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	<title>THE food blog</title>
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	<description>Everything nom nomn nom</description>
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		<title>Tips in Finding Exotic Jewelry Boxes</title>
		<link>http://www.geoffstwitchen.com/2012/02/14/tips-in-finding-exotic-jewelry-boxes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.geoffstwitchen.com/2012/02/14/tips-in-finding-exotic-jewelry-boxes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:30:11 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.geoffstwitchen.com/2012/02/14/tips-in-finding-exotic-jewelry-boxes/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Exotic jewelry boxes are great gifts or as collection items. Many travelers choose jewelry boxes as gifts or as souvenirs for every place they have been to. Jewelry boxes are not only functional, they will also serve as great heirlooms you can pass on to your children. Every location has a treasure of unique and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><P>Exotic jewelry boxes are <A href="http://www.jewelryboxes123.com/t-holiday-gift-ideas-articles.aspx">great gifts or as collection items</A>. Many travelers choose jewelry boxes as gifts or as souvenirs for every place they have been to. Jewelry boxes are not only functional, they will also serve as great heirlooms you can pass on to your children. Every location has a treasure of unique and exotic boxes that differ in design, material and the art displayed on them. The most prized of these boxes depend on the authenticity of the design and the kind of exotic wood used to make the boxes. For example, <A href="http://www.mydesignerfashion.co.uk/uncategorized/jewelry-boxes-for-women-african-jewelry-stored-in-superb-ways/">exotic boxes made from the bobbing wood are what you would find in Africa</A>. You can also find boxes that are not made of wood but rather of papier-mache, such as those created by Uzbek jewelry box makers. You can also find jewelry boxes made of metal such as bronze or copper.<br />
<P></P><br />
<P>An example of a culture that specializes on traditional handmade crafts such as boxes, chess pieces, and pencil cases is Uzbekistan. Unlike other places where the traditional arts has been diluted by Western influences, the craftsmen of Uzbekistan has managed to hold on to the traditional methods of creating art which results to one-of-a-kind creations that are a great hit with foreign visitors and lovers of exotic art. </P><IMG border=0 alt="" align=right src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1lan0uVZu6w/TSgqoi2ajJI/AAAAAAAABos/6TqFXxlLYKI/s1600/bone-brass-jewelry-box.jpg" width=270 height=181 alignment=""><br />
<P>Uzbek art which is placed on proud display on these boxes and chess pieces show the amazing attention to detail that craftsmen put on their work. Engraving is a major area in the art of Uzbekistan and this is seen in copper plates and wood. Painting on papier-mache and ceramics are also very much alive among Uzbek artists. Women are taught the finer skills of embroidery, where cotton and natural silk cloth are used to create traditional garb, carpets, and prayer mats. </P><br />
<H3>Tips in Finding the Right Exotic Jewelry Box</H3><br />
<P>Exotic boxes come in various sizes. An authentic exotic jewelry box is handmade, so that no two boxes are alike. Look for boxes made of indigenous materials such as wood, bamboo, or fibers that grow naturally in the area. For details such as adornments or engravings, designs that depict traditional art are ideal. If you cannot travel, international cultural conventions offer the best options for you to learn about the arts and crafts of other countries without having to leave your city. <A href="http://www.ircica.org/muscat-international-festival-for-arts-heritage-and-creativity/irc851.aspx">The International Festival for Arts, Heritage and Creativity in Muscat</A>, for example, showcases 150 artisans representing 25 countries from all over the world and presents traditional creations, from carpets to embroidery to the making of wood and papier mache jewelry boxes. In North America, international conventions for culture and the arts in the States or in Canada offer a similar glimpse to the culture and art of other countries. </P><IMG border=0 alt="" align=right src="http://www.articlesweb.org/blog/wp-content/gallery/wholesale-jewelry-boxes/wholesale-jewelry-boxes-6.jpg" width=270 height=181 alignment=""><br />
<P>Exotic <A href="http://www.crazysales.com.au/buy-watches-jewellery/jewellery-boxes">jewelry boxes</A> are very functional yet they can also be used as decorative or collector&#8217;s pieces. Traditional art and natural materials make these boxes very much different from the mass produced jewelry boxes you see in most department stores. They are also great gift options, especially if you are travelling and what something substantial and functional to give to friends for the holidays. </P></p>
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		<title>Classic Martial Arts Equipment</title>
		<link>http://www.geoffstwitchen.com/2012/02/09/classic-martial-arts-equipment/</link>
		<comments>http://www.geoffstwitchen.com/2012/02/09/classic-martial-arts-equipment/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:39:16 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[There is some martial arts equipment that is necessary for every dojo or training studio. This will ensure that you, your students, and fellow instructors are able to provide the best training possible. It is important to recognize decent and useful equipment. &#160; A standard training tool is a punching bag. These come in a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There is some <A href="http://smai.com.au/">martial arts equipment</A> that is necessary for every dojo or training studio. This will ensure that you, your students, and fellow instructors are able to provide the best training possible. It is important to recognize decent and useful equipment.<br />
<CENTER><IMG src="http://printmatic.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/punching-bag.jpg"></CENTER><br />
<CENTER>&nbsp;</CENTER><br />
<P>A standard training tool is a <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punching_bag">punching bag</A>. These come in a variety of weights and sizes, the right one will depend on the type of martial arts you are teaching. For example, full contact fighting arts need heavy weight bags. Typically these are hung from the ceiling, and they will come with all the tools to do a proper installation. There are stand alone bags, but these cannot withstand great amounts of force. The top is covered in padding, while the bottom is hollow. Once in place, you can fill the bottom part of the stand alone bag with water or sand. This is an ideal option for children or arts that engage in little or light contact. </P><br />
<P>Small kick mitts are another necessity. These are small, hand-held pads that allow students to practice a variety of techniques. They are perfect for crescent kicks, round kicks, and hand techniques. Because these are so easy to maneuver, students can develop their reaction time and speed by attacking moving targets. </P><br />
<P>In addition to small mitts, you will also need large kick shields. These are lightweight and maneuverable, but are large enough to practice powerful techniques like elbow strikes and knee smashes. These are perfect for partner work. </P><br />
<CENTER><IMG src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xAHdSofnf70/TTMqWxfh0sI/AAAAAAAAFS8/527kVjilDwY/s1600/jumprope.gif"></CENTER><br />
<P>A classic piece of equipment is the jump rope. Every martial arts school should have at least a few of these. Jumping rope simulates the footwork used in fighting and sparring. It forces students to bounce on the balls of their feet, staying loose and relaxed. It also provides a great workout. </P><br />
<P>Depending on the kind of dojo and martial arts being practiced, you may want to have some loner sparring gear on hand. Should a student forget theirs, or if a new student has not yet purchased their own, this extra gear can come in handy. Helmets, shin with instep guards, and gloves are basic pieces of gear every student should have. </P><br />
<P>You do not need to have the latest and greatest martial arts equipment. Providing these basic and classic pieces will help you pass on your skills and teachings to new students. Enjoy practicing your art with the right gear. </P></p>
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		<title>Russian cuisine:</title>
		<link>http://www.geoffstwitchen.com/2012/01/04/russian-cuisine/</link>
		<comments>http://www.geoffstwitchen.com/2012/01/04/russian-cuisine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:11:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Russia is by far the largest country in the world in terms of the area covered and it is also located to the north and is dominated by long cold winter season, where geological modelling software is used on a daily basis. Therefore, to survive the cold, you will need the Russian food to give [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Russia is by far the largest country in the world in terms of the area covered and it is also located to the north and is dominated by long cold winter season, where <a href="http://www.leapfrog3d.com">geological modelling software</a> is used on a daily basis. Therefore, to survive the cold, you will need the Russian food to give you all the energy and warmth plus a lot more nutritional requirements. Essentially, the Russian cuisine provides more of carbohydrates and fat yet it has limited proteins. Since fresh fruits and vegetables are rarely used in the foods, the top five major food components in a Russian meal include potatoes, eggs, bread, meat and butter. Cabbage, soup cream, curds, lard, cucumber, apples, tomatoes, honey, sugar, salt and onions are equally popular in the Russian cuisine.</p>
<p>Russian dishes have a shocking caloric content and this is basically because the country is cold for long periods of the year and thereby does not support crop growth. Although history has shown that Russian diet was basically based on off grain wheat, oats and millet. Besides, the people used to rear cattle and hunting was part of their lives hence the source of many foul dishes. The people thereafter learned the benefits of preserving food that could help them survive the winter effectively and hence the origin of the rich Russian cuisine. It is from the need to preserve food that dishes such as “borsh” (heavy vegetable soup and pieces of meat) and “okroshka” (boiled eggs and cucumbers) came to be.</p>
<p>Alcohol is not left out on the list as it helps people keep worm during the winter and to compliment the alcohol, certain biting were preserved and later used as accompaniments. Therefore, a basic Russian meal will consist of three dishes starting with a meaty soup dish that has a lot of vegetables. The main meal is composed of fish or meat (beef) and is usually accompanied by carbs of your own choosing. Third and last is a heavy drink to finalize the Russian menu.</p>
<p>For a long time Russian, lunch and dinner time were fixed as well as the seating arrangement. Strict rules and taboos were also observed while dinning and one was not allowed to knock/scrape spoon on the dish, talking or loud laughing were equally forbidden. The head of the house had to sit at the head of the table. Although such kind of culture is still not in existence, it’s still prominent in certain parts of Russia along with <a href="http://www.wellcentred.com.au">Pilates North Sydney</a>.</p>
<p>Russian meals are not spicy bust since Russia was at the center and a cross roads where the east and west could meet and cross paths while heading to Asia or Europe, spices become part of Russian food though not originally from Russia. Spices were brought along by European business men and since it was a crossroad, it is equally easy to understand why Russia has menu or meals that are similar to those on other parts of the world. Most if not all Russian foods are meant to provide high energy boost while providing constant warmness during winter season. The foods or meals in question include snacks and alcoholic drinks as well as juices.</p>
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