Betty’s Bakery

 

  

Kora Bakery

 

  

 

 

In April 2017, Katerina Vrana, one of Greece’s top stand-up comedians, was on tour in Malaysia. On the third city of the tour, she fell severely ill and was hospitalised. The situation ended up being far more serious than first suspected, and she was put into a coma in order to save her life. *spoiler alert* Katerina survived!

After two months in the hospital in Malaysia, she returned to Greece, where she was hospitalized for a further three months. Since September 2017, Katerina has been recovering slowly but steadily. She still faces issues with her mobility, balance, eyesight and speech

All of this is used as material in her stand-up comedy show “Staying Alive (I nearly died, you know)”.  With her unique sense of humor, the beloved stand-up comedian manages to transform her near-death experience into to a show full of optimism, laughter and love for life.  

The show was first performed in Greek, in Athens, in 2019 where it sold out all of its dates before even opening. 

Katerina spends most of her time between shows and rehabilitation as she still faces issues with her movement, eyesight and speech.

The installation “Beginning with Basics. What is Architecture?” takes children and young people back to the imaginary beginnings of architecture in order to re-envision its future.

The notion of the Primitive Hut - “Urhütte” in German – runs as a concept through the history of modern architectural theory. It was used in order to refocus the discipline in moments of crisis and to remind architects of their humble beginnings. The aesthetic and technological immediacy of the Primitive Hut, real or imagined, served for example as a means to criticize architectural practices from ecological, social, and economical perspectives. Both powerful and simple in its imagery, this concept is very well understood and received by children. By learning about the parable-like theory of the Primitive Hut and by experiencing the construction of simple spaces with different techniques, children are equipped with first-hand knowledge of both the practical and the theoretical basics of architecture. At the same time, the work on the Hut promotes collaboration, critical testing, and environmental awareness of all kinds.

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) aims to smack two flies with one poster: attract retirees and prolong the tourist season.

As part of a 20-million-euro campaign to advertise Greece abroad, starting next week, posters with an older couple cheekily feeding each other watermelon and enjoying wine onboard a yacht, featuring the question “Wanna feel 20 again?” will appear in several European capitals.

It’s not just a reference to feeling young again; it’s referring to temperature. The idea of promoting Greece to retirees is part of the country’s plan for prolonging its tourist season, inspired by the current energy crisis. It’s based on the idea that hotels stay open and host northern Europeans who might be motivated by the much lower heating costs in the mild climate, as well as the lower cost of living in general. Below the question on the poster is the explanation: “With warm winter temperatures up to 20°C, Greece is the place to be.”

Speaking to the Guardian’s Observer, Greek tourism minister Vasilis Kikilias described part of the plan, saying that “there will be clusters connected by direct flights with hotels and restaurants that are prepared to stay open,” and explaining that “it might be less costly to turn off the heat back home and come here.”

Over the last month, the magazine also noted, the minister has visited Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Stockholm, talking with pension fund managers, tour operators, and airlines, and spreading the word that Greece is “open” year-round. Among the Greek destinations to be promoted are Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Kos, and Crete – places with good medical care.

Worth noting is that while the new GNTO campaign aims to reap some momentum from the energy crisis, northern European retirees have long shown interest in Greece. In January, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that more and more German retirees were looking to move abroad, and called Greece the “Florida of Europe.” Meanwhile, Swedish retirement homes have been taking elders on trips to Greece for over a decade. Previous attempts by the Greek government to bring retirees to Greece permanently have included generous tax incentives.

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

What should I do when I’m stressed? Some stress/anxiety is sometimes useful and productive. But sometimes it paralyzes us and we cannot perform as we would like.

Use these 3 simple techniques to overcome stress/anxiety in seconds! You can use them as often as you want for any kind of stress.

Peripheral Vision

Look at one point in front of you steadily and concentrate. You will soon notice that without looking away, you can see other things around the point and around your head. This is called peripheral vision and when you look that way, you can’t feel ANY negative emotions. You can also apply Peripheral Vision when learning something (e.g. in a lecture) to remember it better!

Box Breathing

Take a deep breath for 6 counts. Hold your breath for 6 counts. Exhale for 6 counts. Hold your breath for 6 counts. Repeat this cycle 10 times and you will calm down immediately. This type of breathing calms the vagus nerve and can calm you down in mere seconds.

Direct Suggestions

When you get stressed give yourself the following direct suggestions that you would like to hear at that moment: “I will calm down”, “I will remember everything”, “I will get over it”, “You have strength”, “I have confidence” etc. Direct Suggestions bypass your conscious brain that at that moment is blocked by anxiety/stress and they directly go to your subconscious brain which implements them.

These techniques are from the fields of Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming and you can use them immediately and wherever you need them.

Originally published on: christinadrakopoulou.com

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I help outstanding individuals get unstuck from personal fears and limitations and fast-track to the life of their dreams. I specialize in the problems of modern life in urban environments: a job we do not love, dead-end relationships, lethargy, burnout, inability to live in stereotypes, excessive stress, a general feeling of “blockage”, “helplessness” and “entrapment”. For more information about me and my work visit my website.

Europe’s top sports tourism and wellness celebration (according to the World Travel & Tourism Awards [WTM]), Navarino Challenge, is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary on October 21-23, 2022, presenting more than 40 activities, 16 Olympic sports and 15 Olympians at Costa Navarino and Pylos.

At this year’s Navarino Challenge, participants will have the opportunity to get to know Lefteris Petrounias, Miltos Tentoglou, Stefanos Ntouskos, Vasiliki Millousi, Thodoris Vlachos, Dimitris Diamantidis, Georgios Printezis, Christos Volikakis, Maria Prevolaraki, Kristian Gkolomeev, to meet Nasos Ghavelas, Grigoris Polychronidis, Makis Kalaras, Periklis Iakovakis, Panagiotis Giannakis, Evina Maltsi, Joe Arlauckas, Konstantine Dean Karnazes, Michalis Triantafyllidis, Georgia Kaltsi, George Lazaridis, Grigoris Souvatzoglou and to train with Nikos Gemelos, Christos Gatsis, Dimitris Moros, Alexandros Nikolaidis, Christina Flampouri and Mandy Persaki.

 

This year’s Navarino Challenge schedule will be the richest ever in its 10-year history. With the message “Sports Unites People”, people of all ages and abilities take part in activities such as: tennis demonstration and basketball demonstration from wheelchair players, 4on4 basketball tournament, tennis induction, bike ride in Voidokilia, high intensity training, kick boxing lessons, baby swimming lessons, boxing lessons, spinning challenge, pilates lessons, yoga, men’s & women’s round robbin tournament with UTS format, sea kayaking to the island of Sphacteria, gravel bike tour 30 km. at the Kalamaris waterfall, basketball lessons, half day kids camp, padel tournament, beachathlon, heavy cardio workout, Tsimikas football clinics, climbing lessons, King of the Court Beach Volley Tournament for men, women and mixed, long jump, golf lessons, gymnastics, rowing lessons, wrestling lessons, “Feed the Fish” golf exhibition game, swimming lessons and of course running.

You can see the event’s schedule here.

Watch here the video with some of the schedule’s indoor activities.

 

Navarino Challenge is addressed both to amateur and professional runners who will choose to run in the Half Marathon powered by Miele, in the 10km powered by Stoiximan or in the 5km powered by Samsung and of course to children 10-14 years old and up to 9 years old who will run in the 1km powered by Vikos.

Watch here the running routes of Navarino Challenge, along with all their technical characteristics.

Register now through the following link. For group registrations of 10 people or more, a 20% discount applies. For more information, please contact the event organizers.

The Half Marathon runners will empower their strength with the ReCharge Gel energy gels and the MoiMüv Protein Flapjacks of GymBeam, Partner of this year’s event.

 

Luanvi, distinguished in the field of running events, with participations in major Marathons such as the one in Valencia, as the Official Sports Supplier of Navarino Challenge, will offer for one more year the event’s official t-shirt which features the design of a Griffin. Its bird-form depiction, common in the Greek mythology, adorns the mural paintings of the Palace of Nestor, located in the area of ​​Pylia in Messinia. Along with the t-shirt, all participants will receive significant and unique gifts from the sponsors of the event in the 5km powered by Samsung, the 10km powered by Stoiximan and the Half Marathon powered by Miele.

 

Navarino Challenge includes football in its schedule for the first time, organizing the Tsimikas Football Clinics powered by Prosport which bares the signature of the top international football player of Liverpool FC and the Greek National Team, Kostas Tsimikas. The Tsimikas Football Clinics will be held with a qualified football coach, and all participants will receive various gifts. Register now through the following link.

 

Europa, one of the most powerful extrusion companies, with 48 years of presence in Greece and abroad, supports as Official Sponsor, the top sports tourism celebration in its 10th year, with the aim of highlighting sports and Olympic spirit as well as the participation of athletes of all abilities and ages by bringing to the forefront the noble virtues and sports values, through the actions of the beachathlon and beach volleyball tournaments that the company sponsors. Europa has supported these values ​​for years through its extensive social responsibility program, Europa Cares.

 

As part of the anniversary of Navarino Challenge, Novo Nordisk participates for the first time as a Strategic Healthcare Sponsor. The global pharmaceutical company that aims at bringing change to defeat diabetes mellitus and other serious chronic diseases, such as obesity, rare endocrine diseases, and blood diseases, will organize a seminar to inform and raise awareness among the general population about the chronic issue of dealing with childhood obesity and its recognition/emergence as a disease.

 

Navarino Challenge, like every year, will once again contribute to society with the action of Sharing Is Caring. In particular, the event will organize the largest series of online sports auctions that will ever take place with more than 50 types of sports memorabilia of Greek and foreign top athletes, world stars, hall of famers and teams, as well as items such as mobile phones, white home appliances, etc. The items will be offered (via Silent Auctions) and will all be sold by December 1, 2022, on the Navarino Challenge official website. The revenue from the auctions will benefit the following 10 non-profitable organizations - CSR Partners: A Little Shelter, Diaforozo, Dogs’ Voice, Fylakas Angelos, HOPEgenesis, Karkinaki, Mikros Prigkipas, the Social Kitchen “The Other Person”, π³= Plastic Pollution Prevention, “Shedia” street paper – “Diogenes Non Profitable Organization”.

 

Enjoy a weekend with more than 40 activities for people of all ages. Book now the event’s accommodation package with half board and live this year’s unique sports and cultural experience. For more information on accommodation packages at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino you may send your email to booking(at)navarinochallenge.com or call Vita N Travel at +30 210 3249070. Check the accommodation packages here. 

 

Offers from the Discount Partners

As always, those who find themselves at Costa Navarino will have the opportunity to make their purchases and take advantage of the unique discounts of the following Discount Partners: Anazoe Spa, Kessaris, Mouratoglou Tennis Center – Costa Navarino, Nargile, Panellinios Agora Games.

 

Stoiximan is the event's Grand Sponsor.

Samsung Electronics Hellas supports the event for another year as its Official Technology Sponsor. 

Europa and Miele are the event’s Official Sponsors.

Novo Nordisk is the Strategic Healthcare Sponsor.

Vikos Natural Mineral Water is the Official Water. 

Luanvi is the Official Sports Supplier.

Sixt of the MOTODYNAMICS group is the Premium Mobility Partner.

Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino are the Official Hospitality Sponsors.

Poseidonia Restaurant, Karalis Beach Hotel and Bombay Sapphire are Navarino Challenge’s Official Supporters.

Trace ‘n Chase is the Sports Memorabilia Partner.

Kois Optics are the event’s Official Optics Partner.

Messinian Spa is the Official Beauty Partner.

The North Face is the Outdoor Partner.

Athens Medical Group is the Medical Partner. 

Pilia Express, the transportation company based in Pylos, Pylos-Nestor Municipality, Phee, Target Security, GymBeam, Dunlop and Fysiotek are the event’s Partners.

pi3 is the Sustainability Partner.

SKAI is the Premium TV Partner. 

Deree - The American College of Greece is the Educational Partner.

Concept2, Explore Messinia, FitnessArt, F45 Barrio Salamanca, Mouratoglou Tennis Center – Costa Navarino, Navarino Golf Academy, Navarino Outdoors, Pilates by Mandy, Red Swim Academy, Swim O’ Clock, Triantafyllidis Beach Arena, Vizantinos target sport club are Navarino Challenge’s Athletic Partners.

The event is assisted by Vita N Travel, Alpha Estate, Kayak, Karalis City Hotel & Spa, Pylos Association of Enterprises for Tourism Development.  

 

Navarino Challenge will take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization.

The event has joined the Greek actions of the #BeactiveHellas 2022 program of the European Commission and is held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sports. 

All running races are co-organized with Messiniakos Gymnastic Club and EAS SEGAS Peloponnese Region.

The event is organized by ActiveMedia Group which is also responsible for the event’s Sports Production.

 

Hashtags: #navarinochallenge #costanavarino #sportsunitespeople #10yearsNavarinoChallenge #eatwell #runwell #livewell

You probably have heard that our childhood affects our adult behaviors. Dr. Gabor Mate, a Hungarian-Canadian physician, author, and expert on addictions among others, is a firm believer. In a recent speech in London, he talked about how childhood trauma – big or small – colors how we act and express ourselves as adults and focused on the direct relation that exists between our way of living and our physical and mental health.

It’s true that our lives today are more hectic and stressful than ever. We run around in so many different directions we hardly have the time to take care of ourselves let alone our inner needs. With the occasion of World Mental Day on October 10th, there’s been a lot of talk about how resilience helps us cope with stress. Here are nine effective and easy-to-follow ways to nurture your mental well-being and live a less stressful life!

1. Create an “Every day is a gift” empowering morning routine. When you wake up in the morning, instead of jumping out of bed and rushing to your daily routine, take a couple of minutes to think of this new day as a gift to yourself. You are here, alive on this planet for one more day.

2. Take advantage of this day to do great things. Drink enough water. Water keeps your body hydrated and alive. If you are not naturally into this habit just schedule water breaks during your day. A small tip: it helps to have a bottle next to you right on your desk.

3. Take technology breaks. Take small breaks from your mobile, computer, or tablet screen. I have often fallen into the trap of doing mindless scrolling, especially when I’m tired. What I now do – and you can certainly do it as well – is that I plan these breaks and put them in my calendar just as I would for any other meeting.

4. Take small, regular breaks during your day every 40 mins or 60 mins. Get up from your chair and stretch. You can even walk for 5 minutes whether it’s from room to room or getting out of the building if possible.

5. Keep a gratitude journal – morning or evening. Think of at least 5 things you’re grateful for whether it’s the fact that you have hot water or that you have good friends or that you’re healthy. Keeping a gratitude journal helps you keep focused on the good things in your life.

6. Meditate for 10-15 minutes during the day. Meditation helps you to empty your mind and to concentrate better. Whether it’s guided or not sit still and offer yourself this time as a gift.

7. Celebrate your wins, big or small, every day. Especially the small ones as we do not usually pay attention to them and consider them a given.

8. Get connected. Healthy relationships offer quality to our lives. Build strong positive relationships with loved ones and friends to get support. Volunteering is one way to get connected when for example you move to a new area.

9. Talk to a therapist, a life coach, or a person that suits your needs. You will feel relieved and at the same time empowered talking to someone who’s only there to listen to you and understand you without any criticism.

With time and practice you can build your resilience, learn to stay calm when facing pressure and live a happier and more balanced life. Needless to say you will be a positive example for your children, if you have any, and your friends’ children who will thank you for this gift.

Originally published on: itsmylife.gr

Golden and creamy perfection! Bougatsa (Greek custard pie with phyllo) is a traditional Greek dessert made with the most creamy custard wrapped in golden brown crispy phyllo, sprinkled with melted butter, and garnished with icing sugar and cinnamon. Simply amazing! A traditional Greek dish, perfect for every time of the day, as a delicious snack or a filling dessert.

The key to making the most flavourful Greek Bougatsa is to use good quality fresh butter to butter the phyllo sheets. The authentic Greek Bougatsa recipe calls for ‘galaktos’ butter made from cow’s milk, which has a rich flavor and amazing smell!

Working with phyllo can be tricky as it's brittle and can dry out very quickly. Don’t forget to brush the top of the bougatsa with enough butter and scar with a knife to help release the steam.

Try out this delicious traditional Greek bougatsa recipe and amaze your friends and family with this crispy and velvety delight. Enjoy!

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 8-10 portions

Ingredients

For the bougatsa

• 400–450 g phyllo dough
• 200 g butter, melted
• 200 g sugar
• 1 kg milk
• 120 g all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the topping

• ground cinnamon
• icing sugar

1. To make this traditional bougatsa recipe, start by making the filling. To prepare the filling for the bougatsa add in a large bowl the sugar, eggs, and flour; whisk until the ingredients combine.
2. Pour into a saucepan the milk and the vanilla extract and bring to a boil. Right before the milk comes to a boil, pour 1/3 of the milk & vanilla extract mix into the flour mixture from step 1 and stir.
3. Turn the heat down. Add the flour & milk mixture into the saucepan with the remaining warm milk. Whisk very quickly, until the mixture has thickened and is smooth and creamy. Do not remove the pan from the stove while whisking. This should take 2-3 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from the stove and stir occasionally to keep the custard from forming a skin on top, while you prepare the rest of the bougatsa recipe.
5. For this bougatsa recipe, you will need a large baking tray, approx. 20×30 cm / 8×12 inch. Using a pastry brush, butter the bottom and sides of the tray.
6. Unroll the phyllo dough from the plastic sleeve. To make this bougatsa recipe you will need 10-12 phyllo sheets. Use 5-6 sheets of phyllo for the bottom of the bougatsa and 4-5 sheets for the top.

To read this article in full and find out useful tips for a delicious bougatsa, please visit: mygreekdish.com

Legendary rapper 50 Cent will be in Athens, Greece to participate in a unique concert with Greek popular singer Konstantinos Argyros. The concert that will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Athens will be the final act of Argyros’ highly successful summer tour.

Argyros, one of the most beloved Greek singers of his generation and 50 Cent, one of the most iconic rappers in the world, will join forces on October 29th in order to offer their Greece-based fans a unique music experience.

The concert will be opened by Josephine, FY, and The Kings. Special guests include Light and Rack.