The real origins of ice cream are more obscure. Ancient Romans did have something like shaved ice, but the first mentions of dairy-based frozen treats are from ancient China. It did not reach Europe until the 1600s, showing up in Italy when ice houses became more common among the ruling elite. The first recipes for ice cream appear in the early 1700s, written by the royal confectioner to Queen Anne in England. The French got in on the mix (literally) when they invented the pot freezer to make it easier to mix all the ingredients together. Ice cream came to America during the colonial era. While some claim Thomas Jefferson is responsible for introducing it (when he brought a recipe from France), some colonial governors were already eating ice cream to refresh themselves during the hot summer energy, known as qi, or “chi.” In Chinese medicine, balanced qi is essential to good health. Hundreds of studies demonstrate the mental and physical benefits this quiet martial art provides. Because of its focus on posture, tai chi is particularly helpful for balance. In Harvard’s analysis of 20 different studies, tai chi was shown to improve cognitive function and slow the progression of dementia more than other forms of exercise. While the movements appear mild, the practice of tai chi requires discipline and strength. That’s part of the reason why it provides a powerful punch of health benefits and also why less than 5 percent of people stick with it. Some teachers say it takes three years to learn the basic movements of tai chi — and more than a lifetime to master. Physical training, combined with the internal meditative aspect of
months. Jefferson did build an ice house for the executive residence while he was president, however, and Martha Washington served ice cream at Mount Vernon. Ice cream became an industry in the U.S. around the mid-1800s, and the industry continued to grow, as did the prevalence of soda fountain shops. Americans everywhere were screaming for ice cream. During World War II, dairy products were rationed, but in 1946, after the ration was lifted, Americans consumed around 20 quarts per capita annually. While it may not have actually been served at ancient royal dining tables, many cultures and notable people have tasted its sweetness. It is still one of the favorite desserts of summertime. tai chi, are the reasons martial arts legend Jet Li has turned to the exercise in recent years, even campaigning to make it an Olympic event. In an interview, Li explained his push to make tai chi a more widely recognized and accepted exercise: “In our attempts to push ourselves, we’ve lost sight of an important part of the sporting mindset: balance.” For anyone setting out on a mission to age gracefully, tai chi can help reduce your risk of falling with its focus on posture. An ounce of preventive tai chi may be worth a pound of cure; the Center for Disease Control reports that people pay an average of $35,000 in health care costs every time they fall. Many community centers and health and wellness facilities offer opportunities to learn tai chi, from free community classes to entire tai chi facilities. Go see for yourself why this is the martial art everyone should practice.
When you think about martial arts, a few images come to mind: Mr. Miyagi, possibly nunchucks, and people breaking objects using impressive disciplined strength. But one of the most powerful martial arts you may not immediately picture is tai chi. This ancient Chinese form of combat in slow motion is an internal martial art that works from the inside out by developing the body’s internal
We All Scream for Ice Cream!
This frozen dessert was rumored to be enjoyed by the kings and conquerors of ancient times. Today, it is known by many names, but most know it as ice cream. This treat has historic roots that go a lot further back than the soda parlors of Norman Rockwell’s America, and its journey to cartons at the supermarket has been a whirlwind. Numerous claims have been made about the first ancient accounts of ice cream and its icier counterparts. It has melted into stories of Alexander the Great, Emperor Nero, and even King Solomon, who all supposedly enjoyed some sort of shaved ice flavored with fruit juice or honey. However, it’s more likely that these accounts were conjured up as marketing tactics by ice cream vendors much later on.
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