montana Club, frequented by every major celebrity who finds themselves in Paris, including Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Lenny Kravitz. Secret admirer? Pippa Middleton is spotted with a French friend during her trip to Paris earlier this weekPippa and her friends stayed out clubbing until 2am before heading for her apartment. More... Pippa's Paris freebie: VIP treatment at the tennis tournament for Kate's sister Once again, the attractive brunette was accompanied by her mystery escort.But when asked by a photographer if he was a boyfriend of Pippas, he was quick to reply: No! Just a friend. High Five! Alongside other friends, the pair laugh and celebrate as they watch the tennis Just friends: M

Filed under: Media , Expert Advice: Tweens , Gear Guides: Teens Middle schoolers lead digital lives, so why not make sure they do it safely? Credit: Getty Images In the middle school years, teens begin social networking, creating and uploading comments (blogs, videos, pictures), downloading music and other files, researching subjects for school, chatting on IM, video-chatting and more. In short, middle schoolers are leading digital lives. At this age, the Internet is no longer a solitary or passive experience. For preteens and teens, the Internet is social. Teens are using the Internet to express themselves and to experiment anonymously with different identities. While the desire to strike out on their own is age-appropriate, these kids still need parental guidance (sometimes from a respectful distance) on how to conduct themselves safely online. The facts Most teens are online: 91 percent have an email address; 60 percent have an instant-message screen name; and 72 percent have profil

Filed under: Adoption , In The News When babies are adopted from other countries, learning the Canadian forms of English and French can be difficult. Credit: Getty Images Cut babies some slack, eh? Speaking Canadian is tough. These are people who go out and about and call it being "oot" and "aboot." That's just weird. And that's just the English speakers. A lot of Canadians speak French. All this comes naturally for babies born in Canada. But when babies are adopted from other countries, the Canadian Press news service reports, learning the Canadian forms of English and French can be difficult . Researchers followed children adopted from China and natural-born Canadians, and found the Chinese babies had a harder time picking up the language. "They are not huge differences, but they are statistically reliable differences," Fred Genesee, the study's director, tells the Canadian Press. Genesee, a psychology professor at McGill University, conducte

Filed under: In The News , Celeb News & Interviews Think basketball players are role models? Maybe not. Credit: AP "I am not a role model," basketball player Charles Barkley declared in a Nike commercial in 1993. "I'm not paid to be a role model. I'm paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball, doesn't mean I should raise your kids." That was a somewhat controversial statement almost 20 years ago, but now there's research to back Barkley up . He and other professional athletes are definitely not role models, Simon Brownhill, an education expert at the University of Derby, tells the Independent in London. In fact, he says, kids are not even aware of what role models are until they are well past the age of being starstruck by athletes and other celebrities. Their behavior is more influenced by their parents and teachers. The Independent reports Brownhill surveyed 178 men who work in

Filed under: In The News , Nutrition: Toddlers & Preschoolers , Nutrition: Big Kids , Nutrition: Tweens , Nutrition: Teens Energy and sports drinks often contain dangerously high levels of caffeine and herbal stimulants. Credit: Getty Images Distilled water remains safe for your kids to drink. For now. But it seems doctors, researchers and Mindy down at the food co-op have systemically eliminated all the other beverage choices on the menu. Milk? It's fattening and, let's face it, your kid is probably allergic to it, anyway. Soda pop? Oh, good Lord! Juice? Well, maybe . If you pick the fruit and squeeze it yourself. Of course, there's always energy and sports drinks. Or not. "There's no place for energy drinks for kids," researcher Marcie Beth Schneider, an adolescent physician in Greenwich, Conn., tells U.S. News and World Report. "There's a place for sports drinks, but that place is very specific." Swell. So, what's the problem with the

Filed under: Just for You , Home Base Writer and feminist activist Gloria Steinem addresses the question of whether a stay-at-home mom may still claim to be a feminist. Don't miss on MarloThomas.com : Little Moments That Made Up a Movement Steinem describes the feminist movement as consisting of women's persistent recognition of the inequalities that exist, as well as the rights they deserve. Watch the video Today's Feminist Issues Steinem singles out the key issues for present-day feminism. Watch the video Feminism Today Steinem evaluates the current state of women's rights activism. Watch the video Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Feeding & Sleeping , Development: Toddlers & Preschoolers , Expert Advice: Toddlers & Preschoolers Is your teething baby having a hard time sleeping? Sleep-training when teeth start to come in is not an easy task, but it is doable. Follow these simple tips from TheBump.com to make sure your child stays on schedule. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: In The News "I love you. You love me. Never mind the sound of all that artillery." While rivals gangs exchanged gunfire outside, Martha Rivera Alanis, a nursery school teacher in Monterrey, Mexico, calmly led her class through the siege -- with a little help from Barney the purple dinosaur. The scene was captured on video by the teacher herself. "What, darling?" the teacher tells a student as shots ring out. "No, nothing is going on." Actually, what's going on is machine gun fire. "No, nothing is happening," Rivera reassures her students. She then asks if the kids want to sing a song, and they all cheer, "Yes!" After they sing the Barney classic "If All the Raindrops," the teacher tells the students to lie on their backs and open their mouths to catch chocolate "raindrops" in their mouths. The London Daily Mail reports the anonymous teacher is being hailed as a hero throughout the world. Although no

Filed under: Media , Movies , New In Pop Culture Kung Fu Panda 2. Credit: Disney With so many sequels, comic book-hero adventures and big-budget action and animated flicks hitting multiplexes near you this summer, we've provided a month-by-month cheat sheet to help you with your movie-going choices. May "Thor" Release Date: May 6 Target Age: Tweens and Teens What's the Buzz: Even in the pantheon of superheroes, Thor is unique because he's an actual god. Starring Chris Hemsworth and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman , this is one action adventure that's sure to appeal equally to boys and girls, not to mention grown-ups curious about director Kenneth Branagh delving into the genre. "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" Release Date: May 20 Target Age: Tweens and Teens What's the Buzz: Yo, ho -- Johnny Depp returns for the fourth time as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney's popular pirate franchise. Gone are Orlando Bloom and Keira Kn

Filed under: In The News Army Chief of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey speaks to family members of fallen service members at a Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors seminar in Arlington, Va. Credit: AP ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - After Brooke Nyren's dad died in Iraq, she sat alone at recess because her classmates didn't know what to say. One of Alexis Wright's fellow kindergarteners questioned if she was telling the truth about her dad's death in the war, while others told her it was too confusing to understand why she didn't have a father. More than 4,300 children of U.S. troops killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are growing up, forging their own paths while keeping the connection to their mom or dad alive in ways ranging from annual backyard barbeques on the anniversary of the parent's death to keeping a music box of his favorite song. They've endured awkward conversations with people unsure how to respond when they describe how their parent - typically their

Filed under: In The News Following a flurry of criticism stemming from the announcement she and her family would raise their child as gender-neutral, the mother of Storm Stocker is speaking out. Kathy Witterick, the Canadian mother of the 4-month-old baby, and her husband, David Stocker, 39, sent an email to friends and family following Storm's New Year's Day birth, letting it be known just a select few -- including the parents, midwives, a close friend and the couple's two sons, Kio, 2, and Jazz, 5, would know Storm's sex . "We decided not to share Storm's sex for now -- a tribute to freedom and choice in place of limitation, a standup to what the world could become in Storm's lifetime," they wrote. The family has declined any interviews since the story grabbed headlines following a report in the Toronto Star May 21, but Witterick defends the decision in a letter to the Edmonton Journal, published May 30. "I'm shy and idealistic, and all my

Add to My Stories Share Playing one of the worlds most celebrated models must have been a daunting prospect.But Doctor Who star Karen Gillan appears to have stepped into character as glamorous Sixties star Jean Shrimpton with ease.The 23-year-old actress is pictured on set for the forthcoming BBC4 drama Well Take Manhattan, a film about Miss Shrimptons rise to fame. Model girl: Karen Gillan films the role of Jean Shrimpton in the BBC4 drama We'll Take Manhattan, which documents her rise to fameIt focuses on the iconic stars four-year love affair with photographer David Bailey, played by 24-year-old British actor Aneurin Barnard.The part is Miss Gillans first leading role since her debut in the 2010 series of Doctor Who as the Time Lords companion Amy Pond. More... Dickens of a role: Ray Winstone to star in new BBC adaptation of Great Expectations The film, to be screened later this year, follows the success of BBC4s previous dramatisations of the lives of celebrity subjects inc

Add to My Stories Share Thanks to the influence of celebrities, younger women than ever are demanding Botox injections a means of wrinkle prevention. But according to one British doctor, using the cosmetic filler too young could actually speed up the ageing process.In an article published today, Dr Darren McKeown claims the idea that Botox could halt the development of wrinkles is a myth, and could actually have the opposite effect. Ageing? Dr Darren McKeown says the idea that Botox could halt the development of wrinkles is a myth, and could actually have the opposite effectWriting in the Daily Telegraph, he said: 'There is no evidence that in thelong term Botox works as a preventative, nor is there any licence to use it as such. 'The drug works on wrinkles by relaxing the muscles responsible for expression lines and is licensed only for the treatment of moderate to severe frown lines.' More... CoverGirl admits to using false lashes in ad for 'false lash effect'

Add to My Stories Share Dressed to impress: Shona Sibary and her ten-year-old daughter Annie in her pageant outfitSunday mornings usually find me reading the papers in bed, eating pancakes with my children or taking the dog for a walk. Today, however, I am standing in a hotel ladies toilet with my ten-year-old daughter, trying to prise her feet into a pair of ridiculously strappy high-heeled shoes.Ow, Mummy, that HURTS, Annie protests loudly, attracting a smug glance from another mother who is viciously sticking curling pins into the hair and occasionally the head of her silent, uncomplaining daughter. Outside, in a vast conference room, chaos is brewing. Girls as young as three are being coaxed into strappy dresses and adorned with body glitter, as their mothers all tight white jeans, manicured nails and enough bling to accessorise the whole of Essex fight for wall sockets to plug in hair straighteners.Welcome to the UK Cinderella Beauty Pageant at the decidedly unglamorous Ram

May 31, 2011 It is estimated that one American out of seven has high blood cholesterol, a major risk factor in cardiovascular disease. AFP picWASHINGTON, May 31 Raising the blood levels of good cholesterol does nothing to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients already taking statins to lower their bad cholesterol, a federally-funded study has determined.Scientists at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which led the study of some 3,400 Canadians and Americans, said Thursday they had prematurely terminated the trials after the results became clear.During the 32-month study, half the patients took extra doses of niacin, also known as vitamin B3, to raise their levels of good cholesterol, as well as a statin to lower their levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides.The other half took a placebo instead of the niacin, while continuing with the statin treatment.While it is well known that lowering the level of bad cholesterol with statins like Lipitor or

Add to My Stories Share The modern office is an increasingly bountiful source of unhealthy foods from the sweets bowl at reception to the platters of sandwiches brought out to get us through boring meetings. Not to mention the seemingly endless supply of birthday cakes and just-back-from-holiday treats. If youre trying to watch your weight, youve got no chance we are biologically programmed to eat whats put in front of us, says Professor Peter Rogers, head of experimental psychology at the University of Bristol. If you're trying to watch your weight, you've got no chance working in an office - we are biologically programmed to eat what's put in front of usHumans evolved to exist in an environment where food was scarce, so we are wired, he says, to exploit opportunities for palatable, energy-dense food. Our physiology encourages us to consume, he adds, and, the truth is, some of us are better at saying no than others. More... Twenty stone schoolboy, 10, becomes the yo

Filed under: Opinions , Expert Advice: Family Time Dear AdviceMama, During my pregnancy, my 3-year old could not have been more excited about having a little brother or sister. He told everyone he was going to be a big brother and couldn't wait for "his" little baby to be born. He was OK for the first few weeks, but now he is misbehaving in ways he never did before, having meltdowns at home and even at preschool -- a place he loves. What should I do? From, Pregnant Dear Pregnant, Ah, the proverbial Before and After Baby predicament. Welcome to a club with millions of members! Your 3-year old is "saying" -- with his behavior -- what he lacks the words to express. And, truth be told, even if he had the words -- "I'm jealous of the baby..." or "I don't like seeing you kiss her..." -- it wouldn't repair the "ouch" in his little heart. It certainly doesn't mean he won't get over his negative feelings and thoroughly l

A study has found that women do suffer more than men when it is cold. Mark Newton, a researcher at the UK's University of Portsmouth, said, "Girls really do feel the cold more than guys - but only because they are better at conserving heat." "Women have a more evenly distributed fat layer and can pull all their blood back to their core organs," the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying. He added that women need a more efficient technique of protecting their core body temperature because they carry less overall fat and muscle mass than men. This means less blood flows to women's hands and feet. Newton says that as our extremities dictate how hot or cold we feel, if our hands and feet are chilly, so are we. While women have a core temperature on average 0.4C higher than men, their hand temperature is 2.8C lower. People are also more sensitive to changes in temperature when they're tired - and as the body temperature falls at night women reach t

Filed under: Kids' Games , Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers , Activities: Big Kids , Activities: Tweens , Activities: Family Time Put your kings in the corners. Credit: Getty Images What you need: Two to four players and a standard deck of playing cards. How to play: Each player is dealt seven cards from the top of the deck. A game play "board" is then set up on the playing surface. Four cards are laid down, face up, in a plus pattern, with the remainder of the deck face down in the middle. In this fashion, there should be a card north, south, east and west of the deck with empty spaces in the "corners." The player who takes the first turn is determined by each player drawing a random card from the deck; the player with the highest draw goes first. Each turn begins with the player drawing a card from the top of the deck. Players then attempt to discard from their hand by playing their cards in descending numerical order in the same suit using the car

May 30, 2011 Bumbling Sepp Blatter: Mistakes in direct proportion to hard work. Reuters picZURICH, May 30 Sepp Blatter comes across in public as an amiable, even bumbling, character with eccentric ideas about football, but as he showed again yesterday, Fifas president has a remarkable gift for self-preservation.The 75-year-old pulled off a familiar escape act when a Fifa ethics committee cleared him of any wrongdoing in his campaign to be re-elected for a fourth term.Meanwhile, his rival Mohamed bin Hammam was provisionally suspended from all football activities, having withdrawn his candidacy hours earlier, for allegedly offering money to Caribbean federations to vote for him.Concacaf president Jack Warner, a long-serving ally of Blatters, was also banned pending further investigations.This left the way clear for Blatter to be re-elected unopposed at the annual Congress on Wednesday despite his federation becoming mired in a credibility crisis.When he was ordered to appear at an eth

Add to My Stories Share Ever wondered why you become clingy as soon as you have a partner? Or why youre unable to stick in a relationship for long? New research has found that the way we act in relationships is pre-determined by which attachment type we are. By identifying whether you are an avoider, anxious or secure, you can find your perfect match and transform your relationships. Everyone - whether they have just started dating or have been married for 40 years - falls into one of these categories. By understanding which one you are, you can view your own behaviour and the actions of people around you in a new light. If youre single and looking for love, this knowledge can help you find the right match; or, if youre already in a relationship, it can help you understand why you think and act as you do. In either case, youll start to experience change - for the better. Perfect match: Identifying whether you are an 'avoider', 'anxious' or 'secure', will ena