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Learning gross motor skills is crucial for all children, helping their muscles grow bigger and stronger and carrying out more complex physical movements such as riding a bike or learning to swim, if they’ve not been taking classes since they were very young.
Although your child will naturally learn these abilities simply by exploring the world around them, there are tried and tested ways that you can help them to develop their gross motor skills. From setting up an obstacle course in your backyard to playing tug of war to utilizing push and pull toys, keep reading to discover how you can support the development of your child’s gross motor skills. What are gross motor skills? As briefly mentioned above, gross motor skills are movements that use your child’s large muscles, such as their arms, legs, and torso. There are several key components of gross motor skills. These are: • Balance • Muscle strength • Coordination • Motor planning • Body awareness • Weight shifting • Muscle endurance What activities can I do with my child to improve their gross motor skills? If you would like to give your child a little extra helping hand with the development of their gross motor skills, the below activities and games are perfect for this. 1. Pushing and pulling Whether your child loves nothing more than pushing their dolls around in a pram or they can’t get enough of their pull along tractor, push and pull toys are ideal for building upon several components of gross motor skills. Although you may be tempted to help your child as they learn the art of balance and body awareness, you are better off letting them make their own mistakes and learning how to use their own body themselves. Click here to discover a selection of beautiful wooden push and pull toys that your child will love and that can be passed down from one generation to the next. 2. Navigating an obstacle course An incredibly cost-effective option, you can set up an age-appropriate obstacle course either in your home or in your backyard. If your child is very young and you are worried about them hurting themselves, use a selection of pillows, cushions, and rugs to create a safe course in your living room. Try to pick obstacles of varying heights to challenge your child further and increase their spatial awareness. 3. Playing tug of war For slightly older children, tug of war is a great way to develop their gross motor skills further, working all the key large muscle groups in their bodies. This fun game that your child will love also improves their weight shifting abilities and core strength. Why not try a few different tug of war positions to work even more different muscles, such as sitting down, kneeling, and standing back to back. Other great gross motor skills activities include: 4. Hopscotch 5. Catch 6. Bowling 7. Bouncing on a trampoline 8. Dancing 9. Climbing rope ladders 10. Chasing bubbles
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Being a mom is demanding and you are likely to have days when you feel exhausted and stressed out! Stress management is crucial, and you must make time for yourself and schedule relaxation, however busy you are. The following tips will help you manage parenting stress and remain calm in your busy life.
Organize your time Most moms have to balance various daily tasks and activities. This might include dropping the kids off at school, getting to work on time, taking the kids to their after school clubs, and preparing a family dinner. Trying to schedule all of these activities can be stressful, and you must organize your time well. Being organized will help you streamline your routines, save time, and avoid stress while you go about your busy day. According to advice on simplifiedmotherhood.com, you can use a family planner to make lists at the beginning of the week tohelp you organize your family life. Ask your family for help Caring for children is hard work, and it can be physically and mentally draining. Taking care of a family is even more challenging when you’re working or have other demands on your time. If you’re starting to feel stressed or burnt out, then don’t be afraid to ask for help. Every mom needs some time for herself, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about needing a break. You probably have plenty of family members and friends who would gladly step in and look after your little ones for a few hours. This will give you the chance to run errands, complete jobs, or simply enjoy some peace. You might also want to consider hiring help such as a cleaner or gardener. Having assistance with these tasks will make your life less hectic and reduce stress. Find effective stress relievers Stress management is crucial, and every mom should find ways to release feelings of stress. Make sure that you schedule some ‘me time’ to unwind and reclaim your calm. Here are some simple ways to reduce stress: ● Exercise to boost your mood and burn off anxious energy. ● Pamper yourself with beauty treatments like a face mask. ● Start a journal to write down your thoughts and feelings. ● Meditate or do breathing exercises. ● Listen to relaxing music. Try some of the above suggestions to unwind the next time you feel stressed. Various supplements can also promote feelings of relaxation. For instance, taking CBD may improve your mood and reduce stress. You can find many different CBD products like CBD gummies UK and CBD drinks. Taking supplements like CBD may alleviate stress and increase your sense of wellbeing, although there is currently not enough medical evidence to support this. Final word Being a mom is a wonderful experience, but it can also be demanding and stressful. Learning to manage stress is an essential part of effective parenting and will help you maintain good health and wellbeing. The above tips should help you organize your time efficiently, alleviate parenting stress, and have more quality time to spend with your family. Educators in the US start on an average salary of $38,617, but this varies with state, level, experience, sector, and training.
What are the top routes to success as a teacher? Could you increase your teaching salary easily and affordably? What is the role of a teacher? Teachers work within education facilities such as elementaryand high schools, as well as in higher education establishments, like universities. They adhere to the standards of the state and the school in order to deliver the curriculum through daily lessons. Teachers must be able to deliver lesson content interestingly and understandably, using course materials. They need to be able to modify their methods to suit individual students and administer work to be completed in class, or at home, as well as set tests to grade students’ understanding. The ideal skill set depends on many variables, such as student age, class attitude, and subject(s) taught. Private vs public schools Research reveals that the average salary of public schoolteachers is surprisingly higher than their private school counterparts, even with the same experience level. Research has shown that, on average, private schools pay secondary school teachers a base salary of $44,720 and elementaryschool teachers $36,260; whereas, public schools pay secondary school teachers an average base salary of $53,520, and elementary school teachers $52,620. State-to-state differences Montana has the lowest average base salary at $30,036 and DC has the highest average base salary at $51,359. However, when looking at the average teacher salary, New York comes first with $79,639, and South Dakota last at $42,668. Experience levels In research combined from both the private and public sectors, 2-4 years of experience win a salary average of $37,510. The same research concluded that with an excess of 30 years as a teacher, the average salary in the US is $57,605. What common benefits accompany the teacher salary? A 2020 report showed that 71% of educators surveyed received medical insurance, 61% had access to dental care benefits, 52% received optometry benefits, whilst 28% receive no benefits at all. Increasing a Teaching Salary Here are four tips to a higher salary for any teacher: Up your work hours In most schools, experience raises, often called “steps,” are implemented to help encourage teachers to commit to the job. This means that even if you do nothing, your salary will increase annually, most likely for the first 10 years of your career. Analyze your teaching contract to find and calculate this figure. By working full-time hours, you can maximize this, year after year. The specific number of hours you could work will depend on your other commitments and your employer’s preferences, however, 35 hours per week (or over) is classed as a full-time position. In addition, teachers often complete lesson plans from home, which can eat into family and personal time. To avoid this, aim to use your workday to complete these tasks where possible. Work smarter, not harder. Keep an eye on cost-of-living adjustments Almost every year, the cost of living is adjusted, and often increases to correlate with the economy and within location-specific guidance. This payment is intended to assist with living, transportation, and general financial outgoings;however, any teaching materials should be budgeted for elsewhere. Further your education If simply waiting for an annual raise feels too constrictive, take the initiative to further your education and make the jump to a higher paycheck. Taking a more active role in any workplace can be challenging, but improving your skills is a great place to start when you want to climb the ladder. Any teacher will need a bachelor’s degree (BSc) from an accredited university, usually taking a minimum of four years. With an extra master’s degree (MA) and increased experienced, salaries can increase to as much as $85,927. Of course, for this salary range, a master’s degree in education and 45 years of experience is not enough--for this level of compensation a high-level position with increased demand and responsibility is often needed. The qualifications needed can be completed online, in full, meaning you can start building a higher salary, with no attendance commitment, or travel fees. Find a suitable MA education distance learning programme to advance your salary! In many states and districts, you can even access further education for free, or fully funded by your institution. The government want to employ and retain highly competent teachers to educate the leaders of tomorrow, which means that your professional improvement is in both of your interests. To do this check out the column payment structure on your salary schedule and calculate how many credits you need to move up a column. Next, reach out to the human resources department at your institution and enquire about the district’s maximum number of credits funded in a year. With this information, you can figure out how long a substantial salary increase would take, and what the resulting figure would be. However, bear in mind that having your education funded will most likely mean that you do not graduate as quickly as if you’d self-funded. Should you have the resources to fund your further education, taking classes and being awarded credits as quickly as possible will speed up the process. Relocate Your location has a strong correlation with salary when it comes to educators. Moving to a different district, such as New York, could increase your salary by up to $36,000. This is an undeniably huge leap, and it could be easier than you think. Even though it could mean relocating across the country, consider neighboring districts that wouldn’t involve such a drastic lifestyle change, but could see a huge jump in salary! How can I increase my overall income? If you’ve exhausted every salary trick, consider going it alone, alongside your 9-5 job. Tutor Privately Although this may stir up images of late nights and excesswork, teaching privately can be a great and rewarding way to increase your income without taking your focus away from the education sector. Provided you do not copy your institution’s curriculum, you can even take your skills to an online platform and educate more widely and earn more passively. In conclusion The salary of teachers in the US depends on many factors, namely: your years of experience, location, position, and level of education. There are several ways to increase your teaching salary: up your workload, access further education and advance your skills, and follow the salary averages by moving institutions! If you have kids or dream of raising a family in the future, you’ll want to choose a career that offers a certain level of flexibility. While some people enjoy being a stay-at-home parent, this isn’t the best option for everyone. If you want to achieve your professional goals, if being a single-income household isn’t an option, or if you’re a single parent, holding down a job might be one of your top priorities.
Although many parents work, they are sometimes hesitant about furthering their career, taking on additional responsibilities or applying for promotions. While this is understandable (being a parent is a full-time job in itself, afterall!), there are career paths which offer flexibility, job satisfaction and a great work-life balance. If you’re eager to join the healthcare sector, or you’re already working as a nurse or other medical professional, enhancing your qualifications can give you new challenges to embrace and may even offer a more flexible working environment. To find out whether a nursing career is the right option for you, take a look at why becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner is the ideal choice for a working parent: 1. Work Anywhere Healthcare services are required in every location, all over the world. This means your role as a Family Nurse Practitioner will enable you to work in any state, which is ideal for working parents. Whether you’re settled in your current community or you plan on relocating in the future, you can feel confident about finding work where you choose to live. What’s more – your location can affect your earning power too. Although Family Nurse Practitioners earn well above the national average salary in every state, some locations equate to a higher salary. To find out which states offer the most lucrative financial rewards for Family Nurse Practitioners check out this blog post. 2. Flexible Career Progression Most healthcare professionals choose to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) after gaining experience as a Registered Nurse (RN). While your Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Associate’s Degree in Nursing will provide you with the competences and skills you need to practice as an RN, the experience you’ll gain while working will stand you in good stead if you want to become an FNP. However, a full-time, campus-based course is rarely a viable option for a working parent. If you were required to give up your current job and relocate in order to enroll on an FNP program, for example, it would require significant financial and practical disruption. Fortunately, nursing offers flexible career progression, which means working parents can embrace their potential and pursue their professional ambitions. You could choose to enroll on an online Master of Science in Nursing program with an FNP specialty, for example. Being able to study part-time, from any location, can provide the flexibility you need as a working parent and enable you to further your career while still being active and present at home. 3. Choose Your Hours If your job offers limited options when it comes to scheduling, it can be difficult to juggle your professional and personal responsibilities. With nursing, however, you can work a variety of shift patterns, which can be ideal for healthcare professionals with young children at home. If your partner works during the day, for example, you might choose to work night shifts so that someone can be at home to care for your children. Alternatively, you might decide that early morning shifts are best suited to your home life, as they enable you to be with your kids after school and in the evenings. As well as choosing a nursing role that offers a flexible schedule, you may also decide to work on a part-time basis at some time in the future. This can be a helpful alternative while your kids are young, for example, and gives you the option to return to full-time work when your kids get older. 4. Increased Autonomy When you’re working as a Registered Nurse, you’ll typically be employed by a healthcare organization, a physician or, in some cases, by a patient directly. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, you can continue to work in this way, or you can choose to operate with a higher degree of autonomy. The level of autonomy granted to Nurse Practitioners varies from state to state, so some locations will require you to work under closer supervision than others. In 22 states, however, Nurse Practitioners are able to work in ‘Full Practice’, which means you’ll have the maximum amount of autonomy possible. As such, you could choose to open your own clinic, start your own business, hire other medical professionals, and choose your own hours. While launching any type of business requires hard work and dedication, the rewards can be tremendous. What’s more – the flexibility and autonomy you’ll gain will enhance your experience as a working parent and allow you to create a work-life balance that enhances your wellbeing. 5. Employment Opportunities If you choose to remain an employee once you’ve qualified as a Family Nurse Practitioner, you’ll be pleased to know that there will plenty of job opportunities available. The job outlook for Nurse Practitioners is expected to grow by 45% between 2019 to 2029, with more than 117,000 new roles being created. This highlights the potential for the consistent employment, varied roles and job security that comes with being an FNP. Studying an Advanced Degree If becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner sounds like the right career choice for you, you can get your plans underway by enrolling on a Master of Science in Nursing program. By selecting a reputable and accredited course that offers the relevant specialty, you can reduce the time it takes to obtain your qualification and begin working as an FNP sooner than you think. While there’s no doubt that being a working parentcan be tricky at times, choosing a path that offers flexibility, job security and professional fulfilment will help to ensure your career has a positive impact on other areas of your life. As a parent, it can be incredibly challenging to keep on top of housework when you have a child with any kind of special needs - this is particularly true during the pandemic when kids have to spend a lot more time at home too. Keeping on top of housework is hugely important for keeping everyone happy and the home in good condition as well as for your own mental health, so how can you keep on top of everything while still providing the care and attention that your child needs? Read on for a few suggestions, which will hopefully be helpful.
Try Meal Prep Meal prep is a fantastic way to make sure that you have healthy and nutritious meals each night without having to spend time in the kitchen every single night of the week. You simply cook up a few batch meals in one session (Sunday is always a good time), which can then be put in the fridge or freezer and reheated at night. This can save you time, stop you from resorting to ready meals or takeout, and greatly reduce stress. Involve Them in the Housework Depending on their particular condition, you might find that you can involve your child in the housework, which allows you to keep them occupied and keep an eye on them at the same time. Additionally, learning key life skills like washing, cleaning, and cooking is important for youngsters to learn and could provide them with some crucial independence and confidence. Get as Much Done as You Can in Spare Time Many parents also find it helpful to get as much of the housework done in their spare time as possible. Getting up earlier or getting housework done when your child goes to sleep is smart because it can reduce stress. It means that you are not juggling the two, and it can give you some peace and quiet while you get on with what needs to be done. Use a Laundry Service A great way to lighten your load while still making sure that you are on top of everything is to use a laundry and dry cleaning Cambridge. They can come to your home to collect your laundry and then drop it off as soon as it is done, which can make a huge difference as you will always have clean clothes, but it is one task which seems never-ending taken care of. Clean as You Go It is also good practice to clean up as you go to stop clutter from building up; otherwise, the task becomes much greater, and the home looks and feels chaotic. Tidying up as you go and then scheduling a deep clean every now and then when you have the time will make it much easier to manage and ensure that things never get out of control. It is challenging to keep on top of the housework when you have a child with special needs, but these tips should help you keep a clean, welcoming, and comfortable home and happy lifestyle for your family. Moving into a new home can be both exciting and stressful, so if you know someone who has recently relocated then it can be a lovely idea to get them a gift to mark the occasion. A thoughtful housewarming present not only shows your friend that you’re thinking of them and happy they’ve taken this next step in their life, it can also help them to settle in. A new house can feel a little alien in the beginning, so a meaningful gift could be just what they need!
Here are a few ideas to get you inspired. For the exteriorIf your friend has moved into a brand new property from a developer such as Linden Homes, they probably won’t need anything major for the interior because these houses tend to come fully equipped. Instead, you could opt for something to go on the outside of the house, such as a house name or number sign. Other options include a doormat for the front door, a smart doorbell system, solar powered lights for the patio, or some plants to brighten up the garden. For the bathroomHelp your friend make their bathroom more cozy with a fluffy new towel set or bath mat, or get them a useful collection of toiletries to make sure they have everything they need to hand even if they haven’t got round to unpacking yet. To be extra practical, you could always see if there are any bathroom accessories they require that didn’t come with the property, such as a towel rail or toothbrush holder. For the kitchenIf you want to get your friend something useful, the kitchen is a good place to start. This is especially true if they have just moved into their first home, as they may not have all the bits and pieces they need yet. Little items such as tea towels and mugs are always nice, or some fancy new plates – just see if you can find out the color scheme of the room first in order to buy things that match. For the living roomThere are plenty of gifts you can buy to make your friend’s new house feel more like a home. Try some scented candles or an essential oil diffuser to fill their home with their favorite scents, or cushions or a throw for the couch. Wall art is another great choice if you know the design of the room, or a houseplant to bring a little bit of nature inside and help to purify the air. Other options include a unique lamp, a vase (with flowers!), or some board games to play as you toast their move. Edible giftsAlternatively, you can’t go wrong with gifts that you can eat or drink! Purchase some coffee from an independent coffee roasters, a bottle of wine with a personalized label to mark the event, or delicious handmade chocolates. If your friend has literally just moved in, you could even bring over an entire meal to save them from having to unpack all their cooking stuff just yet! Are you worried about your mental health? Is it causing you severe anxiety? For many people who have mental health conditions or mental health illnesses, it can seem like a minefield learning about what can help and what won’t help, and what’s more, it can also feel like something to be ashamed of to even ask for help.
Everyone Has Mental Health Worries The first thing you should know is that nearly everyone will suffer from some kind of mental health issue at some point in their life. You’re not alone. From ‘simple’ work stress to full-on anxiety and panic attacks, mental health issues can creep up on you at any time of your life, and it’s important that we talk openly about these things. If you have a particular mental health condition, like autism or ADHD, then you are more likely to suffer from anxiety-related issues than the average person, but there are many non-pill related options that can help. Here are five ways you can help your mental health-related anxiety without taking more medication. Change Your Diet Diet counts for such a huge part of our lives, and it’s true that a healthy diet can improve mental health conditions too. While not every condition or disorder can be solely treated by diet, you’dbe surprised at just how much diet can affect conditions that seem unrelated. ‘Lion Diet’ advocate, Mikhaila Peterson, who suffered from terrible autoimmune conditions and idiopathic arthritis claims that her Lion Diet (a variant of the Carnivore Diet) solved these issues and saved her life. Diet isn’t always about ‘healthy’ eating but eating the right things for your body. Consider Helpful Supplements Along with diet, getting into a good supplement routine can make a huge difference to your life too. Supplements like Omega Fish Oils have been found to be beneficial to some patients diagnosed with ADHD, and CBD oil is regularly celebrated as a potential wonder supplement by many. When shopping for CBD oil it’s important to get a quality supply. Platinum CBD UK’s CEO speaks about how quality CBD oil made a big difference to his life. Learn Breathing Exercises When was the last time you stopped to take a breath? Silly question, right? Wrong! Learning good breathing exercises for anxiety can make a huge difference when you feel an anxiety attack coming on, and it’s vital that those around you also know good breathing exercises so that they can help you through any attack you may have. Get Therapy A simple but life-changing answer here, therapy can be such a life-changer to many people. Just speaking about your problems with a trained professional will make all of the difference in your life. Learn About Your Condition Some people think that labels are not good, while others find that finally having a label for their condition is life changing. Learning about the condition you have will empower you to know what is real and what is the condition when you’re having problems. Labels can be empowering when used right. Eye health is an extremely important, but often overlooked aspect of everyday life. For photographers like Kate and I, it’s even more vital to keep our peepers happy! But what about a link between autism and eyesight? There’s a huge debate as to whether autism directly affects the eyes, so I have compiled some facts and figures to bring some more awareness to the issue.
Up to 90% of individuals with autism lack the visual skills which provide optimal eye function. In babies with autism, vision develops at a much slower rate, and so they continue to experience the world through touch for longer. This is why they may be extremely tactile, holding onto certain items for long periods, and becoming distressed with changes in their immediate environment. This delay in development and resulting behaviors can lead to further problems below. Strabismus: Strabismus, or crossed eyes, is present when the eyes do not properly align to look at an object. There can be a variety of causes, and developmental disorders are one of them. It can cause issues with depth perception, double vision and amblyopia (a lazy eye), depending on the age of onset. Strabismus can be managed with glasses, medication or surgery. Cataracts: Cataracts are cloudy discs on the front of your eyes, which cause visual difficulties by stopping light from reaching the back of your retinas. Whilst there is no link between autism itself and cataracts, the behaviors that come alongside autism (stimming) can lead to damage to the eye. Repetitive blunt trauma to the head and eye areas can lead to cataracts, so it is important to recognize these behaviors to minimize this impact in later life. Cataracts are incredibly common and can be treated with surgery and solutions like Panoptix, to reverse the damage and restore eyesight. Amblyopia: Also known as a lazy eye, amblyopia can occur as a direct result of strabismus or any other vision-interfering developmental disorder, where the brain chooses to ignore the input from the weaker eye. Most commonly seen in children from the age of 5, it can be corrected through surgery, glasses or the use of an eye patch over the stronger eye, to force the use of the weaker ones. Hyperstimulation: Whilst not a specific eye problem, hyperstimulation from visual stimuli is very common in the autistic population. This is because the brain has trouble filtering out background movement and telling the difference between what’s happening in the periphery, and the immediate environment. This can be very stressful for the individual and can lead to stimming and other self-soothing behaviors, and also a lack of or difficulty maintaining eye contact. Vision therapy can be very beneficial in helping manage and calm hyperstimulation, as can removing or reducing potential environmental triggers. This is not an exhaustive list. The presence of these eye issues does not necessarily equal autism and vice versa. It’s just always a good idea to be aware of your eyes and get them regularly tested regardless of any pre-existing health conditions! Saving money while raising a family can be a serious challenge. Research shows that most parents will have spent over $280,000 by the time their child reaches the age of 18. Building savings while paying for family essentials is by no means an easy task, but there are lots of ways to lower your expenses. Every family can benefit from considering ways to reduce their monthly costs. On that note, here are some simple money-saving tips for families.
Focus on food costs Food is a large expense for most families. According to thestreet.com, the average four-person family spends almost $11,000 on food every year. This makes it one of the biggest monthly costs for families. Luckily, there are countless ways to slash your food costs whilst still enjoying a healthy and nutritious diet. Switching to a more budget-friendly supermarket is a simple way to lower your grocery bills. You can also save significant amounts on your weekly shop by choosing store-brand food and looking for deals in the discount section of the supermarket. Another simple way to keep food costs low is by not eating out at restaurants. Preparing food at home is far cheaper and tends to be healthier as you know what is going into your meals. Choose low-cost fun Popular activities like going to the cinema or visiting a theme park can be expensive, particularly if you have a large family. However, being frugal doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on family fun. There is a fantastic selection of free and low-cost activities to keep your family entertained. You can go on a family walk, have a picnic in your local park, or arrange a family board game night at home. Swapping expensive activities for low-cost alternatives will help you stick with your budget and save more. For instance, have a cozy movie night at home with snacks instead of going to the cinema. Become coupon savvy Becoming coupon savvy is another great way to save money on family expenses. You can use coupons to cut the cost of various everyday items including food, clothes, and activities. Vouchers can also be used to gain discounts on treats (i.e. a Sephora discount code can save you money on cosmetics and beauty products). Search on coupon websites to find the latest discounts and vouchers. In most cases, you can download the discount code for free or sign up to have coupons sent to your email. Keep celebrations simple Birthdays can become a huge expense for families and cause stress for parents who are worried about money. It is important to celebrate birthdays as a family but try to keep celebrations simple. Instead of going out for an expensive meal, cook a special family meal at home and spend quality time togetherinstead. Remember to focus on making memories rather than spending money. Sleepovers and themed parties at home are low-cost ways for parents to celebrate their child’s birthday without spending lots of money. A good barbecue can be a brilliant way to relax, but there’s little else more therapeutic than a Korean barbeque, prepared with Korean philosophy in mind. In South Korea, a predominant cooking style involves patience, care and acceptance that making good things can take time. This approach is influenced by Buddhist ideals, as well as some Taoist influence from China. Cooking a Korean BBQ doesn’t have to be therapeutic, but when you use the cooking process to immerse yourself in the present, you’ll enjoy the act of making the food just as much as eating the food. BBQ basics You can use charcoal for an authentic smoky flavor, but many people prefer to use gas. You should be ready to take your time. With some recipes you slow cook the meat for a whole day, if you wish to. Find out how long does a propane tank last and just make sure you have enough gas or charcoal for the whole cooking process. You want to be as calm as possible throughout, so you want to avoid any panic at a later stage. Chicken Chicken is a favorite ingredient in Korea, though if you can try to get broiler chicken; it’ll be a bit tougher than the chicken you’re used to, but Koreans find it has a better flavor. You can cook dak gui, as it’s called, with any chicken cuts of your choice, some garlic and scallion (although true Buddhist cooking rejects the use of pungent ingredients like garlic and scallion, as well as meat as a whole – use whatever you feel comes naturally to you). Smash the garlic, dice the scallions (if you’re using them), slice a piece of ginger up and put it all in a bowl with ¾ cup soy sauce, ½ cup Korean malt syrup, 6 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons sesame oil and 1.4 teaspoons black pepper. Flatten the chicken with a meat mallet and then marinade it in the bowl for 2 hours. When you cook the chicken, you can cook it slowly for 20-30 minutes on a low heat or on cook it on a high heat for 10 minutes. Make sure you use the marinading process to make some Kimchi potato salad or prepare some japchae. Bulgogi Bulgogi is a style of dish most popularly made with beef, but it can be had with pork or tofu. You need 6 scallions, a thinly sliced onion, 4 crushed garlic cloves, a thinly sliced piece of ginger, half a cup of gochujang, ¼ cup toasted sesame seed oil, ¼ soy sauce, 3tbs Korean red pepper powder, sugar and sesame seeds and 2 tbs mirin. Dice everything up including your preferred amount of beef, place into a bowl and stir before marinating it for any amount of time over 1 hour. Put your BBQ on high, pull out the meat and then let all the marinade drip off. Then slap it on the grill, watch it cook and then turn it when it gets lightly charred. While preparing and cooking, think about the dualities of life. Korean food is designed around the concept of eum yang, a concept describing how forces that might seem completely opposite or conflicting are actually interconnected and interdependent. Light and dark, high and low, water and fire are all eum yang concepts; think of how the flavors interact with the cooking process; for example, spiciness and the metal of a BBQ are traditionally said to contrast, affecting the lung and the colon. |
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