Post 141: The walk man: Israeli artist digs into vintage gadgets and Tahini and Beet Dressing

The walk man: Israeli artist digs into vintage gadgets Former photojournalist Gabi Menashe finds redemption in documenting the innards of old dial phones, Minoltas and tape recorders.By Ido Kenan | Aug. 24, 2013 Haaretz Old dial phone Photo by Gabriel Menashe Gabriel Menashe. One of the gadget geeks’ favorite porn genres is Teardown, where gadgets are taken apart, disassembled to their basic components, and then photographed. In the “Taking apart” project, Israeli photographer Gabi Menashe does that to old gadgets − including a rotary dial telephone, a Sony Walkman, an alarm clock and a Minolta Hi-Matic-E camera − all of which he cleans, photographs, disassembles, organizes neatly and photographs the parts to create an anatomical poster showing the gadget next to its organs. “I have two clear rules: I never break anything, only what I can take apart. And it’s important that the product is in one piece beforehand, because I also shoot it before taking it apart,” says Menashe, who works for the Israeli web magazine Xnet. The project was born of his longing for his former job as a photojournalist and his hobby of wandering around flea markets. “I’m able to find those products really cheap − tens of shekels [10 shekels equal about $2.80]. And disassembling them is fascinating, because there’s the philosophical aspect and the curiosity aspect. You see how complex the technology was compared to today’s all-electronic technology − the mechanics of the products − you can’t believe how many springs they have, and you know that if one is missing, it won’t work. It astonishes me every time, how it was even designed in such a small casing, be it a clock, a camera, etc. The philosophical aspect is that it makes me feel I’m giving the products a life for the last time, before they’re discarded. It’s really nice to arrange them in some composition and then shoot. By the way, I don’t try, and I doubt that I could, reassemble them. Ten photos have been posted to Taking apart’s site, and Menashe keeps combing the flea markets for more items; he also searches secondhand Internet sites and Facebook. “Now I’m working on a typewriter, which I will be disassembling soon, it’s up next, and there’s a VCR.” On the site he writes: “We may live in the age of smartphones and digital books and every day we are amazed by some new application, but believe me when I tell you, nothing beats the sense of awe you feel after taking apart an old watch and realizing what really made it tick. I can’t even begin to describe the admiration I have for the people who designed and built such intricate devices.” Menashe didn’t start the project as a commercial venture, but he was delighted when people who liked the posters started ordering copies of them. Menashe doesn’t view his project as part of the geeky trend: “I don’t go for the thing everybody’s talking about and show its inner workings. It’s important for me to go for the vintage, for things people saw at home, like old cameras, something I, as a photographer, have a strong connection to. It’s porn, absolutely, but not because it’s trendy and geeky. I’m fascinated with how it’s built.” So you’re intentionally, maybe defiantly, not going to disassemble new gadgets. “No, no, it has to be mechanical, something that makes another thing work, not some electronic chip that is the core of the gadget where you can’t see what’s happening inside. When you take apart an old alarm clock, you can see that an engineer planned how this button will move this hand and this will move that, and if any part is missing it won’t work. But I don’t think I will disassemble an iPhone − it’s all two chips and a processor. No, ain’t gonna happen.” http://www.takingapart.com/ ; http://www.takingapart.com/why-how/ This is one of the busiest shops in Machanah Yehuda. We are still puzzled over why all the action? Tahini and Beet Dressing

Ingredients:1 cup chopped beets 1/2 cup lemon juice 1 cup raw tahini 1 cup water 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon ground mustard seed 2 TBS. Tamari / soy sauce 1 tsp. chopped horseradish / pinch Wasabi 1/2 tsp. Atlantic salt Blend everything in the blender.

You can use any mixer

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Post 140: Fixing my precious 110 small appliance Cuisinart for 180Sh (about $45.00) and Almond Cheese

This machine is $1,200. However, the original French made CPF Cuisinart 1970  is identical in operation lacking one feature: My machine does not have an on off button and a pulser. My machine starts when the top is in a locked position. To achieve  a pulsing action, just need to move the top back and forth   All of a sudden my trusty food processor/robot coupe stopped working. ” Do I throw it away?” This shop on Rechove Trumpador has expect technicians. I agreed to the estimate of 450 sh and it came back good as new costing 180 sh (about $45.00) The motor was fine. the shaft had gotten stuck!. Almond Cheese

Almond Cheese 6 Servings Ingredients 1 cup almonds 1/2 cup water 1 capsule acidophilus cheese cloth Directions: Soak the almonds in water overnight or at least 8 hours. Blanch almonds by scalding them in hot water for 1-2 minutes.. Peel the almonds. Put the almonds into a food processor outfitted with the “S” blade or a powerful blender and add a pinch of salt, Process for 2-3 minutes, until the almonds have turned to butter. Wrap the cheese with a cheese cloth and leave on a colander for 8 hours., at room temperature. Lay a big jar filled with water, or any kind of weight, to release the liquid. Store the cheese in a box in the refrigerator. Season according to your taste, with different herbs or spices.

Post 139: The Mitzpe Alummot Method and Beta Carotene Salad

The Mitzpe Alummot Method The Mitzpe Alummot Method; From the website The Main Cause of Disease Maimonides said that health is based on these three principles: restrain your anger, balance your eating and be physically active. Otto Warburg, who won the Nobel Prize in 1931 for his numerous researches on cancer, had stated that cancer is caused by weak cells because they are short of oxygen. According to Otto Warburg, absorption of oxygen by defective cells is compromised, and is therefore followed by fermentation, a low pH and acidity in every cell. A healthy cell which cannot absorb oxygen in order to produce energy from glucose is actually an unaerobic cell. It uses fermentation in order to produce glucose for energy. A cancerous cell can produce 2 molecules of energy (ATP) from each glucose molecule, by way of fermentation. Compare it to 38 molecules of ATP when energy is produced by healthy cells which are oxygen rich. As a result of this fermentation, the cells are surrounded by lactic acid which lowers the cell’s pH and destroys the ability of the DNA and RNA to supervise cell reproduction. The lactic acid causes a local pain, because it destroys the cell’s enzymes. The cancer appears as an external coating with a nucleus of dead cells. When the body’s cells are acidic, the body will produce fat tissues as a storage place for this acid. Even stress, negative feelings, noise, overworking and lack of sleep increase the body’s acidity. Unaerobic cells which function in the presence of oxygen, work in an acidic environment. On the other hand, the elements which enhance alkalinity in the body are: alkaline foods based on vegan nutrition, the giving and receiving of a kind word, a smile, a laugh, soft music, touching animals, staying outdoors, singing and music playing, as well as enjoying pleasant things. Acidity versus Alkalinity Most diseases occur when the body is too acidic, when the cellular and the intra-cellular fluid is acidic. pH marks the potential of hydrogen in a solution. pH is measured in a scale of 0-14, 7 being marked as a neutral pH. Anything lower than 7 is considered acidic; anything greater than 7 is considered alkaline. In order for the body to be healthy the acidity in the blood should be around 7.4. As a result of daily activity. acid is formed in the body. Too much acidity in the blood will cause agglutination of red blood cells and destruction of hemoglobin – due to the negative charge which is formed. Mobility of the red blood cells is damaged, as well as supply of oxygen to the cells. Nevertheless, the body has different backup systems which neutralize over-acidity (the kidneys, the skin through perspiration, the lymphatic system). This is done through minerals that take away the acid from the blood into the tissues. These minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium) are mostly leached from the bones. Thus, over acidity causes destruction of body cells and tissues.   Acidity in the body is caused by: Too much animal protein Deficient nutrition Consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates Stress Being physically overactive If we could sum up, we would say that diseases are caused by three major things: toxins, deficiencies and stressful life. Damage from Acidity Hypertension Interference with a normal blood flow which causes diseases that damage the heart, the brain and the blood vessels High cholesterol Allergies Arthritic conditions Bone mass reduction Deficiency in enzymes, vitamins and minerals Damaged vertebras Cancer Digestive problems Sleep disorders. An interesting approach to the formation of cholesterol one can find in Dr. Rau’s book “The Swiss Secret to Optimal Health” (page 70 of Hebrew edition): The reason for hyper-cholestrolemia is because of over-acidity in the blood vessels due to over-consumption of animal protein. To neutralize this acidity in the blood, different residues are formed from calcium and magnesium “donated” by the bones and the cartilage. These minerals bind naturally with the cholesterol which is in the blood, causing arteriosclerosis. A nutritional change will affect these values favorably. What are Alkaline Foods? All vegetables, all green leaves, most fruits, almonds, buckwheat, sea vegetables, green sprouts and sprouts. What are Acidic Foods? Animal protein, sugars, white rice and white wheat, commercial food, fried or cooked food, refined carbohydrates. At Mitzpe Alummot we activate our natural healing power, and learn how to prevent illness, improve our health and look younger and more vital.   The 8 principal parts of the Program: 1. Wheat grass juice – for purifying the blood, the digestive system and the internal organs. 2. Drinking natural juices from fruits and mainly vegetables, greens and sprouts. 3. Eating fresh natural raw food which includes green leaves, fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables should be ripe and organic, to avoid over acidity. 4. Sprouted foods which include: sunflower sprouts, mung bean sprouts, and sprouts from buckwheat, lentils, cabbage, broccoli, alfalfa, fenugreek, etc. 5. Fermented foods which enrich the guts with probiotics. These include Raw sauerkraut and cheese from seeds or nuts. 6. Cleansing of the intestines by enemas and implants of wheat grass juice, or a colonic hydrotherapy. 7. Mental detox through mind-body work. 8. Physical activity. Various activities (nature walks, Chi-Kong and yoga). Body Detox and Physical Rejuvenation These are achieved through wheat grass juice and organic raw food which consists of fruits, vegetables, sprouts, seeds and nuts, as well as certain types of cereals and legumes which are sprouted. This kind of food is extremely enzyme-rich and sometimes its nutritional value increases 20 times through the process of sprouting. This kind of a diet also gives special attention to the subject of food combining. This diet is called a Raw Food Diet, but also a Living Food Diet, just because all these sprouts turned into living foods which are rich in enzymes. They used to be dormant because of the enzyme inhibitor, which served as a preservative – as long as they did not come in touch with water. The fact that they are sprouted facilitates an easy digestion and absorption. This kind of a diet does not include any animal food (meat, poultry, eggs, dairy). Also, this diet does not include cooked food, because through cooking all the enzymes are destroyed, as well as part of the vitamins and minerals. This is not a salad-only diet, but it includes interesting combinations of vegetables, sprouts, legumes (their sprouts), nuts and seeds and their cheese, pickled and fermented vegetables, nut milk (almonds) and seed milk (sesame), fruits, sorbets (from frozen fruits), etc. The sky is the limit. A special importance is attributed to mental detox. We offer meditations and guided imagery sessions, breathing lessons, yoga, chi-kong, laughter therapy and dance, keeping in touch with nature, as well as many lectures and workshops. Chlorophyll Chlorophyll is actually a liquid energy from the sun. Chlorophyll combines with the sun and CO2 and water thus forming carbohydrates and oxygen. The molecular structure of Chlorophyll is very similar to that of hemoglobin. The difference is in one central atom. In chlorophyll the central atom is magnesium, whereas in hemoglobin it is iron. It can heal and cleanse all the internal organs, and even detoxify and destroy pathogens, bacteria, fungi and cancerous cells. Chlorophyll is an excellent antioxidant Chlorophyll contains unusual amounts of oxygen. It is therefore important for enriching the body cells with oxygen, including the digestive system and the respiratory system. We need 80-85% of healthy bacteria in our colon and digestive track for proper health, strong immune system and formation of B, K and other vitamins. The more green leafy vegetables we consume, the better for our digestive flora. An excellent source of chlorophyll is wheat grass juice, as well as green leaves and sea weeds such as chlorella, spirulina, blue green algae and more. Chlorophyll has amazing healing properties for all ailments: Improving the amount of red blood cells Preventing cancer Absorption of iron and aiding in anemia Neutralizing acidity from the body Reducing blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol Detoxification Eliminating body odors Improving peristalsis Cleansing the liver Supporting and improving liver diseases Anti inflammatory (internal and external) Speeding of healing from scars and surgeries Healing laryngitis and sinusitis Excellent for enemas and vaginal douches Improves eyesight Improves fertility. Wheat Grass Juice The wheat grass juice is extracted through a manual or an electric juicer, which works slowly in order not to destroy the enzymes, and it resembles the old meat grinder, with its spiral augur. Our program encourages drinking 50 cc. of wheat grass juice once or twice a day. Wheat grass juice will eliminate fatigue, increase one’s energetic level and work on mind-body balance. Nevertheless, we should point out that there are some cases where wheat grass juice is not appropriate. These include people who regularly take prescription blood thinners such as Coumadin, or anybody who suffers from a renal failure (wheat grass is potassium rich). Raw Living Food A special importance is attributed to enzyme rich foods. Any cooked food will lose its vitality, 50% of its proteins, 70% of its minerals and 100% of its enzymes through the cooking process. According to Chinese medicine, the green color has the power to move Chi (energy) physically, as well as mentally. That’ why chlorophyll is important and essential for liver functioning and blood moving. Green leaves are the most alkaline compared to all the vegetables or fruits. During the weekly program we have two juice days (mainly from vegetables, and some fruits). A special importance is attributed to the juice experience at Mitzpe Alummot. It reinforces the de-toxification process, speeds up the cleansing of the different organs, and gives the body lots of enzymes, vitamins, mineral and easily available amino acids. The juice fast gives our digestive system as well as our internal organs a break. It enhances the healing powers of the body. Different researches indicate improvement of the cognitive ability as a result of drinking juices from vegetables and fruits a few times a week. When starting this process, in which we progress to a more alkaline food, one might may feel fatigue, aches or pains, headache and a general feeling of uneasiness. This means that the process is working, and the body releases toxins and cleanses itself. This process may last a day or two (in rare cases weeks) – each one and their reserves. However, eventually after all we will feel livelier, more energetic and have a sense of internal cleanliness. Beta Carotene Salad

Ingredients:1 cup carrots, julienned 1 cup beets, julienned 1 cup celery, diced 1 cup red pepper, julienned 1 cup zucchini, julienned 2 Tbs. sesame oil 1 Tbs. lemon juice soy sauce to taste 1/4 cup sesame, soaked, sprouted and dehydrated.Mix all but last 4 ingredients. Blend sesame oil, lemon juice and soy sauce into a dressing. Mix salad with the dressing. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and mix again.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Post 138: You can do a Raw food retreat like Mitzpe Alummot in your own home and Green Herbs Salad

Raw Food in Israel – Mitzpe Alummot. This retreat is near Tiveria. “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food” (Hippocrates) Mitzpe Alummot is a very unique health retreat, first of its kind in Israel. It is based on Living Foods and natural healing techniques. Our center offers programs for body cleansing, juice fasting and replenishing energies. At Mitzpe Alummot  you have opportunity to make a change, to take time off from every day hustle and pressures. It is open throughout the year, and workshops open every Sunday. From the south and from Jerusalem through the Bik’a route. Go through the city of Beit Sha’an on route 90. Keep going straight all the way toward Tiberias (on your way you will pass by Hamadia, Neve-Ur and Gesher) until you reach Zemach junction. At the circle turn left toward Tiberias. Keep going straight (on your way you will pass by Degania and Moshava Kinneret). Make a left (west) at the Moshava Kinneret junction. There will also be a sign to the Poriya hospital. Go uphill until you reach the Alummot circle. At the circle turn left to the Kibbutz. Public Transportation: From various cities in Israel to Tiberias: Egged bus company information 03-6948888 Jerusalem Line No. 962 / 963 Rate NIS 42. Although I have never been there, I try to follow a raw food program as much as possible, with many exceptions.   Fresh&Green Herbs Salad

Fresh Herbs Salad  Ingredients:1 Bunch of each: parsley, cilantro, mint, dill 1 Bunch green onions 1/4 cup cold pressed olive oil Juice of 2 lemons 1/2 teaspoon Atlantic salt, or – to taste 1/4 cup walnuts or pine nuts Zest from one lemon peel Preparation: Rinse tall herbs thoroughly and place on a colander. Dry all fluids with a kitchen towel. Chop herbs very finely. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and olive oil. Sprinkle with walnuts or pine nuts. Green Herbs Salad Ingredients: One bunch of each: parsley, cilantro, mint, dill 1 bunch scallions 1/4 cup olive oil Juice from 2 lemons 1/4 cup walnuts Lemon zest Pinch Atlantic sea salt Directions: Rinse thoroughly all the herbs several times. Lay on a colander, to remove all the water. Chop all the herbs thinly. Add olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Top with crumbled walnuts.

 

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Post 137: A visit to Beit Frankurter and Lentil Soup

One of The Oldest Senior Center in Jerusalem, established in Baka 1982 The Isidore & Lea Frankforter Center for the Aged, also known as Beit Frankforter, was established in 1982 to provide comprehensive services to both frail and independent seniors living in southern Jerusalem. The center is a home-away-from-home for hundreds of seniors who take advantage of many social activities, including exercise, crafts, and language programs. The center is known for two special programs: a shop that sells handicrafts made at the center and a program in which seniors prepare 10,000 sandwiches each month for needy schoolchildren. The Jerusalem Foundation has supported the purchase of equipment and various activities at the center over the years. In 1997, it established the Gideon Day Center for the Frail Elderly as an annex to the center. The facility extended the services of the Frankforter Center, to provide space for day activities for approximately 100 frail elderly, including lectures, classes and complementary medical services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy. Medical  and dental check-ups are offered in a separate wing. Presently on four floors, all services are accessible by elevator. Classes are offered in Computer and Hebrew. I visited the corner gift shop, which was manned by an artist, Yael Fux. She explained that she volunteers there every Thursday. There were racks if girl’s dresses all hand sewn One of the many gift items Lentil Soup

Lentil Soup (cooked) Ingredients: 3 cups green (or mixed) lentils, sprouted 1 or 2 medium tomatoes, diced 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and cubed 2 onions, cut into quarters 1 potato, diced 3 cloves garlic ½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce 2 bay leaves 3 allspice kernels Juice of 1 lemon salt and pepper to taste 6 cups water Directions: Cook all the ingredients in a stock pot for about 40 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and the allspice. Strain and blend together in the blender, or use a hand blender inside the pot.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Post 136: Wedding in Beit Shemesh, Shevah Brachot in Beitar Illit, Parakeets, Parrots and Cabbage Kraut

 

It all began at the wedding of Feigy Golshevsky to Natan David Reichman at Parhand Hall in Beit Shemesh. This photo, was taken by a brother-in-law of Natan David, on my phone. Seconds later the dancers burst into a synchronized fire dance. I presume that the dancers are from Betar Illit, Natan David’s home. Another brother-in-law owns a liquor store as you can see a line-up of a better than average collection on the foreground table.

 

 

 

Awards- a little about Beitar Illit. We’ve heard disparaging remarks about Charedi communities being unconcerned  with  aesthetics.

News about the town’s priorities: So much for lack of aesthetics. 

Beitar Illit has been awarded the Israel Ministry of Interior’s gold prize, recognizing “responsible management and sustainable urban planning”, for eight years running. In 2002 it received the Ministry of Interior’s prize for water conservation in public gardens, urban public institutions, and urban water administration.

The municipal welfare department was awarded a prize and recognized by the national government as an “outstanding department” for its work in preventing teen.

The city is well known for its landscaping and general cleanliness. There are 94 parks and hundreds of playgrounds in the city. From 2000 to 2013 Beitar Illit earned five out of five stars in the Council for a Beautiful Israel‘s annual “Beautiful Town in a Beautiful Israel” contest, which recognizes a city’s investment in environment, aesthetics, and maintenance of appearance and cleanliness. In 2005 the city won the Council for a Beautiful Israel’s “Beauty Flag”, which is awarded every five years.

This is a section of a huge twenty meter aviary that was constructed by my grand-daughter Feigy’s in laws. Dr. Shimon Reichman, a veterinarian, and nature lover has constructed raised garden beds and has landscaped the cliffs bordering his apartment in Betar Illit. Cabbage Kraut-cooling on a hot day

Makes 3 cups, or 12 servingsIngredients:1 medium cabbage, shredded 1 tsp sea salt Directions: 1. Massage the cabbage with the salt until the liquid starts to release. 2. Let the cabbage rest for 10 minutes and massage it again. Repeat as often as necessary until the cabbage is very juicy. 3. Pack the mixture firmly into a large jar, crock, or bowl. Press the cabbage down until the liquid rises above it approximately 1/8 inch. 4. If you are using a large jar for your kraut, place a weight on top of the cabbage, such as ajar filled with water. If you are using a crock or a bowl, place a plate on top of the cabbage and then a weight. Cover everything with a clean dishtowel. 5. Allow the kraut to ferment in a cool, dark place for at least 3 days (see note). 6. Once the kraut is ready, store it in airtight glass jars in the refrigerator. It will keep for several months. Variations: 1. If you wish to reduce or eliminate the sea salt, run l/3 of the cabbage through the homogenizing plate of a juicer and add it to the shredded cabbage. This will add additional liquid to the kraut, allowing the sea salt to be reduced or eliminated. 2. Add small amounts of other root or cruciferous vegetables, such as carrot, beet, or broccoli. 3. Add seasonings and herbs, such as lemon juice, garlic, and dill.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ