Swing Dancing To a Plant-Based Beat

Playing with less skilled players can be a rewarding experience for both you and the other players. It's a great way to improve your teaching skills, be a positive role model, build camaraderie, and have fun! All of these are the goals of most recreational sports programs. As players begin to attain more skill in this environment, they tend to move around, and away from less skilled players in search of what they consider are better games or a more engaging experience. In the process m ore skilled players, in any recreational sport, can inadvertently set up a pass/fail environment when choosing teammates or opponents. These actions can inhibit the creation of  a more inclusive and enjoyable gaming environment for everyone. There are a few reasons why more skilled players might do this. The desire to win - They may feel that they have a better chance of winning if they choose teammates who are also skilled, and they may feel that they have a better chance of winning if they avoid c

My wife and I started dancing together as a way to enjoy each other's company and have some fun. We quickly found that dance was much more than that for us. It became our place of refuge, recreation, and an escape from the troubles of life. We have faced many challenges in our lives, but dance has always been there for us. When my father was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, we found that dance was a way to cope with the stress and grief. We would dance together in the evenings after a long day of caregiving, and it would help us to relax and forget about our troubles for a while. After my father passed away, we continued to dance as a way to heal. Dance helped us to process our grief and to find joy in life again. We also began to teach dance, which gave us a sense of purpose and helped us to connect with other people. In 2022, we decided to focus on the Carolina Shag. We joined the Competitive Shaggers Association and began to learn from some of the best Carolina Shag dancers in

Have you been a member of an organization that lacks the leadership necessary to maintain order and set the direction of a group of like-minded individuals? Here is an example of how a lack of leadership can create chaos: A local club or organization is trying to rebuild after two years of a devastating pandemic and the leader is incompetent in their ability to make the decisions necessary to bring the club back to it's pre-pandemic standing. The club members end up arguing with the leader which descends into chaos, and violence erupts. Leadership is essential for any group or organization that wants to be successful. A good leader provides direction, sets goals, and motivates people to work together. However, what happens when there is no leader or one that is fairly incompetent in leading? When there is a lack of leadership , chaos can quickly ensue. People start to look out for themselves, and there is no one to make decisions or resolve conflicts. This can lead to confusion, i

A real learning environment exists where there is freedom to fail. In fact, I would argue that it is essential for real learning to take place. When students are afraid to fail, they are less likely to take risks and try new things. This can prevent them from learning and growing. The Carolina Shag dance is a social dance that originated in the Carolinas in the 1940s. It is characterized by its smooth, flowing movements and its upbeat, rhythm and blues music. Shag dance competitions are a great way to test your skills and have fun with friends. However, they can also be intimidating for those who are new to the dance. The freedom to fail is an important part of shag dance competition. Everyone makes mistakes, and it is important to learn from them and move on. In fact, some of the best shag dancers are those who have learned to embrace failure and use it as an opportunity to grow. If you are thinking about entering a shag dance competition, I encourage you to do it! It is a great way

Cooking is not merely a mundane task but an art form that allows us to express our creativity and experiment with flavors. One ingredient that holds immense potential for culinary innovation is grits. These versatile and humble grains, derived from corn, have been a staple in Southern cuisine for generations. However, today we'll dive into the world of grits and explore how they can be used as a canvas for culinary creativity. Understanding the Basics of Grits: Grits are a coarsely ground cornmeal product, commonly associated with Southern cuisine. Traditionally made from dent corn, they have a distinctive creamy texture when cooked. Grits can be either instant, quick-cooking, or stone-ground, with the latter offering a more robust flavor and texture. By understanding the fundamentals of grits, we can better appreciate their potential for culinary exploration. Elevating Classic Grits Dishes: While dishes like shrimp and grits or cheese grits are iconic and delicious in their own ri

Gullah cooking, whose recipes are making it into Dan Buettner's new book "The Blue Zones American Kitchen" , is a unique and delicious culinary tradition that is rooted in the African and Native American cultures of the Gullah people. It is one of my favorite cooking traditions and I find myself drawn to it as a base for many dishes along with the flavors of Ethiopian cuisine. The Gullah are descendants of enslaved Africans who were brought to the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia in the 17th and 18th centuries. They developed their own unique culture and cuisine, which is a blend of African, Native American, and European influences. Gullah cooking is characterized by its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients, its emphasis on seafood, and its use of traditional cooking methods. Some of the most popular Gullah dishes include shrimp and grits, crab rice, okra soup, and benne wafers. In addition to being delicious, Gullah cooking is also a rich and historic tradition. T

Have you ever been to a party or club and wanted to dance, but you were too afraid to get on the dance floor? Maybe you were worried about what other people would think of your dancing, or maybe you were just shy. If so, you're not alone. Many people have a fear of dancing in front of strangers. This fear is called chorophobia, and it's a real thing. It can be caused by a number of things, including: Fear of judgment:  Many people are afraid of being judged by others, especially when it comes to their dancing. They may worry that they'll look foolish or clumsy, or that other people will think they're not good enough. Social anxiety:  People with social anxiety often have a fear of being in social situations, especially if they feel like they're being watched. This can make it very difficult for them to dance in front of strangers. Body image issues:  People who are unhappy with their body image may be afraid to dance in front of others because they're worried ab