Monday, February 21, 2011

Mexican Soups

http://www.google.ca/images?hl=en&xhr=t&q=mexican+soups&cp=13&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1366&bih=549

Hungry? Here's something fun to do click this link and shows all sorts of different Mexican soups. Mmmmm makes me hungry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Mexican_soups

Caldo de pollo is a common Latin-American soup that consists of chicken and vegetables.
What makes this soup different from many other versions of chicken soup is that Caldo de pollo uses whole chicken pieces instead of chopped or shredded chicken. Other differences are that the vegetables are usually of a heartier cut. Potato halves, not cubes, are used, and whole leaves of cabbage are added.

A typical recipe for Caldo De Pollo will include the following: water, chicken pieces (drumsticks, breasts, thighs), sliced carrots, sliced celery, potato halves, corn on the cob, diced tomato, sliced onion, minced cilantro, cabbage, and garlic. While it is common to eat Caldo De Pollo plain, most add lemon juice or hot sauce. Some recipes call for cubed avocado added just before eating. Caldo De Pollo can also be served with hot corn tortillas. In Mexico it is also common to add steamed or boiled rice in the same bowl while serving, specially at fondas. In the rest of latin American countries is called sopa de pollo and not caldo which means only broth. Read more here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldo_de_pollo

Caldo de siete mares (in English, "seven seas soup"), also known as caldo de mariscos ("seafood soup") is a Mexican version of fish stew,^[1] popular in coastal regions in Mexico.^[2] It is typically made with chicken, tomato, fish, or seafood broth with local fresh seafood ingredients and, like other Mexican soups, cooked quickly in a thin broth.^{[2] Read More Here}^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldo_de_siete_mares}

^{The burnished Caldo de 7 Mares—“soup of the 7 seas”—comes to the table, bristling with antennas, spiky fins and claws. Plump langostinos crowd the peppery red-gold broth alongside small shrimp, succulent crab claws, mussels in the shell, and a meaty tilapia head. The fish and shellfish are sweet and fresh, the sopa de mariscos is briny, spiked with tomato and a touch of hot chile. No aioli, of course, but who cares when you’re eating an authentically delicious seafood soup that’s come almost a thousand miles from home? http://www.spicelines.com/2007/08/local_flavors_at_taqueria_lope.htm}

This gorgeous photo is from Spice Lines, check them out!!

Menudo is usually eaten with tortillas or other breads, such as bolillo. It is often chilled and reheated, which causes a more concentrated flavor. The popularity of menudo in Mexico is such that Mexico is a major export market for stomach tripe from US and Canadian beef producers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menudo_%28soup%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menudo_%28soup%29

The soup menudo is a traditional Mexican dish, made with beef stomach in a clear broth or with a red chili base (this variation is called menudo colorado). Usually, lime, chopped onions, and chopped cilantro are added, as well as crushed oregano and crushed red chili peppers. Boiled tripe has a tough chewy texture very similar to calamari, but with a completely unique flavor and smell.

Pozole (Nahuatl: potzolli, which means "foamy"; variant spellings: pozsole, pozolé, pozolli, posole)^[1]^[2] is a ritually significant, traditional pre-Columbian soup or stew from Mexico. Pozole was mentioned in Fray Bernardino de Sahagún's "General History of the Things of New Spain" circa 1500 CE. It is made from nixtamalized cacahuazintle corn,^[1] with meat, usually pork, chicken, turkey, pork rinds, chili pepper, and other seasonings and garnish.^[3] Vegetarian and vegan versions also exist. After colonization by the Spaniards, the ingredients of pozole changed, but the staple corn remained. It is a typical dish in various states such as Sinaloa, Michoacán, Guerrero, Jalisco, Morelos, México and Distrito Federal. Pozole is often served in Mexican restaurants in the American Southwest.

Here's a cool video of people in Chicago serving Mexican Food. How to eat Pozole!

Zucchini Soup Recipe
The Zucchini Soup is a classic Mexican soup. It is a combination of wonderful ingredients like zucchini , onion. A healthy appetizer, the soup is truly refreshing. Enjoy a wonderful culinary adventure that is sure to have a delicious ending.
http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/zucchini_soup_0

Zucchini Soup

submitted by John04 at ifood.tv

^{Avocado Soup}
^{http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/mexico/avocsoup.html}

Avocado Soup (Sopa de Aguacate)

3 ripe avocados, peeled

1/4 cup cream
3 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon dry sherry
Salt
White pepper
In a blender, purée avocado with cream and 1 cup of broth; set aside. In a saucepan, bring the remaining 2 cups of stock to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the puréed avocados. Season the soup with sherry, salt and pepper to taste.

^{http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Tortilla_Soup}

What Are Some Mexican Soups -Best Easy Mexican Recipes.com http://besteasymexicanrecipes.com

Tortilla soup is a usually reddish to orange colored soup with a spicy and rich flavor. Tortilla soup tastes as if it lacks something at first, but the tortilla chips, although slightly broken, make a good complement to the texture and substance of the soup. As for the avocado, it does not contribute as much flavor, since it is masked by the other ingredients. The cheese adds a delicious and distinct flavor and makes little gooey chunks as it melts slowly on the soup. With these ingredients together, they can complement each other very well. You can add the lime, but sometimes the difference it unnoticeable.

Tortilla soup recipes are quite simple to follow, and people tend to mix and match the ingredients according to their own tastes. Tortilla soups are like enchilada soups with tortilla chips and bits of chicken. Tortilla soup recipes require a short amount of time to prepare, and they are good for people who love the spicy parts of life. Whether or not you wish to add a bit of chili to it is entirely up to you. Make sure to try it on a cold morning, which is when its true flavor is appreciated. Here is an example of a tortilla soup recipe that you can make and enjoy to serve to your family and friends:

Ingredients:

• 6 dried out corn tortillas (preferably 6 inches)
• 1 chopped small onion
• 1 can of undrained diced tomatoes
• 1 ripe avocado
• ¼ cup grapeseed or peanut oil
• 2 finely chopped cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ teaspoon coarse salt
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 seeded medium Anaheim, Poblano or Jalapeño chili, (remove veins and chop)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups of shredded cooked chicken

Tortilla Mexican Soup

submitted by chefallen at ifood.tv

Read the rest here http://www.besteasymexicanrecipes.com/tortilla-soup-recipe.php

Mexican Black Bean Soup
http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Mexican_Black_Bean_Soup

Mexican Corn Soup
http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Mexican_Corn_Soup

Mexican Butternut Squash Soup
http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Mexican_Butternut_Squash_Soup

74 Mexican Bean Soup Recipes from 20 Cooking Websites
http://www.recipebridge.com/recipes/q-mexican-bean-soup-recipes.html

The Fun Theory!!

Escalator vs Stairs-
Watch what happens when they try to make stairs more exciting & fun!! ;)
They call it The Fun Theory!!

Solstice Yoga Center -Zipolite Oaxaca Mexico

http://www.solstice-mexico.com/index.php

Take a personal journey into self-renewal when you join Brigitte at the Solstice Yoga Center in the La Loma Linda resort located in the charming beach village of Zipolite on the sun-splashed Pacific Coast of Mexico.

The warm winds, bright sun and the rhythm of the waves encourage relaxation. On the Oaxaca Coast (also known as the Costa Chica) you'll find clean water, golden sands and a place where people still have time.

The beautiful 1.5 km stretch of pale sand called Zipolite is fabled as southern Mexico's perfect place to lay back --- a magical combination of pounding sea and sun."
-- Lonely Planet, Mexico

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Rock & Roll!! Pirate Radio! The Boat that Rocked!

In honor of Zipolite & Bucerias, and all the great Rock & Roll we listened to in Mexico, and all the other great music in Mexico. It's only Rock & Roll, but we like it, like it, yes we do!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boat_That_Rocked

For the soundtrack album, see The Boat That Rocked (soundtrack).
The Boat That Rocked, four men walking the plank, Theatrical release poster
Directed by Richard Curtis,
Produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Hilary Bevan Jones
Written by Richard Curtis
Starring Tom Sturridge,Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Talulah Riley, Chris O'Dowd, Rhys Darby,Ralph Brown, Jack Davenport, Kenneth Branagh, Cinematography Danny Cohen
Editing by Emma E. Hickox
Studio StudioCanal, Working Title Films, Distributed by Universal Pictures
Focus Features, Release date(s) 1 April 2009 (2009-04-01) (United Kingdom)
13 November 2009 (2009-11-13) (United States), Running time 135 minutes (UK)[1],116 minutes (US)
Country United Kingdom,Germany,United States,France,Language English
Budget over GB£30 million, Gross revenue $36,348,784[2]

The Boat That Rocked (retitled Pirate Radio in North America) is a 2009 British comedy film written and directed by Richard Curtis, with a story based on pirate radio in the United Kingdom during the 1960s and an ensemble cast featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, and Kenneth Branagh. Set in 1966, the film tells the story of the fictitious pirate radio station "Radio Rock" and its crew of eclectic disc jockeys, who broadcast rock and pop music to the United Kingdom from a ship anchored in the North Sea while the British government endeavors to shut them down. It was produced by Working Title Films for Universal Pictures and was filmed on the Isle of Portland and at Shepperton Studios.

The film opened 1 April 2009 and was a commercial failure at the British box office, making only GB£6.1 million in its first twelve weeks, less than a quarter of its over £30 million production cost. It received mixed reviews, with most criticism directed at its muddled storyline and 2¼-hour length. For its North American release it was re-edited to trim its running time by twenty minutes, and retitled Pirate Radio. Opening 13 November 2009, Pirate Radio was still commercially unsuccessful, earning only about US$8 million (approximately £5 million).

"Well maybe it didn't do well at the box office, but I really liked it!!"

Plot
In 1966, numerous pirate radio stations broadcast to the United Kingdom from ships anchored in international waters, specializing in rock and pop music that is not played on BBC Radio. Seventeen year-old Carl (Tom Sturridge), recently expelled from school, is sent to stay with his godfather Quentin (Bill Nighy), who runs the station "Radio Rock" anchored in the North Sea. The eclectic crew of disc jockeys and staffers, led by brash American DJ "The Count" (Philip Seymour Hoffman), quickly accept Carl as one of their own. "Doctor" Dave (Nick Frost) attempts to help him lose his virginity, but the plan goes awry and results in embarrassment for Carl.

In London, government minister Sir Alistair Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh) resolves to shut down pirate radio stations due to their commercialism and low morals, instructing his subordinate Twatt (Jack Davenport) to find legal loopholes that will serve this end.

They attempt to cut off the stations' revenue by prohibiting British businesses from advertising on unlicensed radio stations. Quentin counters this by bringing massively popular DJ Gavin Kavanagh (Rhys Ifans) out of retirement and onto Radio Rock, enticing his advertisers to work around the law by paying their bills from abroad.

Gavin's popularity creates a rivalry between himself and The Count.
On his eighteenth birthday Carl is introduced to Quentin's niece Marianne (Talulah Riley) and falls instantly in love with her, but is heartbroken when she is seduced by Doctor Dave. Carl's roommate "Thick" Kevin (Tom Brooke) observes that the sex, drug, and alcohol-filled atmosphere of Radio Rock is clearly no place for Carl to get on the straight-and-narrow.

He theorizes that the real reason Carl's mother sent him there is that his father—whom Carl has never met—is someone on the ship, with Quentin being the likeliest suspect.
DJ "Simple" Simon Stafford (Chris O'Dowd) marries Elenore (January Jones) in an onboard ceremony, but soon learns that she only married him as a means to live on the ship and be with Gavin, with whom she is infatuated.

The Count challenges Gavin to a game of chicken in defense of Simon's honor: The two DJs climb one of the ship's radio masts in a clash of egos, reconciling after they are both injured by jumping into the ocean below. Marianne returns and apologizes to Carl for sleeping with Doctor Dave, and she and Carl have sex.

When Carl's mother Charlotte (Emma Thompson) visits for Christmas, she denies his suspicion that Quentin is his father. As she departs, Carl passes on a cryptic message from reclusive late-night DJ "Smooth" Bob Silver (Ralph Brown), leading to the unexpected revelation that Bob is actually his father.

Meanwhile, Dormandy's mission to ban pirate radio advances when Twatt comes across news of a fishing boat whose distress call was blocked by Radio Rock's powerful signal. Twatt proposes the creation of the Marine Offences Act, which will make pirate radio stations illegal on the grounds that they endanger other vessels.

Despite public opinion being heavily in support of the pirate stations, the Act passes unanimously through Parliament and takes effect at midnight on 1 January 1967. The Radio Rock crew choose to defy the law and continue to broadcast, firing up the ship's engine so that they may avoid arrest by relocating.
,
The aging vessel cannot take the strain, however: the engine explodes and the ship begins to sink. The DJs broadcast their position in hope of aid, but Dormandy refuses to send rescue boats. Carl rescues the oblivious Bob from his cabin while The Count vows to continue broadcasting as long as possible. With the lifeboats inoperable, the crew gathers on the prow as the ship sinks.

They are rescued by dozens of fans who have heard their broadcast and sailed out to save them; Carl himself is rescued by Marianne. The Radio Rock ship disappears beneath the sea, with The Count emerging from the sinking vessel at the last moment. Though pirate radio in Britain comes to an end, the music lives on, with rock and pop becoming increasingly popular in subsequent decades.

Ponyo- We LOVE Ponyo!!

Watching Ponyo again! Everyone should watch this movie! It's fantastic! Has such wonderful messages! Powerful!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponyo

onyo (崖の上のポニョ, Gake no Ue no Ponyo?, literally "Ponyo on the Cliff"), initially titled in English as Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, is a 2008 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. It is Miyazaki's eighth film for Ghibli, and his tenth overall. The plot centers on a goldfish named Ponyo who befriends a five-year-old human boy, Sōsuke, and wants to become a human girl.

The film has won several awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year.[2] It was released in Japan on July 19, 2008, August 14, 2009 in the US and Canada and February 12, 2010 in the UK.[3] The film reached #9 in the U.S. box office charts for its opening weekend

The plot centers on a fish-girl who lives in an aquarium in her father's underwater castle with numerous smaller sisters. When her father takes her and her siblings on an outing in his four-flippered submarine, Ponyo is driven by a desire to see even more of the world and floats away on the back of a jellyfish. She ends up stranded on the shore of a small fishing town and is rescued by a boy named Sōsuke, who cuts his finger in the process. She licks his wound when he picks her up, and the wound heals almost instantly. After taking a great liking to her, Sōsuke names her Ponyo and promises to protect her forever. Meanwhile, her father, Fujimoto, is looking for his daughter. Upset that she ran away, he believes the humans have now kidnapped her, and he calls his wave spirits to return Ponyo to him. After the wave spirits take Ponyo away,Sōsuke is heartbroken and goes home with his mother, Lisa, who tries to cheer him up to no avail.

Ponyo and her father have a confrontation, during which Ponyo refuses to let her father call her by her birthname, "Brunhilde." She declares her name to be Ponyo and voices her desire to become human, because she has started to fall in love with Sōsuke. Suddenly she starts to grow legs and turn into a human, a consequence of the human blood she swallowed when she licked Sōsuke's finger. Her father turns her back with difficulty and goes to summon Ponyo's mother. Meanwhile, Ponyo, with the help of her sisters, breaks away from her father and releases his magic to make herself human. The huge amount of magic released into the ocean causes an imbalance in the world, resulting in a huge tsunami. Riding on the waves of the storm, Ponyo goes back to visit Sōsuke. Lisa, Sōsuke, and Ponyo wait out the storm at Sōsuke's house, and the next morning Lisa leaves to check up on the residents of the nursing home where she works.

Granmamare, Ponyo's mother, arrives at Fujimoto's submarine. On her way there, Sōsuke's father has seen and recognized her as the Goddess of Mercy. Fujimoto notices the moon has come out of its orbit and satellites are falling like shooting stars. Granmamare declares that if Sōsuke can pass a test, Ponyo can live as a human and the world order will be restored. If he fails, Ponyo will turn into sea foam. Sōsuke and Ponyo wake up to find that most of the land around the house has been covered by the ocean. Lisa has not come home yet, so with the help of Ponyo's magic, they make Sōsuke's toy boat life-size and set out to find Lisa.

While traveling they see prehistoric fish swimming beneath them. After landing and finding Lisa's empty car, Ponyo and Sōsuke go through a tunnel. There Ponyo loses her human form and reverts into a fish. Sōsuke and Ponyo are taken by Fujimoto into the ocean and down to the protected nursing home where they are reunited with Lisa and meet Granmamare, both of whom have just had a long private conversation. Granmamare asks Sōsuke if he can love Ponyo whether she is a fish or human. Sōsuke replies that he "loves all the Ponyos." Granmamare then allows Ponyo to become human once Sōsuke kisses her on the surface. The film ends with Ponyo jumping up and kissing Sosuke, transforming into a little girl in mid-air.

RSA Animate - The Empathic Civilisation

Bestselling author, political adviser and social and ethical prophet Jeremy Rifkin investigates the evolution of empathy and the profound ways that it has shaped our development and our society.

This is a super powerful video, I hope you will watch it! And Share it!!

Snuggling on the beach-- With a Seal!! So Cute!

This is such a cute video! What a wonderful experience. This woman is sitting on the beach when a seal comes up and cuddles with her. It's just lovely and makes you smile. So beautiful! I hope Angel and I can share an adventure like this sometime.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Voca People

The Voca People is an international vocal theater performance combining vocal sounds and an acapella singing with the art of beat-box.

http://voca-people.com

International Management
Lidor Productions

Join THE VOCA PEOPLE friends list:
info@voca-people.com

International touring enquiries
info@lidorproductions.com

Artistic Director: Lior Kalfo Music Director: Shai Fishman Producers: Revital & Lior Kalfo. Performers: Eyal Cohen, Oded Goldstein, Liraz Rahmin, Adi Cesare, Adi Kozlovsky,, Naama Levi, Boaz Ben David, Inon Ben David
Video Photographer: Shlomi Albo, video editing: Peleg Netanel, Light design: Roy Milo

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vocapeople/60839262877?ref=ts Facebook

http://twitter.com/vocapeopletweet Twitter

http://voca-people.com/creators.html Creators

About:
The Voca People are friendly aliens from the planet Voca, somewhere behind the sun...where all communication is made by music and vocal expressions.
The Voca People believe that life is music and music is life. They visit planet Earth and they have a lot to sing about.

What is a Voca People Show?
A new inter-galactic phenomenon like no other show. Amazing vocal sounds, accapella singing with the art of beat box creating an incredible range of sounds and instruments.
An evening of total excitement, music of all times, comedy and audience participation. After a millennium of space travel, The Voca People are finally landing on the unfamiliar planet Earth, sadly discovering that their precious spaceship charger - Musical energy - has completely emptied.
Slowly, The Voca People learn the strange inhabittnas, habits and music of planet Earth, and with the help of the audience, musically energize their unique spaceship.

Edible Schoolyards and Cob housing- Change Makers Competition

So I entered a competition a while ago. I just wanted to share this idea with everyone really and so I am posting it again here and who knows. I hope you like it and will give it serious thought.

https://www.changemakers.com/user/160444

Create an Edible Schoolyard at the local school, convert the playing field and adjacent streets to greenhouses. Teach the children to grow, harvest, market, cook, measure, the food they produce. Feed the children in the school healthy organic meals. Sell produce to local restaraunts. Produce soaps, organic creams and lotions and sell those to community, have community kitchen and feed the community. In places such as Vancouver the housing exists but is very expensive but with the children and community working together, costs of food, education, would go down.

In Latin America focus on building small Cob houses and apply the Edible Schoolyard Principle. In Vancouver BC Canada, take advantage of surrounding buildings to house a Performing Arts Center that encourages dance, music, and art. I realize this is putting the cart before the horse, but if children learn how to provide for themselves and are taught to be Masters of Empathy and Changemakers they will have the answers on how to build sustainable housing in cities.

I also believe that by working together in the gardens they will realize that less is more and be happy in smaller accomodations with less needs and so the next generation will require less and give more.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Ayurveda - Science of Life

From Yogi Cameron's Blog

Our Artificial world.
Feb 14th, 2009
by Yogi Cameron.

From the lights in the house, the exercise environment of the gym, the electronics we use, the office vibe, the air we breath, the GM foods that we are eating, mostly all our surroundings and nourishment is becoming more artificial.

What significance does this play on our physical and spiritual health? It is turning us all into nervous self absorbed humans thinking that we need more of everything instead of looking for happiness. More things, more vacations, more sex, more money, more food etc etc etc.

To be healthy, as much as possible stay out of artificial light, foods or worthless chatter. Spend time outdoors with loved ones, animals or nature which will bring you peace and calm. Practice non-violence in body and mind towards all living beings.

Read more here
http://yogicameron.com/articles/breathing/our-artificial-world/

Ayurveda - Science of Life

Before Western medicine, before homeopathic medicine, and before even traditional Chinese medicine, there was Ayurveda. This is an ancient system of healing created by sages in India over five thousand years ago. While yoga was developed as a science for the practitioner to bring balance and control to the mind, Ayurveda is a sister science developed for the practitioner to bring balance to the body.

Western medicine tends to treat a patient’s symptoms with different pills and medications without any attention to healing the cause of a disease that is feeding the symptom. It is like weeding a garden without taking out the roots; the weeds just grow back. Ayurveda works to define the cause of the patient’s symptoms and to treat the body with various methods for the sake of restoring balance to the system as a whole. These methods include eating in a way appropriate to one’s constitution, taking herbal supplements and remedies, and receiving treatments such as oil massage. Effective use of Ayurveda can help to alleviate digestive problems, allergies, insomnia, asthma, obesity, migraines, and many other bodily complaints.

The ancient sages who developed Ayurveda many centuries ago observed that our bodies are formed by three fundamental energy types or doshas. The first (Pitta) is responsible for metabolizing for the sake of processing oxygen and perpetuating life. The second (Kapha) forms our bodies, which serves as a container so that life can exist as matter. The third (Vata) shifts matter’s position in space through the act of motion. The sages not only understood these three types of energy to form the fundamental reality of our entire physical existence, but that each one informs how we feel day to day.

*
Our Pitta energy drives us to achieve, accomplish goals, and exhibit fiery qualities like passion and anger. When excessive, Pitta energy can cause indigestion, liver complaints,bloating, fatigue, and other complaints.
*

Our Kapha energy helps us to feel grounded, facilitates our nurturing of others, and helps us exhibit a calming presence in stressful situations. When excessive, Kapha energy can cause weight gain, diabetes, and a feeling of lethargy.
*

Our Vata energy helps us to explore creativity and inquisitiveness, express ourselves, and remain in motion. When excessive, Vata energy can cause dry skin, insomnia, constipation, and various nervous disorders.

When an Ayurvedic practitioner diagnoses a patient’s conditions and observes their general health, they will use the relationship of the patient’s three doshas to determine how best to proceed with achieving and sustaining greater health.

A Noon-Day Meal for Hungry Mexican Children in Kunché

My friend Martino passed this along in Facebook and I wanted to share it here.

A Noon-Day Meal For Hungry School Children in Rural Mexico

It is a sobering paradox. In the Mexican economy, ranked the twelfth largest in the world, many rural populations struggle to survive. The small community of Kunché, in the coastal state of Yucatán, is one such place.
mexico_ninos

Yucatán was once the center of the ancient Maya civilization, and is still home to many of these indigenous people. The inland settlement of Kunché has 600 Mayan residents who grow corn as their main livelihood and source of food.
Unfortunately, the crop has failed to support their families in recent years, and despite efforts of the women to do handywork to bring in extra income, the 200 school children of this village often go hungry
Read more here
http://www.tprf.org/programs/humanitarian-aid/countries/mexico/165-a-noon-day-meal-for-hungry-school-children-in-rural-mexico

The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF), which began supporting another breakfast program in the Yucatán in 2008, learned of these undernourished children and was moved to help. Its grant of US$24,000 will provide each student with a balanced mid-day meal every school day for the next ten months. (Amazingly, the cost is only 60 cents per day per child!)

The Prem Rawat Foundation strives to address fundamental human needs so that people everywhere can live their lives with dignity, peace, and prosperity.

Founded in 2001, TPRF works to extend the outreach of Prem Rawat’s message of peace throughout the world. TPRF also provides aid for people in urgent need of life-sustaining resources like food and water, especially in areas where funds from larger foundations may not be available. Click here to read more about TPRF's mission and activities.

"Peace is one singular reality that is common to every human being. The peace that is defined by the mind, will change as generations change, as cultures change, as people change. But desire for peace that resides in the heart has never changed "

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Bella- A beautiful movie!!

I watched a beautiful movie tonight!
It was such a wonderful story, with Mexican people & Puerto Rican - Latino, family, love, sadness, joy, Wow! Wasn't what I was expecting, as I just borrowed it from a friend.

It really was a treat!

Here's the story from Wikipedia, but if you don't want to spoil it, go rent it, because it really is a lovely story. So touching! So sad! I feel so sad for José.
Like I said, Wow! it really touched me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bella_%28film%29

Bella is a 2006 film directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde starring Eduardo Verastegui and Tammy Blanchard. Set in New York City, the film is about how one moment changed the lives of three people forever

Bella (film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Bella tells the story of Nina, a New York City waitress, and her co-worker Jose, a cook.

The energy in the kitchen of an elegant Mexican restaurant in Manhattan is cranking up steadily, as the staff braces for the noon rush. One waitress, Nina, is running late, which is becoming a habit. She dashes in at the last minute, but Manny, the owner, tells her this is one time too many, and fires her on the spot.

As Nina storms out, the head chef, Manny's brother José, follows her outside to make sure she's okay. She confides in him that she is pregnant, but says she is not ready for a baby and is seriously considering abortion. Over the course of the day, he takes her to his house, and he tells her that a few years ago he had been driving a car when he accidentally hit a little girl, who died instantly from the impact. He was sentenced to four years in jail for vehicular manslaughter. After being released from jail, José tried multiple times to get in touch with the girl's mother; this never happens, as it is said that the mother of the child never forgave him.

After José is done telling his story, he and Nina go into his parents' house, where they eat dinner with José's mother, father, and younger brother and his girlfriend. José's parents say to Nina that she is always welcome to stay at their house if need be. She appreciates the offer, but declines. The next day, José walks with Nina on the street and he leaves as she is going to go get an abortion. José walks back to the restaurant from the beginning of the film, where his brother re-hires him. They hug, and just as Manny starts talking about a new dish he'd like to try out, José whispers something in his ear. José is then seen playing on a beach with a young girl, who we learn is his daughter. It turns out that José got in touch with Nina before her abortion and said he'd like to adopt her baby. Nina then pulls up in a taxi and talks with José and his daughter (later called "Bella") and Bella realizes Nina is her birth mother, and they exchange meaningful gifts. Nina, Bella, and José are then seen walking off the beach together.

------------------
Bella took the "People's Choice Award" at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival.[8]

Bella won the Heartland Film Festival's Grand Prize Award Winner for Best Dramatic Feature and the Crystal Heart Awards for Monteverde as writer/director/producer.[9]

Bella's filmmakers received the Smithsonian Institution's "Legacy Award" for the film's positive contribution to Latino art and culture.[10][11] "This movie depicts the culture but also transcends it," said Pilar O'Leary, executive director of the Smithsonian Institution's Latino Center. "It has universal appeal."[12]

Bella received the Tony Bennett Media Excellence Award.[8] Bennett said Bella is "a perfect film, an artistic masterpiece that will live in people's hearts forever."[13]

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting rated Bella as the second-best film of 2007 (with Juno)[14] noting that Bella presents an "affirmative pro-life message," along with "themes of self-forgiveness, reconciliation and redemption that should resonate deeply."[15]

The director of the Department of Citizenship gave the director of Bella, Alejandro Monteverde, the "American by Choice" Award at a White House reception for Bella's positive contribution to Latino art and culture in the United States.[16] Monteverde was also invited to join the First Lady in her private box to watch the State of the Union address.[17]

The Mexican Embassy honored the film and gave Bella a screening at their annual Cinco De Mayo celebration.[12]

Bella broke the record for a Latino-themed film in total box office earnings and box office average per screen for films released in 2007. It was the top-rated movie on the New York Times Readers' Poll, Yahoo and Fandango.[18] The Wall Street Journal said Bella was "the fall's biggest surprise" and stated that "after only four weeks in release Bella has total sales of $5.2 million."[19] Bella ended its U.S. theatrical release with more than $10 million in domestic box office, finishing the year in the top 10-grossing independent films of 2007.

* Sophie Nyweide as Bella
* Eduardo Verástegui as José
* Tammy Blanchard as Nina
* Manny Perez as Manny
* Ali Landry as Celia
* Ramón Rodríguez as Eduardo
* Ewa Da Cruz as Veronica
* Alexa Gerasimovich as Luchi
* Herbie Lovelle plays a cameo role as a homeless person.
* Angélica Aragón as José's mother

Music Wanted!!

http://www.knowledge.ca
Hi Everyone, So you've seen a bunch of my videos for my Adventurez in Mexico-The Movie!
But it's actually 74 videos that each play to a song. They run from 3-8 minutes each and I LOVE THEM! Some are really great, and I have my favourites but my goal was always to make an actual movie.

So I've been working hard on that and I have edited the 1st year down to 1hr 34 minutes and I'm narrating it and now what I really need to do is add music. I might try in year 2 or just make another movie for it as it has lots of really great stuff that I don't you to want to miss out on.

So I need music. Not an easy task for a movie as it can get really expensive is what I have been told and what I have read on the web. So I spoke with Jenn Ashton over at http://raveonstudio.com/

http://twitter.com/jennashton

http://raveonstudio.blogspot.com/
Here's a little about
Rave On Studio
Burnaby, BC, Canada
Still believing music is art, not just a business. Any music- any time - from pop hits to movie scores. The combined professional musical talent and production skill of two lifetimes is yours for the asking. Great communication, time efficient and affordable with no surprises, you are part of the action, but only if you want to be.

Music services  include: Pre-Production, Recording/Tracking,  Mixing ,  Over-Dubs , Composition,  Arrangement, Writing, Artist Management/booking, Design services, Film, TV , Radio and multimedia services, Musical Score, Sound Effects/Design ,  Foley,  Editing , Voice-Overs, Advertising Jingles. Gear includes: Neve, Neumann, Shure, Summit Audio, Lavry, DBX, AT, Fender, Gibson, DrZ, Mesa Boogie, Marshall, VOX, Guild, Pro Tools, Logic and Mac G5 Intel, Mac Book Pro. Don't see something on this list - just ask or visit our website at: http://raveonstudio.com/
-----------
Email Questions for Jenn:

Hi Jenn, so I have been working on a little film/video thing, actually it's 1.5 hrs long it's a mix of photos and videos and I'm going to narrate a lot of it, but I want to add some music. I want to put it on Artshuffle which if they like it, will go on the Knowledge Network. http://www.artshuffle.ca/

What suggestions do you have for me to get free music? I would be willing to barter with people for music, but that seems it could take a long time, and I want to do this now. I saw this one site where you pay a $299 licence( one month) but I have no cash for that right now.

Animoto http://animoto.com/ makes little 8 minute videos, and I've done that, NOW I want to make a movie- well the best I can with what I have. I have laid it all out, all I need are some nice Mexican or World beat songs. Something very cool and international like Zipolite, very hip and cool and cultural.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions you could make. Thanks so much, Tina and Angel :)

-------------

Jenn Ashton:
Hi! Well I would have offered some of our stuff but we don't really have anything like that...hmm....licencing for film is very expensive and there is a lot of paperwork involved. You could put an ad up on Craigslist? Just make sure you can't pay, but you can tell the artist that you will fill out the paperwork for SOCAN http://www.socan.ca/, so at least if it is broadcast they will be able to get their royalties?
J;-)
-----
From Tina:
So Jenn, I'm still fuzzy on the copyright thing, if I have a friend play some songs for me, and he lets me use them are they free of copyright? Tina :)
----------------
From Jenn:
You can do that, but he needs to register them with SOCAN.ca http://www.socan.ca/ (free) and you need to do cue sheets (available from the site) so that he can get royalties (not paid by you). If he is NOT using 'his own original music' then you need to buy licences for each piece, and that can be expensive for a film.

;-)
--------------------------------

Okay so that's where I am, I am looking for a musician who would be willing for me to add their music to my movie/short film - that's copyright free, so it would need to be their own songs and music for the simplest solution. So if you know anyone who would be interested please let me know. I will agree to fill out all the paperwork on SOCAN, so if it gets broadcasts, you'll get your royalties.

Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you.
You can find me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/adventurezinmexicofb
Twitter at http://twitter.com/zipolita
Email tina_winterlik at yahoo.com - change at to @ to elimate SPAM.

Here's a link to my Adventurez in Mexico -The Movie http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.com/2010/10/join-adventurez-in-mexico-on-their.html and please pass this info to anyone who may be interested. I'm looking for hip, worldbeat, mexican types of music, maybe lots of drumming as we loved listening to the drums in Zipolite, Mexico.
---------------------------------

SOCAN (The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) is the Canadian copyright collective that administers the performing rights of more than 100,000 composer, author and music publisher members by licensing the use of their music in Canada. We collect licence fees on their behalf and distribute royalties to them. http://www.socan.ca/

----------------

Artshuffle http://www.artshuffle.ca/

About artShuffle.ca

Sharing and discovery. That's what artShuffle.ca is all about.

artShuffle spans artistic disciplines with short films under five minutes. For artists, it's a chance to share your creative work online and on television. It's also a great place to connect with other artists and promote events. For art fans, there's lots to discover. Meet new and established artists through their stories, performances and art.

Knowledge Network, BC's viewer supported public broadcaster, will feature select films on air in 2011. http://www.knowledge.ca/

*** Ha Ha Ha After all this I just read that Artshuffle is for short films under 5 minutes!! I can't believe it. Anyways I still want to make my film, the full length version and I still need music. So please still contact me. Thanks, GRACIAS!!

My Birthday in Zipolite Last Year

Here's my birthday last year. It was a wonderful day. My friend Charlotte treat me to an excellent dinner at one of Zipolite, if not Zipolite's finest restaurant- La Providence. We walked on the beach at sunset and watched the musicians play their drums and instruments on the street in the evening. Was truly a wonderful way to spend one's birthday! I feel so blessed that I was able to. I hope you get too someday!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Best Photographs from National Geographic

When I was much younger it was my dream to work for National Geographic. It's been my dream to travel the world and especially now to share it with my daughter. I pray my dream comes true and all I can do is think positive, give thanks for the experiences that I have had, and hope that I can see some of the beautiful sights that are in this video. Enjoy!

Mexicana Airlines Returning to the Skies

After shutting down its services last August and filing bankruptcy, Mexicana Airlines is believed to be returning to the skies this summer. According to a press release on the airline’s website: “Operations will begin with seven aircraft and eleven routes [and will increase to] forty aircraft and more than forty routes in the second half of the year.” The sooner Mexicana can begin services, the quicker they can again plug the holes in service currently being filled by other companies such as Continental, American, Aeromexico, and VivaAerobus. Read more at the link below.

http://www.journeymexico.com/blog/mexicana-airlines-returning-to-the-skies/

According to Travel Weekly, the new Mexicana routes are likely to include “San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Havana as well as the Mexican cities of Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, Oaxaca, Tuxtla Gutierrez and Veracruz.”

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Amazon residents win $8.6 billion ruling against Chevron

http://www.greatnewsnetwork.org/index.php/news/article/amazon_residents_win_86_billion_ruling_against_chevron/

A judge in Ecuador this week awarded $8.64 billion to Ecuadorian residents of the Amazon who had sued Chevron for years of crude oil pollution, but both sides said Tuesday they will appeal the verdict.

Chevron charges the verdict against them is the "product of fraud," and the plaintiffs say the size of the award is too small in comparison to what would be needed to do a real cleanup.

Read more here!!

http://www.greatnewsnetwork.org/index.php/news/article/amazon_residents_win_86_billion_ruling_against_chevron/

Stay at the Lovely Posada Esmeralda

Located just off the Gorgeous Playa Zipolite, stay at the lovely Posada Esmeralda. Close to stores, restaurants, night life, Posada Esmeralda is in an excellent location. Secure clean comfortable rooms you'll find everything you want at Posada Esmeralda. With your wonderful hosts Beto and Elia your will feel right at home. Enjoy longs walks on the beach and sweet siestas in your rooms. Enjoy a meal in the new little restaurante.

http://posadaesmeralda.blogspot.com/

Located in the Roca Blanca end of Zipolite, next to the Posada Roca Blanca and San Cristobal Restaurante/ Hotel. Internet is also located nearby.

Making Tamales in Zipolite, Oaxaca Mexico

This was such a wonderful experience. We were invited to share in the whole process and document it all. In the end there was Rosario and we were able to taste the delicious tamales that the ladies had worked so hard on all day.

Below are explanations and some recipes.

A tamale or tamal (Spanish: tamal, from Nahuatl: tamalli)[1] is a traditional Mexican dish now widespread throughout Latin America, made of masa (a starchy dough, often corn-based), which is steamed or boiled in a leaf wrapper. The wrapping is discarded before eating. Tamales can be further filled with meats, cheese, vegetables, chilies or any preparation according to taste, and both the filling and the cooking liquid may be seasoned.

Tamales were one of the staples found by the Spanish Conquistadors when they first arrived in Mexico and were soon widely spread throughout their other colonies. Tamales are said to have been as ubiquitous and varied as the sandwich is today.[citation needed]

Tamales originated in Mesoamerica as early as 8000 to 5000 BCE.[1] Aztec and Maya civilizations as well as the Olmeca and Tolteca before them used tamales as a portable food, often to support their armies but also for hunters and travelers. There have also been reports of tamal use in the Inca Empire long before the Spanish visited the new world.[1]

The diversity of native languages in Mesoamerica led to a number of local words for the tamal, many of which remain in use.

In Mexico, tamales begin with a dough made from nixtamalized corn (hominy), called masa, or a masa mix such as Maseca, and are generally wrapped in corn husks or plantain leaves before cooking, depending on the region from which they come. They usually have a sweet or savory filling and are typically steamed until firm.

Few countries have such an extensive variety of tamales as Mexico, where they're considered one of the most beloved traditional foods. Almost every region and state in the country has its own kind of tamal. It is said that there are between 500 and 1000 different types of tamales all around the country. Some experts estimate the annual consumption in hundreds of millions every year.

Tamales are a favorite comfort food in Mexico, eaten as both breakfast and dinner, and often accompanied by hot Atole or Champurrado, maize-based beverages of indigenous origin. Street vendors can be seen serving them from huge, steaming, covered pots (tamaleras).

In Mexico City, the tamal is often placed inside a wheat bread roll to form a torta de tamal (also called guajolota), substantial enough to keep a person satiated until Mexico's traditional late lunch hour.

The most common fillings are pork and chicken, in either red or green salsa or mole. Another very traditional variation is to add pink colored sugar to the corn mix and fill it with raisins or other dried fruit and make a sweet tamal (tamal de dulce). There are commonly a few "deaf", or filling-less, tamales (tamal sordo), which might be served with refried beans and coffee.

The cooking of tamales is traditionally done in batches of tens if not hundreds, and the ratio of filling to dough (and the coarseness of the filling) is a matter of discretion.

-----------------------
Masa is Spanish for dough, it is sometimes referred to cornmeal dough (masa de maíz in Spanish). It is used for making corn tortillas, tamales, pupusas, arepas and many other Latin American dishes. The dried and powdered form is called masa de harina or maseca (which is actually a commercial brand); it is reconstituted with water.

-------------------
http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles/Ethnic-Unique-Foods-Ingredients-645/tamales.aspx

http://www.mexgrocer.com/catagories-tortillas---tamales-tamales.html

Monday, February 14, 2011

Bicycles for Ghana

Check out Rebecca Bollwitt Blog this Week!

Off to Africa http://www.miss604.com/2011/02/off-to-africa.html

By Rebecca Bollwitt
February 14th, 2011, 12:00 PM (PT)
posted in: charity, travel | tags: Africa

I am currently somewhere in the middle of my 18-hour journey to Ghana, West Africa (and have scheduled this post for publication). I have been alluding to this trip on Twitter and Facebook as three weeks ago I was invited by Cadbury to be a part of the final leg of its Bicycle Factory campaign. Read more here http://www.miss604.com/2011/02/off-to-africa.html

I find this very interesting, one that Rebecca is going on an "Adventure of a Lifetime", two that they are on such a wonderful mission, to deliver these bikes and provide such good. Three considering chocolate- cocoa is so huge here, this is a big interest to us, as in Mexico, Chocolate impacted us in such a big way and we want to see how the rest of the world is working to bring good and not negative to the world.

"Since 2009 Cadbury has been running the Bicycle Factory program that has encouraged Canadians to enter UPC codes online from their Fair Trade Dairy Milk bars, Caramilk, or other Cadbury products in exchange for digital “bike parts”."

Rebecca also states:

Cadbury has a large presence in Ghana as cocoa is a one of the country’s largest industries. In 2008 they established the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, local governments, farmers, and communities and in 2009 they committed to establishing Fairtrade status. Cadbury, who since achieved status in 2010, currently partners with Kuapa Kokoo, the Fairtrade Certified Cocoa Farmers Co-operative that ensures those working in the cocoa industry to are able to achieve a sustainable livelihood. Please note: I researched this background information myself when I was considering the trip and was not supplied this information by Cadbury. I have also not been paid to participate in this campaign.

Way to go Rebecca, have a wonderful safe journey. All the best to you and your grandma.

Tina and Angel :)

The Girl That Silenced the World for 5 minutes!

I am ONLY A CHILD!

This is an amazing speech by Severn Suzuki speaking at the 1992 Brazil's UN Meeting!
ECO - they came 5000 miles to tell them this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severn_Cullis-Suzuki

Cullis-Suzuki was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada.[1] Her mother is writer Tara Elizabeth Cullis. Her father, geneticist and environmental activist David Suzuki, is a third-generation Japanese Canadian.[2] While attending Lord Tennyson Elementary School in French Immersion, at the age of nine, she founded the Environmental Children's Organization (ECO), a group of children dedicated to learning and teaching other youngsters about environmental issues.[3] In 1992, at the age of 12, Cullis-Suzuki raised money with members of ECO, to attend the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Along with group members Michelle Quigg, Vanessa Suttie, and Morgan Geisler, Cullis-Suzuki presented environmental issues from a youth perspective at the summit, where she was applauded for a speech to the delegates.[4][5] The video has since become a viral hit, popularly known as "The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes". In 1993, she was honoured in the United Nations Environment Programme's Global 500 Roll of Honour.[6] In 1993, Doubleday published her book Tell the World (ISBN 0-385-25422-9), a 32-page book of environmental steps for families.

Read more here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severn_Cullis-Suzuki

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Severn-Suzuki/110486772312945

He Feeds the Poor, Unloved & Suffering!

This is so inspiring! He feeds the homeless, old, mentally destitute and been doing it since 2002.

He used to work in a fancy hotel feeding all his guest but people in his own town were starving.

He makes them feel like human beings! Food is one part, love is another. The physically help you show we give this person a the purpose in life.

We are all the same! Thousands of people are suffering!

What is the ultimate joy of living. Giving! Start Giving!!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

We are the children of OJALÁ! San Miguel Viejo, Guanajuato, Mexico

We are the children of OJALÁ!

We paint, we plant, we build and we laugh;
We sing, we dance and we celebrate.

We find the good and praise it…
We hold on to what is good!

We are the children of OJALÁ!
We are the children of OJALÁ!

Somos los niños de OJALÁ!

      Pintamos, plantamos, construimos y reimos;
      Cantamos, bailamos y celebramos.

      Encontramos lo bueno y lo aplaudimos,
      Y nos quedamos con todo lo bueno!

      Somos los niños de OJALÁ!

Somos los niños de OJALÁ!

http://www.ojala-ninos.org/

We are the children of OJALÁ. We live in a small poor village just outside the town of San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. Our village is called San Miguel Viejo, old San Miguel, because about 500 years ago our Otomi ancestors came to this place to farm. They built a church in 1542 because they had become Catholic.

Two hundred years later the Spanish built a big hacienda here and our families worked for them like slaves. We were allowed to live on this land but we did not own it until the revolution in 1910, when the government gave this land to all of us together. Communities like ours are called “ejido.” Read more here http://www.ojala-ninos.org/about-us

OJALÁ Ninos is a non-profit program for children in the rural community of San Miguel Viejo near san Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanjuato, Mexico.

The program offers afternoon classes in 6 art disciplines, English and music, free of charge to 120 local children. Teachers are volunteers from the US, Canada and the local Mexican community. http://www.ojala-ninos.org/past-beneficiaries

PLEASE HELP US KEEP THIS GOING WITHOUT INTERRUPTION!

What we need now:

1) A floor and shelter for art classes for 40-50 small children.

2) A van, bus or truck for field trips – and to transport other children to and from our site who live in much more isolated places nearby.

3) More books for our tiny, new library.

The Ultimate Dream: to build a cultural-community center dedicated to after-school education and activities for all the residents of this village and surrounding smaller communities – classes in English, sex education, environmental studies – a library.

http://www.ojala-ninos.org/donate

Ojala Angels http://www.ojala-ninos.org/trustees

View Ojala-Ninos in San Miguel Viejo in a larger map

Our Mailing Address

Ojalá Niños A.C.
c/o Elsmarie Norby
220 N. Zapata Hwy. #11
Laredo, TX 78043

Tel: 415-839-5475

Email: elsmarie@ojala-ninos.org

Become an Angel:

With an ongoing commitment to support our work, you join the ranks of Ojalá Angels.

Become a Volunteer:

Come meet our kids and help them grow!

Do you have skills or education training in ART, MUSIC, DANCE, DRAMA, etc.?

Can you drive to field trips?

Can you speak to children (in Spanish) about any of the following: health/fitness, nutrition, pets, the environment, books, etc.?