Belize lies on the eastern or Caribbean coast of Central America and is bordered by Mexico to the north and (partly) to the west. The remainder of the west and the south of Belize is bordered by Guatemala. Belize is the least populated country in Central America. Belize is a diverse society that was the only nation in the region with a British colonial heritage that also has cultural ties to the Caribbean and Latin American countries. Territorial disputes between the United Kingdom and Guatemala held up Belize’s independence until 1981. The history of Belize predates European influence as it was originally populated by the Amerindians (Caribs, Arawaks and Mayas). Mayan civilization spread from the Yucatan Peninsula, to the north, down to Belize. Mayan civilization flourish in Belize from around 200-800AD and begins to decline in the late 800’s to 1000AD. The first Europeans arrived in 1511 when shipwrecked Spanish... Read the Rest →
We have reached Belgium on our “Tastily Touring” adventure. You can’t say the word “Belgium” without thinking chocolate. And, in light of the current issue of Food network magazine, “The Chocolate Issue”, we could not have “landed” in Belgium at a better time. But, before we become consumed in chocolate talk, let’s learn a little about Belgium. In 1830 The Kingdom of Belgium became independent from the Netherlands. It was occupied by Germany during World War l and World War ll. Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and a member of NATO. Located in Western Europe and bordered by Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea, Belgium is at a European crossroad and could be considered a European melting pot. Belgium derives its name from the Belgae, a Celtic tribe and during the past two millennia has been influenced by cultures: Roman, Germanic, French, Dutch, Spanish... Read the Rest →
Both of my children have or are taking Latin in school. My youngest took it for two years and is now taking French. My oldest, who struggled through a year of Spanish is now taking Latin and loving it. I find it extremely interesting and as the “quizzer” during study time I’ve enjoyed learning a few Latin words and phrases. Cross word puzzles are notorious for using Latin words and phrases as clues and since I love to do crossword puzzles helping my children study their Latin has helped me. The word “amas” is very popular in puzzles as well as “amat” and “esse”. “Sine qua non” and “quid pro quo” are two very popular phrases. “Sine qua non” means “an indispensable condition” or “a condition without which it could not be”. The term “quid quo pro” means “something for something.” Today we use the term “quid quo pro” as... Read the Rest →
Both of my children have or are taking Latin in school. My youngest took it for two years and is now taking French. My oldest, who struggled through a year of Spanish is now taking Latin and loving it. I find it extremely interesting and as the “quizzer” during study time I’ve enjoyed learning a few Latin words and phrases. Cross word puzzles are notorious for using Latin words and phrases as clues and since I love to do crossword puzzles helping my children study their Latin has helped me. The word “amas” is very popular in puzzles as well as “amat” and “esse”. “Sine qua non” and “quid pro quo” are two very popular phrases. “Sine qua non” means “an indispensable condition” or “a condition without which it could not be”. The term “quid quo pro” means “something for something.” Today we use the term “quid quo pro” as... Read the Rest →
I am going to state right here at the beginning of this post that this post is an opinion based on personal experience and is in no way, shape or form meant to be hateful. It is the truth and based on 3 separate events: A few months ago I went to my dry cleaners/seamstress. I had to fit into a gown and I had gained a few pounds over the past few years. It is a beautiful, classic gown that is timeless. I decided I’d have it let out and diet. I’d rather starve myself for a month than go shopping for clothing so this was my solution. I put the gown on for my seamstress. She eyed me up and down as I stood there embarrassed to have gained weight and horrified I’d have to let this gown out. Then, she said, “Ohhh…you got more here and here.... Read the Rest →
I am going to state right here at the beginning of this post that this post is an opinion based on personal experience and is in no way, shape or form meant to be hateful. It is the truth and based on 3 separate events: A few months ago I went to my dry cleaners/seamstress. I had to fit into a gown and I had gained a few pounds over the past few years. It is a beautiful, classic gown that is timeless. I decided I’d have it let out and diet. I’d rather starve myself for a month than go shopping for clothing so this was my solution. I put the gown on for my seamstress. She eyed me up and down as I stood there embarrassed to have gained weight and horrified I’d have to let this gown out. Then, she said, “Ohhh…you got more here and here.... Read the Rest →
We find the origins of holidays exceedingly interesting. We enjoy learning how so many holidays have their origins in pagan tradition. Mardi Gras, which is literally translated “Fat Tuesday” and celebrated this Tuesday, February 21, 2012, in New Orleans, began in Europe. The ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February was a circus like festival not unlike Carnival or Mardi Gras. When Ancient Rome accepted Christianity as its state religion the leaders of the church felt it was better to include the customs of pagan religions rather than try to eradicate them. Carnival was the solution for the Christian church. Preceding the penance of Lent, Carnival allows Christians to, shall we say, let their hair down and party. Mardi Gras was brought to America by The Catholic French in the late 17th Century. Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and his brother Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville were sent by King... Read the Rest →
We find the origins of holidays exceedingly interesting. We enjoy learning how so many holidays have their origins in pagan tradition. Mardi Gras, which is literally translated “Fat Tuesday” and celebrated this Tuesday, February 21, 2012, in New Orleans, began in Europe. The ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February was a circus like festival not unlike Carnival or Mardi Gras. When Ancient Rome accepted Christianity as its state religion the leaders of the church felt it was better to include the customs of pagan religions rather than try to eradicate them. Carnival was the solution for the Christian church. Preceding the penance of Lent, Carnival allows Christians to, shall we say, let their hair down and party. Mardi Gras was brought to America by The Catholic French in the late 17th Century. Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and his brother Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville were sent by King... Read the Rest →
I was determined to make something new for Valentine’s Day. This got me thinking about many of the commercial Valentine treats… heart-shaped chocolate cake, strawberry this, apple that. But not once have I seen or had lemon squares, lemon bites, lemon bars, they have quite a few names behind them. Come to think of it, I have not had a lemon bar for more than 15 years! I had almost forgotten what they taste like. With this thought in mind, I decided to refresh my memory and prepared for my task. Lemon bars were first made by Breyer’s in the 1950’s. It was initially made as a summer treat because it was easier to eat desserts cut in bars. It’s still a popular dessert and almost always a staple in Southern American pastries. I decided to use Ina Garten’s (Barefoot Constessa) recipe for lemon bars. I’ve seen her briefly on... Read the Rest →
I was determined to make something new for Valentine’s Day. This got me thinking about many of the commercial Valentine treats… heart-shaped chocolate cake, strawberry this, apple that. But not once have I seen or had lemon squares, lemon bites, lemon bars, they have quite a few names behind them. Come to think of it, I have not had a lemon bar for more than 15 years! I had almost forgotten what they taste like. With this thought in mind, I decided to refresh my memory and prepared for my task. Lemon bars were first made by Breyer’s in the 1950’s. It was initially made as a summer treat because it was easier to eat desserts cut in bars. It’s still a popular dessert and almost always a staple in Southern American pastries. I decided to use Ina Garten’s (Barefoot Constessa) recipe for lemon bars. I’ve seen her briefly on... Read the Rest →
Women have always worked. In the past the majority of women worked as home makers. Some women, while working as home makers, also ran a cottage industry business. When women did work outside the home their options were limited; working as teachers, housekeepers, manual laborers. It wasn’t until recent history that women began seeking higher education and a wide variety of careers. Women entered the business man’s world as their secretaries and have been arduously climbing the corporate ladder since. In days gone by women typically stopped working outside the home when they married. So, a majority of the women in the work force were single with no children. Like women today, they didn’t have a great deal of time to prepare meals. In a 1949 edition of “The Good Housekeeping Cookbook” a very, very small section called “Meals for the Business Girl” offers nine menus for the busy working... Read the Rest →
Women have always worked. In the past the majority of women worked as home makers. Some women, while working as home makers, also ran a cottage industry business. When women did work outside the home their options were limited; working as teachers, housekeepers, manual laborers. It wasn’t until recent history that women began seeking higher education and a wide variety of careers. Women entered the business man’s world as their secretaries and have been arduously climbing the corporate ladder since. In days gone by women typically stopped working outside the home when they married. So, a majority of the women in the work force were single with no children. Like women today, they didn’t have a great deal of time to prepare meals. In a 1949 edition of “The Good Housekeeping Cookbook” a very, very small section called “Meals for the Business Girl” offers nine menus for the busy working... Read the Rest →