Brazilian Culture

Brazilian Carnival Costumes

2007-07-07T14:46:00.000-04:00

I had to share these Brazilian Carnival Costumes with you. They are absolutly breathtaking....Now if I only had somewhere to wear one.

I found these photos at http://www.paulogualano.com/intro.htm Pretty cool site it's worth checking out.

You can read more of my blog at BrazilianStuff.blogspot.com

Brazil Search Engines

2007-07-05T15:05:00.000-04:00

I just stumbled across this site and thought I'd share...search engine colossus

http://www.searchenginecolossus.com/Brazil.html

Its a large list of brazilian search engines...you can search in english, Português, Español, Deutsch, Nederlands, Italiano, Français, and Nihongo (Japanese)

I know I will be using some of them!

Another Delicious Brazilian Recipe from Nando Cuca of Cucabrazuca.com Fish Stew

2007-06-19T17:14:00.000-04:00

videos

FALANDO DE AMOR

2007-06-19T15:35:00.000-04:00

videos

Live Earth by Itaú 'HEY YOU' MADONNA / MadonnaOnline.com.br

2007-06-19T15:25:00.001-04:00

videos

Dança dos Famosos 4 Rodrigo Hilbert- Priscilla Amaral Bolero

2007-06-19T15:21:00.001-04:00

videos

Brazilian Barbie Girls

2007-06-19T15:18:00.000-04:00

videos

Zee News - Brazil agree to let Robinho play in Real decider

2007-06-18T12:34:00.000-04:00

Zee News - Brazil agree to let Robinho play in Real decider

Rio de Janeiro, June 15: Brazil have agreed that Robinho can play in Real Madrid's league title decider after the Spanish club apologised for not letting him train with his country.

Real will take the championship for the first time in four years if they beat mid-table Real Mallorca at home on Sunday.

In another club-versus-country saga, striker Robinho remained in Spain to train with Real this week despite Brazilian demands he join them for their training camp ahead of the Copa America in Venezuela.

"The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has released Robinho and Marcelo (who has been selected for the under-20 team) and they will report after Real Madrid's game on June 17," said the CBF in a statement.

"Real Madrid have recognised the rights of the confederation, backed by FIFA legislation, to call up the players and also the trouble they have caused the national team."

The CBF said it had also agreed to allow full back Daniel Alves to play for Sevilla in their final game of the season.

The Copa America, Brazil are the holders after winning in Peru three years ago, starts on June 26.

The rules of world soccer's governing body FIFA allow national teams to call up players two weeks in advance.

Brazil have already lost Kaka and Ronaldinho for the tournament after the pair said they were tired and asked not to be picked.

Bureau Report

Players and coach scuffle with police in Brazil

2007-06-18T12:29:00.000-04:00

Players and coach scuffle with police in Brazil

(Reuters)Updated: 2007-06-18 15:56

Police came onto the pitch and scuffled with the players and coach of America-Natal after a controversial sending-off in their Brazilian championship match at Sport Recife on Sunday.

Television pictures showed America coach Lori Sandri being escorted off the field by several heavily armed riot policemen while the goalkeeper Rene was in an angry confrontation with officials.

Brazilian media said that Sandri was handcuffed at one stage as he was led away.

The match turned ugly in the 34th minute when America midfielder Souza was sent off for elbowing.
Sandri, furious at the decision, made angry gestures to the referee and was also dismissed.

He then marched onto the pitch, was surrounded by police and was heard to shout "Get your hands off me" as he was led to the tunnel.

The incident outraged the America players and Rene was seen to lash out at the shield of one policeman.
America, leading 2-1 at the time with two goals from Luciano Dias, had to settle for a 2-2 draw as Carlinhos Bala equalised in the second half for Sport. Durval scored the home team's other goal.
America stayed bottom of the 20-team table while Sport are 18th.

Santos coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo missed his team's game at Juventude after undergoing an appendix operation but was still on the phone from his hospital bed to pass instructions to interim Serginho on the touchline.

Midfielder Cleber Santana and forward Marcos Aurelio scored in the first half hour as Santos won 2-0, only their second win in six outings.

Surprise leaders Botafogo beat Nautico 3-1 at home despite a missed penalty and a bizarre own goal.
Juninho gave Botafogo a first-half lead but the hosts made life difficult for themselves as striker Dodo missed a penalty after halftime, then goalkeeper Julio Cesar's blunder allowed Nautico to equalise.
Julio Cesar missed the ball completely as he attempted to clear Alex's back pass and the ball rolled into the net for an embarrassing own goal.

Andre Lima and Jorge Henrique spared the goalkeeper's blushes by scoring in the last 15 minutes as Botafogo, who have 17 points from seven games, move five points clear of Corinthians.

Gisele Bundchen Blasts Roman Catholic Church's Opposition to Condom Use, Abortion

2007-06-16T13:11:00.000-04:00

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Gisele Bundchen is the biggest international star on the runway during Rio's Fashion Week, but she's also making headlines for criticizing the Roman Catholic church's opposition to condom use and abortion.

Bundchen, who paraded Tuesday night for the Colcci label, told the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper that the church's take on contraception is hopelessly outdated because it was adopted when "the women were virgins, the guys were virgins."

"Today, no one is a virgin when they get married," Bundchen said.

She made the comments less than a month after Pope Benedict XVI criticized government-sanctioned abortion laws and birth control during a five-day visit to Brazil, the world's most populous Roman Catholic nation.

While most abortions are banned in Brazil, the government hands out more than 300 million free condoms each year to prevent AIDS and unwanted pregnancies.

"To prohibit condoms is ridiculous, just think of all the diseases transmitted without them," the 26-year-old supermodel told the newspaper.

She added: "How is it possible to not want people to use condoms and also not have abortions? It's impossible, I'm sorry."

Bundchen isn't the first Brazilian celebrity to clash with the Roman Catholic church over contraception.

Popular singer Daniela Mercury was pulled from a 2005 Vatican Christmas concert over her participation in an anti-AIDS campaign promoting condom use.

Scenes of Brazil

2007-06-16T12:55:00.000-04:00

The Brasil Out Of TV - These bloopers are hilarious
videos

Brazilian believed to be world’s oldest woman

2007-06-16T12:29:00.000-04:00

SAO PAULO, Brazil - An elderly woman living in a small, wooden shack in rural southern Brazil could be the world’s oldest living woman, according to a Brazilian record-keeping organization.

Maria Olivia da Silva, who recently celebrated her 125th birthday, “is definitely the oldest living woman in Brazil and possibly in the entire world,” said Iolete Cadari, administrative director of RankBrasil, this country’s equivalent to the Guinness World Records.

Da Silva’s birth certificate shows that she was born Feb. 28, 1880 in the city of Itapetininga, Sao Paulo state, Cadari said by telephone. She currently lives in the small town of Astorga, some 370 miles west of Sao Paulo in the state of Parana.

Laura McTurk, a spokeswoman for Guinness World Records in London said by e-mail that the organization was researching its records for any information on da Silva.

According to the Guinness World Records Web site, the world’s oldest woman is 113-year-old Hendrikje Van Andel-Schipper, who was born June 29, 1890.

Da Silva, whom Cadari described as “mentally sound and rational,” was married twice and has outlived all but three of her 14 children — four of them adopted.

“Her memory is impressive and she loves to talk,” Cadari said, adding that Da Silva lives with her 58-year-old adopted son, Aparecido H. Silva.

Brazil Gay Pride

2007-06-16T12:25:00.001-04:00

Sau Paulo (Brazil) Hosts Largest Pride Ever!

read more | digg story

Buying Real Estate in Brazil

2007-06-16T12:09:00.000-04:00

BRAZIL is the fifth largest country in the world with 4,500 miles of coastline, the Amazon River, the Atlantic Rainforest, the Panantal Bird Reserve, the preserved mining towns of Minas Gerais, 4,000-foot mountain peaks, a European-populated southern coast, South America's largest city and its financial engine - Sao Paulo, and one of the world's most enchanting cities - Rio de Janeiro. Add a large dash of friendly Brazilians and a cost of living that is one-fifth that of the United States and what is there not to like? If you can't find it in Brazil, you're probably not going to find it anywhere.

But can foreigners legally purchase property in Brazil? After all, some of the world's most desirable countries don't allow foreigners to purchase land or houses. (Thailand and Bali come to mind.) The answer is yes. In Brazil foreigners have the same legal footing as Brazilians when it comes to buying property.

RULES OF THE GAME
1. You need a Brazilian ID called a CPF.
2.To get a CPF you need a birth certificate translated into Portuguese by a certified translator and legalized by the Brazilian consulate in your home country.
3. You make a trip to Banco Do Brasil with your passport and your birth certificate to formally apply for a CPF and pay a small fee.
4. The next day you go to the Receita Federal to receive your assigned CPF number.
5. Your CPF card is mailed to an address in Brazil within two months. (That's right, you need a Brazilian address.)
6. It’s best to use a trustworthy broker. Not only will the a good broker help you find a property, but he or she will make sure the price is fair, as well as make certain that the property is owned by the seller, and that there are no debts on it.
7. The contract is prepared by the selling broker and contains:
- All information of the seller
- All information of the buyer
- Location and specifications of the real estate
- The conditions of payment(s)
8. The contract is signed at the office of the broker.
9. You pay a down payment (usually about 10,000 Reais or $3,500 usd).

10. When payment has been made, your broker will arrange the registration of the property into your name via a cartorio (similar to a notary).
10. The cost for the property transfer is approximately 4%-5% of the purchase price.
11. Payment can be made all at once or in installments of 12, 24, 36 or 48 months, but interest rates can be as high as 35%. If you opt to pay in installments, there is also a currency risk. In other words, if the value of the Brazilian Real goes down, your real estate becomes cheaper, and vice versa.
12. There is a 1% "import" tax on transfer of funds from abroad. For alternatives, check out the websites www.lifestylesbrazil.com and http://www.escapeartist.com/OREQ9/Rio_Real_Estate.html
13. After registration, you are the legal owner.
14. There is an annual property tax of approximately 0.6% per year of the assessed value.
15. You will need to hire a caretaker to live on the property when you are not there.
16. Visas: Foreigners are allowed 3 month visas, or 180 days total per year in Brazil. If you want to apply for a permanent visa, one of the following conditions must be met:
- You are married to a Brazilian.
- You have a child with a Brazilian.
- You invest 250.000 US dollar or Euro in Brazil.
- You have reached the age of retirement (50 years) with a pension of at least 2,000 euro or US dollar per month.

http://www.escapeartist.com/

Extreme Eyeball Popping

2007-06-14T13:15:00.001-04:00

Claudio Paulo Pinto from Belo Horizonte, 340 kilometers (210 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil can pop his eyeballs at least 7 millimeters (0.3 inches) out of their sockets. He does not hold the world record, but it sure is spooky looking at his pictures.

Brazil Handing Out Birth Control Like Candy

2007-06-14T13:09:00.001-04:00

The president of Brazil announced a new plan last week to hand out free birth control to the nation's poor.

read more | digg story

Brazil National Anthem

2007-06-14T11:52:00.000-04:00

The translation of this is terrible and the sound quality isn't great either, but I thought they had some incredible photographs! Enjoy!

Ídolos - Segunda Temporada

2007-06-14T11:22:00.000-04:00

Ídolos - Segunda Temporada

The Official website!

Brazilian Chicken Recipe

2007-06-14T09:54:00.000-04:00

INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk
1 bunch chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, mix the cumin, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and coriander. Place the chicken in the bowl, season with salt and pepper, and rub on all sides with the spice mixture.
Heat 1-tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken in the skillet. Cook 10 to 15 minutes on each side, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat the remaining olive oil in the skillet. Cook and stir the onion, ginger, jalapeno peppers, and garlic 5 minutes, or until tender. Mix in the tomatoes and continue cooking 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk. Serve over the chicken. Garnish with the parsley and enjoy

Iguazu Falls

2007-06-12T15:07:00.000-04:00

Iguazu Falls or Cataratas do Iguaçú IPA are waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian state of Paraná and the Argentine province of Misiones.

The waterfall system consists of about 270 falls along 2.7 kilometres (1.67 miles) of the Iguazu River. Some of the individual falls are up to 82 metres (269 feet) in height, though the majority are about 64 metres (210 feet). The Garganta del Diablo or Devil's Throat (Garganta do Diabo in Portuguese), a U-shaped 150-metre-wide and 700-metre-long (490 by 2300 feet) cliff, is the most impressive of all, and marks the border between Argentina and Brazil. Most of the falls are within Argentine territory, but from the Brazilian side a more panoramic view of the Garganta del Diablo is obtained. Many islands split up the falls, including several large ones. About 900 metres of the 2.7-kilometre length does not have water flowing over it. The first European to find the falls was the Spanish Conquistador Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, after whom one of the falls in the Argentine side is named.

The falls are shared by the Iguazú National Park (Argentina) and Iguaçu National Park (Brazil). These parks were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1986, respectively.

The name Iguazu comes from the Guarani words y (water) and guasu (big). The legend says that a god planned to marry a beautiful aborigine named Naipí, who fled with her mortal lover Tarobá in a canoe. In rage, the god sliced the river creating the waterfalls, condemning the lovers to an eternal fall.

There are two main towns on either side of the falls: Foz do Iguaçu in the Brazilian state of Paraná, and Puerto Iguazú in the Argentine province of Misiones. Other important tourist attractions near the falls include the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant, and the Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.

Upon seeing Iguazu, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed "Poor Niagara!" Vastly larger than North America's Niagara Falls, Iguazu is rivalled only by Southern Africa's Victoria Falls which separates Zambia and Zimbabwe. Whilst Iguazu is wider because it is split into about 270 discrete falls and large islands, Victoria is the largest curtain of water in the world, at over a mile wide and over 350 feet in height.

Brazilian Idol - Lucas Polleto idolos brasil

2007-06-12T13:44:00.000-04:00

Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro

2007-06-07T10:52:00.000-04:00

The hotel Copacabana Palace is located on copacabana beach. Trips and tours to Rio's best attractions are offered by the hotel. The statue of Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Fiscal & Panqueta Islands, Petropolis, Itaipava & Teresopolis, Botanical Gardens, and Tijuca Forest just to name a few.

Copacabana Palace is also home to two of Rio's finest restaurants: The Hotel Cipriani Restaurant and The Pergula Restaurant.

Lesiure is not a problem at Copacababa Palace, They proudly state they have the finest pool in Rio and their rooftop tennis court is the only of it's kind in Rio. The hotel also has a new Fitness Centre and a Beauty Salon.

for more information including rates and reservations please visit their website . copacabanapalace.com.br

Brazil Newspapers - Newspapers from Brazil

2007-06-05T18:05:00.000-04:00

Brazil Newspapers - Newspapers from Brazil:

"Brazil Newspapers - Explore the most complete list of national and local newspapers from Brazil. Get multiple perspectives on Brazil news, current events, politics and business; read articles and commentaries about Brazil sports, travel, real estate, culture and entertainment; search obituaries and classifieds ads; as well as browse Brazil newspapers archives. In addition to the list of newspapers, you can find also Brazil maps, pictures and brief information about Brazil."

BrazilName - Generate your own Brazil football shirt!

2007-06-05T17:37:00.000-04:00

BrazilName - Generate your own Brazil football shirt! If you played for Brazil what would your name be?

Crispy Cassava Chips from Nando Cuca of cucabrazuca.com

2007-06-05T15:23:00.000-04:00

Crispy Cassava Chips - video powered by Metacafe

Crispy Cassava Chips

1 Kg of cassava, peeled and boiled in salted water

One onion, studded with cloves

Oil (for deep frying)

Seasoning: Mixture of Salt, Sugar and Cinnamon

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A very simple and delicious for a classic of Brazilian Cuisine. Cassava chips are crispier and more satisfying than potato chips and make the ideal companion for a cracking cold glass of beer or a zinging Caipirinha. Try it today.

Zoológico Virtual da Fauna Brasileira - Brazil Nature

2007-06-05T14:36:00.000-04:00

Zoológico Virtual da Fauna Brasileira - Brazil Nature:

"Zoológico Virtual da Fauna Brasileira"

O Brasil é o país de maior biodiversidade do planeta. Sua macrofauna é constituída de 525 espécies de mamíferos, 1622 de pássaros, 468 de répteis e 517 espécies de anfíbios, sendo que 788 espécies são endêmicas, só ocorrem no país. É o país com maior número de espécies vegetais e de mamíferos e o segundo mais rico em anfíbios.

Por outro lado, existem 103 espécies de pássaros e 71 de mamíferos ameaçados de extinção.

A proposta do Virtual Zoo é a de contar um pouco a respeito dos animais encontrados no Brasil, indo além das informações fornecidas pelas fichas técnicas dos zoológicos reais.

Por ser difícil de encontrar informações sobre os animais, o nosso zôo vai ser construído aos poucos e preferencialmente com fotografias dos animais in natura.

Pesquisa e produção: Eduardo Justiniano e Noeli Oliva

Brazil: Manioc (Cassava)

2007-06-05T13:01:00.000-04:00

Brazil: Manioc (Cassava)

When the Portuguese arrived in the early 1500s, the main staple of the natives was manioc, a carbohydrate-rich food that is easy to propagate but difficult to process, at least for the bitter variety, which is poisonous when raw.

It is astonishing that the Indians determined these tubers were edible at all. To be detoxified, tubers had to be peeled and grated and the pulp put into long, supple cylinders, called tipitis, made of woven plant fibers. Each tube was then hung with a heavy weight at the bottom, which compressed the pulp and expressed the poisonous juice.

The pulp could then be removed, washed and roasted, rendering it safe to eat. The product was a coarse meal or flour known as farinha de mandioca (manioc meal), which is as basic to the diet of Brazilians today as it was to the early Indians. It is a ubiquitous tabletop condiment.

Starch settling out from the extracted juice was heated on a flat surface, causing individual starch grains to pop open and clump together into small, round granules called tapioca. The extracted juice, boiled down to remove the poison, was used as the basis of the sauce known as tucupi.

The non-poisonous tubers of sweet manioc, which are somewhat fibrous but considerably easier to prepare; are pared, boiled for several hours to soften them and eaten like potatoes. Strips of manioc are also deep-fried and eaten like French fries.

Brazil

2007-06-05T12:56:00.000-04:00

Brazil

South American Melting Pot
Brazilian cooking history is in every bite of the country's food. Native Indians developed corn porridge, cassava meal, sweet potatoes, many roots, hearts of palm, many species of game and fish, and the preservation of meats by smoking and drying.

In 1533, the Portuguese colonized Brazil. After a lengthy Moorish occupation, Portugal had adapted a variety of North African cooking traditions, among them coffee, dried fruits and pastries. These culinary customs were in turn exported to Brazil, with the twist of being prepared using local ingredients.

The largest single influence on Brazilian cuisine came with African slaves. Dende, peppers and coconut milk, staples of West African cooking, became firmly established on the Brazilian palate.

During the Nineteenth Century, slavery ended and an independent Brazil became a melting pot for immigrants from all over the world. Waves of new arrivals from Asia, Western and Eastern Europe and the Middle East brought kitchen traditions with them that put a truly eclectic spin on Brazilian cuisine. The nation's multiethnic and multifaceted cooking is always unique and delicious.

Authors Joan and David Peterson present a brief portrait of Brazilian cookery, including its customs and some recipes from their book, Eat Smart In Brazil from Ginkgo Press. The Petersons, experienced world-wide travelers, explore Brazil, researching the cooking practices and foods of its markets, restaurants and homes.

idolos brasil altos micos

2007-06-05T12:52:00.000-04:00

maSamba: A brief history of Samba.

2007-06-05T12:34:00.000-04:00

maSamba: A brief history of Samba.

A brief history of Samba
Samba is one of the best known forms of Afro-Brasilian music. Afro-Brasilian culture developed through a blending of cultures as a result of the Portuguese colonisation of Brasil.

The Portuguese wished to use Brasil’s temperate climate to grow crops such as coffee and sugar and subjugated the indigenous Indian population to work their plantations. The Indians found this way of life unacceptable and were subsequently wiped out through a mixture of military campaigns and unknown diseases‚ inadvertantly carried by the European’s.

To replace them‚ slave labour was transported from Africa and inevitably‚ the African’s brought elements of their culture with them. Out of this racial melting pot‚ Afro-Brasilian culture was born.

This vibrant and exciting culture is still evolving and is expressed in different ways in various parts of Brasil. It is important to note that what we in Europe call samba or Samba music‚ is often an umbrella-term encompassing several different forms of music (samba‚ samba-reggae‚ afro bloc‚ maracatu‚ baio‚ etc.).

In Brasil‚ ‘samba’ refers to the carnival music associated closely with Rio and to a lesser extent Sao Paulo.

Rio de Janeiro
No one is sure where the term samba originated. Some say it comes from the word semba‚ a Congo/Angola expression used to describe a traditional African dance brought to Brasil by slaves. It may also come from the Umbanda term san-ba meaning to pray as many samba players and composers are followers of Umbanda and Candomblu.

Today’s samba schools are descendants of the neighbourhood blocos - groups of poor Rio residents who came together to sing and dance to the accompaniment of percussion music. Blocos celebrated carnival in their own neighbourhoods and visited neighbouring favelas and often ran foul of the police for their raucous and sometimes lewd antics.

Samba came to the attention of white Brasilians with the advent of radio and record players and the first recorded sambas appeared from 1917 onwards. The first samba school Deixa Falar (Let Them Speak) was formed in 1928. Quickly‚ many other samba schools were formed such as Mangueira (1930) and Portela (1935)‚ all of which exist to this day. The term samba school refers to the fact that many of these early groups rehearsed in school yards.

A typical samba school can number 3000 to 4000 members‚ although not all members will perform for carnival. A samba school carnival entry will typically include singers (puxadores)‚ musicians‚ including a drumming section called the bateria‚ dancers‚ giant puppets‚ several floats and flag bearers‚ all ornately decorated or wearing colourful costumes. As well as the performers‚ there will be an army of people behind the scenes‚ building props and floats‚ making costumes‚ designing elements of the entry‚ doing the administration‚ etc.

The most important event in the annual life of a samba school is the carnival parade. Carnival is celebrated each year just before the Catholic feast of Lent and‚ as such occurs in February or early March. Samba schools will begin their preparations for the carnival as early as mid July. Samba school members compose songs and submit designs for costumes‚ floats‚ etc. The samba enredo (winning song) is selected and becomes the key song and determines the overall theme for that year's entry. Then‚ intensive rehearsals‚ float construction and costume making commences which will continue right up to the beginning of carnival.

Salvador de Bahia
In Salvador de Bahia‚ carnival traditions developed differently and are closely linked with the black-consciousness movement of the 1970’s. Taking on board the same influences as Rio samba‚ and mixing them with music from other black artists of the period (soul‚ funk and reggae)‚ new Afro Blocs formed. Afro blocs celebrated the African heritage of their (mainly black) membership and set about educating people about African cultures while speaking out about past and present injustices and inequalities in Brasilian society. Their music contains a stronger African influence than Rio samba.

The first Afro bloc was Ile Aiye‚ formed in 1974. Ile Aiye took the controversial step of excluding whites and mulattos from their ranks and specialises in provocative‚ pro-black lyrics. The best-known Afro bloc of all is Olodum‚ who are generally considered to have invented samba-reggae.

Samba-reggae mixes Afro bloc music with reggae influences‚ to produce an extremely popular music form which has gained popularity world over. Amongst others‚ Olodum have recorded and performed with such luminaries as Jimmy Cliff‚ Herbie Hancock‚ Paul Simon and Michael Jackson.

Recife and Olinda
The third pillar of Afro Brasilian music history lies in the northeastern state of Pernambuco‚ centred around the cities of Recife and Olinda.

In the past‚ this area was somewhat isolated from the rest of Brasilian society and‚ as such‚ the music here developed in isolation from other forms. This has resulted in two factors: Some music forms are closer in structure and content to their original roots and the music found here is unique to the area.

The main carnival pattern from the Northeast is Maracatu‚ a slow trance-like rhythm relying on heavy‚ off beat patterns laid down by bass drums (alfaias)‚ complex interlocking snare rhythms and large African cowbells (gongus).

Also associated with carnival in the Northeast is Frevo‚ a manic‚ polka-type music played with percussion instruments and brass and Forru‚ music played on accordion‚ triangle and bass drum (zabumba).

Ireland and the U.K.
Samba was not played in Britain and Ireland until the 1980’s. For the most part‚ the development of a vibrant samba scene can be attributed to the tireless work of a small group of samba fanatics.

The London School of Samba is the longest established group in the U.K.‚ dating back to 1984. Inner Sense Percussion Orchestra have had a huge effect on the samba scene in the U.K. and Ireland‚ touring incessantly and bringing Brazilian music to many new audiences and inspiring new bands to form far and wide. The less obvious factor in the development of the samba scene here‚ has been the use of Brasilian percussion in community music and community arts projects.

Samba is an ideal tool in education and community arts settings and‚ as such has been used in a broad variety of social settings. Many of the groups in existence today either are‚ or owe their existence to‚ community music projects.

Today‚ there are more than 100 Afro-Brazilian music groups in existence in the U.K. and Ireland. There are now some very good practitioners and training courses with the likes of Dudu Tucci that will ensure that the quality of playing and teaching in the sector will continue to rise. There is a greater knowledge and interest in this form of music than ever before and the scene looks set to grow even more in coming years.

Simeon Smith.

History of Jiu-Jitsu

2007-06-05T12:31:00.000-04:00

History of Jiu-Jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu, which means gentle art is the oldest form of martial art. It originated in India more than 2000 years before Christ. It was created by monks who could not use any type of weapons to defend their lives against barbarian attacks. It spread through China, and eventually took root and was elaborated on in Japan becoming the first martial art style. The samurai clans in Japan adopted Jiu-Jitsu as their own traditional style to defeat an opponent regardless if the situation was striking, throwing or grappling. With the passing years, they split the techniques and developed other martial arts styles, such as judo, akido, karate, etc.

In 1914, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champion Esai Maeda migrated to Brazil, where he was instrumental in establishing a Japanese immigrant community. His efforts were aided by Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish descent. As an expression of his gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian's oldest son Carlos the essential secrets of the ancient martial arts technique. Carlos taught Maeda's techniques to his four brothers, and in 1925 they opened the first Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brazil. For the Gracie brothers, teaching the art was more than an occupation. It was their passion.

One of the brothers, Helio Gracie, paid special interest to the use of the techniques. Helio being of small frame, light in weight (only 135 pounds), and in frail health, was 16 when he began learning Jiu-Jitsu. Being unable to participate in classes, he would sit and watch his older brother teach every day. One day when Carlos was unable to make it to class, Helio was asked to instruct. Because of his size and stature, he began to work with and adapt the basic rules of Jiu-Jitsu. He introduced the application of leverage to the art, making it possible for a smaller opponent to defeat a larger one. He began experimenting, modifying and enhancing the basic techniques to make them effective for a person regardless of his or her stature.Thus began the development of a new and more effective art - Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Helio's skills eventually enabled him to beat some of the world's greatest fighters. Helio's feats include the longest fight in recorded history - 3 hours and 45 minutes, nonstop - and the historic match against Masahiko Kimura, who was probably the greatest fighter Japan ever produced. Now in his 90's, Helio Gracie still teaches and is widely recognized as a living legend.

Helio's quest became today's Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art that is continuously evolving as a result of input from practitioners throughout the world. Much has been learned since the beginningwhen the Gracies began developing the sport. Rickson Gracie, one of Helio's sons, has been the family champion for the past 20 years and is the ultimate embodiment of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

BRAZILIAN CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAII - Culture and Traditions

2007-06-05T12:13:00.000-04:00

BRAZILIAN CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAII - Culture and Traditions

Brazilian culture is a clear reflection of its history and the origins of its people - from Portugal, Africa and South American. Brazilian festivals and most notably, its music, have deep roots in the heritage of its people.

Brazilian music is a very important part of Brazilian life and the country's annual celebrations. Within Brazilian songs, you can hear the influence of Spanish melodies and African rhythms. Among some of the most popular Brazilian musical styles is the Samba, a very lively, rhythmic and dance-oriented musical style. Some of the world's greatest musicians are Brazilians.

Both the music and the dance of samba are taught throughout Brazil at many different "samba schools". Children and adults study year-round the samba dance, then show off their dancing skills at Brazil's many festivals and at dance halls and auditoriums throughout the country. Most of the schools compete in samba dancing competition at the Sambadromo, an 85,000-seat auditorium in Rio de Janeiro. The Sambadromo competition follows a parade of samba schools during Carnival, by far the largest and most popular of Brazil's annual festivals.

Celebrated in the four days before the Roman Catholic Lent, Carnival in Brazil is a combination of a religious holiday and African-style celebrations. Millions of Brazilians spend a lot of time each year in preparation for Carnival. In addition to samba schools, Brazilians prepare for Carnival by building parade floats and creating elaborate and beautiful costumes. In addition to the parades and dancing competitions, many Brazilians celebrate Carnival in nightclubs. In Rio de Janeiro, where Carnival partying is the most pronounced, streets and buildings are decorated with colorful streamers and lights.

There are other holidays and festivals in Brazil throughout the year. Among them are St. John's Night in June that is celebrated with fireworks. On New Year's Day, fishermen along the coast celebrate Iemanjá, the African goddess of the ocean. Brazilian fishermen believe this celebration can affect the following year's catch.

The Brazilian people come from a mixture of races. Portuguese explorers, natives and African slaves (most of them coming from Yoruba and Quimbundu that correspond to Nigeria, Benin and Angola nowadays) constituted the racial base. French and Dutch explorers also had been on the northeast of Brazil. On the XX century, a lot of German, Italian, Polish and Japanese immigrants added new elements to this mixture. Maybe Brazil is the main country with miscegenation. Formation of population
The following races participate on the formation of population: white, coming from Europe; black, coming from Africa and Mongolian people, the Indian born on Brazil. The miscegenation is intense from the beginning of the colonization. The small number of white women among the Portuguese explorers makes them to be an acquaintance of Indian and black slaves, many times by brute force. This miscegenation originates other racial groups, like mulattos, originated from the miscegenation of white and black; cooper-colored or mameluco, originated from the miscegenation of white and Mongolian; cafuzo, originated from the miscegenation of black and Mongolian. People that arrived late on Brazil, although in many cases they have stayed in restricted communities, also miscegenated with other races. Immigrants

The number of immigrants on Brazil always was greater than the number of emigrants. The immigration officially started when Dom João VI promulgated the law that permits the possession of lands to foreigners, in 1808, November. The purpose of this law is to facilitate the occupation on the South of Brazil, ensuring an attractive country to Castilians. They also are interested in "becoming people white"; on that time the majority were black. The presence of immigrants causes changes on the country’s life. They introduced new growing products and techniques, the notion of small property, the subsistence economy and the small domestic industries (textile, food, leather and ceramics). Main currents – The people who immigrated to Brazil are German, Austrian, Hungarian, Slavic, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Syrian, Lebanese, and German Swish.

Religion
There’s no official religion on the country. Almost 88% of the Brazilian inhabitants are catholic. However, approximately twenty million Catholics also participate in some kind of ritual cult of African origin. There also are at least five million protestants, including an important number of Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalian and Jewishs.
Most of the Indian profess traditional religions.
The Church and the State are formal and completely separated.

Brazil loves festivals. It is an integral part of the national character to commemorate, party, and reunite friends together for any reason. Or even if there is no particular reason, anything provides a pretext for diversion, entertainment, commemoration or joyful partying for its own sake. The birth of a child? It deserves a celebration. Meeting up with an old friend?
Likewise. A Friday feeling? A perfect excuse for a party. Feeling a bit low?
Why not let your hair down? These are but small ommemorations compared to when housands of people have the same intention resulting in a festive explosion. A samba school from Rio de Janeiro comprising of five thousand participants and a packed grand stand all dancing the samba together. A crowd going up and down the steep streets of the town of Olinda in Pernambuco after the music of the frevo for days on end. There are so many examples all over the country. There are religious festivals like the cleaning of the stairway leading to the Senhor de Bonfim church in Salvador, for the great procession of Círio de Nazaré in Belém do Pará.

There is no great difference between religious events or pagan festivals. It is through these popular manifestations that the people of Brazil let go and show their exuberance, these are moments that approach a palpable and tangible glory that exceeds the moment and lasts until at the least the next .

Veja trailer de 'Shrek Terceiro' - BOL Notícias

2007-06-05T12:08:00.000-04:00

Veja trailer de 'Shrek Terceiro' - BOL Notícias

Em 'Shrek Terceiro', novo episódio da série de animação produzida pelos estúdios Dreamworks, o ogro verde terá que encarar a tarefa de ser pai de trigêmeos e ainda sair a procura de um herdeiro para o reino de Tão, Tão Distante, após a morte do rei e pai de sua amada princesa Fiona.

Ao lado do casal de ogros, aparecem no filme os fiéis escudeiros Burro e Gato de Botas, além dos personagens de contos-de-fada Mago Merlin, Branca de Neve, Cinderela e Rapunzel.

Confira o trailer do filme, que estréia no Brasil dia 15 de junho.

Canal britânico mostrará fotos 'polêmicas' de acidente de Diana - BOL Notícias

2007-06-05T12:03:00.000-04:00

Canal britânico mostrará fotos 'polêmicas' de acidente de Diana - BOL Notícias

O canal de televisão privado britânico Channel 4 anunciou que vai transmitir um programa de televisão contendo fotos do acidente que matou a princesa Diana apesar de um pedido dos filhos da princesa para que as fotos não sejam mostradas.

O secretário particular dos príncipes William e Harry escreveu para a emissora dizendo que eles sentiam que exibir as fotos seria um "grande desrespeito" à memória da mãe.

O Channel 4 disse que decidiu mostrar as fotos como parte de um documentário nesta quarta-feira após levar em conta as preocupações dos príncipes e também o interesse geral do público.

As fotos, feitas por fotógrafos franceses, foram tiradas na noite do acidente, em agosto de 1997.
Diana, com 36 anos, Dodi Al Fayed, 42, e o motorista Henri Paul foram mortos em uma batida dentro do túnel Pont de l'Alma em Paris.

Eles haviam saído do hotel Ritz e estavam sendo seguidos pelos fotógrafos.
'Inapropriado'
A carta do secretário particular dos príncipes, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, foi enviada ao Channel 4 na última sexta-feira.

Lowther-Pinkerton escreveu: "Se fosse a sua ou a minha mãe morrendo naquele túnel, iríamos querer a cena transmitida para a nação? Ou iria a nação querer isso?"

Segundo o representante dos príncipes, William e Harry sentiram que não tinham escolha a não ser tornar público o que sentiam.

A declaração dizia: "(...) eles acreditam que transmitir estas fotos é totalmente inapropriado, profundamente doloroso para eles e para os parentes de outros que morreram naquela noite e um grande desrespeito à memória de sua mãe".

Em particular, a carta pedia ao Channel 4 que removesse várias imagens do carro batido com Diana ainda dentro e de um médico tratando a princesa.

"Estas fotos, apesar de não mostrarem os traços da princesa, são carregadas com a atmosfera e a tragédia dos momentos finais de sua vida", acrescentou Lowther-Pinkerton.

Free Wallpaper of Christ the Redeemer State

2007-06-04T18:03:00.000-04:00

Free wallpaper for your desktop of The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Feijoada by Nando Cuca of CucaBrazuca.com

2007-06-04T17:25:00.000-04:00

Brazilian Feijoada - video powered by Metacafe
Feijoada - Brazilian Black Beans stew

1 Kg of black beans

300g of salted pork ribs

300g of beef jerky (Brazilian 'Carne Seca')

200g of pork belly (or very fat bacon)

1 large onion

4 or 5 cloves or garlic

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feijoada is a typical Brazilian dish dating back to the time of slavery. A rich black beans stew with pork, dried beef (carne seca) and spicy Portuguese sausages. For a more 'historically acurate' description of how the dish came about, read (if you can read in Portuguese) Rodrigo Elias' 'Breve Historia da Feijoada'.

Feijoada is an ideal dish to prepare for big parties as all the ingredients are just mixed into a large pot. There's no way to go wrong - in fact the longer you boil it for the better it tastes!

Uncontacted Indian tribe found in Brazil's Amazon

2007-06-04T15:15:00.001-04:00

An Indian tribe that has had no formal contact with Western civilization has been located in a remote Amazon region, federal authorities said Friday. "We don't know why they decided to make contact now ... only time will tell. This is a very slow process," Moura said. Uncontacted tribes are usually discovered when loggers and ranchers encroach on

read more | digg story

Brazil's women at risk from unsafe abortions.

2007-06-04T15:14:00.003-04:00

1.2 million Brazilian women have been hospitalized in the last five years with infections, vaginal bleeding and other complications resulting from illegal abortions, said a report presented by health experts on Wednesday. Brazil's health minister, Jose Temporao, pledged Monday to introduce a wider debate on liberalizing abortion.

read more | digg story

The Amazing Race in Brazil

2007-06-04T15:14:00.001-04:00

The brazillian version of "The Amazing Race" will start soon. The prize will be only US$ 250,000.

read more | digg story

Brazil from space

2007-06-04T15:13:00.001-04:00

Brazil consists of one federal district and twenty-six states, four of which comprise the southeastern region – Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Sao Paolo (all visible) and Espirito Santo.

read more | digg story

Dunga confirms Ronaldinho's bad shape

2007-06-04T15:12:00.001-04:00

All the rumours about the former top Brazilian players fitness condition are once again confirmed as Ronaldinho asked to be left out of Brazil’s squad for the Copa America competition, which is due to start at the end of this month. He admitted that he needs rest in order to be able to prepare the next season without interruption.More details...

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Brazil Body count claims 1000th victim

2007-06-04T15:11:00.001-04:00

"Carla Alessandra, 29, was shot in the leg by a stray bullet in Duque de Caixas. She was caught in a crossfire between military police and an assailant. The 'bandit' was also shot and taken to hospital but he did not recover from his injuries." And with that, the unnamed 'bandit' became the 1,000th death in the undeclared war in Rio de Janeiro.

read more | digg story

The Beach Culture of Buzios, Brazil

2007-06-03T17:35:00.000-04:00

Brazil is world renowned for its beaches. With a coastline of 4,578 miles and beautiful weather nearly year-round, it's not surprising that the small town of Buzios near Rio de Janeiro is a phenomenal beachside destination. Buzios sits on a peninsula of twenty-two sparkling beaches where any day of the week you'll see beautiful people basking in the sun at popular spots or relaxing in the tranquil atmosphere at one of the peninsula's more secluded beaches.

Buzios started out as nothing more than a tiny fishing village on the Atlantic coast. Public curiosity increased in 1960 with the visit of French femme fatale actress Brigitte Bardot, who chose Buzios as a peaceful getaway. Since then, Buzios has made quite a splash on the international tourism circuit. Buzios continues to attract the elite Hollywood crowd today.
Despite its growing sophistication, Buzios still maintains the right amount of its fishing village roots, which lends itself a quaint, old world charm. The various dining and lodgings in the village create an atmosphere that is very special.
In Buzios, the best places to stay are called pousadas. A pousada is a type of bed-and-breakfast inn that is a refreshing accommodation option. The best pousadas are on the shores of the beautiful bay and are either located near the town center or right on the shore of one of its many alluring beaches.
The dining options in Buzios are plentiful. Authentic Brazilian restaurants are just the beginning of the South American cuisine experience. American, Asian, Mexican and French restaurants are widely available in the center of town, on the Rua de Pedras. Many beaches offer little cabanas serving up refreshing cocktails and tasty regional and Brazilian food. Try the seafood maceca, a delicious broth with rice and shrimp.
To cap off all the attractions of Buzios, the village offers world-class art galleries, clubs, and of course, shopping. Fine boutiques offer the latest fashions from the world over.
Buzios can be enjoyed year-round, with the most popular time to visit being between September and April, during the Brazilian summer. From May to July, there are numerous beautiful sunny days, but the temperature is a bit cooler and there is a bit of a higher chance of rain. The busiest time in Buzios is around the New Year holiday and of course, Carnival. Carnival, one of the world's biggest and most colorful festivals celebrated every February/March in nearby Rio de Janeiro.
Overall, Buzios is a special destination and should be considered on every Brazilian tour circuit. Along with enjoying all the highlights of Rio de Janeiro, and some far-away Amazon or Pantanal jungle, Buzios will provide the repose that completes a full Brazilian visit.

For further information about Buzios visit http://www.braziltravelinformation.com/brazil_riodejaneiro_buzios.htm
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Zurakhinsky is a professional traveler and a wtriter of sections of http://www.braziltravelinformation.com/and its sister site http://www.artourismbrazil.com/ - an independent resources, providing the traveling public with free, on-line information on South America and the many beautiful highlights it contains.

Visit Recife - The Venice of Brazil

2007-06-03T17:26:00.000-04:00

Recife in Brazil is a city built on canals and waterways and is known as the Venice of Brazil. It offers untold of delights for the visitor.

Recife is the capital of the state of Pernambuco in Brazil and the counties fourth largest city. It is a bustling and vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage and colonial architecture. It is not as cosmopolitan as some of Brazil’s other large cities. Recife mean ‘reef’ in Portuguese and the city is located along side a long coastal reef situated on the Atlantic Ocean.
Recife developed as a city of trade and as a major port. It is known as the Venice of Brazil and includes a mixture of the old and the new with narrow streets, canals, rivers and bridges. One of the pleasures that Recife offers is the opportunity to wander through the streets and to discover new pleasures. The architecture reflects the different cultures that have settled in the area and there are a number of historical monuments and churches many influenced by Portuguese and Dutch settlers.

The number one beach for city inhabitants and visitors alike is the Boa Viagem beach. This beach is one of the most famous in Brazil. Because it is protected by the reef the beach offers a safe place for swimming and other water sports. This area around Boa Viagem is the true heart of the city and includes many hotels, exciting nightlife and fine dining experiences. This area is also the shopping center of the city and offers many fine stores and boutiques. It is also a fine base to begin exploring the rest of the city.

Recife Antigo is the ancient part of the city. Much repair work is being done to revitalize this area. This is a great area for walking and sightseeing. This vibrant part of the city is alive with music and dance and of course carnival! One of the most famous carnivals in Brazil is the Carnival at Recife Antigo.

The Casa da Cultura is an important cultural marketplace full of arts, crafts and souvenirs. It was once an ancient colonial prison but has been transformed into a marketplace and center for traditional arts. This is also a center for performance art, dance and music.

For art lovers a visit to Francisco Brennand's Oficina Ceramica is essential. It is located just outside the city in a dense forest. Brennand is one of Brazil’s most famous artists and this center dedicated to his work includes a museum and workshop. There is also a retail store located in the Boa Viagem area dedicated to his ceramic art.

The local cuisine in Recife has many influences including Spanish, Dutch, African and Indian. The area is renowned for its bountiful supply of fresh seafood as well as local fruits including coconuts and mangos. Local dishes include crabs cooked in a spicy sauce, shrimps in mango sauce, and fried needle fish.

Because Recife is situated close to the equator the weather is tropical. The hottest months are from December through February. This is when the locals take their vacations. Winter is during June through August and this is the period of heavy rainfall.

No matter what time of the year you decide to visit Recife you are sure to experience the holiday of a lifetime. There are untold treasures to be found in this bustling and vibrant city.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

read the rest of my blog!
brazilianstuff.blogspot.com

Fionnuala Barrett writes for Four Corners Hotels http://www.fourcornershotels.com/index.php/BR--Recife which offers hotels in cities around the world including hotels located in Recife.

Traveling Brazil

2007-06-01T14:20:00.000-04:00

If traveling is your passion, Brazil is your destination. Brazil will take your breath away. For the sporty, the adventurous, the curious. For children, teenagers and adults. For couples, families and friends. For all kinds of people, all the time. With its dazzling beaches, forest trails and lively cities, Brazil will put all your emotions to the test. Pack your bags.

http://www.braziltourism.org/

Chef nandocuca shows you how to make a Caipirinha

2007-06-01T14:17:00.000-04:00

The Caipirinha (lime drink)

2007-06-01T13:56:00.001-04:00

The "Caipirinha" is Brazil's national drink

Caipirinha (pronounced [kaj.pi.'ri.ɲɐ]) is Brazil's national cocktail made with Cachaça (pronounced IPA: [ˌkaˈʃasɐ]), sugar and lime. Cachaça is Brazil's most common distilled alcoholic beverage. Like rum, it is made from sugarcane, however, cachaça is made from sugarcane juice whereas rum is made from molasses, a byproduct of the sugar refining process. It is common to substitute vodka or rum in drinks made with cachaça, including the Caipirinha.

2 tsp granulated sugar

8 limes wedges

2 1/2 oz cachaca or Bacardi/absolute if you can't find cachaca

Muddle the sugar into the lime wedges in an old-fashioned glass. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Pour the cachaca into the glass. Stir well.

Samba dancers in Rio

2007-06-01T13:52:00.000-04:00

The Brazilian states (Estados)

2007-06-01T13:31:00.000-04:00

Brazil or Brasil in Portuguese in comprised of 26 states estados and the Federal District of Brasilia. Each one unique in it's culture. Later we will explore them, the Samba night clubs of Rio De Janeiro, the African inspired food of Bahia and the world's second largest Oktoberfest held annualy in Santa Catarina.

Brazilian States (estados)

2007-06-01T12:57:00.000-04:00

Brazil or (Brasil in Portuguese) has 26 states or estados and the Federal District of Brasilia. Each state is unique in it's culture from the music to the cuisine. Later we will explore them, From the night-clubs of Rio de Janeiro, the African influenced food of Bahia and the world's second largest Oktoberfest held in Santa Canarina.

Travel Brazil: Online Guide to Brazil, Brazilian vacations, packages, hotels, tours, night life, Beach life, Carnivals.

Mindfulness and Retirement: Considering Brazil

2007-05-31T23:23:00.000-04:00

Mindfulness and Retirement: Considering Brazil

By Maya Talisman Frost

I have a 17-year-old daughter who is finishing up a year in Vitoria, Brazil. She's been having the time of her life in a gorgeous coastal city with the beaches of her dreams and the cute guys to match. What's not to like?

Tara told us that we could buy a beautiful home ("All marble floors!") on a spectacular beach ("White sand!") in a number of lovely cities ("Amazing architecture!") with friendly neighbors ("Dancing all night with people who don't know you but love you anyway!")

In fact, she helpfully suggested that we could snag one of these properties for a mere $100,000...less than half of the median price for a typical house in our area.

She went on to say that we could buy a house on the coast in Brazil and retire there, with a delightful lifestyle, plenty of great friends, outstanding and inexpensive medical care, and zero chance of boredom or loneliness.

We weren't surprised that she suggested this. After all, she has an ulterior motive--why, SHE could be the one to manage the property until we decide to retire! She would, of course, have to live in beautiful, coastal, hunk-heavy, dance-crazed Brazil in order to do this, but she was willing to make this supreme sacrifice to support our perfect retirement.

How thoughtful. No, really. It sounds fantastic. I'm turning 45 in June, and that's not too early to think about how I want to spend the next few phases of my life. I truly appreciate the suggestion.

The people I admire most are those who continue to reinvent themselves about every decade, and who laugh out loud at the notion of retirement. They're on their fifth or sixth "career" and fully expect to have a couple more, just for fun.

What we really long for in retirement is time to play, and what we don't recognize is that we should be playing on a daily basis. We need to live our lives in a way that connects us to our creativity and joy. Think of it as the Brazilian plan.

How do you picture yourself at age 65? 75? 85? You've got a decent shot at living to be 100.

Howard and Marika Stone have been inspiring people to reinvent themselves as they get older. On their website, 2Young2Retire.com, they share dozens of stories of folks who have done just that. Their intention is to help others "navigate the uncharted waters of longevity" and they do so with great passion and humor.

Whether we're 20 or 70, we can use mindfulness to help us see who we want to be next. The first step? Pay attention to what we consider to be FUN. Focus on what we do that feels like we're playing instead of working. Notice our "guilty pleasures"--those things we do when we think we should be working on something else.

Here's the good news: You can get paid for having fun. You can help your community while you're doing what you can only describe as goofing off. You can learn new skills and demonstrate overlooked talents in a way that helps others while making you laugh. And it's not too early to start thinking about what that might look like.

Retire your idea of retirement and embrace the concept of reinvention. Look at what you're dreaming about doing, and be mindful of how you can start "investing" in your opportunities for greater fun. That's my personal prescription for the not-enough-Social-Security blues.

That, and perhaps finding a lovely house on the coast in Brazil, where I can become fluent in Portuguese and become a painter, or a novelist, or start a school, or build a playground, or design a community garden, or write songs, or dance til dawn, or be the happiest grandmother alive. Or all of the above.

I'll tell my daughter to start looking.

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse in Portland, Oregon. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches fun and effective eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To subscribe, please visit http://www.MassageYourMind.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maya_Talisman_Frost
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mindfulness-and-Retirement:--Considering-Brazil&id=31164

CARNIVAL!!

2007-05-31T18:41:00.000-04:00

Well I can't do a blog on Brazilian Culture without adding something about carnival!

The Brazilian Carnival is an annual celebration in Brazil held 40 days before Easter and marks the beginning of Lent

The origins of carnival date back to the ancient Greek spring festival in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine. The Romans adopted the celebration with Bacchanalia (feasts in honor of Bacchus, the Roman equivalent to Dionysus), and Saturnalia, where slaves and their masters would exchange clothes in a day of drunken revelry. Saturnalia was later modified by the Roman Catholic Church into a festival leading up Ash Wednesday. It quickly evolved into a massive celebration of indulgences - one last gasp of music, food, alcohol, and sex before Lent - before the 40 days of personal reflection, abstinence, and fasting until Easter (not exactly what the Church probably had in mind). 40 days of purging sins, preceded by a week filled with virtually every known sin. The word itself comes from Latin, "Carne Vale" or "Farewell to the Flesh".

Brazilian Palm Salad

2007-05-31T18:28:00.000-04:00

Brazilian Palm Salad with Chef Nandocuca
Ingredients:

1 can Palm Hearts

1 Roma Tomato

olive oil

Balsamic Vinigar