universal connections to each other
PC gone to far? Steve Martin honors or insults Carrie Fisher on Twitter..
Steve Martin Deletes Carrie Fisher Tribute After Backlash
While some thought criticism of Martin was unjustified, others said Fisher ― a staunch feminist who spoke out against the objectification of women throughout her career ― wouldn’t have paid any mind to the “whiny dudes” getting mad over the clap-backs.
Christmas Dinners Around the World
Top 5 alternative Christmas dinners from around the world
22nd December 2016
Fancy feasting on something a little different this Christmas? Forget turkey and sprouts. Try these Christmas dinners from around the world instead
Brought to you by Wander Lust website
<!–share me–>
1. Australia
Down Under, Christmas is a very different affair. Instead of huddling around a fire drinking tasty mulled wine and nibbling on roasted chestnuts, they’re chilling out at the beach and cooking up a good old barbie.
Lamb ribs on flame (Shutterstock)
Wanderlust‘s very own resident Aussie, Peter Moore, suggests: “Some Australians are traditionalists and stick with the Christmas Roast with trimmings, even though the weather’s so hot the coloured ink from their paper crowns is running down their foreheads. We usually had a barbecued breakfast on the beach.”
Like the sound of that? Have dinner Down Under-style with an avocado and seafood salad for a starter and grilled chicken breast or steak for a main.
2. Honduras
Christmas is a very important celebration in Honduras, not only because the population are primarily Catholic but also because it’s a traditional part of family life. In this Central American country, festive food is all about tamales. The main festivities take place on December 24.
Beef tamales and salsa (Shutterstock)
Families gather to enjoy tamales, mini parcels stuffed with anything from chicken to pork and cheese to dried fruit. Turkey tamales have becomes popular in recent years as a variation on the Honduran tradition. Once stuffed, the bundles are wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled or steam-cooked.
3. The Philippines
Filipinos are well-known for celebrating Christmas for as long as possible and for making the most of the festive fun. Instead of being held on December 25, the main feast is instead held towards midnight of Christmas Eve (or Noche Buena).
Most families begin their feast with a lechon (or roasted pig), which is often cooked over smouldering charcoals for a smoky flavour.
Roasted pig (Shutterstock)
The main course consists of a Christmas ham, served with Queso de Bola, which is quite literally a ball of cheese, with a coating of red wax, and oodles of noodles. Instead of a steaming or flaming Christmas pudding, locals tend to opt for a fresh, fruit salad to finish off their meals.
Other treats that Filipinos feast on include spring rolls stuffed with ground beef, baked-stuffed chicken, and spicy beef stew.
4. The Netherlands
Traditional Christmas dinner customs in the Netherlands differ greatly from those in surrounding countries. The Dutch call their main meal a gourmet.
Beef steak (Shutterstock)
A family or group of friends will sit around a small table top that’s set with a stove and miniature frying pans. Here, they drink fine wines and chat, while cooking different types of meat, fish, prawns and shrimps, along with crisp vegetables, salads, fruits and sumptuous sauces.
Variants on this festive feast include more typical western European dishes, such as roast beef, duck or pheasant.
5. Portugal
A feast of dried, salted codfish accompanied by boiled cabbage, potatoes and other vegetables is devoured on December 24, when families and friends swap presents. It’s served alongside a medley of eggs, chickpeas, fresh herbs and generous amounts of olive oil, which makes for a fantastic Mediterranean-style Christmas meal.
Traditional Portuguese Christmas Dish (Shutterstock)
Variations on these main ingredients are served up and down the country. In recent years, a roasted turkey has been served as another extra meal at lunch on December 25.
What does your family serve?
Ever wanted to do this….?
Human Rights Day
Honoring Human Rights Day
On this day in 1948, the United Nations adopted a universal set of human rights that apply to all of us. We honor this milestone towards creating a more free and equal world.
Excerpt of UN News article
9 December 2016 – Upholding human rights is in the interest of all and are at the heart of the work and identify of the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed ahead of Human Rights Day, calling on the international community to “stand up for someone’s rights today, tomorrow and every day.”In his message on the Day, Mr. Ban recalled that over the decade of his tenure as UN chief, he has repeatedly stressed the interdependence of the three pillars of the Organization – peace, sustainable development and human rights.
“Together, they form the basis of resilient and cohesive societies rooted in inclusion, justice and the rule of law,” he said, noting that human rights are also at the heart of the work of the UN.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948. One of its foundations is the notion that everyone is entitled to the full range of human rights and that all of us are collectively responsible for defending them. In order to celebrate and promote this view, this year marks a new Human Rights Day campaign, Stand up for someone’s rights today!
The campaign refers to a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, the first chair of the then UN Commission on Human Rights and oversaw the drafting of the Declaration:
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”
What does Human Rights mean to you? Should it be the same definition for each country?
Share you thoughts….
Mindful Moment: Namaste
Would you write an honest review if you had to include a selfie? Would a picture affect your opinion of the review?
Selfies are complicated things. They can be an act of ego, an attempt to boost self-esteem, a way to authenticate that you were really there at a historic moment, or that you met a very important person. That said, it can also be, depending on where you are and what you’re doing, just a wee…
via Yelp Is Now Encouraging Their Users To Take Selfies When They Write Reviews — Real Stories – UPROXX
Interesting article that makes me wonder about reviews. I write reviews and often will read reviews pro and con before making purchases, going to see a movie, buying a new book, staying at a hotel or resort, etc.
I like and trust the honest reviews, not the glowing reviews but the ones that say yes it is good and here are some things I wish were better…why? because not everything can be 5 star there is always room to improve in all aspects of our lives and that goes for consumer products as well.
Yet as I read this article I wonder how many people would write an honest review, less than 5 star, if you had to include your picture with it?
Often on Facebook, twitter, articles with comment sections many people comment, sometimes, well let’s be real, often, leads to a disagreement which leads to school yard arguments ‘no your stupid, no you are’ and than down grade from there.
As a reviewer I don’t want to put my picture up with my review. Why? Because one I think the review should be, well about the review itself not about my picture. And two I want to make sure I am doing what the author and fellow readers have entrusted me to do…WRITE AN HONEST REVIEW.
I can’t write an honest review if I am worried about someone coming after me personally verbally or physically (which has happened where chefs come after customers, people stoop to criticising the person’s looks or intelligence because they don’t like the review).
To me if a friend as for a review, an honest review I feel a lot of pressure how I will respond, worried about their feelings and our friendship. If I review a restaurant but go bck to that place with friends later I don’t want to feel stared at or having anything say, ‘put’ into my food.
Reviews, for me, honest reviews, should be faceless and nameless. People are coming to read about the product not about the person.
What do you think? Do you write reviews? Would you add your picture? Would a picture affect your opinion of the review?
Hurricane Matthew Update: Over 100 Confirmed Dead In Haiti And Obama Declares A Federal State Of Emergency — Real Stories – UPROXX
.@JaniceDean has the latest on #HurricaneMatthew. pic.twitter.com/FJ7epT9F6z — Fox News (@FoxNews) October 6, 2016 As Hurricane Matthew ascends towards the United States, the storm has restrengthened into a Category 4 storm with 140mph winds. By Friday morning, the powerful storm will slam into Florida, which already saw early bands of rain clouds on Thursday. Matthew…
Does science and happiness go together?
A boatload of research offers practical advice you can use to start being happier today. Science has landed a probe on a comet hurtling through space, wiped smallpox from the face of the earth, and split the atom. Surely research can come up with a few ways to make humans happier. Thanks to the advent…
via 10 science-backed ways to be a happier person — BayArt
I came across the article above, a post from BayArt. I enjoy reading BayArt and like reading posts that make me think, question and wonder.
I have to say that I disagree with the title of the article. ‘Ways to be a happier person’ apply x, y and z and….your happy. Great tips and strategies listed but not one or all of them will make you ‘happy’. It can be dangerous to list what will make you happy.
When I was younger I used to think that if I just followed those steps above, every day than I would be happy all the time. It never worked, which would lead me to sink low, wondering what I was doing wrong. I thoughts if I get, do, have, x, y and z than I will be happy forever. I would get x, y, and z, have happiness but as life and stress creeped in, I would find myself unhappy again.
Thankfully I am learning that there are many great strategies but nothing can make you ‘happy’ all the time.
I have taken many classes and have discussed and practised a lot of these ideas. Yet happiness can not be down to science.
Your background, where you live, your health, family, etc all play such a huge role and change daily. These are great tips to use but I would be hesitant to say make you happier, as to each their own in what defines happiness.
Use and have as many strategies and tips in your ‘life tool belt’ as you can for each day brings it’s own highs and lows which you will need to navigate.
Remember to some days one strategy may work for you and than it may not work as well the next day. You can’t recreate happiness. Accept where you are at an d try another strategy.
What brings you happiness?
Do you think that science can tell you how to be happy?
Does Wonder Woman need to have her sexuality identified?
Article From Chatelaine on MSN below (in black)
Yes, Wonder Woman is queer
LGBTQ2SA characters have always quietly kicked ass in the comic world — take Batwoman or Iceman or even Jughead. As of yesterday, fans could add Wonder Woman (a.k.a. Diana of Themyscira) to that canon. In an interview with the comic-news site Comicosity, Greg Rucka — the writer currently spearheading Wonder Woman’s solo series — went on the record about the sexuality of one of DC Comics’ leading ladies.
“Now, are we saying Diana has been in love and had relationships with other women? As [series artist] Nicola [Scott] and I approach it, the answer is obviously yes,” Rucka said, perhaps flicking at the long-acknowledged queer subtext in WW’s Amazonian homeland. Rucka’s revelation, even in reference to a fictional superhero, is nonetheless a heartening sign of how pop culture can influence — and is influenced by — increasingly open discussions around non-binary sexuality. (Outside of the comic world, Baby-sitters Club author Ann M. Martin‘s previous same-sex partnership was recently revealed in an interview with Vulture, and writers of the forthcoming Xena: Warrior Princess reboot have hinted that the queerness of its protagonist may figure more prominently in her new series.)
Rucka went onto explain that the term “gay” doesn’t quite fit Wonder Woman, either: “[The Amazon homeland]’s supposed to be paradise. You’re supposed to be able to live happily. You’re supposed to be able — in a context where one can live happily, and part of what an individual needs for that happiness is to have a partner — to have a fulfilling, romantic and sexual relationship. And the only options are women.
But an Amazon doesn’t look at another Amazon and say, ‘You’re gay.’ They don’t. The concept doesn’t exist.” So there you have it: Love is love, even in the realm of superheroes.’
Does this need to be told about Wonder Woman or any other characters? I am wondering if it helps. Perhaps it helps people relate to comic book characters and see themselves reflected. I am not an expert in this and am truly wondering, does it need to be said.
Did we need to know that Bert and Ernie were gay? Zena warrior princess is a lesbian.
Why do people or in this case, fictional characters’ sexuality have to be addressed? I hope to one day live in a world were people or fictional characters are look at for who they are rather than who they are attracted too.
Making this one of the top headlines, Wonder Woman is queer, says a lot about where we are as a society. The need to identify people and label them, expecially their sexuality. Is this helping or hurting? Is it needed or placing a spot light on sexuality?
If you get the chance to read the comment section on MSN after the article it is interesting the viewpoints of people. Some saying, great whatever, while others are very upset writing that they are tired of ‘all of this being shoved down their throat. The alphabet community’ Have never heard the LGTB community referred to that way. But the comment section definatly drew lines for and against.
I feel that today we are reporting so much on skin color, race and sexuality. What about morals, virtues and seeing the person as a whole rather than parts? Hopefully one day. Maybe all of this needs to happen to get there or maybe it is just dividing people. I do not have an answer to this.
What do you think?
Mindfulness Living 