Long ago, there was a man named Khek. He had a son and a calf of a donkey as well.
When the donkey-calf grew up, it became a handsome and plump donkey with brown and smooth hair.
On seeing the grown-up donkey, the man said to his son, “Now our donkey has become fat and nice; if we sell it now, we can get a good price for it. But here, there is no one who needs a donkey and the village where someone needs it is very far from here, how can we then get a good price for it? If we make it walk to that far away village, it may get thin by fatigue, and its price will go down. Now, what are we to do for getting a good price for it? ”
The problem arising from this finally found its solution. The man and his son caught the donkey and fastened each pair of its feet tightly together and passed a pole between the pairs of feet and shouldered its two ends. Thus they began to carry it to the far a way village for getting a good price.
While going on their way, they were seen by villagers who were very much amused to see such a sight.
They burst into laughter and said, “Hey what a strange thing! The two men carrying a donkey” And then they accused the man, “Old man, do not do so. The horse, the ox, the elephant and the donkey have never been carried. It is they, which have to carry men on their back”
On hearing this, the father and the son took down the donkey and untied it. The father then said to the son, “We cannot ride all at once, for our donkey is not strong enough to carry both of us. So, ride alone on it, and I will follow you” And so the young man did.
As he was passing through another village, he was asked, “Where are you riding, boy?” “I ride to a village called Kompong” answered the young man. And pointing out the old man, they asked, “Who is this old man behind you?” “He is my father” the young man replied.
On hearing this, the villagers became angry and said “What an ungrateful son you are! You are strong enough to walk while your old father is not so; you would better get down at once and let your old father ride the donkey.
On hearing this sharp remark, the young man at once got down from the donkey and the old man took his place. And then they continued their journal. The young man walked behind the donkey carrying his father.
After some time, they came near a well at the end of a certain village. Around this well there was a throng of young women who came to draw water from there. Some were noisily pouring water on their body for a bath.
Looking at the handsome young man walking slowly behind the donkey, they felt a great sympathy for him. They envied the old man who was riding so comfortably on the donkey while the young man walked behind him with much hardship….
To be continued
March 27, 2008
Khmer Folk Tale: 6- The Seller of a Donkey (Part I)
Khmer Traditional Fishing Tools II
1-Lop Nor is mad of bomboo and used in the great lake area and inside flood forest.
2-Chhnuk can be mounted on boats, a floating bamboo raft and runing in the great lake.
3-Sorm is used at the end of the rainy season it is fished to hard and soft-shelled turtle.
4-Chhneang Tram is used during flood recesion period, it is fishing to Trey Riel, Trey Kaek, Trey Chhkok...
5-Paong Antong is coverd with the dry grass to hide it and it is used in the rising water. It fishing to Trey Chhlang, Trey Kanchos
6-Chann is a drop-door and used during the rising flood, it is fishing to Trey Krum, Trey Prul...
Khmer Traditional Fishing Tools I
1-Chhnieng Dai is used in shallow water area and at the end dry seasion to fishing.
2-Paong Antong is covered with the dry grass to hide it and it is used in the rising water. It fishing to Antong, Trey chhlang, Trey Kanchos.
3-Chok Leas is operate in up to 1.5 m deep water of lake and river, it is used in clam rich fishing grounds.
4-Tru is used near rice fields or irrigation canals and also in small rivers, it is to fish such as Trey Riel, Trey Kranh...
5-Angruth Dai is made of bamboom, is used at dry seasion in the remaining water bodies to fishing Trey Chhlang, Trey Sadai...
6-Trung is used put Trey or eel (Antong) at rice field area...
Recipe: Seafood Paella
Seafood Paella
Ingriedients:
200 g aborio rice
50 g half shell mussels
300 g stone crabs
50 g squid
50 g clams
50 g tiger prawns
40 ml Spanish olive oil
150 g green peppers
50 g red peppers
20 g peeled garlic
50 g onion
0.3 g whole saffron
35 g green beans
2 g bay leaves
10 g parsley
Method:
-Cook and shell crabs. Set crab meat aside
-Heat oil in a large paella pan or large frying pan and try the squid and shrimp until cooked.
Set aside.
-In the same pan try the parlic, onion and peppersuntil soft.
-Add water, saffron, and bay leaves and season to taste. Bring to boil
-Add rice and beans. Cook over medium high heat until rice is semi-dry but some liquid remains.
-Bury squid and shrimp in rice
-Place mussels and clams around the centre of the pan with hinges facing down and bake in preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes at 325 deg or until the rice is dry and shellfish have opened.
-Discard bay leaves, add crab meat, and garnish with chopped parsley
-Serve
Recipe: Chicken and Banana flower Salad
Chicken and Banana flower Salad
Ingredients:
500g (1 lb) chicken breast meat
540g (19 oz) tinned preserved banana flowers
Vegetables
4-6 large iceberg lettuce leaves
1 large red capsicum (bell pepper)
1 red onion
125g (4 oz) carrots
Dressing
Juice of 1 lime
1 cup (250 ml/8 fl oz) peanut(groundnut) or sunflower oil
1/2 teaspoon chilli paste
1 tablespoon palm sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnish
6 fresh coriander stalks
1 cup (125g/ 4 oz) shelled peanuts
4-6 long red or green chillies, skins must be perfect
Method:
-To cook the chicken, heat a wok or large pot, one-third full of water. Place the chicken in an aluminium or bamboo steamer and set over the boiling water. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes. Remove, cut into small pieces and set aside to cool.
-Remove the preserved banana flower from its container, rinse under cold running water, and then thoroughly drain to remove excess liquid. Slice the blossom into rings or strips.
-To prepare the vegetables, wash and dry the lettuce leaves and set aside in the crisper compartment of the refrigerator.
-Core and remove the seeds and inner ribs of the capsicum and slice lengthwise into thin strips 2 mm (1/8 in) in diameter. Peel and slice the red onion into julienne strips. Peel and wash the carrots and shred into very fine julienne strips and set aside in a bowl of ice water to curl and crisp.
-To prepare the dressing, whisk the lime juice into the oil, stir in the chilli paste and palm sugar and mix thoroughly. Season with salt to taste.
-For the garnish, wash, dry, and finely chop the coriander stalks. Roast the peanuts for a few minutes in hot oven or until they start to turn golden.
-Use a sharp knife to slice the chillies lengthwise into six or seven segments, making sure not to cut the inner stamen. Release the "petals" from the stamen with the point of the knife. Place the cut chilli into a bowl of ice water until the "petals" have curled. These should be prepared a few hours ahead of serving the salad so that the "petals" are encouraged to curl.
-To asemble the salad, mix together the chicken breast pieces, sliced banana flower and prepared vegetables (except the lettuce leaves). Spoon the dressing over and gently stir through the salad mixture. Pile the salad onto individual lettuce leaves, sprinkle the peanutes and coriander over, and decorate with a chilli flower.
March 26, 2008
The main causes of liver damage are
The main causes of liver damage are
1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, andartificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.
We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily life style and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'
DO TAKE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.........
SAFETY FIRST!!!
BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS
BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS
1. No Breakfast People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.
2. Overeating It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.
3. Smoking It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.
4. High Sugar consumption Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.
5. Air Pollution The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. In haling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.
6. Sleep Deprivation Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.
7. Head covered while sleeping Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbondioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.
8. Working your brain during illness Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.
9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.
10. Talking Rarely Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain
Live Life Without Limits!
The top five cancer-causing foods are:
1. Hot dogs : Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.
2. Processed meats and bacon: Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat inbacon also contributes to cancer.
3. Doughnuts : Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you canpossibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.
4. French fries: Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .
5. Chips, crackers, and cookies: All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts oftrans-fats.
Khmer Folk Tale: 5- The Basket-Making Man (Part II)
Be continued from part I
A wife is the most necessary of all things! I shall get betrothed to a charming young woman. I shall marry her and shall comfortably live with her in my new house. I shall love her and she will love me. Se, in course of one year I will have a delightful boy. I shall love him very much. I shall engage some servants to look after him so that my beloved wife has no difficulty. All the servants will attentively take care of my child. But if any one of them neglect their duty and let my child fall down, I shall knock him down without any mercy!
As this last idea occurred to him, he forgot what he was doing. So, to punish his headless servant he suddenly raised his feet and gavea heavy blow to the bunch of palm-leaves. As he was about to fall down, luckily he could seize by his hand the end of a palm leaf and hung from there. It was a difficult position. If he wanted to get on the top of the palm tree again, it was impossible to do so. If he left the palm-leaves, he would fall down and meet his death. He therefore remained hanging there.
Shortly afterwards, a man riding this elephant, came towards the palm tree. Seeing him, the basket-maker asked a favour from him, "My brother, please help me to come down, I will be your servant, if I am saved from death "
The elephant driver on hearing this, made his animal stop under the swinging man. Then, standing on the elephant's back, he got hold of the basket-maker's feet to take him down with his two hands. But as he did so, he did not stand firmly and his feet therefore, trembled.
With such a touch on its back, the elephant thought it was its master's signal to go on. If then made a sudden rush forwards leaving its master who was tightly hoding the basket maker's feet, Now, the elephant driver told the basket-maker, "Please catch the palm-leaves as tightly as possible my dear brother, I will be your servant if I am saved!"
The basket-maker who now found it difficult to maintain his grasp of the palm-leaf shouted to the elephant driver, "Leave my feet! I cannot keep my hold with your catching my feet!"
"Please do not let go your hands from the palm leaves, I am afraid of death," said the elephant driver " it is just our bad fate!"
Suddenly there appeared four bald men. They carried a large fishing-net and moved towards the two men in danger. The two men humbly begged their sympathy, "Have pity, dear uncles, by taking us down on the ground, we shall then be happy to be your servant for our life"
"But how can we save you while you are swinging like this? " asked the bald men in bewilderment.
The unlucky men said, "Please spead out your fishing-net under us, and each one of you standing face to face in four corners and lift it up so that we can jump down on it"
The bald men did what they were instructed to do. But instead of raising the fishing-net with hands, they ties each corner of the net to their neck with a robe. Then they told the men in danger to give up the palm-leaves. Instantly, down fell the two men with a loud noise at the net center, tugging the four heads to hit one another so violently that they died a moment later.
But the basket-maker and the elephant-driver were then safe. They were shocked to see the four bald men laying dead with blood-stain on their heads. They discussed, "What should we do with them now? If we cremate them, the headman of our village will accuse us of a crime. If we tell him truly, he may not believe for we have no proof. So,the best way, I think, is to bury them right here"
Then the two being of the dug a large pit and placed the four motionless men into it and, after burying them there, they went back to their houses.
Khmer Folk Tale: 5- The Basket-Making Man (Part I)
There was once a poor man who lived by making baskets and selling them. One day, the climbed up a plan tree near his house. Getting up on the top of the tree, he cut off some palm leaves and began to make baskets with them. No sooner had he started his work than he began to dream of a bright future. He thought, "When I have made a lot of baskets, I shall take them to the market. After selling them, I shall get one riel. With this money, I shall buy a chicken. Gradually it will grow into a hen. And in the course of time the hen will lay a number of eggs, the eggs will soon be hatched. I shall then have a broad of chickens. When these grow bigger, I shall sell them. From these chickens, I shall surely get five riels, with this money, I shall buy a pig-baby. When the Pig-baby grows older, I shall sell it and have ten riels, for it. Now, I have sufficient money to buy a calt and a colt to raise. Then, as they will be big enough I shall sell both of them and I shall then have one or two hundred riels. Ah, how happy I shall be with such a large amount of money! But to make this amount of money even larger, I have to buy farms and fields and land in a village where I shall built a large house to live in. In the farms and fields I shall grow rice and fruit trees. The yearly production coming from these will make me a happy rich man with an annual income of four or five hundred riels. What shall I do next? Oh, I see! I shall have a wife....................
