I’ve been researching the internet for days now and all I seem to get is conflicting information…

to sum up my position, I’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and have had it for 3 years, in the first 2 years I thought there was no cure, and i hate doctors, so i never went, i managed to stay mobile for 2 years, and eat good foods, reduced sugar, salt, lots of greens, fruits.. no dairy, meat… but eventually it caught up to me… and i had to go see the doctor, because of my hands and feet..

The doctor, checked me for about 10 mins and put me on methotrexate 15mg once a week, with sulphasaline tablets once a day morning and evening… needless to say this wrecked my body within one month.. liver damage was occuring, so the dose was reduced… but i really dont see any improvement, my ESR (think doctor said that is the sedimentation rate in my blood) is still high.. so i’ve been trying anything I can think of..

then i saw the apple cider vinegar solution, only just started that.. but that’s acidic isn’t it? but apparently it forces the body to go alkaline? i’ve been on it for a week, the improvement so far has been just that my skin is incredibly soft, and all spots, acne have cleared up, my weight loss has been dramatic, which is a good thing… im back to my normal recommended weight.. and my hair is lovely again.. but im confused over whether i should take it or not… because I’m still on the meds.. I’m now down to 5mg methotrexate, once a week.. i’ve asked my doctor about diets, but he says they are all useless… and i can eat what i want. and that RA is a disease with no cure…

So I’m frustrated, as my hands hurt, and im walking like im 72, when im only 27.. does someone have RA similar to me and have a diet I can follow? I’ve increased my veg intake and fruit intake.. i drink water everyday.. I’m vegetarian.. please help… I really don’t want to take drugs anymore.. because when i read the hidden information on them, it says that drugs actually kill the body.. sorry for this confusing post.. but i’m at my wits end… and im so fed up of being patronised by everyone, and no-one seems to care.

its need a a replacement dust bag.

oh… thank you for clarification…

Item(s):Full set of Panasonic Vacuum Cleaner MC-3920-D (Black)

Price:RM 170

Warranty: Until 27/08/2010

Dealing method: COD

Location of seller: Selayang, Desa Petaling, Wangsa Maju, Damansara Height.

Contact method/details: PM

Item(s) conditions:New

Both hotels are nearly a century old. Both spent a fortune to build new dining rooms inspired by the grandeur of their settings. Yet, while Peacock Alley has all the buzz of a half-empty tour bus, Country is so swamped with demand for tables it’s had to limit the number of bookings.

A ridiculous comparison, you say? Country, run by celebrated chef Geoffrey Zakarian, versus the dining room in a Hilton? Country, with an identity separate from the Carlton and its own street entrance, versus a place in the Waldorf’s lobby?

But the two joints have more in common than a glance suggests. For starters, their chefs are closely linked: Tovar was Zakarian’s chef de cuisine at three-star Town. And far from it being a Zakarian blowout, many modern-American dishes I’ve eaten at Peacock Alley worked as well at Country.

Identity? Although Zakarian leases Country’s space from the Carlton, it’s so intertwined with the hotel – recently brought into the modern age via a $65 million refurbishing – that it’s hard to know where one begins and the other leaves off.

High-style Country, designed by David Rockwell, feeds off the energy of the gorgeously lit Carlton. Peacock Alley mostly feeds off clueless hotel guests.

Country draws on the energy of the throbbing hotel above and around it without forcing you to lay eyes on a single piece of luggage. “We put the bar in the center because it helps to break up a large space into more intimate ones,” designer Rockwell says.

The second-floor dining room, once a ballroom, boasts a restored Tiffany skylight that was covered for decades, and noble steel columns with plaster molding.

The ballroom space was once walled in but is now open on the sides. It allows an ambient murmur from the crowd below to drift unobtrusively through the dining room. There’s excitement – not pandemonium – in the air, and it compounded the pleasure I took in Zakarian’s $85, four-course, prix-fixe menu.

What the Waldorf now calls “Peacock Alley” is not even Peacock Alley – historically, the lounge off the lobby is named for the original, mirrored corridor that eons ago connected the once separate Waldorf and Astoria hotels.

Last year, the geniuses at Hilton decided to blow off the old dining room, which is now mainly for private events. They obliterated the old lounge for the new restaurant – a prefab-looking cattle pen inserted into the Art Deco lobby.

Tovar’s cooking deserves better. Sooner or later, even the best monfkish drowns in the gloom of check-in lines and jet-lagged arrivals dozing on couches under the Waldorf clock.

“If you can find something unique to build the design around, then the design is telling the same story as the food and the chef,” Rockwell says. I’m not sure exactly how Country’s silver-leaf molding echoes Zakarian’s Berkshire pork.

But what mischievous fun it would be to have the chefs trade hotels for a few days and see whose cooking tells what story.

Just up the street from the park, on Madison Avenue between 28th and 29th, sits the newly-renovated Carlton Hotel.Built in 1904 and originally known as the Seville Hotel, the Carlton recently completed a $60 million dollar makeover.

The Carlton restoration is exciting for our neighborhood and just one of the many transformations being unveiled in the area surrounding Madison Square Park. Several restaurants have recently sprouted up, including Urena, Porcao Churrascaria and A Voce, which just opened this past Tuesday. As Edmund Sulzman, General Manager of the Carlton, says, he hopes to see this avenue become a corridor of premier restaurants stretching from Eleven Madison all the way up to Country.

The magnificant restoration of the Carltontakes one back to an era of Old World elegance, charm and Beaux-Arts splendor. After all, in the early twentieth century, the area near the park was one of the most vibrant in the city. The newly-renovated Carlton hasbeen able to uncover and preserve the majestic ambiance of theturn of the centurywhile incorporating sleek modern elements.

Upon entering the building, limestone steps descend toa grandlobby. To the left is a prominent black-and-white photograph of the original hotel behind an indoor waterfall. Off the lobby, on the ground floor, is Geoffrey Zakarian’s Cafe at Country.

The entry to Cafe at Country is a classic dark-wood bar. As one wanders deeper into the restaurant, a more elaborate bar island in the center of the cafe is surrounded by modern-design tables. The cafe serves contemporary American fare a la carte while the menu at the restaurant upstairs is amore upscale prix fixe servingorganic market-fresh dishes.

TheConservancy warmly welcomes the renovated Carlton Hotel and our other new neighbors and wishes them all of the best of success.

The new event spaces were created to mirror the overall elegant and modern design of the hotel. With room names such as The Gramercy, Murray Hill, Union Square and The Flatiron, guests are reminded of the rich history of turn-of-the-century New York and in particular the historic neighborhoods and landmarks surrounding the hotel.

The hotel’s variety of event and meeting spaces offer clients flexibility to create meetings and events to suit their specific needs whether they’re organising a conference or a foxybingo night. Measuring from 320 square feet to 2,050 square feet the function rooms can accommodate groups ranging in size from 14 to 200 persons. Decor features rich mahogany woods with elegant accents preserved from the original structure in some rooms, complimented by modern conveniences such as ergonomic seating and technology. Other rooms stylishly incorporate modern design and turn-of-the-century elegance with emphasis on comfort and productivity.

In addition to function rooms named for historic neighborhoods and landmarks there are several rooms acknowledging The Seville Hotel, erected in 1904 and in whose footprints The Carlton on Madison Avenue now stands. The Seville Ballroom and Foyer measures a total 2,617 sq.ft. Among other function rooms is the Jazz Foyer measuring 120 square feet, just off the 577 sq.ft. Flatiron function space. The Flatiron room houses portraits of Jazz music’s legendary singers and musicians such as the late great Billie Holliday and Count Basie.

The hotel’s crown jewel is the Madison Avenue Room or Boardroom with a spectacular 27ft windowed wall overlooking Madison Avenue and surrounding Beaux Arts building. The boardroom measures 415 square feet in size and features a wood finish oval table surrounded by ergonomic chairs with ample lower back support, plasma screens for PowerPoint and video presentations, wireless Internet connection and a host of amenities and services. Ideal for private high-level meetings, the room has been outfitted with soundproof walls and is adjacent to private restrooms and exits.

Situated just minutes from Grand Central Station in the Madison Square Park district of Manhattan, The Carlton is within easy reach of financial, corporate and fashion districts, as well as New York area airports.

“We are thrilled with the reception received from our neighbors here in the Madison Square Park District. Our newly restored and redesigned event spaces will not only offer local corporations and businesses new venue options, but it serves as an alternative for those who seek convenience without the congestion and traffic that comes with other areas of the city. The design team of The Rockwell Group has done an amazing job,” said Edmund Sulzman, general manager, The Carlton on Madison Avenue.

The Carlton on Madison Avenue underwent a $60 million renovation, restoration and refurbishment program led by noted architect David Rockwell. Renovations included restoration of the original landmark New York Hotel, refurbishment of all 316 guestrooms and suites, and a 17,000 square-foot addition that added a three-story lobby, lobby bar, and signature restaurant Country and Country Café by Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. A Krug bar features premium brands in a warm and intimate setting and is a favorite with guests and residents alike. With the addition of the function rooms The Carlton’s renovation/refurbishment program is now complete. Future expansion calls for the addition of a state-of-the-art spa facility.

For additional information or to book a meeting or special event contact The Carlton on Madison Avenue Catering Department at (646) 472-3607.

The Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue is located in Midtown South Manhattan, between New York City’s Gramercy Park and Murray Hill neighborhoods. Situated in the heart of Manhattan’s business, shopping and entertainment districts, the hotel is within walking distance from the Empire State Building, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, Jacob Javits Convention Center, the Broadway theatre district and Fifth Avenue shopping. The hotel is managed by Allegiance Hospitality Services (AHS), a full-service hotel management subsidiary of Omni Hotels. AHS clients enjoy all the management capabilities, quality of service and infrastructure inherent in Omni Hotels. The Omni Hotels properties offer luxury accommodations and exceptional personalized service that’s surprisingly sensible. For more information and reservations call 1-800-601-8500 or visit our website at www.carltonhotelny.com

The Carlton Hotel
Shop till you drop

The Carlton Hotel is the prefect place to set the tone for a fabulous getaway or take the edge off a typical business trip. Set right on Madison Avenue, it’s a straight shot to all the incredible shops and just seconds from the business district. The ambiance of the lobby is stunning, sexy and very classic New York. Recently restored by renowned architect David Rockwell. The beaus-arts hotel dates back to 1904. A multimillion-dollar renovation resulted in a new look for the hotel that marries Old World elegance with a modern New York feel. The new three-story grand lobby includes a two-story café, antique lobby bar and a champagne Krug bar. The critically acclaimed Country Restaurant is also located in the new space.

I love New York and the Carlton Hotel was my home away form home while I was filming my pilot for the “E” Style Network’s Look for Less HOME. I visit regularly whether I’m shopping for my clients for their homes. The food is incredible and the ambiance is superb.

Restaurant

Following in the triumphant footsteps of his restaurant Town, Geoffrey Zakarian opens Country, realizing his longtime vision for a restaurant that speaks of his passion for food & wine as well as for a lifestyle of beauty, grace and elegance.

Hours of Service:
Main Dining Room: (Reservations Required)
Dinner: Sunday – Thursday – 5:30 pm -10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday – 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm

The Country menu focuses on fresh, organic and local produce, examples of dishes:

Crisp market salad: herbs, greens and shaved vegetables
Organic Soft Boiled egg: crunchy ham, croutons, and asparagus marmalade
Lobster soup: lobster salpicon and fennel cream

Bar Steak Frites: sirloin, fried potatoes and red shallot béarnaise
Steamed Long Island Striped Bass: extra virgin olive oil, marinated tomato and grilled avocado
Duck Frisee Lardon Salad: crisp chinese-style duck leg, remoulade and pickled red onions
Hungry yet? Menu change daily and seasonally, so don’t delay.

Café: Reservations are taken but not required
Breakfast: (Daily) 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Lunch: (Mon-Sat) 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday Brunch: 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: (Mon-Sat) 5:30 p.m. – midnight
Champagne Bar: (Mon-Sat) 5:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Antique Café Bar: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

For reservations call 212.889.7100
Country begins accepting reservations on the first day of each month for the following month.
www.countryinnewyork.com

Our space is perfect for meetings, social gatherings and private dining. We can accommodate from 10 – 150 people.
Food by Geoffrey Zakarian.

Summer Group Specials:

Promotion valid between July 1, 2008 and September 1, 2008 and available for groups of 15 – 100 people. Book now and hold your meeting between July 1st and September 1st and you will receive our Special Summer Meeting Package which for $229 per person includes:
Meeting Room Rental
Complimentary High Speed Wireless
Two Flip Charts
One 70×70 Screen
Continental Breakfast
All Day Beverage Service (Freshly Brewed Coffee, Teas, Bottled Waters & Assorted Sodas)
Hot Buffet Luncheon, as well as AM & PM Breaks

We will also offer 10% off of our Best Available Rate for any guest rooms needed in conjunction with the meeting space. Our unique meeting space was designed by David Rockwell and all Food and Beverage is provide by Country Restaurant, owned and operated by renowned chef Geoffrey Zakarian.

*Please contact our Group Sales Associate with all requests, 646-472-3660. Guestrooms and Meeting Space based on space and rate availability at the time of booking. Offer only valid for new groups booked after April 3, 2008.

New York
Country, at the Carlton on Madison Avenue
90 Madison Ave.; 212/889-7100; dinner for two $170; doubles from $499.
THE LOWDOWN Chef-owner Geoffrey Zakarian has thought of every detail at his new Madison Avenue outpost. The plush seats are arranged to face the open, sea-foam- green-tiled kitchen; a streamlined prix fixe menu simplifies the selection process; the steady andante tempo is set by young servers with French accents thicker than the shellfish velouté; even the wine list is well edited. It all pays off: a perfectly poached hen egg arrives on a bed of tiny morels, capsized in frothy fava-bean purée. HIGHLIGHT The chef’s table-built from a single piece of Costa Rican guanacaste driftwood-with front-row views of the kitchen. There’s no better seat in the house.

Paris
Le Relais du Parc, at Sofitel le Parc
55-59 Ave. Raymond-Poincaré, 16th Arr.; 33-1/44-05-66-10; www.sofitel.com; dinner for two $170; doubles from $272.
THE LOWDOWN It’s a rare treat to savor top dishes by two of the world’s greatest chefs in a single sitting. Joël Robuchon and Alain Ducasse each put Le Relais du Parc on the gastronomic map, so it is fitting that the newly reopened restaurant pays homage to both men. The intimate dining room in neutral hues is a backdrop for a selection of their greatest hits. Wild pear is tucked under a medley of bright baby vegetables en cocotte, seared scallops are served Tatin-like with roasted broccoli florets, and guava sorbet tops a Technicolor roasted-mango crumble. HIGHLIGHT Dinner alfresco among white magnolia trees in the inner courtyard of this classic Norman manor.

Las Vegas
Alex, at Wynn Las Vegas
3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702/770-7000; www.wynnlasvegas.com; dinner for two $240; doubles from $369.
THE LOWDOWN The first time he hired chef Alessandro Stratta, Las Vegas impresario Steve Wynn paneled the dining room with Renoirs. Eight years later, the focus at Alex is on the food-and the Wisconsin-born 44-year-old has emerged as one of the Strip’s best chefs. Stratta’s haute Mediterranean cuisine has all the robust earnestness you’d expect, given his Midwestern roots: roast squab, rabbit fricassée, foie gras ravioli in truffle bouillon. And the space, as majestic as a vintage ocean liner, is the perfect setting for his culinary heft. HIGHLIGHT The Sommelier Menu’s reverse pairings; courses are planned around wines such as Grand Cru Burgundies.

Cayman Islands
Blue, at Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman; 345/ 943-9000; www.ritzcarlton.com; dinner for two $162; doubles from $299.
THE LOWDOWN Although many Caribbean resorts don’t locally source their produce, Blue relies on some 20 area fishermen for its red snapper and lobster. And chef Eric Ripert’s handpicked staff transforms that bounty into a French-Caribbean feast (it’s New York’s Le Bernardin with steel drums and island spices). Bouillabaisse becomes rich lobster-0 swordfish is dusted with herbes de Provence and served with a passion-fruit béarnaise. HIGHLIGHT Having your catch prepared by the chef after a day of deep-sea fishing.

Tokyo
Gordon Ramsay, at Conrad Tokyo
1-9-1, Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku; 81-3/6388-8000; dinner for two $202; doubles from $498.
THE LOWDOWN With the newest addition to Gordon Ramsay’s growing empire, the sun never sets on this British chef, who’s as known for his fiery temper as for his Michelin-worthy creations. From its 28th-floor perch, the restaurant has bird’s-eye views of the Tokyo cityscape; the cavernous interior is swathed in pale purples and greens. The kitchen, with its deliciously defiant Western leanings (steamed sea bass with a confit of new potatoes and caviar), gives an occasional nod to its host country (sea-urchin risotto). HIGHLIGHT Hokkaido sea scallops, thinly sliced and fanned out carpaccio-style beneath vanilla-infused cherry tomatoes.
-Written by Tina Isaac, Clark Mitchell, Niloufar Motamed, and Bruce Schoenfeld.

To be fully honest, I had never heard of the Carlton. But the fam, over a late-February weekend, showed what the hotel, a 12-story Beaux Arts building on 29th St. erected in 1904, has to offer – including a restored lobby featuring a tasteful architectural blend of classic and modern, elegant meeting rooms, and a Michelin-rated restaurant.

That restaurant, Country, owned by chef Geoffrey Zakarian, hosted a fine six-course meal for a small contingent of journalists. We got to savor items from the seasonal menu, including a shrimp and lobster bisque and a medallion steak, and, beforehand, we sipped champagne in Country’s second-floor Champagne Lounge.

Now, the beautiful lobby. It has a two-story waterfall flanked by suede panels, crystal chandeliers encased by frosted-acrylic boxes, a curvy staircase leading from street level down to the reception desk, and mahogany wood finishing throughout. Meanwhile, my humongous suite (as with all 316 guest rooms and suites) featured plush furnishings and down-feather bedding, an elegant marble bathroom, and an alarm clock radio with an iPod docking stations. It also featured a fantastic view of the Empire State Building.

The Carlton has a total of 6,000 square feet of meeting space, which is mostly used by financial and insurance companies. After feasting on a breakfast of eggs Benedict and pastries – made on property by Country’s culinary team, which also caters meetings – during a presentation by sales and marketing director Jill Lieblein, the media squad toured the rooms, which are as richly appointed as the rest of the hotel.

The largest is the Seville room, which can host 110 attendees theater-style. Meanwhile, the Madison room, with a windowed wall overlooking Madison Avenue, can be used as an executive boardroom, and the Murray Hill room is a dedicated ballroom. The Flatiron room boasts a collection of black-and-white photos of jazz greats like Billie Holliday and Count Basie.

Lieblein said the hotel will begin some guest-room renovations later this year; some rooms will be converted to parlor rooms. The Carlton will also add a fitness center and spa. Right now, it offers guests complimentary passes to a nearby gym.