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February Cultural/Food Theme:
CHINESE NEW YEAR — RAW VEGAN ASIAN FOOD

The Chinese New Year, which in 2010 begins on February 14, is the beginning of the Chinese year 4708. Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in tiger years are natural leaders and excel as actors, pilots, writers, and managers. They are authoritative, courageous, emotional, and intense. Previous Tiger years include 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998. The Tiger (associated with good fortune, power, and royalty), is viewed with both fear and respect; hence, their protection and wisdom is sought after. Many people believe the tiger, and not the lion, as the true king of beasts.

In the Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth) Theory, the color representing metal is White. Therefore, we also can say that 2010 is the Year of White Tiger. The horoscope for 2010 represents the year of the white metal Tiger as a period with serious changes in every sphere of life. Decisive and fresh politicians will come to power. Love will surely reign all the 2010 year. It will be everywhere; you will feel it with all the senses and get satisfaction from your life! It has quite a simple explanation: according to the 2010 Chinese horoscope and Chinese lunar calendar for the 2010 year of the Tiger, the New Year coincides with February 14 — St. Valentine's Day. So, look around and express your feelings — this is the motto of year 2010!

Raw Veganism

Raw veganism is a diet which combines veganism and raw foodism. It excludes all food of animal origin, and all food cooked above 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit). A raw vegan diet includes raw vegetables and fruits, nuts and nut pastes, grain and legume sprouts, seeds, plant oils, sea vegetables, herbs, and fresh juices. There are many different versions of the diet, including fruitarianism, juicearianism, and sproutarianism. Sometimes the definition of a raw vegan diet is loosened to include vegan diets with at least 75% raw foods.

Raw vegans believe that cooking foods destroys the complex balance of micronutrients. They also believe that, in the cooking process, dangerous chemicals are produced by the heat interaction with fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Some raw vegans are concerned about deforestation and sustainability, believing the use of wood or fossil fuels for cooking is harmful to the environment. Most dedicated followers of a raw vegan diet place importance on spiritual gain. The raw food movement looks at the way food, living, treatment of the earth, our treatment of each other, and our quest for physical, spiritual, and mental health all fit together.

February 27 is the birthday of Ralph Nader (1934), Elizabeth Taylor (1932), John Steinbeck (1902), Marian Anderson (1897) and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807)! Please tell us when you RSVP if you have a February Birthday!

Click HERE to see other people who were also born in February.

Please Register & RSVP at least 3 days in advance, per instructions above. No email RSVPs on day of event! Thanks for understanding!