News flash

Homeland, modernism, and you
Canvas completes one exciting year

7^th August, 2006 an informal, glittering, fun-filled evening; glamorous people from the entertainment and fashion industry; black, the color en vogue - these are but a few of the aspects that permeated the 1st Anniversary Party of Canvas, a lifestyle magazine published under the Persona Group banner, held at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Center.

Throughout the evening eminent singers and entertainers wowed the audience with their popular numbers. Bappa Mojumdar came on stage first, crooning 'Pori' and 'Tumi Amar Bayannotash'. His performance was followed by those of Shubir Nandi, Nakib Khan, Ayub Bachchu, Shafin Ahmed, Shakila Zafar, Kaniz Shuborna, Jewel and many more. The guests spent an enjoyable time in the evening's casual ambience, listening to the live entertainment and socializing.

Kaniz Almas Khan, renowned beautician and the editor and publisher of Canvas, warmly welcomed the audience after which, amidst close friends and well-wishers, she cut the 'birthday' cake to kick-start the celebration.

Ms. Khan explained that the thought behind Canvas' vision is simple fashion and beauty is a part of one's everyday life and shouldn't be viewed as a separate entity and Canvas wants to help enrich those aspects of one's lifestyle through keeping their readers updated with the latest and essential fashion and beauty news. Focusing on one's home turf and keeping a modern outlook, the team behind Canvas has strived to deliver this magazine to their readers at least once every month and now, a year later, they're overjoyed and fulfilled with what they've achieved so far winning a readership that spans the globe and friends for life. However they're far from satisfied with steps yet to be taken in this, hopefully, ongoing journey there are many dreams and achievements yet to be fulfilled, still a long way to go.

The Canvas team is eternally grateful for all the cooperation and encouragement they've received from eminent personalities and various organisations throughout this past year. They hope that they keep on receiving such great love and support from all, in order to carry on their journey and reach even greater heights.

By Simin Saifuddin

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ProjectDYouth

Project Bangladesh and Djuice have joined hands to initiate an exciting game show in Bangladesh. Loosely titled, ProjectDYouth, the project aims to incorporate the characteristics of popular reality show The Apprentice.

Like The Apprentice, ProjectDYouth will involve a number of teams who will aim to complete a unique array of challenges that are set for them to come out on top and claim the ultimate prize. But there is a twist. Unlike The Apprentice, ProjectDYouth will benefit the community as a large percentage of all revenues are funded back into charitable organisations.

The whole project will have a time span of approximately 92 days and there will be 50 participating teams. Each group will have a maximum of 10 people.

ProjectDYouth requires the teams to come out with their own unique product and then market it to the people, following the trait of Project Bangladesh and the Amra Bangladesh bands. Teams with the most unique and creative products move on to the next rounds. And keeping in tune with the community service theme, teams who move on to the next round will be required to donate some percentage of earnings into a charity of their choice.

As teams move on there will be more innovative elements added on and teams will earn increasing benefits.

And anyone who is a student is liable to participate. So get your business plans ready, and your creative juices flowing.

The show is set to kick off next week. Stay tuned for more updates.

By Quazi Zulquarnain Islam

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A true taste of asia

Peach Chicken
Ingredients
Cooking oil
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon seasoned pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
6 fryer chicken leg quarters with thighs or chicken breast halves
1 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups sliced peaches (fresh, canned or frozen)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon dried leaf basil
1 clove garlic, finely minced

Method
Heat 1/2 inch oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. While oil is heating, dredge chicken in the seasoned flour. Brown chicken on all sides. While chicken is browning, combine orange juice and peaches with brown sugar, vinegar, nutmeg, basil and minced garlic. Heat mixture over medium heat. Reduce to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet when it is browned and pour off excess fat. Replace chicken and pour the peach sauce mixture on top. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

Orange Spiced Chicken
Ingredients
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons raisins
4 (8 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Method
To Marinate: Combine soy sauce, orange juice, sugar, garlic, ginger and raisins in a nonporous glass dish or bowl. Mix well, then add chicken and turn to coat. Cover dish or bowl and refrigerate to marinate for 2 to 3 hours, turning once or twice.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish and pour marinade evenly all over.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, basting often.

Tips

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and treatment

Not too long ago, lifestyle factors such as stress and eating spicy foods were thought to be the leading causes of peptic ulcers. It wasn't until the discovery of a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) that this theory was proven false. H. pylori is now known to be the most common cause of peptic ulcers, and this has brought about a new method of treating this condition.

Peptic ulcer disease occurs when sores develop in different parts of the digestive system, including the lining of the stomach, the oesophagus, or the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). If the ulcer appears in the lining of the stomach, it is called a gastric ulcer. Ulcers that form in the duodenum are called duodenal ulcers; in the oesophagus, they are called oesophageal ulcers.

Having a peptic ulcer means dealing with several symptoms that range in severity from painless to quite painful, depending on the size and location of the ulcer itself. Proper treatment helps kill the bacteria and reduce acid levels in the stomach in order to speed the healing process and relieve symptoms.

Common causes of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
PUD is almost always caused by one or a combination of the following:
* an infection of the stomach lining caused by H. pylori
* regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
* heavy cigarette smoking

Although anyone can develop a peptic ulcer, certain risk factors increase the chance of a person developing the condition. People who are infected with H. pylori, use NSAID medications regularly, or have both of these factors are more likely to develop a peptic ulcer if they regularly drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or are over the age of 50.

Getting the right treatment
Due to the similarity of some symptoms of PUD to those of other associated digestive disorders, PUD may not always be properly diagnosed at first. The dull, burning ache in the stomach common to PUD may be misdiagnosed as a condition such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Proper diagnosis of PUD is very important to ensure that the patient receives the most appropriate treatment. The correct diagnosis of PUD may require the use of several tests. Since H. pylori is the cause of 66% of peptic ulcers, looking for this bacterium by testing the blood, breath, or tissue samples from the stomach is common. Other tests that a doctor may recommend include an upper gastrointestinal series of X-rays or an endoscopic search for the problem ulcer.

Treating PUD is critical to improving overall health. In the past, doctors recommended that patients stop eating spicy foods and reduce stress in their lives as a way of curing the condition. Recent findings make these recommendations a thing of the past. Today, to improve the health of a person with PUD, doctors focus on:
* reducing acid produced by the stomach with such medications as H2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
* removing infection caused by H. pylori bacteria by using antibiotics
* protecting the stomach lining

Most recommended treatments for PUD are 85 to 90% effective when taken properly. Usual treatments include three medications taken for a period of 7 to 14 days: two antibiotics and an acid-lowering medication. Recently, the Canadian Helicobacter pylori Study Group (CHSG) also recommended the use of a four-medication therapy.

For added benefit and to encourage the healing process, doctors may also look at neutralising acid that is already in the stomach and protecting the lining of the stomach with other medications. Antacids may be prescribed to neutralise stomach acid during treatment to help produce rapid pain relief. Also, if a person is taking an NSAID, a doctor may recommend the addition of another type of medication to protect the stomach lining and minimise any irritation caused by NSAID medications more about peptic ulcer disease and heartburn symptoms.