March Equinox and Easter

The March equinox falls either on the 19^th, 20^th or 21st day of March but happens at the same moment, even if the clock times reflect a different time zone. For the Northern hemisphere, it is marked as spring equinox and fall for the south of the Earth’s globe. There is no fixed date and it slightly varies every year, because an equinox is dependent to the position of the sun.

Equinoxes occur only twice a year, one in March and the other in September. These astronomical events are the exact moment when the Sun is directly overhead the Earth’s equator.  At the equinox, the tilt of the Earth is zero relative comparing to the sun, which means the Earth’s axis is neither point towards nor away from the sun. With the equinox the Earth’s two hemispheres receive about equal but not exactly amount of the Sun’s rays. It signals the beginning of respective seasons, with the length of day and night is nearly equal, hence the Latin words, equinox, which means “equal night” from aequus means equal and nox is night.

Spring Equinox

The spring or vernal equinox is an astronomical event that signals the beginning of astronomical spring. Astronomical perspective, it is first day of spring, but for meteorological and weather scientist’s perspective, the 1^st of March is considered as the first day of meteorological spring. The meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle rather than on the position of the Earth relative to the sun. And meteorologist divides the year in quarters for easy and uniform statistical data.

After spring equinox follows change of lengthening of sunlight or daylight hours, with earlier dawns and late sunsets, since the Earth never stops moving around the sun. With longer spring days the temperature rises, and warm weather brings activities from most plants and animals that are sensitive to warmer weather.

Ancient human civilizations have used astronomical events as indicator to begin or end certain communal activities; majority had been agricultural from planting to herding. The survival of the human race had, is and will always be connected to the sun, in which, observing and tracking the movement of the sun, length of day, and utilizing the sun as a clock and Moon as calendar had been the major occupation, and human ancestors, who did not know better, consequently and naturally revered the Sun as god/s with supernatural powers. This is evident with many ancient sites marks astronomical events like equinoxes and solstices and equated with religious importance, from the Mayans pyramid to Stonehenge.

Who is Easter?

Eostre, the Goddess of Spring

Easter is derived from Eostre, Ostara, Austra, or Eastre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess, also known from other mythologies as Ishtar in Assyrian, Inanna in Babylonian, Astarte in Phoenician, Ashtoreth in Canaan, Isis in ancient Egyptian, Venus in Roman, and Aphrodite in Greek. Regardless, the geo-cultural-linguistic difference, the common denominator is this goddess is revered for her (spiritual) aspect of rebirth, resurrection, love, beauty, sex, pleasure, fertility, procreation, bounty and victory.

She is identified with the brightest planet in the night sky, rising before the sun or setting after it, appearing that this bright planet is following the light of the sun. For that reason, multitudes romanticized myths associating her love for the sun-god and representation of the coming and going of seasons.

What is Easter?

Spring Festival

The return of spring and spring itself are the ultimate symbol of rebirth and resurrection of the Earth from winter slumber. Easter is a celebration of the return of the spring and/or spring together with the goddess that represented the season. The said celebration was briefly described by Bede the Vulnerable, an English monk who lived in England from CE 673-735. In De temporum ratione or The Reckoning of Time he wrote:

In olden times the English people – for it did not seem fitting that I should speak of other nations’ observance of the year and yet be silent about my own nation’s-calculated their months according to the course of the Moon. Hence, after the manner of the Greeks and Romans, (the months) take their name from the  Moon, for the Moon is called mona and the month  monath. The first month, which the Latins call January, is Giuli; February is called Solmonath; March Hrethmonath; April, Eosturmonath…

Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated “Paschal month” and which was once called after the goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. Now they designate that Paschal season by her name, calling the joys of the new rite by the time-honoured name of the old observance. (Wallis, F., 1999)

Movable Christian Feast

The date of Christian Easter is not a fixed date, the day was agreed by an ecumenical council of Christian churches, called the First Council of Nicaea, whom met in ancient Nicaea, now known as Iznik, Turkey, in CE 325. Under the agreed Nicaean rule, Christian Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the fourteenth day of a particular new moon – the one that begins on or after the spring or vernal equinox. The rule was established to make sure that the pilgrimages to Jerusalem and other shrines have the light of a full moon to help guide. Sometimes there is confusion and discrepancies about how to properly date, but regardless, the Christian Easter have been governed by the spring equinox and the phases of the moon – how pagan is that?

Final Thoughts

Easter is a spring celebration named after a spring goddess. All the fun things about it were from various sun-worshipping religions. From the easter bunny, the painted eggs and egg hunts, the baked buns and cakes, and the sunrise services were practiced by non-Abrahamic, polytheistic, or pagan religions before Christianity incorporated it to their version of easter.

Celebrating spring is just natural as it commemorates surviving harsh winter and preparation for the next cycle. And it is not a coincidence that spring is a great and apt time to mark and celebrate resurrection of many gods, including a Christian man-god (god made man), named Jesus. It is very interesting human phenomenon where our ancestors primitive societies attempted to rationalize their shared experience through conflating it with  a deity or deities and its worship. Was it to make the celebration more important and somewhat official? Why not just celebrate spring crediting the real factors that aid in surviving winter which human ingenuity and resourcefulness, cooperation, altruism and empathy? It is time to be kind to ourselves by giving the overdue credit to you and humanity deserved.  

As always enjoy and embrace humanity as you celebrate spring festivals!

References

1. The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2013). Encyclopedia Britannica. [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com

2. Byrd, D. (2017, March 20). March equinox! Happy spring or fall. [Blog Post] Retrieved from http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-vernal-or-spring-equinox

3. Holloway, A. (2017, April 20). The Ancient Pagan Origins of Easter. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/ancient-pagan-origins-easter-001571/page/0/1

4. Wallis, F. (1999). Bede: The Reckoning of Time (Translated Texts for Historians). Liverpool, UK: Liverpool University Press.

5. Rao, J. (2017, April 14). The Full Moon That Determines Easter. [Blog post] Retrieved from https://www.space.com/36460-full-moon-that-determines-easter.html

Simple Way to Clean Mirrors

Mirror, mirror on the wall why you are such a dirt magnet among them all, but do not fear white vinegar is here. Speaking of white vinegar, it is useful alternative in cleaning glass and mirrors. Here are the basic cleaning materials required in mirror cleaning: a  spray bottle, sponge, old newspaper or microfiber cloth, ammonia-free glass cleaner or a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts warm water, cotton swab or used-soft toothbrush and, an optional, squeegee.

Steps in Cleaning Mirrors

1. Cleaning. For moderately dirty surface, a necessary spot cleaning or wiping with sponge moisten with glass cleaner or vinegar mixture to remove visible hard dirt and dust build up. For extremely dirty mirrors, start by wiping it with a sponge soaked in cleaning solution (add a little liquid dish detergent to the glass cleaner vinegar mixture), let it sit for a minute to soften the hard dirt, then wipe clean. Protect part of the mirrors with dry rug or towels that would be prone to rot or rust when exposed to moisture.

2. Final Cleaning and Polishing. Spray or sponge, to mist not soak, the mirror with glass cleaner or a vinegar mixture, let it sit for a minute and wipe it off with loosely crumpled old newspaper. Do not use newspaper with a soy-based ink. Wipe the surface in circular motions to avoid smears. If old petroleum-based inked newspapers are not available, use a microfiber cloth, fold into quarters to have 4 clean surfaces to work with, flip as necessary. Start wiping from top left corner to the top right corner and then down and start back again at the left side. Clean corners using a cotton swab or used-soft toothbrush. Spot clean as needed.  

  

3. Defogging a mirror. If mirror is already foggy a hairdryer help defog it, as hot air evaporate the moisture. To keep mirrors from fog-free for 3 weeks, apply a little shaving foam (not gel) or a car windshields anti-fog wipes evenly across the surface. After taking a shower, wipe it off with squeegee.

It is simple, fast, and very satisfactory. As per suggested in the previous article regarding cleaning schedule, mirrors are scheduled to be cleaned every quarterly to avoid extremely dirty condition that require extra step or cleaning product, but as always cleaning depend on how dirty a surface gets.  So it is really up to you.

Is this article useful? Please feel free to share your thoughts and leave comments, questions, suggestions and/or corrections below. And do not forget to follow such support would greatly help this blog create better content. Thank you!

As always keep it clean and simple.

Reference

1. Neal, S.Y. (2017, August 21). A Simple Cleaning Schedule. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://inourhomesweethome.blogspot.com/2017/08/a-simple-cleaning-schedule_17.html

Herb Garden

Herbs are commonly associated to plants with leaves, seeds or flowers used in cooking to add flavor to dishes, or in medicine, or as fragrances. In botany, the scientific study of plant life, the term “herb” is given to any plant that has a stem which dies every year. Do not worry most are perennials which grow back from its rootstock, while replanting annuals, the one that does not grow back, would be a yearly event and a time to seriously evaluate your garden.

Ancient civilizations had been known to use herbs in medicine. The connections between herbs and health have been established; hence encourage the use of herbs in cooking. Do not be fooled, sometimes claims may have some truths, but mostly it were superstitions, so have some care.

Easiest Herbs to Grow

Starting a kitchen garden with herbs in pots is easy as most herbs require little sunshine, just enough watering to keep alive and little or no fertilizer. In general most herbs like lean condition like well drained or sandy soil. Some people believe the flavor of these herbs is much better or more intense when they are a little bit distress. Beomg a novice gardener is already a source of distress to some plants and so there is no need to recreate it deliberately.

1. Mints and Lemongrass

Mint and lemongrass are two herbs that are easy to grow but depend on the climate zone. Mint may have adapt well in a tropical climate with small adjustment in watering, but lemongrass, a tropical plant, should be avoided in a dry inland zone, as it can be killed by temperature10 and below.

Lemongrass grown in a pot, place indoor and in a bright, south-facing window would adapt and thrive. It has as sweet citrusy hint great for simple teas, hearty soup, meat sauces and dishes.

Mints, whatever the zone, are always aggressively invasive like a weed, so plant them in their own pot to prevent killing other plants. Peppermint flavor is more intense than spearmint, and better planted from a seed than a cutting. While milder-flavored spearmint can be grown from cuttings. Both thrive in partial shade and incredible easy to grow.   

2. Rosemary, Sage, Oregano, and Thyme

Rosemary, sage, oregano and thyme are the most common culinary herbs. All are Mediterranean and perennials plants, most are tolerant to drought but cannot grow in full shade. They can resist strong prevailing wind like in a coastal area but a combination of cold weather would considerably weakens them, hence a sheltered spot from the wind but receive full sunlight is most ideal. These 4 herbs can be planted together in a large pot with a well-drained potting mix. Most culinary chef prefer a certain variety of this herbs like Tuscan Blue Rosemary; Greek and Italian Oregano; English, French and Lemon Thyme; and Common Sage or “Berggarten.”

3. Chives and Parsley

Chive is the cutest indoors herb to grow, not only it looks good in a small pot but also drought tolerant and thrives well in partial shade. If one is planning to have vegetable and/or flower rose garden in the near future, propagate chives as it is a great companion plant to garlic, onion, carrots, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, strawberries, cabbage, broccoli, mustard and roses. It is believed to repel a number of harmful insects like aphids, carrot flies, cabbage worms, beetles and slugs. Another herbs that thrives well in partial shade is parsley, they are great companion plants.

Dill and French tarragon would be great to be planted with chives and parsley as they are all use for sauces, spread, garnish; but bit temperament would recommend it only once garden and gardening skills are better established.

The incentive of growing edibles is not only having healthy fresh source, great flavored dishes but also an effortless physical and mental exercise. The health truth about gardens could be on the activity and the fresh flavor and food is just a great plus. 

The next gardening article would be about vegetable garden as a continuance to kitchen garden. If you have comments, questions, reactions, suggestions and correction please feel free to post down below. And do not forget to follow. Thank you.

As always enjoy gardening!

References

1. Kinkead, E.B., Sehbai, D.S. & Tunney. C.J, (Eds.). (1972) Modern Century Illustrated Encyclopedia.(Vols10).  Austialia: McGraw-Hill far Eastern Publishers.

2. Tapsell, L. C., Hemphill, I., Cobiac, L., Sullivan, D. R., Fenech, M., Patch, C. S., Roodenrys, S., Keogh, J. B., Clifton, P. M., Williams, P. G., Fazio, V. A. & Inge, K. E. (2006). "Health benefits of herbs and spices: The past, the present, the future". Medical Journal of Australia. 185 (4): S1–S24.

3. Food Wishes (2015, June1). How to Plant a Culinary Herb Garden! DIY Kitchen Garden. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbYbI-uGEyg&gl=US

4. Entertaining With Beth. (2014, April 18). How to Start an Herb Garden. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzXHNlb1bos

5. Faulkner, Z. (n.d.).  The 9 EasiestHerbs to Grow Indoors.  [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://www.more.com/living/stylish-home/9-easiest-herbs-grow-indoors

Baking Essentials: Part III

The first two series of tools and equipment most essential in baking would able a beginner to start baking simple goods like cookies, cakes, cupcakes and muffins. This third part would extend one's baking resume with breads. Building slowly and utilizing quality kitchen essentials that would aid in creating quality food products together with a safer and efficient cooking and baking operation. Here are six additional essential baking tools:

1. Hand Mixer

As beginner baker, a hand mixer is a perfect starter.  Numerous recommendations are leaning on 5-speed hand mixers. Kitchen Aid Brand has always been popular with regards to motorized baking equipment; the brand preference would indicate reliability from simple concern of not overheating to longevity. Additional quality to consider in choosing hand mixer is the ergonomic quality, like the physical ease on the grip and weight.  In having hand mixer before purchasing a stand mixer would help one choose and appreciate a good quality stand mixer, but if one could afford to buy both items please do so.

2. Food Scale

A scale is a very useful tool in baking, since this kind of cooking method relies on precise measurement of ingredients. As bakers rely on a scale for accurate measurement, the scale’s accuracy needs to be tested before purchase, then maintained through annual calibration. Other criteria to consider would be the scale’s capacity, increments, readability, easy to clean, convenient to store and for digital scales resolution of display, speed, “tare” or “zero” button feature and battery life. The old-school counter balance scale, which has been used by bakers and candy makers, seems to be the most reliable as it uses weights or scale weights, stable and durable, plus it double as artsy kitchen display. Nonetheless, digital scale has been seen as a practical option these days for good reason, as it is designed for accuracy and speed. Most bakers recommended the “OXO Good Grips 11 lb Food Scale with Pull out Display,” for it readable pull out numerical display, quick-ready measurement, auto-zeroing features, and battery life.

3. Liquid Measuring Cups: Measuring Glass

Measuring tools like cups and spoons have been discussed at the start of this baking essential series, and have been demonstrated that those are most efficient and accurate in measuring dry ingredients. However, for wet ingredients, such as milk, water, or oils, a wet or liquid measuring cup, like calibrated plastic or glass jugs, would be the best as it would avoid spills that would lead to wastage and inaccuracy. The criteria for choosing the best liquid measuring cup would be accuracy, durability, versatility, staining and ease of use, with that, brands like Pyrex and Anchor hocking comes to mind. The material including the handles are made of heat and cold resistant thick glass, that also microwave-safe with handle stays comfortably cool even when heated in the microwave.

4. Baking Pan: One-Pound Loaf Pan

An 9x5 or 8x4 or an 8-inch one-pound loaf pan with sharp corners and tall sides would be a great addition to essential baking pans collection. With loaf pan a novice’s baker could try baking simple loaf bread, pound cake or a classic healthy banana bread. It also versatile as it could be use in making meatloaf. The best material for loaf pan is aluminized steel, which is inexpensively cost effective, durable long-lasting, rust-resistant, non-stick and most of all, it encourages the development of heavier crust, that is not good for layer cakes but amazing in loaf and banana bread. Aluminized steel is a combination of aluminium and silicon, and brands like Williams Sonoma, USA pan, and Chicago Metallic bake ware have been recommended.

5. Bench Scrapper

A stainless steel bench scrapper or dough cutter is a versatile kitchen tool, it task is not only limited to portioning dough but it could double as a frosting or icing smoother. If  chopping huge amount of vegetables and need to move it to a bowl or a skillet, bench scrapper is pretty useful tool. It could also be a cutting tool for very soft food items like lasagna, brownies, marshmallows and other soft sweets. Consider the criteria such as material, the material and comfort of the grip and length.

6. Silicone Pad

Silicone pad like Silpat F06 half sheet size (12x17-inch) reduces use of parchment paper, so hooray for the environment. These heat-resistant, non-stick, reusable, flexible pad is so versatile from baking cookie, roasting meat and vegetable, cooling toffee, brittle or chocolate, to rolling dough of many kind and more. The bottoms of items baked are always even and slide off easily. It is very convenient to use, clean and store. No wonder most bakers and cooks own like half a dozen of these.  

What do you think about the additional baking tools? Would you prioritize these items in building your kitchen and baking essentials? Please share your thoughts and post comments, reactions, inquiries, suggestions and corrections below. And do not forget to follow to inspire and help this blog create better content. Thank you!

As always enjoy baking!

References

1. The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2013). Encyclopedia Britannica. [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com

2. El-Waylly, S. (n.d.). The Best Kitchen Scales. [website]. Retrieved from https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/10/the-best-kitchen-scales-equipment-review.html

3. Vaglica, S. (n.d.). The Best Liquid Measuring Cups.  [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/10/best-liquid-measuring-cups-equipment-review.html

4. Sally. (2016, February 24). 14 Kitchen Tools Every Baker Needs. [Website]. Retrieved from https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/02/24/14-kitchen-tools-every-baker-needs/