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Monthly Archives: May 2018

Dos and Don’ts When Visiting Archaeological and Heritage Sites

Posted on by Posted in Travel .

Archaeological sites are important testaments of our past but are also popular tourist spots that help the surrounding community. However, the increasing traffic in some of the delicate sites have caused damage, with some tourists going so far as to vandalize important artifacts.

Here is a list of dos and don’ts when visiting archaeological and heritage sites.

Do Not Climb on the Walls or Statues. It’s been done by rowdy tourists before just to get awesome photos to post on social media. But is it really worth damaging a structure that’s older than you for a photo that will be ignored after a day?

Do Not Leave Signatures. Some tourists want to leave their mark on the site (besides garbage) by writing on the walls or structures, but doing so will probably get you in jail if you get caught. Besides, why would you want your name on an object you didn’t make?

Do Not Take Artifacts. Looting and destruction of historical sites by terrorists resulted in loss of important information that could have filled out blanks in our history. Do not add to the problem by taking samples of the site you can show to your friends.

Do Follow Rules. Archaeological and heritage sites are not places for picnic or playing around, that is why you should be mindful of the rules when touring, such as the use of flash photography, which areas are not accessible, and which items you’re allowed to touch. Some sites require specific clothing and footwear before you are allowed to enter. Do not take this as an infringement of your rights, but as proper form and respect for a culture that is older than you.

Do Avoid Touching Walls and Objects. Although some sites managed to survive for thousands of years, it doesn’t mean they are indestructible. Some rocks from which walls and columns are made can degrade over time when kept in constant contact with body oils and chemicals. Pictographs and petroglyphs can be erased if handled frequently by thousands of tourists.

Do Teach Your Children Respect. Heritage sites are not playgrounds, but it’s a great learning experience for children who are interested in history and culture. Teach your children to respect rules, not to talk loudly, and not to touch or steal anything. Children could also easily get injured when exploring delicate structures, so keep a close eye on them.

Do Pay Your Fees. The fees can help local preservation efforts and keeping the site open for more tourists. You should also support local and legitimate businesses in the surrounding community to help the locals.

Do Your Business Away from the Site. If you need to use the bathroom, go to designated restrooms away from the sites. You should not leave human waste, urine, toilet paper, and other debris in the area.

4 Recipes with Dark Chocolate

Posted on by Posted in Food .

Can’t get enough of the bitterness, slight sweetness, and deep flavors of dark chocolate? The good news is that dark chocolate is healthier than its milk chocolate counterpart because of its lower sugar levels. Start exploring other ways to eat the food of the Aztec gods with these dark chocolate recipes.

Dark Chocolate Cake
• Ingredients: ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa, 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 2 eggs, 1 cup cold brewed coffee, 1 cup milk, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup vegetable oil, and 2 teaspoons vinegar

• Preparation: Preheat oven at 175 degrees C or 350 degrees F, then grease and flour a baking pan (9”x13”). Combine the flour, baking soda, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, then make a well in the center and pour the eggs, milk, coffee, vinegar, and oil. Pour the batter and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool before serving.

Dark Chocolate Pie
• Ingredients: 3 ounces chopped unsweetened chocolate, 1 ¼ cups sugar, 3 cups milk, ¼ cup cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon salt, 4 beaten egg yolks, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 baked pastry shell, and 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

• Preparation: In medium-high heat, combine sugar, salt, and cornstarch, then stir in the milk and chocolate. Remove from heat then stir the filling into egg yolks before boiling the mixture. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla before finally spooning into the pastry shell. Cover and chill for 3 hours.

Dark Chocolate Pudding
• Ingredients: ¼ cup cocoa powder, 2 cups whole milk, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup chopped dark chocolate, 4 teaspoons cornstarch, 2 egg yolks, ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons butter, and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• Preparation: Whisk while cooking in a saucepan the following ingredients: milk, cocoa powder, sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, vanilla, and salt. When the mixture simmers, add the butter and chocolate. Continue mixing until it boils, then reduce heat to simmer until the mixture becomes thick. Pour the mixture into small cups, cover the cups, and refrigerate until the pudding sets.

Dark Chocolate and Bourbon Torte
• Ingredients: 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa, ¼ cup Dutch process cocoa, 2 tablespoons bourbon, 4 egg whites, ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons flour, ½ cup whipped topping, ¼ cup milk, 1 large egg, vegetable cooking spray, ½ cup dark chocolate morsel, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, ¼ cup softened butter, and ¾ cup granulated sugar

• Preparation: Preheat oven to 300 degrees then microwave the choco morsels. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, egg, milk, bourbon, and melted chocolate. Gradually add the flour and cocoa to the mixture until the ingredients are blended. Beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, and granulated sugar. Fold ¼ of the egg white mixture into the batter then pour remaining mixture before pouring into coated pan. Bake for 45 minutes and cool for 30 minutes. Pipe whipped topping on the base of the torte then sprinkle powdered cocoa and sugar.