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Current research indicates that introducing young children to puzzles at an early age can help them develop problem solving, mathematical, spatial and social skills. An early start can apparently also help in keeping Alzheimer’s at bay as you get older.
It is for these reasons, that local mom, Chandana Sen, started buying puzzles for her own son when he was about 9 months old. She told knowitall.ch, “I used to source jigsaws as well as educational board games in English for my son from outside Switzerland as I could not find anything suitable or attractively priced here. Other parents also started showing interest in my son’s puzzles and, within a short period of time, I realized the potential for starting my own online business, www.puzzleyoga.com, selling puzzles in this country!”
Chandana sells puzzles for toddlers, kids, teenagers and adults. She defines puzzles as anything that intrigues the mind, so she stocks anything from walking penguins with flapping feet for a toddler, through to jigsaw puzzles for preschoolers and above, wooden 3D puzzles for the 7 year old, creativity kits and acrylic 3D jigsaw puzzles for preteens, and the tough Hanayama metal puzzles for teenagers and adults.
In case some of you missed the news towards the end of last year, Swiss Post has launched a new SMS postage stamp service to allow customers to purchase stamps on their phone. The new service will run initially as a one-year pilot project, during which Swiss Post will test its acceptance amongst customers.
Available for domestic A mail items up to B5 format (25cm x 17.6 cm), weighing up to 100g and measuring no more than 2cm thick, the service works simply by sending the keyword “STAMP” via SMS to the number “414”. A code is then sent to the customer’s phone, which should then be written in the top right-hand corner of the envelope, before posting it in a letter box. The code is valid for ten days and may be used once only. It may also be requested via the Swiss Post smartphone apps for Android or iPhone.The fixed cost of franking, including the text message is set at CHF 1.20 including VAT, regardless of the subscription contract.
Last year, during the run up to Christmas, we featured a short article listing a few ideas for quick and easy apéritifs, with ingredients sourced from local supermarkets.
The emphasis in each case was on simplicity – none of us want to spend hours creating gourmet dishes at this time of year. So read on… and if you have a few ideas of your own, please send them in to us and we will add them to this year's list.
If you still need further inspiration, then why not try out one of the "festive" cookery lessons that the Ecole-Cub Migros are running throughout December? Click here to download the flyer or visit the website at www.ecole-club.ch for more information.
Mini pizzas (contributed by Jenny Jeffreys)
Toast nature pour canapés (e.g. Carrefour own brand)
Tube of tomato purée (e.g. Panzani Sauce Tomate from Carrefour)
Mozarella cheese (e.g. Galbani Mozzarella Maxi from Carrefour)
Sliced tin mushrooms (e.g. Carrefour discount Champignons de Paris)
Some pepper and chives to garnish (e.g. Carrefour Herbe aromatique: Ciboulette)
Spread the purée on each slice of bread.
Put a slice of mozarella on each piece.
Add a few sliced mushrooms on top.
Grate some pepper over the top and add a couple of pieces of chopped chive on top.
Just before your guests arrive place them under the grill. Must be served warm.
(n.b. Don’t prepare too early otherwise the bread can go a little soggy!)
OfftheShelf is 8 years-old! To celebrate they are offering a special deal from August 30th to September 17, 2011!
Buy a book, choose any other for just Fr. 8.-!*
So what are you waiting for! If you need your copy of Know-it-all passport 2011/2012, know that it is in stock and you can take advantage of this offer now! Stock up on your Christmas, birthday, children’s books, guide books, reference books for school, and more; and save some money to buy yourself something too! Of course if you already have your copy we won't mind if you buy something else...
*No minimum purchase — the cheapest book will be charged Fr. 8.-; applies to in-stock items only — no special orders, no reserves; not in conjunction with other offers or discounts; only one Fr. 8.-/book per person per day; payment by cash or debit/credit card only.
Monday closed
Tuesday - Friday 9h-18h30 (closed September 8 for Jeûne Genevois)
Saturday 10h-17h
Sunday closed
OffTheShelf English Bookshop
15, blvd Georges-Favon
1204 Genève
022 311 10 90
Can you tell the difference between mozzarella that was hand-made this morning and a ball of the mass-produced type? Expand your culinary knowledge by trying out some of the cheese, made fresh every morning at Casa Mozzarella, a shop opened less than one year ago near Plainpalais, Geneva! Read to the end of this article to find the answer to our competition question and maybe win a voucher for Fr. 100.- to buy whatever you want from Casa Mozzarella!
Fabio Magno and Angelo Albrizio decided to bring Italy to Geneva in its most delicious form: mozzarella made entirely from local Geneva milk! They are both from Puglia, Italy, where mozzarella is famed to originate, and now live in Geneva. The opening of their shop took time in preparing. They found an Italian cheese-maker who comes from a long line of cheese-makers, Nicola Antonicelli, who was delighted to participate in this venture.
Every morning before dawn a trip is made to the Laiteries Réunies de Genève. Nicola follows in his father’s footsteps and transports the 300-400 liters of fresh milk and lovingly cooks, stirs, cuts, sieves, and stretches the curds to make 30-50 kilos of balls of fiordilatte — the official name for mozzarella made from cow’s milk.
