Archive for 'Off-Line'

Mar200905

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Indian Fry Bread Recipe

The Indian fry bread is part of the Navajo tradition, and comes with a story of pain and loss of freedom. Though the tradition of the Indian fry bread recipe is common to many Southwestern tribes, it is the Navajo who developed it.

The story behind the fry bread recipe is to be found in the Long Walks of the 19th century. At the time, the Navajo were placed in camps meant for four thousand to five thousand people; nevertheless there were more than nine thousand people living there, and attempts were made to starve them to death.

The government sent supplies of flour, lard, salt, sugar or yeast which were often rancid. Fry bread came from these few foods provided during the Navajo captivity. Ever since, it became a popular recipe for most tribes living in the Southwest. Nowadays, the fry bread is sold at festivals, carnivals, flea markets and fairs. It is used as base for taco meat, chicken, cheese and chopped tomatoes.

There are as many different Indian fry bread recipes and ways to cook the fry bread as there are Indian aunties and grannies preparing the famous dish; some is thick, some is thin, some is yeasty, some is soda based. Nevertheless there are a few things that are important no matter what recipe one uses.

The first thing is to be sure that the dough is moist enough; in order for the dough to pass the test it should slither off one’s hand if turned sideways. In case it drops off quickly, it means that the dough is too dry; if it sticks to the hand, it is too wet.

A funny thing to do and a good way to check the quality of the dough is mixing it with one’s hands.


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Mar200904

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National Public Radio

The National Public Radio is the American non-profit media structure that serves almost eight hundred public radio stations across the country.

Founded in 1970, it only had ninety public stations in the beginning, and just like today it depended on private and public funds to operate.

The programs it produces cover cultural shows and news most of the time, and part of these programs are taken over and broadcast further on by individual radio stations.

The listeners’ preference for the National Public Radio is very high, as they run two of the most popular radio shows in the country: the Morning Edition and the afternoon All Things Considered.

The stations that the National Public Radio works with have to be educational and non-commercial with an operation range of eighteen hours per day at the minimum. Half the budget of the National Public Radio comes from the fees charged from these other radio stations that receive their programs. Some further funds come from the government, under the form of university grants or by means of on-air pledge drives. The economic crisis of 2008 has made its presence felt at the National Public Radio by the reduction of the staff with 7%; the announcement made on December 10, indicates that not only the private business sector is affected by the financial drop, but the effects are felt in all environments.

The National Public Radio does not have any form of traditional commercials, thus advertising is presented as short statements from their main donors, this is the case with Archer Daniels Midland, Merck or Allstate. Instead of commercials, these statements are known as underwriting spots, and they are created in accordance with the FCC restrictions.


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Mar200903

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Yoga Routines

Yoga routines usually refer to the amount of exercises that one integrates in the life style pattern on a daily basis. Most of the time, by yoga routines we imply to exercises meant to train both body and spirit and thus promote a very good physical and mental health.

Yoga trainers usually try to create yoga routines with their students that cover daily and extensive practice too. The immediate benefits of yoga routines include a better anatomical flexibility and a peace of mind that improves the concentration and work capacity.

It takes some time before the creation of the workout training program but once you set it going, you’d better stick to it.

It is a common fact that beginners find it more difficult to develop yoga routines, as complex exercise performance comes with practice and lots of patience. Individuality plays an immense role in the practice of yoga if we think about how difficult it is for an overweight to perform any of the yoga poses. Therefore, for such a case, the first stage is preparatory for the creation of the yoga routines: weight loss, vegetarian diet, lots of physical exercises and proper hydration.

The process will often take longer than expected but with enough perseverance it can be done. Hence, you will never see a fat yoga practitioner, but a harmonious person both spiritually and physically.

Yoga routines come in time, this is the most important element to stress out.


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Feb200925

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Yoga Clothing

Finding the right yoga clothing could be pretty challenging sometimes due to the very complex physical positions specific to the practice.

Comfort for the sake of free movement remains the best way to qualify the features of different types of yoga clothing: make sure the clothes do not hinder blood circulation or become uncomfortable when sitting or standing in various positions. Light cotton is the best fabric available from this point of view.

Don’t be afraid to wear shorts. These yoga clothing items actually have more advantages than you think, and it’s not just about the comfort level either.

The correct alignment of the knees, ankles and feet is very important for the practice of some postures and the shorts allow you a good view. You can choose socks or shoes to match the yoga clothing but most of the time yoga is practiced barefoot; yet, sometimes you may have to comply with the rules of the tutor concerning this aspect.

Yoga clothing items can also be chosen depending on the type of yoga you perform and often at the recommendation of the trainer. Mats are surely an accessory to match with the apparel, and they are usually a must-have element for the postures.

Mention must be made that one doesn’t have to go shopping just to purchase yoga clothing for the sake of fashion; casual sports clothes could often do if you choose them carefully and in accordance with the specifics of the activity.


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Feb200923

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Indian Dance

Indian dance is a new umbrella term used for different forms of art having their roots in Natya, or the sacred Hindu musical theater style, and whose theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra (400 BC).

These forms of Indian dance are the following: Agama Nartanam, or the spiritual dances performed inside the sanctum of the temple according to the rituals; Carnatakam, the intellectual dances or the dances performed in the royal courts to the accompaniment of classic music; Darbari Aattam form of dance appealed more to the common people and it was a means of education about their religion, culture and social life.

Lacking a good equivalent for these performing arts in the European culture, the British colonial authorities called them Indian dance. Even though the art of Natya includes nritta, or the dance properly, Natya can cover singing and mime acting, beside dancing.

These are common features for all the Indian classical styles. A very important characteristic of the Indian dance is the use of the mudra or the hand gestures by the artists as short-hand sign language used to narrate a story and to demonstrate certain concepts such as objects, weather, nature and emotion.

According to the Sangeet Natak Akademi there are several classical Indian dance forms: Bharatanatyam – Tamil Classical Dance; Odissi – Orrisa Classical dance; Kuchipudi – Telugu Classical dance; Manipuri – Manipur Classical Dance; Mohiniaattam – Kerala Classical Dance; Sattriya – Asamese Classical Dance; Kathakali – Malayalam Classical Dance.

When talking about Indian dance there should, nevertheless, be mentioned the dance in the Bollywood movies. This dance was modeled after classical Indian dance styles, more precisely those of historic northern Indian courtesans, or folk dances.


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