Michelle Obama Discusses Women's Health on Her Podcast

If you've never listened to The Michelle Obama Podcast on Spotify, her latest episode, titled "What Your Mother Never Told You About Health with Dr. Sharon Malone," is the perfect place to start. She chats with ob-gyn Sharon Malone, MD, and hearing a former first lady discuss regular issues about women's health and our bodies so unapologetically is so refreshing. Obama and Dr. Malone focused on women's issues, and while not everyone who identifies as a woman has female sex organs, and not everyone who has female sex organs identifies as a woman, for the purpose of this podcast, they referred to women as people who have female sex organs, menstruate, and go through menopause.

They began talking about how important it is for young girls to have someone they trust and who they can talk with openly about their bodies. Obama said even though her daughters, Sasha, 19, and Malia, 22, may have asked questions that were hard to answer, she always wanted them to feel comfortable with their bodies and asking questions. She told them when they were young, "I don't want you learning about your bodies and sex from another 12-year-old. None of y'all know what you're talking about! You're 12. Come ask me."

And knowledge is power. Obama said seeking out information about sex and feeling comfortable talking about it ties into women's health in general. "Our comfort level with our sexual health is directly tied to our physical, overall well-being," she said. Obama then brought up how people who don't get periods wouldn't understand "the severest form of cramps, which literally feels like a knife being stabbed, and turned, and then released. And then turned! And then released." People who menstruate still have to deal with all this through life, work, and even playing sports especially professional athletes!

"When you think of all that a woman's body has to do over the course of her lifetime, going from being prepared to give birth, to actually giving birth, and then having that whole reproductive system shut down in menopause, the changes, the highs and lows and the hormonal shifts, there is power in that," Obama said. "But we were taught to be ashamed of it. And to not even seek to understand it, or explore it for our own edification, let alone to help the next generation."

Thinking about going through menopause made Obama think about what health means for women in general. There are so many conflicting messages out there, mostly about weight, because it seems like weight is the only thing society cares about. Dr. Malone added that, "Women's value goes up with how little space you take up." So the smaller you can make yourself, the higher perceived socioeconomic group you're in; it's all about being thin, she said, but added that being thin and being healthy are two completely different things. She said the focus should be more on function than on form. So what you look like and how much you weigh is less of an issue.

"Do you know a woman who's happy with herself?" Obama asked Dr. Malone. "I don't know one." Dr Malone answered no, because we're always trying to fix or tweak something. "It's an exhausting way to have to live," Obama said, "and so many of us are doing it."

Obama has always been open about how fitness is a big priority in her life, and she and Dr. Malone mentioned they both work out with groups of women. Obama explained she's happiest when she's exercising with her friends, and she likes to talk before, during, and after the workout. After all, workouts should be fun! Obama encouraged women who are finding it difficult to get started with working out to get involved with a health community or to exercise with their friends. "I will quit on myself faster than I'll quit on my friends," Obama said. Find a way to develop a wellness routine that works for you, a routine that fits who you really are not one that fits someone else's standards.

Obama ended the podcast by reminding us to ask hard questions and have those conversations about our health with our doctor, our friends, our partner, and our children. She said, "Because that's really the only way we can get through any confusion or uncertainty by talking through this stuff, together. That's why I wanted to do this podcast."

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Michelle Obama Talks About the Issue of Women and Weight, and Now I Know I'm Not Alone - POPSUGAR

Photo by Blake Jackson

Like many Black women, sisters Brittney Rae Reese and Joslyn Reese were tired of feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome in gyms throughout Denver. So they opened their own.

When Brittney Rae and Joslyn Reese, sisters from Aurora, quit their jobs and departed on a three-month backpacking trip in March 2013 through Central America, they had no idea that they would find a calling to open a fitness and nutrition studio in Colorado. We were very aware of our surroundings and the people that we were interacting with and we realized these people have access to all this amazing food and unbelievable weather, but yet theyre very unhealthy. We [thought], this isnt too far off from how the culture is in America, says Brittney Rae, who also serves as head fitness coach.

In an attempt to make wellness and fitness available to more people, the women founded FIT & NU that same year as a mobile studio in the Denver metro area, hosting workouts at churches and parks. Two years later, the two sisterswho are certified fitness and health instructorsmoved their gym into a permanent location in Aurora, operating as Colorados first health club geared toward women of color. Although the gym caters to Black women, the studio is open for all ethnicities. Here, the Reese sisters discuss their successes and their role in Black Lives Matter discussions.

Editors note: Due to COVID-19, FIT & NU is offering virtual classes in addition one-on-one sessions.

5280: What makes your fitness studio unique? Brittney Rae: We were very intentional about creating a vibe thats welcoming and that will lift spirits because we know that our demographic of women are experiencing a lot outside of here on a day-to-day basis. And then also the fact that its ran and owned by Black women [is not something you] see in Colorado. We are Colorados first fitness and nutrition club for women of color and we pride ourselves on that because, to be honest, the wellness industry is very white. That was also part of the reason why we felt the need to have a physical space. From our personal experiences, weve gone to so many different studios out here and felt uncomfortable. You know, assumptions being made like, Oh, youre not going to buy anything. Youre here on a guest pass.This is why women of color shy away from committing to [some fitness studios] because its not welcoming at all. We wanted to change that narrative.

Why did you decide to open a studio focused on women of color? Joslyn: It wasnt an easy choice. We didnt want to put ourselves in a box. But after really considering the impact of health disparities of women of color and how important it is for there to be a voice and also a safe place, we [decided] this isnt about us and our comfort level. So we have to do something different and we have to do it in a way that is celebratory. Were celebrating diversity and were celebrating health and were emphasizing life. We are open to all ethnicities. And many white women really love this spot because its diverse.

What has been FIT & NUs biggest success? Brittney Rae: Our space is definitely a big success in just being visionaries and doers. We could have easily played small and fallen into what everybody else was telling us to do, but we trusted the vision was planted in us for a reason. Joslyn: And we bootstrapped ourselves. Brittney Rae: Another success is just to see how our clients have received us in our communityhow they recognize our value, and they trust us and they allow themselves to be vulnerable with us.

Why are you selling TOO DOPE TO DIE shirts? Joslyn: [TOO DOPE TO DIE is an] emphasis on life. People of color are disproportionately at risk for dying of COVID-19 right now, social and racial justice, preventable diseases, diabetes, food desert. We wanted to emphasize the dopeness of being a person of color You have a responsibility to take care of yourself a little bit better because the things that are going on in the world are always going to be happening, most of this stuff is out of our control. But the one thing [we can control] is how you treat your body.

Where did the hashtag #healthyBlackLivesMatter come from? Brittney Rae: Were acknowledging that Black Lives Matter, but healthy Black lives create change. If were going to continue to fight this fight of justice and equality, we have to be healthy so that needs to take precedence over everything else. Think about how triggering all of this is for the Black and brown community, just having conversations is so triggering. But if you dont have a healthy escape or a healthy way to cope with it, its going to tear you down. Were encouraging our community to go beyond just surviving and actually thrive.

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Meet the Sisters Who Founded FIT & NU, Colorado's First Health Club for Women of Color - 5280 | The Denver Magazine

Man doing exercise at home, laptop, self training

Over the last few decades, more and more Americans have embraced a healthier lifestyle that included better nutrition and regular exercise.

Data shows that peoples priorities have evolved a bit to reflect higher importance on self-care and wellness.

In 2019, it was estimated that more than 20% of Americans belonged to a gym, fitness studio, or health club. In fact, since 2008, health club memberships have reportedly increased by 37%.

Meanwhile, brands like Barrys Bootcamp, Orange Theory Fitness, and SoulCycle found themselves catering to an audience of health-conscious evangelists that made physical activity look fun and cool.

Then 2020 happened and everything changed.

Gyms closed, in-person training became nearly impossible to get, and finding gym equipment required a willingness to pay non-trivial amounts of money.

Yet, at a time when it would seem like peoples focus on health and wellness would be deprioritized, the attention to this space seems more amplified than ever.

Innovative mediums are sprouting up everywhere that enable people to more easily stay active, without the traditional means and equipment.

Trainers have gone online, video-based workouts are the new normal, and high-tech home gym equipment is making its way into more homes than ever before.

People now have access to workout regimens without the inconvenience that exists with regular gyms, such as commuting or waiting for a piece of gym equipment to become available.

Previously, 50% of gym-goers quit after 6 months. When you are empowered to achieve your goals through an app or wall-mounted unit and never have to leave your home, the perception of what physical activity involves shifts to look a lot less burdensome.

Furthermore, for people who are working from home, this becomes a new outlet from work activities and external obligations, without needing to expose yourself to risks that come from being in a crowded gym.

Its not difficult to envision new habits being created that drive people to remain more resilient with fitness goals.

To that extent, this current environment could produce an inflection point for the health and wellness industry. This could mean more people becoming more active and remaining active.

At a time when there is so much to be stressed about, this could be something we can all celebrate.

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Could This Be The Start Of A New Golden Age Of Fitness? - Forbes

FRIDAY, Aug. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Despite the fame and fortune that comes with being an elite athlete, new research finds that Black NFL players are much more likely than their white peers to be in poor health once they retire.

After surveying nearly 3,800 former pro football players, investigators found that Black players say they are 50% more likely to struggle with chronic disabling pain than white players, and 36% more likely to have serious memory and attention problems. They also reported a 90% greater propensity towards suffering some sort of physical disability.

"We found that former players who identified as Black/African American were much more likely to report impairment in their day-to-day activities," said study author Andrea Roberts, a senior research scientist with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

Impairment, explained Roberts, was defined as an inability to engage in routine recreational activities, shopping, housework and/or socializing, due to a combination of physical and mental health issues, alongside enduring pain.

"We were surprised that the differences in our study were so large," she added, given that NFL players -- regardless of race -- tend to have the advantages of higher social status, income and education than the general public.

But racism "is experienced by U.S. minorities even if they are or were in high-status occupations. [And] racism is a form of chronic stress, which has long-term negative effects on physical and mental health," Roberts explained.

"In addition, in the U.S. there is a history of discrimination against minorities in provision of health care, which continues to the present time and often results in poorer outcomes for minorities," she added.

That point was echoed by Kendra Lee, editorial director of Black Health Matters, an information website focused on health and wellness issues in the Black community.

Not surprised by the survey results, Lee stressed that "prior to going pro, athletes of color were subject to the same disparity-riddled health care system as folks who don't play professional sports."

And that, she said, often means Black players grow up with a "lack of access to care, lesser quality care, higher rates of asthma, neighborhoods with lead in the pipes and the paint," compounded by poor nutrition and a greater exposure to pollution.

Another problem: Once in the NFL, medical care is typically aimed at keeping players healthy while playing -- "not necessarily at what was best for their well-being," said Lee.

In addition, Roberts noted that "historically, Black players have been paid far less than white players."

And that, Lee said, means that while the biggest non-white NFL stars may acquire enough stature and resources to insulate them from health disparities in retirement, most won't.

The survey participants were all retired players, ranging in age from 24 to 89. About 1,400 were Black, 2,200 were white, and almost 110 were Native Americans, Asian and/or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

All were asked to discuss their health histories in terms of five broad categories: physical functioning, pain, thinking function, depression and anxiety.

Players of color who were not Black also fared significantly worse than white players on all fronts, except when it came to impaired physical function.

But Black players were found to fare worse across the board, including a reported 70% greater risk for depression and a 50% greater risk for anxiety, compared with white players. The findings held up even after accounting for a player's age at the time they were surveyed, how long they played for the NFL, their position on the team, smoking and drinking habits, weight status, concussion and surgery histories, and pain medication use.

Broadly speaking, the findings "really highlight how health disparities permeate every aspect of U.S. society," said Roberts, a fact that she believes has come to the fore as the pandemic has unfolded.

As for Lee, she noted that "of course the disparities for society at large are worse" than for celebrated, world-class athletes.

But that, she said, begs the question: "If former professional athletes with seemingly more economic cushion still face a mountain of disparities, what hope is there for regular old folks?"

The findings were published in the Aug. 4 issue of Annals of Epidemiology.

More information

There's more information on health and race at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCES: Andrea Roberts, Ph.D., M.P.H., senior research scientist, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston; Kendra Lee, editorial director, Black Health Matters, Washington, D.C.; Annals of Epidemiology, Aug. 4, 2020

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After NFL Career Ends, Black Players Suffer More Health Woes Than Whites - HealthDay News

Chamomile tea

Is it time for a cup of chamomile? Chamomile tea is a sedative and sleep aid traditionally used in different parts of Iran.

Chamomile extract, a2017 studyfound, improved the sleep quality of older adults and their daily performance in comparison to those who received a placebo.

"It's full of antioxidants, promotes calmness and can reduce anxiety," Schmitt said.

Ashwagandha, a revered herb of Indian ayurvedic alternative medicine, has traditionally been used to calm the nerves. It might work by mimicking the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter that inhibits excited responses.

"When you activate this receptor, it makes you sleepy," Dasgupta said. "Many sleep aids that we take work on GABA."

Ashwagandha may help the bodywind downand prepare for sleep, as well as improve overall sleep quality.

Originally hailing from Europe and Asia,valerianis a plant used to treatinsomnia, anxiety, depression and menopause symptoms.

Most of the benefits have been in alleviating insomnia and improving sleep quality for menopausal women. Nearly a third of postmenopausal women who took a valerian capsule twice daily for four weeks reported better sleep quality, found onestudy.

Valerian "does work on the (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor" that controls excited neural activity, Dasgupta said.

Thanks to the tryptophan, calcium and magnesium in dairy, drinking warm milk before bed may help you sleep better. The warmth makes the beverage more soothing and easier to digest, Dasgupta said.

"Tryptophan's the amino acid that goes on to produce things like melatonin," he said.

"We know that melatonin is a natural hormone in your body produced by the pineal gland. And it's secreted at night and it really is part of helping you try to get that good night's sleep."

Golden milk is a traditional Indian drink with milk, cinnamon, ginger and turmeric and turmeric is rich in the component curcumin. Curcumin hasanti-inflammatoryeffects and the potential to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression, which can interfere with sleep.

"Turmeric has also been associated with good sleep," but how inflammation affects sleep hasn't yet been fully defined, Dasgupta said. "But anything that helps with pain, with anxiety or induces some form of muscle relaxation can always be helpful with getting good sleep."

Lemon balm, a lemon-scented herb that derives from the same family as mint, has been traditionally used for improving mood in addition to flavoring meat, seafood and baked goods.

The herb may help to reduce insomnia symptoms. A2011 studyfound a 42% reduction in participants' insomnia symptoms after they received lemon balm extract daily for 15 days.

Passionflower tea, brewed from the dried leaves, flowers and stems of the Passiflora plant, has been used to enhancesleep qualityand alleviate anxiety.

Ina trialwhere participants drank a cup of passionflower tea, kept a sleep diary and completed an anxiety questionnaire for one week, sleep quality was significantly better for those who drank tea in comparison to the placebo.

Passionflower tea in combination with valerian was as effective as Ambien, a common medication for insomnia, in improving sleep quality in a2013 study.

If cow's milk sends you on too many trips to the bathroom or results in allergic reactions, almond milk is another good source of tryptophan, Dasgupta said.

One 8-ounce glass of almond milk also has around 20 milligrams ofmagnesium, a mineral that helps to support the sleep by regulating neurotransmitters to calm our nervous systems and working with melatonin to control our bodies' sleep-wake cycles.

Tart cherry juice may increase your melatonin levels and the time you sleep, stay in bed and feel rested afterward, according to asmall studyof healthy adults. Tart Montgomery cherries have been reported to contain high levels of melatonin.

Despite the reported benefits of these beverages, most of the studies haven't compared if one method of consumption such as pills, powder or tincture is more fast-acting than the other, Dasgupta said. Talking with your physician about sleep aids is important, especially if you would be consuming them in combination with alcohol or medications.

And although herbal supplements may help you fall asleep, Dasgupta said, they could interfere with revealing the true underlying cause of poor sleep.

"Getting good sleep is like a puzzle," he added. "It's so hard to have all the right puzzle pieces for sleep. And when you try to find which one you're missing, that's the hard part."

Make sure to try to put all the puzzle pieces together, including room temperature, light exposure, bedding, sound and routine.

Although he doesn't buy in to all the existing research, Dasgupta doesn't discount "a little non-caffeinated chamomile tea before bed as part of your ritual as you turn off the technology and sit down," he said. "I think those things are really good."

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Tea, milk and other drinks to help you sleep - McDowell News

Ontario Newsroom Ontario Supporting the Safe Reopening of More Spaces at Gyms and Recreation Centres Province Also Investing $8 Million to Ensure the Safe Return of Amateur Sports

TORONTO The Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is supporting the safe reopening of many sport, fitness and recreation facilities by applying a capacity limit on a per room basis to help more businesses reopen their doors, get more people back to work and promote the return to a healthy and active lifestyle for all Ontarians. Beginning August 15, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., these facilities can have up to 50 patrons for each indoor sport or fitness room, while ensuring physical distancing of at least two metres.

The announcement was made today by Premier Doug Ford and Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.

"Many of our gyms and fitness centres are owned and operated by small business owners and they are struggling," said Premier Ford. "To help them get back on their feet and hire back staff, we are making these changes so they can serve more people. I continue to urge everyone to follow the strict public health protocols to ensure everyone can have a safe workout."

The revised capacity limits are on a per room basis. They will apply to the gymnasiums, health clubs, community centres, multi-purpose facilities, arenas, exercise studios, yoga and dance studios and other fitness facilities that are able to follow the new guidance. The change was enabled by amendments to the Stage 3 regulation and a new plan and guidance document to apply a per room limit for sport and recreational fitness activities at facilities with the necessary space or layout.

Businesses, not-for-profits, and municipalities may need or choose to take more time before implementing this change in capacity limits. Facilities may also adopt their own protocols that are more restrictive than the guidance. The government will continue to work with sport and recreation organizations across the province on their safe return to sport.

Amateur sports in Ontario have been severely impacted, as measures to stop the spread of COVID19 cancelled competitions and closed training centres. As access to sports and recreational facilities increases, the government is investing $8 million through the Ontario Amateur Sport Fund to help the province's sports organizations, from Alpine Ontario to WushuOntario and every sport in between, to continue to serve athletes of all levels. The funding will help them continue delivering high-quality programming and competitions to develop athletes, coaches and officials, and to promote health and wellness in communities across the province.

"The government knows it has been a difficult road for the sport and recreation sector these past several months," said Minister MacLeod. "This funding is providing much-needed stability and support to a sector that provides services to many businesses and non-profit organizations. With these changes and investments, we will once again show the world that Ontario is the best place to play sports."

Based on community needs, some municipalities and local medical officers of health have implemented additional restrictions or requirements, such as mandatory face coverings in commercial establishments and indoor public places. Check with your local public health unit's or local municipality's website.

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Ontario Supporting the Safe Reopening of More Spaces at Gyms and Recreation Centres - Government of Ontario News

20 Medicines and First-Aid Supplies to Pack For College

Packing for college can be an overwhelming process, and although you can purchase a majority of your dorm essentials during that first week, there are some items yes, including medicines and first-aid supplies that should be picked up and stowed away prior to drop-off day.

If your parent or guardian is anything like mine, they probably have several college packing lists going already. For me, first-aid supplies were never much of a priority. I was more concerned about my bedding and hanging twinkling lights than stocking up on Band-Aids or checking to see if the bottle of hydrogen peroxide had expired. But the first time I woke up with a hangover, I was grateful that my mom had made sure I packed ibuprofen. Likewise with the allergy pills she snuck into my first-aid kit, because she knew my sinuses would go crazy when the seasons changed. She may have been thousands of miles away, but she knew exactly what I needed.

Even though I definitely didn't need the five bags of cotton balls that were stashed in my luggage, I was prepared for any sickness or minor injury that came my way. Yes, picking out your dorm decor is fun and exciting, but preparing a first-aid kit is a crucial task you should check off your list before stepping on campus. Here's a comprehensive list of medicines and supplies to help get you started:

Link:
20 Things You Should Pack to Help Ensure You Stay Safe and Healthy on Campus - POPSUGAR

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Its a damp February afternoon in Tribeca. Arbiters of style from around the world are jostling for front-row seats at New York Fashion Week. But Carmen Busquets, arguably one of the greatest fashion visionaries of them all, is not among them. Instead, the Venezuelan entrepreneur is sharing her thoughts about the future of luxury from a sofa in her apartment a few streets away.

I used to go to a lot of shows, says the Net-a-Porter founding investor, tucking a Gucci-sneakered foot under a silk-trousered leg as she sips a Cuban coffee. But Im less and less interested in the kind of fashion where dictators say, Here you are, these are the real fashions, this is in and this is out.

She also refuses to buy fashion magazines, disliking their promotion of unhealthy ideas about physical perfection. In fact, she confesses: I dont think Im a true fashion person. Im more interested in the stories behind peoples lives.

You might not expect such admissions from someone who has made a fortune from fashions next big things. But many things about Busquets are unexpected. For those in the fashion world, her name is synonymous with luxury and profit; for those who know her, she embodies seemingly opposite priorities, such as sustainability and detachment from material possessions.

Her web of businesses has its main centres in London and New York; her main homes are in Verbier, Barcelona, Paris and Miami. (This is just a short-term let, she explains, gesturing at the curved glass walls of the Herzog & de Meuron-designed apartment she rents with her boyfriend, the television executive John Skipper; the same applies to their pied--terre in London.)

Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet (left) and Carmen Busquets.Credit:Courtesy of Carmen Busquets

Her public persona is that of a slightly ditzy fashionista; in fact, she has one of the sharpest brains in business. And while her partial deafness means that she has an idiosyncratic way of speaking all three of her languages (I speak Carmenese, she jokes), she is an inspiring communicator.

Most of her successes have been achieved behind the scenes. She started investing in internet companies in the 1990s, sold just before the tech bubble burst in 2000, and used the profits to double down on her main remaining investment, in Natalie Massenets Net-a-Porter. By the time it was sold to Richemont, in 2010, she had achieved a 1600 per cent return on her investment, and received another big payday in 2015 when it was merged with Yoox in a 1.45 billion ($2.66 billion) deal.

By then Busquets was well into her next wave of investments. CoutureLab, which sells luxury products made by artisans and craftspeople around the world, was launched in 2006 and evolved into an investment vehicle now subsumed into carmenbusquets.com for disruptive start-ups in fashion and luxury.

Since Net-a-Porter, she has invested more than 50 million in fashion-tech companies that include Farfetch, Moda Operandi, The Business of Fashion, PS Dept, Lyst, Figue and Flowerbx creating more than 10,000 jobs and a portfolio of non-traditional ventures whose trophy brands include Cult Beauty (curated beauty products) and Maison de Mode (luxury ethical fashion).

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Her recent emphasis has been on sustainability. Fashion is one of the worlds most profligate industries, generating more than 400 billion of wasted clothing each year. Busquets-backed ventures such as Armarium (online fashion rentals), Flont (jewellery rentals), Unmade (bespoke knitwear) and Villageluxe (peer-to-peer fashion sharing) suggest a way forward that is not predicated on further overproduction.

It sounds idealistic, but in 2018 it earned Busquets an award from the United Nations-linked Fashion 4 Development group for recalibrating the fashion industry to the benefit of people and planet. She has also proved herself, yet again, to be ahead of the commercial curve. Bain & Co forecasts that in five years rentals will account for 45 per cent of the luxury market.

Who is this woman, who senses so surely the pull of fashions big currents? Born in 1965, she grew up in Caracas, the eldest daughter of two political exiles. Her father, a metallurgist, fled Francos Spain after the civil war. Her mother, a social anthropologist, fled Cuba after Castros revolution. Both understood, and emphasised, the transience of material possessions. They knew you could lose everything.

Busquets father became one of Venezuelas leading industrialists; the family became wealthy. But their real interest was in values I think the first word I learnt was freedom and in spiritual matters. The couple were disciples of the mystic philosopher George Gurdjieff, and their children three girls and a boy learnt to meditate from an early age.

Carmen was a quiet, thoughtful child. When she was 12, she told her father, We need to talk, adult to adult and demanded that, to become my own self, she should be sent to boarding school. She was: first to a Sussex convent (Hogwarts without the magic), which soon expelled her, then to a school in Toronto, where she became a fitness fanatic and, for a while, struggled with anorexia. It took her 30 years to resolve the underlying body dysmorphic disorder.

I dont think Im a true fashion person. Im more interested in the stories behind peoples lives.

Despite this, she says, I was a happy teenager. But I didnt fit in. Much later, she learnt why. In addition to her partial deafness (spotted in her late teens after her younger sister was found to have the same problem), she suffered from severe dyslexia (diagnosed in her 40s, at the prompting of a friend with a dyslexic son). The combination hampered her interaction with the world around her. I just dont hear that much. I missed a lot of things.

She learnt to express herself through fashion and painting, and won a scholarship to study art at Parsons School of Design in New York, but instead, at her fathers insistence, went to the University of Miami, where she partied hard and studied marketing and advertising.

Then came the great trauma of her life, a tragedy she rarely discusses, but did mention in a blog interview in 2016; her brother died during a game of Russian roulette. She rushed back to Caracas, where the family tried to put back together its broken world. Busquets was shown the ropes of her fathers businesses, in a series of boring roles: in accounting, in a factory; and in the import-and-export department, where she learnt that import tariffs were about to be slashed. She persuaded her sceptical father to invest in an import venture of her own a boutique selling high-end fashion from Europe.

Her father was a tough investor: If he invested $10,000, hed refuse to invest more until hed got $20,000 back. But her boutique, Cabus, which opened in Caracas in 1990, thrived. The ambience echoed Chanels store in Paris; the clothes came from more than 50 designers.

The clientele quickly became international, and Busquets provided a service to match. She would visit shows in Europe and use DHL to send her customers sketches, Polaroids and detailed descriptions of garments she thought they would like. Thats why I knew Net-a-Porter would succeed. I had already been providing an analogue version of what Natalie wanted to do.

Her first forays into e-commerce, in the mid-90s, were linked to wellbeing. Both flopped. But Busquets never doubted the internets potential to make retail more intelligent. In Toronto she had devoured the visionary writings of Marshall McLuhan, prophet of the global village. When the worldwide web got going, she was ready.

My greatest privilege was that my parents empowered me with their values. They taught me not to get attached to things.

Venezuela, on the other hand, was in turmoil. Hugo Chvez, who had led a failed military coup in 1992, was elected president in 1998, then re-elected on a revolutionary platform in 2000. A plummeting currency threatened to make Cabus unviable, and when the press reported some anti-Chvez remarks that Busquets had made, her shop was attacked. The spray of bullets broke three windows. Thank god we were having lunch out the back.

After much soul-searching, the family decided to leave. Busquets and her father sold their businesses. The family settled in Switzerland. Busquets has not seen her homeland since.

She believes that all these experiences contributed to her success. I was lucky that I had money to risk. But my greatest privilege was that my parents empowered me with their values. They taught me not to get attached to things, because sometimes you have to let go of your roots. And they taught me to value spiritual things.

She laughs often and infectiously; she is much more human in person than her perfect, designer-clad image. Yet beneath her frivolous manner you can sense the inner strength. In boardroom battles, she is fearless; equal parts angel and pit bull, in Massenets admiring words. She has turned her partial deafness into an asset, which sharpens her visual perceptions, distances her from conventional thinking and frees her to empathise with consumers. Sometimes, in a long meeting, I lose track and just disconnect. A lot of things come to me in those silences.

Most of her energy now goes into charitable work, notably with Bhutan for Life (the state-endorsed program that has made Bhutan a world leader in environmental conservation), Glasswing International (which works with vulnerable children in Latin America) and the Oslo Freedom Foundation, through which she has supported victims of repression in Venezuela. Shes also on the council of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Busquets during a visit to a Bhutan nunnery in 2019. Most of her energy now goes into charitable work.Credit:Courtesy of Carmen Busquets

The work takes her to some exotic and sometimes dangerous places: Guatemala, Colombia, El Salvador. It reminds her, too, that as an unmarried woman without children (I never wanted the responsibility), she defies the conventions of many cultures, especially in Latin America.

Young girls say to me, Youre not married? Is that an option? Its amazing to be able to help children by empowering them to make a choice. In other respects, however, she finds being a philanthropist much like being an entrepreneur. I want to apply the same ideas. Think big, start small. Work closely with the people you invest in. Only fight battles I can win. Look for ways to empower people.

And the future of luxury? Her money is on further growth in the sharing economy, not just in fashion, but also in, for example, shared living spaces and luxury experiences. The growth will be driven by mindful consumers, whose choices at the luxury end of the market may inspire a wider trend for minimal waste fashion. Consumers can change the world, she says. You can already see it happening with beauty products, with what we eat. Consumers are dictating the way we do things, and big companies are changing.

Theres always a place for luxury, for beautiful things, she adds. But they dont have to own you. Theres a difference between luxury and the accumulation of luxury. Accumulation is like eating caviar every day: whats the point?

The sun is setting over the Hudson. Its rays stream through the floor-to-ceiling windows, lending a golden glow to Busquets pale hair. For much of her life she obsessed about her appearance, but the need to put herself out there in support of her campaigning forced her to confront her fear of having her imperfections exposed.

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I realised that, in todays world, anybody can take a picture of you: when youre not in a good place, when youre doing weird faces, when you look like theres no Botox in your face. You cant control your image.

Around the same time, she was diagnosed with coeliac disease, which disproved her belief that, through meticulous attention to diet and exercise, she could control her body. Then it dawned on her that her 30-year internal war with body dysmorphia was over. Anorexia is about control. You cant control the world, so you control your body. But we cant control anything. Its all an illusion.

Today she is at peace. She still loves to dress exquisitely. Otherwise, she puts her faith in her mothers top beauty tip: to love yourself. Her enthusiasm for her work does the rest. I love the feeling that Im empowering people to change their lives, she says, blue eyes shining. Every night I say to the universe: If you dont need me any more, take me in my sleep. If you need me, wake me up. If I wake up, its because today Im meant to do something.

Edited version of a story that first appeared in The Times, UK.

To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.

We deliver the best of Good Weekend to your inbox so its there when youre ready to read. Sign up for the Herald's Good Weekend newsletter here and The Age's here. Sent every Saturday.

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The clothing visionary who refuses to buy fashion magazines - Sydney Morning Herald

A family style spread picked up from Thai Joint

It sits within an inconspicuous stucco strip on Adams Avenue, smack in the middle of Normal Heights, with a generic sign bearing a generic name: Thai Joint. How many times have I driven past without stopping?

I had to be told its a sister restaurant to the University Heights Thai spot, Plumeria, and to Chi Extraordinary Kitchen, which is also on the stretch of Adams spanning the upper end of North Park (we might as well call it North Park Heights). Ive been fond of Plumerias vegetarian and vegan Thai Cuisine since it opened in 2012. And in the past five years, Ive also been wowed by Chi Extraordinarys focus on Thai seafood dishes. In other words, Thai Joint is worth stopping for.

A bland storefront and an almost forgettable name

Turns out, the original Thai Joint opened more than 15 years ago at a different Adams Avenue location. This ones only been open since 2018, but it doesnt seem like the residents of Normal Heights forgot the brand. Thai Joint has no patio or parking lot space to dress up as outdoor seating. Nevertheless, during the current pandemic closure, I continue to find a steady stream of customers picking up take-out.

Plastic sheeting covid fortifies the Thai Joint's ad hoc take out counter.

Theres a steady stream of delivery drivers representing pretty much every delivery app Thai Joint works with all of them. One of the drivers I meet while picking up an order shares how challenging it can be to lose weight while running deliveries. How hes on an intermittent fasting diet, which means he fasts during the day and only eats in the evening. He used to drive people around for Lyft, but switched to food during the pandemic. Now every time he picks up great smelling meals, it makes him hungry.

House made "e-sarn" Thai sausage

Thai Joint is one such challenging place, he says. When he clocks out, he occasionally returns as a customer. He vouches for the crispy tamarind wings ($).

I vouch for the house made E-sarn (a.k.a. Isan) style sausage. The ground pork sausage has a crispy skin, flavored with ginger, galangal, lemon grass, chilis, and herbs. You can spot the occasional grain of rice in there, responsible for a satisfying tang distinct from that of hot dogs. The $7 appetizer will appeal to sausage fans, and while you may find the same wings at Chi Extraordinary Kitchen, the sausage is exclusive to Thai Joint.

Coconut based red curry, with bell peppers, bamboo shoots, eggplant, and chicken.

Entrees represent the usual suspects of American Thai restaurants: coconut and lemongrass soups; curries of red, yellow and green; noodles and rice dishes featuring ginger, soy, and/or chili based sauces. To some extent these are all better than average, and cost $10 to $12 apiece, depending on your choice of protein, which at this location includes chicken and BBQ pork. Or, you can order a vegan version of just about any of them.

I dont know how the heights came to be blessed with such abundance, but its an easy area to pick up a great family-style feast. Just be warned, these Thai Joints revel is spice: anything higher than level 3 should truly burn.

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Thai Joints rule in the Heights - San Diego Reader

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Durian Powder Market Segment by Type covers: Ordinarily Powder, Ultrafine Powder

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Based on region, the globalDurian Powder market has been segmented into Americas (North America ((the U.S. and Canada),) and Latin Americas), Europe (Western Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK and Rest of Europe) and Eastern Europe), Asia Pacific (Japan, India, China, Australia & South Korea, and Rest of Asia Pacific), and Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa).

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What will the market growth rate of Durian Powder market? What are the key factors driving the global Durian Powder market size? Who are the key manufacturers in Durian Powder market space? What are the market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Durian Powder market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis of top manufacturers of Durian Powder market? Who are the distributors, traders, and dealers of Durian Powder market? What are the Durian Powder market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Durian Powder industries? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by types and applications of Durian Powder market? What are sales, revenue, and price analysis by regions of Durian Powder industries?

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Table of Contents Section 1 Durian Powder Product Definition Section 2 Global Durian Powder Market Manufacturer Share and Market Overview 2.1 Global Manufacturer Durian Powder Shipments 2.2 Global Manufacturer Durian Powder Business Revenue 2.3 Global Durian Powder Market Overview 2.4 COVID-19 Impact on Durian Powder Industry Section 3 Manufacturer Durian Powder Business Introduction 3.1 Thai Foods Product International Durian Powder Business Introduction 3.1.1 Thai Foods Product International Durian Powder Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2015-2020 3.1.2 Thai Foods Product International Durian Powder Business Distribution by Region 3.1.3 Thai Foods Product International Interview Record 3.1.4 Thai Foods Product International Durian Powder Business Profile 3.1.5 Thai Foods Product International Durian Powder Product Specification 3.2 THAI AO CHI FRUITS Durian Powder Business Introduction 3.2.1 THAI AO CHI FRUITS Durian Powder Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2015-2020 3.2.2 THAI AO CHI FRUITS Durian Powder Business Distribution by Region 3.2.3 Interview Record 3.2.4 THAI AO CHI FRUITS Durian Powder Business Overview 3.2.5 THAI AO CHI FRUITS Durian Powder Product Specification 3.3 Sunshine International Durian Powder Business Introduction 3.3.1 Sunshine International Durian Powder Shipments, Price, Revenue and Gross profit 2015-2020 3.3.2 Sunshine International Durian Powder Business Distribution by Region 3.3.3 Interview Record 3.3.4 Sunshine International Durian Powder Business Overview 3.3.5 Sunshine International Durian Powder Product Specification 3.4 Siam Oriental food and Beverage Durian Powder Business Introduction 3.5 Jinhua Huayang Foods Durian Powder Business Introduction 3.6 TanTan Food Durian Powder Business Introduction Section 4 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Region Level) 4.1 North America Country 4.1.1 United States Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.1.2 Canada Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.2 South America Country 4.2.1 South America Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.3 Asia Country 4.3.1 China Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.3.2 Japan Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.3.3 India Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.3.4 Korea Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.4 Europe Country 4.4.1 Germany Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.4.2 UK Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.4.3 France Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.4.4 Italy Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.4.5 Europe Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.5 Other Country and Region 4.5.1 Middle East Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.5.2 Africa Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.5.3 GCC Durian Powder Market Size and Price Analysis 2015-2020 4.6 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Region Level) Analysis 2015-2020 4.7 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Region Level) Analysis Section 5 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) 5.1 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) Market Size 2015-2020 5.2 Different Durian Powder Product Type Price 2015-2020 5.3 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Product Type Level) Analysis Section 6 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Industry Level) 6.1 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Industry Level) Market Size 2015-2020 6.2 Different Industry Price 2015-2020 6.3 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Industry Level) Analysis Section 7 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Channel Level) 7.1 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Channel Level) Sales Volume and Share 2015-2020 7.2 Global Durian Powder Market Segmentation (Channel Level) Analysis Section 8 Durian Powder Market Forecast 2020-2025 8.1 Durian Powder Segmentation Market Forecast (Region Level) 8.2 Durian Powder Segmentation Market Forecast (Product Type Level) 8.3 Durian Powder Segmentation Market Forecast (Industry Level) 8.4 Durian Powder Segmentation Market Forecast (Channel Level) Section 9 Durian Powder Segmentation Product Type 9.1 Ordinarily Powder Product Introduction 9.2 Ultrafine Powder Product Introduction Section 10 Durian Powder Segmentation Industry 10.1 Desserts & Ice-creams Clients 10.2 Soft Drinks Clients 10.3 Bakery Clients 10.4 Confectionery Clients 10.5 Snacks Clients Section 11 Durian Powder Cost of Production Analysis 11.1 Raw Material Cost Analysis 11.2 Technology Cost Analysis 11.3 Labor Cost Analysis 11.4 Cost Overview Section 12 Conclusion

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