Category: Lifestyle

Norwegian Blue Takes the Gold

The 2023 World Cheese Awards has announced their winner: Norwegian blue cheese! Nidelven Blå, crafted by cheesemaker Gangstad Gårdsysteri, emerged victorious in Trondheim, Norway, at the esteemed global cheese event hosted by the Guild of Fine Food.

With a record-breaking 4,502 entries this year, experts from around the world convened to evaluate and crown the champion in front of a live audience. The final verdict was delivered by a specially assembled “super jury,” including the Ambassador of Food Culture at Whole Foods Market in the US.

Maren Gangstadt, the general manager of Gangstad Gårdsysteri, expressed pride in their win, “We’re a small dairy farm based just two hours from here, so this happening on our home turf means a lot, and having all of the crew from the dairy here adds an extra spark to it.”

The winning cheese was hailed by judges for its semi-solid, blue mold composition, crafted from pasteurized cows’ milk. Described as possessing a rich creaminess and unique fruity undertones with hints of wine-like characteristics, it earned high praise as “the perfect blue cheese.”

John Farrand, the managing director of the World Cheese Awards, highlighted the intense global competition, representing over 40 countries. The rigorous judging process involved evaluating visual, aromatic, and taste aspects, with top choices receiving gold, silver, or bronze distinctions. Farrand emphasized the awards’ inclusivity, welcoming cheeses from diverse origins, including recent entrants from India and Japan. The recognition at these awards holds significant weight for small cheesemakers, impacting the success and growth of their businesses.

A Pen and PTSD

A recent JAMA Psychiatry-published study is revisiting the adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Written exposure therapy, a new treatment for PTSD, has been discovered to be remarkably effective. The treatment consists of five supervised half-hour sessions, in which the patient writes down his/her thoughts and feelings that took place during a trauma. The patient then speaks about the writing process with a therapist and, in later sessions, writes about how the trauma affected their lives.

The effectiveness of this treatment is based in the writing process, according to Dr. Denise Sloan, a psychologist who worked on developing the treatment and is one of the authors of the JAMA Psychiatry study. Sloan explains that writing removes the client from the shame or embarrassment that may accompany talking about an event aloud. Writing also slows down the process, enabling patients to have greater engagement with memory and thinking through the episode.

This form of therapy was inspired by a 1980s study conducted by a psychologist in Texas, James Pennebaker. He found that people who used “expressive writing,” or routine journaling of difficult life experiences had stronger immune systems and visited their doctor less frequently.  

Pennebaker’s findings reveal that writing can help cope with a myriad of emotions, and is not just for someone suffering from PTSD. In all circumstances, both severe and mild, penning a thousand words may have both mental and physical health benefits!   

This Summer, Consider a “Walk and Talk”

As we head into summer, consider scheduling a “walk and talk” to connect with a partner or close friend. Research shows that talking to someone while walking side-by-side lends itself to less eye contact. This reduces the stress in a conversation. According to couple’s therapist, Esther Perel, “When walking next to someone, a conversation becomes parallel play.” The dynamic is that both people are, “looking ahead yet connected by the exchange.”

Furthermore, walking makes it nearly impossible to persistently check our phones. Priya Parker, author of “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters,” says that walks lend themselves to more natural silence. Some of the greatest conversations follow a period of silence. She adds that silence can be its own form of intimacy for a couple.

While these walks should feel pressure-free, they can be maximized by considering a topic ahead of time. Some ideas include raising a struggle or discussing a memory. Another option that Perel offers to make walks more fun is to think of a prompt, for example:

  • If my younger self could see me today, they would say…
  • A trip that changed my life was…
  • What’s a promise you wish you hadn’t broken?

A creative alternative posited by Parker is choosing a previously-unexplored area for a “wander walk.” The unfamiliarity of the surroundings encourages conversation topics that would not arise during a regular routine.

Embrace these positives and the beautiful weather, and schedule your walk and talk!

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to Open this Week

The first Sea World outside of North America will open on Yas Island on May 23, 2023. Sea World Abu Dhabi is a five-floor wonderland whose eight realms boast 100,00 animals, 15 rides and experiences, 18 dining options, and 13 shopping areas.

Sea World Abu Dhabi aims to offer an unparalleled entertainment experience while simultaneously educating visitors about conservation and ecology.

The eight realms of Sea World Abu Dhabi are: One Ocean, MicroOcean, Rocky Point, Artic, Antarctica, Endless Ocean, Abu Dhabi Ocean, and Tropical Ocean. Each realm contains its own themed restaurants and cafes. The theme park uses advanced technology to recreate the natural habitats of the wildlife, controlling water currents, light conditions, and wave movement.

Other attractions on Yas Island include Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Brothers World, and the Emirates Park Zoo.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, the development company which built Sea World Abu Dhabi, said: “SeaWorld Abu Dhabi represents the next generation of theme parks, joining the world-class experiences on Yas Island, further positioning it as a top global destination, contributing to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism vision.

“The Park will also play a key role in promoting environmental awareness and protecting marine life in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the wider region, undoubtedly inspiring guests to care for and protect our precious marine life for years to come.”

Buddy Holly Wins Best of Show

The 147th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was held on May 8th at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. This year, the grand prize was won by a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, a breed of dog that that has never before been crowned the winner. Buddy Holly, a six-year-old male from California, beat 3,000 dogs from 210 breeds to take first place in this prestigious contest.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens, or PBGV’s were bred to track hares in the region of Vendee in western France.

At the dog show, contestants are first separated into breeds. The winners of each breed are further divided into groups, such as hound, toy, non-sporting, herding, sporting, working, and terrier. Buddy Holly is considered a hound. The dogs are examined by a group of judges who touch the animals and watch them as their handlers lead them around the arena. Dogs are graded on appearance, temperament, size, coat, and other characteristics.

Buddy Holly’s handler, Janice Hayes, was very excited about the win, even though it does not come with a cash prize. “I never thought PBGV would do this. Buddy Holly is the epitome of the dog show.”

Despite “Engagement Gap,” Signet Jewelers President is Hopeful for Rebound

Top U.S. retailers report that engagement ring and wedding dress sales have not rebounded since the pandemic. The beginning of the lockdowns in the early spring of 2020 led to an “engagement gap,” according to Signet Jewelers, the largest jewelry company in the United States. Signet reports that engagement ring sales were down in 2023 and are projected to remain low in 2024. As another indication of lower engagement and marriage rates, David’s Bridal, the largest wedding dress retailer, recently declared bankruptcy.

According to president and chief consumer officer of Signet, Jamie Singleton, the average couple in the United States dates for 3.25 years before getting engaged. Thus, the company needs the number of engagements to grow by 25% by the year 2026 in order to return to pre-Covid sales.

Singleton, though, is hopeful that numbers will trend upward in the coming years, quoting the statistic that dating is back up 8% to pre-Covid levels.