Post Gaokao Blues
Even for those who passed with flying colors, the stress leading up to gaokao has left an impression. Students are recuperating before university begins – that is, sleeping, eating, watching TV, going online and generally overindulging. DL

The Karate Kid in Beijing
A remake of the 1984 classic is being filmed in Beijing starring Will Smith and his son Jaden as the new “Kung Fu Kid.” Jackie Chan will play the legendary Mr. Miyagi. The film is expected to come out in June 2010. And what role will papa Smith play? The bad guy. DL

Beijingers on Michael Jackson
The King of Pop’s death last month has sparked emotion and debate around the world, and that includes Beijingers. According to a poll taken in Oriental Plaza, 90 percent think he was innocent of controversial accusations and was “the epitome of a world class star.” DL

Discuss it! From the beijingkids forum: Should children not play in large groups due to the H1N1 virus? Share your
answers at www.beijing-kids.com.

Thursday July 30 – Piano Concert by the Wu Family A concert to showcase the talents of Wu Ying, dean of the Central Conservatory’s piano department, his wife Shao Dan and their daughter Wu Peixi, who has performed in Vienna since she was five. This might inspire a family concert of your own. For tickets, call 6417 7845 or visit www.piao.com.cn. RMB 10-100. 7.30-9pm. 

Forbidden City Concert Hall, inside Zhongshan Park, Xi Chang’an Jie, Xicheng District

Don’t forget: Get there early so you can walk around the beautiful Zhongshan Park.

Friday July 31 – Etonkids Children’s Movie Night

The whole family can watch “The Elephant and the Mouse,” a Chinese cartoon favorite, at the Etonkids Central Park Campus playground. Refreshments will be served. For more information call 6533 6620. 8-9pm.

Etonkids Biligual Kindergarten, Bldg 19, Central Park, 6 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District

Don’t Forget: Chairs will be provided but bring pillows and picnic blankets for comfier seating arrangements.

Saturday August 1 – Supreme Magic

This is shaping up to be one magical summer! Supreme Magic is a globetrotting show that has wowed audiences in more than 140 cities and features many world-famous magicians. This is an evening guaranteed to mystify and delight the whole family. For tickets, call 6413 1226 or 6415 7166. RMB 80-2,800. 7.30pm.

Beijing Exhibition Center Theater, 135 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xizhimen District 

Don’t Forget: Kids might want to snap photos but remember that the flash might distract the performers.

Saturday August 1 – Book Swap and Board Games

Have old books that you want to swap? Book swap meetings are held the first Saturday of every month and are a great opportunity to find new storybooks for the kids. Fun board games are happening on the side as well, so join in for a round of Cranium. For more information, email bookswapandboardgames@gmail.com. 2-6pm.

Sequoia, 44 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District

Don’t Forget: Book swapping is one-to-one but children’s books count for less since they are shorter.

Sunday August 2 – Free Ice Cream at All-Star Sports Bar and Grill

Come on Sunday for a fun family meal and complimentary ice cream as All-Star celebrates their one-year anniversary.

All-Star Sports Bar and Grill, Bdlg 5, 1/F, Solana Shopping Mall, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuanlu, Chaoyang District  

Don’t Forget: Bring towels in case kids want to play in Solana’s water fountain. 

Everyone living in China should be familiar with the concept of healthful eating to balance out body humors and improve your qi. In the same vein, eating certain foods can build up a stronger immunity to invading germs and bacteria. Although this is by no means as effective as medicine, the following wholesome foods can lower your chances of catching this threatening flu.

The logic behind this is simple and irrefutable: an already sickly person is more likely to become sicker. Dr. Nick Phin, head of pandemic flu planning at the Health Protection Agency at the UK, confirms that malnourishment increases the chances of falling ill and that, “a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet will be an important factor in helping to maintain a healthy immune system.”

While a balanced healthy diet is of the utmost importance, it’s okay to eat some things in abundance. Firstly, strong membranes in your eyes, ears, and nose will act as a primary physical barrier against germ invasion into the body. To build up these membranes, eat a fair share of protein-rich foods: lean white meat, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and beans. Vitamin A also helps reinforce the respiratory system so fill up on orange and green fruit and vegetables like apricots, mangos, carrots, leafy vegetables and kiwis.

If germs do invade the body, the body has ways to battle them. White blood cells literally eat up invaders and Vitamin C helps strengthen these cells. Snack on some citrus fruits, berries and kiwis, and serve Vitamin C-filled veggies at dinner.

T-cells also help fight invading germs by producing much-needed antibodies, but require zinc to function well. To get your daily dose of zinc, eat up on beef, eggs and seafood. Good news too – most of these foods are also high in iron.

Another simple tip for avoiding flu bugs is one that many Chinese people already know. Have you noticed people eating raw garlic by the clove in winter? If you have chalked it up to odd cultural preferences, it may be a good idea to follow their example. When raw garlic is crushed, it releases a nutrient called allicin that prevents viruses from invading the body and damaging tissue membrane. And eating raw garlic will most likely repel people too – lowering your chances of catching swine flu even more.  

Heads up everyone. In case you didn’t know already, the longest and most complete solar eclipse of the 21^st Century is happening tomorrow. While Beijing is not the best viewing grounds for this extraordinary event, you should definitely still try to see it. Here are some eclipse-watching gatherings happening around town.

Eton International Kindergartens Join Etonkids at their Global Trade Mansion campus tomorrow, Wednesday, July 22, for a solar eclipse viewing party. There will also be a contest for the best photo of the eclipse; call 6506 4805 to register. For general information, call 6586 6534 or email gtmadmin@etonkids.com. Eton International Kindergartens, 3/F, Bldg D, Global Trade Mansion, Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District.

Don’t Forget: Go to their Global Trade Mansion campus today (Tuesday, July 21) to pick up a pair of special viewing glasses.

Red Capital Ranch Watch the eclipse without the distractions of the city. Red Capital Ranch has a special deal just for this event: 20% off for the nights of July 20, 21 and 22, and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine. For reservations, call 6402 7150/ 8403 5308/ 8401 8886 or email info@redcapitalclub.com.cn. Red Capital Club, 28 Xiaguandi Village, Yanxi Town, Huairou District.

Don’t Forget: Bring entertainment for the kids (like a sing-a-long CD) for the drive out.

For those who are going to see it at home, make sure to protect your eyes. Since we will not get a complete solar eclipse here, the sun’s rays will be harmful to look at directly. Happy viewing!  

Thursday July 16 – Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Harry Potter mania! The much-anticipated sixth installment of J.K. Rowling’s magical series opens this week. Watch Harry, Ron, and Hermione swish their wands against the evil Lord Voldemort and his gang of Deatheaters. Showings every hour at Megabox at the Village. The Village at Sanlitun, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. Don’t forget: Dress appropriately for the chilly air conditioning.

Friday July 17 – Chamber Music Concert Take your kids to a musical experience. Canadian cellist Sara Male, American violinist Michael Jamanis and Chinese pianist Xun Pan breathe life into Mendelssohn’s Trio in D minor, Op. 49 and Violin Concerto in E minor, and Op. 64. Book tickets at 6417 7845 or www.piao.com.cn. RMB 80-500. 7.30-9pm. National Center for Performing Arts, 2 Chang’an Jie, Xicheng District. Don’t Forget: Arrive early for a stroll through Tiananmen.

Saturday July 18 – Kids Cooking Class Take your budding chefs to cooking class at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing’s Vasco’s. Every class features a different yummy recipe for your kids to make. Hands-on kitchen fun and no mess to clean up! To make reservations, call 139 1158 6811 or email forrest.zhao@hilton.com. RMB 88. 3-5pm. Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, 8 Wangfujing East Street, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District. Don’t Forget: Bring Tupperware containers for leftovers.

Saturday July 18 – Story Time: Clifford’s Good Deeds Come to a storytelling session on the adventures of Clifford the Big Red Dog, followed by other fun activities like sing-a-longs and learning how to draw cartoons. For details, call 6585 1435 or email gardenbooks@yahoo.cn. 3-4pm. Garden Books, 44 Guanghua Lu, Jianguomen, Chaoyang District. Don’t Forget: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing to play around in.

Sunday July 19 – BBQ Pool Party Bring the whole family to the Doubletree by Hilton and relax at their rooftop garden and pool. Free flow of BBQ goodies and soft drinks (beer and wine for adults!). To make reservations, call 6338 1888. RMB 158. 11am-4pm. Doubletree by Hilton, 168 Guang’anmenwai Dajie, Xuanwu District. Don’t Forget: For sun protection, bring sunscreen and hats.                    

Afternoons spent at Tuanjiehu Park’s beach, lazy weekends poolside at the Splash Recreation Club, sweltering Beijing temperatures. It’s official – bikini season is here. Most women have, at some point or another, had the word “diet” flash in and out of their minds with every bikini season.

A healthy diet is a lifestyle change to healthy foods, increased exercise, and the occasional indulgence. Gradually, the weight will come off.

Or will it? New research shows that crash diets can be safe – and effective. But crash diets, a short period of low-calorie intake fueled by determination to get into that dress, seem to have all the markings of failure. Is it safe to eat so little? Won’t you gain the weight back after the diet? Professor Susan Roberts of nutrition and psychiatry at Tufts University says that “sensible, healthy crash diets actually do as well for long-term success as slow diets and, for some people, can actually work better.” For those who are frustrated with the snail-paced results of gradual dieting, crash diets can be more effective because results are quick and encourage the dieter to keep up the fight. Also, crash diets can be helpful to those who find it hard to resist the temptation of indulgent foods (chocolates, desserts…you know what I’m talking about). Cutting vices out completely, instead of attempting moderation in a gradual diet, takes heaps of calories out of your daily intake and lowers the chances of overeating. 

Obviously, it’s key to choose the right kind of crash diet. Roberts advises never going below 1,200 calories a day for women (1,800 for men). And while exercise is important factor in  weight loss, it doesn’t seem enough to rely on your morning workout to excuse overindulging. If you’re always pushing the start of your healthy diet and lifestyle to “tomorrow,” then perhaps it’s time to buckle down. Maybe in dieting, slow and steady doesn’t win the race. 

Kids may not drink coffee, but they sure like their sodas. While not as high in caffeine as a venti iced-latte, how much caffeine is in soda and how much should your child be having? Canadian health guidelines suggest a limit of 45 mg for kids aged 4- to 6- year-olds, 62.5 mg for 7- to 9- year-olds, and 85 mg for 10- to 12- year-olds. Which means that drinking two cans of coke (at 35 mg of caffeine/can) is far too much for kids under 10. For families where soda is a regular mealtime companion, this might be something to think about.

Whether caffeine has any significant impact on height, it can definitely cause fidgety behavior and other side effects that heavy coffee-drinkers surely know about – and young kids are particularly sensitive. Also, drinking sugar-laden sodas may lead to cavities and higher risk of obesity. Opting for soda rather than juice or milk means filling up on empty calories instead of much-needed vitamins and calcium.
 

But wait! Substituting sodas with something like iced tea may seem like a good idea (especially with today’s tea crazes), but actually the levels of sugar and caffeine are about the same. So, what’s to be done? There seems to be no other way around it but to limit caffeine intake. Serve 100 % fruit juices, milk, or water at meals and look at the ingredients content of your kid’s snacks. If your kids demand soda, try the non-caffeinated variety. Be conscious of how many cans they have had. And they will be on their way to building stronger bones and healthier habits.

For more info:   
http://health.msn.com/kids-health/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100151430
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/caffeine-eng.php