The Chinese Vacation Guides
Culture
Chinese Soups
0Although stir frying is probably the most well-known method in Chinese cooking, you might be surprised what an important role soups play in Chinese cuisine.
Chinese soups, however, are completely different from Western ones, and by this I mean both the actual soup and the concept. The first few times I tried butternut squash soup in England, it took my ‘Chinese stomach’ a while to understand what I just had.
Chinese soup is usually ‘clear’, never creamy. Although the soup obviously contains various ingredients, it rather looks like ‘coloured’ water. So, this kind of soup can never be like butternut squash soup as a ‘main’ on the table, it is not heavy enough.
The history of Chinese soup goes back to thousands of years ago. In those ancient times, rich people had soup on a daily basis. Some of the soups were supposed to keep you healthy, calm your mind, and give you a long life.
Chinese Soups
The most famous soups are the ones with the purpose of nutritious boost and medication, for example, chicken and mushroom soup is best for helping women achieve a speedy recovery after giving birth. And if you are not feeling well, lost appetite for food, people would normally suggest you to have some soup as it is easy to digest. These kinds of soups normally require hours boiling, and some of them can be very expensive. (more…)
The 12 Chinese Animals
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12 Chinese Animals
How many times have you gone to a Chinese restaurant and figured out what animal from the Chinese zodiac represented you? You also probably read the description of those of that animal’s characteristics and nodded in agreement or shook your head thinking, “that’s not me.” But have you ever wanted to know more about the Chinese zodiac and the twelve animals? Have you ever wondered how these twelve animals came to represent different years? Well, wonder no longer. “The 12 Chinese Animals: Create Harmony In Your Daily Life Through Ancient Chinese Wisdom” by Master Zhongxian Wu presents what can be a complex Eastern topic in a very easy to understand and accessible manner for the Western reader.
The first part of the book explains the wisdom behind the twelve animals. The numerological meanings are explained, and a short primer on Chinese zodiac or Chinese astrology is presented in a few pages. There are also short explanations of the eight trigrams, twelve tidal hexagrams, and the cycle of nature. This obviously isn’t as in depth as you could go, but for most people, these simple explanations will suffice to gain a better understanding. (more…)
Feng Shui and Religion
0Is Feng Shui in conflict with any organized religion? What is ironic is that Feng Shui originates from a culture and country where Buddhism is the predominant religion, and yet there are sects of Buddhism which presently dissuade their followers from believing in any kind if divination arts, including Feng Shui. This is ironic because those who only have a passing acquaintance with Feng Shui often assume that it is an integral part of Buddhism.
As a consultant for nearly two decades, I have had clients from all walks of life. I have had clients who were predominantly Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and atheist, pretty much in the order. Perhaps I am only dealing with clients who are not orthodox in whatever religion they practice. I know this must be the case with the clients who are Muslim and Christian, but I suspect this is the case with the other religions as well. I was raised Jewish and it’s my understanding that the orthodox Jews in Israel do not even think that the reform Jews in American are even Jewish. I do recall having an Orthodox Jewish client once who was very uncomfortable with my suggestions in her home. I had been recommended to her by a concerned friend, so she reluctantly scheduled with me. It was not that I was suggesting she do anything that would be offensive to how she had her household arranged. It was merely the fact that she was taking advice, outside the Torah, which perplexed her. And yet, I have been asked to evaluate a Kabbalah Center in my area. (more…)
Holiday Meal With Christmas China
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Christmas China
If you are hosting a big Christmas dinner this year then why not brighten up the whole affair by buying some decorative Christmas china? Whether the dinner is for friends or family they are sure to be impressed and enjoy the meal a whole lot more when their plates are bundles of Christmas cheer.
The holidays are a special event and you don’t want to set the table using the same dishes you use all year long. You want to make everything about your holiday decorations add that sparkle, that ‘something extra’ that’s found in the magic of Christmas. Plain dishes and even run of the mill Christmas dishes won’t suffice. You need Christmas china to complete the ambiance.
The best thing about buying China for your Christmas dinnerware is that you don’t have to settle for just one pattern if you see more than one that you like. You can get multiple settings and simply rotate their use during the holidays.
Major companies are always creating designs for Christmas as well as keeping in stock their traditional Christmas designs. Of course, if you don’t like designs on your Christmas dinnerware, you can still have elegance by choosing one of the many patterns that feature a simple gold or silver circle around the dinnerware.
There are a few people who will purchase gorgeous sets of Christmas china and then unfortunately won’t use it. They keep it put up out of reach and often out of sight ‘in case’ something happens to it. (more…)