Monday, January 19, 2009

Youthful Memories of My Grandfather Clock

By Johnathan Livingston

When I was young we visited my grandparents regularly. I remember visiting them on the weekends. I liked their house because it was stately and very comfortable. Most of all, I remember the Grandfather Clock they had in the corner of the family room. It was impressive and everyone really liked it. It was the focal point of the room.

We used to sit in the family room and discuss world affairs, political events an all of the key issues of the day especially those that impacted our daily lives. It was very pleasant to be in the family room and listen to the melodic chimes flowing through the house.

My Grandparents house played a key role in my growing up. Every major event of my young life happened in their home. I remember celebrating my birthdays, religious events, school graduations and sports victories. And through it all the Grandfather Clock was there. It chimed accurately and melodically. It was as much a part of my family as the rest of us.

I recently visited an antique shop that carried many different types of Clocks. I immediately recalled my grandparents grandfather clock and decided that I should get one for my family. There are currently many models available. There are inexpensive key wound models that quite affordable.

Grandfather Clocks typically have an Oak or Cherry finish. They also chime on the hour and the half hour.

I am looking at recreating some of my childhood memories. I am looking to purchase an affordable grandfather clock that I can also share with my family and pass down to the next generation just as my grandparents did.

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You can be an Arab Belly Dancer

By Charlie Reese

Why Are People Biased Against Arabian Belly Dancing?

There seems to be a false assumption in western nations that Arabian belly dancing is scandalous and inappropriate. Generally intelligent people make negative comments when they hear of teenagers and young girls practicing this ancient dance form. What causes Arabian belly dancing to conjure up such negative images in peoples minds? Arabian Belly Dancing Costumes.

Perhaps it is the attire worn when performing belly dance that makes people think of sex. While some dancers in different areas may wear gowns that cover the entire body, the general image of a belly dancer involves a bra, skirt and various decorative items such as belts. In some countries, such as Egypt, it is still taboo for women to show bare skin. Therefore, dancers there wear flesh-colored body suits under the rest of their costume.

Even without that extra layer of clothing, one needs to look at Arabian belly dancing costumes in a realistic light. Even the most risqu costumes consist of a bra that covers the breasts and a skirt which, at the very least, covers the pelvic region. All of a womans sex organs are covered, and often in a much more thorough fashion than one can see at their local beach. If bikinis arent considered to be indecent, belly dancing costumes that usually consist of much more fabric shouldnt be a problem either.

History of Belly Dancing.

So if it isnt the clothing that inspires the disdain for Arabian belly dancing, what is it? Perhaps looking at the origins of belly dancing could offer a clue. Unfortunately, historians have failed to pinpoint a starting place or timeframe for belly dancing. What is known is that it was a womens dance, traditionally passed down from mother to daughter. It was such a gender-specific dance that in the past the only way for men to view anything approaching it was to have other men performing the dance. Arabian belly dancing was also considered somewhat sacred, being closely linked with goddess worship.

Perhaps these are the factors that truly make Arabian belly dancing so controversial. First, in many parts of the world, goddess worship is frowned upon, so anything associated with it would be considered immoral. Additionally, since belly dancing remains a fairly gender-exclusive practice, it could be viewed as being anti-male. This is compounded by the fact that Arabian belly dancing celebrates both womens bodies as well as their inherent strength. In many parts of the world, including the west, there is a push for all things feminine to be suppressed. Women are encouraged to dress like men, talk like men, and generally act like men. An art like Arabian belly dancing that emphasizes women through their bodies and, historically, through worship of the divine feminine is a stark contrast to the currently accepted masculinity of society. Women need to embrace being female and stop looking at Arabian belly dancing as something wicked. Rather it should be seen as the beautiful feminine form of artistic expression that it is.

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Ginseng-For Pleasure And Healing

By Zul Rahman

Ginseng is the most common herbal supplements on the market nowadays, compared to all the other herbal supplements. In the olden days it is also known as "man root" since it it resemble human body. Till this day many people believed that ginseng has the mystical and curing power. The ancient Chinese considered that a plant that look similar to human body parts would have a healing effect on that body part. For example if the plant resemble a hand, then it has the power to heal hands. Ginseng is believed to bring a balance and well being to the whole body since it's root contains the shape of a human body.

Ginseng are also known for creating energy. That's why most of the energy drinks contain ginseng. The Chinese are the one that learned about this.

Americans utilized ginseng to treat mental clarity and stress. Ginseng has always been associated with its power to tone up physical as well as mental therefore maintaining good body balance.

The Asians have discovered that Ginseng facilitates mental betterments, eradicates anemia and helps prevent diabetes, neurosis, coughs, asthma, and T.B. They also believed that it is good to the well being of liver and can significantly reduce the effects of hangover.

There are a lot of research done on Ginseng compared to other herbal supplements. One of the concern that people have nowadays is that they don't get the genuine Ginseng anymore because of the chemically factory processed..

The only way to be sure that you get the authentic Ginseng is to buy the Ginseng root. Despite of all the research and studies carried on Ginseng, it is still yet to be endorsed by the FDA.

Be warned that if you suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, clotting and bleeding disorder, do not use Ginseng unless with the approval of your health care professional or doctors.

Ginseng served both as medicinal herbs as well as goodies in cooking. This is pretty common in Asian cooking particularly in Korean and Chinese dishes. Ginseng are also put in tea for curing and pleasure purposes.

It is commonly chopped, mashed and added into boiling soups. Sometimes it is also added to stir fry dishes and during the cooking of steam rice. Normally Ginseng is used together with the preparation of chicken and mushroom dishes.

Aside from regular cooking, Ginseng is also used in the preparation of dessert, salads and even jellies. Usually people who love cooking with Ginseng are the vegetarians. Today as more and more people learn about the benefits of Ginseng, it is becoming more of a household kitchen ingredients.

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