Tag: United States

Only Real Martial Arts Stop Rapists

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One of my favorite stories to tell is about the time my brother-in-law’s girlfriend got her black belt in karate…

She had her big flashy test…kicked the bag…sparred other girls (and a couple of guys that looked like girls!) with the foam booties and gloves on…did her kata with the appropriate “snap” in her movements…very nice.

Now, I’m not a complete jerk, so I let her have her moment. Congratulated her, hobnobbed with the karate “master”, and ate a piece of the sheet cake with little icing karate dudes on it….

That was until a couple of months later at a family graduation party when she began to tell all the girls how the type of “karate” she studies is great for fitness (ok), fun (ok), and self defense (BZZZZZ!).

I had stood what I could, but I couldn’t stands it no more…

I walked right up into the middle of the gaggling girls, singled her out and flat out asked her, “Tell me the truth…If a 225 pound man attacked and tried to rape and kill you, can you 100%, honestly say that you would know what to do? Could you save your own life?”

There was a deathly quiet pause as every single girl in the room visualized that horrible situation in their own minds. Then came the same answer I’ve heard from every single women martial artist I’ve ever met in my life who doesn’t train with us…

“Ummm…I guess not.”

Here in the United States there seems to be a government agency looking into just about every consumer industry in an effort to protect people from scammers, hucksters, and other assorted con men or corporate swindle.

Unfortunately, for women who are looking for a martial arts style that will provide them with a way to defend themselves, there is no government agency licensing or even looking into instructors or the proven effectiveness of the claims.

Therefore there is an over abundance of inexperienced, untrained, liars who claim they are teaching self-defense. These frauds will often teach a style that sounds and perhaps even looks good on the mat, but lacks any value in real combat.

Moreover, dealing with criminal rapist scum is no time for a woman to find out that her “training” was really just cardio kickboxing in disguise… So share the following information with a woman you care for.
Examining the profiles of rapists gives incite into a dangerous enemy.

The Power-assertive rapist considers himself manly and is the one most likely to commit date rapes. This type makes up 44% of rapists and will try to con a victim and gain her trust, but will have no problem using whatever level of physical force he needs to take control.

The Anger-retaliatory rapist hates women and will look to brutalize and punish them. He looks for targets of opportunity and will most likely beat you unconscious then commit rape. This animal makes up 33% of rapists and is easily enraged.

Power-reassurance rapists account for 21% of rapes and often spies on or stalks his victims since he lacks the confidence to have a normal relationship with women. In his twisted fantasy, he sees himself and the victim as lovers, and will force her to wear lingerie and kiss her while seeing the attack as lovemaking. However, using violence is not out of the question if it comes down to making a woman give in to his demands.

The Anger-excitation is the worst of the lot. A sexual sadist, this sick bastard only makes up 5% of all rapists. He has his attacks preplanned and victims can be women he knows or just spots haphazardly on the street. He derives sexual pleasure from inflicting pain and will tie up, gag and torture women for days on end. So vile is this creature that he will even film or photograph his victims so he can relive the attacks. He is the hardest to catch of the group because he usually kills his victims when he’s through.

During an attack your mind will be racing and you won’t be thinking clearing about what kind of rapist you are dealing with and what approach to take, but what all experts agree on is that a “properly trained” woman who fights back early DOUBLES their chance of escape…AGAINST ANY SIZE OR STRENGTH ATTACKER.

The Department of Justice reported that 93,934 women were forcibly raped in 2005 (They’re still calculating ’06)…These numbers are completely unacceptable as women can and should know how to defend themselves.

In Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, safety is listed right after breathing and eating. Personal protection is too important to be left to the police alone, or to depend on others for help.

Teaching and learning a martial art is ok as it has plenty of redeeming physical, cultural, social, & mental benefits. However, what people (especially women) need to understand, is that 99% of martial arts are NOT legitimate methods of self-defense.

Collecting Vintage Perfume Bottles The History of Perfume Bottles

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Collecting Vintage Perfume Bottles: The History of Perfume Bottles

The History and Evolution of Perfume Bottles (courtesy of http://www.perfumes.com/eng/bottles.htm)

Perfume Bottles in Ancient Times

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The enticing scent of the perfect perfume and the eye-catching elegance of the bottle has been an important part of world culture since ancient times. The oldest known perfume bottles came from the Ancient Egyptians. They crafted containers made of stone and alabaster which kept the perfume cool, and prevented the liquid from leaking. The Ancient Egyptians also used clay pots that they sculpted into designs of people and animals.

Perfume was an important part of the Egyptians preparation of the dead. Many of these ancient perfume bottles have been found in tombs. Containers have been found made of wood with different compartments for each perfume.

Glass bottles were also a part of ancient perfume history. They date all the way back to the fifteenth century BC. Perfume bottles made of glass were lightweight, and also prevented the liquid from leaking. Eventually the glass bottles were created in a variety of colors.

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Perfume bottles discovered in Palestine were made of glass, and were designed to have a narrow long neck. These delicate bottles were primarily found in tombs. Larger perfume bottles were also found in tombs because it was believed to mask the smell of the dead bodies.

The Ancient Greeks also made beautiful containers to hold their perfume. They hand painted vases which were often shaped as animals. They used lidded bowls for holding less expensive perfumes.

The Roman’s cherished their perfumes. They used hollowed-out precious stones to carry their most valuable fragrances.

Early European Perfume Bottles

Europeans used many different materials to store their precious perfumes. The most common materials that were used were glass, gold, silver, porcelain, semi-precious stones and shells. Perfume was commonly used in the form of incense. Some incense burners consisted of a container held from chains that was swung like a pendulum during Mass in the Christian Church. Stationary incense burners were also commonly used in Churches.

Some European perfume containers were designed to be worn. Semi-precious stones held perfumes and were pinned to clothing. Silver earrings were worn that contained perfume soaked fabric inside of them. Many containers were designed to be hung around the neck, from a belt, or from a finger ring.

Perfume bottles were handcrafted and designed by artists, jewelers and goldsmiths. Each bottle was gently crafted and designed to be worn, or displayed on a table.

Small wooden boxes were created to hold a sponge soaked with perfume. These boxes would fit inside a pocket and could be taken out and inhaled at any time.

Porcelain was used in the Thirteenth Century. Many highly decorative bottles were created. Boxes were created that included perfume and other essentials. Some boxes contained several bottles of perfumes, a funnel and a mixing dish.

Most fragrances during this time were first sold in inexpensive, plain bottles. Then the perfume was transferred into a fancy bottle at home.

Perfume Bottles of the Early 1800s and 1900s

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The design of perfume bottles made a dramatic change in the late 1800’s. There was a great incline of the arts movement called Art Nouveau. Most Art Nouveau designs consisted of floral motifs, and were primarily used to design the perfume label and box, leaving the perfume bottles fairly traditional in styling.

Several famous pieces of this time were the Bouquet Nouveau, Royal Vaissier, and Cri du Coeur. The Bouquet Nouveau was a Roger & Gallet perfume. It had a square green-glass bottle with an unusual gilded brass casing. Royal Vaissier displayed magnificent Art Nouveau style paper motifs in the form of a fleur de lys designed by Baccarat. Cri du Coeur (Cry from the heart) was a Lorenzy-Palanca powder box. It had a woman-flower image which is a rare high-style Art Nouveau icon.

Belle Epoque was the preferred style for perfume presentations at this time. The style tended to be traditional, cluttered, very elegant and very French. Examples of perfume bottles of this style were Coronis by Monpelas and Roger & Gallet’s Gloire de Paris.

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A new trend in perfume bottles was to create a bottle that looked like a luxurious crystal with an elaborate brass cap. The bottles had classic designs, and the brass caps matched the ornate gold labels and boxes. A few examples of this style were Rose Ispahan and Prince Igor by Riguard, Rose de Chiraz by F. Wolff & Sohn, Stylis by Delettrez, Eros by Richard Hudnut, Le Lilas by Riguard, and Mavis by Vivaudou.

During the 1910’s, there was a noticeable shift in the design of the traditional perfume bottle. The emergence of psychology and new perfume creations led to much more complex perfume bottles and names. The power of suggestion and dreams was having a huge effect on cultures in general, and perfumes were also affected. Perfumes were being marketed for specific times of day, seasons, and people.

Guerlain introduced the perfume “Voila pourquoi j’aimais Rosine” (That is why I loved Rosine). The bottle resembled a vase, and the stopper was concealed under silk flowers. The bottle shape was again used in Guerlain’s “Muguet” (Lily of the Valley). It was later re-introduced in all white with a white ribbon replacing the silk flowers. This presentation was an immediate success. Guerlain later introduced “Le Mouchoir de Monsieur” (The Gentleman’s Handkerchief) which had an innovative bottle with the shape of a triangle and a spiral motif on each side.

Rene Lalique was approached in 1906 by the perfumer Francois Coty to design the bottles for his perfumes. Coty was well established in the perfume industry and desired both beautiful and affordable bottles to hold his perfumes. Lalique was successful in fulfilling Coty’s wishes, and continued to design bottles for his future creations. His most famous designs include Au Coeur des Calices, L’Entrainement and Ambre Antique. He also designed bottles for other perfumers. Some of his most famous creations were developed for Houbigant, Roger et Gallet, D’Orsay, Forvil, and Arys and Molinard.

Other creative perfume bottles of this time were “Rediviva” (Revived) by La Compagnie Francais du Lysogene. It was shaped like a porcelain coffeepot, and the perfume was dispensed through the end of the spout. Illusion was presented by Dralle in 1908. It had a silver case shaped like a lighthouse, and the perfume bottle was held inside of the case.

The Oriental Movement in Paris began in 1910 by Paul Poiret, a famous French fashion designer. Pioret introduced an Oriental style in clothing, furnishings and perfumes. Women, who longed to wear the gowns he designed, but could not afford them, could still wear his perfume. For women who did wear his collections, the perfume was the final touch. Poiret developed a new perfume “Chez Pioret” with beautiful and innovative packaging. The bottle was made of clear glass with a colored glass stopper. It was decorated with gold tassels, and had a new label with a classic “R”. Pioret used his boxes as a tool for expressing the style of the fragrance.

Bichara Malhame was a very successful perfumer in Paris. His famous label on his perfumes portrayed himself seizing a mythological figure of Fortune by the hair. He also appeared on a Baccarat stopper wearing a wig, and appearing as an English judge.

Perfume Bottles of the 1920s

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The 1920’s brought a new era to perfumes. After World War I, many American Soldiers brought perfumes back to the states from Paris. This greatly influenced the perfume market in the United States. The perfume industry expanded rapidly, and many new perfume companies emerged.

Many fashion designers expanded their merchandise by including perfume. Most of these designers knew very little about creating a good fragrance, but they did know about style. They understood the importance of the visual presentation, which became vital to the success of the perfume.

Mascarades were very popular at this time, and had a strong influence on perfume bottles. “Masque Rouge” was introduced in a very modern bottle, and the box had a red mask motif. “Mascarades” by Cherigan came in a black bottle with a golden face under a rain of gold dust. “Arlequinade” was a Rosine perfume which resembled a Harlequin costume. It had gilded and clear triangles on the bottle, and a dark-green Bakelite stopper in the form of Harlequin’s hat and an orange wood tassel.

“Bakanir” was introduced in 1927 by Honore Payan. The bottle was a simple geometric shape with a stopper resembling an exotic headdress. The box was covered with painted leather with a ceramic plaque. It was one of the most luxurious presentations for perfume.

Baccarat perfume bottles were designed using superior quality crystal. They designed bottles for most of the perfume companies during this time. Two of their famous perfume bottles were designed in 1927. “Silver Butterfly” by Delettrez was made of pink crystal with silver ornamentation. It was designed in the shape of a vertical hexagon with an abstract motif. “Astris” by L.T. Piver was shaped as a star, and featured a silver six-pointed motif.

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One of the most famous perfumes, Chanel No 5, was released by Chanel in 1921. The perfume was revolutionary in scent and presentation. The bottle was a very simple design. The perfume was intended to make the masculine world available to women.

Perfume Bottles of the 1930s

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With the stock market crash of 1929, and the depression that devastated the United States, the perfume market slowed down dramatically. There remained a more limited demand in Paris, and only the strongest companies such as Baccarat, Brosse and Lalique were able to continue. The bottles became less elaborate, tended to be conservative and were often machine made.

Perfume bottles during this time were less frequently inspired by nature, and more often reflected Hollywood movies and metropolitan cities. Lalique designed the presentation for “Je Reviens” by Worth. The bottle resembled New York skyscrapers. It was a tall ribbed bottle in dark-blue glass. The stopper was sky blue, and the box had a chrome surface. It was a very modern presentation.

Jean Patou released the perfume “Normandie” in 1935. It was inspired by the luxury ship the Normandie. All First Class Passengers on the ship’s maiden voyage were given a souvenir model of the Normandie. Inside the model of the ship was a crystal bottle of perfume.

Perfume Bottles of the 1940s

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World War II caused another decrease in new perfume creations, as well as a decline in the quality of perfume presentations. After the war, the perfume industry was re-established, and many new perfumers emerged.

Christian Dior and Nina Ricci both presented works of art that strongly influenced the perfume industry. “Miss Dior” by Christian Dior was offered in an elegant clear crystal Baccarat bottle. Dior used a classic look that was elegant and luxurious. Nina Ricci was known for feminine and romantic creations. L’Air du Temps was released in 1948 and sold in a sunburst shaped bottle. The stopper was decorated with a dove. The lid of the box was lined with white silk and depicted a woman and a flying dove. The 1951 box was in the shape of a birdcage covered in yellow silk, and was illuminated by a battery.

Perfume Bottles of the 1950s

http://www.zensoaps.com/perfumesale/C-danatabu.jpg Perfumes once again became inspired by romance in the 1950’s. Salvador Dali designed the bottle for “Monsieur Marquay” by Marquay. The bottle featured an elegant man with a top hat and bow tie. The box was simple white with Dali’s moustache and signature.

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Christian Dior introduced “Diorissimo” in 1956. The special edition bottle was designed by Baccarat. The crystal bottle was in the form of an amphora, and the stopper had a magnificent flower bouquet in gilded bronze designed by Chrystiane Charles.

“Magie” was released by Lancome in 1950. Every Christmas a special edition was released. It was presented in a Baccarat spherical bottle with stars, and a box covered in leather or satin.

Modern Day Perfume Bottles

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Pierre Dinand was the first perfume bottle designer to produce perfume bottles exclusively. Dinand designs bottles with a modern feel, and uses the bottle as an expression of the perfume. He has produced numerous bottles using state of the art plastics, and has transformed perfume bottles in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Serge Mansau is another modern day perfume bottle designer. He prefers to focus his designs on nature’s beauty. His prize winning bottle for “Montana” was inspired by a maple seed. He has used flowers, stones and waterfalls as ideas for his bottle designs.

Jewelers have also entered the perfume business. Van Cleef & Arpels were the first jewelers to release a fragrance. Cartier followed An Cleef & Arpels with the bottle for Panthere in 1986. Tiffany, Bvlgari, Chopard and Boucheron have also launched fragrances.

Baccarat and Lalique continue to design the highest quality perfume bottles. Perfume bottle collecting has also become very popular. Most collectable perfume bottles come from French perfumes and date from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Modern day perfume bottles are expected to give the feel of the fragrance. The perfume bottle makes the first impression, and often helps the buyer decide if they want to add the fragrance to their personal collection.

Tips for Collecting Vintage Perfume Bottles

Always Keep an Eye out for opportunities to add to your collection! You never know where or when you could stumble upon the perfect bottle to add to your growing collection. Check out estate sales, garage sales, flea markets, antique stores, and specialty vintage perfume bottle websites online. You may even be able to find one or two in your own family, so ask around! What could be more special than a family heirloom perfume bottle in your collection? Decide how you want to collect your vintage perfume bottles. Do you want to only collect a certain brand? Or maybe you want to collect only perfume bottles manufactured during a certain time period? Creating a theme for your collection will make your collection as a whole more valuable and interesting. Do your research. It is good to know a little bit about what you are collecting before you start shopping! This way you will know if you happen to stumble upon a rare, unique find! Knowing a lot about your new hobby will also help you stay engaged. Books such as the Antique Trader Perfume Bottles Price Guide and The Wonderful World of Collecting Perfume Bottles, by Jane Flanagan are great resources for perfume bottle collectors. Don’t discard the mini bottles! When you are shopping for perfume bottles, snatch up the mini sizes of your favorite brands. Sometimes, these are rarer and are worth more than their larger counterparts! Check local events and conventions. You never know when a vintage perfume bottle convention could be coming to a town near you. These are great opportunities to learn more about perfume bottles and find some really great deals and unique bottles. Become a member of the IPBA. The International Perfume Bottle Association. Being a member of this association gives you access to exclusive newsletters and information about vintage perfume bottles. They also hold events each year, including a convention, conference, and perfume bottle auction.

Mixed Martial Arts Clothing- Choice Of People Of Varied Age Groups

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Since ages Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has been popular as a full contact combat sport among the masses of the United States and Canada. In the present scenario, after being known as a multi-million dollar business industry, the MMA has played a pivotal role in thrilling the entire sports fraternity coming with advanced fighting techniques and skills. We can say this has been quite responsible for creating enormous craze amongst the people for purchasing the Mixed Martial Arts clothing and accessories. The main thing is that today not only the fighters are using these apparels, but a large group of fashion freaks have come forward in order to make purchasing for these outfits.

Obviously, the current market has numbers of options of colors, styles and brands of MMA apparels. But, when anyone plans to adorn him/her with such outfits, he/she does not have to put his/her great efforts in finalizing the one. Put simply, the reason is quite clear because today a huge range of fantastic designs and creative styles of this clothing style is serving various clothing needs of the people living in different parts of the United States and Canada. People can find them in different colors that range from white, black to grey. MMA shirts fit snugly on body and it is very comfortable to carry them. One has an opportunity to avail with an exclusive range of T-shirts which contain information about varied MMA fighters. Apart from it, people can go through an exclusive range of hooded sweatshirts for cooler weather.

All in all, in the current world the colorful and attractive Mixed Martial Arts clothing and accessories have given many people especially from the young age an opportunity to rock in places like parties and streets. These apparels are available in different varieties like shirts, shorts and t-shirts.

What You Can Expect From Culinary Arts Careers

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When you think about it, the culinary community does have a lot to offer. Culinary schools in the United States and around the world offer different specialties in that field. It is more than just the executive chef preparing the entire meal.

It is a group of individuals working together who make the final product. Culinary arts careers are booming as more people watch reality food shows and want to be a chef. You can be a chef too or simply keep it as a hobby.

Culinary arts careers offer a great number of choices for culinary students who are seriously interested in joining the culinary community. Students learn each step of the kitchen by what is known as stations.

There are several different stations to be found in the kitchen, such as the meat, appetizer, sauce, vegetable and dessert stations. By working together, the line chefs are able to produce the customer’s requested meal.

Many culinary students begin work as a line chef and then quickly move forward to each different station in the hopes that they will become a sous chef someday. A sous chef is like the second in command. He or she can work each of the stations and assists the executive chef in any way.

He or she is a vital part of the chain of command and is a greatly respected part of the kitchen team. Sometimes, smaller kitchens will not have a sous chef, while larger operations may have several.

Other positions within a restaurant include people to manage the finances and business of the kitchen. These people are trained in Hospitality and Restaurant Management. Without these people the restaurant would not be a success. They interact with the customers and can call out the orders to the chef in the kitchen.

If these positions seem to be not exactly what you are after and you are not pursuing a culinary career position, then you may want to consider attending a Thai cooking school or a French cooking school class. You can still learn different techniques but without the pressure to advance the position of chef. They are great ways to add a different menu to your repertoire and dazzle your friends and family.

Culinary arts careers are not for everyone. Some people are very comfortable in their current jobs and just want to learn more skills for their hobby. There is nothing wrong with that.

Others want to seek out the challenges of the kitchen and eventually become an executive chef at a fine restaurant or resort. The most important factor is to love what you are doing and learning.

Enrich your knowledge further about culinary arts careers from Mike Selvon portal. We appreciate your feedback at our cooking school blog where a free gift awaits you.

The Nitty-Gritty Behind Chicago Recording Schools

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Chicago, Illinois – the country’s third largest city, is also in the top 3 cities for the best recording schools. With the birth of jazz in 1914 and many music legends such as Nat King Cole and Michael Jackson being born here, you can certainly understand why Chicago recording schools should be at the top of your list if this is your career pursuit.

Needless to say, in a city known for its music history, the Chicago recording schools are numerous and the choices are great., the choices for Chicago recording schools are numerous and great, given that the city itself is known for having a deep-seated musical history.} The School of Media Arts at Columbia College offers undergraduate and graduate programs to provide students seeking an educational opportunity in the arts and recording. Their department of audio arts and acoustics builds the fundamental skills needed to survive in today’s technologically advanced and ever-changing environment. Some of the courses offered: recording and production, recording live sound, music engineering and music design.

Columbia College Chicago is a private college that has the largest arts and media department in the country. It follows that the courses that they offer are outstanding and mentoring and hands-on resources are endless. The school also features a very diverse student population; as such, it’s regarded as one of the finest urban institutions in the United States.

The Flashpoint Academy -Chicago is yet another wonderful alternative for you. Committed to advanced techniques and learning in the field of digital arts and entertainment, Flashpoint, the Academy of Media Arts and Sciences offers a 2-year program in Film/Broadcast Media Recording Arts. Their departments are engineered to replicate studios in the digital recording industry keeping themselves at the cutting edge of teaching students bold new ways to approach recording. Unlike most other schools of advanced learning, Flashpoint prides itself on the fact that most of their curriculum were created by industry professionals and not professors who are basically out of touch with the newest recording technology available.

The list of Chicago recording schools is endless. Finally, if you’re seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Sound Recording Technology, then DePaul University might be the perfect Chicago recording schools for you. This private institution has more or less 24,000 students, is the biggest private school in Illinois, the largest Catholic University in America and is the 10th largest private university of the country.

The 4-year degree offered at DePaul involves recording sound for television, video and music production and multimedia as well as teaching methods of acoustics and theory. The school takes pride of taking a less conventional approach to classroom instruction by giving students access to state-of-the-art sound equipment. DePaul University offers off-campus teaching in world class digital and analog facilities where students receive experiences in exact settings they will work in; a true advantage for those loving hands on teaching and mentorship opportunities.

Things to Know About Culinary Arts School Ranking

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To help with your search, listed below are the top culinary schools in the world.

Culinary Institute of America (CIA) – CIA has many learning facilities including 41 professional kitchens and bakeshops. They offer bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts.ts.

Le Cordon Blue – Their program is designed to give students the hands on experience they need to make it in the restaurant business. Training combines French techniques with modern American technology. They strive to move beyond the basics, teaching students how to create their own recipes and cooking techniques.

The Art Institutes – This program has been reviewed by industry leaders and employers of relevance to ensure the studies meet the highest of standards. The program also reflects how things are done in the real world rather than a simulation.

The French Culinary Institute – They follow a total immersion approach giving students hands on training in small classes taught by distinguished professors. They offer both career and amateur courses.

Arizona Culinary Institute – You can earn your culinary diploma in just nine short months of full time study. Studies combine hands on classroom training with work in the premier student run restaurant. Class sizes are small, with only 10-14 students per class.

Although each of these schools is considered one of the top culinary schools in the world, it’s up to you to decide which school is the best match for your professional goals and interests. So, be sure to compare each school’s degree programs and tuition to find the school that is right for you.

Boiling water without burning it may seem like a simple process but in reality there are some individuals who simply do not know their way around the kitchen. They cannot tell you the difference between saut and broil. Culinary students who are interested in the top culinary schools must have some background in the kitchen if they hope to become an executive chef one day.

They have to know the basics if they want that ‘A’ on their souffle. It can be a demanding career and one that is tough on the body, mind and ego but for those who have the determination the pay off is extraordinary.

Top culinary schools are not everywhere. There are many located throughout the United States that offer a comprehensive cooking degree upon completion, yet there are some that do not and so you must go online. The only online school that may be applicable, should you want to run the front end of a restaurant, is The University of Phoenix with their Hospitality and Business Management program. However, this program will only teach you how to run the front of a restaurant, as it will not include any instruction in the culinary arts.

Many cooking colleges offer a special type of arts program that is world renowned. At the California School of Culinary Arts Pasadena, you can partake in the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts program, about which most people are most familiar.

It is a great curriculum that offers three distinct programs, which you can either take separately or all together. They offer the culinary arts program, a baking program and a program that focuses on Hospitality and Restaurant Management.

If you are not thinking about obtaining a certificate or degree and simply want to further your skills and knowledge in the kitchen, then you may want to think about specialized classes in one area of culinary delight.

My experience has taken me through a vast selection of resorts, 5 star hotels, restaurants, catering companies, cafe’s, boat charters, retail deli’s, cooking classes and major events providing me with experience of all levels of cooking with a huge influence in Modern Australian cuisine and a strong French background.

I have firm experience in a fast-paced environment with extensive knowledge of functions and a la carte menus and also the ability to put together successful degustation and canape menus both on and off site.

Both ‘live-to-air’ radio presentations and pre-recorded segments on;

– ABC Perth

– ABC Radio National

– RTRfm

– Radio Fremantle

– 6EBA

– ABC Rural WA

On going artcles in high profile magazines and newspapers such as;

– Flourish Magazine

– Quest Newspapers

– Coffs Coast Advocate

– Byron Bay Echo

– Fishing Western Australia

– Merredin Wheatbelt Mercury

– Nude Food Magazine

– Busselton Dunsborough Times

– The Kalgoorlie Miner

– Echo Newspaper

– Examiner Newspaper

– Post Newspaper

– Pizza News Australia (online magazine)

– Community News Blog (online blog)

– WA Health and Fitness Magazine (online magazine)

– Frigidaire Quality Appliances (online website contribution)

best culinary schools in the world

Finding Bruce Lee’s Martial Art Jeet Kune Do In India Without Being Ripped Off

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Jeet Kune Do is the famous art of Bruce Lee, and many think that he showcased the art in his films such as Enter The Dragon which he in fact did not. In his many films Lee used more of his Tae Kwon Do kicking that he found suited films as they were flashy, yet impractical for the street defense system that he devised.

You will see many of these high flashy kicks in India from “instructors” claiming to teach the real Jeet Kune Do. Some of these little known instructors notably Ritesh Reddy,Deepak Rao and Seema Rao are all from jkdindia.com which is a not authorized by the Bruce Lee Foundation in any way, nor does the Foundation condone their activities and use of Bruce Lee images and logos. Just so you know jkdmumbai.tripod.com is the same group.
So now you know of what to look out for, how do you find the legitimate teachers located throughout India. This task has become harder in the past few years as more and more un authorized teachers and schools have popped up throughout India.

One good thing is that the Government of India is cracking down on all the false claims and fake schools.
For a school to teach Jeet Kune Do in India legally it has to be organized and or associated with a legitimate Jeet Kune Do group in the United States authorized to teach and recognized as legitimate such as the largest JKD group the World Jeet Kune Do Federation. The World Jeet Kune Do Federation website http://jeetkunedo.org lists instructors who are certified to teach real JKD and has a listing at the bottom of those to watch out for, a couple are from India.

At this time the Bruce Lee Foundation does not have an instructor list like the World Jeet Kune Do but apparently plans to in the future. The World Jeet Kune Do Federation according to sources is the only JKD group to have a formal agreement with the Bruce Lee Foundation.

Another good site to check out is http://jeetkunedoindia.com/ as they are recognized by the Unites States Associations.
One clear sign of an instructor who knows less than nothing is one who goes around talking trash about other teachers. Run far away when you encounter this trait. The philosophy behind these “bad behavior” tactics is to draw attention away from the instructors abilities by changing the focus to someone else. A good instructor does not need to say anything. High quality training and skills speak for themselves. Real JKD teachers don’t drag others down in an attempt to make themselves look competent or important. Still your best bet when checking out a school outside the United States, is to go to a United States based website as this is where all Jeet Kune Do began.

Enjoy your search for authentic Jeet Kune Do in India. Its supposed to be a fun and rewarding experience, just try to stay clear of all the politics and bickering and you will do just fine. If there are no instructors in your area there are some good Jeet Kune Do DVD’s out there you can train with as well.
Be like water my friend… I couldn’t resist.

Martial Arts & Self-Defense Weapons – What IS a Kubotan

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If you do a search on the internet, there seems to be no end to what has been written about this simple, yet powerful weapon. There seems to be no small supply of writers who have used dramatic titles to add to the impact of an otherwise so-so article on the subject.

“Fistful of Dynamite,” “Rod of Pain,” and many others lead the way as writers share their own knowledge and insight into this inconspicuous, and yet surprisingly powerful little weapon. Unfortunately, far too many of these articles serve little to no real purpose in helping you to actually create results. And, these articles range in scope from the generalized “what it is” variety, to the overly bloated tome that includes what seems to be every single detail and supposition that the author wishes to impress you with.

Believe me, I have read a lot of what’s available, and while there are certainly a number of valuable resources from real experts, they are buried in a cyber-world of practically worthless “chatter.” While you can feel free to recreate my extensive research on the subject, I’ve brought it all together so you don’t have to.

So, what, exactly, is a Kubotan (pronounced “koo-bow-tahn”) anyway?

Good question. And to answer that, you can read the book titled, KUBOTAN: Self-Defense Keychain to get a much better idea. But, for now, I’ll give you the short, “what’s it look like and what else might it be called,” version. For those interested, the above book covers the viewpoints of “where did it come from and how long has it been around,” as-well-as others in its other chapters.

In my other articles, you can take a quick overview of the strengths and weakness of this popular self-defense weapon. But, for now…

The Kubotan, also known as a…

1. Pocket-stick…

2. Self-Defense Keychain…

3. Mini-Stick, and…

4. many others…

…is arguably, the most common self-defense weapon, next to the handgun, in the United States.

While many new tactical weapons continue to find growing acceptance within the law enforcement and security communities, there seems to be little change within the realm of private citizens. It appears that, once people find a good thing, they tend to “stick” with it. (Yes, pun intended!) According to many experts in the field of defense and personal protection…

“…the most popular, and quite possibly the most versatile, personal defense weapon is the Kubotan.”

For simplicity’s sake, I’ll refer to the weapon throughout this article as the Kubotan or, more simply, the self-defense keychain. However, regardless of the name given to it, this powerful little compliance tool, carried by thousands of men and women – martial artists and non-practitioners alike – is an awesome means of deterring and controlling an attack situation.

Besides being, quite probably the cheapest weapon you can buy, in the hands of even a person skilled in only a few basic moves, the Kubotan is a formidable weapon for stopping an assailant in his tracks. And, for those with more training and developed skills, the self-defense keychain is one of the most effective self-defense tools that you can use today.

The weapon is simple in appearance, inexpensive to acquire or make, and fairly easy to conceal. While not as versatile and convenient as a clipknife like the Delica from Spyderco – my preferred weapon/tool of choice, by the way – it is definitely easy-to-learn and even easier-to-use.

Depending on the manufacturer, the Kubotan is just a basic rod made of metal, plastic, or wood. It’s about 6 inches long and, as the name suggests, usually has a key ring attached at one end. The “official,” patented, Kubotan weapon “invented” by a man named Tak Kubota, has grooves machined into the weapon to identify it as a unique creation. But, just like “Band-aid” has come to be the generic name for adhesive bandages and “Q-Tips” the same for cotton swabs, the bar-shaped, self-defense keychain is almost universally called a “Kubotan.”

There are other variants of the basic model, including what is billed as the “Ninja” version of the weapon. This little piece of imaginative effort, created during the ’80’s when every weapon had it’s own “Ninja” version, has two thinner spikes protruding out from the side of the weapon that fit between your fingers when you grasped the main bar of the tool.

Let me assure you that, regardless of what you ever read or hear, the Kubotan or self-defense keychain is NOT a Ninja weapon – officially or unofficially. It’s ancestors that gave rise to the modern version, at least in Japan, were used by almost all trained warriors – not just the Ninja.

The more commonly recognized variants of the weapon are generally manufactured from heavy-duty plastic or aluminum. The official Kubotan, and third-party copies, are simply straight rods with blunt ends. However, many self-defense key chains have at least one tapered end with the key ring attached to the squared, blunt end. Needless to say, some of these “centerpunch-like versions, are extremely dangerous – as they have the capability of actually penetrating the target and doing more severe damage.

And, for those of you who are fashion-conscious and need to make sure that your self-defense weapon doesn’t clash with your Armani, these little gems even come in a variety of colors and high-tech shapes to match just about any ensemble.

So, to answer the question, “what IS a Kubotan?”

It is a simple, easy to learn and use, self-defense weapon that can be effectively used by the smallest defender, to bring the largest assailant to his knees in seconds. Quite simply, it is the best weapon for the person with little to no formal training and who wants to be able to learn to defend him or herself with the least amount of time, effort, and money.

Our martial arts Kirkland and self-defense lessons Bothell create character in youngsters while the

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Are you searching for an activity which will aid a person’s children mature into honest, ethical, moral human beings in Mill Creek, Redmond or Medine? Then people may possibly be surprised to know that martial arts is ideal for kids. In fact, it’s specifically very good for kids with low self-esteem and those who do not do well in team sports activities. This form of exercise and training could give them the capability to flourish, whilst combining physical and mental practices to boost not only bolster the body, but reinforce their mind as well. All types of martial arts Kirkland aid construct self-assurance and self-esteem. These training styles in addition act to aid enhance self-discipline, respect, concentration and courtesy, that are all excellent traits for any young individual to learn beginning.

There are many types of martial arts Kirkland, such as learn karate Seattle, judo, and also the newest trend of krav maga. Via top high quality instruction, you can empower folks of nearly every age to accomplish their full potential. By emphasizing self-defense lessons Bothell, health, fitness and life skills in a positive environment, students are inspired to turn into more confident and productive members of their community. Nearly all of the fighters of nowadays learn karate Seattle and in addition learn to fight in far more than one style. This makes them effective fighters regardless of whether they are inside the tournament ring too as in their every day life. The self-defense lessons Bothell side of this training can be beneficial not only to kids but to adults and especially ladies.

In addition, martial arts Kirkland are wonderful for the body, whether or not your home is in Medine, Edmonds or Everette. You are able to anticipate to greatly boost a person’s strength and stamina and improve a person’s hand eye coordination, which is among the reasons why it’s so great for children. Standard training strengthens and tones the muscles and adds overall flexibility. Training in martial arts Kirkland besides that gives anyone an important full cardio work out, that could be excellent for a person’s heart. Martial arts is really a very good weight loss program as well due to the fact it becomes the total technique in which a healthy diet is component and any time along with the extreme physical activity correct weight reduction is assured. it’s no wonder that so many parents are enrolling their children to learn karate Seattle nowadays. They consult their children’s health and fitness improve, something their child’s peers frequently lack. And they additionally witness their children’s mindset, attitudes to life and self-improvement, respect and courage all enhance also.

Mixed martial arts Kirkland fighting was invented as the result of competitions that pitted masters of various fighting styles against each additional. They had been attempting to determine which fighting style was finest, so that they fought every additional in tournament rings. Krav maga is one of the martial arts that is actually taught to hundreds of law enforcement agencies and thousands of civilians across the United States. Contrary to beliefs of several folks who do not know anything about these fighting styles, students who are taught martial arts discover self discipline and self-confidence, which ultimately reduces their temper induced rages. The end result is that they are less likely to be the cause of any street fights. Every time they’ve the self-assurance to know they could very well defend themselves againt bullies, they have no must show their power. This can be part of the training they find whenever they learn self-defense lessons Bothell.

Monica Riikula recommends Top10orFree.com for search engine marketing and familykaratesite.com for martial arts Kirkland.

Assess More Details On Pastry Chef Arts Courses

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One of the highest paying and personally fulfilling specialties in the culinary arts is found in being a pastry chef. Courses in this highly specialized career are truly helpful and a resume filled with pastry chef courses attracts more employers as compared to other programs. People interested in learning the gastronomic arts and becoming a pastry chef can learn that pastry arts schools teach more than just baking. Those who attend pastry arts classes will gain real-world experience in running bakeries and restaurants. Students learn principles of good leadership, and get numerous opportunities. Schools for baking artsmay also provide opportunities for developing creativity and proficiency, examining bakery and cooking equipment.

Cooking is an increasingly popular pass time and becoming a chef is a very much demanding profession. In order to be the best and most successful chef, it is important that the candidates are supported by a sound culinary education. Chances of success increase significantly if they have graduated from chef training school in Arizona. The better restaurants and resorts want well-trained and experienced chefs as their staff. They may provide additional training once they are hired but they want them to come already erudite about culinary basics. Attending chef arts training academies before hiring is just the first step in their career. Theoretical education may also be involved, informally or by attending vocational academies. On the job training programs are also facilitated.

The private and the public sector have joined forces to organize careers through culinary program. Many attend culinary arts college to become chefs or work in the food industry in some department, but majorities also attend cookingarts classes in Connecticut to improve their own home cooking skills. Due to reputation there are now over five hundred programs in the United States that offer top educational programs in the field of gastronomic arts, whether this be at college, university or through private programs. There are several things to consider when choosing a culinary arts college. Considerations with regards to the reputation of the school, location, tuition, and financial aid, are essential in choosing what is best for the individuals.

Most of the people have great zeal of interest in preparing vegetarian dishes. In this scenario, those who enjoy cooking, it is a must for them to know more about vegetarian food preparation. The vegetarian culinary schools only select so many people. They cannot just enter the vegetarian culinary classes if they have had no prior gastronomic experience in most cases. Most academies require some basic knowledge of gastronomic arts even if it is not strictly vegetarian style. These institutions offer classes for vegetarian cooking in groups of individuals, classified on the basis of their needs. Graduating from vegan chef school after completing the degree, they will be able to find work almost anywhere in top hotels and restaurants.

The type of degree that the candidates want to earn may be affected by which culinary arts school they choose. Some culinary arts schools just offer very specialized cooking arts degree programs while other may have different types of degree levels like certification, associate degrees, bachelors, masters or even doctorate programs to choose from. Cooking is definitely a hands-on subject that involves a lot of practical work. Hence the best gastronomic arts academies should be well-furnished with sufficient kitchen facilities for the learners to practice their learning. Holding a degree from academy that has good reputation and well known in the job market will make their interview process more even and increase the chances to secure the cooking job opportunity.