MICHAEL GOLLAND: A JOURNEYMAN WHO FOUND SOLACE IN LIBERTY VILLAGE - Page 8
MISS LATINA CANADA 2009 - Page 10
10 INFLUENTIAL HISPANIC-CANADIANS - Page 14
LOVE: THE FIRST VICTIM OF SEXUAL REVOLUTION
AMOR: LA PRIMER VICTIMA DE LA REVOLUCION SEXUAL - Page 16
MAGIC SPAIN: ANDALUCIA
ESPAÑA MAGICA: ANDALUCIA - Page 22
THE SILENT FOOD WAR - Page 26
“Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art.” - Andy Warhol.
Yes, it is. Being good in business during a recession is fascinating. What is most fascinating is its demand for the creative ingenuity needed to keep a business focused and afloat…creativity on the part of entrepreneurs, artists and business people alike. And that kind of creativity is certainly an art, by any definition.
Within our Mercado News Spring Edition we continue to celebrate the many joys, trials and wonders of life. Mercado News has embarked upon an endless pursuit in defining culture through the examination of numerous subjects that embrace our inner curiosity. Above all, I hope you enjoy and find a quiet time to spend with our magazine - a time to reflect upon questions which you may or may not ordinarily focus on.One of the questions we explore is how sex has trivialized love within our generation. In addition, we pay our homage to beautiful Spain (If you haven’t already done so, I hope you will pay Spain a visit one day.)
Now closer to home, as the recession slowly moves over our head like a grey cloud on a sunny day, we tend to search for inspiration to overshadow the gloomy skies brought on by today’s economic uncertainties. Sometimes we seek to and such inspiration from people and events that under happier times we would ignore. Internationally acclaimed political scientist, Thomas Homer-Dixon, in his article entitled Stag Hunt, offers our readers a different perspective of our deflationary economic reality. We also join Mauricio Ospina, producer of The Ten Most Influential Hispanics and celebrate people whose achievements and contributions are measured not just within the Hispanic community but also Canada at large. Stephanie Singh, Executive Producer of Miss Latina® Canada also inspires us as another entrepreneur who celebrates beauty and talent from across the country. Proud we are, certainly, to be Miss Latina’s official magazine.
Since our production studio is based in Liberty Village, we pay homage to those who have worked before us in our space. Remembering their hardships and how they triumphed over them, provides to a great extent the inspiration that still buzzes in the walls of our studio and that has had a profound effect upon Mercado News. As a result, Mercado News will extend itself into a publication that will debut the many inspired and inspiring personalities found in Liberty Village. Their works and visions not only define the eccentric nature of our neighbourhood but also, some may argue, indirectly impact Canadian culture as a whole. And so we turned first to renowned international artist Michael Golland and asked him to reveal what inspires his work. During the interview we discovered an optimistic creative commonality that many of us seek in leadership - a stillness, a peace, “tranquility within a quiet space”. We hope to capture and share Michael’s wisdom, an unexpectedly monk-like inner peace, as a necessary condition in furthering our own enlightenment. That enlightenment becomes a natural part of us, similar to what happens during spring. A rebirth. Spring brings a renewal of the soul and life around us. A time when cool breezes warm up and trees become green again. This evolving renaissance motivated us to proudly launch InLibertyVillage.com, an inspired community website dedicated to those many talented individuals like Michael and his fellow business leaders with a web portal to call their own.
Thank you to all those who have shown us love and support. Without them, Mercado News wouldn’t be the same.
(Knocked Up - Kings of Leon playing)
Always,
Rod
D E F L AT I O N A S A CO L L E C T I V E AC T I O N P R O B L E M
Deflation. It’s the economists’dread word, and in the last week it has leapt from a dusty back corner of their lexicon to the front pages of our newspapers. Deflation refers to a sustained drop in prices caused by falling economic demand - a situation where unemployment of both people and capital soars and here the standard monetary tools that policymakers use in response, like interest rate cuts, stop working. In the worst case, deflation becomes its own cause.
People become afraid their incomes might fall in the future. Or they see their savings being ravaged by the stock market collapse. So they stop spending and instead hoard their money. As demand for goods and services drops, companies’ profits plummet, leading to layoffs, reduced working hours, and yet more declines in stock prices. The fear of lost income becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and people cut their spending further. Once the downward spiral starts, it’s maddeningly hard to stop. People expect prices will keep falling, so they decide to put off their spending, because they think things will be cheaper in the future.
The world economy appears to be on the cusp of exactly this kind of vicious cycle. It has entered a synchronized downturn, with economic demand falling fast in every region. Most policymakers and commentators understand that deflationary cycles are self-reinforcing. But few grasp another key characteristic: deflationary cycles are, at their core, what social scientists call a collective action problem. And this characteristic has important implications for how we should respond.
The logic of this particular collective action problem plays itself out in our everyday lives. Recently my wife, Sarah, and I were sitting at our kitchen table discussing whether we should renovate our family room this coming spring. Perhaps we should hold off until the economic storm clouds clear, we thought. But then we talked about how such decisions to be prudent, when added up across millions of households and companies, are the main reason why the current economic crisis is getting worse so fast. Yet we also recognized that our family - by itself - can’t rescue the economy.
Our conversation cut to the core of the paradox. When everyone else is pulling back, individual families and companies must protect their own interests too. But in this economic crisis, behavior that’s rational for a single family or company is, when everyone behaves the same way, collectively irrational. Collective action problems come in many forms, and social scientists have developed a whole subfield of research -“game theory”- to try to understand them better. The particular collective action problem we face right now is called a “stag hunt,” after a dilemma described by the eighteenth century Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Rousseau wrote about a hypothetical situation in which two hunters must cooperate to kill a deer. If a rabbit hops by one of the hunters, he would probably pursue the rabbit “without scruple,” said Rousseau. Although the rabbit makes a less satisfying meal, at least it’s a guaranteed meal. On the other hand, the deer isn’t a guaranteed meal, because neither hunter can be absolutely sure that he can trust the other to help kill it. In the end, though, when one hunter chases a rabbit, collectively both hunters are worse off: while one gets the rabbit, both lose any prospect of getting a deer.
For families and companies in this economic crisis, the choice isn’t between a deer and a rabbit, of course, but between spending and saving. Because we can’t trust other people to spend, we do the economic version of chasing the rabbit - we keep our money in our pockets. But this individually cautious behavior worsens the collective economic crisis, and as the crisis gets worse, we’re even more afraid and even less willing to trust others to spend. The main reason deflationary cycles are so diabolically hard for policymakers to stop is that governments can’t force people to trust each other. Instead, all they can do is inject spending directly into the economy, through increased unemployment benefits (because the jobless spend almost all the money they get) and infrastructure investment, and hope that by putting a floor under economic demand, people and companies will eventually become less fearful and start to spend again.
Governments need to move fast, because this crisis, which has taken several forms already, is about to change form again. In the last few months, we’ve move from a seizing up of credit markets to the collapse of economic demand in the mainstream economy. Soon we could see a string of sovereign defaults of poor and emerging economies that can’t meet their debt obligations.
Even worse, hundreds of millions of previously poor people from Hungary and Turkey to India and China- recent arrivals in the global middle class who’ve benefited from an economic boom fueled by endless quantities of cheap credit - are about to see their standard of living fall of a cliff. Around the world, Western-style capitalism will be discredited, as it’s perceived to have wiped out people’s jobs and life savings. Our global financial crisis could then morph into a global political crisis, as extremists of all stripes - neo-Nazis in Eastern Europe, hyper-nationalists in China, and Hindu fundamentalists in India - accumulate popular support and power.
Michael Golland
A JOURNEYMAN WHO FOUND SOLACE IN LIBERTY VILLAGE, CANADA’S CENTRE OF CREATIVE MINDS.
Michael Golland is someone I would describe as a journeyman, always longing for peace of mind, who finally found it among his peers in Toronto’s Liberty Village.
I first met Michael in a chance encounter. I had no idea at the time who he was. However there was a captivating energy that made me want to know him better. In a recent interview he spoke about the first time he went skiing in France with a dear friend. He was on top of the mountain and although his friend was an experienced skier, Michael was not. He recalls, as if in slow motion, how he progressed down the mountain and picked up speed. It seemed to him that he was being guided - it was natural - and he was fully “in the moment” as he began to ski. Somehow some force, something he believed to be magical, was guiding him. He was “in the flow”. That moment, that feeling of being in tune with the universe, Michael tells us has guided him ever since as an artist.
Having found his own peace, Michael is striving to convey that feeling of being in tune with nature to those who come into contact with his work. He hopes that his audience will reach as deeply into their consciousness as he has, and does. This is his message. He wants people to be captivated, to find and immerse themselves in their flow of consciousness. Michael’s art is about finding the Zen within and connecting to its powerful energy. His paintings are unique and recognizable. Fluid lines dance across the canvas creating trajectory spaces filled with monochromatic colors. He aims to draw connections between the objects, the lines, the space, the spirit within and the essence of life itself. Michael was born in Yorkshire, England during the Second World War. As a child, he was fascinated by trains and was persistent in his search for something more meaningful in his life. By the age of three, Michael ran away from home, a precursor to future events in his life. Growing up he was constantly trying to understand what he lacked in his life, what was missing. He recounts a story of his father’s mansion with its many rooms, where he was sick of being in the basement. Michael wanted to live in the top floor of the house; he wanted to travel out of the darkness and into the light. In his twenties, Michael had what he called a melancholic awakening, experiencing prophetic visions. His awakening within, his calling, was for him a sign that he was embarking on a spiritual journey. Michael recognized a strong connection to what he calls the weeping line. This weeping line is visible in Michael’s work; abstract lines show connections, create space and transcend one canvas in order to form a relationship with another. Michael refers to the weeping line as Weeping with dry tears, weeping over one’s past memories, weeping in not being able to face the future, weeping because one is self connected, weeping is joy.Michael longs to feel connected in an unconnected world.
Being an artist is like being a priest, it is a social occupation where at times you feel unworthy and then feel fulfilled.
Like the artist, the willow tree finds comfort near water; it spreads its roots quickly, but spreads them outward rather than downward. It is an image of one who finds comfort in feelings and emotions. The weeping tree is a metaphor for Michael. Over time he has experienced lamenting sadness, self destruction and continuous renewal. Michael destroyed many canvasses when he didn’t feel connected to the direct experience he wanted to illuminate through his work. This is all part of his liberating peregrination! Following the wishes of his father, Michael graduated from Engineering in Sheffield, England. This served as an artistic stepping stone for Michael and he began creating modern artistic jewelry. That activity drove Michael’s creative passion and he began to construct sculptures and to paint. He said a painting appears to move, it moves within the self, it represents continuous movement which moves the universe.
This is something that very much moved me. As time passes, I have come to learn much about this magnificent artist and I long to share with you openly a part of what he likes to keep hidden in mystery. Michael has the ability to convey his strong spirit and passion for life through his artwork. There was a void present for most of Michael’s life and as he grew more mature he found art to be something that fulfilled the emptiness he felt within. For him, the aim of art is to fill the void, “the lack within”. When he makes art he feels complete. Michael is most connected when he is creating art and so he aims to share with others through his work, the internal peace he has found within himself. When I chatted with Michael, I could see how many look upon him as a beacon of light and the source of so much positive energy. He began talking about how sometimes as individuals we lose our vitality and passion - our inner person has become very passive. He spoke of how as children we constantly ask questions, look for answers and want to know and learn. Children are constantly asking, “Why? What? How?” and their tone is filled with excitement and joy. However, as adults, we ask fewer and fewer questions and give out more and more of what we consider to be answers.
Michael is determined to keep asking questions and keep expressing the excitement he feels as new knowledge piques his interest. Michael believes that asking questions leads to inspiration and gives light to a meaningful life that is our own pursuit, something he looks forward to, something that gives him reason for living. He said the pursuit of knowing is a feeling of things worthwhile. Michael believes in the magic and mystery that makes life vibrant. He seems determined to never lose the inner light that keeps his creative spirit alive.
THE MANY LINES IN MICHAEL’S ARTWORK ARE AN EXPRESSION OF HIS INNER DEPTH AND JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE. AS AN ACCOMPLISHED PAINTER AND SCULPTOR, MICHAEL HAS LIVED AND WORKED IN ENGLAND, ITALY, THE USA, AND MEXICO. CURRENTLY, HE MAINTAINS A STUDIO IN TORONTO, CANADA. HIS ARTWORK IS AS DYNAMIC AND VIBRANT AS HE IS AS AN ARTIST. HIS WORK CAN BE FOUND IN NUMEROUS PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AROUND THE WORLD.
MICHAEL CAN BE FOUND ONLINE AT www.michaelgolland.com and in www.inlibertyvillage.com HE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON HIS NEXT COLLECTION FOR 2009 EXHIBITIONS.
Interview by Casey Stewart
Miss Latina
C A N A D A 2 0 0 9
DIANA SCHOUTSEN
Diana represented Halton Region, after winning a local preliminary pageant in May. Her prize was to represent her large community at the national level of the 2009 Miss Latina Canada event. Diana Schoutsen is both Latin American on her mother’s side (from Honduras) and Dutch from her father’s. She has grown up on a dairy farm located in Binbrook, Ontario, just north of Hamilton. Her country girl sincerity combined with her striking Latin-American features managed to captivate both the audience and judges.
Among an array of products and prizes, Diana will be taking a trip to the Dominican Republic as part of her ambassadorial work, visiting Hollywood, California as part of a scholarship to the New York Film Academy at Universal Studios, and representing Canada at internationalevents around the world.
She will have a busy year as a spokesperson for many Canadian causes and businesses, including collaborating on a fundraiser for children in Honduras. All 22 contestants were part of the Miss Latina® Canada 2009: the reality series, the first of its kind in Canada - and also the first time in 17 years that a pageant has been given national television time in Canada. The season premiere aired on Thursday, August 28, 2008 on Nuevo Mundo Television, and Diana’s win will be part of the season finale taking place on September 25th, 2009.
ANA LAURA MARTINEZ
Standing at 5’9”, Ana is 21 years old, is of Uruguayan descent, and has lived in Brampton for more that 17 years! She has also taken part in acting classes that she attended at the Brampton Theatre School and also took classes at Sears and Switzer Studios. She is a graduate of Seneca College’s Travel Tourism
Flight Services, and has worked for a number of airlines. Her future goal is to become an airline attendant.
Ana’s priority is to spend time with her family and friends, especially to watch the latest movies. She also is very athletic and keeps herself fit by playing soccer.
Ana would like to be part of Miss Latina® Canada because she wants to represent a great community, inspire other young women to think outside their box and go for their goal, whatever it may be. She herself is goaloriented; she loves a challenge and likes to see projects through from beginning to end. More than anything else, Ana is excited about this experience and looks forward to meeting all of the delegates from across Canada.
TRACEY LABRANA
Tracey was born in Valparaiso, Chile and has been living in Peel Region for the last 4 years.
This Latina is one tough Lady! Tracey will be attending school in September, taking a Police Foundations course. Tracey is an idealist, which is why she wants to become a Police Officer, “to protect my community and keep children and neighbourhoods safe.
Tracey is interested in participating in Miss Latina Canada because she wants the country to know that the community is full of very intelligent, accomplished and driven women who set high goals for themselves and achieve them. She is a strong believer that if one has a passion and a desire to achieve - forget what other people say, and just go for it. “How will you know what you are capable of, if you don’t try?”
ZIVANK AMARKOVIC
Zivanka is a woman that represents the true multicultural nature of the City of Toronto. From Serbian, Philipino and Spanish heritage, she was born and raised in Toronto, where she attended the School for Acting for Film and Television and has spent much of her time since working professionally in the world of television. Currently Zivanka is putting in time as a professional model.
Zivanka believes in philanthropic and charitable activities. She currently works in encouraging people to invest in non-profits such as child sponsorship in third world countries, ending animal cruelty, and the environment.
Zivanka wants to participate in the Miss Latina Canada Pageant because she wants to represent the diversity that she represents in the most multicultural city in the world. She also sees the PageantCom as a stepping stone toward augmenting her acting and charitable endeavours.
HEIDI FILICI
Heidi is a fun-loving outgoing young woman that has a contagious joy for life. Considered a city girl, Heidi has spent her whole life in Toronto. Of Peruvian and Argentinean heritage, Heidi celebrates all aspects of her Canadian culture and life.
Heidi has an extreme passion for the arts and media, and has future ambitions of becoming a journalist. At the Miss Latina Canada 2009 event, Heidi was selected as an intern for 1 year with the popular Toronto program, T.O. Latino.
10 INFLUENTIAL
Hispanic Canadians
Although there are three quarters of a million Hispanics in Canada (some authorities place the number closer to one million), their contribution to the Canadian psyche is more often than not ignored by the main stream media. This is a pity because the Hispanic community is the country’s third largest minority group, largely well educated and taking its place as an increasingly influential segment of the population.
As one step toward remedying this oversight, Scotiabank, through iScotiabank, has put its corporate weight behind a Toronto ceremony that featured the selection by six hundred people of Canada’s Ten Most Influential Hispanic Canadians in 2008.
The Hispanic “Stars” were selected, using a Dancing with the Stars-style judging process, from the thirty-seven nominations submitted from across the country. The nominee group was narrowed down to twenty finalists by a prestigious contingent of journalists and executives from the Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, Canadian Business, CBC, Ottawa’s FOCAL, The Canadian Council for the Americas, Canadian Hispanic Congress, Hispanic Press Association of Canada and five of the previous year’s winners. At the ceremony, the six hundred people who attended ranked the finalists. Those results were combined with those of the judges to determine the winners – The Ten Most Influential Hispanic Canadians in 2008.
Of equal importance to the selecting of the ten personalities was a presentation to the audience by Rosemary Bender, Director General of the Social and Demographic Branch at Statistics Canada. DG Bender revealed the highlights of the eagerly awaited “Profile of the Hispanic Community in Canada” based on the 2006 census. According to that study, which was generated at the request of the Canadian Hispanic Congress, there are 741,760 Hispanics in Canada. The study also found that Hispanics are about ten years younger and more likely to be university educated than the general population.
The awards were presented by Scotiabank and coordinated by www.Hispanic@Business.ca. Other event sponsors included the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Canadian Council for the Americas, Base International, Rogers, Western Union, Andes Travel and real estate agent Gerardo Perez. Media sponsors included Canadian Business magazine, Nuevo Mundo TV, Telelatino, Cuba Plus, La Guía de Toronto, Correo Canadiense, El Popular, El Mundo Latino News, torontohispano.com, Mercado News, Opinion, Latin Life and Abanico.
Another important feature of the Awards evening was the announcement by HispanicBusiness.ca of the development of its first “Manual for Hispanic Immigrants/Who’s Who in Hispanic Business”. To draw attention to its membership drive, over 25,000 copies of the manual will be printed and distributed, supported by its one hundred members. A discounted membership fee application will hopefully increase that membership many fold before the next Ten Most Influential Hispanic Canadians 2009 event on November 17, 2009 in Toronto.
The 2008 winners were Dr. Bernardo Berdichewsky (Ph.D), Research; Eduardo Urueña, Media; Esmeralda Enrique, Dance; Hon. Guillermo Rishchynski, Diplomacy; Guillermo Silva-Marin, Opera; Johnny Campuzano, Law Enforcement; Margarita Feliciano, Literacy; Mario Guilombo, Human Rights;Mario Perez, Entrepreneurship; Oscar A. Jofre Jr., Entrepreneurship.
the first victim of the sexual revolution
British scientists have created a robot that is perfect in shape, size, colour and texture - so perfect that it can maintain a sexual relationship by emitting a pleasant sound every time its erogenous zone is stroked. Although this may seem to be a big change from today’s norm, experts maintain that this “cyber-love” does not represent a great leap forward in mankind’s dealing with sexuality. It is only the predictable offshoot of the sexual revolution that began in the ’60s, when having sex was recognized as not necessarily the same thing as “making love”.
While for the artificial intelligence expert David Levy this sex toy will in the future have characteristics that will give it personality to make it more human, specialists in the art of love affirm that a machine will never surpass humans in the art of love-making, which involves much more than being an activity designed to produce pleasure. The fundamental reason lies in the fact that without the presence of such emotions as love, the robot is a boring lover. A couple’s sex life is only part of the total emotional package that binds a man and woman together and those other emotions impact upon the quality of love-making.
To understand why we have progressed so far as to look for a machine to provide the level of sexual gratification that many believe cannot be provided by a human man or a woman, we must look back to the movies of the ’60s and ’70s, when sex was moved to the front of the boomers’ consciousness. Young people allowed the message delivered by New Age philosophies, rock musicians, marijuana and freer artistic expression, to grant them a more open acceptance of lustful activity, resulting in the destruction of the moral wall. The taboos of the past and the destruction of preconceived ideas about sex, led inevitably to the liberalization of morals, gender equality, and what many criticized as moral decay among young people.
What really changed in the boomer decades was not the mechanics of a sexual relationship, nor even that people might give free rein to their most ardent erotic fantasies, That kind of human behaviour had exhibited itself within various societies since the dawn of time. What really transformed the lives of the emerging boomer couples was the newly-gained freedom to make their lust an open book for all to read and their sexual activity an open picture for all to see. During these years, without a doubt the great winner was the woman who ceased to be a passive body, who defended her rights and openly announced her expectations of what she wanted from a sexual relationship.
Another key element in the changing of our sexual mores was the introduction of the contraceptive pill that gives both men and women more freedom to explore their sexuality, without running the risk of an unwanted pregnancy. That mindset has become so ingrained in us that for growing segments of the population, sex is no longer seen as a function designed to preserve the species but as an activity giving maximum pleasure to its participants.
The Kinsey/Masters & Johnson reports publicized several aspects of sexual activity - the power of eroticism, monogamy, the discovery of the so-called point G, masturbation as part of growth, promiscuity and the acceptance of homosexuality as just another way of life. The sixties and seventies were banner decades in the “make love, not war” preoccupation. While there is controversy about the lasting value of that preoccupation, those decades have to be accepted as revolutionary in terms of defining sexuality. Multitudes of alternative lifestyle movements, fashion gurus, off-the-wall philosophies and even more off-the-wall behaviorists reinforced the power of the sexual revolution. Rock and drugs, for better or for worse, became part of the revolution as the whole world began to jump, shout and lift a drink to the beat of bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Doors. Hendrix and Janis Joplin, among others, promoted sexual freedom as a symbol of change that would usher in a new life under the slogan Make love, not war.
Young people are now caught up in a rampant sexual revolution where the sexual act is performed without inhibitions, without prejudice and, more importantly, without love. The difference is lessening between the human and the robot.
In 1969, the world vicariously participated in the seminal sexual event at Woodstock, a three-day festival where naked men and women gave vent to their pleasures in front of the television cameras. Sex, in the minds of a whole generation, had now stopped being a taboo and had introduced to everyone on the planet the libertine world that redefined making love.
The sexual revolution imposed itself upon young people to the point that sexual preferences, such as bisexuality, once hidden beneath a bushel, now came forward into the glaring light. The slogan “Do not ban” has so destroyed the preconceptions of the ages that it became only a matter of time before the arrival of the robot with all the elements to produce pleasure, but pleasure without sensitivity.
In nearly 40 years of “revolution” between the sexy sixties and today, the world has now explored almost all the extremes possible in the art of love-making. But no matter what superficial titillation surfaces, no matter how daring or even dangerous, the fundamentals remain unchanged. Society will undoubtedly reverse its course and as the harshest critics of the pre-sixties eras go into decline, realization will come to the fore that love must be the driving force of sex and the family retain its place as the core of human interaction. The consequences of sexual freedom can be found in the spread of the AIDS epidemic. According to UNAIDS, United Nations organization that works to prevent the spread of the AIDS epidemic, 50% of new victims of this deadly disease are people under 25 years of age, because for them to use or not use a condom is a matter of game-playing and promiscuity is the most desirable model of life. According to UNAIDS, almost six thousand young people a day worldwide between the ages of 15 and 24 are infected with HIV. To these figures must be added other equally serious statistics that indicate that among young people the incidence of diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea has soared significantly, showing up to a 62% increase. In Canada the situation is not very different from the rest of the world. The Study of Women’s Health stipulates that girls on average in Canada begin their sexual activity at age 16, almost simultaneously with the men. In some cases the age of onset is 12 to 13. Until the revolution, the gender gap was greater - women had their first relationship at an average age of 20 and men at 18.
The risk our society runs is great because sex at a younger age implies a lesser knowledge of the risks involved, especially when having or not having sex is a matter of fashion. Unfortunately, too many young people believe that AIDS and venereal diseases are restricted to the past, because they are curable more easily today. Additionally, young Canadians have found the Internet to provide the fastest and easiest way to get sex.
Many spend hours looking for a sexual partner on the network, with the added bonus that a new variety of potential sexual partners is posted every week, offering sexual freedom within a purely sexual culture. While expert sexologists, psychiatrists and educators concede that the impact of the new sexual freedom has some positive effects, such as publicizing the ways to have the best sex, the downside is that young people in particular are abusing that freedom. Young people are now caught up in a rampant sexual revolution where the sexual act is performed without inhibitions, without prejudice and, more importantly, without love. The difference is lessening between the human and the robot. Sadly, in the future there may be no need to buy a robot to have sex, because people are becoming true cybernetic beings - beings without feelings, where love is no longer a part of sex, just the pleasure.
LA PRIMER VICTIMA DE LA REVOLUCION SEXUAL
Científicos ingleses crearon un robot tan perfecto, en forma, tamaño, color y textura, para sostener una relación sexual, que el cibernético ser animado emite sonidos agradables cada vez que acarician sus zonas erógenas, lo que fue considerado por mucho como el gran cambio de lo que serán las relaciones sexuales del futuro. Pese ello los expertos aseguran que ni siquiera esto constituye un cambio, ni la sexualidad ha dado el gran salto por ello, sino es tan sólo parte del resultado de la verdadera revolución sexual que se inicio en los años 60, cuando el mundo pudo ver la transformación de sus más bajos o nobles instintos, a la hora de hacer el amor o simplemente tener sexo.
Aunque para el experto en inteligencia artificial David Levy el juguete sexual, en el futuro tendrá las emociones, personalidad y consciencia para hacerlo más ”humano” a la hora disfrute, especialistas en el arte de amar aseguran que nunca una máquina superará al ser humano en este arte, que implica mucho más que un instrumento para producir placer, por una razón fundamental, en este tipo de relación no existen sentimientos como el amor, lo que convierte al robot en un aburrido amante, porque hasta los problemas de parejas son parte de una vida sexual, activa, placentera y duradera.
Para entender porque llegamos al extremo de buscar en una máquina lo que no se encuentra en un hombre o una mujer, hay que regresar a la película a los años 60 y 70, cuando se da el destape mundial de la vida sexual, cuando los jóvenes repletos de filosofía, rock, marihuana, arte y especialmente lujuria, dan inicio a la destrucción del muro moral, repleto de tabús y a las ideas preconcebidas que se tenían sobre el sexo, para caer en la liberalización de las costumbres, la igualdad de sexos, y el libertinaje total fuertemente criticado.
Lo que realmente cambio en esta década no fue las formas de tener una relación sexual, ni siquiera que las personas pudieran dar rienda suelta a sus más ardientes fantasías eróticas, porque lo mismo se venía haciendo desde los inicios de la humanidad, lo que realmente
transformó la vida de pareja fue que esta actividad, para muchos lujuriosa se hizo pública, se salió de la cama a los medios, se podía hablar de ella sin ningún temor, se discutía en la casa y fuera de ella y se le quito el tinte pecaminoso. Durante estos años sin lugar a dudas la gran ganadora fue la mujer que dejó de ser un ente pasivo, defendió sus derechos y dio a conocer sus deseos y frustraciones a la hora de amar.
Otro elemento fundamental que permitió la transformación, es que en esta época sale al mercado una pequeña pildorita anticonceptiva, que da más libertad a las mujeres y a los hombres para explorar su sexualidad, sin que por ello corriera el riesgo de un embarazo no deseado. La mentalidad cambio a tal punto, que el sexo se dejó de ver como una relación estrictamente necesaria para conservar la especie y se le dio un valor máximo al placer, a la vida en pareja y se solucionaron muchos problemas que se quedaban en la soledad de un cuarto.
Se trabajó tanto en la libertad de sexos que se publicaron los informes de Kinsey y de Masters & Johnson, abrieron los debates en torno al poder de lo erótico, la monogamia, el descubrimiento de los llamados punto G, la masturbación como parte del crecimiento, la promiscuidad y se abrió el camino a la aceptación de la homosexualidad como otra forma de vida. Prohibido prohibir y haz el amor y no la guerra En materia de sexo, los años ‘60 y ‘70, son considerados como los años más polémicos, progresistas y revolucionarios de la historia, porque es la década donde surgen multitud de movimientos, estilos, formas de pensar, comportamientos y filosofías de vida, que llevan a la humanidad a explorar muchas cosas más. El rock y las drogas, para bien o para mal, hacen parte de esta revolución, el mundo entero comenzó a brincar, a gritar y a tomar trago, al ritmo de grupos como The Beatles, The Rolling Stones y The Doors, personajes míticos como Jimi Hendrix y Janis Joplin, entre otros, quienes impulsan la libertad sexual como símbolo del cambio a una nueva vida, bajo el lema “Haz el amor y no la guerra”.
En 1969, el mundo ve nacer el hipismo en Woodstock, un festival de tres días se convierte en la vitrina de la libertad sexual, donde hombres y mujeres desnudos dan rienda suelta a sus placeres frente a las cámaras de televisión. El sexo deja por fin de ser un tabú y ingresa al mundo libertino que cambio totalmente las reglas de los juegos a la hora de hacer el amor. La revolución sexual se impone, los jóvenes se liberan y sale a relucir la bisexualidad como una moda, que trasgrede todas las instituciones, hasta el punto que bajo el lema “Prohibido prohibir” se lanza el verdadero cambio total de de las actividades
CABE ESTABLECER QUE EL CAMBIO QUE GENERÓ LA REVOLUCIÓN SEXUAL NO ES LA CULPABLE DE ELLA, SINO EL USO QUE SE DIO DE LA MISMA.
culturales preestablecidas, entre ellas las relaciones sexuales que a partir de este momento no encuentra su punto de retorno, hasta hoy cuando se da a conocer un robot con todos los elementos para producir placer, pero sin ningún tipo de sentimiento.
En casi 40 años de “revolución” el mundo ya explorado casi todos los extremos del arte de amar, aunque siempre surgen algunos nuevos, la base es la misma, cambiando los sujetos y los objetos, con actos violentos, agresivos, atrevidos y hasta peligrosos. La sociedad cambio indudablemente y para los más duros críticos de este cambio entro en decadencia, porque con el tiempo se está perdiendo lo más importante de la vida, el amor que debe ser el motor y visión de la familia como el núcleo del sistema de vida.
Consecuencias de la libertad sexual en Canadá para los especialistas, sexólogos, psiquiatras y especialmente educadores, esa revolución sexual de los años 70 tiene ahora sus grandes consecuencias, algunas buenas y otras malas, las mejores indiscutiblemente es que el sexo salió a la luz pública y dejó de ser tema prohibido. Lo malo es el uso que están haciendo de esa libertad, porque actualmente los jóvenes viven una revolución sexual desenfrenada donde prima la practica del sexo sin tapujos, sin inhibiciones, sin prejuicios, pero también sin amor, un sentimiento que hace falta, tanto que marca la diferencia entre los robots y los seres humanos, como iniciamos este artículo.
La libertad sexual que disfrutan hoy los jóvenes también le está pasando su cuenta de cobro, no sólo al amor, sino a la vida, porque de acuerdo a UNAIDS, organización de las Naciones Unidas que trabaja para impedir la expansión de la epidemia del SIDA, el 50% de las nuevas víctimas de esta mortal enfermedad son personas menores de 25 años de edad, porque para ellos utilizar o no utilizar un condón es cuestión de un juego, y la promiscuidad es su mejor modelo de vida. Según esta organización alrededor del mundo casi 6000 jóvenes entre las edades de15 a 24 años se infectan con VIH cada día. A estas cifras hay que agregarle otra igualmente grave, que entre los jóvenes se ha disparado considerablemente el aumento de enfermedades sexuales, como sífilis, gonorrea, que en algunos casos llegan hasta el 62% de incremento.
En Canadá la situación no es muy diferente a la del resto del mundo, si se tiene en cuenta el estudio de Women’s Health, que establece que las niñas en Canadá en promedio inician su actividad sexual a los 16 años, casi al mismo tiempo que los hombres. En algunos casos la edad de inicio es de 12 a 13 años. Hace 30 años, la diferencias entre géneros era grande, una mujer tenía su primera relación bordeando los 20 años y los hombre a los 18. El riesgo que se corre en esta sociedad que se creó a partir de la revolución sexual es muy grande, porque sexo a una edad más temprana, implica un menor conocimiento de los riesgos que se corren, más cuando tener o no tener sexo es una cuestión de moda, porque a esta edad se cree que el SIDA y las enfermedades venéreas son cosas de viejos.
Para completar los jóvenes canadienses han encontrado en internet la forma más fácil y rápida de conseguir sexo, y se la pasan horas buscando una pareja sexual en la red que cambian cada día o semana, porque no sólo el sistema se lo permite, sino también la familia, la cultura y la libertad sexual que por estos días están disfrutando.
ANDALUCIA IS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DESIRABLE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS.
The Andalucía’s cultural attractions are well known - the Alhambra Palace in Granada, home of the last Islamic rulers of Andalucía, the Giralda and the Alcazar in Sevilla, the vibrant capital city of Andalucía and Cordoba’s Mesquite, a beautiful and fascinating 8th-century building with its flower-decked patios. Other treasures are waiting to be explored in such unforgettable towns as Ronda, Antequera, Baeza and Ubeda. Andalucian food is the Mediterranean’s highest best example of culinary excellence.
Spain is in some way the country with the highest number of olive trees. In Andalucía the most important olive oil-producing areas are in the province of Jaén. Olive trees are slow growing, traditionally bearing fruit after fifteen years, though modern production techniques have brought maturity down to five. The first olive tree plantations were grown in the Eastern Mediterranean more than five thousand years ago. The olive tree was cultivated in areas occupied by the most ancient civilizations: the Egyptians, the Babylonians and the Assyrians. Later, the Phoenicians introduced olives to the Western world, and from then on, the olive tree accompanied the expansions of the cultures that laid the foundations of the Mediterranean civilization: the Greeks, the Romans and the Arabs. In the Bible, the olive is mentioned in several places. In the New Testament, we are told that Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives.
An olive grove demands a lot of work, since olive growing is a labour-intensive process requiring fertilizing and ploughing the soil. Olive trees blossom at the beginning of spring, producing a number of tiny flowers - known as trama in some parts of Andalucía - from which yellowish pollen is spread. Olives set at the beginning of summer and are fully ripe before winter.
Axarquia, or the Eastern Region, produces between 6,000 and 8,000 hectares of olive oil. The region has 19 oil mills, 14 of them being cooperatives and 5 industrial mills.
OLIVE OIL MUSEUM
Hojiblanca oil Museum (Antequera)
The museum basically consists of three mills from different periods, exhibited in different rooms with relevant documents, utensils and farming tools that were used to pick and press olives, then store and preserve olive oil. In the gardens surrounding the museum, there are six olive trees more than three hundred years old.
COSTA DEL SOL
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the Costa del Sol offers fantastic beachside living. Complementing sophisticated and style-conscious Marbella are resorts with numerous tourist attractions. There are lots of magic Mediterranean beaches to soak up the sun. The Costa del Golf is an excellent destination on the Iberian Peninsula. With its more than fifty golf courses, the Costa del Sol is considered the greatest golfing centre on the continent of Europe. With excellent infrastructure, privileged climate and extraordinary services, everything is in place to offer the golfer everything to complete his or her dream. Tournaments are organized all year round for all categories and ages. Malaga, known as the city of light, the capital of Costa del Sol, is situated where land meets sea in Andalusia, a sea which saw the birth of Picasso. Thanks to the length of its coast, the province of Malaga also has an enormous variety of beaches with fine sand. There are 11 yacht marinas on the Costa del Sol, which offer short cruises.
Special mention must be given to “La Catedral de Malaga”- Malaga’s sixteenth century Cathedral, one of the most important Renaissance temples in Spain.
Pablo Ruiz Picasso is well represented in the city of his birth, thanks to the Picasso Museum, a gallery of international standing. The gallery has a collection of over two hundred original works, including oil paintings, drawings, sculptures, engravings and ceramics.
TAPAS’ ROUTE
The verb “tapear” or “to taste” suggests the extensive Spanish and local gastronomy sampled in small bites called “tapas” or snacks. As the people who work in “tapas” bars are friendly and ready to help, do not hesitate to ask for their advice.
Tapas Bars to visit:
- Antigua Casa de Guardia : Alameda Principal, 18, Malaga - the oldest bar in Malaga, established in 1840.
- Mesón Antonio: Fernando Lesseps 7, Malaga - open since 1980, the most traditional site at the town centre.
- Tapas Bar: Salinas 7, Malaga - a spacious tavern-like setting.
- Cafe Central: C/Santa Maria 2 - the oldest cafe bar in the Capital of Malaga.
TRAVELLING AROUND ANDALUCIA ON YOUR OWN
Drive yourself to adventures, discover history and magnificent vistas. Renting a vehicle makes for one of the most popular ways to go exploring.
Day 1 - Arrive at Malaga International Airport and proceed to collect your car. Start your journey driving to Granada (129 km). Discover this city, famous for both the artistic splendour of its monuments as well as the beauty of its parks, fountains, and flowered narrow streets. It is a must to visit the Alhambra, the most enchanting representation of Hispano-Moorish art dating back to the 13th century, with its breathtaking domes and its fine examples of Moorish decorations.
Day 2 - Head towards Cordoba (166 km) and become fascinated with the artistic legacy of this city - churches, convents, gardens, palaces and many Islamic jewels of Cordoba, such as its mosque (785 B.C.) declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
Days 3&4 - Start your journey to Sevilla (138 Km) and delight yourself for two days visiting the capital of the Andalucian region. The Tartessians... (cont)
Day 5 - Departure towards Grazalema (124 Km). The entire township is part of the Sierra de Grazalema Nature Reserve. The city centre has Roman and Muslim remains, and is one of the best examples of the so-called ‘white Andalucian towns’. See the Roman fountain, the Baroque church of Nuestra Señora de la Aurora.
Departure to Ronda (20 Km from Grazalema). It is located amid mountains, on an excellent site halfway between the provinces of Cadiz and Malaga. Do not miss visiting the Bullring, the first built in Spain.
Day 6 - Drive on the Costa del Sol’s shore toward Malaga (93 Km). Spend the next days visiting other coastal towns such as Marbella, with its beautiful port of Puerto Banus, and Torremolinos or Benalmadena.
Day 7 – Malaga – A full day to explore the Costa del Sol.
Day 8 - Drive to Malaga Airport to return your car and for your return flight home, or extend your stay by adding more exciting visits to other parts of Spain.
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Andalucía, es indudablemente uno de los destinos turísticos más buscado a nivel mundial. Las atracciones culturales de Andalucía son muy conocidas como El Palacio de Alhambra en Granada -el hogar de los últimos gobernantes islámicos de Andalucía-; la Giralda y el Alcázar ubicados en Sevilla, una ciudad vibrante; la Mezquita de Córdoba, monumento fundamental del occidente Islámico y sus patios engalanados en flor. Otras ciudades y pueblos inolvidables como Ronda, Antequera, Baeza y Ubeda mantienen otros tesoros a la espera de ser explorados. La gastronomía Andaluza es la dieta mediterránea por excelencia.
España es el país que registra el número más elevado de árboles de olivos. En Andalucía, las áreas productoras de aceite de oliva más importantes se encuentran en la provincia de Jaén. Los olivos son de crecimiento lento, tradicionalmente la fruta del olivo aparece después de quince años de vida, aunque nuevas y modernas técnicas han ayudado a lograr una madurez del fruto en un término de cinco años. La presencia de las primeras plantaciones se originó hace más de cinco mil años en el Oriente Medio. El olivo fue cultivado en las áreas ocupadas por las civilizaciones más antiguas: los egipcios, los babilónicos y los asirios. Más adelante, los fenicios lo introdujeron al mundo occidental, y luego continuó con su desarrollo acompañando las culturas que ayudaron a las fundaciones de las civilizaciones mediterráneas: los griegos, los romanos y los árabes. En la biblia, el olivo se menciona en varias ocasiones. En el nuevo testamento, Jesús oró en el monte de los olivos. Cultivar el olivo exige mucho trabajo, dado que para su crecimiento requiere un proceso de intensa labor para fertilizar y arar el suelo. El olivo florece a principios de la primavera, es cuando aparece un número de flores minúsculas -conocidas por su nombre “trama” en algunos lugares de Andalucía- de las cuales se separa un polen amarillento. El período de fructificación se produce en el principio del verano y madura antes del invierno.
Axarquia -Región del Este- produce entre 6,000 y 8,000 hectáreas de aceite. La región cuenta con 19 molinos de aceite, 14 de ellos son cooperativas y 5 son molinos industriales.
MUSEO DEL ACEITE DE HOJIBLANCA (Antequera)
El Museo Hojiblanca tiene como fin la recuperación y exposición pública del patrimonio oleícola de la comarca de Hojiblanca. El museo conserva tres molinos de diversos períodos, siglos I-XVII y XIX exhibidos en diversos cuartos con los documentos relevantes, utensilios y herramientas usadas para escoger y presionar las aceitunas. En los jardines que rodean el museo, hay seis olivos con más de trescientos años de antigüedad.
COSTA DEL SOL
Con más de 300 días de sol al año, la Costa del Sol ofrece una fantástica estadía en la playa. Marbella, ciudad sofisticada y atractiva en su estilo, se encuentra especialmente posesionada por la cantidad de centros y atracciones turísticos. Sol y playas en la magia del Mediterráneo, la costa del Golf, un destino excelente en la península ibérica. Con más de cincuenta campos de golf, la Costa del Sol es considerada como el centro de golf más grande dentro del continente de Europa. Con una excelente infraestructura, clima privilegiado y extraordinarios servicios todo se complementa para satisfacer al jugador con sus sueños de golfista. Los torneos se organizan durante todo el año para todas las categorías y edades.
Málaga conocida como la ciudad de la luz, la capital de la Costa del Sol, está situada donde la tierra se encuentra con el mar en Andalucía, un mar que vio el nacimiento de Picasso.
Gracias a la longitud de su costa, la provincia de Málaga tiene una enorme variedad de playas con finas arenas. En la Costa del Sol, se ubican 11 puertos deportivos los que conforman una de las más completas ofertas náuticas del mundo, donde cruceros de corta trayectoria se encuentran disponibles.
Mención especial merece la Catedral de Málaga, del siglo XVI, uno de los más importantes templos renacentistas de España. Pablo Ruiz Picasso se halla bien representado en la ciudad de su nacimiento gracias al Museo Picasso Málaga, una galería de posición internacional. La galería tiene una colección de más de doscientos trabajos originales, incluyendo óleos, dibujos, esculturas, grabados y cerámica.
LA RUTA DE LAS “TAPAS”
El verbo “tapear” ha sustituido al “entremés” y al “aperitivo” formando parte de la cultura gastronómica española, tomar un bocado. Los bares malagueños se encuentran muy bien atendidos ofreciendo una variedad de pinchos. No dude en consultar por las diferentes opciones para degustar.
VIAJANDO POR ANDALUCÍA LIBREMENTE POR SU CUENTA
Breve guía de lugares para visitar:
Antigua Casa de Guardia : Alameda Principal, 18, Málaga -bar más antiguo, establecido en 1840.
Mesón Antonio: Fernando Lesseps 7, Málaga -abierto desde 1980, lugar más tradicional en el centro de la ciudad. Decorado en típico estilo Andaluz.
Tapas Bar: Salinas 7, Málaga -bar con estilo taverna. Aunque inaugurado en 1999, sus espacios irradian una atmósfera antigua.
Cafe Central: C/Santa María 2, Málaga -El café bar más antiguo en la Capital de Málaga.
Viaje por Andalucía libremente por su cuenta hacia la aventura, descubra su historia y sus magníficas vistas. Alquilar un vehículo es una de las opciones más populares para explorar.
Día 1- Arribo al aeropuerto internacional de Málaga, gestionar el retiro del automóvil. Inicie su viaje conduciendo hacia Granada (129 kms). Descubra esta ciudad famosa por ambos aspectos, el esplendor artístico de sus monumentos y la belleza de sus parques, fuentes, y calles estrechas engalanadas en flor. Visita obligada: el Alhambra, la representación más encantadora del arte del Hispano-Morisco que data del siglo XIII, con sus impresionantes bóvedas y sus ejemplos de fina decoración Morisca.
Día 2- Salida hacia Córdoba (166 kms); siéntase fascinado con la herencia artística de esta ciudad, sus iglesias, conventos, jardines, palacios y muchas de las joyas islámicas como su mezquita (785 A.C.) declarada por la UNESCO como “Sitio del Patrimonio Mundial”.
Día 3& 4- Salida en dirección hacia Sevilla (138 Kms), deléitese durante dos días visitando la capital de la región de Andalucía. Sevilla fundada por los Tartesios, siendo en los siglos siguientes convertida en Italica bajo el imperio romano (207 A.C.). La última larga ocupación Morisca de la península ibérica dejó sus rastros en Sevilla. Se recomienda visitar la torre La Giralda; el patio de árboles de naranjos; la Catedral Santa Cruz; el Alcazar y el archivo de Indias. Durante el segundo día se recomienda efectuar un tour nocturno en autobús quien lo llevará alrededor de la ciudad.
Día 5- Salida hacia Grazalema (124 Kms). El municipio entero es parte de la Reserva Natural Sierra de Grazalema. El centro de la ciudad conserva restos romanos y musulmanes, y es uno de los mejores ejemplos encontrados bajo la dominación “Pueblos Blancos de Andalucía”. La fuente romana, la iglesia barroca de Nuestra Señora de la Aurora. Continúe su viaje hacia Ronda (20 Kms desde Grazalema). Ronda está situada en medio de las montañas, en un sitio excelente a medio camino entre las provincias de Cádiz y Málaga. No olvide visitar la Plaza de Toros de Ronda, por su historia y por su arquitectura, por su carácter y belleza está reconocida como una de las más antiguas de España.
Día 6- Inicie su recorrido hacia las playas de la Costa del Sol, llegada a Málaga (93 Kms). Disfrute los próximos días visitando otras ciudades de la costa como Marbella, con su hermoso Puerto Banus, Torremolinos o Benalmadena.
Día 7- Málaga -Día entero para explorar la Costa del Sol.
Día 8 - Diríjase hacia el Aeropuerto de Málaga para entregar el vehículo y tomar su vuelo de regreso a su hogar, o extienda su estadía agregando más días excitantes para conocer otras partes de España.
Gone are the days of gathering in the kitchen to help mother, chat with friends, enjoy a glass of wine or gossip over the events of the day. The kitchen table is no longer an icon of good home-cooked meals. There is a war going on – or perhaps a misguided revolution. Food prices are rising along with population growth, but our knowledge of food is declining. We are dependent upon someone else’s opinion of what is good for us to eat. And we can hardly trust ourselves to make key culinary decisions. We have no longer a natural instinct for what is grown, where it is grown and how it is grown. As our ability to feed ourselves knowledgably erodes, it is important to reflect on the history of food, farms, and their revolutionaries.
This is the only time in history when Italy has protested with a 'day without pasta' or Mexico suffers from a cost increase in tortillas, corn tortillas. Why? Reasons abound. Blame can placed wherever it can be placed, yet to understand, we must first look at our own individual habits, rituals and weaknesses.
We all have opinions, strong ones at that. But for the most part we are uninformed. A biodegradable corn bag may make the average upper-class or defiant youth proud, knowing that they have reduced their carbon footprint, but for the most part, they don't understand whose corn has been scarified to salve their conscience.
This misunderstanding stems from a missing part of our lives. A new revolution is on the horizon - the return to the table. It is a revolution in which we enjoy the process of selecting food, as was done in markets of old, preparing meals with relatives or close friends or even alone in one’s kitchen. This simple, basic and mostly human activity has been lost somewhere in the recent past. It has affected us, affecting everything from our weight to our loss of the family interaction. As our connection with food fades away, removing our ability to experiment, taste and enjoy, we demote food, our nourishment, and as a result food is relegated to having the same value as sweat shop jewellery sold on the shopping channel.
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SOME SUGGESTED FOOD BUYING AND CARE TIPS
Buy locally grown ingredients because they don't cost nearly as much to ship as ones that have to come from far away.
Snacks add up. Your small purchases, your impulse buys, add up. Think of all the places where you buy food ... not only restaurants and coffee shops but also movie theatres and gas stations. The Starbucks or Second Cup or Timothy's every morning and the bottled water from the gas station convenience store all add up. Plan ahead of time . Bring your own bottled water from home (it could be tap water in a reusable plastic bottle) and your own coffee mug.
Be your own cook. A key way to save money on food expenses is to cook your own meals. The extra effort you put into cooking earns for you savings you put in your pocket. Otherwise, preparation costs are part of the purchase price you pay for prepared foods.
Tailor your food budget so that it buys only food. Do not spend your grocery money on toilet paper, napkins and dishwashing soap. Those products can be bought at lower prices in other retail stores that specialize in them. Your food budget should be used only for edible items.
Shop for natural unprocessed foods first. This means fruit, vegetables and protein, products that are usually always displayed at the back or on the outside walls of the store where they are kept away from the centre aisles that are restricted to non-essential commercial foods and budget killers like chips, frozen pizzas, ice cream and pop - all usually given in-your-face display space.
Drink tap water. Bottled water is costly, both environmentally and money-wise. We live in a country were potable water is accessible -- so drink up and avoid the plastic.
Try no-name products. They are usually displayed immediately beside the competing and highly publicized and more expensive brand names.
Grow your own. More and more people have been growing their own tomatoes and garlic along with other vegetables. Think of your own vegetable garden as a good and healthy alternative to the vegetable counter.
Good Eating!
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