February 2016

A p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e C o m m u n i t y S e r v i c e s C e n t e r

February 2016, Volume 16, Issue 5

Centeredon TAIPEI

Happy CHinese new year

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3www.communitycenter.org.tw FEBRUARY 2016

5 LEttER FRom thE EditoRs

6 CEntER GALLERY FEBRUARY 2016

7 EvEnts ABoUt town

8 CommUnitY - tAs Extreme STEAM Comes to the Taipei American School Lower School

9 CommUnitY - tEs Taipei European School Christmas Bazaar

10 CommUnitY Star Wars: The Force of Story

12 CommUnitY Trendy Taipei: Cafe Hopping with Taipei Foodie

15 CommUnitY Re-familying

16 CommUnitY Taiwan’s Food Culture – The Trendy and the Street Markets

19 oUtLook Nature and Mental Health

20 CULtURE Couplets of Spring

22 CULtURE Sharing India - Its Many Cultures and Traditions with Taiwan

25 oFF thE BEAtEn tRACk Lisong Hot Springs

26 hEALth Red and Processed Meat

27 hEALth Coconut Oil Sugar Hand Scrub

28 hEALth Preserving a Healthy Digestion

30 ChinEsE kitChEn Cooking with Chicken

insidE BACk CovER CsC BUsinEss CLAssiFiEd

CO

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EN

TS

February 2016 volume 16 issue 5

CovER: the writing of spring poems or couplets for Chinese new Year is an ancient custom. traditional couplets are hand written with a brush and ink and require excellent skills in calligraphy.

For more information, please go to our website atwww.communitycenter.org.tw

Centered on Taipei is a publication of the Community Services Center, 25, Lane 290, Zhongshan N. Rd., Sec. 6, Tianmu, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 02-2836-8134fax: 02-2835-2530e-mail: [email protected]

Correspondence may be sent to the editor at [email protected]. Freelance writers, photographers and illustrators are welcome to contact the editor to discuss editorial and graphic assignments. Your talent will find a home with us!

Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner.

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4 FEBRUARY 2016 www.communitycenter.org.tw

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expat perspective


CommUnitY SERviCES CEntER

Adam McMillan

Grace Ting

I-wen Chan, Katherine Chang, Hui-shiang Chao, Jung Chin, Chiao-Feng Chung, Cerita Hsu, Carol Lee, Emilie Ma, Kuang-Shan Wan

Wendy Evans

Joanne Chua

Eva Su, Michael Mullahy

Zee Dlamini

Monica ChengSabrina MengRosemary SusaJohn ImbrogulioJane WangJustine O'Neil Shan LeeGloria GwoBunny PachecoBeth Verne

Miyuki Boice, John Imbrogulio, Anne Jacquet, Sharon Landon, Fiona Mackelworth, John McQuade, Monica Pellizzaro, Gloria Peng, Jonathan Phillips, Emmy Shih, Sue Whitely

Bai Win AntiquesCostco Wholesale TaiwanEuropean Chamber of CommerceGrand Hyatt TaipeiHao Ran Foundation

Concordia ConsultingICRTSan Fu Global

Director

office manager

Counselors

Consultants

Counseling Admin.

Counselling interns

Cot intern

Accountant General Ledger Activities Coordinator Coffee mornings Coordinator Cross-Cultural trainerCommunicationsEvents Coordinator mandarin Chinese teacherProgram SupportSystems manager

volunteers

Benefactors

Premier Sponsors

the Community Services Center (CSC) is a non-profit foundation. CSC provides outreach and early intervention through counseling, cross-cultural education and life skills programs to meet the needs of the international community in taipei. CSC offers the opportunity to learn, volunteer, teach and meet others. Check out our website www.communitycenter.org.tw and drop by the Center to chat with us about our programs. You can also email us at [email protected].

PublisherEditorsAdvertising managermagazine EmailtelFax

Writing and Photography Contributors

Community ServicesCenter Editorial Panel

Printed by

Community Services Center, TaipeiSuzan Babcock and Richard SaundersNaomi [email protected]

Marian Angele Suzan Babcock Jose Calpito Ivy Chen Michelle Cheung Zee DlaminiMayumi HuPatricia KortmanLeslie LiuRichika MaheshwariMichael Mullahy

Siew Kang, Fred Voigtmann

Farn Mei Printing Co., Ltd.1F, No. 102, Hou Kang Street, Shilin District, TaipeiTel: 02-2882-6748 Fax: 02-2882-6749E-mail: [email protected]

Michael O’NeilTerri L. PaykJoseph ReillyRichard SaundersAdarsh SharmaRosemary SusaTASTESGrace TingPatricia Tzeng T here is something special about the beginning of

a New Year which resonates with many people, especially in Taipei. It is a time of celebration, the Lunar New Year, when families and friends traditionally

get together, the Lantern Festival where school children parade at night holding tightly to their brightly lit plastic or paper lanterns and, of course, the well-known Yangmingshan Flower Festival and the delicate blooms of the sakura (cherry), azalea and camellia. New beginnings bring feelings of renewed hope, good intentions and lifted spirits.

Here at the Center, the Year of the Monkey is going to be an active one. Since the Lantern Festival is at the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations, a special morning tour has been organized on February 16th to visit one of the oldest temples in Taipei. This is a tour not to be missed, for the entire Longshan Temple will be decorated with traditional vermillion paper lanterns. Be sure to sign up early.

Our February issue has many interesting articles on foodie trends in Taipei, event happenings around town, upbeat places to hang out with friends, snazzy DIY gifts, research updates on food, nature and health, cross-cultural insights from our Indian friends here in Taipei and more.

We mentioned that spring is a time of new beginnings. We are pleased to announce that Shan Lee will be the Center’s new Events Coordinator, Sabrina Meng will handle the Center’s General Ledger and our COT team will have a new member, Ms. Zee Dlamini from the Kingdom of Swaziland, who will be joining us as an intern.

There is always something going on at the Center. So, please stop by for a cup of coffee, good conversation and a warm welcome.

Happy Lunar New Year wishes,

Richard SaundersCo-editor

Suzan BabcockEditor

Naomi KalyAdvertising Manager

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Please send email submissions, comments, and feedback to [email protected].

COT is printed on FSC certified 100% post-consumer recycled fiber. The paper is certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council which promotes environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests.https://ic.fsc.org/

Sue and Richard

The Community Services Center would like to express its appreciation to Yushan Motors for their donation of a Bentley and a driver for the

Center's auction winner of 'A Girl's Day Out' experience.

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6 february 2016 www.communitycenter.org.tw

Longshan Temple, Bopiliao and Wanhua Herb Street TourTuesday, February 16th 9:30 am - 12 noon; Fee: $500Lantern Festival marks the end of the Chinese New Yearcelebration. Visit the old and atmospheric Longshan Temple,where you’ll not only learn about its history, but also be ableto view colorful lanterns made especially for this auspiciousoccasion. Included in this tour is a visit to the Bopiliao HistoricBlock and the nearby Wanhua Herb Street. If you still have sometime after the tour is finished, ask Jennifer to take you over to afamous shop that has been making local sweets and ice cream treats for three generations!

Getting the Most Out of Your Overseas Experience: A Workshop for Expatriate SpousesThursday, February 25th 9:30 am - 12:30 pm; Fee: $1,500 As an accompanying, expatriate spouse you may find yourselffaced with unique challenges in your role as the pillar andconstant in your mobile family. Balancing everyone’s needs andperspectives, including your own, is no easy feat. During thisfun and productive workshop you will have the chance to assesshow things are going for you and your family; explore how youcan make your stay in Taiwan an enriching experience, and howyour Taiwan journey can be used to contribute meaningfully toyour future life. Refreshments included.

Sky Lanterns and Waterfalls: Pingxi Township and Shifen VillageWednesday, March 2nd 9 am - 3 pm; Fee: $1,600The first stop on this fun day tour is the beautiful Shifen Waterfall,the widest in Taiwan. It’s a great place to take some strikingphotos. From there we will go to the quaint Shifen village, partof the Pingxi township, famous for its annual sky lantern festival.There you will have the chance to decorate and send off yourown sky lantern (included in the tour fee). We will have time towander about the village and shop for souvenirs and local treats.For lunch, you may bring a packed lunch from home, or eat in one of Shifen’s cute little restaurants.

Museum of World ReligionsTuesday, February 23rd; 9:45am - 12:30pm; Fee:$650Master Hsin Tao, a revered Buddhist monk, is the founder of the Museum of World Religions. His goal was to educate people about religion, offer a place for interfaith dialogue to occur, and to encourage mutual understanding and respect for all faiths. Join the Center for an English guided tour of this

modern and beautifully designed museum, which, uniquely and tastefully displays the beliefs and ideals of ten major world religions. For anyone interested in staying afterwards for lunch (not included), there is a good vegetarian restaurant in the museum.

A percentage of all proceeds of items sold at the Gallery will go to the Center. Please remember that by displaying your items or shopping at the Gallery, you will be helping the Center to continue to provide valuable services to the international community.

The Garden of hopeA special collection of jewelry from the Garden of Hope’s Glass Bead Factory wil l be on display throughout the month of February. These lovely pieces have a touching story. Five years ago, the Garden of Hope established a workshop, in Hualien for the purpose of providing women and girls who

were victims of abuse with training, new skill sets and a means of earning a living through the art of glass bead jewelry.

Bai-win anTiques and Jewelry ColleCTionsOver the years, Bai-win has become wel l-known and respected for the quality of its antiques. With generous support from Faye Angevine, the Center will have several of her showroom and jewelry pieces displayed.

The CenTer’s arT GalleryFramed ink and water co lor Ch inese

paintings by world renowned artist Ah Pao (Chen Chao Pao) will augment the Center’s Art Gallery, along with art work by Yang Tze Tun and a mini-photo exhibition by Justine O’Neil.

feBruary 2016Gallery

HigHligHting Center ACtivities

Do you have a skill or talent that you would like to share?

Or have you found some great places around Taipei that you would like to take

others to see?

Then why not consider teaching a course or leading a tour for the Center? We are already thinking about our fall 2016 semester, and are seeking new instructors.

If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact Rosemary at [email protected].

THE CENTER NEEDS YOU!

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events about townMUSIC AND PERFORMANCEMadonna – The Rebel Heart TourFeb. 4 and 6 at 8 pmVenue: Taipei Arena2, Nanjing East Road, Sec. 4Tickets: www.madonna.com

Sappo LiveA cool, friendly laid-back music venue in downtown Taipei offering mic/jam sessions, live music, bar, dance floor and comfort food.Venue: B1, 1, Lane 102, An-He Rd., Sec. 1Tuesday to Sunday, 8 pm to 3 amFurther information: [email protected]

Super JuniorKorean punk rock band with high-end street dance choreography Feb. 13 at 7 pmVenue: Xinzhuang Gymnasium75, Zhonghua Road, Sec. 1, XinzhuangTickets: Viagogo.com

The Red RoomA performance venue and community not-for-profit organization for events.Venue: The Taiwan Air Force Base (TAF) Library, 2/F, 177, Sec. 1, Jianguo S. Road (intersection of Jianguo S. Rd. and Jinan Rd.) The entrance is located at the TAF side entrance. Proceed through the huge parking lot and the Red Room is near the back of the lot, in a white building on your left, on the second floor.09-179-67510 (Taj) http://redroomtaipei.tumblr.comFacebook: redroomtaipeiMRT: Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station, Exit 6. Walk east along Jinan Road and you’ll see the TAF entrance.

FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYSInternational Stuffed Mushroom Day Feb. 4Various restaurants around Taipei will be offering special stuffed mushroom entrees and snacks. This festival is especially popular among vegans and vegetarians.

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)The Year of the Fire Monkey Feb. 7 – 12 (national observance)

Lantern FestivalThis year more than a hundred floats complete with mechanical designs will be featured, including a giant lantern in the middle of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall plaza. Inside the plaza, hundreds of lanterns will be hung, depicting folklore animals, dragons, butterflies, birds and figures from the Chinese zodiac. It’s a time when Taipei is aglow with thousands of colorful lights.Feb. 20-29Chiang Kai-shek Memorial(02) 2343-1100www.cksmemorialhall.gov.tw

MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITIONSThe Taiwan National Palace Museum – Southern BranchThe newly opened museum’s grounds feature a rich landscape of tropical forests, artificial lakes, waterfront and recreational activities.Venue: Taibao City, Chiayi County Hours: 9 am to 5 pmVisitors must make appointments in advance at: npm.edu.tw (in Chinese only).Public transport: Take the High Speed Rail or a regular train to Chiayi station, and get a bus to the National Palace Museum.

Observance of the 228 Peace Memorial DayThe National 228 Memorial Museum54 Nanhai Road, Taipei(02) 2332-6228 Hours: 10 am – 5 pm (closed Monday)The 228 Peace Memorial Day observance commemorates the February 28, 1947 incident. In respect for those who lost their lives, flags throughout Taiwan will be flown at half-mast. The National 228 Memorial Museum will be open for visitors. This year’s day of remembrance will be observed on Feb. 29th, and will be a national holiday.

The Bopiliao Historic Neighborhood Block Heritage and Cultural CenterThis is a neighborhood of renovated shop houses, with buildings dating from the Qing and Japanese eras.101, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei

Tuesday to Sunday 9 am – 5 pm (Closed Mondays and national holidays)(02) 2336-1704 Admission: Free MRT: Take the MRT to Longshan Temple station. Exit and walk east for eight to ten minutes.

Tamsui Handmade Woodwork ExhibitionA wood and lacquer exhibition featuring new artists and professorsUntil Feb. 29Tamsui Customs WharfMRT: Take the Tamsui Line to Tamsui MRT station, then take bus R26 or 836 to Fort San Domingo. The Tamsui Customs Wharf and Museum is across the street.

TRAVEL AND ACTIVITIES AROUND TAIPEITourist Shuttle Bus Tourshttp://www.taiwantrip.com.tw Shuttle Bus Hotline: 0800-011-765.

An Eco-activity at the Beitou Culture FoundationGo back to a time when the mountains above Beitou were a major site for the indigo dye-making industry. Visit the Beitou Culture Foundation to participate in their DIY sessions in indigo-dye making. Be sure to call ahead for reservations.45-1, Zhongyang South Road, Sec. 1, Beitou(02) 2891-7453 www.ptcf.org.tw

The Jinbaoli Old Street Market Farm produce and specialty items can be found in this old neighborhood filled with fruit and home-grown produce stands and mouth-watering treats, including sweet potato cakes, sesame puff cakes, peanut candy and water bamboo shoots. This is a visit for those who have plenty of time.MRT: Take the MRT to the Tamsui

MRT station, then take bus 862 or 863 to the Jinshan Visitor Center.(02) 2498-8980

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S GROUPSThe Taipei International Women’s Club (TIWC)One of the oldest leading philanthropic volunteer women’s organizations in Taiwan. The organization is committed to fundraising, charity activities, the arts and the promotion of cross-cultural understanding.Event: Tuesday, Feb. 16, 10:45 am – 2 pm A Traditional Lunar New Year General Meeting & Luncheon Celebration. Guests welcome.Cost: Members NT$1000 , Non-members NT$1100Venue: 1F Grand Ball Room, Grand Victoria Hotel168 Jingye 4th Rd, Zhongshan District, TaipeiLuncheon reservations: [email protected]/[email protected]/[email protected]/

The TIWC Charity Gala DinnerDate: March 18thVenue: Shangri-la Far Eastern HotelGeneral information & updates: http://www.facebook.com/TIWC1951

THE CENTER BOOK CLUBST h e m o r n i n g a n d e v e n i n g b o o k c l u b s will be reading T h e D i n n e r by Herman Koch. Contact us for further information at [email protected] (morning meetings) or [email protected] (evening meetings).

HigHligHting Center ACtivities

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T aipei American School ended 2015 with a celebration of STEAM (Science, Technology, E n g i n e e r i n g , A r t a n d

Mathematics). Over the course of two days in November, 176 TAS lower school families found themselves in the lower school library with fun and exciting challenges ahead of them. For example, Grade 3 students and their families were tasked with creating a working iPad stylus or making a homemade Operation game, whereas Grade 5 students and their families were faced with building a piece of functional furniture out of cardboard. In some cases, families had little more to work with than common household items such as straws, glue, felt, and cardboard, while at other stations, family groups worked with advanced technology tools such as iPads, robots and 3D printers.

U n d a u n t e d b y t h e c h a l l e ng e s set before them, the students and their families tackled the projects and produced some very impressive results at the first annual lower school family Extreme STEAM event. It took place over the course of two days,

with developmentally appropriate sessions for Grades 1 and 2, Grades 3 and 4, and Grade 5 taking place at different times. This event showcased curriculum changes in STEAM and what the students have been learning in classrooms. For example, when Grade 3 students and families needed to build the stylus, they drew upon concepts in conductivity that the students had learned about in class.

Families attending with students in Grades 1 and 2 participated in general STEAM activities and learned about what the acronym STEAM represents. After learning about each discipline individually, the families began exploring the cross-disciplinary applications of STEAM. Families with students in Grades 3 and 4 divided up into stations where they assumed different “careers” in engineering. Some stations focused on structural or software engineering, while others entered the fields of mechanical or civil engineering. Lastly, in Grade 5, families had to build functional furniture, such as couches, shelves, or benches, with limited materials, by going through the Engineering Design Process.

The idea for Extreme STEAM began in the 2014-15 school year when a group of lower school teachers wanted to showcase the unique developments in STEAM educat ion. In addit ion, they wanted to create an event that was unique, fun, and involved the entire family, allowing parents to also experience STEAM in action. More teachers and the administrative team got behind the idea, resulting in this year’s successful event.

LS IT Coordinator Leanne Rainbow was thrilled with the entire program. “I loved the spirit of the entire event,” she reflected. “Everyone – children, parents and volunteers – were working together on the challenges, helping each other, listening to ideas and beaming with pride after a challenge was completed. It couldn’t have been more successful!”

Throughout the event, famil ies interacted with technology that is often used in the classroom. At one station, families used a MaKey MaKey to build a musical instrument. A MaKey MaKey is a piece of hardware that allows the user to turn everyday objects into a touchpad. In this case, one family drew, decorated and cut an elaborate violin out of a simple sheet of cardboard. They added strips of copper to the violin strings, attached the MaKey MaKey to the copper and a computer, wrote some code using Scratch, and voila! – they had a playable instrument!

STEAM has undergone many changes over the past few years, both around the world and at TAS. Extreme STEAM has allowed parents to not only see what their children were learning in the classroom, but also to work with them on the design process. At TAS, all three divisions have adopted the Engineering is Elementary workshop’s design process definition: ask, imagine, plan, create and improve. The design process was in full swing at the Extreme STEAM family event, with families taking home great memories, a sense of accomplishment, and in the case of some Grade 5 families, some very large cardboard furniture!

community - tas

Extreme STEAM Comes to the Taipei American School Lower School

TexT: MIChael O’NeIll, COMMuNICaTIONs OffICer IMage: Tas

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community - tes

T he Taipei European School (TES) annual Christmas Bazaar fundraiser was once again a very successful event. Thanks

to the efforts of countless volunteers and support from the community, the outcome was fantastic. TES is proud to announce that part of the proceeds will go to several charities and organizations, including the Community

Services Center, Harmony Home, the Garden of Mercy, TES Tabitha Project, and the City People Foundation.

This wonderful celebration of a European-style Christmas attracted more than 5,000 visitors, making it a hugely popular event. Christmas is one of the most important dates in the European calendar, and visitors were able to savor these traditions, being

welcomed by the teachers, parents, and friends of the school. Hand-crafted gifts were purchased, along with delicious international food. The flavors and fragrances of a European Christmas were intertwined with Taiwanese hospitality to make a truly memorable celebration.

Santa Claus took a break from his duties at the North Pole and made a special trip to Taipei. Enchanted c h i l d r e n a n d p a r e n t s h a d t h e i r photograph taken at Santa’s Photo Booth, creating a truly special memento of the day. Christmas handicrafts were available from many stalls and vendors, to enable visitors to take home a small piece of Christmas spirit.

Those attending the event enjoyed friendship from different continents and were enriched by being exposed to the traditions and cultures of the world’s people. One thing is certain: visitors to the Christmas Bazaar enjoyed a truly wonderful experience.

Taipei European School Christmas Bazaar

TexT & IMages: Tes

Worship Directory

anD community

Groups

Listings are now available online athttp://communitycenter.org.tw/life-in-taiwan/worship-directory and http://communitycenter.org.tw/life-in-taiwan/community-groups.

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T he star Wars craze has hit Taiwan, with many small stages set up for photo-ops of mini Jedi knights, as well as life-

sized posters from the latest film, The force awakens. These stages can be seen at many of Taipei’s department stores here in Taiwan along with street vendors peddling their wares of blue, green, and red lightsabers at the base of Taipei 101, Taiwan’s tallest building.

Caught up in the mag ic o f the story, I made plans to see The force awakens. My husband had already

seen it and I was plying him with questions. Mostly, I wondered, how is it that this story has fascinated the world for almost 40 years?

The holograms, the needle-sharp rays of a Jedi ship blasting forth at the speed of light, and especially the clash of a red on a blue lightsaber: these ahead-of-their-time film phenomena hooked millions of boys and girls onto the star Wars films going back to 1977, just as episode VII, The force awakens, is doing again in 2015.

But young boys and girls grow up,

and even though the low, throaty Mmmh, mmmh sound of a lightsaber opening on the big screen can still raise the hair on the arms of any original star Wars fan, it’s not those remarkable digital effects that will keep yesteryear’s and this year’s fans engrossed in the star Wars legacies, while awaiting the next episode.

No. The common thread of those stories that retain a throbbing pulse decade after decade is the shared themes that echo through generations: belonging, loss, the power of having a history with another person, the sting of mortality, the hope that stands in the face of one’s own most certain death. With these universal threads of the human heart, it is no wonder why star Wars episode VII made $1 billion dollars in the first twelve days of its global release.

While critics may bemoan the déjà vu throwbacks to the original star Wars film, the rich characterization that draws out the various themes once again is keeping adult fans pinned to their seats.

F i r s t t h e r e’s F N-2187, “F i n n.” Abducted as a child and forced to train as a Stormtrooper, there is something in him that rebels against the wanton killing of helpless villagers. In that first Stormtrooper battle scene, he is marked on his helmet by a handprint. This stroke of genius by George Lucas helps the audience distinguish Finn from the dozens of other carbon copy Stormtroopers. Not coincidentally, this symbol stands in front of what

community

TexT: TerrI l. Payk IMages: Web IMages

STAR WARS: The Force of Story

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i t s y m b o l i z e s : a n u n b l e m i s h e d conscience. Unlike the others, Finn cringes at murder, not only because he himself is afraid of death, giving him an “everyman” quality that endears us to him, but even more so because he knows that he is helpless to stop the slaughter of innocent people. And yet he also exercises the second area that distinguishes him from the other Stormtroopers: his will. He knows he is powerless to stop Ren, yet he chooses not to join the others.

Even Ren himself notices this, a brilliant director’s ploy that also turns our attention to it. We may tend to think of the white and black soldiers as less cute and much darker-minded m i n i o n s w h o m i n d l e s s l y fo l l o w whichever leader steers the helm at the time, but Lucas’s characterization of Finn shows us that every Stormtrooper has a choice. This power of choice humanizes Finn and draws us into his story. From the very first scene where we are introduced to Finn, we identify him as part of the Resistance, in motive if not yet in name.

Rey’s entrance into the story, with her waiting for a family that will never return, feels familiar to Star Wars fans. Earlier (later?) parallels to Anakin Skywalker could be made. Her attempt to shake off the puppy-like BB-8 flashes us back to Luke trying to rid himself of R2D2, yet critics should refrain from yelling “Déjà vu” too quickly. Sometimes the most enjoyable story is the one you already know the punch line to. Anticipation of the possibility

of a familiar certainty is one of the strongest types of foreshadowing, and it is partly these hints at the familiar that draw us into Rey’s part to play on the stage of the galaxy’s rise or fall.

Unlike Padmé, the main female role in Episodes I-III, Rey’s loneliness, with which Padmé also seemed to struggle, is paired with an earthy loyalty to good. At great cost to herself, for example, she enters into the fray against the Dark Side. The flashback/foreshadowing scene in the cave under the cantina of Maz Kanata is particularly poignant as Rey glimpses her past and sees a hint at the future. Even running to escape this future, she is drawn back into the fight against evil and, finally, into fighting with Ren himself.

Even as Ren offers her a chance to learn and be mentored by him, Rey is able to resist him. Unlike Padmé, whose loneliness overthrew her good sense and blinded her from seeing the depth of Anakin Skywalker’s hatred and anger, Rey’s sense of good enables her to clearly see that Ren has chosen to push out every last bit of l ight remaining in him. Like a similar decision made years previously, Rey refuses to join hands with the Dark Side. Her loneliness combined with her sense of courage to do what’s right in the face of great evil is admirable and makes her a memorable character, and one we hope to see again in future episodes. Thankfully, her last words to Finn assure us that we will.

Finally, the characterization of Hans Solo, which spans over three decades,

again points to the power of story. What is it about that grizzled face and matching voice that both grates on and allures us at the same time? Perhaps it is that despite his stubborn resolve to remain a loner, he seems drawn to the rescue of and relationship with the lonely (Chewbacca, Luke, and finally, Rey). Or maybe it is that in spite of his natural inclination toward self-preservation over self-sacrifice, time and time again he makes the choice to put himself in harm’s way to save another. Not much more can be said of “Solo” without marring the most memorable scene of him in Episode VII, except to quote what the best movie critic of all time has aptly said: “Greater love has no man than this, than that he lay down his life for his friends.” Fans, and possibly Episode VIII, will tell whether he made the right decision in that striking scene.

Having grown up in a sheltered home where our television diet consisted mostly of The Flintstones and Hockey N i g h t i n C a n a d a , I h a d n’t b e e n introduced to Star Wars until I was 19 years old, twenty years after the release of the first film. I was captivated by the stories and plagued my then boyfriend (w h o i s n o w my h u s b a n d), w i t h questions about them. Who was Leah? Would she and Luke fall in love? How were Luke and Darth Vader connected? Thankfully, he was as tight-lipped about the Star Wars secrets then as he was last night. He knew I was planning to see Episode VII this morning and I had been pestering him with questions. His response last night was “You’ll see.” In other words, “Just let the Star Wars story work its magic on you.” And it did. All over again.

T e r r i P a y k i s a p r o u d Canadian who has made Taiwan her second home since 2009. She is crazy about the energetic middle s ch o o le r s t o w h o m s h e teaches English at Morrison Academy in Taipei. Her interests include playing with her two kids, learning Chinese, reading murder mysteries, and teaching herself the guitar.

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Community

TRENDY TAIPEI: Cafe Hopping with Taipei foodie

W hen it comes to cafés in Taipei, the options can be overwhelming. Despite the hours spent

on narrowing down my options, Taipei’s impressively diverse café culture is what I love the most about the city. In recent years, there has been a real boom in Taipei’s obsession with trendy cafes, bringing many new and exciting things. Taipei is now jam-packed with all types of cafes. From cute, girly themed ones to the hipster, industrial or even quirky spots, they are everywhere! Each and every one has its own unique characteristic and distinctive style, and you never know what awaits you around the next corner.

I began my foodie adventures here in early 2014, and they have become a weekly routine for me. Taipei offers a wide variety of places to go, both day and night, with its convenient metro system, making it a perfect hub for café hopping.

The most interesting cafés are often tucked away in quiet alleys. Coffee Megane is one of those places. The smart niche interior, with a unique old-town Japanese touch and a warm

and subtle wooden palette, is an escape from the buzz of Taipei city life. Megane is Japanese for “eyeglasses,” and inside there is a glass cabinet filled with vintage glasses, and other random curiosities are on display. Don’t miss the matcha latte and the delicious waffles. It’s the ideal place to go if you are looking for some quiet alone time.

Another similar but more modern place is Café De Riz, near Liuzhangli MRT station. Café De Riz combines coffee and sushi bar, and also serves various tasty sweets such as hojicha crème brûlée and lemon cake, served in a clean and sophisticated interior. A great place to swing by for a little afternoon pick-me-up!

Speaking of a nice inter ior, I’m always drawn to cafés with good natural lighting, white marble tables,

and outdoor seating. The first café off my trendy interior list is One Fifteen. It won my heart after just one glance. In Taipei’s buzzing East District, One Fifteen offers a fresh and elegant Mediterranean taste, rarely seen

TexT & images: LesLie Liu

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among the city’s countless other cafés. The design resembles a greenhouse, with windows that let in plenty of light and shades of green from outside, making it a very relaxing place to dine on a sunny day.

Another secret favorite of mine is Taimo Café. Taimo has a gorgeous interior that gives it a great sense of style, with minimalist table settings, leather couches, and mix-and-match wooden chairs. The ambiance is very laid-back, with a California vibe which reminds me of those summer houses in Newport Beach. Taimo has a spacious outdoor area and their French windows allow plenty of sunshine in. A true hidden gem.

Just one MRT station away, Stoppage Time, tucked in the neighborhood near Taipei University, is an endearing, cozy

little eatery, with its two turquoise bar stools outside, straight out of a Kinfolk magazine, the giant open kitchen window, and a movie projector that plays movies or soccer games from time to time. Stoppage Time earns accolades for serving homemade sweets that will please both your eyes and palate. They’re open t i l l 11 pm Monday through Sunday. Definitely a good place to linger!

Besides the cafés mentioned earlier, which are mostly located in Da An District, there is one area in Taipei where I could spend all afternoon: the Minsheng community, one of my favorite areas on the weekends. From trendy cafés to creative boutiques, it has a much slower pace than other areas of the city, with a number of chic cafés with an urban vibe. Some of my

Coffee Megane 6, Lane 52, Siwei Road, Da’an District 台北市大安區四維路52巷6號

Café De Riz 9, Lane 119, Section 3, Heping E Rd, Da’an District 台北市大安區和平東路3段119巷9號

One Fifteen92, Da'an Rd, Section 1, Da’an District 台北市大安區大安路1段92號

Taimo Café 345, Jiaxing Street, Da’an District 台北市大安區嘉興街345號

Stoppage Time30, Alley 15, Lane 96, Section 2, Heping East Road, Da’an District台北市大安區和平東路2段96巷15弄30號

Fujin Tree 353355 Fujin Street, Songshan District台北市松山區富錦街355號

Afterhours Café17-1, Yanshou Street, Songshan District台北市松山區延壽街17-1號

All Day Roasting Company329, Yanshou Street, Songshan District台北市松山區延壽街329號

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favorites are: Fujin Tree 353 by Simple Kaffa, Afterhours, and All Day Roasting Company.

Fujin Tree 353 is a café that belongs to a company behind several popular restaurants, cafés, and stylish boutiques in Minsheng community. It sits quietly on Fujin Street, which I consider to be one of the most beautiful streets in Taipei, with lots of greenery. Fujin Tree 353 has a slightly industrial design, mixed with warm wooden earthy texture, and a f lower shop is also included in the store.

Afterhours is another place that calls for total relaxation. The dessert menu changes daily, and the banana toffee tart and French toasts are to die for.

Last but definitely not least, All Day Roasting Company seems like the place cool kids go nowadays, because of the nice industrial décor that doubles as a perfect photo-taking spot, and the eclectic selection of food and desserts, which are extremely Instagram-friendly. If you are a sucker for an industrial-themed café, look no further. All Day is well-known for its wide selection

of coffee, importing various famous oversea brands. Coffee lovers can rest assured their favorite cup of coffee wil l taste even better in this cozy atmosphere.

Taipei Foodie is a foodie i n s t a g r a m a c c o u n t c reated by Les l ie L iu, documenting a 23-year-old girl's foodie takes on Taipei one bite at a time

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W hat makes us live long and happy lives? This question was the basis of a Harvard research

project that began 75 years ago, and the results are available on a ted.com talk by Robert Waldinger. Was it high achievement? Was it fame or financial wealth? No; the study has concluded that it is having good relationships with other people. Having high quality relationships with others is more likely to lead us to happiness, health and well-being than making lots of money, having a good job, or becoming famous, which seems to be a common goal for many young people and adults today.

We think of our quality relationships primarily as the bonds we share with our family members. The family is the center of the system that supports and nurtures us. The bond is lifelong and although at times complicated, i t’s secure, because it’s based on u n a l i e n a b l e k i n s h i p. T h at i s t h e traditional mindset for most people.

DisconnecteDBut what about expats in Taiwan?

W h a t a b o u t t h o s e w h o h a v e immigrated to Taiwan, leaving family and extended family relationships elsewhere? Whatever the reason may be for their radical change of venue - being lured by career opportunities, captivated by a sense of adventure and curiosity, or seeking a place of refuge for healing from physical or spiritual pain - is it a given that these newcomers (or o ldcomers) must

necessarily be denied those quality family relationships that Waldinger says can lead to happiness and longevity?

After arriving in Taiwan, the euphoria or cultural shock eventually wears off or calms down. But still, even if we move forward, gaining insights and developing cultural understanding, we may continue to feel our relationships are more formal or casual than we want. We may continue to feel like we are holding our breaths, living in a bubble, or experience a lingering, low-grade depression. How can we gain that quality of relationship that replaces the original family or home that we abandon or lack?

ReconnecteDThe answer may lie in a book, The

Animal Family by Randall Jarrell, that was once gifted to me. In the story a boy and a hunter are stranded on an island, forever cut off from their past lives. As the boy mourns the loss of family and home, the animals that live on the island come forward, one by one, and offer to become part of a new family. The boy changes his perspective and “refamilies” himself. As a result he ends up with a wonderful caring family.

As expats, we have the opportunity to redefine family as well. We can create new, significant relationships that give us the support, relevance, responsibilities and challenges of any closely knit family. Bloodlines are not as important as commitment and caring for one another.

B i c u l t u r a l i s m e x p a n d s o u r

perspective and provides an open s o u r c e f o r u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d s u p p o r t i n g o t h e rs. I n s t u d y i n g history, I noted that the most dynamic movements in the past came about when cultures met at a crossroads, fed into and challenged one another. This resulted in renewed energy and creativity. In literature some of the greatest novels are those written by bi-cultural writers. Look at the m o v e m e n t t o w a r d e c o-v i l l a g e s, communal living, networking to share resources, time, and support to others. I think this natural hunger for relevance and connection are necessary for human happiness.

If, instead of focusing on traditional concepts of what family is, was, or should be, we look forward to ways to “re-family” ourselves, we have a lot to gain. Although our own families may be far away, we can still gift ourselves with the benefits of health, longevity and happiness.

TexT: MAriAn Angele iMAge: web iMAge

Re-familying

Marian, a retired comparative literature professor (at Ming Chuan, NTUST), lives in Garden Cit y, X indian. She came to Taiwan in 2002, and stayed because she loves the island, the people who live here, the wonderful fruit, the possibilities of personal growth, friendships, permaculture gardening, and painting.

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F ood, food and even more food! Among many notable things in countries, where f o o d h a s a l w a y s b e e n a

cultural centerpiece, Taiwan is a leader. In fact, Taiwan has earned the international reputation as having the best cuisine in Asia.

However, Taiwan’s food culture is so much more than its cuisine. Coffee shops, bistros and gastropubs continue to boom all across the country as they try to accommodate Taiwan’s custom of brunch groups and food gatherings – emblematic of Taiwan’s friendly, worry-free and content lifestyle. Many of these brunch groups and food gathering groups join together sharing information through blogs, in search of a serene and quiet place to either chat about the latest gossip, explore different cuisines, or to simply just eat.

The young and trendy have expanded their creative and innovative mindset a b o u t f o o d a n d h a v e v e n t u r e d i n to t h e s o p h i s t i c ate d wo r l d o f gastronomy – where their focus is not just about food or its cuisine but on how their experience caters to their

creative minds, even if their focus is subconscious or unintentional. The search for youth and vibrancy is vital in Taiwan’s “strawberry generation” as many like to call today’s millennials.

A restaurant’s food, interior design a n d o v e ra l l a t m o s p h e r e a r e a l l ingredients (pun intended) for the cultivation of ideas and concepts that may ultimately change the landscape of Taiwan’s youth culture and its economic drive for years to come, albeit even if the youth themselves are unaware of this. And even if all this does not come to mind, at least they will still be

satisfied by the good food. Together wi th my f r iends who

are back from their first semester at university and sick of mediocre dorm food, along with the West’s sub-par Asian cuisine (What is orange chicken anyway?!). We set out on a food exploration in search of what Taiwan’s hippest places had to offer us.

woolloomooloo With branches in Xinyi, Ximending

a n d F u j i n , Wo o l l o o m o o l o o i s a restaurant that challenges the idea of a generic coffee shop by branding itself as a haven of ultimate comfort and hospitality. Upon arriving at the Xinyi branch, my friends and I were greeted by the overwhelming aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet essence of their desserts.

TexT & IMages: JOse CalPITO

Taiwan’s Food Culture - The Trendy and the Street Markets

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However, what was most striking was the inter ior des ign. Wooden benches that stretched the entire length of the restaurant were used instead of chairs and the rest of the restaurant was lit by the tungsten light that reflected off the many pieces of wooden furniture, exuding a casual dining experience. Yet, even with all the light that enveloped the first floor area, what stood out for us was the restaurant’s great use of natural light on the second floor, where clear full-sized windows allowed rays of sunlight to saturate all four sides of the room.

In addition, outside the second floor was a small balcony that featured more tables and benches for customers in search of a l itt le more privacy. Although the inside of the restaurant was decorated using wooden and

metal, it was the balcony design that caught our attention.

Long vines with a wide array of different plants were carefully and tastefu l ly pos i t ioned around the balcony walls, serving as a natural and scenic refuge for those who prefer a quieter dining experience. It was a perfect “secret garden” offering a small escape from the hustle and bustle of the large city.

We al l agreed that beneath the façade of this shop’s casual dining e x p e r i e n c e w a s a n e l e m e n t o f sophistication deriving not from just the interior design, but from the people walking in and out of the restaurant. The customers entering seemed to have a colorful and vibrant sense of style, confidence, and bravado, which brought the restaurant to life.

The food at the Woolloomooloo Xinyi shop was second to none. The menu was comprised of traditional Western dishes that satisfied our stomachs’ cravings without feeling too heavy or being completely drenched in oil like in many other Taiwan restaurants. The pesto pastas that we ordered were served with a rich homemade sauce.

The sandwiches were light on our stomachs but satisfying nevertheless, and were complimented with a side order of fresh vegetables drizzled generously with a sweet and tangy vinaigrette (although we wished that their servings were slightly larger to correspond to the price). Even though my friends and I did not order any meat entrees, we were completely satisfied with what we chose.

Our drinks were fruit-based (no alcohol for us!). Everything was fresh, organic and natural. Nothing seemed to be premade, and all was conducive to the satisfaction of the young and trendy.

Desserts and pastries were all very tempting, but due to lack of funds and our bloated stomachs, we could only stare in awe at them, as they were pulled freshly baked from on-site ovens.

Combined with its scrumptious menu and minimalist wooden design, the Xinyi Woolloomooloo provides an environment that is prefect for today’s youth. With its unique menu items and an elegant interior, the restaurant proves to be a prime example that challenges the current restaurant or coffee shop norm of what is found in Taipei. For us, it offered a different ambiance and place we would return to…for simply chilling out.

shilin niGhT markeTTake our experiences at the Xinyi

Woolloomooloo and flip them upside down and turn them inside out. This is what our visit was like when we went to the Shilin Night Market. Knowing that this night market is a highlight for

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community

tourists visiting Taipei, we wanted to revisit this important cultural landmark, just for fun and before heading back to college.

From the calm and serene air in the Xinyi Woolloomooloo coffee shop to the crowded, loud and pungent stench of the night market (thanks to the foul smell of stinky tofu), we set out on another food exploration, going into the depths of the Shilin Night Market. We were on a mission to find Taiwan’s most authentic and most delicious and incredibly cheap night market specialties.

Through the busy streets, trying to avoid constantly bumping shoulders with the crowds, we finally made it to our first stop – Taipei’s famous fried chicken steak shop (台灣大雞排店). This Taiwanese food staple has been the symbol of Taiwanese street/night market food for decades. With its crispy exterior and juicy and succulent meat inside, the Taiwanese fried chicken steak is hard to resist. However, its immense flavor and affordability comes at a price. The queue for one we selected caused us to wait by the side of the road squeezed together like sardines in a can. But it was worth the wait.

Eat ing, as we walked along the narrow lanes of the night market, we came across another Taiwanese food icon. Though small, this shop featured many finger foods that can be easily eaten. Shops offering such quick-bite snacks are known in Chinese as luwei (滷味). They offer a savory variety of snacks such as bean curd, mushrooms, sausages, cabbages and squid balls, which are al l braised in the same flavored broth – giving off a tangy or sweet flavor and when fried are slightly

brown in color. There are other types of luwei shops that offer delicious selections with noodles. In addition to our savory night market snack stops, we visited some popular milk bubble tea and lemon juice vendors, to help us to wash down all the food that we were eating.

We eventually made our way to a small local eatery just on the outskirts of the night market, where we ordered fish ball soup (魚丸湯 yuwan tang) and dried noodles with red sauce (乾麵 gan mian). As we chatted and munched our way through our meal, my friends and I could not help but feel appreciative of the Shilin Night Market and all that it offers. Despite the development of new restaurants and other food spots across the city, night markets still have a timeless quality about them.

Interestingly enough, even with all the craze and chaos of the night market scene, they have proved to be a sustainable cultural item for Taiwan and emblematic of the lifestyles of Taiwan city life. Maybe this is why we enjoy going back to our cultural roots, when we are back in Taiwan.

lookinG forward and GlanCinG BaCk

Taiwan’s food culture has proven to be changing as the years go by.

I ts coffee shops, gastropubs and restaurants have all escalated to cater to a certain way of dining, thus, making this trend an attractive focal point for innovation and entrepreneurship within Taiwan’s economy.

In addition, these new food trends have also proven to be attractive to Taiwan’s youth – where the minimalist interior and the simplistic fine dining are all representative of the youth’s viewpoint and perspective of the world of fashion, trends and innovation.

However, despite the new things just around the corner, the country’s food culture has maintained its integrity and character through its timeless food spots such as the night markets – giving many the opportunity to catch a breath, step back and gander at the busy streets as well as enjoy the taste of pure and authentic Taiwanese history through the flavors of the best street food that the country has to offer.

Taiwan has proven to be an alluring place for the young, adventurous and most definitely hungry – where the country and its people continue to elevate the standards of gastronomy and casual dining. However, despite the country’s venture into the new and trendy, through my short experience, its food culture has taught me one valuable thing: being able to look forward provides a strong cal l of adventure, but it is always good to be able to take a backward glance every once in a while.

Jose Calpito is a 2015 graduate of the Taipei European School and will be a student at the University of Melbourne, in Australia. His hobbies include photography, video editing and basketball.

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outlook

D o you enjoy being out in nature? Have birdsongs or the changing colors of fall ever brought a smile to your

face? Do you sometimes dream about leaving your phone behind and going camping in the wilderness? If you are like most people, the answer to one or more of these question is “yes.”

Humans have an inclination towards enjoying nature, whether it's hiking deep in a national park, or just appreciating the view of trees through a window. Recently, psychologists have been studying the benefits of spending time in nature, and now understand much more about the harm that results from a lack of contact with the natural world.

In his book biophil ia (1984), the biologist Edward O. Wilson developed an idea called the biophilia hypothesis. He believes that human beings have a natural love of life in all its forms, an innate tendency to appreciate and connect with people, animals, and plants. Wilson described biophilia as the “connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life.” Before the invention of modern technologies, we humans spent most of our lives in direct contact with the natural world, relying on plants and animals to meet our needs for food, shelter, and clothing.

Psychologists have conducted a number of studies that support the b iophi l ia hypothes is. In genera l, the more time people spend doing activities in nature (including walking, running, hiking, and gardening), the more likely they are to have more energy, a longer attention span, feel less angry or sad, and have lower blood pressure and cortisol levels.

Even though being in nature helps us feel refreshed and energized, people around the world are spending less

and less time in nature. One reason for this trend is urbanization. Currently, just over half the world's population lives in cities. In 1950, this figure was 30%, while the United Nations projects that in 2050 around 70% of the Earth’s people will live in cities.

Another reason is the computer screen. The fact that people spend a good portion of each day looking at electronic displays of various sizes shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. When we have access to the entirety of human knowledge on a screen in our hand, or can binge-watch an entire season of a TV show online, it’s quite easy to forget to take a walk.

Rates of cl inical depression and anxiety have steadily increased over the last few decades. This trend can be partly explained by better awareness and screening, but it's also likely that people these days are simply more anxious and sad than before. There are some good reasons why people feel this way - the average worker today has less job security than a generation ago, and traditional communities and ways of life are disappearing, replaced in large part by consumerism and interactions with other people that happen mainly through digital screens. Still, examining our relationship to nature can give us some valuable insight to understanding how we feel much of the time.

The term “nature deficit disorder” w a s c o i n e d b y R i c h a r d L o u v, a psychologist who wrote the popular books The Nature Principle and last Child in the Woods: saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Nature deficit disorder (NDD) isn't meant to be a medical diagnosis. Instead, Louv hoped that this term would be an accurate description of how it feels when we don't have regular access to our natural environment. NDD includes

issues such as stress, depression, short attention span and poor health, and is also related to clinical disorders such as ADHD in children.

The harmful effects of a lack of access to nature are good reasons to re-consider how we spend our time. Have you stopped to think about the balance of inside time and outside time in your life? The next time you find yourself stressed out, consider your options for being out in nature.

You can experience the benefits of nature without leaving your home. S ta r t i n g a s m a l l ga rd e n o n yo u r balcony or rooftop is a convenient option for many people. Research shows that hav ing indoor p lants or p ictures of nature prov ides a restorative feel ing. Even thinking back to a time you were in the great outdoors can have a similar effect.

Perhaps you can also explore your neighborhood. Large parks are not always easy to find in Taipei, but nearly every neighborhood has a green space of some sort. Taipei has a fantastic system of riverside parks and trails which are great for walking, running, and biking. Taipei is also surrounded by many beautiful mountains, which are crisscrossed by mountain roads and hiking trails. A surprising number of places are accessible by public transportation. Richard Saunders' books (yangmingshan: the guide and Taipei escapes volumes 1 and 2; all published by the Center) give maps and descriptions of many beautiful hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous, all within easy reach of Taipei city.

NATURE AND MENTAL HEALTHTexT: MIChael Mullahy IMage: Web IMage

Michael Mullahy resides in Taipei and has recently completed a a Master's degree in Counseling. He enjoys hiking, running and traveling in his free time.

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20

O nce upon a t ime, 3,000 years ago in ancient China, there lived two gods. These gods, according to legend,

were revered by the people because of their abilty to control evil spirits.

Each year in spr ing, charms or talismans made from the red wood of the peach tree were given out with the names of these two gods written on them. Powerful protection during the coming year would be enjoyed by those who had possession of these talismans.

ConTinuinG leGendsAnother version of this legend and

the Zhou dynasty (1046 – 256 BC) practice of using peach boards with inscriptions on them is the belief that peach trees could ward off or subdue evil happenings or entities. It is said that when a rooster sits and crows at dawn in a peach tree, it has the power

to call back to the underworld all the wandering ghosts of the evening.

In front of the entrance to the underworld are stationed two guards with mystical powers by the names of Shentu and Yulei. If any ghosts trying to return to the underworld have harmed people during their nightly visits to earth, then these guards will kill and feed them to the wild beasts of the forest for breakfast. So, people hung wooden peach boards in front of the doors to their homes with the names of these two guards on them.

In Taoism, these tal ismans are considered necessary to protect one from the malice of wandering spirits or ghosts and are called fu or taofu. Each talisman’s power is different, and serves a specific purpose. Illustrations are drawn on the wooden peach boards to ask the gods for protection for households, to improve crop yield, to foster good relationships or to bring good health and luck to those under their protection.

According to a Ten Kingdom-era legend, Meng Chang (919 – 965) emperor of Later Shu, is credited with writing the first recorded peach board example of a spring couplet (poem) for the Lunar Chinese New Year, one which

emphasized that spring was a time of celebration and festivity.

sprinG CoupleTsSpring taofu inscriptions on wooden

peach tree wood were replaced by red paper during the Song dynasty (960 – 1279 AD). This custom of writing good wishes became so popular that according to folklore, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD) proclaimed that every family should compose scrolls of spring festival couplets and paste them on either side and over the main entrance of their homes during the Spring Festival, a custom that continues today.

The auspicious Chinese characters “春 ” ( c h u n ; s p r i n g ) o r “福 ” ( f u ; h a p p i n e s s , g o o d f o r t u n e ) a r e prevalently seen in papercuts, greeting cards and Lunar Chinese New Year pictures. They are usual ly pasted upside-down to show the viewer that spring and good fortune have arrived for the occupants of that particular household.

Spr ing couplets that are hand-written are highly personalized artistic creations. The couplets often reflect poetic associations. Traditional couplets

community

FEBRUARY 2016 www.communitycenter.org.tw

thE CoUPLEts oF sPRinGTexT: sue babCOCk IMages: Web IMages

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that are done with a brush and ink and require excellent calligraphy skills.

For those living and working with the earth, an example of spring festival couplets for the upper scroll may be, “Spring returns; the land becomes warm”; the lower scroll, “Luck arrives; the people become cheerful” and for the horizontal scroll which is pasted over the top of the doorway, “Luck is coming”.

readinG sprinG CoupleTsFirst, look at the horizontal scroll. If

the scroll’s characters are written from left to right then the upper scroll will be placed to the left of the door and the lower scroll will be on the right. If the horizontal scroll’s characters are reversed then the upper and lower scrolls will be read from right to left.

plaCemenT and removal of sprinG CoupleTs

Generally, the placement and pasting of spring couplets is done before New Year’s Eve, with the best time being between 1 pm and 3 pm on the 29th day of December of the lunar calendar.

The correct order is to paste the upper scroll first, followed by the lower and horizontal scrolls. Removal of the spring couplets varies. In remote areas of China, they are not removed until the following Lunar New Year, even though they may become tattered by the elements. However, nowadays many people remove them after the Lantern Festival.

findinG The perfeCT sprinG CoupleT

Taipei is a treasure box when it comes to finding the perfect spring couplet scrolls for your home or office. Begin your pre-Lunar New Year search by looking for calligraphy tables set up at traditional market sites, such as Di Hua Street, the Wanda Road Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market next to the Taipei Fish Wholesale Market, the Dongmen Market on the corners of Jinshan South Road and Xinyi Road, or the Beitou Old Street Market.

T h e Ta i p e i C o n f u c i u s Te m p l e always offers free Chinese New Year calligraphy, two weeks before Chinese New Year Eve. Spring couplets are

prepared by members of the ROC Society of Cal l igraphy Education. However, be ready for huge crowds and long lines in front of the temple’s holiday calligraphy tables; get there early in the morning, around 8:30 am. You may even get lucky and go home with a hand-brushed spring couplet on brightly covered gold speckled red paper written expressively for you, by a famous calligrapher.

For inquiry please contactwww.facebook.com/bonjujuchocolatesT: 02-2711-6126M: 0932 002 048

Gaoliang Bomb (Red) Tea Liquor (Blue)

Suzan Babcock is a long-time resident of Taiwan. During her stay here, she has managed four successful careers in educat ion, c ross -cu l tura l re lat ions and counsel ing, although being a mother has been her favorite.

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culture

India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Since Taiwan has a large Indian populat ion, we would l ike to

share some examples of India’s unique cultures and traditions with the readers of Centered on Taipei.

India is one of the largest democratic countries in the world. Its joint family systems, diversified festivals and foods give it a special mystique: one that is exclusive to south Asia.

Indians are proud of their traditions, such as the joint family system. This traditional approach to family has several advantages; one being its tradition to mentor. Younger members o f the fami ly a re encouraged to interact with their seniors and to learn from their experience. It is through this process that a sense of respect develops between them.

Another tradition found within India is its welcoming approach to different streams of thought. Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, Buddhism, Khalsa Pant (Sikhism) a n d C h r i s t i a n i t y a re a m o n g t h e religions that have existed within India over the centuries, while being allowed to prosper without bias. Our culture teaches tolerance and we have not tried to enforce any specific religion onto the masses. We have progressed

because of this. M a r r i a g e s i n I n d i a a r e j o y f u l

occas ions, f i l led with r i tuals and celebrations that usually continue for several days. Although most Indian marriages are “arranged,” which means that the families find brides or grooms for those that are eligible for marriage, some couples in the urban areas consummate “love marriages.”

The traditional Indian wedding is about two famil ies being brought together socially. One of the most important and necessary parts of a traditional Indian wedding is the application of henna.

Henna which is popularly known as mehndi in India, is a paste that is bought in a cone-shaped tube. Henna refers to the dye prepared from the flowering henna plant which is applied to the body in the form of elaborate designs.

However, until a few years ago, henna was only applied to the palms and feet of women in keeping with ritual wedding and festival traditions. Men also received henna designs for their weddings.

Today, henna designs have become trendy fashion statements for both men and women. People are expressing their creativity by designing from the basic henna designs and symbols their own

TexT: AdArsh shArmA And ruChikA mAheshwAri imAges: AdArsh shArmA, ruChikA mAheshwAri And web imAges

Sharing India with Taiwan: Its many cultures and traditions

Hena design by adarsh Sharma

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henna tattoos. Depending on a person’s personal preference, each elegant henna design will be a personal art form of expression.

Aside from the traditional Indian mehndi, many other world cultures also use henna designs, including Arabia, Pakistan and Africa, and some of these designs are even the same as the traditional bridal patterns found in India.

Food plays a very important cultural role within India. Indian cuisine may be broadly classified into four major regions: east, west, north and south.

East Indian cuisine (as the name suggests) is mostly prepared by the people residing in the eastern regions of India. Simplicity is the keyword for the ingredients that are used, and steaming or f ry ing are most common food preparation methods. Rice is a staple, and no other region in India can rival the sweets and desserts found in this region.

West Indian cuisine is known for its spices. Because of its hot and dry climate, this region probably has the most diverse style of food preparations within the whole of India.

Culturally, the cuisine is influenced by the Hindu religion, and by vegetarian

practices. The small variety of available grown vegetables is often preserved as pickles and chutneys.

Rajasthani food is spicy, while Gujrati food is known for its slight touch of sweetness, for it is a routine practice to add at least a pinch of sugar to most dishes.

Malvani food uses fresh coconut as a base for hot and sour curries, including fish and seafood; whereas Goan food is rich, piquant and flavored strongly with coconut, red chillies and vinegar.

N o r t h I n d i a n c u i s i n e , w h i c h , c o m p a r e d t o i t s s o u t h e r n o r eastern counterparts, has received strong Central Asian influences, is distinguished by the propotionally high use of dairy products; milk, paneer (cottage cheese), ghee (clarified butter) and yogurt are the commonly used ingredients. Other ingredients include chillies, saffron and nuts.

The Mughal influence has resulted in meat-eating habits among many Indians living in the north. Lentils and a wide variety of flour for making bread are prepared daily.

South Indian cuisine is rice-based. Rice is combined with lentils to make wonderful dosas (crepes), idlis (patties),

We would like to share the following recipe:

Pav Bhaji – Bread with vegetablesPreparation time: 25 to 30 minutesCooking time: 25 to 30 minutes Level of cooking: easyServes four people

Ingredients4 medium potatoes4 medium tomatoes¼ small cauliflower 2 medium onions8 to 10 gloves of garlic1 inch piece of fresh ginger1 medium green bell pepper3 to 4 green chilies¼ cup of shelled green peas¼ cup of fresh coriander leaves2 lemons3 T of oil 1 ½ T. Pav bhaji masala3 T butter8 slices pav or breadsalt to taste

PreparationStep 1Boil, cool, peel and grate potatoes. Wash and finely chop tomatoes. Wash and grate cauliflower. Peel, wash and finely chop onion. Peel and wash ginger, garlic and grind to a fine paste.Step 2Wash and halve bellpepper. Remove seeds and finely chop. Wash green chilies, remove stems and finely chop.Step 3Clean fresh coriander leaves, wash and finely chop. Wash and boil the green peas in salted water till soft, drain and mash lightly and keep aside. Cut lemons into wedges.Step 4Heat oil in a pan and add three-quarters of the chopped onions. Sauté till light brown. Add chopped green chilies and ginger garlic paste. Stir-fry for half a minute.

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vadas (fried patties), and uttapams (pancakes). These food i tems are glorious and delicious and are especially nourishing and easy to digest, due to the fermentation process. We strongly urge you to serve them with sambhar (lentil), rasam (tamarind lentil), dry and curried vegetables and pachadi (yogurt).

Other rice preparations such as biryani from Hyderabad, lemon rice and rice seasoned with coconut, peanuts, tamarind, chillies, curry leaves, lentil and fenugreek seeds, are also highly recommended.

Popular south Indian beverages such as coconut water straight from the coconut and Madras coffee are commonly served not only in southern India but throughout the world.

Indian spices and herbs are essential for good health.

Common uses include:1. Holy basil – for fighting infections

and to boost immunity.2. Ginger – reduces nausea and has

anti-inflammatory properties.3. Fenugreek – improves the control

of blood sugar.

4. Turmeric – contains curcumin with powerful anti-inflammatory effects

5. Fennel – good for digestion.6. Cumin seeds – aid in digestion,

improve the immunity and are used in the treatment of piles, insomnia, respiratory disorders, skin disorders and boils.

Step 5Add half the chopped tomatoes and cook on medium heat for three to four minutes, stirring continuously or till oil separates from the masala. Add chopped bellpper, boiled and lightly mashed peas, grated cauliflower, grated boiled potatoes.Step 6Bring to a boil and simmer for ten minutes, pressing with the back of the spoon a few times, until all the vegetables are completely mashed. Add pav bhaji masala, salt and the rest of the chopped tomatoes. Cook on medium heat for two minutes, stirring.Step 7Heat half of the butter in a thick-bottomed pan or a tawa. Slice the pav horizontally into two pieces and pan-fry them in butter for half a minute, pressing two or three times or until the pav is crisp and light brown.Step 8Garnish the bhaji with chopped coriander leaves, remaining butter and serve hot with pav, accompanied with remaining chopped onion and lemon wedges.

Adarsh Sharma has lived in Taiwan for seventeen years, and has ten years of experience as a beautician. She finds life in Taiwan joyful and full of learning experiences.

Ruchika Maheshwari comes f ro m a t rad i t i o n a l I n d i a n family and loves lots of people a ro u n d h e r , a n d m e e t i n g interesting people. Ruchika is a fashion designer by profession and currently has an online business specializing in kids’ and women's clothing.

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It’s a crying shame that so few natural, undeveloped hot springs remain in Taiwan. Apart from

three in Yangmingshan and a pair of very fine ones along the North Cross-island Highway in Taoyuan City, almost all of Taiwan’s beautiful remaining untouched hot spring sources lie along the east coast of the island. Among these is Lisong Hot Springs (栗松溫泉) in Taitung County, a fairly short but very steep walk down from the South Cross-island Highway (highway 20).

Set in a narrow and beautiful gorge, the hot, mineral-rich water emerges from the rocky cliff above the river, staining it an enchanting combination of white, cream and green. I t’s a stunning spot and is often regarded as the most beautiful hot spring in Taiwan. This isn’t absolutely true (there are a number of equally enchanting natural hot springs around the island), but it’s a very rewarding place to visit, and certainly a lot easier to reach than many of the others.

To get to the hot springs, a narrow,

potholed lane f rom the h ighway descends into the deep gorge below. At the end of the lane, a steep dirt trai l continues down through the undergrowth and into the wooded gorge. It’s a 45-minute clamber (with

ropes all the way) down to the stream just below the narrow gorge hiding the hot spring. Safely at the river bank, turn left, upstream and walk (or wade) up for a couple of minutes to the hot spring, in the cliffs on the left. Here seven or eight small sources of hot water in the cliff above the river seep hot, mineral-rich water which has stained the rock a range of greens, creams and whites. When the water in the river is low, it’s possible to walk up to the base of the cliff at the hot springs, and with rocks dam a small pool for a soak. The return hike is a long, steep haul, however and a killer if you’ve just had a relaxing hot spring soak, so take it slowly!

Lisong hot springs TexT & IMages: rICharD sauNDers

RICHARD SAUNDERS EXPLORES TAIWAN'S LESS-TRODDEN PATHS

For more ideas on places to go and things to see in Taiwan, visit Off the Beaten Track at http://taiwandiscovery.wordpress.com/

richard saunders is a trained classical musician and writer who has lived in Taipei since 1993. he has written several books (available at the Center and in bookshops around Taipei), including Yangmingshan: the Guide (a complete guide to the National Park on Taipei’s doorstep) and Taipei Escapes I and 2, which together detail sixty day trips and hikes within easy reach of Taipei city. a fourth book, a guide to Taiwan’s offshore islands, is out now.

Feb 16_p3-end.indd 25 2016/1/24 10:15:48 PM

In October 2015, World Health Organization announced that processed meat is officially regarded as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and red meat is regarded as a probable carcinogen (Group 2A). In other words, there

is sufficient evidence that processed meat causes cancer based on epidemiological studies showing the development of cancer in exposed humans, meaning that processed meat ranks alongside tobacco smoking as a cancer cause. This is definitely shocking news to all bacon, ham or hotdog lovers and does this health warning about the dangers of processed meat and maybe red meat make consumers become vegetarians?

In fact, the World Health Organization has been advising people to consume less preserved meat to reduce the risk of colon cancer since back in 2002. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (a cancer agency of WHO) recently confirmed the carcinogenicity of the consumption of processed meat and probable carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat after an extensive review of more than 800 different studies on cancer in humans. Although both processed meat and tobacco smoking are classified in the same IARC Group 1 carcinogens, the risk from tobacco smoke, which is loaded with known chemical carcinogens is about twentyfold higher. Keep in mind that IARC is telling the general public how confident IARC is that red and processed meat cause cancer, not how much cancer they cause.

1

Causes cancer: Processed meats including sausages and hotdogs (frankfurters), bacon, salami, ham, corned beef, as well as canned meat and meat-based preparations and sauces

2aProbably causes cancer: Red meats including pork, beef, lamb, veal, and mutton

How much processed meat is safe to eat?Based on the study, the consumption of 50 grams of

processed meat per day leads to an 18% higher chance of developing colorectal cancer. That is the equivalent of about 2 slices of ham, 4 strips of bacon or 1 hot dog.

How do processed and red meat cause cancer?In red meat, haem is the pigment that gives red meat its

distinctive red colour, and it is broken down in our gut to form

a family of chemicals called N-nitroso-compounds (NOC). These chemicals have been found to damage the cells in the bowel lining and hence the cells need to replicate more in order to heal. The frequent cell replication increases the likelihood for copying errors (mutations) that can transform a normal cell into a cancer cell. Furthermore, meat processing such as curing or smoking can lead to the formation of NOC and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), for which there is strong evidence of causing cancer.

Should we avoid red meat totally?Red meat does have nutritional value too. It provides

protein, the building blocks of muscle and it is a major source of iron, zinc and vitamin B12. These nutrients play very crucial roles in the formation of red blood cells and enhancement of the immune system.

Cooking technique, however, is something that matters. Adequate cooking is necessary to kill harmful microorganisms within meat to prevent il lness. Cooking meat at high temperatures, such as grilling or barbequing, can also produce carcinogenic chemicals in the meat, including PAHs and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) that may increase the risk of cancer. These chemicals are generally produced in higher levels in red and processed meat compared to other meats. On the other hand, techniques such as braising, steaming, poaching, stewing meats minimize the production of the carcinogenic chemicals.

What are the ways to prevent cancer?As yet, no diet or lifestyle pattern can guarantee full

protection against any disease; the potential health benefit represents a decreased likelihood that the disease will occur, not a guarantee of total protection. The most important modifiable determinants of cancer risk are weight control, dietary choices and levels of physical activity.

American Cancer Society has established guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention and the recommendations are as follows:1. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout life.

a. Avoid excess weight gain at all ages. For those who are currently overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight has health benefits and is a good place to start.

b. E n ga ge i n re g u l a r p hys i ca l a c t i v i t y a n d l i m i t consumption of high-calorie foods and beverages as key strategies for maintaining a healthy weight.

2. Adopt a physically active lifestyle.a. Adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of

moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity (70% to 80% of maximum heart rate) each week, or an equivalent combination, preferably spread


health

Red and Processed MeatsTexT: Michelle cheung, STaTe RegiSTeRed dieTiTian of healTh Professions CounCil (uK) images: web images

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health

throughout the week.b. Children and adolescents should engage in at least 1

hour of moderate or vigorous intensity activity each day, with vigorous intensity activity occurring at least 3 days each week.

c. Limit sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching television, or other forms of screen-based entertainment.

d. Doing some physical activity above usual activities, no matter what one’s level of activity, can have many health benefits.

3. Consume a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods.a. Limit consumption of processed meat and red meat.b. Eat at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and fruits each day.c. Choose whole grains instead of refined grain products.

4. If you drink alcoholic beverages, limit consumption.a. Drink no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2

per day for men. (1 drink = 14 grams pure alcohol = 12 ounces regular beer with ~5% alcohol = 5 ounces wine with ~12% alcohol = 1.5 ounces distilled spirits with ~40% alcohol)

Remember, eating a hotdog once in a while is not going to do much harm but having a healthy diet calls for moderation and is the key to staying healthy.

TexT & images: Zee Dlamini

Michelle Cheung is currently a full-time mom to two but was previously working as a Clinical Dietitian in Hong Kong.

Coconut Oil Sugar Hand Scrub D.I.Y

W hilst we are on the subject of food, here is an awesome hand scrub that you can m a k e y o u r s e l f, i n t h e

comfort of your home with ingredients that are already in your kitchen. I’m literally obsessed with D.I.Ys, especially these coconut oil scrubs; this particular one is a personal favorite of mine. They are the perfect way to fully utilize all the food we spend money on before it reaches its expiry date. The recipe is very simple and it takes less than ten minutes to make, plus it smells heavenly.

Why should you try it?• You’ll save money over store-bought

products (that may actually end up lying idle in the cabinet).

• When you make your own skincare product, you are in control of what you put in it and you know what goes in.

• It’s an environmentally friendly activity - you reuse containers over and over again for the storage of your coconut oil scrub.

• Granulated sugar, especially raw cane sugar, is good for your skin and blood circulation when taken as a scrub.

• Your skin will smell, look and feel better.

To get started you will need the following• Coconut oil (there is no need to heat it up for

this D.I.Y)• Granulated sugar (white or brown is OK. I use

brown raw cane sugar available in Taipei)• 1 Lemon (for citrus zest, to add color and

smell)What you will needgrater, granulated sugar, lemon, coconut oil, measuring spoons, spoonI use the smaller part of the grater for my zest.• ¼ cup granulated sugar (you can use up to ½

a cup if you would like your scrub to have a coarser texture)

• ½ cup coconut oil• 1 Tbsp of citrus fruit zest: the zest from one

piece of fruit. (I have tried grapefruit before and it smells wonderful) OR ½ teaspoon of citrus essential oil - available in the store behind Taipei Main Station. (optional)

DirectionsCombine all ingredients together and stir. I suggest you do not heat the coconut oil, as that will dissolve the sugar.

To UseOn your hands - massage into your hands and fingernails for thirty-forty seconds. Rinse, pat dry and moisturize.

Z. Dlamini is a digital PR strategist turned fashion stylist/fashion blogger, a full time mommy with a zest for life, a lover of all things good.

Feb 16_p3-end.indd 27 2016/1/26 12:52:43 PM


health

T here’s an old saying that goes something like this: “Always go with your gut feeling.” In fact, there’s practical truth to

this old adage of listening to our bodies. We’re walking storehouses of bacteria; we have more bacterial organisms than we have normal cells. And guess where the majority of these bacterial organisms are found? In our gut.

Not al l bacterial organisms are bad for us. It’s only when there’s an imbalance because of poor diet or illness due to food poisoning, long-term ingestion of toxic substances, polluted water, parasites, worms and so on that our gut needs help in regaining a healthy balance within our digestive system. This balance is important to our physical, mental and emotional well-being, too.

One way to achieve this balance is to include fermented foods in our diet. These will help to heal and repair the l ining of our gut, so that our digestive system will be more apt to work properly again. The beneficial bacteria in such foods act as powerful detoxifiers, capable of drawing out of

our system a wide range of toxins and heavy metals.

mainsTays of a healThy dieT Currently, there is a lot of discussion

among psychiatrists and nutritionists regarding the connection between our brain and our digestive system. Since most disease, mental and physical, originates within the digestive system, we need to rethink what we are putting into our mouths.

Natural fermented “live” foods which abound in beneficial bacteria have been healthy dietary mainstays for generations. They are highly nutritious and easily digestible. Foods with live lactic-acid producing intact bacteria are especially good for digestive health and immune function, and for maintaining a sense of emotional well-being.

Such foods include yogurt, cottage cheese, coconut yogurt, whey, kefir and non-dairy fermented foods like sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers, pickled garlic, beets, radish, corn relish, Korean kimchi, miso, soy sauce, fermented tofu and naturally fermented and unpasteurized beers.

Yogurt is a household staple for those who take antibiotics. We know that antibiotics kill off heathy bacteria as wel l as d isease-bear ing ones, sometimes also causing our skin to become dry, scaly or itchy. Yogurt helps to counter the side-effects of antibiotics by replacing the friendly bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is found in yogurt.

Making your own yogurt has become a popular trend in Taiwan. Organic food shops have yogurt starter kits and even machines to help get you started. If buying yogurt in a supermarket, try to avoid brands with lots of sugar, artificial flavoring and color, and make sure the yogurt contains active or live cultures.

Sauerkraut is a popular fermented cabbage dish (especially in Europe) that’s rich in vitamin B6 and is high in calcium, needed for healthy teeth and bones. It’s also been considered a form of traditional folk medicine that helps destroy harmful bacteria in our large intestine, where many people believe that autoimmunity and inflammatory diseases and conditions begin.

Fermented foods are abundant in all cultures; providing important nutrients, boosting our immune system and helping to maintain optimal health. They help detoxify our bodies, and are cost-effective.

Here are a couple of recipes for fermented foods that will help you maintain a healthy, happy digestive system.

TexT: PaTrICIa kOrTMaNN & sue babCOCk IMages: PaTrICIa kOrTMaNN & Web IMages

Preserving a Healthy Digestion

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Good old sauerkraut2 pounds (1 Kg) organic cabbage2 Tbs. sea salt or pink saltCumin seeds or caraway seeds (optional)

Chop cabbage into small pieces. Transfer to a big mixing bowl and sprinkle the salt over it. Work the salt into the cabbage by massaging and squeezing it with your hands. At first it might not seem like enough salt, but gradually the cabbage will become watery and limp — more like coleslaw than raw cabbage. This will take five to ten minutes. If you'd like to flavor your sauerkraut with cumin or caraway seeds, mix them in now.

Grab handfuls of the cabbage and pack them into a canning jar. Occasionally press down the cabbage in the jar with your fist. Pour away any excess liquid.

Place a smaller jar inside the jar and weigh it down with clean stones or marbles. This will help keep the cabbage weighed down, and eventually, submerged beneath the liquid, remove smaller jar. Close the jar air-tight.

Ferment the cabbage for three to ten days. Check every day that the cabbage is covered by the brine and if needed press the cabbage down again. The sourness of the fraut (mixture) depends on the length of fermentation. The longer it ferments the sourer it becomes.

Sauerkraut will keep for at least two months and often longer if kept refrigerated. As long as it still tastes and smells good to eat, it will be fine. If you like, you can transfer the sauerkraut to a smaller container for longer storage.

Another favorite:

The immune system booster½ a small cabbage1 medium jicama1 medium apple1 small beetroot3 handfuls fresh spinach1 medium onion1 clove minced garlic1 large orange, juiced and zested 1 Tbs. sea salt or pink salt½ cup coconut water, kefir (or kefir whey)

Finely shred the cabbage, jicama, apple, spinach and onion using a food processor or a hand shredder. Place in a large bowl.

Add the garlic and salt and toss to combine. Pack all ingredients into a jar.

Add the orange zest and juice, coconut water kefir (or kefir whey) and cover with water, leaving an inch or two at the top.

Allow to ferment for about six days, then store in the fridge.During fermentation check daily that the ingredients are

covered by the brine. If they have risen above the surface push them down again.

Patricia Kortmann's career in Taiwan has included Arts and Events coordinator at the Goethe Institute Taipei for 16 years; 1993-2009, jewelr y designer, seeker for more healthy and sustainable life solutions.

Sue Babcock is a long-time resident of Taiwan with mult i -cul tural interests, especially when it comes to good food.

Feb 16_p3-end.indd 29 2016/1/24 10:15:59 PM


expat perspective

TYPES OF CHICKEN

Free-Range Chicken: Free-range chicken

in Taiwan has black or red feathers. The black-feathered variety is called tuj i (土雞), and is raised for about four months before sale. The weight of the

bird is about 1.8 to 2.1kgs, and the breast meat can be used for stir-fries, while legs or thighs can be braised or stewed. The whole chicken can be baked or used to make soup.

The red-feathered chicken is called fang tuji (仿土雞), and is raised for three months before selling. The bird weighs 2.6 to 3 kgs when taken to market. Red-feathered free-range chicken can be cooked in many ways, including deep frying.

Black bone chicken 烏骨雞 (wuguji):

Black bone chicken has black meat, skin and bones, but white feathers, and weighs about 1.6 to 1.8kgs. This chicken can be cooked like free-range

chickens, but in Taiwan is used mainly in soup, because of its Chinese medicinal and special nutritional value.

Capon 閹雞 (yanji):A capon is a castrated fighting cock, which

can be raised for up to six months. The meat can be used for braising/stewing, or making soup.

Egg chicken 蛋雞 (danji):The regular egg chicken in Taiwan is called

the leghorn, while free-range and black-bone egg chickens are also available.

White-meat chicken 白肉雞 (bairouji):

White-meat chicken (a l s o c a l l e d c a g e d chicken) has the most tender meat, and is best used for deep frying, stir-frying and grilling.

TexT: IVy CheNIMages: IVy CheN & Web IMages

ivy Chen has been teaching taiwanese cuisine at the taipei Community services Center for over sixteen years. during this time, she has taught adults from all over the world, including embassy representatives and high level government officials. more recently, ivy had the opportunity to introduce taiwanese cuisine to British celebrity Chef Ainsley harriott for U.k. audiences in June 2015. she has also co-authored three books about her life and love of cooking.

Cooking with

Chicken

USEFUL SHOPPING CHINESE

1. How much is one jin, please? (one jin = 600 grams)

請問一斤多少錢? Qǐngwèn yī jīn duōshǎo qián?

2. Can I buy half of this? 可以買一半嗎? Kěyǐ mǎi yībàn ma?

3. I want three p ieces o f b lack-feathered f ree-range ch icken breasts.

我要三片土雞胸 Wo yào sanpian tujixiong.

4. I want two pieces of red-feathered chicken legs.

我要兩支仿土雞腿 Wo yào liangzhi fangtuji tui.

5. I want twenty chicken wings. 我要二十支雞翅膀 Wo yào èrshi zhi jichibang.

6. Please de-bone for me. 請幫我去骨頭 Qǐng bangwo qu guotou.

7. Please chop for me. 請幫我切塊 Qǐing bangwo qiekuai.

8. Please remove skin for me. 請幫我去皮 Qǐng bangwo qupi.

Chicken is the second most-popular meat in Taiwan (after pork). The birds are killed in a well-equipped and organized center, then delivered to traditional markets or supermarkets. Chickens may not be slaughtered in markets or streets.

Feb 16_p3-end.indd 30 2016/1/24 10:16:02 PM

#14 Tienmu E. Road | Telephone 2871-1515 | [email protected]

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Tel. 2833 3040 www.Rejuvenate.com.tw

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