The Summer Solstice!

It happened yesterday, June 21st at precisely 7:28 AM EDT, in the Northern Hemisphere. It is officially the first day of summer. It is also called Midsummer because it is roughly the middle of the growing season throughout much of Europe.

"Solstice" is derived from two Latin words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere," to cause to stand still. This is because, as the summer solstice approaches, the noonday sun rises higher and higher in the sky on each successive day. On the day of the solstice, it rises an imperceptible amount, compared to the day before. In this sense, it "stands still."

As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in December.

In pre-historic times, summer was a joyous time of the year for those Aboriginal people who lived in the northern latitudes. The snow had disappeared; the ground had thawed out; warm temperatures had returned; flowers were blooming; leaves had returned to the deciduous trees. Some herbs could be harvested, for medicinal and other uses. Food was easier to find. The crops had already been planted and would be harvested in the months to come. Although many months of warm/hot weather remained before the fall, they noticed that the days were beginning to shorten, so that the return of the cold season was inevitable.

The first (or only) full moon in June is called the Honey Moon. Tradition holds that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives.

This time of year, between the planting and harvesting of the crops, was the traditional month for weddings. This is because many ancient peoples believed that the "grand [sexual] union" of the Goddess and God occurred in early May at Beltaine. Since it was unlucky to compete with the deities, many couples delayed their weddings until June. June remains a favorite month for marriage today. In some traditions, "newly wed couples were fed dishes and beverages that featured honey for the first month of their married life to encourage love and fertility. The surviving vestige of this tradition lives on in the name given to the holiday immediately after the ceremony: The Honeymoon."

Some more summer solstice facts:

. Awed by the great power of the sun, civilizations have for centuries celebrated the first day of summer otherwise known as the Summer Solstice

. Ancient pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, when couples would leap through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump.

. Midsummer was thought to be a time of magic, when evil spirits were said to appear. To thwart them, pagans often wore protective garlands of herbs and flowers. One of the most powerful of them was a plant called 'chase-devil', which is known today as St. John's Wort and still used by modern herbalists as a mood stabilizer.

. The Celts & Slavs celebrated the first day of summer with dancing & bonfires to help increase the sun's energy. The Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light.

. Perhaps the most enduring modern ties with Summer Solstice were the Druids' celebration of the day as the "wedding of Heaven and Earth", resulting in the present day belief of a "lucky" wedding in June.

. Today, the day is still celebrated around the world -- most notably in England at Stonehenge and Avebury, where thousands gather to welcome the sunrise on the Summer Solstice.

. Pagan spirit gatherings or festivals are also common in June, when groups assemble to light a sacred fire, and stay up all night to welcome the dawn.

People around the world have observed spiritual and religious seasonal days of celebration during the month of June. Most have been religious holy days which are linked in some way to the summer solstice.

Pagan Beliefs “Christianized!

According to the 12/15/81 Watchtower page 87, and the 4/1/84 Watchtower page 9, many pagan beliefs have been "christianized" as noted below.

Bonfires are lit along the eastern coast of Spain and in many countries of Europe on the eve of June 24, termed “Saint John the Baptist’s” day on the Catholic calendar. What do bonfires have to do with John the Baptist? Barcelona’s morning daily “La Vanguardia” admits that the entire festivity actually “represents the Christianization of the summer solstice.” This astronomical event, when the sun appears to stand still in its heavenly northward or southward motion, motivated festivities and licentious merrymaking among the ancient pagans.

“In A.D. 601, Pope Gregory the First, known as Gregory the Great, issued an edict to his missionaries concerning the native beliefs and customs of the peoples he hoped to convert,” states a recent issue of Natural History magazine. “Instead of trying to obliterate peoples’ customs and beliefs, the pope’s instructions were, use them. If a group of people worship a tree, rather than cut it down, consecrate it to Christ and allow them to continue their worship.” Calling this a “brilliant concept” and the “basic principle in Catholic missionary work,” the article continues: “Catholic holy days were purposely set at the time of native holy days. Christmas, for instance, was assigned the arbitrary date of December 25 because it corresponded to the midwinter celebration of many peoples. For the same reason, Saint John’s day was set at the summer solstice.”

However “brilliant” the idea was toward the spreading of so-called Christianity, it certainly is not God’s way of doing things. When the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, they were instructed by God to destroy thoroughly all pagan worship there. (Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:5, 6) And for true Christians, “clean and undefiled” worship requires that they keep themselves “without spot from the world.”—James 1:27.

Rather than ‘Christianize’ such pagan events, the apostle Paul sets the right course for true Christians by asking: “What sharing does light have with darkness?” Then he admonishes: “'Get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing'". 2Corinthians 6:14-17

Aren't we grateful that we are part of Jehovah's clean organization, and no part of "Babylon The Great"? "For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind." Revelation 18:4-8.

May we continue to be active and zealous in helping honest-hearted ones to know the true God Jehovah and get out of "Babylon The Great" before her "sudden" and "swift" demise. Revelation 18:7,8,21.

This is Raven-as the crow flies!

May Bows To June

Where did May go? It went super fast for me. Again being busy, especially in the Lord's work, time speeds up, don't you agree?

Well as the custom has been since this blog's inception, Raven's delight is to try hard to begin the first day of each month with a blog no matter how important, or trivial it may be. June will be no different.

As usual, I like to know how the different months got their name. June is an interesting one and of course it's named after a pagan goddess.

Juno was the Queen of the Gods. She gave her name to the month of June. She was the goddess of marriage, which partly explains why June weddings are so auspicious. The Greeks knew her as Hera.

The summer solstice is normally June 21st (sometimes the 20th). In the northern hemisphere this is the day with the most daylight. After this date the days begin to get shorter". Normally this day is not specifically celebrated in North America. However, other cultures do have celebrations. This is also the first day of summer.

Wouldn't it be nice, and maybe when we are in the new system of things this will be, to have the months named after the magnificent qualities of our glorious creator, Jehovah God? That would be so much more appropriate in honor of him.

We learn so much about Jehovah from the things he has created. And because of my friends at Birds of a Feather, I have developed a keener awarness of one of Jehovah's most delightful creations, Birds! After all Jesus did say "observe intently the birds of the heavens." (Matthew 6:26) And so I find myself listening, looking, and observing more closely these beautiful creatures.

Being out in the ministry is such a blessing from Jehovah. Not only do we strenghten our faith and skill in helping others and ourselves, it affords us an opportunity to drink in deeply of Jehovah's creations causing us to meditate on Him and his amazing creative abilities, and wisdom.

This past Saturday, the last Saturday of May, when out in the ministry, not only did we have some enjoyable conversations with our neighbors, but we also had the unexpected pleasure of coming across a beautiful, well designed bird's nest resting on the side of the road. It evidently had fallen out of a tree onto the ground. We anxiously looked to see if there were any eggs in the nest. Sadly, they lay crushed on the ground. The color of the eggs were a lovely deep acqua. I immediately picked up the nest, this work of art, not only to bring it to my home , but especially to share this delightful find with my birds of a feather blogging friend who I affectionately call Sparrow, but you all know her as San. She too expressed a delightful sigh of joy when she saw it.

"What kind of birds nest is it?", I asked. She said, "I'm pretty sure it's a Robins nest, you should blog about it" I said, "what a great idea." She took a picture of it to put on the blog, and sent it to me on e-mail, and it came out beautifully. I believe she is putting it on her blog site and as time permits, blog about robins nests as well. I will make an attempt to do the same. So between the both of us, you shoud be well informed.

I came across some information on how Robins build their nest. There is a ton of information on the different shapes of nests, the matereial that birds use and the places they build them. It is an engineering marvel, giving credit and glory to Jehovah who made them instinctively wise.

Focusing on robins, they can live up to 12 years. They may have built 20 or even 30 nests over their lifetimes. They don't need written instructions for building their summer homes. They follow the "nest-building blueprints" in their brains, and instinctively know how to build the perfect structure to hold the eggs they're about to lay. Have you ever noticed that robins' nests are always alike? But have you ever seen a robin teaching another how to build a nest?

Imagine you are a robin. You can make a nest yourself if you follow the insturctions below.

1. Find a suitable building site.

. The site should be protected from sun, wind and rain. It can be anywhere from ground to treetop in height; the site must be on something sturdy enough to anchor the nest securely in place.

. Your nest should also be very close to a good feeding spot so you can easily find worms while keeping an eye on it, and it shouldn't be too far from water.

. Choose a spot that is hard for predators to see. Remember, you and your eggs and babies will be sitting here for the next 5 weeks, so be careful to pick a spot that's safe, cool, and comfortable.

2. Gather materials.

. Grass fibers: Collect about 350 dead grasses and twigs that are about 6 inches long. (The pile should weigh about 135 grams.)

. Soft mud: After a soaking rain, collect mouthfuls of mud in your beak and travel back and forth to your nest site a few hundred times.

3. Build!

. Weave the grasses together, cementing them to each other and to the supporting branch or windowsill with mud.

. Next, use your tummy to shape the nest into a perfect baby cradle.

. Finally, line the inside with the softest grasses and hairs you can find so the eggs will stay warm and not get pierced by any twigs or sharp grass edges. The nest must be tight and snug enough to cradle the eggs and hold in your warmth, but large enough to hold four or even five big nestlings.

When you are finished, your nest should weigh about 205 grams when dry. This is a heavy nest. But four nestlings together can weigh as much as 280 grams before they leave, so your nest must be very strong!

IMPORTANT NOTICE! You've done a lot of work to make this wonderful nest. But after the babies leave, you often have to move out! Even the cleanest robin family can't keep out mites, lice and flies. Once these critters get a head start, they can really multiply fast, making an old nest unsafe for a new batch of babies. You might raise later broods in the same remodeled nest, or you (the female) may build a second nearby nest in 2 or 3 days.

The Awake magazine dated 7/22/71 pp.14-15, also mentioned the robin assembles his nest in a variety of places. He uses branches or crotches in trees; bushes, porch vines, rose arches, fence posts, stone walls, nooks on buildings, bridges, boats and wagons as well as nesting shelves set up by some kind human. The height of these locations has been observed to vary from a few feet to seventy feet from the ground.....the robins use natural mud as a cement for their nests. If none is available they have been known to make it by filling their bills with dust and then dipping them into a birdbath. Or they may wet their feathers and shake off the drops in a dusty place.

Also there was this interesting detail in the 12/8/99 Awake under "Whistling While They Work", it said," Do you enjoy working to music? Well, apparently, many birds do too. The book "The Private Life of Birds", by Michael Bright, notes that birdsongs have a stimulating physical effect on listeners, saying that after exposure to birdsongs, "the heart rates of both males and females went up." Furthermore, some female birds "built their nests faster" and "also tended to lay more eggs" when they listened to male birdsongs."

So as you can see these beautiful creatures work hard. By being alert to note how and where the birds themseves make nests, one may be move to praise and thank the loving Creator, Jehovah God, for these winged gifts to mankind. Psalms 104:1, 16, 17.

There is more I wanted to add, but because of a lack of time I must stop. Until next time.

This is Raven-as the crow flies!

The Vanilla Bean-Why So Expensive?

This question aroused my interest, after obtaining the ingredients to make "Mayan Hot Chocolate", the same hot chocolate that was made in the movie, "Chocolat." Just reading the ingredients was enough to entice any hot chocolate lover to make it.

One of the ingredients was the vanilla bean pod. As I eagerly searched the supermarket for the exotic, indispensable vanilla bean pod, you can imagine my delight to finally find it on the shelf in the spice aisle. My eyes glistened with joy as I reached eagerly for it. "What? There are only two pods in this jar?", I said. "Oh well, the recipe said I just need one anyway." Okay, now how much is it?" I could not believe my eyes, "this must be a mistake, it says $12.99 for just two pods?" It was no mistake, and there was no turning back, I had to make it if I was going to have the authentic "Mayan Hot Chocolate" that was on the movie Chocolat!

As you know, from my previous blog, the cost and effort to make it was well worth it. It was outstanding. I decided from that day on, I needed to find out why the vanilla bean pod is so expensive, and to blog about it.

So here's what I found out:

These are some of the most often asked questions.

Q1: What are vanilla beans and where do they come from?

Vanilla beans are actually the fruits of the tropical orchid variety Vanilla Planifolia. Of the many thousands of varieties of orchids this is the only one that bears edible fruit. The pods look like green beans when ripe; after harvesting they need to be cured to develop that rich flavor. Vanilla beans are grown in the tropical climates only. Some of the more popular countries are Madagascar and the surrounding islands, Uganda, Indonesia, Tahiti, Mexico, India and Hawaii. Malaysia has just recently join in the vanilla bandwagon due to its lucrative commercial lure.

Q2: Why is natural vanilla expensive?

Vanilla is the world's most labor-intensive agricultural crop, which is why it's so expensive. It is the second most expensive spice next to saffron. It takes up to three years after the vines are planted before the first flowers appear. Each flower opens only one day a year for a few hours.

The vanilla flower is laboriously hand-pollinated. The fruits, which resemble big green beans, must remain on the vine for nine months to completely develop their signature aroma before they are hand-harvested and the lengthy process of curing, sweating and drying begins. The beans are large, tasteless green pods, and must be cured to develop flavor and aroma. The vanilla is completely cured when the proper moisture content is reached, and the beans have darkened to a sweet, rich aroma. The entire curing process sometimes may stretch up to nine months.

Q3: What is the difference between natural vanilla and artificial vanilla?

Substances called “vanilla flavor” in the market don’t contain vanilla at all, being synthesized from eugenol (clove oil), waste paper pulp, coal tar or ‘coumarin’, found in the tonka bean, whose use is forbidden in several countries. Real vanillin from pure vanilla has several hundred complex flavor components, artificial vanillin just simulates one or a few of these. A good synthetic duplicate of real vanilla simply does not exist.

Q4: What is the difference between Planifolia (Bourbon) and Tahitensis (Tahitian) vanilla species?‘

Bourbon’ and ‘Tahitian’ are the generic or common names of the vanilla orchid species with the scientific names Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla tahitensis. These species are grown in many countries around the world. The aroma and flavors are completely different and they may also be used for different purposes. Bourbon vanilla is best suited for use where the classic vanilla flavor and aroma is required like desserts, ice-creams, smoothies, tea and sugar infusion. Tahitian Vanilla is generally much favored by gourmet and pastry chef for its short burst of floral flavor. However, in the end it is all up to you to decide what suits you best. You can even mix these two varieties for a richer and more distinctive taste and aroma.

Q5: Where does the vanilla bean originate from?

The vanilla orchid is a native to Mexico, but Madagascar is now the largest producer in the world.

The plant grows as a vine attaching itself to existing trees, and if left alone will climb to the highest point of the tree with hardly any flowers.

One flower produces one fruit and the flavored compounds of vanilla are found there. The vanilla flower lasts only one day, sometimes less, so the vines have to be inspected daily, which is very labor intensive.

The vine can be grown on wood such as trees in a forest, in a plantation on trees or poles, or in a shade house which increases the productivity.

Vanilla Planifolia flowers are hermaphrodites, which means that they carry both male and female organs. To avoid self-pollination, there is a membrane which separates these organs.

There is only one species of bee which can naturally pollinate the flower, and that’s the Melipone bee only found in Mexico. This one species of bee had a 300 year monopoly pollinating the Vanilla Planifolia. They are also pollinated by the hummingbird.

In 1836, a botanist named Charles Francois Antoine Morren, was sitting on his patio in Veracruz, Mexico, drinking coffee, and he noticed black bees flying around his vanilla flowers sitting on his table. He watched them working their way under the flap inside the flower and transferring their pollen. He noticed that within a few hours the flowers closed up and a few days later, seed pods began to form. He immediately began experimenting with different ways to use hand pollination, but it wasn’t until 1841 that a slave named Edmond Albius who resided on Reunion, developed a simple hand pollination method which is still practiced today.

Today, Vanilla grows within the 20-degree latitude, either side of the Equator and is native to the Americas. Vanilla planifolia grows on the Atlantic Gulf side of Mexico from Tampico around to the north eastern tip of South America, and from Colima, Mexico to Ecuador on the Pacific side. It also grows throughout the Caribbean.

Madagascar and Indonesia grow the majority of the world's crop. Other countries growing vanilla include Guatemala, Costa Rica, Uganda, China, India, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, and the Philippines.

Q6: How are vanilla beans processed?

The vanilla pods are hand-harvested when they are still green and then the fermentation process begins. The beans are plunged in hot water to stop the photo-synthesis process and then the 'drying' and 'sweating' process starts until they have shrunk to 20% of their original size. The beans are dried in the sun during the day and then wrapped in the blankets at night so they can sweat. This process can last anywhere from 2 to 6 months until the beans become a very dark brown color and develop a white crystalline substance (or frost) on the outside of the bean, called vanillin. The vanillin is what gives the beans their wonderful flavor and aroma and these beans are prized. At this point the beans are aged to bring out their full flavor, and this can take from 2 months to two years. Upon the completion of this process, the beans are sorted for size and quality. Then they will rest for a month or two to finish developing their full flavour and fragrance. Once dried and cured the vanilla pods need to be kept airtight to retain their wonderful flavor.

Q7: How are Vanilla Beans categorized?

Both Bourbon and Tahitian Vanilla Beans are categorized in 3 Grades: A, B & C. Grade A beans are of good-color (chocolate brown to black) and void of dents, tears and marks. Grade B & C beans are a lower quality, but still suitable for many needs. Size does matter when it comes to buying vanilla beans. The conventional wisdom is the longer the bean the superior its quality. Although longer beans contain a larger percentage of caviar (the seeds-pulp), shorter beans can be of a similar quality and flavor. It is this larger percentage of caviar in a bean that justifies the higher price for longer beans.

Q8: What to look for when buying vanilla beans?

The superior varieties of vanilla beans are those from Madagascar and Mexico. But vanilla beans from other regions will be similar if they are picked at peak ripeness and are properly cured. Avoid dry, woody, beans , short , almost no scent. When buying vanilla, you should look for:
· Species: Bourbon or Tahitian. We recommend you to try both varieties...
· Grade: The best option is to choose between Grade-A Gourmet Vanilla Beans (Longs: 14-17cm) or Grade-A Premium Vanilla Beans (Super: 18cm++), however you may choose Grade B beans for extract-making or to make gourmet products.

· Length: The longer the bean the more the quantity of its caviar (seeds). However, there are no differences of quality and flavor with shorter beans of similar grade.

· Appearance: Good quality vanilla beans should be chocolate brown to black, supple and flexible, plump, moist and oily with strong aroma. A good test is to tie a knot in the bean. This should be done with ease, without breaking or splitting.

When scraping the caviar from the inside of the pod, the seeds should come off the skin easily, with no mushy residue being evident. You can scrape the seeds carefully using a teaspoon. You may often see tiny white crystals on the inside or outside of the bean. These are the highly desirable vanillin crystals.

Q9: How to use Vanilla Beans?

Use the bean whole as the entire bean is filled with flavor. In fact, the pod has more flavor than the seeds. Cut the bean and use a portion at a time or you can use the whole bean, depending on the depth of flavor required. Vanilla beans can usually be used several times. Rinse and dry the bean pieces after using them. Just air-dry the pieces and you can use them to make vanilla sugar, coffee and tea or finely ground to make vanilla powder to add additional flavor to ice-creams, cookies and cereals. If there is only the pod left, or, if the bean has been used several times for flavoring beverages let the pieces dry, and mix in with sugar or coffee in a jar.


Q10: How to cut the Vanilla Bean.

To cut open a bean, lay it flat on a cutting surface. Holding one end of the bean to the surface, carefully slice the bean with a knife length-wise. Then, carefully scrape the fleshy seeds and pulp (the 'caviar') into the liquid mixture to be flavored. You can also add in the bean pod. Infuse for at least 10 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean at the end when your preparation is ready leaving behind just the tiny black seeds. Ideally, you would allow this to steep for about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the bean pod before using.

Q11: How should I store my gourmet vanilla beans?

Keep the vanilla in an airtight container (we recommend a glass jar) at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. Kept this way, it can be stored for 12 months. Do not store vanilla beans in the refrigerator or freezer! (The cold will dry them out and may promote a particular type of vanilla mold.) The important thing is that the temperature is kept relatively constant and that air is allowed to circulate a bit (unless they are vacuum-packed, in which case you can keep them that way until use). If you do store them in an air tight, sealed container, we recommend opening it every couple of weeks or so to let the air circulate a bit.

Do not worry if you see whitish powder on the surface of the beans for those are vanillin crystals - gold of the vanilla bean! These crystals are quite edible and very flavorful.

If you are uncertain whether the beans are covered with crystals or mildewed, take them into the sunlight. The crystals are similar to mineral crystals and will reflect the sun's rays, creating the colors of the rainbow. Mildew, on the other hand, will be dull and flat in the light, and may also smell bad. If the bean is mildewed, throw it away as the mildew will spread to uninfected beans.

Q12: How long will gourmet vanilla beans remain fresh?

Stored properly, gourmet beans should remain moist and easy to work with for at least a year, many times quite a bit longer. If the beans do dry out a bit, you can place a half of a small potato in a jar with them to soften them for use. You can also soften them a bit by placing them in some warm water or milk just before use.

Q13: Which country produces the best Vanilla Beans?

There are no secrets to producing fine vanilla beans...the finest vanilla beans can only come from the finest vanilla plant tended with much care and passion. Today about 70-80% of the world's vanilla comes from the islands of Madagascar and Reunion in the Indian Ocean where the plants were first introduced around 1840. The Madagascar or Madagascar-Bourbon vanilla beans are often referred to as "bourbon beans" because the French first planted the vine on the Isle de Bourbon. These beans have a smooth, rich, sweet flavor and are the thinnest of the vanilla beans grown.

The Mexican vanilla bean is thicker and darker bean that has a smooth, strong, rich fragrance and flavor. Some say they are the best. The one problem is that some manufacturers of vanilla products in Mexico add coumarin, which is banned by the FDA because it can cause liver and kidney damage. So make sure you always buy Mexican vanilla products from a reputable supplier.

Tahitian vanilla beans are the thickest of the three and almost black in color. They are not as flavorful as the other two but are very aromatic, with complex floral aromas, which make them popular in making perfumes.


Q14: Are there any therapeutic benefits or medicinal quality to vanilla beans?

From venom antidotes to respiratory congestion to heart conditions, Vanilla was traditionally used around the world both medically and for spiritual healing. Thanks to contemporary science, the study of ingredients used in ancient health remedies reveals more and more of their factual and superstitious qualities. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in the USA was one of the first organization to determine factual therapeutic properties of essential oils used in aromatherapy. The methods even includes MRI research.

Vanilla is said to help relieve stress, emotionally soothing and comforting, soothe the stomach, stave hunger and cravings; and makes a natural aphrodisiac! Aromatherapists use vanilla essential oil to create a relaxed, euphoric mood and to counteract tension, frustration and irritability. Vanilla's sweet and strong scent provides your senses literally with a little "food for thought". Its vibrant scent instantly quell hunger and sweets-cravings for a short period of time.

The molecular structure of pure vanilla essential oil is similar in composition and structure to human pheromones and can intermingle with them easily. Meaning, the scent of vanilla easily combines with and compliments your personal scent. Vanilla is scientifically an aphrodisiac! The ancient Totonacos who first cultivated vanilla considered vanilla beans as potent aphrodisiac. Studies at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago have indicated that vanilla can both promote sexual arousal in men and also help people fall asleep faster and more quickly into the REM or dream state.

However, please beware! Most vanilla scented products do not contain pure natural Vanilla Essential Oils or extracts. Instead of vanilla, many manufacturers opt to use Vanillin, a cheaper and synthetic version of Vanilla aroma and taste.

Q15: I was told to be wary of vanilla beans that came from South America, please
explain the reason behind this?

One fraud to be especially aware of and avoid is vanilla (usually "bargain" priced) that has been adulterated with coumarin. Since pure vanilla extract is expensive because of the cost of its production, a “bargain” that is “too good to be true” should be viewed with due caution.

Coumarin is derived from the tonka bean (Dipteryx ordorata ) that grows on a tree native to Brazil. Because it's cheap and some of its constituents are similar to those in pure vanilla, is often added to vanillas from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. It adds a strong vanilla-like aroma but little flavor. Coumarin is known to cause liver damage and is a potential carcinogen, and has been banned as a food ingredient by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States since 1954.

Q16: What are the equivalences of vanilla products?

Vanilla is sold in different forms: extract and essence, pods (beans), powdered, and vanilla sugar.

Vanilla Extract is the most popular way that vanilla is used by home bakers. Vanilla extract is produced by steeping the vanilla beans in an alcohol and water solution for several months, sometimes with sugar added, thereby producing a clear dark liquid with a rich flavor that is highly aromatic. The FDA requires that pure vanilla extract contain 13.35 ounces of vanilla beans per gallon of liquid and contain 35%alcohol. This is called one-fold vanilla extract and is what you find in stores. Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract is an excellent vanilla that can be found in specialty food stores and by mail order. Do not add vanilla extract to hot liquids as the alcohol evaporates, along with some of the vanilla flavor.

Vanilla beans and vanilla extract can often be substituted for one another, but you will get a more true and interesting flavor when you use pure vanilla beans.

1 vanilla bean equals 1 pouch of vanilla infusion
1 vanilla bean equals 1 teaspoon of pure ground vanilla
1 vanilla bean equals 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 inch of vanilla bean is equal to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

So the next time your recipe calls for a real vanilla bean pod, you will know before you faint, why it is so expensive.

This is Raven-as the crow flies!

May-As The Crow Flies!

As customary with each new month, Raven likes to blog about how the month got its name. May, will be no different.

According to Wikipedia, the month May has been named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May.

Again we see how the "god of this system of things" has influenced even the naming of the months, glorifying a pagan goddess of fertility and sex. His influence is evident even more so today, as we see a sexual revolution that honors, glorifies and worships sex and all of its perversions.

It's interesting to note in both common Western calendrical systems, no other month begins on the same day of the week as May. This month and June are the only two months that have this trait, though the first day of August in a common year and the first day of October in a leap year are also unique.

May is a beautiful time of the year. Remember, "April Showers Bring May Flowers."

It is truly a joy to be out in the ministry to see, and drink in deeply Jehovah's glorious floral creations, the blue sky, and flowering green trees and cheerful singing birds. "The heavens are declaring the glory of God; And of the work of his hands the expanse is telling." Psalms 19:1. "There is no speech, and there are no words: No voice on their part is being heard." Psalms 19:3. And yet the existence of these animate, and inanimate creations speak out volumes in honor of their creator.

What a great time and opportunity we have to use our speech to honor and glorify Jehovah verbally with one another, and to our neighbors in the ministry, and in the meditations of our heart to Jehovah. Psalms 19:14

I was hoping, as I promised, to do a blog on why the vanilla pod is so expensive. That will have to wait for another time.

I would like to end this blog with a little poem I read. Not sure who the author is.

When April steps aside for May
Like diamonds all the rain-drops glisten
Fresh violets open every day
To some new bird each hour we listen.

This is Raven-as the crow flies

The First of May

The first of May
The middle of spring
30 to go
What will it bring?

May it bring peace
And joy in your heart
For that to be so
We must do our part

This blog I hope
Will have a small share
In bringing a smile
And lessen your care

So as the crow flies
In this month of May
Where will he go?
I cannot say

Please let me know
If I help in some way
To add joy to your heart
In this month of May

This is Raven-as the crow flies

The Raven Is Back!

It's good to be back on the blog. As many of you know, we were away in California, visiting my mother-in-law who we thought was dying. When we got there, she did look terrible, not eating, sleeping, and having jerking movements from time to time, speaking irrationally on occasion. For two days we were all very sullen, expecting the worse. Then miraculously the third day she wakes up and says, "I'm hungry, where are we going for breakfast." After we picked ourselves up off the floor happily, we all ate a hearty breakfast, she of course ate more than us. She continues to get better as I write.
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While in California, we didn't do much except cook, read, and spend time with the family. Joyce, Russell's sister wanted to watch a movie one night and we decided upon "Chocolat" I love that movie. So to put ourselves in the mood, I thought it would be great to make hot chocolate the way it was made in the movie, and sip it ever so romantically, as we eagerly watch the movie.
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So-be-it, I anxiously looked on line for the receipe. I found it. It's called "Mayan Hot Chocloate. " The drink is as close as can be with the modern ingredients to the Mayan drink from the movie. It will cure anything from PMS to heart disease to a broken heart, so they say. Why don't you rent the movie and try it yourself. It's wonderful. Here's the recipe.
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Mayan Hot Chocolate

1 chile pepper, cut in half, seeds removed

5 cups light cream, or whole milk or nonfat milk

1 vanilla bean, split lenghtwise

1 to 2 cinnamon sticks

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, or 3 tablets

Mexican chocolate, cut into 2-inch pieces

2 tablespoons granulated sugar or honey or to taste

1 tablespoon almonds or hazelnuts, ground extra fine

Add chile pepper to 2 cups boiling water. Cook until liquid is reduced to 1 cup. Remove chile pepper; strain for stray seeds, and set aside.

In a medium-size saucepan, combine cream or milk, vanilla bean(vanilla bean should be split in half length wise and the tiny seeds scraped out) and cinnamon stick. Heat over medium flame until bubbles appear around the edge. Reduce heat to low; add chocolate and sugar or honey; whisk occasionally until chocolate is melted and sugar dissolves.

Turn off heat; remove vanilla bean and cinnamon stick, stir in ground almonds or hazelnuts. Add chile pepper infusion a little at a time making sure the flavor isn't too strong. If chocolate is too thick, thin with a little more milk. Enjoy!
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I had to go on a search in the supermaket for all the ingredients. It was at that time I discovered the tremendously expensive cost of vanilla beans. Did you know they were so expensive? Why are vanilla beans so expensive? For just two bean pods it can range from $12-15 dollars. And so my dear friends as the crow flies, I found out why. That will be the subject of my next blog.
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This blog has been especially written for "The Crow", or affectionately known as "Old Crow" Now you must keep up with the blog Crow, cause The Raven is back!!!


This is Raven-as the crow flies

April - A New Month Begins

April 1st to blog I must
Whether it's little, or
Whether it's much
Could be silly
Could be wise
Always truthful
Never lies
North or South
East or West
As the crow flies
I'll do my best!

April. The derivation of the name (Latin Aprilis) is uncertain. The traditional etymology is from the Latin aperire, "to open," in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open," which is supported by comparison with the modern Greek use of opening for spring.
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Since most of the Roman months were named in honor of divinities, and as April was sacred to Venus, the Festum Beneris et Fortunae Virlis being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her Greek name Aphrodite, or from the Etuscan name Apru. Jacob Grimm suggest the name of a hypothetical god or hero, Aper or Aprus.
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Again we see the influence of the ruler of this world in giving honor to pagan deities. May we continue to show honor to Jehovah the God of truth, by sanctifying his name.
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Something interesting about April is that it starts on the same day of the week as July in all years, and January in leap years.
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Have you ever wondered how April Fools Day originated, here is some interesting thoughts.
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No one really knows when this custom began but it has been kept for hundreds of years.
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The First of April some do say
Is set apart for All Fools Day;
But why the people call it so,
Not I, nor they themselves do know.
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Unlike most of the other non-foolish holidays, the history of April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. There really wasn't a "first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring.
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Change of Calendars
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One Theory is that the modern holiday was first celebrated soon after the adoption of the Gregorian calendar; the term referred to someone still adhering to the Julian calendar, which it replaced.
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The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the new year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25. The celebration culminated on April 1. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1.
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However, communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the new year on April 1. These backward folk were labeled as "fools" by the general populace. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fools errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes.
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Britain didn't accept the new calendar until 1752.
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In the eighteenth century the festival was often posited as going back to the time of Noah. According to an English newspaper article published April 13, 1789, the day had its origin when Noah sent his dove off too early, before the waters had receded; he did this on the first day of the Hebrew month that corresponds with April, this seems to be a popular Jewish custom for making "fools" on the First of April.
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In the Babylonian and Assyrian Empires, the King would often be spanked by the High priest to remind him of how much of a fool he was in comparison to the gods.
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This harassment evolved, over time, into a tradition of prank-playing on the first day of April. The tradition eventually spread to England and Scotland in the eighteenth century. It was later introduced to the American colonies of both the English and French. April Fool's Day thus developed into an international fun fest, so to speak, with different nationalities specializing in their own brand of humor at the expense of their friends and families.
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In Scotland, for example, April Fool's Day is actually celebrated for two days. The second day is devoted to pranks involving the posterior region of the body. It is called Taily Day. The origin of the "kick me" sign can be traced to this observance.
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Mexico's counterpart of April Fool's Day is actually observed on December 28. Originally, the day was a sad remembrance of the slaughter of the innocent children by King Herod. It eventually evolved into a lighter commemoration involving pranks and trickery.
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Pranks performed on April Fool's Day range from the simple, (such as saying, "Your shoe's untied!), to the elaborate. Setting a roommate's alarm clock back an hour is a common gag. Whatever the prank, the trickster usually ends it by yelling to his victim, "April Fool!"
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April Fool's Day is a "for-fun-only" observance. Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their "significant other" out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off work or school. It's simply a fun little holiday, but a holiday on which one must remain forever vigilant, for he may be the next April Fool!
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As you can see from this blog there are many different ideas and customs as to the origin of this day. I wanted to see what information there was in the Watchtower on this day, but they only had one reference dated March 22, 1947 Awake: page 27-28. I don't have it. Does anyone have it? I'd love to see it. Let me know.
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I will end this blog with Sara Coleridge "The Months" poem for April.
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"April brings the primrose sweet.
Scatters daisies at our feet! "

This is Raven - As the crow flies