Moscow at First Sight ? A taste of Russia | Real Moscow

Eating in Russia is a unique experience ? whether it?s to do with the local cuisine or restaurant etiquette. After all, Italian, French and American food are well know all over the world, but traditional Russian dishes like blini, plov, pelmeni or borsch have yet to arrive in the food courts and shopping malls or Europe or the Americas.

Choosing your restaurant
Moscow is, not surprisingly, a great place to try traditional Russian food ? and also many of the cuisines of the former Soviet Union, especially Georgian and Ukrainian.
Many people reckon the city?s Georgian restaurants, such as Genatsvale on the Arbat o, are the best places to eat. And for me, this is among the best food I?ve ever tasted. You just can?t go wrong with khachapuri (cheesy bread, often topped with a fried egg) or lobio (a bean dish which can be anything from a cold salad to a warming casserole depending on the chef?s ideas) ? either one makes a great starter and, in a city where carnivores are definitely king, both are usually suitable for vegetarians. The debate about the birthplace of the Shashlyk ? marinaded meat or fish grilled on a skewer over an open flame ? is sure to stir the passions of proud Georgians and Azerbaijani, but wherever it comes from it?s always a good option in a Caucasian restaurant.

A beautiful Shasklyk

There?s an on-going debate about what can be described as Ukrainian or Russian food as well, and while Moscow has plenty of Ukrainian restaurants ? including Shinok and Korchma, it?s not always easy to distinguish their specialities from some of the offerings at Russian places like MariVanna.
To be honest, I have some issues with Ukrainian food ? I agree that it worth trying, but there are some things I just can?t acquire a taste for. If you want to stay in the comfort zone, go for a Chicken Kiev. It?s a boneless chicken breast filled with garlic butter and deep fried. You may think it?s a heart attack on a plate, and I couldn?t agree more, but that?s nothing compared to Salo. This is a true Ukrainian speciality ? unrendered pork fat, eaten raw, smoked or salted ? and it?s something I just can?t enjoy so far.
However, Varenyky (dumplings similar to the Russian Pelmeni), Pirozhky (small pies filled with meat, cabbage or fruits) and Deruny (potato pancakes) are very good ? so much so that many Russians are keen to claim them as their own. Ukraine is also renowned for its fertile fields of grain, and consequently has a wide range of interesting and unusual breads which are worth exploring as well.

In the restaurant
If you?re used to going out for a quick bite, maybe just one course and a drink ? forget it! In Russia going out for a meal is usually a big event, and people take to time enjoy their food. The culture is relaxed, and that includes services times. One time I was with some friends waiting an hour and a half to get our meal. I was almost freaking out, but they were just waiting calmly, drinking beer. Speedy service is rarely an issue here ? and luckily they weren?t hungry!
When the food does arrive, it usually comes in waves. Cold appetizers (zakuzky) get things started: pickled vegetables, marinaded fish, bread and plenty of vodka. Next it?s a salad and a soup ? usually from a large and imaginative range. Russian salads ? think Olivye, the herring-based Seld pod shuboi and the like ? tend to be substantial, with plenty of mayonnaise in there, but there are usually some lighter options with a more international flavor. And the soups ? led by the classic beetroot-based Borsch ? are an essential part of any Russian dining experience. Only after that onslaught does the main course arrive, usually something hearty and meat-based.

My favorite Russian drink - Mors!

As for drink, everyone knows about Russian vodka, and beer is a popular choice with a meal. But there are some traditional Russian drinks which are worth checking out. Mors is a juice made from cooked berries ? usually cranberry ? and slightly sweetened. Often this is home-made for the restaurant, so it?s fun to try different flavors and see which is your favorite. Kvas, however, is very different. Dating back to Russia?s ancient monasteries, it?s a fermented drink made from rye bread. It looks and tastes a bit like a dark, sweet beer, and is slightly alcoholic. I?m not a big fan ? I don?t like beer either ? but it?s been a staple Russian drink for centuries.

After all that, not surprisingly, desserts are not common. Usually it?s time to sit back with a cup of tea, although ice cream is popular even when it?s freezing outside. For me, it?s all a bit too much and I can normally only manage a salad and a main dish. Servings are often kinda big here, and it?s just more than I can eat at one sitting!

A few quirks
There are some peculiarities that I saw in a few restaurants here. Typically you order everything at once ? but don?t expect them to come in any specific order. Your food comes when it?s ready, whether you?d expect that dish to come first or last. It?s happened to me a couple of times, when I ordered a little appetizer and a pizza, and the pizza came first. Another think you may find curious is that almost every restaurant in Russia also serves sushi no matter if the restaurant is completely unrelated to Japanese food or not. People here seem to love it!

What?s your favorite Russian dish? Did I miss any of them? Do you also love to eat shashlyk with a huge glass of mors? Write your thoughts!

(all images were found on Google Images. If it?s yours, please let us know!)

Source: http://realmoscow.me/2012/02/moscow-at-first-sight-a-taste-of-russia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=moscow-at-first-sight-a-taste-of-russia

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wilmer - How can venture capitalists help you expand your emerging ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content]HTML Ready Article. Click on the "Copy" button to copy into your clipboard. <title>Article Directory | Submit Articles | Free Articles Content | How can venture capitalists help you expand your emerging restaurant business?</title><h3>How can ...

Source: http://ribud.livejournal.com/131891.html

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Filmmaker without credentials arrested at hearing

This photo obtained by The Associated Press shows Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Joshua Fox being arrested on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Fox was arrested at a House hearing Wednesday after trying to film the proceedings without the required media credentials. (AP Photo)

This photo obtained by The Associated Press shows Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Joshua Fox being arrested on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Fox was arrested at a House hearing Wednesday after trying to film the proceedings without the required media credentials. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? An Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker was arrested at a House hearing Wednesday after trying to film the proceedings without the required media credentials.

Joshua Fox of Milanville, Pa., was led out of the room in handcuffs and charged by Capitol Police with unlawful entry.

He was released later by the Capitol Police with a misdemeanor citation for, in his words, "practicing journalism," The New York Times reported. He said he did not have to pay a fine or post bail. A court date was set for Feb. 15.

Fox directed the anti-drilling documentary "Gasland," which was nominated last year for an Oscar. Fox also is an activist who has spoken out against hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which was the subject of the House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee hearing.

Fracking takes place when large volumes of water, sand and chemicals are injected into wells to break up underground rock formations, allowing natural gas to escape.

The oil and gas industry has criticized Fox and his film for what they say is a sensationalized attack on fracking.

Democrats forced two votes, one to allow Fox to film the hearing and a second to recess the hearing for a week so that Fox could obtain credentials. Both motions were defeated on a party-line vote.

Committee Republicans issued a statement saying that committee rules state, "Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio media shall be currently accredited to the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries."

"The individual removed was not accredited by the House Radio and TV Gallery and had refused to turn off his camera upon request by Capitol Police," the statement added.

The hearing was available for viewing on the committee's Internet site, which is routine practice for most congressional committees.

A Democrat on the committee, Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, said Republicans were trying to hide criticism of the Environmental Protection Agency.

She said, "If Republicans want to undermine the use of science at EPA they can't hide it from the American people because they have a right to know."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/apdefault/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2012-02-01-Filmmaker%20Arrest/id-04356eb790904385a793aca3fb98c1bb

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Obama says his policies are extension of his faith

President Barack Obama gestures while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Barack Obama gestures while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Barack Obama listens as Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., speaks about Rev. Billy Graham at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

President Barack Obama acknowledges applause, by first lady Michelle Obama, and others, after speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Blending politics and religion, President Barack Obama said his Christian faith is a driving force behind his economic policies, from Wall Street reform to his calls for the wealthy to pay higher taxes.

Obama's remarks Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast were his most explicit account of how his personal religious beliefs factor into his decision-making on the nation's pressing problems. The comments came amid election-year criticism from Catholic groups and some Republicans that the president is waging a war on religion following his decision to require church-affiliated institutions to cover free birth control for employees.

Speaking to more than 3,000 people at the annual breakfast, Obama said "faith and values" should play as much as role in tackling the nation's challenges as sound decision-making and smart policies.

He said, for example, that his own call for fairness in the tax code ? a central tenet of his State of the Union address and his 2012 campaign ? is both economically sound and consistent with the teachings of Jesus.

"If I'm willing to give something up as somebody who's been extraordinarily blessed, and give up some of the tax breaks that I enjoy, I actually think that's going to make economic sense," he said. "But for me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus's teaching that 'for unto whom much is given, much shall be required.' It mirrors the Islamic belief that those who've been blessed have an obligation to use those blessings to help others, or the Jewish doctrine of moderation and consideration for others."

He also said the Wall Street reform he championed both "makes the economy stronger for everyone" and abides by God's command to "love thy neighbor as thyself" because it helped people who had been hurt or treated unfairly by financial institutions.

And Obama said he believed in a "biblical call" to care for the poor and to follow "the responsibility we're given in Proverbs to 'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.'"

The president's remarks came one day after Mitt Romney, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, created a flap with clumsy comments about the poor.

Romney said wasn't concerned about the "very poor" because they have a safety net. He also said he wasn't concerned about the very rich and intended to focus his campaign on the middle class.

"You can focus on the very poor; that's not my focus," Romney said.

While the White House said the president's remarks were not meant to be political, his comments did fit neatly into the Obama campaign's effort to draw sharp contrasts between the president and Romney.

The former Massachusetts governor is among Republicans who have criticized the president for not exempting religious organizations from a requirement in the 2010 health care law that requires insurers to cover birth control for their employees. Romney said this week that the president was ordering "religious organizations to violate their conscience."

GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said Obama has "declared war on the Catholic Church," and House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday the mandate violates the Constitution.

Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum castigated the policy and Obama's remarks during a campaign stop in rural Fallon, Nev.

"He made the claim that his policies of taxing the rich is authorized by the Bible, that he is doing what is biblically called for by taxing the rich, by having the government tax the rich. Now, I've read the Bible, and I must have missed that passage," Santorum told reporters.

"This is an administration that attacks religion, and then tries to cloak itself in religion in order to take your money."

Obama never mentioned the health care controversy in his remarks Thursday, nor did he reference his Republican rivals by name. But his broader defense of his policies was a rare interjection of politics into the annual prayer breakfast. The breakfast is organized by bipartisan congressional lawmakers, but speakers often avoid overt political references beyond calling for civility and respect in Washington.

While Obama speaks often about his faith, he prefers to worship in private. He said Thursday that he starts each morning with a brief prayer, then spends time reading scripture. Sometimes, he said, pastors come to the Oval Officer to pray with him, for his family and for the country.

He also described his own religious transformation in deeply personal language Thursday, from growing up in a non-religious home to finding Christ later in his life. He recalled a visit a few years ago with the evangelist Rev. Billy Graham, which ended with the president feeling compelled to pray for the aging Graham.

Obama said when he found himself at that moment not knowing what to say, the Holy Spirit interceded.

"I have fallen on my knees with great regularity since that moment, asking God for guidance not just in my personal life and my Christian walk, but in the life of this nation and in the values that hold us together and keep us strong," he said.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-02-02-Obama-Prayer%20Breakfast/id-87c9303a72db43e88c92a14a5affc02e

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SAG, AFTRA release details of proposed merger (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) ? SAG and AFTRA on Tuesday provided details of their proposed merger agreement -- including specifics on dues, membership requirements and strike provisions.

The Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists posted the information on their websites Tuesday night.

Importantly, the guilds also posted letters from health plan and pension experts who say that merging the guilds' benefit plans would result in a better plan.

The SAG board approved the merger on Friday. AFTRA's approved it Saturday. Now, members of the unions will vote on the proposal.

SAG and AFTRA will send merger referendum ballots to members around February 27. Ballots must be returned by March 30.

"This will give each member ample time to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision," SAG president Ken Howard and AFTRA president Roberta Reardon wrote.

Howard and Reardon also wrote that they will soon launch a joint SAG-AFTRA website to that will include complete details, frequently asked questions and a calendar of events to let members know about informational meetings and "other opportunities for learning about the plan."

For the merger to pass, at least 60 percent of votes cast from each union must favor the consolidation.

On Tuesday, though, they posted three documents: The merger agreement itself, the proposed SAG-AFTRA constitution and a study about merging the pension and health plans of each union.

The merger agreement sets the new union's initiation fee at $3,000. The current SAG initiation fee is $2,277 and the AFTRA fee is $1,600.

Base dues will be $198 per year. It's now $116 per year for SAG and $128 per year for AFTRA. Work dues will be 1.575 percent of all earnings up to $500,000 earned under SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements.

But there is an exception for members who work under a single-unit or freelance broadcaster agreement. Those members will pay 1.575 percent of their earnings up to $100,000, and another .274 percent of their earnings between $100,000 and $250,000.

Three years after the merger, initiation fees and base dues will increase by 2 percent.

The documents also spell out governance -- the merged union, for instance, will start out with co-presidents, co-secretary-treasurers and board members from each union. They also will have co-national executive directors.

No later than September, 2013, the merged union will hold a convention to elect an executive vice president and vice presidents. The president and secretary-treasurer will be elected by a vote of the entire membership.

Under the proposed agreement, any SAG or AFTRA member in good standing will automatically become a member of the merged union.

But while now, AFTRA membership is open to anyone willing to pay the initiation fee, prospective members will have to meet conditions to join the merged union.

(Editing by Chris Michaud)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/enindustry/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120201/media_nm/us_sag_aftra

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Anxiety And Also Depression And Its Particular Impact On Your Health

New Health And Fitness.Org - Health Information You Can Use

Anybody who is suffering from nervousness and depression knows how problematic these kinds of conditions might be. Minor cases may not have too much of an influence on everyday life, but those with moderate to severe instances may have a lowered quality of life.

In this time period, it seems as though the first course of action to fix any medical problem is medicine. Tranquilizers, anti-depressants and other classes of drugs do have their place in certain cases, but it is always advantageous to know there are more possibilities; both for treatment along with prevention.

Everyone knows that being active is a terrific way to improve the health of the physical body, but many people are unaware that it also works wonders for their psychological health, too. Exercise helps to get the body fit, and it also helps to reduce emotional stress. Too many people make the excuse of lacking sufficient time to exercise, but that basically is nothing a lot more than an excuse. The good thing is that you don?t have to engage in three hours of serious exercise every day to obtain its benefits. Twenty or so minutes of moderate physical exercise every day can make an amazing improvement if you have anxiety and depression. All you need to do is get your heart rate up somewhat and enjoy whatever activity you?re doing. Regardless of whether it?s a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood, playing outdoors with your kids, or even dancing in your living room, you?ll be astonished at how much better you are feeling when you exercise.

A diet comprised of healthy food could keep your body in top shape therefore making you much more able to deal with demanding scenarios. A good rule of thumb is to eat foods as near to their natural condition as possible. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and healthier fats are all great choices.

Just as exercise and diet could keep you in maximum shape, getting lots of sleep will keep a person mentally sharp. Resting well also prevent swift changes in moods and grouchiness, so it makes it much simpler to look at things inside a more positive light. This is sometimes a problem for those with anxiety and depressive disorders because insomnia is a very common symptom. If you have sleep disorders, make sure to mention it to your doctor.

The most crucial way of dealing with anxiety and depression is having a support network with people who you can speak to. This will be anybody from friends and family to advisors and doctors. If you believe in a higher power, then prayer and meditating can also be a kind of help and support.

If you have anxiety issues as well as depression, then it is crucial that you get help for this. Also, just understanding that there?s help can provide you with hope, and that?s something that no doctor can prescribe. The catch is that you have to take the first step and start searching for various treatment solutions. You don?t have to live with feeling terrible. You could have a happy life.

Find out how to combat stress, depression and anxiousness naturally in around thirty days by CLICKING HERE NOW!. Check here for free reprint license: Anxiety And Also Depression And Its Particular Impact On Your Health.

Source: http://newhealthandfitness.org/2012/02/01/anxiety-and-also-depression-and-its-particular-impact-on-your-health/

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Ryan Seacrest and Clear Channel deepen business relationship ...

Ryan Seacrest and his radio show partner Clear Channel Communications are taking their relationship to the next level.

Not only have private equity funds controlled by Clear Channel's majority owners, Thomas H. Lee Partners (THL) and Bain Capital, have committed up to $300 million to acquire and develop propeties with Ryan Seacrest Media, the producer and television and radio personality's holding company, but Clear Channel is also taking a minority stake in Seacrest's production company.

?We aim to build Ryan Seacrest Media into a leading multimedia company with diversified assets and interests,? Seacrest said in a statement. Already the host of a radio show that airs on Clear Channel stations, Seacrest also hosts Fox's "American Idol and has a growing television production company whose credits include E!'s "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and ABC's "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.?

For Clear Channel, the investment in Ryan Seacrest Productions allows the radio giant, which wants to expand further into entertainment, to stay in business with the ubiquitous Seacrest even if the radio show eventually goes away. Seacrest has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Matt Lauer when the latter's contract is up on NBC's "Today" show. Such a gig would likely mean Seacrest either moving his radio show to afternoons or scrapping it.?

?Ryan is an unmatched creative talent with success across more media platforms and involvement with a greater variety of programming and venues than anyone else in the industry,? said Bob Pittman, chief executive of Clear Channel.

Seacrest has also recently partnered with entrepreneur Mark Cuban and entertainment giant AEG on a new cable channel called AXS that will debut this year and focus primarily on covering the entertainment and music industries.

RELATED:

Seacrest, Cuban and AEG team up on new channel

Clear Channel hires John Sykes as part of expansion

A Ryan Seacrest 'Today' gig would not be without risk

-- Joe Flint

Photo: Ryan Seacrest. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press

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Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2012/01/ryan-seacrest-and-clear-channel-deepen-business-relationship.html

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