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Published on February 06, 2018 17:40

February 3, 2018

10 Delicious Foods of the USA

Discover 10 delicious foods of the USA. The first time I went to the US it was the food that amazed me the most. In comparison to Australia, its cheap to eat out, and the portions are huge. Typical American cuisine isn’t the healthiest, but it sure is delicious.

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10 Delicious Foods of the USA
1. Deep Dish Pizza

The first item on this list of delicious foods of the USA is Chicago’s famous deep dish pizza. I’m not a fan of pizza, and this is the king of pizzas. I remember having once slice and being full.

Chicago has a bunch of other specialty foods also.

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The most filling pizza invented. Via Flickr.com.

CHECK OUT THESE 20 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN CHICAGO

2. New York Hot Dog

This is one of those foods that is famous, but I’m not sure why. I guess if you compare it to an Australian hot dog they aren’t that good. Not that they are not good though. I went back for seconds and thirds.

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The classic New York Hot Dog stand. Via Flickr.com.

READ ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE IN NEW YORK

3. Jambalaya

I took a cooking class in New Orleans and this is one of the dishes we cooked. It is like fried rice but cooked in a big pot as opposed to fried. Quite delicious and nutritious.

New Orleans has a bunch of good food. It is one of the reasons it is my favorite city in the states.

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Jambalaya is only one of the many great foods in New Orleans. Via Flickr.com.

DISCOVER 12 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN NEW ORLEANS

4. Key Lime Pie

I had heard of key lime pie but never actually seen one before visiting the states. One bite and I was in love!

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Key Lime Pie is a sweet treat that I can never refuse. Via Pixabay.com.

5. Meatloaf

Number 5 on this list of delicious foods of the USA is meatloaf. I remember watching American sitcoms when I was a child. They would always complain about meatloaf. When I tried it I went back for more. I can see how it could get very dry in the middle if not cooked well.

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Classic American meatloaf. Via Pixabay.com.

DISCOVER 10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN THE USA

6. Biscuits and Gravy

In Australia, biscuits are cookies. Imagine my surprise when my American friend ordered biscuits and gravy for breakfast. I had one bite and never looked back. They are delicious.

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Biscuits and gravy and a common American breakfast in the south. Via Pixabay.com.

7. Grits

This is my least favorite food on this list. It is boiled cornmeal. Whether it is good or not depends on who cooks it, and what they cook with it.

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Grits is my least favorite dish on this least. It is still not bad though. Via Flickr.com.

8. Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Most American’s LOVE mac and cheese. Most likely the least nutritious staple in the world! I try to stay away from it.

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Most Americans love mac and cheese. I don’t. Via Pixabay.com.

9. Smores

I first came across smores while working at summer camp. They are like the pimped version of toasted marshmallows. It is Hershey’s chocolate and a toasted marshmallow inside a graham cracker sandwich.

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Smores are the upgrade of the toasted marshmallow. Via Pixabay.com.

READ ABOUT WHAT IT IS LIKE WORKING IN A US SUMMER CAMP

10. Peanut Butter

The last dish on this list of delicious foods of the USA is peanut butter. Peanut butter and jam sandwiches are not uncommon in Australia. Americans also put peanut butter on… well, everything.

I went hiking once and my friend suggested peanut butter and banana sandwiches for lunch. They were fantastic! A know another guy that ate biscuits, syrup, and peanut butter for breakfast almost every day. He will most likely die of heart failure, but I hope not! He is a good guy.

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Peanut butter is in almost every American household. Via Pixabay.com.

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Do you know of any other delicious foods of the USA that should be on this list? We’d love to hear about them or anything else you want to say in the comments.

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Published on February 03, 2018 04:08

February 2, 2018

How to do Lion Pose

Learn how to do lion pose for use in SFP Curing Yoga routines. You can also use it in the yoga cool-down and stretch routine.

LEARN HOW TO DO HERO POSE

Lion pose is a basic yoga pose used in a few SFP Curing Yoga sequences. It helps to improve complexion, self-esteem, and flexibility.

It will help to learn hero pose before attempting to do lion pose.

Note: Avoid doing lion pose if you have a face, knee, neck, and/or tongue injury.

The information in this post is from the book “Curing Yoga” by Aventuras De Viaje.

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How to do Lion Pose

From hero pose, bring your feet together and spread your knees as wide as you can without straining. Sit on your heels.

Inhale and lengthen your spine by reaching the crown of your head to the sky.

Bring your palms to the floor between your knees with your fingers facing your body.

Arch your spine, stick your tongue out and exhale via your mouth. Be ferocious like a lion!

1 - How to do Lion Pose - Curing Yoga Poses - Survival Fitness Plan Alternative Medicine Training

Repeat this a few times.

Photo Credit: By Kennguru (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and text added.

Got anything else to add about how to do lion pose? Feel free to leave any questions and/or comments below.

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Published on February 02, 2018 17:28

February 1, 2018

10 Fun Things to do in the Philippines

Discover 10 fun things to do in the Philippines. The Philippines is one of my favorite countries. It is an outdoors mecca with lots of waterfalls, hiking, beaches, and more. A few of the things on this list are whole areas or islands which in themselves have many things to do. It was too hard to choose 10 individual things!

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10 Fun Things to do in the Philippines
1. Bohol

The first thing on this list of fun things to do in the Philippines is one of my favorite islands, Bohol. It’s a smallish island with lots to see. Waterfalls, beaches, hiking, and the smallest monkeys in the world. Tarsiers!

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Lobok man-made forest in Bohol.

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2. Bagasbas Beach

Bagasbas Beach is famous for its surf. It is a great place to learn. Other than that there isn’t much. I’m not a surfer but it is a great place to chill out. Make friends with the owner and workers at the White Waves Resort, they are amazing.

Bagasbas Beach is a world class surf spot.

January 30, 2018

10 Awesome Things to do in Colombia

Discover 10 awesome things to do in Colombia. I spent 5 and a bit months in Colombia in 2017. Most of my time was in Medellin and Santa Marta, but I did see a good chunk of the country as well. Here are my 10 picks for things to do in Colombia.

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10 Awesome Things to do in Colombia
1. Ciudad Perdida

The first thing on this list of awesome things to do in Colombia is the famous lost city. Hiking to Ciudad Perdida isn’t something I did. It is a 3+ day hike and you need to have an official guide.

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Ciudad Perdida – The Lost City. Via Flickr.

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2. Tayrona National Park

Tayrona National Park is great for nature lovers. You can go there for a day hike or camp out near the beach. There’s some good snorkeling there also.

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One of the beaches in Tayrona National Park.

READ ABOUT MY DAY IN TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK

3. Cartagena Old Town

Cartagena is the most visited city in Colombia. The old town is nice to walk around. Inside are museums, plazas, food, and more.

Inside the walled city of Cartagena.

DISCOVER MORE THINGS TO DO IN CARTAGENA

4. Comuna 13, Medellin

Comuna 13 was once the most dangerous neighborhood in Latin America. It’s not a peace walk now but safe enough to walk through during the day. Take a graffiti tour to learn about the history and see some cool street art.

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Comuna 13 was once the most dangerous neighbourhood in South America.

January 25, 2018

Weapon Disarm Techniques

In this post you will learn SFP Self-Defense weapon disarm techniques. Survival Fitness Plan Self-Defense (SFPSD) uses the self-kill and break techniques from Vortex Control Self-Defense.

Self-kill techniques are when you use the attacker’s knife against himself. The knife is still in his hand. It does not mean you have to kill your opponent. A shallow stab in a superficial area will be enough to finish most confrontations.

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A break is when you break your opponent’s limb.

Most of the information in this post is from the book “Vortex Control Self-Defense Bundle” by Sam Fury.

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Here is an overview of when doing these techniques in drill form. It may help to read the weapon disarms overview post if you haven’t already.

The number represents the angle of attack. It assumes the attacker is holding the knife in his right hand:

Right downward stab.
Left downward stab.
Right thrust.
Left thrust.

The letters (OH/UH) represent whether it is an overhand or underhand grab.

Mix and match each of the following techniques depending on the situation.

1 OH – Rib Stab / Hammer lock
1 UH – Wrist Twist
2 OH – Fig 4
2 UH – Wrist Twist
3 OH – Wrist Lock
3 UH – Wrist Lock
4 OH – Fig 4
4 UH – Wrist Twist
B Break

Weapon Disarm Techniques
Wrist Twist

Your opponent attacks with a left downward stab. Defend using a left chop and right underhand grab.

Use your left hand to grab over your opponent’s right hand using an overhand grip so that he cannot let go of the knife.

Once you have a good grip, turn the knife towards your opponent and stab him with it.

You can use your left elbow to apply quick pressure to your opponent’s right elbow. This can be a break and/or to “soften” up his arm.

Rib Stab

Your opponent attacks with a right straight thrust. Defend using a right chop and left overhand grab.

Use your right hand to grab hold of your opponent’s wrist and then move your left hand over his hand. Bend your opponent’s wrist down.

Pull up on your opponent’s wrist whilst pushing his hand down and towards his side.

Wrist Twist

Your opponent attacks with a left straight thrust. Defend using a left chop and right underhand grip.

Grab your opponent’s hand with your left hand using an overhand grip. Once you have a good grip move your right hand over the same hand. Your two hands ensure your opponent can not let go of the knife.

Pull your opponent’s arm to the outside of your right shoulder and then fold his wrist back towards him. This will cause your opponent’s arm to bend so you can slash or stab him.

You could also go into a wrist twist lock so he drops the weapon.

Fig 4

Your opponent attacks with a right downward thrust. Defend with a left bong sau and right underhand grab.

Guide your opponent’s arm down as you curl your left hand towards you and then on top of your opponent’s upper arm.

You may choose to strike your opponent in the face.

Continue to hook down inside your opponent’s guard with your left arm until you grab your own right forearm.

Drive your right elbow into your opponent’s face and then grip the top of the knife with your left hand.

Release your right hand and move it away. Pry the knife out of your opponent’s hand towards the outside of his guard.

B Break

Your opponent attacks with a left straight thrust. Defend with a left bong sau and a right overhand grab.

Note: You could also use a left chop.

Pull your opponent’s right arm across your body as you straighten your left arm. Your left arm is now perpendicular to his right arm. At this stage both your elbows face down. Your opponent’s elbow is on top of the underside of your elbow.

Grab your opponent’s hand with your left hand so he cannot let go of the knife.

Pull his hand towards you whilst using your left upper arm to apply opposing pressure on his elbow.

Weapons Disarms Demonstration

Here are some Vortex Control Self-Defense demonstrations.

There are much more knife disarm techniques in Vortex Control Self Defense. They focus more on taking the knife as opposed to “breaking” your attacker. You can view them at the following posts:

Group A (coming soon)
Group B
Group C
Group D
Universals (coming soon)
Breaks
Self Kills (coming soon)

Photo Credit: Preston Webb. Cropped.

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Got anything you want to say about SFPSD weapon disarm techniques? Feel free to leave any questions and/or comments below.

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Published on January 25, 2018 19:29

January 24, 2018

How to do Half Prayer Twist

Learn how to do half prayer twist. Use the half prayer twist in Survival Fitness Plan (SFP) Curing Yoga routines. It is also part of the SFP yoga cool-down and stretch routine.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SFP YOGA STRETCH ROUTINE

Half prayer twist is a basic yoga pose used in a few SFP Curing Yoga sequences. It helps to improve:

Balance
Depression
Hangover
Hot flashes
Indigestion
Sciatica
Energy
Flexibility
Weight loss

Note: Avoid doing half prayer twist if you have a back, hip, knee, and/or shoulder injury.

The information in this post is from the book “Curing Yoga” by Aventuras De Viaje.

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How to do Half Prayer Twist

Start in low warrior with your right foot forward and your palms on the floor, one on each side of your front foot.

LEARN HOW TO DO LOW WARRIOR POSE

As you inhale bring your torso up and place your hands together in a prayer position.

Place your right elbow to the outside of your left knee and use your arms to press your right shoulder up and back. Feel it twist your upper back.

Ensure your palms remain in the center of your chest. Point your fingers towards your throat.

You can either look straight ahead or up towards the sky.

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When ready exhale as you bring your palms back to the floor, one on each side of your right foot.

Featured image photo by Mr. Yoga (http://mryoga.com/) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Got anything else to add about how to do half prayer twist? Feel free to leave any questions and/or comments below.

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Published on January 24, 2018 16:58

January 23, 2018

10 Awesome Things to do in Australia

Discover 10 awesome things to do in Australia. Australia is a big country and it has something for every traveler. From bustling cities to deserted bushland to some of the best beaches in the world. It is my home-country but there is still so much I haven’t seen including the first two on this list!

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10 Awesome Things to do in Australia
1. Great Barrier Reef (QLD)

The first thing on this list of awesome things to do in Australia is the iconic Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. You can even see it from space!

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You can see the Great Barrier Reef from space. Image via Pixabay.

2. Ayers Rock (NT)

Ayers Rock, also know as Uluru, is a sacred rock in central Australia. It is a UNESCO heritage site.

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Ayers Rock is a UNESCO heritage site. Image via Pixabay.

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3. Great Ocean Road (VIC)

The Great Ocean Road is a 243 km coastal drive in Victoria. Along the way are some iconic attractions including the 12 Apostles.

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The 12 Apostles. Now days there are not so many.

WATCH MY GREAT OCEAN ROAD SLIDESHOW… IT’S OLD-SCHOOL!

4. Sydney Harbor Bridge (NSW)

Sydney Harbour Bridge may be the most recognized man-made structure in Australia. Around it is some of the trendiest cafes and restaurants in Sydney, as well as the famous Sydney Opera House.

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Sydney Harbor Bridge with the Opera House at night. Image via Pixabay.

CHECK OUT SOME OTHER THINGS TO DO IN SYDNEY

5. Overland Track (TAS)

Number 5 on this list of awesome things to do in Australia is the Overland Track. The Overland Track is a 65,000 m hike in Tasmania. Most people can do it in under 10 days.

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One of the many beautiful scenes I saw while hiking the Overland Track.

CHECK OUT MY PICTURES FROM HIKING THE OVERLAND TRACK

6. Nullarbor Plain

The Nullarbor Plain is an arid stretch of land from one side of Australia to the other. It is often regarded as a big lot of “nothing”, but I guarantee you will never forget the scenery if you cross it.

Typical scenery whilst driving along the Nullarbor Plain.

READ ABOUT MY 1+ MONTH DRIVE ACROSS THE NULLARBOR PLAIN

7. Stirling Ranges (WA)

The Stirling Ranges are home to more than 1500 species of flora, many of which are unique. As part of a TAFE course, I walked the Ridge Walk. The Ridge Walk is a 26km unmarked wilderness hike from Ellen Peak to the Bluff Knoll. It was epic.

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The Stirling Ranges is home to a 4 day wilderness hike.

8. Hamilton Island (QLD)

Hamilton Island is a resort island off the coast of Queensland. I went there to attend a wedding and was not disappointed. It has pristine beaches, beautiful views, and lots of things to do for the whole family. It is also a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

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Looking over Catseye Beach

DISCOVER 10 FUN THINGS TO DO ON HAMILTON ISLAND

9. Bibbulmun Track (WA)

The Bibbulmum Track is not only the most epic thing I have done on this list, it may also be the most epic thing I have done in my life! It is a bushwalk from Perth to Albany, approximately 1000km long. It took 6 weeks.

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The scenery along the Bibbulmun track varies from beaches to bushland to arid plains.

10. Royal Botanical Garden (VIC)

The last thing on this list of awesome things to do in Australia is the Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne. It houses 8,500+ plant species from around the world. I lived in Melbourne for a year and am ashamed to say that I never visited this place.

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The Melbourne Royal Botanical Gardens is home to over 8,500 plant species from around the world. Image via Flickr.

Got anything to add to this list of awesome things to do in Australia? Let us know them (or anything else you want to say) in the comments.

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Published on January 23, 2018 23:39

10 Must-Try Australian Foods

Discover 10 must-try Australian foods. Being a country build on immigrants, the Australian food scene is very varied. Almost everyone’s great-grandparents are from another country. And it’s their heritage which what influences what they eat at home. Never-the-less, there are some foods that are unique to Australia. Here are 10 of them.

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10 Must Try Australian Foods
1. Meat Pie

Number one on this list of must-try Australian foods is the classic meat pie. It makes a good mid-morning or afternoon snack. Couple it with chips and a salad and it makes a good lunch or dinner also.

These days there are many flavors to choose from, some even considered gourmet.

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Aussie meat pies come in a variety of flavors. Image via Pixabay.

2. Sausage Roll

Right next to the pies in the bakery, you will always find the sausage roll. You can get different varieties of these also. There is even a vegetarian spinach and feta.

Sausage rolls. Find them next to the pies in the bakery. Image via Wikipedia.

3. Kangaroo Meat

I read somewhere that Australia is the only country in the world that eats their national animal. Most Australians do not eat kangaroo as a staple part of there diet, though I have met a few that do. It isn’t uncommon to see kangaroo meat in pies or as jerky.

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Australians eat their national animal. Image via Pixabay.

4. Vegemite

Vegemite is a spread that is definitely an acquired taste. Most people either love it or hate it. Even those that love it don’t have it too thick. It is best served to newbies spread thinly on toast with a good underlayer of margarine.

Vegemite is best spread thin on a bit of toast with margarine. Image via Pixabay.

5. Anzac Biscuits

Number 5 on this list of must-try Australian foods are Anzac biscuits. These are traditionally cooked for ANZAC day but you can enjoy them all year round. The main ingredients are rolled oats and golden syrup.

Anzac biscuits are made from honey and rolled oats. By me (w:User:pfctdayelise) (Image taken by me using Casio QV-R41) [CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

6. Lamingtons

The lamington is a small square sponge cake coated with chocolate and coconut. Kids sometimes tease other kids with dandruff calling them a lamington. This is due to the “coconut sprinkles” falling from their hair.

Lamingtons are a small sponge cake covered in chocolate and coconut. Image via Flicker.

7. Pavlova

It is unsure whether this meringue-based dessert originated from Australia or New Zealand. What is certain is that it is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, and that it is delicious.

Pavlova may be a New Zealand invention, but Australians claim it. Image via Pixabay.

8. Tim Tams

Tim Tams are the Australian version of the UK’s penguins. Bite off a little on each end then suck hot chocolate through it like a straw.

Tim Tams are Australia’s version of UK’s penguins. By Bilby (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

9. Fairy Bread

Fairy bread is a children’s party favorite. White bread with margarine and sprinkles (100’s and 1000’s) on top. A diabetic’s nightmare.

Fairy bread is a children’s party favorite. By No machine-readable author provided. Jellyfish juice assumed (based on copyright claims). [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

10. Emu

The last dish on this list of must-try Australian foods is the only one on this list I haven’t tried. If you are in a restaurant that serves kangaroo meat, chances are they will have emu too.

Another iconic animal which Australians eat. Image via Pixabay.

Do you know of any other must-try Australian foods that should be on this list? We’d love to hear about them or anything else you want to say in the comments.

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