Dado que vivimos en una época en que las costumbres y tradiciones se han desvanecido y tienden a perder su sentido, es bueno recordar que, concluyendo la preparación espiritual de la Cuaresma, la Semana Santa es la conmemoración anual de la Pasión de Cristo. No es una tradición religiosa más. No estamos celebrando el hecho de que el Hijo de Dios sufrió y murió, sino que los católicos están reconociendo y honrando Su sacrificio, acompañándolo espiritual y físicamente, como si hubieran estado allí con Él, hace dos mil años.
El Día Internacional de la Mujer (IWD, por sus siglas en inglés) se celebra desde principios del siglo XX, una época de gran expansión y turbulencia en el mundo industrializado que vio un crecimiento demográfico en auge y el surgimiento de ideologías radicales.
1908 Existencia de un gran malestar y debate crítico entre las mujeres. La opresión y la desigualdad de las mujeres estaba alentando que estas se volvieran más activas a través de una campaña por el cambio. Más tarde, en 1908, 15.000 mujeres marcharon por la ciudad de Nueva York exigiendo horarios más cortos, mejores salarios y derecho al voto.
El Día de San Valentín es un momento para celebrar el romance, el amor y la lealtad de los besos. Pero los orígenes de esta festividad de dulces y cupidos son en realidad oscuros, sangrientos y un poco confusos.
La historia de Halloween se remonta a un festival pagano llamado Samhain.
La palabra “Halloween” proviene de All Hallows ‘Eve y significa “noche sagrada”.
Hace cientos de años, la gente se disfrazaba de santos e iba de puerta en puerta, de aquí el origen de los disfraces de Halloween y el de truco o trato.
18 consejos sencillos para una fluidez extraordinaria.
¿Quieres aprender a hablar bien inglés? ¿Estás buscando un atajo para dominar el inglés? No existen trucos que te den un inglés perfecto en cinco minutos al día, pero sí consejos sólidos que te pueden ayudar a aprender a hablar inglés con más fluidez, en menos tiempo. A continuación, encontrarás en este artículo algunos consejos que te ayudarán a hablar inglés mejor que nunca.
Hay algo en el verano que nos da vida, ¿no es así? Bueno, esos días llenos de sol y brisa cálida están aquí con nosotros una vez más (gracias a Dios) y, por supuesto, estarás buscando actividades divertidas de verano y cosas que hacer.
Además de tomar el sol, caminar con esos hermosos vestidos veraniegos y dejar que la arena corra por los dedos de tus pies (si tienes la suerte de estar en la playa), hay varias otras ideas divertidas para agregar a tu lista de deseos de verano.
Hoy os dejo íntegro un artículo publicado por la World Health Organization. Se escribió el 31 de diciembre de 2019, pero, con toda certeza, tiene plena vigencia para este año y para los venideros. He querido traer a este espacio este artículo por dos motivos: En primer lugar, en él se aborda un tema que siempre está de actualidad, la salud que tanto afecta a nuestras vidas. Y en segundo lugar porque está escrito en inglés, un inglés fácil, “previsible” y ortodoxo, con lo cual tendréis la oportunidad de practicar vuestro conocimiento del inglés y de darle utilidad al mismo.
Con motivo de las fechas navideñas en las que nos encontramos, e independientemente de la transcendencia que tenga para cada uno de nosotros o del ánimo con que las afrontemos, quiero dejaros aquí unas pinceladas de conocimiento navideño que pueden ilustrarnos un poco sobre el origen de costumbres que permanecen entre nosotros y en las que nos vemos imbuidos a veces sin saber exactamente porqué.
Hasta ahora en este rincón le hemos venido dando un repaso a sitios y eventos singulares y destacados de Londres los cuales, desde mi punto de vista, visitarlos o conocerlos nos aportaría disfrutar de momentos agradables y de paso enriquecer nuestro acervo cultural. Hasta nos hemos dado un paseo por el “más allá”, no por mucho tiempo porque, la verdad, en el más acá se está más a gusto.
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November. On this day, American families gather around, have dinner and give thanks for the blessing of the year.
Se acerca la fecha en la que se celebra Halloween, una fiesta de origen ajeno a nuestra cultura, pero que año tras año va enraizando en el conjunto de nuestras costumbres y festividades mimetizando hasta el último detalle los comportamientos que se producen en países semejantes al nuestro en cuanto a valores y cultura.
Dejando a un lado la temática londinense, y por extensión la inglesa, que habitualmente trato en este medio hoy me propongo exponer de una manera clara y sencilla las consecuencias que sobre nuestra salud y la de generaciones futuras tiene el uso y abuso de los plásticos.
Antes de adentrarnos en el análisis de la repercusión de su uso en nuestro organismo y en el ecosistema repasemos a modo de introducción algunos de los aspectos más significativos que caracterizan a estos compuestos.
To say that walnuts are a nutritious food is a bit of an understatement.
Walnuts provide healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals — and that’s just the beginning of how they may support your health.
In fact, there’s so much interest in this one nut that for the past 50 years, scientists and industry experts have gathered annually at the University of California, Davis, for a walnut conference discussing the latest walnut health research.
The most common variety of walnut is the English walnut, which is also the most studied type.
Here are 13 science-based health benefits of walnuts.
Yup, there are so many incredible and a heap of the best places in the UK to visit. So much so that you’ll be spoilt for choice.
From the itty-bitty hamlets that are nestled within the Cotswolds to historic cities such as Edinburgh and York, there’s an epic amount of places and probably some unusual traditions that we have, too!
…I mean, who doesn’t love seeing locals running down a hill after wheels of cheese! (yup, an actual tradition).
Honestly, for me, I always try to remind others that the UK is so much more than London. Yeah, all the areas of London are amazing to explore; but we really do have a shed load of gorgeous places across the whole of the UK to visit.
Anyway, before my love of everything cheese-based takes over, take a look at these best places in the UK that are totally worth seeing.
1.) Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire
Robin Hood’s Bay is one stunning little spot to visit on the north of England that’s gorgeous to visit. This tiny little hamlet is nestled within the cliffs of Yorkshire and perched right on the Northern Sea coast.
Now, the whole place has a pretty long history, dating back well over 1,000 years.
Once a sleepy little fishing village (with no roads to the village), it became a smugglers haven.
You see, contraband alcohol was brought in the dark of night and burrowed within the many tunnels and cellars that were dug underneath the houses. Nowadays, a little glass of sherry isn’t illegal and there’s a good list of old English pubs that dot the town.
Anyway, make sure to visit the Old Post Office for some cake and a proper cup of Yorkshire tea. I mean, it’s Yorkshire after all, you’ve gotta have a good brew.
The Lake District is the UK’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site and one that you shouldn’t miss. Now, the whole region has quite a few lakes, with Windermere being the largest (and most popular).
That being said, I have to be honest and say I prefer Ullswater (the 2nd largest) which is much quieter and on par (if not better, dare I say) than Windermere.
We stayed at the amazing Another Place: The Lake, which was amazing. From there, we took the Ullswater Steamer across the lake, hiked the local mountains and paddle boarded our way over the lake.
It’s a really special place to experience, especially if you want to enjoy a quieter side of the Lake District.
It really is one of the best places in the UK to explore if you love nature.
Cambridge is a relatively small city (by international standards, at least) but it packs a hefty punch on things you have to see and do.
Make sure you visit King’s College and the King’s College Chapel, where you can still see a massive wooden screen that Henry VIII gave to Anne Boleyn as a gift. It still has their initials inscribed upon it.
For a tasty bite to eat, head over to Fitzbillies for one of their famous brunches and glorious homemade cakes.
Make sure to head out punting on the River Cam and see the best views of the city from Great St. Mary’s Church(next time King’s College). Be warned, though, the historic stone tower shakes quite a bit when the bells are ringing.
All that being said, it’s easily one of the best places in the UK to visit that’s perfect for a day trip from London.
Possibly one of the best food spots in the UK, Malton is a place that I guarantee you’ll fall head over heels for; especially if you love little towns.
Over the last 10 years, or so, this small market town has transformed from a sleepy little community to a bustling spot for amazing local food, Yorkshire produces that (without sounding too cheesy) are made with loads of love.
Spend the day wandering around the countless little stores and shops and make sure to indulge with mountains of freshly roasted coffee at ROOST and gorge on homemade gelato at Groovy Moo.
Oh yeah, make sure to wear elasticated pants too! You’ll fill your tummy.
It’s easily one of the best places in the UK to spend a morning before exploring the rest of Yorkshire.
The Roman city of Bath is one of the best places in the UK, especially for a historic city.
You see, the whole city centre is heavily protected, meaning its character and charm have been kept for us all to enjoy today.
Wander through the old Roman Baths, see the Royal Crescent and gorge on one of Sally Lunn’s Buns. In fact, take some home with you too, I guarantee you’ll want more than one.
Now, it’s not often you think of the UK as tropical but the Scilly Isles are just that.
Because of where they ‘re situated (30 miles, or so), off the coast of Cornwall, this tiny group of islands benefit from the Gulf Stream that brings the lovely warm currents from the Caribbean.
Fly over to the islands from Exeter or Newquay that’s near Watergate Bay (or take the ferry, too).
Once there, explore a few of the islands and find one gorgeous stone cottages to rent on one of the islands.
Make sure to run to also rent a bike, head into the bay shallow waters for kayaking and wander the charming tropical gardens on Tresco Island. They really are some of the best places in the UK if you want an island adventure.
Edinburgh is one of my favourite Scottish cities. With thousands of years of history, a castle onto of an ancient volcanic butte and the picturesque old town, it really is a great place to dip into the beauty of a Scottish city.
Be sure to check out the Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace (the Queen’s palace whilst in Edinburgh),
Also, if it’s your first time in the city, check out some of these free things, some of the cities best bars and a few of Edinburgh’s secret spots that are hidden in plain sight. It’s totally one of the best places in the UK to visit when exploring the beauty of Scotland.
Watergate Bay is a gorgeous little beach spot that’s just so lovely. On the north coast of Cornwall, near Newquay, it’s a great place to unwind, do some surfing or just relax on the sandy beach.
We stayed at the beautiful Watergate Bay Hotel, which is a perfect mix of laid-back luxury with none of the pomp.
Even for breakfast alone, it’s one of the best places in the UK! Their waffles are to die for!
Nestled within Snowdonia National Park, right on the Cardigan coastline is a picturesque Italian village that’s is definitely one of the best places in the UK.
Now, it’s not often you associate Italian villages with Wales but this place is just that. An Italian-Welsh village.
If you’re blessed with a warm and sunny day, you won’t even believe you’re in the UK. It really is a secret little spot that you must visit when in this area.
Possibly one of the UK’s largest National Parks, the Cairngorms is one vast place to explore. It’s easiest to visit the Cairngorms by car but you can also travel to train and arrange daily tours if you don’t drive.
Make sure to rent a bike, head into the countryside and really immersive yourself in this unspoilt landscape. Oh, also, stop for some epic cakes and Scottish tea at the Druie Restaurant Cafe – it’s a delicious little spot.
For a little more strenuous activity, think about hiking on one of the well-established trails that criss-cross this region or take a quad bike tour of the countryside.
Finally, make sure to spot some deer. They’re some of the most famous residents here and one of the best places in the UK to see them.
Okay, so The Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland has become a pretty popular spot to visit in recent years. I mean, the whole road looks incredible, especially with the twisted beech trees that line the lane.
As I mentioned in our bumper Irish post, the easiest way to get here is by car. Now, t’s best to follow the postcode of ‘BT53 8TP’ on Google Maps or your car’s GPS system; this way, you’ll get less lost!
Now, the road itself can get pretty busy with other visitors, so if you want a quieter view, head over early in the morning or just before sunset. That being said, it’s still one of the best places in the UK to explore when in Northern Ireland.
This gorgeous area of England is as quaint as you can imagine. It’s easily one best places in the UK that’s so easy to visit in a car.
Think, rolling green hills, crooked little cottages and cosy little tea-shops to eat as many scones as possible. It really is a gorgeous area.
There are a few places you should definitely visit, especially around Bibury to see one of the UK’s prettiest streets, Arlington Row. Another gorgeous spot is Castle Combe, head here for a little exploration of the village and head into the local, King John’s Hunting Lodge for a tasty lunch.
There are a few other beautiful villages you should definitely see, like Bourton-on-the-Water, the gorgeous Lacock, Broadway and Stow-on-the-Wold. All are picture-perfect and some of the prettiest places to visit when in the area.
For a great spot to rest your head, head over to The Wood Norton Hotel, a grand old house that’s so stunning inside.
Now, it really is hard to pinpoint just one spot in the Highlands, I can easily run off a whole notebook of 50-or-so spots you should definitely see, which I popped into a full guide, here.
If you drive, this is one of the places to really head out and find some of the gorgeous spots that are scattered across the region.
Make sure you head over to Bealach na Ba, which is one dramatic glacial valley to see. Also, don’t forget to make a pit-stop in beautiful Applecross, Torridon and Plockton too.
If you have even more time, you can even pop over to the Isle of Skye via the ferry or the bridge link. It’s easily one of the best places in the UK to visit when in the Highlands.
If you’re looking for a city vibe whilst in Northern Ireland, head over to Belfast, that’s about 60 -minutes from The Dark Hedges by car. The Titanic Belfast is also an incredible experience you should see, whilst the Ulster Museum is a great place to visit should the weather take a turn for the worse.
Oh, and don’t forget to gorge at The Muddlers Club who’ve created a scrumptious tasting menu.
Swiss chard is one of the most impressive and nutrient-dense vegetables out there. The range of antioxidants in Swiss chard nutrition can be seen both in its deeply colored green leaves and also in the reds, purples and yellows of its vibrant, multicolored stalks and veins.
What are the benefits of eating Swiss chard?
These include obtaining its many forms of polyphenol, betalain and carotenoid phytonutrients, which are powerful at fighting free radical damage, inflammation and disease development.
Swiss Chard Nutrition Facts
Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable in the Amaranthaceae plant family that has the scientific name Beta vulgaris. Its name may be a bit misleading, because it actually isn’t a plant that is native to Switzerland — rather it was “discovered” by a Swiss botanist in 1753.
It’s actually native to regions in the Mediterranean, where it’s still a very popular vegetable today.
Today, Swiss chard goes by other names around the world, such as: